Students analyze future overpass

Senior design students from the MSU College of Engineering presented ideas to Lansing-area professional consultants about the future construction of an underpass beneath two railroad tracks near the intersection of Farm Lane and Service Road. Civil engineering professor Roger Wallace said the underpass will make it easier for cars to enter the university on the south side of campus, which is accessed via Farm Lane. The students were responsible for coming up with preliminary designs for the underpass — meaning students needed to illustrate to the consultants their ideas for the underpass' structural, hydraulic, environmental and geotechnical foundations, Wallace said. "One of the major problems is that Farm Lane self-crosses two sets of railroad tracks, and so there are a number of delays in addition to the safety hazards that are there," Wallace said.

Automated calling used in political campaigns

Future Michigan elections might continue campaign calls to voters and try to duplicate what has been considered a successful year. About 38 million voters showed up at the polls — about 6 million more voters than the previous midterm election, Michigan Secretary of State statistics show. John Truscott, spokesman for former Republican gubernatorial candidate Dick DeVos, said the DeVos campaign used automated calling to get people out to vote, and it appears to have worked. "While people complain about it, it leads to record levels," he said, adding that robo calls are cheaper than television or radio advertising.

Competition may increase in cable

The Michigan House of Representatives passed a bill last month to replace the current local cable television system with a statewide franchising system.

Trustees to vote on funding for College of Human Medicine

The MSU Board of Trustees will vote Friday to establish an endowment that would provide support to departments focused on central nervous systems disorders in the College of Human Medicine. The fund will support departments, such as neurology and ophthalmology but can be used to provide additional assistance in similar areas of research.

Students, officials work to bring recycling center to campus

Students may find it easier to recycle their trash if an initiative to build a university recycling center is put into effect by university and student government officials.

Police briefs 12/05/06

Legal services advise students with civil, criminal problems

For some students, solving housing issues goes farther than meeting with a mediator. Sometimes, legal action is necessary. Issues with roommates, tenants and landlords can become a problem this time of year.

Fraternity house may sell before year's end

The former Delta Upsilon house located at 427 M.A.C. Ave., might be sold to an unknown buyer by the end of this month. Vacant since May, the house is being sold because there wasn't enough student interest to maintain a Delta Upsilon group at MSU, said Jim Pattee, president of MSU Delta Upsilon Corp., which owns the house.

Virtual candles promote National AIDS Fund

You can help fight the battle against AIDS with the click of a mouse. For every virtual candle lit this month at www.lighttounite.org, pharmaceutical giant Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. will donate $1 to the National AIDS Fund to help AIDS organizations in the United States. The company said it will donate up to $100,000. On Nov.

Annual chili cook-off draws people of all ages

Amelia Villhauer stood on the second floor of the East Lansing Marriott at University Place on Sunday afternoon, barely tall enough to look out the window at the festivities across the street.

Winter season starts colder than usual

Jack Frost is here to stay. Students got a taste of winter this weekend with temperatures dropping far below freezing.

Online book trading has yet to become popular

Students could purchase cheaply-priced books at a new online store, but the company creator said he is having difficulty getting his foot in MSU's front door. MyCollegeBookTrader.com is a new online store that business co-owner, Sean Marconi said "is meant to help students out." "We just opened this semester and we have set up online stores for Oakland University, University of Michigan, Western Michigan University, Central Michigan University and MSU," Marconi said.

Campus service group holds 24-hour holiday charity event

MSU's chapter of Circle K, the world's largest collegiate service organization and part of the East Lansing Kiwanis Club, held its biggest event of the year Friday — a 24-hour charity-fest of activities, including gift-wrapping, bottle-collecting and card-writing, to celebrate the upcoming holiday seasons that included. Circle K is an international organization with clubs in 17 countries and has 618,000 members — 65 of whom are from MSU. Jessica Vonck, vice president of MSU's Circle K, said the event ran a full 24 hours — from 4 p.m.

MSU World AIDS Day

Olin Health Center has teamed up with the Residence Halls Association to create awareness and eliminate the stigmas people might have about getting tested for AIDS. Free and anonymous walk-in HIV testing is available from 10 a.m.

RHA president resigns abruptly

Representatives from the Residence Halls Association said they were shocked to learn of Lindsay Palinsky's resignation as president of the organization. "For the most part, many of the members were taken off guard," said Michelle Dickinson, RHA director of public relations and advertising.

Students help fight AIDS crisis while studying abroad in Europe, Africa

It doesn't get the hype of terrorism. Or the economy. But AIDS is still a global humanitarian crisis — killing 2.9 million people so far this year. In parts of South Africa, where almost 40 percent of the population lives with HIV, young children have made up a new game. Instead of playing house, they play funeral. The concern for this international crisis has led some MSU students, such as Lauren Beach, to get more involved while studying abroad. One year ago, Beach spent World AIDS Day in East Lansing, helping to organize student activities. This year, she's thousands of miles away in Geneva, Switzerland, and working at the World Health Organization to fight the spread of AIDS while participating in a study abroad program. "If it's not me, then who?" said Beach, who has been an intern at the United Nations-led agency since September. For the last three months, the microbiology and molecular genetics senior has worked to create an Internet database that connects 600 people worldwide, including health experts and policymakers. "HIV is really having the biggest impact in the developing world," Beach said from Switzerland on Thursday morning.

MSU parking to open ahead of schedule

Correction: The story misidentified Mike Rice as the MSU police deputy chief. The story should have said he is the assistant police chief. A controversial $19.5-million parking structure on north campus will open seven months ahead of schedule. The ramp, located between Morrill Hall and Olin Health Center, will open Dec.

Granholm to focus on economy, education

Gov. Jennifer Granholm will have more than enough to do for the next four years. After a mud-spattered election, observers say Granholm will need to focus on health care, education and the state's economy to fulfill her promises to voters. The governor's performance in her last term and her views on education are what bagged food industry management senior Cara Sturley's vote.

Police briefs 12/01/06

MSU student arrested for attempted financial fraud

A 24-year-old MSU student was charged Wednesday for attempting to cash four counterfeit $500 traveler's checks at two East Lansing-area MSU Federal Credit Unions on Tuesday. Jason Hayes was arraigned at East Lansing's 54-B District Court on four counts of uttering and publishing, a felony offense punishable by up to 14 years in jail. MSU police Sgt.