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MSU

Master plan to frame campus layout for coming years

MSU is going to update the campus' master plan, which will detail building and construction plans for the next five years. Campus planner Stephen Troost said the department of Campus Planning and Administration has brainstormed ideas for the plan since the beginning of the year.

MSU

Doctoral student's survey to examine dorms' racial distribution, climate

An MSU researcher is planning a survey to study the racial distribution, climate and attitudes in residence halls. Jessica Mills, a sociology doctoral student, will compose the survey and compile the results, with support from the Residence Halls Association, or RHA, as part of her dissertation and possibly for the university's use. "She is interested in where students are placed to live in residence halls," said Martina Egerer, Holden Hall's RHA representative. The survey will examine students' beliefs about why they are placed in dorms, she said.

MSU

MSU to hold creative arts career forum

The MSU Career Services Network will provide a creative arts forum for students interested in learning more about careers in writing, publishing graphic design, advertising, curation and art management and freelancing.

MSU

MSU-Penn State blood challenge to help patients

For the 13th consecutive year, hospitalized patients in Michigan and Pennsylvania will receive blood from the MSU-Penn State Blood Challenge. Students at MSU and Penn State University will have the opportunity to help their respective schools win the challenge by donating blood until Nov.

MICHIGAN

Potential development may offer housing close to campus

Construction on a Louis Street apartment building that will house 96 people could begin by June, giving students more housing options close to campus. Joe Goodsir, president of Community Resource Management Co., said he hopes this project mirrors the success of an apartment building he opened in 2001 on Louis Street. "That has been a very successful building for us," Goodsir said. The plans for the new apartment building will go before the East Lansing City Council at its Nov.

MICHIGAN

Boudro defense cites photos in testimony

The victim of an August assault in East Wilson Hall said Friday he has lost 90 percent of his hearing in his left ear, has decreased cognitive abilities and is recovering from a skull fracture. William Suits' testimony was part of a preliminary examination in East Lansing's 54-B District Court in the case against Paul Boudro, a Richmond resident who is charged with one felony count of assault in connection with the incident, which carries a sentence of up to 10 years in prison. The alleged assault occurred at about 3 a.m.

MICHIGAN

Kids celebrate historical Halloween

By James Andersen Special to The State News Lansing — Dressed as Detroit Tigers pitcher Nate Robertson, complete with fake facial hair and a baseball glove, 8-year-old Noah Kitson of Lansing smiled as he described his favorite part of the 1931 movie "Frankenstein." "I like the part where Igor drops the normal brain and picks up the other one," he said.

MICHIGAN

Student helps start SADD chapter at MSU

Years after Amy Gnotek lost her aunt, uncle and two high school classmates in separate drunken driving incidents, she now has a way to raise awareness about the problem. The interdisciplinary studies in social science senior helped form MSU's first chapter of Spartans Against Drunk Driving, or SADD, which will raise awareness about drunken driving, supports victims of the crime and prevents underage drinking. The group will hold its first meeting at 7 p.m.

MSU

Simon's emergency powers unspecific

The MSU Board of Trustees passed an ordinance last week clarifying President Lou Anna K. Simon's power to declare a campuswide emergency, but it doesn't define what is considered an emergency or what exact powers the president is given. The ordinance is more of a show of power than a real change in university policy, said Kristine Zayko, MSU's associate general counsel. "When a president declares a campus emergency, the president is then given power to use whatever means necessary to protect the interests of this university," Zayko said. MSU police Chief Jim Dunlap said the ordinance makes law enforcement easier. "This plan helps law enforcement get together an emergency management plan," Dunlap said.

MSU

New campus group plans aid for Africa

Students in Jeanne Gazel's ISS 315 class last spring began to think about creating an organization to help Africa when they had to do a presentation for the class. Now they're on their way to making those thoughts a reality. A new student group called Family of Strength Organization, or FOSO, is working to help orphans and children who have been affected by the HIV/AIDS crisis in sub-Saharan Africa.

MICHIGAN

Hookah venue continues trend in downtown East Lansing

A new hookah lounge opening in downtown East Lansing in November will test whether the industry has enough steam to survive. The Blue Midnight Hookah Lounge, which is under construction at Subway's vacated Albert Avenue location, doesn't plan on getting a liquor license or selling main courses. However, the lounge might need additional offerings — like alcohol or food — to make a profit because of high rent and overhead costs, said Matt Rouhan, the store manager of Silver Streak and Krazy Katz, a retail store that sells hookahs and flavored tobacco. "Keep in mind — this is tobacco," Rouhan said.

MICHIGAN

Students grill to raise money for troops

Spartans Supporting the Troops, a student organization devoted to serving members of the military, grilled up some meals on Wednesday at BD's Mongolian Barbecue in Okemos to help fund care packages for troops overseas. "We want to let the soldiers … know that younger people do care about them and care that they are gone," said Jessica Fischman, the group's president.