$320K in taxes fuels RHA programs

The Residence Halls Association takes in about $320,000 per semester in student tax dollars and uses this money for hall governments and most RHA programs on campus, including Campus Center Cinemas in Wells Hall and movie rental offices. The about 15,000 students who live in the dorms pay the Residence Halls Association, or RHA, $22 per semester. "The tax money is our main source (of income), and the majority of the money goes to programs for students," RHA Comptroller Bobby Codd said. Owen Graduate Hall is the only dorm where residents are not required to pay the tax, Codd said.

Participants of '89 study-in recall events

After eight days of a study-in protest in the Administration Building, Darius Peyton left a changed person.

ASMSU: $1.6M should go to financial aid

After a long, heated debate Tuesday, ASMSU's Academic Assembly voted to recommend setting aside $1.6 million from MSU's state appropriation to financial aid. Originally, MSU planned to return the money to students as an energy fee rebate. At ASMSU's retreat this weekend, Provost Kim Wilcox asked for suggestions by Friday on how to spend the money, representatives said.

Police briefs 10/20/05

Governor hopeful treks across state

Midland — With a casual manner, Dick DeVos circled a large banquet room filled with Republicans, hoping to garner votes for the 2006 gubernatorial election. Speaking at an event sponsored by the Michigan Republican Party on Friday, DeVos continued his tour of Michigan, trying to determine what people would like to see the next governor do differently.

First responders plan for train crisis

Area emergency responders prepared for the possibility of a train derailment on campus Wednesday, even though officials agreed it would be an unlikely event. "The chances of a train derailment with the release of chemicals is the same as if you have a child play in the NFL," said Joe Tupa, a manager with hazardous materials and field services for CSX Corp.

New housing, retail project to emerge next year in Northern Tier

Construction has started on a Northern Tier condominium and retail development aimed at young professionals, families and empty nesters, and will be completed next fall, its developer said. The Gaslight Village project, located north of the intersection of Abbott Road and Lake Lansing Road, will include 60 condominiums and town houses, and five to eight retail shops, said Mark Rysberg, managing member of Rysberg Holdings LLC. A mixed-use building comprised of retail space and condominiums will be located east of Abbott Road and include 20, two-story condominiums.

Seminar to discuss black male retention rates

As president of Bombsquad Productions, Meagan Mason frequently answers the same questions about the student group. "'What is Bombsquad?

E.L. City Council moves East Village public hearing to Nov. 9 due to schedule conflicts

The East Village Master Plan public hearing has been moved to Nov. 9 from its original Oct. 26 date because of scheduling conflicts.

Groups to hold cultural, historical festivities

In an effort to provide more cultural opportunities during MSU's homecoming festivities, the Black Student Alliance, or BSA, and the African American Celebratory are holding several events this week. The festivities, called the African American Homecoming, will include events such as discussions, a jazz night and a semiformal dance. The theme for the week is "98/89", which represents the 98 years since Myrtle Craig became the first black female graduate of Michigan Agricultural College — MSU's former name — in 1907. It also represents the May 1989 study-in, when several black students took over the Administration Building for 10 days to present administrators with a list of 36 demands pertaining to racial incidents on campus, history senior and BSA member at large Geneva Thomas said. Many black students frequently return home on weekends or attend other university homecoming events at other schools, such as Howard University in Washington, D.C., Thomas said. "People go home every weekend, and homecoming is not an exception," she said.

MSU wireless catching up to statewide trend

During the summer, MSU computing officials installed about 300 wireless access points in campus buildings. Now, there are about 500 total wireless access points in 40 buildings around campus. "We went nuts this summer," said Tom Davis, director of Academic Computing & Network Services.

Council debates task forces for faculty voice

The heated discussions that ensued during Tuesday's Faculty Council meeting were the best Dan Barnhizer said he has ever witnessed. "This is the most debate I have seen on any issue," said Barnhizer, an adjunct associate professor with the MSU College of Law. Back-and-forth debates took up the majority of the time at the meeting, which dealt with the composition and voting rights of the Faculty Voice task forces — based off the report of the same name. The Faculty Voice report, written last year, looked at concerns regarding the lack of faculty involvement in university decisions.

Mayoral hopefuls debate city's future

Lansing mayoral candidates Tony Benavides and Sen. Virg Bernero, D-Lansing, both said Lansing's economy needs to be improved during a radio debate Tuesday morning. The debate was hosted by "The Morning Show" with Chris Holman on WILS (1320-AM). Bernero will challenge Benavides, the incumbent on election day, Nov.

Police briefs 10/19/05

Reported violent crime up 42 percent in E.L.

Although violent crime nationally saw a downward trend last year, those same crimes increased in East Lansing. According to an FBI report released Monday, violent crimes across the nation fell by 1.2 percent.

Group wants smoke-free workplaces to benefit employees

A group formed to represent bar and restaurant employees who are affected by smoking while at work, is urging local business to inform their employees of the impact being around smoking can have. The group, Breathe, or Bar and Restaurant Employees Advocating Together for a Healthy Environment, is part of the Campaign for Smokefree Air and is a "grassroots" coalition supported by several health organizations.

ASMSU analyzes student concerns at 3-day retreat

At their retreat last weekend, ASMSU members discussed ideas for working on problems they deemed "hot issues" for students. Members talked about adding specific criteria to professors' policies on canceling class in bad weather, said Robert Murphy, ASMSU's Academic Assembly chairperson. "Sometimes the university remains open when it's dangerous for it to do so," Murphy said. Representatives also are interested in adding a fall break to the university schedule, he said.

Police briefs 10/18/05

Rezoning ordinance to be debated

East Lansing residents can voice their opinions today at a public hearing regarding an ordinance to rezone the 700 block of Burcham Drive during the East Lansing City Council meeting at City Hall.

Homecoming celebration returns to tradition with campus bonfire

MSU's sesquicentennial, a 16-month-long celebration of the university's 150th anniversary, has left its mark on this year's homecoming festivities. The sesquicentennial committee has revived another campus tradition for homecoming week — a bonfire for students and community members — and the Oct.