Greeks change party policies for safety

Amid new party policies, MSU's greek community is keeping safety issues at the top of its priority list. The Panhellenic Council and the Interfraternity Council changed their policies on one-on-one parties last semester and regularly discuss risk management for open parties, said Lyndsay Dalby, vice president for administration of the Panhellenic Council. One-on-ones are parties with a fraternity and sorority in which only members of the two chapters are allowed to attend, and open parties are open to nonmembers. "Risk management is something that is constantly talked about within the community," Dalby said.

Tax increase to be decided in ASMSU election

ASMSU elections are Wednesday, and undergraduates will have the ability to determine if their student government tax will be increased. More than a month ago, Academic and Student assemblies members voted to increase student taxes by $3 per semester to fund a scholarship account.

Israeli relations to be discussed today

The Spartans for Israel and the Hillel Jewish Student Center will host a presentation called "How Israel Helps to Keep the U.S.

E.L. library turns to cultural roots in 4-part series

With more than 40 cultures represented throughout the East Lansing community, the East Lansing Public Library has set out to educate families about their neighbors. Supported by a grant from the Target Corporation, the library's Community Cultures program is a four-part series of Sunday afternoon presentations featuring food, dance, crafts, costumes and folklore from societies around the world.

Police briefs 03/21/05

Students 'come on down' to UAB's 'Price is Right' event for thrills, prizes

Elicia Robertson almost didn't attend the University Activities Board's adaptation of the television game show "The Price is Right" on Saturday night at the Business College Complex. "I decided to come at the last minute," the English sophomore said. But at the end of the night, it ended up being a good decision. Robertson had the closest bid in the event's Showcase Showdown and walked away with an $1,860 prize package that included a plane ticket to Europe and a 15-day Eurorail pass. Altogether, about $6,000 in prizes were given away, most of which were donated by local businesses, said Rachel Bomeli, officer of UAB's special events committee.

WEB ONLY: Sen. Stabenow to visit E.L. to discuss Social Security

U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., will be at the Hannah Community Center, 819 Abbott Road, at 9:30 a.m.

Bands compete in 3rd annual battle

Eleven local bands with sounds ranging from ska to electronica took the stage and battled for prizes Friday night during the University Activities Board's 3rd annual Battle of the Bands competition.

Police briefs 03/18/05

Minorities underrepresented in state advising positions, study says

Minorities remain underrepresented as top advisors to the nation's governors, according to a new study at the State University of New York at Albany. Findings in "Democracy Unrealized," a report by the Center for Women in Government & Civil Society at the university showed that, in 2004, minorities made up 32 percent of the nation's population, but held just 16 percent of key appointed policy positions in state governments. Nationwide, Chicano and Latino appointees held the lowest share of executive positions, only 4.3 percent, relative to their share of the U.S.

Student pulled over for drunken driving

An MSU student in his early 20s is being held in the Ingham County Jail after being pulled over Thursday by Ingham County Sheriff's deputies for drunk driving, police officials said. After the student was pulled over, a breath test revealed his blood alcohol level was .23, Ingham County Sheriff Gene Wriggelsworth said. Wriggelsworth was traveling southbound on US 127, when he noticed a blue S10 Chevy pickup, traveling in the same direction, driving "erratically" at about 1 p.m. The student was wearing a green plastic derby hat and had green lips, Wriggelsworth said.

Activists: WRC debate reaching final stages

Nearly 200 student group representatives and community members are expected to rally at 2 p.m. today in front of the Administration Building in the final stages of a five-year effort for MSU to join the Worker Rights Consortium, or WRC. "It's to show that we have a lot of support from campus and community members for joining the WRC," said Maggie Ryan, member of Students for Economic Justice, or SEJ. The WRC is a group of students and university administrators who work to make sure no university clothing is produced by companies that have violated human rights. Student groups met with MSU President Lou Anna K.

Asian identities, talent showcased

Student groups will showcase their talents in the bi-annual "Cultural Vogue" event sponsored by the Asian Pacific American Student Organization, or APASO, at 6:30 p.m.

Students discover new major options

With representation from every college, along with booths from Study Abroad, the Air Force ROTC, the Learning Resource Center and other groups, the Marathon of Majors offered advice and counseling for students confused about their majors. "Many students question their major," said Ron Gibbs, an academic adviser in Student Academic Affairs.

Area group to host 5K run for food bank

The annual Lansing Dietetic Association Food-N-Fitness 5K Run/Walk will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday at Hawk Island County Park, 1601 E.

Student to lead Big Ten assembly

The Association of Big Ten Schools operated for several months without a leader, but Vinay Prasad, ASMSU's Academic Assembly external vice chairperson, will head the group through the summer. ASMSU officials said Prasad is the first delegate elected from MSU to lead the association, and this position will help bring MSU issues to the board's attention. "I was really thrilled I got it," Prasad said.

Local high school paper censored

Distribution of an independent East Lansing High School student newspaper was halted this week after school officials said the student writers did not conform to East Lansing School Board's policies. But students involved in the production of the paper, the Right Way, feel their freedom of speech is being infringed upon. "I thought the school would respect our First Amendment rights, but they didn't," co-editor Tyler Whitney, 16, said.

Refugee life relived at event

A Liberian refugee woman was terrified when she was confronted by police after leaving her camp to collect fire wood. Although the situation was staged and the gun pointed at her was a toy, she and other women expressed fear as they acted out scenes common to life at a Liberian refugee camp. The skit was part of "The Changing Faces of Lansing: Walking in Their Shoes" a simulated refugee camp event held Thursday evening at The Peoples Church, 200 W.

Fair offers latest technology

The latest in computer technology was on display in the Union ballroom Wednesday at the 2005 Microfest Technology Fair.

Mich. Supreme Court to rule on beachfront-property case

What started as an argument between two neighbors has blossomed into a Michigan Supreme Court lawsuit that some say will affect the future of the entire state. The court heard opening arguments last week to decide where beachfront owners' properties ends and where public property begins.