Simon adjusts to new role as president

After her first week as MSU's 20th president, Lou Anna Simon said a good assessment of her administration would come after her first month in office. Now that the time has come, Simon says her presidency has gone relatively smoothly in the first month. "I've been working hard to look at Michigan State through fresh eyes, and to see Michigan State through a fresh perspective," she said. Something Simon didn't anticipate when taking over MSU's top role was the struggle between her personal and professional lives among those who have known her for years, she said. Colleagues were used to addressing her as "Lou Anna," and now have a hard time adjusting to her formal title of President Simon. "There's President Simon and then there's Lou Anna with a new job," Simon said.

Synchronized skating team competes in style

The routines of the synchronized skaters of the MSU Figure Skating Club resemble those of the Radio City Rockettes.

Police briefs 02/09/05

Mich. begins $5 million project

Michigan organizations are working on a $5 million grant project to increase the safety of elderly patients at long-term care facilities by improving background checks for employees. Michigan is one of seven states that received grant money from the U.S.

Committee discusses liberal arts college

The Executive Committee of Academic Council heard feedback from the standing committees on the final report of the Committee on College Reorganization. Only the University Committee on Faculty Affairs endorsed an option laid out in the final report - the recommendation that MSU improve liberal arts and sciences education, without significant college reorganization now. Investment in liberal arts and sciences must wait for new resources, rather than shifting funds from other programs, said Susan Melnick, co-chairwoman of the University Committee on Faculty Affairs. "We are arguing in favor of strengthening liberal arts, not diminishing it," Melnick said. The other option mentioned would establish a Faculty of Arts and Human Sciences institution that would include the Colleges of Arts & Letters and Social Science. Vinayak Prasad, chairman of the University Committee on Student Affairs, said his committee felt strong reservations about the option because it did not include the College of Natural Science. "We are hesitant to say reorganization is necessary to fix the problems," Prasad said.

Word on the street

"Bridge the gap between older residents and students. They need to make it easier for the two to work together and solve issues." Ryan Longoria | history senior "The stop lights get on my nerves - everything has a no turn on red.

Chinese New Year celebrations begin today

Groups on campus are getting ready to bring some of their culture to MSU students by throwing festivities for the Chinese New Year, which begins today. Historically, the event is marked with 15 days of celebration throughout Asia. "The first night is a lot like Thanksgiving in America," said Mark Wong, president of the Singapore Student Association.

Campus groups hold protest

Two student groups staged a sit-in protest Monday at the Administration Building in their latest attempt in a five-year campaign to encourage MSU to join a union for workers' rights. About 35 members from Students for Economic Justice, or SEJ, and Movimiento Estudiantil Xicano de Aztlan, or MEXA, sat in the lobby in front of administrators' offices and held signs that read "Justicia Ahora", or "Justice Now," and "No Justice, No Peace, Join the WRC!" "We want the university to take some responsibility for workers' rights," SEJ member and international relations sophomore Maggie Corser said as she made signs before the protest. "We want to send a clear message to the administration that there is a lot of student support for the (Worker Rights Consortium)." The WRC is a monitoring body that investigates the labor conditions under which university clothing is made.

Law journal hosts foreign policy forum

Focusing on the history of U.S. involvement in a global world, Richard J. Goldstone gave the keynote address during Monday's daylong international law symposium, "From Nuremberg to Abu Ghraib: The Relevance of International Criminal Law to the Global War on Terror." "The people in this country must realize that their best interest is in international relations," Goldstone said to a full crowd in the Castle Board room of the MSU College of Law. The conference, hosted by the Journal of International Law, featured speakers from around the world, including 2005 Nobel Peace Prize nominee Michael Scharf. Scharf, who was selected by the Bush Administration to train the judges for the trial of Saddam Hussein, told the group how he came to be chosen. "I wrote a paper about how the Iraqi tribunal would be criticized because it looked like a puppet court of the U.S.," Scharf said.

Officials: Marijuana becoming socially accepted locally

Last month, seven people on campus were arrested in one night for using marijuana, and campus, city and county officials say they worry the drug is becoming socially accepted among young people. "I have no problem with it," said microbiology junior Valerie Keefe.

Dorms switch to wireless Internet

With funding from the Residence Halls Association and some technical know-how from MSU computer support staff, Case Hall is the first dorm on campus with a wireless Internet access point. Last year, RHA budgeted $5,000 toward the installation of wireless access points in five residential areas on campus, including Case.

Preserving treasures focus of lunch event

The MSU Women's Resource Center will present "My Collection of ___ Needs Help: Safeguarding Your Family Treasures" from 12-1 p.m.

Health center offers services for charity

The staff of the Chiro-Technology Spinal Health Center, 4064 E. Holt Road in Holt will donate a day of services to patients and the community from 10 a.m.

Police briefs 02/08/05

Students travel to D.C., focus on activism in Sudan

A group of 12 MSU students traveled to Washington on Friday to learn how to turn their concern about the current conditions in Darfur, Sudan, into activism. The students attended the conference "A Call to Action for Darfur, Sudan," sponsored by the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum.

Diabetes group, Izzo hold event for illness

The American Diabetes Association will be holding the Fast Break for Diabetes event on Feb. 17 at the Shaheen Chevrolet, 632 American Road, in Lansing. The event will feature a silent auction with items such as MSU basketball tickets, Lansing Lugnuts tickets and fitness gift certificates.

Holiday to boost local business

Love is in the air, and various local businesses are catering to the upcoming Valentine's Day holiday. For candy stores, florists and restaurants, major holidays bring in a lot of business, said Steve Blair, an owner of Fabiano's Homemade Candies, 1427 E.

East Village residents concerned, optimistic about area's future

As East Lansing officials work to reform the East Village, some students living in the area are wary of the city's motives and the consequences of such a large project. According to city documents, plans for the area include creating buildings to house businesses, permanent residents and renters in addition to demolishing structures in place, including the Cedar Village apartment complex. "I don't know if it goes with MSU's campus," said Heather Kerver, a zoology senior and East Village resident.

Women business owners network at expo

Hundreds of local female business owners came together to exhibit their services for thousands of women at the Mid-Michigan Women's Expo, Friday through Sunday at the Lansing Center. While women shopped from booth to booth, listened to demonstrations and learned about health issues, business owner Diane Boulet said times have changed for women in business. "It's a lot easier now for women to own businesses," Boulet said.

Police briefs 02/07/05