Bill to regulate campaign money

Some Michigan lawmakers say political advertising plays a major role in deciding the outcome of an election, and it needs to be regulated. State Rep.

Departments ask for transfer to different college

Two academic units requested transfers to a different college at the Executive Committee of Academic Council meeting Tuesday. The Department of History and MATRIX - the Center for Humane Arts, Letters and Social Sciences - formally requested that the Office of the Provost move the two entities from the College of Arts & Letters to the College of Social Science.

Workshop focuses on women's identity

Women looking to find balance in their lives will have an opportunity to examine personal power issues through a workshop today. The Women's Resource Center will sponsor "Creating the Life You Want," a program designed to address life-coaching skills and personal and professional empowerment for women.

Traveling exhibit makes its way to E.L.

A collection of African-American artifacts is on display this weekend in East Lansing, highlighting the harsher aspects of history - from the slave trade to the civil rights movement. The Middle Passage African American traveling exhibit, with more than 250 artifacts dating back centuries, has taken residence in the second floor of the Hannah Community Center, 819 Abbott Road, through Sunday. Above glass displays filled with rusted iron shackles and ragged leather whips, the weary faces of freed slaves stare from the Reconstruction-period tin-type photographs. James Petty and his wife, Mary Anne, the owners of the exhibit, were busy finishing up the final touches on their display Wednesday afternoon - the same display that has been featured on the Oprah Winfrey Show, CNN and Black Entertainment Television. "We want to tell the truth," said Petty, adding that Americans, from the time they first learn about slavery in school, are given a sugarcoated version of African-American history.

Business upset over neighbor's new liquor license

An East Lansing jewelry store might close its downtown location after 23 years in a move the owner says is related to a recent liquor-license approval by the City Council. David Ladd, owner of Earport, 301 M.A.C.

'U' officials' meeting on workers' rights brings student protest

University officials say they will continue to protect workers' rights despite a student group's protest of a meeting between MSU President M.

'U' eliminating paper billing, switching to electronic bills

Postal mailboxes no longer will be filled with envelopes for billing information from MSU. Starting in the summer, all tuition and housing bills will be available only on the STUINFO Web site.

McPherson, Peace Corps members meet

Former Peace Corps members, prospective members and their families gathered in the living room of Cowles House on Wednesday evening listening to MSU President M.

Police briefs 04/15/04

'U' freshman wins dorm room makeover

Education freshman Amy Birkmeier will be the tenant of MSU's coolest campus crib next fall. Birkmeier beat out 240 applicants to win "Room 4U," MSU's Division of Housing & Food Services' dorm room makeover contest, a part of its new Spartan Makeovers initiative. Journalism junior Kristen Waltman and interior design senior Laura Bonucchi will transform Birkmeier's Akers Hall room using materials selected from Meridian Mall in Okemos. Based on popular decorating TV shows such as "While You Were Out" and "Trading Spaces," the makeover process will be presented on the campus UTube network and East Lansing Comcast channel 29 in October. Future Spartan Makeover projects will include roommate, boyfriend and family makeovers.

WEB ONLY: Program helps promote awareness for those with disabilities

When half of the students at Wednesday night's Anti-Ableism Workshop tried to complete an icebreaker activity, they quickly discovered their partners couldn't communicate as they expected. The other half of the students had received instructions telling them they had a communication disorder. "My mind is racing.

Week celebrates identity

MSU's Pride Week kicks off Friday with a series of events to celebrate and educate the campus community about lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender identities. "We take time to recognize LGBT identities and the courage it takes to be out in a society that still is ridiculously homophobic," said Jon Hoadley, a social relations and women's studies junior.

ASMSU funds Indian show

In a move applauded by some representatives and deemed "shady" by others, ASMSU's Student Assembly passed a bill giving $9,000 to support the Indian culture show Satrang. In a lengthy debate Thursday night, some representatives were concerned that Satrang, which is produced by an affiliate of the Asian Pacific American Student Organization, should have gone through ASMSU's Programming Board for the money. "APASO was not willing to represent its own members," said Rob Huber, Student Assembly representative for the group.

Harsher penalties for MIPs signed into law

Underage drinkers caught with alcohol in their systems could now face jail time for their actions.Gov.

Judge's decision causes confusion

Officials from the Michigan Civil Rights Initiative have conflicting information relating to the future of its petition drive after an Ingham County Circuit Court judge ruled against the petition's language last month.The organization is petitioning to outlaw race and gender preference practices at state public institutions through a state constitutional amendment.Leonard Schwartz, treasurer for the organization, announced yesterday in the Libertarian Party of Michigan's online newsletter that the petition drive would be suspended indefinitely."After careful consideration of the situation, MCRI decided that continuing the petition drive now would be a waste of time and money," Schwartz said in the statement.

Police briefs 04/14/04

Kerry: Bush tax cuts hurt students

Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry says the results of the 2004 election will rest heavily on the shoulders of young people.During a brief campus tour, Kerry participated in a 20-minute conference call Tuesday with about 130 student reporters from across the country.Kerry began the call with a few comments about college affordability, stating that over the past three years, college tuition has steadily increased, and more than 220,000 young people have been "priced out of college" this year."As everyone knows, the current administration has made its own fundamental choice, which has been to cut taxes for the wealthiest Americans," he said.

Forum, slam-poet speaker to discuss race, identity issues

A conference this weekend is aimed at challenging students to think outside the box when it comes to race. "Boxed In: Perspectives of Multiracial Communities Conference" will examine the issues that arise for multiracial individuals who face a world of monoracial categories.

Diversity report released

A report released by the university shows fluctuations in ethnic minority representation during a decline of MSU's overall student population during the 2002-03 school year.

WEB ONLY: E.L. library hosts same-sex marriage discussion

On Tuesday evening at the East Lansing Public Library, accounting sophomore Cass Hausserman saved a seat for her aunt as she anxiously waited for a discussion on same-sex marriage to begin. "My aunt gave me a flier about the meeting," she said as more people streamed into the room for the discussion.