LBGT leader focuses on students

Getting Brent Bilodeau to talk about himself is a challenge. But once he starts talking about students, he speaks passionately, interlocking his hands to emphasize the relationship of one marginalized group to another.Bilodeau is assistant for the Office of Lesbian, Bi, Gay and Transgendered Concerns, a program through the Department of Student Life."First and foremost, students are at the very center," he said from his office in Student Services.

Legislators want to honor McPherson

Two Michigan congressmen introduced a resolution Monday to honor MSU President M. Peter McPherson for his role in rebuilding Iraq's economy.U.S.

Police briefs 10/21/03

Web site offers free food to students

Students short on cash can get free food, pick-up or delivery from one of four East Lansing restaurants simply by logging onto a Web site. Campusfood.com, a network of collegiate restaurants, provides an Internet ordering service and is sponsoring the free food promotion along with Sidestreets Deli, The Pita Pit, D.P.

International fair offers more than credit-based trips

The Office of Study Abroad said it hopes to show that there's more than credit-based international activities.The first annual International Opportunities Abroad Fair will be held from noon to 4:00 p.m.

Bars try to limit fake IDs

Joe Becker's friends warned him against buying alcohol from 7-11, but he was "desperate" for beer.

Lansing candidates hold debate

Lansing mayoral candidates Tony Benavides and Virg Bernero met on campus Monday, in the first and only "official" debate of the 2003 election, to challenge each other's views on issues including same-sex benefits, public safety and recent allegations. The two men came together at the WKAR television studios in the Communication Arts and Sciences Building for the debate, which was moderated by "Off the Record" host Tim Skubick and WKAR radio host Matt Ferguson.

DCL looks to improve 'U' negotiation skills

MSU-DCL College of Law officials say legal disputes in the future will happen in negotiations, not in the courtroom.And they hope to train law students in negotiations in the seminar "Breaking Through Barriers" on Thursday and Friday.

Sibling stabbing leads to charging of mother

Facing child abuse charges, Tanya Marie Bigham said Sunday she is "very surprised" at the course of events since her 8-year-old son stabbed his 5-year-old brother in the back on Oct.

Dogs dress up for Halloween

Agnes Soriano Special for The State News From demonic dogs to princess poodles, owners disguised their pets in creative costumes and masqueraded more than 20 of them Saturday at the Walk in the Woods Halloween Costume Party. The contest categories included "Looks Most Like Owner," "Scariest Costume," "Most Creative Costume" and "Looks Most Like a TV/Movie Celebrity." The dogs competed for the ultimate prize: A huge basket of doggie toys and treats. The event, hosted by the Friends of Greater Lansing Dog Parks, brought in an estimated $200.

$2.3M grant for 'U' to aid science studies, economy

MSU received $2.3 million in grants Friday to help study harmful pathogens and water-borne microorganisms and to collaborate with Dow and Dow Corning to establish 12 new life sciences-based companies. The Michigan Life Sciences Corridor awarded two grants to MSU: A $1.2 million grant to the MSU Office of Intellectual Property and $1.1 million to the MSU Center for Microbial Ecology.

Police briefs 10/20/03

Recruitment fair to provide resources

Admissions personnel from more than 100 graduate programs around the country will be at the Graduate and Professional School Recruitment Fair on Tuesday. The fair runs from 5 to 8 p.m.

Red Cross simulates disaster

As marketing junior and mock tornado victim Theresa Watts entered the simulated disaster shelter Saturday, she was surrounded by Red Cross volunteers eager to assist her and other victims. As Watts registered her name in the makeshift shelter of a local church, she was handed a folded blanket and a small white bag full of toiletries to last about a week.

Indian dance night celebrates culture

Barefoot and cloaked in an array of traditional Indian outfits, more than 70 people rhythmically moved in a cultural dance, as Garba music pulsated within IM Sports-West basement Friday night.

Experts tell campus to look inward for diversity

The first step in diversifying a campus is to look within the campus itself, organizers of the "Best Practices in Diversity at MSU" conference said Friday morning. A varied group of students, faculty, administrators and staff made up the 300 representatives who gathered Friday at the Kellogg Center for the conference, which aimed to exchange ideas between university colleges and units that would create more diverse classroom experiences. "We want to produce students who can function in what we consider a global marketplace," said Paulette Granberry Russell, senior advisor to the president for diversity and director of affirmative action, compliance and monitoring.

'U' to require ACT writing test

High school students applying to MSU for the fall of 2006 will be required to take the new, optional writing portion of the ACT, which will add a half-hour to the more than four-hour test.ACT spokesman Ed Colby said the decision to create the additional portion of the test was made in August 2002.

Students gain valuable career insights from alumni symposium

MSU alumni shared experiences with merchandising management students Friday afternoon at the Department of Human Environment and Design's Alumni Link-Up Symposium.

WEB ONLY: Fall festival raises funds, brings entertainment to Old Town

Michael Ingram's trip to the store for sugar was sidetracked Saturday when his 8-year-old daughter Marissa caught sight of a familiar face."I was going to the store and she saw Ronald McDonald," the north Lansing resident said.

Drum circle bangs up as open mike alternative

Mike Townsend Special for The State News A pounding cadence sounded out into the streets near Caffe Latte Friday night - Team Mania was holding its biweekly drum circle. A circle of about 15 people, including two first-time drummers, gathered to play at the coffee shop at 110 Charles St. "It's a lot of fun," drummer Manuela Kress said.