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NEWS

New MSU initiative attempts to recruit women into engineering fields

Katie Abdilla
July 23, 2013

About seven years ago, faculty in the MSU College of Engineering began to see an unsettling trend. Despite a wealth of prospective engineering and computer science jobs across the country, there simply weren’t enough women in the field to fill them. Across majors in engineering, women make up anywhere from 9-40 percent of the undergraduate student population, said Judy Cordes, MSU’s Women in Engineering Program coordinator.

MICHIGAN

Mich. lawmakers debate purpose of Stand Your Ground law

RJ Wolcott
July 23, 2013

In the wake of George Zimmerman’s acquittal and the subsequent outrage from organizations such as the NAACP, calling for justice in the death of Trayvon Martin, some members of the Michigan Legislature are questioning whether existing law would create a similar case here in Michigan. The Self Defense Act of 2006, otherwise known as the Stand Your Ground law, permits individuals who fear impending death, significant bodily harm or sexual assault, to act with deadly force in order to protect themselves.

MICHIGAN

Local woman recognized for helping elderly woman find her family

Holly Baranowski
July 22, 2013

Fowlerville, Mich., resident Bethany Scheib didn’t think twice when she drove nearly three hours to return a stranger to her family. The stranger, an elderly woman from St. Charles, Ill., had gotten lost while on her way to visit her daughter and unknowingly drove across the state border. Scheib contacted and met with the woman’s family, earning her a standing ovation in the St. Charles City Council Chambers and a Citizen Appreciation award last Monday.

MSU

MSU spin-off business receives funding for products used in medical field

Katie Abdilla
July 22, 2013

After being established last year, the Michigan Angel Fund, a $2 million professionally managed account geared toward helping new Michigan businesses, has given its first funding venture, according to MSU Today. BioPhotonic Solutions Inc., or BSI, is a spin-off of MSU created by professor Marcos Dantus in 2003. The company specializes in improving lasers for biomedical use. The Michigan Angel Fund is based in Ann Arbor and recently closed its doors to new investors, with more than 70 already placed.

MICHIGAN

Heat advisory affects Sidewalk Sales turnout

Derek Kim
July 21, 2013

A heat wave that scorched East Lansing last week forced more than 180 local businesses, art galleries and restaurants to persevere through the Sidewalk Sales throughout the weekend. Merchants and customers alike anticipate specials and sales during this annual event, however, a more diluted downtown was apparent as temperatures flirted with the 90s.

MICHIGAN

Night shifts of police officers unpredictable

Holly Baranowski
July 21, 2013

For East Lansing police officer Traci Sperry, there’s no such thing as a typical night on the town. From traffic stops to arresting those who have been drinking under the influence, Sperry’s shift is different each night. But even with the chaos and uncertainty that can come with the job, she would rather be patrolling the streets, making sure East Lansing is safe, than doing anything else.

MSU

Summer conferences keep campus busy

Anya Rath
July 21, 2013

It’s not only seasoned Spartans on campus fending off the heat this summer. From mid-May through the first week of August, close to 30,000 guests stay on campus for various camps and conferences, said Laurin Gierman, the manager of destination state conference management for Residence Education and Housing Services.

MSU

Abrams Planetarium hosts final show of summer season

Michael Kransz
July 21, 2013

Answers to alien landings and moon missions will be postponed until the fall semester for Abrams Planetarium, as the star station held its final summer show Sunday afternoon. The planetarium, which will resume shows again in mid to late September, offers two types of public shows: one directed toward older audiences, and another toward families.

NEWS

Cream of the crop

Tyler Beck
July 18, 2013

With origins as Michigan Agricultural College, MSU is sometimes referred to as “Moo U.” MSU is putting an emphasis on the “moo” this summer with the Youth Dairy Days during the Michigan Livestock Expo and Michigan Dairy Expo this week on campus. The Michigan Dairy Expo is the largest dairy event in the state, with more than 200 youth participants and more than 350 heads of cattle, according to Michigan Dairy Expo director and MSU Department of Animal Science specialist Joe Domecq.

MSU

MSU ranks 3rd in Michigan with tuition, total costs

Katie Abdilla
July 18, 2013

When it comes to setting budget and tuition rates, MSU Trustee Brian Mosallam said raising tuition is looked to as a final resort; but this year, even after cuts to faculty health benefits, their backs were against the wall. “Raising tuition is the absolute last option with what we want to do,” Mosallam said.

MICHIGAN

Cooling centers offer relief from heat wave

Anya Rath
July 18, 2013

It’s this week’s number-one conversation topic as everyone camps out by air conditioners and fans: the sweltering heat. Jeff Andresen, associate professor with MSU’s Department of Geography and the state climatologist for Michigan, said the weather, which qualifies as a heat wave, can be explained as a “big, hot air mass” covering most of the central eastern United States.