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MSU

Task forces to reform Academic Governance

Kristen Daum
February 23, 2006

Five committees began working this semester to restructure the Academic Governance system, review administrators and academic programs, define the role of fixed-term faculty and improve communication within the system. To improve the presence of faculty input and voice in the Academic Governance system, the committees were formed last fall through Faculty Council. The idea for the committees came about last spring, after faculty members revealed their concerns about their input in important university decisions. Faculty members were upset with the administration following the release of then-Provost Lou Anna K.

MSU

Human Ecology program to relocate this summer

Kristen Daum
February 23, 2006

Better collaboration among faculty and students will be possible with the Department of Family and Child Ecology's move to the College of Social Science this summer, faculty administrators said. The department, currently located in the College of Human Ecology, and its move is part of MSU President Lou Anna K.

MSU

Jazz band to perform for dinner guests Fri.

Kristi Jourdan
February 23, 2006

The Black Student Alliance will host its annual Jazz Dinner at 8 p.m. Friday in the Lincoln Room of the Kellogg Center. "Souls of Black Folk" is the dinner's theme and the MSU Jazz Band will perform. Tickets are $10 for the event.

MSU

Human Ecology dept. to transfer in summer

Kristen Daum
February 22, 2006

The Department of Family and Child Ecology will be transferred from the College of Human Ecology to the College of Social Science, effective this summer. Academic Council approved a report Tuesday from the University Committee on Curriculum, which included this and a number of other program and course changes. June Youatt, acting dean of the College of Human Ecology, assistant provost for undergraduate education and dean of undergraduate studies, said this is just another step in transferring the department, because it was already approved by the University Committee on Academic Policy. The seven programs affected in the transfer will remain unchanged, Youatt said. Also, Jon Sticklen, chairman of the Executive Committee of Academic Council, told Academic Council to prepare for a lot of movement in the Academic Governance system by the end of the semester, as several working groups and committees move ahead in their tasks.

MSU

Protesting pop

Luis Cardona said Tuesday he witnessed the murder of a Coca-Cola Co. worker in Colombia, and connects the murder to the company's business practices in the country. Cardona, who is from Colombia, spoke to a crowd of about 50 people at a rally Tuesday on the steps of the Administration Building, put on by Students for Economic Justice, or SEJ. He also said he witnessed bottling managers drinking and mingling with paramilitary members, who forced employees of the Sinaltrainal Union to resign.

MSU

New grant criteria undetermined

Josh Jarman
February 22, 2006

MSU officials will have a hard time awarding the $4,000 some students could receive from a new federal grant without more information on who qualifies, and now a new lawsuit could further complicate the process. President Bush signed the Deficit Reduction Act on Feb.

MSU

Alumni to create MSU 'Chicken Soup' book

By Missy Kayko For The State News Many college students grew up reading or hearing about the "Chicken Soup for the Soul" books. Now, MSU's Student Alumni Foundation, or SAF, wants to give students and alumni the same experience of college memories.

MSU

Innovations: Analyzing allergies

Kristen Daum
February 22, 2006

Name: Assistant Professor Venu Gangur Department: Food Science and Human Nutrition and MSU's National Food Safety & Toxicology Center Type of research: How and why people develop food allergies Date of research: Gangur has about four ongoing projects, and most of them began in 2001. Basics of the project: Allergies begin with a process called "sensitization," which can potentially occur when a person's immune system comes into contact with certain food proteins for the first time. A certain antibody can react with these food proteins, which increases the likelihood of an allergy developing, Gangur said.

MSU

Civil rights initiative forum to be held Wed.

Fredricka Paul
February 21, 2006

A forum will be held at 8 p.m. Wednesday in the McDonel Hall Kiva to discuss the Michigan Civil Rights Initiative, or MCRI. The program will include a panel of speakers that will discuss the impact the MCRI would have, if passed, on MSU and the state. MCRI is a proposal to amend the state constitution to ban affirmative action programs that give preferential treatment to groups or individuals based on their race, gender, color, ethnicity or national origin for public employment, education or contracting purposes. The event is hosted by the Briggs Multiracial Alliance, Holmes Hall Black Caucus and McDonel Hall Residence Life staff.

MSU

Details announced in New Orleans program

Kristen Daum
February 21, 2006

Nine committees that will handle everything from fundraising to food preparation for an MSU summer volunteer program in New Orleans were introduced Monday at an organizational meeting. Joyce Grant, an associate professor of teacher education, told the 15 potential volunteers present that she wanted to make fundraising a priority. The projected cost of the trip is about $800 per person, she said. "I have every faith that we'll have the money to go," she said. Grant has been organizing the four-week MSU New Orleans Summer Project trip for the past several months. For the project, faculty, staff and student volunteers will assist with summer school programs in four school districts — St.

MSU

Radio program holds sexuality discussion

Melanie Thomas
February 21, 2006

The Impact (88.9-FM) will host a healthy sexuality discussion tonight from 7 to 8 p.m. to discuss various issues surrounding sexuality and students' concerns. The discussion is part of Olin Health Center's Healthy Sexuality Week 2006.

MSU

Sensual touches help partners

Melanie Thomas
February 21, 2006

Expressing feelings and emotions through touch can strengthen communication and intensify sensuality in a relationship, Tina Kahn, Center 4 Yoga massage therapist said. As part of Olin Health Center's Healthy Sexuality Week 2006, Kahn demonstrates to students how massage doesn't necessarily have to lead to sex. "Between loving, consensual adults, massage can definitely increase communication and understanding and sensitivity," Kahn said.

MSU

Transportation transformation

Nicholas Richer
February 17, 2006

Major road reconstruction is in the works for MSU's campus throughout the next several years. The removal of angled parking from West Circle Drive and the elimination of two traffic circles are among plans university officials are considering to help improve pedestrian safety and reduce accidents on campus beginning this summer. "A lot of the layout hasn't been touched since the '60s," MSU police Deputy Chief Mike Rice said. "It isn't fit for today's demands." Tentative plans for West Circle Drive and finalized plans for Wilson Road were revealed Monday at a public feedback session held by the All-University Traffic and Transportation Committee, an advisory committee to Fred Poston, MSU's vice president for finance and operations. But committee members and representatives were the only ones who attended the session. "We would certainly like to hear more from the community," said Paul Mantica, the committee's chairman.

MSU

Transgender MSU student talks on "Larry King Live"

T.J. Jourian, known on campus as an advocate for transgender issues, appeared on CNN's "Larry King Live" on Wednesday evening. Jourian, a third-year graduate student, spoke via satellite with King, along with race car driver Terri O'Connell, country singer Dolly Parton and actress Felicity Huffman — who was nominated for an Oscar for the movie "Transamerica" — to discuss transgender individuals. Three other transgender individuals and a doctor were also on the program. "(The interview) was more about unknown personal experiences, surgery and understanding who transgender individuals are," Jourian said. Mara Keisling, executive director for the National Center for Transgender Equality, based in Washington, said transgender awareness is growing, but misunderstandings about transgender individuals remain an issue. "It's growing tremendously," Keisling said.

MSU

MSU to totally change takeout

Fredricka Paul
February 16, 2006

Totally Takeout will continue to be an option for students this fall, but officials are looking to give the program a makeover by fall 2007. University officials aren't happy with students using Totally Takeout to stock their refrigerators. Instead they want to help students who need a quick meal on the fly. The program could be tweaked to include more meals instead of separate food items. The meal option will be used as a replacement option for students on the go, said MSU Food Services Coordinator Bruce Haskell.