Monday, April 20, 2026

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MSU

Trustees approve expenditure of more than $5 million in 24 minutes

The MSU Board of Trustees on Friday approved the spending of more than $5 million of both public money and tuition dollars for universitywide projects — after about 24 total minutes of discussion. The board meets publicly about once a month to make decisions and hear presentations from faculty and staff. The State News reported Friday that the trustees meet in committees the day before the public meeting to discuss the issues they will decide the next day.

MSU

King honored

By Catharine Batsios Special for The State News Students, student groups, local activists and peace enthusiasts spilled into the courtyard of the Beaumont Tower on Monday as it chimed loudly and poetically, "We Shall Overcome." From there, the crowd began the frigid, but brief, trek to the rock on Farm Lane as a tribute to Martin Luther King Jr.

MSU

Possible fall break proposal reconsidered

A little rest and relaxation for students and faculty during the fall semester might come in the form of a school break if university officials approve the proposal. The University Committee on Academic Policy created a subcommittee in 2000 to evaluate the fall break recommendation.

MSU

Hall of fame contest deadline approaches

Today is the final day to apply for the fifth annual The Black History Month Multicultural Heroes Hall of Fame Case Competition, "Passing the Torch of Justice." The competition is sponsored by the Eli Broad College of Business and Multicultural Business Programs. In the competition, groups made up of at least three MSU undergraduate students must explain, within 10 minutes, why they believe their individual hero deserves a place in the Multicultural Heroes Hall of Fame. The application must be completed, along with a 250-word essay and a summary of the reason for competing by 5 p.m. The competition will take place Feb.

MSU

MCRI march for today canceled indefinitely

A march in relation to the Michigan Civil Rights Initiative that was to be held in Lansing today has been canceled. Luke Massie, co-chairman of Coalition to Defend Affirmative Action, Integration & Immigrant Rights and Fight for Equality By Any Means Necessary, or BAMN, said the walk would have signified the filing of the case to the Michigan Supreme Court, but the date to file the paperwork was pushed back to next week. "It was just more of a timing thing," he said. Massie said the walk is probably won't be rescheduled.

MSU

Bittersweet finish

Shifting and tilting a wine glass, Kirk Reedy evaluated the color of the small amount of liquid at the bottom. "Color is very important, especially in red wines," Reedy said. The 37-year-old student said he considers himself lucky to be one of the last people to participate in the MSU viticulture and enology program, which will no longer be offered after this semester due to low enrollment. "I'm disappointed the program is ending," Reedy said.

MSU

Simon backs bioeconomy

MSU President Lou Anna K. Simon spoke before a group of agricultural business leaders Tuesday as part of a conference hosted by the Michigan Agri-Business Association. Simon was there to stress the importance of the emerging bioeconomy to Michigan's future. "It's an opportunity to push a biomass initiative," Simon said.

MSU

MSU contributes to consumer research

Melanie Lauer sifted through a pile of T-shirts at Urban Outfitters on Tuesday. The 21-year-old secondary education and English junior likes shopping at the store because it's close to campus.

MSU

Grant helps prof study HIV, AIDS

An MSU professor is in Africa to research and treat people with HIV and AIDS. Gretchen Birbeck, an associate professor in the departments of epidemiology, neurology and ophthalmology, is using a recent grant from the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation to begin her research. Birbeck said she wants to look at stigmas that surround HIV and AIDS in Africa, as well as reasons why people might not or do not take their medications. "I was ecstatic about receiving the grant," Birbeck said, adding that the funding made the research possible. According to AVERT, a United Kingdom-based HIV and AIDS charity, an estimated 25.8 million people were infected with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa at the end of 2005. Birbeck's work will benefit MSU, but is aimed specifically for HIV and AIDS patients in Africa. "The virus develops resistance to the medications if it is not taken correctly," Birbeck said.

MSU

Muslim prayer begins multiple-day holiday

The three-day Muslim holiday, Eid al-Adha, begins today. Eid acknowledges the Quran's account of Abraham's readiness to sacrifice his son to Allah. The Islamic Society of Greater Lansing will be recognizing the holiday today at the center, located at 920 S.

MSU

ASMSU: Academic minors essential

A plan introduced by student government officials to incorporate academic minors into MSU's curriculum would bring it in line with other Big Ten schools. "Everybody on the issue loves the idea of minors," said Robert Murphy, ASMSU's Academic Assembly chairperson.

MSU

Official New Year's resolutions

"My resolution is to continue to learn about the campus … about the values and directions and do everything I can to help the campus move forward." Kim Wilcox MSU provost "Like everyone, I want to exercise more and have a healthier diet.

MSU

ASMSU in search of funding for new, affordable activity center

Student government officials are proposing a combined IM sports facility and student events center located on campus to lower event expenses for student organizations. While the plan is in its initial stages, a survey will be sent out to students to gather public input on the matter, said Harry Wang, a finance sophomore and Eli Broad College of Business representative for ASMSU's Student Assembly ASMSU is MSU's undergraduate student government. "We have limited amounts of space to host student events," Wang said.

MSU

Contest held for horseshoers

Gentlemen, start your forge ovens. Horseshoes, known as good luck charms and often pitched at company picnics, went back to their roots Saturday as Michigan's best horseshoers competed in a timed 30-minute shoeing contest at the Pavilion for Agriculture and Livestock Education.

MSU

Accreditation at MSU first in state

MSU is one of six institutions in the nation — and the first in Michigan — to receive accreditation by the Association for the Accreditation of Human Research Protection Programs Inc. The university earned "qualified accreditation" status in 2005 for all research done involving human participants.