Tuesday, February 24, 2026

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Campus

MSU

Munn to host Relay for Life this weekend

Right after his mother had been diagnosed with cancer, social science senior Steve Wolbert accidentally walked into a Relay for Life event. Five years later, he is helping prepare MSU's fifth Relay for Life event for the American Cancer Society, which will be held at Munn Ice Arena on Saturday and Sunday. For Wolbert, finding out about his mother was a huge blow, particularly because his uncle had recently died from cancer. "It was like, 'Wow, we have to go through this again,'" Wolbert said.

MSU

MSU joins in fight for Sudan

MSU students joined others across the country Thursday to raise awareness of reported genocide in the Darfur region of Sudan. The newly formed "Spartans Taking Action Now: Darfur," or STAND, played Twister and board games outside the Administration Building to attract attention to their cause. More than 160 college campuses across the nation also held events Thursday as part of mtvU's "STANDFast" campaign. The group sold green "Not On My Watch" wristbands and CDs to raise money for Darfur charities. Many students don't realize how powerful their voices can be, Josh Feinberg, international relations senior said. "There is strength in numbers," he said.

MSU

Program helps migrant farmers graduate

For the last 13 weeks, Juan Lopez has been studying for a test that could change his life. The 26-year-old, originally from Mexico, is nearing the final days of MSU's High School Equivalency Program, or HEP, to earn a Graduate Education Degree, or GED.

MSU

Updated directory has glitches, errors

The online MSU People Directory has a different look, but university officials are working to correct minor glitches that are affecting the new system. Most students are being displayed as one grade level higher than they actually are. Rich Wiggins, senior information technologist for Academic Computing & Network Services, said the problem should be sorted out shortly, and students shouldn't be confused that they somehow received bonus credit. "If I were a junior, I would not suddenly assume that I had been awarded senior status," he said. The changes, which were implemented late last month, were designed to boost the system's speed and performance, Wiggins said. Previously, when a person was searched by name, the directory would immediately scan the server to see if that person had a personal Web page. Wiggins said this process was time-consuming and largely unnecessary because few people use the directory primarily to find these sites. "Most people, when doing a search, are looking to see if you have an e-mail address or what your phone number is," he said. The new directory lists only a person's name, e-mail address, local phone number and college after an initial search.

MSU

Advisers utilize online chat programs

When academic adviser Nancy Ehret goes into her office every morning and boots up her computer, the first thing that comes on the screen is AOL Instant Messenger. But she's not slacking off or chatting with old friends from high school - she's one of many MSU advisers who are turning to instant messenger programs as a way to keep in touch with students. Ehret, who has about 60 journalism students that she talks to on her buddy list, said six of the seven advisers in the College of Communication Arts & Sciences have started using instant messenger this semester to answer questions ranging from internship application deadlines to transfer credits. One of those six is Scott Maas, an adviser for advertising and journalism students, who said he started using instant messenger because it aligns with students' daily routines. "Right now, that's the big thing we're using because so many students are tech-savvy as they come in here, and that's the way they're communicating," Maas said. Maas said the program helps him give students another opportunity to access him and get their questions answered. "If you think about it, I'm only 25, and I have my own list of friends I talk to all across the country," Maas said.

MSU

Construction up for approval at meeting

Construction projects in Spartan Village and lots 82 and 83, commonly known as F Lot, could begin this summer if approved by the MSU Board of Trustees on Friday. In Spartan Village, repaving the road would come after tearing up and replacing the existing soils underneath it, which are settling and becoming soft.

MSU

McPherson honored for public service

Former MSU President M. Peter McPherson received a national award earlier this week for his years of public service. The award, a National Public Service Award, honors McPherson for work throughout his career dealing with international humanitarian issues in places such as Peru, Iraq and Africa. "I've been involved in public administration (and) public service a good share of my career," said McPherson, MSU's 19th president who left the university in January.

MSU

ASMSU votes to fill chairperson positions

ASMSU held the first meeting of its new session of Academic Assembly on Tuesday night and voted for a new cabinet to chair its meetings. Members of MSU's undergraduate student government elected a new chairperson, internal vice chairperson and external vice chairperson. Only nine representatives were present at the meeting to decide on the chairpersons who will spend the next year handling affairs for the organization and acting as liaisons between the assembly and university officials.

MSU

Students raise LBGT awareness in Pride Week

MSU's Pride Week begins Thursday with a series of events that organizers say will celebrate and educate the campus community about lesbian, bisexual, gay and transgender identities. The week-long event is put on each year by various student groups and university office staff, who organize the demonstrations and projects.

MSU

NAISO remembers victims of Red Lake shooting

With drumming and traditional singing, the North American Indian Student Organization, or NAISO, honored Tuesday the victims of the recent shooting at the Red Lake Indian Reservation in Minnesota at the rock on Farm Lane. During the vigil, students offered their prayers and spoke about the issues facing Native American communities today.

MSU

Student activism groups remember past struggles

A coalition of student groups are at the beginning of a seven-day campaign to protest and call attention to social and environmental concerns at MSU. The campaign, called the 150 Hours of Struggle, is part of a larger initiative to highlight how student groups have contributed to the history of MSU through activism and struggle during the past 150 years, said Erik Green, director of Racial, Ethnic, and Progressive Affairs.

MSU

MSU Board of Trustees

Trustee Joel Ferguson "I don't find any excuse for any aggressive police behavior based on what kids did a long time ago.

MSU

ASMSU, trustees react to police actions

After the police made 43 arrests and teargassed thousands of people on Saturday, ASMSU leaders said the law enforcement's riot-prevention tactics were uncalled for. Student Assembly Chairperson Andrew Schepers said he was not in East Lansing at the time of the celebration uproar, but information provided to him by staff suggested that students were celebrating in a nonviolent manner. "From all the information given to me, it sounds like the police were setup to stir something up," he said.

MSU

University apts., dorm rates could increase

Residence hall room and board rates and University Apartments rates could increase 5.25 percent next year. The rate increase will be up for approval Friday at the MSU Board of Trustees meeting and would raise rates by $286 per year in the residence halls and either $29 or $32 per month in University Apartments', depending on the number of bedrooms.

MSU

National scholarships go to 4 MSU students

Four MSU students made history last week, when they were awarded the Goldwater Scholarship. This is the only time MSU has had four students each win one of the 320 national scholarships. Winners were chosen from a pool of 1,091 mathematics, science and engineering undergraduate students, nominated by faculty. The scholarships cover tuition, fees, books, as well as room and board for up to $7,500 per year and are available for one or two years. The Goldwater Scholars - zoology junior in the Lyman Briggs School Katie Barott, chemical engineering junior Timothy Howes, electrical engineering junior Janelle Shane and biosystems engineering sophomore Matthew Stasiewicz - are all members of the Honors College. Howes said he was pleased to receive the scholarship and plans on doing research that applies chemical engineering principles to living organisms. "It's great that they recognize people who are making an effort to get involved in research," Howes said.