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MSU

Speaker series addresses United States, Israel relations

Josh Jarman
January 27, 2005

When MSU President Lou Anna Simon introduced former U.S. Ambassador to Israel Dennis Ross at Kellogg Center Monday, it was one of two firsts. It was the first time Simon introduced a speaker as president of the university, and Ross was the first speaker in the "Conversations on U.S.-Israel Relations" series. His visit kicked off the series of speakers sponsored by the Hillel Jewish Student Center and the Greater Lansing Jewish Welfare Federation.

MSU

Students to participate in robotics competition

Amy Davis
January 27, 2005

Okemos High School senior George Karagoulis said he's fortunate because he already knows what he wants to do with his life - he wants to be an engineer. Which is why Karagoulis, 18, is excited to be a member of Team 1504-Spartan Robotics, an engineering-inspired club that is gearing up to build a 120-pound robot capable of moving 9-pound weights to a designated goal. "It's a major undertaking," Karagoulis said of the group challenge.

MSU

ASMSU officials focus on budget concerns

Darrell Hughes
January 27, 2005

ASMSU's programming and funding boards received additional money this year, some student government officials are concerned about the two committees' financial stability. In past years, both undergraduate student government boards used up their budgets before the end of the spring semester. In fact, in 2004, the groups spent their entire funds before March and requested an additional $10,000 from the Student Assembly because they ran out of money. To ensure that student groups have money to hold events, and to give to student organizations in 2005, the boards have been given about $30,000 more, and officials say they are confident they won't run out of money. The programming board funds specific student events on campus, and the funding board provides money to registered student organizations. On the programming board, about 20 students represent various campus groups or organizations, such as the University Activities Board.

MSU

Profs discuss tsunami issues, implications

Kristin Longley
January 26, 2005

MSU faculty from multiple areas of study discussed the Dec. 26 tsunami and its impact at an educational forum on Tuesday. At the event, students and the general public asked questions, and faculty addressed misconceptions concerning the disaster.

MSU

Changes to writing, integrated studies programs suggested

Margaret Harding
January 26, 2005

The task forces on Integrated Studies, writing and quantitative literacy presented Academic Council with their final reports at Tuesday's meeting. The task forces were created to make recommendations to improve programs in the three areas. "MSU is already strong in all these areas, but we have to keep moving forward," acting Provost John Hudzik said. Jim Porter, chairman of the Writing Task Force committee, outlined the committee's findings and recommendations about the Tier I and Tier II writing programs. In the Tier I program, the task force committee recommended extending the writing requirement from one semester to a year-long course.

MSU

Physicist teaches origami

Margaret Harding
January 26, 2005

Laser physicist turned origami master Robert J. Lang taught the basics of the ancient paper-folding art to a crowd on Tuesday night in the Main Library. The group learned to make a duck out of a single piece of paper. "For a beginner workshop, you have to start with something simple," Lang said.

MSU

Ban lifted on aid for Israel study

Josh Jarman
January 26, 2005

MSU students who want to study abroad in Israel just got a big break from the university. Kathleen Fairfax, director of the Office of Study Abroad, said MSU officials decided on Monday to lift the ban on students applying for financial aid to study in Israel. In October 2000, all MSU-sponsored study abroad trips to Israel were suspended after several security warnings from the U.S.

MSU

ASMSU prepares for elections, strives to attract new members

Darrell Hughes
January 25, 2005

With ASMSU elections nearly two months away, student government officials are preparing election blueprints, geared at getting more students prepared to vote. A three-phase election plan outlines three possible ways of informing students of the March election - sending out fliers, advertising on the student government's Web site and printing advertisements. The marketing and publicity plan, created by Joanna Lankerd, ASMSU's constituent activism director, was introduced to the Student Assembly last week. Last year, only 4.7 percent of undergraduate students voted in the student government election.

MSU

Graduates stage protest via motorcade

Margaret Harding
January 25, 2005

With horns blaring and streamers waving in the frigid air, a caravan of cars wove their way - slowly - through campus Monday morning. But some say the noise was unheard by those they were trying to reach. The cars carried Graduate Employees Union members protesting the administration's proposal to take parking rights out of the new GEU contract during a negotiating session. "Right now, we can park south of the river, but what they're proposing is to strike any mention of parking rights from the contract," GEU President Deborah Wilson said.

MSU

Schools vie to top organ donations

Josh Jarman
January 24, 2005

Patrick Pruitt knows the value of organ donations. Pruitt, a psychology senior, got a corneal transplant in 1990 to restore his sight. "As a child of six, I lost the ability to read - to play with my toys," Pruitt said.

MSU

Sparty named national champ

Kristin Longley
January 24, 2005

Sparty on, MSU. For the second year in a row, Sparty is the number one mascot in the country. After his 2004 national championship, Sparty began working on his next routine to bring to the 2005 Universal Cheer Association/Universal Dance Association College Nationals in Orlando, Fla.

MSU

Certain MSU e-mail won't forward to AOL

Margaret Harding
January 24, 2005

The mail some students try to forward from their MSU e-mail accounts may not always reach their America Online inbox, a Computer Center official said. AOL uses an anti-spam device to block unsolicited commercial e-mail.

MSU

WEB UPDATE: MSU hockey tops Lake Superior State University, 8-0

Eric Fish
January 22, 2005

Behind a hat trick from freshman forward Bryan Lerg, and 18 stops by sophomore goaltender Dominic Vicari, the MSU hockey team was able to blow out Lake Superior State University, 8-0, in Friday's contest at Munn Ice Arena. Lerg got the scoring going 5:27 into the game when he beat Laker goaltender Jeff Jakaitis, and MSU (13-11-1 overall, 8-9-0 CCHA) scored three more goals to end the first period with a 4-0 lead. Sophomore forward Drew Miller scored a power-play goal 13 seconds into the second period to deny any type of a Spartan letdown, and junior forward David Booth and Lerg added tallies, giving MSU a 7-0 lead heading into the final stanza. Lerg completed his first career hat trick when he popped in a rebound with less than four minutes remaining in the game, giving the Spartans an satisfying 8-0 win. "I have a smile on my face," Lerg said of his hat trick.