When author Lev Raphael was a child, he said "I imagined that I was a superhero with X-ray vision, and I could use it to cut Germany out of the map of the world." Raphael knows the atrocities of the Holocaust firsthand, or rather through the eyes of his parents, who both survived the Holocaust.
To some, it's disgusting. To others, it's not a problem. It's not a gory movie or a dirty joke - it's water. Residence Halls Association is starting to work with MSU to improve water used for drinking and bathing on campus.
MSU organizations, administrators and officials from the city of East Lansing are working together to help connect younger voters to local and national elections via the Internet. Formed in 2000, You Vote, located at http://youvote.msu.edu, educates student voters with frequent updates leading up to November elections. The idea for the site emerged after the 2000 elections, when there were a lot of problems with voting in East Lansing, said Ginny Haas, MSU's director of community relations. "Students had a hard time identifying where they were supposed to vote," she said.
Unless there's a blinking "WARNING" on the screen, many Internet users easily hand over personal information, according to a recent study from two MSU researchers. When users reveal information, such as their social security or credit card numbers, they are at risk for identity theft and fraud, said Robert LaRose, a telecommunication, information studies and media professor. "Online consumers are being lulled into a false sense of privacy," he said.
Few students braved snowy sidewalks to learn about study abroad opportunities at the Union Wednesday. Kathleen Fairfax, director for MSU's Office of Study Abroad, said less than the January fair's average of 1,500 students showed up Wednesday. "We expected it to be lower because of the weather, but it's never been dead," she said at the fair. Fairfax said, even though students didn't brave the winter weather for information, there have been a high number of early applications.
Surfing the Web about a year and a half ago, MSU-DCL College of Law student Emily Shipley found something that caught her eye. On a Texas law college Web site, she discovered a student publication completely devoted to discussing gender issues.
"It's not that bad. We'll survive. This is basically an excuse not to go to class." - Michelle Tarnowski, biological science junior "I watch out for everyone else because I know I'm a safe driver.
Controversial author and filmmaker Michael Moore will visit MSU on Friday to speak about his new book "Dude, Where's My Country?" and other topics, including the upcoming presidential election and the war in Iraq.
"Nazi Persecution of Homosexuals, 1933-1945" has been at the MSU Museum since Oct. 26, but "Writing a Jewish Life: The Holocaust As a Personal History" is set to add more to the existing exhibit.
A pipe in the North Hubbard Hall main entrance froze and then burst at about 7:30 a.m. Tuesday. As the water spilled onto the lobby entrance, the fire-alarm system began to sound and residents were evacuated from the building. "When the pipe broke, the alarm system sensed water," said Paula Palmiter, assistant manager of Akers and Hubbard halls.
Snowy conditions hindered a large turnout for Tuesday's Academic Council meeting. Only about 38 people were in attendance, less than 20 shy of the 55 needed to take action on agenda items. Provost Lou Anna Simon instead opened the meeting by informing Academic Council members about the budget issues in front of the MSU Board of Trustees. The Academic Council was to take action on the University Committee on Curriculum report for program actions.
MSU-DCL College of Law is trying to expand its programs by adding six staff members to the law college faculty this year. Among the new faculty hired was Paul Arshagouni, Mary Bedikian, Craig Callen, Donald Laverdure, Adam Mossoff and Peter Yu. "We are continuing to build out specializations for our students, and the faculty members we've added all are bringing expertise in specialized fields," said MSU-DCL Dean Terence Blackburn. Mossoff, who is working with Yu to develop the intellectual property program, came to MSU-DCL because its potential for growth and development.
MSU's Institute for Public Policy & Social Research will hold a community planning forum today to address physical fitness in neighborhoods. The open discussion will take place from 11:30 a.m.
The number of deaths from genetic diseases, such as cancer and heart disease, might be reduced because of the completion of the Human Genome Project. The project, an attempt to identify the sequence of all the approximate 30,000 genes in human DNA, was completed in April 2003, and might allow doctors and scientists to predict causes and risks of certain diseases. Dr. Francis Collins, director of the National Human Genome Research Institute, discussed the project and its implications when he addressed the MSU community Tuesday night at the Wharton Center.
Inclement weather is hindering the first days of fraternity recruitment for spring semester while new policies go into effect. "It wasn't that good (Monday) night, and it's not looking good for (Tuesday) either," said Mahfouz Ackall, Interfraternity Council vice president for recruitment. This is the first year that fraternities will keep statistics for recruitment.
A new worm virus is affecting computers worldwide, but MSU's new webmail system's antivirus software will catch the worm before it affects the student computers and the university system. The virus dubbed MyDoom, Novarg and Mimail.Rand is clogging corporate and university e-mail servers.
ASMSU's Academic Assembly will meet tonight for a committee meeting instead of its scheduled general-assembly meeting.
When Casey Hof returns to her Yakeley Hall room after class, she doesn't have time to set down her bag before she's covered with sloppy kisses from Sara - her Yorkshire terrier. Sara is a therapy dog approved to live in the dorms.
MSU's urban studies program might face cuts if a recommendation to delete the Department of Political Science's doctoral program receives approval today. The University Committee on Curriculum included the recommendation in its program actions proposal for today's Academic Council meeting.
Taking first place at the National Association of Home Builders student competition Jan. 18 in Las Vegas, the MSU Construction Management Program returned home with a traveling trophy and a $1,000 cash award.