MSU

Student admits to crime; faces prison

Former MSU researcher Scott Doree plead guilty Friday to lying about the theft of his research fall semester when federal officials where investigating the case.Doree, a former microbiology graduate student, likely will face 10-16 months in prison once he is sentenced this summer.In September, Doree called campus police alleging materials for his $400,000 federally-funded research project had been stolen from the Biomedical and Physical Sciences Building.

MSU

Officers celebrate 75 years of keeping 'U' safe

Officers and former officers of the MSU Department of Police and Public Safety celebrated 75 years of safe-guarding the campus Sunday afternoon.Friends and family of officers were shown a video about the history of the department, newspaper clippings about the department and pictures of former officers taken through the years.Exhibits of officers riding on bicycles and motorcycles along with K-9 units and firearm displays gave visitors plenty to see.Richard Bernitt, police chief from 1960 to 1986, said there was limited technological options when he was a officer."In those days we had Colts and Smith & Wessons," Bernitt said.

MSU

Faculty receives honor from group

Soil biophysics Professor Alvin Smucker joins the list of MSU faculty who have been honored with the Humboldt Research Award.

MSU

'U' helps lure graduates to MI

Evan Rondeau

May 15, 2003

Researchers at MSU and other institutions across the state are working on ways to get more college graduates to come to Michigan. Many Michigan graduates find jobs in the state, but employers are hoping to attract out-of-state graduates as well, researchers have found. "Since 1996, 72 to 76 percent of Michigan grads have stayed in the state," said Phil Gardner, director of research at MSU's Collegiate Employment Research Institute.

MSU

Professor receives award

Yong Zhao has dedicated his research to bridging technology and the educational process. His work has now been recognized by the American Educational Research Association. Zhao, an associate professor for the Department of Counseling, Educational Psychology and Special Education, was awarded the Raymond B.

MSU

Police chiefs celebrate 75th anniversary

During anniversary celebrations of the MSU Department of Police and Public Safety on Sunday, four police chiefs will come together to celebrate 75 years of protecting the campus community. East Lansing police patrolled MSU's campus until September 23, 1947 when an independent campus department formed.

MSU

Victory Games kick-off Thursday at 'U'

The 28th annual Michigan Victory Games begins Thursday at IM Sports-West. More than 100 athletes with physical and visual impairments from Michigan and surrounding states will compete in events including table tennis, bocci ball, track and field, power lifting, cycling and cross country.

MSU

Bernero confirms run for Lansing mayor

State Sen. Virg Bernero, D-Lansing, confirmed his candidacy for Lansing mayor Tuesday morning."I'm running for mayor because I believe Lansing needs bold and effective leadership and we need it now," he said.Bernero said he plans to work toward increasing the safety of the city and revitalizing Lansing's downtown, Old Town and the Riverfront area.

MSU

Aid helps low-income students choose 'U'

University officials say a recent study regarding low-income students choosing not to attend elite universities does not reflect conditions at MSU.The study, conducted by the Century Foundation in Washington, D.C., found students who are accepted to universities choose other higher education options because they, along with their families, cannot afford to pay the increasing cost of tuition.

MSU

Construction chaos

Evan Rondeau

May 14, 2003

Traffic cones and ice cream cones will both be staples on campus this summer, leaving students stuck in lines both for treats and classes. Students traveling on campus will encounter detours and road closed signs on Farm Lane, Service Road and Brody Road. Dennis Hansen, construction superintendent at the MSU Campus Park and Planning division, said the construction is part of the university's maintenance program to improve the road conditions on campus.

MSU

Chairman charged in $25K slander suit

A chairman of the Department of Horticulture was ordered to pay $25,000 in a slander suit involving a former MSU employee.Joan Runkel filed a lawsuit in August 2001 against Ronald Perry, chairman of the department, after he made comments to other staff members accusing her of trespassing on his property, entering his residence and destroying property.

MSU

E.L. bars combat alcohol abuse, receive awards

Two East Lansing bar owners were honored for their commitment to encourage responsible drinking by the Responsible Hospitality Council on Tuesday.Joe Bell, owner of The Peanut Barrel Restaurant, 521 E.

MSU

Research sheds light on evolution

What happens when you put together a biologist, a theoretical physicist, a philosopher of science and a computer scientist?With the added help of digital organisms from a computer, the answer is a new way of dealing with Darwin's theory of evolution."You can think of (digital organisms) as being like computer viruses, but ones that can mutate and evolve on their own," said Robert Pennock, associate professor of philosophy for Lyman Briggs School.

MSU

Student takes on race for City Council seat

Along with three incumbent members, one MSU student will be running for a seat on the East Lansing City Council.

MSU

Faculty receive honors

James Tiedje and Michael Thomashow's minds could be tapped by the United States government to consult on science policy issues.That's one of the perks of being elected to the National Academy of Sciences, an elite pool of U.S.

MSU

'U' faces funding cuts, tuition hikes

At her first meeting as interim president, Provost Lou Anna Simon addressed MSU's monetary situation as a state budget crisis has forced the university to prepare for massive cutbacks and possible tuition increases. As the legislature makes its final decision on state appropriations for public universities, MSU could face up to a 6.75-percent funding cut. To manage about a $60 million funding cut, the university will continue to trim department budgets, Simon said. "This is certainly a challenge to the university in terms of quality," she said. Simon cited the cancellation of 12 academic programs and 17 moratoriums, including those taken on by the Department of Audiology and Speech Sciences as part of cutbacks which have already occurred at MSU. Restructuring employment will continue to be a part of dealing with a decrease in state funding, Simon said.

MSU

Ceremony officially opens third floor

Antonio Planas

May 12, 2003

One woman's generosity and vision has resulted in a 12,000 square-foot expansion of the International Center. Okemos resident and MSU alumna Delia Koo contributed the largest donation to the university by an international alumna and the largest donation ever to the international studies program, according to Charles Webb, MSU vice president for University Development.

MSU

Eco members upset over voting policies

Eco officials say they are disappointed a $5 tax for renewable energy will not be added to student tuition bills this fall, even though the referendum was approved by about 3,800 voters. In April, the University Student Appeals Board denied a request by ASMSU to disregard a university rule which requires more than 50 percent of undergraduate students to vote and the majority of those voters to pass a new tax when it's placed on MSU's undergraduate student government's March ballot. The voting numbers were not released until after the board made its decision to deny Eco's request. The number of "no" votes for the tax referendum was less than 1,000. Eco, an environmental student organization, came to ASMSU to have the $5 tax added to the organization's existing $13 tax.

MSU

Student speaks to 'U'

Brandon Lupp tries to do things differently. As a host for the last three out of four College of Agriculture and Natural Resources honors college banquets, he held a cooking show for guests and has taken them on a "trip" around the world. "That banquet required six costume changes," Lupp said, explaining the inspiration for that show came from more than 45 study abroad programs that are offered through his college. He even put on a giant chicken costume and rode a tricycle to make himself seem more approachable. But next week the agriculture and natural resources communications senior will trade the chicken suit for a cap and gown as he addresses students, faculty and staff at MSU's May 2 convocation. And again he will be doing things differently by adding twists to his speech. "I was going to pass out rubber bands to 10,000 people but they didn't think that would work," he said about his original speech plan.

MSU

Design Day helps area student

The sun glimmered off the fresh green paint of Chris Casey's tailor-made tricycle as he took his first spin. Equipped with a padded seat pulled from an Oldsmobile Achieva, an orange flag and a backpack with a built-in water bottle, Casey's favorite part of the cycle is its green-and-white color scheme. "They're MSU," the 21-year-old man said.