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MSU

Physicist brings universe to U

Ed Ronco
January 17, 2002

Although the weekend is approaching, Sarah Lockwitz can hardly wait to attend Brian Greene’s lecture about the elegance of the universe. “I’ll have to break a hot date to go to it, but I think it’s worth it,” the physics freshman said. Lockwitz met the Columbia University professor of physics and mathematics on Tuesday when he visited her Physics 193H class. Greene will discuss his best-selling book, “The Elegant Universe,” tonight during the first McPherson Professorship lecture.

MSU

Increased expenses force ASMSU to cut events

Alison Barker
January 17, 2002

Money cuts from the undergraduate student government are forcing ASMSU’s Programming Board to cut entertainment events this semester.Matt Weingarden, Student Assembly vice chairperson of internal affairs, said ASMSU’s expenses have increased, which has caused less money to be allocated toward concerts, speakers and other cultural events.“When you only have so much money to work with, someone has got to lose,” Weingarden said.The Programming Board had about $100,000 this year to divide among several student organizations.About six years ago, the organization had about $200,000 per year.Increased expenses from Student Legal Services and other budget problems caused the cuts, despite a 20 percent minimum of ASMSU taxes going to the Programming Board.“This means there’s going to be much more limited programs,” Weingarden said.

MSU

Residence Hall sign-up begins

Casey Mcnenly
January 17, 2002

Since Shawn Henn came to MSU, he’s bounced between residence halls - but he’s never left campus.The electrical engineering senior signed up this week to live in Wilson Hall next year.

MSU

Scientist visits U

Ed Ronco
January 16, 2002

MSU science students normally don’t spend a day with an internationally known theoretical physicist - but this week is different. Brian Greene, a professor of physics and mathematics at Columbia University, is the first of two speakers in this year’s McPherson Professorship program. The professorship was created last year after an anonymous donor gave $2 million to the university.

MSU

COGS discusses student visa status

The Council of Graduate Students will hold its first meeting of the semester at 5 p.m. today in the International Center Spartan Rooms B and C.The meeting will focus on the state of international student applications with emphasis on how anti-terrorism legislation passed last year will affect them.

MSU

LBGT activists hope to educate public with conference

Camille Spencer
January 16, 2002

Although it’s still two months away, planning for the Midwest Bisexual, Lesbian, Gay, Transgender and Ally College Conference is already under way.The event will be held March 15-17 at the Kellogg Center, and will feature workshops, caucus groups and presentations about issues such as battling homophobia.

MSU

Phones replace lab monitors

Chris Boyer
January 16, 2002

Gone are the days when bleary-eyed, late-night computer lab assistants waited at a desk to help out other exhausted students.This semester, the computer labs will not be constantly monitored by lab assistants.

MSU

Indiana University adds LBGT fraternity to greek community

Camille Spencer
January 15, 2002

Although the greek system at Indiana University at Bloomington will have an organization available for lesbian, bisexual, gay and transgendered students, some MSU students say such an idea might not be successful in East Lansing.Delta Lambda Phi is the first fraternity catering to gay students at Indiana.

MSU

City council, ASMSU plan joint meeting

Alison Barker
January 15, 2002

For the first time in the history of East Lansing, ASMSU’s Academic Assembly and city council are collaborating to gain a better understanding of student and city issues. Mayor Mark Meadows and Academic Assembly Chairperson Matt Clayson, decided this meeting would be a valuable opportunity for the entire community. ASMSU is the undergraduate student government. Clayson, who worked with city council officials to organize tonight’s agenda, said he is looking forward to the joint meeting. “It will be a learning experience for me to see how a small city government operates rather than just an academic government,” Clayson said. But more than focusing on the operating strategies each body possesses, Clayson said he would like to build an academic relationship with the city.

MSU

Changed laws should make taxes easier

Chad Previch
January 15, 2002

Don Jordan felt the sting of tuition last year, but didn’t bother to feel the pain again April 15. He didn’t fill out his tax forms. He said the forms were to confusing and he was too lazy. “One thing that really gets me is there are so many forms,” he said.

MSU

Womens center hosts variety of programs

Camille Spencer
January 15, 2002

The Women’s Resource Center is sponsoring various events throughout January on issues ranging from health to finances. Judy McQueen, educational program coordinator for the center, said it tries to provide a variety of topics for the public, including students, faculty and staff.

MSU

ASMSU seeks greater involvement in elections

Alison Barker
January 15, 2002

With ASMSU elections about a month away, members of the elections steering committee are hoping to increase student participation.Steve Lovelace, Academic Assembly internal vice chairperson, said students should get involved with the elections to have an active voice in the undergraduate student government.“Joining ASMSU is a good way to learn outside of the classroom,” Lovelace said.

MSU

Study: Early admission policy may not be best for students

Chad Previch
January 14, 2002

Early decision admissions policies have been called a great way for students to get into their colleges of choice - but some critics say early is not always better.Three Harvard University professors who recently completed a study on early decision said a greater number of students are applying earlier, and colleges have set lower standards for early applicants.The 2000 study of 14 selective colleges showed there was a slight admissions advantage to students who applied with early decision.

MSU

Movies improved by grant

Casey Mcnenly
January 14, 2002

A $25,000 grant from AT&T helped the Campus Center and RHA Movies in Wells Hall by offering students what was missing - better picture and sound quality.

MSU

Mild weather is coming

As the weather takes a milder turn in the next couple weeks, Michigan residents can expect a break from the harsh conditions many come to expect from the early part of the year. But this kind of weather isn’t unusual for this time of year, said Walt Felver, a meteorologist for the National Weather Service in Grand Rapids.Temperatures are still around average for the month. “We often have a mild period in January,” Felver said.

MSU

Scientists seek longer strawberry season

Chris Boyer
January 14, 2002

MSU researchers are trying to fill fields and grocery stores with strawberries - even when the red fruit is out of season. Researchers are investigating the possibility of cross-breeding wild strawberries with conventional short-day breeds to produce a new variety of strawberry that can produce fruit throughout the growing season. Instead of the usual short growing season consisting solely of the beginning of summer, these strawberries would produce fruit from spring through fall. The primary trait researchers are hoping to adapt into the strawberries is a resistance to a particular fungus that causes a condition called black root rot.

MSU

Campus briefs

Trustees discuss advising, student trends MSU’s Board of Trustees met Thursday and Friday to discuss new projects to be implemented at the university. University officials have money from the state for a new medical scanner.

MSU

Excessive grooming has genetic link

Erica Berg
January 11, 2002

Spending an hour primping in front of the mirror may not be in vain. Recent research said primpers might be using a survival gene. The gene, Hoxb8, is found in all mammals and is responsible for grooming, hygiene patterns and controlling body parts. Mario Capecchi, professor of genetics at the University of Utah School of Medicine, said when mutated in mice, the gene caused them to excessively groom themselves, creating bald spots and skin wounds. “In terms of genetics, humans and mice are almost identical,” Capecchi said.

MSU

Student group cautions against targeting Muslims

Camille Spencer
January 11, 2002

Although some Muslim groups on campuses experienced prejudice after President Bush seized the assets of a group he says is connected to terrorist activities, MSU’s Muslim Students’ Association has not been targeted.In November, Bush confiscated assets of the Holy Land Foundation for Relief and Development, one of the largest Islamic charities in America.