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MSU

West African religious practices on display

MSU students and faculty in search of a new cultural experience may not have to look any further than the MSU Museum.The Drinking the Word of God exhibit showcases the beliefs and religious practices in two West African communities - Zinder, Niger and Bondoukou, Cote d’Ivoire, through religious artifacts and photographs.Raymond Silverman, a curator of the exhibit and a professor of art history, hosted a gallery talk Sunday. Silverman said the exhibition was the first of its kind to look specifically at the use of religious devices with special powers used by some Muslim societies.The exhibit opened March 20 and ends Jan.

MSU

Seniors sought for 2001 Homecoming Court

The Homecoming Committee is seeking nominations for the 2001 Homecoming Court. The committee is seeking students with senior class status who have high academic standards and have a lot of Spartan spirit. Students and organizations are being encouraged to nominate anyone who displays these characteristics and would best represent MSU. The selected members will participate in a variety of events, including the parade and halftime of the homecoming game against the University of Iowa on Oct.

MSU

Salmonella cases spur ban on reptile, amphibian sales

Reptiles may never be man’s best friend.The Humane Society of the United States released a report Thursday that called for the sales of reptiles and amphibians to be banned, citing cases of reptile owners who have contracted salmonella.Salmonella can be carried by reptiles without the animals showing the symptoms.

MSU

RHA to launch new recycling initiative

New initiatives to increase student participation in on-campus recycling were announced at the Residence Hall Association’s first meeting Wednesday.RHA Recycling will resume its program Sept.

MSU

Department coping with cuts

Next to family photos and decorations, MSU police Sgt. Florene McGlothian-Taylor’s desk is piled with files and documents waiting to be read.McGlothian-Taylor and other officers at the Department of Police and Public Safety have been adjusting to an increased work load after a year of struggling budgets that, among other things, left students with an 8.9 percent tuition increase.On top of her duties as a coordinator for special events, McGlothian-Taylor now serves as the public information officer.

MSU

Motorists to yield to new traffic signs

Rajnish Sharma is getting a little help crossing the street.Yield to pedestrian signs were placed in the middle of the roadway Tuesday at crosswalks on Shaw Lane, between Farm Lane and Red Cedar Road.“People do stop their cars when they see signs and let you go,” said Sharma, an environmental engineering graduate student.

MSU

Soybeans join tour as farmers set to marvel latest hybrids

The MSU Corn & Soybean Research Tour and Barbecue, set for 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday, will allow participants to view new corn and soybean hybrid crops produced by MSU researchers and have the chance to win more than $800 in prizes. In its fifth year, the tour will be introducing some changes. “This is the first year that soybeans have been included in the program for corn hybrid trails,” said Mark Hansen, the agricultural extension agent for Ingham County’s MSU Extension.

MSU

Price is Right fan fulfills lifelong dream on showcase showdown

DeAaron Easley didn’t have to pay the price to see a childhood dream come true - he guessed it.After sitting through two tapings of the “Price is Right” game show, Easley was finally selected to come on down as a contestant the third time.“Last year I didn’t get picked to be on the show, and in May I went and applied for more tickets,” Easley, a telecommunication junior, said.

FOOTBALL

Tailgating Project gears up for season opener Saturday

The football players are gearing up to take on Central Michigan on Saturday at Spartan Stadium. But they’re not the only ones preparing for the game.As usual, tailgaters are getting fired up, and this year, members of the recently formed Tailgating Project are ready for them.The project, which was formed in May by university administrators, will be evaluating the activities that go on during tailgating.“This project gives us a snapshot of what is really happening at tailgates,” said Pat Enos, assistant to the vice president for student affairs and a member of the committee.The committee wants to make sure tailgating continues to be enjoyable, she said.“Tailgating is an important part of MSU,” Enos said.

MSU

U students not properly insured

After a flood damaged Jessica Schulte’s belongings, she came out financially without a scratch - but other students may not be as fortunate.More than 80 percent of college students who rent do not have insurance for their personal belongings, said a recent survey conducted by the Michigan Association of Insurance Agents.Schulte, a communication senior, said she was insured through her parents with extra rental insurance.“We had our computers down there, and we got (money) back with no questions asked,” she said.Schulte said college life leaves plenty of opportunities for personal property to be stolen.“If you live in the dorm, you don’t always know your suitemates and their friends,” she said.

MSU

Llamafest fun, entertaining

The difference between a llama and a camel is obvious - a hump. But that’s not the only difference those who attended Llamafest 2001 may have discovered.The event, which was held Saturday and Sunday at the Pavilion for Agriculture and Livestock Education, gave attendees a closer look at the animals.More than 200 llamas were on display for the public to view and learn about.The event also gave owners a chance to display their llamas, sell them and give the public an appreciation for the diverse animal.“It’s like going to the zoo, kids love it,” said Bob Macauley who runs Paradise Ranch, a llama farm in Mecosta, Mich.Macauley and his wife, Deb, first became interested in the animals when they saw them in a parade about 10 years ago.

MSU

Survey: freshmen volunteering more than in past years

A recent survey showed the percentage of college freshmen who volunteer has steadily increased since 1990, and volunteer leaders say MSU has been no different.The survey, which was conducted by the Higher Education Research Institute at the University of California at Los Angeles, showed the percentage of freshmen who performed volunteer work in 2000 increased 15 percent since 1990.