Tuesday, December 16, 2025

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Campus

MSU

University evaluates recreational facilities

ASMSU’s Student Assembly has posed a question to students: To build or not to build.The undergraduate student government approved a bill Thursday which allocates $10,000 for a professional evaluation of the university’s intramural recreational facilities.

MSU

Students to help construct homes during spring break

Scott Ross is packing a hammer for spring break. Ross, a microbiology junior, will join 40 students from MSU and 9,000 students from across the country on the Habitat for Humanity International’s Collegiate Challenge: Spring Break 2001. The students will be on a mission to construct houses during trips to Georgia, Florida, Louisiana and Virginia.

MSU

Olin offers free safe-sex Valentines gifts

Two condoms, lubrication and a Valentine’s Day card.While these items could possibly make for an interesting evening, they are also what the Olin Health Center Sexual Health Promotion Team will be distributing today from 1 p.m.

MSU

Bill asks for braille on emergency phones

ASMSU’s Student Assembly approved a bill Thursday that requests the university place braille writing on all green light emergency phones across campus.“(The measure) basically sends a message that we care about persons with disabilities and their safety,” said Matt Weingarden, the assembly’s Council of Students With Disabilities representative.About 100 emergency telephones are placed in specific parts of MSU’s campus for students to use if they require police assistance.But Weingarden said because the phone booths do not provide adequate light for those who are visually impaired, it is necessary for the numbers to have braille markings on them.“The (current safety) program itself is not inclusive as is,” he said.

MSU

Diversity promoted through cultural art

Maggie Chen Hernandez, coordinator for MSU’s Multicultural Center, said while students often work for racial diversity, they seldom receive recognition for their endeavors. “A lot of the effort to push for multiculturalism at Michigan State comes from students and students should be recognized for some of their outstanding contributions and efforts,” she said. Chen Hernandez and MSU’s Office of Affirmative Action Compliance and Monitoring hope to change that. The Excellence in Diversity Recognition and Awards Program will provide cash awards to individuals, teams, organizations and students who have shown a commitment to promoting and supporting diversity at MSU. As many as three individual students and three student teams will be awarded $2,500 through the “Excellence in Diversity” and “Excellence Within Community” categories.

MSU

Students celebrate Vagina Day in New York

The 19,000 people who filled Madison Square Garden in New York City on Saturday were asked to stand if they, or someone they knew, had been a victim of sexual assault.“Everyone in the entire place stood up,” international studies junior Melanie Olmsted said. “It was an extremely moving experience.”According the National Organization for Women, 132,00 women are sexually assaulted each year.Olmsted and 14 other MSU students traveled to New York for Vagina Day and the showing of the “Vagina Monologues”. Written by Eve Ensler, the monologues feature 15 stories women perform about experiences with sexuality.“The “Vagina Monologues” are so wonderful because they explore taboos that aren’t normally expressed,” Olmsted said.

MSU

Speech a chance to show ‘vision’

MSU’s tradition of its president giving an annual State of the University Address is common among some other universities in the Big Ten.But while an annual event, many students show little interest in attending.Joyce Sandie, an elementary education senior, agrees such a speech is important to keep students informed of key issues on campus.Yet she has no intention of attending.“I wasn’t aware that he gave such a speech but I am going to listen to what he has to say,” Sandie said.

MSU

Research studies insect immunity

For some MSU researchers, an analyzed bug in the hand is worth two in the bush.Professors Robert Hollingworth and Ke Dong are researching possible answers to the question of how insects become resistant to pesticides.Hollingworth, a professor of entomology, said he and Professor Dong are interested in the biochemistry and genetics of how populations of insects change and mutate in the field.“A population of insects starts off where a percentage are killed by insecticides, but by sheer chance, mutations allow some of them to become resistant to the insecticides,” Hollingworth said.

MSU

U offers political fellowships

A new group of Michigan residents was chosen to get an up-close and personal look at politics. The Michigan Political Leadership Program announced that 24 Michigan residents will receive fully paid fellowships with the MSU-based program. “We are very excited to see how such a diverse group comes together,” said Shannon Horvath, the program’s director.

MSU

Software allows U to access information offline

A new type of free Internet software may make it easier for students and faculty to research online. The software, called “q,” allows Web browsers to save Internet links in groups and refer back to them even after connection to the net has been terminated.

MSU

Alumni visit inspires students, bridges gap

Three successful alumni retraced their paths from college to career while visiting campus last week.Jack Epps Jr., Juli Betwee and John Scott presented a panel discussion for students and faculty Friday morning as part of the second annual College of Arts and Letters Alumni Leaders Program.“The thing that impresses me is how inspiring the leaders are and how they related their experiences with students,” said Patrick McConeghy, associate dean of the College of Arts and Letters.Epps, who co-wrote several movie scripts, including “Top Gun” with the late MSU Professor Jim Cash, said he hoped to show students there are no limits to success.“It’s important to see people with experience so you can gauge where you want to go,” he said.

MSU

ASMSU strives to alter tuition guarantee

After last year’s attempt to alter the MSU tuition guarantee, ASMSU plans on taking a different approach for changing the policy in 2001.ASMSU’s Academic Assembly unanimously passed a measure Tuesday suggesting a change to the guarantee.

MSU

Bell pledges to be spokesman

In an effort to defeat the University of Michigan in a one-on-one competition, the MSU Senior Class Council has called on Charlie Bell to sink the game-winning shot.Bell, a senior guard on the men’s basketball team, agreed to become the official spokesman for the council’s annual Senior Class Giving Campaign this week.