COMMENTARY

Reorganization needs student voice

On a college campus, student voice is essential. Be they vital academic decisions or merely trivial ones, students must be represented in all of them. Which is why one of the proposed changes to Academic Governance — namely the ratio of students to faculty on a council — is important to watch. Under the proposed changes brought about by the university's Task Forces, is the creation of a Faculty Congress, a faculty governance body that would be chaired by a faculty member, rather than Faculty Council's leadership under MSU President Lou Anna K.

COMMENTARY

OU best choice for satellite campus

MSU's College of Osteopathic Medicine is looking to establish a satellite campus at one of four locations in Southeast Michigan. Of those in the running, only one really seems suitable to support our prestigious medical school — Oakland University. While the other candidates — Macomb Community College, St.

COMMENTARY

State funding delays are dangerous

More than a month after Gov. Jennifer Granholm's pledge to invest in higher education, a delay of $73 million in funding is looming in the distance. The state faces a $344 million cut if Granholm's executive order to reduce Michigan's combined $3 billion deficit is approved by the state House Appropriations Committee. If passed, Granholm has proposed to postpone higher education payments — totaling $73 million for Michigan schools — until the next fiscal year, which starts Oct.

COMMENTARY

Women's hoops coach deserves raise

Since MSU women's basketball head coach Joanne P. McCallie has arrived at MSU, she's changed the face of the team.

COMMENTARY

Bill shows strongest opposition yet

Exerting the power of their newfound congressional majority, Democrats in the House of Representatives passed legislation that aims to end the Iraq war.

COMMENTARY

Separate consideration appropriate

As Michigan continues to struggle with a combined $3 billion budget deficit, a squabble has broken out between lawmakers and universities about funding. As it stands, Michigan's "Big Three" universities — University of Michigan, Wayne State University and MSU — receive 57 percent of state funding, with the remaining 43 percent to be divided among the 12 remaining schools. And while those numbers will remain constant, Gov.

COMMENTARY

Prisoner release will not solve deficit

The fact that Michigan's economy is crumbling is not news. Anyone who has been keeping up with the auto industry is aware of our state's financial woes.

COMMENTARY

Tobacco tax decrease is destructive

Last week, Rep. Phil LaJoy introduced a bill that would decrease the state cigarette tax by 50 cents in hopes of generating revenue.

COMMENTARY

Shake up power in ASMSU election

With 32 seats open between ASMSU's Student and Academic assemblies, there are a lot of opportunities for students to vote for change.

COMMENTARY

Use anniversary to show opposition

It has been four years since the U.S. hurled itself into the Iraq war. Since then, more than 3,200 U.S.

COMMENTARY

Government accountable for actions

Last week, Sunshine Week taught a dangerous lesson about government responsibility, and the public, especially students, must take note. Sunshine Week is an event designed to periodically analyze government willingness to hand over public information and its adhesion to the Freedom of Information Act, or FOIA. To perform the test, volunteers request information or documents from the government and report what the results were.

COMMENTARY

YAF ruins conservatives' reputation

On a list of hate groups across the country, MSU's chapter of Young Americans for Freedom was singled out as the first university-affiliated hate group. The Southern Poverty Law Center, a hate group watchdog organization, listed Young Americans for Freedom, or YAF, as a "hate group" on its annual list.

COMMENTARY

Religious policy should be changed

When a student is sick and obtains a doctor's note, professors typically allow the pupil to make up any missed class — sans penalty.

COMMENTARY

Program shouldn't curb participation

During the first year of college, growth and independence come hand in hand. Many students join groups in which they learn time management and make friends who share common beliefs. Unfortunately, one organization thinks freshman year should be focused solely on academics — not on activism. For the past seven years, MSU's College Assistance Migrant Program, or CAMP, has paid significant college fees for select migrant workers and their children.

COMMENTARY

Policy should include gender identity

MSU is looking at a proposal that would add gender identity to its anti-discrimination policy. The change will be discussed at today's Faculty Council meeting. Considering that the proposed change would do nothing but protect the rights of a certain segment of MSU's population, there is no reason why the university shouldn't adopt it. The proposal must be approved by both the Faculty and Academic councils, then it will go on for decision by the MSU Board of Trustees. As it stands, MSU is one of five remaining Big Ten schools that does not list gender identity as being protected against gender discrimination.

COMMENTARY

Professor's actions require apology

In a disturbing event, MSU Associate Professor John D. McCallie, husband of MSU women's basketball coach Joanne P.

COMMENTARY

Efforts decrease illegal downloading

On-campus illegal downloading violations have decreased during the last few years. MSU was ranked No.

COMMENTARY

Vanity rising among college students

Humans feel a basic need to be accepted. Whether this acceptance comes from parents, family or friends doesn't seem to matter.

COMMENTARY

ASMSU accountable for lost minutes

The minutes for one of ASMSU's most important meetings held this year have gone missing. During the Feb.

COMMENTARY

Sorority bases membership on looks

The image of the average sorority is less than flattering. Sorority women's charitable acts are often overlooked for a perception depicting pretty party girls. But when one sorority goes beyond the pre-existing stereotypes, it does little more than makes sororities look worse than their reputations. Take, for example, the case of the Delta Zetas at DePauw University.