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NEWS

Trustee Ferguson to remain at MSU

Megan Durisin
April 27, 2011

MSU Trustee Joel Ferguson said in a statement he will stay with his position at the MSU Board of Trustees if he is not able to hold a joint appointment on the Detroit Greektown Casino’s board of directors. Ferguson said he was considering a position on the Greektown board in June 2010, but Greektown officials said a 1996 Michigan Gaming Control and Revenue Act prohibits all elected officials from serving on a casino board of control. According to the release, Ferguson sent a letter to Rick Kalm, executive director of the Michigan Gaming Control Board on April 25 stating, “I generally wish to serve on both boards and believe I am legally entitled to do so.” The letter was sent after Kalm told Ferguson he needed to choose between MSU and the Greektown position. Ferguson does not receive a salary from serving as MSU trustee, but would receive $210,000 in his first year of service as a member of the Greektown board of directors Ferguson has asked that the Gaming Control Board be allowed to make the final decision about his ability to serve on the casino board. “I would prefer to be of service to both the MSU and the Greektown boards,” Ferguson said in the release.

NEWS

Ombudsman to retire after 40 years at MSU

Beau Hayhoe
April 26, 2011

Ask MSU faculty about MSU Ombudsman Stan Soffin, and one will hear almost nothing but praise. “Dr. Soffin is, in my estimation, an extremely valuable component or individual at MSU,” said Doug Estry, the associate provost for undergraduate education who’s worked with Soffin closely through the years.

NEWS

MSU continues aid to Libyan MSU students

Megan Durisan
April 26, 2011

MSU will provide food and housing for the Libyan students and their families in the MSU Visiting International Professional Program, or VIPP, after funding for the program was ended by the Libyan government at the end of March. The VIPP is a non-degree professional education program designed for mid-level career professionals from across the world, university spokesman Kent Cassella said.

NEWS

Students arrested in D.C.

Summer Ballentine
April 26, 2011

Two MSU students were arrested April 15 in Washington, D.C., after protesting the federal government. Jordan Lindsay, a history, philosophy and sociology of science freshman, and international relations junior Tabitha Skervin were among nine students charged with unlawful conduct and disruption of Congress in the House Gallery, U.S.

NEWS

Council talks street repavements

Dillon Davis
April 26, 2011

The start of summer might mean dealing with road construction for some East Lansing residents. The East Lansing City Council discussed summer road and sidewalk construction at its meeting Tuesday night. Council approved a contract with Cadwell Brothers Construction Company for about $567,000 for the 2011 Local Street Project, a project to improve local streets and sidewalks. Todd Sneathen, East Lansing’s director of public works, said Harvard Road, Cowley Avenue, Bainbridge Drive, Rosewood Avenue, Foxcroft Road, Cambria Drive and Smithfield Avenue are scheduled for repavement starting at the end of June. “One of the few positive issues in regards to the economy — (we) had aggressive bidding (for the construction),” Sneathen said.

FEATURES

Firearms club finds success at nationals

Dillon Davis
April 26, 2011

For Angelina Taylor, being part of the MSU Rifle and Pistol Club is a step in the direction of fulfilling a major life goal. Taylor, a physics senior and member of the club, aspires to shoot competitively in the Olympics, and the club has given her the opportunity to refine her skills to make a run at the games.

MICHIGAN

Art council awards grants

Kelsie Thompson
April 26, 2011

East Lansing officials recently received three grant awards from the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs, or MCACA, aimed at strengthening the arts and cultural community in the city as well as throughout the state.

COMMENTARY

Setting the record straight on MSU animal research

The recent column by guest columnist Mitch Goldsmith, “The Darker Side of Animal Testing,” (SN 4/25) not only is horrifying but also left me completely bewildered by the obscene skewing of MSU’s poultry and mink teaching and research farm.

COMMENTARY

A senior Spartan’s survival guide

My time at this school nearly has run its course. I am graduating (scary, I know), and as I think back on my four years here, I find myself wishing I could go back and tell my cocky little freshman self what I’ve learned, not only about college and MSU but also tips for making the rocky years from age 18 on to age 22 a little bit easier.