Faculty Council addresses state budget cuts

The budget crunch, music therapy program and academic integrity had the attention of MSU’s Faculty Council at the body’s Tuesday meeting. MSU President Lou Anna K. Simon said the university needs to do what is right not only for today, but for tomorrow, in terms of the budget and future cuts. “It is my personal view that everything we do is valuable, almost every thing we do is better than someone else and a case can be made for almost anything,” Simon said.

Campus hosting summer job fair

The MSU Career Services Network is hosting the Summer Employment & Internship Fair from 5-8 p.m. today at the Kellogg Center.

Stimulus may not ease costs

Students struggling to pay their way through MSU could benefit from the $787 billion stimulus package that President Barack Obama signed Tuesday. But questions still remain about how the funding will affect tuition costs. About $32 billion of the package is expected to go toward higher education. Part of that will be used to increase the maximum Pell Grant from $4,731 to $5,350 in 2009, and to $5,550 in 2010, according to The Associated Press.

Campus construction plans may receive stimulus money

If MSU receives any federal or state stimulus money for infrastructure improvements, the administration will be “shovel-ready.” At last week’s meeting, the Board of Trustees approved a resolution identifying several construction projects that could be ready to begin within 90 days of receiving any stimulus funds. Any construction on campus must be approved in the planning and construction stages by the board.

First Sparty straightens record

William Clitherow, a 72-year-old MSU alumnus, was frustrated that a 2007 State News article published about Sparty’s history gave inaccurate descriptions about how the mascot came to be. The now-defunct fraternity Theta Xi should have been given credit for creating Sparty and Clitherow should have been known as the original man behind the mask.

Historic districts protect, restrict property within

With the creation of a Fraternity-Sorority Historic District earlier this month, the city added to an already lengthy list of historic districts in East Lansing. Eight historic districts help preserve the city’s oldest and most architecturally appealing buildings, but also place restrictions on the kind of structural work that can be done.

Snow, colder temperatures ahead

More wintry weather is expected in East Lansing for the remainder of the week, said Wayne Hoepner, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service station in Grand Rapids.

Students, laborers picket use of nonunionized workers

Orange signs and large inflatable rats have led to honking cars and a lot of questions for protesters at the Birch Road construction site. The use of nonunionized workers by Sandborn Construction Inc. for the groundwork on Birch Road has prompted protest from Laborers Local 499, a union that stated it feels that the Sandborn workers deserve better benefits.

Chapelure offers alternative to average campus coffee shops

A lack of fine pastries and electrical outlets in East Lansing coffee shops led an MSU graduate to open a bakery to meet these pressing student demands. Chapelure, 4750 S. Hagadorn Road, features a wide variety of European and Asian pastries and traditional coffee drinks.

Monologue movement

This week, the letter ‘V’ has three meanings for a group of past and present students and community members — it stands for Victory, Valentine and Vagina. As a part of a global movement to end violence against women and girls called V-Day, a group of about 30 MSU students, alumni and faculty are putting on Eve Ensler’s award-winning play “The Vagina Monologues” this weekend at Fairchild Theatre.

New look Spartans to open season with 3 games in Fla.

Going into its opening weekend, Eric Roof has no problems rattling off the MSU baseball team’s strengths. It was the weaknesses he was stumped on.

Early goals increasing icers' confidence

Scoring first has been the catalyst for the success of the MSU hockey team of late. The Spartans have scored the first goal in each of the last five games, going 2-1-2 in that span — earning seven points to pull into a tie for 10th place in the CCHA.

Athiests have to fight societal stereotypes, stigmas daily

The recent column by Alex Freitag, Nonbelievers have their reasons, too (SN 2/12), was one step forward and two steps back in trying to frame the culture war fought between atheists and theists.

Don't limit taste buds to chain restaurants

With BTB Burrito nestled in its tin foil-covered coffin, I was disheartened to see yet another independent East Lansing restaurant die and expected a chain eatery to inhabit its former home.

Safe roads needed in areas around campus

For newcomers, MSU has a large and confusing campus. It takes time on foot and behind the wheel to become comfortable navigating the terrain and learning what to expect from drivers and pedestrians. After experiencing a few close-call clashes, most become comfortable with the area.

Police Brief 02/17/09

A shirtless man stole a laptop, an iPod and cash — all of which totaled more than $1,700 — Sunday morning from two rooms in East Shaw Hall, MSU police Sgt. Florene McGlothian-Taylor said.

List provides details about potential E.L. road projects

Harrison Avenue is one of several area roads that could get a new look if East Lansing receives some of the more than $35 ?million worth of projects it has applied for as part of the economic stimulus package.

Music program in discord

A discordant note has interrupted the harmony within MSU’s College of Music in recent weeks. On Feb. 6, the College of Music submitted a moratorium — a freeze on admissions — that could eventually lead to the disbanding of the college’s music therapy program, said James Forger, dean of the College of Music.

E.L. ordinance spells out prosecutable acts in riots

An ordinance that would ?specify types of conduct that could result in prosecution during a riot will be introduced to East Lansing City Council tonight.

List provides details about potential E.L. road projects