MSU prepares to launch upgraded e-mail system

MSU’s new e-mail Web system, mail.msu.edu, will officially launch Dec. 22 with a new graphic interface and several language choices. The system has been available for students and faculty members to test-run since September at the Web site beta.mail.msu.edu, but with no major changes requested, it will become the official MSU e-mail site, said Katherine Ball, communications manager for the MSU Academic Technology Services team.

MSU women's hoops fall to Georgia Tech, 70-57

The No. 21 MSU women’s basketball team dropped its second game of the season Wednesday, losing 70-57 at Georgia Tech in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge. The Spartans started the game fast, jumping out to an early 8-0 lead with a three-pointer by senior guard Mia Johnson.

Offense, home ice crucial for rivalry series

Both MSU and No. 14 Michigan struggled early this season and are looking to head in the right direction before winter break in their first two of four meetings. Hockey reporter Alex DiFilippo discusses some of the big questions surrounding the home-and-home series against the Wolverines this weekend.

New Web sites give MSU emerging online presence

The MSU Athletics Department knew if it didn’t establish a sleek, sexy, yet innovative Web site approach, it’d be left in the dust in the ever-changing technological world. And when the staff realized they weren’t deep enough to do so, they brought in the necessary forces to reach the level they aspired to be at in the spring.

Racist reactions to Obama's election ignorant

One of the more unfortunate side effects of the election of Barack Obama as president has been a rise in prejudice hate crimes across the nation. These incidents have ranged from the expected name-calling to nooses being hung to a store in Michigan flying a flag upside down — the international signal for distress — the day after Obama was elected.

Funding parks, preserves best way to maintain Mich.

I am writing in response to the column Hunting maintains natural beauty (SN 12/2). In the column, the author appears to be arguing that hunters somehow protect animals, and hunting has a positive impact on them.

Don't let stress of finals get to you

So here we are approaching the end of another semester at MSU. As I walk around campus, I can feel the stress and anxiety building. I can hear the tension in my friends’ voices and see the worry on their faces. Finals week certainly is important.

Council grants 12 licenses for rent in Albert Place condos

Albert Place Condominiums are available to rent after the East Lansing City Council approved rental licenses for 12 of the 36 units at its meeting Tuesday night. The rental licenses were granted for units on the third and fourth floors of the complex, located at the corner of Albert Avenue and Bailey Street.

ASMSU official accused of sending alleged spam e-mail

A top student government official will wait a week to find out if she faces punishment for sending an alleged spam e-mail to MSU faculty and staff.

On the heels of history

When the MSU men’s basketball team faces No. 1 North Carolina at 9:15 p.m. tonight at Ford Field in Detroit, it won’t just be facing the best team in the country. The Spartans could be facing one of the best teams in college basketball history. “Is this one bigger because it’s at Ford Field and that’s where the Final Four is?” MSU head coach Tom Izzo asked rhetorically. “No, it’s bigger because … there’s been talk about, ‘Is this one of the best teams ever?’”

Simon family's donation total exceeds $2.5 million

She’s president of MSU, but Lou Anna K. Simon doesn’t make all the decisions at home. When she and husband Roy Simon decided to donate to the university two years ago, Lou Anna deferred the choice to her better half.

Nature of growth

If you check out Odwalla.com, you are greeted with a screen that looks like a field. There’s green grass and bright blue skies, there’s fun and bright colored trees in the background and before you know it, two containers of Odwalla fruit smoothie drinks appear.

Hello, my name is Mac Dickinson

Seven years ago, computer science freshman Mac Dickinson found out what paintball had to offer for him that most sports lacked — adrenaline.

Student group works to teach Chicanos political, social issues

The Movimiento Estudiantil Xicana/o de Aztlán (Chicana/o Student Movement of Aztlán), or MEXA, is a student organization that focuses on educating Chicano students about political and social issues. Aztlán refers to both the philosophical and physical homeland of the Chicano people and usually refers to the Southwest United States.

Freshman fifteen Q's

College is a whole new world for many freshmen traveling campus for the first time. The State News sat down with one of these brave explorers to get a glimpse, in 15 questions or less, at a new face on campus and his perspective of his new frontier.

Effectiveness of evaluation system debatable for some

Stacks of Scantrons soon will make their way around classrooms, leading students to frantically dig for a No. 2 pencil. But on this form, there are no wrong answers.

Hate crime numbers increase, may be caused by tough economic times

The 2008 Hate Crime Survey released by Human Rights First reports a historically high level of hate crimes occurring throughout the 56 countries surveyed.

Lansing local creates art through clothing line

Not many clothing labels are founded on concepts of philosophy, sociology and Ayn Rand novels — but Lansing native Michael Doherty has done just that. After 10 years of traveling the world, Doherty, 29, came back to Lansing to found DEFYE, a clothing label with a concept.

Word on the street

Actors' strike will hit economy hard

It’s been less than a year since the end of the last major entertainment strike, but once again Hollywood is rampaging right for the edge of the cliff, ready to do its best “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid” impression. Or “Thelma & Louise,” to be politically correct. This time, it’s the actors — not the writers — who have begun threatening a strike.