Recap of last year's major news events

So, you're about to start your career at MSU. It's overwhelming, and there's a lot to learn — miles of campus and tons of buildings.

Decorate your dorm with style

Besides its familiar small dimensions, Spanish sophomore Candace Gray's room on the fifth floor of South Wonders Hall looks nothing like a dorm room.

Police briefs 06/06/07

Groups encourage campus diversity

Several campus groups aim to bring people together, increase cross-cultural communication and provide a sense of belonging for a diverse mix of MSU students. MSU's Multi-Racial Unity Living Experience, commonly known as MRULE, wants to build student relationships by transcending boundaries, whether they are racial, religious or based on sexual orientation, said Tim Hillman, an MRULE student leader. "We provide a forum for people of diverse backgrounds to come together that normally would be in segregated communities," said Hillman, an education senior. He said the group does this through community service, community activism and community building trips. For incoming students, these MSU offices and organizations can help them feel comfortable in a new environment. "Freshmen are trying to find their place," said Tom Rios, acting director of the Office of Culture and Academic Transitions.

College experience found outside classroom

Now that my relationship with MSU is, finally, at an end, it is with a sense of wonder and trepidation that I prepare to don cap and gown and say goodbye forever to my home for more than three years. I imagine there is a sense of trepidation in you, as well, as you prepare to don your first MSU collegiate hoodie and say goodbye to friends, family, girlfriends and boyfriends to begin your college career.

Wild Birds Unlimited looks for donations

Wild Birds Unlimited is accepting bird feeders for their 3rd annual Bird Feeder Drive. Donations can be dropped off at the Wild Birds Unlimited East Lansing location at 2200 Coolidge Road, or in Okemos at 1739 W.

220 options for study abroad

MSU's study abroad program provides many students with opportunities for international learning and experiences. Last year, a total of 2,787 students participated in MSU study abroad programs.

Mich. abortion ban appeal denied

A federal appeals court ruled Monday that an attempt to ban what opponents call "partial-birth abortion" is unconstitutional due to the law's broad language. The 6th U.S.

City officials review rental license policy

City officials are questioning their rental license application process after the failure to notice a deed restriction caused the East Lansing City Council to deny one. At its meeting Tuesday, the council unanimously voted to reject the application of Nadimar and Jorge Richter for a Class III rental license, which would allow 619 Spartan Ave.

MIDDAY UPDATE: Mich. legislators propose liquor law amendment

An amendment to the current Michigan liquor law could allow bar patrons to remain in a bar when they have been refused service for being intoxicated. The amendment, House bill 4684, was introduced May 1 in an effort to clarify the current law and alters the language of the bill, changing an "intoxicated" person, to a "visibly intoxicated" person. This change was initiated because of enforcement problems, such as law enforcement officials issuing citations to bars for serving an intoxicated individual alcohol, even though they may have shown no signs, state officials said. To prevent this, many local bars remove anyone who seems intoxicated from the premises for fear of being issued a citation. Under the new law, if the bill passes in its current form, a visibly intoxicated person who has been refused service may remain at the bar for a number of specific reasons, such as eating food, or arranging for a ride home from someone other than themselves. For more on this story, please see Thursday's edition of The State News.

Wireless hot spots found on campus, in community

Take your laptop to these dorms, halls and off-campus hot spots for wireless Internet access across campus: Brody Complex • Bailey Hall, second-floor study lounge • Brody Hall, classrooms 129 and 144 • Bryan Hall, second-floor study lounge • Rather Hall, second-floor study lounge South Complex • Case Hall, second- and third-floor classrooms • Holden Hall, classrooms • Wilson Hall, first-floor classrooms East Complex • Holmes Hall, first-floor classrooms, basement and second-floor study lounges • Hubbard Hall, classrooms • McDonel Hall, first-floor departmental areas and upper lounges • Owen Hall, first-floor cafeteria and lounge • Shaw Hall, west lower lounge • Van Hoosen Hall, main meeting room West Circle Complex • Campbell Hall, first-floor study lounge • Gilchrist Hall, first-floor departmental areas • Landon Hall, room G-27 • Williams Hall, dining area Other campus areas • Berkey Hall, classrooms • Biomedical and Physical Sciences Building, first-floor areas • Business College Complex, first-floor areas • Computer Center • Erickson Hall • IM Sports-West classrooms • International Center, food court and lobby • Main Library • Union • Wells Hall, classrooms Grand River area • Buffalo Wild Wings, 360 Albert Ave. • Espresso Royale Caffe, 527 E.

Not so good God

In a letter last month, "Columnist's views on limbo repeal incorrect," (SN 5/18), a reader offered an intriguing claim about the Christian deity, asserting "in modern times we Christians have come to understand God as all-loving." This fashionable article of faith, embraced by many Bible-centric Christians, is one of the more astonishing beliefs in modern religion.

YouTube, various TV stations combine

Family community services senior Lindsay Hollinger can't find her hometown TV stations on any channels in Lansing, but now the Pittsburgh native can stay up-to-date because of a recent sharing agreement between YouTube.com, Google and Hearst-Argyle Television Inc. Hollinger said the new program will help her to keep in touch with current events back home.

CATA can get you around campus

To know East Lansing means to know the busing system. Carting students around campus, those green, blue and mint-striped buses gave 3.2 million rides on university grounds alone during the last fiscal year. "Not being familiar riding buses, some people get overwhelmed or intimidated," said Marina Acklin, an interdisciplinary humanities senior. Acquainting the new influx of freshmen with the busing system is a priority for Pat Gilbert, director of marketing for Capital Area Transportation Authority. "Students want to know that they're not going to look stupid and not going to get lost," Gilbert said.

With campaign season, MSU gets political

From College Democrats and College Republicans to Students for Mitt Romney, MSU offers a myriad of political organizations for students to join. Students involved with political groups on campus often gain access to guest speakers and connect with people who have similar ideologies. With the presidential election a little more than a year away, several candidate-centered groups are popping up. Getting active is a great way to shrink the size of campus, said Katie Perry, president of MSU Students for Hillary Rodham Clinton. "I didn't join anything my freshman year," said Perry, a social relations and policy sophomore.

Underground leaks a serious threat

It may begin by seeping into the soil. Then, surrounding areas will become contaminated. Soon, there may be nothing people can do to avoid it. The issue here is leakage from gas stations. Recently, eight gas stations in Michigan were fined a total of $869,150 for failing to submit reports of their contamination from underground gas leaks.

MSU stops issuing same-sex domestic partnership benefits

The university will no longer offer health insurance benefits to employees in same-sex domestic partnerships not covered by a health care agreement between MSU and the Coalition of Labor Organizations. About 54 people use domestic partnership benefits at MSU, said Pam Beemer, assistant vice president for Human Resources.

SN Style: Coconuts: Fashion-friendly fruit

Who knew coconuts could be used for more than Mounds bars and rum? Fortunately, coconuts happen to be functional for more than just sweet cravings and Friday nights.

Can't find the right campus group to join? Form your own

Four years ago, Aleks Bomis was a freshman unimpressed by the list of MSU student organizations. So he decided to make his own. Now a political science and pre-law senior, Bomis is president of the MSU Dodgeball Club.

Wheelchair soccer team in national game

The Capital City Cobras leave for Indiana today to compete in the 2007 National Championships of Power Soccer.