Provost addresses MCRI, Coke in ISS class

MSU Provost Kim Wilcox was placed in the hot seat during one of Assistant Professor Fayyaz Hussain's ISS 215 classes Monday, when Hussain instructed students to ask Wilcox "whatever is on your mind." Questions from students included topics ranging from environmental issues to ballot proposals. Hussain said he wanted to get Wilcox's view on the accessibility of education — a topic that is part of Hussain's curriculum. "I always try to bring in people from the outside because I teach something from my point of view, and more people's points of view are always good," Hussain said. Wilcox began by giving background information about himself, in particular, his journey from an MSU student to the provost of the university he graduated from. Question: Why have MSU officials not cut their contract with Coca-Cola Co. in response to the workers' rights issues in Colombia?

Local coaches: No on Prop 2

Okemos — MSU basketball coaches Tom Izzo and Joanne P. McCallie denounced Proposal 2 Monday afternoon, saying the ballot initiative would harm diversity in the state. They were joined by several other collegiate basketball coaches, including Tommy Amaker from University of Michigan and Ernie Zeigler from Central Michigan University. Izzo urged Michigan voters to oppose Proposal 2. "We should be trying to take steps forward," Izzo said.

Police briefs 10/31/06

SN Style: Top it off this season

Both practical and fashionable, hats are a staple this season. Popular styles for men and women range from newsboy hats to fedoras and porkpies — and that's just the beginning.

Events to honor Day of the Dead, hunger strike

MSU students can participate in a Day of the Dead project from 4-6 p.m. Wednesday in room 200 in South Kedzie Hall.

Master plan to frame campus layout for coming years

MSU is going to update the campus' master plan, which will detail building and construction plans for the next five years. Campus planner Stephen Troost said the department of Campus Planning and Administration has brainstormed ideas for the plan since the beginning of the year.

Last-minute ideas for celebrating Halloween

By Sarah Harbison, Elizabeth Swanson and Yvette Lanier The State News The Halloween party weekend might be over, but the holiday isn't.

Investigative team, news reporting focus for new State News editor in chief

Margaret Harding, a 20-year-old journalist, waited in a graveyard at midnight for an escaped cop killer.

Christianity, belief in God based on rational thinking, evidence

Some say God is a crutch. But I say it works both ways. Is atheism an emotional crutch? Something people conjure up to escape the frightening reality of God's existence? The question of purpose is a human query, one I was surprised to see John Bice deny in his column, "Religious beliefs don't justify outlawing stem cell research" (SN 10/24). The argument Bice presented asserted that Christianity holds a slew of moral ideals based on a faith conjured up by humans so they feel better about the afterlife. Bice wrote, "The foundational basis for religious faith isn't evidence or rational thinking; instead, it stems from fear of death, an emotional craving for an optimistic future and a desire for 'meaning.'" I read it and was puzzled.

Prop. 2 eliminates more than affirmative action

I am writing to clarify the inaccuracies written in Matt Schumann's letter, "Vote yes on proposal to end affirmative action" (SN 10/30). I agree with his arguments, and I believe that affirmative action should not be strictly restricted to skin color but also include an element of socioeconomic status.

Kids celebrate historical Halloween

By James Andersen Special to The State News Lansing — Dressed as Detroit Tigers pitcher Nate Robertson, complete with fake facial hair and a baseball glove, 8-year-old Noah Kitson of Lansing smiled as he described his favorite part of the 1931 movie "Frankenstein." "I like the part where Igor drops the normal brain and picks up the other one," he said.

Spartans sweep weekend, prep for grueling schedule ahead

The No. 9 MSU hockey team got the warm-up it was looking for this past weekend. The Spartans (3-1 overall, 1-1 CCHA) opened with a 5-3 win against St.

Boudro defense cites photos in testimony

The victim of an August assault in East Wilson Hall said Friday he has lost 90 percent of his hearing in his left ear, has decreased cognitive abilities and is recovering from a skull fracture. William Suits' testimony was part of a preliminary examination in East Lansing's 54-B District Court in the case against Paul Boudro, a Richmond resident who is charged with one felony count of assault in connection with the incident, which carries a sentence of up to 10 years in prison. The alleged assault occurred at about 3 a.m.

Spartans Stalled

Bloomington, Ind. — The question all week was whether the momentum from MSU's 35-point comeback last week would carry over to Saturday's game at Indiana. It looked like the Spartans had delivered a decisive answer on the game's opening possession.

Vote yes on proposal to end affirmative action

Affirmative action remains complete and utter discrimination. Targeting a group because of a certain trait that has no biological effect on success should be outlawed.

Compare MSU with Indiana? What an insult to Hoosiers

After MSU's loss to Indiana on Saturday, head coach John L. Smith addressed the media and offered this as one of the explanations for his team's 46-21 loss: "I said all along, turnovers are going to probably decide this game because you got two teams that are probably fairly equal," he said. Pretty unassuming, right?

Women: Spartans picked 3rd in wide-open year

Chicago — Coming off back-to-back Sweet 16 appearances, the MSU women's basketball team was picked to finish third by both the coaches and media Sunday at the Media Day conference. And how much does that matter to head coach Joanne P.

SN needs to increase MSU sports coverage

As athletic trainers, we are huge fans of all Spartans athletics. This year, we are working with both the men's and women's cross country teams.

Authorities enjoy calm Halloween weekend

East Lansing partygoers didn't pull too many tricks during the Halloween weekend, treating local police officials to a relatively calm few days. The activity on Friday, Saturday and early Sunday morning was comparable to any other weekend, said Sgt.

Proposal 2 debate to be held on Wednesday

Correction: The brief should have stated that Jeff Wiggins, chairman of the MSU College Republicans, will not be debating in Wonders Hall on Wednesday night because of a prior commitment.