Report reveals majors with top employment

Business, engineering and computer science graduates are among the group employers are hiring the most, according to a report released by MSU's Collegiate Employment Research Institute on Friday. "There are some sectors that are really hot," said Institute Director Phil Gardner. Gardner's survey, which includes information from 864 companies surveyed in September and October, showed a 5 percent increase in the market from last year. Many of the larger industries, especially the manufacturing sector, are hiring college graduates in entry-level positions to replace the older generation of workers who have recently taken buyouts or retired.

Libertarian Party also endorsed Proposal 2

I was upset at the narrow-minded column by Vanessa Notman, "Only open endorsement of Prop.

Saturday shutout salvages MSU split

Junior forward Bryan Lerg summed up the No. 4 Spartans' 4-1 loss at No. 5 Notre Dame on Friday night with just a few words. "They out-hustled us, out-muscled us and they played with more energy," Lerg said. Notre Dame had just won its ninth straight game and limited MSU's scoring chances with stingy defensive play and quality goaltending. So how could the Spartans beat a Fighting Irish team that only had given up an average of 1.10 goals per game coming into the series? By giving them a taste of their own medicine. In Saturday night's series-closer at Munn Ice Arena, it was the Spartans (6-3-1 overall, 4-3-1 CCHA) who laid out all the hits, played near-perfect defense and controlled the play en route to a 2-0 win. The victory secured the weekend split and gave Notre Dame (9-2-1, 4-1-1) its first conference loss of the season. "Before the game, we identified that you can't be afraid to name a game 'a big game,'" MSU head coach Rick Comley said.

University needs time to process Prop. 2 passage

I have been reading article after article in The State News about students protesting and challenging the administration in regard to the passing of Proposal 2, and I have to say I'm angry about it.

Monday Musings

The value of New York Jets running back Leon Washington's trading card is soaring after it was discovered that it appears both his middle fingers are extended in the picture. In a related story, the price of Jon Kitna's trading card continues to plummet after the discovery that his fly is unzipped. The fan who triggered a brawl at The Palace of Auburn Hills by throwing a beer at Ron Artest has been banned from the arena for life by the Detroit Pistons. After shooting less than 35 percent in the team's first 10 games, the Pistons reportedly are considering banning Antonio McDyess from the arena, as well. The Toronto blue jays signed free agent Frank Thomas to a two-year, $18-million contract last week. The deal includes a provision that Thomas is in charge of finding his replacement when he inevitably gets hurt this season. Freshman center Allyssa DeHaan set the MSU record for blocks with eight in a win against Texas-Arlington on Sunday. When reporters asked DeHaan about the accomplishment after the game, she swatted all of their recorders into the third row of the seats. The Miami Dolphins managed only minus-three rushing yards against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, but still won thanks to a pair of return touchdowns. In a related story, the Detroit Lions managed only one offensive touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday but were awarded a win because head coach Rod Marinelli correctly guessed the result of the Helmet Shuffle at halftime.

Notes from New York

•Talk about loyalty: Nine Izzone members drove from East Lansing to New York for Thursday and Friday's men's basketball games, then made the five-hour drive back to State College, Pa., on Friday night for Saturday's MSU-Penn State football game.

Coalition submits Proposal 2 demands

A group of students that calls itself the Coalition for Equal Opportunity sent a letter Friday to MSU President Lou Anna K.

Season-ending loss

State College, Pa. — This one had all the makings of a blowout. Penn State was trying to play itself into the best bowl game possible, while MSU was limping to the end of its season without a chance at a bowl game and a coach on his way out. But the Spartans played with pride.

New York, new hope

New York — If you had asked most pundits a month ago what the greatest strength of this year's MSU men's basketball team would be, most of their answers would have sounded something like this: "It'll help pass the time until next year's Top 5 recruiting class gets here." Well, after upsetting No.

Getting hit by car is not my fault

I've never felt more like a number, a statistic, an object, than I do now. At random parties, I've felt the stares that conversely make me feel like an object, just another young piece of ass shaking her stuff for men. Every day of college, I feel like a number, most importantly represented by a randomly assigned personal identification code that makes me unique in the eyes of MSU. I get the picture; I'm a number. But on Nov.

Marriage for everyone, please

On Tuesday two votes in two different countries made mighty declarations for the gay community. One vote made a positive leap forward, while the other continues to support homophobia and discrimination. The same day the South African Parliament voted overwhelmingly to legalize same-sex marriage, the United States' Roman Catholic bishops passed support for initiatives to teach gay and lesbian Catholics to remain celibate by a vote of 194-37. As the first nation in Africa to remove legal barriers from same-sex marriage, the South African Parliament's decision is courageous and representative of progressive steps every country should be taking.

Silver Bells in the City rings in holidays

By Matt Flint For The State News Lansing — The people, the music and the lights put Lansing resident JoReese Ford in the Christmas mood Friday, as the city rang in the holiday season with the 22nd annual Silver Bells in the City celebration. Ford, who works in downtown Lansing, attended the celebration for the first time in about 10 years.

Police briefs 11/20/06

Season was just as hard for me as for you

Anyone who followed MSU football during the 2006 season knows the team can be a bit bipolar at times.

Smith's Swan Song

State College, Pa. — Since his unceremonious firing Nov. 1, John L. Smith has been understandably guarded about his personal feelings.

DeHaan sets blocks record in win

Allyssa DeHaan has entered the record books yet again — in just her second collegiate game. Already the tallest player in program history, the freshman center added the single-game blocks record to her résumé Sunday, swatting away eight shots in the No.

Fantasy game aims to broaden congressional knowledge

Andrew Lee sat in his room three years ago, staring at CNN.com as his roommate watched Monday Night Football and checked fantasy football statistics. A freshman at Claremont McKenna College in California at the time, Lee had something of a epiphany. "Every once in a while, his roommate would go crazy and cheer about the statistics," said Ethan Andyshak, who, with Lee and two other Claremont students, created a fantasy politics Web site called Fantasy Congress. "(Andrew) decided he wanted people to be that excited about politics." In October, Fantasy Congress launched.

Among recruits: Son of former Tiger

MSU head coach Rick Comley announced last week the signing of National Letters of Intent by three players to accompany the two already signed and to complement the returnees for the 2007-08 hockey season. The five members who make up the class of 2011 will join the Spartans next September. Dustin Gazley Position: Forward Height: 5-foot-8 Weight: 150 pounds Hometown: Novi His numbers: Three goals and four points in 11 games with the Sioux City Musketeers of the USHL. Comley: "Dustin is a very hard worker with a great intensity, and he also possesses some speed to his game.

Asha raises $800 for charity

Students gathered Friday night at IM-Sports Circle to dance and celebrate Indian traditions during the Tarang Indian festival and fundraiser. Tarang is a traditional Indian festival and celebration of colors hosted annually by Asha for Education, a nationwide student organization that advocates literacy and education in India. About 175 students came to the event, many of whom danced to the tunes of cultural Northern Indian music.

Mediterranean restaurant also to feature ribs, hot dogs

At 14, Pam Baker earned $1.50 an hour scrubbing dishes for a restaurant in West Unity, Ohio. Now an adult, Baker anticipates the opening of her own restaurant on the Grand River Avenue front next month. Legend's Gyros is expected to open in December in the former Taco Bell building, 565 E.