MIDDAY UPDATE: Profs ask for higher, more competitive salaries

A recommendation to raise faculty salaries by 4.7 percent for the 2006-07 school year would help MSU stay competitive with other Big Ten institutions, university officials said. The proposed salary increase was calculated to make up from last year and overcome anticipated salary hikes at other universities, said Ross Emmett, chairperson of the University Committee on Faculty Affairs, which proposed the salary increase. "The Big Ten essentially represents our competitive pool of similar universities," Emmett said.

Police briefs 04/26/06

Wal-Mart looks to 'super'-size in Okemos

The Wal-Mart in Okemos is trying to expand into a Super Wal-Mart, but many residents in Meridian Township are worried an even bigger version of the retailer will push out smaller businesses in the area and add traffic to an already congested area. Wal-Mart employee Roxanne Launstein, 22, hopes the store will be able to expand. Wal-Mart has requested a permit from Meridian Township to allow the store to expand by nearly 49,500 square feet, stay open 24 hours a day and also add a drive-through pharmacy to the store.

Professor addresses wild critter qualms

Tucked away in the stuffed critter-ridden halls of the MSU Museum, zoology instructor Jim Harding rescues animal amateurs and horrified homeowners from the creatures that creep into their yards. Almost five years ago, Harding began the Wildlife and Natural History Q-Line and thus dubbed himself the "Critterguy." He became MSU's go-to man for questions about wild animals including how to keep raccoons out of the trash, deer out of gardens, moles out of yards and woodpeckers off houses. "You know the old movie 'Field of Dreams' and the saying, 'If you build it, they will come?'" Harding said.

Summer film already receives cult status

The most anticipated movie this summer isn't "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest" or "X-men: The Last Stand." It's a small action film, not due out until August.

Critics miss Bice's legitimate points

I read The State News everyday, and I've been struck by the reactions to the columns by John Bice.

E.L. police officer, MSU alumna, strives to 'be cool,' fair with students

By Rachel Wilkerson For The State News Some MSU graduates try to get as far away from East Lansing as possible after receiving their diplomas.

Student fraud plot uncovered

Arrest warrants were issued Tuesday for 11 students accused of a money laundering conspiracy as part of an organized fraud scheme against the MSU Federal Credit Union, MSU police said. Police also are seeking warrants for four more students on similar charges. Money laundering is disguising illegally obtained money in a financial system, such as a bank, and conspiring to do so is a 20-year felony.

2nd public hearing held on Lansing's $11-million budget deficit

Lansing — Feedback has poured in for Mayor Virg Bernero's proposed budget as people have spoken at City Council meetings, sent in comments online and attended two public hearings, the second of which was held Tuesday. Bernero did not attend the public hearing, and was also absent from the last public hearing. Five of the eight Lansing City Council members and Jerry Ambrose, Bernero's chief of staff, listened Tuesday night as nearly 100 people attended the final public hearing on the budget at Gardner Middle School, 333 Dahlia Dr. in Lansing. The council has until May 15 to approve the budget, which includes an $11-million deficit. In order to make up the $11-million deficit, Bernero proposed a number of options, including closing the Waverly and Red Cedar golf courses as well as eliminating more than 70 city jobs. He also suggested selling Potter Park Zoo to Ingham County, which drew criticism at both public hearings. "Being a zookeeper, it's important to me the zoo doesn't lose funding," said Janice Tomlian, a Potter Park zookeeper. Since the mayor announced his proposed budget, Tomlian has spoken at multiple city council meetings and public hearings. "I think (city officials) are willing to listen," she said. But, Vonda Pruitt, 36, said she watched City Council members' body language as people spoke at the public hearing, and could tell some were listening while others put their head down — indicative to her that they weren't interested in hearing the public's comment. "Some are just there," she said. City Council members said they took public feedback into serious consideration. "Over the years, we've changed our policies based on comments that come from the meetings," Councilmember Carol Wood said.

Worthwhile education not only found in textbooks, classrooms

My dad calls me a vagabond. Do you know what that means? It's not exactly the most endearing nickname.

Lansing plays host to 2nd annual pro-choice rally

Posters with pictures of aborted fetuses and some with the words "Students for Choice" adorned the lawn of the Michigan Capitol on Tuesday for the 2nd annual Michigan March for Choice rally. The rally aimed to show legislators that the majority of Michigan voters are pro-choice, said Sarah Scranton, executive director of Planned Parenthood Affiliates of Michigan, one of the groups that sponsored the event. MSU international relations and economics senior Katie Wilcox held pro-life signs with the MSU Students For Life protesting the rally.

Professor elected to academy

An MSU John A. Hannah Distinguished Professor received one of the highest honors in science Tuesday when he became a member of the National Academy of Sciences. Richard Lenski has appointments in MSU's Departments of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Zoology and Crop and Soil Sciences, and received a call Tuesday notifying him of his election to the academy. "It was a huge surprise," Lenski said.

New high-tech labs open on Main Library 4th floor

Two new collaborative technology labs were added to the Main Library on Tuesday that will offer new high-tech equipment to the MSU community. The labs are located in the Digital & Multimedia Center on the fourth floor of the library's west wing, and were converted from existing rooms.

Outgoing Breslin director recalls concerts, games

After overseeing numerous sporting events and more than 130 concerts at Breslin Center, the shot clock is running out for longtime director Scott Breckner. Breckner is retiring from his Breslin Center job June 30, and the search for a new director has begun.

Student, MSU alumnus finish difficult Boston Marathon

For East Lansing residents Kevin Sayers, 32, and Carrie Burns, 19, the beauty of running is in its simplicity. "As long as you have a body that works, a pair of tennis shoes and a stop watch, that's all you need," said Sayers, who completed the Boston Marathon on April 17. Sayers, who received his graduate degree in 2001, and Burns, an MSU pharmacology and toxicology freshman, were two of four people from East Lansing to complete the more than 26-mile race. In all, 529 runners from Michigan completed the marathon, which boasted more than 20,000 runners on race day. It was Sayer's third marathon and Burns' second. Sayers, who works for the Department of Natural Resources Urban and Community Forestry Program, ran the Chicago marathon in 2003 and the Bayshore Marathon in Traverse City last year. Burns finds time to run up to 10 miles a day and up to 16 miles on Sundays. The State News caught up with the two runners this week to hear about their adventures in Boston. State News: Why did you decide to start running marathons? Kevin Sayers: It's the challenge of all the preparation mentally and physically.

Tailor made

Nine-year-old Katie Frayer doesn't have the type of independence that other children her age might have. The third-grader at Scott Elementary School in DeWitt has a rare muscle disorder that makes it difficult for her to dress and wear regular clothing. But next week, Katie will receive a set of new clothes customized for her body, courtesy of students in MSU's Apparel and Textile Design program, which will give Katie independence she has never had before. "Right now, she depends on me to dress her completely, and she'd like to be able to dress herself and do more things for herself," said Katie's mother, Beth Frayer.

Cheaper to read

Books are just one of many expenses college students have to meet as they pursue their education. However, students could be receiving at least a little relief — 6 percent to be exact — if a bill providing a sales tax exemption on college textbooks becomes law. House Bill 5568 provides for an exemption for the sales tax on a textbook required for taking a course at any institute for post-secondary education. Rep.

Shimek's life a whirlwind since end of MSU season

A couple of hours after Liz Shimek finished her final college paper on April 19, she packed the past four years of her life into a couple cardboard boxes — sorting old clothes she hasn't worn in a while from keepsakes of her time at MSU. The next day, she left East Lansing and headed to Chicago, where she began a new chapter of her life at rookie orientation in the WNBA. "I'm never going to move back down to East Lansing," the former MSU forward said.

'Dreamworlds II' to play on campus today

The film "Dreamworlds II" will be screened on campus today at Olds Hall in room 11. The movie shows the impact of pop culture on young people in regard to their sexuality and gender, using more than 200 images from music videos to illustrate the point. Free pizza will be served at 12:30 p.m., with the film starting at 1:00 p.m.

Change in E.L. parking policy might hurt students who don't know

Anyone who drives a car and lives in East Lansing knows how difficult it can be to find a place to park in this city. Especially in the neighborhoods. A colleague of mine recently reminded me of how hard parking can be and how the city often makes it a lot harder. He had a friend staying over at his house and wanted to call the East Lansing Police Department to have his friend's license plate number put on a list so he could park his car in the street and not get a ticket. It was something he had done before and was surprised to find out that he couldn't. I called East Lansing police Capt.