Students put twist on classic

MSU students embrace classic Shakespearean comedy with just two twists — the newest play is set on an 18th century Southern plantation and the character commonly played by a man, Dogberry, is played by a woman. "Much Ado About Nothing," which opens this weekend, uses a bit of Southern charm to put audiences at ease with Shakespeare. Theater senior Katie Canavan plays Dogberry, the sheriff captain of the night watch.

Getting to know religion

Debating, discussing and being introduced to an array of different religions can benefit MSU's student body. A study was recently conducted, which involved more than 40,000 faculty at 421 higher education institutions and measured their college faculty members' level of spirituality and how it might integrate into their teaching methods. The stereotype that university faculty members are not spiritual was opposed through research results said Jennifer Lindholm, the project director and lead researcher on the study. The study found out that 81 percent of college faculty members in the nation consider themselves spiritual. Although religion should not be preached to students by any professor at a public university, religious discussion can lead to more open-minded and understanding students.

A cause for celebration

When founded in spring 1996, the multicultural sorority Zeta Sigma Chi had just four members. The group's membership dwindled to as few as two people a semester later. Now, as the sorority celebrates its 10th year at MSU, Zeta Sigma Chi's membership has expanded to 15 members, current President Jennifer Tindle said. "It's really special," Tindle said of the anniversary.

Police briefs 03/31/06

Spring forward

Baseball Head coach: David Grewe, first year Record: 9-9 Last game: 14-5 win over Grand Valley State Next home game: 3 p.m.

No parking zone

A local fraternity house is the latest casualty in East Lansing's goal of creating more business in the downtown.

Big Ten Conference takes on local eatery

Everybody loves Big Ten Burrito, except for the Big Ten Conference. Or at least that's what the owners said.

Appeal denied; affirmative action to be on November ballot

The fate of affirmative action in Michigan will still be put to a vote in November after the Michigan Supreme Court declined Wednesday to hear an appeal brought by a group opposed to the ballot initiative. The Michigan Civil Rights Initiative would ban state government and universities from using affirmative action policies that grant preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin. The Michigan Civil Rights Commission voted March 20, at its last meeting, to send a letter to the court asking it to refrain from reaching its decision until after the commission completed its investigation into allegations of voter fraud, said Harold Core, the department's spokesman.

Patience needs to be practiced at airport

I just want to praise and shake hands with Steven Wojcikiewicz for his column on the indecency of human behavior at the airport, "Writer gets firsthand look at uncivilized human behavior" (SN 3/28). I would also like to add a bit to his commentary by pointing out the radical behavior of passengers who actually have assigned seats on a crowded flight. Not only do people begin to crowd the door before the call is made to get in line, but they actually block people from getting on who are supposed to be getting on. Planes usually board first-class passengers, passengers with disabilities and passengers with small children first.

Student to perform, debut album Sunday

MSU freshman Jon Rajewski, the latest artist to sign a record deal with indie artist alliance New Model Records, will be playing a free concert at 7 p.m.

Safeguarding seniors

Christy Curtis' voice tensed as she talked about her late mother and the care she received in her last years. Curtis' family decided to hire a home health care worker to take care of her mother after the family had difficulty providing the care themselves.

Festival's Audience Choice winners announced

The East Lansing Film Festival has come to a close, after nine days of screening films in the area. Throughout the festival, attendees voted for their favorite films.

Jimmerson ready to emerge from sidelines

Sometimes, everything boils down to numbers. Last season, MSU head coach John L. Smith brought in two freshmen running backs — Javon Ringer and A.J.

MSU faculty member nominated for Juno

The director of MSU's Jazz Studies program has been nominated for a Juno Award, the Canadian equivalent of the Grammy. Rodney Whitaker collaborated with musicians Phil Dwyer and Alan Jones on "Let Me Tell You About My Day," which was nominated for Traditional Jazz Album of the Year. The awards will go out Saturday and Sunday in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

People should learn respect for others

I'm a parking enforcer, yes, I'll admit it. So deal with it. However, my job is not what this letter is about; it's about respect. I was working and I saw someone park on a sidewalk handicap-ramp.

Corporations part of American dream

In Vanessa Notman's column regarding the lack of local business flavor in downtown East Lansing, "Unique feel of small downtown spots replaced with corporations" (SN 3/23), she expresses concern that locally owned businesses are being driven out by national corporations and wonders with, "Is this really the American way?" The answer to this question is a resounding yes, but that doesn't mean it's a bad thing. One of the American dreams is for an individual to start a business, have it be successful and expand to more locations. This individual has thereby succeeded in providing a service that many people appreciate. If people didn't appreciate it, the business would not expand.

Report: E.L. plant cited for pollution

East Lansing's Wastewater Treatment Plant polluted the Red Cedar River with raw sewage six times from July 2003 to December 2004. According to a report released last week by the U.S.

More than dinner

The members of the MSU Board of Trustees should chew their food and bite their tongues — or start inviting the public to their $800 dinners. Board members often meet at Cowles House the night before their monthly public meeting to enjoy an expensive dinner and drinks.

Student-run film festivals under way this weekend

The East Lansing Film Festival is coming to a close, but movie lovers won't have to go back to renting films or paying to see new releases just yet.

WEB EXTRA: Women's career equality still lagging

Driving along Grand River Avenue the morning of March 22, MSU police Officer Lorrie Bates typed the license plate number of the car in front of her into a computer in her police SUV. The plate had expired in January. Bates pulled the motorist over and wrote him a ticket.