On August 1, Kim Wilcox took over as MSU's provost, a position formerly held by President Lou Anna K.

Group wants dictator's degree revoked

An MSU student-led organization is lobbying for the administration to revoke an honorary doctorate granted by the university to Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe more than a decade ago. But pulling the honor would apparently be a new move for the university, and administration officials said they're not ready to make a decision. MSU gave the honorary Doctorate of Laws degree to Mugabe when he spoke at commencement ceremonies in the fall of 1990.

Studying life through stars

Years ago, children everywhere ripped a single sheet of notebook paper from their Trapper Keepers and folded, tore and colored their way to a cootie catcher.

Harvesting millions

David Morris sat behind a worn card table piled with papers, magazines and photo albums as he recalled exact years in his life. In 1945, he received his aviation license. Poultry was raised on his Grand Ledge farm until 1958. And this year, at MSU's Ag Expo, Morris announced that more than $7.5 million from his estate would go into endowment funds for future MSU agricultural-based research upon his death. "I can't take any of it with me," Morris said.

Revamped IM fitness center opens

After about a year of construction, IM Sports-West opened the doors to a brand new $5.5 million fitness and exercise area this summer. The room is 12,000 square feet and features more than 180 new weight and cardiovascular machines for students, faculty, staff and alumni to use. Weight machines are positioned on the large first floor, and cardiovascular machines are on the second balcony level - a far cry from the small fitness room with dated machines IM Sports-West used to have. Most of the machines in the previous fitness room were from the 1970s, and there were few cardiovascular options, IM Sports-West intern and kinesiology senior Greg Haverlock said. Among the new equipment are 24 elliptical running machines and 24 treadmills, and each machine features a personal TV screen.

Icers start with Oct. 6 game

The 2005-06 MSU men's hockey schedule was released July 11, with the Spartans kicking off their season on Oct.

Venture to the zoo, see life's animal crackers

Lansing - Alongside the Grand River, in the shadow of factories and colonial-style homes, there is a place where samples of the world's wildlife are on display. Peacocks and peahens roam freely here, but one thing that's hard not to notice at the Potter Park Zoo are the sounds. At one point, an exotic bird cry can be heard.

Influence of the '90s often neglected

Guess what? VH1 is not cool. Despite the "music" channel's endless barrage of nostalgia-themed programming, it missed the mark on one crucial decade: The '90s.

Investigating integrity

Some of the only records of Scott Doree remaining on MSU's Web site are past congratulations - spring 1997, presented with the Sayer Award for academic excellence; October 2001, the Berttina Wentworth Fellowship; spring 2002, recipient of a CNS Dissertation Completion Fellowship.

Board sets tuition at 2 rates for students

The MSU Board of Trustees approved a tuition hike that includes a 13.5 percent increase for new students and a 9.3 percent raise for returning students for the 2005-06 academic school year.

'Dead Cedar' alive; water act protects, cleans local river

It's not lost, it's not dead and it's certainly not beyond repair. The dark, usually murky water of the Red Cedar River, which some call the "Dead Cedar," can be misleading, but the winding waterway is in much better shape than it was in the 1960s, when a film of sludge and algae skimmed the top. As a result of the Clean Water Act of 1972, the Red Cedar has become a cleaner, safer river. But even so, E.

Studio uses historic console

On first inspection, Glenn Brown's East Lansing recording studio looks fairly typical, as recording studios go.

Put serious thought into roommate, apartments

Suddenly, your favorite cami is missing. Then a few CDs go AWOL. Your computer shows signs of ravaging. There are strangers looking at you while you're taking a nap. But this is what can happen when you live with other people.

Coach hopes team lands in top spots

Placing 28th with 565 points at the NCAA Championships last year, MSU men's cross country head coach Walt Drenth said expectations for this season is to place in the top 10.

Enjoy local theater; see a play

East Lansing might not be New York City or Chicago, but there are still plenty of theater venues and many ways to get involved in local productions.

Women's squad has high expectations for 2005 season

Members of the MSU women's soccer team said their new season will be spent kicking it up a notch on the field and exceeding expectations. New faces and new strategies will be the prevailing themes for the team this season.

Technology adds to scavenger hunts

Ken Black crashed through the undergrowth, avoiding above-ground tree roots, half-exposed rocks and hundreds of mosquitoes. Black is out for treasure. But the treasure he's seeking isn't your typical pirate's booty - it's a cache.

Zone offers alternative

A year ago, if you were looking for good chicken within a reasonable vicinity of campus, your options were limited. The wingdings in dorm cafeterias have that odd oxymoron factor - they're greasy on the outside and dry as hell on the inside.

Women want to build on last season's success

The MSU women's cross country team kicked off their first practice of the season on Aug. 21, with the hope that they can build off of last year's success. The team planned to start practice at Glen Arbor in preparation for their first meet on Sept.

Team hopes for another Final Four

After finishing last season with a trip to the Final Four, this year's field hockey team is looking to make it even further this season. With last season's record of 18-4 and a 5-2 loss to Duke in the national semifinal match, the team is excited and ready for the upcoming season. "We feel like we have every right and experience and history to go for it (the national championship)," head coach Michele Madison said.