Meet your new provost

Kim Wilcox's first day on campus was more publicity than policy. The new provost, who officially took office Monday, started his day chatting with new deans and department heads, had an afternoon video shoot and in between, conversed with The State News over lunch. To be fair, Wilcox has spent the last two weeks meeting with university officials and learning the ropes from former Acting Provost John Hudzik, who is now a senior adviser to the provost on an interim basis. "This was not a job I wanted to stay in in the long run," Hudzik said.

Police briefs 08/02/05

New students learn about college life

Incoming freshman Thurman Stanton Jr. spent the last five weeks learning how to be a college student. He's one of 26 new students hailing from all over the state who enrolled in MSU's Summer University Program: Excellence Required, or SUPER. The program, created in 1988, is designed to help a diverse group of students gain the academic, social and interpersonal skills needed to succeed in the university setting. Stanton said he's glad he applied for the SUPER developmental course because it's prepared him to adjust to the college workload. "It's tremendously needed," he said.

DTN files lawsuit against E.L.

A battle to construct an apartment complex along the 700 block of Burcham Drive continued last Tuesday when the East Lansing City Council created an ordinance that could leave the land habitable to only families. "They are once again trying to hamstring the project by making it less attractive," said Allen Russell, a representative of DTN Management Co., the plan's developer.

Smith pleased with off-season

Chicago - MSU football head coach John L. Smith is excited about what happened in the off-season for the MSU football team.

Michigan, Ohio State ranked top at Big Ten conference

Chicago - Every season has its changes, but the Big Ten's best are expected to continue performing at an elite level. Michigan and Ohio State are again picked to finish as the top two teams in the conference, with Iowa placing third. The Wolverines return 16 starters including sophomore quarterback Chad Henne and running back Michael Hart.

Parent outraged at new ticket policy

I am registering my displeasure with the new sports ticket policy ("New ticket system in place," SN 7/28). The release of the information falls just one week after tickets went on sale - too late for patrons to make a fully informed decision whether or not to purchase tickets.

Letters leave out big campus issues

The letters into The State News are humorous. Why don't we address more important issues than infringing on others' freedom?

Noodles & Co. coming to E.L. in September

A new restaurant will soon join the ranks of establishments along Grand River Avenue in East Lansing. Pasta Per Trio LLC is opening a franchised Noodles & Co. restaurant in downtown where Chios once was, at 305 E.

Need to relieve

A seemingly universal media phenomenon is the farther away from home a story hits, the bigger it has to be to receive coverage.

U-M places 1st in solar car race

It's a 2,500 mile race - powered by the sun. The University of Michigan placed first in the 2005 North American Solar Challenge, or NASC, a race that included 20 competitors and their solar cars from universities and colleges across the nation. "We had 10 days of racing," said Michael Brackney, project manager for the U-M solar racing team.

American TV shows prevent further mental development of humans

Robert Frost penned a few lines that have struck me in the last few weeks as important. "Two roads diverged in a wood, and I - I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference." What struck me as important in such lines is in regard to the state of American society.

Fine China performs nothing more than generic tunes, radio-friendly music with emo-pop lyrics

Fine China produces mellow pop rock with a sound that's not innovative, experimental or extremely unique - maybe even generic. Perhaps the members of Fine China aren't looking to stand out; they're content with producing radio friendly tunes.

Simon returns to MSU

After spending about five days in Japan, MSU President Lou Anna K. Simon said the "fruits" of her trip with Gov.

Alumnus killed in service

A 28-year-old MSU alumnus died while serving in Iraq on Wednesday. Spc. Adrian J. Butler was killed while riding in a vehicle after a bomb exploded near it, his mother said. The 2000 graduate entered the Army with the intent of joining the FBI, his mother Peggy Donaldson said.

Columnist wrong to criticize Tony Blair

I think Ryan McCormick's recent column mistakes prudence for pride ("British gov't should try to understand deeper issues behind attacks" SN 7/28). Tony Blair's policies, and Bush's all along, have not been simply stubborn, hardheaded reactions to situations.

Farm Lane to widen, gain new underpass

Frustrating waits at campus railroad crossings will soon be alleviated by $16.8 million in state funding to build an underpass on Farm Lane.

Explicit video game should be re-rated

I am writing in response to the article regarding how lawmakers are trying to ban "Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas" from store shelves ("State asks for recall of explicit game" SN 7/28). Granted, the makers of the game were irresponsible for putting hidden, sexually explicit scenes in the game, but why does the game need to be pulled from the shelves if it is properly re-rated with the "adults only" rating?

Emerald ash borer beetle discovered in local tree

Trees now tagged with "do not disturb" signs can be found in many counties in Michigan to detect the emerald ash borer, spotted in a tree in East Lansing. The Michigan Department of Agriculture, or MDA, along with the Michigan Cooperative Emerald Ash Borer Response Project are "girdling" 12,000 ash trees in counties not affected by the emerald ash borer so they can detect and contain the insect, according to the MDA. "Each of those trees is 'girdled,' where they cut a band of the bark off the tree.

1st hockey season opening in 2 years gives fans hope for games, new players

It's the middle of the summer and the beginning of August, so it's tough to get excited about the upcoming hockey season, but why not be excited about it? After this weekend, the National Hockey League has a full schedule, rookies from not one year but two - seeing as there was no draft last summer - and the rules are going to be different. Opening night is Oct.