ASMSU discusses goals, programs for upcoming year

Coordinating a new tailgating program, adding academic minors and revoking an honorary MSU law degree from a foreign president are a few of the things on the student government's to-do list for the school year. ASMSU, MSU's undergraduate student government, met last week to discuss their goals and get ready for the new semester. "I'm looking forward to an active, ambitious and exciting year, which will make our constituents aware of what progress we are able to achieve when we all work together to resolve students' issues," said Roger Ludy, Student Assembly's vice chairperson for internal affairs.

Graduate misses MSU, not MSU police

I was just reading the article (SN 8/15) on racial profiling and I almost fell out of my seat when I came across one line.

Student tailgate system created

Before Saturday's football game, ASMSU and other organizations will kickoff a new student-only tailgate with a DJ, reduced-cost concessions and IM sports activities. "This is a chance for students to have their own identity in the tailgate," said Andrew Bell, ASMSU's Student Assembly vice chairperson for external affairs. Drinking games were banned and tailgating hours were restricted last season after November's Notre Dame football game celebrations, during which 85 people were arrested.

Giveaways differ between sexes

During Welcome Week every year, students gather in front of the Student Book Store, 421 E. Grand River Ave., to receive their campus trial paks with free samples inside - one for guys and one for girls.

Teague dismissed of charge

The misdemeanor assault charge against MSU senior running back Jason Teague was dismissed two weeks ago, and the woman who filed the report said she's "quite satisfied" with the result. "I have moved on since then and I assume my assailant has too," Julie Burtch, the alleged victim and an MSU alumna, said.

Spartans excited about new coach

In practice, which the MSU volleyball team has been doing twice a day for almost three weeks, new MSU head coach Cathy George is showing sophomore outside hitter Katie Johnson that she needs to keep her hands up and be ready to attack.

DTN sues city over attempt to build apartment complex

Although many students have moved into apartment buildings for the school year, they arrived in the middle of a legal battle about where apartments can be built in East Lansing. DTN Management Co. filed a lawsuit on June 16 against the city of East Lansing concerning property DTN originally bought for an apartment plan in the 700 block of Burcham Drive. DTN planned to build a complex that would have housed 90 occupants and 75 vehicles on three pieces of property it owns along Burcham Drive.

MIDDAY UPDATE: Demolition makes way for retail and apartment space

Piles of brick and a construction excavator mark the site of a new four-story apartment and retail building slated for the intersection at Bailey Street and Grand River Avenue. The former home of Sidestreets Deli, Murasaki Restaurant and most recently Peking Express, currently at 611 E.

Win eludes Spartans in championship game of tourney

The MSU field hockey team was unable to defend its title at the Champions Invitational after dropping the championship game Sunday to Duke 3-0 and are now 1-1.

Unveiling ceremony for new Sparty held ahead of schedule

For incoming freshmen, Welcome Week was their first as MSU students, but three new faces on campus have already become a part of university history. Criminal justice freshman Kerrie Schultz, no-preference freshman Kristen Brady and no-preference engineering freshman Michelle Raetz helped MSU President Lou Anna K.

Increased gas prices prompt new inspections

It used to take Jaclyn Peraino $20 to fill up her 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier with unleaded gas. Then gas prices started to rise more than $2.50 a gallon and now the biochemistry junior is paying more than $30 for a full tank. Peraino said the higher prices are making her take a closer look at just how much gas she gets when she pays at the pump. "If you're paying $20 to $40 a week, the amount you're paying for and getting is definitely a concern," Peraino said. Statewide, an increased number of complaints about gas stations shortchanging consumers at the pump on fuel quality and quantity has prompted the Michigan Department of Agriculture to double the amount of full-time gas station inspectors, said Dominic Perrone, Department of Agriculture public information officer.

MIDDAY UPDATE: Welcome Week arrests on campus up from last year

Close to the same number of underage drinkers were arrested both on and off campus during this year's Welcome Week, according to MSU and East Lansing police reports. MSU police reported a total of 44 minor-in-possession arrests, while East Lansing police reported 45 MIP arrests for drinkers under the age of 21 from Thursday night to Saturday night. The arrests on campus are up from last year's total of 29.

Coed quarters

From the doorway of her first-floor room in West Holden Hall, psychology sophomore Erin Bone watched as her neighbors - both male and female - filed past with belongings on Thursday. This semester, the formerly sex-segregated floors on the first floor of both West and East Holden Hall have changed to coed-by-suite floors, which many students and parents have warmly embraced. "I love it," Bone said as the sounds of an intense round of video game football between her male neighbors filtered down the hall. Speaking from her experience on a same-sex floor last year, she said the hormone-saturated atmosphere created by an all-male or all-female group can become stifling, resulting in drama - or petty conflicts.

Police briefs 08/29/05

Summer daze

MSU head coach John L. Smith has experienced his most turbulent off-season going into his third year on the Spartan sidelines.

Students face crowding

Most incoming freshmen have settled into their dorm rooms, but overcrowding might keep some students stuck for days or weeks. On Friday, 220 two-occupant rooms in the residence halls were filled by three instead, said Director of University Housing Angela Brown.

'Titus' goes out for blood

Complete with a gallon of fake blood, Sunsets with Shakespeare has adapted one of Shakespeare's most violent tragedies, "Titus Andronicus," into a modern parody called "The Titus Andronicus Experience." Set in the Rome Estates trailer park, the action opens as Titus Andronicus returns from battle against the Goths, or with this updated version, the Gothic Manor trailer park.

Voices unheard

The Sunni minority was seemingly dismissed when negotiators decided to put the Iraqi draft constitution to a public vote.

Commission to meet about disturbances

The independent commission reviewing the April 2-3 disturbances will meet at 1 p.m. Wednesday in the Executive Conference Room of the East Lansing Hannah Community Center, 819 Abbott Road.

New system for football tickets has fans worried

Football season tickets have sold out, but not all students are sold on the new policy for redeeming them. The MSU Athletics Department announced Saturday that sales of both public and student season ticket packages have been suspended after exceeding 60,000 for just the fourth time in school history. More than 12,000 student packages have been sold, up almost 1,500 from last season. But many students are still looking for answers to the new ticket policy that was announced late last month. Under the new system, tickets will be attached to student IDs, replacing printed vouchers.