Future fuel

A responsible energy policy backed by the White House - can it be true? In light of such things as Vice President Dick Cheney's closed-door meetings with energy company executives, and the Bush administration's suggestion to drill for oil in Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, it would come as a surprise if the White House walked the straight and narrow path on energy policy. On Monday, President Bush signed energy legislation that purports to take a long-term approach to solving problems such as reliance on foreign oil, high gas prices and the environmental effects of burning fossil fuels. Some of the main points of the plan include $14.5 billion in tax breaks for energy companies in hopes they will work to further development of renewable energy sources and the promotion of efficiency, an extension of daylight-savings time, new efficiency standards for commercial appliances, $1 billion for coastal environmental management for states where there is offshore oil drilling and a $1.8 billion program to promote clean coal research and development. At 1,724 pages, the bill is quite complicated.

MSU announces new contract with Pepsi

MSU fans attending events at campus venues such as the Breslin Center and Spartan Stadium can now choose from a variety of Pepsi products. The Division of Housing and Food Services and the MSU Athletics Department announced Wednesday a new contract with PepsiCo Inc. for all campus concessions.

Groups take cell phones for needy

Instead of letting obsolete cell phones sit dormant in a closet or drawer after getting them upgraded, people can donate their phones to charities that give them to people in need. The Charitable Recycling Program, located in Bloomfield Hills, Mich., collects phones for emerging countries with economic needs for cell phones, marketing manager Jonnie Sullivan said. "We clean them all up and make them look nice and put new batteries in them," she said.

Ex-player hired as asst. field hockey coach

Former MSU All-American Alexandra Kyser was named the new field hockey assistant coach, MSU head coach Michele Madison announced last Wednesday. Kyser will work with the midfielders and defense.

CAFTA will result in job loss like NAFTA

Call me a nerd, but the night the Central American Free Trade Agreement, or CAFTA went to the House, I sat up watching C-SPAN intently, waiting and waiting for the result I had been hoping for - for logic, for sensibility, for the best interest of Average Joe living and working in Every Town, USA.

Safe Place interns help abuse victims

Each year coordinators at the MSU Safe Place, a haven for victims of domestic violence, hire interns to handle services for the organization. Friday is the last day for this summer's interns, and 2005 graduate Hope Delecke and anthropology senior Kelly Nowicki said the experience at Safe Place will stay with them long after college. "After I graduate I plan to go to the Peace Corps and work in community health," Nowicki said.

MSU near $1.2B goal for capital campaign

MSU officials announced on Tuesday that the university's three-year-old capital campaign to raise $1.2 billion in funding for academic and campus projects has passed the billion-dollar mark. To date, the "Campaign for MSU" is about $161 million short of its total goal.

Test case

Many students at MSU have been at a party that's gotten broken up by the police, or at least have heard stories about one from a friend.

Seat belt campaign waste of resources

This letter is in response to "Police launch 2-week safety-belt campaign" (SN 8/9). Michigan State police Trooper Tom Tucker said the area chosen is highly traveled. I wonder how many lives they save by enforcing in a 45 mph zone?

Game design becomes specialization at MSU

Video games will not only be a pastime for MSU students but also a degree specialization. Courses in video game design and development will be available for students to take in September as an introduction to a possible career. Brian Winn, associate telecommunication, information studies and media professor and co-founder of the program, said it's a four-course section that students can take in their junior and senior years.

Affirmative action offensive; Initiative should appear on 2006 ballot

In a constitutional democracy, there is no more important event than that of an amendment to the Constitution.

Alumnus, soldier to be forever missed

It's with great sadness when I discovered that an old friend and colleague from MSU, Adrian Butler, had perished in Iraq.

Great Lakes Folk Festival schedule

Friday M.A.C. Ave. • 6:00 p.m. Bob Seeley and "Boogie" Bob Baldori Dance Tent • 6:45 p.m.

2nd Menna's Joint opens; Big 10 Burrito coming soon

Tonight, hungry students wandering Albert Avenue for something to eat will have a new option. Menna's Joint is opening a second location next to Harper's Restaurant & Brewpub, 131 Albert Ave. "We just needed to expand," owner Joe Conrad said. The opening at 7 p.m.

Board battle

Although the members of the MSU Board of Trustees are well into adulthood, they could use a little motherly advice.

Popularity of detrimental activities reflects society's love for danger

Forget baseball: Cars, booze and cigarettes are the real American pastime. The rule of thumb is if there's not a significant risk for severe injury or death, it's not fun. For instance, consider diving boards at the pool.

Police briefs 08/09/05

MSU's Brehm makes cut as amateur in Buick Open

It's been almost 40 years since anyone did what sophomore Ryan Brehm accomplished - he made the cut in the Buick Open as an amateur. There were 156 players at the start of the tournament, but only the top 79 made the cut.

Players excited for refurbished stadium

The new addition to Spartan Stadium has everyone from coaches to players raving about its more attractive look. The renovations make the stadium look similar to Purdue or Ohio State's, mainly because MSU used the same architect as the aforementioned universities, and many of the design elements are the same, said Greg Ianni, senior associate athletics director for facilities and sports management.

MSU campaign raises more than $1B

The MSU fundraising effort to raise $1.2 billion for the university before 2007 has surpassed the billion-dollar mark, university officials are expected to announce today. The Campaign for MSU, which began in 2000, seeks to raise gift support for research and teaching, support for students, scholarships, new facilities and building renovations, maintaining programs and faculty recruitment.