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MICHIGAN

Student to be on TLC show

When the popular home redecoration show "Trading Spaces" arrived to shoot in Traverse City, Mich., this week, all the trademark ingredients were present: two designers, two teams of two homeowners, a carpenter and a tight budget. But unique to the mix was an MSU student: construction management senior Adriano Vozza. Vozza and his brother, Julio, participated as a team in the show against their childhood friends, Jennifer Buell and Dan Brady.

SPORTS

Heat, Pistons fans have final exchange

After a grueling series in the Eastern Conference Finals, "The Champs" are still standing, after KO-ing a worthy challenger in Miami. Here are the mock letters, one from the fans of Miami to the fans of Detroit and one from Pistons fans to Heat fans: Dear Pistons fans, We wanted to congratulate you on your team's win Monday night here in the "Red Zone;" it was truly impressive. I guess we were foolish to think that just because we signed Shaquille O'Neal in the offseason that we would own the Eastern Conference title - at least at season's end.

NEWS

Picking a perfect prof - on the Web

Margaret Harding
June 9, 2005

When selecting courses, in addition to having the course description and schedule Web sites open, many students also look at sites that describe and evaluate professors to choose the right course for them. The university-approved site for professor evaluation is soct.msu.edu. Students fill out Students' Opinion of Courses and Teaching, or SOCT, forms for each professor-taught class and evaluate the effectiveness and availability of the instructor. SOCTs were created six years ago due to student request, said June Youatt, assistant provost for undergraduate education and dean of undergraduate studies. "It came as a response to student request to be able to share information about their experience in different classes," Youatt said. The information available at the SOCT Web site depends on the amount of student participation - which has been traditionally low, Youatt said. "Students really need to look at how many students actually responded," Youatt said.

NEWS

Honorary degree debated

Amy Davis
June 9, 2005

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 fall 1990.

NEWS

Wi-fi hot spots offer easy access to Web

Jen Spilotro just got a laptop. And instead of studying in her home two blocks from downtown East Lansing, the nutritional sciences and dietetics senior can take her computer to the streets. "The environment's a lot more comfortable," Spilotro said, lounging on a chair inside Espresso Royale Caffe, 527 E.

NEWS

Olin provides health care

As incoming freshman prepare to live on their own for the first time, they need to remember to pack a little common sense, said Kathy Braunlich, spokeswoman for Olin Health Center. Proper diet, exercise and sleep are still important when students leave home, Braunlich said. "Students need to remember some of the things their mom told them," Braunlich said.

NEWS

Officers cleared of melee brutality charges

Kris Turner
June 9, 2005

Investigations into the actions of police from two departments on patrol during the April 2-3 disturbances have cleared three officers of any wrongdoing. MSU police officers Thomas Miller and Andrew Koerner, along with one officer from the Michigan State Police, were found to have acted within legal bounds, police officials said. Miller was investigated after advertising senior Scott Riddle spoke of being mistreated by police at an ASMSU forum held to discuss the disturbances.

NEWS

'Party-school' hype not so true

Don't believe the hype. MSU isn't a party school. Well, at least that's what I've learned after spending my freshman year here, and I'm sticking to it. I can remember sitting in my high school English class as my friends and I shared what colleges we were going to.

NEWS

ONLINE UPDATE: Police, firefighters endorse Bernero for Lansing mayor

Bob Darrow
June 9, 2005

Michigan State Sen. Virg Bernero, D-Lansing, has new allies in his candidacy for Lansing mayor. The Lansing chapter of the Fraternal Order of Police and Lansing Firefighters Local 421 endorsed Bernero for mayor Thursday afternoon. Bernero is running against current Mayor Tony Benavides, former Michigan Children's Ombudsman Lynne Martinez and city maintenance worker Dale Abronowitz. Representatives of the organizations said Bernero had the energy and vision they were looking for in Lansing's next mayor. Bernero said the police and firefighters were near the top of the list of groups whose support he's seeking. "As a combined endorsement, it's one of the most compelling," he said. A number of other community organizations have yet to endorse a candidate for mayor. "I feel very good about the endorsements coming up," Bernero said.

NEWS

Staying safe

Lauren Phillips
June 9, 2005

MSU police and East Lansing police say that students coming to campus should take precautionary measures to increase their personal safety - especially in an unfamiliar area and if they will be drinking. MSU police Sgt.

NEWS

Board of trustees confirms Provost Wilcox

Bob Darrow
June 9, 2005

Michigan State alumnus Kim Wilcox is returning to campus in August as MSU's new provost. The MSU Board of Trustees voted unanimously Tuesday to confirm the recommendation of the selection committee, and MSU officials said Wilcox will inject energy and charisma into campus. "I'll take the job!" Wilcox said, laughing heartily and shaking MSU President Lou Anna K.