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ICE HOCKEY

Experience at Joe Louis a plus for MSU

Eric Fish
March 17, 2005

The MSU hockey team heads into the CCHA Super Six quarterfinals game today at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit against a Nebraska-Omaha team it has much in common with. The Spartans and Mavericks have identical overall records of 19-15-4 and split their only regular-season series in late October with respective 5-2 decisions. The Spartans were all over Nebraska-Omaha the first game of the series, only to come out flat in the second game. "Probably the game I think we played our worst in was that second game way back in October," MSU head coach Rick Comley said of the Oct.

NEWS

Cox: No future same-sex employee benefits

Melissa Domsic
March 17, 2005

In all new contracts, university and other public employers cannot provide benefits for same-sex partners because of Proposal 2, Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox said in an opinion released Wednesday. The attorney general's interpretation of the law will not affect current contracts but will apply to future ones, unless a court decision rules otherwise. "Michigan has historically afforded a combination of social, legal and financial benefits uniquely to married men and women," Cox said in his written opinion. When citizens voted for Proposal 2 last November, it meant that marriage would be reserved for a man and woman to preserve the benefits of marriage, he said. Cox's opinion was in response to questions from a state representative about the legality of benefits for same-sex partners of city employees in Kalamazoo. Ann Arbor Public Schools is currently involved in a legal suit at the Michigan Court of Appeals from a religious law center that challenged the district's right to offer benefits for same-sex partners. The University of Michigan and Wayne State University also support keeping benefits for their employees. Since 1997, MSU has offered benefits to same-sex domestic partners of faculty members including family and medical leave, childcare services and health, dental and life insurance. The policy states a couple must live together and be in a long-term committed relationship for at least six months with intentions to stay together. "The university has said in the past that its commitments made would be maintained," MSU spokesman Terry Denbow said.

NEWS

Healing harmony

Emily Bingham
March 17, 2005

The blended sounds of flute, bassoon, piano and vocal harmonies filled the basement of the Music Practice Building on Wednesday morning as Michelle Knechtges guided a group of students through a song. "I wrote it," she said, grinning and pointing at her name on the top of the sheet music. The 49-year-old Mason resident held a microphone near her mouth and sang alto harmonies to the tune, titled "I Am Happy," for which she penned the lyrics, chord progressions and melodies for all instrument and vocal parts. Wednesday's practice session was in preparation for Knechtges' upcoming performance in the "Celebrate Abilities" recital this Friday on campus.

COMMENTARY

Departing seniors lacked skill to win

Well, it's tourney time again, and this year feels no different than the last three. While the current senior class has been plagued by the words "underachievers" for the last three years, I would like to offer a different outlook.

SPORTS

Familiarize with the foes

Chris Meagher
March 17, 2005

Alcorn State Nickname: Lady Braves Founded: 1871 Location: Claiborne County, Miss. Enrollment: 3,100 Famous alumni: Tennessee Titans quarterback Steve McNair History: Alcorn State was the nation's first state-supported institution for the higher education of black students. Athletics: NCAA Division 1-A; Southwestern Athletic Conference Record: 21-8 Leading scorer: LaToya Johnson, 12.5 ppg Other: Third trip to NCAAs, first since 2001 Source: Alcorn State Old Dominion Nickname: Monarchs, a royal crown on a lion's head, representing an historic past and a strong future Founded: 1930 Location: Norfolk, Va. Enrollment: 20,802 Famous alumni: ESPN SportsCenter anchor Jay Harris, NASA astronaut Michael Bloomfield Athletics: NCAA Division 1-A; Colonial Athletic Association Record: 28-5 Leading scorer: Alex Loughton, 13.9 ppg Number of players not from the United States: Five Other: Eighth trip to NCAAs, first trip since 1997, 2-7 record in the NCAAs Source: Old Dominion

MICHIGAN

Mich. Supreme Court to rule on beachfront-property case

What started as an argument between two neighbors has blossomed into a Michigan Supreme Court lawsuit that some say will affect the future of the entire state. The court heard opening arguments last week to decide where beachfront owners' properties ends and where public property begins.

NEWS

Battle of Bands to rock Friday

Emily Sorger
March 17, 2005

The University Activities Board's 3rd Annual Battle of the Bands is expected to draw more than 1,000 people to the International Center Friday, as 11 local bands take the stage to compete for $3,000 in prizes. "It's always a busy night for the International Center," said Janelle Jacobs, assistant manager of the University Activities Office. With 10 bands having competed in past years' competitions, Jacobs said organizers added an extra spot to the bill to make room for more talent at the event, which is co-sponsored by Elderly Instruments in Lansing and the Freshman Class Council. "There was a lot of good competition this year, so we decided to add one more," she said, noting that at least half of the members of each participating band are MSU students.

NEWS

Theater and art shows

What: 9th Annual Young Playwrights Festival Where: Wharton Center Pasant Theatre When: Sunday Time: 3 p.m. Tickets: Free, but reservations are required For more information, call (517) 353-1982, ext.

NEWS

Monumental debate

Rebecca Mcnulty
March 17, 2005

Lansing - James Cabaniss has spent the past year traveling around the country with a 5,300-pound statue of the Ten Commandments. Cabaniss, a 72-year-old retired mechanical engineer from Texas, has traveled through 21 states with the monument that once sat in an Alabama courthouse.

COMMENTARY

Let it shine

Maybe you are like many people who believe the stereotypes that politicians and journalists are crooked.

NEWS

Rap images must change

Emily Bingham
March 17, 2005

Two weeks ago, fans of mainstream music had fodder for juicy gossip after a massive feud erupted between two of the nation's hottest rap stars.

COMMENTARY

Take notice

You're in college now. No one is going to tell you to clean up your room, take a shower or take out the trash. No one is going to monitor your eating habits. It is reasonable to expect that friends will look out for another person's well-being, because parents aren't around to baby-sit anymore.