Ah, spring break. Thank heaven for whoever first came up with the concept of one blissful week of relaxation, escapism and drunken debauchery smartly tucked away at the point in the semester when we truly need some time off.
Student government members are researching the option for undergraduates' transcripts to have the average class grade in a course or show where that student scored in relationship to the class. Under the average grade option, if the class earns a 2.0 grade-point average, the 2.0 average will appear on transcripts next to each undergraduate's actual GPA. The percentile option measures a student's standing in a class, compared to others in that class.
DTN Management Co., frustrated by the East Lansing City Council's rejection of a plan to construct five apartment buildings, might take the city to court in an attempt to overturn its ruling. The proposed plan included the development of five apartment buildings, along the 700 block of Burcham Drive, that would house 90 occupants. Representatives from DTN discussed the possibility of challenging the city during Tuesday's council meeting. "We feel entitled to an approving vote," DTN representative Allen Russell said.
Joseph Blaim's argument against affirmative action literally made me laugh out loud ("Affirmative Action causes grad rates" SN 3/2). I've come full circle on this issue.
"I'm going on an alternative spring break to D.C. We're working in a soup kitchen, helping out the homeless and taking a class on social responsibility." Andy Sciamanna advertising and international relations senior "I'm working on campus and back home, probably on the weekends.
MSU head coach Joanne P. McCallie shared the honor of Big Ten Coach of the Year after she led her team to a record of 25-3, an MSU record for wins. She was named Coach of the Year by the media and Ohio State head coach Jim Foster was named Coach of the Year by the coaches. "The Coach of the Year award is really a program of the year award," McCallie said.
MSU head coach Tom Izzo picked Northwestern as his sleeper team this year in the Big Ten. Although the Wildcats (14-13 overall, 6-8 Big Ten) have struggled with injuries and chemistry, they still are fighting for an NIT spot. "We've been hit by injuries and a lot of other things," Northwestern head coach Bill Carmody said.
After sticking to their guns all year long, the Izzone student section directors have changed their policy not once, but twice for Saturday's game against Penn State at Breslin Center. In anticipation of a lower crowd turnout due to spring break, the co-directors decided to make everyone with an Izzone ticket eligible for the lower-bowl seating, regardless of ticket color, according to an e-mail sent to section members Monday morning.
The State News editorial board appears surprised that there is a massive discrepancy between graduation rates for black students and white students.
Riverwalk Theatre's "Noises Off" is a side-splitting look into the life and drama of the thespian world. The success is due to a brilliantly written script, a well-rehearsed cast and excellent direction. "Noises Off" is set in various English towns and follows an acting troop in its attempt to perform the British sex farce "Nothing On." In each act, the offstage drama takes a larger toll on the performance of "Nothing On," as couples fight and jealousy takes hold. Each actor is fully immersed in their character or characters.
Several campus organizations - including the MSU Red Cross Club that I am a part of - wasted their time on Friday for the Party at the Aud.
Culturas De Las Razas Unidas, or CRU, and the Chicano/Latino Association held a reception Tuesday night at the Union for discussion between faculty members and students to find ways to improve graduation and retention rates for minority students. Increasing communication between Chicano/Latino faculty and students helps ensure that students will make it to graduation day, said CRU co-Chair Isaias Solis.
Starting Tuesday, people can get a free credit report online, allowing them to see who has previously seen the reports and make sure all the information is accurate. Three major credit bureaus, Equifax, Experian and TransUnion, charge about $9 for the reports but will now provide them once a year for free under the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act of 2003. People can get a report from each company by going to www.annualcreditreport.com.
It's back to the drawing board for DTN Management Co. after the East Lansing City Council rejected an application from the rental mogul to construct five apartment buildings at its meeting Tuesday evening. Plans for the site, located along the 700 block of Burcham Drive, included developing a complex to house 90 occupants and 75 vehicles.
A winter storm Tuesday created several problems for Lansing and East Lansing residents traveling in the area. As of 1 p.m.
The Student Government Senate at the University of Michigan-Dearborn is urging the university's Board of Regents to look into the investments in companies that might profit from the Israeli occupation of Palestine. The resolution passed last week by the senate also calls for the university to remove funds from these companies. "That's what we're asking for at this point," said Tarek Baydoun, speaker of the senate at UM-Dearborn.
According to the latest data from the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, Americans are living longer than ever. Average life expectancy rose 0.3 years in 2003 to a record high of 77.6 years, according to the center. Women still live longer than men - an average of 80.1 years compared to 74.8 years - but the gap between the genders decreased for the 23rd consecutive year. The top 15 causes of death remained the same, except assault left the list and was replaced by Parkinson's disease.
MSU President Lou Anna K. Simon encouraged those in MSU and Grand Rapids to work together on the expansion of the College of Human Medicine in Grand Rapids during a speech at The Economic Club of Grand Rapids on Monday. Simon was invited to speak to the club, which often features appearances by college and university presidents, said Lorna Schultz, executive director of the club. Simon could not be reached for comment Tuesday. Club members asked Simon questions, and she spoke not only about the medical school, but also about her vision for MSU's future.