King's life worth holiday, respect

This letter is in response to David Garlock's ignorant assessment of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Marine's girlfriend shares experiences of overseas relationship

Imagine the life of a Marine's girlfriend. We'll call her the scared bystander. She stays online for hours e-mailing her brave boyfriend, answers every "out of area" phone call hoping it's him and practically lives at the post office, sending him packages and envelopes marked "sealed with a kiss." His picture is framed on a shelf in her dorm room, and every time she opens her wallet she sees him in full uniform next to her debit card. That she is me.

Response to online SIRS disappointing

Online course evaluations did not get as much of a response as MSU professors and administrators had hoped. In the fall, 19 departments put Student Instructional Rating System, or SIRS, forms online for students to evaluate instructors, but less participated than usually complete paper forms in class. University officials switched to online forms to process information quicker. "It was a clunky process on paper, and now it's a much more streamlined process," said Patty Croom, student academic records team leader for administrative services. It is not known how many students completed the electronic evaluations because response rates as a whole were not collected, and departments kept their individual numbers, said June Youatt, assistant provost for undergraduate education and dean of undergraduate studies. While some students said they feel obligated to fill out the forms during class, they don't see a benefit to submitting them on their own. "In class you kind of have to do it, but if it's something that you have to go out of your way to do, no one's going to do that," Japanese and premedical sophomore Gary Moroni said, adding he thinks most students feel that way. Duncan Sibley, director of Integrative Studies in General Science, said between 35 and 45 percent of students filled out online evaluations for the department in the fall semester.

Sex education is job for parents

It is always amazing to me how many people fail to see the real problem with sex education. Should we really be debating what they should be teaching about sex in public schools?

Police briefs 01/19/05

Sustainability focus of speaker series

MSU's Community and Economic Development Program will hold the second of six seminars in the "Sustainable Development: Concepts & Practices" series at noon on Thursday at the International Center.

Supreme Court justice set to resign

After more than 30 years as a judge and 10 years on the Michigan Supreme Court, Justice Elizabeth Weaver will step down from her position in October 2005.

Groups debate necessity of MLK holiday

Martin Luther King Jr. Day was a time for MSU community members to honor the civil rights icon, but some believe King doesn't deserve a day of remembrance. Students such as music education junior David Garlock say King's disreputable past is no reason to celebrate. "He was a fornicator; those are his personal preferences that people are allowed to make, but I'm hesitant to look up to that," he said. Last week, an anonymous flier, which Garlock said he did not create, was posted inside several Capital Area Transportation Authority buses that made sarcastic comments on King's personal life. The fliers insinuated King plagiarized his doctoral thesis, worked with communists and engaged in extramarital affairs with prostitutes. Other students said whether King had infidelities has nothing to do with his accomplishments for society. "Nobody is perfect," international relations senior K'ntrice Coleman said.

Wis. takes 6th win against MSU

Madison, Wis. - A day after the No. 15 Spartans watched an eight-point lead slip away in the final three minutes of a 62-59 loss to Wisconsin, head coach Tom Izzo defended his players. His senior group - guards Chris Hill and Kelvin Torbert and forward Alan Anderson - has often been criticized for its inability to win close games.

Local hip-hop, rock band to perform tonight at The Temple Club

One day, in its CD liner notes, Kill Filthy can thank Ruby Tuesday and Meridian Mall. It was about one year ago when lead vocalist Rich Ensley, who goes by the stage name of Filthy Rich, guitarist Josh Waddell and DJ Ryan Kramer,also known as Dr. Sketch, met as line cooks at the unlimited salad bar restaurant. "I had the initial idea of starting a band," said Ensley, 23.

Spartans still streaking with 8th straight home win

The No. 8 MSU women's basketball team ran their home record to 8-0 after defeating No. 12 Minnesota on Sunday, 62-49. The Spartans (15-2 overall, 4-1 Big Ten) were led by junior guard Lindsay Bowen, who had 20 points after only scoring two in the first half, and senior center Kelli Roehrig led the team in rebounds with nine. "Lindsay was much more aggressive in the second half," MSU head coach Joanne P.

Keady makes final trip to Breslin Center as coach

It will be the end of an era tonight at Breslin Center. The No. 19 MSU men's basketball team will say farewell to Gene Keady, when the legendary Purdue head coach makes his final appearance in East Lansing as his 25-year career as coach winds down. Keady owns a 25-21 all-time record against the Spartans. "I'm looking forward to playing Purdue," MSU head coach Tom Izzo said.

WEB ONLY: Crawford returns to Kentucky

Freshman guard Joe Crawford returned to Kentucky this past weekend, ending speculation that he would be transferring to MSU. Crawford, who left Kentucky on Jan.

Split indicative of team's up-and-down year

MSU head coach Rick Comley said he didn't sleep Friday night. After watching his Spartans fall 5-4, despite a hat trick off the stick of sophomore forward Drew Miller, and registering 50 shots to Western Michigan's 25, Comley and the Spartans were heartbroken and looking for answers. Comley said the loss was frustrating "more than you can possibly imagine." Normally, when a team doubles the shots of its opponent, it wins.

Esthero drops awaited EP

If you're an Esthero fan, chances are you've been holding your breath in anticipation to a follow-up of the vocalist's addictive first album, "Breath From Another." Well, you can finally breathe easy. Like a smart hostess who dishes up a few appetizers to her guests to tide them over until dinner is served, Esthero has released a short, but successful EP, with a handful of tasty tracks that will appear among other songs on her forthcoming full-length album "Wikked Lil' Grrrls." It's been six years since Esthero first hit the airwaves with "Breath From Another." The disc was a smart, sassy debut for the Toronto-based singer, whose smooth vocals blended perfectly with the trip-hop beats and quirky sampling of her then-recording partner Martin McKinney.

Student voice: What do you think of the proposed ban of open alcohol on campus?

"I could totally go one way or the other on this issue. I know there have been problems, but I haven't seen anything big, so it doesn't seem like a ban is necessary." Aaron Shuman English senior "The few abusers out there shouldn't affect everyone, and MSU spirit would diminish.

Government revamps nutrition guidelines

Striving to improve Americans' lifestyles, the federal government released a new set of dietary guidelines advising people to eat a variety of nutritious foods, ingest fewer calories and exercise daily. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2005, which comes out every five years, was released last week by the U.S.

MIDDAY UPDATE: MSU groups celebrate, protest Bush's second inauguration

MSU students and Lansing residents will take part in celebrations and protests of President Bush's inauguration locally and in Washington on Thursday. Members of MSU Students for Bush will travel to Washington for Bush's second-term swearing-in ceremony and speech.

Police briefs 01/18/05

WEB ONLY: Former MSU field hockey player named to national team

Former MSU field hockey standout and current volunteer assistant coach Alexandra Kyser has been selected to the U.S.