Simon visits Academic Council meeting, urges committee to address MSU's broader issues

MSU President Lou Anna Simon made an unscheduled, but not unexpected, appearance at the Executive Committee of Academic Council meeting on Tuesday. "I am trying very hard not to be provost, but I still had 3:15 open on Tuesday," Simon said. She said she wanted to see the executive committee have conversations about the bigger issues the university faces. "I see ECAC as an important group that works with specific proposals, but that hasn't been the case with broader policy issues," Simon said. The office is continuing to work with the MSU College of Human Medicine Oversight Committee on the relocation of the college to Grand Rapids, she said. MSU has joined a group of stakeholders in the move based in Grand Rapids. "MSU decided - while the decision-making process is unique to each institution - it is best to be part of the dialogue," Simon said.

Community center to host ceramics event

The Bailey Community Center, 300 Bailey St., will host a Ceramics Open House from 1-4 p.m. on Saturday. The event will be a chance to learn about ceramics, watch demonstrations and meet instructors.

Illini holds reign as No. 1 in nation

After losing to Wisconsin in the Big Ten Tournament final last season, Illinois seemingly has something to prove this year. The No.

Depeche Mode member, vocalist forms Erasure after five year break

In the music world, time is pretty relative. Few pop bands stick around for more than the given 15 minutes of fame; most never even make it past one-minute wonder status.

Stranded student returns

Julie Crane found herself alone in a foreign country where she didn't speak the language. Scared, without money or a permanent place to stay, she could rely only on herself to make it home. The day her study abroad group was to depart from Peru, the mechanical engineering sophomore realized she didn't have her passport.

Saltwater aquarium demo at library today

The East Lansing Public Library will host a session called "Go Fish!" at 7 p.m. today that teaches how to create a saltwater aquarium. Taught by David Annis, who has years of experience with saltwater aquariums, the event will explain how to design an aquarium, what kinds of fish and equipment to buy and how to properly care for one. The program is free to the public.

Bill to fund pregnancy help centers passes

MSU could be one of several colleges to receive a pilot program to help pregnant college students continue their education without having an abortion. The Pregnant and Parenting Student Services Act was signed by Gov.

Comic store gets new owner, look

On Grand River Avenue Monday afternoon, a fleet of metallic soldiers were in the middle of warfare. They glared menacingly across a dark stone canyon at their enemies, who stood ready to obliterate them with laser cannons. But the warriors were only two inches tall and kept under glass as part of a new battle scene diorama at 21st Century Comics & Games, 515 E.

Connecting living and dead colorless effort in 'White Noise'

If there is one thing to be learned from the film "White Noise," it's that wandering around a dark city on tips from ambiguous ghosts is not always a good idea. This is something you wish you could tell Michael Keaton's character, Jonathan Rivers, whose interest in receiving messages from his recently deceased wife spirals into an obsessive disaster. At first, it's easy to empathize with Jonathan's grief - we meet him while his beautiful wife Anna, played by Chandra West, is still living, and catch a glimpse of their happy, almost idyllic relationship.

In a day: Two meetings and a physics test

On the Friday before finals week, Andrew Schepers wandered into the board room on the fourth floor of the Administration Building and had his breakfast. Dressed in a red tie, navy blue suit and a yellow Lance Armstrong Live Strong band, he sat at the far end of the conference table, waiting for his first meeting of the day to commence. It was only 7:45 a.m. Schepers is ASMSU's Student Assembly chairperson and a physics senior.

ASMSU launches new Web site

It's been two years since ASMSU has had a working Web site. But MSU's undergraduate student government changed that on Friday with the launch of a new site. The Web site - www.asmsu.msu.edu - has several links that define various branches under the ASMSU governance.

Students charged in fatal accident

Two men were charged with manslaughter after a Wednesday car accident in Troy killed 20-year-old MSU student Lindsey Cianciolo. MSU student Sandeep Sabapathy, 19, and Wayne State University student Steven Schafer, 20 - both from Troy - were arraigned on various counts in the Troy 52-4 District Court late last week.

Simon's message lacked substance

In response to "New university president offers thoughts, insights on coming years," (SN 1/10), President Simon's "thoughts" are devoid of meaning and are contradictory. First, President Simon addresses broad issues and facts we have read about in the daily newspaper for years.

E.L. responds to 'blighted' status

The East Lansing City Council's decision last month to designate the East Village area as blighted has caused a stir among property owners and residents. Owners of roughly 40 percent of the properties involved have come forward with requests to pull out of the designated area, city officials said. Council members maintain the move will help the city access funds to improve the area, by completely revamping the 35-acre spot into a business and residential district. Property owners are concerned that a blighted status will hurt businesses and drive away potential renters.

Researchers create compound to enhance anti-cancer meds

Researchers at MSU have created a compound that could make cancer medication more effective and possibly even cure the disease. "This could potentially mean big things," said Jezte Tepe, the chemistry professor who led the cancer research team.

MSU groups to rally against Proposal 2

It's been more than two months since the passage of Proposal 2, but Jon Hoadley, chairman for the MSU Stonewall Democrats, said the fight for equal rights for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community has only just begun. MSU students and representatives from several local and statewide LGBT and allied groups will hold a rally on Wednesday in opposition to the proposal. "Proposal 2 should be interpreted as narrowly as possible," said Hoadley, a social relations senior. Hoadley said the months of opposition to Proposal 2 have been "a difficult battle," but the MSU LGBT campus groups have been meeting regularly to discuss legislative ways to protect their rights. The rally will include speeches from families who are directly affected by the amendment and Rep.

International programs unaffected by tsunami

Despite destruction unleashed on the coasts of Southeast Asia, MSU students traveled to Bangkok, Thailand on Friday and more will leave for New Delhi, India on Tuesday.

Foul play

Have you seen that new film, "MSU Football Players Gone Wild?" Although it doesn't exist, given the pace at which players are getting into trouble with the law, it won't be long before Hollywood considers making it. Two freshmen wide receivers, Miles Williams, 18, and Hugh D'Imperio, 19, have been charged with unarmed robbery and assault with intent to rob while unarmed.

Police briefs 01/11/05

Thousands sign new petition to ban race, gender admissions preferences

In its first victory in a two-year effort to ban race and gender-based preferences in university admissions and government hiring and contracts, The Michigan Civil Rights Initiative submitted a petition of more than 508,000 signatures to state election officials Thursday. MCRI began the petition effort in response to the U.S.