Expediting youth franchise inspiring

I am heartened to learn of significant new voter registration of young people in Michigan. As you realize, and by all predictions, youth will have an unusually important role in the upcoming election. As an MSU alumnus (Landscape Architecture, 1962), I wish to do my part to encourage you, the MSU student body and the staff, to expand the registration momentum with at least three personal actions. Become activists now for concerted peer voter registration not only on the MSU campus but for all students. Actually vote in November and thereafter. Exercise your democracy.

Going green

In the future, MSU could be a very different place. According to the university's 2020 Vision plan for MSU's near future, there might be a near absence of student cars on campus, green space that would abound and parking police thankfully out of work ticketing student cars. These goals - to be initiated by 2020 - will most likely not be seen, even by MSU's youngest students.

Drafty ideas

The Association of Michigan Universities sent the right message to lawmakers when they unanimously passed a bill that opposes a draft, or selective service act, for students.

Raising the stakes

During a rally in Maine last week, President Bush reaffirmed his approach to the war on terrorism by explaining his reason for invading Afghanistan and Iraq. "Since the terrible morning of September the 11th, 2001, we have fought the terrorists across the Earth, not for pride, not for power, but because the lives of our citizens are at stake," Bush said during his speech, drawing applause from the crowd. The next day, Democratic presidential candidate Sen.

E.L. Council to discuss blighted property

To be blighted or not to be blighted - that is the question East Lansing City Council is pondering while faced with whether to update the status of the aging East Village area. The city designated the area blighted property in 2000, but that label expired May 2003. The 36-acre area being considered for redevelopment, which includes Cedar Village and about 700 rental units, is bounded on the west and east by Bogue Street and Hagadorn Road, and on the north and south by Grand River Avenue and the Red Cedar River. Officials will discuss re-designating the area as a blighted district to aid in its redevelopment at a work session 7 p.m.

Michael Moore to speak for free Thursday at aud

Controversial filmmaker Michael Moore will speak at noon Thursday for free in MSU's Auditorium, after earlier plans to bring Moore fell through. MSU College Democrats are sponsoring the event.

Michigan residents from 68 countries now Americans

In a packed Lansing Community College auditorium on Monday, 300 new American citizens raised their right hands and pledged to observe, protect and defend the U.S.

Stanton to start at Iowa; provides leadership for Spartans

For the first time all season, no quarterback questions were asked to MSU head coach John L. Smith at his Monday press conference. Sophomore Drew Stanton is MSU's starting quarterback for Saturday's game against Iowa. Stanton is still recovering from the effects of his knee injury, but said for the first time in five weeks he did not have to get fluid drained out of his knee.

Members can't dodge bruises in popular club

After scampering back and forth, narrowly missing being hit, it finally happens - impact. A look of agony and exhaustion sweep across the face of Aleks Bomis as he crumbles onto the hardwood floor at IM Sports-West's racquetball courts, succumbing to the blow of the circular projectile. Yet, in an instant, he hops back up, ready to do it all over again. "In grade school, I was not what you would call athletically inclined," said Bomis, president of the MSU Dodgeball Club.

Most bikes stolen from Brody halls

Some students heading off to class in the morning are receiving a surprise once they reach the bike racks - their bikes are gone. Residence halls are the source of most bike thefts, said MSU police Sgt.

Horse club auctions stallions for money

The Equine Club at the College of Veterinary Medicine will host its first stallion service auction fund-raiser throughout October.

'U' prof fights tumor, marathon next

Days after receiving news that he had a brain tumor, Luis Velasquez found inspiration from athletes who crossed the finish line at the LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon. "I saw people raising their arms in ecstasy, celebrating because they had finished," Luis said.

MIDDAY UPDATE: McPherson discusses tradition, future of university in final speech

Through research, access and academics, the university is obligated to make a difference in Michigan and around the globe, MSU President M.

Proposal would combine science centers with arts, humanities at 'U'

End-of-semester changes in who controls the integrative studies courses and how the money is distributed could alter the classes students take and class size. The Integrative Studies Planning Committee has been working during the summer to create more communication between the three integrative studies centers: Integrative studies in social science, arts and humanities, and general science. The committee's charge, which was issued by President-designate Lou Anna Simon in May, proposed taking the three and combining them into one center. The committee has been looking at that proposal and talking to representatives from the different colleges about what they would like to see in integrative studies.

McPherson will offer reflections in final address

During his final State of the University address on Tuesday, MSU President M. Peter McPherson will reflect on his 11 years at the university's helm and declare his hopes for MSU's future. "Many more of these addresses were really annual reports more than visions," MSU spokesman Terry Denbow said.

Police briefs 09/27/04

Stanton leads Spartans in 2nd-half comeback win

Bloomington, Ind. - After amassing only 103 yards of total offense, scoring only seven points and facing a 20-7 halftime deficit, MSU needed to turn things around. In the first start of his career, sophomore quarterback Drew Stanton led MSU (2-2 overall, 1-0 Big Ten) back into the game - using his feet - and to a 30-20 victory over Indiana in the Big Ten conference opener.

MIDDAY UPDATE: Filmmaker Moore to speak to 'U', Dems confirm

Michael Moore will give a free speech at noon Thursday at the Auditorium. After ASMSU, MSU's undergraduate student government, tried and failed to bring the controversial documentary filmmaker to campus, the MSU College Democrats stepped in and secured the engagement. "The timing is just too perfect with the deadline for voter registration right around the corner," MSU College Democrats spokesman Stephen Purchase said.

Disney On Ice to deliver variety of classic characters

For once, forget about exams, classes and bills, because this Wednesday, students will have the chance to remember what it was like to be a kid.

Peterson's hat trick propells Hoosiers' win

Led by Indiana forward Jacob Peterson's three goals, the MSU men's soccer team lost to the No.