5th-year tuition hike hurts students

As a graduating fifth-year senior, I am appalled by the idea of increasing tuition for "super seniors." Now that I am at the threshold of the light at the end of the tunnel as described by Paul Duby in "Tuition hikes could be in 5th-year students' futures" (SN 3/24), I am very pleased with the circumstances that led to my extended stay at the university. I attended two full summer sessions and completed an eight-month internship at a medical device manufacturer in Cincinnati to complete my degree requirements in a timely fashion.

Bus driver brightens students days

By Jessica Gershel Special for The State News At the station next to the Shaw parking ramp, exhaust fumes linger in the air, buses crowd the road and students rush to catch their ride.

Group's petition seeks abortion bill override

A petition initiative seeking to ban partial-birth abortions in Michigan is anticipated to be successful before the Legislature breaks for summer recess. The drive, launched by Right To Life of Michigan in January, gathered more than 325,000 signatures within two months of announcing its goal.

U held scoreless in 5-0 pounding by Bulldogs

Grand Rapids - The MSU hockey team played a strong first period against Minnesota-Duluth, down by only one goal in the Midwest Regional of the NCAA Tournament on Saturday at Van Andel Arena. All the Spartans needed was to carry their play over to the next period.

U.S. Supreme Court debates, state Senate endorses pledge's 'under God' phrase

The Michigan Senate voted Wednesday to approve two resolutions endorsing the use of the phrase "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance. In a 32-2 vote, the state Senate passed the resolutions urging the U.S.

Clutten finishes 31st in NCAA Tournament

Sophomore Ian Clutten finished 31st in the 100-meter breaststroke on Friday at the 2004 NCAA Men's Swimming & Diving Championships. Clutten earned a time of 1:01.96 at the competition in East Meadow, N.Y.

Event features multicultural talent

Underneath an arch of orange and black balloons Saturday night, Francisco Velazquez leaned over the stationary microphone on the Pasant Theatre stage and let a stream of fast, rhythmic words flow out of his mouth. "I'm never ashamed to speak on my faith, but these days, spoken words can get you killed," he said in his poem "The World Around Me." Dressed in black, the journalism sophomore held his notebook in one hand while periodically gesturing with the other to emphasize certain words of his poem.

Approved RHA tax to benefit campus movie channel, Office of Programs

Voters solidly supported the increase in the Residence Halls Association's tax from $21 to $22 during student elections held Wednesday and Thursday. Results from the vote, held at www.student-elections.msu.edu, showed about 67 percent of students voting in favor of the tax, while about 30 percent voted against it.

Duke should be hated by all

I write this as I watch the Duke Blue Devils play a tight game against the Xavier Musketeers in an Elite Eight matchup that certainly means more for Duke than it does Xavier. The outcome of the game probably is negligible in the cosmic sense.

MIDDAY UPDATE: 'U' officials, community reach tentative medical school agreement

A group of state and local leaders have reached a basic agreement with MSU officials about the possible relocation of the MSU College of Human Medicine to Grand Rapids. The proposal, released today by East Lansing, Lansing and Michigan officials, outlines several requirements they hope MSU will uphold if the university decides to expand the school. "It's a substantial agreement between the university, ourselves and the hospital in this region," East Lansing Mayor Mark Meadows said.

Wrong words

In an ideal democracy, all voters would be objectively informed on issues by unbiased, fair and straightforward language.

House parties vs. the bar: What we've learned in 2 years

I stood stonelike at Saturday's midnight, half a 12-pack of Miller Lite in my left hand and a quarter-keg of irony in my right.

Spartans look to next season

The MSU women's basketball program is on the rise and the 2003-04 team took a few big steps, as it broke or tied numerous records en route to one of its most successful seasons ever. "Our goals were to win championships; we flirted with those goals but came up short," head coach Joanne P.

Cheney's comment proves Clarke's right

This concerns the editorial "Clarke attacks" (SN 3/25). The State News mentions that in the administration's effort to impugn the character of Richard Clarke instead of answer his claims, Dick Cheney says Clarke was "out of the loop." What The State News - and every thinking person - should ask is, "If the head of counterterrorism for the U.S.

Men's tennis upset, winless in conference

The No. 44 MSU men's tennis team was victim to a 4-3 upset at No. 56 Penn State on Sunday. The Spartans doubles team of senior Chris Mitchell and junior Andrew Formanczyk to move to 18-9 for the season, but it was the only doubles win MSU would earn. Freshman Joseph McWilliams, junior Cameron Marshall and Mitchell each earned singles wins for the Spartans, who drop to 13-7 overall, 0-2 Big Ten. In the Big Ten opener at Ohio State on Saturday, MSU fell to No.

Female icons need to stop 'dirrtyness'

Cultures around the world are obsessed with female sexuality. Most like to stifle it, but here in the United States, we like to exploit it.

Conference connects 'U' women

In the basement of McDonel Hall, graduate student Angie Allen sat with a group of undergraduates, laughing and discussing what it's like to be a woman on campus as part of the Women's Leadership Conference and Banquet Sunday. "I'm taking away how connected we are," Allen said, explaining what she learned during the four-hour event.

ASMSU approves new attorney contracts

Instead of using nearly half of its remaining project fund to cover an estimated $9,810 budget deficit, ASMSU representatives voted Thursday to approve a new contract with its two legal attorneys. The new 10-year contract will save MSU's undergraduate student government more than $30,000, including $15,000 next year. "Concerns were expressed with issues on budgetary concerns," ASMSU attorney Brian Jeffries said.

Police briefs 03/29/04

Krzyminski shatters school track record

Senior Jamie Krzyminski saw a record-breaking run Friday at the Stanford Invitational. Krzyminski, who was the lone representative of the MSU women's track team at the Invitational, placed second at the meet.