Extra-oar-dinary

A typical practice day starts around 3 p.m. as about 50 women pile into vans for the drive to Lansing's Grand River.

RHA board position still vacant

Although the Residence Halls Association's new Executive Board was sworn in Wednesday, one position remains unfilled. Jasmine Gary, a social relations sophomore and president of Case Hall Black Caucus, did not receive the approval of the General Assembly for the director of racial ethnic and progressive affairs.

High school summer classes offered online

High school students who need to make up classes in the summer or want to get ahead might soon find themselves taking classes behind a computer instead of in a classroom.

Spartans to host Ohio State

For the first time in years, the MSU baseball team is in the crosshairs - everyone is aiming for it. Typically known for having solid nonconference seasons but struggling in the Big Ten, MSU (17-12 overall, 6-2 Big Ten) is having a surprising season - one that mirrors this year's Detroit Tigers.

Excellence in diversity honored at ceremony

Students and staff members across a wide range of disciplines were honored Thursday at the All-University Excellence in Diversity 2004 Recognition and Awards Convocation.

Powerful pride

How much progress have we really made? Maybe 20 years ago, gender or sexual orientation was as seemingly public as it always had been since the beginning of time. Now, it's a pop culture phenomenon.

Students need to clean up after class

I'm getting quite bored with reading the opinion section and seeing people try to state facts. Supposed "facts" like Israel is a democratic state, John Bice is wrong, Michael Moore is wrong, etc. How about this "fact"? I'm sick of going into lecture halls and seeing them trashed.

Weekend best bets

Comedy If the warmer weekend weather has you aching to take the old beater on a road trip, head down to Ferndale Saturday night for a show like no other.

'U' doesn't support apparel workers

Please, I ask The State News, from student to student, apologize for the wording of the article "'U' officials' meeting on workers' rights brings student protest" (SN 4/15). It represents the students as anti-workers' rights and the MSU administration as pro-workers' rights when, in fact, the truth is the exact opposite. University officials are not trying to protect workers' rights.

E.L. deli to close doors after 17 years due to rising costs

The owner of Sidestreets Deli will close his shop for good on Saturday, citing rising rent fees and competition from chain businesses as main factors in his decision. Deli owner Vinnie Bartalone said high rent in the city and rent hikes from landlord Cron Management made it impossible to continue his business at 605 E.

College, minority reps differ on allocations

Differing priorities between college representatives and minority delegates on campus have been revealed through recent ASMSU voting. Three Student Assembly bills passed within the past few months showed divided voting patterns lining the Council of Racial Ethnic Students (CORES) and Council of Progressive Students (COPS) against college representatives when it came to allocating money to student events and programs. "It's something I've noticed - bills are defeated along CORES and COPS lines, or passed with all the CORES and COPS," said Andrew Schepers, Student Assembly vice chairperson for internal affairs.

Area needs more Internet choices

As an East Lansing resident, I find it absurd that Comcast is the only cable Internet and television provider in the area.

U.S.: Border crossing lax for students

Customs officers are not checking the federal Internet database of information about international students as often as they should, government officials said Wednesday. According to a report released by The Chronicle of Higher Education, officials have confirmed that the initial customs officers who check foreign students at border crossings, seaports and airports do not have direct access to the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System, or SEVIS. In the report, SEVIS director Jill Drury said a secondary line of customs officers have access to the database, but they only review new students and those whose information raises suspicion. In 2001, the USA Patriot Act set aside more than $36 million for SEVIS and the Student and Exchange Visitor Program to collect and manage information about international students.

WEB ONLY: County-wide book recycling to be held Saturday

Ingham County residents can recycle old books, magazines and phone directories during a tri-county collection Saturday. The City of East Lansing is co-sponsoring the collection that will run from 8 a.m.

Campus road work to start in summer

Students and faculty are bracing for several construction projects scheduled to begin this summer on campus. The university will undergo some long-term projects that span the entire summer semester, including lane closures in front of the Main Library and the total closure of Wilson Road near Wharton Center. Jeff Kacos, director of MSU's Campus Park and Planning, said none of the projects involve actual road construction.

Earth Day concert, festival to be held in E.L.

The Dollar Nightclub, the City of East Lansing and area businesses will host an Earth Day celebration from noon to 5 p.m.

'U' readies for 4-game weekend

The MSU softball team is at a critical stage in its Big Ten season as it travels to Ohio State and Penn State for four games this weekend. "We're 3-5 in the Big Ten and we're going to play two teams that are right about where we're at, with Penn State being a little down in compared to Ohio State," head coach Jacquie Joseph said.

'U' fraternities, groups help to 'supersize' event

Musicians and athletes will combine efforts on Saturday to benefit the Ronald McDonald House of Mid-Michigan. Two MSU music fraternities, the Acafellas, 53 Feet of Brass, local band the giveaway and more than 100 runners and walkers will meet at the rock on Farm Lane for the first Rock 'n' Run 5K run/walk event. But sponsors and beneficiaries agree that this is no ordinary benefit race.

State might aid pharmacies with new bills

Lansing - Below a blinking black-and-red sign displaying the phrase, "We're glad to see you," John Rocco waited patiently Tuesday while pharmacists at the Apothecary Shop filled his prescription. Catching a glimpse of the pharmacy's owner, Rocco cheerfully greeted the man by his first name. The owner, Dan McNamara, immediately recognized his customer and returned the greeting. In an age when many people opt to get their pharmaceuticals from anonymous professionals at large chain pharmacies or by mail, such familiar pharmacist-customer relationships seem to be a rarity.

Police briefs 04/16/04