Group voices discontent about power -plant expansion

Students, faculty and energy specialists gathered Tuesday night to discuss alternatives to a recent MSU Board of Trustees proposal to enlarge the campus power plant with a $30 million expansion. Members of Eco, a student environmental group, organized the panel discussion after expressing discontent with not being consulted about the board's decision. "We're just trying to find the best choices for the MSU campus and get those ideas out there," said Amy Gregory, a general science education senior and Eco coordinator. Yvonne Wood, a zoology sophomore and Eco member, said she thought the board rushed its decision. "It seemed like they wanted to vote on it and get it over with so no one could give them a hard time about it," she said. At its last meeting of the fall semester, the MSU Board of Trustees passed a proposal to spend $30 million on renovations to the Simon Power Plant. Much of the money would be spent to convert coal power to natural gas, which is more expensive but cleaner, said Bob Ellerhorst, a panel speaker and the director of utilities and waste management at MSU.

Bank robbed, suspect flees

East Lansing police are searching for a suspect following an early morning robbery at a bank on Grand River Avenue, marking the fourth time the branch has been targeted in less than five years. Police said a man walked into Citizens Bank, 1331 E.

Kerry: Bush tax cuts hurt students

Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry says the results of the 2004 election will rest heavily on the shoulders of young people.During a brief campus tour, Kerry participated in a 20-minute conference call Tuesday with about 130 student reporters from across the country.Kerry began the call with a few comments about college affordability, stating that over the past three years, college tuition has steadily increased, and more than 220,000 young people have been "priced out of college" this year."As everyone knows, the current administration has made its own fundamental choice, which has been to cut taxes for the wealthiest Americans," he said.

Police briefs 04/14/04

Housing ordinance discriminatory to 'U'

It is hard for students to come together with the East Lansing City Council when ordinances such as 1035C are passed.

Curry, liquor combination shouldn't worry E.L. City Council

Hey, I have an idea. Let's get drunk and eat expensive curry! Once again, the perennial jumping beans in the East Lansing City Council have found a new venue in which to express horror and distress.

Judge's decision causes confusion

Officials from the Michigan Civil Rights Initiative have conflicting information relating to the future of its petition drive after an Ingham County Circuit Court judge ruled against the petition's language last month.The organization is petitioning to outlaw race and gender preference practices at state public institutions through a state constitutional amendment.Leonard Schwartz, treasurer for the organization, announced yesterday in the Libertarian Party of Michigan's online newsletter that the petition drive would be suspended indefinitely."After careful consideration of the situation, MCRI decided that continuing the petition drive now would be a waste of time and money," Schwartz said in the statement.

Track and field team to spend week in Calif.

The MSU men's track and field team heads west to compete in two events this week. The Spartans will compete in the 46th Annual Mt.

Harsher penalties for MIPs signed into law

Underage drinkers caught with alcohol in their systems could now face jail time for their actions.Gov.

ASMSU funds Indian show

In a move applauded by some representatives and deemed "shady" by others, ASMSU's Student Assembly passed a bill giving $9,000 to support the Indian culture show Satrang. In a lengthy debate Thursday night, some representatives were concerned that Satrang, which is produced by an affiliate of the Asian Pacific American Student Organization, should have gone through ASMSU's Programming Board for the money. "APASO was not willing to represent its own members," said Rob Huber, Student Assembly representative for the group.

Seasonal duck feedings need to stop, or else

I love spring. The weather warms up from the frigid frost we lived in for months, flowers begin to bud beautifully, animals - and humans - start to mate like crazy and people seem to be a few notches happier than they were five weeks ago.

Doctor's hours

Some days, Dr. Kristofer Dosh is grateful to see dawn come. After working all night at Lansing's Sparrow Hospital, the second-year medical resident knows he'll soon be able to crawl into bed. Other days, Dosh hears his alarm and knows the light of day means another long, grueling schedule.

Bill might make sharing files a felony

Some federal lawmakers are working to toughen the penalties for people who use Internet file sharing to build their music collections. U.S.

New Releases

BLUES"When You Rock and Roll," Marvin Jackson, Collector/White Blues guitarist Marvin Jackson has appeared on albums by well-known blues artists such as Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble and Albert Collins.

Greek bands battle for charity

A bassist in a penguin suit was a member of the first team to perform, greeting a sea of glow necklaces, air horns, flashlights, whistles and noisemakers. Twelve teams of fraternities and sororities formed bands and competed in a Battle of the Bands, the latest event in the Greek Week lineup. A maximum of 10 team members but at least one from each team, was required to be on stage.

'Plan B' right decision for The Hot Flashez

Normally, I wouldn't like a semi-pop/punk band such as The Hot Flashez, solely for the reason that the genre makes me want to spew.

Alumni Association to host 'Day for Women'

The MSU Alumni Association will host a day-long program celebrating women and diversity Thursday. "Kaleidoscope: A Day for Women" will feature keynote speakers Ruby Dee and Ossie Davis, entertainers and social activists who met on Broadway in the 1946 production of "Jeb." Both have appeared in productions such as "A Raisin in the Sun" and "Roots." The program will begin at 8 a.m.

Crash course

In August 2002, Indy Racing League driver Richie Hearn crashed during a race at Kentucky Speedway. After his car made contact with another racer, Hearn was sent into the wall.

Definite saving needed for Disney's 'The Alamo'

Oh, man! A modern, revisionist history account of the Alamo. All where a small group of Texans stood their ground against a Mexican army of thousands. Sounds good.

Degree Navigator remodeled for 'U'

Students and advisers might have an easier time organizing class schedules and evaluating degree standing with a recent computer tool upgrade. The Degree Navigator program has been revamped from a setup of colored blocks of separate requirements to a complete text list including degree and university requirements. Degree Navigator 4 was made available at the end of February and is slowly making its way into university advising appointments. The large difference between the new and old systems, associate registrar Roberta Kelley said, is the visual layout.