Friday, June 26, 2026

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NEWS

Tuition hikes could be in 5th-year students' futures

MSU is joining other schools in the country as they examine programs that would reduce graduation time, such as block tuition and tuition increases for fifth-year students. While discussions at MSU are in the preliminary stage, MSU President M.

COMMENTARY

SN off on protest participant numbers

The State News inaccurately reported the attendance of 200 participants in Saturday's peace rally at the Capitol ("200 protest on war anniversary" SN 3/22). In fact, there were 200 participants from the Detroit group Michigan Emergency Committee Against War in Iraq alone. I took part in the march and the rally and workshops that followed. There were more than 100 from the Greater Lansing Network Against War & Injustice participants (others traveled to a demonstration in Chicago), 200 demonstrators came from Detroit and about 150 Direct Action members organized an independent march that merged with the main march before arriving at the Capitol.

MSU

RHA wins awards at annual conference

MSU's Residence Halls Association came home with some hardware from the Michigan Organization of Residence Hall Associations conference held over spring break. RHA won the Focus on Diversity Award and the Best Banner in the large school category.

MSU

ASMSU polls open despite slight setbacks

The polls must go on for ASMSU elections, which began today at 7 a.m. after technical troubles and paperwork confusion. Last spring, about 15 percent of undergraduate students participated in the election - the highest voter turnout ever. To continue to improve participation, members of MSU's undergraduate student government have been working this week to increase awareness of the elections. Director of Constituent Activism Dave Whitehurst didn't begin heavy promotions of the elections until Sunday.

FEATURES

Songwriting legend brings 'connection' to 'U'

So, why exactly are there so many songs about rainbows and just what is on the other side? Allow Paul Williams, the man behind the words to "Rainbow Connection" and countless other children's and adult contemporary hits, to tell you tonight at Wharton Center. Williams has had a profound effect on American children and adults throughout his three-decade career, though his name alone probably doesn't ring a bell for most 20-somethings. His lyrics for tunes such as "Evergreen" and "We've Only Just Begun" have gained him recognition as one of the best songwriters of all time.

MICHIGAN

Report: State property tax could 'cripple' East Lansing

East Lansing falls into the ranks of municipalities being financially "crippled" by state tax systems, according to a report released Tuesday by the Michigan Municipal League. Under the state's General Property Tax Act, municipalities must roll back millage rates when property values go up in a city, thereby decreasing their yearly revenue. The league argues in its report that cities are being penalized for growing and succeeding. "All Michigan cities are on a conveyer belt to crisis," said Summer Minnick, a lobbyist with the Michigan Municipal League.

FEATURES

'Eternal' could have shined if it trimmed fat, redundancies

Thank God for Charlie Kaufman. The mad-scientist screenwriter behind "Being John Malkovich," "Adaptation" and "Confessions of a Dangerous Mind" easily is among the most creative forces in Hollywood, combining intricate storytelling with bizarre quirks to make utterly different, yet subversively clever parables.

MSU

'U' council OKs changes

The Academic Council approved a number of changes to academic policy during its Tuesday meeting, including allowing students to take as many credit/no-credit classes per semester as they wish. The University Committee on Academic Policy proposed a change in the credit/no credit policy and it was approved by the council.

COMMENTARY

Take lesson from the Germans, relax

This letter is in response to Evan Rondeau's concerns about people not working ("Work ethic replaced with longer lunch breaks, leaving early" SN 3/19). As far as his observations go, he is not in error.

MICHIGAN

New state legislation looks to minimize distractions to drivers

A host of bills aimed to limit distractions to Michigan drivers currently is before the state Legislature. Motorists who drive with an animal in their laps might face penalties if one bill in the Legislature becomes law. Another bill, before a state House committee, would make it illegal to breast-feed while operating a vehicle, and a third seeks to add points to a motorist's license if cell phone use is found to be the cause of an accident. Although each piece of legislation limits different activities, legislators say the underlying purpose is clear: to cut down on the amount of distracting activities people can perform while driving. "The only thing behind this bill is safety," said Arika Pearlman, an aide to Rep.

COMMENTARY

Stance on same-sex marriage needed

This is in response to East Lansing Mayor Mark Meadows' remark that the East Lansing City Council is not planning to oppose the amendment against gay marriage, "It would be commenting on something that doesn't directly affect city government." How did passing a resolution to recognize "Bible Week" and "Church/State Separation Week" last fall affect city government more than passing a resolution regarding an issue that will supposedly affect one of our most sacred institutions?

MSU

Stage & Screen

With her one-week deadline quickly approaching and a New York University film school professor breathing down her neck, Meagan Stockemer threw together a two-minute short for a summer film class.