I am writing in response to the article "Provost to release blueprint" (SN 2/18). The re-envisioning of the liberal arts and sciences by Michigan State University leadership may indeed by a necessary step in keeping MSU competitive and serving of the citizens of Michigan.
Two weeks is the perfect amount of time to do a lot of things. Wimbledon, a long vacation, even a two-week seminar on something.
What is the RPI? Chances are, if you can only give me a bullcrap answer or regurgitate something you heard on ESPN sometime in the last two years, you really don't understand the system. In short, the Ratings Percentage Index looks at three things: the team's winning percentage, its strength of schedule and the strength of its opponents' schedule. The RPI can be good and bad, but the way the system works makes it unfit for selecting teams for the NCAA Tournament. Take, for example, this year's Spartans.
If there are two simple things I've learned in my three and a half years at MSU, they are that convenience and community are indelible. In order to understand where I'm headed with the ensuing tirade, I must first digress.
There are three point-valued shots in basketball: a free throw (one point), a shot anywhere inside the 3-point line (two points) and any shot beyond the 3-point line (three points). To say the Spartans like to score as many points per basket as possible is an understatement.
MSU President M. Peter McPherson spoke informally with a handful of students in an open question-and-answer forum Thursday night. Organized by the Residence Halls Association, the discussion, which McPherson called "mutually beneficial," took place in Case Hall's James Madison Library "It's as much for my education as it is for giving answers," the president said.
After a day to absorb Provost Lou Anna Simon's proposal for MSU's liberal arts reconstruction, many administrators involved say they favor the ideas while some staff members are worried about possible job cuts and class organization. Simon unveiled her plan Wednesday afternoon, which included restructuring colleges, developing new degree-based residential programs and creating a core integrated-studies program. MSU community members have a March 5 deadline to approach Simon with their ideas, alternatives and concerns about her projected blueprint. "I expect people, now that they've seen the ideas, they're going to have some reactions and then we're going to have to take some specific proposals into governance," she said, adding that she already has received suggestions since the proposal's release.
Able to excite the Izzone with a single bound. Stronger than most two guards in the country. A defensive prowess that leaves opponents stranded.
It's a good thing computers don't have feelings. College football's computerized ranking system, the BCS, was figuratively drawn and quartered when college football's national championship was split between LSU and Southern Cal. Hatred for the BCS sometimes even trumped some fans' lifelong allegiances to their favorite teams.
He grew up somewhat different than most wrestlers. Size was never to his advantage, and he had one other minor detriment. Junior wrestler Brandon Hallifield was born deaf - but no matter how hard it would be, his mother vowed he would have an ordinary childhood. "I was really determined," Diana Hallifield said.
The unabashed Larry David has done it again with help from some of his deepest, darkest, most embarrassing secrets.
What is it exactly? Resembling a shattered mirror, this jazzy frame is decorated with cut-up CDs and accented with a sparkly border.
Erik Larson, author of "The Devil in the White City," will read excerpts from his book at 12:30 p.m.
An unexpected water bill has left Crossing Place Apartments tenants scratching their heads and complex managers issuing apologies. The bill, delivered earlier this month, was the first sent to tenants since they moved in.
Discussion and the pursuit of possible legal action regarding ASMSU's election code continued Tuesday night, a day after the MSU College Democrats and the MSU College Republicans met in a lengthy special meeting. The two political groups were concerned that the MSU undergraduate student government's code limited free speech. Under the code, candidates from different colleges can't appear on the same flier or handout and requires organizations to gain permission from candidates before endorsing them. Members of ASMSU's Steering Committee, which passed the election code, reworked three sections of the bill with six members of the College Democrats and Republicans.
Professors, teaching assistants and members the Graduate Employees Union who work in the College of Arts & Letters filled Room 111 of Berkey Hall Wednesday night to discuss how the restructuring of the university will affect them. "We are here to discuss possible solutions to this problem, and how we are going to fight these budget cuts, rather than absorb them," said GEU president Scott Henkel. Philosophy, history and religious studies will be moved to the College of Social Science, which will be renamed as College of Social, Behavioral and Economic Sciences.
If you've ever wanted to ask President M. Peter McPherson a question, here's your chance. No topic is off-limits.
Place: Crunchy's, 254 W. Grand River Ave. More information: (517) 351-2506. Hours: 11 a.m.- 2 a.m., seven days a week Beers on tap: Arcadia Starboard Stout, Widmer Heferweizen, Bell's Amber Ale, New Holland Paleooza, Bell's Winter White Ale, Arcadia London Porter, Rogue Dead Guy Ale, Arcadia Nut Brown, Arcadia Scotch Ale, Arcadia ESB, Bell's Two-Hearted Ale, New Holland Raspberry Cider, Pete's Strawberry Blonde, New Holland Sundog Amber Ale, Bass, Newcastle, Guinness, Killian's Irish Red, Labatt, Miller. Atmosphere: Sports bar-esque.
Whatever girl it was that broke Jason Stollsteimer's heart really did a number. It hurt so bad, I felt it too.
The possible transfer of MSU's College of Human Medicine to Grand Rapids could severely impact the region's economy and health care services, a group of Mid-Michigan leaders say. East Lansing Mayor Mark Meadows and Lansing Mayor Tony Benavides are among the group of constituents who formed the Lansing-area Executive Response Team, which met in Lansing City Hall on Wednesday.