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NEWS

King's message of equality, civil rights extends globally

Don Jordan
January 16, 2004

While people across the nation celebrate the memory of Martin Luther King Jr. this weekend, some members of the MSU community look back at the role they played in the struggle against global inequality. A decade after the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., the MSU community began a crusade to fight segregation in the nation of South Africa. In 1978, as a boycott of South African policies, the MSU Board of Trustees became the first in the nation to totally divest in companies' operation in South Africa. The action was the result of years of campaigning, including efforts by the local Southern Africa Liberation Committee, a group formed in 1972 to promote democracy and human rights in Southern African nations. "In many ways, the anti-apartheid movement among American universities really started at MSU," said David Wiley, a committee member and director of the African Studies Center at MSU. In 1948, South Africa's white Afrikaner Nationalist party introduced the policy of apartheid with the purpose of separating races.

COMMENTARY

Scientists use more facts than faith

This letter is in response to "Scientists base claims on faith, too". While I agree there is no concrete evidence that proves evolution, to say that evolutionists have a lot less to base their faith on then creationists is very illogical. What exactly is there that supports creationism?

NEWS

Community Crops

Laura Collins
January 16, 2004

The opportunity to meet the farmer who planted, cultivated and harvested the ingredients in any given salad bowl is not usually feasible at a large grocery store. But through the MSU Student Organic Farm, this one-on-one relationship between farmer and consumer is always a reality. The farm, where students and faculty grow a variety of vegetables, is a year-round, grant-funded organization located in the back of the Horticulture Teaching and Research Center. "It brings research, teaching and outreach all to one place, all in one project," horticulture Professor John Biernbaum said.

NEWS

Veto on abortion contested

Tara May
January 16, 2004

Abortion opponents launched a petition drive to overturn Gov. Jennifer Granholm's veto of legislation that would restrict partial-birth abortions. Right to Life of Michigan is spearheading the campaign.

COMMENTARY

Democrats have gotten the word out

"Voting ease" intrigued me because the subtitle "Convenient online voting gives MSU students no excuse not to vote in Democratic caucus" expressed my feelings on the issue perfectly.

NEWS

Ready & able

Agnes Soriano
January 15, 2004

It was the first class of the spring semester, beginning sharply at 8 a.m. Instead of tired eyes and mass silence, students curiously flipped through American Sign Language books and chatted with friends in the Erickson Hall Kiva. As Lynn Duckwall, professor of American Sign Language, walked in the room, heads turned and the class quieted down. Duckwall didn't notice the change in volume. Duckwall, who is deaf, has taught at MSU for more than a decade.

MICHIGAN

Granholm: More cuts for next fiscal year

Alessa Thomas
January 15, 2004

Lansing - Gov. Jennifer Granholm said there will be no further cuts for the remainder of the fiscal year, but her outlook for next year is grim. The governor, along with state Treasurer Jay Rising, held a press conference Wednesday that addressed state revenue estimates for fiscal year 2004-05. "My guess is that this is the smallest budget in decades," Granholm said.

COMMENTARY

Ballot blues

How long must a piece of policy be enforced before it becomes a sedentary chunk of the status quo? Is there a statute of limitations on the pulse of popular American forethought?

COMMENTARY

Fiscal fixes

Just like contestants on the popular television show "Extreme Makeover," Snyder-Phillips Hall will receive its own facelift in 2005. While re-guts, nips and tucks for residence halls are an important part of making them more attractive to prospective students, MSU officials should remember that in the midst of a budget crisis, fiscal responsibility is extremely important when renovating. We don't need another Shaw Hall equipped with whirlpools and state-of-the-art dorm furniture.