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MSU

Official brings creativity, diversity to work

The office of the first black electrical engineering doctorate in the nation reveals little about his colorful past.One of the only distinguishing features in Percy Pierre's office in the Engineering Building is his dry-erase board, useful for recording ideas and making plans.This balance of creativity and sensible planning is what has helped this vice president for research and graduate studies for the College of Engineering in his commitment to innovatively solving problems."One of my best friends in grad school was an artist," Pierre said.

MICHIGAN

Protest calls budget cuts 'death' of 'U'

Lansing - Placing two human-sized green coffins on the Capitol steps during a rally Thursday afternoon, students, administrators and lawmakers sent a message to legislators about proposed budget cuts to MSU. Chanting "No more cuts at MSU" and displaying dozens of placards, the crowd, spearheaded by the Coalition of Labor Organizations, marched down Michigan Avenue to the Capitol to protest what they call the looming "death of Michigan State." "It's very realistic, truth be told," Scott Henkel, president of the Graduate Employees Union, said.

NEWS

Kucinich talks Iraq, trade at E.L. stop

Brian Charlton
December 5, 2003

Quickly pacing through the rows of lively supporters, Dennis Kucinich made sure the East Lansing crowd knew he's the only Democratic presidential candidate with a plan to remove the troops from Iraq.Briefly stopping at the Hannah Community Center, 819 Abbott Road, on Thursday, Kucinich addressed a crowd of more than 200 people, ranging from college students to senior citizens.

MSU

Kerry's daughter visits 'U'

A presidential candidate's daughter told students Tuesday they should take a look at all of the candidates and decide who can do the best job, rather than cheering for front-runners in the Democratic race.Vanessa Kerry, who is the daughter of presidential hopeful Sen.

COMMENTARY

Winners & Losers

A lot went down in 2003, from Operation Iraqi Freedom to our own university president heading off to Baghdad to rebuild the country's economy.

NEWS

Board ponders midyear tuition increase

Amy Bartner
December 5, 2003

The MSU Board of Trustees passed a resolution Friday not to increase tuition in Spring 2004 if the state holds appropriation cuts at 3 percent or less. But even the 3 percent cuts would be harsh on the university, which has had most of the fat carved from its budget during the state's $920 million budget shortfall, university officials said. Fred Poston, vice president for finance and operations, said the university already has had to eliminate 19 academic programs. "For us, there isn't anything else to carve out," he said, adding that the resolution acts as "an offering" to the state.

COMMENTARY

Nobody is prepared to enter Spartan Country

Though few gray threads weave through his hair, my father, a model product of the 1950s' school of thought, sat me down on the eve of my departure to this university four years ago. "Kevin, you're going to experience and witness new things in college," he said from beneath his serious brow.

NEWS

Harassment stems from finals-week screaming

Steve Eder
December 5, 2003

To release the stress of exams, students have screamed from their dorm room windows and gathered outside at midnight during finals week for more than a decade.But in recent years, there is increasing concern that loud outdoor gatherings of hundreds of students in south complex are the source of sexual harassment and intimidation."What was originally intended to relieve stress - to go out and yell as loud as you can and get it out - we now also see the ongoing targeting and harassment of students," said Rick Shafer, associate director of residence life.

NEWS

Job market loosens for December graduates

Allison Lucy  and  Meghan Gilbert
December 5, 2003

As Saturday's commencement ceremonies approach for 2,585 MSU seniors, the job market could be slightly less intimidating for students prepared to enter the real world. Of the 450 respondents to the MSU national college employment survey, performed by the Career Services & Placement Collegiate Employment Research Institute, 86 percent listed the market in the fair to good range.

MICHIGAN

Rep. takes maternity leave

Brian Charlton
December 5, 2003

When Gov. Jennifer Granholm's executive order balancing a $920-million shortfall in the state budget is presented to state Senate and House appropriations committees next week, East Lansing will be without its chief advocate.At least in person.State Rep.