SARS fears cause concern over summer admissions

International students coming from SARS-affected regions will not be turned away from MSU's summer programs, MSU officials say. "We have no blanket policies about this other than screening those who are coming from SARS areas," said MSU spokesperson Terry Denbow. The epidemic known as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, or SARS, caused the University of California Berkeley to initially deny summer admission to more than 500 international students from China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Singapore.

3 City Council spots open for election

The deadline to run for East Lansing City Council is quickly approaching, but only two applicants have applied for the three available positions. City Clerk Sharon Reid said while at least eight people have picked up petitions, only two incumbent council members have turned them in.

Season-ticket costs higher in some sections

Spartan fans might have a difficult time finding cheap seats in Spartan Stadium this season. On Friday, the MSU Board of Trustees voted unanimously to adopt the Scholarship Seating Plan, which benefits the Ralph Young Fund.

Let them play

The latest news for University of Michigan's basketball team is anything but fabulous for its program, players and fans.

Lorbek picks NBA, leaves team early

The MSU men's basketball team lost its fourth underclassman in three years Friday when freshman forward Erazem Lorbek announced he would forego his remaining collegiate eligibility and enter the NBA Draft. A meeting with his father in Hamburg, Germany, last weekend resulted in Lorbek signing with the SFX Sports Group, rendering him ineligible to return to the Spartan squad. "When I came home, my dad brought up the idea," Lorbek said in a statement.

McPherson leaves 'U' for Iraq

When MSU President M. Peter McPherson accepted the position as financial coordinator for the Office of Reconstruction and Humanitarian Assistance in Iraq, he knew it wouldn't be "a cake walk." "When they asked for information to put on my dog tag, I knew this wouldn't be a trip to the Bahamas," McPherson said.

Listening Ear rebuilds after embezzlement

Even through the scandal of a $13,000 embezzlement, the Listening Ear Crisis Intervention Center will continue its work serving the Greater Lansing community.In early April, the Listening Ear suspected their office manager was using the organization's credit card for personal use.

State legislators closer to handing down higher ed cuts

Public universities in Michigan might see varying cuts in funding under a budget proposal approved by a higher education subcommittee in the state House on Wednesday.

Ceremony officially opens third floor

One woman's generosity and vision has resulted in a 12,000 square-foot expansion of the International Center. Okemos resident and MSU alumna Delia Koo contributed the largest donation to the university by an international alumna and the largest donation ever to the international studies program, according to Charles Webb, MSU vice president for University Development.

Breaking out

Without warning, Karl Hedderich springs abruptly from his chair and begins dancing. Although no music is playing, Hedderich does a windmill - flipping onto his hands, pushing his feet up in the air and spinning his body around, using his palms to balance on the floor of the Temple Club, 500 E.

Officers pass cycle school finals

MSU police Officer Shaun Mills rides his motorcycle with precision around small orange cones on one of the hardest courses a rider can be tested on.Scoring 98 percent on his final exam, Mills has just graduated Police Motorcycle Operator Training, a program run by MSU's Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering.As program instructor, Doug Wolfe handed Mills his graduation certificate he made mention of Mills high score and stopping ability."Mr. balanced stop," Wolfe said.

Patriot Act far from patriotic

Imagine a society where free speech is just a mere phrase with little significance. Imagine a society where people are incarcerated simply on suspicion, with no evidence of wrongdoing.

Dorm dilemma

Following recent lavish housing upgrades in residential halls, the MSU Board of Trustees decided Friday to increase housing costs by 6 percent for the 2003-04 academic year. The increased costs come during a questionable time, as the university recently spent $12 million on new amenities in Shaw Hall - hexagonal sink islands, garbage disposals, motion-sensor lights, automatic flushing toilets, shower changing stalls and, of course, hot tubs. A student living in a double-occupancy room with a 15-meal food plan in the fall will pay $5,230 instead of the $4,932 price expected when he or she signed up in the spring semester.

'U' faces funding cuts, tuition hikes

At her first meeting as interim president, Provost Lou Anna Simon addressed MSU's monetary situation as a state budget crisis has forced the university to prepare for massive cutbacks and possible tuition increases. As the legislature makes its final decision on state appropriations for public universities, MSU could face up to a 6.75-percent funding cut. To manage about a $60 million funding cut, the university will continue to trim department budgets, Simon said. "This is certainly a challenge to the university in terms of quality," she said. Simon cited the cancellation of 12 academic programs and 17 moratoriums, including those taken on by the Department of Audiology and Speech Sciences as part of cutbacks which have already occurred at MSU. Restructuring employment will continue to be a part of dealing with a decrease in state funding, Simon said.

Life is easier for men than their female counterparts

"The only way to treat a woman is to make love to her if she is pretty, and to not if she is plain." This absurd quote, from the hilarious play "The Importance of Being Earnest" by Oscar Wilde, somehow found its way into my head this weekend.

Sports briefs

Burleigh, Fouch earn all-Big Ten honors Two Spartans captured conference recognition following the 2003 Big Ten Women's Golf Championships on April 25-27 in Iowa City. Freshman Dayna Burleigh took top honors, snagging Big Ten Freshman of the Year accolades and junior Allison Fouch was an all-conference second-team selection. Burleigh, who finished 16th at the conference tourney with a four-round score of 305, became just the third Spartan in club history to receive the honor. Fouch found a spot on the conference's second team after carding a 303 through four rounds for a 10th-place finish at the Big Ten championships.

Police briefs 05/12/03

U-M sanctioned by NCAA

Michigan's basketball team was restricted from the next postseason last Thursday by the NCAA for violations involving former booster Ed Martin paying Wolverine basketball players during the 1990s.Although the university placed a self-imposed ban on the men's basketball team from appearing in the NCAA Tournament last season, the NCAA infractions committee deemed the penalty "meaningful," but not enough.

Bernero leans toward joining mayoral race

State Sen. Virg Bernero, D-Lansing said he is "seriously thinking about running" for Lansing mayor. "I am moving closer to a decision, I am leaning toward running," he said.While Bernero has not filed an application with the city yet, he is expected to publicly confirm his decision today.

Dancers break it down at the Temple

The East Lansing break dancing scene got a boost Saturday night when break-dancer and East Lansing resident Karl Hedderich hosted a competition at the Temple Club.Bringing together a group of dancers from all over the state, the event served as a positive environment for break-dancers in the area."Some people think B-boys and B-girls are no good and don't do anything, but this is something they really love," said Ryan Abenes, host for the event.