Record votes by students decide future of 'U' groups

ASMSU's elections last week drew a record number of voters to the polls. About 4,900 students voted on MSU's undergraduate student government tax referendum. About 1,400 students cast ballots in 2002. A bill to increase the undergraduate student government's base tax by 75 cents was approved by 937 votes. ASMSU officials said they are excited the initiative was well-received by students. "They think we're doing a good job," said Missy Kushlak, Student Assembly vice-chairperson for internal affairs. The increase will mainly go toward a scholarship endowment which would assist students who can't afford to attend MSU because of a possible increase in tuition. The remainder of the money will be distributed to various groups within the organization. Students also approved the renewal of the Residence Halls Association's $21 tax and a $3 tax for the Impact WDBM (88.9-FM) student radio. But the result of the $5 Eco tax initiative, which would pay for renewable energy sources for University Farms, has not been disclosed because the required number of voters is still in question. When a new fee is introduced by student governments, such as the case of the $5 tax, university rules require more than 50 percent of undergraduate students to vote on the issue.

Kicking the habit harder than it seems

Make no mistake, I love smoking. Love. I love it. I've been kissing a Camel every night before I go to bed and every morning when I wake up for, well, a long time now.

Rock climber ready for any weather

With the sun beaming down on Jeremy Yeates' face he intricately climbed his way up a vertical sandstone cliff breathing in fresh air with every move."This time of year is my favorite," said The Outdoors Club co-president and supply chain management senior.Yeates has been out climbing at The Ledges in Grand Ledge's Oak Park almost every day this week and says he loves to climb outdoors keeping it a mysterious adventure as to where his next move will be since grips blend in with the rock.But Yeates is prepared for Michigan weather to do a 180 degree turn, putting a brief stop to climbing outdoors and reverting to inside climbing.For more on your indoor/outdoor plans this weekend check out the lowdown in The State News or www.statenews.com/lowdown.

Supporting war, then turning a blind eye to it doesn't work

They wanted war and now they don't want to face its horror. America's warmongers make me sick to my stomach.

Lorbek leading balanced attack

Freshman forward Erazem Lorbek can now make three additions to his résumé - Buffalo tamer, Gator slayer and blissfully aloof hero of MSU's first two NCAA Tournament games. The soft-spoken Ljubljana, Slovenia, native has quietly helped MSU past No.

Lawmakers call on universities to hold down cost

State lawmakers announced a plan today indented to ensure that Michigan's 15 public universities are working to remain affordable and avoid tuition increases.The House Higher Education Policy Committee will conduct public hearings with Michigan's state universities in the next few months.The committee will use the testimonies to determine what the institutions are doing to keep costs down, as well as retain students and increase graduation rates.One out of every four dollars in the state's general fund goes to higher education, chair of the committee, Rep.

Graffiti expresses war opinions

East Lansing walls, windows and doors are evolving into loudspeakers for opinions about the war with Iraq these days. Before the first bombs dropped on Baghdad, war demonstrators began painting their feelings on the outside of Grand River Avenue businesses.

From the archives, 1979: MSU dumps Indiana again

Editor's Note: The following story was originally printed in The State News on Feb. 16, 1979.

Comley says Renfrew will fill need for full-time goalie coach

Troy Ferguson's mind-set is shifting from body checks to books. Ferguson played his final hockey game for MSU in a 7-5 loss to Northern Michigan on Thursday.

Paying the cost

As if the price of American lives wasn't already too much to pay for the Bush administration's war with Iraq, now the president is asking Congress for billions of dollars the country doesn't have to finance the endeavor. President Bush is seeking $74.7 billion as a down payment for the war with Iraq.

Police briefs 03/26/03

Iraq war isn't over oil, despite belief

This letter is a response to all the anti-war demonstrations and letters pinpointing oil as President Bush's reason for declaring war on Iraq. Using oil as Bush's purpose for declaring war is a very cheap way to find a reason to be against the war. Iraq supplies about 5 percent of the world's oil.

Lighting up

The bright lights of the convenience store are finally in sight as you conspicuously begin to dig through your pockets for any spare change.

Agri-vating

With many worries of terrorism flooding Americans' minds every day, the people of MSU do not need to dwell on the phenomenon known as agri-terrorism.

Former Brazilian president lectures

The United States should have waited two or three weeks for approval from the U.N. Security Council before attacking Iraq, former Brazilian President Fernando Henrique Cardoso said Monday night."It's a very delicate situation and I'm not the president of the United States," Cardoso said, addressing a crowd of more than 500 at Wharton Center's Pasant Theatre.It would have been "terrible" if the United States, the United Kingdom and Spain had proceeded to strike Iraq with disapproval from the council, he said.A resolution asking the U.N.

ASMSU supports 'U' divestment

In a battle of words, both on and off paper, ASMSU passed a bill supporting the Coalition for Social Responsibility's divestment suggestions to the MSU Board of Trustees.The group maintains MSU has violated its own investment policy by investing in companies which do not show social conscience.

Domestic violence shelter sponsors 5K

MSU Safe Place will hold its annual "Race for the Place" 5K run, walk and wheel at 1 p.m. April 13 on campus.

Blaze displaces residents

A set of keys, a pair of glasses and a wedding ring are some of the items Kathryn Rennells left behind when fire engulfed the third floor of her Haslett apartment building early Tuesday morning. The fire began on the upper level of the three-story, 24-unit building at about 1 a.m.

Student wins $30K award

When Jared English was contacted and told to proceed immediately to MSU President M. Peter McPherson's office on Friday, he thought he was in trouble.He didn't, however, think he was going to be notified he won a $30,000 scholarship."How often are you called into the president's office?" said English, an international relations and finance senior and ASMSU's Academic Assembly director of university, governmental and budgetary affairs.

Budget cuts force board to close Spartan Village

Spartan Village Elementary School's doors will not open next fall after nearly 50 years of educating East Lansing children.The East Lansing School Board approved 5-2 the closure of Spartan Village Elementary on Monday, which is on the MSU campus, and the reorganization of the additional six elementary schools.