Women's crew does not receive credit

I'm writing regarding your "Spring Fling" article (SN 4/4), in which you profiled spring sports here at MSU.

Teams shouldn't get punishment

This is in response to Omar Ahmad's letter to the editor concerning the banning of any NCAA sports teams from postseason play if their school is involved in a "riot" ("Teams should incur punishment for riots" SN 4/4). I've heard a lot of less than good ideas thrown around in the opinion sections, but this has to be one of the worst yet.

Spartans overpower conference leaders

Although it was as cold as the middle of winter, the bats of the MSU softball team were scorching Sunday. The Spartans (24-9 overall, 4-1 Big Ten) tallied 12 hits, including three home runs as they trounced Big Ten-leading Iowa 7-1 at Old College Field.

Take it to task

Unfortunately, racism is still rearing its ugly head today, as we have seen on campus this past school year. Fortunately, though, a new committee is being created to combat this problem: the All-University Diversity Task Force. The task force will be made up of students, officials and community leaders and will meet four times a year to help bring diverse groups together and create discussion leading toward action that will ease tensions on campus concerning race-related problems. Hopefully, when this committee is put together, it can help heal the wounds left from incidents such as the racist flier in Shaw Hall and the mannequin head debacle.

Students enter Survivor-like contest

Patio lights, fog and a fake orange flame illuminated the North Case Hall study lounge Saturday night as seven students received bamboo torches, said last words to their friends and prepared to live a week without beds, television or showers.Castaways 2, a program similar to the television show "Survivor," began this weekend in Case Hall.

SARS ends, moves abroad programs

MSU officials canceled one study abroad program and diverted another to Europe on Friday in response to a deadly global virus centered in Asia.The business studies program in China was postponed for a year and another business program in Thailand and Singapore was transferred to Scandinavia, said Kathleen Fairfax, director of the Office of Study Abroad.Both original study sites are designated as highly affected by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, or SARS.SARS is an emerging infectious disease that is likely caused by a new coronavirus, a group of germs known to cause respiratory illnesses such as the common cold.

Night receptionists work hard for 'U'

I am offended to hear, from a student, that night receptionists don't take our jobs seriously ("Dorm security recommendations set" SN 4/3). If you ever stayed up with night receptionists, you would understand how seriously we take our jobs.

Capitol Update

Smallpox vaccinations might contribute to heart disease Michigan Department of Community Health officials advise Michigan health departments and hospitals to suspend smallpox vaccinations clinics. Dr. David Johnson, chief medical executive for the department, said the suspension is due to concerns about smallpox vaccinations leading to heart disease. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention vaccinated about 25,000 people nationwide, including 375 Michigan residents since February.

Journalists, educator to enter Hall of Fame

The Michigan Journalism Hall of Fame will add three new names to its list of honorees. Jane Briggs-Bunting, Lawrence Mack and Robert McGruder were selected by the Hall of Fame committee and will be inducted Saturday. Briggs-Bunting is a journalism professor at Oakland University and an adviser to The Oakland Post.

ACLU concerned about riot suspensions

Twenty-two people allegedly involved in the March 28-30 disturbances have now been arraigned in 54-B District Court. But as the university looks to suspend more students involved in the celebration and riot, the American Civil Liberties Union is questioning whether the university is acting responsibly. The university temporarily suspended two students for actions following two MSU basketball games.

Sluggers earn split in wintry weather

Offense was hard to come by at a frigid Kobs Field on Sunday afternoon as the MSU baseball team split a low-scoring doubleheader with Northwestern.The Spartans (7-18 overall, 1-5 Big Ten) won the opener 3-2, picking up their first league victory of the season.

Stanton strictly striving for success on gridiron

Letting go of a first love is extremely difficult.MSU quarterback Drew Stanton had to decide on his first love - baseball - or a great opportunity - to be the starting quarterback for MSU in the fall."I'd love to be able to play baseball," he said.

Police briefs 04/07/03

Sports briefs

Tennis tea drops 4th straight match, 5-2 The MSU women's tennis team fell to Indiana 5-2 Saturday in Bloomington, Ind.

Local artists enjoy friendly battle

If no one had fired the first shot at the battle of Lexington-Concord to start the American Revolution, one might think we'd all be living in a big, boring English country.

Group revels first year with Fiesta

About 200 students and faculty danced the cha-cha during Fiesta La Casa, a celebration of the Spanish-language organization La Casa's first year on campus. The third floor of McDonel Hall is known as La Casa, a living and learning community of students interested in Latin American culture.

Melee coverage glorifies events

Most people agree that the riots were a negative end to a remarkable performance by our men's basketball team in the NCAA tournament.

Greek Week raises $62K

The money is pouring in.To date, Greek Week activities sponsored by the Interfraternity and Panhellenic councils have raised about $62,000 to support Relay For Life, Area 8 Special Olympics and the Make-A-Wish Foundation."I'm surprised," assistant director of Greek Week Christina Cybulla said.

ASMSU officials discuss riots, war with Iraq

Addressing resolutions on the war with Iraq and the March 31 riots, members of ASMSU got down to business Tuesday.The meeting was the first for the 12th session of MSU's undergraduate student government's Academic Assembly.Some members of the assembly feel there is a need for open dialogue about war-related events at MSU, but the destruction of public and private property has "no place in an academic setting," according to the first bill.Since the start of the conflict in Iraq, activists have taken their stance on the walls and stalls of bathrooms around campus as well as the outside of Gap, 435 E.

Week features LBGT issues

Pride Week begins today, with a host of activities that seek to educate and entertain the MSU community about lesbian, bisexual, gay and transgendered issues.The week is sponsored by the MSU Alliance of Lesbian-Bi-Gay-Transgendered and Straight Ally Students."The week is a chance for the community to concentrate our efforts on a few big events," alliance Chairwoman Natalie Furrow said.