State budget cuts target Life Sciences Corridor

MSU researchers searching for grant money will face tougher competition for money after Gov. Jennifer Granholm slashed $12.5 million from Michigan's Life Sciences Corridor last week. The money - which lowers the year's total available grant money to $32.5 million - will be used to help offset the state's $158 general fund deficit. "It's too early to tell what specific effect it will have except to say we have less money to work with," said Paul Krepps, a spokesman for the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, which administers the life sciences initiative. Grants won't be awarded until May and the program is meanwhile reviewing proposals from 69 applicants - 10 of whom are affiliated with the university. For more on this story please see Tuesday's edition of The State News.

Donors may have to pay more for better seating

MSU officials are looking to give the best seats in Spartan Stadium to the top money donors, however, Athletics Director Ron Mason said student seating will likely be untouched.Under the plan, fans that pay more money would get seats closer to the 50-yard line for football games.

Homeland security

I am writing in response to the editorial "Nothing to fear," (SN 2/21). This opinion piece demonstrates many of the problems inherent in the way some people view security and homeland security specifically.

Local bands come together for cause

Jackson - Though Saturday's severe weather and extreme temperatures left many empty seats at Michigan Theatre, bands were still jammin' and fans still having a good time supporting local bands. MSU sociology junior Courtney Sunzeri, who came to support her fiancé Joe Antonelli, lead guitarist for East Lansing-based LeGusta, said it was cool to see the project come together. "The audience reaction is wonderful," Sunzeri said, stressing the importance of supporting local artists. "I love live music," she said.

Proceeds to help restore Theatre

Jackson - Ten years after being rescued from a long-standing state of decay and neglect, Jackson's Michigan Theatre is on the right track to restoration. Some walls still lack paint or plaster and many of the 1,500 seats need replacement, but during the past 12 months, the 73-year-old structure has proved itself a diamond in the rough. "I think the whole community is behind the idea of bringing the old girl back to what she used to be," said Bob Moles, executive director of the theater.

Enthusiasm can't make up for cast's lack of direction

Getting the audience involved in the production was one of the better parts about "Night of January 16." The Lansing Civic Players, putting on the play at the Hannah Community Center, 819 Abbott Road, definitely have enthusiasm, but the energy its members put into its performances could have used a little more direction.

Split hurts slim CCHA title hopes

Rick Comley doesn't claim to be a soothsayer, but he made a prediction Saturday night: The MSU hockey team is in big trouble. After the Spartans dropped a lackluster 4-2 decision to Northern Michigan on Saturday, the MSU head coach said he doubts his team can still get an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament. "I couldn't imagine (getting in) now unless we win the CCHA Tournament," Comley said.

Sports briefs

Grapplers win 1 of 2 The MSU wrestling team closed out the Big Ten portion of its schedule with a split of two road matches. The No.

Capitol Update

State Rep. proposes changing distribution of public school funds State Rep. Mike Pumford, R-Newaygo, proposed what he calls a more fair distribution of cuts to public schools than Gov.

ASMSU urges respect for faculty

ASMSU is putting the pressure on student groups to remind them that pies are for eating, not throwing.MSU's undergraduate student government has been discussing harassment toward professors and might initiate a proposal to condemn such actions.Statistics and probability Associate Professor Vincent Melfi was hit with a cream pie-like object as he was lecturing to his Statistics 315 class on Nov.

Mathematics graduate student dies in weekend car accident

Friends and colleagues of Brandon Mellema remember him as an intelligent and friendly teacher who always wore a smile across his face.As recently as last weekend, Mellema, a 22-year-old MSU graduate student, enjoying an evening in mathematics senior Amy Rutta's apartment playing cards and spending time with close friends.

Chess: Simply child's play

Lansing - The sound of chess pieces hitting the game board was all that could be heard while players had looks of intense concentration on Saturday during a children's chess tournament. The players were as young as 5 years old.

Wesley Willis to play at Club Soda

Wesley Willis is 320 pounds of pure rock 'n' roll.Having rocked over London and in Chicago, tonight Willis will be rocking out Kalamazoo's Club Soda, 340 E.

Police still hunting for assailants

Lansing - Lansing police officers say an apartment complex where three MSU students were held at gunpoint last week isn't drug-infested, but the area could pose a unique threat to residents.

Entertainment goes digital

Propelled by consumer demand for higher quality visual stimulation, the technology age has moved into the digital era.Music performance junior Craig Karlson, who switched to the DVD format more than three years ago, said size, price and special features have all helped put the DVD head and shoulders over VHS."Special features are the best thing that ever happened to watching home movies," he said.

Police briefs 02/24/03

RHA debuts updated interactive Web site

Students have a new way to keep up-to-date with the MSU Residence Halls Association. RHA has developed a new, more interactive Web site to make it easier for students to get information, RHA technology director Nick Clark said. Clark said he has been working on the site since last summer, but it is now easier to use. The site sports the group's new logo and many Web forums. "The site that they had last year was really bad because it was just one page of text that didn't get changed, ever," Clark said.

Kobe Bryant can be 'Like Mike'

Most of us Generation-Y kids grew up watching the untouchable and ever-so-alluring, Michael Jordan. We stared at the TV in awe and amazement as the 6-foot-6 guard would fly to elevated extremes and execute a never before seen dunk.

Spartans gear up for crucial matchup with Fighting Illini

With Thursday's loss at Purdue, MSU is now in a do-or-die situation if it wants to make it to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 1997.

Reality TV hopefully not a reflection of real life

Viewers may flock to the TV sets like rabid dogs each time a new reality show comes out, but I have never been one of them.