Policy could include gender identity

A footnote that includes gender identity could soon be added to MSU's anti-discrimination policy but not without jumping over a few more hurdles.The proposal to amend the anti-discrimination policy was approved Tuesday by the Academic Council, the last step in the Academic Governance system before it heads to MSU's Board of Trustees."It was a very thoughtful discussion about a very complex issue," MSU Provost Lou Anna Simon said.

Applications available for graduation speech

Students looking to have their voice heard at the spring 2003 commencement ceremony now have their chance. Applications for a student commencement speaker are available in Room 101 Student Services. Those who wish to apply must submit a five-minute typed speech along with the application. The deadline to apply is 5 p.m.

'Dark' a stale imitation

If this year's movies continue on the same path, you probably won't be able to count on your hands the number of good cop/bad cop movies released.

'U' can always get ASMSU tax back

This is in response to the letter, "No such thing as a free notebook," written by Brent Franey (SN 2/20). The ASMSU tax is voluntary.

LPD has suspects in sight

Lansing - Lansing police expect to issue a warrant by the end of the week for the arrest of two men responsible for assaulting three MSU students at gunpoint. After interviewing the students Monday, Lansing detectives say they have enough information to name two suspects and request a warrant for arrest from the Ingham County prosecutor today or Wednesday. "This is very promising.

Police: Prank not race related

Bath Township - Township police say the charred mannequin head found in a tree outside a student apartment complex Saturday was nothing more than a few students "goofing around." The mannequin head was originally thought to be black, prompting swift response from students, community members and NAACP officials.

Public schools face worst budget crisis in decades

Learning to get by with less is becoming a part of the job description for East Lansing teachers and administrators these days.With the district's piggy bank crumbling - and expected to further dissolve in the months ahead - teachers are adjusting to increased class sizes and reduced money for supplies.

Mock trial team heads to Iowa for competition

The MSU Mock Trial Team will be heading to a national competition in Iowa. The team won a bid to the American Mock Trial Association Grand National Tournament, which will take place April 4-6 in Des Moines, Iowa. "I couldn't believe it," international relations sophomore Justin Kuxhaus said.

Feb.'s forgottens offer mix of screw ups, surprises

Hey, did we miss something this month? You bet. Here's a little look back at a few February releases that slipped past us: Men At Work "Business as Usual" "Cargo" The "Business as Usual" re-release is just that.

Lack of scoring dooms Spartans in loss to Illinois

Nothing would go right for MSU at home Monday night, while Illinois could do no wrong, handing the Spartans a 75-65 loss - their worst loss of the season. "We need to focus on the fact that we didn't play MSU basketball tonight," Spartan junior forward Julie Pagel said.

Police briefs 02/25/03

Computer science sees decrease in enrollment

Enrollment in computer science classes is declining at MSU.George Stockman, a professor of computer science and engineering, said in his 20 years at MSU, he's seen waves of student demand in the field."When I came here in 1982, we were graduating a lot of bachelor's degree students, and not so many graduate students," he said.

Proposed student greenhouse model to be displayed in Union

A model of the proposed student greenhouse project will be displayed from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday on the first floor of the Union. The model is five feet in diameter, said Philip Lamoureux, director of the Student Greenhouse Project, and includes running water, benches and lights.

New week brings flock of new music

If you were bored with last week's record releases, get ready, this week is overwhelming. There are a lot of albums that could bump a few standing ones off the charts, including "Songs from the Material World: A Tribute to George Harrison." The tribute features an interesting lineup with artists such as They Might Be Giants, Todd Rundgren, Big Head Todd & The Monsters and The Smithereens. Watch out for Beatles fans sprinting across the store clutching their copies. Other interesting and uncalled for tributes include the "String Quartet Tribute to Weezer," "Tribute to Avril Lavigne" and "A Tribute to Coldplay," which includes performances by The Underground and Blue Hope. Besides the ridiculous comes the even more absurd.

Labeling just bogs down discourse

Wow, I am a radical liberal. After a recent letter to the editor branding a number of opinion writers, including myself, as radical liberals, I thought I would sit down and ponder long and hard to get a clearer perspective of who I really am.

Use your head

To use the word "disturbing" to describe the real-life image of a burnt mannequin head with a knife through it would be making light of a stomach-wrenching sight. Although the three men, all minorities, who are responsible for burning the head along with other items outside the Village at Chandler Crossings apartment complex in Bath Township, might not have meant to ethnically intimidate anyone, their actions spoke louder than their intentions. The image of the burnt head, which was displayed prominently on the front page of The State News on Monday and by television news agencies throughout the community Sunday, was a haunting reminder of a country's marred past and struggling present. If the appearance of a burnt head with a knife through it in a tree doesn't offend everyone who views it, people are in serious need of having their emotions and attitudes examined. Whether the intentions of Saturday's pyromaniacs were racially ill does not mute the fact that the outcome of their actions was nauseating and abominable. Bath Township police say one of the three men who admitted to the mannequin burning had recently broken up with his girlfriend and the group set ablaze of her left-over possessions. Given that explanation, it is somewhat of a relief that the responsible party's intentions weren't racially motivated.

Cooper leads competition in race for Oscar's best supporting actor

In the continuing saga of the State News film reporter's Oscar predictions comes Best Actor in a Supporting Role. Count out Paul Newman.

It's about time

Policy makers for MSU's Academic Council have redefined the meaning of LBGT to mean Lacking Better Gender Treatment. MSU, a university under the flag of diversity, has been fumbling with a gender clause that needs to be added to its Anti-Discrimination Policy. By means of a footnote, the Academic Council could alter the policy to give protection to issues involving gender identity. The council is a policy-making group of administrators, faculty and students who make recommendations to MSU's Board of Trustees.

Bands, venues to forgo pyrotechnics at shows

After a rash of bar-related deaths in Chicago and Rhode Island killed 97 people, safety concerns have risen among bands, fire departments, bars and their patrons. The Minneapolis band Manplanet, who has played at Lansing's Mac's Bar, 2700 E.

Affirmative action policy is necessary

If you are a white student who feels that you were, or could have been, snubbed by the affirmative action policies of colleges and universities, and therefore are praying for its demise this April, I agree with you on one stance.