Educators, activists use movies to spread messages

Hiromi Maenaka and Catherine Ryu are out to change minds. But they're not hosting rallies, passing out pamphlets or bringing in speakers.

Sorority raises money for legal defense fund

The women of Delta Sigma Theta want people to open their pockets. The sorority recently began fund-raising efforts to assist the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund Inc. to aid residents of the small town of Tulia, Texas. Last summer, 46 Tulia, Texas residents were arrested as part of a drug sting conducted by a special police officer brought in by the Cochran County Police Department. Of those arrested, 40 were black, three were Mexican, and three were whites in interracial relationships. According to the video, the officer had no tangible evidence to convict the citizens, except for his handwriting on his leg that he wrote during a drug deal. "I was surprised that they didn't have any evidence against them, and the only thing they had was him writing on his leg," merchandising management sophomore Glenda Olivache said. Standing in front of the room handing out brochures and pledge sheets, social relations senior Malaika Ward urged everyone to persuade as many people as they can to donate money. "And what's the word we're going to use?" asked Ward, social action chair for the sorority. "Tax-deductible," the audience responded in unison. Several residents are still incarcerated.

'U' trustees split language department

The breakup of the Department of Romance and Classical Languages was approved today at the MSU Board of Trustees meeting.The split restructures the current program into two new departments: one comprised of Spanish and Portuguese and the other of French, Classics and Italian.MSU President M.

Oscar nominees need to change way status used

The release of Oscar nominees Tuesday brings up an interesting question. Remember when winning an Academy Award meant a break for its recipient?

Badgers beat Spartans

Madison, Wis. - A feisty Wisconsin team proved to be too much for the Spartans on Tuesday night. MSU fell to the Badgers 64-53, ending the Spartans' three-game winning streak at the Kohl Center in front of 17,142 fans - many arriving late because of a snowstorm. "We played good enough to bounce back but in critical times, we kind of ran out of gas," MSU head coach Tom Izzo said.

Budget woes threatening 'U' dollars

Student leaders began lining up Tuesday to fight potential tuition increases and programs cuts. At an emergency ASMSU Academic Assembly meeting, officials called for a commitment to affordable, accessible and quality higher education in the midst of looming state budget cuts in March. MSU Students Protecting and Representing Education, or SPARE, was formed by ASMSU and other university groups estimating tuition increases upward of 35 percent, $70 million in university cuts or a combination of both. "I think we all knew the budget was going to be bad," said Jared English, ASMSU director of university governmental budgetary affairs.

Softball team ready to hit it big this season

With the 2003 season on the horizon, the MSU softball team is hoping for a complete turnaround from its 2002 campaign.Last season the Spartans went 24-35 while winning just four of 19 Big Ten contests.

Infobox

Here is some additional information related to the article Pet paradise. How much time and money and what to expect when adopting a pet is all relative to what kind of animal you choose. Who should have a pet: · people with money · people with time · affectionate people · responsible people · people who enjoy exercise Who shouldn't have a pet: ·Students who might have plans to relocate within a year · Students whose landlords do not allow pets on their property and students who live in the dorms · People or their roommates who have allergies to pets · People without the time or money for a pet · People who are away from home for more than nine hours per day Where to get a pet: Soldan's Feeds & Pet Supplies - 5200 S.

Golden grading

Mark Grebner deserves an "A" for effort. The East Lansing-based political consultant's most recent publication of "Grading The Profs" is considerably better than average. After a dozen editions since 1975, Grebner's 2003 pamphlet is the first to incorporate the Student Instructional Rating System, or SIRS, and the Student's Opinion of Courses and Teaching, or SOCT, forms distributed by the university at the end of each semester. Grebner, an Ingham County commissioner, used to rely on his own survey for his data and previously could only gather about 10,000 sources of data.

Legislature cuts office allowance budget

Instead of waiting for Gov. Jennifer Granholm's executive order to cut the budget, House Speaker Rick Johnson did it himself. "We made these cuts in anticipation of cuts we'll have to make throughout the year," Johnson spokesman Matt Resch said.

We've got mail :)

Sticks and stones may break your bones, but TWIG will never harm you again. That's right, MSU's notoriously slow e-mail systems, TWIG and Telnet access, are about to take the long walk. For years, TWIG and Telnet access have been tripping students up, inconveniently keeping them from e-mails from professors and the university. But that's all about to change. As TWIG and Telnet access are sent out to greener pastures (back behind the fields off Mount Hope Road and Farm Lane somewhere), MSU will be introducing a new e-mail Web site. The Web site was supposed to launch last Wednesday but was delayed due to a glitch. The university plans to have the glitch fixed and release the new e-mail system before spring break. This is good news for students, who with the new system can finally open up e-mails faster without worrying about skipping over important information. In the past, professors have complained students don't check their e-mails and aren't prepared for class because TWIG and Telnet access are inconvenient. This new e-mail system will improve the lifestyle of students and give them an overall feeling of confidence in the university and its computer policies.

Hillel showcases photo documentary

For Irene Fertik, documenting the black experience in the United States has been a lifetime pursuit - yet her most recent endeavor to photograph Ethiopian Jews has become therapy.The Californian artist, who became depressed after the death of her father, was looking for a way to heal.

Chicano history issues discussed by activist

Activist Amado Balderas will be speaking about Chicano and Latino studies Thursday in Wilson Hall. Balderas, a high school history teacher in Texas, contributed to the creation of El Sexto Sol de MEChA at the University of Texas-Pan American. Balderas will be speaking from 7-8:30 p.m.

E.L. City Council considers adding lanes to Michigan Avenue

The East Lansing City Council gave its approval to continue investigating a project to restructure Michigan Avenue by contacting residents and continuing talk with MSU officials."I think it's a pretty inventive, imaginative concept," City Manager Ted Staton said.

Police briefs 02/12/03

Energy house hosts students

East Lansing's most energy efficient house had its first group of fifth-graders check out its new solar energy display Tuesday.Students from Haslett's Murphy Elementary School left the Urban Options Energy and Environmental Demonstration House, 405 Grove St., with a better understanding of the importance of renewable resources.

Race definitely equals hardship

This letter comes in response to Marc Stemmer's letter, "Race doesn't equal hardship growing up," (SN 2/10). Normally I dismiss students' opinions in The State News, especially when they discuss the topic of affirmative action.

Pet paradise

Josh Rabinowitz, perhaps better than anyone else on campus, knows piranhas can jump."Before I got the cage on top of the water, Johnny managed to jump out of the tank and onto the floor," the interdisciplinary studies in social science sophomore said.

'Daredevil' to jump from comic books to big screen

Following in the success of "Blade," "X-Men" and "Spider-Man," "Daredevil," the film adaptation of the popular comic book, premieres Friday"If they keep making movies to the quality of 'Spider-Man' then it's worth it," said Eric Treinor, owner of The Fortress Comics and Games Inc., 425 Albert Ave."Daredevil," starring Ben Affleck as the blind hero with superhuman senses, is the first of a handful of comic-to-movie adaptations on the horizon.

The Dollar Nightclub to go wild with girls, protesters

Lansing - When classes end today, some students will put down their books to lift up their shirts for free tank tops. Tonight, The Dollar Nightclub will play host to the risqué video series, "Girls Gone Wild." The first-time visit is expected to be greeted by fans, participants and protesters. To gain footage for its latest college tour collection, "Girls Gone Wild" is in the midst of a 32-stop nationwide journey, said Danielle Nettles, advertising manager for The Dollar, 3411 E.