Diverse education

An array of multihued faces adorned a fifth-grade classroom at Pinecrest Elementary School like paint on an artist's pallet, as students flipped pages in their history book, "The First Americans." Against the vivid backdrop, student teacher David Adams read aloud portions of the book, while his skin blended with the various student ethnicities in a way that is rare among teachers in classrooms. Nationally, minority teachers represent 14 percent of the teaching population in America, while minority students compose 36 percent of classrooms according to the , according to the National Teacher Recruitment Clearinghouse's Web site, www.recruitingteachers.org. Adams, an African-American student in his fifth year in MSU's education program, feels comfortable teaching at Pinecrest, 1811 Pinecrest Drive, in East Lansing despite the few minorities among the teaching staff.

Iraq worth debate, but not by council

I believe it is appropriate to comment on the story regarding the action in Academic Council relating to a discussion on a possible war in Iraq ("Academic Council axes talk on warfare," SN 11/27). I would like to point out that I never received an e-mail from Professor Richard Peterson, making me wonder if he truly considers the student representatives on the council real members of the assembly. As for his assertion that "the close of today's meeting of Academic Council was a shameful moment in the history of MSU," I cannot disagree more. The action taken by the council, while being morally repugnant to some people, was in keeping with the two of the greatest gifts that we have as Americans - democracy and free speech. A majority of the council representatives believed that the body should not discuss the matter, therefore we did not.

MIDDAY UPDATE: Teaching field lacking in number of minority educators

As the ethnic makeup of America broadens, the diversity of teachers narrows. Minority teachers represent only 10 percent of the teaching population in America, while minority students compose 40 percent.

SPORTS UPDATE: Men's basketball team falls short in Great Alaska Shootout

Despite being heavy favorites, No. 10 MSU failed to capture the Great Alaska Shootout championship.The Spartans (2-2) were the only ranked team in Anchorage, Alaska, during the holiday weekend, but the Green and White finished 1-2.MSU opened the tournament strong, defeating Montana, 80-60.

ONLINE UPDATE: MSU will pay Williams $550,000

MSU will pay Bobby Williams $550,000 to end his contract with the university, officials announced Wednesday.The buyout deal is more than twice what the university had to pay under the terms of its 5-year rolling contract with Williams, which was in its third year.

ONLINE UPDATE: MSU to pay Williams $550,000

MSU will pay Bobby Williams $550,000 to end his contract with the university, officials announced Wednesday.The buyout deal is more than twice what the university had to pay under the terms of its 5-year rolling contract with Williams, which was in its third year.

ONLINE UPDATE: Volleyball splits in weekend play; awaits NCAA Tournament announcement

Coming off a thrilling five-game win over Northwestern on Friday night, the Spartans had a great deal of momentum heading into Saturday's contest against Wisconsin.But no amount of momentum was going to stop the No.

Computer purchase prompts LCC investigation

Findings of a review into purchasing practices by Lansing Community College is expected Dec. 9.A million dollar emergency expenditure authorized by the school's governing body has raised a collective eyebrow, spurring an investigation of its own policies and practices last summer.A campus initiative to revamp the college's technology prompted a $1.25 million purchase in May.

National bird? National turd.

In my family, we don't buy our turkeys at the store. Nope. We like to chase the fat fools down with our SUVs on the highway and haul 'em in fresh.

What's happening?

Organization Meetings• The MSU Chess Club will meet at 7:30 p.m. Monday in A-517 Wells Hall.

Cross Country runner named All-American

After a 20th place finish in the NCAA Championships on Monday in Terre Haute, Ind., junior Michelle Carson earned All-American status.All-American status is granted to the top 30 American finishers and the top 30 finishers overall.Carson was named Women's Big Ten Cross-Country Athlete of the Year earlier this season and was also named Big Ten Athlete of the Week twice this season.She led MSU to a second-place finish at the Big Ten Championship, losing to Michigan 73-70, marking the closest margin of victory in the history of the women's Big Ten Championships.Two other cross-country athletes - juniors Jamie Krzyminski and Andrew Marsh - barely missed getting All-American status.

Professors should have a go at writer

It is clear Mike Pendracki is a member of the "Chefs," the 1979-81 original pie pranksters ("Pie prankster gag was not original," SN 11/26). He has encoded his confession in his writing and who else would get so worked up about pie pranks as to know about the radio spot, the book about pie attacks and the Web site to find the book? Pendracki refereed to the original pie "hits" as a "reign of terror," clearly reminiscing about the good ol' days with his pie-tossing gang. Although the 25 professors who endured the creamy attacks decades ago are really old now, and probably can't throw a cream pie all too well, I suggest they team up, find Pendracki, and give him the pieing of a lifetime.

Academic Council axes talk on warfare

An attempt to provoke discussion with faculty and students about the conflict in Iraq failed Tuesday at Academic Council. But after the meeting adjourned, discussion erupted about whether MSU should be taking a stance on political issues in the Academic Governance system. For the council to officially discuss the issue, a majority of the members had to vote to end the meeting and to enter into a "committee of the whole" setting, where discussion would not represent the council.

Officer transitions to detective

MSU police Officer Paul Schofield is hanging up his blue uniform after 30 years of policing to wear a suit and tie.Schofield, 52, is joining the MSU Department of Police and Public Safety detective ranks on Dec.

Police briefs 11/27/02

Everything but the bird

Thanksgiving gives people a chance to gather with loved ones and be thankful for what is important in their lives - it signals the start of the holiday season, and it's a prime time to overeat without guilt and scarf down loads and loads of turkey. Unless... for some reason, whether it be ethical or having a distaste for the animal, you're a vegetarian or vegan. Vegetarians are those who do not eat any meat, only vegetables, fruits and sometimes eggs or dairy products.

Henry accepts invite to East-West game

Despite the fact that MSU won't be playing in a bowl game, senior quarterback Cedric Henry will strap on his Spartan helmet one more time."Cedric Henry has accepted an invitation to play," East-West Shrine Game spokesman William Homer said.

Leftovers make up 'Steal This Album!'

If you think "Steal This Album!" is a new album, you're mistaken. It's the left over music that never made it to a record. This 16-track collection of original, completed and unreleased material originates back to before System Of A Down signed with American in 1995 to as recently as the 2001 "Toxicity" sessions. The band claims the songs are as good, if not better than the songs that did make it to the albums - but artists always say that crap.

Engineers should get more respect

In his column "Don't leave college as an assembly-line product, think about life" (SN 11/25), Shawn Wozniak claimed he wasn't attacking certain majors.

Atheists not willing to understand faith

John Bice is yet another atheist in a long list who seeks to defame his opposition without understanding it, all the while accusing them of the same wrong ("Religious majority doesn't understand atheist views," SN 11/26). Life is not so polarized that anything religious makes it inherently contradictory to science. Creationists do not blindly believe evolution to be false, but rather, believe in creation because they are aware of the inherent flaws in a naturalistic worldview.