NEWS
Adults still need childish ideals
When I was young, I always needed intellectual stimulation. Staring mindlessly at the television just didn’t do it for me.
SPORTS
U offers online classes to NBA minor-leaguers
At the same time the quality of Tom Izzo’s men’s basketball program is suffering from players leaving school early for the NBA, the university is pioneering a way for athletes to continue their education while playing professionally.MSU and the National Basketball Development League jointly announced a “landmark” program Tuesday that will allow the league’s players to take adapted online classes through MSU’s Global Online Connection during the basketball season.The NBDL, which is wrapping up its inaugural season this week, is the only minor-league organization governed by the NBA.
BASEBALL
Senior pitcher continues to blossom
With a renewed sense of confidence, senior Nick Bates has gone from a relatively unknown to the MSU baseball team’s Ace. After going 4-4 in 2001, Bates is a perfect 7-0 to start the 2002 campaign.
COMMENTARY
Kundi doesnt know what hes writing
In response to Rishi Kundi’s column “Making sense of Middle East violence is impossible” (SN 4/4). He states, “I, and most likely all of you, are totally in the dark about events across the world,” then decides to spit out his opinion anyway.
NEWS
MIDDAY UPDATE: Williams cancels annual Green and White game due to field conditions
MSU football fans won’t be able to see the annual contest between the Green and White.The green and white intrasquad game scheduled for Saturday at Okemos High School has been canceled.Citing poor field conditions due to the recent spell of bad weather, Spartan head coach Bobby Williams announced the cancellation of the Green and White intrasquad game on Wednesday afternoon.“Mother Nature simply hasn’t cooperated this spring,” Williams said in a written statement.
COMMENTARY
Fair rates
Students living in residence halls next year may have to pay a little more for free Ethernet connections, community bathrooms and daily meals courtesy of the cafeteria, but they shouldn’t complain much.On Friday, the MSU Board of Trustees is expected to raise the cost of living in the residence halls for the 11th straight year.
NEWS
Exercise enhances mind, body
By BAN LANDES For The State News Imagine relaxing and exercising at the same time. Then think of being able to escape from your body’s limitations and into a state of mind where you can increase energy, health and emotional well-being. There’s a group of students on MSU’s campus who practice this mix of relaxation and martial arts - the Tai Chi Club. “We started the club this year,” said telecommunication sophomore Sean Jong, club president and instructor.
NEWS
Team falls short of top title
By BRIAN CHARLTON For The State News The MSU men’s roller hockey team kept its head held high after losing 6-4 to the Lindenwood University Lions on Sunday.
MSU
Data show lower minority graduate enrollment
Despite attempts to recruit minority students to MSU’s Graduate School, minorities are enrolling in graduate school at lower rates than last year, the Office of Affirmative Action Compliance and Monitoring reported this week. The data included information about faculty and staff statistics, retention and undergraduate applications, admissions and enrollment. MSU Provost Lou Anna Simon said there are many factors that contribute to the decrease in enrollment for minority students. “Last year’s decline was after a significant increase in the previous years,” she said.
NEWS
Afghans relocate to Lansing to find home
Lansing - Growing up in Kabul, Afghanistan, where she worked as an English teacher in an Afghan university, Helai Mahmood was close to her sister and two brothers. But that was before the country was taken over by the Taliban - who killed her older brother and closed her school. “I remember it was once beautiful,” she said as her eyes took on a faraway look. Helai says she will never go back - her homeland is not safe anymore. Six years ago, she fled to Pakistan with her family, but - like many refugees who are forced to leave their homes because of war, famine or oppression - it took years for the Mahmoods to be resettled to a permanent home. In February, Helai and six members of her family were relocated to Lansing, joining some of the nearly 140 Afghan refugees who now live in the area. But getting to the safety of a new, permanent home only is one of many steps refugees take to rebuild their lives. Escaping the camps After the Taliban took control of Afghanistan in the mid-1990s, the Mahmood family fled to Pakistan, resettling in the city of Peshawar.
FEATURES
Aja stinks with Before the Beginning
The cliché “never judge a book by its cover” fits this record to a tee. At first glance, the misperception is that this is another trend artist trudging through the well-established footprints of “neo-soul-soothing-goodness.” Nope. Actually, Aja mingles with the “I want to be Alanis Morissette” crowd - and poorly at that.
COMMENTARY
Good move
While it sometimes can seem only bad things can come from bad situations, former Lansing Councilmember Louis Adado did a good thing Monday night by resigning from his leadership position.Adado’s decision came on the heels of accusations from two city council staff members, who claim he sexually harassed them.
FEATURES
Portable is strong no-nonsense rock
Portable isn’t exactly the next best thing for rock ’n’ roll - but that doesn’t stop it from putting together a great record. This is no-nonsense rock with a strong backbone.
MSU
Economics professors to discuss importing
The MSU’s Department of Economics will present a roundtable discussion today to discuss the steel import restrictions. The event will take place at 8 p.m.
MICHIGAN
Professors obscenity suit thrown out
Although a Macomb Community College professor’s lawsuit was thrown out by the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on March 29 after he was suspended for using obscenities in class, some say it won’t have much impact on classroom conduct around the state. John Bonnell, a professor of Western literature and English composition at the community college, was suspended in November 1998 after a female student complained she felt sexually harassed by language he used in class. “It’s a dark day,” Bonnell said.
NEWS
Increased parking rate plan faces resistance
A plan to increase city parking rates by more than 14 percent met opposition from East Lansing City Council members Tuesday night.Council members discussed the plan, part of the city’s 2002-03 budget proposal, at their work session.
NEWS
T-shirts prompt greek action
An MSU fraternity faces a greek system hearing today in the system’s first charge regarding its anti-discrimination policy, after some members wore specially made shirts last week mocking gay men while at the Mason and Abbot halls cafeterias. Pi Kappa Phi fraternity’s case could yield the system’s first suspension in the past 15 years. Witnesses said several members of the fraternity wore pink, sleeveless T-shirts to the cafeterias April 1 and April 2 that had phrases such as “I like little boys,” “Capt.
FEATURES
Big Trouble provides talented cast
Seven or eight months ago, the movie “Big Trouble” was really no big deal. An ensemble comedy with a bomb as its centerpiece, it was just a harmless movie adapted from a novel by middle-of-the-road humorist and newspaper columnist Dave Barry. Of course, with what happened in September, suddenly putting a bomb on a plane and making a joke was about as funny as farting at a funeral ceremony.
VOLLEYBALL
Spartans join U.S. national team
The red, white and blue of the U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team added a little green and white for its upcoming exhibition season. Former Spartan outside hitter Erin Hartley and assistant coach Todd Dagenais will represent America on April 18-20 as the national team begins the exhibition season with three games against China’s Tianjin. “Ever since I was little I wanted to play for the U.S.
FEATURES
RES deserves recognition for How I Do
by MARK HICKS For The State News RES is not a typical artist. A genre-crossing talent, RES (pronounced Reese) has produced a bold, daring, but pleasing first effort with “How I Do,” a record that has been overlooked by critics since its release last year. This album proves she deserves some mainstream recognition. She refuses to conform to one genre, blending hip-hop, soul, R&B, folk, organic pop, rock, drum ’n’ bass and electronica to create an adventurous, unique and refreshing sound miles above any typical R&B record - if it can be categorized as that. The disc opens with the lounge-y, drum ’n’ bass-styled “Golden Boys,” a social commentary of sorts in which RES admonishes the illusions created by “a prince in all of the magazines.” The orchestra-like instrumentals fuse with her fierce vocals to create an atmospheric, innovative cut that will leave listeners entranced. The best song is “They-Say Vision,” a pure pop/rock masterpiece awash with moody, sonorous guitars and infectious, thought-provoking hooks.