Environmentalists raise awareness on mercury emissions

A group of environmental groups are working to reduce the amount of mercury falling on Michigan residents.The Michigan Environmental Council, National Wildlife Federation and the Michigan United Conservation Clubs are working with the state and private businesses to raise awareness of mercury emissions.Mercury is produced through a variety of processes, but Michigan Environmental Council policy director James Clift said coal-burning plants contribute about one-half of the total emissions.“A new coal-burning power plant has emissions that are five to 10 times lower than older plants,” he said.

Greeks get funky for fund-raiser

Eleven greek teams contributed their creativity, sweat and the rhythmic ability for the fourth annual MTV Fundraiser Night, at the Auditorium on Monday night. About 2,000 people attended the first fund-raising event of Greek Week 2002 to raise funds for Sparrow Hospital’s pediatric emergency room.

Police seek technology upgrades

The East Lansing Police Department is going to install cameras in its patrol cars, in the hopes that the filmed accounts of traffic stops and other road police procedures will help officers settle discrepancies. The $4,000 cameras will be placed in the department’s 12 patrol vehicles.

ASMSU adds course to thin budget

As the ASMSU 2002-03 session began Monday, the organization was left to work with a thin budget and a promise to spend $50,000 on a ropes challenge course.Last week, the undergraduate student government’s 2001-02 Student Assembly passed the 2002-03 budget with a vote of 13-3 with four abstentions.

Rail ways

Kudos to MSU leaders for moving forward with plans to construct two rail underpasses on Farm Lane. It is a project that is long overdue and will help make foot, bicycle and automobile traffic in the area more safe and swift. Although construction is not expected to begin until at least 2005, the two underpasses would be erected between Mount Hope and Trowbridge roads and could cost as much as $25 million. MSU President M.

E.L. rental program good for everyone

I was saddened to read the State News editorial “Housing help” (SN 4/4). It seriously misinterprets the city’s intent for some preliminary discussion of a possible rental buyback program. If such a program were to be put in place, it would be intended to address vacancies left in our high rental neighborhoods because students have moved to new luxury apartments to the north of East Lansing in Bath Township.

Students protest for labor rights

A 400-foot banner was wrapped around the University of Michigan’s Fleming Administration Building on Friday as students protested the labor practices of New Era Cap Co.At MSU, members of Students for Economic Justice held a “Screaming at the Wall” demonstration to protest what they say is an administration that doesn’t listen to their concerns about labor rights.The administrations at each university have dealt with protests in much the same way, meeting with students and discussing concerns.But the student groups at both universities take drastically different approaches to getting their messages across.

Men fall to Penn State

The men’s tennis team (13-9 overall, 1-6 Big Ten) split six singles matches against underdog Penn State, but the Nittany Lions claimed the team doubles point and a 4-3 victory over MSU on Sunday in State College, Pa. Freshman Andrew Formanczyktm (No.

Rich ropes

It’s a nice thought for the ASMSU Student Assembly to approve pay for a ropes challenge course on campus.

31 earn Big Ten honors

MSU placed 31 athletes from six different sports onto the Winter Academic All-Big Ten Conference Team.

Bills create anti-hazing policies for schools

Michigan is one of eight states without a hazing law, but that could change with a package of bills proposed by State Rep.

Funding for community colleges remains unchanged

Lansing - Gov. John Engler signed the fiscal year 2003 community college budget Monday that will maintain 2002 funding levels for Michigan’s 28 community colleges. Engler signed a similar budget for the state’s 15 public universities April 1, stating the Legislature would not cut funding to the universities as long as they keep tuition increases at or below 8.5 percent or $425, whichever is greater. The community college budget for fiscal year 2003 will remain at $321.7 million with Lansing Community College receiving $32.2 million in funding.

MIDDAY UPDATE: ASMSU addresses attendance

The undergraduate student government’s Academic Assembly members last week discussed a way to become more accountable to their constituents by forming a committee to keep a closer eye on representative attendance at meetings.But ASMSU’s Student Assembly has yet to address the issue despite attendance inconsistencies.Student Assembly makes decisions on how to disperse more than $1 million of student tax dollars.By the end of the 2001-02 session, there were 22 members left on the assembly out of 25 members who started.

Student seeks to improve cancer awareness

If Adam Schaffer gets his way, a nine-inch by four-inch card distributed in residence halls next year could save lives.Schaffer, an Olin Health Advocate and human biology sophomore, is working with residence life staff to distribute breast and testicular self-examination cards in residence halls.

Dorms may receive cost increase

For the 11th straight year, the MSU Board of Trustees may raise the cost of living in the residence halls. Trustees will vote Friday on a proposal that would increase the cost of living in residence halls by $254 for an academic year - a 5.4 percent jump from the 2001-02 school year.

Police briefs 04/09/02

Women earn 2 wins

The women’s tennis team. (11-8, 3-4) claimed two singles wins, but lost 5-2 to Ohio State on Sunday at the Indoor Tennis Facility. The Buckeyes (16-3, 4-2) swept the three doubles matches and also won at No.

Study controls lamprey

MSU researchers may have found a way to control the number of fish killed by parasitic sea lamprey.Weiming Li, an associate professor of fisheries and wildlife, has been working on isolating the pheromones of sea lamprey.

Buyback plan gains some student support

East Lansing officials have gained support from members of ASMSU on a plan to give the city’s dilapidated homes a makeover. The program has surfaced as a new form of the rental buyback policy that failed three years ago. MSU’s undergraduate student government is supporting the buyback plan because the city wants to hold landlords responsible, said Jonathan Rosenthal, director of community affairs for the organization. “Basically, what is happening is students are not going to put up with it anymore,” he said.

Spartans look to extend season-high win streak

The MSU softball team will ride its season-high seven-game winning streak into tonight’s game against Detroit.The Spartans (18-21 overall, 3-3 Big Ten) will kick off a doubleheader against the Titans (11-7) at 3 p.m.