Cello Plus chamber music series continues

The second annual MSU School of Music’s “Cello Plus” chamber music series kicked off Wednesday night at the Music Auditorium, and will continue with performances Friday, Sunday and Monday at the same location. Suren Bagratuni, associate professor of cello and performer, started the series in 1996 at the University of Illinois School of Music and introduced it here when he joined the faculty in 2000. Bagratuni said it is difficult to catch some of the performers live without paying a huge amount of money. “These are top quality musicians,” he said.

Administration considers establishing environmental measures

A meeting between students and administrators is causing MSU to examine its impact on the environment.MSU President M.

Cheney might speak to U

Vice President Dick Cheney could deliver the commencement address at MSU’s undergraduate convocation in May.Cheney spokeswoman Jennifer Millerwise told The State News the vice president has been invited to speak at MSU’s graduation ceremony, but did not say whether he had accepted.For security reasons, White House officials generally don’t comment on the president and vice president’s movements until 48 hours before a scheduled appearance, Millerwise said.

Police briefs 04/11/02

Newton expects to remain at U

MSU assistant coach Tom Newton, who expressed interest in becoming Bowling Green’s next head coach, said Wednesday that he doesn’t expect to be offered the job. “It would really shock me,” Newton said from his home.

Council to review applications for vacant seat

Lansing City Council will begin reviewing applications today for a city council seat left vacant after Lou Adado resigned Monday night.The former city council member gave his resignation following accusations of sexual harassment by two former city employees.The council will meet at 1:30 p.m.

Insensitive

It’s sad that during the same week MSU greeks across campus are celebrating the good deeds they do for the Spartan community, the disgraceful actions of one fraternity have given the entire greek system a black eye. Several members of the Pi Kappa Phi fraternity wore pink, sleeveless T-shirts that had phrases such as “I like little boys,” “Capt.

Food rules protect Muslim practices

At Bassam Mahmoud’s restaurant, the meat is prepared according to Muslim dietary law - and a new state law will prevent other restaurants that don’t follow the dietary law from claiming they do.Some Muslims are allowed to eat foods considered halal, which is slaughtered in a certain way.

Lugnuts split doubleheader against Whitecaps

Lansing - The Lansing Lugnuts split their first doubleheader of the season with the West Michigan Whitecaps on Tuesday night at Oldsmobile Park. The Lugnuts (4-2) took game one 4-1, then lost the nightcap 2-1 to the Whitecaps (3-3). Lansing entered the bottom of the seventh inning -

Whats Happening?

Art • Barista Café, Case Hall: Gay Pride Week Art Exhibition, until April 17.

Student Employee of the Year awarded

Nicole Plott has been named MSU’s Student Employee of the Year for 2002. She will be recognized with more than 100 other students at an awards reception from 4-5 p.m.

BREAKING NEWS: Fraternity suspended, faces sanctions for T-shirt incident

An MSU fraternity was temporarily suspended by its national organization and punished with several sanctions by the greek system Wednesday, more than a week after some members wore T-shirts mocking gay men into residence hall cafeterias. All operations of Pi Kappa Phi have been suspended while the national fraternity investigates allegations against the MSU chapter.

Post office faces decline in mailings

As Doug Belles filled out the address on his letters by the post office in the Union, a few people trickled through, dropping off various pieces of mail.But the numbers are lower than the U.S.

MIDDAY UPDATE: U trails U-M, Wayne State in tenured minority faculty members

MSU has a lower proportion of minority faculty members than its state sister research universities, according to a recently released university report. MSU has 306 tenured minority faculty members, or 15.5 percent of its tenured faculty, compared to University of Michigan’s 486, or 17.9 percent, and Wayne State University’s 149 minority faculty, or 22.9 percent. Tenure is offered to faculty members when they reach full professor status, offering them protection from dismissal except for serious misconduct. MSU has 1,977 tenured faculty members, according to the report released this week by the Office of Affirmative Action Compliance and Monitoring.

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.

Oscar Mayer hotdoggers hit the road in wiener

Jessica De Los Reyes pictured herself doing a lot of things after college.Driving a 27-foot-long hot dog wasn’t one of them.But the dietetics senior and 11 other soon-to-be college graduates have been selected as “hotdoggers,” each fulfilling a yearlong tour driving the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile.“I’m so excited,” she said.

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.

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.

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.

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.