Do research before giving responses

Since Tuesday, I have picked up my copy of The State News and read one controversial editorial and letter after another.

Park it

The trend of creating larger plots for black, endless seas of pavement in the far reaches of campus has offered little solution to the parking problems on campus.

Campaigns better without soft money

I agree campaigns cost money, but cutting soft money won’t narrow the playing field to private billionaires with their own personal agendas in mind (“Special interest needed in politics,” SN 2/19). I believe it will lower the financial platform of the political arena so more candidates who have limited campaign funds can participate in democracy.

Police briefs 02/22/02

U still tied with U-M, RedHawk series vital

To say Miami (Ohio) has struggled to score in recent contests against MSU is quite an understatement - the RedHawks’ last four games against MSU have been exhibitions of complete offensive futility. Never before, in 60 years of MSU hockey, had the Spartans shut out the same opponent four times in a row until thwarting Miami the past two years.

Entertainment briefs

Students put fashions on the catwalk AMY BARTNER The Student Apparel Design Association presents a fashion show entitled “Seriously.

Smoke ban bothers businesses

A countywide ban on smoking in the workplace has made some businesses cough at the idea of trying to comply with the ordinance approved last week by the Ingham County Board of Commissioners. The county board passed the ordinance - slated to start in April - to reduce secondhand smoke, but some businesses say it’s doubtful they will be ready. The measure, passed by a vote of 11-2, was developed by a task force made up of health officials and three commissioners and bans smoking in all public workplaces - excluding bars, restaurants and bingo halls. Under the ordinance, businesses like General Motors Corp.

Riding bicycles can solve parking issues

In response to “Graduate students question parking” (SN 2/21), while this is one of the first steps in creating a green central campus, those who move first are going to speak the loudest.

Crystal Award nomination forms available, due soon

Nomination forms for the 15th annual Crystal Awards are available at the East Lansing Public Library, 950 Abbott Road, East Lansing City Hall, 410 Abbott Road, and online. About three to four awards are given to organizations, groups, businesses and individuals every year. Community Events spokeswoman Kelcey Anderson said the awards are given to those who have made a difference in the city of East Lansing. “The winners always have a different background because there are different committee members every year,” she said. Last year’s recipients included Lola O’Meara, the Student Body of the MSU College of Osteopathic Medicine and Rollie Ledebuhr.

Religious Studies fate uncertain

Changes to the Department of Religious Studies have some worried the university is moving to eliminate the discipline. Since 1998, College of Arts & Letters officials and faculty have disagreed about suggestions to downgrade the department to a program.

Peter Pan sequel good for the reminiscing, kids may cringe

Do kids even know who Peter Pan is anymore? Not to sound like a geezer, but I’m pretty sure that most don’t really give a crap about the story.

Diversity celebrated with music in presentation on African Jews

Jewish people in Africa is not a topic most students have dealt with. But Jay Sand used music and slides Wednesday night to explain why it is an important topic for him. Sand, an independent journalist and musician, gave a presentation called “The Jews of Africa,” sponsored by MSU’s Hillel Jewish Student Organization. Sand’s goal was to make people realize there are thousands of diverse cultures in Africa, including Judaism. “I like forcing people to reconsider what they thought was established fact,” Sand said to an audience of about 20 people.

Groups react to funding shortage from ASMSU

When Amit Agarwal requests $3,000 for the Coalition of Indian Undergraduate Students’ Satrang on Tuesday night, he might walk away without the amount of money he had hoped for. Agarwal, the coalition’s president, will begin searching for donations somewhere else for the show to go on. The Coalition of Indian Undergraduate Students, which is the second group in line for funding consideration at ASMSU Funding Board’s Tuesday interviews, is banking on $3,000 for Satrang, an Indian cultural show. If four organizations are given money Tuesday night, then the undergraduate student government board’s money likely will be spent. Agarwal said the show’s total budget is $33,000. Resident Halls Association gave $2,225 to the group. “RHA and ASMSU are the cornerstones to a large percentage of our funding,” the political economy senior said. Agarlwal said other places that donate money have cut funding in half for the annual show in which 200 people participate. “Funding is going to be a problem because we will have to go further into the community to ask for money,” he said.

Falling waistlines

You walk innocently into class and sit down, only to hear stifled whispering and laughing all around you.

SPORTS UPDATE: Hockey team wins 3-1, remains atop CCHA

Oxford, Ohio - Fifth-ranked MSU was 7:08 away from an unprecedented fifth straight shutout of Miami (Ohio), but a tipped shot late in the third period spoiled the bid. But the good news for the Spartans is they still came away with a 3-1 victory on Friday at Goggin Ice Arena. MSU (22-6-5 overall, 16-5-4 CCHA) continued its defensive mastery of the RedHawks, but Miami left wing Danny Stewart redirected a shot past MSU junior goaltender Ryan Miller to end the Spartans’ impressive streak.

Hoosiers top Big Ten with defense

When Spartan men’s basketball fans look back to MSU’s 83-65 loss to Indiana on Jan.

State pushes for less underage smoking

Fourteen-year-old Joel Chamberlin walked into a convenience store, plunked some money on the counter and successfully purchased a tin of chewing tobacco. The now 25-year-old mathematics senior said he thinks stores’ regulations on checking IDs have become more strict since he was a teen.

Gymnastics looks for repeat at Invitational

The gymnastics team hosts the 13th Annual Country Markett Spartan Invitational Saturday. The Spartans (9-4, 0-2 Big Ten) welcome Illinois-Chicago (8-8), New Hampshire (5-2) and Ball State (10-6) at Jenison Field House. MSU has won the tournament the last two years.

Lunar Dance celebrates Chinese New Year night

The Chinese Students Coalition is hosting its annual dance to celebrate the Chinese New Year from 9 p.m.

View Lord of the Rings if U havent

This weekend isn’t a great one for film. There isn’t much coming that’s worth plunking down your hard-earned money for.