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SPORTS

Womens hoops should stick to defensive play

The MSU women’s basketball team has been flirting with disaster of late. Using their defensive strength early in the season, the Spartans (16-11 overall, 6-10 Big Ten) opened the Big Ten season at 9-1 and were receiving votes in both the Associated Press and ESPN/USA Today coaches polls. Since then, the defense has been inconsistent and the Spartans fluttered down the stretch, with scrappy victories mixed in. Sunday is a key example.

COMMENTARY

NHL would benefit from shorter games

These Olympics were very good for the game of hockey. NHL commissioner Gary Bettman got the exact finals matchup he wanted, pinning two North American teams against each other to showcase the NHL.

COMMENTARY

Silenced

Although many ASMSU officials talk about working for the best interests of students, the undergraduate government’s recent actions tell another story. Last week, ASMSU officials refused to release proposed guidelines for undercover police work at MSU to The State News, even though the guidelines were passed out to Student Assembly members at a public meeting. The student guidelines were finally released to The State News on Sunday, and officials released the administration’s guidelines Monday. Jeff Ziarko, ASMSU director of university governmental and budgetary affairs, said it is in the best interest of students not to be aware of such proposals until a policy is finalized.

NEWS

ASMSU chief of staff resigns, blames lack of control

Alison Barker
February 26, 2002

ASMSU’s chief of staff - one of the highest-ranking student positions in the undergraduate student government - resigned Monday, six months after her hire. Ashley Grieve’s resignation follows four others before her in the last six years. The packaging junior said a combination of personal reasons and her unhappiness with the undergraduate student government caused her to leave. “I definitely think there is a power struggle in the government right now,” Grieve said.

MICHIGAN

Council uses e-mail to connect off campus

Shaun Byron
February 26, 2002

Students’ arguments and suggestions to the city won’t be heard - they’ll be read. East Lansing City Councilmember Beverly Baten and Jonathan Rosenthal, director of community affairs for ASMSU, have established an e-mail address to help develop better communication between the city and off-campus students. “Students need to realize the city council’s ears are open,” the business administration junior said. The program is designed for students to respond to the question, “As a student at MSU, what do you believe are quality of life issues for off-campus living in the city limits of East Lansing?” The address is active for students and will remain active until the end of March. The e-mails can range from concerns over a student’s rights as a tenant to how summer festivals could be better served if they were held on dates when students could attend. The survey is the first in a series planned to better develop communication between the two groups, Rosenthal said. “This is the time students need to step up,” he said.

FEATURES

Lansing record label showcases its roster

Dan Julian
February 26, 2002

Lansing - In front of a table of middle-aged locals celebrating a 30-year-old’s birthday and working folk kicking back Saturday at the Point After Eatery & Pub, five bands on the Lansing-based Rexrode Records celebrated its roster. Curt Micol, president of Rexrode Records, said the review went far beyond his expectations. “I thought the bands had really good shows and they had a lot of fans there,” he said.

SPORTS

Softball team splits two weekend games

Chris Mackinder
February 26, 2002

The softball team split its two games at the Elon Tournament on Saturday. The Spartans (1-5) won the first game, their first victory of the season, 7-0 over Elon (0-8), but dropped the second 1-0 to UNC-Greensboro (9-2). In the first contest, senior pitcher Becky Gray set a MSU single-game strikeout record by ringing up 13 hitters.

COMMENTARY

Rodeo riders treat animals with care

As a rodeo competitor, I must respond to Jeanne Mladonicky’s recent letter (“Rodeos do nothing but hurt animals,” SN 2/22). Current rules include mandatory inspection before each event, on-site veterinarians at every contest, fines and disqualifications for mistreatment, limitation to the length of an animal’s career and use of protective equipment for the animals. A flank strap is not the reason animals buck.

MICHIGAN

Condition of Michigan roads, highways continues improving

Aaron Johnson
February 26, 2002

Michigan’s Transportation Team released a report Monday detailing the status of Michigan’s roads and bridges. The report found roads had generally improved over the past 10 years, both in quality and safety. More people are using Michigan roads, but a $1.2 billion increase in state and federal funding over the past five years has prevented the roads from degrading, according to the report. Students can see such repairs this summer on Interstate 96 and Michigan Highway 43. The amount of motor vehicle fatalities has decreased since 1995 by 10 percent, according to the report. “They’re talking about the safety of Michigan’s roads

MICHIGAN

I-96 will feature hi-tech devices to deter speeders

Kendra Snyder
February 26, 2002

MSU and transportation officials are trying to make construction zones safer for motorists and workers.Experimental sensors and electronic signs will display the safe speed limit on a five-mile stretch of Interstate 96’s construction zone south and west of Lansing.In addition, the Michigan Department of Transportation announced that it will use at least $350,000 to cover the overtime costs of police officers patrolling work areas across the state.MDOT employee Jeff Grossklaus said the sensors will be installed in April and will detect the volume and speed of traffic as well as indicating if the pavement is wet.

FEATURES

Damned is goth at its worst

Drew Harmon
February 25, 2002

There are few things in this world funnier than goth kids. While their closest modern likeness is the clown, and they are very rarely intentionally funny, goth kids are trying to be scary and turn out hilarious. Walking around in torn-up mesh and leather clothing with face paint, fake fangs and a bad attitude, they always brighten up a day.

FEATURES

Monsters storm Breslin

Joe Sweeney
February 25, 2002

Monster trucks ripped through Breslin Center Friday and Saturday and brought car-crushing, crowd pleasing, high-octane action for the two-day crowd of 12,000.“We come for the loud noise and to see the smile on his face,” James Morris of Waverly said, gesturing to his son Nick, 5. Nick said his favorite truck is Bulldozer, but he would settle rooting for Grave Digger since Bulldozer was not at the show.

COMMENTARY

U wrong in not renewing contract

I just wanted to respond to your article concerning the Department of Religious Studies. (“Religious Studies’ fate uncertain,” SN 2/22). Let me say it is a true shame, a tragedy even, what is happening to Professor John Grimes.

BASKETBALL

Off the bubble

Justin A. Rice
February 25, 2002

The MSU men’s basketball team made the NCAA Tournament selection committee raise a collective brow Sunday.The Spartans toppled Big Ten-leading No.

MICHIGAN

Survey predicts increase in employment during spring

Aaron Johnson
February 25, 2002

Those who have spent the past months frantically searching for jobs may have some relief in sight.After several months of disappointing employment figures, some officials now say hiring could increase in the coming months.An employment outlook survey put together by Manpower Inc. found that almost 30 percent of employers in the state of Michigan are expecting to increase employment during April, May and June.The Lansing area, predicted to see a net increase of 13 percent, is expected to approximate the state average.“Usually what we’ve seen in the most recent past and the trends for Lansing and for Michigan is usually pretty close to the national trends,” said Elaine Sandbrook area manager for Manpower.The survey, conducted quarterly by Manpower, compiled data taken from 16,000 companies nationwide.Estimates for the first quarter of the year, released in November, predicted no change in employment with just as many employers predicting an increase in employment as those predicting a decrease.“The last one we had was pretty bleak,” Sandbrook said.