MICHIGAN
Bill to up points for work-zone offenses
Drivers who break the law in construction zones may only be points away from a lost license. A bill introduced by Rep.
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
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
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
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
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.
NEWS
MIDDAY UPDATE: Academic Council votes against saving visual impairment program
After an hour of debate, MSU’s Academic Council voted down a proposal to save the university’s visual impairment education program.ASMSU, the undergraduate student government, made a motion to amend the University Committee on Curriculum’s report, which suggested the elimination of the program.
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
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
MSU
University Apartments to vote on tax increase
A referendum to increase the tax of University Apartments residents will be before the MSU community March 12-16.Apartment leaseholders currently pay a $1.50 tax during spring and fall.
NEWS
Union wont strike after break
Student groups Direct Action and Students for Economic Justice support a one-day strike on March 11 that calls for all students to not participate in class.
MSU
Date-rape drug presentation to be sponsored by greeks
Fifteen-year-old Samantha Reid left for the movies on Jan. 16, 1999, with a group of friends. The date-rape drug GHB, gamma hydroxybutyrate, was slipped into her soft drink.
MICHIGAN
I-96 will feature hi-tech devices to deter speeders
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
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
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
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
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.
FEATURES
High school playwrights earn honors for scripts
After he watched the MSU men’s basketball team triumph over Indiana on Sunday, Scott Tobey rushed to see his son take first place in the sixth annual Young Playwrights Festival.
FOOTBALL
Football gets new coach
Danny Crossman was named linebackers coach and special teams coordinator for the MSU football team Friday. Crossman, 35, served as an assistant coach at Georgia Tech the last three years.