Monday, July 13, 2026

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COMMENTARY

Equal protection

Tuesday’s election was a moral victory for gay rights supporters in Michigan, as ballots were cast in three cities in favor of anti-discrimination policies that include sexual orientation.Huntington Woods residents voted to approve a human rights ordinance passed by the city commission earlier this year that outlaws sexual orientation-based discrimination.In Kalamazoo and Traverse City, voters rejected a measure that would have amended the city charter to prohibit any ordinances to grant gays, lesbians or bisexuals “protected” status.While the voting ended in favor of the gay community, there is still more work that can be done.In April, Rep.

NEWS

Students learn interview skills

When graduation nears, many students start thinking about job interviews, which companies they want to apply to, how much money they hope to make and what they are going to do after graduation. But the School of Hospitality Business says students need to get a handle on their job interviewing skills before they can start their job search.

MSU

ASMSU opposes anti-drinking bills

ASMSU’s Student Assembly voted unanimously last week to oppose two legislative bills that would affect college students.One bill deals with making it possible to serve jail time for a minor in possession charge, the other would make using a fake ID a felony.Joe Mignano, external vice chairman for Student Assembly, said these bills deal with students and they needed to be addressed.“We look out for students - that’s why we’re here,” he said.Mignano said MSU’s undergraduate student government believes the bills inflict harsh penalties and are directly geared toward college students.“We’re not condoning these activities,” he said.

NEWS

Uncommon majors lead to distinct career choices

In the search for the perfect major, some students choose the road less traveled with uncommon majors, or a unique specialization. One of these unique career paths, with only two current students, is the Canadian Studies specialization. It is designed for students who wish to increase their understanding of the processes of social, economic, political and cultural change in Canada and Canada’s international relations. Senior Kathryn Telford, one of the Canadian Studies students, said she feels the specialization will help her pursue her goals. “I am a food science major and because there is so much cross-border trade, it’s good marketing for me to understand all the laws and the differences in the two governments,” Telford said. She hopes her specialization will help her to work in trade for a Canadian company. Veterinary students also have an unusual option for their studies as well. The Pathobiology and Diagnostic Investigation program allows students who have finished Veterinary School to pursue more specialized research in different areas of the field. Thomas Bell, professor and associate chairman of the Department of Pathobiology and Diagnostic Investigation, said students of pathobiology are more concerned with looking at diseases that occur, finding ways to diagnose uncommon diseases and performing research to help identify and define bizarre diseases in animals. Bell said many MSU researchers have been instrumental in diagnosing important diseases that have entered the state. “Jon Patterson, associate professor, identified the West Nile Virus, which killed people in New York last year, in a bird in Michigan,” Bell said.

NEWS

Programs offer alternatives

For many students, graduation means a job and a salary, but some graduates choose to forego that route for a couple of years and spend their time in service. Both the Peace Corps and the AmeriCorps*VISTA programs cater to this segment of the graduating population. For those seeking to completely remove themselves from the world of American business, the Peace Corps could be the answer. More than 1,800 MSU alumni have volunteered in the Peace Corps since its inception in 1961, including MSU President M.

MICHIGAN

Kilpatrick lays out future

Kwame Kilpatrick began talking about his plans for his new job as the mayor of Detroit on Wednesday. “I think young people across the country can look at Detroit as a beacon of light,” said Kilpatrick, the Detroit Democrat who defeated City Council President Gil Hill in Tuesday’s election. With 91 percent of precincts reporting Wednesday, Kilpatrick had 104,287 votes, or 54 percent, to Hill’s 88,992 votes, or 46 percent. After serving as House minority leader for the past 10 months, Kilpatrick earned a narrow victory over Hill early Wednesday.

COMMENTARY

Students needed abortion exhibit

The visit of “The Genocide Awareness Project” has spurred opinions in The State News lately, and as the president of MSU Students For Life, I would like to respond. First, one student wrote in a letter that she didn’t see “one pamphlet supporting counseling centers” (“Presentation does not solve problem,” SN 10/29). There were three, in addition to signs posted for crisis pregnancies and post-abortive counseling.

BASKETBALL

Izzo to get $1.3M, bonus to stay at U

MSU men’s basketball head coach Tom Izzo received a seven-year rolling contract Wednesday, recognizing him as one of the elite college basketball coaches in the country. The contract, stemming from his rapid success at the program’s helm, brings his annual earnings up $200,000 to $1.3 million, MSU President M.

SPORTS

After up and down season, team ready to pounce at Big Ten Tournament

The matchup today between the MSU women’s soccer team and Michigan has more at stake than just state pride.The game comes in the first round of the Big Ten Tournament in West Lafayette, Ind.With a record of 10-7-2, the Spartans have only a slight chance of receiving a bid to the NCAA Tournament.But with a strong showing in the Big Ten Tournament, the team could win an automatic bid or at least increase its chances of receiving an invitation, head coach Tom Saxton said.“The NCAA Tournament is still there for us,” he said.

NEWS

Columnist wishes for decision-free days of childhood

When it comes to a career, I believe everyone has control of his or her own destiny. But when it’s time to choose a career, why does that envisioned destiny seem to become a little clouded? When I was little, I had these great talks with my dad about my dreams, and everything seemed to be so simple.

NEWS

Bombs left at Michigan Tech compelling U to be cautious

Two bombs found at Michigan Technological University on Monday have prompted MSU police to heighten security on campus. “We have stepped up patrols to our research areas and have increased foot patrols as a proactive response,” MSU police Detective Steven Beard said.

FEATURES

Piece to be debuted at Wharton tonight

On Thursday evening, Wharton Center guests will hear music never before heard by concertgoers. “Trio in Red” by Aaron Jay Kernis was commissioned by Wharton Center to be performed by the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center. “They’re one of the premier chamber music groups in the country,” Wharton Center Executive Director Bill Wright said.

MICHIGAN

Students take action outside courtroom

Ten students who say they were the victims of racial profiling when they were asked to leave Meridian Mall last month are trying to solve the problem - without lawsuits.With the help of campus administrators, student groups and the American Civil Liberties Union, some of the students plan to meet with mall and store officials next week.The students were asked to leave the Deb Shop in the Okemos mall Oct.

NEWS

Internships can give U an edge

At MSU, students prepare in the classroom for their future careers. But in addition to that, some MSU graduates have found experience to give them the upper hand when looking for a job - experience gained through an internship.Pat Lovelace, a 1998 MSU building construction management graduate, said his work experience with a construction company helped him to not only land a job, but forge an idea of what he wanted to do with his career.“Students should get an idea of the business world before they commit to a contract or a job,” he said.

COMMENTARY

Refs OK, U-M lost game on its own

I would like to dispel the ridiculous idea that MSU benefited from bad officiating. After one of the University of Michigan penalties in the fourth quarter, the personal foul on Charles Rogers, I believe the referees mistakenly did not stop the clock as is required after a penalty is called.