May sky rains out research

In contrast to the gray skies over East Lansing, the corn fields at University Farms have turned bright yellow.If the crops were healthy, they would be dark green by now.East Lansing received nearly 3 1/2 more inches of rain than average last month, damaging hundreds of acres of crops used for research and animal feed.“It’s more water than we normally get, that’s for sure,” said Bary Darling, manager of University Farms.

Activist fights to increase awareness

By MARGIE MASON The Associated Press SAN FRANCISCO - Jeff Getty flips through his sailboat’s log book, a registry of 300 people he took out on San Francisco’s bay to help them forget, for a moment, they were infected with AIDS.

Journalists only give liberal views

Ryan Weltzer’s gentle perplexion at the possibility of conservative thinking amongst his peers may amply demonstrate the answer to the very question he presents (“Writer puzzled by political views of peers,” SN 5/30). It is not surprising in the least that he should be a journalism major, given the admission of his political orientation.

Republicans care about our country

I’m writing in response to the column about young Republicans on campus. I would just like to make a few points about the Republican Party and its members, which Ryan Weltzer brought up (“Writer puzzled by political views of peers,” SN 5/30). I have been a Republican for my whole life, which is undoubtedly influenced by my parents.

Americas greed means drain on energy supply

A couple of weeks ago, in the midst of President Bush’s attempt to push a solution to the energy crisis on the rest of the country, his adviser, Ari Fleisher, made one of the most completely stupid statements I’ve ever been privileged to hear from a supposedly intelligent person.“The president believes that (high-energy consumption) is an American way of life, and that it should be the goal of policymakers to protect the American way of life.

Council to vote on increase of parking fees; will match U

East Lansing residents may find parking in the city a bit more expensive after the East Lansing City Council votes to change parking fines Tuesday. Gary Murphy, the city’s finance director, said he will recommend to the council that the parking fines for meters and reserved parking or no parking spots go up $5. “Most tickets are $20 now, they are recommending $25, if it is an expired meter, which is $10, it will go up to $15,” he said.

Police briefs 06/04/01

Blind decision

The College of Education’s decision to freeze admissions to the special education visual impairment program is disagreeable and detrimental to the college and the university. Administrators from the college and university have placed a hold on admissions for new students after the recent resignation of Professor Susan Bruce, essentially the program’s leader. The visual impairment specialty includes deaf blind, visual impairment and orientation and mobility education and is only one of two visual impairment programs in the state. There are currently about 30 students involved in the program, who have been assured they will be able to graduate with degrees in special education visual impairment. The National Federation for the Blind is planning to sponsor a rally June 8 in front of the Administration Building to support the program. A $1.5 million grant intended for recruitment was recently awarded to the department, but may be in danger if the program doesn’t have enough students, Bruce said. This is a terrible time to put a hold on admissions.

Crew members honored; runner injured

MSU women’s crew members were honored as athletes and students last week. Junior Krista Buzzell was named as a First-Team All-Big Ten member and sophomore Rachel Miller was selected as a Second-Team All-Big Ten honoree. Stacey Hicks, a first-year rower for MSU, was named this year’s Big Ten Conference Freshman of the Year.

Project inspires pride in community recycling

Unlike most other fifth-graders, Lizzy McDonald didn’t sleep in Saturday. She woke up early, shimmied into a bright yellow rain poncho and volunteered at East Lansing’s seventh annual Project Pride.“My mom and me did this last year,” 11-year-old McDonald said.

E.L. Aquatic Center offers fun for all

Two-year-old Elaine Loomis has learned the breast stroke and blown up her floaties. And she was ready for the opening of the East Lansing Aquatic Center, 6400 Abbott Road, on Thursday. “I want to go swimming,” she said, staring at the pool in her bathing suit and floaties, waiting for the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

E.L. to unveil aquatic center today

East Lansing residents may not have to break out their sunscreen for the expected cool weather today, but they can put on bathing suits and get ready to have fun at East Lansing’s newest attraction. The Aquatic Center, 6400 Abbott Road, will celebrate its grand opening at 5 p.m.

Spartans honored for academic excellence

Forty-eight MSU athletes were honored Tuesday as the Big Ten announced its spring Academic All-Big Ten team.

Study reveals premature babies may adopt behavioral problems later in life

Behavioral problems developed by children later in life might be attributed to their low birth weight, according to a new study. Nigel Paneth, chairman of the Department of Epidemiology, co-authored an international study published in the May 26 issue of The Lancet, a medical journal.

Spartys Coney Island closes doors for good

Nick Bofferding wishes he had discovered Sparty’s Coney Island sooner.The mechanical engineering senior said he is very disappointed the restaurant, 1127 E.

Future of role model responsibility in jeopardy

Have you ever sat and listened to a group of small children talking about their parents? There is always an enormous amount of pride and fervor in their little voices.

Workshop to explore environmental journalism issues

Journalism majors and journalists have the chance to learn more about the environment at MSU. Starting Tuesday, the fifth annual Great Lakes Environmental Journalism Training Institute, a four-and-a-half-day workshop, will be held for journalists to learn about environmental issues. “The conference will focus on environmental journalism and teaching the most recent climate changes on the Great Lakes region,” said Jim Detjen, director of the Knight Center for Environmental Journalism at MSU.

L.A. Globe files suit over liquor license

A Lansing nightclub, which has shut down after a series of liquor law violations, has filed a $25 million lawsuit against the city, claiming the city council was racially biased in its rare decision to not renew the establishment’s liquor license. L.A.

Education program in question

Although Erica Ziegler will graduate with an education degree that allows her to teach visually impaired students, there may not be many after her.A hold has been placed on admissions to the special education program focusing on visually impaired students while it is being reviewed by college officials and university administrators.“Their big thing is to just reassure everybody that’s enrolled that they’re going to finish, but they’re not answering any other questions,” said Ziegler, a special education senior.

New state bill would mandate bully policies

Children between the ages of 4 and 13 swarm around the halls of East Lansing’s Glencairn Elementary five days a week. Principal Kari Naghtin can’t keep her eyes on all of them. But she still hopes they will come to her with their problems - especially problems like bullying. “I know that in a lot of instances that I’ve encountered, there has been a sense that, ‘nothing’s going to happen if I report it,’” Naghtin said.