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NEWS

Reaction split over undercover officer

Jeremy W. Steele
April 5, 2001

University police probably acted within the law when officials used an undercover officer to infiltrate a student activist group, state legal experts say.But area law enforcement officials and legal scholars disagree about whether the use of such tactics was proper.“There are legitimate times when police agencies can use undercover investigations,” former state Attorney General Frank Kelley said Wednesday.Kelley, Michigan’s top lawyer for 37 years before retiring in 1998, said many law enforcement agencies, including the FBI and area police, have operated extensive undercover operations within political groups - and all legally.However, the use of such a covert operation at a university - a place where students and police have traditionally clashed - is probably a mistake, he said.“Ordinarily, I wouldn’t think that was a very good procedure on a college campus,” he said.MSU police deployed an undercover officer more than a year ago to pose as a student and gather information about Students for Economic Justice, an officially registered student group.In a statement released Friday to The State News, university police Assistant Chief Jim Dunlap said officials were concerned a May 2000 commencement speech by World Bank President James Wolfensohn could draw violent protests, echoing those that began Nov.

COMMENTARY

Blame shared by walkers, motorists

As a student here at MSU I frequently walk to class, work and around Grand River Avenue - just like a majority of the other students here on campus. More than once I have witnessed a few close calls between people who are walking and people who are driving.

MICHIGAN

Council approves ordinance to limit city building heights, keep downtown skyline

Jamie Gumbrecht
April 5, 2001

East Lansing may be maturing as an urban area, but it’s not growing up.After more than one year of discussion and planning, the East Lansing City Council approved an ordinance at its Tuesday regular meeting that limits building heights throughout the city.The height limits have been reduced from eight stories, or 14 with a city permit, to four stories, or 10 with a city permit.The ordinance also allows the city council to make exceptions for projects that would be beneficial to the city but require more height.Councilmember Sam Singh said the change would help protect residents living near the downtown from the shadows of tall buildings, while still leaving the city open to new development.“I think the downtown can handle some more considerable heights, especially on the Grand River (Avenue) side, but as soon as you get down around Albert (Avenue), you start to encroach on neighborhoods,” he said.“We’ve had the opportunity to have buildings of considerable size and it just hasn’t happened.”Orilla McHarris, a resident of East Lansing’s Bailey neighborhood since 1965, said she was pleased with the decision to hold on to the small-town atmosphere that can be ruined by tall buildings.“Our neighborhood is generally in favor of keeping the buildings low and letting everybody get some sunshine and fresh air,” she said.

NEWS

U.S. offers no apology to China

By RON FOURNIER The Associated Press WASHINGTON - The Bush administration Wednesday offered Beijing a chorus of regrets but no apology for the collision between a U.S.

FEATURES

Area band brings show to U

Dan Julian
April 5, 2001

Local rockers Under Construction have an unusual discrepancy with its latest release, “All Access Live.” The band can’t seem to write some of its songs quickly enough. “The only difficulty we ran into is that we have so many newer songs that are fan favorites that didn’t make it on the live album,” vocalist/guitarist Jesse Young said.

MSU

Grant arrives for clinic in time for tax rush

Ed Ronco
April 5, 2001

One campus organization got money from the Internal Revenue Service a little early this year.The MSU-Detroit College of Law Tax and Rental Housing clinics recently received a $100,000 grant from the IRS.“It is funding that is provided for us in order for us to provide the services that we do,” said DCL Professor Michele Halloran, director of the Tax Clinic.Halloran co-wrote and submitted the grant request.

MICHIGAN

U grads combine books and beans at coffee shop

Brandi Lewandowski
April 5, 2001

LANSING - When Lisa Thompson and Cynthia Pugh met on MSU’s campus as undergraduates almost 20 years ago in Bryan Hall, they never imagined they would one day open a Beaner’s Gourmet Coffee shop in Lansing. But that day came Monday, when the duo opened a cafe in hope to promote intellectual conversations and thinking, inside the Capital Area District Library, 401 South Capital Ave. “It’s been fun and hectic,” said Pugh, an owner of the new coffee shop.

MSU

Seminar discusses natural resources

Nicole Jacques
April 5, 2001

Agency executives from around the country made a stop at MSU on Wednesday to discuss the current challenges facing natural resource management in the United States.Nearly 100 people attended the seminar, “Emerging Issues Confronting Natural Resource Agencies in the 21st Century,” in the Communication Arts and Sciences Building.Seven panel members came from as far as Florida, Arizona and Massachusetts, where they are executives of federal or state management and conservation agencies.

NEWS

Gymnasts reflect as program nears end

Tim Mosley
April 5, 2001

Emotions may swell. Tears may fall. Words of solace may be shared. For MSU’s 18-member men’s gymnastics team, walking off the mat after this weekend’s NCAA Championships will mean more than just the end to another season. Fifty-three years after its first match, MSU is preparing to say goodbye to the program. “It’s kind of hard to believe when you’ve been doing it so long - like 13 years - it’s just going to end all of the sudden,” mechanical engineering freshman gymnast Joel Vargo said of his career.

NEWS

Group hosts fashion show, educates crowd

Rachel Wright
April 5, 2001

Students for Economic Justice transformed the sidewalk behind Wells Hall into a catwalk Wednesday, enabling the group’s models to unveil companies they say are exploiting workers’ rights.More than 80 students, most in between classes, stopped and watched as students sported plain white T-shirts featuring names of companies such as Gap, Target, Ann Taylor and Disney.“Disney is known as family-oriented,” Bethany Enright, a mechanical engineering freshman and master of ceremonies, told the crowd via a megaphone.

NEWS

Equal pay

Legislation aimed at closing the gap between wages of men and women in Michigan should be supported by the state Legislature. Sen.