ASMSU hopes to draw voters

While ASMSU officials said they are confident the undergraduate student government’s election - which begins today and ends Thursday - will run without a hitch, one concern still remains. “Elections should run smoothly, but voter turnout is the bigger question,” said Nimri Niemchak, ASMSU chief of staff. Students must be undergraduates who have not received a refund on the $13 ASMSU tax to vote in the student government election.

Assistant prosecutor dies suddenly

Ingham County Chief Assistant Prosecutor Kathaleen Rae Price died Sunday. She was 48.Price managed a staff of 30 attorneys and specialized in cases of domestic violence, sexual assault and drug gang cases in her three years as the county’s No.

Interstate 496 closes in April

Lansing resident Cory Jones will have to take another route to campus when construction begins on Interstate 496 at 6 p.m.

Bands unique sound to rock E.L. stage

Shawn Parker thinks if there’s one band everyone should see in the Lansing area, it is Knee Deep Shag. “I don’t think you get a lot of great live bands in Lansing these days,” said the lead music seller at Barnes and Noble Booksellers in the Lansing Mall, 5132 W.

Lazy Sundays are missed during school year

I miss Sundays. I miss the lazy close to the weekend the day used to be for me. Ever since I came to college, Sundays have turned into a day of last-minute cramming or hurriedly driving back to campus to make it to the 1 p.m.

Minority aides to assist Indias earthquake sufferers

Four teams of minority aides will travel throughout South Complex dorms Wednesday to help provide relief to earthquake victims in India. “We’ll be going through all of the dorms, collecting clothing items and pop cans,” said Michael Oden, the complex coordinator for minority aides in South Complex dorms. The students will gather items from 7 p.m.

Spartan recruit earns top high school award

The Associated Press DETROIT - When people talk about Kelvin Torbert, this year’s Mr. Basketball, the word “special” is used a lot - and not just because of what he does on the court. On Monday, Torbert became the 21st winner of the award. Torbert is headed to MSU next year, joining a long list of Flint standouts who’ve played for head coach Tom Izzo. “I’m real excited to go up to East Lansing and play for a coach like coach Izzo and play with players like (last year’s Mr. Basketball) Marcus Taylor and (1999 Mr. Basketball) Jason Richardson; that caliber of players,” Torbert said.

Todays special elections to fill three open seats

The empty spots in the state Legislature will be filled today by a special election. And although predictions are low for voter turnout, the candidates for the 26th state Senate district have been trying to get their messages out in the hopes of getting people to the polls.“The campaign looks like it did from the beginning - in question,” said Rosemary Reed, a Democratic candidate from Perry, Mich.

Judicial group allows students to judge peers

MSU students looking to see fellow classmates have a fair court case could find their place with Judicial Affairs. Judicial Affairs, a division of Student Life, is searching for students to fill various positions for the 2001-02 school year. Positions are open to both undergraduate and graduate students of all majors. Duties include judging cases of MSU students and deciding when to put students on probation, change their living arrangements, or suspend them.

McCallie instills idea: Choose to be a champion

Last April, the MSU women’s basketball team filed into the team room in the Breslin Student Events Center.

Touring troupe helps bring Shakespeares work to life

When people think of William Shakespeare, their minds turn to Romeo, Juliet, Hamlet - and now Sparty.

Cell phones can be distracting

As I sat on the bus Monday morning, engulfed in my sleepy haze, I was jarred awake by the ringing of a cellular phone.

Religious beliefs should be shared

I would like to address some of the comments that were raised in “Religion should stay within house of worship” (SN 3/15), as one of the college students who went down to Panama City, Fla., to share my faith about Christ. I did not go down to Panama City in an attempt to force my religious doctrine on anyone, or to convert as many people as possible to Christianity.

Freshmen shine during weekend

Anytime a coach throws freshmen into the madness of March, it’s a gamble. But the Spartans left Memphis, Tenn., holding all the chips. MSU head coach Tom Izzo said he never thought twice about playing freshmen guard Marcus Taylor and center Zach Randolph their normal minutes in their first NCAA Tournament. And why should he?

LCC ends review; two programs cut, three suspended

LANSING - Lansing Community College’s Board of Trustees eliminated two of its programs and suspended three Monday, after hearing President Paula Cunningham’s final program recommendations.More than four months of reviewing the aviation, court reporting, dance, dental assistant, quality assurance and medical assistant programs came to a close when trustees decided the fate of the six programs in limbo.

Financing U

Although programs exist for low-income students, universities need to make a better attempt and accommodate their financial needs. The number of low-income students applying for college is rising, but the amount of financial aid money is not. The Advisory Committee on Student Financial Assistance recently released the Access Denied Report, which analyzed the financial situation of students entering college.

Speaker discusses politics at heritage month kickoff

To Mike Kueh, hearing Shamina Singh speak was an amazing opportunity.Singh, former executive director of the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, addressed an informal group of about 30 students, including Kueh, on Saturday night in McDonel Hall at the kickoff for Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.Kueh, a telecommunication senior, said Singh’s address was a good way to get insight on how politics play a role in his community.“I think it just makes us better aware of where Asian Americans stand in the United States,” he said.Representation, unity and solidarity were all among issues addressed at the event, which was sponsored by the Coalition of Indian Undergraduate Students, the Asian and Pacific American Student Organization and the Residence Halls Association.Established by an executive order of former President Clinton in 1999, the initiative Singh worked in aimed to improve the quality of life of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders through increased participation in federal programs where they could be underserved, such as health, human services, education and labor.Singh said to her, the initiative was a promise against hate crimes and discrimination, and for due process and prosperity in the United States.“The signing of this executive order opened a door for our community,” she said.Throughout her speech Singh stressed giving Asian Americans a louder voice.“I think it’s time that we stand up,” she said.

Police briefs 03/19/01

Ska band energizes crowd during weekend Common Grounds show

Talking was kept to a minimum and dancing was cranked to the max Saturday night at Common Grounds Coffeehouse, as ska band MU330 performed for nearly 200 people.With two trombones, an electric guitar, a bass guitar and percussion, the St.

Childrens films bring in raw imagination

After watching his film on the big screen for the first time, assistant cameraman Josh Warner was surprised how days of filming were turned into a seamless 15 minutes. “When you tape it, when you put it all together you think it’s all one day,” the East Lansing Pinecrest Elementary fifth-grader said. “When you watch it, it looks like all one shot.” The film Warner’s class made, “Billy Gates & Doris the Dorkus,” premiered Sunday at the East Lansing Children’s Film Festival. Now in its fourth year, the three-day festival in South Kedzie Hall featured more than 50 live-action and animated shorts from 15 countries, some by area youngsters. A prelude to next weekend’s East Lansing Film Festival, it offers an opportunity for families to view educational and entertaining short films, as well as take part in a number of activities. The festival culminated Sunday with cake and a showcase of the Youth Film Competition entries, big-screen premieres of films made by children and students from as far as Suttons Bay, some 190 miles north near Traverse City. The competition hosted divisions for elementary, middle and high school filmmakers. “It’s encouraging for the young directors,” East Lansing Film Festival co-director Shaun McNally said.