Speech a chance to show ‘vision’

MSU’s tradition of its president giving an annual State of the University Address is common among some other universities in the Big Ten.But while an annual event, many students show little interest in attending.Joyce Sandie, an elementary education senior, agrees such a speech is important to keep students informed of key issues on campus.Yet she has no intention of attending.“I wasn’t aware that he gave such a speech but I am going to listen to what he has to say,” Sandie said.

Bill wont stop binge drinking

In response to state Rep. Sandy Caul’s letter on her legislation of kegs (“Keg legislation will save lives,” SN 2/8), I would like to clarify certain incidents she is using as her defense. First off, the tragedy of Bradley McCue’s death was a result of “binge drinking,” where he consumed more than five drinks in one sitting.

African Forms displayed at new U.S. exhibit

By KATHERINE ROTH The Associated Press NEW YORK - Sometimes a spoon is more than just a spoon. In the first major U.S.

McPherson reflects on presidency, U

For nearly eight years, MSU President M. Peter McPherson has been on one wild roller coaster ride. The university’s 39th president has been in the front seat as MSU flew to new fund-raising heights - raising a record $121.3 million last year - and plummeted to new lows.

Napster forced to cease operation

College students across the nation got a bitter surprise Monday as the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco forced Napster, the free online music trading service, to discontinue its operation. Napster announced it will appeal the decision. “We look forward to getting more facts into the record and will pursue every avenue in the courts and the Congress to keep Napster operating,” Napster officials said in a statement. The panel Monday ordered a lower court judge to rewrite her injunction that instructed Napster to cease its actions pending a trial in a lawsuit filed by the Recording Industry Association of America. “This is a clear victory,” said Hilary Rosen, president and CEO of the Recording Industry Association of America.

Few penalties may lead to great hockey

Maybe nice guys do finish first.The top-ranked Spartans, the least-penalized team in the CCHA, have a five-point lead in the league and their tendency toward good behavior might have something to do with it.The Spartans have tallied nine goals in their last three games - all officiated by CCHA referee Duke Shegos - while only being whistled for six penalties.“The refs have been letting a lot of stuff go, but I think we’ve been playing pretty disciplined as a team,” junior defenseman Andrew Hutchinson said.“We’ve had low penalties the whole year and we’ve just been fortunate that we haven’t taken any these past few games.”MSU averages 15.35 penalty minutes per league game, almost a full minute less than second-place Northern Michigan.The Spartans actually started their current three-game stretch of sainthood - Feb.

Celebration honors Susan B. Anthony

The Tri-County Women’s Coalition hopes the flicker of candles today will remind people to honor Susan B.

Eminem at Grammys may be show-stopper

I’m so in denial, it’s not even funny. If there is any truth to one of the most recent rumors flying around Hollywood, I will seriously assume the world around me is nothing more than my own nightmare.Could hate-speakin’ rapper Eminem and distinguished rock ‘n’ roll royalty Sir Elton John actually share the same stage at the Grammy Awards next week in Los Angeles?

Students celebrate Vagina Day in New York

The 19,000 people who filled Madison Square Garden in New York City on Saturday were asked to stand if they, or someone they knew, had been a victim of sexual assault.“Everyone in the entire place stood up,” international studies junior Melanie Olmsted said. “It was an extremely moving experience.”According the National Organization for Women, 132,00 women are sexually assaulted each year.Olmsted and 14 other MSU students traveled to New York for Vagina Day and the showing of the “Vagina Monologues”. Written by Eve Ensler, the monologues feature 15 stories women perform about experiences with sexuality.“The “Vagina Monologues” are so wonderful because they explore taboos that aren’t normally expressed,” Olmsted said.

Report reveals Lansing crime at 20-year low

Lansing crime has decreased to a 20-year low, according to a report released Monday by the Lansing Police Department. Major crime rates, which include robbery, burglary, larceny and murder, decreased by 12.6 percent during the past year. Robbery decreased by 33.3 percent, burglary dropped by 13.7 percent and larceny fell 13.9 percent.

Diversity promoted through cultural art

Maggie Chen Hernandez, coordinator for MSU’s Multicultural Center, said while students often work for racial diversity, they seldom receive recognition for their endeavors. “A lot of the effort to push for multiculturalism at Michigan State comes from students and students should be recognized for some of their outstanding contributions and efforts,” she said. Chen Hernandez and MSU’s Office of Affirmative Action Compliance and Monitoring hope to change that. The Excellence in Diversity Recognition and Awards Program will provide cash awards to individuals, teams, organizations and students who have shown a commitment to promoting and supporting diversity at MSU. As many as three individual students and three student teams will be awarded $2,500 through the “Excellence in Diversity” and “Excellence Within Community” categories.

RHA votes to raise student tax, tuition may increase

Students living on campus may see a $3 tax increase on fall semester tuition bills. At its meeting last week, the Residence Halls Association voted in favor of raising its student tax from $18 to $21 for the 2001-02 academic year.

Napster shouldnt be taken away from us

College students and free music junkies everywhere are in a state of panic. Napster’s days seem numbered after Monday’s court ruling.

Police briefs 02/13/01

Poll shows mixed approval rating for Bush

Kim Porter said she feels President Bush is too conservative and not diverse enough to appeal to younger generations.

Bill asks for braille on emergency phones

ASMSU’s Student Assembly approved a bill Thursday that requests the university place braille writing on all green light emergency phones across campus.“(The measure) basically sends a message that we care about persons with disabilities and their safety,” said Matt Weingarden, the assembly’s Council of Students With Disabilities representative.About 100 emergency telephones are placed in specific parts of MSU’s campus for students to use if they require police assistance.But Weingarden said because the phone booths do not provide adequate light for those who are visually impaired, it is necessary for the numbers to have braille markings on them.“The (current safety) program itself is not inclusive as is,” he said.

Comedy of Errors proves to be no Shakespearean mistake

Mistaken identity, chaos, flailing limbs and melodramatic wailing prevailed in this weekend’s opening run of Shakespeare’s “The Comedy of Errors” at the Wharton Center’s Pasant Theatre. And it just happened to be funny.

Rainy weather causes flood conditions

Sparty needs more than a helmet and gown to protect him - he needs waders and an umbrella. After a period of unseasonably warm weather and rain, the largest freestanding ceramic statue in the world is battling a lake of rain and melted snow creeping up Red Cedar Road. Other areas surrounding campus aren’t faring much better.

McPherson to address educational progression

MSU President M. Peter McPherson plans to talk about the future of university commercialization and globalization when he delivers his eighth annual State of the University address Tuesday afternoon. With MSU currently experiencing a “momentum” boost, McPherson said the opportunities for educational advancement are endless. “Institutions like ours need to continue to change,” said McPherson, the university’s president since Oct.

Hannibal offers little more than blood, gore

At some point during director Ridley Scott’s grisly take on the Thomas Harris franchise, one gets the feeling the hype over “Hannibal” just results in a conditioned response.