NEWS

Americans making shorter holiday travel plans

Jeff Kanan

November 19, 2008

Students are choosing to stay home for the holidays, travel experts said. Travel is down across the board, and people looking to get away are planning trips closer to home, said Eddie Lindow, branch manager for STA Travel, 207 E. Grand River Ave. “The economy is the biggest thing — people don’t have the money for this,” Lindow said. “There used to be a lot of international travel, but a lot of people are just going home now.”

MSU

Alternative Spring Break increases in popularity

Kayla Habermehl

November 19, 2008

While many MSU students use spring break to party or lie on the beach, others will use the time off to help the environment. Alternative Spring Break, or ASB, is a student organization that allows students to use their week off for service activities. The trips are divided into nine categories, ranging from those with an environmental focus to disaster relief.

MICHIGAN

Ingham County seeks public servants

Kelly House

November 19, 2008

Friday is the last day for Ingham County residents to apply to fill open positions on several county boards and committees. The county has openings on the Board of Health, Parks & Recreation Commission, Equal Opportunity Committee and Women’s Commission. It also is seeking representatives from the business community and the general community for the Community Corrections Advisory Board.

MICHIGAN

E.L. residents can trade in holiday lights, receive coupon toward LED lights

Allison Bush

November 19, 2008

The holiday season is going to be greener than usual in East Lansing this year. The city is promoting environmentally friendly holiday decoration by accepting holiday light strands for recycling. Students and residents who participate will receive a 15 percent-off coupon toward the purchase of LED holiday lights from HolidayLEDs.com.

MICHIGAN

Sisters turn love for cheer into new career

Krystle Wagner

November 19, 2008

In a world where many children choose their values from TV shows, Carla Colbeck and her sister, Laura Colbeck, said they take it upon themselves to get their athletes involved. Two weeks after finding the ideal location, the Colbeck sisters opened the doors in late September of the Capital Cheer Training Facility, 3125B Pine Tree Road, in Lansing. The facility is home to the Capital Cheer All Stars LLC, which Carla Colbeck — who graduated in 2007 with a degree in business management — founded during her sophomore year at MSU.

MSU

Marketing workshop, career fair today at Union

Pat Evans

November 19, 2008

The Marketing Mix and the MSU Marketing Association, or MSUMA, will team up to bring students the first-ever Marketing Workshop and Career Fair at 3 p.m. today at the Union. Several additions were made this year to MSUMA’s annual Career Fair, said marketing senior Molly Vu, vice president of communication for the Marketing Mix.

MICHIGAN

Jobless rate in Mich. climbs to 9.3 percent

Jeff Kanan

November 19, 2008

Michigan recorded its highest unemployment rate in 16 years in October, reaching 9.3 percent as the state’s manufacturing sector continues to free fall. The unemployment rate for October of 2007 was 7.5 percent in Michigan, and 8.7 percent in September.

NEWS

U-M higher-up recommended to fill MSU vice president slot

Justin Harris

November 18, 2008

With the support of MSU President Lou Anna K. Simon, Robert Groves has been recommended to become the new vice president for university advancement. Groves currently works at the University of Michigan as the associate vice president and campaign director for university development.

NEWS

E.L. buildings go green

Allison Bush

November 18, 2008

East Lansing is “Going green” with its developments. “One of the things we’ve thought about is … we’d like to promote LEED certification when projects get funding from the city,” said Tim Schmitt, a community development analyst for East Lansing. LEED certification is a nationally accepted program that rates the level of green buildings. There are varying levels of certification, from basic to platinum, which is the most environmentally friendly.

NEWS

City Council modifies plans for 4 northern E.L. properties

Allison Bush

November 18, 2008

The northern part of East Lansing dominated much of the conversation at the East Lansing City Council meeting Tuesday, with the council voting to rezone or otherwise modify plans for several of its parcels.

MICHIGAN

Local businesses expand, examine advertising methods

Jeff Kanan

November 18, 2008

Rapidly improving technology and a rapidly diminishing economy have prompted some local businesses to seek alternative forms of advertising, owners said.

MSU

Campus to host black faith conference

Keiara Tenant

November 18, 2008

For the next three days, Kellogg Center will be the home of the third annual Black Religion and Spirituality Conference.

MSU

ASMSU to focus on finance, policy at final fall meeting

Thea Neal

November 18, 2008

For ASMSU Student Assembly Chairperson Mike Webber, this semester has been about as good as they come. Webber said through teamwork and individual determination, the assembly has succeeded together, and hopes next spring will continue to thrive.

MSU

MSU aims to win annual blood challenge

Sean Ely

November 18, 2008

While the points may keep growing on Saturday, the pints have been growing since the beginning of November.

NEWS

Simon's pay in middle of Big Ten compensation

Justin Harris

November 17, 2008

Even after a raise of $124,750, MSU President Lou Anna K. Simon remains in the lower half of Big Ten university president salaries, according to a survey released Monday by the Chronicle of Higher Education. Simon’s 2007-08 salary of $572,000 represents the seventh-highest salary among the 11 Big Ten institutions. The president’s salary is decided upon by MSU’s eight-member Board of Trustees.

NEWS

University officials visit MSU's Dubai campus

Justin Harris

November 17, 2008

As a group of five students sang “MSU Shadows,” MSU President Lou Anna K. Simon could have sworn she was in East Lansing. Instead, she was in the Middle East, at MSU’s home away from home in Dubai. Simon and MSU Trustees Don Nugent, Scott Romney and Melanie Foster spent part of last week at MSU Dubai for the campus’ official inauguration and ribbon-cutting ceremony.

NEWS

MSU ranks among best in international exchange

Pat Evans

November 17, 2008

MSU is beginning to look like a dynasty for international activity. Study abroad participation and international student enrollment rank in the top 10 nationally among public universities this year, carrying on a standard MSU touts, according to Open Doors 2008.

NEWS

Police Brief 11/18/08

Abby Lubbers

November 17, 2008

A student’s wallet was emptied while he played racquetball Wednesday at IM Sports-West, MSU police Sgt. Florene McGlothian-Taylor said.

MSU

Group looks to set record straight on Africa

Keiara Tenant

November 17, 2008

When Baba Koumare first came to America, he couldn’t speak English very well, but he understood that the media wasn’t portraying Africa in a positive light. “When I got here, people would ask me, ‘Oh my God, Baba, do you wear shoes in Africa? Do you guys wear clothes? Do you live in trees? Do you have huts?’” the supply chain management junior said.

MSU

Study sheds light on HPV, could aid future research

Kayla Habermehl

November 17, 2008

Findings from a recent government study will help researchers in gauging the effectiveness of preventative treatments for cancers associated with human papillomavirus, or HPV. The report, released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention earlier this month, said about 25,000 cases of HPV-associated cancers occurred annually between 1998 and 2003.