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MSU

Campus groups educate about MCRI

Although it is too late to register to vote, student organizations are continuing to educate students on campus about the Michigan Civil Rights Initiative, or MCRI. Black Caucuses around campus are educating students about the MCRI through discussions and events.

MSU

Board to talk through medical school location

With plans to expand the College of Human Medicine into the Grand Rapids area, the MSU Board of Trustees will now decide what site would best suit this new expansion. The board will meet Friday to discuss whether or not planning should begin on what the new building will look like and where it will be built. Trustee Dee Cook said she wanted to emphasize that this was a proposal to start planning and said she has plenty of questions before they should even mention a specific site. "I am very much in favor of expanding the site and very excited as well," Cook said.

MICHIGAN

Potter Park Zoo could face downsizing if millage doesn't pass

A proposal on the Ingham County ballot to increase funding for the Potter Park Zoo in Lansing might make the difference in the zoo's survival. And that, supporters say, is important enough to impose a $46 annual tax increase, at most, on property owners in the county. "Basically, Lansing has built a pretty nice zoo but then couldn't afford to keep it up," said Ingham County Commissioner Mark Grebner.

MICHIGAN

Marcinkowski: Free trade hurts Mich.

Jim Marcinkowski has waged a campaign focused on change. The Democratic challenger for Michigan's 8th Congressional District, which includes MSU, says he wants to "put this country back on course" by increasing funding for health care, withdrawing troops from Iraq and improving the country's economy. After spending more than 30 years in government service, including tenures in the FBI, CIA and Navy Marcinkowski switched to politics and joined the Oakland County Prosecutor's Office where he became Royal Oak's deputy city attorney in 1996.

MSU

Simons donate more than $2.5M to MSU programs

A portion of funds donated by President Lou Anna K. Simon and her husband, Roy, will go toward helping students in music and those who work for the Physical Plant. President Simon will not disclose the exact amount donated because she said it's her "personal choice" not to.

MSU

Student input helps guide new renovation projects on campus

Proposed construction to Mayo Hall could raise more than dust. The hall's allegedly haunted basement, as well as the rest of the building, face a $10.5 million facelift that students worry could disrupt its spooky atmosphere. "We need to upgrade the electric system, plumbing, fire alarm system and redo bathrooms and furniture," said Angela Brown, University Housing director.

MSU

MSU to host engineering conference for first time

MSU is the first-time host for the National Association of Engineering Student Councils', or NAESC, Midwest conference. The conference is held annually to discuss improvements in engineering education. The MSU Student Engineering Council is a student government within the College of Engineering that works to discuss curriculum changes and is the representative body for student groups within the college, said Ana Maria Almonte, MSU Student Engineering Council president.

MICHIGAN

Laws against drunken intruding may be lessened

East Lansing is easing up on drunkards who wander into the wrong house. Currently, wandering into someone else's home after a night of drunken debauchery can send someone to jail with a felony charge on his or her criminal record. But if the City Council amends a few city laws at its meeting tonight, East Lansing's lushes could instead stagger away with a fine or 90-day misdemeanor. This way, the police department can forward the information to the East Lansing city attorney, and any cases will be handled on a local level, instead of going to circuit court. Police now have to fill out paperwork for the Ingham County Prosecutor's Office and wait for charges to be issued for these cases. "It streamlines the paperwork," East Lansing Deputy police Chief Juli Liebler said of the amendment. There were about five instances of intoxicated people entering the wrong residence during Welcome Weekend, and it happens at least a couple of times each weekend, Liebler said. "We've had people come in and make themselves a sandwich or get in somebody else's bed," she said.

MICHIGAN

Rogers wants initiative to create jobs

U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers says he will pursue alternative energy and reforming health care if re-elected by Michigan voters on Nov.7. Serving as Michigan's 8th Congressional District representative in Washington, D.C., since 2000, Rogers said despite the work he's done in his term, there's more to do. The federal government reported a 4.6 percent national unemployment rate, 6.1 million jobs created in the last three years and the nation's deficit was cut in half, Rogers said. Michigan's unemployment rate is about 7.1 percent. "If you look at the national economy, Michigan is way behind," he said.

MSU

International fair to offer work information

The International Opportunities Fair will be held from noon to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 24, on the second floor of the Union. Students will receive information about internships, volunteering, teaching and working abroad from 50 MSU international units and external organizations. Students do not need to register, and dress is casual. For more information, visit http://studyabroad.msu.edu.