Priest: Church OKs stem cell research

The Roman Catholic Church isn't against stem cell research as long as the research has nothing to do with embryos, a nationally renowned priest and bioethicist said. The Catholic Church agrees with only three sources for stem cells: stem cells culled from miscarriages, umbilical cords and adult stem cells, said Father Tad Pacholczyk, who spoke in East Lansing last week on embryonic stem cell research. Pacholczyk said it is possible to conduct stem cell research morally if scientists use adult stem cells, which are stem cells already existing in humans. Bone marrow has its own stem cells, for example, but it is designed to make only bone marrow cells, thus making embryonic stem cells a preferred method of research by scientists because they can be used in any part of the body.

Peace wheels roll into MSU

Kathy Kelly opened the Wheels of Justice Tour in South Kedzie Hall with a display of passion as she spoke of the young Lebanese woman whose pants fell off because she hadn't had food in days. The passion surfaced again when she spoke of the young man who drove her through bombed areas and found three cluster bombs in his Lebanese garden. Kelly and other presenters on the Wheels of Justice Tour seek to address environmental degradation, foreign policy and humanitarian issues in Iraq, Palestine and Israel, said Kelly, a Nobel Peace Prize nominee. About 25 people from the Lansing area came to hear the three speakers on MSU's campus Monday. Before the event, Holocaust survivor Hedy Epstien said she just wants to change the world. With the Wheels of Justice Tour, she hopes she can do just that. Epstien was born in Germany before World War II.

Police briefs 09/19/06

Free poetry event to be held on campus

The University Activities Board will be hosting an MSU Def Poetry Jam at 9 p.m. on Friday in the International Center.

U-M president faces MCRI

Lansing — As a result of the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to allow the consideration of race when admitting students, University of Michigan President Mary Sue Coleman visited Lansing yesterday, encouraging high school students to apply for colleges within the state. Since lawsuits were filed against U-M because of the possible use of race as a factor to determine admission, the university has experienced a decline in applicants, particularly minorities. "We experienced a significant drop around 2002-03 as the case became more visible and national," said Veronica Johnson, director of the University of Michigan-Lansing Service Center.

Virginia Avenue project cost rises

The city of East Lansing will shell out an additional $300,000 to fund the Virginia Avenue project. Originally projected to cost about $3.3 million, the project calls for the demolition of all the homes along the avenue's 600 block.

Drug tests may be required to receive welfare

Welfare recipients would need to undergo drug testing before they could receive benefits if legislation introduced in the House Monday by state Rep.

Pro-life rally features speakers, musicians

College students from across the state gathered on MSU's campus Saturday afternoon for an annual pro-life rally. The event was sponsored by MSU Students for Life, a pro-life group that educates the MSU community about abortion.

An evening of laughs

On a night that featured 11 of the funniest students MSU had to offer, it was a set of dance moves that earned Jerome Crawford the title of "Last Spartan Standing." Crawford, an interdisciplinary studies in social science junior, took home the honor Friday at the International Center. "I think (the dance routine) was comedy in itself, and I think it's something that people can relate to," Crawford said.

Walk raises awareness for suicide prevention

Elizabeth Soeters never talks about it. The issue of suicide appeared throughout her life — her mother and her sister committed suicide and Soeters herself is a suicide-attempt survivor — yet it rarely is discussed by her family. "It was something we don't talk about because it hurts," said Soeters, who works at the Sparty's shop located in the International Center. But on Saturday, the 39-year-old spoke candidly about suicide as she joined more than 100 others for the second annual Out of the Darkness Community Walk.

Today's Israel Fest to have music, hookah tent

Correction: The brief should say Israel Fest will take place today. Israel Fest '06 will be held today from 7-9 p.m.

Police briefs 09/18/06

Michigan ballot issues forum in East Lansing

A nonpartisan community forum to discuss the six statewide ballot proposals for the Nov. 7 general election will be held at 7 p.m.

Sorority fundraiser to benefit Alzheimer's

On Sept. 17, MSU's Sigma Kappa sorority will walk a 5K to raise money for the Alzheimer's Association. The Alzheimer's Association has been raising money to fight the disease since 1989, using the Memory Walk as one of its largest fundraisers.

Trustees to vote on Brody, Mayo upgrades

Correction: The article should say the MSU Board of Trustees would vote on the planning and commencement of nine projects. More than $44 million in additional construction and renovation projects could be in store for MSU. The MSU Board of Trustees will vote on the planning of nine projects today at its first meeting of the semester. Some of the projects on the agenda include: • Renovations to Mayo and Brody halls. • Reconstruction of the traffic circle at Red Cedar and Wilson roads to form a four-way intersection with traffic lights. • Construction of a comprehensive campus recycling center near Service Road and Harrison Avenue, a $3.5 million project, where the current recycling center is located. Both Mayo and Brody halls could have floors and ceilings replaced and their roofs and exteriors renovated.

Robert Nelson, retired MSU professor, dies at 78

Retired MSU culinary professor Robert H. Nelson died Monday evening in his home at the age of 78. Nelson's funeral services will be held at noon today at Palmer, Bush & Jensen Family Funeral Homes, Lansing Chapel, located at 520 E.

E.L. creates 'technology incubator'

East Lansing isn't just a Cool City — now it's a smart one, too. In a joint meeting between business, city and university officials Thursday, the city received its first designation as a SmartZone from the state. A SmartZone is an area in a city meant to house businesses with a focus on technology, East Lansing City Manager Ted Staton said. "One of the obvious reasons to create (a SmartZone) is to have jobs for our residents, but more importantly, to create jobs for the people graduating from Michigan State," he said.

Study abroad information available at fair

MSU's Study Abroad Fair will be at the MSU Union from 12-6 p.m. on Sept. 21. Students will be able to talk with professors and former Study Abroad participants and see photos and artifacts from other trips.

Facing Michigan's future

A new book by MSU professor Charles Ballard outlines a path for Michigan's economic success. "Michigan's Economic Future" was written by the Stanford graduate in an attempt to identify the problems facing Michigan, specifically its heavy reliance on the manufacturing sector. Ballard also worked on "Michigan at the Millennium," a book that he said was too tough for most people to read. "It had a lot of good stuff in it," he said.

Speaker uses Bible for lecture series

By Andrea Humanic For The State News A man who grew up surrounded by suffering in Ghana and thought he could fix the problems through science is now speaking to students about addressing those issues using the Bible. Samuel Koranteng-Pipim, director of public campus ministries for the Michigan Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, is speaking in a series called "Living Without Fear," hosted by the Adventist Student Fellowship, or ASF, a Seventh-day Adventist student group at MSU. The lecture series began Sunday and takes place at 7 p.m.