The East Lansing Winter Festival & Chili Cook-Off will be from 1 to 5 p.m. on Dec. 4. Some of the activities include a chili cook-off at the Marriott Hotel, 300 M.A.C.
Government funding for student-loan programs could decrease if a congressional conference committee agrees on a bill as part of a joint effort by the U.S.
East Lansing city officials want to remind residents that they are responsible for keeping all sidewalks adjacent to their property clear of snow and ice.
After more than a year filled with an eviction, obtaining permits and doing renovations, members of the Quan Am Temple have a new spiritual home in Mason. "It's a good feeling," said Thich Minh Quang, dharma master or monk for the temple.
Provost Kim Wilcox introduced plans Tuesday to revamp his office staff with the addition of positions that have been absent from the university in recent years. A small change in terminology is being made to keep MSU on the same page as other universities — all assistant provosts will now be titled associate provosts, Wilcox said at Tuesday's Executive Committee of Academic Council meeting. In addition to some name changes, Wilcox said he wants to internally fill an associate provost position and an associate provost for human health issues position. Wilcox said he is limited by time constraints to be able to meet with all the groups he would like to, and additional staff members would help him be more accessible. The new human health issues position would be important in the College of Human Medicine expansion to Grand Rapids, officials said. The last piece of his plan is re-establishing an MSU vice president position, which John Hudzik, current adviser to the provost, would assume in January.
Even though the cold is setting in, some students are not turning to a fur coat to keep warm. Fur Free Friday is an annual event discouraging consumers nationwide from buying furs the Friday after Thanksgiving.
Mary R. Dawson is a bit overwhelmed to have been chosen as one of the commencement speakers for MSU's December ceremonies, but she is excited for the opportunity to present. "It is a real challenge," said Dawson, a curator emeritus at Carnegie Museum of Natural History in Pittsburgh.
Potter Park to offer E.L. night of lights Potter Park Zoo, 1301 S. Pennsylvania Ave., is hosting the East Lansing Night at the Zoo from 5 to 8 p.m.
Since 2001, author and poet Maya Angelou, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, Gov. Jennifer Granholm and Vice President Dick Cheney have passed on some of their knowledge and advice to graduating seniors at MSU. Now the search is on for someone to speak at May's commencement ceremony. MSU's commencement speakers must be motivational, nationally or internationally known and an exemplary role model, according to university officials, who are taking suggestions for the next commencement speaker. Angelou spoke at MSU's commencement ceremony in May.
Candidates are emerging to fill the seat of state Sen. Virg Bernero, D-Lansing, as talks of holding a special election are still up in the air. Bernero was elected mayor of Lansing and will officially be sworn in after the first of the year.
The parks and recreation advisory commission has an open seat for a term ending Dec. 31, 2006. The City of East Lansing is currently accepting applications for the job.
By Melissa Kayko Special to The State News Every year, Muslims end a month of fasting during Ramadan, which is signaled by the light of the new moon to begin a celebration of Eid al-Fitr, when followers spend time with family and attend special prayer meetings. Centuries ago, wagon wheels were hung from ceilings and adorned with candles to create the first Christmas advent wreaths. Hanukkah is marked by the lighting of candles on the menorah, while the celebration of African Americans' heritage, Kwanzaa, uses candles to represent seven principles to live out in daily life. The Hindu holiday Diwali is almost always capped off by an explosion of fireworks. These celebrations were brought together at the second annual "Lights to Remember" event at the Communication Arts and Sciences Building on Monday because of the significance of lights they share.
The city of the Lions, the Tigers and Motown is also the second-most dangerous in the nation, according to a company's rankings based on crime statistics. Detroit comes in behind Camden, N.J., in the 12th annual report, released Monday by Morgan Quitno Press, a publishing and research company.
Smoke-free laws in some states have proven to be beneficial to businesses according to new statistics from the American Cancer Society, although some argue it should be up to business owners to decide if they want to go smoke free. At the beginning of the month, Washington became the 14th state to ban smoking in public places, restaurants and workplaces. One year after New York enacted its smoke-free law in 2003, it showed a 9 percent increase in sales receipts, Judy Stewart, campaign manager for the Campaign for Smokefree Air said.
A special meeting for the Executive Committee of Academic Council will be held at 3:15 p.m. today in the Administration Building. The meeting is set to discuss a possible reorganization of the provost's office, the creation of task forces dealing with MSU President Lou Anna K.
A reception was held Monday to celebrate a newly acquired space in Erickson Hall and the continuation of a partnership in math and science education. Former classroom space on the second floor of the hall has been remodeled to house the Center for Research in Mathematics and Science Education, which has been spread throughout campus since 2003. Promoting Rigorous Outcomes in Mathematics and Science Education, or PROM/SE, is an initiative to better K-12 science and mathematics education in a five-year research effort, funded by a $35 million National Science Foundation agreement. PROM/SE is one of the many different efforts housed in the center, reaching out to 62 school districts across Michigan and Ohio.
Members of ASMSU's Academic Assembly want to see a new academic integrity code and recognition for multiple majors on their degrees added to university policy. The assembly unanimously passed two bills last week to urge the Academic Governance system to work on implementing these ideas.
Downtown Lansing was a blur of festive lights Friday night as "Silver Bells in the City" embarked upon its 21st year.