City compiling damage totals

With reports of property damage from Saturday's disturbance still filing into East Lansing City Hall, a complete estimate of the weekend's events still is not available. Local business owners and landlords still are assessing damage that might have been inflicted on their properties, Mayor Mark Meadows said. "Oftentimes, reports come in a couple of weeks after something happened, like when a business owner notices a crack in a front window," Meadows said.

MSU joins in fight for Sudan

MSU students joined others across the country Thursday to raise awareness of reported genocide in the Darfur region of Sudan. The newly formed "Spartans Taking Action Now: Darfur," or STAND, played Twister and board games outside the Administration Building to attract attention to their cause. More than 160 college campuses across the nation also held events Thursday as part of mtvU's "STANDFast" campaign. The group sold green "Not On My Watch" wristbands and CDs to raise money for Darfur charities. Many students don't realize how powerful their voices can be, Josh Feinberg, international relations senior said. "There is strength in numbers," he said.

Program helps migrant farmers graduate

For the last 13 weeks, Juan Lopez has been studying for a test that could change his life. The 26-year-old, originally from Mexico, is nearing the final days of MSU's High School Equivalency Program, or HEP, to earn a Graduate Education Degree, or GED.

Area man arrested for starting 90 grass fires

John Gray, a former volunteer firefighter for the Onondaga Fire Department from 1990 to 1999 was taken into custody Tuesday after detectives from the Ingham County Sheriff's Office witnessed him starting a fire on Walker Road, south of Bellevue Road. While Gray was working at the Onondaga Fire Department, the department responded to more than 90 grass fires that they categorized as suspicious, said Chief Gene Tidd.

Updated directory has glitches, errors

The online MSU People Directory has a different look, but university officials are working to correct minor glitches that are affecting the new system. Most students are being displayed as one grade level higher than they actually are. Rich Wiggins, senior information technologist for Academic Computing & Network Services, said the problem should be sorted out shortly, and students shouldn't be confused that they somehow received bonus credit. "If I were a junior, I would not suddenly assume that I had been awarded senior status," he said. The changes, which were implemented late last month, were designed to boost the system's speed and performance, Wiggins said. Previously, when a person was searched by name, the directory would immediately scan the server to see if that person had a personal Web page. Wiggins said this process was time-consuming and largely unnecessary because few people use the directory primarily to find these sites. "Most people, when doing a search, are looking to see if you have an e-mail address or what your phone number is," he said. The new directory lists only a person's name, e-mail address, local phone number and college after an initial search.

Police briefs 04/08/05

Police chief gives OK for disturbance review

East Lansing police Chief Lou Muhn said Thursday he supports the formation of an independent commission to review a report of the police actions taken during Saturday's disturbances.

Palestinian viewpoint to be discussed today

MSU Students for Palestinian Human Rights will bring writer and Professor Ali Abunimah to campus to speak about the Palestinian-Israeli conflict at 7:45 p.m.

Police briefs 04/07/05

Advisers utilize online chat programs

When academic adviser Nancy Ehret goes into her office every morning and boots up her computer, the first thing that comes on the screen is AOL Instant Messenger. But she's not slacking off or chatting with old friends from high school - she's one of many MSU advisers who are turning to instant messenger programs as a way to keep in touch with students. Ehret, who has about 60 journalism students that she talks to on her buddy list, said six of the seven advisers in the College of Communication Arts & Sciences have started using instant messenger this semester to answer questions ranging from internship application deadlines to transfer credits. One of those six is Scott Maas, an adviser for advertising and journalism students, who said he started using instant messenger because it aligns with students' daily routines. "Right now, that's the big thing we're using because so many students are tech-savvy as they come in here, and that's the way they're communicating," Maas said. Maas said the program helps him give students another opportunity to access him and get their questions answered. "If you think about it, I'm only 25, and I have my own list of friends I talk to all across the country," Maas said.

Construction up for approval at meeting

Construction projects in Spartan Village and lots 82 and 83, commonly known as F Lot, could begin this summer if approved by the MSU Board of Trustees on Friday. In Spartan Village, repaving the road would come after tearing up and replacing the existing soils underneath it, which are settling and becoming soft.

McPherson honored for public service

Former MSU President M. Peter McPherson received a national award earlier this week for his years of public service. The award, a National Public Service Award, honors McPherson for work throughout his career dealing with international humanitarian issues in places such as Peru, Iraq and Africa. "I've been involved in public administration (and) public service a good share of my career," said McPherson, MSU's 19th president who left the university in January.

Students sleep outside to demonstrate plight of homeless

Political science junior Sara Casetta, president of the MSU chapter of Habitat for Humanity, said this is the fourth year group members have left their homes for a night to help increase awareness of poverty conditions in Lansing.

Cities to get less funding from state

As East Lansing enters another fiscal year and presents another budget, it has also received less help from the state. Cities, villages and townships like East Lansing and Meridian Township, have seen decreases in sales-tax revenue from the state, which is called revenue sharing. "We have less money to provide the same services," said Gary Murphy, director of finance for East Lansing.

MSU recognizes diversity leaders

The MSU Office of Affirmative Action Compliance and Monitoring will present its annual "Excellence in Diversity" awards at 4 p.m.

State promotes energy options

When it comes to keeping lights on and water hot, the state of Michigan is looking for ways to promote the use of cleaner energy. The state's Energy Office and Public Service Commission recently started two programs to financially compensate residents and small businesses that use renewable energy.

Local church to hold memorial for pontiff

A memorial Mass for Pope John Paul II will take place at 7 p.m. today at St. Mary Cathedral, 219 Seymour St.

Floormates testify in rape case

For 19-year-old marketing freshman Travis Eichten, the second day in court on Tuesday brought testimony from witnesses and cross-examination of the accuser. Eichten is accused of raping an Emmons Hall floormate and is facing 15 years in prison. About eight people took the stand Tuesday including friends, an Olin Health Center nurse, an MSU police officer and a detective. The woman, a 19-year-old general business administration and pre-law freshman, also was cross-examined for about an hour and 15 minutes Tuesday. The trial addresses a Sept.

ASMSU votes to fill chairperson positions

ASMSU held the first meeting of its new session of Academic Assembly on Tuesday night and voted for a new cabinet to chair its meetings. Members of MSU's undergraduate student government elected a new chairperson, internal vice chairperson and external vice chairperson. Only nine representatives were present at the meeting to decide on the chairpersons who will spend the next year handling affairs for the organization and acting as liaisons between the assembly and university officials.

Students raise LBGT awareness in Pride Week

MSU's Pride Week begins Thursday with a series of events that organizers say will celebrate and educate the campus community about lesbian, bisexual, gay and transgender identities. The week-long event is put on each year by various student groups and university office staff, who organize the demonstrations and projects.