MSU Board of Trustees

Trustee Joel Ferguson "I don't find any excuse for any aggressive police behavior based on what kids did a long time ago.

Police briefs 04/05/05

ASMSU, trustees react to police actions

After the police made 43 arrests and teargassed thousands of people on Saturday, ASMSU leaders said the law enforcement's riot-prevention tactics were uncalled for. Student Assembly Chairperson Andrew Schepers said he was not in East Lansing at the time of the celebration uproar, but information provided to him by staff suggested that students were celebrating in a nonviolent manner. "From all the information given to me, it sounds like the police were setup to stir something up," he said.

Trial begins for student charged with rape

Seven months after 19-year-old Travis Eichten was accused of raping his Emmons Hall floormate, the marketing freshman appeared in court Monday to face charges that could earn him up to 15 years in prison. The trial addresses a Sept.

University apts., dorm rates could increase

Residence hall room and board rates and University Apartments rates could increase 5.25 percent next year. The rate increase will be up for approval Friday at the MSU Board of Trustees meeting and would raise rates by $286 per year in the residence halls and either $29 or $32 per month in University Apartments', depending on the number of bedrooms.

7-Eleven to close Mich. Avenue store

Students craving a Slurpee won't be able to fill up at the 7-Eleven on Michigan Avenue anymore. Store employees confirmed that the building will become a different store after closing today. "It's just not a profitable location for us anymore," Manager Martin Block said. The 7-Eleven, 210 Michigan Ave., is one of four in East Lansing.

Judo Club member wins championship

His face covered with blood, Nik Vuljaj struggled with his opponent for 20 seconds. Pinning his adversary to the ground, his eyes were full of tears, and the clock stopped.

Resources help first-time tax filers

This is the first year communication senior Kristi Buckham has filed her taxes on her own. As the April 15 tax filing deadline approaches, local tax preparers are getting the word out about the number of resources available to filers, including local tax-preparation services, resources and Web sites devoted to do-it-yourself filing. And, like Buckham, many college students will file as independents for the first time. Buckham said she used an online tax preparation site because it was simple to use and inexpensive.

Several tear-gas injuries reported

Several injuries were reported after thousands of students took to the streets following the Spartans' loss to North Carolina on Saturday. At Lansing's Sparrow Hospital emergency room, between 15 and 20 students were treated and released, said Nan Simons, spokeswoman for Sparrow Hospital. Students were treated for twisted ankles, bumps and bruises and exposure to tear gas and similar chemicals.

WEB-ONLY: A timeline of Saturday's action

11 p.m.: Game ends, people begin to gather on campus and in East Lansing, specifically in Cedar Village and Albert Avenue by Buffalo Wild Wings, 360 Albert Ave. 11 p.m.: Police begin announcing over loudspeakers in Cedar Village that the gathering was an "unlawful assembly" and would soon begin making arrests. 11:15 p.m.: Police begin releasing tear gas. 11:27 p.m.: One of the two helicopters circling the area shines lights down on the gathering in Cedar Village.

National scholarships go to 4 MSU students

Four MSU students made history last week, when they were awarded the Goldwater Scholarship. This is the only time MSU has had four students each win one of the 320 national scholarships. Winners were chosen from a pool of 1,091 mathematics, science and engineering undergraduate students, nominated by faculty. The scholarships cover tuition, fees, books, as well as room and board for up to $7,500 per year and are available for one or two years. The Goldwater Scholars - zoology junior in the Lyman Briggs School Katie Barott, chemical engineering junior Timothy Howes, electrical engineering junior Janelle Shane and biosystems engineering sophomore Matthew Stasiewicz - are all members of the Honors College. Howes said he was pleased to receive the scholarship and plans on doing research that applies chemical engineering principles to living organisms. "It's great that they recognize people who are making an effort to get involved in research," Howes said.

Local businesses react to Saturday night's action

Bell's Greek Pizza 1135 E. Grand River Ave. Bell's Greek Pizza stayed open until 4 a.m., its usual closing time.

Doggie bag: Canines hunt Easter egg treats at store

By Gabrielle Russon Special for The State News Lansing - Mel looked at an assortment of colored Easter eggs spread out in the grass on Saturday.

WEB-ONLY: UNC fans react to Tar Heels' win, police arrest 2

Editors note: The following is a story that ran in today's Daily Tar Heel, the student newspaper of the University of North Carolina.

E.L. center offers free yoga classes monthly

There will be free yoga classes on one Sunday each month starting April 17 at The Center for Yoga, Movement and Massage, 1780 E.

Bill might force Web dating services to tell all

Online dating service Web sites might have to disclose whether they conduct background checks on their customers, if a bill introduced by state Sen.

Game enthusiasts gather at Union

There's just one thing that can make 12-year-old Andre Vanpoelvoorde travel all the way from Hamburg, Mich.

Lansing kids club to host a charity walk

The 4-H members of the Capital Kids Club in Lansing is hosting a charity walkathon benefiting Habitat for Humanity Lansing.

Bill addresses high school freedom of the press

When he returns from spring break, East Lansing High School student Tyler Whitney will be allowed to distribute his conservative newspaper at school. Whitney said officials stopped the distribution of Right Way in March because they did not agree with its content.

Cafeterias to brew fair trade roasts after surprise decision

Every pot of coffee brewed in MSU residence halls will soon help Nicaraguan farming communities build bridges and roads, develop health care programs and construct schools. Beginning next year, the house blend in all MSU residence halls will be fair trade coffee, which is certified to meet certain production standards and to provide fair prices and decent working conditions for the farmers who produce it. The decision, announced at Wednesday's Residence Halls Association meeting, will make MSU the largest campus food-service program in the country to use fair trade as its primary coffee. The announcement was greeted with applause by members of The Real Food Group, which has been petitioning for locally grown, organic and fair trade products on campus. "It caught me completely by surprise," said Shawn Wozniak, an MSU alumnus, a member of The Real Food Group and a former State News columnist.