ASMSU to sponsor pre-election party, give out free gifts

In an effort to inform students about ASMSU services and increase voter turnout in the March ASMSU elections, MSU's student government will host a pre-election pizza party for current representatives, potential candidates and the undergraduate student body. After last year's low voter turnout of about 5 percent, student government members decided further steps needed to be taken to get students to vote.

Greeks gather charitable donations

Several MSU fraternities and sororities will soon have some charitable landscaping done to their front yards. Within the next several weeks, at least 17 greek houses will have drop boxes for Volunteers of America, a Christian nonprofit community-service organization, installed on their properties.

MSU official receives Child Advocate Award

Assistant provost for university outreach and engagement, Hiram Fitzgerald, received the 2005 Child Advocate Award from the Michigan Fatherhood Coalition at the annual conference for the Michigan Head Start Association Inc. After studying fathers' roles for the past eight years, as part of a national research consortium evaluating Early Head Start programs, Fitzgerald was recognized for his work to raise awareness of the roles fathers play in their children's lives.

Circuit court reverses E.L. speed limit change

The city of East Lansing was successful last week in pressuring state officials to return speed limits along Grand River Avenue and Saginaw Highway to their original speeds. The Michigan Department of Transportation, or MDOT, along with the Michigan State Police and State Transportation Commission raised area speed limits by 10 mph nearly a month ago after conducting traffic studies for about a year. East Lansing officials, angered by the state's decision, took the three agencies to court.

Horse exhibition ropes 'em in

Horse owners and enthusiasts packed MSU's campus this weekend to see the largest equine show in the state. The 22nd annual International Stallion Exhibition and Trade Show, sponsored by the Michigan Horse Council, was held Friday through Sunday at the Pavilion for Agriculture and Livestock Education. "People who are coming through a long winter before riding season starts know they can come here to get the things they need," said Marilyn Graff, spokeswoman for the exhibition and trade show and member of the Michigan Horse Council.

Shamrocks on sale for muscular dystrophy

Sparty's Convenience Stores' 11th annual campaign to benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association, or MDA, will end March 18.

Campus construction to resume

The last time Service Road closed for construction, civil engineering senior Sean Fitzgerel said it was a hassle for those who parked in Lot 83 behind Holden Hall, commonly known as F Lot. People who didn't know the road had closed to through traffic in summer 2003 got to where it was blocked and had to turn around, Fitzgerel said.

Senate passes bills to reduce spyware

The Michigan Senate took steps last week to prevent people from illegally installing spyware on people's computers without their knowledge. The legislation, which passed unanimously on Wednesday, would make it a crime to install spyware software on a person's computer and punishable with up to four years in prison and a fine of $10,000 for violations. The bills now move to the House of Representatives for consideration. Richard Wiggins, senior information technologist for MSU's Academic Computing & Network Services, said spyware software is common and can have several effects on a person's computer, depending on what the creator of the spyware wants to find out about a computer user. "There's tracing to see what Web sites you like to visit, and in other cases, it may take over parts of the browser and throws things up on your screen," Wiggins said.

Naturalist to speak on sustainability today

Author and naturalist Terry Tempest Williams will speak at 7:30 p.m. today in B-108 Wells Hall. Author of "Refuge: An Unnatural History of Family and Place," Williams will discuss the role of education in moving the global economy toward sustainable development.

ASMSU: E-mail, file storage space should increase

ASMSU members are hoping to give students additional e-mail and file storage space on the university's hard drive and to allow graduates access to their e-mail accounts indefinitely. MSU students are given a university e-mail account of 64 megabytes for academic purposes and personal use.

Tsunami used as local teaching tool

Leann Matta's twin 8-year-old girls, Anastasia and Ibtisam, read the paper and watch television news each day. Anastasia Matta, a third-grader at Scott Elementary School in DeWitt, said she initially found out about the Dec.

Bus drivers check more student IDs

Waiting for a Capital Area Transportation Authority bus in front of Berkey Hall, journalism senior Kristin Cain stood ready with a dollar for her bus fare. Cain said although bus drivers haven't required her to show her student identification in the past to receive a discount, many have begun requiring it recently. Cain said she lost her student card and will likely be asked to pay the regular rate, $1, instead of the 50 cent discounted fare. "It's ridiculous," she said.

New RHA leader hopes to improve on-campus living

The Residence Halls Association elected its new president Wednesday. Kevin Newman was elected by a majority vote of the group's General Assembly, and will assume the presidency in April. This is Newman's third year with RHA.

Police briefs 03/04/05

Religious season ends with fasting

For some, the new year means partying, parades and good times with friends. Members of the Bahá'í Faith, however, see their new year as a chance to get closer to God. Followers of the Bahá'í Faith on campus will join fellow members from around the world in celebrating the final month of the Bahá'í calendar with 19 days of fasting, which began Wednesday.

MSU alumnus, sled dog team prepare for second Iditarod run

An MSU alumnus is taking on the "Last Great Race" - again. Beginning Saturday, Ed Stielstra and his team of 16 Alaskan huskies will traverse 1,150 miles of Alaskan terrain to run the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race for the second time.

Cow show comes to MSU

Pat White has traveled across the country in passionate pursuit of raising Highland cattle. Today she will bring one of her favorite show animals, a 4-year-old cow named "Voodoo," to the Heritage Livestock Exhibition at the MSU Pavilion for Agriculture and Livestock Education.

Businessman offers Israel scholarships

Scholarships are available for MSU students to study in Israel. The scholarships have been made possible by an endowment from Detroit businessman Ed Levy Jr.

Snow removal fines to continue

As students and East Lansing residents prepare to leave the area for spring break, city officials warn that the sidewalks around homes must remain clear of snow and ice, even if residents are out of town. According to a city ordinance, residents must shovel snow from the sidewalks around their homes within 24 hours of snowfall, or face an $85 ticket. "It is just really a deterrent," said Todd Sneathen, director of the city's Department of Public Works.

Proposed bill includes funding for overpass to be built on Farm Lane

Funding for road improvements in Michigan, including an overpass on Farm Lane between Mount Hope and Service roads could receive a boost if a bill passed through U.S.