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MSU

Building begins on $3.5-million vet center

Ground broke today on a $3.5-million addition to the College of Veterinary Medicine meant to help prevent infectious diseases from spreading in animals. The new facility, called the Matilda R.

MSU

Simon heads revamped MSU Board of Trustees

At Friday's MSU Board of Trustees meeting, a new leader will be at the head of the board table for the first time in 11 years. MSU President Lou Anna Simon will conduct the meeting. "I eagerly await the meeting, because having worked with Dr. Simon for the last about seven years that I've been on the board, I am very confident that she knows and understands the many issues that we face at Michigan State," Trustee David Porteous said.

MICHIGAN

Prop. 2 protest continues

As state lawmakers convened at the Capitol on Wednesday afternoon for the first session of the year, they were met by more than 100 protesters holding signs that read "Equal rights for all Americans" and "Equality now." The event was a demonstration by protesters voicing their disapproval of the Nov.

MSU

Simon visits Academic Council meeting, urges committee to address MSU's broader issues

MSU President Lou Anna Simon made an unscheduled, but not unexpected, appearance at the Executive Committee of Academic Council meeting on Tuesday. "I am trying very hard not to be provost, but I still had 3:15 open on Tuesday," Simon said. She said she wanted to see the executive committee have conversations about the bigger issues the university faces. "I see ECAC as an important group that works with specific proposals, but that hasn't been the case with broader policy issues," Simon said. The office is continuing to work with the MSU College of Human Medicine Oversight Committee on the relocation of the college to Grand Rapids, she said. MSU has joined a group of stakeholders in the move based in Grand Rapids. "MSU decided - while the decision-making process is unique to each institution - it is best to be part of the dialogue," Simon said.

MSU

Winter sports offer icy workouts

Almost every weekday afternoon, a handful of MSU students take the ice at Munn Ice Arena during the rink's open skate hours and begin their winter workout. "It's like exercise, but its fun," accounting senior Jake Tech said.

MICHIGAN

State passes laws in effort to curb lead poisoning

A new set of Michigan laws aiming to decrease lead poisoning from lead-based paint will have little effect on East Lansing residents. The laws, passed in December, will create a Lead Safe Housing Registry in Michigan and establish a Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention and Control Commission in Michigan.

MSU

New med school head meets college dean

The dean of MSU's College of Human Medicine and the new discussion facilitator for the college's move to Grand Rapids met Monday. Dean Glenn Craig Davis and Steven Heacock, currently chief administrative officer and chief legal officer of IdeaSphere Inc., in Grand Rapids, met for the first time since Heacock's appointment last week. Sherry Tompkins, spokeswoman for the college, said the meeting was positive. "The dean is very pleased about the formation of this group and the appointment of Steve," Tompkins said. Heacock said the entire committee of stakeholders for the move will meet Wednesday.

MICHIGAN

Olin: Peak flu season upcoming

As the peak of flu season approaches, students should take more precautions in the coming weeks, health officials say. Flu infections are expected to peak during the last week of January and the first week of February, said TJ Bucholz, spokesman for the Michigan Department of Community Health. Normally, it is in the middle of January, he said. "We don't really know why," Bucholz said.

MSU

MSU diversity award nominations due

Members of the MSU community have until the end of this month to nominate those who help broaden society's view of diversity. The Excellence in Diversity Recognition and Awards program, or EIDA, created in 1990, promotes and encourages diversity by recognizing people in the MSU community who have demonstrated outstanding leadership and creativity in that area, said Office for Affirmative Action, Compliance and Monitoring Director Paulette Granberry Russell. "It gives us an opportunity to distinguish efforts of those who have supported issues around diversity broadly defined," Granberry Russell said.

MICHIGAN

Area relief collection continues

While senior citizens in Charlotte are making crafts and baked goods, local businesses and places of worship are urging others to donate money - and it's all for the same cause. Area residents and businesses still are contributing to the hundreds of millions of dollars the United States has sent to victims of the tsunami in Southeast Asia and southern Africa. Members of the Islamic Center of Greater Lansing, 920 S.

MSU

Kenyan student pens prize-winning essay

Medical technology senior Judith Njogu won first place in the second Annual International Student Essay Contest sponsored by MSU's Office for International Students and Scholars. Njogu, of Kenya, will receive the top prize of $1,000. Like many participants, Njogu wrote about her experience in the United States, describing her shock from cultural differences.

MICHIGAN

Legislation brings Reagan statue

For Rep. Leon Drolet, R-Clinton Township, former president Ronald Reagan has important ties to Michigan. Drolet said Reagan's connections include accepting the republican nomination for president at the 1980 Republican National Convention held in Detroit and the Democratic and Republican supporters he had in Macomb County during his terms. "His popularity knew no party," Drolet said.