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.

Assembly discusses blue books, minors

The Academic Assembly of ASMSU is getting back into the swing of taking care of business. Tuesday the assembly went into committee planning for the spring semester.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Mich. offices closed for Monday's holiday

The Department of State offices will close for Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Monday, and Presidents Day, Feb.

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.

Police briefs 01/12/05

WEB ONLY: E.L. Council discusses rental overlay, zoning at work session

The East Lansing City Council tossed around the idea of shortening the time a rental overlay district can remain untouched by new zoning petitions at Tuesday's work session. Questions from residents about changing the "no tamper" duration at the Jan.

MSU accepts theology class for credit

Students taking a Catholic theology course at a local church can receive three MSU credits this semester.

High school MEAP to change in 2007

The MEAP, for high school students at least, is no more. Gov. Jennifer Granholm signed a bill Jan.

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.

University radiology prof. awarded national honor for nuclear work

Alex Gottschalk recently received what his colleagues call one of the most prestigious awards in nuclear medicine.

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.

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.

Vigil for deceased student affected by distractions

A vigil at the rock on Farm Lane for an MSU student who died in a car accident during winter break was not as peaceful as was hoped for, participants said. The vigil, held Sunday at 4 p.m.

E.L. to teach children about snow, winter

The East Lansing Public Library will have a children's program from 3 to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday.

Thousands sign new petition to ban race, gender admissions preferences

In its first victory in a two-year effort to ban race and gender-based preferences in university admissions and government hiring and contracts, The Michigan Civil Rights Initiative submitted a petition of more than 508,000 signatures to state election officials Thursday. MCRI began the petition effort in response to the U.S.

Police briefs 01/11/05