ASMSU passes bill to add more accessible signs to doorways

In an effort to make their offices more professional and accessible, ASMSU members recently voted to add large print and Braille signs to office doors. MSU's undergraduate student government approved spending $464 on new signage, which would be an addition to a staff directory in the main ASMSU lobby. "Sometimes, people don't look at the (staff directory) and just start wandering around," Academic Assembly Chairperson Jared English said. Laura Sorensen, ASMSU Director of Racial, Ethnic and Progressive Student Affairs, said the signs are a good step in making the third floor of Student Services more accessible.

Cristo Rey gathers for Ash Wednesday

When Felicitas Moreno walks into Cristo Rey Church, all material signs of celebration are absent. To the left, a picture of Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ, hangs on the wall with leafless twigs placed around it.

E.L. restaurants await liquor-license approval

The fate of a downtown East Lansing liquor license now rests in the hands of the state after the city council voted unanimously to approve the license's transfer into the city last week. Harry Saites, owner of the adjoining restaurants Lou & Harry's Five Star Deli and LH Grille Room, purchased the license for $50,000 from North Side Eatery Ltd.

Women celebrated

When keynote speaker Ana Rizo stepped behind the lectern at the Dia de la Mujer Conference, she slowly began clapping.

Olsen trial postponed

Trials have been adjourned for an East Lansing woman accused of embezzling money from an MSU sorority. Nancy Olsen, 53, was to appear in the 54-B District Court, 101 Linden St., last week for pretrial hearings on embezzlement charges.

Show stars talk sex in the 'Real World'

By Mara Wolke and Sarah Al-Ramadhan Special for The State News The lineup changed, but no one seemed to mind as riotous laughter rang through the International Center on Friday during the fifth annual "Sex in the Real World" program. The program, sponsored by the University Activities Board, originally had scheduled Ace and Mallory from "The Real World: Paris" to talk with students about sex and their experiences on the show. But when Ace's plane was canceled, Theo from "Road Rules Maximum Velocity Tour" took his place, said Jimmy Donnellon, education and multicultural officer for the board. The MTV stars sat on a panel that included sex and relationship experts Tim Levine and Dennis Martell from Olin Health Center.

'Prisoners' raise $2,500

At 11 a.m. Friday morning, a loud knock came at the door of the Delta Upsilon fraternity house.

Police briefs 03/01/04

WEB ONLY: Chicano Unity Dinner speaker stresses overcoming racism

Andrew Hickner Special for The State News About 50 community members gathered at the first Chicano Unity Dinner and created a sense of family in the Union on Friday. The event was sponsored by the Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlan. The dinner featured keynote speaker Dr. Jose Angel Gutierrez, a longtime Chicano activist and co-founder of the La Raza Unida political party. Gutierrez stressed his ties to the Lansing community, greeting several old family friends present at the dinner.

2nd MIP could mean jail time

Some state officials say it's time to get tough on underage drinking. State lawmakers have introduced a bill that would allow the courts to sentence repeat offenders of minor in possession for up to 30 days in jail. "There are minors who know that there is no jail time for a second offender, so they continue to break the law," said Sen.

Activities Board to host cast from MTV

The University Activities Board will be putting on two events this weekend as a part of the MTV Reality Weekend. "Sex in the Real World," featuring Ace and Mallory from the Paris season, is at 7:30 p.m.

Store aims to login

While selling merchandise through existing vendors works for some, the MSU Surplus Store is looking to expand its business and find its own selling home on the Web. The store, located at 1344 S.

Clinic offers tax services

Late last fall, East Lansing resident Chris Galey was doing yardwork when he was approached by someone interested in purchasing his house. Galey knew he had some tax trouble, but he didn't know how bad it was. That day, Galey found his house was in foreclosure and his financial situation in dire need of help, which he couldn't afford.

RHA passes bills, internal VP resigns

Wednesday night was a busy one in the basement of Wilson Hall. The Residence Halls Association's General Assembly passed four bills, nominated members for positions on next year's Executive Board and heard major announcements from two current executives. The first was a resignation from Internal Vice President Tom Edwards.

Police briefs 02/27/04

Web site receives orders, posts E.L. restaurant menus

One late night two years ago, a hungry Jonathan Dodge and a friend mulled over the inconvenience of calling a restaurant and inquiring about prices and specials - all while the Internet's speedy connections languished nearby. "We discovered an idea - how convenient it would be to browse menus and order online," the advertising senior said. Dodge gazed at his computer screen and devised a simple business plan: An online ordering service for hungry Web surfers. On Monday, Dodge and business partner Chris McAleenan launched www.simpledine.com, a Web site offering online food-ordering services for the MSU community. With a click of a mouse, ravenous computer users can skim through the Web site's selection of close to 20 East Lansing restaurants and place an electronic order. MSU's burgeoning Web surfing population made the area the "perfect market" for such a business venture, Dodge said. "The Internet is the quickest way to do things," he said.

Student group opens photo contest to all

The Resource Development Undergraduate Organization is accepting photographs for its semesterly photo contest.

'U' apartments council might raise tax

The University Apartments Council of Residents is in the final stages of presenting a tax increase to its constituency.

Council approves academic changes

New masters and doctorate programs in the Department of Community, Agriculture, Recreation and Resource Studies were approved by Academic Council at its Tuesday meeting and now will undergo state review. The programs are part of the integration of the departments of Agriculture and Natural Resources Education and Communication Systems, Resource Development and Park, Recreation and Tourism Resources. Richard Paulsen, the department's associate chairman, said alignment of the programs played off of their academic similarities. "What we're looking at is drawing upon some major themes in the state and looking at where they overlap and meeting the challenges of the state in the future," he said. The graduate degree programs are the first to be developed, with undergraduate academics still being worked out.

Nobel Prize winner to talk about sciences

Leon Lederman, 1988 Nobel Prize winner in physics, will present his lecture, "It's Time for 21st Century Science Education," at 4:10 p.m.