Skater, leader stands out on synchronized team

There's nothing different about Kellie Scopel. She has the same hair, the same clothes and the same shoes as all of her friends.

Real life replaces books in 'U' professor's class

Morris Thomas sets aside grim textbooks when lecturing. Instead, the visiting geography professor opens a world of personal experiences to make class more realistic and interesting. In a room with 150 students or more, Thomas turns his class sessions into a hands-on learning experience by allowing students to see firsthand things he talks about and by rewarding them with suckers when they volunteer or answer trivia questions correctly. Dressed in a white and navy blue polo shirt with matching suspenders, Thomas wheels himself into a room full of chattering students.

Police briefs 02/17/04

Striving for sisterhood

As the struggle for civil rights stirred the nation in 1954, 17 black undergraduates at MSU pioneered a sisterhood and carved out their place in the university's culture for years to come.

'U' officials in limbo over joining labor-rights group

Despite a student group's efforts to convince the university to join the labor-monitoring organization Worker Rights Consortium, MSU officials said there are no plans yet to make a decision.

Women's Center plans Feb. events for 'U'

· How to make advanced medical decisions will be the focus of "Getting It Together - Part 3: Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care," presented by the Women's Resource Center.

Barrister's ball to raise money for charity

The second annual Barrister's Charity Ball for MSU-DCL College of Law students, faculty and staff will take place from 6 p.m.

Scholar & Dollars

Cortney Peissig's work on the farm is paying off. The Exxon Mobil Corp. recently named Peissig and three students from other agriculture schools as the recipients of its inaugural Mobilfluid 424 Scholarship.

Program aids tax filing

Accounting senior Maria Goodfellow sat at a long table in the basement of Student Services and furrowed her brow, punching calculator keys to add a sum on Barbara Boillat's 1040 income tax form. Boillat rocked her 5-year-old son, David, in her arms as she patiently awaited the results of her income calculations. "I have absolutely no clue about taxes," the Haslett resident said.

Traffic committee to hold public hearing

The All-University Traffic and Transportation Committee will hold a public forum Thursday to discuss recommendations that could improve traffic safety across campus. The committee will meet at 3 p.m.

Makeover in the works for dorm cafeteria

Starting in the fall of 2006, members of the university community will be looking at a new eating option.

Billions in tax refunds might still be available

Student workers, take note: You may be eligible to receive a long-overdue tax refund. According to the Internal Revenue Service, nearly 2 million taxpayers nationwide who did not file a 2000 income tax return have until April 15 to claim as much as $2.5 billion total in refund checks. About 81,200 Michigan residents failed to file a return in 2000, totaling $96,031 in lost funds, according to IRS data. Taxpayers have three years to claim a refund owed to them, IRS spokeswoman Sarah Wreford said.

Professor: Internet popular way to find a date

Students are highly inefficient at dating, one MSU professor says. "The efficient thing to do would be to go up to (someone they are attracted to) and say, 'excuse me, I would like to meet you,'" psychology Professor Gary Stollak said.

Focused minds spur weekly talks

Visitors are asked to remove their shoes and their judgments before joining the weekly spiritual circle of the Krsna-bhakti club. The group meets every Wednesday in the Multicultural Center in the basement of the Union.

Bought & Sold

As Brenda Sternquist prepared to leave her hotel in India and brave the wilderness, she had no idea she was the recipient of an award that would be the highlight of her career. The merchandising management professor checked her e-mail moments before she set off for the jungle and found a message from The National Retail Federation naming her the first Retail Educator of the Year. "None of my friends were there," Sternquist said.

Couples, singles gather for Black Poets Society reading

By Daniel Thai Special for The State News It's Valentine's Day - the lights are dim, silky R&B melodies tease the air with the abundant scent of flowers, and poets hurriedly transcribe their visions onto paper. It's Soul Nite in Common Grounds Coffeehouse in Akers Hall, presented by the Black Poets Society.

Students host Valentine's dance

When asked if he was going to hit the dance floor at the third Very Special Valentine's Day Dance on Sunday, Chad Trusty responded with a resounding, "You betcha!" "I like dancing," Trusty said.

GEU, 'U' arbitration rescheduled for April

Arbitration between the Graduate Employees Union and the university has been rescheduled for April 16. The arbitration concerns a grievance filed by the GEU in November charging that the university was wrongfully taking benefits from GEU members by reclassifying teaching assistant positions as instructors. The original arbitration was set for Jan.

Lawmakers work for car booster seat law

Recently introduced legislation would modify the Michigan vehicle code to require children between 40 and 80 pounds and no taller that 4 feet 9 inches to use booster seats when traveling in a vehicle. The bills, introduced by state Sens.

Board approves 'U' building expansions

The MSU Board of Trustees approved several university building renovations at its meeting Friday, including a $3 million addition to the Cyclotron. Construction to the building will begin soon and should be completed by December, according to University Engineer Bob Nestle.