Court shuts down for case inventory

The 54-B District Court in East Lansing will be closed on Friday. The court will perform an annual Physical Case Inventory, which is required by the Michigan Supreme Court. The offices, located at 101 Linden St., will not be open for walk-in arraignments or ticket payments, but previously scheduled felony preliminary exams will still take place. Both the police desk and the city hall parking lot have drop boxes available for filings and payments.

Study: Web users at risk for identity theft

Unless there's a blinking "WARNING" on the screen, many Internet users easily hand over personal information, according to a recent study from two MSU researchers. When users reveal information, such as their social security or credit card numbers, they are at risk for identity theft and fraud, said Robert LaRose, a telecommunication, information studies and media professor. "Online consumers are being lulled into a false sense of privacy," he said.

Campus fair turnout drops

Few students braved snowy sidewalks to learn about study abroad opportunities at the Union Wednesday. Kathleen Fairfax, director for MSU's Office of Study Abroad, said less than the January fair's average of 1,500 students showed up Wednesday. "We expected it to be lower because of the weather, but it's never been dead," she said at the fair. Fairfax said, even though students didn't brave the winter weather for information, there have been a high number of early applications.

Journal opens 'U' to modern gender issues in legal world

Surfing the Web about a year and a half ago, MSU-DCL College of Law student Emily Shipley found something that caught her eye. On a Texas law college Web site, she discovered a student publication completely devoted to discussing gender issues.

Police report increased accidents due to snow

The snow-covered streets, white-out conditions and icy roads have put some drivers in danger this week. East Lansing and MSU police have reported an increase in the number of vehicle accidents due to the hazardous driving conditions.

Buried: Storm dumps snowflakes

"It's not that bad. We'll survive. This is basically an excuse not to go to class." - Michelle Tarnowski, biological science junior "I watch out for everyone else because I know I'm a safe driver.

Michael Moore to visit campus Aud on Friday

Controversial author and filmmaker Michael Moore will visit MSU on Friday to speak about his new book "Dude, Where's My Country?" and other topics, including the upcoming presidential election and the war in Iraq.

Speaker shares stories of Holocaust survivors

"Nazi Persecution of Homosexuals, 1933-1945" has been at the MSU Museum since Oct. 26, but "Writing a Jewish Life: The Holocaust As a Personal History" is set to add more to the existing exhibit.

Burst pipe drenches Hubbard

A pipe in the North Hubbard Hall main entrance froze and then burst at about 7:30 a.m. Tuesday. As the water spilled onto the lobby entrance, the fire-alarm system began to sound and residents were evacuated from the building. "When the pipe broke, the alarm system sensed water," said Paula Palmiter, assistant manager of Akers and Hubbard halls.

Academic Council postpones action

Snowy conditions hindered a large turnout for Tuesday's Academic Council meeting. Only about 38 people were in attendance, less than 20 shy of the 55 needed to take action on agenda items. Provost Lou Anna Simon instead opened the meeting by informing Academic Council members about the budget issues in front of the MSU Board of Trustees. The Academic Council was to take action on the University Committee on Curriculum report for program actions.

Benavides gives 1st State of City address

In his first State of the City address as Lansing's mayor, Tony Benavides described the city's economic situation as secure Monday night and highlighted a number of plans to improve Lansing's business activity.

Law college brings in new faculty members

MSU-DCL College of Law is trying to expand its programs by adding six staff members to the law college faculty this year. Among the new faculty hired was Paul Arshagouni, Mary Bedikian, Craig Callen, Donald Laverdure, Adam Mossoff and Peter Yu. "We are continuing to build out specializations for our students, and the faculty members we've added all are bringing expertise in specialized fields," said MSU-DCL Dean Terence Blackburn. Mossoff, who is working with Yu to develop the intellectual property program, came to MSU-DCL because its potential for growth and development.

Police briefs 01/28/04

Physical fitness focus of institute's forum

MSU's Institute for Public Policy & Social Research will hold a community planning forum today to address physical fitness in neighborhoods. The open discussion will take place from 11:30 a.m.

Off-campus students face heating issues

Lyndsay Davis doesn't take off her shoes anymore. In almost every nook and cranny of the journalism junior's Cedar Village apartment, stacks of blankets are stuffed behind chairs.

Science program brings genome discussion to 'U'

The number of deaths from genetic diseases, such as cancer and heart disease, might be reduced because of the completion of the Human Genome Project. The project, an attempt to identify the sequence of all the approximate 30,000 genes in human DNA, was completed in April 2003, and might allow doctors and scientists to predict causes and risks of certain diseases. Dr. Francis Collins, director of the National Human Genome Research Institute, discussed the project and its implications when he addressed the MSU community Tuesday night at the Wharton Center.

Fraternities recruit spring members

Inclement weather is hindering the first days of fraternity recruitment for spring semester while new policies go into effect. "It wasn't that good (Monday) night, and it's not looking good for (Tuesday) either," said Mahfouz Ackall, Interfraternity Council vice president for recruitment. This is the first year that fraternities will keep statistics for recruitment.

Webmail's antivirus software catches worm wriggling into 'U' servers

A new worm virus is affecting computers worldwide, but MSU's new webmail system's antivirus software will catch the worm before it affects the student computers and the university system. The virus dubbed MyDoom, Novarg and Mimail.Rand is clogging corporate and university e-mail servers.

Meeting canceled due to small city agenda

The East Lansing City Council work session scheduled for tonight was canceled because of a lack of business. "There is really not enough business to discuss," City Manager Ted Staton said. But council members did not have the week off and instead met in a joint session with the school board Monday night. The city council usually meets with the school board three or four times a year, in months that have five Tuesdays. "It's just a way for the two bodies to learn about issues that we have in common," said Mayor Pro Tem Sam Singh. A canceled work session is an event that occurs five or six times each year, Singh said.

Friday Shabbat combines tradition, community

For some, religious moments are observed with silence, bowed heads and thoughtful prayers. For others, it is a community-based gathering, a chance to unite voices in praise. For the more than 100 members of the MSU Jewish community who gather for Shabbat dinner at the Hillel Jewish Student Center, 360 Charles St., it is a combination of the two. Shabbat dinner is a Friday night tradition in the Jewish faith - religious services and a gathering of friends and family for dinner afterward. "It happens all over the world on Friday night at sundown," said pre-medical sophomore Steve Rives, who attends the dinner nearly every Friday, partly for a celebration of his faith and partly to gather with friends.