Michigan Pride to host march, rally

After months of doubt, Michigan Pride will have its 14th annual Gay and Lesbian Pride March.The event, scheduled for June 15, became an uncertainty in January after the organization experienced budget cuts and a New Year’s Eve benefit was canceled, Michigan Pride spokeswoman Sarah Mieras said.“Never have we said in 14 years that this may not happen,” she said.The organization budgeted $72,000 for this year’s event, but only raised $62,000 prior to March 12 and owed $4,500.When the fund-raising campaign began, Michigan Pride targeted $15,000 as a goal.

Campus briefs

Work continues during summer for ASMSUASMSU officials will be working on issues such as setting tuition and reviewing campus safety guidelines during the summer.Although the newly elected undergraduate student government’s summer hours are half of what they are during the spring and fall semesters, the organization has a summer agenda to prepare for the upcoming 2002-03 academic year.

Police briefs 04/26/02

U debates what to do with elementary building

MSU administration hasn’t made a decision on what will be done with the Spartan Village Elementary School building if it closes next year.The university owns the building and shares in the cost of running the facility with East Lansing.East Lansing announced it may close the building this week.“We have got to cut $3.5 million - without closing the school we have to find $430,000 somewhere else,” Superintendent Tom Giblin said.Chuck Gagliano, vice president of housing and food services said the announcement was a surprise.“This whole thing has come up fairly quickly and I am not really sure what use we would have for it,” he said.

After 52 years, alumnus, mentor to retire

When 77-year-old Tom Dutch dropped in at the Evans Scholars house Wednesday, not one resident walked by without saying hello.There was a level of respect for the man who helped bring housing to the former golf caddies that isn’t easily matched anywhere else on campus.It was Dutch’s birthday and one of last times he will visit the house in an official capacity, but he will be missed. He has been a fixture in the house, not only as a mentor and adviser, and every now and then, at the parties the residents hold.More than five decades ago, Dutch, the Housing and Food Services personnel administrator, finished his master’s degree in student personnel at MSU and started his career in the universities placement office.

Bill could keep prescriptions private, pharmacists quiet

When Matthew Bridges received his prescription from a pharmacist, he felt self-conscious. He said he wishes the pharmacist would have handed him the prescription confidentially instead of calling it aloud.“I think this is a problem that needs to be looked at,” the computer science junior said.

Early packing, recycling, donating help stop stress

Although Leslie Madden only is finishing up her first year away from home, she knows how to move. The physiology freshman moved her belongings home last weekend so she wouldn’t have to think about it during finals week. “I kind of wish we had a week after finals to relax and move out our stuff,” Madden said.

U awaits commencement speaker announcement

Konrad Kulacki doesn’t mind that the speaker for MSU’s May 3 Student Convocation has not yet been announced - he’s not going. “If, in fact, it is Dick Cheney, campus is going to be crazy,” the environmental management senior said.

City briefs

Summer flea market looking for vendors The East Lansing Spring Flea Market is open from noon to 4 p.m., Sunday on the corner of Albert Avenue and Charles Street, east of the Marriott East Lansing University Place, 300 M.A.C.

Day lets high schoolers try on government roles

Lansing - By simulating House and Senate sessions, high school students voiced their opinions about issues facing Michigan legislators in the 53rd annual Michigan Youth in Government Conference. Twice each spring, more than 700 students from 130 high schools around the state converge on the state Capitol in this YMCA-sponsored program.

Billboard inspires residents to donate to fund

Lansing - Sharon Banks’ eyes welled up with tears as $100,000 was donated to the Helping Other People Excel Scholarship Program. “I was a HOPE scholar without the name and it’s rough when you don’t know if it’s possible,” said the Lansing superintendent at a campaign kick-off on Thursday.

Officer grills meals for students

MSU police Officer Khalil Wasson arrived at Yakeley Hall at 5 a.m. Thursday morning in uniform - his apron and chef’s hat. “People wondered how I stayed clean working back there,” he said while cooking on two long charcoal grills outside the residence hall.

Nursing educational center dedication shows technology, experience

Renee Thelen inserted the suction tube into the neck of José’s lifeless body in front of a crowd of people Wednesday afternoon.“It’s almost like an unconscious patient,” the nursing junior said about the mannequin she was demonstrating on in the new Janice Thompson Granger Nursing Learning Center.

Policies gives RHA leaders greater authority, review of ethics committee purpose

A policy bill was approved Wednesday by the Residence Halls Association that outlines procedures for the removal of executive board members, taking action on an issue an earlier-formed ethics committee could not.The policy gives the association’s president and internal and external vice presidents the power to remove executives from their office in cases of gross negligence.The bill followed the formation of an ethics committee Feb.

DNR to provide refunds

Outdoor sports enthusiasts will be asking the Michigan Department of Natural Resources to fish into their pockets. A $1 fee increase was accidentally charged to 5,000 fishing and turkey license holders. The extra fee has DNR Director K.

Retailers anticipate summer sales increase despite trends

Chocolate rabbits may not have been an Easter sellout, but retailers are expecting sales to pick up. Three out of every four Michigan retailers are projecting increased sales for April and June. Retailers are remaining positive, though March profits were not as high as expected, said Larry Meyer, president of the Michigan Retailers Association.

Bill to seek advisory council for drug study

Concern that Michigan’s kids are overly medicated and conflicting reports of Ritalin as a positive or negative treatment for Attention Deficit Disorder and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder have caused lawmakers to take a closer look at patterns in Michigan schools.“It was brought to our attention that there has been a dramatic increase in use among children in the past 15 years,” said Dale Hull, spokesman for Rep.

Students demand apology for controversial T-shirts

Okemos - A group of about 10 students was asked to leave Meridian Mall on Wednesday for passing out fliers and talking to Abercrombie & Fitch officials about T-shirts they say reinforce racial and ethnic stereotypes.

Vigil remembers crime victims

Lansing - Clifton Powers clenched his jaw as he remembered his brother’s murder in July 1999.“He was killed in his business,” the advertising junior said.

Undergraduates show support for GEU

About 300 rocks were dumped on MSU President M. Peter McPherson’s office floor Wednesday, each representing one student who supports the Graduate Employees Union.The rocks were signed by undergraduates and collected by Students for Economic Justice and Direct Action.