McPherson, faculty lobby for accelerator

Rochester - Three faculty members and MSU President M. Peter McPherson testified before the state Senate Higher Education Appropriations Subcommittee on Friday about the state of science research at MSU. McPherson, Cyclotron director Konrad Gelbke and faculty members Shelagh Ferguson-Miller and Jack Harkema spoke to the committee for 30 minutes about research and the proposed Rare Isotope Accelerator project. “The Rare Isotope Accelerator is the nation’s highest priority for nuclear science research,” Gelbke told the committee. The accelerator is a nearly $900 million U.S.

Police briefs 02/25/02

Filipino conference aims to end stereotypes, honor heritage

For Ryan Abenes, the Midwest Association of Filipino Americans conference this weekend was one step toward ending stereotypes about Filipino Americans.“You have to have these events so people can know about other people’s issues,” said Abenes, president of the MSU Philippine American Student Society.

Week encourages eating disorder awareness at U

Although Erin Ruth can’t pinpoint exactly when her eating disorder started, she does know when it became uncontrollable. During her senior year in high school, the nutritional science junior became overly weight-conscious as she counted calories and eliminated foods from her diet.

Survey predicts increase in employment during spring

Those who have spent the past months frantically searching for jobs may have some relief in sight.After several months of disappointing employment figures, some officials now say hiring could increase in the coming months.An employment outlook survey put together by Manpower Inc. found that almost 30 percent of employers in the state of Michigan are expecting to increase employment during April, May and June.The Lansing area, predicted to see a net increase of 13 percent, is expected to approximate the state average.“Usually what we’ve seen in the most recent past and the trends for Lansing and for Michigan is usually pretty close to the national trends,” said Elaine Sandbrook area manager for Manpower.The survey, conducted quarterly by Manpower, compiled data taken from 16,000 companies nationwide.Estimates for the first quarter of the year, released in November, predicted no change in employment with just as many employers predicting an increase in employment as those predicting a decrease.“The last one we had was pretty bleak,” Sandbrook said.

Crystal Award nomination forms available, due soon

Nomination forms for the 15th annual Crystal Awards are available at the East Lansing Public Library, 950 Abbott Road, East Lansing City Hall, 410 Abbott Road, and online. About three to four awards are given to organizations, groups, businesses and individuals every year. Community Events spokeswoman Kelcey Anderson said the awards are given to those who have made a difference in the city of East Lansing. “The winners always have a different background because there are different committee members every year,” she said. Last year’s recipients included Lola O’Meara, the Student Body of the MSU College of Osteopathic Medicine and Rollie Ledebuhr.

Diversity celebrated with music in presentation on African Jews

Jewish people in Africa is not a topic most students have dealt with. But Jay Sand used music and slides Wednesday night to explain why it is an important topic for him. Sand, an independent journalist and musician, gave a presentation called “The Jews of Africa,” sponsored by MSU’s Hillel Jewish Student Organization. Sand’s goal was to make people realize there are thousands of diverse cultures in Africa, including Judaism. “I like forcing people to reconsider what they thought was established fact,” Sand said to an audience of about 20 people.

Groups react to funding shortage from ASMSU

When Amit Agarwal requests $3,000 for the Coalition of Indian Undergraduate Students’ Satrang on Tuesday night, he might walk away without the amount of money he had hoped for. Agarwal, the coalition’s president, will begin searching for donations somewhere else for the show to go on. The Coalition of Indian Undergraduate Students, which is the second group in line for funding consideration at ASMSU Funding Board’s Tuesday interviews, is banking on $3,000 for Satrang, an Indian cultural show. If four organizations are given money Tuesday night, then the undergraduate student government board’s money likely will be spent. Agarwal said the show’s total budget is $33,000. Resident Halls Association gave $2,225 to the group. “RHA and ASMSU are the cornerstones to a large percentage of our funding,” the political economy senior said. Agarlwal said other places that donate money have cut funding in half for the annual show in which 200 people participate. “Funding is going to be a problem because we will have to go further into the community to ask for money,” he said.

Lunar Dance celebrates Chinese New Year night

The Chinese Students Coalition is hosting its annual dance to celebrate the Chinese New Year from 9 p.m.

Chocolate party benefit to improve Museum

Money and a taste for the sweet will get people into the MSU Museum’s Chocolate Party Benefit, taking place at 1:30 p.m.

RHA nominates 3 to fill next presidency term

The Residence Halls Association presidential race heated up Wednesday, with nominations of three general assembly members.

Mayor pushes for change in process

Mark Meadows has been with East Lansing City Council since 1995. In 1997 he was elected by council to take the gavel at their meetings as mayor. This spring, Meadows hopes to change the process of who takes the gavel next. By allowing East Lansing citizens to vote for their mayor he’ll not only change the city’s charter, but the role the people in East Lansing play in their government. “I think the mayor, for good or bad, tends to be a representative of the city,” he said. If the election system does change, Meadows said there will still be a city manager and the city council will carry on the same. He’d just like to give the people in East Lansing a stronger voice, Meadows said. “For the most part in East Lansing, you can knock on any door and be treated with respect here,” he said. Having a role in government was not new to Meadows when he took center seat at the council meetings. Meadows serves as assistant attorney general for the state of Michigan. But he still finds time to enjoy being an East Lansing official. “It’s nice to be able to make decisions and to interact with citizens in the community,” he said. While Meadows is a popular figure among the city’s officials, the change has met with some different opinions. “I don’t always agree with him and he doesn’t always agree with me, but he has done a good job,” Councilmember Bill Sharp said. One issue Sharp doesn’t agree with Meadows on is the city’s election process. “It would make it too political, it is supposed to be nonpartisan,” he said. Councilmember Beverly Baten said it is no secret why the mayor has been effective. “He has done an excellent job with organization abilities and bringing people together and the leadership he has exemplified,” the council member said.

Rally promotes grad student rights

April Herndon’s pockets are empty. Herndon, a member of MSU’s Graduate Employees Union, ended a rally at the International Center that culminated the union’s two-day informational picket.

Weekend walk to aid local families with utility bills

Capital Area Community Services’ 12th annual Walk for Warmth starts at 9 a.m. on Sunday. The three-mile walk begins and ends at the Capital Area Community Services office, 101 E.

Senate passes bill to help suffering farmers

After a tough summer, local farmers are receiving some help from the government - or at least that’s the plan. The state Senate passed a bill 35-1 Wednesday providing more than $200 million for farmers in the form of five-year zero-interest loans to help make up for a poor situation. “The agricultural economy is experiencing severe losses that they have not seen since the Great Depression,” said Sen.

Town hall meeting to discuss minority issues

A town hall meeting for minority students to discuss such issues as racial profiling, a lack of university support and a new Multicultural Center will be held at 7:30 p.m.

Credit union to host seminar on how to avoid fraud

Students, faculty and residents will learn how to prevent becoming victims of fraud from noon to 1 p.m.

Conference to promote Filipino unity this weekend

The Midwest Association of Filipino Americans is holding its annual conference will come to MSU for the second time since it began this weekend. Telecommunication senior Romeo Salvani said he is excited about the conference this weekend because the event will help promote unity. “Things this year are the best we have had them,” the co-president of the Asian Pacific American Student Organization said.

Police briefs 02/22/02

Police briefs 02/21/02