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MSU

McPherson Professorship hosts prominent speakers

University officials finalized plans Thursday to bring two distinguished speakers to campus next semester as part of the McPherson Professorship for the Understanding of Science. Brian Greene, a professor of physics and mathematics at Columbia University, and Ira Flatow, a science correspondent for National Public Radio, will each spend a week at MSU, presenting publicly and interacting with various classes. The McPherson Professorship was set up by MSU President M.

MSU

GEU honored by labor organization for successful formation of union

One of the nation’s largest supporters of labor unions honored MSU’s Graduate Employees Union at its convention this week.The American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations invited the GEU to be involved with its convention in Las Vegas because of the group’s campaign to form a union, which ended successfully in May.Peter Cunningham, an anthropology graduate student and member of the GEU’s steering committee, was chosen to attend the conference.“The AFLCIO wanted to highlight recent organizing campaigns,” he said.

MSU

Pogel retires after 30 years of service to U

An author of MSU’s Guiding Principles is organizing her final Board of Trustees meeting today. Nancy Pogel, executive assistant to the President and Secretary of the Board of Trustees, is relinquishing her duties after six and a half years in the position and nearly 30 years at MSU. In meetings Thursday, MSU President M.

MSU

LBGT responds to ASMSU bills

The Alliance of Lesbian-Bi-Gay-Transgendered and Straight Ally Students and campus affiliates sponsored a forum Wednesday night in the Wonders Hall Kiva in an attempt to promote awareness about issues affecting the LBGT community.About 50 people attended the forum, which included discussions about the lack of domestic partner services for students, adding gender identity to MSU’s Anti-Discrimination Policy and multiple identity concerns.

MSU

Finals stress relief offered

With finals on the way, students are finding ways to relieve stress and stay healthy for one last week of work.“My roommates and I go work out or play volleyball,” said Alison Leon, a family community services junior.

MICHIGAN

Grant helps farmers donate surplus food to homeless

The Food Bank Council of Michigan is being provided with funding to help with the overflow of homeless in shelters.On Tuesday, the State Administrative Board approved the Michigan Department of Agriculture’s proposed grant contract.The grant will supply the council with more than $980,000 for state emergency food assistance.Jane Marshall, executive director for the Food Bank Council, said the grant will help fund the Michigan Agriculture Surplus System (MASS).MASS is a partnership between Michigan food banks and the state’s agriculture industry.

MICHIGAN

Warm weather not going to last for U

Javier Ramos hopes to see his last 10 days in East Lansing stay as warm as they have been this week, but unfortunately for him the weather will drop significantly. “It is my last winter in East Lansing and it is treating me really good,” said the turf grass management sophomore, who returns to Spain on Dec.

MSU

Annual enrollment plagues students with full classes

As most MSU students are planning for finals, some are struggling to fill out schedules for January’s classes.Students attempting to add or switch classes are often faced with classes that were full since last spring’s enrollment period.Maegan Daughtery said she is checking daily to see if a spot will open in BS 110, Organisms and Populations, before classes start Jan.

MICHIGAN

Alternative couples gain benefits but not vows

A vote by the Detroit City Council will benefit gay and lesbian couples who are city employees - they are now able to register someone as their domestic partner.By a 7-2 vote, the city council approved a measure Friday which grants partner rights to alternative couples who are city employees.

MSU

ASMSU explores possible sexual assault education

ASMSU and Women’s Council are researching the potential of implementing a sexual assault education class or seminar for first-year students. Jeanette Lantzy, vice chairperson for external affairs for the undergraduate student government’s Academic Assembly, said she thought sexual assault awareness would be a worthwhile program at MSU after learning about a program at the University of Illinois.

MSU

Backers of sex crime legislation hope to improve campus safety

The 1999 launch of the Public Sex Offender Registry Inquiry allowed Michigan residents to search a computer database for convicted sex offenders in their city. But state police officials and national lobbyists hope the Campus Sex Crimes Prevention Act will enable college students to know about offenders on campus, too. “I think the benefit of this is that it’s going to allow students, faculty and everyone on campus information as to who’s sitting next to them or living across the hall from them,” said Tim Bolles, criminal identification team manager for the Michigan State Police.