Hiring freeze limits student employment

As natural science majors across the university prepare to gain valuable field experience over the summer, many will find one of the more visible sources closed as the Department of Natural Resources and the Department of Environmental Quality are under a hiring freeze. The hiring freeze affects all paid positions, including many summer assistant positions or internships, which can be vitally important to the agency, said Kelli Sobel, administrative services deputy for the DNR. “In a lot of our divisions (student assistants) are very, very important,” she said.

Distance learning a possibility for DCL

Johnnie Cochran could be among the professors who teach classes for MSU-Detroit College of Law, depending on what the American Bar Association decides. Distance education laboratories, which bring two locations together through television cameras, have become a hot topic in the world of law education as the association looks into modifying its guidelines this summer. The association, which accredits law schools, has guidelines placed on classes that use the technology, such as limiting the number of credit hours that can be taken. The association has proposals for changes to its guidelines on its Web site. John Sebert, the consultant on legal education to the association, said he will not predict what the summer meetings will bring.

Kmarts future uncertain as stock price sinks

Despite reports of higher than expected sales for the last week of December, financial analysts predicted a grim future for Kmart stock. Wayne Hood, an analyst for Prudential Securities Inc., downgraded Kmart’s stock from “hold” to “sell” Wednesday after the announcement that the company, based in Troy, Mich., had a third-quarter loss of more than $200 million. “The analysts considered weak financial results for the fourth quarter as well as weak sales and earning expectations,” said Lawrence Meyers, first vice-president of Prudential Securities in Bloomfield Hills. The downgrade preceded a 72-cent drop in price on Wednesday and a 65-cent drop on Thursday.

Cell phone users in Meridian to get clearer, improved service

A multi-provider cellular tower is being built to improve cellular phone service in Meridian Township. The 180-foot tower will be constructed within the next month between Meridian Township Hall, 5151 Marsh Road, and its adjacent public safety building. The tower was designed to resemble a three-sided clock tower with panels hiding its antennae and a clock face on each side, township officials said.

Spring semester brings buying rush to book stores, Web site

Lines at some bookstores may look extra long as students prepare for spring semester, but Shawn Bourdo said it’s never as bad as it looks.

Christmas spirit fills greeks

For the children in the pediatric ward at St. John Hospital and Medical Center in Detroit, Philip Vernengo is Santa Claus. On Dec.

Group seeks peace

Lansing - Mary Thomas didn’t spend the holidays visiting family - instead she hopped on a plane to work for peace in Israel. From Dec.

Campus briefs

Writer chosen as speaker for MLK celebrationJulianne Malveaux, a writer and syndicated columnist who has been on television shows such as “Politically Incorrect,” will be the featured speaker for the Martin Luther King Jr.

Students find smooth move-ins

Before students headed back to the classroom today, the matter of moving back onto campus had to be taken care of first.

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.

Centers kickoff includes millennium time capsule

In 2021, East Lansing residents will be able to look back at the progress the city has made in nearly 20 years and hopefully they’ll see improvement. As part of its Big Picture kickoff event Jan.

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.

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.

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.

ROIAL features student projects

The Residential Option in Arts and Lettersmm will wrap up the semester with a holiday event from 11 a.m.

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.

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.

Santa Claus to spread good cheer with drive thru service

Santa Claus will be making a couple stops around the Lansing area before he packs up his sleigh on Christmas Eve. Santa will make last-minute rounds Saturday and Dec.

Forum calls out to citizens to discuss plans for city

Citizens and workers of the Lansing area are invited to attend a town forum tonight to discuss regional growth. The Tri-County Regional Planning Commission will conduct its second basic growth forum in a series of three.

Police briefs 12/06/01