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NEWS

Provisions found unconstitutional

Two provisions, which would call for reporting requirements and benefit changes for Michigan’s universities, included in state budget legislation have been deemed unconstitutional and unenforceable by Gov.

Dena Elian ·
MSU

Environmentally friendly cabs hit campus

A new mode of transportation with a Far East feel has been circulating across campus — the pedicab. Spar-Thai Green Cab Service has begun using pedicabs, or bicycles with electric assistance and a canopied seating area, giving students a new way to get around.

MSU

Students help increase Wikipedia credibility

Many professors prohibit students from using Wikipedia for class assignments, considering it to be an unreliable source, but a nationwide initiative is working toward increasing the site’s credibility through student involvement. This past academic year, MSU teamed up with the Wikimedia Foundation to participate in the Wikipedia Public Policy Initiative, a program that enables students to edit, contribute to and write their own public policy-related Wikipedia articles. The initiative started with 14 classes in fall 2010 and grew to 33 by spring 2011.

MSU

MSU professor recognized by Graduate Employees Union

The Graduate Employees Union, or GEU, has recognized an MSU professor, along with the Department of English, for her work with graduate students during this past school year. Stephanie Nawyn, an assistant professor of sociology, was named Outstanding Supervisor by the union, and the Department of English received the nod for Outstanding Department. The GEU looked for departments and professors that support teaching assistants with balancing both schoolwork and research, said Sam Otten, president of the GEU.

Production by Lindsey LaParl ·
MSU

Big picture change

Emmons, Rather, Bailey and Wells halls are just a few of the ongoing construction projects helping project MSU into a new look.

NEWS

Professor wins research award

After studying in Zambia and Sub-Saharan Africa for the past two decades, Gretchen Birbeck, director of MSU’s International Neurologic and Psychiatric Epidemiology Program, has been selected as a regional winner of the 2011 Outreach Scholarship W.K.

NEWS

Parking areas to be improved

The first step in a $2 million plan to revamp city parking structures is set to begin early this week. Crews will begin renovating the Grove Street parking structure and repaving concrete curbs, ramps and stairwells, as well as upgrading the building’s lighting and elevator systems, Planning & Community Development Director Tim Dempsey said.

NEWS

TEDx brings people, information together

From speakers to musical performers, the TEDx Lansing event on Friday at Wharton Center highlighted the talents and ideas from a number of creative and inspiring people from local communities. With a theme of “Don’t get too comfortable,” the event encouraged participants to be accepting of new ideas and perceptions.

NEWS

Hidden Key fashion show unites community in support

As she stood on the runway, microphone in hand, lights flickering around the stage of the Spartan Club in Spartan Stadium, former MSU basketball player Lauren Aitch grinned from ear-to-ear, Thursday night. Her charity, the Hidden Key Fashion show, had been in the making for more than seven months and in her eyes, it had turned out even better than she expected.

MICHIGAN

Hospital policy prohibits nicotine-positive hires

Prospective employees at Lansing’s Sparrow Hospital will have to be nicotine-free in accordance with a new hospital policy that went into effect May 1. The policy prohibits the hiring of any employee who tests positive for nicotine or tobacco and is part of an initiative that Sparrow took to help promote healthier lives throughout mid-Michigan. John Foren, a spokesman for Sparrow Hospital, said implementation of the new hiring policy was going well. Foren declined to comment further on the policy. Teri Wilson, a consultant and researcher for the Michigan Department of Community Health, said testing for tobacco is done by assessing the level of cotinine, a metabolite of nicotine, in a person’s system.

NEWS

City prepares for summer art festival

Beginning on Saturday morning and lasting through the weekend, downtown East Lansing will be a whirl of color, music and excitement as the East Lansing Art Festival rolls into town for the 48th consecutive year.