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MSU

Special course offers greek life students chance to build leadership skills

A new greek-specific course meant to enhance leadership skills will be open to students who are members of greek life this spring. EAD 315 Section 009OD is a three-credit course that would allow students involved in greek life to learn about different leadership techniques. William Arnold, an assistant professor of education,OD said the course was developed to fit a niche within the greek community after it was requested by multiple students. “The class aligns with their values,” Arnold said.

MSU

MSU's Theta Chi charter revoked after allegations of hazing

At 453 Abbot Road, greek letters still hang above the door, a physical reminder of Theta Chi. But the brotherhood is no longer there. After allegations of hazing, the fraternity’s national board of directors voted to revoke the chapter’s charter, which would have celebrated its 75th anniversary at MSU this year.

MSU

U.S. Sen. Carl Levin to speak at MSU on Friday

U.S. Sen. Carl Levin, D-Detroit, who has served as a legislator for more than 30 years, will visit MSU’s campus Friday to give a speech for ethics in the law profession. The Frank J. Kelley Institute of Ethics and the Legal Profession, in the MSU College of Law, holds a yearly lecture series — Levin’s will be this year’s centerpiece.

MSU

Living City-True gamers

For many with an interest in game design, choosing a college can be difficult. Many universities do not offer programs dealing with game design, but MSU is the exception. The Spartasoft club helps students learn about video game design. Peter Burroughs, a media and information freshman, said it brought him to MSU.

MSU

Student government special presidential elections postponed

ASMSU’s special presidential elections were postponed Thursday night after representatives expressed concern about the suspension of the student government’s elections code of operations. The organization’s bylaws state that the student body needs to be informed at least 10 class days prior to the elections.

MSU

Impact 89FM officials give presentation at COGS meeting on Wednesday

Impact 89FM general manager Ed Glazer gave a presentation of the project budget for the 2013-14 fiscal year at this month’s Council of Graduate Students, or COGS, meeting on Wednesday. Glazer said the station is in the middle of having its audit completed. He said the work on the audit should be completed by Thursday, adding that he expects the audit to be done by mid or late December.

MSU

Initiative to track graduation rates of transfer students

A new initiative will offer a more detailed picture of students at MSU by tracking them throughout their college career. The Student Achievement Measure, or SAM Initiative, will collect graduation information about students who transfer from other schools during their college career to track data and uncover graduation trends. In previous graduation measures, only students who started and stayed four years at an institution were counted.

MSU

Songwriting course to conclude with Thursday concert

As the semester comes to a close, 20 students enrolled in an MSU song writing course will have a chance to display their musical skills during a live concert. The students come from diverse musical backgrounds, said professor John Kratus, who teaches the course. From rapping to heavy metal, the students touch almost every genre of music, then compose and perform their pieces for classmates.

MSU

Four candidates in running for ASMSU presidency

ASMSU will be witnessing a new transition going into the spring semester following current ASMSU President Evan Martinak’s resignation on Jan.1, 2014. Four students are running for president, including current Vice President for Governmental Affairs Jessica Leacher, former Vice President for University Programming Christopher McClain, Supply Chain Management freshman Bridgette Mack and history senior Jordan Zammit. Zammit and Mack have not previously been involved with ASMSU. Chief of Staff Kiran Samra said each candidate will have to give a five-minute speech during the next general assembly meeting Thursday, followed by a five-minute question and answer period, which will include questions formulated and agreed on by the general assembly in a closed session.

MSU

University policy provides leeway for students to declare majors

University officials are reviewing a proposed change to academic policy that would allow students to officially declare a major a full year earlier — at the end of their freshman year instead of sophomore year. The proposal allows, but does not require, students to declare a major at 28 credits instead of 56 credits, as the current policy mandates. Traditionally, all students with fewer than 56 credits are considered no preference majors. Although they might know what major they want to declare, they cannot technically do so until they reach 56 credits. The new policy would have colleges assume responsibility for students at the end of their first year rather than their second.

MSU

MSU to focus on civil rights

Next year will mark two historic anniversaries in U.S. civil rights, and MSU wants to makes sure they don’t go unobserved. Marketed as “a year-long community conversation on civil and human rights,” Project 60/50 was announced Tuesday in an email from MSU President Lou Anna K.

MSU

MSU College of Engineering looking to add new department

A new department could be on the horizon for the MSU College of Engineering, and would be a home for faculty and students with biomedical engineering interests. The proposed Department of Biomedical Engineering would help the university recruit exceptional students and faculty in the field and give a more relevant home for those who are already doing research in the area, said Acting Dean of Engineering Leo Kempel.

MSU

Jewish students, faculty celebrate Hanukkah privately with friends

As the eight nights of Hanukkah continue throughout the week, MSU students and faculty join together each night to participate in the holiday tradition of lighting the Hanukkah menorah. Historically, Hanukkah is meant to celebrate two miracles, Rabbi Hendel Weingarten of MSU’s Chabad said. The first is the victory Jewish people had over the Syrian-Greek persecutors, and the second is the ability of a small flask of oil to remain lit in the menorah in the Temple for eight days.

MSU

Vienna Boys' Choir to perform at Wharton Center tonight

Active for more than 500 years, the Vienna Boys’ Choir is one of the most renowned boys’ choirs in the world, and will perform “Christmas in Vienna” on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. at the Wharton Center. Tickets range from $15 to $47. Until the early 20th century, the group originally sang for the imperial court, the mass, for private functions and state occasions. Today, the choir is divided into four touring sub-groups, each named after famous Austrian composers — Bruckner, Haydn, Mozart and Schubert — who were at one time associated with the choir.

MSU

Journalism students help write international student guide

MSU journalism students have created a book to help answer some of the questions international students have once they arrive on the banks of the Red Cedar River. For the past semester, MSU journalism students in JRN 492, Seminar in Journalism, have been working to help generate conversations among the growing crowd of international students.