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MSU

Student released after weekend meningitis scare

Laura Collins
September 6, 2005

An MSU student was released from Sparrow Hospital on Saturday after being diagnosed with a meningitis-type bacteria, hospital officials said. After feeling flu-like symptoms, the student was taken to the Lansing hospital and was tested for bacterial meningitis. The student tested positive for a special strain of bacteria, called Neisseria meningitidis, but did not test positive for the full-fledged bacterial meningitis, said Nan Simons, a Sparrow Hospital spokeswoman. The student's family requested the student's name not be released, MSU spokesperson Terry Denbow said. Bacterial meningitis is an infection that causes inflammation of tissues and fluid around the brain and spinal cord.

MSU

Old Spice seeks clean comics

By Norrel Hemphill Special to The State News It was hard to miss the three men walking around in white Old Spice bathrobes, camera crew in tow, during Saturday's tailgating festivities at the tennis courts. Representatives from Old Spice were filming a commercial with three MSU students as leads in search of America's Cleanest Comic.

MSU

New regulations shrink tailgate

Melissa Domsic
September 6, 2005

Fewer than 100 cars were parked in the newly implemented student-only tailgate area near the tennis courts on Saturday - a noticeable difference from past years, when about 400 cars and thousands of people would fill the area on football game days. "They've effectively killed tailgate," biochemistry senior Shankar Arul said while he tailgated at the tennis courts.

MSU

Experts reflect on intensity of hurricanes

Jennifer Toland
September 2, 2005

A recent study claims global warming is to blame for a growing intensity of tropical storms, but it remains unclear whether warming was to blame for the severity of Hurricane Katrina, scientists say. In August, Massachusetts Institute of Technology climatologist Kerry Emanuel reported in the journal "Nature" that major storms spinning in both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans have increased in duration and intensity by about 50 percent since the 1970s. During that period, global average temperatures have risen by about 1 degree Fahrenheit along with increases in the level of carbon dioxide and other heat-trapping pollutants from industry smokestacks, traffic exhaust and other sources. It makes sense that Hurricane Katrina was such an intense storm because the Gulf of Mexico's temperature was above average before it hit, said David Hyndman, associate professor in the MSU Department of Geological Sciences. "When you warm sea-surface temperature, you are getting stronger storms," Hyndman said. Global warming spurred by human activity has everything to do with the growing strength of tropical storms, Hyndman said.

MSU

MSU officials introduce new pre-game lecture series

Bob Darrow
September 1, 2005

John Hannah won't stop inspiring new ideas at MSU. This Saturday, the public will have the opportunity to hear the first in a series of lectures to be held on campus on home football Saturdays - a series that officials began considering last fall after a lecture surrounding the dedication of a statue of Hannah, MSU's 12th president. "That's really where the germ of the idea began," said Sue Carter, chairwoman of the sesquicentennial events committee and an organizer of the series. The series is part of a yearlong celebration of MSU's sesquicentennial, or 150th anniversary. The lectures will be held three hours prior to kickoff in the Kellogg Center Auditorium.

MSU

RHA officials move to new Holden office

Tom Cooke
September 1, 2005

Officers with MSU's Residence Halls Association are preparing for this upcoming school year in a new, larger office near their old location. Kevin Newman, RHA president, said he is excited about the new space, G-7 in the basement of Holden Hall.

MSU

MSU asked to shut off power over weekend

Bob Darrow
September 1, 2005

Physical Plant officials are asking on-campus students, faculty and staff to turn off any unnecessary electrical devices during the upcoming holiday weekend. Plant employees will be connecting a new high-pressure steam line this weekend as part of a continuing expansion.

MSU

ASMSU looks to improve freshman council activism

Melissa Domsic
August 31, 2005

About 600 freshmen have expressed interest in joining ASMSU, MSU's undergraduate student government, following increased recruiting efforts from the group's staff, officials said. For the first time, the Associated Students of Michigan State University has presented information about the organization and a subgroup, Freshman Class Council, at each Academic Orientation Program this summer as a way to foster interest early in the students' academic careers, said Jessica Kunnath, ASMSU's director of constituent activism. The council didn't do much last year - not enough students joined, some dropped out and they did few visible things for their class, Kunnath said. With unusually high turnout from recruiting at AOP sessions, ASMSU hopes to organize a more active group of freshmen. "The last council for Freshman Class Council kind of just diminished over the year - they weren't putting on any programs, weren't really helping the freshmen," Kunnath said.

MSU

Council meeting emphasizes faculty involvement

Laura Collins
August 31, 2005

An early meeting of the Faculty Council was held Tuesday to inform faculty representatives of the latest news with Academic Governance and to stress the need for maximizing the faculty's voice in the university. New task force proposals included a review process for administrators, a review process for academic programs, communication and transparency and a fixed-term faculty role in governance.

MSU

MSU prof finds new heart attack cause

Jennifer Toland
August 31, 2005

For years, researchers didn't know what cholesterol's role in causing heart attacks is, until an MSU professor realized it's as simple as a bottle of water that's frozen and cracked. "It cuts through membranes, like shards of glass in the artery," said George Abela, a professor in the MSU Department of Medicine, whose findings are published in the September issue of the medical journal "Clinical Cardiology." "That's why you think it can create such a big ouch." Examining the process of heart attacks for about 10 years, Abela found the key was cholesterol located in the wall of an artery.

MSU

Officials continue to examine impact of power loss

Bob Darrow
August 31, 2005

Administrators are still in the process of determining the extent of damages to university buildings and equipment two weeks after the most significant power outage on campus in almost six years. Department chairpersons have been asked to report the impact of the outages in their departments to MSU controller David Brower. Brower will then prepare a report for administrators detailing safety and security concerns raised by the power loss and addressing areas requiring more funds to prevent future problems, said Marc Conlin, an administrative assistant in the department of physics and astronomy. "They're trying to look at the overall picture to see where they want to do some things differently," Conlin said.

MSU

Students adapt to facility upgrades

Fredricka Paul
August 30, 2005

New floors, bleachers, locker rooms and workout equipment are among some of the updated features that greet new and returning students for the first time at IM Sports-West's renovated facility, which opened May 16. The new $5.5 million facility was renovated because the former building was not up to par, said Lawrence Sierra, director of Intramural Sports and Recreation Services.

MSU

Value of 'One Book' event examined

Fredricka Paul
August 30, 2005

The idea of MSU's "One Book, One Community" requires freshmen to read one book to unite the students and East Lansing residents by having a common interest, but some professors and students differ on the value of the annual program. This year's book assignment, Khaled Hosseini's "The Kite Runner," is mandatory for all freshmen and encourages East Lansing residents to participate in book-related events from Aug.

MSU

Events recruit mix of minorities

Several minority student groups on campus are seeking new members in freshmen and returning students through informational receptions, which are currently being held. The receptions are a way for interested students and returning members to become acquainted with the organizations, and members say the gatherings are successful recruitment tools. On Sunday, the Office of Racial Ethnic Student Affairs held an open house in the courtyard behind Student Services as its introductory reception. Several university and office officials were on hand for students to meet. Tammye Coles, coordinator for the Black Student Alliance, or BSA, was at the event and said the connections made at these receptions are important. "There has been work done showing (that) students who are, in some way, connected to campus are more likely to seek information or assistance via a professor or student organizations," Coles said.