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MSU

Order sponsors African dance class

Concentrating on their reflections, seven dancers moved across a room toward a mirror, swinging their hips, waving their arms and kicking their feet to the beat of a tribal drum. An African dance class, sponsored by a local chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star, was held Friday at IM Sports-Circle to conclude a week of activities. "Some dances are from the west and some specifically Ghana," said Ayana Gwin, dance instructor and member of the order.

MSU

Walk raises heart disease awareness

Despite the cold air and the early morning hour, students and area residents gathered Saturday morning to walk and demonstrate their solidarity against heart disease. Survivors of strokes and heart disease dotted the crowd in red caps, many wearing tags on their backs reading, "I'm walking for me." The annual American Heart Association fund-raiser had two goals - to raise money for research and to raise awareness.

MSU

Department questions curriculum of a possible theology course

A Catholic theology class could be held in a local church if professors in the Department of Religious Studies get their questions answered. "We always need to know that the course is being taught as an academic course rather than as a set of beliefs," said Roger Bresnahan, acting chairman of religious studies. Clare Johnson, a theology-in-residence professor from the University of Notre Dame, said she is confident her theology class at St.

MSU

Opinions sought in tailgating revisions

Every MSU student has a chance to influence the future of tailgating. At a Wednesday meeting where student leaders and MSU officials discussed health and safety issues surrounding gameday tailgating, officials urged student organizations to collect ideas and suggestions from MSU students. The university's undergraduate student government ASMSU, the Interfraternity Council, the Panhellenic Council and the Residence Halls Association were some of the groups present.

MSU

Fair promotes study abroad

The Antarctica booth, complete with dry ice and a large penguin, was just one of 107 booths at the 15th Semi-annual Fall 2004 Study Abroad Fair at the Union on Thursday afternoon.

MSU

Security problems keep Moore from 'U'

Efforts to bring Michael Moore to campus fell through on Thursday because ASMSU was unable to garner security for the event. MSU's undergraduate student government cited problems with the MSU Department of Police and Public Safety as the main reason they were unable to secure Moore. "Basically it wasn't given enough time," said Kristen Daddow, Student Assembly vice chairperson of student programming.

MSU

Cuddle a critter event held today at Kellogg

Peoples' relationships with their pets will be discussed at the fourth annual MSU Human-Animal Bond Initiative conference Thursday and Friday at the Kellogg Center. The conference, titled "The Science Behind our Relationship with Animals: Cuddle a Critter and Call Me in the Morning," will help attendees understand how humans who interact with animals find enrichment in their lives. The event is sponsored by the MSU College of Nursing, the MSU Human-Animal Bond Initiative and the MSU School of Social Work.

MSU

Student wins iPod

Accounting and premedical junior Andrew Thompson won a green iPod Mini just for doing his homework. Thompson was the 100,000th student to log in to LearningOnline Network Computer-Assisted Personalized Approach, or LON-CAPA, an online course-management program. "When I got the e-mail, I thought it was a joke," Thompson said.

MSU

Group earns $15K in scholarships

Critical thinking won a team of four MSU graduate students first place and $15,000 in scholarships at the National Student Case Competition. The winning team, comprised of Akilah Ellis, Carlos Johnson, Laith Maddur and Kendall Sykes, were recognized Saturday at the 26th annual National Black MBA Association Conference in Houston. "We bonded very well as a team," said Maddur, a finance and supply chain management graduate student.

MSU

Applying online saves 'U' time

More students applied online for admission at MSU this year than ever before, making up more than half of all applications. For 2004, 52.3 percent of all applications submitted were done online, said Jim Cotter, senior associate director of admissions and scholarships.

MSU

Halls hold safety meeting after recent attacks

In the days and weeks following an increase in reported sexual assaults on campus, MSU officials, student organizations and students say they're reacting by improving awareness and safety. About 75 students from Emmons and Butterfield halls attended a mandatory meeting on personal safety Monday night. "We wanted to educate students and allow them to ask the experts questions," Emmons Hall Resident Director Qiana Smith said. A majority of the attendees were men, said Jayne Schuiteman, personal safety coordinator for the MSU Women's Resource Center. "Female safety is not just a female issue," Sexual Assault Program counselor Barb Walkington said.

MSU

Meeting addresses arts college

A new residential college was the main topic of a special Academic Council meeting Tuesday. Marcellette Williams, chairwoman of the New Residential College Program Planning Group, presented the committee's draft report for a new liberal arts and sciences college. Williams said the committee identified several issues faculty and students brought up in the various meetings it held.

MSU

Two-day program to discuss women's issues

The Women's Resource Center is presenting four programs Wednesday and Thursday to help students, faculty and staff deal with common issues for women. The issues addressed this week range from perfectionism to the importance of sleep. Among the topics addressed at the program, "Long Distance Loves, Long Distance Lives: The Ups & Downs of Long Distance Relationships," is how to maintain a healthy balance between a significant other and an active social life at home. "There is definitely a mental health angle here, and a healthy relationship angle - people shouldn't be caught up in waiting for the phone to ring," said Jodi Hancock, education program coordinator of the Women's Resource Center.

MSU

Students sit tight in crowded dormitories

Exams have started, leaves are falling, and many MSU students are still crowded into overbooked residence hall rooms. Chuck Gagliano, assistant vice president for Housing and Food Services, said there are currently 130 over-assigned rooms. "This isn't something that the university staff did, it's something that occurred," Gagliano said.

MSU

Video store to hold grand opening today

Video To Go is holding a grand opening celebration today for its new store location, room 107 of the Union. The video store, which officially opened Wednesday, will raffle off DVD players in honor of the grand opening, along with special offers for customers. Video To Go features new releases and also movies in categories such as foreign, cult classics and television. Playstation 2 and Xbox video games are also available for rent. The Union store also sells movie posters, books and popcorn. Video To Go is open 11 a.m.-11 p.m.