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MSU

Student group launches site

Students Protecting and Representing Education, or SPARE, has gone interactive. SPARE, a student organization focused on combating possible university cuts and tuition increases, has put its message out on the World Wide Web - hoping students will log on and sign up. "We should be taken seriously, and this is a great way to disseminate information," international relations junior Ahmed Baset said. Baset, a SPARE member, said the group's purpose is directed at all Michigan students, and the Web site is a great tool for them to learn about the group. "SPARE is representative of everyone," he said. Baset also is the director of legislative affairs for ASMSU, MSU's undergraduate student government.

MSU

Forum informs students about cloning, bioethics

To Oscar Caballero, Wednesday night's animal biotechnology forum was a dream come true. Three years ago, the cell and molecular biology graduate student heard a presentation from the environmentalist group Greenpeace calling genetic engineering an "evil" action that messes with "Mother Nature's grand design." "People who do not have the knowledge about biotechnology come out of there thinking, 'I'm never going to allow another piece of transgenic food in my mouth again,'" Caballero said.

MSU

Traffic committee to meet, hear public feedback

The MSU community can discuss traffic, transportation and pedestrian issues from 2:30-4 p.m. on March 13 in the North Conference Room of the Main Library. The All University Traffic and Transportation Committee will share its ideas to improve traffic on campus with the audience and ask for feedback.

MSU

RHA elects new president

Derek Wallbank is the new president of the MSU Residence Halls Association. Wallbank was elected from a pool of four candidates to lead the 34th General Assembly of RHA. "He combined what all others based their campaigns on," general assembly member Adam Raezler said. Wallbank said he plans not only to work on promoting a better environment within RHA itself but also wants to focus more on residents and RHA's involvement with them as it pertains to campus life. "Every decision that needs to be made in RHA should involve residents," Wallbank said. Carrie Hoover

MSU

Leader discusses lack of Chicano presence in history books

For Daniel Osuna, true leadership comes from within. Osuna, a Chicano Yaqui Indian, spoke Thursday night in the Essex Room of Wilson Hall, offering what he said was an account of Chicano history that isn't included in a high school history book. "Are (high school teachers) teaching us what to think, or how to think?" he said. Education freshman Gloria Melina Monita said history doesn't always reflect the way things are. "What do we celebrate about Columbus Day?" Monita asked.

MSU

Students, 'U' officials debate energy tax

Casey Mcnenly
February 28, 2003

A tax that would require students to pay $5 per semester for renewable energy is the subject of debate between ASMSU and university officials. ASMSU is MSU's undergraduate student government. Eco, an environmental student organization, wants students to be more aware of the energy they use by voting yes on a ballot proposal which would tax students to purchase environmentally friendly energy sources. Power from sources such as solar panels and wind turbines could replace fossil fuel emissions on University Farms. "Most people don't know what renewable energy is, or even global climate change," Eco spokeswoman Amy Gregory said.

MSU

Alternative Spring Break provides fulfillment, service opportunities

Allison Lucy
February 28, 2003

Keyan MacCune traveled to Mexico on her first Alternative Spring Break three years ago expecting to just volunteer at a hospital. She came back with a better understanding of life. "You go down expecting to give by doing service but you always bring back more than what you have given through the experiences and knowledge you gain," the elementary education senior said.

MSU

Cadet receives honor

Adam Malson will be joining top ROTC cadets from around the country in Lexington, Va., at the Virginia Military Institute from April 15-18. The interdisciplinary studies in social science senior is a recipient of the General George C.

MSU

Activist relates long road to racial equality

Tom Hayden has been beaten, jailed and kicked out of towns across the southern United States. Hayden, a civil rights activist, former legislator and author, spoke Thursday at the Kellogg Center about his time as a freedom rider in Mississippi and Albany, Ga. He was the final speaker in the third annual visiting faculty series sponsored by the College of Osteopathic Medicine. "There are not many of these speakers that I say share my criminal background," College of Osteopathic Medicine Professor William Anderson said during his introduction of Hayden. As an activist, Hayden dedicated much of his time to fighting racial, ethnic and gender bias and discrimination. "It's in his DNA to fight for civil rights and justice," Anderson said. Gregory Jones, a 1980 MSU graduate, said Hayden's lecture gives him a chance to see the activist he so often heard about. "I remember he was a big activist in the '60s and '70s," he said.

MSU

Groups plan affirmative action march in D.C.

MSU student groups plan to march on the nation's capital April 1. Women's Council, Multi Racial Unity Living Experience and other organizations will demonstrate their support for affirmative action on the day the U.S.

MSU

Student pleads guilty at flier hearing

Sarah Frank
February 27, 2003

The MSU student accused of posting a racially offensive flier in Shaw Hall pleaded guilty today to charges of misdemeanor harassment in front of East Lansing 54-B District Court Judge Richard Ball.During a pretrial meeting, prosecutor Marie Wolfe made David Powder aware of his possible options and gave him time to decide what he wanted to do.

MSU

Poetry reading honors emotion, Chicano culture

A hush filled a room in Wilson Hall as Maria Zavala stepped into the center, clearing her throat and slowly raising a worn black binder brimming with poem-filled pages.The communication sophomore took a deep breath, glanced down at the laminated sheet in front of her, then launched into an original selection titled "Yo Soy," or "I Am.""Yo soy Chicana," Zavala cried during the opening lines of the poem, fiercely emphasizing each syllable.

MSU

Greenhouse model hopes to raise awareness for project

Kendra Snyder
February 27, 2003

Lights, waterfalls and fake foliage brought one student group's dream to life on Wednesday. A model of the proposed student greenhouse project was on display Wednesday in the Union. The model featured running water, working lights and detailed pathways of a biodome to grab the attention of students passing by. "There's a need for a public greenhouse on campus," education junior Zac Oppenheim said.

MSU

Applications available for graduation speech

Students looking to have their voice heard at the spring 2003 commencement ceremony now have their chance. Applications for a student commencement speaker are available in Room 101 Student Services. Those who wish to apply must submit a five-minute typed speech along with the application. The deadline to apply is 5 p.m.

MSU

Academic Council passes changes to grad document

Three years of changes to a document that governs graduate students were approved by the Academic Council on Tuesday.The Graduate Student Rights and Responsibilities Document cements the rights of graduate students, lays out the steps for filing grievances and explains the processes for theses and dissertations.The document was created in 1971 and had not been modified since 1984, Graduate School Dean Karen Klomparens said.The changes must be approved by the MSU Board of Trustees to be considered official.Among the changes to the document is a mention of the Graduate Employees Union, which was formally recognized in April 2001."We needed to catch up and recognize the contracted union," she said.Minor word changes also needed to be made to the document to stay current with the times, while substantive changes were made to clarify language, she said.References to "typing" when referring to a thesis or dissertation were amended to include "word processing." The new document also guarantees legal representation to graduate students accused of a criminal offense, said chemistry graduate student Sam Howerton, who was president of the Council of Graduate Students three years ago when the changes began.Howerton said these changes were made with a desire to improve the university but will probably go unnoticed by most students."This document is transparent to most graduate students except for those few individuals who end up having problems," he said.

MSU

Senior Class Council deadline approaches

Applications are available to join the Senior Class Council for the 2003-2004 academic year. Any junior or returning senior is eligible to sign up. The deadline to apply is Thursday.

MSU

Few applications received for ASMSU seats, deadline today

Adam Raezler's ASMSU application almost didn't make it into the pile because of a little confusion his freshman year. "It was the first time I'd been to that end of campus and I got lost," the political theory and constitutional democracy sophomore said. Raezler said just as he was considering giving up, he found the building and now sits on the MSU undergraduate student government's Academic Assembly as a representative for James Madison College. Applications are due by 4:30 p.m.