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MSU

ASMSU fights for future of program

Ryan Wallace
September 4, 2001

One of the best visually impaired programs in the nation was placed under a moratorium, and ASMSU representatives are fighting to keep it running.In June, the College of Education’s visual impairment program, which includes hearing and mental disabilities, was put on a year long hiatus while university officials review the program.The freeze on the program was preceded by the resignation of one of its leaders, Susan Bruce, an assistant professor of counseling educational psychology & special education for nine years.

MSU

ASMSU searches for new chief of staff after summer-long vacancy

Ryan Wallace
August 31, 2001

After the ASMSU chief of staff position sat empty all summer, MSU’s undergraduate student government is looking to fill the position.And this time, the group is looking for someone who will stay around for awhile.The summer marks the the sixth time in the last four years the position was vacated.

MSU

History professor fondly remembered by students, colleagues

Eric Morath
August 31, 2001

An MSU history professor and avid skydiver, David Walker, died earlier this summer in a sky diving accident.Peter Beattie, a fellow Latin American historian at MSU, said Walker was born in Louisiana but spent much of his life in Texas.“David was a real character,” said Beattie, an associate history professor.

MSU

Llamas invade campus for Labor Day

Okey Umelo
August 31, 2001

What animal is an ideal backyard companion, requires little maintenance and doesn’t smell or make annoying noises? They’re llamas, and they’re invading campus this weekend. Up to 200 of the cute creatures can be seen at Llamafest, set for 8 a.m.

MSU

Increase helps professors pay remain competitive

Eric Morath
August 31, 2001

The university’s academic staff will notice an increase in their pay checks this October, but reactions amongst the faculty are mixed as to whether the increase will move MSU’s historically underpaid professors up the Big Ten’s salary scale.MSU ranked last in the Big Ten in average salary during the last school year, the Office of Planning and Budgets said.This year, the university increased salaries by 5 percent for the third year in a row, despite a lower than expected state appropriation.And MSU President M.

MSU

Trees: tailgaters dont tread on me

Jamie Gumbrecht
August 30, 2001

The grass in Spartan Stadium will be growing green next fall, but after football season, the soil all over the rest of campus could be as hard as concrete.To prevent the demise of campus greenery, MSU officials are prohibiting parking on any grass surface north of the Red Cedar River, leaving parking areas on south campus designated for gamegoers.“Over six football games a year, and especially when it’s wet, it would continue to cause the trees to go into a decline,” said Paul Swartz, the campus arborist in charge of tree maintenance.

MSU

Financial aid takes to Web; New system goes paper-free

Rachel Wright
August 30, 2001

Financial aid applicants no longer have to sign, seal and deliver their forms. Seeking assistance is as simple as a click away. Students have used the Internet for several months, but for the first time, the entire system is paperless, said Keith Williams, assistant director of the Office of Financial Aid. “From the beginning to the end, students can complete the financial aid process,” he said.

MSU

Disease threatens U.S. blood supply; increase in donations needed from U

Tanee Elston
August 30, 2001

Mad Cow disease is expected to take a toll on blood donations this year, and the American Red Cross is asking for students’ help.Following the outbreaks of the disease in Europe, a blood shortage is expected because of precautions to prevent the disease from spreading into the United States.“We will lose between six-to-eight percent this year because people who have traveled to the UK could have come in contact with the Mad Cow disease and not know it,” said Carol Lovelady, a donor recruitment representative for MSU with the American Red Cross, 1800 E.

MSU

Researchers seek to grow tougher fibers

Okey Umelo
August 30, 2001

The search to find environmentally-friendly solutions for the diminishing oil supply and increasing oil consumption in the United States may end right on MSU’s campus.MSU researchers are trying to find ways to make tough and versatile materials that can be fabricated into items such as automotive parts and a variety of plastics - all from plants and agricultural products.

MSU

Freshmen: better than rest of U

Ryan Wallace
August 29, 2001

Student enrollment numbers may not have increased much from last year, but the academic talents may have.Although exact numbers won’t be available until a quarter of the way through the first semester, more than 6,800 students have enrolled at MSU, and the grade-point averages and ACT scores were at an all-time high.“This is academically the strongest group we’ve ever had,” said Director of Admissions Gordon Stanley.According to statistics, the average freshmen GPA is 3.5 or higher, and the average ACT score was 24.

MSU

Incident prompts safety awareness

Jamie Gumbrecht
August 29, 2001

When Joseph Clark locks the door to his Williams Hall room at night, he wouldn’t be afraid.The journalism sophomore said although he was surprised to hear about two instances of criminal sexual conduct in his residence hall, he’s not worried.“I don’t lie awake at night scared,” he said.

MSU

RHA still committed to goals, serving U

Okey Umelo
August 28, 2001

It’s a new semester and that means new faces, goals and attitudes for MSU’s Residence Halls Association’s executive board. The university’s RHA is the largest residence hall association in the country and the second largest student organization on campus behind ASMSU, the university’s undergraduate student government. Jeff Donofrio, the new director of public relations for RHA, said its main goal is to address the concerns and to be the voice for more than 14,000 undergraduate students throughout the 20 residence halls on campus.

MSU

Police say oops to illegal parking

Jamie Gumbrecht
August 28, 2001

Kelly Downey racked up $53 in parking ticket charges while moving in this Welcome Week.Oops.But MSU’s Department of Police and Public Safety introduced a system to warn and inform parents and students about illegal parking without the cost: the “oops ticket.”“I’d rather have that on my car than a ticket,” said Downey, an advertising sophomore who ended the week with four parking tickets.

MSU

Groups greet students, look for new members

Camille Spencer
August 27, 2001

To kick off the school year, minority organizations are welcoming students with programs that will allow them to gain information about their groups.Asian Pacific American Student Organization will be sponsoring a Welcome Back Banquet today at 6 p.m.

MSU

MSU to celebrate 150th anniversary with Freshman photography contest

Rachel Wright
August 27, 2001

The freshman class is getting snap-happy this week.As this year’s freshman class will graduate in 2005 - the university’s 150th year - the department of Libraries, Computing and Technology gave each incoming freshman a disposable camera to capture their first moments at MSU.“These pictures will literally be a snapshot of the class that will mark (the 150th) benchmark of the university,” said Don Straney, assistant to the provost for faculty development.

MSU

Forum to discuss adding student voice to trustees

Ryan Wallace
August 27, 2001

ASMSU is taking the first of what would be many steps in creating a voting student seat on the MSU Board of Trustees tonight with a forum discussing the possibility.The bill was introduced during an August 8 academic assembly meeting, but was tabled until this session.

MSU

Party at the Aud gets U involved

Jamie Gumbrecht
August 27, 2001

When Party at the Aud ended Saturday night, the Auditorium’s lawn was littered with fliers, the rock on Farm Lane had a fresh coat of paint welcoming the map-toting freshmen and more than 230 student groups and activities had recruited a year’s worth of members.“This is the biggest and best time to recruit people,” said special education sophomore Shelley Carlin, a member of MSU Best Buddies.

MSU

Peepholes show residents new view of dorm safety

Okey Umelo
August 27, 2001

Knock knock. Who’s there? Students living in the dorms can now have the satisfaction of knowing who’s knocking at their doors now that peepholes have been installed in just about every dorm room.The installation of the peepholes took place over the summer and was a result of careful deliberation among the Residence Halls Association, Residence Life and University Housing said Angela Brown, director of University Housing. “We discussed safety awareness and created a safety committee, which reviewed night receptionist safety and overall dorm safety,” Brown said, adding that students have been asking for peepholes for years. “(The peepholes) are great,” said Emmy Gregory, a pre-vet freshman.