MSU

Scholars gather to speak on race relations

Educators and professionals from across the country joined MSU students on campus this week to delve into issues of race and ethnic diversity in the new millennium. The event, “Race In 21st Century America: A 2nd National Conference,” is put on by James Madison College and the Midwest Consortium for Black Studies, a group that includes MSU. Curtis Stokes, an assistant professor in James Madison College and chairman of the conference planning committee, said in its second year, the event has blossomed. “We crafted this idea and it has become a national phenomenon,” he said.

MSU

New RHA president shares goals for future

Nick Kovacic’s term as the new president of the Residence Halls Association doesn’t begin until Wednesday, but his goals for the 2001-02 year are ready for action.Among them, Kovacic said he wants students to view RHA as an organization committed to serving and representing them.“If students have issues or concerns about anything, they should be able to come to us,” Kovacic said.

MSU

Model UN educates high-schoolers about world viewpoints

Ed Ronco

April 6, 2001

Some of the world’s biggest problems are about to be placed in the hands of high-schoolers.More than 80 students from across the state will participate in MSU’s first Model United Nations conference at the Kellogg Center this weekend.The conference, sponsored by the International Relations Organization, gets under way at 7 p.m.

MSU

Debate team excels in national tourney

Steve Bossi

April 6, 2001

The Spartan basketball team isn’t the only program at MSU showing consistency in Final Four appearances.Last week, two members from MSU’s debate team reached the semifinals in two National Championship debate tournaments for the second consecutive year.

MSU

Forum allows U to show creativity; research work

Cutler Fetherston

April 5, 2001

Some of MSU’s best and brightest students will soon have their day in the sun.The third annual University Undergraduate Research and Arts Forum will take place from noon to 5 p.m.

MSU

Seminar discusses natural resources

Nicole Jacques

April 5, 2001

Agency executives from around the country made a stop at MSU on Wednesday to discuss the current challenges facing natural resource management in the United States.Nearly 100 people attended the seminar, “Emerging Issues Confronting Natural Resource Agencies in the 21st Century,” in the Communication Arts and Sciences Building.Seven panel members came from as far as Florida, Arizona and Massachusetts, where they are executives of federal or state management and conservation agencies.

MSU

Grant arrives for clinic in time for tax rush

Ed Ronco

April 5, 2001

One campus organization got money from the Internal Revenue Service a little early this year.The MSU-Detroit College of Law Tax and Rental Housing clinics recently received a $100,000 grant from the IRS.“It is funding that is provided for us in order for us to provide the services that we do,” said DCL Professor Michele Halloran, director of the Tax Clinic.Halloran co-wrote and submitted the grant request.

MSU

Charity ball to raise funds for grieving families

Steve Bossi

April 5, 2001

Although the 2nd Annual Madison Charity Ball is a little different from last year’s event, its purpose remains intact - raising funds for charity.The event, which takes place from 7 p.m.

MSU

ASMSUs lack of landlord input leads council to delay ordinance

Steve Bossi

April 5, 2001

While the ASMSU landlord-tenant ordinance has East Lansing City Council’s attention, the council’s view on the issue is still unclear.Last week, the undergraduate student government sent a letter to the city council laying out the ordinance’s plan, but East Lansing Mayor Mark Meadows said initial discussion with council members last week hasn’t provided any insight.“I don’t think they have any impression on the ordinance at all,” Meadows said.The ASMSU proposal would prohibit landlords from showing an apartment or home to prospective tenants or forcing renewal of a lease until one-third of the lease has passed.However, at its meeting last week, the council raised concerns about ASMSU’s lack of landlord input and referred to East Lansing city staff as one of the reasons behind the proposal’s delay.When ASMSU officials began working on the ordinance in December, they requested the help of city staff, but said they obtained little results or feedback.“ASMSU could have sent that letter at any point and time,” Councilmember Sam Singh said.

MSU

Ugly Man raises money for cancer

Robin Dangelo

April 5, 2001

It’s not about the face that breaks the most mirrors on campus, or students who have really low self-esteem.The “Ugly Man” on campus at MSU is cancer - and the purpose of the Ugly Man on Campus contest, sponsored by Alpha Phi Omega and Modern Skate and Surf, is to beat him.The annual contest, which began Monday and ends tonight, hopes to raise as much as $1,000 for the American Cancer Society.Nine contestants paid a $25 entry fee to have their faces posted on brightly colored buckets, each to collect as much pocket change and donations from passersby as possible.Members of Alpha Phi Omega set up tables with the buckets daily from 10 a.m.

MSU

Homecoming committee seeks input for new theme

Sarah M. Emery

April 4, 2001

The members of the MSU Homecoming Committee are searching for a theme for the 2001 homecoming celebration to be held in October. And they want the input of MSU students. Committee member Tami Kuhn, who is also the manager of the Campus Center, said the group saw a need for different input. “One of the things we talked about when we met was getting more student input,” she said.

MSU

Group to model for worker rights

Rachel Wright

April 4, 2001

Today Students for Economic Justice will model clothing that sports not the latest fashions - but highlights clothes the group claims are made in factories with unfair working conditions. Student members will walk the runway in the Sweatshop Fashion Show at 12:15 p.m.

MSU

Letter blames U for anti-union campaign

Ed Ronco

April 4, 2001

More than 25 state legislators sent a letter to MSU President M. Peter McPherson on Monday accusing university administration of conducting “an anti-union campaign against its graduate student employees.”The letter alleges that during special informational meetings regarding graduate unionization, MSU administration attempted to “sway votes by providing prejudicial information.”McPherson said he had not seen the letter Tuesday night but was looking forward to reading it.The letter makes clear that officials did not violate statutes which prohibit voter intimidation, but also said their actions “tarnish the spirit of the law.”State Rep.

MSU

Students, community observe day of silence

Ed Ronco

April 4, 2001

Members of MSU’s Alliance of Lesbian, Bisexual, Gay and Transgender community and its supporters will be silent today, as part of Pride Week’s National Day of Silence.The day is designed to draw attention to those who have been silenced by hatred, oppression or prejudice.“There’s so many LBGT people who are silent and invisible everyday,” explained Doug Copeland, president of Spectrum, a caucus group that represents the east campus LBGT community.

MSU

Student trip to Mexico emphasizes labor justice

Rachel Wright

April 3, 2001

Language and lifestyle may have been barriers but Adam Szlachetka, along with other students nationwide, learned they had one thing in common with Mexican workers - they were all fighting for a difference.Along with 14 other people, Szlachetka, an MSU political economy senior, traveled to Metepec, Mexico, two weeks ago for five days to speak with striking workers who work for the Kukdong Factory - one location Nike Inc. uses to produce clothing for many universities, including MSU.“The biggest thing about this trip was knowing that all the work we are doing is being noticed by the workers,” said Szlachetka, who is a member of Students for Economic Justice, a student-led movement against unfair labor conditions and universities involved with companies tied to sweatshop involvement.

MSU

Elegant dinner in the making

Guests will be wined and dined like never before Saturday at Les Gourmets, a dinner hosted by students in the School of Hospitality Business.Those who attend this annual event can look forward to enjoying a champagne reception followed by a seven-course dinner.

MSU

U to host 24-hour Relay For Life

Sarah M. Emery

April 3, 2001

The motto of the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life is, “It’s about a community that takes up the fight.” And the MSU community is working to show that’s a true statement. Stephanie Rigler, community development director for the American Cancer Society, said 450 people have already signed up for the event that will take place April 20-21 at Jenison Field House.

MSU

James Madison student receives fellowship award

Ed Ronco

April 3, 2001

This summer Andrew Krepps will be working side by side with high-ranking government officials in Washington, D.C.The international relations senior from Marquette is the first MSU student to receive the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace Junior Fellow award.

MSU

U scores high in math competition

Robin Dangelo

April 2, 2001

Four MSU students placed in the top 15 percent of the William Lowell Putnam Mathematics competition. The students, who took the exam Dec.

MSU

LGBT Pride Week offers unity, entertainment

Sheena Harrison

April 2, 2001

Despite chilly temperatures on Sunday afternoon, seven students tackled the weather during the Fruitbowl - an annual football game sponsored by members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community - at Walter Adams Memorial field. “We were hoping for a better turnout, but only the hard-core LGBT community is out here today,” public policy junior Chris Szmadzinski said jokingly during halftime. Sunday’s football game was one of the kick-off events for Pride Week at MSU, which lasts through Friday.