Profs: E-mail aids student learning

Several MSU faculty members agree that e-mail has increased the ability of students and professors to communicate, even if the volume of that communication can prevent instant answers to questions. Some professors say, however, that poor e-mail etiquette can confuse a student's meaning, and can make it harder for an instructor to respond with a clear answer. "Some students do expect immediate responses at all hours, and are unskilled at using e-mail effectively to communicate," said Robert Wiseman, a management associate professor who, incidentally, responded via e-mail. He said student e-mails that have an inappropriate tone or word choice hinder the intent of the communication.

Police briefs 02/24/06

Task forces to reform Academic Governance

Five committees began working this semester to restructure the Academic Governance system, review administrators and academic programs, define the role of fixed-term faculty and improve communication within the system. To improve the presence of faculty input and voice in the Academic Governance system, the committees were formed last fall through Faculty Council. The idea for the committees came about last spring, after faculty members revealed their concerns about their input in important university decisions. Faculty members were upset with the administration following the release of then-Provost Lou Anna K.

Bills aim for farm regulation

Michigan House Republicans hope to help the state's agriculture industry by offering farmers incentives to meet environmental standards, representatives said Tuesday. The six-bill legislation package will allow farmers to enter a voluntary program that verifies the farmer is taking steps to prevent pollution. "This legislation is vital to the continued growth and development of Michigan farm jobs as we strive to reach the goals and objectives of rebuilding the economy and enhancing business and industry," said Rep.

Police briefs 02/23/06

Human Ecology program to relocate this summer

Better collaboration among faculty and students will be possible with the Department of Family and Child Ecology's move to the College of Social Science this summer, faculty administrators said. The department, currently located in the College of Human Ecology, and its move is part of MSU President Lou Anna K.

Complaints of ID theft high

Michigan residents are filing more complaints about identity theft and consumer satisfaction, according to Attorney General Mike Cox. Complaints that include credit and financial concerns topped Cox's list of top consumer complaints in 2005, according to a report released in early February. Identity theft was frequently mentioned in complaints obtained by the Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division. The office recovered $4.5 million in consumer refunds from complaints.

Candlelight vigil to be held on campus today

MSU Students for Life will host a candlelight vigil about legal abortion at 7 p.m. today at the rock on Farm Lane. The Rev.

Jazz band to perform for dinner guests Fri.

The Black Student Alliance will host its annual Jazz Dinner at 8 p.m. Friday in the Lincoln Room of the Kellogg Center. "Souls of Black Folk" is the dinner's theme and the MSU Jazz Band will perform. Tickets are $10 for the event.

Rhythm contest

Orange and red lights shined on the stage with a single stool, a microphone and a faux brick background. This isn't a nightclub or coffee shop.

Proposed building could be 10 levels

Some of the flattest space left in downtown East Lansing could be transformed into one of the city's tallest structures. With the City Council's blessing, a private developer is researching the feasibility of building on the site of Lot 1, a city-owned parking lot located on Albert Avenue across from Harper's Restaurant & Brewpub. The proposed project would include a mix of residential and retail space similar to the City Center development, which stretches from Barnes & Noble Booksellers at the corner of Charles Street, to Cosi on M.A.C.

Word on the street

In light of Tuesday's special primary for the state Senate seat, we hit the streets to find why you think students are so apathetic about voting. "I don't think students choose not to vote.

Human Ecology dept. to transfer in summer

The Department of Family and Child Ecology will be transferred from the College of Human Ecology to the College of Social Science, effective this summer. Academic Council approved a report Tuesday from the University Committee on Curriculum, which included this and a number of other program and course changes. June Youatt, acting dean of the College of Human Ecology, assistant provost for undergraduate education and dean of undergraduate studies, said this is just another step in transferring the department, because it was already approved by the University Committee on Academic Policy. The seven programs affected in the transfer will remain unchanged, Youatt said. Also, Jon Sticklen, chairman of the Executive Committee of Academic Council, told Academic Council to prepare for a lot of movement in the Academic Governance system by the end of the semester, as several working groups and committees move ahead in their tasks.

Protesting pop

Luis Cardona said Tuesday he witnessed the murder of a Coca-Cola Co. worker in Colombia, and connects the murder to the company's business practices in the country. Cardona, who is from Colombia, spoke to a crowd of about 50 people at a rally Tuesday on the steps of the Administration Building, put on by Students for Economic Justice, or SEJ. He also said he witnessed bottling managers drinking and mingling with paramilitary members, who forced employees of the Sinaltrainal Union to resign.

Police briefs 02/22/06

New grant criteria undetermined

MSU officials will have a hard time awarding the $4,000 some students could receive from a new federal grant without more information on who qualifies, and now a new lawsuit could further complicate the process. President Bush signed the Deficit Reduction Act on Feb.

Alumni to create MSU 'Chicken Soup' book

By Missy Kayko For The State News Many college students grew up reading or hearing about the "Chicken Soup for the Soul" books. Now, MSU's Student Alumni Foundation, or SAF, wants to give students and alumni the same experience of college memories.

Free speech in question for college newspapers

Advocates of student journalism are saying college newspapers should get a written understanding of who controls their editorial content after the U.S.

WEB EXTRA: Council discusses property acquisition

Council members went into executive session 45 minutes into the East Lansing City Council meeting Tuesday night to discuss property acquisition and the status of labor negotiations. The property acquisition involves part of downtown East Lansing not associated with East Village, said Ted Staton, East Lansing city manager. He said revealing anymore information on the subject would compromise the city's interest in the matter. A resolution to honor the passing and legacy of civil rights pioneer Coretta Scott King was delivered Tuesday evening by Councilmember Kevin Beard.

Innovations: Analyzing allergies

Name: Assistant Professor Venu Gangur Department: Food Science and Human Nutrition and MSU's National Food Safety & Toxicology Center Type of research: How and why people develop food allergies Date of research: Gangur has about four ongoing projects, and most of them began in 2001. Basics of the project: Allergies begin with a process called "sensitization," which can potentially occur when a person's immune system comes into contact with certain food proteins for the first time. A certain antibody can react with these food proteins, which increases the likelihood of an allergy developing, Gangur said.