MSU hopes to boost budget at hearing

The battle to increase state funding for MSU begins at 10 a.m. today on campus. President Lou Anna K.

Police briefs 02/17/06

Transgender MSU student talks on "Larry King Live"

T.J. Jourian, known on campus as an advocate for transgender issues, appeared on CNN's "Larry King Live" on Wednesday evening. Jourian, a third-year graduate student, spoke via satellite with King, along with race car driver Terri O'Connell, country singer Dolly Parton and actress Felicity Huffman — who was nominated for an Oscar for the movie "Transamerica" — to discuss transgender individuals. Three other transgender individuals and a doctor were also on the program. "(The interview) was more about unknown personal experiences, surgery and understanding who transgender individuals are," Jourian said. Mara Keisling, executive director for the National Center for Transgender Equality, based in Washington, said transgender awareness is growing, but misunderstandings about transgender individuals remain an issue. "It's growing tremendously," Keisling said.

Bank to open in Northern Tier

Michigan State University Federal Credit Union plans to build a new office park to relocate their headquarters to, on 140 acres of undeveloped land in the Northern Tier. Groundbreaking will take place in late 2007. The institution, known as MSUFCU, needs the space since doubling in size in the last five years, the local credit union's spokeswoman, Joyce Banish, said. Most people choose a financial institution near to where they live, Banish said. "Hopefully, we'll get more members because the North end is growing fast," she said. MSUFCU was started in 1937 by "a handful of professors" and was run out of a single desk, Banish said. "The whole idea of the credit union wanted to make sure young professors had access to get loans," Banish said.

E.L. gets ready for close-up, TV world

By Liz Kersjes For The State News The bustling of downtown businesses late into the night.

Stem cell rules eased under bill

The debate over stem cell research in Michigan is back on the table as Gov. Jennifer Granholm is endorsing relaxing state stem cell research laws. Rep.

Resale shop offers cash upfront

Alexis Best cleaned out her closet and got $60 cash for her old clothes Tuesday night. The advertising junior brought a laundry basket full of summer clothes, shoes and purses to Plato's Closet, 2843 E.

MSU to totally change takeout

Totally Takeout will continue to be an option for students this fall, but officials are looking to give the program a makeover by fall 2007. University officials aren't happy with students using Totally Takeout to stock their refrigerators. Instead they want to help students who need a quick meal on the fly. The program could be tweaked to include more meals instead of separate food items. The meal option will be used as a replacement option for students on the go, said MSU Food Services Coordinator Bruce Haskell.

Word on the street

What do you think of the East Village Master Plan? Do you think Cedar Village needs to be revamped? "I wouldn't have a problem with it.

Police briefs 02/16/06

4 colleges look to fill dean vacancies

With two acting deanships ending and two deans retiring this year, four colleges are searching to fill these positions. Lonnie King, dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine, and Marilyn Rothert, dean of the College of Nursing, plan to retire at the end of June, but could stay longer depending on when the new deans take office. Rothert has served a total of 13 years as dean, including two years as acting dean. "It's been a terrific journey, with times that are challenging, but overall an excellent experience," Rothert said. The top four College of Nursing candidates will visit campus starting next week, said Barbara Given, a nursing professor and the chairperson of the college's search committee. "We really tried to look at whether or not they could be a strong leader, but specifically whether they could have the ability to lead the College of Nursing into the next decade — given the complexity of the university ? and the multiple education and research programs we have," she said. The committee hopes to make its recommendations to Provost Kim Wilcox by the beginning of March, Given said. King has served as dean for 10 years in the College of Veterinary Medicine and plans to pursue other interests upon his retirement, he said. The search for the college's new dean is still in its early stages, said Willie Reed, chairman of the Department of Pathobiology and Diagnostic Investigation and chairman of the college's search committee. The committee is still contacting potential candidates and will eventually invite them to campus for an interview, he said. "We would like to have a candidate identified by the end of the semester," Reed said. Satish Udpa, of the College of Engineering, and Patrick McConeghy, of the College of Arts & Letters, will conclude their acting deanships once permanent deans are selected and take office. The search committee for the College of Engineering is reviewing applications, and candidates should be interviewed on campus in late April, said Percy Pierre, professor of electrical and computer engineering and the search committee's chairman. "We'll be able to better evaluate them as candidates after we visit with them," Pierre said. Udpa was out of town and could not be reached for comment Wednesday. After about two years as acting dean in Arts & Letters, McConeghy said he plans to return to teaching German full-time in the college. "Administrative positions are usually quite rewarding — primarily, being able to work toward helping students get a better education at MSU and helping faculty with their teaching (and) research projects," McConeghy said. The college's committee also is in the process of gathering applicants and hopes to conduct interviews on campus later this semester, said Ellen Pollak, professor of English and co-chairwoman of the search committee. "We would be happy if someone could begin next fall, but we'll work with whoever the candidate is to make that possible," Pollak said. Once each committee decides on a candidate, they will make a recommendation to Wilcox, who makes the final decision, said Bob Banks, assistant provost and vice president for academic human resources. Wilcox will negotiate with each of the candidates as to their specific starting date, but MSU officials would like the new deans to take office by the fall semester, he said. "We've been successful so far, and I have every sense that we'll be successful in the rest of the positions," Banks said.

Coalition attempts to end automatic K-16 funding

Education funding should not be given automatic funding increases every year from the state, according to the Coalition to Stop the K-16 Spending Mandate. The group called on Gov.

City seeks nominees for community award

East Lansing is still seeking nominations for the city's annual Crystal Awards. The awards are given to individuals and organizations that have made significant efforts to improve the quality of life in East Lansing. Nominations can be made by filling out a form available at www.cityofeastlansing.com as well as at city buildings around town. Recipients of the award will be selected by a community committee, and awards will be presented at a reception on April 24 at the Hannah Community Center, 819 Abbott Road.

Challenging Coke

With shouts of "Don't let the university support an unethical company," and "Make your voice known," members of Students for Economic Justice, or SEJ, held a protest Wednesday to encourage university officials to stop serving Coca-Cola products. The protest, held in front of the MSU Auditorium on Tuesday and at the International Center on Wednesday, is part of SEJ's "Killer Coke" campaign to get students involved and informed about Coca-Cola Co. business practices and the much publicized human rights abuse in Colombian bottling plants and other plants overseas. Adorned in plastic garbage barrels painted to resemble popular Coca-Cola flavors — and labeled "Killer Cherry Coke" and "Killer Diet Coke" among others — handfuls of SEJ members passed out anti-Coke pamphlets to students walking or riding to and from class. Member Rebecca Sherwood jumped up and down with a trash can wrapped around her midsection. "We're just trying to gain support from word of mouth and to get students aware of the situation going on right now with the Coca-Cola Co. and the university," Sherwood said. SEJ members have said in the past they believe managers at the Coca-Cola bottling facilities in Colombia arranged for the killing of eight union leaders, harassed other employees and contaminated water reserves in India. The Coca-Cola Co. has a Web site that lists facts about its business practices in Colombia. "Our bottling partners enjoy extensive, normal relations with 12 separate unions in Colombia," the Web site said. On Jan.

Students' technology skills examined

Forty MSU students are taking part in pilot exams for a new national computer literacy assessment this month. Universities hope to use this assessment to improve their curriculum and students' abilities to use and understand technology. "This is a way to redefine what liberal arts is in an information society," said Robert LaRose, professor of telecommunication, information studies and media.

Viral outbreak prompts lawsuits

More than a dozen diners have filed lawsuits against Delta Township's Carrabba's Italian Grill after becoming ill during the Jan.

Special election candidates will speak today

A forum with the five candidates in the special state Senate election to fill the empty 23rd District seat will be held today at 7:30 p.m.

Innovations: Molecular mysteries

Name: Associate Professor Robert LaDuca Department: Chemistry, Lyman Briggs School Title of research project: Hydrothermal synthesis of inorganic/organic hybrid materials Date of research: LaDuca has been working on this project since 1996 when he taught at King's College in Pennsylvania, and continued his work when he came to MSU in 2004.

Marriage in the mall

When the hall that Ben and Elaine Themm were scheduled to be married in went out of business, they decided to get married somewhere that would be sure not to go out of business — Meridian Mall.

Groups encourage votes in special election

MSU College Democrats and Republicans are working to boost voter turnout in the special senate election being held to fill the vacant seat created by the resignation of Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero. The primary for the election will be held Tuesday, Feb.