New steps
Beneath the large garage doors backstage in the Breslin Center, Nicole Mancuso restarted Aerosmith's song "Dream On" on her iPod and began practicing a dance routine again. With intense concentration, the communication freshman punched her arms outward before throwing her body into a graceful spin on tiptoe to the music as she and 26 other women warmed up for the MSU Dance Team tryouts last week. Moments later, each would perform before a panel of judges at center court. Each would have a chance to dance alongside others, and, finally, by themselves. "I've done everything I can, so hopefully I have a good one," Mancuso said before the tryouts began. It was the second round of tryouts hosted by the student-managed MSU Dance Team, an about 15-member team that has performed routines to music at all football and men's basketball games and some special events for four seasons, team captains Jennifer Chiroyan and Justine Richards said. The team has no coach, no official choreographer, no home-practice area and no official sponsor to send them away to competition, although it does receive money for uniforms and training camps from the athletic department, Richards said. Captains and current team members managed the tryouts and gave team-hopefuls a day to learn two routines and a day to practice before putting each dancer to the test. This year was the first time incoming freshmen were able to audition for the team. "It's very stressful," Chiroyan said.
Firefighters quickly douse Okemos flames
Firefighters were able to extinguish a fire that spread over part of an Okemos house, yard and surrounding forest Tuesday afternoon. There were no injuries and the fire was under control within 50 minutes, said Meridian Township Fire Department Battalion Chief Rocky Larner. The cause of the fire is still under investigation, and property owners would not comment. Larner said he did not know an estimated amount of damage. While firefighters secured the house and surrounding area, tankers carrying thousands of gallons of water waited at the end of the long driveway in case more water was needed. Since the rural area doesn't have fire hydrants, volunteers from the Ingham County Tanker Task Force will haul as much as 30,000 gallons of water to the scene of a fire, said Don Gailey. Gailey organized the task force more than 10 years ago. He waited in a large red tanker truck, which holds 3,000 gallons, in case more water was needed Tuesday afternoon. Gailey, a retired Mason resident who's been a volunteer fireman for nearly 50 years, organized the task force after realizing the need for organization at a large fire about 15 years ago. There were tankers before, he said, but they weren't organized.
Michigan Democrats aim to host 'O8 primary
Michigan could be one of the first states to host a Democratic presidential primary in 2008 if an application submitted by the Michigan Democratic Party is accepted by the Democratic National Committee. Last month the Rules and Bylaws committee of the Democratic National Committee, or DNC, created up to four open spots between the set first caucus in Iowa and the period in which any state can hold its caucus or primary. The Iowa caucus will be followed by one or two available spots for other states to house caucuses before New Hampshire holds its own primary.
Stabenow focuses on Great Lakes, out-of-state waste
With a campus as beautiful as MSU's, all Spartans should be environmentalists and care for their surroundings, U.S.
MSU to announce med school partner
Spectrum Health and MSU will announce a new partnership solidifying their combined efforts to expand the MSU College of Human Medicine to west Michigan at 10 a.m.
Lansing budget to be topic of forums
Residents will be able to voice their opinions about the proposed budget to members of the Lansing City Council this evening. The first of two public forums will take place at 6:30 p.m.
ASMSU gains power to select representatives
The power to elect undergraduate students to academic committees is now in the hands of student government officials. The MSU Board of Trustees approved a proposal Thursday transferring power from faculty to ASMSU members to select student representatives to the Academic Governance system. The proposal amends the bylaws of the Academic Governance system that affect ad hoc committees, which are temporary committees formed by administrators to discuss specific issues that arise throughout the year. The Academic Governance system reviews university legislation and takes action on issues, such as adding academic minors to the university's curriculum and other academic issues. This proposal should "strengthen the hand of students in governance," said Jon Sticklen, chairman of the Executive Committee of Academic Council. "Like every other part of governance, it really is dependent on the grassroots folk to let their representatives know what they think," Sticklen said.
Group to announce initiative to help create Mich. jobs
MSU President Lou Anna K. Simon will join Gov. Jennifer Granholm and others today to announce a new federally-funded, $15-million plan to create more jobs in Michigan. Simon and the governor will be joined by former Lansing Mayor David Hollister and Emily Stover DeRocco, U.S.
Residence Halls Association seeks PR director
The Residence Halls Association, or RHA, is looking for a Director of Public Relations and Advertising. Duties include, but aren't limited to, serving as RHA's spokesperson publicizing all RHA meetings, hall government events and caucus events as well as preparing press releases, talking with the media and designing advertisements.
Fresh style hits town
Protégé Academy, East Lansing's newest cosmetology school, opens for business today at 16800 S.
Council wants student input on noise policy
East Lansing's City Council will seek student input on proposed changes to the city's noise ordinance during a public hearing Tuesday on campus. The revised ordinance would eliminate jail time as a penalty for loud parties. The proposal would add drinking games to a list of indicators police use to write party noise tickets. Tuesday's council meeting begins at 7:30 p.m.
MSU law clinic to expand services with grant
When Lansing resident Mike Salim needed help with contracts for his small business he sought the advice of the MSU Small Business & Nonprofit Law Clinic. Salim, the owner of three stores, has sought legal advice from the clinic regarding contracts and claims for his businesses on three occasions. "They have wonderful services and have always guided me to the right directions," said Salim, who owns Gold Touch, 5330 W.
Program may relocate to Arts & Letters
MSU's apparel and textile design program could find a more permanent home in the College of Arts & Letters beginning next fall. A proposal in the Academic Governance system would move apparel and textile design from its present location in the College of Human Ecology, but officials are not sure yet if Arts & Letters would be a good fit for the program. "This could be a wonderful match, but how the major fits in — we don't know yet," said June Youatt, dean of undergraduate studies and acting dean of the College of Human Ecology.
Upgrading East Lansing
Soccer players might soon be able to see million-dollar renovations to the East Lansing Soccer Complex from the East Lansing Planning Commission's proposals, which include improved lighting for the fields. The commission annually releases a list of suggestions to the East Lansing City Council on how to improve the city in the Capital Improvements Program. The council uses the Capital Improvements Program to help plan the budget, ultimately deciding whether to approve the funding. The $1.4-million soccer renovations, as well as road maintenance on Abbott and Chandler roads for $2 million, are some of the proposals in the program. Some of these ideas, however, might not come to light due to lack of funding to finance the entire list, said City Manager Ted Staton. "There's no way all these things will happen," Staton said.
Mixed-race conference planned
When international relations senior Jaime Chao applied to MSU, she had to choose the race with which she identified, she said.
Zoning delays East Village rebuilding
East Lansing officials are pushing for redevelopment in the East Village area, but for the time being, they're going to have to put a stop to the very activity they want to promote. The city's planning commission is in the midst of reviewing a new zoning code for the East Village, located south of Grand River Avenue between Bogue Street and Hagadorn Road, and would provide for taller buildings and a mix of retail and residential space not permitted by the existing law. Officials hoped that work on the code, detailing exactly what can and cannot be built in the 35-acre area, would be completed by the time a City Council-imposed construction freeze is lifted. But since the planning commission is still engaged in the review process, it will be almost impossible for the City Council to approve the new code before the moratorium on building in East Village expires May 6.