Officials could observe melees

There could be more university officials on the streets if a civil disturbance takes place in East Lansing during this year's Final Four tournament. An independent commission that convened to investigate the April 2-3 disturbances recommends members of MSU's administration be on hand to observe the actions of students as well as police officers, if a similar situation should occur in the future. "If there were other witnesses — not in anybody's camp — there is fairness and accuracy of description," said Beth Alexander, an independent commission member and the university physician. Alexander said the idea grew out of the commission's concern that differing accounts about actions taken during the disturbances from both police and students could not be independently verified. "There was a discrepancy of viewpoints of what happened," Alexander said. East Lansing police Chief Tom Wibert said more bodies on the streets mean more safety concerns, which is why he would want a dedicated group of observers who could meet officers ahead of time. "We wouldn't want people to just show up and say, 'We're here to observe,'" Wibert said. It would be important for observers to be able to pass through police lines, he said, so they would have to be in constant communication with police. Alexander said having more observers present would provide a neutral perspective on any actions, from both sides, that take place during any future disturbances. "It allows us to learn what we are doing well and what we are not doing so well," she said. Lee June, MSU's vice president for student affairs and services, said his department's staff members plan on being out on the streets should something happen again this year. June and other administrators were outside during April's disturbances and said the experience revealed a lack of communication between police and students. "We did not communicate the rules of engagement," June said. He said the first step is for the university and city to establish a clear message of what the rules are and what type of activity could lead to people getting arrested. During past disturbances, June said he has been in similar situations to April 2-3 and has run into students he knows.

Police briefs 03/02/06

New store to hire stylish employees

American Apparel asks job applicants to send photos of themselves with a résumé in order to apply for a position at its clothing stores, one of which will open in East Lansing at the end of March. The company is looking for people with a "certain fashion sense" to work at the store, said Kristina Ledesma-Davies, manager of human resources at American Apparel. "It's the way people dress, it's the way people present themselves, if they would present our clothes well," Ledesma-Davies said.

Council proposes revamp of AOP

Members of Freshman Class Council said the Academic Orientation Program could use some fine tuning, and they created a bill suggesting how to do just that. The Academic Orientation Program, or AOP, aims to prepare incoming freshmen for their college experiences at MSU. "The bill is a statement that tells exactly what we're looking for in orientation, the stuff we didn't like and what we'd like to see added," said Chris Lopez, Freshman Class Council president.

Local officials react to Michigan road report

The poor condition of Michigan's transportation system, detailed in a report released Monday by a national organization, did not come as a surprise to John Niemela, the director for the County Road Association of Michigan. "This is not news to us," Niemela said.

Innovations: Injury's impact

Name: Assistant Professor Tracey Covassin Department: Athletic training and kinesiology Type of research: Sports-related concussions Date of research: Covassin has been doing this research for four years at five universities in three states, and said she plans to continue the research at MSU. Basics of the project: Covassin uses a computer program called ImPACT to study and prevent concussions in student athletes. Prior to any injuries, athletes take the software's base test, which measures verbal memory, reaction times and motor-processing skills in the brain, Covassin said. About 2,000 MSU athletes have taken the base test, she said. Covassin and other athletic trainers then can compare the results of the base test with a post test, which is given after an athlete suffers a concussion. Concussions can happen when a person suffers a blow to the head, which sometimes results in a temporary loss of consciousness. The second test measures the same basic abilities as the base test, and Covassin said differences in the amount of time it takes to complete the tasks can help determine if the athlete should continue playing. Second Impact Syndrome can result if the athlete suffers a second concussion while still recovering from the first, and this can be fatal, Covassin said, adding that the software aims to prevent that. Social impact of research: Covassin can protect athletes from Second Impact Syndrome by interpreting their test results on the ImPACT software. "This provides an objective measure and you get the results immediately," she said.

MSU might establish minors

The issues of creating academic minors and placing students' additional majors on a single diploma were among the items brought before the Executive Committee of Academic Council at its meeting Tuesday. Academic minors, or a set of courses in a specific field of study, are offered at every Big Ten university except MSU, but teaching minors are available for students preparing for teacher certification. Instead, some colleges offer specializations or cognates in certain subject areas. This proposal for MSU to establish minors — which was raised by the University Committee on Academic Policy at the meeting — came after several years of recommendations from ASMSU's Academic Assembly. ASMSU is MSU's undergraduate student government. Under the proposal, each academic department would decide whether to offer a minor and what requirements should be necessary for a student to earn the minor. The issue was referred to the University Committee on Curriculum and the University Committee on Student Affairs for further consideration before any new action can be taken. The academic policy committee also recommended not to include a student's multiple majors on a single diploma — another request that originated in ASMSU's Academic Assembly. MSU's student diplomas list the individual college granting the degree and the major attained by the student. This already is more than most other universities because majors aren't usually listed on a diploma, academic policy committee chairperson Ralph Putnam said. Based on long-standing practices and input received from the University Registrar, the academic policy committee recommended that the diploma should state only the overall academic achievement, such as the degree granted. The transcript can list any additional majors, cognates and specializations a student pursued, the academic policy committee recommended. Although Academic Assembly Chairperson Robert Murphy reiterated the students' rationale for wanting additional majors listed on a diploma, he supported the recommendation with the rest of the executive committee. Also at the meeting, Provost Kim Wilcox said the accreditation site team from the North Central Association's Higher Learning Commission will give a brief exit interview before they leave campus today. An accredited status for the university potentially can lead to further federal financial aid funding, and the site team visited with faculty members and administrators Monday and Tuesday to discuss the progress and future of the university. The team's feedback so far has been "almost exclusively positive," Wilcox said. A final report from the site team will be issued to the university in the next couple of months, and the university's reaccreditation status will be determined in August.

Celebrating snapshots

Three State News photographers were recognized this weekend by the Michigan Press Photographers Association, or MPPA, for their work in college photojournalism. Travis Haughton, who currently is on an internship, was named the 2005 College Photographer of the Year. Dave Weatherwax, a State News photographer currently on an internship, placed second, and staff photographer Mike Itchue received an honorable mention. "I honestly wasn't expecting it," Haughton said.

Survey says 'no' to smoking

Smoking in dorm rooms might not be a housing option next year. The Residence Halls Association, or RHA, passed a bill last week that recommended University Housing "eliminate all smoking options in the residence halls by fall 2007." RHA officials conducted an online smoking survey last fall, and more than 1,000 students participated. The majority said they would support a ban on smoking in the residence halls. In 1994, the MSU Board of Trustees approved a smoking ban in university vehicles and in campus buildings, except residence halls. RHA is proposing to make all residence hall rooms, hallways and lounges smoke-free.

Police briefs 02/28/06

Road evaluation gives Michigan bad marks

Lansing-area road conditions received an "F" in a report released Monday by the nonprofit organization The Road Information Program, or TRIP.

Battle continues about addition of pipeline in Lansing

The city of Lansing is contesting the constitutionality of a state law that would allow for the construction of a pipeline through southern Lansing along the I-96 expressway. The law, approved by Gov.

Helping hands

An area group that raises money for South African schools and scholarships has raised more than $35,000 for the cause since the organization's conception. Linking All Types of Teachers to International Cross-Cultural Education, or LATTICE, is a local nonprofit organization that focuses on promoting global understanding in elementary and secondary schools. With unemployment as high as 40 percent in South Africa and education costs at about $150 per student, many children's educations are cut short, the group members said. Tuition, books and uniforms add to the cost, which leads many South African women to fall back on their skills in the ancient art of basket weaving to raise money to provide their children with a basic education. This is why LATTICE joined with Skills Dynamic in South Africa to export the weaver's baskets into the United States. Some Lansing-area teachers and LATTICE members have created pen-pal relationships between their students and students in South Africa who received scholarships.

E.L. restaurant's 'blighted' status recognized nationally

A McDonald's in East Lansing has been dubbed the "Blighted Business of the Week" by a national activist group. The McDonald's, 1024 E.

Young cadets learn ROTC skills

By Justin Kroll For The State News Cadet Jay Knight paid close attention as he observed Cadet 1st Lt.

Police briefs 02/27/06

Findlay declines recount

Republican John Findlay will not seek a recount after last week's special Senate election primary in which he was defeated by Vince Green by only one vote. Green won over Findlay with 1,317 votes to 1,316. Green will now face Rep.

Students win turf war

Police vs. students sounds like a familiar rivalry, but this time the issue wasn't parking tickets or party noise. They brought their game to the football field. Residents of Brody and West Circle complexes joined MSU police officers Sunday at Duffy Daugherty Football Building to compete against each other in a friendly game of touch football. The game was played as a fundraiser for the American Red Cross. Lorrie Bates and David Isabell, both MSU police officers, began planning the inaugural game three weeks ago.

'Beer nuts' host festival

By Erin Atkinson For The State News Puddles of beer dampened the pavement and the distinctive ale smell permeated the street at the Winter Beer Festival in Lansing's Old Town Saturday. While most opted for traditional kegs and coolers, the Dark Horse Brewing Co. found a way to make its "Scotty Karate" flavor stand out. The company distributed its beer from the shoulders of an armless mannequin. Local beer aficionados stood sipping on hundreds of flavors including "Quit Jerkn' my Firken" and "Big Phat Abbey Ale," from 21 brewing companies across Michigan.

Student earns award to study slave trade

To Sowande Mustakeem, a library full of historical documents is like a playground for children. And in her playground, this MSU Comparative Black History Program doctoral student rifles through letters and logs related to the transatlantic slave trade — an era she believes should be further explored.