ASMSU survey opens online

Beginning today, students can fill out an online survey created by ASMSU officials to determine student demand for additional recreational space on campus. The survey will be available to fill out for a week and a half, student government officials said. ASMSU, MSU's undergraduate student government, allocated $7,000 in January to fund a survey of student opinions on the project, which calls for the construction of a combined IM facility and student events center. The project is meant to compete with facilities at other universities and would lower expenses for registered student organizations planning to host events such as concerts, speaker series and other larger events, ASMSU officials said. Additional financial resources are needed to pursue this project, said Rick McNeil, assistant director of Intramural Sports and Recreative Services, adding that students would have to be willing to pay fees incorporated into tuition. "There are two parts," said Harry Wang, a finance sophomore and Eli Broad College of Business representative for ASMSU's Student Assembly.

Deficit may affect zoo, Lansing jobs

The future of Potter Park Zoo and the regional make-up of Ingham County's fire department dispatch response could be in limbo with Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero's budget plan. Bernero will present those ideas and a list of 40 budget proposals to quell Lansing's $11 million deficit at 7 p.m.

MRULE 2-day AIDS event draws 600

By Jason Chapman For The State News Audience members viewing an AIDS awareness movie called "A Closer Walk" began to shed tears as soon as the film began in the crowded Union on Saturday. The movie, which depicted dismal scenes of AIDS throughout the world, was the centerpiece and inspiration of a two-day event called "No Place to Hide: Student Activism and the Fight Against the Global AIDS Pandemic," according to students of the Multi-Racial Unity Living Experience, or MRULE. "We want students to find their place in the great struggle to fight this pandemic," MRULE Director Jeanne Gazel said.

Wine event offers MSU Museum sip of support

By Tara Thoel For The State News Steve Szilvagyi makes wine, cooks with wine and wants to keep up on the latest varieties of the drink. That's why a wine-tasting benefit at the Kellogg Center on Friday was perfect for the East Lansing resident. Tables were lined with more than 100 different kinds of wine, as volunteers poured many glasses and wine distributors answered questions about the different selections to support ongoing programs at the MSU Museum.

Cancer event hits home for student

A moment of silence fell upon the MSU greek community in remembrance of cancer patients Saturday night. As I looked around the room in Demonstration Hall, I could see the passion and commitment to the fight against cancer in the eyes of the about 3,000 people participating in the annual Relay For Life event. This moment led me to realize how cancer has touched my personal life and the ones I love.

Police briefs 03/27/06

International graduate school admission rises

Following a two-year decline, the number of MSU's international graduate student applications is up about 19 percent from fall 2005 — numbers that are in step with an annual nationwide survey. According to the survey from the Council of Graduate Schools, nationwide applications for international graduate students have increased 11 percent for fall 2006 over last fall. Following the Sept.

B-ball buddies

East Lansing police officers trade in their handcuffs and guns for whistles and basketballs a few nights each week to teach kids the basics of basketball and team work. "It's a great way for kids to be introduced to police officers," East Lansing police Chief Tom Wibert said. Before basketball practice on Friday, Wibert joined about 45 children as they warmed up with jumping jacks. East Lansing police Officer Steve Whelan counted out loud with each jumping jack, and the kids would chime in.

Casting a legacy

When Elias Lopez received a handmade gray scarf in 2001, the Weslaco, Texas, native didn't even know how to wear it. The scarf came as a gift from Patricia Patrick, who worked in the MSU Office of Supportive Services.

6 new trucks purchased for parking enforcement

MSU police replaced the old green 2002 Dodge Dakotas used for parking enforcement with six new silver 2006 Dodge Dakotas this semester. The change has angered some students, who say they don't understand why replacing the trucks was necessary. "It seems that for as much as every student spends on parking tickets, I'd hope the department would spend the money better than on replacing trucks that were only 5 years old," animal science senior Faye Vanderhoff said. Vanderhoff said she questions why MSU police even use trucks, rather than other means of transportation, for parking enforcement. "All they do is hop in and out of them and write tickets," Vanderhoff said.

Student activists to raise AIDS awareness at conference

After reports predicted that by 2020, 100 million deaths will be caused by AIDS, some MSU students want to bring the issue closer to home. The Multi-Racial Unity Living Experience, a student program contributing to positive race relations through discussions and activities, will be hosting No Place to Hide: Student Activism and the Fight Against the Global Aids Pandemic at the Union on Friday and Saturday. The conference, which focuses on raising awareness about current and future issues, will feature local, national and international HIV and AIDS activists, authors and speakers. Keynote speakers will include Pat Naidoo, the associate director of Health Equity of the Rockefeller Foundation, author Greg Behrman and Anne-Christine D'Adesky, co-producer of the documentary "Pills, Profits and Protest." In March 2005, the Multi-Racial Unity Living Experience, viewed the AIDS documentary "A Closer Walk" and was motivated to bring the HIV and AIDS issue to MSU's campus, education senior Amy Yousif said. "It's not just in Africa; it's not just a gay disease — it's an everyone disease," Yousif said.

State tourism on 'uphill swing'

Michigan tourism revenue increased by 4 percent in 2005, despite rising gas prices, MSU researchers said. "We had very good weather conditions during the peak travel season in summer and fall," said Don Holecek, director of MSU's Tourism Center.

Police briefs 03/24/06

MSU to study online safety

By Caitlin Scuderi For The State News Internet buyers beware: Someone might be phishing for your information. Phishing, or sending an e-mail falsely claiming to be an establishment in order to obtain personal information to be used for identity theft, is happening more frequently, MSU police Sgt.

Businesses feel the loss

It's not just the MSU men's basketball team or the student body that felt like Friday's first-round loss to tournament Cinderella George Mason was a letdown. Local East Lansing stores planning for big MSU merchandise sales and restaurants expecting huge turnouts for Spartan tournament games in the later rounds are feeling the effects of the Spartans' second first-round exit in the last three years. "We're not even doing 5 to 10 percent of what we did last year," said Stacey Renfrow, assistant buyer of Spartan Bookstore, located in the International Center.

2 Lansing residents charged with child abuse, murder

A Lansing man and woman were arrested Wednesday morning for the abuse and murder of the woman's 2-year-old child, Ingham County Prosecutor Stuart Dunnings III said. Cynthia Daniel, 30, and Samuel Courtland, 31, are in jail with no bond on counts of child abuse and open murder. Daniel's 2-year-old son, Jalyn Daniel, died last May from pneumonia. "This kid was tortured," Dunnings said.

Bill could lift Mich. Single Business Tax

Michigan's Single Business Tax would be repealed in December 2007 if a bill passed by the Senate on Wednesday becomes law. The Senate voted almost entirely along party lines in passing the bill, which was approved in the House last week. The Single Business Tax, or SBT, was scheduled to expire in 2009. The bill also stipulates the revenue lost by repealing the SBT will not be replaced by raising taxes or rates on the state income tax, the sales tax, use tax or property tax. Gov.

President's plan focus of meeting

The goals of the College of Social Science are in step with the university's goals, officials said Wednesday at the college's annual informational forum. The forum focused on the status of the college, its place in the university and ways to collaborate on universitywide initiatives, such as MSU President Lou Anna K.

Police briefs 03/23/06

E.L. amends law for Breathalyzers

A revision to an East Lansing law will officially allow people to turn down a breath analysis test without being ticketed or fined — although the method had been practiced by East Lansing police for more than two years. The East Lansing City Council approved the amendment Tuesday evening after a brief public hearing. Although the revisions were just brought up at a February 28 City Council meeting, East Lansing police Chief Tom Wibert said voluntary consent for a breath analysis test — commonly known as a Breathalyzer — in this type of situation isn't new.