Lansing's mayor-elect Virg Bernero has decided to keep Lansing police Chief Mark Alley and Lansing fire Chief Greg Martin on staff during his term, he announced in a press conference on Tuesday. "They are ready to embrace change," Bernero said.
By Amy Oprean Special to The State News It seemed as if animals had gotten the first tour of Potter Park Zoo's Wonderland of Lights display after their footprints were captured alongside visitors' footprints in fresh snow on Wednesday night. "I think the animals get psyched," said Susan Owens, docent at the zoo for more than 16 years.
Thousands of bargain hunters braved the chilly darkness across Michigan early Friday morning for a shot at early bird sales. In the Lansing area, shopper turnout mirrored the scene across the state.
Some MSU freshmen say they are concerned about the debts they'll have to pay off when they graduate, so they've decided to get involved in lowering tuition rates. "I'm going to be paying loans until I'm 45," kinesiology freshman James Debartolo said.
The MSU Debate Team came in second place at the 49th annual Wake Forest University Shirley Classic. More than 70 colleges and 140 teams participated in the tournament. International relations senior Ryan Burke received 10th place in the Individual Speaker Award.
Two ASMSU executives are resigning at the end of the semester, and the student government hopes to fill the positions by early December. Association Director Jason Bucholz is leaving for an internship in the spring, and Tahera Sakarwala, vice chairperson for student programming for ASMSU's Student Assembly, plans to move to Iowa for a supply chain management internship this spring. Applications for the association director position are due by 5 p.m.
At 6 p.m. Tuesday, the Black Student Alliance will present the 33rd annual Black Power Rally at Fairchild Theatre. The theme for this year is "These Three Words: L.ove, U.nification, V.oice." The event will feature performances and speakers such as DJ Reality, 3rd Eye Open, Urban Dreams, poet Amiri Baraka and Denise Troutman, an MSU associate professor in the Department of Writing, Rhetoric and American Cultures.
Jason Bucholz, ASMSU's association director, and Tahera Sakarwala, ASMSU's vice chairperson for student programming, are resigning at the end of the semester. Students interested in applying for the association director position should apply by 5 p.m.
Michigan residents are becoming more aware of their state's unhealthy status, according to a recent survey. A majority, or 57 percent, of residents gave the overall health of Michiganians a poor rating.
The East Lansing Winter Festival & Chili Cook-Off will be from 1 to 5 p.m. on Dec. 4. Some of the activities include a chili cook-off at the Marriott Hotel, 300 M.A.C.
Government funding for student-loan programs could decrease if a congressional conference committee agrees on a bill as part of a joint effort by the U.S.
East Lansing city officials want to remind residents that they are responsible for keeping all sidewalks adjacent to their property clear of snow and ice.
After more than a year filled with an eviction, obtaining permits and doing renovations, members of the Quan Am Temple have a new spiritual home in Mason. "It's a good feeling," said Thich Minh Quang, dharma master or monk for the temple.
Provost Kim Wilcox introduced plans Tuesday to revamp his office staff with the addition of positions that have been absent from the university in recent years. A small change in terminology is being made to keep MSU on the same page as other universities — all assistant provosts will now be titled associate provosts, Wilcox said at Tuesday's Executive Committee of Academic Council meeting. In addition to some name changes, Wilcox said he wants to internally fill an associate provost position and an associate provost for human health issues position. Wilcox said he is limited by time constraints to be able to meet with all the groups he would like to, and additional staff members would help him be more accessible. The new human health issues position would be important in the College of Human Medicine expansion to Grand Rapids, officials said. The last piece of his plan is re-establishing an MSU vice president position, which John Hudzik, current adviser to the provost, would assume in January.
Even though the cold is setting in, some students are not turning to a fur coat to keep warm. Fur Free Friday is an annual event discouraging consumers nationwide from buying furs the Friday after Thanksgiving.
Mary R. Dawson is a bit overwhelmed to have been chosen as one of the commencement speakers for MSU's December ceremonies, but she is excited for the opportunity to present. "It is a real challenge," said Dawson, a curator emeritus at Carnegie Museum of Natural History in Pittsburgh.
Potter Park to offer E.L. night of lights Potter Park Zoo, 1301 S. Pennsylvania Ave., is hosting the East Lansing Night at the Zoo from 5 to 8 p.m.
Since 2001, author and poet Maya Angelou, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, Gov. Jennifer Granholm and Vice President Dick Cheney have passed on some of their knowledge and advice to graduating seniors at MSU. Now the search is on for someone to speak at May's commencement ceremony. MSU's commencement speakers must be motivational, nationally or internationally known and an exemplary role model, according to university officials, who are taking suggestions for the next commencement speaker. Angelou spoke at MSU's commencement ceremony in May.