RHA survey seeks input on smoking

Student responses could lead to discussions in changing housing options in the residence halls because of an online smoking survey. The Residence Halls Association, or RHA, wants students, along with faculty and staff, to take part in the survey which focuses on smoking in the residence halls. "It's really hard to gauge, without a broad-based survey like this, what students want," said Tom Wolf, director of technology for RHA.

Wellness fair to have free yoga, massages

The Creative Wellness Holistic Health Center is holding an open house and health fair celebration on Sunday. The fair is from 1:30 to 5:30 p.m.

Citizen expresses concern about traffic speed

Concern with an increase in traffic speeds throughout East Lansing has one resident looking for help from city officials.

World Usability Day promotes innovative design

Michael Hudson is very attached to the washer and dryer in his home. Not only does he use them often, but Hudson — who is blind — helped modify the appliances to be more accessible to his needs. "I don't benefit from things that are only visual, I need audio," said Hudson, who is also the director of the Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities, or RCPD.

Meeting to focus on transgender issues

Issues members of the transgender community face everyday will be discussed at a town hall meeting from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Groups help students beat the winter blues

With cold and flu season approaching, Olin Health Center, the Residence Halls Association and Healthy U collaborated to provide students with "Cold and Flu Survival Packs." The packs include items such as a disposable thermometer, sanitary hand wipes, instant hand sanitizer, cough drops and a tea bag.

Ride to Detroit prompts reflection

Nearly 50 years after a quiet, black seamstress refused to give up her seat to a white man on a public bus in Montgomery, Ala., Mary Hubbard quietly sat on a different bus, in a different place, at a far different time, scrawling slogans on sheets of poster board. Hubbard's seat was near the back — in fact, one of the last rows — but she sat there by choice, not by restriction. She was traveling to Detroit from East Lansing to pay her last respects to the seamstress.

Movies, gala part of African Culture Week

In its 20th year, African Culture Week is celebrating diversity with different events throughout the week. The movie "Sankofa" will be shown at 7 p.m.

Physics, math help police reconstruct car accidents

MSU police Officer Steve Brandman said he wondered when he would ever actually use the math taught in schools. That time came when he began his training in accident investigations. "I haven't had physics or math in 20 years, but I do remember it," said Brandman, who is finishing up his ninth level of accident investigation training this week at the MSU police station. Dan Lee, director of MSU's Highway Traffic Safety Programs, said he has been running the program for 20 years at MSU. There are 23 levels of accident investigation training, Lee said.

Honor group collects books for donation

Sprawled out on the hallway floor of an East Lansing apartment building, members of MSU's student group Mortar Board rifled through disordered piles of books Tuesday night, deciding which one's should go where. "It's going to be the hardest to load the books back into the SUV," said Mortar Board member and journalism senior Sarah Swistak. The senior honor group collected 1,112 books to be donated to local organizations.

With ribbons, CATA honors luminary

Evan Fiddler swipes his student pass and sits close to the front of the bus, without much thought. He says he doesn't think about where he sits when he boards a Capital Area Transportation Authority bus. "I just look for one that's open," the telecommunication, information studies and media freshman says.

Provost approves MSU study abroad to Israel

Students and faculty will be able to go to Israel with MSU study abroad programs this summer — five years after the university canceled them because of violence in the area. Provost Kim Wilcox signed a letter Wednesday announcing the reinstatement of faculty-led study abroad programs in Israel. Kenneth Waltzer will lead the Jewish Studies Program at the Rothberg International School at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem this summer. "The university remains concerned about maximizing the safety and security of all participants of study abroad, but they also feel the situation has changed substantially in Israel," said Waltzer, Jewish Studies Program director. The U.S.

NY Times reporter to talk about Middle East

At 4 p.m. today in room 342 of Case Hall, The New York Times reporter Ethan Bronner will give a speech on the contemporary Middle East. The event is open to the public.

Ice cream of the future lands at Meridian Mall

If it were another ho-hum ice cream shop, Dan Stevens wouldn't have dropped out of college to work 80-hour weeks at its Meridian Mall kiosk. And he'd probably reconsider a job requiring him to stand during almost all of his 11-hour shift. But this is a Dippin' Dots franchise.

New products, tech focus of Usability Day

A World Usability Day conference will take place from 1 to 5:30 p.m. today in the Union Ballroom. World Usability Day is an international series and an effort to raise awareness about making technology easier for everyone to use. The free event — which is presented by the MSU Usability & Accessibility Center and the Michigan Usability Professionals' Association — will include experts and authors on usability and new product accessibility.

E.L. official seeks House seat

Although the election to appoint a new representative for East Lansing in the state House is a year away, three candidates have announced they want to run for the position. East Lansing Mayor Mark Meadows and East Lansing residents John Currie and Mary Lindemann have announced their plans to fill the seat currently held by Rep.

Mexican ritual displayed on campus

Liliana Martinez said she wishes she could be in Tamaulipas, Mexico, with her parents today to give her grandfather cigarettes, spicy food and his favorite hat. Instead, the food industry management junior will be remembering him on campus in honor of the Mexican ritual, El Día de Los Muertos, or Day of the Dead. Martinez said today is a special day for her family because her grandfather died on April 4. "He was a very important part of my life," said Martinez, a Texas resident.

Bush pushes for bird flu vaccine

President George W. Bush outlined a $7.1 billion plan on Tuesday to prepare for the possibility of a bird flu pandemic, saying he wanted to stockpile enough vaccine to protect 20 million Americans against the current strain of bird flu. He also said the United States must approve liability protection for the makers of lifesaving vaccines.

Vacancy at hearings a concern

Sparsely attended public hearings at East Lansing City Council meetings have one council member worried about the number of people speaking out about issues affecting the community. Councilmember Bill Sharp said attendance at public hearings held during City Council meetings fluctuates depending on the issues being discussed. "It's usually the NIMBY effect," he said.

Police briefs 11/02/05