MSU to expand Chem Building with state funds

MSU officials will expand part of the Chemistry Building and replace several cooling towers with funds allocated from Gov.

African Culture week runs until Saturday

The African Student Union's "African Culture Week," which began on Wednesday, continues with a vendor day from noon to 5 p.m.

Temple Club to host Drag Kings

Envisioning stage lights and listening to the pulsing beat of 'N Sync, members of the student drag troupe Drag King Rebellion, or DKR, have been practicing for weeks. The groups will show off their dance steps in a performance tonight at the drag talent showcase "Kiss My Gender." The six DKR members will take on unique stage personas and names.

Local pet shop to host dog Easter egg hunt

Who said Easter egg hunts are just for kids? There will be an Easter Egg Hunt for Dogs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

ASMSU: Officials can increase voter turnout next year

After ASMSU's efforts to increase voter turnout, the number of undergraduates who voted this year were the same as last year. About 5 percent voted in the election, after student government officials attempted to raise voter interest by hosting a pre-election pizza party, handing out free T-shirts and running several ads in The State News. Undergraduates had the opportunity to vote online on several issues in last week's election, including the renewal of ASMSU's tax, additional seats being added to the assemblies and a tax increase to fund a scholarship that students voted against. Of 26 seats available on the Academic Assembly, nine students were elected to represent colleges.

Police briefs 03/31/05

Departments to go to paperless system

In May, the University Stores and Mail Processing departments will switch to a paperless format when issuing statements and reports. Billing statements from departmental charges made by mostly faculty and staff will be affected. April statements will be the last received on paper, and May's statements will be available electronically in June. AIS Document Viewer, already used on campus, will allow members of the MSU community to view their statements and reports.

Community center to offer break activities

Families looking for some spring break fun can go to the East Lansing Hannah Community Center, 819 Abbott Road, on Monday through April 8.

Prof earns position, will teach in Holland

Patrick O'Donnell plans to head to Holland this fall, a country famous for wooden shoes and alternative French-fry toppings, as a Fulbright Distinguished Chairs winner. O'Donnell, a professor of English and chairman of the department, is one of 36 winners who will spend September through December teaching in another country.

Cesar Chavez day to honor his life, efforts

The life of Cesar Chavez will be commemorated in a variety of events Thursday on campus. The Main Library will honor the civil rights leader at 3:30 p.m.

RHA looking to fill 2005-06 positions

The Residence Halls Association is beginning to fill its top positions for next year. At last week's meeting, David Sahlin was elected over two other candidates as the group's vice president for next year. Sahlin, a telecommunication, information studies and media junior, said he wants to collaborate with each dorm to find ways for groups to harness their potential. "One of the biggest issues was that a lot of people didn't really believe that hall governments are empowered enough to do everything that they can," Sahlin said.

Group submits mourning dove petition

Since last June, when Gov. Jennifer Granholm signed the bill to allow mourning dove hunting in Michigan, the Committee to Restore the Dove Shooting Ban has been working to reverse the law. The committee submitted more than 275,000 petition signatures to the Michigan Bureau of Elections on Monday.

WEB ONLY: E.L. planning team postpones voting on master plan

The East Village Planning Team isn't quite done defining their master plan. Although the group assembled Tuesday, it did not vote on the plan, stating it was still incomplete. "We are getting to the point when we would have a polished plan," said Jim van Ravensway, East Lansing planning and community development director.

ASMSU: New assemblies have long road ahead

Even though ASMSU's new representatives are still unknown, this year's student government session has approached its final week.

MSU alum to be police chief

East Lansing Deputy Chief Tom Wibert knows what it's like to be a college student. He got his master's and bachelor's degrees from MSU and has four college degrees total.

Word on the street: What do you think of parking in East Lansing?

It's kind of a pain to park here on the week days. No matter where you park, it seems like you get a ticket anyway. Chris Bell film studies sophomore They're pretty blatant about raising (ticket) prices.

State rep. works to give more voters absentee option

People might be able to cast an absentee ballot at their local county clerk's office in the week before a primary or general election if a bill introduced by Rep.

Local businesses plan for Final Four weekend

As a large crowd gathered outside of Buffalo Wild Wings, 360 Albert Ave., after the basketball games Sunday evening, general manager Aaron Weiner said there were no security concerns inside. "Everything was very positive," Weiner said. In East Lansing, most of the businesses were closed for Easter Sunday, including Woody's Oasis Bar & Grill, 211 E.

Police briefs 03/29/05

ASMSU officials need time to finalize results of student election

ASMSU officials have candidate results for last week's undergraduate election, but Student Assembly Chairperson Andrew Schepers said finalizing the results "takes time." ASMSU's election committee, along with the university's election committee, has to review the student government's election totals to make sure there are no "screw-ups" and to make sure the counts are accurate, he said. ASMSU's election committee also will have to validate write-in candidates and confirm that the write-ins have been placed in the correct college as a candidate. Undergraduates voted on candidates for 58 open seats and a proposed tax hike of $3 in the election, which took place Wednesday and Thursday.