Some E.L. leases cause problems for MSU renters

Final exams won't be the only concern on Mary Deboni's mind when the second session of the summer semester ends.

Asian cultures focus of 'Tridentity' event

Students danced, jumped, sang and spoke out at the bi-annual "Cultural Vogue" event sponsored by the Asian Pacific American Student Organization, or APASO, on Saturday in the Auditorium. About 1,200 people attended this year's event, which was titled "Tridentity" and focused on the diverse cultures represented in the organization.

Author's work focus of group's discussion

The Muslim Students' Association will conduct a "Teach-In" at 7:30 p.m. today in the Wonders Hall Kiva to discuss the recent campus visit of author Salman Rushdie.

Workers' rights focus of protest

Holding signs, chanting and participating in a satirical version of a children's game, about 100 students rallied in front of the Administration Building on Friday afternoon in the final stages of a five-year effort for MSU to join the Worker Rights Consortium. The consortium, or WRC, is a group of students and university administrators who work to make sure no university clothing is produced by companies that have violated human rights. During the rally, students chanted about fair labor, read poems about sweatshops, waved signs and banners and played a brief game of Simon Says, referring to WRC negotiations with MSU's president. The rally was organized by students from Students for Economic Justice, or SEJ, the Coalition of Racial Ethnic Students, the Council of Progressive Students and Movimiento Estudiantil Xicano de Aztlan. Zoology senior Dianna Miller held a sign that read "Justice Now!

Trashy business makes loads

The Bertsch family is expecting a new child in May. But with new regulations for cribs and car seats, the old baby equipment from two other children was out of date and just taking up space in their East Lansing home.

Race benefits area food banks

By Jolene Ross Special for The State News Lansing - As soon as the runners finished a 5K race on Saturday at Hawk Island Park, most ran under a pavilion to get dry and warm. Rain and sleet caused some problems for the annual Food & Fitness 5K Run/Walk fund-raising event sponsored by the Lansing Dietetic Association, but the amount of money raised was not affected. As expected by race officials, funds increased, with almost $5,000 raised for Lansing area food banks. "I'm happy with that for this kind of weather," said Gayle Hood, treasurer for the Lansing Dietetic Association.

Greeks change party policies for safety

Amid new party policies, MSU's greek community is keeping safety issues at the top of its priority list. The Panhellenic Council and the Interfraternity Council changed their policies on one-on-one parties last semester and regularly discuss risk management for open parties, said Lyndsay Dalby, vice president for administration of the Panhellenic Council. One-on-ones are parties with a fraternity and sorority in which only members of the two chapters are allowed to attend, and open parties are open to nonmembers. "Risk management is something that is constantly talked about within the community," Dalby said.

Tax increase to be decided in ASMSU election

ASMSU elections are Wednesday, and undergraduates will have the ability to determine if their student government tax will be increased. More than a month ago, Academic and Student assemblies members voted to increase student taxes by $3 per semester to fund a scholarship account.

Israeli relations to be discussed today

The Spartans for Israel and the Hillel Jewish Student Center will host a presentation called "How Israel Helps to Keep the U.S.

E.L. library turns to cultural roots in 4-part series

With more than 40 cultures represented throughout the East Lansing community, the East Lansing Public Library has set out to educate families about their neighbors. Supported by a grant from the Target Corporation, the library's Community Cultures program is a four-part series of Sunday afternoon presentations featuring food, dance, crafts, costumes and folklore from societies around the world.

Police briefs 03/21/05

Students 'come on down' to UAB's 'Price is Right' event for thrills, prizes

Elicia Robertson almost didn't attend the University Activities Board's adaptation of the television game show "The Price is Right" on Saturday night at the Business College Complex. "I decided to come at the last minute," the English sophomore said. But at the end of the night, it ended up being a good decision. Robertson had the closest bid in the event's Showcase Showdown and walked away with an $1,860 prize package that included a plane ticket to Europe and a 15-day Eurorail pass. Altogether, about $6,000 in prizes were given away, most of which were donated by local businesses, said Rachel Bomeli, officer of UAB's special events committee.

WEB ONLY: Sen. Stabenow to visit E.L. to discuss Social Security

U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., will be at the Hannah Community Center, 819 Abbott Road, at 9:30 a.m.

Bands compete in 3rd annual battle

Eleven local bands with sounds ranging from ska to electronica took the stage and battled for prizes Friday night during the University Activities Board's 3rd annual Battle of the Bands competition.

Police briefs 03/18/05

Minorities underrepresented in state advising positions, study says

Minorities remain underrepresented as top advisors to the nation's governors, according to a new study at the State University of New York at Albany. Findings in "Democracy Unrealized," a report by the Center for Women in Government & Civil Society at the university showed that, in 2004, minorities made up 32 percent of the nation's population, but held just 16 percent of key appointed policy positions in state governments. Nationwide, Chicano and Latino appointees held the lowest share of executive positions, only 4.3 percent, relative to their share of the U.S.

Student pulled over for drunken driving

An MSU student in his early 20s is being held in the Ingham County Jail after being pulled over Thursday by Ingham County Sheriff's deputies for drunk driving, police officials said. After the student was pulled over, a breath test revealed his blood alcohol level was .23, Ingham County Sheriff Gene Wriggelsworth said. Wriggelsworth was traveling southbound on US 127, when he noticed a blue S10 Chevy pickup, traveling in the same direction, driving "erratically" at about 1 p.m. The student was wearing a green plastic derby hat and had green lips, Wriggelsworth said.

Activists: WRC debate reaching final stages

Nearly 200 student group representatives and community members are expected to rally at 2 p.m. today in front of the Administration Building in the final stages of a five-year effort for MSU to join the Worker Rights Consortium, or WRC. "It's to show that we have a lot of support from campus and community members for joining the WRC," said Maggie Ryan, member of Students for Economic Justice, or SEJ. The WRC is a group of students and university administrators who work to make sure no university clothing is produced by companies that have violated human rights. Student groups met with MSU President Lou Anna K.

Asian identities, talent showcased

Student groups will showcase their talents in the bi-annual "Cultural Vogue" event sponsored by the Asian Pacific American Student Organization, or APASO, at 6:30 p.m.

Students discover new major options

With representation from every college, along with booths from Study Abroad, the Air Force ROTC, the Learning Resource Center and other groups, the Marathon of Majors offered advice and counseling for students confused about their majors. "Many students question their major," said Ron Gibbs, an academic adviser in Student Academic Affairs.