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MSU

ASMSU begins push for degree program minors

ASMSU is discussing bringing undergraduate minors to MSU to diversify the rigid course work and degree requirements in some professional majors, such as business and engineering. "In other universities, all of the students have the inclination to take classes outside of their major," said Dan Weber, Academic Assembly chairperson.

MICHIGAN

Smith accepts invitation to speak at fraternity

Between practice sessions on Sunday, head football coach John L. Smith discussed his leadership philosophy and the current state of the team with students and alumni at the Delta Sigma Phi fraternity house. Since taking the helm of a wavering Spartans program in 2003, he said his biggest challenge has been altering the players' dispositions. "We're in the process of changing attitudes by changing expectations that we have for our guys," Smith said, adding that the "no class, no play" standard has been new concept for some players. "We are a very blue-collar program," he said.

MSU

Event examines Latino identity

Criticism about the rate of Chicano and Latino assimilation was one of the main focuses of a regional Chicano conference held at the Union this weekend. The event was held by the Midwest FOCO chapter of the National Association for Chicana and Chicano Studies.

MSU

Usability conference to be held on campus

MSU will host the second annual Usability and Accessibility Conference on Tuesday and Wednesday at Kellogg Center. The two-day event will feature industry and academic leaders discussing usability and accessibility principles, research findings, policy, design, methods and tools in relation to human-computer interaction. Conference attendees are invited to celebrate the grand opening of the MSU Usability and Accessibility Center, which will be open for tours and information-sharing. The facility will be used for conducting research and usability testing, as well as for education and consulting services on accessibility.

MICHIGAN

E.L. parking ticket effects still unclear

A month after East Lansing parking fines were increased, city officials say it is too early to tell if the change is paying off. East Lansing officials increased the rates in September to free meter spaces and cover parking department costs. The increases range from $5 to $25, depending on the violation.

MSU

Students help 'ReStore' site

By Lydia Weiss Special for The State News Explosions of laughter and the smell of paint seeped from the doorway of Habitat ReStore on Saturday as racial ethnic student aides from East Complex armed with paintbrushes added a coat of paint to bookshelves.

MSU

Olin Health Center offers suicide-prevention program as alternative

Suicide can be prevented through discussion between friends, family members and university officials, MSU health officials say. And Olin Health Center, the MSU Counseling Center and the Department of Residence Life will use this idea to try to deter suicide with the Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention Program. "We're living in times with a lot of fear and we want to start a dialogue about that fear," said Dennis Martell, Olin Health Education Services coordinator. Martell said suicide is the second leading cause of death for people aged 15-24, after accidental injury and before homicide. The campus organizations will distribute display placards with information about obtaining help. MSU's Yellow Ribbon project began a month ago when Martell was approached by Shelley Wieting, president elect of the auxiliary to the American Osteopathic Association. The Michigan branch of the Osteopathic Association is funding the MSU Yellow Ribbon project. "People who are considering suicide, they don't necessarily want to kill themselves; they want whatever pain is causing suicidal thoughts to stop," Wieting said.

MSU

WEB ONLY: Local temple celebrates Hindu holiday

Worshippers celebrated the Hindu holiday Navaratra Dashara by praising the goddesses Durga and Saraswati with spiritual dancing and songs Thursday at the Bharatiya Temple of Lansing, 955 Haslett Road. "The holiday is recognized to represent the power of femininity," said participant and temple member Dr. Sripada Raju. Worshippers celebrated Durga's victory over evil with spiritual dance and songs. One MSU student celebrated by fasting. "It helped me focus," mathematics senior Tejal Patel said.

MSU

'Room4U' makeover show premieres

A blue denim slip-covered couch accompanied by three seats - two red and orange dotted dish chairs and one black and purple shoe-shaped chair - fill the living room of a West Akers Hall suite. A light wood and steel entertainment center stands in front, next to a floor-to-ceiling, white-board paneled wall.

MICHIGAN

Researchers decode first tree genome

Last year, the complete network of DNA in humans was decoded. Just last month, that same genetic sequence - also known as a genome - was revealed for the first time in a species of tree. The Black Cottonwood tree, commonly known as the poplar, was selected as a model species for the project partly due to its relatively small genome size, forestry Associate Professor Kyung-Hwan Han said. Understanding the genome information for the poplar tree will help tree biologists learn more about its growth cycles, Han said. He said he participated in the project as part of the International Populus Genome Consortium, a group of international scientists and researchers that work to map out genetic codes. The majority of the work in sequencing the DNA was done by the U.S.

MSU

RHA donation to provide free Night Owl bus rides

Students now will have a free ride at night to get anywhere on campus. The Residence Halls Association is funding the Capital Area Transportation Authority's Night Owl service in an effort to keep students from walking alone at night. The service picks up and drops off students anywhere on campus between 2 a.m.-7 a.m.

MICHIGAN

Rental housing ban expired, owners able to rent homes

The city is once again fair game for developers and homeowners looking to rent their properties, after a city-wide moratorium banning new rental housing expired Tuesday at midnight. Plans to renew the ban are not in the works, city officials said. "It was in place several months longer than it ideally should have been," said Vic Loomis, a member of the East Lansing City Council. Although the moratorium has been lifted, it continues in neighborhoods that submitted petitions to create "overlay districts" under an ordinance passed in April whereby new rental properties could not be added. To create a district, neighborhoods need a two-thirds majority of signatures from homeowners included in the area.

MICHIGAN

Flu vaccines reserved for Congress despite shortages

National lawmakers are being encouraged to get flu shots despite vaccine shortages, but the recommendation hasn't been extended to state government officials. Capitol physician Dr. John Eisold recommended the 535 Congressional members be vaccinated because they frequently come into contact with children and older people, and could spread, as well as catch, the flu. Rep.

MICHIGAN

Murder suspect held on bond

An 18-year-old Lansing man accused of holding a Red Robin employee hostage and firing eight shots in the Delta Township restaurant faces 16 charges and the possibility of life in prison, according to the Eaton County Prosecutor. Levon Tarele Pate was pulled over by the Michigan State Police fugitive team on Sunday because he was wanted for questioning in the double homicide of two Lansing-area women, Eaton County Sheriff Rick Jones said. Cousins Elizabeth "Betsy" Lowe, 24, and Brandy Lowe, 21, were found shot the morning of Oct.