Harsher penalties for MIPs signed into law

Underage drinkers caught with alcohol in their systems could now face jail time for their actions.Gov.

Judge's decision causes confusion

Officials from the Michigan Civil Rights Initiative have conflicting information relating to the future of its petition drive after an Ingham County Circuit Court judge ruled against the petition's language last month.The organization is petitioning to outlaw race and gender preference practices at state public institutions through a state constitutional amendment.Leonard Schwartz, treasurer for the organization, announced yesterday in the Libertarian Party of Michigan's online newsletter that the petition drive would be suspended indefinitely."After careful consideration of the situation, MCRI decided that continuing the petition drive now would be a waste of time and money," Schwartz said in the statement.

Police briefs 04/14/04

Kerry: Bush tax cuts hurt students

Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry says the results of the 2004 election will rest heavily on the shoulders of young people.During a brief campus tour, Kerry participated in a 20-minute conference call Tuesday with about 130 student reporters from across the country.Kerry began the call with a few comments about college affordability, stating that over the past three years, college tuition has steadily increased, and more than 220,000 young people have been "priced out of college" this year."As everyone knows, the current administration has made its own fundamental choice, which has been to cut taxes for the wealthiest Americans," he said.

Forum, slam-poet speaker to discuss race, identity issues

A conference this weekend is aimed at challenging students to think outside the box when it comes to race. "Boxed In: Perspectives of Multiracial Communities Conference" will examine the issues that arise for multiracial individuals who face a world of monoracial categories.

Diversity report released

A report released by the university shows fluctuations in ethnic minority representation during a decline of MSU's overall student population during the 2002-03 school year.

WEB ONLY: E.L. library hosts same-sex marriage discussion

On Tuesday evening at the East Lansing Public Library, accounting sophomore Cass Hausserman saved a seat for her aunt as she anxiously waited for a discussion on same-sex marriage to begin. "My aunt gave me a flier about the meeting," she said as more people streamed into the room for the discussion.

Series explores transgender health

When Rachel Crandall came out as a woman after living in the body of a man for 35 years, she lost everything. She said she lost her job because the hospital "wasn't too thrilled about having a transsexual" on staff.

'U' discusses benefits of Rice coming to campus

One day after MSU officials announced National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice as this semester's commencement speaker, Democratic officials say her appearance will benefit the university. "We should always have a welcome mat for whoever comes to speak, whether we agree or don't agree," said Trustee Dorothy Gonzales, a Democrat.

Job expo attracts crowd

Lansing - As Duane Farris filled out an employment application for Sparrow Health System on Tuesday, he wasn't sure he'd land the job. "Employers have been telling me I might have a hard time because I've already got experience," said Farris, a Lansing resident who recently left his job in the health care industry.

City council to discuss new budget, Patriot Act

Members of the East Lansing City Council will get their first opportunity to discuss next year's city budget Tuesday night at their work session. The first draft of the budget, which was delivered to city staff and elected officials at the end of March, estimates a more than 2-percent decrease from last fiscal year's amount. "I think it's going to be just as difficult as it was last year," East Lansing Mayor Pro Tem Sam Singh said.

Bike Project to hold last of repair clinics

The MSU Bike Project will host its third and final public bicycle clinic at 6 p.m. Wednesday in the ballroom of Demonstration Hall.

Study: Politics important to Muslims

A study of Detroit-area mosques released last week found that even religiously conservative Muslims feel it is important to participate in American politics. An overwhelming number of mosque participants who preferred a flexible approach to Islam said they endorse more Muslim political involvement, indicating a reversal of the isolationism once attributed to many Muslims. "They want to be involved in American society, in the political sphere and in terms of community service activities," said Ihsan Bagby, a University of Kentucky professor who spearheaded the study. Bagby, who has been studying Muslims in the United States for a decade, said this particular study came about after Bagby was approached by the Institute for Social Policy and Understanding, a Michigan think tank with a focus on Islamic issues. At MSU, some students said the survey's findings reflect similar political interests growing on campus and in the community. "It's actually mandatory in our religion to be active and to act responsibly within the government that we're living in," said Fareeha Shuttari, president for Muslim Students' Association.

Washing of feet a Holy Week tradition

It is necessary to kneel down on the ground in order to wash someone's feet. In the Catholic tradition, it is a symbol of servitude to your fellow man. The ritual is repeated every year on what Catholics know as Holy Thursday, the evening Christians honor their belief that Jesus performed his "Last Supper" and was turned over to the authorities who crucified him the next day. Holy Thursday is one of the days of preparation during the week leading up to Easter Sunday, the day considered most important in Christian tradition and celebrating their belief in Jesus' resurrection from the dead.

Board to vote on living costs

When the MSU Board of Trustees meets on Friday, it will vote whether to establish a School of Planning, Design and Construction and whether to increase the cost of living in residence halls by 4.4 percent. The new school would be under both the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources and the College of Social Science, and would combine four different programs from three colleges. "It's a great idea," said Robert von Bernuth, director of the construction management program.

Stem-cell research prof to speak at U.N.

Jose Cibelli, an MSU professor of animal science and physiology, is scheduled to speak to U.N. national delegates Wednesday about the possible benefits of stem-cell research used for therapy.

Student & Teacher

Cathleen Clara is pretty sure she knows what she wants to spend her award money on. A winner of the Homer Higbee International Education Award, Clara will spend the $400 prize on books to help build her library in the alternative school classroom where she is a teacher.

ASMSU increases funds for 2 student boards

In an effort to sponsor more student events and prevent boards from running out of money, members of ASMSU's Student Assembly gave additional money to Programming and Funding boards in its 2004-05 budget. Programming and Funding boards have about $171,000 and $89,000, respectively, from MSU's undergraduate student government.

Student environment group to hold forum

The student environmental group Eco is holding a forum at 6:30 p.m. today in B104 Wells Hall to discuss its concern about the approval of a $30 million addition to the MSU coal-burning power plant. Members worry the addition will bring an increase in campus emissions of greenhouse gases and are concerned about the effects it might have on the local environment and global warming. "We're concerned about this because the decision was made without talking to any student committee or any professors who are experts," said Eco member Chelsea McMellen. The forum aims to create a dialogue between affected MSU and East Lansing community members as well as bring a panel of experts and student representation together, she said. "We are hoping to reach a decision of what to do for energy needs and create a compromise," McMellen said.

Police briefs 04/13/04