Peace, justice focus of professor's speech

MSU's Peace and Justice Studies Program is sponsoring a speech by Michael Nagler at 7:30 p.m. Thursday in B104 Wells Hall.

Kerry to make 2 Mich. campaign stops Friday

Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry will make two stops in Michigan on Friday. The politician will visit Wayne State University in Detroit at 12:30 p.m.

Police: Assault might be linked to E.L. robbery

Police are investigating a possible connection between an early Saturday morning sexual assault in Meridian Township and an armed robbery on Monday near the Cedar Village apartment complex. Police said the descriptions of the male assailants is similar in both cases.

Cycling Club, Bike Project perform, discuss upkeep

Hoisting bicycles up on T-shaped bike stands as if they were cars on mechanic lifts, the MSU Bike Project and the MSU Cycling Club joined forces Wednesday evening to teach students how to fix their wheels. Set up in the Demonstration Hall Ballroom, the public bicycle clinic was created to help students and community members learn how to maintain their bikes.

Plans for greenhouse might cause debate if bill passes assembly

If a bill supporting MSU's Student Greenhouse Project passes through Student Assembly tonight, the two branches of ASMSU officially will have differing plans on what should be built behind Old Horticulture Building. The bill declares Student Assembly stands behind the project, a tropical biodome slated to be built on north campus.

Grant offers free trip for 'U'

Thanks to a grant from the National Science Foundation, a research-based summer study abroad program will be free of charge to undergraduate students for the next three years.

60 E.L. teachers to receive layoff notice

More than 60 East Lansing teachers soon will be receiving layoff slips, but school-district officials say it's more of a technicality than a threat to teaching jobs. The slips are a preemptive move the district is making in preparation of a $1 million expected deficit in the budget to be released in July. Kelley Peatross, the director of human resources and public development for East Lansing Public Schools, said teachers shouldn't worry. "I really don't anticipate any permanent layoffs," she said.

Police briefs 03/25/04

Racial ethnic aides showcase cultures

The couches and chairs were pushed back for food and performers in the Asian Pacific American Student Organization room of Holden Hall during FLAVA, a multicultural event put on by the Holden Racial Ethnic Aides Wednesday.

Study Abroad program faces change

MSU's Office of Study Abroad has embarked on a large-scale project to integrate its programs into the undergraduate experience of all majors. The Curriculum Integration Project is a four-step process that aims to improve curriculum preparation for a study abroad experience, expand ways credits earned can meet requirements, enhance degree value and incorporate the experience to on-campus study. Project Director Julie Friend said her team is investigating integration options in the colleges of Communication Arts and Sciences, Engineering and Natural Science.

'U' council OKs changes

The Academic Council approved a number of changes to academic policy during its Tuesday meeting, including allowing students to take as many credit/no-credit classes per semester as they wish. The University Committee on Academic Policy proposed a change in the credit/no credit policy and it was approved by the council.

Report: State property tax could 'cripple' East Lansing

East Lansing falls into the ranks of municipalities being financially "crippled" by state tax systems, according to a report released Tuesday by the Michigan Municipal League. Under the state's General Property Tax Act, municipalities must roll back millage rates when property values go up in a city, thereby decreasing their yearly revenue. The league argues in its report that cities are being penalized for growing and succeeding. "All Michigan cities are on a conveyer belt to crisis," said Summer Minnick, a lobbyist with the Michigan Municipal League.

ASMSU polls open despite slight setbacks

The polls must go on for ASMSU elections, which began today at 7 a.m. after technical troubles and paperwork confusion. Last spring, about 15 percent of undergraduate students participated in the election - the highest voter turnout ever. To continue to improve participation, members of MSU's undergraduate student government have been working this week to increase awareness of the elections. Director of Constituent Activism Dave Whitehurst didn't begin heavy promotions of the elections until Sunday.

RHA wins awards at annual conference

MSU's Residence Halls Association came home with some hardware from the Michigan Organization of Residence Hall Associations conference held over spring break. RHA won the Focus on Diversity Award and the Best Banner in the large school category.

LBGT identities focus of keynote address

A conference will be held on campus today to examine the intersection of race, disability, class, and lesbian, bisexual, gay and transgender identities.

Izzone, alumni club sponsor blood drive

The Izzone and Student Alumni Foundation is sponsoring The Izzone/Gene Pool Blood Drive Challenge from 11 a.m.

Bike project, cycling club host clinic today

The MSU Bike Project and MSU Cycling Club will host a bike clinic today at 6 p.m. in the ballroom of Demonstration Hall.

Bestselling author to read at E.L. center

Author Chris Bohjalian will visit East Lansing at 7:30 p.m. Thursday when he appears for a reading at the Hannah Community Center, 819 Abbott Road. Bohjalian has written eight novels and is working on a collection of essays. His novel "Midwives" was a No.

Police briefs 03/24/04

National survey shows convertible sales have declined

In the past year, fewer Americans have dreamt of driving off into the sunset with the top of their convertible down, a recent survey by the leading provider of auto statistics showed. A national survey, conducted by Southfield-based R.L.