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.

WEB ONLY: 5K run to raise money for food banks

The Lansing Dietetic Association will sponsor a "Food & Fitness 5K" run and walk to raise money for area food banks Saturday. The event, which will take place at Hawk Island County Park in Lansing, also will include a children's run, face-painting, a clown and a milk-mustache photo booth.

Community members discuss 'U' med school

Meetings concerning the College of Human Medicine's possible move or expansion to Grand Rapids have progressed to discussions between university consultants and the local consulting firm hired by community leaders, university spokesman Terry Denbow said. In January, officials from both MSU and Grand Rapids said they were having discussions about the school's possible expansion or relocation into that area. MSU President M.

WEB ONLY: Freethinker Alliance to hold fund-raiser

The MSU Freethinker Alliance will be on the north side of Wells Hall from 11:30 a.m. until 4 p.m. today, raising money for MSU Relay for Life. The alliance is hosting an event called "Berate, Debate, or Hug an Atheist," offering members of the public a chance to do any of the three things for a small fee. Berating, which lasts 30 seconds, costs $1.

2 'U' profs named to environmental board

As experts in different forms of science, two MSU professors will serve on the Michigan Environmental Science Board. College of Agriculture Professor Joan Bray Rose is as interested in Michigan's water as MSU-DCL College of Law and College of Natural Science Professor Nicholas Mercuro is interested in how Michigan's financial state affects the environment. Established in 1992, the board serves as an independent state agency, aiding in the governor's decisions about environmental and natural resources.

Dancer shares spirituality

When Clint Cayou dances, he leaves the world behind. He doesn't think about his vision of the reservations as "stark-like prisons." He doesn't think about money or personal problems. The 43-year-old simply celebrates his American Indian culture in that moment, dancing the Northern Traditional dances of his Nebraskan Omaha tribe. "It's spiritual," said Cayou, who is from Macy, Neb.

Police briefs 03/23/04

'Witty' virus entertaining few university computers

The Witty worm virus has attempted to wiggle into campus computers equipped with the BlackICE firewall program, but infection has been confirmed in only three machines. Of the almost 2,000 computers equipped with the protection software, about 20 to 30 have been suspected of infection, while three computers have had hard drives destroyed by the Witty worm. The MSU Computer Store has sold about 1,500 individual licenses - mostly to students - and 300 departmental licenses of the BlackICE firewall software program, said Tom Davis, Director of Academic Computing and Network Services. Thomas said he was informed by a BlackICE salesperson that an average of 2 percent of software users became infected by the worm, and MSU seems to be less than that average. The worm can erase hard drive information while resting in a computer's memory, enabling it to hide from virus scan systems. Senior Information Technologist Richard Wiggins said the reason for the low number of infections could be the worm's lack of effectiveness. "It looks like Witty is pretty good at knocking on your door but not good at getting in," he said. Wiggins said the virus worm attempts to mask itself by changing its size before sending a copy to infect another computer.

Petition drive could halt

An Ingham County judge is considering a case that might end the petition drive attempting to outlaw race and gender preferences in Michigan through a constitutional amendment.

Triple threat

Gathered on the slippery tiles of the IM Sports-West pool deck, 15 or so members of the MSU Triathlon Club stretch and chat with one another as they wait for a signal for their practice to begin.