RHA president announces campaign for city council

Outgoing Residence Halls Association President Derek Wallbank turned down requests to continue leading that organization.

Group director voted as association president

Van Hoosen Hall was the site for a changing of the guard in the Residence Halls Association. RHA General Assembly members elected political science and pre-law sophomore Ernest Drake as the association's new president on Friday.

Shop offers political readings, talks

Sitting on a worn couch around faded, teal-painted walls, a small group of teenagers and 20-somethings toss around flier ideas for the upcoming Global Day of Action.

MIDDAY UPDATE: ASMSU sponsors Battle of the Bands

At their last meeting before spring break on March 4, ASMSU's Student Assembly set plans for its annual Battle of the Bands in motion by approving more than $3,000 for the event. The Battle of the Bands is a promotional event for ASMSU's upcoming general elections March 24.

Police briefs 03/15/04

Federal bill might give rights to unborn children

Some members of Congress think it's time for fetuses in all 50 states to be protected. While pregnant women who fall victim to crime are recognized as victims under federal law, their unborn children are not. Twenty-nine states, including Michigan, have passed bills allowing prosecution for crimes against unborn babies, but no federal law exists.

Family center celebrates 10-year anniversary

A local organization working to ease the stress of parents attending college celebrated its 10-year anniversary this month.

E.L. partnership seeks to move more 'U' professors downtown

In a push to make the city a "cooler" place to live, East Lansing officials are working with MSU faculty and staff to create a partnership that will bring more professors into the downtown neighborhoods. The objective, which fits an aspect of Gov.

Hamilton hearing set this week

A hearing will be held Wednesday to determine if Bramlett Hamilton will stand trial for the murder of his mother, 66-year-old MSU Professor Ruth Simms Hamilton. During that hearing, a judge will rule if Bramlett Hamilton, 36, is innocent by reason of insanity. The hearing comes on the heels of a completed psychiatric evaluation of Bramlett Hamilton and a competency hearing in which a judge deemed him able to stand trial.

ACLU assists group with election issues

MSU College Democrats and MSU College Republicans confirmed Sunday that American Civil Liberties Union will represent them to voice their concerns with ASMSU's election code. The groups say parts of the code restrict free speech, such as a provision that prohibits promoting candidates from different colleges on the same piece of campaign material. If any changes to the code are accepted by MSU's student government, they would go into effect for the 2005 elections.

Study says move hurts Lansing

Health Management Associates, a medical consulting firm, told area leaders last week that moving MSU's College of Human Medicine might have damaging effects on Mid-Michigan's health care without reaping financial benefits for MSU, news reports said. The firm was hired by a committee working to keep the college in the Lansing area. 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.

'U' officials block known form of virus

False e-mails claiming to be from the "msu.edu team" have been blocked from entering faculty, staff and student inboxes. The MSU Computer Center, now known as Academic Computing and Network Services, has blocked the known sending addresses at a rate of one per second.

WEB ONLY: CATA routes to change for spring break

Some bus routes of the Capital Area Transportation Authority will be modified during the week of spring break, March 8-14. • Regular campus routes 30-39 will operate until 2 a.m.

Students spend breaks giving aid to communities in, out of U.S.

Students looking for a change of pace for spring break this year are volunteering their time to help in communities throughout North America. The MSU Center for Service-Learning and Civic Engagement is involved with the Alternative Spring Break program that will take about 330 student volunteers to 17 different locations from Pennsylvania to Puerto Rico.

E.L public art gallery goes on display

The culture of East Lansing will be put on display when the city's public art gallery celebrates its grand opening on Saturday. A variety of art, from hulking metal sculptures to Asian-influenced fantasy sketches, is set to fill the Hannah Community Center, 819 Abbott Road, which will be transformed into a black-tie gala for the christening. "For several years, the city has said, 'This is what we need,'" said Yvette Robinson, vice chairperson of the city's arts commission and coordinator of the gallery's opening.

Rise in use of campus safety program attributed to local crime, word of mouth

Campus programs such as State Walk are seeing increased foot traffic, and members say the rise could be caused by several factors such as an increase in promotion or the recent crimes in the area.

Same-sex marriage fliers vandalized

Bulletin boards with same-sex marriage information have been targets of vandalism in four residence halls.

WEB ONLY: March, rally to support International Women's Day

A march recognizing International Women's Day is being organized by a coalition of local and statewide groups.

WEB ONLY: Memorial service set for 'Can Man'

A memorial service will take place later this month for Ernst Lucas, known to many members of the MSU community as Ernie the Can Man. Lucas died in January at the age of 68. The memorial is being planned by his brothers, Jack Lucas of West Hartford, Conn., and Alexander Lucas of Rochester, Minn.

WEB ONLY: Police seek more witnesses in Sunday shooting

Following the early Sunday morning shooting at an East Lansing 7-Eleven, police are asking witnesses to come forward with information. Officers are looking for those who might have talked to police the morning of the incident to discuss the case further. Police also are asking anyone who was near the area of the shooting, which happened at 210 E.