Chalkboard ads, band draws believers

Some stood with both arms lifted firmly to the sky. Others raised a hand more tentatively, held closely into their bodies. Still others bowed heads and silently mouthed the words of the Christian song hanging in the air at Conrad Hall. "I'm forgiven because you were forsaken," the image freezes for a second before moving to the next set of lyrics in the song. For Julia Hilliker, an agriscience freshman, this was a private moment she could share in a public forum.

Sororities seek pledges

The Spring 2004 sorority recruitment week kicked off Monday with a fair at the Union. All 13 chapters of the Panhellenic Council were on hand, manning booths that sported pictures and bulletin boards as members of each sorority answered questions and concerns from potential recruits. Abbey Mansfield, president of the Panhellenic Council, said Spring recruitment is less formal than Fall and gives recruits a chance to get to know each house on a more personal basis.

Honors College hosts annual Geek Week

This week, the Honors College Programming Board will host its second annual Geek Week. The week's events will begin today with the "The Milky Way Legacy" show at 7:30 p.m.

Group emphasizes bicycle usage to protect campus sustainability

When the MSU Bike Project first was created there were only a few bicycles and no place to call home. But now, with a new Web site, www.msu.edu/~bikes, and a spot in Demonstration Hall for storage, the project aims at getting students and faculty out of their cars by providing them with bikes. Officials from the MSU Bike Project are hoping by the summer semester to expand its fleet to 100 bikes.

Police briefs 02/02/04

Local bar changes policy

East Lansing now has one less location for underage students to hang out with their legal-age friends on late nights. About two weeks ago, The Peanut Barrel Restaurant, 521 E.

Thousands show for Michael Moore lecture, book signing

"One-two-three-four! We don't want your racist war! Five-six-seven-eight! Stop the violence, stop the hate!" Supporters of Michael Moore in the standing-room-only crowd chanted such slogans while waiting for the author and filmmaker to begin speaking in the Auditorium on Friday. Event organizers estimated about 4,300 people attended the event, with between 200 and 300 people turned away.

Witnesses see fight near Pita Pit

An early morning fight on Grand River Avenue has left East Lansing police looking for suspects and waiting for more witnesses to come forward with information. The fight occurred around 2:30 a.m.

Decade of diversity focus of week events

This week, the Honors College Programming Board will host its second annual Geek Week. The week's events will begin today with the "The Milky Way Legacy" show at 7:30 p.m.

Research, grad studies VP to leave 'U' in May

MSU's vice president for research and graduate studies will leave the university after seven years to follow his environmental research interests. Bob Huggett will head back to his original research in environmental studies at the end of this school year. "I've been in academia for 35 years, and it's time to do something else," he said.

Refugee promotes Clark

When asked what he appreciates most about his life, Agron Fejzullahu will tell you it's his freedom. Five years ago, Fejzullahu, formally of Kosovo, was forced to leave his home and then his country.

Chinese foundation to fund education research center

The Hong Kong-based Sun Wah Education Foundation plans to donate $5 million today to MSU's College of Education. The money will fund the United States-China Center for Research on Educational Excellence.

Off-campus resource center to answer student questions

As early as this fall, off-campus students might have a central place to get their questions about living in East Lansing answered. An off-campus resource center is in the early stages of planning by the Community Relations Coalition. The coalition is submitting a grant proposal for $12,000 today to pay for an office, possibly in Bailey Community Center or at the base of the parking garage on Grove Street. "It's within the neighborhoods, so it's not a big hike and it's all centralized," said Nancy Schertzing, East Lansing resident and executive director of the coalition.

Police rated lower by women, greeks

The results in a recent survey evaluating the MSU police department had more to do with the amount of contact with officers, and less with positive or negative experiences, officials said.

Assembly unanimously passes RHA's spring budget in record time

After the votes came down, Residence Halls Association Comptroller Julie Hughes ran from one side of the room to the other to hug a General Assembly member on her committee.

Deadline approaches for online, mail-in voters

Saturday is the last day to apply to vote early for the 2004 Michigan Democratic caucus. To apply to vote online or by mail, visit applytovote.com any time before 6 p.m.

Holocaust speaker shares family history

When author Lev Raphael was a child, he said "I imagined that I was a superhero with X-ray vision, and I could use it to cut Germany out of the map of the world." Raphael knows the atrocities of the Holocaust firsthand, or rather through the eyes of his parents, who both survived the Holocaust.

Groups look to improve 'U' water quality, lighting

To some, it's disgusting. To others, it's not a problem. It's not a gory movie or a dirty joke - it's water. Residence Halls Association is starting to work with MSU to improve water used for drinking and bathing on campus.

Internet site educates, prompts young voters

MSU organizations, administrators and officials from the city of East Lansing are working together to help connect younger voters to local and national elections via the Internet. Formed in 2000, You Vote, located at http://youvote.msu.edu, educates student voters with frequent updates leading up to November elections. The idea for the site emerged after the 2000 elections, when there were a lot of problems with voting in East Lansing, said Ginny Haas, MSU's director of community relations. "Students had a hard time identifying where they were supposed to vote," she said.

Court shuts down for case inventory

The 54-B District Court in East Lansing will be closed on Friday. The court will perform an annual Physical Case Inventory, which is required by the Michigan Supreme Court. The offices, located at 101 Linden St., will not be open for walk-in arraignments or ticket payments, but previously scheduled felony preliminary exams will still take place. Both the police desk and the city hall parking lot have drop boxes available for filings and payments.