Group opposes Bible Week

To counter a city Bible Week resolution, a group of MSU students plans to ask the East Lansing City Council to honor Church/State Separation Week.

African center will sponsor discussions

The African Studies Center will sponsor two discussion events this week. Ph.D. Research Fellow Poul Wiseborg will give a presentation at noon today in room 201 of the International Center.

Cancer society hosts program for patients

Cancer patients and their families will have a new place to turn for information and support next week when the American Cancer Society and Ingham Regional Medical Center kick off a series of four "I Can Cope" classes. The four-week program begins on Wednesday at Ingham Regional Medical Center's McRee Guest House, 2721 S.

Number of hits increases at Mich. Web site

The state Web site is getting more attention this year than ever before, according to a survey conducted by MSU's nonpartisan Institute for Public Policy & Social Research. In the past year, 64 percent of Internet users in Michigan visited the state Web site, compared to 59 percent in 2002. Michigan's Department of Information Technology reported in September 2002 that the site's main page received 1.75 million hits.

Police briefs 10/23/03

ASMSU evaluates officers

After several delays in the completion of ASMSU's Web site, ASMSU discussed the elimination of two officials Tuesday night.Members of MSU's undergraduate student government debated the performance of Association Director Vikas Menon and Director of Digital and Graphic Media Nitin Pereira, because the organization's Web page still was not completed after both were paid for the work.A bill introduced by James Madison representative Adam Raezler gave Menon and Pereira a Nov.

Graduate programs get boost

Four MSU units were selected to collaborate with an independent research center to improve their graduate programs.Departments in math, English, natural science and history were selected by California-based Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching to participate in the Carnegie Initiative on the Doctorate.Cheryl Sisk, director of MSU's neuroscience program, which is within the College of Natural Science, said MSU was one of only nine neuroscience programs in the country chosen to work with the Carnegie Foundation."This gives us a chance to ask what kind of careers we are preparing students for and how to know if we're being successful," Sisk said.

Panel speaks on pop culture influence

TV programs "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy," "Boy Meets Boy" and "Will and Grace" have all had an impact on lesbian, bi, gay and transgender communities, several campus groups are saying. As LBGT representation in American society and media increases, members of the groups are questioning what the costs and benefits to LBGT communities are. Several representatives will lead a panel discussion Wednesday addressing how popular culture affects LBGT civil rights movements. The free presentation runs from noon to 1 p.m.

U-M speaker talks on future of Iraq today

Peace and Justice Studies at MSU will present "The Iraq Crisis: Where Do We Go From Here?" on Wednesday night with Juan Cole of the University of Michigan. Cole will address three issues in his presentation, including the current nature of the crisis in Iraq, its economic, military, political and diplomatic costs and possible routes out of involvement. The presentation runs from 7:30 to 9 p.m.

Sparty corrected for bad behavior

Taping footage for a mascot competition has led to an educational opportunity for the Student Alumni Foundation.Members from the Council of Students with Disabilities said they were offended when MSU mascot Sparty was seen wandering through the Union with a white cane and referee's jersey last Wednesday.The stunt was intended to be "the blind ref gag," according to foundation coordinators, a piece that would go into a yearly mascot competition video."The statement they were making was about a referee," foundation adviser Bev VandenBerg said, adding that the students involved in the videotaping didn't realize their actions were offensive.

ASMSU ends BTM dispute

ASMSU has agreed to pay an arbitration settlement with a music promotions group because of a campus appearance from rap artist Ludacris more than two years ago.MSU's undergraduate student government paid $6,000 last month to BTM Productions, a promotions group that signed the Atlanta-based rapper to perform at the Auditorium during Homecoming Week in October 2001.When Ebony Productions, a student organization under the programming board of ASMSU, brought Ludacris to campus, there were disagreements with the promotion company about the date and location.BTM Productions officials argued the crowd in attendance didn't meet their expectations.Andrew Schepers, Student Assembly vice-chairperson for internal affairs, said the concert date was changed because it conflicted with the Cold War, the Spartan Stadium hockey game between MSU and the University of Michigan.ASMSU has a risk-management fund, Schepers said, but because of the brief amount of time the organization had to settle the arbitration, funds were taken from the $52,657.63 budget for the ASMSU Special Projects fund.A bill to move the funds between accounts will go through the next Student Assembly meeting.Barry Schlussel, the attorney who represented BTM Productions during arbitration, and a BTM Productions spokesperson could not be reached for comment.Theresa Kelley, assistant general for MSU's general counsel, represented MSU during BTM's arbitration with the university."Ludacris performed as everyone agreed, and everyone thought that was that," Kelley said.

State apple crop booming

After being left with a sour taste from last year's apple season, apple lovers throughout the state are excited about the size, quality and quantity of this year's crop. According to the Michigan Apple Committee, Michigan has about 1,100 orchards, with about 200 acres each.

Student groups to shows films Thursday

Two student groups will be showing free films Thursday night. The Armenian Student Association of Michigan State University will show Ararat, a film about the denial of the 1915 Armenian genocide, an issue that association president John Avedian said still affects Armenians today.

ELPD host meetings with students

In a relationship strained with riots and a heightened noise policy, the East Lansing police continue monthly meetings with MSU students to alleviate concerns. The East Lansing Police Department began the Police/Student Relations Committee after the March 27-28, 1999 riot.

Police briefs 10/22/03

Nature center hosts Halloween adventure

Harris Nature Center, 3998 Van Atta Road in Okemos, will host a Halloween Adventures party from 10 a.m.

West Nile cases lessen this year

The Michigan Department of Community Health reported six cases and one death from the West Nile virus this season - one year after the virus infected 644 Michiganians and killed 51 people.Although the threat in Michigan appears to be dwindling, people living in western states are being hit hard by the virus.

MSU-DCL graduate receives tax fellowship

Three years ago, Allison Ernst said she would have laughed at the thought of enjoying filing tax returns.But now, the 2002 MSU-DCL College of Law graduate has earned a one-year fellowship at the MSU-DCL Tax Clinic.

Commission defers plans for E.L. complex

A $20 million complex proposal originally slated for discussion at tonight's East Lansing Planning Commission meeting has been deferred to Dec.

LBGT leader focuses on students

Getting Brent Bilodeau to talk about himself is a challenge. But once he starts talking about students, he speaks passionately, interlocking his hands to emphasize the relationship of one marginalized group to another.Bilodeau is assistant for the Office of Lesbian, Bi, Gay and Transgendered Concerns, a program through the Department of Student Life."First and foremost, students are at the very center," he said from his office in Student Services.