MICHIGAN

Poll shows cuts to higher education favored

Brian Charlton

November 4, 2003

Cuts to higher education might again be on the bottom of the public's priority list as Gov. Jennifer Granholm tours the state asking for feedback of ways to solve a $900 million deficit, a poll reports.Granholm made her first televised stop in Traverse City on Monday as the first of 10 budget stops during the next two weeks before she submits an executive order to cut the $38.6 billion budget or requests tax or fee increases.The poll, conducted by EPIC/MRA, a Lansing-based polling firm, found Medicaid for low-income people, funding for K-12 public schools and funding for job-training problems are the top priorities of the 600 likely voters who were surveyed.

MICHIGAN

Mayoral candidates tie in survey

After months of fierce campaigning and public arguments, Tony Benavides and Virg Bernero finally will see who the public trusts with Lansing's future today, as residents take to the polls to decide on the next mayor. The race, which was dominated by Benavides early on, has become a "dead heat" in past weeks, according to a survey administered by Lansing-based EPIC-MRA. The survey, which was given to 300 Lansing residents, suggests that 42 percent of the population favors Bernero, with 41 percent vying for Benavides and 17 percent undecided.

MSU

MSU-DCL grad looks to future after 'U' honors

MSU-DCL College of Law graduate Jeffrey Gray said he only wants a good job and to practice law in his hometown after he won the Charles King Award.The $500 award is given in recognition of the student with the highest grade point average for the each graduating class.Graduating MSU-DCL last spring with a 3.93 GPA, Gray now works as a law clerk intern with United States District Court Eastern District of Michigan with Judge Lawrence Zatkoff.Gray said he is happy to have achieved the award but feels he only studied hard."There aren't really a whole lot of memorable moments in law school to be honest," Gray said.

MSU

Professor to hold brown-bag lecture

African studies will mesh with agricultural economics as a professor leads a brown-bag discussion on Thursday. Agricultural economics Professor David Tschirley will discuss "Lessons from a Decade of Cotton Sector Reform in SSA" at noon in room 201 of the International Center. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, call (517) 353-1700 or e-mail africa@msu.edu.

MSU

Science career fair brings organizations

Employers from the science, environmental and mathematics fields will gather on campus for the Natural Science Career Fair from 5 to 9 p.m.

MSU

Attorneys: Liberal arts degree a plus

A new survey shows attorneys across the country recommend an undergraduate degree in liberal arts for aspiring lawyers. The legal staffing service The Affiliates conducted the survey, finding 37 percent of practicing attorneys picked liberal arts as the best major to prepare a student for legal work, followed by 31 percent who chose business studies for their undergraduate degrees.

MICHIGAN

Rally to gain support for legal dove hunting

Brian Charlton

November 3, 2003

The U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance is rallying at the state Capitol on Tuesday to gain support for legislation that would make hunting mourning doves legal. The alliance expects more than 1,000 people to gather after the bill was approved unanimously by the House Conservation and Outdoor Recreation Committee on Wednesday.

MSU

Lecture to discuss abstract dimension

Untying knots, stealing gold bricks from closed iron safes and unfolding hypercubes all are part of the fourth dimension. Although it sounds like a science-fiction concept, the fourth dimension is the topic of the most recent installment of the Lyman Briggs School Lecture Series. Michael Starbird, a professor of mathematics at the University of Texas at Austin, will discuss the abstract domain at 7:30 p.m.

MICHIGAN

Do-not-call list growing; businesses hurt

The president of a local telemarketing firm says there will "definitely be an increase in prices" as a result of the national do-not-call list.

MSU

Iraq war to be topic of Noontime series

Student Life's Noontime Conversation Series continues Wednesday with a discussion about the war in Iraq. William Allen of MSU's Department of Political Science will lead a discussion entitled "The Consequences of the Iraq War: Too Little Too Fast." The conversation runs from 12:10 to 1 p.m.

MSU

Poll: Charter school support falls

Evan Rondeau

November 3, 2003

Support for charter schools has fallen slightly since 1998, according to a report released Wednesday by MSU researchers.The report, based on a 965-person survey conducted by the MSU Education Policy Center, showed support has declined 8 percent in the last five years, from 63 percent in 1998 to 55 percent this year.

MICHIGAN

$51K to keep motorists clicking

Brian Beute

November 3, 2003

Area law enforcement agencies will receive a share of nearly $2 million in the next fiscal year aimed at reducing drunken driving and increasing seat-belt use during holiday seasons. East Lansing, Lansing and Meridian Township police and the Ingham County sheriff will share $51,200 to increase patrols. The funds, which are provided by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, will be divided on a per-capita basis, said Meridian Township Police Chief Gary Gibbons. The safety administration also will provide $1.5 million in paid advertising to warn drivers of upcoming enforcement crackdowns.

MSU

Uncle Sam wants 'U' at employment fair

Students interested in employment with state or federal government agencies are invited to the Call to Serve Career Fair on Wednesday. The fair runs from 5 to 8 p.m.

MSU

Group hopes to talk with trustees

Antonio Planas

November 3, 2003

As part of a new committee established to help MSU's governing unit hear concerns from the student body, a handful of student leaders met with MSU Trustee David Porteous on Friday at the Multicultural Center.The committee, which has no formal name, was organized by family community services senior Misty Staunton, who also serves as the at-large student liaison to the MSU Board of Trustees.Staunton said the group hopes to speak with one trustee every month to learn more about how the board operates and what university business was conducted at the board meeting."I don't want just student leaders to be able to talk to them," Staunton said, adding she hopes students will participate, regardless of their involvement with campus groups.Staunton said she encourages students who are involved in the committee to attend the monthly board meetings.

MICHIGAN

Senate passes bill to add jail time for MIPs

Brian Charlton

November 3, 2003

A bill that would add jail time for minors caught in possession of alcohol was passed by the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday. Violators could face up to 30 days in jail for a second offense and up to 90 days in jail for three or more offenses. The bill also would allow first-time offenders who plead guilty to serve probation and have the charges later dismissed. The bill moves on to be examined by the full Senate.

MSU

Students boogie on down the 'Seoul Train'

Amidst flashing multicolored lights and bumping hip-hop music, nearly 300 students gathered for the eighth annual Seoul Train dance on Saturday night at the Kellogg Center.

MICHIGAN

LCC sponsors annual Pow Wow

Joshua Carr Special for The State News Heavy drumming and chanting filled Lansing Community College's main gymnasium on Saturday as a long line of participants danced in colorful tribal clothing adorned with feathers.

MSU

RUBI celebrates Halloween candy fiends

Don Jordan

October 31, 2003

Eating large amounts of Snickers candy bars or Reeses Peanut Butter Cups this Halloween is OK, says one Olin Health Center student organization. Respecting and Understanding Body Image, or RUBI, a group that works to promote positive body image and increase eating disorder awareness, distributed fliers this week urging students not to worry about how much candy they eat this weekend. The flier stated "It's the fun that counts, not the calories - enjoy food and celebrate yourself." "You don't need to worry about calories and you don't need to worry about fat," said Erin Ruth, RUBI president and nutritional sciences senior.

MICHIGAN

Group pickets anti-affirmative action initiative in Lansing

Large trees showering red and yellow leaves line Tulane Drive in north Lansing. The residential street is an unlikely location for a protest. But Thursday morning, a dozen protesters from By Any Means Necessary gathered at 2510 Tulane Drive to protest an anti-affirmative action petition. Being careful to follow Lansing police orders not to step on the lawn, members of the national affirmative action group circled the driveway of the two-story gray house. The house is the business office for National Petition Management, a petition-collection service contracted by Ward Connerly of the American Civil Rights Institute in California.

MICHIGAN

E.L. Pumpkin Walk treats local kids

Scott Bartosiewicz

October 31, 2003

Vampires and princesses frolicked around downtown East Lansing on Thursday evening, playing spooky tricks and gathering sugar-filled treats. The disguised children participated in the 13th annual Great Pumpkin Walk, sponsored by East Lansing merchants promoting safe trick-or-treating. Ariel from "The Little Mermaid," one of many costumed children, enjoyed a can of Orange Crush as she left Flat's Grill, 551 E.