Eco members upset over voting policies

Eco officials say they are disappointed a $5 tax for renewable energy will not be added to student tuition bills this fall, even though the referendum was approved by about 3,800 voters. In April, the University Student Appeals Board denied a request by ASMSU to disregard a university rule which requires more than 50 percent of undergraduate students to vote and the majority of those voters to pass a new tax when it's placed on MSU's undergraduate student government's March ballot. The voting numbers were not released until after the board made its decision to deny Eco's request. The number of "no" votes for the tax referendum was less than 1,000. Eco, an environmental student organization, came to ASMSU to have the $5 tax added to the organization's existing $13 tax.

Student speaks to 'U'

Brandon Lupp tries to do things differently. As a host for the last three out of four College of Agriculture and Natural Resources honors college banquets, he held a cooking show for guests and has taken them on a "trip" around the world. "That banquet required six costume changes," Lupp said, explaining the inspiration for that show came from more than 45 study abroad programs that are offered through his college. He even put on a giant chicken costume and rode a tricycle to make himself seem more approachable. But next week the agriculture and natural resources communications senior will trade the chicken suit for a cap and gown as he addresses students, faculty and staff at MSU's May 2 convocation. And again he will be doing things differently by adding twists to his speech. "I was going to pass out rubber bands to 10,000 people but they didn't think that would work," he said about his original speech plan.

Design Day helps area student

The sun glimmered off the fresh green paint of Chris Casey's tailor-made tricycle as he took his first spin. Equipped with a padded seat pulled from an Oldsmobile Achieva, an orange flag and a backpack with a built-in water bottle, Casey's favorite part of the cycle is its green-and-white color scheme. "They're MSU," the 21-year-old man said.

News briefs

Citizen's Police Academy to give public chance to learn The MSU Department of Police and Public Safety is now signing up those interested for its Citizen's Police Academy. The next class is scheduled to begin 7 p.m.

2 E.L. roads might see speed limit increases

A recent study shows speed limits on Grand River Avenue and Saginaw Highway could be increased by 10 miles per hour because motorists on those roads are not driving the legal limit. A study by the Michigan State Police and the Michigan Department of Transportation collected speed surveys on both state-regulated roads to calculate the 85th percentile of speed limits driven on the state-funded roads.

Police briefs 04/25/03

Eco challenges OfficeMax practices

Okemos - A demonstration by four Eco members might be able to sway a corporate office supply chain to change one of its policies.

Hannah Community Center to serve up talent, soup

Community members in East Lansing are bringing residents of all ages together for beatboxing, jugglers, folk music, punk rock, yo-yos and soup. East Lansing teen and senior citizen groups will be sponsoring the first ever "Vegetable Soup Variety Show," featuring talent from area elementary and high school students, senior citizens and MSU faculty. The event will be held 6 p.m.

Rally supports change to health care policies

Lansing - Shouts of "Everyone in, no one out!" rang through the calm warmth of the afternoon air, stirring the crowd gathered at the steps of the Capitol on Thursday. "Should life depend on how much money we have?" Lansing Mayor Tony Benavides asked the crowd of more than 100 people.

Activists prepare for summer events

After a tumultuous year of pro- and anti-war demonstrations, affirmative action debates, gender identity discussions and rallies for domestic partner benefits, David Mitchell said it's time for students to recharge. "After a while, you get so many issues thrown at you that you want to get back to the ideas behind them," the human biology junior said. Mitchell, a member of Students For Economic Justice, said his group and other student groups will spend more time organizing small discussions, learning more about current events and preparing for the fall semester. But it won't deter the students from planning bigger summer events, he said.

Police, students to rekindle football rivalries

After nearly 25 years, the Pigs and Freaks are ready to butt heads again. But this time the hostilities between police officers and college students looming over a football game will no longer attract 40,000 fans.

'U' officer builds bridges in Iraq

Three days before MSU police officer Travis Schuler was told he had to report to begin his journey to Iraq, he called his close buddy MSU police officer Danial Munford to deliver the news. Munford said the family always knew there was a chance Schuler's reserve unit would be called up as the United States had moved closer to war, but when the news of his deployment hit home on Jan.

Event shows fun at work

Alex Gonzales swung her legs from a chair in the Heritage Cafe in the basement of the Union on Thursday afternoon, picking at her plate of macaroni and cheese as she watched MSU students walk past her. In nine years she hopes to be one of them. Gonzales, 9, made a special visit to MSU's campus for "Take Your Child to Work Day," with MSU librarian Shelia Bryant, a friend of her family. The event, organized by the Women's Resource Center, offered a morning full of tours and presentations for more than 100 MSU employees and their children. Gonzales and Bryant toured the Main Library to learn about special collections, followed by a visit to the Michigan 4-H Children's Garden. But Bryant's favorite event was a stop at MSU Laboratory Animal Resources, where the pair learned about research animals and met the staff that cares for them. "My favorite part is when we saw the rats and bunnies and dogs," Gonzales said.

Big Three to aid 'U' donation campaign

Halfway through the $1.2 billion Campaign for MSU, officials said donations are on the rise and more money could be on the way from Detroit's Big Three automakers. On Tuesday, representatives from the automotive industry will meet with university officials at a formal banquet to kick off the matching donation portion of the fund raiser. For every dollar employees of DaimlerChrysler AG, Ford Motor Co. and General Motors Corp.

Campus' cable TV to cut Fox News Channel

Fox News Channel, added to campus cable lineups shortly after war began with Iraq, will soon vanish from MSU screens. The channel, which will finish running on May 2, was a temporary addition to the lineup, said Doug Owen, who manages cable television for University Housing.

New class to teach Tolkien, mythology

A new class about author J.R.R. Tolkien aims to expose MSU students to a different kind of diversity. "You've got elves, you've got dwarves, you've got men, you've got wizards, and Gandalf - whatever he is," said John Rauk, chairman of the Department of Romance and Classical Languages.

E.L. to celebrate Earth Day

Earth Day events this weekend will fill city streets with music, vendors and educational information about the environment. The 2003 Earth Day celebration, which will shut down M.A.C.

Energy tax debated

The University Student Appeals Board is expected to make a decision next week on whether an almost 20-year-old rule should apply to the fate of a tax on renewable energy.The board discussed the addition of the $5 tax to student tuition with ASMSU and Student Life officials on Wednesday.

Board hears homosexual discrimination case

MSU's Anti-Discrimination Judicial Board heard comments Wednesday in a case involving former Mason Hall assistant director Carolyn O'Laughlin.O'Laughlin filed a grievance against Residence Life after officials said her domestic partner, Rebecca Linz, was not allowed to live in the residence hall.O'Laughlin's job required her to live on campus and officials said she would be disciplined and eventually terminated if Linz didn't move out.

Forum discusses Iraq reconstruction

A forum on Iraq almost went bust when the expert panel of MSU professors practically outnumbered the audience.But Tuesday's presidential forum went ahead as planned, addressing issues relating to the reconstruction of Iraq."You basically have to build an economy from nothing," economics professor Max Kreinin said.