ASMSU gives $75K to Sparty

The campaign to find Sparty a new home got a head start with a donation of $75,000 from ASMSU, but MSU's undergraduate student government didn't make it easy for the terra-cotta statue.The bill passed with 21 votes, the minimum needed to pass a bill with the number of people attending the meeting Thursday.The money will go toward restoration and movement of the statue, formally titled "The Spartan." Built in the 1940s, the statue is now cracking and deteriorating from years of exposure to the elements.

Police briefs 02/04/03

'U' commission to voice noise concerns

MSU students will levy in their voice on noise violations policies to the East Lansing City Council at 7:30 p.m.

School board talks budget

"We are meeting to figure out where we go from here," she said. The closing of Spartan Village Elementary School, eliminating the East Lansing high school alternative program and the restructuring of the district will be discussed at 7 p.m.

President resigns after scandal

Capital Area United Way President Bob Berning resigned Monday as the Board of Directors voted to change leadership in the aftermath of the $1.88 million embezzlement scandal."The board of directors voted to accept Bob Berning's resignation," Board Chairman Tom Chirgwin said.

Security in question after dorm incident

The early closing of Case Hall may only be a temporary measure to assess dorm security following an attempted armed robbery Thursday, officials said.As of Sunday, night receptionists will go on duty at 9 p.m.

Trustee's ring back on eBay

The ring has returned. Angelo DiMeo, the Lansing jeweler who tried to auction two bowl game rings belonging to MSU Trustee Joel Ferguson, has placed one of them back up for sale on the Internet auction site eBay. DiMeo is now asking $1,999 for a 1990 gold John Hancock Bowl ring formerly owned by Ferguson.

Downtown business closes shop

Another downtown East Lansing retailer is packing up shop and moving on. Cory Curtis will close the doors of Cool Creations, 209 M.A.C.

Student wakes from coma, is responsive

The female journalism sophomore who is being treated for a meningitis-like disease is showing improvement, Ingham County Health Department officials said Monday. The student is still being treated at Lansing's Sparrow Hospital, where she was previously in a medically-induced coma. Judy Williams, Ingham County's disease control supervisor, said as of Monday morning the student was responsive.

Justice Department gives 'U' $15M to study gun violence

The U.S. Department of Justice has given $15 million for MSU to train officials in the country to cut down on gun-related violence.Funds for Project Safe Neighborhoods were officially announced last week in Philadelphia and $15 million was awarded to researchers nationally who will work with MSU's School of Criminal Justice to investigate and reduce gun violence.Throughout the country, 94 federal judicial districts are involved in the program - including two in Michigan, which have 93 teams investigating what's driving firearm violence in different areas in the country."It really is pretty impressive in terms of the scope of effort that is being implemented by the Department of Justice," said Edmund McGarrell, director of MSU's School of Criminal Justice.

Suspect charged for posting offensive flier

Police say charges have been filed against an individual for hanging a racially charged flier in Shaw Hall last month. The suspect is being charged with misdemeanor harassment, which carries up to a 90-day jail sentence, MSU police Chief Jim Dunlap said.

Amtrak officials discuss funding

East Lansing's railway services may get back on track sooner than expected, officials announced last week. Amtrak railway operators will meet with the state Department of Transportation officials Tuesday to discuss the possibility of increasing annual funding by about $2.2 million. Amtrak provides intercity services to more than 500 communities in the United States. David Johnson, an Okemos resident, organized a protest rally last month.

Event discusses sex in 'The Real World'

More than 400 students attended the fourth annual "Sex in the Real World" at the Union Ballroom on Friday, featuring cast members from the popular MTV reality show "The Real World." The event, sponsored by the University Activities Board, is designed to educate people about sexual health, while MTV's Real World members fed students' need for scandalous gossip. Olin's In Your Face Reality Troupe kicked-off the night with skits relating to promiscuous sex, healthy relationships and how to put on a condom.

Survey shows Internet use exploding, trust declining

For Rachel Heid, sitting in front of a computer is almost a full-time job. The no-preference freshman spends more than 40 hours per week chatting, downloading music and playing games online. Americans with online services, such as Heid, spend an average of 11 hours a week online, according to a nationwide survey from the University of California at Los Angeles. But on a college campus, that number is much higher. "Use is doubling every year worldwide, but it's going up much faster at Michigan State," said David Gift, vice provost for Libraries, Computing and Technology. In the 1997-98 fiscal year, MSU used 38 million megabytes of Internet traffic, Gift said.

Fire station could fill lots

Lansing - A new fire station could be in Lansing's future if the city council approves to take over condemned property at 7 p.m.

New store brings club wear to E.L.

At 18 years old, Gaston Garcia came to the U.S. from Argentina with a backpack and $300 in his pocket.Now at 25, he has set up clothing stores in Miami, Orlando, Fla.

Number of thefts at IM escalating

After spending an afternoon with friends, Greg Wright found he was the latest victim in a string of thefts at the university IM Sports facilities.Wright had left his coat outside an indoor court at IM Sports-West and found his keys missing and his checkbook moved to another pocket when he returned.He thought his friends were playing a joke on him until they also noticed they had been robbed.

Police briefs 02/03/03

Assembly sends NAISO to board for funding

ASMSU Student Assembly officials battled back and forth over funding for a North American Indian Student Organization conference Thursday.

Youngest state rep. speaks about politics to students

Joe Hune had a lot in common with his audience. He is a young Republican enrolled at MSU. But no one else in the audience had ran for a state office at the age of 21. At 22, state Rep.