Funding problems force Butterfly House to fold

The Butterfly House closed its wings and was laid to rest in early July because of funding and spatial problems.

Interim coordinator plans year of reflection

Amy Radford wants greeks to take a look in the mirror this year.The interim coordinator of Greek Life is planning a greek system self-study as she settles into her new role.

Campaigners rely on students

When Republican Larry Ward began his state House campaign against incumbent Rep. Gretchen Whitmer, critics told him he didn’t have a snowball’s chance in hell against the Democrat from East Lansing. Political science junior Jason Miller said he hoped to improve Ward’s chances. Miller, Ward’s campaign manager, took the back roads to Hell, Mich., in the dead of winter and had himself photographed holding a snowball next to a sign that read “Welcome to Hell.” “Hell freezes over in Michigan,” Miller said. Until MSU students and recent graduates can begin their own political careers, they pay their dues by doing what it takes to get their elders into office. Ward, a Republican candidate for the 69th District state House seat, found his campaign manager at an MSU College Republicans meeting. “He came up and picked my brain after the meeting,” Ward said of Miller, chairman of the student GOP group.

Report suggests ways to fight alcohol abuse

Three months after a controversial report was issued by the Responsible Hospitality Council, tempers have died down and council business has resumed.The hospitality council is made up of more than a dozen East Lansing bars and restaurant owners and managers that meet once a month to discuss possible ways to curb alcohol abuse.

Researchers shock, dye Red Cedar

This summer people sitting on the banks of the Red Cedar River could have witnessed the fish population electrically shocked and the waters run green with MSU pride.These are all part of MSU-WATER, or Watershed Action Through Education and Research, an ongoing $1.4 million project aiming to clean up the Red Cedar in four years.The initiative is in its second year, but is far from over.Ruth Kline-Robach, water quality coordinator at the Institute of Water Research, said MSU-WATER will hopefully continue to work on the project even after the allotted four-years is up.“We are really pleased with the progress we’ve made so far,” she said.

More applicants raise standards

MSU officials expect the grade-point averages of the incoming freshman class to be even higher than last year. The higher GPA is part of a five-year trend at MSU that some officials don’t expect to end anytime soon.

E.L. expands, adds more than 1,000 acres

Students returning to East Lansing might have noticed that the city seems larger than last year, because it is. Two Public Act 425 agreements, known as land-share deals, allowed the city to bring in more than 1,100 acres.

Web site allows users to report food poisoning

MSU’s National Food Safety and Toxicology Center is leading state agencies in implementing the nation’s first Web site for reporting food poisoning.The site will allow people to go online, answer a 15-minute questionnaire about foods they’ve consumed in the last 48 hours and view postings from other citizens.Veterinary epidemiology Professor Paul Bartlett is heading the project.

Amendment may force Merit program to be cut

A proposed constitutional amendment to dedicate tobacco settlement money to health care is putting the future of the Michigan Merit Award scholarship program in jeopardy.The Citizens for a Healthy Michigan Coalition introduced the Healthy Michigan Amendment in March.The proposed amendment would dedicate 90 percent of funds from the nationwide tobacco lawsuit settlement of 1998 to health care.

Education key to gaining legislation

It took Maryland legislators a decade to include sexual orientation in that state’s civil rights law.

Alcohol-free rooms, dorms try to keep booze away from U

Although MSU is known by some to be a party school, many students each year request to live in an alcohol-free environment. Those numbers have risen in recent years, prompting University Housing to make more residence-hall floors free of alcohol. Although final numbers aren’t in yet, housing officials expect this year’s tallies to be at least on par with last year. “Cancellations are still coming in, but it looks comparable to last year,” said Pam Willis, an office supervisor for University Housing.

Officials to decide on new Mormon church

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 431 E. Saginaw St., could rise from the ashes.Architects have been working on two designs for a new church since the original building was burned because of arson to the ground in June.One of the two plans will be unveiled to residents at a public hearing 7:30 p.m.

Police briefs 08/14/02

Secretary of state calls for open primaries

While the primary election brought a record number of registered voters to the polls, unofficial numbers show a significant number of those votes were not counted.Earlty estimates show about 6 percent of ballots were thrown out because voters chose candidates from both parties on the same ballot.

Council gives grants to cultural organizations

Eight different cultural and historical projects in Michigan were awarded a total of $65,792 from the Michigan Humanities Council. The money came from the council’s new grants program, “Creating Vision for the New Century: The Humanities and the Strengthening of Michigan’s Communities.” The program emphasizes educational, cultural and community-based organizations providing humanities projects in Michigan communities. The recipients of the grants include the Interlochen Arts Academy, Michigan Association of Broadcasters, Michigan Historical Museum, Keweenaw Krayons, Covert Public Schools and Magical Rain Theaterworks. Each project was allotted a different sum to put toward their interest.

Students attend fair for live-birth exhibits

MSU veterinary students and veterinarians will be participating in the “Miracle of Life,” an exhibit at the Michigan State Fair that displays live births of farm animals. The event will be from 10 a.m.

West Nile virus cases increase in Michigan

The number of dead birds found with West Nile virus in Michigan has risen exponentially since the first few were discovered in mid-June.Birds with the virus have been confirmed in 24 counties in Michigan this year, including Ingham County.“We’re adding more counties every day,” said Jon Patterson, associate professor of pathology.

Volunteers needed for cancer charity-event

The American Cancer Society needs volunteers for its Relay For Life, a 24-hour team event to raise cancer awareness and research money. The relay is Saturday and Sunday at Potter Park Zoo, 1301 S.

Coalitions to rally on Capitol lawn

When the Legislature returns to work Tuesday, many constituents will gather at 9:30 a.m. on the state Capitol lawn to push for an override of Gov.

Complaints lead to arts removal

Paintings deemed “disturbing” and “satanic” by customers were removed from the walls of the Cappuccino Café, 1500 W.