Family Funk

She’s already a racial ethnic student aide at Hubbard Hall, working an outside job and taking 15 credits toward her criminal justice degree. Now add to sophomore Faye Higgs’ schedule: four hours of practice, five nights a week. “I have 300 black students to be there for, 20 meetings a month and an outside job,” she said. But Higgs said it’s worth it to be a dancer in the 12th annual Fake the Funk at the Breslin Center, where more than 9,000 cheering attendants checked out her moves Saturday evening. “It’s time-consuming,” she said.

ASMSU, RHA work together to improve strained relationship

MSU’s two largest student governments - who have not always been on the best of terms - have taken steps to improve their working relationship this year. “Quite a few years ago, RHA and ASMSU did have some major communication problems,” ASMSU Student Assembly Chairperson Matt Weingarden said.

Granholm, Posthumus make final bid near U

In the final day before elections, gubernatorial candidates Republican Dick Posthumus and Democrat Jennifer Granholm plan to campaign in the Lansing area today.

Police briefs 11/04/02

Holiday sales to remain subpar

Michigan retailers are expecting subpar sales this holiday season, in line with national trends and retailer forecasts. The Michigan Retail Index reported that while 57 percent of state retailers are expecting higher holiday spending compared to a year ago, the projected revenue growth is only 3.7 percent.

Recordamos los muertos

Small white crosses lined the grass around the rock on Farm Lane. On each of the crosses, which stood no more than a foot off the ground, students wrote the name of a loved one who passed away. A little altar has been built near the crosses, with offerings of bread to the spirits of ancestors.

Students fail to find time for election

With the countdown to Election Day now reaching the final hours, political candidates have upped their campaign efforts.

Powwow shows traditional dance

Lansing - The strands of Jessica Kota’s white shawl laid still as she stood attentively, ready to dance.Dressed in her pink, purple and white regalia - traditional Native American clothing- Kota, a Central Michigan University student, quickly moved into intricate dance steps.Kota was the lead female dancer for the 10th annual Great Lakes Anishnaabek Traditional Pow Wow at Lansing Community College, but this was not the first time she has participated in the event.“My family has always been very involved in our culture,” she said.

Police briefs 11/04/02

ACLU challenges use of Breathalyzer test

Before underage pedestrians are forced to submit to Breathalyzer tests, the American Civil Liberties Union is challenging police to first obtain a search warrant.Last week the ACLU filed a federal lawsuit against the Bay City police, saying they forced a 19-year-old woman to take a Breathalyzer test while she was in-line skating through a Bay City park in August 2001.The woman had not been drinking alcohol, but was forced to take the test or pay a $100 fine, said Michael Steinberg, ACLU of Michigan’s Legal Director.“That’s unconstitutional,” Steinberg said.If the federal court rules the police practice unconstitutional, it could open the doors to similar challenges statewide, Steinberg said.According to the ACLU, forcing pedestrians under 21 years old to take the tests whether they have been drinking or not violates their Fourth Amendment rights.

Students, administrator disagree on diversity of dormitory populations

Whenever psychology freshman Laura Mitus walks around Snyder Hall, she sees the same girls every day.

Local Libertarians look to change rock n roll image

A deeper look into the Libertarian Party reveals that its members are connected more with beliefs of Mid-Michigan residents, two of its candidates say.“The Libertarian Party has the reputation of being the party of sex, drugs and rock ’n’ roll,” said Thomas Yeutter, the party’s candidate for the 8th Congressional District seat.

Campus briefs

Group to plant flowers for hall beautificationAt 10 a.m. on Saturday, the Briggs Ambassadors, a group of students who promote the Lyman Briggs School, are helping to beautify Holmes Hall.

Police briefs 11/01/02

Event promotes fun, safety at area center

Lansing - With one hand gripping her ponytail and the other steadily by her side, Jamesha Bennett immersed her head in a large bowl of floating apples and emerged victorious with a red one sunk between her teeth on Wednesday.Bobbing for apples was just one of the many fun activities included in the annual Halloween party at the Cristo Rey Community Center, 1717 N.

Marathon to raise money for cancer

While Jean Trice recovers from a chemotherapy treatment at her Lansing home on Saturday, Mike Weber will be running through the New York streets to raise money for her treatment.When Weber, a 2001 MSU graduate, learned his aunt was diagnosed with breast cancer in June, he decided to run the 26.2-mile New York City Marathon in her honor to raise money for the Sparrow Hospital Cancer Center.“I was thinking - it’s a little bit selfish running the marathon just for me,” Weber said.

Federal death penalty debated

All Gina King could do was sit and watch the news from her East Lansing home and worry about her family in Virginia as a sniper terrorized the Washington, D.C., area.When the smoke settled after a three-week shooting spree, 10 people had been shot to death and three were wounded.Two suspects, John Allen Muhammad, 41, and John Lee Malvo, 17, were arrested on Oct.

U learns gun safety in police academy

Salman Ateequi carefully passed a SIG-Sauer handgun off to his classmate after he practiced aiming and balancing an empty bullet shell on the gun’s barrel by dry shooting the weapon.With just three sessions of the Citizen’s Police Academy remaining, Ateequi says he knows a great deal about community policing.

Green Party hopefuls voice voting concerns

While the Green Party continues to focus on protecting the environment, candidates running on the party’s ticket say campaign finance reform is the most important issue this year.With the political system often emphasizing incumbents who are Republicans and Democrats, Greens say minor parties have to face an unfair barrier in elections.“As long as the money is coming in, it will find and get what it wants,” said Eric Borregard, who’s the Green Party’s U.S.

Board debate focuses on U housing, rights

The major-party candidates for two open seats on MSU’s Board of Trustees squared off in a relatively mundane debate Wednesday night at the Communication Arts and Sciences Building. GOP state Sen.