DPPS expects fewer tickets

John Siemianowski is thankful he has only received one ticket this semester. The biology senior drives into campus at least twice a week, and always searches for parking.Siemianowski said he parks at meters and then doesn’t worry if they expire, but when the parking ticket prices were raised in July, it made him more cautious about where he parked.In July 2001, the MSU Board of Trustees raised ticket fines, hoping to deter illegal parking on campus.Fines at parking meters were raised from $10 to $15, employee parking spot fines were raised from $20 to $25 and spots reserved for people with disabilities were raised from $50 to $100.But Siemianowski said the $5 increase isn’t enough to stop everyone from parking illegally.“I bet if they had raised them even more people wouldn’t park wherever they wanted,” he said.

$1 million grant to aid nuclear cleanup

Researchers at MSU were awarded $1 million this week for genetic research on bacteria that could help in the cleanup of facilities that were contaminated during the production of nuclear weapons. U.S.

GM looks at safety of Lansing plant

After operating for more than 30 days, General Motors Corp. is spreading the word to Lansing residents about the implications of a modification to its Craft Centre.The modification to the plant, 2801 W.

Speaker to talk on black issues

As the first speaker in the second Minority Faculty Lecture Series, the Rev. Joseph Roberts said he plans to discuss the challenges faced by black people and ways to solve them. “We are tied together and accountable for each other,” he said.

Pop in schools pits profit against health

Cassie Kraft loves the taste of Mountain Dew and drinks about two 20-ounce bottles of it every day. Although her parents didn’t always keep soda pop in the house when she was young, she’s still managed to drink it her entire life.“I’m not scared about the health risks of drinking pop, but in elementary schools I don’t think pop should be sold,” the studio arts sophomore said.Health officials rallied Wednesday to support a bill that prohibits the sale of soda pop in Michigan elementary and middle schools and limits its sale in high schools.State Rep.

Granholm to address role of women in law

Although the role of women has changed in the last 100 years, some women say it will continue changing - and they’re going to change with it.Attorney General Jennifer Granholm will talk about the role of women in law today at a presentation sponsored by Cooley Law School’s Women’s Law Alliance.Natalie Alane, a third-year Cooley student, said Granholm is an important figure in Michigan, and is excited that she will be making an appearance to help women’s image in law.“I think women influence things in different ways,” said Alane, the alliance’s president.

Fossil search

Lansing - A group of more than 150 shivering junior high students gathered outside the Capitol on Wednesday to let legislators know what Michigan really needs - a state fossil. Students carried pro-mastodon signs and held a huge drawing of a mastodon behind a podium set up on the Capitol steps.

Group protests depiction on flier

Nestled between pizza advertisements slipped under doors in Wonders Hall last week was a flier promoting the movie “Kung Pow: Enter the Fist.”Despite the fliers’ professional appearance, they actually were a parody of the film that some students say is discriminatory against Asian Americans.

Anti-terrorism bills passed

Lansing - A sweeping package of legislation designed to thwart terrorism in Michigan easily cleared the state Senate Wednesday, with senators evoking the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon to rally broad support. “September 11th was a wake-up call for everyone,” said Sen.

ASMSU representatives hope to glean new ideas from conference

Students from around the Midwest including some from MSU will be networking to improve the university experience at a three-day conference this weekend, .The Association of Big Ten Students meets three times a year to recognize how other Big Ten undergraduate student governments approach local, state, national and international issues.ASMSU, MSU’s undergraduate student government, will send 10 representatives from academic and student assemblies to the conference at the University of Michigan.“It’s a really good way to exchange information, and get on the same page as other schools,” said Matt Weingarden, ASMSU Student Assembly vice chairperson of internal affairs.

Flights rebound for spring break travel

Unlike other students, Jason VanderLaan won’t be spending his spring break with drinks with umbrellas - he’ll be “just working.”The finance junior knows a few people partaking in traditional student spring breaks in less than a month, but, in his opinion, this spring break will be just a normal one.“I don’t really think it’s that big of a thing,” he said.For airlines and travel agents, the idea of normalcy sounds pretty good.After the Sept.

Local & State briefs

LCC to hold seminar on divorce issues The Women’s Resource Center of Lansing Community College is holding a free workshop on the legal aspects of divorce from noon to 1:30 p.m.

Police briefs 02/07/02

Assault reminds U about dorm safety

Despite reports of crime in residence halls, Diana Dade feels safe in her Phillips Hall room. “I feel safe for the most part, but I take precautions,” the MSU special education junior said.

Engler: Retirement plan will help balance budget

Lansing - Vacated spots in state government may not mean more jobs for graduates, according to an early retirement program Gov.

Olin shows spring break security

For a few days in March, Gina King will forget about classes and focus on partying. But Olin Health Center representatives want to make sure MSU students stay safe while they’re away. “We hope to soak up some sun and party a lot in Panama City (Fla.),” said King, a no-preference freshman.

City Council approves condominum home construction By Shaun Byron

Shoveling snow and cutting the grass can be a troublesome or time consuming task - and East Lansing officials are beginning to see a market in housing that doesn’t involve chores like those.The city council voted unanimously in favor of constructing a 32-condominium unit on Coolidge Road following an unanimous recommendation from the city’s Planning Commission.

Political columnist enlightens, entertains sold-out crowd

Molly Ivins loves to tell stories about the blunders in national politics, as well as the mishaps in her home state of Texas.

McPherson to address students concerns at RHA meeting tonight

MSU President M. Peter McPherson will go from the Administration Building to Wilson Hall today to spend a little time listening to student concerns.McPherson will be attending the Residence Halls Association’s meeting to answer students’ questions.He said he will speak about more than finances and budgets - he plans to open up the floor to students.“Typically what I do is talk about some of the issues before the university,” he said.

Policy advises rights for gay parents

A recent policy by the American Academy of Pediatrics said same-sex couples should be allowed to adopt children, citing their ability to provide as stable a household as heterosexual couples. The policy, released Monday, focuses on gaining legally protected parental rights for gay parents whose partners have children and for couples who wish to adopt a child.