Task force attempts to finalize solutions before winter break

The debate about police discretion and minor in possession of alcohol citations continued between members of the Task Force on Student-Police Relations on Friday. With only one meeting remaining this semester, group members are trying to finalize solutions to problems relating to education and outreach, minority issues and issues with safety and privacy. The task force was appointed following the recommendations of an independent panel created to investigate the placement of an undercover officer into United Students Against Sweatshops, now called Students for Economic Justice, beginning Feb.

Metropolitan areas fail to make the grade for clean air

The state of Michigan won’t want to bring this report card home. A study released Tuesday by the Sierra Club gave Michigan and Detroit, Ann Arbor, Flint and Grand Rapids areas failing grades for efforts to clear up the air with transit spending. Lansing was not surveyed. The study, which had been put together over eight years, had pooled information from across the country. Anne Woiwode, director of the Mackinac Chapter of the Sierra Club, said the organization looked at the largest metropolitan areas.

Cultures come to U for Global Festival

India, Taiwan, Russia and Vietnam were among the countries that invaded the Union on Sunday afternoon. Global Festival 2001, an event that debuted 16 years ago at the International Center, attracted hundreds to a variety of activities on three floors of the Union. “I think it’s a very good event and a good opportunity for us to show students about Greek traditions,” said microbiology graduate student Kostas Konstantinidis. Konstantinidis was among the many students presenting traditional foods, music, clothing and other objects from dozens of different countries. As he stamped the special passports given to children for visiting the countries represented, Konstantinidis noted the higher attendance to this year’s festival. “We participate every year,” he said.

Police briefs 11/19/01

Pell Grant debt may drain funds

More than 6,000 MSU students who participate in the Pell Grant program may receive less money than they’re expecting next year.Educators across the country are encouraging Washington lawmakers to correct an oversight that could cause no increase in next year’s federal student aid, despite rising tuition costs.The Pell Grant program is slated to receive $1.7 billion and $1.5 billion increases from the U.S.

Group to debate on paint, sea life

Robert Huggett, MSU’s vice president for research and graduate studies, will discuss an ongoing debate among scientists, the U.S.

Fog conceals Leonid meteor shower for many Sunday

Eyes stuck to the sky in East Lansing on Sunday morning might have been looking for the meteors predicted to pierce through the night - but all they saw was fog. The Leonid shower occurs every November when the Earth passes through the debris of the Comet Tempel-Tuttle.

Festival launches holiday season

Fireworks will light up the sky behind the Capitol dome tonight to kick off the holidays with Silver Bells in the City. An electric light parade and the lighting of Michigan’s official holiday tree in front of the Capitol are a few of the attractions at the 17th annual celebration in downtown Lansing. “Thousands of people gather in a huge crowd and share the spirit of the season,” said Joanne Eason, a spokeswoman for the event.

Research project inquires about Red Cedar River water quality

Family Feud host, Louie Anderson, won’t be announcing what surveyed MSU students said.But the information students are being asked to provide will help develop what perception many of them have about the Red Cedar Watershed.The survey is being conducted by the MSU-WATER research project and is being overseen by Michael Kaplowitz, an assistant professor of environment wildlife policy, and Scott Witter, acting chairperson of the Department of Resource Development.Kaplowitz said it is a scientific sample of students, which will show how they perceive the campus watershed.The survey is part of the social assessment component of the project, which will ultimately develop a management plan for the watershed.“They are in three groups - one group received a post card, one group is receiving the e-mail as their first request and the third is receiving the e-mail and then a post card reminding them,” he said.To improve responses, replies submitted by Dec.

Community plans crisis response

Lansing-area media, governmental, emergency, and business organizations made steps Thursday to prepare for crisis management.Community leaders met for a Crisis Communication Summit to plan for a joint response in the event of a terrorist attack at the Radisson Hotel, 111 N.

Unseasonable temperatures bring fun to area residents

East Lansing weather has given MSU one last shot at enjoying the outdoors before it must fight the winter.Many students could be seen taking advantage of the weather Thursday.

Cycling for charity

A six-month bicycle trek across parts of South America, Central America and the United States might be an impossible feat for some.But environmental biology and botany senior Misty Flahie isn’t your average student.“We’ve been training for over two years now,” she said.

Michigan to receive crisis response team

Michigan is getting its own terror squad.Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld announced Thursday that Michigan will be one of five states awarded a Weapons of Mass Destruction Civil Support Team.

Immigration policy topic of forum today

As part of International Education Week, Peter Briggs, director of the Office of International Students and Scholars, will lead a discussion about changing immigration policies in the aftermath of the Sept.

Police briefs 11/16/01

Indian festival celebrated this weekend

Diwali, the Indian festival of lights, will be celebrated with traditional Indian drinking, dining and dancing at the Graduate Employees Union office Saturday. Diwali Daze 2001 will offer snacks from Sindhu Indian Cuisine, 4790 S.

Game shuttle location changed this year

The pick-up and drop-off point for the men’s basketball game shuttle is located at Ramp 5, south of the Communication Arts and Sciences Building this year. Lot 92, which is near Service Road, is no longer a pick-up point. MSU police Sgt.

Homeless hidden by affluent community

Since she began volunteering one year ago, Erica Benson’s eyes were opened to a world she had never known - a world without welcome mats, milk and cookies after school and steady paychecks. The linguistics graduate student volunteers at Haven House, 121 Whitehills Drive in Lansing, a shelter for homeless families. Gov.

Findings may affect sand dune usage

Sand may still be dropping through nature’s hourglass atop Lake Michigan’s dunes that stretch from Indiana to Muskegon, an MSU researcher determined.Associate geography Professor Alan Arbogast presented his research, which disputes claims that the dunes stopped forming 5,000 years ago, to the Geological Society of America last week in Boston.

Bachelor auction raises money for charities

Colorful beach balls, pineapples, palm trees and leis surrounded bachelors dressed in Hawaiian shorts as they answered the question, “What’s the cutest thing you have ever done for a girl?”Tuesday evening, Gamma Phi Beta held its seventh annual bachelor auction to support the chapter’s international philanthropy, Camp Gamma Phi Beta in Vancouver, Canada.