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.

City briefs

Series to feature Peru As part of its Odyssey travel series, the Kiwanis Club of Okemos will be presenting a narrated travel film at 2:30 p.m.

Police briefs 02/06/02

Students protest weight of MEAP in schools

With her turquoise scarf blowing behind her, Julia Reges walked in front of the Capitol steps carrying a sign that said, “I don’t need a test to tell if I’m smart.” The neon pink letters of her sign reflected the sentiments of the five picketers who stood in front of the building Tuesday afternoon.

Experts say Rocky faces uphill battle

For state Rep. Andrew “Rocky” Raczkowski, R-Farmington Hills, the road to Washington may be a long and arduous one.“You can achieve anything if your heart is in the right place and you believe in what you’re doing,” Raczkowski said.Raczkowski will challenge Sen.

Education conference discusses language

A conference in the nation’s capital informed participants of the future of distance learning of less commonly taught languages at MSU and other universities.The Distance Learning of the Less Commonly Taught Languages Conference held last weekend drew more than 150 people, including faculty and students from various universities.The focus of the conference was to view examples of innovative distance learning programs and discuss them with their developers, as well as to develop the teaching of less commonly taught languages.Less commonly taught languages include all world languages except English, French, German and Spanish.Margo Glew, coordinator of MSU’s Program of Less Commonly Taught Languages, attended the conference.“It’s important to make plans, to work together and collaborate on planning to develop some new courses,” she said.Glew said the number of people with experience and the desire to expand distance learning options made the conference a success.“When we had a chance to look at courses and materials that others around the country were developing, I think it inspired positive thinking about what can be done on their own home campuses,” she said.Glew is working to design a second-year Portuguese language course for distance learning that will be available to all Big Ten schools and possibly others.

Booklet could list tax credits

The process of filing taxes could soon be much easier, especially if state Rep. Nancy Cassis has anything to do with it.Joined on Friday by about 20 representatives from both sides of the aisle, Cassis, R-Novi, unveiled what she calls a taxpayer empowerment bill.

MEAP protested at Capitol rally

Picketers will be taking a stand against standardized testing today in front of the Capitol. The event, organized by Parents Voice for Children, will run from 1-5 p.m.

Land-exchange suit expands

The Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians added another plaintiff and defendant Friday to its search to stop the Michigan Department of Natural Resources’ South Fox Island land exchange.The exchange would be between the state and landowner David Johnson.The amendment to the lawsuit named Johnson, an MSU alumnus, and his Mirada Ranch as defendants and the Michigan Land Use Institute as co-plaintiff in the tribal group’s lawsuit.The changes came from a recommendation by Circuit Judge Thomas G.

ASMSU seeks out more applicants for elections

ASMSU has been advertising to create a competitive mid-March election, but has only received 14 applications. Undergraduate student government representatives said they’ve received an average number of applications, and are expecting more next week. This year, there are about 50-elected open seats on Student Assembly and 24 on Academic Assembly.

Play tickets available for purchase

Tickets for “The Vagina Monologues” are available through the Wharton Center box office. The play, based on interviews with a diverse group of women, will be performed Feb.