Reaction to shortened public comment mixed

When city council members abandoned a proposal Monday night that would have ended the broadcast of some public comments and voted on a new proposal, some citizens had mixed reactions.The council voted 6-2 to shorten the amount of time the public has to speak, hoping to end what some council members call “theatrics.”Community activist John Pollard said he is not happy the public is losing three minutes.

Jacobson Stores, Inc. files for bankruptcy

Jennifer Cousineau, a psychology sophomore, hasn’t lived in East Lansing long but already has established a firm relationship with Jacobson Stores, Inc.“I like it because it has a lot of designer brands that are hard to find,” the California native said.

Scientist visits U

MSU science students normally don’t spend a day with an internationally known theoretical physicist - but this week is different. Brian Greene, a professor of physics and mathematics at Columbia University, is the first of two speakers in this year’s McPherson Professorship program. The professorship was created last year after an anonymous donor gave $2 million to the university.

COGS discusses student visa status

The Council of Graduate Students will hold its first meeting of the semester at 5 p.m. today in the International Center Spartan Rooms B and C.The meeting will focus on the state of international student applications with emphasis on how anti-terrorism legislation passed last year will affect them.

State faces slowing economy

Lansing - Economists presented a gloomy economic forecast for Michigan legislators Tuesday, but there is a light at the end of the tunnel.“A slower economy and fewer jobs means less revenue,” said MSU economics Professor Charles Ballard.

LBGT activists hope to educate public with conference

Although it’s still two months away, planning for the Midwest Bisexual, Lesbian, Gay, Transgender and Ally College Conference is already under way.The event will be held March 15-17 at the Kellogg Center, and will feature workshops, caucus groups and presentations about issues such as battling homophobia.

Phones replace lab monitors

Gone are the days when bleary-eyed, late-night computer lab assistants waited at a desk to help out other exhausted students.This semester, the computer labs will not be constantly monitored by lab assistants.

Stores battle books stolen for profit

Derek Rodriguez spends some of his time at local textbook stores.But the East Lansing police officer isn’t buying books, he is catching people selling stolen textbooks.“Generally people are trying to sell back stolen books and say they are selling it for a friend,” he said.

Indiana University adds LBGT fraternity to greek community

Although the greek system at Indiana University at Bloomington will have an organization available for lesbian, bisexual, gay and transgendered students, some MSU students say such an idea might not be successful in East Lansing.Delta Lambda Phi is the first fraternity catering to gay students at Indiana.

E.L. council vote could change U voting precincts

The East Lansing City Council will vote Tuesday on a change to the city’s voting precincts.The precincts needed to be changed once the 2000 federal census had been completed to reflect population changes in the city detected by the election commission.“Everyone in East Lansing will have a new precinct number,” East Lansing City Clerk Sharon Reid said.The city was forced to combine different precincts after the census because of population shifts and requirements made for boundaries to be real, or along actual streets and roads within the city.Along with the new precinct numbers, four locations would be added to the list of voting locations for this year.An attempt was made to keep the original locations, but areas like the Union and Case Hall would be removed.If the revision passes, the locations on campus will be Owen Graduate Hall, Akers Hall and Wilson Hall.

City council, ASMSU plan joint meeting

For the first time in the history of East Lansing, ASMSU’s Academic Assembly and city council are collaborating to gain a better understanding of student and city issues. Mayor Mark Meadows and Academic Assembly Chairperson Matt Clayson, decided this meeting would be a valuable opportunity for the entire community. ASMSU is the undergraduate student government. Clayson, who worked with city council officials to organize tonight’s agenda, said he is looking forward to the joint meeting. “It will be a learning experience for me to see how a small city government operates rather than just an academic government,” Clayson said. But more than focusing on the operating strategies each body possesses, Clayson said he would like to build an academic relationship with the city.

Changed laws should make taxes easier

Don Jordan felt the sting of tuition last year, but didn’t bother to feel the pain again April 15. He didn’t fill out his tax forms. He said the forms were to confusing and he was too lazy. “One thing that really gets me is there are so many forms,” he said.

MLK speaker to pray for unity, recovery

After 25 years of preaching, Nathaniel Thomas still gets nervous every time he approaches the podium.

Committee meets to discuss the future of states fiscal budget

Many lawmakers expect Michigan’s budget woes to be reinforced at a meeting with economists today in the Capitol. The directors of the House and Senate fiscal agencies as well as Treasurer Doug Roberts will report to lawmakers on how much the state can expect to collect in taxes this year.

Police briefs 01/15/02

Law expands aid for disasters

Michigan can now receive assistance from other states during an in-state emergency or disaster under legislation signed by Gov.

Internships could be scarce

After experiencing one internship at Ford Motor Co., a second internship may be far from guaranteed for Bryce Roebke.“It’ll probably be much tougher to get one,” the mechanical engineering freshman said.

Womens center hosts variety of programs

The Women’s Resource Center is sponsoring various events throughout January on issues ranging from health to finances. Judy McQueen, educational program coordinator for the center, said it tries to provide a variety of topics for the public, including students, faculty and staff.

ASMSU seeks greater involvement in elections

With ASMSU elections about a month away, members of the elections steering committee are hoping to increase student participation.Steve Lovelace, Academic Assembly internal vice chairperson, said students should get involved with the elections to have an active voice in the undergraduate student government.“Joining ASMSU is a good way to learn outside of the classroom,” Lovelace said.

Study: Early admission policy may not be best for students

Early decision admissions policies have been called a great way for students to get into their colleges of choice - but some critics say early is not always better.Three Harvard University professors who recently completed a study on early decision said a greater number of students are applying earlier, and colleges have set lower standards for early applicants.The 2000 study of 14 selective colleges showed there was a slight admissions advantage to students who applied with early decision.