State improves in math

Although there may still be future problems to solve, educational leaders considered variables that have made Michigan measure up in math education on Monday.More than 150 professors, teachers and researchers from across the state attended The Complete Equation: The Michigan Mathematics Success Story, a convocation held at the Kellogg Center to celebrate a decade of K-12 math education improvement.Participants reflected on recent math reports including the Third International Mathematics and Science Study-Repeat, or TIMSS-R - a study allowing states and school districts to see how their math and science programs rank globally.Michigan eighth-graders performed best among the 13 states th make the nation more competitive internationally.

Panel meeting to discuss thoughts on infiltration

The three-member independent panel created to examine an MSU undercover police investigation of a campus activist group will hold its first public hearing Wednesday. The public is invited to address the panel at the meeting or in writing.

State senator faces decision about future

David Jaye may learn his fate today as his colleagues discuss his future in the state Senate. Jaye’s future as a senator has come into question after he was jailed April 12 in Florida on charges of assaulting his fiancée. Senate Majority Leader Dan DeGrow, R-Port Huron, who relieved Jaye of his committee assignments, will announce today his recommendation regarding Jaye’s most recent actions to the Republican senators at a caucus meeting.

Study focuses on patients

To doctors at the MSU Clinical Center, multiple sclerosis research isn’t all about tests and trials - it’s about the patients. Dr. Eric Eggenberger, an MSU associate professor of neurology and opthalmology, has worked throughout his career to find and use new treatments for the disease, but also to make it easier for those afflicted by MS. “Multiple sclerosis is a very common disease,” Eggenberger said.

ASMSU rejects proposal for editorial control of yearbook

Although another endeavor to get editorial control of the Red Cedar Log yearbook failed Thursday, Bryan Newland was not discouraged. Instead, the North American Indian Student Organization representative said he is pleased with the extensive discussion on the issue. Newland and Black Student Alliance representative Crystal Price introduced a bill that would have granted editorial power of the Red Cedar Log to the ASMSU Student Assembly.

On-campus parking tickets increase

Students dodging parking enforcers now have one more reason to not park illegally - it’ll cost them even more. The MSU Board of Trustees voted unanimously at its meeting Friday to accept the All University Traffic Committee’s recommendations to increase citations on campus. The rates will add $5 to existing fines for spaces with meters or faculty privileges.

Police briefs 04/23/01

McPherson, senators debate university funding

FLINT - MSU President M. Peter McPherson pleaded the university’s case for increased funding before the Senate Higher Education Apportions Subcommittee on Friday at the campus of the University of Michigan-Flint. McPherson cited rising costs of employee health insurance, increasing wages for faculty and the funding gap between MSU and the state’s other research-level schools, the University of Michigan and Wayne State University. State Sen.

Senator introduces bill to ban riverfront casinos

State Sen. Burton Leland, D-Detroit, introduced new legislation Thursday that would make it illegal for Detroit to place casinos on riverfront property along the Detroit River. “Detroit’s riverfront is a jewel, one that should not be squandered,” Leland said in a written statement.

Fraternity teeters up, down for charity

The well-trodden grass under a green and white tent pitched on Demonstration field was getting muddy by Saturday afternoon.But the rain that rolled over campus that morning wasn’t the challenge for the members of the Beta Sigma chapter of Phi Sigma Pi, who were constantly bobbing up and down from 3 p.m.

U clubs unite, put on Slavic festivities

Sergey Nesterenko found a little taste of home Saturday afternoon.The horticulture graduate student from Siberia was among the nearly 60 people who attended the MSU Slavic Festival, sponsored by the Russian, Polish and Ukrainian clubs.Nesternko, who has left behind family in Siberia to study at MSU, said being away from home is a difficult thing to do, whether you’re from another country or even another state.“I think for everybody, it’s really difficult,” he said.Alyona Yasnogorodsky, an international relations freshman and secretary of the Russian Club, said the organization and others like it offer comfort to people away from their native countries.“They get to see that they’re not alone in the community,” she said.Yasnogorodsky moved to the United States from Russia when she was 12.

Race raises money for Safe Place

Rain did not wash away the hopes of raising money for MSU Safe Place on Sunday.The sixth annual “Race for the Place,” an outdoor event at Spartan Stadium benefiting MSU Safe Place, raised $18,000.“The event went really well - well, except for the rain,” MSU Safe Place Director Holly Rosen said.

Community takes part in Earth Day events

LANSING - Local environmental enthusiasts joined together Saturday with events to celebrate the day before Earth Day. The Adopt a River Program took place during the weekend with more than 400 volunteers collecting at least one bag of garbage each from the Grand and Red Cedar rivers’ banks, program Director Jennifer Rostar said. “I was very happy with the dedication people had with coming out,” she said.

Democratic candidates speak at Jefferson Jackson dinner

DETROIT - A crowd of approximately 1,600 Democrats filled a banquet room here Saturday night to hear from all five 2002 Democratic gubernatorial candidates. The event, held at the Cobo Conference Center, was also highlighted by a keynote address by Georgia congressman and civil rights leader John Lewis. Lewis followed speeches by former Michigan Gov.

March empowers women

Women blocked off Linden Street on Friday night, and made sure no one would be allowed to get through, in an effort to create a place where they would feel safe.“We have the power, we have the right to take back the night,” about 100 women chanted as they walked through the streets of East Lansing for the Take Back The Night March, as part of Sexual Assault Awareness Month.The march started at Beaumont Tower and ended at East Lansing City Hall, 410 Abbott Road.Event coordinator Tamika Payne led the women with a megaphone, shouting their message for everyone to hear.“I am so amazed by the risks everyone is taking tonight to make sure our demands are heard,” the human biology senior said.

Group sponsors body painting contest

Members of the student club Aspire did not let rain and the lack of participants diminish their fun with a body painting contest Sunday.Although art history senior Mike Martin said the low turnout was disappointing, it gave club members got a chance to paint each other.“Body painting gave me a chance to just let loose,” the Aspire member said.

E.L. to reduce liquor licenses

Some East Lansing business owners and officials have little concern that a dropping population in the city will lead to fewer available liquor licenses.Because Census 2000 numbers indicate a population drop of more than 4,000 city residents, East Lansing’s seven available liquor licenses would be reduced to five.

Teams race for cancer research

The cheers resonating throughout Jenison Field House on Friday afternoon were for the students and community members of all ages who walked the opening lap of the Relay For Life to the tune “I Will Survive.”Wearing bright yellow shirts that read, “Had it.

Kids Fest educates, entertains area kids

You don’t usually see clowns in Demonstration Hall.But on Friday, the building that hosts MSU’s military science department played host to clowns, balloons, popcorn, games and 84 area third- and fourth-grade students as Phi Iota Alpha Fraternidad Inc. presented its first Kids Fest with the help of other student organizations.“This is our way of giving back to the community,” said marketing junior Claudio Juarez, a member of the Latino greek organization.

Polar trekkers endure cold, delays on way to North Pole

Polar Trek 2001 team members may have slipped up when they began their trip across the ice of the Arctic, but their progress toward the North Pole is well on its way.