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MSU

Trustees challenge helps upgrade Madison library

Renovations to the library in James Madison College had Haley Sinclair saying the room may now be the most attractive place to study in Case Hall.A challenge issued by MSU Trustee David Porteous raised funds for $140,000 worth of library improvements.

MSU

Economics majors have new home; department moves

The Department of Economics has a new address. And students who wish to pursue their degree in the subject can take a new route.The department, which was formerly part of the Eli Broad College of Business, is now part of the College of Social Science.Charles Ballard, an economics professor, has been instrumental in “hammering the nuts and bolts out of the new curriculum.”“In terms of the curriculum, it changes things a little bit,” he said.

MICHIGAN

Tobacco settlement spending challenged

Michigan Attorney General Jennifer Granholm is calling on the state Legislature to re-examine its priorities in appropriating Michigan’s share of the $206 billion national tobacco settlement.Granholm hosted Mississippi Attorney General Mike Moore, who led lawsuit efforts against the tobacco companies in 1994, for meetings with MSU students and state leaders Thursday.

MSU

President to have final approval in extraordinary circumstances

A resolution regarding surveillance of student groups by MSU police is expected to come to a vote at today’s Board of Trustees meeting. The resolution was created based on a report from an independent panel investigating the placement of an undercover officer into United Students Against Sweatshops, now called Students for Economic Justice, beginning Feb.

MSU

Students distribute patriotic ribbons

Green and white took a second on campus when yellow began taking over last week.Students, faculty, staff members and their cars have been donning yellow ribbons since they were passed out by a group of three MSU students early last Friday.Kristen DeJardine, Sarah Palmer and Amber Johnson wanted to show their support for America and their grief for the lost lives.

MSU

Web site a forum for discussion

Students are getting a chance to point and click their way to the MSU police.The Web site created for the Task Force on Student-Police Relations, www.taskforce.msu.edu, features a forum for discussion about student and police issues, as well as an area to e-mail ideas, suggestions or complaints to administrators.“You can see that there’s two ways you can make your voice heard,” said Deb Pozega Osburn, director of Media Communications.

MSU

Teach-in hopes to educate U about terrorist tragedy

Citizens for a Peaceful Response, a group founded Sept. 11, is holding a teach-in to challenge racial myths, discuss alternatives to war and begin a public discussion regarding an appropriate response to the terrorist attacks on the United States. The event will be held at 6 p.m.

MICHIGAN

Election task force calls for better training

The Michigan Task Force on Voting Reform, led by state Sen. Dianne Byrum, released a report Wednesday saying elections can be improved by increasing training and accessibility.After more than 30 hours of testimony were given at six meetings in the last six months, the 18-member, bipartisan task force released the report, “Voting Reform: A Report of the People,” which included recommendations for the state on how to reform elections.“I am very excited about these findings,” Byrum said.

MICHIGAN

Faculty members serve governor, environment

Two MSU staff members will once again be voicing their opinions on Michigan’s environment.David Long, professor of aqueous and environmental geo-chemistry, and Lawrence Fischer, director of the Institute for Environmental Toxicology, were reappointed to positions on the Michigan Environmental Science Board by Gov.

MSU

Students pack Union forum to learn more on Muslim faith

Paulette Granberry Russell knows the events of the last week have affected almost everyone she knows.She knew it had affected her 6-year-old son when he woke up one night with nightmares about being lost on a plane.And the senior adviser to the president for diversity knows it has negatively affected the MSU campus when she reads e-mail from Muslim students who are being harassed because of a perceived connection between the Islamic religion and Osama bin Laden, the man suspected of engineering the terrorist attacks in New York City and Washington.In an effort to educate students about Islam and break stereotypes about Muslim students, the Muslim Students’ Association hosted an Open Unity Forum Wednesday night.“I can’t express the extent of the (impact of the) events in my life,” Granberry Russell said.

MICHIGAN

Councilmember plans benefit breakfast for United Way fund

When East Lansing City Councilmember Bev Baten saw a group of children on the news come out of their school to cheer the firefighters in the station across the street, she realized it was important for East Lansing to honor its emergency workers. Planning is underway for “Breakfast for America,” a pancake breakfast to benefit the New York City United Way September 11 Fund and to showcase local rescue workers. The event will be held from 9 a.m.

MICHIGAN

State Senate brings U closer to tax credit refund

The state Senate voted Wednesday to repeal Michigan’s Tuition Tax Credit, bringing MSU students a step closer to rebates, refunds and reductions of tuition.The Senate voted 21-14 in favor of eliminating the tax credit, which served as an incentive for institutions to keep tuition increases below the rate of inflation.