Experience key in contestants bid for title

This is the third in a five-part series profiling the contestants of the Mr. Black MSU pageant. Something is missing at MSU, said Jelani Still, the Black Student Alliance representative for Rather Hall Black Caucus. “There’s more leaders needed in the black community to take a stand and make things happen for the good of the community,” the urban planning and geography freshman said. And if Still becomes the next Mr. Black MSU on Saturday, he said he plans to help fill the void. The Mr. Black MSU pageant, sponsored by Black Student Alliance, profiles black male undergraduates who stand out academically through their student leadership on and off campus. Marketing senior DeAndre Carter, founder and president of DCI Motivational Services, a motivational speaking business, was crowned the first Mr. Black MSU last year. Carter’s active role on campus during his reign provided Still with inspiration for the moment he will compete for the title, he said. “I thought to myself ‘this brother is really active,” Still said.

Police briefs 03/14/01

Local students focus on safety

LANSING - Lansing-area high school students voiced concerns about school safety to a panel of state House Democrats on Tuesday at Everett High School, the site of a 1978 school shooting.Vince Villegas, an Eastern High School senior, 220 Pennsylvania Ave., in Lansing, said the first step to preventing school violence is making counselors available.“The average student would have to put in a request to see their counselors and wait about a week,” Villegas said.

New predator colonizes Midwest crops

MSU insect specialists are taking to the fields to research the effects of a new plant predator - the soybean aphid.“The aphid migrated here from Asia and was first detected in Wisconsin last July,” said Christina DiFonzo, an assistant professor of entomology.

Law experts discuss North American electoral systems

Law professors from the United States, Canada, and Mexico gathered at MSU-Detroit College of Law on Monday to compare electoral systems between the three countries.Gregory Tardi, professor of law at McGill University in Montreal, said the event offered insight not found anywhere else.“As a Canadian, I want to know why things happen in the U.S.,” he said.

Proposed legislation fights hate crimes

A group of legislators and activists joined together Monday morning to introduce new legislation that may help combat hate crimes and discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered people.“Right now, people can be punished for hate crimes performed for ethnic or racial reasons, but not for sexual orientation,” said state Rep.

Web site allows U to view council meetings

The city of East Lansing is plugged in, logged on and waiting for the e-mail to pour in. With the help of MSU Broadcasting Services, every East Lansing City Council meeting will be digitized and available to listen to and view on a new Web site - giving students and residents another way to watch officials in action. “It’s designed to be one of the many ways East Lansing and the university cooperate,” project coordinator Donald Weinshank said.

Graduate students seek Pilot e-mail privacy by limiting outside access

Sam Howerton is hoping to offer more privacy to graduate students.Howerton, president of the Council of Graduate Students, is seeking to limit access to the MSU Web site’s Pilot e-mail directory, permitting access only to registered Pilot users.The move comes after Howerton received several complaints from constituents about excessive advertisements and solicitations in their Pilot e-mail boxes.“We get spam for all sorts of businesses that seem to have nothing to do with graduate student life,” he said.

DCL symposium to review labor laws

Northwest Airlines mechanics gathered in front of the White House on Monday protesting President Bush’s intervention in contract talks between their union and the Minnesota-based airline. Now, one day later, attorneys and high-ranking labor officials will take part in a labor law symposium on the MSU campus. The symposium, sponsored by the Law Review of MSU-Detroit College of Law, will be held at 7 p.m.

Council members to continue talks on height limits

The East Lansing City Council will continue discussion of an ordinance that could change the maximum height allowed for city buildings at tonight’s work session.

Pageant contestant hopes to raise activism

This is the second in a five-part series profiling the contestants of the Mr. Black MSU pageant. DeJuan Lever originally had no plans of running for the title of Mr. Black MSU on Saturday.

Cities push for state fire funds

As high-rise buildings spring up on college campuses across the state, concerns about fire safety and funding for fire protection are growing just as high.“When you have a high-rise, it can be a problem,” East Lansing firefighter Troy Brya said.

Women honored at Lansing hall of fame

LANSING - Melanie Olmsted believes with March being National Women’s History Month, every woman should take time to reflect on her accomplishments. “A lot of times women are put at the bottom of the totem pole in society,” the international studies and political science junior said.

ASMSU proposes cutting sweatshop ties

In response to concerns voiced by Students for Economic Justice and other MSU students, ASMSU is considering a measure this week asking the MSU Board of Trustees to cut ties with the Fair Labor Association, and join the Worker Rights Consortium.“The fact of the matter is that students want Michigan State to join the WRC,” said Matt Weingarden, the Council of Students With Disabilities representative for the ASMSU Student Assembly.

U maintenance cleans grounds during break

While MSU students were away, the grounds crew definitely did not play.Gary Parrott, MSU Grounds Maintenance manager, said although the absence of students did not increase workloads, grounds crews had their hands full during spring break week.“The crews do have work to do,” he said.

Student addresses ecstasy myths

Angela Massingill knows there is a common perception that most college students use the drug ecstasy; but she’s working to change that.“Media exposure given to the drug has led to a popular misperception that everyone is doing it,” the human biology senior said.

Engler establishes March as GHB Awareness Month

Gov. John Engler declared March as GHB awareness month in Michigan last week. The move is aided by the Michigan Department of Community Health, The Michigan Women’s Commission and the Samantha Reid Foundation.

Mr. Black MSU candidate to promote unity

This is the first in a five-part series profiling the contestants of the Mr. Black MSU pageant. Jason McGhee said Mr. Black MSU has an important function in the black student community. “He’s a leader and a role model to the black community - someone people look up to and respect,” the studio art junior said. McGhee, a minority aide in Holmes Hall, said he hopes to take on those duties by gaining the title Saturday. The Mr. Black MSU pageant, sponsored by Black Student Alliance, profiles black male undergraduates who stand out academically, through their student leadership on and off campus. Marketing senior DeAndre Carter, founder and president of DCI Motivational Services, a motivational speaking business, was crowned the first Mr. Black MSU last year. BSA President Tonya Upthegrove said the event recognizes students making a difference in MSU’s black community. “We want to dispel the myth of this being a beauty pageant,” the communication senior said.

Legislature redraws districts

Michigan legislators are beginning to look at redrafting the state’s political boundaries when Michigan’s new census figures are released next month.According to Michigan law, after every census is completed, the political districts must be examined by state lawmakers and adjusted to meet the needs of the population.

Increased sales make merchants optimistic

Cory Curtisis hoping once again his sumo wrestler clocks will pull their weight in sales.The owner of Cool Creations, 209 M.A.C Ave., said the novelty items, which are sumo wrestler figurines with working clocks attached on the front, are among some of the items that are selling.And according to The Michigan Retailers Association’s Michigan Retail Index released this week, getting that kind of weight off the shelves can be expected.The report predicted sales during the next three months will increase, which will be a pleasant change from the sales slump experienced in January.“I’m being optimistic,” Curtis said.