RHA awards outsanding dorms

Winners of the 2000-01 Residence Halls Association Hall Awards were presented at Wednesday night’s RHA meeting.The awards were presented to Bailey Hall, Hubbard Hall and Shaw Hall Black Caucus for good representation of residents and constituents.Hubbard Hall received the Large Hall of the Year award for its success in providing many programs and activities for its large number of residents.“This semester, we made it our goal to increase our overall involvement in the hall, and it’s really nice to be recognized,” Hubbard Hall RHA representative Derek Young said.A recent program, dubbed “Better Homes in Hubbard,” gave students gift certificates for the best themes of dorm rooms.

Greeks to learn dangers of alcohol abuse

Order of Omega co-president Michael Pirret said the greek system tends to have a bad reputation when it comes to alcohol-related problems. The order, a national greek honor society, is sponsoring Cindy McCue’s visit to campus in an attempt to stop alcohol problems before they start.

Years second on-campus sexual assault reported

A 21-year-old female student told police an unknown man fondled her and knocked her to the ground while she was running near Wells Hall.The student had been running along the Red Cedar River at about 11:45 p.m.

ASMSU hopes to inspire U voters

When discussing student voter turnout in recent ASMSU elections, Nimri Niemchak has only one statement.“It sucks,” the ASMSU chief of staff said.Niemchak, along with other members of the university’s undergraduate student government, are beginning an initiative to improve upon the 2.2 percent, just under 1,000 undergraduates, that voted in last year’s student government election.

U professor looks for natural alternative to combat insects

MSU Professor Gregg Howe knows there’s a lot more going on in plants than meets the eye. Howe, an assistant professor of biochemistry and molecular biology, is researching a project to use plants’ own defense mechanisms as pesticides. “We study plant defense systems,” Howe said.

Police briefs 01/31/01

Professor works to find source of E. coli

Dr. John Kaneene is working with MSU and Ingham and Livingston counties to determine the source of E.

New scholarship to assist at-risk students

Social work junior Kristin Heinrich has a chance to provide hope to 500 area seventh graders by being a mentor this fall as part of a new scholarship program.The program, Helping Other People Excel, or HOPE, provides Lansing students with two years of free education at Lansing Community College after completing high school graduation.The scholarships aim to aid students identified as at-risk students by educators.

Film explores gender roles

A film that sparked controversy after its premiere in London is now on its way to MSU. “Kadosh,” a film depicting life in an Orthodox Jewish neighborhood of Jerusalem, will be presented at 7 p.m.

State Senate ponders raise

If the Michigan senators sit on their hands today, they’ll get an extra $20,000 in their salary.The 36 percent salary boost will go into effect Thursday if the state Senate decides not to bring the issue to vote.

Celebrity to open events

Kevin Powell, author, poet and original cast member of MTV’s “The Real World,” will inaugurate MSU’s Black History Month celebration today at 7 p.m. Black Student Alliance President Tonya Upthegrove said the group decided to invite Powell because he will bring a perspective to Black History Month that students can identify with. “He has the ability to address issues that are relevant to our generation,” the communication senior said.

Women sought for clinical research

Fifty women from MSU are being sought to participate in a health study that aims to give women more information about the products they use. Judy Leventhal, project director of the Daily Activities and Infection Study, said this program will concentrate on the effects of vaginal douching. “Some doctors recommend douching for certain women, other doctors say there are negative effects, and then women have their own feelings,” Leventhal said.

Clean up begins in Lansing

LANSING - The Michigan Office of Special Environmental Projects is getting out its brooms to clean up a contaminated site.The effort is part of the environmental office’s project to clean up 17 newly discovered contaminated sites in Michigan.Lansing’s Brownfield Redevelopment Board approved Tuesday at its annual meeting roughly $1.9 million in state funds so that the environmental office could clean up the sites.The State Sites Cleanup Program, which began in 1996 after receiving $30 million from the state Legislature, has been cleaning up 142 state sites.“It’s very difficult for us as a state entity to require other people to clean up their sites when we weren’t cleaning up ours,” said Keith Harrison, director of the environmental office.

Schulers hosts U signing

MSU English professor and writer W.S. Penn will read from and sign two books Wednesday at Schuler Books, 2075 W.

Public forum to discuss why Gore lost presidency

Although many in the nation may believe Al Gore was robbed, a forum will take place this week to try to prove it. Brian Kalt, a professor at MSU-Detroit College of Law, will present a discussion forum entitled “Al Gore Was Robbed ... By His Lawyers” on Thursday. The event, hosted by the Federalist Society, a DCL student organization, will take place at 7:30 p.m.

Library tightens security after theft of books

Next to bookworms, it’s perhaps a librarian’s worst nightmare.In July, an assistant came to Kathleen Weessies with an empty hardcover case.

U college endorses Detroit doctor for prospective dean

A Detroit-area doctor may be the next person to head MSU’s College of Human Medicine.The recommendation for the new dean of the college was presented to the MSU Board of Trustees and will be voted on at its next meeting Feb.

Olin offers chance to drive drunk

Imagine getting in the driver’s seat after three beers - and driving into oncoming traffic.Smart Drive’s new “Remediation and Education Program for Driving Under the Influence” gives drivers that chance - virtually.

Police briefs 01/30/01

Eighth-annual Dia de la Mujer recognizes Latina activists

El Dia de la Mujer, an annual conference sponsored by the Office of Minority Student Affairs, will return to campus Feb.