ASMSU office troubles frustrate students, staff

Students looking to get an ASMSU loan may wind up disappointed - at least for a while.The undergraduate student government currently does not have any full-time employees to oversee its business office operations, causing trouble for those who come seeking the $100 loans ASMSU provides.“It’s particularly frustrating when you have bills to pay and you depend on ASMSU to be there,” said Laura Utter, an English senior who stopped by the business office at 3 p.m.

Minorities can find help with FEAR

Students who were less than impressed with their fall semester grades may have been afraid of how their parents might react - but they might not have to face that fear again.FEAR, an annual conference sponsored by the Office of Minority Student Affairs, will take place Jan.

On-campus shelter seeks volunteers

By TYLER SIPE The State News More students are needed to help area residents in crisis this semester. MSU Safe Place, an on-campus domestic violence shelter, is looking for anyone who can volunteer two to four hours a week.

Lansing officials satisfied with candidate search

Lansing city officials were surprised and pleased with the amount of interest shown in two of the city’s open positions.The Lansing City Council reduced the candidate pool for a new Fourth Ward council member and city clerk from 16 applicants to six.

Reputable expert named director of U Food Safety Center

Beginning in March, MSU’s reputable food system studies center will gain an internationally known expert on foodborne disease.Ewen Todd has been named director of MSU’s National Food Safety and Toxicology Center.Todd has a long history of research accomplishments dealing with the risks and effects of toxins found in food such as E.

City project relocates long-standing merchants

For 30 years Gina’s Hallmark has sold gift paper, ribbons and bows at 301 E. Grand River Ave.But now, Pam Coughlin has packaged her store in boxes in an effort to make room for The City Center Project - a redevelopment city officials will use to help revitalize the downtown.Coughlin began to hear rumors three years ago that her store may be relocated, and a week and a half ago Hallmark employees began to move boxes to a new location at 539 E.

Cervical Health Month reminds women of the importance of pap smear tests

In efforts to promote awareness of women’s health, January has been designated National Cervical Health Month for the second consecutive year.To encourage health care providers to open their doors to women who have not had a Pap smear in over three years, Friday is designated as free Pap smear day by the coalition.“The announcement is made nationwide to try to encourage providers to promote it however, it is implemented on the local level,” Alan Kaye, executive director of the coalition said.The Pap smear is a test that is performed when there are changes of the cervix.

Students give time, help others

By BRANDI LEWANDOWSKI The State News Melissa Peele graduated in December with a little help from her fellow MSU students. “I’ve had numerous books read to me by other students and I’ve also called on them to help me research papers,” Peele said. Peele, who graduated with a bachelor’s degree in English, has been blind since she was four months old. When she became a student at MSU in 1994, she utilized a reading program provided by the Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities, 120 Bessey Hall.

Registrar hangs student artwork

Those visiting or waiting in line at the Registrar’s Office this semester can view some student-inspired creations. The oil canvas paintings of Greg Siler and Julia Warner, both master of fine arts graduate students, will hang in the Registrar’s Office, 150 Administration Building, for the duration of the spring semester.

U course adds worldly ways

MSU may be just a university to many students, but others have plans to explore its place in the universe.Nearly 100 students from a range of majors have enrolled in Social Science 290, section two, Our Place on Earth, a new course being offered for spring semester 2001.Unlike many science-based ecology courses focusing on environmental problems, this semester-long seminar concentrates on the social, psychological and spiritual aspects of humans’ relationship with the natural world.“What we are trying to do is get all of us to be more mindful of how we live on this earth in a way that makes it possible for us to share it with many life forms for many generations to come,” said Laura DeLind, a senior academic specialist in the Department of Anthropology, who helped organize the course.And the course emphasizes the demand for individual responsibility in the local community in particular, some say.“I don’t think we spend enough time thinking about where it is we live,” said Terry Link, another course organizer and director of the Office of Campus Sustainability.

Council appoints top seats

Louis Adado and Larry Meyer will lead the Lansing City Council in the new year after they were recently chosen to serve as president and vice president of Lansing’s city council.

Students plan to rally during Clinton visit

While many will join President Clinton today in supporting the MSU men’s basketball team at Breslin Student Events Center, others plan to show their support for another cause.A group of MSU students will organize a rally outside of the Breslin Center in support of Leonard Peltier, a leader of the American Indian Movement who was convicted of the murder of two FBI agents and sentenced to two consecutive life sentences.President Clinton has issued presidential pardons to 62 people during his final days in the White House.

Safe delivery law gives alternate option to new mothers

Michigan Lt. Gov. Dick Posthumus joined a group of Michigan lawmakers Monday in support of a new safe delivery law.The new law enables the parent of a newborn baby to surrender the child anonymously to a hospital, police or fire department.

Former Spartan cager donates to scholarship program for alma mater

Steve Smith’s 2,263 points may have solidified him as the second leading scorer in MSU men’s basketball history, but it has been his generosity off the court that may make the lasting impression. Smith, who graduated from MSU in 1991, announced during a Thursday press conference from Rose Sports Arena in Portland, Ore., that he would donate $600,000 toward scholarships for students at Detroit’s Pershing High School, his alma mater. Smith called the endowment a “gift of opportunity” - a gift that will send one student to MSU each year on a full academic scholarship. Initially, Smith, with his wife Millie, donated $2.5 million to MSU for use in building the Clara Bell Smith Student-Athlete Academic Center and established a scholarship fund for graduates of the high school in January 1997. Smith could not be reached for comment Monday. Pershing High School Principal Emeral Crosby said he was appreciative of Smith’s generosity the last four years. “(My first reaction) was one of great enthusiasm and gratitude that he remembered us,” Crosby said. And MSU President M.

Graduates may set sights beyond paying off loans

After commencement ceremonies, graduates often have goals to accomplish and dreams to fulfill.And according to Kaplan Inc. Vice President Trent Anderson, these goals and dreams often include impulse buying of cars and luxurious vacations that are not necessary and only create more debt.

Donations decrease during holiday season

The bell ringers were still enthusiastic and the kettles were the same shade of red, but the Lansing-area Salvation Army kettles ended up a little emptier this holiday season.

Two Michigan legislative seats to be filled by special election

Amid a flurry of political activity with new members moving into Congress and the state Legislature, a few political offices have yet to be filled.

Settlement forces Ford apology for faulty tires

By ED RONCO The State News When manufacturing engineering senior Jennifer Cody graduates in May she will be going to work for Ford Motor Co., but she doesn’t know if she would buy its product. A settlement involving both money and public disclosure of information was reached Monday in the case of Donna Bailey, a paralyzed woman seeking $100 million from Bridgestone/Firestone Inc. and Ford Motor Co. for injuries sustained in March. It would have been the first lawsuit of its kind to go to trial since Bridgestone/Firestone tires were first recalled last August. The settlement was announced by lawyers for Bailey and the two companies. Financial terms were not disclosed but according to attorneys for Bailey, the settlement calls for an acceptance of responsibility and an apology by Ford, and requires both Ford and Firestone to publicly disclose any additional information from the tire recall investigation. Ford representatives visited Bailey in her hospital room Sunday night and delivered the apology she had sought. “(The settlement) is enough to take care of her for the rest of her life,” said Mikal C.

Police briefs 01/09/01

Miller files suit to protect personal privacy

By ED RONCO The State News A new law requiring Michigan residents to submit their Social Security numbers when they renew their driver’s licenses is being challenged in a lawsuit filed Thursday by Secretary of State Candice Miller. States are required under the federal Welfare Reform Act approved by Congress in 1997 to collect Social Security numbers from licensed drivers to help track parents who fail to pay child support. Miller said the requirement, which took effect in October, violates the privacy of Michigan’s 6.9 million licensed drivers. “I will not sit idly by while residents’ privacy is invaded by an intrusive, ineffective and unfunded mandate,” Miller said. Michigan is the only state not complying with the requirement that took effect in October, said Pam Carte,r of the U.S.