Talk reveals truth about race

The Lyman Briggs School has sought to clear the intersection between science and society, through its second annual lecture series. And John Vandermeer, a professor of biology at the University of Michigan, plans to reveal how race relates to biology in the third of five lectures in the series. The lecture, “How Great Our Sin: Biology and Race in the Western World,” will be presented at 7:30 p.m today in room C-106, Holmes Hall. “The whole ideology of biological differences amongst people has a long history in the development of our society,” Vandermeer said.

CATA chooses to raise bus fare by quarter

The Capital Area Transportation Authority Board decided unanimously Tuesday to raise the single-ride bus fare for students, senior citizens and people with disabilities from 25 cents to 50 cents.The increase will take effect a week before the start of the fall semester.Prices for student bus passes also will rise in 2002, with monthly pass prices moving from $12.50 to $14, semester passes from $40 to $45 and annual passes from $60 to $70.CATA Executive Director Sandy Draggoo said the board’s decision didn’t come as a surprise, following a year of heightened gas and insurance costs.“You don’t have any public transit system that covers all expenses,” she said.

Bush talks tax cuts

KALAMAZOO -President Bush spoke about revitalizing a slowing economy Tuesday on the campus of Western Michigan University - it was his first trip to Michigan as the nation’s chief executive. Bush outlined his economic goals of broad-based tax relief, paying down the national debt and ensuring the future of social security to business leaders, politicians and a handful of students that made-up roughly 1,000 people in attendance. The stop was the 16th on a national tax-cut tour aimed at gaining grassroots support for Bush’s economic plan, which he presented to a joint session of Congress last month.

Air Force offers new scholarship

The Air Force ROTC is offering a new one-year program designed to bring older recruits into the force. The program offers a scholarship of up to $15,000 per year and is open to graduate students and anyone able to earn at least a bachelor’s degree by September 2002. Psychology junior Melanie Shingledecker is planning to join the program.

City to discuss opening of public pool

The East Lansing City Council will discuss the operations for the city’s new Family Aquatic Center at today’s work session. Although representatives from the East Lansing Parks and Recreation Department will be making recommendations about entrance fees, council members will make the final decision. “I think that what they’ve presented us with is reasonable,” Mayor Pro Tem Beth Schwarze said.

New assistant prosecutor looks forward to doing what is fair and just

Ingham County’s new No. 2 prosecutor sees her job as something more than locking criminals up and throwing away the key.Instead, Joyce Draganchuk says she has a duty to do what is fair and just - whether that means pursuing life in prison or a plea to a lesser charge.“People think all the prosecutor wants to do is put everyone in jail,” said the 13-year veteran of the Ingham County Prosecutor’s Office.

Professor wins national award

Dana Stewart will be taking some time off from MSU next year, but she will be busy with a new role.Stewart, chairperson of the Department of Human Environment and Design, has been named an American Council on Education Fellow for 2001-02.As one of 33 fellows selected from a national competition, Stewart will spend a year studying her topic of choice - technology and online-based education.Stewart, who is also a professor in the College of Human Ecology, said she’s thrilled to be selected, but credits MSU for the honor.“This is not a personal victory for me,” she said.

ASMSU pushes for interaction with landlords

Despite an extended delay, ASMSU is continuing its push toward a more student-friendly relationship with East Lansing tenants. The undergraduate student government is of the opinion that city landlords ask student tenants to prematurely renew their leases.

Barbecue sauce licensed by U is one of best in town

Jerome Winston knows how to barbecue. Winston, a Lansing resident, has fed the likes of Muhammad Ali, Earvin “Magic” Johnson and men’s basketball head coach Tom Izzo.

Senate to discuss seat belt laws

Michigan lawmakers will be belting out ideas to encourage Michigan motorists to buckle up. The state Senate is scheduled this week to discuss bills that would increase penalties for those guilty of not using their safety belts.The bills would limit the number of passengers in a vehicle to the number of safety belts available, and would make a safety belt violation a two-point penalty on a person’s driver’s license.

Bush to make stop today in Michigan

President Bush will visit Michigan today for the first time while in office to give a speech on his economic plan at the campus of Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo.Bush is the first sitting president to visit Kalamazoo since 1911, when William Howard Taft served as president.“This is part of the president’s effort to build support for his economic agenda that includes tax relief, funding our priorities and paying down the national debt,” White House spokesman Scott Stanzel said.The stop will be Bush’s 16th appearance on his national tax-cut tour since addressing a joint session of Congress on Feb.

City budget may increase despite slowing economy

LANSING - Because of a slowing national economy, cities around Michigan may have to cut back on their spending budgets - but not Lansing. Lansing Mayor David Hollister proposed a $102.5 million budget plan Monday for fiscal year 2001-02 - a 3.1 percent increase from last year’s budget - to the Lansing City Council. “We were able to avoid cutbacks,” Hollister said.

Assistant vice president gains science honor for work in federal-university relations

Scientists aren’t the only ones winning science awards these days.In recognition for his accomplishments in enhancing federal-university relations, Howard Gobstein has been named a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.Gobstein, the assistant vice president and director of federal relations for MSU in Washington ,D.C., is pleased with his accomplishment.“It’s an incredible joy to receive this honor,” he said.

Police briefs 03/27/01

Real World talks sex

The Union Ballroom will offer a taste of sex and New Orleans on Friday night. Danny Roberts and Melissa Howard, from the MTV show “The Real World” New Orleans, will join MSU sex and relationship experts. Sex In the Real World, a Loveline-style event, will be held from 9 p.m.

Study says greeks drink less alcohol after graduation

Although studies suggest members of fraternities and sororities may drink more frequently and more heavily than most college students, researchers say greeks are not more likely to use alcohol after graduation.The study, conducted by researchers at the University of Missouri-Columbia, questions what leads greeks to drink more in college.

Museum displays Indian artifacts

Jesse Killingbeck came across the state from his hometown of Conklin, Mich., to visit East Lansing, but left with knowledge about a country across the world.

Group looks at effect of social norm programs

A growing number of campuses are telling students that their peers drink more responsibly than they may think, but little information is available to show if such efforts result in safer drinking practices.But a Massachusetts-based education policy group is collecting data from 34 colleges nationwide to prove such campaigns - known as social norms programs - lead to more responsible drinking by college students.“To date the effectiveness has been largely anecdotal,” said Helen Stubbs, a spokeswoman for the Education Development Center Inc. “Certainly it’s been shown to work on some campuses.”Studies show most students think other students drink heavily, when in reality most abstain or drink moderately, Stubbs said.

Speaker raises African issues, perspectives

Social, political and economic difficulties in African countries will not improve until the issues receive support from the world community, said Leonard Robinson, president and chief executive officer of the National Summit on Africa.“We live in a time of global interdependence and Africa cannot make it alone,” he said.

Graduates display artwork

Lamont Clegg thinks the art by four graduate students in Kresge Art Museum is amazing.“I really think these four students are really talented and I think they can make it as professional artists,” the museum’s spokesman said.