Couple awarded for aid to international studies

The East Lansing City Council discussed more than just plans for the city Tuesday, presenting the Citizens of the Year Award to Paul and Linda Roberts.The East Lansing couple was recommended as worthy recipients of the award by Stanley Wronski, president of the Greater Lansing United Nations Association.The award is given to the person or people every year who have contributed an outstanding accomplishment toward world peace and freedom.The Roberts have been avidly involved in international studies programs for MSU as well as cultural understanding and communication skills with other countries.Paul Roberts, who serves as the associate dean for international programs in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, has been with MSU and the MSU study abroad program since 1979.“Even though I am really honored to be presented with this award, I think there are many others who have done just as much if not more for the international program than I have,” Roberts said.Study abroad opportunities have expanded from one to more than 30 programs in the last 10 years since Paul Roberts started working in the program.

Police briefs 10/20/00

Can drive funds United Way

Holden Hall government and SYNERGY, a community service group, began collecting bottles and cans by the hundreds Thursday night to raise funds for the Capital Area United Way. The event is one of several efforts to increase MSU’s contribution to this year’s United Way campaign throughout campus.MSU has pledged to raise 10 percent of the campaign’s $6.9 million goal, which will benefit service-providing agencies in the Lansing area.A challenge among the residence halls to raise the most funds will continue through October.

EPA awards Lansing grant to redevelop polluted areas

Lansing’s Brownfield Redevelopment Authority received a $200,000 grant from the Environmental Protection Agency to identify contaminated properties in the city.The money will help the agency find contaminated sites within the city that can be developed with some environmental improvements, said Tracy Carney-Miller, a development specialist with the Economic Development Corporation.

Students let loose at Rumble

Respondents strutted in donning sunglasses and the petitioners danced out to the Caribbean beat of “Who Let the Dogs Out” by the Baha Men.The first annual MSU-Detroit College of Law Professor Moot Court Competition - The Rumble in the Jungle - proved to be oh-so-different from what law students are used to.The sold-out event, sponsored by The National Black Law Student Association, was held Wednesday night in the MSU-DCL Moot Court room.

U snags recognition for skillful alcohol educating

Years of effort in tackling campus drinking has finally paid off for MSU. The state officially recognized the university Thursday for its innovative approach to educating students about the effects of alcohol.State Rep.

Dinner program tantalizes taste buds

At the Culinary Construction Zone, the only tool students need is an appetite.This fall, University Housing has brought a traveling theme dinner to the residence hall cafeterias in which Residence Halls Food Service staff members construct meals in front of students.“It showcases the talent we have in the department that students don’t normally see,” Food Service Coordinator Bruce Haskell said.“We’re showing them what we can do and seeing if they like it.” The event will be presented at each residence hall cafeteria, with the last stop slated for April.

Disagreement over posting of evaluation forms continues

The debate over whether to post SIRS forms online continued Tuesday, as members of the University Committee on Academic Policy and ASMSU addressed concerns about the proposal at this week’s Faculty Council meeting.A plan to allow students access to a version of SIRS, or Student Instructional Rating System, forms online has been in the works since 1997.

Prices drop to clear out E. L. store

Jacobson’s department store is holding a storewide liquidation sale where everything must go. One week ago the new Jacobson’s opened in the Meridian Mall in Okemos, leaving behind a large surplus of office equipment and store fixtures at the old location, 333 E.

Police crack down on campus traffic violations

Crossing the street on campus may be getting a little safer.In response to concerns of students and other MSU community members about crosswalk and bicycle traffic safety, the MSU police department has stepped up enforcement on campus.“If the community is saying they’re concerned for their safety and that we need more enforcement at the crosswalks and intersections, we’re going to do that,” said MSU police Sgt.

Police briefs 10/19/00

Poll reveals candidates edge in race for two Board of Trustee seats

A recent poll of 500 likely voters shows well-known Republicans Scott Romney and Connie Binsfeld hold a slight advantage in the race for two seats on the MSU Board of Trustees.The poll, commissioned by the Lansing-based newsletter Inside Michigan Politics, showed Romney, a Detroit-based attorney and board incumbent, received 22 percent of the support.

Group says U lacks initiative

Culturas de las Razas Unidas, MSU’s Chicano and Latino student organization, released a statement Tuesday saying it isn’t seeking an apology from a fraternity that painted over the organization’s Hispanic Heritage Month display last month.Instead, CRU officials said fraternity pledges would have never painted over their display on the rock on Farm Lane if MSU administrators had done more to promote diversity on campus.The statement, agreed upon by a number of student groups represented by CRU, was announced at Tuesday night’s meeting by Marcelina Trevino-Savala, the university’s coordinator for Chicano and Latino student affairs.“We don’t expect an apology from the frat because we realize the university is not upholding their mission of educating on diversity, ” Trevino-Savala said.“Therefore we expect the university to start taking responsibility for these issues by educating the whole student body.”The statement comes three weeks after members of Movimiento Estudiantil Xicano de Aztlan, or MEXA, admitted to painting the words “racists” over Sigma Alpha Mu’s display on the rock.

U hosts environmental conference

The Society of Environmental Journalists hold their 10th annual conference in East Lansing this weekend, offering speakers and live tours of environmental landscapes and centers around the state. The conference, hosted by MSU, begins today at 7 a.m.

Healing center will relocate to new facility

LANSING - Because the needs of children grieving the loss of a parent or sibling are not often met as well they could be, officials at Ele’s Place are happy to be expanding to their own facility. The organization plans to move onto Sparrow Hospital’s St.

Skaters to compete, raise money

It’s time for Lansing-area skaters to showcase some of their skills. Skatefest 2000 is gearing up to roll through Lansing Oct.

Children return violent toys to promote safe schools

LANSING - As part of the statewide celebration of Safe Communities-Safe Schools Day, the Lansing Police Department and the Michigan Education Association collected more than 300 toys during Tuesday’s Violent Toy Buyback. Children were encouraged to bring in their violent toys in exchange for $10 gift certificates to be used toward the purchase of a new nonviolent toy. Items brought in ranged from action figures and violent movies to toy swords, squirt guns and archery sets. “We know we won’t be able to get every violent toy off the shelf, but we want to make people talk about what these toys mean,” said Lansing police Lt.

Father boosts reward in sons death investigation

It has been 17 days since Brandon D’Annunzio, a 24-year-old Livonia resident, was assaulted outside an East Lansing bar, and seven since he died at Lansing’s Sparrow Hospital. During a press conference at the East Lansing police station Tuesday, Brandon’s father, Dennis D’Annunzio, said the reward in the case has soared from the original $500 to $10,000, including a $500 donation from BW-3, 220 M.A.C.

Students hungry to help U meet needs with Food Bank

Few know there’s a place on campus for students with empty fridges and growling stomachs to go. The MSU Food Bank, a student-run volunteer organization, has been providing nourishment for needy students and their families since 1992. “Before the Food Bank, we had students who bought books over buying food,” said Leah Kropf, a kinesiology senior and organization president.

Girl escapes attempted abduction

An unidentified man attempted to abduct a 13-year-old East Lansing middle school student Monday.The student had just exited through the north doors of MacDonald Middle School, 1601 Burcham Drive, when she was approached by a white male in his late 20s, police said.