Greeks aid the blind in week of fun events

Delta Gamma sorority’s Anchor Splash philanthropy event culminated on Saturday in the pool at IM-Sports West as the greek system made waves to aid the blind. During the weeklong event, 20 fraternities competed in an array of activities, such as lip-synching and synchronized swimming, to benefit the Delta Gamma national philanthropy foundation, Aid to the Blind. Colleen Booza, the Delta Gamma coordinator of Anchor Splash, said outstanding fraternity participation made this year’s event one of the more memorable in recent years. “Seeing (the events) all come together was the most rewarding part,” the criminal justice sophomore said.

U celebrates Global Festival

The Union swelled with families, Girl Scout troops, community members and students Sunday, as they sampled a chunk of MSU’s cultural pie at Global Festival 2000.The event showcased information and traditions of 24 countries and three regional groups with performances, exhibits and hands-on activities in an attempt to represent MSU’s international population, which is nearly 2,800 students deep.“This event promotes international awareness,” said communication junior Valentina Halimin, a master of ceremonies for the festival’s performance section.

Students offer holiday cheer and food to the hungry

It’s never too early to start spreading holiday cheer. At least, that’s the attitude at Shaw Hall.Members of the hall’s senate and black caucus along with Kahlil Wasson, the dorm’s community policing officer, are distributing food baskets and canned foods today to five campus families to make their Thanksgiving holiday brighter.“Feeding hungry people, especially around the holidays, is always important,” said Cheryl Allie, vice president of the senate and co-organizer of the can drive.

DCL debates elections effects on courts

That the United States still doesn’t have a president-elect is not news. Little has changed in the past week.But what effects the new president - when elected - will have on the state and national courts remains to be seen.

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U unites for United Way campaign, exceeds expectations of $600,000

They asked for $600,000.They did $1,000 better.The MSU community raised more than it had planned to collect for the Capital Area United Way, officials announced Thursday morning. “It highlights the fact that we have a community here that is very supportive of efforts like the United Way,” said Angela Brown, director of University Housing.The two-month campaign came to a close Monday, and the university’s Community Charitable Campaign exceeded its goal with help from residence halls, student organizations, retirees and university staff members.The MSU campaign is one of several held in the Lansing area, and all are helping to fund nearly 70 service-providing agencies such as the American Red Cross, Habitat for Humanity and MSU Safe Place.Marylee Davis, coordinator of the MSU campaign, said she was very pleased with student efforts.“I saw that students were

Director dismisses E.L. voting problem rumors

Michigan’s elections director spoke at the state Capitol on Thursday dismissing rumors that likened voting problems in East Lansing to those in Florida .Chris Thomas dispelled the accusations made minutes earlier by Democrats who accused Republicans of disenfranchising voters.The press conferences came after newspapers around the state reported East Lansing students who had registered to vote were not allowed to cast ballots.Voters angered by their inability to vote have raised doubts about the accuracy of close elections and spurred talk of recount requests.

Student leaves for conference in The Hague

MSU will be represented in the Netherlands this week as a student environmental group sends one of its own to take a stance on global warming.Liisa Bergmann, the co-coordinator of ECO, will leave today for the Convention on Climate Change - a United Nations conference in The Hague.“I will represent ECO members and MSU students in demanding that the U.S.

Parade marks start of holiday season

To mark the beginning of the holiday season, Lansing will be hosting Silver Bells in the City tonight, a holiday event that includes an electric light parade, free entertainment and the lighting of the capital’s Christmas tree.The event began in 1985 with just a few luminaries and a community sing led by the Lansing mayor but has now grown to provide entertainment for an expected 40,000 to 50,000 people.“At the beginning of the event it was started as a way to promote downtown,” said Sue Mills, executive director of the Arts Council of Greater Lansing, which coordinates the event.

Panel discusses election

Sherman Garnett always wondered what a group of James Madison alumni and students would think and discuss if they were brought together.The dean of James Madison College got his wish Thursday.A panel of current students and politically active alumni came together to discuss the recent election and campaigns.“I thought it would be useful for us to talk about this experience, especially since most of this is local at this point,” Garnett said.James Madison alumni panelists included Adam Wright, who is state Sen.

Voter turnout hits projected state figures, E.L. votes rise

Amidst controversy and accusations of problems at the polls, voter turnout this year met standards many expected.In a written statement, Michigan Secretary of State Candice Miller said Michigan’s overall voter turnout was close to 62 percent.

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Lansings rep.-elect juggles church, state

Even though he’s moving to the Michigan Legislature, Michael Murphy says he will not forget about the parishioners at his church.Murphy attributes his Nov.

E.L. voting records sealed, recount closer

Republican Congressman-elect Mike Rogers is busy picking out an office in Washington, D.C., and electing new leadership for Congress.But his opponent for the 8th Congressional District seat, state Sen.

Sports-law symposium links athletes, attorneys

Mike Peplowski, a former MSU and NBA basketball star, remembered being skeptical of agents and lawyers when he went professional.And while his experience was positive, he admits he’s heard his share of horror stories.Peplowski came to campus Tuesday along with Howard Soifer - an attorney who represents former Spartans and current NBA stars Mateen Cleaves and Steve Smith - in an attempt for students to learn more about the relationships between athletes, agents and attorneys.Their presence was part of the first annual Fall Symposium, which was sponsored by the Entertainment and Sports Law Society at the MSU-Detroit College of Law.

New minority affairs coordinator brings passion, campus knowledge

For the past 16 years, many students, faculty and administrators have known Murray Edwards as MSU’s coordinator of African American student affairs - until recently.Starting this fall, Edwards assumed the title of senior coordinator for the Office of Minority Student Affairs.

Grant makes cleaner cars

A grant awarded to the city of Lansing will aid in lowering air pollution and increasing the amount of alternative-fuel vehicles on the road.The $20,000 grant from the Michigan Department of Consumer and Industry Services was given to offer incentives to fleet owners for buying vehicles that use the alternative fuels.The city of Lansing’s Management Services Department applied for the grant.“We applied in the spring and they notified us in October we had received the grant,” said Liza Estlund Olson, chair of the Greater Lansing Clean Cities Coalition.

Event goes around the world for U

From India to Pakistan, Taiwan to Egypt, visitors can explore Global Festival 2000 on Sunday at the Union. Students from dozens of countries will share their cultures.

Top designer agrees to create new skate parks

Two skate parks near East Lansing will be designed by one of the top designers in the field, despite the facilities not receiving funding from the city.Ranney Park and Benjamin Davis Park in Lansing were picked for the projects - the parks border several East Lansing neighborhoods, and Ranney Park borders the Frandor Shopping Center.The clear visibility, bathroom facilities and space were some of the deciding factors in determining the location of the skate parks, said Tim McCaffrey, director of East Lansing Parks and Recreation Facilities.“There is a great interest among the youth in East Lansing and Lansing,” McCaffrey said.