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.

ASMSU approves funds to cover Angelou speech

ASMSU’s Student Assembly approved a bill to allocate $33,000 from the ASMSU investment account Thursday to cover speaking fees for g a nationally acclaimed poet to campus Maya Angelou, who is scheduled to speak on campus April 18.“This is phenomenal,” said Melanie Olmsted, Student Assembly Women’s Council representative.

Graduate union seeks to collectively bargain

The Graduate Employees Union is one step closer to gaining collective bargaining power.Graduate assistants are set to vote in an election April 19 and 20 to determine whether they wish to be represented by a collective bargaining unit.“We’re very excited,” said Amy Jones, a sociology graduate student and vice president of the union.

Police briefs 03/26/01

U hosts annual dairy show

The winner of the show beat out all 142 other contestants in appearance and quality, but she was left near speechless when asked what the victory meant to her.“Moo” was her only response.The MSU Pavilion for Agriculture and Livestock Education was filled with hundreds of people and just as many bails of hay for the Michigan Spring Dairy Show and Sale held Friday and Saturday.

Legislative bill denies custody to abusive parents

State Rep. Doug Hart, R-Rockford, introduced a bill Thursday that would create “rebuttable presumption” in custody cases involving perpetrators of domestic violence. “It makes sense that perpetrators of domestic violence should not have custody of their children,” Hart said in a written statement. Hart hopes the bill will increase the protection available to victims of domestic violence.