Colleges improve city relations with program

Although the entire student population of Washington & Jefferson College could live in Hubbard Hall, school officials have found that MSU and the Washington, Pa., college have a lot in common.Both schools, as well as the State University of New York at Geneseo and Franklin & Marshall College in Lancaster, Pa., have been working to teach each other how to improve relationships with the communities surrounding the schools through a collaborative program sponsored by the Knight Foundation and the Institute for Research on Higher Education at the University of Pennsylvania.The participants in the collaborative effort are meeting for the last time today in Philadelphia, where they hope to discuss how to implement the ideas and programs they saw while visiting each of the college campuses.“I think we’re in a better position to see what the common ground is,” said MSU zoology Professor Don Straney, an assistant to the provost and MSU’s coordinator for the collaborative.

Market instability causes investors to put their money elsewhere

Wall Street investors saw a bear awake from a long hibernation, as slowing growth, especially in technologies, has impacted the economy.The Dow Jones industrial average, the most widely used index to the New York Stock Exchange, slipped into bear market territory - a 20 percent decrease from a previous high - before a late Thursday rally and a strong day on Friday, which contributed to the market’s 9,505 points close.Thursday’s low of 9,107 was down roughly 22 percent from the market’s all-time high of 11,723 on Jan.

Students seek funds for authors visit

A group of students gathered in front of Student Services building Thursday to sing the praises of Maya Angelou.The students were advocating the approval of ASMSU funds, which would help bring the renowned author and poet to campus.“She is such a wonderful person and artist,” said Jen Taylor, a theater graduate student who was among the students participating in the rally.

COGS proposes tax hike, seeks support

In an election next week, the Council Of Graduate Students is asking its constituents to support an increase in taxes for the 2001-02 academic year. If passed, the tax would increase to $7.25 for the fall and spring semesters, up 50 cents from its current rate.

Scholarship aids former foster children

Former foster care children may find a foothold for their future through a new scholarship program at MSU. The Foster Care Youth Endowed Scholarship Program will provide assistance to a limited number of incoming freshmen who spent some part of their childhood in Michigan court-ordered foster care placement. Less than 10 percent of young people who leave foster care at age 18 attend college, said Gary Anderson, director of the School of Social Work, which is directing the program. “Increasingly the states are realizing that this is a population that we need to pay attention to because education is so crucial for their success,” he said.

Fraternity celebrates housing chairman

Professor James Rainey is going out with a bang.Rainey will be the guest of honor at a party thrown by the members of Alpha Kappa Psi from 4 p.m.

Residents grab petitions for race

Although an election for two seats on the East Lansing City Council isn’t until November, City Clerk Susan Donnell has had a busy week.Two candidates picked up petitions to run for two open East Lansing City Council seats late this week, bringing the total of possible candidates up to seven.Urban planning senior David Jirikovic also grabbed an application Monday.“We were kind of surprised that we have three in a row,” Donnell said.Donnell said it’s uncommon to have several candidates express interest during one week.Nicholas D’Isa, who stays at home with his two children, and Mark Van Remortel, a substitute teacher in the Lansing area, are the latest additions to the candidate pool.D’Isa, 34, has been a city resident for eight years.

E.L. program receives national accreditation

The East Lansing Recreation & Arts program has become the first organization in the state to receive accreditation from the Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies.The program had to meet 154 standards set by the national agency for its human resources, finance, facility safety, program and instructor quality and diversity.“We had a lot of stuff in place already,” Executive Director Jim Crisp said.

Monkey ear research helps understand human hearing

If a tree falls in the woods, would a monkey be able to hear it?Michael Harrison, a professor of physics and astronomy, presented a paper to the American Physical Society last week during its five-day meeting in Seattle that could help explain why monkeys don’t hear as well as humans.“I began to get interested in these problems when I realized the subject I was working on, the mechanics of vibration, had a good deal to do with the way hearing takes place in mammals,” Harrison said.

Bill to punish cell phone users

Lansing - Legislation calling for stronger penalties for motorists who use cellular phones during traffic violations is on hold - for now.A bill introduced by state Rep.

Legislation may expand deposit law

LANSING - Water, tea and fruit drinks will be the newest items included in Michigan’s 10-cent deposit law if new legislation is approved.State Rep.

Online training aids educational community

The State NewsStudents, faculty and staff at MSU who want to learn more about computers can clear up their confusion with access to more than 700 free online courses.MSU is just one of Michigan’s educational institutions that can utilize the Information Technology Training Initiative - a state-funded program intended to make computer training more widely available.Gov.

Professors research may help cure cancer

Sometimes the old saying is true - good things come in small packages.Robert Maleczka, an MSU professor of chemistry, has spent five years working on a project that could have a large impact for the future of cancer treatment and research.An all-natural compound was discovered by Jun’ichi Kobayashi, a professor at Hokkaido University in Sapporo, Japan, which could have far-reaching medicinal effects.

Chief prepares for duty

Roland Talifarro is quite nervous.When the 13-year-old walks into East Lansing High School this fall, he will be a new face in town - just like his dad, who’s the new face at the East Lansing Fire Department.Roland’s father, Randy Talifarro, was inducted into his new post as East Lansing’s fire chief this week, following 17 years of service with the Flint Fire Department.“I’m the only one in my family that’s nervous,” Roland said.

Demolition reveals E.L. past

As dust cleared from the corner of M.A.C. and Grand River Avenues, forgotten advertisements were unveiled sparking memories in the minds of East Lansing residents.Ads for Vernors ginger ale, Curious Book Shop, Michigan State College Supply and The Ink Pot were discovered on the side of the building that now houses the Curious Book Shop, 307 E.

Animals Day includes tours, fun

Small children will be visiting MSU’s small animals on April 28. The College of Agriculture and Natural Resources Student Senate is hosting its annual Small Animals Day on MSU farms. “It’s a day where the university farms open to the public to allow people to come in and see the animals,” animal science sophomore Lynn Voglsaid.

City assigns fraternity living conditions for breaking codes

Beta Theta Pi members will be knocking on neighbors’ doors every time they have a party, but not to extend an invitation.The chapter, 1148 E.

Police briefs 03/22/01

Intersex director visits U

Cheryl Chase, executive director of the Intersex Society of North America, will speak in the Minnesota Room of the MSU Union Thursday. The event, an effort to raise funds and awareness for the society, begins at 7:30 p.m. “The main issue of concern is trying to get past the point where intersex is treated as a shameful issue,” said a Lyman Briggs professor Alice Dreger.

ASMSU considers support for bill eliminating voter requirement

Although ASMSU’s election ends today, the undergraduate student government is working to remain involved in ensuring students vote.The ASMSU Student Assembly is considering a measure tonight which would give its support behind a proposed state House Bill to remove the law requiring voters to register 30 days before State of Michigan elections.