Ex-MSU star opens E.L. shop

Five years ago, Buffalo Sabres goaltender Ryan Miller was playing hockey in Rochester, N.Y., and came across Jason Snyder's clothing store, Men-tality. The two became friends after talking, and decided to team up to spread their love of fashion to East Lansing. Six months later on April 1, their plan was complete as they opened The Refinery, 115 Albert Ave. After three seasons of hockey as a Spartan from 1999 to 2002, Miller, 26, moved to the American Hockey League to be a part of the Rochester Americans.

U-M students arrested after protest

A dozen University of Michigan students were arrested Tuesday evening after taking over President Mary Sue Coleman's office, according to a U-M graduate student who visited them in jail. The students hadn't been formally charged with trespassing as of 7:45 p.m., more than an hour after their arrest. At 9 a.m., members of U-M's Sweatfree Coalition stormed the office, demanding that Coleman sign onto a program to ensure factories producing items with U-M's logo aren't sweatshops, said Neil Sardana, a graduate student in public policy and public health. Around 5:52 p.m., Blase Kearney, a political science sophomore who was arrested, told The State News in a phone interview that he could see three police vans from a window in the locked office, and that he wouldn't leave until administrators met the group's demands or he was arrested. The coalition wants U-M to adopt the Designated Suppliers Program, a list of about 300 "certified" factories around the world that provide fair wages and respect workers' rights. MSU, a member of the consortium, has not adopted the Designated Suppliers Program and Students for Economic Justice hasn't made that a major campaign issue this year.

U-M graduate to lead MSU group

It will be a homecoming of sorts for Lisa Kuuttila when she returns to Michigan from New Mexico as the new director for a university business organization for MSU students. In May, the Traverse City native will lead MSU Technologies, a new career-training opportunity for business students in commercializing science and technology created within the university.

Video highlights off-campus living issues

Rachelle Woodbury let out a deep sigh of relief after one of her premier projects debuted to East Lansing and MSU officials Monday afternoon. Since December, Woodbury, MSU's community-student liaison, has spearheaded a new program — www.offcampusliving.msu.edu — to help ease the transition for MSU students moving off campus for the first time. Information already is available on the Web site, but the official announced launch is Thursday.

Court rules stricter regulations needed

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled Monday in a 5-4 decision that the Environmental Protection Agency not only has the authority to regulate carbon dioxide emissions, but also that it has neglected to do so. Some critics say the EPA has skated around the global warming issue since the Bush administration came to power. "There is no denying the fact that President Bush has the worst environmental record ever," said Abby Rubley, field director for Environment Michigan.

Council probes renaming Abbott Road

A single "T" is enough for city officials to recommend the formation of a committee. The East Lansing City Council will decide on the creation of a committee to discuss the renaming of Abbott Road during the council's meeting at 7:30 p.m.

Proposed fall break furthers

A proposed two-day fall break is closer than ever to being approved by the university, but would probably not be in place by next school year. The break would allow students and faculty extra rest and help to relieve stress, Brandon Sethi said.

Forum to focus on promoting justice

The Midwest Social Forum will hold a discussion with Patrick Barrett at 7 p.m. April 11 at Everybody Reads bookstore, 2019 E.

Small fire reported in Hubbard Hall

A minor fire started Monday in a South Hubbard Hall trash compactor. The cause is under investigation, East Lansing Deputy Fire Chief Scot Wyman said. "That is something that MSU will have to investigate," he said. Preveterinary medicine freshman Megan Mulder said the South Hubbard Hall alarms went off around 5:30 p.m., and she smelled smoke from the 11th floor.

Athletes lip-sync for children's charity

MSU athletes will be hosting a lip-synching contest at 8 p.m. April 12 at Jenison Field House. All of the proceeds will be donated to the Children's Miracle Network. The rowing, football, basketball and track teams are just some of the groups who will be performing in the contest. There will be a raffle including donations from local businesses and athletic gear. Tickets are now on sale for $3 from any student athlete or at the Jenison Field House Box Office.

Fake IDs divulged

About 60 smiling faces hang behind the counter of André Mansour's Spartan Spirits. The "wall of shame" exhibits the manufactured fake IDs collected during the years. "Fake ID?

Police briefs 04/03/07

ASMSU lobbies in D.C. for education

ASMSU representatives converged on the nation's capital last Wednesday to rub elbows with politicians and give a voice to MSU students. Fifteen members of Student and Academic assemblies took a two-day trip to Washington, D.C., to lobby for increased funding for higher education, a hot topic this year in Michigan. "A lot of the people (politicians) see out here that aren't their age coming into their office are coming for tours," said Brandon Sethi, Academic Assembly chairperson for external affairs.

Future vet gets practice

Animal lovers got some hands-on experience this past weekend on how they can turn their passion into a career — veterinarian medicine. The MSU College of Veterinary Medicine held its Vet-a-Visit event Saturday to teach attendees about the life of a veterinarian and how to become one. Vet-a-Visit featured more than 30 exhibits and demonstrations, including a K-9 agility course, proper pet care, a stuffed animal hospital and an equine treadmill. Families roamed from one exhibit to the next, speaking with students, faculty and staff along the way. "My daughter, who is 14, is running around with her mother looking at the small animals now," Owosso resident Charles Dahl said.

Police briefs 04/02/07

Student awarded $30K scholarship

On March 16, Monica Mukerjee was called to the Board of Trustees office. What she expected was a follow-up interview after her nomination as a Truman Scholar. After she said, "I never thought I would make it this far," MSU President Lou Anna K.

E-mail sparks union debate

In one MSU staff union election this week, five incumbents were re-elected to its Executive Board — following a controversy surrounding an e-mail sent on the union's listserv. On March 15, Chairman of the Administrative-Professional Association, Leo Sell, sent a personal e-mail to members of the union he had "marginal connection" with — about 200 of the union's 1,700 members. Some union members who received the e-mail were upset because they could not respond or see other recipients of the message. The APA chapter at MSU is a middle-level union, largely for clerical and technical faculty. Among concerns of low voter turnout and reminders to return ballots, Sell wrote in the e-mail, "I am concerned about an attempt by way of the current ballot to replace current, experienced, diverse Executive Board members with people from a single unit, with a parochial interest and view, not to mention, NO experience in APA leadership or bargaining or otherwise. "Should they be successful in whole or in part, it will weaken our union." The union's current board has 11 women and two men.

Warmth brings ice cream

With the coming of warm weather and sunny days, the taste of an ice-cold, creamy substance titillating the tongues of East Lansing residents nostalgically returns. And the owners of Melting Moments, 313 E.

MSU student wins seat on Mich. group

A pair of MSU students ran for positions in a statewide group of collegiate Republicans on Saturday, but only one came out victorious. Jeff Wiggins and Steve Japinga, chairman and secretary of the MSU College Republicans, respectively, ran for yearlong positions with the Michigan Federation of College Republicans, or MFCR. The MFCR is an umbrella organization designed to interconnect groups of college Republicans across the state. Wiggins defeated Western Michigan's Megan Buwalda to win his race for co-chairman, while Japinga lost his race for chairman to University of Michigan's Justin Zatkoff. "He ran a great race, and I ran a great race," Japinga said of Zatkoff.

Fraternity volunteers to help community

By Jenna Ulicki For The State News For many MSU students, volunteering while in college is as important as academics. While the university runs a variety of community service programs, there also are other ways to get involved.