WEB EXTRA: Students auction dates to support Make-A-Wish

The summer before her senior year of high school, Melissa Cousino was told by doctors she had brain cancer. Three hours and an MRI later, a relieving discovery was made —the diagnosis was premature — and she actually had a less threatening disorder called neurocardiogenic syncope. Cousino said her scare shed some light on the traumatic effects cancer can have on patients and families. "For a few short hours I realized the devastation that people go through," she said. Her false diagnosis prompted her to get involved to help those who are experiencing the effects of cancer, she said. Now Cousino, a psychology junior at MSU, is the president of MSU Stars for Make-A-Wish Foundation.

MSU honored for improving traffic safety

MSU received an award this month for its construction developments that cut down on traffic accidents by 62 percent in the last 11 years. The Governor's Traffic Safety Advisory Commission honored the university with the Richard H.

Students to discuss own research

MSU's annual undergraduate student conference about Latin America and the Caribbean begins Wednesday with a 3 p.m.

Graduate students surveyed

So, you're a graduate student at MSU. Do you think your college is preparing you well enough for life after graduation?

City recognizes greek fundraising

The East Lansing City Council acknowledged Tuesday the accomplishments of the MSU greek community during Greek Week 2007. The annual event, during which 2,900 members of MSU fraternities and sororities raise funds for various charities, drew in $220,000 — about $60,000 more than last year. More than $190,000 of the total will go specifically toward the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life.

Building community strength

An instructor's voice echoes across the room. Out loud, he counts slowly from one to 11. His commands resonate with meaning, and with each number, 15 children jump into different Tae Kwon Do positions. Their smiling parents, mostly immigrants, watched the scene from a row of chairs lining a wall in the Wilson Hall basement room. "You can see the passion in their faces," said Miriam Patel, as her 8-year-old son, Nabeel Vali, executed the martial arts moves.

Horse show's judges offer advice

For some Michigan 4-Hers, Sunday offered a chance to get advice on their horsemanship skills without the typical pressures of competition. Participants in the 4-H Hairy Horse Clinic at the Pavilion for Agriculture and Livestock Education were given the opportunity to perform with their horses and be critiqued by Michigan's 4-H Club judges, who donated their time.

Police briefs 03/26/07

Tax plan denied, state's deficit remains issue

Gov. Jennifer Granholm's service tax plan was rejected Thursday by the state's Republican-controlled Senate. According to the Michigan Department of Treasury, the plan would have generated about $1.5 billion in revenue, while taxing about 132 services. They included transportation, businesses and personal services — such as barber shops, health clubs and dry cleaners. People don't want to pay more for services — it's that simple, economics freshman Joe Opiela said. "People would be more apt not to use those services," he said.

RHA meets, elects vice president

The MSU Residence Halls Association general assembly elected its vice president for the 38th session at its meeting held Wednesday night. Chris Wickman, who has been with RHA since his freshman year, was elected by a majority vote.

Uniting communities

Lansing — Local government leaders are aiming to improve the economy and landscape of Michigan Avenue throughout the next decade with a partnership announced Thursday. The Corridor Improvement Authority unites East Lansing, Lansing Township and Lansing in an effort to strengthen the avenue's stretch from the Capitol to MSU. The authority's goals include beautifying the streetscape, strengthening the roadway and utility systems and drawing more innovative business to the region, East Lansing Mayor Sam Singh said. "The days of looking at our communities as separate are over," Singh said.

Police briefs 03/23/07

Greek councils enforce grade-report policy

MSU's Interfraternity and Panhellenic Councils are enforcing a policy that reviews the academic skills of MSU's greek community to showcase the stronger chapters and provide motivation for the struggling houses. Every semester, the two councils send every greek chapter grade cards to fill out, and the information is collected and put into a comprehensive grade report.

Police briefs 03/23/07

Portuguese film shows soldier's life

The Portuguese-language film "O Her-i" will be shown at 5:30 p.m. today in Room 206 Old Horticulture Building. The film, presented as part of the weekly Romance Language Film Series, is about a soldier who fought for the Angolan army for 20 years.

Under-25 health care costs grow

People under the age of 25 spent 50 percent more money on health care in 2005 than they did a decade earlier, according to a U.S Department of Labor report released last month. The 2005 Consumer Expenditures survey reported that the average household headed by someone 25 or younger spent about $704 in 2005, the most recent year for which data was gathered. In 1995, that number was $466. The survey defines health care spending as prescription and nonprescription drugs, vitamins, health insurance and medical supplies. The national sample is taken from about 8.5 million consumers under 25 from the U.S.

Changing restriction

By the end of his sophomore year at East Lansing High School, Charlie Kroom had run out of math classes to take, so he kept moving to the next level — MSU. Last semester, Kroom enrolled in a 200-level multivariable calculus class.

Police briefs 03/22/07

Speech to focus on gender stereotypes

Michael Messner will speak about gender issues from 6-8 p.m. today in Parlor C of the Union. Messner is a professor of sociology and the sociology department chairman at the University of Southern California.

WEB EXTRA: Club to host reptile open house

The MSU Herpetology Club presents "Snakes on a Campus," which will take place from 6:30-9 p.m.