Jordan River Forum

No laughing matter I really enjoyed listening to the people laughing at the suicide attempt outside Ballantine Hall last Monday. Stellar performance guys, I'm sure everybody was entertained. Despite how lightly they treated the situation, suicide and depression are both very serious problems with very serious consequences. Had it been a friend of yours, would you people (have been) standing around lampooning his or her injury or death? How about if they did this right in front of you? If you want to make fun of this kind of thing, have some damned decency and do so in private. Rory Starks
Senior Remember, someone cares As I read last Tuesday's front page, I thought to myself how sad it is to have nothing better to live for and try to commit suicide. I have lost two close friends by their own accord and nothing good has come of it. The only things that are left behind are questions and what-ifs. I am glad to see that the Indiana Daily Student put in a related article on getting help. Many students may not be aware that there is counseling available through the health center and we receive two free sessions a semester. With papers, projects and finals upon all us, consider the big picture. What is really bad enough to end your life? There is someone out there who cares about you. Please consider who you will affect by your actions. I hope that the young man lives and finds his happiness. Tisha Wilson
Senior Watch for depression If you know five or more people, you know someone who is living with depression or will develop it in their lifetime. It may even be you. It affects women twice as much as men, but men are more likely to succeed, rather than just attempt, suicide. In light of recent events and all past campus suicide attempts, I realized how important and life saving knowledge about depression can be. Depression is a curable medical illness if identified, acknowledged and treated. Many times college-aged students do not want to admit that what they are feeling is more serious than "just the blues." It isn't cool to feel like sitting at home all the time. And if everyone else is too busy to notice, it is very easy to hide the symptoms. Not sleeping well or too much, eating too much or too little, lack of ability to concentrate, lack of energy, no sex drive, easily agitated or irritable, negative thinking and hopelessness, crying for no reason, excessive guilt, and feelings of inadequacy are all symptoms of depression. Look out for them in those you care about and in yourself. Take some time to make sure your roommate isn't still bummed out two months after a break up, make sure your mom is getting out of the house and doing things she enjoys once in awhile, notice strangers who look overall "down" in your classes and make sure it doesn't last all semester. It is easy to ignore the person "who never wants to have fun" because it takes a lot of effort to encourage them, but you could be saving his/her life. And if you notice any of these symptoms lasting longer than a week or two in yourself, seek help. The Health Center has counselors that can help confidentially. For more information on depression in college, check out www.nimh.nih.gov/publicat/students.cfm. Thank you. Laura Pullen
Senior in Occupational Therapy Where was the negativity? April 22, the IDS printed three letters, all about the "disappointing" and "disturbing" story Tuesday regarding the Delta Tau Delta's recent philanthropy part and the false report given to the IUPD. I find it absolutely appalling that these people race to "clear" the name of the fraternity. "The Greek Community will begin to completely pull out of the IDS ..." Why did Sarah Sackman say this? I read the article. There was nothing at all that showed a negative spotlight on Delta. In fact, it showed more blame on the police and those who called to file the complaint in the first place. So, in essence, there's no reason for the Greeks to be upset about the article. However, why was there such a rush to proclaim innocence in a situation that doesn't need it? Jason Growe, president of Zeta Beta Tau, writes about how the article was written on "suspicions" and that "there is no story to report yet." Well, when will they report the story, Jason? I guess someone calling on fraternities and giving false reports isn't news. Am I to understand that because nothing was wrong, the police made the mistake, and no one really cared that three members of the Greek community feel it necessary to protect the system, even though it was never under attack in the first place, even enough to say that they would rather hear about the man who attempted suicide than print a simple little story about a fraternity being wronged? I'm confused. I have no problems with the Greek system at all, I just don't understand why these three individuals felt it necessary to blast the IDS with illogical arguments about why the article that really had nothing bad to say about Delta Tau was unwarranted. Sarah Sackman continues to say that "(it) took precedence over a man that attempted to take his life ..." So I guess in Sarah's mind, the paper could have changed its "top story" (though not headline) in TUESDAY'S paper at noon. I guess I missed the negative comments Tuesday, and only saw them Thursday. Adrian Bachnivsky
Sophomore Library study space to expand Dear Editors, We agree with your April 21 editorial that the Information Commons at the Main Library has been a great success. We want IU students to know that we are already engaged in planning for some of your suggestions. We are currently working with the IU Architect's Office to renovate the second floor of the West Tower to provide additional computer and study space. We expect this space to open in the fall semester. Additionally, a coffee bar with extended hours will open in the Main Library lobby this summer. Thank you for your suggestions. We hope you will continue to use and value the IC. Suzanne Thorin
University dean of libraries and associate
vice president for Digital Library Development Garland C. Elmore
Vice president for Teaching & Learning
Information Technologies, Office of the Vice
President for Information Technology Rape is a violent crime April 18 the bridge on Jordan between 10th and Law displayed a message for Sexual Assault Awareness month that read, "RAPE: If it's not consensual, it is a violent crime." The goal of this message was to draw attention to a preventable issue that causes devastation to members of our community daily. In fact, Middle Way House served five rape victims in the four days following the painting of the message. Their supportive services are needed because the men and women they serve have experienced a violent crime. In addition to broken bones, sexually transmitted diseases, internal injuries, pregnancy and the threat of death, many rape victims also experience post-traumatic stress responses that can include depression, inability to concentrate, eating disorders and suicide attempts. Witnessing the physical and emotional trauma a rape victim has experienced makes clear that their assault was violent. However, someone in our community changed the message on the bridge to read, "RAPE: If it's not consensual, it is NOT a violent crime." Perhaps if the person who wrote this listened to the personal stories of rape victims' assaults and continuous processes of recovery, they would realize that the original message was correct. They may also realize how harmful their message was to the rape victims who passed the bridge and saw a message that invalidated their violent criminal experience. It is unlikely that the person who painted over the message wanted to state that rape is acceptable or to purposely cause more pain to rape victims. Instead, the altering of the message is symptomatic of the culture we live in that not only does not attend to issues of violence against women, but encourages actions such as the graffiti on the bridge. The bridge has since been painted with other messages. However, the issue cannot disappear so easily. While space constraints prevent outlining these here, there are steps you can take to help change this culture. Please contact the Office of Women's Affairs and/or Middle Way House for more information on how you can contribute to efforts to decrease the incidence of sexual assault. Emily Fairchild
Graduate student and
on-scene advocate for Middle Way House An act for all womankind Saturday I took advantage of the opportunity to watch the 54th annual running of the Little 500. My first time at the race, I was exhilarated by the energy driving the riders and audience alike, and I watched breathlessly as the glistening, muscular legs pedaled expertly, each rider vying for a shot at victory. However, around the time the leaders marked lap 128, my attention was diverted and my day -- nay, my life as I know it -- changed faster than you can say "where's the john?" At first, I was sure the trickle of yellow liquid was a figment of my imagination, but after adjusting my contact lenses, I was certain there was no mistaking what I saw. Fellow spectators, there was an unsung hero among us that day: a young woman who ventured to fight against the inadequacies of women's public restrooms, to make a statement and effectively level the playing field with men, who have long enjoyed the freedom of relieving themselves whenever and wherever. This bold woman radiated as she defied all norms and slid down her jeans to pee to her heart's content on the cold, silver bleachers. Others caught wind of her brave action and looked on in disbelief. Emotion welled up inside of me as she zipped up her jeans and raised her fist triumphantly. At that moment, I too resolved never to suffer the inconvenience of a short walk or a moderately long line at the restroom. Katie, wherever you are, I would like to thank you for the valiant effort you made to break down barriers and show me and so many others that as women, we too have the right to take free reign over the earth with our urine. Females of Indiana University, make your statement the next time you feel the pressure in your bladder and the burden on your soul of having to seek out a toilet. Rise up ladies, or rather, squat down, and don't look back. Katie, in 10 years I may not remember who won the race that day; but neither I nor the Delta Tau Deltas will ever forget your dazzling victory. Naura M. Keiser
Junior Earth Day celebration hardly a success Last week, an article regarding the Earth Day celebration in Dunn Meadow suggested that, despite the adverse weather, the celebration was both well-planned and a great success. This "celebration" was supposed to include booths from different student organizations at IU. I am a member of the Grand Old Cause, a conservative activism group and planned on passing out information to students at the event. As part of an organization that was supposed to be represented at the celebration, I was appalled by both the inaccuracy of the article and the failure of the celebration itself. INPIRG's organization of this event was atrocious. GOC did not know where to set up our stand, whether or not we should wait for the other groups to arriv and, most importantly, where the representative from INPIRG was so that we could have our questions answered. Frustrated, GOC left Dunn Meadow shortly after the Circus Collective, the only other group in attendance, disbanded. I know the GOC was looking forward to the Earth Day celebration and would have gladly braved the weather had someone been there to give direction. Apparently someone from INPIRG arrived later, according to the article, but I believe it might have been a little more professional and worthwhile for INPIRG to be punctual to its own sponsored event. The lack of organization that went into this event was unbelievable, and I feel that this celebration is a perfect example of the haphazard manner in which INPIRG conducts itself. The poor planning, lack of representation and failure to follow through with projects is exactly the reason that students should not be forced to donate to this organization through tuition next year. Not only is it wrong to favor one student organization over others by allowing them to gain money through mandatory student fees, but obviously, INPIRG is not well-managed enough to handle itself now. I am disappointed that the Earth Day celebration was a complete failure, but this debacle just helps to prove the point that INPIRG does not deserve mandatory funding from students. Adrianne Dunlap
Freshman Wrongs don't equal stereotypes I am writing in response to Steven Chung's "Stereotypes Indecent" column published Monday. Mr. Chung claims to have heard an ESPN analyst stereotype against a wide receiver named Tim Dwight because he was white. Mr. Chung claimed that the analyst (whom he fails to mention, thus making his argument even more abstract) linked Dwight, whom had blazing speed, to a slow white player named Steve Tasker. What Mr. Chung fails to realize is that many analysts predict and evaluate talent and many of them are wrong half the time. It was not long ago that Mr. Dick Vitale, a supposed "expert" of college basketball, picked Indiana to lose to Duke during the 2001 tournament. Not only was he wrong about that game, but all the future tourney games IU played in (mind the national championship) that year. It's an analyst's job to analyze, and their insights are merely opinions. Moreover, many of these "experts" are wrong more than 50 percent of the time. Mr. Chung also claims that on ESPN's "Dream Job," a Mr. Zach Selwyn was voted off just because of his curly hair and beard. It is true that Tony Kornheiser admitted he made a mistake in voting Zach off of the show, but Mr. Chung fails to see the difference between a stereotype and a corporate standard. ESPN, since its inception in 1979, has held its "SportsCenter" anchors to high standards; these include being clean-shaven and appropriately dressed for their audience. Mr. Selwyn did not do this and resfused to don a more professional look in order to receive his job. It was not a stereotype used against him, rather, it was a company standard that ESPN has and Mr. Selwyn refused to accept. Finally, Mr. Chung says that he "turned out to be right" when he guessed that a white man will win on NBC's "The Apprentice." This begs me to ask: If stereotypes are such an indecency for you Mr. Chung, then why did you stereotype and assume that a white man would win on this show? Aaron Goldsmith
Bloomington