Be 'of IU,' not 'at IU'

Nobody assigned me the task of raining on the curious pity party the IDS has been orchestrating this past month, but it looks like my kind of assignment. The party to which I refer is the massive hissy fit you people have thrown over the $30 student athletics fee being assessed to help close the "outrageous athletics budget" (your words, not mine). The me I refer to is Jerry Ruff, an irascible old codger who entered IU as a freshman in 1949, when we had 9300 students, plus Herman Wells on this loveliest of college campuses. \nSo you still don't understand why "bailing out the deficit-riddled athletics department" is our job? If you're talking about "our" as in me and thee, it definitely is our job -- as in Team Hoosiers. Since it appears you're speaking of a more restricted demographic, I'd best clue you in before you apply for coerced supporters Hall of Fame status. The student body is not alone in sacrificing the budget-bustin' cost of a weekend's beer and pizza to "save the athletic department's reckless rear-end." (Again, your words of incredible wisdom, not mine.)\nAn intensely loyal segment of the extended Hoosier family called the Varsity Club -- 10,000 strong -- saw their membership fees double from $50 to $100 -- and I'd be willing to match their poverty level with any randomly selected group of students you choose (but not match their whining level). An intensely pampered segment of the family called the Hoosier Hundred saw their fees go from $2500 to $3000. One thousand members, only one low-grade whine thus far. Our obscene wealth is exceeded only by our callous vilification of today's students.\nTechnically, the Varsity Club and Hoosier Hundred money is used to provide scholarships for student athletes, not to undo what the IDS perceives as massive blunders of an athletic department to which you feel IU students owe no allegiance. And that's where thee and me have serious disagreements. Thee and thy 38,000 cohorts are at IU for two, three or nine years; then you leave without ever feeling truly connected. With no real concern for "The Glory of Old IU," it's not surprising that you don't feel obligated to bail out those incompetent oafs at Assembly Hall. You're merely at IU for a few years; sadly, you're not of IU at all.\nPlease forgive the up-close-and-personal nature of these parting shots. I know of no more efficient way to compress 55 years of being unreasonably of IU than these bittersweet memories. Rode in the first Little 500 in 1951. Race viewed by 9500 spectators in '53, and by 25,000 near end of decade. Race seen by 9300 this year, including one colossal mega-twit who pulled down her britches and urinated right there in the bleachers. Guess who was of the Little 5 and who was merely brain-dead at the Little 5? \nLived in Friar Hall for four years and Sigma Nu for three. Loved every millisecond of the former and almost every euphoric moment of fraternity life. Tell me about the euphoria of being cocooned in some silly off-campus apartment for X number of disconnected years. Ran intramural cross country 11 different years and played every intramural sport ever created. Sang off-key in beaucoup IU Sings and watched zillions of magnificent performances by artists who were, are and always will be of the IU School of Music. Have witnessed a few questionable calls courtesy of Assembly Hall zebras, but none by Terry Clapacs thus far.\nLike me, but unlike thee, he was, is and always will be of this revered placed called Indiana University.