Class can lead to cash for students who take notes for sophomores’ new Web site

Three ambitious sophomores have come up with a Web site that not only gives students a way to earn money while in class, but can also enhance any student’s learning experience. \nThe site, www.iunotes.com\n, which has been up and running for about a month and a half, offers online notes taken by real students, available for affordable prices through a PDF file.\nThe Web site was created by a trio of students: Adam Butbul, president of management, Michael Kurlancheek, president of operations, and Michael Rubin, president of marketing. The three friends now share responsibility, though Rubin first thought of the idea.\n“I was thinking about starting a business up that would be successful, something that I could do with some partners, and I thought of this idea,” Rubin said. “I pitched it to them and the next day we had a business going.”\nThat business is steadily growing as more students apply to be note-takers and more students hear about the benefits of the Web site. To be a note-taker, applicants must fill out an application, then submit a recent GPA to management for review. \n“If someone has a higher GPA, it usually correlates that they’ll take better notes,” Kurlancheek said. \nAfter note-takers are hired, they can expect to be paid anywhere between $15 and $100, based on size of the class, the quality of notes and the duration of the course. \n“It would be nice to get paid for taking notes,” junior Kelly Hansen said. “I’d just be getting paid for something I’m already doing.”\nFor students purchasing the notes, IUNotes accepts debit and credit cards and is planning to accept Campus Access cards. \n“It’s gonna be worth it for a college student to buy them,” Rubin said. \nAll business is conducted online, including payment and delivery. After students purchase their notes, they are immediately available in PDF format. Reproduction of the notes is of concern, although measures have been taken to complete terms and conditions that make reproduction illegal. \n“Our site’s policy is that you can’t take notes, copy them and pass them out,” Butbul said. “We’re working on a lot of different security measures right now.” \nCopying any documents from the site and reselling them is illegal, according to the Web site. \nPurchased content is based solely on the notes students take during class and are not copies of professors’ work or notes. \nThe Web site hopes to enhance IU students’ education experiences. The site boasts that IUNotes is “The Hoosier way to earn an A!”\nWhile it may be tempting for students to use IUNotes instead of attending class, the owners said that they do not condone skipping class and that the site is designed to improve a student’s personal notes by adding content from others.\n“I would probably use the notes, but I would still go to class,” sophomore Allison Parks said. \nThe three friends intend to expand their business to other universities if they are successful at IU.\n“We just want people to have other study tools to improve their grades,” Butbul said. “It’s really exciting. We’re just making it so much easier for the students.”