While you were out

Motor boats stolen from rowing team

The IU Police Department is investigating the theft of three motor boats stolen from IU’s rowing team.

The stolen property was reported at 8:54 a.m. Jan. 2, said IUPD Capt. Jerry Minger.
The motors, which were used for coaching purposes, include a 20-horsepower Yamaha worth $3,300 and two 15-horsepower Yamahas worth $2,800 each.

IU Rowing team head coach Steve Peterson said the motors were secured in a gated area as the team was preparing for a trip to Florida, Minger said.

Officials continue with plan to rename Wildermuth center

After giving President Michael McRobbie a recommendation on the renaming of the Ora L. Wildermuth Intramural Center in December, University officials decided to stick with their original proposal.

In early January, the All University Committee on Names announced it was going to abide by its original recommendation to rename the center the “William Garrett-Ora L. Wildermuth Fieldhouse.” Officials also wanted to create a plaque and an annual conference to explain the decision to combine the names.

The original recommendation was tabled in November. A trustee suggested renaming the Student Recreational Sports Center after Garrett and leave Wildermuth’s name on the intramural center.

The president will take the recommendation to the trustees. Terry Clapacs, head of the All University Committee on Names and vice president and chief administrative officer for IU, said the group would meet again in February.

Obama nominates IU law professor for position in Office of Legal Counsel

President-elect Barack Obama announced Monday that IU Maurer School of Law professor Dawn Johnsen will be nominated as assistant U.S. attorney general for the Office of Legal Counsel.

“I am honored by President-elect Obama’s decision,” Johnsen said in an IU press release. “I have deep affection for the Office, which has historically played a vital role in upholding the nation’s commitment to the rule of law. I look forward to the confirmation process.”

Johnsen is nationally recognized as a constitutional law expert and, according to an IU press release, served as acting assistant attorney general for the office from 1997-1998 and as the deputy assistant attorney general from 1993-1996.

The assistant attorney general position provides legal counsel to the president and all executive branch agencies of the government, while also reviewing all executive orders and proclamations proposed by the president.

“Dawn has been a consistent voice for the highest ethical and legal standards in the Office of Legal Counsel,” Maurer Law School Dean Lauren Robel said in an IU press release. “I’m delighted for the country that she’s been nominated.”

At IU, Johnsen teaches Consitutional Law, the First Amendment, and Seminars in the Separation of Powers and Sexuality, Reproduction and the Constitution.

Johnsen also serves on the national board of the American Constitution Society for Law and Policy and as co-chair of the ACS Issue Group on Separation of Powers and Federalism, according to the press release.

IU President Michael McRobbie said he has “no doubt” that she will serve the nation well in the position.

“Her appointment also brings great credit to the Maurer School of Law and to Indiana University,” McRobbie said in an IU press release.

Johnsen’s nomination is subject to confirmation by the U.S. Senate.