Once upon a summer in Bloomington...

While the students were away, life on campus slowed but didn’t stop. The strong winds of a summer storm blew a top football recruit right into Memorial Stadium, and the temperatures during the scorching heat wave were not the only numbers on the rise.

Student Status
May 10

Before IU students were able to access their OneStart accounts this summer, they were required to verify their citizenship. This change was a result of an Indiana bill signed into law May 10 that prohibits undocumented aliens in Indiana from being eligible for in-state tuition.

Previously, to qualify for in-state tuition students only needed to reside in Indiana for at least 12 months. Now, they must also prove they are documented citizens of the U.S.. Those who cannot verify their citizenship status must pay nonresident tuition and will no longer be eligible for scholarships.

What they said:
“We make it to the middle of college, then people start messing with our education and we can’t do anything. It just sucks....We can drop out or maybe just become part-time students and take one or two classes.”
IU Junior Erick Gama, a non-U.S. citizen

More info: idsn.ws/oIUfNl

Storm Damage
May 23

Returning students to the IU-Bloomington campus might remember receiving multiple alerts from the IU-Notify emergency alert system in the summer — and now they might find the campus landscape barer than when they left in the spring. A week of bad storms in late May destroyed nearly 300 trees on campus. Fortunately, the storms caused little damage to IU buildings, according to former IU spokesman Larry MacIntyre. There were no injuries reported on campus, but tornadoes that touched down in other parts of Monroe County injured at least 17 people and damaged more than 30 homes.

The storms left the streets of Bloomington littered with trees and branches, but the debris was cleared quickly. Other members of the community donated trees for the University to replant. So far, 50 trees have been planted and nearly 450 new trees are expected to be planted this fall.

More info: idsn.ws/n5bFIc

Tuition Increase
May 31

As bursar accounts were updated during the summer, students may have noticed that the cost of tuition has increased since past semesters. The increase is a result of a 5.5 percent hike in tuition and fees for IU-Bloomington that was approved by the IU Board of Trustees earlier this summer.

Tuition will increase by 3.5 percent, effective from this school year. An additional “repair and maintenance fee” of $180 for the 2011-2012 school year and $320 for the following year will be assessed. The fee will be used to cover the $600 million cost of repair and maintenance of the 900 buildings and associated infrastructure on the IU campus.

What they said:
“IU to build $19 mil baseball stadium, IU pres. gets raise, new buildings across campus...etc. Tuition increase is because of the economy? Ha”
@phil_chiang, via Twitter

More info: idsn.ws/r2pRZQ

Fire at HPER
July 5

A fire that broke out on the roof of the School of Health, Physical Education and Recreation is the reason parts of the building are not yet open to students. The fire, causing an estimated $1 million to $3 million in damage, was a result of construction on the building’s roof: construction workers used a grinder to remove steel gutter brackets from the building. After workers completed the task, a fire broke out and was able to spread rapidly because of the age of the structural materials. The Wildermuth Intramural Center will reopen Aug. 25, but the Fieldhouse, where the 10 basketball courts and the track are located, will remain closed until further notice.

What they said:
“Thank you to the many firefighters & emergency responders who assisted putting out the fire at HPER this morning!”
@IUBloomington, via Twitter

More info: idsn.ws/r9h0aN

Heat Wave
Mid-July

Heat indexes in Bloomington reached 110 degrees in the middle of July in the midst of a heat wave that the National Weather Service called the longest in 22 years. As a result, the NWS said that a possible 13 deaths can be blamed on the heat.

Bloomington Speedway chose to cancel one of its weekly Friday races due to the excessive heat, and residents were encouraged to stay inside if possible. Animals were also in danger. City of Bloomington officials warned that $50 tickets could be issued to the owners of pets locked in cars in the heat.

What they said:
“How hot was July? According to the #NOAA National Climatic Data Center, it was 4th warmest on record since 1895: go.usa.gov/KVI #heat”
@usnoaagov, via Twitter

More info: http://idsn.ws/riGKHt

Raise for McRobbie
July 26

According to Indiana University’s annual salary report, IU President Michael McRobbie will receive a 12 percent increase in his salary for the 2011-12 academic year. The increase will raise McRobbie’s salary from the $476,000 he earned last year to a current salary of $533,120. McRobbie is now the fourth-highest paid university president in the Big Ten, behind Ohio State University, Pennsylvania State University and University of Michigan.

IU faculty and staff will also receive a pay raise of 1.5 to 3 percent for this year.

What they said:
“We were told there’s no money, that this is not the time for raises. It was a hard pill to swallow, but we made the sacrifice. So to hear this is upsetting. ”
Bryce Smedley, local chapter president of Communication Workers of America

More info: http://idsn.ws/pbTWzF

Football Phenom
July 27

According to Rivals.com, Gunner Kiel is the top-ranked pro-style quarterback in the country for the 2012 recruiting class — and on July 26, he committed to play for the IU football team. Kiel, listed at 6 feet 4 inches and 220 pounds, currently plays for Columbus East High School in Columbus, Ind. Last season, Kiel passed for 2,645 total yards, averaging 240.5 yards per game. Kiel also had 36 touchdown passes and six interceptions.

Kiel reportedly chose IU over the University of Alabama. He is the younger brother of current IU sophomore quarterback Dusty Kiel.

What they said:
“Whenever I woke up, I just thought, ‘This feels good.’ I felt extremely good about my situation. And I just thought, ‘I’m ready to commit right now.’”
Gunner Kiel to The Hoosier Scoop

More info: http://idsn.ws/o4LdqQ

Hostage Situation
Aug. 1

On the afternoon of Aug. 1, a police sniper shot and killed a man during a hostage situation.  Police officers responded to a 911 call reporting a man firing a gun around the 1300 block of South Rogers Street. When officers arrived on the scene, they identified the man as Richard W. North, 50. Police said they found North gripping the neck of his wife, Teresa, 47, while aiming the gun at her.

A negotiator was called to the scene, but North refused to drop the gun or release his hostage. After North reportedly fired several shots, a police sniper fired at North, who dropped immediately.

What they said:
“Turn out of my hood and see cops at the other end of the rd.. went towards them, guns drawn & see the dude with the gun <100ft away from me #backedtheFup
“@plaSIBOeffect, via Twitter

More info: http://idsn.ws/oNVkeB