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(05/13/04 2:15am)
Controversy has been swirling around IU trustee approved funds, appropriated by IU administrators for the construction of the Simon Hall Multi-Disciplinary Science building. \nTrustee Pat Shoulders voiced his concern in a May 7 trustees board meeting when he remarked that $1.6 million of the funds raised in IU's Commitment to Excellence initiative were being inappropriately used for construction purposes in the Simon Hall project. \nThe Commitment to Excellence program consists of plans for expanding the University's academic sphere by funding multi-disciplinary programs, faculty additions, new majors and new research initiatives. In 2002, the board of trustees agreed to increase IU-Bloomington tuition by $1,000 which became effective fall of 2003, approving the administration's Commitment to Excellence initiative. \n"I questioned what the construction had to do with CTE (Commitment to Excellence) plans. I don't remember that it had to do with brick and mortars," Shoulders said. "The trustees didn't levy these increments lightly. We were convinced that it was going towards programs outlined in the CTE plan and not towards seeping cracks in budgetary holes."\nUniversity officials responded by claiming the money is not going to the actual construction of Simon Hall but rather to equipping it.\n"It was a big misunderstanding. (Shoulders) thought we were paying to build the building but we are really going to equip the building," Neil Theobold, Vice Chancellor for Budget Administration said. \nHe described Simon Hall as a turnkey building meaning once built, Simon Hall will be fully operational. \n"Education is really changing. All this stuff is high-tech now. When you build the building, you equip it with labs. You just don't drag in bunson burners later," Theobold explained.\nShoulders is not totally convinced though. He still wants verification from the University that the plan they proposed in 2002 has not been altered.\n"I'd just like confirmation that the University forecasted the use of the money in that manner two years ago," Shoulders explained. "I'd like someone to verify that for me."\nThe construction of Simon Hall was approved under the CTE initiative which consists of seven projects for the first year. Four of the projects deal with life sciences and the others are aimed at improving the music, international studies and cognitive sciences departments. \n"Simon Hall is part of MSB (Multi-Disciplinary Science Building) Phase 1. Phase 2 deals with the building of another MSB on 10th Street," Department of Biology Chairman Beth Raff said. "We are taking people from different fields -- biology, chemistry, biophysics, medical sciences -- and bringing them together. It's synergistic. The whole is greater than the individual parts."\nConstruction for the Simon Hall Multi-Disciplinary Science building is expected to begin June 3 across from Myers Hall. \n-- Contact staff writer Aaron Uslan at auslan@indiana.edu.
(12/09/03 5:17am)
Greek houses seem to pop up as quickly as they disappear. Over the last several years, Delta Chi, Sigma Phi Epsilon, Theta Chi and Sigma Alpha Epsilon have had their chapters pulled from campus. However, many wonder what happens to these organizations after they are removed. Phi Kappa Tau recolonized last spring after being absent from campus for over four years and Beta Theta Pi and Sigma Lambda Beta already have colonized during this semester. \nTau Kappa Epsilon is trying to return to campus next semester and Sigma Alpha Epsilon is looking to recolonize in 2005.\n"In the majority of cases, fraternities leave and a few weeks later there's discussion between the University about when it is appropriate to return to campus," said senior Evan Waldman, president of the Interfraternity Council.\nExpelled fraternity chapters petition an expansion committee made up of University officials. The expansion committee presents a series of requirements to the potential chapter. These requirements include the academic standing of members, goals of the chapter and community service hours. \n"The committee then decides if they are meeting requirements to return to campus," said IU Director of Student Activities Stevan Veldkamp.\nThe chapter also has to be approved by its national headquarters, which must decide whether to support the chapter and its members. The organization's application is then reviewed by IFC, Panhellenic Organization, Panhellenic Council and the Multicultural Greek Council. Criteria for acceptance include tradition on campus and alumni and headquarters support.\n"Organization is very important," Waldman said. "One fraternity's game plan must be better than the others'."\nA chapter's reinstatement usually occurs at least three to five years after its expulsion. This is done to make sure all the previous members have graduated and to guarantee the incoming members a fresh start.\nBut starting a new chapter can be difficult. Phi Kappa Sigma, also known as Skulls, was established at IU in March 2001 after petitioning to its national headquarters.\n"We had to fill out like a book of paperwork," said senior Dax Brodhacker, founding member of Skulls. "It was a lot of hard work, but it was definitely worth it."\nBeta Theta Pi is currently in the process of recolonizing.\n"We're having officer elections," said sophomore Wes Podell, a member of Beta Theta Pi. "We basically have to start afresh. It's going great ... One of the biggest challenges was finding the right guys, and I think we found them."\nThe University and the reviewing committee also must avoid too many chapters returning in the same year. \n"It's tough to compete when you're just starting out in regards to recruitment," Waldman said. \nReasons for expulsion also play a part in the reinstatement of certain chapters. It is the responsibility of the University and the fraternity's national headquarters to reduce the risk of a "negative shift in fraternity values," Waldman said.\n"It's a risk management issue," Veldkamp said. "Alcohol poisoning and hazing may warrant expulsion."\n-- Contact staff writer Aaron Uslan at auslan@indiana.edu.
(11/17/03 8:50pm)
The Bloomington Muslim Dialogue Group will hold a forum on the status of interfaith relations at 7 p.m. tonight in the Frangipani Room in the Indiana Memorial Union. \nThe program, called "Interfaith Dialogue: Myth or Reality," will feature a panel of scholars on the topic, including Rev. Rebecca Jimenez, campus minister of the IU Center for University Ministry, IU religious studies professor R. Kevin Jaques, Purdue philosophy professor Donald W. Mitchell and Harold Vogelaar, professor at the Lutheran School of Theology in Chicago. \nThe discussion commemorates Sunday's United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization International Day of Tolerance. The topics will deal with tolerance, love, peace, brotherhood, compassion and freedom.\n"We are trying to bring people from different cultures and religions so they can sit and talk about different viewpoints," said Mehmet Akgun, graduate student and executive member of BMDG.\nGraduate student and executive member of the BMDG Hasan Deniz said the group will discuss tolerance and give the Islamic point of view on current issues.\nThe BMDG was started a year ago by a group of Turkish graduate students including Akgun, who felt in the wake of Sept. 11 that Islam was unfairly receiving negative attention on national and local levels. \n"They felt a need to do something about reducing misunderstandings and misconceptions about Islam," community adviser Darrel Davis said. Davis has had a large role in supporting the group; some of the founding members, like current President Ahmet Uyar, have stayed at his home in Bloomington. \nThe BMDG started reaching out to churches and synagogues, and last March it held an inaugural ceremony that included representatives from 17 churches, the Jewish and Hindu communities and other religious groups. Since then there has been an "ongoing building of sharing relationships in the community, including picnics and coffeehouse talks," Davis said.\nTonight's event is co-sponsored by the Center for the Study of Global Change, IUB International Programs, the Department of Near Eastern Languages and Cultures, the Department of Religious Studies and the Arab-American Association. Admission will be free and is open to all members of the greater Bloomington community. A reception will follow the program in the President's Room of the IMU where international homemade foods will be served.\n"We want to go every place as long as they are open to dialogue and want to learn more about Islam," Akgun said. "It's the whole Bloomington community we are aiming to involve, not just students."\n-- Contact staff writer Aaron Uslan at auslan@indiana.edu.
(11/10/03 5:38am)
The Kinsey Institute for Research in Sex, Gender and Reproduction will co-sponsor a conference next week on women's sexuality to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Alfred Kinsey's landmark book, "Sexual Behavior of the Human Female." \nThe conference will last Thursday, Friday and Saturday at the Indiana Memorial Union. The academic sessions are limited to registered participants.\nNotable scholars from around the country are scheduled to speak at the conference. Estelle Freedman, a history professor from Stanford University, will give the keynote address, "Towards Sexual Self-Determination: Female Sexuality in Historical Perspective," 4 p.m. Friday in Alumni Hall. \nOther topics to be discussed at the conference include the development of sexuality research, understandings of sexual abuse and evaluations of the Kinsey legacy. Professors from Columbia University, Brown University and University of California-Berkeley and scholars from Austria, England, Bulgaria and Taiwan will also be attending the event.\n"The conference will deal with topics as broad as prostitution, birth control, sex and war," said Sarah Knott, an IU history professor. "The goal is to promote discussion about sexuality between different disciplines. Historians as well as scientists will be present." \nThe conference is being sponsored by the Kinsey Institute, the Social Science Research Council, the vice president for research and the gender studies and history departments. Knott said the purpose is to offer a wide variety of perspectives on the subject.\n"It's going to be really interesting to look at where we are right now on the subject 50 years after the initial report," said Sarah Burns, a fine arts professor who will also be participating as a moderator in the conference. \nKinsey's "Sexual Behavior of the Human Female" was published in September 1953 and garnered waves of media and public attention. The book includes interviews with 6,000 women. It discusses premarital and marital sex as well as extramarital sex and masturbation. \n"(The book contains) topics a lot of people were not talking about then," said Catherine Johnson, curator of the Kinsey Institute. "It's been said to have helped start the sexual revolution."\n-- Contact staff writer Aaron Uslan at auslan@indiana.edu.
(10/14/03 6:03am)
New parking garages and state-of-the-art science buildings are among the facilities being considered for construction on campus over the next couple years. \nIU officials are also planning a renovation of the Ashton Quad dorms. Officials have approved and confirmed the proposal to tear down Ashton Quad in order to build a 900-bed dorm in the area. The date of the renovation is still to be determined.\nThe IU board of trustees has been considering building a $10.5 million lecture hall in the Main Library parking lot, as well.\n"We approved the project a couple of years ago," trustee Peter Obremskey said. "However, I don't know where we are now on it. It hasn't taken flight."\nObremskey speculated the stalling of the project has been due to a lack of funding and the concentration of priority on the new $50 million, 80,000 sq. foot, multi-disciplinary science building which will be located between Myers Hall and the Chemistry building.\nObremskey also said there is a possibility of creating a science quarter that would run from 10th Street to 17th Street near the athletic facilities, "utilizing the area's green space." The 20-year plan is in its beginning stages, he said. \nBut some members of the campus community said IU needs to address the lack of campus parking rather than more classroom space. With the prospect of more buildings being built, the concerns about parking are pervasive. \n"I think anything that adds to the academic success at IU is great," IU Student Association President Casey Cox said. "However, I encourage the University to be mindful of inconveniences that may arise from such construction such as more limited parking and congested traffic."\nFor example, if a lecture hall were constructed in the Main Library back lot, normal library parking as it is now would be reduced to almost nothing.\n"As those (building construction) plans are being developed we are trying to address the parking need," said Doug Porter, director of IU Parking Operations. \nSome of these projects include building a parking lot between Third Street and Atwater Avenue behind Acacia fraternity, a parking garage on 10th Street across from Teter Quad and a garage behind the Geology building, Porter said.\nHe said Parking Operations are working in conjunction with the IU Facilities department within a timeframe of about a year to complete these projects.\n"If the buildings progress pretty fast, then we'll be building pretty quick as well," Porter said.\n-- Contact staff writer Aaron Uslan at auslan@indiana.edu.
(09/24/03 6:31am)
IU racked up almost double the alcohol-related arrests last year than its in-state rival Purdue, a discrepancy school police departments attribute to differing jurisdictions and enforcement strategies.\nThe IU Police Department reported 814 alcohol arrests in 2002, compared to Purdue's 452, according to police reports from both schools.\nThe 814 IU students arrested on liquor law violations, possession of alcohol and illegal consumption, was an increase of 335 from the previous year. In addition to an increase in alcohol violations, 338 IU students were arrested on drug charges, a jump of 141 in 2001.\nIn comparison, only 135 at Purdue were charged with drug violations last year.\nIU has a larger enrollment, at 38,589 students, while Purdue has 30,857 students.\nIUPD Lt. Jerry Minger said a lot of the increased alcohol arrests at IU are due to stepped-up enforcement.\n"Over the course of the past three years, there has been a change in enforcement policies across the board from the federal government on down as we've seen an increase in liability and severity of alcohol-related incidents," Minger said. \nThe massive increase in IUPD arrests can be linked to the fact that the police department has made a "cooperative arrangement with city police" to extend its jurisdiction into the city itself, said IU Dean of Students Richard McKaig.\nIn addition, a change in IUPD citations policy may have led to the increase in arrests. \n"One or two years ago, liquor law violations would result in custodial arrests, the process of taking a student to jail," McKaig said. "This process would tie up an officer for at least an hour. With citations, there are more officers available for response."\nThese factors contribute to the explanation of the jump in numbers over the past two years, but it does not explain why IU has consistently ranked higher than Purdue in the number of arrests from 2000 to 2003. In 2000, Purdue police arrested 188 students on liquor law violations compared to 409 IUPD arrests in that year. In 2001, 196 IU students were arrested on drug charges while Purdue only had 82 narcotic offenses.\nCapt. John Cox of the Purdue University Police Department said the differences have nothing to do with the enforcement policies of each university.\n"We're just as pro-active as IUPD in enforcement policy and our officers are very aggressive in foot patrols and building checks on campus," Cox said. "It might have been there were a lot more parties going on at IU then. There might have been a greater opportunity for excise officers to make arrests at IU (in 2000)."\nCox said that Purdue police give out citations but differ with IU police when it comes to extending policing beyond borders.\n"We mix very well with the West Lafayette police but do not cross into their jurisdiction," Cox explained.\nDean McKaig said IUPD officers cited 26 students in one off-campus party last year, an example of "campus police cooperation with Bloomington police."\nAnother reason for the major discrepancies in numbers has to do with jurisdiction over fraternity houses. IUPD maintains jurisdiction over IU greek houses while West Lafayette police have authority over Purdue's fraternities, said Joseph Bennett, vice president of university relations at Purdue.\n-- Contact staff writer Aaron Uslan at auslan@indiana.edu.
(08/29/03 5:08am)
Residents in South Bend and Elkhart are still without power after a tornado struck the area Tuesday afternoon. \nThe damage was inflicted by 80 mph winds that "uprooted and halved trees," said Kim Sobchak, Secretary of the South Bend Engineering Department. "(The trees) fell onto houses and cars. Basically the south side got hit pretty hard -- there are downed trees everywhere," Sobchak said. \nThe tornado was reportedly seen touching down near Marian High School and the Blair Hills region of Mishawaka, which borders South Bend's eastern region. Fortunately, there were no reports of injuries. \nBy Wednesday, 42,000 residents in the area were without power including 30,000 of those in South Bend. American Electrical Power has been working to restore these areas as power was returned to 25,000 residents over the course of the week. \n "16,000 customers are still without electricity," said David Mayne, Spokesperson for AEP. "We have several transmission poles that were completely splintered," he added. \nAccording to Mayne, the storm was the area's worst in years especially in regard to the amount of damage done. AEP officials are still not certain when power will be restored to the downed regions. \n "There are days' worth of work before we restore service to customers," Mayne said. \nSouth Bend schools were scheduled to open yesterday but the date had to be moved back due to concerns over transportation and building safety with some buildings still without power.\nThe opening date has tentatively been rescheduled for next Tuesday. Government departments in South Bend and Elkhart have been working feverishly to clear the streets of littered trees and downed power lines. \n"Since the storm, all the departments are assessing the damage and cleaning up," Sobchak said. \nWal-Mart employee Audrey Hamilton said the South Bend store has been filling increased amount of requests for bottled water and generators. \n "I know we got more bad weather (coming) so I hope (the power) doesn't go out again." \n-- Contact state editor Aaron Uslan at auslan@indiana.edu.
(08/28/03 5:29am)
State officials visited IU's campus Wednesday to promote the recently approved Energize Indiana plan in the south central part of the state. Speaking at the Neal-Marshall Education Center, they unveiled the new economic development plan to Bloomington businesses and residents. \nThe initiative is divided into five parts; rural development, port authority, 21st century research development, department of commerce and workforce development. Each section has distinctive goals but the overriding aim is to improve Indiana businesses and to attract industry to the state. Governor Frank O'Bannon was on hand promoting the plan's initiatives.\n"The whole purpose of the government is to set up a positive economic environment in which companies can thrive," said O'Bannon. \nThe plan was proposed by the governor and was recently passed with bipartisan support in the General Assembly. \n"(The Assembly) was able to successfully get through the politics in order to benefit the future of Indiana," added O'Bannon. One of the speakers present was Doris Sims, Region 10 Director for the Indiana Department of Commerce, which includes Monroe County. \n"Hopefully, Energize Indiana will increase employment opportunities by providing job assistance and training, and funding for businesses," said Sims. One of the objectives of the plan is to provide incentives to businesses planning to hire local workers. \n"If a company comes in to the area and needs money to train local workers, we would supply the funding for training," explained Sims. \nEnergize Indiana includes an initiative to expand Indiana's high-tech industries especially within the life sciences and logistics fields. The plan also makes grants available to Indiana businesses looking to expand within the state. As well as helping businesses, Energize Indiana will work with state unemployment offices, assisting in matching employees with the right companies and positions. Both Bloomington business professionals and IU officials seemed pleased by the details of the plan. \n"One of the big areas of opportunity is to connect IU's research interests with actual businesses specifically in the biomedicine and information technology fields," said Jeffrey White, associate dean of SPEA. \nThe plan has allowed for a $32 million loan to IU for the building of a multidisciplinary science building, which will fuse together scientific research and entrepreneurial studies. White said that the advantages of involving students in research projects is that they can establish relationships with business officials and businesses can take advantage of the expertise of the students and faculty. \nThe plan, which had faced revisions and debate in the Indiana legislature for the past year, is "the final piece of the puzzle in jumpstarting Indiana's economy," Indiana Deputy Communications Director Todd Siesky said.\nWednesday's forum was the ninth of 12 around the state promoting the plan.
(08/27/03 5:57am)
After receiving his M.B.A. at the Kelley School of Business-Indianapolis Michael Hatfield was frustrated with the lack of business resources in Indiana. He desperately wanted to stay in the state, but business opportunities forced him to move to California. \nNow the founder of Calix, a high-speed optical transport firm in Petaluma, Calif., Hatfield has decided to help fix the problem that led to his departure. Hatfield announced Monday that his firm will donate $3 million to the newly founded Indiana Venture Center.\n"He was frustrated by the fact that he couldn't start his own business in Indiana," said Mary Chappell, director of external affairs at the Kelley School in Indianapolis. "So now he wants to make sure resources are here."\nThe Indiana Venture Center consists of a partnership between public and private universities in Indiana that will promote and encourage entrepreneurship in the state. \nThe IVC's main goal is to attempt to ease the "brain drain," the growing trend in which Indiana students leave the state after graduation. Indiana ranks 15th in the nation in producing college graduates, but only 48th when it comes to the percentage of the population with college degrees. According to an Indiana Fiscal Policy Institute study, Indiana ranks last in the country in percentage of its labor force employed in professional specialty occupations.\nIn an attempt to stem the tide, Chappell said business officials at the center will "evaluate high potential growth opportunities in the entrepreneur sector in Indiana."\nThe group will be led by Indiana businessman Steven Beck. Beck will leave his position as senior vice president and founder of the Indianapolis office of Old National Bank to head the program. \nBusiness organizations will also be involved in the IVC. The Johnson Center for Entrepreneurship in Indianapolis, which works with IU students and Indiana business owners will also be maintaining an active role in the development process.\n"The Venture Center will help pool our resources and ban together universities in Indiana to emphasize and promote entrepreneurship in the state," said Elizabeth Gatewood, director of the Johnson center.\nTalks are underway with other potential supporters, such as the Central Indiana Life Sciences Initiative and the Central Indiana Corporate Partnership.\nThe center will also involve M.B.A. students from around the state as they will work to maintain an active role in evaluating and developing potential business ideas. \n"It's great that we're tying in all these investors," said Todd Petersen, M.B.A. student at Kelley School at Indianapolis and member of the Johnson Center. \nThe universities involved in the IVC include Ball State, Notre Dame, Purdue University, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology and IU.\n"It is a unique partnership between universities that are usually in competition," Chappell said. \nThe Indiana Venture Center will be located in Indianapolis and should begin operations in October. The next two months will be spent organizing business plans for the center and assembling a top-notch staff. IM Search, a division of Indianapolis law firm Ice Miller, will lead the search for the executive director of the center. \n-- Contact State editor Aaron Uslan at auslan@indiana.edu.
(08/07/03 12:39am)
World War II era bombers departed the Monroe County Airport Tuesday a day before Japan and the United States marked the 58th anniversary of the bombing of Hiroshima. The B-17 Flying Fortress, famous for its bombing campaigns in Germany during World War II and the film "Memphis Belle," and the B-24J Liberator, the most widely used World War II American aircraft and the only one of its kind still operating, could be seen up close and boarded by the public for an $8 fee. \nThe tour is sponsored by the non-profit Collings Foundation based out of Stow, Mass. The Collings Foundation was founded by Kelley School of Business graduate Bob Collings in order to "promote living aviation and history and honor the memories of our World War II veterans," said Ryan Keough, national coordinator for the Wings of Freedom Tour. \nAll of the pilots on the tour are volunteers, including Fed Ex employee Jim Rollison of Vacaville, Calif. "I like old airplanes and it's a unique thing to do. I mean when does anyone get a chance to fly one of these," Rollison said. \nRollison, who has been with the Collings Foundation for six years, compared flying these bombers to "driving a 1948 semi truck at 240 miles per hour." \nThe tour was attended by many veterans including World War II veteran Bill Ramsey of Bloomington. Ramsey, a retired member of the Air Force, flew 28 missions over the South Pacific as a navigator in the B-24. The planes reminded him of "days of yesteryear" when "it was all we had," Ramsey said. \nMatt Richardson, Ramsey's 15-year old grandson, said he was impressed by the history of the planes. \n"I think the planes are pretty cool, and it's really amazing that they accomplished so much," Richardson said. \nThe event also was attended by Rudy Martel of Bloomington. Martel was 10 years old and living on the island of Negras in the Philippines when he first saw the B-24.\n"I saw 10 of them come in at high altitudes to destroy the Japanese airport, and after they dropped their bombs nothing was left but big holes," Martel said. \nMartel also witnessed a couple of bombers go down as a result of Japanese planes on kamikaze missions. \n"(Japanese planes) would just fly right into the middle of the plane," said Martel, pointing at the center of the B-24. The tour, a lasting tribute to those who bravely fought for our country and for the liberty of others, will visit more than 130 American cities. \nIt is currently being displayed in Kokomo.
(07/31/03 1:35am)
IU officials are anticipating the arrival of the newly appointed IU president, Dr. Adam Herbert, to the Bloomington campus Friday. Herbert will be residing in the Bryan House, the on-campus home reserved for IU presidents. \n"We are all eager to start working with Dr. Herbert," said IU-Bloomington Chancellor Sharon Brehm. "This is a very exciting moment for IU and a great opportunity for us to grow as a community."\nHerbert will hold a press conference Friday morning at 9 a.m. at the Bryan House. He then will leave Bryan House on his way to his office in Bryan Hall, Suite 200. Frederick F. Eichhorn, president of the board of trustees, will be waiting in the office to greet the president. \n"I know (Herbert's) been studying IU since his appointment and trying to learn everything there is to know about the school," Eichhorn said. \nHerbert has asked several departments within IU to prepare reports and materials regarding their duties and goals. One of Herbert's main objectives, according to Eichhorn, will be appropriating more funds from the state and federal sectors.\nAs for his first order of business, Herbert will meet with IU staff and contact administrators at the other IU schools, said IU spokeswoman Jane Jankowski. \nHerbert, who is wrapping up his activities as executive director at the Florida Center for Public Policy and Leadership, has been working within the State University of Florida since 1979. The University of Southern California grad started his administrative career at Virginia Tech, where he served as chairman of the Urban Affairs program and associate professor of Urban Affairs. In 1974, he became one of 15 White House Fellows working with the U.S. Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare and the U.S. Undersecretary of Housing and Urban Development. In 1979, Herbert joined the University of Florida faculty as a professor of public administration at Florida International and in 1989 was appointed president of the University of North Florida. In 1998, he left North Florida to become chancellor of the State University System of Florida, where he served for three years. Herbert was a founding member of the Florida Center, where he served as executive director since 2001. \nHerbert, who is well respected within the Florida public education system, distinguished himself as being an extremely proficient fundraiser, especially in the state sector, where he has maintained good relations with Gov. Jeb Bush and the state legislature.
(07/28/03 1:41am)
INDIANAPOLIS -- A Marion County citizens advisory board hearing took place Friday at the Rosa Park Elementary School on the south side of Indianapolis to discuss the effect that Interstate-69 would have on Marion County. \nThe meeting was organized by the Indianapolis Metropolitan Planning Organization, a regional transportation planning board that works in cooperation with the Indiana Department of Transportation. \nINDOT, the leading proponent of I-69, is currently in the Tier 1 drafting stages of the highway plan that would directly connect Indianapolis and Evansville via Bloomington. The definite route has not been decided, but Gov. Frank O'Bannon INDOT officials have selected a preferred corridor that would pass through parts of Marion County and Bloomington along State Road 37. \nThe I-69 proposal still has to be approved by the Metropolitan Planning Organization, which has yet to make a decision. \n"It's not a done deal by any means," said Mike Dearing, head of the Indianapolis MPO. \nMPO officials said they would like to see the proposal reach Tier 2, the determination of the final route, before they make a decision. INDOT officials said the Tier 2 study might begin in late 2003 or early 2004, once the Federal Highway Administration approves the plans for environmental impact of the construction.\nThe hearing allowed for representatives from INDOT and the Marion County Alliance of Neighborhood Associates, a grass-roots organization made up of 60,000 Marion County citizens, to speak their opposing views of the I-69 plan.\nBryan Nicol, commissioner of INDOT, speaking on behalf of the proposal, said I-69 would relieve traffic congestion on Ind. 37 between Indianapolis and Bloomington. According to INDOT, I-69 also would improve access to the Indianapolis International Airport and help bolster southwestern Indiana's economy. Bryan said the "preffered corridor" is aimed at reducing traffic accidents between Indianapolis and Bloomington and promoting accessibility between central and southwestern Indiana. \nCathy Burton, president of McANA, opposed the plan, saying I-69 would "would destroy Marion County neighborhoods." \nShe said she would rather see an improvement to the I-70/U.S. 41 route to Evansville, which she said is a better economic choice. \nAccording to McANA, the alternative I-70/US 41 improvement plan, which connects Indianapolis and Evansville via Terre Haute, would cost $800 million less than building I-69.\nThe building of I-69 "will not bring any new people to Marion County, it will just provide a new way to get in and out," Burton said.\nBurton said she believes the building of I-69 will cause the counties surrounding Marion County to offer tax incentives to draw Marion County businesses away from the city. This would then cause any economic expansion to occur away from I-69, she said. \nMcANA also expressed environmental concerns. \n"I-69 is a threat to the well fields that supply water to Marion County," Burton said. \nMany citizens present at the meeting agreed with McANA as a handful carried around "STOP I-69" posters. \n"We don't need it, and it's too much money," Marion County resident William Boyd said. "It will also pave over homes and thousands of acres of farmland"
(07/21/03 12:45am)
More than 1,000 motorcycle enthusiasts flocked to the Harley-Davidson dealership Saturday on West Gourley Pike to see the Harley-Davidson Traveling Museum. \nThe museum, showcased in a 18-wheel semi-trailer, is a part of Harley-Davidson's marketing department, with its display of classic Harley bikes, memorabilia and rare archival images spanning 100 years of Harley history. The museum travels around the country, making frequent stops at Harley-Davidson dealerships and at motorcycle racing events. \nIn addition to the museum, live music and a barbecue entertained patrons on the dealership's parking lot. \n"This is Harley-Davidson's 100-year anniversary, and we're just excited to have (the museum) in conjunction with Harley Davidson's 100th," said Jeff Stevens, owner of Bloomington Harley-Davidson.\nThis year's exhibit, "A Highway through Time," is designed to educate visitors about the machines and the history behind the Motor Company's success. Included in the exhibit are 11 classic Harley motorcycles, which range from the archetypal 1913 "Silent Gray Fellow" to the revolutionary 1962 FLHF Duo-Glide model. \n"I like all the old bikes but I'd actually like to see even a little more history in the museum," said motorcycle enthusiast Gary Staton, of Morris, Ill. Staton and other bikers from the Midwest are visiting Bloomington on their way to the "boogie," an annual biker rally, which takes place in Lawrence County, Ind.\n"I've been riding since I was 12 and (Harley-Davidsons are) the only thing I've ever ridden," said Spencer, Ind., native Ed May, who brought his 12-year old daughter, Taylor, to the museum. \n"Harleys are cool," Taylor May responded. \nIt is not easy to explain why Harley is the first choice among American bikers --especially to those who do not own one. \n"It's an image. If you're into cars you like Porsches and Ferraris, and if you're into bikes you like Harleys," Ed May explained. \nThe Traveling Museum will leave Bloomington after Saturday for display at bike races in Ohio. \nAs for Harley-Davidson's 100th anniversary party, festivities will take place at its headquarters in Milwaukee during Labor Day weekend, where a crowd of about 1 million is expected.
(07/14/03 1:24am)
Tornados and floods struck parts of western Indiana last week including the areas of Terre Haute, Rosedale and Brazil. Hundreds of homes in the area were damaged and about 20 families were forced to evacuate to hotels. \nThe disasters, which have been grouped together because of their location, have been ranked a level four out of five on the National Red Cross disaster scale, which calls for $250,000 to $2.5 million in aid. The aid money will go to help those whose homes were lost or severely damaged by flooding or heavy winds.\nThe flooding in Terre Haute started Tuesday night as a result of seven days of heavy thunderstorms. "Excess water from northern Indiana caused rivers around Terre Haute to overflow," said Troy Lauthen, assistant director of emergency services at the Terre Haute Red Cross. \nThis month's flood levels in the area are predicted to be higher than the record-breaking ones set in 1994. Many streets in Terre Haute already have been closed and acres of farmland have been ruined by the flooding of the Wabash River. \nIn nearby Rosedale, tornado damage from Wednesday night left residents without electricity and drinking water until Friday. More than 200 homes were affected in the small town of 850 as some houses were moved off of their foundations. Much of the damage was caused by fallen trees knocked over by the tornado's winds.\n"(Federal Emergency Management Agency) came down here and declared it a disaster, calling it the worst storm they'd seen (in the area) in 15 years," said Parke County Deputy Sheriff Randy Kneeland, who spoke in front of Rosedale's fire department, which had its new wing destroyed by the tornado. Construction crews in Rosedale worked through Saturday evening removing downed trees from roads and residential areas.\n"When I came in from Terre Haute Wednesday night after the storm had passed, not one road was open and you could hardly see a thing," said Tracy Barbee of Rosedale. "I had to park at the other side of town, and while I was walking to my house I began wondering if I even had a house to go home to."\nThe Red Cross of Terre Haute has been working endlessly since Wednesday supplying food and water to citizens and rescue workers. The 100-person crew, which has only 14 permanent members, has supplied the towns with more than 4,100 meals in three days. In addition to the Red Cross, local church groups, businesses and construction companies have donated food, generators and manpower to the relief effort. \n"We couldn't have done all this without outside support," Kneeland said. \nMany citizens in the area also expressed a feeling of community togetherness as a result of the disasters. The relief effort in Rosedale was described as a community event by Lauthen. \n"No one had to ask anyone to help. The whole town was out cleaning up the day after," he said.
(07/10/03 2:22am)
A funeral service will be held today at 10 a.m. at the First Friends Church in Kokomo for the man we can thank for introducing Steakburgers to the market.\nIndiana businessman, philanthropist and IU alumnus Estel Wood Kelley passed away Friday in Indianapolis at the age of 86. A 1939 IU graduate, he died at the Krannert Pavilion of the IU Medical Center after a long battle with cancer.\nKelley, founder and managing general partner of Kelley & Partners Limited and chairman of the popular Steak 'n Shake chain, is best remembered within the IU community for his contributions to the IU-Bloomington Kelley School of Business, which is named after the Sharpsville, Ind., native. \nKelley gave $23 million to the Bloomington School of Business in 1997 in order to establish a scholarship program and to attract nationally endowed professors to the school, like current Kelley Chair of Business Administration, Raymond Burke, who was a faculty member at Harvard University Business School before he took the position at IU. \n"Mr. Kelley was a long-time supporter of the school, someone who wanted to give back to IU by supporting and furthering its academic excellence," said Bruce Jaffee, associate dean of academics at the Kelley School. \nIn addition to donating money to the University, Kelley has served on the IU Board of Directors since 1969.\n"He had not only given money, but given up his time and had generously volunteered his expertise," said Carol Gross, an assistant secretary at the IU Foundation, a philanthropic organization.\nKelley gave his donations to not just one area, but wherever the University needed it, Gross said.\n"He was very friendly and approachable to students, staff and faculty, and often helped them in finding jobs and internships," Jaffee said. \nKelley also contributed time and money to the IU-Kokomo campus and most notably to its business school, where he sat on the school's advisory board. \n"He helped provide insight on strategy direction and curriculum planning for the school," said Niranjan Pati, dean of the IU-Kokomo School of Business. \nKelley graduated with a Bachelors of Science degree in business administration from IU-Bloomington in 1939. He was also the president of the School of Business student body, president of the student YMCA, chair of IU Sing, founder of the IU Accounting Club and a member of several student and academic fraternities. \n"I was lucky in that I had a number of people at IU who promoted me to big Eastern corporations, and that's how I got chances to prove myself," Kelley said in 1997. \nKelly said in 1997 that he wanted to give back to society and he did that by choosing to support a few special things, including IU. \nThe Kelley family will be holding a memorial service in mid-September in Indianapolis.
(07/07/03 1:33am)
Fire trucks, a marching band, a bagpipe band, military caravans, pro-life protesters and political campaign floats were just a handful of those present at this year's Monroe County Fourth of July Parade on Friday. Thousands of spectators, armed with cold drinks, blankets and lots of sunscreen, lined the streets of downtown Bloomington. Temperatures rose to the mid 90s as the sun beat down on those celebrating Independence Day. \nOne of those celebrating was this year's parade Grand Marshall, George Keller. Keller, donning a star-spangled tie, rode through downtown in a red Cadillac Deville convertible. \n"It is very encouraging to see this type of participation and turnout, and I am really impressed by the camaraderie and spirit décor," he said. \nKeller, an Evansville native and a World War II veteran, was selected post Veteran of the Year by American Legion Post 18 in Bloomington for his community involvement and was asked to lead this year's parade. He moved with his wife to Bloomington seven years ago from Cincinnati where he said he was very active in community events. \n"I am very happy to come back to Bloomington since my wife and I are both Hoosiers," Keller said. \nThis year's parade had a military theme as army caravans and an assortment of floats, including a Sept. 11 memorial depicting a firefighter and soldier raising the American flag over rubble, followed Keller's Cadillac through the streets of downtown Bloomington. \nAlso participating in this year's parade was the Bloomington Peace Action Coalition, which is a local organization working to promote the notion of peace through educational programs. \n"We wanted to be represented especially in this time of struggle -- one in which our country is involved with," said Gretchen Clearwater, Bloomington resident and member of the Coalition. \nOther participants in the parade included the Bloomington Fire Department, Monroe County Parent and Aid Program, Monroe County League of Women Voters, Bloomington Human Rights Commission, the pro-life American Life League and campaign supporters for candidates in the upcoming city council, mayor and governor elections. The bagpipe band of the Scottish Society of Greater Bloomington provided patriotic tunes and so did the Herald Times' marching band, made up of students from both Bloomington high schools. \n"It's great to see everyone out celebrating the Fourth," said Bloomington resident Beth Crain, who said she was particularly impressed by the marching band. \nThe parade was filled with patriotic and joyous supporters who were proud to be Americans and proud to be involved in this Monroe County event. \n"The parade is a good example of the variety of interests in Monroe County and an overall great day for the entire community," parade organizer Talisha Coppock said.
(07/07/03 1:33am)
While many students are spending this summer lying out on the beach taking a break from the grind, IU student government officials are looking to improve aspects of campus life. \nThe current party in office is Crimson, which was elected last winter. Junior Casey Cox, president of the IU Student Association, along with Crimson executives seniors Grant McFann, Alan Grant and Anne Eichengreen, is spending the summer drafting proposals, negotiating contracts and passing budget plans. \nOne of the proposals is to extend the hours and route of Bloomington Transit's late bus, the free public bus operating in the evening that tries to ensure students get home safely. \n"We are sitting in with contract talks with Bloomington Transit to develop an east route because right now there are only north and south routes," Cox said. \nThe east route would serve apartment complexes near the College Mall like Woodbridge, University Commons and other areas with a high concentration of students. \nIUSA also is endorsing a safety project investigating the efficiency of the blue emergency lights on campus. \n"We want to keep people off the streets at night," Congressional Secretary Grant said. \nGrant is in charge of running IU congress, which is made up of 58 students representing different schools on campus and housing locations who vote on different proposals and budget plans. \nAlong with heading Congress, Grant is involved in different programs, including building student support for the football program. \n"We are looking to get sponsors to lower the costs of tickets and to give away T-shirts to the entire student section," Grant said. "Hopefully, this will get more students more excited about the program -- and student support is at the core of any successful college football program."\nAnother goal is to institute a Main Library drop box to ease parking problems. \n"It's such a hassle to drop off a book at the library because it's so hard to find a parking spot," Cox said. "A drop box will hopefully eliminate the hassle and maybe even free up some parking."\nOne of the biggest projects is the creation of Dogears, the first IU comprehensive online book exchange, an "IU eBay" Cox said. IUSA is spending $1,000 contracting a company that will set up the program. \n"Dogears will not only provide for the trading and selling of books, but for furniture and listings of housing," Cox said. Similar programs have been started at Columbia University and the University of Michigan. \n"There will be no credit cards involved, eliminating security and privacy risks," Cox said. \nVice President McFann, whose duties include organizing the office and its 13 sub-departments, is spearheading programs, which he coined as "tier-one initiatives." These initiatives are designed to boost IU's national rankings. Included in these are programs aimed at improving the Writing Tutorial Services by making it more accessible to students and promoting "how not to flunk out" services to freshmen. \nMcFann said he also is working with Indiana elected officials in easing the "brain drain." Tuition reimbursement and internship placement programs are among some of the programs aimed at keeping IU graduates in Indiana after college. \nDealing with administration officials and outside organizations comes with difficulties. \n"Sometimes it takes a little more time and effort in negotiating than expected," Cox said. "Certain goals conflict within the IU community." \nHowever, the executives of IUSA said they have welcomed these challenges. \n"Being in IUSA over the summer teaches patience and gives you a healthy sense of cynicism when it comes to University bureaucracy," McFann said. "But the end results have been mostly very rewarding"
(07/03/03 1:37am)
As summer temperatures heat up, local organizers are preparing excitedly for Fourth of July festivities in Bloomington. \nHighlighting the celebration is the annual Monroe County Fourth of July Parade in downtown Bloomington. \nThe parade is a "good example of the variety of interests in Monroe County," said Talisha Coppock, director of the Downtown Bloomington Commission. "It is a longstanding tradition of community spirit and an overall great day for the entire community." \nThe festivities will be stocked with more than 500 participants -- including an array of floats, bands, motorized vehicles and marching units -- and will begin at 3 p.m. from 11th and Morton streets and continue down Walnut Street toward the courthouse square. The parade is being sponsored by American Legion Post 18 and the Grand Marshall is George Keller, Legionnaire of the Year. In addition, live bands and more than 30 arts and crafts vendors will be present on the square throughout the day. The Bloomington Community Band will be playing patriotic songs on the Monroe County Courthouse lawn from 2 to 3 p.m. The celebration is scheduled to last from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. A crowd of more than 10,000 is expected to attend this year's celebration.\nAdding to the Friday's festivities is the Monroe County Historical Society, which is organizing Monroe County's 185th birthday party. The celebration will take place at the Historical Society on 202 E. Sixth St., one block east of the courthouse square. More than 40 arts and crafts booths will be present along with an assortment of food vendors. Booths will be selling oil and acrylic art work, stone and wood sculptures, woven goods and other arts and crafts items. The Bloomington Classical Guitar Society, Ian Arthur on the Bagpipe, the Knob Creek Moonshiners and other bands will be on hand performing throughout the day.\n"Last year we did the birthday celebration on April 10, (the actual date of Monroe County's establishment) but it was so cold not a lot of people attended," said Kari Price, executive director of Monroe County Historical Society. "Now we're doing it on July 4 to take advantage of the nice weather and parade."\nFourwinds Resort and Marina on Lake Monroe is also planning a Fourth of July celebration for Friday. Live music and food will be present lakeside and a display of fireworks on the beach will take place at dusk. \n"This is our biggest weekend of the year. We will be providing family programs on the water, recreation on land, cookouts and fireworks," said Michelle Smith, director of Sales and Marketing at Fourwinds.\nThere is a $4 in-state fee and $5 out-of-state fee charged to those vehicles entering the Fourwinds premises.
(06/30/03 1:33am)
A gorgeous summer day was the scene at last Saturday's 2nd annual Bloomington FitnessFest, held in downtown Bloomington on Kirkwood Avenue. Crowds of bystanders attended the festival which included a health fair and a bike race. The health fair was organized by senior Jamie Kivett and sponsored by the School of Health, Physical Education and Recreation, Bloomington's Parks and Recreation, IU RecSports, and Bloomington Hospital. Organizing the health fair was part of Kivett's senior project. \n"The purpose is to promote living well and healthy lifestyles," said Kivett. \nBooths were set up in Kirkwood's People's Park and sponsors handed out fitness and health information to patrons. IU RecSports promoted their health and fitness programs which were directed at "not only students but the community as well," said Kivett. \nThe other half of FitnessFest consisted of professional and amateur bike races. The race portion was organized by cycling fan and graduate student Aaron Pilling, who was part of the 1997 Cutters team that won the Little 500. "This is the biggest cycling event of the weekend in the region," Pilling said. "Our goal is to make it the biggest pro-cycling race in the Midwest." \nHe also seemed impressed by the enthusiasm of the audience and hopes for an even larger crowd next year. \n"Bike races are fun to watch and it's that much more exciting when it's a community event," Pilling added. \nThe race itself was split into four competitions consisting of the Women's Open, the Three-Fourths Men's Race, a Kid's Race and finally the Pro Am race. Prizes ranged from $500 all the way to $2000 awarded to the winner of the Pro Race. The L-shaped, .6 mile long race course started on Kirkwood, continued down Indiana, Dunn and Grant, and then finished back on Kirkwood. The race attracted a number of professional racers from the Midwest region including Kenny Labbe, a member of the United States Postal Service team. Labbe, a resident of Arlington Heights, Ill., is a member of the 21 person team whose most notable cyclist is 4 time Tour De France winner, Lance Armstrong. \n"I've heard great things about this town and the race," Labbe said. "After seeing Breaking Away, I've always wanted to compete here," he added. The race was sponsored by WFIU, Royal Volvo, Bikesmith and other local organizations. \nAlso, the race was attended by Bloomington mayoral candidate Fred Prall, who said he was "very impressed" by the day's festivities. \nPatrick O'Donnell, a member of the West Virginia Pro Cycling team, won the Pro Race. John Sanchez of Louisville won the Three-Fourth Men's Race and Julie Sanchez, a Louisville member of the UPS team, won the Women's Open.
(06/26/03 1:18am)
Summer enrollment has hit record levels at six out of the eight IU campuses. IU summer enrollment has reached an all-time high of 33,276 students, a 3.5 percent increase from last summer. \nIU campuses also experienced a 4 percent increase in the number of credit hours taken. Record highs in enrollment were set at IU-Purdue University at Indianapolis, IU East Richmond, IU Northwest Gary, IU South Bend, IU Southeast New Albany and IU-Purdue Fort Wayne. \n"We have filled classes that we offered and opened a couple new classes that were in high demand," said Linda Fritschner, acting associate vice chancellor for extended programs at IU South Bend. "Professors often took an extra one or two students in their classes." \nShe said she also noticed a dramatic increase in enrollments in nursing and health profession classes. \nLes Coyne, vice chancellor of extended programs at IU-Bloomington, said he attributed this general increase to the lackluster economy. \n"Students have a tendency to stay with their education when there are no good jobs or internships available," he said. He also said that since many students owned 12-month leases in Bloomington, taking classes was not really a hindrance. \nFritschner said she agreed that the suffering economy was a factor but also complimented the "great team of admission officers" whose job it was to recruit students from regional high schools. Fritschner said she was hopeful the trend of increased enrollment would continue. \n"We have a summer school task force to think about our summer scheduling," Fritschner said. "We hope to match and increase enrollment next year."\nIUPUI experienced the most significant change, as summer enrollment increased by 6.8 percent from a year ago to 12,096 students. Undergraduate enrollment at IUPUI went up by 3.1 percent and full-time graduate enrollment rose by 50.4 percent. IUB enrollment decreased by 0.7 percent to 9,031 but it remained close to last year's record-breaking enrollment of 9,091 students. Graduate enrollment at IUB increased by 1.7 percent as well as professional enrollments, which went up 1.3 percent. \nCoyne said he was optimistic about next year's summer but wary of the sluggish economy. \n"If the economy continues to slump, there may be a negative reaction. People may be afraid to spend money on education," he said.\nIncreased enrollment has not presented itself as an overpopulation problem on campus, as many students said they have not even noticed the high levels of students. \n"I haven't really noticed a change in enrollment since campus is pretty empty," said senior Jon Berbari, who has taken classes at Bloomington the past three summers.
