24 items found for your search. If no results were found please broaden your search.
(10/05/04 5:13am)
For some people, an internship is just a bonus on the road to graduation -- but for TV people, it's a necessity.\nAs a broadcast journalism major, I'm launching myself into a cut-throat market based simply upon competition. Needless to say, I'll do whatever I can to convince my future news director that I'm better qualified than the other thousand struggling reporters who will send in their resume tapes.\nIt's hard to land a job in TV without the credentials (both literally, and figuratively). It's internship experience that sets apart the people who want to be on TV from the people who will truly succeed in broadcast news. I will belong to that second group.\nMy career plan consists of this: after a decent amount of experience at a West-coast affiliate, I want to anchor in Seattle. Once I've done my time in the major market, I'm going to take over for Katie Couric on NBC's "Today Show."\nAnd this past summer, I took my first step toward that goal.\nI was accepted as an intern on the spot during a May interview with WRTV, Channel 6, in Indianapolis. Not knowing what to expect, I walked into the busy newsroom on my first day extremely nervous, but anxious to immediately immerse myself in what I would make my future. \nI got to help the producers write the midday and evening news. I got to interview everyone from Gov. Joe Kernan and Jared Fogle, the Subway guy, to Morgan Freeman and my personal favorite, Jane Pauley. But my favorite thing -- even better than talking to all of the stars at the Indy 500 Ball -- was being able to build relationships with the people I worked with.\nI hung out with Ray Cortapassi and Martha Weaver during the shows they anchored, and I reported stories with Jack Reinhart and Raphael Sanchez. And although I learned more about these familiar Indy faces than most Hoosiers would care to know, I got to know each reporter and anchor on a personal basis.\nMore important than all of the inside jokes and stories I accumulated with on-air people during my internship was the advice and support I received from these people that I have grown to truly admire. \nBy the end of my summer internship, everyone knew my name. That might not seem like a big deal, but two, three or even 20 years down the road, these are the people I could call for advice -- or even help in getting future jobs.\nToward the end of the summer, I sat down with my 50 thank you cards, and I wrote a personal note in each card, thanking every producer, photographer, reporter, anchor and member of management for giving me the opportunity to work with them, as well as teaching me what it takes to be a good reporter. And after my signature, I wrote my e-mail address and told each person to stay in touch.\nI can't recall how many of those people e-mailed me, or made an effort to sincerely thank me for the card and offered to help me in any way they could in the future. It is the effort in things like thank you notes and e-mails that set apart the interns, from the interns who become future employees.\nBeyond the things I learned about having a career in broadcast, I took something else from my internship -- internships can be as valuable as you make them.\nI cannot put down in words how valuable my internship at RTV-6 has been. It's impossible to describe how thankful I am to have been given this opportunity. I was even asked to continue my internship through the fall and freelance for the station during this year's presidential election.\nAnd one day, while I'm sitting on the set of NBC's Today Show, I'll look back and remember how all the people I kept in contact with from RTV-6 were part of the reason that I am living my dream.
(09/07/04 4:40am)
I do too much. With a part-time job at the Indiana Daily Student, sorority functions, an internship at a TV station, five classes and trying to start up a new journalism organization on campus, I have a hard time finding time to relieve the stress that my life brings. And not only do all of these things stress me out, I'm a stressball. So to keep my sanity, I require just one hour a day to unwind and de-stress.\nSo first thing in the morning, my best friend Tara and I walk into the Student Recreational Sports Center ready to loosen up and begin the day on a good note.\nI workout on an elliptical machine, and for those of you who aren't familiar with the SRSC, you have to sign up for half-hour blocks of time to use these machines that are, apparently, in oh-so-high-demand. And let me tell you, sometimes I leave more stressed out than when I walk in the door.\nFor example, let me tell you what happened yesterday. It was 9:28 -- two minutes before my time was up on my machine. I had reached 29 minutes and 34 seconds when a girl approached me and asked me if I was almost done.\n"Are you just about done?" she said.\n"Yep," I said, so pleased with how polite she had asked me, "I have 26 seconds left."\nShe smiled back at me and said, "Okay, take your time and finish up. Whenever you're done is fine."\nAnd with those couple of words we exchanged, my day had been made. No nasty remarks to get off my machine. No exaggerated sigh loud enough for me to hear through the music on my MP3 player. No roll of the eyes in disgust. Just a little patience and a smile.\nMeanwhile, next to me my best friend had quite a different experience. \nLet me paint you a little picture.\nSo Tara is workin' it during the last couple of minutes of her workout. And with two minutes left, Ms. X struts her stuff up to my friend in her little pink shorts and says (with more attitude than I can imitate), "This is MY machine ... I have it at 9:30."\nAnd if this wasn't rude enough, she assumes this position in front of Tara, hands on her hips, and just stares at her until she gets off the elliptical. And let me remind you ... it's only 9:28.\nSo Tara and I walk out of the gym in silence. Our days are ruined by one person's rude, selfish attitude. And then we both blew up.\nAfter 20 minutes of the two of us yelling at no one in particular, we decided that it comes down to this: Everyone pays for a membership at the SRSC. Everyone is entitled to use whatever equipment they want within the specified time frame. Granted, the sign-up process sucks, but there's not one person on this campus who deserves to walk all over the rest of us to get a couple of extra minutes in their workout.\nLet's get serious, if you miss out on those two extra minutes you steal from other people working out and can't burn those extra 50 calories, don't eat that chocolate chip cookie for dessert. You probably don't need it anyway.\nSo, to the girl with manners who made my morning: Thank you. I wish there were more people like you in this world. It would be a better place.\nAnd to the girl in the pink shorts with that nasty attitude: Get over yourself. Stop walking all over the other people who use the SRSC. And if I'm admitted to the hospital at the age of 20 for stress, it's your fault.
(04/27/04 4:32am)
George Marakas is no ordinary IU professor. \nIn fact, he's much more than just that. Since the fall of 2002, Marakas has juggled his associate professor position at the Kelley School of Business in Information Systems and his own business on his back. \nAlmost two years ago, Marakas, CEO of Indiana Audio Mastering and Duplicating, opened a music plant that did just that -- mastered and duplicated CDs for bands and businesses. \nBut originally, Indiana Audio was a resource to facilitate to production of Marakas' own music.\n"I've been in the music business since I was 13," he said. "When I got here to Bloomington, I was still writing music, and then created a partnership. We (my partner and I) had written enough music to put out a couple of albums. I did it because it was cheap enough to produce my own music."\nBut shortly after Marakas opened the business, the staff didn't have enough time to record his own music. They were too busy taking care of other people's needs.\nAnd maybe the demands of Indiana Audio made the music plant what it is today.\nToday, Indiana Audio's primary function in the music business is CD duplicating and mastering. \n"One of our clients is NASCAR," Marakas said. "We make promotional CDs for them. We also make promotional CDs for apartment complexes."\nKevin Plummer, operations manager of Indiana Audio, said they also master and duplicate for bands and up-and-coming artists.\n"We bring in a big variety (of clients)," he said. "Bands are 99 percent (of our clients)."\nThe bands Plummer talks about are not just from around Bloomington, either. \n"We have people from Puerto Rico to Canada to Bloomington," Plummer said. \nThe reason Indiana Audio pulls such diverse groups of musicians is because of pricing and deals for the mastering and duplicating of their CDs, Plummer said.\n"(Indiana Audio) is a good outlet to find out how much their music is going to cost them," he said.\nBut Plummer said an abundance of their clients are local bands just starting up, trying to get music out to their fans.\n Deric Rush is a part of one of these local bands. But Rush is also Marakas' partner and member of the rock 'n' roll band, the Deric Rush Band, which is a loyal contributer to Indiana Audio.\n "As far as my involvment in the future, it will definitly be a direct line to (Indiana Audio) to get excellent quality of audio," Rush said. "George (Marakas) gives super-quality work."\nWhile Plummer runs the overall production and business of Indiana Audio during the day, Marakas is hard at work at the business school sharing his real-life experience in the music business with business school students. It may seem difficult for one man to be CEO of a business, while at the same time preparing students to venture out into the same field, but Marakas finds a way.\n"IU is my primary obligation, so I spend time at Indiana Audio on evenings and weekends," he said. "I juggle time between the two. And since I have my responsibility at IU, the day-to-day tasks are carried out by Kevin Plummer. I'm the CEO; I'm involved in strategy positions, approvals of advertising, and I actually do great deal of mastering."\nSurprisingly, both of his careers sometimes overlap. \n"A lot of the technology is the same type of technology that I'm responsible for training business students in the individualized major program and serve as an adviser to the individualized major program students who are going into the music business."\nAnd although it's hard to imagine carrying on both an associate professor position in the Kelley School of Business and CEO of a major CD mastering and duplicating business, Marakas finds his work at Indiana Audio rewarding.\n"Watching it (the business) grow is incredibly rewarding," he said. "Another perk is I get to hear an incredible amount of music no one has even heard yet, and that's a lot of fun."\nWith juggling these two demanding careers, Karakas is in no way familiar with the words, "free time."\n"What's free time?" he said. "Then again, all my time is free time -- I choose to spend it one way or another, doing the things I enjoy."\nPlummer also finds his job at Indiana Audio rewarding, but for a different reason. He's touched by artists coming to pick up their CDs for the very first time.\n"Several times artists will come in and visualize what they want their CD to look like, but until they have it in their hands, it's not a completed project," he said. "Sometimes they start crying -- it's touching."\n-- Contact copy chief Stacie Vasko at svasko@indiana.edu.
(04/20/04 5:34am)
The gates to the backyard of Phi Delta Theta will open at 5 p.m. Wednesday in preparation for Guster's debut as a musical appearance for this year's Little 500 festivities.\nPhi Delt, Phi Kappa Sigma and Kappa Sigma fraternities have teamed up to bring another well-known name in music to campus in hopes of raising not only interest in the Little 500 concert, but money for Riley's Children's Hospital as well.\nAmong the fraternities, the hunt has been on for a big-name band since September. \n"The main thing was everyone wanted a big band," said Phi Delt Philanthropy Chair Adam Levy. "When everyone found out, everyone was pretty amazed. A lot of guys pushed for them in the first place."\nWhen the fraternities looked for a band within their budget, Guster was the big group they decided on, said Levy. \n"It was the bang for your buck," he said.\nOpening up for the main act are, Mike and Joe, a local band that frequents The Bluebird, and Grahn Colton, an up-and-coming singer/songwriter.\nSince booking the bands over the past couple of months, enthusiasm and publicity has been quite high.\n"Everyone was really pumped (when we booked the band) -- it was definitely a very positive reaction in selling tickets and getting the ball rolling," said David Rifkin, concert chair for the Phi Sigs. "(The radio station) B97 has been doing radio spots, too." \nBesides the hype of having a big name in Bloomington, Rifkin has personal expectations for future Little 500s, as well.\n"My main goal is to bring Little Five back to what it used to be," said Rifkin. "It's been kinda down, it was just a matter of bringing it all together, and I think we've done that."\nAnd what a better way to celebrate the most famous week at IU?\n"It"s the biggest thing going on," said Rifkin. "What better to do on a Wednesday than to go to a big concert for $15? It should definitely be a fun show."\nPresident of Phi Sigs Mike Friedman agrees.\n"I'm so excited," he said. "It's amazing to pull in such a big name."\nAnd that big name might be just as excited as the rest of those who plan on attending the Little 500 philanthropy event.\n"Guster is actually really excited to play at IU," said Rifkin. "They haven't payed at a fraternity in 10 years."\nAs the anticipation increases with the event so close, Levy still doesn't believe Guster is playing in his own backyard.\n"The reality of them being in our backyard won't sink in until they're here," he said.\nGates open at 5 p.m. with Mike and Joe and Grahn Colton with Guster to play at 7 p.m.. Tickets are $15 ahead of time and $20 at the door.\n-- Contact copy chief Stacie Vasko at svasko@indiana.edu.
(04/08/04 5:36am)
Following in the footsteps of Fabulous two years ago and Jurassic 5 three years ago, Bone Thugs 'N Harmony will take the stage April 23 for Zeta Beta Tau fraternity's annual Little 500 event.\nPre-reserved tickets are currently being sold for $15 and part of the proceeds are going to the Children's Miracle Network.\n"There's a big buzz about tickets, and the guys in the house are loving it," said Brian Nessel, external social chair for ZBT.\nBoth Nessel and vice president Adam Jacobs have been working hand-in-hand to make this year's Little 500 events a success to continue their musical tradition at Little 500.\n"It's a running tradition to have hip-hop and R&B," Jacobs said. "We want to have fun, raise money and add appeal to Little Five."\nAs for the billboard name of the group, Bone Thugs is one of the bigger names IU has seen during Little 500. \n"It's a big group that hasn't done much lately, but we've been contacted about Web pages printing the appearance (at ZBT) in Indiana," Jacobs said. "(They) have a pretty large following in the United States, Carribean and Mexico."\nBone Thugs seems to fit perfectly for this year's events, Jacobs said.\n"(Bone Thugs is) a name among many, they fit our price range and availability," Jacobs said. "The more tickets we sell, the more fun we will have and the more money will go to charity."\nAnd with a highly anticipated outcome of ticket sales, ZBT is well on its way.\n"Everyone in the house is helping," Nessel said. "Everyone gets excited about it."\nAnd the excitement is showing as Jacobs said each day there is growing interest in tickets.\n"I couldn't give you a specific number," he said. "It seems like the number changes every day."\nBut the excitement is not only because of ticket sales. Sophomore and ZBT brother Craig Wolf is simply excited about the event itself.\n"How many times in your life do you get to say you had a big band play at your house?" said Wolf. "It's a cool thing."\nWolf is also enthusiastic about where the money is actually going.\n"Our house is excited about doing something for the campus and giving back," he said.\nAs ZBT has begun to build a tradition in booking big, musical groups, it's something Jacobs would like to see continue.\n"(Booking big bands like Bone Thugs is) something we'd like to do in the future," Jacobs said. "Little Five" is a great time, and it is our way of adding to what is one of the best college weekends ever."\nThe event featuring Bone Thugs 'N Harmony and opening act, DJ Jumpin' James will take place at 7:30, Friday, April 23 at ZBT, 1640 North Jordan Ave. Tickets are $15 ahead of time and are available through reservation with any member of the fraternity or leaving a message at 333-0507.
(04/01/04 5:00am)
Just as off-the-wall and sarcastic as the characters they play, Matthew Perry and Bruce Willis are teaming up again for a big screen sequel to their hit movie, 2000's "The Whole Nine Yards," which is set to open April 9.\nCo-stars of "The Whole Ten Yards," Perry and Willis, spilled what it was like getting back into character and their expectations of the sequel, as well as how the chemistry between them transfers to the big screen. \nEditor's note: This interview took place as a conference call in which several writers participated, including Weekend reporter Stacie Vasko.\nQ: How did you feel when you were approached to make a sequel to "The Whole Nine Yards?"\nBW: (Bruce Willis) I was excited, I wanted to do it again. I wanted to work with Matthew again and Natasha (Henstridge).\nMP: (Matthew Perry) I was ambivalent ... no, I was thrilled to come back.\nQ: Why did it take four years to release the sequel?\nBW: The idea was always there. We fooled around with it and wanted to work again. It took a little time, but we did it and it was a ball.\nMP: Yeah, we talked about doing a sequel while shooting the first one. If you're having a lot of fun shooting a movie, you just wanna keep going and shoot another one. \nQ: What were the easiest and hardest parts about getting back into the roles of Oz and Jimmy?\nBW: Well, the easy part was working with the same, funny crew of people again who had a big, fun time on "The Whole Nine Yards." We were lucky enough to come up with idea of having Kevin Pollak be the father of the character that we killed in "The Whole Nine Yards."\nMP: And the hardest part probably would be that people really liked the first movie, so we had a job to make a movie that people would like as much, and I think we pulled it off.\nQ: How have your characters changed since the first movie?\nMP: Well, I've gotten a lot better looking. My character is a lot more attractive, wouldn't you say, Bruce?\nBW: Very handsome ... No, I think the characters love each other in a weird way and fear each other in a weird way. It's a weird movie. Go see it, you'll understand.\nQ: How difficult is it to go back and forth from dramatic to comedic roles?\nBW: It's not hard, it's fun to get suited up each time with a different group of acting muscles and try new things. It's challenging, that's why I keep doing it. I want to be able to do my best to make people laugh and, at the same time, try to be interesting in a dramatic sense.\nQ: You guys have a new director and a new writer on the set. What was it like to work with new people?\nBW: I think it's always a great creative process. We tried to assemble the best team we could -- to be funny, to make it watchable, make it interesting and wacky. And I think we had a really great crew.\nQ: If each of you had $100 million to make one movie, what would it be like?\nMP: Bruce, you have $100 million, don't you?\nBW: I bought the car, so it kind of knocked a little bit off the top.\nMP: Well, I know that the movie that we would do would involve the fun that we had while shooting this one. Bruce and I just got lucky, we have good chemistry between us, and I say that and I'm as straight as they come.\nBW: We do have fun and we know each other's timing -- you know, fooling around with that for two films now.\nMP: We would definitely like to work together in the future ... we have a blast together! \nQ: Are you guys the same people you were when you met on the set?\nBW: I think we're better friends. We know each other better and we learned so much about each other's comic timing on the first film. It was fun to reload that and try and beat the first film -- try and be funnier, make it more interesting and to make the film stand on its own as an individual film if you hadn't seen the first one, it being a sequel and all.\nQ: How would you describe "The Whole Ten Yards" from your experience of working on it?\nMP: Just that it's funny. We set out to do at least as good as "The Whole Nine Yards," and I think we accomplished that. That all started as an atmosphere at work, just coming in and cracking each other up.\nBW: Mayhem and comedy. Champagne and bologna.\nQ: You two have great chemistry. Where does that come from?\nMP: It's the cool thing about these movies. I had a great experience the last 10 years on "Friends" with a great ensemble cast and we kind of had that on these movies, too. It takes funny people and people who really derive pleasure out of making people laugh and that's what we have in this movie.\nQ: You were on an episode of "Friends" together. Did that have any effect on your relationship?\nMP: Well, the only difference is that I've done 274 shows and Bruce has done three, and he's won an Emmy and I haven't. Bruce and I got along really well in the first movie ... and hopefully we'll keep popping up in each other's movies.\nBW: All we wanna do is make each other laugh, and if I can make Matthew laugh, I think we got a leg up, so to speak.\nQ: Do either of you have plans to do more TV in the future?\nMP: I think both of us are focusing on movies right now.\nBW: I'm planning on doing a little TV and a couple of projects. I'd like to go on as a guest character on a show that I'm actually producing called, "Touching Evil." It's Fridays on the USA Network. My company is working on a project of James Ellroy novels and I'll be doing a series out of that on HBO.\nMP: And I'm focusing mostly on Hawaiian Punch commercials.
(04/01/04 4:58am)
Just as off-the-wall and sarcastic as the characters they play, Matthew Perry and Bruce Willis are teaming up again for a big screen sequel to their hit movie, 2000's "The Whole Nine Yards," which is set to open April 9.\nCo-stars of "The Whole Ten Yards," Perry and Willis, spilled what it was like getting back into character and their expectations of the sequel, as well as how the chemistry between them transfers to the big screen. \nEditor's note: This interview took place as a conference call in which several writers participated, including Weekend reporter Stacie Vasko.\nQ: How did you feel when you were approached to make a sequel to "The Whole Nine Yards?"\nBW: (Bruce Willis) I was excited, I wanted to do it again. I wanted to work with Matthew again and Natasha (Henstridge).\nMP: (Matthew Perry) I was ambivalent ... no, I was thrilled to come back.\nQ: Why did it take four years to release the sequel?\nBW: The idea was always there. We fooled around with it and wanted to work again. It took a little time, but we did it and it was a ball.\nMP: Yeah, we talked about doing a sequel while shooting the first one. If you're having a lot of fun shooting a movie, you just wanna keep going and shoot another one. \nQ: What were the easiest and hardest parts about getting back into the roles of Oz and Jimmy?\nBW: Well, the easy part was working with the same, funny crew of people again who had a big, fun time on "The Whole Nine Yards." We were lucky enough to come up with idea of having Kevin Pollak be the father of the character that we killed in "The Whole Nine Yards."\nMP: And the hardest part probably would be that people really liked the first movie, so we had a job to make a movie that people would like as much, and I think we pulled it off.\nQ: How have your characters changed since the first movie?\nMP: Well, I've gotten a lot better looking. My character is a lot more attractive, wouldn't you say, Bruce?\nBW: Very handsome ... No, I think the characters love each other in a weird way and fear each other in a weird way. It's a weird movie. Go see it, you'll understand.\nQ: How difficult is it to go back and forth from dramatic to comedic roles?\nBW: It's not hard, it's fun to get suited up each time with a different group of acting muscles and try new things. It's challenging, that's why I keep doing it. I want to be able to do my best to make people laugh and, at the same time, try to be interesting in a dramatic sense.\nQ: You guys have a new director and a new writer on the set. What was it like to work with new people?\nBW: I think it's always a great creative process. We tried to assemble the best team we could -- to be funny, to make it watchable, make it interesting and wacky. And I think we had a really great crew.\nQ: If each of you had $100 million to make one movie, what would it be like?\nMP: Bruce, you have $100 million, don't you?\nBW: I bought the car, so it kind of knocked a little bit off the top.\nMP: Well, I know that the movie that we would do would involve the fun that we had while shooting this one. Bruce and I just got lucky, we have good chemistry between us, and I say that and I'm as straight as they come.\nBW: We do have fun and we know each other's timing -- you know, fooling around with that for two films now.\nMP: We would definitely like to work together in the future ... we have a blast together! \nQ: Are you guys the same people you were when you met on the set?\nBW: I think we're better friends. We know each other better and we learned so much about each other's comic timing on the first film. It was fun to reload that and try and beat the first film -- try and be funnier, make it more interesting and to make the film stand on its own as an individual film if you hadn't seen the first one, it being a sequel and all.\nQ: How would you describe "The Whole Ten Yards" from your experience of working on it?\nMP: Just that it's funny. We set out to do at least as good as "The Whole Nine Yards," and I think we accomplished that. That all started as an atmosphere at work, just coming in and cracking each other up.\nBW: Mayhem and comedy. Champagne and bologna.\nQ: You two have great chemistry. Where does that come from?\nMP: It's the cool thing about these movies. I had a great experience the last 10 years on "Friends" with a great ensemble cast and we kind of had that on these movies, too. It takes funny people and people who really derive pleasure out of making people laugh and that's what we have in this movie.\nQ: You were on an episode of "Friends" together. Did that have any effect on your relationship?\nMP: Well, the only difference is that I've done 274 shows and Bruce has done three, and he's won an Emmy and I haven't. Bruce and I got along really well in the first movie ... and hopefully we'll keep popping up in each other's movies.\nBW: All we wanna do is make each other laugh, and if I can make Matthew laugh, I think we got a leg up, so to speak.\nQ: Do either of you have plans to do more TV in the future?\nMP: I think both of us are focusing on movies right now.\nBW: I'm planning on doing a little TV and a couple of projects. I'd like to go on as a guest character on a show that I'm actually producing called, "Touching Evil." It's Fridays on the USA Network. My company is working on a project of James Ellroy novels and I'll be doing a series out of that on HBO.\nMP: And I'm focusing mostly on Hawaiian Punch commercials.
(03/24/04 5:21am)
As junior Katie Lutzow, a dedicated work-out enthusiast of the School of Health, Physical Education and Recreation, was making her way out of the locker room, cell phone in hand, getting ready to listen to a voicemail when she was confronted with a quick reprimand from a female employee.\n"Cell phones have been banned in this area," the woman said as she lifted the phone to her ear. "You need to get off, now."\nLike Lutzow, many students may be confused by the new signs posted at the HPER and the strict enforcement being put on cell phone users in the buildings. What was once just a casual cell phone call is now a crime.\nThe HPER has begun enforcing a new policy banning any use of cell phones in locker rooms. The policy arose after a female obtained naked photos of another female using the digital camera in her cell phone, said Larry Patrick, director of programs, services and facilities for the HPER.\nNow, three weeks after the incident, signs are posted throughout the building informing all about the ban of all cell-phone use in the locker rooms.\nPatrick said there was only one instance known to the staff but fear of legal problems has caused them to take action.\n"It only takes one to get sued," he said.\nPatrick said cell phones may still be used in any other part of the HPER but it is against their policy to use cell phones in any locker room in the building in an attempt to avoid future incidents of the kind that occurred last month. And if it continues to happen, he said the HPER will be forced to go further than a warning for students.\n"We hope it's the end of it, but you never know," Patrick said. "(If it happens again we will have to) call the police and have them arrested." \nPatrick's concerns are serious, and not just for legal reasons. He said he doesn't think college students take these types of actions seriously.\n"(Pictures can be taken of) men, women, it doesn't matter," Patrick said. "There's so many pranks played in college, you just never know."\nJohn Pedersen, facility support director for the Student Recreational Sports Center, said he is concerned by the issue because it is becoming a national trend.\n"We've read about and heard about this happening as close to us as the HPER, but other places at other universities have alerted us," he said. "We perceive it in the industry as a concern, and we're following policy with all cameras … We have consent forms for any kind of photos that are taken -- still or video."\nUnlike the HPER, nothing is posted within the SRSC about their policy with cameras, but Pedersen said it's in the facility-use document.\n-- Contact copy chief Stacie Vasko at svasko@indiana.edu.
(03/02/04 6:03am)
Speakers and honorees are anticipating the 58th annual Kelley School of Business Alumni Conference, which is set to take place at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis Wednesday.\nMuch anticipation surrounds this year's conference. The event, which includes a luncheon, is held every year by the business school's Alumni Association for the purpose of networking, honoring distinguished alumni, sharing keynote speeches and sharing real life business experiences, in accordance with the conference's theme.\nThis year's theme is "Leading Change: Reinventing the Organization."\n"We picked it because today in the business world people have to constantly reinvent their businesses," said Kari Niblack, director of alumni programs for the Kelley School of Business.\nBecause of the selected theme, keynote speakers and honorees were chosen based upon how they have personally reinvented their organizations.\n"(The) keynotes were picked for the reason that they will be speaking about the theme," she said. "We wanted individuals who had distinguished careers and have different backgrounds and had taken their organizations in a completely new direction after bad times or an economic downturn."\nNiblack also said the criteria to be chosen to speak or be honored at this year's conference included individuals' being "natural leaders who have been very successful when reinventing their fields."\nThose speaking are John T. Lampe, chairman, CEO and president of Bridgestone Americas Holding, Inc.; Samuel A. DiPiazza Jr., Global CEO of PricewaterhouseCoopers; Steven J. Beck, president of Indiana Venture Center, Inc.; and General Peter Pace, United States Marine Corps vice chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, said Niblack.\nNiblack is pleased with this year's keynote speakers.\n"(We have a) pretty dynamic group coming in," she said.\nAs for those being honored, six Hoosier alumni have been selected to receive this prestigious award.\n"It's truly a unique award and something the school is very proud of," Niblack said. "(They're selected based on) their service to the community, an outstanding business career, (being) leaders in their field and really distinguishing themselves after leaving the Kelley School."\nThe six selected have embodied these Kelley School standards, Niblack said.\n"They truly are remarkable stories," she said.\nThe honorees include Cheryl A. Bachelder, former president of KFC Corporation; Philip L. Francis, chairman and CEO of PETsMART, Inc.; Alan B. Graf Jr., executive vice president and CFO of FedEx Corporation; Quintin E. Primo III, co-founder, co-chairman and CEO of Capri Capital; and Jane and Jean Ford, co-founders and creative directors of Benefit Cosmetics.\nFrancis said he is looking forward to attending the conference and luncheon Wednesday.\n"It looks like the speakers are high quality," he said. "I'll be a good listener, and I plan to learn something."\nFrancis plans on supporting the business school after his involvement in this year's conference.\n"I've joined the Kelley School Dean's Advisory Council -- that will have me in Bloomington twice a year."\nMuch like Francis, Jean and Jane Ford are anticipating their appearance Wednesday.\n"This being our first alumni conference, we expect to have a renewed appreciation for the alumni association and all it contributes to -- not only to IU, but all of Indiana," the Ford sisters said in a statement. "We are excited for the opportunity to meet our peers in business and to exchange business information."\nThe Ford sisters were both surprised and honored to have been chosen for the annual distinguished entrepreneurs award for founding and running Benefit Cosmetics, a national line of beauty products.\nThey continue their involvement at IU.\n"We have a scholarship fund which is ongoing, as well as creating possible opportunities to have a roundtable discussion with future entrepreneurs," the Ford sisters said.\nThe sisters accredit some of their success to the things they took with them from IU.\n"When we were at IU, we were in a community of about 40,000 students, and because the student body was so big, you were just one of many and had the opportunity to become anything you wanted to be," said the Ford sisters. "IU, for us, gave us the foundation and the confidence to follow our passion and create Benefit Cosmetics." \nThe keynote speakers and honorees will pull in over 1,200 people who are expected to attend, including Gov. Joe Kernan and state legislators, Niblack said.\nAs this year-long process of planning comes to an end, the business school's Alumni Association staff has to start thinking about next year's conference.\n"Specifically, what we always want to do (with the annual conference) is high quality," Niblack said. "The conference is put on and reflects the school, ethics, leadership, best keynote speakers and best quality."\n-- Contact copy chief Stacie Vasko at svasko@indiana.edu.
(02/17/04 5:58am)
The importance of higher education is growing increasingly valuable in a world full of competition after college. As the cost of a college education continues to skyrocket, many students may have only one thing on their minds -- "Do I pay for books … or a brand new Louis Vuitton bag?"\nCollege spending becomes of particular interest to those students who worry about where they will dig up $100,000 to pay off student loans after their four years of college -- and hopefully it will only be four. But for some students, the worries are different. Without having to pay for school, over-spending on other things can become a bad habit. \nSophomore Aviva Sauer has become accustomed to this lifestyle.\n"My parents give me money every month and break it down for what it's for," she said. "I probably spend double of what they give me."\nAlthough Sauer said she spends a lot on personal things outside of school, she doesn't think she spends exceptionally more than the average IU student.\nDining out is where most of her money tends to go, she said. Part of the reason for Sauer's extensive spending is having a car on campus.\n"I'm definitely spending a lot more this year than last year because of having a car," Sauer said. She said she thinks it's easier to spend more money when students have easy access to getting around. \nSauer also said she thinks a big reason college students spend so much money has to do with their priorities.\n"Things are given to them," she said. "They pretty much have what they need but still tend to spend more."\nTilman Klumpp, associate professor for the economics department would consider Sauer to be part of a smaller group of students who have an abundance of money to spend.\n"I think college students, in general, are less likely to spend (money) because they don't have a lot of money to spend on things," said Klumpp. "But compared to the entire University, there are probably students who have the resources to spend on those things (materialistic possessions)."\nLike what Klumpp would consider the majority of college students, there are many who do struggle with finances.\nUnlike Sauer, junior Hannah Brewer has to watch her personal spending because she pays for her cost of living and tuition.\n"Living would probably be the bulk (of what I spend), and then the rest to tuition," Brewer said. "Basically, I try not to spend excess amounts (of money). I try to only get the things that I need -- I don't shop unless I really need it, like for holidays and birthdays."\nAs for necessities, her meals mostly come from a sum of money she pays monthly to her sorority house, but on the weekends, her house doesn't serve meals.\n"When I do get food from the grocery stores, I try to just get cheap foods, like Spaghetti O's. I try not to order out that much," she said. "But I'm from Bloomington, so sometimes my mom will fix me a meal."\nFor Klumpp, Brewer's situation seems to fit more of the traditional college-student profile, rather than what many would see as a materialistic student. Klumpp said teaching at IU is very different than other schools he has taught at. \n"I worked at other institutions before, and saw how they dress and what they drive, and (IU) is a lot less materialistic," he said. "I would assume that IU would probably be more accessible to (self-reliant) students, rather than students who are very rich or materialistic who may choose other schools, like Ivy League schools."\nAs Klumpp has seen, priorities seem to vary across campus, as well as change within schools across the nation. Each student adapts to his or her own financial situation. \nAs Brewer monitors her budget closely, some others close to her do not.\n"I wouldn't spend on things that a lot of my friends spend on," Brewer said. "Sometimes I question the random things they buy, because I save ridiculously for things in the future." \n-- Contact copy chief Stacie Vasko at svasko@indiana.edu.
(02/05/04 4:28am)
IU has received a $150,000 grant to go toward something other than the traditional benefit of scientific research, or the frequent expansion of an academic department. \nLast November, the IU School of Optometry, in partnership with the School of Medicine, received a grant from the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust to aid in providing the proper eye care for those who are not able to afford or have access to the medical necessity, said Gerald Lowther, dean of the School of Optometry. \nHe said the strictly non-profit program will be a service run by staff members who will concentrate mainly on children and elderly in the Indianapolis area.\n"It's to work as an outreach program with a staff of people who will work with the community and community groups to make people aware of the services needed for eye care and vision care," Lowther said. "(We want) to reach out to more individuals."\nThose individuals in need of proper care who don't have the resources to obtain it will receive more than just the routine look at their vision.\n"(We will also be) helping people get care -- other than vision," Lowther said. "These people will be guided to other resources to find other needed health care."\nEdwin Marshall, professor of optometry and assistant dean for academic affairs and student administration, said he sees these same objectives as priorities but wants to focus on the community being more aware of eye care, as well.\nMarshall said he hopes the grant will enhance the level of education on the importance of eye care to the public and spread the value and importance of visual health.\n"There will be an indirect effect on the public of eye care as an education and as an economic development," Marshall said.\nBesides spreading the word of how important eye care is, the program will provide a much-needed service to those who may not think they even need this form of medical care.\n"We tend to take a lot of things for granted ... we miss things after they're lost," Marshall said. "And people will think they see clearly -- that isn't necessarily correct."\nEven though people see clearly, that doesn't mean there aren't other medical problems, he said.\nThis type of special attention both Marshall and Lowther hope to provide to their target group of Hoosier citizens is what caught the foundation members' eyes when selecting institutions for their grant to be given.\n"One of the nice parts of the project is it was a collaboration of the School of Optometry and the School of Medicine," said David Hillman, grants program manager for the private foundation. "They presented very strong services to provide the community and those less fortunate, with more serious medical issues."\nThe foundation serves three main areas of interest -- basic human needs, arts and culture and animals and nature. The basic human needs category was the area selected for IU's grant. Hillman said IU was of specific interest in a prospective project for the grant because of its interest and goals.\nHe said IU stood out for more than one reason.\n"(Basic human needs) is based on giving," Hillman said. "And Nina, the benefactor the foundation is based upon, had a particular interest in vision and preventing blindness."\nMarshall said he hopes to continue to expand and evolve upon the foundation of interaction with the community.\n"We have, historically, provided these types of services -- what (the grant) allows us to do, is expand," Marshall said. "There may be some new twist, but the general concept of expanding care to other individuals is part of it. We want to go a little further with that mission for those who are slightly out of our reach"
(01/29/04 5:42am)
Dean of Students Richard McKaig is preparing to take the plunge. \nMcKaig has agreed to jump into a pool of near-freezing water if the Student Alumni Association raises $500 for Special Olympics Indiana.\nThe Polar Bear Plunge, which debuted last year, will once again highlight the Spirit of Sport fundraising event, Feb. 6. Last year, 35 participants took the icy plunge.\nThe festivities will start with a parade of participants dressed in costume before they come outside and jump into a 14-foot pool, said Rachael Mayer, vice president of business affairs and fundraising for Spirit of Sport, Joanne Orrange, advisor of Spirit of Sport, said she doesn't think the icy water will hold back volunteers. She has high expectations for this year's plunge. \n"Last year, we didn't know what to expect," Orrange said. "Thirty-five people participated and we raised $3,500. This year, we set our sights pretty high. We want to have 100 jumpers and raise $7,000 -- to double our money and triple our participation."\nIn hopes of surpassing last year's turnout, Mayer has worked hard to get word out about volunteers to leap into the frigid pool.\n"There have been flyers all over campus," she said. "We've talked to student organizations, but it's been mostly word-of-mouth."\nMayer's main goal is to increase the number of volunteers who take the plunge.\n"I expect this year there will be much more involvement -- we want more people to get involved and see what it's all about," she said. "We want to have more people plunge … we had a lot of community members last year, but this year, we want more campus involvement with Greek system and student organizations."\nBesides Greeks and student organizations, McKaig said he will jump in on one condition. The Student Alumni Association has to raise $500 alone. \nSandra Inman, director of student programs, is optimistic on reaching their goal.\n"I think it's realistic, it's definitely attainable," she said. "Dean (McKaig) is well-liked -- students and administration will come on board to help."\nSpecial Olympics Indiana is the main reason for her confidence in the fundraiser.\n"It's a very worthy cause, so (Special Olympics Indiana is) something people will want to support too," Inman said.\n"They might be halfway out of their minds," she said.\nThe benefits going to Special Olympics Indiana was part of the reason McKaig decided to participate.\n"I have participated in Spirit of Sport for years and have always enjoyed it, especially since it's for a good cause," McKaig said. "They thought I would be a good prospect -- I don't know if that's a compliment or not."\nRegardless of why he has agreed to be a part of the Polar Bear Plunge, McKaig said he may be a little nervous after seeing it all happen last year.\n"I hope that it may be an unusually warm night -- like 48 degrees," he said. "To date, I'm trying to pretend it's not going to happen. Ask me on the day after if it was a good idea or not"
(01/27/04 4:51am)
In a world where grades weigh largely on success, students may not be able to fully express their past achievements to future employers. \nUntil now.\nIU will soon see the addition of a valuable student resource in every University branch across the state. IU has been granted over $500,000 to develop a new service called ePortfolio that will be available through Oncourse for the 2005-06 school year.\nThe ePortfolio program will enable students to demonstrate personal achievements on the Web to express more than just the transcript of their college education, according to a press release.\nEPortfolio, when available at IU, will be linked to Oncourse, said Christine Fitzpatrick, deputy communications officer for the office of the vice president for information technology at IU- Purdue University Indianapolis.\n"It will be the first (piece of software) we (IU) will develop as part of the Sakai Project in the next few years," she said.\nThe Sakai Project, as defined by their official Web site (http://www.sakaiproject.org/sakaiproject), is a collaboration among several higher education institutions to develop and share software. According to the press release, ePortfolio will be based very similarly to the functions of the Sakai Project. \nBrad Wheeler, associate vice president for research and academic computing, said he believes ePortfolio will be valuable in providing another tool for students to convey achievement to anyone from future employers to potential graduate schools.\n"It will largely determine what we define as achievement," he said. "Students will be able to choose what they want to expose in a portfolio and to whom… may it be a speech they gave, a video or a paper. It could be digital, audio or textual."\nWheeler illustrated the true function of the new program in seeing past letter grades. He said using a student's ePortfolio will provide people student-selected work to better understand their abilities. Wheeler also noted students can choose to create different portfolios for different people and functions.\nBeyond a resource for self-expression and aid in job placement, Wheeler said there is ultimately another function.\n"It's a new frontier to teach and learn," he said, referring to the construction and production of ePortfolio by the University.\nWheeler said IUPUI has committed two years to the introduction and classes in preparing for the production of the program. He thinks the University as a whole could benefit in observing what goes on in Indianapolis.\nAnd soon, in Bloomington, that same type of operation will be seen. The team of people in charge of creating and building ePortfolio has a specific mission in mind for IU.\n"From the technology organization, our mission is to support academic programs," Wheeler said. "We want to accomplish it, in a way, as national, so students can use it for applying to grad school, using the their portfolio as portable."\nWheeler hopes everyone will take advantage of the new software when it becomes available.\n"We're building the software to build this tool -- it's up to students, faculty and staff as to how it will be used"
(01/26/04 5:44am)
In 1989, Teach for America had only a handful of active members. Now, 14 years later, the organization has more than 3,100 corps members in more than 20 locations across the nation. That evolution is thanks in large part to recruitment efforts at universities like IU, where TFA week begins today, looking to enroll new volunteers.\nThroughout the week, events will highlight participation in the national organization to prepare future graduates interested in TFA for the final application deadline, Feb. 15.\nChuck Salter, director of IU recruitment for TFA, said he anticipates the upcoming week will bring in more students to participate in the organization.\n"Twenty seniors have already been accepted into the 2004 corps," Salter said. "We're hoping to get many more from IU for our second deadline on Feb. 15."\nSalter said, out of all the schools involved in applying to TFA, IU provides the second-highest number of applications.\n"IU is definitely a top TFA school," he said.\nTFA calls upon recent college graduates to dedicate two years to teach in low-income communities, according to their official Web site, www.teachforamerica.org.\nGraduating senior Mamie Doyle has been accepted into the first deadline for the 2004 TFA corps. She will be teaching in Philadelphia this fall and is excited to begin her experience. \n"I just think it's a great program to give children a chance at an excellent opportunity and a great way to get into the issue (of bettering America's education system)," said Doyle. "I want to obviously do the best I can for them (the schools and children) and learn as much as I can about education in low-income places. I hope to eventually work on policy changes." \nWith a mission to rid America of educational inequity, TFA is particularly selective in choosing college graduates, Salter said.\n"It's based on a vigorous criterion and is open to all majors," Salter said. "We look for students who show academic achievement and leadership -- it's a fairly complex rubric."\nThe search for TFA educators focuses on a specific type of graduate to fit the position. \n"Essentially, we expect corps members to be highly capable people who can be teachers and teacher-leaders," Salter said. "They have to go the extra mile to help teachers in the district face a lack of resources, sometimes a lack of health care and other issues that plague socio-economic people."\nAs hard as the organization works to find ideal teachers coming out of college, applicants work just as hard. Doyle said though it's a long, hard process, it's very rewarding. \n"It's a rigorous process -- first there's an online application with essays, then they review the application and set up interviews. The interview process is the most intense part -- I had to plan a lesson, read articles, talk about education issues -- then there's a one-on-one interview." \nThe application process, although selective, pays off in the end, Salter said. TFA aids graduates in job placement after their commitment in the corps is completed.\n"They're being hired because they're Teach for America teachers," he said. "They (employers) hire them because of (their involvement) and knowing they did it."\nA CNN Screening and Alumni Panel will take place from 8 to 9:30 p.m. tonight in Woodburn Hall, Room 120. Information sessions will be held from 8 to 9 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday in Morrison Hall, Room 007.\nFor more information about TFA, go to www.teachforamerica.org, or to schedule a meeting, contact Salter at chuck.salter@teachforamerica.org.
(01/23/04 5:29am)
IU now ranks 11th among large universities in the number of college graduates who join the Peace Corps, according to a 2003 study.\nWith over 7,500 volunteers currently serving as active or training members, the Peace Corps continues to see rising numbers -- on average, 15 percent -- in college alumni across the nation, the highest since the 1970s, a press release reported Tuesday. \nWith the University of Wisconsin-Madison in first place, the Peace Corps announced IU at eleventh among large universities, with a total of 71 alumni -- 11 joining last year.\nIU Peace Corps representative Thomas Bonnenfant said he has witnessed a heightened interest by undergraduates already this year.\n"It's starting to pick up even after a week of classes," he said.\nThis is IU's first year with a specific person representing the Peace Corps. Bonnenfant said IU's representative might explain the growing interest in enrollment.\n"It definitely helps being here to talk one-on-one with the students," said Bonnenfant. "I think that could be a reason for more students joining."\nThe only requirements the organization enforces is the minimum age of 18 with a 27-month commitment, according to the recent press release.\nBonnenfant said there's no typical type of person who shows particular attention to the program.\n"You get all walks of life," he said. "It's pretty broad -- all sorts of majors, from psychology to political science. And you get all kinds of people -- even older people and professors."\nBut each individual embodies one motive.\n"They want to use something they take for granted, like English, and pass it to someone else," said Bonnenfant.\nSenior Patrick Coad, a potential member, said he feels this way as well. \n"Those people require more attention from me than my own needs do," he said. "I think a lot of why I want to do it comes from where I'm from. I've always been over-privileged -- spoon-fed -- and it made me want to provide those things to other people." \nAnd for some, like Bonnenfant, serving in the Peace Corps is only the beginning of a career.\n"I loved it (the Peace Corps) so much that I joined the central Eurasian studies department," he said. "And that's why I came to IU."\nBonnenfant now provides information and support for those interested in beginning their mission after life at IU. He helps seniors make final decisions, finding personal reasons to commit themselves.\n"It's an opportunity to live and work within a different culture while traveling, and besides, it's an opportunity to give back," senior Zach Tennant said. "I've been very fortunate. I've gotten an education that I want to get back."\nBut Tennant's experience in the Peace Corps will be slightly different than most.\nAfter graduating this spring, Tennant and his fiancé, senior Amy Younger, plan to join the Peace Corps together after they get married.\n"We both had strong intentions (to join)," said Tennant. "And once it came up between us, we really thought about it. Now we're 110 percent sure we want to do it and follow through."\nTennant said he thinks his marriage with Younger will definitely be challenged while overseas.\n"I think it will strengthen our relationship, too," he said. "We'll use each other as support."\nFor more information about the Peace Corps, attend the informational meeting at 6:30 p.m. next Wednesday in the School of Education, Room 1120.\n-- Contact copy chief Stacie Vasko at svasko@indiana.edu.
(01/20/04 4:23am)
Until two years ago, business majors with an interest in entertainment were unable to find a way to combine the two fields at IU. Senior Eddie Anderson, one of these students, found opportunity in what he saw as a flaw in the business school.\n"It came from the fact that I wanted to work in the entertainment industry," he said. "I was a business major who wanted to be a Broadway actor at one point in my life."\nNo one in the business school knew how to answer his questions about the entertainment industry and its relation to business.\n"I noticed that not only were there very little resources here (at IU), but they were also discouraged," he said.\nAnderson's initial thought of starting a business and entertainment-related club came out of frustration in bringing together his ideal major.\n"I really didn't want other students here at IU to have to go through what I went through ever again. I didn't want dreams to be discouraged at a professional university. I wanted them to be emphasized and encouraged realistically."\nAfter Anderson came to this realization, he spent all night coming up with a name for his new club. The next day he was the president, founder and sole member of the Business Careers in Entertainment Club.\nTwo years later, Anderson is still president of BCEC, but the club has built more of a foundation here at IU.\nAbout 100 active members now participate in the activities BCEC provides to business students looking for a more specific concentration on entertainment, contributing their own personal interests in the club.\n"Our mission is to provide internships, job opportunities, career information and hands-on experience to undergraduate students interested in the business end of the entertainment industry," Anderson said.\nBCEC is a resource to begin a dream, but also pushes members to find their own dreams.\n"It takes a lot of personal mission because this club is supposed to only serve as a guiding light -- something to give them focus and something to make them feel like they are not alone at this stage," Anderson said.\nUnlike most clubs, Anderson said BCEC puts each individual member's interests first.\n"Our club is completely and personally oriented. Meaning, if you join, our primary mission is to help you succeed," he said. "It grows as each member adds more, and more."\nThe club finds internships and information and builds connections with businesses in the entertainment industry across the nation. Sub-committees concentrate on more specific areas of interest. \nJunior Robb Rosenthal, vice president of the club, also found his niche in BCEC.\n"I didn't know what I wanted to do with my life -- I was a singer at the time," Rosenthal said. "I went to a meeting and it was professional and fun -- they were my kind of people."\nOnce Rosenthal joined, he soon became the vice president and now works to build and maintain contacts for current and future members. He helps keep things functioning on a daily basis.\nThe director of each committee in the club serves as a guide and expert to aid in the search for information or internships to benefit the success of the member.\n"It's (BCEC) divided into a hierarchy of committees. Each committee represents a different industry in the entertainment industry," Anderson said. \nThese areas include television, film, performing arts, gaming, publishing, music, radio and sports.\nOver winter break, 18 of the active members visited New York City on a four-day trip to visit with major businesses and speak to professionals in the industry. The focus of the trip was to build connections and seek information about the specific industry.\n"I knew it was going to be a big deal," said Rosenthal. "It was like having a 'mini-job.' We got a chance to be in a big place and see how much work is involved in the industry."\nFor Anderson, the objective while in New York was somewhat different.\n"We wanted to primarily represent IU, BCEC … and other members here," said Anderson. "We wanted to get as much out of it (the trip) as possible for the club and IU."\nWhile acting as ambassadors for BCEC and IU, the members visited ABC, NBC, CNN, the New York City Sports Commission, the minor league Staten Island Yankees, Brooklyn Cyclones and Octagon Worldwide.\nBCEC is actively searching for more members to contribute to their personal interests and provide growth to the club.\nRosenthal, who will become president of BCEC next year, hopes for further growth while he takes on a new position.\n"We've done so much with so little," Rosenthal said. "I hope to continue to keep up business connections and make the New York trip annual -- and of course, I hope to do half as much as Eddie (Anderson) has done, because if I do, I will consider it a success."\nAs Anderson prepares to graduate this spring, he still has the same vision as he had that night in 2002.\n"We want to help them get over the doubts and focus and set on the real-life dream. Instead of just being a starry-eyed dreamer, we want them to become an informed, passionate person," Anderson said. \nFor more information on BCEC, attend the next call-out meeting at 7 p.m., tomorrow at the Kelley School of Business, Room 219.\n--Contact copy chief Stacie Vasko at svasko@indiana.edu.
(12/10/03 5:39am)
Kelly Compton, a self-described 31-year-old senior, came out over the phone while his parents were vacationing. He spoke to his mom first, and he knew it wasn't going to go well.\n"She totally flipped out on the phone and there were a couple expletives when I first told her," he said. "She was going crazy and eventually, the last thing she told me was, 'And after all we've done for you.'"\nWhat started as an impossible situation, turned out to be more than alright for Compton, as his mother finally accepted it.\n"She eventually came around and said, 'You're my son and I love you no matter what,'" Compton said. "And eventually, it got better as the years went on."\nBut not everyone's coming out experience is like Compton's. Five panelists discussed revealing sexuality at a discussion called "Coming Out for the Holidays," at 7 p.m. Tuesday in the Maple Room at the Indiana Memorial Union. Three students, a mother and an IU Health Center psychologist discussed ways to deal with the huge turning point in the lives of most gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people.\nPanel member and senior Stef Shuster talked of breaking the news to her parents individually.\n"I really wanted to do it separately because I would have one parent who I knew would be an ally," she said.\nShuster's parents are divorced, which made coming out a little easier. She said her close relationship with her dad ended up yielding a positive reaction.\n"He pretty much just told me that he was concerned about was my safety," Shuster said.\nHer mother reacted quite differently, but Schuster said, "It's slowly gotten better."\nAs almost everyone in the room expressed Tuesday night, the coming out process isn't just a one-time thing. Those who reveal their sexuality must do so again and again. And for each individual that comes out, the experience is unlike anyone else's.\nCompton talked about his rough experience and how it soon ended. He has been with the same person for nine years, and they now have four adopted kids and are foster parents to five.\nSophomore Owen Sutkowski and his mother, Cookie, told of their experience with his coming out.\nSutkowski's mother said she knew all along he was gay.\nTheir story of understanding and support for each other inspired others in attendance to tell their own.\nAndrew Shea, psychologist for the IU Health Center, said the most important thing is to build yourself a support system. He said you should start with someone you know as an ally. This support will garner further support from other family members.\nSenior Brian Moak said these people will be curious about the lifestyle as well.\n"They asked me questions because they cared," he said.\nMoak said the more people want to know, the more you know they love you.\nShea said holidays are probably not the best time for people to come out to their families, because telling extended relatives at the same time you tell immediate family members can put a lot of stress on the family.\nFreshman Isaiah Astest looked at coming out as more of an opportunity than anything.\n"For me, it was an opportunity to break down stereotypes," he said.\nAs many expressed Tuesday night, the whole process of coming out really doesn't end. Panel members agreed that it's still hard, time and time again. \nBut, as Sutkowski said, "the sun comes out tomorrow and the clouds will pass."\n-- Contact staff writer Stacie Vasko at svasko@indiana.edu.
(11/24/03 5:26am)
A new bill in Congress could ease the pain felt by college students buying textbooks each semester.\nCongressman David Wu, D-Ore., and member of the House Education Committee, introduced a bill to the House of Representatives Thursday to have the General Accounting Office, the investigative division of Congress, look into why American students pay more for textbooks than students overseas. \nThe GAO will also determine why U.S. college bookstores are banned from buying cheaper alternatives, like used books or paperbacks, that universities overseas have access to, according to a statement made by Wu Thursday in Washington, D.C.\n"American college students should not have to pay double what overseas students pay for identical college textbooks," Wu said in the statement. "The pricing practices of the college textbook industry defy common sense, and today I am announcing legislation to get to the bottom of it."\nWu started taking action when he talked to Portland State University's bookstore manager about the situation and found out this had been a source of frustration for quite some time, said Cameron Johnson, Wu's spokesperson. Textbooks in the United States can be as much as $100, whereas the same textbook in paperback overseas is $50.\n"Textbooks that Americans could buy overseas, even with the shipping, are significantly cheaper," Johnson said. "Given tuition is rising at high levels for American families sending their kids to college, we want to find out why this is happening. Is there price gouging going on? We just don't know."\nSenior Jeffery Toschlog, an employee at T.I.S. College Bookstore, 1302 E. Third Street, is in favor of the bill's progression.\n"I'm going to like it if it will lower the prices … because, of course, I don't like paying for books," Toschlog said. "I think people are going to buy books no matter what, but there would be a more positive attitude among students and their parents if the prices of books become lower."\nIf Wu's goal is reached, students will not be the only ones affected. Bookstores across the nation will benefit as well. \n"I feel good about the efforts being made by the congressman," said Paul Hazel, director of the IU Bookstore in the Indiana Memorial Union. "Some progress has been made but not nearly as much as what Congress can do."\nIt may be up to a year before the GAO's investigation yields any kind of information to support further progress of Wu's bill, according to his statement.\nJohnson said he wants students interested in supporting the process to know they should contact their congressman and tell them to co-sponsor HR3567. \n"That's the best way for anyone to help," he said.\nGiven the encouragement of Wu and his supporters, the bill could potentially make the ride through college less bumpy.\n"College students and American families have to pay for tuition, room and board, books and travel," Johnson said. "We want to reduce the overall cost of a college education. We want to make college as affordable as possible."\n-- Contact staff writer Stacie Vasko at svasko@indiana.edu.
(11/19/03 5:47am)
While IU administrators continue to discuss the mere possibility of a longer Thanksgiving break in the future, administrators at IU Southeast and IU East are putting their feet up in relaxation for the coming week. \nBoth IU campuses have set a fall break for the 2003 fall semester. IU Southeast will recess on Tuesday of next week, and IU East will be off Monday through the following weekend.\nIU-Bloomington does not have a fall break, but the Bloomingon Faculty Council is currently weighing the pros and cons of instituting a break. The proposal for extending Thanksgiving break, which was made two years ago, is still being discussed by the council.\nTo have the week of Thanksgiving off, R. Gerald Pugh, professor and associate dean of continuing studies, said the academic calendar must add one more week to the semester with classes canceled Labor Day to create the full 16 weeks.\nThis year is the first year IUSE has implemented a fall break, said Gilbert Atnip, IUSE vice chancellor for Academic Affairs.\n"It was vigorously debated, and there was no universal agreement (among everyone involved), but we're going to try it," Atnip said.\nThe opportunity to change the academic calendar in order to insert a fall break came only by rearranging the start of classes for this year's fall semester.\n"A couple of years ago, we had been starting classes on a Wednesday in August, but we decided to start classes on Monday this year," Atnip said. "Staff and faculty noticed that we had a couple of extra days this year, so we said, 'Let's look for a break.'"\nThe IUSE campus will have Tuesday and Wednesday off, but classes are still scheduled to meet Monday.\nUniversity officials have a survey set up to see who attends Monday classes. Both faculty and students will be part of the survey. If the University sees attendance drop on Monday, they will go back to having class up until Thursday, according to Atnip.\n"It will be interesting," said Atnip. "I have no idea what is going to happen."\nAt IU East, fall break has become a permanent part of the academic calendar.\n"It's been more than five years since we haven't had a fall break at East," said Dianne Chandler, director of Human Resources at IUE, who was part of the committee that presented and put the break into action.\nThe reasons for pursuing the break ranged from the needs of students to faculty. Chandler said most papers and projects assigned to students are due the week following Thanksgiving. \n"By having this extra time off, students have more time to work on these things," Chandler said. \nBefore the break was put into effect, the attendance in classes on the Wednesdays before Thanksgiving was very low, Chandler said.\nWhile the faculty and administration from the two IU campuses enjoy their time off next week, the students probably need it more.\n"(Not having a break until Thanksgiving) is really tough on students," said Atnip. "They're getting real horned down at this time of year."\nFreshman Katie Schultz agrees that a break would be nice.\n"I'd rather start earlier because we've been going so long without a break," she said. "It would really be nice to have one about now."\n-- Contact staff writer Stacie Vasko at svasko@indiana.edu.
(11/18/03 6:08am)
The Society for the Study of Scientific Sexuality currently is reviewing applications for its fall 2003 student research grant, according to David Fleming, executive director of the society's office.\nEach year, the SSSS provides two students -- one in the spring and one in the fall -- with $1,000 each for a specific topic of sexuality research. \nThe money provided to these students comes from contributions from members of the society and fund-raisers by the foundation.\nThese nationally granted awards are given mainly to graduate students and doctoral students, but anyone from any discipline of study can apply, Fleming said. Past applicants include those studying biology, psychology or nursing.\n"The researcher fills out an application and an abstract and tell us what kind of research they want to do," Fleming said. "We then have a list of reviewers who blindly rank and select our winners."\nPast winners have researched such topics as "Traumatic Victimization: Relating to Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Adults and Their Siblings," "Physiological Component of Sexual Dysfunction in Association with Household Sexual Abuse" and "The Pleasure Deficit: the Role of Desire in Contraceptive Use." \nAccording to Fleming, these research papers have been done by students from the University of Vermont, the University of Texas and Emory University, respectively. \nHitting closer to home, Nicole Merritt, an IU graduate student, won an SSSS grant for her research in the field "a few years ago." \n"It was pretty straightforward," Merritt said. "I had to explain what I was going to do and provide preliminary data."\nOnce she received the grant, she worked under IU's of psychology department for her study of "Alcohol and the Effects for Sexual Response and Risk Taking."\nFleming said the organization receives 20 to 30 submissions per year like Merritt's from student researchers across the nation.\nA number of research papers from students researching under the grants have been published in the the SSSS journal as well as other journals.\n"We encourage the participation of student research to master's and graduate students in providing stipends to do research and get their stuff published," Fleming said. "Our winners have produced some pretty significant results."\nThe applications for this year's fall grant are still being reviewed. The winner will be announced in the next couple of weeks, according to the SSSS Web site.\n-- Contact staff writer Stacie Vasko at svasko@indiana.edu.