Culture centers help students find a home
The Office of International Studies is a great place to start, and it can point you in the direction of IU’s many other culture centers.
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The Office of International Studies is a great place to start, and it can point you in the direction of IU’s many other culture centers.
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>A cultural organization might help you find your niche at IU, whether you are ready to learn about other cultures or you want to find a place to feel at home.The Office of International Studies is a great place to start, and it can point you in the direction of many of the other of IU’s culture centers.“I find that an international student, often more homesick, will enjoy more cultural specific events,” said Lillian Casillas, director of the La Casa Latino Cultural Center.That is what she tries to provide for students who come to the center. Known as La Casa (or “the house” in Spanish), to many students it becomes just that — a home.From the annual Festival Latino to the home-cooked dinners, Casillas and her staff work year-round to put on programs in hopes of educating on culture and providing resources to students.“As soon as the students come to campus, I like to have an open house,” Casillas said, “so that they know we are here.”Comfort is what the Center for Human Growth tries to provide with its international student support group. The support group offers a five-session series that focuses on different topics such as homesickness, adjustment issues and stress management.The program is just one of the resources the center offers as part of its counseling services.Yvonne Mok, a master’s student doing her practicum at the center, encourages everyone to take advantage of the services.“The programs are good for getting to know more about American culture,” she said. “We can share our experiences and support one another.IU CULTURE CENTERSFIRST NATIONS EDUCATIONAL AND CULTURAL CENTERWeatherly Hall 203400 N. Sunrise Dr.812-855-4814HELENE G. SIMON HILLEL CENTER730 E. Third St.812-336-3824ASIAN CULTURE CENTER807 E. 10th St.812-856-5361LA CASA LATINO CULTURE CENTER715 E. Seventh St.812-855-0174NEAL-MARSHALL BLACK CULTURE CENTER275 N. Jordan Ave.812-855-9271More resources to help you adjustLanguage Conversation ClubsThe International Center offers many opportunities to practice almost any language you want to learn. They’re free, and the schedule is available at ois.indiana.edu.
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>A cultural organization might help you find your niche at IU, whether you are ready to learn about other cultures or you want to find a place to feel at home.The International Center is a great place to start, and it can point you in the direction of many of the other of IU’s culture centers.“I find that an international student, often more homesick, will enjoy more cultural-specific events,” said Lillian Casillas, director of the La Casa Latino Cultural Center.That is what she tries to provide for students who come to the center. Known as La Casa (or “the house” in Spanish), to many students it becomes just that — a home. From the annual Festival Latino to the home-cooked dinners, Casillas and her staff work year-round to put on programs in hopes of educating on culture and providing resources to students. “As soon as the students come to campus, I like to have an open house,” Casillas said, “so that they know we are here.”Comfort is what the Center for Human Growth tries to provide with its international student support group. The support group offers a five-session series that focuses on different topics such as homesickness, adjustment issues and stress management. The program is just one of the resources the center offers as part of its counseling services.Yvonne Mok, a master’s student doing her practicum at the center, encourages everyone to take advantage of the services.“The programs are good for getting to know more about American culture,” she said. “We can share our experiences and support one another.”MORE ON IU CULTURE CENTERSAsian Culture Center807 E. 10th St.812-856-5361La Casa Latino Culture Center715 E. Seventh St.812-855-0174Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center275 N. Jordan Ave.812-855-9271First Nations Educational and Cultural CenterWeatherly Hall 203400 N. Sunrise Dr.812-855-4814Helene G. Simon Hillel Center730 E. Third St.812-336-3824Leo R. Dowling International Center111 S. Jordan Ave.812-855-9086MORE RESOURCES TO HELP YOU ADJUSTLanguage Conversation ClubsThe International Center offers many opportunities to practice almost any language you want to learn. They’re free, and the schedule is available at http://ois.indiana.edu/ic/programs/language_practice/conversation_clubs.php.Monroe County Public LibraryThe library offers several language practice opportunities, including English as a Second Language programs. Upcoming events can be found at http://www.monroe.lib.in.us/general_info/events.html.Conversation PartnersIn this International Center offering, students who want to practice each other’s languages are paired to exchange skills and understanding. Email intlcent@indiana.edu or call 812-855-7133 for more information.Writing Tutorial ServicesThey won’t write your paper for you, but WTS tutors will help you improve your writing in areas you’re worried about. WTS is located on the first floor of the main library and in Briscoe, Forest and Teter. It is best to make an appointment in advance at 812-855-6738.
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Fashion, charity and environmental awareness will all be showcased at Styleta’s first campus runway show. “Rock the Runway” will begin at 7 p.m. today at the Willkie Auditorium. Dope Couture and Pitaya clothing will be featured in the show. Styleta is a nonprofit fashion organization that focuses on recycling clothes for various initiatives. Donated clothes are sold online, and proceeds from the sales are collected and used for nonprofit causes and women’s initiatives. Styleta also stresses the importance of recycling clothes, claiming that each piece of clothing recycled through the organization prevents it from ending up in a landfill. “We are all things that is fashion,” said Ryan Lee, national creative director for Styleta. Lee said today’s show is a great way to let students know that Styleta is on campus. Although the organization has appeared in several magazines, such as Teen Vogue, Seventeen and Instyle, Styleta’s campus presence is not as strong, Lee said. Styleta has also worked with ACW Worldwide, the casting agency that works for Fashion Week in New York City. Senior and Director of Marketing Chris Hall is looking forward to letting students know about Styleta. He said the event will not only be fun, but it will also inform students on the organization’s mission and purpose. “We are trying to separate ourselves as a club,” Lee said. “We want to stand out.”In addition to high fashion clothing and a trunk show, guests can expect music from renowned DJ Wizz Kid.“It’s definitely going to be a high fashion party atmosphere,” Hall said.
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Welcome to Bloomington.While this new venture might be exciting and full of possibilities, IU is here to help with any challenges you might face. Finding a good support system from the beginning can be vital to your success. There are numerous resources on campus that can help. As an international student, a cultural organization might help you find your niche at IU, whether you are ready to learn about other cultures or you want to find a place to feel at home.The Leo R. Dowling International Center is a great place to start. Tish Gonzalez, the office assistant at the center, said that many students find the center’s resources useful to their stay at IU. A few of the center’s programs include conversation clubs so that students may practice new languages or improve their English. Gonzalez said another popular program is the Coffee Cultural Hour.“I find that an international student, often more homesick, will enjoy more cultural-specific events,” said Lillian Casillas, director of the La Casa Latino Cultural Center.And that is what she tries to provide for students who come to the center. Known as La Casa (or “the house” in Spanish), to many students it becomes just that — a home. From the annual Festival Latino to the home-cooked dinners, Casillas and her staff work year-round to put on programs in hopes of educating on culture and providing resources to students. For an international Hispanic, the differences of identity and language can be significant. La Casa tries to break those barriers by providing a support system and answering questions about finding jobs, sponsors and other opportunities available to students.“As soon as the students come to campus, I like to have an open house,” Casillas said, “so that they know we are here.”She also collaborates with the International Center every fall to sponsor a trip for students to get to know more about Indiana. Other events the centers do together, named the “Getting to know Bloomington” series, include trips to different landmarks in the city.“The more you know about the place you are in, the more likely you will feel comfortable,” she said.Comfort is what the Center for Human Growth tries to provide with its international student support group. The support group offers a five-session series that focuses on different topics such as homesickness, adjustment issues and stress management. The program is just one of the resources that the center offers as part of its counseling services. Yvonne Mok, a master’s student doing her practicum at the center, encourages everyone to take advantage of the services.“The programs are good for getting to know more about American culture,” she said. “We can share our experiences and support one another.”These, of course, are only a few of the countless resources available to you. A great starting point, these centers might lead you to great organizations, events and programs that may help you in your adjustment to Bloomington. Before classes start, and before the homesickness hits, find a place at IU that you can lean on. A big campus can be overwhelming, but excitement comes in making it your own.
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>The Lotus World Music & Arts Festival starts tonight with a concert sponsored by Women of Lotus and Friends of Old-Time and Celtic Music. Performers will take the stage at 7 p.m. in the Buskirk-Chumley Theater.Abigail Washburn is known for mixing American old-time and Chinese folk music. Her new CD, City of Refuge is set to come out in 2011. Vishten will also be performing tonight. Their shows include singing and step dancing in a tradition with Cajun, Breton and Celtic music. Doors open at 6:15 p.m. Tickets cost $20.For more information and to purchase tickets visit lotusfest.org
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>FROM IDS REPORTSInternationally renowned conductor, Leonard Slatkin will kick off the season for the Jacobs School of Music today. Slatkin will conduct the IU Philharmonic Orchestra. The program will begin at 8 p.m. in the Musical Arts Center. Slatkin was named the Arthur R. Metz Foundation Conductor at the Jacobs School in 2006. He has over 100 recordings, which have led to more than 50 Grammy nominations, five of which have been awarded to him. He is currently the music director for the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. His performances throughout the world are highly praised, and he is well-known for his advocacy work for music education. Today’s program will include Cindy McTee’s “Double Play” and Hector Berlioz’s “Symphonie Fantastique, Op.14.” -Vanessa Valentin
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Cardinal Stage Company and the College of Arts and Sciences at IU have come together to bring a classic story to students as part of the themester program that explores sustainability. The Grapes of Wrath opens Thursday and goes until Sept. 12 at the Waldron Arts Center Auditorium. Though Cardinal Stage Company artistic director Randy White said he expects it to be a great show, he said he is most excited about the educational component that the audience will experience during the production.“We’re very excited to be doing it as a part of the themester,” he said. “Last year we did evolution.”A 36-page educational handbook was put together by the organizations with the help of IU faculty. Twelve essays and additional research on sustainability and its important role in the play are included in the booklet. These will be distributed to all that attend the show. Cardinal Stage Company has taken the educational component further by offering free showings for local high school students. The company began the Community Access Ticket Initiative two years ago with the Anne Frank production. The program survives on donations from supporters. This year, the student showings were funded by Jane Pauley and Garry Trudeau. The money makes it possible for 700 students to attend.“Seven hundred is a larger group than last year,” said Katie Becker, Cardinal Stage Company’s general manager. “We are very pleased.”White said he looks forward to the production, a story he said fits well with the sustainability issue. “The Grapes of Wrath takes place during the Dust Bowl,” he said. “It teaches you that regardless of whatever the circumstances are, you can always make it. They’re in this together to make their lives better.”Aside from the show, he said the large cast was something he enjoyed. Costume Assistant Stacy Brewer said she also has enjoyed working with the group. In addition to supervising the wardrobe department as a costume assistant, Brewer acts and choreographs for the production.Brewer started her theater career in high school when she said she became frustrated with store-bought Halloween costumes, so she decided to make her own. Although the past two weeks have kept her busy, she said she loves what she does.“There’s a kind of rush that happens. An adrenaline that you get only when you’re doing live theater,” she said. “You have to be prepared and do the best that you can. That challenge and sense of accomplishment is unmatched. I thrive on it.”
Sisters Renee Kuhl and Grace Kuhl perform at the Players Pub Monday. Charlie Faye, a songwriter, watches after her performance. Suzette Weakley and Bobbie Lancaster, local songwriters, founded the Bloomington Songwriter Showcase. Admission to the shows are free.
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>As IU students head back to town or are already unpacking, parties are being planned, bar specials are being announced and bands are preparing to entertain. The Main Squeeze, the headliner for Friday’s welcome back concert at the Bluebird Nightclub, is one of them. The funk/rock band is scheduled to play at midnight. “We play at Bluebird all the time,” lead vocalist Corey Frye said. “We are really excited about Friday night and doing something special for students back in Bloomington.” The band got together more than a year and a half ago. Ben Silverstein, a recent IU graduate, said he had worked with other groups as soon as he came to campus, but when his long-time friend Max Newman joined him two years later, they both decided to form their own band. “We wanted to play our own music,” Silverstein said. Frye, a new member, said he joined the band after a couple of rehearsals. “It just felt right,” he said. “I started singing with them and stuck around.” Senior Reuben Gingrich, the band’s drummer, said he joined the band for the love of music. He said he enjoys meeting people and having a good time. With graduation in the near future, he said he plans to stay with the band. “I want to stay active and play music as much as possible,” he said. Silverstein categorizes the band under “feel-good music.” A mix of funk, soul and rock. He has a hard time choosing one genre for the group. “It just makes you feel good,” he said. Although the band has played a lot in several locations, Frye said he is looking forward to their first Chicago appearance on Sept. 4. The band will play at the North Coast Music Festival in Goose Island in Wrigleyville. “We want to spread out in the Midwest,” he said. ”We want to play everywhere.” After four months of separation, the band is preparing their first show, which will introduce a new bass player and lineup. “It’s going to be a good one,” Silverstein said.Tickets for Friday’s show can be purchased at the door.
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>The Pepsi Refresh project has encouraged individuals and groups to come up with refreshing ideas that will “change the world.” JMUSE (Just Making Use of Soulful Expression) Productionz believes its idea can do just that. The group, which grew from 25 to 45 members in one year, has developed a program, S.T.E.P. (Scaffolding Talent for Exceptional Purposes), focused on high school artists who might not have the time or the opportunity to develop their talent in classes. The summer program will fuse African dance, modern dance and stepping to tell a story of freedom in a production.“I wanted to provide a platform for struggling artists to come together,” said graduate student Justin Merrick, founder of JMUSE. Merrick is currently the creative director of the organization. Merrick said S.T.E.P. is a way for the organization to move forward. Instead of just helping college students enhance their talents, high school students from around Indiana will be able to perform. Although artistic talent is what brings the organization together, Merrick said it is not just about providing entertainment, but also about educating the audience. “It’s activism through the arts,” he said. “We want to express our political ideologies, social construct and cultural diversities through these shows. We expose new ways of using talent, like persuasion.”One such performance raised money and awareness for Haiti last February. Senior Melody Barham said the organization has helped her develop her talents. A singer and writer, she is learning to dance and step through JMUSE. “It is great to see everyone grow as dancers and as people,” she said. “I’ve learned not to limit myself.”Barham said she believes the summer program will be helpful because staying productive during the summer has helped her be a proactive individual. She said she is excited to offer the opportunity to younger students. The Pepsi Refresh project will provide $25,000 to the top 10 winners. JMUSE currently ranks 41. Senior Robyn Coleman said they are asking everyone to vote to help them go up in ranking. By logging in through the Pepsi Refresh page, students, friends and family are able to vote once a day. Texting a daily vote is also an option. As a singer in the group, Coleman said the experience has been breathtaking. She said being in JMUSE has given her the ability to speak in public. “When you believe in something as much as I believe in this organization, you’re able to face your fears,” she said.JMUSE is scheduled to make appearances in several locations this week including residence halls and CultureFest. Coleman said the organization will continue to encourage everyone to vote for their project until the Aug. 31 deadline.“This organization gives great artists an opportunity to do what they love,” Coleman said. “I love it.”
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Sophomore Kylie Turk was surprised with rain Tuesday morning as she set up the blue tent that will be her home for the next two days. A man passing by suggested she grab a garbage bag, poke holes in it for her arms and then use it as a raincoat. So began her experience as a person stricken by poverty.The Trockman Microfinance Initiative members are participating in the Two Dollar Challenge to raise awareness for poverty.According to sophomore Samantha Capshew, more than half of the world’s population lives on less than $2 a day. Microfinance works to help the poor gain access to credit and small loans to start businesses that will help their families survive. The challenge, which occurs nationwide on different campuses and in cities, works to raise awareness of poverty and the importance of these loans.“We are also hoping for the experience that will help us gain a better understanding of the depths of poverty,” said Capshew.About seven students are participating in the two-day event, which continues until 8 p.m. today.Turk, president of the Initiative, said the idea came last semester after the organization heard about it happening in other places. Because of the timing, she said they are only doing it for two days but other places have participated in the challenge as long as a month.During the challenge, participants are only allowed to use up to $2 a day. They must use public facilities for showers and for computers to do schoolwork. They are not allowed to use their cell phones or laptops.“I guess it’s very hard to be cut off from electronics,” said Capshew. “I don’t think I’ve realized how much time I spend on my phone.”Sophomore Corey Bright, who coordinated the event, said she has enjoyed the bond the group has gained so far.The first challenge was how they would use their money to buy food for the day. They realized that putting their $2 together would be the best way to afford more.“It’s very difficult to eat healthy though,” said Turk.The members are spending the days in Dunn Meadow and have enjoyed the visits from different people. Capshew said a homeless man approached them and gave them ideas for providing local microfinance loan opportunities, which is currently only pursued internationally.Rent is not covered in the $2 so the students in the challenge must find public places to sleep.“Our advantage is that we are students, and we look like students,” said Capshew. “We can stay in 24-hour buildings on campus.”And if they get kicked out, they said look forward to the challenge.
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Professionals from several fields in marketing, communications and television visited IU and gave advice to a room full of hopeful students. The main message: to build relationships that would foster a professional career. Sponsored by Union Board, the Residence Halls Association and the National Panhellenic Council, the event was created in an effort to have a mixer that would incorporate career advice from professionals. “These panelists are the top leading people in their industry,” said sophomore Catherine Gibson, Union Board’s public relations director. “We wanted to bring them and show students that we do honestly care about helping them achieve the next step in their careers.”The panelists included top executives in companies like ESPN, Motown Records and BET. Marc Williams, founder of Williams Communications, LLC, moderated the discussion with Gibson. The panelists spoke about what their day to day looked like, how they got to the top and most importantly who helped them get there. “The most important thing I tell students is that they have to have integrity and respect,” Williams said. “It’s about relationships and how you cultivate them.”Wendy Lewis, the senior vice president of Diversity and Strategic Alliances for Major League Baseball, added that there is no relationship more important than the one a person has with himself. She said that always doing the best in every opportunity would help others see the best. Author, public speaker and entrepreneur Erin Patton agreed. “Be of value to others,” he said. “Bad news travels fast and you need to be your own PR person.”Patton, who worked for Nike until his department was shut down, said he always wanted to start his own business but became too comfortable at Nike. He said that as he ventured to start his new business he realized that the relationships he had built during his career was what helped the most.“It’s not about who you know,” he said. “It’s about who knows you.”Junior Alyssia Oshodi said that was one of the most significant things she took with her after the panel. She said besides being impressed by the diversity of each panelist and their industries, she enjoyed all the advice they gave students.Williams used a student in the room as an example of someone who reached out to the appropriate professionals and built strong relationships. Sophomore Henry Li met Williams his freshman year after Williams went to his class to speak. “I kept in touch,” Li said. “He seemed like an interesting person and he was doing what I’m interested in.”Li is currently working on his own marketing ventures but said he enjoys keeping up with Williams, who always makes sure to contact Li when he’s in town.Jackie Rhinehart, senior vice president of marketing at Motown Records, told students that who their friends are matters. “They must be top notch at what they do,” she said. “Friends should make you sharper and brighter.”The panelists also provided an insight into what they look for when they hire for jobs and internships. When it came to resumes, the panelists agreed that a long list of achievements, although important, was not a replacement for actually knowing the applicant and what they had heard about him. “What makes me hire somebody is not the what,” Patton said. “It’s the who.”Vice President of Programming and Production for BET International Ava Hall-Mattison agreed that building her own brand, the Ava brand, is what kept her on top. When looking for someone, she said she focuses on four things: integrity, honesty, responsibility and accountability. The panelists also told the audience that technology should be making it easier to build relationships and meet people in their fields. ESPN’s Jay Harris said he had received Twitter messages all day about the mixer, which made him happy to know people were interested. At the same time, they advised against putting things up that could hurt instead of help students looking for a job. “Facebook can hurt you,” Lewis said. “Let it work for you, not against you.”Rhinehart also gave advice to women trying to get into any industry. She told students to never lower their expectations and believe that they can’t do what a man does. Lewis agreed. “Prepare to work harder,” she said. Lewis advised students to take notes on the event, saying that even she was taking notes on what she heard the other panelists say. “For many of you this is one of the most important places if not in your life then in some part of your life,” she said.
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Author Ken Auletta remembers being at a dinner party that Larry Page, co-founder of Google, also attended. When asked what each guest considered to be the most important thing that needed to happen in the world, Page answered this: colonizing Mars.“He couldn’t do that,” Auletta said. “But Google has colonized Earth.”Auletta, author of “Googled: The End of the World as We Know it,” spoke about the impact Google has had on the world in regards to education, advertising and journalism.“It made everything accessible,” he said. “It became the equivalent of the remote control.” Auletta visited IU as part of the School of Journalism speaker series. “We knew the Google book was important and certainly timely,” said School of Journalism Dean Brad Hamm.Hamm said Auletta is a great writer and over the past few decades has profiled some of the biggest people in the field. With countless information only a click away, Auletta said Google transformed education, both for the good and bad. He referred to a moment when his nephew wrote a paper that received a good grade. When Auletta asked him where he found the information, his nephew admitted to using Google.“It’s not the same,” Auletta said. “You lose something.” He emphasized the importance of digging deeper with books and research. Yet he said he understood the upside of Google and how exposure to many more voices online was also a benefit. Sophomore Lily Carreo agreed.“I like books, I work at the Lily Library and I like the books, but my father likes e-books,” she said. Her favorite part of Auletta’s speech included his discussion on transformative technology. Auletta said during a conversation with someone he interviewed, the person asked him if he had ever heard of anything more transformative than the Internet. “What about electricity?” Auletta commented.In regards to advertising, Auletta said advertisers love the system that leaves a trail of interested consumers. With ads on the side of pages, advertisers can find out what was searched, who clicked on their ads and how many times. There are some mistakes that traditional media has made, he said. This includes the pessimistic attitude of the media that tends to believe Google is a cold businessman. What he found was that the people working at Google were interested in making the Internet more efficient. Yet the technology can have drawbacks.He mentioned broadcast TV and how networks will not be able to afford four-million-dollar shows when the audience continues to shrink due to their time online. “Technology does not necessarily make it better,” he said.Auletta said during his research for the book he realized that although the Google engineer understood efficiency, he did not understand journalism. Auletta said the founder of Google does not understand the importance of copyright for a writer. A man he interviewed for the book proposed he publish it online for free. Auletta said this was impossible, asking who would pay his salary and who would market his book.There are many forms of media suffering from the online technology, and Auletta predicted many more magazines and radio stations to close. “Some will be saved,” he said. “Some can survive.”Resources are shrinking for these media though, and he admits it is a tough time for journalists. Yet there is a good side to the Internet, he said. He referred to pictures put online from phones, recording moments that a journalist was not able to. Although this multiplies the number of journalists a person has access to, it also takes away the authority of a trained journalist. “The world is happening at great speed,” he said.Auletta said he has hope that newspapers will survive based on credibility and loyalty.“When I look at the world today I actually come to think there are two types of people,” he said. “The first is lean back and he whines and complains that Google is evil. The other is lean forward. He remains optimistic because, yes it’s scary, but there are many opportunities. The Googles in this world see opportunity.”
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>What began as the tragic story of the cruel treatment of twins in Auschwitz ended as a story of forgiveness as Eva Kor, a Holocaust survivor, took the stage in front of an overcrowded Whittenberger Auditorium on Wednesday night.Kor began her speech by describing the last moments she had with her family as they were split apart when they arrived in Auschwitz. “My mother held on to Miriam and I,” she said, “hoping that as long as she could hold on to us she could protect us.” Unfortunately, Kor’s mother was separated from her twin children, and Kor never saw her again. From then on, the twins became part of Dr. Josef Mengele’s experiments. From the beginning, Kor remembers rebelling against the Nazis that tortured her and all the children in the camp. When they approached her to tattoo a number on her, she resisted. “I decided I would not allow them to do what they wanted without a fight,” she said. “Four Nazis held me down with all their strength.”After realizing that death was close by, Kor made a pledge that she and her sister would not end up dead. Kor described two different labs that the children were subjected to. The first was an observation lab, in which they would have to stand naked from six to eight hours as doctors measured and compared the twins to charts. Although she said there was no physical harm in this, the experience was demeaning. The blood lab was a different story. Blood was taken out from their arms and unknown substances were injected into their bodies. Kor fell ill after this and was taken to the hospital, a place she knew no one came out of alive. She then made a second pledge, promising herself that she would survive and be reunited with her sister. Miriam had been put in isolation as they waited for Kor to die. Five weeks later Kor was taken back to the camp and with her sister again.“I spoiled the experiment,” Kor said. “I survived.”It would be nine months before her first pledge would become a reality, but in 1944, Kor and her twin sister were free. Unfortunately, Miriam died from cancer in 1993 as a result of the experiments.Junior Genevieve Postlethwait, co-president of IU STAND, said she looked forward to meeting Kor and hearing what she had to say. “One of the main things we do is try to educate students about genocide and when we came across Eva we knew she would be fascinating,” Postlethwait said. “There’s not many people in the world with her experience.” Postlethwait said they wanted to make the event as large as possible, which prompted them to team up with Union Board. Kor recognized that she is one in a small group who survived what she did and is still willing to speak about it. “The experience of a child in camp is different,” she said. “I felt and saw that the whole world was like Auschwitz. It took every ounce of my energy to survive another day.”Sophomore Meghan Oglesby, who met Kor in middle school, came to see her again. “I like how although it was heart-wrenching, it was also light,” she said of Kor’s speech. “It’s such an amazing story and she is so avid about speaking about it.”Kor said she has learned many things from her life.“I know as I look at many of your young faces that growing up is very hard,” she said. “I remember it. Everyone wants to figure out how you fit into this big, mixed up world.”She shared her first lesson: Never give up. Her second was to work against prejudice and to treat people fairly. She demonstrated the effects of this by comparing it to everyone going to a bridge and dropping a rock one at a time into the river. “Everything we do in our lives every day touches the ripple of another,” she said. Her last lesson, one that took her the longest to learn, was forgiveness. She said that 17 years ago she would not have believed she would someday forgive the Nazis. Yet she discovered that the power to forgive was something that no one could take away.“I really think that’s definitely something that more people could benefit from,” Oglesby said.Junior Paulina Rabell stood in line after the speech, waiting to buy Kor’s book and get her signature. “The speech was mind-blowing,” she said. “It’s hard to describe it. I felt like crying and then laughing. To forgive the Nazis, that must have taken a lot of courage.”Kor said forgiving is an act of self-healing, an act of taking control over your life.“Anger is a seed for war,” she said. “Forgiveness is a seed for peace.”
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Students and community members in the Indiana Memorial Union Sunday cheered as Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Pierre Garcon took the stage. Some brought jerseys and T-shirts for him to sign.Garcon was there to speak about his work to support Haiti relief efforts. He is of Haitian descent and was invited to the White House earlier this month to discuss continuing efforts in Haiti with President Barack Obama and Haitian President Rene Preval.Garcon, who had been planning a visit to Haiti before the earthquake said he looks forward to his April 5 trip. His visit will include a second meeting with the Haitian president, opening an elementary school in the outskirts of Port-au-Prince and passing out food and supplies.He said his efforts to aid Haiti began before the earthquake, which only intensified his passion to help the country.“I come from there,” he said. “Those are my people.”Garcon opened the floor for a question-and-answer session and many took advantage of this, asking about everything from how long he wants to play for the Colts — he said he hopes his whole career — and what he planned to do for Haiti long term.To answer that question, Garcon explained he hopes to help with several initiatives, including electricity, internet and athletic centers in Haiti. He said these are things he believes would help Haitians in general.“This won’t happen overnight,” he said. “But we are looking forward to the future.”Sophomore Amanda Elliot said she admired Garcon’s efforts.“I think it’s cool he is focusing on long term too,” she said.For now, his emphasis is raising money for Haiti in order to provide food, clothing and tents for the people of his home country. He said many are suffering without shelter and that the basic necessity needs to be established for everyone before they could move forward.He acknowledged and praised those who had already gotten involved in the effort, from other players to international help.“Anything we get we accept and appreciate,” he said.Graduate student Solfils Telfort, who is also a Haitian native, said he does what he can to raise awareness and money about his home country.“What I can do to give my help here is perform in events,” he said. “I sing.”Telfort has also been asked to speak at other events raising awareness about the situation.Garcon pushed for everyone to get involved by reaching out to those at IU who are doing things to help Haiti, pointing to organizations such as Union Board and United for Haiti, who sponsored the player’s visit.The money raised during the event will go to Northwest Haiti Christian Mission, the organization Garcon works closely with.Union Board sponsored another event Sunday, a benefit dinner for both Haiti and Chile relief. Sophomore Catherine Gibson, Union Board’s public relations director said the board is always looking to support the cause and is willing to work with other organization in their efforts.“I think it’s good for the students and the community,” she said.
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Miley Cyrus’s “Party in the USA” could be heard in the halls as the stoplight/energy challenge kickoff party reached full swing in Willkie Auditorium.Forest Quad, Read Center and Willkie Quad’s student governments sponsored the annual party to bring awareness to students about the importance of conserving energy.The theme of the night was to simulate a stoplight. Residents wore red if they are taken, yellow if it is complicated and green if they are single. Students were also given glow sticks at the door before they entered the dark room.“I think it’s a really cool idea,” said Becky Rocco, a freshman and senator for student government. “It’s raining and students don’t want to go out, so they can stay in and party here.”Students mingled, ate and played with the glow sticks. Glow stick limbo, achieved by connecting several glow sticks together, was a popular game of the night.Junior Robin Spencer, Read’s student government president, said she looks forward to students learning more about the month-long challenge. During this competition, all the residence halls as well as 31 greek houses and eight academic buildings will compete to save the most energy. Spencer said for the first time, more buildings on campus are joining the challenge.“It’s getting bigger,” she said. “We are providing a lot of information about conserving energy. We want everyone here to remind friends, roommates and most of all have a good time.”Freshman Shelia Hall said she planned to have fun. She showed off her red top as she thought about what she was doing to save energy.“I’m taking the stairs,” she said. “It helps the elevators conserve energy. Also, not taking a million showers a day and making sure there are no leaks.”
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>March 12 is the last day students can fill out a dining survey conducted by Residential Programs and Services.The survey asks for insight into students’ dining experience and is part of a three-year program to make changes that respond to their service expectations. Results from the survey will be received in April.Patrick Connor, executive director of RPS, said about two years ago the University hired Envision Strategies, a consulting group, to look into the food services at IU. Although the consultant recommended no changes and considered IU to have a great program, Connor said there is always room for improvement.With the help of a consultant, RPS created a strategy to provide even better service. The five general areas that RPS wants to improve by April 2012 are culinary, cost efficiency, reinvestment in facilities, sustainability and communication.“We completely redid McNutt last year,” Connor said. “We invested in Read and Wright.” Tony Mangin, McNutt Hoosier Cafe and Store manager, said he considers the new dining area at McNutt an improvement.“It has a modernized look,” he said, adding that it now looks “sleek.”The construction at the cafe was finished last spring and although he said the freshmen don’t realize the difference, students who come back to visit often exclaim how nice the students have it now.Mangin said one of the major improvements was the addition of space for students. The bigger and more casual service area helps students interact with each other.Connor said RPS is also working to build a new dining hall on the southeast side of campus. RPS plans to distribute the survey every year, taking students’ feedback seriously as it moves to complete the five goals it has set.“The main thing people complain about is the variety,” Mangin said. “They want to see the menu change, especially those who live here. It gets boring.”Sandra Fowler, director of dining services, said RPS knows students sometimes tire of the choices offered.“We are trying to increase the amount of items that we have,” she said. “Especially those that can be freshly cooked in front of the students. We have added more vegetarian foods as well.”Connor added that presentation cooking is something that has become popular and almost necessary. Students want to see the food cooked in front of them.Mangin said McNutt often has sampling of new dishes in order to see how students respond to them.“We want a good response or it defeats the purpose,” he said.
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>The University West Apartments on Third Street will be demolished later this year to make room for a new studio for the Jacobs School of Music.The IU board of trustees approved the design, and the 85,000 square-foot Studio Building will be constructed on the northeast corner of Third Street and Jordan Avenue for an estimated $44 million. The approved design has two elements. In addition to the studio, there will also be an expansion of the Musical Arts Center. The building will be extended to create more rehearsal space. Thomas A. Morrison, vice president for capital projects and facilities, said because the Jacobs School of Music is one of the best in the world, the new studio will be a great asset.“This new facility will greatly enhance that reputation by providing a state-of-the-art facility that will provide additional large rehearsal spaces, classrooms, faculty studios and practice rooms,” said Townsend Plant, director of admissions and financial aid for the school, “along with cutting edge technological capabilities and excellent acoustics that will enable the school to continue to provide the best possible learning and performance environment for our students.” Plant said he believes the building is reinforcing the school as a leader in collegiate music study in the 21st century.“This project will increase the number of major facilities available to students and teachers,” said Alain Barker, director of marketing and publicity for Jacobs School of Music. “We’ve needed that for a very long time.”Plant said students’ main concern is the availability of practice space within the school. Sophomore Aspen McArthur, who plays the viola, agrees.“We don’t have enough practice rooms,” she said. “I’m very glad the new building will have more and hopefully really good ones. It’s exciting.”
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Students in all residence halls elected [RED]EFINE the newest Residence Halls Association board on Tuesday.The election commissioner announced [RED]EFINE the winner two hours after the polls closed. The board will take its place on April 1. “We’ll be working hard to transition and finish off the year right,” said junior and incoming RHA president Katie Lambert.Freshman Hailey Butchart, who sat at the polling table during the day in Wright Quad encouraging voters and answering questions, said quite a few people voted during her shift.“I’ve been here for about an hour and a half and a lot of people have come by,” she said.Freshman Pamela Crawford said she cast her ballot early.“A friend of mine is involved in student government and she told me about it,” she said. “They had a lot of programs this year that were fun. I liked it.”Several students admitted to not being familiar with the tickets before voting. But freshman Claire Robinson said she followed the campaign closely and presented herself at the voting table with a clear decision of who she wanted to elect for next year’s board.“This is very important to me,” she said.Robinson said being in student government as a vice governor at Wright Quad helped her to be involved and meet people. She said she based her decision on which platforms she thought were possible.Before the polls opened, members of the [RED]EFINE ticket were preparing a strategy in an effort to tackle the campus. They split up and visited dorms, passed out fliers, introduced themselves to students and encouraged them to take advantage of the opportunity to elect a new board.Vote Naked! also worked to encourage students to vote, visiting classes and handing out candy at residence halls.Both Vote Naked! and [RED]EFINE also promoted their tickets by painting their cars and driving around campus.As voting wound down to the last hour, students surrounded Wright’s polling table, making sure they were represented in the election.The new board waited patiently at Wright Formal Lounge to hear the news of the election results.“We are just relaxing and spending time together,” Lambert said. She added that she looks forward to begin working to solidify her ticket’s platforms.“I think the most important thing is to first establish a strong relationship between all 11 centers, actually 12, next year,” Lambert said.