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(09/17/03 4:58am)
Richard Balaban first noticed a problem when his father Sol drove past the familiar driveway of his own home.\nThat was only the beginning.\nFor four years, Balaban saw his father's mind and memory fall prey to Alzheimer's disease as he watched him stumble and suffer. More than anything, Balaban wanted it all to end. And as a consequence of watching his father suffer physically, Balaban suffered mentally as he began to fantasize about ending his father's life.\n"I had previously been afraid of his dying," Balaban wrote in a journal he kept while his father was dying. "I now find myself landing more powerfully on the side of fearing his survival."\nWhen his father was sleeping, there were times Balaban would imagine smothering him with a pillow. And in the winter he thought about abandoning him in the secluded woods where he would freeze to death.\nBut he never drove his father to the chilly woods or picked up a pillow while his father was asleep. Instead, Balaban began to write, expressing his pain onto paper. For Balaban, 59, writing became his prescription for emotional peace.
(09/15/03 6:03am)
Under the pressure of a struggling economy and decreases in government funding, IU President Adam Herbert said he plans to establish better state relations and increase IU's marketing value in an effort to secure academic funding.\nDuring his first meeting with the IU board of trustees in August, Herbert noted one area he plans to focus on in the upcoming months is IU's economic outlook.\nNow his plans are taking shape.\nHerbert has implemented an economic development task force, which will attempt to stimulate the state economy by accruing additional funding and resources for the University as well as creating a larger state job market for IU graduates.\nHe also said he will look into methods in which the University can enhance its relations with government officials with the hope of receiving additional federal grants. \nHerbert said he hopes to increase the number of donations by more effectively communicating to residents the University's importance within the state. \n"We need to spread the word so citizens and officials can see the value we add to the state," Herbert said. "We need to continue to make the cause to our donors that we need them now more than ever."\nBut with the economy struggling at all levels, Herbert said it can become increasingly difficult to raise funds because of decreases in government support and private donations.\nIn light of the current state of the economy, Herbert said the most significant challenge will be to generate funding without increasing tuition. He said he plans to face this challenge by strengthening the focus of the University's priorities and by doing a more effective job of marketing the University on a local and national scale.\nBoard of trustees President Fred Eichhorn said tuition hikes usually occur after the state legislature decides how much it will fund for higher education.\nHowever, when the University is determined to boost academic excellence, Eichhorn said tuition increases are sometimes unavoidable. Such was the case over the summer when the board of trustees approved a $1,000 "commitment to excellence" fee for all incoming freshmen.\n"You don't get excellence dollars from the legislature," Eichhorn said. "You get money to cover basic needs. So you're only going to get excellence dollars by increasing tuition or through grants."\nContinuing to develop the research facilities at IU is a strong motivation behind Herbert's economic plan. He said people will notice an increase in fundraising efforts in order to cultivate additional research dollars for the University.\nSpecifically, he said he plans to focus his attention on securing grants and contracts so IU can continue to compete as one of the top research universities in the nation.\nAlong with expanding the research facilities, Herbert said the added revenue will benefit students by allowing the University to provide more undergraduates with the opportunity to actively engage in research projects.\n"By securing additional funding, we can continue to offer the high quality resources necessary for students to conduct cutting-edge research," he said.\nAlthough Herbert's plans for economic growth have not yet gone into effect, the administration said it has been impressed with his ideas and efforts thus far.\nSince working with Herbert, Eichhorn said he has been impressed with the energy Herbert has displayed.\n"He's shown more concern than past presidents in his plan to deal with the government, especially at the federal level," Eichhorn said. "And with his past experience (in Washington, D.C.) as a White House fellow, I'm sure he is up to the task."\nIU-Bloomington Chancellor Sharon Brehm said Herbert's experience as an academic administrator will provide him with the capacity necessary to continue the academic excellence at IU while increasing the efficiency of economic operations.\n"(President Herbert) will be a great asset in working with state and federal government, private donors and private foundations to ensure that IU continues to be one of the great universities in this country and around the world," she said.\n-- Contact senior writer Colin Kearns at cmkearns@indiana.edu.
(09/11/03 6:01am)
One year might have been too soon.\nLast year the ramifications of the Sept. 11 tragedy were still being realized as military confrontation divided the nation and heightened national security sparked concerns about invasion of privacy.\nCritics blasted the government for its lack of preparation prior to the attacks, and people still couldn't escape the harrowing visions of that fateful morning.\nBut while time is said to heal all wounds, for some Americans the continued violence and lack of closure has made the tragedy even more difficult to deal with. Two years after the attacks, many people still feel the same as they did on the one-year anniversary -- when the consequences of Sept. 11 were still surfacing.\nIU President Adam Herbert said that although the shock of Sept. 11 is gone, the event and memories must always remain close in order to learn from "our false assumptions of our common man."\n"There are some events in human history that you just cannot forget because they are a reminder of our vulnerability," Herbert said. "This is one of those events." \nSophomore Beth Connelly said the aggression that has been generated in the last year in the aftermath of the attacks, including the U.S. military's involvement in Iraq, has only made matters worse. The Iraqi conflict has already resulted in the deaths of about 300 U.S. soldiers. \n"Everything has been building on top of one another," she said. "The extra time has made it harder because we haven't had any closure. We really haven't even made much progress (in the war). People just keep dying."\nConnelly isn't alone. Over the past two years, Sept. 11 has made such an impact on doctoral student Bryon Grohman that he doesn't even look at the buildings on campus the same way.\n"Whenever I go near Ballantine Hall I just see this huge building surrounded by hundreds of people, and I can't help thinking that it could be a target," Grohman said. "(Since Sept. 11) I've always been much more aware of the possibility of danger."\nBut since last year a degree of normalcy has returned. The overwhelming need for Americans to display their patriotism seems to have faded. National security has continued to remain high over the past two years, but people are becoming used to it. \nThe tolerance people have demonstrated toward the limitations on privacy has left Connelly frightened as to how closely Sept. 11 will continue to affect Americans.\n"People seem to be numb to all the changes, which is kind of hard to swallow," she said. "It's scary to think that this tragedy will affect us on a day-to-day basis for the rest of our lives."\nDespite the problems that have risen over the past two years, the extra time has nonetheless given some a chance to heal old wounds.\nThe memories are still vivid and the emotions still painful, but the initial shock from Sept. 11 has started to recede. Today, Connelly said she'll think about where she was two years ago and pray for the people who were more closely connected to the tragedy. \nShe has more hope for the third anniversary.\n"I can only hope and pray we can find peace and that no one will ever have to experience a tragedy like this again," she said.\nFor young Americans like Connelly and Grohman, Sept. 11 is becoming to them what Pearl Harbor was to their grandparents.\n"We always want to get beyond things and bury them so we can move on," Grohman said. "But (today) reminds us that's not always the best choice. We need to remember."\n-- Contact senior writer Colin Kearns at cmkearns@indiana.edu.
(09/08/03 6:15am)
IU Parking Operations imposed a $5 increase in its fines this year to curb the problem of illegal parking on campus.\nThe increase was not imposed in order to create more funding for the department, parking manager Doug Porter said \n"We just want people to park legally," Porter said. "Hopefully with a higher fine in place, people who would have parked illegally won't do it anymore." \nLast year students who parked without a pass were ticketed with a $35 fine, while those with permits who parked in the wrong zone were dealt a $30 penalty. This year, with the first increase in four years, the fines are up to $40 and $35 respectively.\nStill, lack of spaces may lead some to park illegally.\nIn order for the Parking Operations to generate enough money, they sell more permits than there are parking spaces available. For the more than 18,000 parking spaces on campus, Porter said the department sells more than 20,000 permits each year. Despite the imbalance in numbers, he said there is always a spot available somewhere.\n"Realistically, we'll (never run out of spaces)," he said. "There is always an empty space on campus somewhere. It's just that the space isn't always convenient for students."\nJunior Brian Hiller said that for students who live off campus, driving is often more of a hassle than it's worth. \n"When you don't have a pass, it's almost impossible to find a spot," he said. "I live on 17th Street and most of the time it's easier to walk than drive, unless you want to pay."\nDespite Parking Operations' hopes that higher fines will reduce the amount of illegal parking, some students believe the fines were already heavy enough.\nHiller said that parking is one of the "few things he hates about IU."\n"Students who parked illegally last year are probably always going to park where they're not supposed to," he said. "I just think this is another way in which they're trying to make more money."\nBecause Parking Operations does not receive any financial aid from either the state or student fees, it relies heavily on the revenue generated from parking violations, which generate almost half of its $5 million in annual revenue. Stan Easton, director of parking enforcement, said the University averages close to 90,000 parking tickets issued each year.\nAlthough parking violations constitute a significant portion of parking operation's annual funding, Porter said the majority of the revenue is generated from parking permit sales, which amounted to about $2.5 million of last year's earnings.\nUnlike other schools where parking revenue is considered part of the overall general fund, Porter said the University does not receive any of Parking Operation's earnings. In addition to salary expenditures, each year the office uses the revenue to make payments on the parking garages and to repair the streets. This summer they spent more than $800,000 on street repairs.\n"We're constantly repairing the streets and lots," Porter said. "Just because you may not notice that the street is deteriorating, doesn't mean that it actually isn't."\nWhile there are no immediate plans to expand the parking facilities on campus, Porter said Parking Operations is in the early stages of considering the placement of a parking garage on 10th Street across from Teter Quad. Additionally, he said they are looking into ways in which they can make parking more convenient for students. One approach, he said, is to expand the bus routes so students who park further away can avoid a long walk to campus.\nBut in the meantime Porter said if students plan on driving, they better plan on paying one way or another.\n"If you don't have a car, then you're not going to park here," he said. "But if you want to drive, we expect you to pay."\n-- Contact senior writer Colin Kearns at cmkearns@indiana.edu.
(09/01/03 5:23am)
IU President Adam Herbert left his Florida home in July on a Wednesday. \nJust two days later, with almost 1,000 miles of travel in between, Herbert hit the ground running when he began his first day in office Aug. 1.\nNow one month later, Herbert has focused on becoming oriented with the University by trying to meet a number of the students and members of the faculty and administration. He has also come to understand the University's fiscal affairs and the nature of the budget more closely.\nHerbert said he believes his most important roles to IU will be as a strategic thinker and an overall leader for the University.\n"I'm looking forward to the challenge ahead of me," he said. "And I can't wait to interact with the students and faculty here."\nWhen Herbert addressed the IU board of trustees for the first time Aug. 15, he outlined some of the first-order initiatives he will focus on improving. Among the initiatives, Herbert plans to:\n• Work closely with IU-Bloomington Chancellor Sharon Brehm in order to make a more in-depth evaluation of the structure of the School of Continuing Education.\n• Improve the University's relationship with government officials at all levels.\n• Initiate an analysis of the school's organizational structure in the field of graduate studies.\nIn executing his goals for the University, Brehm said the most difficult aspect Herbert will face is securing both the financial resources and human talent necessary for the University to reach its full potential. \nBut Brehm added that Herbert is already "building the foundation for meeting that challenge vigorously and successfully."\nAmong Herbert's other priorities in his first weeks as president has been to introduce himself to students.\nLast week, Herbert drove around campus in a golf cart, meeting freshmen and their parents as they moved into the dorms. After addressing the new students at Wednesday's Freshman Induction Ceremony, Herbert took time to chat with the students at a picnic outside of Alumni Hall.\nAfter hearing Herbert's speech, John Brumbaugh, a freshman from Carmel, Ind., said Herbert seemed like he fit right in with the University.\n"He's a great speaker," Brumbaugh said. "It seems like he's been working here his entire life."\nHerbert also said he plans to have regular meetings with the student governments at each IU campus, and he hopes to improve the quality of campus life for students.\nKumble Subbaswamy, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, said the efforts Herbert has put forth in his first month exemplify his dedication to the students and the University.\n"He is meeting people, reading reports and attending events almost continuously," Subbaswamy said. "Thanks to his extensive experience in higher education and background in public policy, he has already learned a great deal about IU and I feel very positive and optimistic about his presidency."\nBrehm echoed Subbaswamy's thoughts and said she has been impressed by Herbert's quick start in office and the way in which he has approached a better understanding of IU.\nBefore he came to IU, Herbert worked as the executive director and Regents Professor at the Florida Center for Public Policy and Leadership at the University of North Florida. Herbert was also the chancellor of the State University System of Florida, and served as the president of the University of North Florida for nearly a decade.\nBrehm said the combination of Herbert's personality and intellectual background benefits the University with an approachable and capable leader.\n"President Herbert is very warm and personable in his interactions with others," Brehm said. "His sense of humor, in-depth knowledge about higher education and dedication to the advancement of IU all make for great discussions. He's a good listener and a good teacher."\nAnd while Herbert said he enjoys his new home in Bloomington, the quick move hasn't come without some degree of stress. He said he and his wife, Karen, are still settling in their new home, the Bryan House, on campus.\n"It's been a hectic period (over the last month)," Herbert said. "There are still a lot of boxes around the house, and I'm not yet used to all the one-way streets. But it's still early, and that will all pass in time."\n-- Contact senior writer Colin Kearns at cmkearns.
(08/28/03 5:29am)
At Tuesday's Freshmen Induction Ceremony, hundreds of new faces eager and nervous to begin their first year at IU crowded Assembly Hall.\nIncluded among the new faces was IU's new president, Adam Herbert.\nBefore addressing students about the keys to a balanced education, IU-Bloomington Chancellor Sharon Brehm welcomed Herbert, saying that his arrival has brought a sense of joy and renewal to the University.\nThe Induction Ceremony marked the beginning of Welcome Week for freshmen and transfer students. The event, which began and concluded with a performance by the IU Brass Ensemble, included several welcoming speeches from Herbert and Brehm among others.\nHerbert addressed students about the importance and value of a liberal arts education, urging students to expand their minds and take advantage of the University's resources in order to strengthen their minds and character.\n"From Plato to Pascal, from Emerson to Einstein, a liberal arts education will bring you in contact with the great works of the past and, in so doing, will better prepare you to meet the challenges of the future," he said. "This kind of education is as much about how we know as what we actually know."\nBut Herbert was also quick to mention that an education does not just happen in the classroom. He challenged students to become better citizen and asked to "widen your circle of compassion."\nAfter taking a moment to thank the students' parents, Herbert made it clear that their children will be well taken care of and promised that each student will be challenged intellectually and that their core values will be improved.\nPatty Brumbaugh from Carmel, Ind., one of the hundreds of mothers at the ceremony, said Herbert's words were very reassuring and touching.\n"I was so impressed by (Herbert) and the entire event," she said. "I enjoyed the tradition and the history of it all. I'm very glad we decided to come."\nAfter Herbert's speech, Brehm stressed the importance of the basic foundations of an education -- reading, writing and arithmetic -- and offered students her recipe for a well-rounded education, which Chef Brehm said calls for four basic ingredients:\n• Learn something about the United States.\n• Learn something about the rest of the world you haven't lived in.\n• Learn something about science.\n• Learn something about the arts and culture.\nThroughout her speech, Brehm spoke enthuiastically about the potential of IU students. \n"Only when the students out-do the teachers do the teachers get high marks," Brehm said. "We all look forward to your success."\nThe students also had a chance to hear college advice from a student when IU Student Association President Casey Cox spoke to the freshmen about college life and the importance of staying focused on education rather than the party aspect of college. And to get his point across, Cox borrowed a line from the film, "Animal House."\n"Fat, drunk and stupid is no way to go through life," Cox said. "Beer and pizza are overrated."\nRahul Vora, a freshman from St. Louis, Mo., said he appreciated the student's perspective from Cox and the "cool advice he gave us."\nBefore concluding his address, Herbert drove home the importance of the purpose of a liberal education and welcomed the long-awaited arrival of his and the students' experience at IU.\n"Intelligence is not enough," Herbert said. "Intelligence plus character is the goal of a true education."\n-- Contact senior writer Colin Kearns at cmkearns@indiana.edu.
(05/09/03 5:31am)
Commencement weekend at IU brings together the high spirits of graduates with a temporary invasion of students' friends and relatives. But for police officers, this match is not always a positive, as graduation can sometimes deliver officers with a full weekend of parties and parking tickets.\nGraduation almost inevitably leads to celebration as parties begin to pop up around campus during the weekend. \nBut Capt. Joe Qualters of the Bloomington Police Department said, depending on the weather, the party scene is usually "hit or miss."\n"If everything is perfect, then we'll have a pretty busy weekend," Qualters said. "But if the weather isn't great, you tend to see less of a social atmosphere around town."\nSgt. Don Schmuhl of the IU Police Department said in addition to the graduation parties, officers usually see a slight increase in alcohol arrests and vandalism. Schmuhl attributed the increase in these crimes to end-of-the-year celebrations students partake in after finals week. \nIUPD Lt. Jerry Minger said more often than not, the parties during commencement weekend create little trouble for the police. Generally, he said, the parties are between close friends and family members and rarely cause much disturbance.\nWhile the party scene is usually dependent on the weather, a huge increase in traffic during graduation weekend always arrives, come rain or shine. \nQualters said the large number of visitors who are unfamiliar with the city streets often lead to an increase in traffic accidents. And when coupled with the large amount of students who are driving home for the summer, Qualters said the traffic congestion becomes even worse.\nEven though the mass of visitors can create traffic problems, Doug Porter, manager of IU Parking Operations, said parking is generally not a major concern during commencement weekend. \nPorter said since most of the students on campus have gone home before Saturday, a lot of parking space is made available for the visitors. The majority of the parking problems occur during graduation as the lot outside Assembly Hall tends to fill up quickly, he said. \nMinger said that while parking does not become a major issue of concern for IUPD during the weekend, officers will frequently monitor fire lanes and other illegal parking zones to make sure no one has parked illegally. \nDespite the increased activity over the weekend, Qualters said BPD does not make any significant changes to their scheduling. During commencement weekend, BPD does not cancel days off or increase the amount of officers on duty. IUPD, however, utilizes all of its officers during the ceremonies Saturday. \nSchmuhl said the majority of the officers work at Assembly Hall directing traffic and providing assistance to members in attendance. \nIn trying to make the weekend run as smoothly as possible and enjoyable for everyone, Qualters and Schmuhl agreed that partygoers should keep in mind those people around them while they are having a good time. \nQualters said when police arrive at a party, they are almost always responding to noise or some other complaint that was filed by a neighbor. He suggested that students who have parties keep everyone inside and hold the volume to a minimum. \n"Some students feel this is a good time to have one last blast without running into any trouble," Qualters said. "But a memorable moment for some individuals might lead to some damage or arrests. Just keep the party down and under control, and the weekend will be a lot better for everyone"
(05/05/03 5:27am)
As classes end, exams wind down and blooming flowers decorate the campus, another group of students is ready to turn their tassels and toss their caps during this year's commencement ceremony. IUB's commencement is scheduled for this Saturday, while the seven other IU campuses' ceremonies will take place between May 10 to 16. \nFrom the eight IU campuses, 14,889 students are eligible for degrees this year, and almost half of those students are from the Bloomington campus. The almost 7,000 Bloomington students who are eligible to receive degrees include undergraduates who will complete their requirements in May, June or August, and graduate students who have already earned or will earn their degrees on a monthly basis from January through July.\nIn addition to the undergraduate and graduate students, IUB will award three honorary degrees. Samuel Hulbert, president of the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, and Max Marsh, a retired research adviser for Eli Lilly, will receive a doctor of science, and Herbert White, former dean of the IUB School of Library and Information Science, will receive a doctor of humane letters.\nAs in past years, this year's event will be divided into two ceremonies -- 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. -- and both will take place at Assembly Hall. Indiana Sen. Richard Lugar will address the graduates as the keynote speaker at both ceremonies.\nBill Elliott, director of University ceremonies, said the festive and celebratory atmosphere surrounding commencement is something students look forward to since their first day of college.\n"There's always a great deal of excitement in the air," he said. "The students are finished with their classes, they're surrounded by their classmates and family and they're experiencing a rite of passage.The students are moving into a new world." \nBut before the commencement ceremony, students will have the chance to reflect on their time at IU during the annual baccalaureate ceremony. Scheduled for Friday, the day before graduation, the baccalaureate ceremony is an ancient tradition, dating back to the eighth century, that celebrates academic achievement.\nFollowing the graduation send-off at Bryan House, which is expected to last from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m., the baccalaureate ceremony will begin at 5 p.m. at the IU Auditorium and is expected to last 45 minutes. Friends and family members of the graduates are welcome to attend. \nLast year, an IU committee reorganized the baccalaureate ceremony to ensure that the diversity of faiths at IU were equally represented. Now, the event is an interfaith ceremony that includes readings and practices from Christian, Buddhist, Hindu, Islamic and Jewish religions. Music, prayer and meditation are also part of the evening.\nA committee of University chaplains, students, faculty and staff members helped organize this year's ceremony. IU Alumni Association President Ken Beckley said Friday's ceremony will reflect the changes made last year in order to reach the widest audience.\n"Baccalaureate is an opportunity for graduates and their parents to pause, reflect and give thanks for academic efforts and achievements at the end of the very special stage of their lives," he said.
(04/30/03 5:42am)
Indiana's newly passed spending plan is giving higher education some attention and funding after administering massive cuts to universities in last year's budget. But the current instability of the state economy has some worried about when and if the funding will arrive.\nEarlier this week, lawmakers passed a two-year budget of $22.7 billion that will go into effect in July. Although the budget is not exactly what Gov. Frank O'Bannon was looking for, he said he will sign the bill. The new spending plan allocates $540 million for economic development -- less than half of the amount O'Bannon wanted in his "Energize Indiana" plan. \nThe budget includes a 2.3 percent increase in 2004 to elementary and secondary education and a 1.9 percent increase in 2005. But they aren't the only ones who will benefit from this year's budget, as higher education also received some significant gains. \nDon Weaver, IU director of state relations, said while he would have liked to see the University receive more funding, he was still pleased with the amount IU was allocated during a tough economic period.\nAfter sustaining a $250 million cut last year, the new budget plans to restore 50 percent of the base funds at IU as well as 25 percent of the funds for restoration and rehabilitation of buildings on the IU campus. Additionally, the budget includes funding for capital projects, including over $30 million funding for the construction of the multidisciplinary science building on campus. \nWhile the allocated funds are only portions of the requests the University made earlier in the year, IU spokeswoman Jane Jankowski said she is pleased with the attention the spending plan showed to higher education.\n"The University absorbed many cuts from last year's budget, so we're pleased with priority of higher education in this year's package," she said.\nThe School of Informatics also received a major boost from the spending plan, as it plans to restore cuts that were made to the school last year. Once the new budget is in place, the School of Informatics at the Bloomington, Indianapolis and South Bend campuses will be able to operate at a fully-funded level. \nIU spokesman Bill Stephan said the support from the legislators will allow the University to expand the school and educate more students. Stephan said allocating sufficient funds to Informatics was a strategic move of legislation.\n"With more funds to the School of Informatics, we'll be able to benefit the economy by providing the workforce with more individuals who are more technologically efficient and knowledgeable," he said.\nRegardless of the funds the spending plan allocates to higher education, due to the heavy cuts from last year, an increase in tuition seems inevitable. The only question now is how much. Stephan stressed that the University is still only operating on 50 percent of its base funds, and it will need to get back on track. The IU board of trustees will make a decision on a tuition increase within the next two weeks.\nWhile O'Bannon has already stated he will sign the new budget, he and other state legislators have expressed deficit concerns that the spending plan might create, including a $400 million increase in the deficit by 2005. Some believe the two-year spending plan may have to be reviewed as early as next November.\nThe current economic problems have Weaver concerned about the arrival of some the University funding. Weaver said if the economy does not make a quick turnaround, the state might be forced to withhold some of the funds.\nDespite his concerns about funding, Weaver said he was very pleased with the fact that the general assembly is finally recognizing the importance of education. In addition to giving more money to education than Medicaid or prisons, this budget marks the first time in which the state is appropriating money to campuses for research.\n"It's nice to see them heading in the right direction," he said.\nThe Associated Press contributed to this story.
(04/29/03 5:41am)
Minutes before Monday night's Chancellor's Forum lecture, audience members were crowding inside the cramped Oak Room in the Indiana Memorial Union. With no seats available by the start of the lecture, people began carrying in chairs from the lobby so they could have a comfortable seat for Joel Beinin's lecture, "Scholars, Neo-Conservative Pundits, and U.S. Middle Eastern Policy."\nBeinin is a professor of Middle Eastern history at Stanford University, and he has authored numerous books on the subject, including his most recent, "Workers and Peasants in the Modern Middle East." Monday's lecture was co-sponsored by the department of Near Eastern Languages and Cultures and the Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies Program.\nAt the heart of Beinin's lecture was an attack on "neo-conservative pundits" who he says have undermined the importance of Middle Eastern studies in order to protect their own interests. \nOn more than one occasion Beinin attacked President Bush and said he has noticed a shift in the opinions of Middle Eastern scholars over the last decade due to their hunger for more power.\n"Attacks on Middle Eastern studies is an attempt by neo-conservatives to suppress criticism of the Bush administration," he said.\nBeinin's visit to IU marks the final installment of the Chancellor's Forum lecture series for this semester. The program, which was started after the Sept. 11 attacks, invites three to four speakers each semester. Cyndi Connelley, the administrative assistant for the Dean of Faculties, said the chancellor's office tries to invite speakers who will discuss up-and-coming events that students will find interesting.\nNazif Shahrani, professor of Central Eurasian Studies, said discussing Middle Eastern policy is often neglected in the United States, and Beinin's expertise on the subject will benefit students' awareness of our current foreign policy.\n"Tonight we have one more chance to discuss this important issue, and I can think of no one better to hear from than Professor Beinin," Shahrani said.\nA controversial issue like current Middle Eastern policy in the United States is almost certain to stir strong emotional debate. In a question-and-answer session, audience members were not afraid to stand up to Beinin's opinions.\nOne discussion dealt with the question of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. While one audience member believed it was too early to dismiss the idea that Iraq might still possess weapons, Beinin disagreed.\n"Iraq most certainly had chemical weapons, but they did not have any weapons of mass destruction," he said. "The question then becomes: if Iraq does not have these weapons and countries like North Korea do, why not invade them? It seems like the message behind this war is, if you don't want us to invade your country, you must have weapons of mass destruction."\nBut despite the sometimes-heated moments with the audience members, Beinin said he welcomed the criticism.\n"I will say some things that will upset some of you, but that's fine," he said. "I'm looking forward to a lively debate."\nOne of Beinin's final statements was an encouragement to students, in which he urged them to absorb as much information as possible on U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East in order to form their own educated stance on the matter.\n"Our universities are failing America," he said. "Students need to learn and hear about the different opinions of scholars in order to come up with their own beliefs"
(04/28/03 5:28am)
Sidelined by cold and rainy weather on Friday, the kickoff to the Little 500 weekend got a slow start. But as the sky cleared for Saturday's race, the parties gained speed and the IU Police Department was in for a long couple days of work.\nFrom Saturday morning into the early hours of Sunday, IUPD arrested 30 people, four of whom were dealt multiple charges. With the exception of one person who was charged with assault, every arrest was a liquor law violation. Topping out the police reports as the most frequent charge was illegal possession with 22 arrests. Nine people were arrested for public intoxication, and one person was arrested for drunk driving. \nFriday presented even less action than Saturday as fewer than 20 arrests were made. Police said all the charges were alcohol related.\nLt. Jerry Minger said while the arrest numbers are comparable to previous Little 500s, this weekend was relatively mild. The poor weather on Friday and fewer social events like a Little 500 dance or concert provided for a calmer atmosphere around campus, he said. Especially during large events like the race, Minger said all of the alcohol arrests stem from people bringing attention to themselves through illegal activity.\n"We don't go out looking this stuff," Minger said. "It's always the same scenario; we arrive at the location because the person is committing some other disturbance, and we usually find that there is alcohol involved."\nFor Sgt. Don Schmuhl, this weekend was his 26th time working during the Little 500. Schmuhl said over the past 10 years he has noticed a decrease in alcohol-related arrests during Little 500 weekend. The combination of increased law enforcement and improved efforts to educate students about alcohol has contributed to the decrease, he said.\nBecause the Little 500 is conducive to large crowds and loud parties, IUPD is forced to rearrange their normal schedule in order to ensure that sufficient police assistance is present around the campus. More officers walk the beat during Little 5 weekend, and in addition to six marked squad cars that usually cruise the streets, officers patrol the campus in several unmarked cars and on bicycles. IUPD also receives assistance from the state, county and city police departments.\nBut the extra help does not come easy for the officers. Many have to work on days that they usually have off, and some end up working 14-hour shifts on consecutive days.\n"There's no vacation time this weekend," Minger said. "Everyone, from the chief all the way down to the cadets, will work at some point during the weekend."\nBut Minger said many of the officers who are hungry for more money see the extra hours during Little 500 weekend as an opportunity to clock in more hours for a bigger paycheck.\n"The extra hours the officers work can be exhausting, but it's not like they're going away unpaid after this weekend," he said. "A lot of them look at it as a chance to make some extra money."\nDespite the extended hours and tiresome shifts that the Little 500 has in store for the officers, Schmuhl said the department still looks forward to the weekend like everyone else at IU. \n"We're a part of the University too, so we all enjoy the race and look forward to it," Schmuhl said. "And I think the hard work and long hours the officers put in show just how much we want to make the weekend as safe and enjoyable as possible"
(04/24/03 5:46am)
Journalists are not getting any younger, but they are making more money and becoming more professional. And over the past 30 years, the newsroom still predominantly consists of white men despite recent attempts to promote diversity, according to a recent study conducted by IU journalism professors entitled, "The American Journalist in the 21st Century."\nThe newly released study presents the most up-to-date research on a study of journalists that was started in 1971 by sociologist John Johnstone. David Weaver, the Roy H. Howard professor in journalism and mass communications research, headed the study, which he co-authored with IU journalism professors Bonnie Brownlee, Randy Beam, Paul Voakes and Cleve Wilhoit.\nThe decennial study provides sociological information about journalists just as the U.S. census presents statistics about the general population. The study, which is funded by the Knight Foundation, randomly selects 1,149 full-time print and broadcast journalists who are asked a series of questions in a telephone interview.\nWeaver first began conducting the study in 1982, after he noticed that Johnstone's statistics were becoming outdated. Weaver said he became interested in the study because unlike most research in mass communications, Johnstone's work focused specifically on journalists rather than their audience.\nAmong some of the key findings that were recently presented at the annual meeting of the American Society of Newspaper Editors was an increase in the age of journalists. Since the last study in 1992, the median age jumped from 36- to 41-years-old. Weaver said the increase is an affect of the aging baby boomers in the media.\n"A lot of hiring was done between the early '70s and early '80s, so there was a huge increase in the amount of journalists employed," he said. "Now that group is in their '50s, and they just keep moving through."\nWeaver also attributed the age increase to the fact that fewer young journalists were hired in recent years. The number of journalists who were hired right out of college dropped by almost 12 percent between 1999 and 2001.\nAlong with an increase in age, the median income of journalists jumped by almost 40 percent to $43,600. Weaver said the jump in age could account for part of the increase in income.\n"I'd expect if we calculated median income by the number of years of experience we would find that younger journalists make less than those who have been in the business for a while," he said.\nAccording to the research, the number of journalists with a college degree is at an all time high -- almost 90 percent. In addition to being more educated, the level of professionalism has risen in the last decade as more reporters said they are less willing to go undercover or use false identification to gather information. The fact that more journalists are graduating from college might explain the stronger value of ethics and professionalism, Weaver said.\nDespite the higher median income and increase in professionalism, the study highlights some problems in the profession. Voakes said diversity within the newsroom is a large concern. \nSince 1982, women only make up one-third of all journalists, despite the fact that they represent the majority of journalists with less than five years experience. The number of black journalists is even smaller -- less than 10 percent. Voakes said while efforts have been made to hire more women and minority by media owners, retaining their employment can often be a problem.\nThe job satisfaction for journalists rose slightly by six percent since 1992, but the latest numbers are still down from 1971, when almost 50 percent said they were very satisfied with their jobs. Voakes said one possibility for the increase in job satisfaction might be that the majority of journalists believe their owners are committed to journalistic values despite profit pressure that exists in the media.\n"There was a big fear that profit pressure would bring an end to news values," he said. "So there may be some level of satisfaction among journalists to know that profit pressure has caused the profession to go to hell in a hand basket."\nMore information on "The American Journalist in the 21st Century" can be found at www.poynter.org.
(04/17/03 5:43am)
IU sophomore Galen Baughman was arrested earlier this month in his Henderson Street apartment by the District Attorney's office of Westchester, N.Y., for multiple charges of child pornography.\nWith assistance from the IU Police Department and Monroe County Prosecutor's Office, investigators of Westchester D.A.'s office arrested Baughman and charged him with five Class D felony counts of promoting a sexual performance by a child. He was also charged with a Class E felony for attempting to disseminate indecent material to a minor. \nThe maximum jail sentence for a Class D felony is seven years in prison. In addition to the maximum three-year prison sentence for his Class E felony charge, Baughman could face a penalty of 38 years in prison. \nBaughman is currently being held in Monroe County jail and is waiting to be extradited to Westchester where the criminal charges were filed. \nDavid Herbert, spokesman for Westchester D.A. Jeanine Pirro, said investigators became aware of the incident after a mother reported the sexually explicit content Baughman had been sending her 14-year-old son via the Internet. According to police reports, Baughman allegedly wrote about explicit sexual acts he wanted to engage in with the teenage boy.\nAfter the report was filed, Herbert said the D.A.'s office assigned an undercover investigator to look into the matter. The investigator assumed the identity of the teenager by signing in online under the boy's username and password. After studying the child's writing style from the online conversation logs his mother had saved when Baughman tried to contact her son, the investigator was then able to mimic the child's language and responses, causing Baughman to mistake the investigator for the 14-year-old boy, he said.\nUnder the impression that the D.A. investigator was the child he had previously contacted, Baughman transmitted five images of children engaging in graphic sexual acts via the Internet. It is currently unknown whether Baughman photographed the lewd content or downloaded them online, Herbert said.\nBecause the pornographic images Baughman transmitted did not come into the hands of the teenager, Herbert said he was only charged with an attempt to distribute inappropriate material to a minor.\nWhen the extradition will take place has not yet been decided. Concerning future trial dates and hearings, Herbert said the investigation is at a standstill until Baughman is extradited to Westchester. \nLt. Jerry Minger said the IUPD simply served as a liaison for the D.A. investigators by offering any assistance necessary in completing the investigation. IUPD will have no future role in the investigation unless it is contacted for further assistance, Minger said. \nBut despite its limited role in the investigation, Herbert said the D.A.'s office was grateful for the assistance in the matter.\n"Both the University police department and the Monroe county department were extremely helpful and accommodating to us during the investigation," Herbert said.\nAfter announcing Baughman's arrest, Westchester D.A. Jeanine Pirro issued a promise of justice to any individual who attempts to spread pornography to the children of New York.\n"The Internet makes jurisdictional boundaries obsolete," Pirro said in a statement. "As long as children in Westchester are preyed upon by Internet predators, we will follow their trail and bring them to justice"
(04/16/03 5:37am)
Dressed in his trademark bowtie and armed with his witty and ultra-conservative personality, Tucker Carlson, CNN political analyst, delivered his lecture "The Political Landscape" at the IU Auditorium Tuesday night to a 200-plus crowd.\nCarlson, the co-host of CNN's "Crossfire," took the stage to somewhat of an embarrassing introduction as Paul Musgrave, assistant director of lectures for the Union Board, made sure to include the fact that Carlson did not graduate from college.\n"IU looks like a wonderful place," Carlson said. "Maybe I should have gone here. But of course now we all know I didn't go here, or anywhere, for that matter." \nCarlson began with some comments on the progress with the ongoing war with Iraq, labeling the war as a "victory of optimism over pessimism." Carlson went on to say that after watching the coverage of the war, it seems clear that there was no way to disarm Saddam Hussein other than through force.\n"Many people believed victory this war was not possible, and they have been defeated," Carlson said.\nBen Carollo, the coordinator of direct admissions for the College of Arts and Sciences, said while he does not agree with Carlson's views, he enjoys hearing political views from all sides.\n"He's a lively and intelligent speaker and I wanted to hear what he had to say," Carollo said. "It's important to hear insight from a right wing speaker, especially when we're living under a relatively conservative government."\nFans who love Carlson for his right wing opinions and insults to liberals were not disappointed with last night's lecture. Carlson went on at length to point out the liberals' hatred for President Bush stems from their lack of ideas within the Democratic party.\n"The core idea among Democrats is no longer liberalism, it's hating Bush," he said. "They hate Bush because they have nothing going on in their party right now."\nWhile Carlson's views on the Democratic party caught laughs from the Republicans in the crowd, some of the liberals in attendance were not too amused. Freshman Ted Ryan said he found the lecture interesting, but he did not enjoy much of Carlson's "liberal bashing."\n"It was kind of frustrating to sit and listen to him," Ryan said. "But he had a lot of intelligent things to say and you can't argue with the fact that he's knowledgeable about politics."\nBefore concluding his lecture, Carlson discussed some of the downsides to the lack of "ideology" in Washington, D.C. Carlson said some of the important political issues lack the necessary emphasis, which is causing voters to concentrate on less important aspects like personal demeanor.\n"There is too much focus on who is appealing and which politicians we like the most, and people are losing sight of what's important," Carlson said. "I'm willing to sacrifice politeness for competence at the end of the day.
(04/14/03 4:49am)
As a senior, Samantha Herbst has already conducted scientific research beyond the expectations of an undergraduate. And because of her academic excellence and proficiency in the lab, Herbst was recently selected as a Goldwater Scholar for the 2003-04 school year.\nHerbst, while thrilled with the award, said she had doubts as to whether or not the scholarship would ever come to light.\n"I hoped I would have a chance at receiving the scholarship, but in all honesty I didn't think it would really happen," Herbst said. "It still seems incredibly unreal. If I didn't now have the paperwork to fill out, I'm not sure I would believe it really happened."\nHerbst, an Indianapolis native, is double majoring in political science and biology. After graduation she plans on earning a doctoral degree in biology so she can obtain a professorship at the college level where she can teach and carry out her research concurrently. Eventually Herbst said she hopes to study the molecular nature of infectious diseases. But despite the extensive and difficult workload ahead of her, Herbst said the potential benefits of science keep her motivated.\n"I know that through biology my research may help to improve peoples' lives," she said. "The amazing thing about biology is the complexity of life. It gives me what I call 'wonder moments' and keeps me going through the all-nighters."\nThe Goldwater Scholarship was established in 1986 by former congressman Barry M. Goldwater. Each year the scholarship awards $7,500 to college students throughout the country who have distinguished themselves in the classroom and intend to pursue a career in science, math or engineering.\nRather than directly applying for the award, students must be nominated by their school's Goldwater faculty representative in order to be considered for the scholarship. Linda Smith, the associate dean for undergraduate education, is the faculty representative for IU. Smith said the strength of the University's research facilities often leads to tough competition between students.\n"We usually nominate three or four students for the award," Smith said. "But unfortunately because the competition at IU is so stiff we often have to turn down students who are truly wonderful."\nHerbst, who is currently studying abroad in southern France, has shared a strong interest in science with David Clemmer, who is the chair of the department of chemistry and was recently named one of the "10 Most Brilliant" scientists by Popular Science magazine.\nSince she was a sophomore, the two have conducted extensive lab research on the mobilities of ions. Herbst said the lessons she learned from Clemmer have strengthened her passion for science.\n"Dr. Clemmer always shows incredible enthusiasm for science," she said. "He has been truly inspiring and instrumental in my deciding to major in science."\nClemmer said he was delighted and proud when he found out that Herbst won the scholarship. Along with her success in the classroom, the devotion and interest Herbst shows for science is rare among undergraduates, he said. \n"Samantha is a very serious and independent scientist," Clemmer said. "Her mind is like a sponge. She just absorbs information and reminds you how exciting it is to learn. She's truly a gift to the University"
(04/11/03 5:26am)
IU alumnus and co-founder of Broadcast.com, Todd Wagner, is set to be the keynote speaker at today's third annual Entrepreneur Day at the Kelley School of Business. Wagner's speech is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. in the Graduate and Executive Education Center Room 3059.\nThe Johnson Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation and the Young Entrepreneur's Association started the event in order to create networking between the academic community and successful entrepreneurs as well as to provide the chance to discuss the current issues that affect on-the-rise businesses.\nWagner graduated from IU with a business degree in 1983. Along with IU graduate and Dallas Mavericks owner, Mark Cuban, Wagner founded Broadcast.com, a Web destination for multimedia programming. In 1999, Wagner and Cuban sold the Web site to Yahoo! for $5.7 billion.\nWhile some view entrepreneurship as simply being in the right place at the right time, Joe Denekamp, faculty adviser for the Young Entrepreneur's Association, said a lot can be learned about the strategy and management of business from entrepreneurs like Wagner.\n"(Entrepreneurship) is not as random as people think," Denekamp said. "There's plenty to learn about when to get into a particular business and when to get out while you're still on top."\nAfter selling Broadcast.com, Wagner established 2929 Entertainment, a parent company of Rysher Entertainment, which owns the distribution rights to shows like "Sex and the City" and "Star Search." \nFor budding entrepreneurs, Wagner's story is a dream come true. But Sue Artmeier, the assistant director of the Johnson Center, said it will be good for students to hear firsthand about the struggles and downsides of the business world. \n"Being an entrepreneur is an exciting life, but it's not always a glamorous one," Artmeier said. "Students need to hear about the ups and downs that can come with dreaming the big dream."\nAlong with his success as a businessman, Wagner has also distinguished himself as a generous philanthropist. After selling Broadcast.com, he turned down the position as chief operating officer at Yahoo! in order to devote his attention to the Todd R. Wagner Foundation, which seeks to help at-risk children and inner city entrepreneurs.\nIn addition to lessons in entrepreneurship, Johnson Center Director Betsy Gatewood said she hopes students take notice of Wagner's accomplishments as a philanthropist. \n"It's important for students to recognize that they can start their own successful business," Gatewood said. "But through (Wagner's) generosity I hope they also understand that they have the ability to help out the community." \nFollowing Wagner's lecture will be presentations from Steve Bryant, the vice president of the Indiana Health Industry Forum, who will share his thoughts about the current status of Life Sciences initiatives. Also leading a discussion today about the present state of information technology will be Thomas Miller from Thomas P. Miller and Associates. Question and answer sessions will follow the presentations, and networking opportunities will be available.\nThis afternoon's lectures are expected to last until 4:30 p.m. The event is free and open to the public, but seating is limited. For an RSVP, register online at jeci@indiana.edu or call 855-4248.
(04/08/03 5:06am)
CNN political analyst Tucker Carlson is scheduled to discuss his views and insights on national politics during a lecture at 7:30 p.m., April 15, in the IU Auditorium. Union Board is sponsoring the lecture, which is free and open to the public.\nUnion Board Lectures Director Lydia Roll said plans for Carlson's visit began in February when committee members expressed a strong interest in bringing the CNN analyst to IU. Carlson's arrival marks the fourth and final installment of the Union Board lecture series for this semester.\n"We wanted to invite a political speaker, and we thought that (Carlson's) strong reputation and consistent presence in the spotlight made him a good candidate," Roll said. "Plus since he's on TV all the time, there wasn't any doubt that he'd be a great public speaker."\nIn his lecture, "The Political Landscape," Carlson is expected to speak about current political issues surrounding the current war with Iraq as well as the off-camera personalities of some of the politicians he has interviewed, such as Presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton and Sen. John McCain.\n"It should be really interesting to hear about what it's like to deal with these celebrity politicians when the cameras aren't on," said Union Board Director of Marketing Claire Tramm.\nCarlson is well recognized as the energetic, bow tie-attired conservative on CNN's "Crossfire," a political debate program that airs nightly before a live audience at George Washington University. "Crossfire," which includes Paul Begala, James Carville and Bob Novak as Carlson's co-hosts, is known for its up-to-date and balanced political discussion of the news. To complement his work on "Crossfire," Carlson is also a CNN analyst, based in the network's Washington, D.C., bureau, and he has written political columns for The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal.\n"Crossfire" fans know Carlson as the young and animated conservative who is known for voicing his political views in an honest, clear-cut manner. Roll said she expects these qualities will appeal to a college-aged audience.\n"(Carlson) has a good sense of humor and fresh face to his advantage," Roll said. "I think his youth and personality will play a big role in drumming up more student involvement." \nTramm said the Union Board lecture committee was attracted by Carlson's conservative views, saying his right-winged political stance balances the more leftist political views of past Union Board lecturers.\nIU sophomore and member of the Union Board Lecture Committee Matthew Stevenson said he hopes Carlson's strong conservative views will allow students to look at political issues from a new perspective.\n"I think the audience will really enjoy the lecture," he said. "Hopefully, after hearing what he has to say, they'll have the opportunity to look at events from another point of view."\nAfter Carlson's lecture, audience members will have the opportunity to confront the TV host during a question and answer session. Roll said she hopes students take advantage of the rare opportunity to hear a leading political analyst shed light on their own questions and concerns.
(04/04/03 5:14am)
After the first barrage of bombs dropped on Iraq, the media bombarded homes and newsstands with a comparable amount of war coverage. But while reporters have scrambled to beat their competition in delivering the news, they have made mistakes and displayed weaknesses, IU journalism professors said.\nNBC, MSNBC and National Geographic fired veteran journalist Peter Arnett Tuesday after he criticized the effectiveness of U.S. military planning in an interview with an Iraqi news station. Although Arnett's criticism outraged many, journalism professor Amy Reynolds said NBC made a mistake.\n"Being patriotic isn't the role of a journalist," Reynolds said. "Getting the most important information to the public is their job, and that's what (Arnett) has always done."\nAnother journalist to lose his job over an ethical decision was Los Angeles Times photographer Brian Walski after he merged two photographs depicting a British soldier instructing Iraqi civilians to seek protection from Iraqi fire into one photograph.\nMany other publicized ethical dilemmas have dealt with cable TV. Reynolds, a former broadcast journalist for WSEE-TV in Erie, Pa., said the demand on TV journalists to quickly uncover information can lead to mistakes. The Fox News Channel fell victim to that pressure when it and other publications falsely reported the discovery of an Iraqi chemical weapon factory.\n"A lot of the errors have come from the journalists' reliance on government sources for information," Reynolds said. "During war the journalists sometimes don't have the opportunity to obtain the verification they normally would, and that can lead to error."\nThe most significant change in war coverage since the Gulf War in 1991 is the proliferation of embedded journalists, said journalism professor Paul Voakes, a former San Jose Mercury News columnist. Despite the behind-the-scenes perspective, Voakes said reports from war correspondents have been dry and factual. \nEmbedded journalists are able to report graphic footage, leading to ethical slip-ups. Reporting dead soldiers' names and images has become a concern since a Los Angeles mother learned about her son's death from a TV report. Reynolds said immediately reporting the identities of dead soldiers doesn't merit significant news value.\n"There is no reason not to respect privacy and sorrow of the family," she said. "During war there's always this obsession with being the first in getting things live, but the journalists need to take into account trauma of the family members."\nAlthough the media has devoted major attention to the war, journalism professor Randy Beam said too much is not always a good thing.\n"The news coverage so far has been overwhelming, and we've had the chance to observe the events from several different angles, but too much news can have its weaknesses," said Beam, a former reporter for the Lincoln (Neb.) Journal. "With so much information on the war, some of it tends to become a bit repetitious."\nBut Beam said local newspapers' coverage of the war has been solid in portraying how the war has affected the community.\n"The papers have made strong efforts to cover the role that local people have in connection to the war," Beam said. "It's been interesting to read about the people who have relatives in the Middle East and to look at the war from their perspective."\nReynolds said she's been disappointed with the superficial approach of local coverage. \n"A lot of the local coverage has been too event-focused," Reynolds said. "There has been reporting done on some of the protests that have taken place, but the content has been oversimplified, and as a result of that you don't hear the complexity of protesters' message."\nAfter Sept. 11, the media played an important role in assuring the unity of the nation, Voakes said. But now, the news coverage is the opposite.\n"The media no longer has the unity it had after 9/11, when there wasn't any political dissension in the media," Voakes said. "But this time it's been much more divided. There has been a lot of strong conflict about our involvement and interest in this war"
(03/28/03 5:20am)
In the Garden of Gethsemane in Valhalla Memory Gardens, Steve Snyder leans on his freshly sharpened spade as Robert and Rebecca Ayers approach him. The Ayers ask Snyder to show them the burial plots they purchased earlier that morning. \nAs Snyder leads the Ayers to their eventual resting place, they follow him in a slow, cautious stroll, as if they are afraid of Snyder and what he will show them. \n"Here you go," Synder said, pointing with his spade to the ground. "These are yours."\nThe Ayers look at the ground -- their future home -- with moderate disappointment. \n"This is the closest we could get to our son," said Robert Ayers, a Bloomington resident.\nTheir son, Kendall, died last fall when he was 50. He is 20 yards away from his parents, but from where his parents stand, it seems like a mile. \nBefore leaving, the Ayers visit their son. His site stands out from the others. His tombstone hasn't arrived and sod hasn't been planted over the blanket of soft dirt above him, making his death seem more noticeable than the others. A single yellow rose lies above him. \n"Do you think you could lay some grass over him soon?" Robert Ayers asked.\nAfter easing the Ayers' sadness by assuring them that sod will be planted over their son's grave, Snyder begins a day of work.
(03/27/03 5:44am)
When retired Indiana congressman Lee Hamilton was introduced before his lecture, "Reflections on American Foreign Policy," the audience was noticeably impressed by his former job titles and accolades. But even more than Hamilton's past congressional positions, the mentioning of his induction to the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame caught the most attention.\n"No matter what I do, I'll never exceed being a member of the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame," Hamilton said. \nHamilton delivered two lectures concerning American foreign policy Wednesday at the Indiana Memorial Union State Room and the IU Law School. The Chancellor's Forum Lecture Series sponsored his lectures.\nIn Hamilton's 34 years as a U.S. congressman he served as the chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Select Committee on Intelligence and the Joint Economic Committee. Hamilton -- who noted several times during his lecture that he prefers to see himself as a "statesman" rather than a "politician" -- is currently the director of the Center on Congress, located in Bloomington and the director of the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars.\nHamilton commenced his lecture by dissecting the factors that make the United States the most powerful country in the world. In addition to being the supreme power of the military, Hamilton said the United States established its role as the world power through economic and cultural means as well.\n"Teenagers in other countries listen to American pop music, they watch American movies, and they drink Coca-Cola," he said. "Our way of life has carried over into their countries." \nHamilton went on to discuss that despite the role the United States holds as the dominant world power, Americans live in a world of chaos due to the resentment with which many foreign nations hold toward America.\n"There is a paradox to America's power," he said. "Never before have we been more powerful, and yet never before have we felt more vulnerable to other countries."\nAt the heart of his lecture, Hamilton stressed the importance of supplying diplomatic and financial aid to other countries in order to solidify stronger foreign relations. While Hamilton does not oppose military involvement, he said militant force alone cannot prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.\nHamilton went on to say that the genius of America's involvement in previous wars rested within our willingness to create coalitions with other nations in support of clear and common goals.\n"In order to resolve conflict, our leadership has to include more than military coalitions," he said. "It must include diplomatic, economic and legal coalitions as well."\nDuring a brief question and answer session after the lecture, Hamilton expressed his deep disappointment in the lack of action Congress has taken in the war with Iraq. Hamilton said Congress neglected its power of approving a war declaration and instead let the important decision rest upon the shoulders of President Bush.\n"Congress during the war has been embarrassing," he said. "The week we went to war, Congress was debating abortion. Where was Iraq?" \nThe 100-member audience consisted of a mix of Bloomington residents and IU students. P.A. Mack Jr., a former member of the IU board of trustees, said he found Hamilton's lecture interesting and thought provoking.\n"I thought he was really informative and made some interesting points," Mack said. "I think he is especially correct in saying that (the United States) needs to be more generous in handing out aid to other countries." \nWhile Hamilton said Americans have the right to be concerned about terrorism and to militarily defend themselves in periods of conflict, he stressed that the United States must strive for more effective leadership and work toward becoming an optimistic world power.\n"We must become a power that is concerned about and seeks to promote peace and freedom," Hamilton said.
