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(11/03/00 1:42pm)
While posing nude, True and Pugh serve as an inspiration to artists. But in their everyday life, nudity takes on dimensions unknown to a flat canvas. \nTrue hesitates before telling a male she poses nude because the responses have shown an ignorance that frustrates her.\n"I also work at a food court because modeling is not steady work," she says. "Usually I'll tell somebody that initially, especially if I meet a guy. In the past I've mentioned I've modeled nude, and I've always gotten the line 'I do some drawing and painting too.'"\nAlthough Pugh does not receive the same line from women he meets, his interactions with his friends have changed slightly since his unconventional employment.\nWith a laugh, he recalls the time when, a few weeks ago, he went skinny dipping with some of his friends. Someone suggested they play Truth or Dare.\n"Normally, in the adolescent realm, the point (of the game) is to get people naked," he says. "We already had our clothes off, and it was odd to see that social norm eradicated ... we didn't know what to do, so we just ended up talking. It's weird how people live their lives"
(11/03/00 1:41pm)
Twenty pairs of eyes stare in your direction, intent on memorizing the curl of your lips, the wrinkles on your brow, the curve of your shoulder. You feel a cold breeze against your back. Shivering, you realize the tiny goose bumps that appear on your skin result from being completely naked. If you think this is your worst nightmare, think again.\nThis is Jeremy Pugh's after-school job.\nBloomington resident Pugh, 21, has been posing for the School of Fine Arts for two months. Each year, students choose to pose nude to pick up some extra money and appear in the paintings or drawings of fine art majors. Pugh says he pursued the opportunity because he doesn't enjoy the average job.\n"I never have enjoyed the nine to five, punching in a time card, answering to a boss, kind of job," he says. "(Modeling) seemed to offer something exciting and different."\nAlthough Pugh thinks of nude modeling as exciting and different, he understands that many people would be frightened to appear nude in front of strangers.\n"I have an ability to kind of block out uncomfortable feelings," he says. "I don't think the human body should be guarded so greatly. I have no problems with it. A lot of people have useless inhibitions that get them nowhere."\nSophomore Jennifer V. True started modeling last year. She says she was motivated to model because she also wanted to try something new. She first modeled with a male, who made her very nervous. But after the first experience, her anxiety disappeared. She now feels comfortable modeling and wishes other people could do the same.\n"Especially in the Midwest, people have problems with (being nude in public) because we're so conservative as a culture," she says. "We don't understand that our bodies are beautiful and we don't need to hide them."\nPugh says being nude can be a liberating experience and can add dimension to a person's character.\n"To me, the most interesting person in the world is a well-rounded person," he says. "When you close yourself off to a certain aspect of life, you're closing yourself off from all these experiences and life enhancing activities. To me, one of them is being nude -- not being ashamed of your body, not being ashamed of what others think of your body."\nHe added that different body types are appreciated and desired by the School of Fine Arts.\n"They want different shapes so they can experience a variety of ways of painting," he says. "That's why the paintings are so interesting. (The students') perceptions differ among a wide range; some people accentuate different parts or spatial relationships change." \nBecause of her interest in art, True says she also enjoys looking at the finished product after she has posed. Seeing the artwork reminds her of the importance of creatively portraying the human body.\n"It's not anything to be embarrassed about," she says. "(Nude modeling) is something to be proud of. It has contributed to art for many many centuries, and it really deserves a lot of respect because it's providing a service for today's and tomorrow's artists."\nTrue also says the perceptions art students have of the human form makes her feel comfortable.\n"There's nothing sexual about it at all," she says. "Everyone who's looking at you sees you not as a naked woman, but as an object to be drawn, as more of a live mannequin. You're there to try to express the beauty of the human body."\nExpressing the human body is easier said than done. Pugh's muscles often begin to ache from standing or sitting in one place for as much as two hours. To avoid growing frustrated, he tries to thinks of anything unrelated to art to distract himself during a session.\nTrue also finds ways to keep her mind off the stillness.\n"You don't sit and look at yourself, you watch teachers and students," she says. "I listen in the classes and really learn from what is going on, if I can see what the students are drawing. If not, I meditate and go over my schedule, think about personal relationships or get a bigger picture of where I want to go. Everybody else disappears, and it's just me sitting there thinking. Then the timer goes off and wakes me up."\nYet she says the extreme patience required to be a nude model is only a small drawback. Being part of a painting or drawing excites her.\n"I love being an inspiration for art," she says. "To be able to inspire people and be a part of some beautiful work, it boosts your self esteem to see yourself as a beautiful person on canvas"
(11/03/00 5:00am)
Twenty pairs of eyes stare in your direction, intent on memorizing the curl of your lips, the wrinkles on your brow, the curve of your shoulder. You feel a cold breeze against your back. Shivering, you realize the tiny goose bumps that appear on your skin result from being completely naked. If you think this is your worst nightmare, think again.\nThis is Jeremy Pugh's after-school job.\nBloomington resident Pugh, 21, has been posing for the School of Fine Arts for two months. Each year, students choose to pose nude to pick up some extra money and appear in the paintings or drawings of fine art majors. Pugh says he pursued the opportunity because he doesn't enjoy the average job.\n"I never have enjoyed the nine to five, punching in a time card, answering to a boss, kind of job," he says. "(Modeling) seemed to offer something exciting and different."\nAlthough Pugh thinks of nude modeling as exciting and different, he understands that many people would be frightened to appear nude in front of strangers.\n"I have an ability to kind of block out uncomfortable feelings," he says. "I don't think the human body should be guarded so greatly. I have no problems with it. A lot of people have useless inhibitions that get them nowhere."\nSophomore Jennifer V. True started modeling last year. She says she was motivated to model because she also wanted to try something new. She first modeled with a male, who made her very nervous. But after the first experience, her anxiety disappeared. She now feels comfortable modeling and wishes other people could do the same.\n"Especially in the Midwest, people have problems with (being nude in public) because we're so conservative as a culture," she says. "We don't understand that our bodies are beautiful and we don't need to hide them."\nPugh says being nude can be a liberating experience and can add dimension to a person's character.\n"To me, the most interesting person in the world is a well-rounded person," he says. "When you close yourself off to a certain aspect of life, you're closing yourself off from all these experiences and life enhancing activities. To me, one of them is being nude -- not being ashamed of your body, not being ashamed of what others think of your body."\nHe added that different body types are appreciated and desired by the School of Fine Arts.\n"They want different shapes so they can experience a variety of ways of painting," he says. "That's why the paintings are so interesting. (The students') perceptions differ among a wide range; some people accentuate different parts or spatial relationships change." \nBecause of her interest in art, True says she also enjoys looking at the finished product after she has posed. Seeing the artwork reminds her of the importance of creatively portraying the human body.\n"It's not anything to be embarrassed about," she says. "(Nude modeling) is something to be proud of. It has contributed to art for many many centuries, and it really deserves a lot of respect because it's providing a service for today's and tomorrow's artists."\nTrue also says the perceptions art students have of the human form makes her feel comfortable.\n"There's nothing sexual about it at all," she says. "Everyone who's looking at you sees you not as a naked woman, but as an object to be drawn, as more of a live mannequin. You're there to try to express the beauty of the human body."\nExpressing the human body is easier said than done. Pugh's muscles often begin to ache from standing or sitting in one place for as much as two hours. To avoid growing frustrated, he tries to thinks of anything unrelated to art to distract himself during a session.\nTrue also finds ways to keep her mind off the stillness.\n"You don't sit and look at yourself, you watch teachers and students," she says. "I listen in the classes and really learn from what is going on, if I can see what the students are drawing. If not, I meditate and go over my schedule, think about personal relationships or get a bigger picture of where I want to go. Everybody else disappears, and it's just me sitting there thinking. Then the timer goes off and wakes me up."\nYet she says the extreme patience required to be a nude model is only a small drawback. Being part of a painting or drawing excites her.\n"I love being an inspiration for art," she says. "To be able to inspire people and be a part of some beautiful work, it boosts your self esteem to see yourself as a beautiful person on canvas"
(11/03/00 5:00am)
While posing nude, True and Pugh serve as an inspiration to artists. But in their everyday life, nudity takes on dimensions unknown to a flat canvas. \nTrue hesitates before telling a male she poses nude because the responses have shown an ignorance that frustrates her.\n"I also work at a food court because modeling is not steady work," she says. "Usually I'll tell somebody that initially, especially if I meet a guy. In the past I've mentioned I've modeled nude, and I've always gotten the line 'I do some drawing and painting too.'"\nAlthough Pugh does not receive the same line from women he meets, his interactions with his friends have changed slightly since his unconventional employment.\nWith a laugh, he recalls the time when, a few weeks ago, he went skinny dipping with some of his friends. Someone suggested they play Truth or Dare.\n"Normally, in the adolescent realm, the point (of the game) is to get people naked," he says. "We already had our clothes off, and it was odd to see that social norm eradicated ... we didn't know what to do, so we just ended up talking. It's weird how people live their lives"
(10/26/00 3:34am)
Ekoostik Hookah will bring its jams to the Buskirk-Chumley Theatre, 114 E. Kirkwood Ave., at 9 p.m. today.\nEkoostik Hookah, a sextet from Columbus, Ohio, is usually categorized as a jam band. But percussionist John Polansky, who joined the band about two years ago, said he finds it difficult to classify Hookah in any genre.\n"I don't care for the term jam band," he said. "I much more prefer improvisational rock band. There is an element that causes all those bands to be lumped together, which is the improvisational aspect, but Ekoostik Hookah is a rock and roll band, bottom line."\nBecause each member has a different musical background, Polansky said their distinct sound results from bringing their differences together to write their music and perform it on stage.\n"One of the absolute truest elements to a great performance is when everybody is really clicking on the improv, and you never know where a song is going to go," he said. "It's like there are six drivers on a wild ride, and everyone has a wheel. Everyone has control at some point, which is exciting because all six guys have capabilities of controlling this vehicle."\nPublicist Dave Weissman, who has worked with the band for three years, said the band members differences contribute to the distinctive message of the band.\n"Since they are really diverse in their music and style, they are diverse in their message," he said. "They try to convey a certain outlook on life through their lyrics, and because each of the songwriters have different outlooks, almost anyone can listen to the songs and relate."\nSophomore Jonah Schein has attended dozens of shows over the past five years. He said the universality of Ekoostik Hookah's music sets it apart from other bands.\n"Its easy to relate to their music, much easier than other bands," he said. "A lot of other bands have great music, but don't make much sense. I feel Hookah really does." Schein added that the improvisational aspect of their music keeps him coming back again and again.\n"I know (tonight) will be a great show," he said. "They always play a different set list every night, so you never know what you're going to get....There's a good community that's created."\nPolansky said he is excited to perform in Bloomington because college towns foster a unique vibe for their shows.\n"The thing about playing to a university- or college-based crowd is the fact that the people are so vibrant and so interested in absorbing something that might be slightly off the beaten path of normalcy," he said. There's a thirst and lust for anything new. Traditional crowds may be a little less giving. I feel a special association at these towns."\nHe added that the quality of the audience often determines the quality of the show.\n"When the audience lets you know what they like, it sends a show in a direction," he said. "Satisfying an audience is satisfying."\nEkoostik Hookah will perform at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater at 9 p.m. Tickets are $10 in advance, $12 at the door.
(10/24/00 6:21pm)
It's not always just about the money.\nThis year, salary increases given to the administration were higher than those given to the majority of faculty, and many professors are disappointed or frustrated with the distribution of salary increases. But the current frustration with receiving lower-than-desired raises results from more than just dollar bills.\nDistinguished Professor Gail Hanson said she feels efforts to reward female professors, particularly for herself, are disappointing and lacking. She said she would like a better raise than the 1 percent she received.\n"It's not really the money, because we're talking a difference between 1 percent and 2 percent," Hanson said. "For them to give me a 1 percent raise is just insulting to me."\nThe bare minimum raise faculty can be given is 1 percent, but most receive a 2 percent raise, said Bloomington Chancellor Kenneth Gros Louis. Salary increases are determined by a number of factors, such as rewarding and retaining valuable staff, attracting new staff and addressing gender and minority inequities, to name a few, he said.\nDetermining raises for faculty is different for every school. In large schools like the College of Arts and Sciences, the chairs of each department make recommendations to the dean. That is then submitted to the administration. In smaller schools, the increases are set directly by the dean, Gros Louis said. \nSusan Dillman, director of media relations, said the administration would like to give everyone a salary they would be happy with, but IU receives very little support from state funds.\n"It's important to note in general that public universities and colleges in the state of Indiana receive comparatively little support compared to their counterparts throughout the Big Ten," Dillman said. "So, IU starts out with some challenges."\nJudy Palmer, chief financial officer, said it is difficult to allocate available funding and still meet all the goals IU sets, including salary distribution.\n"Clearly, the trustees and administration have indicated salary is a high priority," she said. "At IU, we have needs in terms of faculty salaries, needs in terms of hiring additional faculty and a number of other needs that all have to be considered when building a budget and allocating sources. We must take into account benefits, such as health care and retirement programs, that are very important here."\nProfessor James Sherman, president of the Bloomington Faculty Council, said one reason for an unequal distribution of salary increases is not only because of the limited funds, but also the method of allocating these funds.\n"Trustees need to put a chunk of money aside to meet equity raises and outside offers," Sherman said. "Taking all the money out of one pot leads to competent faculty getting 1 to 2 percent raises. It's a complicated issue. There's only one chunk of money for salaries, and all of the raises must come from the same source."\nGros Louis sets the salaries of campus deans and vice chancellors. He said he tries to set their average increases after the faculty increases, but as Sherman mentioned, outside offers can infringe upon those efforts.\n"Outside offers are quite frequent, but it's a good thing because we want our faculty well enough known that other schools want them," Gros Louis said. "School deans respond in a way that will keep the person there."\nHanson said she is aware of these complications, but is nonetheless disappointed with her salary increase. But she added her work ethic is unwavering -- she said she is a well-respected physicist, having received the Guggenheim Fellowship and other awards. She said she is also concerned about other researchers leaving and federal grant money leaving with them, which will lead to a decrease in the quality of education. \nShe is one of very few women in the physics department at IU and said she has developed her own theories as to why her effort is not being compensated by a more fair salary increase. \n"In my field, which is predominately male, I think there could be some resentment," she said. "For one, I'm one of the best and I'm female, so getting a salary higher than the male faculty could lead to (this resentment)."\nDillman said the administration has taken measures to improve any inequalities, like the one Hanson has encountered.\n"Several years ago, President Brand asked for a faculty-based review," she said. "That study revealed that there were racial minorities and females not being paid at similar rates. Attempts have been made to rectify that situation."\nDistinguished professor Vic Viola said his biggest concern is losing younger professors. He said young faculty members are the future of the University.\nAlthough he has no complaints about his 1.7 percent raise, Viola said the current system for determining raises must change soon because it is not only hurting the future state of the University, but the present state.\n"We can look at the president and vice president, who averaged about a $19,000 increase this year," he said. "We're already at the bottom of the Big Ten. To be giving (the administration) increases like that is unconscionable. I'd feel rather guilty taking raises like that, while most of faculty get 2 percent." \nSherman said in addition to IU being at the bottom of the Big Ten, low salary increases lead faculty to feel like they are not important.\n"I've listened to a lot of Herman Wells' speeches," Sherman said. "He always said the center (of the University) was the students and faculty, not the administration. He meant it too. So when you see things like this, you say, 'Where are we really?'"\nGros Louis said that although he understands how faculty are led to believe this, the administration still values the same ideals as Wells did.\n"There is no question about it," Gros Louis said. "The heart of the University and its quality is always the faculty"
(10/14/00 12:01am)
As 20 students sat huddled together Wednesday at the Helene G. Simon Hillel Center, they were only a phone call away from learning more about the conflict in the Middle East.\nFrom Chicago, the Israeli Consulate addressed students at 14 Midwestern universities through a conference telephone call. Students tuned in to the latest information regarding the Palestinian and Israeli dispute over Jerusalem.\nConsul General of Israel of the Midwest Tzipora Rimon spoke about current problems, future estimated problems and possible solutions. She stressed the most important thing people can do as Americans and students is to be informed about the issues. She also said it is important to be aware of the decline in violence during the past day.\n"We see a change that there has been intervention to put an end to hostilities," she said. "Violence leads to nowhere."\nRimon said Israelis and Palestinians alike are frustrated with the situation over land. The fighting and bloodshed that plague these two opposing groups must cease, but how to accomplish this peace is unknown, Rimon said. She said the extension of the ultimatum Prime Minister Ehud Barak placed upon Yasser Arafat and the Palestinians was crucial to avoiding more bloodshed.\nShe said if Barak had carried out the ultimatum, the Israelis and Palestinians would now be further from peace than ever before. \nRimon also talked about relations between Arafat and the Palestinians, confirming that Arafat does have control over the Palestinian police and militias. She said the decrease in violence proves Arafat does have the authority to do even more in furthering peace.\nAddressing America's role in the peace process, Rimon said the upcoming election could have a large effect on the speed of the process. Although Clinton has taken an active role in reaching peace, a new leader and administration has the potential to slow things down.\n"No matter who will be the next president, they will need a couple of months to establish their own administration," she said. "It will take time. It's crucial we utilize the current administration as much as possible."\nRimon said although she is pleased to educate people on the current status in Israel, she understands how hard it can be to get the straight facts with the media often portraying the issues and events inaccurately. She specifically mentioned the Sept. 30 New York Times photo that showed an Israeli soldier beating a Palestinian bystander, when actually the caption was incorrect.\n"It was later discovered that the Palestinian was actually an American student, and the soldier was actually saving his life," she said. \nSenior Jennifer Steimin, Indiana Israel Public Affairs Committee Chairperson, said she is frustrated by the discrepancy in the news, but also knows it is impossible to be aware of every detail.\n"None of us can expect to know everything that's going on," she said. "I read the paper, but I'm a full time student with (other obligations)." \nBecause Steimin can't know all the facts, she said the conference phone call was helpful to her and she hopes other students benefitted from it.\n"It's so important to hear someone like Tzipora, whose job it is to inform us on facts and not what the media portrays, because we don't know if they're right or wrong. She's the one who's talking to Barak, who's talking to different officials in the United States, and really knows what's going on."\nSophomore Joe Osgood said he tries to keep up on the current situation just as Steimin does. He watches the news and reads Israeli newspapers. He spent the summer in Israel, and said his experience made him look at the violence from a different perspective.\n"(My summer in Israel) makes it more personal," she said. "The people I was hanging out with are all going to the army. I'm nervous for them. No one wants to think about their friends in a situation like that."\nHe added that although the fighting is happening on the other side of the world, the conflict directly affects America.\n"I think the reason that people need to be informed here is to break down the stereotypes," Osgood said. "With the conference call as an example, it's trying to keep people educated. If you don't know what's going on around you, it's useless."\nUzi Heymann, graduate student in the School of Music and native of Israel, said being away from home is difficult. He said he misses his family, and is frustrated by the media portrayal of the situation.\n"I have a better understanding of the situation because I lived there for 29 years," he said. "People need to understand the fighting is not everywhere, but is happening mostly in the Palestinian territories. My family told me not to worry, so I am not."\nSteimin said the conference phone call provided closer and more immediate knowledge, which is not always available.\n"Tzipora Rimon set things straight and answered a lot of questions," she said. "It's important we know the facts -- the truth is very important. And by us all listening from 14 different schools in the country and knowing the facts, we're all on the same page and we can go from there"
(10/04/00 5:09am)
At its Tuesday Meeting, the Bloomington Faculty Council received a report on the possibilities of distance learning -- using technology to teach online courses and make them available to students at other IU campuses, or even students around the world.\nDistance learning makes correspondence courses and obtaining degrees available to students at other IU campuses. Previously, the program had been limited to posting class notes online. \nErwin Boschmann, an associate vice president responsible for distance learning, said the program's goal consists of designing courses that would use the latest technology to develop interactive courses and move the program into mainstream use. \nBoschmann assured the council that the plan, "Charting a Course Toward an Indiana Virtual University" is not instituted yet. He said he hopes to begin instituting the plan in December of this year after further discussion.\n"This new technology encourages students to be engaged (in learning)," Boschmann said.\nJeremy Dunning, dean of continuing studies, showed an example of virtual reality in distance learning. He displayed a virtual landfill that allows students to learn about the site while not actually going there. Dunning said that example would be recreated for more distance courses. \n"There are ways learning experience can be created with technology that cannot be created in the classroom," Dunning said. "This will work because it takes the best of classroom and puts it into distance education."\nHe said distance learning has a bad reputation because only notes have been posted on the Internet. The new plan incorporates much more. \n"What makes a good teacher is not what's in the notes, but how a professor mediates that content," he said.\nBoschmann added he thinks distance learning, if developed correctly, can be just as effective as traditional classroom learning.\n"Studies show students perform no better or worse doing an (online) experiment than actually being in the laboratory," he said.\nAfter the presentation, English professor Stephen Watt said he was concerned with potential competition between distance learning and actual classes. \nBut Boschmann said distance learning will complement -- not detract from -- IU's academic mission.\n"This technology is an opportunity to combine both reach and richness of learning," he said.
(09/22/00 6:10am)
The Main Library was transformed last night, as nearly 200 people filled the lobby to attend a symposium to honor the archives of the late Herman B Wells.\nThroughout Wells' career with IU he saved a huge assortment of papers, including his correspondences, meeting notes and records. These materials, which are now organized and available to the public, span 1,100 linear feet (600 file drawers) within the IU Archives. \nPlanning for the symposium began one year ago. Scheduled for March, it was postponed because of Wells' death. The symposium was originally planned to honor Wells' archives and his dedication to higher education, and that focus was maintained in spite of his death.\nEric Bartheld, a library employee who helped plan the symposium, said the openness and accessibility of the event was what Wells would have wanted.\n"While guests were listening, students were walking through," he said. "We wanted to encourage those kind of casual attendees and passers-by to listen to the event. They did, and that was great."\nBartheld added that students could learn about Wells from the speeches and by exploring the archives.\n"Herman Wells was president at a time when today's students weren't necessarily around," he said. "So he exists in some ways from what they learn through others' stories. So much of what we can still learn about him is part of his collection in the archives."\nJames Capshew, a history and philosophy professor, spoke first. He was also on the planning committee of the symposium and is working on a biography of Wells. He said the event focused on higher education, and not Wells, in keeping with the wishes of the late chancellor.\n"He wasn't a person who would like a whole lot of attention paid to him," Capshew said. "Obviously, there was a lot of warmth in the remarks anyway, especially from the people who knew him and remembered him. It was very touching."\nPhilip Bantin, director of the University Archives, said in his opening remark that without question, Wells left behind a large number of records.\n"Wells had every characteristic of a pack rat," he said. "He never saw a paper he didn't like. And his archives are now officially open for those who wish to become better acquainted with a great man."\nAlso making an opening remark was President Myles Brand. He said Wells' papers express a belief in the power of knowledge.\n"We've now given the library a new treasure," he said. "His papers contained here will keep the relationship between Wells and the University vital and alive for generations to come."\nAfter Brand, Chancellor and Vice President for Academic Affairs Kenneth Gros Louis took the podium. He said Wells' confidence in the rightness of his cause, even when others disagreed, continues to be an inspiration.\nThe next five speakers praised Wells, but focused more on higher education. \nHugh Hawkins, professor of history and American studies at Amherst College, spoke first, addressing the history of higher education. He said most academic history happens in the office of the president.\n"Wells stood for a distinct step on a well-defined educational ladder," he said.\nRobert O'Neil, the director of The Thomas Jefferson Center for the Protection of Free Expression at the University of Virginia, spoke next on the future of higher education. O'Neil is a former IU vice president, serving in the late 1970s. \nHe said three key elements were important to a strong future of higher education: promoting diversity, protecting academic freedom and academic excellence. \n"We mustn\'t forget what happens in the classroom remains the core of higher education," he said.\nHelen Horowitz of Smith College spoke after O'Neil about the importance of history in knowledge of higher education. She said she was intrigued by Wells' archives.\n"It is in these kinds of archives where the most important questions are answered," she said.\nJohn Thelin, professor of the history of higher education and public policy at the University of Kentucky, spoke about building support for the University. \nThelin said he enjoyed speaking at the symposium and listening to the other speakers. He said the archives are treasures to the University.\n"You can learn that the history of the University is not a spectator sport," he said about investigating the new archives. "It's hands-on, active, and there are so many untold stories to uncover. If students will avail themselves to that, they'll be pleasantly rewarded."\nDean of Students Richard McKaig said he thought all the speeches were interesting and inspiring. \n"I gained a renewed appreciation for Herman Wells and what he meant to higher education," he said. "Those of us at IU who had the opportunity to work with or see the work of Chancellor Wells obviously had a great appreciation for him. To hear someone from an outside perspective speak about the contribution he made to higher education in general, and the importance of the collection of his work for further studies in higher education, was very interesting"
(09/14/00 8:02am)
Thousands of IU students turned out Wednesday night to show enthusiasm for Bob Knight, who said he has always prided himself on supporting and representing the student body.\nNothing could stop the herds of students, faculty and Bloomington residents from trudging through muddy Dunn Meadow to hear the 29-year coach speak about his time spent at IU. \nBefore Knight even arrived at Dunn Meadow, students clamored for the spots close to the lectern. Sophomore Traci Geffon said she was thrilled to be a part of history.\n"I'm here because it's a historical event and probably the only thing that is ever going to happen on campus while I'm here," she said. "I think Bobby Knight has a lot to do with Indiana and IU basketball."\nKnight affirmed this when he said, "Just as I've always wanted our players to be a part of the student body, so too have I always wanted our students to be a part of our team."\nFreshman guard A.J. Moye said he felt an especially deep appreciation for Knight's positive remarks regarding the team.\n"Coach really appreciates the fans, and he is a very powerful force in our program," said Moye, who thought about transferring before Mike Davis was named interim head coach. Moye added that Knight's encouragement to support this year's team made a large impression on the crowd.\n"No matter what the times or what the record may look like, every year the fans are there," he said. "He instilled more confidence in the fans. I think that might have been the biggest part. A lot of times, when bad situations like these happen, support can be lost ' it's not personal and it's not intentional ' but fans feel betrayed, and they're the most important part to us."\nSophomore Brock Lusch said he felt that betrayal. He planned on forgetting about his season ticket subscription before Knight's speech.\n"I hoped to hear that (Knight) was going to be strong," he said. "I wanted some encouragement to buy season tickets, because I was really iffy on that, but now I'm planning on buying tickets for sure."\nKnight's presence in Dunn Meadow was especially meaningful for Lusch, an Indiana resident and an avid fan all his life.\n"I've grown up watching him since I was knee-high," he said. "So it was really nice to hear him speak and see him in person."\nJunior Mathew Zinser said he was happy Knight focused mostly on positive issues in his speech. \n"(Coach Knight) started basketball here so we should respect what he started," he said. "He's an excellent coach, but unfortunately he just didn't fit in with what the administration wanted."\nNot everyone who attended the speech offered praise to Knight. Ali Singer, a senior at Bloomington High School North, said the speech did nothing to change her impression of the former coach.\n"I've grown up in this town, always thinking he was an ass," she said. "I don't appreciate him or his attitude, but I just came to hear what he had to say."\nSome Indiana residents complimented Knight's appearance at Dunn Meadow. Junior Abby Berzinis said that although she was disappointed Knight did not elaborate more on the charges against him, she was very satisfied with the speech.\n"I felt it was very moving ' I was almost in tears because I grew up in Indiana. It's kinda sick," she said with a laugh.\nNon-Indiana residents were also moved and touched by Knight's words. Junior Amber Stafford, an Ohio native, said she was impressed by the former coach's final words on campus.\n"I was very proud that he said he was going to move on and continue to coach," she said. "I think that's amazing and that he's an awesome coach. That's what he should be remembered for"
(09/12/00 6:04am)
Little kids ran around with painted faces, outfitted in red and white, as the music of Jimmy Buffet and Van Morrison filled the warm summer air, courtesy of Bloomington's own Bahama Llama. \nFriday, Bloomington residents and students came together for the first "Paint the Town Red," an effort to unite the community, which brought hundreds of community members to Kirkwood Avenue to not only hear the pep band, but also see the pom squad, the cheerleaders and to hear coach Cam Cameron speak. B 97 was also there, handing out free T-shirts and inflatable boom sticks. The rallies are scheduled to occur Fridays before every home game.\nBloomington resident Kevin Holladay ran around with a big red curly wig and a bright red shirt. The IU fanatic was hired to increase crowd spirit. He said he is scheduled to appear at the next three rallies, but hopes the planning committees will extend his contract.\n"I think it's fantastic," he said. "It's also a way to bring awareness to the downtown businesses who were kinda' put out over the summer with the construction. I think it's always good to be a community, and to bring citizens together with the University, which doesn't happen that often either ' I think that's awesome."\nStudents were also eager to get involved in the planning of the rally. Alpha Omicron Pi sorority was asked to sponsor the rally and help with publicity. PR chair Becky Carlson, a senior, said when she was approached with the offer, she jumped at the chance to help with the Friday rallies.\n"It's really good to see a lot of people from the community and from different parts of campus coming out to support the football team and enjoy a nice night in Bloomington," she said. "Judging from the turnout, the next few weeks things will only get bigger."\nIn the middle of the rally, and at the point where the crowd was the largest, coach Cameron took the stage. "Everyone's excited, am I right?" he asked the crowd, who responded with an enthusiastic and loud "Yes!"\nHe also said his team was thrilled with the support, and were ready and willing to play their hardest. He added student ticket sales are up 20 percent from last season.\nThe football team could not attend the rally, but Cameron said, "they are aware that everyone is excited. The IU band came over and and serenaded the team today, but I think the key thing for everybody is for us to come out of that tunnel, that locker room, and for everybody to get fired up and ready to go."\nCornelius Wright, administrative assistant of Hoosiers for Higher Education, said he was pleased with the turnout for the first rally, and has confidence in the future of the event.\n"I think that we'll springboard it into a much bigger event for the here on out," he said.
(09/09/00 4:33am)
Bloomington will "paint the town red" on Kirkwood Avenue tonight.\nIn an effort to increase student participation and support for the football season, tonight kicks off the first of many Friday night rallies, dubbed "Paint the Town Red," which will overtake the streets of downtown Bloomington before each home game.\nTonight will include appearances by the pep band, cheerleaders and redsteppers. Coach Cam Cameron will also speak in front of the crowd. The festivities will continue with a performance by three-part harmony band Bahama Llamas at 7 p.m. Along with red banners and posters decorating the street, booths will be set up for face-painting, a Wiffle-ball home run derby and Kilroy's pizza. The Hoosier Fanatic will also hand out free t-shirts and footballs, and the voice of IU, Chuck Crabb, will host the rally. \nPlanning for the rallies began five months ago, a collaborative attempt by IU and the community to add more excitement to home football game weekends. Linda Prall, the owner and manager of Kilroy's and Kilroy's Sports, said she is thrilled about the new enthusiasm for the football season. \n"It's not your traditional old fashioned pep rally ' it really is a block party," she said. "And especially with all the construction on Kirkwood this summer, we're looking forward to getting people down there."\nShe added she is expecting a large turnout, and an increase in ticket sales that she hopes will only grow as the season continues.\n"We have a lot of people who say you can't sell more tickets until the team wins more games," she said. "Supporting the team doesn't necessarily have anything to do with winning or losing. This is a Big Ten university ... everyone should be excited and riled up for the game. Our idea was to create other forms of activities surrounding the weekend so there are more things to do and more reasons to come to Bloomington."\nThis is not the first effort by IU to improve student support for athletics. Cornelius Wright, assistant director for Hoosiers for Higher Education, said the last few years have included efforts involving pep rallies at City Hall and a bonfire in Dunn Meadow. But he said he hopes this year will put their efforts over the top.\n"We just tried to expand (school spirit) this year," he said. "Since Kirkwood has been closed all summer, the downtown merchants have decided to have these rallies to try to rebuild the spirit at IU for football. Students go down there anyway, and it's a great place to hold the event."\nBecause of the large anticipated turnout, Kirkwood was chosen as the host of these new block parties. Kirk White, special assistant for external affairs, said he hopes tonight will be the beginning of a long tradition.\n"We want to make sure that the campus and the community together enjoy a great football tradition," he said. "We don't have a lot of traditions associated with football, but we'd like to make (tonight) a warmup as we celebrate IU, alumni returning and students enjoying the athletic competition"
