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(09/15/05 6:16am)
Marking the first meeting with three new appointments to the board, the IU board of trustees will convene today and Friday on campus to discuss the IU Athletics Department's budgetary woes, examine enrollment figures and evaluate the new College Readership Program. \nOne of the most controversial issues the trustees are scheduled to discuss during the Friday business meeting is how to handle the athletics department's financial troubles. \n"It is my understanding that the athletics department will bring forward a five-year plan for reducing the deficit," said IU Director of Media Relations Larry MacIntyre. "It is definitely an item that will get close scrutiny."\nIUSA President Alex Shortle is also scheduled to address the board Friday. He said there are fewer student interest proposals up for vote this week, now that IU President Adam Herbert had delayed the Atwater Avenue parking garage proposal, but added he will comment on the readership program. \nTwo other architectural proposals are also on the agenda. The trustees will vote on a proposed site for the new Honors College building to be located at the intersection of Seventh Street and Woodlawn Avenue. In addition, the trustees will vote on new concepts for the new Service Building, to be located along Range Road. The current Service Building is being replaced by the Multi-Disciplinary Science Building, Phase II. \nAfter experiencing disappointing enrollment numbers last year, MacIntyre said IU Vice Presidents Charlie Nelms and Judith G. Palmer will release current enrollment figures Friday to look at how each campus did in meeting its enrollment goals. \nThree trustees are also up for appointment to serve on additional boards. Clarence W. Boone needs approval for the Riley Children's Foundation, board President \nStephen L. Ferguson for the IU Foundation Board of Directors and William R. Cast to the IU-Purdue University Fort Wayne Foundation Board. That business will be resolved Friday.\n"Each of those boards have responsibility that to some degree overlap with the responsibilities with the IU board of trustees," MacIntyre said. "And by virtue of their vision as trustees they have been appointed to those boards to represent the trustees and serve as a liaison so to speak."\nPrior to the trustee meetings, Wednesday and part of today, the nine-member IU board, along with Herbert, will be in Nashville, Ind., for an annual retreat. \n"The trustees do this once a year to discuss and think about the long-term goals and vision for the University, as opposed to more specific day-to-day issues," MacIntyre said.\nFollowing the retreat, the trustees will reconvene in Bloomington to start off their Thursday meetings. Friday, the business meeting will be held at 1:15 p.m. in the Frangipani Room in the Indiana Memorial Union, where several of the proposals will be voted upon and other matters will be discussed. \nThe meeting will be open to the public.
(09/13/05 6:36am)
Dr. William Cast spent 40 years serving the community.\nHe saved lives on the operating table, gave time to his country as a surgeon during the Vietnam War and helped found a major hospital and a K-12 school. \nNow Cast has been asked to serve again.\nA resident of Fort Wayne, he was appointed this July by Gov. Mitch Daniels to the nine-member IU board of trustees to fulfill a three-year term. \n"My name was put up, and I was asked if I would serve," Cast said. "And I told them I would be delighted to serve. It is a chance to give back what the school has given me: an education and a profession."\nAttending IU just as the football stadium was being constructed, Cast began as a chemistry major in 1955 before being accepted to the School of Medicine three years later. During his education at IU, Cast also served as the president of his fraternity, Sigma Nu. \n"Bill Cast was an excellent choice," said current IU trustee and fellow member of Sigma Nu, Pat Shoulders. "Our IU Medical School is so important to our University. It is good to have two doctors on our board."\nAfter graduating and completing his residency at the University Medical Center, Cast joined the Army during the Vietnam War. Stationed at Fort Jackson in South Carolina, an orthopedic trauma center at the time, Cast served as a head and neck surgeon.\nFollowing his tenure in the Army, he started Ear, Nose, & Throat Specialists, a private practice in Fort Wayne, where he has practiced since 1969. Expanding his medical career even further, Cast led a group of physicians along with the Lutheran Hospital Group to found Dupont Hospital in Fort Wayne. Becoming the founding chairman when the hospital opened in 2001, Cast served in that position until the end of 2004. \n"Gov. Daniels could not have made a wiser choice than Dr. Cast," said Dupont Hospital CEO Dr. Mike Schatzlein. "He is truly a renaissance man with broad interests and is very knowledgeable about medicine and education." \nDespite his deep commitment to the field of medicine, Cast also has strong roots in education. His father was a superintendent of schools, and Cast said he always had a strong interest in the educational process. In 1977, he was part of a group that founded Canterbury School, a K-12 school located in Fort Wayne. Cast currently serves on the school's foundation board.\n"In a profession such as medicine that changes as fast as it does, I am basically a perpetual student," Cast said. "Trying to keep education within reach of those who need it and practicing medicine to those who need it are basically two sides of the same problem"
(09/02/05 6:24am)
With more than $11 million being cut from IU's budget this year, the College of Arts and Sciences and the School of Education have been forced to cut faculty positions and decrease the number of course selections, making class sizes larger and providing fewer course sections for students.\nWith more than $4 million cut from the school, COAS was hit the worst. Executive Associate Dean of COAS Joseph Steinmetz said a total of 23 faculty positions and 35 assistant instructor posts that were vacated last year will not be filled this year. \n"This fall, we are offering about 30 sections less than last year," Steinmetz said. "Given the 3,500-plus sections offered by the college, this is a small decrease, but a decrease nonetheless."\nThe School of Education also was forced to cut a significant number of faculty positions this year by choosing not to fill 10 vacant openings, just as COAS did with its faculty and AI positions that retired or left the campus. \n"Because of the budget situation, we have to hold them vacant until the economy begins to stabilize," School of Education Dean of Gerardo Gonzalez said. "So there are several courses where we eliminated small sections or combined sections."\nGonzalez said the school was forced to cut sections of multicultural education, learning theory and learning methods, resulting in larger class sizes and fewer section times for students to select from. \n"The times for the courses may not be ideal," Gonzalez said. "And some courses that students take that are specialized in their fields may not be available. Also some of the sections may be larger than normal."\nThe budget cuts come from two major financial hits Bloomington sustained last year, said Neil Theobald, the vice chancellor for budgetary administration and planning. First, Indiana cut Bloomington's state appropriations by $4.5 million for the 2005-06 school year. Second, Theobald said problems with the PeopleSoft software that prevented IU from sending out financial aid awards was the overwhelming reason for the 606-student shortfall in enrollment last year. \nWhile the faculty cuts are causing minor problems currently for students and faculty, the condition may get much worse in the future. COAS is expected to eliminate approximately another 17 to 27 faculty positions for the next year, Steinmetz said. \n"I can't emphasize enough the future negative impact that the reduction on faculty through non-replacement and decreasing the number searches conducted this year will have," Steinmetz said. "I predict fewer offerings, larger sections and longer waitlists if we continue to lose faculty and not replace them. As we hire fewer faculty members, we simply will not have enough instructors available to teach what is needed in the college."\nSteinmetz added this problem can be avoided by more funds through private sources, higher state appropriations or increases in tuition.\nGonzalez also recognized long-term problems down the line, adding if the trend continues, the school will be forced to cut classes and "take other measures."\nMany other schools within the Bloomington campus were hurt by the budget cuts. Only the School of Library and Information Science, School of Journalism and School of Informatics were spared of major reallocations.
(08/25/05 6:47am)
Freshmen at IU expect to meet new roommates on move-in day. They expect to meet resident assistants and maybe their residence manager. But most likely, they don't expect to meet the president of IU.\nAdam Herbert, the head of all University operations, welcomed a few dozen students as they moved into Foster Quad Wednesday morning. Herbert said his annual visit makes it clear to parents and freshmen that he leads a supportive University.\n"We have the (IU Student Association) president, vice presidents and other colleagues out here, too," he said. "I think that sends a message that we really do care." \nFrom 9 a.m. to nearly noon, Herbert introduced himself to students and parents and spoke privately for minutes at a time with them as they unloaded their cars and moved their belongings into their new dorms. \nMost students embraced the opportunity to speak with the University's president.\n"I thought it was very comforting, and it made it feel like a family," said freshman Jojo Gold. "He even gave me his contact information if I ever needed anything. It was definitely something I did not expect." \nHerbert wore a crimson T-shirt reading "IU is Red Hot. Hottest Big State School -- Newsweek." Though he was actively playing to the television crews, cameras and reporters which surrounded him, Herbert still spoke at lengths with some of the freshmen about all the resources IU has to offer. \nMost of the people he talked to felt his conversation was sincere.\n"I thought it was wonderful," said Gold's mother Gerry. "He was very warm, welcoming and sincere. It didn't seem like he was just doing the marketing thing, but instead he was very genuine and geared the conversation for our family."\nHerbert also made a few requests of some students. Freshman Stephanie Pollack said she was walking along when she noticed the president. After striking up a conversation, Herbert made her promise to see an opera and at least consider a football game.\n"He didn't have to take the time," Pollack said. "He was very nice and appreciative."\nWhile welcoming the freshmen to IU was one of Herbert's main objectives, he also said he wanted to help comfort their parents and let them know they are in good hands. \n"This is a very emotional time for many parents," Herbert said. "And I just wanted to reassure them that IU is an excellent choice."\nJohn Bushemi, father of new student Amanda Bushemi, said Herbert's appearance comforted him. He said he appreciated that the president went the extra mile, calling it a "nice personal touch," to welcome his family and others like them.\n"It's nice that the administration is so involved into making the parents feel more comfortable," Brushemi said.\nMany of the students and their families Herbert spoke with were surprised that someone in his position would welcome the students like he did. Herbert even lauded his own appearance.\n"There are very few university presidents who welcome their students like this," Herbert said. "And it sends a very clear message that we care, and it shows the students that this is a very special place"
(08/24/05 6:25am)
It may be tougher to be accepted to IU in the future, as IU President Adam Herbert said Tuesday raising academic admissions standards are a top priority of the University.\nHerbert said IU hoped to raise the academic prestige of the school by increasing admission standards, particularly as they pertain to the Core 40 curriculum that Indiana high schools use as a recommendation for all high school students. He said such moves would "increase the academic profile of our student body," particularly in Bloomington.\n"We are laying a stronger and broader foundation for enhancing the University and moving it even higher among America's most distinguished universities," he said in his speech to the Rotary Club of Bloomington. "Simultaneously the board has challenged us to serve the state more extensively and build a more knowledge based economy."\nCiting four main priorities for IU's future, Herbert announced a focus to improve the organizational structure of the University, attract and retain new faculty members, strengthen the infrastructure of the school's information technology and give more attention to prioritizing academic goals. \n"If you're going to raise the quality of an institution it is absolutely essential to have priority areas in which you are making strategic investments so that the institution continues to elevate again in the context of the standards of distinction in which we aspire," Herbert said.\nDeclaring that life sciences is the University's highest academic priority, Herbert went on to include information technology, arts and humanities, the Kelley School of Business and the School of Education as the other academic areas in which he hopes to focus on the most. \nAnother key goal objective that Herbert stated was the search for a new chancellor to replace Interim Chancellor Ken Gros Louis. He said he hoped to appoint someone to that post before Thanksgiving, then "twist arms to get that person to come as soon as possible after that selection."\nHerbert's speech followed a wave of recent criticism claiming that he has kept too low of a profile during his tenure in office and has not made enough public appearances. \n"Like everyone I was very sensitive to the recent criticism and I wanted to hear from him directly," said Rotary member Judge Randy Bridges. "He presented himself very well and the more opportunities he has to speak the better off IU is." \nHerbert was introduced by IU trustee Sue Talbot, who expressed confidence and pride in the 17th IU president.\n"We felt and we do feel that we did secure the best person," Talbot said. "He hit the ground running with the leading of the chancellor search, hiring a new athletics director, football coach, many deans positions and helped us to form one of the most success continuative fund raising for Indiana University"
(04/29/05 5:36am)
With rising textbook prices and the recent decision by the University to eliminate bursar billing for the majority of the student body, many students are now looking at alternative options for buying textbooks.\nIn response, Junior Alban Mehmeti, with assistance from senior Daniel Barton and Jared Petravicius, a University of Michigan graduate, has created www.swapiub.com, a Web site designed for students to buy, sell and trade textbooks.\n"The idea of the site is to sign up, put books up for sale and have others buy them from you," Mehmeti said. "Basically we're a listing service for books."\nAfter students register with the site they can name their own selling price for their books. The Web site recommends users list the price 30 to 70 percent of the IU Bookstore's used prices. Swapiub.com then adds 10 percent to the initial listed selling price that goes to fund its services.\n"First students that sell their books back make three times more money than when they sell them at the IU Bookstore," Mehmeti said. "Then buying is cheaper, with the lower prices. It's a win-win situation."\nDistinguishing itself from other textbook exchange Web sites and services, such as www.swapsimple.com, the site has purchased a database from the IU Bookstore that lists required textbooks for every class in the University. This allows prospective buyers not only to search by the title or ISBN number of the book, but also by the specific class they are enrolled in. However, the site's database will not be as active as the IU bookstore's, since they plan on updating it only once per week or month. \nAlso unique in catering exclusively to IU-Bloomington students, the site plans to implement a delivery service by next fall. After placing an order, www.swapsimple.com will send the books to the buyer's door for a small fee. \nMehmeti acknowledged several challenges users of the site might face. One of which is that the site cannot provide instant cash like the IU Bookstore for students selling their books. Though sellers might get more through this service, they may have to wait longer before they can sell their books. Students will likely have to wait until next fall when there is a buyer's market for books again, especially during the end of the spring semester.\n"Students have a tendency to want cash right at the end of the semester," said Dean of Students Richard McKaig. "The seller must be willing to risk deferring immediate income." \nThe University's decision to restrict bursar billing might give students more of an incentive to choose other venues than the IU Bookstore.\n"I think most students buy from the bookstore because they can put it on their bursar bill," Mehmeti said. "Now students will start watching the prices more closely. This will really work in our favor."\nAnother potential problem is that Mehmeti believes that students will want to sell more than purchase. Without enough buyers, Mehmeti warns, the site will be unsuccessful as it will be overwhelmed with sellers who can't find buyers for their books.\nMehmeti said they don't plan on restricting the site to only books. A student market will provide an outlet for students to buy and sell items such as appliances, furniture or electronics. \nThe site is currently in its beta stage which only allows students to sign up, list books, and make limited exchanges. The full version is expected to be operational by fall 2005. \n-- Contact staff writer Trevor Brown at brownta@indiana.edu.
(04/25/05 5:17am)
With menacing clouds looming overhead, nearly 150 people who attended the Earth and Music Festival Friday to celebrate Earth Day were rewarded as the rain held off for most of the day-long celebration.\nThe festival was the dominant event at the 35th annual festival in Bloomington. Sponsored by the Student Environmental Action Coalition and the IU Council for Environmental Stewardships, the festival sought to promote sustainability, conservation and the environment.\n"Earth Day is like an advertisement to get people to think about the Earth and how dependent we are on her resources," said Lucille Bertuccio, secretary of the Center for Sustainable Living. "Earth Day by itself cannot do much, but if people's consciousness is raised, they can begin to address these very difficult issues."\nBloomington Mayor Mark Kruzan, sporting a Jerry Garcia tie, kicked off the event in Dunn Meadow by dedicating the ceremonial tree planted in the meadow. \n"This is the best-planned event by the students, faculty and the city at large," Kruzan said. "This demonstrates you care, you are willing to demonstrate that you care and, most importantly, it demonstrates you are committed to action."\nThe event featured guest speaker Maria Gunnoe, who spoke of the perils of mountaintop removal in her hometown of Bob White, W. Va., and other parts of the Appalachians. Gunnoe said the process of blasting away mountaintops so energy companies can mine for coal has ruined lives as it has created flooding and contamination of the local environment.\n"It is terrorism," Gunnoe said. "And it's the worst kind of terrorism, because it's legal, and our government is behind this 100 percent."\nDocumentary filmmaker Drury Gunn Carr was also spoke at the event. Carr talked about his film, "Libby, Montana," which was shown throughout the weekend. \n"During the last 10 years or so, the environment has crept out of the national consciousness. It is clear our message is not getting through," said Carr, who suggested that to solve this problem a better connection must be made with rural communities.\nPizza Express was also present as it unveiled its new zero-emission electric car. The company believes that the environmentally friendly vehicle is more cost efficient and pollutes less than the average car, and might spur interest in others purchasing similar vehicles.\n"We hope this will increase interest in electric vehicles," said Sara Sheikh, Pizza Express marketing/communications manager. "In Bloomington it's ideal for driving around town."\nMembers of INPIRG were giving away raffle tickets at the festival to anyone who turned in a copy of the Indiana Daily Student in order to raise awareness of recycling.\nThe Kelley School of Business also put on an event Thursday in honor of Earth Day, as it held its fourth annual Environmental Exposition and Earth Day Ceremony and the Kelley Green Awards. The award is given to three local and national businesses that display high environmental standards.\n"It shows responsibility and innovation as far as the environment is concerned," said senior Nicole Ross, who nominated Wagner Homes for one of the awards.\nCity-wide events were also held as part of the BloomingTree initiative, sponsored by the city and several local organizations. BloomingTree events will continue throughout the week, culminating with Arbor Day festivals next Saturday. \n"Earth Day is just one day -- or in this case two weeks -- of activities and happenings," Bertuccio said. "But the attitude change and the behavior change should last the 365 days that this marvelous, beautiful Earth travels around the sun."\n-- Contact Staff Writer Trevor Brown at brownta@indiana.edu.
(04/22/05 6:28am)
The IU and Bloomington communities will celebrate the 35th annual Earth Day today by holding a variety of events and activities today and throughout the week promoting conservation, environmentalism and working to make Bloomington a better place to live.\n"Earth Day is an important day where people can come together and celebrate the natural wonders we are blessed with and appreciate," said senior and President of the Student Environmental Action Coalition Brent Woodruff. "The international environmental movement has given Earth Day to look into the serious problem the world faces today."\nThe focal event commemorating Earth Day is the Earth and Music Festival, which will take place at Dunn Meadow from noon to 10 p.m. today. Sponsored by SEAC and the IU Council for Environmental Stewardships, the event will feature speeches, music and dozens of organizations hosting informational tables.\n"This will be a wonderful celebration of our Earth and all of its beauty," said Vanessa Caruso, chair of the Indiana Public Interest Research Group. "The \ncelebration will begin at noon with an address by Bloomington Mayor Mark Kruzan."\nAdditional speakers at the event will include environmentalists Maria Gunnoe, Drury Gunn Carr and Andy Mahler. Music will feature performances by Veranda trio, Baby Chicago & the Brothers Cool, Big Saturday and the national touring Groovatron.\nOne of the highlights of the festival will include the public unveiling of Pizza Express' newly acquired environmentally friendly electric car. The company will also sell pizza throughout the event. \nINPIRG will raffle prizes from local businesses. Throughout the past week in locations at the Indiana Memorial Union, Ballantine Hall and the Kelley School of Business, INPIRG has been giving away the raffle tickets to any student who brings in a copy of the Indiana Daily Student that they finished reading or found on the floor.\n"We are promoting recycling and respect for our environment," Caruso said. "It's ridiculous that it is acceptable for people to just leave their papers lying all over the place."\nThe Earth and Music Festival is just one of many events being featured as part of the BloomingTree Celebration, sponsored by INPIRG, SEAC, CFES, the Residence Hall Association and Bloomington, among others.\n"The BloomingTree Celebration is a community-wide event that incorporates a variety of Earth Day and Arbor Day activities into one unified community calendar," Caruso said.\nBloomingTree features daily environmental events occurring throughout Bloomington that have been ongoing since April 16 and will continue through April 30. Some of the highlights include an Earth Exposition at Sole Sensations parking lot from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. today and Saturday; an Earth Day Farmers Market Fair from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday; and Sunday afternoon will feature citywide neighborhood tree planting. A full list of events and times can be found at www.BloomingTree.org.\nThe Kelley School of Business got an early start on Earth Day, holding its fourth annual Environmental Exposition and Earth Day Ceremony Thursday. During the event, three companies were presented with the Kelley Green Awards for distinguishing themselves as environmentally friendly. Also, an Earth Art expo was held throughout the day featuring student art consisting of sculptures made of recycled materials, environmental photographs and open art.\n"The goals of the earth art expo is to get students to think deeply about how business and the environment are related and the importance of keeping the relationship positive," said Robert Smith, the Kelley School of Business environmental policy committee chair. "The Kelley Green Awards show students that successful companies are working to minimize their negative impact on the environment and that people notice this and care about it."\nWhile Earth Day is just one day, to make an impact people should practice environmentally conscious acts all the time, local activists say.\n"What would be far more powerful in changing human behavior would be year-round efforts at every level and in all institutions of society," said School of Environmental and Public Affairs professor Paul Schneller. "Top-down and bottom-up leadership and participation are critical."\nEnvironmentalists also encourage individual actions on a regular basis to help conserve the planet and its resources.\n"For individual, think walking, bicycling, car pooling, combining trips when you do have to drive a vehicle and choosing a vehicle with higher mileage -- including the newer hybrids," Schneller said.\n-- Contact Staff Writer Trevor Brown at brownta@indiana.edu.
(04/11/05 6:56am)
In the 20-hour span from noon Saturday till 10 a.m. Sunday morning, the Gladstein Fieldhouse was transformed into a festive celebration of life, a somber memorial to those who have passed and a determined battleground of people willing to take steps to fund research aimed at defeating cancer. \nRelay for Life, the American Cancer Society's signature fund-raising event, attracted about 500 students, parents, cancer survivors and local community residents who took to the track in a 20-hour team relay trek.\n"(Relay for Life) is important because it helps fund research," said sophomore and cancer survivor Amy Hayes. "It also helps bring together survivors and brings hope that we can overcome this." \nMore than doubling the previous year's donations, Relay for Life brought in $62,848, consisting of about $52,000 in fund raising before the event and a little more than $10,000 that was raised during the event. Much of the fund raising was given through online donations as each team was given its own Web site where money could be contributed via credit card. \n"It has surpassed everyone's expectations in only our second year," said senior and IU Relay for Life Co-chairman Andrew Schlachter. "It provides only greater motivation for years to come."\nMore than 60 teams registered to participate in the Relay, where at least one participant from each team is on the track at all times during the 20-hour event. Teams were made up of sororities, fraternities, student groups and groups of friends and supporters. \nKicking off the event was the survivor victory lap, which honored the 18 cancer survivors present and their caregivers. Following this, the Relay began with many of the participants taking to the track. \nWhile it is required that participants only walk around the track, one team took it a step further. The Marines Against Cancer group consisting of student and non-student local Marines decided that they would instead have at least one team member running the track at all times during the entire 20-hour stretch. \n"We wanted to do something challenging for us," said senior Rob Regedanz. "Because cancer patients have to put up with challenges and struggle their entire lives, we can put up with a little struggle for 20 hours."\nA brief pause in the Relay came at 9 p.m. Saturday night when the luminary ceremony began. At this time, all the participants stopped walking and stood beside the luminary candles that lined the track, which represented the life of someone who has been touched by cancer. Then, with only the light of the luminary bags illuminating the fieldhouse, a somber speech was given as the names of hundreds of cancer survivors and victims were read out loud. Following this, all participants proceeded to take part in a victory lap around the track. \n"I think everyone is touched by cancer. Even if you weren't affected personally, someone you know has been," said senior and IU Relay committee member Lindsay Koltun. "This part of the event allows everyone to calm down and realize why they are doing this in the first place."\nMany of the participants chose to spend the entire night at the Fieldhouse as dozens of tents were set up in the middle of track. When they were not actually waking in the relay, there were plenty of outlets for the participants' energy, including socializing, resting, playing sports or taking part in a variety of events.\nEvents like a pie-eating contest, obstacle course, tug-of-war, ultimate frisbee and dancing occurred throughout the night. IU men's a capella group Straight No Chaser and a band, The District, also provided live music throughout the event.\nOn-site fund raising was a big part of the Relay as well, as a euchre tournament, a root-beer pong contest and bake-sales were held. Phi Mu, Delta Upsilon and Alpha Delta Pi sponsored one of the largest events by raffling away a car. A portion of the proceeds then were contributed to Relay for Life, along with several other organizations. \n"The success of the event is less about me, the groups, the organization, but about the general response about how important this is," Schlachter said. "And how much the kids of IU care and how important it is that we address this."\n-- Contact Staff Writer Trevor Brown at brownta@indiana.edu.
(04/08/05 6:25am)
Relay For Life, the signature fund-raising event of the American Cancer Society, will take place Saturday and Sunday at IU. The 20-hour continuous event will help raise funds to battle cancer and honor cancer survivors. \nMore than 800 people are expected to converge on Gladstein Fieldhouse, next to Assembly Hall, at noon Saturday as the event will continue throughout the night and will conclude about 10 a.m. Sunday. \n"It is not a race," said junior Amanda Wheeler, the IU Relay For Life co-chairman. "But rather a chance to raise money for cancer research, remember those we have lost and celebrate those who have won the battle against cancer."\nLast year's inaugural Relay For Life at IU took in nearly $28,000 in total donations. However, this year Relay has already topped that figure in online donations and is projecting to bring in more than $62,000, according to ACS Community Development Director Blair Boles. Holding the Relay for only the second year, IU is already ranked third out of all the college Relays in the region in terms of online fund raising. \n"Donations from the event will go to benefit cancer research, education, early detection methods and to different advocacy issues," Boles said. "Also it will go to help patient services, where they help to improve the quality of life for cancer patients." \nThus far 61 teams, comprised by more than 600 participants, formed by fraternities, sororities, dorm floors, student groups and groups of friends are expected to participate in the event. During the length of the 20-hour event, participants plan to have a least one member of each team walking on the track at all times.\n"However, Relay is not just a group of people walking around a track," said senior and IU Relay for Life Co-chairman Andrew Schlachter. "We have numerous activities, competitions, entertainment groups, speakers and ceremonies that work to keep everyone involved throughout the weekend."\nA survivor victory lap honoring those who have beaten cancer will kick off the event. Other highlights will include a performance by Straight No Chaser, the Luminary ceremony at 9 p.m. and various educational activities designed to create awareness and advocate healthy living. \n"Luminaries are purchased for a donation, and each bag is representative of a person who we have lost and those who have survived cancer," said Wheeler. "We light candles in the bags and read all the names on each bag. It is the most emotional part of the Relay."\nStarting since early October 2004, team members have been actively working on the fund-raising aspect of the event. Each registered team member received his or her own Web page to solicit funds and receive donations via credit card. Other fund-raising activities have included bake sales, T-shirt proceeds, sponsored parties and a Texas Hold'em tournament. A sponsorship committee has also worked to secure corporate sponsorships from local Bloomington area businesses. \n"We really believe Relay for Life could and should be IU's next big philanthropy on campus," said Schlachter. "It is our hope that in five years IU will be known for Dance Marathon, Big Man on Campus, Little 500 and Relay for Life."\nRelay for Life was started in 1985 by Dr. Gordy Klatt who performed the 24-hour walk single handedly to raise awareness and funds for cancer research. Since then, Relay has grown rapidly as there are currently about 4,000 events occurring annually throughout the nation, and it has even gone international as eight foreign countries now play host to Relay events. \nThere is no admission price to access the event, and those wishing to participate can simply arrive when the event begins. \n"It is not too late to sign up a team or to make a donation online," Schlachter said. "We encourage people to come out to the event this weekend to participate." \nQuestions can be mailed to iurealy@indiana.edu and donations can be submitted via the Web site www.acsevents.org/relay/in/iu.\n-- Contact Staff Writer Trevor Brown at brownta@indiana.edu.
(03/30/05 5:24am)
Troops overseas are entrenched in a foreign land thousands of miles from home with only the most basic necessities and limited ways to occupy their downtime. \nTo help boost the morale of troops fighting overseas in areas like Iraq and Afghanistan, the Air Force ROTC is running a book drive to provide servicemen and women with reading material to keep them entertained during their moments away from battle.\n"This event was done to basically do something for those who are doing a very important thing for us overseas," said Air Force ROTC Cadet Rebecca Burkey. "I feel that this book drive was a noble cause because while collecting books may not seem like much, the troops overseas do not think so."\nWorking through a parent organization called Operation Paperback, the project is run by Arnold Air Society, a service-oriented organization composed of Air Force ROTC cadets. Operation Paperback is a nonprofit national program that sends gently used books to American troops deployed overseas. \n"We organized a day which people could visit us at our ROTC building and make donations," said Air Force ROTC Cadet Samantha Schinder. "Also we put several collection boxes around the community."\nSo far the cadets already have collected more than 30 books, but the drive is ongoing, and they hope to receive many more. \nFor those wishing to contribute to the drive, drop-boxes are located at the American Legion, 1800 W. Third St., the University Lutheran Church near the Indiana Memorial Union and the lobby of Foster-Harper. \n"Also, we are collecting books from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the ROTC building across from Rawles Hall on Third Street," Schinder said. "Or you can give them to any Air Force ROTC cadet."\nRegulations permit the collection of only paperback books. Monetary donations also are accepted to cover shipping and handling fees. Once the book drive ends, Operation Paperback will tell cadets where and to whom the books will be sent. \n"The goal of our project is to show our support and help improve the lives of the brave men and women serving our country," Schinder said. "Hopefully our efforts will convey our gratitude and will send a kind message form home." \nThe cadets hope providing the troops with books will help them combat the boredom they often face.\n"They don't have much to do on their downtime," said Burkey. "Think of the last time you were bored -- I bet anything to do would have been fun. Now multiply that times ten, and that's how bored they are. Giving a book for them to read as something to do is like giving a poor college kid money to spend."\n-- Contact Staff Writer Trevor Brown at brownta@indiana.edu.
(03/25/05 5:10am)
It has been almost a year and a half since former U.S. Representative, Bloomington Mayor and IU Alumnus Frank McCloskey died after a year-long battle with bladder cancer at the age of 64. Now many of McCloskey's former friends and colleagues are determined to let his legacy live through the creation of the IU McCloskey Fund.\nThe fund will help serve one of McCloskey's favorite issues, extending peace and democracy to the Balkans, on which he had worked a majority of the last decade of his life. The focus of the fund is the McCloskey Scholar program, which will act as sort of an exchange program between Indiana University and the Balkans. \n"The fund represents the life of Frank McCloskey in his dedication and often lonely fight in the U.S. Congress to stop genocide in the Balkans," said Director of the IU Russian and East European Institute David Ransel. "Frank persuaded enough people that our government decided to take action, and the slaughter stopped very quickly."\nMcCloskey was one of the first U.S. officials to draw attention to the genocide occurring in Bosnia, and was one of the main supporters for U.S. intervention in the region. Risking his own physical well-being, he even toured a war zone in Croatia during the conflict to verify the genocide firsthand.\n"Frank had a real social consciousness," said Ed Delaney, an attorney and participant in the formation of the fund. "He was a committed fan of IU and we have tried to combine this with his interests in the Balkans."\nThe initial plan of the fund is to have a student from IU study in the Balkan region, where he or she will work and study with the National Democratic Institute. At the same time, a student or scholar from Kosovo will spend a few months studying in Bloomington and Washington, D.C. \nIn Washington the student will work with party and political officials, and in Bloomington he or she will complete the research with the mayor and staff members from IU. In the future there are plans to expand the program to include multiple students studying in both regions. \n"Our attraction to the exchange program was that it was a way to build towards international peace," said Chris Sautter, a political consultant who worked on the conception of the fund. "This will provide an enduring link and a long-term understanding between IU and the Balkan region."\nOn April, 5 a fund-raising event will be held at the Virgil T. DeVault Alumni Center for the commencement of the fund featuring a speech by former Indiana Congressman Lee Hamilton. Founders hope to get some of the $10,000 to $12,000 needed to get operations underway, during the event. Tickets will cost $50 dollars per person and can be purchased through REEI.\n"Lee Hamilton is a very appropriate choice to speak at this event," Sautter said. "He is well known to the community and one of the most respected experts on foreign policy. He was also a very close colleague and friend of McCloskey." \nAfter his tenure in Congress, McCloskey continued his pursuit and dedication to fight for democracy and freedom in the Balkans. Even up to the last days of his life, he still championed the region. \n"He became a maser's degree student in the REEI at Indiana University so that he could increase his own knowledge of the region," said Ransel. "At the same time, he worked as an associate of the National Democratic Institute as the NDI's representative in Kosovo." \nA cast of literally hundreds were involved in the creation of the fund, including McCloskey's former colleagues, associates, and friends. However, McCloskey's wife, Roberta, was one of the main supporters of the fund. Integrally involved in the project, Roberta McCloskey passed away on Feb. 2, just weeks after signing the papers to establish the fund. \n-- Contact Staff Writer Trevor Brown at brownta@indiana.edu.
(03/10/05 5:52am)
With a state-of-the-art temperature control system, a security structure that rivals the Pentagon and stacks of books that would take several lifetimes to read, the Ruth Lilly Auxiliary Library Facility (ALF) is preserving and storing materials so current students and future generations will be able to use and appreciate the fine collections at IU.\nLocated northeast of 10th street and the Indiana 45/46 Bypass on North Range Road, the 2 1/2-year-old building primarily functions as a storage facility to lessen the burden on an overcrowded IU library system and to preserve books through optimum conditions and restoration techniques. Rare, fragile and lesser-used books are stored and available to the public through a same-day delivery service when requested. \n"The ALF does a very good job of taking care of the collections," said Dean of Indiana University Libraries Suzanne Thorin. "There have been no real problems. They have a good delivery and storage system."\nThe centerpiece of the ALF is its storage vault, which houses 700,000 items in acid-free shelves. With approximately 7,000 additional items coming in each week, there is room for about 3 million items in the vault. Books and documents are stacked 34 feet high, so a forklift is required to place and retrieve books. The approximately 120-by-85-foot room has enough room to store the main library's entire collection.\nBooks, paper documents, film collections and other types of bound material are currently housed in the facility. Many of the rare and valuable items include congressional papers, myriad IU historical documents and a rare film collection from Hollywood film director David Bradley dating back to 1929. \nWhile in storage, the books rest in a safe, sterile environment that extends their longevity. \n"The vault is kept at a constant 50 degrees Fahrenheit, 30 percent relative humidity, and the temperature is not allowed to fluctuate over one-half a degree, up or down," said Vaughn Nuest, manager of the ALF. "Research has shown that these conditions will allow paper-based materials to last 200 to 300 more years than in normal conditions."\nAdditional protection comes from the ALF's smart sprinkler system, a leakproof roof with no pipes and electric wires encased with metal conduits to eliminate fire hazards. \nTo break into the ALF, one would need a plan straight out of a Hollywood caper. As Nuest states, the ALF is one of the most secure buildings in Indiana, as it features heavily fortified walls and an advanced computerized security system. Additionally, there are only five people in the world with access to the vault, and Nuest is the only one with full-time access. \nAlthough you can't browse the ALF like a normal library, checking out books is not difficult. To borrow a book, users simply check out books electronically, and the ALF ships the materials to any library on campus through same-day delivery. The operation is very efficient, too, as the ALF boasts a 100-percent success rate in retrieving and delivering items. \nBefore the opening of the ALF, all but one of IU's 17 libraries were at maximum capacity. The ALF, however, alleviates many of these spacing issues.\n"The low-use and/or fragile materials that are selected for transfer to the ALF free up much-needed space for vastly overcrowded library shelves on campus," said Nuest. "The space that is being freed up in these locations is being put to use to allow those libraries to better serve their patrons."\nThe ALF also houses the E. Lingle Craig Preservation Lab. The lab is responsible for educating library staff on proper preservation techniques and treating and preserving any brittle or damaged materials. The lab also features many state-of-the-art technologies, including a book freezer that is used to treat water-damaged materials. \nThorin said there currently are plans to add three more vaults to the complex. The additions are more of a long-term plan, as the current vault is expected to take seven to eight years to reach capacity.\n-- Contact Staff Writer Trevor Brown at brownta@indiana.edu.
(03/08/05 4:25am)
Washington, D.C., is usually synonymous with power, greed and corruption. But to junior Chase Downham, Washington represents something much different. To him, it is place where a person has the ability to help others and make a real difference.\nSince mid-January, Downham has actually gotten the chance to test his ideals. He works as an intern for U.S. Rep. Mike Pence in Washington, D.C., through the Washington Leadership Program in the School of Public and Environmental Affairs.\n"My initial attraction to politics is the servant style aspect of the career," Downham said. "You run into people all the time who are in it just for themselves. I just want to serve my country and the constituents the best I can."\nUsually the first person in the office each day, Downham works four days a week for about nine hours per day. His duties include receiving faxes and making sure the staff receives their mail and papers. Additionally, he is responsible for constituent services, such as guiding tours for Pence's supporters who come to visit the capital. \nBesides administrative tasks, Downham also has several legislative affairs as part of his responsibilities. He is required to attend at least one committee hearing per week and regularly does research for the legislative staff at Pence's office. Recently Downham wrote two response letters that get sent out to many constituents who asked about a common issue or question. \n"Chase is a good worker; he goes beyond what is asked of him," said Pence's Internship Director LeAnne Holdman. "It would seem that he would be a very good student because he catches on really quickly. He has learned a lot and will continue to learn a lot in the remainder of his internship." \nWith a desk right next to Pence's office, Downham is able to work alongside the representative from the Indiana sixth congressional district on a daily basis. Because of this Downham has learned a great deal from the congressman, he said. \n"He has really shown me what it takes to serve office and what is required of you," Downham said. "Basically I've learned from him that you don't have to sacrifice your principles and values to be in Washington, D.C."\nIn his position, Downham is able to see beyond the traditional glamour of Washington that outsiders see. Despite this, he remains steadfast in his opinion that he can make an impact, he said.\n"I feel like I'm making a real difference," he said. "I've learned that I'm part of an integral place where the smallest things can add up the final product."\nDownham's internship is not his first exposure to politics. During summer 2004 he worked on Pence's election campaign and has worked on other local campaigns in Bloomington. In addition, Downham has held several high-ranking positions, such as former political director for the IU College Republicans and president of the Grand Old Cause, a conservative activism group. \nAlong with his internship, Downham must meet academic qualifications to be eligible for the 11 to 12 credit hours that the program offers. Twice a week he attends a seminar course taught by SPEA faculty members. \n"The most important thing I've learned is it's hard to plan for the future in politics," Downham said. "You find God pulls you in a direction or path. It's just best to sit back and enjoy the ride."\n-- Contact Staff Writer Trevor Brown at brownta@indiana.edu.
(02/28/05 5:29am)
Student organizations might be seriously disappointed next time they apply for a Commitment to Assist Student Initiatives (CASI) grant to fund one of their events. As of now, CASI is over budget and in risk of running out of funds.\n"There is a large probability that CASI funds will run out by the end of the year," said IUSA Aid Director Jay Miller. "And currently we are not sure if any other money will be available after it is gone." \nCASI is part of the IU Student Association Assisted Interorganizational Department (AID) and is used to fund student initiatives and events for registered student organizations. A funding board comprised of five IUSA Congress members and four elected students from the student body grants money based on how the event affects and enriches the University, the number of students it will impact and the planning and organization of the group. \nCASI was expecting a total budget for this year to be around $145,000. However, due to lower University enrollment figures the actual budget is only around $140,000. Of this, $130,000 has been allotted to fund events and initiatives by student groups this year. \n"As of yet, we have not run out of funds to allocate. No groups have been denied funding as of yet due to a lack of funds," Miller added. "Approximately $30,000 remains to be allocated this year."\nBudget problems have been exacerbated by the fact that monetary grants per request have been slightly higher than in the past, even though CASI is on pace to fund nearly the same amount of events as last year.\nMiller also suggests that the increase in allocated funding can be in part attributed to the work done by the Student Activities Office to hold the new Student Group Orientation. This helped to increase awareness for organizations of ways to get funding through University programs, such as CASI. \n"The Student Organization Funding Department within IUSA has also done an excellent job this year meeting with many new student organizations on campus and informing them of the various funding options," said Miller. \nCurrently the IUSA Assisted Interorganizational Department is working on plans to avoid such monetary deficits in upcoming years. \n"We have asked for an increase in funds for next year to hopefully alleviate any future shortfall," Miller said. "Next year, we are hoping to receive a larger portion of the student activity fee."\nCurrently all enrolled students pay a mandatory student activity fee of $125.00. Of that, $2.05 per student each semester is allocated to the CASI fund. Miller suggests keeping the entire student activity fee the same, while increasing the proportion that CASI receives to $2.10 per student each semester.\nAs of now, CASI has approved over 70 grant applications, with an average grant of $1,500 to $2,000. Examples of events that were in part funded by CASI, include the Women's Student Association's Take Back the Night initiative and "Assassins," presented by the University Players.\n"CASI money is allocated in the most objective manner possible through the CASI funding board, and we have no regrets this year," Miller said. "All the events have created a more positive atmosphere on campus. \n-- Contact Staff Writer Trevor Brown at brownta@indiana.edu.
(02/21/05 5:53am)
It's nearly as dangerous as driving while intoxicated, but many students do it often when they get behind the wheel. According to a recent study by Dong-Chul Seo, a lecturer in the department of Applied Health Science, talking on cell phones while driving is much more of a safety risk than previously thought. \nThe study of 1,291 college students spanning five universities, including IU, showed an alarming 21 percent of accidents or near accidents oc curred when at least one driver involved in the crash was using a cell phone while driving. In addition, 86 percent of cell phone owners used them at least occasionally when driving.\n"It's like watching television while you're studying," said freshman Frank Walsh. "You're not giving it 100 percent of your attention. It's just a distraction." \nPerhaps the most interesting and groundbreaking finding of the study was that users of the previously thought to be safer hands-free cell phones were proportionally involved in more crashes than users of regular handheld models. Fourteen percent of all hands-free cell phone users in the study were involved in accidents, compared to only 4 percent of handheld users. This challenges previously accepted views that cell phones are dangerous because of the physical distraction rather than mental distraction.\n"Mental distraction while talking on cell phones while driving causes more problems than any physical distraction involved," Seo said. "Reduced physical distraction thanks to the use of hands-free models does not minimize cognitively distractive barriers."\nCurrently only New York, New Jersey and Washington, D.C., prohibit handheld cell phone use while driving. However, 30 states, including Indiana, are in the process of considering similar legislation. House Bill 1508 is presently awaiting a hearing in Indiana's House of Representatives, and if passed will impose a ban on handheld phone usage in vehicles. The proposed ban would not affect hands-free models.\nBecause hands-free cell phones are excluded from the bans, Seo opposes such bills. The problem, Seo said, is that this fosters the false belief that hands-free cell phones are safe, when in reality they pose as much if not more of a safety concern as handheld models.\n"I don't think that this would really increase driver safety," Seo said in response to the bill. "Reduced physical distraction does not necessarily enhance driving safety. The use of all types of cell phones should be prohibited."\nDespite the compelling evidence of the dangers of cell phone use while driving, Seo does not believe that a ban on all types of cell phones will be passed in the near future. One reason is because of the dramatic opposition to such a ban among the public. Even though nearly two-thirds of participants in the study believed that cell phones increase the risk of accidents, only 6 percent advocated a ban for them. \nIn addition, there is a lack of hard data on the subject, since only one state records whether cell phones were a factor in their police reports. Because of this Seo suggests that all states move to record this data to provide legislators with more reliable information.\nThere are critics who suggest that cell phones do not cause a significant distraction to the driver. A recent study performed by the University of North Carolina Highway Safety Research Center stated that other distractions were, "far more prevalent and could be more hazardous."\n-- Contact Staff Writer Trevor Brown at brownta@indiana.edu.
