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(02/25/03 6:09am)
IU's Information Technology is planning to build a new home at 11th and Walnut Grove streets, which will house the core of IU's computing and information technology infrastructure.\nThe board of trustees' facilities committee will interview four architectural firms today for the job of designing the building, to be named the Computation and Information Building.\nThe new addition will have no classrooms but instead will be filled with 160,000 square feet of computing support operations, all of the campus technical computer equipment as well as the pervasive computing labs. \n"It is part of our initiative to promote Informatics," Facilities Committee Chair and Trustee Peter Obremsky said. "It will benefit the School of Informatics and the campus at large."\nIn addition, Vice President Michael McRobbie's Department of Information Technology will find its new home there, in a move that Obremsky calls "very necessary."\n"Our current facilities are outdated and outmoded," Obremsky said. "This new building will provide the necessary space and technology to advance our programs."\nThe architectural design of the building will be the subject of the meeting today. Obremsky noted that there definitely won't be any more "I. M. Pei buildings" to contrast with the campus' architecture.\n"The specific architectural style is not settled at this point but the design must be compatible with the rest of the IUB campus," IU's chief administrative officer J. Terry Clapacs said. \nThe firms being interviewed are the Smith Group from Washington D.C.; Shepley, Bullfinch, Richardson and Abbot from Boston, Mass.; Flad and Associates from Madison, Ind.; and Buyer, Blinder, Belle and Associates from New York, NY. \nJohn Belle of Buyer, Blinder, Belle and Associates designed the Kelley School of Business' new graduate building and the Multidisciplinary Science building, which the trustees recently approved for construction. \nClapacs said the new building has been planned for a year and a half and will cost as much as $40 million. None of the funding will come from state funds. Private sources such as gifts and grants will financially support the project. \nObremsky said bonds may be issued.\n"With Informatics being a hot investment for the state's economy and for the University, we should be able to attract considerable interest," Obremsky said.\nKaren Adams, chief of staff of the Office of the VP for Information Technology, said the new computing building will not be completed any time soon. \n"Hopefully it will be finished in the next three to five years," she said. "We are trying to look for the architects and get as much done while we are fundraising"
(02/19/03 5:38am)
On Monday, the Indiana General Assembly unveiled its two-year $22.7 billion budget, which would restore base funding for higher education for 2004 and increase funding by 1 percent for the 2005 budget year, despite Governor Frank O'Bannon's suggestions to flat-line education funding.\nIU Interim President Gerald L. Bepko said he is pleased with the plan, which restores $34.6 million in University base operating reductions, saying it shows positive support on the part of the General Assembly.\n"It actually has some good things in it," Bepko said. "It shows effort on the part of the members of the House to put a priority on education."\nWhile not relying on borrowing against future tobacco settlement funds to benefit needy college students, Democrats offered a warmer endorsement of "Energize Indiana," O'Bannon's 10-year, $1.25 billion economic development plan. The plan would allocate another $128 million in borrowing for five science buildings at IU, Purdue University and IU-Purdue University at Indianapolis, including funding the construction of IUB's new Multidisciplinary Science Building.\n"One of the major projects being funded is the multidisciplinary science building," Bepko said. "It is very important for the University because we think this is a wonderful time to strengthen basic life sciences research. Dean (of the College of Arts and Sciences Kumble) Subbaswamy has done an excellent job of recruiting great faculty in the sciences. It is very good for the University that they are making the multidisciplinary science building an economic development strategy for the state."\nBepko said the Life Sciences Initiative has helped convince legislators the importance of IU to the state's economy. He said one can "see the Life Sciences in the construction of the project."\nAnother positive aspect of the bill is the introduction of and the proposed funding of a research formula for the Bloomington campus.\n"The formula is designed to help the Bloomington campus be more competitive with research campuses and offset some of the costs of maintaining a large research portfolio," Bepko said. "It's a very forward-looking idea and I am very pleased they put it as part of the bill."\nThe bill also allocates funds for IU's enrollment growth formula: 50 percent of the amount IU requested in the first year and 75 percent for the second year. This will benefit other IU campuses, but Bloomington will receive no funding despite its record enrollment because IUB, Purdue and Indiana State University all are considered "mature campuses," IU State Relations Representative Don Weaver said.\nIn addition, the bill gives an increase in repair and rehabilitation funds used to maintain buildings on campus, but only a quarter of what the University requested. \n"It's a very meager, very modest amount," Bepko said. "We need this very much because we have very few means to deal with our very serious condition. Many of our buildings are in states of disrepair. We need to get the funding back up to full funding, but it still is a step in the right direction."\nIU is still not satisfied about funding for the School of Informatics, Weaver said. \n"We would like to see more help with the funding of Informatics," Weaver said. "We feel the school has proved itself already through the amount of students enrolled already and it could be an economic asset to the state."\nIU received less funding than it requested for many of its projects, yet Bepko said many signs such as O'Bannon's disappointing State of the State speech which suggested a flat-line for education have prepared the University for tough financial decisions. \n"Seldom has the state budget been responsive to every request we've made," Bepko said.\nWeaver said the University was pleased with the draft and was not expecting all of its requests to be addressed.\n"I don't think we ever get everything we ask for," Weaver said. "Even in good times, we never get everything we request."\nBecause of the decline in state support, Bepko said the University has looked at cutting administrative costs and seeking other means to finance IU. \n"If you look at state support for higher education in the past 25 years, in real dollars, adjusted for inflation, you'll see that state support has declined significantly," Bepko said. "So we've had to find other ways to fund our University. We have relied a lot more on private donations and philanthropy."\nBepko said despite the fact that a draft has been formed, lobbying for the University is "just beginning."\n"Now we must explain to people how important higher education is, how important research universities are and the importance of Indiana University to the future of the state," Bepko said.\nWith a better idea of the state's priorities involving higher education, Weaver said the University can now focus its lobbying efforts.\n"Frankly, I think the University will just lobby to maintain the level of funding already suggested," Weaver said. "Beside that, we will focus on (repairs and rehabilitations) and Informatics."\nIU spokeswoman Jane Jankowski said there is still help for these projects.\n"It is still early in the process," Jankowski said. "The budget still needs to be passed. Things can still happen"
(02/17/03 5:27am)
On Friday, the presidential search committee in charge of selecting IU's next top leader met via teleconference to begin their arduous task of discussing hundreds of names submitted to fill the vacant position.\nDuring the portion of the meeting open to the public, Jerry Baker of Baker-Parker and Associates, the Atlanta based search firm hired to assist the process, announced the number of nominations has increased from nearly 150 during the previous IU board of trustees meeting in January to close to 300. Baker said the nominations were compiled from people the firm has sought, nominations sent to the firm and from forums held by the search committee.\nAfter meeting with the public, the committee went into private executive session to discuss names of those who have shown interest in the position after being contacted.\nSteve Ferguson, vice president of the trustees and chair of the presidential search committee, said the hundreds of compiled names may seem overwhelming, but they will be filtered to a manageable amount after contacting the candidates.\n"Say 200 people are contacted by the firm and 60 say they are interested, that will decrease the amount of candidates to consider," Ferguson said. "Actually, a large percentage of people that are contacted say that they are not interested. Since we are approaching high profile candidates, many say they are already content with their current job."\nIU spokesman Bill Stephan said the consulting firm will also look at the nominations and see if names submitted meet certain qualifications.\n"The candidates must be someone familiar with running a large, complex organization similar to a public university," Stephan said.\nStephan added that the committee has received serious candidates, most of which fulfill the requirements.\nAnother factor the committee is taking into consideration is the subject of diversity. Julie Knost, director of the IU Office of Affirmative Action, discussed the importance of diversity in the process, both in selecting diverse candidates and candidates who promote diversity.\n"Several of the names are people of color and women," Ferguson said. "The search firm has made a positive effort to attract well known people of diversity to consider the position."\nFerguson added that the board has advertised the job opening in several publications such as The Chronicle of Higher Education, The Chicago Tribune and several diversity-based magazines in order to attract candidates from other backgrounds to be nominated.\n"These periodicals are widely read by the academic community," Ferguson said. "This will give everybody in the academic community a chance to nominate someone for the position."\nAt the meeting, Baker said the firm has had success so far in attracting diverse candidates. Baker noted that this diversity includes candidates from public and private sectors, candidates from universities, candidates from across the country and other nations. \n"Our candidates literally come from around the world," Baker said.\nDespite the fact that candidates must be interviewed in April and five to seven final nominations must be delivered by May, Ferguson noted that nominations will still be accepted throughout the process.\n"There is not a cut-off date for submitting names," Ferguson said. "If there is a qualified candidate who is suggested at a later date, this will not hinder them."\nAt the next two meetings of the search committee, to be held March 2 in Indianapolis and March 25 in Bloomington, the committee will continue to discuss names that have responded.\nFor more information on the presidential search committee, log on to www.indiana.edu/~nextpres/.
(02/17/03 5:24am)
Icy precipitation building on the roads and walkways caused cancellations, automobile accidents and inconvenience to students over the weekend, and may continue into the week, with The Weather Channel predicting flurries today and additional snow on Wednesday. \nHank Hewetson, the director of IU's Physical Plant, said his workers follow the weather and after receiving word from the IU Police Department that the streets may be unsafe, the campus division of the plant dispatches crew to deal with icy walkways and roads. \n"For our current weather situation, our people were out most of the day," Hewetson said.\nHewetson said his crew began their work at 4 a.m. today to ensure the campus is safe for students traveling to class first thing in the morning.\nDespite the recent snow spree in Bloomington, the campus division remains within its budget, mainly because there is no separate budget for snow removal. Campus division manager Dave Hurst said most snows have happened during hours when staff is around, so there has not been a need for too much overtime.\nA couple of ice-related accidents occurred over the weekend, according to the IUPD.\nIUPD Sergeant Don Schmuhl said about five car accidents have been a result of the weather. \n"There haven't been too many accidents because people have stayed off the roads," Schmuhl said.\nSchmuhl said the accidents were not severe, with three of them being rear end accidents located near the 800 block of Jordan Avenue, including one rear end collision with a limousine. Schmuhl said there was property damage, but there were no injuries.\nToday is a snow day for Monroe County schools. On Sunday, hundreds of organizations' activities and church services were canceled in Bloomington and Indianapolis, where more than 100 accidents or slide-offs were reported in Marion County alone.\nSeveral counties issued snow emergencies Sunday including Madison, Hancock, Randolph, Jay, Delaware and Blackford counties.\nStill, odds of a cancellation for IU students seem unlikely. IUB Chancellor Sharon Brehm holds ultimate authority over whether classes will be cancelled, but classes have never been called off since she has been in Bloomington.\nWhether or not classes are in session, Schmuhl said he expects traveling to be much smoother than it was this weekend, although some accidents are expected.\n"We can expect a fair amount of property damage due to people driving too fast in the morning," Schmuhl said. "Hopefully, people will leave a little earlier to prevent any more problems"
(02/17/03 4:54am)
IU is preparing its police force and initiating other safety procedures following an announcement that universities and colleges could be the targets of terrorism. \nFederal Bureau of Investigation Director Robert Mueller told the U.S. Senate Committee on Tuesday that al Qaeda could attack universities due to a high concentration of population, with lessened security. \n"Multiple small-scale attacks against soft targets -- such as banks, shopping malls, supermarkets, apartment buildings, schools and universities, and places of recreation and entertainment -- would be easier to execute and would minimize the need to communicate with the central leadership, lowering the risks of detection," Mueller told the Senate. \nMueller's comments mark the "first time a senior official has noted the likelihood that an institution of higher education would be a target," said Sheldon E. Steinbach, vice president and general counsel for the American Council on Education. \nIU spokesman Bill Stephan said the University has considered the FBI's statement and feels it already is prepared to deal with possible attacks. \n"We are working very closely with local law enforcement to figure out how to deal with terrorist threats," Stephan said. "In addition, programs such as the newly reworked Emergency Management Program at IU have helped to protect IU's security."\nIU Police Department Lt. Jerry Minger said he saw the report and has taken action already to deal with the warning. \n"When we saw the report, we advised all of our personnel that the FBI released the statement," Minger said. "We contacted our local FBI office to discuss any specifics to be warned about, such as specific locations or specific groups of people and they said there were none."\nMinger said IUPD is not taking any different approach with officers to react to terrorism.\n"A police officer's normal job is to investigate suspicious behavior and that is exactly how you prevent terrorism," Minger said. "For example, how do you think terrorists transport bombs or chemical weapons? In suspicious looking devices."\nMinger added IUPD is also equipped to deal with biological and bomb threats.\n"We receive a number of bomb threats throughout the year," he said. "Mostly they occur during finals week in order to evacuate a building. So, we have bomb-sniffing dogs and other personnel to deal with such threats."\nPreviously, following the Sept. 11 attacks, Minger said the department quickly went on alert.\n"On Sept. 11, we immediately put the department on alert," he said. "All days off or time off were cancelled and we put all the people we had to work. We had overlapping shifts, so there was increased police presence on the streets."\nMost of the training to prepare for terrorism has affected administrative officials at IUPD, Minger said. \n"We have gone to training sessions to increase our connections with other departments such as the (U.S.) Department of Homeland Security," Minger said.\nOverall, Minger said IUPD is doing all it can to prevent attacks. \n"There is no way you can totally prevent terrorism," he said. "That's why you call it terrorism. It inspires terror in the public"
(02/14/03 5:24am)
Thursday, the Life Sciences Initiative celebrated its one year anniversary in Indianapolis, looking back at the accomplishments it has achieved thus far.\nThe Life Sciences Initiative is a collaborative effort among IU, Purdue University, private corporations and central Indiana government officials to promote the development of life sciences in higher education as a means of improving the state economically. \nIndianapolis Mayor Bart Peterson said the initiative will have a positive impact on the region. \n"Central Indiana can set the standard for this high-tech, high-growth industry in the 21st century," Peterson said in a press release. "From our world-class companies to our outstanding universities to our groundbreaking research projects, Indianapolis is poised to be a world leader in life sciences."\nIU Spokesman Bill Stephan said the project has been enormously successful so far. He added that the cooperation between different leaders in technology as one of the reasons for the success.\n"There has just been a remarkable partnership between between the different campuses and Purdue and with Eli Lilly," Stephan said. "With this help, it will benefit IU and Indiana as a whole."\nOne of the highlights of the Life Sciences Initiative is the creation of several new buildings, such as the Biotechnology Research and Training Center at IU-Purdue University at Indianapolis, which is home to several areas such as proteomics, orthopedics, and genotyping.\nDr. Craig Brater, dean of the IU School of Medicine at IUPUI, said new buildings are landmarks for the University, noting that the increased support from the state and city government has helped tremendously. \n"Some of the things that are the important symbols of progress open not one but two research buildings," Brater said. "The city gave the University a prime hunk of real estate to build the medical information sciences building as well. Through this support to construct these buildings, the life sciences initiative has been very successful."\nAnother important feat for the University was the creation of the IU's Cyclotron Facility which is home to the world's first hospital-based proton treatment facility and remains only one of three such facilities available in the United States. \nBrater also said the initiative has caused IU to gain more attention in the science community and therefore, has helped to attract highly qualified employees. \n"Another great thing we have been doing is recruiting a lot of key people to the University," Brater said. "(We) kicked off our center for bio-ethics with a great new director. There is just a laundry list of great personnel we've acquired through this initiative."\nIndianapolis City-Council member Beurt SerVaas, another partner in the Life Sciences Initiative with a lengthy history in medicine, said he views the continuation in studying proteomics, the study of proteins, as very beneficial to Indiana. \n"The study of proteins are the basis of life really," SerVaas said. "They're involved in every life activity. Everything in the living scheme of things can be traced to proteins. We've discovered they are integral to treating diseases such as Alzheimer's. In Alzheimer's, these proteins, they somehow collapse, the molecules unravel and become dysfunctional, which puts pressure on the neurons. So it is very important to expand our study on proteomics."\nBrater said he feels the future for the initiative is hopeful, but more funding is required. \n"I think it is extraordinarily bright," Brater said. "But, the state is going to have to give us increased support. In order to continue research, funding is needed."\nStephan took a more optimistic approach, saying that the life sciences has proven itself has an important industry for Indiana. \n"The future is virtually limitless," Stephan said. "Indiana has distinguished itself by virtue of these assets and Indiana will continue to prove itself as a major player in life sciences."\nFor more information on the Life Sciences Initiative, log on to www.indygov.org/mayor/cilsi/.
(02/10/03 5:41am)
The Indiana House of Representatives voted 51-45 Tuesday on a bill that would allow faculty to elect a non-voting trustee from their own ranks. \nState Representatives Matt Pierce and Peggy Welch, both Bloomington Democrats, assisted in co-authoring the bill. \nPierce said the success of the state-appointed student trustees, which began in 1976, led many members of the House to believe faculty should have the same input in University affairs. \n"Just like the student trustee, which the state began appointing over 20 years ago, faculty should have a say as well," Pierce said.\nWelch said it would increase student-professor relations on campus.\n"The essence of the University is the relationship between student and professor," Welch said. "By having both student and faculty members as trustees, we will create a partnership between them in governing IU."\nThe faculty member on the IU board of trustees will not have voting privileges, in order to make it easier to pass as a law.\nYet, Pierce said he believes the member should have voting rights.\n"If the student trustee is able to vote on affairs, so should the faculty," Pierce said. "With the student member I don't think there has ever been a conflict of interest in the past."\nStill, IU board of trustees President Fred Eichhorn said having a faculty member vote on personnel issues would be a conflict of interest.\n"It's different having a faculty member rather than a student trustee," Eichhorn said. "You can't have faculty voting on their own salary."\nWelch said the fact that the member is non-voting will prevent any conflict of interest from occurring.\n"I believe they could call an executive session to discuss affairs that involve the faculty," Welch said.\nIn addition, Eichhorn said the bill is unnecessary because faculty are already properly represented by the board.\n"We have faculty members present at almost every meeting we hold," Eichhorn said. "We encourage their input at these meetings and we have their best interests in mind at all times."\nBoth Welch and Pierce said that IU does fairly represent its faculty, staff and students, but by appointing a faculty member, input will be increased.\n"It is one thing to be a silent observer, but it is completely different being an actual member of the trustees," Welch said. "You can actually sit at the table and not just make comments when it is appropriate. You actually get to be part of the process."\nStill, the future of a faculty member looks dim in Indiana's Senate. Previously, similar legislation approved in the house never made it out of the Senate. Last year, a Senate committee rejected the idea 5-4.
(02/06/03 5:00am)
Arranging "Batman Beyond" action figures into fighting stances. Taking one's Transformers and converting them from their vehicular to their robotic warrior form. Carefully snapping together Legos to make a town filled with stores, homes and hard plastic yellow-faced citizens. \nThis is a day at work for Rick Randolph, owner of Classic Toy Gallery, a store dedicated to selling vintage toys from decades ago and one of many toy collectors in the Bloomington area who seeks out childhood favorites such as Thundercats, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and G. I. Joes for fun and business.\n"I like to tell people, 'I don't play with my toys. I display with my toys,'" Randolph says. \nUpon entering into Randolph's upstairs shop, located at 111 E. Kirkwood Ave, across from the Buskirk-Chumley Theatre, one notices a plethora of toys arranged by their brand. In one corner, on top of a high shelf there is a row of Marvel Comic action figures, ranging from Spiderman to the Fantastic Four. In another corner, lesser known toys such as Food Fighters (anthropomorphic hamburgers and french fries poised for war) and Battle Toads (amphibians with crude expressions) adorn the atmosphere. Almost any kind of toy from the past can be found here, and it is only a partial collection of Randolph's thousands of action figures.\n"I have more toys than I know what to do with," he says. "I have a warehouse filled with toys. People just keep giving them to me."\nRandolph says he began his extensive collection 20 years ago when he began building his "earthquake detectors," sculptures made out of ordinary objects which are put together by balancing them. He would compile the playthings from his five children and three step-kids in order to construct his artwork. Eventually, he grew an affection for them and has appreciated toys ever since. \n"I love watching grown women come in here and squat on the ground and begin playing like a six year old," he says. \nRandolph says it was his dream to make a place where people could just enjoy toys. \n"What I wanted to do was to create a play center where kids could come and play with toys," he says as he dusts off a red castle made of Lock-Blocks, a cheaper version of Legos. "It would give people a chance to play with all the toys they couldn't afford."\nRandolph's original plan involved creating an outdoor area for each brand of action figure and customers would trek along trails to travel from "G. I. Joe World" to "He-Man Land."\nYet, Randolph's store isn't all about fun. It's a legitimate business as well. Currently, he is in the process of cataloging all of his valuable items on Ebay, which he says is the marketplace for toy collectors. \n"The trick is finding the collector that is willing to pay your price," he says. "The pricing guides can be helpful but sometimes it's worth way more or less than the book says. Sometimes people put something on Ebay for a dollar and end up getting $300 for it. It's a tricky market."\nItems in his store range in price value from $1 to over $500 for items such as the G. I. Joe Jet Plane. Randolph says he believes people should hold onto their toys, instead of chucking them. \n"I'm sure a lot of mothers throw away valuable stuff," he says. "I think sometimes people don't see their toys as ever becoming classic, but today they are."\nChris Joslin, manager of PC Guru Comics, which also sells valuable toys, says he sees customers who have discarded priceless items all the time. \n"I get guys who come in and remember how their mom threw away their Amazing Spiderman #1, which is worth $20,000 now," Joslin says. "I mean that could buy you a car. But it happens all the time. I remember just taking a B.B. gun to my action figures because I was bored and I bet they would've been worth something today."\nJoslin says buying vintage toys appeals to adults because it is a great way for them to relive their past for a few dollars.\n"It's buying back your childhood," Joslin says. "You get to hold the same toy you held when you were a kid. A lot of people start to feel old and find it's a great way to remember your past."\nRandolph agrees, saying he sees customers coming in to pass along their childhood favorites for their kids, or to finally purchase items they either could not afford or were forbidden to own as a youth. \n"One guy came in here and told me that his mom only let him buy the good guys when he bought toys," Randolph says. "Now, he likes to come in and buy the villains since he never could have them as a kid."\nBeginning a toy collection can be an arduous journey, Randolph says, but advised that one must reflect on their reasons for collecting before starting.\n"People should start collecting because they like the things," he says. "Don't do it for the money, because there isn't much. Do it for your own enjoyment."\nJoslin notes the best way to locate a childhood treasure can be for pennies at a local flea market or yard sale. \n"I'd tell people to just go to garage sales if they want to find these things," Joslin says. "But if they want to have it in their original box, have the opportunity to open a new toy, like they did as a kid, they need to go to Ebay or to a collectible store."\nBut for those who are already established toy connoisseurs, the hobby can easily lead into an obsession. Randolph says he knows many committed toy aficionados who are in denial about their excessiveness. \n"People don't like to admit it, because they get hassled about it," he says as he ran his hands through a box of plastic green army men. "The difference is that I know my collection is excessive."\nEven those who claim they aren't big toy fans, like Randolph's 16-year-old son Miles, can still find something they enjoy in his massive collection. \n"I never really played with toys," Miles says. "I only remember seeing some of these toys when I was a kid."\nYet, Randolph says he knows better. \n"What about G. I. Joes?" Randolph asks. "You liked those."\n"Yeah, I guess those were pretty cool," Miles admits.
(02/05/03 6:44pm)
Arranging "Batman Beyond" action figures into fighting stances. Taking one's Transformers and converting them from their vehicular to their robotic warrior form. Carefully snapping together Legos to make a town filled with stores, homes and hard plastic yellow-faced citizens. \nThis is a day at work for Rick Randolph, owner of Classic Toy Gallery, a store dedicated to selling vintage toys from decades ago and one of many toy collectors in the Bloomington area who seeks out childhood favorites such as Thundercats, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and G. I. Joes for fun and business.\n"I like to tell people, 'I don't play with my toys. I display with my toys,'" Randolph says. \nUpon entering into Randolph's upstairs shop, located at 111 E. Kirkwood Ave, across from the Buskirk-Chumley Theatre, one notices a plethora of toys arranged by their brand. In one corner, on top of a high shelf there is a row of Marvel Comic action figures, ranging from Spiderman to the Fantastic Four. In another corner, lesser known toys such as Food Fighters (anthropomorphic hamburgers and french fries poised for war) and Battle Toads (amphibians with crude expressions) adorn the atmosphere. Almost any kind of toy from the past can be found here, and it is only a partial collection of Randolph's thousands of action figures.\n"I have more toys than I know what to do with," he says. "I have a warehouse filled with toys. People just keep giving them to me."\nRandolph says he began his extensive collection 20 years ago when he began building his "earthquake detectors," sculptures made out of ordinary objects which are put together by balancing them. He would compile the playthings from his five children and three step-kids in order to construct his artwork. Eventually, he grew an affection for them and has appreciated toys ever since. \n"I love watching grown women come in here and squat on the ground and begin playing like a six year old," he says. \nRandolph says it was his dream to make a place where people could just enjoy toys. \n"What I wanted to do was to create a play center where kids could come and play with toys," he says as he dusts off a red castle made of Lock-Blocks, a cheaper version of Legos. "It would give people a chance to play with all the toys they couldn't afford."\nRandolph's original plan involved creating an outdoor area for each brand of action figure and customers would trek along trails to travel from "G. I. Joe World" to "He-Man Land."\nYet, Randolph's store isn't all about fun. It's a legitimate business as well. Currently, he is in the process of cataloging all of his valuable items on Ebay, which he says is the marketplace for toy collectors. \n"The trick is finding the collector that is willing to pay your price," he says. "The pricing guides can be helpful but sometimes it's worth way more or less than the book says. Sometimes people put something on Ebay for a dollar and end up getting $300 for it. It's a tricky market."\nItems in his store range in price value from $1 to over $500 for items such as the G. I. Joe Jet Plane. Randolph says he believes people should hold onto their toys, instead of chucking them. \n"I'm sure a lot of mothers throw away valuable stuff," he says. "I think sometimes people don't see their toys as ever becoming classic, but today they are."\nChris Joslin, manager of PC Guru Comics, which also sells valuable toys, says he sees customers who have discarded priceless items all the time. \n"I get guys who come in and remember how their mom threw away their Amazing Spiderman #1, which is worth $20,000 now," Joslin says. "I mean that could buy you a car. But it happens all the time. I remember just taking a B.B. gun to my action figures because I was bored and I bet they would've been worth something today."\nJoslin says buying vintage toys appeals to adults because it is a great way for them to relive their past for a few dollars.\n"It's buying back your childhood," Joslin says. "You get to hold the same toy you held when you were a kid. A lot of people start to feel old and find it's a great way to remember your past."\nRandolph agrees, saying he sees customers coming in to pass along their childhood favorites for their kids, or to finally purchase items they either could not afford or were forbidden to own as a youth. \n"One guy came in here and told me that his mom only let him buy the good guys when he bought toys," Randolph says. "Now, he likes to come in and buy the villains since he never could have them as a kid."\nBeginning a toy collection can be an arduous journey, Randolph says, but advised that one must reflect on their reasons for collecting before starting.\n"People should start collecting because they like the things," he says. "Don't do it for the money, because there isn't much. Do it for your own enjoyment."\nJoslin notes the best way to locate a childhood treasure can be for pennies at a local flea market or yard sale. \n"I'd tell people to just go to garage sales if they want to find these things," Joslin says. "But if they want to have it in their original box, have the opportunity to open a new toy, like they did as a kid, they need to go to Ebay or to a collectible store."\nBut for those who are already established toy connoisseurs, the hobby can easily lead into an obsession. Randolph says he knows many committed toy aficionados who are in denial about their excessiveness. \n"People don't like to admit it, because they get hassled about it," he says as he ran his hands through a box of plastic green army men. "The difference is that I know my collection is excessive."\nEven those who claim they aren't big toy fans, like Randolph's 16-year-old son Miles, can still find something they enjoy in his massive collection. \n"I never really played with toys," Miles says. "I only remember seeing some of these toys when I was a kid."\nYet, Randolph says he knows better. \n"What about G. I. Joes?" Randolph asks. "You liked those."\n"Yeah, I guess those were pretty cool," Miles admits.
(02/05/03 5:27am)
As IU hints at another large tuition hike if more state funding isn't approved, some Indiana Republicans are threatening to place a tuition cap on the state's colleges and universities.\nSenate President Pro Tempore Robert Garton, R-Columbus, said controlling public universities' tuition rates could benefit families of in-state students in troubling economic times.\n"If the universities continue to insist that they are totally independent of both the private sector and state government, and ignore their charters as public institutions, the legislature may cap their tuition increases," Garton told the Associated Press.\nChair of the Senate Finance Committee Larry Borst, R-Greenwood, said IU's request for 20 percent increases are insensitive to Indiana's financial plight. \n"They need to come out of their ivory tower and look at the real world," Borst said.\nBorst said with the economic outlook of Indiana, higher education may not receive the funding they expect. He ranked K-12 education and corrections as top of the priority list and higher education somewhere further down.\nPresident of the IU board of trustees Fred Eichhorn said with the state's economic problems, tuition increases cannot be ruled out.\n"The problem is with a flat or decreased state support, we have to look somewhere else for revenue to operate at a good level," Eichhorn said. "Part of our responsibility is to increase the excellence of Indiana University, and that takes money."\nTrustee Sue Talbot added that the state General Assembly is responsible for the education of Indiana.\n"It is in the state statutes that they have a responsibility to educate all in the state," Talbot said. "As an alum and a board member, I hope they take that into consideration when forming these policies."\nEichhorn added that tuition increases are often needed as a last resort to obtaining funds.\n"If the state support declines, we can only obtain funds through one, contributions and secondly, tuition," Eichhorn said.\nEichhorn said tuition increases are also necessary to attract qualified faculty.\n"The major costs for education are personnel costs," Eichhorn said. "Professors demand a certain salary and you have to pay market price to get the best professors and I believe we deserve the best."\nBut Borst said they, too, should share in the pain of Indiana's budget crunch.\n"Three years in a row, K-12 teachers have not had increases," Borst said. "Yet professors have increased their salary every year."\nIn order to keep tuition in control, Borst said he feels universities should look internally to find ways to reduce spending.\n"They need to cut their own budgets," Borst said. "Their budgets have increased about 47 percent in the last four years."\nBorst added that the next president of IU may make over $600,000, an amount he feels is too high. \n"The IU president makes $300,000 and they're thinking of raising it," Borst said. "I mean, the justice of the (Indiana) Supreme Court gets paid $129,000."\nAfter reviewing a study on administrative costs, Eichhorn said the University has made efforts to combat these costs. \n"We are doing our best to reduce administrative costs," he said.\nDon Weaver, IU's director of state relations, said he feels the general assembly should leave issues of tuition to IU.\n"I think that responsibility lies with the board of trustees," Weaver said.\nThe likelihood of such legislative action is not yet determined. Weaver said he has heard of more talk among legislators this year about a possible tuition cap, but specific action has not been taken. \nStill, Borst said if universities continue to demand more funds, it may be a possibility.\n"Depends on their attitude if we see a tuition cap," Borst said. "If they keep demanding a 20 percent increase, then it looks likely."\nBorst added that of all of the solutions to improving public universities, a tax increase is the least likely. \n"I don't see the state having any thought of raising taxes now," he said\nBorst said the state deficit, now estimated at $850 million, will play a major role in deciding university budgets.\n"We took in less than we expected," Borst said. "We received $700 million less than our budget. We are looking at the prospect of war, the prospect of recession. To put together a budget for the next 30 months, will be difficult."\nStill, Borst said the future may hold promise for IU. \n"You don't have to write a budget until months from now," Borst said. "Things can change"
(02/03/03 5:43am)
Many qualified candidates, from academia and the private sector, have shown interest in becoming IU's next president, said Stephen Ferguson, vice president of the board of trustees and chair of the presidential search committee. \nDuring the board of trustees meeting Friday, Ferguson revealed that Baker-Parker, the consulting firm hired to aid the committee, has contacted over 152 people who have been nominated for IU's top position. \n"This is an extremely rewarding search because Indiana University is an outstanding institution," Jerry Baker of Baker-Parker said. \nCandidates were compiled from the search committee, from the consulting firm's research and suggestions from the general public.\nFerguson said the names suggested so far reflect a diverse, highly qualified pool of candidates.\n"I think you'll be very pleased by the quality of the applicants," Ferguson said.\nFerguson revealed that of the 152 candidates so far, 137 currently work in universities, while some of the remaining 15 are affiliated with national organizations such as research groups. Of the collegiate choices, 81 are working at public universities, 56 at private universities, 91 are sitting presidents or chancellors and 46 are provosts or deans.\nFerguson added that 25 are women, with ages ranging from the late 40s to early 60s, and ethnicity was not yet identified, but at least nine candidates are black or Hispanic. Most of the candidates are from the United States, but several were located in Canada and Europe. \nBaker-Parker continues to accept nominations until Feb. 14, when the presidential search committee will discuss potential candidates. \n"We expect to have a much better sense of who the candidates are by then," Ferguson said. "But even at this early stage, we're excited by the quality of the names that have been put forward." \nFollowing that meeting, the committee will convene in early March to select candidates to interview. Interviews are expected to begin in April and continue later in the spring. Currently, Ferguson said he expects the committee to announce the selection of the new president July 1.\nNew IUPUI Chancellor\nWhile the Board discussed possible candidates for one IU leadership role, they also voted on the recipient of another position. Also on Friday, the board of trustees unanimously approved the appointment of Charles Bantz as new chancellor of IU-Purdue University at Indianapolis, beginning June 1. \n"I'm honored and look forward to a wonderful career with IU," Bantz said.\nBantz, who will also serve as vice president for long range planning, was nominated earlier this month by Interim President Gerald Bepko, who previously served in the same position.\nBepko said Bantz's resume was impressive, having served as provost and senior vice president for academic affairs at Wayne State University and vice provost and director of university continuous improvement at Arizona State University.\n"When we look to other universities, we try to get the best," Bepko said. "I think that is exactly what we've done here."\nWilliam Plater, who was appointed Interim Chancellor last month, will continue to serve until Bantz begins work this summer. \nStrategic Plan Completed\nFred Cate, chair of the Strategic Planning Committee, and IUB Chancellor Sharon Brehm, revealed the final draft of the University's new mission and values statement.\nThe statement, which was approved eight days before its Feb. 1 deadline, spells out strategic priorities of IU. The document emphasizes embracing diversity, rewarding innovation and risk-taking and ensuring accountability.\nCate made sure to emphasize this statement is meant to define priorities for the University, not tell the trustees which programs to fund. \n"We made sure not to distinguish who gets what funding," Cate said. "We simply made guidelines for the trustees to consider."\nCate said the committee will continue to meet twice a month to discuss the document. \n"Strategic plans are meant to evolve and change," Brehm said. "I suggested that we review it once a year and in about three to five years we may be creating a new plan."\nThe trustees showed favorable responses to the mission and values statement. \n"It's an impressive document that will help guide the University," President of the board of trustees Fred Eichhorn said.
(02/03/03 5:43am)
Don Weaver, IU state relations representative, said a number of bills in progress for the 2003 General Assembly may have an impact on IU, including bills on transferring tobacco settlement funds to universities and pornography in college. \nWeaver announced to the board of trustees on Friday that in addition to lobbying for increased funding for IU, the University is currently following over 1,600 proposals which could affect IU.\nWeaver said many of these bills could mean only a slight change to IU of about a few thousand dollars, but added that if compiled they could amount to hundreds of thousands of dollars for the University to consider. \n"I know it's not a lot of money," Weaver said. "But, if you have a lot of bills, these things add up."\nOne such bill which could mean more money for higher education involves transferring tobacco settlement funds. The plan proposes to use $195 million in the tobacco settlement trust fund, which are funds the state won from the tobacco industry in lawsuits, for college scholarships and university construction. \nHowever, the bill has its opponents. Many Republicans oppose spending these funds since the tobacco industry hasn't actually paid their settlement to the state yet.\nWeaver said, due to the substantial criticism, IU may never see these funds.\n"I'd really be surprised if that goes anywhere," Weaver said. "For some reason, it is just not a popular bill."\nWeaver said the University did not publicly support the bill because it is so politically controversial, and IU tries to maintain politically unbiased.\nYet, if the funds were distributed, Weaver said, IU would not turn them down. \n"We'll take money any way we can get it," Weaver said.\nAnother bill IU is following is Representative Woody Burton's who is trying to strengthen university policies against pornographic films.\n"We've spoke with Burton and explained how we deal with the issue," Weaver said. "I think he understands us better now, but I am sure there are other groups who still feel adamant about the issue."\nThis is not Burton's first bill targeting sex at IU. In 1998, Burton proposed cutting funding to the Kinsey Institute and recently suggested proposals to punish those involved in the Shane's World film.\nOther bills of consideration include collective bargaining for education personnel, which could affect IU faculty salaries, and tax credits for donations to foundations, which would include the IU foundation.\nIn addition to tracking the progress of proposals, IU is currently lobbying the general assembly to provide more funds for higher education.\nWeaver said the University is trying many ways to reach the legislators. One such tactic is an extensive advertising campaign to promote IU's importance to Indiana's economy.\n"We are trying to emphasize the value IU has to the state of Indiana," IU spokesman Bill Stephan said. "We are doing this by advertising how many Indiana teachers, attorneys and doctors are IU graduates."\nThe campaign includes several billboards with sayings such as, "33 percent of Indiana teachers are IU graduates. How many do you know?" Other billboards state that over 200,000 IU graduates work in Indiana, and 40 percent of Indiana doctors went to IU. \nLisa Townsend, executive director of the Office of Communications and Marketing, said she expects the campaign to have a positive effect on legislators. \n"We're showing the General Assembly how investing in IU is investing in Indiana," Townsend said.\nWeaver also stressed the importance of legislative activities to give the University an opportunity to speak with members of the General Assembly.\nInterim President Gerald Bepko plans to meet with each of the state's caucus leaders and each of the Fiscal leaders including State Senator Larry Borst, chair of the Finance Committee. \nOther events include Lilly House dinners for each caucus, the Ways and Means Committee and the Senate Finance Committee, and school luncheons to attract legislators interested in the Law School, Education School, Business School and others. \nWeaver said these events are effective tools for reaching IU's financial goals. \n"It's a great way for legislators to actually see the students and faculty that their decisions affect," Weaver said.
(01/30/03 7:14pm)
The IU board of trustees will dedicate one building and discuss the construction of another at its meetings today and Friday.\nThe trustees will formally dedicate the new School of Informatics at 4:30 p.m. today at Tenth and Woodlawn, where the school is located. \nBoard of trustees President Fred Eichhorn said the new building, which formerly housed the Alpha Omicron Pi sorority, is historic for the University.\n"This is an important structure in the history of IU when the school comes online," Eichhorn said. \nEichhorn said one of the reasons Informatics is so popular is because it shows the promise of being a money-maker for IU. \n"Informatics is timely," Eichhorn said. "People will continue to invest in such ventures because they drive the market."\nTrustee Peter Obremsky said since its inception in 2000, he saw Informatics quickly emerge as one of the premier schools on campus. \n"It will eventually evolve into one of the most important schools at IU," Obremsky said. "It also is a longterm investment which will shape IU's future."\nWith over 800 undergraduates currently choosing Informatics as their major, Trustee Sue Talbot said the growing enrollment in the program shows that the building will continue to be an important asset to the University.\n"It's already proved itself," Talbot said. "It's responsive to the students and graduates in the school. If you notice, the enrollment rate is impressive for a new school. As time goes by more students will choose informatics as a major."\nNew construction\nOther building efforts will be the focus of the trustees' time, including renovations for Teter Quad and the construction of a new multi-disciplinary science building. \nThe science building, which is planned to be built between Myers Hall and Chemistry, will house many different programs and is an effort to promote interdependence among different disciplines, Obremsky said.\n"It's an effort to bring all of the sciences together in one building," Obremsky said. "The building is second to none. We see biology and chemistry and physics are all becoming interrelated as time goes by and this building is an effort to combine them."\nAt the committee meetings, the board will discuss the architectural design of the building. Currently, they are considering constructing the building in the Art Modern version of Collegiate Gothic style of architecture with cut limestone used in the main facade.\n"We want to make sure the design is pleasing to the staff," Trustee Sue Talbot said. "Because our faculty are those people who will be using the building, so we want to make sure it satisfies them."\nThe board will also consider approving funds for the renovation of the Academic Support Center in Teter Quad. The project will include the reconfiguration of over 16,000 sq. ft. and will move all academic support services currently at Ashton to the new center. The project is estimated to cost $995,000 and will be funded through Residential Programs and Services. \nOther issues\nToward the end of the meetings, the board of trustees will take an official vote on the candidacy of Charles Bantz for the position of chancellor for IU-Purdue University-Indianapolis and vice president of long range planning. In addition, the board will change its records to reflect both Interim President Gerald Bepko and Former President Myles Brand in their new positions. Brand's new official title will be President Emeritus of IU and will state that he is on a "leave of absence without pay effective January 1, 2003 through December 31, 2008."\nOther issues that will be discussed among the board of trustees are a new biocomplexity institute, the budgetary situation with the General Assembly, an update from the presidential search committee and Dean of Students Richard McKaig's ongoing efforts to promote a "dry" campus.
(01/29/03 5:20am)
Former members of recently closed Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity met with IU Student Legal Services on Tuesday to discuss possible legal action they could take against the national chapter or the former house owners to seek lost funds.\nComplaints stem from the national chapter closing the Indiana Beta Chapter of Sig Ep on Dec. 21 due to substantial debts. With only 35 members living in the 90-person building, the financial condition of the fraternity had "deteriorated to the point that the chapter could no longer assure suitable housing conditions for the spring term," the fraternity's nationals said. As a result, members were evicted from their residence and were forced to find new living quarters during finals week.\nNow members are trying to determine ways to get back their $600 security deposit and yearly membership fees from house owners Robert Hanrahan and Fred Prall.\nAngered by the decision, members vandalized both the inside and outside of the house, spraypainting "R.I.P." on the chapter's headstone, totaling over $5000 worth of damage, IU Police Department Lt. Jerry Minger said. \nDue to these damages, each member lost their $600 security deposit, former chapter President Patrick Foley said, adding that he feels every member should be repaid the amount. \n"We are willing to deal with any problems because of the vandalism," Foley said. "I certainly do not condone the behavior, but they understand what they did."\nFoley added that the former members do not feel their damages exceed the money they feel they deserve. \n"We don't feel the vandalism merits us losing all of the money they owe us," Foley said. "There was just permanent markings and paint on the wall and those easily can be removed. I realize most of the damage was to furniture, but I don't think it warrants us losing that much money."\nFormer Sig Eps still haven't decided who they are actually fighting against yet, but Foley said legal action most likely will be taken with the fraternity's national chapter. \n"Our complaints are mainly with the national organization," Foley said. "I don't think we will take any action against Prall and Hanrahan."\nFoley said Prall has been the most cooperative, even offering to work a deal with the former members.\nPrall, who is considering running for mayor of Bloomington, said he may hold a press conference to explain his side of the story regarding the fraternity.\nPrall said he feels many facts have been altered in the past, among those being his involvement with the fraternity.\n"I certainly don't own the house," Prall said. "I am simply one of the volunteer board members."\nPrall added that he is not worried about any impending lawsuits, saying he is not in opposition to the former members.\n"We're not on opposite sides," Prall said.\nFoley said the members and the SLS have not contacted Prall and Hanrahan yet, but they do not see a settlement as something to occur in the near future. \n"I don't see that happening," Foley said. "It's such a significant amount of money and we will not accept anything less than we deserve. I suppose, it's a possibility, but we haven't really discussed it enough yet."\nFoley said the members have discussed compensation for stress as a result of looking for a new place to live during finals week. \nIU Student Association President Bill Gray and Vice President Judd Arnold have supported the Sig Eps in this issue by mailing a letter to the national chapter to express their disappointment in the organization's timing of their decision.\n"Surely the decision to close the house could have been made, and probably was, several weeks before the end of the semester," Gray and Arnold said in the letter. "At least then the house members, who are now alumni of your fraternity, could have had sufficient time to seek housing for second semester."\nFoley said he appreciates the reaction on campus, noting that Dean of Students Richard McKaig has shown considerable support to the members. \n"Most people have been very supportive," Foley said. "Everyone knows it was a financial issue, not that we kicked off for alcohol or anything. People have come up to us and been very sympathetic, which we appreciate"
(01/25/03 4:59am)
The Strategic Planning Committee held a forum in the Moot Court Room of the law school Thursday to discuss which priorities to include in the campus' mission and values statement. \nOne of the main issues discussed among those represented at the meeting was the exclusion of certain schools and programs at IU from the strategic priorities.\nDavid Gallahue, dean of the School of Health, Physical Education and Recreation expressed concern as to whether schools which are not mentioned in the mission statement would not receive the same attention for funding. \nFred Cate, chair of the Strategic Planning Committee and professor of the law school responded by saying that programs such as life sciences and informatics would receive more attention since they would provide the biggest profit for the University. \n"Our job is to say 'yes' and say 'no,'" Cate said. "Unfortunately the process is more exclusive in the aspect that strategic priorities are much more likely to get more funding than other proposals."\nQuestions were also raised as to why environmental sciences are not included in the mission statement as well. \n"It is reality," he said. "If we listed all of the schools as priorities, then we wouldn't get anything done."\nBusiness economics professor Eric Rasmusen asked what would happen to schools which may not be mentioned in the strategic plan, but desperately need funding to stay alive.\nCate's response was that the committee tried to ignore campus needs in creating the strategic plan. \n"Virtually every school on campus could use more funds," Cate said. "In order to prioritize our money strategically, we have to decide which aspects of the University are crucial to campus." He also said if certain programs like life sciences were not around, that would seriously affect the campus.\nHe said the committee is only considering which strategies would improve the entire campus, as opposed to certain programs. \n"We don't want the best law school, but a law school that makes us the best campus we can be," he said.\nAttendance was unfortunately low at the forum, said Bob Eno, president of the Bloomington Faculty Council and professor of East Asian Languages and Cultures. Eno said this was unfortunate given the importance the mission and values statement has to the identity of the campus.\nEno said 40,000 people were invited and only 40 -- all faculty members -- showed up.\nThe forum also discussed using assessment processes to see if the money invested in projects achieve their desired effect. \nRasmusen agreed with these sentiments, saying the negative aspects of proposals should be discussed as well. \n"Just like the Catholic Church, when someone applies for sainthood, there is an advocate and a devil's advocate," Rasmusen said. "In the same way, we should have people talk about the positives and negatives for all proposals."\nCate said the committee will use assessment processes on the mission and values statement to ensure that the priorities are updated.\n"I am sure that a year later, we will look at our mission statement and see the need to change content, as the time requires," he said. \nCate said he hopes people communicate with the council if they are unhappy with the final product so the values statement will continue to be improved. \n"Our activities will continue for another year," Cate said. "So I hope your interest doesn't fail just because we got this part done."\nFor more information on the Strategic Planning Committee, check out or e-mail the committee at iubspc@indiana.edu.
(01/22/03 6:07am)
The Bloomington Faculty Council met Tuesday to discuss the limitations and financial decisions that must be made regarding PeopleSoft, a new software program that will be used for student enrollment and student information services at IU.\nThe new software, which is planned to be in full operation by the end of 2004, will cause many difficulties, as it does not support many functions already familiar to IU. \nThe software only allows students to waitlist classes by section rather than by course. It also will not allow students to raincheck any courses that are full. Other functions which would need to be added include delivering midterm grade reports, providing GradPact benchmarks and producing grade context reports. \n"Many would ask why certain features are not included in PeopleSoft, but you have to realize, it wasn't designed specifically for IU," said Don Hossler, co-chairman of the SIS Steering Committee and vice chancellor for enrollment services. "Some of things that just seem natural to us are done completely differently at other colleges."\nAll of these functions which would need to be added can be modified into the system at varying costs. \n"It is now our responsibility to decide which features are priorities to the University and which ones are not," Hossler said.\nThe BFC has already begun the process of deciding whether certain features should be added or are not worth the cost. The GradPact program, designed to facilitate students in graduating on time, has been abolished due to high financial costs. \n"We have always made academic policy without regard to costs," BFC President Bob Eno said. "This picture is now changed."\nVice President for Information Technology Michael McRobbie said the new SIS is an immediate priority for the University. \n"This system will make a significant contribution to Indiana University's goals for recruitment and retention," McRobbie said. "It will enable students to move through the administrative processes required with ease and absence of bureaucracy." \nHossler said the current software, called "Legacy," is being phased out because it is outdated. \nPaul Salsgiver, president of PeopleSoft Education and Government, added that the new software will increase communications on campus. \n"PeopleSoft is providing leading-edge software solutions designed to streamline communications and administrative functions of higher education institutions, so that they can concentrate on their core mission of education," Salsgiver said. "Through our Web-enabled applications, Indiana University will be able to deliver more information and enhanced processing capabilities to faculty and staff with ease and efficiency, as well as deliver more self-service options to students and prospective students." \nOther positive aspects include economic benefits for IU and easier access to visas for traveling students and faculty. \nThe BFC will continue to discuss expected problems in PeopleSoft at their next scheduled meeting Feb. 4. \nFor a more complete list of the issues dealing with PeopleSoft check out www.iub.edu/~bfc/BFC/circulars/02-03/B7-2003.htm.
(01/21/03 6:04am)
Governor Frank O'Bannon's decision to connect Indianapolis and Evansville with a new $1.7 billion project sparked controversy in Bloomington and spurred many citizens to vow to fight such a route.\nOne Bloomington native, however, is taking his anger out not with picket signs or with petitions, but with the power of the written word. IU alum Sean Connelly decided to write a fictional novel on the fight against the construction of I-69. \n"My entire reason was stopping this highway," Connelly said. "I absolutely love Bloomington and I want to preserve the character of the town. The highway will rob Bloomington of its identity."\nConnelly's book, entitled I-69 Does Not Stop, is the story of Fionn, an activist who's creative challenge to the highway has allowed him to be labeled a "terrorist" and a "murderer." \nConnelly decided to support the cause through fiction rather than fact because of geographic inconvenience. While the debate over I-69 grew, Connelly was stuck in Champaign, Illinois, making it difficult for him to take a journalistic approach in his book. \n"I couldn't participate in the protests, so this was my way of getting involved," Connelly said.\nSo after researching the issue in depth, Connelly decided to try to make a different path and write the story as an allegory, with fictional characters representing different groups in the controversy.\n"I didn't know much about the fight beyond what I had read, that's why I decided to write a novel," Connelly said. "But I think political fiction can have an impact far greater than the issue it deals with."\nConnelly said he hopes the book will comment on not just the issue at hand, but other issues that occur in the future. \n"Hopefully, the book transcends its moment," Connelly said. "It's about fighting against politics that people aren't paying enough attention to."\nAlthough the book is not all about I-69, Connelly said by writing about the power of protest, hopefully readers will still get involved in the issue. \n"It isn't specifically about I-69," Connelly said. "It's about getting involved in protesting for what you believe in. In that way, it is designed to get people involved with I-69."\nEven Connelly's opposition, those in support of the new highway, agree that protest can be an important way for students to voice their opinions. \n"I think it's very important for students to get involved in the process," said senior Terry Record, Students for I-69 foundation committee chairman. "It's important to get up and be counted."\nResponse from the community has been positive thus far. Connelly said he just sent his third order of books to Howard's Bookstore after they promptly sold out of the previous deliveries. \n"That one has been selling quite briskly," said Mike Burns, a clerk for Howard's Bookstore. "We had a total of 18 and we have sold all but four copies."\nDespite O'Bannon's unveiling of I-69's currently planned route on Jan. 9, Connelly said the issue should still be fought against. \n"These kinds of projects can be stopped," Connelly said. "If the whole community bands together, then people will listen."\nYet, Connelly said he has dealt with the announcement and decided to accept the inevitable, despite his own personal objections. \n"I have accepted the premise that the highway will be built," Connelly said. \nI-69 Does Not Stop is printed through Unknown Arts Press and is available at area Bloomingfoods, Howard's Bookstore and Box Car Books.
(01/21/03 5:35am)
On Friday, the Strategic Planning Committee released its preliminary draft of the new mission and values statement for the Bloomington campus, outlining the campus's goals and values, which IUB Chancellor Sharon Brehm said will help guide the campus's decisions in the upcoming years. \n"The reason you do a mission statement in any organization is because you want a way to articulate the goals and values of the campus," Brehm said.\nAmong the priorities noted in the draft are promoting diversity, developing the arts, supporting University research and to "articulate and strive for the highest standards of academic excellence and integrity."\nIn order to finalize the statement by Feb. 1, the planning committee, along with the Bloomington Faculty Council, will host a forum at 3:30 p.m. on Thursday in the Moot Court Room to discuss which values are of most importance to the campus. The court room is on the first floor of the law school.\nBrehm said she wanted to stress the importance of campus input in creating the new mission statement and encourages students to attend the meeting. \n"I think it is important to get input and opinions from the entire campus community," said Jane Rogan, committee member of the Liberal Arts and Management Program. "Their opinions can only help us make better decisions."\nSo far in the process, representatives from different schools on the Bloomington campus have researched mission statements of other universities and discussed which qualities are most important to IUB. \n"We don't want something too broad or too narrow," said Bonnie Brownlee, committee member of the School of Journalism. "A mission statement should provide a focus for the whole campus."\nBrehm said previous mission statements of the University are also being used for consideration. \nOne of those Brehm noted is a 1994 resolution by the IU board of trustees for each campus of IU. Brehm said although this resolution was brief, it is being used as a foundation for the new mission statement. \nBrehm also discussed the Strategic Directions mission statement developed over five years ago. She said it was time to update the priorities of the Bloomington campus. \n"The last strategic plan for the campus was in 1996," she said. "Now it is important to create a new strategic plan because there hasn't been one in a while. Also, I am a new chancellor and it is very useful to me in developing plans for the campus."\nBrehm said that although the economic condition of the state is not the deciding factor in creating the mission and values statement, it will assist administrators in prioritizing funding for the campus. \n"Even if there wasn't a Commitment to Excellence in Education project, we would still have developed a new strategic plan," she said. "But since there are economic troubles with the state budget, it is an effective tool to ensure that tuition dollars are invested wisely."\nBrehm said she predicts this new strategic plan will be adjusted as time goes on. \n"Strategic plans are meant to evolve and change," Brehm said. "I suggested that we review it once a year and in about three to five years we may be creating a new plan."\nFor more information and a full report on the mission and value statement of the campus, go to www.iub-chancellor.indiana.edu/strategic_plan/. The committee can also be e-mailed at iubspc@indiana.edu.
(01/17/03 5:30am)
With the IU Student Association elections on the horizon, the Kirkwood party is looking toward accomplishing the remainder of their campaign promises within the next few months.\nIUSA President Bill Gray said the goals of the IUSA executives for the rest of their term include finishing work on the Student Group Support Act, increasing distribution of The New York Times, working to keep the extended library hours and writing a letter to the national chapter of Sigma Phi Epsilon condemning their decision to close down their IU chapter and leave all its members searching for homes during the week before finals.\n"So far, it really does appear that they did a serious injustice to those students," Gray said. "They had no time to find a new place to live. But, we'll have to investigate it."\nIUSA also will assist the University in its efforts to lobby the Indiana General Assembly for more funds for higher education, Gray said.\n"As students, we have an invested interest in the University and in the state economy," he said.\nAlthough they are still hoping to remain active, IUSA will begin moving its focus to the upcoming elections.\nFormer IUSA Vice President of Administration Jeff Wuslich said despite losing the office of president to the Kirkwood party, he was happy about the increased voter turnout during the student government election, which is something he said should be continued this year. \n"Voter turnout last year was extremely high," Wuslich said. "Hopefully it will be equally as high this year because that way more of the student body is represented."\nWith last year's Kirkwood ticket successfully emerging as a new party, Wuslich said he believes this year will mean more competition and more tickets. \n"I think the success of Kirkwood last year will encourage other students to start their own tickets and run," he said.\nGray said he is looking forward to the new tickets as a means of attracting new ideas. \n"I think anytime you get more candidates involved, it is beneficial," he said.\nOne of those candidates is senior Laura Walda, who is running on the new Action ticket she started with some acquaintances. \n"When people see who is on our ticket, they are going to say 'Wow,'" Walda said, "because we have such a diverse ticket."\nWalda said her goal is to get students energized about the upcoming IUSA election. \n"We don't want them to say, 'Oh, another election,'" Walda said. "We want students to have fun and be excited about IUSA."\nWith the Executive Director of Federal Relations for IU John Walda as her father, Laura Walda has political experience in her family. \n"My father ran for both vice president and president for IUSA and didn't win both times," Walda said. "But I am sure I will ask him for advice in my campaign."\nWith more candidates and new parties, competition this year can be difficult. Gray said he hopes this year everyone will run a nice, clean campaign.\n"I was absolutely shocked by how nasty politics can be," Gray said. "I would like to see more comradery among the people in IUSA. Even if you are running against each other, that doesn't mean you have to hate each other"
(01/16/03 3:30pm)
Up to 50 students from the Bloomington campus will be given the opportunity to kayak past crocodiles, monkeys and toucans in the rainforests of Costa Rica, swim by ocean fish while scuba-diving in the Great Barrier Reef or watch baby tortoise hatch from their shells. \nThe International Student Travel program allows students to travel to either Costa Rica, Australia, New Zealand, the Dominican Republic or the northwestern Pacific coast of the United States, to participate in four-week long service learning and outdoors adventures while being immersed in the culture of that area.\n"You are not just going to see a country, you get to be a part of the country," Coordinator Jennifer Arnott said. "Students become immersed with the culture and because of that, they come back with this precious keepsake because of these rich experiences."\nThe first two weeks of the trip involve bettering the community of the location either environmentally or socially. \nIn order to improve the environment, students have replanted trees in the rainforest, headed conservation projects, worked with endangered species such as the Kiwi and the Sloth and rehabilitated damaged coastlines. \nIU participant Molly Beckman was given the opportunity to relocate nests of turtles to a hatchery so poachers wouldn't capture the premature eggs. \n"It opened my eyes a lot more," Beckman said. "Any new place you go gives you a whole new perspective."\nStudents can also choose to work on social projects, which include building a home for the homeless in Costa Rica, helping children learn how to understand English, medical projects, feeding the poor and setting up recreational activities. \nBeckman said the trip educated her on the social conditions of other countries and taught her to be thankful for what she has. \n"The living conditions people have here in the United States compared to how people in other countries live in is eye opening," Beckman said. "I mean, there you are lucky to have running water. You sleep under mosquito nets. You have to go outside to use the bathroom. You wake up to the sounds of monkeys. It is completely different."\nThe community benefits greatly as well, Arnott said. \n"The children we work with are absolutely gorgeous," Arnott said. "In the village, you are like the 'Pied Piper.' After meeting with the children, they follow you around the town in a huge conga line because they are fascinated with your culture."\nThe next two weeks of the trip involve adventures in the outdoors. Such activities include windsurfing, kayaking, rapelling down the cliffs of the Blue Mountains in Australia and spelunking in the largest cave in the Caribbean. \nBeckman said she spent plenty of time hiking through the rainforest, whitewater rafting and going on a horseback ride around the edge of the volcanic Monte Verde. \nThese adventure trips teach these students life lessons as well, Arnott said. \n"I gained a better understanding of 'testing my limits' and loved every minute of it," IUPUI student Carrie Schmitt said. \nStudents can also gain course credits for the trip. Arnott said their tactic of teaching students is by allowing them to experience the culture rather than reading about it. \n"I came to Costa Rica not speaking a bit of Spanish and came back being able to survive on my own there," Beckman said. \nAnyone interested in being a part of the program can come to an informational meeting tomorrow in the Persimmon Room of the Memorial Union. The meetings are 45 minutes long and are being held on the hour from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. Or check out their Web site at www.istravelonline.com.