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(01/15/03 5:34pm)
IU's next president would be the highest paid in the Big Ten, making twice that of former president Myles Brand, if the University's board of trustees follows a consultant's advice.\nBut IU will consider more than that in setting the new president's salary, said Stephen Ferguson, chairman of the presidential search committee and vice president of the IU board of trustees.\n"Part of it depends on the candidates," Ferguson said. "But we'll look at other Big Ten Universities such as Michigan, Ohio State and Iowa to see what their new presidents are earning. I've looked at the range of their salaries and we'll take them into consideration."\nJerry Baker, of the Atlanta firm Baker, Parker and Associates, suggested in December that IU offer its next president between $600,000 and $800,000.\nMyles Brand's made $307,660 last year.\nThe University of Michigan gave its president, who was voted in this August, a base salary of $475,000. A research university with a student population comparable to IU, Michigan offered its new president an overall salary within Baker's suggested range.\n"Major research universities such as Michigan or IU, with its hospital at IUPUI, tend to offer more money to their presidents since it involves so much more," University of Michigan spokesperson Julie Peterson said.\nMichigan will also offer a deferred compensation of $75,000, which makes the president's salary add up to $625,000. Peterson said this is used as a tool to reward University President Mary Sue Coleman for sticking with the school.\n"Retaining our new president is a priority of ours," Peterson said. "So in order to keep Coleman at Michigan, we are offering a $500,000 bonus as an incentive to stay."\nOther Big Ten universities offered their presidents much less. On Oct. 1, Ohio State University gave its new president, Karen A. Holbrook, $325,000, a raise from former President William Kirwan's salary of $275,000. Also, the University of Iowa hired David J. Skorton to begin this March with a base salary of $281,875.\nYet, what IU will offer its next president is an issue that will most likely not be announced until after the president is revealed.\n"It is really an issue we'll have an answer as we go further along in the process," IU trustee Sue Talbot said.\nRight now, after a period of advertising, the search committee has begun taking applications for former IU President Myles Brand's successor.\nFerguson said names are being compiled from constituencies both on campus and outside the University.\n"People have been submitting names of people they think would be a good president," Ferguson said. "Now we have to consider probably a hundred likely candidates, which will take awhile."\nAfter considering all of the candidates, the search committee will make a list of five finalists to present to the board.\nFerguson said candidates are being considered from both within and outside of the University.\n"The people whose names have been submitted are probably not aware that their name has been submitted," Ferguson said. "These are potential candidates that the search company and the committee will consider for the search firm to contact to determine potential interest if they do not apply."\nThe presidential search committee will meet next on Feb. 14 at the IUPUI campus.
(01/15/03 5:34pm)
The U.S. Department of Education announced in December it will emphasize raising retention rates in higher education while working with Congress in the next year to reauthorize the Higher Education Act.\nThe federal government is taking a stronger interest in college retention rates since the number of students graduating in four years has dropped 15 percent within the past years, according to the Chronicle of Higher Education.\nWith IU's decision to abolish the Gradpact program in December, IU advisers are looking to other methods to increase retention rates of its own students.\nGradpact was designed to help students graduate on time, but will be discontinued due to financial conflicts with the new scheduling software, Peoplesoft.\nHeath, Physical Education and Recreation adviser Harriet Castrataro suggests targeting students early on to ensure they have a well thought out course plan. \n"I think a lot of the dropouts are sophomores and freshmen," Castrataro said. "I think more can be done during the freshman year to help retain them, such as students getting involved in service learning to make them feel more of a part of the community."\nDeciding one's major early on can also impact a student's college career, Castrataro said. \n"If students are enrolled in classes that apply to their majors earlier on, then it can make a difference as well," Castrataro said. "I think a little more career opportunities discussed in classes would help as well. That way they could get right into their major and set up a plan for college."\nBloomington Advisers Council president and Chemistry adviser Steve Wietstock said although Gradpact didn't work out, programs like it can be used to help other universities.\n"The course maps that we used in Gradpact can be an effective tool in helping students graduate in four years," Wietstock said. "Colleges and universities need to continue Gradpact-like maps and documents to assist students in their course selections."\nCastrataro agreed that course maps can be helpful, but insists Gradpact should not be revived.\n"I think it was a good idea to ensure a student will be able to graduate in four years," Castrataro said. "In actuality, it didn't work for everyone. People change majors and Gradpact has a lot of restrictions."\nStill, some universities are implementing programs similar to Gradpact. At Iowa, nearly three out of four freshmen signed Gradpact-like contracts, according to the school's Web site. The University's four-year graduation rate has risen to 37 percent, from about 30 percent in 1995, when the program first started.\nIU's four-year graduation rate has risen as well, but Wietstock said the students receive more credit for that feat.\n"Also, students need to be aware and active in their own academic program," Wietstock said. "If you look at the statistics, only a third of students remained in Gradpact, yet students were graduating early. That shows you awareness in your course path helps."\nNoting that the number of undergraduates taking more than six years to graduate rose to 30 percent in 1993, colleges across the country have focused on student retention, according to the Chronicle of Higher Education. College leaders and legislators in several states, including Maryland, Minnesota, Pennsylvania and Texas, are looking for ways to encourage more students to graduate on schedule. Some universities are considering forcing students to seek permission before taking light course loads. \n"If America's four-year colleges take five or six years to complete, they shouldn't be referred to as four-year colleges," Eugene W. Hickok Jr., the U.S. Under Secretary of Education, told the Chronicle of Higher Education. "At the very least, that lack of alignment needs to be addressed."\nYet, some people disagree with the Bush administration's policy of rewarding colleges simply for graduating students on time.\n"The quality of education is important too," Castrataro said. "We don't want to water down our education just to get them graduated quicker."\nStill, the idea is already being practiced at the state level. Pennsylvania awarded $6 million in grants to colleges that graduated at least 40 percent of their in-state students within four years. \nMany say the program is unnecessary because the federal government should remain out of education, but IU political science professor Edward Carmines disagrees.\n"Ever since the 1960s, the federal government has taken a more active role in education," Carmines said. "It is now more of a partnership between states and the federal government"
(01/13/03 5:00am)
Fed up with high prices in food courts and low-quality dorms, Cooperative Opposition to Residential Programs and Services is taking its concerns to the IU administrators who could offer help.\nCORPS, a new student group founded by junior Ethan Ax, has made it their goal to change RPS policies, such as unfair prices, the quality of the dorms and food services and problems with parking. \nTactics taken by CORPS so far include analyzing numbers, speaking with students to increase awareness, talking with RPS officials and researching the RPS systems of other universities, Ax said.\nAnother tactic the group used was to go straight to those in charge. Ax took advantage of IUB Chancellor Sharon Brehm's office hours to sit down and discuss the position of CORPS. \n"We talked about some of our ideas on how to improve RPS' operations and asked questions about some of their practices," Ax said. "I don't think it was very productive, but hopefully we will get more done at other meetings with RPS."\nBrehm said she enjoyed Ax's meeting but felt the issue should be discussed with others at the University. \n"I told him he needed to speak with people at RPS who could be more of an assistance to him," Brehm said.\nAx said Brehm gave him the idea that RPS worked directly with her and problems with RPS should be a concern of hers. \nCORPS also obtained RPS' financial statements and used them to suggest improvements. After having the records looked over by financial experts, Ax said he spoke with officials at RPS to discuss questions about their operations.\n"There are some financial things they could be doing better, and they admit it," Ax said. "Financially, I don't have any big complaints. It's their overall operations, issues such as infestation problems, troubles with parking that bother me."\nLooking at RPS' financial statements helped CORPS develop valuable background information to use in meetings with officials, Ax said.\n"One of the best things about going over their financial statements was that it gave us a better understanding as to how RPS works," Ax said. "I loved working with (Director of Resident Operations Administration) Bob Weith when I was on committees with him. I felt RPS has been very cooperative with us."\nWeith said he appreciates the efforts of CORPS and encourages their input.\n"I believe students ought to have their voices heard," Weith said. "They may be able to change things. If there are positive changes to be made then I am sure they will be heard."\nAx said one of his goals this year is to increase the membership of CORPS.\n"So far, student participation has been minimal, but the funny thing is, I know student complaints are high," Ax said. "Whenever I go talk to students they complain about meal points, about parking, about prices. So, I know it matters to students." \nWith more student involvement Ax said CORPS could become more of a voice of the students and therefore gain more respect. \n"Some people in the administration aren't giving us the respect we deserve because they think it is only a few students, but I know that it affects more students then they think," Ax said.\nAx said one of the problems with recruiting students is most do not realize the effect of RPS prices. \n"A lot of students don't think of meal points as money," Ax said. "Mom and dad put forth the cash, so they don't see the prices as that high, since they only have their card scanned. I know many students feel that way. But some students are just struggling to get by, and the prices affect them deeply."\nOverall Ax said he wants students and IU officials to understand that he does not want to attack RPS. He said the group has been careful about not angering those he intends to build a healthy relationship with. \n"CORPS wants to make sure we don't bring up problems that don't exist," Ax said. "We want to help RPS be more helpful to students. By working with Chancellor Brehm and looking at RPS' financial statements, I feel we have taken the right steps to take CORPS to the next level"
(01/10/03 6:41pm)
IU is the center of another film about sex. \nBut this time administrators won't be up in arms about the film's release. Actor Liam Neeson will portray sexual pioneer and biologist Dr. Alfred Kinsey in a feature film about the IU sex researcher's life.\nNeeson, the Irish-born star of such films as "Schindler's List," "Michael Collins," and "Star Wars: Episode I," will star in the new bio-flick written and directed by academy-award winner Bill Condon.\n"I hope it's one of those movies that speaks about things," Neeson said in an interview published by E! online. "It does feel like it's time to remind people of Kinsey's ideas, which I think are liberating. I hope there's an exhilarating feeling you get when you come out of the theater." \nKinsey, who came to IU to teach zoology in 1920, is famous for the revolutionary sexual experiments and studies he conducted during the 1940s and 50s. He gained national recognition for his books "The Sexual Behavior in the Human Male" and "The Sexual Behavior in the Human Female."\nHe is best known for founding the Kinsey Institute, a center for sexual studies at IU Bloomington. \nCondon said George Clooney passed on the role of Kinsey. Ralph Fiennes, Jeff Bridges and Michael Douglas were all considered for the part. The film will be produced by director Francis Ford Coppola and is also expected to star Laura Linney as Kinsey's wife, Chris O'Donnell as fellow scientist Wardell Pomeroy and Ian McKellen as the film's narrator. Filming is scheduled to begin next March in Toronto.\nJennifer Bass, head of Information Services of the Kinsey Institute, said the fact that Kinsey was able to accomplish all he did with limited resources should be something Condon takes into consideration for the movie.\n"I think the fact that he was able to work in a setting of a state supported university and do all he was able to accomplish deserves some attention," Bass said.\nIn order to prepare for his role as the legendary sexual researcher, Neeson has contacted the Kinsey Institute to ask for suggested readings. \n"I know that Mr. Neeson is doing research on Kinsey and reading some of the biographies on Kinsey," said Kinsey Institute User Services Coordinator Shawn C. Wilson. "His office has contacted us for research, so I think Mr. Neeson is off to a good start."\nIt has not yet been determined if the institute will have any other input in the making of the motion picture. \n"The only contact has been with Neeson's office so far," Wilson said. "We do not know yet how much input if any the studio will ask of us."\nHow the doctor is portrayed on the silver screen could be a concern for the institute given the controversy surrounding Kinsey. In the 1980s, Dr. Judith Reisman accused Kinsey of pedophilia because his book scientifically detailed orgasms in adolescent males. Questions arose as to how Kinsey collected such research, but Dr. John Bancroft, director of the Kinsey Institute, said Kinsey never did sexual experiments on children and compiled his information from discussions with sex offenders, among other sources. \nNevertheless, Reisman, who has written two books on her objections to Kinsey, has expressed her outrage to Neeson in a letter. \nBass said this controversy is nothing new and said there is plenty of good to say about Kinsey.\n"Sex always has been very difficult to discuss in an academic setting," Bass said. "The opposition will always be there, and we will respect their right to be there, but I think the majority of people are in favor of a scientific discussion on sexual studies."\nBass also said she realizes the film may be commercialized, but Condon's appreciation for Kinsey's work should show in the film.\n"Kinsey is an incredibly complex character," Condon said in a Variety article. "A scientist who spent 20 years as a biologist and had one brilliant but simple idea which is still radical today -- that no one person's sexuality is the same as another's and that we are all tortured by what is sexually normal." \nDespite fears that Kinsey may be painted in an unfavorable light, Bass said she is looking forward to the movie. \n"I think Liam Neeson is a wonderful actor," Bass said. "I don't know what treatment Bill Condon is using, but I am sure it will be a fine film"
(01/10/03 1:48pm)
On Wednesday, Interim President Gerald Bepko arrived in Bryan Hall, eager to begin work and to settle in the office left vacant by former president Myles Brand.\n"I've been coming to this office for meetings for the last 16 years, so it's pretty familiar to me," Bepko said. "I haven't had time to settle in yet, but it sure is a comfortable place to work."\nBepko will not have much time to become accustomed to his new surroundings, given that the Indiana General Assembly opened up its 2003 session on Tuesday.\nBepko said state funding is necessary to the daily operations of any public university, making the 2003 state budget so important to IU. Funds allocated by the state make up 30 percent of IU's overall budget, which is why supporters of IU are very concerned given the state's poor economic situation, IU's Chief Financial Officer Judith Palmer said.\n"The state of Indiana is in a very difficult financial position," Palmer said. "There is an $800 million deficit which has serious implications for the ability to fund higher education."\nIn recent years, funding for public higher education has decreased in Indiana. In 1975-76, Hoosier higher education received 18.4 percent of the state's general funds. That share has dwindled to 14.1 percent for the current year. \nIU and Purdue rank last among public Big Ten institutions in per-student state allocation and fees, Bepko said.\nBepko said the state's economic woes aren't improving. As a result, IU has been hammered with nearly $110 million in withheld appropriations and cuts. The majority of those cuts have been made in the administrative areas to preserve the academic funding as much as possible.\n"Generally, we scraped together funds which could be used for purchase of equipment and technology or renovation," Bepko said.\nDue to these cuts, Bepko said repairs and renovations are places "where we had a major reduction."\n"We are not doing the major repair of the buildings they way we did before," Bepko said. "We are only doing emergency things now."\nIn order to fix such problems, Bepko outlined the following goals for the General Assembly in an e-mail to all of IU's student groups and organizations:\n1) To have operating funds restored to the level of the 2001-02 academic year.\n2) To receive funding for the School of Informatics.\n3) To secure capital appropriations to build much-needed research space and to maintain and repair existing buildings.\nIn order to achieve these goals, Bepko and associates at the Indiana Commission for Higher Education will push lobbying efforts such as speaking to the General Assembly, making public statements and meeting personally with representatives.\n"It is a process that goes on 365 days a year," Bepko said. "We have to get all of our friends and alumni and supporters to give the members of the General Assembly the confidence that higher education is the key to the future."\nBepko will also present his suggestions to the House Ways and Means Committee. After that the state will allocate funds to each public university campus.\nWilliam Plater, who filled in for Bepko as Interim Chancellor of IU-Purdue University-Indianapolis, said he believes Bepko can secure IU's financial future.\n"His ability to use scarce resources wisely is reflected in the fact that about 50 new degree programs were begun at IUPUI and the state provided new funding for only two of these," Plater said. "Also, he has successfully led the IUPUI Campaign, which has exceeded its goal with 18 months still to go." \nIUPUI Vice-Chancellor Trudy Banta said Bepko not only fundraises well, but he knows how to manage the funds, too.\n"Gerry tries to have a good grasp of everything," Banta said. "He has also participated directly in all of the major decisions in all the ways the budget would be managed at IUPUI."\nOne way Bepko plans to lobby is by emphasizing how higher education fits into Governor Frank O'Bannon's Energize Indiana plan to invest in improving Indiana's economy.\n"There are two ways in which IU will help Indiana's economy," IUB Chancellor Sharon Brehm said. "First, research universities are important to a science-based economy. The other way it ensures our economic future is in preparing people to enter into the jobs that are available."\nBepko said college graduates generally earn more income.\n"It has become increasingly clear that the regions with the best economic activities are those places that produce lots of high quality college graduates," Bepko said. "If we could increase the number of college graduates who stay in Indiana, we'll do a lot to help Indiana's economy."\nBepko also stressed the role of research universities in building a strong economy.\n"In all of the hot spots, places people are going to live, you'll find research universities," Bepko said. "They are like magnets to attract people and ideas. They help to develop new products and services which will play a major role in the new economies of the future." \nAlthough Palmer said it is too early to speculate on IU's options if necessary funds weren't provided, she said, "In the past, tuition has been increased."\nBepko said he hopes IU doesn't need to consider other options, saying "all of the alternatives are bad for the university and for the state of Indiana."\nWhether hopeful or not, most IU officials agree that any decision will not be immediate. \n"I don't think any decisions will be made for a while," Bepko said. "We'll really not find out until April -- and that is if there isn't a special session called"
(12/12/02 5:47am)
Following finals week, the lower undergraduate side of the Main Library will be closed as construction begins on a $1.5 million renovation that will add the Information Commons, a 27,000 sq. foot "hub of high technology."\nThe new area, which was recently approved by the Indiana Commission for Higher Education and the State Budget Agency, will feature state of the art multimedia computers, a staff of technology experts to facilitate students with the new equipment, wireless Internet connection and over 250 individual and group work stations. \nThe project, which has been in the planning process for years, is a joint effort between the University Information Technology Services and IU Libraries. Brad Wheeler, associate dean of teaching and learning information technology, said lack of funding for the project has set its progress back considerably. \n"Usually (Vice President Terry) Clapacs, the UITS and the library would each pitch in a third," Wheeler said. "But, due to budget cuts, all the renovation money is gone. So, we had to save for a long time in order to finance this project."\nThe construction, which is part of a $72 million renovation of the Main Library, will be completed before classes begin next fall. \nIn the meantime, students may be inconvenienced by the ground floor section of the undergraduate side closing, but Suzanne Thorin, dean of University Libraries, said that all of the resources will be moved to other parts of the library. \n"Most things will be moved to the 4th floor," Thorin said. "We won't lose anything during construction, just moved around."\nLibrary space may not be the only inconvenience to students as a result of the Information Commons' construction. Thorin said parking may also be a concern.\n"The first row of spaces will be part of the construction zone enclosed by a fence," Thorin said. "Some 'A' spaces may be lost, but it will only be for a while, so I don't think it will be a major problem."\nNew technology will be a highlight of the section, Wheeler said. In addition to the new software and computers, multimedia equipment such as digital cameras for both videos and photographs will also be available for check-out. \nTo educate students about the new technology, the Information Commons will employ experts from UITS to assist students with any difficulties, said Sue Workman, director of the Teaching and Learning Information Technology Division of UITS. Workman said no new UITS workers will be hired, but they will respond to the increase in students in the library by reallocating existing employees. \nOne of the other attractions of the Information Commons is that it will be open 24 hours a day with experts on hand at all times, Thorin said. \n"Students have different hours than they had when I went to school," Thorin said. "They are staying up later, sometimes all night, to get work done and the library will be there to assist them."\nThorin said she expects the hours to be successful, given similar projects at other universities. The success of the library hours being extended to 2 a.m. shows that students have a demand for such a schedule, Thorin said.\nNew technology also means the Information Commons will be able to assist those with disabilities.\n"We also have printers that can print braille, and we even have this computer program that helps those with dyslexia complete their assignments," Thorin said. \nWith more couches and even a coffee bar serving cappuccino, the facilities will make comfort one of its main priorities, Thorin said.\n"We will turn all of the group areas into soft seating scattered around the Commons," Thorin said. "The next step will be to turn the main entrance area with all the tables into a comfortable area more conducive to studying in groups."\nIn order to give more room to classes studying in the Commons, the library has built additional private space for reserve. \n"We will also offer classrooms to encourage classes to work in the library or for students to study in when it's not being used," Workman said. \nWheeler said he knows the construction will be a problem for some and "for seniors, it isn't such a good deal," since they will graduate before its completion. Still, Wheeler said he expects the new facility will not go unused.\n"I expect it will be a very busy place where a lot students will go to work," Wheeler said.\nTo find out more information on the Information Commons, log on to ic.indiana.edu.
(12/11/02 5:31am)
The presidential search committee, which is in charge of finding IU's next president, will hold its first meeting from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. today, in the Distinguished Alumni Room of the Indiana Memorial Union. \nThe 17-member committee will search for a replacement for IU President Myles Brand, who announced Oct. 10 that he will leave the University to head up the NCAA starting Jan. 1. IU Purdue University at Indianapolis Chancellor Gerald Bepko was named as his replacement until a new president is appointed July 1, 2003. \nThe committee is made up of administrative officials and faculty from four of IU's eight campuses, trustees Sue Talbot and Stephen Ferguson, prominent Indiana leaders and one student.\nThe committee's student member Blair Greenberg, junior and IU Student Association treasurer, has been assigned the job of gathering market research. \n"Basically, we have been gathering information on what students are looking for in a president," Greenberg said. \nAlongside student trustee Sacha I. Willsey, a graduate student in the School of Public and Environmental Affairs, Greenberg traveled around IU's campuses to compile this information. They found the students took the job of the president seriously.\n"Students have told me they are interested in someone who is focused in academics, someone who will lead the University," Greenberg said. \nIU spokeswoman Jane Jankowski said the search committee will employ the help of a professional search firm, Baker, Parker and Associates Inc., from Atlanta, to assist them in the process. On Friday, Jerry Baker of the firm announced to the search committee and to the board of trustees that in order to attract the best candidates for the job and stay competitive, the University may have to offer from $600,000 to $800,000 to the next president. During his last year as IU president, Brand earned $307,660.\nFerguson, the chair of the committee and its primary spokesperson, could not be reached at press time. \nFor more information on the search for IU's next president, log on to www.indiana.edu/~nextpres/.
(12/10/02 4:13am)
You can develop a fairly accurate idea of what to expect from "All Sorts of Trouble for the Boy in the Bubble" in the first 30 seconds. In their first sketch, a Christmas choir begins singing what first appears to be "Hark, The Herald Angels Sing," but then turns into a lewd parody centered around acts that would make Shane's World proud. \nSuch is the comedy of Boy in the Bubble. It's crude. It's vulgar. It can sometimes even be offensive. Yet despite this all, it is, at times rather amusing. \nOn Saturday night at 11 p.m., "All Sorts of Trouble for the Boy in the Bubble" IU's only sketch-comedy troupe, performed their final show of the year at the Bloomington Playwright's Project on 312 S. Washington St. \nThe group, which was founded three years ago by graduates Justin Treasure, Carly Rotter, and senior Brad Fletcher, uses no costumes, no sets and no special effects in their show. Racy material and obscene language are the only tools "Boy in the Bubble" needs to reach their audience. It is obvious that offending people is no problem for this troupe, as shown by non-stop jokes about Mexicans, homosexuals, religion and even pedophilia. Such examples of pushing the edge include a man asking Santa Claus for a three-way with two Asian women and a man who pleasures himself to a life-size poster of Jesus. \nBy choosing the path blazed by such pioneers of bad taste as Tom Green, "Boy in the Bubble" substantially limits their audience. Many may not be able to take the racial slurs and sexual references in good stride, while others may see their brand of humor as immature, uncreative and simply low comedy. While it is true that "Boy in the Bubble" is not particularly original or witty, there is a certain charm to their shtick that appeals to audiences who love to say, "I can't believe they just said that!"\nThe sad thing is that "Boy in the Bubble" is a one-trick pony. The profane offensive comedy seems to be all they can do. The PG skits received very little acclaim from the crowd. One scene about two children selling their lemonade stand to a big corporation bombed with the audience. These limitations cause numerous problems. By continually pushing the limits, it seems to become increasingly more difficult to disgust the audience as the show goes on. By the end of their performance, "Boy in the Bubble" was actually making numerous jokes about dead babies. Where does one go from dead baby jokes to shock people? Fortunately, we didn't find out. Of course, they appropriately built up to the most disturbing material, but if one is a regular of their shows it seems the shock value would eventually wear off. \nPersonally, I would have liked to see more subtle, higher comedy, because obviously, the cast is made of very talented comedians, each with their own personal following in the audience. Every actor's performance was way over-the-top, but with such material, it is absolutely necessary. Also, the cast has a great chemistry together. Upon watching the show, I caught myself wishing I was a part of "Boy in the Bubble," because it looks like they have a lot of fun doing what they do. It also seems like most cast members are very much included in the creative process, as evidenced by each performer perfectly fitting the characters written for them. During one skit, Fletcher unburdens himself with an endless tirade, in which he slams everyone from Sisqo to Lance Bass. His rant about pop music, without a doubt, received the biggest reaction from the crowd, with audience members laughing so hard, it appears as if some of them were having a seizure. \nWhile, "Boy in the Bubble" may not be as intelligent at "Kids in the Hall" or "Mr. Show," they most assuredly are funnier than "Mad-TV" or whatever marginally popular sketch-comedy show you can name. They have definite potential, but only by proving that shock value isn't their only commodity, will they eventually prove themselves. Overall, "Boy in the Bubble" is not for everyone. It will leave a bad taste in the mouths of some. Yet, if you enjoy dark, sometimes distasteful humor, then "Boy in the Bubble" will deliver.
(12/06/02 5:24am)
With classes so packed that students are forced to sit on the floor of lecture halls, getting into the classes students want has been a problem in recent years.\nIn order to be assured they will graduate in four years, advisers suggested students sign a simple GradPact contract. But many advisers admit that when students sign that sheet of paper, they sign away the freedom to take classes they want when they want to and in some cases, the chance of any free time.\nThat's one of the reasons why GradPact has officially died. \nOn Tuesday night, the Bloomington Faculty Council passed a resolution to abolish GradPact, a program started seven years ago, which guaranteed students the classes they needed to graduate and would pay for the extra classes if required.\nAlthough many students and advisers have criticized GradPact as unnecessary, technology was the driving factor in the BFC's decision. Chair of the BFC education policies committee David Daleke said integrating GradPact restrictions into new scheduling software from PeopleSoft would cost the University $200,000 initially and nearly $600,000 annually.\nBFC member Erik Bucy said technology should not be responsible for the discontinuing of GradPact.\n"The unfortunate situation is that PeopleSoft is already coming, and it is going to have costs. And we'll have to make decisions," Bucy said. "This is the reality. Technology is going to cost money, but that shouldn't be the driving factor in academic decisions."\nBucy said he wishes the BFC took different steps toward the decision.\n"I would like a fuller discussion on the subject," Bucy said. "The discussion should involve people who are affected by the program. I'd like to hear from the advisers and offer a chance to different parties to speak about this subject."\nThose advisers who are affected by the program have mixed opinions on the subject.\nSome said one reason GradPact failed is because of lack of enrollment in the program. Only 35 percent of eligible students apply for GradPact, and only a third of those students actually stay with the program. University Division Adviser Nick Hipskind said low enrollment may be due to the hassle GradPact creates for some. \n"In my personal opinion, I think it was more trouble than it's worth for the student," Hipskind said. "I think it is mostly a marketing ploy for the parents."\nHipskind added that GradPact served only a narrow spectrum of the student population. \n"The curricular maps were useful and will continue to be useful to some students," Hipskind said. "But I think the time blocks virtually guarantee that anyone with extra curricular activities or a job would withdraw from the program."\nYet, some advisers said GradPact had many positive aspects that have been overlooked. \nSteve Wietstock, academic adviser for the Chemistry department, said GradPact was a great tool to inform students on a way to plan out their schedule.\n"It gave the students a plan to schedule all of their classes," Wietstock said. "Prior to GradPact, their wasn't a lot of promotion to students to help them know which classes they needed to take."\nAlthough no one could answer whether or not more students graduated on time as a result of GradPact, Hipskind said GradPact worked as a form of insurance for many students. \n"I suppose for someone who is unsure of their ability to graduate, it gave them a sense of security," Hipskind said. \nDespite its time limitations, University Division academic adviser Joelene Bergonzi said those few who took advantage of the program did see it as beneficial. \n"I think it was used more widely than what is feasible," Bergonzi said. "But for students who are very academically focused, for a more narrow range of students, it was appropriate in the sense that it gave them a plan to map out their four years."\nWhether or not one believed in its usefulness, GradPact was an effective marketing tool for the University, Bucy said. \n"It was a component of the recruiting process," Bucy said. "For many out-of-state students, it's an appealing program because they know they will be able to get out of school in time."\nWithout the program in place, advisers say they have plenty of other tools at their command to make sure students graduate on time. Hipskind noted many who do not participate in GradPact already have other ways to achieve these goals.\n"I think the waitlist option is a better solution than GradPact," Hipskind said.\nRegardless of the controversy, Bucy said GradPact will not be resurrected. Although those signed up can still proceed in the program, he said he believes the program is dead as of 2003. \n"It seems to be a done deal," Bucy said.
(12/05/02 5:15am)
It's that time again; time for winter to officially introduce itself and get everyone acquainted with its quiet, dangerous beauty. It's also time for drivers to battle it out on the roadways, dealing with backups and icy roads.\nFlakes began floating into Bloomington at 12:30 p.m. Wednesday and blanketed the ground in less than 10 minutes. Some students ducked their heads to avoid them, walking home quickly but carefully, with the occasional slip of a heel. Others tilted their pink-tinged noses and cheeks to the sky while trying to catch the ever-elusive snowflakes on their tongues. Still others watched the snow out of their car windows as they sat in traffic or an accident.\nSurprised at the sudden snowfall, Director of the Public Works Department John Freeman immediately took all of his men off of their current jobs and set them to work clearing the roads. He sent 24 trucks to dump salt and sand on the streets.\nWith an average of 10 to 12 plowable snow days a year, Public Works Assistant Director Penny Howard Myers said the city has been getting ready for such winter downfall for months. \n"We've been preparing for winter weather for a while now," Myers said. "We've been equipping our trucks with snowplows and been stocking up on salt, so we weren't caught off guard."\nTo prepare, the city has over 4,000 tons of salt and 8,000 tons of sand on hand, and will ask for an additional 2,000 tons of salt at the next Public Works Board meeting. \nThe size of the job can also be overwhelming for Bloomington, which receives an annual snowfall of over 40 inches. Overall, city snowplow operators drive over 2,100 miles in a snow emergency -- which is the same as the distance from here to Mexico. \n"It takes the city crews up to eight hours to clear each and every street," Myers said. "Sometimes they just haven't gotten to some of the streets yet."\nEven with short notice, Matt Stuebe, owner of Outdoor Improvements of Bloomington, a local snow removal service, said the clearing of the streets "turned out pretty well."\n"We were given about two hours notice," Stuebe said. "We didn't start plowing until about 4 p.m., which isn't bad."\nDue to the snow covered roads, accident reports plagued both the Bloomington Police Department and the Indiana State Police. ISP Trooper Eric Russell reported an influx of road troubles as a result of the snowy conditions.\n"We've worked a lot of slide offs and minor accidents on county roads and state roads," Russell said. "We called out extra officers to handle it. The response times were slowed down due to rush hour traffic and of course the weather." \nRussell said some automobile accidents clogged up the streets, causing many potential pileups.\n"On Clubhouse Road by the Cascade Golf Course and the Buddhist Temple, there were several cars stuck on the hill," Russell said. "When we got there we discovered cars were stuck off the side of the road. People were reporting it as a pileup, but it wasn't at all. We just put some salt and sand on the road, and it was alright."\nDriving was not the only transportation problem. Many who tried to bundle up and trek through snow found it increasingly difficult.\n"I fell down about ten times walking to class," freshman Joseph Clevenger said.\nDespite the hazards, junior Liam Eleio said he was thrilled about the weather and wished he had his car because the slick streets are what make driving "fun and interesting." He said the inches that fell were mere child's play since he transferred here from Maine.\nFreshman Darcy Stalder packed a snowball between her black gloves as Eleio carried on. \n"You guys need to learn how to drive," he advised, in reference to the pileup. \nAt this, Stalder fired her snowball at his thin fleece, then grinned and continued to hop back and forth to keep warm. \nThis is not just the first snow for Bloomington this year. For many students, this is their first time encountering this form of weather ever. \nOne such former snowflake virgin, freshman Steven Nah, a native of Singapore, said the frosty feel of Bloomington is "refreshing" compared to his humid homeland.\n"It's awesome," Nah said. "I look forward to playing in the snow. It's a very lovely sight."\nWith such a contrast between here and his previous residence, Nah said the flakey buildup made him miss his Pacific Ocean home. \n"One thing the snow aroused in me, it made me appreciate the weather back home more," Nah said. "It's usually around 70 (degrees) there. I consider myself a warm weather person."\nDespite his tropical tastes, Nah said he enjoyed the change of pace. He said he just needed "time to get used to the weather," and he will have it. \nAccording the The Associated Press, temperature highs Thursday will be in the middle 20s while flurries will continue throughout the weekend. \nBut the novelty's gone for sophomore Elliot McCullogh, who was "not a fan of cold weather" and waited for the bus in a sweatshirt because he hadn't checked the forecast when he left for class at 7:30 a.m.\n"I like to see it snow in the month of December and during Christmas time," McCullogh said. "After that, it gets real old, real quick"
(12/03/02 5:46am)
The U.S. Supreme Court agreed on Monday to decide whether race can be taken into consideration in college admissions, a controversial subject the court last ruled on nearly a quarter of a century ago.\nAlthough IU officials say they do not consider race in the application process, the issue is still debated heavily on campus. \nThe question the Supreme Court will consider is whether it is constitutional for the University of Michigan to accept minority students with lower grades and test scores than white applicants.\nMany have attacked Michigan for awarding 20 points for students of color on the college application while only giving three points for the quality of the college essay.\nRecently, these attacks have come in the form of two lawsuits. The first one involves Barbara Grutter, a businesswoman who was denied admission to the Michigan law school in 1996 when she was 43. She said minority applicants received preferential treatment. \nIn the other case, two undergraduates, Jennifer Gratz and Patrick Hamacher argue they also were denied admission because of race.\nThe court last addressed this issue in the Bakke case of 1978, in which the Supreme Court outlawed racial quotas, but one justice wrote in his opinion that race may be factored into admissions.\nOpponents contend that race-conscious policies hurt white college applicants. Also, when held to a lower standard than other students, many say minorities are not prepared for the rigorous class work.\n"They're also unfair to minorities who are stigmatized and held to a demeaningly lower standard," Curt Levey told the Associated Press. Levey, a lawyer with the Washington-based Center for Individual Rights, is representing white students in the challenge.\nOn the other side, many administrators at IU support Michigan's policy.\nIU vice president of student development and diversity Charlie Nelms said he supports factoring race into applications.\n"Clearly, I feel that race should be a factor to take into consideration," Nelms said. "Race has and continues to be a deterrant, despite all the rhetoric about America being colorblind, this is not the case."\nIU director of diversity education Mark Bryson echoed these sentiments, but said race is only one thing that should be considered in a student's application. He said economic factors play a role as well. He said affirmative action gives students from different backgrounds an equal opportunity. \n"If someone works three jobs to get by, it's harder for them to find time to study," Bryson said. "They need to go beyond SATs and GPA records because they are not the only indicators of a students success."\nNelms said another reason why race should be considered is because he feels diversity on campus is essential to a good education.\n"All of the research I have ever looked at say that diversity is essential to academic excellence and social justice," Nelms said. "It allows students to look at other points of view from students from other backgrounds."\nProfessors also prefer diversity, Nelms said.\n"As a teacher, I know that diversity increases the quality of the discussion in the classroom," Nelms said.\nBryson agreed with Nelms, noting that many corporations submitted statements backing Michigan up in their policy.\n"If you read any of the amicus briefs from any of the Fortune 500 companies such Coca-Cola and Microsoft, who supported Michigan, you'll see they prefer employing students who come from diverse backgrounds," Bryson said.\nAffirmative action and racial consideration have received a negative and incorrect perception, Bryson said. He cited that even in the 1980s, many blacks were restricted to mostly inner-city homes through neighborhood associations, and their poorer community did not breed a better education.\n"If black people lived in certain neighborhoods, they believed it would reduce property value," Bryson said. "As a result, they were far beyond the eight-ball. They look at affirmative action being a result of the vestiges of slavery, but we can see there are many things in our lifetime that factor in as well."\nNelms agreed, saying improving high schools which are primarily black or hispanic is the first step to increasing diversity at universities.\n"We have to do a better job seeing that young people receive the quality education they deserve," Nelms said. "The quality of high school education in schools that are mostly hispanic or black is seriously less than schools which have a white majority. We need to make sure these students are prepared at the K through 12 levels before they enter college."\nMichigan told the court, that without considering race, minority attendance in freshman classes could drop to .04 percent. \nIf the Supreme Court decides to disallow racial consideration, many feel it will negatively impact not only Michigan, but colleges across the country. \nMichigan President Mary Sue Coleman said the outcome "will have a profound impact on our nation's higher education system and on our race relations broadly... Now is not the time to turn back the clock."\nThe Associated Press contributed to this story.
(12/03/02 5:46am)
While many students were stuffing their faces with food, burglars stuffed their bags with belongings from Bloomington homes, police said.\nOver Thanksgiving break, Sgt. Bill Parker of the Bloomington Police Department said he received reports of several homes broken into and burglarized over the IU student vacation.\nDespite the string of robberies, Parker said there are "no common themes" between any of the break-ins and said they are isolated circumstances.\nParker said the cause of the break-ins was simply the time of the season.\n"The bad guys know that most of the homes are vacant during Thanksgiving break," Parker said. "It's the vacation situation. Obviously, criminals are more likely to break in if they think nobody will be there."\nBPD Sgt. Scott Oldham said it is a common occurrence and that's why it attracts criminals every year.\n"When you go to an apartment complex and you see four cars when their usually is 40, you know something is going on," Oldham said.\nOldham said the reports may seem inflated, though. \n"It also appears to be more break-ins because they are all reported at one time since people are just getting back," Oldham said. \nParker said he expects the same to occur during winter break.\nBut BPD will take preventative measures similar to ones taken every year, Oldham said.\n"The department always steps up patrols in the areas during these times," he said. "We try to cover areas which have predominately students, especially when they will be gone for an extended period of time."\nParker said many victims of burglary could have easily protected themselves through simple safety measures.\n"It's amazing how many people leave their doors unlocked or windows unlatched," Parker said. "If people checked things before they leave, they'd save themselves a lot of trouble."\nIn order to protect ones habitat, Parker suggested any one who notices unusual behavior or suspicious characters "peeking into people's home" should contact BPD. \nParker also suggested people avoid bragging about new electronic goods or excessively showing off to their neighborhood. \n"I remember when it was time to go away, I would take my valuables with me for safety reasons," Parker said. "I know that's troublesome and not practical all the time since a lot of students own computers, but it will minimize the loss."\nOldham added that the appearance of the home could work as a deterrent to burglars.\n"You should leave the lights on auto so it looks like someone is home," Oldham said.
(12/03/02 5:02am)
IU has one of the lowest loan default rates for Federal Perkins loans of Big Ten universities, according to data compiled by Purdue University.\nFor the 2001-02 school year, IU had a 2.63 percent default rate, compared to Northwestern University's 2.89 percent and the three-time leader University of Wisconsin with a 2.35 percent default rate. Ohio State had the highest default rate at 10.04 percent.\nStarted in 1958, the Perkins loan is the oldest form of financial aid. Over $6 Million is given through the loan to about 3,100 IU students every year. \nDirector of Student Loans Barbara Bright attributes this statistic to aggressive action of the part of the loan collectors.\n"We definitely pursue the people," she said. "A lot has to do with working with the students to help them pay off their debts."\nBill Ehrlich, public relations director for the Office of Financial Aid, said he agrees.\n"I think the student loan administration does a good job tracking these students," Ehrlich said. "By keeping an eye on these students, they are making sure everything gets paid."\nEhrlich added that different parts of the country have different economic statuses.\n"Regional differences may factor in," he said. "Certain areas are more depressed than others."\nAnother reason why IU's default rates are so low may be that more students are consolidating their loans, Ehrlich said.\n"For example, a student who has graduated with a Stafford and Perkins loan, because interest rates now are extremely low, they are putting the loans together and paying it at a lower interest rate," Ehrlich said. "Once they consolidate it, the Perkins loans are paid by the company that consolidates the loans pays IU the money on the spot."\nEhrlich also said these consolidated loans are easier for most students to pay. \n"There are more options available to them at that point," Ehrlich said. "One of the payment plans goes on for 25 years and these long term payouts are a lot simpler for some graduates."\nIn addition, Perkins loans have a flat 5 percent interest compared to the consolidated loans which vary according to the national interest rates. Ehrlich said many students are taking advantage of consolidated loans because interest rates are the lowest in years. \nThe low default rate also benefits IU, Ehrlich said. With the Perkins loan, all the money for students comes from students repaying their loans, so a low default rate means more money for IU students. \nEhrlich added the rate is "phenomenal" considering many students who pay off these loans have considerable financial need. \nPerkins loans must be paid off with at least $50 a month and must be paid off in no more than 10 years. Students start repaying the loan after graduation or 6 months after they drop out.
(11/25/02 5:16am)
Kenneth R.R. Gros Louis, who retired as IUB Chancellor and vice president for academic affairs on June 30, 2001, has been named as a special adviser to interim president Gerald Bepko.\nBepko, who is retiring as IUPUI Chancellor this year, will fill in for IU President Myles Brand, who will leave Jan. 1 to serve as president of the NCAA, until a permanent replacement can be found. \nLast week, Bepko told the Bloomington Faculty Council that Gros Louis would serve as his adviser.\n"We had talked off and on and before and after he was named interim president," Gros Louis said. "And when he was named he would like to formalize it in an adviser position."\nBepko said Gros Louis was a natural choice, given his history with the University.\n"There is no one who has greater knowledge of the institutional history and all the many academic matters and other matters that have transpired within the University," Bepko said.\nHaving served IU's Bloomington campus for 38 years, Gros Louis will also lend his knowledge of the campus to Bepko, who served mostly on the Indianapolis campus.\n"Since Gerry has been in Indianapolis a couple of years, I will advise him on Bloomington if he has any questions," Gros Louis said.\nIn addition, Gros Louis will serve as an academic adviser who will assist Bepko during the hectic period of working with the general assembly to receive funding for IU. \n"Both Bloomington and the smaller campuses will need attention and he will be very busy working with the general assembly," Gros Louis said.\nGros Louis said he has a close relationship with Bepko which will help him in assisting Bepko during this period of adjustment.\n"Gerry and I worked very closely," Gros Louis said. "We worked very well. Between the two of us, we know a lot about the traditions and history of the University."\nFormer IU President John Ryan also noted Gros Louis' academic side as a former Chancellor will assist Bepko greatly.\n"He was very much a scholarly person," Ryan said. "He had a strong academic side. He was a teacher for many years, and that gave him a feel for the life of the campus. He was an excellent teacher and chancellor."\nGros Louis said he is happy to be able to serve the University, yet again. \n"I think it will be interesting and enjoyable and I hope I can help IU any way I can"
(11/25/02 5:16am)
The Kelley School of Business formally dedicated the Graduate and Executive Education Center, its new state-of-the-art addition at a ceremony held at the Business School Friday.\nThe new building, which offers over 180,000 square feet of classroom space, is historic for IU, as the first addition to Kelley School since its construction in 1966.\n"We are very proud of the Kelley School of Business," IUB Chancellor Sharon Brehm said. "We know the new facilities will allow a great school of business to excel even further."\nIt was also an emotional event for some because it was the last dedication ceremony IU President Myles Brand will preside over for IU. \nChair of the MBA program James Wimbush, who spoke on behalf of the faculty at the event, said the ceremony was an event of opportunity, noting how the new building has far greater technology and space than the previous MBA facilities.\n"The building, with all its technological capabilities, can provide great opportunities for students," Wimbush said. "With our video conference room, they can watch an inspiring lecture from a CEO of a major company, miles away. Or teams of students can work in one of our 29 different breakout rooms to analyze a case or discuss a lecture. Finally, they have a comfortable place to chat with other students about class, a football game or an opera."\nDue to its advances, the Kelley School is now the most wired building on campus, providing both wireless and wired internet connections. \nMBA Student Michele Liew, who spoke on behalf of students, said its Internet capabilities make it a comfortable place for all.\n"The best part is the wireless Internet connection allows students to be mobile at all times," Liew said. "It lets me e-mail my family back in Singapore in a courtyard outside, when the weather permits."\nThe more than 600 MBA students at the School of Business can also partake in stock trading in a professional stock trading room filled with 12 new Dell computers and flat screen televisions to monitor prices, all arranged in a group-like setting. \nIt was an event of relief as Brehm noted the construction on 10th Street inconvenienced many, but has finally come to an end. \n"As many of you know, I live right up the street in the Chancellor's house and I have endured two summers of blown up streets," Brehm said. "I have never endured a summer without construction since I've been here at IU."\nBrehm then added that the construction, which started over 30 months ago at a formal groundbreaking ceremony on June 14, 2000, was well worth it because of its end product.\nThe ceremony was also one of recognition. During many of the speeches, the Kelley School was honored with compliments and references to its accomplishments thus far.\nRecently, it ranked 14th among business schools, according to the Wall Street Journal and was placed in the top ten for its undergraduate program, according to U.S. News and World Report. \nBrand attributed many of these achievements to strong leadership. Another quality Brand praised the Kelley School for was its diversity in students. \n"Nearly 40 percent of the MBA students are women," Brand said. "And it has the largest percentage of African American MBA students, larger than any of the other top business schools in the nation."\nIn addition, Brehm spoke about the many different partnerships with other schools on campus and their degrees offered through the Kelley School.\nThe keynote speaker of the event was Ford Motor Co. President Sir Nick Scheele, who was recently knighted by Queen Elizabeth II. \nScheele spoke about how Ford searches for its employees from the Kelley School and went on to speak about what qualities Ford looks for in students. The speech took an interesting turn as he said the most important quality in the business world is ethics.\nHe went on to quote Michael Douglas' character Gordon Gekko from the 1987 film "Wall Street" who said, "The point is, ladies and gentlemen, that greed, for lack of a better word, is good. Greed is right. Greed works." \nHe then compared this to stock speculator Ivan F. Boesky who said in his 1985 commencement speech at the University of California-Berkeley's School of Business Administration, "Greed is all right, by the way. I want you to know that. I think greed is healthy. You can be greedy and still feel good about yourself."\nScheele noted the significance given the modern corporate scandals with both Enron and Worldcom. \n"I just want to say once and for all, greed is not good," Scheele said. "It hurts corporations. It hurts shareholders. It hurts each and every one of us."\nScheele also said that according to a Charles Schwab poll, 77 percent of investors questioned the reliability of their corporate financial statements. He said that in a practical sense, this hurts business and that a smart businessperson will not worry about quarterly earnings if it means hurting one's long term reputation.\n"A strong sense of ethics is crucial to being a good leader," Scheele said. "The unscrupulous leader will sooner or later fall. A good leader has the conviction to do what is right, no matter what."\nScheele concluded by saying the new business leaders of America will come out the Graduate and Executive Education Center and many of them may work at Ford. \nPresident of the Kelley School of Business Alumni Association Jim Voris echoed Scheele's opinions earlier in the ceremony.\n"I see myself as a shareholder in this school," Voris said. "I see my degrees as my shares. I look to all of the faculty to keep my shares promising. I also advise the students to take an interest as well. You too will own a share in this establishment and keeping involved will make sure that it grows"
(11/21/02 4:48am)
On Friday, the Kelley School of Business will unveil its new state of the art home for graduate education programs and research centers at 2 p.m. in the building's forum. \nThe Graduate and Executive Education Center will offer over 180,000 square feet of classroom and office space and innovations in campus technology making it a "landmark event."\nThe new addition means fixing problems the Kelley School has faced in the past, including space and technological restrictions. \nAssociate Dean of the Faculties and Chair of the MBA Program James Wimbush said these new features make the opening an event of "sure excitement." \n"With the new building we can finally do some of things we couldn't do before," Wimbush said. "It gives us greater room, technology and overall comfort."\nWith the number of classrooms more than tripled, limitations of space will finally be corrected. \n"There simply wasn't enough room," Wimbush said. "The new facility allows us more room to do more team work, which is very important to our program."\nTechnological advances will also be an integral part of the new graduate school. It is the most wired building on campus and also offers the most access to wireless connections. \nKelley graduate student Michele Liew, who will speak on the student's response at the ceremony, said the new technology will "really benefit students on campus."\n"The new wireless connection will be real nice since it won't confine you to one space," Liew said. "Anyone that has a laptop can just work almost anywhere without looking for an outlet, which is nice when you're working in groups."\nOther features of the new building will include a video conference center and a "trading room" with informational resources comparable to most Wall Street firms.\nWimbush said the new addition will also be helpful in attracting outside involvement from many business firms. \n"With this building we will attract many businesses to our campus," Wimbush said. "It symbolizes our advances to create a place of high technology and professionalism."\nWimbush said it will help continue to maintain the Kelley School's reputation as one of the best business schools in the nation.\n"The program is already top ranked," Liew said. "Now with this new building it will only make the graduate program at the Kelley School even better."\nBeyer Blinder Belle Architects & Planners of New York and Washington. D.C. were the chief architects of the building, and John Belle of the firm will present the new building at the event. \nMargaret Garrison, one of the planners of the event, said the event is expecting to draw a crowd from the business world elite. \n"It reflects the culmination of years of work," Garrison said. "It is a celebratory event that will bring any number of alumni and business executives."\nThe keynote speaker of the ceremony will be Ford Motor Co. President and Chief Operating Officer Nick Scheele. Scheele has a long history with IU. He received his B.A. degree at IU in 1951 and today is a member of the Kelley School's Dean's Advisory Council. Also, while working at Jaguar Cars. Ltd., Scheele helped the Kelley School celebrate its 75th anniversary with an international conference held in Wiesbaden, Germany.\nFollowing the ceremony will be an informal reception and tours of the new facilities led by Kelley students. Additional speakers include IU President Myles Brand, IUB Chancellor Sharon Brehm and Chairman of the IU board of trustees Frederick Eichhorn, Jr.
(11/20/02 4:57am)
The IU board of trustees will meet tonight to discuss Bob Knight's lawsuit filed in Monroe County Court last week.\nThe meeting, which starts at 7 p.m. in Myles Brand's residence Bryan Hall, is closed to the public because it concerns personnel matters.\nKnight is suing IU for $2 million as a result of his firing in Sept. 2000. The suit, filed by the law firm of Voyles, Zahn, Paul, Hogan and Merriman in Indianapolis, claims he would have received $2 million from his "non-enumerated" shoe contracts, radio and TV deals and basketball camp fees if he had not been fired. The suit also claims IU could only fire Knight if he were notified and given an opportunity to defend himself, which Knight claims did not occur. \nAt the meeting, the board of trustees will discuss the issue and what actions they can take in this matter.\n"To my understanding, we will discuss litigation, specifically with recent developments with the Knight case," trustee Jamie Belanger said. "This meeting will probably serve more as a briefing as to what we can do as trustees." \nBelanger said he is not sure what actions the board is allowed to take in issues of litigation, but it will be discussed as a part of the executive meeting. \nIn order to decide the board's next plan of action, different members will present their plans, but it still is not confirmed whether legal representation from either side will be present at the meeting. Belanger noted IU's legal team has spoken at previous meetings.\n"We have had representatives from IU at certain meetings," Belanger said "But we have not really discussed the case with lawyers yet."\nThe last decision the board made in the Knight case was at their last meeting and involved deciding not to continue extending the deadline for Knight to file suit against IU. Belanger said an inability to compromise on both sides was the motivation in not continuing to extend the deadline. \n"They simply weren't reaching an agreement," Belanger said. \nBoard of trustees President Frederick Eichhorn said the board could not continue to extend the deadline and action needed to be taken.\n"All things come to an end," Eichhorn said. "It is not saying we can't still work things out."\nBoth Eichhorn and Belanger could not say whether or not a settlement out of court is likely or not, but they said it is still an option IU is considering.\n"It is always an option," Eichhorn said. "But it'll depend on the terms for both sides as to whether or not we settle out of court."\nPreviously, IU offered to pay the sum if Knight would convince a coalition of 46 former students to drop their suit against IU for violating the state's open records laws. In addition, IU is still paying Knight more than $425,000 a year for the next eight years as a part of the deferred compensation package.
(11/20/02 4:57am)
Interruptions, yelling and the banging of a gavel amid fighting between two sides of the room characterized the IU Student Association meeting Monday night. \nTensions arose between IU Student Association Treasurer Blair Greenberg and School of Public and Environmental Affairs Graduate Senator Dietrich Willke when Willke accused Greenberg of mismanaging funds. Also, Willke, along with junior Samir Patel, sponsored a bill that resolves to "suspend the treasurer's budgetary stipend until he submits a full and accurate budget."\nAs a part of Greenberg's duties, he is to submit a full account of the budget every month and has failed to do so thus far. Willke is demanding the budget be submitted at the Dec. 2 IUSA meeting, or action must be taken. \n"The whole bill came about when I sent an e-mail to Blair to ask for the budget," Willke said. "Blair told me he didn't have time to give it to me. Then, many other members of Congress asked to see the budget as well. Under the bylaws and our constitution, he is supposed to give us the budget. The bill is to make sure he presents it to us on Dec. 2."\nIUSA sponsor Dean James Gibson said the executive stipend is primarily meant to compensate students for the time they spend with the organization which could be spent working at a job. He added that one of its other purposes is to provide income for housing during summer sessions of Congress. IUSA Vice President Judd Arnold said the stipend adds up to about $4,500 a year. Willke claims Greenberg did not attend summer sessions and therefore does not need the funds, especially since he has not fulfilled his duty of submitting a budget. \nGreenberg, on the other hand, said he has no problem submitting a budget, and feels this bill is a "very silly thing to do."\n"The only reason I didn't present the budget at the meeting (Monday) is because I had a very important test," Greenberg said. \nArnold asked why they had not taken action before and questioned why they decided to propose this bill just now. \n"I appreciate that they want to know where the money is being spent," Arnold said. "But it is six months after the budget was approved, and this is the only action they've done."\nArnold claims the controversy between these battling factions may be motivated by partisan conflict between Willke's Synergy party support and Greenberg and Arnold's Kirkwood party. \n"You see, they make IUSA their lives. So when our party (Kirkwood) beat them and got the most votes ever, they didn't take it so well," Arnold said.\nPersonal animosity between Willke and Greenberg may also play a role, Arnold said.\nWillke voiced concern that Greenberg was selected to represent students on the IU presidential search committee without formally applying earlier this month.\nGreenberg also claims Willke wants to bring attention to himself through this bill.\n"I think that Dietrich Willke wants to get his name on the front page of the paper, that's all," Greenberg said. \nWillke denies it was his motivation.\n"There should be no link between me not being appointed to the president search committee and my job as the SPEA Graduate Senator," Willke said. "I just want to make sure that the student money is well spent and that the public knows where it went. That is a right that we as members and students have. When I am in Congress or when I write about IUSA matters I represent the Graduate School of SPEA and not myself."\nGreenberg said he feels IUSA has bigger issues to deal with. \n"Our primary goal is to represent the student body," Greenberg said. "It is not in the best interest of the student body to quiver on internal matters when there are more important things that affect students."\nArnold agreed, and said Synergy is focusing on internal problems and has yet to deal with any external issues affecting IU.\n"We had only two minutes of something that affected students tonight," Arnold said. "All they care about is playing pretend politics."\nIn addition to the problems with the budget, accusations that Greenberg has mismanaged funds troubled Greenberg. \n"There is an underlying allegation that he mismanaged funds," Arnold said. "Blair doesn't spend money. He just writes the checks and every check must be co-signed by Dean Gibson. And he is a finance major; I think he knows what he is doing."\nPart of these accusations includes $914, which was spent through unallocated sources. \nWillke questioned the legality of spending these funds, but said he could not make a full opinion until he saw the budget.\n"It all depends where the unallocated funds went," Willke said. "Under some circumstances, it needs to be approved by Congress."\nGreenberg defended himself, saying nothing he did was against the IUSA constitution. \n"First of all, unallocated funds are permitted to be spent," Greenberg said. "If Congress wishes to pass a bill that says unallocated funds cannot be spent without their approval, then that's alright."\nArnold said the IUSA budget as a whole is made up of over $144,000, which does not include the $61,000 spent on the Corvette for Project Vote Hard. Arnold and Greenberg claim that mathematically, this is not an issue that needs to be addressed. \n"That is one half of one percent of the budget," Greenberg said, "and nothing wrong was done with it."\nAfter an audit of Greenberg's budget, Manager of the Student Organizational Accounts Linda Bruce released a statement in which she said she found, "nothing out of the ordinary."\nArnold said the issue was a frivolous one to worry about and said he hopes the issue will go away, but feels his party is not hurt by it. \n"I'm not worried. I'm kind of flattered we are the focus of these peoples lives," Arnold said. "We try to do good, but at the end of the night, it's just student government"
(11/20/02 4:06am)
IU Dean of Libraries Suzanne Thorin and Associate Professor of Information Systems Brad Wheeler announced a $1.5 million renovation to the Main Library, adding the Information Commons, a 27,000 sq. foot "hub of high technology."\nThe project, which has been in the planning stages for the past few years, finally received approval from the IU board of trustees last week.\n"The Information Commons has been in and out of the hospital for awhile," Wheeler said. "It's been on and off life support and we actually had to resuscitate it three times, but it is finally approved and it will be very exciting." The project is part of a $72 million renovation of the Main Library.\nThe new area would feature stations for audio/video editing, multimedia programs and wireless Internet connection, which will be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Also, to assist students will the new technology, members of the UITS staff will be on premises. \nComfort will not be neglected in the layout. Wheeler said the new facility, which will be on the first floor of the undergraduate side, will feature a coffee bar serving real espressos.\n"(It will have) more couches, tables to sit at, a coffee bar, everything people have asked for," Thorin said.\nThe new center will also provide technological assistance to those with disabilities. \n"We also have printers that can print braille, and we even have this computer program that helps those with dyslexia complete their assignments," Thorin said.\nConstruction will begin during Christmas break and is scheduled to be completed by July 15, with an opening planned for mid-August. During its construction, all of the services which would be housed in that area of the library would be moved to other locations. \nFinancing the new addition was a cooperative effort between the Library and the UITS, each giving almost equal shares.\n"Usually (Vice President Terry) Clapacs, the UITS and the library would each pitch in a third," Wheeler said. "But, due to budget cuts, all the renovation money is gone. So, we had to save for a long time in order to finance this project."\nThe necessary funds for the addition will come from the library budget and from students' technology fees. \nDuring its construction, a portion of the library parking will be taped off as a construction zone, which will reduce the number of "A" parking spaces.\nWheeler said he knows the construction will be an inconvenience, but expects the new facility will not go unused.\n"I expect it will be a very busy place where a lot students will go to work," Wheeler said.\nTo find out more information on the upcoming project, check out ic.indiana.edu.
(11/18/02 4:58am)
Grasping a metallic pole on a black hardwood stage, a young woman beholds the attention of a man in a denim jacket.\nLooking through a long row of bar stools surrounding the stage or tan couches used for lap dances in this Bloomington strip club, one might think these customers appear younger than expected.\nThat's because they are. Patrons of the club are 18 and older, and many of them are IU students.\nAfter Hours Topless Bar and Dance Club, a non-alcoholic establishment for those 18 and over, opened this month in a former department store on Walnut Street in the heart of downtown Bloomington, drawing outrage from some citizens and leaders.\nTalisha Coppock, director of the Downtown Bloomington Commission, is one of them.\n"It taints the image of downtown," Coppock said. "I think it's an embarrassment. We try to do business day to day there. We try to bring in good family attractions. It's our downtown. It's the face of our community."\nThe DBC is a non-profit organization serving over 150 Bloomington businesses, a majority of them located downtown.\nSome questioned the placement of an underage topless club so close to campus. Danny Jordan, owner of After Hours, said making it available to a University audience is the only option he had. \n"The city would not give me a liquor license unless I bought a $40,000 sprinkler system, so I had no choice but to go underage," Jordan said.\nThe DBC decided to appeal to the City Council of Bloomington, which has legislative control of our city, to look into "types of ordinances to restrict this establishment."\nCity Council Member (At-Large) Anthony Pizzo said the council discussed the issue and decided not to take any legislative action.\n"I don't see this as an issue," Pizzo said. "I don't see any potential danger it poses to anyone."\nThe council did, however, send City Council Vice President (District III) and Bloomington's Captain of Detectives Michael Diekhoff to inspect the business for any violations. \n"From a police standpoint," Diekhoff said, "We had officers go and look to see what was going on because we have never seen a strip club that didn't allow alcohol or smoking."\nViolations searched for included anyone in attendance under 18, serving alcohol and signs of a lack of security.\nDiekhoff reported to the city council that they "found no evidence of alcohol or any other violations."\nDue to the record of many other underage clubs shut down because of violence, the issue of security was one Diekhoff discussed with Jordan in detail.\n"We inquired with the management as to what precautions they would take to prevent fights and other security measures," Diekhoff said. "We made sure we know what to expect. We periodically check with all the bars downtown to know what's going on."\nJordan says his security is "top notch" and he has not had any problems with any of the customers.\n"So far everybody has had a good time," Jordan said. "There's no alcohol, so people won't be angry. I mean, if you are watching a beautiful woman dancing for you, are you going to punch the guy next to you? No, you have a good time."\nMany news sources said the business did not go through the proper channels to open his establishment.\n"We are still investigating that," Senior Zoning Planner James Roach said. "But we have not had any reports of any business violations."\nJordan said he did everything he needed to do to open his business and even went down the Planning Commission to receive permission to open. \nRoach also included that there are no special zoning restrictions for the business and that "there currently are not any ordinances or business regulations on adult businesses."\nJordan said his business is a respectable one for IU students. This Friday, he is opening a new edition of the club that he thinks will receive more support.\n"One of the things I am mad about is that people neglect to mention is that the downstairs is a regular dance club," Jordan said. "Only the upstairs is topless. They're completely separate."\nThe downstairs will feature live bands and deejays. Admission for either section is $15, which includes free sodas all night.\nNot only might someone see a fellow classmate as a customer at the club, but they might also see a classmate entertaining them. Jordan said the majority of the girls who dance there are IU students. \n"A girl can't put her way through college working at McDonald's, you know that," Jordan said.\nJordan also cited this as a reason why 18 year olds should be allowed in his club.\n"I don't understand why 18, 19 year old girls can work at a strip club, but the public seems to have a problem with 18 year old boys coming to see them," Jordan said.\nJordan, a father himself, claims this business is a better place for college students than at-house parties.\n"I would rather have my 18 year old son at a place like this with no alcohol than to be at someplace drinking," Jordan said. "Sure as heck beats alcohol poisoning."\nThursday afternoon at 2:30 p.m., the two opposing forces finally decided to sit down and discuss the issue. \n"I called her in for a meeting," Jordan said. "And I told her that I wasn't mad at her because she was just doing what she feels is right." \nJordan explained to Coppock that he is not seeking attention and is trying to keep the business "low key."\n"You can't even tell it's a strip club by walking by," Jordan said. "There are no flashing lights. There are curtains. Plus, everything is upstairs. The only reason people know it's there is because they are giving it plenty of attention."\nCoppock said she will still seek new measures to move the business. The option they are considering now is to lobby to change legislation. \n"If enough people come to us and ask us to take actions, we will discuss possible ordinances," Pizzo said.\nYet, members of the City Council feel the issue is moot and expect to leave it as it is. \n"There are more important issues on our agenda," Pizzo said. "I don't know why the people of downtown Bloomington are so concerned with it."\nThe battle may continue, but Jordan said he has no plans of moving his business and expects for it to grow quickly. As for how Jordan expects to fulfill his business goals, he said he'll leave it to the DBC.\n"If they keep complaining it'll sure save me a lot more on advertising"