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(01/14/10 3:31am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Don’t let Jacqueline Brecheen’s sweet appearance fool you. Her youthful and innocent appeal comes with a big voice. “She has a full, lyric soprano voice with coloratura that carries with ease in a big hall,” said Costanza Cuccaro-Penhorwood, chancellor’s professor of voice at the Jacobs School of Music. Brecheen, a first-year doctoral student, competed in the Indiana District Auditions for the annual Metropolitan Opera National Council on Jan. 9. The annual auditions are designed to discover up-and-coming opera singers.On Saturday, Brecheen, along with other winners from Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana, will compete in the Tri-State Regional Auditions in Clowes Memorial Hall at Butler University in Indianapolis. IDS: How frequently do you audition?Brecheen: Last semester, I did 15 auditions, maybe more. I traveled to New York twice, Chicago three times, Cincinnati, Santa Barbara, Ohio and a couple in Bloomington. IDS: How did you discover your love of opera?Brecheen: I didn’t even know I could sing until high school. My best friend was going to audition for choir in school, so I tagged along.IDS: Are you excited about the Metropolitan Opera National Council auditions?Brecheen: I am so excited, I’ve never done Met auditions before. I always chickened out or got sick. IDS: How did you get started into music?Brecheen: I took lessons with Scharmal Schrock every few weeks and dilly-dallied with it. I was in a band in high school and early on in college. I sang top-40 songs, like Guns and Roses and Sheryl Crow. I never growled in rock songs and I sang with a clear tone. It wasn’t that hard to transition into classical style, it came more or less natural to me.IDS: What is a typical day for you? How do you practice? How frequently?Brecheen: I wake up in the morning and I try not to sing too early. Usually, I try to hum around the house a while. By lunch I try to do some scales and some arpeggios. My teacher gives a new exercise every week, I have a little book of exercises and I try to run through all my exercises every day. I practice every day by myself for a total of an hour to an hour and a half. IDS: What is your favorite aria to sing?Brecheen: Right now my favorite to sing is “Oh! quante volte” from “I Capuleti e i Montecchi”, which means ‘Oh! how many times.’ Basically it is sung by Juliet and she is supposed to get married. She is looking for Romeo. It goes on for eight minutes.IDS: How do you prepare for an opera role compared to an opera recital?Brecheen: It’s different. You have to become that person, basically, and it is very detailed. You go through all the lines and there are very specific words that make up the character you are. You have a personality and emotions that come across in the music.IDS: How costly is your profession? Brecheen: It’s an absolute money pit. A school teacher is included in your tuition. You have to buy the musical score (the book of the opera all music and all the lines), regular textbooks, dresses ... an accompanist any time I want to sing with one and application fees. Going to auditions is very expensive. I easily spent $2,000 this year just going to auditions.IDS: What do you say to people who say opera is not their type of music? Brecheen: When people say, ‘Opera is not my thing,’ I ask them how many operas they’ve seen. They usually say none. When I see people go to the opera for first time they say that it was amazing, they wonder why they haven’t been doing this the whole time.IDS: What is your ultimate career goal? Brecheen: To run a children’s singing school. I love to teach children to sing. They are like little sponges and do the cutest, funniest things. They are willing to try anything.IDS: Do you ever get overwhelmed with your work load?Brecheen: I haven’t done competitions since I’ve been here. The academic load is so heavy, auditions are so crazy. I’d rather get a job then a get a 100 bucks. Different singers push themselves in different directions, they push for everything that comes along and they get tired and aren’t performing at their best.
(12/07/09 5:02am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>The bar for the Miss Black and Gold Pageant is set high.The scores are based on poise, community service, grade point average, fundraising and talent.“We look for distinguished females who do service and are involved in school,” said junior Veldez Joshua, coordinator of the pageant and president of the Gamma Eta Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha, which sponsored the event. “They are good role models. This pageant is not based on beauty, but merit and qualities.”As a former Miss Black and Gold winner, judge Virginia LeBlanc knows firsthand that the winner of the pageant must represent the chapter organization in further competitions. The winner will go on to a district competition in February and possibly regional and national competitions.“This evening, Miss Black and Gold Pageant will be showcasing 11 of the most graceful and sophisticated women on Indiana University’s campus,” pageant host and senior D’Juan Wilcher said before the contestants entered the stage.First, each participant introduced herself and explained her aspirations. The women who participated in the pageant had goals ranging from attending Harvard Law School to becoming a dentist.The women in the pageant all had various reasons for why they wished to give back to their community.“I feel that I have been very blessed in my life, so I have an internal pride to work hard and be a positive and productive member of my community,” contestant Alex Williams said. Williams received first place in the competition.Participants then completed a private interview, introductions, talent competition, evening gown competition and a question-and-answer session.Two pageant participants shared their inspirational stories through spoken word.Contestant Jasmine Starks’s personal spoken word was titled “Strong.” She said her mother is her inspiration and strength for her hard work and dedication, which includes being an Indiana Memorial Union Board director and president of the Tau chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha.“Mommy, I want to be you,” Starks said with tears in her eyes. “I strive to be like you.”Starks’s spoken word fit with the message of the pageant, which is to uplift women.“For every story not written, I want to write you strong,” Starks said.Contestant Toyia Maxey gave a performance of spoken word in a piece called “Misinformed.” She gave her perspective of how people are ignorant of prejudices toward women, African Americans and Muslims. She is a member of all three communities.The women who competed in the Miss Black and Gold Pageant sought not only to represent their communities and themselves, but also IU’s Alpha Phi Alpha chapter.“You are not just representing yourself, you are representing your chapter’s organization,” LeBlanc said. “It’s not about you. Beauty is superficial – it’s about substance.”
(12/04/09 4:57am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Gender is not always as clear as male and female.At Willkie Quad’s “Lost in Transition” program, issues of sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression were discussed by students, Barry MaGee, the assistant director for diversity educator for Residential Programs and Services and Rachael Jones, a transwoman who owns Bloomington’s Rachael’s Café.At the program, participants watched segments of “Transamerica,” a movie about a male-to-female transsexual who takes a roadtrip with her son. After watching the clips they discussed the issues pertinent in the movie. Both Jones and MaGee shared their personal experiences. MaGee talked about being a homosexual male and Jones spoke of being a transgendered woman.Jones has not gone through hormone therapy and does not consider herself as “passable.” She goes back and forth between Rachael and Eric for the sake of her children.“I am not as good of an Eric because of Rachael and I am not as good of a Rachael because of Eric,” Jones said.Jones struggled with her gender since a young age. She was brought up in a religious Christian background where it was clear that she had to suppress her desires to be female. When she was a little boy, she put on a dress and when she got teased for that it was clear to her that such things were not accepted.At the program, religion, sexual orientation and gender were addressed. Many people use the Bible as a way of saying being transgendered and being a homosexual is a sin.Having come from such a religious background, Jones said, “How is it that we pick and choose from the Bible? I don’t think Jesus would diss me for being different.”Jones has struggled with her identity and accepting the way she was.“I felt embarrassed dressing the way I dressed,” Jones said. “I know I’m not fooling somebody when I talk in falsetto. ... I wouldn’t choose this.”Although Jones came from a small town, her parents were accepting and said they had suspected her desire to be female.“My dad said, ‘Don’t sweat the small stuff. It’s all small stuff,’” Jones said.MaGee also shared his personal “coming out” story. Although MaGee “came out” at a young age, he suppressed his homosexual identity for awhile and said, “the thought of suicide occurred every moment.” Finally, he told his mother he had to talk to her while they were preparing dinner in the kitchen. Although, his mother accepted it she struggled with it for two months.MaGee’s “coming out” experience had positive results. “Stress was lifted off my shoulders in one day,” MaGee said. “One day made a world of difference.”However, MaGee said that “coming out” is not something that is done just one time. “Coming out” is something that is done every day.“You choose who you come out to,” MaGee said. “You choose to say if you are gay and if that even matters or not.” Students such as junior and a Willkie floor president, Corbin Santo, said they learned more about the topics of sexual orientation and gender from this event.“It gives a lot of perspective as to what I know now and it’s not from a text book,” Santo said. “It takes a certain person to be so open and shows a lot about how much they care about students by giving us this information.”
(12/03/09 5:04am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Members of IU student organizations put the principles of Kwanzaa into action by making a positive difference in the community.Organization members showcased their programs and events at Wednesday’s Pre-Kwanzaa celebration hosted at the Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center.The organizations African American Diaspora Studies Graduate Society, Asian American Association, Neal-Marshall Student Group, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. and Voices of Hope all had to plan and develop a program or event that would represent one of the seven principles of Kwanzaa: unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility – or to help your neighbor, collective economics – to support community businesses, purpose, creativity and faith. Each group presented their program or event in front of a panel of judges and determined what group fulfilled the mission of “Kwanzaa-in-Action” best.The winning team, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, received $500 from the Neal-Marshall Center to continue on their good work.Every fall semester Phi Beta Sigma does Sigma Strolls for AIDS, where members of the fraternity, as well as other greek community members, do a dance technique known as “strolling” for more than a mile around campus. This fall they raised $154 for AIDS research.Phi Beta Sigma’s program was primarily focused on the principle of creativity. Though Phi Beta Sigma president Walter Ballard was inspired by Dance Marathon, he wanted to do something that was uniquely African-American. Phi Beta Sigma also hosts the event Sigmas Sleep Out during the fall semester, in which they raise money for the Bloomington homeless community.The Sigmas got a chance to experience what it was like to be homeless for one night.“How can we help someone if we do not know what they are going through?” Ballard said. Second-place winner, the Neal-Marshall Student Group, worked with three young, homeless women from the organization Stepping Stones.This student organization focused on the principle of building unity. Lynette Anigbo, president of the Neal-Marshall Student Group, said they chose unity because it is at the center of all endeavors.Members of the Neal-Marshall Student Group wanted to have a personal conversation with these 18- and 19-year-old girls who were complete strangers to them. The group’s hope was to build a community, break down any walls and have an open dialogue about their struggles, Anigbo said.Other activities included baking and eating cookies, making shirts and creating a mission statement of what they hope to achieve in their lives.The mission statements were written on a poster and were personal.One of the women from Stepping Stones, Deshona, shared this in her mission statement: “I commit to myself that I will never give up and only succeed to the best of my ability. That others opinions, good or bad, will not determine how I see myself. That my childhood does not put a limit of how inspiring, loving, fun and happy I can be.”Fourth-place winners, Voices of Hope, worked with the organization Circles Initiative and delivered 15 food baskets to 15 needy families in Bloomington. The main principle of their event was collective work and responsibility.In the Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center’s Grand-Hall, members of Voices of Hope and the families they helped broke bread together.The families they helped thanked them for the meal and food baskets.“Being here with you guys made me feel at home like I was with my own family,” a person who attended the dinner told senior Ramone Singfield, contact person for Voice of Hope. The experience was also fulfilling for those who gave.“To be a part of giving to someone was more of a delight,” Singfield said
(12/01/09 4:57am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Sigma Phi Beta has gained momentum on campus.The national fraternity that provides a social and educational environment for gay, straight, bisexual and transgender men within the traditional greek system became a colony through the Interfraternity Council at IU on Nov. 13. A colony is a step up from an interest group, which means it is closer to becoming an actual chapter, said sophomore Joshua A. Thomas, one of the founders of Sigma Phi Beta at IU.IU’s Sigma Phi Beta is only considered a colony at IU but not on the national level because the paper work has not been filled out, said senior Ryne Shadday, one of the founders of Sigma Phi Beta at IU. As of Jan. 1, the fraternity will have a year to set up their fraternity according to Interfraternity Council regulations and “set up the pieces of the puzzle to get everything in place,” said Colin Nabity, IFC president at IU.Sigma Phi Beta must have active alumni involvement, set up a new member program and create an internal standards board to monitor members, Nabity said. Nabity said that although the IFC is open to diversity and it has bylaws specifically about the topic, he hopes that with the onset of Sigma Phi Beta those who are skeptical of joining a fraternity based on their race and sexual orientation will feel even more welcomed. “I hope it gives people a second chance to find something to get involved in,” Nabity said. Five men wanted to begin a chapter of Sigma Phi Beta on IU’s campus. The fraternity was founded in 2003 at Arizona State University. If the fraternity came to IU, that would be its second established chapter. About 50 men from around campus have become interested in joining Sigma Phi Beta, Thomas said. By January 2011, Sigma Phi Beta should be considered a chapter at the national and campus level. However, getting a house will take time, Thomas said. Sigma Phi Beta members want to be a part of the traditional greek system, but their mission is to bring attention to GLBT issues.“We want to be able to use our philanthropy events for our community,” Thomas said. “Typically events now in the greek community are based on, I wouldn’t say they are straight type things, but we could use our events for the GLBT community.” “We want to have the same traditions. We want it to be a traditional greek frat, with, I guess, kind of different theme to it,” Thomas said. “If they were to go to a frat that is here now, we want to give them the same opportunities that they would have if they were in that other one.” Even though IU has a GLBT Student Support Services Office and organizations such as OUT GLBT Student Union, the greek system adds another dimension to Bloomington’s GLBT community and provides even more opportunities to make positive changes, Shadday said.“The greek system is so broad in general and it can do so much if it is utilized appropriately,” Shadday said. “And I think this can be utilized appropriately especially with the group of people who are starting it, and if our goals are met we can do a lot, and we can accomplish a lot, and that’s why I got involved in doing that.” However, the gay members of the greek community have expressed opposition to Sigma Phi Beta, Shadday said. “It’s kind of disappointing, but it’s to be expected,” Shadday said. “I want to think that it’s integrated enough that we shouldn’t have to separate ourselves and do these things. ... I think that they would be more open to it if they understood, but I don’t think they understood what we are actually trying to do.” Another issue members of the greek community have voiced is that Sigma Phi Beta might cause segregation, Thomas said. “People that are against it and gay think that we are trying to throw a bunch of gays into one house where it’s a big everybody-dating-everybody type thing,” Thomas said. “And that’s not the goal at all. That’s where everyone is taking this ... There are a lot of rules to try to keep that stuff from not going on, and it’s pretty much one strike and you are out.” Thomas said that there are set ground rules on dating between brothers and pledges to prevent such matters from occurring. Sigma Phi Beta members hope to keep the traditional elements of a fraternity within their alternative organization. “Every frat is going to have their certain type of person, but this one will focus on brotherhood, education and philanthropy,” Thomas said.
(12/01/09 12:55am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Megan Watson, second-year graduate student in Library Science and Musicology, is a reference/technical associate at the Herman B Wells Library. She recorded the number of steps she took during her work day. Her grand total was 2,456 steps. About 1,800 steps occurred from 9 a.m. to noon. Her tasks included walking up and down the stairs to refill the department’s paper and toner supplies. From noon until 2 p.m., she was at the reference desk, which limited her movements to getting books from directly behind the desk and walking between reference desk computers. From 2 to 3 p.m. she sat at her desk. Kelley School of Business I-Core student Aaron Davis, a junior from Long Island, N.Y., walked 3,575 steps one day. Items on the day’s agenda included a walk to the bus stop from his Smallwood apartment, a walk back to Smallwood from the business school, and a walk to the Girl Talk concert at the now-repaired Dunn Meadow. Three days later, on a crisp Sunday morning, IU cross country runner Andy Bayer completed more than 16,500 steps throughout his team’s 10-mile morning run. The remainder of his Sunday proved less intense. He traveled to Target in the early afternoon and St. Paul Catholic Center later in the day, bringing his day’s total up to 20,000 steps.
(12/01/09 12:52am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>“As a whole, we are more sedentary because of electronic media,” Baute says. “We can do so much more on our computers such as blog and go on Facebook. Adding some movement can be as simple as catching up with a friend over a walk instead of e-mailing or texting.”In Baute’s lecture classes and in some other HPER classes with a lecture component, walk breaks are incorporated during class time. Long lectures cause students to be more fatigued, Baute says.“Most college professors are pressed for time, but they might have a win-win situation if they sacrifice a five-minute break and have students come back more refreshed and awake,” Baute says.Sitting down in front of a computer or television for too long can make anyone drowsy. Baute says people should do an activity every half-hour. Try sit-to-stands in your chair and repeat them 10 or 12 times. Also, try to sit up straight to improve posture. Poor posture can lead to neck issues, back pain, and headaches. How to sit up straight. Or, how to eat dinner with your ex-Marine grandfather.• Think ears-over-shoulders-over-hips. Imagine a straight line through these three areas.• Pretend there is a string pulling your head up and squeeze your shoulder blades together.• Use your core muscles by sucking your navel inward and upward. It’s like sit-ups for people who don’t like sit-ups.
(12/01/09 12:50am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>The program tells participants to aim for 6,000 to 10,000 steps each day, equaling roughly three to five miles. More than half of American adults aren’t coming close to these numbers, and nearly 50 percent of people ages 12 to 21 are not “vigorously active,” according to the Surgeon General.One participant, James Clark, a chemistry laboratory coordinator, said the experience made him add activity into his life. For instance, if he had to give a colleague a message, he would walk over to his or her office instead of sending an e-mail. He also did simple tasks such as taking the stairs instead of the elevator, or walking to Kirkwood Avenue with his wife for lunch.Clark was motivated by the number his pedometer recorded. On average, Clark achieved 10,000 to 12,000 steps a day with some help from his soccer games.“It was curious to me, to see how many steps I took,” Clark says. “If I didn’t take a lot of steps, I felt like I did nothing, so I went to the gym or went for a run.”Step just a little more, Amadeo says. Ten minutes here, 10 minutes there. “How people utilize their time is a choice, not a limitation,” she says. “Making exercise a priority is key to maintaining a healthy lifestyle, even when life gets hectic.”
(11/18/09 6:08am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Gloomy weather and pouring rain foreshadowed IU’s Transgender Day of Remembrance, an event honoring those who have been killed for their gender expression.The event was created after the murder of Rita Hester 11 years ago, according to the International Transgender Day of Remembrance Web site. This year was IU’s first large event for the remembrance day, and it was put on by National Organization of Gay and Lesbian Scientists and Technical Professionals at IU.There were 245 signs and tombstone-shaped markers in Dunn Meadow with the names of those murdered in hate crimes in the past decade. Following speeches in the Fine Arts Building was a funeral procession where 119 transgender people murdered in the past year were named, along with the location, date and cause of death. Many people’s genitals cut off, their bodies mutilated and body parts burnt off.“This day is extremely personal for me, and I say that because for the most part I love my life,” said Kay Johnson, a transgender activist and Bloomington resident. “Today is a sobering day because it reminds me that I can die just because I carry myself the way I do.”Transgender people do not identify with the gender that they were assigned to at birth and do not follow gender norms constructed by society.Johnson is a transwoman, meaning she was born male but considers herself to be a woman and lives socially as a woman. Johnson has a distinct, deep male voice, long blonde hair, a feminine physique and wears traditional woman’s clothing like a dress and high-heel boots. Her alternate appearance increases the likelihood of her being harassed, Johnson said.“By being happier and more fulfilled, I am more likely to get killed,” Johnson said.Many of those involved with Transgender Day of Remembrance knew somebody who had been killed either psychologically or physically because of how they identified themselves.Sophomore Chris Kase, president of NOGLSTP at IU, has seen how suppressing one’s transgender identity can lead to self-destructive behaviors.During her speech, Kase “came out” about her relationship with two transwomen. Kase’s ex-husband told her that he had always wished to be a girl, but refused to accept that he was transgendered. He suppressed himself into the two-gender system by being an alcoholic and a cocaine addict. He also had threatened suicide multiple times by pointing a gun into his mouth.Kase said her husband felt the need to keep his transgender identity a secret.“I will push down who I am so as to not evoke opinions of fear, hate and disgust within others and myself,” Kase said, interpreting her husband’s thought process. “I will discriminate against myself because I am afraid of what society would think of me if I expose who I really am. ... I live in a world that kills people like me so I will kill myself with alcohol and cocaine in the long, drawn-out, self-inflicted death so you won’t have to kill me.” One of the stories told was of Taysia Elzy, a friend of Vicci Laine, a transwoman, Bloomington resident and an HIV/AIDS activist. Elzy and her boyfriend were shot to death in their Indianapolis apartment on Dec. 26, 2008. Laine said Elzy was a sex worker because she felt that was the only way she could make a living.“The news really wanted to play on that she was a sex worker and that somehow that is why this crime was committed,” Laine said. “Taysia, no matter what she did for a living, was a beautiful person. She was fun, she was alive and she was always laughing and smiling.”Transgender Day of Remembrance impacted many IU students as well.Freshman Sarah Klapperich attended Transgender Day of Remembrance in honor of her girlfriend who recently came out as transgendered and is going through gender therapy.“This is all for her,” Klapperich said. “I want to be there for her.”Dr. Aren Aizura, visiting lecturer of gender studies, wore bright colors and makeup in honor of the event.“Transpeople are fabulous and we stand out,” Aizura said. “Transpeople dazzle a little more and are more noticeable. ... If we keep dazzling, we win.”
(11/16/09 4:00am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Leaders of tomorrow from across the country met over the weekend to discuss the issues of today.More than 500 people were registered for the Men and Women of Color Leadership Conference, and participants came from schools as far away as Clark Atlanta University and Huston-Tillotson University in Austin, Texas. Selected middle school and high school students from the Monroe County area also attended certain events and sessions. Participants attended workshops about self-improvement, networking and controversial topics such as “Issues in the Age of Obama.”Speakers, including Robert Jackson, author of “No More Excuses: Black Men Stand Up!” and BET correspondent Jeff Johnson discussed their own struggles in becoming efficient leaders and gave advice to students about how to truly make a difference in their campus community.Johnson attended the University of Toledo, a predominantly white school. He gave up his track scholarship to become the Black Student Union president at his university. From there he said he became the first and only African American to become president of student government at his institution. He spoke to students about his personal experience.“So, I’m not coming to you as some dude that tries to do news on BET,” Johnson said. “I’m coming to you as somebody that sat in the very same seats that you’ve sat in; that’s been in the office by myself wondering, do I know what in the hell I’m doing; that’s wondering why I am going to events that nobody is showing up to; that’s wondering why am I wasting my time sacrificing my grades and my sanity in the name of a population that doesn’t understand what leadership is about.”Johnson said he hoped that the students take the knowledge they gained from this conference and actually use it.“I am going to be real, real honest with you,” Johnson said. “I am only talking to about 10 percent of y’all because the other 90 percent of you will do nothing. And if you don’t like it, then prove me wrong.” Johnson said that he has been to many conferences “where people leave inspired to a state of euphoric inactivity,” but he hoped that the attendees from this conference would strive for more.And the student leaders of today wasted no time in taking action.At the end of Johnson’s speech, students asked questions about how to make positive changes in their college community.Senior Shanel Poole of Indiana State University asked Johnson how to communicate with an administration of a predominantly white university to meet the needs of its minority students.Poole said her concern is that although Indiana State University has a large amount of African-American students compared with any other public university in Indiana, the institution has fewer than 10 African-American professors with a doctorate. This imbalance worries Poole.“In a class of 60 diverse students with only predominantly white professors, it takes away from that connection, and it makes students feel unwanted,” Poole said. “We are all feeling left out because we don’t have any type of professors or administrators to relate to or anyone that looks identical to us. And it becomes a serious problem.”From the advice Johnson gave her, Poole hopes that she can steer the administration into looking more closely at the issue of the lack of diversity of faculty on campus.“What I felt is, he made me aware that we as students have a responsibility to not only voice our concerns, but set out the plan for the administration to know exactly what steps to take to help fulfill what the concerns and issues are,” Poole said.
(11/13/09 5:02am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Following the election of the first black president, the individual men and women of color leadership conferences are joining forces for another first.The groups are having a joint Men and Women of Color Leadership Conference this weekend, the first time the conferences have been organized together.This change came about because of budgetary constraints, but the result is timely and progressive, said Eric Love, IU’s director of the Office of Diversity Education.“The theme of this year’s national conference is “Bridging the Gap: Building Upon the 2008 Election.”The conference is open to people of any gender, ethnicity, race, economic or social standing. Organizers expect about 500 people to attend.It will focus on academic excellence, leadership development, career development and culture and political awareness.Keynote speakers include Jeff Johnson, a BET correspondent, who interviews a wide range of celebrities.“The issues discussed are more universal but specifically affect men and women of color,” Love said.
(11/13/09 4:59am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>It’s 1938 and Rachel Zimbler is a 10-year-old Jewish girl in Austria.“I am going to ask you not to look at me as an 81-year-old lady, but as a 10-year-old,” she said while standing in front of a crowd of students in the Kelley School of Business, “because the events I am going to speak about happened to me when I was 10.”Zimbler was a childhood survivor of the Holocaust during Kristallnacht. Thursday’s lecture was organized by the Helene G. Simon Hillel Center. “Once upon a time, more than 71 years ago, my life and the life of Austrian Jewry changed drastically for the worse,” Zimbler said. In March 1938 her life changed forever. She couldn’t play with her friends, take out books from the library or attend a public school.It was these little changes that made Zimbler recognize things were changing for the worse.“You couldn’t help but know it,” Zimbler said. “The kids I went to school with would spit on the ground and say, ‘Don’t let the Jews get ahead of us.’”“The 10th of November 1938 was the beginning of the end of all Jewry in Austria and Germany. It was Kristallnacht,” Zimbler said.“Kristallnacht” is the night of the broken glass. Jewish-owned shops and synagogues were attacked by the Nazi pogrom – a group of people committing violent acts against a particular group. “It was so frightening for us as children,” Zimbler said. “We could feel that fright even though they tried not to show it. But it was there.”Zimbler and her siblings went to their great aunt’s house to stay safe.When Zimbler’s mother got to the apartment, there was a German seal on the door. The synagogue, the center of Jewish life in Zimbler’s Austrian town, was up in flames. The Nazi pogrom stormed into the synagogue and took and destroyed special religious items. The beautiful stained glass windows were all broken.The life-changing event of Kristallnacht remains a strong image in Zimbler’s mind to this day.“So when, that I walked in the street, I could feel the crunch of that glass under my feet and I feel it to this day,” Zimbler said. “It’s just one of those things that just got to my heart.”The day after Kristallnacht, Zimbler saw her mother looking for her father.“Where is Papa?” Zimbler said. “What is happening to him?”Papa was taken to Dachau Concentration Camp for 48 hours. Although he survived and rarely spoke of the experience, he frequently screamed at night.By Dec. 10, Zimbler’s father got her and her brother on the “kinder transport” and went to Holland. “Kinder Transport” was a child rescue movement started by Quakers and other groups that would save children from Germany and Austria.She had a positive experience in Holland even though the children made fun of her Dutch.Zimbler came to America by boat and was fortunate enough to get to Brooklyn, N.Y. with a brother, mother and father. However, her aunt and cousin on her mother’s side did not survive the Holocaust. Many of the audience members felt a personal connection to Zimbler’s story.“As a Jew, I feel like I have to go to carry on the story of survivors,” sophomore Rafe Kaplan said. “I try to come out to all of these events because I feel obligated to tell everybody what happened.”
(11/12/09 5:10am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Albert Valdman never thought he was going to have a career in Creole.Forty-six years after he began teaching the language native to Haiti, Valdman is being recognized at the 21st-annual Haitian Studies Association Conference this weekend at IU with a lifetime achievement award, and IU’s Creole Institute is being honored for having one of the top Creole programs.Valdman is now the Rudy Professor Emeritus of French, Italian and Linguistics and director of the institute.IU was the first university to teach Creole languages, he said, and Valdman was the first to teach Haitian Creole.Universities around the globe use IU’s Creole textbooks and dictionaries. Most recently, Valdman was the head of efforts to create the most comprehensive and most complete Haitian Creole-to-English dictionary.Valdman has been an IU faculty member since 1960 and has found the experience of guiding others gratifying. “The most rewarding thing is to train and to guide people who want to follow in your path and do things that you are interested in,” he said. “I’ve directed about 50 dissertations and many of my former students have done incredible work.”How Valdman began teaching Creole starts on a first date in 1957.While he was receiving his doctorate in French at Cornell University, he met his future wife who had just gotten back from a trip to Haiti. She was so impressed with Haiti that Valdman became intrigued by the language.So, he decided to go into a completely different dissertation and field.Valdman told her that he would like to create teaching materials and a dictionary for Creole languages.When Valdman began teaching at IU, he had a Haitian student and some of his pupils wanted to learn the language. He learned Creole by creating materials to teach other people. Essentially, he taught himself how to write and speak Creole and from there taught others.“The nice thing about teaching is that you have to learn new things to make sure you know more than your students,” Valdman said. “I think it’s exciting to be interacting with students. ... We try to communicate knowledge. Teaching is an interactive activity. As you teach, you also learn.”Marc Prou, current executive of the national Haitian Studies Association, and other members of the Haitian Studies Association believe he is one of the most influential people in the language’s study.“Valdman is a mentor, a former professor, he is a colleague and a longtime friend,” Prou said. “It is because of him and the work he has done to advance Haitian Creole that I am who I am today and that I am engaged in linguistic work in Creole.”He has been a pioneer in the field of innovation of Creole linguists and has guided several generations of Haitian linguists, including Prou.Last year, the conference was in Haiti. About 150 people are expected to attend the conference, including many international researchers.The theme of this year’s event is “New Ecologies: Actualizing Global Contributions and Development in Haiti.” Elizabeth Cooke, a first-year master’s student in public affairs and environmental science, is volunteering at the conference. While she was in Haiti for seven months she worked on reforestation and an alternative fuel project.Cooke said the conference will give students an opportunity to learn something new.“Conference topic interests are of a wide range that is unique to a very specific culture and country,” Cooke said.
(11/10/09 4:36am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>IU Residence Halls Association is out to prove that college students can make a difference through Advocacy Week.Monday kicked off the first Advocacy Week ’09, and RHA wants this to eventually become an IU tradition.The purpose of the week is to call people to action in various forms, said junior Michael Coleman, vice president of internal affairs for RHA.A variety of events are taking place throughout the week, ranging from a discussion of health care reform to events about issues in Africa.Although the programs are different, there are five overarching values: advocacy, activism, philanthropy, volunteerism and citizenship, said sophomore Ben Boruff, director of philanthropy for RHA.For all of the programs, students can take action one way or another, Coleman said.Students have the opportunity to find something to be interested in and passionate about, Boruff said.RHA wants students to become active citizens in the community by the end ofthe week.“To be an active citizen you have to, A.) be informed and B.) do something with that information,” Boruff said.The week of events gives an opportunity for organizations to spread their message throughout campus and to get students involved. However, the main goal is for students to gain a better understanding of the world around them, Boruff said.“There is a wealth of knowledge of the world at our fingertips,” Boruff said. “There is no excuse to not be informed about global issues.”
(10/22/09 3:38am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Though we are in the 21st century, interracial and intercultural dating can still be considered controversial.At 4 p.m. today, the “Choice of Colors” brown bag panel discussion series continues with “The Truth About Interracial Dating” at the La Casa Latino Cultural Center.The panel includes people who are married or who have been in relationships with those outside of their ethnic or cultural background.The panelists have had varied experiences that range from non-problematic to causing major conflicts, said Lillian Casillas, director of La Casa.The discussion will show how perceptions of interracial relationships have changed from the past – when it was illegal to marry someone outside of their race – to the present day, Casillas said.“It’s a time where we are more open to exploration and more open to many things,” Casillas said. “I’m generalizing, but if there is a place that this has a better chance of occurring, college creates that opportunity.”More students who are enrolling at IU are biracial or bicultural, Casillas said.Joseph Stahlman, interim director of the First Nations Educational and Cultural Center, assisted in putting the panel together. He said he is a product of an interracial relationship. His mother is German-American and his father is an American Indian.He said he has always felt interracial relationships were a non-issue.“Interracial dating is on everyone’s mind in one form or another,” Stahlman said. “I’ve never considered it important. I hope we get past it.”Interracial dating could be considered a touchy subject, but one that needs to be discussed among college students. “I’m interested in knowing what’s on people’s minds,” Stahlman said. “Sometimes what people say and what people think is different. It’s about getting underneath the surface and learning what’s on their minds.”
(10/20/09 6:55pm)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Females and males are physically different. We are two different sexes with different genitalia and body shapes.But from the second individuals are born, their main identity is their sex, not their gender. Girls are not born with an instinct to like pink. The two separate categories are called social constructions. We are socially constructed to recognize inanimate objects as gender-specific.Gender is not sex. Gender goes beyond just the biological. It incorporates what we are socially constructed to think is female or male. Female is an easy-bake oven. Male is a baseball bat. Female is an apple martini. Male is a beer.So what is it like for someone who doesn’t fit into America’s two-gender system?Susan Stryker, a gender studies professor, is a transsexual. She went through a physical transformation from a male to female appearance.“The ‘boying’ of me, the manning of me, always felt nonconsensual,” Stryker said. “Everybody gets gendered. And most people don’t question that.”But Stryker did inquire about her gender and did not accept it.“For whatever reason, as far back as I can go, I never thought I was a boy,” Stryker said. “I knew that was how I was being made to live. I knew that was how I was perceived. That’s how I was assigned. That’s how I was reared. Subjectively, internally, it was always a question. How come I don’t feel that way? ... How can I not be a boy if everyone says I’m a boy?”Because Stryker has feminine and masculine physical attributes, people are not always sure of how to interact with her.“If you don’t know somebody’s gender, you don’t know how to relate to them as a person,” Stryker said. “You don’t know which slot to put them in. ... To know if you are a man and a woman is to know, do I go into the same public restroom as you? Are they shopping in the right part of the store? Are you supposed to open the door for them when you are both coming in at the same time? Can I have sex with that person?” Genders provide us with roles and pronouns. They also affect our daily social interactions, Stryker said.But is our gender system so bad? Should girls start wearing ties and should boys begin wearing dresses?Not quite.The main problem is that there is a gender social hierarchy. Men on top, women on bottom, so to speak. The main problem with gender is that boys and girls are expected to fulfill different roles. Instead, no particular sex should be expected to fit into a particular stereotype. As long as we don’t see gender based on social hierarchy, one particular way of living or appearing will not be considered better or worse than another.“We are using a gender presentation to mean something that gets translated into a hierarchy rather than just allowing people to be the way they are,” Stryker said.“Gender styles should be whatever works for you. It should be OK to be gendered a certain way. It shouldn’t be negative.”Alyssa Goldman is a sophomore majoring in journalism and gender studies.
(10/19/09 2:28am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Students who wish to get a head start in the law school selection and application process can do so at Tuesday’s Law Day.The day begins at the Whittenberger Auditorium with a panel discussion from 9 to 10:45 a.m. and proceeds to Alumni Hall in the Indiana Memorial Union, where representatives from 111 law schools will be present.“It’s really a unique opportunity to have so many law schools here,” said Mac Francis, Director of Health Professions and Prelaw Center and president of the Midwest Association of Pre-Law Advisors. “It’s a huge advantage ... In the United States, there are 200 law schools approved by the American Bar Association.” At the panel discussion students get an inside perspective as to what law school administrators want in an application.Law school administrators give their perspective as to what they like and don’t like in an application, Tolen said.“Students get to talk to directors, administrators and application personnel,” said Rachel Tolen, assistant director of Health Professions and Prelaw Center. “It gives students a rare opportunity.”At the fair students can get more personal interaction with those involved in the application process.“It gives students a chance to make a connection with someone important in the process,” Francis said. The Midwest Association of Pre-Law Advisors organized the event and has an all-Big Ten Caravan, which brings the law school fairs to Big Ten universities.Although the law school fairs travel around, IU will have the largest fair in the country for the fifth year in a row, Francis said.The reason so many representatives come to IU’s fair is due to its large turnout of students. Last year, more than 640 students attended, Tolen said.“With the economy, we expected the turnout to be lower,” Francis said. “The old record is 108, and the new one is 111. We expected schools to cut budgets. It was a friendly surprise.”IU also has a reputation of having interested and insightful students.“Law school representatives know a lot of students who show up at IU’s fair are smart and ask good questions,” Tolen said. “IU students have a reputation to be proactive and have good expectations.”The fair helps students narrow their choices down to a list of law schools that match their interests.“Each applicant brings a unique perspective,” said Frank Motley, assistant dean of admissions at the IU Maurer School of Law. “And each law school is interested in different students. Find a law school that matches.”Students usually leave feeling better about the application process.“Student leave optimistic and inspired,” Francis said. “Students that come out think it’s worth their while.”What You Need To KnowWHO SHOULD GO The fair is for freshmen students just learning about law school to juniors and seniors in the application process, said Rachel Tolen, assistant director of Health Professions and Prelaw Center.WHAT THEY SHOULD WEAR Business casualWHAT THEY SHOULD ASK “Students should ask about what their range of GPA and LSAT scores are and what weight is given to each,” Tolen said. “Ask if there are any particular areas of law that they specialize in. Other standard questions: its atmosphere, financial aid and career placement services they provide when they leave the school. ““Are there students from IU at the institution now?” said Frank Motley, assistant dean of admissions at the IU Maurer School of Law.WHAT THEY SHOULD BRING “I think they should have a card with their name, address and e-mail because it will save them a lot of writing,” Motley said. “And if they have a resume, they should bring one.”AVOID THIS MISTAKE “Students go to schools they are interested in, but they also need to go to the schools they are curious about,” Motley said. “Popular schools get a lot of students at their tables, while other very good schools have no one. ... Talk to everyone.”
(10/16/09 3:46pm)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>IU Homecoming is 101 years old.The first homecoming in 1908 centered around three new buildings on campus and alumni flooded the campus to celebrate.In 1909 IU hosted “Gala Day,” a homecoming event that coincided with an IU-Purdue football game.“To my understanding there were trains coming in from Indianapolis equivalent to that of a parade,” said Conor McIntyre, director of student programming for the IU Alumni Association.In 1910 IU hosted a homecoming event for alumni in conjunction with an IU-Illinois football game.Throughout the years traditions have developed that are now synonymous with IU’s Homecoming and Hoosier spirit.The main purpose of these traditions is to connect students to the university.“I think it builds a sense of community,” McIntyre said. “It connects alumni to students.” Nearly Naked Mile This new homecoming tradition is in its second year but has created a buzz on campus. The event benefits the charities United Way and My Sister’s Closet. Students can donate $10 to the event or donate their clothes. Most students come wearing extra clothes to the event and donate the clothes off their back, said senior Brian Smith, director of Hoosier Village. People do group exercises, lead each other in songs and cheers. Expert Tip: “Don’t go in something lewd,” Smith said. “Go with what people don’t see everyday.”Go in body paints, wigs, bathing suits and even a cape, Smith said.Homecoming Blood DriveThe event has been affiliated with the IU vs. Purdue Blood Donor Challenge, but this is the first year the event is standing by itself, said Heather Schaefer, president of the IU Student Alumni Association. Students can donate blood throughout the day. This is the blood drive’s 13th year, which shows a lot about Hoosier spirit.“Homecoming is all about showing your Hoosier spirit and a part of that is giving back to the community,” Schaefer said. Spirit DayThe IU Student Alumni Association gives out Hoosier goodies for the second year.Cornhole Tournament & Bonfire A lot of college students play cornhole, but it is special to Indiana because we are the corn state, Schaefer said.“It’s all about building relationships and enjoying IU,” Schaefer said. The cornhole tournament is in its third year.Yell Like HellYell Like Hell is a spirit competition that is in its 10th year. The competition includes dancing acts, singing acts and skits performed by student organizations and greek organizations.Pep Rally & Homecoming ParadeStudents line up at Willkie Quad and the parade ends in front of the Sample Gates, where the pep rally takes place. This year the parade is celebrating its 51st year.“It’s a part of IU Homecoming history,” McIntyre said. Tailgate & GameExpert tip: Wear IU apparel from Spirit Day.“There are a lot of events and everyone is really busy because it’s midterm week,” Schaefer said. “But pick an event and come out. We get so busy with our classes that we stop to look around. Homecoming is a time to be proud to wear your cream and crimson shirt and be a part of a great tradition.” IU Fight SongIn 1912 “Indiana, Our Indiana” gained momentum as the most well-known IU song. The fight song is prominent during Homecoming, McIntyre said. Students sing the fight song at the bonfire before the fire is set.
(10/09/09 3:07am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Bryan Park will be buzzing with cultural fusion Saturday. Bloomington Multicultural Expo attendees can experience a taste of the Moon Festival, the Soul Food Festival, Festival Latino and International Festival Village.The Moon Festival is a celebration of the 15th day of the eighth month on the lunar calendar, also known as the “Harvest Moon.” The Moon Festival will also incorporate Diwali, the Indian festival of lights, which falls on Oct. 17 this year.One of the theories of how the festival came about is when China was under Han rule, citizens figured out a new way to send secret messages. According to the folk tale, they put the messages into moon cakes, which led to the Moon Festival.The event also includes the Bloomington Black Business and Professional Association’s Soul Food Festival, La Casa Latino Cultural Center’s Festival Latino and the International Festival Village. Each festival has its own village.In past years, all of the festivals took place at the same time, said Juan Berumen, La Casa graduate assistant.“When the festivals are done separately, there tends to be a modest turnout,” Berumen said. “This will help increase turnout and help some of the vendors.”The event provides a taste of several cultures.Performances throughout the Bloomington Multicultural Expo include international folk dancers, Hawaiian dance, traditional Indian dance, the traditional South African dance, Gumboot, jazz music, flamenco dance, hip-hop, rap and Turkish music.“It will be really interesting to see what everyone brings,” said Mai-Lin Poon, graduate assistant at the Asian Culture Center. “It is a really fun way to learn someone else’s culture. Granted, it’s a small portion of it, but at least you learn a little something rather than just being unaware.”It is from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at Bryan Park, 1001 S. Henderson Street. The event is free, except for food and some activities.
(10/07/09 3:39am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Sex has never been so high-tech.The Kinsey Confidential Web site has gone through an overhaul not only in its appearance, but also in its content.The Web site’s overhaul makes information simpler to read and easier to find, said Jennifer Bass communications director at the Kinsey Institute for Research in Sex, Gender, and Reproduction.Information is based on research and scientific findings done by professionals in the field.The goal of the Web site is to provide college-aged students with the newest research and information found at The Kinsey Institute and help the college-aged audience learn about sex, relationships and sexuality, said Eric Anthony Grollman, a Ph.D. student and instructor in sociology, in an e-mail. Readers may submit questions and receive thorough answers from Debby Herbenick, associate director of the Center for Sexual Health Promotion at the School of Health, Physical Education and Recreation. Herbenick also has podcasts in partnership with WFIU Public Radio to answer even more inquiries.Students receiving their doctorate in subjects such as sociology and higher education and student affairs blog based on their take on new research and various topics dealing with sex.“Each one of us brings our own backgrounds and different personalities,” said Bradley Blankenship, Ph.D. candidate in higher education and student affairs.Blankenship specifically writes about college and high school issues. He has written a blog on being “sexiled” from dorm rooms and plans to write a blog on how gay and lesbian students should approach studying abroad.The hope is that students will get their information from the Kinsey Confidential Web site rather than unreliable sources.“People think that there is so much information about sex on the Internet, but not a lot of it is reliable,” Bass said.Many young people get their sex information from popular magazines and other media outlets, but they are not as research-based as the Web site.“I look at many of the so-called reliable sources and notice how many make assumptions,” Bass said. A lot of media facets base their content on sex trends.“Trends come and go,” Bass said. “We want to cut through the trends and cut through commercialism. We just want to try to a trusted source.”www.kinseyconfidential.org