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(10/20/00 5:49am)
A 19-year-old sophomore was hit Thursday afternoon at about 3:50 p.m. by a passing car on 10th Street between the Main Library and the Kelley School of Business.\nJoel Zeid was crossing the street when Heather Ulrich, 22-year-old Bloomington resident, struck him with her white Chevrolet Corsica. \nPolice said Zeid said he did not see the vehicle, and was struck by the car's right front panel.\nWitnesses said they heard a loud noise and saw his shoe fly into the air.\nSenior Anne Irani, who said she walks across the same street daily, was waiting for the bus 15 feet away from the site of the accident.\n"There was a really loud smack," she said. "She must have been going so fast that he rolled up and shattered the window."\nGraduate student Brent Campbell also witnessed the accident and said no one left the scene after he was hit.\nIrani said people rushed out of the building to aid Zeid. She said she thought he must have been in a lot of pain, because he was bleeding and moaning about his injuries. She said the windshield of the car was completely shattered.\nAccording to the IU Police Department, Zeid escaped with only small lacerations to his left arm.\n"It doesn't seem that (Ulrich) was in violation of any kind of traffic law," said IUPD Lt. Jerry Minger, "but it's still under investigation."\nZeid was taken to Bloomington Hospital where he was still being held as of press time.\n"It could happen to any of us," said Irani. "That is a peak time ... you have to be able to stop (your car) at a second's notice"
(10/17/00 6:41am)
Add one cup of virtual water to one cup of virtual dirt, mix in a few political enthusiasts, and the result is a large political mudslinging fest splashed across the Internet. \nInterest groups and individuals alike have created Web sites aimed at destroying their opponents.\nPages include twisted parodies of movies, animation and other virtual toys for any surfer to play with. \n"Our generation has come to rely on the Internet," said Rob Kreig, campaign spokesmen for U.S. Rep. John Hostettler (R-8th), "The Internet gives you more freedom to search for the site that gives you the truth."\nOn the Democratic National Committee Web site, there are several links to anti-Bush Web sites. One site called "I know what you did in Texas," plays off the horror film "I Know What You Did Last Summer." Links on the page are entitled "The Daily Bleed" and "The Scary Record." Downloads of Democratic National Committee advertisements and the Republican National Convention are also available on the page. All information on the site supports an anti-Bush position.\nFor every anti-Bush Web site, there are many anti-Gore sites.\nThe Republican National Committee Web site includes a link on their front page to Goreline.com, a Web site devoted to highlighting Gore's mistakes. \n"There are a lot of people who want to use them," said sophomore April Gonzales, who works on the campaign of Hostettler's democratic opponent, Paul Perry. "A lot of people are interested in the horse race and the mudslinging."\nPolitical science professor Gerald Wright said he \nbelieves an increasing amount of people have started getting their political information from the Web. In fact, Wright frequently uses the Web in his class, Election 2000.\n"About 20 percent of the public get their information from the Web," Wright said. "Very few say this is their only source."\nNeither the official Web sites of Gov. George W. Bush or Vice President Al Gore have links to negative Web sites, although they both have links to their corresponding national parties. \nWright compared the negative Web sites to the partisan pamphlets of colonial times.\n"Not very many people will just go to random Web sites and believe them," Wright said.\nWright said he believes these Web sites act as an aid to the political parties. "They are grateful that someone is saying the things they can't say."\nMudslinging over the Internet has also extended to the Hillary Clinton -- Rick Lazio senate race in New York. Lazio supporters put up a site called SlapHillary.com. The centerpiece of this Web site is an animation of the first lady with buttons on each side. When pressed, the buttons either play a part of one of Clinton's speeches, or have an animated hand slap Clinton across the face as her eyes bug out.\nAccording to Politics1.com, several women's groups are angry with the site. Clinton supporters responded by constructing an anti-Lazio site called KickRick.com, although it is not running yet.\nGonzales said she thinks the sites focus too much on the mistakes and play down the real issues in the election.\n"(These Web sites) target what the other person has done wrong," Gonzales said. "A lot of times they have a negative effect"
(10/17/00 6:39am)
'Civility' was the key word this time around as presidential nominees George W. Bush and Al Gore turned in the sighs and angry expressions for a more subdued form of discussion. The debate docused primarily on issues that have had less media exposure than others during the campaign. \n"Both men did well. Gore did what everyone said he needed to do," said John Mark Summers, associate instructor for the Election 2000 course in the political science department. "He cut out the sighing and was less distracting."\nModerator Jim Lehrer pressed the two candidates on issues in foreign policy, gun control and law enforcement.\n"(Last) night was much closer to a draw," said IU-Purdue University at Indianapolis political science professor Patrick McGeever.\nIn contrast to the first debate, Gore and Bush found themselves agreeing on many issues, particularly in the area of foreign affairs.\nGore said America has the greatest national strength, which stems from the value of freedom in the country. \n"Our power comes from our values ... (other countries) see in us a reflection of what they could be," he said.\nAlthough Bush agreed with this, he said the United States "has to be humbled" when it comes to foreign relations. Bush also said he wants to make sure the funds designated for foreign aid are used correctly by the citizens of the receiving country.\n"We cannot be all things for all people," he said.\nBoth candidates agreed on what needs to be done to resolve the conflict in the Middle East.\nDifferences became more apparent as the topic shifted from foreign relations to gun control and racial profiling.\nBush pushed for local control of these issues, whereas Gore advocated federal legislation to set standards.\n"I will not do anything to affect the rights of hunters or sportsmen," Gore said, "but too many guns are getting into the hands of children and criminals."\nBush said he supports the waiting period for the purchase of guns, and believes this issue needs to be handled locally. He then addressed the issue of children's access to guns as a social issue.\n"This is an issue of culture," he said. "Gun laws are important, and so is loving children."\nParty lines were drawn more deeply as the two addressed their health care plans. \nGore referred to the failing health care statistics in Texas, which were countered by Bush's reference to the inverse relationship between the increasing amount of people that are uninsured throughout America, and the decreasing amount who are uninsured in Texas.\nDuring the second half, candidates continued to address key election issues including the environment and healthcare. Toward the end, Gore apologized for his exaggerations during the first debate and became upset after the issue of his character arose. Bush responded with a similar tone.\n"If elected, I can't promise that I will never get a detail wrong, but I can do my best to get the big things right for the American people," Gore said. \nMcGeever said he's not expecting to see much movement in the opinion polls. Still, he said it's a natural tendency that people are going to decide how to vote closer to the election. He doesn't expect an increase in undecided votes.\nThe final debate will be Tuesday in St. Louis.
(10/17/00 5:56am)
Stakes are running high for Vice President Al Gore and Texas Gov. George W. Bush as they duel in the third and final debate which could help determine who's the next president.\nThe concluding debate between the two leading Presidential candidates is at Washington University in St. Louis and will air at 8 p.m. today on ABC, NBC, CBS, C-SPAN and CNN. \nThe university's athletic center has been transformed into a virtual "town hall," in which the candidates will have lecterns but will also be allowed to move around the room. The debate will again be moderated by broadcast journalist Jim Lehrer, and the audience will be able to ask questions. \n"There are people out there who are still not quite decided," said history professor emeritus George Juergens. "This may be the occasion for them to make up their minds."\nAssistant political science professor Christine Barbour said she expects both candidates to do well, although she said she is interested to see what strategies they use. \nDuring the first debate, Bush and Gore were restricted to lecterns. The second debate was less formal, and both candidates and Lehrer were seated at a table.\nDevona Dolliole, deputy national spokeswoman for the Gore-Lieberman campaign, said it is necessary for Gore to leave a lasting impression in the public's mind in the last debate.\n"These debates will allow Gore to lay down issues with a long shelf life," she said. \nSome say there is really no way to tell what issues will be addressed because the audience will be asking the questions, rather than Lehrer. \nCollege Republican press secretary sophomore Marisa Etter said she expects many issues to be addressed because it is the final debate. She said she thinks foreign policy will be addressed in light of what is happening in the Middle East.\n"I would assume there will be quite a few questions on foreign policy," Juergens said. "All of the sudden the world seems to be very unstable."\nBoth candidates have been criticized by several publications for their performances during the past two debates, and both are expected to plan their strategies accordingly. Barbour and Juergens said they had seen two different personalities from Al Gore in the two debates. \n"I don't know which Al Gore will come out," Barbour said.\nEtter said she expects Bush to "be able to explain himself as clearly as possible." Etter noted that Bush received criticism for not knowing his statistics during the first two debates, and she said she expects him to be more prepared in that area. \nAcross the street from the debate, members of O17 and the community will convene to protest the exclusion of Ralph Nader and other pressing issues. O17, which stands for Oct. 17, is a group created specifically to protest the debate and bring public attention to the issues they believe will be left out of the debates.\nWashington University student Matthew Henoch will dressing as a barrel of toxic waste for the protest. \n"The debate organization is a nonprofit organization," he said, "but the main funding comes from the Democratic and Republican parties." \nHenoch said he believes the guidelines the parties lay down to enter the debates are biased against third-party candidates.\n"A lot of people are turned off by the fact that third parties aren't invited (to the debates)," Barbour said.\nNational media and political analysts hailed Gore as the winner of the first debate, and Bush came out on top after the second debate. The polls have consistently shown Bush to be in the the lead -- but only by a few points. \n"My guess is that one or both candidates are going to do something to shake up the polls," Barbour said.
(10/11/00 5:39am)
The presidential race is the closest America has seen in the past 20 years, and experts say tonight's debate could help determine the winner.\nDemocrat Al Gore and Republican George W. Bush will meet in their second debate tonight at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, N.C.\nThe much-anticipated debate will air nationally on most major networks, and features a changed format -- the two presidential hopefuls will sit at a table with moderator Jim Lehrer. In their first debate, Bush and Gore stood behind lecterns.\n"We know this will be a tight race," said Dave Schnittger, regional press coordinator for Victory 2000, a branch of the Republican National Committee. "Candidates will focus on distinguishing (themselves) from their opponent."\nPolitical science professor Thomas Wolf said the issues the candidates focus on will be based on the questions presented by the debate moderator.\n"Lehrer has a key role in all of this -- (the issues discussed) really depend on the questions Lehrer poses," Wolf said.\nDuring the first debate, the candidates argued about many key issues, including Medicare and tax cuts. Advocates for both sides expect little change in the issues highlighted.\nLisa Kobe, spokeswoman for the Indiana Republican Committee, said she expects Bush and Gore to talk a lot about their differences on the issue of Social Security. \n"Gore is trying to scare senior citizens into thinking Social Security is at risk," she said. Kobe also said she believes Bush will talk about his tax plan, education reform, military development, energy development and his prescription drug plan. \n"Al Gore hurt himself, not by what he said, but how he said it," she said. "Bush will stick to the issues and talk about his positive vision."\nThe vice president will also stick to the issues, said Devona Dolliole, deputy national spokesperson for the Gore-Lieberman campaign. \n"Gore will focus on the issues and how to use these issues to benefit all families, not just a few people." \nShe said she expects Gore will expand on his education plans, such as the a deduction for college tuition and preschool reforms.\nAlthough Gore was declared the winner after the last debate by a CNN/USA Today/Gallup poll, he received criticism from the Bush campaign and the media for stretching the truth. \nAccording to CNN, Gore exaggerated an anecdote about a crowded classroom and a student who he said had to stand through class for a lack of desks. \nPolitical science professor Leroy Rieselbach said he thinks these mistakes will shift Bush's attention from issues to the character attack approach he used earlier in the campaign. Gore's appearance as "a liar" and "unreliable" will cause Bush to "try to make the most of that," he said. \nSchnittger also said he believes Bush will emphasize Gore's mistakes. \n"If he told that many lies in 90 minutes, how many will he tell in four years?" the Republican spokesman asked.\nGore enters the debate several points behind Bush in the CNN/USA Today/Gallup poll. According to the CNN Web site, the survey of nearly 800 voters conducted Oct. 7-9, shows Bush with 47 percent and Gore with 44 percent. The margin of error the poll reported was 3.5 percent.\n"You have to believe that the numbers have given (Bush) momentum," Kobe said.\nNonetheless, Democratic spokeswoman Dolliole said he believes Gore's apparent triumph in the first debate as well as his grasp on key electoral votes has gives him enough leverage to walk in confident.\n"Bush can't afford to lose two debates," Dolliole said. "This is Bush's last chance to turn the race around."\nAs a result of the changed format, most expect a difference in the two candidates' behavior.\n"Gore was a bit snippy and Bush has a temper that was hard to control," Rieselbach said. But he added in this debate the candidates will be "less testy and get things under control."\nWolf said the format should help Gore. He said it will be easier for Gore to be casual, something Wolf said the vice president struggled with in the first debate. He added the format will allow Bush to be more relaxed as well.\n"This is the format that George Bush referred to as the talk show format ... this is the format that he prefers," Dolliole said.\nWith about 2,000 people in the audience at Wake Forest's Wait Chapel and the national broadcasts of the debate, many people will be paying attention to the candidates, Schnittger said. \n"People aren't just paying attention to what they look like -- they are paying attention to what they say," he said.
(10/05/00 5:43am)
Rebekka Armstrong and Jason Farrell do not want to keep students from having a good time. They simply want students to know what they are doing and with whom.\nThe former Playboy Model and businessman shared their perspectives on sexually transmitted diseases and drugs to more than 500 people Wednesday night at Assembly Hall. Both Armstrong and Farrell have had experience with drugs and STDs, and both experienced the effects firsthand.\n"It only takes once," said Armstrong, "It is not worth it to put your life at risk for a few minutes ... of pleasure."\nFarrell, executive director of the Positive Health Project, was diagnosed with AIDS in 1993. "Use a condom. If you are going to use drugs, be safe," he said.\nAccording to the Interfraternity Council Web site, all chapters were required to send at least 80 percent of their members to the speech.\nSteve Gordon, a senior and vice president of programming for the IFC, was a co-coordinator of the evening. Gordon said the quota was set because the topic is pertinent to students at IU. Gordon also said this event was open to all, not just the greek system.\nFarrell highlighted the impact of STDs in Indiana. State statistics indicate that there are 6,128 people in Indiana with HIV, and that the most likely candidates for sexually transmitted diseases are young caucasian males, he said.\n"If you think you are a tough guy, think about this: How would you react if someone told you you were HIV positive?" Farrell asked.\nArmstrong contracted HIV when she was only 16 years old. She had had sex with seven people by the time she later learned of her status.\n"When I found out ... I lost it. All I knew about HIV was death," she said.\nCollege-age women are at a particular risk as well, Farrell said.\n"You are the perfect age to go out with guys my age or younger, they may be eight to 10 years older than you," he said. "In that eight to 10 years more experience over you, they might have done things that they might not have been so proud of."\nFarrell cited a survey of 65,000 college students across the country about their "recreational activities." Of the students, 85 percent had used alcohol, 4 percent had used cocaine and 11 percent had used some sort of hard drug, he said. \nBut Farrell was not frightened by the numbers of usage.\n"The scary thing about this is the consequences of the drug use," he said.\nThe study revealed that 33 percent of those who used drugs had memory loss, 39 percent had done something they would later regret, 52 percent experienced forced sexual touching and 46 percent had unwanted sexual intercourse, Farrell said.\n"Drugs are dangerous, and they kill people. The same way cigarettes and alcohol and cars kill people, too."\nBut when people approach Farrell for help in dealing with their drug addiction, he said he hands them a new needle rather than preaching abstinence. This exchange program is just one of the services the Positive Health Project offers. Farrell recognizes that quitting any addiction is difficult, and if you must continue, be safe and try to progressively cut down, he said.\nSensing a lull in the enthusiasm of the crowd, Farrell changed from the slides of graphic representations of different drugs, to graphic pictures of male and female genitalia infected with different STDs. \n"You just don't know. Don't think you do, because you don't," he said.\nArmstrong pleaded with the audience to be careful and practice safe sex.\n"You have got to put a latex barrier between you and the bodily fluids that could contain the HIV virus."\nStudents seemed to appreciate the message in the speech.\n"They talked with us instead of at us," said sophomore Brian Donahue. "It's something in Indiana, not just a big city thing. It is a problem that affects all of us."\nGordon said he considered the night successful.\n"I think a lot of people are going to think twice about when they do things now," he said.
(09/25/00 8:10am)
Steve Thompson hates zebras. \nHe doesn't really have a problem with the striped African mammals, but he can't stand the lax attitude they have when another zebra gets attacked. Thompson sent many people home Thursday night with a similar anti-zebra feeling.\nThompson spoke to nearly 200 people, men and women, about the origins of our current ideas of sexual assault, and how to stop the cycle.\n"As a man, I am sick and tired of rape being a women's issue," Thompson said, "As long as we think it is a women's issue (rape) will not stop."\nThompson got his start in the field by teaching women self defense. After one of his students got attacked and suffered serious injuries, Thompson reevaluated his approach.\n"I had betrayed her trust, she trusted me to teach her to do something with her that would make her safe, and I let her down … I just taught what was traditionally taught," he said.\nThompson's first discovery came from the reading he had done on the subject. He discovered that most of the information he was reading was about the victims, and not about the rapist. \nSubsequently, Thompson decided to take an active approach.\n"I realized that what people thought was the reality of the street was in fact not true," Thompson said.\nEven today, Thompson works with local police and the FBI to create profiles of rapists and to learn from victims.\nHe also researched where the common conceptions of a rape victim and rapist originated. Thompson referred to Lord Hale, an English chief justice in the 1600's who recognized the difficulty of convicting a rapist. He also mentioned psychiatrist Sigmund Freud, who said women were confused about sex, and a man named Amir who cultivated the phrase "victim precipitated" in the 1960s.\n"Now our job here is to overcome this myth, this attitude that is not founded on fact," he said.\nThompson separated men into three separate categories. The good men, the spectators and the predators. The good men respect themselves and others, the spectators or "Zebras" simply "don't have the guts to stop it," and the predators take from other people.\n"We have to eliminate this spectator mentality … it's men who rape, it's men who can stop rape … we have to place the burden where it should be," Thompson said.\nThompson also said the majority of rapes are premeditated, and whether it is an acquaintance rape or stranger rape, the rapist always has his goal in mind.\nBecause rape is the ultimate goal of a rapist, a certain strategy must be employed. Thompson warned the audience that oftentimes, the rapist will use conventional tools such as alcohol and drugs, particularly Gamma-Hydroxybutyrate or GHB. This drug is easily made from household materials and is tasteless when mixed with a citrus based liquid. In addition to drugs and alcohol, Thompson said the rapist will make an effort to separate the victim from the pack.\nThompson said one of the reasons a rapist might be difficult to identify is because he most often sticks with a pack. This type most likely plays a team sport, is very egocentric and thrives on being in control, he said.\n"He is not like good men, not at all, but he appears to be," Thompson said. "This guy doesn't respect himself, he doesn't respect women."\nJust as there is a distinct type of man who rapes, there is a distinct type of victim that he looks for, Thompson said. Two of the top three victim groups can be found on college campuses. Statistically, the most vulnerable group are freshmen females pledging sororities, followed by freshmen females in general. The third group includes freshmen and sophomores in high school. Thompson suggests exuding an image of confidence as a deterrent to rapists.\nNonetheless, Thompson stressed that the responsibility still lies in the hands of males.\n"We have to separate responsibility from judgement," he said.\nThompson then opened the floor to questions. The crowd pressed Thompson from many angles, from confrontation of the predator to the duties of a bartender in the prevention of sexual assault.\nDebbie Melloan-Ruiz, co-chair of education for the Commission on Personal Safety, introduced Thompson at the beginning of the speech. She said she hoped those who attended walked away with more than they expected.\n"Our culture is permeated with myths about this issue, I hope that some of those myths that people came in with got broken down," she said.\nFreshman Mark McGarrah said he was pleased with Thompson's speech.\n"He is a really great speaker, I feel like he really informed the people, if they asked questions he gave great answers or he just told them point blank he couldn't give them answers," McGarrah said.\n McGarrah said he came away with a new sense of what could be done to stop the problem and plans on volunteering at the Middle Way House.\n"I really didn't know about rape before now, because I come from a really small town," said freshman Kelly Burton. "It really made me think about how I maybe need to pay a little more attention to my surroundings."\nThompson sent out a message to the students, faculty and Bloomington residents who attended the lecture.\n"I want you to talk to other people. Simply talk," he said. "When you are in a residence hall and you hear someone make an ignorant comment, take that time to educate"
(09/21/00 6:24am)
Showalter Fountain was the scene of another protest Wednesday night. But this time the cause was much larger than any celebrity. Students and members of the community stood around the barren fountain and huddled under umbrellas to honor victims of domestic and sexual violence.\nDespite the sheets of rain and stinging cold, nearly 80 men and women attended the vigil that kicked off the two-day protest to stop violence against women.\n"I feel this is an important cause for men as well as women," junior Becca Cross said. "I think people should be informed." \n"Last night I heard the screaming, another sleepless night … the police always come late, if they come at all," sang one of the participants of the vigil. The song "Behind the Wall" by Tracy Chapman started off the evening.\nCommittee Chair Julie Thomas, junior Jimmanee Spears, junior Melissa Kijewski and other committee members attempted to light seven candles to recognize the fears of women as well as their spirit and the spirit of others. Candles were lit for the women who have escaped from abuse, those who are afraid to travel alone in the streets, those who are victims, those who are afraid, the friends and lovers who offer support and for peace and healing.\nThe committee then handed candles to the crowd and began the ceremony to remember the four women who had been victims of domestic abuse or violence in the past year.\n"Unfortunately, the sky is crying tonight, but I think it is rather appropriate and I am sorry that our candles could not stay lit, but the fact that all of you came and all of you care has touched every one of us in the community," Thomas said.\nThe crowd struggled against the wind to keep their flames lit as the committee told the gruesome stories of local victims.\nDonetta Adams, Jannifer Cockrell and Jennifer Meece were all murdered by their ex-boyfriends. The fourth candle was lit for Jill Berhman, who disappeared last May during a bike ride and is still missing.\n"Eighty-five percent of rape victims know their attacker, only one in nine or one out of 12 rape victims ever report their incident to the police, every six minutes in this country a woman is raped," Thomas told the crowd, "These are just numbers, but there are so many women in our community that deal with rape."\nThomas then invited anyone in the crowd to share their story. Spears started the discussion with her disturbing tale of harassment.\n"To this day, this issue affects my life … but I am not going to back down," she said.\nAfter a few minutes of silence, a girl made her way to the front of the crowd to tell her story.\n"It happened to me, and I am not ashamed," she said.\nSeveral women and men then followed the example of their peers. \nOne man, who experienced the pain of rape through friends and relatives made an attempt at an apology for his gender.\n"Sometimes I feel ashamed of my gender, sometimes we just don't treat women the way that they deserve," he said.\nAfter everyone had the chance to speak, a participant led the crowd in another song. The crowd diminished slowly and quietly, but most were more relieved than before they came.\nGraduate student Keith Chlapaty was saddened by the size of the crowd.\n"We turnout 2,000 strong to riot about a basketball coach, and to see this paltry turnout tonight, I find it a shame," Chlapaty said.\nKijewski said she hopes that several things come out of the program. "I would like to see more people speak out against their perpetrators, see more women be able to take a stand against men who hurt them verbally or physically, I want to see women rise and know that they can do it, and they can be strong, and that there are people out there to help them do this," she said.
(09/21/00 5:20am)
Today victims of sexual violence from all across the Bloomington area will gather to reclaim what was once theirs. Supported by the community, these victims and their supporters will march and rally together to "Take Back the Night."\nCeremonies will begin at 7 p.m. today with a rally at Dunn Meadow, and will continue through the campus and Bloomington, ending at the Monroe County Courthouse. Speakers will include Middle Way Director Toby Strout, President of the Bloomington National Organization of Women Cathi Crabtree, Coordinator of Bloomington's Safe and Civil City Marsha Bradford, as well as Indiana's State Attorney General Karen Freeman.\n"We are going to be raising awareness on the IU campus and in the community at large," said Committee Chair for Take Back the Night, Julie Thomas.\nJimmanee Spears, nicknamed "chant goddess," will be leading the march tomorrow. Spears has been handing out fliers for several days and expects a large turnout at the rally. Spears also noted that several Indianapolis television stations will be in Bloomington to cover the event.\n"This is an issue that truly affects everyone," said Spears.\n"Take Back the Night" has particular significance for Spears, who has been a victim of sexual abuse. She feels the night will aid her in the healing process, and help her move on with her life.\nStrout has spoken at the Take Back the Night ceremony for the past 11 years. \n"I think raising awareness is an important thing to do," said Strout.\nStrout said she has been thinking about highlighting the statistics in her speech.\n"National statistics indicate a decline (in rape victims), at Middle Way however, we have not seen a decline," she said.\nSpears hopes to reach "anyone who will listen: victims, perpetrators, the general assembly, the bureaucracy … we are not going to take it anymore."\n"We have had a bad year in Bloomington," said Strout, "We need to acknowledge the losses we suffered"
(09/14/00 8:05am)
Bob Knight not only help the University on the courts, but off the courts as well. Knight made an effort to raise money for athletics and academics.\nNot only is the basketball program almost completely funded by outside donations, but Knight made large yearly personal contributions to the Main Library as well.\nSince the early 1990s, Knight has also given his support to several library endowment funds, including one that was founded in his name.\n"(Knight) recognized that the libraries are at the core of the educational experience for IU students," said Executive Director of Development for IU Libraries Beverly Byl. "Throughout the years, Bob Knight has been a real advocate for the library."\nThe Bob Knight Library Endowment helped the library pass the $1 million mark for fund raising. Knight also had a barbecue for his 50th birthday and donated all the proceeds to the Library.\nMoney from the Bob Knight Endowment has gone to purchase items in the information technology department, as well as tapes of American jazz performances for the music school library and several books by minority authors.\nAlthough the money from the endowment was a help to the Library, Byl said "funds continue to come in and new endowments continue to open."\nAdditionally, Barbara Coffman, director of communications for the IU Foundation, predicted the IU Foundation would have "another good year," despite Coach Knight's termination. Coffman said the Foundation set a record last year, with more than 100,000 donors.\nThe IU Varsity Club also collects money for IU Athletics, and last year, they collected more than $5 million for IU sports.\nRecently, Knight refused to attend Varsity Club fund-raisers, which are "the most popular and widely attended" said President Myles Brand. Scott Dolson, IU Varsity Club assistant director for development, said the "fund-raisers" Knight refused to attend were not actually fund-raisers, but rather kickoff luncheons for the basketball season. Dolson said that although people might not be happy with the decision to fire Knight, their support resides with the athletic program and not with one individual.\n"The athletic program stands for all the things Indiana basketball stood for," Dolson said. "Although this is a difficult and emotional time, the core of our donors' major concern is that we hold to our standards. And we have all the confidence in the world that we will strive to meet those standards."\nVice President for Public Affairs and Government Relations Christopher Simpson said he does not believe firing Knight will have a big effect on fund raising.\nSimpson points out that despite the turmoil that has surrounded IU this past year, "(the events) clearly did not have a negative effect on enrollment." \nNonetheless, Simpson also recognizes that there will be those people who will be happy with the decision, and those who will be upset.\nAlumni Ernest Olson said he is disappointed with the University's decision to fire Knight and said he will not support IU. Olson had planned to leave money to IU in his will.\n"(The decision) ripped my heart out ... I have taken the University off my list," he said.\nRex Burdette, a 1995 graduate, has also decided to withdraw his support and has started a mass e-mail to alumni throughout the country in support of Knight.\n"We are not going to support (IU) financially, or in any other fashion," he said.\nDespite the money Coach Knight has raised over the last 29 years, Coffman feels as though the University will not suffer.\n"IU is a lot bigger than any one person"
(09/09/00 4:32am)
It had everything one might expect to see at a typical fraternity party: good music, frat guys dressed in their finest party garb dancing with equally primped female party-goers, and very little room to move in the packed sub-terrain party room. And of course, a full service bar stocked with a variety of the finest...soda.\nKappa Sigma hosted the first registered dry party Wednesday night, in conjunction with the Pi Kappa Phi fraternity, as well as Alpha Phi, Sigma Delta Tau, Phi Mu and Kappa Alpha Theta sororities. The party was the first effort by several houses to have a social event according to the new rules adopted by the Interfraternity and Panhellenic Councils.\n"(This party) shows that people can still have a good time and not have alcohol," said sophomore Tre Smith, Kappa Sigma social chair. \nMore than 150 people turned out to enjoy a night without alcohol and to see "Michelangelo", a cover band that plays frequently in Bloomington.\nThe new alcohol policy was initially adopted by the National Panhellenic Council this past summer, and subsequently adopted by the IU Panhellenic Association. In support of the policy, the Interfraternity Council also decided to apply the policy to fraternities as well.\nThe IFC policy states that "all functions are to be alcohol free unless otherwise approved by the University." In other words, fraternities and sororities are not permitted to have alcohol at any house party, although they are permitted to get third party vendors at events held outside the house.\nIU policy states that alcohol is prohibited in "any undergraduate residence supervised by the University, including fraternity and sorority houses." Because fraternities and sororities are on University property, they are required to observe the policy.\nMany of the people who attended the party have mixed feelings about the effects of the new policy.\nKappa Sigma member David Gerber, a junior, said "it's great that the administration is looking out for the students' well-being, they are trying to make sure we don't hurt ourselves."\nSome believe students will either accept the policy or look for other places to go.\n"I think a lot of people who are not old enough to go to the bars will still come (to the parties)," said senior Rachel Esarey. "People who want to still drink and listen to bands will go to the bars."\nFreshman Tara Turner does not see the policy as a large problem, but is somewhat disappointed. \n"We are in college, I think we are old enough and responsible enough to make that decision," she said.\nSince students have arrived back at school, two fraternities have been caught or reprimanded for alcohol violations.\n"This semester is going to be a time of transition and change," said Panhellenic Association President Jennifer Kerns, a senior. "A lot of people are hesitant."\nAlthough the transition may be rough, the consequences for breaking the rules will be clear.\nIFC requested a new three strike system in order to have a consistent policy for all houses. \nDean of Students Richard McKaig will be finalizing the "easily explainable system" with the Greek judicial board next week.\nThe first offense will result in probation, the second will be probation with social restrictions, and the third will result in the house closing. But things will still be handled on a case-by-case basis.\nMcKaig explained that, "if we have a situation where someone gets out of hand because of flagrant use of alcohol" they will handle it more seriously than a minor event, in order to prevent abuse of the system.\nOverall, McKaig said he is optimistic about the new system. \n"What we have is leadership from the greek system to take charge and make a difference...I am proud of what the women of (PHA) and the men of IFC have done."\nWednesday, very few people seemed to have a problem following the policy guidelines.\n"Kappa Sig has started a trend that went over so well with many people," Kearns said.\nKappa Sig member Stuart Ritter, a junior, said the party was a "great success," and that it was nice "to have a party and not as much responsibility."\nSmith believes the new system will ultimately change the image of the greek system. "A lot of people imagine that (the greek system) is like "Animal House," hopefully, they will find out it is not like that"
(09/01/00 4:56am)
Students enrolled in coach Bob Knight's basketball coaching class began the semester with a shock.\nAssistant coaches Mike Davis and John Treolar told students Knight would no longer be co-teaching the class with former athletic department administrative assistant Norm Ellenberger.\nKnight's decision not to teach class this semester came as a result of the "zero-tolerance" policy set by the University this summer, after evidence surfaced in an investigation of Knight, according to an athletic department statement.\n"He made the decision not to teach," said football and basketball spokesperson Todd Starowitz. "He could be set up as a target because of the lack of clarity in the guidelines."\nIn the 29 years he taught the class, Knight would attend at least eight of the 16 class sessions. Knight was never paid for his involvement in the class, and was the only basketball coach in the Big Ten who taught a class. Knight co-taught the class with Ellenberger, who recently left the university to pursue an assistant coaching job with the Chicago Bulls. \nThe statement said "Coach Knight has thoroughly enjoyed teaching the session and has always viewed it as an opportunity to benefit students who are genuinely interested in Indiana University basketball and, most specifically, the coaching profession." \n"There is a possibility for an interpretation to occur (in class) on what zero-tolerance means," Starowitz said.\nStudents are both disappointed and relieved by Knight's decision. \nIU sophomore Sarah Bauer took the class primarily because of Knight's involvement. "I am disappointed, but I would rather have him coach. (Knight) is just being careful, and taking the zero-tolerance policy very seriously."\nThe class focuses on coaching techniques and philosophies. Students also participate in lab activities in which they learn drills and "team concepts" useful for conditioning basketball teams.\n"I respect (Knight's) decision, and think it is a wise one," said senior Brian Bobbitt. \nKnight will be replaced by Davis, Treolar and son Pat Knight. The assistant coaches will be teaching the class in full until Ellenberger's replacement begins teaching as well.\n"I am glad he is being safe," Bobbitt said. "(Knight) is being careful not to offend anyone"
(08/23/00 7:00am)
Boy Scouts are usually happy to receive merit awards for community service. But instead of receiving them, six former Boy Scouts protested Monday by handing back the merit badges they earned as scouts.\nAlong with members of Bloomington United and Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays, the former Boy Scouts positioned themselves across the street from the Hoosier Trails Council office to protest the policy the troop leaders cannot be gay.\n"Sexual orientation has no bearing on being a good troop leader," said former Eagle Scout Mike Wilson.\nThe sexual orientation of Boy Scout leaders became an issue in July in the court case, Boy Scouts of America v. James Dale. The Supreme Court ruled that the Boy Scouts is a private association and had the right to oust troop leader James Dale because of his sexual orientation.\nThe Bloomington protest joined 39 other protests around the nation organized by Scouting for All.\nThe protest started with six former scouts returning awards. The program was then turned over to several speakers, including mothers of homosexual former boy scouts: Rev. Barbara Carlson of the Unitarian Universalist Church, PFLAG president Doris Fox and Eagle Scout Benjamin Walker.\nIU Alumni Association Vice President and Chief Communications Officer Judy Schroeder read a statement from her son, Tony Weinstein; "If Boy Scouts see gay men as leaders, they will learn not to fear those whose sexual orientations are different from their own." \nWeinstein also pointed out that to be morally straight as dictated by the Boy Scout pledge, one does not need to be heterosexual.\nCarlson remembered a statement by one Boy Scout in her congregation.\n"The Boy Scout Association is contradicting their own laws," Carlson recounted. "The Boy Scout handbook advises the scout to respect the rights of others different from themselves."\nThe protest even attracted a few counter-protesters. Jim Billingsley wore a T-shirt with a picture of the crucifixion and carrying a poster that read, "There is nothing moral about sin."\n"I wanted to come out and support (the Boy Scouts of America)," said Billingsley, "and the standard they hold their troop leaders to." \nBillingsley believes the Boy Scouts of America are "concerned about leaders that would promote a an immoral lifestyle."\nSchroeder dismissed the idea that homosexual leaders would impose their lifestyle on scouts. \n"People believe mistakenly that gays 'recruit,'" said Schroeder, "when in fact we recruit our children to heterosexuality."\nThe Hoosier Trails Council defended its position in a press release.\n"We believe an avowed homosexual is not a role model for values espoused in the Scout Oath and Law," said the press release. "Boy Scouting makes no effort to discover the sexual orientation of any person. Scouting's message is compromised when prospective leaders present themselves as role models inconsistent with Boy Scouting's understanding of the Scout Oath and Law."\nThe protest ended with the symbolic hanging of a rope that had six pieces of colored rope tied on it, one for each former scout that gave up his awards, on the door of the Hoosier Trails Council office. Walker tied the final knot in the rope to make it a circle and hung it on the door.\n"Scouting was a very positive experience," said 18-year-old Walker. "It would be a shame if everyone could not have it."\n"The Supreme Court vote of 5-4 asserted what we already know," said protest organizer John Clower "But they did not grapple with the issue at hand." \nClower said he believed the main issue is really the allotment of public funds to an organization that is permitted to discriminate against certain groups.\nAssistant College of Arts and Sciences Dean Steve Sanders said he believes "it is wholly inappropriate for the United Way to continue funding of this organization."\nBarry Lessow, president of the board for the United Way said, "(The United Way is) working on a non-discriminatory policy that will govern our relationships with different agencies." \nThe United Way receives two types of donations. Donors can either specify the organization they want their money to go to or simply donate the money to something the United Way calls the allotment pool. The Boy Scouts receive $23,000 a year from the United Way, about 2 percent of the United Way budget.\nHoosier Trails Council said in a press release that it will continue to defend its membership standards.\n"We respect other people's right to hold differing opinions and ask that they respect ours," said the press release.