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(01/23/13 6:02am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>When the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012, popularly referred as the “Fiscal Cliff Bill,” was passed Jan. 1, priorities within the Indiana House of Representatives, based on the voting trends of the delegates, came to light.The term “fiscal cliff” refers to a series of laws, including the 2010 Tax Relief Act, which were set to expire at the end of 2012. The term was officially dubbed by Ben Bernanke, chairman of the Federal Reserve Bank. The bill is said to have averted the fiscal cliff, but there are still pending economic issues on the horizon. “This is an artificial creation, it’s Congress pushing away decisions and creating artificial deadlines,” said Ajay Mehrotra, IU professor of law and history. “It’s not like there is some superpower that said you had to make this decision, it’s a politically created constraint.” It wasn’t just a deadline, though. There were pressures facing Congress and the American economy regarding both taxes and spending. “It was this notion that we were faced at the end of last calendar year by two simultaneous pressures,” Mehrotra said. Mehrotra said on one side of things, there was the expiration of the Bush tax cuts, which were set to expire at the end of 2012.In regard to the spending cuts, Congress assembled a committee to address the debt ceiling, which essentially helped create the fiscal cliff on the spending side. By having this deadline, automatic spending cuts would activate in the event the debt ceiling problem was resolved, Mehrotra said. “It was dubbed a ‘fiscal cliff’ because of these two provisions, one on the tax side and one on the spending side, and we were going to hit the brakes on the economy at the same point, and that would drive the economy back into a recession,” said Bradley Heim, an associate professor in the School of Public and Environmental Affairs. While the term “fiscal cliff” may seem daunting, the American economy has faced similar situations in the past. “If you look at American economic history, you see that a lot of our potential recessions occurred because of these two same kinds of forces—taxes going up, and spending going down,” Mehrotra said. Mehrotra said by taking a look at the Recession of 1893, or even at 1929 with the Great Depression, we can see similar kinds of pressures. It is commonly reported that the bill avoided the supposed “fiscal cliff.” but officials say long-term issues have yet to be addressed.Lee Hamilton, director of the Center on Congress at IU, said the positive aspects include avoiding a recession. It’s a minor step toward a better road and provides a slight reduction in income inequality, making the tax code somewhat more progressive, he said.The bill accounted for possible tax woes, but decisions regarding spending have been deferred. It’s a temporary and partial solution because it has only dealt with one side of the issue, Mehrotra said. Hamilton said the bill is packed with tax breaks and no spending cuts and shows people how improvised the government can be. However, he said it does not address long-term problems. “There is still the looming debt ceiling problem, and the budget problem, not to mention the really big problem looming 20 to 30 years from now, which is this fiscal catastrophe of spending, outstripping revenue,” Mehrotra said. “As the demographic shifts continue to occur, and healthcare costs continue to rise, that’s the real fiscal problem, and that’s 20 years out and we haven’t even dealt with that yet.” Heim said within the next three months, there are pressing issues with spending cuts, the debt ceiling limit, and the budget needing to be set before March 27. Hamilton said the agreement lacks any sort of real effort to revive economic growth, and is simply prolonging the issue. “We just need to get our fiscal house in order, it means scaling back entitlements, raising enough taxes that will give us the kind of government we are demanding, and we got to develop a tax and fiscal system that will promote economic growth, because economic growth is how we’re eventually going to fix this problem,” Hamilton said.
(01/22/13 4:25am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Where Indiana stands:As of December 2012, the unemployment rate is 8.2 percent for Indiana, ranked 37th of all 50 states. The lower the ranking, the higher the unemployment rate. Indiana’s rate is right below Kentucky, which is at 8.1 percent, tied with New York at 8.2 percent and right above Oregon, 8.4 percent.In comparison: Western states continued to record the highest regional unemployment rate in December at 8.6 percent, while the Midwest again reported the lowest rate at 7.1 percent.Nevada and Rhode Island recorded the highest unemployment rates among the states in December, 10.2 percent each. North Dakota recorded the lowest jobless rate, 3.2 percent.Even though Indiana’s unemployment is at 8.2 percent, it is not listed by the Bureau of Labor Statistics among states with unemployment rates significantly different from that of the U.S., December 2012, seasonally adjusted. Unemployment rates for Indiana: 8.9 in December 2011, 8.0 October 2012, 8.0 November 2012 and 8.2 December 2012General Trends: Twenty-two states recorded unemployment rate decreases, 16 states and the District of Columbia posted increases, and 12 states had no change, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported in December 2012. — Anu Kumar
(01/14/13 7:18pm)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>INDIANAPOLIS — Proclaiming what makes Indiana great is that “Hoosiers are the best people on earth,” Mike Pence was inaugurated as the state’s 50th governor Monday.Hoosiers elected Pence, a Republican, to succeed former Gov. Mitch Daniels to the post in November 2012. “Indiana is the heart of the heartland,” Pence said before a crowd gathered outside the Statehouse.The Inaugural Ceremony began with performances from the 38th Infantry Band. Prior to the ceremony’s start, audience members donning colored badges trickled inside the Statehouse. Indiana State Police officers spread themselves throughout the lobby, using dogs to inspect the area. “We have gathered here today with cold hands and feet but warm hearts,” said the Honorable Ed Simcox, the emcee of the ceremony. Pence was then sworn in with the Benjamin Harrison Inaugural Bible. “The bible belonged to President Harrison, but the deep heartfelt commitment will be made by Gov. Pence,” Simcox said.Pence said Indiana is facing a time of uncertainty but could prove to be resilient, as history as shown. “We need to meet this moment with resolve,” Pence said. Pence said the gap between those serving and those being served is greater than ever.The gap was particularly obvious due to protests near the Indiana Government Center next to the Statehouse.Protesters from the bus drivers’ union in partnership with the American Federation of State, City and Municipal Employees dressed in orange safety vests chanted outside, “Unemployment right now!” and “Get me pay!” “We actually planned this protest before we knew what day it was,” Andrea Helm, a member of AFSCME, said. Helm said no member of the Statehouse or Government Center had responded to the group yet, and she didn’t expect they would. Tyler White, a communications major at IU-Purdue University Indianapolis, said he is looking forward to the policies Pence’s administration will be putting together. “The legislature here in Indiana is good at getting things done, so I’m looking forward to seeing what they’ll do,” White said. Pence said he would focus on good jobs, great schools, safe streets and strong families in Indiana. He said he plans to hold off on spending and give teachers more freedom to teach. Pence did not outline specific policy plans during his inauguration speech. During the election — in a campaign he dubbed the “Roadmap for Indiana” — he said he hopes to increase private-sector employment, improve math and reading skills in elementary schools and better the health and safety of Hoosiers across the state.Following his inauguration, Pence signed 15 executive orders, including six new orders. His new orders work to implement enhanced ethics practices for state government, promote government efficiency and transparency and impose a suspension period on new regulations.According to a press release from Pence’s office, his new orders also require certain state agencies to develop family impact statements, set a goal of securing three percent of state contracts from veteran-owned businesses and establish a separate Office of Energy Development. He took back one executive order, changing the reporting structure for the Indiana Education Employment Relations Board back to the governor. Eight of the additional orders Pence signed will continue various boards and offices, including continuing the Western Governors University Indiana. Pence also had a bipartisan meeting with the leadership of both the House and Senate. The meeting included Senate Pro-Tempore David Long, House Speaker Brian Bosma, Senate Minority Leader Timothy Lanane and House Minority Leader Scott Pelath.Pence ended his first day in office with a meeting with his economic development team. “It was very important to me to meet with their leadership on our first day in office to talk about what Indiana needs right now and how we get the job done,” Pence said in a press release. Attorney General Greg Zoeller was inaugurated first by Brent Dickson, Chief justice of the Indiana Supreme Court. Zoeller said he supported Gov. Pence’s plans and believed Pence would take Indiana from “good to great.”Pence said he wants Indiana to once again be a “torch of opportunity and hope.”“The air is cold, so let’s back inside and get to work,” Pence said.
(01/10/13 7:38pm)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Gov.-elect Mike Pence announced additional appointments for his administration Thursday morning at the Indiana Statehouse. Victor Smith has been appointed the secretary of commerce, and Eric Doden joins the cabinet as CEO of the Indiana Economic Development Corporation. The two positions primarily work on economic development in Indiana.Smith worked at Ontario Corporation for 17 years and was the president and CEO of CDS Engineering. Doden has 15 years of management and economic development experience at Domo Ventures LLC and Ambassador Enterprises. William VanNess is the new state health commissioner. VanNess carries 39 years of health care experience in Indiana. He served as the president and CEO of Community Hospital of Anderson and Madison County Inc., for about 16 years. Sean Keefer joins the administration as the commissioner of labor. Prior to his appointment, Keefer served as the chief of staff for the Indiana State Department since 2011.Bruce Lemmon was appointed commissioner of the Department of Correction in 2011 and will continue work with Pence. Danny Lopez and Jackie Cissell were also named special assistants to the governor. These are the first officials appointed to Pence’s cabinet since Dec. 19, 2012. “With decades of experience, the individuals appointed today are experts within their fields,” Pence said in a news release from Pence for Indiana. “This depth of knowledge will serve Hoosiers well as we work in the days ahead to make Indiana the state that works.”Pence will be officially inaugurated Monday.
(01/10/13 4:32am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>The Bloomington City Council reconvened Wednesday for the first time in 2013. New officers were elected for council positions. Darryl Neher, 2012 district 5 representative, is the 2013 president. Timothy Mayer, 2012 president, is the 2013 parliamentarian. Dorothy Granger, 2012 district 2 representative, is the 2013 vice president. “2013 will be a challenging year for all of us on the council, so I ask for your support,” Mayer said. Ordinance 13-01 and Resolution 13-02 were the first items on the agenda for the Committee of the Whole. The passing of the legislation would grant the vacation of right-of-way and tax abatement for the relocation of Hoosier Energy Rural Electric Cooperative, Inc.Hoosier Energy is a member-owned wholesale power supplier headquartered in Monroe County. The proposed ordinance called for the vacation of the right-of-way for Tech Boulevard, east of State Road 37 and north of Tapp Road. Hoosier Energy will build its new headquarters in this location. The proposed project would add a $20 million investment to the city’s tax base on parcels that are already ready for development. It would also bring 116 jobs, according to Hoosier Energy. Spechler also said the state of Indiana was far too dependent on coal energy and asked how Hoosier Energy could change that.Hoosier Energy estimated that 60 to 65 percent of their energy comes from coal but said they aim to increase its renewable energy capacity by 90 megawatts by 2015. “The environmental benefits are good, and these folks have been good Samaritans in the community since my birth,” said Larry Jacobs, member of the chamber of commerce. Ordinance 13-01 passed with seven votes, and one pass. Councilman David Rollo was not present for voting. Councilman Stephen Volan said he passed because he would not settle for the building’s LEED silver certification.“Make that building something that you can be proud of, I’m asking for gold and will withhold my vote,” Volan said. Resolution 13-02 also passed with seven votes. The project would cost an estimated $27 million investment. The target move-in date for Hoosier Energy is Dec. 1, 2014. Anu Kumar
(01/07/13 5:26am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>The 113th Congress was sworn in Jan. 3, 2013. Democrats now fill 201 seats in the House, while Republicans fill 234 seats, still maintaining House majority. In the Senate, Democrats are now the majority with 55 seats, while the Republicans have 45. Now that all nine Indiana congressmen representing the state’s nine districts have been sworn in, constituents await action.Each of Indiana’s nine districts are outlined to the left and correspond with the respective representative.WHAT'S AHEADThe first regular session of the Indiana General Assembly reconvenes Jan. 7, bringing many national issues to the forefront. FirearmsAfter the Newtown, Conn. shootings, gun control is a matter President Barack Obama has made a priority. Senate Bill 0097 of the Indiana General Assembly addressing the possession of firearms on state property. It could potentially prohibit a state agency, including state supported universities, from regulating the possession of firearms, ammunition or firearm accessories. EducationThe General Assembly also has education and the state of schools in Indiana. The Senate Bill 0129 discusses an education roundtable which would require the roundtable to make recommendations to the state board of education about what would be the best way to improve the services and support provided by a school. Senate Bill 0160 introduces school employee background checks. This would require a national criminal history background check, eliminating other types of permissible record searches. Higher education grading practices and faculty organization is introduced in Senate Bill 0180. This bill would require state educational institution to provide the commission for higher education with the necessary information concerning grading practices for courses that are required to fill general education requirements at the state educational institution. Senate Bill 0189 states performance-qualified school districts to provide flexibility in administration and instruction to school corporations that meet certain performance criteria. This would allow a performance-qualified school district to be exempt from most statutes, rules and guidelines applicable to school boards or corporations. Opportunities and services for veterans are also a topic of discussion. House Bill 0150 proposes veterans’ property tax deduction. Allowing totally disabled veterans who are at least 62 years of age and have a disability of at least 10 percent to not have the assessed value of their property be considered when determining their eligibility for the property tax deduction. Disabled veteran benefitsHouse Bill 0130 and Senate Bill 0166 would allow certain disabled veterans, or their surviving spouses, to claim a credit against the annual motor vehicle excise tax, in addition to the property tax deduction. Additionally, Senate Bill 0165 eliminates the assessed value cap of $143,160 that applies to the property tax deduction for veterans who are totally disabled or are at least 62 with at least a 10 percent disability.
(01/03/13 9:40pm)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>At the end of 2012, there were 14 vacancies among the Bloomington Boards and Commissions. “We want as many people as possible to be aware that there is a way for them to be involved in Bloomington,” Sue Wanzer, deputy city clerk, said. There are 36 listed boards and commissions geared toward the different needs of Bloomington and its citizens. “The work of those different commissions can be extremely helpful to us when crafting legislation or taking a look at city problems,” said Susan Sandberg, vice president and Bloomington City Council at-large representative. The city clerk’s office is responsible for receiving and coordinating applications. All Bloomington residents are eligible to apply. For some positions, citizens living outside city limits, but still within the county, are also eligible, Wanzer said. Bloomington Mayor Mark Kruzan and city council members are responsible for appointing candidates to the boards and commissions.Terms are either two or four-year appointments according to what city code dictates for a particular board or commission. Sandberg said council members work to anticipate vacancies when terms are ending in order to fill the positions as soon as possible. “Even if someone’s term is ending, they can continue to serve until they are either reappointed if they are reapplying or a replacement is named,” Wanzer said. Vacancies are expected to be filled by the end of January to mid-February at the latest, Wanzer said. Currently, the number of applicants is low and Wanzer said they are looking for more people to apply. “We are especially looking for people to fill positions on the Hispanic and Latino Affairs Commission and the Commission on Sustainability,” Wanzer said. Applications are accepted year-round and are kept on file in order to manage positions that open up during the year. “But at this time of the year, when we anticipate the greatest number of vacancies, we get somewhere between 50 to 70 applications,” Wanzer said. Commissions and boards require varying qualifications in their candidates. Generally, appointments are given to those who are interested in serving but also have the corresponding experience and knowledge, Wanzer said. Sandberg said citizens are encouraged to apply in order to become involved, even if it just means attending commission meetings. “We are looking for people with fresh perspectives who can add to the diversity of the conversation,” Sandberg said.
(11/27/12 6:08am)
Campus reflects our college experience in pieces — the place where we first met someone who changed our life, saw a flyer that jump-started a love for an organization, or the classroom where we had that “aha” moment.
(11/27/12 6:08am)
How IU is taking the Master Plan from concept to concrete... and what students have to say about it
(11/27/12 6:08am)
How IU is taking the Master Plan from concept to concrete... and what students have to say about it
(11/13/12 4:13am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>The hype of election season has come to an end and along with it the buzz surrounding the issues and debates.Just ahead lies President Barack Obama’s second term. Carnegie Endowment for International Peace Senior Associate Ashley Tellis delivered a talk, “The President’s Foreign Policy,” Monday morning discussing the potential direction the United States will take in regard to its foreign policy.Obama and Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney debated about foreign policy three weeks ago. Now, the topics discussed are about to play out in the president’s upcoming term. One of the current obstacles to the development of U.S. foreign policy is the current state of the national economy, Tellis said. He added the national government feels it has the building blocks in place, but recovery has not reached expected levels.Finding middle ground between the two political parties and developing long-term solutions to help economic and employment growth remains a priority, he said, taking precedence above foreign policy. “Foreign policy will be optional,” Tellis said. “They will deal with the challenges that they absolutely cannot avoid, but this is not going to be an administration that is looking for a very ambitious foreign policy agenda.” The president is also committed to the fact the U.S. cannot afford another war right now, thus avoiding flexing its muscular American diplomacy, Tellis said. Given the gravity of the economic situation, the administration wants another decade that allows for rest or relief, holding back the use or threat of force in negotiations. “It casts a shadow on the kind of diplomacy you can perform, because you will have to settle for some optimum gains, because you do not have the luxury of that last mile that you can secure through the threat of force.” Tellis said.China, a threat and competitor to the U.S., is also a point of focus in foreign policy, Tellis said. Obama is a realist and sees China as both a strategic and economic challenge. Matters unrelated to Asia will take second place. The economy, inability to afford additional military presence abroad as well as the threat of China serve as obstacles for foreign policy to make leaps and bounds, Tellis said. But there are other relationships and matters at hand.The threat of Iran and its potential possession of nuclear weapons is a matter the U.S. cannot ignore, he said.“If this was only an issue between the United States and Iran, there might have been some solutions, but it’s a problem that implicates Israel, as well,” Tellis said. The Middle East poses additional problems with the presence of about 68,000 remaining American troops in Afghanistan, Tellis said. The question of how many will remain is dependent on the Afghan government’s ability to handle the Taliban and whether or not the troops will be granted full immunity under the Status-of-Forces Agreement.“There’s a whole series of challenges this administration is going to face, and I haven’t even mentioned the economic issues in Europe,” Tellis said. The best way to handle all of these issues is for the administration to stay focused at home, he said. “We don’t have the psychic energy for active shaping efforts,” Tellis said. “And there can always be a wild card that will summon us to some conflict that right now we don’t even know what it is.”
(11/06/12 6:47am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Today, Americans will step into voting booths and elect the next president. In this election, there are more than 180,000,000 citizens registered to vote. But an election is more than just politics. For these six students, with conflicting partisan views, this is a divided campus.
CHRISTOPHER BABCOCK Loganspot, Ind. President of IU College DemocratsSenior environmental management major Christopher Babcock says a trip to Vietnam emphasized the importance of environmental protection in the United States.On a walk, Babcock noticed a young boy toss a soiled napkin into the streets. As he traveled along a forest trail, he found himself surrounded by mounds of garbage. Babcock says this experience was eye opening. It gave him another reason to fear Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney.Babcock says the religious right of the Republican Party, has a sense that global warming isn’t an issue. They believe God is in full control of the Earth and climate change. “They make decisions that could directly and indirectly support their industries rather than protect their citizens from actual harm,” he says.He says he fears if Romney becomes president, Roe v. Wade, social security, Medicare and Medicaid will be rolled away.“I would be scared under a Romney presidency that decisions might be made that were politically convenient and not in the best interest of the whole country,” Babcock says. “However, to say or to think that the economy being bad wouldn’t affect me personally just because I have a job, it just isn’t true,” he says. “Ultimately, what I fear most is I don’t know what a Romney presidency would look like,” Babcock says, “and I think that’s scary for me."RILEY PARRIndianapolisTreasurer of IU College RepublicansSophomore Riley Parr remembers watching the election coverage on television in 2008. Although he wasn’t old enough to vote, he says he remembers wanting Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz. to win but didn’t fully grasp what it would mean for the country if either candidate won. Four years later, it’s not the same story. Parr is currently treasurer for the IU College Republicans and involved with the Student Alumni Association and Student Alliance for National Security. He says he knows politics, and he knows he wants Mitt Romney in office. Parr calls himself “not your normal college-aged Republican” and more of a social conservative than other students. He supports Romney for his knowledge in business, something he believes the country needs due to the financial crisis, and would like to see a sound economic plan in place. “I think what Obama’s done is energize Republicans like me to get them to do their research and understand the philosophies and history behind the issues,” Parr says. “We don’t have to listen to the man on the television or the newspapers to make our own decisions.” TESS LEUTHNERMilwaukee, Wis.Sent in an absentee ballot for the electionTess Leuthner is a senior studying environmental science. She is also involved with Timmy Global Health and works at a research lab that studies environmental toxicology in aquatic systems. She’s passionate about the environment and concerned about health care. Leuthner says she is an avid President Barack Obama supporter. She’s nervous, though. It’s the idea of a nation run by Mitt Romney that scares her. “He’s going to try and destroy all the progress that we’ve made over the four years, mostly social issues and economic issues,” Leuthner says. “He’s not fighting for women, or minorities, or gays, or workers, or artists.” For Leuthner, Obama is a symbol of trust — the man who sees the nation and its people in its entirety, she says.“I guess he’s incredibly determined and selfless, and you usually don’t feel that way about a politician,” Leuthner says. “I think that’s why I am able to trust him, because he’s looking out for everyone. He understands what world he wants to leave behind for his children.” Romney, on the other hand, makes her feel uneasy, she says. She says she’s afraid that he doesn’t understand America and the issues at hand. “That’s what I fear, that he’s blind to things,” Leuthner says. “He’s blind to other ways of life that make the U.S. what it is.” The more vocal Romney has been, the more worried Leuthner has become. “He can never answer the question with what he’s actually going to do,” she says. “Even when I muted the debates, I would feel worse just watching him in how he treated the audience, the moderator, and Obama.” “He’s just so aggressive and disrespectful, and that is just not someone who should be running the country,” Leuthner says.HILARY LEIGHTYWashington, Ind.Chairwoman of IU College RepublicansHilary Leighty is determined to make her last month as chairwoman of the IU GOP a good one. Leighty has been working hard manning the phone banks and helping out with various delegates’ campaigns. “I don’t think it’s going to be good if (Obama) has another four years,” she says. “I think there’s going to be a lot of good things that won’t happen if he is president.” With parents who are generally conservative, Leighty says she did not grow up in a very politically minded environment and did a lot of her own research before deciding she agreed more with Republican policies. The classes she’s taken at IU have only reinforced her conservative beliefs and ideals, she says. A junior studying marketing and management in the Kelley School of Business, Leighty says the party’s stand regarding economic and business issues appeal to her most. A supporter of Reaganomics instead of Obama’s brand of Keynesian economics, and a supporter in Bush tax cuts, instead of tax hikes, Leighty says Obama’s policies have created a burden on small businesses. “I don’t know when it became a crime to be successful and make money in this country, but apparently it has,” Leighty says. “The thing that makes me frustrated more than anything else in this election is (Obama’s) demonizing people for being successful, and for making money. Like, that’s the American Dream. That’s the entrepreneurial spirit. These people have worked hard.” Leighty says that if Obama is reelected, there might be more waiting for good things to happen. She poses the idea that the economy could remain stagnant until 2016. For election night, Leighty already has her plans laid out: at the headquarters making calls all day, working the polls for a few local candidates she endorses, going to KRC Banquets and Catering to support Todd Young and his staff and then attending party with the other College Republicans. “And I might go to the bars after that, for a little bit, if it’s a good night,” she says. “We’re hoping for good things. We’ll see if I’m really happy or really depressed.”PARKER MANTELLMemphis, Tenn.Voted with an absentee ballot in TennesseeAs a political science major and columnist for thecollegeconservative.com, junior Parker Mantell knows his facts. He’s done his research, he has the numbers, and he isn’t afraid to share it. “I tell people all of the time we are all part of the debt-paying generation,” Mantell says. “Yet today, half of Americans out of college can’t get a job and that’s very frightening.” So in an election that Mantell says will be determined by the economy, Romney has his vote. “If his tenure of balancing budgets as governor of Massachusetts has any indication on how Romney would run this country, he has what it takes,” Mantell says. Charged social issues may be what fire up the passionate American public, and Mantell sees nothing wrong with that, but he believes that this presidency will be determined by economic decisions. Candidates must be able to do more than just talk for the millions of Americans without jobs and for the students prepping to join the workforce. “The reality is that this is the final chance we have to get this country back on track,” Mantell says. And for Mantell, Romney is the one to do it. SONYA JAYARATNAWest Lafayette, Ind.Re-registered to vote in Bloomington this yearSonya Jayaratna wants to go into health care. She’s studying biology as a senior and is involved with Timmy Global Health in addition to doing research in an animal behavior lab. If Romney is voted into office, Jayaratna says she is especially nervous when it comes to healthcare policy. “Even when he speaks over and over about how he pays attention to the middle class or how he’s in for the middle class or whatever, he’s so wishy-washy,” Jayaratna says. “That speaks to why I don’t believe he really has those issues in mind.” She says she is afraid Romney doesn’t seem to always understand the importance of social issues. “I like how Obama says that it’s like an investment in a person,” Jayaratna says. “People don’t always have the means to or the opportunity to become a Romney themselves, and I don’t think Mitt Romney really understands that.” Jayaratna says she fears that Romney’s views are outdated and will stunt America with his mindset. As one of the millions of immigrants, she also says she doesn’t find him relatable. “He just has an ideology that should not be applied to today’s society, it’s not consistent with how we have evolved as a population,” Jayaratna says.
(09/11/12 3:12am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>IU’s Office of International Services was equipped to help students after a sudden change in visa processing surprised universities across the nation in early August. The change was initiated as part of an effort through Student and Exchange Information System II to convert to paperless processing for a total electronic environment, said Jenny Bowen, the office’s associate director of student services.Other U.S. universities faced delays with helping their students acquire social security numbers and driver’s licenses, but IU was able to communicate the change to local agencies in Bloomington to make the transition smoother for students, Bowen said.International Services alerted the local Bureau of Motor Vehicles and Office of Social Security of the change, so students could still receive a social security number and a driver’s license without the I-20, a document issued by universities that supports the student’s issuance of a visa. Typically, when students arrive in the U.S., they have not only the I-20, but also the I-94 card and a page of their passport which explains their visa status. Upon arrival into the U.S., students get in line for Customs and Border Protection to have an officer look at their immigration documents, Bowen said. “What used to happen was the officer would stamp the student’s I-20, their I-94 card and at times a page in the passport too,” Bowen said. “They would also mark what the student’s status was and how long they are allowed to stay in the U.S. The only difference this year was right in the middle of our orientation, the U.S. government announced they were no longer going to be requiring Customs and Border Protection officials to stamp the I-20."Officers are still required to stamp students’ I-94 card, which explains their visa status, what program they are here for, and how long they are allowed to stay for, Bowen said. “Because there was no prior notification for any university in the nation about the change, there wasn’t too much we could to let the students know,” Bowen said. Students did not suffer any problems with their transition to IU though, she said.“Ultimately, it didn’t really matter and didn’t cause students any problems,” Bowen said. “We were happy to clarify with any other agencies that needed to know why the I-20 wasn’t stamped.” Students said International Services helped make the transition smoother. “After I checked in August, the Office of International Services gave students like me an orientation, which was very helpful,” said Jinrui Liu, a Ph.D. candidate from China.Some students said the most difficult challenge is learning their way around IU. “Getting used to going around the buildings is hard. And the language too,” said Yajuan Zhao, a first year student from China.International Services helps students get acclimated with IU through events such as welcome receptions. “It’s a beautiful place to study, to think,” Liu said. “I’ve only been here for two weeks and I’m already comfortable.”
(02/16/12 4:29am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Vintage clothing hangs in one booth. Taxidermy mounts line the walls in another. The Antique Mall in downtown Bloomington has three floors of history and merchandise to discover.The Bloomington Antique Mall, located on West Seventh Street by the B-Line Trail, carries a wide collection of antiques, artwork and artisan-made crafts.“The place was initially an antique mall for 20-some years,” said Nic Nicoson, spokesperson for the Antique Mall and general manager of its sister store, Exit 76 Antique Mall in Edinburgh, Ind.Owners Gregory and Denise Pence reopened the store in November 2010. After owning Exit 76 for four years, Gregory Pence came across the open building while riding on the B-line Trail. Seven weeks later, they opened the Bloomington Antique Mall.“The first year of operation was extremely successful and beyond expectation,” Nicoson said.The three-level Antique Mall is 24,000 square feet. It initially opened with about 50 merchants, and now nearly 100 exhibit their items.“The size is quite impressive and allows the shopper to find something truly unique,” freshman Shelby Plummer said. Merchants can set up their own booths and organize their merchandise in the manner they find fit. It is each merchant’s responsibility to maintain his or her space and bring in fresh merchandise as needed.“That’s why it has such variety and such a look, because it’s not so sterile and designated,” Nicoson said.The merchandise merchants sell comes from state auctions, garage sales, yard sales, inheritance and family auctions. With such a wide array of merchandise, the Antique Mall has sold a considerable number of non-conventional items.“We’ve sold a $750 spittoon,” Nicoson said.The mall has also acquired and sold a mounted albino deer, a roll-top Victorian-era desk and Native American pottery.“You’d think that it would just be a bunch of old knick-knacks, but there’s a lot of really interesting things there from many different time periods,” freshman Hong-Ah Do said. While the building is historic and the merchandise is vintage, the Antique Mall is up to date with community outreach. They can be reached via Facebook, their website, email and Twitter. The mall attracts buyers from across the country. According to the mall’s ZIP code count, it usually averages buyers from 27 different states each month. The mall has even attracted buyers from Maine and Alaska.“They found us and took the time to come in, not only to shop, but they bought,” Nicoson said.The Antique Mall is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.“It is a great place to find that cute vintage piece for your dorm, for a gift or for yourself,” Plummer said.
(01/27/12 5:05am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>With the arrival of the new calendar year, Union Board is equipped with a new executive team and set of directors to serve the student body.The executive team — consisting of AJ O’Reilly as president, Riley Voss as vice president of programming and Rachel Sheppard as vice president of membership — said they look to create a more open and connected Union Board that is able to better serve its student body.Union Board receives funding from student fees, which is then spent on programming and various events geared toward the student body throughout the year. “Things like our brand and visual identity and how we are perceived by the campus community will become wider known,” O’Reilly said. “We want to give people the ‘in’ to Union Board.” Union Board meetings are open for the student public to attend and voice their opinion.“Our meetings are open, but hardly anyone ever comes,” O’Reilly said. “We want people to know what’s happening with policies, finances, as well as programming.”O’Reilly said he aims to establish a newsletter to better inform the student body of Union Board affairs. He also plans to start a blog through Tumblr to help Union Board become more open. Voss said he plans to utilize more social media, such as Twitter.“Many times, people join and then drop off. We want to work to change that,” Sheppard said. “We really want to build that family feeling and help retain members.”Voss aims to use student fee money with more care and bring more programming the students want. “We want to create more surveying at or after events, in order to see what events students are coming to, who they came to see and who they want to see next,” Voss said. “In our role, we are here to create programs that in someway serve the student body, whether it is to entertain them, educate them, motivate or empower them.” Though the Union Board budget was reduced by $40,000 last year, the executive team said this will not affect the quality of its programming.“There are easy ways to minimize costs and tweak our events and even co-sponsor with other organizations,” Voss said. “We are going to put policies together in order to make sure when we put these proposals together that we approach many different organizations.”Apart from budgetary issues, Union Board also had two vice presidents resign two months prior to the end of their terms. The current executive team said the decision was personal and has no effect on how the board is currently functioning.“By no means is the decision of the past two directors going to affect what we are planning on doing,” O’Reilly said. Sheppard said the circumstances serve as a learning experience.“We’re dedicated, we’re focused, and want to remain open,” he said. O’Reilly said a year from now, he is hopeful students will see a much finer-tuned Union Board.