203 items found for your search. If no results were found please broaden your search.
(04/21/04 4:56am)
In the past, Sigma Nu has not been a name prevalent among riding circles involved in the Little 500. But the past isn't what concerns this year's Sigma Nu team as the second-place time in qualifying has given its members a big first step toward becoming a staple in Little 500 discussions.\nWithout a single rider from last year, the team had to start from scratch, and there was only one thing that could bring about the change -- dedication, said sophomore Matthew Ryan.\n"The biggest difference is this year, there is just an overall dedication," Ryan said. "We all said that if we were going to do this, we were going to make sure we did it, and did it right."\nAt first, the team started training on its own, contacting some previous riders who are now in the professional circuit for training tips. Eventually, those contacts would lead to one-time Little 500 rider Brian Baker, who has since gone on to coach the team. With the arrival of Baker and the no-nonsense approach from the riders, the stage was set for a big performance, the team hopes.\n"(Baker) has made our workouts more structured for the race," sophomore Eric Graebe said. "We've done a lot of short efforts and things that are similar to what will be done in the race."\nMore than anything, the arrival of Baker has helped the team organize its training better than if it went at it alone. He has added variety to the members' workouts so they don't get bored but still get in good training sessions at the same time. \n"He's brought about a lot more organization," junior Ryan Taylor said. "With him, there is motivation for everybody because he helps decide what we should do each week. It becomes a part of our life rather than just something to do."\nThe training boost has paid its dividends rather quickly with the team's second-best qualifying time. The riders hope the success in qualifying can carry over into the actual race itself.\n"Realistically, our goal is always set high," Ryan said. "We shoot to win, and if we fall short, we've lost nothing. We are going to be out there to win the race, if you're not, then there's no point in really being out there."\nThe recent success has sparked interest in racing at the Sigma Nu house as four other people have already expressed interest in riding for the team next year, Taylor said. By next year, they already should have a full team's worth of riders who won't even compete in the race but are simply there to take over in the future.\n-- Contact staff writer Brian Janosch at bjanosch@indiana.edu.
(04/21/04 4:54am)
In the last Little 500 series event, senior Bri Kovac took the track with a goal. As if her record-setting Individual Time Trial wasn't enough, Bri led her Teter team around the track in Team Pursuit at blazing speeds. \nSo fast, their final run resulted in a record-setting time. The team surpassed themselves in the record books after already setting the fastest time ever in its preliminary run.\nThose eight minutes and 3.86 seconds allowed everyone in attendance to see the riding strength Kovac brings. But what she brings to her team goes well beyond the race track.\n"Bri's biggest attribute is determination," Teter coach Chip Armburster said. "She's built this team from pretty much nothing into what it is now because she cares so much about everyone on this team."\nAthletic talent has never been a question when it comes to Kovac. After establishing herself as a dominant force on the women's side last year, she has done nothing but heighten her aura by capturing record after record this year. The difference, Kovac said, hasn't come from the legs but rather from the head.\n"Mentally, I am a lot more prepared this year," she said. "I think I improved athletically a little bit, but last year was really the first time that I have ever potentially been a contender, so this year I think I have a better grasp of what's going on."\nIt is that mental aspect to the race that often gets overlooked. To her teammates, that's where Kovac really excels.\n"Bri is a really dominant personality," senior Jessica Lindemann said. "She likes to be in charge, and she takes care of everything that needs to get done. That does nothing but help the team."\nGranted the many intangibles have bumped Kovac into the elite-rider status, but the sheer, athletic ability is what got her there in the first place. And for Kovac, that hasn't come without years of hard work and dedication to becoming the best rider possible. Not only working specifically for Little 500, but consistently training throughout the entire year.\n"It's really important on the women's side to gain experience outside of Little Five," Kovac said. "With the guys, about 80 percent race outside or have past experience. In the women's race the people that do are a lot better."\nKovac certainly lives up to the standards of those who consistently train throughout the year, getting her most intense training done over the summer when most riders are taking time off. This past summer, she rode twice a day with a group of riders even better than she is, Kovac said. \nBeing surrounded by great riders all summer allowed her to "suffer it out a bit" before team training even began for the actual race. \nThe intense training regiment allowed Kovac to rack up more miles than most commercial pilots. She rode roughly 40 to 45 miles each weekday over the summer in conjunction with another 60 to 80 on the weekends. Once fall came around and school started, she was forced to cut her miles back to a mere 30 to 40 per day. \n"Her work ethic is unquestioned," Armburster said. "Being the best girl on the track is not her goal, it's to beat the guys and that rubs off on her teammates."\nAll the training has come together here in the final days leading up to the Little 500. \nWinning Team Pursuit was the final feather in Teter's cap before the actual race itself. All that is left for the team now is to ride the race, and Armburster said she hopes the team can take the title and secure Kovac's place among some of the race's biggest superstars in history.\n"I think the team is mentally and physically miles above where we were last year," Kovac said. "Everyone's really come together and put in a lot of good work. We are really excited to ride out there."\nWhile a championship would certainly be a proper send off for a rider of Kovac's caliber and stature, the affect it has had on her life is already beyond all imaginations, she said. No matter what the result, Little 500 will forever hold the most sacred of places in her heart.\n"I cannot think of one thing that I have had, or will experience that will change my life more than this," Kovac said. "What it teaches you, in terms of teamwork, dedication, respect. A lot of it doesn't even have to do with being on a bike. It's truly an amazing event for everyone involved." \n-- Contact staff writer Brian Janosch at bjanosch@indiana.edu.
(04/19/04 6:20am)
Friends, family and swimmers alike gathered Sunday to celebrate and commemorate the life of former IU swimming coach James "Doc" Counsilman, who passed away Jan. 4 at the age of 83. The Whittenberger Auditorium was filled to the brim with anyone and everyone whose life was touched by Counsilman, including more than 20 Olympic swimmers.\nCounsilman coached swimming at IU for more than 30 years and led the team to 23 conference titles, including 20 consecutive conference championships from 1961 to 1980. He also coached two of the most successful U.S. Olympic teams in history in the 1964 and 1976 squads. The 1976 team won 12 of 13 possible gold medals, and Counsilman led swimmers to set world records in every single event. \nBut his greatest contribution came in the form of a book titled "The Science of Swimming," master of ceremonies and former coach Cecil Colwin said.\n"(The book) completely revolutionized the understanding of swimming," Colwin said. "It truly showed the value of the scientific approach to swimming."\nSome of those in attendance included seven-time gold medal winner Mark Spitz, IU alumnus Alan Somers and 1936 backstroke champion Adolph Kiefer. Somers and Kiefer were among 16 presenters who shared stories, memories and accolades of the man they simply referred to as "Doc."\n"Other coaches didn't have any imagination, they taught the same thing over and over again," former IU diving coach Hobie Billingsley said. "That's what set Doc apart was that he wasn't that way."\nThe impact Counsilman had on a national and international level didn't come without first working his way through the collegiate ranks. His name first arose at the national level when he led one of his Division III swimmers to an eventual bronze medal in the Olympics. \nUpon arriving at IU, Counsilman quickly turned a team with an inadequate, four-lane swimming pool into a national powerhouse and unprecedented olympic feeder team. By the time his tenure ended, Counsilman had reached a status in IU history reserved for only a select few.\n"(Counsilman), along with (former IU President) Herman Wells and maybe a few others, define Indiana University," IU Vice President and Athletics Director Terry Clapacs said. "He paved the way for (former men's basketball coach Bob) Knight, (former track and cross country coach Sam) Bell and (former men's soccer coach Jerry) Yeagley to compete not only on a national level, but an international level."\nFor many of those who spoke Sunday, it offered an opportunity to share some of their favorite stories of a man who touched countless lives. Many made reference of Counsilman's love for food, reckless driving and the lives of every athlete he coached. \n"Kids didn't know that when they came (to IU), they weren't joining a team, they were joining a family," Billingsley said.\nColwin expressed to everyone that Counsilman's determination and leadership had been evident his entire life, especially when winning a distinguished flying medal in World War II. \nWhen his B-24 bomber suffered extensive damage to the landing gear, Counsilman originally told the rest of the crew to bail and let him attempt to land the plane. \nBut the crew stayed, and under Counsilman's leadership and quick thinking to evenly distribute weight for the crash landing, they successfully landed the plane and every life was spared.\nCounsilman's amazing abilities as a coach, scientist, inventor, cinematogropher, family man and friend were all made evident over the course of the afternoon. The packed room was simply evidence of all Counsilman had been able to accomplish, as each of those in attendance carried a piece of "Doc" with them. Each who spoke made it clear the legacy of Doc Counsilman had not only changed the sport of swimming forever, but also the lives of every person he had met.\n-- Contact senior writer Brian Janosch at bjanosch@indiana.edu.
(04/05/04 6:10am)
IU saw its first Big Ten action this weekend in back-to-back losses to Michigan before getting two victories against Bowling Green on Sunday. The two Hoosier victories gave IU coach Sara Hayes Nottger her 100th victory at IU.\n"To average over 25 wins in four years, I think that's pretty good but it's just a testament to the kids that I have had thus far in my career and hopefully there are many, many more to come as we continue to build this program here," Nottger said.\nThe weekend started off on a sour note as the Wolverines of Michigan came into town as the No. 9 team in the nation and upset on the minds of all IU's players. Freshman outfielder Kim Richards gave the team hope when she belted out a two-run homer over the center field wall to cut the Michigan lead to one in the bottom of the sixth. The hit extended her hitting streak to seven games before it ended in the next game. From their, however, the Hoosiers were unable to rally together another run and the Wolverines escaped with a 3-2 win. \nAfter Friday's nail-biter, IU was unable to put together the performance they wanted on Saturday as errors once again plagued the Hoosiers ability to keep runs off the board. Sophomore pitcher Mariangee Bogado could only make it through two innings in the second game after throwing her 12th complete game of the season on Friday. Three Hoosier errors accounted for the first three Michigan runs and Wolverine pitcher Nicole Motycka took care of the rest by not giving up an earned run all game. The pitcher, whose ERA is below one on the season got the win and IU would have to look to bounce back on Sunday.\n"With (Saturday's) hitting, I just felt like we came out, in the very beginning, flat," Richards said. "We weren't really concentrated or focusing. I don't know what from, but we just weren't doing what we normally do with that bat."\nIt was evident that the Hoosiers wanted to bounce back strong on Sunday as they scored four runs in the first three innings including a Bogado home run in the third. Bowling Green mounted a comeback and the score was locked up at four by the bottom of the fifth inning. After two singles and a sacrifice bunt, senior first basemen Karly McCormack drove in the go ahead run and the Hoosiers eventually won 6-4.\n"The biggest difference between the two days was just coming out and taking advantage of opportunities," senior utility player Abby Stark said. "I thought Michigan took advantage of some opportunities against us that helped them win and (Sunday) we took advantage of those."\nGame two was highlighted by quality pitching from sophomore Megan Roark. After getting the win in game one, Roark captured her second of the day by throwing another complete game and only giving up one run. \nFreshman catcher Rachel Terry had to step in and replace everyday catcher, freshman Tory Yamaguchi who suffered from a bruised thigh. Terry made her presence known in her first at bat by singling in the first of two runs in the second inning. The team went on to score three on the day and get the win in a 3-1 fashion.\nAfter a game at Ball State on Tuesday, the Hoosiers get back into their Big Ten schedule against Iowa on Friday and Saturday and Illinois in a double header on Sunday. As the team enters Big Ten scheduling, Nottger feels her team is right where it needs to be.\n"We're playing with a lot of confidence, we're getting great performances on the mound, and we're swinging the bats and hitting the ball really well," Nottger said. "I feel like we can hit any pitcher in the Big Ten and I'm looking forward to seeing where this team ends up because I think it's going to be in the top half."\n-- Contact senior writer Brian Janosch at bjanosch@indiana.edu.
(04/05/04 6:03am)
The board of trustees approved a 4 percent tuition increase for all resident students returning next year and a 6 percent hike for all non-residents. That equals a $189.60 increase for continuing resident students and $948.20 more per year for out-of-state students.\n"I think that the board's decisions with regards to tuition reflected a strong commitment to maintain the lowest tuition rates possible in the context of rapidly rising costs," IU President Adam Herbert said. "We won't be able to implement a number of enhancements that we would like, but I think a 4 percent increase is a very reasonable one."\nIU Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Judith Palmer presented the initiative to the board and indicated the increased tuition for IU-Bloomington would result in a 4.2 percent increase ($24.87 million) in revenue for the 2004-05 school year. But nearly half of that money has already been allocated to funds, such as the Commitment to Excellence program and Informatics, leaving only 2.4 percent, or about $14.4 million, for general spending next year.\nWith those numbers in mind, Trustee Stephan Backer said the tuition increase is necessary more to remain at the University's current level than for expansions or enhancements. \n"What you are seeing now is the money that is allocated, that 4 percent, just goes to try and maintain where you are," Backer said. "If you can't go forward, you just have to keep going and maintain."\nIU Student Association President Casey Cox said while students generally don't like tuition increases, he is pleased with the board's decision.\n"As a student, you never like to see tuition increase. However, there is always a give and take, and I'm glad it's not higher," Cox said. "I'm glad the trustees could find a way to keep it below the government recommendation, but I also hope that the public and state legislation keeps the pressure on." \nThe two main resources for University funding are state appropriations and student fee income, Palmer said. The most crucial task has been weighing out the resources that will be needed for next year with the issue of affordability for students, she said.\nThe self-imposed 4 percent cap on tuition increases the University has in place, in conjunction with a decrease in federal and state funding, has forced IU to get more creative in gathering resources. Tuition and fee hikes often attract the most attention, but many other adjustments have been made around the University to limit those increases, Trustee Patrick Shoulders said. He indicated that IU has cut $100 million in the past two years, the IU Foundation has increased private funding to top-ten status among universities nationwide and IU's government grant contract has increased every year.\n"I think it ought to also be recognized that legislature stepped up and really funded education the best they could," Trustee Stephen Ferguson said. "Many states have undergone very negative financial situations because of tight budgets within the state. I think Indiana has been very good at recognizing the importance of education."\nOf the approved budget, 62 percent of the money will go toward paying faculty and staff. While on the topic of faculty and staff salary Friday, a debate broke out in regard to funding geared toward retaining and recruiting "star faculty" versus salary increases for lower level employees.\n"For several years, the University has had a very low percent salary (increase) policy -- about one to three percent," Palmer said. "When you have someone making $10,000, a 2 percent salary increase is not a lot of dollars."\nPalmer said IU will be holding discussions with unions that represent University workers to launch a $625 payment boost to all staff that make under $25,000 in order to try and raise the percentage increase for those workers.\n"The key is, the state of Indiana is experiencing some major challenges from a financial perspective," Herbert said. "What we've got to do is recognize that state funding is cyclical in nature and we've got to figure out other ways to be creative."\n-- Contact senior writer Brian Janosch at bjanosch@indiana.edu.
(04/01/04 6:17am)
The college readership program has been a work in progress for several years now, and all signs point to it remaining just that -- a work in progress.\nThe program, initiated by the IU Student Association, would bring four national newspapers to campus with a $2 student fee charge.\nA committee of student representatives, staff and faculty met last week to decide upon a recommendation to the board of trustees for the proposed initiative. But the plans might be in limbo as the proposed $2 fee would not fit under the 4 percent tuition increase cap limiting increased student fees if the $30 athletics fee is approved.\n"Thirty dollars is as high as the activity fee can be raised, and the athletic fee would take all that money," IUSA Vice President Grant McFann said. "The readership program doesn't look like it has a good chance, so we are looking for other sources of money."\nThe committee decided to propose a program which would feature The New York Times, USA Today, The Indianapolis Star and The Chicago Tribune to the tune of 5,000 total newspapers per day. The group has not yet decided whether or not The Herald Times should be included in the program. The original pilot did not feature The Chicago Tribune, but the fourth paper was added for more of a regional focus at a lower price than The New York Times and USA Today, McFann said.\n"Which papers to bring ended up being not as much of an issue as the program as a whole," said John Palmer, Residence Halls Association president-elect. "We looked at the cost to students and if we should raise fees, and if so, how much. Also the impact on the IDS, we spent a lot of time discussing that."\nThe program's effect on the Indiana Daily Student presented one of the largest issues the committee had to take into consideration, Palmer said. In order to predict what type of influence the readership program would have on the campus newspaper, the committee contacted representatives from other collegiate newspapers that have to compete with a similar readership program.\n"We actually got phone numbers for many of the representatives and asked them directly how it impacted their readership," Palmer said. "Generally their responses were positive and that it hadn't been an issue."\nThe other mitigating factor facing the committee was the issue of cleaning up the thousands of added papers throughout campus. The primary area of concern was the Indiana Memorial Union, which saw the largest amount of trash increase during the pilot program. \nThe offered solutions to the trash problem were distribution bins requiring student identification cards to open, as opposed to open newspaper racks. The new bins would require more effort to obtain a paper so the number of students just walking by and taking a paper for the sake of taking a paper would be cut down, IMU Director Tom Simmons said. The new bins would be compounded with a decreased number of papers and an altercation to the location of the two IMU bins. \nThe fate of the readership program from this point on however, no longer lies in the hands of IUSA or the committee, but with the board of trustees. The initiative will be presented at the board's upcoming meeting Friday, but many suspect the athletics fee will take up all possible student fee increases. All the supporters of the program can really do now is hope for the best.\n"If the trustees choose to wait on the athletics fee, that would free up the money for the program," IUSA President Casey Cox said. "Or if they decide to cut that rate in any way then money would be freed up to go to other things, and not just athletics. I don't know what exactly the trustees will do. We just need to let our position be known and wait for the outcome"
(03/29/04 5:46am)
After dropping two games Saturday to Western Kentucky and Notre Dame, the Hoosiers bounced back to the tune of 16 runs in two games against St. Louis. The 2-2 performance on the weekend brought their overall record to 19-16, going 5-3 for the week.\nDespite being able to get solid contact and opportunities Saturday, IU wasn't able to score enough runs to capitalize for the wins.\n"We brought the bats across the board," IU coach Sara Hayes Nottger said. "On Saturday, we hit the ball well. We had an awesome performance (Sunday) on the mound from all three pitchers. It was a great weekend."\nThe Hoosiers dropped both games Saturday and suddenly found themselves right back in the hole Sunday, as the Billikins jumped out to a 3-0 lead. But it didn't take long for IU to get the bats going again, as fellow freshmen outfielder Kim Richards and catcher Tory Yamaguchi both singled to get runners on the bases in the third inning. Sophomore center fielder Mariangee Bogado then laced a line drive to the outfield, and Richards scored the first IU run with a heads-up slide around the catcher's outstretched tag attempt. \nAfter another run was walked in by St. Louis, senior outfielders Val White and Abby Stark each tallied two more RBIs and brought the run total to six on the inning. The six runs would be more than enough for senior pitcher Heather Stillians, who only relinquished one more unearned run on a ball lost in the sun by Bogado.\n"You are a whole lot more relaxed when your team is ahead," Stillians said. "You have a lot more confidence, and you get to see what worked best for the other pitchers. Plus, every pitcher has a different style, so that is working against the hitters as well."\nThe Hoosiers wasted no time in the consolation game against St. Louis, as they were able to score 10 runs in three innings. The 10-run onslaught featured two-run home runs from sophomore designated hitter Lauren Hines and junior second baseman Ashley Griffiths, along with a solo shot from Yamaguchi. Bogado and Stillians split the duties in the five-inning game, combining for a one-hitter with five strikeouts.\n"Today, we were really seeing the ball and taking our cuts," Griffiths said. "We were hitting a lot more offensively and basically just being more aggressive at the plate."\nIn day one, the Hoosiers took a 2-0 lead early against Western Kentucky, but the Hilltoppers came back in the fifth inning, scoring all five of their runs on five hits and one IU error. \nGame two featured 10 Bogado strikeouts against the Fighting Irish, but she would be out-dueled by Notre Dame's Heather Booth, who only struck out one Hoosier but allowed just two hits in the shutout. \nWith both pitchers producing, the game was decided by the five IU errors.\n"(Saturday), we just lacked a little bit of energy and a little bit of focus, and our defense, again, let us down, whereas we played solid defense (Sunday)," Nottger said.\nNotre Dame and Western Kentucky elected not to play the championship game Sunday, so the Irish were named champions due to tournament seeding. The Hoosiers next play at the University of Illinois-Chicago Wednesday and come home Friday to play Michigan.\n-- Contact senior writer Brian Janosch at bjanosch@indiana.edu.
(03/26/04 5:43am)
The Hoosier softball team is preparing to host the Hoosier Invitational this weekend, welcoming Western Kentucky, St. Louis and Notre Dame. The team enters the tournament on a three-game winning streak, scoring 22 runs in the process.\nRiding behind big offensive performances along with solid pitching outings, the Hoosiers look to carry the recent success over into the invitational. The only area of slight concern is the defense, IU coach Sara Hayes Nottger said.\n"I think we need to sharpen up our defense and play with a little more confidence," Nottger said. "Our bats have obviously been producing, and we are doing a great job on the mound. "\nThe Hoosiers have seen several players step up their offense lately, including senior right fielder Val White, who had four RBIs in the double header against Indiana State, sophomore designated hitter Lauren Hines, who had five hits and five RBIs, including a grand-slam, and freshman catcher Tory Yamaguchi, whose fourth-inning, lead-off homerun sparked the IU comeback in game two. \n"I think it is going to be most beneficial that we have a good start to the game and a good warm-up and play through a full seven innings," sophomore Lauren Hines said.\nNottger said the more relaxed attitude and success at the plate comes from the increased confidence she has seen in her team lately. That confidence has directly resulted in an increase in hits and runs scored.\nWith run support at a premium, the IU pitchers have been able to feel pressure-free and throw strikes in bunches. Both sophomore Mariangee Bogado and sophomore Megan Roark got wins Wednesday, as the two combined for 25 strikeouts.\n"(Getting run support) lets us relax a little bit and just throw," Roark said. "I think that the reason we got so many strikeouts was because we were able to relax. We knew the offense was there and we didn't have to be perfect on every pitch."\nIU will face Western Kentucky and the Irish at 11:45 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday and then take on St. Louis at 11:45 a.m. Sunday. The consolation match is at 2 p.m. that day, while the championship game will be played at 4:15 p.m. Sunday afternoon.\n-- Contact staff writer Brian Janosch at bjanosch@indiana.edu.
(03/25/04 4:57am)
IU was able to wrack up 18 runs in its doubleheader against Indiana State Wednesday, avenging its eight-inning loss to the Sycamores Feb. 28. The Hoosiers jumped all over ISU in the first game, winning 13-2 in five innings. They were able to fight back from a two-run deficit and score five runs in the fourth inning to win game two 5-2.\n"To have the opportunity to relax, to swing the bats and play a non-conference game where we have good weather and we are on our home turf, I think those are all some motivators," IU coach Sara Hayes Nottger said. "But I think to avenge the loss from early in the year was definitely one of them, as well."\nThe first game of the day was never close as the run support came in masses in the first few innings. The Hoosiers scored 13 runs in the first four innings including a first-inning grand slam from sophomore designated hitter Lauren Hines who had five RBI's in the game. Sophomore pitcher Mariangee Bogado was able to take care of the rest as the Sycamores were only able to scratch together two more runs and struck out 12 times before falling in five innings. \nSophomore pitcher Megan Roark was on the mound for game two and was forced to carry the load early as IU fell behind 2-0 after four Hoosier errors. After the two runs scored by the Sycamores in the third inning, Roark proceeded to strike out at least two batters in each remaining inning while striking out the side in both the fifth and seventh innings. She ended the game with a total of 13 strikeouts. \n"My job is to just stay focused even in the toughest times, but I felt confidence that the defense would pull through," Roark said. "I tried to step it up on my part and just have confidence in the team that they would score runs and eventually make a play."\nScoring runs is exactly what the teams did after a slow start. The fourth inning was led off by a freshman catcher Tory Yamaguchi homerun which got the team rolling. After two Sycamore errors and doubles from senior infielder Val White and junior infielder Ashley Griffiths the Hoosiers found themselves on top 5-2.\n"They know that consistency is important and it's something that they are working on every day, but that's just where they are right now, they are a little bit inconsistent in their approach," Nottger said. "They also know that they have control and when they can find a way to turn it on you see what happened in the first game and you see what happened in that fourth inning."\nThe Hoosiers will host Western Kentucky, Notre Dame and St. Louis this weekend in the Hoosier Invitational. The first pitch will be at 11:45 a.m. Saturday. \n-- Contact staff writer Brian Janosch at bjanosch@indiana.edu.
(03/12/04 5:44am)
"Open the books, you corporate crooks!"\n"Labor Rights are human rights!"\n"IU-wear ain't made fair!"\nThose were the shouts that echoed down Seventh Street Thursday afternoon from members of No Sweat! and others who joined their cause. \nThe group of more than 20 supporters was calling upon administrators to "open the books" on wages paid to create IU apparel by marching from Woodburn to Dunn Meadow. There, they put on a small performance that ended by destroying a large makeshift lock to symbolically represent opening the books on administrators. \n"(The administration) has seen the language for wage disclosure which we gave them almost six months ago, and they all have expressed some verbal, informal agreement with it, yet no action has been taken," junior Brent Gutmann said. "It is starting to look as though they are stalling."\nThe protesters at IU weren't the only ones in the Big Ten calling for wage disclosure Wednesday, as other members of the United Students Against Sweatshops held similar functions in Madison, Wis., and Ann Arbor, Mich. Efforts were also being made at Columbia University, Duke University and Georgetown University. The day of action was planned at the USAS's national conference.\n"If wage disclosure is going to happen, it needs many universities to be asking companies to actually disclose their wages because they can easily ignore just one person doing it," said David Woken, a No Sweat! member and graduate student. \nWoken said many universities are holding off until they hear others are in on disclosing wages as well. The USAS is attempting to show many other universities are, in fact, moving in that direction, and IU should be among the schools to help shape things for the future.\nThe protesters also had those in attendance call the Office of Licensing and Trademarks, which has been delaying the implementation of the wage disclosures, Woken said. The script for the phone call asked the office to support wage disclosure citing it is going to happen anyway and IU should help in the construction process.\nA good portion of the rally members were a part of No Sweat!, but several of the protesters took it upon themselves to support the cause.\n"I thought it was a humane, good idea, so I decided to take some time before my next class and do it," graduate student Andrew Graff said. "It was well-organized, very professional, and it was exciting."\nNo Sweat! plans on meeting with the licensing committee in the week after spring break and conducting more educational meetings and street theater performances during National Student Labor Week, sponsored by the Student Action Labor Project from March 29 through April 4. The group hopes it can get a wage disclosure system implemented to stop minimum wage violations and keep companies in line with codes of conduct.\n"What ends up being a few cents increase when it comes to producing an individual shoe or something can make the difference between whether someone can actually afford to eat and pay for electricity in the same month," Woken said.\n-- Contact senior writer Brian Janosch at bjanosch@indiana.edu.
(03/10/04 6:05am)
The committee that will decide the fate of the IU Student Association-sponsored college readership program heard arguments from each of the involved newspapers and on-campus groups opposing the program Tuesday afternoon. \nRepresentatives from The New York Times, USA Today, The Indianapolis Star, The Herald Times, the Indiana Daily Student and IU Building Services all presented their arguments for the benefits and consequences of the program to the committee.\nThe committee members, who will decide whether or not to recommend the program to the IU board of trustees, were chosen by IUSA Vice President Grant McFann and Dean of Students Richard McKaig. McFann said they tried to find representatives from each area that would be impacted by the program, including students, faculty and staff from the library, Political Science department, School of Journalism and the Resident Halls Association.\nThe college readership program ran Feb. 2 through Feb. 28 and offered USA Today, The New York Times and The Indianapolis Star free to students. Students who picked up the papers on the first and last days of the program were surveyed about the pilot. IUSA conducted the trial run, which, if approved, would require students to pay a flat fee of $2 to $3 per semester.\nThe surveys revealed that of the 492 returned surveys, 78 percent said they were willing to pay a student fee of at least three dollars.\nThe amount of students willing to read The Indianapolis Star, if it was available on campus, increased 7 percent during the pilot. But The New York Times saw an 8 percent decrease during the same time period. \nThe number of students who said they read a newspaper every day other than the IDS increased only 2 percent during the pilot. \nRepresentatives of each participating paper said the program allows students to establish a broader knowledge base through newspapers. They said it also allows for the publications to become a part of classroom curriculum.\nPolitical Science Professor and committee member Christine Barbour said she has seen a noticeable change in classroom participation since the program.\n"I've never had this great of discussions," Barbour said. "Students were there with the newspaper. They were able to put their hands on the news and point to it. When I walk into my big lecture classes and say 'what's in the news today,' they know."\nRepresentatives from USA Today and The New York Times presented their price breakdowns, which showed 4,300 papers on campus each day would amount to a $2 student fee each semester, $2.50 for 5,300 papers and $3 for 6,400 papers. The numbers were based on the assumption that all three papers would remain on campus after the trial program. \nThe New York Times cited examples of existing programs from universities such as Penn State, Michigan State and Ohio State. The Indianapolis Star also cited 21 other Indiana schools that already participate in a similar program, including Purdue University, IU-Purdue University Indianapolis and Ball State University. The Star would also be available at a reduced rate of 7.5 cents per copy because of grants from the Indiana Newspaper in Education program.\nThe IDS brought more than 20 representatives to present its arguments against the program. The IDS's main complaint was the program would create an uneven economic playing field because student fees will be used to subsidize for-profit organizations, such as the three newspapers offered through the program. The IDS, on the other hand, is a non-profit organization because it operates solely on revenue from advertising sales and receives no University funding or student fees.\nIDS Sales Manager David Baitcher said even a 3 percent decrease in circulation because of increased competition would result in lower ad rates and a $50,000 net drop in revenue.\nThe IDS's presentation also looked into Penn State's campus newspaper, The Daily Collegian, and the damaging affects the readership program has had there. Since the program began at Penn State, the campus paper has seen a 9 percent readership decline, which translates into a $50,000 budget deficit each year.\n"For years, the IDS has prided itself in being the primary news source for students," said sophomore Adam Aasen, an IDS managing editor. "We've used this as an opportunity to provide the student angle of news that often gets overlooked by other major papers."\nHe said the loss of ad dollars would seriously affect the size of the paper which would hinder the IDS's ability to adequately cover campus news.\nThe Director of Campus Building Services Greg Fichter represented upset custodial staff members who complained about increased trash created by the readership program. Fichter said for every 5,000 papers, only about 500 of them are properly recycled, leaving the rest to be cleaned up by the custodial staff.\n"We need to find out if (the program) is a benefit. If it's not a benefit, we won't have it," McFann said. "If it is a benefit, we need to find out where the costs would be and figure out ways to offset those. That would include costs to the IDS and costs to the facility managers."\nThe committee will meet again after spring break before making a recommendation to the IU board of trustees April 2.\n-- Contact senior writer Brian Janosch at bjanosch@indiana.edu.
(03/02/04 4:14am)
The board of trustees approved a 2.2 percent price increase for housing at IU next year at its meeting Friday.\n Housing increases range from 4 percent at residence halls such as Briscoe, McNutt and Teter, 2 percent at the Willkie Residence Center, Forest Co-op and Mason Apartments and 1 percent at on-campus apartments. \nThe 2,390 Residential Programs and Services meal point plan will also be increased by 2.38 percent, said Vice Chancellor for Auxiliary Services and Programs Bruce Jacobs.\nStill, students will get a chance to voice their opinions before rates are announced for next year's tuition, IU President Adam Herbert announced at the meeting. The special session will be conducted from 3 to 5 p.m. March 23 at the IU-Purdue University Indianapolis campus with video and teleconferencing allowing for participation from all IU campuses. \nDespite RPS's price increase for students, the organization received nothing but commendations from the board and other IU administrators.\n"I am especially proud that the leadership here recognizes that it is important to keep our rate increases as low as possible, and they have done a very good job of doing that," IU President Adam Herbert said.\nDiscussion continued about the recent successes of the RPS program and its ability to turn around students' approval ratings in recent years. Six years ago, IU had the third highest room and board prices in the Big Ten. IU now ranks eighth.\n"I do want to compliment Bruce and Pat (Connor) on what they've done over the past several years," IU-Bloomington Interim Chancellor Ken Gros Louis said. "Not only transforming what has really been a difficult situation in the halls, but also for their creativity in identifying theme floors as well as expanding living learning centers."\nRPS was not the only topic of conversation, however, as each IU campus presented its 2005-2007, ten year capital plan. The plan, which is a basic "wish list of the campus," was comprised of all the different needs of the campus and the rough estimate of their cost. Headlining Bloomington's list of hopeful changes were a $170 million power plant to replace the existing one, renovations to the Main Library and new buildings for classrooms. IU is currently 10th in the Big-Ten in classroom space per student.\nIt was made evident to the board of trustees that nearly 98 percent of the items on the ten year plan will end up falling off the list, but it has to be inclusive so any future renovation or construction can be approved.\nIU Student Association President Casey Cox updated the board of trustees on the student readership program, which concluded on Friday. He answered questions about increased waste in the Indiana Memorial Union and explained to the board the positive feedback he has received.\n"The formal responses and discussions I have had with other student leaders have been overwhelmingly positive," Cox said. "I imagine a recommendation will come to the board at the March meeting."\nIUPUI Faculty Council President Mary Fisher brought up the recent discussion over an altered grading system where an A+ would receive a higher grade point average. Fisher commented that the increase would force IU to shift to a 4.3 grading scale, and she expressed her concerns for students outside that upper echelon.\n"My concern, of course, is what does this mean for people who are at those middle and lower ranges of the grading system and how does it negatively impact those people," Fisher said.\nThe board of trustees will next meet at IUPUI March 23 when they will hold the tuition discussion.\n-- Contact senior writer Brian Janosch at bjanosch@indiana.edu.
(02/26/04 5:20am)
The Von Lee Theater won't be showing another new movie for at least 15 years after Monroe Circuit Judge Elizabeth N. Mann ruled in favor of Kerasotes theaters Monday.\nThe decision comes after a group of Bloomington locals, led by Chris Sturbaum, took Kerasotes to small claims court when it placed a 15-year restriction on the building after selling it to Jay Michner of Artemis LCC, the current owners.\n"(The ruling) is like a bad call in a basketball game," Sturbaum said. "The foul was called, and whether it happened or not, it changed the outcome of the game."\nMann made the decision, citing it was not unreasonable or unlawful for Kerasotes to protect their investments in their other two Bloomington theaters. Sturbaum and others were trying to prove the Showplace 11 and Showplace 12 Theaters were overcharging based on trade restraint and diminished local competition.\nA Kerasotes representative restricted comments to "we think the judge's decision was correct, and it was what we expected all along."\nNevertheless, Sturbaum and the members of "Save the Von Lee" stand by their claims.\n"Our arguments all still hold, but this change has put the ball in the University's court," Sturbaum said. "They are the only players left who can do something beyond the proposed use for (the Von Lee)."\nThat proposed use for the theater comes from Michner and Artemis LCC, who wish to turn the abandoned theater into a restaurant-bar. A ruling from the Monroe County Alcoholic Beverage Board is expected to come on the issue by March 3.\nDespite the decision, Sturbaum isn't giving up his fight to "Save the Von Lee." Kerasotes owner Tony Kerasote was open to allowing movies over a year old to play in the theater, which wouldn't be an unreasonable option, Sturbaum said. With this in mind, Sturbaum and the members of the "Save the Von Lee" campaign see many different possibilities for the building that lead them to be "frustrated at (the court's) lack of vision."\n"I think the University needs to step up," he said. "This could be so good for the University and the community. You can envision film festivals that tie the community to the University and debut video work of kids in the filmmaking department."\nSturbaum will be going to a Historic Theater Initiative Conference where the Von Lee will be one of the national topics. He also cited a similar situation that arose in Rockland, Maine, where the courts made the exact opposite decision.\nDespite all the arguments for why the Von Lee should remain a theater, Michner still feels the decision was a logical one.\n"I don't think anybody can make a go for a theater at that place," he said. "Parking is horrible, and the lobby is very small … It is a good piece of property for a lot of things, but I don't think a theater is one of them."\n-- Contact senior writer Brian Janosch at bjanosch@indiana.edu.
(02/19/04 5:40am)
The IU Student Association Congress stamped its seal of approval on a proposal Tuesday that would increase students' transportation fees by $30 next year. The fee would allow students to ride all campus buses simply by showing their student IDs.\nThe buses, which currently require a $158 year-long pass or 75 cents per ride, would work on the same system as the Bloomington Transit system, which only requires a student ID to ride. \nThe proposal, also called the Universal Bus Pass Initiative, was first brought to attention in 1997. But it was not until Tuesday night that the IUSA finally decided to pass the bill. At this point, the proposal only needs to be approved by the IU board of trustees.\n"As far as I understand, the transportation committee on campus already wants to do this and wanted to know if the students approved," IUSA Congress member Dan Shapiro said. "As far as I understand, this will be the way things work in the fall."\nMany students were frustrated with the fact they had to pay to ride a bus on top of paying a mandatory transportation fee, Shapiro said. The idea behind the proposal was to change it so every student has easy access to the buses.\nThe bill had enough Congressional support to pass through the IUSA but had several issues.The idea of charging every student for a service that will only be used by a percentage of the student body was one such issue, Shapiro said.\n"There are something like 5,500 students who currently purchased bus passes," he said. "So rather than charge the 5,500 that use it, you are charging 38,000 students a fee."\nIf the buses were to become free to all riders, a stark increase in the number of riders would be expected. The increased amount would draw question to the issue of overcrowding, said Jim Hosler, director of campus bus services.\n"The fee rate they are requesting would only be enough to cover the existing level of service," Hosler said. "An increase in those hours would need an increase in buses and drivers, which would require an additional fee."\nAlthough some worry about bus overcrowding, the hope of IUSA is that creating a free campus bus system will even out the number of students who strictly use the Bloomington Transit buses with campus buses, said IUSA President Casey Cox. Students who live on campus will no longer be forced to drive out to the stadium and ride the shuttle service.\nNothing will truly be determined until the plan is implemented. From there, the transportation department will decide whether or not more buses or drivers are in order, Hosler said. \nThe proposal will now go to a committee that will prepare it for the board of trustees. If approved, it could be enacted by as early as next fall.\n"Whether you agree with the transportation policy or not, you have to recognize that right now there is a general inequity going on between on-campus and off-campus students," Cox said. "Any measure we can take to advance what is inevitably going to happen and reduce that inequity right now I think is a good thing"
(02/16/04 5:50am)
The IU Student Association's student readership program took off with such popularity that it has led the Indiana Memorial Union administration to question whether or not it would participate in the program should it be passed.\nThe IMU has suffered from extensive amounts of trash since the pilot program began. Students have left their skimmed-through newspapers lying on tables, in bathrooms and in the lounge areas, resulting in increased need for custodial work and a detriment to the general appearance of the building, IMU Associate Director Thomas Simmons said.\n"When students used to buy these papers, they would save it because they would want to read it later," he said. "Now people pick it up because it's free, they read it for about ten to fifteen minutes to kill time and then just leave it."\nSimmons has already presented a different proposal to IUSA Vice President Grant McFann that would function more on a "read and return" type of basis. Simmons' proposal would have a lesser amount of papers that students could pick up and read as they please then return once they are finished. The trial would be more cost effective and focus more on the increased readership as opposed to students just using the papers to kill time.\n"There are about 900 newspapers daily, and I don't think we would want to participate with that many newspapers in the union building," Simmons said. "I think it creates too much of a mess."\nThe IMU, however, hasn't been the only building suffering from increased garbage. Both Wright and Gresham food courts have been homes to the readership program bins and have seen an increase in newspapers left out on tables.\n"Once in a while we would find an IDS, but now there are three more times the papers, so there is three more times the papers left lying around," Wright Food Court Manager Sandy Porter said.\nBoth of the food courts have been forced to deal with the same circumstances as the IMU, but their take on the situation differs. Porter said that the food courts are there for the students, so if the student body wants them, then the staff will work with it.\n"Before we used to have the IDS and that never seemed to be a problem, but now we have three different brands," Gresham Food Court Assistant Manager Jeff Kutche said. "It's not really a big deal. If people enjoy it and like doing it, then I don't think having extra papers on the tables is that big of a problem."\nIUSA President Casey Cox said that McFann has already spoken with an environmental disposal representative from USA Today. McFann could not be reached for comment.\n-- Contact senior writer Brian Janosch at bjanosch@indiana.edu.
(02/13/04 5:33am)
The future of cancer treatment arrived at Bloomington this week with the opening of the Midwest Proton Radiotherapy Institute.\nThe MPRI began treating its first patient Wednesday, using an advanced form of radiation involving the acceleration of protons, which can kill tumors untreatable by conventional radiation.\nThe center is only the third of its kind in the entire United States, with similar technology in Loma Linda, Cali., and Boston, Mass. \nMark Long, president and CEO of the IU Advanced Research & Technology Institute which owns MPRI, said this radiotherapy institute "establishes IU as one of the major cancer treatment facilities in the United States."\n"Everything doesn't just happen in San Francisco and Boston anymore," he said. "Bloomington, Ind., is one of the key leaders in the treatment of cancer, particularly in children. That's kind of a big feather in the cap."\nThe MPRI is expecting their second patient sometime next week and should graduate up to treating roughly ten patients a day in the next three months, Long said. Once the facility is fully functional, it will be treating between 25 and 50 patients a day.\nBloomington was selected as the home for this new institute because of its cyclotron facility, which is home to accelerators large enough to produce the protons for this type of radiation therapy. Because IU already housed the accelerators, the project's cost, which normally costs over $100 million, was cut to about one third. \n"We've got people, not just from this country, but from around the world coming to Bloomington," IUCF Director John Cameron said. "We are very much on the cutting edge of radiation therapy."\nThe advantage of proton radiation therapy, as opposed to the more common X-ray therapy, comes in the number of healthy cells destroyed. Normal radiation therapy does three times more damage to healthy cells than it does to the tumor, Cameron said. With protons, however, three times more damage is done to the tumor than the healthy cells. This is particularly important to children with whom the radiation can stop bone growth and lead to deformity.\n"In a real and just world, all radiation therapy would be done with protons," Cameron said.\nAnother large factor in the success of the MPRI will be the construction of Jill's House, which will take in up to 20 patients at a time, completely free of charge. The home, named in recognition of IU student Jill Behrman, will allow cancer patients to get one another through their tough times, especially in regard to children, Jill's House President Peg Howard said. \n"It's very urgent that we get this house built," she said. "The fact that they are seeing patients now has a very big impact and should help as we go forth in funding because the need is very apparent."\nIn addition to helping hundreds of cancer patients, the MPRI will also open over 300 jobs in its field. The institute will present radiation physics and medical science graduate students with an experience attainable nearly nowhere else in the nation.\n"I think Bloomington is going to be very proud of this type of facility," Howard said. "This is a very caring and loving community, and I think it is a wonderful place for this type of facility to be built."\n-- Contact senior writer Brian Janosch at bjanosch@indiana.edu.
(02/11/04 5:50am)
The IU Student Association-sponsored newspaper pilot program has jumped out to a great start, as nearly 500 papers have already been added to the trial since the first day, said IUSA Vice President Grant McFann.\nThe New York Times has gone from roughly 800 papers in service around the campus to 1,000, and USA Today has gone from 1,200 to 1,500 in the first week. Many bins are completely emptied by midday, especially for the more popular of the papers.\n"Every e-mail we've received from students has been positive," McFann said. "They really enjoy having the opportunity to get their hands on some national news."\nThe results of the first survey have yet to come in to IUSA, but the popularity of the papers can be seen in most bin locations. The combination of papers now available to students allows for them to stay caught up on all walks of life.\n"I still read the IDS for local stories, mainly the opinion page," junior Adam Bishop said. "But for business news, I read The New York Times, and for sports I would pick up the USA Today."\nShould the popularity of the papers continue, the issue of funding will be debated by a committee of students, faculty and Indiana Daily Student representatives to decide the fate of the program, McFann said. He added that although the pilot is currently being funded by USA Today, a possible means for funding would be a two dollar activity fee placed on every student's bursar bill.\nFor senior Brian Wolf, the charge would be worth it.\n"I still read the IDS for local stuff, but I enjoy the national news in other papers," he said. "It's a nice change for now. I was a pretty religious IDS reader, but now I grab the IDS only if the headline is worth reading."\nAfter a similar pilot program last year, several alterations have been made. The number of papers has been boosted in order to ensure more students receive the papers, as opposed to professors who have the advantage of being on campus earlier. Even with the boosted numbers, however, some students said they found empty bins even as early as noon.\n"I always try to find a New York Times before my first class to stay up to date with what's going on in the world," freshman Sean Duffy said. "My first class isn't until after noon though, so I can never find anything but the Indy Star."\nThe results of the first survey should be in by next week, at which point IUSA has decided to add an additional survey to stay up to speed with student responses. They will present the third and final round of surveys on the last day of the pilot.\n"I am very pleased with the success so far," McFann said. "It's been a good experience for everyone on campus, so hopefully we can come together and figure out the problems and find fixes for those, then put something into work for next year."\n-- Contact senior writer Brian Janosch at bjanosch@indiana.edu.
(02/11/04 5:46am)
Three years ago, former IU student Jody Courter was out on a walk with her boyfriend. To her, it was just like any typical walk around campus -- the typical traffic and typical sights. \nBut one aspect of this walk would be a little more out of the ordinary.\nWhen Courer came to one of the bridges on Jordan, she didn't find the typical graffiti about rush or sports event information.\nInstead, Courter read, "Will you marry me?"\nThree years later, they're still married.\nThis instance may have been a little more out of the ordinary, but graffiti on bridges at IU has become something it isn't anywhere else -- typical.\nFor as long as anyone can remember, the bridges on Jordan that lie in the heart of IU have featured an assortment of spray-painted messages. Ranging from happy birthday wishes to welcome signs for new sports recruits, the bridges have become just as large a part of IU tradition and folklore as anything else on campus.\n"Those bridges have been painted for as long as I can remember," said Dean of Students Richard McKaig, who's been at the University since 1971. "I've always suspected that those bridges may be held up more by the paint than the original cement underneath it."\nPerhaps the most unique aspect of the bridges may not be in what they say, but the freedom they symbolize. At a place where rules await students around every turn, the art pallets that line Jordan Avenue are bound by nothing more than an unwritten code of ethics to which students hold each other, said former Interfraternity Council President and bridge painter Evan Waldman.\n"They are one of the few things on campus without any rules," Waldman said. "It boils down to how mature you can be and how much respect you can show for the others that have painted it before."\nFor many of IU's fraternities and sororities, the bridges have become as much a part of the Greek tradition as theme parties. The houses will gather up a band of brothers or sisters and head out in the wee hours of the night to partake in the painting.\n"It is great for publicity, but at the same time there is just a certain significance to those bridges," said senior and former Zeta Tau Alpha President Teeda Suwannetr. "The idea is just a huge tradition here."\nAs for the longevity of a message on the bridge, it is certainly not as long-lasting as the tradition as a whole. The turnaround for the bridge tends to be around two days, Suwannetr said. The two day code seems to stand true for the most part, but every so often a group may breech the unwritten contract and paint over the bridge shortly after another group did the same. This tends to be the only complaint that involves the bridges besides painting areas outside the bridge, McKaig said.\nThe bridges have been a staple of IU life for countless years past, and some say that their chances of remaining that way are more set in the stone than painted on it.\n-- Contact senior writer Brian Janosch at bjanosch@indiana.edu.
(02/10/04 6:07am)
The number of dean candidates for the School of Journalism has shrunk to three one month after the list was narrowed down to seven. Kansas State University's Lori Bergen, University of Texas' Stephen Reese or Case Western Reserve University's Ted Gup will replace Trevor Brown, dean of 17 years.\nThe three candidates will be recommended to IU-Bloomington Interim Chancellor Ken Gros Louis, who will interview them with the help of several deans of other schools and representatives from the J-school's faculty and students. \nSearch Committee chair David Nord said the final interviews will begin before spring break.\n"What's really important here is that we have someone who is interested in, and grounded in, both academic work and professional journalism work," Nord said. "Steve and Lori have roots in the academic side, but are very much committed to professional practice, where Ted comes more from the professional side but is very interested in liberal arts."\nReese has been teaching at Texas for more than 20 years after graduating from the University of Tennessee and getting his Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin. Reese worked for public and commercial radio in Knoxville, Tenn., Winston-Salem, N.C. and Madison, Wis. Since then, Reese has had several books published including "Mediating the Message: Theories of Influence on Mass Media Content," which was named by Journalism and Mass Communication Quarterly as one of the most "significant journalism and communications books" of the 20th century.\nUnlike Reese, Gup has done more of his work outside of the classroom lately, despite having previously taught journalism at Georgetown University for 18 years. He frequently writes pieces for The Washington Post and The Chronicle of Higher Education, and he has recently written for Slate. Gup also spent four years finishing a book focusing on the CIA through the lives of operatives who passed away in the agency.\nGup said he has recently been reading about the journalism school, viewing the faculty profiles and other background work, to learn about the school as they learn about him. \n"Some view journalism as more of an apprentice craft not very strong in intellect. I'm not one of them," Gup said. "I am very comfortable in the newsroom and the classroom."\nBergen graduated with a Ph.D. in journalism from IU and has had a long relationship with the school.\n"I get up everyday with a set of Indiana glasses on, not rose colored but crimson," Bergen said. "I see my job and work through a filter that was set 20 years ago."\nBergen has spent time at Kansas State University in a "troubleshooter" type of role. Heading an undergraduate grievance board and a committee on assessment while holding an advisory position to the dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. Bergen said she wanted to provide both teachers and researchers with the skills and resources they need.\n"The dean has the obligation to ensure academic programs are providing students with skills for their careers and maintain relationships with all constituents," Bergen said. "Deans aren't bosses, they are people who facilitate, help, lead and make things easier for people to succeed."\nReese could not be reached for comment.
(02/06/04 4:32am)
Every IU student has been here before: trying to choose from a mystery list of last names come course registration time, never knowing which professor will be the one who changes the way you look at life forever or which has the personality equivalent to their power point presentation.\nJunior Chris Shemmer always thought this was a problem and finally decided to take action. By creating the new student Web site www.thehoosierweb.com last semester, Shemmer has provided students with a professor rating system on everything from work load to personality to classroom atmosphere.\n"We wanted to go based off of workload, average GPA, how they teach the class and just the basic parts of the class that most students generally look at," Shemmer said. "I know if I am looking into a class and the average GPA is a 2.3, I am not going to take the professor."\nNearly 200 professors have already made their way onto the list as the Web site's popularity has skyrocketed. The site has been growing by roughly 100 users a day, Shemmer said. \nStudents are able to do more than simply vote, they can also post comments about the selected professor. The rating each professor receives in a given category is averaged to create a net score, which is averaged with the other tallies from different students to create an overall score on a one to 10 scale.\n"It's really cool to see what other people have thought about professors that I have and had in the past," sophomore Matt Sperling said. "I'm in a class right now with a professor in the top 25."\nNot everyone, however, feels the rankings are beneficial. \nDespite helping students in selecting a course, the faculty will certainly take the ratings with a grain of salt. \n"(The rankings) really depend on the content," Bloomington Faculty Council President Dave Dalecke said. "Voting doesn't mean much if there isn't some type of substantive feedback. The faculty still puts more weight in the faculty evaluations that we already have."\nIf nothing else, the rankings can provide for nothing more than a source of flattery for those who rank near the top of the list. It provides certain professors the opportunity to see their passion and love for teaching is properly picked up by students. \nFor Psychology Professor Robert Weiskopf, finding out he was among the top 10 professors on the list gave him a terrific feeling. Weiskopf said he just tries to enjoy himself in the classroom and grab his audience. Despite the positive feelings of being highly regarded by students, Weiskopf still recognizes the rankings can be slightly jaded. \n"I think that professors can enjoy it, but the problem can be that really brilliant professors might not have the entertainment value that others have," he said. "In some ways, it's good, but in some ways, I'm not sure it captures everything in teaching."\n-- Contact senior writer Brian Janosch at bjanosch@indiana.edu.