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(10/07/02 4:24am)
When I picked up "Quick Fiction: Issue One" I didn't quite know what to expect. With its colorful cover art and thin size I thought I accidentally picked up a children's book. Much to my surprise, this thin volume contains some extremely hilarious and mature short stories.\n"Quick Fiction" publishes stories in collections that are extremely quick reads. The short stories in this collection are all less than 500 words, and some are significantly shorter. While extremely brief, all the stories were engaging. The true art of these authors is that they managed to say succinctly what many authors cannot do in page after page.\nDespite being in the same collection, the brief stories had widely differing themes, as well as radically different styles. From the conversational style of Corey Messler's "Aftermath" to the belligerent tone of Manuel Luis Martinez's "Pumpkins," the authors managed to express themselves through the fewest words possible.\nMy favorite story in the collection was "What Tim Haynes Found in a Yellowed Envelope..." by Beth Bayley. This story read as a confessional letter from three men who stole a town mascot, etching their names forever into the town's folklore. The story transported me to the attic where the letter, along with the stolen statue lay for decades, awaiting discovery. The author made the story real and involved the reader intimately with the thieves.\nAnother exemplary work is "Babysitter" by Anne Panning, which relates the story of a babysitter who tries to have a romantic rendezvous with her olderboyfriend while her charge's parents are out of the house. The desperation felt by the babysitter when the parents arrive home early is palpable, and the humorous twist at the end (and no, I will not give it away) draws a chuckle at the ignorance of the babysitter.\n"Quick Fiction" is an excellent choice for college students who wish to continue reading outside of coursework without having it consume a lot of time. The brief stories can be enjoyed one at a time like sips of a fine wine, or they can be devoured at once by those greedy for entertaining fiction.
(09/13/02 6:08am)
Four o'clock today marks the beginning of many students' foray into a distinct culture at IU. The kickoff of men's formal rush, beginning with registration from 4 to 7 p.m. today in Dunn Meadow, marks many students' first contact with the large greek system at IU. With this first contact, many rushees may keep stereotypes about fraternities in the back of their minds.\nPresidents of the fraternities starting recruitment tomorrow said the stereotypes about greek organizations are misleading and often wrong. All said that "going greek" means more than parties, drinking and pledgeship.\nAlpha Sigma Phi president Samuel Locke, a senior, said joining a fraternity means that men will enter the rich history of IU, as well as make lifelong friendships.\nMatt Cairns, president of Acacia, said going greek was the best decision he made at IU.\n"I joined the greek system three years ago, and I could not have made a better decision," he said. "I have grown socially, academically and professionally. No other organization could have given me the experience and opportunities that the greek system has."\nEach chapter participating in recruitment will be hosting a number of rush events to help potential members meet brothers.\n"We have several activities planned in the next two weeks, such as a camping trip, Monday Night Football, cookouts and several functions with sororities," Dave King, president of Delta Chi, said. "We will be contacting rushees to invite them to our activities after the rush kickoff this weekend."\nPhi Kappa Psi has some non-traditional events planned paired with more mundane ones, including slip-n-slide parties and formal and informal dinners with sororities.\nOff-campus fraternities are also planning events for potential members.\n"We have events, such as barbecues, open houses and things of that nature," Kristoffer Troy, president of Delta Kappa Epsilon, said. "We also hope to take rushees out to dinner so they can meet each other, and more importantly we can meet them."\nDuring the rush events, fraternities will meet the rush guests; conversely guests will get the opportunity to meet the members of a chapter and decide whether or not it is right for them. All of the presidents interviewed stressed the importance of feeling comfortable with the chapter before deciding to join.\nTau Kappa Epsilon president Bill Surprise believes the most important factor in choosing a fraternity is making sure the rushee meshes with the chapter.\n"I would ask (rushees) to most importantly see how their morals and ideals would fit with those of the individuals in the chapter," he said.\nChapter presidents said men have much to look forward to if they decide to pledge a fraternity.\n"Men should expect a positive experience, one which they would benefit from and help make better," said Mike Miller, president of Lambda Chi Alpha. "Being part of a fraternity means being part of a family, and they should expect a lifelong friendships and memories."\nHowever, the presidents also cautioned potential members that fraternities are not the constant party many people believe them to be.\n"Men shouldn't expect this to be a big party," said Mark Krodel, president of Chi Phi. "The greek system has come under scrutiny for the actions of a few, but as a whole stands for brotherhood and sisterhood. We raise more money for charity than other organizations on campus and volunteer more hours of service."\nMen interested in rushing fraternities can sign up for formal recruitment from 4 to 7 p.m. today in Dunn Meadow. Chapter tours will take place 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
(09/11/02 4:28am)
NEW YORK -- In the center of Times Square people wait in a line that snakes as far as the eye can see, all in the hopes of purchasing inexpensive tickets to Broadway productions. The people waiting patiently are surrounded on all sides by promoters selling their show, vying for the crowd's attention with statements promising more than the last.\n"Come see the 'Lion King'!" shouted one eager salesman. "Best show on Broadway this year."\n"This year?" retorted another. "You want to see the 'Full Monty.' It's the best show this decade!"\nThe onlookers in line watched the scene with some amusement, but slowly advanced to the ticket booth with pamphlets describing the various shows the promoters were selling.\nLaden with promotional materials Ellen Smith, a resident of Chicago, made her way to the window, purchasing tickets to a performance of "Beauty and the Beast."\n"Thank goodness you are able to buy tickets the day of shows," she said. "There is no other way we could afford them. We wanted to take our children to a show while we were in town, and the way they discount the tickets made it possible."\nSmith, like thousands of theatergoers, purchased her tickets to a Broadway production at the TKTS, a booth in Duffy Square on the center island of 47th Street between Broadway and 7th Avenue. Established in 1973 for the betterment of theater in New York, TKTS sells unsold tickets on the day of the show discounted 25 to 50 percent. The daily selections are on electronic screens in front of the booth, showing both the availability and the discount. \nThe tourists buying their tickets the day of the show is becoming increasingly common, according to an article in The New York Times. Advance ticket sales are down over fifty percent, with most people buying the discounted tickets instead of purchasing them at face value in advance.\nCristyne L. Nicholas, the president of NYC & Company, the tourism and convention bureau of New York City, said in an interview with The New York Times that while tourism numbers from this past summer are equivalent to that of last year, the tourists are behaving differently.\n"More people are booking last minute," she said. "And more people are hunting for discount deals."\nIndustry experts said these changes in purchasing patterns will affect how shows are booked and marketed in the future. Producers may need to spend more on promotion and advertising to attract audiences, cutting into the profits of the investors. \nDespite what it means for the future of Broadway, the crowds hoping for inexpensive theater tickets are a welcome sight to New Yorkers, who were witnessing the faltering of Broadway after Sept. 11. For months after the terrorist attacks theaters sat half empty during Saturday night performances, and hotels were giving away tickets to hot Broadway shows to entice tourists back to the Big Apple.\n"It's so good to see people back in the city," said Carole Steer. Steer, a resident of Hastings-on-Hudson in Westchester, recalled when the scene of Times Square was much different. \n"Last November there was nobody in the streets," she said. "It was a ghost town in the middle of Manhattan."\nThose days are past. Times Square, a traditional tourist destination, was packed with people taking in the sights, heading to Broadway plays and hawking their wares.\nOff-Broadway productions are also faring better with the resurgence of tourism. These productions, performed in smaller theaters on tighter budgets than Broadway shows, often contain more daring and controversial material than traditional theater. \nOne such show is "Reno: Rebel without a Pause." This show, a reflection on the events of Sept. 11, has drawn much press for its frank discussions of the issues surrounding the attacks and life in New York afterwards. \nPerforming artist Reno discussed her thoughts on the events of Sept. 11 in a humorous light to a packed house at the Lion Theater, just two blocks from Broadway. Drawing gasps and chuckles from the audience, Reno lambasted President George W. Bush's rhetoric that caused fear and distrust in many Americans.\n"(President) Bush keeps telling me that (terrorists) hate my way of life," she said. "I don't see why. If they talked to me they would see that I'm a very nice person. They don't hate me; they hate what we stand for."\nTen minutes later Reno had people laughing at the way people in her neighborhood were trying to figure out what happened on the day of the attacks.\n"We were trying to offer the people running away from us water and towels," she said. "But they kept running away and screaming. We couldn't figure it out until we thought they might not know people actually live in TriBeCa. Guess what New York, people live here!"\nOn Broadway and off, theater in New York has recovered from a devastating blow. Though permanently altered by the events of Sept. 11, New York's art community has survived and flourished, drawing inspiration from the events that took place.
(09/03/02 3:57am)
An irresistible aroma wafts out of the open door as a long line of hungry students snakes through Delights in front of the register. \nThose in line hungrily eye the bags being distributed at the counter while digging in their wallets for spare change. Girls outside debate over which of the plethora of salts they should use to flavor their freshly popped treat.\nIU students have become accustomed to this scene every Wednesday afternoon, or as many students affectionately call it: Popcorn Day.\nDelights, located in the Indiana Memorial Union, runs a special every Wednesday, offering a small bag of popcorn and a medium soda for $1. Junior Josh Ross, a Delights employee, said business increases significantly Wednesdays, mostly among hungry students.\n"People really like the popcorn deal," he said. "We have regular customers who come in every week for it."\nRoss said Delights pops their own popcorn and provides customers with a wide variety of salts to flavor their treat with. Salts available include butter, ranch, jalapeno, pizza, parmesan and white cheddar.\nSenior Laura Schwartz believes that her job at Delights comes with some perks, namely one of the popped variety.\n"This popcorn is so great," she said. "I could sit here and eat it all day."\nDespite its popularity, popcorn is not the only fare the IMU has to offer. Delights also offers bulk and prepackaged candies.\nFor those who still need to indulge their sweet tooth, Sugar and Spice is a good option. The bakery located by the bookstore on the mezzanine level offers cookies, breads, iced cappuccino, bottled drinks and Starbucks coffees.\nThe selection of baked goods varies daily, and all are baked that day. Around holidays there are festive sugar cookies, and the no-bake cookies are a perennial favorite among patrons.\nSophomore Aran Mordoh, a Sugar and Spice employee, said her job is literally sweet. \n"The cookies are great," she said. "And the best part is I get to take them home at the end of the day." \nStudents who are looking for more than a snack can find complete meals at the IMU. There is a Burger King located by the Commons where students can enjoy traditional fast food fare. The IMU Market provides a la carte dining with Pizza Hut, Sub Connection, and Charleston Market and prepared salads, sandwiches and fruit plates.\nA perennial IMU favorite among students and parents alike is the Tudor Room, which offers a gourmet Sunday brunch. The arching ceiling festooned with banners is a perfect backdrop for the more formal dining atmosphere.\nThose searching for a restaurant style meal in a more informal atmosphere frequent Kiva Cafe, which is located below the Commons. There, diners enjoy wholesome wraps, salads and desserts.\nThough many students are stuck on campus because they do not have a car, they are not confined to eating in the dorms. The dining options at the IMU are varied and all able to be paid for with IMU meal points, Campus Access, or cash.
(07/25/02 8:23pm)
Walk in the door and the welcoming smell of freshly baked goods beacons, the hiss of espresso machines underscores conversations and people gather around cups of exotic coffees and teas. \nBut local entrepreneur Dean Foster says his store is not just another coffee shop.\nFoster said the local flavor of Bloomington will help set The Copper Cup apart from the homogenized coffee franchises.\nThe Copper Cup, 1400 E. Third St., is one of several cafes located in Bloomington. It is an independent store that was created by Foster to fill a need he saw in Bloomington coffee stores.\n"The Copper Cup has a distinctly local flavor," Foster said. "The interior was designed and created by Bloomington artists. The chairs are all one of a kind, and the logo (on the side of the building) is a 600-pound piece created by another artist."\nFoster, the owner of ProWinds, decided to open his cafe on the corner of Third and Jordan when the vacancy opened up. The Copper Cup opened in June, giving time to train employees before the fall rush began. \nThough it is a new store, advertising has not been heavy. Foster said he believes that the prime location, quality products, and word of mouth generates more customers than heavy marketing.\n"The location could not be more ideal," Foster said. "We get heavy traffic from the University and locals. Word is spreading, and we are getting busier every day."\nFreshman Julia Blanford stopped into the cafe after seeing it while buying her books at nearby T.I.S. Bookstore, 1302 E. Third St., and has now become a regular customer, stopping in for a smoothie once a week.\n"I love the smoothies here," Blanford said. "They use frozen fruits instead of syrups. It's a difference that you can taste. (The location) is somewhat inconvenient because I live in the Northwest Neighborhood, but the walk is worth it."\nBlanford has done what Foster had hoped: The next time she returned for another smoothie, she brought her friends, bringing more students to enjoy coffee or tea at the Copper Cup. \nFoster said he hopes that word continues to spread among students. While The Copper Cup has only one location, it is poised to open further locations if demand is strong, he said.\nWhile many java junkies applaud the new coffee houses, many wonder how many more can be built. Bloomington is home to several, including Starbucks, Soma, Runcible Spoon and Runcible Spoon Too. While each cafe has its specialties, the general products are virtually identical.\nProfessor of Economics Arlington Williams said the number of cafes is bound to grow.\n"Until entrepreneurs believe that they cannot make a profit by establishing a coffee house, they will keep opening," he said. "They see a market that they can enter and make a profit in. Each cafe tries to fill a different niche by emphasizing different aspects of the establishment. Some choose product, some choose price, and some choose atmosphere"
(07/25/02 8:23pm)
Notes of joy, love, and empathy rang through the halls of the Unitarian Universalist Church Sunday night, as parishioners and students gathered at a concert fundraiser for the Friends of the Prisoners ministry. \nPictures on the wall reflected the successes of the four-year-old program, showing joyous church members and prisoners laughing, learning and growing together. The ministry, that serves Wabash Valley Correctional Institute, the Federal Penitentiary in Terre Haute and State Correctional Facility in Putnamville is a program that reaches out to offenders and reaffirms their dignity and worth. \n"This program reflects a basic precept of the Unitarian faith," said Glenda Breeden, a congregation member. "When we visit the prisoners, we are visiting without an agenda. We're not trying to save their souls, we're just there to listen and give support. We visit as friends."\nReverend Bill Breeden, the founder of the program, feels the visits add something to the prisoners lives. He said he is sometimes the only person who visits the prisoner, so his visits are especially meaningful.\n"In my visits, I really try to reach them," he said. "I'm not worried about their soul, but their bodies. We preach nonviolence, and that is a big issue in prisons today."\nThe benefit concert was scheduled to raise more funds for the program. An $8,000 grant was awarded to the church by the Unitarian Universalist Association Funding program, with another $5,000 available for matching funds.\nThe benefit raised $2,562, with more collections being made in the church during services. Breeden said the $5000 goal will be met.\nTo raise the money, donations were accepted at the door and also at the creative cake contest, where the members of the church displayed their baking and creative skills. Cakes ranged from tropical lagoons and Get Out of Jail Free cards to the Sidney Opera House and top hats, with pies added for diversity. Coffee cups placed next to the cakes collected donations, and the cake that received the most money was voted the winner, with all the money going to the benefit. \n"We had a great turnout tonight," said Steve Krahnke, event chair. "This event is really the kickoff to an expansion of the program. Every penny helps us expand this program to more congregations and prisons."\nPerforming at the concert were the UU Choir, Beth and Dan Lodge-Rigal, Craig Brenner, Heartland String Band and the Breedens and the Lost Shoe Band. Musical styles were eclectic, ranging from blues and gospel to bluegrass.\n"Getting the acts together was not tough," Krahnke said. "This congregation is very musical. Gathe-ring this much musical talent was only a matter of making a few phone calls, and everyone was willing to help out. Lots of friends and internal support made this event a success."\nVolunteers can visit the prisoners on a one-to-one basis or participate in other prison functions. The Unitarian Universalist choir performs every January at the Wabash Valley Correctional Institute, where it was voted the Most Outstanding Religious Program of 2000. The church also offers ecumenical services and counseling at the prisons.
(07/25/02 8:23pm)
Severe weather ripped through Bloomington Wednesday, causing power outages, disrupting traffic and causing headaches for residents. \nAfter a mild day was a wild night as severe thunderstorms tore through Monroe County and wreaked havoc throughout Bloomington.\nMeteorologists with the National Weather Service said that funnel clouds were reported in Monroe and Greene County, along with reports of wind gusts, torrential rain and large hail.\n"The worst of this storm passed by 6 p.m.," said John Franks of the National Weather Service. "While very impressive, storms like these are not unusual for this time of year. They may not occur every year, but they should be expected."\nSirens wailing at 5:15 p.m. ushered in the storm with wind gusts of 70 to 90 miles per hour whistling between trees and power lines. Branches flew across streets, and rain pelted students caught outside. The rolling clouds turned shades of green and black as residents ran for cover. Funnel cloud sightings in other counties prompted tornado warnings for Bloomington.\nTornado warnings remained in effect for Bloomington until 5:47 p.m. Bloomington Police Sgt. Rick Helms said he saw typical storm damage throughout the city.\n"Tonight we had problems with downed trees and power lines," he said. "Some transformers acted up, and there were power outages, but nothing too serious. There were no injuries reported (as of 6:30 p.m.). Right now, we are just dealing with the aftermath of the storm."\n Among other incidents, a tree fell on a vehicle near 15th Street and College Avenue. Rain flooded intersections throughout the city. Minor traffic accidents occurred at several intersections.\n Bloomington Township Fire Department saw the same problems as the police, dealing with downed lines and minor damage to vehicles and houses.\n "We only had six or seven calls tonight," said Russell Edwards, a fireman. "Those were mostly uneventful. Power lines were down all over. We did have one lightning strike at a residence off of Russell Road. There was no fire, just some minor structural damage."\n The city fire department had several similar calls, responding to sparking transformers and fallen trees.\nThe storm affected much of the Bloomington grid, disrupting power to residents who live west of Walnut Street and north of 10th Street. Angelina Protogere of Cinergy/PSI Corp. said 4,800 Bloomington residents were without power as of 7 p.m., with no estimates as to when their power will be restored.\n"We are still assessing the damage from the storm," Protogere said. "There were 38,000 Indiana residents without power due to the weather earlier this evening. Power had been restored to approximately 18,000 customers by 7 p.m. We are working to restore service to the remainder as quickly as possible, but we cannot estimate at this time when that will be."\nShe said that if there is a disruption of electrical service to call (800) 343-3525 to report the outage.
(07/25/02 8:23pm)
The first week of classes recorded unusually high use of INSITE, IU's online access to scheduling, advising, bursar accounts and financial aid, causing students and faculty frustration and missed classes.\nThe sheer number of students accessing their class schedules for the new semester overloaded the servers and made logging onto the network difficult, if not impossible.\nChristine Fitzpatrick, Manager, Communications and Planning for UITS said the problems were caused by too many people attempting to log onto the system. \n"The system just got bogged down on the first days of class," Fitzpatrick said. "Contributing to the problem was the fact that the Bloomington and Indianapolis campuses started classes on the same day."\nINSITE, Indiana Student Information Transaction Environment, can currently handle 525 simultaneous attempts to login for all IU campuses. The vast majority of INSITE users were using it to print out schedules, she said. \nFreshman Katie Martin found efforts to log on INSITE nearly hopeless.\n"It was impossible to get on INSITE," Martin said. "I needed to get my schedule before classes, and I sat around for forty-five minutes before I could even log on."\nFreshman Adam Steer ran into the same problem.\n"I had no idea where I was going on my first day of classes," Steer said. "I couldn't print out my schedule, so I had no clue."\nBut students are not the only people on the Bloomington campus who use INSITE, Edward Robertson, associate dean of academic affairs and undergraduate education for the School of Informatics, said.\n"Faculty need to use the system too, for things like advising," said Robertson. "The limited access doesn't affect just the students."\nPart of the problem with INSITE is the excessive use this first week of class. Senior Laura Blanford, UITS employee, said part of the problem is procrastination on the students" part.\n"INSITE had about one million hits this week, and I'm sure a lot of it is students trying to get their schedules at the last minute," Blanford said. "The system just can't handle that many people at once."\nDespite the problems with INSITE during the first week, there seems to be nothing inherently wrong with the system. Secure systems have limited access, which protects the privacy of the information stored inside. \n"Of course the system can be improved if money was no object," Robertson said. "But who would be willing to pay the tuition surcharges to pay for the improvements? Also, privacy is an issue. How much do you care that the whole world can't see your grades and bursar account status? A less secure system would allow easier access, but at the cost of privacy." \nUITS is migrating INSITE to a new server to combat the problems experienced this week. \nThat will allow more simultaneous logins without compromising the security of the system, Fitzpatrick said. She doesn't anticipate any more problems with the system before the migration can be completed.
(07/25/02 8:23pm)
Seniors Sean Lee, Jason Lee and Andy Lang are focused not only on their final year of college, but on bettering the lives of Bloomington youth. The trio is coaching a kindergarten-through-second grade basketball team at the SportsPlex for the second season. \nNot only are they the only coaches in the league who are IU students, but they are the only coaches who were asked back for a second year as well.\n"I wasn't really expecting to go in to coach a team for a whole season," Lang said. "Both Sean and I worked at the SportsPlex, and our boss asked us to fill in as a substitute coach for an evening. The parents told us that there was no coach for the team and asked us if we wanted to do it."\nSean Lee said that once the opening was available, they were happy to take the job.\n"At first it was weird because we are the only IU students who have ever coached a team," he said. "Normally you would think that it would be a parent with a child on the team. We were a little worried about getting respect from the other coaches, but soon they saw how much fun our kids were having."\nJason Lee also said that he felt awkward at first, mostly because of his youth.\n"Kids expect an adult as their coach," he said. "And I think they were taken aback when they saw three college guys instead."\nThe trio cast aside the reluctance and doubt on the part of the children by using a fun, creative approach to coaching. Lee, Lee, and Lang created themed games for their athletes and made sure that basketball was always fun first.\n"For some games, we dressed as professional coaches, in a suit and tie," Sean Lee said. "For another game, we dressed in camouflage gear and told the kids that it was going to be a war out there.\n"Once we even dressed as referees. They loved it."\nBut in addition to the costumes, the coaches also came up with different activities to make the games more memorable for their players.\n"I think the funniest thing that happened all season is when we made a banner for the kids to run through before one game," Lang said. "We accidentally made the banner too tough, and none of the kids were able to run through it. They were upset that they couldn't break it, but they appreciated the thought. That's what makes coaching great; we come up with cool ideas and then get to act on them.\n"Another neat thing we taught the kids was a victory dance. After they made a basket, the whole team stopped play to do a dance celebrating the points. Unfortunately, the kids didn't get to do the dance that often."\nAll of the preparation and thought that was put into preparing for the games was not reflected in the record of the team, which went winless. Despite the record, Lee, Lee and Lang were named Coaches of the Year and were moved up an age group. They are now coaching third and fourth graders.\n"I think the best part about coaching is seeing the kids improve," Jason said. "We help them have a good time, learn something and give their best effort. Seeing how happy they are when they play is an awesome feeling"
(07/25/02 8:23pm)
Attorney General John Ashcroft sent a memo to all government agencies Oct. 12, 2001 advising them to be more careful about what information is released to historians, journalists and members of the general public under the Freedom of Information Act, a law that allows the public to keep tabs on the inner workings of the federal government.\nSince the Sept. 11 attacks on the World Trade Center and The Pentagon, the government has been curtailing the information normally released to the public in the name of national security. Information has been removed from Web sites, and information requests are delayed or denied, making it difficult for IU professors to complete necessary research.\n"Some of these steps make sense in the light of Sept. 11, such as removing detailed information about nuclear plants and chemical weapons from Web sites," law professor Fred Cate said.\nBut some of the information being restricted does not seem to have any connection to the interests of national security.\nPresident George W. Bush issued an executive order Nov. 1, 2001 blocking the access of sensitive presidential documents, which were available under the Presidential Release Act of 1978. Now the information held in presidential archives can only be accessed with the consent of the sitting president and the former president in question.\nMany anticipate challenges to the limitation of information release.\n"I don't believe that Ashcroft will (have) that much effect because there will be legal challenges and the courts will, in all likelihood, strike down almost all obstacles blocking the functioning of the free press and scholarship," history professor Irving Katz said. "The burden of proof that a national emergency requires such restrictions on what journalists and scholars can gain access to will rest heavily on the federal government's lawyers, who will have to convince judges that it is in the national interest to impose such restrictions."\nWhile perhaps temporary, these changes in policy make scholarship in many fields a difficult or impossible task. They also affect journalism adversely. \n"This ruling makes research nearly impossible," associate history professor Nick Cullather said. "Many presidents don't want all of their papers released, and now they can prevent that, making research into modern presidencies extremely difficult."\nCullather added that he has had difficulty receiving information under FOIA.\n"Some of my requests have been delayed," he said. "And when I receive the documents, they are heavily edited."\nPolitical science professor Gerald Wright said the restrictions would hamper research.\n"Anything that keeps important information from the public undermines the ability of scholars to fully understand and explain the decision making of the executive branch," he said.\nThe Bush administration has been heavily criticized for the reversal of presidential access and in the eyes of many has not produced convincing arguments as to why the access is now limited.\nCate, who agrees that some limitation is necessary for safety, believes that the administration has gone too far.\n"Most of the administration's actions have either gone too far or have nothing to do with September 11 in the first place," he said.\nChristine Barbour, clinical assistant professor of political science, also said the limitations were unnecessary.\n"I think Bush's motives in giving a sitting president control of what other presidents' papers are released are highly questionable," she said. "From where I sit, it looks like he did it to prevent some of Reagan's papers from being released, which would embarrass many members of his administration, and his father, as well. I can't think of a justifiable reason for doing that, and none of the reasons provided by the Bush administration seem persuasive to me."\nCullather said the recent restrictions in information access were to be expected.\n"The public goes through stages in how much information it demands," he said. "The nineties saw a great demand for information, and more was released. After the attacks of Sept. 11 the public is allowing for more secrecy in the name of security."\nCate warns that giving up liberties in a Faustian bargain means that the terrorists accomplished their goals.\n"Remember the words of Benjamin Franklin," he said. "Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety, and all to often achieve neither as well"
(07/25/02 8:23pm)
President George W. Bush delivered the annual State of the Union address Tuesday night, outlining his plans for the next year and updating the nation on the progress of the continuing war on terrorism.\nThroughout the address, the President emphasized the justness of the war abroad and progress at home. Bush characterized latent terrorists as "ticking time bombs" and stressed the need for vigilance. He also announced the hard-line stance the United States has adopted toward the housing and support of terrorist cells. \nThe content of the address drew dissenting opinions from students and faculty.\n"President Bush emphasized the prosecution of the war in his speech because it is a source of his immense popularity," said Edward Carmines, Rudy Professor of political science. "He is faced with a dilemma. He is a war president, which gives him extremely high levels of popularity and almost unanimous support from the Senate and House. However, he wants to transfer the same approval to his domestic agenda, where Congress develops a partisan split."\nThe domestic agenda outlined by Bush includes making the controversial tax break of last year permanent, running a short-term deficit, increasing domestic energy production and passing a stimulus package. He also invited Americans to join the USA Freedom Corps, which will focus on emergency response, rebuilding communities and extending American compassion and goodwill. \nSome students were encouraged by the President's address.\n"With the new USA Freedom Corps, Bush encourages the entire country to help each other," freshman Erica Swier said. "This is a commendable step to keep the people involved in the nation's progress and to ensure that Americans know there is still much to be done to retrieve all we have lost."\nJunior Ian Snyder was also pleased with the President's message, but has some reservations.\n"I am in the Air Force reserves, so it was nice to hear the President recognize the contribution the military is making," Snyder said. "He proposed a lot of good plans and objectives but those coupled with a big tax break and a budget deficit don't seem conducive to fiscal balance. I hope the current administration remains solvent."\nOthers were not as impressed with the President's message and said he failed to address key issues.\n"I feel that all President Bush said was 'forget foreign policy,'" sophomore Trish Rieke said. "He said 'let's promote big business and over-consumption!' God bless America."\nSenior Matt Riley said the address was style without substance.\n"The President's speech was all smoke and mirrors, with no content," he said. "He didn't mention key issues like women's rights, civil rights and the environment, or he failed to completely develop what he was saying. Expanding our energy resources sounds like a great plan, until you realize that it means Bush wants to drill for oil in Alaska."\nAlso expressing disappointment with the State of the Union Address was political science Professor Timothy Tilton.\n"The great flaw in our politics at the present time is that we are unwilling to face up to hard problems," he said. "Politicians only want to speak to points that will make them popular."\nTilton noted that the President presented the war in Afghanistan as an unqualified success, without mentioning that Osama Bin Laden remains at large and a large portion of the Taliban escaped into Pakistan. \n"He also barely addressed the need for regulatory reform that the Enron collapse has made obvious," he said. "And he ignored environmental issues altogether. Thus, I have to dissent from the general enthusiasm for the President's message"
(07/25/02 8:23pm)
Student loans might cost more in the future with the passage of Senate Bill 1762. The bill, which changes the formula used to figure interest rates on student loans, was passed by the House by a vote of 372 to three, and will now go to the President, who is expected to sign.\nThis bill halts an impending rate reformulation, which would lower the cost of student loans for borrowers drastically. The change was disputed by lenders, who argue that their profit margins would be too small to guarantee loans for students.\nAssociate Director for Client Services in the Student Financial Office, William Ehrich, is not surprised that lenders are seeking new legislation.\n"This is a bill that favors lenders," he said. "Interest rates on student loans fell to 5 percent this year and low profitability is why the bankers want to prevent students from taking advantage of these extremely low interest rates."\nIf the Federal Reserve does not raise the prime rate between now and July 1, the rates, figured by the old formula, were set to fall again, further lowering the cost of student loans. \nAssociate Dean of Academics for the Kelley School of Business, Bruce Jaffee, said that the bankers pushed for the change because the profits reaped from student loans are too insufficient to cover the fixed costs of providing the funds.\n "The rate now is too low for them to meet their profit targets," he said.\nThe rate change will have a mixed effect on students. \n"A fixed rate will help students budget their payments," Jaffee said. Ehrich agreed that the costs might not be lower, but said he believed that the rates will eventually be comparable.\nThere are drawbacks to more costly student loans, including discouraging students from pursuing education or making scholarships more competitive.\n"This rate change may affect colleges at the margin," Jaffee said. "It may encourage some students to only be able to afford the less expensive state schools, while discouraging some students from pursuing higher education at all."\nHigher interest rates might encourage students to seek alternate funding for their education.\n"With loans more costly, I would expect more students to attempt to get scholarships," Ehrich said. "Unless the government increases the amount of gift assistance available, more people will be competing for less money. Scholarships will become very competitive."\nSenior Matt Riley, who financed his education with student loans, said he feels that the loan adjustment is merely profiteering at student expense.\n"Changing the interest of my loans to a higher rate is wrong," he said. "Adjusting the rate of my loan so a bank can make a higher profit off of my education is disgusting. We need educated people in this world, so why should I have to pay more than I have to"
(07/25/02 8:23pm)
Students passing the Commons desk in the Indiana Memorial Union have been greeted with more than the usual posters exhorting them to travel to exotic lands or attend call-out meetings for various groups. Since Monday, student groups have been promoting safe love in the name of AIDS awareness: Distributing condoms and literature about HIV/AIDS.\nGroups participating in this effort include: Health and Wellness Education, Eta Sigma Gamma, IUSA, Outreach Kenya, Student Global AIDS Campaign, Kinsey Institute, KISISS, Allys, Women's Student Association, Feminist Majority Leadership Alliance, Positive-Link and Community AIDS Action Group.\nSenior Jill Buckles, member of Eta Sigma Gamma, said the campaign is going extremely well.\n"We've been running out of leaflets," she said. "We've had to print more so we can continue to distribute them."\nBuckles said the groups have been distributing literature, condoms and red ribbons. She adds that students have been hearing the message.\n"So far the students seem to really be listening," she said. "I see lots of people with ribbons on their bags or coats. Hopefully the people who pick information up will read it and learn something."\nBuckles added that the distribution of literature and condoms is not the only event marking AIDS Awareness Week. \n"There are events occurring all this week and next benefiting different AIDS organizations," she said. "There are benefit concerts at the bars, conferences and performances of 'The Vagina Monologues'."\nAlso aiding the distribution of information was junior Natalia Galvan. While not a member of any groups participating in the campaign, she felt a need to help spread the word on AIDS.\n"I wanted to help spread the word by distributing the ribbons," she said. "AIDS prevention and education is the most important thing that's going on today. It's absolutely necessary."\nStudent Global AIDS Campaign is one group supporting the distribution efforts and using the platform to promote other AIDS awareness events.\n"We are operating this distribution with Outreach Kenya Development Volunteers to spread the message on both World AIDS Day and AIDS Awareness Week," said SGAC president Dan O'Neill. "We are also using this opportunity to inform students about the Midwest Regional Conference hosted at IU by our organization."\nThe conference, being held from Feb. 22-24, is a workshop for students from all over the Midwest. Speakers at the conference include River Huston, an HIV-positive writer, poet and activist. \n"We are working to fight the AIDS crisis," said O'Neill. "Though we are a new group to campus we have over 200 members who feel strongly about the issues that we are facing."\nO'Neill adds that all are welcome to attend the conference, which is free for all students. \nDistribution will continue in the IMU today from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
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Bill Simpson, former head of Simpson Performance Products, Inc. and resident of Avon, Ind., filed suit against the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing Wednesday.\nThe suit, which names NASCAR as the defendant, seeks $8.5 million in damages, including $6 million in lost competitive advantage, $2.5 million in lost profits and an unspecified amount in attorney fees and punitive damages. Simpson claims that NASCAR wrongly blamed his products for the death of racing legend Dale Earnhardt. \n"It is the beginning of something that should have not happened," Simpson said in an interview with the Orlando Sentinel. "They ruined my reputation. I'm disappointed that I had to do this." \nSimpson is no longer associated with his company after resigning in August after the accident, though he owns more than 25 percent of the company's stock. The current CEO of Simpson Performance Products, Chuck Davies, said in an interview with the Indianapolis Star that his company will not participate in the suit. \n"Our mission is to make racers safer, and we're working with NASCAR very hard on that very thing," he said. "I have sympathy for how Bill feels, but (this path) is not how we are going as a company."\nNASCAR insisted several times that a broken lap belt, manufactured by Simpson Performance Products, was a culprit in the fatal accident that claimed Earnhardt. Expert testimony cited the violent thrusting of Earnhardt's head forward as the cause of death.\nThe suit says that NASCAR officials and Daytona International Speedway physician Dr. Steve Bonnohon falsely blamed the seatbelt harness for the death and failed to mention that the harness was incorrectly installed by Earnhardt's crew.\nSimpson had worked in the auto racing industry for more than 40 years, providing safety equipment that included harnesses, helmets, fire retardant driving suits and shoes. His company was regarded as the epitome of racing safety. \nNASCAR driver Martin expressed his confidence in Simpson products in the interview with the Indianapolis Star.\n"If I had concerns about his products, my (10-year-old) son Matthew wouldn't be using them in his race car," he said.\nDale Earnhardt Jr. uses a competing harness, as does his late father's team.\nNASCAR said in a press release that the Simpson suit is groundless.\n"The Bill Simpson lawsuit is totally without merit," the statement said. "We will vigorously defend ourselves against his false allegations. NASCAR will continue to focus its efforts on safety, working with members of the NASCAR industry, including Simpson Performance Products, Inc."\nWhen called, NASCAR National Racing Commission had no comment.\nBill Simpson could not be reached for comment.
(07/25/02 8:23pm)
Members of the Interfaith Coalition on Nondiscrimination plan to rally in the Statehouse to support legislation that will prohibit discrimination against gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people in the workplace. At 12:30 p.m. today in the north atrium, ICON will unveil a letter signed by more than 150 clergymen and women who believe that discrimination in any form is wrong.\nRev. Jeff Miner, the chair of ICON, believes that the religious community in Indiana is misunderstood.\n"Indiana's legislators think that people of faith oppose fair treatment of gay and transgendered people," he said in a press release. "We're changing that perception."\nIn addition to unveiling the letter, ICON will also include a visual display illustrating where the support for the cause comes from. As each signature is read, a dove, cross or Star of David will be placed on a map of Indiana, marking where each clergy member is from. \n"Some may be surprised," Miner said. "Indiana is covered from corner to corner with religious leaders who strongly oppose discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity."\nDoug Bauder, Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Student Support Services coordinator, said the move by ICON is a welcome one.\n"We are continually aware that there is discrimination around us," he said. "I know of people who have been fired due to their sexual orientation, so this is an issue."\nBauder noted that the support from the religious community is welcome from the gay community.\n"Many gay, lesbian and transgendered people feel that they have no support within the traditional faith communities in which they were raised," he said. "However, religious leaders are looking at different sexual orientations in other ways."\nJohn Krull, executive director of the Indiana Civil Liberties Union, said the ICON action is a welcome event.\n"The ICLU is against discrimination in all forms, from race and handicap to sexual orientation," he said. "And we encourage the ICON action. The ICLU encourages all citizens to engage the government to institute change."\nKrull warned that the change will not happen overnight.\n"Lobbying and trying to affect state policy takes time," he said. "This action is only a first step to instituting change."\nBut change appears to be what Hoosiers want. A study conducted by the IU Center for Survey Research found that 89 percent of Hoosiers are in favor of equal treatment of gays in the workplace. \nRev. Judith Carlson, a member of the ICON steering committee, said she feels that time is imminent.\n"Momentum is on our side," she said in a press release. "Now is the right time to encourage Indiana's legislators to protect the basic civil rights of gay and transgendered people."\nThe ICON press release praised Gov. Frank O'Bannon's office for incorporating sexual orientation in its nondiscrimination policy. It also noted that leading Indiana employers like Anthem, Cummins Engine, Lincoln National and Eli Lilly are prohibiting sexual discrimination. \nICON encourages all to attend the peaceful protest.
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Amid allegations of misconduct by the tickets aspiring to lead the student body, the IU Student Association election commission is meeting today to settle disputes. The commission, made up of eight students, will meet at 8:30 p.m. in State Room East of the Indiana Memorial Union and will rule on complaints filed by the Kirkwood, Steel and Synergy tickets. \nJoe Walterman, IUSA election commissioner, said the commission is hoping to reach a decision on all complaints Monday to announce the successor to the Supernova administration Tuesday. In the event of a tie, Walterman would decide the outcome.\nThe tickets will present their complaints accompanied with evidence. Third parties will also be able to participate within reason, Walterman said.\nLydia Roll, IUSA office manager, said there have been seven complaints filed. Kirkwood has filed four complaints against Synergy, Synergy has filed two against Kirkwood and Steel has filed one against Kirkwood.\nSteel's only complaint alleges Kirkwood improperly used the e-mail systems and sent out unsolicited e-mails to students. These e-mails, which were allegedly sent to more than 500 people at a time, reminded voters of the election and said to vote for the Kirkwood ticket. Steel wanted to file the complaint jointly with Synergy, Steel presidential candidate Jeff Wuslich said, but Synergy opted to file separately.\nWuslich said the Steel complaint is intended to complement the Synergy complaint, but he wished the two tickets had filed jointly.\nJunior Brian Daviduke, Synergy presidential candidate, had no comment pending the outcome of the hearing. But in a Feb. 27 article in the IDS, Daviduke said Synergy didn't file the complaint jointly because the ticket disagrees with how Steel has run its campaign.\nThe two complaints filed by Synergy against Kirkwood concern material distributed to voters. One concerns the mass e-mails sent by Kirkwood last Tuesday night. The other complaint alleges Kirkwood intimidated pledges in some fraternities with a letter distributed before voting.\nThe letter, which addresses the pledge as "Dear Pledge/Savior of the Greek system," said the Kirkwood ticket would see how effective the pledges were in campaigning for them by using the Votetracker System, which Kirkwood claimed will allow them to track exactly who is voting where. The letter states they would check the system and "your houses will be told exactly how well you performed."\nWalterman said this was the most serious complaint because there was a tone of voter fraud. He stressed this was a preliminary judgement. He also said the letter was hung in McNutt.\nSophomore Bill Gray, presidential candidate for Kirkwood, declined comment on the complaints but said he hopes the voters will decide the outcome of this election. \n"I firmly believe that the voters will decide this election," he said. "I met with Wuslich and Daviduke after the complaints were filed, and suggested that everybody drop the charges, allowing the popular will to decide."\nGray said Wuslich agreed to the proposal as long as Daviduke did as well but said Daviduke refused to rescind the complaints filed by his ticket.\nKirkwood's complaints all concern the campaigning activity of Synergy. One complaint alleges Synergy ticket members gave condoms to voters in exchange for votes. Another alleges Synergy members obtained a key to Briscoe Quad illegally and campaigned on residence floors without an escort in violation of Residential Programs Services policy. The third alleges Synergy campaign materials have defaced campus.\nKirkwood's fourth and most serious complaint alleges Synergy ticket members trespassed on Lambda Chi Alpha's property and attempted to force fraternity members to vote for Synergy.\n"Synergy came into the house without asking permission," said junior Mike Miller, Lambda Chi Alpha president. "I am responsive to any request to speak to the members of my house, but I do not appreciate it when they solicit the men of Lambda Chi behind my back."\nMiller said after entering the fraternity without permission, Synergy ticket members went room-to-room, pressuring the men of Lambda Chi to vote for their ticket.\n"If a fraternity cornered men who were rushing in their rooms and pressured them to join it would be punished severely," Miller said. "It's called hotboxing, and that's wrong. There is no reason why an IUSA ticket should be able to intimidate people to vote for them."\nWuslich said he believes the complaints help maintain the integrity of IUSA elections.\n"The complaints may seem petty in the short run, but students need to realize that we are not trying to gripe about every little thing," he said. "In the long run they keep the elections clean and fair and maintain the integrity of IUSA."\nWuslich is pleased that there are no complaints filed against his ticket.\n"At every meeting we stressed the importance of running a fair, clean campaign," he said. "It's very easy to run a clean campaign, and Steel proved that."\nWalterman said the punishments if the tickets are found guilty can vary.\n"Punishments can include monetary fines, disqualification of individual candidates, disqualification of an entire ticket or a new election," he said. "Obviously serious infractions require severe punishments"
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Herbert Marks, adjunct associate professor of religious and Jewish studies, outlined the major issues concerning kingship in ancient Israel over a bagel lunch at the Helene G. Simon Hillel Center Wednesday afternoon.\nMarks explored the historical problems of kingship in ancient Israel, drawing upon the Bible to illustrate his points, although he pointed out that the book may be historically inaccurate.\n"The Bible is a great literary work," he said. "It is the greatest in Western literature. It is unsurpassed in its sophistication, irony and complexity. However, it was written centuries after the fact by writers who were trying to further ideological agendas, making it difficult to use for historical references."\nThe lecture focused on the biblical justification of kingship, focusing on the three kings of Israel: Saul, Solomon and David. Although the historical accuracy of the Bible can be questioned, the existence of these kings cannot, Marks said.\n"There is little reason to be skeptical that David, Solomon and Saul existed," he said. "Scholars are almost unanimous in that opinion."\nMarks said the primary issue for the authors of the Bible was how to justify kingship. In Jewish tradition prior to the rise of Saul, God was regarded as the king of Israel. \nBut Israel was following the mold of other ancient civilizations when it adopted dynastic rule, Marks said. The increasing complexity of civilizations precluded the social stratification that resulted in monarchy. These rulers claimed divine right, as can be observed in Biblical references.\n"The kings of Israel were anointed, not coronated," Marks said. "This implied a divine right to rule."\nHe added that some biblical texts might have been used in royal proceedings.\n"Psalm 110 may have been used when kings were coronated, or perhaps at an annual ceremony," he said. "It refers to the Lord speaking to the lord, or king, once again referring to divine right to rule."\nMarks concluded that the Bible passages concerned with kingship served both a religious and political purpose.\n"These passages are a compromise between the secular and political," he said. "By justifying kingship while warning of the perils of poor leadership it compromises between God and man as king."\nProfessor of History Irving Katz said Marks' lecture clearly addressed a controversial issue.\n"This was a brilliant encapsulation of information," Katz said. "And it dealt with a very controversial topic among scholars in an informative, unbiased way."\nMarks was not originally slated to deliver the lecture. James Ackerman, professor emeritus of religious studies, was scheduled to lecture but canceled due to illness. \nThe bagel lunches are sponsored by the Jewish Studies Student Association. Senior Jonathan Lipnick, a member of the JSSA, said these events are intended to encourage further learning about Jewish studies and issues.
(07/25/02 8:23pm)
Aquila's resignation, which was submitted to student body president Jake Oakman and Chief Justice Robert Cioffi, a senior, is in response to recent actions of the Court.\nIn a press release Aquila said he is resigning because by remaining on the court he is "complicit in its actions."\n"In the past few years the court has become less responsive to student concerns and its judicial actions have become, for lack of a better term, reckless and irresponsible," he said. "It is no longer an organization I feel that I can be a part of, nor one whose actions I condone."\nAquila said the court has become more concerned with maintaining power than with responding to student needs. In his letter of resignation, he rails against the court's recent bids to maintain power despite IUSA congressional measures to curtail it.\nJunior Paul Musgrave, author of the new IUSA constitution, said the court has acted irresponsibly, recklessly and illegally, prompting the measures to curtail its power.\n"The IUSA Court is reckless, arrogant and in my view incompetent," he said. "Recent events have only confirmed my suspicions."\nMusgrave said there have been two amendments passed, with the changes incorporated into the new constitution that curtailed the scope of the court's powers.\n"The Court at every turn rejected offers of compromise," he said. "Instead, the majority of the Court's membership -- notably excepting Justice Aquila -- thought the Court should be immune from due process and impeachment."\nMusgrave said he is sorry to see Aquila leave IUSA, and believes the loss speaks volumes.\n"That a person with such unimpeachable character as Steve Aquila has found that he can no longer support the actions of the Supreme Court is a sure sign that the court has gone too far," he said.\nAquila said he believes IUSA does a lot for students, but the Supreme Court does not help.\n"We do a lot of good things, and what got to me about the Court is that they rarely helped these good projects along, mostly ignored them and in some cases were openly hostile," he said.\nOakman, a senior, said he regrets the resignation of Aquila.\n"I was saddened but not surprised to see Mr. Aquila resign from the Supreme Court," he said. "He made his decision based on the principles of his convictions and I respect him for that. I understand his dissatisfaction with the outcome of the Supreme Court's decision, and at the risk of sounding vulgar, it took balls to do what he did. "\nChief Justice Robert Cioffi was unable to be reached.
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A lagging job market and President Bush's call to volunteer service during the State of the Union address has made volunteer service an attractive alternative to traditional employment for graduating students. More and more IU grads are finding their way to the Peace Corps and other service oriented job opportunities.\nPeace Corps and other volunteer organizations emphasize the skills students will achieve by donating their time and effort, including improved leadership skills and a sense of accomplishment.\nThe Teach for America Web site gives prospective teachers the testimonials of several past and current teachers. Teach for America involves a two-year commitment to teach in an underprivileged classroom. Applicants of any major are encouraged to apply, and have the opportunity to become certified as teachers at the end of their commitment.\n"There is not another job that would bring me back to work excited day in and day out as teaching does," said Jonas Chartock, a graduate of Cornell University and member of Teach for America Corps. "I enjoy my life as the 23-year-old chief executive officer of the non-profit organization known as Room 104B. I have a responsibility matched by few. The potential for 'growth' and 'increasing share-holder value' and 'opening new markets' in my industry cannot be quantified."\nThe Peace Corps also offers unique opportunities for graduates. \nScot Roskelley, public affairs specialist for the Chicago regional office, said volunteers are sent all over the world to assist people with developing businesses, agriculture and educational programs. \n"The Peace Corps is a 27 month commitment," he said. "And they are compensated. Peace Corps volunteers receive a monthly living stipend in the local currency. It is enough money to pay rent, buy food and take care of incidentals. The amount varies from country to country -- depending upon the economy in that country. In addition, volunteers are covered by health insurance. They earn vacation days. And at the end of the 27 month period, they are given a little over $6,000 which can be used to live off of while re-establishing residence in the U.S or to travel after their service."\nRoskelley said any major is accepted, but the Corps are looking for people with education, agriculture, forestry and environmental training. He said people who have taken at least one year of French are also in need because many of the Caribbean nations served speak predominantly French.\nAccording to a press release IU currently has 50 alumni serving in the Peace Corps, placing the campus tenth among universities nationwide. Only two Big Ten universities, Wisconsin and Michigan, have more alumni serving the Peace Corps.\n"The Peace Corps looks for people with very broad human resource skills," Randall Baker, director of international programs for SPEA, said in a press release. "They look for people who think outside of the box, people who can be leaders, people who show steadiness and self-discipline. As a university, we have had a high percentage of the people who apply for the Peace Corps earn acceptance, which certainly speaks well for them as individuals and also speaks well for the university."\nFor more information on how to become involved with these programs go to www.peacecorps.org or www.teachforamerica.org .
(04/25/02 6:05am)
IU alumnus Twyla Robinson, a soprano, has been named among the winners of the Metropolitan Opera Competition.\nThe competition, which began in October 2001, involved several thousand students from Canada, the United States and Australia. District, regional, semifinal and final competition narrowed the field to 10 competitors for the award. Five people were awarded this year.\nRobinson, who recently completed the Adler Fellowship with the San Francisco Opera, will receive a $15,000 award. She is the third winner of the prestigious award from IU. Last year, tenor Lawrence Brownlee and soprano Kristine Winkler took home prizes.\nMaria Talbert, director of marketing and publicity for the School of Music, said the award is a tribute to the musical programs at IU.\n"Twyla winning the award is a testament to (the) high quality of voice education offered here," she said. "It's also a tribute to the high quality of students."\nTalbert said she is pleased with the track record of the IU music programs.\nRobinson will be singing the role of Donna Anna in "Don Giovanni" in the Pine Mountain Festival this summer. She said she plans on finishing her masters degree at IU this summer or fall.\nRobinson is a student of School of Music professor Costanza Cuccaro. Cuccaro also coached IU\'s other winners of this honor.\n"The final competition opens doors for young singers," she said. "Winkler just made her debut at the Metropolitan Opera on April 5. The Met is wonderful, giving great aid to young performers."\nCuccaro said Robinson\'s performance was greeted with a standing ovation, the only competitor to receive this treatment.\nRobinson will appear on Breakfast with the Arts on A&E at 7 a.m. Sunday, April 27. Her winning performance, as well as the rest of the Metropolitan Opera competition, will be broadcast at 7 p.m. May 5 on Bloomington's WFIU radio, 103.7 FM.