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(05/14/01 2:01am)
Forty students, faculty and staff members from the IU School of Health, Physical Education and Recreation are today hiking northeast of Beijing at Mutianyu, one of the best-preserved parts of the country's Great Wall.\nWhile participants are in the middle of their 11-day trip, which includes five days of hiking, anyone can check up on their progress on a new Web site, www.greatwallwalk.indiana.edu.\nDavid Gallahue, the trip's organizer, said "friendship, fitness and international understanding" are themes of the 50-mile hike along parts of the 4,500 mile-long wall -- some of which are closed to the public. The group departed May 6.\nThe walk celebrates 10 years of friendship and cooperation between IU's HPER and the Beijing University of Physical Education, which is represented by 20 walkers. The partnership has promoted cultural exchanges and healthy lifestyles.\nIU's walkers have donated playground equipment at sites along its hike in China.\nIt's the first official international hike permitted in the closed sections by the Great Wall Commission, according to an IU press release.\nThe Web site includes daily reports from participants as they walk along sections of the wall in Beijing. Also included will be letters from the wall for trip participants to reflect upon their adventure, photographs and audio messages.\nOther sections explain trip objectives, give the 11-day itinerary and provide a list of IU trip participants and sponsors.\n"We are delighted to be able to develop this Web site so those interested in this trip, whether they be from Indiana, China or anywhere else in the world, can share our sense of adventure and excitement," Gallahue, also HPER associate dean and coordinator of the Great Wall hike, said in a statement.\nDavid Skirvin, HPER assistant dean for administration, went to China with an advance team April 21.\nSkirvin said the hike is no walk in the park -- parts of the Wall are like a mountain climb. He said participants had to train heavily, walking the steps of Memorial Stadium to prepare. Participants also had to raise money for the $2,000 trip themselves, he said.\nWith all the preparation, Skirvin said the event has been successful so far.\n"We are hoping that it will be a goodwill gesture between the two nations," Skirvin said.\nHe said people in Beijing are already talking about next year. But Skirvin said it's not likely to become a yearly event.
(05/07/01 2:36am)
His red Saturn packed to capacity with luggage, senior Umair Quraishi left for his home in Chicago Sunday.\nThe business major left Bloomington with a lighter wallet than he had hoped.\nHe watched his gas bill rise as he pumped $17.50 into his car at the College Mall Shell, 2700 E. 3rd St. He usually buys premium -- but the $1.97 per gallon Plus was good enough Sunday. Quraishi called the higher prices "a scam, a way for the oil companies to make more money."\nWhere he's headed, though, prices are no better. In Chicago he said he's heard that prices are already more than $2.50 per gallon.\nAnd some observers predict that gas could reach $3 per gallon, because of a variety of factors. Volatility in gasoline prices is possible this summer, with U.S. crude oil and gasoline inventories below normal and with demand for gas rising an average of 6 percent during the summer, according to the federal Energy Information Administration.\nThe EIA predicts slightly lower average prices than last summer, when Gov. Frank O'Bannon temporarily suspended the gas tax to relieve the rise.\nIn Bloomington, blame for the prices varies about as much as the prices themselves. Junior Isaac Kinsey, an employee at Shell, said customers place blame in a variety of places: big oil companies, President George W. Bush, former president Bill Clinton, Middle Eastern countries and even gas station employees.\nKinsey said he's just as upset about high gas prices as the consumers who come in to complain. He said one customer cursed at him and asked for a refund for more than $50 in gas.\n"They act like I make the gas," Kinsey said. "When you drive into a gas station and you're upset about the price, don't bring it in to me."\nWhoever or whatever they blame, customers are angry, Kinsey said.\nRising prices have caused some consumers to change driving habits -- abandoning or using gas-guzzling vehicles sparingly and eliminating unnecessary trips.\nWallace Stuart, a resident of Mooresville, said he drove his 1989 Dodge Caravan Sunday because it gets better gas mileage. He left two newer cars in his garage.\n"I grimace at the costs. It's painful," said Stuart, who shelled out $29.75 for 15 gallons.\nAs he pumped his gas at Shell, Stuart said consumers should boycott the big oil companies. He said it's the big oil companies that are pushing up costs.\nBut according to the Energy Information Administration, the consumer cost for gasoline in 2000 was divided among several factors. Crude oil composed 46 percent, federal and state taxes 28 percent, refining costs and profits 14 percent and distribution, marketing and profits 12 percent.\nSenior Josh Johnson and Kinsey, both Shell employees, said they've found themselves engaged with customers discussing ways to lower gas prices.\nJohnson said more money should be put into a mass-transit system, heeding the example of European countries.\nKinsey said he has advice for customers to reduce prices: walk.\n"I walk everywhere"
(04/26/01 5:36am)
Every year, IU's lone Romanian studies professor, Christina Illias, must fight to keep funding for her program -- one of the most prominent in the country.\n"With every breath I have in myself, I will try to fight and keep it going," Illias said. "I think it's worth the battle."\nWith drastic cuts and declining interest in foreign language programs at IU and across the country, she has cause to be concerned. But with government demand for language specialists high, more might be at stake than Illias' job.\nLanguage is no longer the national priority it once was and should be, officials say, and IU's respected language programs are not immune to the drops in interest, enrollment and funding.\nLanguage enrollments of graduate and undergraduate students at the University have declined 25 percent in the last 10 years, said Randy Parker, assistant dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. Since 1990, undergraduate majors in the foreign language and culture departments have declined by 51 percent, and enrollments in the courses that count for the COAS foreign language requirement have dropped 27 percent, Parker said.\nRoxana Ma Newman, assistant dean of the Office of International Programs, said the University has noticed the decline.\n"Even we, who pride ourselves on our rich language offerings, aren't producing enough language experts," Newman said.\nNewman speaks Dutch, French, Spanish and Hausa, an African language. She said she believes learning and speaking languages is a key part of a college education. That's why she said she is troubled by declines on a local and national level.\nNationally, college enrollment has gone from about 4 million students in 1960 to about 15 million in 1998, but enrollment in foreign language enrollment showed much smaller gains, according to the American Council on Education. In 1960, about 600,000 college students enrolled in language, and in 1998, 1.1 million students enrolled.\nIn 1960, the percentage of total higher education enrollment of foreign language classes was 16.1 percent. In 1998, that number dropped to 7.9 percent, according to the American Council on Education.\nHigh stakes\nThe problem posed by language-training shortages runs deeper than enrollment. The stakes are high.\n"It's a unilateral language disarmament," said David Ransel, director of IU's Russian and East European Institute. "We're at the mercy of what people tell us in their own language.\n"That's not a good position to be in if you have pretensions of being a world power and influencing people all over the globe."\nWhile experts in language study have shown concern about low numbers of language graduates before, an April 16 article in The New York Times revealed how the shortage has the potential to seriously damage national security. The article spurred water-cooler discussions at IU's Office of International Programs, Newman said.\nA backlog of material to be translated and the lack of language specialists with security clearance caused dangerous lapses in national security, the Times reported. Information about the World Trade Center bombing and nuclear tests in Pakistan and India was not gleaned from intelligence material until after the bombing and tests.\nRobert O. Slater, director of the National Security Education Program, told the Times the shortage of linguists is a grave problem.\nReasons for the decline\nUniversity officials blame the downward language trend on several factors. Many times, IU's regularly offered 40 to 50 languages have been threatened by University funding cuts and low enrollment.\nRansel, director of the REEI, said many universities have relaxed language requirements, and many students fulfill such requirements by taking a few classes in one of the three main language taught in high schools -- Spanish, French and German.\nRansel said the University of Illinois requires language in every school of the university, but IU continues to relax language requirements.\nThe diffusion of the English language into many countries has also become an issue. Officials cite English "arrogance" in many ways as leaving the United States at the mercy of what English speakers in other countries tell it.\n"English is swamping other major foreign languages," Newman said.\nIU's Russian and East European Institute -- brought into prominence by the Cold War and Russia's Sputnik, the first satellite to orbit the Earth -- has been affected by declining interest and fiscal cuts, Ransel said. The once forbidden land of Russia is now open. The romance worn away, Russia is less interesting to many Americans, Ransel said. Russia also lacks business opportunities, while in Eastern Europe --and especially Romania -- interest and business opportunities are peaking.\nIronically, Ransel said, the demand for language training during the Cold War was similar to today's demands. The break-up of the former Soviet Union and the resulting fragmentation of provinces and languages created a demand for people with language training, Ransel said.\nWhile the REEI doesn't offer languages, its area studies program offers languages through other departments.\nRansel said enrollments in such programs have typically stagnated or gone down for several reasons: The U.S. government reduced the number of foreign language and area studies grants it offers; University funding for instructors' salaries has gone down; students are choosing to go abroad rather than take languages locally; and battles with the University over logistics have crippled summer programs.\nRansel said IU has become more and more enrollment driven -- seeking to eliminate courses in which enrollment is low.\n"The University is being run more like a widget factory, processing bodies instead of maintaining necessary languages and courses," Ransel said.\nBut enrollment-driven budgeting is dictated by state budgeting, he said. IU receives about 25 percent of its operating budget from the state, a "pittance," Ransel said, forcing the University to operate like a private institution. The trend applies to colleges nationwide, he said.\nChristina Illias, who also teaches Latin and Classical Studies because University funding only covers a half-time Romanian professor, said the University recognizes quality in language programs and takes pride in them. But, she said, when there are financial problems, they start looking at departments and languages to cut.\n"You have to prove the worth (of your program) to the University and state with results," Illias said. "Once you've done away with (a program), it's not possible to bring it back. That's why I fought so hard to keep it afloat," Illias said.\nArmy training\nDespite reductions, IU's Russian and East European Institute is one of the oldest and most respected institutes in the country, said Major John Burbank, one of two Army foreign area specialists training in REEI area studies at IU. Area studies focus on a variety of cultural aspects of a country or region -- students are offered classes in humanities, literature, politics and history.\nThe Army pays for foreign area specialists' 18-month study after they learn a language or languages at the Defense Language Institute in Monterey, Calif. Burbank took Russian at the Institute, although he said he was asked to take Arabic, one of the languages with the most chronic shortages.\nIU's REEI has a competitive admission process, but the Army sends the majority of its specialists to other institutions for one main reason: other institutions offer in-state tuition rates to enlisted people. Burbank said several schools, including Ohio State and Kansas, offer such discounted rates, but IU does not.\n"The army tries to save money where they can," said Burbank, who wants to work as an attache in Russia.\nRansel said the realization of language deficiencies should be good news for IU's programs, especially in graduate studies. The consciousness will likely focus attention on the area and open doors for increased funding, Ransel said.\n"I think that this awareness that there is a critical shortage … is going to help to turn things around, but there will be a lag," Ransel said.
(03/30/01 5:21am)
Freshman Joe Grimme returned from spring break to find his Read Center door unlocked and his computer gone. \nHis Gateway, 19-inch monitor, printer, specialized software and scanner -- $3,620 worth of equipment that helps Grimme, who is legally blind -- had been stolen. \nThe software enlarges text and reads it out loud.\nEmployees from three University departments combined efforts to replace Grimme's stolen equipment last week. \nBefore class March 23, Grimme said a representative of University Information Technology Services called, saying the department had heard about the situation and would try to help.\n"Really, that was a surprising phone call," Grimme said. "Between UITS, Disabled Student Services and Adaptive Technology Center, they were going to get a computer together."\nThe computer was set up at 5 p.m. the same day.\nBefore spring break, Grimme had a special system set up to do his academic work, said Jody Ferguson, coordinator for Learning Disabilities Services. Between departments and from existing equipment, the University was able to provide Grimme a computer similar to the one that was stolen, she said.\n"It'll work for the rest of the year, and that's what I need," Grimme said.\nGrimme said he uses his computer to read his textbooks, write papers, mix music, edit film and design Web pages. Read Center's director of student affairs, Grimme said he used the residence hall's office computer until his was replaced.\n"He has the use of (the new) machine for as long as he needs it," Ferguson said. "It's as good or better equipment as what he had."\nFerguson said a personal computer is especially important for a student with a visual impairment.\n"When you think about college, reading is one of the main ways you access information," Ferguson said. "This computer has a way to make font much larger."\nGrimme called the Adaptive Technology Center to let them know specialized software the Center provides had been stolen with his computer.\nPrograms that allow the print on the screen to be enlarged and for text to be read aloud were replaced March 23 at no charge, said Margaret Londergan, director of the Adaptive Technology Center, part of UITS.\nWhen the center heard his computer was stolen, the staff began looking at ways to replace it and started contacting other departments.\n"We did not want his disability to stand in the way of his success as an IU student," Londergan said. "Everyone has opportunity for success."\nLondergan said she started the Adaptive Technology Center 18 months ago after realizing that access to technology for people with disabilities was lacking on campus. Today, about 250 students benefit from the hardware and software the center offers -- Braille output, computer screen magnification, writing assistance and making electronic-text CDs from textbooks.\nWhen he realized his graduation present had been stolen, Grimme said he didn't know what to do. He said he told his resident assistant, who called police. Grimme said the IU Police Department dusted for fingerprints but didn't find any evidence.\nIUPD Lt. Jerry Minger said investigators are checking into the possibility of duplicate keys that could have been made for the room and plan to interview people with knowledge of the specialized equipment in Grimme's room.
(03/23/01 5:13am)
An extra traffic headache on campus is expected to clear up next week.\nWith work on a sewer line on schedule, Woodlawn Avenue should be open by March 29, construction officials said.\nConstruction workers, putting in 12-14 hours a day, are making good time, assistant superintendent John Neal said.\nHe said the project is going more quickly than he expected.\nThe project on Woodlawn Avenue, the second of two recent projects, began March 12. While the road will open next week, the work should be done by April 2, said Doug Jones of City of Bloomington Utilities.\nWorkers are replacing a sewer line from the intersection of Seventh Street and Woodlawn Avenue north on Woodlawn to 10th Street. Woodlawn has been closed since work began.\nThe reopening of Woodlawn might alleviate traffic problems for now, but more extensive projects are planned.\nExtensive sewer improvement projects planned for the summer -- similar to last summer's work on Kirkwood Avenue -- will block major campus thoroughfares.\n"These two projects are the initial phase of major sanitary and storm sewer projects that will resume after commencement in May and continue through August," Kirk White, IU special assistant for external affairs, said in a press release. "Sections of Fee Lane and Tenth Streets will be closed during most of the summer months"
(03/21/01 4:22am)
IU alumnus and Bloomington resident Alex Cameron waited 18 years for his IU basketball tickets.\nThis year, his first with season tickets, Cameron didn't miss a game. He said he likes the direction IU basketball is headed -- and he doesn't want it to change.\nSo he decided to petition IU to make interim coach Mike Davis the team's permanent coach.\nIt started with gathering signatures on notebook paper outside Kroger, 1175 S. College Mall Road, and it grew from there, he said. Cameron's petition now has nearly 2,000 signatures, and consumes most of his time.\nBut Cameron, 67, who retired from Goodyear after serving in the air force, said he has had plenty of free time since moving to Bloomington two years ago.\nCameron gathered signatures Monday morning at Kroger and asked for students' support all afternoon at the Indiana Memorial Union, thanks to the IU Student Association, he said. He plans to continue the routine all week.\nCameron called IUSA to help get the word out about his petition, freshman Cristen Chapman, an IUSA executive assistant, said. Cameron wanted to do his own thing, but also wanted to get students involved, she said.\nChapman said IUSA admired Cameron's dedication and determination, and many in the organization agreed with his position. IUSA offered to provide space at the student activities desk at the IMU.\nIU President Myles Brand and the rest of a seven-member committee that will determine IU's next head basketball coach had their first meeting Monday. Cameron said he has delivered a partial list of signatures to Vice President for Administration Terry Clapacs, the head of the committee.\nCameron said Davis deserves the job. \n"Frankly, I think he can only go up," Cameron said. "The players love him, and he's second to none in recruiting."\n"A change now would be disruptive to the program," he said.\nAlthough some people walked by without acknowledging Cameron, he didn't let anyone get by without giving them his pitch. Cameron bellowed "Mike Davis for coach" to each passerby, pointing out his petition. Many people voiced agreement and signed.\nAs he signed the petition, senior Ryan Hartman said he was skeptical about Davis at first, but now he's convinced.\n"(Davis) really proved himself," Hartman said. "It'd be a shame not to give him the job."\nWith a commanding voice and lots of energy, Cameron was hard to ignore. He said he believes strongly in his cause.\nJunior Marques Gibson also signed the petition.\nGibson said Davis overcame many obstacles to come within a basket of the Big Ten Championship.\n"It's embarrassing that the best way the school rewards him is to appoint a committee to decide his fate," Gibson said. "If it was any other school, he would be hired."\nCameron will be asking for students' support at the student activities desk 2:30-6 p.m. today and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday and Friday in the IMU.
(03/09/01 6:57pm)
A lawyer for former men's basketball coach Bob Knight sent a letter last week to inform IU that Knight intends to sue IU President Myles Brand and the board of trustees. Knight lawyer Russell Yates wrote that IU has caused Knight to suffer damages in excess of $7 million.\nAfter 29 years as coach, Knight was fired by Brand Sept. 10 for repeated violations of a "zero-tolerance" policy imposed by the University.\nThe notice of intent to sue, obtained Thursday from the University, cites slander, libel, defamation and tortious interference with potential contracts, stemming from "wrongful termination." It also cites violations of Indiana's Open Door laws and intentional infliction of emotional distress.\nYates said Knight will file a lawsuit if the University refuses to negotiate.\n"I still hope we can resolve it, but (Brand) seems to be dragging his feet in talking to us," Yates said. "We got tired of waiting."\nUniversity of Wisconsin law professor Peter Carstensen, an expert in tort law, said that if Knight chooses to file suit, it would be a tort. A tort is a civil claim in which the plaintiff seeks damages. In tort cases, the plaintiff must show that he or she received actual injury from a wrongful act, as defined by law.\nThe letter from Knight's lawyer was required to get the attention of the state and to reserve Knight's right to file a lawsuit in the future, Carstensen said.\nKnight had 180 days after his firing to file an intent to sue claim. Today marks that deadline, Yates said. and Knight now has up to two years to file a lawsuit.\nUniversity spokeswoman Susan Dillman said she hopes Knight does not choose to pursue the claim further. She emphasized the letter is a notice of intent, not a lawsuit.\n"We were disappointed and taken aback to hear the allegations contained in the notice of tort claim," Dillman said. "The charges are frivolous and totally without merit."\nDillman would not comment on whether the University will negotiate with Knight.\nTrustee Ray Richardson said Knight has no valid claim.\n"IU owes Bob Knight nothing and will pay him nothing," Richardson said.\nJohn Walda, president of the board of trustees, said the trustees do not plan to formally respond to the move because they have not been sued. He agreed with Dillman, calling the allegations "somewhat frivolous."\n"The allegations in (the tort claims notice) are clearly unsupported by any facts," Walda said.\nIn his letter, Yates said actions by Brand and the board of trustees since September 2000 have violated Knight's rights. \n"The resulting damages to Mr. Knight include lost income, pain and suffering, mental humiliation and interference with his ability to obtain subsequent employment, all totaling in excess of $7 million," Yates wrote.\nYates declined to comment on what prompted specific charges in the document.\nCarstensen said Knight's case initially sounds "weak," but he said he doesn't know what Knight's lawyers know. He said Knight might be able to receive damages, even if the case is not strong.\n"If Knight's lawyers have at least some dirt to launder, the state of Indiana might pay Knight something to go away," Carstensen said.\nCarstensen said strong evidence of libel or slander would be key to the argument. Slander and libel are untrue statements about a person that damage his or her reputation. Slander is spoken, and libel is written.\n"The real issues are the facts," Carstensen said. "If the University knew facts that were contrary to what they said about Knight, then they're in deep trouble. If they spoke the truth or the truth as they thought they knew it, then they're probably not in trouble."\nBut Indiana has never been a plaintiff-friendly state, he said, and public figures are less protected.\nCarstensen said he isn't an expert on Indiana law, but predicted some arguments that could be made by Knight's lawyers. For example, he said, statements made when Knight was fired and afterward could be potential arguments.\n"These statements had serious economic effects. They didn't just say 'you're released as a coach.' That's done all the time," Carstensen said. "But they did it in a way that would make it hard for (Knight) to get a job in the future."\nCarstensen said another potential argument of Knight's is if someone from the University was saying negative things to prospective employers or harassing Knight or his family.\nFinally, if one of the reasons given for Knight's firing was inaccurate and the University knew it, it could be liable, he said.\nIndiana Public Access Counselor Anne Mullin O'Connor said legal action under the Open Door Laws isn't really a tort, but that it could have a potential for other legal action. She said that neither side has contacted her office for advice, but that there is still time for them to do so.\nRichardson said Knight was given a second chance to coach at IU and failed. Now he should move on, he said.\n"Bob Knight should take his wife's advice and get off the horse, because it's dead," Richardson said.
(03/09/01 12:17am)
A lawyer for former men's basketball coach Bob Knight sent a letter to IU last week saying Knight intends to sue IU President Myles Brand and the IU board of trustees. In the letter, Knight lawyer Russell Yates cites damages of more than $7 million.\n The notice of intent to sue, obtained today from the University, cites slander, libel, defamation and tortious interference with contracts, stemming from "wrongful termination." It also cites violations of Indiana's Open Door laws and intentional infliction of emotional distress.\n Yates said a lawsuit will be filed if the University won't negotiate.\n "I still hope we can resolve it, but (Brand) seems to be dragging his feet in talking to us," Yates said. "We got tired of waiting, and we didn't want to run up against the deadline."\n Friday will be 180 days after Knight's Sept. 10 termination, the deadline for filing intent to sue claims, Yates said. He said Knight now has up to two years to file a lawsuit.\n After 29 years as coach, Knight was fired by Brand for repeated violations of a "zero-tolerance" policy imposed by the University.\n University spokeswoman Susan Dillman said she hopes Knight does not choose to pursue the claim further. She emphasized that the letter is a notice of intent, not a lawsuit.\n "We were disappointed and taken aback to hear the allegations contained in the notice of tort claim," Dillman said. "The charges are frivolous and totally without merit."\n Dillman would not comment on whether the University will negotiate with Knight.\n The University counsel's office referred all questions to Dillman.\n In his letter, Yates said actions by Brand and the board of trustees since September 2000 have violated Knight's rights. \n "The resulting damages to Mr. Knight include lost income, pain and suffering, mental humiliation and interference with his ability to obtain subsequent employment, all totaling in excess of $7 million," Yates wrote. \n Yates declined to comment on what prompted specific charges in the document.
(03/05/01 7:02am)
A student and an IU employee were victims of two separate armed robberies within a span of 20 minutes early Sunday, IU Police Department Lt. Jerry Minger said. No arrests have been made.\nMinger said IUPD is investigating the incidents separately but considers it possible that the same person committed both crimes or that two robbers were together.\nEric Halicki, a graduate student, was returning to Evermann Apartments after walking a friend home, Minger said. Phillip Sloffer, a piano tuner, was preparing to enter the Music Building through its east entrance.\nBoth had their wallets stolen by a man with a gun.\nHalicki was robbed at about 4:50 a.m. at Seventh Street and Jordan Avenue, Minger said. As Halicki was walking north and approaching the intersection, a man crossed the street and revealed a dark, semi-automatic pistol, according to police. \nMinger said Halicki threw the man his wallet. The man then walked north toward Wright Quad, and Halicki ran to Delta Gamma sorority, 105 N. Jordan Ave., to call IUPD, Minger said.\nAccording to police reports, Halicki described his assailant as a black man, early to mid-20s, medium complexion, between 6-foot and 6-foot-2-inches tall, with a mustache and facial hair, wearing a gray-hooded sweatshirt, a dark coat and dark jeans.\nMinger said IUPD received the call at 4:56 a.m., and responded to the scene and to the north of the scene, where they believed the robber was headed. As the report was taken, the second robbery was called in, at 5:12 a.m., Minger said.\nMinger estimated that Sloffer was robbed at about 5:09 a.m. at the Music Building. As Sloffer prepared to enter the building, he heard a man say, "Don't turn around. Give me your wallet," Minger said. Sloffer turned around and saw a black semi-automatic pistol pointed at him. The man placed the barrel of the gun behind Sloffer's head and repeated his order, according to police reports. Sloffer gave the man his wallet, and the man ran south toward Third Street.\nSloffer described the man as a black man, early to mid-20s, dark complexion, 6-foot tall, 170 pounds, wearing thick, dark-rimmed glasses, a black baseball or stocking cap, baggy, black pants and a black leather jacket with lettering on the back, according to police reports.\nMinger said IUPD searched the area in which the robberies occurred, turning up nothing. Minger said both victims will be interviewed again this week.\nIncidents of armed robbery are not common on campus, Minger said. The last armed robbery on campus was in 1998, he said.\n"The campus is pretty safe, but that doesn't mean people shouldn't use caution," Minger said.\nMinger said victims of armed robbery should comply with their assailant, turning over cash or valuables, while observing for details to assist police if they're in a position to do so.\n"Give them your wallet and let them go," Minger said.\nUniversity spokeswoman Susan Dillman said statistics show armed robbery is not a frequent incident on campus.\n"We are very concerned about this," Dillman said. "We hope the police are successful in finding the culprit or culprits."\nMinger says anyone who feels they may have been a witness to these incidents or has information which may assist the police is asked to call IUPD at 855-4111.
(03/01/01 5:16am)
Bulgaria has much to offer culturally, said Renne Traicova, a graduate student from the East European country the size of Ohio. Bulgaria is known for its hospitality, and its residents throw good parties, she said.\nBut few students have experienced that hospitality, Traicova said, or even know about the culture and history of the country.\nTraicova said she decided to plan a cultural event with her friends to educate everyone, whether or not they have ties to Bulgaria.\nToday, in the first Bulgarian cultural event at IU, students will have a chance to experience authentic Bulgarian food, wine, folk music and dance.\nSponsored by the Russian and East European Institute Graduate Student Association, the event will take place at 6:30 p.m. in the Indiana Memorial Union Faculty Room.\nAbout 150 people are expected to attend, Traicova said.\nBulgaria is known for its beautiful rose valleys, which produce rose oil for perfume. It is also the birthplace of yogurt and the home of some of the world's best wine, Traicova said. All will be included in today's celebration.\nThe anniversary of Bulgaria's independence falls in March, but Traicova said it is only an excuse to educate the community and University.\nKara Brown, a doctoral student and Russian and East European Institute outreach assistant, said it is the first independence day celebration for Bulgaria at IU.\n"(This event) has brought together Bulgarian students and members of the community (and) has reached out beyond the University," Brown said.\nTraicova said she knows of 15 students from Bulgaria, and she said the Bloomington community has a growing Bulgarian population.\n"I felt like Bulgaria was an under-represented country," Traicova said. "It's not as well known as other countries in that region."\nToday's event will feature a singer from the School of Music performing authentic Bulgarian folk music; traditional food such as feta cheese, grape leaves and lamb; and lessons in Bulgarian folk dancing, Traicova said.\nThe event will include a March tradition celebrating the arrival of spring. Tokens of the tradition made of colored yarn will be distributed. People are to tie them to a tree when they see the first stork of the season, Traicova said.\nMilena Neshkova, a graduate student from Bulgaria, said Bulgaria is an old and little known country. Founded in 681, Bulgaria gained its independence from the Ottoman Empire after a war between Turkey and Russia, she said.\nNeshkova said Bulgaria became a communist country between 1944 and 1989, with the transition from communism quieter than in surrounding countries.\nNegotiations began in 1998 for Bulgaria to join the European Union, and Neshkova said she expects the country to join between 2005 and 2010.
(02/28/01 6:31am)
Earlier this month a mistake in the bursar's office allowed thousands of students' names and Social Security numbers to be downloaded to a computer in Sweden, University officials said.\nToday those students will have a chance to get their questions answered.\nThe Graduate Student Organization is sponsoring a public forum on the security breach at 5:30 p.m. in Jordan Hall Room 124, said GSO moderator John Mersch, a graduate student.\nThe forum is a chance for students to air their concerns, ask University representatives what happened and find out what they should be doing to protect their personal information and accounts, Mersch said.\n"We are displeased with the University's actions," Mersch said. "We believe the University needs to come forward to the public with full disclosure (of) exactly what has been stolen, when it happened and what precautions are being taken to prevent this in the future."\nFive speakers have agreed to attend the panel: Bursar Susan Cote, Director of Student Legal Services John Irvine, University Information Technology Services Assistant Director Mark Bruhn and representatives from the IU Police Department and the University administration, Mersch said.\nEach speaker will have five minutes to address students about the incident, which occurred after a security step was skipped and a bursar office server was left unprotected.\nSomeone found and used the memory available, said Perry Metz, assistant vice president for external affairs. He said the computer was not hacked, which would require someone to break the computer's security provisions.\nIn this case, he said, someone scanning the Internet probably found server space on the University's computer and used it to store multimedia files. \nMetz said he doesn't believe the person deliberately downloaded students' names. The download was traced to an IP address at a university in Sweden, he said.\nStudents' information could have been downloaded as early as Jan. 25, University spokeswoman Susan Dillman said. The University investigated the incident from Feb. 7-16, she said, and students were informed in a letter dated Feb. 22.\nMetz said the information technology team took 10 days to issue their report.\n"Then it took an additional week for us to match the names with ID numbers, print the letters and get them in the mail," Metz said.\nMetz said scans of the Internet have turned up no evidence of students' information being available.\nA similar incident, in which Social Security numbers of faculty were released to the Internet, occurred in 1997. A privacy advocate located the names and ID numbers of hundreds of professors and posted them to make a point about privacy, Metz said.\nMetz said measures are being taken to prevent future breaches in security.\nThe Information Technology Security Office has scanned all bursar machines and reviewed security procedures, Metz said.\nContrary to the worries of some students on campus, names and ID numbers were the only pieces of information released, Metz said.\nMetz said IUPD is investigating and the FBI has been notified.\nIUPD has taken about 200 reports from students affected by the security breach at the bursar's office, IUPD Lt. Jerry Minger said. So far none of the students have experienced any fraudulent activity on their financial accounts, he said. \nIndividuals affected by the breach do not need to notify IUPD unless they feel there has been a fraudulent act committed, Minger said.
(02/26/01 7:47am)
A security breach at the bursar's office allowed a hacker to download the personal information of 3,100 students earlier this month, University spokeswoman Susan Dillman said.\nStudents' names and Social Security numbers could have been downloaded from a departmental computer as early as Jan. 25, Dillman said.\nShe said it appeared that the hacker was not operating from within the United States.\nAffected students said they received a letter about the breach Saturday. According to the letter from Bursar Susan Cote, the students' "information was transferred to various Internet sites."\nAcquiring a person's name and Social Security number would enable someone to open credit cards, falsify criminal records, empty bank accounts and engage in other fraudulent activities, unbeknownst to the individual whose identity is being stolen, said Kurt Richter, a graduate student who was affected by the breach.\n"It's enough to screw you good," he said.\nDillman said the breach occurred when the employee responsible for that server was out sick. Another employee tried to fix it, but skipped a step bringing the computer back up, leaving the server unprotected, she said.\nSomeone found the IU server and began to use it to store audio and music video files, she said. Then it appeared someone looked around in the server and downloaded from it at least once, she said.\nFeb. 6, the Bursar was notified by University Information Technology Services because of excessive, non-bursar traffic on the server, Dillman said. UITS investigated from Feb. 7 to 16 and discovered the breach.\nDillman said 500 sponsored students were exposed from Jan. 25 to Feb. 6, while 2,600 graduate students were exposed from Feb. 5 to 6.\nStudents said they are concerned not only about illegal access to their information, but also about the lack of information and help they've been offered by the University.\n"You can attribute this to human error and institutional coverup," Richter said.\nFiliz Cicek, a graduate student, said she questions the timing -- the letter came several days after the breach was discovered and on a weekend, when she could do little about it, Cicek said.\nDillman said the Bursar's office had to identify who the affected students were, and that's why notification took longer.\nGraduate student Garvey Pyke said he was angrier about how the University handled the breach than the breach itself.\n"The violation of trust was not the 'hole' but the way they have handled it," Pyke said.\nThe Feb. 22 letter gave students information about what kind of fraud to look for, gave Web sites with information about Social Security number fraud and instructed them to contact the bursar's office if they suspect fraud.\nThe computer breach could mean long term damage, graduate student Chad Tew, also a victim, said. He said the solution to keeping it from happening again is to eliminate the use of Social Security numbers as ID numbers.\n"For the long term solution to this, IU really needs to rethink its policy about having Social Security numbers serve as the personal identification number," Tew said. "Every student here at IU should feel like a potential victim."\nMichael Thomas, a graduate student and associate instructor, called Social Security numbers as ID numbers "very dangerous." The numbers are on his class lists -- and on hundreds of others all over campus, he said.\n"You can do a lot with those numbers," he said.\nPyke said Social Security numbers as IDs is only one of several technologically unsound campus practices.\n"We like to say we're the most wired, but we won't say if we're the most hacked," Pyke said.\nDillman said the University is taking steps to prevent another security breach in the future.\nAccording to the Feb. 22 letter, University computer security experts made recommendations to increase security that have already been implemented.
(02/26/01 5:29am)
The Supernova executive ticket won the IU Student Association election with about 51 percent of last week's vote, said senior Erin Koops, IUSA elections coordinator.\nThe ticket, led by president-elect Jake Oakman, a junior, will take office April 15.\nAbout 16 percent of the student body, 5,401 students, voted in this year's election Koops said. She said the voter turnout was up from last year.\nSupernova's closest competitor, the ONE ticket, received 35 percent. ONE was followed by the Miracle, Imagine and House tickets.\nOakman said it was an intense but clean election.\nThe executive tickets received election results Friday. Koops said the results were certified by the IUSA Supreme Court, and no complaints or contestments were accepted by the election commission.\nOakman said he found out his ticket had won just before a 5 p.m. Supernova ticket meeting Friday. \n"I did a fist pump as I was reading the e-mail," Oakman said. "I was pretty happy."\nThe only downside, Oakman said, was that two of Supernova's candidates did not win.\nThe ticket expected to get election results earlier, sophomore Jeff Wuslich, vice president for administration-elect, said. But about 40 Supernova-faithful students at the ticket's Willkie Quad meeting were willing to wait, he said.\nThe executive candidates announced the election results at the meeting.\n"All the hard work that everybody did really paid off," Wuslich, said. "We have good people and a good platform -- it looks like the student body realized that."\nAfter a dinner of celebration at Applebee's, Wuslich said the candidates began to think about their plans for the next few weeks.\nOakman said the first thing the ticket will do is get in contact with current officeholders and hold meetings with the ticket's new members of congress. He said he will also get in touch with current IUSA president Meredith Suffron, a senior, to shadow her for a couple of days.\nOnce in office, Supernova wants to open up communication with other student groups and work on campus unification, Oakman said.\n"We want to make (IUSA) a 365-day-a-year organization and not a two-day-a-year organization," Oakman said.\nONE presidential candidate Justin Treasure, a junior, said he will support Supernova's candidates, calling them "well-qualified."\nTreasure said he was satisfied with the campaign.\n"We were really pleased to get the issues we did out on campus," Treasure said.\nHe said the ONE ticket will continue to push for its issues on campus, and they would be happy to work with the administration-elect, Treasure said.\n"The ONE ticket will continue to work on its issues," Treasure said. "Win or lose IUSA, ONE promised to work on these issues."\nIn the next few weeks, Supernova will be thinking about how to fill department director positions and trying to fill empty seats, Wuslich said. He said they will also undergo training and orientation to learn what roles they will fill next year.
(02/22/01 6:09am)
The IU Police Department and the family of the freshman whose Feb. 4 death is still unexplained are concerned people with information might not be coming forward.\nBoth are encouraging anyone who knows anything to call IUPD immediately.\nSeth Korona, 19, died of bleeding in the brain caused by a head injury, Monroe County Coroner David Toumey said Sunday. Korona attended a Jan. 27 party at the Theta Chi fraternity, was hospitalized Jan. 29 and remained in a coma until his death.\nThe investigation will continue into next week at least, Lt. Jerry Minger said. Officials had hoped the investigation would be completed this week.\nMinger said the department wants to speak to everyone who attended the Theta Chi party -- potentially 600 people.\nMinger said 300 people were invited to the party, and each was allowed to bring a guest.\n"I'd be happy if absolutely everyone at that party calls us," Minger said. "Then we'd be as thorough as possible."\nHe said the department wants individuals at the party to call IUPD, whether or not they believe they have information to offer. He said some people at the party might think what they saw is insignificant, assume the department already knows what they saw or simply assume IUPD will call if it needs information.\nMinger said he has heard there are people with first-hand knowledge who have not contacted IUPD. He said the department wants to talk to these people.\nThe department has not yet been able to obtain a guest list or list of rushees, Minger said.\nThe Theta Chi party was registered with the Interfraternity Council and the University was notified, said Jim Gibson, assistant dean of student activities. Fraternities can register their parties with IFC, which passes the information on to the University, Gibson said. \nIUPD has interviewed 30 people who attended the party, Minger said. Those already interviewed were helpful, he said.\nDean of Students Richard McKaig said e-mails were sent to the international organizations of five or six greek houses who had members at the party requesting their local chapter members cooperate with the IUPD investigation.\nIUPD is asking for cooperation from anyone -- regardless of whether they attended the party -- who has any knowledge of what happened to Korona before his hospitalization.\n"We want to reap as much information as possible about Seth Korona's activities," Minger said.\nKorona's family in New Jersey wants to know the truth about what happened, family friend Debra Neilson said.\nFamily members are not in a rush -- they just want answers after a complete investigation, Neilson said. Like IUPD, the family is encouraging individuals to come forward so they can know the truth and have closure. \n"The family is concerned that the investigation will be hampered by the fact that no one is coming forward," Neilson said. "Someone had to see something. We just want to get to the truth."\nMinger said he cannot offer any time table for the completion of the investigation.\nIt depends on how willing people are to share what they know, he said.\nMeanwhile, Korona's friends and family are waiting.\n"A lot of people are walking around thinking they lost a friend for no reason at all," Neilson said.
(02/19/01 5:57am)
Theta Chi's national organization revoked the IU chapter's charter Friday because of a Jan. 27 party at the house. Alcohol was served at the party, a violation of the chapter's probation, said David Westol, executive director of Theta Chi fraternity. \nThe party is also at the center of the IU Police Department's investigation into freshman Seth Korona's death.\nKorona, 19, died Feb. 4 from a skull fracture. University officials said they believe he suffered the fracture at the Jan. 27 party.\nAlcohol served at the party violated written conditions of a January 2000 probation from the national organization, Westol said.\nThe Theta Chi Grand Chapter -- composed of eight Theta Chi alumni from across the country -- made the decision to revoke the charter during a conference call late Thursday night, Westol said.\nThe decision means IU's Alpha Iota chapter, 1440 N. Jordan Ave., will not exist at IU for at least three years, Westol said.\nMembers were notified by e-mail Friday morning.\nAlpha Iota chapter president David Friedmann, a sophomore, could not be reached for comment this weekend. His Bloomington lawyers also could not be reached for comment Friday.\nTheta Chi had been suspended by its ruling body since Feb. 1 and by the University since Feb. 7, pending the completion of an investigation into Korona's death.\nThe loss of the charter will not affect the IU Police Department investigation or potential University action after the investigation, said Dean of Students Richard McKaig.\n"We'll still be proceeding with our own process," McKaig said. "Their removing their charter means there's not a Theta Chi chapter here, but you haven't heard the University's decision."\nMcKaig said the University could take action against individuals or set parameters on allowing the fraternity to return to campus.\nWestol said Theta Chi International had enough evidence to revoke Alpha Iota's charter, even as the IU investigation continues.\nTheta Chi was evicted by its landlord last week. Members have until mid-March to vacate their house, Westol said.\nThe chapter was also required to submit a formal response to a Theta Chi committee's recommendation that the chapter's charter be revoked. Theta Chi International received the chapter's brief response Thursday, Westol said.\n"I did not expect a lengthy response," he said. "It was more of an acknowledgment."\nIUPD Lt. Jerry Minger said IUPD will complete its investigation in the next few days. Minger said Lt. Steve Fiscus, who is conducting the investigation, hopes to have spoken to about 30 people.\nMinger said he expects the investigation into Korona's death to be completed by Wednesday. Once the police report is filed, it will be shared with the coroner, Minger said.\nWestol said he hopes to see Theta Chi eventually return to campus. \n"We would do so only with the permission and blessing of the University and the Interfraternity Council," Westol said. "The standard is normally three years."\nIf the University allows recolonization in the next few years, Westol said, current members would not be eligible.
(02/19/01 5:53am)
Freshman Seth Korona died of bleeding in the brain caused by blunt force trauma to the head, Monroe County Coroner Dave Toumey said Sunday.\nKorona, 19, died Feb. 4 after being in a coma at Bloomington Hospital for nearly a week.\nThe blow to his head was consistent with injuries associated with a fall, Toumey said. He said he will continue to review the case to determine whether the death should be classified as accidental. \nIn the days before Korona died, University health personnel treated 135 students with an antibiotic designed to prevent meningitis and prepared a public health warning, according to University officials.\nDr. Hugh Jessop, director of the IU Health Center, said Bloomington Hospital had alerted the University that Korona might have bacterial meningitis. The University was later told he did not have the disease, Jessop said. \nBloomington Hospital cannot release details about Korona's care, including whether he had meningitis, said hospital community relations director Cassandra Brooks. \nThe University had been ready to issue a statement to let the public know about a case of meningitis, Dean of Students Richard McKaig said.\n"Drafts of statements were prepared and ready to roll," McKaig said.\nBut the statement was never needed.\nKorona's floormates in Foster Quad, students in classes with him and members of the Theta Chi fraternity, where Korona had attended a Jan. 27 party, were offered counseling to evaluate their risk and, if they chose, given the antibiotic for free, Jessop said. He said the antibiotic has no side effects.\nDoctors suspected meningitis when Korona was taken to the hospital, so they began tests and notified the University, Brooks said.\nKorona had shown potential symptoms of meningitis such as a high fever, neck pain and flu-like symptoms, Jessop said.\nDoctors at Bloomington Hospital decided Korona did not have meningitis when culture tests did not show the disease after 36 hours, Jessop said. The treatment for the other students was discontinued Jan. 31.\nDoctors discovered Korona's head injury a few days after he was admitted, Brooks said.\nToumey said if doctors had known immediately that Korona had sustained a blow to the head, they might have been able to do more to treat him.\nMeanwhile, Korona's family has a lot of questions, said Debra Neilson, a family friend. She said she hopes the IU Police Department investigation -- expected to be completed this week -- provides some answers.\n"The family is not in a rush. They're making sure (the investigation) is complete," Neilson said. "We just want to know the truth"
(02/16/01 11:08pm)
The ruling body of Theta Chi Fraternity was considering the future of IU's Alpha Iota chapter late into Thursday night. The Theta Chi Grand Chapter -- composed of Theta Chi alumni across the country -- discussed during a conference call whether to revoke the fraternity's charter.\nThe Chapter's decision did not come before the IDS' final deadline. \nTheta Chi was evicted by its landlord last week. Members were given 30 days to vacate their house from last Friday and until Thursday to respond to the suggestion that the chapter's charter be revoked by the national Theta Chi Risk Management and Standards Committee, said David Westol, executive director of Theta Chi fraternity.\nChapter president David Friedmann, a sophomore, declined to comment Thursday.\nIU's Alpha Iota chapter, 1440 N. Jordan Ave., had been suspended by its nationals since Feb. 1 and by the University since Feb. 7, pending the completion of an investigation into the death of freshman Seth Korona.\nKorona, 19, died Feb. 4 after several days in a coma.\nKorona attended a Jan. 27 party at the house where alcohol was served. A friend said Korona hadn't felt well since attending the party. Korona is believed to have suffered a blunt-force head injury at the party.\nDean of Students Richard McKaig said Theta Chi's action will not alter the IU Police Department investigation or potential University action after the investigation.\n"We'll still be proceeding with our own process," McKaig said.\nMcKaig said University action could include action against individuals or parameters on when and if the fraternity will be allowed to return to campus, if its charter is revoked.\nAlpha Iota had to respond Thursday to its nationals' recommendation that its charter be revoked.\nWestol said Theta Chi International received the chapter's response on time.\nWestol said the brief response was not a surprise.\n"I did not expect a lengthy response," Westol said. "It was more of an acknowledgment." \nIn the next few weeks members will also have to find a new place to live.\nIUPD Lt. Jerry Minger said IUPD will complete its investigation in the next few days. Lt. Steve Fiscus, who's conducting the investigation, hopes to speak to a total of about 30 people, Minger said. Minger said he expects the investigation into Korona's death to be completed the middle of next week. Once the police report is written, it will be compared with the coroner's report, he said.
(02/16/01 11:07pm)
Theta Chi's national organization revoked the IU chapter's charter Friday because of a Jan. 27 party at the house. Alcohol was served at the party, a violation of the chapter's probation, said David Westol, executive director of Theta Chi fraternity. \n The party is also at the center of the IU Police Department's investigation into freshman Seth Korona's death.\n Korona, 19, died Feb. 4 after several days in a coma. University officials said they believe he suffered a skull fracture at that party.\n Alcohol served at the party violated written conditions of a January 2000 probation from the national organization, Westol said.\n The Theta Chi Grand Chapter -- composed of eight Theta Chi alumni from across the country -- made the decision to revoke the charter during a conference call late Thursday night, Westol said.\n The decision means IU's Alpha Iota chapter, 1440 N. Jordan Ave., will not exist at IU for at least three years, Westol said.\n Members were notified by e-mail Friday morning.\n Alpha Iota chapter president David Friedmann, a sophomore, declined to comment Thursday and could not be reached Friday. His Bloomington lawyers also could not be reached for comment Friday.\n Theta Chi had been suspended by its ruling body since Feb. 1 and by the University since Feb. 7, pending the completion of an investigation into Korona's death.\n The loss of the charter will not affect the IU Police Department investigation or potential University action after the investigation, said Dean of Students Richard McKaig.\n "We'll still be proceeding with our own process," McKaig said. "Their removing their charter means there's not a Theta Chi chapter here, but you haven't heard the University's decision."\n McKaig said the University could take action against individuals or set parameters on allowing the fraternity to return to campus.\n Westol said Theta Chi International had enough evidence to revoke Alpha Iota's charter, even as the IU investigation continues.\n Theta Chi was evicted by its landlord last week. Members have until mid-March to vacate their house, Westol said.\n The chapter was also required to submit a formal response to a Theta Chi committee's recommendation that the chapter's charter be revoked. Theta Chi International received the chapter's brief response Thursday, Westol said.\n "I did not expect a lengthy response," he said. "It was more of an acknowledgment."\n IUPD Lt. Jerry Minger said IUPD will complete its investigation in the next few days. Minger said Lt. Steve Fiscus, who is conducting the investigation, hopes to have spoken to about 30 people.\n Minger said he expects the investigation into Korona's death to be completed by the middle of next week. Once the police report is filed, it will be compared with the coroner's report, Minger said.\n Westol said he hopes to see Theta Chi return to campus eventually.\n "We would do so only with the permission and blessing of the University and the Interfraternity Council," Westol said. "The standard is normally three years"
(02/15/01 6:21am)
An off-duty Indiana State Police officer guarded the door to the Theta Chi fraternity house during the Jan. 27 party where freshman Seth Korona is believed to have suffered a skull fracture, University officials said.\nKorona, 19, died Feb. 4 after several days in a coma.\nThe Indiana State Police officer was working at the time for Alliance Security, a company operated by the Indiana State Police Alliance, Don Cook, executive director of the Alliance, told The Associated Press.\nCook would not reveal the trooper's name or specific duties at the party.\nDean of Students Richard McKaig said he didn't know state police were working at the event until later, but he said it's not unusual for off-duty police officers to protect guest lists at fraternity parties.\n"Like several of the parties on campus, (Theta Chi) had hired an off-duty police officer to guard the door," McKaig said.\nIU Police Department Lt. Jerry Minger said the Indiana State Police officer had been at the house the night of the party. IUPD does not provide security service at fraternity and sorority houses, Minger said.\nAlcohol was served at the party, McKaig said last week. But the officer at the party was not likely in a position to have witnessed illegal activity at the party, he said.\n"Our investigation has led us to believe alcohol was in the upstairs rooms," McKaig said.\nThe state police officer probably would've been at the door or just inside the door, he said.\nIUPD will talk to the trooper as part of its investigation, Minger said.\nThe investigation into Korona's death -- originally expected to be completed this week -- won't be done until the middle of next week, Minger said.\nAbout 15 people have been interviewed, he said, but IUPD hopes to speak to a total of about 30 people. Minger said the information obtained so far has been somewhat consistent.\nOnce the police report is written, it will be compared with the coroner's report, Minger said.\nMcKaig said the interviews are taking longer than expected for a few reasons: the volume of interviews that have to be done and some people are waiting to talk to police until they have a lawyer present.\nMcKaig said University action after the investigation is complete is likely -- against Theta Chi or against individuals.\n"My first preference would be for a speedy conclusion," McKaig said. "But even better than that is for a complete investigation."\nThe Associated Press contributed to this story.
(02/12/01 5:56am)
Theta Chi fraternity learned last week it has 30 days to vacate its house and seven days to explain to its national organization why it shouldn't have its charter revoked.\nIU's Alpha Iota chapter, 1440 N. Jordan Ave., has been evicted by its landlord. The fraternity also faces a recommendation that its charter be revoked from a national Theta Chi committee, said David Westol, executive director of Theta Chi Fraternity.\nChapter president David Friedmann, a sophomore, declined to comment Sunday.\nThe fraternity has been suspended by the University since Feb. 7, pending the completion of an investigation into the death of freshman Seth Korona.\nKorona, 19, died Feb. 4 after several days in a coma.\nKorona attended a Jan. 27 party at the house where alcohol was served, said Dean of Students Richard McKaig. A friend said Korona hadn't felt well since attending the party.\nKorona suffered a blunt-force head injury, according to a preliminary coroner's report. The IU Police Department investigation into how the injury was sustained should be completed mid-week, IUPD Lt. Jerry Minger said.\nCurrent action against Theta Chi comes from the fraternity's alumni corporation and national headquarters in Indianapolis, not from the University, Westol said. The chapter has been evicted by its landlord, Theta Chi Realty Board, Westol said.\nMcKaig said space in the residence halls will be made available to displaced members.\nThe chapter has until Thursday to respond to the recommendation its charter be revoked by the Theta Chi Risk Management and Standards Committee, Westol said.\nChapter officers were notified Thursday by e-mail, Westol said. The response should explain why the chapter ought to remain active, he said. Theta Chi's national eight-member Grand Chapter will make a decision soon after the chapter's response and will likely decide by e-mails or a conference call, Westol said.\nTheta Chi's eviction will stand whether or not the Grand Chapter acts on the committee's recommendation. \nWestol said he couldn't provide specific details about the "risk-management" violations that prompted the recommendation.\nTheta Chi's risk-management policy includes prohibition of alcohol and hazing, according to the fraternity's Web site, www.thetachi.org. It also addresses sexual abuse, harassment and fire, health and safety issues.\nWestol said the Theta Chi Realty Board, consisting of local fraternity alumni, makes up one of three entities that control the operations of a fraternity. The alumni corporation has authority over the house, the Grand Chapter has authority over the charter and the university has authority over recognition of a chapter, he said.\nIUPD will add extra security to prevent vandalism at the Theta Chi house as members move out, Minger said. IUPD is watching the house 24-hours a day, he said.\nTheta Chi has been under an order of suspension from its national headquarters since Feb. 1, said Jim Gibson, assistant dean of students. He said the suspension was for repeated violations in risk-management policy and standards. \nSenior Ben Schmidt, president of the Interfraternity Council, said he supports the Theta Chi organization and the University.\n"There are a lot of rumors right now that invoke (Theta Chi's) name to different degrees of liability," he said. "We're going to wait until all the facts come out."\nIn recent years, Theta Chi has been on and off probation from their national organization.\nIn 1998, the fraternity was put on probation after police found 175 cases of beer and 31.7 liters of vodka while responding to an alcohol-related injury.\nThe fraternity was cited for unspecified risk-management violations in January 2000.\nAlpha Iota is not the only Theta Chi chapter that has faced probation. According to Theta Chi's Web site, 24 percent of 140 chapters are currently on probation.\nWestol said Alpha Iota, founded in 1921, is one of Theta Chi's oldest and largest chapters. If Alpha Iota's charter is revoked, Westol said it could take about three years before the chapter is recolonized.\n"Obviously, if we close, we would like to return to campus," Westol said.