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(02/05/09 5:27am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Compared to its nearly 200-year-old brother campus in Bloomington, IU-Purdue University Indianapolis could be considered a baby.The school celebrated its 40th birthday on Jan. 28. Since its opening in 1969, IUPUI has grown to an enrollment of more than 30,000 students and experienced an overflow in student housing. Because of this growth, the school is trying to gain respect as a larger university.To celebrate its accomplishments, the university has planned a year-long commemoration of the anniversary.“It’s a place of a lot of change,” said Suzanne Vick, the co-chair of the 40th Anniversary Steering Committee. “The campus has grown a lot.”Vick said the committee worked on the anniversary for about a year, putting together a budget, planning events and advertising the milestone with a special logo.There have been specific community outreach functions and marketing events for the anniversary.“The celebration is a way of marketing,” Vick said.In addition to promoting IUPUI’s past success, Kevin Lonzo, one of the two 40th Anniversary interns, said celebrations will show how the campus is changing, including projects such as establishing an honors college.“I feel that’s something major universities have to improve their status,” Lonzo said. “We’re becoming more respected.”Lonzo said the celebration was supposed to kick off Jan. 28 with a special breakfast, but it had to be postponed because of the weather. He said other events have received good responses so far, including the Senator Richard G. Lugar Recognition Dinner on Jan. 31, which more than 400 people attended.The events have also featured lectures by prominent guests, brought to campus through the special Speakers Fund. The fund was set up this year “to enhance efforts by schools to increase the quality and profile of their own events,” according to the anniversary’s Web site.But the anniversary celebration is not just a way to commemorate how far IUPUI has come, but is also to build the school’s evolving image. The school’s reputation, campus officials said, could eventually stand on its own.Lonzo also said the university is trying to move away from the largely commuter-school reputation, since it has had an increase of students living on campus.But nursing student Lauren Parker said she believes the school is still centered around commuting.She also said while the school has changed from a majority of graduate students to a mixture with undergraduates, she does not think IUPUI will ever be on the same level as IU-Bloomington or Purdue because of sports and what students do on campus.“I would never go to an IUPUI basketball game,” Parker said. “It’s definitely a lot different than IU. There are no parties. Campus life is totally different.”But even though Parker said the city school has a different vibe, she said IUPUI was the best choice for her.“I went for the nursing school,” Parker said. “All the hospitals are around here.”She also said she and a lot of her IUPUI friends think it will be easier to stay in one place for graduate school.But whether the university will ever lose its commuter school stigma or not, Vick said she predicts it will become an even more prominent university in the next 40 years.“As we go through rapid transformation, we want to celebrate how far we’ve come in a short period of time,” Vick said. “We’re still in growing and formative years.”
(02/04/09 4:31am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>At the Bloomington Faculty Council’s meeting Tuesday at the Indiana Memorial Union, the council discussed its resolution about General Peter Pace and how the Kelley School of Business invited him to speak and honored him with the Poling Chair of Business and Government in 2008. The BFC Diversity and Affirmative Action Committee drafted the resolution proposing the BFC’s “regret that Gen. Pace was brought to campus in a way that was offensive to the gay and lesbian community.”Controversy regarding the business school’s decision to honor Pace started as a result of Pace’s beliefs toward homosexuality and his support for the military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy, which prohibits openly homosexual citizens from serving in the military. Alex Tanford, the chair of the committee, said the procedure the Kelley School of Business took to bring Pace to campus was not carried out well and that it was upsetting to the gay and lesbian community.“Both the University policy and the mission of the Affirmative Action Committee is to worry about minority groups who face discrimination,” Tanford said.The resolution presented Tuesday was the second draft of a proposal originally written in November. The committee received concerns and suggested changes. Tanford addressed these changes and answered questions from BFC members.Some of the concerns included the question of whether the Pace controversy is actually a campus issue. Other arguments discussed whether the resolution would affect speakers brought to campus and also military recruitment.The discussion was cut short to focus on other items on the agenda, but the issue will continue at the Feb. 17 meeting. The plan is to vote on the resolution.BFC President Herb Terry said the council could either pass, table or amend the resolution at that meeting. But whatever the decision is, Terry said he is happy the issue is creating conversation on campus.“This is more important than it first seems,” Terry said. “It involves freedom of speech, and it involves controversy.”
(01/28/09 4:21am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Not every student can say he or she is on the same level as a member of the board of trustees, but 19 students are one step closer. As of Tuesday morning, the board of trustees office received 19 applications for a student trustee position, which entails providing the perspectives of students on all IU campuses. Applications had to be postmarked by Jan. 23.Board of trustees secretary Robin Roy Gress said the number of applicants, despite the enrollment increase, is usually between 20 and 25.“We’ve got one of the highest enrollments ever at IU on all of the campuses, and it seems like this would have been a year that we were over that 20,” Gress said. “On the other hand, student trusteeship is very demanding. It takes time, commitment, and it’s a fabulous opportunity for the student who is interested in the governance of the University.”Gress said she did many things to advertise the applications, including buying ads in student newspapers and having Dean of Students Dick McKaig send out a mass e-mail. “That has always been very successful in the past, but I’m thinking we need to look at new ways to get the word out,” Gress said. “It seems hard to believe, but maybe we need a YouTube page or a MySpace page or use Twitter.”Students from every IU campus were eligible to apply. Most of the applicants are from IU-Bloomington, but four came from IU-Purdue Univeristy Indianapolis, one from IU-South Bend and one from IU-Southeast. There are 15 men and four women in the running. The group can also be broken down into 13 undergrads and six graduate students.The next step in the search for the new student trustee is a meeting of the selection committee, made up of a diverse group of students from all the campuses, Friday, Gress said.“When a student trustee candidate meets with that committee, they are, in essence, meeting with a microcosm of the University student body,” Gress said.The committee will interview applicants and, at the end of March, submit 10 names to the governor, who appoints the student trustee. The term for new student trustees starts on July 1.For current student trustee senior A.D. King, a fourth-generation Hoosier, applying for the position was all about representing his school and his state.“When I was appointed, the one thing I wanted to do was serve the citizens of Indiana, current students and faculty and the alumni to the best of my ability,” King said. “So I wanted to take that kind of perspective into the trusteeship.”Even though the student trustee is still in school, he or she will have the same authority as the other eight trustees. One of the trustees on the board, Thomas Reilly Jr., said the student trustee is treated as a peer. With only nine board members, each person is just as important as the others.“The student is selected because he or she is a student, but once they’re on the board, they’re a trustee,” Reilly said. “It’s not like people sit around and deliberate and the student sticks up his hand and says, ‘This is what the student needs.’”Reilly said the purpose of the student trustee is to provide the student voice for the board. Because the position of student trustee has a lot of responsibility, he or she must learn a lot of material in a short amount of time. Another trustee, William Cast, said the learning curve is steep and each trustee must prove him- or herself.“For any trustee that comes on board, you’re always an unknown quantity,” Cast said. “People wait with their expectations.”Though King faced challenges at the beginning of his term, he said the position taught him a lot about the University, and he said he is glad he had the opportunity to work with leaders from across the state and nation.“After this experience, I hope to contribute to the University, whether it’s later on in life as a trustee or philanthropically,” King said. “I’ve always had this love for IU and passion for IU, but on the board of trustees, I was able to make a difference in the direction the University is taking.”
(01/27/09 4:49am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>The dining room of Sigma Delta Tau became a concert venue Sunday night when singer Ryan Cabrera performed for the sorority. It was his last stop of the day after performing for other sororities, including Alpha Epsilon Phi and Delta Delta Delta.“I am so excited; I cannot believe it,” said sophomore SDT sister Michelle Ezrachie before Cabrera entered the room. “We’ve been listening to his music since last Sunday when we found out.” Cabrera said the performances were to promote his show Monday night at The Bluebird. He said singing for sororities is reminiscent of how he marketed himself five years ago when his first album came out.“I would go door to door at every sorority at every campus I played at,” Cabrera said. “Nobody knew who I was, but I would just be like, ‘Hey, I’m playing tonight, and I wanted to know if I could get everyone together. I want to sing you guys a song.’”Cabrera said his self-promotional tactic was successful and got everyone out to the shows.Sophomore SDT sister Leslie Gubitz said Cabrera’s people called the sorority to ask if Cabrera could perform at the house.“Of course we were all excited because we’re into his music,” Gubitz said. “It’s a privilege to have him come.”Ezrachie said she did not think Cabrera’s appearance at SDT would actually happen.“I thought they were kidding,” she said. “I didn’t realize he was really coming, but then we found out he was playing at The Bluebird and we got really excited.”Cabrera sang one song at SDT, “On the Way Down.” The show was supposed to be a surprise for the new women, who recently joined after recruitment. But freshman SDT new-initiate Lisa Borowsky said she had a feeling Cabrera would show up.She also said she was happy Cabrera came and that the sorority could get a singer to perform at the house. Cabrera said he enjoys playing on college campuses because of the energetic vibes and the average age of the audience.“Most of the shows that we do that are not colleges end up being a really young crowd,” Cabrera said. “Sometimes it’s fun to come here and get to play for people that are around my age, hang out and have a good time.”
(01/16/09 5:11am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Cigarette butts scattered on the sidewalks, students lighting up on their way to class and residence halls receiving smoking complaints might not seem like scenes from an officially tobacco-free campus.A year after the smoking ban was implemented amid considerable controversy, IU Provost and Executive Vice President Karen Hanson said the results have not been as good as she’d hoped.Because this policy has not been as effective as planned, Hanson said a committee of students from various campus organizations will meet to discuss new ways to enforce and improve the smoking ban. The tobacco-free policy idea started with a group of students, not administrators, so Hanson said she wants students to continue to be the ones implementing it. “Students have ideas that might make it more effective,” Hanson said. “A student’s sense of issues here is particularly intelligent, and they have a lot to offer.”Currently, students and personnel are encouraged to inform anyone they see smoking on campus of the designated smoking areas. If a student is found violating the tobacco policy, he or she can be sent by IU personnel to Dean of Students Dick McKaig.One of the possible ideas to make enforcement stricter is handing out citations to those caught smoking, similar to a parking ticket. Hanson said making students pay a fine has worked at other universities.The IU Police Department is not expected to enforce the ban, but at the University of Iowa, which implemented its tobacco-free policy in July, police issue citations to smokers. However, Iowa spokesperson Steve Parrott said police tend to ask smokers to move instead of giving them a fine. He said the ban has been successful.“Overall, I think when you consider this a big change anywhere, we’ve gotten off to a good start,” Parrott said. “Most people seem to understand it’s for a good cause.”Parrott also said Iowa put up signs to inform people of the ban and offered help for people who want to quit. IU also posted information about designated smoking areas, and the IU Health Center offers smoking cessation classes, Hanson said.Though there are places where smoking is allowed on campus, some smokers such as senior Marc Momcilovich, don’t know where to go. “If there’s a sign, I won’t smoke,” Momcilovich said. “But I don’t know where the designated smoking areas are on campus.”Momcilovich also said he has noticed a decrease in the number of smokers since IU implemented the ban.While people continue to smoke on campus grounds, Hanson said she wants to change IU’s smoking culture, even though it might take a while.“In hospitals now, people don’t expect to smoke, but 50 years ago, they did expect to smoke,” Hanson said. “Hospitals went tobacco-free. It may be a little while before universities are.”
(01/09/09 5:16am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>IU took a direct hit Wednesday from the state of Indiana’s economy.IU President Michael McRobbie announced a reduction of $4.9 million in the operating budget for all IU campuses. However, IU spokesman Larry MacIntyre said students should not feel its effects.“Hopefully it will have fairly minimal impact,” MacIntyre said. To make up for the reductions, MacIntyre said McRobbie has suggested less administrative hiring and less travel, among other operating cuts. “Every dean and every chancellor will have to find some ways to save money,” MacIntyre said.The budget cut results from a decrease in the state’s funding of higher education. IU Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Neil Theobald said the state did not receive as much tax revenue as anticipated. Indiana could not give IU the full amount planned in the original budget, so 1 percent, or $4.9 million, needs to be cut.“We are only going to get 99 percent,” compared to what was originally expected, Theobald said.The cut affected each campus’s operating budget proportionally. MacIntyre said the IU-Purdue University campus saw the biggest reduction of $2 million, while the Bloomington campus was second with $1.9 million.Theobald said reductions that come after the original budget tend to be difficult.“It’s always harder to make cuts in the middle of the year, because you already made commitments to people,” Theobald said.But despite the trim in money, MacIntyre said the University does not want to hinder its mission of education. The funds already allotted for student financial aid and technology will remain the same.“As funding is reduced and spending reductions are made, it will not impact education,” MacInyre said. “We’re trying to exclude the impact on faculty and student aid.”But Bernard Hannon, associate commissioner of finance for the Indiana Commission for Higher Education, said public universities get their money from state funding and student fees, so when state funding goes down, student fees often go up. He said this happens about every 10 years, when a recession hits.To reduce the possible increase for students, Hannon said his commission is advising universities to spend more efficiently, such as turning down the heat in buildings or hiring fewer people.“We’ve challenged presidents to try and spend less money as a whole,” Hannon said. Yet despite changes, more budget cuts are expected in the future. Theobald said the University has submitted a joint request with the IUPUI campus to the state for the 2009-2010 fiscal year, but the legislature ultimately makes the decision.MacIntyre said he does not know how much future reductions will influence IU.“It’s going to be tight,” MacIntyre said. “We just don’t know how tight yet.”
(12/10/08 3:32am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Hoosiers who like to avoid crowded strip malls and full parking lots during the holiday shopping season might try visiting the SoFA Gallery this week. The SoFA Gallery’s Holiday Art Sale and Auction, starting today, is the gallery’s only fundraising event of the year. Gallery Director Betsy Stirratt said the money goes to general gallery operations, and there is no particular monetary goal. She said last year’s event raised about $7,000. “If we make $7,000, I’ll be thrilled,” Stirratt said. “It’s not a massive amount of money, but that’s enough to pay for an exhibit here.” Stirratt said she and the gallery staff started planning for the sale several months ago. They asked artists to donate pieces, which Stirratt said she was hesitant about because, as an artist herself, she often gets asked to give away art for nothing in return. “For some reason, organizations think artists can just toss off a piece, bring it over and it doesn’t mean anything,” Stirratt said. “I have mixed feelings about asking people, but on the other hand, this is one way we can make money, and during the holidays is a good time to do it.” While it might have been difficult for Stirratt to ask for free pieces, artists still wanted to support the gallery. Artist Megan Abajian works in public relations for the SoFA Gallery, and she decided to donate a few pieces to the sale because of the gallery’s previous help with her work. “I believe in supporting organizations that supported me as an artist,” Abajian said. “Not only was the SoFA gallery available to me when I had my thesis show here, and not only working here have I learned a lot from them, but they brought in a lot of shows from the outside, so I’ve been able to see artists who wouldn’t be shown in Bloomington because it’s such a small community.” The art sale and auction will feature a variety of pieces from students, faculty, local artists and donations from Friends of Art, which supports various programs within SoFA. There will also be a wide range of items, such as jewelry and paintings, and also a range of prices. Local artist and SoFA alumnus Mark Rice said he is donating for the first time to the art sale because he likes the gallery’s management and organization. He was also realistic about the price of his painting. “I like to keep it incredibly affordable so people can actually buy it,” Rice said. In a tough economic time, Stirratt said she is a bit concerned about how the recession will affect art customers. Abajian also said she knows wallets are tight, but she plans to buy something because of the benefits art brings. “It’s an investment,” Abajian said. “Instead of buying stocks, I’m buying a piece of art that I visually can take pleasure in and will hopefully accrue in value over the years.”
(12/09/08 4:11am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>There was no red carpet, no paparazzi and no celebrity presenters, but leaders of the greek community gathered at the Indiana Memorial Union on Monday for an awards night to honor chapters’ achievements. The ceremony gave awards to each of the four greek councils: the Interfraternity Council, Panhellenic Association, Multi-Cultural Greek Council and National Pan-Hellenic Council. The night started with a dinner, then various representatives from the four councils and the Student Activity Office handed out plaques. Alpha Chi Omega and Sigma Phi Epsilon each won the Chapter Standard of Excellence Award, which was presented to chapters that excel in values, academics, leadership, citizenship and brotherhood or sisterhood. Alpha Chi Omega President and senior Kristin Burke said all sororities did great things this year, but her house worked hard to win the award. “It feels great because it’s something we had in the back of our minds all year,” Burke said. “We’ve been putting our best foot forward and giving 110 percent.” Awards were given to a fraternity and sorority for each of the five areas of excellence. Other awards included Greek Man and Woman of the Year, Advisor of the Year and Most Improved Chapter. Junior Kyle Drennan – the president of Sigma Pi, which won Most Improved Chapter – said he thinks his fraternity won because of efforts during the past year. “I’m excited,” Drennan said. “It’s good to be recognized for the work the chapter put in over the last year.” At the end of the ceremony, the four councils presented Dean of Students Dick McKaig with a gift congratulating him on his retirement and thanking him for his support of the greek system. “IU and fraternities have been partners for a long, long time,” McKaig said. “We have distinguished alumni who led this University and learned their leadership through fraternities and sororities.” McKaig said he appreciated the recognition but then shifted the focus back to greek members. “I’ve been honored to work with the greek system at IU,” McKaig said. “The credit goes back to the undergraduates of our organizations that live the values of their organizations.”
(12/08/08 3:32am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>While the song “Let it Snow” could describe the winter scene of the IU campus Saturday and Sunday, the members of Alpha Phi sang a different tune.“I love Alpha Phi, come and join our family,” they chanted as they jumped up and down while clapping.About 1,640 women visited each of the 19 sororities for 19 Party, the first round of women’s formal recruitment. The purpose was for potential new members to get a feel for each house, and current members, such as the women of Alpha Phi, put all they had into welcoming the women.“It’s been surreal,” said freshman Meaghan McKee. “At each house you go to, they scream at you and bang on the doors.”Buses took women around campus to the houses, despite icy road conditions. Groups of about 30 girls waited outside each house in the snow before they could go in. While the women seemed enthusiastic, the falling snow had an impact on their spirits Saturday.“I had curls this morning,” McKee said. “They were awesome curls, but they’re flat now and gone.”When the time came for a house to open its doors, the chapter’s members started yelling cheers to welcome the new recruits. Once in, potential new members received tours and chatted with several current members of the house.Freshman Katie Schwartz said she tried to make herself stand out by talking about her interests.“I try to talk about what I’m involved in and, maybe if they’re involved in similar things, make a connection,” Schwartz said. “I try to say their name a lot.”Some women said the conversations tended to be about the same subject matter over and over, but McKee said she did not find it a problem.“You have to ask the same things because you’re wondering the same things about each house,” McKee said. “It’s kind of repetitive, but it’s not that bad.”While the conversations went on, another group of women involved in the recruitment process, rho gammas, gathered in a separate room complete with snacks. Rho gammas are current sorority members who advise potential new members about recruitment. They do not reveal what house they are in to women rushing until the end of the recruitment process.One rho gamma, Abby, who could not use her last name so she would not show bias to the women she is mentoring, said she has enjoyed getting to know the women.“It’s fun to get to know a group of 30 freshmen,” she said. “They laugh at all your jokes.”She also said she calms nerves and provides guidance whenever women need it because recruitment can be overwhelming. “I’m someone to call when they’re stressed,” Abby said.With 19 Party over, women rushing have to wait until Jan. 11 to finish recruitment. Sororities have to wait until fall semester grades come out because the minimum grade point average requirement to join is 2.5. While it will still be cold in January, freshman Andrea Schieler said she didn’t mind the weather. She just dressed appropriately by wearing a couple jackets and tights under her pants.“The girls have all been really great,” Schieler said. “It’s worth waiting in the cold.”
(12/05/08 4:59am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Any woman in a sorority or interested in joining one has a busy weekend ahead of her.Women’s formal recruitment begins Saturday with 19 Party, in which potential new members visit all 19 chapters between Saturday and Sunday. Senior Kelsey Schroeder, the Panhellenic Association vice president of recruitment, said about 1,640 women have signed up for rush, about the same number as last year.“Each girl going through rush goes to all 19 chapters and spends 30 minutes there,” Schroeder said. “They get to know the personality of each chapter.” She said women rushing get a chance to talk to three or four current members at each house.To sign up for recruitment, freshman Ali Rader said she had to give a photograph and information about what she did in high school and also provide letters of recommendation.For 19 Party, Rader made note cards with information about herself to hand out to each chapter.Rader said she is looking forward to recruitment because she always planned to join a house.“My mom and all my sisters were in sororities, so I never really thought of doing anything else,” Rader said.Because of her family’s experience, Rader said she feels confident about the recruitment process, even though some of her friends do not.Women’s worries might stem from the reputation of IU recruitment. Some believe IU has one of the most competitive recruitments in the country, but Schroeder said she does not think anyone actually releases a ranking like that.PHA President and senior Sara Stombaugh said there are also misconceptions about how many girls are accepted to each pledge class. She said each house has a quota to fill, which is not related to how many women apply for recruitment. Every school is different, but at IU, each chapter has its own quota.“Because people have different sizes of houses, we let them determine that on their own,” Stombaugh said. “Some national organizations determine that for them.”But women going through recruitment have a lot more to think about than the quota of a particular sorority. Sophomore Athina Morris, who went through recruitment last year and is now a member of Delta Gamma, said she remembers how crazy 19 Party was.“Everyone would pound on the doors to greet you,” Morris said. “It was a little bit intimidating, but it was fun and exciting at the same time.”For women to have a successful rush, Stombaugh said they should show interest in each house by asking about specific events.“One of the things I’m really impressed by is when women have questions for us,” Stombaugh said. “A lot of the time we’re asking them. It’s really impressive when there are women willing to learn.”Schroeder said women should remain optimistic and be themselves, which some often forget.“Cliche as it sounds, you need to keep a positive attitude,” Schroeder said. “It’s a very long weekend and it’s tiring, but there’s no better way than to get to know the greek system.”
(12/03/08 4:22am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Children’s laughter, smells of home cooking and familiar Christmas carols filled Alpha Tau Omega on Tuesday night during its second annual holiday dinner with the Boys and Girls Club of Bloomington.The fraternity invited the organization to have dinner with the brothers, see a performance by Ladies First and open gifts. ATO assigned men from two rooms to each of the 11 kids to buy them Christmas gifts from the kids’ lists.“It’s been awesome,” said sophomore Ian Bell, one of the three ATO philanthropy chairs. “There’s a lot more interaction rather than giving a check.”Boys and Girls Club Unit Director Chris Tann said his organization chose kids who would benefit from the holiday celebration and gave them a chance to see community service. He also said the kids could relax in the Christmas party atmosphere.“It’s always fun to take kids out of their comfort zone,” Tann said. “You see them acting like kids their own age.”The kids of various ages hung out with brothers as they ate dinner, then gathered around the Christmas tree to watch Ladies First. The group sang a combination of Christmas carols and pop songs.After the performance, the kids opened presents. The brothers went to stores such as Target and Wal-Mart to buy presents on the kids’ lists. ATO Public Relations Chair Andrew Hubbarth said children asked for a mix of practical and fun gifts.“We went all over to look for items,” said Hubbarth, who bought gifts for a little girl. “She wanted Barbie stuff, Ugg-like boots and a winter jacket.” He also said he and other ATO members picked out surprise presents.Some of the brothers said the kids were shy at first, but by the time they opened presents, the members of ATO and the Boys and Girls Club were laughing together. Kids tore open the wrapping paper and thanked the brothers for their new gifts.Junior Grant Gavrick, another ATO philanthropy chair, said he loved seeing the kids’ reactions to the house and the gifts.“It feels great,” Gavrick said. “It lets you know you’re doing something for a good cause.”
(11/20/08 4:49am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Cheaper textbooks, a fall break and basketball were just a few of the topics at the IU Student Association’s town hall meeting Wednesday night at the Indiana Memorial Union. The meeting was meant to communicate with students about its progress and for students to ask questions about concerns on campus.The group started with an overview of the tenants of Big Red’s platform, such as 100 percent meal point rollover, a tax holiday weekend for tax-free textbooks and weekend hours for the Health Center. For the tax-free holiday, IUSA met with Indiana Sen. Vi Simpson, and they plan to head the lobbying for the state of Indiana.“It’s an uphill climb, but we’re willing to put in the work,” said Andrew Hahn, IUSA student body vice president for Congress.IUSA executives also discussed plans for the Health Center to be open on weekends and a possible fall break. The group said it would like to see a Monday and Tuesday off in October but might have to compromise with having the Monday and Tuesday before Thanksgiving off.The turnout was comprised of predominantly IUSA members, but students not affiliated with the group also voiced their opinions and asked questions. One topic that prompted a lot of discussion was the possibility of getting a student section at basketball games.IUSA President Luke Fields said his ticket originally wanted to push for a student section but said this year’s team is different than last year, and students responded accordingly.“We didn’t sell enough seats to fill a student section, let alone ask for one,” Fields said.He said in order to have a section in the future, students must not give up on the basketball team and IU athletics. He also said he is planning to meet with IU men’s basketball coach Tom Crean to discuss his expectations about the student section and to make sure students will have a voice in the future.“We want to make sure we have a seat at the table when we’re on top of the Big Ten again,” Fields said.Another issue which seemed to surprise the audience was IUSA’s work on textbook buy-back and how students are losing money when they sell their books back to the store for too low a price. Fields said part of the problem is faculty doesn’t turn in their book requests on time. He said only 43 percent of the faculty have turned in their book requests so far for the spring semester.Fields said the faculty did not know they were hindering students from getting money back, so now IUSA plans to e-mail faculty each semester to remind them to turn in book requests.IUSA talked about other issues, then opened the floor for questions.Sophomore Jacob Smith said he did not know about IUSA’s meeting until Wednesday, but decided to come to get some idea of the organization and its plans.“I wanted to see what they had to say on certain issues,” Smith said. “I didn’t know about this at all last year.”
(11/17/08 5:03am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>After 36 hours of no sleep, IU Dance Marathon participants didn’t seem like they had the energy to burst into applause and cheers. That all changed at the announcement of the fundraiser’s total. IUDM raised $1,376,550.23, beating last year’s total by more than $300,000. The money goes to the Ryan White Infectious Disease Center at Riley Hospital for Children. Junior and member of the IUDM accounting committee Greg Strabavy said exceeding last year’s amount was the main goal. VIDEO: IU Dance Marathon“It’s a great feeling that everybody’s efforts paid off,” Strabavy said. “It’s the biggest total.”The announcement came at about 8 a.m. Sunday as Queen’s “We Are the Champions” played throughout the Ora L. Wildermuth Intramural Center. Dancers and committee members had been there since 8 p.m. Friday.Despite the name, IUDM participants did not have to dance the entire time. There was a moon bounce, tables for eating and the “Inspiration Tent,” which featured a history time line display about IUDM. There were also computers, basketball hoops and other space for games. SLIDESHOW: IUDMFreshman Anthony Russell said he played games, such as corn hole, with kids from Riley. Russell said he understood what the kids have been through.“I have a sister who’s been through Riley, so I can kind of relate to it,” Russell said.But for those who wanted to dance, a stage in the back corner of the School of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation building’s gym featured live music and line dance leaders who taught different combinations.The one thing participants could not do was sit. Sophomore and IUDM committee member Betsy Head said last year dancers could only sit down when they were eating a meal, but that rule was changed this year. As part of security for the event, Head had to look for dancers sneaking in a nap.“I’ve been doing security and making sure people aren’t sleeping and trying to keep people motivated and excited about the marathon,” Head said.She also said the stories from the families who have experienced Riley helped keep people interested.“The Riley stories really help because when they can see the kids standing up on stage and see who they’re helping, they get really excited about it,” Head said.Families told their stories about their experiences at Riley Hospital and how it kept their children alive. One mother, Paula Simonson, thanked the volunteers for giving their time and money to helping children like her son, Sam.She also said seeing other families with Riley stories reminded her she is not the only one to deal with the stress of having a child in and out of the hospital.“You sort of feel like you’re alone a lot of the time, but today you don’t feel alone,” Simonson said.Even though the stories were inspirational, Russell said staying awake and on his feet for 36 hours was challenging.“Morale is good. It’s just tiring,” Russell said Saturday. “Everyone wants to do it for the good cause, it’s just getting the actual physical energy to do it.”Head said people got discouraged when they were told to keep standing, but she was a dancer last year and the fatigue was worth it in the end.“It’s really tough physically and mentally to be able to do that, but it’s really rewarding at the end,” Head said.
(11/16/08 7:06pm)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>After 36 hours of no sleep, IU Dance Marathon participants didn’t seem like they had the energy to burst into applause and cheers. That all changed at the announcement of the fundraiser’s total. IUDM raised $1,376,550.23, which beat last year’s total by more than $300,000. The money goes to the Ryan White Infectious Disease Center at Riley Hospital for Children. Junior and member of the IUDM accounting committee Greg Strabavy said exceeding last year’s amount was the main goal.“It’s a great feeling that everybody’s efforts paid off,” Strabavy said. “It’s the biggest total.”The announcement came Sunday at about 8 a.m. as Queen’s “We Are the Champions” played throughout the Ora L. Wildermuth Center. Dancers and committee members had been there since 8 p.m. Friday.
(11/14/08 4:55am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Sophomore Kelly Thompson would not be here without Riley Hospital.Thompson was born with a hole the size of a pea in the left atrium of her heart. By the time she was 7, the hole had grown to the size of a nickel, and she needed heart surgery at Riley. Thompson said the one thing she remembers most about her hospital experiences is the people.“The doctors treat you like a person and not just a patient,” Thompson said.She also said she kept in contact with the nurse who stayed by her side during her heart surgery.This weekend’s IU Dance Marathon, a 36-hour event where students, patients and parents dance to promote awareness, will raise money for the Ryan White Infectious Disease Center at Riley Hospital in Indianapolis so more of Riley’s kids can have a happy ending like Thompson. Last year’s event raised more than $1 million.A member of Kappa Alpha Theta, this year is Thompson’s first time taking part in IUDM. While participants in the marathon do not have to be part of a greek organization, the majority of houses participate in the fundraiser.Like many other members of the greek community, Thompson raised money to dance by sending out letters and collecting money around Indianapolis and Bloomington.Thompson said being a patient at Riley had a big effect on her fundraising efforts and she looks forward to the marathon.“I know firsthand what it’s like to be a kid in Riley and what it’s like to survive being in Riley,” Thompson said. “It’s going to be such a touching 36 hours of my life.”Most IUDM participants have not experienced Riley like Thompson has, so they are inspired in different ways.External Vice President of IUDM Casey Crouse, a native of Carmel, Ind., has been part of the dance marathon since high school, when he participated in Carmel High School’s first dance marathon. Along with IU, the school is part of the Riley Dance Marathon Program.But the main reason Crouse has put years of effort into IUDM is in memory of his sister, Ashley Crouse, who died in a car accident in 2005. She was on the IUDM executive council, and Casey Crouse said his sister put much of her time into the organization.“She was absolutely obsessed with IUDM,” Casey Crouse said. “Every time I talked to her, that’s usually what she was talking about.”Ashley Crouse has become one of the faces of IUDM. Many advertisements, T-shirts and events have featured her name. Casey Crouse said he probably would have chosen to support IUDM even without his sister’s involvement, but now she serves as his inspiration.“It’s just me doing something to show her legacy and that she was a great person and that the cause of IUDM is something bigger than ourselves,” Casey Crouse said.Casey Crouse is a member of Phi Gamma Delta, which has made IUDM the focus of its philanthropy. Phi Gamma Delta president and senior Joel McNabney said a big part of the fraternity’s involvement stems from Ashley Crouse.“One of the presidents from Fiji was the boyfriend of Ashley, who got in the fatal accident,” McNabney said. “Ashley’s brother then joined our house, so we have intimate relationships with the marathon.”McNabney said knowing Casey Crouse and the purpose of Riley Hospital is all the motivation he needs to commit time to IUDM.“Riley Hospital takes care of the very sickest kids in Indiana,” McNabney said. “It’s certainly hard to think of a more just cause.”
(11/05/08 6:44am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>IU is often recognized as America’s college town for its basketball team, Little 500 and partying tendencies, but MSNBC chose to visit for a different reason Tuesday night: political activism on campus.NBC correspondent Luke Russert broadcast live from the Frangipani Room in the Indiana Memorial Union while the election numbers came through. He said he and the network chose IU because of Indiana’s swing state status and the political interest on campus.“Bloomington really is the quintessential Collegetown, U.S.A.,” Russert said. “It’s a big state school, about 35,000 kids. On top of that, the kids are very politically active and politically engaged.”The Union Board presented the election night party. Meghan Krueger, the director of seminars and events for Union Board, said it considered doing a viewing party, but solidified the decision when MSNBC contacted the Union. Barack Obama supporters were the clear majority of attendees; however, John McCain and Ralph Nader were also represented. Many students heard about the event through e-mail because offices on campus sent out press releases to their listservs, Krueger said.Sophomore Ryan Short, a McCain supporter, said he came to the IMU to represent Republicans because most students tend to lean Democrat.“I figured it would be a nine-to-one ratio,” Short said. “I wanted to have a presence for my side.”Freshman Olivia Schmidt, who voted for Obama, said she decided to come to the party because she wanted to experience the election with a lot of people, and she is proud MSNBC chose to come to IU.“It feels awesome,” Schmidt said. “They think our school is as great as we do.”Supporters of Nader had the smallest representation at the event. Aaron Hamlin, a second-year graduate student, said he wanted to support his candidate, even though he felt the media overlooked Nader. “The downfall is MSNBC is not putting numbers up for any third- party candidate,” Hamlin said.While the election results came in, students, faculty and community members helped themselves to pizza and drinks. Students could also talk to Russert, who stood in the front of the room taking pictures, signing autographs and making conversation. When MSNBC signaled Russert would be live, students crowded behind him to get in the shot. Some even sat on each other’s shoulders.Russert said MSNBC always planned to broadcast from a college campus because of the record numbers in youth voters this year. He said he is looking forward to seeing how the new president will affect the younger voters’ efforts.“I think it will be really interesting to see if these candidates keep the promises they’re making to young voters,” Russert said. “That’s what makes the journey.”
(11/05/08 6:25am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>This month, the School of Fine Arts Gallery is saving students a trip to the Windy City with its new show “One Moment,” an exhibit featuring the Thomas Robertello Gallery in Chicago.It all started with one painting Robertello, a Jacobs School of Music associate professor, saw years ago.“When I started working professionally as a musician when I was 21, I went to an art gallery and saw a painting I wanted to buy but couldn’t afford,” Robertello said.Instead of emptying his bank account for one piece, Robertello bought art supplies and started creating his own paintings.“I felt like the process of painting gave me an appreciation of what other artists could do but I couldn’t,” Robertello said.The act began his fascination with art, and he collected many pieces over the years. Robertello opened his own gallery, which had its first exhibition in 2006, according to the gallery’s Web site.As an art collector, Robertello got to know SoFA Gallery Director Betsy Stirratt. Stirratt said the two wanted to work together for a while, even though the SoFA Gallery usually does not curate shows with other galleries.“The time slot became available, and it came together pretty quickly,” Stirratt said. “I like working with a gallery in Chicago. It’s something people here need to see.”Robertello said bringing art from a big city to a college town has its benefits.“It’s important for everyone concerned,” Robertello said. “It’s very important for the artists to show work in university galleries because it creates a dialogue between students of SoFA and the artists. Bloomington is an isolated location and a lot of students don’t get to see major museum shows.”Robertello said he, Stirratt and SoFA Gallery Associate Director Rob Off started with a long list of artists from around the Chicago area, then narrowed it down to six artists who could fit into the show’s theme.“One Moment” is based on “the nature of momentary experiences that are fleeting, quickly dismissed and transitory,” according to the SoFA Gallery Web site.“In a way it’s like six solo exhibitions under the umbrella of one solo space,” Robertello said.Stirratt said the theme brought all the artists together.Stephanie Serpick, one of the featured artists, said she has worked with Robertello in the past, so he suggested her name to the SoFA directors, who then went on a studio visit.“I’m assuming they saw something in my work that responded to them in terms of the theme of the show,” Serpick said. “My work was maybe different from some of the others.”Stirratt said the variety of work is why students and the community should visit the exhibit.“I think they should come see it because the work is very diverse,” Stirratt said. “The work is coming from a lot of different perspectives.”One Moment When: Gallery hours are noon to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. The show opened Oct. 17 and will continue through Nov. 21. Where: SoFA Gallery
(11/04/08 5:11am)
With John McCain down in the polls and Barack Obama paraphernalia covering campus, Bloomington conservatives might feel a bit discouraged for today’s election.
(11/04/08 4:25am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>With the start of this year’s IU Dance Marathon less than two weeks away, volunteers are trying to raise as much money as possible. IUDM Director of public relations Lindsey Fox said the group is ready for the 36-hour fundraiser.“We definitely are prepared,” Fox said. “This is the final push. We’re all really excited.”Last year’s IUDM raised $1,041,197.20 for the Ryan White Infectious Disease Center at Riley Hospital for Children. Fox said the charity hopes to raise more than last year’s total, but beating the number is not the basis of the event.“We always try and raise as much money that we can,” Fox said. “We don’t have a specific goal. It’s not really about a big number. It’s about how much money we can raise for the kids.”IUDM is a year-round fundraising organization. Fox said there have already been various events such as 3-on-3 basketball tournaments and percentage nights in which local restaurants give a portion of their earnings to IUDM. As usual, registered dancers are asked to request donations from family and friends.Other organizations on campus also have donated to the cause. Phi Kappa Psi’s second annual Haunted House last week raised $700 for IUDM. Phi Kappa Psi President and junior Spencer Smith said the house wanted to pair with a sorority or organization for the event, but decided to donate to the dance marathon.“We decided to pair with IUDM because a lot of guys in the house volunteer,” Smith said. “It’s an extra little fundraiser just to help them out.”There also have been major changes to IUDM this year. IUDM President and senior Matt Hodes said new features include a new way to collect money online and a canned food drive for United Way of Monroe County. Hodes also said they are working with IU Student Television to broadcast the event live so people around the country can watch the marathon.In addition to making sure each part of the marathon will be ready to go for Nov. 14, Hodes is also focusing on next year’s event.“We turn over IUDM right when it’s done,” Hodes said. “My job is to make sure everyone’s focused on this year’s marathon, but we have to think about the future.”According to IUDM’s Web site, all money must be turned in by Monday, but the total is not announced until the last hour of the marathon on Nov. 16. Hodes said he remembers how he felt last year when he learned they broke $1 million.“I was really happy,” Hodes said. “I was a part of the executive council last year. When we’re all standing in a circle, everyone gets teary eyed. I looked around and realized how proud I was for all we had accomplished.”Fox said volunteering with IUDM has been fun, but also has taught her the real meaning of volunteering.“It’s a great way to get involved not only with IU, but with the Indiana community, and to give back to people who really need it the most,” Fox said. “It’s given me a purpose.”
(11/04/08 12:51am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>With John McCain down in the polls and Barack Obama paraphernalia covering campus, Bloomington conservatives might feel a bit discouraged for today’s election.But to members of IU College Republicans, McCain is anything but the underdog.IU College Republicans Chairwoman and junior Chelsea Kane said the polls showing McCain behind Obama are not slowing their campaign efforts.“We know what we’re doing and we understand national polls are little to no use,” Kane said.She also said students cannot judge the whole country’s standings on the election just by Bloomington.“It’s an interesting situation here with so much liberalism in a very small area,” Kane said. “Republicans are the minority on every college campus, barring religious conservative schools. We are taught to think in a very liberal mind set.”For junior Justin Hill, the chairman of IU Students for John McCain, being part of a conservative club in a liberal setting has provoked a mix of emotions.“It’s been fun and interesting to be the definite minority on campus,” Hill said. “It’s been frustrating at times because basically any visibility we’ve tried to create on our campus usually gets destroyed.”Hill said Republican fliers are often taken down, and any conservative chalking is usually chalked over.However, junior Jessica Howell, the IU campus coordinator for Mike Sodrel for Congress, said she has found more support for the Republican candidates than she would have guessed.“Everyone always says IU is a liberal campus,” Howell said. “I would say there’s definitely a liberal tendency, but there are a lot of conservatives on campus.”Howell said she is planning for a victory for John McCain and governor incumbent Mitch Daniels. Many members of the IU College Republicans will be in Indianapolis for election night to volunteer with the Daniels’ campaign, and then attend a rally at Conseco Fieldhouse. Members unable to go to Indianapolis can go to various viewing parties.But with the election almost coming to a close, sophomore Amy Stansfield, the IU campus coordinator for Students for Mitch Daniels, said she and her fellow volunteers are anxious to finish the campaign strong.“It’s definitely exciting. We’re in overdrive right now,” she said. “We’re running on a lot of adrenaline.”Hill said he is also ready for McCain to close the deal, and voters should not underestimate the Republicans’ ability to win.“Bush was down in 2004 and, in hours up to the election, pulled ahead and won states he shouldn’t have won,” Hill said. “We’re feeling confident in McCain-Palin. We’re going to shock the world.”