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(08/25/12 7:51pm)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Bloomington Police Department officials confirmed no foul play was involved in the Friday death of an IU lecturer.Susan Keenan, 51, a senior lecturer of accounting in the Kelley School of Business, died of injuries sustained after jumping from the fourth level of a parking garage at the Hilton Garden Inn, located at 245 N. College Ave.Keenan taught at IU for 15 years.“Our thoughts and prayers are with Professor Keenan’s family during this time,” Kelley Dean Daniel Smith said in an email to business students. “We know she touched many lives, and she will be deeply missed.”At least three witnesses reported seeing Keenan jump from the parking garage and into the courtyard of the Hilton Garden Inn Friday morning, Sgt. Dana Cole said.Keenan was initially transported to IU Health Bloomington Hospital but was taken via helicopter to IU Health Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis, where she was pronounced dead, Cole said.Cole said Keenan jumped from the parking garage within an hour of being released from the Monroe County Jail. She had been detained for drunk driving the night before, a Class D felony because it was a repeated offense, Cole said.“When tragedies like this occur, it is the comfort of knowing we are part of a larger Kelley School family that helps us cope with the situation,” Smith said. “For those of you who took classes from Professor Keenan, we know this may be especially difficult.“We hope you will remember her fondly as a teacher who brought her best efforts to the classroom and made a difference for every student whose life she touched.”Janay Ladson, who graduated from IU in May, said she did not know Keenan personally, but she heard of her because a friend had one of Keenan’s classes.“I struggled with depression myself, and I know how bad life can be when you’re depressed,” Ladson said in a Facebook message. “I almost drowned in my own dark waters, but fortunately, I sought out professional help with a therapist before it was too late. My heart goes out to Susan’s family as they mourn of their lost.”IU junior Tim Wang said he took A202, Introduction to Managerial Accounting, from Keenan two semesters ago. “She was one of the most personable professors I’ve ever had,” Wang said. “On the first day of class, she came in and shook hands with pretty much everyone. She knew us all by name.”Grief counselors at IU are available. Contact Counseling and Psychological Services at (812) 855-5711 or go to the health center during regular walk-in hours, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Saturday. Counseling after hours is also available using the crisis phone line at (812) 855-5711 and selecting option one.
(08/17/12 4:41am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Jessie Olvera stood outside the Public Safety Office at the Indiana State Fairgrounds. He surveyed the horizon, looking up and then to the officers beside him as dark clouds covered the skyline.The wind picked up speed and threw a blanket of dust and dirt across the scattered carnival scene.Olvera works as an emergency management officer and said he had been anticipating the inclement weather. They were prepared.“We have a contracted meteorologist that’s on staff (and) prepare for situations like this,” Olvera said.The Indiana State Fair was subject to a safety overhaul this year prior to opening for operation to more than 750,000 annual visitors, according to the Indianapolis Convention and Visitors Association. The safety reconditioning came in response to the stage collapse that killed seven people and left dozens injured on Aug. 13, 2011, at last year’s fair.David Shaw, a veteran in entertainment industry management, was hired as chief operating officer in May. Shaw worked to redirect the fair’s emergency-response plans after Witt Associates, a company investigating the stage collapse, deemed the plans implemented at the time of the collapse insufficient.“What I don’t tolerate is complacency, irresponsible behavior and not addressing things head-on on the fly,” Shaw said. “I tend to take things head on and not let them fester and snowball.”Shaw prioritized carrying out the company’s suggestions. “Personally, it means a great deal to me,” Shaw said. “I’m the first chief operations officer in the history of the fairgrounds. I’m honored and humbled to take the operation head on.”Shaw characterized his position as ringleader, motivator and ethical leader and said there was a tremendous amount of pressure that came along with the title.“I’ve been trained and groomed to take this job,” he said. “While there is pressure, it’s not pressure that is unfamiliar or unwelcome.”Indiana State Fair Commission Chairman Andre Lacy explained the importance of the new position.“This is much more than the run-of-the-mill addition of a staff member,” Lacy said in the release. “The Commission has set clear expectations and this is just the first step in a number of changes that will transform the Indiana State Fair into the standard by which others across the state, nation, and beyond will strive to emulate.”Fairgoers, booth owners and staffers agree a more proactive effort has been made this year by fair operators to ensure transparency with guests.Kara Ravenscroft helps run her family’s elephant ear stand. In Thursday’s case, Ravenscroft and a co-worker worked to ensure their booth was protected against Mother Nature’s wrath.“These stands are pretty strong and not going anywhere,” Ravenscroft said.Frequent text messages and phone calls from “the bosses” are all part of the deal, Ravenscroft said. As of Thursday afternoon prior to the storm, Ravenscroft had received 15 warning text messages about the expected foul weather conditions.“I think a lot more (people) are taking it seriously since the stage collapse,” she said.Past the food vendors and entrance to the carnival portion stands the Ferris wheel towering above the festivities. Standing before the three-story attraction was Dexter Crawford with his two sons and fiancé. The group had just arrived at the fair as the weather took a turn for the worse. Upon making their way to the ticket booth, they discovered tickets weren’t being sold to patrons — at least for the time being.“There’s random people walking up and down telling us to get inside and just making sure that we’re comfortable,” Crawford said. “They’re really serious about it this year.”With this year’s fair coming to an end Sunday, Shaw said there was progress made, lessons learned and things to anticipate in years to come.“We’ve had a very successful Indiana State Fair so far,” Shaw said. “We’ve had the stagecoach mishap, and that was an incident that was heavily investigated by Indiana State Police to ensure there was no misdoing of any kind and that no laws were broken.”Shaw issued a letter grade to all operations that were implemented this year under his leadership. The grade: a B plus.“The only reason I wouldn’t give us an ‘A’ is because there’s things we didn’t know,” he said. “We have never worked a fair.”
(08/16/12 2:11am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Employees of the Shortstop Food Mart are currently cooperating with investigators of the Bloomington Police Department in regard to an incident that sparked the termination of one of its employees.Shortstop Food Mart Owner Chris Smith said one of his employees received a text message including a hyperlink to child pornography from a fellow employee. The employee who received the message immediately brought it to the attention of Smith.Subsequently, Smith said he fired the employee responsible for sending the text message. Smith said the matter was immediately brought to the attention of authorities, referring to the rate in which he and his staff dealt with the situation as “fast and furious.”“I have a couple of managers that have work phones so I can reach them after hours if it’s an emergency,” he said. “Given how the world has been in the last year, and you can interpret that how you want, this needed to be dealt with immediately.”Bloomington police were called at about 2:48 p.m. Aug. 14 to the barbecue eatery at 901 N. Smith Road.Detective Sgt. John Kovach said the case may very well be out of their jurisdiction down the road, especially if the link has international origins.“Let’s say there’s a guy or girl here in Bloomington that’s disseminating child pornography, and that’s where we would (assume enforcement),” he said. The case is currently ongoing and under investigation.Smith said he believes the case is an isolated incident.
(08/16/12 2:10am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Employees of the Shortstop Food Mart are currently cooperating with investigators of the Bloomington Police Department in regard to an incident that sparked the termination of one of its employees.Shortstop Food Mart Owner Chris Smith said one of his employees received a text message including a hyperlink to child pornography from a fellow employee. The employee who received the message immediately brought it to the attention of Smith.Subsequently, Smith said he fired the employee responsible for sending the text message. Smith said the matter was immediately brought to the attention of authorities, referring to the rate in which he and his staff dealt with the situation as “fast and furious.”“I have a couple of managers that have work phones so I can reach them after hours if it’s an emergency,” he said. “Given how the world has been in the last year, and you can interpret that how you want, this needed to be dealt with immediately.”Bloomington police were called at about 2:48 p.m. Aug. 14 to the barbecue eatery at 901 N. Smith Road.Detective Sgt. John Kovach said the case may very well be out of their jurisdiction down the road, especially if the link has international origins.“Let’s say there’s a guy or girl here in Bloomington that’s disseminating child pornography, and that’s where we would (assume enforcement),” he said. The case is currently ongoing and under investigation.Smith said he believes the case is an isolated incident.
(08/16/12 2:09am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Employees of the Shortstop Food Mart are currently cooperating with
investigators of the Bloomington Police Department in regard to an
incident that sparked the termination of one of its employees.
Shortstop Food Mart Owner Chris Smith said one of his employees received
a text message including a hyperlink to child pornography from a fellow
employee. The employee who received the message immediately brought it
to the attention of Smith.
Subsequently, Smith said he fired the employee responsible for sending
the text message. Smith said the matter was immediately brought to the
attention of authorities, referring to the rate in which he and his
staff dealt with the situation as “fast and furious.”
“I have a couple of managers that have work phones so I can reach them
after hours if it’s an emergency,” he said. “Given how the world has
been in the last year, and you can interpret that how you want, this
needed to be dealt with immediately.”
Bloomington police were called at about 2:48 p.m. Aug. 14 to the barbecue eatery at 901 N. Smith Road.
Detective Sgt. John Kovach said the case may very well be out of their
jurisdiction down the road, especially if the link has international
origins.
“Let’s say there’s a guy or girl here in Bloomington that’s
disseminating child pornography, and that’s where we would (assume
enforcement),” he said.
The case is currently ongoing and under investigation.
Smith said he believes the case is an isolated incident
(08/16/12 2:07am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Employees of the Shortstop Food Mart are currently cooperating with investigators of the Bloomington Police Department in regard to an incident that sparked the termination of one of its employees.Shortstop Food Mart Owner Chris Smith said one of his employees received a text message including a hyperlink to child pornography from a fellow employee. The employee who received the message immediately brought it to the attention of Smith.Subsequently, Smith said he fired the employee responsible for sending the text message. Smith said the matter was immediately brought to the attention of authorities, referring to the rate in which he and his staff dealt with the situation as “fast and furious.”“I have a couple of managers that have work phones so I can reach them after hours if it’s an emergency,” he said. “Given how the world has been in the last year, and you can interpret that how you want, this needed to be dealt with immediately.”Bloomington police were called at about 2:48 p.m. Aug. 14 to the barbecue eatery at 901 N. Smith Road.Detective Sgt. John Kovach said the case may very well be out of their jurisdiction down the road, especially if the link has international origins.“Let’s say there’s a guy or girl here in Bloomington that’s disseminating child pornography, and that’s where we would (assume enforcement),” he said. The case is currently ongoing and under investigation.Smith said he believes the case is an isolated incident.
(08/15/12 8:18pm)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Local health care officials confirmed a West Nile virus case in Monroe County Wednesday. The Indiana State Department of Health also announced the state’s first West Nile virus-related death this year in Vanderburgh County.“We are encouraging everyone to take steps to protect themselves from West Nile virus, since so far this year, mosquitoes that carry the virus have been found in 62 counties, including Monroe,” Monroe County Health Department Administrator Penny Caudill said in a press release.Local health officials say one resident in the county has been diagnosed with the virus, according to the health department. Seven cases have been confirmed across the state this year, according to the ISDH.Currently, there is no vaccine or cure for the West Nile virus.Individuals who exhibit symptoms should seek treatment from health care providers.Health officials report individuals age 50 and older are at greatest risk for serious illness and even death from West Nile virus. “Because this virus is carried and transmitted by mosquitoes, we are all susceptible to it,” State Health Commissioner Gregory Larkin said. “The tragic death we’ve recently experienced serves as a reminder of just how important it is to take steps to protect ourselves from mosquitoes, both indoors and outdoors. When you open your windows, be sure they have screens so mosquitoes can’t get in. When you go outside, you can protect yourself by covering up and wearing insect repellent, but you can also reduce the amount of mosquitoes around your home by eliminating areas they may use for breeding grounds.”— Michael Majchrowicz
(08/15/12 2:08am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Ivy Tech Community College no longer runs the GED program for inmates in Indiana correctional facilities.Indiana Department of Correction Communications Chief Doug Garrison said the contract between Ivy Tech and IDOC was allowed to expire after the college and IDOC were unable to allocate funding for personnel increase in the program.Grace College and Oakland City University, the two schools were approved through the Indiana Department of Administration as the institutions that would take Ivy Tech’s place. The transition was officially announced in July of this year.Garrison said IDOA has to review all guidelines the state imposes on vendor contracts.“As a state agency, we’re trying to find the most cost-effective, efficient method to educate the most offenders we can given the cost constraint,” Garrison said.Since Grace College and Oakland City University began spearheading the program, 13 new teachers have been hired.IDOC Education Director John Nally said invitations to take on the program were issued to schools such as Purdue and Indiana State, but both schools declined. Criteria for leading the GED program was based on whether or not the institution was an Indiana-based college or university and was a member of the College Consortium, Garrison said.Colleges and universities in the College Consortium include Ball State, Grace College, Indiana State, Ivy Tech, Vincennes University and Oakland City University.Grace College issued a press release Tuesday announcing Dennis Duncan as director of prison education at the college. Duncan was also selected by IDOC to lead the northern region of the Adult Basic Education group.“I think that (Duncan’s) background, attitude and values all work well for Grace’s long-term goals of (developing) relationships and serving the men at these correctional facilities,” said John Teevan, executive director of the Weber School and executive director of Prison Education in the press release. “We are delighted to have (Duncan) join us in this highly mission-centered, front-line venture (serving) a very overlooked population.”Duncan could not be reached for statement Tuesday.The transition was made official Aug. 1.
(07/19/12 12:13am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>When Eugene Eoyang, professor emeritus of comparative literature at IU, was informed he had been selected to receive one of IU Asian Alumni Association’s most distinguished honors, he was told jokingly by an associate that the organization must have run out of Asian Americans to whom the award could be presented. Eoyang will formally receive the Distinguished Asian Pacific American Alumni Award in about two weeks in a formal commemorative ceremony. The award recognizes outstanding professional achievements and community service of Asian and Pacific-American alumni of the University, according to a press release.“I wasn’t aware of it. I didn’t know about the award,” Eoyang said. “I didn’t know there was such an award. About 25 years ago, the number of Asian-American faculty and student body was quite small, so to say they ran out of Asian-Americans may (have been) true 25 years ago, but there’s quite a substantial number now.”Eoyang’s most recent professional endeavor is his work associated with the release of his latest book “The Promise and Premise of Creativity: Why Comparative Literature Matters (Continuum),” — a work, he said, that is dedicated to his IU mentors, colleagues and students.Eoyang said he considers the award timely since it parallels with his book’s publication.“I did not know, and couldn’t have guessed, that members of the current Comparative Literature Department would have nominated me for the award,” he said in a press release. “That means all the more to me because it reflects the esteem of colleagues I have worked with over the years.”Eoyang also said the value of his work is timeless and he would pursue the same amount of work with or without the formal recognition.“I just keep on working,” he said. “It’s nice to have the recognition. I would do it without the recognition or not. I don’t mean to disrespect the award, but the value of my work is not just for the moment, it’s for the future.”IU was one of the first universities to produce a standalone comparative literature program and did so in 1949, Eoyang said.Since the distinguished professor’s involvement with the program, he has since established scholarships and prizes honoring three of his IU mentors and has authored and published at least five other books.“Professor Eoyang’s dynamic and robust contribution as a great teacher, thinker and personality exemplify the way in which a lifetime contribution to Indiana University continues to enrich many aspects of IU’s mission,” said Norris Wang, an IUAAA board member, in a press release.“His longtime connection to Bloomington also deserves commendation.” Eoyang will be honored at 4:30 p.m. Aug. 9 at the Lilly Library.
(07/08/12 11:48pm)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Offenders throughout the Indiana correctional system no longer have a means of pursuing a college education behind bars, following a change in an Indiana prison education policy enacted in 2011.This spring marked the last class of college degree-earners in Indiana correctional facilities.At the time of the modification, it was widely reported that the decision stemmed from the Indiana Department of Correction. But Chief Communications Officer Doug Garrison of the department of correction said this isn’t the case.“I think the offenders understood it wasn’t the department taking it away from them,” he said.Prisoners were eligible to participate in the college-degree program solely through the Frank O’Bannon Grant, a grant intending to enable students in the state of Indiana to receive a college education via eligible postsecondary institutions. The Indiana General Assembly determines how much funding the grant receives.“(The state) no longer allows incarcerated offenders to take advantage of that grant program,” Garrison said. “We don’t have budgeted funds to run the college programs.”Offenders often utilize the prospect of earning a college degree to work toward shortening their sentences.This was the case for recently released child sex offenders Christopher Wheat and Daniel Moore.Wheat was serving an eight-year sentence for sexual misconduct with a 14-year-old, and Moore a 10-year sentence for sexual misconduct with a 15-year-old member of the congregation where he was a pastor.Both offenders served two years of their respective sentences.Sen. Jim Merritt, R-Indianapolis, said Wheat and Moore “gamed” the system and used what credit they already had established with Oakland City University in Oakland City, Ind., to finish their degrees and become eligible to be released ahead of their sentences.“If (the program) weren’t going to be phased out, it would have to be completely overhauled,” Merritt said. “It’s completely misused.”Merritt added that he expects the department of correction to come forward with “creative ideas” that would supplement the previous program.“I’m anxious to hear what they have to say,” he said.Now, inmates wishing to pursue a college education will only be eligible to earn a work-skills certificate and select two-year associates degrees.However, there’s a catch — the aforementioned skills and associate tracks must relate to a specific need by an Indiana employer, as reported by the Indianapolis Star in June 2011.Financial aid for prisoners is also a thing of the past since the Indiana General Assembly passed the two-year state budget. Prior to the introduction of the new budget, state taxpayers paid $9 million to provide said financial aid to the prisoners. More specifically, the process of eliminating the Frank O’Bannon Grant that allowed inmates to pursue a degree was birthed under provisions to the 2011 budget bill, according to the National Public Radio affiliate State Impact.In a five-year follow-up study of inmates released from Indiana Department of Correction custody in 2005, those fielding the study found that fewer than one in 20 Indiana prisoners had any sort of college credential, and just half had a high-school level, or equivalent, education.Among those leading the study was John Nally, director of education for the Indiana Department of Correction.“We’ve got an inmate population that has infinite needs when it comes to education,” Nally told State Impact. “The state has finite resources.”The process of dissolving the program has spanned about one year.“(In 2011) we knew it’d be the last time we can count on (the program),” Garrison said.Now, the department of correction is looking forward and dabbling with methods intended to supplement the absence of the program.“It’s very uncertain at this time,” Garrison said.Garrison added that there is no given timeline at this point and there’s no telling when separate initiatives will take shape.
(05/17/12 12:37am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>It started with a domino effect.President Barack Obama affirmed his personal support for same-sex marriage May 9, live on national television.What ensued soon after the president’s, as ABC’s Diane Sawyer described, “historic, political and cultural” decision, was a multitude of political figures, celebrities and officials rushing to make their views known, thus launching the hot-button issue back in the spotlight. Mike O’Brien, chairperson of the Hendricks County Republican Party, said the issue of same-sex marriage is beginning to manifest itself as more of a “generational value” topic versus that of a party identity.“My assumption has always been (that the) younger generations inherit positions of leadership,” O’Brien said. “As a 32-year-old conservative, I have a hard time explaining why my government needs to come in and set two sets of standards.”Political analyst and journalist Brian Howey said he agrees.“I really do think there is a generation shift,” Howey said. “Here’s a Republican chairman. He’s 32 years old, not really that big of a deal (among) younger Republicans. (O’Brien is) one of the up-and-comers of the Republican party.”The political climate in Indiana has recently been stirring around that of the upcoming gubernatorial November election, as well as campaign initiatives for the 2014 state senate elections.As a GOP and tea-party-backed United States Senate candidate, Richard Mourdock has recently been subjected to television advertisements labeling him as an “extremist.”“You never compromise on principles,” Mourdock told CNN. “If people on the far left have a principle they want to stand by, they should never compromise. Those of us on the right should not either. Compromise may come in the finer details of a plan or a budget. But the real principles that I’ve mentioned about having government rolled back in size, lowering taxes, those things are the principles that caused me to get in this race.”Running against Mourdock as the Democratic candidate is Congressman Joe Donnelly. Meghan Kaler, press secretary for Donnelly, said Donnelly intends to uphold the traditional concept of marriage.“Congressman Donnelly has a long-held personal belief that marriage is between a man and a woman,” she said. “He believes that each state should decide this issue and is opposed to an amendment to the U.S. Constitution.”Bob “Citizen” Kern said it was his plan from the beginning to run for U.S. senate.Kern has now redirected energy and efforts toward his campaign for U.S. Senate after losing the race for the U.S. House, representing Indiana’s seventh district.Kern is now running as an Independent, though he ran as a Democrat in previous elections.“(The elections are) not set up for the people, they’re set up for the two-party system,” Kern said. “My allegiance is not to the Democratic Party, and it wouldn’t be to the Republican Party, either. My allegiance is to the people I plan to serve. It’s all about serving. Everyone else has their own agenda.”Kern asserted that even though he said he was convicted of felony charges for forgery and theft in 2007, this is not indicative of his ability to run for office.Kern said he is a homosexual but does not practice the lifestyle. “Who am I to dictate?” Kern said. “Everybody needs somebody to love and to care about, and that’s how I see it. I don’t agree with Obama (making the announcement). I don’t know if he’s trying to get votes.”Contrary to President Obama’s “evolution,” both the GOP and Democratic gubernatorial candidates, Mike Pence and John Gregg, have expressed opposition in regard to same-sex marriage.“Mike Pence believes that marriage should be defined as the union between one man and one woman and will continue to support efforts to defend traditional marriage in Indiana,” said Christy Denault, spokesperson for Mike Pence for Indiana.In terms of the governor’s race, Howey said Pence has spent most of his campaign discussing jobs and is “very popular among evangelical Republicans.”“I’ve been watching Mike Pence with great interest,” Howey said.Howey also said he believes that 80 to 90 percent of Pence’s campaign revolves around issues such as jobs and the economy.Megan Jacobs, Gregg’s campaign spokesperson, said Gregg believes too much time is being spent on attempting to legislate social issues. Jacobs indicated that Gregg has, however, expressed interest in legislating anti-discrimination laws in the workplace and that Indiana is one of five states without such laws.“Well, it’s pretty simple,” Jacobs said. “He believes that marriage should be between a man and a woman. He does not support gay marriage. At the same time, he believes everyone should be treated with respect.”
(05/13/12 11:59pm)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Two former Martinsville High School teachers, Tim Wolf and Jeff McGown, each face three counts of child seduction charges following a nearly three-month investigation for alleged relationships with a former student.Prior to the current charges, Wolf was arrested Feb. 12 for public indecency at Eagle Creek Parkway in Indianapolis. Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Officer Jarald Nuckols approached Wolf’s vehicle and found Wolf with his pants unzipped and “his erect penis sticking out of his pants,” according to the probable cause affidavit. Next to Wolf in the passenger seat was a 17-year-old female and former student who had graduated from the high school in November 2011.After Wolf was arrested, he was transported to Marion County Jail. The girl was then transported back to her own vehicle. The former Martinsville High School student indicated to Nuckols that the sexual relationship had been active for “a couple of months.”Detective Kevin Getz and Sgt. Paul Suding interviewed school administrators Feb. 23 following Wolf’s arrest in Marion County. Administrators told the investigators they were aware of rumors that indicated such a relationship between Wolf and the student and that there supposedly was a video showing the two walking on the high school track and holding hands.During the time of the questioning, the administrators indicated to Getz and Suding that there were also rumors suggesting a sexual relationship between the same student and McGown, a former tennis coach and second grade teacher. The administrators informed the investigators that these rumors were unable to be corroborated, according to the affidavit.Up until the time of his arrest, McGown served as the high school tennis coach.Studing interviewed the former student on April 4 at the Bloomington post, according to the affidavit. She said in the interview that the physical relationship between her and McGown consisted of touching and fondling of the genitalia and that there had been multiple incidents throughout the 2011 tennis season, according to the affidavit. The student acknowledged there were three or more separate incidents that occurred at various locations throughout Morgan County.According to the affidavit, Suding also interviewed McGown on Feb. 24. In the interview, McGown was questioned about his alleged relationship with the former student. McGown said school administrators interviewed him about the rumors and allegations in regard to the sexual relationship. Suding then proceeded to question McGown about the alleged relationship between the former student and Wolf. From that point, McGown refused to answer any further questions about either alleged relationship.Wolf was arrested April 12 but was released on a $150 bond the following day. Wolf and McGown both face three Class D felony charges of child seduction.“It was just time for us to proceed with the charges,” said Douglas Cummins, special prosecutor for the case. “Because the case is a high-profile case, we just decided to answer individual questions before (the media came to us with questions).”The former student turned 18 on May 12. Wolf and McGown are 65 and 38, respectively. Cummins said if Wolf and McGown are convicted of the charges against them, they will each be required to register as sex offenders. School administrators were unable to be reached for comment throughout the weekend.
(04/26/12 3:52am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>More than 900 students have responded to the opportunity to rent a puppy in Dunn Meadow today. “It’s exceeded our expectations,” Executive Director and Campus Minister of Lutheran Campus Ministries Jeff Schacht said.Schacht said he is expecting at least 400 to 500 participants to come to the event.“Rent-A-Puppy!” is sponsored by Lutheran Campus Ministries and proceeds will benefit the Bloomington Animal Shelter.Students will pay $5 and provide a valid driver’s license or student ID. They will receive a puppy for a half an hour, according to the event page.“We’re just hoping to provide students with the opportunity to relieve some stress with it being being dead week and finals next week,” Schacht said.In addition to the $5 cover charge, the shelter will accept donations of toys, food, pet beds and other supplies.Registration for slots begins at 12:30 p.m. and the first available slot will be at 1 p.m.— Michael Majchrowicz
(04/26/12 3:50am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>For the second time in more than three weeks, the students and staff organizing the Israelpalooza ran through the regular motions of setting up the event.Clouds crept in as tents were erected, and the music began to blare. Initially slated for April 1, the event was already canceled once before.Activities included an inflatable obstacle course, Henna drawings, rockwall climbing and cotton candy spinning.Rabbi Seth Cook stood in the distance with his family close by. Cook is the leader of the on-campus Jewish education program Aish.Crouching on the ground and positioning himself on one knee, Cook extended his arms and smiled as his infant walked in his direction.“(We) came out here to support Israel,” he said.Freshman and chair of the Israelpalooza event Amanda Phillips stood under a tent talking with others working the event.Phillips described a flustered and chaotic series of sequences when she had to cancel the event the first time.She said she ran into many struggles trying to obtain staff to work the event the second time. Fewer students were able to stay for the event because of class schedules. “To reschedule something like that is really, really crazy,” she said.The planning for the event began in December when Phillips decided to tackle the project. She worked with other members of the Helene G. Simon Hillel Center to strategize a budget proposal for the IU Student Association Funding Board. After being granted the necessary funds from IUSA, it was time to start making phone calls, book the live music, organize various activities, establish a marketing ploy, order food and seek volunteers, she said.Phillips said she was glad to see students of all ages enjoy the festivities the event had to offer. As a freshman, she said this event was something she was not familiar with and had to go through other organizations and individuals to learn what exactly others expected of the event and how to run the show behind the scenes.“For me, it’s a learning experience,” she said. “I now know what goes in to putting on an event like this. Coming in and never having been to the event, (it was) a great experience I’ll have with me for the rest of my life.”
(04/25/12 3:49am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>IU is joining forces to make further advances in preserving substantial amounts of collected data and research.The University, with the Data to Insight Center and IU Libraries, was selected as a partner institution in the Council on Library Federation Data Curation Program. The program is funded by a $679,827 grant on behalf of the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. “The scientific data projects we work on with the IU Libraries are complex, large and valuable in science when taken collectively and over time,” said Beth Plale, director of the Data to Insight Center and managing director of the Pervasive Technology Institute, in a press release. “The preservation and curation of this data is critical to advancing science.” CLIR is recruiting six data curation fellows. Those eligible will come from partner institutions: IU-Bloomington, Lehigh University, McMaster University, Purdue University, the University of California, Los Angeles, and the University of Michigan, according to a press release. — Michael Majchrowicz
(04/20/12 2:47pm)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Residential Programs and Services notified Forest residents Thursday at about 10:54 p.m. that freshman resident Kyle Williams died in his hometown of Martinsville.No other details are available at this time.RPS encouraged students who might be having a difficult time processing the situation to reach out to IU Counseling and Psychological Services.A walk-in clinic will be available from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.Students can also seek help after hours and throughout the weekend by calling 812-855-5711.This story will be updated.— Michael Majchrowicz
(04/12/12 5:14am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>The budget of the Hudson and Holland Scholars Program, considered to be the premier diversity scholarship program at IU, has been in fluctuation for a number of years. In the last four years, however, these changes have meant a $159,659 reduction, decreasing the budget from $558,705 in 2008-09 to $399,046 this academic year. This cut in funding played a role in the departure of professional staff members at Hudson and Holland, whose numbers have fallen from seven full-time staff members in 2006-07 to just two current full-time members. As these cuts in funding and the departure of staff members hit Hudson and Holland, the number of students in the program jumped from about 600 students in 2008 to the approximately 700 this year, putting strain on the nearly empty staff lineup and financially stressed program. During this time, graduation rates in the program have also fallen. Hudson and Holland graduated 88 percent of its 2002 group , more than the University’s 73 percent in the same year. With its most recent group, that number decreased to 72 percent, about the same as the University as a whole. Initiatives and requirements within the program have also been downsized or cut, with no staff left to maintain and monitor them. These figures illustrate the ongoing financial struggles of the Hudson and Holland program. But students and staff of Hudson and Holland said there’s more to the story than just numbers can tell.What is now the Hudson and Holland Scholars Program first enrolled students in 1988. Throughout the years, the name of the program has changed, but the mission has remained largely the same: to recruit the best and brightest underrepresented minority students and provide them with the tools they need to succeed throughout their years at IU and beyond.As recently as four years ago, the program was graduating nearly 90 percent of its students, providing them with monetary scholarships, supplementary advising sessions, conferences, workshops, internships and mentoring.While scholarship money has actually increased, junior and Hudson and Holland Scholar Titilayo Rasaki said other program features have decreased.“I know, personally, lots of the growth I’ve had at IU has been through this program,” Rasaki said. “That’s what upsets me so much, that the freshmen don’t see what they’re missing. They just get the money and go.”Staffing issues in recent years have hindered the program’s ability to aid the students. With the departure of the program’s previous director, Virginia LeBlanc, last summer, only two full-time employees and one part-time employee remain.“She was kind of a mother figure to me, and I don’t know about your mom, but she didn’t let me know when the ship was going under,” Rasaki said of her relationship with LeBlanc.Rasaki is also part of the Hudson and Holland Advisory Council, a student group led by senior Christina Robinson. A recent objective of the group has been for students in the program to come together to work toward better understanding the current woes of the program. The group also aims to establish a better sense of transparency between students, faculty and staff all across the plate, including the student scholars, Hudson and Holland staff members, IU officials and the Office of the Vice President for Diversity, Equity, and Multicultural Affairs, which oversees the Hudson and Holland program.Current program staff members have had to pick up the weight of their non-existent colleagues, and in that process, additional programs have had to be downsized, if not eliminated all together. Interim Director Anthony Scott assumed his current role this past summer while still filling his old role of associate director in charge of marketing and recruitment. He said his staff is working to still provide the same essential services, while acknowledging that endeavor has been both frustrating and stressful.“We have a lot more students and lot less staff, but we are required to do more with what we have,” Scott said. “And I understand that a lot of units are asked to do more with less, but what we’re being asked to do is ... we don’t have the opportunity now to do the things that we used to do.”Scott said the lack of personnel has caused the program to reduce the number of mandatory student advising meetings. A mandatory volunteer hour requirement, in which Hudson and Holland students would engage in the community through service, has fallen by the wayside, simply because there weren’t the hours or staff to enforce this requirement or to keep track of those records.Law Professor Kevin Brown, former director of the Hudson and Holland program, said for a program like Hudson and Holland, for which relationships are key to student development, the loss of staff is a huge hit.“That’s a disaster for that program,” Brown said. “With that few of people, you can’t really understand the stress of the students, the desires of the students or match them up with opportunities that would benefit them. So you start to see this in so many ways. The most important way you see it is the reduction in the graduation rate.”Indeed, graduation rates have fallen by nearly 20 percentage points since Brown left in 2008.“Hudson and Holland is the crown jewel in the diversity department,” Brown said. “I met with (DEMA Vice President Edwin Marshall) one time for 10 minutes, and that’s it. So in his first year, the head of his crown jewel program meets with him one time for 10 minutes. To me, that was unconsciousable.”More recently, the departure of Dan Woodside, former academic coordinator of science and math, in January 2012 left a gap in the program’s life science initiative. Woodside, through his relationships with employers such as Cook Medical, was able to secure internship opportunities for the students. He was directly responsible for advising 250 students in the program.Woodside said he left the program in 2008 when the program made a move toward becoming more of a scholarship program than a scholar program.“It’s never a good sign to see (money) for funding diversity to be cut,” Woodside said. “Especially at IU.”Rasaki compared Woodside’s leaving the Hudson and Holland program to a hypothetical scenario of Herman B Wells leaving IU in the midst of serving as president.“I’m really disappointed things couldn’t have been better that would’ve been more enticing to stay,” Woodside said. “There were opportunities to work in the athletic department with people to work with student success. It was something I just couldn’t turn down.”Woodside now serves as the director of academic services for Olympic sports within IU Athletics.Brown, who hired Woodside in 2005, said the academic coordinator’s absence in the program was another great loss.“They could have fired the vice president of DEMA, and it would have done less damage than Dan Woodside going,” Brown said.The cutbacks and internal stress have not gone unreported or unnoticed by Marshall, both Brown and Scott said.Marshall said he first learned of student discontent after a regularly scheduled town hall meeting with Hudson and Holland students in attendance in January.What does seem to be lacking, however, is a sense of urgency, Scott said.Since LeBlanc resigned as director last summer, Scott has filled in as interim director. Yet, Marshall said a search committee was assembled only recently and it has not yet met to begin the search process, nor is there a provided time frame as to when a full-time director will be in place. “We had some other issues that we were trying to address, as well,” Marshall said in response to the promptness of the director search. “We probably could have pushed this search process up a little earlier, and we probably should have. (Anthony’s) doing a good job as an interim. The urgency may not have been as great, but nevertheless, we don’t want to draw this out.”Additionally, positions that have been vacant, some for more than two years, still remain empty. Scott does not know when, or if, these positions will be filled.“I would like there to be a sense of urgency,” Scott said. “I can’t tell that there is, and I don’t know why there is not. We’ve had meetings, and we’ve talked about it, but there’s just no movement at this point.”Marshall attributes the lessening of Hudson and Holland’s budget and the lack of filled positions to budgetary problems within DEMA. He said not only has the University tightened budgets across the board, but a 2010 loss of a crucial five-year, approximately $400,000-a-year grant sent DEMA further into “crisis mode.”“We’re trying to address these very, very significant issues, and we’re basically patching together funds to operate at the current level,” Marshall said. “So it’s hard to think about adding to that until we can fix the current situation. Now, that’s not to say we can’t look at the people we have currently and see if there’s a better way to utilize people to provide the services that we need to provide.”Marshall said he and his office are currently in the process of reevaluating how the similarly minded programs in DEMA can more effectively share resources.“We’re still looking at ways that that may play out,” Marshall said. “It may result in a different way of doing things. Trying to maintain old structures may not be the best way of going forward.”Marshall said he values each of his programs and envisions a possible internal program restructuring, not an absolute scrapping of any program, he said. “There’s no intent to do away with any of the programs,” he said. “How we function within those programs, that may change.”The Hudson and Holland staff members who currently serve the program said they feel as though they are being spread too thin.“I think that is certainly the case,” said Jennifer Poe, a Hudson and Holland program mentor. “There are positions that remain unfilled. I don’t know the reasoning behind that. (It’s about) not just the quantity, but the quality. It’s hard to make things mandatory. There’s the issue of the budget, in order to make something mandatory, you have to have the staff, (and) it’s gone to the wayside.”Poe said she was aware of the budget cuts and faculty vacancies to some extent when she came to Hudson and Holland in fall 2011.“(I was) more aware of things going on in other parts of DEMA,” she said. “Part of it stems from budget cuts, economy, decreases in funding, (but) at the same time, it seems like there is money there somewhere, we just don’t know why we’re not getting it,”The University asked many programs in 2008, including Hudson and Holland, to slow or freeze hiring in an effort to cut expenses from University operations, DEMA Associate Vice President Vicki Roberts said. But the freeze has long since ended.Even with the budget cuts and hiring freezes, Brown said he thinks the value of the program to the University is called into question. “Even if that was the case, the question becomes is it worth it to the University, a billion-dollar-a-year University, to deprive its premier program dealing with underrepresented minority students?” he said.
(04/09/12 1:40am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Freshman rider Chris Pilipiszyn recalled his first time training alongside the Cutters. He took what bike he could manage to find at the last minute, having been notified only a day earlier that he would be riding with the team, slapped on his gym shoes and rode off. “It was one of those things where I didn’t know if I was going to be able to make it home,” Pilipiszyn said about his first workout. As one of two freshmen riders on the team, Pilipiszyn said he looks up to many of the veteran riders. As he practices with the team, he observes, makes mental notes and takes into account the things he needs to be doing to find success as a Cutter. “I could see them after a workout and see that they’re hurting,” he said. “I look up to a lot of the guys, so when I see them hurting, I know I should be hurting, too, so I push myself then.” Pilipiszyn is part of the new generation of Cutters. The efforts of the new riders do not go unaccounted for. Cutters Coach Jim Kirkham said the freshmen are doing well and holding their own. Kirkham said that this year, everything is different.One might argue these differences reside in the team’s new riders, including the two freshmen additions, a team mascot, a more diverse training regimen and an eighth-place finish in the Little 500 Qualifications. Three days before the riders took to the track for qualifications, the reigning champions participated in one final team practice at Bill Armstrong Stadium. Kirkham’s son, Teddy — also the team’s mascot, rested snugly in his father’s arms as Kirkham walked back and forth behind the gates that hug the track at the stadium. Eventually growing restless, Teddy made his way free of his father’s embrace and moved to the bleachers. Kirkham followed closely behind his son as he walked the length of the bleachers toward the enclosure. Chasing was something Kirkham did on a daily basis. One month from that final day of training at the stadium, it wouldn’t be his child he’d be chasing on the bleachers — it’d be a victory on the racetrack. “I’d prefer if they didn’t get all the attention,” Kirkham said of his riders. “I don’t want (the team) to think they’re better than they really are.” The Cutters are seeking their sixth consecutive victory in this year’s Little 500. The riders became the first team to win five consecutive titles with a victory in the 2011 race. Kirkham said he knew going into this year that things would not be laid out for his team, ready to be snatched.The Cutters were going to have to work perhaps even harder than in years past. Regardless of the loss of recent graduates, such as Eric Young and Zach Lusk, Kirkham said the leadership spectrum on the team fluctuates and often shifts among teammates. Senior and veteran Cutter Michael Schroeder said the team takes it upon itself to ensure the responsibilities are distributed. “We all share the responsibility,” he said. “We have a really cool chemistry. Every guy is important.”From the newest members of the team to the veteran competitors, Schroeder said each individual has worth and something to contribute to the success of the historically prestigious race team. “Aside from a bike team, we’re a really close group of friends,” Pilipiszyn said. “On and off the track, we spend a lot of time together. They have become my closest friends here.” Every year, the team experiences an array of various strengths and weaknesses. Kirkham said many more challenges have been presented throughout the course of the practice season. Last year was the final year of eligibility for former Cutters standout Young. Before and after the team’s victory, Young’s eligibility became a popular topic among some who alleged the rider had professional contracts on the side. Eventually, it was determined Young could race in the Little 500 event as long as he did not obtain a pro license until after the race. Young helped the team ride to its fifth consecutive victory. This year, controversy aside, the team is focused and training daily to ensure its goals and personal expectations are met to show the prospectors of the Little 500 event and the public that the Cutters are no strangers to victory. For the 28 years during which the team has been in existence, the Cutters have captured 12 victories. “I know I’m definitely not riding this year, but I still have to keep the intensity up going into Team Pursuit,” Pilipiszyn said. “This is going to be my first time experiencing Little 500, so I don’t know what to expect. “I feel the energy on the track, (and) I feel it off the track when I see everyone wearing Little 500 shirts to their specific team. I see that intensity everywhere on campus.” Pilipiszyn said the word “Cutters” evokes real significance, and he is proud to associate the name of the 12-time champions with his own team. “It’s something I take pride in,” Pilipiszyn said. “I mean, that’s all that really matters. “As long as I’m enjoying and I’m proud of what I’m doing, that’s all I really care about.”
(04/03/12 3:48am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Members of Coal Free IU congregated in front of the Sample Gates on Monday afternoon prior to walking to the office of IU President Michael McRobbie at Bryan Hall to deliver a bill detailing the cost externalities of burning coal on the IU campus.Freshman Amanda Loch looked down at the handcrafted poster pressed against her stomach and read the poster’s inscription aloud.“Coal breaks my heart,” she said. “Literally,” senior and Coal Free IU President Megan Anderson added as she walked to where Loch was standing. “It causes cardiovascular problems.”The group considers its actions cumulative and said the events on Monday will ultimately culminate in two weeks during which the IU Board of Trustees will congregate and deliver the IU Integrated Energy Master Plan.Anderson said the Energy Master Plan will include a comprehensive analysis of the University’s total energy use, as well as details about what is necessary to convert to alternative energy resources.“That’ll be a really important part of finding out what the next steps are for IU, how we can move to clean energy,” Anderson said.Senior and environmental management major Ross Carlson stood in the group, grasping a notecard with a prepared speech.“We’re here to deliver IU its outstanding bill for coal use. In the past, we’ve all paid the price for this cost of coal by living near the power plant, breathing its air,” Carlson said. “If included into this yearly bill, the cost for coal for the University would nearly double, making our power plant economically inviable, but we’re here today to try and push the University to make a stand.”Shortly after 4 p.m., the group made its way to Bryan Hall. One by one, each member of the group, which consisted of seven members in total, walked up the stairs posters in hand, banner at the ready and armed with the message they were hoping would be heard by those in the administration building they believe have the ability to to be heard by influential administrators.After the group had ascended the single flight of stairs and was inside the doors of Bryan Hall, Anderson, at the front of the group, turned left and entered the administrative office.Anderson announced to the woman at the front desk that the individuals present were in the office to represent Coal Free IU and proceeded to summarize the group’s intentions and request that the materials they brought with them be archived. The ongoing issue of utilizing a more efficient energy source is years old, leading to the University’s current position. IU Associate Vice President of Communications Mark Land said IU is doing what it can as far as energy efficiency is concerned and that it is necessary to factor in the little things.He said Monday, for example, was the first day of the IU Spring Energy Challenge, when multiple campus buildings will compete to use the smallest amount of energy.Land said the University is always looking for ways to become more efficient and to reduce the amount of coal that is used.“It’s a very complicated issue,” Land said. “We understand and respect their point of view. It’s just a very big ship to try and turn. We share a lot of goals with Coal Free IU.”
(03/28/12 4:24am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>An auditorium of perturbed educators, administrators and parents expressed concerns Tuesday about the Indiana Department of Education’s recommended changes to the teacher certification process.In an attempt to combat supposed teacher shortages, the department proposed that any individual, regardless of his or her specialized content area, be able to simply pass a written test in the desired field in which they wish to gain certification. The proposed licensing process is currently being referred to as REPA 2.This proposal is attracting the criticism of educators across the field, with those in opposition stating that it takes much more than a written test to become specialized — for instance, in the area of special education, having experience with students with disabilities is needed.A table of five panelists sat at the front of the IU School of Education auditorium to present their specific perspectives on the issue. Deborah Myerson, mother of a second-grade child with special needs who currently attends Fairview Elementary School, said she is concerned with the issue of the new certification process being addressed in a timely manner.“We’ve gone through several different education settings for him, trying to find the right fit, and so my concern with some of the proposed changes is that he’s got one shot going through the educational system,” she said. “So I want to make sure it’s in the best-possible condition as he goes through it.”Audience members said the department does not maintain a transparent relationship with the public about the process that is being used to make these changes.REPA 2 is not the first proposed certification process of its kind. The proposal itself is based off a precedent that is currently in place. This process was the first REPA, or “Rules for Educator Preparation and Accountability.”“The big jump is what’s it going to look like in implementation,” said Kraig Bushey, a special education teacher at Fairfield. Bushey said he would like to see the improvement to the current teacher evaluation system.He said his work this year caused him to believe it was a change in the right direction.Myerson said she feared the restructuring of the teacher evaluation process could take years, time her son just could not afford to lose.“So, if it’s going to take five years for a teacher to be evaluated and see if they renewed their license, that’s half the rest of his educational career. So I’m concerned that these need to be done and done right the first time,” Myerson said.