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(10/12/05 5:22am)
Not only are "dirty boys getting clean" by Axe hygiene products, but so are their bathrooms.\nIn an effort to promote their new shower gel, the makers of Axe products are holding a nationwide "Pimp My Fraternity Shower" in which members of fraternities are asked to take a picture of their soiled, mildew-ridden bathrooms. The public will vote on the most appalling lavatory online and the winner receives a $15,000 bathroom makeover, according to the contest Web site, www.pimpmyfraternityshower.com.\n"Most fraternity showers are just disgusting and people wouldn't even think about using them," said Tina Reejsinghani, AXE brand marketing assistant.\nReejsinghani said some contest photos have already been uploaded on the application Web site.\n"There's mildew, the ceilings are rotting, the shower heads are coming out of the wall," she said. "Some don't have doors."\nChuck Aubrey, set designer for MTV's Real World/Road Rules Challenge would be "the brains behind the fraternity (bathroom) pimping," according to a press release.\nMirrors, fold down seats, support handles, beverage chillers, multiple shower heads and even a plasma television might be included in the overhaul, according to the Web site.\nSenior and Interfraternity Council Vice President of Recruitment Justin Sloan said the chapter of which he is a member is "thinking about" entering the contest.\n"Our guys were talking about how they'd want a waterproof plasma TV screen," he said.\nSloan concurs that fraternity bathrooms are not typically charming.\n"I can't speak for all fraternity showers, but they're obviously not the cream of the crop," he said.\nReejsinghani said this contest aims to change that, making the showers "a great place to entertain."\nIn addition to a glorious new place to brush their teeth, "Pimp My Fraternity Shower" winners will host a party with representatives from Axe, including "Axe angels," -- described by Reejsinghani as "very good looking girls that like to party at Axe get-togethers" -- at their house to celebrate their pimped-out bathroom.\nDelta Tau Delta member Andrew Gant said his fraternity will enter the contest. He said no one will walk barefoot in their 60-year-old bathrooms. \n"It's kind of funny how gross they are," he said. "Each shower head is different because they've been repaired so many times"\nJunior and Phi Gamma Delta member A.J. Barbato said this isn't the first time Axe has promoted within the greek system.\n"They're pretty big in using the greek system as a way to reach people," he said.\nBarbato said he's attended promotional functions in the past in which the company passed out free samples of the company's products. Nonetheless, he said his chapter probably won't participate in the "Pimp My Fraternity Shower" contest. \n"Our showers are pretty clean," he said.\nOnline voting begins Nov. 1 and the deadline for contest entries is Oct. 28. Participants must be at least 18 years old and a member of a fraternity. Along with a photo of their indecent bathroom, a mini-essay must be turned in.
(10/07/05 5:00am)
Alumni Hall truly came alive in 2005 at Thursday evening's annual Yell Like Hell spirit competition hosted by the Student Alumni Association. Bubbly student cheers could be heard all the way to the Mezzanine level Pizza Hut.\nIU Essence took first place at the event after drawing a standing ovation from the crowd of more than 500, among the 10 performances of the evening, which included Student Athletic Board, IU Poms and a cappella musical groups Ladies First and Straight No Chaser. \nSAA Vice President of Special Events Adam Russ said turnout was better than expected considering the exclusion of the greek community from the event.\nThe greek community, though historically involved in Yell Like Hell, was unable to attend this year due to "serenades," a tradition in which chapter houses pair up for Homecoming events.\nIn addition to hosting the event, SAA members did an Indiana-themed rendition of Michael Jackson's "Thriller." Students wore ripped T-shirts and ghostly make-up, drawing laughter from the audience. They came away placing third.\nIt was IU Essence hip-hop dance team, though, that brought down the house, never missing a beat to Missy Elliot's "Lose Control."\nPerformance judge Jeremiah Shinn said it was the "great crowd response" to IU Essence's performance that gave them the extra edge and a first-place finish.\nIU Essence captain and senior Jessica Berry said claiming the top spot was "unexpected."\n"We just came out and did our thing," she said. "The crowd was so nice. We had a lot of support."\nThe Black Student Union's skit-dance routine, with several representatives present at the event, took second place. BSU President Courtney Williams took the lead role in the sketch that involved a look at black IU students through the years.\nThis was BSU's first year involved in Yell Like Hell and Williams says it's certainly not the last.\n"We were so excited because we had so many African-American students here tonight," she said. "We'll place first next year."\nStraight No Chaser was a crowd pleaser, harmonizing Montell Jordan's "This Is How We Do It" before a sea of happy listeners. Some stood in the doorway just to hear.\nStudents sang along with Ladies First's up-beat interpretation of The Beatles' "Yesterday." The female talent also synchronized techno- and country-inspired pieces.\nPrizes were raffled off throughout the hour-long show. Freshman Lindsey Boyd won gift certificates to Jimmy John's, Dagwood's and Moe's Southwest Grill. Boyd was there to see her friend dance in IU Essence, which she said was her favorite performance of the evening. \n"They had those cute dances," she said.\nYell Like Hell precedes Friday's primary Homecoming event, the 47th annual Homecoming Parade. The parade commences at 5:30 p.m. on East Third Street.
(10/06/05 11:17pm)
It'll be held in Alumni Hall in the Indiana Memorial Union but students needn't use their "indoor voices" at Yell Like Hell -- one of the IU Student Alumni Association's five annual University-wide spirit competitions in celebration of Homecoming.\nYell like Hell -- at 7:30 tonight -- will feature skits and musical performances by 10 student groups and organizations including IUSAA, Student Athletic Board, IU Student Foundation and the Black Student Union, said SAA Director of Special Events sophomore Phillip Blomeke. The performances will pertain to this year's Homecoming theme, "Come Alive in 2005."\n"It's just a good way to kick off Homecoming," Blomeke said.\nBlomeke said while he expects this year's program to draw a decent-sized crowd, he's concerned about poor attendance due to lack of representation of the greek community.\nTonight is serenades night for greek chapters, a tradition where sorority and fraternity chapters go to one another's houses and sing to them. All chapters on campus participate in serenades night and will not be appearing at Yell Like Hell.\nIn the past, greek chapters have accounted for a large part of Yell Like Hell's audience and performers. Moreover, last year, Alpha Omicron Pi sorority took first place.\n"It's disappointing," Blomeke said. "But I respect that they're doing their greek activities."\nThe student groups that will show their spirit this evening will be judged by the incorporation of "Come Alive in 2005" in their acts.\nWindow painting, banner display and parade float entries are also spirit competitions that are judged this week. Overall winners of the events are given a trophy at halftime during the Homecoming football game Saturday.\nNonetheless, some student groups will perform tonight for entertainment purposes only. A capella groups Ladies First and Straight No Chaser will sing, and IU Essence hip-hop dance team will make an appearance.\nSAA Vice President of Special Events and senior Adam Russ said even students who don't have friends performing in Yell Like Hell would have a pleasant evening if they come.\n"You won't be totally lost," he said. "There will be acts everyone can enjoy."\nAlso, students can participate in raffle drawings to win gift certificates from local businesses, Russ said.\n"It's a really neat experience to take part in," Blomeke said. "Come and sign up to win a prize and at the same time experience some school spirit."\nFor more information on Yell Like Hell or the other spirit competitions, visit www.indiana.edu/~saa.
(10/05/05 5:12am)
Formal sorority recruitment season is approaching, but women interested in participating can still register to do so.\nLast Tuesday, all 19 sorority chapters on campus congregated at Alumni Hall for Greek Opportunities for Women, an information session on greek life for potential pledges.\n"It was very, very successful," said Jaclyn Reinking, vice president of recruitment for the Panhellenic Association. "We had about 580 women show up."\nSince then, sororities have been busy with informal recruitment activities.\nInformal recruitment differs from formal recruitment in that attendance isn't mandatory for potential pledges, said Sigma Delta Tau Recruitment Chair Alli Green. \nMoreover, the events involved in informal recruitment are less formal. \n"People wear jeans and stuff," Green said.\nGreen said so far her chapter has hosted a couple of in-house dinners and that every Wednesday night is "s'mores night." \n"Everyone stands up, says their name and gets to know each other," she said.\nGreen said on average, 15 potential pledges come to these events but women who've yet to be invited to such an activity yet want to be involved in formal recruitment need not worry.\n"It doesn't have much to do with formal recruitment," she said. "It's just so potential pledges can get a handle on things and make some friends."\nReinking also said informal recruitment is "not as large of a process" as formal.\nBut junior Kate Williams, recruitment chair for Alpha Gamma Delta, said her chapter also hosts formal dinners but will ask prospective members over to "watch a popular television show."\n"It's nice where everyone can sit around and just get to know everyone a little better," she said. "It's a really great opportunity before formal recruitment comes along."\nWomen who want to pledge a sorority need to register now for formal recruitment, which starts Nov. 12 with 19-Party, according to the Panhellenic Association Web site.\nAt 19-Party, freshmen and sophomore women tour all 19 chapter houses on campus in a two-day period, Green said. In addition, pledges "will be given the opportunity to meet three or four active members in each chapter," according to IU's Go Greek Web site.\n"In my opinion, it's the most exciting part of formal recruitment in some ways," she said. "You get to see all of the chapters."\nGreen also said she encourages women considering rush to certainly do so, even if they decide not to join a chapter.\n"It's just a good experience to meet people," she said.
(10/03/05 5:36am)
While many students were making breakfast plans or still deep in Saturday morning slumber, 45 members of the Zeta Tau Alpha sorority were preparing to do their part in the fight against breast cancer.\nZTA members joined hundreds of Bloomington residents and other IU students Saturday during the eighth annual Bloomington Breast Cancer Awareness Walk.\n"Since it's our national philanthropy, we wanted to support the residents of Bloomington by participating in the walk," said ZTA philanthropy chair Mary Beth Kraft.\nThe mile-long trek commenced at City Hall with a short program that honored breast cancer survivors. The swarm of walkers, donning T-shirts adorned with pink breast cancer awareness ribbons, clapped for each survivor, who, sometimes through tears but always with pride, informed the crowd how long they have been cancer-free.\n"As soon as those women got up there the crowd hushed," Kraft said. "You could tell everybody was really moved."\nKraft said seeing the breast cancer survivors first-hand "hit home for a lot of girls."\n"We realize and we've seen how breast cancer personally can affect women," Kraft said.\nIn addition to walking, ZTA members set up a booth at which members passed out self breast exam pamphlets and pink awareness ribbons. They also accepted donations for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.\nThe sorority's participation in this event foreshadows its primary annual philanthropic endeavor, Big Man On Campus, which will be Oct. 14 at the IU Auditorium.\nThis year, the theme for BMOC is "Hollywood: Lights, Camera, Action! Against Breast Cancer." The all-male talent show, which raised a record $72,000 last year, will include representatives from 20 different fraternities this year, according to ZTA's Web site.\nKraft said practices have already begun for talent show participants and T-shirts and tickets for the event are currently being sold. \n"It's in full force right now," she said.\nStudents can purchase a T-shirt and a ticket for the event together for $20. Tickets alone are $12 and T-shirts are $10.\nThis year, the T-shirts are black and feature a film strip inscribed with the event's theme name. Kraft said ZTA members will be selling these items in front of the Arboretum and at the Kelley School of Business this week.\nKraft emphasized the importance of ZTA's cause and encourages students to donate money and attend BMOC.\n"What we're working for is an actuality that could affect one of us," she said. "We are proud to help this wonderful cause"
(09/23/05 4:51am)
Attention Parrotheads: Don't "Jamaica Mistaica" and miss the Jimmy Buffett tribute band concert, Key West Express, Saturday evening at Dunn Meadow.\nThe Panhellenic Association and Interfraternity Council are teaming up to play host to the performance, which is open to the public, at 7:30 p.m Saturday.\n"We're really excited," said senior Erin McKeighan, the PHA vice president of operations. "The band's demo is amazing."\nMcKeighan said 250 tickets have already been sold for the event and she expects many more to buy tickets at the door. The $10 cover charge will go to the Muscular Dystrophy Association.\nThe theme of the concert -- "Changes in altitudes, changes in attitudes" -- was inspired by the title of Buffett's 1977 album of the same name, McKeighan said.\nThe concert will serve as a way for non-greek IU students and Bloomington residents to see the greek community in "a positive light." \n"We're trying to focus on coming together as a whole and giving back to the community," she said.\nIFC President Jason Growe said, too, that opening the concert to the public allows for those unfamiliar with the greek system to see the "good things they do."\n"It's a great way to reach out to people in the IU community in general to come together and raise money for a good cause," he said.\nGrowe said he foresees the concert to be more popular than last year's Greek Week concert, which featured Ari Hest, and drew a crowd of less than 200.\n"We've been pumping it up pretty well as a part of Greek Week," he said. "Response has been pretty good."\nIncentives for potential concert-goers include complimentary smoothies and raffle drawings for gift certificates from area merchants, including Total Tan, The Trojan Horse and Aver's Pizza.\nKey West Express, "the North Coast's premier Jimmy Buffett cover band," according to its Web site, will play until 11 p.m., McKeighan said.\nShe encourages people who aren't familiar with Buffett's music to think about attending. \n"His music attracts people of all ages," she said. \nIn addition, she would like potential attendees to consider the cause. The greek community would like to "give a substantial donation to the Muscular Dystrophy Association," she said.\nThe concert also serves as the culmination of Greek Week activities, which commenced last Monday and involved both philanthropic and social events like a "Kiddie Carnival" and the greek Olympics. "Greek Week is just a week when greeks can all get together and socialize and combine all our efforts to really make an impact," she said.\nDue to the nature of the performance and the inability to obtain an indoor venue, there is no rain date set for the concert, McKeighan said. \n"We're keeping our fingers crossed the weather will hold out," she said.
(09/20/05 6:43am)
Questions still surround an early Sunday morning detainment of IU students for suspicion of weapons following a dance at the Indiana Memorial Union.\nThe IU Police Department opened an investigation yesterday into the response of IUPD officers to the incident at the IMU after two female witnesses filed complaints, said IUPD Lt. Jerry Minger.\nThe witnesses attended a dance sponsored by the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity, at which incidents occurred that preceded the shootings at 14th Street and Indiana Avenue. IUPD is still currently investigating the incident, which they believe happened at a party following the dance, Minger said.\nThere have also been complaints that police actions might have been excessive or racially motivated.\nA National Pan-Hellenic Council meeting Monday evening involved a discussion of these incidents with Dean of Students Richard McKaig, Vice President for Diversity and Retention issues Charlie Nelms, the Director of Neal-Marshall Black Cultural Center Oyibo Afoaku, IUPD Capt. Keith Cash and Interim Vice Chancellor for Academic Support and Diversity Edwardo Rhodes.\nThere, facts of the incidents were compiled but all agreed further investigation is necessary.\n"First of all, we need to know what happened," Nelms said. "Second of all, we need to know why they reacted the way they did. We need to be able to give our students the assurance that they will be respected."\nMcKaig, too, said more facts were needed before any statements regarding IUPD's response could be made.\n"At this point we don't have absolute certainty about exactly what happened," he said.\nNational Pan-Hellenic Council President and Alpha Phi Alpha member senior Cameron Beatty said in a statement he was "very disturbed by the unfortunate events that occurred this weekend."\nNelms questioned whether the same reaction would have happened if a white fraternity were involved and said he was alarmed to see police officers with weapons drawn in a photo in the Indiana Daily Student.\n"The response seemed excessive," Nelms said. "Of course, I'm going on the photo I saw in the paper and from what I've heard, but I want to know why it was excessive.\n"I want to make dog-gone sure that African-American students are not being responded to in a different way."\nBeatty expressed aversion to Monday's article in the IDS titled, "Police search for shooting suspects," which he said too closely tied the Alpha Phi Alpha altercation with the shootings.\nHe said Alpha Phi Alpha "had no affiliation to the party at 14th and Indiana and we were not aware of this mentioned 'afterset' or party."\nNelms, too, expressed concerns regarding the IDS coverage of the incident, suggesting more positive stories regarding IU's black community could have been on the front page.\nTurmoil concerning the investigations might stem primarily from the handcuffing and detainment of senior Kenneth Williams, a member of Iota Phi Theta, and other attendees of Alpha Phi Alpha's dance. \nWilliams was handcuffed in the School of Health, Physical Education and Recreation parking lot. Police said it was believed he and others might have had weapons. Williams and all others handcuffed were released after police searches found no weapons. No arrests were made in the incident.\nWilliams said he had walked out to his vehicle in the HPER parking lot after a fight caused the dance to end early. He said he was inside his friend's car when he heard shots.\n"I wasn't looking behind me, I'm not sure what was going on," he said. \nWilliams said he and his friend assumed there was someone with a weapon behind their car, since officers were surrounding it at gunpoint.\nWilliams said he verbally protested when officers asked him to exit the car and put his hands up.\n"I wasn't actually frightened. I was just angry," he said.\nWhile he was later released without being charged, he said the fact that IUPD officers "put innocent people through all that trouble and they still didn't find who they were looking for" is unsettling.\nWilliams plans to file a formal complaint with IUPD soon.\nMinger said he welcomes and encourages formal complaints and "looks forward to clearing the air and anything that's happened."\n"Our administrative staff will use all resources we have to the fullest extent to investigate allegations made," he said.\nBut, Sunday, Minger defended the actions of the IUPD.\n"The officers followed strict policy to make sure they stayed within operating procedures," he said.\nMcKaig said another meeting involving the NPHC and IU officials would be held after further facts are unveiled.\nBoth McKaig and Minger urged students with any additional information of Sunday morning's shootings to contact IUPD at 855-4111.\n-- Editor in Chief Adam Aasen contributed to this report.
(09/16/05 4:36am)
Students planning to participate in women's recruitment this year should think twice before requesting friends on Facebook.com during the next few months.\nRecruitment directors from IU's sorority chapters and executive board members of the Panhellenic Association agreed in a recent meeting to discourage current sorority members from accepting friends and messages from potential pledges, said Zeta Tau Alpha recruitment chair Johnna Kingery.\n"It sounds like a flashy idea but it's pretty basic and simple," said senior Jaclyn Reinking, PHA's executive vice president of recruitment.\nReinking said the purpose of removing contact via the online friends network is to "protect potentially new members" from assuming they will receive a bid from a certain sorority merely because one of its members is her "friend" on Facebook.\n"We want to keep recruitment a very fair process," Reinking said. "It's really not that big of a deal."\nNonetheless, Phi Mu's Co-recruitment Director Hillary Breslich said the PHA's new Facebook policy creates "a sticky situation."\n"Everyone has Facebook and everyone wants to make friends," she said. "It's hard to trust people's word that they're not going send a message to freshmen."\nStill, Breslich said she would implement the policy among members of Phi Mu and thinks it will go smoothly. \n"I don't think sororities are going around and asking freshmen to be their friends," she said.\nReinking said another reason that led to the decision of eliminating Facebook use in the recruitment process is to inhibit pledges from receiving a false sense of what certain chapters are like by information in its members' profiles. \n"Some people put things in their profiles with shock value to look cool," Reinking said. "We don't want pledges to see something that would discourage them from pledging."\nKingery, too, said this could be an issue.\n"Not everyone you see on people's profiles is representative of what the chapter's like," she said. \nThe new rule comes before women's recruitment begins this fall. Regardless, informal recruitment events have begun at sorority houses this week, perhaps the reason for the Facebook rule's current existence.\nBreslich said Phi Mu has played host to several potential pledges already by inviting them over for dinners or "to watch 'The OC.'"\nKingery said Zeta Tau Alpha, too, has initiated some informal events for potential pledges but that attending these "isn't that important."\nHowever, she, like Reinking, encourages future sorority members to attend formal recruitment at 8 p.m. Sept. 27 in Alumni Hall when all 19 of IU's sororities are hosting "Greek Opportunities for Women," followed by "19-Party" Nov. 12.\nFor now, interested women can register at www.indiana.edu/~gogreek.
(09/13/05 6:36am)
Senior Adam Jacobs stands no more than 5 feet 8 inches tall and his sinewy build suggests he weighs little more than 130 pounds.\nDespite a small stature, he may be the epitome of the power of one.\nThis past summer, Jacobs kicked off an individual project he calls "Race to Protect Human Rights." The philanthropic endeavor involves running the Philadelphia Marathon Nov. 20 and, in the mean time, raising money for Human Rights Watch -- the largest non-profit human rights organization in the United States. \nInitially, Jacobs' goal was to raise $5,000 for HRW. But he's already surpassed that amount in three months. \n"My goal is now $10,000, but $15,000 would be fine," he said with a smile.\nThis is no ordinary fund-raiser. So far, Jacobs has received donations from Comedy Central's Dave Attell and "Late Night with Conan O'Brien" band leader Max Weinburg. \nJacobs has gained national publicity for his project by being the subject of news articles in The Indianapolis Star and in his hometown newspaper in Manalapan, N.J. He was also the feature of a National Public Radio weekend news report in late August.\n"It's great there's so much attention being given to something that can help a lot of people," said Jacobs, whose fraternity, Zeta Beta Tau, is sponsoring him in the 26-mile race and is also helping with costs of other necessary equipment.\n"I support Adam in anything he does," said senior Ben Cherry, a member of ZBT. "He's been a leader in his fraternity for both his class and people younger and older."\nAnd Jacobs is dedicated. In addition to tending to a full-time schedule of 15 credit hours and preparing for the LSATs in October, he's compiled quite a list of achievements in regard to running. \nJacobs initiated his running career in 2002 after injuring the rotator cuff in his shoulder while participating on the IU Men's Crew Team as a freshman. No longer able to row, but still charged with physical energy, he ran.\n"I love it," he said.\nHe must. His running résumé boasts two half marathons, several 5k and 10k races as well as two full marathons, including one in Rome.\nHis roommate, senior Bradley Lerner, said he is impressed how Jacobs can run every day in addition to fulfilling his other commitments.\n"He not only balances academics with extracurricular activities, he excels in both," Lerner said.\nJacobs said he'd planned on running the Philadelphia Marathon even before finding a cause. He first learned of HRW while interning at the Natural Resource Defense Council in New York City this summer. He said he was moved by the organization's passion and commitment for global human rights.\n"They really do help everyone," he said.\nAccording to www.hrw.org, the organization "investigates and exposes human rights violations and hold abusers accountable" all over the world, which, to Jacobs, is incredibly important.\n"We can't even perceive some of the hardships people around the world deal with on a daily basis," Jacobs said.\nJacobs said in continuing with his fund-raising efforts he plans to contact IU student groups and greek organizations next. He encourages everyone to get involved and said, if motivated to do so, individuals can donate to his cause. \nDonations are accepted through his Web site, www.active.com/donate/protecthumanrights.
(09/12/05 4:32am)
More than a thousand male IU students began a new chapter of their lives this weekend -- literally. \nThe Interfraternity Council's Men's Recruitment Kickoff commenced Friday evening when representatives from IU's 25 fraternity chapters encircled Dunn Meadow and played host to a record number of potential greek pledges.\nIFC Vice President of Recruitment and senior Justin Sloan said attendance was up by almost 300 people from last year. Sloan attributed this to amplified advertising efforts. \n"It went better than I anticipated," he said.\nAt Friday's festivities, budding fraternity members had the chance to acquaint themselves with the individual fraternity houses and find one that suited them.\nFreshman Todd Hatten, carrying one of the blue knapsacks that all men were given, said he was glad he attended.\n"Everyone was willing to talk," he said. "I was really impressed with a few houses."\nLike Hatten, freshman Dylan Cook, Sigma Chi pamphlet in hand, had a positive experience at kickoff.\n"I wanted a chance to meet all the guys in one place," he said. "It went well."\nZeta Beta Tau President and junior Jeff Spector appeared at the ZBT table Friday evening to assist in attracting new members. Like Sloan, he recognized the event's magnitude.\n"From my experience, this is a whole lot bigger than it has been in the past," he said. \nThe recruitment efforts continued throughout the weekend. Pledges were divided into groups and taken on tours Saturday and Sunday of all 25 houses, where men were presented with information on each chapter as well as given time to ask questions.\n"They got to see everything from the cafeteria to the bedrooms," Sloan said of the tours.\nSo far, Sloan said he hasn't heard any complaints from chapter presidents about the weekend's happenings. Potential pledges had the chance to voice their experiences in a survey they received Sunday afternoon. Sloan expects no negative feedback.\n"It went smoothly," he said.\nFraternities are permitted to offer bids during the next three weeks to the men who participated in recruitment. Sloan said chapters will be holding many social functions and aggressively drafting the pledges they liked.\n"They're doing as much as possible to get the right people," he said.\nWristbands were distributed to rush attendees Sunday to serve as "VIP access to rush events over the next three weeks," Sloan said.\nThe wristbands will prove that a rushee actively participated in formal recruitment and is genuinely interested in joining a chapter.\nMen who are interested in pledging a fraternity but were unable to take part in the weekend's events are invited to a make-up meeting at 7 p.m. today in the Maple Room of the Indiana Memorial Union.
(09/09/05 5:33am)
Dunn Meadow will transform into a sea of testosterone this evening as the greek community commences Men's Recruitment Kickoff Weekend.\nMale students interested in "going greek" will have the opportunity to explore their options at 5 p.m. at Dunn Meadow. All 25 campus fraternities will be represented, said senior Justin Sloan, Interfraternity Council executive vice president of recruitment. \n"If they're interested in one particular chapter, they can go and check them out and talk to the brothers of that fraternity," Sloan said.\nSloan expects a turnout of about 1,000 students despite a "stagnant" showing of only about 900 in previous years.\nThis year, Sloan said the IFC put extra effort into marketing the event, including sending "Go greek" pamphlets to all incoming freshmen and transfer students this summer, painting bridges and purchasing a Facebook.com advertisement.\nSloan said though freshmen are typically targeted for recruitment, he encourages involvement from sophomore and juniors, too. \nHowever, women are asked to exclude themselves from men's recruitment, so as not to influence the potential greek males' decisions regarding the chapters. Sloan said nothing should interfere with choosing the right house.\n"You're making a lifelong decision," he said. "From here on out, you'll be a part of that fraternity."\nAbout 15 members of all IU's chapter houses will flood Dunn Meadow and hand out pamphlets on about their chapters, including information regarding house colors and slogans as well as the chapter's seal.\nFriday's activities are just the beginning of the weekend-long recruitment process. Sloan said the pledges will be put into groups Saturday and Sunday and guided to each chapter for a 15-minute tour and presentation.\n"This is just something we facilitate to create a connection between the student and fraternity," Sloan said.\nJunior Phi Kappa Psi rush chair Erik Styacich said his chapter is using tour time to answer pledges' questions and "meet as many guys as possible."\nSunday evening, after the completion of chapter tours, men will be given a red and white wristband sponsored by T.I.S. Bookstore to wear to the following week's social events at the different fraternities to show they've completed formal recruitment and are genuinely interested in becoming a brother. \n"The wristband will be their VIP access into rush the next few weeks," Sloan said.\nPledges will receive formal invitations to the chapters within three weeks after formal recruitment.\nStyacich said his chapter has a barbecue planned as well as live music, and even a Slip 'n' Slide party for incoming members during that time.\n"We want guys to be able to see if this is the right place for them," he said.\nA make-up meeting for males unable to participate in the weekend's events will be held Monday in the Maple Room in the Indiana Memorial Union.\nStudents can register for recruitment and find more information on the recruitment process at www.indiana.edu/~gogreek.
(09/08/05 6:06am)
The boarded-up, deserted fraternity homes on Third and 10th streets are perhaps the perfect depiction of a haunted house. But they were once full of life. \nThese buildings, in addition to the abandoned lot on North Jordan Avenue, were the homes of Delta Chi and Beta Theta Pi fraternities in the 1990s. Since then, these greek chapters, among others, have been expelled from campus. \nBut it's not all bad news. Some chapters -- including Sigma Alpha Epsilon and Phi Delta Theta -- have plans to recolonize next fall. Some, like Sigma Phi Epsilon, will be back next spring. And one -- Beta Theta Pi -- regrouped just two years after its expulsion in fall 2003. \nDean of Students Richard McKaig said since then, IU's oldest and perhaps most celebrated fraternity has made strides to regain honor to its name on campus.\nBeta Theta Pi was first instated at IU in 1845 and has donated several gifts to the campus, including the medallion the University president dons at graduation and induction ceremonies. Having the chapter back on campus pleases McKaig.\nHe spoke of the long and effectual relationship between Beta Theta Pi and IU and called its exclusion from campus "a very unfortunate situation."\nMcKaig said hazing and underage drinking -- more formally called "risk management" -- are the primary reasons for expulsions of fraternity chapters, including Beta Theta Pi. \nWhen a chapter is administratively moved from campus, it's not typical for IU to call the shots, it's the national organization of the individual chapters, McKaig said.\nLike Beta Theta Pi hopes to do, chapters can usually return to campus with permission from their national organization. \nAlex Shortle, IU Student Association president and one of the "founding fathers" of Beta Theta Pi in 2003, said regaining a position on campus was a difficult but important process.\nHe attended the organization's national convention in Arizona in the summer of 2003 with other Beta executive board members where IU's chapter of the fraternity was reinstated and Sen. Richard Lugar, R-Ind., a Beta alumnus, spoke on IU's behalf.\n"It was amazing," Shortle said.\nSince then, he and his brothers have made efforts to live by the fraternity's standards, which include keeping the house free of alcohol, Shortle said. \nHe said the chapter has been attempting to keep alumni relations strong and recruit new members. The chapter has also recently purchased the old Delta Chi house on North Jordan Avenue and plans to begin remodeling it for use for fall 2006. The University has purchased the old Beta Theta Pi house for its own uses, preventing the re-colonized chapter to reclaim it.\nInterfraternity Council President and senior Jason Growe said IU's male greek system as a whole is making strides in promoting a positive image regarding fraternities.\nHe said a new procedure where any alcohol brought into a greek home would have to be "checked in" and distributed only to people 21 years and older is being put into effect. In addition, a party patrol, which includes members of the IFC executive board, attends fraternity functions Thursday through Saturday evenings and ensures that they're following safety procedures, said IFC vice president and senior Omear Khalid.\nShortle said they see only positive things in the future for Beta Theta Pi and the greek system at IU.\n"The effort is there," Shortle said. "There's a lot of movement to clear up stereotypes created in the '90s. I believe in the strength of the greek system"
(09/05/05 4:26am)
More than 100 greek IU students fought both the heat and one another Saturday afternoon at the fifth annual Acacia Waterball Challenge. This year, Zeta Tau Alpha sorority also sponsored the event.\nThe yearly philanthropic project raised more than $2,500 to benefit the Bloomington Fire Department's Shop With a Firefighter program. \n"It's such a good event," said Acacia's philanthropy chair, senior William Shields. "Bloomington Fire Department does so much for the community."\nParticipants paid $10 apiece to play waterball, a game in which two teams of five or six people aim a giant fire hose at a beach ball-size sphere suspended on a wire. Whoever moves the ball to the other team's side first prevails. \nTeams with names like "Shmoogidy" and "Hot wet bunnies" wore red fire helmets, swimsuits and smiles during the competitions in the south parking lot of Memorial Stadium as they were cheered on enthusiastically by their peers. Few remained dry.\n"It gets a little crazy," said junior Alpha Gamma Delta member Christine Bowman. "It's a lot of fun." \nBowman and some of her fellow sorority sisters came out for the event Saturday "to help support a good cause."\nShields said his fraternity made extra efforts this year to advertise for the event and get as many people there as possible. He said a "big marketing campaign" was implemented among other greek houses. Shields and other Acacia members delivered flowers with invitations to play waterball to all the sorority houses and even went as far as making wake-up calls regarding the event Saturday morning. Members also hung signs around campus and painted the bridge on North Jordan Avenue to promote the affair.\nThe hard work was appreciated. Neville Vaughn, vice president of the firefighter's union, said without Acacia's donations, the Shop With a Firefighter program -- which equips underprivileged children with gifts and warm clothes in December -- wouldn't be as effective as it is.\n"We rely on donations," Vaughn said. "People like those in Acacia help make the program successful."\nJunior Celeste Dro, Zeta Tau Alpha's philanthropy chair for the Waterball Challenge, said she was pleased to have been involved with this year's program.\n"We love the men of Acacia and we wanted to support them," she said. "Plus, it was for a great cause."\nThe Waterball Challenge was just the first of many philanthropic endeavors that both Acacia and Zeta Tau Alpha have planned for the school year.\nShields said their next big project, "Turkey Trot," will take place at IU's first home football game Saturday against Nicholls State. \nJunior Zeta Tau Alpha member Mary Beth Kraft said her chapter's next philanthropic venture is the annual Big Man on Campus male talent show, which is set for Oct. 14 at the IU Auditorium.
(08/30/05 4:46am)
IU's Sigma Zeta chapter of the Sigma Alpha Mu fraternity recently placed its biggest prize yet in its already-impressive trophy case.\nSigma Zeta was named the top chapter of Sigma Alpha Mu among its 75 chapters across the country at its national convention in mid-August.\n"I was overwhelmed with emotion," said chapter president and junior Michael Stern. Stern and the chapter's treasurer, sophomore Adam Kessler, attended the conference in New Orleans that was host to more than 250 delegates, alumni and national officers of Sigma Alpha Mu.\nThe Founder's Trophy, which they received at the gathering, is awarded yearly, largely on the basis of philanthropy, rush participation, campus involvement and alumni support. Three-year Sigma Alpha Mu member and former rush chair senior Adam Cohen said being so highly recognized for these qualities is quite an achievement and just to be nominated is also exciting.\n"It's huge for us to actually win," he said.\nThe facts suggest he's right. Sigma Alpha Mu was initiated just four years ago after being removed from campus in 1999 following a hazing incident. Stern said the new chapter started with only six members but by the end of last year, it was up to 78. \n"We've made extraordinary strides during our first years on campus," he said.\nJeremiah Shinn, associate director of student activities, including greek life, said in an e-mail message having the title of top chapter "elevated standards both for Sigma Alpha Mu and for the Indiana University Greek Community." \n"This award is a wonderful affirmation of the chapter's hard work and dedication," he said. \nStern can attest to the chapter's commitment. He prides himself both on Sigma Alpha Mu's current members -- calling them "a bunch of nice guys" -- and on their achievements on campus, the primary reasons for which IU's chapter was honored with the Founder's Trophy.\nSigma Alpha Mu proved to be the third best among all greek houses last year with regards to grade point average, said Stern. In addition, the fraternity accumulated more than $3,000 last year during its "Bounce for Beats" basketball tournament that benefited pediatric AIDS patients and more than $1,000 for college funding for Israeli soldiers.\nMoreover, Sigma Alpha Mu took the top spot at last April's IU Sing and competes every spring in Little 500, with what Cohen calls experienced riders. \nCohen said he hopes Sigma Zeta will be Sigma Alpha Mu's top chapter once again next year as well as the year after that because then the Founder's Trophy would belong to IU permanently. Otherwise, it would be passed on next August. \n"All we're going to do is try to do it again," he said.\nMore specifically, Stern said to maintain top honors in the upcoming year, he and his brothers plan to continue to partake in campus activities and proactively attempt to increase members during rush. Overall, he attributes the success of IU's chapter to the hard work of each and every Sigma Zeta brother.
(04/29/05 6:14am)
Finals week is the time of the year that makes college students shudder with disgust.\nNonetheless, it's just around the corner.\nWith more students cramming in pursuit of an "A," the Herman B Wells Library, formerly the Main Library, is a hot spot on campus. Recently, finding a parking spot there in the evening feels like winning the lottery and uncovering an unoccupied computer is reason for excited squeals.\nDue to the crowded labs and study lounges, many students are finding alternative places to study on campus.\nThere are more than 18 libraries located on the Bloomington campus, accessible to students at hours they can appreciate.\nWhile the Herman B Wells Library is the most popular, probably due to its size, its table space, its plethora of computers and its flexible hours (Information Commons One is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week), students have many more from which to choose.\nThe Kelley School of Business/School of Public Affairs and Environmental Sciences Library, located in the SPEA building, is open until midnight from Sunday to Thursday and until 9 p.m. Fridays.\nSophomore Julia Cuzzupe, who works at the Business/SPEA Library, said it's a useful place for students to study. \n"A lot of people come here," she said. "It's really quiet."\nThe Education Library, in room 1160 of the W.W. Wright Building, is open until 10 p.m. Sunday to Thursday and 5 p.m. on the weekends. Graduate student John Morriberon, an employee of the library, encourages studying there.\n"There's a good amount of space for group work and individual study," he said. "We have a great computer lab."\nOther libraries on campus include the Journalism Library in Ernie Pyle Hall, which closes at 9 p.m., and the Fine Arts library in the Fine Arts Museum open until 9:30 Sunday to Thursday. The Law Library is holding extended Final Exam hours, according to its Web site. The library will stay open until 2 a.m. April 24 until April 29 and May 1 to May 5. \nThe Indiana Memorial Union also offers a variety of quiet cramming places for students. The IMU Gallery and the South Lounge of the first floor are common areas for uninterrupted study time.\nFreshman Julia Huber said she prefers the South Lounge to the libraries. "Certain spots of the library can be really loud," she said.\nThe South Lounge, complete with a fireplace, a grand piano and numerous couches and chairs, makes for a pleasant place to hit the books.\nJunior Elizabeth Houck found her own place in the IMU, though. One day on a search for a soda, Houck said she wandered into the basement and found a serene setting with several tables and chairs, perfect for completing schoolwork. \n"People hardly ever come down here," Houck said. "It's really quiet." \nThe IMU will remain open until 2 a.m. on finals week.\nSome students' aren't picky about where they do schoolwork.\n"I like to study anywhere there's a computer available," said junior Kristin McCreary. McCreary said she's a regular at the computer lab in the Biology building.\nComputer labs are located several places around campus, including the IMU and all the dorms.\nThe Scripps Howard Foundation Digital Imaging Lab, on the ground floor of Ernie Pyle Hall, will have extended hours for finals week. The lab will open from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on May 1, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. from May 2 to May 4 and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on May 5 and May 6.\nSophomore Wyman Flynn stays home to study. A resident of McNutt quad, Flynn goes to the formal lounge. "At night the library is too loud," he said.\nMost dorm center buildings on campus feature a lounge area and do not close until midnight. \n-- Contact staff writer Michelle Manchir at mmanchir@indiana.edu.
(04/27/05 5:36am)
Getting A's doesn't faze sophomore Megan Gold. \n"You have those classes where you get an A and you're just like, 'yeah, I expected that,'" she said. \nLike Gold, many IU students are receiving higher grades with no extra effort. This phenomenon, known as grade inflation, is not a novel issue regarding undergraduate grading, and it's not occurring only among Hoosiers.\nIn fact, grade inflation is suggested to have begun more than 20 years ago during the Vietnam era as a way to keep young men in college and out of the battlefield. The idea was that superior grades would discourage draft boards from recruiting men in college, according to a Boston Globe article.\nEven Ivy League schools aren't immune to grade inflation. Princeton University faculty members approved a grade cap last April allowing no more than 35 percent of A's to be given out to undergraduates after it was reported that 55 percent of students were receiving A's, according to Princeton's Web site.\nMeanwhile, IU is fighting its own grade inflation perceptions, because the problem seems to prevail. \nA C is no longer the average. Last semester, only 5.6 percent of students taking classes in the College of Arts & Sciences received C's while 16.9 percent received A's. Just nine years ago, only 14 percent of COAS students received A's while 7.4 percent got C's for the 1995 fall semester, according to the grade distribution Web site.\nWhether students are truly earning higher marks or professors are being more lenient graders is a central question regarding the issue with a not-so-crystal clear answer. \nPsychology Lecturer Cynthia Hoffman said college-level teachers feel pressure to give higher grades because parents and students have consumerist attitudes and feel as though they deserve good grades because of increasingly steep tuition costs. \n"They think they've paid for A's and B's," she said.\nDoctoral student Janice McCabe, who has researched and written articles on grade inflation at IU, agrees that an entitlement mentality exists among students. \nBut teachers are feeling pressure in more ways than one. Grading plays a big role in determining the outcomes of teachers' evaluations, which could be another reason that some teachers are being loose with A's. \n"Teaching evaluations pressure teachers," said Associate Professor of Journalism Radhika Parameswaran. "They are in our files and how we are judged." \nUsually, Parameswaran said, teachers who grade hard can't expect good evaluations. That might not be true, though.\nFurthermore, McCabe said most of the research she has done through interviews with professors suggests that getting good evaluations doesn't necessarily mean high grades were given. \nIn fact, McCabe suggested grade inflation might not actually exist at IU. She said there are many reasons why grades might have risen through the years. Fewer required courses for students, a student body with more females and Asian students who typically get higher grades and making withdrawals an option are among possible reasons for more A's, McCabe said.\nDoctoral student and visiting lecturer Joey Gray considers the issue from a different angle as well, suggesting higher grades might have less to do with anything the students are doing. Gray, like McCabe, conducted a study on the topic and found that some associate instructors at IU feel they lack training in grading procedures and in formulating tests. \n"(Associate instructors) need to learn how to grade," she said.\nYoung teachers can also benefit from mentorship, she said. She recalled a time at East Carolina University, her alma mater, when she first began teaching and had no mentors. Finally, a colleague taught her how to use a grading rubric. \n"The way I grade completely changed," she said.\nA misconception of the grading system exists when instructors have no standard way of grading and students demand higher grades. \nDavid Gallahue, dean of the School of Health, Physical Education and Recreation, is concerned with the decreasing value of the A as well. \n"Suddenly everyone is above average," he said. "It places questions on our credibility as an institution when everyone is at that level." \nParameswaran recently made an addition to her syllabus that requires her students to wait at least 48 hours before discussing their grades with her. She also puts a key to her exams on reserve at the library to which students have access. \nMcCabe said the University has also made some changes to combat the perception of grade inflation. \nNow, grade indexes are present on students' progress reports to give students an idea of the context surrounding their grades. Also, faculty members received a memo in February which encouraged conversation regarding issues surrounding the wide dispersion of A's, she said.\nGallahue said HPER will hold workshops for its faculty members on grading next spring and will require graduate instructors to attend a session on grade distribution so they can better understand grading procedures.\n-- Contact Staff Writer Michelle Manchir at mmanchir@indiana.edu.
(04/25/05 6:09am)
The aroma of fried rice, soy sauce and other area Asian delicacies permeated the IU Auditorium Friday evening as IU's Asian American Association celebrated the 12th annual Taste of Asia Celebration.\nNine student performances, including a magic show and a hip-hop dance choreographed to 50 Cent's "Candy Shop" lit up the stage at about 5:45 p.m., and entertained a crowd of almost 400 students and Bloomington residents. \nAlthough the proposed headlining act, comedian Daniel Nainan of NBC's "Last Comic Standing," was absent because he missed his flight, the show was a success, said Asian American Association President Sung Ahn.\nThe master of ceremonies of the event, master's student and Asian American Association membership chairman Tony Truong, kept the show moving and the crowd amused with his quirky sense of humor between acts. At one point, he asked the crowd if any "japanophiles" were present, alluding to people fixated on anime and Japanese pop culture.\nBut the event did not begin with a typical welcome. Instead, senior Tonya Vachirasomboon and senior Rose Wongsarnpigoon entered the stage and performed Fon Pootai, a traditional dance of Thailand. The students wore silky black dresses with stoplight-red sashes. From their fingertips long silver nails with red orbs attached to the end protruded out, traditional Thai dance accessories that stood out as their hands gyrated to the fast-paced music.\nNext up were female members of the Asian American Association performing a hip-hop dance to Destiny's Child's "Lose My Breath" and 50 Cent's "Candy Shop." The crowd whistled as the dancers drew pink Chinese fans from their belts as part of their performance. \nThe pace of the show slowed when Japanese Student Association members sophomore Mari Sakamoto and junior Shunfuke Dada sang a song called "Flower" from Okinawa, an island of Japan. Dada played acoustic guitar and wore a blue kimono while perched on a stool next to Sakamoto. The two sang harmoniously in front of the stage curtain, which was stained pink and purple from overhead lights.\nAfter the song, the mood turned somber as Truong introduced a slide show commemorating the tsunami disaster of last December. The show, a series of pictures compiled by the Asian Cultural Center and the Asian American Association, was set to The Verve's "Bittersweet Symphony."\nPictures of squashed homes, mangled cars and orphaned children with dirty, tear-streaked faces appeared on the screen before the audience. After the moving slide show, Truong announced that donations would be accepted in support of disaster relief in the foyer after the presentations. \n"The most important thing is not to forget," he said.\nTo lighten the mood, Chinese yo-yo performers were featured next. In one of the longer performances of the evening, six IU students executed a series of tricks with wooden yo-yos. The yo-yos consisted of two pieces, one in the shape of a small dumbbell, which was balanced by the performers on a rope tied between two small poles. \nThe performers flipped their yo-yos in the air, once almost 50 feet up, and caught them perfectly on the thin piece of wire. Bustop's hit "Kung Foo Fighting" blasted in the background as they flipped their yo-yos around the stage, even passing them off to one another. \nSenior Andy Huang followed with a magic show. Audience members chuckled as Huang pulled a basketball from a suitcase and snatched playing cards from thin air.\nAfter Huang's performance, Truong informed the audience of Nainan's absence from the show. In good humor, the audience applauded as Truong attempted reassurance. \n"We don't need him," he told the audience. "We've got me up here making an idiot of myself."\nAhn said Nainan's absence stemmed from miscommunication and a missed flight. But despite initial disappointment, Ahn was still enthusiastic about the show. \n"This event is bigger than one person," he said.\nFour more performances took the stage, including the rhythmic beats of the IU Korean Salmunori percussion group, a traditional and a hip-hop dance by the Filipino Student Association, one more Japanese song promoting peace sung by Sakamoto and Dada and finally a traditional south Indian dance by Shoman Brawn, which was a last-minute insertion in the program.\nWhen all the acts were complete, audience members were urged to "get grubbin'" by Ahn. \nTen tables arranged in a half-circle, neat with white tablecloths, held Asian cuisine from area restaurants like Chow Bar, Sobon, Siam House, Anatolia and China Buffet. \nTwo friends, freshmen Rachelle Bennett and Riyako Nakajima, also a Japanese Student Association member, stood in the lobby eating and chatting. Bennett's plate held a tofu dish, something novel to her taste buds.\n"It's interesting," she said. "I don't know what I'm eating right now, but I like it."\n-- Contact Staff Writer Michelle Manchir at mmanchir@indiana.edu.
(04/22/05 6:29am)
The Asian American Association of IU is bringing free entertainment to the IU Auditorium with the 12th annual Taste of Asia Celebration today, which will feature authentic Asian cuisine from area restaurants, singing and dancing by student groups and a performance by Daniel Nainan, a professional comedian who competed on NBC's reality show, "Last Comic Standing."\nTaste of Asia, which began 12 years ago as a cultural show, has expanded over the years. Last year, approximately 700 people attended, said Asian American Association President and senior Sung Ahn. But Ahn said he has higher expectations for this year.\n"We want to fill as many seats as we can," he said.\nThis is the first year the event will be in the IU Auditorium, a venue considerably larger than past locations which include Alumni Hall and the roof the Jordan Avenue parking garage. \n"It's big enough to attract a lot of people," Ahn said.\nThe Filipino Student Association will present a traditional dance, the Japanese Student Association is scheduled to sing and traditional Korean folk dancing will be featured by the IU Salmunori Dance Group. \n"It's a unique performance," Ahn said. The Asian American Association, senior and magician Andy Hung and IU students performing a traditional Thai dance are also expected to perform.\nThe headline act, however, is comedian Daniel Nainan, well known for his performances on NBC's "Last Comic Standing." Nainan, who was born in Bloomington, agreed to come last month when Ahn saw his routine at a conference for the Asian American Student Association.\n"It's a pretty big deal," said senior Becky Upton, programming chair of the Asian American Association.\nFree food, though, is perhaps the most appealing part of the celebration for many. After the performances, expected to last about an hour and a half, nine local restaurants including Bombay House, Siam House, Obo's Market, Dragon Express, Chow Bar, Sobon, Mama's, Red Sea Inter and China Buffet will serve authentic Asian cuisine, according to the Asian American Association Web site.\nAhn said the food served will be "fairly representative of the type of food you might see in Asian countries."\nWhile those who don't attend the performances are also welcome to enjoy free fare, Ahn said he encourages attendance. \n"The purpose of the event is to reach out to the IU community and everyone around us." Upton said. "People can learn a lot about Asian culture."\nSponsors of the event as well as donations is what made admission free, for which Ahn said he felt fortunate. Residence Halls Association, the Asian Cultural Center, several campus dorms, the Office of Academic Support and Diversity, IU Student Association and the Children's Organ Transplant Association are supporting the event.\nVarious student groups and campus resources, including the Asian Cultural Center, will have booths and displays set up to encourage student involvement.\nAhn said IU faculty and all Bloomington residents are welcome. \n"This is what diversity means," he said.\nDoors will open at 5 p.m. For more information on the Taste of Asia Celebration or the Asian American Association, visit the Web site www.indiana.edu/~aaa.\n-- Contact Staff Writer Michelle Manchir at mmanchir@indiana.edu.
(04/04/05 5:13am)
They've been nominated for a Grammy, performed in 18 different countries and entertained crowds alongside Duke Ellington, Bob Hope and other renowned performers in their 55 years of existence. \nThe Singing Hoosiers, a choral and dance ensemble of more than 100 IU students, is IU's ambassador of song. The students in Singing Hoosiers play this role well by practicing hard, traveling all over the world and loving what they do.\nTheir latest spring concert, performed Saturday at the IU Auditorium, brought them home for once. Here, the Singing Hoosiers performed popular Broadway music of the 20th century and present day to honor and commemorate the hundred years since Richard Rogers' birth, with a focus on the pieces he collaborated with lyricists Lorenz Hart and Oscar Hammerstein II.\nBut with constant performances at IU and around the world, the Hoosiers concentrate most on two things: having fun and singing well.\n"It's really fun," said four-year Singing Hoosier senior Maria Campos. "Everyone enjoys themselves."\nThe ensemble was first called the Men's Concert Choir and had about fifty members. Eventually, a female choir merged with the men's and they grew in number, according to the group's Web site. Since then, the Singing Hoosiers have created quite an impressive name for themselves. \nOver the past 55 years, the Hoosiers have created five albums including the Grammy-nominated "A Disney Spectacular" with Cincinnati Pops Orchestra maestro Erich Kunzel. \nToday, the Singing Hoosiers spend their time practicing, traveling and performing. Just this year, the group has gone to California, Arkansas and cities all over Indiana for performances. \nLast summer, 30 of the Singing Hoosiers even went to England for a ten-day tour. \n"Being in a different country and having people see what an American choir was like was pretty cool," said sophomore Matt Christensen.\nThe Singing Hoosiers practice every Monday to Friday for an hour and sometimes even more before concerts. Moreover, the Varsity Hoosiers, the portion of the Singing Hoosiers who do the choreography, practice an extra six hours a week.\nThey get two credit hours for being in this time-consuming club.\n"It's an extremely extra-curricular activity," said senior Jennifer Shuck, the student manager of the group. "It's a huge time commitment."\nSpending an hour a day with the same people is bound to create close bonds and special memories. Campos can attest to that.\n"We're like a big family," she said. Shuck agrees.\n"These are people I'll get together and talk to when I'm 95 years old," she said.\nThe Singing Hoosiers perform approximately 10 to 12 shows a year, said Christensen. At least two of their biggest shows are at IU, the Chimes of Christmas Concert and the Spring Concert, which was this past Tuesday.\nPreparing for these concerts is hard work.\n"It gets hectic when we're getting ready for a concert," Christensen said. "We usually have to practice an extra half-hour."\nThe concerts, which feature all types of music from Indiana legend Hoagy Carmichael to Broadway tunes like "Thoroughly Modern Millie" and "Kiss me Kate," are usually about an hour long. Group performances, solos and dancing numbers are included.\nSome concerts are more special than others.\nShuck recalls one from her freshman year that happened the week of September 11, 2001, in Indianapolis. "We had this amazing concert and closed with 'Let There Be Peace On Earth,'" she said. "It was very moving to be a part of."\nMembers don't have to be a music major to be a part of the Singing Hoosiers. In fact, about half of the ensemble aren't, said Christensen, himself a German and international studies major.\nAuditions for the Singing Hoosiers are held at the beginning of each year and are open to any IU student, though previous musical experience is considered. For more information on auditions or the ensemble, visit the Singing Hoosiers' Web site at www.indiana.edu/~singingh.\n-- Contact Staff Writer Michelle Manchir at mmanchir@indiana.edu.
(03/12/04 5:10am)
Dorm food -- a term that strikes fear into the hearts of incoming college freshman. \nDespite its notoriously bad reputation, probably stemming from less-than-pleasing elementary cafeteria lunches of mystery meat and soggy vegetables, many students agree dorm food at IU isn't all that horrific.\nA new Grecian Delight food service will be available in Foster Quad's Gresham food court, taking the place of the current Pacific Rim, which features Asian food. Grecian Delight will offer Greek and Mediterranean dishes.\nThere will also be a Mexican restaurant addition to the Wright Food Court adding to the variety of food choices there as well.\nThose in charge of dining at IU make it a point to modify the menu a couple of times a year because they realize that no matter how much students may like something, they will inevitably get tired of it, said Graham Shepfer, director of dining services.\n"We are always looking to make changes in individual menu items," said Shepfer. "Just for something new."\nCurrently, there are 15 areas on campus where students may spend their meal points. Collins and Read Centers, Eigenmann Hall, Foster, McNutt, Wright and Willkie Quads are all residence halls where some type of food is sold.\nAccording to data from Residential Programs and Services, the Wright Food Court is consistently the most popular dining area, taking in the majority of patrons and food sales each week. This is probably because of its convenient location in the central part of campus, said Shepfer.\n"Wright has a good variety, and it's convenient because you pass it everyday," sophomore Julie Barger said.\nFollowing Wright closely in popularity is the Gresham Food Court at Foster.\n"Even though it is kind of out of the way for my friends and me, we like to go to Foster when we can because we enjoy Taco John's," said freshman Christy Waninski.\nConvenience stores located in Willkie, McNutt, Eigenmann and Wright also take in a large portion of sales each week, according to RPS data.\nThe stores carry several items, such as brand name foods, cleaning and personal hygiene products, and other amenities, like batteries and chapstick. Everything at the C-stores can be purchased with meal points as well.\nThe C-stores seem to be busiest after long breaks from school, when students want to stock up on food to keep in their rooms, said Shepfer. \n"You can use your extra meal points at the C-stores to buy groceries, and you can buy things other than food, like toothpaste," freshman Jenna Babcock said.\nIn addition to the customary dining opportunities, every month RPS holds special dining events. These events feature fun and different food items like fajitas, gyros, organic food and do-it-yourself pasta combinations. They are held at Read, Wright and McNutt and cost six meal points.\nThe next event, "My Big Fat Greek Gyro Tour," will give students the opportunity to try beef, lamb or chicken gyro sandwiches with traditional Greek sides. The tour will be held March 23 through March 25. For more information on upcoming events, visit www.rps.indiana.edu/specdinevents.html. \n-- Contact staff writer Michelle Manchir at mmanchir@indiana.edu.