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(06/23/05 2:50am)
The IU board of trustees is expected to vote on a measure Friday that would implement background checks for academic appointees and certain members of the faculty if approved. This idea has received mixed reviews from several members within the faculty and the administration. \nThe proposal states "background checking is an aspect of the appointment process which may be done before initial appointment to a position at Indiana University, or before a subsequent appointment to a different position within the university." The proposal defines position as a tenure track position or dean. \nBut, the background checks will only be exercised for those working with "vulnerable populations," which include positions involving contact with juveniles, younger students, senior citizens and mentally or physically disabled people. All persons not working with "vulnerable populations" will be subject to a routine check of work experience, academic credentials, any required licensure and an examination of at least the last seven years of employment.\nThe reason IU must adopt a policy on background checks is because the Indiana General Assembly passed a law stating that all "bodies corporate and politic" must have one. \nThis proposal has created a buzz among professors, administrators and certain \ntrustees. \nBoard President Fred Eichhorn said he has not decided whether he will vote to approve the measure yet, but he has studied the material.\n"(The board of trustees has) been over it previous to this meeting and I think everybody is pretty comfortable with it," he said. "I think background checks are clearly indicated in some situations but probably not universally."\nSue Talbot chairs the Academic Affairs and University Policies Committee, which has oversight over the proposal before the vote. She said if it was implemented, the process would be extremely lengthy, but some situations warrant a check.\n"There was some discussion about the areas of vulnerability of our students," she said. "We do have students who are as young as 14 years old here. We are responsible for any (student) that would be in a threatening situation with a professor ... We hope never to hope to employ anyone with a criminal background."\nDean of Faculties Jeanne Sept said the faculty does not object to background checks if the checks are relevant to the performance of their faculty jobs.\n"Faculty who work specifically with the 'vulnerable populations' specified in the state policy, such as minors, or people in clinical settings, already undergo criminal conviction and sex offender background checks by their schools as part of their normal licensing and professional standards," she said. "The BFC has argued that almost no other institution has interpreted state law in this way (e.g. Purdue does not require criminal background checks for its faculty), and questions why it would be necessary. For example, why would an old misdemeanor conviction be considered relevant to a faculty hiring decision?" \nSept said other concerns have been brought to her about the checks. For instance, she said, how serious would a criminal record have to be before the University would consider it disqualifying, and who makes that decision? Also, she said another important issue is the cost of the checks, which currently cost $35 for each check done by a third party vendor IU contracts for this purpose.\n"For example, in Bloomington we appoint about 2,500 associate instructors every year, almost $90,000 in potential background checks," she said. "Who pays for that in this era of reductions in state support and increasing tuition costs, and what real security does it actually buy? As we all know, there is no guarantee that anyone who has a clean criminal history for seven years cannot turn around tomorrow and do something heinous. A $35 criminal history check of individuals offers no actual protection or support for students or others who face the reality of hate crimes or rapes or any other crime in our community. There are other ways to invest in a safe and healthy campus that actually offer benefits to students, not a false sense of security." \nAccording to the proposal the "intent of the policy is to limit criminal background checks for academic appointees at Indiana University to those appointees being considered for positions of this type, unless clearly dictated by professional norms or by applicable law."\nIUPUI has had a similar background check program for a year. The difference is that IUPUI checks all of their faculty.
(06/23/05 2:50am)
Just because it's summer doesn't mean it's going to be a light meeting for the IU Board of Trustees today and Friday at IU Northwest. \nThe board is expected to vote on several key issues including the operating budget for IU, the Revised Code of Student Rights, Responsibilities and Conduct, background checks for academic appointees, approval of a new masters degree in Biotechnology and approval for the State of Indiana to use IU owned land to expand the 45/46 bypass from Dunn street to 10th street in 2009. \nAssistant Vice President for Administration Lynn Coyne said the State of Indiana is required to ask IU for permission before it can begin construction using IU land. \n"After (the state) has acquired these easements the next step is the construction of the actual road," he said. "An easement is the right for the state of Indiana to come upon the real estate of the trustees to construct the highway."\nTrustee Cora Smith Breckenridge said she has no idea how she is going to vote on any of the issues that are up for approval.\n"I am still studying all of the issues," she said. "I wait until we meet, I don't make decisions on anything till we are in the meeting because I like being open to the public, students and the faculty."\nThis is the first time the board is meeting at IU Northwest since 2003 because the board rotates campuses for each of the meetings.\nTrustee Sue Talbot said all the issues for approval have gone through many steps involving the wording of the \nproposals. \n"We went through (the Revised Code of Student Rights, Responsibilities and Conduct) fairly thoroughly with everyone who is involved in writing it," she said. "I imagine that it will pass without much \ncontroversy."\nBoard President Fred Eichhorn said the Operating Budget for IU will go smoothly because the board has been over it previous to this meeting. \n"I think everybody is pretty comfortable with it," Eichhorn said.\nOther items on the agenda include the approval of an amendment to the IU Retirement Plan, a request for a design renovation to Chi Omega and an upgrade of the Bradford Woods wastewater treatment facility. \nBoth IU President Adam Herbert and IU-Bloomington Chancellor Ken Gros Louis will attend the meeting to present their recommendations for promotion to the board.
(06/16/05 2:01am)
For every IU student it is exciting, different and a little intimidating, but for the parents of those students it is none of those emotions. For them, orientation is the realization that their little boy or little girl is an adult.\nJackie Weddle said she is excited but is sure she will cry when she drops off her son, Kris Gatewood, for his first day at IU.\n"He is the youngest leaving home," she said. "However, I graduated from IU and my daughter is a senior here at IU and he'll be here so I'm really happy to keep it all in the family."\nGatewood shares his mother's excitement in beginning an unfamiliar stage of his life.\n"I'm really excited to meet new people and to get started on my own, start my life as an adult," he said. "I'm a little nervous about leaving home ... It will be different but I'm also nervous about the classes and how hard they are going to be, but I think I should do alright if I just study."\nThree hundred students, plus their parents, will come through orientation every day for the next five weeks. For Orientation leader Darrell Frazier, that is the best part.\n"It's really exciting," he said. "I get a chance to let them know about my college experience and kind of dispel myths they came in with. I get to meet new people every day ... All the parents grill (orientation leaders) with partying, alcohol issues, dorm life, all that kind of stuff. We just get a chance to be real with them. It's a pretty cool thing."\nStudents, parents and staff have a demanding schedule that begins at about 8:30 a.m. each day and ends as late as 9 p.m. The daily activities differ for the students and parents. Students have a fun-filled two days of placement exams, movies on life at IU and an overnight stay in a dorm while also setting up their network IDs and getting a student ID card. Meanwhile, the parents are shown ways to help their son or daughter succeed at IU with professors sharing their thoughts about classroom life, meal plans and financial information. \nLaurie Henry was at orientation with her daughter, Lauren, and thought IU's orientation process featured a lot of good information. Also, because Lauren is her second daughter going to college, she has some knowledge that the orientation sessions don't necessarily provide. \n"I think the transition this time will be easier," she said. "I know more what to expect, how often to call and all of that."\nHer daughter Lauren said she is familiar with the campus because her sister goes here and the people are informative, but she wishes class for the fall semester started tomorrow. \nKris Gatewood and Lauren Henry both concluded one thing after the first orientation day was complete: the dorm food was pretty good.
(06/09/05 2:19am)
The man charged with crashing his car into and killing IU alumnus Kate Comiskey rejected a plea deal from the Monroe County Prosecutors Office Tuesday. \nBryan "Mitch" Gooldy would have spent between 20 and 40 years in jail -- depending on good behavior -- if he had accepted the deal, but now if convicted on the charge of operating while intoxicated causing death he could face 25 to 50 years in jail. The trial is set to begin Oct. 24.\nAn Indiana law, called "class one credit time," states a prisoner in a jail acting with good behavior receives two days of credit for every day served.\nStuart Baggerly, the public defender representing Gooldy, said he is hoping for a complete acquittal from the trial. \n"Just looking at the overall totality of the circumstances, we talked about it a lot and he figured he was just as well off going to trial and see what the jury thinks about it," he said.\nAmy Travis, the prosecutor for the case, said she cannot comment on the details of the case because of various ethical rules she is bound by in Indiana.\n"I'm truly hoping (the prosecuting attorney's office) is able to bring the case to a successful conclusion in October of this year so the family is allowed to have some closure," she said. \nNancy Comiskey, Kate's mother, and her husband, Steve, said by e-mail they would not comment further on the case and referred all questions to their family attorney, Rick Dyar. Dyar also declined comment. \nAt 7:05 a.m. on Nov. 9, Comiskey was northbound on North Walnut when police say Gooldy, driving in the opposite direction, crossed the center line causing a head on collision. Comiskey was pronounced dead at Bloomington Hospital as a result of injuries from the crash. Before the accident, a motorist had contacted authorities about a car, later determined to be Gooldy's, driving erratically on Indiana Highway 37. Police were dispatched to locate the vehicle but couldn't before the accident.\nAccording to police reports a blood sample taken from Gooldy tested positive for cocaine, opiates and depressants. \nThere has been a tragic chain of events of those involved in this case, Baggerly said.\n"It is a very emotional case. Mr. Gooldy feels terrible about this accident and that Miss Comiskey is dead," he said. "He is a person who has had trouble in his life and didn't wish ill on anyone."\nKate Comiskey was an alumna of IU and was a teacher at Indian Creek High School in Trafalgar, Ind. She was 24 when she died.
(05/26/05 3:37am)
Five years ago, Jill Behrman went for an early morning bike ride, as per her routine. She said goodbye to her brother as she left her house on the southeast side of Bloomington with her helmet and bike in hand. While the Behrmans had been concerned after not being able to locate Jill many times during the day, it wasn't until ten hours had passed and the sun had set over Bloomington that a real sense of fear set in for the family.\n"When it got to be dark, we knew," said Eric Behrman, Jill's father. "She doesn't ride after dark." \nJust a week before, Jill was riding her bike on a country road when it got a flat tire. She called her mother, Marilyn, to come pick her up. When the two brought her bike in for a tune-up that week, Marilyn asked Jill if she needed a light for her bike. Jill refused.\n"Mom, I don't ride after dark," she said.\nJill's absence after dark wasn't the only clue that suggested something was wrong. Jill's backpack was next to the door for her to grab when she returned from her ride before she went to work, a box of cereal was left open on the counter in the kitchen and Jill's radio and bedroom light were left on. \nIt didn't take long for law enforcement to act. With a little convincing from the Behrmans, the police waived the usual 24-hour waiting period to file a missing persons report. The next morning, a massive search began involving local and state law enforcement as well as more than 200 volunteers. They combed the southern part of Monroe County for Jill in the hope of finding her unharmed. Three days after Jill had disappeared, the search party found Jill's abandoned bike undamaged.\nMarilyn Behrman said it was a tough time because she and Eric wanted to find Jill alive. \n"We couldn't imagine where she could be that she wouldn't be found," she said.\nDespite the search starting and ending several times, those close to Jill held out hope that she would be found alive but knew as the days passed the chances of her survival grew slimmer. \nThirty-four months of hope, pain and memories later, Eric received a phone call at work telling him the investigators wanted to meet with him and Marilyn at 2:30 p.m. in the Behrmans' home. When the couple arrived at their house, the three investigators involved with the case were waiting for them, accompanied by a minister from their church. Earlier that week it had been widely reported that human remains were found in a forest in Morgan County by two hunters, but the couple never once thought it could possibly be Jill, Eric said.\nThe investigator explained to the Behrmans that the remains were in fact Jill's. \n"They took us up there and showed us the site," Eric said in a quiet tone with sadness in his voice.\n"It was a fairly overgrown area, and what that said to me was that the person who did this knew the area," Marilyn said immediately following her husband.\nAfter almost three years, the Behrmans could bring their daughter home again. \nThe couple pointed to their relationship with God, with each other and support from their friends and family when asked what helped them get through this unimaginably difficult time. A day doesn't go by without a memory of Jill filling the thoughts of either Eric or Marilyn. \nMarilyn said she often remembers Jill wanting to be independent from her parents while at IU like most college kids. However, she never hesitated to send her mom an e-mail asking for baby carrots or a ride to the mall, Marilyn said with a smile. \n"Even that year after classes were over I would still get e-mails from her rather than phone calls asking, 'Can we go see a movie tonight?' or 'Can we go out to dinner tonight?'" Marilyn said. \nShe also described Jill as a person not striving for the spotlight, but more wanting to blend in with the crowd. \n"There are times I think when her notoriety (because of her death) would be embarrassing to her," she said.\nAn unexpected side effect of the publicity Jill has received comes to the Behrmans when they travel around the state, Eric said. \n"People may see your name on a credit card and then they may say 'Are you related to Jill?' or 'Oh, you're Jill's father aren't you?'" he said. "At first in a way it kind of surprises you but then afterwards with everything that's happened you are glad that people remembered Jill, care about Jill and have taken an interest in Jill to remember her."\nAfter five years the Indiana State Police say they have some very good leads as to who might have killed Jill, and they are confident the case will be solved. \nEric said if the killer were caught it would help certain feelings of closure for not only the Behrmans but the killer as well. \n"This is something that has gone on in the community and has affected everybody," he said. "Until those responsible come forward, it's going to be hanging there until it's settled. Some point in time they are just going to have to come forward and accept whatever justice awaits them … That's not for us to determine."\nMarilyn followed by saying, "There really isn't anything that can change what happened. We know that it can't bring Jill back."\nThroughout the Behrman's house there are several pictures of Jill and her family smiling, but over the fireplace hangs a painting done by a woman who was in town during the 34 months when Jill was gone. The woman whom the Behrmans met through a friend had inquired about all the yellow ribbons hanging around town after Jill's disappearance. She was told the ribbons were in memory of Jill and symbolized a never-ending hope of her returning home. \nThe woman was so inspired by this she decided to paint a picture about Jill and how the Bloomington community reacted to her disappearance. She incorporated memorable places around Bloomington and yellow balloons in her work all surrounding the work's focal point -- Jill with her bike in hand and a smile on her face. \nDirectly beneath Jill in the painting is a small lavender flower called a Forget Me Not forever reminding that those who loved Jill will never forget her.
(05/26/05 3:37am)
Each day, Indiana State Police Detective Rick Lang walks into his office and sits down at his desk. Among the piles of papers, pictures of his family and his computer is a picture of Jill Behrman, an IU student who disappeared five years ago. This photo reminds Lang each day to do everything he can to solve Behrman's case so she can have justice.\nLang, the case's lead investigator, wasn't on the case until Behrman was found a little more than two years ago. He hopes not to become emotionally involved in the case, he said, despite having a daughter the same age as \nBehrman. \n"When Kate, my daughter, graduated college I thought of Jill and how she was robbed of the opportunity of experiencing all the things my daughter will experience the rest of her life," he said.\nWhile there is always a chance the case will never get solved, Lang said he is more confident now he will solve it than when first assigned to it.\n"There were witnesses that came forward with some specific information that was not previously known," he said. "Through developing that information it makes a lot of sense to me and it has filled in a lot of the blanks that were previously there."\nBecause of this information, Lang said, he has been investigating two 'persons of interest' in connection with Behrman's death. Lang has had his eye on these individuals for the last five months. \n"I was speaking with friends, associates of the two new persons of interest," he said. "I've been establishing their whereabouts when the event occurred. I want to be right; therefore I'm not rushing into this. I'm just dotting the I's and crossing the T's, but I'm confident (a resolution) will come."\nRecently the U.S. Marshals have become involved with the Behrman case after Supervisory Deputy U.S. Marshal Jason Wojdylo saw an episode of "America's Most Wanted" that aired a segment on the Behrman case. Wojdylo was so moved by the story that after watching the segment he drove 35 miles to his office in Indianapolis and called Lang. Wojdylo told Lang he would have the full support of the U.S. Marshals in apprehending Kerry Silvers. \nSilvers was not a suspect but was being sought not only because he had escaped from prison but he could provide further information into the Behrman case.\n"The role of the U.S. marshals service in this case was to locate, capture and return Kerry Silvers to Indiana," Wojdylo said. "We continue to offer any assistance to any law enforcement agency in this case, (but) we have not been involved in the underlying criminal investigation involving the disappearance and murder of Jill Behrman."\nLang said there are three reasons why he highlighted the need to apprehend Silvers. First, he was an escapee that needed to be caught. Second, there was information that Lang needed Silvers to confirm or deny based on a previous interview, which Silvers was able to confirm but not elaborate. Third, Lang wanted to keep public interest alive in the case. \nEric Behrman has been waiting for his daughter's killer to be caught since her disappearance and he said he feels Lang and the other law enforcement agencies working on the case are getting closer to solving it. \n"It is like a big puzzle," he said. "We feel that once they get all the pieces together they will solve the case"
(05/18/05 11:48pm)
A U.S. Supreme Court decision Monday could potentially make it easier for Indiana wine connoisseurs to buy their favorite drink directly from out-of-state wineries, thanks in part to an IU professor. \nAccording to Indiana law, it is a felony for an out-of-state winery to sell their product directly to the consumer because the wine must first go to a wholesaler. But the Supreme Court decision held a similar law in both the state of Michigan and New York was unconstitutional. \nThis lawsuit all stemmed from one man's belief that this industry practice was not fair to the consumer. In 1998 Russ Bridenbaugh, a local wine critic and consultant, felt the law passed by the Indiana General Assembly that made it illegal for an out-of-state winery to sell directly to the consumer was not the best idea in the world. \nBridenbaugh enlisted the help of his friend, Alex Tanford, an IU law professor, to prosecute the case.\n"That's when I decided to sue Indiana on constitutional grounds because it definitely violates the commerce clause (of the U.S. Constitution)," he said. "I went to my friend Alex ... and said 'I want to sue the state of Indiana' and he said 'OK.'"\nBesides Tanford, Robert Epstein was also brought on as counsel. The men took their suit to the Federal District Court in South Bend and won. The State of Indiana appealed to the U.S. 7th Circuit Court, where the state won. Bridenbaugh and his lawyers attempted to appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court but the court denied the appeal, thus exhausting all options. However, this did not stop the idea. Several other lawsuits were brought in other states and argued by Tanford. \n"Indiana permits in-state wineries to sell and deliver wine directly to consumers and restaurants without going through a wholesaler," Tanford said. "That special treatment is now presumptively unconstitutional, and Indiana will have to decide whether to open its market to out-of-state wines, or close down its in-state wineries."\nAccording to research Tanford has done on the wine industry there are approximately 3,000 wineries in the U.S. that produce and sell wine, with the top 50 producers accounting for 90 percent of all the wine shipped and sold within the U.S. The producers range from producing 60,000,000 cases of wine each year to small wineries producing fewer than 1,000 cases a year. \nThis was the first time Tanford has argued a case in front of the U.S. Supreme Court and said the aura surrounding the court was different than he expected. \n"It was much more fun than I expected," he said. "The atmosphere was not formal and intimidating, but was warm and light-hearted. The Justices cracked several jokes during argument. Still, it is intimidating to turn around and see 200 people crammed into the small courtroom"
(05/16/05 9:13pm)
An accident that killed senior Ashley Crouse is the fault of the driver of a gray Honda station wagon that hit her vehicle, according to the IU and Bloomington Police Departments. According to the accident reconstruction report, "the speed of the Honda was the prevailing cause of the accident," and witnesses said the Jeep carrying Crouse did stop at the intersection of Third Street and Hawthorne Drive before proceeding south across Third Street.\nIUPD Lt. Jerry Minger said the specifics of the report, including the estimated speed of the Honda, could not be released because it is still an ongoing investigation.\n"It was well over the posted speed limit of 25 miles per hour, so much over it would be considered excessive," Minger said.\nMeliton Espinosa Praxedis, 22, the suspected driver of the Honda, allegedly fled the scene of the accident and was subsequently arrested in Delaware April 15 by U.S. Marshals. Leaving the scene of an accident is a class C felony. According to IUPD, Praxedis boarded a bus to Delaware the day after the accident and is an illegal immigrant. \nPraxedis is in the process of extradition to Monroe County from New Castle County, Del. He is expected to arrive at the Monroe County Jail today and will appear in Monroe County Court Friday for an initial hearing. \nLate in the evening of April 11, Crouse, her boyfriend junior Christopher Carlson and senior Julie Greenbaum were traveling south on Hawthorne when the car they were driving was struck by the gray Honda station wagon as they crossed Third Street. \nAs the interlocked cars skidded across the pavement, they wrapped around a stoplight pole, spinning the mass of metal into the front yard of the Kappa Kappa Gamma house, of which Crouse was a member. At the time of the accident, the stoplight directing westbound traffic on Third Street was flashing yellow. Hawthorne traffic had a flashing red light. \nCrouse was in the backseat when the force of the impact threw her about five feet from the car. She was pronounced dead at 12:09 a.m. April 12 at Bloomington Hospital. According to Police, she was not wearing her seat belt.\nCarlson and Greenbaum were treated and released from Bloomington Hospital early April 12. \nCrouse was a member of several organizations on campus including Kappa Kappa Gamma, IU Dance Marathon, IU Student Association and the Liberal Arts and Management Program.\n-- Contact Senior Writer Mike Malik at mjmalik@indiana.edu.
(05/15/05 11:33pm)
Legislation in the U.S. Congress could bolster student aid by more than $17 billion for universities across the nation over the next ten years.\nThis would mean if the Student Aid Reward Act, or STAR Act, is made law, IU would see an increase of at least 8.7 million in Federal aid money for students who have Pell Grants and Graduate Students in need, a State PIRGs' Higher Education report stated. The bill is both in the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate. \nThe kicker is that Congress can do this without any cost to the taxpayer. The Federal Government has two loan programs that students can go through in order to receive aid money for college. It doesn't matter which program the student chooses because the loan they receive is the same. \nFirst, the Direct Loan Program, which sees about 25 percent of all student loan volume, states that a student can directly receive aid money from the U.S. Department of Treasury simply by applying for it. Secondly, a student can apply for money from an outside lending company or bank. This option, the Federal Family Education Loan, states the government subsidizes private lenders and banks to offer loans to college students. If passed, the STAR Act states that a university is to choose between the cheaper of the two programs, which currently is the DL program, and as a result would receive half of the subsidy money that would usually go to the private lenders. \nJason Delisle, a legislative assistant for Congressman Thomas Petri (R-WI), said both the Congressional Budget Office and the budget office for the White House have identified this as an important money-saving idea for taxpayers. \n"(The STAR Act is) the only bipartisan bicameral bill to seriously boost student aid that's out there right now," Delisle said. "That said, the banks have a pretty big lobby and they are going to fight like crazy for that 12 percent subsidy." \nDirector of Federal Relations for IU Doug Wasitis is in Washington D.C. and follows all legislation that could possibly affect IU.\n"Just like any bill that has been introduced that would impact the University we are looking at it but without hearings we are still evaluating it. We are tracking (the STAR Act) right now but certainly don't have a position on it," Wasitis said. "It is unclear if congress will move it or not." \nAccording to Page 371 of the President's budget, FFEL loans cost the government $9 for every $100 in loans. On the other hand Direct Loans save the government $2 for every $100 in loans. \nThe bill was introduced in the House by Reps. George Miller (D-CA) and Petri and in the Senate by Sens. Edward Kennedy (D-MA) and Gordon Smith (R-OR).\nRepresentative Miller said in an e-mail he believes the bill will make college more affordable without increasing cost to the taxpayers.\n"We have a choice: we can either use higher education money to support banks profits; or we can use these funds to help students and their families," Miller said. "This is a win-win bill and I encourage my colleagues to join me in supporting it"
(05/06/05 6:17am)
An accident that killed senior Ashley Crouse is the fault of the driver of a gray Honda station wagon that hit her vehicle, according to the IU and Bloomington Police Departments. According to the accident reconstruction report, "the speed of the Honda was the prevailing cause of the accident," and witnesses said the Jeep carrying Crouse did stop at the intersection of Third Street and Hawthorne Drive before proceeding south across Third Street.\nIUPD Lt. Jerry Minger said the specifics of the report, including the estimated speed of the Honda, could not be released because it is still an ongoing investigation.\n"It was well over the posted speed limit of 25 miles per hour, so much over it would be considered excessive," Minger said.\nMeliton Espinosa Praxedis, 22, the suspected driver of the Honda, allegedly fled the scene of the accident and was subsequently arrested in Delaware April 15 by U.S. Marshals. Leaving the scene of an accident is a class C felony. According to IUPD, Praxedis boarded a bus to Delaware the day after the accident and is an illegal immigrant. \nPraxedis is in the process of extradition to Monroe County from New Castle County, Del. He is expected to arrive at the Monroe County Jail today and will appear in Monroe County Court Friday for an initial hearing. \nLate in the evening of April 11, Crouse, her boyfriend junior Christopher Carlson and senior Julie Greenbaum were traveling south on Hawthorne when the car they were driving was struck by the gray Honda station wagon as they crossed Third Street. \nAs the interlocked cars skidded across the pavement, they wrapped around a stoplight pole, spinning the mass of metal into the front yard of the Kappa Kappa Gamma house, of which Crouse was a member. At the time of the accident, the stoplight directing westbound traffic on Third Street was flashing yellow. Hawthorne traffic had a flashing red light. \nCrouse was in the backseat when the force of the impact threw her about five feet from the car. She was pronounced dead at 12:09 a.m. April 12 at Bloomington Hospital. According to Police, she was not wearing her seat belt.\nCarlson and Greenbaum were treated and released from Bloomington Hospital early April 12. \nCrouse was a member of several organizations on campus including Kappa Kappa Gamma, IU Dance Marathon, IU Student Association and the Liberal Arts and Management Program.\n-- Contact Senior Writer Mike Malik at mjmalik@indiana.edu.
(04/14/05 8:39pm)
A warrant has been issued for the arrest of Alberto DeJesus in connection with leaving the scene of a fatal accident at the intersection of Third Street and Hawthorne that occurred late Monday night. Senior Ashley Crouse was pronounced dead at Bloomington Hospital at 12:09 Tuesday morning as a result of the crash, an IU Police Department statement said. \nDeJesus is believed to be on a bus that he boarded on April 12 that is en route to Manor Park, Del. This information was obtained with the help of Joseph Clancy Clements, of the IU Spanish & Portuguese Department, who acted as an interpreter for Officer Brian Oliger. \nAuthorities in the Manor Park area have been contacted and faxed photos of the suspect. \nThe IUPD statement describes DeJesus, a Hispanic male estimated to be 23-years-old, as 5-feet-6-inches tall and weighing 140 pounds. He may have a recent cut above his right or left eye.\nThe IUPD encourage anyone who has knowledge or whereabouts of DeJesus to contact the IUPD immediately at 812-855-4111.\nSee Friday's edition of the Indiana Daily Student for more information about this story.
(04/14/05 4:00am)
Take the suave style of James Bond, the action/adventure of Indiana Jones and the oddly timed humor of Austin Powers and you have main character, Dirk Pitt (Matthew McConaughey), created for the movie "Sahara." \nFor those that don't know, the idea for this movie came from the book "Sahara" by Clive Cussler, which features Pitt and Al Giordano (Steve Zahn) who are members of the National Underwater and Marine Agency. In this case, the inseparable duo stumbles upon a World Health Organization doctor, Eva Rojas (Penélope Cruz), who is investigating a mysterious epidemic spreading across parts of Africa. The epidemic has a threat of spreading down the Niger River and out to the Atlantic Ocean killing all sea life within six months. Rojas hooks up with Pitt and Giordano as the twosome is chasing an old, ironclad Civil War ship that, according to legend, took all of the Confederate army's gold and sailed across the Atlantic to end up in the dry desert of the Sahara. Also, Pitt and Giordano find themselves trapped in the middle of a civil war in Mali. Since the two men are bound by a sense of moral right, they have to find a way to settle the war, stop the plague from spreading and locate a Civil War ship all while being chased through the desert by men wanting to kill them every chance they get. As the newly-formed friends speed up the Niger River in a tuned-up yacht courtesy of N.U.M.A., they find themselves in the middle of a civil war, a crazed businessman trying to kill them and whatever else the rugged terrain throws at them. \nMcConaughey and Zahn represent extremely well the friendship and humor that their characters share throughout the many books Cussler has written. The audience would continuously laugh at the jokes that came at some of the most intense parts of the movie. Also, the action sequences do not portray the blatant falsity that some of the other action movies do these days with unnecessarily big explosions to keep the viewers' attention. \nDespite all the other great parts of the movie, the best has to be the storyline. Out of all the books Cussler has written, this was probably the best novel to turn into a movie because of the ability to toy with people's imagination of things that could have happened more than 150 years ago. \nFor those who have read Cussler's books, the movie will be a little disappointing because the characters are not portrayed exactly the same as they were in the book. For everyone else, the movie is going to provide an entertaining, action-adventure/mystery that will have audiences hanging on the edge of their seats, laughing at the many jokes and captivated by the possibility of a Civil War ship being trapped in the Sahara desert.
(04/13/05 9:36pm)
IU senior Ashley Crouse, 21, was killed in a two-car accident that occurred late Monday night on campus, according to the IU Police Department. Crouse was pronounced dead at 12:09 a.m. Tuesday at Bloomington Hospital. \nCrouse, her boyfriend junior Christopher Carlson and senior Julie Greenbaum were driving southbound on Hawthorne Avenue when a gray Honda station wagon struck their red Jeep Cherokee on the driver's side at the intersection of Hawthorne Avenue and Third Street, according to a statement from IUPD. Police are searching for the driver of the station wagon, who fled the scene on foot.\nThe Jeep was wrapped around a stoplight pole in the front yard of Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority, 1018 E. Third St., of which Crouse was a member. \nCrouse was in the back seat of the vehicle and was thrown about five feet from the car, according to IUPD. Crouse was the only person in the Jeep who was not wearing a seatbelt, according to police.\nPolice believe the driver of the gray Honda station wagon is Alberto DeJesus, a Hispanic male. DeJesus, who is not an IU student, was last seen wearing a tan shirt. Police released no further information as the investigation is still pending.\nAt the time of the accident, the stoplight directing westbound traffic on Third Street was flashing yellow. Northbound and southbound traffic on Hawthorne Avenue had a flashing red light.\nCarlson was driving the Jeep when it was struck by the station wagon. Carlson and Greenbaum were taken to Bloomington Hospital, treated and released early Monday morning. Carlson was tested and showed no signs of alcohol consumption when he arrived at the hospital.\nIU seniors provide aid on scene\nSeniors Norka Acosta and Jami Bennett were driving home from a group project meeting late Monday night when they passed the accident scene. They immediately stopped, retrieved their first-aid kit and assisted in helping the victims.\n"I saw the cars on my left. Because of all the traffic, I was getting ready to try to bypass (the cars)," Bennett said. "Then I noticed there was an accident, and I realized there was no one on the scene. I approached the vehicle ... I got there at the same time as the first officer got on the scene."\nBennett, who is a certified professional rescuer, grabbed her emergency kit to assist the victims.\n"Norka checked (one female victim's) pulse while I was opening up her airway. I tried giving her two breaths," Bennett said.\nBennett said she had a softball-sized patch of blood on her right knee after she helped the victims.\n"Jamie Bennett and I are both certified as American Red Cross instructors, so we just felt it was our duty to come out here and help," Acosta said.\nSenior Adam Peeples also responded to the crash when he heard the impact from about 200 feet away. Peeples said he approached one of the victims and began to lift debris off of her. \n"I went to the scene of the accident, and one of the passengers of the red Jeep was already on the ground and another one was inside the vehicle," Peeples said. "(Crouse) had a couple of objects on top of her. I couldn't tell how she was doing, but she looked like she was in the most severe condition out of all of them. (The objects were) small things -- like a piece of the door was partially on her. The electrical box (from the stoplight) was leaning on her leg."\nSeveral members of Kappa Kappa Gamma and the community surrounded the accident scene.\nIf anyone has information pertaining to the incident or knows the location of DeJesus, they are asked to call the IU Police Department at 855-4111.\n-- Contact Campus Editor Mike Malik at mjmalik@indiana.edu.
(04/13/05 6:50am)
"If you can dream, you can do it!" \nThis single quote from Walt Disney dons Ashley Crouse's Thefacebook profile. Underneath are photos of her friends. They are the many people whose lives she has touched while spending a majority of her years giving her time and enthusiasm to different campus organizations. The news of her sudden death left those who knew her with an irreplaceable void.\n"Her best attributes were her energy and spontaneity," said her brother Charlie Crouse in a tired voice. "She was one of those people that brought everybody up around her because she was so social and outgoing. I feel she was sometimes over-involved, touching as many people as possible."\nCrouse, who was a senior by credit hours, made her home at IU at the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority, where some of Crouse's closest friends remain, grieving over their loss.\nThe women of Kappa are bonding to provide comfort as each mourns in her own way, said Kappa Kappa Gamma President Andrea Whitehead. The sorority's Little 500 team will ride this weekend in honor of Crouse, who would from time to time train with the group.\n"Everyone is really holding on tight to each other," Whitehead said. "The entire house has pulled together."\nYet Crouse did not limit herself to bicycle races, as she became active in political contests this year by running as treasurer for the Kirkwood ticket in the 2005 IU Student Association elections.\nJim Hoff, who ran on the same ticket as Crouse, recalls one of his favorite memories with her from the campaign.\n"There was one time when over the summer when we were making banners for the Kirkwood campaign at her house, and her and my cousins started a spray paint fight," Hoff said. "That's the kind of person Ashley was, always finding humor in a situation."\nIU President Adam Herbert said many at IU are shocked and deeply saddened to learn of Crouse's tragic death.\n"Our hearts go out to her family and friends, who have our most profound sympathies for this devastating loss," Herbert said in a statement. "Our thoughts and prayers are with them."\nEven in high school, participating in organizations was an important priority for Crouse. She was the student body president of Carmel High School in 2002 and an Academic All-American lacrosse player.\nAfter receiving a phone call from IU Police Department officers on the scene, Dean of Students Richard McKaig went to Bloomington Hospital and spent close to four hours with Crouse's friends and family.\nMcKaig said he felt "a sense of what a tragedy it is that such a fine person has lost her life." He said he felt "a combination of helplessness and sadness" as he tried to give whatever support he could to those devastated by the accident. McKaig also stopped by the sorority at about 4:30 a.m. to provide counsel to members still awake.\nThroughout the day those who knew Crouse spoke about the way "she brightened everyone's life" and the way "she made the little things really seem big to people that barely knew her."\n"She just carried almost an aura with her of giving," Charlie Crouse said. "She was so outgoing. That is why people remember her from just meeting her once. You are always going to remember someone who asks you how your day is with the utmost enthusiasm."\nIn a space left for friends to communicate with Crouse on her Facebook wall, one of them echoes the feelings and thoughts of hundreds beginning the grieving process this week.\n"We will miss you Ashley. You and your family are in our prayers."\n-- Contact Campus Editor Mike Malik at mjmalik@indiana.edu.
(04/13/05 4:45am)
Take the suave style of James Bond, the action/adventure of Indiana Jones and the oddly timed humor of Austin Powers and you have main character, Dirk Pitt (Matthew McConaughey), created for the movie "Sahara." \nFor those that don't know, the idea for this movie came from the book "Sahara" by Clive Cussler, which features Pitt and Al Giordano (Steve Zahn) who are members of the National Underwater and Marine Agency. In this case, the inseparable duo stumbles upon a World Health Organization doctor, Eva Rojas (Penélope Cruz), who is investigating a mysterious epidemic spreading across parts of Africa. The epidemic has a threat of spreading down the Niger River and out to the Atlantic Ocean killing all sea life within six months. Rojas hooks up with Pitt and Giordano as the twosome is chasing an old, ironclad Civil War ship that, according to legend, took all of the Confederate army's gold and sailed across the Atlantic to end up in the dry desert of the Sahara. Also, Pitt and Giordano find themselves trapped in the middle of a civil war in Mali. Since the two men are bound by a sense of moral right, they have to find a way to settle the war, stop the plague from spreading and locate a Civil War ship all while being chased through the desert by men wanting to kill them every chance they get. As the newly-formed friends speed up the Niger River in a tuned-up yacht courtesy of N.U.M.A., they find themselves in the middle of a civil war, a crazed businessman trying to kill them and whatever else the rugged terrain throws at them. \nMcConaughey and Zahn represent extremely well the friendship and humor that their characters share throughout the many books Cussler has written. The audience would continuously laugh at the jokes that came at some of the most intense parts of the movie. Also, the action sequences do not portray the blatant falsity that some of the other action movies do these days with unnecessarily big explosions to keep the viewers' attention. \nDespite all the other great parts of the movie, the best has to be the storyline. Out of all the books Cussler has written, this was probably the best novel to turn into a movie because of the ability to toy with people's imagination of things that could have happened more than 150 years ago. \nFor those who have read Cussler's books, the movie will be a little disappointing because the characters are not portrayed exactly the same as they were in the book. For everyone else, the movie is going to provide an entertaining, action-adventure/mystery that will have audiences hanging on the edge of their seats, laughing at the many jokes and captivated by the possibility of a Civil War ship being trapped in the Sahara desert.
(04/12/05 10:41pm)
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- IU senior Ashley Crouse, 21, was killed following a two-car accident that occurred on campus late Monday night, according to the IU Police Department.
Crouse was pronounced dead at 12:09 a.m. today at Bloomington Hospital. Crouse, her boyfriend Christopher Carlson and an unidentified female passenger were driving southbound on Hawthorne Avenue when their red Jeep Cherokee was struck on the driver's side by a gray Honda station wagon at the intersection of Hawthorne Avenue and Third Street.
(04/12/05 9:49pm)
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- IU senior Ashley Crouse, 21, was killed following a two-car accident that occurred on campus late Monday night, according to the IU Police Department.\nCrouse was pronounced dead at 12:09 a.m. today at Bloomington Hospital. Crouse, her boyfriend Christopher Carlson and an unidentified female passenger were driving southbound on Hawthorne Avenue when their red Jeep Cherokee was struck on the driver's side by a gray Honda station wagon at the intersection of Hawthorne Avenue and Third Street.\nCrouse was in the back seat of the vehicle and was thrown about five feet from the car, according to a statement from IUPD. Crouse was the only member in the Jeep who was not wearing a seatbelt, according to IUPD.\nAt the time of the accident the stoplight directing westbound traffic on Third Street was flashing yellow. North and southbound traffic on Hawthorne Avenue had a flashing red light.\nThe Jeep was wrapped around a stoplight pole in the front yard of Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority, 1018 E. Third St., where Crouse was also a member. \nThe driver of the station wagon fled the scene and is wanted by police. Police believe the driver is Alberto DeJesus, a Hispanic male. DeJesus, who is not an IU student, was last seen wearing a tan shirt. \nCarlson was driving the Jeep when it was struck by the station wagon. Carlson and the unidentified female passenger were taken to Bloomington Hospital, treated and released early this morning. Carlson was tested and showed no signs of alcohol consumption when he arrived at the hospital.
(04/12/05 2:08pm)
Seniors Norka Acosta and Jami Bennett were driving back from working on a group project when they drove by the accident. They immediately stopped, got out their first aid kit and assisted in helping the victims.\nBennett vividly recalls the moment she made the decision to act.\n"I saw the cars on my left. Because of all the traffic, I was getting ready to try to bypass (the cars)," Bennett said. "Then I noticed there was an accident and I realized there was no one on the scene. I approached the vehicle … I got there at the same time as the first officer got on the scene. I asked if I could help and he said 'yes.' So I jumped out and immediately grabbed my emergency kit and everything like that since I am a Certified Professional Rescuer.\nNorka checked (one female victim's) pulse while I was opening up her airway. I tried giving her two breaths … I basically just helped as far as the rescue breathing goes."\nThe two girls worked together to do what they could for the injured girl. Bennett had a softball-sized patch of blood on her right knee when they attended to her.\n"Jamie Bennett and I are both certified as American Red Cross instructors so we just felt it was our duty to come out here and help," Acosta said.\nOf the condition of the victims, Acosta simply said, "Let's just say at this point they'll need our prayers."\nSenior Adam Peeples also responded to the crash when he heard the impact from 200 feet away. Peeples approached one of the victims and began to lift debris off of her.\n"I went to the scene of the accident and one of the passengers of the red jeep was already on the ground and another one was inside the vehicle," Peeples said. "The girl on the ground had a couple of objects on top of her. I couldn't tell how she was doing, but she looked like she was in the most severe condition out of all of them.\n(The objects were) small things - like a piece of the door was partially on her. The electrical box was leaning on her leg."\nNo more than a half hour after the accident had taken place, several members of Kappa Kappa Gamma and the community had surrounded the accident scene. Some cried uncontrollably, while others attempted to console them.\nSome bystanders simply seemed shocked into silence.
(01/21/05 6:41am)
A bomb threat was reported at Alumni Hall in the Indiana Memorial Union at approximately 9:37 p.m. Thursday night, according to police dispatchers. About 20 minutes later, police reported the threat was made from a pay phone at a convenience store on South Walnut Street by a young male. \nInside Alumni Hall, the IU College Republicans and Monroe County GOP were in the midst hosting an Inaugural Ball, which was disbanded because of the threat. \nBloomington Police Department was advised to check out the pay phone address but nobody was there when they arrived, IUPD Lt. Jerry Minger said. \n"Currently there is no indication as to who was actually using the phone," Minger said. "The caller indicated a bomb was to go off in the IMU in 10 minutes, but by the time officers got there and attempted to evacuate the time of detonation had already passed."\nMinger said officers did a cursory search of the building and with no findings and the fact that the "detonation time" had passed, officers believed the threat to be a hoax.\nSophomore Matt Lettelleir, vice chair of the IU College Republicans, was inside when the threat was reported.\n"I didn't hear the alarm ... a cop came up to me and asked us to clear the building," he said. "We had to leave our auction items there, our computer. The band had to leave their instruments there. I don't know who called this bomb threat in but if it turns out to be false, it's childish and completely irresponsible."\nSeveral officers arrived on the scene, and at approximately 9:47 p.m. police decided to evacuate the building. \nBecause there was no public address system, a decision was made to sound the fire alarm to alert the guests to leave the building. Police dispatchers believed about 150 people were inside Alumni Hall at the time of the \nincident. Others in attendance guessed the number of guests was upwards of 300-500 guests.\nPatrons speculated as to the motivation behind the threat.\n"If I had to take my first gut instinct I would say it's politically motivated," Lettelleir said. "(But) I don't believe it's a legitimate threat until I'm proven otherwise."\nFranklin Andrew, Co-Sponsor of College Republicans Inaugural Ball said the specificity of the threat was an issue of concern.\n"It seemed rather suspect that the bomb threat was in the room in which we were holding a Republican event," he said. "What is a surprise is that someone would cause this kind of situation to go forward. Not only did they have to evacuate our event but they also had to evacuate the entire union including the Hotel as a result of some childish individual who thought that this would be a cute stunt."\nAs snow fell down and cold winds blew outside, large groups, dressed to impress in tuxedos and evening gowns, gathered in the lobby of the Union. \nSophomore Jeremy Strife, member of College Republicans also believed there might be a political motivation behind the threat.\n"The only thing that makes me think that it would be politically motivated was the specificity of the room," he said. "We were told later that the bomb threat was not called in to the whole building but the room that we were in."\nIMU workers who were outside cleaning the sidewalks were advised to come in the building over their radios.\n"Front desk to custodians, we have to evacuate the building," dispatchers said. "Brendy, Terry and Brad. As soon as you get done clearing we need to get the heck out too." \nPolice advised that radio traffic should only be used for emergencies and workers were directed not to use theirs until further notice.\nWithin ten minutes, herds of people filed down the stairs but still remained in the lobby or outside with no direction as to where to go, or clue as to what was going on.\n"Does anyone know what is going on?" one man shouted. "Is there a problem, what the heck is going on?"\nDespite the situation and seriousness of the threat, the atmosphere at the IMU was not hectic. Guests still straggled throughout the building as officers investigated the situation.\nAn IUPD officer, who remained in the lobby told guests it could be a while until things got straightened out. Partygoers and those staying in the Union were advised that the School of Health, Physical Education and Recreation across the street would be open for those who wanted to wait inside. \nAbout 30 minutes after the threat was reported guests were allowed back into the building.\nMinger asks anyone who may have witnessed whoever placed the call to contact police.\n"If anybody should have information that might lead to whoever is responsible for this, we would appreciate a call in to our detectives," Minger said.\n-- Contact Campus Editor Mike Malik at mjmalik@indiana.edu and Campus Editor Mallory Simon at mgsimon@indiana.edu.
(11/15/04 10:34pm)
The only thing louder than bowling balls thundering down the allies this weekend at Classic Lanes Bowling was the laughter, cheers and screams coming from the athletes who threw them. \nSaturday afternoon kicked off the 24th annual Special Olympic Bowling Tournament for athletes with mental disabilities and, like every other Special Olympic event, began with the Special Olympics Oath. \n"Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt," the athletes repeated. \nAthletes from Bartholomew, Brown, Jackson, Monroe and Lawrence counties participated in the event, said Annie Eakin, Special Olympics Area 10 director.\n"I think bowling is probably a sport that can be pretty universal. A lot of people can do it -- I think that's why they come," Eakin said. "It's an easy event to compete in with any ability."\nThe event had about 130 volunteers to help the tournament run smoothly, and all volunteers were from IU, said Volunteer Coordinator and junior Jaime Glenn.\n"I think (the event) means a lot," Glenn said. "These people take time out of their day to make sure these athletes have fun and without them these events wouldn't happen."\nAccording to the Indiana Special Olympics Web site, in late July of 1968, 1,000 athletes with mental disabilities from the United States, Canada and France took part in the first Special Olympics International Games. Out of those 1,000 athletes, 24 were Hoosiers. At the conclusion of those games, Special Olympics activist Eunice Kennedy Shriver challenged each state to return home and institute similar events. In June of 1969, Indiana fulfilled that challenge with 1,000 Hoosiers with mental disabilities participating in the first Special Olympics Indiana Summer Games. \nOriginally the events included some track and field events as well as select swimming events. Now, the events span from softball, golf and flag football. \n"I think bowling is something people across the board can do, not everyone has to have a really high level of ability or skill to do this, there are certainly bowlers here who do have that, but I think it's open to all different members of the community that want to participate at a good level," said Jason Eakin, competition director for Area 10. \nThe volunteers at the event were at each lane helping keep score with the athletes and to encourage everyone who participated. Sophomore Matt Swarm volunteered this weekend not only because it's a great cause, but because his mom is a special education teacher, so it's "in my blood," he said.\n"Special Olympics is something I've kind of always helped out with back home, from Indianapolis," Swarm said. "It's just one of these things I think students should take advantage of, to come out, help the community and give back a little bit."\nSpecial Olympic Athlete Gina Barger summed up the overall theme of the day's events by simply saying, "I'm having fun."\n-- Contact senior writer Mike Malik at mjmalik@indiana.edu.