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(10/06/04 5:18am)
An observant IU Police Department officer's investigation of three suspicious subjects resulted in four arrests and more than $7,000 in recovered stolen property.\nNon-students Jerick Mills and Danny Smith, along with two juveniles, were arrested and charged with theft-receiving and theft from a vehicle. The subjects are also being investigated for suspicion in their involvement with a string of other burglaries throughout the city of Bloomington and the IU campus, according to IUPD reports. \nOfficer Ashley Keene observed three male subjects wearing black hooded sweatshirts walking around and suspiciously looking in cars in the McNutt Quad parking lot. The subjects were observed looking into the more luxurious, expensive cars and were approached by Keene. \nThey were questioned about what they were doing in the parking lot and replied that they were not students and had just decided "to go for a walk."\nOfficers Joe Amandola and Ryan Corbett arrived and frisked the subjects for weapons because of their suspicious actions, IUPD reports said. \nThe officers found wire clippers and a pellet gun on their persons, and obtained permission to search their car. Inside the car, the officers found what Lt. Jerry Minger called "burglar tools," which included "ignition punches." \nPermission was then obtained by the officers to search some of the suspects' residences, which turned up stolen property amounting to around $7,000 in equipment.\n"If it wasn't for our officer, more cars probably would have been broken into that night," Minger said, "and (now) could still be being broken into."\nMills and Smith could not be reached for comment.\n-- Contact staff writer Mike Wilson at mhwilson@indiana.edu.
(09/29/04 7:01am)
Sophomore Jenna Innis came out to her car Monday morning to find two tickets -- courtesy of IU Parking Operations -- on her car, though she was parked in a space allowed by her permit. She soon realized, like several other students across campus, the parking permit she expect to see in her front window was missing.\n"I'm not sure if it was lost or stolen; it could have been stolen, blown out, or I may have even knocked it out," Innis said.\nSeventy-five parking decals have been reported lost or stolen from cars across campus since July 1, said IU Parking Operations Director Doug Porter.\nThat includes four decals reported stolen Monday alone, according to IU Police Department reports.\nEvery year, IUPD investigates a large number of stolen decals, said IUPD Lt. Jerry Minger. Punishments for using a decal reported lost or stolen range from fines in excess of $250 to the possibility of criminal charges.\nThe decals are taken for a variety of reasons, Minger said, "the first of which is legitimate larceny. Someone walks by a car, sees they can get a parking pass with better parking privileges, or just a free pass, and takes it."\nMinger said there is another reason for the rash of stolen passes seen on campus. \n"Another possible option is the person who owns the car reports their decal lost and stolen," Minger said. "In reality they give the 'stolen' one to a friend or family member, then they can get a new one for five bucks."\nPorter recommends that as soon as a student realizes his or her permit is missing, he or she should file a report with Parking Operations, which will then send it to IUPD. \n"Usually students don't realize that their permits have been lost or stolen until they get a ticket from parking in the same type of space they have used all year," Porter said. "They can't figure it out at first, but then realize that they don't have their permit." \nIU Parking Operations will excuse the ticket if the student immediately comes into the office and reports the stolen permit. \nMost people who are caught using stolen decals are parked illegally -- not in the correct zone -- so an employee of parking operations checks the number on the decal, Minger said. \nThe vehicle with the stolen decal is then immediately towed, and the person using it is assessed a $200 fine on top of towing charges, according to the IU Parking Operations Web site. \nThe towing fine usually ranges from $75 to $80, Porter said. \nMost often, the person is just assessed the fine, but criminal charges can be filed in some cases, Minger said.\nThose who falsely report their decal lost or stolen can be charged with filing a false police report. \n-- Contact staff writer Mike Wilson at mhwilson@indiana.edu.
(09/28/04 5:58am)
Senior Cassandra Cogswell, 21, was tailgating outside of Memorial Stadium when she was singled out of the crowd she was with by a plainclothed police officer. \n"He was wearing a Colts shirt, and just came out of nowhere," she said, "He pulled out his badge and asked, 'Can you please show me some ID.'"\nCogswell said she gave the officer her ID, and after it passed inspection, he gave it back.\n"I asked him why he pulled me out of the crowd," Cogswell said, "He told me that he thought I looked 20." \nOnly five arrests by the IU Police Department were made in the lots around Memorial Stadium Saturday, according to IUPD reports, but some students, such as Cogswell, were approached by plainclothes officers checking IDs. IUPD Lt. Jerry Minger said these plainclothes officers were not from the IUPD, but could have been Indiana State Excise Police. \n"IUPD only uses uniformed officers on tailgating weekends," Minger said, "We try to maintain a high presence, in fact, some of our officers keep their traffic vests on so they will be noticed more." \nMinger estimates that IUPD has about 75 officers and cadets working in and around Memorial Stadium during home football games. Usually officers are deployed for traffic and foot patrols about four hours before kickoff, Minger said. \nThe officers look for underage drinking, and for people falling down, staggering, or with vomit on their shirt, because of personal safety concerns, Minger said. \n"I would say for the most part it's just a really friendly atmosphere," he said, "Just alumni, students, and people wanting to enjoy the nice weather and the atmosphere." \nMinger added that there are only a few exceptions to this tailgating atmosphere.\n"I would say that it's a small percentage of people that cause a large percentage of the problems," Minger said.\nThe Indiana State Excise Police did not return phone calls Monday.\n-- Contact staff writer Mike Wilson at mhwilson@indiana.edu.
(09/21/04 6:25am)
IU Police Department officers were called to investigate drawings of swastikas on the walls of the eighth floor of Briscoe-Gucker Saturday afternoon. \nThe swastikas were drawn during the celebration of the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah, which began at sundown Wednesday. IUPD has no suspects in the case, and the graffiti has already been removed from the walls, according to IUPD reports.\nResident Assistant Josh Colbert called in the complaint, and officers arrived at 4:15 p.m. to discover three swastikas drawn in the hallways, according to IUPD reports. The swastikas were drawn in pink and black dry erase markers, and ranged from one and a half to two feet in diameter. IUPD officers took pictures of the scene, and Residential Programs and Services was called to clean the swastikas off the walls. Briscoe Center President Rob Cleary could not comment on the incident.\nDean of Students Richard McKaig had not yet been briefed on the incident, but said the police and Racial Incidents Team are both called in when situations like this occur. The Racial Incidents Team investigates the episode and provides any assistance it can, he said. \nThe Team was created by the Office of Student Ethics in response to an increasing number of religiously biased incidents, according to an Aug. 26 Indiana Daily Student article. \n"We see a few cases like this each year," IUPD Lt. Jerry Minger said, "But any incident at all is far too frequent."\nIncidents such as the one Saturday are usually not the work of organized anti-Semitism, Minger said.\n"Incidents such as these usually do not appear to be a concentrated movement," he said. "It usually seems to be vandalism a person does to stir up attention."\nAlthough the Helene G. Simon Hillel Center had not been officially informed of the incident yet, Assistant Director Andy Gitelson described cases like this as "deplorable."\n"If the incident did indeed occur, I hope that the person can find some outlet with us or someone else in the community to get their head straightened out," Gitelson said. \nGitelson said he thought the location of the graffiti makes incidents such as this one even worse. \n"It is especially deplorable in a University setting, inside of a dorm, where students should expect to feel safe," he said.\nGitelson encouraged students hurt by such incidents to seek out the University Racial Incidents Team, as well as IUPD, their RAs and the Hillel Center. \n-- Contact staff writer Mike Wilson at mhwilson@indiana.edu.
(09/16/04 6:10am)
IU students that find a deal too good to be true may have to watch out: it could be a scam. A variety of scams on-campus, off-campus and online continue to hatch in an effort to take chunks out of students' wallets. \nIUPD statistics indicate since 1993, the IU Police Department has investigated 98 fraud cases totaling $118,000 in loses. The number of cases involving students is probably much higher, as many are put under the category of theft, IUPD Detective Greg McClure said. In addition, IUPD only investigates cases that happen on-campus; off-campus fraud is not included in the numbers.\n"If students know the basic scams and follow some sensible rules, they can avoid becoming the next con victim," McClure said. \nThe growing category of online scams is one of the main things students should look out for. \n"Without a doubt," IUPD Lt. Jerry Minger said, "the internet has increased fraud cases." \nAnd the case load for online fraud is still growing, Minger said.\nIn a recent case, a student found and bought a BMW for $9,000 dollars on an online auction site. The seller told the student to use an online escrow service, which is supposed to hold the money until the product is received, to exchange the money for the BMW. The student followed through, the escrow service turned out to be fake, and the student ended up without his money or BMW. IUPD later investigated the seller and found the money was going into two different bank accounts from their online auctions. After investigating the accounts, IUPD discovered most of the money was being sent to Ghana, a country in West Africa, and only a small amount was recovered.\n"We see scams that sometimes send the money to four different countries," McClure said, "Once it's out of the states, there isn't much we can do."\nA second scam involving online auctions that has been seen on campus is one where the buyer sends the seller a check worth thousands more then the agreed upon price of an item. The buyer tells a story about why this mistake happened, and asks the seller to send the money back. After the seller sends this money back, the check turns out to be fraudulent and he loses the money he sent, McClure said. \n"If someone makes a request like that," McClure said, "You pretty much know it's fraud right off the bat."\nAccording to eBay's Web site, the best way to avoid online auction scams is by first checking the seller's feedback. If feedback is bad, or non-existent, extreme caution should be used in making a purchase. \nThe main scams that get students on campus involve solicitations, McClure said. Door-to-door magazine sales in the dorms is one of the main ones, with an influx at the beginning of the year. The magazine salesman claims to be an IU student working for a scholarship or trip. In reality, they move from campus to campus trying to sell magazines, and solicitation in dorms is against the University code, McClure said. IUPD has been called about the solicitors stealing from dorm rooms, and becoming aggressive with female students. Minger said IUPD receives five to 10 calls involving solicitors every semester. McClure recommends students report anyone soliciting inside the dorms to their Resident Assistant immediately. \nSolicitors trying to obtain applications for credit cards are also a potential con for students to look out for, McClure said. Banks often hire a third party, with part time employees taking the applications, to come on campus to sign up students. The credit card applications contain all the information necessary to take a person's identity, and occasionally they are stolen and used for this purpose. \nHowever, because all solicitations on campus must be stationary and approved by the Student Activities Office, students should stick to only these booths, McClure said.\n-- Contact staff writer Mike Wilson at mhwilson@indiana.edu .
(09/10/04 6:49am)
Reading the IU Police Department blotter can be quite a chore for many students, as arrests on alcohol-related charges are steadily rising.\nAccording to IUPD statistics, arrests during the first week of school were more than triple what the were last year.\nFrom the first day of class until the following Sunday, 68 students were arrested on alcohol-related charges, including public intoxication, drunk driving and minor possession and consumption charges, compared to just 18 arrests during the same time period last year. Even students who just receive a ticket are considered as being arrested in IUPD statistics. \nThose statistics indicate the arrest numbers are down from the 2002-2003 school year's first week, which had a total of 121 arrests. \nIUPD Lt. Jerry Minger said the increase in numbers is not due to any increase in patrols or any specific effort to crack down on student drinking. \n"If anything, we have a few less officers patrolling because of recent budget cuts," Minger said. \nIn regard to the increase in arrests from this year to last, Minger said conclusions cannot really be drawn from arrest numbers alone. \n"In order to draw conclusions, you have to look at each arrest," Minger said. "For example, if we had a seat belt checkpoint, and it turns out there were seven people in the car who had been drinking, that's seven arrests right there." \nMinger said a few minor incidents like this can quickly add up to a lot of arrests in one week. He said events such as home football games can also inflate arrest records.\nMinger said the IUPD is not adopting a zero-tolerance policy, like that installed at Ball State beginning this school year. \nStudents at Ball State were warned any infraction involving alcohol would result in a citation, regardless of any extenuating circumstances. \nStill, Minger said the IUPD has always had a zero-tolerance policy on crime just as all police departments should.\n"We have a zero-tolerance policy on all crime," Minger said. "We have zero tolerance for theft, zero tolerance for vandalism, so we also have a no tolerance policy for underage drinking."\nFreshman Paul McKendree, 19, was issued a citation for illegal possession/consumption Sept. 4. \n"There was no way I could have gotten out of it," McKendree said. "I was riding in the car with my girlfriend ... she blew (into the Breathalyzer), so I had to. I was honest, I told them I was drinking ... and got a ticket."\nMcKendree thinks the IUPD made their presence known the first week of school to, "show they are here," to students.\n"I think they are still trying to combat the 'No. 1 party school' image," McKendree said, "and that is why they pay more attention to drinking."\n-- Contact staff writer Mike Wilson at mhwilson@indiana.edu .
(09/07/04 5:55am)
The IU Police Department recovered more than $4,000 in CDs, DVDs, computer and video game equipment, and stereo components Sunday evening after the items had been stolen from a Forest Quad residence hall room earlier that afternoon. \nThe two victims, freshman roommates Brett Goldenhorn and Ernest Moore, left their room Sunday afternoon, and came back to find $4,500 worth of their possessions missing, according to an IUPD report. Hours later, the items were recovered in two cars parked outside the dorm and a suspect was arrested. Police arrested non-student Claudell Ellis, 24, of Gary, in the Forest Quad East parking lot on suspicion of involvement in the theft. \nMoore left the door unlocked when he left the room Sunday because Goldenhorn had lost his key, and might have needed to get into the room, Moore said. Goldenhorn was on another floor of Forest when the crime occurred. Goldenhorn returned to the room later that afternoon to find almost everything of value missing. \n"I walked into my room and didn't notice anything at first," Goldenhorn said, "Then I saw my whole desk was messed up. They had unplugged everything from my computer. Then I looked at my roommate's desk, and didn't see his (laptop) on it. I called him and asked him about it, he told me to look in his drawer and it wasn't there."\nAfter talking to witnesses, IUPD officers suspect that the robbers might have been walking down hallways and checking doorknobs to see what rooms were unlocked. \n"I would say that in almost 90 percent of dorm burglaries, the suspects enter through an unlocked door," IUPD Lt. Jerry Minger said. "We rarely have cases of doors being pried open, or lost/stolen keys being used," \nMoore was surprised at just how many things had been taken from the room.\n"They stole my laptop, my stereo, his Gamecube, all of the games, all of our DVDs, my clipper set, his CD player," Moore said. "When Brett called, I couldn't even believe it had happened ... (The robbers) must have been pretty bold."\nSoon after the robbery occurred, Moore said people began helping him and his roommate by giving them information to help them find their things. \nAt 10:15 p.m. Sunday, IUPD was called back to Forest with information that suspects might be trying to flee the campus with the goods taken from the dorm room. They then arrested Ellis.\nAll of Goldenhorn and Moore's possessions were recovered in the suspect's car, and another car belonging to an unnamed suspect.\n"Thank God we got it all back," Moore said. \nEllis told officers at the time of his arrest he had not been involved in the robbery, and was holding the stolen goods for two other suspects. \nThe investigation is ongoing, and more arrests are possible in the case, Minger said.\n-- Contact staff writer Mike Wilson at mhwilson@indiana.edu.
(09/06/04 6:35am)
IU plans to save millions of dollars in licensing fees and implementation costs by participating in a program to develop a free, new financial software for universities. \nThe project was the best option to replace IU's aging financial system, said Brad Wheeler, associate vice president for research and academic computing. Wheeler said the software will manage University business such as budgeting, tracking expenses, purchasing and more. \nThe software is being developed by a partnership that includes IU, the University of Hawaii, the National Association of College and University Business Officers, and the RSmart Group, a company that would like to sell support services to universities that install the free software, according to an article in the Chronicle of Higher Education. \nThe plan to develop the software is called the Kuali Project, and according to its Web site, the software will not only save money, it will also save headaches. \n"IU evaluated many options for replacing its aging financial system," Wheeler said. "This option of developing the software with partners, based on our existing IU financial system, will save IU millions of dollars in licensing fees and implementation costs."\nAccording to www.KualiProject.org, the software will be much easier for IU to implement, improve and fix because it features an open source code. It will be made specifically for universities and it will be adaptable. \nIn an article in the Chronicle of Higher Education John G. Robinson, chairman of the RSmart Group, described systems currently being sold by Oracle and PeopleSoft as, "big, expensive and complicated." He said part of the reason for this is that the financial software these companies sell is also sold to businesses, and therefore is not tuned to meet the specific needs of a university. \nThe main feature that will make the software easier for universities to use is its architecture. Because the software is being developed as a series of components that work together to create a comprehensive financial software package, universities can pick which components they need instead of getting the whole package. \nWheeler also anticpates fewer problems with the financial officers' switch to Kuali in 2006 than with the recent University-wide switch to PeopleSoft.\n"Since its design is based on the existing IU financial system, we anticipate a familiar experience for the users when it is rolled out," he said.\nAnother innovative part of the software is its open source code. This code will give research professionals across the country the ability to "engage in continuous improvement and innovation" of the software. \n"Kuali and other open source projects represent a new model for software development among universities," Wheeler said.\n-- Contact staff writer Mike Wilson at mhwilson@indiana.edu.
(09/06/04 6:14am)
An IU Police Department stop of two underage students at the corner of 17th and Grant streets began a chain of events that could lead to disciplinary action against Alpha Epsilon Pi. The routine stop early Friday morning also led to an illegal possession and consumption charge against the fraternity's president, junior Nathan Schiller. \nAccording to IUPD reports, the students who were stopped on suspicion of underage drinking told officers they were served alcohol at an AEPi party earlier in the night. Police stopped a total of five underage IU students throughout the night who told officers they had consumed alcohol at the fraternity. At 3:24 a.m., IUPD officers went to the house at 1412 N. Jordan Ave. and observed several people in the doorway on the left side of the house. \nIUPD Lt. Jerry Minger said officers witnessed plastic cups scattered in the yard in front of the house, and a large pool of vomit next to a vehicle.\nIUPD reports indicate Schiller spoke with officers, and denied any underage drinking was going on in the house. But the officers smelled alcohol on his breath and began to question him about drinking. Schiller, 20, was then issued a citation for illegal possession and consumption and Dean of Students Richard McKaig was called to the house. \nThe officers noted a wet floor and the smell of beer inside the house. Minger said further disciplinary action will be decided by McKaig and the University. \nMcKaig, who arrived at the scene at 3:44 a.m., said the house looked like a party had taken place.\n"It basically looked like a party ... with cups lying about and a wet floor," McKaig said. "But when we got there, it was mostly just people who lived in the house that were there." \nMcKaig said if the Office of Student Ethics decides there was enough evidence at the house to prove alcohol was served, the fraternity could face sanctions.\nThe IU Code of Student Rights, Responsibilities and Conduct states the University may discipline a student for the use or possession of alcoholic beverages in any undergraduate residence supervised by the University, including fraternity and sorority houses.\nMinger said this was the first fraternity alcohol-related incident of the school year.\nMembers of AEPi were unavailable for comment.\n-- Contact staff writer Mike Wilson at mhwilson@indiana.edu.
(09/06/04 5:04am)
A total of seven cars were vandalized and robbed in two separate incidents at IU parking lots early Friday morning. \nIn the first incident, the IU Police Department was called and found three cars that had been vandalized in the Assembly Hall Blue Lot. According to IUPD reports, the cars had smashed headlights, taillights, and windows, dents, and missing stereos.\nA witness told IUPD officers she heard glass breaking and saw three white males walking through the blue lot. She described one of the males as having blond hair and wearing an "A" type of shirt (commonly called a "wifebeater"). She also noted the man was using a baseball bat to beat on cars and break windows. \nThe witness also said the other two men, who were also wearing "A" types of shirts, would then jump in the car and take items from inside. When a car alarm was set off, the suspects jumped into a small red pickup truck which the witness thought may have been an S-10 or a Ranger. The three men then fled the scene.\nThe second incident of vandalism occurred at a lot at 10th St. and Sunrise Dr., where IUPD officers found four cars with windows smashed and stereos stolen. The officers arrived at about 4:45 a.m., and could not find any witnesses. \nSenior Adam Keever, a resident of Wright Quad, had his car vandalized. His 1985 Dodge Daytona's window was broken, and his stereo and a Maglite were stolen from inside. Officers at the scene estimated Keever's damage to be $425. \n"I fixed the window myself the next day, so it wasn't too big of a problem," Keever said, "But this is the second time something has happened to my car since I have parked at IU. Last year I had my rearview mirror kicked off." \nSenior Brandon Wilson also had his car vandalized in the lot near his Wright Quad residence. \n"They shattered my window with a bat, stole my stereo, and went through my glove compartment," said Wilson, who received an estimate of damages at $400. \nAlthough he already had his window fixed, he is still waiting to hear from his insurance company about coverage of the stereo.\nIUPD Lt. Jerry Minger said the police department currently has no leads on the case, but asks that anyone who has any information or may have witnessed something early Friday morning to contact IUPD at 855-4111.\n-- Contact staff writer Mike Wilson at mhwilson@indiana.edu.
(09/03/04 4:51am)
IU freshman Jennifer Brundage, 18, is being charged with murder and conspiracy to commit murder for the shooting death of 44-year-old Brett Dobbins Aug. 10.\nDobbins' wife, Nancy, found her husband in the driveway outside of their home in Eden, Ind., located in Northern Hancock County. \nPolice believe Dobbins was shot twice in the back in the early morning hours of Aug. 10 while entering his car before heading to work.\nBrundage turned herself in about 9 p.m. Aug. 31 to the Hancock County Sheriff Department. More details of the case could be forthcoming, but Hancock County Sheriff Nick Gulling said they could release very little information at this time.\nGulling said the New Palestine native is currently being held in the Hancock County Jail without bond. There was an initial hearing Wednesday, but no bond was set. Gulling said it is standard for bond not to be set for murder cases.\nKenneth R. Kelly, 19, was also charged with the death of Dobbins.\nAn official at the Clerk of theCircuit Court in Hancock County said the conspiracy to commit murder charge is a class A felony.\nAccording to Indiana State law, a murder charge carries an absolute minimum of 45 years, while the class A conspiracy to commit murder charge carries a minimum of 20 years.\nGulling said he knew of no previous charges filed against Brundage.\nBrundage did not return calls seeking comment.\n-- Contact staff writer Mike Wilson at mhwilson@indiana.edu.
(04/22/04 5:28am)
Different combinations of bulk rations carried along on a camping trip and cooked on a small outdoor stove usually bring to mind images of bland food, beans and perhaps some stew. \nBut for any student able to see Whitney Ward from the Recreation and Parks Department demonstrate outdoor cooking, the combination mentioned earlier would bring to mind delicious carrot and chocolate cakes. \n"I like to eat well, regardless of where I am at," Ward said, "And when cooking outdoors, you are only limited by your imagination."\nThe cooking section was just one of the tables demonstrating the various outdoor recreation and education programs offered at IU Wednesday at the Indiana Memorial Union. \nAlthough originally scheduled to be held in Dunn Meadow, Outdoor Day was moved indoors because of rainy weather. Despite the fact this may have slowed turnout for the event, it did not dampen the enthusiasm of the representatives. \nFrom a table for the Conservation and Outdoor Recreation/Education Program, which trains students for outdoor leadership, to a table featuring the IU Outdoor Adventure Club, students with varied desires to go out and "rough it" could find the program suitable for them. \nAlso, students looking for an alternative to the usual Cancun or Panama City Beach spring breaks could find trips with IU Adventures, which are planned by students and feature activities such as whitewater rafting, mountain climbing and caving.\nThe most involved program featured was the CORE program, which is sponsored by the School of Heath, Physical Education and Recreation. Senior Zack Tennant, who is currently enrolled in the program, said CORE classes teach students everything from proper mountain climbing techniques to wilderness leadership courses. \nTennant said those who participate in CORE learn the skills they need for outdoor leadership jobs. He added that the CORE program does not spend loads of time in the classroom, with part of the program involving a trip to the wilderness in Colorado and Utah. \nJunior Jamie Crawford, another participant in CORE, said this excursion was amazing. \n"(It) definitely was not what I thought it would be," she said. "It was way better." \nCrawford said the toughest physical challenge was having to walk 30 miles through the Burr Desert in Utah in a span of two days. \n"During the walk we had to locate five or 6 gallon jugs of water placed throughout the desert after getting the coordinates from instructors," Tennant said. \nDespite the hardship, both participants said they thoroughly enjoyed the experience. \nAnother less extreme way for students to enjoy the outdoors is through the newly-revived Outdoor Adventure Club. Andy Deal, one of the club's members, said the club has been revived this semester after it had disbanded. Deal said the club has adopted a trail at Yellowwood Hiking and Trails and is planning a camping trip this Friday. \nJunior Jay Powell, another club member, said the club is currently trying to get organized so it can grow next year. The club also hopes to have guest speakers next year, do fundraisers and maintain more trails. Anyone interested can attend the group's weekly meetings, held at 3 p.m. every Thursday in HPER Room 125.\nStudents wanting to enjoy the great outdoors may also enjoy taking a trip with IU Adventures, where trips are lead and planned by students to everywhere from Costa Rica to Texas. \n"They are not necessarily the most professionally guided tours, but you'll find they are a hell of a lot of fun," said Julia Marcia, an IU Adventure leader.\nShe also said that all IU Adventure leaders are all well-trained in safety and technical procedures relating to their trip. For example, Marcia is both a certified lifeguard and has outdoor rescue experience because she leads rafting trips. She said a trip last spring break she had planned was whitewater rafting in the Rio Grande, and though it was muddy, it was fun. \nFor more information about IU Adventures, sign up at the IMU Activities Desk, located on the first floor of the IMU.\n-- Contact staff writer Michael Wilson at mhwilson@indiana.edu.
(04/21/04 5:42am)
Basing the number of season basketball tickets available to students on season football ticket purchases is one alternative to the $30 Student Athletics Fee, Interim Chancellor Ken Gros Louis said to the Bloomington Faculty Council Tuesday.\nGros Louis said a certain number of IU student basketball tickets would be sold to the general public to increase revenue unless students buy an increased proportion of student football tickets. Gros Louis said he hoped this proposition would increase the number of football tickets purchased by students, as only 5,000 were sold last year. \n"The athletics department needs the $1.1 million on the table," Gros Louis said. "It cannot rely on things such as students buying more football tickets in coming years."\nOther ideas presented included cutting men's sports, increasing advertising and the athletics department receiving loans from the IU Foundation. The meeting also featured a presentation by IU Foundation Director Curt Simic and a proposed change to the language proficiency policy for international associate instructors. \nThe committee discussed cutting sports programs the second alternative to the fee. School of Public and Environmental Affairs professor Ted Miller questioned if it was a good idea to rule this alternative out all together. \n"We have all faced unwanted cuts due to budgets in our departments," he said, noting the possibility to do so in athletics. \nGros Louis said sports cuts would not be considered unless there was significant support for the action from the Bloomington Faculty Council. \nGros Louis said he spoke with IU President Adam Herbert and both agreed cutting sports shouldn't be an immediate option. Gros Louis added he was not sure if this would help solve the budget crisis because it would not necessarily give the department the money needed to pay back debts. \n"We shouldn't look to solve the problem by reducing sports," he said. "... Neither (me nor Herbert) wanted that to be an option."\nThe other options discussed to solve the budget crisis, such as a loan from the IU Foundation and increasing the amount of advertising sold, were met with sharp criticism. Gros Louis said no more advertising can be sold because the athletics department has two years left on its advertising contract. Gros Louis said this contract could not be renegotiated until the two years have passed, so it is not an option. Simic said loaning the IU Foundation money is not an option.\n"Whenever we give out loans, we have to look at collateral they can offer," Simic responded jokingly, which got a laugh from the Council. \nSimic said the IU Foundation could not give out loans without interest because they depend on money made by investments and interest from loans.\nThe council also discussed a proposal for university-wide acceptance of a new policy involving international AIs. Associate Dean of the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs David Nordloh said international AIs must take language proficiency tests in order to get their positions at IU. If they fail the exams, they can take other classes, and then continue to try and take the exams until they pass. The new proposal would allow the AIs to take a graduate level course and then be certified for their position. Nordloh said the feedback received from students who had the AI after the class was positive for the most part.\nThis was the BFC's last meeting of the school year.\n-- Contact staff writer Michael Wilson at mhwilson@indiana.edu.