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(12/04/07 4:23am)
IU-based researchers will be given two years to conduct a study to determine the success of the 21st Century Scholars Program. \nThe researchers have been awarded a grant of $497,000 to conduct the study. \n“The research is being done to help identify ways of improving access to higher education for students from low-income families,” said Rob Toutkoushian, associate professor of educational leadership and policy studies and chair of the educational leadership program in the IU School of Education. “Traditionally, these students have been underrepresented in colleges and universities.”\nToutkoushian is one of the researchers and is also the co-principal investigator on the project along with George Kuh, Chancellor’s professor of higher education and director of the Center for Postsecondary Research, and Don Hossler, professor of educational leadership and policy studies and director of the Project on Academic Success.\nThe 21st Century Scholars Program is available to any middle school student in Indiana and other participating states. Those who are eligible for free lunch, maintain a 2.0 grade point average throughout school and sign a pledge to abstain from using drugs or alcohol are potential candidates for the program. \nCollege tuition and fees will be paid for high school graduates in the 21st Century Scholars Program. All IU schools, as well as Purdue, Ball State and Ivy Tech Community College, participate in the program. \nThe Chicago-based Spencer Foundation, the same organization that funds the 21st Century Scholars Program, will fund the study, Toutkoushian said. The study follows Indiana students who completed a 1997 survey during their ninth-grade year. Toutkoushian said the researchers will create a longitudinal database starting with 71,000 ninth grade students in Indiana who were surveyed in 1997. The researchers will then add information on these students to the database, such as their participation in the SAT, application for financial aid, enrollment in college, engagement in successful behaviors in college and success in college. \n“The techniques we will employ will take into account the observable and unobservable factors that influence whether students sign up for the 21st Century Scholars Program,” Toutkoushian said.\nThose involved in the research hope to make it easier for students to participate and succeed in higher education, as well as explain why many eligible students are not joining the 21st Century Scholars Program.
(11/15/07 5:00am)
Players Pub\n424 S. Walnut St.
(11/06/07 5:54am)
Listening to the conversation between a group of aspiring journalists and a legend in the field of broadcast journalism seemed to cement the opening words of Bob Dotson’s presentation: “Don’t listen to anyone in my generation who says that the golden age was 20 minutes before your time.” \nDotson, an NBC News correspondent known most for his segment “American Story with Bob Dotson” on the “Today Show,” presented a speech Monday night at the School of Journalism. \nSince his start in 1969 at an NBC station in Oklahoma, Dotson said he has always believed that good news stories are just that: stories. Dotson said the next generation of journalists should know what matters the most in broadcast news.\n“I think its very important what we as journalists really do,” he said. “What we deliver should be the emphasis of our day.”\nDotson compared the modern journalist to a storyteller, claiming that there is more to the job than just getting out the facts as quickly as possible. \n“You want a response,” he said. “It’s not enough just to give information.”\n Many attendees said they came to learn from someone whom they considered to be a guru in journalism.\n“I came because Bob Dotson is a living legend,” said Jeanne Power, who graduated from IU last May and currently works at WTHI Terre Haute. “Just to pick his brain for half an hour is priceless.”\nMany students attended the event even after hearing Dotson speak previously in the day. \n“I actually heard him speak earlier today in my video journalism class,” said Josh Levering, a journalism graduate student. “He’s basically the best. I’m here to soak up more of his knowledge.”
(11/01/07 2:35am)
The atmosphere is warm and fun, with employees joking around and diners enjoying a freshly prepared waffle or sandwich. The unusually slow pace of El Bistro steadily picks up around lunchtime. Even after a few setbacks in construction and a late start, El Bistro, the latest addition to the dining facilities, is becoming one of the more popular places to eat on campus. \nAt least that is how students who live in the South Neighborhood feel. \n“It’s more convenient since I live in Forest,” senior Jorge Tirado said. “This is perfect for me since they serve breakfast and lunch. It depends on where you live.”\nSome students think people wanting to satisfy their curiosity of the new cuisine cause the long lines.\n“I think because it’s new people want to see what its like,” freshman Julie Ratterman said.\nAfter they have eaten there, many students think the high quality of food brings diners back to El Bistro.\n“I would say it is popular because the food is actually good quality,” freshman Will Peabody said. “It is not like you are lining up for low-grade cafeteria food.”\nThe most popular foods among students are the burritos, scrambled eggs, Italian subs and waffles.\n“It’s popular because it’s the only place in Read that has good food,” freshman Bob Good said. “And waffles.”\nMany students do not argue that El Bistro is a popular place. Some think that, because of its small size, the restaurant cannot hold its own against the larger dining facilities, like Wright, which has a wide variety of food.\n“It doesn’t have as many options,” freshman Kiersten Thompson said. “But it is still very good.”\nOthers think El Bistro just isn’t quick enough compared to the other dining halls.\n“Wright has a bit better selection and is faster,” Goode said. “El Bistro is really slow sometimes; I once waited half an hour for an omelet.”\nHowever, the unhurried speed does not stop the lines from forming.\n“It’s always packed,” Thompson said. “Normally the lines are out the door.”\nCompared with McDonalds, some feel that the cleanliness of El Bistro should be questioned.\n“McDonald’s was cleaner than what El Bistro has been,” said sophomore Briana Bertram, who had been to El Bistro several times since last interviewed. “The trash is always running over. Some of the employees lack hairnets and sometimes even gloves. At McDonald’s you didn’t see this. They were very neat, and always had a least one person cleaning and keeping up with the trash.”\nWhile cleanliness is an issue, many felt there was still no comparison between El Bistro and McDonald’s.\n“It’s better than McDonalds,” Tirado said. “It’s a lot more healthy, McDonalds got tiring after a month or so; it got old.”\nSome wonder if the El Bistro will have the same fate of McDonalds, to be replaced and abandoned when the novelty fades. Yet after being open for over three weeks, the facility is not showing any signs of slowing down.
(10/24/07 4:01am)
The weeds gripped mercilessly at the 100-year-old stones sitting deep in a tangled mass of trees. \nThe Kirkwood Observatory, built in 1900 and dedicated in May 1901, contains six rooms, including the wooden circular dome. It boasts two telescopes: a 12-inch refractor telescope and a solar telescope. While the telescopes are not used for research anymore, some astronomy classes use pictures taken by the solar telescope and transmit them directly to the classroom. The 12-inch telescope, part of the $6,516 spent on telescopes and fittings in 1901, is expensive and rare.\n“It’s an impressive-looking telescope,” said Con Deliyannis, associate professor of astronomy. “You wouldn’t be able to buy a telescope like that unless you custom ordered it and that would be hugely expensive.” \nThe observatory is named after Daniel Kirkwood, a well-known mathematician and astronomer.\nKirkwood is famous in astronomy for having discovered the Kirkwood gaps, the distances of asteroids to the sun. He was also the first to hypothesize that debris from comets make up meteor showers.\nThe historical significance of the observatory is nearly unparalleled on campus. In addition to the contribution of Daniel Kirkwood, former IU President Joseph Swain dedicated the building. The observatory is protected as a historical landmark, and because of this renovation has been kept to a bare minimum and strictly monitored so it stays consistent with the original. \n“The dome had started developing problems that needed to be refurbished but because it’s a historical landmark it had to be refurbished in the same manner it was originally built, which is out of wood and with a curved dome,” Deliyannis said. “We wanted to keep the spirit of the original alive.”\nThe last renovation took place during the 2001-02 academic year, but aside from electrical wiring and regular cleanings, all paid for by the astronomy department, not much has changed since 1901.\nToday the Kirkwood Observatory offers students and the public a chance “to see the stars,” as graduate student Ankit Khare put it. The astronomy department opens the observatory to the public on clear Wednesday nights. Public admission is free, but it also holds various events for groups, including the Women in Science program and the Chinese Culture Club, for about $20. \nMany students enjoy both the academic purpose and excitement the observatory offers them.\n“I think we should have places like this if it can get people interested in stargazing or astronomy,” said Abhijit Mahabal, a graduate student. “It’s a fun time and helps you understand physics better.”\nThe observatory receives about 1,000 visitors annually, although certain times of the year are more popular than others, including times when it features viewings of Saturn, Mars and the moon.\n“Kirkwood Observatory connects us all to something much bigger than ourselves,” Pilachowski said. “It opens our minds to the extraordinary universe we live in.”
(10/22/07 8:24pm)
Hundreds of students and Bloomington community members lined up along sidewalks from Third Street all the way to the Sample Gates to see Friday’s Homecoming parade, led by IU President Michael McRobbie and his wife, Laurie Burns McRobbie.\nThe parade featured a wide variety of special guests and student groups, including the new addition of “Get Psyched,” a student-interest group, representing IU’s psychology and brain sciences department.\n“It took two to three weeks to prepare for the parade,” said freshman Erin Johnson, a member of “Get Psyched” who marched in the parade. \nOther groups, including the popular IU Marching Hundred used a little less time getting ready for the event.\n“We spent one practice on it,” said freshman Nick Waldron. “So about an hour and a half.”\nDespite the short preparation time, the Marching Hundred as well as the reunion bands did not fail to impress.\n“My favorite part was when the bands played,” said 6-year-old Dexter Griffin.\nOther favorites included the football team, representatives from several fire stations, including those from Bloomington and Ellettsville, and horse-drawn carriages that carried some participants.\nThe parade ended at the Sample Gates with a pep rally. Speakers included Athletic Director Rick Greenspan, men’s basketball coach Kelvin Sampson, Provost Karen Hanson and President McRobbie.\nMany spectators agreed that the parade is an indispensable part of Homecoming tradition.\n“It brings all the students together,” said sophomore Ashton Abrams. “We may be from different sororities, fraternities and dorms but we all come together for one purpose: to support IU.”\nThe extensive turnout of the Bloomington community also proved that the parade is for more than just students.\n“The parade should definitely stay,” said freshman Chelsey Stegmaier. “It incorporates all of the Bloomington community and not just the campus.”
(10/22/07 3:47pm)
Football players, IU President Michael McRobbie and the IU Marching Hundred will all be parading through the main streets of Bloomington in the name of Hoosier spirit. \nThe 49th Annual Homecoming Parade will begin at 5:30 p.m., traveling west from Third Street, then north on Indiana Avenue and ending at the Sample Gates. The Grand Marshals of the parade will be McRobbie and his wife Laurie Burns McRobbie. Although neither was available for comment, IU Director of Communications Larry MacIntyre said that President McRobbie was “very excited for the opportunity.”\nSenior members and captains of the football team along with head coach Bill Lynch and Athletic Director Rick Greenspan will be rallying support against Penn State for the Homecoming game next Saturday. The Rose Bowl Reunion Band, made up of members of the Marching Hundred who traveled to IU’s last appearance in the Rose Bowl in 1967, will be playing in the parade, as well as the Marching Hundred. The Homecoming king and queen and various student organizations with have themed floats as well.\nThis year’s theme is “Rock the House,” a play off of IU Football’s “Defend the Rock,” created by the late coach Terry Hoeppner. \n“It means jubilation and creating a ruckus environment of school spirit,” IU Alumni Association President Tom Martz said. “It’s sounding a loud expression of enthusiasm.”\nThe event, which is free and open to the public, is a long-standing tradition of IU’s Homecoming weekend, Martz said.\n“The parade is a chance for students and alumni of past and present to come and show their spirit and enthusiasm for football and our school,” said Student Alumni Association Vice President of Special Events Phillip Blomeke.\nA homecoming parade has been a staple in many school’s festivities, and Martz said IU’s celebration does not veer too far from the norm.\n“It’s a tradition that most universities have,” Martz said, “but I say we do it best.”
(10/21/07 11:35pm)
Hundreds of students and Bloomington community members lined up along sidewalks from Third Street all the way to the Sample Gates to see Friday’s Homecoming parade, led by IU President Michael McRobbie and his wife, Laurie Burns McRobbie.\nThe parade featured a wide variety of special guests and student groups, including the new addition of “Get Psyched,” a student-interest group, representing IU’s psychology and brain sciences department.\n“It took two to three weeks to prepare for the parade,” said freshman Erin Johnson, a member of “Get Psyched” who marched in the parade. \nOther groups, including the popular IU Marching Hundred used a little less time getting ready for the event.\n“We spent one practice on it,” freshman Nick Waldron said. “So about an hour and a half.”\nDespite the short preparation time, the Marching Hundred as well as the reunion bands did not fail to impress.\n“My favorite part was when the bands played,” six 6-year-old Dexter Griffin.\nOther favorites included the football team, representatives from several fire stations, including those from Bloomington and Ellettsville, and horse-drawn carriages that carried some participants.\nThe parade ended at the Sample Gates with a pep rally. Speakers included Athletic Director Rick Greenspan, men’s basketball coach Kelvin Sampson, Provost Karen Hanson and President McRobbie.\nMany spectators agreed that the parade is an indispensable part of homecoming tradition.\n“It brings all the students together,” sophomore Ashton Abrams said. “We may be from different sororities, fraternities and dorms but we all come together for one purpose: to support IU.”\nThe extensive turnout of the Bloomington community also proved that the parade is for more than just students.\n“The parade should definitely stay,” said freshman Chelsey Stegmaier. “It incorporates all of the Bloomington community and not just the campus.”
(10/12/07 4:03am)
The sweet and spicy smell of burritos, waffles and deli sandwiches filled the place once occupied by the greasy and salty smell of hamburgers and french fries.\nEl Bistro, which replaced McDonald’s in Read Center, welcomed students to its grand opening Thursday, and many people are happy with the change from fast food to healthier options. \n“We have a lot of healthier options than McDonald’s had,” said Sandra Fowler, Residential Programs and Services’ director of dining. “And there is more of a variety of foods.”\nThe menu includes an assortment of foods from breakfast items and Mexican cuisine to deli sandwiches and baked goods. Each of the four individual serving stations, Break-An-Egg, Midwest-Mex, Stacks on Fire, and Cream and Crimson Creations have many options with healthier foods, two reasons most students interviewed favor El Bistro in comparison to McDonald’s.\n“I think it is a good move by the RPS because it deters students from fast food, which is the primary reason for obesity in schools,” sophomore Briana Bertram said.\nWhile the official figures of the restaurant’s total cost of construction were not available at press time, Fowler estimated the project’s price tag to be at least $100,000. RPS sponsored the facility, using money from a general fund. The fund is typically used for renovations, such as repairing roofs and replacing equipment, and is part of the RPS annual budget. However, RPS felt the benefits of El Bistro far outweigh the costs, Fowler said.\n“It was well spent, and I think the students will agree,” Fowler said. “I think it will be very popular.”\nStudents had a large hand in the project by deciding the name of the restaurant, voting on what food items it would serve and even taste-testing the menu before El Bistro opened. \n“It’s a different atmosphere as far as the other cafeterias go,” Bertram said. “It’s so much brighter.”\nBut not everyone prefers the change to El Bistro from McDonald’s, or even the healthier menu choices. Sophomore Len Newton said he would rather have McDonald’s any day.\n“I have nothing against El Bistro,” Newton said, “but I liked my high-fat and highly-enjoyed meals from \nMcDonald’s.”\nAnother complaint made by several diners was the lack of space and tables.\n“The area is small,” sophomore Patricia Walker said. “Other than that, it is really nice.”\nThe restaurant was originally set to open in August, but RPS found this goal to be too ambitious.\n“McDonald’s didn’t get out until the last part of May, so we didn’t get in there until later than anticipated,” Fowler said. “With the demolitions and other projects we did during the summer, four months is pretty quick.”\nFrom the constantly-filled tables and lines, along with the positive feedback, El Bistro is proving to be a very popular place to eat for students across campus.\n“I’ve only been here once,” Walker, a resident of Forest, said, “but I plan on coming back tonight.”
(10/11/07 10:09pm)
The sweet and spicy smell of burritos, waffles and deli sandwiches filled the place once occupied by the greasy and salty smell of hamburgers and French fries. \nEl Bistro, which replaced McDonald’s in Read Center, welcomed students to its grand opening Thursday, and many people are happy with the change from fast food to healthy options. \n“We have a lot of healthier options than McDonald’s had,” said Sandra Fowler, residential programs and services director of dining. “And there is more of a variety of foods.”\nThe menu includes an assortment of foods from breakfast items and Mexican cuisine to deli sandwiches and baked goods. Each of the four individual serving stations, Break-An-Egg, Midwest-Mex, Stacks on Fire, and Cream and Crimson Creations have many options with healthier foods, two reasons most students favor El Bistro compared to McDonald’s.\n“I think it is a good move by the RPS because it deters students from fast food, which is the primary reason for obesity in schools,” sophomore Briana Bertram said.\nWhile the official figures of the restaurant’s total cost of construction are not available at this time, Fowler estimated the project’s price tag to be at least $100,000. Residential Programs and Services sponsored the facility, using money from a general fund. The fund is typically used for renovations, such as repairing roofs and replacing equipment, and is part of the RPS annual budget. However, RPS feels the benefits of El Bistro far outweigh the costs.\n“It was well spent, and I think the students will agree,” Fowler said. “I think it will be very popular.”\n- For more coverage see Friday's Indiana Daily Student
(10/08/07 3:57am)
Nicoles Williams, grinning from ear to ear, tossed the heavy ball down the lane, knocking down six pins in its wake. \nNicoles, who was there with his “Big Sister,” sophomore Ansley Fous, through the Big Brothers Big Sisters program, was one of many bowlers celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Back Alley Friday in the Indiana Memorial Union. \n“I like it because it’s fun,” Nicoles said of the party before getting cake. “And it’s free!”\nThe celebration consisted of free bowling and billiards all day and a “birthday party” from 4 to 7 p.m. complete with lemonade, hot dogs and birthday cake. Members of the community and students both enjoyed free games throughout the day.\n“It’s free food and bowling – you can’t really beat that,” sophomore Shane Brazeal said. “I’m having a good time.”\nMany students and staff felt the Back Alley is relatively unknown, and the celebration helped to renew awareness.\n“There’s a lot of people who don’t know about the bowling alley,” sophomore Tara Thornburg said. “It’s a way to get people interested.”\nJohn Bower, the assistant coordinator of indoor recreation, said students sometimes graduate without ever knowing about the bowling alley until they attend an orientation with their own children.\n“I still get comments from parents like ‘you didn’t have that when I was here,’” Bower said. “Well, it was here.” \nCorbin Smyth, IMU assistant director of activities and events, agreed the celebration marked a long history of the IMU and IU as a whole.\n“The event was really to highlight how long the Back Alley has existed,” Smyth said. “We’re providing opportunities to remind students that the campus and the center have been here a long time.”\nThe celebration was a reminder of the Back Alley’s age and its increasing financial needs for renovation. Much of the original equipment, including the tables and lanes, is still being used today.\nDespite the financial need of the Back Alley, the University has always been supportive of the bowling alley.\n“Students sometimes feel that the University doesn’t care,” Bower said. “But it was a commitment on the University’s part to keep us open and that means a lot.”
(10/05/07 4:07am)
Since its opening day on Oct. 5, 1957, in the Indiana Memorial Union, the Back Alley has offered both students and the Bloomington community with billiards, bowling and birthday parties. But today, the Back Alley will be celebrating its own 50th birthday. \n“Literally we’re throwing a birthday party for the Back Alley,” said Corbin Smyth, IMU assistant director of activities and events. \nThe IMU will sponsor the event, which includes free bowling and billiards all day and a celebration from 4 to 7 p.m., complete with hot dogs, lemonade and, of course, birthday cake. There will also be prizes, including free one-year memberships, and cosmic bowling starting at 7 p.m.\nFrom the 1939 Billiard Room to the 1962 Union brochures advertising “fully automatic and air-conditioned bowling lanes” to today, the Back Alley has historically been a vital part of the IMU and IU, organizers said. \n“We certainly want to have a place on campus for students to relax during any given time, to learn recreational skills and bowling, which is a lifelong sport,” said Bruce Jacobs, IMU interim executive director. “The Back Alley contains a big aspect of the Union: to serve the needs of the students, faculty, staff and alumni.”\nThe Back Alley is usually a busy spot, with an estimated 350 to 400 students a day during the school week, and even more during its busiest hours between 7 p.m. and midnight Friday and Saturday evenings. The center has a usually constant flow of 3,000 students weekly. \n“We’re a pretty popular place,” said John Bower, assistant coordinator of indoor recreation. “It gets busier as the weather starts to get colder, but it’s fairly constant.” \nThe Union is expecting a large attendance at today’s birthday celebration. \n“I think a lot of folks are associated with it,” Jacobs said. “A lot of people bowl and take classes there. I think we’ll get a nice turn out.”
(09/17/07 1:53am)
A new crowd accompanied the freshman class around town and campus this past weekend. \nFreshman Family Weekend, a long-time tradition at IU, is hosted and organized by the IU-Bloomington Parents Association. The association also hosts parents weekend. \nThis year’s Freshman Family Weekend took place just in time for a few popular Hoosier-related activities.\n“It was nice that there was a home football game,” said Tina Stevens, who spent the weekend with her daughter Brandi. \nBesides tailgating and football, families attended activities and tours hosted by several organizations on campus like the Helene G. Simon Hillel Center, Kinsey Institute, Lilly Library, Herman B Wells Library, Wylie House Museum and the IU Art Museum. \nThere were several other sporting events, including volleyball, women’s soccer and women’s field hockey.\nThe City of Bloomington also provided entertainment for visiting families with the Farmer’s Market and tours of downtown through the Monroe County Convention and Visitors Bureau.\nBoth freshmen and family members think IU should keep the tradition alive.\n“Freshmen need to touch base with home,” Tina Stevens said.\nIf having the family come to college on Friday and Saturday does not sound too appealing to students, there is a plus side.\n“It’s only a weekend,” Brandi Stevens said.
(09/13/07 2:44am)
Students in Foster Quad’s Gresham Dining Hall may hear howling tonight from the Hoosier Den. \nThe Den, which is the new late night social scene on-campus in the residence halls, is located next to the Gresham Dining Hall, and will be hosting the Comedy Caravan at 9:30 p.m. tonight.\nThe show will headline with Rob Busboom instead of Danny Browning, and feature Phil Kijak, an IU alumnus. \nThe Hoosier Den wanted to pick professional comedians who live in the area and know the in’s and out’s, such as Kijak. \nThe Comedy Caravan is a comedic talent company and includes professional and local performers. The group has been sponsored by the Union Board and is a frequent at Bear’s on Third Street. Students interested in the Comedy Caravan as fans or stand-up comedians are encouraged to stay after the show or join the Facebook group “IU Stand-Up Comedy”. \nSenior Meg Palm, representing the Hoosier Den, said they chose the Comedy Caravan because of the numerous amount of artists to chose from, along with the quality of service and performance from these artists. \nThe show is free for students. the Hoosier Den hosts various types of shows and events at no charge, including Coach Sampson’s Radio Show every Monday night during the basketball season. \nSome students enjoy the Comedy Caravan and plan to see the show. \n“I just opened my mailbox and there was a flyer,” said freshman Nick Tolson, who plans to attend the show. “I’ll go if it’s funny.”
(08/31/07 4:00am)
Of the 7,000 freshmen who moved into the dorms last week, few know that they have input into decisions about dorm and dining hall policies. The Residence Halls Association, run by students, is intended to give students a voice in important Residential Programs and Services decisions.\n“We exclusively represent all of the freshmen, which is usually a group that doesn’t know who represents them,” said Luke Fields, RHA vice president of internal affairs. “We want to let freshmen know they have a voice through us.”\nFor years, RHA has been committed to helping students living in the residence halls, feel at home.\nIn fact, several members said that making the freshman voice heard was a top priority in RHA’s agenda for this year.\nRHA is also looking to grow while still remaining a close group after a recent change in constitutional structure. They plan to get people involved and keep them involved through volunteering.\n“We’re going to try and expand RHA,” President Adam Pozza said. “Despite whether or not they live in the hall, we’re reaching out to students and contacting numerous groups and other governing bodies in an effort to be more noticeable.”\nEach member interviewed felt that being involved in residence hall governments is a great experience.\n“I feel the best thing (about being involved) is to develop networking skills,” Dan Sloat, vice president of programming, said. “It also helps facilitate training experience. For instance, if you’re a social work major helping in philanthropy you can use what you learn in the classroom and apply it.”\nRHA involvement has helped other members grow in different areas.\n“Everyone around me is actually making an impact,” Sarah Colan, vice president of student affairs, said. “I wanted to be in with other motivated people; to have that experience changes you and your confidence level.”\nFor more information about or to join RHA, go to http://www.indiana.edu/~rha/.
(08/22/07 4:32am)
Freshmen will be able to sleep soundly this year, in their own rooms. \nDespite past problems of overcrowding, like last year when more than 60 students temporarily lived in lounges, Residential Programs and Services is optimistic for the incoming class.\n“The worst case scenario: if we can’t find a regular room, we can put them in temporary housing in Eigenmann Hall until we can sort out available rooms from people who can’t stay at IU,” said RPS Assistant Director for Housing Assignments Sara Ivey-Lucas.\nIU is expecting roughly 7,950 new students in the residence halls this year, with 7,000 freshmen and 950 transfer and graduate students. Even with such a high number, RPS is not expecting any more problems than normal.\nThe usual problems are common on many big campuses: not enough carts and a shortage of parking and traffic, Ivey-Lucas said.\n“We’ve been preparing all summer,” Ivey-Lucas said. “(We’ve had) lots of conversations with IUPD for traffic flow, no marking zones, making 30-minute unloading zones, working hard to recruit Orientation staff.”\nAnd after all that work, its finally time for a new class of freshmen to start their college careers.\n“There will be more than 7,000 students moving into the residence halls,” Ivey-Lucas said. “It’s going to be crowded and hard to get into Target and Wal-Mart, but everything should move pretty smooth.”\nRPS is working hard to make the residence halls a home away from home for most new students. It has worked with the Orientation staff to schedule events that complement each other, including a residence hall pep rally before Friday’s Traditions and Spirit of IU program.\nRPS has also designed a new online system for emergency contact information. But about 2,000 students who applied late for housing or did not complete the information online will have to fill out paperwork, Ivey-Lucas said.\nRenovations have also recently been made for the comfort and entertainment of the students. The biggest were in Teter, McNutt, Foster and Forest quads. Certain floors of Teter and McNutt now have individual bathrooms for residents. The relatively new Hoosier Den, a large gaming and entertainment center beside Gresham Dining Hall, was completed last semester in Foster. Forest has a new air-conditioning unit in one tower, and work will be finished on the other tower sometime this school year.\nThese renovations have not \ngone unnoticed.\n“A lot of people have done a lot of work to get this ready for everyone,” said RA Len Newton of Forest Quad.\nRAs like Newton have been preparing their floors all week for move-in day by checking rooms and putting up name tags on doors.\nBoth Newton and Ivey-Lucas had advice for incoming freshmen.\n“Don’t be stupid,” Newton said. “That’s the rule of college: don’t be excessively stupid all the time.”\nIvey-Lucas’ advice included making friends so the campus would be smaller and more inviting.\n“Keep your door open, meet as many people as you can (and) don’t be afraid to ask people to repeat their names or appear foolish because that in some way is how you make friends,” she said. “You can’t hide in a corner and expect to meet other people. Take advantage of orientation events.”
(04/12/07 4:00am)
In June, the soulful chamber pop group Antony and the Johnsons, winners of the 2005 U.K. Mercury Music Prize for best album of the year by a British or Irish act, will launch their summer tour across Europe. Meanwhile, Austin, Texas, folk-rock band Okkervil River is working on the follow-up to their critically lauded 2005 album, Black Sheep Boy, and preparing to play the May All Tomorrow's Parties festival in Somerset, England, alongside a host of indie rock heavyweights. And Saturday, WIUX's Culture Shock festival will feature, among its roster, Catfish Haven, Richard Swift and David Vandervelde.\nAll of these acts have something in common: They're signed with either Secretly Canadian or Jagjaguwar, two successful indie record labels that happen to share a staff and headquarters on Bloomington's West Second Street. The labels have a collective roster of 52 acts and have released more than 200 albums, singles and EPs since the late 1990s.\nFounded in 1996, Secretly Canadian was the product of discussions between IU students Chris Swanson, Jonathan Cargill and Eric Weddle. \n"We were young and no one showed us how to do it; we used our gut," Chris Swanson said. "We definitely hoped to be doing it in 11 years, but we weren't thinking so long-term. (It was) one record at a time, one band at a time."\nChris Swanson, inspired by his work at WIUS (the pre-FM WIUX) and his love for live shows, hatched the idea with Cargill as they washed dishes in the Collins Living-Learning Center cafeteria. Later, they brought in Weddle, a fellow WIUS employee, and Chris Swanson's brother, Ben. The label's name came from an inside joke between the two brothers. Growing up in North Dakota, Chris Swanson said they held a "strange fascination" with their northern neighbors and would speculate about whether media figures' qualities revealed that they were "secretly Canadian." \nWeddle soon left to form his own label, Family Vineyard, while, at the same time, Secretly Canadian forged a close relationship to Jagjaguwar -- a Charlottesville, Va., label founded by Darius Van Arman, who came up with "Jagjaguwar" using a Dungeons and Dragons name generator. After a couple of Jagjaguwar bands played Bloomington, Chris Swanson hit it off with Van Arman and became the label's co-owner in 1999. As a result, Jagjaguwar moved into Secretly Canadian's headquarters. Frustration with the challenge of getting the labels' records into stores led them to create their own distribution company, the SC Distribution Group, which now supports 15 other labels as well. And in February, a third "sister label," Dead Oceans, joined Secretly Canadian and Jagjaguwar. Founded by the Secretly Canadian and Jagjaguwar owners, along with former Misra Records label manager Phil Waldorf, Dead Oceans has already recruited four bands.\nDespite their overlapping staff, Chris Swanson said the labels recruit different sorts of bands because of the distinct tastes of their respective artist and repertoire -- called "A&R" -- teams; or more simply put, their talent scouts. For Secretly Canadian, Chris and Ben Swanson and Cargill handle A&R; for Jagjaguwar, it's Chris Swanson and Van Arman; while for Dead Oceans, Waldorf does the A&R. \n"We're looking for bands that are inspiring, who will work hard, who will endure," Chris Swanson said. "... There are certain bands on each (label) that wouldn't work on the other."\nSwanson said bands sign with the labels because of their reputation for trustworthiness, their desire to work with bands on a long-term basis and their efforts to be "artist-friendly" and "work harder than the average label." Indeed, acts that are either currently working or once worked with the labels have given them high praise. Jefferson Macklin, manager for David Vandervelde, called Secretly Canadian "the most nailed down and put-together company I've come across in my time in the music business." Nick Christus of the band Minus Story said he has also appreciated Jagjaguwar's support. \n"I always feel that they have the best interest of the success of the band in mind," he said. \nSwanson's philosophy seems to fit with his views about the future of the music industry. As bands can now distribute their albums digitally, he said that "record labels need to figure out how to think outside the box more in meeting bands' needs" and "provide more services to the artists they work with." Nevertheless, while he said he was "loathe to get too comfortable," indie music's success has made it an exciting time to be in the industry.\nBut, why run a label out of Bloomington of all places? Swanson said that by the time they were established, they realized that they could conduct business from anywhere. And they didn't have to contend with a bunch of other local labels. \n"We could create our own reality here in Bloomington," he said.
(04/05/07 4:00am)
If Justin Timberlake had a 1920s counterpart at IU, Hoagy Carmichael would be it. \n“It’s like if Justin Timberlake was among you and he was one of the students and was going to your classes and eating in the cafeteria,” said Daniel Reed, director of the The IU Archives of Traditional Music and an assistant professor of ethnomusicology.\nThe Archives of Traditional Music, as part of a monthly lecture series, is holding a rock ‘n’ roll storytelling of Hoagy Carmichael’s life this Friday. It will take place from noon to 1 p.m. in the Hoagy Carmichael Room, Morrison Hall 006, which holds memorabilia from his life and career. \nThe event is open to the public free of charge. It’s a “brown bag” series, so people are encouraged to bring their own lunches. \n“It’s going to be a combination of storytelling and music, more music than storytelling,” Reed said. \nKid Kazooey, a local musician, will be playing the Oscar- and Grammy-winning Carmichael’s old pop songs in rock format. Between each piece, he’ll tell stories about Carmichael’s life.\n“People can expect to hear familiar and obscure tunes played in a more contemporary rock trio setting, meaning guitar, bass and drums,” said Kazooey, whose real name is Kevin MacDowell. “It’s like Eric Clapton and Cream, the prototypical rock band, if they were to play Frank Sinatra songs.”\nWhile MacDowell was wary of giving too much away, he did give a few hints at the types of stories he’ll tell during the session.\n“There is a story behind Hoagy’s classic song “Rockin’ Chair,” how he wrote it one night in a Bloomington jail,” MacDowell said. “I’m also going to be relaying in general some stories about his crazy college days at IU. Another is a story about how he tried to purchase a Hawaiian island.”\nMost of Hoagy Carmichael’s songs are already stories, he said, like his favorite, “The Monkey Song,” about a witch doctor’s moneymaking scheme from a monkey who plays drums.\nThe event was planned through an effort between Hoagy Carmichael’s son, Hoagy B. Carmichael, and the Archives of Traditional Music, located in Morrison Hall. Both parties had one goal in mind: to reach and educate undergraduate students about Carmichael’s legacy. \n“People 50 years and older seem to know all about him, but undergraduates do not,” Reed said. “We were thinking, what kind of programming can we do that will appeal to undergraduates?” \nThe answer was a rock ‘n’ roll storytelling of the famous musician and renditions of his work.\nReed and MacDowell believe Carmichael is an important part of Bloomington and IU history, an icon who undergraduates should know.\n“I live in Bloomington, Indiana, and not only do I love Bloomington, but this world-famous songwriter loved his hometown,” MacDowell said. “Even after he became rich and famous, he never stayed away. He made many contributions to the town and IU and visited often.\n“He was very passionate about Bloomington, and much of his music reflects our sort of idyllic, small-town charm,” he said. “I’m attracted to anyone who loves his hometown that much, especially when I make it my home. ... Because Hoagy Carmichael is from Bloomington and an IU student it makes it all the more personal for students today to know about his history.”
(03/28/07 4:00am)
Spring is here and the IU golf club has come with it. \nThe IU golf club is holding an informational meeting today at 7 p.m. today at the Student Recreational Sports Center auditorium. The co-presidents, junior Brenton Ling and freshman Preston Linville, will discuss what the participants want from the program.\n“We want to ask everyone who comes what they want out of our club starting with the ball,” Ling said. “We don’t want them to be in a club they don’t want to be in. That will determine whether it will be more competitive or fun and social.”\nLing and Linville are the creators of the IU golf club, and this year is the group’s debut. There were varying reasons behind the creation of the club. \n“It’d just be fun for people who can’t compete in any other way or be on the varsity team,” Linville said.\nThe club welcomes people of all skill levels and titles. \n“Everyone is welcome: Guys and girls and faculty and grad students are allowed to participate,” Ling said. \nHe also encourages beginners to come, especially to instructional days they are planning. People are encouraged to have their own equipment, however. \nBoth Ling and Linville are experienced golfers and thoroughly enjoy the sport, but for different reasons.
(03/26/07 4:00am)
Carrying a big bag is a pain in the neck. Literally.\nChiropractors and other health professionals are finding an increasing number of women have back and neck problems because they carry huge and often heavy bags.\nBut it could go beyond minor pains and headaches. \nDr. Karin Drummond of Drummond Chiropractic in Bloomington warns students about functional scoliosis, which develops when the spine is twisted because the shoulder muscle on one side is stronger than the other.\nShe’s seeing more IU students come to her with functional scoliosis.\n“Problems are age-dependent,” Drummond said. “The younger you are, the more prone you are to develop functional scoliosis. ... I’ve been here for six years and there has always been a problem. Lately there has been an increase in students. Many are required to carry bags between classes because they can’t keep things in lockers.”\nAdjusting how you carry your bag – such as on the arm or off one shoulder – can be a better solution than purchasing a new one, Drummond said. She suggests wearing hip straps or fanny packs if possible, because “hips are designed to carry more weight than shoulders.”\nOf course, many bags do not come with hip straps. Another suggestion is to move the bag from shoulder to shoulder to provide better weight distribution. If pain is already present, there are ways to help, Drummond said.\n“Chiropractic (care) is great for that realignment.” she said. \nAbove all else, Drummond stressed the importance of exercise, such as yoga.\n“Sitting at a computer all day is horrible for your spine,” she said. “You need to move to be healthy.”\nSome IU students are aware of the risk, but they say big bags are necessary – not just for fashion but for practical purposes. \n“You don’t have to make a bunch of trips to your apartment or wherever you live,” sophomore Katie Kelley said about her MXX bag. “I just use it solely for carrying capacity.” \nSophomore Namrata Hingorani agrees her US Luggage New York bag is more convenient. “\nYou just fit everything in there,” she said.\nSophomore Jessica Brown uses her Victoria’s Secret bag in the same way. \n“I’m able to fit everything I need for class in it,” she said.\nDespite the usefulness and the aesthetics of big bags, all three women agreed they would stop using their big bags if a doctor advised them against it. \n“I want good health,” Kelley said, “and a doctor is a good person to trust.”