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(02/08/07 6:33pm)
As a tour guide, the most frequently asked questions sophomore Shannon Eckerle receives are, "What is there to do on campus? What are the social activities?"\n"I never know what to say," Eckerle said. But now, she said she can respond that Foster Quad is opening a new place at 8:30 p.m., Friday near the Gresham Food Court.\nWhat was once an empty space opposite the food court has been transformed into a "social space" -- a place where any student on campus, no matter the residence hall, can go to meet new people, hang out, play pool and dine.\n"It's not just a 'Foster' space, it's for all residence halls," said junior Meg Palm, Residence Halls Association vice president of programming. "It just happens to be in Foster because the space wasn't being used," said Palm, who is also the facility director of the new social space. \nAfter gutting the vacant room, new furniture, a stage, all new sound equipment, three big screen TVs, and nine arcade games were installed. In addition, pingpong, foosball and dining tables were put in the space.\nEckerle said that she doesn't know how popular the space will be, but she thinks it is interesting and is another option for socializing.\n"I wouldn't use it frequently," she said. "I would go down with people I knew and use it as another lounge."\nSome students are not sure if they'll use the space because of the location in the Northwest neighborhood.\n"I would maybe go, but it is so far across campus, I would be more likely to go if it was around here," said freshman Kelsey Blotzer, who lives in Forest in the Southeast neighborhood. "It's a really good idea, it is better than nothing, I couldn't think of something better to put there."\nBlotzer said she would like it if the empty spaces in Forest were rennovated, but said she likes the idea of the space to keep people away from bars, since it is open late at night.\n"Not a lot of places are open late on campus," she said. "It's good because I get bored over here."\nFreshman Ernesto Aranda, who also lives in Forest, said he probably wouldn't go to the social space in the winter, but said when the weather is warmer, he would consider going there. \n"It's nice to take a break from homework, go and meet new people and have a good time," he said. "I don't see any downsides to the social space."\nSuper Bowl Sunday marked the first time the space opened to students, who were invited to watch the game on a big screen projector that was installed.\nCurrently, the space is called "Foster Gresham Social Space," but Palm said Friday night there will be a vote to name that space, with "Hoosier Den" being among the contending names.\nOn Friday, IU alumnus Kevin Burke will perform with Comedy Caravan. From 10:30 p.m. onward, dancing and karaoke will take place. On Saturday, a post-Pro Bowl Luau will be the event of the evening, with a summery theme and kiddie cocktails.\nAfter the grand opening, the space will be available to all students to use during the weekdays from 9 or 10 p.m. until 2 a.m. and on weekends until 3 a.m.\n"For regular use, students are always welcome to come in," Palm said. "Students can come in, hang out, watch TV and make suggestions for the future of the space."\nStudents who are interested in being employed at Foster Gresham Social Space can contact Palm at mgpalm@indiana.edu. \nExecutive Director of Residential Programs and Services Pat Connor said the discussion for the use of this space has been in the works for around two years.\nConnor said he feels it is important to create a space in the residence hall system where students can come and hang out to meet other people, to go and have entertainment, comedy and local bands.\n"Four years ago, we were involved in working with one of the business case studies classes, and some of the cases said to keep more students on campus, there needs to be better social outlets within the residence halls," Connor said. \nOpening the social space now will allow RPS to work out the "kinks" and get experience with operating the space, Connor said. \n"Already now, students are in their routine, so our goal this year is to start this and create interest and gain experience operating so if we've got problems we have them all ironed out by next fall," he said. "That way, we can promote it and have the facility really be one of the big things students can get involved with, as it is really open to all students on campus"
(02/06/07 8:58pm)
Every year the Art History Association hosts a bake sale in the Fine Arts Building in order to raise money. But this year, the association will not have the opportunity to sell baked goods. \nDue to University health regulations, the group is prohibited from selling home-baked goods as part of a Valentine's Day fundraiser. \n"Bake sales have always been AHA's most successful fundraiser," said Lauren Cordes Tate, chair of the fundraising committee. "And it is a great opportunity to do something fun for Valentine's Day with our colleagues in the Fine Arts Building."\nCordes Tate said she discovered that there would be no bake sale from "higher ups" in the University.\n"According to the University lawyers, we cannot sell food on campus that is not catered by a place with a certified health certificate," Cordes Tate said.\nIU Director of Media Relations Larry MacIntyre said IU does not necessarily prohibit bake sales, but it does prohibit the sale of foods that were prepared at home. \nMacIntyre said the Indiana State Department of Health mandates that "food prepared in a private home may not be used or offered for human consumption in a food establishment," a standard that also applies to items sold at bake sales.\n"The AHA could have a bake sale with prepackaged items that are commercially processed, or they could sell bake goods prepared in a commercial and licensed kitchen," MacIntyre said.\nFor example, MacIntyre said Sugar and Spice, in the Indiana Memorial Union, provides the goods to sell because they are licensed and the kitchen is a commercial kitchen.\n"There have been some recent changes on the state level when it comes to nonprofits," MacIntyre said. "If they wanted to sell goods off campus and they are truly a nonprofit organization, then they could sell products from home, but they would have to include a full ingredient statement and the name of the preparer with contact information."\nIn addition, the Monroe County Health Department would need to be contacted, and IU's policy is stricter because of the increased liability in the university setting, MacIntyre said. \nIt is possible to get a temporary permit for special events, Cordes Tate said, but due to time restrictions, it would not be possible for the group to get the permit before Valentine's Day. \nCurrently, Cordes Tate said, the Art History Association is brainstorming new fundraising ideas such as having a car wash in the spring.\n"We try to have at least one fundraiser per semester to raise money for AHA," Cordes Tate said. "The money helps to pay for a number of things, but perhaps most importantly, it contributes to the funds needed for the yearly art history graduate student symposium."\nFor this event, Cordes Tate said the graduate students are responsible for obtaining all necessary funds, and the money the Art History Association raises also helps fund the welcoming party for the incoming graduate students.
(02/05/07 5:21am)
When freshmen J. Chang and Jin Kim learned IU President Adam Herbert will tell the leaders of IU to ban smoking across campus, they responded with a string of profanities and a promise of defiance.\n"I would still smoke," Kim said.\n"How would they enforce it?" Chang said.\nThese views represent part of the challenge in Herbert's order, which he announced Friday at the board of trustees' meeting. Herbert said he will give the chancellors of each IU campus until Oct. 1 to submit a plan to eliminate smoking across the IU system.\n"This is about the health and well-being of students, faculty and staff at Indiana University," he said.\nThe president will also direct the chancellors to adopt programs to help smokers at IU kick the habit, he said.\nTrustees Sue Talbot and Phil Eskew applauded Herbert's announcement, saying that smoking is one of the biggest health problems facing Indiana.\n"It's the right thing to do," said Eskew, a Carmel, Ind.-based doctor.\nAt a trustees meeting Thursday, Eskew said he wanted to see smoking banned, though Herbert said the regulation has been in the works for several months.\nDean of Students Dick McKaig and Associate Vice President Daniel Rives be co-chairs of a committee assigned to propose ways to enforce a smoking ban on campus. \nThe committee is comprised of 11 students, faculty and staff members. One of the students, sophomore Donnie Morgan, sent a letter in November to Herbert asking for him to create a task force to potentially ban smoking on campus. \nMorgan is also the creator of the Facebook group "PLEASE ban smoking on IU's campus," which has 1,125 members and has garnered a lot of support from students.\nTrustee Vice President Patrick Shoulders expressed concern Friday that prohibiting smoking, particularly on a residential campus such as IU Bloomington, could be complex. He urged Herbert to consider the potential ramifications of a smoking ban before enacting one.\nIU-Purdue University Indianapolis and IU-East Richmond have both already banned smoking on their campuses.\nBut because Bloomington is a residential campus, the issue is more complicated.\nMcKaig said he is unsure whether a smoke-free campus would mean having smokers walk to the edge of the campus to smoke, or whether the ban would also apply to places such as the football tailgating fields.\nIn her report to the trustees, IU Student Association President Betsey Henke questioned the feasibility of such a ban. A 2003 rule prohibiting smoking within 30 feet of all buildings on campus is not enforced and is ignored by smokers, said Henke, an IU senior.\nMcKaig said he believed the smoking ban was feasible, though it is too early to tell whether IU will be able to enforce it.\n"The goal is to be smoke-free," he said. "These kinds of policies change over time."\nMcKaig said the committee will begin to work on the particulars of a ban at its first meeting Feb. 14.\nIU Police Department Capt. Jerry Minger said police do not enforce current smoking rules. He said violations are dealt with by the campus judicial system.\nHenke, who said she has never smoked a cigarette, also expressed concern about whether an outright ban on smoking infringes on the rights of smokers.\n"Beyond the feasibility and lack of resources, it's a question of how much governance the University should have on a student, a staff member and a faculty member," she said.\nHerbert said he was firm in his decision and intense opposition would not dissuade him from pushing to ban smoking.\nDespite some opposition from smokers, some students feel the smoking ban would be helpful.\nSophomore Elise Bonhivert said smoking is a problem in some areas on campus and is not a problem in others. For instance, she said, she encounters a lot of smokers when walking to class at Ballantine Hall.\nFreshman Krista Bergman said a smoking ban would be nice, but she questions \nthe feasibility. \n"It does bother me to walk behind smokers, but it is important to keep in mind that people do smoke and people sit outside and smoke all the time," she said. "Many students don't have the guts to tell other students they are disobeying the 30-feet rule, but if they could find a way to enforce anything, that would be great"
(02/02/07 5:26am)
Graduate supervisor Vamsi Manne said he hopes about 500 people crowd into Teter Quad's game room this weekend.\nWith this year's Super Bowl competition between local teams, Manne said he expects more people than the 200 to 300 who attended last year's showing. \nOn Sunday, Teter Quad, along with several other dorms on campus, will host Super Bowl parties.\nRead Center, McNutt Quad, Forest Quad and a few individual floors at Foster are also having parties to watch the NFL's championship game.\nWhile students can watch the Super Bowl game with friends or in the privacy of their own home, giving an option to students who have no plans for the Super Bowl is what the residence halls are striving to do with their community parties.\n"It's a good idea if people don't know anyone not off-campus," freshman Tyler Deaton said. "It's something to do, and you don't have to like football to go, because there are other events going on."\nRead residents will kick off their Super Bowl events at 6 p.m. in the center lounge and will have table tennis, a spirit contest, trivia and a big-screen TV to showcase the game.\nManne said Teter will host games of "pop pong," a hot-dog-eating contest, a "Madden NFL" video-game tournament and the ESPN-brand DVD trivia game "Scene It?"\nTeter's pre-game festivities will begin at 4 p.m. with "Pie your RA." A resident assistant will represent each floor, ready to be hit with pies, Manne said.\nIt will cost $1 or two canned goods to throw a pie.\nHoosier Hills Food Bank, 615 N. Fairview St., will receive the canned goods, and the money will be donated to Cody Lehe, a senior at Frontier High School in Chalmers, Ind., who fell into a coma after collapsing while playing in a football game. The money will go toward his hospital costs.\nWhen the Super Bowl finally begins, a projector will be used in the Teter game room to display the game.\n"We know a lot of residents that are from Indiana and the Chicago area," Manne said. "We have a good, safe, fun alternative instead of going out of the residence halls"
(02/02/07 2:34am)
Freshman Alex Schultze walks around the School of Fine Arts Gallery with a watchful eye and curiosity as he looks at the metals, ceramics and graphic pieces displayed.\nToday is the last day for the MFA show, with a reception from 7 to 9 p.m. in the SoFA Gallery to close the MFA Metals/Ceramics/Graphics Design Area Show.\nSchultze said since he has been at IU, he has visited all the shows on display in the gallery.\nThe show features different metal pieces -- ranging from necklaces and sterling silver oxidized to silver pieces. In addition, ceramic pieces are on display and among the graphic work there are numerous pieces in letterpress.\nOne of Schultze's favorites is Matt Griffin's "Meet the Bushes" three letter-press pieces that have "Why fix it when you are bushed," and has profiles of George Sr., George Jr., and Jeb Bush.\nSome letter-press pieces highlight different inventions, like a hot air balloon piece by Bryeanne Summers or the pendulum clock piece by Jeff Hanson.\nSchultze said he thought the untitled landscape ceramic piece by Dave Rowe was "neat" saying he thought the "black city thing" was cool, as it appears to be an intricate design of a cityscape.\n"The metal pieces are really intricate and amazing," he said. "I like it all, it's neat and as far as I can remember I've been to all the shows in the past"
(02/01/07 5:42am)
Providing students with a place to live? Check.\nMaking the place secure with minimal arrests? Maybe.\nWith 11 residence halls on campus, Residential Programs and Services works to ensure that the place students live are safe and comfortable, Bill Shipton, director for student programs and services, said. Despite these efforts, however, RPS can't control all the arrests and situations that occur within the halls.\nMcNutt Quad, followed by the rest of the residence halls in the northwest neighborhood -- Briscoe and Foster Quads -- garners more arrests than the other halls on campus, said IUPD Capt. Jerry Minger. He added that he believed that the main reason for this trend is because McNutt has such high occupancy. \n"McNutt has a larger capacity … relatively speaking we have more incidents that occur because of more residents," Minger said. "If we have a group of 200 people and we have a group of five, we are going to have more incidents in the group of 200 people."\nSmaller residence halls like Read Center or Willkie Quad have fewer people, resulting in fewer complaints, Minger said.\n"I think it's safe to say that the residence halls in the northwest neighborhood tend to have slightly higher numbers than other residence centers," Shipton said. "For one, they are the three largest residence halls, so more arrests … there are more students and a very high percent of freshman -- as we know freshman sometimes have more difficulty making good decision as upperclassmen."\nGenerally speaking, Bloomington ranks in the upper 80 to 90 percent of safest campuses across the state, Minger said. \n"I think all of our halls are generally safe," Shipton said. "But it only takes one person or a handful of people to create unsafe conditions -- that's when issues of safety can occur." \nBetween September 2005 and June 2006, Read Center had 43 incidents that occurred in the dorm, while McNutt Quad had 137 incidents that occurred. In the Central neighborhood, 80 incidents occurred at Teter Quad, according to police reports. \nMinger said the IUPD database codes the arrests, but doesn't specify where the arrest occurred. This is because people arrested may not live where the crime occurred. \n"The location of the arrest many times doesn't have anything to do with when the crime occurred," Minger said. "What you can infer is that this is the location of the crime."\nThe age levels of students in the residence halls -- freshman being the majority -- are sometimes an area of concern.\nMinger said it seemed to him that upperclassmen living in on-campus apartments experience fewer incidents than students in dorms.\nShipton added that some freshmen come with maturity issues since most of them are experiencing independence for the first time.\n"I don't think any of (the residence halls) are any less safe," Minger said. "The safe conditions or unsafe conditions are created by residents that live in the facility, and by that, I mean the overwhelming majority."\nFor example, Minger said a resident once stole laptops, books and money. However, the robber did not forcefully enter the room, instead targeting those that were left unlocked.\nAlso, Minger said the overwhelming majority of intoxicated individuals that walk into other people's rooms thinking they are somewhere else are going into rooms that were left unlocked and not entering forcibly.\n"Does this mean unsafe?" Minger said. "It was a condition caused by the residents themselves. It wasn't because the location was unsafe"
(02/01/07 3:10am)
City and campus police are not making special preparations for their enforcement on Super Bowl Sunday, despite the large Colts and Bears fan base in Bloomington. \n"We are treating it as a regular patrol day," said Detective Sgt. Jeff Canada of the Bloomington Police Department.\nCapt. Jerry Minger of the IU Police Department said campus police probably won't devote more resources than usual on Super Bowl Sunday.\n"If IU were directly involved, then that would be the highest indication to have some sort of action," Minger said. "We look at the weather, too. If the weather were warm, the students would probably go outside to celebrate, but the probability of that happening in this weather is low." \nMinger doesn't even suspect that students will jump in Showalter Fountain. After all, he said, there is no water in the fountain, so if students do consider jumping in, "they better be prepared for some pretty hard stuff."\nNo matter who wins the Super Bowl, IUPD does not anticipate the general population of the University doing anything except having group activity localized in rooms, Minger said.\nAt Nick's English Hut, Sunday Manager Peter Curran said Super Bowl Sunday is its slowest day of the year.\nAnother Nick's manager, Kevin Burkett, said it is probably because people like to entertain with friends and lounge around the house because of all-day events. \n "It is cheaper and more relaxing. That would be my guess," Burkett said. \nCurran said more staff will be working Sunday in case the city's Colts and Bears fans fill the bar. \nBen Kelner, manager at Kilroy's Sports Bar, said the business does expect more people this year.\n"We're doing the same thing -- nothing much to change except to accept more people," he said.\nAlmost two weeks ago, when the Bears and Colts won their respective conference championships to become this year's Super Bowl teams, Kelner said there was so much going on at Sports, he didn't know where to begin.\n"We put all the tables and chairs out, and we ran down to the other Kilroy's and grabbed tables and chairs from there," Kelner said. "It's going to be huge. It's going to be something you never forget if you come here."\nThe bar has never used security for a Super Bowl, but it will have some security this year, Kelner said.\n"All the college students, most are from the Chicago area," he said. "Oh wow, my neighbors are Bears fans, so it will be crazy. Bears and Colts fans, oh man"
(01/31/07 5:30am)
The IU Women's Student Association sponsored a discussion on HPV and the new vaccine Tuesday night, as part of the ongoing V-Day Campaign.\nCervical cancer, which can be caused by the HPV virus, now can be prevented -- but at a cost, as the vaccine, Gardasil, costs $120 for each of the required three shots and is only available for women.\nOne of the most commonly sexually transmitted diseases, HPV is caused by a virus and is transmitted through skin-to-skin contact, not necessarily by sexual intercourse or penetration, said Kathryn Brown, an educator from Health and Wellness Education at the IU Health Center.\nStudents and women interested in receiving the vaccine can call the IU Health Center to make an appointment. \n"I don't think a lot of people know about this," sophomore Cori Lemmon said. "The discussion was helpful because it will save a couple of lives -- lives that wouldn't have been saved before."\nHPV can be treated with medication or it can go away on its own.\n"The good news is that the body clears the virus on its own," Brown said, "and the other good news it that there is a vaccine to prevent."\nBoth men and women can contract HPV, but the only known method of detecting it is through a pap smear, which women should receive once a year, Brown said.\nThere are 100 strains of HPV, but only 30 are STDs; the rest appear on other parts of the body, such as the arms and legs, Brown said. Only about 1 percent to 2 percent of people actually contract the warts associated with HPV.\nThe vaccine can prevent four strains of HPV, but despite the vaccine, women still need to receive pap smears because there are other strands of HPV that cause cervical cancer, Brown said.\nStill, Brown said, it is up to each individual to receive the vaccine, because HPV is slow-acting and easily treated when discovered through a pap smear.\nWhile men can contract HPV, there is no test available to them to detect whether they have HPV, and the vaccine has only been tested on women. The only way men can know is if they have genital warts. Brown also said that if men's sexual partners have the virus, it is likely that they have it, too.\nLemmon said it is helpful for men to know about HPV because it can affect female relatives as well as sexual partners.\nWomen ages 9 to 26 are eligible to receive the vaccine. After 26, however, the vaccine is not as effective, Brown said. But doctors are now recommending that girls receive the vaccine before they enter the sixth grade because they will be getting standard immunizations at the same time.\nGirls ages 11 to 12 are less often sexually active, and the vaccine is most efficient when someone is not sexually active, Brown said.\nDr. Drew Pinsky, a board certified physician and Addiction Medicine specialist, teaches at the Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California. Pinsky hosts the radio talk show "Loveline" and offers advice on a wide array of lifestyle issues affecting teenagers and young adults.\nHe recommends that young men should get the HPV vaccines as well, even though it is not been approved for them yet. He also recommends girls receive the vaccine around age 11 or 12, as his children have already received it.\n"If I were a college-aged male, there would be no reason not to. It's a leading cause of death in women," he said in an October interview. "I am confident it will soon receive proper approval."\nWhen asked what else can be done to prevent the spread of HPV, Pinsky said: "Condoms, condoms, condoms."\nThe issue becomes a moral issue because mothers don't want their daughters to receive a vaccine so young for fear their daughters will become promiscuous. But anything to prevent a child from contracting a disease in the future can be a good thing, Brown said. \nWithout the vaccine, HPV is detectable with the yearly pap smear, Brown said.\n"(Cervical cancer) is very preventable without the vaccine as along as pap smears are taken, because once cervical cancer is in the late stages it is not good to have," said Erin Wyatt from the Olcott Center for Cancer Education at Bloomington Hospital.\nA new bill proposed by the Indiana Senate would require all women between the ages of 9 and 26 to have the vaccine, Brown said.\n"I will be amazed if this bill is passed and funded -- I don't think it will be funded," Brown said.\nA similar bill in Michigan did not pass recently, and Wyatt said she feels if it wasn't passed there, it won't pass in Indiana.\n-- Managing Editor Chris Freiberg contributed to this report.
(01/31/07 3:43am)
IUPUI has a mascot -- it is the home of the Jaguars. The Pioneers represent the IU East campus.\nAlong with those schools, IU Kokomo, IU South Bend, IU Southeast and IU Northwest all have mascots. \nRecently, through IU's Integrated Image Program, these mascots were "cleaned up" a little, said Lisa Townsend, director of University marketing and chair of the Integrated Image Policy Committee. \nThe Integrated Image Program allows all the IU campuses a chance to be cohesive and have a uniform visual identity, according to the Web site www.visualidentity.iu.edu.\nIU Bloomington did not receive a mascot, but Townsend said that is because no mascots were created, and all the upgraded mascots were pre-existing. Through the program, guidelines explain how to use the Block IU symbol and academic seal, and schools learn how to apply typography, colors and signatures to new and existing materials. \nThe new mascot logos -- the color and how the design should be displayed -- were approved by the IU board of trustees during a June 9, 2006, meeting, according to the Integrated Image Program's Web site.\nThe campus mascots were just a part of the effort to integrate the images as part of the visual identity project, Townsend said.
(01/30/07 4:21am)
Bloomington is striving to help people file taxes for free, instead of paying for a tax-preparation service like H&R Block.\nThis service will be available for residents who receive lower income.\nOn Friday, Mayor Mark Kruzan announced that Bloomington is collaborating with the Internal Revenue Service and several area agencies to offer free tax preparation and filing assistance to low- and moderate-income residents through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program, according to a press release. \nVITA is an income tax assistance program that helps low- to moderate- income residents prepare their taxes , Youth and Family Projects Coordinator and Community and Family Resources Sue Owens said.\n"The city is acting as a liaison and coordinating the program with several different local agencies that are helping to bring this volunteer assistance program," Owens said. "The low- to moderate-income people will save more money, they won't have to prepare taxes and they won't have to pay H&R Block to have taxes done. They will benefit from the savings."\nVITA services are free and will be provided with the help of volunteers who will assist eligible families. \nIn addition, VITA assists taxpayers who are eligible to receive tax refunds from the Earned Income Tax Credit, according to a press release. When the EITC exceeds the amount of taxes owed, taxpayers can get a refund check for the extra money.\nKruzan said in the press release the EITC is a refundable tax credit that lifts more families out of poverty than any other program the federal government offers.\nOwens said VITA helps assist people who are eligible to receive the federal government credit and that everyone eligible can get it. VITA also helps residents fill out these forms.\nOther participating community programs include Indiana Legal Services, Ivy Tech Community College, Monroe County Public Library, Monroe County Division of Family and Children, AARP and volunteers from the IRS-sponsored VITA, according to the press release.\nRoy Elkes, an assistant professor of accounting at Ivy Tech, currently runs a program that helps low income people repair their returns for free. \n"A lot of people are going to companies and paying exuberant amounts of money for a simple return," Elkes said. "What we do here is have students in income tax classes volunteer for the real-life experience in preparing returns."\nElkes said last year so many people come to get returns done that volunteers were worn-out. So he and Owens approached the City about coordinating efforts to ask for volunteers.\nLast week more than 60 people came to be trained -- mostly IU students.\nVolunteers are trained and then coordinated with the sites mentioned above, and Elkes said that he is hoping that the volunteers will pass the certification test so they can aid those seeking tax help.\nElkes encourages the people who qualify to receive free service in filing.\n"We would like to tell people they should be taking advantage of this service because there is no reason -- there is a problem with hunger in this community -- and if people kept 200 dollars instead of using it for tax service they can use the money for groceries or something else," Elkes said.
(01/26/07 5:00am)
"Bears or Colts?" a person in the audience asks IU Dean of Students Dick McKaig.\nWith a chuckle McKaig says, "I cheer for the Colts."\nA couple of "yeahs" and nods of approval ring from the crowd from the Wright Quad Formal Lounge on Thursday evening as McKaig sat in front of an audience of about 15 people for the annual event "A Keg With Dean McKaig."\nMcKaig brought his own personalized root-beer mug with his name engraved, cleaned out just for the event. \nThe event, sponsored by Wright Student Government along with help from resident advisers and senior Todd Hewell, aims to offer an opportunity to sit down with the dean and ask him questions about student life. It also gives McKaig an opportunity to meet residents.\n"I came because I love root beer," freshman Alex Jorck said. \nMcKaig entertained questions ranging from whether classes will be canceled the Monday after the Super Bowl -- he said not likely -- to outsourcing, future changes to residence halls, and even whether he considers running for IU president.\nMcKaig said he will not apply for the presidency, saying the job would not allow him as much as he currently does to interact with students -- something he loves.\n"It was really informative -- he covered everything really well," said freshman Nichole Byrer. "It was really good."\nAs for outsourcing, McKaig said he wants to be sure the change would bring improvement. \n"I am interested if the results are significant savings for the University," McKaig said. "I want proof that it will be better; otherwise I don't want to mess with it if it is not better." \nMcKaig also discussed future renovations to University residence halls. Some of the changes will start next fall, when bathrooms in Teter Quad will be remodeled to accommodate a more private environment. \nIn the past, McKaig stayed overnight in some dorms participating in floor activities for the evening. He sdaid he doesn't have a favorite but that each hall offers a different atmosphere. \nSeveral other topics were discussed, from theater -- before graduation, everyone should see an opera, McKaig said -- to diversity.\n"We talk about diversity as a window -- it's here but no one does things outside," he said. "I'd love for American students to attend coffee hours at the International Center and interact for richer academic experiences."\nFor IU to gain more minority students on campus for diverse experiences, McKaig said programs such as the Hudson & Holland and Groups programs are useful in letting students know of the opportunities that await them. \n"We hope to double minority status by 2013, I think it is," McKaig said. "We are trying to encourage students during the pre-college stage to get students ready and eligible for IU."\nMcKaig said he wishes costs for education would be cheaper. At one time, he said, it was believed that education would benefit society rather than benefiting those who can only afford it.\nOne of the toughest roles McKaig said he must fill as part of his job is after the death of a student. He usually calls the parents to speak with them and even goes to funerals and sits in the hospitals with students who are severely injured and might die.\n"It is an important function to perform, but it is really heartbreaking," he said.\nMcKaig told students that he would love a visit from anyone, as his office in Bryan Hall does not have a high student population.\nAfter speaking, McKaig raised his root-beer glass. "Let's go tap the keg!" he said. And shouts followed: "The dean's first!"\nAlex Jorck, a current resident of Wright Quad who originally attended the program for free root beer, said he plans to come again next year.\n"I had no idea who Dean McKaig was," he said. "He seems to care about the students, and in the future I plan to go visit him in his office, because he is a cool guy"
(01/26/07 2:35am)
Soon the flash will fade, when the Photography Area Show at the School of Fine Arts Gallery is taken down. However, a chance to see the artwork on display is available from 7 to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday at the SoFA Gallery.\nThe advanced photography work of more than 20 advanced photography students in the school from both the Bachelor of Fine Arts and Master of Fine Arts programs will be on display, said Betsy Stirratt, gallery director.\nSona Pastel-Daneshgar, who is a pursuing a bachelor's degree in photography and has a degree in art history, said her photographs focus on memory.\n"I have fragmented pictures to go along with that," she said. "Some are kind of blurry, too."\nPreviously in December, Pastel-Daneshgar said an alternative show was put on for photography as well, but it was run by the students, who set up everything.\nFriday evening will give Pastel-Daneshgar and other participants a taste of what will come for the future.\n"When I graduate it gives me a taste to look forward to how to do a gallery," Pastel-Daneshgar said. \nThe show opened on Tuesday and ends Saturday. Refreshments will be served Friday and anyone is welcome to attend.\nThe closing reception will provide the opportunity for students to come for two hours to talk with the students regarding their work, as well as to socialize. \nStirratt said the reception includes work from black-and- white photography to digital print and even some video. \nPastel-Daneshgar said Friday evening will be a good show and encourages people to come out to see it.\n"You can see up and coming artists who are going to be out in the art world very soon," Pastel-Daneshgar said. "It's something new and exciting and gives fresh ideas from photography"
(01/25/07 5:27am)
Kimberly Ruff, marketing and sponsorship director of Recreational Sports, plans to use podcasts to share tours with prospective students, to demonstrate how to use the different equipment and to share fitness and wellness tips. Play lists or set lists would be ideal for organizing the exercise workouts. All she and her colleagues need to do is learn how to make a podcast.\n"We are really excited. We just launched a new Web site," said Ruff, who was joined by other interested representatives from Recreational Sports. "We're very anxious. I opened the course book for UITS (University Information Technology Services) to see if there are any courses for podcasting and there are not courses available yet, but hopefully soon." \nOn Wednesday, Martin J. Wagner, project manager for the podcast initiative of UITS, gave a lecture to a room of 30 people, with 60 people listening online. In his lecture, Wagner discussed podcasts, their influence, and what IU is currently doing to incorporate this expanding technology. \nThis technology has piqued professors' interest, and most are looking to put lectures on podcasts and have them available to students, Wagner said..\nHe said that in the beginning, he was able to sit down and help everyone who was interested in learning about podcasting, but now its popularity has grown too quickly for him to keep up. \nRecreational Sports isn't the only campus department looking to incorporate podcasts into its routines. The Jacobs School of Music already has podcasts available, and the Athletics Department is looking to put coach interviews together in podcasts, Wagner said.\nCurrently, podcasting is available through Oncourse via the podcast tool that allows instructors to upload files that can be downloaded to a computer. This option was launched this semester. Now, UITS is working to develop podcast.iu.edu and itunes.iu.edu, both are planned to be launched in fall 2007. Both sites will be open to the public, with the iTunes site featuring an authenticated login that would allow students to see what podcasts are available for their schedule of classes.\nWagner said that neither a Mac nor an iPod are necessary to use the podcast technology, as long as the software can download the podcast desired. \niTunes is the most popular "podcatcher." A podcatcher is used to download a podcast episode or subscription. It takes the podcast from its origin and brings it to the user who wants the podcast. \nDespite concerns some might have about podcasts replacing lectures, Wagner said podcasts are to enhance the classroom experience.\n"You can't replace lecture notes and being there asking questions," he said.
(01/25/07 4:38am)
Junior Kelsey Byers takes out her bus schedule to coordinate her agenda after her class ends at 6:45 p.m. She has 15 minutes to catch the 7 o'clock bus after her class.\n"After 7, the buses don't run until every 30 minutes (as) opposed to the 15 minutes they usually run," Byers said. "I usually have someone pick me up."\nIf Byers doesn't catch the 7 p.m. bus, she has to wait 40 minutes: 30 for the bus in addition to the 10-minute walk to her stop.\n"I used to work for Safety Escort and we would pick up people inconvenienced by the bus schedule all time," Byers said.\nBloomington Transit's city buses have eight numbered routes plus another, C. These buses make their stops and rounds throughout the day, generally starting at about 6:30 a.m.\nFor Routes 1 through 8, the buses end at 9 to 9:30 p.m. or earlier. This is because fewer students ride these routes because they are more downtown-based, said Lewis May, general manager of Bloomington Transit.\n"Most IU students use Routes 6 and C, as these routes serve 75 percent of transportation needs," May said. "Both of these routes run until midnight."\nMay said Bloomington Transit is interested in providing service beyond 9 p.m. for the city buses, but the only obstacle is funding.\n"Public transportation requires a significant investment, and fares only cover a fraction of cost of actual service we provide," May said.\nMay said the reason Routes 1-8 are finished so early in the day compared to the 6 Campus Shuttle and C Route bus is because they don't have enough money.\n"What it really comes down to is our funding resources are finite and we are limited in the amount of funding," he said.\nHowever, this might not be the permanent situation, as Bloomington Transit is currently looking for ways to increase funds, May said.\n"One of the projects for 2007 is to explore possible funding sources to expand services late at night," May said. "It is one of the several things (we are) doing to improve service."\nOther areas Bloomington Transit is looking at improving is frequency on certain routes, May said. Some routes only run every 60 minutes and the goal is to run at least every 30 minutes on all of the routes, he said.\n"I think more times that the buses run would be helpful," sophomore Shawna Jones said. \nIn addition, the 6 Campus Shuttle and C Route bus, which have more student riders because the routes weave through campus, provide Sunday routes. May said he hopes to expand Sunday service to all routes as well.\n"One of our future goals -- assuming funding is available -- is to expand the routes to operate on Sunday," May said. "Late-night service is high on our priorities."\nBloomington Transit is currently identifying new sources of funding that can help cover service beyond 9 p.m. for Routes 1 through 5.\n"It is important to note, though, that Routes 6 and C run until midnight and cut through campus to serve a large number of IU students, and both of these routes provide Sunday service as well," May said.
(01/19/07 5:00pm)
If everyone rode on Bloomington Transit's two new hybrid buses, then it would be "awesome," said IU graduate student Sarah Combellick-Bidney, who is happy with Bloomington Transit's move for a safer environment.\nThis week, Bloomington Transit unveiled two hybrid buses.\n"It's a step in the right direction and now all we need is for more people to ride (them)," Combellick-Bidney said. "Buses get you where you want to go without the hassle of parking." \nThe new buses, which are cleaner and quieter than the old diesel buses, and sport new colors for Bloomington Transit along with a fresh new smell, are expected to gain 20 to 25 percent improvement in fuel efficiency, said Lew May, Bloomington Transit General Manager.\n"It's a significant gain, efficient in using fuel because we're using less," May said. "And calculating the bus life, buses last typically 12 years, net that and we have 20,000 gallons of fuel saved for each bus over the life."\nIn addition, the buses give off lower emissions, the hybrid technology produce up to 60 percent fewer oxides of nitrogen emissions and 90 percent fewer particulate, hydrocarbon and carbon monoxide emissions, May said.\nWhat this means is the buses are cleaner than the older buses that use regular diesel.\n"It will help clean the air in Bloomington and we are excited for that," May said.\nThe buses are also quieter than the regular diesel with the noise generated being equivalent to that of a car.\nMay said the buses save fuel by recycling energy.\n"There is a regenerative braking function," May said. "When the driver brakes, the bus energy is recaptured and converted into electricity to charge the batteries. The brake life is longer for vehicles."\nWith a longer life for the transmission fluid and engine oil, maintenance costs will be reduced. \n"The other neat thing about these vehicles is the introduction of our new fleet colors," May said.\nAfter going through a public process for the past year, the buses were redesigned with new colors. The new buses are white with several shades of green designs that are supposed to emulate the hills of Bloomington.\nThe buses are also low-floor buses, with a single step from the sidewalk to the seats rather than three steps, making it a lot easier to get on and off.\n"These buses have been out for two straight days and the drivers have great things to say -- they like the way they drive and handle." May said. "Everything's a lot better, it's exciting because it will be a good thing"
(01/19/07 4:55am)
A cigarette butt caused a small fire outside of Collins Edmonson Thursday.\nThe fire occurred outside the building by the ventilation grate, said Bob Weith, director of residential operations.\n"Outside the building by the ventilation grate, there was some heat coming out because it's a little cold outside and some of our student smokers were standing on the grate and threw a butt to the bottom of the pit," Weith said.\nHe reported that there was a lot of smoke, but no damage occurred. The Bloomington Fire Department came out to investigate and take care of the smoke.\n"The staff evacuated beautifully, everyone was responsible and cooperative and everything is cool," Weith said.\nPeter Michel, acting battalion chief with the Bloomington Fire Department, also confirmed that the fire was started by a cigarette but caused no damage.
(01/19/07 2:49am)
If the walls in the School of Fine Arts Gallery could talk, their conversation would clash and resemble the artwork created by MFA printmaker Jeremy Sweet.\nSweet has numerous prints in the exhibit "Print Making and Textiles," which is scheduled to open today in the School of Fine Arts Gallery. \nThe opening reception for this exhibit is from 7-9 p.m. tonight. The exhibit will run until Saturday.\nThe exhibit features artwork from various students. Some are collages with vibrant colors and expressions, like Sweet's. One of his pieces has newspaper print in the background with a blast of colors and a robot-like figure in the middle. It truly reflects the work's description, located next to his name which reads, "mixed media."\nAnother piece on display is a straight-jacket with locks running down the back, designed by senior Leslie Rodgers.\n"It's a really varied show, with prints and garments," gallery director Betsy \nStirratt said.
(01/18/07 4:57am)
Seniors Julia Koday and Jenny Kratzat live in sorority houses on campus, but next year the pair will face a situation they have not had to worry about: searching for off-campus housing. \nOn Wednesday both Koday and Kratzat attended the 11th Annual Housing Fair hosted by the Indiana Daily Student in Alumni Hall to find a remedy for their unknown housing arrangement next year. The two were among 1,028 people who attended the fair, said IDS Marketing Manager Rob Bock.\nIn their first year attending the fair, both found it to be helpful.\n"We've been living in sororities and this is the first time we have to find a place," Kratzat said. "I knew about (the housing fair) last year, (but) this is the first time we're looking."\nThe fair aims to assist students in finding housing for each upcoming year. Housing-management properties are represented at the fair with booths, so students have the opportunity to learn information and possibly sign leases. \nTerry Elkins, owner of Elkins Apartments, said he has had a booth at the fair most of the 11 years the Housing Fair has been in existence.\n"It is just something you do if you are in the business," Elkins said. "Success varies year by year. Obviously it helps, otherwise I still wouldn't do it." \nDavid Kerber, manager at Varsity Villas, said this is the second year the Villas has participated in the fair.\n"Everyone knows the Villas," he said with a smile. "The fair is good for places with empty units," he said, reflecting on how the Villas at this point in January is almost reaching full occupancy.\nKerber said typically leases for the Villas start signing in September. He said to find the best locations off campus, students should start looking earlier and be done with finding and leasing a place to live for the following year by January.\n"It's a good information gathering," Kerber said of the fair. "It also depends on the company." \nHe also recommends that students check out the places they are considering before signing any deals.\n"It's one thing to find out information, but it is another thing to actually go see it," Kerber said. "Actually go and look. It's important."\nNicole Goodnight, a leasing agent for Deer Park Management, said the housing fair is a good advertising effort to get messages out to students. \nFreshman Gordon Buchanan said he was expecting more private rentals rather than big companies.\n"I want to live in a house with a few of my friends. I wish they had something like that," Buchanan said. "For someone looking for an apartment, though, the fair was very helpful"
(01/17/07 4:41am)
Junior Megan Geurts said it didn't happen to her, but if it did, she "would've gone insane."\nGeurts was referring to a Sunday incident at the on-campus University West Apartments, in which a water pipe burst on an upper floor.\nCalling the accident "fairly uneventful," Tim Stockton, associate director for apartment housing at Residential Programs and Services, said maintenance staff quickly repaired the burst.\n"We are not real sure of the cause, but we had a maintenance plan ready -- we sent plumbers out and cleaned it," Stockton said. "We deal with it pretty quickly when it happens."\nStockton said RPS risk managers assessed the situation as well. The amount of damage caused is unknown, he said.\nWhile Geurts was not directly affected by the water-pipe burst, she has a friend living on the ground level of the apartments whose belongings and apartment suffered water damage. \nGeurts said when she visited her friend's apartment, she saw damage when she arrived.\n"I live at the far end from where it happened," Geurts said. "I walked in (to my friend's apartment) and she showed me the bags and clothes that were ruined and her rug was horrendous. It smelled so bad."\nGeurts said water damage ruined her friend's $100 luggage bag. In addition, walls down the hallway had bubbles in them and seeped water if touched, she said. \n"At first I thought it was a main water heater, but it was just someone's pipes that exploded," Geurts said. "It didn't happen to me and I was so happy."\nResident and junior Ian Blackwood' apartment was not affected by the water pipe bursting, and he said he "didn't hear much about it." However, he reported seeing wet items belonging to affected residents in the hallways.\nGeurts said no one she knew who was affected by the pipe burst was informed afterward of the situation by RPS or the University.\nShe said her friend arrived home to find her belongings moved, but she had no idea why because there was no note left.\n"What if someone wasn't there and went home for the weekend and came back and didn't have a note and saw everything messed up?" Geurts said. "People came in to move my friend's stuff and they didn't write a note. She was flipping out because she thought someone broke in."\nEven though Geurts was unaffected by the mishap, she said an e-mail or note informing residents what happened and why their possessions were moved would have been helpful. \n"I think they did a good job of moving stuff around, but they didn't even let us know," she said. "I was glad they went in and moved stuff so no damage occurred, but they didn't leave any messages to let (those affected) know what happened"
(01/16/07 4:15am)
The 11th annual IDS Housing Fair will take place Wednesday in Alumni Hall near Starbucks in the Indiana Memorial Union, 900 E. Seventh St.\nMore than 100 property-management representatives will be available from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. to answer questions about housing for next year. The fair is sponsored by the Indiana Daily Student.\n"I wish more students understood what it was," said junior Katie Brodahl, the fair's advertisement coordinator. "It's a great opportunity and I wish students would realize it and take advantage of it."\nThe fair allows students to sign leases or make appointments to tour complexes during the event. Students will have the opportunity to locate and research housing options for next year and have their specific questions answered, Brodahl said.\nInstead of students having to call the various complexes, all representatives from the near-campus area will be located in the same room at different booths. Students can go to each booth to check out the different areas they can live next year. \n"A lot of people don't realize you can sign a lease right there," Brodahl said. "You take it a step further and are not just introduced. It's very convenient and benefits the students"