Region

ONLINE ONLY: Annoyed lately

By Alyson Brodsy and Sarah Shipe · Friday, Nov. 10,2006 12:01 p.m.

"My grandmother died." "I was having car problems." "I slept through my alarm." "My roommate kept me up last night with his obnoxious rendition of Paris Hilton's 'Stars are Blind.'" As a graduate student and instructor for introductory courses, I have heard more creative excuses for skipping class than Mel Gibson offered for his drunken tirade. Just last week, a student informed me that his assignment would be turned in late because his computer was not compatible with the Oncourse software.

Elect to conform

By Jacob Stewart · Friday, Nov. 10,2006 11:11 a.m.

Vote. Vote and be recognized. Vote and be one of us. Vote or be segregated. Vote or be judged. Vote, vote, vote -- or die. Nov. 7, 2006, came and went. The Democrats completed their drive for Congress , and the young voters of America once again stood up and let their voices be heard. And what was the sound that came from the collective voice of American youth? A triumphant call that roared the Democrats to victory or an appalled grumble longing for GOP control? Both, actually. But consider what went unsaid by the young members of each political party.

Romanian pride

By Stefania Marghitu · Friday, Nov. 10,2006 11:10 a.m.

Upon telling people that I'm of Romanian descent, I often get reactions of bewilderment. I imagine a screen in the person's head projecting a scrambled map of the world or pictures of Nicolae Ceausescu (communist), Nadia Comaneci (gymnast) and Dracula (vampire). The truth is, there's so much more to my motherland. Romania, located in Eastern Europe, is a quite beautiful country. With four distinct seasons, one can go skiing in the Carpathian Mountains in the winter, visit the beautiful Oltenian countryside in the spring, swim in the Black Sea in the summer and go shopping in Bucharest in the fall.

Voting in vain

By Natalie A. Avon · Friday, Nov. 10,2006 11:04 a.m.

I didn't vote Tuesday. Now, before the politically competent furrow their brows and shake their heads, let me explain my reasoning. It wasn't because I forgot, and it wasn't because I'm a hardcore anarchist. It's definitely not because I don't care. Although I thoroughly believe it is every citizen's civic duty to vote, I did not feel I was informed enough about the issues to partake in the elections this year.

Governor announces I-69 will not become a toll road

By Chris Freiberg and Warren Christopher Freiberg · Friday, Nov. 10,2006 2:11 a.m.

I-69 will not be made into a toll road, but a new road proposed by Gov. Mitch Daniels could be. The governor's office announced plans for the Indiana Commerce Connector Thursday, an outerbelt tollway linking six interstates through Morgan, Johnson, Shelby, Hancock and Madison counties.

IU chemist signs agreement with biotech company

By Zachary Osterman · Friday, Nov. 10,2006 12:19 a.m.

The IU Research and Technology Corporation recently agreed to a licensing arrangement with a Carmel, Ind. biotechnology company to develop pharmaceuticals. Marcadia Biotech agreed to develop medical drugs created by the IU-Bloomington Chemistry Department Chair Richard DiMarchi. DiMarchi, a founding member of the biotechnology company, employs biochemical and proteomics techniques to more rapidly discover protein drugs that can treat metabolic diseases, according to the IU news release.

Annual Soul Food Dinner to be held

By Whitney Mitchell · Friday, Nov. 10,2006 12:17 a.m.

For students missing comforts and food from home, an evening at the Black Student Union's annual Soul Food dinner might just do the trick. "Every ethnic group has what it calls 'soul food,' which is food that brings back warm memories of family dinners," said Reggie Ingram, the publicity chair for the group. "The BSU will talk about where the concept of soul food came from and its tradition."

LSAT change is biggest in past 15 years

By Zachary Osterman · Friday, Nov. 10,2006 12:17 a.m.

The biggest change to the Law School Admissions Test in more than a decade could significantly impact the way students prepare for the exam. The change will take effect in June. The adjustment, which will add a comparative reading section to the test, could have a notable effect on a student's score, said Ben Baron, Kaplan Test Prep and Admissions' vice president of graduate programs. "This is actually the largest change the LSAT has undergone in the last 15 years, which means this is a test that does not change very often," Baron said. "It is enough questions that could influence a student's score by three to six points, which for the LSAT could be significant."

IU study finds erection loss due to condom use might lead to increased 'risky behavior'

By Mandy Eid · Friday, Nov. 10,2006 12:15 a.m.

Erection loss due to condom use might contribute to risky sex behaviors, according to a recent study conducted by the Kinsey Institute for Research in Sex, Gender and Reproduction at IU. Applied Health Science Department professor William Yarber, who co-authored the report, said men who experience this kind of erection loss are more likely to engage in unprotected sex, which could ultimately lead to the contraction of a sexually transmitted disease or unplanned pregnancy.

Broadcaster, alumnus returns to IU

By Joel Sanders and Joel Sansers · Friday, Nov. 10,2006 12:14 a.m.

Legendary sports broadcaster and IU alumnus Dick Enberg spoke on the IU campus Thursday to reminisce and offer advice from his illustrious career. During the event, Enberg fielded questions from a panel of professors and journalists, and afterward the floor was opened up for questions to the captivated audience with questions ranging from the controversy surrounding potentially renaming Assembly Hall in honor of former IU basketball coach Bob Knight to who he believes are the most significant athletes of this century.

Candidates for next IU president reviewed by committees

By Brian Spegele · Friday, Nov. 10,2006 12:13 a.m.

Two IU presidential search committees continued reviewing candidates to select IU President Adam Herbert's successor.

Black leaders seek changes to culture center library

By Whitney Mitchell · Friday, Nov. 10,2006 12:13 a.m.

After speculation of possible closure of the Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center Library last May, IU officials and student leaders have now ruled out that option and are researching ways to improve the facility.

The center of his world

By Jake Brown and Jacob Brown · Friday, Nov. 10,2006 12:13 a.m.

Around Justin Frye's neck on any given day -- except that three-hour stretch Saturdays when he plays as IU's starting center -- hangs a necklace with a ring commemorating IU's victory in the 1979 Holiday Bowl, in which the Hoosiers beat Brigham Young University 38-37.

IU Press offers unique holiday gift ideas for book lovers

By Jessica Andrews · Friday, Nov. 10,2006 12:10 a.m.

Scholars, professors and book lovers will have an opportunity to break free from the normal big-market book-buying experience this holiday season. The IU Press Holiday Book Sale will take place 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. today and Saturday in the Frangipani Room of the Indiana Memorial Union, offering more than 350 titles and featuring book signings by local authors Reid Duffy, Darryl Jones and Norbert Krapf.

Doctor says Paterno can't coach in game

By Alyson Brodsy and Genaro C. Armas · Thursday, Nov. 9,2006 11:44 p.m.

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. -- Joe Paterno declared himself "out" for Penn State's next game, designating longtime assistant Tom Bradley to make any tough calls Saturday in the school's first contest without the coaching icon since 1977.

Hail hail, to the Victims valiant

By Alyson Brodsy and Andrew Shaffer · Thursday, Nov. 9,2006 11:42 p.m.

It could be the greatest game in Hoosier football history -- a victory against No. 2 Michigan that would secure both a bowl berth and a blurry Bloomington night.

IU opens regular season

By John Wustrow · Thursday, Nov. 9,2006 11:39 p.m.

The exhibitions are done. Now comes the game that counts. The IU women's basketball team starts its regular season tonight in the Women's Sport Foundation Classic hosted by the University of Kentucky. Prior to tonight's game, the Hoosiers have gotten two exhibition wins under their belt.

Last Stand at the 'Rock'

By Tim O Brien and Tim O'Brien · Thursday, Nov. 9,2006 11:36 p.m.

IU coach Terry Hoeppner fined junior cornerback Tracy Porter at Tuesday's practice. No, it wasn't for speeding down 10th Street or littering in the arboretum. Hoeppner fined the junior because he committed the cardinal sin of a cornerback: He got beat by his man. "I'm not making excuses, but I broke on a ball and didn't make the play so (the receiver) caught the ball," Porter explained afterward. "Just a little fine that we have."

City Council calls for immediate action in Darfur

By Michael Reschke · Thursday, Nov. 9,2006 11:35 p.m.

The City of Bloomington Common Council passed a resolution Wednesday calling for immediate action to end the genocide in Darfur, Sudan, but some members felt the council should focus more on local issues. Part of the resolution instructed that copies of it be sent to the U.S. President, Indiana's Congressional Delegation, other members of the U.S. Congress involved in foreign policy, Gov. Mitch Daniels and members of Bloomington's delegation to the Indiana legislature.

Indiana Dems set sights on change

By Alyson Brodsy and Ken Kusmer · Thursday, Nov. 9,2006 11:34 p.m.

Three Indiana Democrats set their sights on carrying change to Washington after helping their party take control of the U.S. House, a victory that left Rep. Pete Visclosky poised Wednesday to become chairman of a powerful appropriations subcommittee. Republican Rep. Mike Pence, meanwhile, announced his bid to lead the new GOP minority with an appeal for a renewed commitment to the restrained federal spending and limited government that swept his party into power in 1994. Voters Tuesday returned Baron Hill to the southern Indiana seat he held for three terms through 2004 and also elected newcomers Joe Donnelly in the northern 2nd District and Brad Ellsworth in the southwestern 8th District.