Community Arts

Some students design majors to match goals

By Abby Liebenthal · Monday, Dec. 8,2008 11:23 p.m.

The Individualized Major Program gives students the opportunity to create their own major to receive a Bachelor of Arts degree from the College of Arts and Sciences. Assistant Director Paul Aarstad said students with a 2.5 grade-point average and “initiative and passion for their major” are accepted into the program.

Students earn cash donating plasma

By Katrina Loh · Monday, Dec. 8,2008 11:23 p.m.

When freshman Brad Stroot went to donate plasma for the first time, the scene looked a little weird. “It was a room full of people sitting at chairs with small bags full of blood,” he said. “It was really bizarre.”

IBEW Local 2249 President Carven Thomas stands outside the Bloomington GE refrigerator plant on Curry Pike last week prior to a continuing studies course at the facility. Thomas represents the 700-plus workers who will be laid off in the first quarter of 2010.

GE employees search for new options

By Jessica Anderson · Monday, Dec. 8,2008 11:22 p.m.

The General Electric plant in Bloomington will close for good in 2010. But since September, GE has cut back production in south central Indiana. In that time, employees have had more days off, working three weeks in the last two months, said Carven Thomas, president and business manager of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers 2249. For many, it has been hard to cope with the lost hours and decreased pay, and the workers wonder what life will be like when the plant closes completely.PODCAST: Hoosier Headlines

Despite recession, donations continue to grow at University

By Nadia LaMantia · Monday, Dec. 8,2008 11:20 p.m.

Even in the face of an economic recession, IU is receiving more donations than ever but relying on fewer donors. Given the economic situation, some have questioned how college students in need of financial assistance will be affected.

Steve & Barry’s vendor might never get paid

By Stephanie Kuzydym · Monday, Dec. 8,2008 11:19 p.m.

For most students, Steve & Barry’s closing means they will no longer be able to buy discount IU attire on Kirkwood Avenue. But to alumnus Matt Kesten, it means he might never see a cent of the money owed to him.

Faculty member Sandeep Chandukala returns the birdie with an overhead shot, while playing in a doubles match against fellow badminton club members during practice on Sunday afternoon at the HPER.

Badminton club fosters family environment

By Abby Liebenthal · Monday, Dec. 8,2008 11:18 p.m.

Gym 163 in the School of Health, Physical Education and Recreation is lined from wall to wall with five badminton nets as people from college kids to baby boomers bat shuttlecocks back and forth. These members of multiple generations convene in this gym from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. every Friday and 2 to 6 p.m. on Sundays for badminton club practices.

IU professor to observe Bangladesh elections

By Zina Kumok · Monday, Dec. 8,2008 11:15 p.m.

While election coverage in the U.S. has dwindled, one IU professor is preparing to head to Bangladesh for another round of voting. Director of the India Studies Institute, Sumit Ganguly, will officially observe national legislative and executive elections in the People’s Republic of Bangladesh.

Stock market rallies for 2nd session

Monday, Dec. 8,2008 11:11 p.m.

The stock market showed renewed confidence Monday, extending its rally and lifting the Dow Jones industrials to their highest level in a month following President-elect Barack Obama’s promise to increase infrastructure spending to lift the economy.

Greek community comes together to recognize excellence

By Haley Adams · Monday, Dec. 8,2008 11:11 p.m.

There was no red carpet, no paparazzi and no celebrity presenters, but leaders of the greek community gathered at the Indiana Memorial Union on Monday for an awards night to honor chapters’ achievements.

Retailers' lump of coal

By Sam Leffers · Monday, Dec. 8,2008 11:01 p.m.

Who knows what we did, but the facts are undeniable: Santa Claus officially put our economy on the naughty list. This year, retailers across the board are experiencing one of the least profitable holiday shopping seasons ever. Usually these trends affect some operations more than others, but this year, almost all retailers are receiving the proverbial coal-filled stocking.

Economic problems benefit cobblers

Monday, Dec. 8,2008 10:24 p.m.

HIGHLAND, Ind. – While many businesses are facing tough times due to the weak economy, some shoe repair shops are racing to keep up with a spike in demand.

Largest Hoosier troop deployment since World War II returns from Iraq

Monday, Dec. 8,2008 10:22 p.m.

INDIANAPOLIS – The last of about 3,300 Indiana National Guard troops are returning home following a nine-month deployment to Iraq.

New ad sparks interest in tiny Indiana town

Monday, Dec. 8,2008 10:21 p.m.

EVANSVILLE – Yes, there is a town called Santa Claus. A new RadioShack commercial has brought added attention this holiday season to the southern Indiana town named after the jolly old elf.

Not exactly the holiday we need

Monday, Dec. 8,2008 9:21 p.m.

If you hoped the $750 billion financial bailout would improve the economy and save your job prospects, you probably have been disappointed. Unfortunately, if you were waiting for a good plan for the remaining $350 billion allocated for the bailout, you have to keep waiting. Indiana Republican Rep. Mike Pence recently signed on to a plan to create a tax holiday that would free the nation from income taxes for two months. The leftover $350 billion would cover the budget hole from the government losing two months of its biggest money maker.

Health Reform in 2009: Are you Ready?

By Sanjay Mohanty · Monday, Dec. 8,2008 9:20 p.m.

Several weeks ago Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, released a much-discussed position paper on health reform in 2009. It outlines, in 104 pages, the problems of our current health system – high cost, low quality and 46 million uninsured. It also presents a plan for action, which is, without getting into details, one that resembles President-elect Barack Obama’s proposal more than it does Sen. John McCain’s.

Go green, fight unemployment

Monday, Dec. 8,2008 9:18 p.m.

The news that we are reading today is incredibly depressing. We are seeing a financial crisis similar to that of the Great Depression: we are encountering job loss, leading to financial meltdowns which are supposedly “fixed” by giving billion-dollar companies more billions of dollars.

Statistical outliers

By Erin Chapman · Monday, Dec. 8,2008 9:17 p.m.

During Thanksgiving break, I was hanging out with a group of friends when my friend’s mom asked us all what we were studying at school. My guy friend was the first to reply, “engineering.” The parents swooned and said things to the effect of, “Wow, you must be studying all of the time.” Then it was my turn. “I’m studying history,” I said, and they replied, “Oh, that’s fun,” where fun was clearly code for “easy.”

A (rightfully) dying breed

By Ashley Ames · Monday, Dec. 8,2008 9:15 p.m.

Are three million jobs and $300 billion in business trade worth saving?

Who cares?

Monday, Dec. 8,2008 9:14 p.m.

The IDS has lately given ample space to letters by David House, in which he trots out the same tired, old dog and pony show to explain why he believes homophiles should be denied equality before the law.

Pause Game

By Chad Quandt · Monday, Dec. 8,2008 9:13 p.m.

For gamers, the holiday season has cemented itself as worthy of celebrating just for the sheer number of game titles that hit stores. At the end of October I found myself looking online at the list of upcoming games the way Hercules looked upon his Twelve Labors: a mighty challenge that would reward me not with penance for slaying loved ones but with blistered thumbs from slaying death zombies.