IUPD

A legend leaves

When Herman B Wells built the IU Auditorium, the venue was the largest of its kind west of the Alleghenies. Yet Wells wasn't thinking of how to finance construction, of how the building would bolster the thriving School of Music. His thoughts centered on what he considered created the university community: the students.

O'Bannon halts spending

INDIANAPOLIS -- Gov. Frank O'Bannon announced Thursday a moratorium on grants from the Build Indiana Fund, which lawmakers use for capital projects in their districts. Created in 1989 to hold down local property taxes, the fund taps into gambling and lottery revenues to pay for town halls, fire trucks, sewers and other projects. It's recently come under fire for alleged misuse.

Cell phone law raises other questions

New York Gov. George Pataki last week signed into law a ban on talking into hand-held cell phones while driving. It passed the state legislature with overwhelming bipartisan approval, and a poll shows 87 percent of New Yorkers back the legislation. Next on the agenda: a ban on singing along with the radio.

Drugs: Just say maybe

The U.S. has a big drug problem. And the principle cause is dishonesty. But I'm referring less to the illegal drug business as it is normally thought of and more to the basic dishonesty that is part of our approach to drugs in general.

Gros Louis retirement a sad moment

After 22 years as Bloomington Chancellor and Vice President of Academic Affairs, Kenneth Gros Louis retired Sunday, to do some traveling and eventually return here to teach English. Gros Louis leaves behind a legacy compared to Herman B. Wells', the father of IU.

Spielberg's 'A.I.' a near-masterpiece

A.I.: Artificial Intelligence" staggers the imagination. It prods the viewer to consider the big questions of human nature and mortality. It possesses a sweeping vision and a provocative intelligence.

IUPD Blotter

Council weighs costs of redeveloping Thomson site

Members of the Bloomington City Council wanted to learn a little more about the financing of what used to be the Thomson site. After the meeting had concluded, they still wanted more. Thomson closed its facilities in 1998, leaving 1,200 people without jobs and more than 1.7 million square feet of industrial space. Now plans are being made to determine what will be done with the site.

Dean of HPER to retire next year

Tony Mobley, dean of the School of Health, Physical Education and Recreation and IU's senior administrator in length of service, has announced he will retire at the end of the next academic year. Mobley has been the school's dean since 1976. He said he is announcing his retirement now to provide ample time for the University to search for his successor.

Candidates look to future

Welker focuses on athletic improvement Giaquinta cites retention as key issue

Board approves budget

IU-Bloomington faculty will get an average pay raise of 6.3 percent and IU students will pay 7.5 percent more in tuition under IU's 2001-02 budget, approved by the board of trustees last week. The budget includes $845 million for the Bloomington campus, up 6.2 percent from last year. Overall, IU's budget exceeds $2 billion. IUB's general fund includes $199 million from the state and $293 million from student fees.

Athletic department gives yearly awards

The IU athletic department handed out its end-of-the-year awards Wednesday, honoring former men's basketball player Kirk Haston and senior women's swimmer Jenn Cristy as the male and female athletes of the year.

Bourque retirement right thing

A few days ago, Ray Bourque announced his retirement from the Colorado Avalanche and the game of hockey. This coming shortly after Bourque and his fellow Colorado Avalanche came from behind to win the Stanley Cup in seven games against the New Jersey Devils (as this columnist so correctly predicted). I would just like to commend Bourque on his decision to ride off into the sunset with the Stanley Cup riding shotgun in his car.

This Weekend's Calendar events

Residents defend Mills Pool

Bobby Hall was in tears. As he stood at the lectern at the Bloomington Parks Board meeting on Tuesday afternoon, pleading for the survival of Mills Pool, about 30 westside residents broke into applause. "We've got $6 million," he said. "Put it on the pool, OK?" Ranging from a city council member to a concerned nine-year-old boy, nearly 30 people came to voice their support of keeping Mills Pool open after the Parks and Recreation Department received approval for more than $6 million in bonds to perform renovations at many local facilities June 20.

4,000 Years of Miniature Books' exhibit at Lilly Library displayed

More than 900 miniature books are on exhibition at the Lilly Library. Some of these carefully handcrafted and finely detailed books are smaller than the back of your earring and can only be read using a magnifying glass or microscope.

Around the Campus

The Kelley School of Business has selected 10 Kelley Scholars who will attend IU in the fall. According to a press release, all winners are incoming freshman and are intended business majors.

IUPD Blotter

Orientation programs now in full swing

Some walk timidly into Jordan Hall, eyes widening at the lecture hall's size. They dart furtive glances at the leaders dancing wildly in the front of the room, at the girl or boy next to them. They're sizing everything up, and they're not sure what they think yet. Others swagger, rolling their eyes at the sounds of Digital Underground's "The Humpty Dance" blaring from the sound system. Yet one look into their eyes belies their false confidence.

Jordan River Forum

Haston column misguided Haston was living a dream Faculty involved in near riot McVeigh execution was best decision Death penalty should be abolished Paddock's column right on target Campus grounds shadow of former self