IUSA

And while my roommate gently weeps ...

By Alyson Brodsy and Andrew Shaffer · Thursday, Jan. 19,2006 1:06 a.m.

It's been five days since I have seen my roommate. Seriously. He was last seen Sunday at the RCA Dome. Since the Colts-Steelers game, no one in my house has seen or heard a word from him. He is either dead or waiting in some tall bushes outside Colts' kicker Mike Vanderjagt's house. If you're reading this, Andrew, I finished the entire box of Nilla Wafers in your room. I figured I was doing you a favor. I thought you would be sick and tired of seeing the color yellow. I was going to swing a small yellow towel when you came home.

New services take shape at library

By Stephanie Susman · Thursday, Jan. 19,2006 1 a.m.

With the new semester come new, technologically advanced services at the IU libraries. These services are meant not only to help the libraries enter the future, but also to make the lives of faculty members and students just a little easier. Patricia A. Steele, the Ruth Lilly interim dean of University libraries, said she's thinking about the library of the future.

Fraternity recruitment starts Friday

By Ashley Rhodebeck · Thursday, Jan. 19,2006 1 a.m.

Now that the post-holiday bargain buys are over, IU men can shift their attention to a different kind of hunt. Men interested in joining a fraternity can browse the selection during Friday's spring recruitment opener, which will be held from 1 to 5 p.m. in the Indiana Memorial Union Frangipani Room. "It's almost like shopping," said Taylor Hougland, Interfraternity Council vice president of recruitment.

Upper-level biotech courses to begin in fall

By Zachary Osterman · Thursday, Jan. 19,2006 12:59 a.m.

The IU College of Arts and Sciences will offer upper-level courses in biotechnology starting in the fall of 2006. Students have been able to declare the major since the fall of 2004, but advanced courses will be phased into the curriculum for the first time next semester. The program, spearheaded by Biology professor Malcolm Winkler, is a joint effort between the Biology and Chemistry departments. It combines several aspects of life sciences with other disciplines, particularly subjects that graduates should be familiar with in order to obtain jobs in the biotechnology field. For example, students will focus on areas like law and writing as they pertain to biotechnology.

The long gaze backwards

By Adam Sedia · Thursday, Jan. 19,2006 12:47 a.m.

Though it seems impossible, Hollywood has stooped to a new low: remaking Wagner operas into movies. The film "Tristan and Isolde," released this past Friday, essentially takes the tragic and groundbreaking Richard Wagner opera and makes it into a travesty approaching soft-core porn, if the trailers are at all reflective of the film's whole.

I choose life

By Matt Peyton · Thursday, Jan. 19,2006 12:46 a.m.

Lately I've started to wonder if my life is too dangerous. I mean, I've managed to steer clear of such dangers as gang violence and crocodile wrestling, but I'm still not sure. The other night I was flipping through the channels when I got stuck on a show called "World's Most Wild Videos Caught on Tape" (or something like that). As it turns out, it was a marathon, which is a dangerous thing on a weekend with nothing to do. Needless to say, it led to a couple hours of must-see TV, reacting with equal amounts of awe and horror.

'Imperiled' presidency

By Brian Stewart · Thursday, Jan. 19,2006 12:45 a.m.

Sen. Ted Kennedy has an astounding revelation: "The president is not King George." What an insight from the senior senator of Massachusetts! It was only upon second thought that it occurred to me that Kennedy might have intended these words as a criticism of an "imperial presidency" (and not to discredit those who are persuaded that George W. is George III reincarnate). In authorizing the National Security Agency wider surveillance powers, he contends, President Bush has put on the clothes of an emperor.

A war on pee

By Amy Obermeyer · Thursday, Jan. 19,2006 12:44 a.m.

Many IU students are, like me, standing at the horizon of adulthood. In short, this means applying for a "real job" while at the same time enjoying, for one last semester, the wonders of undergraduate life. One of adulthood's biggest difficulties lies in reconciling the youthful ideals that abound in university settings with the reality of the corporate world. Everyone maintains certain inflexible limitations, often including respect for human life and dignity. Often the case is clear; sometimes it isn't. The biggest dilemma for me regards my willingness to pee in a cup. I am torn between my understanding that such drug testing violates basic American ideals and my practical desire to be employed once I graduate.

Daniels' smokescreen

By Alyson Brodsy · Thursday, Jan. 19,2006 12:43 a.m.

It's getting harder and harder to be a smoker. First, the bad news came years ago that cigarettes are quite bad for your health. Then came wave after wave of anti-smoking laws, including a no-smoking-within-30-feet-of-IU-buildings ban and an entire ban on smoking in bars and restaurants in Bloomington. Now, Gov. Mitch Daniels is proposing an additional 25-cent tax on every pack of cigarettes sold in the state. What's a poor smoker to do?

Roadside bomb kills 2 American contractors

By Alyson Brodsy and Sameer N. Yacoub · Thursday, Jan. 19,2006 12:41 a.m.

BAGHDAD, Iraq -- A roadside bomb hit a convoy carrying a U.S. security team near the southern city of Basra, killing two American civilians and seriously wounding a third, the U.S. Embassy said. Iraqi authorities, meanwhile, held out hope that kidnapped American journalist Jill Carroll would be released. The U.S. Embassy said coalition forces cordoned off the scene of the Basra attack, which occurred at 2 p.m., and took the wounded to a hospital.

Sharon stroke leaves Israel at pivotal crossroad

By Ben Woodson · Thursday, Jan. 19,2006 12:39 a.m.

When Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon suffered a massive stroke Jan. 4, the future of Israeli politics was thrown into turmoil and the new election offers Israel a choice between two different ways to deal with the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, experts say. Sharon survived the stroke, but his doctors said that because of brain damage, he would be unable to serve as prime minister again, according to The Associated Press.

Local Habitat builds thousands of miles away

By Elisha Sauers · Thursday, Jan. 19,2006 12:38 a.m.

This spring break, Steven Sowell is planning a trip to a place that will be sure to broil his skin in a more than 90-degree swelter. But for a full week, Sowell, assistant director of Habitat for Humanity of Monroe County, will not be working on his tan. Instead, he'll be assisting several El Salvadoran families building places for them to call "casa." Habitat is a non-profit organization devoted to constructing "simple, decent, affordable housing" for the indigent around the world. The local chapter has traveled to its sister affiliate in San Vicente, El Salvador, twice on previous building projects, and this year the group will return with what it hopes will be its largest turnout yet.

PFLAG discusses advocacy for GLBT issues

By Ben Woodson · Thursday, Jan. 19,2006 12:36 a.m.

John Clowers, the chairman of Indiana Equality, thought gay rights in Indiana were moving in the right direction. But the country's reaction to Massachusetts making gay marriage legal has created obstacles for gay rights lobbyists like himself. Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays met Wednesday to discuss ways to advocate issues such as gay marriage and broadening the definition of anti-discrimination policies to include gays, lesbians and transgender individuals.

Hacksaw found after caller's tip

By Audrie Garrison · Thursday, Jan. 19,2006 12:35 a.m.

The Bloomington Police Department responded to a call Wednesday morning in which the caller reported seeing an unknown man on the roof of the Islamic Center of Bloomington, the same mosque that was firebombed in July, said Sgt. David Drake, reading from the police report.

Ballantine's near 50-year history marked by suicide, sex

By Alyson Brodsy · Thursday, Jan. 19,2006 12:32 a.m.

Just east of the chemistry building stands Ballantine Hall, used daily by many yet perhaps historically familiar to few. Not many are aware of the history behind the nearly fifty-year-old building. Constructed in 1957, Ballantine is home to numerous humanities and social science classes. The building is named for former acting president and professor of mathematics at IU, Elisha Ballantine, who first taught here in 1854.

LaCasa event indicative of larger problem: Clubs have troubles drawing students

By Michael Sanserino · Thursday, Jan. 19,2006 12:31 a.m.

Lillian Casillas planned an entire evening to discuss Rodolfo "Corky" Gonzales, a Latino activist credited with strengthening the Chicano movement in the 1960s and 1970s. But there was one slight mishap: Nobody showed up. This isn't the first time it has happened, either. Casillas, director of La Casa Latino Cultural Center, said, while attendance is usually steady for their weekly activities, once or twice a year she will plan an event and no one will attend.

Rice researcher redefines Victorian era

By Chip Cutter · Thursday, Jan. 19,2006 12:30 a.m.

Common notions of the Victorians and sex were redefined Wednesday night, as part of a lecture given by Rice University English professor and author Helena Michie. Speaking to a crowd of about 60 people in the Indiana Memorial Union's Georgian Room, Michie, chair of Rice's English department, argued that the Victorian's were ignorant or secretive towards sex, and said they were likely not the sexually prudish people obsessed with the subject, as is sometimes thought.

GONE

Thursday, Jan. 19,2006 12:26 a.m.

GONE -- Three-year-old Austin Brandt of Apple Valley, Minn., touches Snoopy's big red dog dish Wednesday at the Mall of America in Bloomington, Minn. The Peanuts gang along with its branding will be removed after inhabiting the mall's amusement park, Camp Snoopy, for the past 13 years.

Remodeled IMU darkroom open

By Nina Mehta · Thursday, Jan. 19,2006 12:24 a.m.

Photographers and artists alike have a new resource on campus to express themselves and be creative. The Union Studios opened its newly renovated darkroom for photographers in the Indiana Memorial Union Monday. In addition, a variety of six-week classes, including courses in pottery and ceramics, are offered for students through Union Studios this semester. The Union Studios is located in the IMU's Back Alley past the arcade. The darkroom has doubled in size and has a new ceramics studio, said Kera McElvain, Union Studios program director.

We think students with inspired style should be seen.

By Alyson Brodsy · Thursday, Jan. 19,2006 12:22 a.m.

Today's model: Alaa Fadag, Graduate Student On her style: As a graphic designer, Fadag said she creates her style to be fun, but simple. With interesting color combinations and unique details, she strives to be both comfortable and sophisticated. "I put attention into my clothes, but I don't try to overdo it," Fadag said. "I like to incorporate a lot of color because I am an artist."