Longform

ART at risk

By Kathleen Quilligan and Kathleen Quilligen · Thursday, Jan. 29,2004 1:13 a.m.

Art seems to be the first thing cut from a budget, destroyed in a riot or banned for being misunderstood. It's a scene from a popular movie, but it could happen in any school across the country. "If I'm forced to choose between Mozart, reading and long division; I choose long division," said the principal in a line from the movie "Mr. Holland's Opus". Arts and its funding is a controversial and touchy issue -- now as much as in 1995 when "Mr. Holland's Opus" opened in theaters. It appears that due to legislation, the tide is turning in favor of arts education.

'Return of the King' leads Oscar race

By Alyson Brodsy and David Germain · Thursday, Jan. 29,2004 1:02 a.m.

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. -- Middle-earth crowned its monarch. Now, Academy Awards voters seem ready to crown "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King" as the first fantasy to win best picture.

Interior design major one of most selective

By Cassidy Flanagan · Thursday, Jan. 29,2004 1:01 a.m.

In a time when home decorating shows seem to be taking over television, suddenly interior design majors at IU find themselves having to reiterate the meaning of interior design and what it actually means to be an interior designer.

Why are so many films overlooked?

By Adam Aasen · Thursday, Jan. 29,2004 1 a.m.

In the last few days, nominations for both the Oscars and the Razzies were announced, but depending on your point of view, some people may not see much of a difference.

Around The Arts

By Alyson Brodsy · Thursday, Jan. 29,2004 12:59 a.m.

The Bloomington Playwright's Project presents an evening of 30 ultra-short plays by the BPP Writers' Group and other local writers at 8 p.m., Saturday and Sunday at the Bloomington Playwright's Project on 312. S. Washington St. Admission is $8 for the second annual Winter Ballot Box Blizzard, a fund-raising event showcasing the talent of Bloomington actors, directors and writers. Audience members will play an active role and vote for their favorites plays.

Around The Campus

By Alyson Brodsy · Thursday, Jan. 29,2004 12:47 a.m.

INPIRG students to stage book protest at IU Bookstore Students from the Indiana Public Interest Research Group and IUSA are staging a book return today in the IU Bookstore at the Indiana Memorial Union to protest the high cost of college textbooks. The protest coincides with the release of the national study "Rip-off 101: How the Current Practices of the Publishing Industry Drive up the Cost of College Textbooks." That report will show students pay $900 a year on average for textbooks, and publishers use a number of gimmicks to unfairly drive up the cost of textbooks. The report, which was conducted from interviews at colleges across California and Oregon, includes testimonials from faculty members and makes policy recommendations.

Safety bill pending for pyrotechnics

By Lindsey Jancek and Lindsay Jancek · Thursday, Jan. 29,2004 12:44 a.m.

Pyrotechnics may no longer be seen by local residents in Bloomington's premier clubs because of new legislation that places rules and regulations on indoor pyrotechnic use throughout Indiana. State Sen. Vi Simpson D-Ellettsville introduced legislation that would establish rules to help ensure the safe use of indoor pyrotechnics and fireworks.

IU dealing with high enrollment

By Kristin Huett · Thursday, Jan. 29,2004 12:43 a.m.

With enrollment increasing each year, IU students are dealing with more tightly packed classes and registering for the classes they want. Roland Cote, associate vice chancellor for enrollment services and registrar, said no plans are in the works, however, to extend class hours from the current 8:00 a.m. to 9 p.m. timeframe.

Dean to take 'Polar Plunge'

By Stacie Vasko · Thursday, Jan. 29,2004 12:42 a.m.

Dean of Students Richard McKaig is preparing to take the plunge. McKaig has agreed to jump into a pool of near-freezing water if the Student Alumni Association raises $500 for Special Olympics Indiana. The Polar Bear Plunge, which debuted last year, will once again highlight the Spirit of Sport fundraising event, Feb. 6. Last year, 35 participants took the icy plunge.

Hacker says IU site still insecure

By Michael Zennie · Thursday, Jan. 29,2004 12:42 a.m.

A student claiming to have breached the security of the IU Emergency Web site early Monday morning said the security hole in the site has yet to be fully plugged. Sophomore Ben Brodsky said when he logged on to the site, http://emergency.iub.edu, he found he could log into the server and change information at will using only his University username and password. "I didn't forcibly gain access to the site," Brodsky said. "I merely logged in with the information the University had already given me."

Knight's attorney to consider appeal

By Holly Johnson and Holy Johnson · Thursday, Jan. 29,2004 12:42 a.m.

A week after asking the Indiana Court of Appeals to review his lawsuit against the University, former IU Basketball Coach Bob Knight and his legal counsel are taking a closer look at their chances of overturning a judge's decision to dismiss the case. Knight's attorney, Russell Yates, said he will use the next 10 days to reconsider Knight's chances of winning the appeal. In October, Monroe County Circuit Judge Kenneth Todd dismissed the suit Knight levied in November 2002 against the University, which claimed IU violated the terms of his contract by not following proper firing procedures.

AIDS quilt debuts at IU

By Alli Stolper and Writer Alli Stolper · Thursday, Jan. 29,2004 12:42 a.m.

A bittersweet patchwork of vibrant snapshots, poems and artwork invigorated the lifeless walls of Alumni Hall in the Indiana Memorial Union Wednesday at a memorial service celebrating the lives and mourned the deaths of AIDS victims. The visiting AIDS Quilt and the memorial ceremony awakened IU students and members of the community to the cruel reality of the disease.

A clean, fresh choice

By Matt Glenesk · Thursday, Jan. 29,2004 12:35 a.m.

I wipe away the eye crust that has formed at the corner of my eyes and turn on what I hope is hot water. The Super Bowl is in four days, and I haven't decided who my horse is, yet. Nope, no hot water. It's as cold as the snow that has held my car hostage for three days. I huddle in the corner waiting for the water to warm -- which it eventually does. As the water beats down on my head, I question whether or not Carolina quarterback, Jake Delhomme, will be able to handle the constant blitzes the New England defense deploys. I shake my head remembering what happened to the league's Co-MVP Peyton Manning just a week and a half earlier.

Proposed bill to expand privacy rights for renters

By Holly Johnson and Holy Johnson · Thursday, Jan. 29,2004 12:28 a.m.

A bill requiring landlords to give tenants at least one day's notice before entering rental units cleared a legislative hurdle this week. Sponsored by State Rep. Matt Pierce D-Bloomington, the bill passed the Judiciary Committee with a vote of 10 to 3. According to the Pierce Tenant Privacy Act (HB 1096), a landlord may enter a unit without a day's notice only "in case of an emergency that threatens the safety of the occupants or the landlord's property." The landlord may enter only at "reasonable times" and has no other right of access unless as specified under court order or if the tenant has abandoned the unit. The bill also states that tenants may not deny access to landlords if proper notice has been given. Landlords may inspect the unit, make repairs or improvements, supply similar agreed services and show the dwelling to prospective buyers, tenants or contractors.

Jaguars building from NCAA exposure

By Alyson Brodsy · Thursday, Jan. 29,2004 12:22 a.m.

INDIANAPOLIS -- Odell Bradley sometimes drives the long way from his apartment to campus so he can admire a 14-by-45-foot billboard of himself. That ego boost is just one of the benefits Bradley is starting to reap from playing Division I basketball with an emerging IU-Purdue University-Indianapolis program. Two years into an expansive advertising campaign, the Jaguars are using their success on the court to generate interest off of it. Their first NCAA tournament appearance last year, coupled with billboards and bus signs, is helping one of America's alphabet schools improve its image in a crowded marketplace.

Majerus hospitalized, to resign after year

By Alyson Brodsy · Thursday, Jan. 29,2004 12:21 a.m.

SALT LAKE CITY -- Utah basketball coach Rick Majerus will resign at the end of the season after his latest health problem put him in the hospital with chest pains. Majerus, 55, was being treated in Santa Barbara, Calif., Wednesday. His condition was not released. Assistant Kerry Rupp will coach the Utes in the interim, though Majerus could return and finish out the season if his health allows. Rupp will guide the team when it plays Saturday against BYU.

All-American preps for big year

By Rob DeWitte and Rob eWitte · Thursday, Jan. 29,2004 12:19 a.m.

Sophomore Sean Jefferson has always been fast. In middle school he fancied himself a sprinter. By his senior year of high school, he discovered there were few people he couldn't out run over longer distances. In distance running, coaches say speed kills, and Sean has speed. "If you have natural speed, all you have to do is get basic fitness under your belt," said IU coach Robert Chapman. "Then, in races you can relax and open a big can of whoop-ass." Speed is the deciding factor in indoor racing.

Minn. natives go 'Barn'storming

By Dan Patrick · Thursday, Jan. 29,2004 12:13 a.m.

One ranked team in one rickety arena. This is what's in store for the IU women's basketball team tonight when the Hoosiers lock horns with the No. 14-ranked Minnesota Golden Gophers at the notorious 76 year-old Williams Arena. Williams Arena, nicknamed "The Barn," has risen into infamy since its original construction in 1928, featuring a raised floor, shaky rims and a notoriously raucous fan base. While they have heard about "The Barn," IU players will simply look at it as just another gym.

Intramurals give everyone a chance to win

By Matt Glenesk · Thursday, Jan. 29,2004 12:12 a.m.

College athletics have been mired in controversy and scandal for years, but on campuses around the nation sport continues to thrive in one of its purest states in the form of intramurals. IU offers its students a multitude of opportunities to partake in intramural sports; from softball, football and the ever-popular basketball to kickball, dodgeball and euchre.

Suicide bomber kills 4 with disguised vehicle in Baghdad

By Alyson Brodsy and Sarah El Deeb · Thursday, Jan. 29,2004 12:05 a.m.

BAGHDAD, Iraq -- A suicide bomber driving a van disguised as an ambulance blew up his vehicle Wednesday in front of a hotel frequented by Westerners, witnesses and police said. Iraqi police reported four people were killed, and South Africa said one of its nationals was among them. In the southern city of Nasiriyah, about 10,000 followers of a radical Shiite Muslim cleric forced the coalition-appointed governor to leave his office, insisting they would recognize only elected leaders.