Longform

Dr. Dre and Snoop clean up

HPER dean to speak at commencement

Tony Mobley, dean of the IU School of Health, Physical Education and Recreation, will address 1,725 graduating seniors at this year's Winter Commencement. The ceremony will take place at 10 a.m. Dec. 15 in Assembly Hall. Doors will open at 8 a.m. and the lineup for the procession begins at 8:30 a.m. at the Harry Gladstein Fieldhouse. The procession will start at 9:30 a.m. Mobley, who has served as dean of HPER since 1976, was invited a few weeks ago to serve as the keynote speaker. He said he plans to discuss the changing world IU graduates will encounter upon graduation.

CIC eyes recruitment

Midwestern university academics will meet in Bloomington today and Friday to discuss the new challenges of recruiting international students as a result of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. The Big Ten's academic arm and the University of Chicago, which comprise the Committee on Institutional Cooperation, hope to consider alternative strategies for international recruitment following the terrorist attacks. In the next two days, the committee will address factors that could deter international students from attending American universities.

Jordan River Forum

Differences between law, religion

When our country was founded, way back in the day, Strom Thurmond and the other founding fathers (what, Thurmond wasn't around back then? oops) wrote our Constitution with several different ideas in mind for creating a more perfect nation. Thrown in that document was the decision to keep church and state separate. There was to be no national religion, as had often been the case in the other countries of the old world. So, the thought was, keeping it separate from the government would create a country in which people from any religion would be able to come and live freely and celebrate their religion with no worries of persecution. While it's true that this has worked better in theory than in practice, it seems as if more and more, that line is getting blurred.

Let us hear your voice

The urge to sound like Frasier Crane is irresistible. Hello, Bloomington. We're listening. "We" are Travis and Alexis, your trusty opinion editors for the spring semester, and we are listening. Together, the two of us and the hundreds of you can create something beautiful -- this opinion page. But here's the catch: It doesn't work without you. We're looking for your letters, your thoughts and your voices. There are several ways to write for this page. You could apply for a position as a columnist to write weekly or every other week on topics of your choice. The application for spring columnists is due Friday, Dec. 14 and is available at http://www.idsnews.com/marketing/job_opps/employ.html. We can't wait to read what you, our prospective columnists, have to offer.

I'd rather be a doofus

I don't like writing straightforward opinion columns. I never really have. Part of my hesitation springs from plain ol' paranoia. I worry about getting my facts wrong and looking like a doofus, and I'm too much of a doofus as it is. I worry about Cliff Clavin's pointing out tiny miscues in my column and needling me about it. I guess maybe I'm too sensitive, and I'll freely admit that: not only am I a doofus, but I'm also a wuss. But the biggest reason I shy away from writing opinion columns is, well, that I hate opinions.

Afghans decide on interim leaders

KOENIGSWINTER, Germany -- With a war still being fought in their homeland, Afghan factions signed a pact Wednesday to create a temporary post-Taliban administration, putting aside differences over power-sharing to take the first step toward peace. Amid applause and embraces, exhausted envoys at a luxury hotel near Bonn agreed to a U.N.-brokered plan that allows for the deployment of foreign troops to secure the transition, stresses the inclusion of women and strives for a democracy. It offers Afghanistan its best chance in decades to escape a cycle of war.

Everyone should 'Dig Deeper'

It's that time of year again -- the holiday season that is. With all the tree decorating, shopping, card sending, television specials, carol singing, parties overflowing with food and holiday good cheer, it is easy to forget those who don't have as much to be cheerful about. I don't blame anyone for enjoying all the wonderful things of the holiday season (I rather like all these things myself), but each of us has a responsibility to give some of our own joy and happiness to other people. That's right, I said, "responsibility." After all, isn't sharing what these holidays are all about?

Cheerleaders deserve funds

The IU Crimson Cheer and Pom Squads have worked very hard to raise money to head to Florida for the Universal Cheerleaders and Universal Dance Associations' national cheer and dance competition Jan. 10 through 13. The trip has been set, but the athletics department is not assisting the squad members in their efforts to represent our community at this level of competition. Instead, coach Julie Horine has helped make it possible for the squads to make the trip south. She is paying out of her own pocket for the flights. The individual teammates have the option of paying her back.

Study: Over counter drugs hinder driving

As the weather fluctuates between nice and nasty, cold season arrives fast and furious. Suddenly, hundreds of students flee to grocery stores and dining halls in pursuit of a remedy-- Benedryl, NyQuil and Sudafed. These winter warriors provide consumers with an inexpensive means to fight allergies and the common cold. But drivers may want to look elsewhere for a cure. More than 50 million Americans experience allergies, according to the National Institute of Allergies and Infectious Diseases. The NIAID also reported that Americans suffer one billion colds annually. These ailments fuel the non-prescription drug industry.

Rain halts shuttle launch

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Rain clouds over the launch pad forced NASA to call off Tuesday's liftoff of space shuttle Endeavour on a flight to deliver a new crew to the international space station. It was the latest delay for Endeavour and its seven astronauts, held up last week by space station trouble. Launch managers said they would try again Wednesday.

Student athletes giving back

Athletes from different IU sports will be visiting the cancer ward of Bloomington Hospital today and Thursday between noon and 8 p.m.

My 2 cents on the NHL

With almost 30 games played by the teams around the NHL, some teams have enjoyed expected success, as have some teams that have come out of nowhere to lead the pack in the hockey world. Will these teams be able to make it last to the finish of the marathon long season? Maybe yes, maybe no. But the popular saying is the first 20 games is a good indicator of the playoffs, so maybe this year will bring some new faces competing to be the team that raises the Stanley Cup in June.

Redefining requirements of being a true sport

As the never-ending search for catchy, enticing introductions continues in the world of writing, many people resort to the cliche line, "Webster's ninth Collegiate Dictionary defines _____ as…". While many teachers hate this "clever" opening for its lack of originality, I personally just simply disagree with good old Noah Webster on his definition of the word "sport," and I aim to elucidate what a "sport" really is.

Senior looks to be Big Ten champ

Senior Viktor Sveda came to IU with one goal in mind: to win a National Championship in wrestling. Last season he placed second in the Big Ten. He placed third at the National Championship. This year, he is striving for more.

Tenacious D gives rousing performance

New IDS staffers prepare

So it begins. Another semester at the IDS is already dancing in the minds of editors who've earned positions on the Spring 2002 staff. Wednesday and Thursday evenings, they will shadow current editors and learn traditions as old as Ernie Pyle's desk hulking in a corner of the newsroom -- or at least its legend. Judging by the light in their eyes during editor interviews, this group will bring fresh vigor to their jobs, too.

Football team in need of a winning coach

Saturday, the football team defeated rival Kentucky 26-15 to end the season on a good note. Despite this, it was another down season for the football team. In order for the team to start fresh next season, it needs a new head coach.

IUPD Blotter

An employee of the Main Library food court reported an attempted assault after stopping a shoplifting suspect Monday, the IU Police Department reported.