Longform

Around The Game

Wednesday, Aug. 29,2001 2:05 a.m.

Linebacker Smith named to Butkus Award Watch List Bloomington -- Indianapolis Warren Central High School product Justin Smith has been named, along with 10 other Big Ten linebackers, to the Watch List for the Butkus Award. This award, presented annually to the nation's best collegiate linebacker, has a 69-member Watch List.

Take it slow when returning to the gym

By Alyson Brodsy and Ryan Lengerich · Wednesday, Aug. 29,2001 2:01 a.m.

Right now, students throughout campus are declaring the college version of a New Year's resolution. Cushy summer desk jobs, lazy summer days near the pool and cruise vacations have negated all attempts to attain the perfect body. You know who you are: The only six-pack you have is the one in the fridge, yet you deliver your roommates, parents, dogs and food closet the same empty lines.

City to discontinue at-risk youth program

By Joseph S. Pete · Wednesday, Aug. 29,2001 1:59 a.m.

After six years, the city has pulled the plug on a program for troubled youth. The Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department announced Tuesday that it's discontinuing Project Breakaway, an after-school mentoring and recreation program for at-risk youth. Originally funded by a federal grant, Project Breakaway was first conceived of as a substance-abuse prevention program.

Team relies on recruiting class

By Alyson Brodsy and Pat Crowell · Wednesday, Aug. 29,2001 1:57 a.m.

The Indiana men's cross country team is establishing itself not only as one of the Big Ten's elite, but also as a national elite.

Retirement plan balanced, officials say

By Aaron Sharockman and Alyson Brodsy · Wednesday, Aug. 29,2001 1:57 a.m.

Bloomington Faculty Council President Robert Eno and College of Arts and Sciences Dean Kumble R. Subbaswamy discussed the economic impact of the 18-20 Program, saying the lucrative pension benefits for retiring IU faculty are easily offset by existing hiring practices. Eno and Subbaswamy responded to an Associated Press story which said IU's financial future might be compromised because of a large pension plan implemented in the late 1950s for retiring IU professors and administrators.

Hoosiers begin workouts

By Jason Recker · Wednesday, Aug. 29,2001 1:54 a.m.

New men's basketball assistant coach Ben McDonald, his fellow assistants and head coach Mike Davis expect only a handful of developments from their team before practice officially begins Oct. 13: game-speed workouts, proper technique and confidence.

Officials tout labs as economic tool

By Joseph S. Pete · Wednesday, Aug. 29,2001 1:40 a.m.

State and local government officials gathered at City Hall Tuesday for IU's announcement of the opening of three new state-of-the-art computer technology labs. The politicians -- including Indiana Lt. Gov. Joe Kernan -- praised the research facilities as infrastructure for a burgeoning information economy in Indiana. "The Indiana of today is much different from the Indiana of tomorrow," Kernan said. "There's no time to sit back and let the grass grow."

Students with disabilities benefit from technology

By Alexis Silas and Alyson Brodsy · Wednesday, Aug. 29,2001 1:36 a.m.

Two years ago, Margaret Londergan devised a plan. After working for the University for almost 20 years, Londergan knew that students with disabilities needed more support than technology made possible. Someone needed to design a place where cutting-edge technology could be tested -- a place where students with learning, mental or physical disabilities could test different technologies and be provided with solutions that worked best for them. Because Londergan had already developed most of the computer sites on campus, she knew she could make it happen.

IUPD Blotter

Wednesday, Aug. 29,2001 1:32 a.m.

The following activity was reported to IU Police Department: Aug. 25 • Student James Ellis, 18, resident of McNutt Quad, was cited at 17th Street and Fess Avenue for illegal consumption. • Student Joseph Alex-ander, 18, resident of Wright Quad, was cited at 17th Street and Fess Avenue for illegal consumption.

'Quiet nights' necessary

By Alyson Brodsy · Wednesday, Aug. 29,2001 1:29 a.m.

Imagine, if you will, a typical Bloomington apartment complex. It\'s 3 a.m. on a Tuesday morning. You, in your first floor apartment, have a test at 8 a.m. The guys in the apartment above you decide that 3 a.m. is a reasonable time to play the Beatles so loud that not only does it wake you, you can make out the lyrics. You and your roommate put on your bathrobes, go upstairs, and ask nicely if they will turn down their stereo. They say sure, no problem. You head back downstairs. As you reach the bottom of the stairwell, they yell profanities and slam their door, then proceed to turn the music up louder.

Beauty queens have it hard

By Alyson Brodsy and Bridget Graf · Wednesday, Aug. 29,2001 1:21 a.m.

Being a woman on the IU campus might be one of the most difficult tasks I will ever have to face in my life. From fighting off the constant looks of males to watching others size up the competition, it's enough to make me want a sex change. (OK, no, not really, that was a joke.) But you get my point. Women across campus know what I mean. Bloomington has some of the most beautiful women in the world, and to my knowledge, I am not one of them. So what can an ugly duckling do in such a seemingly disastrous situation? Well, nothing really, other than exercise obsessively and hope that I endure a momentous transformation. Until then, I marvel at the self-discipline and control that these women have, for to be perfect each and every day is quite an accomplishment. Just how do these women do it?

A racial mobilization year

By Alyson Brodsy and Damon Freeman · Wednesday, Aug. 29,2001 1:18 a.m.

As one of the very few graduate students of color on the campus, I decided to write my first column on race and racism at IU and in the Bloomington community. Most of you who are reading this are undoubtedly looking forward to the academic year and the opportunities this University presents for intellectual growth and personal achievement. You will no doubt find a place for yourself, whether in sports; music; the theater; conservative, liberal or radical organizations; fraternities or sororities.

Shabby Social Security

By Vince Carr · Wednesday, Aug. 29,2001 1:12 a.m.

Last week, the president's bipartisan Commission to Strengthen Social Security held an advisory meeting to discuss its newly published interim report, which addresses the current state of Social Security. The 32-page report should be required reading for every working American. Basically, Social Security is a dilapidated system and the interim report advises "Social Security needs structural improvement if it is to cope with the realities of an aging society." The current system can remain solvent until 2016 when it will then begin running annual cash deficits. But, the problem must be remedied now because, contrary to popular belief, the government does not save or invest the money it brings in. The so-called Social Security trust fund is nothing more than a government account and does not generate assets as trust funds do in the market.

Let parents be parents

By Alyson Brodsy · Wednesday, Aug. 29,2001 12:54 a.m.

Almost every student has had a curfew at some time in his or her life. Parents decided kids were simply not old enough to be out past a certain time. So they did what parents are supposed to do. They set limits. For those of us who did not have a curfew, we probably ended up going home when all of your friends had to be home. With or without a curfew, it was up to your parents when you came walking in the door.

Varsity Club sees donor increase

By Aaron Sharockman · Tuesday, Aug. 28,2001 1:44 a.m.

When Bob Knight left IU at the end of his 28th year as men's basketball coach, many thought IU's athletic donors would flee town after him. Instead, the IU Varsity Club -- the athletic department's fund-raising arm -- has seen more than a 4 percent increase in total income since Knight's last full year in Bloomington. "Sometimes change is healthy, and it's healthy on a number of different fronts," said Steve Uryasz, Texas Tech's senior associate athletics director, happy to have Knight in Lubbock, Texas, where Tech fund-raising is soaring.

UITS plans elimination of lockers

By Valerie Nienberg · Tuesday, Aug. 28,2001 1:39 a.m.

Students who've grumbled and grieved over storing, and often losing, files in their Locker accounts on the campus computers can now breathe a sigh of relief. University Information Technology Services is in the process of eliminating the long-troublesome locker system and replacing it with a much-improved successor -- the Common File System.

Let there be no more doubt about No. 1

By Brian Longly · Tuesday, Aug. 28,2001 1:39 a.m.

Before I begin, I just want to let all of you out there know what\'s going on with this column. Once a week, I get to go off about any topic of national significance in the sporting world based on how I see fit. You might agree with me, or you might not. If you don't agree, too bad, because I\'m the one with the column, and you\'re not. Remember, you can always let me know what a moron I am; which I am accustomed to. And now, on to my first topic of college football.

Otis to consider mass layoffs

By Joseph S. Pete · Tuesday, Aug. 28,2001 1:35 a.m.

Otis Elevator Co. is considering laying off 460 employees from its Bloomington plant. Company officials met with workers and union representatives Monday to explain that an increasingly competitive marketplace might necessitate mass layoffs. To cut production costs, Otis plans to transfer the production of low-rise elevators and elevator parts to a factory in Nogales, Mexico and outside suppliers. Otis Vice President of Communications Mark Granato said the Bloomington plant will focus on manufacturing high-rise elevators and contracted maintenance, which is where the company makes most of its money.

Assistant coach to be named

Tuesday, Aug. 28,2001 1:32 a.m.

Men's basketball coach Mike Davis will hire an assistant from among five candidates Tuesday morning to fill the final spot in his coaching staff. Davis will also name an administrative assistant.

Professors adjust classes for freshmen

By Aaron Sharockman · Tuesday, Aug. 28,2001 1:17 a.m.

Adjusting to college life takes some time. Magazine reports talk about life in the dorms and the new social atmosphere, along with the everyday chores of life without parents.