Longform

Runner named athlete of week

Jumper brings spirit, substance to IU

Autopsy of student provides no answers

An autopsy Tuesday failed to determine the cause of death of 21-year old Purdue University junior Laura Marie Williams. Williams, a native of Chesterton, Ind., and student in the university's School of Consumer and Family Sciences, was found dead Monday morning in her off-campus apartment. Williams' roommate, Daniel Goebbert, a junior, said Williams told another roommate she wasn't feeling well Sunday afternoon. She never emerged from her room. Tippecanoe County Coroner Martin Avolt told the Associated Press he estimates Williams' time of death as being sometime late Sunday night or early Monday morning.

IU Police investigating sexual battery

Graduate student employees considers bill of rights

The Graduate Student Organization is considering drafting a bill of rights for graduate students employed by the University as assistant instructors, graduate assistants and resident advisers, said graduate student Amy Criss, the cognitive science representative for the GSO.

A letter to Mr. President

Dear President Bush, Congratulations on your recent inauguration. I voted for you, and I know you will be a creative, innovative and compassionate commander in chief. If you can overlook the fact that I supported Libby Dole, then John McCain and then you, I will try to overlook your past judgment flaws and work with you toward making the United States a better country.

Candidates get back to real life

After weeks of suspense, tension and late nights in front of the television hoping for a glimpse of non-election programming, George W. Bush has been sworn in as the 43rd or 44th (does it really matter what number he is?) president of the United States. Kudos to W. The American public is giddy with excitement.

Getting back to the pure game

My friend Johnny D'Mico called me the other day. Johnny doesn't call me often, but the weird thing is that he always calls when I'm thinking about the same thing he is; it's almost as if Johnny is tripping over the ideas sitting in my head.

Exhibit shows King's 'human side'

The sign proclaims, "I am a man"; the phrase indicates the power of an individual who dedicated his life to change -- Martin Luther King Jr.

Jackson let down family, public

Jesse Jackson is running from the camera. Dash down to the supermarket and stock up on the canned food -- it can only be a sign of the apocalypse. A man who has spent his life on the six o'clock news suddenly doesn't want the publicity. It's understandable. Jackson should hide from public view, having betrayed the people he represents and the lofty principles he claims to uphold.

Children learn, laugh with local puppet troupe

In an era when movie tickets can exceed $8 and there are few options in bargain entertainment, the Puck Players Theatre, a local puppeteering troupe, offers a low-cost alternative.

Light, camera, laughs

Our scene opens on chaos -- students mill around in groups, chatting about the latest films and discussing the day's schedule. Adjunct Professor John Winninger quiets the room -- albeit briefly -- with a shout. He dismisses groups of students to the care of other students: writers go upstairs to discuss sketch ideas with senior Jodie Reminder; actors join junior Carrie Owen in the props room to go over lines; and producers and editors remain to build sets.

Hoosiers keep bragging rights

Mike Davis wasn't going to let it happen again. Saturday in Minnesota, the Hoosiers blew a 13-point lead with fewer than three minutes remaining. Tuesday night against Purdue, IU didn't fall apart. The result was a 66-55 victory for the Hoosiers. After junior guard Dane Fife missed a pair of free throws, Davis, the interim head coach, called a time out with the Hoosiers up 52-45. The Boilermakers (12-6, 4-3 Big Ten) were surging and 3:20 remained. He didn't have to remind the players about the Minnesota game. They watched the game film as soon as they returned from the airport.

Brand calls for reform of athletics

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Four months after IU President Myles Brand's controversial firing of former men's basketball coach Bob Knight, Brand spoke at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., warning that collegiate athletics threaten to eclipse academics. Brand said he plans to align the IU athletics department to reflect his vision of "academics first" and decrease the commercial and entertainment aspects of college sports.

Students observe Lunar New Year

Today marks the Lunar New Year celebrated by Chinese all over the world. At IU, students from China, Hong Kong, Korea, Singapore, Indonesia and Taiwan will celebrate with a party Friday at the Willkie Quad Auditorium.

Proposed Ivy Tech funding disputed

Enrollment continues to climb at Indiana's Ivy Tech State College. Now the college plans to expand throughout Monroe County, giving Gov. Frank O'Bannon reason to maintain its funding, said Thad Nation, a spokesman for the governor.

Coaches, players excited by 1st IU-Purdue battle

Purdue coach Gene Keady stood with his hand on his hip, his mouth gaping. Fife to Jeffries. Dunk. Keady crossed his arms and scowled. Fife to Haston. Dunk. Keady screamed.

Stone Cold earns title shot at Rumble

Stone Cold Steve Austin has earned a chance for the title at Wrestlemania. At the Royal Rumble, Austin survived the 30-man fiasco to deserve a shot at the belt. Kurt Angle is still the champion after Austin interfered in the title match Sunday, but this does not mean he will be the one to face Austin, as the belt might change hands in the interim.

Returning students find home

Webmail popular in 1st week

Less than a week after it became available, Webmail is the e-mail system of choice for thousands of IU students. Technology officials said the new system has been well-received by users. Terry Usrey, the data communications director of University Information Technology Services, said while it is too early to know what students think of Webmail, the number of users speaks for itself.