Longform

WonderLab museum teaches through fun

A Red-tailed Hawk picks apart a dead mouse. A peregrine falcon eats a small chicken. All this with local children watching a few feet away. WonderLab, 116 W. Sixth St., offers children and their parents hands-on experience with science and fun. Museum employees said volunteers account for a large portion of its success.

That's all, folks

So you remember how funny this column used to be? "I don't like fraternities," I'd say, and you'd laugh and laugh. "Dave Matthews, he's not so good either," I'd write, and you'd say, "Stop it, Chris! Our sides our splitting because we are laughing so hard."

Notifying of fees needed

Questions have been raised about the Kelley School of Business' recent hike in fees for business students, especially concerning why the school's administration did not inform these students about the higher fees. The Business school's administration should have informed students as soon as the fee was raised rather than letting students find the change on their bill.

University needs to stay together

Yesterday we all watched in horror as one of the most devastating terrorist attacks in U.S. history unfolded before our eyes. The tragedies in New York, Washington and Pennsylvania affected us all directly as we worried and mourned for our family members, loved ones and countrymen.

Jordan River Forum

Professors earn nationally recognized awards

This fall, biology professors Howard Gest and Michael Lynch will join an eclectic group of newly elected Fellows and Foreign Honorary Members in the Academy of Arts in Sciences. Among the elite the two will be joining are Sen. Edward Kennedy, actress Anjelica Huston, violinist Itzhak Perlman and Nobel Prize-winning chemist George Olah. Howard Gest Howard Gest, Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Microbiology, said he committed himself to a career in science during his high school years, a time when most people are paralyzed with indecision. After reading Sinclair Lewis' "Arrowsmith," Gest, a world-class conversationalist, was determined to become a bacteriologist. These seeds of scientific curiosity germinated into a long, successful career in microbiology.

IU faces budget cut, tuition hike

Facing budget cuts of $55.5 million from the state, the University will have to make cuts in information technology and campus maintenance and raise tuition again next year, IU President Myles Brand said Friday. The cuts will affect the budget period ending in 2003. The state is also withholding $37 million in IU operating funds for June 2002, a move that will force the University to dip into reserves to meet payroll expenses. "The reserves just about cover (the $37 million). There isn't much more there," Brand said.

IU takes 5th in nationals

The IU Men's Club Volleyball team tied for fifth at last week's National Intramural-Recreational Sports Association's national championships in Kansas City, Mo.

Student loans could see rule change

College seniors -- who now typically graduate with $17,000 in debt -- may see a rare opportunity to slash thousands of dollars off their student-loan interest payments blocked by a new Bush administration proposal.

Sophomore steps up from first season

As the Hoosiers prepared for last year's regional meet, they received some bad news. Then-sophomore Amanda Bell would not be able to run in that meet because of injury. Coach Judy Bogenschutz had a decision to make: Who would she send to run in Bell's spot? Bogenschutz called on then freshman Becky Obrecht to run the biggest race of her life. "I was excited because I hadn't raced for a while. It was a big race. I was glad that coach had the confidence in me to run that race," Obrecht said. Obrecht hadn't run a 6K race all season. This was going to be her first race in five weeks. Obrecht stepped in and ran a good race, placing 5th on the squad and 80th overall.

Iowa could make a 'Big' mess

INDIANAPOLIS -- Reggie Evans and Iowa are looking for a second chance to make up for an underachieving regular season. Luke Recker scored 25 points and Evans added 19 and a career-tying 18 rebounds as Iowa opened defense of its Big Ten Tournament championship with an 87-72 victory over Purdue Thursday. The Hawkeyes (17-14), the tournament's ninth seed, advance to Friday's quarterfinals against No. 1 seed Wisconsin (18-11). Recker and Evans combined for 24 points in the second half, as Iowa led by as many as 20. Recker, the former Indiana high school star who played two seasons with the Hoosiers, hit a fadeaway three pointer that saw him tumble into Alford for a 69-54 lead with 8:37 to go. A year ago, Iowa, as the sixth seed, became the first Big Ten team to win four games to win the title.

Commission to fight brain drain

Every year, thousands of college seniors graduate from public colleges and universities across Indiana. State officials want to keep as many of these graduates within the state to avoid the "brain drain" problem that has plagued Indiana for the past few years. The ongoing effort to retain college graduates has included programs such as Indiana First that highlight the opportunities for recent college graduates within the state.

Local bar hosts fund-raiser for Red Cross

Red, white and blue balloons bunched together were the only indication of a "special event" Nicks English Hut, 423 E. Kirkwood Ave., sent to passers-by Thursday.

City hopes to increase wastewater connection fees

The city's utility department is looking to scare up more revenue to hold down sewer service rates. So officials are proposing increases in wastewater connection and stormwater fees. The Bloomington Utilities Department held a three-hour Utilities Service Board meeting on the plan Monday evening, outlining their intentions. City hall supports the plan -- Bloomington Mayor John Fernandez said the proposal was a matter of "fairness and equity" for all utilities customers. But critics contend the proposed hikes will hinder development and growth.

Strains on Kabul residents run deep

KABUL, Afghanistan -- The television tower lies toppled on its hill, felled by aerial bombing. Not that it matters much to people in Kabul. Their Taliban rulers long ago banned television as part of their rigid Islamic program. Tanker trucks are spread throughout the city, apparently to disperse the Taliban's oil supplies away from the fuel depots that are on the list of bombing targets.

The hunter and the hunted

There is something very special going on at Collins Living-Learning Center. It is a test of endurance, strategy and courage. It is "The Game." You might be asking yourself what "Game" is taking place at Collins.

Following Bloomington's Final Four craze

IDS reporter Elise LeBlanc traveled the town on the eve of IU's biggest victory since 1992. She encountered "alumni losers," athletic exhibitionists and beloved police officers. This is what she saw.

Parking attendants just doing their job

I normally don't respond to columns in the IDS, but after reading James Boyd's column on March 29, entitled "Fight the evil Parking Operations power," I feel I have to share my thoughts.

Israel agrees to halt Arafat seige

JERUSALEM -- Israel and the Palestinians agreed Sunday to accept a U.S. proposal that would place six wanted men in a Palestinian jail under the watchful eyes of American and British guards -- a deal that would end the month-old Israeli siege of Yasser Arafat's West Bank headquarters and enable the Palestinian leader to travel freely for the first time since December.

Local libertarians discuss alternatives to war

After the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, people are just beginning to piece their lives back together. The next step and part of the healing process for some is finding a way to help prevent terrorism in the future.