Longform

Build a better relationship

As lawsuits about the Open Door Laws and the confidentiality of Bob Knight's personnel records wend their way through the courts and the University addresses a shortage of state funds, the IDS's responsibility to serve as a watchdog of government operations took center stage over the last few weeks. There have been several breaking stories and critical editorials this summer concerning the actions of the University and its officials, culminating in a guest column by William Stephan, the Vice President of Public Affairs and Government Relations (July 15, "Brand misrepresented").

Armed men kill students

Armed men stormed a university hall in Nigeria, and opened fire on engineering students taking examinations, killing at least 15 people, witnesses and police said Wednesday.

My final thoughts

As the sun shines down on IU and campus comes alive, it is, ironically, time for many students to begin an exodus from campus. But, before I pack up my bags to return to good ol' Valparaiso, there are a few loose ends that need to be tied up.

U.S. troops inside border

The United States has a "modest number" of troops inside Afghanistan, Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld said Tuesday in the Pentagon's clearest acknowledgment yet of the American ground presence in the anti-terror war. The troops are doing liaison work with anti-Taliban fighters and helping with resupply for those groups, as well as pinpointing targets for U.S. bombers.

Big-city cabaret comes to town

Tonight the Bloomington Playwrights Project invites the audience to take part in one-of-a-kind experience that will explore the detours of life through song. Washington D.C. performer Colin James' original one man cabaret "Detour Ahead" will be held tonight and tomorrow at the BPP at 8 p.m.

Society overlooking true heroes

Too many people we call heroes don't deserve that title. Worse, too many people who deserve to be recognized as heroes, are not. For example, athletes (and some coaches), are THE heroes at IU, hands down. Yet a typical athletic hero simply excels at a sport, in the narrow sense of the term. And that's not enough. A hero should be more than a great athlete.

Bin Laden denies attack involvement

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates -- Osama bin Laden, the prime suspect behind last week's airborne strikes on the United States, issued a statement Sunday denying that he was involved.

Returning riders take top women's spots

Kappa Alpha Theta senior Krissy Johnson can't seem to beat Alpha Delta Pi senior Emily Derkasch. In last year's women's Little 500 individual time trials, Derkasch topped Johnson by .03 seconds to finish fifth. In this year's time trials Wednesday at Bill Armstrong Stadium, Derkasch beat out Johnson by .48 seconds to capture the top spot.

Vitale isn't vital

I don't know how you can fill out your NCAA Tournament brackets. Like all college basketball fans, I was all geared up on Selection Sunday for all the stuff by which a season is ultimately decided -- pairings, locations, game times and seedings. Finally, all the vital info is disseminated to the world, I turned to ESPN for some reaction and then something happened, and I could no longer fill out my bracket sheet.

Jordan River Forum

Wrong time for criticism GAP should be allowed to come to campus Images burning in our minds

Women's team splits games with 1 win, 1 loss out west

The women's basketball team escaped from the weekend's talent-rich Stanford Invitational with a victory and a loss. After falling to No. 9 Stanford 87-72 Friday night in Palo Alto, Calif., the Hoosiers knocked off Western Kentucky 85-70 in the consolation game. Stanford claimed the tournament title over UC Santa Barbara 87-64.

Return of Toadies

Policy not made known

Thanks to a new University policy, religion and IU can now peacefully coexist. Too bad many students didn't know about the new religious observation requirements. IU recently implemented a policy requiring students to turn in a form to professors to document that they will miss class for a religious holiday.

This Jacko is not wacko

Phil Jackson doesn't need your sympathy. He's among the highest paid coaches in the National Basketball Association at over $7 million per season, and most are predicting his Los Angeles Lakers to beat the Sacramento Kings in the NBA Finals, er, Western Conference Finals.

Dating shows are stupid

Off-the-field expectations

Athletes are public figures. They travel across the country with the IU emblem across their clothing. They are broadcast nationally to thousands of people across America. They are role models to kids in the community, and looked up to by many on this campus. This is especially true for the IU football team. No matter what the score, IU students have not stopped screaming their lungs out on game day or painting their chests red and white.

Eight killed by airstrike in Iraq

BAGHDAD, Iraq -- Iraq said Monday that eight civilians were killed in a weekend airstrike by U.S. and British warplanes on southern Iraq. The Pentagon gave no word of casualties. The official Iraqi News Agency said three others were wounded in the strike Sunday night in the al-Salhiya area of Wasit province, 100 miles south of Baghdad. The U.S. Central Command in Florida has said its planes attacked two or more surface-to-air missile sites Sunday in southern Iraq in response to Iraqi threats against American and British aircraft patrolling no-fly zones over Iraq.

Little 500 teams bring abundance of different strategies

Every spring for the past 51 years, many students have experienced the thrills and spills of Little 500 racing. Although the crowd only sees the sprints to the finish and bone-crunching crashes, much more exists behind the scenes of the race touted as the "World's Greatest College Weekend." Strategy plays just as important role in the outcome of the race as speed and precision exchanges.

Hoosier Rowing club prepares for upcoming season

Eighteen years ago, IU students who wanted to bring the sport of rowing to campus formed the IU Rowing Club. This club sport has slowly gained recognition while facing the challenges of funding a team. The members of IU Crew work to turn rowing into a competitive program that honors the dreams of the club's founding members.

New strategy for national defense

Just before the events of Sept. 11, the United States military had been undergoing a much-needed national debate on what course it will take for securing our defense in the years to come. The U.S. faces new threats in the 21st Century and must be reformed to counter those threats. Now, more than ever, we are faced with the possibility that rogue states and terrorist groups will use chemical, biological and nuclear weapons -- or our own planes as missiles. Two possible paths have emerged in Washington's delayed discussion on military readiness and capabilities. One plan would have the military hold on to its traditional policy of being ready to engage and win two major conflicts in different parts of the world simultaneously. The other, which is being proposed by Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and other top military brass, has caused some fierce discussion in conservative circles.