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IU professor goes before Congress

Russell Skiba, IU associate professor in educational psychology, testified before the U.S. Congress recently to discuss his efforts to help improve discipline and safety in area schools. Skiba, director of the federally funded Safe and Responsive Schools Project, worked with five schools in the Richland-Bean Blossom (RBB) and Spencer-Owen School Corporations. They have just completed a three-year project that, according to the figures reported in the testimony, has dramatically reduced suspensions and expulsions in the schools.

Nicaragua election remains tight

Eleven years after losing power in an election, former Sandinista leader Daniel Ortega has a strong chance to regain the presidency in voting Sunday despite U.S. efforts to dent his campaign.

Ankle sprain analysis

It has happened to most of us at one time or another. Maybe you were playing basketball or just walking down the street minding your own business. You take your next misplaced step and there you have it. You just twisted your ankle.

Pacific Rim supports Bush, war on terrorism

SHANGHAI, China -- Pacific Rim leaders called for international cooperation with the U.S.-led battle against terrorism, but stopped short Sunday of endorsing the military campaign in Afghanistan. Nevertheless, President Bush said he won "strong support" at the economic forum for the fight against terror on all fronts, financial, diplomatic and military.

Business as usual

The economy is struggling and college graduates are left scrambling for jobs -- but business is booming on university grounds across the nation. In pursuing recognition as technological leaders, institutions are pumping money into their business schools. Campuses are under construction as innovative buildings emerge, advancing business education and benefiting both students and universities.

Safety in the skies

Since Sept. 11, the government has taken great measures to ensure the safety of air travel. Armed air marshals accompany flights and federal workers carefully check baggage and screen passengers. President George W. Bush's administration has also proposed a $500 million fund to protect cockpits, calling for the airlines to fortify cockpit doors and restrict their opening during flight, and to keep the cockpit crew apprised of activity in the cabin.

Supporting students

This year's 52nd annual Little 500 race will not just be a matter of winning and losing. It will be a matter of honor. This April, the race will help raise enough funds to create three additional scholarships to commemorate the lives that were lost due to the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11. The three new $1000 scholarships will be presented by the IU Student Foundation, which organizes the race, to the chosen recipients on Sept. 11, 2002, according to Abby Quinnette, president of the IUSF. "The IU Foundation wanted to leave a mark and memorialize the people that were lost that day," Quinnette said.

Muzzling columnists inappropriate

Somehow I missed the moment in history when the editors of the IDS managed to repeal the First Amendment. I'm glad the repeal finally went through, though; I was sick and tired of reading opinions about nasty, upsetting things like race relations. Really, this decision to order campus newspaper opinion columnists not to write opinions about an important campus issue is about as unjournalistic and ridiculous as anything I've seen in a 20-year newspaper career. When I attended IU, the IDS was often called the Indiana Daily Stupid. The current crop of editors has fully lived up to that nickname.

Fans mourn Lennon anniversary

NEW YORK -- More than two decades after John Lennon was gunned down by a deranged fan, devoted fans of the ex-Beatle gathered Saturday to mourn on the anniversary of his death. Hundreds of people surrounded the Imagine mosaic in Strawberry Fields, an area of Central Park dedicated to Lennon after he was shot in 1980 by Mark David Chapman in front of the nearby Dakota, the luxury apartment building where he lived. They sang Beatles tunes, bobbed their heads to the beat of a band, burned candles and remembered the singer who meant so much to them. "It's a weird thing. It's been your whole life, the Beatles," said Larry Martin, a professional guitarist. "I had older brothers, so from the time I was three or four my earliest memories are of the Beatles." Martin said his decision to attend this year was influenced by the death of George Harrison, who succumbed to lung cancer Nov. 29.

Nationally ranked team loses to Michigan opponents

The women's soccer team went into the weekend nationally ranked for the first time in more than two seasons. After this weekend, the Hoosiers are sure to relegate their No. 23 ranking after losses to the Michigan Wolverines and Michigan State Spartans.

Junior football player arrested

An IU football player has been charged with raping a 21-year old female he met at a Bloomington sports bar early Sunday. A plea of not guilty was entered for Clarence Young, 20, at his initial hearing Tuesday. Young faces a charge of class B felony rape, punishable by up to 20 years in jail. According to a jail spokesman, Young was released Monday evening for $500 cash bail on a $20,000 assurity bond. Young's initial hearing has been set for August, said Monroe County Prosecutor Carl Salzmann. The victim was at a bar with friends when she met Young, but she doesn't remember how she ended up at Young's apartment complex, according to police reports. "She remembers being dragged up the sidewalk at Jackson Heights," Salzmann said.

Crushing the Cardinals

Junior forward Jeff Newton only had four points Saturday against Ball State. He also had seven rebounds. More importantly, Newton helped the Hoosiers take control of the frontcourt in their 74-61 win at Assembly Hall. With 9:32 left in the first half, Newton blocked the shot of Ball State junior forward Theron Smith. On the Cardinals' next possession, senior guard Patrick Jackson was about to go for a layup on a fast break before he saw Newton fill the lane. Watching Newton the whole way, Jackson had to settle for a 15-foot jump shot that he missed. The sequence set the tone for the rest of the game, with the Cardinals having to rely on jump shooting to keep them close. The Hoosiers (6-2) finished with 40 points in the paint. Ball State (5-2) had just 12. Along with sophomore forward Jared Jeffries and sophomore center George Leach, Newton and IU dominated the lane on both sides of the floor.

Knight should learn from other generals

Dear Mr. Knight, Well, you're back. Hi. It seems only last year that you were fired for repeated physical violations and ethical misconduct.

New York devastation makes lasting impact on students

NEW YORK -- Last weekend, a group of 19 members of the IU Campus Crusade for Christ went to New York. Traveling more than 30 hours, round trip, in a 15-passenger van and two cars, the group joined the many volunteers to do what it could to help the city devastated by terrorists. The group decided to go less than 24 hours before it left.

Music Landing:

Jordan River Forum

It was Dec. 5, 1998. Along with seven other members of the IU Crabb Band, I was on my way to Clemson -- driving up and over the Blue Ridge Parkway around 5 a.m. We had driven through the night from Bloomington to support Coach Yeagley and our varsity team at what was touted to be the championship match of the season. The 20-2-0 Hoosiers faced off against a strong 22-1-0 Clemson squad in the quarterfinals, thrilling all of us (tired as we were) with a 2-1 victory over the Tigers.

Strangers with Candy, take two

Some days I don't notice that I am not just like the rest of you. I drag myself out of bed. I go to class. I get bored and doodle or nod off. Other times, my outsider status slaps me in the face multiple times in one day.

Student killed in collision

Last Friday, Helen Walker drove 20 miles from her hometown of Sugar Land, Texas, to Houston to spend the evening reminiscing with friends and watching movies. The IU senior had been home for a week. Fresh from a successful stint as stage manager for the Bloomington community production of "A Chorus Line," Walker was doubtlessly ready for a little relaxation. Shortly after 1 a.m., she got back in her Ford Explorer and prepared to make the half-hour trek back to Sugar Land. She never made it home.

Never trust talking giraffes