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New classes, new prospects

Ahh, the new semester. It means the opportunity to reclaim your GPA, the promise of interesting new academic endeavors and, most importantly, a chance to meet new singles. Come on now, you all thought it. All you singles out there aren’t looking forward to new classes or interesting academic endeavors. You’re looking forward to the new crop of dating prospects that changing classes provides. And here at IU Bloomington, with a comfy student body of 31,626 undergraduates, the odds of running into that ex whom you may or may not have ended it on such good terms with are pretty low. In fact, with approximately 5,000 classes offered on the Bloomington campus each year – so around 2,000 in spring semester alone – if you take five classes, the chance of getting stuck in a class with he-or-she-who-must-not-be-named are about one in 100. How’s that for a fresh start?

Leave me my idealism

I once shadowed a physician who made jokes for the better part of two hours about the numerous ways in which our medical system is broken. The punch lines didn’t make me laugh, and come to think of it, he wasn’t smiling as he delivered them. We spend more time filling out paperwork than talking to patients, he said. These people – exactly who they are was never clear to me – demand the best care possible, thinking money will drop out of the sky, he commented. I hate insurance companies, he muttered. Stay away from primary care, he advised.

The Voting Rights Act in the 21st century

Last Friday, the justices decided to consider whether Congress overstepped its constitutional authority by extending the “preclearance” provision of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. The preclearance provision dictates that nine states – as well as a few counties in other states – must obtain permission from the Justice Department or a federal court before making changes that affect voting. Many cringe at the thought of weakening any aspect of the Voting Rights Act, though ideally we should hope that someday, perhaps when the extension expires in 2031, parts of the act will no longer be necessary. Would the results be so terrible if the Supreme Court did indeed rule the provision unconstitutional?

Gay bishop to perform invocation at inaugural event

The first openly gay Episcopal bishop will offer a prayer at the Lincoln Memorial at an inaugural event for President-elect Barack Obama.

Carter urges Obama to work closely with China on key global issues

Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, whose administration formalized diplomatic ties with China 30 years ago, urged President-elect Barack Obama to find ways to work more closely with Beijing on global issues.

Israel pounds new Hamas targets, enlists reserves to support offensive

Israeli warplanes pounded the homes of Hamas leaders and ground troops edged closer to the Gaza Strip’s densely populated urban center Monday, as Israel weighed a decision to escalate its devastating offensive.

Officials turn down Franken’s request for certificate in Minn. Senate race

Democrat Al Franken was quickly turned down Monday when he asked Minnesota’s governor and secretary of state to issue an election certificate that would let him take office in the Senate.

MFA students’ exhibit features traditional and experimental pieces

A tire swing and urban-inspired prints will be among the works displayed at the School of Fine Arts Gallery, which begins its schedule of student exhibits this spring with the Printmaking and MFA Painting exhibition.From today through Jan. 24, the SoFA Gallery will showcase work from graduate students in the printmaking and painting programs.

“No Danger” highlights paper planes

“No Danger,” a new exhibition at the School of Fine Arts Gallery, challenges negative attitudes toward flight through creative interpretations on a classic childhood toy: the paper airplane.

Dungy announces retirement today

Tony Dungy has retired after seven years as coach of the Indianapolis Colts, saying this was right moment.

Source: Ben Greenspan named IU hitting coach

Ben Greenspan has been named the permanent hitting coach for the IU baseball team, a source confirmed Monday.

Dungy to step down as Colts coach

The Indianapolis Star is reporting that Tony Dungy, Indianapolis Colts coach since 2002, will step down today. The Colts have scheduled a 5 p.m. news conference. Dungy led the Colts to their only Super Bowl victory in Indianapolis when his Colts defeated Chicago 29-17 on Feb. 4, 2007. The victory also made Dungy the first African-American head coach to win a Super Bowl.

Reports: Dungy to announce retirement today

Multiple media outlets are reporting this afternoon Colts coach Tony Dungy will announce his retirement at a 5 p.m. news conference today in Indianapolis.

Men's tennis team returns to Bloomington with more experience

Track and field teams take nine events at home meet

Iowa State, Wisconsin down IU wrestling team in National Duals

Women's basketball team escapes Happy Valley with 84-77 victory

The women's basketball team recovered from a road loss against Minnesota with a road win at Penn State.

No celebration for Hoosiers in Champaign

There will come a time this year when the IU men’s basketball team – overmatched and undersized – will take the floor in some Big Ten city and brave the odds to beat a better conference opponent. Champaign was not that city.

Gutting homes, ripping shingles: IU students lend helping hands

In September, Hurricane Ike washed up much of the Gulf Coast, leaving it far from clean. For a group of students during winter break, never was there a better time to help.

3s bury Hoosiers

Absolutely demolished, the IU men's basketball team was felled by the sharpshooting Fighting Illini.