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Letters to the Editor

Alumni should give for education As alumni, we all have the right to give or not give money to our alma mater. But to deny an educational institution precious dollars to promote the education of students over a basketball coach is pathetic. As a state-supported university, President Brand should share what went on with the needed firing of Coach Knight. I feel that he is saving Coach Knight and his dutiful followers the embarrassment of Knight's actions during that time -- not that Coach Knight ever minded looking foolish or tarnishing the IU name. It was nice to be on campus recently and hear that IU's alumni giving is higher than ever now that Knight is gone. I ask the others holding their financial support for IU hostage to think about the true meaning of what a college is built for -- to further the education of students -- not to provide great seats at ball games for alumni. I'd rather my seat go to a student anyway. Christina CarrollIU Alumna

Speaking to a different crowd

I not only write for the IDS, I read it. I criticize grammatical errors and editorial gaffes; I examine the point of view of fellow columnists. Like many of you, I read Dean of Students Richard McKaig's request for explanation of an incident at Acacia during the "Take Back the Night" march. Undoubtedly, many of us said, "There they go again." In a society of individuals, a university full of them, some view communal living with suspicion. The greek system is admittedly a mystery to me -- I couldn't wait to get away from my parents and siblings and be blessedly on my own. The fact that I ate lots of baked beans and Kraft dinners to make my rent payments wasn't a hardship. Kraft dinner that a poor boy pays for on his own tastes damn good -- and it still does.

IU Physical Plant looks to conserve energy on campus

Sleepy eyes and sticky doughnuts are only two results of IU Physical Plant's electrical load shedding plan. Throughout campus, many attempts are being made to conserve energy such as shutting off lights, air conditioners and lowering thermostats settings. These summertime practices could cause temporary inconveniences but ultimately are working to conserve energy and avoid a rolling blackout. Energy companies, such as those in California, are using rolling blackouts to avoid a complete power outage across an extensive area of land. They do this by shutting down power to certain areas of a city or town for two to four-hour time blocks on rotating cycles.

Eagle Watch provides chance to explore nature

This weekend provided nature lovers the opportunity to explore and learn about the wild first hand. Eagle Watch 2002, a service of the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, took place at the Fourwinds Resort and Marina last weekend. The seminar played host to naturalists from Indiana and surrounding states to experience hiking, viewing and seminars focused on eagles, while exploring nature. Jeff Riegal, an interpretive naturalist for the IDNR, spoke of a highly successful weekend. "The fun and educational components of our agenda are what keep people coming back," Riegal said.

New James Bond can't compare to old

James Bond has never looked better. The latest 007 video game adventure for the Playstation 2 is chock full of great graphics and fun weapons. But "Agent Under Fire," despite its awesome graphics, can't quite top the original Nintendo 64 hit because of a crappy multiplayer mode.

Isaak has always got something good

Brehm celebrates one year

Particularly upbeat after an extraordinarily smooth meeting with Dean of Students Richard McKaig and Dean of Faculties Moya Andrews Thursday morning, in which they discussed the progress of the Benton mural initiatives, Chancellor Sharon Brehm declared "the hardest part of administration is getting the meeting."

City funding for Buskirk-Chumley is appropriate

Bloomington has recently been losing places of local cultural significance. Places such as the Von Lee, the Gables, the White Rabbit and Mustard's have given way to either such commercial successes as a Starbucks or Steak n' Shake or to just an empty space waiting to be used. While the Buskirk-Chumley Theatre has not been a Bloomington staple for years, it is something that gives the community a unique and intimate venue to see a play or band perform. The Buskirk-Chumley Theater started out as a movie theater back in 1922 and was eventually bought out by Kerasotes in 1975. After building a pair of multiple-screen theaters by the mall, Kerasotes eventually donated the building to Bloomington Area Arts Council under the stipulation that it never be used as a movie theater. Upon receiving the theater, the BAAC decided to make it a place for live music and theater to be performed and renovated the theater for $3.5 million.

A new spin on a classic play

The students and faculty of the Department of Theatre and Drama have been waiting a long time for the opening of the new Theatre/Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center. Since the ground breaking ceremony Oct. 16, 1998, department members have been tantalized by the prospect of new classrooms, offices, scene shops, costume shops and most importantly, two beautiful new theaters. They have waited patiently as the chaotic bangs, crashes and pops of construction have interrupted their classes and rehearsals.

'United against violence,' 1,400 run for Behrman

Raising awareness for missing IU student Jill Behrman, about 1,400 community residents and IU students woke up early Saturday morning to "Run for Jill" in the sixth annual Jill Behrman Run for the End Zone at the Mellencamp Pavilion. All proceeds go toward the Jill Behrman Leader Scholarship fund and the Jill Behrman fund. Behrman has been missing since May 31, 2000.

Beware of the Red Bull

It picks you up. You can mix it with alcohol. And it might kill you. The increasingly popular energy drink Red Bull is under investigation in the deaths of three people in Sweden by Swedish officials. The drink is sold in grocery stores and even appeared in the Indiana Memorial Union stores last year. Alone, it might be safe, but when mixed with alcohol, as it so often is at some local bars, it can turn into a potentially harmful combination.

Bloomington entertainment is adding a few twists to the scene

Most bands are not made for a primetime television show and have nothing to do with Orlando. Often, they are composed of your friends, siblings or neighbors. You have always wanted to hear them play, but question whether they are making music or just sitting in a garage, guitar in hand.

Jordan River Forum

Contrary to the belief held by some, the U.S. does not have the responsibility or the obligation to become involved in peacekeeping and/or nation building. I commend Travis Thickstun on his recollection of Kosovo; however, he seems to have forgotten the result of the peacekeeping and humanitarian aid mission in Somalia -- which was, to say the least, not as successful.

Roadrunners hang on to capture race

On Lap 93 of the 100-lap race, Kappa Alpha Theta senior Krissy Johnson took the exchange, hopped on her Mongoose bicycle and built a quarter of a lap lead on the three other teams that remained on the lead lap: Roadrunners, Kappa Delta and Alpha Gamma Delta. But when Johnson needed her legs, on the final lap's back-straightaway, she could not make up the half a straightaway lead that Roadrunner sophomore Jenn Wangerin had built to win the 14th running of the women's Little 500.

'IDS' wrong to print ad explanation

Once again, the IDS management has stumbled in the wake of the publication of the controversial David Horowitz advertisement, "Ten Reasons Why Reparations for Slavery is a Bad Idea -- and Racist Too."

Intramural sports begin in July

Even during summer sessions, students can participate in intramural sports sponsored by the Division of Recreational Sports. Registration for two of these sports, tennis and whiffleball, takes place Tuesday and Wednesday. Participants can register at the SRSC in room 115, or at the HPER Wildermuth. Whiffleball teams will begin playing July 1. "There will be pool play; it's broken down into three weeks of pool play, and then it goes into bracket play," said Brad Logar, a graduate assistant for Intramurals. "Every team makes the playoffs."

All hands on deck

Nearly 1,000 miles away from the East Coast, a group of IU students and fire personnel wanted to help some friends. The IU Student Association and Bloomington Fire Department held a free car wash Saturday from 12-4 p.m. at the old location of Steak 'n' Shake on East Third St.

Psychobilly Freakout!

Tuesday night is not generally regarded as the most "rocking" night of the week. This Tuesday, though, Bloomington was given shore leave from the boredom boat as Texas' Reverend Horton Heat hit town.

Mama won't approve of the Hoochie dance

I can now officially add "knows the Hoochie Mama" to my resume. If that can't get me a job in the journalism world, I just don't know what will. I learned the "Hoochie Mama" along with other various moves at hip-hop class Monday night in the SRSC (Senators Really Scare Children). Now, bear in mind that I'm using the word "learn" in the vaguest sense here. Basically, it means I was able to get through the dance steps without seriously injuring myself or the others around me.

Students win national competition

After years of singing together and in competition, School of Music graduate students Larry Brownlee and Kristine Winkler won the Grand Finals Concert of the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions in New York. After completing the district, regional and semi-final rounds of competition, Brownlee, Winkler and 10 other finalists performed April 1 on the Met stage accompanied by the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra. Brownlee and Winkler were among this year's five audition winners. "It's good to see nice things happen to nice people," coach Gary Arvin said. "Winning the Met gives them a label that nobody can ever take away from them. It defines them as two of the most promising singers in the country today."