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Media Relations

Herald-Times articles

Nov. 22, 2006

IU gets D in minority, low-income access: Indiana University
by Steve Hinnefeld
November 22, 2006

A report this week gives Indiana University Bloomington low marks on providing access to college for minority and low-income students.

But IU isn't alone, according to the report by Education Trust, which advocates for greater equity in K-12 and higher education.

In its analysis of flagship public universities in all 50 states, only four — the universities of Hawaii, New Hampshire, New Mexico and Vermont — had overall grades of B. None got an across-the-board grade of A.

The report, called "Engines of Inequality: Diminishing Equity in the Nation's Premier Public Universities," says universities have shifted financial aid away from low-income students to compete for high-achieving students, regardless of their need.

In a quest for prestige and rankings, the universities now give significantly more aid to students whose families make more than $100,000 a year than to those whose families make less than $20,000, the report says. It adds that, "astonishingly," the average institutional grants to high-income students are larger than those to middle- and low-income students.

"At a time when more and more low-income and minority students are preparing for college, it is disturbing that many of our most prestigious colleges and universities are turning away from them," Kati Haycock, director of the Education Trust and a co-author of the study, said in a news release.

The report gave IU:

• C for access by underrepresented minorities.
• F for access by low-income students.
• C for minority student success.

Indiana was one of 24 universities to receive an overall D. Fourteen universities got Cs, and eight got Fs.

The grades were based on enrollment and graduation rates for minorities and enrollment of students who qualify for federal Pell grants. They were calculated from 2004 data.

Roger Thompson, vice provost for enrollment services at IU Bloomington, said it's true that national trends made college less affordable for some students. He cited a shift in federal financial aid from grants to loans and a move by colleges to target more aid for academic merit.

But he said IU has taken steps to improve access with programs it unveiled this month.

One will pay for room and board, books and expenses to low-income Indiana 21st Century Scholars who are admitted to IU. Another adds funding for the Hudson & Holland Scholars program, which serves students from minority and under-represented groups. Yet another provides full-tuition IU Excellence awards for some state residents.

"Our programs will provide hope to many Indiana families and make the dream of an Indiana University education possible to many families that may not be able to imagine this at the moment," Thompson said by e-mail.

University trustees have endorsed a goal of doubling IU Bloomington's enrollment of under-represented minority students over several years.

On the Web:

The Education Trust: www2.edtrust.org

IU groups recommend new test for special-education students
H-T and Wire Report
November 22, 2006

The No Child Left Behind Act requires that special-education students pass annual achievement tests at the same rate as other students, and if an Indiana school has 30 or more special-education students who fall short on annual tests, the entire school fails to make "adequate yearly progress" — no matter how well the rest of the student body performs.

For Monroe County Community Schools, that's significant, considering nine elementary schools and all secondary schools have 30 or more special-education students.

If one looks at elementary schools alone in 2005, two-thirds of those that have 30 or more special-education students failed to make "adequate yearly progress." In all, 12 MCCSC schools and three Richland-Bean Blossoms Community School Corp. schools failed to make AYP.

"Clearly, something is needed," says Mike Horvath, director of special-education services at MCCSC.

The Indiana University-based Indiana Institute on Disability and Community and the Center for Evaluation and Education Policy agree. They're urging state officials to develop a new assessment test for special-education students, saying current exams do not measure true academic progress.

Cassandra Cole, director of the Center on Education and Lifelong Learning at the disability institute, said the existing testing system doesn't reflect an accurate picture of "the schools or the kids," including those with disabilities. She said the present arrangement — which allows a small percentage of special-ed students to be assessed with an exam called ISTAR while the rest take the regular ISTEP exams in math and English — just does not show the progress teachers see in their students with disabilities.

"There's too big a gap between ISTEP and ISTAR," Horvath said, adding the special-education umbrella covers various levels of disability, from cognitive to emotional.

Cole suggests a new "flexible" test be added to the two already in place. It could be designed to show individual and group gains that might not be evident on the ISTEP results, and thus result in more special-ed students passing such a test and fewer schools labeled as failing.

The IU disability institute reported that last year, 51 percent of the state's schools failed to make adequate progress. Of those, about three-quarters fell short because special-ed subgroups did not make the grade.

Jason Bearce, a spokesman for the Indiana Department of Education, said last week that devising an added test for special-ed students is "an option we're exploring." He added, however, that officials are awaiting new federal guidelines before moving ahead and are considering other possibilities less expensive than setting up a new exam.

Bearce said one other choice might be to use different passing scores for special-education students on the current ISTEP exam.

Lowell Rose, a consultant for the Indiana Urban Schools Association, agreed with the IU report's conclusions that the present system does not adequately reflect progress of special-ed students or schools.

"That's completely accurate," he said, suggesting that a new test be "flexible" enough to gauge how a broad range of special-ed students are doing. He said it should also be tailored to better reflect their abilities than the current system.

Whatever the new testing method, it needs to better show "individual improvement over time," Horvath said.

IU philanthropy center gets $40 million grant
H-T Report
November 22, 2006

Lilly Endowment Inc. is giving a $40 million endowment grant to Indiana University's Center on Philanthropy, IU officials announced Tuesday.

The center is part of the School of Liberal Arts at IU-Purdue University at Indianapolis. It offers programs at IUPUI and through the School of Public and Environmental Affairs and IU Bloomington.

"Over the past two decades, the center has become internationally renowned as a leading source of research-based knowledge about philanthropy and the management of nonprofit organizations," IU President Adam Herbert said in announcing the gift.

The center was created in 1987, with initial funding from Lilly Endowment.

The latest endowment gift will generate about $2 million a year in interest, a majority of which will support the center's administration, planning, evaluation, fundraising and other services.

The entire budget for the center is $13.4 million. It includes funding for degree programs, research and training and services for fundraisers and nonprofit organizations.

On the Web

• IU Center on Philanthropy — www.philanthropy.iupui.edu.
• Lilly Endowment: www.lillyendowment.org.

Hoeppner: 'I shall return' as coach at Indiana
By Doug Wilson
November 22, 2006

Terry Hoeppner doesn't expect any medical problems to get in the way of coaching the Hoosiers next year, he said Tuesday.

Hoeppner said during his final weekly press conference of the year that in some ways the 2006 season was a roller coaster ride for him, but in other ways it was uplifting.

Having to leave the team temporarily because of brain surgery brought his family closer together, Hoeppner said, and resulted in hundreds of people contacting him to wish him well and say that his story had inspired them.

"In some ways it's been whatever the opposite of a roller coaster is — very calming and smooth," Hoeppner said.

Hoeppner said he managed this year to avoid getting too carried away with big wins or too disconsolate about losses.

The second-year Hoosier coach was asked whether he thinks his health issues are behind him.

"Where are you going to be in 10 days?" he responded.

Then he talked about his memories of the legendary Bo Schembechler, who spent part of his head coaching career at Miami like Hoeppner, and who died last week.

Hoeppner said he mentioned Schembechler and former Miami and Northwestern coach Randy Walker, who died in June, to Purdue coach Joe Tiller Saturday when Tiller asked how Hoeppner was feeling. Hoeppner said he told Tiller he feels great.

"No restrictions, clean bill of health," Hoeppner said. "I will return next year and as long as they'll keep me around here, within reason, now. I'm not going to try to break Joe Paterno's longevity record for coaching."

Hoeppner quoted General Douglas MacArthur in vowing, "I shall return."

No bowl, but IU on its way: Rare Big Ten road win, upset of Iowa highlights of Hoosiers' 2006 season
By Doug Wilson
November 22, 2006

Indiana's football team didn't accomplish its biggest goals, but it helped move the Hoosier program forward, coach Terry Hoeppner said Tuesday.

The 2006 Hoosiers had some significant accomplishments. They grabbed IU's first Big Ten road victory in five years at Illinois. They upset an Iowa squad then ranked No. 15 in the country.

And they blew out Michigan State, 46-21, on Homecoming. That game ended with one of the most joyful scenes at Memorial Stadium in recent years as players and the IU band gathered at the edge of the stands on the west side of the stadium to celebrate with fans.

The season's biggest disappointment came with Saturday's loss to Purdue, Hoeppner said, as a senior class that had showed great character and determination was distraught in the locker room after seeing the season end without a bowl game.

Hoeppner said he's not satisfied with the team's progress because he wanted to earn a bowl bid, but there was progress.

"You can't ask for a do-over," Hoeppner said Tuesday. "Did we accomplish everything that we could have? Obviously no, but we affected a lot of people. We laid a foundation and the spirit is great, not only with the team, I think, but within the Hoosier nation."

Hoeppner said his top goal for improvement next season is to have Indiana's defense allow fewer points to be scored because that one statistic has been proven to be most closely tied to winning or losing.

"We give up too many points on defense," he said. "But I think the way we played that last game gives us something to build on."

In looking ahead to next year, the Hoosiers appear to be loaded on offense, led by 2006 team MVP Kellen Lewis, who will be just a sophomore.

Hoeppner said he expects the Hoosiers' other big offensive weapon, James Hardy, to be back next season. Indiana's offensive line will be young next season, but should be better with the addition of several freshmen who took a redshirt season this year and played well on IU's scout team, which gave the IU No. 1 defense some problems at times.

Hoeppner said he would have liked to have used some of those freshmen linemen in games this season, but it was too late in the year to waste a whole season of eligibility by playing them.

Quarterback Ben Chappell also played very well on the scout team late in the year, Hoeppner said, after gaining noticeable strength and agility through work in the weight room. Wide receiver Terrance Turner was "outstanding" on the scout team, Hoeppner said.

Indiana currently has seven coaches out on the road recruiting, which is the coaching staff's emphasis for the upcoming weeks. The Hoosiers have 10 verbal commitments already and expect to sign about 18-20 recruits on national signing day.

Hoeppner said that not having practice to go to each afternoon leaves him feeling a void right now. He's already looking ahead to winter workouts that will begin Jan. 9 and spring practice that starts March 20.

Hardy, Porter honored

Indiana wide receiver James Hardy and cornerback Tracy Porter were named second team All-Big Ten by the media and honorable mention by the coaches.

Hardy led the Hoosiers with 51 catches for 722 yards and 10 touchdowns. Porter finished with four interceptions, 59 tackles and broke up eight passes.

The media and coaches named Ohio State quarterback Troy Smith the offensive player of the year, Michigan defensive end LaMarr Woodley the defensive player of the year and Wisconsin running back P.J. Hill the freshman of the year.

Purdue football players charged after party
Associated Press
November 22, 2006

WEST LAFAYETTE — Purdue players Eugene Bright and Derek Benson will not travel to Saturday's game at No. 25 Hawaii because they were arrested at a party over the weekend, the school said Tuesday.

Police used a stun gun to control the 21-year-old Bright, who is accused of fighting with an officer trying to arrest people at an underage drinking party hours after last week's win over Indiana.

Bright, a junior defensive end, was charged with battery on a police officer and resisting law enforcement, Lt. Gary Sparger of the West Lafayette Police Department said Tuesday. Bright hit the officer in the arm and chest, Sparger said.

"We got him to the ground, and he would not give up," Sparger said of the 6-foot-4, 250-pound player. "He continued to wrestle."

Benson, 21, is a redshirt freshman who lived at the home where the party was held early Sunday. He was charged with suspicion of furnishing alcohol to a minor, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, disorderly conduct and maintaining a common nuisance, a police report said.

Purdue coach Joe Tiller and the school are investigating. Tiller and sports information director Tom Schott said Tuesday that further punishment may be forthcoming.

Sophomore tight end Jerry Wasikowski, who also lived at the home, was cited for violating the noise ordinance. Four others also were cited for minor consumption.

Purdue beat intrastate rival Indiana Saturday afternoon, 28-19, in the annual Old Oaken Bucket game. About eight hours after the game at Purdue, police responded to a complaint of loud noise at the home near campus. When officers arrived, someone started yelling profanities at them, Sparger said.

He said several people started running from the house, with some jumping from second-story windows to evade police.

Benson, who has not played a down for Purdue, was not supposed to travel with the team for its game Saturday at Hawaii. Bright has been a backup defensive end for three years and has eight tackles this season.

Wasikowski joined the team as a walk-on in 2004, and was awarded a scholarship in 2005, when he appeared in all 11 games as reserve and on special teams.

Both Bright and Benson were released from the Tippecanoe County Jail Sunday after posting bond. Telephone listings were not available for the players in the West Lafayette or Purdue directories.

Stores get up early for Black Friday: College Mall opening at 5 a.m. the day after Thanksgiving — and not all stores are happy about it
by Sarah Morin
November 22, 2006

If the idea of spending 17 straight hours in the mall blows your hair back, get those shopping shoes shined.

Friday's the day.

For the first time, the glass doors of College Mall in Bloomington will open at 5 a.m. and close at 10 p.m.

That translates to 1,020 minutes — or 17 hours — of hunting for holiday gifts.

The decision is nationwide for all Simon malls in order for retailers to meet the growing demand of early bird shoppers.

"People want to shop earlier and earlier," Dena Marietta, director of mall marketing, said Monday.

And retailers will be ready — but not all of them are happy about the change.

A flier detailing early bird specials will be handed out at all College Mall entrances.

Discounts on Precious Moments, Department 56, candles and frames at Kirlin's Hallmark in College Mall will be listed.

"I think it will help us," store manager Kim Bruton said of the change in mall hours on "Black Friday" — so called because it signals the start of the holiday shopping period when retailers expect to "get in the black" and turn a profit for the entire year.

But not everyone agrees with the early opening.

Steve Smith, owner of Smith's Sport'n Shoe, said the new hours are "silly."

"I think that for certain businesses it makes a lot of sense," Smith said.

But not his independent shoe store, he said, which doesn't offer "football pricing" where the cost fluctuates from day-to-day.

When the mall opened at 7 a.m. last year on Black Friday, his sales totals from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. were less than 1 percent of the day's totals, he said.

And yet, because of his lease with the mall, he'll have to turn on the lights and schedule employees for the new Friday hours.

"It's a good day, but not the busiest day of the year," Smith said.

Still, to help enhance the new "shop while it's dark out" trend — and customer stamina — energy drinks, water, doughnuts and other goodies will be handed out by Dick's. The sporting goods store opens at 5:30 a.m. Friday.

While only a few stores are taking advantage of the 5 a.m. start time, all mall retailers will open at 6 a.m. A few service-oriented stores will get a later start.

Two of the mall's biggest stores, Target and Macy's, will open at 6 a.m. as will their big competitors, Wal-Mart and Kmart.

"Good luck to those folks," said Donna Hawley of Howard's Bookstore.

The locally owned downtown bookstore is keeping the usual hours Friday, which is 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. She said the rush usually comes later in the day when downtown is filled with people shopping and enjoying the annual courthouse lighting.

The day after Thanksgiving is always a big retail day, but stores are looking for more ways to attract customers and their dollars by keeping them happy such as extending store hours and giving away gift cards.

"The goal here is to satisfy consumer demand," said Raymond Burke, a marketing professor at the IU's Kelley School of Business. "Mall developers and retailers are trying to better accommodate consumers."

But sometimes retailers fall flat with all the hype.

Buzz is generated through advertising with all those door-buster specials, but the retailer also has to follow through and meet customer satisfaction in order for it to translate into purchases, Burke said.

That's done by opening earlier such as Simon retailers, providing enough room to navigate the store, having enough cashiers and making the check-out experience quick.

And the options to buy will be plentiful at College Mall.

Shoppers can even satisfy a sweet tooth in the wee hours Friday morning.

Blondie's Cookies will open at 6 a.m.

Robyn Bowman, store manager, said there's usually quite a bit of traffic from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m.

That's not the case for all retailers.

"I think it's too early," said Sandi Riester, master hairstylist at Regis Salon. But she understands why there's a race to open earlier and earlier.

"Because people like to shop. It's that Black Friday thing. It's an addiction, that's what I think," Riester said.

The salon is required to also open at 6 a.m. because it sells hair products.

On Monday, she only had one appointment scheduled for Friday. It's at 10 a.m.

Rise and shop

Retail stores are opening earlier and earlier to cash in on the holiday shopping crush. For the first time, doors at College Mall will open at 5 a.m. The following are opening while it's still dark — real dark — out at College Mall during this week's Black Friday:

5 a.m.: Aeropostale and Sears will open.

5:30 a.m.: Bath & Body Works, Dick's.

6 a.m.: Macy's, Target and other mall retailers.

area stores

6 a.m.: Wal-Mart and Kmart

9 a.m.: Howard's Bookstore

10 a.m.: Goods for Cooks

Travel tips

• Don't drink and drive. Make sure you have a designated driver if you plan on drinking.
• Don't follow other vehicles too closely. Always remember the two-second rule. (Trail the vehicle ahead of you by the distance your car travels in two seconds.)
• Obey speed limits and use turn signals when changing lanes and making turns.
• Make sure you and your passengers use safety belts.
• For updated travel information, including road construction projects, visit Indiana's Department of Transportation Web site at www.in.gov/dot/projects.

Source: Indiana State Police

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