DN 4-15-14 by The Ball State Daily News

DN TUESDAY, APRIL 15, 2014

Remembering Muncie with comics

Alumnus recalls his time at Ball State through “Knights of the Dinner Table”

THE DAILY NEWS

BALLSTATEDAILY.COM

Police call for crisis response training

hope fury

State active shooter program looks to expand to universities C.J. ALLARD STAFF REPORTER | cjallard@bsu.edu An Indiana State Police program that has trained more than 70 schools, churches and businesses how to respond in an active shooter situation looks to assist the state’s colleges and universities, the program’s director said. “We [in the threat assessment program] would be glad to go to a university,” Richard Hogue said. The General Assembly approved the $10 million Safe School/Active Shooter Program two years ago with the support of state police superinACTIVE SHOOTER tendent Doug Carter, a former Hamilton ON CAMPUS County sheriff. Ball State has an active Hogue runs the trainshooter portion in its ing, which includes emergency preparedness an active shooter drill plan. Here are some points demonstrated by state from this guide police officers. SHOOTER OUTSIDE OR INSIDE YOUR BUILDING He began the presen• Lock or secure the room tations last summer, and turn off the lights hoping to teach edu• Do not leave the room cators and others how until the all-clear to respond quickly in • Call 911 or 765-285-1111 a situation where an to tell dispatch about the situation armed assailant is on the property. SOURCE: Ball State Emergency Preparedness A key part of the training is understanding that most active shooter situations last three to five minutes. Every second counts when teachers and others are sizing up a situation. “The threat assessment program is designed to prolong teacher and student safety until law enforcement can arrive,” Hogue said. Schools and other organizations can request the training, but he said no colleges or universities have asked for the help. Higher education in Indiana hasn’t been immune from incidents, though. On Nov. 15, Ball State had a report of an armed person at the Student Recreation and Wellness Center, leading to a partial lockdown, but authorities found no weapon or armed person. At Purdue University, a student shot and killed another student in a classroom. Cody Cousins, who was arrested for killing Andrew Boldt, did not injure anyone else before turning himself into police. Hogue emphasized that Safe School/Active Shooter doesn’t set procedures for the groups. Schools need to do that once officials have seen what the dangers and possible responses are from the presentations. “After our instruction and demonstration, groups understand how to set up active shooter protocols,” Hogue said.

DN PHOTOS BREANNA DAUGHERTY

Senior acting major Emily Lindberg, who plays Fury, goes through some items while junior acting major Jessica Ervin, Hope, watches in the production “Hope and Fury” at the Cave Theatre. Hope and Fury were tasked with going through the remaining items in their mother’s home after her death.

Upcoming play highlights sisterly love, struggles of separating family

MUNCIE (AP) — A prosecutor sought the removal of a Delaware County treasurer from office Monday after filing charges that allege theft, official misconduct and 44 counts of not depositing public funds on time. Delaware County Treasurer John Dorer surrendered to state police at the county’s Justice Center in Muncie after the charges were filed in Delaware Circuit Court. Dorer faced a two-pronged effort to remove him from office: Conviction on just one of the 46 felony counts he faces would bar him from holding elective office, while a civil lawsuit filed by county Prosecutor Jeffrey Arnold seeks his removal for interfering with state examiners, not following directions and not maintaining accounts as directed by the State Board of Accounts. The state board requested Arnold “initiate legal action to remove John Dorer from office as Delaware County Treasurer,” the prosecutor said in a news release. Most of the counts allege Dorer was late in depositing public funds, ranging for $1,917 to $314,161, within a business day, required by law, Arnold said. The theft count alleges he stole $80 in cash from the treasurer’s office. He also faces a single misdemeanor count of conversion. – THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

MUNCIE, INDIANA

HAPPY 23RD BIRTHDAY, EMMA WATSON. YOU CAST A SPELL ON ALL OUR HEARTS.

KATHRYN HAMPSHIRE STAFF REPORTER

kmhampshire@bsu.edu

or its final show, the Cave Theatre cast explores the ability of love to overcome secrets and the barrier of time in William Allen Brooks’ play “Hope and Fury.” Sisters Hope and Fury, played by Jessica Ervin and Emily Lindberg, haven’t seen each other in eight years or had contact with each other than two phone calls a year, which are reserved for their birthdays. When their mother dies, the two are forced to come together at their childhood home in order to sort through their family’s past. Old rivalries and secrets then resurface as they struggle with mending their relationship.

See TRAINING, page 3

COUNTY TREASURER FACES 46 FELONY COUNTS, REMOVAL

SEE PAGE 4

See THEATRE, page 4

Junior acting major Jessica Ervin, who plays Hope, knees sophomore acting major Dee Jordan, Chris, in the production “Hope and Fury” at the Cave Theatre. Chris is the missing link in the sisters’ past to knowing what went wrong.

WHAT

WHEN

7:30 p.m. today through Saturday and 2:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday

“Hope and Fury”

WHERE

COST

Cave Theatre

Study: Violent games don’t cause hostility Frustration from losing, difficulty of mastering causes user aggression BERG STAFF REPORTER | KARA knberg@bsu.edu Content in video games may not be the cause of violent tendencies in players, a new study shows. The University of Oxford study shows the aggression comes from frustration at being unable to master the game. The researchers, Andrew Przybylski, Edward Deci, Scott Rigby and Richard Ryan, compared partici-

pants playing violent video games to those playing nonviolent games. They found games that were too difficult for players to master or if they had trouble getting the hang of the game, the players were more likely to feel aggressive afterward. Lambert Deckers, a professor of psychological science, said he thought the logic of the study made sense. “If you can’t achieve the task, then that produces frustration and a likely product of frustration is aggression,” Deckers said. He said if players consistently fail at a game, such as something like “Flappy Bird,” they could feel frustrated and could lead to aggression. 1. CLOUDY

Developer Dong Nguyen removed No. 1 app store download “Flappy Bird” from the market in February because it became addictive. The game also caused many users to get frustrated and angry. Deckers said if games lead to aggression, failure could produce other aggressive actions in the player’s life. Sophomore computer science major Louis Montes said he is an avid video game player. However, he said he doesn’t ever feel aggressive after playing video games. “I would be frustrated, but I would get off for a little bit

6. RAIN

News desk: 285-8245 Sports desk: 285-8245 Features desk: 285-8245

Editor: 285-8249 Classified: 285-8247 Fax: 285-8248

TWEET US

Receive news updates on your phone for free by following @bsudailynews on Twitter.

2. MOSTLY CLOUDY

7. PERIODS OF RAIN

FORECAST TUESDAY Scattered flurries High: 35 Low: 25 11. SNOW FLURRIES

12. SCATTERED FLURRIES

3. PARTLY CLOUDY

4. MOSTLY SUNNY

9. SCATTERED SHOWERS

and then get back on,” Montes said. “But I don’t feel aggressive.” He said whenever he is getting beat in a game, it fuels him to try harder to beat his opponent.

See GAMES, page 3

THE PULSE OF BALL STATE

5. SUNNY

DN PHOTO JONATHAN MIKSANEK THE PULSE OF BALL STATE

10. DRIZZLE

Scattered flurries are possible this morning. Skies become partly cloudy this afternoon, with a high near 35. - Michael Behrens, WCRD chief weather forecaster 13. SNOW SHOWERS

VOL. 93, ISSUE 112

THE PULSE OF BALL STATE

PAGE 2 | TUESDAY, APRIL 15, 2014 | THE BALL STATE DAILY NEWS | BALLSTATEDAILY.COM

THE SKINNY NEWS AND EVENTS YOU NEED TO KNOW, IN BRIEF NEWS@BSUDAILYNEWS.COM | TWITTER.COM/DN_CAMPUS

5 THINGS TO KNOW

POLICE: 71 PEOPLE DIE IN NIGERIA BOMBING DURING RUSH HOUR

Acting President of Nigeria, Goodluck Jonathan, attended a meeting with President Barack Obama in advance of the Nuclear Security Summit, April 11, 2010.

2. SHOOTING SUSPECT DIDN’T HAVE RECORD OVERLAND PARK, Kan. (AP) — Never one to keep his hatred to himself, Frazier Glenn Cross for decades sought out any soapbox to espouse his whitesupremacist beliefs, twice running for federal office with campaigns steeped in anti-Semitism. Yet there’s scant evidence the Army veteran and retired trucker with Ku Klux Klan links ever resorted to violence before Sunday, when authorities said Cross opened fire with a shotgun and pistol

Wednesday Mostly sunny High: 48 Low: 24 04 - MOSTLY SUNNY

3. UTAH MOM ADMITS TO KILLING HER 6 BABIES

ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — A massive explosion ripped through a bus station during the morning rush hour in Nigeria’s capital, killing at least 71 people and wounding 124 in a bombing marked the bloodiest terrorist attack ever in Abuja. President Goodluck Jonathan visited the scene and blamed Boko Haram, an Islamic extremist group which operates in the northeast of Nigeria and which has been threatening to attack Nigeria’s capital. One official said he believed the bomb buried in the earth while the emergency management agency said the explosives were apparently hidden in a vehicle. The blast destroyed 16 luxury buses and 24 minibuses and cars, said police spokesman Frank Mba, who gave the death toll. Survivors screamed in anguish, and the stench of burning fuel and flesh hung over the site where black smoke rose as firefighters worked to put out the fires. Reporters saw rescue workers and police gathering body parts as ambulances rushed to help the wounded.

MCT PHOTO

TODAY

THE FORECAST

outside a Jewish community center and retirement complex near Kansas City. None of the three people killed turned out to be Jewish. The 73-year-old, who shouted a Nazi slogan at television cameras when arrested minutes later, is jailed awaiting charges that investigators said could come as early as today. At some point, a federal grand jury is expected to review the slayings, which investigators now deem a hate crime.

PLEASANT GROVE, Utah (AP) — Megan Huntsman was clear about what she did with six of her newborn babies. Huntsman, 39, told police she either strangled or suffocated them immediately after they were born. She wrapped their bodies in a towel or a shirt, put them in plastic bags and then packed them inside boxes in the garage of her home south of Salt Lake City. What’s not clear is why. A day after

her arrest on charges of killing her six babies, investigators and her neighbors puzzled over the grisly discovery, including how she could have concealed a half-dozen pregnancies over a 10-year period. Huntsman, who was arrested Sunday on six counts of murder, was ordered held on $6 million bail — $1 million for each baby. The remains of a seventh baby police found appears to have been stillborn, authorities said.

4. RUSSIA DRIVING UKRAINE UNREST, SAYS U.S. WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House on Monday said there was “overwhelming evidence” that Russia is provoking unrest in eastern Ukraine, but suggested that President Barack Obama hasn’t concluded that Vladimir Putin’s actions warrant broader sanctions on key Russian economic sectors. “We are actively evaluating what is happening in eastern Ukraine, what actions Russia has taken, what transgressions they’ve engaged in,” White House

spokesman Jay Carney said. “And we are working with our partners and assessing for ourselves what response we may choose.” The White House did confirm that CIA chief John Brennan visited Kiev over the weekend, breaking with the administration’s typical practice of not disclosing the director’s travel. The ousted Ukrainian president accused Brennan of being behind Ukraine’s decision to send troops into the east. The U.S. denied this.

5. FEDERAL JUDGE TO OHIO: LEGALLY RECOGNIZE GAY MARRIAGE PERFORMED IN OTHER STATES CINCINNATI (AP) — A federal judge Monday ordered Ohio to recognize the marriages of same-sex couples performed in other states, and civil rights attorneys and gay marriage supporters immediately began looking ahead to their next fight: a lawsuit seeking to force Ohio to allow gay couples to marry. Judge Timothy Black’s ruling was a partial but significant victory for gay

rights supporters, who called it a stepping stone for full marriage equality. Black ruled that Ohio’s refusal to recognize gay marriage is a violation of constitutional rights. “The record before this court ... is staggeringly devoid of any legitimate justification for the state’s ongoing arbitrary discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation,” Black wrote.

Thursday Mostly sunny High: 60 Low: 31 04 - MOSTLY SUNNY

Friday Rain showers High: 58 Low: 44 08 - RAIN SHOWERS

Saturday Scattered showers High: 54 Low: 42 09 - SCATTERED SHOWERS

SERVICE DIRECTORY

The Ball State Daily News (USPS-144360), the Ball State student newspaper, is published Monday through Thursday during the academic year and Monday and Thursday during summer sessions; zero days on breaks and holidays. The Daily News is supported in part by an allocation from the General Fund of the university and is available free to students at various points on campus. POSTAL BOX The Daily News offices are in AJ 278, Ball State University, Muncie, IN 473060481. Periodicals postage paid in Muncie, Ind. TO ADVERTISE Classified department 765-285-8247 Display department 765-285-8256 or 765-285-8246. Office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday. TO SUBSCRIBE Call 765-285-8250 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Subscription rates: $75 for one year; $45 for one semester; $25 for summer subscription only. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Daily News, AJ 278, Ball State University, Muncie, IN 47306. BACK ISSUES Stop by AJ 278 between noon and 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and afternoons Friday. All back issues are free and limited to two issues per person.

EDITORIAL BOARD EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Adam Baumgartner MANAGING EDITOR Emma Kate Fittes

NEWS EDITOR Christopher Stephens ASST. NEWS EDITOR Ashley Dye

FEATURES EDITOR Bethannie Huffman 72HRS EDITOR Kourtney Cooper

SPORTS EDITOR Dakota Crawford ASST. SPORTS EDITOR David Polaski

MULTIMEDIA EDITOR Taylor Irby ASST. MULTIMEDIA EDITOR Breanna Daugherty

ART DIRECTOR Amy Cavenaile GRAPHICS EDITOR Stephanie Redding

DESIGN EDITORS Daniel Brount Ellen Collier

COPY CHIEF Ashley Dye SENIOR COPY EDITOR Cooper Cox

TACO TUESDAY! $2 OFF PULLED PORK OR BRISKET TACOS $1 CLEO’S SHOTS • $2 DOUBLE WELLS • $2 ANY PINT

Crossword

Sudoku

Edited by Rich Norris and Joyce Lewis

By Michael Mepham

SOLUTION FOR MONDAY

Level: Medium

ACROSS 1 Wire insulator 5 Australian gemstone 9 Dressed 13 They’re found in veins 14 Zany escapade 16 Saintly ring 17 Yellow sticky brand 19 Eric of “Spamalot” 20 Color 21 Manicurist’s concern 22 “Breaking Bad” award 24 Out of bed 26 Caffeination station 30 Vessel for the Mad Hatter 32 Fast-running bird 33 Kibbutz country 36 18th-century composer Thomas 37 Kenya neighbor: Abbr.

40 Crisis phone service 43 “Breaking Bad” law org. 44 Journey 46 Shed, with “off” 48 Solar or lunar phenomenon 51 Hiss and hum 55 Café serving group 58 Flawless 59 British “bye-bye” 60 Tees off 62 Electronic eavesdropping org. 63 Jalopy 65 Composer’s output, and where to find the last words of 17-, 26-, 40- and 55-Across 68 Sicilian volcano 69 Golf targets 70 Quick gander 71 Light bulb unit

72 Circular current 73 Respectful titles DOWN 1 Part of Uncle Sam’s outfit 2 Turn on 3 Pre-euro Spanish coin 4 Repair shop fig. 5 Penta- plus three 6 Lose one’s cool 7 2014 Olympics skating analyst Ohno 8 Replayed tennis serve 9 Fire-breathing Greek monster 10 1960s White House nickname 11 Every one 12 Anonymous Jane 15 Snorkeling areas 18 Arrival en masse

23 Bumped into 25 Here, to Henri 27 Folded manuscript sheet 28 Clearasil target 29 Actress Perlman 31 Expert 34 On a cruise, say 35 Angled pipe fitting 37 Meat-and-potatoes dish 38 Ocean predator 39 Combatively supportive 41 Religious sister 42 Self-absorption 45 Rain-on-the-roof rhythm 47 Kept secret 49 Hollywood hrs. 50 Money in the mattress, e.g. 52 Karate instructor 53 More like child’s play 54 Men’s Wearhouse items 56 Chase flies or grounders 57 Let loose 61 Online crafts marketplace 63 Chop with an ax 64 SFO posting 66 Gardening tool 67 Portfolio-increasing market moves

SOLUTION FOR MONDAY

TACO TUESDAY! $2 OFF PULLED PORK OR BRISKET TACOS $1 CLEO’S SHOTS • $2 DOUBLE WELLS • $2 ANY PINT

TUESDAY, APRIL 15, 2014 | THE BALL STATE DAILY NEWS | BALLSTATEDAILY.COM | PAGE 3

NEWS

Boston bombing questions linger 1 year after attack, suspect awaits trial set up in November

PROFESSOR RECALLS MARATHON BOMBING CHRISTOPHER STEPHENS NEWS EDITOR | news@bsudailynews.com Melissa McGrath, a Ball State assistant professor of speech and language pathology, was at mile marker 23 when the bombs went off at the Boston Marathon.

| THE ASSOCIATED PRESS BOSTON — A year after twin pressure-cooker bombs shattered the marathon and paralyzed the area for days, federal prosecutors say they have a trove of evidence ready to use against the surviving suspect, but many questions remain. What roles did Dzhokhar Tsarnaev and his older brother, Tamerlan, play in planning and orchestrating the attack? Would they really have launched a second attack in New York? Did federal authorities underreact to a warning from Russia that Tamerlan Tsarnaev was becoming radicalized? With Tamerlan Tsarnaev killed in a police shootout days after the attack, some of those questions may never be fully answered. “The obvious one is the motivation and how could two young men who were in a country that, from all appearances, was very good to them end up this radical?” said former Boston Police Commissioner Ed Davis, who helped lead the investigation. The bombings last April 15 killed three people and injured more than 260 near the finish line of one of the world’s most famous marathons. At least 16 people lost limbs. Dzhokhar has pleaded not guilty to a 30-count federal indictment that carries the possi-

QUAD TALK

Q: What does today mean to you? A: Y ou know I think, [today] will be a bittersweet day for sure. It was a good day; I was feeling great up until mile 23, when the bombs went off. I will just be certainly remembering it and thinking about the victims and the city of Boston.

MCT PHOTO

Joyce Schwartz pauses on April 25, 2013 at a memorial for Boston Marathon bombing victims at Copley Square in Boston. A year after the bombing, federal prosecutors believe they have a trove of evidence to use against the surviving suspect.

bility of the death penalty. Dzhokhar’s defense team, which includes two of the nation’s top anti-death penalty lawyers, appear to be building a case that Tamerlan, 26, was the driving force behind the bombings. In court documents, they’ve focused on Dzhokhar’s young age — 19 at the time of the bombings — and the influence his older brother had on him. Luis Vasquez, who helped coach Dzhokhar’s soccer team in high school, said both brothers appeared to be good people when he knew them. The death penalty, he said, would be the easy way out. “That event should eat at

him,” Vasquez said. “If we kill him, he will take those answers with him.” Three days after the bombings, the FBI released photos of the Tsarnaevs from surveillance video near the bombing sites. Hours later, authorities say, the brothers shot and killed a Massachusetts Institute of Technology police officer in an attempt to steal his gun, then carjacked a Cambridge man. A week later, former New York Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly said Dzhokhar Tsarnaev told investigators from his hospital bed that he and his brother decided that night to drive to New York City and launch a second attack.

Authorities said the brothers drove to nearby Watertown, where a wild gun battle with police erupted on a quiet side street, with the brothers shooting at officers and throwing three pipe bombs and one pressure-cooker bomb. Tamerlan Tsarnaev was killed, but Dzhokhar escaped on foot, leading to an unprecedented lockdown of Greater Boston. Dzhokhar, wounded from gunfire, was found later that day hiding in a dry-docked boat in a backyard. Authorities said Dzhokhar wrote in pen on the inside wall of the boat explaining that the bombing was meant to punish America for its actions overseas.

Q: How were you and your family affected by the bombing? A: It was just kind of a scary evening. If anything, I have seen it affect my children. [My 12-year-old daughter] asked me, ‘You aren’t going back this year are you?’ It really affected my kids, which is bad. My 5-year-old actually said the only place bad guys live is Boston because of what happened. I had to tell him there are bad guys everywhere, but there are way more good people in the world. Q: How did this change the running community? A: I think the running community is pretty strong, [we] won’t let one thing get us down — we are all pretty tight-knit. ... So, I think there is a lot of support for big running events like Boston or even the Indy Mini-Marathon. There has been even more attention to them. Q: Will this year’s event be different? A: I think this year is going to be more of a celebration than anything. There are a lot more people running in it this year because of what happened last year. ... I will be wishing I was there.

WHAT EFFECT DID THE BOSTON MARATHON BOMBING HAVE ON YOU, ONE YEAR LATER?

« It would make me not want to run a marathon. »

« Ever since [Dzhokhar Tsarnaev] got caught, I haven’t kept up with it. »

CAMERON DOWEN, a freshman biology major

JORDAN LEWERS, a freshman fine arts major

GAMES: Student says challenges cause mental workout, not acts of aggression

| CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Montes said the study does seem logical, though. “You can play a very simple violent game and as long as you’re just having a good time, nothing’s going to upset you,” he said. “But I could see a lot of ‘Call of Duty’ players being upset. Not because they’re being violent, but because they’re frustrated they can’t progress or do better — that someone is always continually destroying them.” Jeffery Porter, a freshman entrepreneurial management major, also said he never feels violent after playing video games. He said he finds games to be insightful if they challenge him. “When I play puzzle games and things like that that are challenging, I get a challenge out of them,” Porter said. “I never get really frustrated with them or anything because it’s just challenging, it’s giving me a good workout mentally.” He said he didn’t think the study is correct in its logic,

that aggression in video game players doesn’t have anything to do with the game. “I don’t believe it’s actually like that,” he said. “I believe that sometimes, in some situ-

ations, they’re just trying to take [aggression] out because of something that happened earlier on that day or something that happened before in the week.”

« It was tragic. ... It just shows us people have got to be better. » CYWETTNIE BROWN, a sophomore criminal justice major

TRAINING: University distributes hazard guide | CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Jerry Minger, director of public safety at Indiana University, said a large campus like IU’s presents challenges not faced by local schools and churches. “If an emergency were to happen on our Bloomington campus, we would have to notify a community the size of a small town,” Minger said. “Imagine trying to lock down your hometown.” Gene Burton, Ball State’s director of public safety, said University Police Department officers are trained in how to respond in an active shooter situation. Burton said the school’s preparations aren’t limited to its police only. “We train faculty, staff and students in responses to all hazards, including active shooters,” he said. Some students, including sophomore Jenna Spadafora, aren’t sure they’re ready. “I don’t know what the university expects of me if a situation like that occurred,” she said. “I would just have to follow my instincts.” Joe Newport, chief of police at Indiana State University, trains his staff each semester. “We incorporate our emergency notification system with an active shooter presentation,” Newport said. “We share this with all new employees, students and staff and faculty groups.” Minger said IU’s department is one of the largest police forces in the state and has its own threat assessment program that emphasizes a “run, hide, fight” mindset. “You have three options in one of these situations,” the 41-year veteran of law enforcement said. “Your best option might be to run from the situation, hide during the situation or put up a fight with the shooter.”

PAGE 4 | TUESDAY, APRIL 15, 2014 | THE BALL STATE DAILY NEWS | BALLSTATEDAILY.COM

FEATURES FEATURES@BSUDAILYNEWS.COM TWITTER.COM/DN_FEATURES

PHOTO PROVIDED BY JOLLY BLACKBURN

Jolly Blackburn stands in his dorm room during his college years. Blackburn wrote “Knights of the Dinner Table,” which is based on his time at Ball State.

KNIGHTLY RITUAL Ball State alumnus creates original comic about past experiences DANIELLE GRADY CHIEF REPORTER

dagrady@bsu.edu

ILLUSTRATIONS PROVIDED BY JOLLY BLACKBURN

he phrase “Muncie and comics” usually brings up images of a fat, lazy cat with a love for lasagna, but probably not four guys sitting at a table, rolling an eight-sided die. However, that scene is popular in Ball State alumnus Jolly Blackburn’s comic strip, “Knights of the Dinner Table.” The comic centers on the adventures of a role-playing group that regularly meets to play a game similar to “Dungeons & Dragons.” Immortalized in the longest running gaming magazine of the same name, KODT is set in a fictionalized version of Muncie. Blackburn attended Ball State in the late ’70s and studied anthropology. References to the network of steam tunnels underneath the college as well as trips to the local Village Pantry heavily pepper the pages of his magazine. “Originally, it was a nod and a wink wink to my friends and old players,” he said. “In many ways, the Muncie of KODT is greatly exaggerated. But all of the locales and most of the characters in the strips were inspired by memories of real people and places.” The character of B.A., the longsuffering game master of the “Knights of the Dinner Table” bears similarities to Blackburn himself. The only female in the gang, Sara Felton is based off Blackburn’s wife, Barbara. Blackburn recalls having no inkling of his future career path while attending Ball State. His love for writing manifested itself as a mere hobby, and he limited his comedic doodles to the margins of his history notes. It wasn’t until he found “Dungeons & Dragons” in a corner of

the now nonexistent off-campus craft store called Bead Bazaar that his gaming interest was sparked He spent the entirety of the following summer within the confines of his dad’s barbershop in Marion, Ind., building new worlds for his friends and their girlfriends. “I loved the game because it gave me so many creative outlets,” he said. “I was using my writing skills to come up with adventures, my meager drawing skills to come up with maps and character portraits.” Joel Bozell, a secretary for the Department of Mathematical Sciences and the inspiration for the KODT character of Brian van Hoose played with Blackburn. “We had a wonderful time together,” Bozell said. “We played for several years and just enjoyed the heck out of it.” By 1989, Blackburn had enlisted in the Army. His long suppressed talents threatened to send him into crisis mode. “I knew if I didn’t actively start pursuing my dreams and stop kicking them down the road, they’d never happen,” he said. “To force myself to write on a regular basis, I decided I was going to do a small press magazine.” He dubbed it Shadis, and soon he and his wife were shipping the bimonthly magazine to anybody who would read it. He said his experience with the Army influenced what

he wrote. “In the Army, you tend to move frequently,” he said. “You establish friendships in an area, then you come down on orders and you are uprooted, picked up and dropped somewhere else in another part of the world. Gaming was our sanity. No matter what base we found ourselves on we knew we could find gamers who shared a love of tossing dice.” KODT came into the picture while the second issue of Shadis was in the works. Needing something to fill a blank space on the book’s last page, Blackburn penned a quick sketch of characters sitting around a table and playing a role-playing game. The third issue had the same dilemma and was solved with another sketch of the roleplayers. Quickly, people such as Gary Gygax, the co-creator of “Dungeons & Dragons,” were receiving copies of Shadis and taking notice of Blackburn’s last second drawings. “They were loving KODT and commenting more on it than the magazine itself,” Blackburn said. “And that’s how KODT slowly took over the reins of my life and began calling the shots.” Blackburn’s old gaming friend Bozell was reading Shadis, too. “I saw the little strip and to be quite honest, I immediately dubbed it ‘Beavis and Butthead Play Dungeons & Dragons,’” he said. “You know, Jolly’s an OK artist; that’s not his strong point. His writing, well, he’s the funniest man I have ever known in my life.” As Blackburn’s strips evolved, Bozell began to recognize himself in the mannerisms of Brian, the comic’s “rules lawyer.” He

also noticed his friend, Lew Herring, in the high-strung temperament of Bob Herzog. “I knew [Brian] was me long before he [Blackburn] admitted it,” Bozell said. “... I could argue down to the last bit of the sentence and where the period was whether it meant ‘yes’ or ‘no.’” Bozell said he could not take credit for all of his fictional counterpart’s characteristics. “I was like the kernel, and Brian’s now a tree,” he said. “The truth of it is that Jolly sort of took all the personality types, sort of mixed them in together, and sort of separated them out. He put a little bit of me here, a little bit of me there.” In 1995, Blackburn sold Shadis. At its peak, up to 30,000 copies were printed per issue. A magazine owned by “Dungeons & Dragons” called D r a g o n Magazine picked up the comic and expanded KODT’s audience to five times the amount of people. In the fall of 1996, Kenzer and Company, a business that sells various role-playing and card games partnered with Blackburn to make KODT a monthly comic book. Blackburn became

the vice president of Kenzer and Company as well as a major shareholder. Now, issues of KODT still make their way into the hands of readers each month. A liveaction version of the comic recently received $69,525 from fans on Kickstarter. Its goal was $60,000. Bozell ties Blackburn’s success to his ability to capture the gamer spirit. “He is constantly getting people coming up to him at conventions and saying, ‘Do you have a camera on my group?’’ he said. Bozell still discusses decades old escapades he experienced with Blackburn and Herring with vivid detail and enthusiasm. Blackburn’s affection for “Dungeons & Dragons” runs deep and in many directions, but he says the greatest appeal of the experience is its ability to nurture friendships. Whether the game is played in the rooms of a family business or on the property of a military base, there are always people to laugh with and to begin fantastical journeys. “When I write, be it a comic strip or an editorial in the magazine, I always imagine I’m talking to those friends I’ve tossed dice with,” he said.

THEATRE: Sister dynamic focuses on opposites as family history surfaces | CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Hope and Fury are complete opposites, as their names suggest. Hope, the younger of the two, is gleeful on the exterior, though she can be sarcastic and sassy on the inside. “One of the struggles that Hope faces is coming back home and facing both her sister and her mother’s death at the same time,” Ervin, a junior acting ma-

jor, said. “She’s fighting to preserve the past, and she ends up getting stuck.” Ervin explained that Hope is focused on the past, which Ervin said she can relate to. “I am a very memory driven person and will go to lengths to preserve my memories,” she said. “The way [Hope and I] deal with things is probably very similar.” Opposite of Hope is Fury,

whose name describes her emotional nature. “[Fury] is exploring different ways of dealing with her aggression,” Lindberg, a senior acting major, said. “She doesn’t deal with emotions well, and she is very complicated.” The aggressive side to her character has presented Lindberg with a challenge, since the anger management technique Lindberg experiments with dur-

ing the play involves shouting. “I’m not the kind of person who likes to scream out her anger,” she said. Along with family issues, there comes complications with the ex-boyfriend Chris Johnson, played by Dee Jordan who is a sophomore acting major. Chris makes frequent appearances as the executor for their mother’s estate, bringing up painful memories and even more secrets be-

tween the sisters and their dead mother. “Chris is a troublemaker, but he’s a good guy with a big heart,” Jordan said. “His heart is in the right place.” Jordan said he feels as though he can relate to his character. “I’m a lover [like Chris] because I’m in love with being in love,” he said. “And a lot of that comes out in this show.” The show’s director, Bianca Di

Carlo who is a junior directing major, said the play is a story about how relationships can have the potential to overcome any obstacle whether it be time, distance, secrets or grudges. “Love isn’t conquering — love is mending,” Di Carlo said. “Even when you think a relationship is as far gone as it can possibly be, there’s always hope if there ever was any love there. There’s always hope.”

TUESDAY, APRIL 15, 2014 | THE BALL STATE DAILY NEWS | BALLSTATEDAILY.COM | PAGE 5

SPORTS

WEDNESDAY The Ball State softball team takes on Indiana in another out-of-conference doubleheader.

SPORTS@BSUDAILYNEWS.COM TWITTER.COM/DN_SPORTS

Coming off a series win against Toledo, the Ball State baseball team takes a trip east as it takes on Ohio State.

WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL at Dayton

THE LINEUP

TOP PLAYERS

The Ball State women’s volleyball team continues its spring slate of exhibition matches Tuesday when it takes on Dayton. The team has already taken on Purdue, and went to Indianapolis last weekend to participate in the Circle City Spring Tournament. The spring matches give younger and less experienced players a chance to show head coach Steve Shondell how much they’ve improved over the offseason. It also gives him a chance to incorporate new plays and different strategies into his offense and defense. Several starting positions are up for grabs after Ball State graduated five seniors who all played vital roles last season. Middle blockers Kelly Hopkins, Lauren Gross and Amanda Raker are looking to fill in an empty spot left by Mindy Marx, while Sabrina Magnapora will look to replace some of the lost offense that was provided by outside hitter Kylee Baker. The match begins at 6 p.m. The Cardinals have a handful of returning players who made significant contributions last season. Outside hitter Alex Fuelling led the team in kills with 350, despite suffering an ankle injury during practice and missing four matches. Middle blocker Hayley Benson returns after sending 288 kills over the net, along with 104 blocks, just one shy of the team-high.

YOUR GUIDE TO THE WEEK’S SPORTING EVENTS

Outside hitter

Kills: 350 Errors: 150 Total blocks: 35

HAYLEY BENSON, Middle blocker

DN PHOTO BREANNA DAUGHERTY

Kills: 288 Freshman outside hitter Sabrina Mangapora reaches Errors: 70 to hit the ball in the first set against Purdue University in a Total blocks: 104 scrimmage March 29 at Worthen Arena.

Are you giving something away? New Category in the DN Classifieds! Absolutely Free

Make checks payable to: The Ball State Daily News

DN Classifieds AJ 276 Muncie, IN 47306 Phone: 765.285.8247 Fax: 765.285.8248

Help Wanted

***PART-TIME PAINTER for BSU Rentals. Experience needed. Call David 317-640-1627 Ball State Students! Want a "Cool" Job this Summer? Apply at www.homecityice.com Home City Ice Co. in Muncie is now Hiring for Route Delivery Drivers. Weekends and Holidays in summer are a Must. Clean Driving Record a Must. 50-60 hours a week in Summer, and part time around your classes in Spring and next Fall. Pay averages between $8 and $14 per hour. This is hard work, and rewarding for those who are motivated to succeed. Apply Online Today! Part time office work. $7.25 per hour. near BSU. 765-717-9331 Summer help All American Homes, Decatur, IN. Call 260-724-9171 for more info

160

Apartments For Rent

160

Apartments For Rent

******* 3 bdrm Apts. 2 blks from campus. Avail May or August. Economical. Util Paid. No Pets. W/D DW A/C. Off street parking. 896-8105 ******** 1,2,3,4 bdrm Apts. Best locations. Avail. May or August. From $250 each. Some or all Util. paid. Walk to class. A/C, DW, W/D 896-8105 ********* 1 bdrm apts. Avail. May or August. 3 blks from campus. A/C, DW, W/D. Off st. parking. Util paid. No pets. Great locations. 896-8105 ********** Affordable! Walk to class. Great locations on 1,2,3,4 bdrm apts. Avail. May or August. Part or all Util. paid. A/C DW W/D. Off st. parking. No pets. walktoballstate.com 896-8105 ****1, 2 & 3 BR avail. Great floor plan, central air, DW only 3 blks to campus! THE 400 APARTMENTS (765) 288-6819 www.400apartments.com

Complete Property Care 2, 3, 4 br. ***BSU apts, close to campus, Houses & apt. clean&affordable 1,2&3 bdrm,utils includ off-st prkg, www.completepropertycarellc.com Call765-228-8458 or 765-749-4688 ***Now leasing for the 2014/2015 school yr. 1 Bdrm apt. $460/mo + !!! 1,2,3,4 br apts, 514 N Martin, utils, Studio apt. $410/mo + util. W/D, C/A, Individual/Aug leases W/D. Bar-Tel Apartments, 1616 W. (765)730-2473 www.signaturet.com Gilbert St. Visit www.bsrentals.com or call Doug at 765-744-3593 !!!!! SPRING SPECIAL 50% off 1st month's rent. 2, 3 & 4 Bdrm 1 & 2 bd newer units. W/D, D/W, apts/houses avail May or Aug. Micro, A/C, private, near BSU. $475 Great locations 2 blks from campus. 765-717-9332 All utils pd, A/C, D/W, W/D, off st www.greatbsurentals.com prkg. 765-896-8105 1 bdrm apt. Hardwd fls. Aug lse. Utilities paid. 811 W. Main. Unique Ashland Ave. Some utils pd. Walk mansion,1 br apt.765-744-0185 to BSU. No Dogs. 317-727-5847 bsuoffcampus.com. Affordable village living University Village Apartments ****** 4 bdrm, completely reno1000 mo free cable vated apt. Avail August. Great locareserved parking 765-729-9618 tion. 2 blks from campus. Util Paid. www.bsurentals.com No pets. 896-8105

FRIDAY All day track at Columbus, Ohio, for Jesse Owens Invitational • 1 p.m. women’s tennis vs. Bowling Green • 1 p.m. softball vs. Akron (Game 1) • 3 p.m. baseball vs. Western Michigan • 3 p.m. softball vs. Akron (Game 2) • 7:30 p.m. men’s volleyball vs. Lindenwood during MIVA Tournament

FREE! FREE! FREE! ABSOLUTELY FREE!

Don’t forget your friend’s birthday! Send a classified birthday wish in the Daily News!

100

TUESDAY • 6 p.m. women’s volleyball Dayton WEDNESDAY • 3 p.m. men’s tennis vs. IUPUI •4 p.m. softball Indiana (Game 1) • 6:30 p.m. softball Indiana (Game 2) • 6:35 p.m. baseball Ohio State THURSDAY • 4:30 p.m. soccer vs. Taylor

ALEX FUELLING,

– STAFF REPORTS

SATURDAY With spring practices coming to an end, the Ball State football team plays its annual spring game at 2 p.m.

160

• • • • •

Free 3 line classified limited to 2 days print Free 2 days online 1 pkg. per item 10 items per semester e-mail items to dnclassified@bsu.edu along with name, address and phone number

Office Hours: Monday - Friday, 8 am - 5 pm www.bsudailynews.com/classifieds

Apartments For Rent

160

Apartments For Rent

*Ad must be submitted to dnclassified@bsu.edu to be eligible. * The Daily News has the right to revise or reject any advertisements. * The Daily News assumes no liability for content of the advertisement.

170

Houses For Rent

170

Houses For Rent

1 or 2 br apts available May or August 2014-may or may not include utilities. Required application fee of $35.00 and security deposit for all application forms submitted. Showing appointments will be arraged. Contact Kerry @284-6313 or 744-2998 or email @ kwiggerly@prudentialindiana.com

Village area studio apts, & 2 bdrm **Nice large 5 bdrm, 2 kitch. 2 bath 4 bdr, Hrdw floors. W/D, off street apts Call Asset Management 281- C/A, W/D, off st. park 765-228-8458 prkg, Pet friendly, Walk dist to cam9000 or 765-749-4688. pus, $325 + util. Call Eric at 317825-8683 www.ballurental.com 1,2,3,4 bdrms. Lease 2014-2015. 170 Houses For Rent www.clunerentals.blogspot.com 4 Bdrm Homes for rent. W/D, A/C, 765-744-1400 or 729-9321 2 Full Ba. www.bsu-rentals.com !! 3 & 4 bds NY & Bethel from $275 765-617-8989 each BSU alum landlord call 1604 W. Adams. Lg 3 bdrm. W/D 317-507-1490 for info $275 per person + util. No pets/ 4 B r m H o u s e @ 1 2 2 0 N e e l y 1, 2 & 3bdr apts. Some utils pd. 1smoking. Avail Aug. 1. Call @1225 Marsh st. Avail Aug 1, 4 blks from BSU. No Pets. Avil Aug !!! 3-6 Bdrm house close to cam- 765-284-5741 2014. $1200/mo + utils 765-649pus, w/laundry rm.,deck, paved off 1st. 765-289-3971 8377 st. prkng. $350 each includes heat, 1904 N. Maplewood. 2-3 bdrm. water & sewage. Aug lease. No Garage, Full basement, New Bath. 4, 5, or 6 bdrm. $300/ea. all utils in2 Bdrm, basement apt, W/D, $450 rent, utils included. Avail Aug. pets. lori2260@comcast.net or 765- May or Aug lease.765-744-7862 clud. lrg. ba., W/D, off st prkg, 501 212-8992 765-748-4934 N. Alameda. (765) 744-8269. 2011 Washington behind Student !!!5 BRw/ private swimming pool, 202 N Dill St. 3bdr 2 ba house built in fire pit, lg deck, bike racks, 2 CEnter. 3 bdr water & sewage paid. 812 west North st. 2 BD, off st parkpets. avail A u g . ing, Aug lease, $600 a month in$675 + util & 1 bdr apt 1 ba $375 + lg Ba, off st. prkg, W/D, C/A, D/W, n o util. 1510 W Washington 2bdr landlord does yard & pool maint. Walktoballstate.com 896-8105 lcuding utlities. 765-744-7574 house $400 + util 765-617-7792 $1,100 a month May or Aug lease 2105 W Parkway. 4-5 Bdrms, 3 Full Great location, 1312 Abbott, 5 765-405-1105, leave message. Ba. Beautiful home, all new appl. Bedroom, 2 bath, C/A, $290/per + 3 Bd apt, util pd, 50 inch TV, 2 ba. utilities, W/D. close to BSU. $315/person. !1505 Kimberly (behind LaFollette) newly renovated, 1 blk from BSU, $1,500/mo + ult. 315 South Mckinley 744-4649 4@$300; 4bds; great house/yard thecampusedge.com 765-286-2806 Aug-Aug lease. Call 765-254-9992 /loc. full bsmt W/D May 760-3002 May Lease: 1201 W University. Lg 3 Bdrm upstairs apt, $1000 rent/ month. includes util, close to cam- *** 2 blks to Village. 3 & 4 bdrms 216 N Dill st. 1 bdrm 325 + electric 6BD, 3 Full BA, Totally renovated. 3 pus, avail Aug. 765-748-4934 for Rent. A/C, W/D, No pets. Avali- 2bdrm 450 + gas & elec.3bdrm 600 LR's All new appl. $300 EA+util. ble August. 1. Call 286-2808 + gas & elec. off st prkg. aug-aug thecampusedge.com 765-286-2806 3Lg BR, 2bath- 2 blocks 2 campus 765-730-3365 May Lease: 1926 W Jackson, 4BD, ****4 bdrm 2 bath at 825 W. AshAugust 2014 move-in. NICE! All land W/D, C/A, all utils paid, 2713 Beckett. 4 bdrm, 2 ba. 2 car 2 BA, hardwood floors, bsmt. walk Appliances, All electric, AC, DW, $365/mo, No pets,Aug. lease. Call gar. $295/person + utils. Aug.-Aug. to BSU, $1,500/mo. 765-286-2806 in-unit W/D, off-street parking 765-760-2202 http://www.cardinalvillas.com Lease. Quiet area, lots of parking to see--Call or text (765)744-6323 Near BSU. Nice! 3 or 4 bdrm. W/D, Call 765-254-9992 ***4 bdrm, 2 Ba. 1804 W Charles furnished, pet friendly. Aug to Aug close to campus nice W/D C/A 3 Bdrm, 2 Ba. W/D hookup, lg living Lease. Call 765-282-8606 or 765Aug lease. 1 blk South BSU Vil- prkg. 300 each + util 765-744-5008 space. 524 Alameda. $675 + utils 748-0794 lage. 1 bd. 320 (C) N. McKinley or www.munciecollegerentals.com 765-730-3029 $325 mnth. 2-3 bd. 319 N. Calvert. Nice 3 bdr. Close to BSU. 2 ba. $250-$275 each. 2 bd 409 N. Mar- ***RATCHFORD PROPERTIES*** 3 Brdm Homes from $167/month Avail. Aug. A/C, stove, fridge, W/D. tin. 300 mnth each all plus utilities. •Great Apts. & Houses! /ea, utils incl. ea. Now,May,Aug. 765-744-1079 $395 A/C, W/D, No pets, 765-288-3100 •Best Locations for 1,2,3,4 BR on & joecoolproperties.blogspot.com 765-348-6413 www.jahrentals.com, Near Campus Huge 6 bdrm. 615 North Dicks. •Affordable Prices! 3 or 4 bdr C/A, C/H ,W/D + Utils. Nicest houses on campus. Many Aquatine apartments. 1 block from •Some Utilities Paid! Laundry Facil- Ball Ave 4 blks from Bethel Aug extras. Even a 6 bdrm. Also student campus. all utilities paid. No pets. ity, NO Pets. parking available. Call 286-5216. 1st. 765-289-3971 Avail May. 896-8105. ***CALL OR TEXT 748-6407*** www.ratchfordproperties.com 4 & 5 bdrm houses, 3 blcks to stu- Village area 4 bdrm house, newly Single available now 1 yr lease dent center. W/D, plenty of park- remodeled 1413 W. University walk to BSU, most util paid, off st 1800 West Bethel, 3-4 bdrm. avail ing. Really nice. Call 765-228-3883 $1400 a month, Call Asset Manageparking, no pets 744-4125 May. 744-7862 ment 281-9000 www.ludwickrentals.com

To get the advantage, check the day’s rating: 10 is the easiest day, 0 the most challenging.

Your creative year launches with today’s Full Moon (Libra) lunar eclipse, impacting partnerships and agreements. You see newly what’s important. Collaborate for good causes. Beautify your home this springtime, and invite people over. Review plans and structures with Pluto retrograde (until 9/23). Travel or launch after 5/20. August heats up the fun. Relax before autumn revelations provide new opportunities and freedom. Express love.

Aries (March 21-April 19) Today is a 7. The Full Moon

lunar eclipse begins a new phase in a partnership. It could get spicy. Independent efforts advance. Consider your deepest commitments. Family matters could vie with work for your attention. Use wisdom, not credit. Avoid travel and expense. Handle paperwork, and then go play.

Taurus (April 20-May 20) Today is a 7. Today’s Full

Moon lunar eclipse in Libra opens the door to a new level in work, health and service. Changes require adaptations. Modify careful plans. Reschedule as necessary. Sort, organize and file. Stay true to your long-range plans. Set your own course, and prioritize excellence.

Gemini (May 21-June 20) Today is a 7. What you’re

learning is broadening your perspective. A new sixmonth phase in fun, romance and games opens with the Full Moon lunar eclipse. New perspective blurs the line between work and play. The one having the most fun wins.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) Today is a 7. A turning

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) Today is a 7. Today’s Full

Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) Today is an 8. Get things

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) Today is a 7. This Full

point with home and family arises with the Full Moon eclipse. An investment in real estate could tempt, or your clan may grow. Make sure to read the fine print. Revise documents carefully. Reserve energy and resources for when needed. in order today and tomorrow. File papers. Avoid risk, travel and stress. With the Full Moon eclipse in Libra, a new six-month stage develops around communications and intellectual discussion. Talk about liberty, justice and freedom. Contribute to a larger conversation.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) Today is a 7. Keep

confidences today and tomorrow. A financial turning point arises with today’s Full Moon eclipse. There’s opportunity to take bold new ground over the next six months. Prudent savings contributes. Stash funds for a rainy day. Take advantage of new income potential.

Moon eclipse is in your sign, empowering independent thought, a new look and a strong stand. Fly, and be free. Give thanks for the ones who went before. Speak out for those with less. Make corrections as needed. Be gentle with yourself and others today. Moon eclipse presents a turning point regarding sorrows, secrets and mysteries. The next six months favor spiritual insight, meditation, and personal peace. Tap into your musical and artistic creativity. Avoid arguments today, and get into your studies and education.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) Today is an 8.

Friendships and community participation take focus during this eclipse. Group involvement flourishes over the next six months. Maintain your sterling reputation. If you mess up, own it and move on. Cleaning up messes provides freedom (and happiness). Don’t make expensive promises yet.

www.ballstatedaily.com

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Today is a 7. Show

your love through your actions. A rise in status and reputation gets granted or denied over the next six months, after today’s eclipse. Take it as a career turning point, aiming to increase passion. It could require patience (and a positive attitude). Keep adjusting.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) Today is a 5. A new

six-month phase begins with the Full Moon eclipse regarding your education, studies and travels. Philosophical and spiritual conversations draw you in. Inquire into fundamental questions. Take on new responsibility today and tomorrow, and manage a change in plans. Ask for assistance if needed.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) Today is a 7. A turning

point develops with this Full Moon lunar eclipse in the area of shared finances. Pay taxes and debts, review budgets and take actions to grow the family fortune over the next six months. One phase ends and another begins. Support your partner through changes.

PAGE 6 | TUESDAY, APRIL 15, 2014 | THE BALL STATE DAILY NEWS | BALLSTATEDAILY.COM

NEWS

Tax Day not much of a strict deadline Late filing penalties apply only to people who owe IRS money | THE ASSOCIATED PRESS WASHINGTON — It’s Tax Day, but chances are there’s no need to fret if you haven’t even started on your federal tax return. If you’re due a refund — and about three-fourths of filers get refunds — today isn’t much of a deadline at all. The Internal Revenue Service doesn’t like to talk about it, but penalties for filing late federal tax returns apply only to people who owe money. The penalty is a percentage of what you owe. If you owe nothing, 5 percent of nothing is, of course, nothing. But it doesn’t make much sense to file late. If you are owed a refund, why wouldn’t you want it as soon as possible? And if you have unpaid taxes, the late fees add up quickly. “Most people with refunds are filing early in January, February and March because they’d like the refund early,” IRS Commissioner John Koskinen said. “So

we don’t see an incentive and we don’t see much experience of people waiting later for us to keep the money longer.” The failure-to-file penalty is generally 5 percent of your unpaid tax bill for every month, or fraction of a month, you are late. It kicks in Wednesday. In general, the maximum penalty is 25 percent of your original tax bill. There also is a penalty for failing to pay your tax bill, separate from the penalty for failing to file at all, but it’s much smaller. That’s because the IRS wants you to file a return even if you don’t have enough money to pay what you owe. The failure-to-pay penalty is 0.5 percent of your unpaid taxes for every month, or fraction of a month, you don’t pay. About 12 million taxpayers are expected to request extensions, giving them an additional six month to file their returns, according to the IRS. However, these taxpayers still must pay at least 90 percent of their tax bill today to avoid the failure-to-pay penalty. As of April 4, the IRS received 99.9 million individual returns, 79 percent of them receiving refunds totalling $220 billion.

QUAD TALK

DID YOU FILE YOUR TAXES?

« My mom

SARTAVIA MORLAND, a sophomore public relations major

Individual income tax

47 percent

Payroll taxes Corporate income tax Excise taxes Unemployment insurance

32 percent

filed yet -- my mom usually does. But I don’t think she has yet.

1 percent

Miscellaneous

CHRIS SHILLINGS, a junior sports administration major

People who pledge against violence against women can get a nail painted red. • 11 a.m.-5 p.m. today and Wednesday at the Scramble Light stopping it,” said Olivia Cosgray, an Eta Sigma Gamma member who helps run Operation Jungle Red. “I don’t think a lot of people in our age group really think this is a problem.” Allison Anton, an Eta Sigma Gamma member who also helps run Operation Jungle Red, said it is important to have men recognize they can help stop it. “We’re trying to get men to kind of move forward and take control,” Anton said. “They have the power to resist [the violence] and also maybe see something

in another relationship and help them stop violence.” She said violence “isn’t just something that happens in a marriage,” but can start early on. Operation Jungle Red started in 2012. In its first two years combined, 4,000 men got their fingernails painted red, said Jagdish Khubchandani, assistant professor of community health education and faculty adviser. He said the event is symbolic — if people continue to raise awareness, after some time others become more aware of the issue, which could lead to less violence against women. Cosgray said the men don’t protest getting their nails painted. “Usually, guys are pretty receptive — we even have guys who are like, ‘Yeah go ahead, paint both my hands,’” Cosgray said. “I’ve had one guy say to paint his toenails so he can match.”

file taxes because I’m on scholarship. I didn’t have to file this year.

« I filed

2 percent

Customs duties

To promote the prevention of violence against women, Eta Sigma Gamma will paint fingernails red, starting today at the Scramble Light. Eta Sigma Gamma will host Operation Jungle Red: Are You Man Enough?, from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. today and Wednesday. Men who pledge to prevent domestic violence will have their nails painted. Women can pledge as well, though men are the targeted audience. “If we can get the word out there, we can have a better chance of preventing it and

OPERATION JUNGLE RED 2-DAY EVENT

« I didn’t

3 percent

1 percent

Eta Sigma Gamma to raise awareness for domestic abuse KARA BERG STAFF REPORTER | knberg2@bsu.edu

TAILOR BONDS, a sophomore elementary education major

10 percent

Estate and gift taxes

« I haven’t

WHERE DO FEDERAL TAXES COME FROM?

The federal government accumulated $2.8 trillion in taxes and other fees last year. Here’s the breakdown of where that money came from.

and I sat down and filed on hrblock.com. I actually owed $21 because I was a waitress this summer.

GROUP TO PAINT NAILS RED TO STAND AGAINST VIOLENCE

4 percent

SOURCE: Associated Press, IRS, AP-GfK Poll conducted March 20-24, Treasury report on budget year 2013. DN GRAPHIC ELIZABETH PECK

NICOLETTE FETTIG, a freshman business major

in the beginning of January. My mom did them. I got like $360 back.

Engage. Ball State is creating a comprehensive campus master plan that will guide the development and use of facilities for the foreseeable future.

OPEN HOUSES Wednesday, April 16 5:30–6:30 p.m. Student Center, Multipurpose Room (lower level) Thursday, April 17 10:30–11:30 a.m. Bracken Library, Room 104

We need your help to plan for the future.

Attend an open house to learn where we are in the process and what we have heard so far. Then give us your feedback and ideas.

Continue the conversation in our online forum at masterplan.bsu.edu. Share ideas. Comment on suggestions. Collaborate with the university community.

masterplan.bsu.edu