MONDAY, JUNE 8, 2015
Mark Cuban gives IU new center
IDS INDIANA DAILY STUDENT | IDSNEWS.COM
Brody Miller brodmill@indiana.edu | @Brody_Miller_
Bum Commerce A letter written by the co-owner of Nick’s English Hut sparked a controversial debate over how Bloomington business owners should interact with the homeless Annie Garau agarau@indiana.edu | @agarau6
Susan Bright, the co-owner of Nick’s English Hut, wanted to address criminal activity on Kirkwood Avenue. When people read her letter, however, they took away a different message. Her note, titled “Bum Commerce on Kirkwood,” went viral in the Bloomington community, sparking outrage among customers and business owners committed to advocating for the homeless. “As many of you know, our traffic of panhandlers and people with no other place to call home has increased dramatically over the past three years,” the letter begins. “With this type of activity, it has also increased petty theft, crimes and drug dealings.”
The message was sent to many business owners on Kirkwood and in the surrounding area. The letter was used to invite them to a meeting on June 4, at which they could discuss how to address the issue of panhandlers on the street. “Gregg and I honestly believe that if we ALL address this ‘Bum Commerce on Kirkwood’ by having the same knowledge and work towards the same common goal we will prevail at pushing this type of activity away from our front doors and revive OUR commerce in a positive, healthy direction,” the letter said, referring to Gregg Rago, Bright’s husband and co-owner of the restaurant. Though many business owners did attend the meeting, according to Bright, representatives from at least one Bloomington staple boycotted the gathering. “We reject the disgusting,
classist language used to describe our neighbors whose housing status is created by the gentrifying efforts of the businesses, police and city officials,” a statement posted on Boxcar Books’ Facebook page reads. “The language of the letter is indicative of the shameless social cleansing employed by such oppressors.” About 200 people have liked this post, and almost 150 have shared it. “I was surprised in the sense that I was disappointed that the content was taken the wrong way, but I understand why it was perceived how it was,” Bright said. “I’m actually excited that more people took notice because I think that one person, one business, can’t do much, but if we have hundreds and thousands of people aware of the situation and SEE BUM COMMERCE, PAGE 7
IU Athletics announced Friday a $5 million donation from businessman and IU alumnus Mark Cuban for a first-of-its-kind, student-focused digital broadcast and technology center. The Mark Cuban Center for Sports Media and Technology is expected to make IU the national leader in 3D broadcast and replay, virtual reality and 3D virtual studio technologies. Technologies will be shared between the athletic department and students in various schools at the University. IU Athletic Director Fred Glass said IU will be the first university in the country to use many of these technologies. The Cuban Center will be located on the west side of Assembly Hall. Technologies will begin to be implemented by IU sports teams this upcoming men’s basketball season, but the center is expected to be complete at the conclusion of the Assembly Hall renovations in Spring 2017. “Mark Cuban’s name is synonymous with innovation, technology, media, and sports,” Glass said. “I cannot imagine a person better suited to be the namesake for, and godfather of, our Center for Sports Media and Technology.” IU President Michael McRobbie said the 3D replay technology will be advantageous to players and coaches in enabling them to analyze plays and games like never before. He also said the cameras should make events more interesting for spectators and will allow the athletic departments to create videos to aid in recruiting. Cuban received a SEE CUBAN, PAGE 7
David Brenneman prepares to start at the art museum By Anthony Broderick
Forum introduces alumni trustee candidates Bailey Moser bpmoser@indiana.edu | @theedailybailey
The three men running for the open spot on the IU Board of Trustees participated in a public forum Friday afternoon. The candidates are vying for the spot of Alumni Trustee. Anyone with a degree from an IU school may vote by June 30. The three candidates, Jay Asdell, Mike Wilcox and Philip N. Eskew Jr., were each given two minutes to make opening statements and introduce themselves to viewers. Asdell graduated from the School of Dentistry in 1983 and currently serves as chief of the dental department at Memorial Hospital in South Bend, according to his candidate statement on the IU Alumni Association website. Wilcox is the superintendent of the Richland-Bean Blossom Community School Corporation and received degrees from IU in 1990 and 1997. Eskew, who currently serves on the Board and has worked as chair of the facilities committee and vice chair of university and student relations, received his Doctor of Medicine from the University in 1970. Asdell began the opening statements. “I am here today because I am passionate about Indiana University,” he said. “I want to see IU continue as the most diverse, economical, research-oriented and successful university in this country.” Eskew made his opening statement next. “I serve because this is my opportunity to give back,” Eskew said. “I feel very fortunate to have received the opportunity to learn from IU.” Wilcox then introduced himself. “We all love Indiana University,” Wilcox said. “We all bleed crimson
SCOTT TENEFRANCIA | IDS
Dr. Jay Asdell speaks during the opening statement section of the Board of Trustees trustee election forum. The chosen candidate will receive the position of Alumni Trustee on the IU Board of Trustees.
and cream, this is why we’re here.” Following opening statements, the candidates were given a series of questions provided by the Board of Trustees, audience members and viewers online through Twitter by tweeting @IUAA. The forum was also available via live stream for those who weren’t in Bloomington. The candidates were given two minutes to answer the questions, which covered a variety of topics involving university priorities such as state funding, the balance between athletics and academics, the role of technology’s growth in education and the latest two-year tuition freeze.
In one case, the candidates were asked what were the biggest threats they saw currently facing the University. Wilcox said the two biggest problems were how IU is taking care of students financially and campus security. Both Eskew and Asdell agreed, adding points about the importance of state funding of education and maintaining reasonable tuition rates. When asked about how an IU degree might change as students take classes across the system and graduate having taken classes at multiple campuses, each of the candidates agreed that “an IU degree is an IU
Related Content, page 2 Read more about Jay Asdell and what he plans to do if he is elected to the Board of Trustees. degree.” Following questions and closing statements, viewers were reminded that voting started June 1 and lasts until 11 a.m. June 30. IU Alumni can vote online at alumni.iu.edu or can request a print ballot by sending an email to truselec@indiana.edu. The next regular meeting of the Board is June 18-19 at IU-Northwest.
aebroder@umail.iu.edu | @aebrodakirck
Starting in July, there will be a new director of the IU Art Museum. David Brenneman was announced as the new director of the museum in April, after Adelheid Gealt said she would be stepping down. Brenneman is set to start working at the museum July 1. Brenneman is currently the director of collections and exhibitions at the High Museum of Art in Atlanta. According to a press release, he has worked in the art museum field for more than 20 years. “I have done just about everything that you can do as a curator and as an administrator of the Atlanta Museum,” Brenneman said. “I’ve organized major international exhibitions and private collections and purchased major works of art. I have a terrific editorial team who have projected great exhibition projects. I’ve nearly done it all.” In preparation for his new position, Brenneman said he is planning on increasing the profile of the museum and getting its name out beyond Bloomington. He said he is also thinking about rebuilding and updating the building itself, in order to make the pieces shine more. “My broader goal is getting the collections out into the world and increasing the profile of the museum,” Brenneman said. “I think that another goal that I’m interested in is community engagement. I want to engage with younger generations, and I want to see the museum as a laboratory and for it to be relevant.” When he researched and visited the IU Art Museum, Brenneman said he loved the SEE BRENNEMAN, PAGE 7