IDS
'You
have a right to say no'
Former Crazy Horse employees allege sexual harassment
By Eva Remijan-Toba
eremijan@iu.edu | @remitoba
Editor’s note: This story includes mention of sexual assault, sexual harassment, verbal abuse and vulgar language.
Elizabeth Spaulding and Jewels Nelson breathed a sigh of relief as they stood before Crazy Horse. The women entered the Bloomington restaurant standing tall, prepared to end the cycle of sexual misconduct they had endured for months.
They would soon discover the culture of silence engulfing Crazy Horse, and the owners’ suppression of anyone who dared to break it.
Spaulding, 25, and Nelson, 26, approached the establishment's owners July 24 for a meeting about general manager Joseph “Jay” Brink’s sexual harassment. Before they could speak, Crazy Horse owners Ron Stanhouse and his wife Liz Stanhouse immediately presented the women with documents for a one-week suspension.
The Stanhouses told Spaulding and Nelson they were being suspended for standing on the bar and swearing at Brink, which Spaulding and Nelson said never happened. They believe the story was a preemptive move to suspend them before they could bring allegations against Brink to the owners.
Spaulding and Nelson refused to sign the suspension papers. They passed their own document to the Stanhouses detailing the sexual offenses Brink allegedly committed against them and their female coworkers.
There were accusations from nine women on the list.
Nelson said the Stanhouses appeared surprised to hear of such behavior and said they had never received any complaints about
Brink, 40. Even after hearing the numerous cases against the general manager, Ron Stanhouse said there was nothing he could do. Nelson said Ron insisted more women needed to come forward because they depended heavily on Brink.
The next week, Nelson and Spaulding were taken off the schedule and removed from the employee software system. They text messaged Ron Stanhouse on July 27 to ask why they couldn’t work.
"It’s best if you don’t come in for any reason,” the owner responded.
***
The Indiana Daily Student spoke to four sources, including Nelson and Spaulding, who said Crazy Horse ownership and management fostered a culture of sexual harassment and abuse for at least three years.
The IDS reached out to the Stanhouses for comment on the accusations of negligence and fostering an unsafe work environment. Ron initially agreed to an interview over the phone, but later rescinded his agreement.
“Our company policy at Crazy Horse is not to make statements regarding current or past personnel,” he said in an emailed response. In a later email, he added, “We have many staff that have worked with us for 10, 20, and even 30 years and they are the backbone of our operation.”
The IDS also reached out to Brink over the phone and by text for comment. He did not reply.
***
Spaulding started serving at Crazy Horse during summer 2023. She said her initial experience was positive but quickly changed when she began working night shifts
supervised by Brink.
He often made comments toward Spaulding including, “I want to bite your nipples off,” or “You look so good I want to jizz on you.”
She said she hit her breaking point when she heard Brink make similar disturbing remarks about an 18-year-old employee.
Spaulding’s relationship with the owners did little to make her feel safer at work.
In June, Spaulding forgot to tip out the kitchen at the end of her shift. The next day, she said Ron Stanhouse yelled at her in the middle of the restaurant and threatened to fire her. Later that week, Spaulding called a meeting with Liz Stanhouse, who manages the schedule, to address her husband’s intimidation.
When Spaulding asked for an apology, Liz Stanhouse refused to reply according to an audio recording of the meeting. Unsatisfied, Spaulding left the meeting.
The following week, Spaulding and Nelson, who typically had two to four shifts per week, were given only one each. Although Nelson was not involved in the confrontation with the owners, she felt she was punished due to her friendship with Spaulding.
The two women felt increasingly powerless, and they feared the consequences of speaking out.
“Are we actually doing something wrong or is it the fact that we’re speaking up and saying something about this treatment?” Nelson said. “Every time we tried to change something to make it a safer environment, we were always punished.”
Spaulding said Ron and Liz Stanhouse’s tactics to repress women employees protected them and Brink from accountability.
At least 10 female employees have accused Brink of sexual harassment be-
tween the compiled document and a police report filed by Nelson. Ranging from vulgar comments to forceful sexual advances, the women subjected to Brink’s harassment said he has engaged in inappropriate behavior for years with no punishment.
“You just dreaded going to work every day,” Spaulding said. “It became normal to walk in and know, ‘I’m going to get harassed today.’”
After Spaulding was told not to come back to Crazy Horse, she asked her coworkers to come forward about Brink’s harassment.
At least two other employees sent text messages to Ron Stanhouse with the compiled document of Brink’s offenses, which were ignored. When more employees showed the same document to Ron and Liz Stanhouse in person, they claimed to have never seen it before.
“We were all so frustrated because now there’s proof of multiple people coming forward, and they’re lying saying they had never heard anything about this,” Nelson said. “Nothing was being done.”
Nelson began serving around the same time as Spaulding. Both women said they regularly experienced unwanted touching from Brink on their buttocks and waist. When they told him to stop, Brink said it was an accident.
“I could always tell he had an interest in me,” Nelson said. “I tried to brush it off like it was no big deal.”
After a month of working at the restaurant, Brink at tempted to kiss Nelson twice without her consent. Nelson said she told him no, but Brink persisted.
“I tried to be re spectful about it because he was the
general manager, the highest manager, and I didn’t want to offend him in any way,” she said. “It’s difficult to assert yourself because he’s a higher-up.”
Zoe Peterson, director of the Sexual Assault Research Initiative at the Kinsey Institute, said power dynamics are a key factor in harassment cases.
“In workplace environments where there is a pretty big power differential, consent almost loses its meaning,” she said. “People don’t have the power to say yes or no.”
Peterson said restaurants and bars are high risk spaces for sexual misconduct because employees often struggle to identify inappropriate harassment, or they dismiss the behavior. Hourly workers are especially vulnerable, as they fear losing their jobs and can be easily replaced.
As general manager, Brink supervised the entire Crazy Horse staff when the owners weren‘t in the restaurant. Every woman Brink sexually harassed worked under him.
In November 2023, Nelson said Brink spread a rumor that the two of them had sexual relations in the restaurant’s bathroom.
“It was humiliating,” Nelson said.
When she asked the managers for help to stop the rumors, they told her to “brush it off.”
“Whenever we try to talk about those things, it’s like they’re uninterested,” Nel-
IU ends Intensive First-Year Seminars
By Chloe Oden and Isaac Perlich news@idsnews.com
Indiana University announced it will discontinue Intensive First-Year Seminars (IFS) in an abrupt end to the over 30-year-old program.
IFS was a transition-tocollege program for first-year students which began a few weeks before the start of the fall semester, according to the IFS website. Prior to their start to college, incoming freshmen could participate in a threecredit course, working with faculty and participating in an academic forum that would help connect them to
IU’s resources and prepare them for college, according to the IFS website. IFS had courses specifically tailored to students with scholarships like Hudson & Holland and 21st Century Scholars, as well as students in the Arts and Sciences Undergraduate Research Experience.
At the Bloomington Faculty Council (BFC) meeting Oct. 1, one member asked Vice Provost of Undergraduate Education Vasti Torres for clarification about whether or not Torres made the decision to end IFS. “I made the decision to reallocate resources,” Torres said.
According to Torres, the role that IFS had is being “transformed and redesigned” for all students, but she did not give specifics.
Impact of IFS
Some courses for the 2024 program were “Arts of War,” taught by professor Marco Arnaudo; “Blood, Babies, and Chainsaws: Gender in/ as Horror,” taught by Jennifer Maher, clinical professor and director of undergraduate studies for gender studies; “Queer Activism and Public Issues” taught by associate professor A. Freya Thimsen; and “Happy Hoosiers: Exploring Nature, Heritage and Health,” taught by lecturer
Bloomington's 7 Day Forecast
Brian Forist.
“There’s just a different kind of bond that you can build in (the intensive format),” Thimsen said. “It allows you to build knowledge in a different way.” Thimsen said she has observed “life-changing impacts” in her IFS class. Most students in the class, she said, identify as part of the queer community and come from places that aren’t supportive of or are aggressive toward their identities. The class taught them about the history of queer politics and helped them “build community with each other.”
SEE IFS, PAGE 3
McCulley leaves IU
By Daniel Flick danflick@iu.edu | @ByDanielFlick
Senior receiver Donaven
McCulley is leaving Indiana’s football team, an Indiana Athletics spokesperson told the Indiana Daily Student on Tuesday.
McCulley is entering the transfer portal, the spokesperson said, and has been removed from the Hoosiers’ roster. The 6-foot-5, 203-pound wideout caught two passes for 21 yards and a touchdown in four appearances this season. A native of Indianapolis, McCulley attended Lawrence North High School. He arrived in Bloomington before the 2021 season, starting his collegiate career as a quarterback before transitioning to receiver in the spring of 2022.
In 2023, McCulley led the Hoosiers in receiving, catching 48 passes for 644 yards and six touchdowns. He was named an All-Big Ten honorable mention.
McCulley initially entered the transfer portal Nov. 27, 2023, one day after Indiana fired head coach Tom Allen. But after entering talks with new head coach Curt Cignetti, McCulley returned three weeks later.
The 21-year-old McCulley drew criticism this spring from Cignetti, who said McCulley needed to pick up his play in practice. McCulley performed well over the final two weeks of spring ball but failed to regain his starting spot this fall.
McCulley suffered an upper-body injury in the Hoosiers’ season-opening 31-7 victory over Florida International University on Aug. 31 and missed the following game. He returned Sept. 14 against UCLA. But McCulley’s role in Indiana’s offense has been minimal. Cignetti said in a press conference Sept. 23 that McCulley was still trying to get back in the swing of things after his injury.
McCulley caught a 12-yard touchdown in the Hoosiers’ most recent game, a 42-28 triumph over Maryland on Sept. 28, which marked his first reception since Week 1.
Barring a change of heart, that grab appears be the last of McCulley’s 66 in the cream and crimson. Indiana, without McCulley, returns to action at 3:30 p.m. EST Saturday against Northwestern at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium in Evanston, Illinois.
School shooting threat
By Madelyn Hanes mrhanes@iu.edu | @madelynrhanes
The Project School, a public charter school in Bloomington, canceled school for students in grades three through eight Oct. 2 after a written threat was found on a bathroom wall Oct. 1. The written threat said, “School Shooting, 10/2/2024,” according to an email from The Project School Principal Lori Ihle and Superintendent Catherine Diersing sent to families. They wrote in the email they evacuated the classroom building the afternoon of Oct. 1 around 2:15 p.m. The school enacted its safety plan and had all students and adults away from the building due to the anonymous threat written on a second-floor bathroom wall. The school’s K-2 Field Day at Yard Dogs Farm would proceed as planned Oct. 2, according to the email.
Bloomington Police Department Captain Ryan Pedigo said in an email that a detective responded to the Project School at approximately 2:15 p.m. regarding a threatening message that students found written on the wall of a bathroom stall.
SEE SHOOTING, PAGE 3
ILLUSTRATIONS BY ALAYNA WILKENING
He helped rebuild Iraq. Now he teaches at IU.
By Maddie Hensley henslemm@iu.edu
Feisal al-Istrabadi stood at his window, marveling at the magnificent Manhattan skyline. Meanwhile, 83 floors below, the city began to stir. Across the street stood the United Nations Headquarters, where he was serving as an ambassador from Iraq. Since moving to New York, he often caught himself admiring that alluring horizon. Each time he did, just like he did that day in 2004, he would remind himself that, like all diplomatic posts, this was only temporary.
As a natural born citizen of both the United States and Iraq, Istrabadi, now an IU professor, spent his childhood in both countries. At 1 year old, his family returned to their home country, Iraq.
“There was a period of great instability in Iraq for about 10 years, a number of coup d’états, some of which were successful,” Istrabadi said. “So, I always say my parents went back and forth depending on who led the last coup d’etat in Iraq.”
The last coup d’état in Iraq occurred the summer of 1968, which brought the Arab Socialist Ba’ath Party to power. Consequently, Istrabadi’s parents left the country again.
“In 1970, my parents left Iraq again for what turned out to be the last time,” he said.
Istrabadi spent his eighth birthday in Bloomington, while his mother worked toward a doctorate degree at Indiana University. Like his mother, Istrabadi went on to attend IU. He first received a bachelor’s degree in chemistry in 1986, then his first law degree from what is now known as the Maurer School of Law in 1988.
During his 15 years practicing law in Northwest Indiana and Chicago, Istrabadi became more involved in Iraqi politics. In the years leading up to the 2003 war in Iraq, Istrabadi began working closely with Adnan Pachachi, who would later serve as a member to the Presidency of the Iraqi Governing Council. The two ideologically connected and worked in opposition to the previous regime.
“This was sort of a hobby,” Istrabadi said.
In 2003, when Pachachi was appointed chair of Iraq’s interim constitution drafting committee, he asked Istrabadi, then his legal advisor, to come to Iraq and help. In the end, Istrabadi became a principal legal drafter of Iraq’s interim constitution, even authoring the Iraqi Bill of Rights.
“It was a very exciting time. When I look back on it, it was a very tiring time, but you didn’t feel it when you were doing it,” Istrabadi said.
By June 2003, after regular travel between his work
in Baghdad and taking cases to trial in the U.S., Istrabadi decided to leave his law practice.
“I didn’t know what I was going to do, but I wanted to have something to do with the effort to rebuild Iraq,” Istrabadi said.
After completing the draft for Iraq’s interim constitution, Pachachi nominated Istrabadi to the position of ambassador and deputy permanent representative of Iraq at the U.N.. A month prior to his official diplomatic appointment, Istrabadi assisted in the negotiations for U.N. Security Council Resolution 1546, adopted in June 2004, which recognized Iraq’s reassertion of its sovereignty. Istrabadi shared why this was a critical resolution.
“I don’t know that any other lawyer uses it, but I always say Iraq’s sovereignty became dormant,” Istrabadi said. “So, Resolution 1546 was our effort, and the American effort, to find ways of restoring Iraq’s sovereignty in a formal way.”
He noted it’s important to remember Iraq had been a pariah state for at least 13 years.
“Now we had…a sort of total state collapse. What was left of the state was dismantled by the American administrator in Iraq,” Istrabadi said. “The technical requirements, forget the practical requirements, but the technical requirements for getting Iraq’s sovereignty recognized, we made them up.”
At this point, there were newly existing independent states which had gone through a process of declaring sovereignty in the modern international community but never a previously recognized state.
“For a state which is a founding member of the United Nations, as Iraq, to have gone through this (process of reasserting sovereignty), this was unprec-
edented,” Istrabadi said.
Seventeen years later, Istrabadi reflects on his efforts to rebuild Iraq.
“Nothing has gone the way I had hoped,” he said. “I don’t think we have yet succeeded in truly rebuilding the state of Iraq. If we have, it’s a relatively weak state.”
Istrabadi said Iraq has been successful in establishing periodic federal elections and has even had multiple, successful transfers of power in the modern day. Still, the country struggles.
“We still have a relatively weak state, a cacophonous state with militias that are supported in particular by Iran, which are a threat to the cohesion of the state,” he said.
In recent months, there have been negotiations to pull U.S. troops out of Iraq. But even after the drawdown, it is likely a number of U.S. troops will remain in Iraq. These negotiations represent a deeper issue: Iraq’s attempt to balance two contrasting allies, the U.S. and Iran.
“If I were still advising people in Iraq, and I don’t, I would be saying to them, pick the U.S.,” Istrabadi said. “Anybody who’s bet against the U.S. for the last 80 years has lost, including Iraq, multiple times. I fear that the Iraqis are about to make the wrong choice again.”
If all American troops are withdrawn from Iraq, Istrabadi said he hopes Iraq at least continues a strategic cooperation with the U.S.
“The history of American withdrawal from Iraq does not typically end well. A country like Iran will always — no matter who rules Iran and who governs in Iraq — Iran will always want Iraq to be weak, because it’s a strategic competitor,” Istrabadi said. “It’s, therefore, in my opinion, a strategic blunder for Iraq to rely on Iran in a strategic sense.”
But Istrabadi said that doesn’t stop Iraq’s tempta-
tion to partner with Iran.
“We (Iraq and Iran) have shared culture, shared religion or sect at least,” he said. “We have economic ties, trade and what have you, and that’s fine.”
However, he strongly believes in a quote from Robert Frost: “good fences make good neighbors.”
Now, Istrabadi is the director of the Center for the Study of the Middle East at the Hamilton Lugar School of Global and International Studies. He first came to IU in 2007 as a professor at the law school.
“It took a while to get used to,” he said. “You know, the phone doesn’t ring as often as it does when you’re in that world...it was exciting to sort of be involved, to be somebody who was involved in interacting, at least, with the decision makers when decisions were being made.”
Now, as an academic, Istrabadi embraces the freedom to write and say what he pleases — something he couldn’t do as a diplomat.
“I still think about Iraq, and I still write about Iraq, but it’s also not in the headlines as it once was. Over time, I have also just sort of had a natural progression to try to think about the Middle East more broadly, anyway,” Istrabadi said. “And so, there are various things that I do look at, for instance, security issues on the Gulf generally. So, I’m focusing a little more on Iran than I used to.”
Although Iraq is not in the headlines as it once was, Istrabadi said these topics are still worth exploring.
“The world is connected. It may happen over (there), but it has consequences here,” he said. “That may sound to some, a kind of a crude reason to care about other parts of the world, but it’s a very practical one. Now, how you respond to what happens over there? That’s an entirely different question.”
Indian Student Association on cease and desist
By Mike Badrov
mbadrov@iu.edu
The Indian Student Association of Indiana University is on cease and desist as of Oct. 1. According to the IU Office of Student Life, the citation is based on hazing and alcohol issues from the club and leaves them subject to discipline.
All further activities within the association have been suspended, according to the IU Office of Student Life. ISA posted an Instagram story Sept. 30 saying upcoming events have been canceled due to technical issues.
The IU Office of Student Life defines a cease and desist as an interim measure placed upon certain aspects of chapter operations when there is an immediate threat or ongoing investigation. One other organization, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated, is on cease and desist, according to IU’s list of organizations on disciplinary status. Nine
Why has the jail expansion seen so many delays?
By Mia Hilkowitz mhilkowi@iu.edu | @MiaHilkowitz
Progress toward building a new Monroe County Jail is delayed again, more than three years after an independent report found the current facility was failing to uphold inmates’ constitutional rights.
The week of Sept. 23, county officials and residents expected the Monroe County Commissioners to approve the $11.375 million purchase of 52 acres northwest of Bloomington as a building site for the new jail. However, the commissioners, in a split vote Sept. 25, chose to delay the longanticipated selection.
The commissioners indicated this summer they planned to move forward with the purchase agreement. However, the board received last minute information about another potential building site on Vernal Pike, prompting commissioners Julie Thomas and Lee Jones to vote for the delay.
Commissioner Penny Githens, however, pushed back, saying that every delay has “a fiscal cost to it and a human cost.”
The postponement also came about a week after the Monroe County Council voted to advertise a new local income tax increase to support the jail’s construction. The council originally advertised a 0.2 percent LIT increase but lowered the rate to 0.175 percent.
Why is Monroe County building a new jail?
County officials have been trying to address conditions in the Monroe County Jail for more than three years. But issues within the jail go back over 16 years, after the American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana filed a lawsuit against Monroe County in 2008. In the suit, the ACLU of Indiana alleged the jail’s overcrowding and conditions violated inmates’ constitutional rights.
The ACLU of Indiana and Monroe County eventually reached a private settlement, requiring the jail to decrease its inmate capacity. While the original terms of the settlement said the lawsuit would be dismissed in January 2023, the ACLU of Indiana decided to extend its deadline for dismissal to January 2024.
other organizations are on suspension, four are on disciplinary status and one is on a voluntary resolution agreement.
ISA is the only club in the current school year to have an outstanding cease and desist citation.
ISA leadership did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
More than a decade after the ACLU of Indiana’s lawsuit, a group of independent consultants released a report that found the county’s jail, located on College Avenue and built in 1986, had exceeded its structural life cycle and was “incapable of consistently ensuring and sustaining constitutional levels of care and custody.”
The consultants also recommended Monroe County to undertake a study to compare the costs of renovating compared to constructing a new jail.
Why have there been delays?
The jail expansion project has faced delays before. One debate that originally stalled progress was whether the county should build a new jail or renovate the current facility. In the 2021 report, consultants estimated it would cost around $56 million to renovate the existing jail on College Avenue. After hearing the estimated hard construction costs — around $80.9 million for a new 400-bed jail — county officials indicated they thought building a new facility would be the best option. Still, some local advocates, including anti-incarceration advocacy group Care Not Cages, have opposed the construction of a new jail and support renovation. In interviews with the Indiana Daily Student earlier this month, three Care Not Cages advocates said they want the county to invest in community and mental health resources instead.
Another major delay came when came when the Bloomington City Council denied Monroe County’s request to rezone land in the city for a building site. This led county officials to start looking for a building site outside municipal limits. Since the county must complete time-intensive environmental studies and land appraisals for each potential building site, this setback meant a selection was pushed further away.
Slow progress on the expansion project has garnered criticism from some county residents, officials and political hopefuls. Monroe County Sheriff Ruben Marté even sent an email to county leaders in February 2023 stating the commissioners were refusing “to move in a timely manner and don’t wish to partner with us to ensure the safety of staff and residents.” County commissioners and council members have acknowledged the impact of these delays, including during the meeting Sept. 25, and emphasized that the site selection is one of the biggest decisions they will make in office.
“The human suffering that’s being caused by our lack of movement is not something that should be ignored,” Jones said during the meeting. At the Sept. 25 meeting, the commissioners did not indicate when they will revisit a purchase agreement.
COURTESY PHOTO
Feisal Amin Rasoul al-Istrabadi, professor of practice of international law and diplomacy, poses for a headshot Aug. 3, 2016. Istrabadi graduated with a bachelor’s degree from Indiana University in 1986.
FILE PHOTO | IDS
The Zietlow Justice Center is located at 301 N. College Ave. in Bloomington. The Monroe County Commissioners delayed the $11.375 million purchase of 52 acres northwest of Bloomington as a building site for the new jail during their meeting Sept. 25.
Green Acres application withdrawn
By Andrew Miller ami3@iu.edu | @Andrew_Mmiller
A group seeking to turn the Green Acres neighborhood, located directly east of IU’s campus, into a historic conservation district withdrew its application Monday, the B Square Bulletin first reported. Lois Sabo-Skelton, chair of the Green Acres Conservation District Development Committee, said in a letter to city council that they were withdrawing in a “strategic step to ensure that we can ultimately protect our neighborhood.”
The battle to designate the neighborhood as a historic conservation district began after a proposal in May called to demolish five homes along North Jefferson Street, potentially for redevelopment as lowdensity student housing.
The area is located about two blocks east of Union Street Center. The city council voted not to approve an ordinance to designate the neighborhood a conservation district at its meeting Oct. 1. There will likely need to be decisions on interim protection added to the neighborhood this summer. The interim protection holds until a decision adopts or rejects the historic protection ordinance. That interim protection covers more than 400 homes. In a conservation district, actions such as moving, demolishing or constructing buildings require approval by the Bloomington Historic Preservation Commission. Despite pulling their application, supporters of protections for the neigh-
borhood say they will fight on.
“Please know that we will be back, and we remain hopeful that future
discussions will lead to a positive outcome for the Green Acres Neighborhood,” Sabo-Skelton wrote in the letter.
Students navigate voting rights
By Chloe Oden chloden@iu.edu | @chloeoden0
At the “Does My Vote Count? Voting in the U.S. Territories,” event held at the La Casa Latino Cultural Center, speaker Luis Fuentes-Rohwer helped students navigate their voting rights for the upcoming election. Fuentes-Rohwer, a law professor at Indiana University, focused on the rights of U.S. citizens from U.S. territories.
This November, Puerto Ricans will be able to vote on the state of the territory, choosing between statehood, independence or independence with free association. Freely associated states are countries protected by the U.S., giving the military the right to access. This vote is non-binding, meant to demonstrate the preferences of citizens. In the end, Congress and the president have the final decision.
Currently, people living in U.S. territories, including Puerto Rico, cannot vote for federal positions. Although, according to Indiana Code, students that are U.S. citizens from a U.S. territory attending college in Indiana can vote in the presidential election if they register to vote under their current college address.
At the same time as the U.S. presidential election, Puerto Rico votes for their governor, the territory’s head of government. College students may only be registered to vote in one location, which will decide which election they vote in.
Residents of Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands are U.S. citizens but are all without representation in the U.S. Senate.
In the U.S. House of
IFS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
She said students have emailed her to say the connections made in the course became the foundation for their time at IU.
IFS professors learned IU was canceling the program at a “debriefing meeting,” according to Arnaudo. Torres announced that the university was ending the program at this meeting.
“I’ve rarely seen faculty cry at faculty meetings,” Arnaudo said. “Everybody in the room was extremely upset, angry, devastated or crying.”
Arnaudo, who has taught in the program for over 10 years, said with how passionate IFS professors are, Torres’ approach to breaking the news was “unprofessional” and without warning. He said he wishes the university had consulted them on how to handle any problems with the program instead of ending it completely without a fully formed replacement program.
“It’s devastating for the real-life impact that it will have on hundreds of students,” Arnaudo said.
To Arnaudo, IFS is an especially important program because it benefits first-generation college students. He said the seminar helped acclimate them to college and living on a college campus. Arnaudo was a first-generation student.
“My experience start-
Representatives, each territory has one non-voting member. In presidential elections, residents of these territories can vote in the presidential primaries but not the actual election. American Samoa also has a representative in the House of Representatives, but its residents are considered U.S. nationals, not U.S. citizens.
“(U.S. territories’) delegates to Congress are also very connected and advocating collectively on some of the issues around territories,” Bruce Smail, who is from the U.S. Virgin Islands and is the director of the LGBTQ+ Culture Center, said. “But all of them, including D.C., do not have voting power in Congress, so the most that they can do is negotiate, but they cannot vote.”
Territories are unable to vote for a very “simple” reason, according to FuentesRohwer; the Constitution doesn’t say anything explicitly regarding the right to vote for anyone. Instead, it leaves it to the states.
“It gives it to states to hand out, and if you’re not a state, then you can’t vote until you become a state,” Fuentes-Rohwer said.
The U.S. Constitution designed the electoral college for states. Its omission of territories means territories cannot vote in the presidential election.
In 2020, Puerto Rico held a referendum that garnered 53% of votes for statehood, and 47% against. To reach statehood Congress and the president must decide to act on a majority vote from Puerto Rico’s referendum.
According to FuentesRohwer, a U.S. citizen living in Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam or the Northern Mariana Is-
ing college in another town with no friends, not knowing how things work was extremely disorienting. So much so that I got depressed and overwhelmed, and I dropped out of college,” he said. “Then I went back, and I was able to make it that time. So, I know how difficult it can be if you’re a first-generation student from a lowincome background, how hard it can be to make the transition.”
Arnaudo said he doesn’t think he would have dropped out if he had the opportunity to go through a program like IFS.
For first-generation students, IFS is a valuable time to learn what is expected of them in college and meet people, and without it, Arnaudo said, many will have a “rocky start and may not complete” the semester.
Brian Forist, who teaches in IU School of Public Health’s Department of Health and Wellness Design, said IFS was “special” and taught students “colleging 101.”
He was turning in his IFS grades and writing a note to his teaching assistant when he learned the program was discontinued Friday.
“It was heartbreaking,” he said. “It was a gut punch.”
He said he now realizes the impact IFS had on faculty.
“These people — my colleagues — aren’t just teaching their IFS courses,” he
lands would only receive “all the powers and rights given to state residents” if they decided to move and establish residency in a U.S. state.
“It’s very ironic,” Smail said. “We can vote in the presidential primary, and we have a vote that supposedly counts in the primary but not in the general election.”
At the event, FuentesRohwer examined the current state of voting for U.S. territories beginning at the original territories.
“It is a racialized story,” Fuentes-Rohwer said, one about “race,” “conquest” and “empire.”
Up until 1898, he said, a U.S. territory was defined by the expectation that it would become a state. To be admitted as states, territories needed to have 60,000 people within the jurisdiction of the territory, and the territory’s government has to draft a constitution and submit it to Congress for review.
“Once you were a territory, you were on the path to statehood,” Fuentes-Rohwer said.
This trend, he said, continued with Arizona and New Mexico and didn’t stop when it came to the territories that today have not reached statehood.
Fuentes-Rohwer said the difference between territories like Arizona or Wyoming and Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands, which still do not have statehood, was their size.
According to FuentesRohwer, the territories that exist today were simply too small. Former territories such as Arizona and New Mexico were big enough for the U.S. to create the population they desired, one
said. “Their experience influences how they teach, and they become ambassadors in their departments and schools for a more studentcentered, intensive, contextual approach in learning and teaching.”
Forist has taught for IFS since 2020 and reflected on his four years with the program.
He said a student took his IFS class in 2020, became one of his teaching assistants, graduated last year and is now a park ranger and pursuing a master’s degree at IU.
“To see a student from her first day of college to park ranger has been a source of incredible joy,” he said.
One of his favorite memories came when he gave the faculty address for the IFS closing ceremony last year.
“In that talk, I offered a charge to the students, but I also offered a charge to my peers and that was, ‘I’ve heard you say this is the best of teaching on IU’s campus. This is how teaching should be.’ And I said, ‘Then make it so,’” Forist said.
Maher said IFS is a program that sticks with students, saying that many refer to it as one of the best college experiences that they had at IU.
According to Maher, a student from her IFS class in 2018 messaged her this year on Facebook about the impact the course had on her.
with mostly white people.
“You can overwhelm them,” Fuentes-Rohwer said. “You just keep bringing people, you dilute whomever stay, or you pick land like in the MexicanAmerican War, where nobody lives. And once your people get there, then you’ll get (to statehood).”
With the island territories, this method was not possible.
“How do you do that in a place that is so small those people have no place to go?” Fuentes-Rohwer said. “You could round them up and ship them out, or you could kill them, or just wait them out. And that’s what we’ve chosen to do, just wait them out.”
In Indiana, voters can register online and use https://indianavoters. in.gov/ to validate their voting registration status, print mail-in registration forms, apply for absentee voting forms, find the time and location of their polling place and find out who’s on the ballot for this election.
The last day to request absentee ballots in Indiana is 12 days before the election, Oct. 24.
Voter registration in Indiana for the Nov. 5 election ends Oct. 7. Voter registration in Puerto Rico ended Sept. 21.
On election day, voters must bring a photo ID that contains their photo, name, an expiration date (either current or expired sometime after the last general election, Nov. 8, 2022), and is either issued by Indiana or the U.S. government.
Editor’s note: Luis Fuentes-Rohwer is related to a writer currently on staff at the IDS. That writer was not involved in the reporting, writing or editing of this story.
“Your class/IFS was one of my favorite parts of undergrad. I met some of my best friends through there, and it helped mold my academic career,” the student wrote in the message. “I know others in our cohort feel the same.” Faculty react to cancellation Maher, Arnaudo, Thimsen and Forist all said that IFS professors were not consulted prior to the decision.
“It was one of the most disrespectful meetings I’ve ever been to in my life in terms of how I was treated as an educator,” Maher said. “In fact, (Torres) didn’t refer to us as educators, she referred to us as stakeholders.”
At the BFC meeting, Torres said she had met with Tanya Koontz Orbaugh, director of IFS, who said IFS faculty were meeting the next day. She then decided to announce it at that meeting Sept. 27.
“That is why it rolled out in the manner it did,” Torres said. “It is not my usual manner.”
In the meeting, Arnaudo said, the university told them that they wanted to have a college readiness program that served all students.
Mark Bode, IU executive director for media relations, referred the Indiana Daily Student to a statement from Torres.
“Throughout the years, the Intensive First-Year Seminar has benefitted approxi-
Bank robbery suspect arrested
By Madelyn Hanes mrhanes@iu.edu | @madelynrhanes
A suspect was arrested Oct. 1 in relation to the JC Bank robbery Sept. 24, according to a Bloomington Police Department press release.
The suspect was identified as Charles Strevels, a Bloomington resident, and was remanded in jail custody for robbery, a level 5 felony.
Around 11:50 a.m. Sept. 24, officers arrived at JC Bank in response to a holdup alarm, a silent alarm that can be found in emergency situations. The bank staff told officers that they had been robbed by a man who was wearing a face covering who handed tellers a note demanding money. After receiving cash from an employee, the suspect fled eastbound on foot from the bank.
The robbery caused two local schools to shelter in place.
According to the release, investigators found a path
» SHOOTING
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
Pedigo said after the detective interviewed several students who were in the presence of their parents, a 12-year-old girl was referred to Monroe County Juvenile Probation for the charge of Intimidation, a class A misdemeanor.
More than 700 children and teenagers in 45 states have been arrested and accused of making violent
mately 9% of our beginner students annually, and our goal is to reimagine a program that serves 100% of our beginner students,” Torres said in the statement.
According to Torres, the Office of the Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education is working with Bloomington Faculty Council leadership to “identify the next steps” in creating a first-year program that serves all beginner students.
In the Bloomington Faculty Council meeting Oct. 1, BFC members asked Torres what role the BFC had in the decision to end IFS. They also asked if any BFC members were aware that creating a new first-year program would include ending IFS.
“The collaboration with BFC was around the creation of the first-year seminar learning objectives,” Torres said. “No, (BFC) were not consulted on the change of the IFS.”
Torres said in her original statement that students in a pilot of this new seminar this semester reported that their participation was “helping them learn about the educational journey, transition to college and feel acclimated to campus.”
She also said during the BFC meeting Tuesday that “IFS could be part of the picture, but not in its current financial resource intensive way.”
Torres said in the statement the redesigning of the
that leads from behind the bank to a nearby apartment complex. They checked area surveillance camera footage to identify a vehicle that had likely been involved with the robbery. They determined the vehicle was in the area around the time of the robbery and identified the owners of the vehicle by using Flock license plate readers, a type of camera which captures data from license plates. Officers located and stopped the vehicle Sept. 26, but the suspect was not the person driving the vehicle. BPD carried out a search warrant at Strevels’ residence Sept. 26, but he was not found. An arrest warrant was issued for Strevels on Sept. 27. Officers took Strevels into custody without incident at Bloomfield Road and Patterson Drive on the morning of Oct. 1 after he called the lead detective to turn himself in. After an interview with police, Strevels was transported to Monroe County Jail.
threats against schools after the Apalachee High School Shooting in September, according to the New York Times. These numbers are higher than usual.
School districts across Indiana are seeing an increase in threats, specifically made on social media, according to WRTV Indianapolis. Since 2019, there has been a total of seven fatal and non-fatal school shootings in or near K-12 schools in Indiana.
first-year seminar would connect the program with faculty by giving them a chance to “be involved in the important work of supporting our students in their transition to IU Bloomington.”
“None of us knew, nor were consulted about the Intensive First-Year Seminar and its status,” Danielle DeSawal, president of the BFC, said. “We learned on Friday, just as everyone else learned on Friday.” To Thimsen, IFS is already accessible to all students. She said the program had around 800 students in its courses each year.
“I think that requiring all of the undergraduates who are coming to IU to take a remedial study skills course just shows a level of disrespect for the undergraduate students and their capacities,” Thimsen said. “The students are going to resent it right off the bat.” Thimsen said she does not think the new program is an appropriate replacement for IFS. To her, it represents the “cheapening of undergraduate education at IU.” Arnaudo said he wants the administration to bring IFS back amid the disapproval of professors but doesn’t think it is likely under the current administration.
“We’ve seen the last couple of months, faculty opinions are treated like they don’t matter,” he said.
MIA HILKOWITZ | IDS
A sign for the Green Acres neighborhood is pictured Oct. 1, 2024, on Bryan Avenue in Bloomington. A group that sought to turn the Green Acres neighborhood, located directly east of IU’s campus, into a historic conservation district withdrew its application Sept. 30.
ANNABEL PROKOPY | IDS
JCBank is pictured Oct. 2, 2024, at 2421 S Walnut St. in Bloomington. The bank was robbed Sept. 24.
CRAZY HORSE CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
“They don’t want to talk about it and they don’t want to hear it.”
Zach Dickstein, 21, served at Crazy Horse from September 2022 to August 2023. He witnessed Brink’s harassment toward his women coworkers.
“Everyone was free game to Jay,” Dickstein said. “He would grope and smack people’s butts. He would comment on female workers’ bodies and made a lot of people very uncomfortable.”
Brink’s harassment wasn’t limited to just the employees.
Spaulding said Brink once threw coasters toward a customer’s cleavage while she sat at the bar.
Brink also tried to take home a drunk woman who was too intoxicated to stand, according to an employee who worked at Crazy Horse at the time. She requested anonymity for fear of retalia-
tion. Originally drinking with a group, the intoxicated woman’s friends left her alone and she passed out in a booth. When the employee tried to help the woman get home, Brink demanded to drive her himself. Suspicious of his intentions, the employee ordered an Uber for the woman anyway.
She knew all too well what could happen when locked in a car with Brink. In 2021, Brink, in his late 30s at the time, offered to drive the then-21-year-old employee to her car after work. As she tried to exit his vehicle, Brink tried to kiss her, which she resisted. Brink then pulled down his pants to expose himself and told the woman to perform oral sex on him, despite her telling him “no.”
“I was trapped,” she said.
Brink persisted until she told him she “needs to think about it until tomorrow.”
“It made me feel devalued,” she said. “It’s like losing a part of yourself.”
Brink never apologized to
Ricardo Vasquez MD
Mon. - Fri.: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
815 W. Second St. 812-336-6008 vascularcenterandveinclinic.com
Baron D Hall, DDS, MSD Jake Willhite, DDS, MSD Orthodentists
Erica Hall, Hannah Elliott, Kaitlyn Jacobs, Marilyn Lee, Adrian Price
With modern techniques and a fun style, B-town Orthodontics is the most up-and-coming orthodontics office in the Bloomington area! We offer the latest technologies including invisalign, gold brackets, laser treatments, and even mini implants that can help restore missing teeth and even eliminate the need for surgery. B-town Orthodontics offers FREE consultations and don’t forget to download The Braces App, the hottest free app designed by B-town Orthodontics’ Dr. Baron Hall.
Tue. - Thu.: 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Lunch 12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Mon. & Fri.: Appointments Only 1320 W. Bloomfield Rd., Suite B 812-287-8851 btownorthodontics.com
the employee, and later insisted to her the encounter was consensual.
***
In early July, the female employees of Crazy Horse started sharing their stories with one another. They realized Brink had been making young women uncomfortable for years and decided to compile a document detailing each sexual offense he had committed against them.
“I opened up to some of the other servers and they had even worse stories than me,” Nelson said. “People have quit because of the things he’s done.”
When Brink caught wind of the employees discussing his harassment, Nelson and spaulding said he tried to fire them from Crazy Horse on July 21. Unable to provide sufficient reasoning for their dismissal, Brink told the women they were suspended instead to avoid wrongful termination.
Later that week, Nelson
and Spaulding had their meeting with the owners, resulting in nothing.
After they realized the owners wouldn’t help them, Nelson and Spaulding decided to take action themselves.
On Aug.13, Spaulding filed an Equal Employment Opportunity complaint against Ron Stanhouse for discrimination based on her sex and retaliation for reporting harassment. She claimed her former employer intimidated female staff by yelling at them and threatening their jobs daily.
On the same day, Nelson and three of her coworkers filed a sexual harassment police report against Brink.
“I want restaurants in general to be a safe environment,” Nelson said. “It should not be acceptable for anyone to be harassed, talked down to, or to be treated unfairly. None of that is okay.”
Spaulding took her activism public by writing reviews on the Crazy Horse Yelp page, exposing the sexual misconduct and intimidation she faced to the public. Her re-
Ryan D. Tschetter, DDS Lauren R. Hoye, DDS Jackson Creek Dental is conveniently located on South College Mall Road. Most insurances accepted, including the Indiana University Cigna Insurance plans as well as the IU Fellowship Anthem. Dr. Tschetter and Dr. Hoye offer state of the art dental technology such as Zoom whitening, same day crown appointments, and Invisalign. We also provide restorative, cosmetic and emergency care. We pride ourselves in giving the best care to our patients while offering a pleasant yet professional atmosphere.
Mon. - Thu.: 7 a.m. - 5 p.m. Fri.: 7 a.m. - 3 p.m.
1124 S. College Mall Rd. 812-336-5520 jcdsmiles.com
A Way of ChiropracticWellness
Dr. Andrew Pitcher, D.C.
Dr. Crystal Gray, D.C.
A Way of Wellness Chiropractic specializes in comprehensive spinal care. We offer treatment for many different spinal conditions and problems, while also addressing the body as a whole. We provide effective chiropractic care helping patients reduce stress, improve mobility and spinal health. The quality treatment we provide is always fit to your individual needs and goals. Let us help you achieve and maintain good spinal health. We look forward to meeting you!
Mon. - Thu.: 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. 1121 W. Second St. 812-336-2225 bloomingtonchiropractor.com
views were promptly deleted, but not before a user on Reddit reposted Spaulding’s story on Aug. 11. The Reddit post garnered over 250 upvotes and 130 comments, with overwhelming support for Spaulding and her coworkers. Many comments criticized Ron Stanhouse for his unfair work environment, and others pledged to boycott the restaurant.
“I want to make sure that the story is told so people aren’t supporting Crazy Horse, by giving their money to people who have no regard for women,” Spaulding said. “I wanted to stand up for the women who are after me.”
Brink was fired from Crazy Horse during the second week of August, which a current employee attributed to social media pressure in an interview with the IDS. On Aug. 15, the restaurant’s Facebook page made a post announcing they hired a new general manager.
None of the women affected by Brink’s sexual misconduct received an apology.
Physicians
“I think it’s impressive when victims come together and take action,” Peterson said. “But it shouldn't have to be that way. People shouldn’t have to feel like they’re putting their careers on the line to come forward and call attention to a problem.” Peterson said employees should have the ability to report sexual misconduct without fear of retaliation, while also having access to support and resources. She advised owners to establish clear reporting procedures to foster a safe work environment. Sexual harassment training is not legally required for non-government workers in Indiana. However, there are several programs designed to combat this issue, including prevention training courses specifically for restaurants. When asked if she had advice for women working in the service industry, Spaulding said, “I hope they know they have a voice and they don’t have to be scared of being retaliated against. You have a right to say no.”
Mon. - Fri.: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. 815 W. Second St. 812-336-6008
vascularcenterandveinclinic.com
Optometry
Dr. Andrew Jones, Dr. Marzia Zamani, Cheyenne Brown, Megan Sipes, Milli Nally, Kenzy Hawkins, Christina Thompson
Dr. Tavel Family Eyecare is your partner in your personal eyecare journey. Since 1940, the company has believed that every Hoosier deserves quality eyecare and vision solutions at an affordable price.
Dr. Tavel offers comprehensive eye exams, special testing, management of eye diseases, glasses, contact lenses and much more, all backed by an insurance acceptance guarantee. The company is committed to advancing eye health by investing in the latest technology and providing treatments that are right for every patient’s unique needs.
Mon.: 7:30 a.m. - 6 p.m. Tue.: Closed Wed.: 7:30 a.m. - 6 p.m. Thu.: 9 a.m. - 7:30 p.m. Fri.: 7:30 a.m. - 6 p.m. Sat.: 7:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Sun.: Closed
2552 E. Third St. 812-233-2343 drtavel.com/locations/bloomington
Austin C. Starr, D.D.S
HOOSIER ORAL SURGEON?
Dr. Starr is an Indiana University Football Alum who provides pain-free experiences for all Hoosiers with IV sedation. He performs specialized oral surgery services including Wisdom Teeth Extractions, Dental Implants, Bone Grafting, and Plasma Therapy. Equipped with modern 3-D technology, he has the most up-to-date surgical skills and techniques to accomplish beautiful results with his patients. He looks forward to accomplishing beautiful results with his patients, enhancing confidence and satisfaction for all he serves.
Go Hoosiers! We look forward to taking care of you!
Hagan St., Suite 203 812-334-0001 jantaylorschultz.com
3925 E. Hagan St., Suite 201 812-822-2489 bloomingtonbraces.com
Mon. - Thu.: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Fri.: 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. 473 S. Landmark Ave. 812-318-1023 starroralsurgery.com Ricardo Vasquez MD
Dr. Zachary Short, O.D.
Dr. Madison Witthoft, O.D.
Welcome to Insights Optical, where quality eye care is our number one priority. Our dedicated team is ready to learn all about you and your vision needs while using innovative technology and a comprehensive care approach to take care of your eye health.
Mon.: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Wed.: 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Tue., Thu., Fri.: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. 415 S. Clarizz Blvd. 812-333-1911 insightsoptical.com
Our eye care clinics serve patients in Bloomington-Atwater Eye Care Center and Indianapolis Eye Care Center, with faculty doctors and student interns who work together to provide the most comprehensive eye care available. Our many services include primary care, pediatrics, low vision, dry eye, disease, laser and surgical care, contact lenses including specialty lenses, myopia management, aniseikonia, and eye wear center. Open to the public and accepting most insurances.
744 E. Third St. 812-855-8436 optometry.iu.edu
weight management and more to patients 12 months and older. Appointments and walk ins welcome. We accept most commercial insurance, Medicare and several Medicaid plans. We offer transparent pricing for the uninsured.
812-323-4301 kroger.com/health/clinic
Dr. Philip Clark Brittain Jenna Kelly, RN
Vibrant Life specializes in hormone replacement therapy and medical aesthetics. Vibrant Life is pleased to offer personalized care, employing the latest medical technology. Services include: hormone therapy, neuromodulators (botox, dysport), dermafillers, microneedling, laser hair removal, age spot reduction, blue light acne treatment, treatment for
w Jan Taylor-Schultz
Health Spotlight
Jack Davis (he/him)
is a sophomore studying journalism
Scientists at Cornell University used mushrooms to control a robot. Hard to believe, right? But this news isn’t the only incredible application for mushrooms. From health and technology to fashion and agriculture, our future may intersect with, and be influenced by, the fascinating world of fungi.
The mushroom and its health benefits have long been tracked. In Asia, medicinal mushrooms have been used for hundreds of years. For more than 30 years, they’ve been used as an addition to standard cancer and lung disease treatments in China and Japan. Psilocybin mushrooms, commonly referred to as magic mushrooms, can be found in medicine used for people suffering from treatment-resistant depression. According to the Alcohol and Drug Foundation, “We’ve learned psilocybin can have anti-depressant and anti-anxiety effects that last for several months.”
The power of mushrooms doesn’t end there, though. As mentioned, researchers at Cornell University recently used the rootlike structure of the mushroom, called myce-
is a first-year master’s student studying second language studies.
Two years ago, I went to a seminar about Peace Feasts, which aim to bring Christians and Muslims together for interfaith conversations. One of the get-to-know-you questions brought up was, “What’s something you wish people knew about your religion?”
Oftentimes, we think we know what Muslims, Jews, Buddhists, Hindus or Bahá’ís believe because we’ve absorbed information here and there, sometimes on purpose and sometimes not. However, the ideas we have about these belief systems aren’t always accurate. I follow Jesus, and nowadays, as in biblical times (for example, see John 10:19-21), there are a lot of misunderstandings about him and the movement he set in motion.
It’s not about becoming a better person so that you get into heaven
In my experience, this is the most common misconception I encounter about my faith. If you read no other part of this column, please read this.
There’s this idea that good people go to heaven and bad people go to hell, so you need to do things like go to church, pray and avoid doing bad things. If you do these things, you count as one of the good people and get to go to
Evelyn Strauss (she/her) is a freshman studying international studies and human biology.
You’d think that finding instruments in a music school would be easy. Unfortunately, it doesn’t always work that way for percussion.
I’m a part of the All-Campus Band, and since I’m new to this ensemble, I didn’t know what to expect. The All-Campus Band is a part of the Jacobs School of Music, and is open to any student, regardless of major, who wants to continue playing in an ensemble. The band has 80 members, and we meet every Monday night to rehearse pieces for our concert at the end of the semester.
Coming from my high school band program where all the percussion equipment was provided to us, I was quite shocked to find that it wasn’t the case here. I can kind of understand this, but it’s still frustrating. The All-Campus Band is the only band on campus open to everyone, which puts it on the backburner. But I get it. Jacobs’ students get top priority when it comes to practice rooms, rehearsal
JACK’S JAMS
The future may be mushroom-powered
lium, to control a biohybrid robot. The mycelium uses small electric signals to make the robot walk and roll, acting as the robot’s brain, similar to what mushrooms do in the wild. The National Forest Foundation said, “mycelium composes what’s called a ‘mycorrhizal network,’ which connects individual plants together to transfer water, nitrogen, carbon and other minerals.”
3
While these biohybrid robots are currently only being tested in a lab, many future possibilities in a wide variety of areas exist. Researchers hope biohybrids might explore oceans, help with fertility treatments, find survivors after an earthquake and improve soil conditions for agriculture.
Another unexpected superpower of fungi is its use as an alternative for textiles. The
same root that helped the robot move can also be used to create different materials in fashion. This type of textile feels and looks like animal leather. Using mushrooms to create leather-like material may make the fashion industry more environmentally sustainable.
Instead of using cattle to make leather, which produce most of our greenhouse emissions, fashion compa-
nies are working to find viable alternatives. Several have already found new ways to create textiles using mycelium, along with other materials like sweet corn, wheat and even orange peels. Bolt Threads, a company based in California, created a material called Mylo, which is made out of mycelium. It’s tanned in the same process as leather and is almost indistinguishable from actual
things I wish people knew about Christianity
heaven. That’s not what biblical Christianity says.
Biblical Christianity says that all humans sin against God (to paraphrase the concept of original sin), and the penalty is death (see Romans 6:23). If all of us sin — via things like lying, murder or perverting justice by taking bribes — then we all deserve death. Only a non-guilty person can take on someone else’s guilt, which is what Jesus did for those who trust him. Before a person puts their faith in Jesus, the Bible describes them as spiritually dead (see Ephesians 2:1), and what’s dead can’t make itself alive by volunteering at a soup kitchen.
Christians believe that it is by repenting of our rebellion and trusting that Jesus took the penalty we deserve that a person gets to go to heaven. That’ll change your life but notice the order of operation. Faith comes first, life changes follow.
The difference between this and the concept of “do good things so that you get into heaven” is motivation. As pastor Timothy Keller put it, there’s a difference between obeying God so that you can be accepted by him, and obeying God because you’ve already been accepted by him through Jesus.
Christianity is about the second, not the first. Getting it mixed up leads to a work-
based mindset that can’t save you. Christians say that it’s only by the grace of God that anybody gets saved (see Ephesians 2:8-9).
That’s not behavior modification, that’s change of heart.
Christianity isn’t just a white, Western religion
How could it be? Christians follow Jesus, a Jewish man who lived and died in what we now know as the Middle East. He commanded his followers to make disciples of all nations.
Rebecca McLaughlin, in chapter two of her excellent book “Confronting Christianity: 12 Questions for the World’s Largest Religion,” points out that the founding of the Ethiopian Church precedes Rome’s Christianization and cites Yale professor Stephen Carter’s assertion that “around the globe, the people most likely to be Christians are women of color.”
She continues outlining the Church’s multiethnic history and present, from the Middle East, where “Iraq is home to one of the oldest continuous Christian communities in the world” to Asia, where Christianity was introduced to India hundreds of years before it was to the British Isles and China and according to cautious estimates, had over 68 million Christians as of 2010.
You can sum it up as
leather. And while this won’t necessarily help change the world, it’s an interesting fact, nonetheless. If you’ve watched or played, “The Last of Us,” you’ll know the story is about mushrooms that grow in people’s brains, turning them into zombies. This may seem like total science fiction, but it’s not as far-fetched as you’d think. Cordyceps, commonly referred to as the “zombie-ant fungus,” drains nutrients from insects and injects spores into the ant’s body, effectively controlling its mind. There is no need, however, to worry about living in a zombie apocalypse anytime soon, as the fungus is not able to sustain living inside a human body temperature. Mushrooms and other types of fungi are already starting to change the world. They are starting to make their presence known, and the fantastic things we have already learned point to new discoveries in the future. Just how far can mushrooms take these industries, and what is the extent of their power? We don’t know yet, but I predict the future may be mushroom-powered.
jjd5@iu.edu
McLaughlin does, by stating that “most of the world’s Christians are neither white nor Western, and Christianity is getting less white Western by the day.” This diversity is beautiful. It helps the church to reflect God well, as every single person is made in his image, no matter what they look like.
Christians are meant to be humble because we know we’re not perfect I haven’t seen much of “The Office” but even I know that Angela, at least in the first few seasons, is portrayed as a self-righteous Christian hypocrite. It seems to me that many people think of Christians that way. And on the one hand, they’re right. We’re not the same people that we were before Jesus,
but we still fail to live in a way that fully reflects the magnitude of God’s love for us and for the people around us. I’d hope that we would be the first to admit that — after all, sin is why we need a savior. This knowledge should eliminate all traces of haughtiness. I say it should eliminate arrogance, because we often forget. We downplay the lying, the cheating and the stealing that we’ve perpetrated and look down on those who are doing what we used to. It’s part coverup, part amnesia and all unChristlike.
Jesus didn’t hesitate to call a spade a spade, but neither was he arrogant. He didn’t have that holier-than-thou attitude that makes people call Christians stuck-up, even
The All-Campus Band deserves love too
spaces and instruments, and I have no problem with that. They should get top priority: it’s literally what they’re paying for. My only issue with that, though, is that the AllCampus Band can’t obtain certain instruments for rehearsals, especially percussion instruments. I understand that we won’t have everything for the first rehearsal. That makes sense. We get the big instruments –– bass drum, mallet instruments, timpanis, chimes, snare drums –– but auxiliary instruments, which are percussion toys that make special sounds –– tambourines, triangles, whistles –– can be unpredictable, so I wasn’t too bothered, and neither was anyone else, about not being able to have these. For the second rehearsal though? Okay, I kind of get it. But at the end of the first rehearsal, we made a list of all the auxiliary we would need to give to the band directors. We were hoping they’d be able to get them for the next rehearsal, but lo and behold, they weren’t there. We even lost access to one of the percussion lockers, to add insult to injury.
I learned this is normal. I figured as much after seeing the unsurprised faces of the other percussionists when we saw no tambourines, bongos, tenor drums, or cymbals in sight, but when we thankfully obtained the necessary instruments at our third rehearsal, I noticed a few of the percussionists were quite shocked. I asked them what it’s typically like, and they told me that they don’t usually get these instruments until the night of the concert. Excuse me, what? For 10 whole rehearsals, they couldn’t play on actual auxiliary. That’s insane. Some auxiliary instruments don’t require a lot of practice to sound good. For me, I’ve been clapping my tambourine part, and when I was able to play on the actual tambourine, it wasn’t too bad. But for instruments like temple blocks or bongos, it’s different. You have to practice hitting the right pitches for temple blocks or hitting the right placement on the drums for bongos. They need practice, so not being fully immersed in the part is really frustrating. I’ve been in
that situation at times, and it is not fun.
Another thing I have heard from others is that equipment mysteriously goes missing and is sometimes never seen again. That happened at our previous rehearsal: chimes that were there before are now gone and replaced with a different set. I know these instruments have to be shared with multiple groups of people, but I feel like there should be a better system. At least a heads up to the All-Campus Band directors or even a little written note on the percussion locker to let us know when things are gone, and if they’ll ever return, would be greatly appreciated. Even putting a schedule in place that gives the instruments to certain groups for certain times would help. A schedule would allow us to have the instruments we need for our allotted time, and since the All-Campus Band only rehearses once a week for an hour and a half, I don’t think it would interfere with other groups that much. We would have to talk with other band directors and percussion students about it, but I think we
ILLUSTRATION BY THEO HAWKINS
though he is literally holier than thou.
Those of us who follow him are trying to look more like him, so if your friendly neighborhood Christian is failing to be humble, that’s on them, not Jesus.
There’s a saying that “the ground is level at the foot of the cross.” What does that mean? That the “good girl” from your fifth-grade Catechism class needs God’s mercy just as much as the gang member serving a life sentence in jail. The point is that no one is perfect. Christians especially should recognize this and have mercy on others’ imperfections, as God has had mercy on ours.
syaweber@iu.edu
could make it work. More funding for the All-Campus Band would be amazing, too. Having the band’s own set of auxiliary instruments would provide so much more relief and freedom. And with that, we wouldn’t have to stay in the dark about when we would get these instruments, nor fear our equipment will go missing until the night of our concert.
It’s unfortunate that this has to be a worry for us, especially in a music school. Like
ILLUSTRATION BY THEO HAWKINS
I said before, it seems the AllCampus Band is seen as the runt, and I think it’s a little unfair. We are a band. We are a part of the music program. We should have access to equipment, and faster access, too. I’m thankful things seem to be getting better though, since we were able to attain auxiliary instruments faster than ever. And I hope that it’ll keep improving, because the All-Campus Band deserves love too.
evstraus@iu.edu
ILLUSTRATION BY JULIETTE ALBERT
Sydney Weber (she/her)
SYDNEY’S SOLILOQUIES
RANKED Indiana football cracks
By Daniel Flick danflick@iu.edu | @ByDanielFlick
Indiana
COLUMN: Les Misérables at IU Auditorium
By Halie Jasinover hjasino@iu.edu
I remember the first time I listened to “Les Misérables.” I was in fifth grade and had been given the sheet music to “Castle on a Cloud” by my vocal coach. The song is sweet and one of great yearning, as it details a young Cosette’s longing to escape her servant-esque life. When I started singing, it was clear I truly had no idea how to act out the song. My vocal coach gave me the assignment to watch the musical’s 25th Anniversary Concert and thus my obsession began.
Now, over 10 years later, “Les Misérables” has followed me to college.
“Les Misérables” starts in 1815 with Jean Valjean, a former prisoner who spent 19 years of his life serving time after stealing a loaf of bread. After Valjean breaks his parole, inspector and prison guard Javert dedicates his life to bringing the ex-convict to justice. After being met with kindness by a bishop, Valjean devotes his life to becoming an honest man.
Valjean is played by the masterful Nick Cartell, a performer who had the audience in the palm of his hand. The metamorphosis from a hardened ex-convict to a compassionate father figure was powerful and gave him room to showcase his range. Preston Truman Boyd’s portrayal of Javert was equally terrifying as it was beautiful. Javert is a flawed character, a city official whose obsession with Valjean descends him into madness. Each part of the musical gave us a new perspective on the two; for Valjean, an arc of holistic growth, and for Javert, an arc of true madness. Cartell and Boyd captured this perfectly.
Eight years later, Jean Valjean goes by the name of “Monsieur Le Maire” and is the mayor of his town. We meet Fantine, a single moth-
er desperately sending her factory income to support her daughter, Cosette, who is being raised by innkeepers, the scamming Thénardiers. Haley Dortch, who plays Fantine, is a commanding force, as she is quickly stripped of her dignity after losing her job. “I Dreamed A Dream” is an iconic song, but Dortch’s performance is otherworldly. I had chills the entire time. By the time Fantine had passed away moments later, I was mourning her vocals and left wanting more. In his need to do good, Valjean rescues a man who is stuck under a cart. Javert witnesses this act, impressed by Valjean’s
strength, not knowing his true identity. Javert informs him that Valjean has been arrested and is going to trial. In “Who Am I,” Valjean battles with himself. This mistaken identity could free him forever, but at what cost? He confesses and escapes from Javert’s captivity. The Thénardiers act as Cosette’s guardians but use her as their servant. When Valjean comes to adopt her, they attempt to scam him. He outsmarts them and pays a fee to take Cosette.
Nine years later, Paris is in shambles due to General Lamarque’s, a savior to the poor, ailing health. Students like Marius, played by Jake
David Smith, and Enjolras, played by Devin Archer, band together to prepare for the revolution. Marius bumps into Cosette, played by Delaney Guyer, and it’s love at first sight. Smith and Guyer are beyond sincere with this moment and continue to soar in “In My Life/A Heart Full of Love.” Archer’s Enjolras commands the stage, a fiery standout with a pristine voice.
Marius’ closest friend and daughter to the Thénardiers, Eponine, suffers as she is in love with him. Mya Rena Hunter’s Éponine is one of strength, causing the audience to cringe whenever Marius confides in her
about Cosette. It leaves us rooting for her to win his heart, but I think it’s too late for Victor Hugo to change his mind.
I won’t give act two away, but I left IU Auditorium in tears. The emotional score was made even more effective with the dim lights and gritty set. Each battle scene felt real as you could smell the smoke from the prop bullets. The sniffles in the audience during “Empty Chairs and Empty Tables” united us.
“It truly was a beautiful show,” she said. “Everything came together artistically.” The beauty of Les Misérables is that it connects everyone, not just theater fans.
Another IU senior Halla Terris attended the show because it is her mother’s favorite musical.
“When Les Mis came here, I told myself I had to go,” Terris said. But by the end of the show, she confessed “it was really long, but worth the watch”.
Indiana University senior Thaja Thangjam had never listened to “Les Misérables” before and was curious after seeing the advertisements all over campus. She walked out of the theatre a “Les Misérables” fan, something she did not expect.
BLISS
HARRY BLISS
By Gino Diminich gdiminic@iu.edu
A single laugh.
The solitary sound rang out from the darkness hiding the audience after Emil Wakim’s five-minute set during an open-mic night in 2017. Not long after, he pulled the co-owner of The Comedy Attic, Jared Thompson, into the green room and asked what he was doing wrong.
Having seen numerous people cross his stage and emulate the comedians that inspired them to the point of parody, Thompson told Wakim the persona he assumed on stage was just that, a parody — and not him. He encouraged Wakim to find his own comedic voice and style by just being himself.
“The only thing left for you is to be nice,” Thompson said. “Everything else will fall into place.”
Six months later in 2018, Wakim became one of the youngest people to win the Limestone Comedy Festival.
Six years later, on a Thursday evening in 2024, Thompson left the dinner table to take a phone call from Wakim. It was a call with the answer to the question that had been on his mind all day and when he picked up, Wakim said three simple words.
“I got it.”
Thompson reacted so loudly his wife and children ran into the room, concerned for his wellbeing. But it was neither a sound of fright nor shock but of pride in someone he’d seen grow over the past few years; going from an awkward student to a dedicated employee, from a hardworking
Rebekah Shultz
reshultz@iu.edu
If you’re looking to find new pieces for the fall or any season really, Western clothing will be in style forever. No matter if some pieces temporarily fall out, they will always come back. There is a long history of when this style began, and it still is a strong influence now.
Western style in the US was introduced around the late 1880s. When American settlers from the east coast first arrived in the West, they realized their attire did not suit their environment, so cowboy boots and denim jeans were created for blue-collar workers. However, many Western looks are inspired by Mexican cowboys — for example, the cowboy hat was inspired by the sombrero to protect them from the sun. Since then, it has grown to become a favorite style for many, without even knowing its history, due to its timeless aesthetic.
Think about cowgirl boots, for example: white cowgirl boots were in style a couple of years ago, and now, red cowgirl boots are. You can see them around campus, especially on game days, but also any occasion really. You’ll always manage to find someone
comedian to the new cast member on Season 50 of “Saturday Night Live.”
Since its establishment in Bloomington in 2008, The Comedy Attic has served as a birthplace for up-andcoming comedians, spanning from locals to students at Indiana University. Located above The Bishop Bar, the space is smaller than a club in New York or Chicago, but Thompson emphasized the benefit of the smaller size, creating an intimate environment where every evening exists solely between the performer and the audience.
“This feels like a space where comedy lives,” he said.
Big names like Marc Maron, Maria Bamford and Amy Schumer have performed at the club alongside established local comedians; however, Thompson said a still popular event at the club is the open mic night every Wednesday evening. While some attendees perform once and never again, Thompson said he always keeps an eye on the stage, noting who returned every week, committed to strengthening their material.
“I’ve got a pretty good knack for seeing someone and being able to predict if they’re going to become bigger than they are,” he said.
This instinct kicked in after Thompson first met Wakim in June 2016 as an attendee of the Limestone Comedy Festival. Having expressed interest in comedy at the time, Wakim reconnected with Thompson once he started fall classes at IU. Initially unsure if he wanted
wearing a pair.
Cowgirl boots are not the only Western piece that is trending right now. Statement belts with big buckles are also in, and I think bringing them into fall outfits is only fair. Vanessa Hudgens has always been a fan of this style throughout the years, but so many other celebrities like Bella Hadid and Dua Lipa also wear this vibe. The point is, if you’re looking to accessorize your closet with pieces that are stylish and versatile, look no further than Western style.
Chunky belts A chunky belt is a great way to add complexity to a simple outfit of jeans and a T-shirt. Free People has a great belt if you’re looking for just that. The style of the belt is definitely out there, but it gives just the right amount of maximalism. This belt gives Western in the best way possible due to the detailing that can be seen dated from when it first began. You can pair it like the model on Free People’s website with a midi or maxi skirt, or with any outfit to give it some swank. There are many colors you can choose from like black with silver accents, black with gold accents, pink, and white.
I understand that not ev-
to pursue stand-up, Wakim settled for a job working the front door at The Comedy Attic, giving him a front row seat to the local comedy scene that would support and encourage him beyond Bloomington.
After bombing horribly his first time doing stand-up, Thompson hit Wakim with a reality check. These conversations were not new for first-time comedians, and Thompson had seen many first-timers give up after a bad first venture, something he didn’t hold against them.
“You’re a young person, maybe there’s 10 different things you want to try,” Thompson said. “Why would you keep doing this if it didn’t work? It makes sense.”
Instead of resigning himself to working the door and watching performances from the back of the room, Wakim pressed forward, intent on returning to the stage. He began to routinely perform at open mic nights, and took advantage of the strongest support system available, the local comics of Bloomington.
“We have a bunch of really great local comics who vary in age, gender and they would all talk to him,” Thompson said. “He got advice from all of them.”
Local comedian Mat Alano Martin — who also started at The Comedy Attic during an open mic night in 2009 — first met Wakim when he helped design the website for the Limestone Comedy Festival, of which Martin was a co-founder.
Not long after their initial meeting, Martin said Wa-
erybody wants to pay the $98 price tag for a belt, so there is also a great Amazon dupe that gives the same idea for $25. If you want a more toned-down belt for this fall season that still can help accessorize an outfit, Anthropologie has a sleek black belt with a chunky gold chape for $78.
Denim vests
One of my personal favorite pieces of Western style is a denim jacket or, specifically, a vest. I think a vest offers something different from a denim jacket because not as many people are wearing it and can pair well with chunky belts, jeans or a prairie dress. You truly can’t go wrong with a denim piece for the fall. There are many different denim vests you can go for depending on what style you like. If you want a longer, looser fit vest, Amazon has an affordably- priced yet very stylish vest for $36. If you want a tighter, more cropped-fitting denim vest, you can find that at Abercrombie for $60 or a more affordable version at Zara for $35.90. If you want a mix of both, a tighter but longer fit with a high neckline for a more put-together look, Glassons is the site to go on with a reasonable price of $39.90.
EMIL WAKIM
kim’s passion for comedy and drive for success was apparent.
“It was pretty clear that there was something there,” Martin said. “It didn’t take him long to get into his groove.”
Martin started working with Wakim to help tune his comedic voice, which he said was sometimes difficult for young people in college. College is a period of personal change for young people as they make new friends and adjust to a new environment all while forming a new independent identity, shedding their past familial or social influences.
“They’re trying to figure out how to do jokes and how to perform,” Martin said. “At the same time, they’re trying to figure out who they are and what their viewpoint of the world is, Emil kind of had that second half already out of the way, he just had to focus on the comedy part.”
The two would meet weekly at Hopscotch Coffee to bounce ideas off each other. Wakim would test out and streamline jokes while Martin would ensure his own material made sense to a younger individual. He even took Wakim on the road with him, opening the young performer’s perspective of what comedy could be and introducing him to comedians and various venues in Dayton, Ohio and Louisville, Kentucky.
Long discussions during these car rides about inane moments in life and comedy strengthened their relationship, and not long into knowing him, Martin told Wakim that he would be-
come the most famous person he knew. Once he heard from Thompson that Wakim had booked “Saturday Night Live,” he said it had only been a matter of time. Martin then texted Wakim a long-running joke in the comedy world.
“Congratulations on accomplishing what Marc Maron never could.”
When Wakim wasn’t on the road with Martin, he would go to Monday open mic nights at the now-closed Bear’s Place with other local comics like Shanda Sung. Bear’s Place would occasionally feature comedians but wasn’t solely comedy, so Sung and others would workshop their material there before taking it to The Comedy Attic. When Sung began hosting open mic nights at The Comedy Attic, she started talking to Wakim about crafting jokes and reading the audience to determine what would land with them and what wouldn’t.
“It was just about the process of trying to find a joke that works and molding it into something that’s really solid for the stage,” Sung said. “It’s the conversation all comics have with each other.”
As she and the other comics worked with Wakim, talking comedy and co-hosting open mic nights, they would support each other with no one comedian claiming to hold the keys to comedic success. This created a collaborative and supportive learning environment that Sung stressed was unique to Bloomington. When one of them succeed-
ed, they all succeeded, and the recent love and excitement over Wakim’s success was no different.
“He’s one of us,” Sung said. “He’s been gone for several years but he’s still part of this scene.”
When Wakim graduated in 2020 from the Kelley School of Business, he left the Bloomington area but stayed in contact with Thompson, updating him as his comedic profile rose, making his television debut on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon in 2022, getting selected a “New Face of Comedy” at the Just for Laughs Comedy Festival in 2023 and in August of 2024, being scouted for “Saturday Night Live.” Thompson said he was proud of the continued commitment Wakim had to growing as a comic, never letting a bad night ruin his dreams.
“He never veered off betting on himself and it worked,” he said. In the days leading up to Wakim’s meeting with “Saturday Night Live” creator Lorne Michaels after his audition, Thompson described the near radio silence from his friend as “agonizing.” As the minutes ticked down to Wakim’s meeting, Thompson could barely focus on anything else, texting Wakim for updates during the sixth inning of a Houston Astros versus Cincinnati Reds baseball game. That evening Sept. 5, when he finally got the phone call — one of several Wakim made that night — one thought went through Thompson’s head.
“It couldn’t have happened to a better person.”
Straight-leg jeans
I know the style lately has been baggier, low-waisted dad jeans, but nonetheless, when the trend is gone, the straight-leg jean will always stick around. The straight fit jean is classic and will be in style forever. I understand good jeans are hard to find and a bit on the pricier side, however, they will last a while or maybe even forever in your closet. It is definitely worth the investment. If you are on a budget, there are affordable straight-
leg jeans at ASOS in multiple colors for $37.99. There are also affordable jeans you can find at Cotton On that are on the less-expensive side at $49.99. Of course, you can always go for
Comedian Emil Wakim performs on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on April 5, 2022. Wakim got his start in stand-up comedy at The Comedy Attic in Bloomington.
Cignetti speaks, students listen
By Daniel Flick danflick@iu.edu | @bydanielflick
The clock showed zero.
Indiana football’s 109-man roster wasted no time.
Led by redshirt junior cornerback JoJo Johnson and redshirt sophomore receiver Omar Cooper Jr., the Hoosiers charged to the northeast corner of Memorial Stadium, arms in the air, high fiving the front row of a raucous student section.
Indiana’s 42-28 victory over Maryland on Sept. 28 pushed the Hoosiers to 5-0 for the first time since 1967.
It also served as validation for Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti, who has clamored for better fan attendance on multiple occasions and saw it pay off Sept. 28.
“It’s extremely valuable,” Cignetti said postgame.
“Players feed off that energy. Look, it’s all about energy, right? You’ve got to have energy to do anything, and the fans are supplying the energy, and the players are feeding off that energy.”
Perhaps no play illustrates Cignetti’s point better than Indiana blocking Maryland’s punt with one minute remaining in the fourth quarter.
Chants of “Hoosier Daddy” rained down from the student section before the snap.
Afterward, euphoria — redshirt junior defensive back Bryson Bonds, fifth-year senior receiver Andison Coby and several others skipping and jumping back to the sidelines.
The game, for all intents and purposes, was over. But the students, some of whom were shirtless in the rain-
soaked stands, hadn’t left early. It was a stark contrast to Indiana’s 31-7 victory over Florida International University on Aug. 29, when Cignetti mentioned the fans’ halftime exit during his opening statement.
This time, Cignetti sang a different tune — though he still wants more.
“You could feel the fans out there,” Cignetti said. “I’m glad they keep improving in the attendance area. I thought that was a good turnout, and good is the enemy of great, so let’s have a great turnout. Let’s sell it out next week or next time we’re at home and figure out how to make it even louder.”
Such a mindset is central to Cignetti’s goal of eliminating satisfaction, even when things go well. On Sept. 28, there were plenty that didn’t. Indiana’s offense, which had zero turnovers entering the day, totaled four against the Terrapins. Sixth-year senior quarterback Kurtis Rourke tossed interceptions on the team’s first two drives and lost a fumble in the fourth quarter. Redshirt junior running back Kaelon Black fumbled during a second quarter run.
Through the first four games, the Hoosiers’ defense held opponents to an average of 9.3 points and 199 yards per game, both ranking top 10 nationally. Maryland finished with 28 points and 401 yards from scrimmage.
But Indiana’s defense made plays when needed most. In the fourth quarter, the Terrapins went just 2-of-6 on third down and 0-of-3 on fourth. Maryland scored only
once despite possessing the ball five times over the final 15 minutes.
That trend started the first play of the fourth frame. On 3rd and 3, Maryland redshirt junior quarterback Billy Edwards Jr.’s pass to redshirt freshman receiver Nolan Ray fell incomplete, electrifying the Hoosier faithful and forcing the Terrapins to punt on 4th and 3.
Indiana redshirt junior defensive end Mikail Kamara said the crowd’s presence powered the defense to its strong finish.
“As a defender, when all that crowd noise is going, you’re not really thinking,” Kamara said. “You’re going out there, playing and reacting, so it kind of makes the play faster. And then now we’re just hitting, and once we make a play, everyone’s screaming — like that adrenaline just keeps flowing.”
Indiana’s official attendance was 48,323 — its largest of the season, including a Week 3 trip to the Rose Bowl against UCLA. The surge in filled seats came one day after Cignetti sent automated texts and emails urging student ticket bundle holders to attend the game and stay for its entirety.
There was a slightly larger presence than usual in the moments before the game’s 12:01 p.m. kickoff. But as the first quarter progressed, the Hoosiers’ 12 sections of student seating grew packed.
Indiana faced true adversity for the first time this season on Sept. 28. It was tied with one minute left in the third quarter, and the game was within one possession in
the fourth quarter. The Hoosiers experienced a level of game pressure they haven’t yet this year.
And with the help of the crowd — and Cignetti’s proactive message — Indiana delivered a significant Week 5 victory.
“Shoutout to them,” junior receiver Elijah Sarratt said postgame. “I think Coach Cig sent a message out, and they responded. So shoutout to them. It’s all love — we wouldn’t have been able to have pulled out that win without them.”
Indiana was ranked No. 23 in The Associated Press Top 25 poll Sept. 29. It’s the first time Indiana has been ranked since Week 1 of the 2021 season.
Cignetti, who was the first coach in program history to start his tenure 4-0 and added another tally to his win total Sept. 28, has flipped the Hoosiers’ trajectory. They were 2-3 after five games last year, yet they will exit September unblemished this season.
And as Indiana’s on-field play ascends, fan attendance should follow. On Sept. 28, it did.
“I don’t know how many points it’s worth, but it’s really important,” Cignetti said. “I think we got everything moving in the right direction here.”
Cignetti believes so much he sent a follow-up email to fans after the game. The message?
“On behalf of the entire IU football program, I have two words for the IU student body,” Cignetti wrote. “Thank you.”
Oumar Ballo named preseason All-Big Ten
By Daniel Flick danflick@iu.edu | @bydanielflick
Indiana men’s basketball big men have earned All-Big Ten honors in each of head coach Mike Woodson’s first three seasons at the helm. Sixth-year center Oumar Ballo is expected to extend that number to four.
Ballo, who transferred to Indiana from the University of Arizona in April, was named to the preseason AllBig Ten team on Oct. 1, the conference announced in a press release. The list included 10 players, all from different schools, and was assembled with votes from the media.
Purdue junior guard Braden Smith earned preseason Big Ten Player of the Year honors while being the lone unanimous selection on the All-Big Ten team.
Here’s the full list of selections:
• G Braden Smith, Purdue
• G Bruce Thornton, Ohio State
• G Ace Baldwin Jr., Penn State
• G Dylan Harper, Rutgers G Jackson Shelstad, Oregon
• G Brooks Barnhizer, Northwestern
• F Dawson Garcia, Minnesota
• F Great Osobor, Washington
• F Payton Sandfort, Iowa
• C Oumar Ballo, Indiana Ballo, who stands 7-feet, 260 pounds, earned firstteam All-Pac-12 honors the past two seasons at Arizona. Last year, the Koulikoro, Mali, native averaged 12.9 points and 10.1 rebounds per game. The Hoosiers’ plan to have Ballo replace center Kel’el Ware, an All-Big Ten selection last year who was a first-round draft pick this summer by the National Basketball Association’s Miami Heat.
Citing Ballo’s five-year track record, Woodson anticipates Ballo being a force in the paint for Indiana this season.
“Ballo has shown that when you throw him the ball down there, he’s a load,” Woodson said Sept. 18 at the Hoosiers’ institutional basketball media day. Ballo is expected to make his Indiana debut in an exhibition game against the University of Tennessee on Oct. 27 at the Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center in Knoxville, Tennessee.
Big Ten opening weekend spoiled by attacking errors
By Parker Rodgers parkrodg@iu.edu | @parrod153
After Washington swept Indiana on Sept. 27, Indiana had a tougher matchup the following day when it faced faced No. 11 Oregon in Eugene, Oregon. This was validated in the first two sets going in favor of the Ducks. But in the third set, Indiana junior outside hitter Avry Tatum showed her world class arm with 10 kills to keep the Hoosiers alive and play a fourth set. Ultimately, Indiana’s selfinduced errors cost it a shot at victory. Oregon won the final set, sending the Hoosiers back to Bloomington winless in their only scheduled west coast trip of the season. In Indiana’s Big Ten opener against Washington, the Huskies cruised to a three-set victory. Washington held a slight lead over the Hoosiers the entire match with the closest margin of victory being five points in the second set. Indiana failed to keep the ball in play at the net, accumulating 21 attacking errors — eight in the first set. Tatum and senior outside hitter Mady Saris accounted for more than half of the errors.
Indiana’s defense struggled to deflect shots at the net against Washington, allowing 10 blocks while managing just one. Four Huskies recorded at least three blocks each: junior setter Molly Wilson, sophomore middle blocker Katy Wessels, freshman middle blocker Julia Hunt and junior outside hitter Emoni Bush. Sophomore middle blocker Ava Vickers was a bright spot for Indiana’s offense against Washington. Promoted to the starting lineup after her strong performance against the University of Notre Dame on Sep. 22, she recorded 10 kills with no errors — the only Hoosier to do so.
In Indiana’s first ever match against Oregon on Sept. 28, the Ducks won the first two sets narrowly. The Hoosiers responded by winning the third set and nearly forced a fifth set, but Indiana fell short as Oregon sealed the victory in set four 25-21. Despite falling in the first two sets against Oregon, Indiana forced deuce in both sets.
Offensively, Tatum struggled Sept. 27 against Washington, tallying 10 kills and leading the Hoosiers with eight attacking errors. But
Tatum saw big improvements offensively against Oregon on Sept. 28, as the Ducks struggled to contain Tatum’s powerful attacks, as she led with 24 kills — just shy of her career high. This marked her second game with 20 or more kills, following her performance at the Indiana Invitational against Ball State University on Sept. 14, where she recorded 25 kills.
Indiana showcased its best serving performance of the season with 10 aces, with senior setter Camryn Haworth and graduate student defensive specialist Delaynie Maple contributing five and three aces, respectively. This was overshadowed, however, by the alarming 11 service errors and a staggering 26 attacking errors the Hoosiers earned as a team, with three players tallying five or more attacking errors.
Oregon’s defense proved to be a problem all night for Indiana, with junior outside hitter Mimi Colyer, senior outside hitter Michelle Ohwobete, senior defensive specialist Daley McClellan and senior libero Mackenzie Morris all recording doubledigit digs, contributing to the Ducks’ 60 total digs. They
MICHELLE REZSONYA | IDS
Indiana students cheer on the Hoosiers in a game against Maryland on Sept. 28, 2024, at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington. Indiana students supported the IU football team in their fifth win of the undefeated season.
JACOB SPUDICH | IDS Sixth-year senior center Oumar Ballo is pictured during open interviews at Indiana basketball’s institutional media day Sept. 18,
also out-blocked Indiana 11-8, led by senior middle blocker Onye Ofoegbu with seven. Indiana aims to get even
in conference play next weekend, looking to bounce back in front of its home crowd at Wilkinson Hall in Bloomington for its Big Ten
home opener. The Hoosiers will face Michigan State at 7 p.m. Oct. 4, followed by Ohio State at 1 p.m. Oct. 6, with both games in Bloomington.
LAUREN MCKINNEY | IDS
Indiana volleyball players huddle together against the University of Southern Indiana on Sept. 13, 2024, at Wilkinson Hall in Bloomington. The Hoosiers lost to Oregon and Washington over the weekend.
Indiana scores season high 3 goals in victory
By Matt Press mtpress@iu.edu | @mattpress23
After Indiana men’s soccer drew No. 4 Ohio State 2-2 on Sept. 27 in Columbus, Ohio, head coach Todd Yeagley said the squad was capable of more goal scoring. For the first month of the season, scoring just seven goals in seven matches, there were valid concerns regarding the attack’s execution in front of the net. But Oct. 1 in Madison, Wisconsin, the Hoosiers edged the No. 8 Badgers 3-2, marking Indiana’s highest goal tally of the year. The result comes at an especially critical time for an Indiana team starving for momentum. Seemingly each sign of progress has been followed by a disappointing performance.
There were certainly flashes when senior forward Tommy Mihalic’s brace spearheaded a 2-0 win over Yale University on Sept. 1, but a sloppy 1-1 draw with Butler University ensued three days later.
In the first conference clash of the season against Rutgers on Sept. 13, Mihalic broke the deadlock in the 87th minute to deliver a pivotal road victory. And still, Indiana returned home four days later and looked discombobulated in a 1-1 draw with the University of Evansville.
But Oct. 1, the Hoosiers didn’t regress following an optimistic outing against the Buckeyes. In the 12th minute, senior forward Sam Sarver wove a pass across the Badgers’ 18-yard box to sophomore forward Collins Oduro.
half-volley past Harms into the bottom corner.
Indiana warded off a late surge from the Badgers and earned its second conference road win of the season, along with its first victory over a ranked foe. Yeagley’s teams tend to surge in October, and the Hoosiers notched their finest win of the season right after the calendar turned. Now 2-1-1 in the Big Ten, Indiana jumped to fourth in the table with six conference matches remaining. The Hoosiers next return home for three consecutive games at Bill Armstrong Stadium, starting with a bout against Washington at 7 p.m. Oct. 4. The Hoosiers achieved a record high for the season Oct. 1, scoring three goals over No. 8 Wisconsin on the road.
Without hesitation, Oduro curled a shot from the top of the box — with the help of a slight deflection from a Wisconsin defender — into the left corner. The goal marked Oduro’s first of the season, perhaps surprising given his impressive freshman campaign. Last year, Oduro netted five goals en route to Big Ten AllFreshman Team honors. It didn’t take long for the Badgers to respond. Roughly 10 minutes later, after offering a few threatening chances toward Indiana fifth-year senior goalkeeper JT Harms, Wisconsin equalized. After a cross lofted the ball into the Hoosiers’ box, it took four separate headers before tumbling to the grass. Wisconsin junior forward Thomas Raimbault pounced on the rebound and fired a
Generally this season, Indiana’s half-to-half consistency has been a glaring issue. It was present when the Hoosiers collapsed in the second half against Butler, but it was far from a struggle against the Badgers.
Just four minutes into the second half, Mihalic received a pass from Oduro at the top of the box and immediately swung his hips toward the goal. With Wisconsin freshman goalkeeper Matisse Hébert slightly off his line, Mihalic launched a shot just over Hébert’s grasp to put Indiana up 2-1.
Yeagley noted after the Hoosiers’ draw with the Buckeyes that Mihalic is pressing less than he was last season, when he tallied a meager two goals despite
leading the Big Ten in shots and shots on target.
Now, Mihalic leads Indiana and ranks second in the conference with six goals, just one shy of his career-high seven in 2022. It seemed probable that the Hoosiers — which record just under 13 shots per game and boast a talented and experienced attacking unit — would eventually start finding the back of the net consistently. Wisconsin equalized yet again in the 62nd minute after Harms mishandled a cross and Badger sophomore defender Ellis Jones poked the loose ball in. Level at 2-2, it only took the Hoosiers a little over two minutes to find the deciding goal.
After dispossessing a Wisconsin midfielder, Oduro burst onto the attack
North Central Church of Christ
111 S. Kimble Dr. 2121 N. Dunn St. 812-332-2248 nc3family.org Facebook.com/nc3family
Sunday: 10 a.m., Worship 11 a.m., College Class
Come learn about historic Christian teaching on theology, ethics, and culture. We offer an alternative to the post-modern ideologies and teachings you often see in your lives today.
Shane Himes, PHD - Senior Minister
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Bloomington Young Single Adult Branch
2411 E. Second St.
To Contact: Send message from website maps.churchofjesuschrist.org/ wards/237973
Sunday: 12:30 p.m.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has four congregations in Bloomington—Three family wards and our young single adult branch for college students. This info is for the YSA Branch. Weekday religious classes at 333 S. Highland Ave, Bloomington IN 47401, next to campus.
More info at churchofjesuschrist.org.
United Methodist
Jubilee
219 E. Fourth St. 812-332-6396 jubileebloomington.org
and quickly maneuvered into space at the top of the box. He cut to his right and blasted a shot past Hébert before charging toward Indiana’s sideline and sliding into a swarming celebration from his teammates.
American Restoration Movement
Lutheran - Missouri Synod Orthodox All Saints Orthodox Christian Church
University Lutheran Church and LCMS U Student Center
607 E. Seventh St. 812-336-5387 indianalutheran.com facebook.com/ULutheranIU instagram.com/uluindiana
Sunday: 9:15 a.m.: Sunday Bible Class
10:30 a.m.: Sunday Divine Service
Wednesday: 7 p.m.: Wednesday Evening Service
Student
9 a.m. - 10 p.m.
The LCMS home of campus ministry at IU, our mission is to serve all college students with the saving Gospel of Jesus Christ, located across from Dunn Meadow and the IMU. The Student Center is open daily for study, recreation, and prayer. For full schedule, visit our website.
Rev. Timothy Winterstein - Campus Pastor
Facebook: First United Methodist Church of Bloomington, IN Instagram: @jubileebloomington
Sunday: 9:30 a.m., Classic Worship
11:45 a.m., Contemporary Worship Wednesday: 7:30 p.m., College & Young Adult Dinner
Jubilee is a Christ-centered community open and affirming to all. We gather on Wednesdays at First United Methodist (219 E. 4th St.) for free food, honest discussion, worship, and hanging out. Small groups, service projects, social events (bonfires, game nights, book clubs, etc.), outreach retreats, and leadership opportunities all play a significant role in our rhythm of doing life together.
Markus Dickinson - jubilee@fumcb.org
Inter-Denominational
Redeemer Community Church
111 S. Kimble Dr. 812-269-8975 redeemerbloomington.org facebook.com/RedeemerBtown
Instagram & Twitter: @RedeemerBtown
Sunday: 9 a.m., 11 a.m.
Redeemer is a gospel-centered community on mission. Our vision is to see the gospel of Jesus Christ transform everything: our lives, our church, our city, and our world. We want to be instruments of gospel change in Bloomington and beyond.
Chris Jones - Lead Pastor
North Central Church of Christ
2121 N. Dunn St. 812-332-2248 nc3family.org Facebook.com/nc3family
Sunday: 10 a.m., Worship 11 a.m., College Class
Come learn about historic Christian teaching on theology, ethics, and culture. We offer an alternative to the post-modern ideologies and teachings you often see in your lives today.
Shane Himes, PHD - Senior Minister
6004 S. Fairfax Rd. 812-824-3600 allsaintsbloomington.org webbrk1@gmail.com
Christian Science Church
2425 E. Third St. 812-332-0536 bloomingtonchristianscience.com facebook.com/e3rdStreet Sunday Church Service: 10 - 11 a.m.
each one gives a sense of peace and joy. We appreciate the Christian Science Monitor news magazine for its integrity, fairness and compassion.
(Christian Science Monitor) csmonitor.com Christian Science
Indiana picked to finish fifth in Big Ten polls
By Dalton James jamesdm@iu.edu | @daltonmjames
Indiana women’s basketball was selected to finish fifth in the preseason Big Ten polls, according to a Big Ten release Sept. 26. The Hoosiers, coming off a 26-6 overall record in 2023-24, enter the upcoming season with five new players on the roster — three freshmen and two transfers.
Junior guard Shay Ciezki transferred from Penn State, while senior forward Karoline Striplin comes to Bloomington from the University of Tennessee.
Freshman forwards Sydney Fenn and Faith Wiseman join the program from Buffalo, New York, and Martinsville, Indiana, respectively. Freshman guard Valentyna Kadlecova hails from Kadan, Czech Republic.
With guards Sydney Parrish and Chloe MooreMcNeil returning for their fifth seasons, Indiana looks to return to the top of the Big Ten where it finished two seasons ago. However, with the additions of UCLA, USC, Oregon and Washington, the challenge increases. USC was picked to finish first in the conference while UCLA trailed just one spot behind. Trojan sophomore guard JuJu Watkins was selected as the Preseason Player of the Year by the coaches and the media. No Hoosiers were selected to the coaches’ nor the media’s preseason All-Big Ten Team.
Indiana’s lone exhibition contest is slated for Oct. 30 against Maryville University in Bloomington. The Hoosiers will open the regular season Nov. 4 against Brown University inside Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall.
Society of Friends (Quaker)
Bloomington Friends Meeting
3820 E. Moores Pike
812-336-4581
bloomingtonfriendsmeeting.org
Facebook: Bloomington Friends Meeting
Sunday (in person & Zoom) :
9:45 a.m., Hymn singing 10:30 a.m., Meeting for Worship
10:45 a.m., Sunday School (Children join worship 10:30-10:45)
11:30 a.m., Refreshments and Fellowship
12:30 p.m., Events (see website)
Wednesday (Zoom Only) :
7 p.m., Meeting for worship for Peace
Friday (Zoom Only) :
9 a.m., Meeting for worship
We practice traditional Quaker worship, gathering in silence with occasional Spirit-led vocal ministry by fellow worshipers. We are an inclusive community with a rich variety of belief and no prescribed creed. We are actively involved in peace action, social justice causes, and environmental concerns.
Peter Burkholder - Clerk burkhold@indiana.edu
Non-Denominational
Christ Community Church
503 S. High St.
812-332-0502 cccbloomington.org
facebook.com/christcommunitybtown
Instagram: @christcommunitybtown
Sunday: 9:15 a.m., Educational Hour
10:30 a.m., Worship Service
We are a diverse community of Christ-followers, including many IU students, faculty and staff. Together we are committed to sharing the redeeming grace and transforming truth of Jesus Christ in this college town.
Bob Whitaker - Senior Pastor Adam deWeber - Worship Pastor Dan Waugh - Adult Ministry Pastor
Christian Student Fellowship
1968 N. David Baker Ave. 812-332-8972 csfindiana.org
Instagram: @csfindiana
Monday - Friday: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Christian Student Fellowship (CSF) exists as a Christ-centered community focused on helping students truly know Jesus Christ. Our ministry operates from an on-campus house where students can live. Reach out to schedule a tour of the house or a visit to our Thursday night worship service!
Ben Geiger - Lead Campus Minister
Stephanie Michael - Campus Minister
Joe Durnil - Associate Campus Minister
Hailee Lutz - Office Manager
City Church 1200 N. Russell Rd. 812-336-5958
citychurchbloomington.org
tiktok: @citychurchbtown
Instagram: @citychurchbtown
Sunday Service: 8:30 a.m., 10 a.m., 11:45 a.m.
City Church is a multicultural church on the east side of Bloomington. We provide transportation from campus. Our college and young adult ministry meets on Tuesday nights.
David Norris - Pastor
Sacred Heart Church
615 N. Fairview St. 812-345-5239 sacredheartbloomington.org facebook.com/sacredheartbloomington
Sunday: 10:30 a.m.: Refreshments and Fellowship 10:45 a.m.: Worship Service Tue., Wed., Thu.: Midweek Meals (Check Facebook)
Sacred Heart is a nondenominational church that seeks to follow Jesus by acting justly, loving mercy and walking humbly with God. We strive to be a safe, inclusive community where you can bring your doubts, questions, struggles, and joys before a loving God and find true belonging. All are welcome!
Dan Caldwell
Episcopal (Anglican)
Canterbury Mission
719 E. Seventh St. 812-822-1335 IUCanterbury.org facebook.com/ECMatIU Instagram & Twitter: @ECMatIU Youtube: @canterburyhouseatiu9094
Sunday: 3 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Mon., Wed., Thu.: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Tuesday: Noon - 8 p.m. Fri., Sat.: By Appointment
Canterbury: Assertively open & affirming; unapologetically Christian, we proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ by promoting justice, equality, peace, love and striving to be the change God wants to see in our world.
Ed Bird - Chaplain/Priest
Independent Baptist
Lifeway Baptist Church
7821 W. State Road 46 812-876-6072 lifewaybaptistchurch.org facebook.com/lifewayellettsville
Sunday: 9 a.m., Bible Study Classes 10 a.m., Morning Service
5 p.m., Evening Service
*Free transportation provided. Please call if you need a ride to church.
Student Ministry: Meeting for Bible study throughout the month. Contact Rosh Dhanawade at bluhenrosh@gmail.com for more information.
Steven VonBokern - Senior Pastor Rosh Dhanawade - IU Coordinator 302-561-0108 bluhenrosh@gmail.com
United Church of Christ and American Baptist Churches-USA First United Church 2420 E. Third St. 812-332-4439 firstuc.org facebook.com/firstuc
Sunday: 10:30 a.m., Worship
Monday: 10 a.m. via Zoom, Bible Study
We are an Open, Welcoming, and Affirming community of love and acceptance dedicated to welcoming the diversity of God’s beloved. We exist to empower, challenge, and encourage one another to live out Jesus’ ways (compassion, truth, and justice) authentically as human beings in community to create a better world.
Rev. Jessica Petersen-Mutai Senior Minister
Baptist
Emmanuel Church
1503 W. That Rd. 812-824-2768 Emmanuelbloom.com Instagram & Facebook: @EmmanuelBloomington
Sunday: 9:15 a.m., Fellowship
Sunday: 10 a.m., Worship Groups: Various times
Emmanuel is a multigenerational church of all types of people. Whether you are questioning faith or have followed Jesus for years, we exist to help fuel a passion for following Jesus as we gather together, grow in community, and go make disciples.
John Winders - Lead Pastor
Second Baptist Church
321 N. Rogers St. 812-327-1467 sbcbloomington.org facebook.com/2ndbaptistbloomington youtube.com/@secondbaptist churchbloomington
Sunday Service: 10 a.m., In house and on Facebook/YouTube Sunday School: 8:45 - 9:45 a.m. Bible Study: Available In House and on Zoom Wednesdays, 6:30 p.m., Thursdays, Noon
Please come and worship with us. We are in training for reigning with Christ! Need a ride? Call our Church bus at 812-3271467 before 8 a.m. on Sunday
Rev. Dr. Bruce R. Rose - Pastor Tallie Schroeder - Secretary
livestream We’re a multi dynamic congregation actively working towards a more just and loving world. We draw inspiration from world religions and diverse spiritual traditions. Our vision is “Seeking the Spirit, Building Community, Changing the World.” A LGBTQA+, Dementia Friendly, Welcoming Congregation
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Rose House LuMin & St. Thomas Lutheran Church
3800 E. Third St. 812-332-5252 Stlconline.org lcmiu.net
Instagram: @hoosierlumin facebook.com/LCMIU facebook.com/StThomasBloomington Sunday: 8:30 a.m. & 11 a.m. @
House LuMin and
Thomas Lutheran Church invite you to experience life together with us. We are an inclusive Christian community who values the faith, gifts, and ministry of all God’s people. We seek justice, serve our neighbors, and love boldly. Rev. Adrianne Meier Rev. Lecia Beck Rev. Amanda
Unity Worldwide
Unity of Bloomington A Center for Spiritual Growth
4001 S. Rogers St. text/call: 812-333-2484 unityofbloomington.org IG: @unityofbloomington facebook@UnityofBloomington
Sunday Celebration: 10:30 a.m.
Discover a vibrant, welcoming community at Unity of Bloomington – “a positive path for spiritual living”. Our center offers a space for spiritual growth; embracing all with open arms. We proudly affirm and welcome the LGBTQ+ community, fostering love, acceptance, and inclusion. Join our loving congregation, where everyone is valued and encouraged to explore their spiritual journey. At Unity of Bloomington, all are welcome and together we thrive!
Minnassa Gabon - Spiritual Leader Phyllis Wickliff - Music Director Reformed Protestant
Trinity Reformed Church
2401 S. Endwright Rd. 812-825-2684 trinityreformed.org lucas@trinityreformed.org facebook.com/trinitychurchbloom
Sunday: 10:30 a.m., Sunday Morning Services 7 p.m., Bible Study at the IMU
Jody Killingsworth - Senior Pastor Lucas Weeks - College Pastor
FILE PHOTO | IDS
Indiana head coach Teri Moren coaches from the sidelines March 25, 2024, against the University of Oklahoma in Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall in
Bloomington. The Big Ten released its preseason polls and awards Sept. 26
