Indiana Statesman For ISU students. About ISU students. By ISU students.
Friday, Oct. 23, 2015
Volume 123, Issue 28
indianastatesman.com
African American Cultural Center to be renovated Morgan Gallas Reporter
The African American Cultural Center will be renovated in the near future to add more space for student congregation. The plans are in their early stages and more information will become available once plans are finalized. “We are currently working with Student Affairs to scope what a potential renovation project in the African American Cultural Center may involve,” said Diann McKee, the university treasurer and vice president for financial and administration. “Until this process is complete, there really is nothing to share at this point regarding cost or schedule.” While there are not yet any ideas set in stone, some feel changes need to be made. “We are hoping to reconfigure the current space to add more lounge space for students, replace furniture, paint, flooring and create a multipurpose space on the main level,” said Willie Banks, vice president of student affairs. Some feel there is not enough space for student activities in the present lay-
SGA seeks peaceful solutions
ISU Communications and Marketing
Many hope the renovation will provide more space for student activities such as meetings, lectures and mentoring.
out, which is a reason why many seek a renovation. “The multipurpose space would be used to accommodate lectures, class meetings, student meetings and one-onone mentoring,” Banks said. “Additionally, we will be looking at updating the heating and air system and updating the
basement area.” The goal of the changes is to create a space for students to feel comfortable gathering and using as their own. The renovations were seen as necessary because the center has not been updated recently. This has left many students using the
spaces they could find instead of having somewhere dedicated to them. “The (African American Cultural Center) is an important part of ISU, and after touring the space in the summer, it was quite evident that we need to update the space for the campus,” Banks said. “Every space needs attention and examination. It was time for the (Center) to have some attention and updates.” The African American Cultural Center’s changes will help students around the university. “The entire ISU community will benefit from the updates, but our students will be the main beneficiaries of the updates,” Banks said. “As students and student groups are the main uses of this facility, I believe they will be quite happy with the renovations we have in mind for the space.” There is not a schedule for the renovations yet because none of the plans have been finalized. “Our hope is that the (African American Cultural Center) will be even more inviting to the campus community,” Banks said.
Solar Sycamore
Nevia Buford Reporter
The Student Government Association is working to ensure that peace remains between students on campus and a preacher who comes to campus to condemn students who do not share his and his staff ’s own beliefs. In light of the backlash that broke out at DePauw University with this outspoken ministry, SGA is attempting to make sure that the same thing does not happen on the ISU campus. Rob Lafary, the SGA Director of Public Relations, is involved in helping students understand their rights in regard to this group on campus. “Basically what happened was, he’s here all the time, he’s been here for years, and the situation really didn’t get brought to me until he actually went to DePauw where there was a major problem between him and students there,” Lafary said. “It was the preacher’s first time at the campus and things did not go well, resulting in police having to become involved.”
Marissa Schmitter | Indiana Statesman
ISU’s new sculpture is more than just art Story on Page 4
Statesman Editorial on Page 6
SGA CONTINUED ON PAGE 2
Bayh College to honor legacy at 150th celebration Betsy Simon
ISU Communications and Marketing
A celebration of Indiana State University’s Normal School roots will be at the heart of the Bayh College of Education’s “A Legacy in Education: State Celebrates 150 Years” event on Nov. 6. “It’s been a rich history held by so many,” said Brad Balch, dean emeritus and professor of educational leadership in the Bayh College who chairs the college’s sesquicentennial committee. “It’s a privilege for me to share those historic elements that I know and understand about the college with a host of
others, including emeriti, external stakeholders, students, graduates, faculty and staff, each with their own rich perspective on the good work of the college.” Made possible with support from the university’s sesquicentennial committee, the event will begin with a 5 p.m. reception in the University Hall Atrium. A program will follow at 7 p.m. in University Hall Theater, where Suellen Reed, Indiana’s first female and longest-serving superintendent of public instruction, will receive the first Leaders and Legends in Education Award. The award recognizes an individual who has made a major impact on education in Indiana. Reed, who was selected by
the Bayh College’s 13-member planning committee, served as state superintendent of public instruction from 1993-2009. She played a fundamental role in major Indiana educational reform initiatives, including academic standards outlining clear and rigorous expectations for K-12 schools and the state accountability system to ensure continued improvement of Hoosier students and schools. “We decided from the very beginning that we wanted to celebrate the profession of teaching as the cornerstone of our 150th celebration,” Balch said. “We came up with the Leaders and Legends in Education Award as part of a larger initiative to cel-
ebrate teaching in education as a profession, and there was resounding support to reach out to Suellen Reed.” The celebration also will include a keynote address by Stacey Bess, whose memoir “Nobody Don’t Love Nobody” inspired the Hallmark Hall of Fame movie, “Beyond the Blackboard.” She also is a recipient of the National Jefferson Award for Greatest Public Service and graduated from the University of Utah with a degree in elementary education. Both speakers highlight the significance of the Bayh College as a place where educators have been molded for centuries, said
Denise Collins, associate dean of the college. “The Normal School was the first state institution to certify teachers, and we want to recognize our place in Indiana,” she said. From the strong, solid roots of the Bayh College, many branches have extended, and leaves have grown, said Kandi HillClarke, dean of the college. “As a college, we have evolved over time and we continue to have a significant impact on our city, state, nation and the world. We are the foundation and roots of this great institution and are proud of our impact,” she said.
LEGACY CONTINUED ON PAGE 3 Page designed by Sarah Hall