Sept. 28, 2011 | The Reflector

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CMYK

The Official student newspaper of the University of Indianapolis

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SEPTEMBER 28, 2011

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reflector.uindy.edu

ACCESSIBILITY ISSUES

Professors experience difficulties on campus By Kaley Belakovich MANAGING EDITOR

Photo by Kelbi Ervin

UIndy reflects on Sept. 11 Campus holds several events during week of Sept. 11 to commemorate 10-year anniversary

“I was just waking up when I turned on the news,” said Lawrence Davis, a volunteer with the 9/11 Remembrance Blood Drive. “At the time I was an Army tanker, stationed at Fort Hood in Texas. As soon as the news broke, we were stopwatched, which means that no matter where you are or what you’re doing–you stop it and get to the base now. Tanks were lined up at the front gate of the base, cars were stopped on the highway of people trying to get to base. While the rest of the country, the civilians, were watching the news trying to make sense of it, everyone– the soldiers, wives, the children–at the base was waiting to learn where we were going. We knew we were going overseas. The only question was where.” The 9/11 Remembrance Blood Drive was one of four events the university coordinated in honor of the 10-year anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks that killed over 3,000 people. “We were in class when they told us to turn on the TVs,” said freshman nursing major Kirsten Cox. “We watched the second tower fall. And after that, my grandpa, who’s a war

vet, came to pick me up.” Freshman athletic training major Ashlee Erlandson echoed a similar memory. “We were just going to class. I remember the TV being on, and a lot of the parents were picking up their kids,” Erlandson said. The same evening as the blood drive, the Institute for the Study of War and Diplomacy coordinated a panel discussion with UIndy’s History and Political Science department on “The Global Impact of 9/11.” Associate Professors of History and Political Science Douglas Woodwell and Milind Thakar were joined by IUPUI Professor John McCormick for the event. The topics of terrorism and security were covered by Woodwell, the U.S. perception around the world and the impact of the War on Terror in the developing world were covered by Thakar and the European perception of the war and the terrorist attacks throughout Europe were covered by McCormick. “I was just waking up when my neighbor came to tell me about the first tower,” Woodwell said. “At the time, I was a grad student at Yale. So the fact that it was right there was stunning. There’s actually a place called East Rock not too far from there, where you can see east Manhattan.

And that day, I went there with my girlfriend. I just couldn’t believe what I was looking at in Manhattan.” Thakar also recalled his memories of the day. “My brother-in-law, who lives in New York, called me when I was reading the paper that morning,” Thakar said. “When I came to America 18 years ago, I landed in New York City and considered that my home base. I was angry with the attacks and saddened by all the lives lost.” At 2 p.m. on Sunday, the 10-year anniversary, students met at the bell tower for an interfaith prayer service followed by a service event, during which a portion of the crowd packed food bags while the rest participated in a community art project. At 7 p.m. there was a remembrance service on Smith Mall. Students, community members and faculty joined for the brief service. Members of interfaith committee shared words of comfort, hope and peace, while University Chaplain Lang Brownlee remembered the entire student body filling the atrium 10 years earlier on that day for a prayer service. The service ended with a candlelight vigil. The events marking the anniversary of 9/11 were a time for students, faculty

Families come to campus

Family Day 2011 was held on Saturday Sept. 17 at 1 p.m. By Frances Sowula STAFF WRITER

Photo by Victoria Jenkins

Director of Athletics Sue Willey speaks during an open meeting on Family Day.

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Family Day 2011 was held on Saturday, Sept. 17. at 1 p.m. The day started with registration and check-in, followed by an open meeting for parents and families in UIndy Hall A. Although the event was deemed “Family Day,”there were events throughout the weekend in which families could participate. After the meeting, there was a dessert reception. The rest of the day was filled with volleyball games, a tailgate and a football game. The parents and families were also given a list of other activities they could attend, including Masterpiece in a Day, an arts fair with live music in Fountain Square. The open meeting was a chance for the parents and families of students to learn more about what was going on around campus and what they should be expecting over the coming year. University of Indianapolis President Beverley Pitts, Executive Director of Student Services Dan Stoker, Dean of Students Kory Vitangeli and Athletics

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> See ACCESSIBILITY on page 3

> See SEPT. 11 on page 3

Director Sue Willey all spoke at the open meeting. According to Stoker, the meeting offered much information. “We try and demonstrate some of that ‘education for service’ in action so parents can understand because we don’t really talk about it before then,” Stoker said. Pitts gave updates about Hanna Avenue construction and the Athletic Recreation Center. Additionally, Pitts discussed plans for the new residence hall and new parking lot. Pitts also spoke on the culture of the University of Indianapolis, calling it a culture that’s built on the university’s United Methodist connection, which believes in openness and accepting, a welcoming environment and one that believes in service to others. “As young people learn more and more, and become more and more specifically trained in their field, we hope they will also think about ways they can take that expertise and use it to the good of mankind,” Pitts said. Vitangeli encouraged parents to check in with their students about eating habits, roommate situations and classes. She also made the parents aware of the

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NEVER FEARHOUNDSARE HERE

By Allison Gallagher STAFF WRITER

The increase of construction on campus has increased the difficulties in navigating throughout campus, especially when a person has a physical disability, according to Amy Allen Sekhar, chair of modern languages and assistant professor of French. Sekhar, whose office is in the library, said it is difficult making her way across campus with the recent construction in front of the library. “There’s not really an easy way to get into the library building without stairs, especially if you add on the construction, for someone who has limited walking capability,” Sehkar said. “Getting from Esch to the library isn’t that far, but it is when you consider going around all the construction.” According to Associate Professor of History and Political Science Douglas Woodwell, the construction across Hanna Avenue also increased difficulties in getting across campus “It didn’t seem like during that whole [Hanna Avenue] project that anybody cared about being able to get across the street if you are in a wheelchair,” Woodwell said. “There were little things that could have been done. They could have made it so you could cross at the traffic light, yet there were ledges from the sidewalk to the ground, where the ramps were supposed to be, because of the construction. It wouldn’t have taken more than a little bit of effort to smooth those edges down. It seems to me like they could have made that process a little easier for those of us who don’t like to try to move uphill on a gravelly surface.” In addition to construction, parking is also an issue. Until recently, there were only two disability parking spaces near the ramp at Good Hall. According to Woodwell, during this time, he would have to park even farther away from the building than everyone else because he needed open space on the left side of his vehicle. He then would have to cross the entire parking lot. Woodwell said that would become even more dangerous when snow and ice covered the ground. Sekhar also has issues with parking due to limited spaces. According to Sekhar, since the parking lot behind the library is a visitor lot, the two disability parking spots in that lot are often taken. “My other alternative is to park in the big lot between here [the library] and Christel DeHaan. Unfortunately, the closest spots are closer to Christel DeHaan, so they’re not close. And the whole point of the disabled spots is that they’re close,” Sekhar said. “I have a lot of stuff that I need to carry in and out. And with my disability, I’m not supposed to carry weight on my back, so I can’t have a backpack. [My bag] is heavy, and it’s hard to pull behind me. So it would be nice to have something a little closer.” Having elevators break down is another issue that Woodwell has had to deal with. He already has missed a class this semester because the elevator was broken and he was unable to get to the classroom. On Sept. 21, the elevator in Good Hall was once again broken down when Woodwell got out of his night class. According to Woodwell, campus police came, and he was given the option of either calling the fire department to carry him down the stairs or get out of his wheelchair and scoot down the flights of stairs step-by-step. Though UIndy follows all legal requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act, there are other important things that need to be addressed, according to Sekhar. “I have trouble reaching a lot of things on campus that I think people don’t necessarily think about. I can’t reach a lot of the self-serve things in the cafeterias, such as the soda machines. I can’t reach sinks in most bathrooms. Those are all technically ADA accessible, but I still can’t reach them, because my disability doesn’t exactly fit the bill for ADA,” Sekhar said. “I think sometimes there’s a kind of tendency to read things into the letter of the law versus the spirit of the law, and the spirit of the law is to make things accessible.” Sekhar thinks it would be beneficial for the university to take advantage of what she believes is a monumental time in students’ lives by setting up a mentoring program for students with disabilities. “Students are at a point in their lives when they’re going from having parents as advocates and becoming very independent. College is an interesting time in that everyone is learning to be their own person, and I think that for people with disabilities, that’s learning to be your own advocate.”

9/28

Homecoming Week 2011

Homecoming Headquarters 11 a.m.-2 p.m. in the Schwitzer Atrium

Stop by and meet some members of the 2011 Homecoming Court, plus grab some cotton candy. Don’t forget to vote for Homecoming King and Queen!

Hump Day Special 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. in Schwitzer Student Center Ace’s Birthday Party 11 a.m.-1 p.m. in the Schwitzer Rotunda

Celebrate Ace, the greyhound statue’s, second birthday with paw print cookies and puppy chow!

Without You: A Memoir Of Life, Love, & The Musical Rent 7:30 p.m. in Esch Hall-Ransburg Auditorium L/P Credit Available Join Anthony Rapp, who originated the role of Mark Cohen in the Broadway musical, RENT, as he explores the social importance of the show.

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Homecoming Headquarters 11 a.m.-2 p.m. in the Schwitzer Atrium

Game Day Student Celebration 2 p.m.- 6 p.m. in Schwitzer Park (Rain Location: Dining Hall)

Celebrate game day with music, activities, inflatables and a cookout. A painting station will be available for students to paint up for the big game. This would be a good location to watch the Golf Cart Parade. Dinner will be served from 4 p.m.- 6 p.m. Bring your meal cards.

Golf Cart Parade 5 p.m. in Key Stadium Parking Lot

Come see decorated golf carts created by UIndy’s own student organizations and residence halls!

UIndy vs. University of Findlay Football Game Kick Off @ 6 p.m. in Key Stadium

Admission is FREE to students with UIndy ID Card. Don’t forget to paint up or wear your Hound Pound shirts! The 2011 Homecoming King and Queen will be announced at halftime. Game ball will be given to a wounded warrior.

Other Homecoming Initatives:

Everyday Hound Hero Appreciation: Our Tribute to the United Way Mon-Fri 11 a.m.-2 p.m. in Schwitzer Student Homecoming Comedy Night 8 p.m. in Schwitzer Student Center-UIndy Hall Center Grab a “funny bone” and find out how to win a GPS at Homecoming Comedy Night!

Come join us as comedians Tracey Ashley and Amy Schumer perform. Free food and prizes.

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Homecoming Headquarters 11 a.m.-2 p.m. in the Schwitzer Atrium

Check out how you can win some prizes from the UIndy Cheer squad.

RHA Dance 9 p.m.-midnight in UIndy Hall

10/1

Alumni Honors and Recognition Banquet 11:30 a.m. in UIndy Hall Martin Hall Open House 2 p.m.- 4 p.m. outside of Martin Hall 3:45 p.m. rededication of Martin Hall Tailgate Town Decorating Contest Key Stadium Parking Lot

Attention all UIndy staff, faculty and alumni! Bring your friends and compete against fellow alums for exciting prizes and tailgate fun.

Past Homecoming Celebrations

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While supplies last, students, staff and faculty will have the opportunity to purchase a UIndy gourmet cookie for $2 for a fellow student, staff and faculty member who they would like to recognize. Proceeds will be donated to the United Way.

Chick-fil-A Challenge: 9/25-9/30

Everytime you purchase food from the Southport Chick-fil-A, you will be feeding a Greyhound. You must present the appropriate flyer when you order! Their goal is to feed 160 Greyhounds per day during Homecoming Week! Flyers can be picked up at The Hub, Residence Halls, Homecoming Headquarters and the Student Affairs Office (Schwitzer 209). The Southport Chick-fil-A is located at: 5240 East Southport Road Indianapolis, IN 46237

Homecoming King and Queen 9/26-9/30 @ noon

Voting is located in the Homecoming Channel on My UIndy. All current UIndy students are eligible to vote. Each student receives one vote per king and queen.

Winter Sports Preview

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