Greek Week On page B1 Thursday, April 18, 2013 Vol. 34 Issue 29
THE
SHIELD
Ruth Waller
1950-2013
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County commissioners to vote on rezoning By JESSIE HELLMANN News editor Students could soon have a strip full of restaurants and shops within walking distance of the campus on University Parkway, if a rezoning ordinance is passed by the Vanderburgh County Commissioners. The area plan commission recommended the 200 areas of property at the northwest corner of University Parkway and the Lloyd Expressway be rezoned, and the commissioners will vote on it May 8. Gene and Jeanne Pfeiffer, who own the land, said they want to turn the land into a “town square” concept, somewhat like what Carmel, Ind., has. But many aren’t too fond of this idea, including the University of Southern Indiana. Finance and Administration Vice President Mark Rozewski has been the figurehead for the university, speaking out against the rezoning unless a master plan is configured. “USI is one of the only universities in Indiana that was master planned from its conception, and
the results are breathtakingly obvious,” Rozewski said at the April 11 meeting. “We see great opportunity with Vanderburgh County to develop a master plan for the area of the West Side around the university, so that the whole is much greater than the sum of its parts.” Rozewski said USI offered to co-fund the master plan, host the planning meetings on campus and endorse the resulting recommended development. But Krista Lockyear, the attorney for the Pfeiffer’s said the couple has waited long enough. Some Vanderburgh County citizens even formed a group, Growing Responsibly on University Parkway, to try to pressure the commissioners into reconsidering recommending the rezoning. A member of GROUP Michael Lockard said a master plan should be formed before the commissioners pass a recommendation to rezone. “We know that there’s going to be development around University Parkway, and I feel this wholeheartedly, there needs to
‘Pioneer’ for women’s athletics dies By JESSIE HELLMANN News editor
REZONING on Pg. 3
R
uth Waller was free-spirited, gentle, caring and a “miracle woman.” She was a mother, wife and pioneer for women’s athletics and intramurals during her 36year career at USI. Ruth passed away after a battle with cancer and illness Saturday morning. Despite having a bout with breast cancer in the 80s and losing her eye to brain tumors, she continued to smile and make the best out of every scenario, said Ruth’s daughter, 29-year-old Kristin Dahmer. “She was by far the best mom we could ever ask for,” Dahmer said. “With everything she accomplished and battled all her life, she continued to have a smile, always laughing and making the best out of every scenario. She was just a remarkable woman, and I idolized her. I wish I could be a quarter of what she was.” Dahmer said her mom never gave up. “Even up to the day she passed, she bat-
New resources for disabled students By JESSICA STALLINGS Staff writer Students with disabilities have a new ally at the university, as a disability resources coordinator position has been created and filled. Thomas Longwell, Counseling Center Director, said most universities have this position. “We’ve been thinking about having this position for a while,” Longwell said. “It will give a lot more resources for our students.” Longwell said the term disability is very broad and doesn’t include just physical disabilities. “It includes physical limitations, blindness, brain injuries, learning disabilities, ADHD, ADD, depression, anxiety, all the way up to students with severe allergies,” Longwell said. Longwell said the assistant director of the counseling center had been in charge of monitoring students with disabilities but she left the university. “We looked at the needs of the university, and when we decided to hire someone new, we made sure we started on the right foot,” Longwell said. Longwell said students with disabilities may not be able to show their true colors because people look only at their disabilities. He said this position helps students by giving them the resources they need to show what
they know. “Ronda is passionate about what she does and her love for it is contagious to other faculty members,” Longwell said. With a new position the university decided on a new space. Ronda Stone, who will be the director, has a desk currently located within the Counseling Center, but in fall she will move to the Education Center and her position will be under University Division. Longwell said within the past year the Counseling Center has monitored over 15,000 exams for students who need a distraction-reduced environment to test. “The move to the Education Center will give great space for lots of room for testing,” Longwell said. Longwell said he feels that making the switch over to the University Division is important for the university. “Making the move to the Education Center will make the awareness of disabilities more visible,” Longwell said. “A lot of people don’t think to look for a Disability Center within a Counseling Center.” Michael Broshears, University Division director, said the university is currently working with an architect for the remodel of the space. He said he hopes it will be ready by the Fall.
WALLER on Pg. 3
DISABILITIES on Pg. 3
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