IDS Thursday, November 21, 2024
INSIDE
CIGNETTI EXTENDS CONTRACT
$3,058,042.23
Coconut-based carbon could improve water taste, smell By Ella Curlin elcurlin@iu.edu
City of Bloomington Utilities announced Oct. 29 that it is now using a coconut-based treatment to address taste and odor concerns with the city’s drinking water. City utilities began the treatment late this summer as a result of what Bloomington Water Quality Coordinator Justin Meschter described as a long, careful research process by local water treatment operators to find a solution for the water’s taste and odor.
ILLUSTRATION BY ALAYNA WILKENING
Professors assess AI use in the classroom By Natalia Nelson nelsonnb@iu.edu
“AI text generators should not be used for creating or revising drafts, editing your work, or reviewing a peer's work.” The phrase is used in syllabi across IU classrooms, an addendum to the usual syllabus policies suggested by the university. ChatGPT was first released to the public in November 2022 and quickly gained traction and users. Since then, educators have raised concerns about how it may affect students' writing skills. “The way you learn is by trying to write it yourself,” Bonnie Layton, a senior lecturer at The Media School at IU, said. “You don’t learn by looking at an already polished piece of AI.” Layton teaches introductory classes where students first learn how to write, and those classes include mostly freshman. Her policy in the classroom discourages the use of AI. However, she said she thinks AI has a place in the media field and that it’s important to educate students on how to work with it to prepare them for future careers. Jeanette Heidewald is a teaching professor for the Kelley School of Business and primarily teaches honors business writing. She has a hopeful outlook on the use of AI in classes. Her AI policy varies from section to section of the course. Instead of prohibiting its use, Heidewald collaborates with her students and uses AI to create a unique set of rules for each class regarding the technology.
SEE AI, PAGE 4
TRINITY MACKENZIE | IDS
Riley kid Jayklin Graf high fives members of the Riley Development committee Nov. 16, 2024, during the Indiana University Dance Marathon at the IU Tennis Center in Bloomington. By Natalia Nelson and Chloe Oden news@idsnews.com
At 7:40 a.m. Nov. 17, in the final hour of the IU Dance Marathon, dancers made a large circle at the IU Tennis Center, put their arms around each other's shoulders and swayed back and forth as “Angels Among Us” by Alabama played. Images of individuals who have passed away appeared on a screen. Dancers swayed, shed tears, buried their faces in each other and reflected on the impact of the 36-hour weekend. After the song ended, students quickly gathered back at the stage for the final reveal. Fifteen IUDM accounting committee members lined up on stage to reveal the total amount of money fundraised in the months following the last marathon, each holding a poster displaying a number. The crowd chanted, “Kids can’t wait,” and one by one, the committee revealed the total: “$3,058,042.23 for Riley,” the posters spelled. IU Dance Marathon raises funds for Riley Hospital for Children, a pediatric acute care facility in Indianapolis. Since its founding in 1991, the organization has raised a total of more than $53 million for the hospital. It funds multiple endowments toward The Ryan White Center for Pediatric Infectious Disease and Global Health, including the
Ryan White Chair in Infectious Disease Endowment, the Ryan White Infectious Disease Endowment and the IUDM Research Endowment. As a result of the endowments, the center is fully funded and its clinical and research efforts are supported. The center treats over 2,400 patients a year and conducts research focusing on malaria and HIV. The marathon challenged over 4,000 students to stay at the IU Tennis Center for 36 hours, which began at 8 p.m. Nov. 15 and ended at 8 a.m. Nov. 17. This year’s event featured speakers who shared their experiences at Riley, speeches by IU football head coach Curt Cignetti and IU President Pamela Whitten, live music and a talent show. Sadie Kohlman, a sophomore on the IUDM marketing committee, creates graphics for the organization. She said she was a part of a similar organization in high school. “I’ve been affected by cancer and other, many things,” Kohlman said. “My mom is a two-time cancer survivor. My dad is a heart attack survivor, and like just many things like that, where you're just grateful for amazing hospital care.” For many, IUDM is a chance to find community and a purpose. “I kind of found purpose by dedicating my time to something that's bigger than me,” sophomore Olivia Thomas said. “My favorite part is probably hearing all
the Riley stories. I think that really puts into perspective how much what we do impacts people and helps them and keeps Riley running and keeping it the amazing place that it is.” Senior Max Krauz has participated in IUDM for two years. “I think for me, initially I joined to make new friends, while also doing something that was a great cause. And it's done exactly that for me,” Krauz said. “I've been able to have great friendships with a bunch of different people — alumni who are here seeing me now, younger generations who want to see me come
back next year, while also being able to know that I had an impact on future generations to come.” Krauz said even though there is a large time commitment, especially since he is on the corporate relations committee, it’s all worth it in the end to see everything come together.
Freshman Olivia Pierce is a part of the First Year Dancer Experience team as well as the Riley Development Committee, which serves as a link between Riley families and IUDM. As a “Riley kid” herself, Pierce felt it was important to give back to a cause that had given to her. Pierce received treatment for eye cancer at Riley and underwent over 30 surgeries, as well as chemotherapy. “I am dancing because for the past 34 years, kids have been dancing for me,” Pierce said. “It’s a full circle moment so it only seems right to dance for Riley kids while I still am one as well.” Pierce said her favorite parts of IUDM were the 12-minute morale line dance and listening to the stories from those treated at Riley. “It’s nice to hear stories of more about Riley and how they’ve contributed to other people’s lives,” Pierce said. “That’s always really inspiring, because like my story is just one among millions." TRINITY MACKENZIE | IDS
Jameson Dolan holds a sign representing his family during the Indiana University Dance Marathon on Nov. 16, 2024, at the IU Tennis Center in Bloomington. The Dolan family spoke about Jameson's birth, surgeries and overall Riley journey at the event.
"But as a Bloomington native you kind of get used to it over time, even if it’s not the best.” IU freshman Drew Kelley
This problem is seasonally recurring and coincides with the late summer algae blooms in the city’s water source, Monroe Lake. “It’s got just a bit of like metallic, bland taste to it, which is always a little noticeable,” IU freshman Drew Kelley said. Kelley, who grew up in Bloomington, said while he has gotten used to the taste problems, it came as a shock to some of his classmates. “All these people I’ve talked to at college who come from other places have severe problems with the Bloomington water,” Kelley said. “But as a Bloomington native you kind of get used to it over time, even if it’s not the best.” This summer, while researching potential solutions to this issue, city utilities discovered a coconutbased form of powdered activated carbon (PAC) could be an effective treatment. Meschter said this treatment is a variation on an existing method. Previously, the city’s water treatment plant filtered with PAC made from a blend of sources. Now it’s sourcing more of that carbon from coconut husks. SEE WATER, PAGE 4
IU to raise rates, launch student success platform By Isaac Perlich
iperlich@iu.edu | @isaacperlich
The amendment to IU’s expressive activity policy headlined the IU Board of Trustees meeting Nov. 14-15 in Fort Wayne, but the board voted on and approved other agenda items. Here are three takeaways from the board’s final meeting of 2024. IU Indianapolis athletic center named after late trustee The new athletic center at IU Indianapolis approved in June will be named James T. Morris Arena or “The Jim.” Morris, an IU alumnus and
longtime trustee, died in July at 81 years old. “No individual epitomized the idea of service to IU and the city of Indianapolis more than Jim Morris,” IU President Pamela Whitten said in a press release Nov. 15. “This recognition is only fitting for our vision of an arena that will serve both the university and the community. It was Jim’s advocacy at the Statehouse that helped propel this project forward, and now generations of IU students and campus visitors will benefit.” The 137,500-square-foot, $110 million arena will be located on the south side of the IU Indianapolis campus,
CAROLYN MARSHALL | IDS
The IU Board of Trustees sits during a meeting June 13, 2024, inside Henke Hall of Champions in Bloomington. The board voted on a 2% housing and dining rate increase at IU Bloomington, named the new IU Indianapolis arena and launched a student success platform at its meetings Nov. 14-15.
just north of the White River. Construction is expected to wrap up in 2026. Housing and dining rates to increase 2% in Bloomington
The board approved a 2% rate increase for housing at IU Bloomington next year, bumping the average price to $12,431 per year. Dining rates also increased by 2%. The cost for a standard
residence hall room at the Bloomington campus is $7,954 this year, with enhanced rooms at $10,953. Housing rates increased 2% at IU Indianapolis and IU Southeast, while IU South Bend will see a 3% rise, the board voted. IU Treasurer Donald Lukes said in a press release the cost increases will allow the university to invest in housing and dining facilities, operations and activities. Student success platform announced, launched at three campuses IU Fort Wayne, IU Columbus and IU East will be
Bloomington's 7 Day Forecast
the first campuses to use a new platform for students to build their degree and visualize their progress. The platform is run by Stellic, a degree management company, and used by universities across the United States. “Implementation of this new tool will help Indiana University students better visualize their pathway to graduation,” Whitten said in a press release. “It also creates a far better user experience, making it easier for students to successfully plan and obtain their IU degree.” SEE TRUSTEES, PAGE 4
SOURCE: THE WEATHER CHANNEL GRAPHICS BY: ALAYNA WILKENING
Thursday Nov. 21
Friday Nov. 22
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Wednesday Nov. 27
36° 33° P: 93%
46° 36° P:24%
48° 33°
56° 48° P: 8%
61° 29° P: 52%
42° 27° P: 3%
43° 30° P: 17%
P: 7%