THE OFFICIAL STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF THE UNIVERSITY OF INDIANAPOLIS • FOUNDED 1922 • INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA VOL.
104 I S S UE # 3
FEBRUARY 9, 2026
reflector.uindy.edu
Hounds resemble service By Genevieve Condon ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR
The University of Indianapolis has been recognized by the American Council on Education (ACE) and the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Te a c h i n g w i t h t h e 2 0 2 6 Community Engagement (CE) Classification. These foundations partnered in 2022 to recognize universities that exemplify a strong commitment to community engagement, and UIndy has been recognized three times as one of 80 private universities to achieve the CE classification, according to UIndy360. Carnegie classifications are o f t e n u s e d a s a s t a n d a rd for funders, researchers and policymakers, making these classifications important to the universities they recognize. “This is significant because it validates the importance of collaborations,” UIndy ’s Director of Service-Learning and Community Engagement Marianna Foulkrod said. “When we look at the reports, findings and the story that has been told through data, we are reminded very quickly how important this work is. It re-engages us, rejuvenates our passion and reminds us that we cannot progress without one another.” UIndy is involved in several different service-based initiatives that impact the broader community, such as Special Olympics, the Burmese American Community Institute and Fry Scholar service projects, according to Foulkrod. The university is also partnered with o ver 200 non-profit organizations, such as the
Photo by Willa Allen
Director of Service-Learning and Community Engagement Marianna Foulkrod poses outside the SLCE center on Feb. 2. UIndy has been recognized three times for the Community Engagement Classification.
Arthritis Foundation, Beacon of Hope Crisis Center and Bethany E a r l y L e a r n i n g M i n i s t r y, according to HoundsConnect. “...There's not just this isolated community that we have on the south side of Indianapolis, but rather an integrated component of the
local community and the regional community is something that I think we [UIndy] and the students should be proud of as they engage and make an impact,” UIndy Provost and Executive Vice President Chris Plouff said. “ We have students that
are committed to being the best versions of themselves as engaged, responsible citizens of their city and their world,” Foulkrod said. “This is your [students] classification. You earned it as much as your administration and faculty.” UIndy strives to promote
“education for service,” which is largely done through the Center for Service-Learning and Community Engagement, a c c o r d i n g t o u i n d y. e d u . Plouff emphasized how social responsibility and community engagement are key aspects of the UIndy student experience, and this recognition helps promote these values and opportunities to potential members of the UIndy community. In addition, Plouff said this recognition can be influential regarding the future of UIndy’s community engagement. “We do this well so that a community partner, when they're working with us, would know that they're working with an organiz ation that is committed to this and is understanding of how to do it and how to do it appropriately,” Plouff said. Foulkrod also discussed how students at UIndy have participated in service initiatives specific to their studies. For example, nursing students have hosted free clinics open to the public, and public health students have developed information sessions about public health in order to educate those who are new to this country. “ We want to be able to participate in hands-on real experiences. There is no better way for our students to learn and grow,” Foulkrod said. “In return, the community receives fresh ideas and a new skill set. They see the population that's going to be their workforce in the very near future.” UIndy ’s ongoing ser vice projects c an be f ound on HoundsConnect, which is a tool for students to track their service hours and develop a service resume.
Striving for unity among nations President Donald Trump chairs "Board of Peace" in hopes to reconstruct Gaza By Ella Harner
MANAGING EDITOR President Donald Trump is determined to end the war on Gaza after officially ratifying his proposed Board of Peace in January, according to the U.S. Embassy. The Board of Peace was created by Trump to oversee the rebuilding of Gaza after destruction f rom the IsraeliPalestine war, according to C N N . I n ad d i t i on t o t h e United S tates, Tr ump has invited other countries to join, according to AP News. W hile various countries
have said “yes” to Trump's invitation, many others have yet to respond, with some e ven say ing no, according to AP News. Though there i s n o o f fi c i a l re a s on w hy countries have not yet made their decision, the $1 billion investment to become a lifetime member of the b o a rd m i g h t b e a f f e c t i n g its legitimacy, according to Universit y of Indianapolis Professor of International Relations Milind Thakar. A c c o r d i n g t o T h a k a r, organizations like the United Nations take a proportionate amount of money f rom its members. This means richer
INSIDE: NEWS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3, 6 OPINION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 FEATURE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 SPORTS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 ENTERTAINMENT/GAMES . 7, 8
countries, like Canada, Germany or the U.S., pay more than the poorer countries. Thakar referred to the Board of Peace as a sort of “rich man’s club.” University of Indianapolis Professor of International Relations Douglas Woodwell believes the $1 billion sign-on is not a bad idea. Wo o d we l l e x p l a i n e d t h a t , rather than begging preexisting members for money in the future, the board chose t o d o s o i m m e d i a t e l y. I f each member paid $1 billion for their lifetime spot, that would be over $25 billion f or reconstr uction, whic h,
according to Woodwell, is a “darn good start.” Trump will be chairing the board for life, heading the organiz ation's mission for promoting stability, peace and governance “in areas affected or threatened by conflict,” according to CNN. While the board is new, it has not shared what exactly success would look like, according to Thakar. “Now, it could well turn out that this could be a wonderful organization with a really good plan to rehabilitate Gaza into a functioning, thriving economy,” Thakar said. “But I'm not going to hold my breath on that, because I'd like
to see something more clearly articulated.” Futuristic-looking highrises were shown in a slideshow at the World Economic Forum, highlighting what Gaza will look like after the board's multistep reconstruction plan is completed, according to CNN. The presentation explained that the board's plan included Hamas demilitarizing, which the U.S. is “going to enforce.” “ We ' v e b e e n w a t c h i n g so much miserable news f rom [Gaza] for years now,” Woodwell said. “I would like to see them, by the end of this decade, maybe, steamrolling toward a better future.”
GROK AI SEXUALIZES WOMEN
IU FOOTBALL MAKES HISTORY
HEATED RIVALRY
X, formally known as Twitter, has a new AI chatbot named “Grok,” which has generated and shared over 1.8 million sexualized photos of women online.
The Hoosiers football program makes a historic run, winning its first national championship with an undefeated record.
A new television show about two male hockey lovers changes the game for LGBTQ+ representation within media. Read more on Page 7.
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