Parent Survival Guide IDS
Dear parents, Welcome to the IU family, and congratulations on raising a Hoosier!
You’re reading a publication from the Indiana Daily Student, IU’s preeminent newspaper serving the campus and the city of Bloomington for more than 150 years. You can also find us online at idsnews.com, or on almost every social media site @idsnews.
Whether this is your first, second or even fifth time sending a kid off to college, I understand it’s not easy to send them out on their own. It can feel like you won’t be there to protect them anymore and keep them out of trouble. While I can’t promise you that
your Hoosier won’t make some ill-advised decisions, I can promise you that the IU community will welcome them with open arms. Our university is full of students and staff from wildly different backgrounds with wildly different interests. No matter who your student is, they can find whatever kind of community they want while they’re here.
Chances are your student will have setbacks along the way. We’ve all been 18 before — you know how it goes.
Chances are also that your student will do some things here that astound you. College is where a lot of people find out what they’re truly good at and what they’re passionate about. As they
learn and grow, they’ll start researching and creating things they never knew they were capable of.
The most important thing you can do for them as a parent is to listen. Sometimes they’ll be so proud of something that they won’t stop telling you about it for weeks. Sometimes they’ll be so scared to tell you something that you’ll only figure out something is wrong from their tone of voice. Sometimes they’ll just want to talk your ear off about how they saw the cutest squirrel ever in Dunn Meadow.
No matter what they want to tell you, and no matter what you think about it, make sure you listen. This will
be the first time many students experience real hardship, success, love, heartbreak and everything else we get accustomed to as we get older. It all only happens once — appreciate it before it’s gone. What I can tell you, from the perspective of a student who struggled during my first year of college, is that I wouldn’t have made it nearly as far without the support of my parents. Welcome to Bloomington! We’re so excited to host your student for however long they stay, and we hope to see you at Orientation and Parents’ Weekend!
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What is a Hoosier?
Urban legends and the history of the nickname Hoosiers.
By Stella Klaus ssklaus@iu.edu
“Who’s yere?” Indiana settlers would frequently yell as a visitor knocked upon their door. This is one of many popular theories as to how the nickname “Hoosiers” came about for Indiana residents
Similar to the term Yankee, which is typically used to refer to people from New England or Northeastern United States, Hoosier refers to a native or inhabitant of Indiana. It is one of the oldest and most widely accepted state nicknames. But what does it really mean to be a Hoosier?
The term first became
popular in the 1830s around the time a poem called “The Hoosier’s Nest” by John Finley was released. However, it is believed that the term was used in the years before the poem too. The nickname was found in numerous other written documents in the late 1820s and early 1830s, including multiple letters, diaries and publications. Although many have questioned the origins of the nickname, one of the most extensive researchers was Jacob Piatt Dunn Jr., an Indiana historian. Dunn found that the word was often used in the South during the 19th century to refer to people that were considered rustic, rough class, uncouth or country.
Dunn suggested that the nickname was taken on with humorous spirits, at a time when Midwesteners were fond of state nicknames. By the time Finley used the word in his poem it no longer meant “it no longer carried a negative connotation, taking on the new meaning of “a self-reliant man who was able to subdue the wilderness, defend his home, and command the respect of his neighbors,” Sarah Wrigley, Finley’s daughter said.
Dunn also traced the word back to “hoozer” from the Cumberland dialect of England, which came from the Anglo-Saxon word
“hoo” meaning high or hill. “Hoozer” meant anything unusually large like a hill. This version of the nickname would have likely been brought over by the descendants of English immigrants when they settled in the hills of Southern Indiana.
Another widespread explanation for the nickname is that it comes from Harry Hoosier. Hoosier was a Methodist minister who was born into slavery. He became the first Black American Methodist preacher in the country during the 1770s. Hoosier preached all over the country, including just south of Indiana in Kentucky. It is believed that
Hoosier’s followers brought their Methodist beliefs and the Hoosier nickname to Indiana once it was granted statehood.
Another popular theory is a contractor named Hoosier preferred to hire Indiana laborers who became known as “Hoosier’s men” leading to all Indiana residents being known as Hoosiers. These theories, however, are mostly unsupported, becoming no more than urban legends.
While the true origins of the nickname may never be known, the name has lasted more than a century as a nickname for the people of Indiana and has come to now mean friendliness, neighborliness and satisfaction with life.
Other popular theories include Indiana rivermen beating or “hushing” their opponents in the brawls that would often happen and becoming known as “Hushers” and eventually Hoosiers. Another theory that similarly originates from our early settlers is that during fights they would often scratch and bite off their opponents’ noses and ears. This was so common that settlers would often have to ask, “whose ear?” when coming in the morning after a fight and seeing an ear on the ground, a phrase which then developed into Hoosier.
ILLUSTRATION BY EVELYN STRAUSS
IU parents through the years
Families will have years to share college experiences while their students are at school. Here are some Hoosier parents who came before you.
2018 Then-senior guard Robert Johnson thanks his father, grandfather and mother in his senior day speech after the IU v. Ohio State basketball game at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall on Feb. 23, 2018. Johnson was one of five seniors on IU’s team. He played in the inaugural 3X3U Championship, and he scored the game-winning shot.
IU ARCHIVES
1940 Bill Houghton was a fourth generation IU graduate on his mother’s side and third generation on his father’s side. Both parents were Class of 1917.
ARBUTUS FILE PHOTO BY BOBBY GODDIN
IDS FILE PHOTO BY LIONEL LIM
2015 Camille Kellems, a freshman from Newport Beach, California, shares a moment with her parents before the start of the 2015 Freshman Induction Ceremony.
IU ARCHIVES 1970s Students at an IU football game in the 1970s send a message to their parents.
IU ARCHIVES
1948 Law student Jean Seidel Miller, with her husband and parents, receives an award for the highest GPA in her class in 1948.
2010 Thenfreshman Ashik Shah moves in to his new dorm room in Ashton Center in 2010 with the help of his father, Bhartesh, and his mother, Rekha.
IDS FILE PHOTO
ARBUTUS FILE PHOTO BY BRUCE CARVER
2010 Graduate Latroy Hampton hugs his mother, Eunice Foley, following spring commencement May 8, 2010, at Assembly Hall.
2017 Thenfreshman Elizabeth Ketzner and her father, Brian, laugh while listening to a recording of Elizabeth’s grandfather in Wells Library in 2017. Elizabeth was a baby when her grandfather died and had no memory of what he sounded like.
IDS FILE PHOTO BY LYDIA GERIKE
How to keep up with IU and Bloomington news as a parent
By Theo Hawkins sohawkin@iu.edu
If you live far away from your IU Bloomington student, as most parents do, you may find yourself wanting a sense of what’s happening at the school and around town. If your student is anything like me, they may forget to tell you everything. Fortunately, it’s easier now than ever to keep your finger on the pulse, even if you’re on the other side of the world. Here are a few places you can turn to for updates.
Indiana Daily Student
The Indiana Daily Student is IU Bloomington’s
student-run newspaper, covering all things campus and city news, IU sports and arts. You won’t be able to find physical copies of the paper outside Bloomington, but you can still visit idsnews. com to see all the same stories. While you’re there, you may want to sign up to get IDS newsletters sent straight to your email inbox, such as the Weekly Update, which arrives every Friday, or the IU Basketball weekly season newsletter. The IDS also posts regularly on Instagram, X, Facebook and TikTok. Follow @idsnews to see the biggest headlines in your feed. If you prefer to listen to the news, the IDS hosts some podcasts as well.
“Weekly News Rundown,” for instance, covers the top stories each week and can be found on Spotify.
IU Student Television
IUSTV is another source of IU and Bloomington news from IU students, with multiple shows across platforms. IUSTV can be found online at iustv.com, on YouTube as @iustv and across social media under the @iustv handle. If you just want updates on news, sports or entertainment, you can follow @iustvnews, @iustvsports or @iustventertainment.
IUSTV’s podcast feed can be found on Spotify, Apple Music, Overcast and Pocket Casts, and features a number
of different shows covering a variety of topics. Shows such as “Schlyde Into Sports” and “The Podium” cover sports, while others, such as “Hop On,” discuss culture.
IU official social media pages
IU’s official social media handle across Instagram, X, Facebook and TikTok is @iubloomington. This is where you’ll find updates pertaining to the school as a whole.
Many IU programs and departments also have their own social media pages. @iustudentscentral is the official page for Student Central, which provides information on important
dates and lots of photos. IU Libraries post updates on dates, resources and programs as @hermanbwells. You can also follow your student’s individual school for more specific updates relating to their programs.
IU Newsroom and News at IU
IU releases its own news online and via email from the IU Newsroom. If you’re interested in updates about the school or stories about ongoing research and student work, you can visit news.iu.edu and browse News at IU’s archive of stories. To sign up for email updates, scroll to the bottom of the page and click on “Email
Newsletters & Press Releases” under “Subscribe” in the page footer.
The Herald-Times
Those interested in broader news about Bloomington and the surrounding area, including Bedford and Ellettsville, may also be interested in The HeraldTimes, Bloomington’s local newspaper within the USA Today network. The HeraldTimes can be found online at heraldtimesonline.com.
A subscription is required to read stories from the Herald-Times; an all-digital subscription starts at $1 the first month and then $16.99 after, or $99 for the first year followed by $149 annually.
SYDNEY WEBER | IDS
A stack of Indiana Daily Student newspapers is pictured May 28, 2025. The IDS is one of the news outlets providing Bloomington- and IU-related information.
Tips for helping your student move into college
By Aryana Amin-Tehrani aaminteh@iu.edu
Helping your student move to college can be a bittersweet experience. It’s hard to see them go, but it’s powerful to watch them grow. Your student may be leaving home for the first time, yet the things they will experience over these next few months will be valuable for the rest of their lives. With the right movein experience, students can be poised to conquer the following few challenges
Moving into college can be a bittersweet experience.
in this new chapter of their life.
Here are five tips to best prepare your student to move in.
Tip 1: Create a checklist & de-clutter
It’s common to overpack, and while it is better to be safe than sorry, your student will likely only be in the dorms for less than 10 months. Bringing only the bare necessities helps avoid unnecessary clutter during the school year and avoids a hefty move out experience.
Tip 2: Figure out parking
Move-in day across campus is a busy time of year. It can be challenging to find parking and there are strict parking rules that can differ from building to building. My best advice is to call the center desk of the residence hall your student is moving into beforehand and ask about places to park while moving in.
Tip 3: Communicate with roommates
Make sure you’re moving in at a different time than
your student’s roommate. The dorms are already fairly small, and they can feel even smaller with two families and their belongings moving in simultaneously. Have your students communicate with their roommate when each of them will be moving in. I recommend at least a four-hour gap between move-ins.
Tip 4: Encourage your student to organize their space
Unloading all of your students’ belongings can
be overwhelming. As you unbox everything, I would highly recommend organizing the space as you go through the process. Have your students decide how they’d like their room to look as you bring their things to their room. This way, you avoid having a large pile of items in the middle of the room. Placing things where they belong as you go will save you time and stress.
Tip 5: Encourage your student to explore campus
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students for as long as they’re going to school here, so it’s important to get to know the place! It can be intimidating to go out on your own, so offer to tag along with your students on errands such as eating at a restaurant on Kirkwood. Encourage them to take some walks around and outside of campus with friends throughout their freshman year.
Congratulations on being the proud parent of a Hoosier! Happy move-in, and we will see you in the fall.
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ILLUSTRATION BY EVELYN STRAUSS
Helping your student find off-campus housing
By Sydney Weber syaweber@iu.edu
Moving off-campus is a big step in a college student’s life, and there can be a lot of mini-steps within that process. While you might not want to hover over your student’s housing search, there are some things parents can do to help.
Ask them to rank their priorities
This is perhaps the most important question to ask when looking for housing because there’s always going to be some sort of trade-off. Do they want to live within walking distance of campus — and pay the higher rent that comes with
it? Or live further away and drive or take the bus to save on rent costs?
Other things students might want to consider include: the parking situation, kitchen size and how utilities are paid. Some apartment complexes bill utilities through the same apparatus as the one they use to collect rent; others require tenants to create accounts with local utility companies.
Knowing one’s priorities can also help to narrow down the choice between off-campus housing options. If there are two similar places, but one has a dishwasher and no pool while the other has a pool but no dishwasher, then your student will have to decide which is more important to
them. I vote for the one with the dishwasher.
Take notes on the tour
It’s a good idea to tour a housing option before signing a lease, and not just because apartments can look better in pictures than in real life. Taking a tour gives students an option to see the area around their prospective living place. They can get a feel for whether it’s going to be a quiet neighborhood or a weekend party scene, and they can see what amenities are or aren’t nearby.
Talk to Student Legal Services
IU’s Student Legal Services offers free lease reviews to all IU Bloomington students. They’ll read over a lease and flag any clauses or stipulations that prospective tenants should be aware of. They’re also able to help in the event of any landlord disputes. Student Legal Services can be found under the “Care & Advocacy” section of the Office of Student Life website.
Encourage them to think creatively
Thinking outside of the box can be beneficial when students are searching for
Jotting down notes during the tour, like “bedroom has lots of light” or “not much counter space,” can help a student to sort through their options later on in the decision-making process.
living locations. For example, loft beds aren’t only for dorm rooms. Putting a desk under a lofted bed makes the most of often-small apartment rooms. Storage chests can double as ottomans or even coffee tables.
Thinking creatively isn’t limited to furniture arrangements. Locations outside Bloomington’s central areas are worth considering.
Ellettsville, about 20 minutes northwest of Bloomington, has housing options for students. It’s a straightforward drive along IN-46 from Ellettsville’s main street to the student parking lots at Memorial Stadium, and living further from campus will cut down on rent prices.
Don’t panic if it takes a while to find off-campus housing
It can seem like your student has to have next year’s living situation figured out by Thanksgiving Break, but that’s not true. While the availability of apartments and houses decreases over the course of the school year, there are still good options to be found in April or later. In fact, many subleasing opportunities don’t get posted on IU Classifieds until the last few weeks of the semester, when students who are studying abroad for a term or two start trying to find someone to take over their lease.
Yes, it’s a good idea to find a place early, but there’s no need to panic if the search process takes time.
ILLUSTRATION BY MADHUMITHA MANIMARAN
How to help your student navigate financial aid
By Nicole Blevins neblevin@iu.edu | @nblevins01
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid is a yearly application for students to receive federal aid and grants to offset their tuition. The student aid package is based on students’ parents income if they still file as dependent.
The first step to applying for FAFSA is to create a StudentAid.gov account. Both the student and parent need an account to complete the necessary steps. Make sure to keep track of your student’s login information, as you may need it to access your part of the application.
Parents are required to submit their Social Security number and other identifying information to access their tax
returns from the prior filing year.
The application also requires records of child support received, current balances of cash, savings and checking accounts and net worth of investments, businesses and farms.
The application for Indiana typically opens in October and is due by April 15 (Tax Day) for priority awarding. When the FAFSA form is processed, your student will receive a Student Aid Report. Once the financial aid package is finalized, IU will automatically process it to your student’s Bursar, which you can find in one.iu.edu.
Each semester, a bill will appear on your student’s Bursar if they still owe any tuition or fees after aid and scholar-
ships are applied. You can submit a payment directly on the Bursar page, but a credit payment adds an additional convenience fee. You can also set up a payment plan if necessary.
If your student has remaining credit after aid and scholarships are applied, they can transfer the funds to a bank account through the “direct deposit of bursar funds” tab in one.iu.edu. Keep in mind that if the award amount from aid is greater than the tuition cost, their aid package is subject to change.
You should complete the FAFSA form every year, even if your student did not receive aid the year before. The form will also determine your student’s eligibility for student loans and work-study programs.
ILLUSTRATION BY MADHUMITHA MANIMARAN
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• Clearly, an SLHS major offers the opportunity to “do well” for the foreseeable future.
Speech-language pathologists and audiologists diagnose and treat communication disorders in people ranging from newborns to older adults — our majors have the chance to enjoy a life-long fulfilling career in which they also “do good” by helping their fellow human beings.
To start your journey, register this fall for SLHS S-104
Audiology & Speech Therapy: works of the heart
Dates for families to know
By Sydney Weber syaweber@iu.edu
As the new school year begins, navigating IU’s schedule of events — both academic and extracurricular — can be difficult. To help with this transition, we’ve provided a condensed list of important dates that Hoosier families should know. If you’re looking for the full academic calendar, that can be found on the registrar’s website.
Monday, Aug. 25
This is the first day of classes for the semester, be they full-term, first eight week or thirteen-week courses. It’s a good idea for students to find their classrooms before the semester starts, lest they find themselves asking which building has code GA — it’s the Global & International Studies Building — and where classroom 0001 is with only five minutes before class starts.
IU building codes can be found on the Office of the Registrar’s Academic Building Codes webpage.
Saturday, Aug. 30
IU football will play Old Dominion at Memorial Stadium in the opening game of the 2025 season. The Hoosiers will be looking to continue their momentum from last year, when they reached the College Football Playoffs for the first time with an overall season score of 11-2.
Sunday, Aug. 31
If students drop any classes before Aug. 31, there
Monday, Oct. 20
After the first-eight-week courses wrap up, it’s time for the second-eight-weeks courses to begin.
Sunday, Nov. 9
IU men’s basketball will have their first game of the season on Nov. 9 against Marquette in Chicago.
Sunday, Nov. 23 to Sunday, Nov. 30
These are the dates for Thanksgiving Break 2025, during which there are no classes.
Saturday, Dec. 13
will be no notes on their transcript. After this date, a “W” for “withdrawn” will be listed on the transcript for any dropped courses. This is also the final day for a 100% refund on classes.
Monday, Sept. 1
There are no classes because of Labor Day.
Sunday, Sept. 7
This is the deadline for a 75% refund on courses for the fall semester.
Friday, Sept. 19 to Sunday, Sept. 21
For 2025, this is Family Weekend, a time when many parents and siblings come to visit their students at IU. The Office of Student Life will announce the schedule for Family Weekend activities during the summer.
Monday, Sept. 22
This is the deadline to request the pass/fail option for any full-semester classes.
Taking a class as pass/fail requires the approval of the school or division’s dean.
Friday, Oct. 10 to Sunday, Oct.12
Students have a threeday weekend starting on Oct. 10, a period known as Fall Break. There are no classes on Friday.
Friday, Oct.17
Any first-eight-week courses that students take will finish by this date. Students will take their final exams on the last day of class.
The 2025 Homecoming Parade will also take place on this day. The Marching Hundred lead the parade starting at the intersection of 13th Street and Woodlawn Avenue.
Saturday, Oct. 18
The IU Hoosiers will play the Michigan State Spartans for this year’s Homecoming football game. IU beat MSU 47-10 in November 2024.
This is the last day of classes for the semester, as well as the last day to withdraw from all classes.
Monday, Dec. 15 to Friday, Dec. 19
Final exams take place during this period. Often, schools such as the College of Arts and Sciences or the Kelley School of Business will have activities the week before exams to help students prepare and de-stress ahead of finals.
Wednesday, Dec. 24
Transcripts from the semester, with official grades, become available within a week of the conclusion of finals.
Friday, Dec. 19 to Sunday, Jan. 11
Winter Break will be three weeks long, and the spring semester will commence on Jan. 12. Spring tuition is due Saturday, Jan. 10.
FILE PHOTO | IDS
A parade-watcher holds a sign that reads “Let’s Go Hoosiers” for parade members to see Oct. 20, 2023, on Woodlawn Avenue. The Homecoming Parade stretched across Woodlawn Avenue between 13th Street and 17th Street.
Things to do while your student settles in
A quick guide to local food, shops, and sights while visiting Bloomington.
By Ayzah Khan ayzkhan@iu.edu | @ayzahfkhan
While your student is getting settled on campus, take the opportunity to explore the culture and charm of Bloomington. Whether you’re here for a day or longer, the city offers something for everyone. Here are some things to check out while you’re in town:
Enjoy the Food Scene
Bloomington boasts an extensive international dining scene. Don’t miss out on some of the best bites from:
• FARMbloomington — seasonally inspired menus with creative takes on American comfort food.
• Taste of India — a family-owned restaurant providing some of the most authentic Indian cuisine.
• Dat’s — a local favorite serving up cajun-inspired bites and comfort food.
• Siam House — an Asian-fusion restaurant with Thai specialties.
• Yatagarasu Ramen — a Japanese eatery specializing in rich, authentic ramen and small plates.
Shop Downtown
Take a stroll through Bloomington’s historic
downtown from Sample Gates across Kirkwood and browse the local boutiques, bookstores and souvenir shops!
• Greetings — a fun stop for IU gear and quirky souvenirs.
• The Book Corner — a family-owned local gem housing books ranging from best sellers to the classics.
• Bloomington Antique Mall — three floors of vintage treasures where you can find one-ofa-kind pieces, be they clothing, accessories or home decor.
Discover the Nature
• Griffy Lake Nature Preserve — rent a kayak, hike up some trails, or simply enjoy a peaceful walk with a lake view.
• Bryan Park — open fields, playgrounds, shaded trails and a pool. There’s something for everyone here!
• IU Arboretum – a scenic space right in the middle of campus. Whether you want a small break or just want to stroll around campus, this is the place to be.
Explore the Culture
• Eskenazi Museum of Art — located right on cam-
pus, this museum houses global art collections with free admission for visitors and art enthusiasts. (See page)
• Buskirk-Chumley Theater — with concerts, indie films and live performances taking place throughout the year, you must check out their schedule.
• Wylie House Museum — the historic home of IU’s first president can be visited with a guided tour.
• IU Jacobs School of Music — contemporary music concerts throughout the year, ranging from classical, jazz to opera.
The Indiana Daily Student has been telling the stories of IU, Bloomington and the world for more than 150 years. or specific major required.
SYDNEY WEBER | IDS
The Sidney and Lois Eskenazi Museum of Art is pictured May 28, 2025. The sculpture in front is designed so that two people can stand on either side of the base and their voices will travel directly to the other’s ear.
Fall IU Auditorium shows to see with your student
The auditorium will host eight performances this fall.
By Nicole Blevins neblevin@iu.edu
The IU Auditorium hosts a series of musicals, comedy shows and films every year for the public to attend. This fall, consider joining your student at a show during your visit to Bloomington! Unless otherwise stated, single tickets go on sale to the public Monday, Aug. 18 on the IU Auditorium’s website, with varying tiers of loyalty members receiving access to seat selection as early as Monday, June 16. More information on ticket sales can be found on the IU Auditorium website. All shows are approximately two hours unless stated otherwise below.
“The Book of Mormon”
“The Book of Mormon” is back in Bloomington at 8 p.m., Friday, Oct. 3 and at 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 4. “This outrageous musical comedy follows the adventures of a mismatched pair of missionaries, sent halfway across the world to spread the Good Word,” according to the IU Auditorium website. The production will last roughly two hours and 25 minutes and contains explicit language. Tickets for “The Book of Mormon,” go on sale July 11 on the IU Auditorium website.
“The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark”
“The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark” is a dance performance premiering at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday Oct. 14 at the IU Auditorium.
Choreographer Guillaume Côté and director Robert Lepage co-created a “metaphorical reinterpretation” of Shakespeare’s “Hamlet” through dance, drawing a line between the changes of the mind and movements of the body.
Dennis James
“Dennis James Hosts Halloween” returns for its annual performance at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 16. Dennis James, an IU graduate and cinema organist, will perform a live portrayal of an old-time radio thriller “Waxworks” and the backing soundtrack of a 1924 German silent horror film titled the same name on the auditorium’s 4,532-pipe organ. The performance will include students from IU’s Department of Theatre, Drama and Contemporary Dance.
“Disney’s Moana Live-toFilm Concert”
“Disney’s Moana LiveTo-Film Concert” will come to Bloomington as a part of its North American tour at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 24. The event features a screening of the movie and live performances from a musical ensemble of Hollywood studio musicians, including Polynesian rhythm masters and vocalists.
Tom Segura
“Tom Segura: Come Together” is coming to Bloomington at 6 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 26. Tom Segura, currently one of the biggest names in comedy, is best known
for his five stand-up specials and one dark comedy special, “Bad Thoughts,” on Netflix. He has played over 300 shows in his previous “I’m Coming Everywhere World Tour.” The show will last roughly 90 minutes and is recommended for ages 16 and up. Tickets are on sale now on IU Auditorium’s website and third-party websites like Ticketmaster.
Jacobs Live at the Movies
“Jacobs Live at the Movies” returns at 7:30 p.m. Friday Nov. 7 and at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 8 at the IU Auditorium. This fall, the auditorium will screen the 1939 classic, “The Wizard of Oz,” with a live score played by students from the Jacobs
by Constantine Kitsopoulos.
The Singing Hoosiers
“The Singing Hoosiers Present Holiday Chimes” is a Bloomington holiday tradition, with shows at 2 and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 6. The performance from the Grammy-nominated Singing Hoosiers, along with special guests from the Jacobs School of Music, features holiday classics, spirted contemporary songs and choral masterpieces.
Straight No Chaser
Straight No Chaser, the nine-man a cappella act of Walter Chase, Jerome Collins, Seggie Isho, Michael Luginbill, Steve Morgan,
Jasper Smith, Luke Bob Robinson, Tyler Trepp and Freedom Young is returning to IU, where they started in the mid-’90s. At 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 11, the group will perform a variety of holiday classics as part of
their Holiday Road Tour. This show includes haze, fog and strobe lighting.
For more information on directions, parking and event FAQs, visit iuauditorium. com/plan-your-visit.
School of Music conducted
MIA HILKOWITZ | IDS
The IU Auditorium building is pictured July 1, 2024, in Bloomington.Tickets for the 2025-26 season go on sale to the public Aug. 18, 2025.
COURTESY PHOTO
A cappella group Straight No Chaser is pictured. The nine members will perform at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 11 at IU Auditorium.
COLUMN: Don’t miss out on what the Musical Arts Center has to offer
The Musical Arts Center is the home of IU’s opera and ballet programs.
By Theo Hawkins sohawkin@iu.edu
The Musical Arts Center, located across the street from Read Quadrangle on Eagleson Avenue, is the Jacobs School of Music’s biggest stage. It hosts many musical events throughout the year, such as orchestra and jazz band performances, and it’s the primary home of IU’s renowned opera and ballet programs. As a visitor to campus, don’t miss out on these shows.
Last spring, the ballet department premiered a groundbreaking reimagining of classic ballet “La Bayadère,” titled “Star on the Rise,” that was covered in a
March 2024 issue of The New York Times. Last fall, Jacobs collaborated with the Metropolitan Opera to premiere a new opera on the MAC stage based on the novel “The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay.”
This fall, the MAC will feature six mainstage performances. Even if opera’s not your thing, there are many great shows you can watch with your student!
Sept. 13: Mainstage in Concert—Act I of “Die Walküre” Jacobs’ fall “Mainstage in Concert” program presents the music of Act I of “Die Walküre,” otherwise known as “The Valkyrie,” the second opera in Richard Wagner’s
15-hour “Ring” cycle. First performed in 1870, this opera follows Valkyrie Brünnhilde on her mission to protect long-lost twins Sieglinde and Siegmund against vengeful gods in a world based on Norse mythology.
Sept. 27-28, Oct. 3-4: “The Marriage of Figaro”
Jacobs students will open the opera season with “The Marriage of Figaro,” an operatic classic written by Mozart in collaboration with librettist Lorenzo da Ponte. Written in 1786, the opera is based on an earlier play by Pierre Beaumarchais, “La folle journée, ou le Mariage de Figaro,” and follows Figaro and Susanna as they outwit
their aristocratic employers on their wedding day. This satirical show is an “opera buffa,” a genre of comedic opera which features two distinct comic groups of men and women and a central romantic couple.
Oct. 17-18: “L’Enfant et les Sortilèges”
The MAC’s second opera will be “L’Enfant et les Sortilèges,” or “The Child and the Spells,” a one-act fantasy about a young boy whose world comes to life to teach him a lesson after he misbehaves. This opera was written by Maurice Ravel, with a libretto by French author Sidonie-Gabrielle Colette, and premiered in 1925.
Oct. 24-25: Fall Ballet
Ballet students’ fall mainstage performance will feature four pieces. “Chopiniana,” by Alexandra Danilova, originally premiered at the New York City Ballet in 1972 and features a minimalist dance of woodland nymphs to the music of Chopin; “Allegro Brillante,” a joyful and technically challenging piece choreographed by George Balanchine in 1956, set to Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 3; “This Bitter Earth,” from Christopher Wheeldon’s “Five Movements, Three Repeats,” a pax de deux set to an eight-minute soundscape of Dinah Washington’s “This Bitter Earth” layered over “On the Nature of Daylight” by Max Richter; and finally Gianna Reisen’s “World Premiere,” an all-new collaboration between the New York City Ballet choreographer and Jacobs’ ballet department set to the music of Johan Stauss II.
Nov. 8-9, 14-15: “La Bohème”
“La Bohème” was written by Giacomo Puccini, premiering in Italy in 1896, and is another opera classic. The opera is based on the 1851 novel “Scenes de la vie de Bohème” by Henri Murger and tells the story of struggling bohemian artists and their friends in Paris. It later became the inspiration for the musical “Rent.” An hour before each of the four performances, guests will have the opportunity to learn more in an Opera Insights Lecture in the MAC’s North Lobby.
Dec. 5-7, 12-13: “The Nutcracker”
Jacobs faculty choreographer Sasha James’s beautiful reimagining of “The Nutcracker” premiered in 2023 on the MAC stage to critical acclaim. James’s “Nutcracker” follows a young Marie and her Aunt Drosselmeier through the fantastical world of Tchaichovsky’s classic ballet, and this year will air on PBS.
Tickets
Individual tickets for any of these shows, as well as the Singing Hoosiers concerts on Nov. 1 and March 28, can be purchased through the MAC box office beginning July 31. Opera, ballet and MAC concert tickets, with the exception of “The Nutcracker,” are priced between $17-$34 for the general public, or $12 for any child or full-time student with a valid ID regardless of seats. Tickets for “The Nutcracker” will range from $27$57 with no student discount. Jacobs also offers a subscription plan with choice seating, discounts and ticket exchanges, for those who wish to see four or more shows during the 2025-26 season. These build-your-own subscriptions are already available; more information can be found online at operaballet.indiana.edu. For those who can’t make it to shows in-person, the MAC also streams most shows live online at liveatjacobs.music.indiana.edu. The website also holds an archive of show recordings that you can watch at any time, completely free.
MIA HILKOWITZ | IDS
Jacobs School of Music ballet theater students perform Act One of “The Nutcracker” on Nov. 28, 2023 at the Musical Arts Center. “The Nutcracker” will run for two weekends in December.
Advice from parents of IDS staff
By IDS Staff editor@idsnews.com
This guide is put together by students, but it’s always good to hear advice from other parents who have already experienced and learned from what you are going through right now. Here is some advice from parents of IDS staff members.
Keith and Elke Stickelmaier, parents of sophomore Ursula Stickelmaier
Just know that your child is stronger and more capable than you think. They will be able to meet and overcome all the difficulties and challenges, both socially and academically, that they’ll encounter in this new world called “college.” They may need you now and then to have a sympathetic ear, a shoulder to rest their head on, and a few moments of solace thinking of home. But they are ready to move on, to take the next step down the road and find their own adventure. And they are looking forward to it. I know that is all parents can hope for. So relax and enjoy their journey.
Angie Winchester,
parent of junior Kaitlyn Winchester
I would encourage you to resist your students’ desire to come home until after fall break. They will seek the comfort and familiar-
ity of home these first few weeks, but they will not find community on campus if they aren’t there. During this time, I urge you to road trip to Bloomington for the weekend to give them that hug, feed them well and listen to their cares and concerns. Wishing you well on this adventure!
Joanna Davis, parent of juniorJack Davis
Encourage your student to explore new interests. While it's important to stay focused on academic and career goals, college is also a time for discovery, personal growth and broadening horizons. Taking a class out of curiosity can spark new passions and foster a lifelong love of learning. Academic advisors are there to help your student stay
5 ways parents can stay in touch with their students
Between time zone differences and class schedules, it can be difficult to stay connected; here are some tips for adjusting to the new distance.
By Ayzah Khan ayzkhan@iu.edu
In all the stress of moving your student to college, you could forget how important it is to stay in communication with them, especially at a time when they are trying to adjust to a new environment, settling into a routine and creating new friendships.
but also prevent you from worrying, especially during times when they may be busy. Whether it is Welcome Week or exam season, your students can be busy; therefore, making sure you are both on the same page will be extremely useful.
Establish a schedule
loop, whether it is to share pictures with each other or make plans, while also helping you stay connected.
Surprise them with a care package
on track while still allowing room for meaningful exploration.
Todd and Silvia Hawkins, parents of senior Theo Hawkins
Don’t be surprised if the confident teenager you sent falls apart a bit in the first couple of months. All the change will be hard for your child, and then it will be hard for you, wanting to alleviate the suffering. But assure them that, though it may seem that their classmates are doing fine, they probably feel overwhelmed too. Knowing that it’s normal to feel this way, and that millions of students have pushed through and succeeded, will help your student see that the initial shock will pass, and that good things are on the other side.
However, you must keep in mind that while your student may be facing new experiences, meeting new people and getting to know their new environment, they will also encounter numerous challenges, including feeling homesick.
Between time zone differences and class schedules, it can be difficult to stay connected.
Here are five ways you can stay connected with your student, no matter how far the distance between you and them may be.
Discuss the type of communication
It is important to keep in mind that everyone has their own boundaries and preferences when it comes to methods of communication. Discussing this with your students and setting up agreed-upon forms of communication will not just keep you in contact
How frequently you choose to check in with each other may be different for everyone, but scheduling a few calls or video chats through FaceTime or Zoom throughout the week can help you stay connected. However, your plans should be flexible, as some conflicts can be unavoidable.
Sticking to general times and days throughout the week that you pick out can help prevent these conflicts in the long run.
Send
a
quick text
Sending a quick text message during the day can be the best way to check in with each other when calling may be difficult due to busy schedules. Platforms like WhatsApp and iMessage are free and easily accessible, making them perfect for international students or anyone who needs to be in touch with them from outside the U.S. Alternatively, a family group chat is also a great way to keep everyone in the
Receiving something as small as a letter or a care package can mean a lot to a college student. From regular medications such as ibuprofen to their favorite snacks with a handwritten letter, sending something special a couple times a semester will help your college student feel at home, even if they may be miles away. Pre-made care packages are available from several websites including Campus Cube, Etsy and Amazon, with a wide array of options for you to choose from.
Set up a virtual family game or movie night
Texting or calling your students may be the most simple and effortless methods to stay connected, but this does not mean that they are the only means available. Instead, playing multiplayer games such as Monopoly online and organizing family movie nights through platforms such as Hulu Watch Party, Apple SharePlay, Teleparty (formerly Netflix Party) and Zoom, can act as fun ways to connect with each other.
IDS FILE PHOTO BY BRIANA PACE
A mom photographs her family on Oct. 20, 2023, on Woodlawn Avenue. This year’s family weekend will take place Sept. 19-21.
GISELLE MARSTELLER | IDS
Hoosier parents and fans cheer on IU swimming and diving during the annual Cream and Crimson Exhibition Oct. 11, 2024, at the Counsilman-Billingsley Aquatic Center in Bloomington. The event combines the men’s and women’s teams for an intrasquad exhibition.
The Arbutus yearbook will help your student remember their IU experience.
Order a yearbook today, and your student will thank you tomorrow
YearbookOrderCenter.com
Use order number 2432 for Indiana University Bloomington.
Best photo spots with your student in Bloomington
By Ayzah Khan ayzkhan@iu.edu | @ayzahfkhan
Bloomington is home to some of the most scenic backdrops and iconic IU landmarks, perfect for snapping memorable photos. So, whether you’re celebrating move-in, graduation or just visiting for the weekend, here are some of the best spots to take a quick picture.
On-campus photo favorites
Sample Gates
Considered to be the most iconic IU backdrop, it is a must have for movein, graduation and first-day photos. Towering limestone pillars frame a brick path that opens into the heart of campus with views of historic
buildings and lush greenery capturing the essence of IU.
IU Arboretum
Open, peaceful and full of nature’s colors — it’s the perfect spot for family photos, especially during sunset! Surrounded by lawns, tree-lined paths and a small pond, it helps capture the beauty of nature right in the middle of campus.
Showalter Fountain
A striking sculpture surrounded by IU’s Fine Arts Plaza and seasonal greenery, the fountain features a 15foot Venus, Roman goddess of love, beauty and fertility, and several sculpted fish rising from the water highlighting the artistic space surrounding it.
The Rose Well House
IU legend says a kiss here seals your fate — but it’s also an excellent spot for photos of your student and you! Tucked between tall trees and brick walkways, it acts as an almost hidden and personal spot.
Discovering Bloomington
Kirkwood Avenue
Stand at the end of Kirkwood to capture the bustling downtown scene leading up to Sample Gates. Consisting of murals, restaurants and the buzz of downtown — a picture here just eludes “college town energy.”
Trails at the Griffy Lake Nature Preserve
With scenic trails and lake backdrops, Griffy Lake
Parentsandcaregivers!
Don’t ask for your student’s passphrase—
Nature Preserve serves as a great photo spot for nature lovers. Perfect to spend a day hiking, kayaking or simply enjoying a picnic by the water. The surroundings also happen to make a gorgeous backdrop for candid photos!
Monroe County Courthouse
Located in the heart of downtown Bloomington, Monroe County Courthouse is a must-visit spot that’s as accessible as it is iconic. Surrounded by local shops and restaurants, it’s the perfect place to start exploring. The courthouse itself — built in 1908 — is known for its architecture. So, whether it’s framed by fall leaves or lit up with twinkling holiday lights, this historical landmark adds a touch of time-
less charm to any photo.
The Square
Located in downtown Bloomington, bordered by College Avenue and Walnut Street, The Square is surrounded by historic architecture, a mix of local shops, restaurants and seasonal greenery. With fairy lights
covering the square, it’s a great spot for evening photos.
Whether you’re here for a few hours or the whole weekend, take time to explore, enjoy and make a few memories along the way by snapping some photos — time always goes by faster than you think!
Catch-A-Ride with Windy City Transportation is the leading student-only bus service. We offer convenient trips during semester breaks, holidays, and long weekends. Enjoy stressfree travel to Chicagoland and Merrillville with tailored routes and punctual schedules. You're never far from home!
SYDNEY WEBER | IDS
The Rose Well House is pictured May 28, 2025. Along with the Sample Gates and Showalter Fountain, this is one of the most popular spots on campus to take photos.
Make the Eskenazi Museum your next stop
By Lily Saylor saylorl@iu.edu
The Sidney and Lois Eskenazi Museum of Art, located on 1133 E. Seventh St., is one of IU’s notable attractions. The museum is rich in creativity and features several floors of historical artwork. Even the building itself, designed by acclaimed architect I.M. Pei, is a work of art. So, here is everything you need to know for your next visit to the Eskenazi Museum of Art.
Prices and parking information
Admission to the museum is always free.
The Luzetta and Del Newkirk Café and Gift Shop is located on the second floor and sells a variety of food, drinks and souvenirs. Neither the café nor the gift shop accept cash.
Paid parking is available at the Indiana Memorial Union and both the Eagleson Avenue and Fee Lane parking garages, which offer free parking on the weekends. ADA accessible parking is available behind the museum. There are also bicycle racks on the museum’s east side.
Hours
The building is open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and weekends from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
The Luzetta and Del Newkirk Café and Gift Shop is open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. On weekends, the shop is open from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Galleries
The Eskenazi Museum of Art has several floors of unique and historic artwork. The first floor features the European and American Art, Medieval to 1900 gallery. This gallery highlights Western art and, notably, the Italian renaissance.
The second floor features the Ancient, Asian and Islamic Art gallery. This gallery contains ancient pieces from Ancient Greece, Persia and beyond.
The third floor highlights a multitude of regions with the Arts of Africa, Oceania and Indigenous Art of the Americas collection located
in the Raymond and Laura Wielgus Gallery. This collection highlights works spanning more than 3,000 years.
The museum also hosts exhibitions to display specific bodies of work. Exhibitions are typically open for a few months. “Remembrance and Renewal:
American Artists and the Holocaust, 1940-1970” will open Sept. 5 and close Dec. 14. This exhibit will be the first to examine the impact of the Holocaust on the development of midcentury American art.
Events
The Eskenazi Museum
hosts many events, from live music to wellness programs. This summer, the museum is hosting “Mindful Mondays” at the Roehm Family Art-making Studio on the second floor of the museum. From 2-3 p.m. participants can participate in journaling and stretching to prepare for the week ahead.
SYDNEY WEBER | IDS
The second floor of the Sidney and Lois Eskenazi Museum of Art is pictured May 28, 2025. The art museum has galleries of American, Asian, Oceanic, Indigenous American, Islamic, African and American art.
JONATHAN FREY | IDS
“Maggie” by John Mellencamp is pictured Nov. 7, 2024, at the Eskenazi Museum of Art in Bloomington. The painting was part of the “Crossroads: The Paintings of John Mellencamp” exhibit displayed Sept. 5 - Dec. 15 in the museum’s Jodi and Milt Stewart Gallery.
Preserving yesterday so we can bring on tomorrow.
America’s only historic house museum interpreted by a library
Visit the Wylie House Museum, the thoughtfully researched and restored 1835
One of the world’s great libraries
Explore the galleries of the , Indiana University’s prestigious rare books and special collections library, recognized around theworld for its one-of-a-kind literary artifacts, fascinating exhibitions, and generous invitation to allwho are curious.
adgeeoustatotoa oaecuous
The Wylie House Museum and Lilly Library are free to visit. For locations, hours, tour information,and more:
FITZSIMMONS | IDS
Then-junior wide receiver Elijah Sarratt celebrates a touchdown during a game against Michigan on Nov. 9, 2024, at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington.
Everything you need to know for game day
By Lily Saylor saylorl@iu.edu
For many Hoosiers, game days are an exciting and memorable aspect of their IU experience. From tailgating hours before the game begins to cheering on your favorite players inside Bill Armstrong Memorial Stadium or Assembly Hall, there is plenty to look forward to surrounding the football and basketball seasons. Here is the most important information about game days so you can be prepared before the season begins.
When do the seasons start?
The 2025-26 IU Men’s Basketball season begins November 9 with a game against Marquette in Chicago.
How do I purchase tickets?
IU Football season tickets are available for purchase online at the IU Athletics website. Public season passes start at $280.
IU Men’s Basketball tickets for individual games are available for purchase online at the IU Athletics website. Season ticket passes are currently unavailable, but a waitlist is available to apply for in case current ticket holders do not renew
The 2025 IU Football season begins Aug. 30 with a home game against the Old Dominion Monarchs from Old Dominion University in Norfolk, VA. The homecoming game is Oct. 18 against Michigan State.
their tickets.
IU students can purchase a football and men’s basketball season combo pass for $400. Students can purchase these passes online or in person during New Student Orientation. The pass is charged to their bursar account and tickets are added to the student’s mobile device.
For more information about tickets, contact the IU Athletics Ticket Office at iuticket@iu.edu.
Where can I park on game days?
There are many different locations available to park on campus for football game days.
The Henderson Garage and Poplars Garage offer free
game day parking, while and other garages and lots offer paid parking for $50. There are also several grass lots which open 5 hours before kickoff. These lots are The Grass Reserved, Park Avenue and Forrest Avenue, and parking for these areas must be purchased in advance.
ADA parking is available for purchase for $50 at Gate 12, east of the Memorial Stadium.
For basketball game days, several Gates offer available parking, as well as parking garages.
What can I expect at tailgating?
Tailgating is an exciting aspect of the football season and can be as big of a part of game day as the actual foot-
ball game is. Hours before the game begins, Hoosier fans set up at the tailgating fields to enjoy food and drinks, play outdoor games like cornhole and hang out before the big game.
The tailgating areas in-
clude the Memorial Stadium parking lot and the grass lots south of 17th Street and north of 14th Street. Tailgate space is very limited, so it is encouraged to purchase a parking pass prior to game day.
BRIANA PACE | IDS
Indiana football fans cheer in the student section during a game against Florida International University Aug. 31, 2024, at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington. Tickets can be purchased online at the IU Athletics website.
Health and safety resources on and around campus
By Theo Hawkins sohawkin@iu.edu | @bytheohawkins
Editor’s Note: This story includes mention of sexual violence.
Moving to college can be stressful for students, but it can be difficult for parents concerned for their student’s safety, as well. However, IU students have a lot of options when it comes to getting help, whether for health—mental and physical—or safety.
Safety and emergency resources
IU keeps students up to date on potential dangers and provides emergency guidance and updates through a mass communication system called IU Notify, which sends alerts through text message, phone and email. Students can update their contact information through Emergency Notification Settings in One.IU and choose how they prefer to receive messages. IU Notify is not available to the general public or parents on their own, but your student may add a parent or other person’s phone number and/or email address if desired.
Students can also use the free Rave Guardian safety app to receive IU Notify alerts, quickly contact 911 dispatch and campus police, send tips to police and access contact information for campus safety. Students can use the app to access wellness resources and set a timer to notify family and friends if they don’t make it home when expected. Users
can also request family and friends to become guardians who can track their location.
The IU Ride app connects students to safe rides within Bloomington city limits. It is a free service with unlimited use during operating hours, which during the summer are 9 p.m.-1 a.m. IU Ride will take users home and to work with proof of employment such as an ID card or uniform but will not take anyone to a party or bar; IU Ride will pick up from parties or bars, however, whether the user is sober or intoxicated, no questions asked. Rides are limited to two passengers going to the same place. IU Ride also partners with Lyft to provide reduced-price rides within the service area between midnight and 3 a.m., up to 10 rides per month, to students who claim the pass available through the IU
Ride website.
In case of an emergency, students should call 911. The IU Police Department can also be reached in a non-emergency capacity at (812) 855-4111. The Bloomington Police Department non-emergency number is (812) 339-4477.
Health resources
IU students have access to health resources through the Student Health Center. The center has a medical clinic, eye clinic and pharmacy. It also offers physical therapy, gender-affirming care, immunizations, allergy shots, sexual health services, nutritional counseling and substance use support. Most services are free or reduced-price to students who have paid the Student Health Fee; other fee, payment and insurance information can be found on the health center website.
Counseling and Psychological Services is located on the fourth floor of the Student Health Center. CAPS services are available to all students, at no charge to those who have paid the student health fee. Students seeking support can set a free 45-minute initial consultation appointment by calling (812) 855-5711 to determine a personalized care plan moving forward. Services include individual counseling, workshops, multicultural and LGTBQ+ support, support groups and the Sexual Assault Crisis Service. A 24/7 crisis counselor is available at (812) 855-5711 by selecting option 1. Students who have experienced sexual assault can call (812) 855-8900 at any time.
The IU Student Health Center is located at 600 N. Eagleson Ave. on the corner across from the Her-
ows Hospital: 3600 N. Prow Road.
• Bloomington Regional Rehabilitation Hospital: 3050 N. Lintel Drive.
• IU Health Southern Indiana Physicians: 1302 S. Rogers St.
• IU Health Urgent Care: 326 S. Woodscrest Drive.
Accessibility resources
man B Wells Library. Selfcare resources and a full list of available medical and CAPS services, along with payment and insurance information, can be found at healthcenter.iu.edu.
The free TimelyCare app also provides mental health services at no cost to students who create an account using IU credentials, including self-care resources and provider care.
Off-campus health resources
Students can also access emergency and non-emergency care at the following off-campus facilities:
• IU Health Bloomington Hospital: 2651 E. Discovery Parkway.
• Monroe Hospital: 4011 S. Monroe
Medical Park Blvd.
• Bloomington Mead-
IU’s Office of Accessible Educational Services can help students with disabilities, based on each student’s individual circumstances. The office offers resources including testing accommodations, computerized assistance, classroom accommodations, advising, priority registration and on-campus rides with an accessible van. Students who require accessibility support should acquire documentation from medical providers before contacting the office. They can then visit the AES website at studentlife. indiana.edu/care-advocacy/iub-aes and fill out the request for services form. Once accessibility measures have been discussed with an access coordinator and approved, students will receive an accessibility memorandum, which they should show and discuss with faculty and instructors. Students will also need to request to renew accessibility memoranda each semester.
The AES office is located in Eigenmann Hall 001, 1900 E. 10th St. and is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Students can also call the office at (812) 855-7578.
SAMANTHA SMITH | IDS
The IU Student Health Center is seen Oct. 9, 2022. There are physical and mental health resources offered year-round to students through Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) and the health center.
Navigating mail and packages at IU
Navigating IU residence halls’ mail systems can be confusing. Here’s how to send mail to students living in residence halls.
By Mia Hilkowitz mhilkowi@iu.edu | @miahilkowitz
Mailing address
The sender of a letter or package to a dorm must use the following format:
[Student’s name] [Residence hall name] [Building name, room number] [Residence hall street address] Bloomington, IN 47406
Example : John Doe
Teter Quadrangle
Boisen, Room 202
501 N. Sunrise Drive Bloomington, IN 47406
When your mail is delivered to your student’s dorm, they will need to pick it up at their residence hall’s center desk. Students will need to use their CrimsonCard to pick up any packages.
Sending mail
If students need to send a letter or package while living on campus, their best bet might be to visit the UPS store in the Indiana Memorial Union. At this store, one can purchase stamps, envelopes and more.
Most residence halls also have a place at the center desk where you can place outgoing mail. You can visit a FedEx, UPS or USPS drop box. The closest drop box to campus is located at the Student Academic Center building on 408 N. Union St. You can also search the USPS website to find other Post Office locations in Bloomington.
Residence halls’ addresses
»Ashton Center: 1800 E. 10th St.
»Briscoe Quadrangle: 1225 N. Fee Lane
»Campus View Apartments: 800 N. Union St.
»Collins LLC: 541 N. Woodlawn Ave.
»Eigenmann Hall: 1900 E. 10th St.
»Forest Quadrangle: 1725 E. Third St.
»Foster Quadrangle: 1000 N. Fee Lane
»McNutt Quadrangle: 1101 N. Fee Lane
»Read Hall: 125 S. Eagleson Ave.
»Spruce Hall: 1801 E. Jones Ave.
»Teter Quadrangle: 501 N. Sunrise Drive
»Tulip Tree: 2451 E. 10th St.
»Union Street Center: 445 N. Union St.
»University East Apartments: 1603 E. Third St.
»Walnut Grove Center: 1200 N. Walnut Grove St.
»Wells Quadrangle: 1021 E. Third St.
»Willkie Quadrangle: 150 N. Rose Ave.
»Wright Quadrangle: 501 N. Eagleson Ave.
Is your student interested in STEM at IU? Learn about a day in the life of an IU researcher
By Odessa Lyon oolyon@iu.edu
Alizée Malnoë ascends a spiral staircase to Myers Hall’s fourth floor “greenhouse,” one lacking windows. Just within stands metal shelving, housing
trays of seedlings haloed by grow lights.
She excitedly opens the door to a double-wide fridge. The artificial light spills into the room, revealing several species of flowering stalks, creeping vines and low-growing leaflets.
“Sometimes people think plant science is botany, but I don’t know much of that,” Malnoë said. “Research in the lab is a lot of making smoothies, like taking a blender, putting leaves and grinding them up to take out the protein inside the leaf
and study their composition, their function.”
The Malnoë Lab, Malnoë’s five-person research group, wants to understand how nature works, starting at the forest floor with plants: the ultimate source of energy for all organisms,
including humans. To do so, they study Arabidopsis thaliana, a small, flowering plant in the mustard family, for its small, fully sequenced genome and relatively fast growth rate — ideal for plant research.
“I think initially I wanted
to make life eternal,” Malnoë, associate professor of biology and principal investigator of the lab, said.
Now, after completing a bachelor’s in agronomical sciences, master’s in plant biology and doctorate in biology, she has settled for
ODESSA LYON | IDS
Alizée Malnoë shows seedlings, her subject of research, lit by a growth chamber April 7, 2025, at Myers Hall. After completing two advanced degrees in biology, she has settled for leading a research lab that strives to decode the process of photosynthesis.
leading a research lab that strives to decode the process of photosynthesis, on which Mother Nature runs.
“If we can understand that and tweak, you know, manipulate it to optimize it, then we can make more biomass, or we can better protect the plants in the face of climate change, like drought, flooding, big changes in temperature, cold or heat, and high light intensity,” Malnoë said.
This is what Malnoë, postdoctoral researcher Vera Sham and lab manager Pierrick Bru want to decipher.
A day in the life of a researcher
For the Malnoë Lab, a typical day looks a little something like the following: performing experiments, exchanging ideas with fellow researchers,
writing proposals for funding, meeting with their cohorts, responding to emails and planning ensuing days of research.
“When we figure something out as a team, when you’ve been working really hard and really long and do many experiments that failed and then finally you crack it, you know, you feel like you understood something about nature,” Malnoë said. “That’s an amazing feeling. It’s almost like a little investigation.”
Just like detectives stumped by a cold case, both Bru and Sham said failed experiments were the lows of the job.
Luckily, each found their silver linings.
“When I’m working on my experiments, you can even see me sometimes giggle when I make a mistake or when I find something I’m
almost about to do is stupid, then I realize, ‘Oh, Vera that’s stupid, do it the other way’,” Sham said.
She emphasizes the innate joy of simply working at her lab bench. Likewise, Bru notes the rush of energy that an unexpected result gives him to continue.
A crash course in the photosynthesis conundrum
Plants make up around 82% of Earth’s biomass, compared to animals’ meager 0.36%. They feed us, feed our cattle, clothe us, house us, run our cars and even recycle the carbon dioxide we breathe out into oxygen we can breathe in.
Plant cells, which contain chloroplasts that host the photosynthesis reaction, absorb sunlight for plants’ use and reflect green light into our eyes.
“So, the big question in the field is how does the plant do that?” Malnoë said. “How does it know to harvest when the light is low in intensity and to dissipate it when there is too much? How does it not get sunburnt? They cannot put sunscreen on, so what do they do?”
How did these researchers get where they are now?
Before they were writing manuscripts for original research at the top of the ladder, each of the lab members started at the bottom rung: undergraduate students.
“As an undergraduate student I wanted to save the world, and I thought making biofuel with algae was maybe a good idea,” Malnoë said, “then I quickly realized that we don’t know enough about basic science in order to optimize it.”
Bru’s epiphany came from seeing his sister study biotechnology, which inspired him to follow her path in the lab. When he started to do science, he knew it would be with plants.
Similarly, Sham developed a passion for agriculture from childhood while growing up in Africa. As a kid, she was fascinated by how her family’s crops adapted well when she planted seeds in different positions. Later, while she was an undergraduate student, she committed to plant sciences after noticing, worriedly, how much the world depends on agriculture versus how little developed the related infrastructure was.
Now, as a team, these three researchers have homed in on how plants use energy and protect themselves both by the process of photosynthesis. Under-
standing this mechanism provides the necessary tools for the bioengineering of staple crops to make more food, more efficiently.
Just as any career, research has its ups and downs; yet, like Bru, Malnoë cites her passion as a driving force.
“You know being a woman, having a family, having a child, it’s possible. Of course it’s a challenge,” she said. “For me, I was scared to have a child. This career is very demanding, so it never feels like the right time. But people are supportive and it’s possible to have balance, to have hobbies, not forget your families and friends, but it’s a passion too.”
Now, as far as these researchers have come, their dreams coalesce into one: working this magic on plants for the plants themselves and for the rest of us, too.
IU-affiliated Nobel Prize winners: what did they research?
By Andrew Miller ami3@iu.edu | @andrew_mmiller
IU’s status as a premier research institution over many decades has racked up several Nobel Prize winners, both faculty and alumni. Here are seven university-affiliated prize winners:
Philip H. Dybvig
Philip Dybvig is the latest IU alum to get a Nobel Prize — receiving the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences in 2022. He graduated from IU with a degree in mathematics and physics in 1976.
Some don’t consider the memorial prize, established by Sweden’s central bank, as a “true” Nobel Prize because it wasn’t in Alfred Nobel’s will. Regardless, Dybvig got the prize for his research on banks and financial crises.
Elinor Ostrom
Elinor Ostrom got her Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences in 2009 for research analyzing economic governance. Ostrom was the first woman to receive the prize and was a faculty member at IU for nearly 50 years.
She founded the Ostrom Workshop with her husband in 1973, an organization that still exists to this day. You can find her statue on a bench outside the south end of Woodburn Hall.
Renato Dulbecco
Renato Dulbecco is an Italian American virologist who came to Bloomington after World War II and studied bacteriophages — small viruses that infect bacteria. He later received the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1975 for research on viruses that can
cause cancer when infecting animals’ cells.
Salvador Edward Luria
Salvador Luria was an Italian American microbiologist who shared his lab with Dulbecco in Bloomington after fleeing World War II. He received the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1969 for discoveries relating to virus replication and their genetic structures.
Johannes Hans Daniel Jensen
Johannes Hans Daniel Jensen was a German Amer-
ican nuclear physicist who worked on the German nuclear energy project in World War II.
He was a visiting professor at IU for one year in the 1950s. He received the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1963 for research on the structure of atoms.
James Watson
James Watson is arguably the most famous IU-related Nobel laureate for his discovery of DNA’s structure. He was Luria’s first graduate student and completed his Ph.D. at IU in 1950.
He received the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1962. He continued research in the field. He later had a lengthy history of racist and sexist comments, not based in science.
Hermann Muller
Hermann Muller received the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1946 for his research in Xrays, discovering that X-ray irradiation can induce gene mutations.
Right before receiving the award, he joined IU as a professor in Zoology.
RYAN DORGAN | IDS
Elinor Ostrom, a professor of political science at Indiana University, became the first woman to be awarded the Nobel prize for economics on Monday, Oct. 12, 2009. Ostrom was praised “for her analysis of economic governance, especially the commons.” Ostrom’s prize is Indiana University’s eighth Nobel prize.
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