Orienter New Student Guide 2025

NEW STUDENT GUIDE

MLETTER FROM THE EDITOR

Hello, Hoosier! I’m proud to be one of the first to extend you a warm welcome to Bloomington. You’re reading a publication from the Indiana Daily Student, IU’s preeminent newspaper serving the campus and the city of Bloomington alike since 1867. You’ll see our publications wherever we can put them, from walls to windows to newspaper stands. We are entirely student-run, from the top down, and the words of wisdom in this guide come from folks who once stood exactly where you stand today. Everyone comes to Bloomington with their own unique perspective and emotions. Some of you will be confident, some of you will be indifferent and some of you, like I was, will be absolutely petrified.

I came to this town with no connections or any idea what I wanted to do while I was here. It took me months to make a new friend, join a club, speak up in class — everything they say you should do as a student. For a while, I thought all the adults who claim college is “the best four years of your life” were pulling one over on me.

But it gets better. It really does. It might happen right away for some of you — you lucky few who seem like you’ve been practicing all your lives to live on your own. For a lot of you, it will take time. You’ll sit around wondering why you even came to college in the first place. But slowly, the fear will fade. You won’t even notice it happening at first. The friend-

ly faces start to multiply, the classes get easier, your routes to class become a routine and the members of your club begin remembering your name. And then one day, you’ll look up and realize you’ve been building something all along.

I joined the IDS in my sophomore year. I came to the newsroom, picked up stories and went to events. I wasn’t trying to make friends or build a life — I was just doing what I felt like I was supposed to. One day, I noticed that I was suddenly surrounded by friends. I noticed that the work I was doing was meaningful, and it was good. From out of the blue, college turned into everything I was told it would be and more.

You will learn many things about going to college in this guide, but if there’s one thing I hope you take away from reading my little soapbox stand, it’s that you should stick with it. No matter how dark it gets, college has a way of making things better. People call this city the happiest place on earth, and while I can’t explain exactly why it is, I can’t say I disagree.

Bloomington is waiting for you, and we’re all so excited to welcome the next generation of Hoosiers to campus!

Jonathan Frey IDS Editor-in-Chief

Summer 2025

Campus through the seasons

IU is known for its lush scenery and is ranked among the most beautiful college campuses in the country. Here’s a sneak peek at the seasons to come.

IDS FILE PHOTO BY ETHAN LEVY

WINTER Freshmen Madeline Herman and Emma Gagnon chat at the Herman B Wells statue Feb. 15, 2021. Average high temperatures during the winter months are in the upper 30s and lows are in the 20s, but they go lower — and can feel much lower with a wind chill. It’s important to wear hats, gloves and layers of clothes for long walks through campus.

IDS FILE PHOTO

SUMMER IU’s Landscape Services maintains an ever-changing array of flowers and plants throughout campus. Summer in Bloomington can be hot and humid with average highs in the 80s. Average lows are in the 60s.

IDS FILE PHOTO BY SARAH ZYGMUNTOWSKI

SPRING A group of graduates pose in their caps May 2, 2019 outside Bryan Hall. The group met their freshman year in the Kelley Living Learning Center. During March, April and May, high temperatures can range from the 50s to the 70s.

IDS FILE PHOTO BY ALEX PAUL

FALL A student walks down Seventh Street in 2020. There are more than 12,000 trees on the IU campus that create a beautiful backdrop in the fall. Temperatures can vary substantially during the autumn months from highs in the 70s and lows in the 40s

Looking for a major that can lead to

How to

navigate activities

fairs and get involved on campus

Indiana University is home to more than 750 registered student organizations.

By Jack Davis jjd5@iu.edu

Indiana University is home to more than 750 clubs and student organizations. You can participate in intramural sports, student government and so much more. The variety is impressive, but it can also be overwhelming for students new to IU. However, you’re not alone in this journey and plenty of other students are going through the same thing. IU also has resources and events tailored to help students find ways to get involved on campus.

Student Involvement Fair

One of the largest events of the first week of school, usually on Thursday, is the Student involvement fair. It hosts nearly 400 different organizations on campus. If you miss the fall involvement fair, the winter involvement fair happens after winter break and hosts over 160 organizations.

BeINvolved

If big crowds aren’t your thing, that’s okay! The website BeINvolved is IU’s one-

stop shop for all student organizations and other fun events happening on campus. Even if you don’t use it to find events, you’ll probably have to use it to get in. You’ll undoubtedly use it during your time at IU and I highly recommend getting familiar with it.

Ask around

IU has so many resources on how to get involved, but I’ve found the most effective method for students is just talking. Most activities and events I’ve participated in or attended have happened through communicating with my peers and figuring out what they’re into. In my opinion, there’s no better way to discover what this campus offers than just talking and listening to your fellow students.

IU has much to offer regarding getting people involved on campus. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard people say, “You can make a big campus feel small!” But unlike some other clichés, I believe this one. The first step is always the hardest but I promise you can find your community here once you take it.

IU’s graduate programs in Speech, Language & Hearing Sciences are ranked #9 and #14 in the US — most of these same outstanding graduate faculty teach our undergraduates.

Our major is interdisciplinary with considerable coursework in psychology, development, anatomy & physiology, linguistics, and acoustics.

DID YOU KNOW? The US Department of Labor (2024) reports that…

• The median annual salary for speech-language pathologists is $95,410; job growth is projected at 18% from 2023-2033 (“much faster than average”).

• The median annual salary for audiologists is $92,120; job growth is projected at 11% from 2023-2033 (“much faster than average”).

• Clearly, an SLHS major offers the opportunity to 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 by helping their fellow human beings.

FILE PHOTO | IDS Autumn Stringer, IU junior and Union Board representative, points two students in the direction of the Union Board Booth Aug. 26, 2021, at the Involvement Fair in Dunn Meadow. Involvement fairs take place at the start of each semester.

Making a move-in checklist

By Aryana Amin-Tehrani aaminteh@iu.edu

For many students, dorm life will be their first time living on their own away from relatives. This can feel daunting, but with the proper checklist of things to bring, future IU students can feel more prepared for the move-in season. Plus, a checklist from your first year can be reused and adjusted as a foundational base for the next three years. It’s best to first research what your resident hall dorm room includes. All dorms include a desk, bed and closet. However, some residence halls have an extra item in their dorms. For example, Forest Quadrangle has a bookshelf in each dorm room, while a dorm room at the Collins Living Learning Center has a large dresser and a closet. After conducting your research, you can split your packing list into categories for your room as I do in the example on this page.

By creating a checklist for move-in, you’ll be able to develop an efficient and minimalistic list of things you’ll need and use. Overall, the move-in experience is a fun time with new memories and the first chapter of your college story. Enjoy the moment and have a great time!

The bed

» Twin XL sheets

» Mattress pad

» Extra blankets

» Pillows

» Pillowcases

»Comforter or duvet cover

The desk

» Notebooks

» Folders

» Pencils and pens

» Paper

» Index cards

» Scissors

» Desk lamp

» Desk organizer

» Computer and its charger

» Extension cords

» Headphones

» Case for your glasses

The closet

» Summer and spring clothing

» Fall and winter clothing

» Rain jacket

» Umbrella

» Snow boots

» Undergarments

» Socks

» Any sports clothes

» Hangers

» Hair dryer

» Hairbrush

Miscellaneous items

» Fan

» Nail clippers

» First aid kit

» Screwdriver

» Shower caddy

» Food storage containers

» Mini fridge

Cleaning Supplies

» Clorox wipes

» Trash bags

» Laundry basket

» Tide pods

» Dryer sheets

» Paper towels

» Dish soap and sponges

Decorations

» Command hooks

» Command strips

» Tapestry

» Posters

» Decorative rugs

Additional items

based on your furniture

» Books for a bookshelf

» Shoes or medicine for an extra dresser

KAUSHIK JV | IDS

A parent pushes a cart to help their student move in Aug. 20, 2024, at Forest Quadrangle. College is the first time many students live alone or away from relatives.

ILLUSTRATIONS BY NATALIE CARTMEL

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A brief history of Indiana University

By Stella Klaus ssklaus@iu.edu

In 1820, IU was founded as a state seminary. At the time, a seminary typically referred to a place of general learning, and not necessarily a religious institution. Classes began with an enrollment of 10 male students on April 4, 1825, with only ancient Greek and Latin being taught. In 1828 it was renamed from “state seminary” to “Indiana College,” and in 1838 it adopted its permanent title of “Indiana University.”

Baynard Rush Hall was the first professor to teach classes in 1825. In 1829, Andrew Wylie became the first IU president. During this time, he established a curriculum for the school and introduced a form of faculty government which was progressive, realistic and led to amicable student-faculty relations. Wylie Hall is named after him and currently houses the department of economics

In 1886, IU created the men’s football team. After a rocky start and many losses, the team began to improve in 1895 when they had their first winning season at 4-3. In 1899, Indiana and Iowa joined The Western Conference, now the Big Ten Conference, which was formed in 1896. The “Old Oaken Bucket,” a trophy for the victor between rivals IU and Purdue, made its first appearance during the IU-Purdue football game in 1925. The game ended in a 0-0 tie. The Seventeenth Street Stadium, now known as Indiana Memorial Stadium, was completed in 1960, giving the IU football team a new home stadium to play in.

The men’s basketball team was founded in 1896 and has since won five NCAA championships, tying for third in the NCAA in total championship wins. The banners hang in Assembly Hall on 17th street, the most re-

cent one being from their 1987 victory over Syracuse. The women’s basketball team was formed in 1972. They started hot with multiple successful seasons leading to invitations to the Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women’s 16-team National Championship tournament.

Other notable IU sports history moments include:

• The men’s wrestling team won the NCAA championship in 1932, giving IU their first NCAA title.

• The first Little 500 bike race in 1951.

• The men’s swimming team won 20 consecutive Big Ten championships starting in 1961, along with six NCAA championships.

• The women’s Tennis team won the AIAW championship in 1982, giving IU their first national women’s title.

Many notable figures have shaped IU into the campus it is today. The IU Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center is named after Marcellus Neal and Frances Marshall, the first Black male and female students to graduate from IU. Neal graduated in 1895 and Marshall later on in 1919.

In 1938, Herman B Wells became the 11th president of IU. Wells made a huge impact on IU, increasing its student body from 11,000 students in 1938 to more than 31,000 in 1962. He was also very involved in student life, frequently greeting students on his walks through campus. Wells transformed IU into an internationally recognized center of research, not only bolstering the student population but also encouraging many reputable figures to join faculty.

A statue of Wells was installed in 2000 to commemorate his accomplishments and impact on the university. It’s tradition at IU to shake the statue’s hand before the semester

or an exam, supposedly granting students academic success. It is located in the west part of campus near the Student Building.

Ernie Pyle, a former IU journalism student, won the Pulitzer Prize for Correspondence in 1944 for his work as a World War II correspondent. Pyle also earned an honorary degree of humane letters in 1944 which was the first honorary degree given by IU. He has a statue as well located outside of Franklin Hall.

Hoagy Carmichael, IU alumnus and composer was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1971 for his inventive and adventurous songwriting. Additionally, he was awarded an honorary doctorate in music from IU in 1972, and his song “Chimes of Indiana” was adopted by the alumni association in 1978 as an alma mater song. Charmichael has

a statue on campus near the IU Auditorium. IU’s campus is full of historical buildings and architecture. Named for donor Edson Sample, the Sample Gates were built in 1987 and serve as an entrance to the oldest part of campus known as the Old Crescent. The Old Crescent is the area between Third Street and Indiana Avenue that holds the oldest buildings on IU Bloomington’s campus. Some of the buildings in the area include Wylie Hall, Owen Hall, Rose Well House, Frances Morgan Swain Student Building, Franklin Hall, Kirkwood Hall, Lindley Hall and Swain Hall East.

IU has a robust history full of many notable figures, beautiful buildings and traditions unique to the university. Make sure to take it all in and learn as much as you can about the beautiful campus in your time here!

IU ARCHIVES

Students gather in the Old Crescent for a panoramic photo in 1913. The Old Crescent is located in Dunn’s Woods near the Kirkwood Observatory and is the oldest part of campus.

IU ARCHIVES

Former IU Bloomington chancellor Kenneth Gros Louis sits with Herman B Wells’ statue in 2001 in Bloomington. Wells was chancellor from 1962 to 2000 after serving as IU’s president from 1938 to 1962.

COLUMN: Four tips for staying safe on campus

Here are a few of the helpful resources available to you

By Aryana Amin-Tehrani aaminteh@iu.edu

Debrief on IU’s Police Department

IU is considered a safe campus, but it’s important to be aware of the safety resources available. Indiana University Police Department officers are available to help 24/7 by calling their dispatch number: 812-855-4111. They’ve broken down their safety tips into 8 categories for Indiana University students: alcohol and drugs, your surroundings, domestic and sexual violence, travel, traffic, bike theft, scams and fraud, and water safety.

In this article, I’ve put together the top 4 tips I’ve found to be the most helpful as both a rising senior at Indiana University and a Resident Assistant at Forest Quadrangle.

Tip One: Know Indiana Law

Knowing the law can help ensure a basic knowledge of your resources. Should you find yourself in a situation where you need to contact 911 dispatchers or IUPD, your understanding of the rules will prepare you for what’s to come in accordance with Indiana law. For example, each of the eight

categories of IUPD’s safety tips goes into more detail. The alcohol and drugs category talks about the lifeline law, and how if you call campus police about a friend who may have alcohol poisoning, even if you are intoxicated yourself, you are protected. Your friend isn’t – but a safe friend is better than a poisoned friend.

Tip Two: Download The Guardian App

The Guardian App, specifically Rave Guardian, is used to communicate all current emergencies and threats on campus to students and faculty campus-wide, with quick access to 911 dispatchers and campus police. I find the app to be very useful, and I make sure to have my notifications for their alerts on at all times. It has frequently helped me to stay in the loop about campus threats.

Tip Three: Know the location of blue lights on campus

Indiana University has 56 blue light emergency phones across campus. Blue lights are a call-to-response resource that students can press in case of emergencies. According to the IU police department,

when a caller presses the red button, a strobe light is activated to draw attention to the area. The phone then automatically dials 911 to dispatch IUPD where they arrive at the scene and canvas the area.

Knowing where the blue lights on campus are may help you in a life-threatening situation.

Tip Four: Attend a self-defense workshop

Self-defense workshops are typically hosted by Residence Halls or organizations with free attendance. They are usually an hour long and, in my opinion, tend to be very fun with low stakes. Two-to-three campus police officers lead the session and bring a variety of kicking pads and boxing gloves for residents to follow suit with their instructions on how to land a hit. The officers also go into depth on various topics, including how to assess whether you should run away or fight back.

THEO HAWKINS | IDS

A blue light emergency phone is pictured May 18, 2025, outside the Atwater Parking Garage on the corner of Woodlawn Avenue and Atwater Avenue in Bloomington. Each of the 56 emergency phones around campus is topped with a blue stobe light which activates when the phone is used.

COLUMN: Adjusting to out-of-state life at IU

How to make IU feel like home when you’re far from it

By Ursula Stickelmaier ustickel@iu.edu

Whether you’re simply moving from one state over or your home state is on the other side of the country, going to school out-ofstate can be a huge adjustment. As an outof-state student myself, traveling over 2,000 miles to IU from my home in Washington, I understand feeling homesick and the challenges that can come when you move somewhere entirely new. But it doesn’t have to be one obstacle after another. There are plenty of ways to make this big life adjustment a bit easier.

Explore the involvement fair

When I moved to Indiana for college, my biggest fear wasn’t about how hard the classes would be or if I was going to be able to get around easily; it was this intense worry that I wouldn’t be able to find my community here. When you’re an out-of-state student coming to a school where so many people live in-state, it’s easy to feel out of place. One of the best ways to start creating a community at school is by exploring the IU involvement fair at the start of each semester. There you will find dozens of student organizations that match any interests you might have.

From acapella groups to chess clubs, IU has a seemingly unlimited number of organizations for any student to get involved. Though getting to know a big group of people can be an intimidating challenge, I have found that joining these clubs is a great way to meet new people who you already have something in common with. It won’t always be a perfect fit, but it’s a great place to start.

Get to know the people on your floor

Outside of just your roommate, the floor you’re on in your dorm building is full of new people to meet and new friends to make. Meeting these people is typically easiest during move-in week. Leave your door open as you’re moving in so people passing can say hello and introduce themselves. Better yet, go out and explore the floor yourself. Just try to get to know the people that live around you, and you might be surprised with who you meet.

Of course, friendships on the floor can be made after move-in week. When you’re going to football games, see if people want to head to Memorial Stadium with you. If you’re about to go eat dinner, check with others to see if they want to head to the dining hall too. Putting yourself out there can feel like a risk, but trust me when I say that

the friendships you make on your floor can be some of the easiest and best connections you’ll make all year.

Embrace the alone time

When you go out-of-state, the chances of you coming to school with an already established group of friends or community is much lower than people going to college in-state. It’s easy to feel lonely sometimes. For me, this hit pretty hard at the beginning of the year. I went from spending every day with my best friends to only talking to them on the phone, something that became increasingly difficult with the time difference. But being alone isn’t a bad thing, and in college you learn that when you’re surrounded by people at all hours of the day, any time you have to yourself can be a blessing. It’s all about creating that time on your

own terms. Go get yourself a coffee or some lunch at the IMU. Find somewhere pretty and secluded to sit and study or read. Just give yourself a moment to be okay with being by yourself.

Print photos of your loved ones

It may seem like a given, but during my freshman year I found that having printed photos of all my friends and family from back home was a great way to deter some of the homesickness I felt. Everyone adjusts to life at college differently. Some people find their place quickly, while some take a bit longer. For those first few months my family and life back home seemed a million miles away. One of the first things I did when I moved into my dorm was decorate my space. This included hanging dozens of photos of me and the people I loved back home.

If I was ever homesick, but wasn’t able to call a friend or my parents, it was easy to look at those photos and remember all the fun adventures I’ve had and the people that have changed my life. And if I couldn’t physically be at home, I could bring the memories of home to me. Looking at those photos also reminded me that all the people I consider to be my closest friends back home were strangers to me at one point, so if I had built those connections once, who’s to say I couldn’t do it again. Creating lifelong friendships can be a lot easier than it might feel at the start as long as you put yourself out there and remember to breathe.

Moving out-of-state for school can be a big and anxiety-inducing life adjustment, but it is not an impossible adjustment to make. IU is about to be your new home, don’t fear that change and embrace it instead.

Applying for financial aid and scholarships

By Nicole Blevins neblevin@iu.edu | @nblevins01

Scholarships and financial aid can help ease the financial burden of attending college for many students. However, they can only be helpful if you take the initiative to apply, so here’s how to do it at IU.

Scholarships

IU offers a wide range of scholarships for all students, which can be found on IU’s Office of Scholarships website (https://scholarships.indiana.edu/) and the “IU scholarships” tab in One.iu. Many of the IU schools and departments offer their own scholarships, too. Be sure to look early for opportunities — many applications for the next academic year close before the start of the spring semester.

Not only are there IU-based scholarships, many nonprofit organizations, local businesses and even high schools offer scholarships that can be applied as credit to your bursar bill. The Office of Scholarships website provides several places where you can start.

Even after your freshman year, there are scholarships you can apply for each academic year. Try to arrange dates on your cal-

SUMMER 2025 | ORIENTER

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Financial Aid

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid is open to all students from both in- and out-of-state. To begin, visit https://studentaid.gov/ and create an account. Be sure to write down your password so you do not forget it the next time the application deadline rolls around.

The FAFSA application is based on financial need and will require your parents’ Social Security numbers (if you are a dependent); tax returns; record of child support received; current balances of cash, savings, and checking accounts and net worth of investments, businesses, and farms.

The application typically opens in October. For priority awarding, submit your application before April 15 each year (Tax Day).

Once your application is filed, any determined amount of aid you receive will automatically be processed by IU’s Student Central and can be found under the “Financials” menu in your One.iu Student Center. Remember that if your financial need changes or you are awarded more money from other scholarships, your financial aid award may change.

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IDS FILE PHOTO BY EMILY ECKELBARGER

Hutton Honors College is located at the corner of Seventh Street and South Woodlawn Avenue.

Shining the spotlight on IU entertainment

By Emerson Elledge eelledge@iu.edu

There’s something transformative about live performances that simply can’t be replicated through screens or speakers, no matter how much technology may advance. The entertainment landscape at IU presents a remarkable variety with options for all.

IU Auditorium

Walking into the IU Auditorium for the first time can feel like stepping into a different world. The grand lobby with its Indiana limestone pillars and elegant atmosphere creates an immediate sense of occasion, regardless of what’s being performed on stage. I remember being awestruck the first time being in the building for my New Student Orientation opening presentation because of the sheer size of the theatre and its architecture.

The auditorium hosts everything from touring Broadway shows to internationally recognized musicians in its massive 3,000+ seat space. This is where national tours of “Hadestown,” “Dear Evan Hansen” and countless other productions make their Bloomington stops. Even TikTok sensation Jake Shane came to the auditorium this past school year during his “Live with Jake Shane” tour.

What makes the auditorium special isn’t just the caliber of performances — it’s the accessibility; most shows offer student discounts on tickets. The auditorium hasn’t yet published its schedule for the 2025-2026 school year, but it’s bound to be good and can be found on the IU Auditorium’s website when published.

Musical Arts Center

The Musical Arts Center stands as perhaps the most impressive yet under appreciated venue for freshmen to discover. While some young adults may arrive at college with little interest in opera or ballet, the MAC showcases IU’s world-renowned Jacobs School of Music in productions so impressive that it’s near impossible to not become a ballet or opera fanatic. Over the school year, the MAC offers multiple operas and ballets, usually for a student price of $12. The acoustics in the venue are phenomenal and it’s hard not to feel more cultured as you leave a show. Notable upcoming performances this year range from musical classics like “Oklahoma!” and classic operas like “La Bohéme.” The full schedule can be found on the MAC website.

IU Cinema

For many freshmen, movie experiences have been limited to mainstream theaters showing the latest blockbuster releases. The IU Cinema is much different than a typical theatre in a mall. Yes, it will show a lot of the same films you can see at AMC, but it also offers more arthouse and niche options.

The cinema screens over 300 events annually, and some of the smaller productions even offer filmmaker Q&A sessions after. Additionally, about half of all screenings are completely free to attend. The other half remain affordable, especially with student pricing.

The only downside is the limited seating — popular events fill up fast, sometimes within minutes of ticket releases, but you can beat the crowd by buying tickets online. And yes, those only interested in mainstream blockbusters might find some of the arthouse selections challenging. But that’s precisely the point.

Department of Theatre, Drama and Contemporary Dance

For evenings when something more intimate than the grand spaces of the auditorium or MAC feels appropriate, the department’s productions offer a perfect

alternative. These performances range from classic Shakespeare to cutting-edge contemporary dance, all showcasing the remarkable talent of students in one of the three theaters in the department building next to the auditorium.

What makes these productions special is the proximity — audiences can see every facial expression and catch every nuanced movement. IU’s performing arts programs maintain impressively high standards. The only real limitation is the academic calendar — productions thin out during finals and breaks, so planning accordingly becomes essential.

COURTESY PHOTO

Jaylon C. Crump is pictured performing a song with the cast of “Hadestown.” The Tony Award-winning musical was performed Feb. 4-5, 2025, at IU Auditorium in Bloomington.

HALIE JASINOVER | IDS

A poster for Silents Synced’s presentation of “Nosferatu” (1922) with the music of Radiohead is pictured on March 4, 2025, outside the IU Cinema in Bloomington. Silents Synced paired the German expressionist film with “KID A” and “Amnesiac” by Radiohead.

ZACH ROSING | IDS

From left to right: Pilar, (Lucy Ferguson), Margot (Molly Higgins), Elle Woods (Mia Stewart) and Serena (Laura Rong) perform “Ohmigod You Guys,” the opening number of “Legally Blonde” the musical. IU’s Department of Theatre, Drama and Contemporary Dance’s production of “Legally Blonde” the musical closed April 26, 2025.

EMERSON ELLEDGE | IDS

IU seniors Grace Jaramillo and Carson Van Popering dance together during the final dress rehearsal for “The Nutcracker” on Dec. 4, 2024, at the IU Musical Arts Center in Bloomington. The rehearsal was open to friends and family of performers.

EMERSON ELLEDGE | IDS Macey Rowland (left) leans into Natalie Vong (right) during the dress rehearsal for “Alcina” on Feb. 4, 2025, in the Musical Arts Center in Bloomington. The opera was created by George Frideric Handel in 1735.

How to make the most of IU entertainment

By Emerson Elledge eelledge@iu.edu

1. Follow venue social accounts religiously — Each performance space announces ticket sales and special events through social media, often with flash deals for students.

2. Become familiar with box office policies — Rush tickets at the IU Auditorium can transform an unaffordable $75 show into a $25 spontaneous night out. Showing up an hour before showtime with a student ID could get you a cheap ticket.

3. Diversify cultural consumption — Experiencing all four venues in the first semester creates a wellrounded entertainment diet. Even

if you haven’t been to a musical or an opera before, I challenge you to attend a show at each of the four venues in your first semester, just to say that you did.

4. Consider participation, not just attendance — Many venues offer opportunities for students to volunteer, work behind the scenes, or even perform, regardless of major. Some venues like the IU Auditorium allow student volunteer ushers to even see shows for free.

It may not feel like it now, but one day you will look back on the experience you had at IU and be grateful for all of the different opportunities you were given. Life won’t always offer such incredible entertainment at such a low cost, so take advantage of it.

Transit across campus and Bloomington

By Safin Khatri safkhat@iu.edu

Getting around campus and Bloomington may seem daunting, especially as a freshman. But once you know how they work, the IU Campus Bus Service and Bloomington Transit provide accessible travel across campus and the city.

The IU Campus Bus Service features six routes throughout campus. The most used routes by freshmen are the E and F routes. The E goes around campus stopping at dorms in the central and southeast neighborhoods, Sample Gates, the IMU, Wells Library and the Regional Academic Health Center. The F passes through the northwest neighborhood and stops at the Kelley School of Business, Wells Library, the Jacobs School of Music, the Media School and more. On the weekend, the CM route serves the entire campus and College Mall.

Bloomington Transit is free for anyone with a CrimsonCard. Enter the bus from the front doors and scan the CrimsonCard on the bus card reader.

Bloomington Transit also has bus routes spanning the city. The most common routes for freshmen are the 9 and the 3. The 9 stops at College Mall, a great option for students who live in the central neighborhood. The 3 East also stops at College Mall and serves the southeast neighborhood on campus.

The IU Mobile app features a bus tracking system for both the IU Campus Bus Service and Bloomington Transit. Bloomington Transit also uses ETA Spot which includes route planning in addition to tracking.

For both bus systems, always follow the driver’s instructions and move to the back of the bus if there is room. Enter through the front doors and exit through the rear doors, and be sure to thank the driver.

Nine popular Bloomington restaurants to try

Taste of India

By Lily Saylor saylorl@iu.edu

One of the many things I love about IU is the amount of great food close to campus. From international cuisine to fast food, Bloomington boasts a wide variety of restaurants that are popular among IU students. Here’s my list of ten restaurants close to campus that I recommend every incoming student try.

Mother Bear’s Pizza

Mother Bear’s Pizza has two locations: one on campus located on 1428 E. Third St. and the other located on 2980 W. Whitehall Crossing Blvd. Every time I go, the cozy pizza restaurant is bustling with students and families alike, and for good reason. Mother Bear’s is one of my favorite Bloomington restaurants — the pizza is always hot and fresh, and the breadsticks hit the spot every time.

The Village Deli

The Village Deli is located on 409 E. Kirkwood Ave. and is my personal go-to breakfast spot. The casual restaurant serves an extensive breakfast menu which features classic comfort breakfasts like omelets and pancakes. The deli also serves lunch items such as club sandwiches, soups and salads. A typical breakfast costs around $12 and the portions are very generous.

I highly recommend ordering “Paxton’s Part Two,” a fried potato dish topped with cheddar cheese, salsa, sour cream and chives.

Located on 316 E. Fourth St., Taste of India is a family-owned restaurant that serves North and South Indian cuisine. I recommend visiting between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. for their lunch buffet that features a diverse variety of hearty dishes, naan and sides. The chicken is always melt-in-your-mouth delicious, and the naan is buttery soft.

The Crêpe Outdoors

This family-owned food truck can be found at Food Truck Friday, a weekly event hosted at Switchyard Park in Bloomington. They sell both sweet and savory crêpes, which are a French dish similar to a pancake and stuffed with anything from fruits and chocolate to meats and cheese.

The Crêpe Outdoors has a wide variety of specialty crêpes, including the “Eggy Brecky” loaded with eggs, ham, cheddar cheese, feta, spinach and sour cream.

Yatagarasu

Yatagarasu is located on 430 E. Kirkwood Ave. Unit 6. This Japanese noodle shop combines Izakaya with ramen, two popular Japanese food trends. A bowl of ramen costs between $13-$15 and is topped with items like fishcakes, scallions and corn.

Yatagarasu also serves grill and small plate items as well as cocktails.

Feta Kitchen and Cafe

Feta Kitchen and Cafe on 600 E. Hillside Drive is a build-your-own style Mediterranean restaurant. Similar to Everbowl, you have the option to order a signature bowl or create

your own. To build your own, you select a base like quinoa, a protein like falafel or gyro meat and a variety of toppings like tzatziki, whipped feta and fresh vegetables.

The restaurant also features a cafe with fresh smoothies, acai bowls, coffee and tea.

Maye’s Grill

Maye’s Grill is a Mexican restaurant on 211 N. Walnut St. features tacos, burritos, nachos and more. The regular burrito costs $12.47 and comes with your choice of protein, beans, rice and unlimited toppings including pico de gallo, pickled jalapenos and hot sauce.

Lennie’s

Lennie’s is a casual restaurant on 514 E. Kirkwood Ave. that serves salads, strombolis, sandwiches and more. Lennie’s has fresh and unique salads, such as the “Caribbean Ahi Tuna” that comes with mango and fried plantains, and the “Wild Beet Spinach” that comes with goat cheese and pecans.

Lennie’s also serves a variety of beer and wine.

Da Vinci Pizza and Pasta

I cannot recommend Da Vinci Pizza and Pasta enough. Located on 250 S. Washington St., Da Vinci is a classy Italian restaurant with flavorful, comforting and unique dishes. I find a way to bring up Da Vinci’s “Tortellini and Salmon” pasta daily, a decadent threecheese tortellini dish in a rich truffle cream sauce topped with pistachio and hot honey coated grilled salmon.

Whether you opt for a casual slice of pizza from Mother Bear’s, or a fancy sit down dinner at Da Vinci, I guarantee that Bloomington will have your newfavorite restaurant.

FILE PHOTO | IDS

A group converses Sept. 29, 2023, outside of Mother Bear’s Pizza on Third Street. Mother Bear’s is famous for its high-quality pizza.

LEILA FARADAY | IDS

People sit enjoying dinner at Lennie’s Brewpub on April 9, 2023. Lennie’s is one of the many restaurants lining Kirkwood Avenue.

FILE PHOTO | IDS

Taste of India is located at 316 E. Fourth St. in Bloomington. Fourth Street is home to several international restaurants that serve a variety of authentic food.

Everything to know about on-campus dining

By Lily Saylor saylorl@iu.edu

Navigating on-campus dining as an incoming freshman can be overwhelming. Between the various dining halls, campus cafes and different meal plans to purchase, it can seem like an information overload. Here is a simple, easy to understand guide of oncampus dining to answer all your questions.

Meal plans

There are three options for seven-day meal plans, which are required for first-time Residential Programs and Services residents in residence halls or furnished apartments. The classic meal plan costs $4,233 a year and has unlimited meal scans, three combo meals a week and 50 dining dollars per semester. The expanded meal plan costs $4,790 a year and has unlimited meal scans, four combo meals a week and 250 dining dollars per semester. The max meal plan costs $5,347 a year and has unlimited meal scans, five combo meals a week and 450 dining dollars per semester.

With the purchase of a seven-day meal plan comes three components: meal scans, combo meals and dining dollars. Meal scans give you access to All-You-Care-To-Eat dining halls. Combo meals and dining dollars can be used at Pay-As-You-Go locations around campus.

CrimsonCash

CrimsonCash is money deposited to your Crimson Card account and can be used to purchase food on campus. Select locations off-campus in Bloomington also accept CrimsonCash, including restaurants like Qdoba Mexican Grill and Subway. CrimsonCash is also applicable for things other than food, such as select bookstores and parking meters.

Dining halls

Forest Quad Dining Hall, Bookmarket Eatery, Collins Eatery, Goodbody Hall Eatery and McNutt Quad Dining Hall are AllYou-Care-To-Eat dining halls. The dining hall at Wright Quad is also scheduled to reopen this fall following renovations. Using a meal scan allows you unlimited access to the food at these locations.

Food options tend to include burgers, pizza, salad, Asian and Mexican cuisines, desserts and more. Allergen friendly and vegan options are generally available as well. The menus at these locations change

daily, providing plenty of dining variety for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Campus cafes

Campus cafes offer a wide range of prepackaged sandwiches, snacks and drinks. You can find them in Ballantine Hall, Eigenmann Hall, Eskenazi Museum of Art, Godfrey Graduate and Executive Education Center, Hodge Hall, O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs and Wright School of Education.

Food at the Campus cafes can be purchased with CrimsonCash, dining dollars, meal exchanges or credit cards.

The Campus cafes are also great places to study. They are typically not as busy as study spots like the IMU and can be valuable study commodities during exam weeks.

Indiana Memorial Union

The Indiana Memorial Union features plenty of dining options. The food court features several restaurants that serve PanAsian cuisine, salad, pizza and more. The IMU also features The Globe, which highlights local Bloomington restaurants like Taste of India and Lotus Garden. With a combo meal, you can purchase an entree, side and drink from these locations.

The IMU also houses a Starbucks next to the Tudor Room. Starbucks items can be purchased with dining dollars.

New dining options

There are several new dining options opening for the 2025-2026 academic year.

A Starbucks and Poke by Sushi King will open in Read Hall. Along with Wright reopening, the Bookmarket Eatery at Herman B Wells Library will transition toward a food court format similar to the IMU, with a new Kings Hawaiian chicken shop and smoothie station.

Since there are so many dining options available on campus, I recommend trying everything that you can to discover what you like and don’t like. Dining doesn’t have to be complicated; it can even be exciting!

ILLUSTRATION BY BRI SUCH

The app-solutely essential digital guide to IU

By Ursula Stickelmaier ustickel@iu.edu

It can be tricky to adapt to even the easy parts of college, like transportation, food and your class schedule. Luckily for you, there are so many apps and websites that can make the adjustment to college life a little bit easier.

IU Mobile and One.iu

The IU Mobile app grants you quick access to your canvas grades, dining dollar balance, school events and so much more. It’s essentially an all-in-one app for the needs of every student. During my freshman year, the things that came in clutch the most were the easy access I had to my schedule and the laundry shortcut which allows you to check for available washers and dryers in your building’s laundry room. Free to download for both iOS and Android phones, IU Mobile is a must-have app for all students.

IU Mobile is essentially just the app version of One.iu, an important website many students use throughout their collegiate career. From there you will be able to access iGPS, which is how you will choose your classes. You can schedule an appointment with your advisor via the Student Appointment Scheduler. You can access Canvas or your IU email. It’s even possible to buy, sell or trade items through the IU classifieds website which is easily accessible through One.iu. I have the one.iu website bookmarked on my computer so I can quickly get to it whenever I need to, something I highly suggest you do as well.

Navigation apps

Getting around Bloomington as a freshman can be difficult, but there are tons of online resources for students to access to make it just a bit easier. For Bloomington Transit and the IU Campus Bus system, apps like ETA Spot and IU Mobile are my go-tos. ETA Spot covers the Bloomington Transit map, giving you a good picture of what buses cover what routes around Bloomington. IU Mobile also has a shortcut that is great for students looking for the bus schedules of the IU Campus Bus system.

IU Ride is an app where students can order free, safe rides within Bloomington city limits from 8 p.m. to 1:45 a.m. should they need one. Of course, as is the case with any rideshare service, it’s important that students using IU Ride remain alert when it comes to getting into a new vehicle. An IU Ride vehicle will always have the words

“IU Ride” on the window with the IU trident symbol on the door. Up-to-date information on IU Ride and their vehicles can also be found on the IU Ride Instagram account. But the most useful navigation app I have used during my time at IU has been Google Maps. Now, I have no allegiance to Google specifically — I’m sure any maps app will work — but Google Maps helped me get around my freshman year more than you can imagine. When you get to campus, try and familiarize yourself with your maps app of choice as much as possible. Whether you’re walking somewhere, which you will do a lot, or you are taking the bus, the updated routes for you to take to get around the IU campus and Bloomington as a whole will come in handy.

GrubHub

If you have a meal plan, GrubHub is a great app to use with your meal exchanges. After downloading the app, IU students can select Indiana University under campus dining to connect their student account for future uses. This means that you can use your meal exchanges on the app to order from on-campus locations that accept meal exchanges. Ordering ahead helps cut down on your wait time in some places and, if you’re indecisive like me, gives you the opportunity to look at the menu a bit longer without holding up a line.

GroupMe

Almost any student organization on campus will use GroupMe as their way of communicating throughout the club. In the first semester of my freshman year alone, I joined seven GroupMe chats — which was definitely too much, as the notifications were nonstop. But having the app ahead of time is great for when you find that club – or clubs – that you immediately love and you want to make sure you stay involved in.

Tips for a healthy roommate relationship

Sharing a space with someone else can be challenging

By Lily Saylor saylorl@iu.edu

Whether you have been best friends with your soon-to-be roommate for years or you’re meeting them on move-in day, rooming with someone can be an exciting new experience. You may grow even closer with your friend by living together or you could form a lifelong friendship with someone new.

However, sharing a dorm with someone else can also be difficult. You and your roommate may have different interests, schedules and behaviors that can make rooming together challenging. As someone who just recently moved out of my freshman year dorm, here are five pieces of advice to help maintain a positive and healthy relationship with your roommate.

Communication is key

Everyone has different preferences on how they like to keep their space. Maybe you want to play loud music while you get ready, but your roommate has an opposite taste in music. Maybe your roommate can’t sleep without the lights on, but you prefer pitch darkness. Maybe your roommate is excited to

have their partner sleep over, but you aren’t comfortable with having other people in your shared dorm.

Whatever the case may be, it’s important to communicate your living preferences and bring up any issues when they come up. More than likely, your roommate will be understanding and you can come up with a compromise — you can agree on keeping one nightlight on or plan out weekends that you will be visiting home that their partner can come over. Instead of letting little issues fester unresolved, communicate with your roommate and solve them together.

Give each other space

Once you have decorated your dorm room and made it your own, it can be tempting to want to spend a lot of time in it, especially once the weather gets cold and all you want to do is curl up in bed. However, I recommend spending a lot of time outside of the dorm room, not only to make friends and explore campus, but to give your roommate space.

Even if you have a great relationship with your roommate, it’s important to spend time apart and allow each other some privacy and alone time in the dorm. Most likely, you

will both be transitioning from having your own room to sharing with another person, which is a drastic change. Making an effort to give each other privacy can be a good way to maintain a healthy relationship and not get irritated with one another.

Coordinate what each person is bringing beforehand

I highly recommend coordinating what you and your roommate will bring to the dorm before move-in day. It may feel uncomfortable or awkward discussing logistics about who can purchase what if you’ve never met your roommate before, but it will be helpful to have everything planned out to make movein day as seamless as possible.

For example, I brought the mini fridge and my roommate brought the microwave. We also discussed the color schemes we wanted for the room and made sure we were on the same page with decorations. Agreeing on the aesthetics and appearances of the dorm can be just as important as agreeing on appliances.

Hang out outside of the dorm room

Another piece of advice is to hang out with

your roommate outside of the dorm room. It might feel unnecessary to make other plans with them, since you are sharing a room and see each other frequently, but going to events together on campus or exploring Bloomington will help strengthen your friendship and give you more to talk about and experience together.

Make new friends

While it’s important to maintain a healthy relationship with your roommate, I think it’s equally important to branch out and make new friends. College is all about getting out of your comfort zone, learning what you like and growing new relationships with people you meet. I’m not saying you have to be an extroverted party animal, but I do encourage you to reach out to a few new people and create new connections outside of your roommate. If you aren’t a huge fan of your roommate, just remember that two semesters will be over in a blink of an eye. If you become best friends with your roommate, cherish those fun days spent together and make all the memories you can. Dorm life is a unique experience, so make every day count and embrace both the ups and downs.

ILLUSTRATION BY EVELYN STRAUSS

How to navigate mail at IU residence halls – it’s easy!

By Aryana Amin-Tehrani aaminteh@iu.edu

Indiana University is home to over 20 residence halls and on-campus apartment buildings, where each building is responsible for keeping track of and organizing mail for its residents. Center Desk Associates at the center desk are part-time staff, typically a mix of undergraduate and graduate students, who help with questions about the building and organize mail and packages behind the desk of your residence hall. All resident halls’ center desks are open every day, with various hours adjusted over the fall, spring and summer semesters. Over breaks such as Thanksgiving holiday break is when the desk closes.

system, which pulls up your profile and the ID of your package, allowing the desk associate to hand you your package easily.

It’s really that simple. Place an order under your name, wait for an email or track your order, and come pick up your package by showing your Crimson Card.

Mailing address

To recieve mail at your dorm, the sender of a letter or package must use the following format:

[Student’s name]

[Residence hall name]

[building name, room number]

[Residence hall street address] Bloomington, IN 47406

Example:

Once your package is received and logged under the center desk, you will receive an email through your Indiana University IU Out-

When a CDA receives your package at the desk, they scan the tracking ID of the package and place it into the system under the name of the resident who lives in the residence hall. It’s important to note that if someone sends you a care package or a gift, your name should be on the label — not the name of the person sending you the item. This is because when packages are logged in, all information, including the resident’s name and room number, must match the resident’s information in the computer system. If it doesn’t, the package may be returned to the center and delay the process of you receiving it.

look account that a package of yours is waiting to be picked up! You can also track your package through the website on which you ordered your items to see when it has arrived. When going to the center desk, make sure to bring your Crimson Card — this allows for a CDA to scan your card into the center desk computer

John Doe

Teter Quadrangle Boisen, Room 202 501 N. Sunrise Drive Bloomington, IN 47406

When your mail is delivered to your dorm, you will need to pick up at your residence hall’s center desk. You will need to have your CrimsonCard to pick up any packages.

ILLUSTRATION BY BRI SUCH

Bloomington festivals to keep an eye out for

By Lily Saylor saylorl@iu.edu

Bloomington is a vibrant city that hosts numerous festivals and events. Here are five upcoming festivals featuring exciting live music, local food vendors and more.

Granfalloon

Hosted by the IU Arts and Humanities Council, Granfalloon is a music and literary arts festival inspired by Hoosier author Kurt Vonnegut. Events usually run from mid-spring to early summer. It’s held across multiple venues on campus, around Bloomington and around Indianapolis.

This year’s slate includes American singer and civil rights activist Mavis Staples, scheduled to perform in June outdoors at The Granfalloon Main Stage Concert on East Kirkwood

Avenue. Soul trio Thee Sacred Souls and indie rock band Murder by Death are lined up for a June concert as well.

Along with live music, the festival featured several film screenings, exhibitions and artist talks. Film screenings included “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs,” in May at Bryan Park.

Taste of Bloomington

From 3-10 p.m. on Aug. 2, Kirkwood Avenue will be bustling with local food vendors for Taste of Bloomington. The event will feature samplings of local restaurants, breweries, food trucks, wineries and distilleries. Entrance to the event is free, while servings of the food and drinks will cost up to $5.

There will also be live music. Country artist Clayton Anderson and rock band Dizgo will headline the event, with more performances to be announced closer to

the festival date.

Bloomington Pridefest

The tenth annual Pridefest festival will be held Aug. 23 on Kirkwood Avenue. This free event celebrates the LGBTQ+ community through live music, interactive activities, food trucks, vendors and more. In previous years, Pridefest has featured DJ’s and drag shows.

Lotus Fest

The 32nd annual Lotus World Music and Arts Festival will take place Sept. 2528 at numerous indoor and outdoor venues in Bloomington. The festival will highlight a wide range of artists from around the globe.

Information about tickets will be announced on their website.

Monroe County Fall Festival

The Monroe County Fall Festival will be held Sept. 11 through Sept. 13 at the Marci Jane Lewis Park in Ellettsville about a 15-minute drive from Bloomington. The festival will feature two stages of free live music, over a dozen food vendors, a flea market and craft booths. The festival typically attracts around 50,000 people.

Music performances will include the Indiana Dance Company on Sept. 11, country artist Hank Ruff at 5 p.m. Sept. 12 and a Fleetwood Mac Tribute Band at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 13. Sept. 13 will also feature a parade, which will begin at 10 a.m. and travel from Edgewood Drive to Paul Street.

As you begin to make IU your new home, make sure to venture off campus to check out these Bloomington festivals for live music and plenty of fun.

Staying in the loop with IU and Bloomington news

By Ayzah Khan ayzkhan@iu.edu

Whether you’re a student navigating your first semester at IU or gearing up for graduation, staying connected to what’s happening on campus and around Bloomington is essential. From campus updates and entertainment to breaking news, IU is home to a vast

media network run by students and professionals.

Here’s a breakdown of the key sources that help keep everyone on campus informed:

Indiana Daily Student (IDS)

IU’s award-winning student-run newspaper since 1867 is a go-to source for campus news, features, sports and opinion. Stories are

posted online daily, with print editions being distributed around campus and Bloomington throughout the semester. It also offers newsletters through your email with regular updates on social media for the broader IU community.

Where to find it: idsnews.com

@idsnews on all platforms

IU Student Television (IUSTV)

IUSTV is IU’s student-run television station, producing shows on campus news, entertainment, sports and student life. Programs like “Behind the Curtain” and “The Bloomington Breakfast Club” are some of the most popular shows that provide campus updates.

IDS FILLE PHOTO BY ETHAN MOORE

Saraswathi Ranganathan leads the audience of the Lotus World Music and Arts Festival through a meditation exercise Sept. 25, 2021, on the stage of the Buskirk-Chumley Theater. The Lotus Festival is held annually in Bloomington in the fall.

Where to find it: iustv.com

IUSTV News on YouTube @iustv on Instagram

WIUX (99.1 FM)

WIUX is IU’s student-run radio station, broadcasting local music, live DJ sets, IU sports coverage and podcasts. Its online publication consists of a newsletter, which features music reviews and updates on the local music scene.

Where to find it:

99.1 FM in Bloomington wiux.org

@wiux on Instagram and X (formerly Twitter)

IU Bloomington Today

Covering campus announcements, upcoming events, academic deadlines, student experiences and tips, IU Bloomington Today is a curated newsletter that is sent straight to your IU email inbox. It’s short, helpful and keeps you in the loop on a weekly basis throughout the semester.

Where to find it: Your IU email inbox news.iu.edu

WFIU Public Radio

IU’s NPR affiliate, WFIU, provides indepth reporting on local Indiana news and music. It’s a valuable resource for deeper coverage of local, statewide and national perspectives.

Where to find it: 103.7 FM indianapublicmedia.org @wfiu on all platforms

SUMMER

Arbutus Yearbook

Documenting student life, major campus events and memorable moments throughout the academic year, the Arbutus Yearbook is one of IU’s longest-running traditions. Filled with photography and stories, it serves as a historical record that reflects the Hoosier experience at IU with annual publishing.

Where to find it: @iuarbutusyearbook on Instagram idsyearbook.com

SEASON Magazine

SEASON is IU’s student-run fashion magazine, blending visual storytelling with journalism. Published once a semester, the magazine showcases creative photo shoots with features on style, identity and culture through a student lens.

Where to find it: @sznmagazine on Instagram seasonmagazine.com

WFHB

WFHB is Bloomington’s independent, volunteer-powered community radio station. It often features student voices and covers campus-related events while acting as an open forum for the exchange and discussion of ideas and issues. WFHB also provides updates on local news, public affairs, music and in the community.

Where to find it:

91.3 FM wfhb.org @wfhbradio on Instagram

So, however you prefer your news — printed, emailed, streamed or broadcasted –IU has you covered with its variety of outlets.

will provide students with options for careers in the private or public sector. Advanced competence in the language, history, and culture of German-speaking Europe will make students highly competitive for employment in the global economy, green technology, teaching, the military or foreign service.

combined with College programs such as LAMP, PACE, or coursework in the School of Global and International Studies, students will be positioned for jobs in US-based multinationals as well as industries, banks, and research and cultural centers in . degree is also an ideal preparation for advanced degrees in international law or schools of public policy and business.

Dutch, Norwegian, Yiddish

We have one of the oldest and largest Dutch programs in the US. As global models for healthcare, education, and economics, Scandinavian countries inspire policy-makers and global leaders. As a major American heritage language, Yiddish is a cornerstone of Jewish Studies and American Cultural Studies.

Study Abroad

Our overseas programs in Freiburg Bayreuth are custom-designed living-learning experiences that change students’ lives.

The IU Europe Gateway Office in Berlin opens new opportunities for international education.

our Business German Certificate and our

ILLUSTRATION BY MADHUMITHA MANIMARAN

Best study spots on and near campus

By Nicole Blevins neblevin@iu.edu

As a new student at IU, finding your place can be both exciting and nervewracking. It can be quite isolating to stay in the dorm to get your work done when there are so many unique locations to experience. Here are five study spots on and near campus to help balance time spent at “home” and at “work.”

Indiana Memorial Union South Lounge

Inside the bustling IMU is a calm, cozy room where many students go to study. With many couches, chairs and a few fireplaces, the south lounge is known to be

a quiet zone for working. The open windows allow for bright natural lighting. Around the corner is the IMU Starbucks lounge, so grab a drink to fuel your study session.

Museum Café and Gift Shop

Located on the second floor of the Sidney and Lois Eskenazi Museum of Art is another great location to grab a snack and study. Made of a glass ceiling, natural light pours into the space. After you are finished working, stroll through the galleries with art pieces spanning centuries. The cafe and gift shop are open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and weekends from noon to 4 p.m. The galleries are closed

Mondays, but open from noon to 5 p.m. all other days of the week.

Soma Coffee House and Juice Bar – Kirkwood

With three locations in Bloomington, Soma is the quintessential Bloomington business. The Kirkwood location is only a few blocks from the Sample Gates and provides a warm and welcoming atmosphere for all. Seating is not as abundant as other study spots near campus, but the vibes are always immaculate. Soma Kirkwood is open Monday-Wednesday from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m., Thursday and Friday from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Wells Library

Near the heart of campus — the intersection of East 10th Street and Eagleson Avenue — lies the iconic Wells Library. Home to millions of books, students can access some of the best resources on campus as well as reserve study rooms. The Wells Library website also recommends the East tower floors four-10 and West tower floors two and three for quiet study spaces.

Anywhere outside!

Bloomington in the warmer seasons is buzzing with people and energy. There is nothing like fresh air on a warm day. Do not forget the power of natural surroundings to recharge yourself.

IDS FILE PHOTO | IDS

The IMU South Lounge is pictured on Oct. 20, 2021. The lounge is a quiet, relaxing place on campus for students to study.

A latte love for these Bloomington coffee shops

By Emerson Elledge eelledge@iu.edu

Let’s be honest — with everything students have to do, your life in college will probably run on coffee. Whether you’re cramming for finals or just trying to stay awake through that 8 a.m. lecture, knowing where to get your caffeine fix is essential knowledge. With so many options, it can be easy to get overwhelmed. Here’s a guide to the best coffee for every occasion.

Sugar and Spice: Best for quick betweenclass refueling and sweet cravings

Sitting squarely in the middle of campus at the Indiana Memorial Union, Sugar and Spice wins the convenience game hands down. Their baked goods are the real stars here — grab a pastry to go with your latte, and you’ve got breakfast covered. It’s not fancy, but it’s there when you need it most: ten minutes before your next class starts. When time matters more than ambiance, this is your spot. The best part of Sugar and Spice, in my opinion, is that select coffees, a piece of fruit and a pastry can all be purchased with a meal exchange.

Poindexter Coffee: Best for meetings and parent visits

Poindexter Coffee delivers a more polished vibe with its cozy atmosphere and varied seating options, feeling more like a café found in an urban city than a college town. The full café menu means you can camp out for hours without leaving for food. My personal favorite is their chicken Caesar wrap. If you’re a regular and get tired of the typical drinks, Poindexter has a new lineup of featured drinks every month or so, usually revolving around an interesting theme like David Lynch films. It’s a great spot to

grab a coffee with your parents thanks to its location within the Graduate hotel.

Soma Coffee House: Best for the typical college coffeeshop vibes

Soma has earned its reputation as the trendy heart of student coffee culture with its three shops around town. Their creative specialty drinks, with names only locals understand, will become part of your IU vocabulary by sophomore year. Most baristas remember regulars, and the vibe makes even homework feel less painful. It’s easy to get distracted by the various eclectic decor in the shops, but you’ll always find something new. Crumble Coffee and Bakery: Best for exceptional pastries

For those days when coffee alone won’t cut it, Crumble is the best to go to for their incredible pastry options. Their baked goods aren’t just an afterthought like some coffee shops; they’re the main attraction for some. One of the most unique things about the menu is the extensive crepe selection. Additionally, Crumble’s coffee quality stays consistently good. Just have a backup plan during peak hours when seating becomes a hot commodity.

The Inkwell: Best for dietary restrictions and a nice reminder that not everyone is in college

The Inkwell is where you go when you might need a break from the typical college coffee experience. The most artisanal approach on this list, both food and coffee are a priority at Inkwell with serious options for vegans and the gluten-free crowd. The careful preparation of their food and drinks takes time, but the quality makes it worth the wait when you’re not in a rush. With its slightly higher price point, townies and professors are often found here more than other shops

IDS FILE PHOTO | IDS

A barista stands behind the counter at Poindexter Coffee on May 16, 2025. Poindexter Coffee is located within the lobby of the Graduate Hotel in Bloomington.

Your guide to health resources at IU

By Jonathan Frey onafrey@iu.edu | @byjonathanfrey

It’s always important to familiarize yourself with local health resources whenever you move to a new place. No time is this more important than moving to a new school, where freshman mishaps and unexpected obstacles are prominent. IU provides several resources for both mental and physical health and well-being, so we’ve compiled a guide to get you started.

Emergency resources

If you are experiencing an emergency, your best bet is the Emergency Medicine clinic located at the main IU Bloomington Health Hospital.

IU Health Hospital — 2651 E. Discovery Pkwy.

Alternatively, if you need medical care without an appointment but are not in immediate danger, the Urgent Care clinic is another good option.

IU Health Urgent Care — 326 S. Woodscrest Drive.

For mental health crises, in addition to the national 988 suicide and crisis hotline,

IU’s Counseling and Psychological Services provides a crisis line staffed 24/7 which will be listed below.

From the IU Bloomington emergency contact site, this list of phone numbers should cover most crises that may occur in your time as a student.

• Emergencies: Call 911

• IUPD: 812-855-4111

• Safety Escort: 812-855-SAFE (7233)

• IU Emergency Management & Continuity: 812-855-2004

• Sexual Assault Crisis Line: 812-8558900

• Crisis and Suicide Hotline: 812-8555711

Medical care

For general care cases, the Student Health Center is a crucial resource for all students. It is the only campus health resource covered by the health fee you pay as part of tuition. The health fee entitles you to free or reduced care costs at the SHC.

Student Health Center — 600 N. Eagleson Ave.

IU Health has several clinics across the city for both general and specialized care.

In addition to the wide range covered just inside the hospital, here are a few other specialized clinics likely to be of use during your time at IU:

• IU Health Orthopedics & Sports Medicine — 2605 E. Creeks Edge Drive.

• IU Health Cardiology - Bloomington — 1302 S. Rogers St.

• IU Health Primary CareBloomington — 995 S. Clarizz Blvd.

Mental health resources

IU’s Counseling and Psychological Services is the main mental health resource provided by the university. CAPS provides a free 45-minute mental health consultation, after which they will assess your needs and set you up with a personalized care plan.

To schedule a first appointment, call 812855-5711.

If a student you know appears to be struggling with their own mental health, you can also submit a Care Referral through its page on the Student Life website. For assistance making a referral, you can also call 812-856-2273 or email iucare@iu.edu.

Pharmacy needs

There are numerous pharmacy options in Bloomington. The previously mentioned Student Health Center also has a pharmacy with over-the-counter meds and prescription medication.

Outside of the SHC, it will probably be most convenient for you to use a chain option such as CVS. There are two convenient CVS locations in Bloomington that you’ll find useful:

• 121 E. Kirkwood Ave.

• 2701 E. Third St.

In addition to both prescribed and over-the-counter medications, CVS provides vaccines, including updated COVID-19 boosters.

Looking for a gym at IU? Here are some of the best options

By Daniel Flick danflick@iu.edu | @ByDanielFlick

College can be a strenuous time, and finding outlets to get away from the books is important. One of the best ways to do so is working out, a luxury IU presents to its students through a pair of gyms.

The Student Recreational Sports Center and Bill Garrett Fieldhouse each boast various methods for getting in a quality sweat, both in terms of equipment and sporting options.

The SRSC, located on East Law Lane and a manageable walk from each dorm, has over 500 pieces of strength and cardio equipment, headlined by treadmills, ellipticals, weight machines, stationary bikes and an indoor running track.

There are also five basketball and volleyball courts, the CounsilmanBillingsley Aquatic Center Olympic-sized pool, indoor pickleball courts and outdoor courts used for both tennis and pickleball.

The Bill Garrett Fieldhouse, built centrally on campus at 1025 E. Seventh St., has 10 basketball courts and is a popular spot for pickup games. As for gyms, Bill Garrett offers two strength and cardio areas, the indoor Royer Pool, an indoor running track around the perimeter of the basketball courts and an open-use dance studio, among others.

off campus, including several prominent chains.

Fitness on Kirkwood Avenue is a strong option. Orangetheory, less than a halfmile from the Sample Gates, offers rowing, strength and cardio sessions and has three pricing options: basic ($69/month), elite ($109/month) and premier ($119 first month, $169/month after). Orangetheory has another branch on the opposite side of campus, this one on East Third Street. As for larger franchises, Bloomington is also home to a Planet Fitness on West Third Street and an Anytime Fitness on East Third Street. Both gyms are open 24 hours a day. Prices at Planet Fitness start as low as $15/ month on the classic, unlimited access plan, while Anytime Fitness has a $99 down payment and charges $26.99 biweekly thereafter for the 12-month plan.

Access to both the SRSC and Bill Garrett Fieldhouse is free for IU students upon scanning your CrimsonCard. Sports equipment like balls and rackets can also be rented for free with the card. Roughly 20 additional gym options exist

CrossFit has two bases in Bloomington: Hoosier CrossFit and CrossFit Bloomington. The former builds prices around individualized plans and motives for each customer while the latter charges $159/month for three sessions per week and $189/month for unlimited sessions.

For those who live on campus but want a gym within walking distance, Orangetheory

Gyms aside, IU is a quality campus to run, with scenic views and a heavy dose of sidewalks. Be it students or locals, you’ll likely encounter a runner at some point each day while walking to class.

Whether you like lifting weights, running, playing sports or anything in between, IU offers a variety of options both on and off campus to satisfy your exercise needs throughout the school year.

EMMA WALLS | IDS

The upstairs strength gym at the Bill Garrett Fieldhouse is seen May 13, 2024, in Bloomington. The Bill Garrett Fieldhouse has 10 basketball courts and is a popular spot for pickup games.

ILLUSTRATION BY MADHUMITHA MANIMARAN

Your guide to buying textbooks at IU

By Mia Hilkowitz mhilkowi@iu.edu | @MiaHilkowitz

The first time you are tasked with finding a textbook or novel for class, the options may seem overwhelming. Depending on when you need the book — which is often listed in a class’s syllabus — you may impulsively buy it on Amazon without looking at alternative sellers. From the IU Bookstore to local libraries and booksellers, here are some places to look for your next textbook.

IU Bookstore

One place to start your search is the IU Bookstore. On the IU Bookstore website, you can search for and view required course materials by entering your 10-digit university ID. If your instructor has added your required texts into the library system, you can pick from used and new versions of the book. The IU Bookstore sometimes allows students to rent titles — meaning students pay a lower price and return the book at the end of the semester.

The IU Bookstore also offers price matching against Amazon, Barnes & Noble and other sites. If the IU Bookstore stocks a textbook and the retailer advertises a lower price, the bookstore will adjust the price. However, all match prices must be transacted in-person at the campus store. You can find more information about IU’s requirements for price matching on the IU Bookstore website. For more information visit the IU Bookstore website or the IU Bloomington location in the Indiana Memorial Union.

IU and Monroe County Public libraries

Local libraries are another great (and free) option for finding your textbooks.

The IU Library system includes more than 11.5 million items — including 60,000 academic journals and 1.9 million eBooks — meaning there’s a high chance students will be able to find their required texts within the university libraries. You can start by searching your title in the IU Libraries database, which will show you the library building, stack, floor and call number the book is lo-

ILLUSTRATION BY EVELYN STRAUSS

cated in. The database will also show you if IU offers a digital version of the book.

Additionally, the Monroe County Public Library System — which has three branches across Bloomington and nearby Ellettsville — offers students thousands of books. To access all of the library’s titles, students living in Bloomington can apply for a free library card online or at one of the MCPL branches. You must be able to provide a document to verify you currently live in Monroe County, such as a bursar statement.

To find your required text, you can search the title and author in the MCPL catalog. The catalog will then show you if the book is available, which branch it is available at or if the library offers a digital electronic version.

The downside of getting your textbooks from IU Library or MCPL is there is a time limit on how long you can borrow the book. At IU, student loans are limited to 45 days. At MCPL, book loans are limited to 21 days, although renewals are possible up to two times as long as no one has a hold on that same book.

Local independent booksellers

Some students also buy textbooks from Bloomington’s locally owned, independent booksellers. While purchasing from independent sellers might end up being more expensive than purchasing an item on Amazon, your purchase supports the local economy.

One popular bookseller in Bloomington is Morgenstern Books, located at 849 S. Auto Mall Road. Morgenstern Books has a title selection like what you might see at a Barnes & Noble, but with more books by local authors. You can search the store’s website or call the store at 812-676-7323 to see if they have the book you need.

Another independent bookseller is the Book Corner, located at 100 N. Walnut St., a short walk away from Sample Gates. There is not an online search option for the store’s availability, so you would need to visit in-person to find a title. However, if the Book Corner does not have the book you need, you can fill out an online request form and the store will special order books for you.

Learn /languages/ IU

and add a global edge to your degree.

50 languages each academic year. In Fall 2025, you can take:

Akan

American Sign Language (ASL)

Arabic (Mod. Standard)

Arabic (Egyptian)

Arabic (Levantine)

Arabic (Moroccan)

Arabic (Qur’anic)

Bamana

Bengali

Bosnian/ Croatian/ Serbian

Burmese

Catalan

Chinese

Czech

Dutch

Egyptian (Demotic)

Egyptian (Hieroglyphic)

Egyptian (Middle)

Estonian

Finnish

French

German

Greek (Classical)

Greek (Modern)

Haitian Creole

Hebrew (Modern)

Additional Less-Commonly-Taught-Language courses are available through the Big Ten Academic Alliance Course Share, earning you IU credits including: Western Armenian | Nahuatl | Quechua | Romanian | Swedish Ask for additional languages.

• Most of them can fulfill your language requirement

• Explore languages taught almost nowhere else in the US

• IU is home to three Language Flagship programs for developing professional proficiency in Arabic, Chinese, and Russian. (https://flagship.indiana.edu)

Questions? Email celt@iu.edu

For more language information and resources, visit: https://go.iu.edu/4Nc6

Words of wisdom from your IDS editors

Jack Davis, junior Opinion editor

It’s okay to be overwhelmed at first. This is a large campus with a lot of students all trying to find their own way here. Sometimes you may not feel like you have a place on this campus, but I can promise you that you do. Not every club or recreational sport you try will automatically lead to you meeting a bunch of new people, but with enough time it’ll happen. I didn’t know who I’d consider my close friends now weeks into freshman year, but after two years, I’ve found my place.

Be involved as much as you can. It can be scary going out of your comfort zone and doing things alone, but it is how you meet people—whether it’s clubs, organizations, a parttime job, or anything that allows you to be in an environment where you can meet new people. Meeting people was the best part of college, and I have met some lifelong friends.

sophomore Arts editor

Don’t stress out too much if you don’t find your people right away. Sometimes it takes a bit to meet the people that will become your closest friends, but when you do it will be so worth the wait. I didn’t meet some of the people I now consider my closest friends until a few weeks into Fall semester, but now I have no idea how I went so long without knowing them. Just get to know everyone you meet, because in a school as big as IU, your next best friend could be anywhere.

Be open to meeting new people, you never know where a connection might lead. Some of my closest friendships started with something as small as saying hello to the classmate next to me or knocking on my neighbor’s dorm room during freshman week. It might feel awkward or uncomfortable at first, but chances are, the other person feels the same way. Taking that small step can turn into late-night ice cream drives, attending sports games together and memories you’ll carry with you long after college. So don’t overthink it, just start the conversation.

Nicole Blevins, recent graduate News editor

Always keep in mind that you are not alone. Every single person around you is just as new to this as you are. Just relax and allow yourself to ease into your new college life. It might seem counterintuitive, but there is no rush during your freshman year. Take your time and find the place where you feel comfortable. Whether it’s right at home with the people on your floor or all the way across campus at a club, if you stay true to yourself and follow your passions, you’ll find a place where you’ll feel right at home.

Enjoy every second, give yourself some grace, and be yourself. This is a new situation in (most likely) a new environment with brand new people. It may take a while to get comfortable, but once you do it will be one of the best times of your life. Don’t forget that everyone is also trying to navigate through and figure out this new balance. Lean on the people around you; you may get the best advice from the person you’re least expecting.

One of the best things I did as an undergraduate was study abroad! I studied in Paris, France during the summer of 2024. Being exposed to entirely different cultures and surroundings was such an eye-opening experience for me. It taught me an even greater sense of independence and gave me an appreciation for all this world has to offer. Going to college is such an important step in the growth of your individuality, so take advantage of as many opportunities as you can!

Grace Romine, senior Managing editor of content

Join a club, or a few, right away! My biggest college regret is not joining what became my favorite student organization sooner. Settling into your new lifestyle freshman year is a challenge and picking up something new might feel like a daunting task, I know, but I promise, you’ll appreciate the distraction from class, an opportunity for time away from your dorm and the chance to meet new people! There is such a variety of clubs to choose from, ranging in both interests and commitment requirements. Join clubs where you don’t know anyone and join a plethora of organizations too—not just ones that are your major or career specific. You’ll be sure to find the right fit for you.

Theo Hawkins, senior Special publications editor

Try as many things as you can while you have the opportunity to do so! College is a great time to find out that you don’t like something you thought you would, or that you love something you’d never heard of before. A college campus offers a unique diversity of experience in one place, and often with a lower barrier of entry, whether that’s cost, commitment, experience, or just the stakes. Take advantage of that! Take a friend with you, if that makes it easier! Even if you think you’re going to be bad at it, or you have to put yourself out there without a buddy, you never know what will come your way when you open yourself up to trying things,.

Ursula Stickelmaier,

Lainey Beech, sophomore Managing editor of engagement

Kaitlyn Winchester, junior Design editor

Nathan Shriberg, sophomore Sports editor

Natalie Cartmel, senior Creative director

Campus arts through the years

IU is home to a vibrant arts community filled with performances and exhibits for students to experience.

ARBUTUS FILE PHOTO BY MATT MCCLAIN

1996 Sophomore Elizabeth Miller prepares backstage for her role as a Snowflake in “The Nutcracker.” Performance of the ballet is an annual tradition at IU.

IU ARCHIVES

1941 Renowned artist Thomas Hart Benton teaches an art class. Benton’s murals are showcased at IU including in the IU Auditorium, next to the School of Fine Arts.

ARBUTUS FILE PHOTO BY TERRY JOHN

1983 Alumnus Dennis James poses in front of a poster promoting his performance at IU. James, a musician and historic preservationist, has regularly returned to campus to accompany silent movies with live organ music. His Halloween performances are an IU tradition.

IU ARCHIVES

2004 A gallery visitor examines artwork in an exhibit in the School of Fine Arts. There are many galleries and museums students can visit throughout campus and Bloomington.

IDS FILE PHOTO BY DAVID BRINSON

2018 The African American Choral Ensemble performs as part of the First Thursdays festival at the Fine Arts Plaza in 2018. The ensemble was formed in 1975.

Your Indiana fall season sports guide

Here are the four fall sports that garner the most excitement from Hoosier fans.

By Conor Banks conbanks@iu.edu

Indiana football limped along to a 3-9 overall record in 2023, embodying the program’s historical struggles with a 493-692-38 all-time record. However, the hiring of head coach Curt Cignetti changed the trajectory of the program.

After finishing the 2024 season with an 11-2 record and making their first College Football Playoff appearance in program his-

tory, the Hoosiers appear poised to repeat some of this success heading into Cignetti’s second season at the helm.

In the offseason, Cignetti brought in redshirt junior quarterback Fernando Mendoza to lead the offense. While playing for Cal in 2024, Mendoza established himself as one of the most accurate signal callers in the Athletic Coast Conference with a 68.7% completion percentage, which ranked second in the conference.

Additionally, Cignetti managed to retain much of the defensive core that allowed

just 256.3 yards per game last season, which ranked second lowest in the nation.

With the No. 22 transfer class and No. 46 recruitment class according to 247Sports, the Hoosiers’ quest for a second consecutive College Football Playoff berth begins with a home game against Old Dominion University on Aug. 30.

Men’s Soccer

Indiana men’s soccer enters the 2025 season following two consecutive Big Ten regular season titles. Last season, the Hoosiers finished with an 11-5-5 overall record, but their season ended after a 1-0 loss to Denver University in the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16.

This year’s team will be led by junior transfer Palmer Ault and returning sophomore Michael Nesci. Ault joins the Hoosiers following his recognition as the Big East Freshman of the Year in 2022 at Butler University, while Nesci aims to build off his four-goal freshman campaign.

With notable transfers and returning players for the fall, the Hoosiers are set to

contend for a deep NCAA Tournament run. The regular season is slated to begin at 8 p.m. on Aug. 21 against Clemson University.

Women’s Soccer

Indiana women’s soccer underwent significant change in the offseason after struggling with a 6-9-2 overall record in 2024. On Feb. 11, the program announced the hiring of Indiana alum and head coach Josh Rife to lead the program.

In two seasons as a player for the Hoosiers in 2000 and 2001, Rife led the Hoosiers to back-to-back Final Four appearances and a 2001 Big Ten title. Following his playing days, Rife served as the head coach of Ball State University, where he owned an overall record of 49-38-21 across six seasons.

Sophomore forward Layla Sirdah returns to Indiana for her second season. During her freshman campaign in 2024, Sirdah led the team in every offensive category including seven goals, seven assists and 21 shots on goal.

Fielding a new coaching staff and a more experienced unit in 2025, the Hoosiers have

Football

4

an opportunity to bounce back from a down year in 2024.

Women’s Volleyball

Indiana women’s volleyball has historically struggled to remain consistent from year to year. After finishing the 2023 season with a 21-12 overall record, Indiana women’s volleyball regressed in 2024, finishing the season with at 15-15.

Despite this step back, 2025 marked the third consecutive season that the Cream and Crimson finished the season at .500 or higher—their longest streak since 1998-2000.

In preparation for an improved season, head coach Steve Aird stringed together an impressive offseason that included signing seven freshmen and one transfer—the program’s largest incoming class since 2020.

The Hoosiers’ freshman class is highlighted by outside hitters Charlotte Vinson and Jaidyn Jager. The pair are ranked No. 25 and No. 31 respectively by Prep Dig and are expected to make immediate impacts.

With a reloaded squad heading into the 2025 season, Indiana volleyball appears poised to improve upon a disappointing 2024 campaign.

1 Then- redshirt senior quarterback Kurtis Rourke runs with the ball during the game against University of North Carolina at Charlotte on Sept. 21, 2024, at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington. The Hoosiers finished the season with a record of 11-2.

BRIANA PACE | IDS

2 Then- fifth-year senior center back Jansen Miller embraces head coach Todd Yeagley after a game against the University of Akron on Nov. 24, 2024, at Bill Armstrong Stadium in Bloomington. Over the course of the season, the team had 41 goals, 286 shots on goal and 38 assists.

BRIANA PACE | IDS

3 The Indiana women’s soccer team smiles and embraces after scoring a fourth goal against the University of Evansville on Sept. 6, 2024, at Bill Armstrong Stadium in Bloomington. The Hoosiers claimed the Golden Boot the previous season

GISELLE MARSTELLER | IDS 2 3

4 Indiana volleyball prepares for a play during a game against Wisconsin on Oct. 24, 2024, at Wilkinson Hall in Bloomington. The Hoosiers ran a 6-2 system during the match.

GISELLE MARSTELLER | IDS

Discounts you can receive as an IU student

By Jonathan Frey @byjonathanfrey | jonafrey@iu.edu

Being a student at IU comes with more than just the benefits of a great education and community. Many familiar brands and some local Bloomington businesses offer discounts to IU students. Below, you can find a list of some of the most notable of these discounts.

Indiana exclusives

There are a few Indiana-only businesses that offer special discounts to IU students.

Get Out Bloomington

101 W. Kirkwood Ave., Suite 113 Bloomington

Get Out is an escape room located downtown on the corner of Kirkwood Avenue and Walnut Street. On Thursdays, students can text 812-214-1497 for a special 25% off discount code they can redeem with valid student ID. CrimsonCards can be presented daily for a 10% discount. Before discount, admission typically costs $28 per person.

Indianapolis Zoo

1200 W. Washington St. Indianapolis

The Indianapolis Zoo offers students discounts of up to $18 on single admission tickets. Adult tickets are discounted from $34.75 to $20.75, and child tickets (for ages 2-12) are discounted from $31.75 to $13.75. To access the discount, visit IU’s discount page and select the Indianapolis Zoo option.

Brand discounts

Many well-known brands offer some version of a discount for IU students. Discounts are often dependent

on a valid college ID or ID number.

Adobe

IU Students have free access to all Adobe products and the Adobe Creative Cloud through their IU login. Common Adobe products range from professional-grade multimedia products like Photoshop, Premiere and Audition to practical tools like Acrobat.

Amazon

Amazon offers a six-month free trial of Amazon Prime to students. Once the free trial is over, students are eligible for a 50% discount on Amazon Prime, as well as discounted rates on other Amazon services.

AMC Theatres

Some AMC locations, including Bloomington’s AMC 12 at 2929 W. Third St., offer discounted ticket rates for students.

Apple Music

Apple Music offers students a discounted monthly subscription fee of $5.99 per month for 48 months.

Champion Champion offers a 10% discount on all online purchases.

Converse

Converse offers a 20% discount to students on all purchases.

New Balance

New Balance offers a 15% student discount and free shipping on online purchases.

Nike

Nike offers a 10% discount to students for online purchases.

Peacock

Peacock offers students a subscription to Peacock Premium for a discounted rate of $2.99 per month for 12 months.

Spotify and Hulu

Spotify and Hulu offer eligible college students a $5.99 per month bundle including Spotify Premium and Hulu with ads. Both services alone would normally cost nearly $20 per month. The deal is renewed yearly for as long as you qualify as a student.

Vineyard Vines

Vineyard Vines offers 15% off for all college and graduate students.

YouTube Premium

YouTube offers verified students a discounted monthly subscription fee of $7.99 per month.

These are only some of the many student discounts offered to IU students. Websites such as Student Beans and SheerID provide longer lists of brands and businesses offering student discounts.

Dates to remember before December

By Jonathan Frey @byjonathanfrey | jonafrey@iu.edu

It’s not always clear-cut which dates you need to pay attention to on the IU calendar, especially as a freshman. Here’s everything you need to know:

Welcome Week

Welcome Week generally takes place the week prior to the first day of fall classes. The schedule for Welcome Week has not been released at the time of this publication, but expect tons of fun orientation events the week of Aug. 18-22!

August

Aug. 25 – Classes begin

Aug. 31 – Last day to drop a class without a grade of W.

September

Sept. 1 – Labor day, no classes

Sept. 8 – Deadline to request a Pass/Fail Option for first 8-week classes. Requests for approval of this option must be submitted to the school/ division dean.

Sept. 15 – Deadline to request a Pass/Fail Option for 13-week classes. Requests for approval of this option must be submitted to the school/ division dean.

Sept. 19-21 – Family weekend

Sept. 22 – Deadline to request a Pass/Fail Option for full term classes. Requests for approval of this option must be submitted to the school/ division dean.

Black Voices is hiring writers.

Sept. 28 – For first 8-week session, last day to drop a class with automatic W or add a class.

October

Oct. 10-12 – Fall break, no classes

Oct. 13 – For 13-week session, last day to drop a class with automatic W or add a class.

Oct. 13-17 – For first 8-week session, final exams and last day of class.

Oct. 20 – Second 8-week session begins

Oct. 26 – For full term, last day to drop a class with automatic W or add a class. For second 8-week session, last day to drop a class without a grade of W.

November

Nov. 3 – Deadline to request a Pass/Fail Option for second 8-week classes. Requests for approval of this option must be submitted to the school/division dean.

Nov. 17-21 – For 13-week classes, final exams and last day of class.

Nov. 23-30 – Thanksgiving break, no classes

Nov. 23 – For second 8-week session, last day to drop a class with automatic W or add a class.

December

Dec. 13 – For full term and second 8-week classes, last day of class.

Dec. 13 – For full term, withdrawal from all classes deadline. Last day a student may request a complete withdrawal from all enrollments for the semester.

Dec. 15-19 – For full term and second 8-week classes, final exams.

Dec. 24 – Official transcripts available

KAUSHIK JV | IDS

Students wait in line to grab food at the Global Scholar Connect event Aug. 19, 2024, outside the Hamilton Lugar school. The event gave students an opportunity to meet people from around the world.

Student life through the years

You’ll study a lot, but there’s much more to being a Hoosier. Here are some experiences of those who came before you.

IU ARCHIVES

1947 Before cell phones, students had to wait in line to make calls on pay phones in campus buildings.

IDS FILE PHOTO BY AMELIA CHONG

2013 Students reach for packets of brightly-colored powder during a Holi celebration in the Collins Living-Learning Center courtyard. Holi is a Hindu festival that celebrates the beginning of spring.

ARBUTUS FILE PHOTO

1956 Students gather around a TV set in a dorm room. In the 1956 Arbutus yearbook, this was described as a favorite activity for students on Saturday afternoons or any evening.

IU ARCHIVES

1965 Students dressed as elves surround a cutout of Herman B Wells dressed as Santa Claus while the real Wells looks on. Wells, the longtime president and chancellor of IU, would make his rounds of campus every year as Santa Wells delivering treats to students and staff.

IU ARCHIVES

1957 A student picks up a newspaper in the Indiana Memorial Union. Before the internet, students could keep up with news from their hometowns and beyond by reading newspapers available in the IMU.

IU ARCHIVES

1983 Doug Wulf and Debra Jackson serve as homecoming king and queen. Their cowboy hats are a nod to a mascot that IU briefly adopted — Mr. IU — who wore a cowboy hat and candy stripe pants.

2011 Mashup DJ Girl Talk performs Oct. 22 in Dunn Meadow. The Victoria’s Secret B-Town Bash transformed Dunn Meadow into a scene reminiscent of a full-fledged spring break beach concert. The show raised $5,000 for Middle Way House, an organization that provides shelter for victims of domestic violence.

IDS FILE PHOTO BY RYAN DORGAN

ARBUTUS FILE PHOTO

1974 A student listens to records on a turntable in his dorm room. There are shops in Bloomington that still sell vinyl records.

ENDLESS PLAY

ARBUTUS FILE PHOTO

register

they waited in long lines to sign up in person.

ARBUTUS FILE PHOTO

IU ARCHIVES

1930s Students study in their dorm room in the 1930s. There are many popular places to do homework on campus including the Herman B Wells Library and the Indiana Memorial Union.

ARBUTUS FILE PHOTO

1979 Studentsattempt to eat 25 marshmallows without using their hands during a Dusk ‘til Dawn event at the Indiana Memorial Union during Homecoming weekend.

ARBUTUS FILE PHOTO BY KASEY GILL

ARBUTUS FILE PHOTO 1944

you could tell what

belonged to based on

of

members wore. Dick Davis and Kermit Wahl were members of the Sphinx Club, an honorary organi-

By Nicole Blevins saylorl@iu.edu | @nblevins01

Culture and faith centers guide

Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center

The Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center was created after a wave of campus activism in the 1960s. Herman Hudson became the first chair of the Afro American Studies, which is now the Department of African American and African Diaspora Studies. Hudson then created the NMBCC, officially named after the first African American man and woman to graduate from IU: Marcellus Neal, 1895, and Frances Marshal, 1919. NMBCC’s website offers several different student organizations that celebrate Black culture.

The NMBCC is also home to The African American Arts Institute, a center for the performing arts. The institute houses three arts ensembles: The African American Choral Ensemble, African American Dance Company and the Soul Revue, all celebrating Black arts and culture. Raymond Wise took over as executive director of the institute when Charles E. Sykes retired after 34 years of service.

The NMBCC is located at 275 N. Eagleson Ave.

Asian Culture Center

The Asian Culture Center was initially envisioned by a group of students in 1988 who inspired many other students and faculty to officially establish the center in 1998. The center’s goals are to inform and promote awareness, support coalition building and unity, build a more inclusive and welcoming community and listen to the needs of students. The center hosts “Over a Cup of Tea,” a monthly discussion about issues concerning Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. The center is located on the northwest corner of campus, at 807 E. 10th Street.

First Nations Educational and Cultural Center

The First Nations Educational and CulturalCenter was created to support American Indian and Indigenous students on campus and in the community. The center hosts an annual Powwow in the spring to bring together people of all tribal backgrounds to celebrate their culture through dance and ceremonial gatherings. The center is located at 712 E. Eighth St.

Jewish Culture Center

The Jewish Culture Center is also

recognized as the Helene G. Simon Hillel Center, located at 730 E. Third St. The center was founded in 1938 to celebrate Judaism and Jewish life and provide a safe and welcoming atmosphere for Jewish students on campus. Hillel offers a weekly Shabbat dinner on Fridays throughout the academic year. The center also promotes leadership development, and provides study abroad, academic and community programs for students to join.

La Casa Latino Cultural Center

La Casa Latino Cultural Center supports students with a cultural connection as well as a place for academic and professional growth. The center was founded in 1973 to build a stronger campus community for students. La Casa also teaches cultural awareness through educational and social programs.

Each year during National Hispanic Latine Heritage Month, La Casa collaborates with other departments to recognize the contributions made by Hispanic and Latine

communities. The center is located at 715 E. Seventh St.

LGBTQ+ Culture Center

The LGBTQ+ Culture Center, located at 705 E. Seventh St. next to La Casa, was created to support students a part of the LGBTQ+ community in their transition to college and adulthood. The center advocates for diversity and multiculturalism on all fronts. The LGBTQ+ Center’s website links to a plethora of student groups to join, as well as scholarships and other opportunities for students to thrive.

Faith Centers in Bloomington

The locations listed below are some of the faith centers near campus.

• Korean United Methodist Church, 1924 E. Third St.

• Islamic Center of Bloomington, 1925 E. Atwater Ave.

• Rose House LuMin- Lutheran Campus Ministry, 314 S. Rose Ave.

• The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-

Day Saints, 333 S. Highland Ave.

• Trinity Episcopal Church, 111 S. Grant St.

• First United Methodist Church, 219 E. Fourth St.

• First Christian Church, 205 E. Kirkwood Ave.

• First Presbyterian Church, 221 E. Sixth St.

• University Lutheran Church, 607 E. Seventh St.

• Chabad at Indiana University, 703 E. Seventh St.

• The Episcopal Campus Ministry at IU, 719 E. Seventh St.

• St. Paul Catholic Center, 1413 E. 17th St.

• Christian Student Fellowship, 1968 David Baker Ave.

• St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, 2222 E. Third St.

• Christ Community Church, 503 S. High St.

• Beth Shalom Congregation, 3750 E. Third St.

COURTESY PHOTO

The Ribbon Town Singers group performs during the IU Traditional Powwow April 12, 2025, at Wilkinson Hall in Bloomington. The First Nations Educational and Cultural Center Traditional Powwow returned after canceling due to scheduling conflicts in 2024.

EMERSON ELLEDGE | IDS

An event attendee holds her arm steady while her friend pipes a henna design on her wrist while attending the Asian Culture Center’s henna workshop February 25, 2025. The event was the first of the semester, but the center has hosted variations for a few years.

KATHERINE MANERS | IDS

People sit on the patio of the LGBTQ+ Culture Center during its re-opening ceremony Oct. 17, 2024, at 705 E. Seventh St. The event began with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and opening remarks from Director Bruce Smail.

GRANT WHEELER | IDS

Members of the African American Dance Company strike a pose April 15, 2023, at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater. This number was a part of their Spring Concert, whose theme was “brave enough.”

LETTER TO THE EDITOR:

Taylor Burnette (she/her) is a first-year student in the Master of Library Science program and an IU Libraries student employee.

Editor’s note: All opinions, columns and letters reflect the views of the individual writer and not necessarily those of the IDS or its staffers.

Opinion contributor Odessa Lyon recently tackled a challenging topic. Inspired by your initiative, Odessa, and as a student in the Master of Library Science program here at IU, I wanted to share some of the many resources available to students through IU Libraries for finding reliable, peer-reviewed scientific research.

Let’s talk about places to find articles:

IU Libraries is here to help for all your research needs

There are a lot of good databases out there to find scientific research, and IU Libraries gives you access to some of the biggest and the best. If you go to the libraries website at libraries.indiana.edu and scroll to the bottom of the page, you can access popular databases like JSTOR and Google Scholar. Looking to search a lot of databases at once? OneSearch@IU allows you to search hundreds of databases at a time.

NICOLLE GEDEON | IDS

“The Big Picture: Great Moments in Document(ed) History” exhibit is pictured April 7, 2025, at the Lilly Library in Bloomington. The exhibition opened March 17, 2025.

Accessing these databases through the IU Libraries website gives you access as an IU student (with your login, of course) whether or not you are physically on campus, allowing you to access most articles for free. If you

do come across an article that you don’t have automatic access to, send a request for an Interlibrary Loan, where the libraries can get it for no additional cost to you.

IU Libraries offer access to over 1,600 different databases ranging in topics from the

ITSupport Center

sciences to the humanities, and everything in between.

That’s a lot of databases. What ones should you use?

This choice can be overwhelming, but the libraries have resources to help with that, too.

If you’re looking to get started on a research paper of your own and have no idea where to start, or if you’re working on a research paper and need more information, the Learning Commons Research Desk is the place for you. Drop by or make an appointment ahead of time to get one-on-one support.

However, there are also hundreds of research and resource guides written by subject librarians at IU Libraries you can access anytime, anywhere! Check out the Research Guides list and filter by Subject.

If you’re having trouble finding something, remember you also have people happy to help you in person at the Scholars’ Commons Reference Desk or through the chat function on the IU Libraries website.

Visit libraries.indiana.edu for more information on research resources, database access, research help and more!

Get to know your administration!

By Jonathan Frey jonafrey@iu.edu | @byjonathanfrey

Big decisions at IU almost always come from the offices of the President, the Provost and the Board of Trustees. Before you arrive in Bloomington, it may be helpful to get to know who they are, what they do and the power they hold.

President

Pamela Whitten is IU’s current acting president. She has served as president since July 2021 and in February of this year, her contract was renewed until 2031. She is IU’s 19th president, and the first woman to occupy the position in the university’s history.

Whitten spearheads all of IU’s missions, initiatives and external communications. She is responsible for organizing and managing plans created in collaboration with the Board of Trustees and is directly ac-

countable to the Board for IU’s success.

The president is also responsible for budgeting, international programs, fundraising and other executive duties outlined in greater depth at policies.iu.edu.

According to her profile on the IU website, she has primarily led three initiatives during her tenure: “Providing broad access to an education for all students from Indiana and beyond; pursuing world-class research, scholarship and creative activity; and making meaningful contributions to improving Hoosier health and the economic, social, civic and cultural development of the state and the world.”

Provost and Executive Vice President

Rahul Shrivastav is the current acting Executive Vice President and Provost at IU. He began serving in his role at the beginning of the 2024-25 academic year. His role shares similarities with Whitten’s, especially in advising university-wide initiatives,

but his primary focus is on the academic leadership of the Bloomington campus.

As Provost, Shrivastav is responsible for overseeing IU’s academic direction. He is tasked with daily oversight of all IU academic programs and budgets the university’s academic funding.

Both he and Whitten are key contributors to the “IU 2030” plan, a university initiative that seeks to secure continued and greater funding for the school’s research and academics and create more affordable opportunities for all students.

Board of Trustees

The Board of Trustees was founded in 1820 along with IU itself. The 9-member board is the governing authority and legal owner of IU. Three board positions are elected by alumni, with the remaining six appointed by the governor of Indiana.

The board has the power to set tuition and fees, determine curricula, enter into

agreements with government entities, set admission standards, make investments, determine property uses, award financial aid, appoint the president, approve faculty hiring, promotion and tenure decisions and determine codes of conduct and discipline, as reported by the IDS in 2024.

Currently, the board is staffed by:

• W. Quinn Buckner, Board Chair

• Cindy Lucchese, Board Vice Chair and Chair of Finance and Audit Committee

• Jill Burnett, Trustee

• Cathy Langham, Trustee

• J. Timothy Morris, Trustee

• Kyle S. Seibert, Chair of Student Relations Committee

• Donna B. Spears, Chair of Facilities and Auxiliaries

• Isaac Torres, Trustee

• Vivian Winston, Chair of External Relations Committee

IDS FILE PHOTO

IU Provost Rahul Shrivastav address the crowd during the graduate commencement ceremony May 6 in Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall. The Graduate and Professional Student Government voted no confidence in Provost Shrivastav on April 27, according to WFYI.

IDS FILE PHOTO

Trustees chair Quinn Buckner is pictured at the IU Board of Trustees meeting June 13, 2024, inside Henke Hall of Champions in Bloomington. The first day of the two-day meeting consisted of adding new degrees to IU campuses, various campus updates and discussions of career development resources.

PHOTOS: The 2025 Little 500

IU’s famous cycling race, dating back to 1951, is one of Bloomington’s oldest and most important traditions.

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2 A Black Key Bulls racer crosses the finish line to win the men’s Little 500 race on April 26, 2025, at Bill Armstrong Stadium in Bloomington. The Black Key Bulls have been competing in the Little 500 since 2006.

SOPHIA KAPLAN | IDS

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BRIANA

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Fans stood in the bleachers and at the gates surrounding the track.

BRIANA PACE | IDS

6 Kappa Alpha Theta riders (from left to right) Greta Weeks, Greta Heyl, Bailey Cappella and Claire Tips hold up a bike after winning the women’s Little 500 race on April 25, 2025, at Bill Armstrong Stadium in Bloomington. Kappa Alpha Theta won its 10th ever Little 500 race.

LAUREN MCKINNEY | IDS

7 Little 500 riders crash into each other during the 2025 women’s Little 500 on April 25, 2025, at Bill Armstrong Stadium in Bloomington. The crash took place in the fourth lap.

LAUREN MCKINNEY | IDS

8 A WSR cyclist leads a pack of racers during the women’s Little 500 race on April 25, 2025, at Bill Armstrong Stadium in Bloomington. WSR placed eighth in the race despite being involved in the crash in the fourth lap.

BRIANA PACE | IDS

9 The Alpha Chi Omega racers hug after placing second in the women’s Little 500 race on April 25, 2025, at Bill Armstrong Stadium in Bloomington. Alpha Chi Omega first raced in the Little 500 in 1993.

EMERSON ELLEDGE | IDS

10 A Kappa Kappa Gamma racer circles around the track during the women’s Little 500 race on April 25, 2025, at Bill Armstrong Stadium in Bloomington. Kappa Kappa Gamma has won the race five times.

PACE | IDS

BRIANA

By Odessa Lyon oolyon@iu.edu

OPINION: Reading research papers: A how-to guide

Editor’s note: All opinions, columns and letters reflect the views of the individual writer and not necessarily those of the IDS or its staffers.

If you’ve ever approached a scientific research paper hoping for some clarifying information and ended up blankly staring at the total page number, don’t despair! Accessing primary literature, a format wherein the information comes straight from the researchers, can be daunting. Scientists with extensive knowledge of their field write these papers, and they assume the reader’s familiarity with the topic. However, for a passerby, that is usually not the case.

No matter! Just like anything worth doing, it’s not easy. But it can be. Having the skill and ability to root out new, objective information at its source and interpret it yourself is a critical one.

I have written research papers and read even more, often on a time crunch. The streamlined approach is as follows: get in and get out with just the important stuff.

Reliable sources

First on the docket is sourcing a scientific paper. If you’re searching for a specific article or already have one in mind, confirming its credibility is of the utmost importance.

General databases are JSTOR, Library of Congress, Google Books. They supply many academic works (as well as different types of media), whether it’s in the humanities, social sciences or, per the latter, out-of-print publications. Google Scholar, PubMed and ResearchGate are also well regarded while focusing more on scientific research; these also make it easy to sort and filter through the thousands of options. PubMed and ResearchGate are also well regarded while focusing more on scientific research; these also make it easy to sort and filter through the thousands of options.

However, reputable journals such as Nature, Science or Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, to name a few, are a safer bet, as they publish peerreviewed papers; many eyes have checked those words for quality and validity.

Once you’ve laid your hands on a paper, you may also check the citation number, usually off to the side or at the bottom. This number represents how many times other papers have cited this one.

Anatomy of a primary research article

Second is to familiarize yourself with the format of a scientific paper. This will help you understand what type of information you’re being given and thus will help you interpret it accordingly. Ask yourself: what role does this sentence or paragraph play?

A paper typically follows: abstract, introduction, materials and methods, results, discussion and conclusions. Variations in this format are common for literature reviews — a review of the current state of research in a specific field or discovery, rather than a review of an experiment — are considered secondary sources which can omit sections or headings entirely. Watch out for this distinction!

Break down the abstract

This is your first point of contact with the research and the most important. In my eyes, it stands as a mini paper! The abstract should summarize background information, the purpose of the study, hypothesis, experimental design, major findings and analysis all in one neat paragraph.

Scan the introduction

The introduction serves as a debrief of the paper’s background and presents the research question. Like any high school essay’s introduction, this section narrows in scope as it concludes.

First, the writers broach the general research topic, then proffer their niche within that field and finally propose the purpose and design of the experiment.

Hack the results

The results section is both the most straightforward and meatiest section that flows in a similar order to materials and methods (which you can generally skip). Often, creating the figures for this section takes the longest, partly due to their function: imparting the key findings. However, don’t forgo the legends — short blurbs of extra details underneath a figure or above a table. Pay attention to replicates, sample size (the more the better) and error bars (overlapping error bars are usually bad, as they indicate results might not be statistically significant).

Stop by the discussion and conclusions

The discussion section will always figure into a research paper, as the analysis of any results or trends can point to whether this supports or rejects the hypothesis.

However, the conclusions section isn’t wholly necessary and thus is the most often left out section, frequently subsumed by the discussion. It acts as the cherry on top, a space for the researchers to step back, view the big picture, and mention future directions. Do the trends in results line up with those you noticed?

Ready, Set, Action!

I always recommend annotating your article as you go. Highlight important background points, underline significant numbers and circle key words. Interaction with the text is key; trying to skim the whole thing just wastes time. Here’s an overview of how I read research papers:

1. Take a few minutes to read the abstract.

2. Skim the first and last sentences of each paragraph in the introduction.

3. Then, the figures, tables and their legends are the only things you should spend time reading in the results sections.

4. Drop by the discussion for the researchers’ analysis of the important results and trends.

5. The conclusions should answer your question: “Why does this matter?”

6. Try to write your own abstract! Summarize the important points in a few sentences. Then, summarize the article like you’re explaining it to a friend who really doesn’t care.

Online Resources

For more tips, visit Science in the Classroom, a webpage of annotated research articles with explanatory notes and videos.

ILLUSTRATION BY ODESSA LYON

COLUMN: Jesse Eisenberg loves Bloomington

By Halie Jasinover hjasino@iu.edu

If you were an IU student and you watched the Oscar-nominated film “A Real Pain,” you may have noticed a familiar crimson hat atop Jesse Eisenberg’s head. When I watched it with my mom, I excitedly pointed out this detail, eager to tell her about the “lore” surrounding one of my favorite actors.

Eisenberg wrote, directed and starred in “A Real Pain” alongside “Succession” fanfavorite and Oscar-nominee Kieran Culkin. The film follows the two actors as cousins who travel to Poland to see where their Holocaust survivor grandmother lived. The film itself is phenomenal and well deserving of the Best Original Screenplay Oscar nomination it received (even though I firmly believe it should’ve earned a Best Picture nod as well). With the Oscars coming up, Eisenberg sat down with CBS News to discuss the film and gave some rare insights into his personal life. He talked with CBS News correspondent Tracy Smith at Canter’s Deli in Los Angeles. The lunch was filled with my personal favorite foods: chocolate babka and pickles. In the extended interview that aired Feb. 2, he explained his passion for our

beloved Bloomington.

Eisenberg’s wife, Anna Strout, is an Indiana native and IU alumna. The 2000 graduate, Strout was the recipient of the Richard D. Young Award. This award has been given to students in the Individualized Major Program whose “combination of academic excellence and civic engagement exemplifies the ideals the program exists to nurture.”

Strout’s late mother, who died in 2017, was the executive director of the Middle Way House, a nonprofit domestic violence shelter and sexual assault resource center in Bloomington. After her death, Eisenberg and Strout dedicated time to helping with the nonprofit. In a 2018 interview with Chicago Reader, Eisenberg described Bloomington as a “hotbed of activism.”

The couple moved to Bloomington during the pandemic and took up volunteering with Middle Way House. Many of the usual student volunteers had gone home, so they found themselves helping in whatever way they could. They coordinated donations from local businesses like Inkwell Bakery, who donated food to the shelter.

In his recent CBS News interview, Eisenberg talked about the peace he found from volunteering almost every day at the shelter.

“It sounds weird to say this, and I don’t mean this for any kind of – it was, like, the happiest time of my life. I was painting walls and fixing garbage disposals. And I just loved it so much,” he said. “I loved being able to, like, accomplish something where there was no, like, critique of it, you know what I mean?”

Throughout his career, Eisenberg has been spotted showing his appreciation for IU. In 2017, he spent time with the IU women’s basketball team speaking with head coach Teri Moren. In 2016, he surprised Alpha Chi Omega whose philanthropy supports Middle Way House.

There is even a Reddit discussion on his time in Bloomington in which one commenter claims the actor as a Bloomington local.

“I think college towns are just the best place on earth because they attract the most interesting people to one area.”

Jesse Eisenberg, actor

“I will always consider Jesse a Bloomingtonian,” they wrote. “I’ve seen him around too many times to count.”

Eisenberg’s love for Bloomington is a very popular conversation starter these days. Every one of my friends had received a call or text from their parents when the CBS News interview aired. It was a sweet reminder of all of the good that goes on behind the scenes in Bloomington.

Eisenberg perhaps said it best himself when discussing Bloomington in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter.

“I think college towns are just the best place on earth because they attract the most interesting people to one area,” he said. “Based around one thing: academia.”

MOVIE STILLS DATABASE

Jesse Eisenberg and Kieran Culkin sit during a behind the scenes photo shoot for the film “A Real Pain.” Eisenberg was pictured wearing an IU hat throughout the film.

Unravelling IU’s legendary folklore

By Arnaav Anand arnanand@iu.edu

Students have walked IU’s campus for over 200 years, leaving behind stories passed down through generations. From whispered legends to strange traditions that defy explanation, IU’s folklore is woven into the fabric of student experiences.

Some tales are rooted in history, while others take on a life of their own, shaped by the bizarre imaginations of those who care to share them.

Wells Library sinking

According to campus lore, the architect who designed Herman B Wells Library in 1969 made a critical miscalculation — he forgot to account for the weight of the books. As a result, the library has been slowly sinking a few inches into the ground ever since. Of course, the story doesn’t hold up to scrutiny. The 12-story library was built atop a solid 94-foot bed of limestone, a foundation that isn’t about to give way under any number of books it can hold.

Still, the legend persists — maybe it’s the sheer absurdity of the idea, or perhaps it’s because every student, at some point, has felt the overwhelming weight of knowledge pressing down on them.

The IU Birdman

During spring 1966, students reported hearing a nightly bird-like call echoing through McNutt Quadrangle. No one knew his identity, but allegedly, at exactly 10:30 p.m. each night, his strange cry would pierce the air, starting as a slow pitch and rising into a hysterical shrieking laugh.

The sound quickly became a campus sensation, drawing students to the McNutt and Foster Quadrangle parking lots just to hear it. Some even recorded the eerie call for local radio broadcasts. However, not everyone found the Birdman amusing. Dormitory and university officials saw him as a disturbance and launched efforts to catch him in the act. When word of this plan spread, students banded together to protect him from being discovered. His legend grew, culminating in an infamous pantry raid where his call became a rallying signal for the chaos. Eventually, the administration caught him, and the Birdman’s reign came to an end.

The Hatchet Man

Editor’s note: This story includes mention of violence.

The chilling tale of the Hatchet Man begins with a premonition by clairvoyant Jean Dickson, who predicted that someone would escape from a mental health hospital and kill one female student from Indiana’s top three universities. When news spread that a dangerous man had indeed broken out of a hospital near Bloomington, fear gripped the campus.

The legend follows two students who had received special permission to stay in their dorm at the empty McNutt Quadrangle over Thanksgiving break. They became uneasy after hearing about the escaped man over the radio and devised a secret knock so they could recognize each other.

As the evening wore on, one of the girls, who was studying alone in her third-floor room, heard a strange sound echoing through the empty halls — a dragging, thumping noise moving up the stairs, slowly making its way toward her door. Then came the scratching. Gentle at first, then more frantic. Frozen with fear, she pulled the covers over her head and lay still, too terrified to respond.

Eventually, the noise faded, and she spent the rest of the night wide awake. The next morning, she cautiously unlocked her door, only to stumble back in horror. Lying in front of her room was her friend from the ground floor, her fingernails worn down to the bone from desperately clawing at the door. A hatchet was buried deep in her back.

The Rose Well House

Nestled in the heart of IU’s Old Crescent, the Rose Well House is more than just a picturesque landmark. It’s the setting of one of the most enduring romantic legends on campus. Built in 1908 over a cistern that once supplied water to the campus, the small limestone pavilion has long been a gathering place for students.

It is said that Theodore F. Rose, who funded its construction, modelled the shape of the eight-sided well house on his Beta Theta Pi fraternity pin. For generations, the Rose Well House has been tied to love and commitment and while it served as a favored spot for marriage proposals and weddings, a new tradition took hold.

Legend has it that if you share a kiss with your significant other inside the well house at the stroke of midnight, your love will last forever. The kiss only counts if it lasts the duration of the full twelve strokes of midnight. Whether students believe in the magic or just

enjoy the tradition, the Rose Well House remains a cherished symbol of IU’s romantic folklore for couples seeking a moment of history, and maybe just a little superstition, under its stone archways.

The Stolen Fish of Showalter Fountain

Few campus landmarks are as beloved, or as frequently tampered with, as Showalter Fountain. Depicting the “Birth of Venus” surrounded by five bronze fish, the fountain has been at the center of IU traditions and pranks for decades.

As of today, four of these fish are original, but one of them is a replica. After IU’s historic 1987 men’s basketball national cham-

pionship win, one of the fish disappeared, never to be seen again. While the replica was installed in 2009, legends surrounding the original still persist. Some say it will only be returned when IU wins another banner while others believe the team won’t win again until the fish is brought back.

When former head coach Bob Knight was fired in 2000, students gathered at the fountain in protest and carried one of the fish all the way to the football stadium. In 2013, two more fish were nearly stolen just after graduation. Whether a prank, a curse or just a campus mystery, the missing fish remains one of IU’s most famous legends.

IU ARCHIVES

Two people sit together inside the Rose Well House Sept. 22, 1958, on campus in Bloomington. Couples who kiss inside the Rose Well House for the full twelve strokes of midnight are said to last forever in love.

The hidden gems on IU’s campus

By Andrew Miller ami3@iu.edu | @andrew_mmiller

IU has a long and storied history with all sorts of nooks and crannies hiding history and hidden gems. All you need to do to find them is just take some solid time in your first year and explore, preferably with some friends.

Here are some of my favorites from nearly three years of experience:

Hilltop Garden and Nature Center

All the way on the northeast end of campus lies the Hilltop Garden and Nature Center, an amazing area not many people know about. You can volunteer at the center and learn about gardening through various courses available for registration on its website.

Maxwell Hall Courtyard

spot in the middle of campus for that.

Kirkwood Observatory

Anyone who’s ever been in Dunn’s Woods has likely seen the Kirkwood Observatory’s pearl dome hiding behind some trees. It hosts free public viewings every Wednesday when classes are in session between March and November – which I highly recommend.

It’s named after IU mathematics professor and astronomer Daniel Kirkwood (if you’ve ever wondered who Kirkwood Avenue is named after, it’s this legend.) The observatory also has a solar telescope, which allows you to see sunspots and solar flares, also super cool.

Conrad Prebys Amphitheater

When I was a freshman goofing off with my friends late at night on IU’s campus, we’d frequent the Conrad Prebys Amphitheater right next to the Bryan House for various shenanigans. It’s not really hidden, I just think it’s underutilized.

This is a tiny but super cute spot right

Most importantly, however, is the oncea-year phenomenon that is Bug Fest. This typically happens in late summer into early fall and features a variety of bug related activities and insects of all kinds. Good for people of all ages.

by the Indiana Memorial Union in Maxwell Hall. If you walk along the east side of the building, you’ll see an arch leading into a tiny garden. Inside are some areas to sit, a small pebble fountain and some greenery. It’s a cool place to chill if you ever need a

If you liked “Dead Poet’s Society” this is kind of analogous to the cave. It was stupid then as it is stupid now, but my friend and I performing part of the “Hymn to Hermes” in front of random people at around 1:30 a.m. one night is one of those college memories I won’t forget.

BRIANA PACE | IDS

The Kirkwood Observatory is pictured Feb. 27, 2024, at 119 S. Indiana Ave. in Bloomington. The Observatory was constructed in 1900.

Why ‘bring back the bison’?

By Natalia Nelson nelsonnb@iu.edu | @natalianelsonn

Despite having over 200 years to develop a brand and marketing, Indiana University lacks in one area — it has no mascot.

It’s not for a lack of trying. During the 1900s, IU tested out a slew of mascots, from an owl to a raccoon to dogs, but none ever stuck. Finally, in 1965, IU’s student senate unanimously voted for the bison to represent IU.

The push for the bison was founded on Indiana’s history. They were once native to Indiana but were hunted close to extinction. Now, only about 100 live in a protected prairie in northwestern Indiana. A bison is also

pictured at the bottom of the state seal.

IU ran into trouble figuring out how to put a bison on the field. The initial idea was to purchase a live bison, but feeding, housing and training one would pose too many problems, and the U.S. Department of the Interior, which conserves endangered species, public land and national parks, eventually shut the plan down.

Instead, a bison costume was purchased by the Student Athletic Board. The design left much to be desired — the bison costume’s lateral eyes, lack of arms and hunched posture made it difficult for whoever was in the costume to move on their own, let alone perform tricks or gimmicks to entertain the crowd. Instead, they were led around the

field by a rope.

The bison mascot only lasted until 1969, but the push to bring it back has resurfaced 55 years later. Late last year IU’s Student Government voted to pass a bill that would reinstate the bison as IU’s official mascot. The move came after a poll on their Instagram story found that nearly three-quarters of respondents favored bringing it back.

The bill stated that the bison had sporadically reappeared at IU events and that reinstating it would “enhance the sense of pride and unity among students, faculty, alumni and other supporters of IU athletics”

But until the university makes an official move, the fate of the furry bovine will remain in limbo.

MICHELLE REZSONYA | IDS

The Little 500 Bison rides around Bill Armstrong Stadium during pre-race ceremonies April 19, 2024, in Bloomington. The Bison first appeared as an IU mascot in 1965.

IU ARCHIVES

An IU student poses with the bison mascot on October 15, 1966. The Student Athletic Board purchased this particular bison costume for $1,400—which would be around $13,650 today.

Why is limestone so important to Bloomington?

By Ethan Roberts ethrobe@iu.edu | @usaethanroberts

Indiana’s first commercial limestone quarry opened in 1827. Now, Indiana University hosts an annual Limestone Fest. But why is this rock so important to the Indiana Uplands area?

According to Smithsonian Magazine, the 35-mile stretch of limestone between Bedford and Bloomington has aided in the reconstruction of several historical buildings, including many of the buildings affected by the Great Chicago Fire in the 1890s and the Pentagon in the early 2000s after the 9/11 attacks.

Indiana limestone also aided in the construction of the Empire State Building in New York and the National Cathedral and parts of the Lincoln and Jefferson memorials in Washington, D.C.

Limestone became the solution to reconstruction because of its flame-resistance. According to the Natural Stone Institute, limestone has the highest R-value, the measured ability to resist heat flow, of the most common stone types used in building construction.

According to an IU press release, it is estimated that 50% to 75% of all limestone build-

ings in North America are made of Indiana limestone, including several buildings on IU’s campus such as Ballantine, Kirkwood, and Wylie Halls.

In 2007, Visit Bloomington and the Lawrence County Tourism Commission rec-

ATWATER EYE CARE CENTER

ognized the month of June as “Limestone Month.” In June, there are tours, exhibitions and other festivities to celebrate the Indiana state rock.

In June 2022, the Indiana Geological and Water Survey, a geological research organiza-

tion associated with IU, hosted the inaugural Limestone Fest on IU’s campus.

Bedford, a city 18-miles south of Bloomington that shares much of Bloomington’s limestone inventory, is the limestone capital of the world.

JAMES RUSH | IDS

Memorial Hall is pictured Nov. 6, 2024, on campus. The building was constructed in 1924.

COLUMN: Indiana football’s season ends, but its ceiling remains untouched

By Jhett Garrett jhgarr@iu.edu | @jhettgarrett

Originally published in the Indiana Daily Student on Dec. 21, 2024

SOUTH BEND, Ind. — The historic Indiana football season came to an end Friday to the University of Notre Dame after falling 27-17. A season filled with new highs, broken records and a wave of magic that Bloomington hasn’t seen in the football program before may have ended sooner than most hoped for but was a solid building block for year one.

Despite figures like Kirk Herbstreit and Nick Saban saying on College GameDay that other teams belonged in the College Football Playoff instead, the Hoosiers exceeded expectations in a way no one could imagine just four months ago.

A road playoff game in the first season under Curt Cignetti after winning a combined nine games in the last three seasons is not the ceiling for this Indiana program.

“11-2. Tied for second in the Big Ten. Made the College Football Playoff,” Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti said postgame. “We made a lot of people proud and had a historic season. We set the foundation for hopefully what’s to come.”

Heading into the 2024 season, Indiana was a consensus bottom two team in the Big Ten according to projections from major outlets. A new head coach filling a team with players that hadn’t ever graced Power Four football won 11 games in dominant fashion in one of the top conferences in the nation.

Earlier in the week, Cignetti made a comment that the Hoosiers weren’t satisfied with just an appearance in the playoffs. They were not interested in a “participation trophy,” and the proof is in the pudding as Indiana preps for the transfer portal.

“You can change a lot of things in a year,” Cignetti said, “We have seven recruits on campus tomorrow morning on official visits and Saturday and Sunday, we can have them on.”

There will be plenty of positions to fill with the newfound prominence of the transfer portal as well as players that will be out of eligibility. One of those includes the quarterback position, as sixth-year senior Kurtis Rourke officially played his final college game. Even though the Oakville, Canada, native spent just one season with the Hoosiers, Rourke left an impact that will last long after his departure from Bloomington.

“Although it wasn’t the way we wanted to end it, I’m glad we were able to do it togeth-

er and kind of start the dynasty of Indiana as it moves forward,” Rourke said.

While Rourke wasn’t able to settle in the way he wanted against the Fighting Irish, the season he was able to put together, including two first-place votes for the Heisman Trophy, is one Indiana fans will remember for years to come.

Rourke’s message was echoed by offensive lineman Mike Katic. Most of the players on the roster hadn’t been through the ups and downs of the last five years, however Katic has seen it all.

When Katic joined the Indiana football program in 2019, the Hoosiers were coming off back-to-back losing seasons under a new coaching regime in Tom Allen. Since then, the sixth-year senior was a part of a season that saw the Hoosiers ranked as high as 7th in the AP Poll, followed by three seasons that saw them win just nine games in total.

However, Katic decided to come back to the program for his final season, a decision that he certainly does not regret.

“I’m going to remember this team as the

closest team that I’ve ever been a part of,” Katic said. “I’m so happy that I made the decision to come back.”

Even though he won’t be back on the Indiana roster when it takes the field again Aug. 30 against Old Dominion University, Katic embraced that he was able to leave the program in a better place than he found it.

“I think fans, and everyone should see what we did this year,” Katic said. “We changed the trajectory of Indiana football. We changed the way people think about Indiana football.”

One player the Hoosiers aren’t expecting to lose is junior linebacker Aiden Fisher. After transferring to Indiana with Cignetti from James Madison University, Fisher quickly became the quarterback of the defense. While he was a prominent part of one of the top defenses in college football, Fisher doesn’t plan on hanging his hat there.

“Moving forward, I would just say we’ve got to stay disciplined,” Fisher said. “You look at the two losses we had last year, we’re just getting out averaged in angles.”

The two biggest games the Hoosiers played this season saw them outscored by a total of 34 points. With road trips to Oregon on Oct. 11 and Penn State on Nov. 8, the big games are only going to keep stacking up.

“We got to this point just being ourselves and playing the way that we play,” Fisher said. “In these big games you can’t defer from that; you’ve got to just play your game and just be disciplined in the way you play.”

The bar has risen quicker than almost any program has seen before. From going 3-9 a season ago to playing in Notre Dame Stadium in the first ever 12-team playoff game, things are only going to keep changing. Indiana is officially an attractive destination for future recruits, whether that be out of high school or the transfer portal.

That is what Curt Cignetti and company now turn their attention to. The program has not yet been built up to all that it can be and is going to continue to trend in the right direction. While this game stings for the players and Hoosier faithful, there are much brighter days ahead for this program and its supporters.

BRIANA PACE | IDS

Junior linebacker Aiden Fisher runs to a University of Notre Dame player Dec. 20, 2024, at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Indiana. The Hoosiers allowed 27 points against the Fighting Irish.

Will Indiana’s new government budget affect the 21st Century Scholars program?

By Deshna Venkatachalam devenkat@iu.edu

Originally published in the Indiana Daily Student on March 5, 2025

Editor’s note: House Bill1001 was signed into law May 6, 2025, and takes effect July 1, 2025.

Indiana Republicans’ proposed state budget does not include the College Success Program grant, set to continue through the end of this year. However, not much will physically change for those impacted by the grant at IU.

In 2023, the Indiana Commission for Higher Education awarded $1 million to IU under the House Enrolled Act No. 1001 for the 2023-25 state budget. This was called the 2023 College Success Program grant and allowed IU to dedicate funding towards hiring 12 full-time student success coaches for the 21st Century Scholars program across the campuses.

While the original grant will expire at the

end of the year, the student success coach positions will continue to be supported by other state funding.

Founded in 1990, the 21st Century Scholars Program provides financial and academic resources to support low and middleincome college students. Freshman and 21st Century Scholar Kali Yazel said having access to her student success coach has been important for her college career.

“I have not met with anyone in person or [by] phone call, but she is constantly connecting with me to make sure that I know she’s there,” Yazel said. “I think this is really important for students who don’t necessarily have people like that they can text.”

The College Success Program was originally set to end on Oct. 31, 2024. However, an extension of another $1 million for the second year was granted based off the growth the program showed after receiving the grant.

According to a IU Today article last year, IU Bloomington was one of the six IU campuses to see increased retention of first year

21st Century Scholars from the 2022-23 academic year to 2023-24. Additionally, it also saw an increase in bachelor’s degrees earned by scholars.

“It’s almost like being in a club,” Yazel said. “It’s like its own bubble with monthly newsletters, social events and things like that. There are girls that I’ve met through it who I’m now good friends with.”

The Braun-backed budget is a step toward his pledge to cut $700 million in government spending over the next two years. This involves excluding some of the money toward state educational institutions.

Martin University, a Predominantly Black Institution in Indiana, began receiving state funding just two years ago. They are now facing possible withdrawal of state funds.

“The withdrawal of state funding does not mean that the university lacks funding,” Martin University’s Board of Trustees Chair Joseph Perkins said in a statement online. “Martin has appreciated the support from the state, but it is not the foundation of our operations.”

The exclusion of the College Success Program will not stop all state funding toward 21st Century Scholars at IU.

“Governor Mike Braun’s proposed budget continues to fund Indiana’s 21st Century Scholars Program,” Emily Price, communications director for Indiana Commission for Higher Education, said in an email to the IDS. “The College Success Program is separate and was established through HEA 10012023 as one-time funding to create the College Success coaching positions.”

CHLOE LAVELLE | IDS

The Diversity Equity and Multicultural Affairs building, home to the 21st Century Scholars office, is pictured March 2, 2025, on IU Bloomington’s campus. Indiana Republicans’ proposed state budget did not include the College Success Program grant.

Hoosier sports through the years

There will be many teams and athletes to cheer on during your time at IU and after. Here are a few sports moments in IU’s history.

IU ARCHIVES

1926 Members of the Women’s Athletic Association wear their “IU” sweaters. Members were awarded the sweaters after earning points for their participation in a variety of sports including basketball, soccer and baseball.

1980 Runner Jim Spivey garnered many titles including Big Ten individual cross country championships in 1980 and 1982. He was a three-time All-American and Big Ten Athlete of the Year in 1981 and 1982.

ARBUTUS FILE PHOTO

IDS FILE PHOTO

2019 Swimmer Lilly King waves to the crowd in the CounsilmanBillingsley Aquatic Center. Among her accomplishments are two gold medals at the 2016 Summer Olympics and sweeping the breaststroke events at the 2017 and 2019 World Championships.

IDS FILE PHOTO BY TY VINSON

2018 The IU women’s basketball team huddles and celebrates after winning the WNIT Championship. The game against Virginia Tech was the last game of the Hoosiers’ 23-14 season.

ARBUTUS FILE PHOTO BY JIM BOWLING 1999 Emily Spencer and Laura Mettes jump in an attempt to block the ball during a volleyball match. Home matches are played in Wilkinson Hall.

ARBUTUS FILE PHOTO BY DMITRY KIYATKIN

1998 Players celebrate after the men’s soccer team won the NCAA Championship in 1998. The team has won eight national titles: 1982, 1983, 1988, 1998, 1999, 2003, 2004 and 2012.

IDS FILE PHOTO BY BRIANA PACE

2024 Indiana football players run out of the tunnel before taking on the University of North Carolina at Charlotte on Sept. 21, 2024. The Hoosiers ended the seasons with an 11-2 record, 8-1 in the Big Ten Conference. The team earned a 10th-place ranking in the final AP poll.

IU ARCHIVES

1994 IU softball player Michelle Venturella was named the 1994 Player of The Year. In 2000, the former Hoosier won an Olympic gold medal for team USA.

IU ARCHIVES

1896 The IU baseball team dates back to the 1880s. Since 2013, the team plays home games at Bart Kaufman Field. IU has won four Big Ten Conference baseball tournaments, seven Big Ten Conference titles.

IDS FILE PHOTO BY GISELLE MARSTELLER

2024 Junior back Emma Thompson pushes the ball against Ball State University on Sept. 13, 2024, at Deborah Tobias Field in Bloomington. Indiana split its weekend against Penn State and Lock Haven. Field hockey has been a varsity sport since 2000.

1970s Legendary IU swimming coach Doc Counsilman talks with champion swimmer Mark Spitz. Spitz won nine Olympic golds, a silver and a bronze between 1968 and 1972.

IU ARCHIVES

IDS FILE PHOTO

2008 Angel Escobedo celebrates his victory in the 125-pound championship match at the NCAA wrestling national championships. Escobedo is now IU’s coach.

What to know about student government at IU

By Grace Romine gmromine@iu.edu

What is IUSG?

Founded in 1912 as a student council, the group was dedicated to “student welfare and self-governance.” Having undergone several transformations since its creation, the student organization was known as the IU Student Association (IUSA) for nearly 45 years before adopting the name IUSG in 2018.

As stated in the preamble to its constitution, “IUSG exists to give voice to our common grievances, concerns, and hopes, and to take action to realize an everstronger University. We work to protect student rights, enrich student life, and improve Indiana University.”

What do they do?

Just like the US federal government, IUSG has three branches – the Executive, the Student Body Congress and the Student Body Supreme Court.

The Executive Branch is made up of the student body president and vice president, who campaign together in the spring during an election all students can vote in. Their administration includes a chief of staff, executive secretary, congressional secretary and several departments, offices, and executive advisory groups, including the student rights department, grants management office and the multicultural advisory council.

Members of Student Body Congress are the policy makers. Among many other responsibilities, the congress reviews the student body president’s cabinet and judicial nominees and passes the IUSG Budget Act each spring, in which they determine how their six-figure annual revenue will be spent. The money comes from a portion of the Student Activity Fee, which all students are required to pay each semester. The branch is led by the speaker, then congressional press secretary, recorder and parliamentarian.

The supreme court is led by one chief justice and 10 associate justices. According to their website, justices work “on behalf of students to keep elections honest, represent the student voice on university committees, and hear cases from the university judicial system.”

Legislation and programs put into action previously by IUSG include free emergency contraception at the IU Student

Health Center, a mock exam day — offering free proctored mock exams for the LSAT, MCAT, DAT and GRE — and the calculator loaner program.

Several IUSG students are also appointed to serve on university committees where they participate in shared governance, meaning students provide insight into university decisions alongside faculty, staff and administrators. Committees include the Hazing Prevention Coalition, IUB Substance Use Coalition and the Climate Action Plan Implementation Committee.

Who represents me?

The ACTION Administration — Student Body President Zachary Goldberg and Student Body Vice President Ava Smith — took office in April and will serve for one year. They campaigned on three pillars: safety, community and success.

As for congress, there are 20 elected student representatives from academic districts and 20 elected from residential districts. This means there are a certain number of students who represent each school and students who represent each of the three neighborhoods on campus, as well as Greek life housing, on-campus apartments and off-campus living. The number of seats per district is determined by student population.

There are also multicultural representatives appointed by their organization, including the Indonesian Student Association, Multicultural Greek Council and the Muslim Student Association.

Representatives serve one-year terms.

How do I get involved?

IUSG holds general elections in both fall and spring, which all students can vote in through BeINvolved. Details on the fall 2025 general election are not yet available. Students are also encouraged to apply for any vacant congressional seats, both residential and academic, which were not filled during elections.

Freshman can be paired with an IUSG executive branch member to shadow and work toward implementing a project of their own through the First-Year Internship Program.

More information on IUSG can be found at iustudentgovernment.indiana.edu.

COURTESY OF IUSG

Ava Smith, Student Body Vice President (left); Zachary Goldberg, Student Body President (right)

IU Bloomington’s undergraduate schools

By Safin Khatri safkhat@iu.edu

IU Bloomington has 12 undergraduate degree-granting schools and an honors college.

The largest school at IU is the College of Arts and Sciences with majors ranging from political science to biology. The college is housed in buildings in the south and central parts of campus. Arts and sciences also houses three schools: the Eskenazi School of Art, Architecture + Design; the Hamilton Lugar School of Global and International Studies and The Media School.

Eskenazi School of Art, Architecture + Design

The Eskenazi School of Art, Architecture + Design has 14 areas of study ranging from fashion design to merchandising. The school is in three buildings in the central part of campus.

Hamilton Lugar School of Global and International Studies

The Hamilton Lugar School of Global and International Studies features the largest foreign language program in the nation and offers seven majors. The school is named after former Indiana Senator Richard Lugar and

former Rep. Lee Hamilton. The school is in the Global and International Studies Building south of Wells Library.

Media School

The Media School was established in 2014, merging journalism, telecommunications and communications into one school. The school offers programs in media, journalism, cinematic arts and game design. It also features student media including the IDS, WIUX and IUSTV. Franklin Hall — formerly a library with an iconic red roof — is home to the school, adjacent to Sample Gates.

Kelley School of Business

The Kelley School of Business is a topranked program offering 20 majors, including IU’s most popular major: finance. The undergraduate program is in Hodge Hall, in the northern part of campus off 10th Street and Fee Lane.

School of Education

The School of Education offers nine majors, including elementary and secondary education. The school is in the Wendell W. Wright Education Building on Rose Avenue in the central part of campus.

Luddy School of Informatics, Computing and Engineering

The Luddy School of Informatics, Computing and Engineering offers five majors and is housed in three buildings in the northwestern part of campus. Luddy also features Big Red 200, one of the largest university owned supercomputers in the nation.

Jacobs School of Music

Jacobs School of Music is one of the largest music schools in the nation, offering 24 areas of study from ballet to music business. Jacobs features student performances in ballet, orchestra and opera with tickets available to the public and to students at a reduced price. The school is located in six buildings in the central part of campus.

School of Nursing

The School of Nursing is in the Regional Academic Health Center, adjacent to the IU Health Bloomington Hospital. Nursing students can be spotted wearing crimson scrubs around campus.

School of Social Work

The School of Social Work is also located

at the RAHC and offers programs in social work and labor studies.

O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs

The O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs is home to around 3,000 students and is commonly known as SPEA. O’Neill offers five areas of study and is adjacent to the Kelley School of Business in the northern part of campus.

School of Public Health

The School of Public Health-Bloomington offers programs including tourism, kinesiology and epidemiology. The school is next to Bill Garret Fieldhouse in the central part of campus.

Hutton Honors College

Hutton Honors College is an admission only program, which allows students to take honors classes and the opportunity to complete the Hutton Honors Notation.

From finance to folklore, there is something for every student to explore. Take advantage of the hundreds of areas of study offered across the 13 schools at IU and consider taking a few classes or even a minor in a different school.

COURTESY PHOTO

Jaylon C. Crump is pictured performing a song with the cast of “Hadestown.” The Tony Award-winning musical was performed Feb. 4-5, 2025, at IU Auditorium in Bloomington.

Bloomington local stores to shop at and places to get IU merch

Tracks on Kirkwood is seen on Sept. 21.

By Ayzah Khan ayzkhan@iu.edu

Bloomington is full of local charm and Hoosier pride, offering a variety of shops where you can find unique gifts, vintage treasures, and official IU merchandise. So, whether you’re a student, alum or a visitor, here’s a curated guide to some of the best local spots to shop and snag IU gear.

Official IU Merchandise

Indiana University Campus Bookstore

This three-story bookstore is the go-to spot for official IU apparel, located inside the Indiana Memorial Union. From clothing to kitchenware, you’ll be able to find a wide variety of items that showcase your Hoosier spirit.

Located at: 900 E 7th St, Bloomington, IN 47405

Indiana Hoosiers Team Store

From the official jerseys to the famous candy-striped pants, a variety of Hoosier apparel can be found at the Varsity Shop with locations in both the Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall and on the corner of Kirkwood and Indi-

ana Avenue. So, whether you’ve just wrapped up a basketball game or are taking a stroll down Kirkwood, you’ll always have a place to look around.

Located at:

· 101 E 17th ST, Bloomington, IN 47408

· 530 E Kirkwood Ave, Bloomington, IN 47408

The Indiana Shop

With two locations across campus – one on Third Street across from the Simon Music Center and another on Kirkwood Avenue

– The Indiana Shop is known as the ultimate IU fan shop with a wide variety of IU apparel, home decor and alums merchandise being available.

Located at:

· 1302 E 3rd St, Bloomington, IN 47401

· 421 E Kirkwood Ave, Bloomington, IN 47408

Local Boutiques + Vintage Finds

Tracks

Located on Kirkwood Avenue, Tracks is a clothing and music store offering a wide range of t-shirts, tank tops and hoodies with most of them being uniquely designed or a

part of limited-edition collections inspired by upcoming campus events. With each drop being one-of-a-kind, it’s best to grab your favorites while you can.

Located at: 415 E Kirkwood Ave, Bloomington, IN 47408

Greetings

A few steps away from Sample Gates, Greetings offers unique IU-themed apparel, quirky souvenirs, home decor, car accessories and more making it a great spot to find trendy designs and exclusive souvenirs.

Located at: 429 E Kirkwood Ave, Bloomington, IN 47408

SLCT Stock

SLCT Stock can be considered a hidden gem. The store curates collections of various vintage sneakers, t-shirts, hats and vintage IU apparel. However, with the collections selling out fast, it’s best to keep an eye out for their unique pieces.

Located at: 208 N Walnut St, Bloomington, IN 47408

Shopping Centers

College Mall

MICHAEL CLAYCAMP | IDS

Acting as Bloomington’s main shopping center, featuring national brands, local shops, and dining options, College Mall is a place you can find whatever you’re looking for. It’s also home to Rally House, a go-to destination for IU apparel for students, alums and fans as they offer a range of items from jerseys and hats to accessories.

Located at: 2894 E 3rd St, Bloomington, IN 47401

Fountain Square Mall

Nestled in the heart of downtown Bloomington, Fountain Square Mall is a multi-level shopping destination housed in a historic building. Featuring a mix of locally owned boutiques, gift shops, art galleries, and specialty stores, it’s a great spot to explore whether you’re looking for vintage finds, IU-themed gifts, handmade jewelry, unique home decor and clothing.

Located at: 101 W Kirkwood Ave, Bloomington, IN 47404

Whether you’re hunting for the perfect IU hoodie, a vintage tee, or a unique souvenir, these local shops offer diverse options allowing you to take a piece of Bloomington home with you.

Where to find academic resources

By Theo Hawkins sohawkin@iu.edu

Every student, whether they’re totally new to college or pursuing a master’s degree, needs help sometimes. The best thing to do is to reach out for support. Fortunately, IU students have access to a number of academic resources that can help students succeed.

Academic Support Center and tutoring

The Academic Support Center serves as a free academic resource in IU residence halls and culture centers. The ASC offers online and in-person individual or group tutoring, workshops, review sessions, and other services.

The ASC is primarily located in Briscoe, Forest, and Teter residence halls, with satellite locations inside La Casa Latino Cultural Center, the Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center, and 300 N Eagleson Ave. across from the Neal-Marshall Center. Students interested in ASC tutoring may visit academicsupport.indiana.edu/tutoring-services to view specifics on drop-in subject area support and may also email acadsupp@iu.edu for more information. The ASC also helps direct students toward other academic support resources on campus.

Students looking for more subject-specific tutoring services may also visit tutoring.indiana.edu to search for course tutoring, or search for resources through specific academic departments.

Writing Tutorial Services

Writing Tutorial Services provides students with free one-on-one or group support for all kinds of academic writing, including essays, research papers, cover letters, scholarship applications and more. WTS also hosts a drop-in undergraduate writing group at its Wells Library location and provides guides for a variety of writing skills on its website.

WTS is located on the first floor of the Learning Commons in the Wells Library with secondary locations inside the Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center, La Casa Latino Cultural Center, 300 N Eagleson Ave., Briscoe Quad, Teter Quad, and Forest Quad. More WTS information can be found online at wts.indiana.edu or requested via email at wts@indiana.edu.

Academic Advising and Major Exploration Services

All students are assigned advisors through their major and other programs, but

may speak to academic advisors from other departments or at AMES at any time. Advisors at AMES are always available to help students with navigating their major, finding and moving to a new major and other transitions such as transferring or returning to IU. AMES is also responsible for the Majors, Minors, and More fair near the beginning of each semester, where students can visit booths to learn about a variety of academic opportunities.

AMES is located at Forest, Teter and Briscoe residence halls as well as the Wells Library. Pre-Nursing, Pre-Business and

lyourGenEd and

Exploratory students are automatically assigned advisors at AMES, but all students may make an appointment with an AMES advisor through the Student Appointment Scheduler in One.iu. More information about AMES can be found at ames.indiana. edu.

Student Academic Center

The Student Academic Center offers resources to help people become better students. This includes classes such as EDUC-X “Becoming a Better Student”; coaching on habits and skills, such as organization, timemanagement and test-taking; and Peer Assisted Study Sessions (or PASS) with other undergraduates who previously excelled in a class.

The Student Academic Center is located inside the Student Central building at 408 N Union St. More information can be found online at sac.indiana.edu.

Accessibility Support (web/tech accessibility and AES)

Students seeking accessibility support may find it through University Information Technology Services and the office of Accessible Educational Services.

UITS offers a number of resources for students to better access computer-based materials. This includes assistive hardware, such as specialized keyboards, and software, such as dictation software. UITS consultants are also available to speak to students about course accessibility, developing a remediation plan, coordinating accessible resources with professors and more. More information can be found at uits.indiana.edu/services/accessibility, over the phone at (812) 855-6789, via email at ithelp@iu.edu or at the UITS office on the fourth floor of the Wells Library.

Courses such as:

C111 Reading the World

C147 Images of the Self: East and West

C151 Intro to Popular Culture

C155 Culture and the Modern Experience

C216 Science Fiction & Fantasy Lit.

C217 Detective, Mystery & Horror Lit.

C251 Lyrics and Popular Song

C255 Modern Literature & Other Arts

C256 Literature & Other Arts: 1870–1950

C257 Asian Literature & Other Arts

C291 Studies in Non-Western Film

C317 Epic: Heroes, Gods & Rebels

C325 The Renaissance

C340 Women in World Literature

FILE PHOTO | IDS

Ernie Pyle Hall is seen Feb. 7, 2022, on East Seventh Street.

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IU Credit Union members enjoy:

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IU Credit Union is open to anyone who resides or works in one of 65 eligible Indiana counties. We’re a not-for-profit financial institution with seven branches statewide. As a member-owner of the Credit Union, you’ll have access to competitive loan and savings rates, plus a complete line of financial and digital services to keep you in touch with your finances no matter how far from home you are. Open your account online or stop by our branch on 17th Street!

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