University Senate discusses cheating

E-mail accounts to get more options

The Ball State University Communications Center announced changes made effective today to university student and faculty e-mail accounts.Until today, accounts that were new since May 2009 and had the default option of "opt-in" will be changed to the option of "opt-out."

Students rally to finish projects to help East Muncie community

More than 100 landscape architecture students packed into the first floor of the Architecture Building on Monday night to work on their department's annual design week project. Sheets of trace paper, maps of Muncie, rulers and lead pencils were scattered across rectangular tables as students brainstormed and sketched out their ideas.John Motloch, interim chairman of the landscape architecture department, said this year's project is to rework the industrial Eastside of Muncie into something more welcoming and usable. The area, near the intersection of Jackson Street and White River Boulevard, has been in a bit of disrepair and recently saw the demolition of the Indiana Steel and Wire factory, which had been idle since 2002.

Student opinions to help reform city

The Student Government Association's Chief of Staff Jessica Oxley has been discussing the Muncie Action Plan with Connie Gregory, director of the city's Development Department.Oxley said that the action plan is meant to let city officials hear the public's voice about issues the city faces. She also said that Ball State University and SGA want to get involved.

Muncie solicits input on city issues

Muncie Heart of the City had its monthly meeting Wednesday to discuss, among other events, the development of a Muncie Action Plan.Muncie Action Plan's purpose is to gather input from Muncie residents to create a set of goals to better the city.

Organization to screen film, bring awareness to civil war in Uganda

Members of the group Invisible Children will be showing a screening of their documentary, "The Rough Cut," Thursday evening in the Cooper Science Building.Freshman political science major Kacie Newhouse, who helped organize the event, said the film will educate Ball State University students about the civil war going on in Uganda.

Student group challenges smokers to ditch habit

Quitting smoking is a tough task and the Colleges Against Cancer student group wants to help Ball State University students get it done.The group, a chapter of the American Cancer Society, is holding a Great American Smokeout event in the Atrium today.

Student sets off sprinkler system

Morning classes at North Quad were redirected to another location Wednesday because an upset student set off the sprinkler system.Associate Director of Public Safety Bob Fey said the student's teacher saw him do it, but the teacher and student have not been identified.

Bracken to highlight technology

Tech4u highlights technology being used and created on campus. There will be 10 presentations on how technology and the internet can help you now and in the future. They will cover such things as "Flicker and Blogs," "Reading your DAPR" and "Google Wave." There will also be three demo and training sessions.

McCain advocates for youth voice in politics

Former 2008 Republican presidential nominee Sen. John McCain's daughter, Meghan McCain, talked to students about fitting into the political spectrum and the evolution of politics.She spoke at 7 p.m. Monday in Pruis Hall. Building Better Communities, College Republicans, The Excellence in Leadership Program, Spectrum and The Office of Student Life sponsored her speech.

Women of Knotts Hall learn about safe sex

Kappa Delta happy about Twister Tournament turn out

Students danced and twisted at Kappa Delta sorority's "Twister Tournament" Friday night in Irving Gym II.This tournament was a philanthropy event raising money and awareness for cancer. All proceeds from the tournament went to the American Brain Tumor Association.

Council finalizes city budget

Muncie citizens left City Hall disgruntled after the fiscal budget was finalized at a City Council meeting Friday night.The purpose of the meeting was to decide if City Council would accept or override the line vetoes, or amendments, made by Muncie Mayor Sharon McShurley on Monday.Council President Allison Quirk said if the vetoes were not accepted, $9,000 would be added back into the budget.

SGA spirit award goes to freshman

The Student Government Association announced freshman Corey Vanbuskirk as the winner of its "Write in to Win" contest.Students who entered the contest wrote about why they have the most school spirit. Vanbuskirk's essay beat several other entries to win the prize of watching Ball State University's final home football game against Central Michigan University in the presidential suite with Ball State President Jo Ann Gora.

Zulu dancers show the beauty of African culture

Zulu dancer Jomo Xulu said he dances to show the beauty of African culture."In the media, people see the sad side of Africa, the poor and unhealthy children," he said. "We are here to give you the beauty of Africa and to preserve the culture."

Student reports false crime to Ball State police

A Ball State University student confessed to police that she made up her reported Oct. 15 assault outside Woodworth and DeHority complexes, Director of Public Safety Gene Burton said.Burton said Karina Villa, 19, of Warsaw, told police she was lying about the crime after investigators called her in for a second interview on Nov. 4.

Guest speaker refines speech about famous paintings

An Indiana University Bloomington professor will give this year's speech at the Edmund F. Petty Memorial Lecture today in the Museum of Art.This year's lecture, "Sunshine and Shadow: Winslow Homer's Nervous Nostalgia in the 1870s," will be given by Sarah Burns, a professor of fine arts in the Department of History of Art at IU.

Health Center gets 300 H1N1 vaccines

The Ball State University Amelia T. Wood Health Center received 300 doses of H1N1 FluMist vaccine Wednesday, Health Center Director Kent Bullis said.

CICS students participate in Usability Day

Ten Ball State University graduate students with the Center for Information and Communication Sciences are traveling to IUPUI today to give a presentation about the definition of sustainability at the World Usability Day event.

Students react to Ball Gym bomb threat

Tuesday's bomb threat was taken care of quickly, but students and faculty of Ball Gym are still thinking about it.Patty Halton, senior health science major and supervisor at Ball Gym, said some staff members in the gym had worries about coming back, yet their supervisors had none. Workers' supervisors gave no acknowledgment to the situation and the gym was being run just like any other day.