Vol. 41Issue 15

Christina Dafnis & Azariah Southworth

ARE YOU SAFE?

Turn to page 12 to read about the controversy of ridding Huckleberry Finn of the “n-word.” PAGE 12

Wednesday, January 12, 2010

www.ipfwcommunicator.org

2010 has drawn to a close and many Fort Wayne residents look forward to a year of oppor-tunity, increased prosperity and renewed hopes for the future. But, for some, safety is of the utmost concern. The safety of your neighborhood can be assessed simply by finding out which “Division” of Fort Wayne you reside in.

The city of Fort Wayne is made up of four Di-visions - the Northwest, Northeast, Southwest, and Southeast. IPFW is located within the Northeast Division. The most recent annual report from 2009, published by the Fort Wayne Police Depart-ment (FWPD), states that the Northeast Division, “Con-tinues to have the lowest numbers of reported crimes of any other Division.”

Deputy Chief Garry Hamilton of the Northeast Division states, “The biggest problem is theft from vehicles. Leaving valuables like computers, GPS systems, or purses in their cars, then not locking their doors.” Hamilton sug-gest this can be avoided by locking your car doors and any valuable items in your trunk. “People do watch and check car doors to see if they’ve been left unlocked,” Hamilton says.

This remains true on IPFW campus. IPFW’s weekly Clery

Crime & Fire Log shows that in Decem-ber 2010 the highest number of reported offenses were theft. The records for last month show there were a reported five thefts, one battery, one missing person, three vandalisms, and four arrest. With plans of a new IPFW Police substation at Cole Commons, IPFW’s Chief of Police Jeff Davis, hopes to change this. Davis comments, “I want to make our place more accessible to our students. We hope there becomes a trust between us, our residence and our community where they feel free to come up and talk to us, that’s really my goal.”

The 2010 numbers for the IPFW Annual Safety Report won’t be available until October 2011. Yet, statistics from the annual report dating from 2006-2009 show an overall decrease in crime and violations.

Davis continues, “Most generally, most of the problems over at housing stems from guest. That’s where most of our problems result from. My advice to our students would be, watch your type of friends you mix with because you’re responsible for your guest’s actions as well as your own.”

‘Tis the season for runny noses and scratchy throats: flu season is upon us. The incidence

of influenza typically increases from late fall to early spring, which puts January right in the middle. But that does not mean there should be mass panic, officials say. “In a typical year, approximately 5 to 20 percent of the population gets the seasonal flu,” The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services said. On average, 36,000 people die from the flu each year, according to the CDC. Symptoms of the flu vary from person-to-person. Some people may not become as ill as others. People who are immuno-compromised are most at risk for

complications related to the virus, a fact sheet from the CDC said.To cut down on the number of cases, The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommends the flu vaccine. But because the vaccine does not protect from every flu virus circulating the country, there are many other ways to prevent the flu. “Wash your hands often with soap and water,” the CDC advises. “If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.”

The organization also advises making changes to your schedule if you do get sick. “If you are sick with flu-like illness, CDC recommends that you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone, except to get medical care or for other necessities,” the organization said. Another way to prevent the flu is to track it. If you know it is going to hit locally, you may be able to prepare for it. The Indiana State Department of Health lists a Weekly Influenza Report on their Web site, found at www.in.gov. In Fort Wayne, a flu-like virus called the Norovirus has been circulating around nursing homes. The bottom line: doctors and governmental health agencies urge people not to panic about the flu, but to

simply be informed. “It’s impossible to know how or whether a flu pandemic, for example, might take shape, but being in good health can help protect you. A healthy body means a strong immune system that fights off infection. Eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly, getting adequate sleep, and not smoking are all things you can do to maintain good health,” flu guidelines from The Mayo Clinic said.

The Communicator | January 12 2010

news2www.ipfwcommunicator.org

Kelly McLendon

What Do You Know About The Flu?

“Get to Know The Flu”Seven typical symptoms include:

• Fever (100º F or greater)• Headache• Muscle aches• Chills• Extreme tiredness• Cough• Runny nose (more common in children than adults)

Courtesy of: FluFacts.com

Did you know you can track the flu in Fort Wayne?

Visit http://www.google.org/flutrends/

Or, if you are looking to get a flu shot, visit www.flu.gov for locations.

Perusing the archives of The Communicator, students of yesterday were being enraged

by several campus issues that continue to irritate students today. The issue that stands out most prominently both then and now? Parking. One aspect of the parking problem that IPFW students still face today is the struggle between student and faculty parking, and who should have the right to park in the most convenient spots. In 1975, The Communicator reported that ‘A’ and ‘B’ lot parking was found to be of a discriminatory nature by the Student Senate. The Senate passed a resolution that read: “Student Senate condemns as unfair any policy for utilizing campus parking which discriminates against any segment of the university community; and furthermore demands changes in the present policy of IPFW for the use of parking facilities discriminating against students.” In an article by Russ Zollinger, published September 1975, many students expressed complaints similar to those of present-day students. Tom Bade reportedly said, “It is ridiculous! There are just too many empty ‘A’ spaces.”

Others mentioned distance, handicap accessibility and the problems faced when trying to park in the winter. In September 1982, a staff writer for The Communicator, Matthew Henry, commented on the amount of traffic IPFW endured—particularly on the Southwest side of campus near Kettler Hall. Henry cited then-Vice Chancellor for Financial Affairs John Carnaghi as mentioning that, “the reason the traffic problems are so bad in the Southwest corner is students have been conditioned to think exiting the North Anthony and Coliseum Boulevards intersection is quicker than other exits on campus.” One major part of the plan to alleviate said traffic was to turn a portion of West and South Campus Drives one-way in 1982—29 years later, it is not uncommon to see a very long line waiting to exit through that intersection. An unsigned editorial published in The Communicator Jan. 21, 1988 expressed concerns because Parking Lot 11—which used to be located between Neff Hall and the Liberal Arts building—was taken away. “Where will this parking be? Will students be forced to park miles away and catch a taxi back to Kettler?” the author questioned. To the writer’s relief though, there was one highlight: “One would not have to worry about running down pedestrians or sitting at the light on Coliseum and Anthony.” In late 1990, the student government made their feelings about parking known loud and clear by organizing a protest where the then-Chancellor parked. “We’re calling for all students to come and let their voices be heard. It is time for the administration

to quit passing the buck to the students’ government. We’re going to pass the buck back to them,” The Communicator reported Kevin Belt of the Student Senate stating. In August 2005, Same Win reported that the start of the semester was much like what past and present students have experienced: “Parking lot full” signs were at seemingly every lot entrance. Keith Seitz, a former IPFW student from the 1960s to the 1970s, said that many of the issues facing students today are the same as those existent when he attended. Seitz mentioned problems with parking, food options and lack of socialization opportunities, among a handful of other complaints. Blake Pettit, an IPFW student, said that when he enrolled in 2008, parking was not a problem. His second year, however, Pettit said it got much worse. That year, according to the National Center for Education Statistics, IPFW’s total enrollment was at 13,675. “Even in the evening I still can’t find a spot,” he reported. IPFW student Jessy Vachon said that parking is particularly outrageous for art students. “Especially if you have to lug a portfolio, one of those art boxes or sculptures,” Vachon said. “They didn’t even give us flat surface—we have to walk on stones and through mud.” In 2009, Chancellor Wartell said that plans were in place for a new parking garage near the Visual Arts building, as well as more parking on the far side of the river. The solutions to all these problems may not have been found yet, although IPFW has a track record of attempts. With continuing efforts towards smoother parking for students, faculty and visitors, those attending IPFW 36 years from now may not have the same concerns.

36 Years of Disgruntled Parkers

Kristan Mensch