College Clips
Published Oct. 10, 2006
U. Illinois-area might ban cell phone use in cars
The issue of drivers talking on their cell phones became campus news with the recent death of Matt Wilhelm, a University of Illinois graduate student, who was hit by a 19-year-old driver using her cell phone while riding his bike. He later died from the accident.
"I've talked on my phone while driving my car before, and your eyes are definitely off the road; you're thinking about other things, while there is a lot going on around you," Champaign, Ill., Mayor Gerald Schweighart said.
Schweighart said nothing has been done in response to the tragedy, but that banning cell phones while driving will probably be brought up during future Champaign City Council meetings.
Also, in Urbana, Ill., legislation has been proposed to enact a law banning driving while talking on a cell phone, but it has not been reviewed yet, councilman Robert Lewis said.
— The Daily Illini (University of Illinois)
Nightfall brings sexy events to Columbia U. building
Columbia University's student Bondage, Domination and Sadomasochism club, Conversio Virium, holds its weekly meetings in Hamilton Hall.
"We usually have speakers who are active in the scene around New York," Jamie, junior and club president, who asked not to be identified by her last name, said. "They go over techniques and safety. There are demonstrations. For the rope bondage, they'll actually bring in ropes and show us how to tie basic knots."
Jamie said certain rooms are better than others for the group's activities.
"The Literature and Humanities rooms are especially good," she said. "They're bigger usually, and have space for fun things. Once, this guy came in to do a lecture on balloon fetishes, and we had this Lit-Hum room that suddenly turned into a balloon frenzy with people chasing balloons everywhere."
—The Columbia Daily Spectator (Columbia University)
Professors connect with classes on Facebook
Chris Hostetler is one of several instructors at Washington State University using Facebook as a way to stay in touch with undergraduates.
"Almost all the students are on it; most of them check it at least once a day," said Hostetler, a professor in the School of Molecular Biosciences.
In Hostetler's Integrated Science class, his students used Facebook to reach out to the professor as a better way to communicate.
"It started as a joke," sophomore Karina Brazas said. "Someone started a Facebook group last year called 'I Wish Chris Hostetler Was My Dad.' But one day in class we told Chris about it, and he signed himself up and joined the group."
Hostetler soon got hooked on the site.
"I really found out how addicting it was," Hostetler said. "But the best part was that I could post class materials and announcements on there and know the kids would read them."
Hostetler said Facebook worked better than the alternative, WebCT.
— The Daily Evergreen (Washington State University)