Student Society for Cancer Research at IU

A newly formed campus organization, started by my friend Caleb "Josh" Joshua Habimana-Griffin, is starting to plan its first activities for cancer research fundraising.


Since I was in Fort Wayne this weekend, I missed the club's second meeting. Ben Baroff, one of the club's event planners, met with me for lunch yesterday to fill me in on what I missed. We will be having 3-on-3 basketball tournaments, T-shirt and wrist band sales, and possibly a car wash to raise money to donate to the Jimmy V. Foundation, which goes directly to cancer research.


Be on the look out for our tables set up around campus in the next month, where you can sign up to volunteer at future events, purchase t-shits or wristbands, and make donations. Anyone can join, and the time commitment revolves around your schedule and how much you want to put in. Although it is a brand new organization, it's extremely inspirational to me, and every member's story as to why they joined is touching. To do good deeds, build volunteer work on your resume, or just for fun, sign up for the club today!

Let it Snow, Let Classes Be Cancelled!

The recent abundance of snow has transformed IU's campus to something we did not even see before the winter holiday break. Everything sparkles as I walk to class, and to keep my mind off the freezing cold water sopping in my shoes, admiring and appreciating the scenery brightens the cold days.
























The university's gardening provides perfect splashes of color against the perfect white snow, reminding me of and making me miss Christmas even as I look forward to Spring Break. These trees in the Arboretum are my favorite on snowy days like this, as well as the red berry trees without leaves on South Jordan Ave. outside Delta Gamma, across from Read.


For those who are not as crazy about snow as I am, at the very least, it is something pretty to look out your window at, and a reason to hope for cancelled classes. After all, we did have a snow day in late January of last year for the first time in about 40 years!

Laundry Day

While laundry may not be the most fun college experience you will have at IU, the bright side of laundry day is the convenience of the facilities.


The smallest laundry rooms in Read have 4-5 washers and 4-5 dryers, and Beck Wing's Large Laundry Room has 7 of each. That's around 22 of each throughout the entire building, in the basement. The laundry rooms are near lounges and El Bistro, so you can find a more comfortable place to read or study if you have a long time to wait for loads.


Washing one load costs $1.50, and drying costs $1.25, but if you use your Campus Access Card, the prices are reduced to $1.25 and $1, respectively. If you're lucky, the day you forget your card or quarters will be the day your friend is there with you to "swipe you," otherwise, the most inconvenient part is running back up and down stairs.


Laundry at college really isn't as bad as you might think as long as you don't let it pile up too high. My advice would also be to wash your clothes any day but Sunday, as it can be harder to find open machines.

Room to Live

One of the biggest fears prospective college freshmen have about going away to school is the cramped, uncomfortable, and lonely "dorm life." However, Read rooms are actually a good size for residence halls, and come with a bathroom shared with the next-door room. All residence halls provide furniture that is easily rearranged to fit your style.

Read rooms originally come with both beds bunked over your desk and dresser. One way out of climbing a ladder to your bed every night is to bring your bed down and use your desk and dressers as tabletops for TVs, books, etc.

Another arrangement is to L-shape unbunked beds. This is a good for roommates who are really comfortable with each other and don't mind sharing the whole room. It's a nice set up because it gives the room a more comfortable feel, makes more open space, and provides back rests for sitting in bed and reading, doing homework, or watching movies with your roommate.

Last but certainly not least, you can debunk the beds and subdivide your room for more privacy. This is how my roommate and I have our room, and we really like it because we have different starting times for classes each morning, and this way we can turn our desk lights on and get ready without waking each other. It's also nice to be able to decorate your side how you want it, and this next picture is an incredible example. With a divided room, stick-on wallpaper from Target, organization, and a matching bed set, her room looks professionally done and like a home away from home.