>>> "INDIANA NEWSDESK" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY: >>> COMING UP ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

>> AS THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION CONTINUES TO MAKE CUTS TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, FEDERAL EMPLOYEES ARE ON HIGH ALERT THAT THEY MAY BE NEXT.

I SPOKE TO EMPLOYEES AT THE BLOOMINGTON SOCIAL SECURITY OFFICE AND OTHERS ABOUT THEIR FEARS FOR THE FUTURE.

>> IT'S GOTTEN TO THE POINT WHERE I DON'T EVEN WANT TO OPEN MY EMAILS.

I JUST DON'T KNOW WHAT'S GOING TO BE IN THERE.

>> SEXUAL ASSAULT CONTINUES TO BE AN ISSUE ON COLLEGE CAMPUSES ACROSS THE NATION, AND INDIANA UNIVERSITY IS NO EXCEPTION.

>> IT IS HARD TO KNOW WHETHER OUR NUMBERS ARE RISING OR IF WE JUST SEE THAT FOLKS ARE MORE COMFORTABLE COMING FORWARD TO REPORT, WHICH IS WHAT WE WANT.

>> I.U.

'S GREEK HOUSES ARE COMING OFF A THREE-WEEK PAUSE OF ALL ACTIVITIES, CITING HEALTH AND SAFETY CONCERNS.

>>> AND THE STATE'S NEW ENROLLMENT HONORS PLUS SEAL DIPLOMA GUARANTEES AUTOMATIC ACCEPTANCE INTO INDIANA'S PUBLIC COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES.

THESE STORIES AND MORE, RIGHT NOW ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

♪ >>> WELCOME TO "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

I'M JOE HREN.

FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AND INDIANA UNIVERSITY HAVE STILL SHARED NO DETAILS ABOUT A PROFESSOR AND HIS WIFE WHO WERE FIRED BY UNIVERSITY THE SAME DAY THE FBI SEARCHED THEIR HOMES IN BLOOMINGTON AND CARMEL.

MY COLLEAGUE ETHAN SANDWEISS HAS BEEN FOLLOWING THIS STORY AND LEARNING MORE ABOUT XIAOFENG WANG AND HIS WIFE NIANLI MA.

>> WANG WAS A CYBERSECURITY EXPERT AND HIS WIFE AN EMPLOYEE AT I.U.

LIBRARIES.

AGENTS FROM I.C.E.

AND THE FBI SHOWED UP IN FORCE JUST AFTER 8 A.M.

IN A NORMALLY QUIET SUBDIVISION ON SOUTH SIDE OF BLOOMINGTON.

THAT SAME AFTERNOON, I.U.

SENT WANG A LETTER THAT HE HAD BEEN FIRED.

MA HAD ALREADY BEEN LET GO FROM I.U.

LIBRARIES.

FACULTY SAY HIS FIRING VIOLATED I.U.

PROCEDURE AND THE RULES OF TENURE.

WANG'S REPUTATION AS A LEADING SCHOLAR MADE HIS SUDDEN DISMISSAL EVEN MORE SURPRISING TO COLLEAGUES.

>> A TENURED FACULTY MEMBER CANNOT BE FIRED SUMMARILY, THEY MUST BE GIVEN -- EVEN FOR THE MOST SERIOUS KINDS OF MISCONDUCT -- TEN DAYS' NOTICE.

AN EXPLANATION OF THE CHARGE AGAINST HIM, AND A HEARING IN FRONT OF FACULTY BOARD OF REVIEW.

>> NEITHER I.U.

NOR THE FBI HAVE COMMENTED ON THE CASE.

BUT HANDFORD KNOWS MORE THAN MOST.

EARLIER IN MARCH, HE LEARNED THAT I.U.

HAD OPENED A RESEARCH MISCONDUCT INVESTIGATION INTO WANG.

>> FAIRLY TO PROPERLY DISCLOSE COAUTHORS, A MIX UP AS TO WHO WAS THE PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR ON A GRANT, AND WHILE THESE ARE TECHNICAL VIOLATIONS OF THE THE RESEARCH PROTOCOLS, THEY ARE NOT SERIOUS AND THEY HAPPEN ALL THE TIME.

>> COLLEAGUES SAID THAT I.U.

ASKED WANG ABOUT A GRANT IN CHINA WHICH HE FAILED TO MENTION ON AN APPLICATION.

BUT THAT STILL DOESN'T EXPLAIN WHY THE FBI GOT INVOLVED AND WANG VANISHED FROM THE PUBLIC.

REPORTERS AND WANG'S COLLEAGUES ARE TRYING TO LEARN MORE.

>> WHAT PROMPTED ME TO FILE THIS MOTION TO UNSEAL THE SEARCH WARRANTS WAS THERE'S JUST SO MUCH SPECULATION.

EVERYBODY IS WONDERING WHAT THE RATIONALE IS.

>> THE SECRECY SURROUNDING WANG'S CASE HAS GENERATED ISSUES, MANY OF THEM LEGAL RESIDENTS.

>> IS THIS SOMETHING THAT HAS TO DO WITH CHINESE ESPIONAGE OR A REVIVAL OF THE, FRANKLY, SKI KNOW -- XENOPHOBIC ATTACKS THAT WE HAD SEEN UNDER THE PREVIOUS TRUMP IS IT A WEIRD IMMIGRATION CRACKDOWN?

>> WE ATTEMPTED TO REACH WANG AND MA, THEIR LAWYER SAYS NEITHER HAVE BEEN CHARGED WITH A CRIME.

>> THE COUPLE IS SAFE BUT APPARENTLY THEY ARE NOT RESPONDING THROUGH THE USUAL CHANNELS.

>> SO ETHAN BASED ON THE LITTLE WE KNOW, IT SOUNDS LIKE WANG FAILING TO DISCLOSE THIS CHINESE GRANT MIGHT HAVE PROMPTED I.U.

'S INVESTIGATION.

IF THAT'S THE CASE, WHY WOULD THE FBI BE INVOLVED.

>> IT'S TOO EARLY TO SAY FOR SURE, BUT EXPERTS IN CYBERSECURITY POINTED TO M.I.T.

PROFESSOR DON CHENG.

HE DID NOT DISCLOSE A $19 MILLION RESEARCH PROJECT FOR A UNIVERSITY IN CHINA WHEN HE APPLIED FOR FUNDING FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY.

BUT IN CHENG'S CASE THE PRESIDENT OF M.I.T.

WENT TO THE BAT FOR HIM.

HE SAID THE FUNDS WENT TO THE UNIVERSITY AND NOT THE PROFESSOR.

IT TURNS OUT THE DISCLOSURES WERE NOT EVEN REQUIRED.

WE ARE WORKING WITH VERY LITTLE INFORMATION.

WE ARE CONFIRMING WHAT GRANT WANG HAD BEEN WORKING ON, WHY HE MAY NOT HAVE LISTED HIMSELF AS A PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR AND WHETHER ANY ACTUAL WRONGDOING OCCURRED.

>> ANY IDEA WHEN WE CAN EXPECT TO LEARN MORE IF.

>> IF AN INDIANA JUDGE UNSEALS THE SEARCH WARRANTS WE CAN LEARN A WHOLE LOT AT ALL AT ONCE, NO TELLING WHEN THE UNIVERSITY, OR WANG'S ATTORNEYS WILL SPEAK OUT.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH, ETHAN, FOR YOUR REPORTING.

>>> SINCE TAKING OFFICE PRESIDENT TRUMP HAS MADE SWEEPING CUTS TO THE VETERANS AFFAIRS, THE I.R.S.

AND MORE.

FEDERAL WORKERS ARE ON HIGH ALERT ABOUT THE SECURITY OF THEIR ONCE STABLE JOBS.

HOOSIER FEDERAL WORKERS ARE AMONG THEM.

CLAYTON BAUMGARTH REPORTS.

>> I'M STANDING JUST OUTSIDE THE BLOOMINGTON SOCIAL SECURITY OFFICE WHERE INSIDE EMPLOYEES ARE DEALING WITH RAPID CHANGES TO THEIR WORKFLOW AND WORRYING IF THEY WILL BE EMPLOYED IN THE NEAR FUTURE.

>> ACCORDING TO THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, PRESIDENT TRUMP AND THE DEPARTMENT OF GOVERNMENT EFFICIENCY HAVE CUT OVER 125,000 FEDERAL JOBS FROM THE BUDGET.

THEY SAY THEY ARE CUTTING WASTEFUL SPENDING AND THOUGH TRUMP HAS SAID THAT HIS ADMINISTRATION WOULDN'T TOUCH SOCIAL SECURITY, THE SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION SAYS IT PLANS TO CUT 12% OF ITS WORKFORCE OR ROUGHLY 7,000 EMPLOYEES.

SOME PEOPLE WORKING IN THE BLOOMINGTON SOCIAL SECURITY OFFICE DESCRIBED THE SITUATION AS TERRIFYING.

>> IT'S GOTTEN TO THE POINT WHERE I DON'T EVEN WANT TO OPEN MY EMAILS, YOU KNOW?

BECAUSE I JUST DON'T KNOW WHAT'S GOING TO BE IN THERE.

>> DOUGHERTY A SINGLE MOM TOOK HER JOB AS A CLAIMS REPRESENTATIVE 15 YEARS AGO.

>> I NEEDED SOMETHING STABLE AND GOOD PAYING AND SO I HAD DONE KIND OF SOCIAL WORK STUFF BEFORE AND THIS KIND OF FIT THE BILL IN TERMS OF DOING THAT.

>> AND WHILE IT'S NEVER BEEN AN EASY JOB, SHE AND HER COLLEAGUES HAVE BEEN ABLE TO LIVE GOOD LIVES.

NOW, WITH THE THREAT OF CUTS, THE JOB COULD BE GETTING MORE DIFFICULT.

DOUGHERTY SAYS THAT IN THE BLOOMINGTON OFFICE 12 SOCIAL SECURITY WORKERS SERVED 70,000 PEOPLE.

>> TO THINK THAT THAT NUMBER WOULD BE REDUCED IS JUST -- I MEAN, IT'S UNCONSCIONABLE.

PEOPLE IN THIS AREA DESERVE BETTER.

>> AND THE 70,000 FIGURE DOESN'T INCLUDE PEOPLE CURRENTLY APPLYING OR WILL BE APPLYING FOR BENEFITS.

THERE'S ALSO BEEN CONFUSION OVER HOW AMERICANS CAN ACCESS OR APPLY FOR BENEFITS.

IN A PRESS RELEASE ON MARCH 18th, THE ADMINISTRATION ANNOUNCED THAT INDIVIDUALS MAY NO LONGER VERIFY THEIR IDENTITY OVER THE PHONE FOR BENEFITS CLAIMS OR DIRECT DEPOSIT CHANGES.

THEY MUST NOW DO SO ONLINE OR IN PERSON, SOMETHING THAT CAN BE A CHALLENGE FOR OLDER CITIZENS IN RURAL AREAS.

IT WAS DESCRIBED AS A FRAUD PREVENTION MEASURE.

THEN EIGHT DAYS LATER, THE ADMINISTRATION CHANGED THE PLAN TO ALLOW THOSE APPLY FOR DISABILITY, MEDICARE OR SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME WITH CLAIMS OVER THE PHONE.

>> WE GET SO MANY EMAILS EACH WEEK AND SOME ARE CONTRADICTING OTHERS THAT IT'S HARD TO ACTUALLY KEEP UP WITH WHAT'S GOING ON.

>> OTHER FEDERAL EMPLOYEES ARGUE THAT EVEN IF THE CUTS STOP TOMORROW, THE ABILITY TO ATTRACT WORKERS HAS BEEN HARMED.

>> JOBS WERE STABLE.

YOU DIDN'T HAVE TO BE AFFECTED BY THE UPS AND DOWNS THE MARKET.

SO IT WASN'T GOING TO PAY AS MUCH AS A PRIVATE SECTOR JOB, BUT YOU DIDN'T HAVE TO LOOK FOR A NEW JOB EVERY FIVE TO SIX YEARS.

AND THAT'S NOW GONE.

>> ALL OF THESE RAPID CHANGES IN CUTS ARE UNPRECEDENTED.

>> I'VE BEEN A NATIONAL VICE PRESIDENT FOR 25 YEARS, AND I HAVE NEVER SEEN AN ADMINISTRATION DO WHAT THIS ADMINISTRATION IS DOING.

>> SCOTT SAYS HE WORRIES ABOUT THE JOBS AT CRANE NAVAL BASE, DEFENSE SECRETARY PETE HEGSETH RECORDED A CUT, INCLUDING CRANE.

>> I HOPE THAT WHEN CUTS COME, THAT THEY SPARE CRANE BECAUSE I KNOW WHAT THEY DO DOWN THERE.

AND IT'S IMPORTANT TO WHAT -- IT'S IMPORTANT TO OUR COUNTRY.

>> BEDFORD, INDIANA, WHERE MANY EMPLOYEES OF BASE LIVE, INCLUDE 4.4% OF THE WORKFORCE, THE SECOND HIGHEST PER CAPITA IN THE STATE.

>> WITH RESPECT TO CRANE AND ANY CUTS IT WILL AFFECT US SOME FROM THE STANDPOINT OF THE PEOPLE THAT WORK AT CRANE BUT THEN THERE'S A POSSIBILITY, DEPENDING ON WHAT TAKES PLACE IF IT WOULD AFFECT US WITH REFERENCE TO THE GOVERNMENT CONTRACTORS.

>> CRANE ITSELF HAS BEEN QUIET ON EXACTLY HOW MANY JOBS ARE AT RISK, MAYOR CRAIG SAID HE HEARD FROM SOME OF HIS CONSTITUENTS ABOUT THE FRONTAL FOR BUYOUTS.

>> DID I HAVE SOME PEOPLE TALK TO ME, AND THEY WERE REFERRING TO KIND OF AN EARLY BUYOUT ON SOME OF THE EMPLOYEES THAT WERE GOING TO GO AHEAD AND RETIRE MAYBE AHEAD OF TIME.

>> BUT OVERALL, THE MAYOR SHOWS LITTLE FEAR THAT THE CUTS TO CRANE WILL BE SIGNIFICANT.

IN FACT, HE SAYS THAT CRANE IS EXPECTING TO GROW IN THE COMING YEARS AND THAT BEDFORD IS AIMING TO DEVELOP MORE HOUSING FOR THE BASE'S FUTURE EMPLOYEES.

>> WE ARE TRYING TO SUPPORT THEM THE BEST WAY THAT WE CAN AS FAR AS WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO PROVIDE THE HOUSING AND STUFF FOR THE EMPLOYEES THAT THEY ARE GOING TO NEED IN THE FUTURE.

>> CRAIG SAYS THE CUTS ARE IN NEED OF CINCHING ON THE BELT.

>> BUT FEDERAL WORKERS IN THE TRENCHES FEEL DIFFERENTLY.

>> HOBBLING THE FEDERAL WORKFORCE IS REALLY GOING AFTER THE MIDDLE CLASS BECAUSE IT'S A STRONG MIDDLE CLASS JOB.

>> FOR HER, IT'S HARD TO INTERPRET THE ADMINISTRATION'S ACTIONS AS ANYTHING OTHER THAN AN ATTACK ON FEDERAL WORKERS' LIVELIHOODS.

FOR "INDIANA NEWSDESK," I'M CLAYTON BAUMGARTH.

>> ALL RIGHT, WE ARE JOINED NOW BY ALIVIA WILSON WITH MORE HEADLINES FROM AROUND THE STATE.

WELCOME BACK.

>> THANK YOU, JOE.

THANK YOU.

INDIANA STUDENTS WHO EARN THE STATE'S NEW ENROLLMENT HONORS PLUS SEAL ARE NOW GUARANTEED AUTOMATIC ACCEPTANCE INTO THE STATE'S PUBLIC COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES.

INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING KIRSTEN ADAIR SAYS IT WAS SEVERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS MADE BY GOVERNOR MIKE BRAUN AND OTHER STATE OFFICIALS.

>> BRAUN SAYS THE ENROLLMENT EMPLOYEE AND ENLIST.

SEALS WILL HELP THE STUDENTS HIT THE GROUND RUNNING AFTER GRADUATION.

>> THESE SEALS ENCOURAGE EXCELLENCE AND PROVIDE STUDENTS AND PARENT WITH A CLEAR ROADMAP TO REACH THEIR GOALS.

>> STUDENTS WHO EARN THE ENROLLMENT HONORS PLUS SEAL WILL BE AUTOMATICALLY ADMITTED TO COLLEGES LIKE PURDUE, INDIANA UNIVERSITY, BALL STATE AND IVY TECH.

>> SO WE SHOULD ALL BE VERY, VERY PROUD OF THIS INITIATIVE IN INDIANA.

IT'S REALLY A NATION-LEADING ACTIVITY.

>> BRAUN SAYS SOME OF THE INDIANA'S TOP EMPLOYEES HAVE ALSO AGREED TO PARTNER WITH THE STATE.

THEY CAN GET INTERVIEWS AT PLACES LIKE PARKVIEW HEALTH, CUMMINS, ELI LILLY AND OTHERS.

THEY WILL ALSO PROVIDE THEM WITH CAREER SUPPORT.

STUDENTS WHO EARN THE ENLISTMENT HONORS PLUS SEAL WILL BE ABLE TO JOIN THE INDIANA NATIONAL GUARD.

>> WE HAVE FORMALIZED TO WHERE HOPEFULLY THE KIDS CAN CHOOSE ACCORDING TO THEIR OWN SKILLS PATHWAY THAT WILL HAVE THEM HIT THE GROUND RUNNING WHEN THEY GRADUATE.

>> STATE OFFICIALS EXPECT THE LIST OF PARTNERS TO GROW.

FOR INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING, I'M KIRSTEN ADAIR.

>> STUDENT I.D.s COULD NO LONGER BE USED AS VOTER I.D.s UNDER A BILL APPROVED BY HOUSE REPUBLICANS TUESDAY.

INDIANA LAW SAYS IDENTIFICATION USED AT POLLING PLACES MUST HAVE THE PERSON'S NAME, THEIR PHOTO AND EXPIRATION DATE AND BE ISSUED BY THE UNITED STATES OR THE STATE OF INDIANA.

MOST STUDENT I.D.s AT INDIANA PUBLIC HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS QUALIFY BUT REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVE KENDELL CULP SAYS INDIANA UNIVERSITY I.D.s DO NOT PROVE THAT THEY ARE AN INDIANA RESIDENT.

>>> INDIANA HOUSE REPUBLICANS VOTED TO GIVE ANYONE THE RIGHT TO SUE LOCAL GOVERNMENTS TO STOP PERFORMANCES THEY THINK ARE OBSCENE.

IT'S PART OF A BAN ON GOVERNMENTS HOSTING OR FUNDING OBSCENE PERFORMANCES, WHICH DOES NOT SEEM TO HAVE HAPPENED ANYWHERE IN INDIANA.

OBSCENE PERFORMANCES DEFINED IN STATE LAW IS CATERING SOLELY TO SEXUAL INTERESTS AND WITHOUT ANY LITERARY, ARTISTIC, POLITICAL OR SCIENTIFIC VALUE, ARE ALREADY ILLEGAL.

>> YOU ARE GOING TO CHEW UP TIME OF SOME LAWYERS FOR THOSE LOCAL UNITS OF GOVERNMENT TO DEAL WITH THESE MA RADDING GROUPS OF PEOPLE WHO ARE EASILY OFFENDED.

>> THE BILL NOW GOES BACK TO THE SENATE, WHICH CAN SEND IT TO THE GOVERNOR OR TAKE IT TO CONFERENCE FOR MORE WORK.

>> THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION HAS CUT FEDERAL FAMILY PLANNING FUNDING PLANNED PARENTHOOD ACCORDING TO A PRESS RELEASE TODAY.

TENS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS OF TITLE 10 FUNDING IS BEING WITHHELD FROM AFFILIATES NATIONWIDE.

INDIANA HAS 11 PLANNED PARENTHOOD CENTERS INCLUDING ONE IN BLOOMINGTON.

REGIONAL C.E.O.

REBECCA GIBRON SAYS MORE THAN 3,000 LOW-INCOME HOOSIERS WHO RELY ON THE FUND WILL BE AFFECTED BY THE LACK OF FUNDING.

>>> A JUDGE HAS APPROVED A BOND TO INCREASE FORMER MARTINSVILLE TEACHER FROM $20,000 TO $160,000.

BRITTANY FORTINBERRY FACES SEVERAL COUNTS.

CHILD MOLESTATION, SEXUAL MISCONDUCT WITH A MINOR AND DISSEMINATION OF A MINOR HARMFUL TO MINORS AND CONTRIBUTING TO THE DELINQUENCY OF A MINOR.

FORTINBERRY HAS MADE STATEMENTS ABOUT RUNNING AWAY TO SAVANNAH GEORGIA, AND CHANGING HER NAME.

HER HUSBAND, NICHOLAS FORTINBERRY HAS ALSO BEEN ARRESTED.

HE'S FACING A FELONY INTIMIDATION CHARGE, AS WELL AS FAILURE TO REPORT A CRIME.

>>> COLUMBUS IS PLANNING EVENTS FOR ITS DESIGNATED OUTDOOR REFRESHMENT AREA.

UNDER LEGISLATION SIGNED IN 2023, PATRONS 21 YEARS AND OLDER TO PURCHASE ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES AND CARRY THEM OUTSIDE TO OTHER EVENTS, OR PARTICIPATING RETAILERS IN A DESIGNATED AREA, OR DORA.

THE DESIGNATED AREA BORDERS THE FLAT ROCK RIVER AND EXTENDS FROM WATER STREET TO 11th STREET.

>> WE WORKED THROUGH THE PROCESS, MAKING SURE THAT ALL THE STAKEHOLDERS WERE INVOLVED, UNDERSTANDING WHAT IT MEANS.

YOU HAVE TO HAVE SPECIAL CUPS MADE WHICH DESIGNATE THE DORA AREA SO THAT YOU CAN'T HAVE PEOPLE BRINGING IN ALCOHOL FROM, YOU KNOW, THE EXTERIOR AREAS.

>> BLOOMINGTON MAYOR KERRY THOMSON SAYS THE CITY IS LOOKING INTO CREATING A DORA AT SWITCH YARD PARK.

>>> TASTE OF BLOOMINGTON ORGANIZERS SAY FOOD PRICES WILL BE $5 OR LESS FOR THIS YEAR'S EVENT.

THIS YEAR'S TASTE, FIRST SINCE 2021 IS SCHEDULED FOR AUGUST 22nd, FROM 3 TO 10 P.M.

THIS YEAR'S EVENT WILL BE FREE AND SITUATED ON KIRKWOOD AVENUE.

>> NOTHING MATCHES THE ENERGY OF A KIRKWOOD EVENT.

AND SO I'M LIKE IF WE ARE GOING TO DO THIS, WE'RE GOING TO DO IT RIGHT, ITS GOT TO BE ON KIRKWOOD.

>>> AND JOE, THERE WILL BE LIVE MUSICAL PERFORMANCES FROM CLAYTON ANDERSON AND DISCO AT THE EVENT.

>> SHOULD BE FUN.

I HOPE THE WEATHER IS JUST AS GOOD AS WE SEE IN THAT VIDEO.

>> YES, ME TOO.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH, ALIVIA.

>> COMING UP NEXT ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK," INDIANA UNIVERSITY'S GREEK HOUSES CAN AGAIN HOST EVENTS AFTER A THREE-WEEK PAUSE LAST MONTH DUE TO HEALTH AND SAFETY CONCERNS.

>>> AND HAVING PEOPLE FOSTER DOGS IS ONE WAY THE LOCAL ANIMAL SHELTER IS HANDLING A BACKLOG OF DOGS LOOKING FOR HOMES.

>> THESE STORIES AND MORE, RIGHT HERE ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

>>> WELCOME BACK TO "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

INDIANA UNIVERSITY GREEK LIFE EVENTS ARE BACK AFTER A THREE-WEEK PAUSE IN MARCH.

THE INTRAFRATERNITY COUNCIL AND PAN-HELLENIC ASSOCIATION DIDN'T SHARE MANY DETAILS EXCEPT THE PAUSE WAS DUE TO HEALTH AND SAFETY CONCERNS.

WITH AUBREY WRIGHT OUR OLIVIA WILSON HAS MORE.

>> THE INTRAFRATERNITY COUNCIL AND PAN-HELLENIC HAS INITIATED THE CAUSE AND THEY WERE NOT SPECIFIC ABOUT THE CAUSE.

NEITHER GROUP EXPLAINED WHAT CHANGED DURING THE PAUSE AND DIDN'T REQUEST FOR COMMENT.

THE I.U.

POLICE DEPARTMENT CONTINUES TO HANDLE MANY REPORTS OF CRIMES, INCLUDING SEXUAL ASSAULT AND HAZING IN GREEK LIFE.

EVEN DURING THE PAUSE, THE I.U.P.D.

RECEIVED REPORTS AT FRATERNITIES.

>> IT'S HARD TO KNOW WHETHER OUR NUMBERS ARE RISING OR IF WE JUST SEE THAT FOLKS ARE MORE COMFORTABLE COMING FORWARD TO REPORT, WHICH IS WHAT WE WANT.

>> SKIBBA SAYS SEXUAL VIOLENCE IS AN ISSUE ON COLLEGE CAMPUSES.

>> I.U.

IS NOT THE ONLY CAMPUS EXPERIENCING THESE SAME TRENDS AND SO IT -- I DON'T THINK IT WOULD BE FAIR TO PUT THAT ON AN ORGANIZATION OR A GROUP OR EVEN A CERTAIN AGE DEMOGRAPHIC.

THE I.F.C.

AND THE P.H.A.

DIDN'T RESPOND TO REQUESTS FOR COMMENT.

BUT OTHERS SAY THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SOME FRATERNITIES AND SEXUAL ASSAULTS ARE CLEAR.

>> THERE'S SOME FRATERNITY THAT SEEM TO BE AT HIGHER RISK THAN OTHERS.

AND -- AND IT DOES SEEM LIKE SOME FRATERNITIES SEEM TO PROMOTE ATTITUDES THAT ARE VERY MUCH ASSOCIATED WITH SEXUAL PERPETRATION RISK.

>> PETERSON SAYS MEN AND WOMEN IN GREEK LIFE ARE MORE LIKELY TO EXPERIENCE SEXUAL ASSAULT.

SHE SAYS IT COULD BE BECAUSE OF MEN'S ATTITUDE AND THE CONTROL THEY HAVE OVER SOCIAL EVENTS.

>> IT HAPPENS IN FRATERNITY WHERE THE MEN ARE IN CONTROL OF THE ENVIRONMENT, AND THE TRANSPORTATION AND WHO GETS TO COME IN AND WHO DOESN'T.

>> NEARLY A QUARTER OF THE STUDENTS ARE INVOLVED IN GREEK LIFE.

GREEK LIFE LEADERS LAST PAUSED EVENTS IN 2021, BECAUSE SORORITIES NOTICED INCREASING SEXUAL ASSAULTS AND DEMANDED CHANGE.

>> PUTTING MORE POWER IN THE HANDS OF SORORITY WOMEN IS REALLY IMPORTANT.

>> MADELINE SMITH WAS PART OF THE MORE POWER FOR WOMEN.

>> THE INSINUATION IS IF THEY HADN'T BECOME INVOLVED IN SORORITIES, THIS HE WOULD HAVE AVOIDED THIS, WHICH IS BOTH POTENTIALLY UNTRUE AND ALSO UNFAIR, BECAUSE IT'S THE CULTURE OF FRATERNITIES THAT'S THE PROBLEM.

>> SMITH'S ADVOCACY BEGAN AFTER SHE WAS RAPED AT A FRATERNITY HER SOPHOMORE YEAR.

SHE SAYS HER SORORITY DIDN'T STAND BY HER AND ONCE SHE STARTED SPEAKING OUT, DOZENS OF WOMEN CAME TO HER WITH A SIMILAR STORY.

>> THERE'S A LOT OF STIGMA THAT COMES WITH BEING A SURVIVOR, AND I THINK THESE NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS AND CERTAINLY UNIVERSITIES WOULD MUCH PREFER TO PRETEND LIKE IT'S NOT HAPPENING AT ALL.

>> STUDENTS DIDN'T FIND A SOLUTION WHEN SHE WAS AT I.U.

SHE WORKS WITH WE RIDE TOGETHER TO SUPPORT SURVIVORS OF SEXUAL VIOLENCE.

>> THE ABSOLUTE BEST THING YOU CAN DO IS JUST BE THERE, TELL THEM YOU BELIEVE THEM, TELL THEM YOU ARE SORRY, TELL THEM THEY DIDN'T DESERVE IT.

USING VALIDATING LANGUAGE IS KEY.

>> SHE SAYS FRATERNITIES CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE WHEN THEY SEE BAD BEHAVIOR.

>> WHERE I SEE A ROLE FOR THE GREEK SYSTEM AND HELPING TO PREVENT SEXUAL ASSAULT AND SEXUAL VIOLENCE.

>> REPORTING FOR "INDIANA NEWSDESK," WITH AUBREY WRIGHT, I'M ALIVIA WILSON.

>>> NEITHER THE INTRAFRATERNITY COUNCIL NOR THE PAN HELLENIC ASSOCIATION RESPONDED TO REQUESTS FOR COMMENT.

THE I.U.F.C.

STATES THAT SEXUAL VIOLENCE, EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING SHOULD BE ENCOURAGED OR REQUIRED BY CHAPTERS.

EACH CHAPTER IS REQUIRED TO HAVE A RISK MANAGEMENT POLICY FOR SEXUAL VIOLENCE ALONG WITH THE STATEMENTS SUPPORTING ENVIRONMENTS FREE OF SEXUAL MISCONDUCT.

>>> BLOOMINGTON'S ANIMAL SHELTER IS STRUGGLING TO HELP THOSE WANTING TO BRING THEIR DOGS TO THE SHELTER.

AS ISABELLA VESPIRINI REPORTS, THE PROBLEM COULD GET WORSE WITH DECLINING ADOPTION RATES.

>> CASEY GREEN HAS BEEN FOSTERING DOGS FOR ABOUT A DECADE.

SHE CURRENTLY HAS FIVE DOGS FROM THE ANIMAL SHELTER, MORTY, SERENA, JASMINE, AN APPLE BLOSSOM.

SHE ADOPTED ELEANOR SIX YEARS AGO.

SHE FOSTERED AS MANY AS 12 AT A TIME.

>> IT'S FUN, THEY DO, ON SOME LEVEL, HELP SOCIALIZE AND TAKE CARE OF EACH OTHER WHICH IS REALLY GOOD.

ELEANOR IS REALLY EXPERIENCED WITH THAT, AND, LIKE, GIVING A LOT OF SOCIALIZATION THAT I COULDN'T GIVE, BECAUSE THEY LEARN BETTER FROM OTHER DOGS.

>> THE NEED FOR DOG SPACE IN THE SHELTER HAS INCREASED THIS SPRING.

MORE THAN THE SPACE THEY HAVE.

THEY ARE AT CAPACITY, CARING FOR 200 AND 250 ANIMALS BOTH IN THE SHELTER AND IN FOSTER HOMES.

BETWEEN 40 AND 50 DOGS ARE ON THE WAIT LIST TO GET INTO THE SHELTER.

>> THERE'S NO SIGN OF THAT CHANGING WITH HOUSING ISSUES, THE ECONOMY ISSUES, DOGS ARE MORE EXPENSIVE THAN CATS AND HARDER TO HOUSE FOR PEOPLE THAT ARE NEEDING TO MOVE IN WITH FAMILY MEMBERS OR FRIENDS FOR FINANCIAL REASONS OR INTO APARTMENTS.

SO THERE'S JUST A LOT MORE NEED FOR -- FOR THEM CURRENTLY.

>> OTHER OUTSIDE FACTORS MAKE THE WAIT LIST EVEN LONGER, THE WARM WEATHER BRINGS MORE STRAYS AND PEOPLE LEAVING TOWN FOR SPRING BREAK FROM TO LEAVE THEIR DOGS SOMEWHERE.

TO MANAGE DEMAND, SOUDER IS LOWERING THE BARRIERS TO ADOPTION.

THEY HAVE A FOSTER FIRST ADOPTION PROGRAM SO PEOPLE CAN FOSTER AN ANIMAL FOR SEVEN DAYS TO SEE IN THE ANIMAL IS A GOOD FIT FOR THE HOME.

>> SHELTER, ESPECIALLY FOR DOGS, SHELTER IS A NEEDED PLACE.

IT'S NEEDED TO HAVE THEM HERE SHORT TERM, BUT IT IS NOT A LONG-TERM SOLUTION.

I MEAN, MOST DOGS, IF THEY HAVE BEEN HERE FOR TWO WEEKS, YOU START TO SEE MENTAL AND BEHAVIORAL ISSUES START TO ARISE BECAUSE THIS IS JUST NOT NATURAL FOR THEM AND SO WE TRY TO GET THEM IN HOMES AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

>> THE SHELTER'S LONG WAIT LIST CONCERNS GREEN AND MAKES HER FEEL HOPELESS.

THEY TRIES TO SPREAD THE WORD ABOUT FOSTERING AND ADOPTION TO HELP THE DOGS FIND HOMES.

>> IT MAKES ME FEEL LIKE I DON'T DO ENOUGH.

I FEEL LIKE EVERY TIME I GO TO PICK UP FOSTERS THERE'S SOMEONE ELSE TO RELINQUISH AND I'M WATCHING STAFF HAVE THAT CONVERSATION ABOUT THERE'S A WAIT LIST AND PEOPLE DON'T UNDERSTAND BECAUSE THEY ARE DESPERATE.

>> GREEN SAYS THOSE CONCERNED ABOUT FINANCES COULD ASK FOR HELP.

I'M ISABELLA VESPIRINI.

>>> THAT'S THE END OF THIS PROGRAM, BUT OUR WORK CONTINUES ONLINE AS WE COVER THE NEWS THROUGHOUT THE WEEK AT WTIUNEWS.ORG.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND.

>> "INDIANA NEWSDESK" IS MADE