Logo for Byte Magazine at Ball State University

Byte Reviews


Students seek petition support

Victor DeNoble found a drug to replace nicotine in cigarettes that wouldn't cause heart disease and was fired for making the discovery. Philip Morris USA asked DeNoble to make the discovery, but fired him because the company didn't want to make a safe cigarette, he said.



Mechanical problem causes fire evacuation

A mysterious blue haze sent Ball State University students and staff in Teachers College outside into the rain and cold air Wednesday morning. Janie Carter, office coordinator for the Office of Teacher Education Services, said at about 8 a.m. she was preparing for the day when she noticed an odor and a strange-colored smoke on the ninth floor where she works.


Associate dean to leave Ball State

Randy Hyman, associate dean of student affairs, will leave Ball State University to accept the role of vice chancellor for academic support and student life at the University of Minnesota Duluth on July 1. Although Hyman said he had no specific reason wanting to leave Ball State, he also said he had educational opinions not cohesive with the way President Jo Ann Gora runs the university.


MEN'S BASKETBALL: Coach hopes recruits bring points

The Ball State University men's basketball program received three letters of intent from sophomores Rob Giles of Mott Community College [Detroit, MI], Kevin Ford of the College of Southern Idaho [Twin Falls, ID] and Robert Martina of Deerfield High School [Pompano Beach, FL].


Late Loop to begin 2nd week

Save a dollar and ride for free on the MITS Late Loop, but spend that money at the bars so the trolley keeps rolling. The Late Loop, which is paid for by local businesses, starts up again tonight, and MITS officials and local owners hope ridership is as good as or better than the strong start last week.



BASEBALL: Cards to play crucial home series

Five games out of the lead in the Mid-American Conference West Division, the Ball State University baseball team has an uphill climb to get into the MAC Tournament. Only the top two seeds from each division and the two teams with the next best records regardless of division make the conference tournament.


OUR VIEW: Real Prestige

Ball State University administrators and public relations officials often use the awards the university wins as a selling point for the school. The intense focus on awards and recognition has led at least one high-ranking official to leave for greener pastures.


MEN'S TENNIS: Undefeated teams battle for top spot

Two undefeated teams that have continually battled for the top spot in the Mid-American Conference will meet this weekend when Ball State University plays No. 50 Western Michigan University at home. "Definitely we are excited about the match; it is for first place in conference," coach Bill Richards said.


MEN'S BASKETBALL: Three sign with Thompson

Along with its 9-22 record, the two glaring weaknesses for Ball State University's men's basketball team last season were a lack of perimeter shooters and size in the low post. Cardinals coach Ronny Thompson received national letters of intent Thursday from guard Rob Giles, forward Kevin Ford and forward/center Robert Martina.



OUR VIEW: Laptop Abuse

Compulsive away message checkers and YouTube junkies who use class time to feed their habits are one step closer to being officially at the mercy of their professors. University Senate reworded a bill that will give professors the authority ban laptops and other electronic devices in their classrooms if President Jo Ann Gora approves it.


Community stimulates creativity

Trips to China. Memoirs of motherhood. The life of a former baton twirler. These are just a few of the stories that Ball State University students have written for a creative writing class that partners students with members of the Muncie community. Professor Barbara Bogue, who has been at Ball State for 14 years, started the "Writing in the Community" class in 2002.


Studios aid students, save money

The Ball State University School of Nursing has found an innovative way to use Mediasite recording technology and is saving the university more than $1 million. "From a technology standpoint, it's kind of an all-in-one recording studio," Brandon Campbell, technology services specialist for the School of Nursing, said.


MEN'S TENNIS: Cards lose 7-0 to Irish

On Tuesday the Ball State University men's tennis team fell 7-0 to No. 6 University of Notre Dame. Ball State is now 9-11 on the season. But even though the team lost, coach Bill Richards said he wasn't too upset. "It's done and over with," Richards said.



WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL: Coach's contract unsigned

Even though coach Dave Boos has coached the women's volleyball team in a spring tournament and received commitments from two players since he came to Ball State University in January, he has not signed his contract. Boos said a typo in the contract caused him to send it back to the university, but would not say what the typo was.


Leaders to look up to

One thing that first-year coaches Randy Heisler and Sunder Nix bring to the Ball State University track team is experience. The team is using this experience as it enters its outdoor season, and with both coaches being accomplished athletes, it's Nix who is leading by example, the team said.


Hyman to leave BSU

Randy Hyman, associate dean for Student Affairs, has accepted the position of vice chancellor for Academic Support and Student Life at the University of Minnesota Duluth, according to the UMD Web site.


Bill to assist students, film companies

Indiana will become a more film-friendly state after this year, and Ball State University's award winning telecommunications programs could reap the benefits. Ball State's Department of Telecommunications was honored as the TV School of the Year on March 3, and a bill passed this year could bring in more TV talent, internships and job opportunities for students.


Ball State considers new sport

The addition of a new sport program could come with the new plan for compliance toward the Education Act of 1972 at Ball State University. A plan was drafted in 2001 but expired at the end of 2006. Ball State hopes to have a new five-year plan in place by the end of this summer.


Inside street life

The opera "53rd Street," which shows tonight and Sunday, will allow students to get a glimpse of life on the streets of New York City. The opera was composed by Jody Nagel, associate professor of music theory and composition. "53rd Street" is the story of two homeless men living on the streets of New York and their treatment by various groups of society.