V THE VIDETTE
TUESDAY, APRIL 27, 2021 Vol. 133 | No. 27
videtteonline.com
SPECIAL | FINAL | EDITION
End of the
LINE
The Vidette ends print publication after 133 years
Story on Page 16
N DITIO L | E FINA IAL | SPEC
PAGE 2 | NEWS | THE VIDETTE
TUESDAY, APRIL 27, 2021
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Thank you, Illinois State U
Printing a newspaper to serve to has been a genuine honor. W
Sincere Your 2020-2021 Vidette
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NEWS 5
DIETZ BYPASSES ACADEMIC SENATE FOR COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING PLANS, WILL GO TO BOARD OF TRUSTEES
THE VIDETTE
TUESDAY, APRIL 27, 2021 Vol. 133 | No. 27
videtteonline.com
Graduates take stage with Redbird Crossing Experience ANDREA RICKER Features Editor | @ricker_andrea
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eniors will soon be logging on to their last Zoom class, participating in one more discussion forum and submitting their final research paper. As a crazy year comes to an end, many students will be getting their degree and moving on from Illinois State University. “I have learned that college is only one step towards adult life, and to take opportunities that could help me left and right,” senior biological sciences major Tanya Bandela said.
Overcoming challenges Bandela has been attending ISU since August 2017. She mentioned that she has been able to grow throughout the past four years despite challenges thrown her way. “I have faced adversity each year at Illinois State, but have bounced back. Juggling a major I hated, living away from home for the first time, substance abuse and my overall mental health freshman year was a lot to handle.” Bandela added, “I was able to step out of a toxic freshman year and make rewarding friendships that I know will last me a lifetime by surrounding myself with like-minded individuals.” Rachel Mackey, senior secondary English education and French and Francophone studies major, said the biggest challenge she’s had to overcome during college was finding balance between her anxiety and her expectations for herself. “It’s hard for me to find the line at which to be satisfied with what I’ve done without feeling anxious about it not being perfect,” Mackey said. “[...] The work never stops until I put myself first and remove myself from this idea that everything needs to be done perfectly.” The COVID-19 pandemic has made this senior year unlike any in the past. With classes being online, many students will be finishing their degree from their homes. “Taking my classes senior year virtually has been manageable but somewhat defeating,” Tyler Porter, senior integrated marketing communications and advanced marketing analytics major said. “[There’s a] lack of social interaction that I can have with my peers.” However, some seniors found positives to learning virtually for their final year. “I feel like I got to do the work and communicate with my peers just as much as I would have sitting in class,” senior exercise science major Alex Tumbarello said. Tumbarello added that she did miss out on field work and hands-on experiences for her major. For many, college is a time of growth, changing from a freshman who does not know where campus buildings are to a senior who knows the ropes around the school. See GRADUATION on Page 9
Karla Ximena Rojas Cruz crosses the stage in Redbird Arena after earning her bachelors in fashion design and merchandising. Graduates cross the stage in isolated appointments to avoid the spread of COVID-19.
Photograph by Alex Gant | Photo Editor | @AlexGant16
PAGE 4 | NEWS | THE VIDETTE
TUESDAY, APRIL 27, 2021
NEWS IN BRIEF
COVID-19 UPDATE IN MCLEAN COUNTY 17,262 cases in
Search for 20th ISU president ongoing
McLean County
The search for Illinois State University’s 20th president is still ongoing. Fifty-eight individuals applied and 69 were nominated for the position. The search process is being kept confidential to ensure privacy for those who might hold leadership roles at other institutions. “We do not want being interested in the role of Illinois State president to negatively impact any of the applicants who are not selected,” Board of Trustees Chairperson Julie Annette Jones said. “We want them to be able to return to positions where they currently serve without having to field questions as to why they were seeking to make a change.” Jones is confident that the search committee is large and diverse to represent the campus community. Public forums will not be held but the board will include more people from the campus community to participate in the interviews. The board is hoping to have an offer and acceptance by mid-May.
GRACE KINNICUTT VIDETTE NEWS EDITOR
New brewpub coming to Uptown Normal
162 new cases since
Friday in McLean County
4.3% seven-day positivity rate through Sunday
5.5% cumulative positivity rate in McLean County
217 COVID-19-related
deaths in McLean County
312,500 total tested in McLean County
16,442 recovered in McLean County
545 individuals in home
isolation in McLean County
58 hospitalized due to COVID-19 in McLean
116,532 vaccinated Alex Gant | Photo Editor | @AlexGant16
in McLean County
Illinois State University is providing free COVID-19 testing at the temporary testing site in The Alamo II parking lot. Freshman physical education student Jake Sliter fills out his COVID-19 form asking him if he has been exposed to COVID-19 recently or has had any COVID-19-related symptoms.
SOURCE: MCLEAN COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT
MCHD officials speak about managing a pandemic YASMIN ODEH News Reporter | @yasminodeh3
Additional jobs will be coming to Uptown Normal. A new brewpub, owned by the Fiala Brothers who own D.P. Dough, is under construction. Town of Normal Communications Specialist Rachelle Cantero says the town is looking forward to the new restaurant. “Eating and spending local stimulates the local economy. Most importantly, Normal has a great track record when it comes to microbreweries,” Cantero said. “White Oak Brewing has enjoyed great regional success and Destihl distributes internationally. We hope the same for Fiala Bros.” The grand opening of the Fiala Brothers’ new brewpub is still to be determined.
JOHN MURRAY VIDETTE NEWS REPORTER
Collaborators for the International Seminar coping during the pandemic as well as how to Series include the Office of International Studies locate resources for assistance. and Programs as well as the Mennonite Col“The speakers will address some of the ways McLean County Health Department officials lege of Nursing. Dean of Nursing Judy Neulocal hospitals prepare for a health crisis, meswill be speaking at the upcoming International brander and MCN assistant professor Dr. Susan saging to the community, the need for supplies Seminar Series event titled: “COVID-19: ManagCalderon are the coordinators of the event. and the changes health care facilities have made ing Locally a Global Pandemic”. The event is to “It is a team effort from our office and the due to the pandemic,” Calderon said. “The occur from noon to 1 p.m. Wednescommunity to respond speakers will also address the lessons day. promptly to the COVID-19 learned during the pandemic.” MCHD Administrator Jessica pandemic,” Calderon said. Neubrander said people should McKnight and Chief Nursing OfNeubrander said the preattend as they will gain a better unficer and Vice President of Patient sentation will offer viewers the derstanding of what goes on behind Services at Carle BroMenn and Carle public health and hospital prothe scenes and beyond the public eye Eureka hospitals Laurie Round will vider perspectives regarding in terms of COVID-19 management. be the speakers. how to manage a pandemic. How to properly function to prevent McKnight’s contributions will be “They will learn the chalthe spread of the disease will also be centered around the local vaccine lenges of balancing public accounted for. Jessica Laurie rollouts throughout the past few safety and individual freedom, The event will include time for quesMcKnight Round months and how it will continue information gathering and tions and answers and is open to the looking ahead. sharing on testing and vaccinations, navigating public with required advanced registration. Round will focus on how hospitals are managstate- and national-level directives and how flexing the pandemic and specifically how her own ibility played a role in managing a pandemic at YASMIN ODEH is a News Reporter for The leadership has played a role in her local hospitals the county level,” Neubrander said. Vidette. She can be contacted at yaodeh@ilstu. in Eureka throughout the past year and a half Calderon mentioned the speakers will be edu. Follow her on Twitter at @yasminodeh3 and into the future. discussing ways health care leaders have been
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The Vidette is published Tuesdays every week, except for final examinations, holidays and semester breaks. The digital Summer Vidette is published in June and July. Students are responsible for the content of the Vidette. The views presented do not necessarily represent, in whole or part, those of the Illinois State University administration, faculty and students. The Vidette is a member of the Associated Collegiate Press and the Illinois College Press Association. Subscriptions are available by mail to anywhere in the United States for $150 per calendar year. © The Vidette 2021 University & Locust / Campus Box 0890 / Normal, IL 61761–0890
TUESDAY, APRIL 27, 2021
THE VIDETTE | NEWS | PAGE 5
Dietz: Votes against engineering ‘misguided’ President disregards Academic Senate’s opposition to new college; plans to seek approval from Board of Trustees KELLIE FOY News Editor | @kellie_foy
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xactly one month after Illinois State University’s Academic Senate rejected and halted plans for a new engineering building in support of the Graduate Workers Union, President Larry Dietz took a 180-degree turn Saturday with getting these plans approved. In a letter to the Academic Senate, Dietz announced he “must take a position different from the Academic Senate on this matter” and plans “to seek authorization from the Board of Trustees for approval for the new College of Engineering.” Dietz started this letter out by providing a play-by-play of the events leading up to the March 24 meeting, starting from its idea stage in 2016 and arriving at the academic curriculum and fiscal plan approvals March 3. Five paragraphs later, Dietz flipped the switch and said he “believes that the votes cast in opposition to the engineering program are misguided” and the voting result “conflates a short-term union labor concern with a long-term strategic imperative.” “I think the worst part about [the letter] is that it shows a disrespect and a condescending tone to undergraduate students and to us and towards our work by telling us we’re misguided, we don’t know and he knows best,” Department of English graduate teaching assistant and PhD student Steven Lazaroff said. “So why even have the Academic Senate if he knows best?” Within the letter, Dietz said he believes “the development is problematic for several reasons” and provides these reasons. Dietz claimed that the vote “ignores the reality of how labor negotiations work.” As a result, GWU went to social media with its frustration in response to the letter and these specific statements. Many members of the union claim that university officials “are continuing their bullying ways and seek now to ignore the democratic will of the Academic Senate in rejecting the College of Engineering and standing in solidarity with graduate workers.” Alex Murarus, a first-year master’s student in the biology department, is one of the many GWU members who expressed
that’s kind of upsetting because that’s the foundation of our school’s democracy,” Murarus said. With support from members of the ISU community, many also took surprise from this letter to the Senate and continue to express their disappointment and shame in Dietz and his administration. For GWU and these community members, the frustration lies with Dietz’s call to go straight to the board for approval despite ISU’s talks around respecting shared governance and the significance of a shared governance within the campus community. Many also express that this move shows opposition toward respecting shared governance due to ignoring the outcome of voting results and shines light on more issues that they see within the current administration. To much of the community, going forward with the college was not the most shocking part of Dietz’s letter as GWU has been negotiating with university officials since October 2019 and has been attending most Academic Senate and Board of Trustees meetings this year. “What’s shocking about this is not that they went ahead with engineering. Even when Provost [Aondover] Tarhule said that maybe this is on hold now until we resolve the situation with the grad students, we took that with a grain of salt,” Lazaroff said. “President Dietz showed at the [emergency] Board of Trustees meeting that they were intent on [going forward with the college]. It’s not surprising, but it’s shocking the way that he went about actually writing the letter.” In addition to GWU’s current efforts, this letter came out a little under 24 hours after the union held a full membership meeting to discuss its strike authorization voting results and how it and its bargaining team want to move forward. While the strike authorization vote does not mean a strike is impending in the near future, both Murarus and Lazaroff Alex Gant | Photo Editor | @AlexGant16 believe this is a turning point in GWU’s fight for a fair conMany Graduate Worker Union members have expressed frustratract and livable wages. tion over President Larry Dietz’s recent letter to the Academic “I think that this letter is definitely going to get a lot of Senate regarding the College of Engineering. GWU member, people on board that maybe weren’t so sure before and Trevor Rickerd, makes a speech at a February protest. maybe didn’t care too much,” Murarus said. “Some people will be really upset by this and that will really rally a lot of how taken aback she was by this letter and Dietz’s intentions. our members into speaking up and speaking out against [the] “I was pretty taken aback because I thought this whole time administration. I think this is going to be a point of strength for that maybe the Academic Senate wasn’t the final say, but I our movement.” didn’t realize that it was so meaningless to the president. I think University officials have not commented at this time.
“I think the worst part about [the letter] is that it shows a disrespect and a condescending tone to undergraduate students and to us and towards our work by telling us we’re misguided, we don’t know and [Dietz] knows best. So why even have the Academic Senate if he knows best?” Steven Lazaroff, Department of English graduate teaching assistant and PhD student
Different learning styles bring different finals prep JORDAN MEAD Features Reporter | @meadjordan19
Tutor prefers in-person work, but Zoom has proven valuable in long-distance cases
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he last year has demanded not only the stress of classes but now the added stress of online preparation for final exams. The Illinois State University student and faculty population is hopeful that this semester will be the last time finals will be online. Issues, such as worries over academic dishonesty, timed online exams and large assignments to make up for in-person exams, will potentially be something of the past as ISU plans to transition to in-person classes and exams in the fall 2021 semester. After a year of dealing with the pandemic, ISU students and faculty are preparing for final exams, which will officially start next week.
Senior understands need for online, but longs for in-person classes
Online poses challenges for freshman
Senior marketing student Joe Eltman said his finals are a mix of exams, papers and reports. “I understand where they’re [ISU] coming from. They want to keep everyone safe and healthy. I wish everything would have been back in-person but given the circumstances, I can’t really complain,” Eltman said. In the past when Eltman took finals, he said that he felt anxious before his exams, and he preferred getting them done and out of the way. He is an auditory learner. In the past, he gained more from listening during in-person classes than reading from the textbook and online platforms. “I’ve been writing everything down because it makes me memorize it better,” Eltman said. “Instead of just copying and pasting notes from the book, I actually type out the notes because I have to read what I’m typing and put it into notes, and that helps me memorize it and makes it easier.”
Freshman pre-veterinarian medicine major Daniela Magana said online is also a much more difficult environment for her to learn and study for finals. “All my finals are online except for I’m here for an in-person lab, and I don’t have a final for that class either,” Magana said. “For my classes, I don’t think they could have done anything different than what they did considering the circumstances.” Magana has two exams and then one essay questionnaire. For her exams, all her lectures are prerecorded, so she plans to look at those and the PowerPoint presentations from class to study for her exams.
Alex Gant | Photo Editor | @AlexGant16
Katie Kranich, a sophomore integrated marketing communications and professional sales major, sits in one of her online classes while at the Bone Student Center.
Freshman concerned about maintaining focus in online environment “I’m really nervous because I don’t like online learning. I don’t learn as much and focus as much, so I’m kind of nervous that it will be a lot at one time,” freshman business student Anna Fascetti said. “I didn’t have any final exams last semester, so this semester is my first time having final exams.” Fascetti is primarily taking her general education courses. She will have four online finals in total. One of them is an open notes exam, but it will be timed. Her other finals will require her to do the online honor pledge to not cheat. “I’m happy with them being online because all the classes have been online, and it would be weird having to take in-person and on-paper finals,” Fascetti said. “I think professors have done a good job making us feel like we’re still in college as students. It’s just very difficult.” “Sometimes the reviews [for finals] aren’t as helpful because you’re not in person and actually learning,” Fascetti said. “[Some] just post the answers online to the reviews, and I wish it was more about getting to understand stuff and ask more questions.”
Illinois State University alumnus and tutor Phil Grizzard has done a mix of mainly online and some in-person tutoring this last year for ISU students. Now, he is tutoring many ISU students completely online as they prepare for finals in math classes. “Zoom has some features that I hadn’t used before on other platforms that makes it a little more user friendly than other things I’ve done online. But still, it’s nothing like what I’ve done in person,” Grizzard said. “I just tell my students to get through the semester, and then it’s going to be better.” Grizzard said that while tutoring online is not the same as in person and sometimes more difficult, it has opened the opportunity to work with students who are preparing for exams who do not live in Bloomington-Normal. This makes it easier to follow up with students regardless of the geographic setting. In the fall, Grizzard said he will return to in-person tutoring if ISU returns to in-person classes. “I know I’m looking forward to meeting students in person again, especially without masks,” Grizzard said. “Being able to sit next to students, have eye contact and read their feelings and have that connection is easier in person.”
Viewpoint
PAGE 6 | THE VIDETTE
VIDETTE EDITORIAL
TUESDAY, APRIL 27, 2021
A farewell to the printed page
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o the students at Illinois State University, to those who have read over these pages in the past 133 years, and to those who will look back on these pages in the future, we bid a fond farewell. The eventual end of the physical editions of The Vidette has been long forthcoming. In the gradual slowing of releasing papers five days a week, to four, to two and eventually to one a week, it is perhaps the natural conclusion that The Vidette pushes its production entirely online and embraces the digital age with open arms. We also leave our complete independence as a publication by students for students, as we become a more embedded part of the School of Communication, and join forces with WGLT, the local National Public Radio affiliate. Our editorial independence will remain from the school, but we hope this merger will connect The Vidette to more student journalists and to more readers. This is, of course, not to say that The Vidette will wither and fade into oblivion. We have had a strong website for years and will continue to fur-
ther strengthen our digital efforts in the coming years. This is not a death, but simply an evolution from the old to the new. We send our sincerest thanks to the members of The Vidette Publication Board, who have always been a source of decision and guidance, but in the past year have helped pave the way for this new path The Vidette has taken. Thank you to board members Eric Hoss, Megan Hopper, Brent Simonds, Mark Lewis, Becky Fletcher, Julia Perez and Katie Fisher.
We also send our sincerest thanks to General Manager John Plevka, who helped propel us into the digital era and guided so many students during his time here. As he continues to help The Vidette transition into this new form, we wish him and those working on this transition much success. While we look forward with optimism, we would be remiss not to note the sadness that comes with this occasion. No longer will young journalists feel the unique thrill of seeing their name in print for the first time, to hold
a physical mark they made on the world and feel emboldened to make more. No longer will an editor know the thrill of scrambling to get breaking news onto the page before the deadline, and the pride of knowing the paper could not exist without them. Instead, we, much like the rest of the world, take our place in putting content out into the ether, where its intangibility makes it easier to share and spread, but comes at the cost of making the mark. From the ashes, however, rises the phoenix, and it is with certainty that we know The Vidette will rise to even higher heights than ever before. In its 133-year history, The Vidette has survived two world wars, the Great Depression, two pandemics and even more historical events than can be named. What is to say we cannot survive the leap to the digital era as well? To the ink on the page, we say goodbye, but to the permanence and eternity of the internet, we say hello. Thank you to all who supported us for 133 years, and may we continue to serve the students at Illinois State University for 133 more.
Editorial Cartoon by Flynn Geraghty | Vidette Art Director
EDITORIAL POLICY Editorial written by ELIZABETH SEILS, a member of The Vidette’s Editorial Board. Editorial policy is determined by the student editor, and views expressed in editorials are those of the majority of The Vidette’s Editorial Board. Columns that carry bylines are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily represent those of The Vidette or the university.
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Ready to make it big as the next editor in chief
We all have times, times into the doors for the we wonder, ‘will the spotfirst time that day. I light shine on me?’ I don’t let would not be where waves go and pull us under, I’ll I am today if she had miss the opportunity.” not. Honestly, I have been mutterMost importantly ing these Big Time Rush lyrics to MY VIEW though, I would not myself a lot since I submitted my be where I am today application to be The Vidette’s KELLIE FOY | News Editor without the people first editor in chief in its all-digI have met and ital era. encountered over the past two years. As I officially sit here now as the incoming To every person who I have crossed paths editor and look to what’s ahead, I only find with and worked with at The Vidette, thank you myself adding to the list of lyrics I am saying for the interactions and for growing with me no to myself every day, almost too many times a matter the position and no matter how long or day to be exact. how little we knew each other for. I will admit it: when 9-year-old me first You do not realize it, but you have played heard BTR’s music in 2010, I did not think it a role in my personal puzzle of life and have would be one of the few things that would get influenced me as a person, a reporter and an me through this position 11 years later. Yet, editor in an endless number of ways. Thank here I am using it as my motivation to get me you for teaching me what it is like to be a team through the ups and downs of next year. player and to be all in. It feels like just yesterday my freshman self To outgoing Editor in Chief Lizzie Seils, was spending her very first morning at Illinois thank you for taking a chance on me, for always State University walking to The Vidette’s build- believing in me and pushing me to be the best ing to be interviewed as a news reporter. that I can be as a reporter and as a human. Little did she know what she was getting herThank you for always being patient with me self into at the time, but I am glad she walked and giving me room to grow. I know some days
ONLINE POLL
Seniors: How do you feel about graduation? Cast your vote at Videtteonline.com or by using The Vidette mobile app
were not easy when it came to putting up with me, but I am hoping the jokes, sarcasm and funny stories made up for it (and I am sorry if they did not). I will cherish every memory, piece of advice and lesson you have given me over the past two years. Without them, I do not think I would be as ready for this position as I am now. If it were not for you, I would not be the journalist I am today. Your story is far from over and I am excited to see where you go. You’re going to do big things and you are going to go so far in life. I know I am not the first, and I will not be the last, but I am so proud of you. And while the next two years will not include long production days or spending my Tuesday mornings delivering papers to the Bloomington-Normal community, I will forever cherish what you all and our printed editions have given me the past two years. To say I am filled with both excitement and many anxious nerves as I take on this role is an understatement. I have been down this road before, but the one that lies ahead of me has a new change of scenery that I am not familiar with. However, I am willing to take a shot in the
NOTABLE NUMBERS
? 5.26 22
meters for pole vault by Illinois State track and field athlete Kellen Kravik. SPORTS, PAGE 13
Academic Senate members voted against the College of Engineering plan. The college needed 23 votes in favor to pass. ISU President Larry Dietz wrote a letter to the Senate promising to go over the Senate to the Board of Trustees for approval of the college.
POLLING PLACE 2020
dark, not only because I now hold the torch, but because The Vidette holds a special place in my heart and I have faith in myself and my team. I know we will get through these obstacles and come out better and stronger on the other side. The light at the end of the tunnel is shining bright and waiting for us to meet it. For those two things alone, I am grateful I get to be the one lighting the torch and leading the way. I am honored and excited to be in this position, to serve the ISU and BloNo communities in a brand-new light and to continue deepening my relationship with this team and these communities. I am excited to see every staff member grow, to see what they are capable of in their journeys and to continue building on what The Vidette already has. This may be the end of a 133-year printed production, but it is the beginning of a whole new chapter in The Vidette’s life. The Vidette is not going anywhere any time soon, so sit down and buckle up because we are just getting started and we will be better than ever. KELLIE FOY is a News Editor and the incoming Editor in Chief of The Vidette. She can be reached at kafoy1@ilstu.edu. Follow her on Twitter at @kellie_foy
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THEY SAID IT
You see team building this year was hard ... We were very disjointed because we weren’t allowed to have team meetings. We did not have the chance to do team building that we would normally do. A lot of team building things could attribute that feeling.” Brock Spack, head coach of Illinois State University football
EDITORIAL BOARD ELIZABETH SEILS Editor in Chief | @SeilsElizabeth ANDREA RICKER Features Editor @ricker_andrea GRACE KINNICUTT News Editor @GKinnicutt KATIE BESTE Night Editor @BesteKatherine
MAIA HUDDLESTON Photo Editor @maiawrites MYA ROBINSON Sports Reporter @Im_Myaaa JOHN MURRAY News Reporter @Jmurr__
TUESDAY, APRIL 27, 2021
ViewOp-Ed
One last thing
Vidette editorial staff share thoughts on their final paper production
THE VIDETTE | PAGE 7
GUEST COLUMNIST
Vidette has always been more than just a newspaper EDITOR’S NOTE: An upcoming commemorate edition of The Vidette will salute 133 years of the printed newspaper. Among the many features in the section will be notes from Vidette alumni, sharing their thoughts on their days at Illinois State University and at The Vidette. A sample of those notes by former Editor-in-Chief Mick Swasko is presented here.
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Kellie Foy | News Editor To be able to produce and write for the last printed edition of The Vidette is something I’ll never forget. Some of my favorite memories have come from sitting in The Vidette office and working on pages every Monday with all the editors. With that, I’m forever thankful for everything this paper and every production day has given me as a news editor over the past year and I will always be proud to say that I was a part of this group.
Katie Beste | Night Editor It’s so weird to think that this is the last printed edition of The Vidette. I’ve been working on The Vidette in some capacity since 2018, and while I know this transition makes sense, it still saddens me to see it go out of print. Both my parents went to ISU and remember The Vidette from their time here. To be a night editor for it as the print edition ends is an incredible yet solemn honor.
Grace Kinnicutt | News Editor As a senior, this final edition is bittersweet. I know I speak for a lot of current and past Vidette staff members when I say that that working at The Vidette is where I have met some of my best friends and the best people along with gaining real-world experience. As I wrap up my final days at ISU, I am so grateful to be a part of The Vidette and something so historic. I am so grateful for all the connections, friends and lifetime memories. As The Vidette transitions to online content, I am so excited to watch as an alum all the great things the Viddy family will continue to do.
Andrea Ricker | Features Editor This final edition is not only closing a huge chapter of my life, but also a chapter of our community and campus history. The Vidette has been my home for the past two years and it’s helped me grow as a person and as a journalist. It’s weird ending my time at this paper right before things change, but I’m so excited to see what our Viddy Fam will accomplish next. I don’t like to look at the final paper being a sad thing, rather the beginning of a whole new era of The Vidette.
Flynn Geraghty | Art Director Throughout my journey at ISU, one thing that always remained consistent was The Vidette. I have been making graphics
for the paper on an at least a weekly basis since my freshman year and haven’t regretted it once. Now, as I prepare to graduate and start a new chapter of my life, The Vidette will do the same as it makes the transition from print to online. It feels very bittersweet, but even through this change, The Vidette will still stand strong and be a beacon of reliability for the ISU community for years to come.
Rachel Hickey | Sports Editor It is a bittersweet feeling to be on the staff of the final printed Vidette. On one note, I feel rather honored to be a part of this amazing group effort and have had a small dose of being an editor for a printed paper. On the other hand, it breaks my heart a bit to know that this is the end of an era. However, I know that the future of The Vidette is bright with passionate journalists behind the screens. I am excited to see where the digital age takes the field of journalism and where The Vidette’s own journey will go as well. My old soul will always miss seeing my byline in print, but I look forward to the changes and challenges, knowing that it will only make The Vidette a stronger news source than it was before. Here’s to the end of one era, and the start of something even greater.
Jake Sermersheim | Sports Editor One of my favorite traditions, since I have been at ISU, has been grabbing a Vidette off the rack somewhere and flipping through it before I start on whatever task surely should have taken priority. But after this week I will not ever have that chance again and I know I am going to miss it. While I won’t hallow about the paper stopping production, I will say that it will be sorely missed by everyone that had the chance to open its pages.
Alex Gant | Photo Editor This last edition means a lot more to me than I expected it to. As the time came closer and closer, I realized how special it was to see my photos in print. Now, I’ll only be seeing my work through a phone or a computer screen. Might not be forever in my career, but nowadays, who knows?
Kelvin Pough | Night Editor Since editing my first Vidette edition on Aug. 22, 2018, The Vidette has been
a constant in my life. It is a bittersweet honor to know that my last edition will also be The Vidette’s last, and it is sad to know that my successors will not have the pleasure of picking up a printed copy of the papers they edit. I am proud of the work I have done and the things I learned while at The Vidette, and I am confident that it will continue to accomplish great things.
Lauren Hamlin | Social Media Manager In my two years of working with The Vidette, it is so clear to see the passion and integrity that comes with this impeccable style of work. This last printed edition of The Vidette is one that holds a special place in my heart — knowing that I have contributed to a lasting legacy that this organization holds true. Not only has The Vidette maintained a strong reputation for Illinois State, but has also molded a family of driven students into the professionals they aspire to be. This last physical edition may be making its final round, but The Vidette will continue to leave a significant impact on this university — no matter the formatting.
Elizabeth Seils | Editor in Chief The end of my time at The Vidette and the end of print publication feels like the end of an important era in my life. I owe so much of who I am as a person and where I am in my career to my time in that building on Locust Street. I will forever be grateful for everything The Vidette has given and I’ll always think back fondly on my time here. I’m a little brokenhearted that the printed paper is going away, but I have absolute faith in incoming Editor-in-Chief Kellie Foy that she will take this challenge of transitioning The Vidette and run with it. I’m leaving this organization in very capable hands.
John Plevka | General Manager The students with whom I’ve shared newsroom space at The Vidette are talented, energized and hilarious. While we’ve shared some laughs today, it is indeed as sad day as we lower the curtain on the final act of the printed Vidette. However, this place can — and will — continue to be the stage for young people who wish to tell the important stories of the day. They can — and will — continue to make a difference. The proud Vidette tradition will live on and thrive in a digital world.
he Daily Vidette is a steadfast pillar of free speech that’s written the complete history of Illinois State University while simultaneously becoming a part of that history — and it was my distinct honor to say I helped make just a little bit of its chapter as a newspaper possible. But The Vidette has always been more than a paper. The Daily Vidette is also a family. It brings together students who are strangers, gives them a platform and lets them make mistakes, win awards, snoop around MICK and speak truth SWASKO to power. In the process, those strangers become coworkers, and those coworkers become friends. The corner of Locust and University Street becomes a place for those friends to congregate before a morale boost trip to Pub II on a Wednesday or some nonsense like that. Those friends become family who you debate bar crawl T-shirt slogans with just as hard as front-page headline options. They are people you hug after graduation and keep in touch with longer than most college friends. For me, The Daily Vidette was a workplace. A classroom. I probably slept there a few times. I definitely cried there at least once. In fact, The Vidette was really the central point through which all of my ISU life flowed, the defining storyline of my time in college. It gave me the experience to go places in my career I had hoped for but did not think were possible. It taught me everything while really asking nothing — except to maybe put gas in the van when you are done delivering papers at 4 a.m. At an age where Jägermeister was a food group, laundry was an option and adult life looked very far away, it was a constant that kept me grounded and focused. I owe a debt of gratitude to this newspaper, and to every person who has made it possible since 1888. Thank you, sincerely and hopefully. These may be the last pages, but the Vidette’s story has always been so much more than a paper anyway. MICK SWASKO, a 2008 graduate of Illinois State University. He was editor-in-chief of The Vidette from 2007-2008. After graduating in ’08, Swasko went on to report for several editions of the Chicago Tribune, including the flagship, TribLocal and RedEye. After journalism, he has continued telling stories in communications roles at the John G. Shedd Aquarium, tech incubator 1871 and is currently a senior editorial writer at Walker Sands, a Chicago-based B2B tech agency.
TUESDAY, APRIL 27, 2021
THE VIDETTE | NEWS | PAGE 8
Being the voice for action
NEWS IN BRIEF
Incoming student trustee Devin Paoni aims to help advocate for change GRACE KINNICUTT News Editor | @Gkinnicutt
ratings go up and provide students a better education. “This one thing could really change r a d u a t i n g high school a year early and a lot for our appeal to sustainability, coming to Illinois State University Januour ratings would go up, our students ary 2019, Devin Paoni has not had the full would have a better education, we experience of college, but it has not stopped her would be able to use some of that from getting involved. money for other projects,” Paoni said. Paoni will be the student trustee for the 2021She hopes urging the university to 22 academic year. divest from fossil fuels would build As student trustee, she will serve as an advomomentum to have more sustainable cate for the student body. Her job is listening practices at ISU. to what students need and advocating for those Paoni also ran to urge the board in needs to the Board of Trustees since members of coming to an agreement with GWU the board have the power to pass legislation that for a livable wage. She mentioned impacts the campus community. how the university not meeting the She is hoping to be a voice that calls for action needs of GWU is what gave her the when it comes to the needs of the campus compush to run for student trustee. munity. “That’s really what got me into this “I think that now, since I do have a seat at the race in the first place, was why are we table, I need to utilize that as much as I can. I giving all this money as bonuses and have access now to a lot of things that I didn’t stuff, taking on all these big projects beforehand,” Paoni said. “I can present them while we are not taking care of our with the research that we [have] found with the own students,” Paoni said. numbers [as] to why I believe the things that I The biggest challenge Paoni feels Courtesy of Devin Paoni for trustee Instagram do.” she is going to face is getting supJunior Devin Paoni will be the student trustee for the 2022Two of the biggest factors that pushed Paoni 21 academic year. She is double majoring in psychology and port on sustainable practices and fair to run were the Graduate Workers Union and political science with a minor in sociology. wages for the graduate students. Fossil Free ISU. “Historically, these movements “I’m a big supporter of the Graduate Workers bying the university to get investments out of haven’t been given a seat at the table. Union and Fossil Free ISU; those are the two big fossil fuels and to reinvest in renewable energy. We’ve been given a lot of positive words of afthings that the board has the power to change,” Divesting from fossil fuels would help save the firmation but no actual change,” Paoni said. Paoni said. “Now that I’m on the board, I have university money and help students by being Paoni says she can advocate all she wants for the power to advocate.” able to provide more financial help. the needs of the student but trying to get the Paoni has been involved with environment “[Divesting] would help the university tons university to take action on movements such and sustainability organizations. She serves as because we [are] losing money through these as sustainability or fair wages is going to be the president for the Student Environmental Action, investments,” Paoni said. “We would be able to biggest obstacle. secretary for the Student Sustainability Commithelp our students with their education by provid“The more I researched the things that I care tee, treasurer of Plant Bases State and Outreach ing more scholarship money [and] be a leader in about on campus, the more I realized that the Coordinator for Fossil Free ISU. Illinois for being sustainable.” board does really have the power to change lives Since Paoni is involved in sustainable orgaPaoni said that ISU dropped to a bronze rating with all these movements.” nizations, one of the biggest goals she hopes to from silver for sustainability due to dropping out accomplish is having ISU divest from fossil fuels of the Presidential Climate Commitment. GRACE KINNICUTT is News Editor for The Viand invest in renewable energy. She believes reinvesting in the commitment dette. She can be contacted at gkinnic@ilstu.edu Fossil Free ISU is a campaign that is loband practicing sustainable measures would help Follow Kinnicutt on Twitter at @GKinnicutt
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Matt Aldeman Technology 438-0644
Kevin Boyer Mathematics 438-3895
Carol Cox CECP 452-0963
John Baldwin Communication 438-7110
Renee Carrigan Career Services 438-5864
Jim Cox Marketing 452-0963
John Berger International Students Inc. 212-4450
Brad Christensen Mary Cranston College of CeMAST Nursing 438-1899 438-2381 Janet Caldwell
Joe Blaney College of Arts and Sciences 438-5669
Special Education 438-2959 David Collier Music 438-2959
Gina Dew Music 438-726
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Ellis Hurd TCH 438-5115
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Carol Jones Josh Millman Redbird Card Office Psychology 438-8687 Peter Foreman 438-5779 Mgmt & Andy Mitchell Jin Jo Quantitative Technology Chemistry Methods 438-7793 438-2697 438-5579 Sharon Judy Neubrander Sara Gentry Van Der Laan College of Nursing Music Milner Library 438-3895 438-3458 438-7461
MCHD holding vaccination clinics The McLean County Health Department is aiming to increase access to COVID-19 vaccines by providing evening clinic hours and its first drive-thru clinic this week. The evening clinic hours will be from 4:30-7 p.m. Thursday at Grossinger Motors Arena. The drive-thru clinic will be from 10 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. Saturday at the Midwest IF YOU GO Food Bank. “This vacWHAT: COVID-19 cine is the most impor- testing tant tool we WHEN: 4:30-7 p.m. have to stop Thursday the spread WHERE: Grossinger of this virus. Motor Arena We must accommodate WHAT: COVID-19 all McLean testing County WHEN: 10 a.m. to residents 2:45 p.m. Saturday by removWHERE: Midwest ing as many food bank barriers to the vaccine as possible,” MCHD Spokesperson Marianne Manko said in a press release. All MCHD’s clinics are by appointment only. The public can register for these appointments, as well as the open clinics running next week. Registration can be done on MCHD’s website or by phone through the McLean County’s COVID-19 Call Center at (309) 8885600. The call center is available from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Barbara Ribbens International Business Institute 438-3210 Kimberly Risinger Music 438-8100 Laurie Sexton SED 438-3202
KELLIE FOY VIDETTE NEWS EDITOR
David Snyder Music 438-5222 Tim Wickenhauser Comptroller’s Office 438-5750 Valerie Wright College of Nursing 38-2482
Jan Jolynn Staley Shaoen Wu Technology Marketing 438-8338 (815) 210-3721
TUESDAY, APRIL 27, 2021
THE VIDETTE | NEWS | PAGE 9
‘Humans are nothing if they are not adaptive’ Post-COVID world to bring different sense of ‘normal’ for everyone
JORDAN MEAD Features Reporter | @meadjordan19
pre-2020 normal work environments. “Many Fortune 500 companies now value year of social distancflexibility even more ing, mask wearing and strongly than they did readjusting to new pre-pandemic. Both the social norms has taken hold of nature of work and the human behavior as well as social nature of workplaces are and mental health. changing so quickly that The regular diet of social conorganizations and uninection on all levels has changed versities are being forced because of COVID-19. to change,” Schneider As vaccine distribution is said. advancing and state mitigations “Those who aren’t are becoming more relaxed, adapting quickly enough society must consider what the or force a return to prenew “normal” will look like in pandemic work environcomparison to the old “normal.” ments with no adjustIllinois State University psyment will struggle.” chology professor Joe Hilgard Considering evsaid he believes people will forget eryone’s well-being, about the pandemic too quickly Schneider said burnout and put everything behind them. is on the rise for those “I think a lot of people didn’t working from home. change their behavior at all, so I Additionally, surveys think it’s a complicated thing behave shown a substantial cause as each person contributes decrease in psychologito what’s normal, each person’s cal well-being. behavior is also influenced by “Physical and psyeveryone around them,” Hilgard chological boundaries said. between work and home “We’re simultaneously influAlex Gant | Photo Editor | @AlexGant16 are now blurred or gone encing and being influenced by An incoming Redbird and her parents look at information at The Illinois State Parking and Transportation table for Redbird Day for many people. Emergeveryone else. I think the thing on April 23. ing adults in particular I’m nervous about is people getare reporting a greater ting too relaxed too quickly.” Wesselmann went on to say that we will have scars, but he sense of loneliness and isolation,” Schneider said. Additionally, Hilgard said that he imagines the financial believes society will overcome the trauma from the pandemic. Just as COVID-19 impacts everyone differently, the transiwounds of COVID-19 will impact our behavior longer than the This includes society deciding how to use tools — such as tion to a new “normal” will impact everyone’s mental and stress and anxiety of COVID-19 itself. Zoom — that have seen increased use during the pandemic. social health differently. Psychology student Nicole Embery said she imagines there Additionally, society will develop differently, especially those “For people like me, it might take me a little bit longer are many people who have natural urges to jump back into considered part of the COVID-19 generation who missed to feel OK with leaving my house and make that transition. previous normalcy right away, and others will be leery as time major life events. Other people are chomping at the bit and want to get out,” goes on. However, humans will not always feel the loneliness that Embery said. “I think we can get pretty close to normal, but I think there they do now. “I hope people remember that going back to normal for should still be considerations on not wanting this to happen “I think it will likely be a process of readjustment. It’s not some people is going to take a little longer than others.” again,” Embery said. like we’re going to go back to completely the way things were,” The next several years are unpredictable. Everyone has dif“We’ve been conditioned to stay away, and, in that mindWesselmann said. ferent ideas on what “normal” will consist of and how to best set, I can see people having panic attacks in large crowds of “There will still be those individuals that feel that their approach that. people. I think it should happen slowly so that people can get sense of control has been put upon. Those individuals might “One thing I keep in my mind as we ease back in culturally used to the cold water before they jump right in.” be the ones that are the most likely to say, ‘I want it to be like is just to be kind and patient with one another. We all have so Others believe that people will not return to what was prea light switch,’ but I think the higher proportion of people will many different feelings going on about this, so many different viously normal but rather the sense of “normal” will evolve. say, ‘Let’s wade back in.’” beliefs and so many different life encumbrances than other “Psychologically and historically, there’s no way we do a Industrial-organizational psychologist and ISU assispeople have,” Wesselmann said. reset, for better or for worse. Even at a practical level and the tant psychology professor Kimberly Schneider studied how “Our lives are complicated, and I think we need to be comways we were able to pivot and find new ways of doing things, COVID-19 has positively and negatively impacted employees’ passionate with one another.” those will change,” assistant psychology professor Eric Weswell-being and work relationships. selmann said. “Humans are nothing if they are not adaptive.” She also does not believe organizations will return to
A
GRADUATION
Continued from Page 3
Reflecting on the past Students have gotten experiences for their major, joined organizations on campus and have met new people. All of which can play a role into molding someone into who they are today. Tumbarello said that she would tell her freshman year self that “you’re the most important person when it comes to making others happy.” “These are the moments in my life that I should be making mistakes and know that they do not define me,” Tumbarello said. “Don’t be afraid to make mistakes and if you do, learn from them because it’s going to be OK.” Stepping outside the box is something Bandela would tell her freshman year self. To not be afraid to change her major and to, “Stay true to yourself and what you believe in, the right future is waiting for you.”
CLASSIFIEDS
As these graduating seniors close a huge chapter of their lives, many are reflecting on the years spent at ISU. “Some of my favorite memories of college are performing halftime shows with the Big Red Marching Machine,” Porter said. “[Also] traveling to Chicago to see the Chicago Bulls’ front office staff as part of the Sports Marketing Student Association and spending time with my fellow brothers [in the] Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity.” Across the board, seniors shared how they will miss the people they have met. From best friends, to classmates and professors, there are a number of people who can make an impact on a student’s life. “I’ve formed some very close bonds with some of my professors, and it’s sad to know I won’t see them or hear from them for a while,” Mackey said. “I miss their guidance and support and their willingness to listen and talk about anything and everything.” Even from just places on campus or in the Bloomington-Normal community, there are little slices of life seniors will miss.
“I’ll miss the beautiful views of the arboretum, the small school vibe at a large university, the amazing peers and friendly professors, the Bone Student Center and all its events, having opportunities to do research in biology and meeting at Maggie’s after class for a beer,” Bandela said.
What’s next? As the last two weeks of the semester come to a close, seniors will face the beginning of their lives outside ISU. Bandela and Porter will both be participating in the Redbird Stage Crossing. Traditionally, ISU’s commencement has graduates filling Redbird Arena surrounded by their friends and family. Last year, commencement was canceled due to COVID-19. This semester, graduates are able to walk across the stage while four guests cheer them on. “I’m very happy with it because it allows me to have a graduation while maintaining the safety of myself and my fellow classmates,” Porter said.
Mackey has already had her stage crossing, and added the experience felt surreal. “While I was happy to walk, [it felt] like I didn’t actually graduate fully,” Mackey said. “It felt very performative and fake to me.” After receiving her degree, Mackey hopes to get a job teaching as a high school English teacher. Porter will be studying law at Marquette University Law School in Milwaukee. Tumbarello will continue to get certification in personal training and work with MFC Sports Performance. Bandela is looking for jobs and hopes to give back to those who need it most in her community. “Though I’ve faced many challenges in college, I’ve been extremely fortunate for all the positives I have had,” Bandela said. “I will always be a Redbird, and I will never forget the wonderful memories I made at ISU.” ANDREA RICKER is Features Editor of The Vidette. She can be reached at arricke@ilstu. edu. Follow her on Twitter @ricker_andrea.
Phone (309) 438 - 7685 • Fax (309) 438 - 5211 Corner of Locust & University, Normal, IL | Monday – Friday. 9:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.
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Features
PAGE 10 | THE VIDETTE
TUESDAY, APRIL 27, 2021
The show must go on Gamma Phi Circus presents ‘The World of Music’ virtually Saturday, Sunday ELIZABETH URBAN News Reporter | @eliizabethurban
I
t is possible that the phrase “the show must go on” did not account for a global pandemic. Illinois State University’s Gamma Phi Circus performance was canceled last year due to COVID-19. This year the show will go on, just not like normal. Gamma Phi Circus’ show, “The World of Music,” will be held virtually May 1-2. But being virtual is not the only thing different about this year’s show. Gamma Phi Circus Director Marcus Alouan explained that the acts are different this year as the circus has had to find ways to ensure the safety of its performers. “There’s other places where we trained all year without touching so that’s the way we performed as well,” Alouan said. “We built new equipment, we modified the ways that acts run simply in order to make sure that we’re following the guidelines that we were given and keeping everyone as safe as possible.” Gamma Phi Circus Artistic Director Ivan Stoinev mentioned that the circus found other unique ways to follow social distancing guidelines. “They needed to be 6 feet apart so we discovered that if you put them in stilts — 6-foot tall stilts, they still can be apart and flip and all these things in the past we’ve never done,” Stoinev said. Acts were not the only thing affected by the pandemic. Rehearsals also went through many changes. “We had to change our schedule from our regular three expected practices a week to five that spanned twice as much time because we were only allowed 25 people in the gym,” Alouan said. “Students over the course of a five- to seven-hour night would have to come and leave multiple times because they couldn’t be there and just work on homework while they were waiting for their next act to practice because of our number limits.” Despite the pandemic giving the circus many difficulties, it also opened some unique opportunities.
In past years, the show has only been held in-person. Since viewers may now watch it from home, Gamma Phi Circus has seen ticket sales from all over the globe. “With this opportunity, going virtual and streaming it, we had the opportunity now to show the rest of the world. We have people purchasing tickets already from Japan, Mexico [and] England,” Stoinev said. This has been seen as a huge plus for the circus. While the circus wants to return to in-person shows, the possibility of live-streaming future events is not off the table. “There’s definitely opportunity in the future for both,” Alouan said. “But nothing really replaces making
Photo courtesy of Gamma Phi Circus Historian Megan Harris
TOP: Gamma Phi Circus President Sophie Remmert performs her aerial cube routine. ABOVE: Phoebe Naylon poses the aerial chandelier while Francesca Vega performs a neck hang.
Photo courtesy of Gamma Phi Circus Historian Megan Harris
ABOVE: Sadie Cole dances hip hop for the new jump act. RIGHT: Trent Hartman balances a giraffe unicycle on his chin during the country music tribute.
a direct connection with an audience member or to see the smile on a child’s face during a performance.” Not only did the circus record without an audience, but they also changed their location from Redbird Arena to Braden Auditorium. Gamma Phi Circus President Sophie Remmert explained that this year has been a big adjustment for circus members. “Being in a new venue with no audience, it was kind of crazy at first, but the venue was amazing.
IF YOU GO
There’s so much you can do at Braden with backdrops and lighting,” Remmert said. While the show may be different this year, Remmert said she felt very fortunate to have been able to have a show at all. “For me personally, every day when I come into the gym, I just feel so blessed,” Remmert said. “Pretty much no other circus around the country is performing right now. It was just humbling to think that we were fortunate that we even get to practice, we get to put on a show.”
WHAT: Gamma Phi Circus presents “The World of Music” virtual show WHEN: 7 p.m. Saturday, 4 p.m. Sunday
WHERE: Online COST: $16 for individuals, $32 for a household, $50 for VIP package
Gamma Phi Circus had a recordhigh number of members last year. While this year may not have been as high, Stoinev is hopeful that having the show more widely available SPECIAL NOTES: Tickets can be purchased at GammaPhiCircus. IllinoisState.edu.
will help attract more students. “We hope with that viewing, we can bring more students into ISU, recruiting them for Gamma,” Stoinev said. “We do have a lot, but now the opportunity is a lot bigger, a lot [more] people are going to get to know us and we’re going to invite a lot of people to ISU.” Tickets for this year’s show are being sold per household rather than per individual. While this experience will be different than past years, Remmert offered a suggestion on how to make it feel special. “After recording last week, this show is definitely going to be one that people don’t want to miss. It’s going to be like a movie format,” Remmert said. “I definitely recommend people grouping up with their friends, safely of course, and watching a show. It’ll be really cool.”
Features PLUS
TUESDAY, APRIL 27, 2021
CROSSING to the next STAGE
THE VIDETTE | PAGE 11
Redbird Arena was filled with sets, cardboard cutouts and backdrops for students to pose with after they crossed the stage. The sets even included a faux Founder’s Bell that students could sit on.
Kharisma Thomas waves as she walks into Redbird Arena. She is a member of Sigma Gamma Rho and received her bachelor’s in university studies with an emphasis in psychology and business. She also has a minor in civic engagement.
LEFT: Jodayia Williams smiles with flowers after walking the stage at the Redbird Crossing Experience. MIDDLE: Levi Neiburger and his mother Barbara Dolan pose with his degree in mathematics education. RIGHT: Chloe Daw sits atop her brothers’ shoulders with her degree in social work.
ABOVE: Kylie Cantrell receives directions with her family for navigating the Redbird Crossing Experience. She received her masters in social work. RIGHT: John Phelps takes a selfie just after walking off the stage. He is a member Phi Kappa Psi.
PHOTOGRAPHS BY ALEX GANT| PHOTO EDITOR | @AlexGant16
ABOVE: Emily Gatons laughs with friend Rachel Maggio as they look at pictures. Gatons received her degree in human resources, business management and organizational leadership. Maggio received a degree in human resources with a minor in psychology. AT LEFT: Karla Ximena Rojas Cruz shows off her decorated cap. Her cap translates to “by you and for you” in English.
PAGE 12 | THE VIDETTE | SPORTS
TUESDAY, APRIL 27, 2021
REDBIRD REWIND: A TIMELINE OF ISU ATHLETICS THROUGH THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC 2020
MVC suspends all sports | March 12, 2020 With the COVID-19 pandemic starting to break out in the United States, the Missouri Valley Conference suspended all sports. Originally, the suspension was supposed to last until March 30 but lasted for months after. Shortly after, the National Collegiate Athletic Association suspended their championships.
MVC announces push back | July 27, 2020 The MVC announced that the fall season would be delayed to Sept. 18 and included cutting the nonconference season for men’s and women’s soccer and volleyball. This would be the first of several push suspensions from the MVC.
Lyons sparks outrage | Aug. 27, 2020 Athletic Director Larry Lyons told a group of student-athletes that “All Redbird lives matter” during a Zoom meeting. Athletes began speaking out on Twitter about Lyons missing the mark in regard to the Black Lives Matter movement. Shortly after, student-athletes boycotted all practices and official activities, as well as planned a protest on campus. During the protest, student-athletes spoke to a large crowd, then marched on the Quad for another round of speeches.
MARCH
Football first team to return to the field | July 23, 2020
APRIL
After over four months of no ISU athletics taking place, the football field returned to the field for official organized team activity style practices. The team did not start full padded practice during this time. They ran drills with no pads before going over the playbook.
Football delayed until spring | Aug. 10, 2020 M AY
A little less than a month after the MVC announced its delay, the MVFC followed suit and announced it would be pushing back its season to the spring. The conference announced that teams would be allowed to play nonconference matchups that were already scheduled with conferences that played in the fall.
JUNE Track and field’s Kimathi Johnson speaking during the protest.
Fall football opens | Sept. 22, 2020
J U LY
Lyons announces retirement | Oct. 2, 2020 Early in the morning, ISU Athletics announced that Lyons would be stepping down at the start of January. The announcement came in a joint announcement at 5 a.m. ISU also announced that it was forming a search committee to find Lyons’ replacement.
Larry Lyons
ISU begins practicing for its spring season in the style the team would normally practice in the spring. It was also announced that the Missouri Valley Football Conference would return on Feb. 20 and run until the end of April.
AUGUST
WBB pauses team activities | Nov. 20, 2020 COVID-19 protocols delayed the Redbirds’ unprecedented season. The first three games of the regular season for the team were canceled due to limited roster numbers in conjunction with COVID-19 testing protocols.
MBB returns to the court | SEPTEMBER
Nov. 25, 2020 Men’s basketball becomes the first ISU sport to play a game since March 2020. Traveling to Columbus, Ohio, the Redbirds lost 94-67 to Ohio State in the Columbus MTI.
OCTOBER
MVC changes series format | Dec. 4, 2020 WBB opens season | Dec. 6, 2020 Women’s basketball opened the season at Redbird Arena with a 9853 win over Saint Xavier. The Redbirds would go on to win their next three games for their first 3-0 start in 10 years.
VB splits opening series | Jan.
NOVEMBER
The MVC announced that men’s and women’s basketball and volleyball would be played as a two-game series at one site instead of the traditional one home and one away series.
T&F open with 1&2 place | Jan. 21, 2021 DECEMBER
While the women’s track team opened with a first place finish, the men took second. This was the first track and field event in nearly a year.
22-23, 2021 Illinois State opened its season in a nonconference match against No. 20 Marquette. They fell in their season opener 3-0. Illinois State bounced back and finished strong for its first win of the season 3-2.
2021 JANUARY
FEBRUARY
Football opens season | Feb. 28, 2021 The Redbirds opened their football season with a 27-20 loss to South Dakota State. In that game, the Redbirds had seven turnovers.
MARCH
Football wins first game, opts out | March 20-21, 2021 The Redbirds won their first game in the season, scoring 26-18 over Western Illinois. The next day, head coach Brock Spack announced the Redbirds would be opting out of future games until the fall season.
MBB sweeps Bradley | Feb. 18, 2021 After winning game one of the series at home, ISU beat Bradley 88-71 on the road to sweep the season series for the first time since 2017.
VB sidelined with illness | Feb. 22, 2021 Following a frustrating five-set loss to Valparaiso, the volleyball team missed action in the next two weeks as five games had to be canceled due to an undisclosed illness.
Smith soars at NCAA | March 12, 2021 Kameesha Smith earned Second Team All-America for the second time in her career. She tied for 10th in the high jump with a clear of 1.71, 1.76 meters.
WBB earns WNIT bid | March 15, 2021 APRIL
XC wins first title in 19 years, Koski to NCAA Championship |
After losing in round one of the MVC tournament, women’s basketball picked up a bid to the Women’s National Invitational Tournament. They faced Tulane in the opening round of the Memphis Regional, and finished 1-2 in their first postseason berth in 10 years.
March 22, 2021 ISU finished with four runners in the top five. Kevin Koski was the individual champion with a time of 24:21.1. Kimathi Johnson, Charlie Wetzel and Jack Anstey finished 3-4 overall. Koski’s firstplace finish earned him a bid to the NCAA Championship where he finished 99th.
M AY
C O M P I L E D BY V I D E T T E S P O R T S S TA F F PH OTO G R A PHS BY V ID E T T E PH OTO S TA F F DESIGNED BY JAKE SERMERSHEIM | SPORTS EDITOR
VB wins MVC, earns bid to NCAA tourney | April 14, 2021 After making quick work of Indiana State and Bradley, ISU beat Loyola 3-1 in the championship to capture back-to-back MVC titles and NCAA Tournament berths. The Redbirds went on to lose in round one of the NCAA Tournament.
TUESDAY, APRIL 27, 2021
Record-breaking weekend Kravik shatters pole vault record; Redbird relays post top-10 time at Drake
throw is second in the Valley and RACHEL HICKEY & MIKEY FORNELLI among the top 20 in the region. Sports Staff | @Vidette_Sports Fellow thrower Amiri Buchanan launched the shot put 17.37 meters In a split weekend, the Illinois State to move into the No. 7 spot in the track and field team continued in its record books. On the track, Seven Hicks sped record-breaking ways. While most of the team competed in Louisville, to an ISU top-10 mark in the 200Kentucky, at the Clark-Wood Open, meter dash, recording a lifetime a small contingent represented the best time of 24.11 seconds for No. 10 in school history. Redshirt Redbirds at the Drake Relays. In Kentucky, senior pole vaulter sophomore Grace Daun cleared Kellen Kravik highlighted the week- 1.76 meters in the high jump to end, recording a double personal-best place second overall. The leap ties and shattering ISU’s school record in Daun for the No. 6 jump in ISU the event. Kravik cleared a personal- history, leads the Valley and ranks best 5.16 meters before soaring even No. 20 in the NCAA West Region. Braving the rain, the Redhigher — winning the competition with a vault of 5.26 meters (17-3 feet). birds continued to soar in Day Two. They domi“The school nated both the record was “It was just so fulfilling men and womthe thing, of course, that and exciting to see him en’s 4x400-meter relays, securI’ve been clear that bar. It’s just ing wins in both. chasing for tremendous to see a kid Destiny White, the longest Lieb, time,” Kravik who’s worked so hard for Mattie Jordyn Bruce and said. “But just five years have that kind Jaclyn Greci led PR’ing — it’s entire race been about of a breakthrough on that the on their way to two and a half day and to get the school a 3:51.15 time in years since I’ve Photo courtesy of ISU Athletics the women’s race last PR’d — so record.” while Brandon Senior Kellen Kravik reacts to his school-record breaking jump Friday at the it’s been a long Mary Wood, associate head coach Gage, Kai Larson, Clark-Wood Open. Kravik’s vault of 5.26 meters surpassed the old record of time coming.” Cole Maguire 5.21 meters set in 2015 by Chase Pavelonis. Kravik surand Kyle Langelpassed the old one of just three men’s 4x800-meter section of the 800-meter run. Her time record of 5.21 meters set in 2015 by lier won their race with a time of relay teams to run sub-7:25 at ISU. puts her at No. 8 in ISU program hisChase Pavelonis. The mark leads the 3:18.83. The Redbirds got their third win On Saturday, the women cir- tory, just ahead of teammate Hickey Missouri Valley Conference standings and ranks No. 22 in the National of the day in the discus, with Sydney cled the blue oval in the distance with her 2:09.98 from April 10. Exline is now a member of Collegiate Athletic Association West Laufenberg achieving a season-best medley relay, placing 54.90 meters. fifth in the event and both the indoor and Region. Up next Over in Iowa, Redbird distance falling just four secoutdoor top-10 lists in “It was just so fulfilling and exciting the event. to see him clear that bar,” associate runners combined for a pair of No. 2 onds short of the 2012 The full track & field In the 5,000-meter head coach Mary Wood said. “It’s just times in program history. Competing school record. Rachel team will return to IlAudrey linois State to host the run, redshirt senior tremendous to see a kid who’s worked at Drake Relays, one of the largest Hickey, Kevin Koski posted so hard for five years have that kind events in the NCAA track and field Harrod, Maddi Exline ISU Invite this weekend an outdoor personal of a breakthrough on that day and to season, two Redbird relays and a and Grace Beattie on April 30 and May 1. contingent of individuals made their combined for a time This will be the second best of 14:10.47 for the get the school record.” of 11:23.52. The squad home meet of the seaseventh fastest time “It’s pretty amazing and a day that presence known among the best. On Friday, the men’s 4x800-meter is just the second dis- son for the Redbirds. in school history and I will never forget.” placed ninth overall in Multiple freshmen phenoms also relay of Jake Gillum, Jack Anstey, tance medley relay the competition. This made jumps in the Redbird history Kimathi Johnson and Riley Wells in ISU history to run is Koski’s second top-10 performance book in Kentucky. Mye’Joi Williams combined for a time of 7:22.58 to place sub-11:30 in the event. In the individual events, Exline in as many weeks, after posting a jumped from seventh to fourth all- third in the event. The quartet just time in school history with a winning missed the Illinois State school record recorded a personal-best time of personal best in the 10,000-meter shot-put mark of 16.36 meters. Her time of 7:22.15, set in 1989. They are 2:09.78 for third place in the unseeded event last weekend.
Redbird baseball strikes out Aces
Illinois State takes MVC series against Evansville 3-1 at Duffy Bass Field ANTHONY FERRETTI Sports Reporter | @AnthonyFerrett6
“It’s unbelievable … seems like every game he finds a way to do that,” Holm said. Cermak continued his strong weekend with an RBI triple to right center field in the bottom It was a gorgeous day for baseball as the Illinois of the fourth as ISU took a one-run lead. The State Redbirds concluded their series with Evansville Redbirds responded the next inning on defense Sunday afternoon with their third straight win. with another three up, three down outing. Jack Seven innings from Sean Sinisko and big defenButler flashed the leather with his second diving sive plays to take away several catch at third base and Sinisko struck out the extra base hits propelled ISU Up next next two batters. The Redbirds stay to take the game and the series ISU added two more runs following a pitch3-1. home for a miding change in the bottom of the sixth. After two “We’ve been waiting week game with straight batters were hit by a pitch, Luke Cheng for this particular team to Southern Illinois drove in a run on a fielder’s choice and Jordan respond this year to adverEdwardsville at Libman hit an RBI single up the middle. The sity,” head coach Steve Holm 1 p.m. Tuesday. Redbirds held a 3-0 lead after the sixth inning. said. “There’s been a couple of This will be the Sinisko was one out away from getting out of times where it starts to show, second meeting the seventh when he struck out an Evansville but I think that was the most of the two teams, batter, or so he thought. He initially leaned in complete three games we after the Redto be hit by the pitch, so the umpire called him played in a row all season.” birds defeated out. However, they ruled upon review that the Holm said starting pitcher the Cougars twice pitch did hit him. Sinisko forced the ensuing Sinisko would have to throw in February. Nicholas Parra | Photographer | @NickoolasParra batter to ground out to officially end the inning. strikes if the Redbirds Ryan Cermak (21) slid into home plate to score a The Purple Aces finally got on the board in wanted to take this series Redbird run in Saturday’s home game against Evansand that is how things started. ISU went three up, ville. The Redbirds won three of the four games in the the ninth. With two runners on base and no outs, Tanner Craig doubled down the left field three down in the first that started with a Sinisko weekend Missouri Valley Conference series. line to make it 3-1. Derek Salata came into the strikeout. Evansville got a runner in scoring position in each of the next three innings, game for ISU with two runners in scoring position and struck out two of the but the Redbird defense came up with stops in each of them. Ryan Cermak three batters he faced to seal the 3-1 victory for the Redbirds. laid out in center field for another spectacular grab in the third, forcing a ANTHONY FERRETTI is a Sports Reporter for The Vidette. He can be double play to end the inning. contacted at alferr1@ilstu.edu. Follow him on Twitter at @AnthonyFerrett6
THE VIDETTE | SPORTS | PAGE 13
SPORTS IN BRIEF Redbird football releases fall 2021 schedule
Illinois State football released a tentative fall Sept. 4 Butler 2021 schedule Sept. 11 at Western Michigan this week via Sept. 18 at Eastern Illinois goredbirds. Sept. 25 at Southern Illinois com. Oct. 2 Missouri State The RedOct. 16 North Dakota birds will State open the fall Oct. 23 at South Dakota slate on Sept. Oct. 30 at Western Illinois 4 at Hancock Nov. 6 Northern Iowa Stadium Nov. 13 at North Dakota against ButNov. 20 Indiana State ler, before Home games in red traveling the All times to be announced later following three weekends. ISU will play a total of five home games, with Family Weekend on Oct. 2, and Homecoming on the 16. Times for these games will be announced at a later date.
Muller announces new assistant coach hiring Illinois State men’s basketball head coach Dan Muller announced the hiring of assistant coach Rob Johnson. Prior to the hiring, Johnson was head coach and program director for The Skill Factory that helps prep players develop their game. Since 2016, Johnson brought in four championships for the program. “I couldn’t be more excited to add coach Johnson to our staff,” Muller told goredbirds last Thursday. “I got to know Rob while recruiting one of his players, and I quickly realized that he is a coach with integrity, professionalism and an incredibly bright future. His skill development is one of his greatest skills, and yet I believe he is an all-around coach who can help our players and be a great representative of our program.” Johnson replaces Brian Reese.
Football takes home MVFC honors
Playing half a season did not hurt these Illinois State football players when it came to the Missouri Valley Football Conference end-of-theseason award. Offensive left tackle Drew Himmelman led the way for the Redbirds with an All-MVFC FirstTeam honor. On the defensive end, transfer John Ridgeway earned First Team honors. Three Redbirds earned a place on the All-MVFC Honorable mention team. Fullback Timothy McCloyn II, linebacker Shanon Reid and linebacker Brandon Simon earned a place on the team. Freshman tailback Pha’leak Brown earned a spot on the MVFC All-Newcomer team after playing in all four games in his rookie season.
Women’s basketball signs transfer Jada Stinson
The Illinois State women’s basketball team has added another new addition to their team. Jada Stinson, a grad transfer from Arkansas State, signed a National Letter of Intent to play at ISU. Stinson is a guard and will have two years of eligibility remaining to play for the Jada Stinson Redbirds. “I chose ISU because it was a great fit for everything I wanted and needed,” Stinson said. “It has a graduate program that suited me, a family atmosphere and coaches that are going to help me grow on and off the court.”
Sports
PAGE 14 | THE VIDETTE
TUESDAY, APRIL 27, 2021
Vidette Archive
Former Illinois State football player Charles Woods prepares during the 2019 season against Northern Arizona. Woods transferred after head coach Brock Spack decided to opt out of the 2020-21 season only four games in. After announcing his intent to transfer, Woods committed to Southern Methodist University in his hometown of Dallas, Texas. He has since re-opened his commitment and has recommitted to West Virginia.
Trio of transfers speak out on Spack Ex-Redbirds shine light on relationship with head coach JAKE SERMERSHEIM Sports Editor | @JakeSermersheim
what can we do? I feel like there are a lot of selfish characters in the program. I feel like people don’t take accountability. I think the program ince Brock Spack opted out of the is going in the wrong direc2020-21 Football Championship Subtion.” division football season, Illinois State’s Since Woods entered the football program lost more than just half of a portal, players like John season worth of games. Ridgeway, Taylor Grimes, Since Spack announced the Redbirds Jack Baltz, Trenton Hatfield would be opting out after their win over and more have followed suit, Western Illinois, ISU has been losing players Brock with several echoing Woods’ to the transfer portal. ISU has lost eight playSpack statements. ers to the portal since that March “As a person, you can’t 21 announcement with players Redbirds to transfer really talk about anything entering as late as mid-April. since March outside of football,” transfer Many players were shocked that Robert Gillum Mike Gardner said. “EverySpack’s decision came less than 24 Senior | Tight end thing is only about football, hours after their first win. football. They don’t care “I feel like his decision was made Charles Woods Junior | Safety about our health. I remembefore the players knew about it,” John Ridgeway ber Spack getting mad about former Redbird Charles Woods Junior | Defensive line players not practicing when said. “He states that he calls South they were banged up.” Trenton Hatfield Dakota State a week before we play Gardner noted how this Junior | Safety them to not prepare for us. The was the opposite to how ISU day we found out he was thinking Taylor Grimes recruited him. about opting it we opted out. He Junior | Wide Receiver “It is like a kick in the did not ask most Mike Gardner back,” Gardner said. “You of the players.” Junior | Safety showed me one thing and do Woods opened Sean Paradise Jr. another. For you to bring me the floodgates for Freshman | Safety out here and how everything the Redbirds afAdam Saul went down; it is not profester he announced Freshman | Punter sional and not a good look. It his intent to
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transfer just days after the season ended. Woods also went to social media to air out his grievances with a tweet saying, “Why would you turn on your own players for something you did?” “I feel like he is turning on his players,” Woods said. “The players that opted out, he bashed them for leaving and making a choice. When we took this scholarship and decided to come here, we thought he cared about the human side more than just athletes on the field. I feel like it is not right to bash us, if they decide to leave Charles Woods
would make people not want to come here.” Throughout the season, miscommunications began to build up between Spack and the players according to Sean Paradise. According to Paradise, little things would add up for the players. Paradise recalled an incident during the season where players
came out in sweatpants due to wintry conditions and were sent to change despite having practiced in sweatpants before. “We had done that before, but the coach sent the whole team back saying we could not wear sweatpants,” Paradise said. “That rubbed the players the wrong way. It was a Sean bunch of small things like Paradise Jr. that continued to build up. Some people feel like it was more disrespectful because coaches are supposed to protect their players. Some people reacted more strongly than others.” While not every week, the miscommunications became somewhat consistent for ISU’s locker room, dating back to at least the first semester. “It would happen in spurts,” Paradise said. “One week a whole bunch of things would happen between the players and coach. Then a week or two would go by and it would be fine. But then something big would come up the next week.” With in-person team activities limited, Spack admits it was tough building team chemistry. With limited in-person availability, ISU was unable to take part in team-building activities like bowling, position group steak dinners and more this offseason. “You see team building this year was hard,” Spack said. “With COVID it was hard to navigate team building and team bonding.” “We were very disjointed because we weren’t allowed to have team meetings. We did not have the chance to do team building that we would normally do. A lot of teamsbuilding things could attribute that feeling.”
“I feel like there are a lot of selfish characters in the program. I feel like people don’t take accountability. I think the program is going in the wrong direction.” Charles Woods, former ISU defensive back
Relations got worse with Spack and the players when one of the most trusted coaches, Khenon Hall’s contract was not renewed. In the past, players felt they had a person to go to on staff in Hall. But with his departure, players felt they lost an ally in the locker room. “K Hall was a huge role model and players’ coach here. Ninety-nine percent of the team was comfortable talking to Hall about any problems they had,” Woods said. “He was appreciated, but I feel like he and Spack had personal reasons to the side. I believe the headman thought Hall was coming too foul for the program. Most players on our team trusted Hall over Spack.” Players said that Hall was the biggest ally on the football team for the Black Lives Matter movement. Hall was an ally to the team when they felt most of the staff cared more about their on-field production. “Hall was outspoken. He always stuck up for us. He was a good dude. Spack Mike hated that players would Gardner surround Hall,” Gardner said. “[Spack] prioritized football. Everything was awkward with him. You really felt like you could not talk to him about anything besides football.” Hall has not spoken on record at this time. While Spack has had over 10 players enter the transfer portal in the fall, his primary concern is the players that stayed on the roster. “Guys leave the team every year. I have been doing this for 30 years you see it every year,” Spack said. “I am just focused on the guys that are here right now. I just worry about the guys that are on our roster for next year.” JAKE SERMERSHEIM is a Sports Editor for The Vidette. He can be contacted at vidette_ jrserme@ilstu.edu. Follow Sermersheim on Twitter at @JakeSermersheim.
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ate University community.
rve to you over the past 133 years onor. We will see you online.
incerely, idette students and staff.
PAGE 16 | NEWS | THE VIDETTE
TUESDAY, APRIL 27, 2021
Printed Vidette ceases; news will continue to flow digitally ELIZABETH SEILS Editor in Chief | @SeilsElizabeth
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133-year old staple of Illinois State University’s campus will soon disappear from the news racks. Today’s edition of The Vidette will be the final edition to print. The student-run newspaper at Illinois State University has been published in some printed form since 1888. Following the publication of the final paper, content created by student-journalists will be delivered exclusively through The Vidette’s digital platforms — website, social media channels, newsletter and mobile app. Economics was a primary driver in the decision to cease printing. Advertising revenue generated by printed newspapers
has plummeted in recent years. The steep decline in advertising revenue, further complicated by the COVID-19 pandemic, is vexing campus and commercial newspapers across the country. Meanwhile, rapidly advancing technologies have fueled a wide readership shift from traditional printed forms to digital channels. “I have to admit that I’m sad that we won’t be able to print papers anymore and that I won’t get to see my byline in a printed edition for the rest of my career at The Vidette,” incoming Editor in Chief Kellie Foy said. “But I’m excited to see what our staff will do and accomplish with the transition.” As The Vidette looks to make a digital transition, it will also become more aligned with the School of Communication at Illinois State University. Additionally, The Vidette will partner with WGLT, ISU’s National Public Radio affiliate, to share business
responsibilities and office space. Current student editors and reporters have expressed concern and apprehension toward what shape The Vidette will take next semester, as much of the plan has been uncertain. “I completely understand that nervousness. There is uncertainty,” Director of the School of Communication Steve Hunt said. “The uncertainty about The Vidette also happens at a time where we’re in the middle of a global pandemic, which is wonderful, right?” “We have a very firm commitment from the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, from the provost and from the president [of the university] that they are committed to extending the legacy of The Vidette,” Hunt continued. “This is something essential to what we do as an institution.”
Moving into the digital era The Vidette has expanded aggressively on digital platforms in recent history. Its website, videtteonline.com, annually receives nearly 1 million page views and is on pace to do so again this year. The Vidette has also had a strong social media presence, with accounts on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. A large part of the reporting experience at The Vidette already includes encouraging reporters to post live from the scene of sports or news events. The staff also has many multimedia ventures, including video production, photo galleries, podcasts and blogging. “The Vidette showed everybody what a model student newspaper looks like in print,” Hunt said. “Now they can show everybody what a newspaper should look like in a digital era.” The shift to online is not exclusive to The Vidette. Several student and professional newspapers across the country have found themselves shifting Steve Hunt to digital efforts. By putting focus on the online product, The Vidette hopes to continue training student journalists for the changing industry. “As the first editor in this digital era, I hope to continue expanding on what we can do with our website and content and building on what we already have,” Foy said. “I also hope we can continue taking advantage of the creative and compelling elements that make both our website and our content stand out/engaging for our audience while also strengthening the relationships we have with one another on staff and within the community.”
Combining with the curriculum
eral Manager of The Vidette John Plevka’s position will be redefined to that of editorial For much of its history, The Vidette was a adviser. WGLT General Manager R.C. McBride standalone and self-supported organization at will assume business and administrative overISU, but in 2010, it became a part of the SOC. sight of the newly structured Vidette. While Vidette staff members have been encourDespite the pending restructuring, The aged to take journalism courses and related Vidette will retain editorial independence, as internships, they were not required to do so. mandated by the Illinois College Press Act. The In the first year, Hunt said that not much 2008 legislation guards the independence of will look different for student editors and student media outlets at public universities in reporters at The Vidette. Illinois. Among its protections, the law assures The transition plan so far will take about five that content published by student media is years, Hunt said. Within “not subject to prior rethose five years, the SOC view by public officials of “The Vidette showed is looking to strengthen a state-sponsored instituthe connection between everybody what a model tion of higher learning.” classes and how The There is also a commitstudent newspaper looks Vidette operates. Classes ment to retain a publicawill act as prerequisites to like in print. Now they can tion board, though it will certain positions. Instead be reduced in size. The show everybody what a of producing Vidette connewly defined will tent in class, courses will newspaper should look like be smaller thanboard the origiact as a supplement to in a digital era.” nal board because there current Vidette internship is no longer the need for Steve Hunt, director of the School of Comexperience. advertising, business and munication “At this point, I don’t marketing department envision that the courserepresentation. The new panel will be comwork will be tied to positions at The Vidette,” posed of five Vidette alumni and will serve in Hunt said, emphasizing flexibility in course an advisory capacity to the student editors and planning for students. “I do think it will be the editorial adviser. structured so there are introductory, midOther models of learning labs in the SOC level and more senior level courses, but it’s have students create work for publication and not going to be the TV10 model ... It just can’t broadcast as a part of class. Work produced be structurally.” in prerequisite classes for The Vidette will not “We may say, ‘OK, if you’re at The Vidette, be necessarily published on The Vidette’s you need to take COM-whatever.’ We’re still website. Story content, assignment and publitalking about what those courses might be,” cation will continue to be directed by student Hunt continued. editors, Hunt said. None of the coursework or plans for changed “The instructor wouldn’t have the authority curriculum are set in stone yet, Hunt said. He to say, ‘This can or can’t go on The Vidette,’” and a committee of professors and professionHunt said. als working on The Vidette transition are exAnother wrinkle in the plan that the transiamining already-existing courses that could be tional committee is still figuring out is how to modified to work for The Vidette. The eventual retain participation from students who are not goal would be to create a four-year plan. specifically communication majors. A great “I’m thinking more of a gateway,” Hunt number of copy editors, for example, come said. “If you’re working at The Vidette you from the English Department as they pursue should have this course or that course.” tracks in publishing studies. There are discusThe changes will dissolve the business side sions underway to have a joint copy-editing of the paper, which includes the advertising class open to journalism and publishing and marketing departments. studies majors, as well as providing internship Core editorial student positions supervising opportunities at The Vidette for publishing news, sports, features, photo, social media studies students. and copy editing will be retained. Those will continue to be paid positions. Gen-
Recent history of The Vidette The Vidette was first printed in 1888. For much of its history, the newspaper was generally self-supported. A dramatic decline in advertising revenues rattled The Vidette as it has other campus and private-sector newspapers.
Vidette Archive
The Vidette Building at the corner of Locust and University at the north edge of the Illinois State University campus in Normal. The building was opened in 1996. ISU’s National Public Radio affiliate WGLT will move into the building with The Vidette as a part of a new partnership between the two organizations.
Sharing space with WGLT One of the most notable changes with The Vidette’s daily operation will be the office located on West Locust Street. The building will ultimately be shared by WGLT and The Vidette. The building, which was built and paid for by The Vidette, has been home to the student newspaper since 1996. “The plan is for Vidette operations to move in there, and split the building between The Vidette and WGLT,” Hunt said. “To have students in close proximity to the journalists working at WGLT could provide some unique and interesting and positive opportunities for collaboration.” Plans are not finalized yet. However, Hunt said R.C. McBride the university has given the green light to the renovations so long as the cost of the project stays under $500,000. Hunt is confident the cost will not exceed that limit. General Manager of WGLT and WCBU R.C. McBride said that while a specific timeline is not yet known, he is hopeful the renovations may be completed by the fall. The renovation will provide some technological and structural updates to accommodate the radio equipment for WGLT and office space for business administration. The shared-facility concept has generated some concern among some Vidette students and staff. McBride believes “we can do [the renovations] in a way that gives both entities what they need to excel in their missions. It will also open up opportunities for shared spaces and equipment. For example, I fully expect Vidette staff to have access to WGLT’s production studios, and it makes sense for both to share a ‘mini’ SMACC lab,” McBride said. The primary SMACC, or Social Media Analytics Command Center, will continue to be hosted
Considerable reductions in its operating expenses over the last seven fiscal years have not been enough to keep pace with the revenue declines. From FY2014 through FY2018, The Vidette used and exhausted its cash reserves. Over the last three fiscal years, The Vidette has receive financial assistance from the university to meet its operating budget obligations.
at Fell Hall, the home of the SOC. Preliminary wish list items include several recording studios, including modernized conference rooms and digital reporting spaces. In April 2019, WGLT entered a partnership with Peoria NPR affiliate WCBU. McBride is optimistic to reap similar benefits from the partnership with The Vidette. “As it turned out, the WCBU partnership was an incredible help in getting both stations through the economic downtown caused by the pandemic,” McBride said. “And it has served as a proof of concept: by effectively combining business, management and other operations, we’re able to maximize resources for content.” For years, WGLT and John Plevka The Vidette have either competed for or shared talented student journalists. The partnership between the two organizations might help share the wealth of student journalists rather than fragment them across campus. Plevka, who has served as Vidette general manager since 2012, said he is not without some mixed emotions about the pending changes; however, he said he is confident the future of The Vidette is fortified by this new path. “As a student-run organization, The Vidette has been invented and reinvented many times during the last 133 years,” Plevka said. “The retirement of a proud printed tradition represents another one of those reinventions. Moving exclusively and aggressively into a digital format and aligning it with School of Communication curriculum is a reinvention that should strengthen the overall student experience at The Vidette. And the ‘student experience’ is ultimately at the core of The Vidette’s 133-year-old mission.”
The Vidette has been a monthly, weekly, twice weekly newspaper for much of its 133 years. From 1976 to 2013, it was was published five days a week. Over the next eight years it reduced its frequency to four days a week, to two days per week, and then in 2018 to once a week. In 1995 The Vidette built and paid for its current bulding at the corner of Locust and University. It will remain in the building along with ISU’s NPR affiliate WGLT.