The Alestle Vol. LXXII No. XI

T H E

ALESTLE

thursday, 11.07.19

The Student Voice Since 1960

vol. LXXII no. XI

Drag queen Regina Steelheart rehearses ‘Summer Night Loving’ before the Nov. 1, drag show at SIUE. Connor McDonald, as Regina Steelheart, was one of several performers in the event run by the Gay-Straight Alliance and the United States Institute for Theatre Technology.

See photos at alestlelive.com.

CAMPUS CONSTRUCTION delayed after Founders Hall upgrades | page 2

DELTA TAU DELTA fraternity comes to SIUE | page 6

WOMEN’S SOCCER makes it to OVC semifinals | page 7 | Emma Davis / The Alestle

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thursday, 11.07.19

alestlelive.com

Alumni Hall renovations delayed at least 2 years RYAN BIERI managing editor

Because of the cost of renovations to Founders Hall, the planned renovations for Alumni Hall are going to be delayed.

The renovations are part of the 21st Century Buildings Plan, which set a path to update the original campus buildings — Founders, Alumni, Rendleman, Dunham and Peck Halls as well as Lovejoy Library.

While the 21st Century Buildings Plan originally called for 20 years of renovations, it doesn’t seem like the university will be hitting that target.

The original time frame was based upon each building’s square footage estimates, not actual designs, according to Vice Chancellor for Administration Rich Walker. Because of that, the cost of renovations to Founders was higher than the university originally anticipated.

“Since it’s a pay-as-you go program, we will have to save up more money for each building, presumably, in order to start the renovation work,” Walker said.

“So, we were able to do Founders and finish that up, but won’t be able to save up enough money in time to what I think Alumni is going to cost.”

Campus architect and architectural manager Roberto Canessa said that, due to the building’s age, all of the buildings’ power, heating, ventilation and seismic infrastructures need to be updated. All of the buildings were built between 1965 and 1969.

“They’re 50-year-old buildings. Their infrastructure, at least for utilities, will have to be renovated. We’ll end up with a much more efficient set up than what we have now. You have an advance-

ment of 50 years of technology,” Canessa said.

As of now, Director of Facilities Management Craig Holan said there would most likely be a two to three year gap between the completion of Founders and the beginning of more thorough design work on Alumni.

Holan estimated a four-year cycle for each building when design and construction for each project is taken into account — assuming there are no gaps between renovations. He also said the university is looking at a two or three year gap between the renovations on Founders and Alumni Halls.

With no other gaps to build up funding, that time frame puts the completion of the 21st century building project finishing in 2042 instead of 2038.

Since the two buildings are so similar, Walker estimated the costs for renovating Alumni would be close to the same as the costs for renovating Founders. Holan said the final estimate of the renovation costs before contractors bid on the project was $34.4 million.

The Board of Trustees originally approved an estimated cost of $34.1 million in 2017, but Holan said Facilities Management is allowed to go 10 percent over budget, up to $37.51 million.

Holan also said that when funds are budgeted for the project, Facilities Management includes money set aside as a contingency for unexpected costs. If those funds aren’t needed, Holan said the project will come in under the budget the board set for it.

Walker explained the change in cost estimates at different stages of the design process like someone asking an architect to design a house.

“For example, if you wanted me to build you a 1,500-square-

foot house, I could give you a range based on 1,500 square feet and what I think the construction industry is charging people right now,” Walker said. “But, as we get into it and you want a more sophisticated air conditioning system, oh, that’s actually something different. Or you find out after you get into it that there’s an open mine under your house, that’s going to be something different. You don’t find out those things until you get in preliminary and final design.”

Canessa said the difference in the first estimates and actual design estimates could be due to changes in the cost of construction, or because of the scope of the renovations needed on the buildings.

“What we looked at this time around was to replace pretty much all the major systems — and I mean replace, even those that were underground, under the floors and everything. We’ll have, system-wise, a brand new building,” Canessa said.

Holan cited changes in the seismic code requirements as one of the more expensive updates the university is making to these buildings. According to Holan, the brick stairwells at the corner of the buildings serve as more than just another way to get around each building. Holan said each of the towers acts as a stiffener — something to help stabilize the buildings in case of an earthquake.

“If you look at Founders, on the east side — the side facing University Drive, with the lake — those are replacement towers that we tore down, but we built towers right back into place, and those are stairwells,” Holan said. “On the west side, those are new towers — there used to just be insets there — and that’s what houses a

lot of this mechanical equipment on each floor.”

New building, new delays

Walker said the addition of a new health sciences building, for which funds were appropriated in the Rebuild Illinois capital spending plan this year, will most likely push back the construction of Alumni Hall even further. The funding for the building has been appropriated by the state, but has not been given to the university.

“Even if the state gave us the money now, it’s still gonna be three, four years before we’d actually open the health sciences building,” Walker said. “During that time we could be designing Alumni, but [renovation] could be five, six years out instead of three years out.”

Part of the reason Walker said the university will likely wait to renovate Alumni is that the nursing program, which is currently located in Alumni, would move to the new health sciences building.

That would mean less swing space — the designated areas where displaced departments and classes are held — would be required for Alumni than the Founders renovation needed.

This means the renovations could be done all at once instead of in two parts, which could save the university money on labor costs. According to Holan, the renovation of Founders Hall has been split into two parts, with each part renovating two floors at a time.

“If we don’t have to work around people, it’s quicker, it’s probably less expensive and more efficient. That might mean Alumni gets done quicker, at a lower cost potentially, which then lets us

get started on the next one sooner,” Holan said.

For example, Holan said one way the university could save money on the renovations with an empty building would be the temperature of the construction site.

Without other users in the building, the heat and air conditioning could be set at lower or higher levels, respectively, to lower costs.

Canessa said the fact Facilities Management was unable to move all of Founders’ residences into swing space at one time, made the renovation more costly.

“That’s what’s really been hurting us,” Canessa said. “We did add about 45,000 square feet of swing space inside Science East and the Vadalabene Center, but we were short about 10,000. So, we’re making do with things, and doing things we wouldn’t otherwise have to do.”

Canessa said he couldn’t pinpoint the exact benefit of getting the construction done all at once, but said it would be better for tenants and for the project’s budget.

“There is an impact, I couldn’t tell you exactly how much, but there is definitely an impact in having to do it in phases, not only to the cost itself, but also to the occupants of the building. Ideally, we would not have anyone in there, but we couldn’t do that this time around.”

Despite the timeline setbacks, Walker said the factors involved in the renovations are like a sliding puzzle.

“It’s a lot of moving parts in order to make the final picture,” Walker said. “It’ll be a good picture. It just might take a while.”

The Alestle will continue to update as developments on the 21st Century Buildings Project and health services buildings occur.

Yusef Salaam visits campus to speak about his history, the criminal justice system JOHN MCGOWAN reporter

Yusef Salaam still remembers hearing the word “guilty” echoed in a courtroom where he and the now-exonerated Central Park Five were convicted of a vicious crime they did not commit.

Salaam was one of five young men who were falsely accused in the rape and beating of a jogger in Central Park in 1989. He served almost seven years in juvenile detention and prison before being released on parole in 1996.

In 2002, he and the rest of the five were finally exonerated of the crime.

Salaam started by candidly recalling his initial reaction to the verdict, explaining to the audience he first thought the truth would come out, but then learned that would not be the case.

“When I walked back into the courtroom, I heard the word ‘guilty’ echoed so many times that I lost count … it was so painful to experience that the only way that I can try to describe it today — it was like being taken from your family in a modern-day lynching, in a modern-day slavery,” Salaam said.

Ava Duvernay’s retelling of the events, “When They See Us,”

is being streamed on Netflix. Salaam has contributed to the Innocence Project, an organization that works on exonerating those wrongly accused, and he’s speaking about his experiences in colleges around the country, Including SIUE. “This [was] a really great opportunity for anyone that’s available to come hear him speak,” Alexa Bueltal, campus coordinator at the Kimmel Student Involvement Center, said. “He has been through a lot.”

Salaam spoke about his older brother, who is not only white but was also an assistant district attorney in the United States Government. Salaam said that when his brother came to visit him in the precinct, he was told to leave, or they would make sure he was fired. Salaam used this as evidence to show that while race matters, he believes there is a broader issue affecting the criminal justice system and the country as a whole.

“I’m not talking about this because it’s a black and white issue, because the truth of the matter is that it’s about spiritual wickedness in high and low places, that’s what we have to fight,” Salaam said. “The system may want you to think that we have

Yusef Salaam answers questions during a Q&A session after his presentation on Monday night. Salaam is one of the members of the now-exonerated Central Park Five | Emma Davis / The Alestle

to fight on a racial line, but that’s not the truth.”

When Salaam and the rest of the Central Park Five were on trial, Donald Trump — then a New York business man — took out a full-page newspaper ad demanding New York reinstate the death penalty. When asked about how Trump’s presidency is handling the efforts Salaam and the Innocence Project are focusing

on today, he said in an interview he believes Trump’s presidency is dragging America down.

Junior criminal justice major Lindsey Williams, of St. Louis, attended the event and said she took Salaam’s message to heart.

“He said how he was in prison and still went to college and got a degree and was able to come out and do all these amazing things, so you can do anything

no matter your circumstances,” Williams said.

Salaam said he hopes his words have affected students at SIUE and other campuses around the country. He said his ultimate goal in speaking at campuses is to spark a flame in young people and their ability to change the system.

When asked about what people can do to help his cause, he said it’s important they keep themselves informed on what’s happening in their country.

In an interview with Good Housekeeping, Salaam said that in the light of “When They See Us,” he hopes people understand their story is not a trend, but a movement. He expanded on those sentiments on Monday.

“A lot of times people see what’s popular out there, and they basically say ‘Oh you know what, I want to be a part of that, I want to be able to share in the popular thing of the time,’” Salaam said. “But the reality is that we have to change the system …

Because the future’s looking dark, you know. They don’t want us to occupy college dormitories, they want us to occupy jail cells.”

“When They See Us” is streaming on Netflix, and readers can purchase Salaam’s book on his website, yusefspeaks.com.

alestlelive.com

thursday, 11.07.19

news in brief 10.28.19 Hoyt M. Lambert III was arrested and charged with driving on a revoked driver’s license while on North University Drive near P2 Road.

Lambert was transported to the SIUE Police Department, processed and released after posting bond. He was also issued citations for failing to yield to a pedestrian and operating an uninsured motor vehicle.

10.29.19 An officer responded to a report of a subject using a bow and arrow by the flying fields.

The officer made contact with the subject and told him he was not allowed to use a bow and arrow on campus.

10.30.19 An officer took a report of a hangtag being taken from a vehicle while parked in lot A. An officer responded to an report of the smell of cannabis in Evergreen Hall. The officer said the smell was present, but was unable to locate its source.

CoverMe wins 2019 SIUE alumnus nomMetro East inated for Baseball Start-Up Challenge Hall of Fame award CoverMe, an E-Gaming platform, was announced as the winner of the 2019 Metro East StartUp Challenge and was awarded the competition’s $10,000 prize last Friday.

CoverMe aims to connect gamers with sponsors, according to the university’s press release.

This was the sixth Metro East Start-Up Challenge.

House of Ninjas LLC received $6,000 as the runner-up in this year’s competition. House of Ninjas is a gym scheduled to open later this month in O’Fallon, Illinois. The press release said the gym aims to promote an active lifestyle by allowing kids to attempt challenging obstacle courses based on the show “American Ninja Warrior.”

Tricentum Technologies LLC patented a product for physically and visually impaired individuals who need self-injected medication. They placed third and earned $4,000.

The other finalists in this year’s competition were Maydai Trauma Focused Clinical Research & Network Center, Stone’s Essential Care Package, Just for YOU!; Grain Densification International; Daughtsy and 724 St. Louis Road, LLC, d.b.a. Hyperion Commercial Properties.

Alumnus Dewayne Staats, 67, is one of eight a finalists in the Ford C. Frick Award, one of the most honorable awards in the Baseball Hall of Fame.

The Ford C. Frick Award is given to those who show excellence in broadcasting.

There are only eight finalists eligible for the award.

Staats graduated with a bachelor’s in mass communications from the College of Arts and Sciences in 1975.

Before coming to SIUE, he graduated from East Alton-Wood River High School.

He is also a member of both the East Alton–Wood River Hall of Fame and the SIUE Hall of Fame.

Staats started broadcasting with Oklahoma City 89ers Triple-A games and briefly worked at KMOX Radio in St. Louis.

He then worked for ESPN, the Chicago Cubs and the New York Yankees.

He has been broadcasting for 44 years, and specifically broadcasting Tampa Bay Rays games for 22 years.

The winner will be revealed on Dec. 11. The award will be given out on July 25 for the Hall of Fame induction weekend.

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The Alestle wins national awards for photography, Metro East Eats feature The Alestle, recently won two national awards during the 98th annual Associated Collegiate Press/College Media Association National College Media Convention in Washington, D.C. The Alestle won first in the CMA Pinnacle Awards — Best Portrait category. The winning photo was SIUE student Jakob Ruffner’s portrait accompanying a story about University Hair that appeared in a January 2019 edition of The Alestle.

The field of competitors was wide open and not broken down by school size or frequency. Any schools and their news organizations from across the country could compete in the same category. Other winners in the category included the University of Miami, University of Kentucky, California Baptist University and the Savannah College of Art & Design in Atlanta.

The Alestle also won a second-place Pinnacle award in the Best Newspaper Entertainment Page/Spread category for the Metro East Eats “Battle of the Buns” in June 2018. Senior mass communications major Ryan Bieri, of O’Fallon, Illinois, and former graduate mass communications

student JoAnn Weaver, of St. Louis, created the winning entry.

Other winners in the category included the Langara College in Vancouver, British Columbia, and Elon University in Elon, North Carolina.

“I was so pleased that The Alestle placed — and placed well — in two Pinnacle Awards categories. The awards recognize best individual work in college media across the country,” Student Publications Program Director Tammy Merrett said. “This is the third year we entered this particular competition. Last year we were finalists for one category, but didn’t win. It was a great surprise and honor to be finalists again this year and win in both of those categories.”

The Alestle has placed several times in recent years in national ACP Best of Show competitions at the fall national college media convention in the Four-Year Weekly Tabloid, Large School Website and Special Edition categories. The publication is consistently an American Scholastic Press Association winner and regularly wins several awards in the annual Illinois College Press Association contest as well.

lifestyles NEXT WEEK READ ABOUT CHEAP DATE IDEAS NEAR CAMPUS page 4

contact the editor: lifestyles@alestlelive.com 650-3527 thursday, 11.07.19

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Community garden project brings people together JENNIFER GOECKNER lifestyles editor

Pulling weeds and cutting down trees can be hard work, but excitement filled the air as several groups converged at a community clean-up in Washington Park, near East St. Louis, to begin transforming a vacant lot into a community garden.

The clean-up, which took place Sept. 28, was one of the first steps in building the Tiny Children’s Garden. The garden, located on a one-third acre lot, will provide educational programs for children in the community.

The garden will also provide residents of Washington Park with fresh produce as well as bring the community closer together, according to Associate Professor of Sociology and Director of the Successful Communities Collaborative Connie Frey-Spurlock.

“Of course, the first word in ‘community garden’ is ‘community,’” Frey-Spurlock said. “It’s great that we can grow some food to put local, fresh-grown food into the hands and the bellies of the kiddos, but it’s almost as important that we build and create a really strong community that can then be more resilient in the face of challenges that they might experience.”

The idea for the Tiny Children’s Garden was formed by Derissa Davis, a Washington Park resident and third grade teacher at James Avant Elementary School. Davis is also the owner of the lot that is being transformed into the community garden.

According to Frey-Spurlock, the mayor of Washington Park connected Davis with the Successful Communities Collaborative, and Frey-Spurlock was immediately inspired by Davis’ spirit.

“Derissa Davis is so passionate that it spills out into our community and into her own community, for sure, and just fuels us to want to do more and more,” Frey-Spurlock said.

Frey-Spurlock’s graduate Research Methods and Study Design in Sociology class is helping to develop a website, social media platforms and a digital map that will show resources in the area.

Frey-Spurlock said she decided to incorporate the project into the course because she felt it would positively impact her students as

well as the community the garden will be serving.

“What the research says is that it’s this kind of experience that has an impact beyond the classroom,” Frey-Spurlock said.

“Textbook learning has its place, but the literature doesn’t necessarily say that that’s the best method to create lifelong learners and community-connected people, so I think it’s a combination of those two pieces.”

Frey-Spurlock’s class of 11 graduate students has been joined by three additional SIUE classes also contributing to the project: an undergraduate senior assignment course taught by Associate Professor of Sociology Sandra Weissinger, a Sociology of Grassroots Fundraising course taught

by Assistant Professor of Sociology Ezra Temko and a Construction Management and Senior Assessment course taught by Associate Professor of Construction Anne Werner.

Weissinger said the decision to have her students participate in the project was easy in part due to the personal impact gardening has had on her life.

“From a personal reason and rationale, I knew the magnificent change that gardening has made in my life — working with the dirt, seeing plants grow, nurturing them, being able to feed other people with plants from my garden,” Weissinger said. “It’s been really beneficial to my self-esteem, and it’s taught me new skills.”

Students in Weissinger’s class are researching a variety of top-

Arieanna Morris, a first-year sociology graduate student from Eldred, Illinois, removes a tree branch during the Sept. 28th community clean-up at the future site of the Tiny Children’s Garden. | Photo courtesy of Scott Antrobus

ly excited about is going to have trauma-informed workshops,” Weissinger said. “Trauma faces everybody, regardless of socioeconomics, race, gender — although, we know that there are certain populations who are affected more — and with that knowledge, the students are working across the campus to think about ‘What kinds of workshops would be beneficial to survivors?’”

Temko’s class is providing support for a different aspect of the project: fundraising. The class “It’s very clear that recently developed a customized fundthis is a Washington Park raising guide for the project where SIUE community garden, which details how is supporting it, to raise money for which is how it should be. the project. Temko said fundraising will Connie Frey-Spurlock play a large role in Associate professor in the Department the garden’s develof Sociology and director of the opment and mainteSuccessful Communities Collaborative nance.

“It’s unlikely ics surrounding the community that [the garden] will have a big garden project, including what donation from a corporation or kinds of materials are needed and wealthy individual just kind of what types of workshops should fund the whole thing — they have be held in the space to benefit the to come together as a community community, such as trauma-in- to do it — so it was a good fit for formed workshops, according to a grassroots fundraising class,” Weissinger.

Temko said.

“One of the projects I’m realWerner’s construction stu-

dents are also assisting through providing cost estimates for building materials, developing a feasibility analysis, drafting a design for the garden, reaching out to subcontractors and providing an approximate construction schedule.

Senior construction management majors Seth Moline, of Quincy, Illinois, and Matt Korte, of Mulberry Grove, Illinois, are acting as the project managers.

Moline said working on the project was a good opportunity to gain firsthand experience while also helping the community.

“I just think as construction management students it’s good to get out there and get the experience of dealing with subcontractors and kind of going through the phases — the permitting process, the zoning process — and getting the inside-out look at it and what it all entails,” Moline said.

Sociology Club also got involved in the project, with several members volunteering at the first clean-up. The club’s president LaTaysha Jackson, a junior sociology and criminal justice major from Chicago, said she was struck by the community’s support for the project.

“The people around the community, you can tell they

want this because they’re coming out [and] volunteering on a Saturday to get involved,” Jackson said.

Frey-Spurlock also noted the participation of Washington Park residents in the clean-up, saying she was glad the community was coming together to support the project because the garden is really for them. “[Having volunteers from the Washington Park community] was really exciting because I was concerned that it would be an SIUE project and not a Washington Park project,” Frey-Spurlock said. “But it’s very clear that this is a Washington Park project where SIUE is supporting it, which is how it should be.”

The next clean-up event will take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 9 at the Tiny Children’s Garden at 4701 Forest Blvd. in Washington Park, Illinois. To learn more about the project, visit the Tiny Children’s Garden’s Facebook page at facebook.com/tinysgarden618, follow them on Instagram @tinysgarden618 or visit their website at iris.siue.edu/ttcg.

JENNIFER GOECKNER 650-3527 @jgoeck_alestle jgoeckner@alestlelive.com

thursday, 11.07.19

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Delta Tau Delta recruits founding fathers during first semester on campus JORDYN NIMMER online editor

As the newest addition to Greek life on campus, Delta Tau Delta International Fraternity kicked off the fall semester by connecting with SIUE students.

Since being approved to join campus, Delta Tau Delta has entered into their first semester of formal recruitment. The organization has already attracted interest from some students. Of those interested students, several have already signed their bids to become founding fathers.

Among the current founding fathers is junior biology and biochemistry major Zebediah Campbell, of Taylorville, Illinois.

Campbell said he decided to join because of his desire to impact his community and encouragement from friends.

“I really liked the idea of being able to help shape the community and leave a legacy and make an impact on their lives,” Campbell said. “I’ve always wanted that sense of brotherhood. All of my sorority friends said I should do it and that I’d love it, so I did it.”

Sharing Campbell’s desire to create a sense of community is junior mechanical engineering major Hayden Smith, of Lexington, Kentucky.

“I joined Delta because I was looking for a family of people who shared the same

ideology as me,” Smith said. “I wanted people around me who were driven to succeed, develop and were willing to help others in that same goal instead of focusing all on their own personal success. The more people I meet in Delta Tau Delta, the more it seems that a community like that is on the horizon.”

Delta Tau Delta is partnered with the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and plans to bring awareness to diabetes.

Many of the founding fathers believe the organization’s focus on diabetes will be beneficial for both the Greek life community and student body on campus.

thropy is junior public relations major Tj Estabrook, of Normal, Illinois.

“The fact that Delta Tau Delta is partnered with JDRF was a big part of inspiring me to join,” Estabrook said. “A lot of my family members have Type 1 diabetes, and it is something that runs throughout our family, so being able to get involved with that movement and that organization to volunteer and donate was really important to me.”

The new members have been getting to know one another and are excited about the future of their fraternity.

“The chapter is full of open-minded, caring “The more people I meet individuals who are passionate about holdin Delta Tau Delta, ing each other to the highest standard by the more it seems that reinforcing that we all a community like that have the potential to succeed in our own is on the horizon. power,” Smith said.

Hayden Smith “But by standing in Junior mechanical engineering major brotherhood, it makes from Lexington, Kentucky achieving that success Campbell feels a personal that much easier. It’s a beautiful connection to the philanthropy environment to be a part of.” in his personal and professional For more information about lives.

Delta Tau Delta, visit siue.edu/ “Diabetes runs in my fami- kimmel/greek/delta_tau_delta. ly; plus, I also kind of want to shtml. be a doctor,” Campbell said. “It’s interesting to me. I’m excited to JORDYN NIMMER 650-3527 help with the research to cure it.” @jordynnimmer Another member who feels jnimmer@alestlelive.com a deep connection to the philan-

Songs everybody should know or learn cago Summertime” melts hearts with its sunny demeanor.

“What’s It Gonna Be (Acoustic)” by Arlissa

MADISON LAMMERT editor-in-chief

When writing this, I faced a bit of a conundrum: because music is so personal to me, do I really want everybody knowing the songs I’m listening to on repeat?

Well, these songs are just so iconic that I can’t keep quiet. Here’s a playlist of songs I’m loving; some are recent discoveries, while others I’ve known about forever but never get tired of.

“Chicago Summertime”

by The North and Wells Band As we enter cuffing season, I feel like this song is a must. The jazzy up-tempo of the song is basically a sweet rejection — the singer is not ready to jump into anything too serious in the summer, but now that November is rolling around, we are all looking for someone to cozy up next to.

Guaranteed to bring a smile to even the most glum of faces, “Chi-

Ahh, this woman can sing!

And sing she does! Arlissa pours her heart out in every song and hits where it hurts. “What’s It Gonna Be” is more upbeat, however, it still packs a powerful punch. Everybody has gone through the stage of not knowing when seeing somebody new, and like myself, Arlissa is sick of waiting around. The pure honesty in this song combined with some powerhouse vocals makes it one that everybody should know — even if we can’t come close to hitting those high notes.

“Dirty AF1s” by Alexander 23 Warning: this song will bring some feelings, maybe some that have been repressed for awhile.

It shows how much life changes after a breakup: enjoyed activities now have new meanings, clothes come with attachments, ugh.

What makes the song so special is it’s so smooth, it can be enjoyed on a calm fall night, and then can be listened to closely when a good cry is needed.

“Almost (Sweet Music)” by Hozier I didn’t believe in soul mates until I saw Hozier in concert a few years ago at LouFest. To be honest, I didn’t know much more than “Take Me to Church” at that time, but as soon as he came on stage, I knew he was not just going to be another one-hit wonder. He came back to St. Louis this summer, this time with a brand new album under his belt. “Almost (Sweet Music)” is tied with “Nobody” for the best of the Wasteland, Baby!

Album, but “Almost” makes this list in that it is literally iconic in every sense — Hozier alludes to several great musicians all while making a ballad of his own.

“Floors” by Abhi the Nomad I have yet to find a rational human who does not like Abhi the Nomad. Not everybody adores him as much as I do, but I have not heard a single negative comment about his music. No two songs of his sound the same, guaranteeing one can find at least one bop to vibe to. “Floors” is a personal favorite of mine — it’s the perfect power through for a long day in the office or something to turn on when cruising

with my friends. And if you want more Abhi, don’t fear, I’m sure he will be making his way onto future Headphone Jacks.

“Fallingwater” by Maggie Rogers Maggie Rogers is nothing less than a goddess, and this song shows exactly what I mean. The lyrics almost sound like an apology to a lover, as Rogers is telling them she couldn’t — or didn’t — give them all they needed.

However, to me, it’s something to listen to when I feel over my head in any situation in life. Really, anything by Rogers needs to be heard, but if we had to pick her most iconic song, “Fallingwater” takes command.

“Glamour Child” by Moonrise Nation “Glamour Child” is the perfect song to pair with Maggie Rogers because it keeps up that almost spiritual vibe. This song has been way too relatable for me lately, wanting somebody who rational Maddi knows is no good, missing somebody just being there. Apart from the build ups and downs, the song brings it all in with the lyric “I want you/ if not to have to hold.” Ouch.

“Silver Lining” by Mt. Joy Attention fans of The Lumineers: Mt. Joy will be touring with the popular indie-folk band!

While I honestly don’t vibe with all of Mt. Joy’s tunes, “Silver Lining” and “Jenny Jenkins” are solid — and will always be. “Silver Lining” combines dark parts of life with a catchy, upbeat tune that guarantees a sing-along car session, or just something to have on when bopping in the shower.

I tried to put a good mix of moods on here, but as the stress of midterms is in full swing and the sun is even more reclusive, obviously some mellow, somewhat-glum songs are going to end up on here. No matter what, everyone is bound to find at least one song in this compilation that they find worth adding as favorites on Spotify — hopefully more than one.

Correction:

In the Oct. 24 Alestle story “Lovejoy brings the Mississippi River Festival back to life,” the caption indicates Lyle Ward is the photographer in the picture. The photographer pictured is Charlie Cox.

opinion

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Focus on candidates’ policies, not their outfits THE ALESTLE STAFF editorial board

When reflecting on the 2016 presidential election, chances are the first things that come to mind are “the wall” and pantsuits.

While Hillary Clinton’s pantsuits might seem like a harmless joke, maybe even a symbol of a badass woman to some, the constant rhetoric surrounding her attire distracted from what was most important: her politics.

As of Nov. 1, five of the 17 Democratic presidential candidates were women, and none of the Republicans running were women.

Men still greatly dominate American politics, and it’s no wonder this is the case when female politicians are often the subject of everything except actual political conversations. Often, the topic revolves around their ap-

pearances and how well they adhere to (or deviate from) gender norms.

For example, Clinton was constantly criticized for being too asculine; Project Runway’s Tim Gunn commented, “Why must she dress that way? I think she’s confused about her gender.”

On the other hand, Sarah Palin (R-Alaska) was constantly sexualized. Pictures taken at rallies were taken at angles that showed off her legs and she was called a “MILF.” This phenomenon is nothing new. According to Vox, Jeannette Rankin (R- Mont.), the first congresswoman, was instantly met with opinions of her clothes when she entered office in 1917. The Post described her as “thoroughly feminine.”

While this may not necessarily be seen as an insult, it still distracts from Rankin’s politics. The

media should have been covering her advocacy for women’s rights and how she was essential in passing the 19th Amendment.

The fact that she was the only member of Congress to vote against both World Wars should have been a headline — not how beautiful she was.

Women of color who enter the political arena face a whole new ballgame. The first black woman elected to the Senate faced criticism for wearing her hair in braids.

These unspoken rules were once accompanied by unspoken rules in Congress.

For a long time, a woman wearing pants on the Senate floor was unheard of.

While women in politics wearing pants is now commonplace, Clinton, as mentioned earlier, was heavily criticized for this decision.

Female politicians regularly face similar criticisms from a wide variety of sources, ranging from political opponents to members of the general public.

This also extends to women who are not directly involved in politics, whose personal lives can be scrutinized simply because of a personal relation to a politician, such as a ‘scandal’ in February regarding Malia Obama’s private Facebook page, which revealed she had consumed alcohol underage.

In an election as important as the 2020 presidential election, we cannot afford to get caught up in this useless talk.

It has no place in anything having to do with politics and serves only to distract from the important issues.

This election, don’t let whether or not you like a woman’s style take away from the examination

Everyone should take a closer look at what they watch RYAN BIERI managing editor

One of my favorite movies is “Pacific Rim.” It is a campy, over-the-top mix of a giant robot movie and a Kaiju movie, and it’s a complete dumpster fire.

However, one can recognize things have flaws while still enjoying them, and we’re often better off acknowledging them than ignoring them.

Take “Pacific Rim” as an example. The film ends with the heroes using a nuclear bomb to blow up the homeworld of the monsters.

All in all, that doesn’t sound so bad, until you take it into a larger context.

The Kaiju genre “Pacific

Rim” draws on began with the 1954 film “Godzilla.” Using a nuke of all things to defeat the bad guys is nothing short of tone deaf, considering the titular monster in “Godzilla” is a metaphor for the horrors of an atomic bomb dropping on a country.

Additionally, the movie has some absolutely ridiculous moments that don’t work if you stop and think about them for more than a second.

The main protagonists’ giant robot has a giant sword capable of slicing the giant monsters they fight in half. We don’t see that sword come into play until one of the last fights in the movie — before that, they’re just slugging it out with the robot’s bare fists.

I still really enjoy the movie

despite its many flaws. However, by thinking critically about this movie’s shortcomings, I am able to have a better appreciation of other movies when they get it right.

The same process applies to our everyday lives too.

I have family members who I love, and still recognize they sometimes say things that are vaguely ableist, racist or homophobic.

That doesn’t mean I can’t still love them, but being aware of those flaws means that I can make an effort to change those views and become a better person.

That’s not to say people need to forgive every flaw a person or piece of media has, though.

I don’t listen to Chris Brown because I think he is an abusive jerk that hasn’t shown any real remorse for his actions.

I don’t support projects Kevin Spacey is involved in anymore — but one flaw does not necessarily mean that something is entirely tainted.

Taking a critical look at the works we consume, the people we’re surrounded by or anything, really, is almost a necessity in today’s world.

We are constantly bombarded with politics, disinformation on social media and advertisements. By being critical about the things and people we’re interested in, we are more easily able to expand that view into other aspects of our lives.

sports

contact the editor: sports@alestlelive.com 650-3527 thursday, 11.7.19

NEXT WEEK: WOMEN’S SOCCER OVC SEMI-FINALS page 7

alestlelive.com

Women’s soccer wins close game against Eastern Illinois JOHN MCGOWAN reporter

Women’s soccer won with a score of 1-0 in a game against Eastern Illinois University on Sunday.

A little over 25 minutes into the game, SIUE scored their first and only goal against Eastern off a corner kick. Shot by senior midfielder/forward Becca Jostes, the ball was shuffled between both teams in front of the goal.

It bounced into the goal off of Eastern’s own goalkeeper Sara Teteak, counting as an own goal for Eastern.

Though the goal technically was not Jostes’s, she still had plenty to offer the team. While not a standout leader in goals scored, Jostes leads the team in assists this season, and she is ranked second among the team in points scored and shots on the goal.

Jostes knew what her strengths were in the game.

“Well I megged a girl; so, I thought that was pretty good,” Jostes said. “I had decent corners, one that got knocked on an own

Left, sophomore defender Tamia Cash battles for possession of the ball during SIUE’s 1-0 win against EIU in the OVC Championship quarter finals on Sunday. | Emma Davis / The Alestle

goal, and I think just taking people on,” Jostes said.

This game added to a string of wins for the women’s soccer team. After a mix of wins and losses in August and September, the team has won all five games, including their first one against Eastern this season on Oct. 13.

Before that game was a tie and another win on Oct. 6.

Despite the continuation of the winning streak, SIUE Women’s Soccer Head Coach Derek Burton acknowledged improvements could be made.

“All that matters is that we’re advancing; so, could the performance be better, sure, but you expect a real battle when it comes to the post season. It’s always going to be difficult,” Burton said.

“Eastern Illinois did a really good job of making the game difficult for us. So performances — not the greatest — but I’m not too worried about it at the moment.

It’s just about winning today.”

SIUE was able to keep Eastern on their toes throughout the entire game. The game ended with 20 shots on the goal from

SIUE — double what Eastern had. Junior midfielder Angel Ikeda credited this to the team’s improvement over the season.

“Offensively we’ve done really well with … just going at the other team with haste and not giving them a chance to settle on defense,” Ikeda said.

Ikeda also attributed the team’s success to the attitude they carry on and off the field.

“At this point I feel like we’re at a pretty good spot,” Ikeda said.

“We have really good energy from the bench and on the field as well … We’ve had energy in other games before, but this game was just unbelievable. From the bench, I’ve never heard us so vocal before, and just our team being a whole unit as one was really heating this game.”

Women’s Soccer will play next at 6:30 p.m., Friday, Nov. 8, in the OVC Tournament Semifinals at Southeast Missouri State University.

JOHN MCGOWAN

650-3527 jmcgowan@alestlelive.com

Cross Country performance improves at OVC championships JOHN MCGOWAN reporter

SIUE Cross Country women placed sixth, and the men placed seventh at the Ohio Valley Conference Championships last weekend.

Freshman Roland Prenzler and senior Landon Skelly led the men’s team in places 22 and 30, respectively. Prenzler finished the 8k in 25:39 — a new personal record and a 23-second improvement from the record at the team’s last race at the Bradley Pink Classic. Skelly finished with a time of 25:57.

The race being on SIUE’s cross country course, Prenzler said, gave him a strategy to follow.

“I was with Landon through most of the race,” Prenzler said. “I was trying to follow him just as if we were in practice, you know?

That was the big advantage of racing here … it’s just like it’s a practice and we’re running a tempo run.”

The women’s team was led by a tight pack. Junior Kassidy Dexheimer and senior Keri Burmester were just two places apart at 23rd and 25th. Dexheimer ran a time of 18:48 — a 26-second improvement from the team’s last 5k at the Loyola Lakefront Invitational in Chicago. Burmester finished in 18:56 — better by 38 seconds.

Senior Aly Goff, who placed first among the women’s team in every other race this season, has been responsible for many of the team’s points so far. She took the backseat for this race because of injury, but still placed sixth in the team, finishing ahead of one-third of those competing in the race.

Goff said she persevered with the injury because of support of family at the race and the strength of God.

Dexheimer and Burmester were effective in running close together.

“We have a group of girls that we should really pack up in races and run together,” Dexheimer said. “Sometimes that doesn’t necessarily happen because we’ll lose each other when the gun goes off, and it’s hard to navigate to where everyone else is at, but … I think it’s really important for us to just pack up during the race.”

Along with Prenzler, Dexheimer also said the teams have a home-field advantage running on SIUE’s course, noting its hilliness.

“We practice here very often. We know if there’s a pothole somewhere, like avoid that spot … We know where all the hills are, and we really just know where we’re at on the course the entire time. I think that really does help in the end,” Dexheimer said.

Both teams placed in or near the middle of the 12-school meet — a better performance than the men’s 17th place and the womens’ last place at the previous meet. But it does not reach both team’s second place finishes at smaller meets at the beginning of the season.

Prenzler enjoyed the competition that Saturday’s meet offered anyway.

“We got nationally ranked Eastern Kentucky [University], [an] incredible Eastern Illinois team, and Belmont, another great team … Just to compete with all those people … It’s great to put on some quality entertainment for people to watch,” Prenzler said.

SIUE Cross Country next races are at 10:30 and 11:30 a.m., Friday, Nov. 15, at the NCAA Regionals in Stillwater, Oklahoma.

JOHN MCGOWAN

650-3527 jmcgowan@alestlelive.com

Sophomore Emily Ellis, No. 481, sprints to the finish to place 31st out of 99 runners in the Ohio Valley Conference Championships last weekend. | Emma Davis / The Alestle

Left, freshman Roland Prenzler outruns Eastern Illinois University’s Adam Swanson in the OVC Championships last weekend. Prenzler placed 22nd out of 103 runners. | Emma Davis / The Alestle

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alestlelive.com

thursday 11.07.19

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