I’m Dylan Hembrough, editor-in-chief of The Alestle. The Alestle is the award-winning independent student newspaper of SIUE, named after its campuses in Alton, East St. Louis and Edwardsville.
The Alestle is composed of students and published by students with no administrative censorship. This past year alone, The Alestle has won more than 60 awards at the regional, state and national level, reflecting our commitment to ethical and accurate journalism.
The Alestle is a unique en-
vironment for anyone interested in journalism to hone their craft and get experience, and you don’t have to be a mass communications major to get involved or make an impact.
Due to budget cuts, The Alestle has not been able to publish as much as it has in previous years. While our schedule is still somewhat in flux, you can count on publication every few weeks and timely newsletters when breaking news does occur.
The Alestle is also present online and on social media, which we have been relying on for timely distribution of news. It’s an adjustment, but we’re making it work.
Since The Alestle is written for the SIUE community, we
welcome any and all feedback. Letters to the editor, which can be submitted via our website, are your opportunity to voice your opinions on recent campus happenings and our reporting. If you ever have a question about our processes and protocols, don’t hesitate to send us an email or stop by the office.
The Survival Guide is our way of providing a comprehensive guide to all incoming students on the basics of SIUE and the surrounding community. From people to know in administration to our favorite restaurants in the area, The Alestle has you covered. This year, the editors chose a musical theme to present this information with.
To everyone reading, The
Alestle wishes you good luck on your year and college career!
TAHZIVE AVI ISLAM Graphics Manager
While it would be ideal that no discrimination occurs at SIUE, it is an unfortunate reality at any institution. Here is a breakdown of different reports at the university, what they are for and how to file them.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY, ACCESS AND TITLE IX COORDINATION
Title IX is the law that prohibits discrimination based on sex at schools that receive federal funds. As of August of 2021, Title IX includes discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
Equal Opportunity and Access complaints are filed for instances of harassment, discrimination, retaliation and sexual harassment based on age, race, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, disability and veteran status.
There is a PDF form on the Office of Equal Opportunity, Access and Title IX Coordination’s website for reporting the above instances. The website asks for information about the person filing the complaint, the basis of the complaint, who is being accused, details of the complaint, witnesses, supporting materi-
als and what solution the complainant seeks.
If email is preferred, it needs to include information that addresses each section of the form. There are also staff available to help people complete the form. This form can be mailed to or dropped off at the Office of Equal Opportunity, Access and Title IX Coordination, which is located in Rendleman Hall.
Instances of sexual assault, misconduct, relationship violence and stalking can be reported through the Sexual Assault, Sexual Misconduct and Relationship Violence Incident Report. This form asks for information about the person filing (though it can be anonymous), the date, time and location of the incident, names of the individuals involved and other details of the incident.
Further information can be found in SIUE’s Sexual Assault, Sexual Misconduct and Relationship Violence Policy and Procedures.
The above reports can also be started by contacting Director for Equal Opportunity, Access and Title IX Coordination Mary Zabriskie at mzabris@siue.edu.
BIAS INCIDENTS
Bias incidents are verbal, written, physical or psychological threats made on the basis of race, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, ancestry, disability, marital status, civil union status, domestic partnership status, atypical heredity or cellular blood trait and military service or veteran status.
They can be reported through the Vice Chancellor of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion website. This form will ask for information about the submitter (though it can be anonymous), involved parties, description of the incident, if the police have responded, supporting documentation like photos, videos or emails and how the submitter would like to receive follow-up communication.
These reports go to the Bias Incident Response Team (BIRT) and the person filing should receive an email confirmation. A member of BIRT will contact the submitter to provide resources and forward the incident to a relevant office like university police or Title IX.
PARKING RULES
Parking rules are enforced 24 hours a day, seven days a week on all residential lots. Failure to abide by the parking regulations will result in a citation.
Non-residential lots are available for parking after 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, after 4:30 p.m. on Fridays and all day on weekends.
Flowbird is an app students can use to manage their accounts and make payments at parking meters.
PAYING FOR CITATIONS
Students are able to pay the citation with a credit card by logging into the SIUE parking portal using their SIUE e-ID and password. Once logged in, students can search for the citation by the printed number on the ticket or their license plate number.
The portal also includes an appeal process for parking citations, where students can appeal their citation with a $5 online payment. A $10 late fee is added when a fine is not paid within 14 days.
The parking services office in Rendleman Hall is an in-person option for students to pay their parking fees.
PAY-BY-SPACE PARKING
Single-space parking on campus has a 30 minute limit with a payment of $0.75 per half hour.
door kiosk is located in the Morris University Center for parking renewal throughout the day. Parking services will leave citations on cars that have exceeded their time.
Students must pay for numbered spaces regardless of permit status.
RED PASS: Year: $167, Semester: $101 Lots: P4-12
After 3 p.m.: F, P1-3
BROWN PASS: Year: $237, Semester: $142 Lots: P4-12, F After 3 p.m.: P1-3
GREEN PASS (FACULTY/STAFF ONLY UNLESS WON BY LOTTERY): Year: $237, Semester: $142 Lots: P1-12, A, E After 3 p.m.: F
BLUE PASS (FACULTY/STAFF ONLY): Year: $184, Semester: $108 Lots: P1-12
After 3 p.m.: F
ORANGE PASS (FACULTY/STAFF ONLY): Year: $237, Semester: $142 Lots: P1-12, A, D, E, G After 3 p.m.: F
The mental health of students is of the utmost importance, and there are many different resources at and around SIUE.
COUNSELING SERVICES
Through Counseling Services, SIUE provides students with easy access to both in-person and remote counseling. The counselors are also able to refer students struggling with more specific issues to specialists in the area.
Students can also refer someone they know to counseling services through filing a Care Report. This will let counselors know if someone needs help, but for emergencies, calling 911 is
always suggested. Counselors are equipped to deal with numerous mental health-related issues, but are not currently equipped to handle: autism spectrum disorder, clinical depression, substance use disorders, personality disorders, eating disorders, schizophrenia spectrum disorders and learning disorders such as dyslexia and dyscalculia.
To schedule an appointment with Counseling Services, call their office during office hours at 618-650-2842, Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
access
Accessible Campus Community and
Support, better known as ACCESS, is also helpful in providing services to students to help handle different issues regarding learning, such as offering a longer testing time or a quiet space to test in.
VIRTUAL
SIUE has recently partnered with Path and BetterMynd to allow students to access counseling resources virtually.
OFF-CAMPUS
Off-campus, places such as Centerstone, a facility located in Alton, offer various methods of therapy and counseling, as well as military services, addiction recovery, primary care and help with housing for those with mental illnesses.
Pay-by-space parking is available in Lots A, B, C, E, F and VC which are $1.50 per hour. Rendleman Hall’s lot C has a daily time limit of two hours.
To pay, remember your parking number and visit one of the kiosks located nearby. An in-
Minor is the 10th chancellor of SIUE. He assumed the role in March 2022. Each year, the Office of the Chancellor creates an annual report which covers each school as well as other important areas such as diversity and inclusion. Minor also leads the Chancellor’s Council and is at the top of the university leadership chain.
Miriam Roccia
Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs
Roccia was promoted from interim to full-time vice chancellor for student affairs during the 2024-2025 academic year. The office exists to improve the SIUE student experience through activities. It also provides services such as ACCESS and Campus Recreation. Roccia puts emphasis on student mental well-being.
Jessica Harris
Vice Chancellor for Anti-Racism, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Harris is the first vice chancellor for this position, which was created in 2021, and supervises the Title IX office and the Hub, among other areas of the university. She helps lead the Bias Incident Response Team and the Anti-Racism Task Force.
David Goodwin
Chief of Police
Goodwin became chief of police in December 2023. When he took the position, Goodwin said the main focuses of the police are collaboration, trust-building and service. Goodwin said he hopes to foster an inclusive environment at SIUE and promote positive relationships between the police and the campus population.
Cem Karacal
Dean of the School of Engineering
With roots at the Rochester Institute of Technology, Karacal has expertise in quality assurance, operations research and simulation modeling. Karacal also serves as faculty adviser for the Tau Beta Pi engineering honor society.
Mark Luer
Dean of the School of Pharmacy
Luer has been with the School of Pharmacy since its inception in 2004, serving as the first chair for the Department of Pharmacy Practice until he became an associate dean in 2012, interim dean in 2018 and dean in 2019. He also completed a fellowship in neuroscience.
Robin Hughes
Dean of the School of Education, Health and Human Behavior
Hughes came to SIUE as dean in 2019 after teaching at Indiana University and serving administrative roles at IU–Purdue University Indianapolis. She has conducted research in African American educational success and critical race theory.
Denise Cobb Provost
As provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs, Cobb serves as the chief academic officer of the university. Her office helps guide curriculum changes, new program development, academic policies and other academic areas. Faculty hiring and retention are another large part of Cobb’s work at SIUE.
Bill Retzlaff
Interim Vice Chancellor for Administration
Retzlaff was made interim vice chancellor for administration in 2022. His office works with many departments that are necessary for university function. Some of the other responsibilities include planning and budgeting, Human Resources, Facilities Management, Parking Services and the SIUE Police.
Catie Sheehan
Interim Executive Director of University Marketing and Communications
Sheehan began her current role in February after working with the SIU System for approximately a year. Before that, she worked in communications for Hospital Sisters Health System St. John’s Hospital and served on the Sangamon County Board.
Kevin Leonard
Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences
Leonard began as dean of the College of Arts and Sciences during the COVID-19 pandemic. He is an advocate for diversity, equity and inclusion and has conducted research in racial freedom and gender identity in the 20th century United States.
Judy Liesveld
Dean of the School of Nursing
Liesveld began as dean in 2022 after her time as an associate dean at the University of New Mexico. Liesveld has worked with underserved communities to bring in grant funding and has roots in pediatric primary care.
Mario Hayek
Dean of the School of Business
Hayek started as dean in 2024 after spearheading numerous projects at Texas A&M University. These initiatives include a finance lab supported by $750,000 in alumni donations and an entrepreneurship opportunity called Venture College, where students worked directly with professional businesspeople.
Saulius Drukteinis
Dean of the School of Dental Medicine
Drukteinis served as a professor in the School of Dental Medicine before becoming dean, where he helped lead educational program instruction for dental students during the COVID-19 pandemic and contributed to creation of residency programs in the Advanced Care Clinic.
Jenna Nestor
Student President
Nestor was elected student president in March. She succeeds Barrett Larkin and plans to continue his administration’s work in increasing student engagement and well-being. Nestor is a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma and the American Marketing Association, as well as the vice president of marketing for Panhellenic Council.
Mitch Baldwin
Student Vice President
Baldwin was elected student vice president in March after one year as a freshman senator. He hopes to strengthen the bond between student senators and also wants to foster student engagement on campus.
Mo Abuzaneh
Student Trustee
Abuzaneh was elected student trustee in January during an emergency election and re-elected in March. Abuzaneh wishes to continue directing funding toward campus beautification and educating the student body on budgetary decisions.
EXECUTIVE BOARD
Financial Officer
Olivia Davila
Organization Relations Officer
Ben Cole
External Affairs Officer
Zach Entwistle
Communications Officer
Tonanzi Montoya
Wellness and Equity Officer
Anahi Moreno
Head Justice Drew Evans
STUDENT SENATE
Graduate Senators
Emmanuel Okafor
Musah Sumaila
Senators for the School of Nursing
Gaby Allen
Angel Tony-Ativie
Senators for the School of Business
Nicholas Witaschek
Jack Morgan
Senators for the School of Engineering
Garrett Ord Shihab Alseikh
Senator for the College of Arts and Sciences — Arts and Communication
Tori Waters
Senator for the College of Arts and Sciences — People and Culture
Al Smith
Senator for the College of Arts and Sciences — Science and Math
David Ferrier
Senators-at-Large
Allison DeLassus
Kenya Phipps
Senators for International Students Abdulsalam Odofin-Kamorudeen
Daniel Palacio
Senator for Military and Veteran Affairs
Rylee Wilson
Senator for the Diversity Council
Mary Perez
a significant impact to the SIUE softball program.
Arwood was honored as the Ohio Valley Conference Freshman of the Year and became the third SIUE softball player to receive this award.
Her outstanding pitching performance also earned her spots on both the All-OVC first team and the All-Newcomer team.
“When that girl is on the mound, [she attacks] the batters,” recent graduate outfielder Danielle Shuey said. “As a defense, we absolutely love her mentality.”
Arwood finished the regular season with an 8-1 record. She made 12 appearances, eight starts and threw 58 innings in OVC competition.
During the post season,
AMELIA GORMAN WOMEN’S TENNIS
Amelia Gorman was one player to watch in last year’s Survival Guide. After a successful spring season, the incoming senior proves to be an essential powerhouse for women’s tennis.
Gorman was named Ohio Valley Conference Player of the Year — the second women’s tennis player in SIUE history to earn this honor. She was also tabbed All-OVC first team and secured four OVC Weekly Honors throughout the season.
Primarily competing in No. 1 singles, Gorman led the team 24-5 overall.
Partnered with incoming junior Stefaniya Anikina at No. 1 doubles half way through the season, the two
Arwood pitched a complete ga me in the final game of the OVC Championship. The newcomer took a narrow 1-0 extra-inning loss to Eastern Illinois University and recorded five strikeouts.
Prior to SIUE, Ar wood had an impressive high school athletic career at Lakeshore High School in St. Joseph, Michigan, where she played both soft ball and basketball.
During this time, she earned many acco lades such as First team All-State pitcher, 2022 Division II State Champi on, All-Region honors, All-District and All-Con ference honors.
went 7-0 overall to earn All-OVC Doubles honors.
“We have good communication with each other,” Anikina said. “We’re a very good doubles team. I’m happy to [play] with [Gorman].”
In her first year as a Cougar, Gorman clinched OVC Freshman of the Year and All-OVC Second Team honors after a 22-7 record in singles. In just her first week playing for the team, she was named as an OVC Player of the Week.
During her sophomore year, she led the Cougars with a 27-4 record in singles and a 24-4 mark in doubles. For the second year in a row, Gorman was selected to the OVC second team.
Prior to college, Gorman completed her high school career at Bethel Park High School in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with an 80-11 overall singles record.
AVERY ARWOOD WOMEN’S SOFTBALL
Hugo Cornish is a talented must-watch for men’s soccer this fall.
The newcomer joined SIUE this past spring, bringing technical skill to the team.
“He’s arguably the most technical player on our team,” men’s soccer head coach Cale Wassermann said.
Wassermann said the left-footed attacker controls the game, similarly to a point guard in basketball.
“He’s quick, he moves well,” Wassermann said. “He manages the game.”
Cornish joined the Cougars after previously playing for William Penn University un-
After the most successful season in SIUE men’s basketball history, the team saw drastic roster changes. The Cougars lost many key players due to graduation or the National Collegiate Athletics Association transfer portal.
Men’s basketball head coach Brian Barone was quick to begin rebuilding his roster with the addition of Uni versity of Southern Indiana transfer Jack Campion in April.
“He is a proven player that has produced in the [Ohio Valley Confer ence],” Barone told SIUE Athletics. “I have always had a ton of respect for Jack. His toughness, char acter and playmaking abili ty will instantly fit into our championship culture.”
Campion finished his third season with USI ranked third in assists in the OVC with an average of 4.3 per game. He ranks second in the OVC in assist/turnover ratio with 120 assists and 52 turnovers.
He also contributed 5.3 points and 2.0 rebounds per game, shooting 40.2 percent from the field, 41.2 percent from three-point range and 69.2 percent from the freethrow line.
Jack Campion Men’s Basketball
In just his first year with the Screaming Eagles, Campion made 28 out of 33 appearances on court and started in 13 of them.
By his sophomore year, he played in all 32 games and started in 23. He led USI and
der the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics.
In his freshman year with the Statesmen, Cornish secured a career-high of two goals and four points in a single match against Mount Mercy University.
During his sophomore year, Cornish completely changed the pace of William Penn men’s soccer. In October of last year, he recorded his first-career hat trick in a 5-2 victory over Culver-Stockton College which marked the program’s first hat trick since 2021.
More notably, Cornish led the team to its first-ever Heart
ranked fourth in the OVC in assists with 3.8 per game. He also led the team and ranked fifth in the OVC in steals, with 1.4 per game.
Before college, Campion was a two-time first-team AllState performer from Milton High School in Milton, Wisconsin, with an average of 19.7 points, 6.9 assists and 4.7 rebounds per game.
of America Athletic Conference Championship title after defeating first-seeded Missouri Valley College 1-0 in the final round of the tournament.
Cornish began playing soccer at 6-years-old with North Sydney United FC, a local team in Cammeray, Australia, where his father coached.
At 14, he moved to Barcelona, Spain, to train with Centre d’Esports Sabadell Futbol Club, a historical Spanish soccer team based in Sabadell.
Before joining William Penn, he played for Manly United FC in Australia’s National Premier Leagues New South Wales.
SIDE A: Division 1 Athletics
The SIUE Cougars compete at the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division 1 level, primarily within the Ohio Valley Conference, with wrestling competing in the Mid-American Conference. The university hosts 14 varsity teams — seven men’s and seven women’s — across various sports. The SIUE mascot is Eddie the Cougar, and the school colors are red and white.
Men’s teams include baseball, basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, track and field and wrestling.
Women’s teams include basketball, cross country, softball, soccer, tennis, track and field and volleyball.
SIDE B: Club
Club sports at SIUE are extracurricular sports teams that are organized and managed by students with support from the university. Despite not being a part of the NCAA varsity sports program, club sports still give students the opportunity to engage in athletics and compete against other schools in various division levels.
SIUE has a diverse range of club sports open to currently enrolled SIUE students, regardless of their level of skill in the sport. For more information on how to join or start a club, contact the Club Sports Office or email Associate Director of Recreational Programs Natalie Hawkins at nrosale@siue.edu.
Sports BONUS TRACK: Intramural Sports
Intramurals at SIUE are organized recreational sports for students, faculty and alumni with a Student Fitness Center membership. Enrolled SIUE students automatically receive a free membership. The IMLeagues program allows SIUE students to compete with other SIUE students in different sports each semester of the academic year. Prices to join a team vary depending on the sport.
However, if you live in an SIUE residence hall and create a team of at least 75 percent residence hall students, the $25 team registration fee will be waived. To register and join a team, download the IMLeagues app and create an account using your SIUE email address.
1. Student Success Center
The Student Success Center is home to the Career Development Center, the Offce for Accessible Campus Community and Equitable Student Support, Counseling and Health Services, as well as the offces for International Student and Scholar Services. The SSC offers services such as academic advising, retention and student services, learning support services and programs such as Student Opportunities for Academic Results, Veteran Services, and Student Government Offces.
There are meeting rooms, study rooms, a student lounge and a computer lab. This lounge is a popular study spot, containing lots of seating options and outlets. The lounge was created
consciously in collaboration with Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design standards for sustainability and minimum environmental impact.
The building’s bathrooms are all wheelchair accessible. However, there are no gender-neutral bathrooms. There are drink and snack vending machines on both foors, as well as a newly added vending machine containing medicine and health products located on the lower level.
2. Morris University Center
Lower Level
The lower level of the MUC contains the majority of SIUE’s Dining Services. Boss Burgers, Sammiches, Entrees, Gar-
den Patch, Chick-fl-A and a Grab N’ Go station can be found in the main Center Court area. On the other side of the dining area, Paavo’s Pizza and Cocina are also available.
Textbook Service is on the lower level of the MUC. The Alestle’s offce is also located on this level.
The Cougar Cupboard is a food pantry for any staff, faculty or student at SIUE. According to their website, the Cougar Cupboard takes donations and is open Monday through Thursday. Main Level
The main level of the MUC has a few more dining options: Starbucks and Auntie Anne’s. Another option is Union
Station, which is reminiscent of a convenience store with its snack and drink options.
Next to Union Station is the MUC Welcome Desk, where the campus’s main “lost and found” is located. The Welcome Desk is able to answer any questions visitors may have. Across from the Welcome Desk is the Cougar Store, where MUC guests are able to purchase SIUE merchandise, as well as class materials for students.
The Kimmel Student Involvement Center, or Kimmel Belonging and Engagement Hub, is responsible for any student involvement on campus.
The main level of the MUC has one gender neutral bathroom, as well as a
wellness room for anyone who may need it. They are both located by the women’s restroom near Starbucks.
The Meridian Ballroom is another space that can be reserved through Event Services. The space is normally for larger events on campus. It is located by the Goshen Lounge at the center of the main level. There is also the Cougar Store, which sells SIUE apparel and merchandise.
Upper Level
Military and Veteran Services is located on the upper level of the MUC, as well as Event Services and the Inclusive Excellence, Education and Development Hub. Conference rooms and other meeting spaces are available on the upper level per reservation through Event Services.
3. Rendleman Hall
Rendleman Hall is where you’ll fnd the Bursar, Financial Aid, Information Technology Services, Parking Services and Student Employment, among other offces. The building is open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
4. Lovejoy Library
Lovejoy Library is home to many study spaces, sleeping spots and the MakerLab, which allows the SIUE community access to equipment such as a 3D printer or a programmable embroidery sewing machine.
When it comes to study spaces, students can reserve study rooms, use collaborative spaces found throughout the library or fnd a quiet corner to get some
work done. Lovejoy also has treadmills and bike desks throughout the second and third foors. Nap pods, bean bags and the third-foor meditation room are available for students who may need to take a break.
The MakerLab is located on the frst foor of the library and is full of specialized equipment for students to design and create projects. Students are able to use the MakerLab for more than just academic projects, as personal projects are allowed and encouraged. All of the equipment is free to use, but students may have to purchase additional supplies, such as the correct size mugs or buttons. Students are able to purchase certain items at the Maker Lab or circulation desk of Lovejoy Library.
A few of the pieces in the Maker Lab include a 3D Doodle Pen, a Dremel Engraver, a soldering iron kit, a T-shirt heat-
press, a laminator and Glowforge Plus, which is a laser engraver and cutter.
The MakerLab is open for reservations Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m and Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Students must make reservations during those hours to use a certain piece of equipment. Bill Weidler, the contact person for the MakerLab, is available to provide instruction on how to use the equipment.
To see a full list of available equipment and tools, as well as past projects made using the MakerLab, visit Lovejoy Library on the SIUE website and search MakerLab.
A newer addition to the library is the Wiggle Rooms located on the second foor. They are enclosed boxes similar to phone booths and have a wireless phone charger, whiteboard, stool and plug-in. They are soundproof for students who are in a Zoom class or giving a virtual presentation.
Students can check out both research and pleasure reads at Lovejoy Library or ask for research help through the live chat on the websites. The librarians are able to help students with citations, fnding articles or other research questions that may arise. The library also provides access to Kanopy, which is a streaming service for academic or educational documentaries. s is located in the basement of Lovejoy Library for students who may need assistance with Blackboard, Zoom, CougarNet, or many other technological problems
For more information on Lovejoy Library, visit its website. Lovejoy Library workers also post updates and announcements on their social media, @siuelibrary on Instagram or SIUE Lovejoy Library on Facebook.
5. Peck Hall
Peck Hall is where the College of Arts and Sciences offce is located. Peck Hall holds classes for the Department of Political Science, Department of Foreign Languages and Literature, Department of History, Criminal Justice Studies, Department of Sociology, Department of Social Work, Department of Anthropology, Department of English Language and Literature, Department of Philosophy and more. With numerous departments located in this building, it is no wonder most students take at least one class here.
Along with the departments already located within Peck Hall, there are enormous classrooms big enough to hold large amounts of students. This building hosts other subjects as well due to its plethora of classrooms.
When you get out of class and need to study, you can fnd many tables, desks or couches in the building to sit and study at. You can also choose to grab something from a vending machine in the common areas to enjoy while studying.
There are male, female and gender-neutral bathrooms on each foor of the building to provide for everyone’s needs.
6. Founders Hall
Founders Hall is connected to Alumni Hall. It has general classrooms and is home to the offce for the Reserve Offcers’ Training Corps.
7. Alumni Hall
Alumni Hall is connected to Founders Hall and similarly, it has plenty of general classrooms. Psychology, the School of Nursing, art education, geography, public administration and policy analysis, aerospace studies and applied communication studies each have their offces in Alumni Hall.
8. Dunham Hall Basement
The basement contains rooms for a variety of uses. There are practice rooms for music majors to practice their respective instruments in a quiet area. There are also lockers nearby for instruments.
Mass Communication’s audio editing lab can also be found next to WSIE 88.7 “The Sound”. WSIE is a volunteer-based radio station where students can learn skills for any radio station. No prior experience is required.
First foor
The entrance to the Dunham Hall Theater can be found on the frst foor as well as the Box Offce to purchase tickets. Next to the Box Offce are the departments of Mass Communication and Theater and Dance.
The TV production studio, a classroom with a full TV studio setup complete with a studio foor and control
room, can also be found on this foor. The mass communication’s video editing computer lab is nearby.
The Scene Shop and costume room are always full of theater set pieces and colorful costumes for classes and productions.
Down the hall, the Department of Music has a jazz room, band room and choir room.
Second foor
The second foor contains two dance studios; one for modern and ballet dances and the other for jazz and tap dances. Several other classrooms and offces can be found on the second foor including the Department of Music.
Dunham Hall is also home to the Suzuki Strings Program. This program was the frst university-based program dedicated to teaching children string instruments.
9. Science East & Science West
Both Science Lab East and Science Lab West have an entrance that faces the Engineering Building and are near Dunham. Right beside Science West is Science East, and on the frst foor of Science West, there is a bridge that leads directly to the Science East building. It is decorated with plants on each side and has a great view of the outdoors.
On each foor there is at least one map that shows you everything that exists within the building. The map also shows you which foor you are on and highlights the
rooms on that foor.
There are also multiple signs on the ceilings and walls within the building to guide students.
strooms. Science East is where students can fnd gender-neutral bathrooms.
In Science East, there is tutoring for Math, Statistics and Physics. This is also where you can fnd another offce for Information Technology Services.
10. Art & Design Buildings
The Art and Design buildings are separated into the East and West buildings, connected by a walkway. These buildings primarily serve a range of art students, across a span of media. Both buildings include fully equipped studios, classrooms and a primary exhibition gallery.
There is student art on display yearround, as well as frequent exhibitions and showcases of student, staff and work of local artists. Both buildings have a combined 13 studios, featuring a range of diverse specializations such as drawing to metal work.
In regards to services, the buildings offer vending machines on the second foor of the east wing, a computer lab and bathrooms on both foors of each building. These buildings do not have gender neutral or all-gender bathrooms.
11. Engineering Building
personal training and coaching, an indoor track, climbing walls and camping equipment available to rent.
The facility is also home to one of the many dining options on campus, Freshens. Freshens is unique among SIUE’s dining options with its trademark smoothies.
13. Vadalabene Center
Connected to the Student Fitness Center, the Sam M. Vadalabene Center is a multipurpose sports facility that serves education, health, recreation and wellness. The VC is home to SIUE men’s and women’s basketball, volleyball and wrestling, which take place in the First Community Arena. In addition to the arena, the Vadalabene Center houses several classrooms and athletic offces. The VC features a rock-climbing gym and an indoor pool with shower rooms, each including a dry sauna.
14. Early Childhood Center
The Early Childhood Center accepts children from ages two to fve. Rates vary depending on age, the amount of days and the time of day. Children do not need to be potty-trained to attend.
Science Lab East has at least four stairwells, Science Lab West has three stairwells and both buildings have two elevators.
There are graduate student and teacher’s assistant offces, laboratories and the lab coordinator’s offce. If there are QR codes on the classroom doors, students can scan them to check the schedule of the classroom.
On each foor, there is an offce where students can fnd different professors by looking at a list that holds names of professors, email addresses and locations of their specifc offces.
Both buildings offer a lot of seating space, including long benches that are placed against the wall out of the way for students passing by. Students can fnd displays of wildlife taxidermy throughout the building. Bulletin boards scattered throughout the building have information such as clubs to sign up for, scholarship opportunities, tutoring opportunities and more.
Vending machines for beverages in these buildings contain healthy drinks like water, Propel and Gatorade. The vending machines for food include typical snacks, like chips and candy. Each foor has a spacious lobby area for students with tall tables to sit at and comfortable couches. The bathrooms all carry menstrual products, and there are water fountains by most of the re-
The Engineering Building is home to much more than classrooms. It contains labs for mechani - cal engineering, equipped with different types of electronic equipment. It also has rooms designated for designing and building projects. Simply walking around the building and peering into classrooms may show you some of the projects or equipment stored in the build - ing.
Apart from the items used, there are also areas to sit around and study. The main study area of the Engineering Building contains whiteboards in case you are working with a group on a specifc project.
There are male and female restrooms on each foor as well as a single family restroom located in the basement.
12. Student Fitness Center
Connected to the Vadalabene Center, the SFC consists of multiple rooms for weightlifting, courts for basketball and club activities, such as a foot or roller rink to practice hockey, rooms for recreational activities and even a pool.
Activities related to clubs can be discussed at the front desk of the building near the entrance of the weight room and courts, while equipment such as basketballs or weightlifting belts can be checked out from the equipment issue desk on the way to the locker rooms.
The primary uses for the SFC have been basketball, volleyball, badminton and pickle ball on two of the primary courts, as well as the general ftness and cardio room and weight room.
With professional equipment from machines to weight racks, the SFC weight room offers methods for a wide variety of ftness such as crossft and powerlifting.
The SFC also offers many services such as nutrition counseling, ftness assessments, club membership contacts,
The Early Childhood Center uses the Reggio Emilia Approach, meaning the children get to choose what they learn, to an extent, and are given the space to express themselves. So, a lot of the projects that the children have produced are results from their own fndings and desires of exploration.
According to the center, sometimes the children will go on walks and bring back items like tadpoles or rocks, and the center will keep them for the children and give them a new home.
Various projects are displayed to show work that is currently being learned.
Each classroom has a fsh tank that is nature-based in the center of every classroom. Their projects are often eco-friendly and sustainable. Each classroom also has a loft for children to calm themselves and relax if needed. Another perk is the classrooms involve a bathroom for children in each one.
The center also serves breakfast, lunch and an afternoon snack. Each child has their own cubby for their personal items too.
The Early Childhood Center has an indoor playground that one class uses at a time, as well as an outdoor playground for all of the children. This is where the garden and bike shed are located, where the children can ride their tricycle or plant food. Children can grow food and take some home with them at the end of the day.
The children of SIUE can look forward to an environment that teaches them to be self-suffcient and to have a healthy relationship with nature.
15. Metcalf Theater
Opened in 1984, the Metcalf Theater was named after James Metcalf, who was the budget director at SIUE. He is most notable as the father of Emmy award-winning actress Laurie Metcalf, who was raised in Edwardsville. The Metcalf Theater is a black box theater, meaning the audience and stage confguration can shift from show to show using stock risers and customized scenery. The Metcalf hosts several student productions throughout the year, as well as one mainstage show and a Shakespeare performance during the summer.
16. Freshmen Dorms SIUE offers three dormitories for freshmen: Woodland Hall, Prairie Hall and Bluff Hall.
The halls are all very similar to each
other in layout and design. However, there are specifc differences.
Prairie and Bluff both have sand volleyball courts available outside for residents. Occupying the space between Prairie
and Woodland is a whole disc golf course. The course consists of nine baskets. Bluff Hall houses the SIUE E-Sports Arena for gaming students to play their favorite games. Each hall has areas for
their residents to gather for community events.
Prairie and Woodland are located very close to each other. Bluff is further away from these two, but is closer to the
Student Fitness Center. These are just the dorms available to freshmen. After the frst year, students are open to more apartment-styled living spaces. Evergreen Hall is the
STUDENT DISCOUNTS.
54th Street
6660 Edwardsville Crossing Drive, Edwardsville Discount: 10% off (before tax)
American Kolache 6189 Bennett Drive, Edwardsville Discount: 10% off
Annie’s Frozen Custard 11 Illini Drive, Glen Carbon Discount: 10% off always; 50% off every frst Monday of the month during the school year
Bann Thai
4 Club Centre Court, Edwardsville Discount: 10% off ACCEPTS COUGAR BUCKS
Bella Milano
1063 South State Route 157, Edwardsville Discount: 20% off
Café Birdie 120 South Main Street, Edwardsville Discount: 25% off frst pastry Wednesday and Thursday
CBD Botanicals 1051 Century Drive, Edwardsville Discount: 10% discount
Chick-fl-A 2319 Troy Road, Edwardsville Discount: Free original chicken sandwich OR 8 count nuggets with purchase of a large fry and large drink
China King 1063 South State Route 157, Edwardsville Discount: 5% off (pick up only)
City Scoops Creamery 1100 Illinois Interstate 157, Edwardsville Discount: 10% off
Cold Stone Creamery 2100 Troy Road, Suite 101, Edwardsville Discount: 10% off
Crazy Bowls & Wraps 6679 Edwardsville Crossing Drive, Edwardsville Discount: 20% off on Tuesday
Culver’s 6724 Old Troy Road, Edwardsville Discount: 10% off
Dairy Queen Edwardsville 400 South Buchanan St., Edwardsville Discount: 15% off daily; 50% off frst and last Tuesday of each month
Denny’s 27 Junction Drive, Glen Carbon Discount: 20% off
Edison’s Entertainment Complex
2477 South State Route 157, Edwardsville Discount: 10% off
Edley’s Bar-B-Que 2392 S State Route 157, Glen Carbon Discount: 10% off; If you have SIUE gear on, get an additional 5% off; Monday through Thursday show Cougar Card to receive $1 wings
The Experience Hair Studio 6451 Center Grove Road, Edwardsville Discount: $5 off haircuts; $25 off hair color; $25 off hair extensions
Firehouse Subs
2208 Troy Road, Edwardsville Discount: 15% off
Global Brew Tap House 2329 Plum St., Edwardsville Discount: 10% off on all food purchases and golf
Go Yoga! Express
1001 Enclave Blvd. Suite E, Edwardsville Discount: 20% off group yoga and ftness classes (text/email to apply discount)
Goshen Coffee 6120 Shoger Drive, Suite A, Edwardsville Discount: 10% off
Hawaiian Bros. 2386 Troy Rd, Edwardsville Discount: 10% off
Heroic Adventures 1005 Century Drive, Edwardsville Discount: 10% off
Hotshots 2511 Illinois Ave. 157, Edwardsville Discount: 10% off
1933 House of Bourbon
1001 Enclave Blvd. Suite D, Edwardsville Discount: 20% off
IHOP
4233 South IL-159, Glen
Carbon Discount: 20% off dine-in only for students and faculty with SIUE ID
closest of these options. There is also Cougar Village though that is a short drive or bus ride away.
Imo’s Pizza 1100 South State Route 157, Edwardsville Discount: 10% off
Jersey Mike’s 1990 Troy Road, Unit A, Edwardsville Discount: 10% off daily OR a regular sub, bag of chips and 22 oz drink for $10.99
Kyoto Sushi Steakhouse 441 South State Route 157, Edwardsville Discount: 10% off
La Casa Mexicana 201 Harvard Drive, Edwardsville Discount: 10% off (alcoholic beverages not included)
La Fonda 2310 Troy Road, Edwardsville Discount: 10% off
Nothing Bundt Cake 6151 Trace Parkway Drive, Suite C, Edwardsville Discount: 10% off
Old Herald Brewery & Distillery
115 East Clay St., Collinsville Discount: 10% off
Oriental Spoon 229 Harvard Drive, Edwardsville Discount: 10% off
Papa John’s 3592 South State Route 159, Glen Carbon Discount: Large 1 topping for $8, carry-out only
Papa Murphy’s 207 Harvard Drive, Suite 159, Edwardsville Discount: $3 off
Penn Station East Coast Subs 231 Harvard Drive, Edwardsville Discount: 10% off
Poke Munch 1063 Illinois Interstate 157, Suite 11, Edwardsville Discount 10% off
Quiznos 1053 Century Drive, Edwardsville Discount: 10% off
Sauce on the Side 6155 Trace Pkwy Drive, Edwardsville Discount: 15% off
Sonic 1017 Plummer Drive, Edwardsville Discount: 10% off non-discounted items
Source Juicery 220 N Main St., Edwardsville Discount: 10% off
Subway 4 Club Centre Shopping Center, Suite J, Edwardsville 108 South Buchanan St., Unit C, Edwardsville Discount: 10% off
Teaspoons Cafe 2125 Illinois Interstate 157, Edwardsville Discount: 15% off
Texas Roadhouse 6640 Edwardsville Crossing Drive, Edwardsville Discount: 10% off
The Cup 1057 Century Drive, Edwardsville Discount: 10% off; BOGO frst Monday of the month
The Pasta House Co 1097 South State Route 157, Edwardsville Discount: 10% off
Wasabi Sushi Bar
100 South Buchanan St., Edwardsville Discount: 15% off with Cougar Card
ACCEPTS COUGAR BUCKS
Waxing The City 2329 Plum St., Edwardsville Discount: 30% Mondays and Tuesdays
Wing Stop
2100 Troy Road, Edwardsville Discount: 10% off
Wing Zone 1063 IL-157, Edwardsville Discount: 10% off
ACCEPTS COUGAR BUCKS
01. Follow The Alestle on Instagram
02. See the chancellor in-person
03. People watch in the Quad
04. Spend way too long in a study
05. Trade Snapchat usernames with a fellow classmate who’s just as confused as you
06. Have a healthy relationship with a roommate
07. High-fve Eddie the Cougar
08. Step in goose poop
09. Go to Big Daddy’s on a Thursday
10. Submit a maintenance request for the heating/cooling to be turned on
11. Think about how fun it would be if SIUE still had a bowling alley
12. Get your photo taken by Howard Ash, the university photographer
13. Use your SIUE student discount around town
14. Scramble to fnd a ride home from a darty
15. Pass out in a bean bag at Lovejoy Library
16. Get ads for SIUE on social media even though you’re already a student here
17. Eat too much Boss Burger
18. Slip on the stairs in Peck Hall on a rainy day
19. Experience a preacher protest
20. Pick up freebies from a booth in the Goshen Lounge
21. Narrowly miss hitting a deer
22. Attend a Soul Sunday at the Fuller Dome
23. Get lost in Textbook Service
24. Pose in front of the livestreaming cameras in the Quad
25. Have a picnic in The Gardens
26. Ask to use someone else’s meal plan
27. Get jumpscared by a Blackboard notifcation
28. Use building foor plans to fnd your classes
30. Catch a ride on a golf cart during National Student Day
31. Take the walk of shame to Rendleman Hall for a new Cougar Card
32. Accidentally run late to class because you waited too long in the Starbucks line
33. Get confused where Founders Hall ends and Alumni Hall begins
34. Receive a late e-Lert for a tornado warning
35. Memorize your 800 number
36. Take a late night trip to GasDonalds
37. Drop a class after looking at the syllabus
38. Beg your mom not to buy a “Cougars” shirt at the Cougar Store
39. Miss your number being called at Chick-fl-A
40. Pick up a paper check at the Bursar’s Offce even though you already set up direct deposit
41. Wonder what in the world SIUE was doing having a live cougar mascot
42. Hit your daily step goal walking to and from the Red Lots
43. Drink a bit too much at Eddieville
44. Talk your favorite professor’s ear off
45. Direct your DoorDash driver to your dorm/apartment
46. Participate in a Campus Activities Board event
47. Finish a timed exam with 10 seconds remaining
48. Leave a “constructive” review for a professor’s course
49. Smell something fruity and see a puff of vapor while in the bathroom stall
50. See a $3 movie at Wildey Theatre
51. Visit the “Seven Cows” steak sculpture that has been discarded behind a dumpster at the Art and Design building
52. Flee outside during a fre alarm at the worst possible hour of the night
53. Forget your e-ID password at an inconvenient time
54. Get posted on the SIUE Barstool Instagram
55. Wait in line for 30 minutes at Dairy Queen on Cougar Tuesday
56. Have graduation photos taken with the Cougar Statue
57. Pay to get a “Philanthropy Cord” so you’re not cordless at graduation
29. Watch a rocket launch at the Engineering Building
Advocate for yourself and explore new intellectual paths
BRANDI SPANN opinion editor
College students get to explore an overlap between academic and social life on SIUE’s campus. Associate Professor of English and Interim Associate Dean of Research and Graduate Studies Elizabeth Cali believes the university experience is all about taking advantage of the resources available to you and developing your interests as a person.
“In order for students to be successful and well, they need a ‘whole’ life, and that’s crucial that we recognize that on this campus. There’s a reason why we create social opportunities on campuses,” Cali said. “For me, being an intellectual is deeply tied to being social. They are not separate experiences at all, because what I study is a conversation I want to be a part of.”
Cali said that students should use their college years to find what they’re interested in by taking advantage of the free theater performances and athletic events on campus. Interacting with programming like the Boundless Scholar Experience and the John Martinson Honors Program are ways to personalize your SIUE
experience and explore resources, she said.
“As an incoming student, some of the most valuable things that come up are those opportunities to be in a space you didn’t imagine yourself in,” Cali said.
Cali said the people on campus — peers, professors and staff — are the number one resource for students.
“There is a real privilege to having access to this kind of knowledge in this kind of space, and it would be a waste to not take advantage of it. There are so many interesting, brilliant people here,” Cali said.
“It is possible to go through your entire undergraduate career just taking your classes, hanging out in the background. You can graduate that way. But, developing at least one strong professional intellectual relationship with a professor will change how you move through the university and how you see your education, your future and what you might do next,” Cali said.
Cali said professors read everything they possibly can on their subject of study, and students can advocate for their intellectual growth by asking questions and ensuring that faculty
are teaching them what they want to learn.
“Show up to the life you’re living here. Show up to your classes. Be present to the best of your ability,” Cali said. “Hold up your end of the bargain and you would be surprised at how much comes back to you. Be present in your relationships with your peers. Be present with your faculty.”
Outside of the people on campus, there are other major resources that Cali recommends students look into.
“[Lovejoy Library] has never been more vibrant. It continues to be a really exciting place. We have a new dean of the library who is interested in doing all kinds of innovative things,” Cali said. “The library has sort of developed over time as being a very personable resource as a place where you can do your research, your schoolwork and seek out additional resources and information while also enjoying your community.”
She said that Accessible Campus Community & Equitable Student Support is another great resource that makes it clear which services are available to support students.
“It’s really been positioned as something that is rightfully theirs, rather than somehow being something that’s a problem for them to solve. I think that that’s really
SIUE faculty member shares valuable information with incoming freshmen
PARIS THOMAS IV reporter
Starting college is one of the biggest transitions in a young person’s life, with adversity often looming — but students at SIUE don’t have to face it alone.
On campus, there are a plethora of resources to assist students during this process, especially faculty and staff, as they see the highs and lows each year.
Many professors offer themselves as a resource to freshmen in need of guidance. Donavan Ramon is an SIUE professor and an example of a resource for students and freshmen in need of guidance.
Ramon was born and raised in New York City, specifically Harlem. His parents immigrated to the United States, his mother being from Honduras and his father being from Jamaica.
Ramon attended Hunter College in New York on a full-ride scholarship. There, Ramon experienced struggles ad-
justing to college, struggles he wished he knew about before arriving.
“The number one thing I wish I would’ve known before college was the i mportance of time management,” Ramon said. “In college, you can’t squeak by like in high school … It’s important to use your time wisely to be best prepared.”
Ramon stressed becoming socially adjusted to whatever campus you’re on.
“Students [should] go to the welcome events and campus activities that [schools] have, because a lot of what you will learn in college is through communication and navigating different social settings,” Ramon said.
While college can prove intimidating, there are many spaces available for students both academically and socially. Examples from both at SIUE are campus activities, Counseling Services and the Tutoring Resource Center.
crucial, and it has been beneficial to witness that,” Cali said.
Advocating for yourself, according to Cali, becomes crucial during advising. Advisers work with a lot of students. They know what course requirements you need to meet to graduate, but they may not be able to know exactly what you need to fulfill your educational goals. Cali said you should not be afraid to express what you want.
“It can be really hard to speak up for yourself sometimes … but I think it’s also really crucial, and it’s an important skill. So, learning it in a space like a university is a great place to learn it. I would encourage new students to practice with their advisers,” Cali said.
Finding your area of study doesn’t have to be limited to one path. Cali said that we are living in an interdisciplinary world, so combining disciplines across the university is important to how we educate and develop students.
“You want to know that the path you’re on is the right path. But, the reality is also that
part of being in an academic space and being at a university is having the opportunity to intellectually explore,” Cali said. “In terms of being practical, try to make those decisions that are exploratory aligned with things that are still meeting some general requirements, and then it won’t feel frivolous.”
“I know [college] seems long while you’re doing it, but it goes really fast,” Cali said. “Universities are kind of special microcosms where you get to experience a whole lot of different intersecting things.”
Professor advises on mental health resources
TORRE JOURNEY reporter
Lots of resources exist on campus for a variety of aspects of college life.
Computer Science Professor Gunes Ercal recommends strategizing degree requirements and finding resources on campus for personal interests, health and wellness and financial assistance.
Ercal said it is important to get started with prerequisites and degree path requirements from the beginning to save time for additional interests.
“Amongst the various things that I did or did not do in college, I would not be too much of a hypocrite to say that I don’t regret getting some things out of the way sooner or later,” Ercal said. “When you know your focus area, whether it is a major or specialty, it is important to not get stuck in some of the bottlenecked or stringent degree paths,” Ercal said.
“The truth is so many of us have additional interests that, once many of the more stringent degree requirements have been handled, we have more opportunities for other equally important experi-
ences,” Ercal said.
Ercal also said students should be aware of their options when it comes to mental health on campus.
“I know everybody deals with something. I think there is an additional layer of stress that we know college can bring to students given all of the factors involved,” Ercal said.
“It is a bit more likely to experience difficulty with mental health and wellness, but just know that professors will honor any accommodations through [ACCESS]. Talk to them and your professors, they are also people. Professors also go through things and definitely understand,” Ercal said.
Ercal also said financial resources are available to students.
“I just want to let students know whatever may be going on, that there are resources in place for them, and members of the school are ready to find solutions
SOUTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY EDWARDSVILLE 2024 CONSUMER CONFIDENCE REPORT
IS MY WATER SAFE?
We are pleased to present this year’s Annual Water Quality Report (Consumer Confdence Report) as required by the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA). This report is designed to provide details about where your water comes from, what it contains, and how it compares to standards set by regulatory agencies. This report is a snapshot of last year’s water quality. We are committed to providing you with information because informed customers are our best allies.
DO I NEED TO TAKE SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS?
Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than the general population. Immuno-compromised persons such as persons with cancer undergoing chemotherapy, persons who have undergone organ transplants, people with HIV/AIDS or other immune system disorders, some elderly, and infants can be particularly at risk from infections. These people should seek advice about drinking water from their health care providers. EPA/Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines on appropriate means to lessen the risk of infection by Cryptosporidium and other microbial contaminants are available from the Safe Water Drinking Hotline (800-426-4791).
WHERE DOES MY WATER COME FROM?
SIUE purchases water from the City of Edwardsville. The City of Edwardsville’s water treatment plant is located outside of the Edwardsville city limits. Water is obtained from two well felds that draw water from the American Bottoms Underground Aquifer. The system has nine wells that have been drilled to an average depth of 114 feet. The water is fltered, softened and disinfected. Water is then pumped from the water treatment plant to SIUE’S 400,000-gallon underground reservoir. Water is then pumped from there through a system of underground mains serving the entire campus and into a 500,000-gallon elevated tank which maintains system water pressure. A second connection to the Edwardsville water system at the east edge of campus near Highway 157 provides us with a backup, should the primary system experience trouble.
SOURCE WATER ASSESSMENT AND ITS AVAILABILITY
Source Water Assessment Program (SWAP) & Mapping Tool – The 1996 amendments to the federal Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) required states to develop and implement a Source Water Assessment Program (SWAP) to protect our critical sources of public water supply (e.g. wellhead and watershed protection of public drinking water supplies) to assure safe and affordable sources of water are being utilized to serve the public.
The purpose of SWAP is to:
Identify areas that supply drinking water to the public, inventory potential sources of contamination. Determine the susceptibility of the source water to contamination and inform the public of assessment results. More than 12 million people in Illinois rely on public
water supplies for drinking water. Assessments will be conducted for all public water supplies in Illinois, including more than 1,700 community water supplies. In addition, approximately 3,800 non-community water supplies will be assessed.
Illinois SWAP activities will be divided into the following areas:
Community surface water supplies
Non-community surface water supplies
Great Lakes (Lake Michigan)
Community groundwater supplies
Non-community groundwater supplies and Mixed groundwater and surface water community.
SWAP will help communities make important decisions about how to protect their drinking water. By working to ensure safe drinking water supplies, the health and economy of the community – as well as the preservation of natural resources – will be greatly improved. In addition, investment in drinking water treatment will be sustained for a longer time period. For more information regarding SWAP, please contact the Illinois EPA Bureau of Water, Groundwater Section, at (217) 782-1020. Questions pertaining to non-community public water systems should be directed to local health departments or the Illinois Department of Public Health at (217) 782-4977.
WHY ARE THERE CONTAMINANTS IN MY DRINKING WATER
Drinking water, including bottled water, may reasonably be expected to contain at least small amounts of some contaminants. The presence of contaminants does not necessarily indicate that water poses a health risk. More information about contaminants and potential health effects can be obtained by calling the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800426-4791). The sources of drinking water (both tap water and bottled water) include rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs and wells. As water travels over the surface of the land or through the ground, it dissolves naturally occurring minerals and, in some cases, radioactive material, and can pick up substances resulting from the presence of animals or from human activity such as:
• Microbial contaminants, such as viruses and bacteria, that may come from sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural livestock operations and wildlife
• Inorganic contaminants, such as salts and metals, which can be naturally occurring or result from urban storm water runoff, industrial or domestic wastewater discharges, oil and gas production, mining or farming
• Pesticides and herbicides, which may come from a variety of sources such as agriculture, urban storm water runoff and residential uses
• Organic chemical contaminants, including synthetic and volatile organic chemicals, which are by-products of industrial processes and petroleum production and can also come from gas stations, urban storm water runoff and septic systems
• Radioactive contaminants, which can be naturally occurring or be the result of oil and gas production and mining activities. In order to ensure that tap water is safe to drink, EPA prescribes regulations that limit the amount of certain contaminants in water provided by public water
systems. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations establish limits for contaminants in bottled water which must provide the same protection for public health.
HOW CAN I GET INVOLVED?
The Edwardsville City Council has the decision-making responsibility regarding contractual agreements and expenditure of funds for the water system. You are invited to attend their regularly scheduled City Council meetings, which are held at 7 p.m. on the frst and third Tuesdays of each month in the City Council Chambers of Edwardsville City Hall located at 118 Hillsboro Avenue, Edwardsville. Please visit cityofedwardsville.com/calendar for more information on meeting dates and locations.
DESCRIPTION OF WATER TREATMENT PROCESS
Your water is treated by fltration and disinfection. Filtration removes particles suspended in the source water. Particles typically include clays and silts, natural organic matter, iron and manganese, and microorganisms. Your water is also treated by disinfection. Disinfection involves the addition of chlorine or other disinfectants to kill bacteria and other microorganisms (viruses, cysts, etc.) that may be in the water. Disinfection is considered to be one of the major public health advances of the 20th century.
WATER CONSERVATION TIPS
Did you know that the average U.S. household uses approximately 400 gallons of water per day or 100 gallons per person per day? Luckily, there are many low-cost and no-cost ways to conserve water. Small changes can make a big difference - try one today and soon it will become second nature.
• Take short showers - a 5-minute shower uses 4 to 5 gallons of water compared to up to 50 gallons for a bath.
• Shut off water while brushing your teeth, washing your hair and shaving and save up to 500 gallons a month.
• Use a water-effcient shower head. They’re inexpensive, easy to install, and can save you up to 750 gallons a month.
• Run your clothes washer and dishwasher only when they are full. You can save up to 1,000 gallons a month.
• Water plants only when necessary.
• Fix leaky toilets and faucets. Faucet washers are inexpensive and take only a few minutes to replace. To check your toilet for a leak, place a few drops of food coloring in the tank and wait. If it seeps into the toilet bowl without fushing, you have a leak. Fixing it or replacing it with a new, more effcient model can save up to 1,000 gallons a month.
• Adjust sprinklers so only your lawn is watered. Apply water only as fast as the soil can absorb it and during the cooler parts of the day to reduce evaporation.
• Teach your kids about water conservation to ensure a future generation that uses water wisely. Make it a family effort to reduce next month’s water bill!
• Visit www.epa.gov/watersense for more information.
SOURCE WATER PROTECTION TIPS
Protection of drinking water is everyone’s responsibility. You can help protect your community’s drinking water
WATER QUALITY DATA TABLE
source in several ways:
• Eliminate excess use of lawn and garden fertilizers and pesticides - they contain hazardous chemicals that can reach your drinking water source.
• Pick up after your pets.
• If you have your own septic system, properly maintain your system to reduce leaching to water sources or consider connecting to a public water system.
• Dispose of chemicals properly; take used motor oil to a recycling center.
• Volunteer in your community. Find a watershed or wellhead protection organization in your community and volunteer to help. If there are no active groups, consider starting one. Use EPA’s Adopt Your Watershed to locate groups in your community, or visit the Watershed Information Network’s How to Start a Watershed Team.
• Organize a storm drain stenciling project with your local government or water supplier. Stencil a message next to the street drain reminding people “Dump No Waste - Drains to River” or “Protect Your Water.” Produce and distribute a fyer for households to remind residents that storm drains dump directly into your local water body.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR LEAD
SIUE’s system inventory does not include any lead service lines. To identify the material of our service lines, we used visual inspections during maintenance, construction documents, historical records and photo documentation. All other lines were exposed for identifcation. For access to the latest copy of SIUE’s Material Inventory Report or Lead and Copper Testing results, go to: https://www.siue.edu/facilities/updates-reports/water-quality-reports.shtml.
Lead can cause serious health problems, especially for pregnant women and young children. Lead in drinking water is primarily from materials and components associated with service lines and home plumbing. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is responsible for providing high quality drinking water, but cannot control the variety of materials used in plumbing components in your home. You share the responsibility for protecting yourself and your family from the lead in your home plumbing. You can take responsibility by identifying and removing lead materials within your home plumbing and taking steps to reduce your family’s risk.
Before drinking tap water, fush your pipes for several minutes by running your tap, taking a shower or doing laundry or a load of dishes. You can also use a flter certifed by an American National Standards Institute-accredited certifer to reduce lead in drinking water. If you are concerned about lead in your water and wish to have your water tested, contact: Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (Public Water System ID: IL1195550) (618) 650-3711 fmserv@siue.edu
Information on lead in drinking water, testing methods and steps you can take to minimize exposure are available at http://www.epa.gov/safewater/lead.
In order to ensure that tap water is safe to drink, EPA prescribes regulations which limit the amount of contaminants in water provided by public water systems. The table below lists all of the drinking water contaminants that we detected during the calendar year of this report. Although many more contaminants were tested, only those substances listed below were found in your water. All sources of drinking water contain some naturally occurring contaminants. At low levels, these substances are generally not harmful in our drinking water. Removing all contaminants would be extremely expensive and, in most cases, would not provide increased protection of public health. A few naturally occurring minerals may actually improve the taste of drinking water and have nutritional value at low levels. Unless otherwise noted, the data presented in this table is from testing done in the calendar year of the report. The EPA or the State requires us to monitor for certain contaminants less than once per year because the concentrations of these contaminants do not vary signifcantly from year to year or the system is not considered vulnerable to this type of contamination. As such, some of our data, though representative, may be more than one year old. In this table you will fnd terms and abbreviations that might not be familiar to you. To help you better understand these terms, we have provided the defnitions below.
Unit Descriptions
ppm: parts per million or milligrams per liter (mg/L)
ppb: parts per billion or micrograms per liter (µg/L)
mg/L: Number of milligrams of substance in one liter of water
NA: Not applicable
ND: Not detected
NR: Monitoring not required, but recommended
Important Drinking Water Defnitions
MCLG MCLG: Maximum Contaminant Level Goal –The level of a contaminant in drinking water below which there is no known or expected risk to health. MCLGs allow for a margin of safety.
MCL MCL: Maximum Contaminant Level – The highest level of a contaminant that is allowed in drinking water. MCLs are set as close to the MCLGs as feasible using the best available treatment technology.
TT TT: Treatment Technique – A required process intended to reduce the level of a contaminant in drinking water.
AL AL: Action Level – The concentration of a contaminant which, if exceeded, triggers treatment or other requirements which a water system must follow.
Variances and Exemptions Variances and Exemptions – State or EPA permission not to meet an MCL or a treatment technique under certain conditions.
MRDLG MRDLG: Maximum residual disinfection level goal. The level of a drinking water disinfectant below which there is no known or expected risk to health. MRDLGs do not refect the benefts of the use of disinfectants to control microbial contaminants
MRDL MRDL: Maximum residual disinfectant level. The highest level of a disinfectant allowed in drinking water. There is convincing evidence that addition of a disinfectant is necessary for control of microbial contaminants.
2024 Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Water Quality Data
Additional Monitoring
Embracing the unknown:
SOPHIE HAWKINS
Adjusting to college life is more than just finding friends and making schedules, it’s accepting the changes and finding your new “normal.”
When I first walked into my freshman dorm, I remember thinking, ‘This room is much smaller than the show room I saw on tour.’ I had expected a room like mine back home, not one half the size to be shared with a roommate.
After I left my first night class, I walked into the basement of the MUC to find that only Paavo’s Pizza was open after 8 p.m. I had expected to see all the dining options open and didn’t realize I would spend my Monday and Wednesday nights eating pizza.
I also didn’t account for the number of geese on campus or the amount of noise they make outside of my window at 6 a.m.
I bring all of this up because through this lens, my college experience sounds ter-
Learning to find comfort in changes
rible. At first, I did find everything terrible.
Between missing my hometown and fearing the unknown world I had stepped into, college seemed like a bunch of inconvenient situations that deviated from my safe, “normal” routine back home.
This was until I learned to accept the changes. I know it’s much easier said than done, but appreciating what you are given instead of comparing your situation to others will reveal beauty in even the worst of changes.
That shoebox of a dorm room became my safe haven and the group hangout spot for my friends and me. In the end, the size of the room didn’t stop us from having late night conversations, movie nights or doing yoga.
My limited dining options on Monday and Wednesday led to “Taco Bell nights” with friends and my now mild addiction to Baja Blasts.
My hate for geese has also changed as they now make for good entertainment on my way to class, though I still can’t stand
College is prime — pursue your passions
MATTHEW WOLDEN copy editor
While college is for pursuing an education, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t explore other things you want to do as well. Trying different clubs or classes that interest you might just have a profound impact on your life.
Starting out in college can definitely be stressful. Your first year should include classes that ease you into the flow of college life. The classes may be tougher than high school, but they usually start off pretty slowly. This early period in college is a great time to try something you’ve always wanted to do.
time out accordingly.
There might be something you’re passionate about and want to continue as a hobby. Clubs or classes can be a great way to explore aspects of that interest. Perhaps there’s a class you’d like to take but are worried about the cost. Fortunately, some courses — like concert band or choir — allow you to enroll for zero credit hours, which means you wouldn’t have to pay the cost that comes with each credit hour.
In college, you should explore the new space you are in. The organizations I have been a part of have changed my life. If I hadn’t joined certain clubs, I would be in such a different place than I am now.
I have also seen people change their field of study after joining a club and realizing the subject is way more interesting to them than their current major.
their honking. Though college was intimidating at first, embracing the changes led to memories I’ll never forget, and I wouldn’t change those situations for the world.
Involvement sometimes requires the drive
AUDREY O’RENIC sports editor “ The organizations I have been a part of have changed my life.”
Matthew Wolden Copy Editor
Maybe there is something you have always wanted to do but haven’t had the time for. Classes in college take far less time than seven-hour days in high school, which allows you to do more with free time. You will still have to plan around your assignments or projects, but since classes take less time, you can plan your
There is also the social aspect of joining the variety of organizations here. You might meet lifelong friends through student clubs. After joining an organization here, I got to meet people that I don’t think I would have met otherwise. I also got opportunities to travel that I wouldn’t have had otherwise.
SIUE genuinely has so much to offer through its student organizations and classes. You can go from game development to frisbee golfing to running with friends to community service to beekeeping. You don’t have to do a lot or something completely new, but you should do something to explore who you are as a person. You may discover a secret part of yourself that you wish you knew about before.
With a 45-minute daily commute to classes every morning, I found it hard to feel connected to SIUE.
I knew nobody and had little understanding of where everything was on campus. I would sit in the library alone in between classes, because I had nowhere else to go. I couldn’t just go back to my dorm room for an hour or two until my next class started. After a few weeks, I knew it was time for a change. I hated the feeling of being alone, even when I was around other people. I hated feeling like a stranger in my own school.
I could have ever asked for.
Becoming a part of The Alestle was the turning point of my freshman year. The Alestle pushed me out of my comfort zone and gave me the best experience I could have had as a freshman. I learned so much about myself, fellow students, faculty and other communities on campus. The Alestle brought me knowledge on topics I had never thought to pursue. Getting involved was the best decision I made. Not only did I get to meet new people, but now I have a greater sense of community and belonging at SIUE. Get involved. Meet new people. Put yourself out there. Take risks. Explore new opportunities. College is all about branching out and trying new things. I
I never intended on becoming part of a sorority. The whole “sisters” thing just wasn’t up my alley. However, when I got the opportunity to join through continuous bidding, which is a less formal, additional opportunity to explore the possibility of joining a sorority, I was so desperate that I decided to accept. I’m glad I did. As stereotypical as it sounds, my sorority has brought me some of the best friends
“
As stereotypical as it sounds, my sorority has brought me some of the best friends I could ever ask for.”
Audrey O’Renic Sports Editor
never intended on being part of any of the organizations I am involved in, but now I’m happy to say that I could not see myself any other way.
online editor
GUIDE TO THE METRO EAST
If you’re wondering what to do in the area, look no further than this special guide.
Metro East Eats is a regular feature where we review different “eats” in the surrounding area. Metro East Markets is the same concept but with local stores.
is a collection of our favorites from breakfast and lunch, to record stores and bookstores.
Belleville Pancake House is well worth the wait, price
AUDREY O’RENIC sports editor
Just a few minutes from downtown Belleville, the Belleville Pancake House serves up delicious food for a great price.
After a long wait at the front, we were seated in a single booth facing the wall. It wasn’t my first choice for seating, but for a small local restaurant, it was understandable. It was quite busy and it seemed to be a little understaffed, so it took us a while to even get our menu.
Belleville Pancake House is known for their pancake flavors such as apple cinnamon, cheesecake and banana pecan.
After 23 minutes, we were finally able to order. The staff were friendly, despite the
fast-paced environment.
I ordered the egg sampler with two over-easy eggs, hash browns and buttermilk pancakes for a total of $9.99. The eggs were cooked perfectly with a nice, runny yolk. The hash browns were crisped nice on the outside with a soft potato on the inside, and with a little salt, it was delicious.
The buttermilk pancakes were the perfect level of fluffy and airy and seemed to almost melt in my mouth. They had the right amount of butter on them and the syrup was light and sweet.
Although there may be a little bit of a wait, the Belleville Pancake House is definitely worth it in terms of the quality and originality of their food.
Golden Oak Pancake House was absolutely golden
MICHAL KATE CASTLEMAN managing editor
Serving fan-favorite breakfast items, Golden Oak Pancake House in Edwardsvillle provides a warm, friendly setting for your morning.
The restaurant has a lovely atmosphere with many breakfast and morning themed decorations. There was indoor and outdoor seating available.
My boyfriend and I went to Golden Oak together, and we chose to eat indoors. I chose the French toast combo, which featured French toast, eggs, ba-
con and sausage links. I also ordered hash browns on the side.
The French toast combo was incredible, as were the sides. The price of my meal was around $17, mainly because I ordered a side. I would consider the restaurant affordable for an occasional breakfast outing, but not for regular dining.
The service was great, and the food was perfect. I do wish sides were not so much of an additional charge as I wanted a small cup of fruit, but it was $4.99.
If you’re looking for a local restaurant to go to for breakfast, I would definitely recommend Golden Oak Pancake House.
Twisted Biscuit serves up twist on breakfast classics
MADISON HUTCHINSON former online editor
Warm biscuits, crispy bacon and decadent waffles await SIUE students only a five-minute drive from campus.
The menu at Twisted Biscuit has a large selection of breakfast classics with a modern twist. I ordered “Which Came First,” a signature dish of a large crispy chicken tender, gravy, an over medium egg and cheddar jack cheese served over a large bacon and cheddar-filled biscuit. For my side, I ordered the “Twisted Fries.”
The food took a while to arrive, but our server checked in with us often.
The biscuit was the real star of the
dish, which is what I would hope for from a restaurant with biscuit in its name. It was fluffy, savory and served as a perfect base to absorb the egg yolk and gravy.
The food was amazing, the atmosphere was inviting and the service was great. My only real complaint with Twisted Biscuit was the price. My food cost $14 and my coffee was $4. Even though the food and coffee were great, the price point still felt a bit steep.
Overall, Twisted Biscuit is a great brunch spot for SIUE students to check out due to its close proximity to campus, its modern twists on classic breakfast favorites and the inviting atmosphere targeted towards young people.
Red Apple: A hidden breakfast gem for
TY HICKS former reporter
I was pleasantly surprised at Maryville’s Red Apple Family restaurant’s variety of breakfast options, and their quick and affordable meals.
Despite the place being pretty packed during breakfast hours, there was no trouble seating me as soon as I walked in the door.
The dim light that filters through the blinds onto the cool brown hardwood floors gives of a very comfortable and snug atmosphere.
After looking through the variety of what you would expect to be served for breakfast, I went with a specialty cherry pancake stack that came with
college students
three medium sized pancakes, costing me $9.95, along with a side of ham costing me $4.15.
The ham was perfectly juicy and paired great with the pancakes, which were cooked to a golden brown, perfectly crisp and hot. The whipped cream and cherries were a great balance for them, though I was disappointed to discover that the cherries were not fresh, but came from a canned pie filling.
After my order was taken, I only had to wait 12 minutes for my food to arrive.
I definitely have plans to visit there again in the future and try some more of their delicious pancakes, as well as even more breakfast options at an affordable price.
Michal Kate Castleman / The Alestle
Audrey O’Renic / The Alestle
File photo / The Alestle
T. Weltzin
File photo / The Alestle
Sugo’s Spaghetteria is perfect for broke college students
CHLOE WOLFE lifestyles editor
Sugo’s in Edwardsville offers cheap pasta with the vibes of an expensive restaurant.
Every time I’ve been to Sugo’s the service has been excellent and efficient.
As soon as you walk in the door, you are seated. Each table gets free water and bread to go along with your meal.
The lighting in the restaurant is dim and candles are on all of the tables, setting a great ambiance for the restaurant.
For my meal, I ordered a half order of chicken fettuccine alfredo which only cost me $9.75. I don’t usually eat a lot, so it was enough to take home leftovers. The pasta was delicious, just not the best I’ve ever had. I feel like there’s not much you can do with cheese and pasta, but I still enjoy it.
From the time I ordered my food to when it was placed in front of me, I only waited about 10 minutes.
Sugo’s is one of my favorite restaurants in Edwardsville and the perfect place for a dinner with friends or a date night.
Ravanelli’s vibe and flavor make a great dining experience
JANA HAMADE former copy editor
Ravanelli’s Italian Steakhouse and Wine Bar located in Collinsville, presented us with a warm, rustic interior that featured a wide variety of wines, and even huge Italian cakes on display. The restaurant is extremely spacious and includes a bar which is separate from the large seating area.
Our service was excellent and extremely quick, and the menu had a large selection to choose from. I ordered the rigatoni pasta that was also offered to me baked with added cheese, which I did not opt for. We missed the lunch menu by a couple of minutes, unknowingly, which included several menu items for a lower price.
To our pleasant surprise, each main course is also served with a house salad and your choice of dressing, as well as a soup of your choosing. The salad was generous and filling, and the tortellini soup was delicious. The pasta itself used the same sauce as the marinara paired with our garlic bread appetizer, which was slightly too thick and sweet for the pasta in this case. The pasta was cooked well, but I did find myself having to add lots of salt and pepper to balance the flavors out.
Everything waiters brought out also looked delicious, and the person I was eating with chose a sandwich and fries which they enjoyed. Overall, Ravanelli’s tastes like home-cooked food at a good price, as well as great atmosphere and service.
Zia’s Restaurant is the Walgreens of the pasta industry
T. WELTZIN former illustrator
While described as being “on the corner of happy and healthy,” operating on a corner is the only thing Walgreen’s slogan has in common with Zia’s in St. Louis.
Inside, Zia’s has a welcoming atmosphere. Furnished with faux at-home appliances, the restaurant is seemingly attempting to replicate the feeling of grandma’s kitchen. However, these homey add-ons did little to the atmosphere, the restaurant still very much felt like a chain with the mismatched ceiling fan and skylight combo. Apart from the strange vibes, the seating area had, the food was
overall decent.
I ordered the cannelloni and was pleased to receive literal loaves of dipping bread, as my main dish was incredibly saucy. The combination of white and red sauce was better than the pork noodles themselves, with a light savory taste that complimented their bread wonderfully. The noodles were filled with grainy meat that did not taste similar to the sauce in any aspect, though the sauce made up most of the meal. Garnished with a layer of unappealing cheese, this dish was not worth the $19 I spent on it. For the price you’re paying at Zia’s, I would recommend trying another one of their dishes besides pasta.
Cleveland Heath takes mac and cheese to a new level
Located in downtown Edwardsville, Cleveland Heath offers a warm and casual atmosphere with upscale dishes and excellent staff. The restaurant is known for its locally sourced ingredients and seasonally based menu.
The staff were quick and friendly, and even suggested their favorites on the menu — but I already knew what I wanted.
I ordered a side of macaroni and cheese which consisted of a warm blend of sharp cheddar and parmesan cheese on top of classic macaroni pasta. There were also
bread crumbs generously sprinkled on top which added a nice crunch in comparison to the creamy cheese.
Cleveland Heath’s menu changes seasonally so the dishes offered changed based on what is in season, and in the past the restaurant has served other pasta dishes.
Although an $8 plate of macaroni and cheese may seem expensive for a side, the dish comes with plenty for a quick lunch.
However, despite the macaroni and cheese’s delicious taste, it did not wow me enough to choose it over a more affordable grocery store option.
Chloe Wolfe / The Alestle
File photo / The Alestle
File photo / The Alestle
AUDREY O’RENIC sports editor
Audrey O’Renic / The Alestle
T. Weltzin
China King is the king of all Chinese restaurants
MATTHEW WOLDEN copy editor
China King, located in Edwardsville, provides quick service for the food you selected while also providing a good portion of food for a fair price.
I ordered my food for takeout before going to the restaurant. What surprised me was that it only took 10 minutes for the employees to prepare the food. My food ready for me to grab upon my entrance into the restaurant.
As I was in a bit of a hurry, I didn’t
get too much time to evaluate the atmosphere, especially with how quickly I was able to go to the cashier, pay and leave.
I ordered General Tso’s Chicken with an egg roll. The dish was served with a sweet sauce alongside fried rice. As someone who had never tried an egg roll before, I found it pretty good. However, I thought the chicken was a bit too sweet and overpowering for my palate. The fried rice, on the other hand, was great. It mixed incredibly well with the sauce. Overall, it is a great restaurant to grab food quickly and go about your day.
Corner 17 a bustling location and great food, worth the wait
CHLOE WOLFE lifestyles editor
Despite the long wait, Corner 17 is the perfect place after a long day of shopping in University City — just make sure you check in on their website.
Before my friends and I even got there, we made the rookie mistake of not checking in. When we did finally go to check in on the website, the wait time was a whopping 120 minutes. Luckily, there were a ton of things to do in the area.
Since we got there around 7:15 p.m., not much was open, so we opted to spend our time in Vintage Vinyl.
As we were heading back to the car to drop our purchases off, we received a message saying that the hostess would
soon be calling our name and we needed to be there before we lost our spot. We did not end up waiting the whole predicted two hours — it was only an hour and 20 minutes.
Corner 17 is a loud and bustling restaurant so do be warned, but the service is good and quick. You even get to watch the noodle puller do their job through a glass window.
I ordered the sesame chicken as well as the chicken stir-fried noodles to share with the table, which was $30 before a tip. The food was delicious and gorgeous and made for excellent leftovers.
This food is on the more expensive side, but, with the atmosphere, the taste, the service and location, I think it’s worth it. Just make sure to check in first!
Asia Garden offers authentic Chinese hibachi & sushi fusion
CIARA
FOLKERTS
former reporter
Collinsville’s Asia Garden shines as a hidden gem, offering patrons an enticing array of delectable dishes catering to every palate.
Being a picky eater, I was surprised by the variety of choices and affordable prices that Asia Garden had to offer, including hibachi, sushi, ramen and even boba drinks.
I ordered their special Volcano roll that was filled with crab meat, cucumber, avocado and cream cheese. It was topped
with baked spicy crab meat and drizzled with spicy mayo and eel sauce, for the price of $13.95.
The sushi dish was beautifully displayed and lived up to its name, as it was served in a circular ring, resembling a volcano.
The dish erupted with flavor and provided a perfect blend of sweet with a hint of spice.
Although I was hesitant about the spicy crab meat, it was the best part of the dish. It highlighted the fresh and bold taste, marking it as one of the best sushi rolls I’ve ever had.
88 China: Perfect leftovers at a reasonable price
88 China is Granite City’s hidden hole-in-the-wall gem right off of Nameoki Road, and with how tasty it was, I was surprised it wasn’t busier.
88 China is located in a plaza with various stores, making it easy to miss with its nondescript facade. The inside is a clean, beautiful little nook.
The cashier let me take my time looking at the menu. I decided to go with the lobster lo mein and a shrimp egg roll. I went with my girlfriend, who ordered shrimp lo mein, a shrimp egg roll of her own and crab rangoon for both of us.
For two people, it was just less than
$40. I thought that was a lot at first, even after seeing the portion sizes, but I vastly underestimated how filling the meal would be. The price I initially thought was a little steep became a bargain.
The food itself was among the best Chinese food I’ve ever had. It was all freshly made and delivered to us just a few minutes after we ordered. The noodles in my lobster lo mein were the perfect texture, and the lobster bits added a nice flavoring to the overall tapestry of flavor that was this meal.
We asked for take-out containers and took our food home with us. I had lobster lo mein leftovers that night, and it still tasted pretty fresh. 88 China scores high on the reheatability index.
File photo / The Alestle
DYLAN HEMBROUGH editor-in-chief
Dylan Hembrough / The Alestle
Matthew Wolden / The Alestle
Chloe Wolfe / The Alestle
T. Weltzin
Cube Tea Studio offers a trendy environment, good boba
CHLOE WOLFE lifestyles editor
I am not the biggest fan of boba, but Cube Tea Studio’s was delicious, even if I did not get the kind I originally wanted.
When you first walk into the building, you are immediately greeted with ambient lighting and blaring music. If I had been more familiar with boba and what I wanted, this would not have been so jarring.
The ambiance and quick service made up for that though, even if it affected my experience. Due to the loud music, I could barely hear the cashier asking
me what kind of boba I wanted and how sweet I wanted it.
I ended up going with lime lemon yashi fragrant tea with 75 percent less sugar and strawberry popping boba. In total, the drink was $7.38 after tax. Within less than five minutes of ordering, they called my name and we were on our way.
The drink was delicious — earthy with a hint of lemon. I did not enjoy the feeling of the boba, but I did enjoy its taste.
Although I would probably not go back, I have already suggested it to my friends who love boba.
Best Boba Tea: Quick service, warm atmosphere
AUDREY O’RENIC sports editor
Located in west Belleville, Best Boba Tea offers a wide variety of boba tea, lemonades and rolled ice cream.
One thing to note is the confusing business hours. The hours listed on the physical door are listed as 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., whereas their website says 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. I went on a Wednesday afternoon at 3:30 p.m. to be safe.
The restaurant had a minimalistic interior with pink walls and greenery, and I was warmly greeted by the staff.
Because it was Valentine’s Day, I went with the pink strawberry boba. However, I was told that the boba was not done cooking, so I had to choose between the only
available options: mango popping boba or rainbow jelly. I’m not a fan of either, but ultimately went with the rainbow jelly for a total of $6.65.
My boba was capped with a pink seal, and the server even went to the back to get me a pink straw to match.
The drink itself tasted like melted strawberry ice cream; it was delicious and not too sweet. Unfortunately, the rainbow jelly threw me off and I wish I had just asked for no inclusions.
Overall, it’s a fun drink, but I would only get it on occasion due to the price. However, if you are an avid boba drinker, then this is the place to go. Best Boba Tea delivers quick service with a welcoming atmosphere. Just make sure you catch them at a time when the boba is ready.
Bubblecup Tea Zone is the perfect spot for boba beginners
MICHAL KATE CASTLELMAN managing editor
Bubblecup Tea Zone in St. Louis thoroughly impressed me with its large menu, amazing boba and a calm atmosphere.
The store was small, with a few seating options, as well as a photo-op with a couch and a grass wall. The employees were kind and patient with me as I scanned their menu. They offered milk teas, fruit teas, flavored slush and creative snow.
As someone who is new to boba tea, I was grateful for the kindness of the employees at Bubblecup Tea Zone, who were willing to teach me about the many flavors and teas they offered.
I opted for the traditional strawberry milk tea and added boba pearls for an extra $0.50.
At first, I was uneasy about the milk tea, but I am so glad I tried it because I truly loved it. It was so sweet. I especially loved the boba pearls at the bottom.
For pricing, Bubblecup Tea Zone prices are affordable. Some drinks are cheaper than your average Starbucks order. My order was less than $7 before the tip, which is a good price considering the drink was a bit larger than a medium coffee.
I would recommend Bubblecup Tea Zone, especially if you are trying boba for the first time. The options are endless and the environment was welcoming.
Refreshing and sweet, Honey Bee Tea is open late
BRANDI SPANN opinion editor
Honey Bee Tea in St. Louis is the perfect spot to stop for some late-night boba. They’re open until 9 p.m.
I ordered three different drinks for my friends and I, starting with the fresh peach fruit tea. True to its name, the drink was incredibly refreshing. It had fresh fruit slices submerged in the tea. It was a mellow tea, but not too sweet. The Okinawa milk tea with toasted crème brûlée was slightly unmixed, but nothing that couldn’t be fixed by giving the drink a whirl with my straw. It tasted like vanilla — not sweet, but strong. The
tapioca was fantastic and most definitely freshly made. The crème brûlée tasted like whipped vanilla pudding.
The fresh mango green tea with strawberry popping boba had a subtle hint of mango. It was not too sweet and not too overwhelming. It would be the perfect revitalizing drink for studying or relaxing.
There were only a few popping boba flavors, and the drinks were priced between $6 to $9 each.
Located conveniently beside the bustling Brentwood Plaza, stop by World Market, Target or Trader Joe’s after ordering your drink.
T. Weltzin
Michal Kate Castleman / The Alestle
Audrey O’Renic / The Alestle
Brandi Spann / The Alestle
Chloe Wolfe / The Alestle
MARKETS METRO EAST EAST METRO
VINYL edition
Godfrey’s RiverBend Records rocks the local competition
T. WELTZIN former illustrator
If you’re looking for a calm ambiance and good prices, RiverBend Records in Godfrey, Illinois, will not disappoint you.
This unassuming store sits next to a donut shop that was seemingly unoccupied at the time. The record store itself was nearly vacant as well. I walked through the aisles and was pleasantly surprised to find vinyls of my favorite artists that I had never seen in person.
In every aisle, the records were rated with grading scores that helped indicate the price of a record. That being said, I
didn’t see any individual record over the price of $40 and under the price of $5. Every record appeared well-maintained — even the lower-priced ones seemed in near perfect condition despite their rating.
The staff was very helpful in my exploration, answering questions that I usually would’ve been too shy to ask. One of the staff members even knew an artist that no one else I have talked to knew of.
All in all, I would 100 percent go back to RiverBend Records. The staff was incredibly helpful, the ambiance was chill, it wasn’t crowded and I didn’t feel rushed. I ended up getting three brand new albums for only $88.
Planet Score Records is a Maplewood classic
BRANDI SPANN opinion editor
In the Maplewood neighborhood in St. Louis, Planet Score Records is a must-visit.
They have a decent variety of artists and genres available to browse through. I was thrilled to find albums by Joni Mitchell, Phoebe Bridgers and Sinéad O’Connor. Their collection of options is nothing extraordinary, but they will likely carry any classics or popular releases one might be looking for.
The employees were friendly and ac-
commodating. Next to the checkout desk was a pile of new arrivals he was still in the process of pricing. Chappell Roan’s vinyl album “The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess” caught my friend’s eye, and he offered to hurry through processing it so that she could have it.
The prices at Planet Score Records are average. I ended up buying a used CD of Bon Iver’s self-titled album. It cost $7.65 with tax. Most of the CD prices range from $5 to $7. New vinyls are about $30, and used vinyls are about $12.
I left the store satisfied, and I would not turn down the chance to go back again.
You can trust Trusty Chords for high-quality records
DYLAN HEMBROUGH editor-in-chief
Just off Troy Road in Edwardsville is a smaller record shop called Trusty Chords Record Shop you will certainly find yourself immersed in.
The store is cozy and organized very well, with the typical genres like rock, metal, pop, jazz and country adorning the shelves that form a horseshoe shape around the store.
In the middle of the store are a couple more shelves full of CDs, most of which are very reasonably priced. The records themselves are a little on the expensive side.
The store also prominently displays newer works near the cashier’s desk, which is where I bought Hozier’s “Unreal Unearth.” While this was in the neighborhood of $40, I have found other, much cheaper albums. “Chicago IX: Chicago’s Greatest Hits” came in at just a few dollars.
Below the main shelves, there are rows upon rows of $5-or-less records for customers to choose from. I got my fiancée a Doobie Brothers record from this section.
I have never walked out of Trusty Chords disappointed. Even though I couldn’t find a Def Leppard album, Hozier came to the rescue.
Record Exchange worth the hours and allergy medicine
CHLOE WOLFE lifestyles editor
On Hampton Avenue in St. Louis, Record Exchange is a must-visit for music lovers of all ages — just remember to bring some allergy medicine if you are allergic to dust.
With a massive, maze-like collection of affordable, used records, CDs, turntables and stereo systems, if I’m looking for anything pre-2000, this place has it.
Because all the products are used, they are cheaper. But every vinyl I’ve bought from Record Exchange has been usable and in excellent condition.
My only complaint with Record Exchange is the dust. Because the building is
so massive and full of products, it’s obviously difficult to dust. Despite this, I still enjoy wandering around the store.
Record Exchange is a maze but the employees are very good at helping you find anything you could ever need.
I asked an employee where I could find a David Bowie records and he took me to seemingly the only Bowie record in the store, and I ended up purchasing it along with “Diamond Life” by Sade. I only ended up spending around $20 for both.
The reason I keep coming back is the selection, amazing employees and gorgeous store. This is definitely a must if you are ever in the area.
Brandi Spann / The Alestle
File photo / The Alestle
Dylan Hembrough / The Alestle
Chloe Wolfe / The Alestle
MARKETS METRO EAST EAST METRO
Farmer’s market edition
Soulard Farmers Market: The oldest, best market in Metro East
GAVIN RASK photographer
Established in 1779, Soulard Farmers Market is the largest and oldest farmer’s market in St. Louis. I went on a Saturday, their busiest day, with my nephews.
Right from the start, my nephews were eyeing Smitty’s Mini Donuts. The donuts paired nicely with the caramel latte I got from the lemonade booth right next to it.
Throughout the market, the produce looked amazing. I got to sample some grapes from a local vendor, and they were
super sweet and crisp. They even had exotic fruits like star fruit, and my nephews’ favorite, rambutan.
Besides food, you can find a wide range of other items like jewelry, crafts, home decorations and flowers for sale.
The only downside I found was how busy the market was at the time I went. A lot of the time I felt as though I was shoulder to shoulder with other people, and I had to wait in lines to make my purchases.
Despite how busy it was, my nephews and I enjoyed our time and will be going back.
Troy Produce Patch: Small market, big options
DYLAN HEMBROUGH editor-in-chief
From dragon fruit and mangoes to honey and mushrooms, Troy Produce Patch has it all for fair prices.
The market itself is very small and seasonally decorated with an array of pumpkins and gourds, including a fun setup of two life-size skeletons carrying a coffin full of pumpkins.
Upon entering the main market area, the first thing you’ll notice is a tent surrounded by shelves filled with a wide va-
Friendly people, low
riety of items to choose from. There was fairly typical produce like apples, peaches and broccoli, but some more exotic items as well, such as mangoes and dragon fruit.
The market also sold three brands of homemade honey, which I thought was impressive.
I thought the prices were pretty fair. For around $33, my fiancée and I bought three caramel candy apples, three peaches, three kiwis, two enormous mangoes, a large stalk of broccoli, a dragon fruit and a plum.
prices found at Edwardsville’s Goshen Market
TORI WATERS former reporter
The Land of Goshen Community Market is a charming, laid-back farmer’s market where you can find fresh flowers, seasonal produce and coffee — all at reasonable prices.
Located in downtown Edwardsville, and open every Saturday until Oct. 18, the Goshen Community Market is in an ideal spot to attract a crowd.
The tents offered a variety of items, from coffee stands and soap to pottery, fresh vegetables and fruits. There were also homemade cinnamon rolls baked just two hours before the market, beautiful flowers and a selection of homemade desserts and
snacks. The aroma of all these items was indescribable. Hints of cinnamon, coffee, pumpkin and lavender blended together in the air, creating a warm atmosphere.
As I wandered through the market, taking in all of the scents, I came across a charming tent that had a wagon full of colorful pumpkins and vibrant sunflowers. The sunflowers were beautiful and in great condition. I bought five single sunflowers for only $5. The lady working the stand was extremely kind and offered me a bag for my flowers.
I enjoyed my time at the Goshen Community Market. If you are in the mood for homemade goods or flowers and do not want to be bombarded by a massive crowd,
St. Louis’ U City Farmers Market worth the drive
BRANDI SPANN opinion editor
The farmer’s market in University City is a charming, close-knit market with friendly faces and live music.
The market is conveniently tucked away in the parking lot behind the north side of the Delmar Loop. It’s easy to find and provides a small circle of local stands.
Though the market is small, they had a nice variety of fresh vegetables and fruits, hand-printed bags, plants, drinks and spices.
There is a stand in the center where you can pick out a free book and get a library card.
The prices were reasonable, and they are well worth the drive into St. Louis. I purchased a zucchini for $3.50. Most of the options available were within the $5 range.
The market is open Wednesdays 4-7 p.m. and Saturdays from 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. The Delmar Loop has many other shops alongside the farmers market, making it a great destination for a day out.
Gavin Rask / The Alestle
Dylan Hembrough / The Alestle
File photo / The Alestle
Brandi Spann / The Alestle
MARKETS METRO EAST EAST METRO
Bookstore edition
The Book House is straight out of a ‘90s rom-com
BRANDI SPANN opinion editor
The Book House in Maplewood, Missouri, is a charming bookstore with a wide selection of new and used books.
There were a few sliding ladders around the shelves and a cat weaving in and out of the displays. The store was crowded from floor to ceiling with books from a variety of genres.
There were rare books, vintage children’s books, books on fashion, religion, business, theory and travel. They had new releases, a young adult display, comic books and a selection of bargain books for $5 or less.
The prices of the used books did
not seem to be marked down, but otherwise, their prices averaged between $12$20. The rare and vintage books were priced higher.
It seemed small from the exterior, but once I stepped inside, the nooks and crannies went deep into the two-story building.
While I was shopping, the employees were in the process of training a new hire, and it was clear that they had extensive knowledge on the quality of the books and the strategic placement of genres around the store. The Book House felt cherished and cared for.
I left with a copy of Colson Whitehead’s “The Nickel Boys,” and I would absolutely return to peruse the shelves again.
Afterwords Books: A small but mighty local bookstore
MATTHEW WOLDEN copy editor
Afterwords Books, located in Edwardsville, offers a charming vibe in its quaint yellow house.
The store’s weakest feature is its size, but everything else is great. The many shelves with different categories of books allowed for inside the store to look bright and colorful. They have a historical section, a horror section, a fiction section and more. It is a bit difficult to tell where each section is, as most of the sections are held in one room that is relatively small, and the sec-
tions are shelf-based.
Due to the small size of the store, I did need to ask for some help in properly navigating the area, as the shelves weren’t labeled. Fortunately, an employee was able to explain all parts of the store to me that I wasn’t well aware of, such as a one-dollar book spot that is swapped out with new books every now and again. They also had trinkets you could buy in the check-out area, but I wasn’t interested in them.
I would definitely visit Afterwords Books again with my friends. On my next visit, hopefully I’ll find a book that captures my eye in the dollar section.
The Novel Neighbor: St. Louis’s bookstore gem
MICHAL KATE CASTLEMAN managing editor
Located on the corner of Big Bend Boulevard in St. Louis, The Novel Neighbor is a warm, welcoming bookstore.
I visited The Novel Neighbor on a Sunday afternoon. While the store was busy, there were many employees who were helpful and ready to answer any questions one may have.
While the store is smaller than other bookstores, they offer a wonderful selection. There were a couple of featured sections, such as a shelf of staff picks, a large table of books by Black authors for
Black History Month and a selection of banned books.
The store was well-organized. It was easy to navigate the different genres and find my way around the store.
I was able to find a book called “The Magicians” by Lev Grossman. I had been searching for this book for a long time, and I was happy to have found it at The Novel Neighbor. The book was $19, which I found to be well-priced for a paperback book.
Overall, I loved my visit to The Novel Neighbor. The store is a wonderful spot in the Metro East area.
Dunaway Books is a unique bookstore with a classical flair
GAVIN RASK photographer
On Grand Boulevard, you’ll find a cozy bookstore filled with a large variety of used books.
Upon entering I was greeted by Leo, the sweetest puppy, wrapped in a cheetah print coat. The store itself had three floors filled with rows of books. They have everything from science fiction to early world history.
Directly left of the entrance was a row of books about St. Louis history. One book that caught my eye was “The Hu-
mans of St. Louis.” It contained stories and photos from local residents.
The bookstore itself was cozy with different pieces of artwork hung about. There were a couple of chairs you could sit in while looking at the books.
One thing that sets Dunaway Books apart from other bookstores is that quite a few of their used books are autographed by the author. Also since the books are second-hand, they are heavily discounted, making them a perfect gift. Dunaway Books should definitely be on your list to check out when you’re in the area.
