2015.11.2

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BREAKING RECORDS

The Eastern football team defeated Murray State, 34-20, Saturday. PAGE 8

GLOBAL GLAM

The GLAM fashion show modeled clothing inspired by the seven continents Saturday. PAGE 3

THE

D aily E astern N ews ü

Monday, November 2, 2015 “TELL THE TRUTH AND DON’T BE AFRAID” C E L E BRATI NG A CE NTUR Y OF COV E RA GE 19 15- 201 5

VOL. 100 | NO. 50 W W W . D A I L YE A S TE R N N E W S . C O M

Officials respond to reported shots fired Staff Report | @DEN_News

Both the Charleston Police Department and Eastern President David Glassman issued public statements regarding recent local crimes including the reports of shots fired in the community on Thursday. An EIU Alert sent via text message and email to the campus community reported shots fired at 7 p.m. Thursday in the 1800 block of 10th Street near the Garfield Avenue intersection. The alert described shots allegedly fired into a beige-colored vehicle by a pedestrian wearing dark clothing. Crime scene technicians retrieved .380 casings from the scene. Witnesses reported seeing a slender figure wearing a hooded sweatshirt; witnesses also reported a light-colored sedan with tinted windows and loud exhaust leaving the area. Charleston Police Chief Bryan Baker posted a letter on the department’s Facebook page giving an update about reported high profile crimes, including the shots fired Thursday, the home invasion that took place on Oct. 23 and the string of armed robberies that occurred through September and October. “The reported shots fired during the evening of Oct. 29 in the area of 10th and Garfield is also being investigated and will be pursued with no less effort than the other cases,” Baker stated on Facebook. Baker also addressed the fight occurring at the Charleston Wal-Mart on Oct. 24 involving several people. The letter states the Charleston Police Department and the University Police Department are working on identifying the individuals in the Wal-Mart fight. “It is expected that this investigation will be just as successful as the others,” the letter states. The letter states all suspects in the string of armed robberies have been arrested. All suspects in the home invasion have been arrested as well. Glassman released an email statement Friday indicating that the University Police Department is taking care to provide a safe campus and will continue to do so with increased foot and bike patrols. He said the safety of Eastern students, faculty and staff is highly important. “Families send their children to us expecting a quality learning environment within a safe community—we will not let them down,” Glassman said. Glassman said students are expected to carry themselves in a certain manner to attend the university. “We expect our students to adhere to our Student Conduct Code and those who do not may be dismissed,” Glassman said. “Eastern Illinois University has a proud history of producing alumni who contribute much to Charleston, their home communities, their state and their nation—we expect nothing less of our current students.” Anyone with information regarding crimes is asked to contact the Charleston Police Department at 217-345-8422 or through a Facebook message. Information can also be left at the University Police Department at 217-581-3212 or by contacting Coles County Crime Stoppers at 866-345-8488.

JASON HOWELL | THE DAILY EASTERN NE WS

A vehicle sits on Sixth Street with slashed tires on Sunday. Officer Joel Shute of the Charleston Police Department said at least 10 cars between Sixth and 10th streets had one or more tires slashed. Multiple officers roamed the streets locating cars and their owners. Tire slashing has been typically associated with juveniles, but the suspects and motive are currently not known.

Weekend sees worries of potential crime By Roberto Hodge News Editor | @DEN_News In light of recent off-campus crime happening in Charleston, Eastern students worried of the rumor spreading in regards to possible gang retaliation during Halloween weekend. Jenny Cisneros, a freshman pre-physical therapy major, said the rumors she heard about what would happen at Eastern were scary, and she believed there would be a shooting. “I’m not saying there is going to be a mass shooting, but you never know,” Cisneros said. Charleston Police Department Lt. Brad Oyer said Friday that the department was fully aware of the rumor but could not validate it; however, officials take all rumors seriously. Oyer said there was no way to determine if the rumor started because of the shots fired in Charleston

Thursday evening or the recent fight at Wal-Mart. Oyer said officers would be vigilant and on patrol all weekend because it was Halloween. “It’s easy to start a rumor,” Oyer said. “We take the safety of Charleston, Eastern (and) students very seriously.” Grayson Proffitt, a freshman music major, said he did not believe the hype of the gangs traveling down to Eastern. “Just from my personal views and ideas I don’t believe that there’s anyone coming down from Chicago that’s going to cause more of a ruckus that has already been going on,” Proffitt said. Proffitt also said he thought the rumors started from people trying to prove they were tougher than they actually are. “I think that everyone should still be worried about your own safety no matter what’s going on,” Proffit said. “But as far as gang stuff, I don’t believe

anyone should be scared.” Oyer said students need to keep alert and not always be on their phones while walking. They should also know their surroundings and travel in well-lit areas in pairs. As of press time, no gang violence over the Halloween weekend has been reported. However, Joel Shute, a CPD officer, said Sunday that about 10 cars had their ties slashed over the weekend from Lincoln and Taylor Avenue between Sixth and 10th streets. Shute said typically tire slashing is associated with juveniles, but the suspects are currently unknown. T’Nerra Butler and Jason Howell contributed to this article Roberto Hodge can be reached at 581-2812 or rlhodge@eiu.edu.

Incidents cause postponement of party By T’Nerra Butler Multicultural Editor | @DEN_News A party “Fright Night: Costume Party,” which was being hosted by Zeta Phi Beta sorority in the Martin Luther King Jr. University Union, was postponed because of the recent incidents of violence off campus. Dan Nadler, the vice president of student affairs, sent an email Friday to Yolanda Williams, a Gateway adviser and Mona Davenport, the director of the Minority Affairs Office, stating the party would be rescheduled. Members of the sorority said the reason for the quick postponement was because of the recent fight

at Wal-Mart and the report of shots fired Thursday night. Jessica Stallworth, the vice president of Zeta Phi Beta sorority, went to Old Main to negotiate a way for the party to continue. Stallworth said because of security measures already in place at Union parties, security could easily handle any threat. Melanie Dyer, the president of Zeta Phi Beta sorority, said Greeks are still being penalized from the 2013 Barn Party incident, which ended in two people being sent to the hospital with non-fatal gunshot wounds. Dyer said if the university lives in fear, it would not

be able to progress. Jeannie Ludlow, the coordinator of the women’s studies department, said she talked to a couple of her students about the “blame game” going on at Eastern. “I just talked about this issue in my class today and the students were telling me that they feel suspected and blamed when violence happens,” Ludlow said. “And this only makes that worse.” Nadler was not available for comment as of press time. T’Nerra Butler can be reached at 581-2812 or tabutler@eiu.edu.

5k raises funds for multiple sclerosis By Analicia Haynes Staff Reporter | @DEN_News The third annual Zombie 5k Run hosted by the Society for Human Resource Management, took place on Oct. 31 at 1 p.m. on the Panther Trail.

The event started in 2013 as a school project, but grew into a fundraiser for multiple sclerosis when the former president, said she lived with the disease, according to the Zombie 5k Run website. Multiple sclerosis is a disease of the central nervous system that hinders the flow of information

within the brain and between the brain and body, according to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society website. The SHRM decided to dedicate the project to her.

5K, page 6


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