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EASTERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY CHARLESTON, ILL. D A I LY E A S T E R N N E W S . C O M T WIT TER.COM/DENNE WS
Artist explains alternate universe ‘Kcymaerxthaere’
Basketball defeats Loyola on last second alley-oop
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COMPETITION
STUDENT SENATE
Mr. Essence declared
Gender-neutral housing proposed
By Rachel Rodgers Administration Editor
A student presented his concern for the lack of gender-neutral housing available on campus at the weekly Student Senate meeting. Nico Canaday, a senior English major and president of EIU Pride, said he thinks it would be beneficial to Eastern to provide a gender-neutral housing option to students. “Over the years I have noticed that there is a distinct lack of safe housing for some students on campus, specifically people who are transgender,” Canaday said. “The reality is that not everyone defines themselves as simply male or female and Eastern could do well to implement housing programs for people who are transgender.” He asked the student senate members to consider contracting a survey to poll the student body to assess how people would feel about implementing gender-neutral housing. “I think this would be a great opportunity for the Student Senate to get involved directly with the student body,” Canaday said. “If we of-
Fewer contestants makes competition head-to-head affair, Tyms victorious By Andrew Crivilare Staff Reporter
Two sets of tuxes, costumes, and talents were on display at the 10th annual Essence of Man Competition Wednesday. The Black Student Union sponsored the pageant-style competition, which featured two contenders in a head-to-head contest, where the winner took home the title of Mr. Essence. BSU Parliamentarian Joyce Lennix said there are usually more than two participants in the Essence of Man Competition, but the level of skill and talent the competition requires may have warded other entrants away. “It’s very competitive,” she said. “It can be intimidating.” BSU President Andre Allen said contestants Brian Hannah, a junior economics major, and Darnell Tyms, a sophomore English and communication studies major, displayed a level of talent that may encourage other young men to enter the competition next year. “I know that next year we can build off of that talent,” Allen said. “We’re trying to put the pageant on a larger scale.” Allen said the small number of participants did not hamper the evening, and the competition was still able to be a diverse display of talent. “This is one of the best shows we’ve had,” Allen said. “Each contestant had unique talents.” Essence of Man judge LaVeasey Carter said he expected the low number of participants to make for a more intimate experience between the contestants and the audience, giving Hannah and Tyms a chance to display the talents that represent Eastern. “This is a showcase for our in-
NOVEMBER 17, 2011
fer housing for the LGBT community and specifically transgender people, I think it would draw in more students, more diversity and more money to the university.” Nick Ferry, a sophomore biological sciences major and a student senate member, asked Canaday if he thought gender-neutral housing would cause segregation with the LGBT students. “I don’t necessarily think it would be considered segregation so much as it would be to nurture a community with much needed support,” Canaday said. “This would also project a better image of progressiveness and exclusivity that I think right now is lacking.” Lindsey Luttrell, a corporate communications major and a student senate member, asked Canaday if coed housing would be sufficient. “It is a possibility and designating an entire floor could also be a possibility,” Canaday said, “I am here to raise awareness about the need for this issue and ask the Student Senate to help EIU Pride in creating a discourse for this.” ‘SENATE,’ page 5
CIT Y
K AROLINA STR ACK | THE DAILY EASTERN NE WS
A man walks past the now defunct historic U.S. Post Office located off Sixth Street on Wednesday. Starting Nov. 14 the historic building located to the town’s square closed its doors to retail patrons and moved its operations to 667 Windsor Road on the northwest edge of town. KIMBERLY FOSTER | THE DAILY EASTERN NE WS
Darnell Tyms, winner of the 2011 Essence of a Man competition, performs Wednesday during the 10th annual pageant in the Grand Ballroom of the Martin Luther King Jr. University Union. Tyms, a sophomore communication studies and English major, will be the first winner to receive a scholarship for winning the title.
stitution, it’s a showcase for how we develop our students,” Carter said. The judges divided their support between both Tyms and Hannah. The audience, however, ultimately voted in favor of Tyms, winning him the title of Mr. Essence. Tyms said the competition was difficult, but ultimately a worthwhile task. “It’s been great to see all this hard work and late nights have an outcome,” Tyms said. Tyms said he has known Hannah
since the sixth grade, and that it made for an interesting dynamic backstage. “There’s no hurt feelings,” Tyms said. “We’re used to bash talking.” Tyms said the competition is great for minority students as well as the university as a whole. “It show cases talents of minority men on campus, which is something that needs to be seen more,” Tyms said. Andrew Crivilare can be reached at 581-2812 or ajcrivilare@eiu.edu.
Commission ponders use of old post office By Brittany Floyd Staff Reporter
By consolidating Charleston’s two post offices into one location, the question of what to do with the left behind post office building at 320 Sixth St., near the square still remains. The new, and soon to be only, location for Charleston’s post office in the Northwest Business Park is at 667 Windsor Rd. The site has raised some concern, not only for members of the community, but as well for the Charleston Historic Preservation Commission. “The new location will have an impact on all users of the facility,” Kit
Morice, chairman of the Charleston Historic Preservation Commission, said. The location is much farther from the center of town and is not easily walk able nor safe to ride a bike to since it’s off a two-lane highway.” Morice said the commission became involved in preserving the post office at Sixth Street in 2009 when it was rumored it might be sold to the neighboring Huck’s Convenient Food Store to be demolished to expand Huck’s. Huck’s is located next to the post office and generally has a good amount of business, Morice said. ‘POST OFFICE,’ page 5