Daily Egyptian WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2016
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VOL. 100 ISSUE 102
SIU president describes changing ‘covenant’ between Illinois, public universities BILL LUKITSCH | @LukitsBill
SIU President Randy Dunn on Monday used broad strokes to describe the future of the university and its branch campuses during his State of the System address, speaking generally about a reshaping of the “covenant” between Illinois and its public universities. The speech strayed from an action plan like the one Dunn announced in 2015, when he outlined tactics that would allow the university to “limp through” a stagnant session in Springfield. Instead, he suggested ways for the university system to continue its core mission despite a departure from the perception of higher education as an investment in the state’s workforce. “As we move away from that, the tactics aren’t going to work,” he said. Dunn pointed to the possibility that the state could dictate the number of degree programs offered at public universities, the level of state support matched with tuition costs and, possibly, how many higher learning institutions continue to exist. That the “dismantling” of some public universities has been allowed
to persist is indicative, he said, of such change. He added that the uncertainty of a state budget and whether progress will be made during a lame-duck session following the General Election keeps the fiscal future of the university unpredictable. “We have no more clarity today than we did a year ago on how this gamesmanship is going to play out till the bitter end,” he said. However, he clarified that SIU will continue to maintain its core mission of education. Public universities have struggled to continue operating at previous levels following a drop in state funding paired with lower enrollment. The two stopgap budgets passed by the state Legislature in 2016 totaled $83 million in state support for the university. The operational funding loss amounted to an $18 million cut from the previous year at SIUC. Dunn described the situation of higher education in Illinois as “traumatic” and said the impact has taken a toll on university system employees, particularly non-tenured professors and those who receive grant scholarships.
Anna Spoerre | @annaspoerre Alicia Hammond, a junior from Kankakee studying healthcare management, swings beside her son, Ryan Simington Jr., 4, Monday at Lenus Turley Park in Carbondale. Hammond, a single mother and a full-time student, recently started her own clothing line called Secrets. "I keep it on the cheaper side," she said of her products, which she sells for less than $20. "I don't want to break anyone's pockets more than the school does." At night, after her son goes to bed, Hammond also works at NeuroRestorative in Carbondale. "I had a child in high school," Hammond said. "A lot of people probably doubted me and thought I wasn't going to do anything, but I never let that get in the way."
SIU student entrepreneur, mom, builds a new brand with style DIAMOND JONES | @_DimeWrites
SIU student Alicia Hammond’s day consists of parenting, classes and an overnight job assisting brain injury patients — all while aiming to become Please see PRESIDENT | 4 the next fashion icon.
In September, Hammond launched her own business, a clothing line called “Secrets.” The line is a way for others to “unlock different and unique styles,” she said, but more so, for her to express her love for fashion and to generate extra income to provide for her 4-year-old son.
“I’ve always loved fashion,” said Hammond, a junior from Kankakee studying healthcare management. “I thought, what if I started creating the stuff that I wear and maybe people will buy it? They seem to like my style.” Please see FASHION | 8