BURST Magazine – Spring 2023

BURST

Evolutions: The Communities We Build

Staff

Editor-in-Chief

Page Shields

Assistant Editor

Eden Niebrugge

Writers Creatives

Kayli Biros

Morgan Beutler

Kim Boyd

Lily Bryson

Cora Carr

A’majeine Carson

Kocha Changelia

Judith Llobera

Aven Mrosko

Sophie Nicholson

Eden Niebrugge

Claire Reynolds

Alyssa Saterfield

Page Shields

Diana Terneus

Kyra Brown

Skylar Copeland

Keegan Gephart

Divine Iinshuti

Samantha Keza

Rosy Lentini

Emily Lux

Logan McCormick

Kaitlyn Mayer

Julia Mlynowski

Alex MorenodelRio

Jimmy Orsund

Fred Semana

Zariah Wherry

Nick Zhou

Faculty Editorial Advisor

Dr. Julie Bates

Faculty Design Advisor

Professor Jessa Wilcoxen

Letter the Editor from

Dear readers,

Every article in BURST serves to connect our readers to a greater community. Whether it’s about a student organization on campus, a local animal rescue or a national movement for change, each story inside allows us to “burst” a little further out of the Milli-bubble. The student–writers featured in this issue have given us a path to step into the communities they feel most passionately about, bringing us right to the center of global issues while also recognizing the incredible feats taking place in our very own backyard.

“Evolutions: The Communities We Build” is a tribute to these connections between ourselves as individuals and the world around us, between our present and our past, between the progress we see and progress still yet to be made. Another iteration in BURST’s own evolutions, this issue allows us to reflect, reignite our passions and share our gratitude for what has molded us along the way.

I urge you to read with your own link in this chain of community in mind. Consider what your communities have given you, or how you might get involved, give back or establish community where it is lacking. We are our evolutions, and now is the time to embrace them.

All the best, Page Shields

Editor-in-Chief

Rescuing Friendship

By: Sophie Nicholson and Page Shields

It all started with a little bearded dragon who needed help. Now, one Decatur woman is changing the lives of reptile lovers across the Midwest.

Rainey Miller refuses to turn away a reptile in need. The owner of Copper’s Friends Bearded Dragons, Miller runs the only reptile-focused animal rescue in the state of Illinois. Miller takes in, rehabilitates and adopts out surrendered animals entirely on her own. “It’s insane how many people in Central Illinois have

The demand for Miller’s work has overwhelmed her expectations. What started as an act of kindness for a friend with a sick pet has turned into a full-time job as she takes on requests from across the Midwest. “I expected maybe one or two here and there, but I’ll adopt out one and get three more the next day,” Miller says.

Despite this financial strain, Copper’s Friends isn’t closing any time soon. Miller will not leave any animal uncared for — even if she has no prior experience with the species. The rescue may be focused on reptile rehabilitation, but Miller also has successfully researched and rehabilitated countless other animals.

“I’ve had ferrets and guinea pigs and all kinds of stuff come in and I can’t say no,” she says. “Then there was a lady with a tarantula. I’m absolutely terrified of spiders, but I’m gonna be a mature adult rescue person!”

The heartwarming stories of animals finding their forever homes are what truly keep Miller going. “[One client] sent me a message a couple of days later in tears because her teenage daughter had been suicidal for quite awhile. She’s like,

‘This is the first time I have seen her smile in six months because of this bearded dragon,’” Miller says. Morgan Beutler, a sophomore at Millikin University, recently adopted a bearded dragon from Copper’s Friends. Miller helped her pick out all of the proper supplies and sent her home with her new best friend — a relationship that has greatly benefited the student’s mental health. “I love my lizard so much,” Beutler says. “She’s become something to take care of that gives me a reason to take care of myself.” By nursing these creatures back to health, Miller has given her community the invaluable gift of companionship — a gift she continues giving each time one of her rescues sits in someone’s lap or plucks some lettuce from a child’s fingers. “They think I’m a miracle worker,” Miller says. “I just do what I can.”

more information.

Find Copper’s Friends Bearded Dragon Rescue on Facebook at @coppersbeardedfriends for

An Untold Story of the Decatur Streets

Homelessness has become a crisis in America, an epidemic of national neglect. In the small city of Decatur, Illinois, however, a community of leaders is working to make their home the exception.

By: Page Shields

A family at the store, unable to afford their groceries. Exhausted students begging for a third job to fund their education. Makeshift shelters at the base of corporate structures. For many Americans, acknowledging tragedy has become a part of the daily routine. Growing discouraged is inevitable.

Resilient individuals make all the difference. Despite national homelessness increasing drastically since 2016, community organizations in Decatur, Illinois, have fought back

against this trend. The number of unhoused individuals in the city has made an impressive drop and is now less than half of what it was a decade ago.

Homeward Bound, one outreach program born from the local nonprofit Dove, Inc., has played a major part in this progress. Since 1995, Homeward Bound has served as a centralized intake location for the area. Program representatives do everything they can to meet the needs of their clients, whether that means finding them a specialized care program or a bed to sleep in.

Charo Covington, the director of the Homeward Bound program, believes this commitment to be the most valuable part of their work — rather than providing housing for one night and then sending clients off with a “good luck,” they give consistent support. “We discuss people that are critically homeless once a week that we need to get housed, so they don’t slip through the cracks,” she says. “We try to keep an eye on everyone that we’ve met with.”

But these devoted workers don’t just sit around behind a desk and wait for clients to come to them. Homeward Bound goes out into the community, and through twiceweekly outreach trips, they make direct contact with those who may need their help.

Homeward Bound works to have their clients back on their

feet within two years of when they begin working together. Within that period, workers help them find a job, maintain housing and develop life skills like budgeting. “We never want to set somebody up for failure,” she says.

Above all else, Dove Inc.’s Homeward Bound program is a support system, one that far too few members of the Macon County community know about. “It’s an untold story — a success that’s been happening quietly, without fanfare, in the streets of our community,” says Covington. It’s time this story of progress is told.

Looking to support Homeward Bound?

Donate

New furniture, blankets, cleaning supplies and food are always needed to support clients.

Partner

If you know of landlords who may be interested in partnering with the program to provide housing to those in need, contact (217) 362-7700.

Contact

If you know of or see any individual who may be in need of Homeward Bound’s Services, call (217) 706-6614 for 24-hour outreach.

Six Authors and the Communities They Built

Great books and best-selling authors make connections through their writing. With romance, heroes and relatability, these writers’ works have jumped off the page and into devoted communities.

By: Kim Boyd

There are tens of thousands of fictional novels in the world, tens of thousands of fictional universes for readers to explore. These six authors are masters of their craft, bringing audiences back across generations.

1. Dr. Suess

Theodor Suess Geisel revolutionized children’s literature. “Dr. Suess used silly things like rhymes and ridiculous names, which is playful, but he simultaneously talked about serious issues, which has caused some controversy,” says Kaitlin Glause, a children’s literature professor at Millikin. His work raises important subject matter in a way that’s digestible for children and rhymeloving adults alike.

2. J.R.R. Tolkien

J.R.R. Tolkien is the creator of “The Hobbit” and “The Lord of the Rings.” Tolkien’s inspiration comes from his military experience, a troubling time out of which he built a fantasy community. It’s inspired by real-life events like war and loss — human subjects that were easy for his audience to connect to.

3. James Patterson

James Patterson is most known for his mystery novels like “Alex Cross” and “The Women's Murder Club.” Patterson is mainly inspired by events in his own life, creating his own society within the community of mystery lovers. “Patterson’s work made him into a brand,” Tony Magagna, a literature professor at Millikin University, says.

4. Suzanne Collins

Suzanne Collins is best known for writing the dystopian science fiction novel series “The Hunger Games.” Magagna says, “Collins’s work featured a female protagonist, which was groundbreaking at [her] time.” Collins defied unwritten rules when it came to writing science fiction, creating a devoted fan base that followed her literature and its consequential film franchise.

5. Jeff Kinney

Jeff Kinney is best known for creating the 17-novel series “Diary of a Wimpy Kid,” which focuses on the awkward experiences of a middle schooler. Kinney’s novels provide a sort of support group for this age group, helping young people feel less alone in their experiences.

6. E.B.White

E.B. White is most known for the children’s books “Stuart Little” and “Charlotte’s Web,” majorly impacting many young people’s childhoods. Glause says, “White built a community that featured anthropomorphism in a way that made animals empathic and that dealt with social issues,” something that other children’s authors had never done before.

Havens Women’sForHealth

As the world faces new threats to women’s healthcare, local health resources provide a beacon of light for the community.

By: Alyssa Satterfield

In the wake of current issues revolving around women’s health, community resources are more important than ever. One, HSHS St. Mary’s Benifi Women’s Center, has provided a range of services such as gynecological care, birth control, sexual diseases testing and other health-related matters. The center also provided care before, during and after pregnancy, supporting patients through their complete journey. Now, the Benefi Women’s Center is closing its doors, but HSHS St. Mary’s still has a variety of resources available to women.

Morgan Bailey, a senior nursing major at Millikin University, has had the opportunity to work at the women’s center on a clinical day as a part of the pediatric obstetrics nursing class at Millikin. She was able to witness firsthand the various levels of care these providers give every day, with some patients coming in for a prenatal

visit and others for their annual Pap smear. “The environment was very welcoming and we got to see a diverse population,” she says of the experience.

Another resource available for the community is the Crossings Clinic, which has partnered with HSHS Medical Group. This is a significant resource for the community because Crossings is a federally-qualified health center. This means that they provide care regardless of a patient’s insurance or Medicaid status. Giving a patient a safe space where they can receive routine tests and get help with monitoring risk factors can help decrease the wait for individuals receiving the help they need.

As a nursing student, Millikin senior Nanami Owada has witnessed firsthand the impact Crossings has

on the Decatur community through her clinicals assignments. “Those staff may become the biggest support system that will help their clients get through their long battle,” she says. Being able to destigmatize these services can help individuals continue to seek care that is important to their health. These providers are dedicated to helping provide collaborative, evidencebased physical and mental health care to patients.

Kim Schneider at (844) 520-8897.

Big Blue

By: Judith Llobera

Pantry

With extra COVID benefits ending and inflation increasing food prices, the Millikin community needs to know — now more than ever — that the Big Blue Pantry is willing to help combat food insecurity on campus.

During the 2018–2019 school year, the Big Blue Pantry came to life as the first-ever food pantry at Millikin University. Located in Blackburn Hall, it provides assistance to students in need of food-related relief. Unfortunately, only a year after the food pantry opened, the COVID-19 pandemic hit and everything shut down. This immediately limited demand for the pantry, as many students left campus, and many others started receiving extra COVID-19 benefits from the government.

While Millikin implemented remote learning, very few people accessed the pantry services. Now, however, with the pandemic benefits coming to an end and food prices skyrocketing because of postpandemic inflation, access to food is hard for many low-income students. Luckily, the pandemic lockdown gave the pantry staff an opportunity to practice and prepare for the aftermath.

Still, Marty Brilley, director of the Big Blue Pantry, worries about students’ reluctance to use the pantry services. He points out that there are different types of food-insecure students and that the

pantry’s biggest challenge is “letting those students know that [they] have enough supply to help them regardless of their level of need.” Some students might need the services temporarily because of an extraordinary situation, some might need it occasionally, and others might need it chronically. Whatever the case is, the pantry is ready to help students overcome it.

Sharing Brilley’s worry, Tessa Wiegand, the pantry student operations manager, says, “We all have our own things that we struggle with. [The students] just need extra help and that’s okay.” Food insecurity within college campuses is still surrounded by a lot of stigma, but the pandemic has worsened the situation for many students. It is time to let them know that asking for help is not for the weak.

The pantry offers an assortment of items, mainly food — breakfast food, canned products, pasta, frozen food, some fruits and vegetables,

snacks and beverages — but also school supplies and hygiene and pain relief products. All of these items are donated to the pantry by university administrators, staff and faculty through the ‘Pantry Pal’ program or through food drives conducted by pantry partners, as authorized by the

Students interested in using the pantry’s services can visit the Campus Life Office or the Big Blue Pantry’s website at

INSIDE OUT

BURSTINGINTO THEMILLI-BUBBLE

High school students, ready to take their ACT, crowded through the front doors of Shilling Hall. They craned their necks in awe at the marble accents and elegant architecture. A gaggle of 17-year-olds lamenting that they’d never be able to afford an education there, a community that exists insulated within their own, but completely inaccessible.

Now, the Macon Matters scholarship is changing everything. Introduced in 2018, the program is available to students living in Macon County, students of Macon County high schools and students transferring to Millikin from Richland Community College. Without it, many local students would be unable to attend Millikin.

Jake Deetz, a junior theatre and performance major from Blue

Mound, is currently attending Millikin with the help of the Macon Matters scholarship. “In the beginning, it felt like I was such an outcast, and I just didn’t belong,” Deetz says of his first semester at Millikin. “It just felt constantly like, ‘I don’t belong here, I’m not good enough to be here, these people are so much better than me.’” It’s strange to feel like an outsider in a place that you’ve walked and driven by every day since you were a child.

Deetz also spoke of the disparity in resources available to students who are able to afford a Millikin education and those who are only able to attend with the help of a scholarship. “When you’re auditioning to get into a musical theatre BFA program, you need to show them you know how to act, sing and dance. And as someone from around here, I never had the chance to take dance lessons or vocal lessons. I was never able to talk to people about where to find

good monologues or anything. This is an area where we’re lucky to go to a high school that even has a drama program, so people who came from other places and have more money have a huge advantage.” For Deetz and many other local students, it feels like they’ve spent their college years working twice as hard to make up for the support they were never given.

Though the university is now offering a way for local workingclass students to obtain a Millikin education, there is still much to be done to bridge the gap between the campus community and the community that surrounds the campus. For now, the student body is still divided into two categories: the ones within and the ones without.

Inthepast,localhighschoolstudents’economic status has often excluded them from Millikin.The MaconMattersscholarshipischangingthat,but there is still work to be done.

By:ClaireReynolds

Accounting for Anonymity

Millikin University may be a small campus, yet through the power of social media, satireloving students have no shortage of content.

By: Aven Mrosko

Imagine listening to classmates and friends talk about a recent Instagram post. It resonates with them. They think it’s funny enough to share with the professor. What they don’t know is that it’s you who made it. This is the experience of the Millikin students who maintain an anonymous social media presence.

mulitterbugs began their account in October 2021. The account is dedicated to keeping trash off the sidewalks through rather unusual methods: They post pictures of receipts from dining options on campus. And those receipts have names. If a student named, say, Quartus Rassi, failed to dispose of their receipt in the proper fashion, someone could take a picture of the receipt they found on the ground and submit it to mulitterbugs. Then, the account tags the original owner of the receipt that was dropped, calling them out.

It seems that public shaming works. The fear of being posted to mulitterbugs has completely infected

the campus, and students have begun learning to take better care of their trash. They haven’t learned enough yet, though — the account hasn’t slowed in its posting.

When asked who began the account, mulitterbugs has one answer for their community: “We are all MULITTERBUGS. Our fans make this job a breeze, and though it is our litterbugs that keep us in business, we hope to one day see a campus free of them and their disgusting litter.”

But the content doesn’t stop there. Perhaps the most popular Millikin-focused account began in August 2021. A parody of inspirational influencers, millikinaffirmations takes a Big Blue spin on the positive “affirmations” meant to help viewers manifest their ideal world — a world that, in this case, deals with the worries of an everyday Millikin student.

“The Microsoft Teams interface is so visually pleasing to me,” one post reads, shared after

the schoolwide shift from Zoom to Microsoft Teams meetings. “I have retained all of the necessary information for my final exams,” says another, posted during finals week. A Millikin student themself, the account’s creator is plenty familiar with these challenges and planned to use millikinaffirmations as a place to vent. They were surprised when they began to amass hundreds of followers.

“Millikin, with its tiny community and many inconveniences, is a great place to try to be funny,” the creator says.

Despite fans’ hopes, millikinaffirmations wishes to remain anonymous and does not plan on passing the account to another student upon their graduation.

Part of the account’s charm is in its anonymity, though — no matter where you are on campus, you’ll never know if the person next to you is the one posting.

Through shared posts and story uploads, these accounts have become a medium for connecting with others within Millikin University. It’s a way to look at public content and say, “Oh, yeah. I feel that too,” or “I know that person!” and to instantly feel a sense of community at school. Just make sure to never drop your Domino’s receipt — then you’ll really feel how strong of a community this is.

“I don’t know why people are so keen to put the details of their private life in public; they forget that invisibility is a superpower.”

— Banksy

Toward Inclusive Cartoons

By: Cora Carr

Over the past two decades, our culture has made massive strides in telling stories beyond those of cisgender, white, straight men. But still, there is work to be done in not only diversifying representation, but also having a compelling story along with it. A few movies and TV shows today are proving that telling inclusive stories and telling good stories is indeed possible.

In 2018, Netflix made major strides with their modern adaptation of the ’80s cartoon “She-Ra.” While the original was associated with a toy brand, the reboot had no such limitation and revamped the characters’ appearances. The creative team was able to integrate more body types and skin colors into the main cast, breaking down barriers and expanding an incredible story to make it inclusive.

“She-Ra” made a particularly notable impact within the queer community, featuring one of the first cartoon characters who identifies outside of the gender binary. Double Trouble is a nonbinary shapeshifter in the show and is a well-rounded, confident character — someone who young queer people can see as a role model.

Similar strides can be seen with the original work of Disney’s

“The Owl House.” In some shows with queer representation, the representation does not appear until the tail end of their run — sometimes even waiting until the last episode, as in the case of “She-Ra.” Yet “The Owl House” negates this by having the two main characters in the show begin dating midway through its second season. The main character, Luz, is canonically bisexual, and her girlfriend, Amity, is canonically lesbian.

This progress has made the show a favorite within the LGBTQ+ community. Millikin student and avid viewer of the show Antonio Cruz supports this idea and says, “[LGBTQ] relationships and identities are normalized to the point even main villains use proper pronouns and respect the main leads as a couple.” This is a reality that does not exist for many people in the real world, and sometimes this idealized version of what the world could look like is powerful for young viewers to take in.

Correct and graceful representation is still far from universal. These shows, however, are spearheading the way to normalize a new generation of ideals to continue a path toward acceptance.

As we grow up and mature, the media that we consume affects how we view the world around us. We are a product of our time, and now is the time for cartoons to embrace inclusion.

The Haunting of the MilliGhosts

Millikin University has been around since 1901, and since then, it’s become home to countless students and faculty members — some of whom have remained behind long beyond their lifetimes.

By: Kayli Biros

Old campuses come with old stories. A Millikin professor once told me about seeing a woman covered in blood in Shilling Hall. And she’s far from the first: Ghosts have been present on campus since around the 1930s.

In 1927, Bernice committed suicide in Aston Hall. She was originally believed to be the spirit of a woman who killed herself after her lover died in World War II, a tale we now know to be false. Her spirit remains on the third floor, where she used to reside. Now a more playful, poltergeist-esque spirit, she may have been the beginning of the hauntings here on campus.

a consequence of Decatur’s foundation atop Native American burial grounds or one of the city’s many haunted cemeteries. (One of the most haunted locations in Illinois, Greenwood Cemetery, is located just a few blocks from campus.)

Is Millikin truly haunted by ghosts or just by stories of the past?

Sightings of Bernice are scarce, but one student told me he was peered at after taking a shower in the building. He claims the door creaked open just as he was drying off.

Another classic Millikin ghost, Rail Girl, has no record as to who she is or why she is here. Students assume she is the result of a disturbed gravesite,

Rail Girl’s story has remained consistent since she first made her debut in the Albert Taylor Theatre located in Shilling Hall. She appears on the balcony on the upper level of the space. Performers leave her candy before each show — a tradition that’s supposed to ensure she does not interfere with the production. I’ve yet to hear of a performance in which Rail Girl took centerstage, but why is that? Is she more of a figment of our imagination than a phantom, or are Millikin students just diligent about appeasing her?

Perhaps Millikin’s best known ghost, the fabled Bonnie Blackburn, was a modern languages professor at Millikin who died in 1967. Most students who spend their freshman year in Blackburn Hall can attest to the spirit causing peculiar happenings in their place of residence. My roommates remember her ghost fondly, piping up with “my girl Bonnie!” whenever I mention her. The sightings of these paranormal beings have slowed down over the years. Students once watched them move through walls and appear in mirrors like it was nothing. Now, if someone actually has a personal account, it’s either too far-fetched or so miniscule that it can easily be explained. That leaves the question: Is Millikin truly haunted by ghosts or just by stories of the past?

really meant. For a long time, I thought of my symptoms as a personal failing. My brain seemed to be broken. My forgetfulness, fidgeting, clumsiness, tendency toward distraction, inability to focus, poor organizational skills, difficulty managing my time effectively, habit of running late and missing deadlines — these were moral failings. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t remember the question my teacher had just asked me, or complete my

homework without making silly mistakes. I felt like I was deeply and

Once I started taking medication, I did notice a significant change for the better — but it wasn’t enough. I was so bright, my teachers said. Why wasn’t I applying myself, they’d ask me. I wondered the same thing.

It wasn’t until I started learning more about ADHD online that I began to realize that my brain wasn’t broken. ADHD diagnosis is based on how significantly its symptoms affect someone’s life. My behavior was evidence of a legitimate disorder.

To those of us with executive function deficits, the everyday tasks that others complete with ease can take monumental effort. We are struggling with brains that don’t want to adapt to or cooperate with a society that wasn’t built for us.

If you are told often enough that you are lazy, undisciplined or incompetent, you start to believe it. Labeling ADHD symptoms as personality defects doesn’t make those struggling with them every day more motivated to succeed. All it does is pile shame on top of our existing struggle, making the burden harder to bear.

What we really need is understanding. Especially in college students, ADHD can make keeping up with daily demands a challenge. Our symptoms shouldn’t restrain us from being successful or from completing our education; instead, we need to practice radical acceptance. We need to work with our brains, not against them; we need to seek accommodations like extra time on tests or extensions for papers assigned when we’re less functional. It’s time to acknowledge and accept when we need additional help. What works for others might not work for us, and that’s okay.

we stop shaming ourselves for our uniqueness, we can recognize and appreciate the strengths that come with ADHD. Our neurodivergent thinking helps us tackle abstract concepts and make unexpected connections. Many of us are also highly creative and innovative, able to quickly learn and master various hobbies. We may struggle when not engaged, but we excel at tackling urgent problems and working with new ideas.

Connecting with others who have ADHD can help us recognize

overcoming our shame. If you don’t have ADHD, you probably know someone who does — a friend, family member or coworker. Making an effort to understand and support one another, together we can spread a message of empowerment through the community: You are not lazy. You are not stupid. You are not a failed version of normal. And you are not alone.

with You Starts Change

By: A’majeine Carson

Change starts with you. It may sound cliché, but it’s true. You have to learn how to be bold and courageous, how to step out of your comfort zone and take risks — especially when it comes to your community.

One of the most important resources a person can have is their community. I believe that the role of communities in our lives is way more influential than we understand, more influential than we could ever imagine. The environment we live in, the churches, schools, work, libraries and local businesses we interact with impact us deeply.

At some point in time, though, the concept of community has become tarnished by selfishness. Everyone wants to be the “big man in charge,” but won’t take on the

responsibility necessary to make real change. This stumbling block can stop a community from evolving or divide a previously united one. It is essential that every individual takes the time to engage with local businesses, to learn about the police and fire departments, about the librarians, school boards and leaders who contribute to the success of the town.

Yes, our communities are there for us to turn to when something bad happens, when we need

below the 0.5 line.

somewhere to turn; however, we should not only care about our community when seeking help. Involvement in community service, volunteering, fundraising and attending local events are a few ways to connect with others and build meaningful relationships. How? Active community members can organize monthly check-ins, where members gather together for music, games, learning and more so they feel more at home around one another.

We as Millikin students don’t have as strong of an all-around community as we potentially could. Students say they’ve never heard of some of the student-run organizations here, too invested by their own commitments to engage with groups they barely know exist. And how can they know about these organizations? We, as a community, do not actively help spread the word about such opportunities. If more students knew about the different organizations on campus and the events they host, or the different local businesses in the city of Decatur, they would be much more willing and able to show up and show support.

So, if you run a local business, church, nonprofit organization or even a small monthly-meeting club, let it be known. Share the information. It’s on us as a community to draw one another in so that these things can be enjoyed to their fullest. We should not wait on the city representatives, leaders or media. We should not wait on anyone.

Nowadays, with the help of social media, it’s much easier to inform people about what’s going on and keep them updated. If you don’t know someone who does this, be that person for the communities you are a part of. Actively look for ways to engage; experiment with how you can best spread information. This is your community. Be confident, and get involved.

For direction on how to get involved at Millikin, contact the Office of Campus Life at campuslife@millikin.edu.

A century is a long time to still be headed down the same path toward disaster. As modern environmentalists begin to lose hope, what are the next steps for change?

By: Morgan Beutler

Environmentalism f An Evoluti o n

Ask any young student: There is a clear generational divide in conversations about the planet. Climate change was proven in 1896, the greenhouse gas effect in 1938; today, those in power still refuse to listen.

As technology booms, so do greenhouse gases, and the ozone has suffered the consequences. Meteorologist Jonathan Shanklin first discovered a hole in this protective, UV-B-limiting layer in 1985, sounding the alarm on the potential devastating effects of continuing down an environmentally-destructive path. Such a drastic environmental threat may seem daunting, but the experts still have hope.

Millikin University biology professor

Roslyn O’Conner stands strong in the face of this nightmare, and encourages everyone to do the same. “Technological innovations in renewable energy are getting better and better,” she says. “Technology, as far as social media, has increased public awareness of environmental issues and outreach possibilities for activists.” We have seen an environmental turnaround before and can do it again. Even before Shanklin’s study was published, his work generated enough concern to encourage change. In the 1970s, this led several countries — like the United States — to ban chlorofluorocarbons as aerosol propellants. These bans allowed

Professor Roslyn O’Conner

for the ozone layer to build its way back, and the rapid increase in technology still allowed new uses for the chemicals. Now, the Earth has rebuilt a stable protective layer.

Individuals like Shanklin and the protections they put in place have shaped the future of the environment. In 1907, John M. Fairgrieve organized an annual meeting between smoke inspectors from 13 cities to share ideas on how to minimize the smoke plaguing their homes. President Roosevelt established national parks in 1916 as a way to protect the natural wonders of our nation. President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the Air Pollution Control Act in 1955. It is this attitude of perseverance that continues to inspire change even today.

Over the last 30 years, a basic understanding of the climate crisis

has continued to spread across the globe. Individuals are learning that not only does environmental change affect everyone, but specifically biodiverse communities across the world. More and more, it becomes clear that class, privilege and race alter the severity of environmental impacts. Within O’Conner’s lifetime, “Environmentalists [have come to] realize that how we treat the planet is connected to how we treat each other. Environmental issues impact social, political and economic issues, and vice versa.”

Today, these problems and their potential solutions are outstretched on a silver platter, and still, we’re hesitant to embrace them. There is a pandemic of ignorance, as the increases in technological availability and in the spread of misinformation have lost people’s

trust. “Misinformation definitely makes it harder to get the facts to the public because you first have to convince someone that what they have been told (by their trusted sources) is not true,” O’Conner says. Not a single published, peer-reviewed article is able to argue against the fact that the planet is warming at an unnatural rate, but reluctance is stronger than concern.

Yes, skepticism is meant to keep people safe, but a line must be drawn. Lying to oneself is only denying the inevitable — not delaying it. Maybe it is in human nature not to admit being wrong, but there will come a point when people must stop seeing everything as so black and white. “I wouldn’t say willful ignorance so much as a lack of understanding on how to find a reputable source for accurate information and therefore just believing what

We have seen an environmental turnaround before and can do it again.

It’s time to live in the gray.

we are told by our chosen media outlets whether that information is accurate or not,” O’Conner says.

It’s time to live in the gray. As performative activism, fast fashion and micro-trends run rampant, the environmentalist movement grows more and more elitist. Many have come to believe that to care about the environment, you must live every moment for it. This is nothing but dangerous: Those who push this narrative are pushing people away from engaging with the movement’s very ideals. Not everyone can afford to stop using single-use plastic, to live a vegan diet and exclusively shop at sustainable boutiques. Limiting people

to an all-or-nothing lifestyle restricts progress and holds us back.

Instead of wasting time blaming these individuals, we should be encouraging people to do what they can. Students here at Millikin have plenty of opportunities to get involved and make a difference. “Join a local or global environmental group, such as Millikin’s Environmental Affairs Council. Keep informed about the issues and vote for political support that are interested in helping the environment,” O’Conner says. “As a consumer, only buy what you need and buy products from corporations that are eco-friendly. Decrease your meat consumption,

especially beef, to lower your impact on climate change.”

Ultimately, much of the change must come from people and corporations in power — but this does not mean individuals cannot make a difference. Systematic change isn’t possible without individual change. Our leaders can keep meeting in big rooms to sit and argue, but the bottom line is that it’s time for action. All we can do now is look forward with the past in mind — we won’t make the same mistakes, and we will make progress.

988 TO THE RESCUE

By: Diana Terneus

College life and all it entails is hard — like, really hard. Crisis can affect any one of us, but help is available.

Have you ever had a friend who feels overwhelmed, depressed or anxious? Have you ever felt like life was just too much to handle? If so, you’re among the majority in the collegiate population.

On Oct. 17, 2020, the National Suicide Hotline Designation Act was signed into law, incorporating 988 as the new crisis lifeline. This number is a “911” for mental health. When calling the number, individuals are directed to trained therapists who talk them through various issues ranging from feeling stressed to experiencing emotional overload to feeling suicidal. This new resource provides an option that is easy to remember and easy to access.

Suicide does not discriminate. It is the second leading cause of death among college students, and 40% of students know someone who has committed suicide. With mental health concerns on the rise, it is a pivotal time to recognize the need for aid. The 988 number reflects the progress society has made in this undertaking. Within Millikin University’s tightknit campus, community leaders have expressed their support for 988 as well as hopes for its influence in the future. Professor and private practice licensed clinical social worker Heather Kaloupek believes

LGBTQ+ youth seriously considered attempting suicide in the past year, including more than half of transgender and nonbinary youth. Again, I think it is safe to say if executed properly, this number has potential

988 will be particularly beneficial in reference to the LGBTQ+ community. “The Trevor Project estimates that more than 1.8 million LGBTQ+ youth (13–24) seriously consider suicide each year in the U.S. — and at least one attempts suicide every 45 seconds,” she says.

“The Trevor Project’s 2022 National Survey on LGBTQ Youth Mental Health found that 45 percent of

to save many LGBTQ+ lives.” For word of this resource to spread effectively, it is up to everyone — including “mental health professionals, the general public, law and policy makers and schools,” according to Kaloupek.

Kramer Soderber is the head basketball coach for the Millikin men’s team and is a strong supporter of the new 988 number. “Student athletes have extremely stressful and hectic schedules and are put into high-pressure situations more often than an average person,” he says. “As a coach, you hope that your athletes have outlets and a support system within their prospective athletic program to help nurture and remedy

potential mental health needs.” For athletes who feel they don’t have an outlet or trusted mentor, the 988 number will offer support in trying times.

Though she recognizes this act as a major step for mental health advocacy, Millikin’s vice president of the Black Student Union Jasimine Ash reminds her peers that there is still work to be done. “I believe that the new 988 crisis number for mental health is a great start toward implementing more services that directly deal with mental health crises,” she says. Police officers are not properly trained in handling this sort of work, and situations

may quickly escalate with their involvement. This new option provides more relevant support to callers, but there is still no established team of mental health first responders. “The 988 number is easy to recall and could be a step in the right direction in terms of mental health protection and services,” Ash says.

Millikin has made great strides in offering mental health care for students, but the school’s resources can only go so far. Even President Jim Reynolds acknowledges the need for additional support. There are three licensed mental health counselors on staff, free for students, but only

one can be on call at a time each evening. “Students might have mental health crises at different times than counselors are available. A 24/7 hotline will be helpful,” Reynolds says.

Mental health affects everyone, and everyone needs help at times. Students deserve trusted sources to help them through the difficulties of life. Together, students and faculty alike can end the stigma surrounding college mental health and spread the word about resources like the 988 number. Working together, these communities can bring about change. 988. Tell a friend. It could literally save their life.

Invisible, Not Fictional

“Community” encompasses a variety of definitions, from inclusivity to similarity. But when it comes to unseen disabilities, colleges and workplaces don’t offer accessibility. So, how can communities be more accessible and inclusive?

By: Eden Niebrugge

College is a big deal. In their first year, students navigate housing, dietary options, friendships, classes and more. They worry about their future and constantly compare their capabilities to their peers. To step away from these hardships, students can access on-campus mental health resources. They can breathe, wait for tomorrow and continue trudging on.

But not all students can step away from their challenges or have access to campus aid appropriate to them. One community of students must search for resources themselves and pay out of their pocket to gain support. Their unique experiences, barriers and stressors are entirely different from the typical college kid, and most people look past them. Because of this, their college journey is unseen by their peers, professors, faculty and family.

Disabilities in college can severely hinder a student, no matter how serious or chronic. Invisible disabilities can range from chronic fatigue/pain, bone ailments, learning disabilities, diabetes, ADHD and more. Because such a wide variety of conditions exist, the things that appear accessible don’t always cover every disability’s needs. Door handles that can be pushed down instead of rotated are great. But when the door weighs too much to open, who does that help?

Most people expect a person with disabilities to use a wheelchair or have a visible impairment, but that’s the first barrier: invisible disabilities are hidden, especially in college kids. It often takes months or years of self-advocating to get an answer for an invisible condition. And even when a person is diagnosed, the “get over it” mentality takes over. It often looks like this: “If my peers can do this, I can do it as well,” even though a disability hinders them.

Sophie Nicholson, a junior at Millikin who was recently diagnosed with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), is glad to finally have a diagnosis to explain her symptoms. Still, she experiences imposter syndrome and feels like she “owes” some professors an explanation of her illness to be taken seriously.

Many students with disabilities also face mental illness, such as depression, anxiety, insomnia and imposter syndrome. Luckily, colleges preach their free mental health resources, even if the same building charges hundreds of dollars for a physical check-up.

Now, let me show you Millikin University through the eyes of a disabled person, starting with the least accessible building on campus.

Shilling Hall holds first-year lectures and other departments, such as English, modern languages, student financial services and the Deans’ offices. This means that a significant number of the student body must access this hall. Yet it contains only one handicap-operated door. The entrance to Einstein Bros. Bagels and the front doors aren’t accessible to people who can’t climb stairs or open doors. The railings on the main stairs offer no support. And while only one slow elevator exists in Shilling, there are four sets of stairs!

Alongside the grueling stairs in Shilling, the living situations offered at Millikin are not as accessible as they seem. Dolson Hall is the only dorm with an elevator, but the front doors don’t have handicapaccessible buttons. Elevators don’t exist in upperclass housing, including Greek life and many of the Woods

We all have unique capabilities, but not all of them are visible.

apartment buildings. The only commuter-friendly parking lot that’s accessible to students who can’t use stairs is the Kirkland lot, which is typically full.

Millikin struggles with offcampus accessibility too. The first image on Millikin’s former website, millikin.edu, created a dizzying effect by rotating through videos and pictures. Upon checking for accessibility, the readability for visually impaired users was close to zero. Screen readers and narrators struggled to navigate the content. Simple issues like these turn away incoming firstyears who need accommodations. Now, though, Millikin has made progress by updating the site and increasing readibility.

There are more bright spots, too. Public Safety at Millikin has done incredible things to aid students with sudden illnesses or flare-ups. In fall 2021, Nicholson took the stairs in Shilling so she wouldn’t be late for class; however, she experienced a vertigo attack on her way up. When Sophie collapsed on the stairs, Public Safety brought her a wheelchair and drove her to her apartment. Efforts like these help students feel secure on campus. They know if they experience unexpected illness or an attack, someone will be there to help.

College students navigate their capabilities through academic, relations and general life challenges. People with disabilities or illnesses have enough challenges to face already, especially with the accessibility concerns at Millikin. Shilling Hall can be updated to incorporate more handicapped doors and a second elevator. The website should be even easier to navigate. More living spaces need to include elevators, including Greek life houses and the Woods. These changes are vital to protecting Millikin’s students.

Until that improvement occurs, we can change our perspectives on disabilities, including the invisible. Students and faculty can begin by understanding the time and energy disabilities consume and that the world isn’t built to be accessible. We can acknowledge some days are worse than others, and your occasional illness or injury doesn’t compare to a chronic condition. We can believe people when they say they are ill or disabled. That’s the bare minimum we can do. We all have unique capabilities, but not all of them are visible.

“Here’s how I spend my days as a disabled student. I attend a beautiful university with wonderful professors. I make friends and join clubs. I discover myself and grow. Nevertheless, I am vividly aware of the inaccessibility and inconsideration for disabilities in higher education. My days are exhausting, painful and stress-filled. I’m irritated that my physical health requires a public explanation, and I’m bitter that this article had to be written.” -

Eden Niebrugge

Making Millikin Laugh

Amidst the high stress of higher education, Millikin’s student-run comedy groups provide much-needed comedic relief for members and audiences alike.

By: Sophie Nicholson

College comedy groups are often the butt of the joke. But at Millikin University, these organizations are a celebrated part of campus culture. From sketch comedy to improvisation to experimental one-acts, Millikin’s comedy scene is constantly growing and changing.

Millikin’s student-run improv group Math Club has garnered a dedicated following in recent years. Founded roughly a decade ago, Math Club focuses on short-form improv, playing comedy games and making up scenes on the spot. Senior acting majors and Math Club co-presidents Zack Scott and Cole Hintz say improv offers a unique experience.

“You come in there with nothing,” Scott says, “And then after an hour you leave having created multiple scenes, multiple characters, out of just a couple of suggestions.”

Since 2020, Math Club performances have gone from small classrooms in Kirkland to filling every seat in Kaeuper Hall. “People know what Math Club is and they’re excited for shows and are wanting to participate in different ways. It’s gone from feeling like a little corner within [the School of Theatre and Dance] to a big event,” Scott says.

For members, Math Club offers a sense of camaraderie. “Everyone is always together and included. It really does make for a welcoming

and play,” says Hintz. Although improvising is great for letting loose, Hintz says there’s more to improv than trying to be funny. “It’s about finding that truth in comedy,” he says. “There are skills for building a scene. ”

The novelty of each performance keeps Math Club fans coming back. “That’s how we’re able to have three or four shows a semester, because it’s going to be an entirely different show every time. If you don’t come you’re going to miss it because you’re never going to have that show again,” says Scott.

Attending Math Club improv is a way for many students to unwind

little while they do.

Like Math Club, Millikin’s neofuturist sketch comedy group Un Bit Butter offers audiences something unexpected every show. Un Bit shows have members perform 30 short sketches in only 60 minutes. Audience requests determine the order of their set. By incorporating neo-futurist elements into their performances, Un Bit aims to “get a reaction out of people, whether that be a laugh or a gasp or a tear,” says sophomore musical theater major and Un Bit member Tess Jankowski.

Much of Un Bit’s content is kept secret as a way to spread intrigue, a tradition they’ve kept for 25 years. Jankowski says this element of surprise makes Un Bit stand out. “Usually [when writing sketches] it’s like, what’s really fucking weird? What’s something that no one’s really ever thought of or seen before?” says Jankowski, “We want our bits to be authentic and original.”

True to their neo-futurist roots, Un Bit Butter performances showcase a wide range of content. While Jankowski enjoys writing comedy bits, she notes that other types of performance like drama and poetry are also welcome — it doesn’t all have to be funny. “It’s a melting pot of all this content that

we bring in. We want all different types of art,” she says.

The neo-futurist spectacle of their shows is part of the fun. One such bit the group performed last year was called “Holes,” when an Un Bit member got piercings on stage. “Some of the fun is that you’re doing it for the first time in front of an audience, because you can’t practice that stuff,” says Jankowski, “That’s part of the shock factor, where you’re like ‘he actually got his ears pierced!’”

Millikin’s newest comedy group, Four Square, was established in spring 2021. Founder and senior musical theater major Nathan Gallop says he wanted to focus more on writing bits and casting performers, which differs from the other two comedy groups. They started as a four-person group writing comedy over Zoom, and sketch ideas turned into a loose one-act show. Since then, Four Square has evolved into a writing group that writes, casts and stages comedic plays.

As they gain more experience, Four Square is constantly evolving. “What it is right now will certainly not be what it is next semester or next year,” says Gallop. The show they’re currently writing has more “meaning and message, but it’s still cut with comedy throughout to lighten it up,” says Gallop.

Zack

Scott and Cole Hintz

Tess Jankowski -Un Bit

However, their writing has taken a darker direction. “We don’t want there to be any sort of resolution. We reached this point in the story and things are terrible. And then blackout, that’s the end, go home,” says Gallop, “A last little joke for us to play on the audience.” This effort is meant to paint a more realistic picture of interpersonal conflict and to evoke a strong reaction from

viewers. “We want everybody to be like, ‘Is that it? That’s where we’re ending?’” Gallop says.

Millikin’s student-run comedy groups provide a reprieve from the high stress of higher education. Rather than being the butt of the joke, they continue to amuse, shock and challenge their audiences — and they’re pretty funny.

The International Experience

Each semester, students from around the world arrive in the U.S. to experience new cultural and educational opportunities. However, the American dream falls short to some students. The following two articles, written by international students Judith Llobera and Kocha Changelia, dive into personal experiences with community while studying abroad in the U.S.

An International Student Speaks Up

By: Judith Llobera

I arrived in the U.S. on Aug. 9, 2022, excited to start an adventure I’d been planning for almost a year. The first few days were full of energy and enthusiasm, but just five days after arriving on campus, I woke up to an email that completely changed my mind. Right in front of the apartment complex where I now live, there had been a shooting. “A shooting,” I repeated to myself a couple of times. My skin crawled to the sound of the word, but my American roommates weren’t even fazed. “Is it just me?” I thought, “Am I the only one worried?”

Before becoming a student at Millikin University, I would have never used the word “safe” as an adjective for my home city. Yet, in the short amount of time I’ve spent here, my conception of safety has shifted. In the past three months, I have personally experienced, witnessed or learned of over a dozen incidents — including sexual assaults, car accidents and shootings — either inside or near campus. I have

witnessed and heard more ambulances in a week than I would have in a month in Spain.

Safety has become something unachievable in the U.S., but no one seems to care. Some American students pay little to no attention to news that, for us international students, is heartbreaking. They read about victims as if they are just numbers and statistics, and they laugh at us for not knowing how to hide from an active shooter at the dinner table.

International students

Msanaa Bosland, Roger Subiron and Coumba Niasse — from the Bahamas, Spain and Senegal, respectively — share this opinion. Bosland says, “It is incredibly shocking to see them act like that . . . talk about big things as if they’re small, everyday things. It’s just surprising.”

Subiron, too, strongly believes “it’s not something to make jokes about or to not take seriously.” And Niasse elaborates, saying, “It’s all fun and games, but they don’t know how we feel about it.”

People constantly ask me what my biggest culture shock as an international student is. Well, this is it. I want to walk by myself without checking my surroundings every two seconds. I want to know if what I hear are gunshots or just a figment of my imagination. I want to not fear for my life. Will that ever be possible?

American Dream vs. American Nightmare

By: Kocha Changelia

My American journey started like a summer festival, like a firework in a clear night sky. I was like a child with effervescence, impatiently looking forward to the trip. After three flights, sleepless hours and a nine-hour time change separating me from my friends and family, I was ready for my trip to feel worthwhile. Little did I know that I would find myself on a rollercoaster. The nightmare for an international student starts with the realization that everything they considered taboo does not have much significance in the U.S. Things that still shock me:

• Students attending classes in pajamas? Not a problem.

• The teachers are too friendly! (Joking. Mostly.)

• Why are people around me so inclined to label everything? As though being a human is not enough for a person to be recognized as equal.

• I could not prevent my friend from being assaulted. And that being common in the U.S. only accentuates this American nightmare.

I asked a friend, “Why are you not fighting injustices that you

encounter, unfolding the reasons for these things happening to you?” My American friend replied: “A closed mouth never gets fed.” Being a foreigner, I pushed on, suggesting, “Exactly, that is why you should not be staying silent.” She smiled. “Sometimes, it is better to stay silent than be misunderstood.”

It is easy to judge, but it is way more difficult to understand. All the differences I encountered stemmed from societal costructs cultivated throughout the centuries. Perceiving it as different is only due to my “roots” that I am attached to so deeply: love and appreciation of different cultures. Nevertheless, there are things I will never understand, like guns and racism as two founding principles of this country.

My American dream starts at the front entrance of the Woods apartment complex and stretches across the world. People I have met through a serendipitous encounter now are an inseparable part of my life — a family. My American dream lives in them and is nurtured by the desire to grow and bring back

home as much as possible. Nightmares exist everywhere. It is our job to turn them into beautiful dreams, dreams that turn into realities. The halcyon days of Millikin are my American dream.

To deal with feelings and fears regarding safety at Millikin, find free counseling services here:

I believe that youth, united in strength, can move mountains and break stereotypes.

MilliSquirrels

By: Aven Mrosko

Everyone at Millikin has noticed the squirrels on campus. Passing conversations include, “They’re so big here!” “Why are they orange?” “They’re so bold, can you believe I got chased?” As unnatural as these creatures may seem, this is their natural habitat. We’re just living in it.

“Not much goes on in the mind of a squirrel.”

~ Kate DiCamillo

“‘This town is infested with squirrels, have you noticed?’

‘I’d rather say it’s rich with squirrels.’”

~ Elizabeth McKenzie

“This squirrel is inadequately afraid of humans! Squirrel, I am a threat to you! We are enemies! Please get off my bench! Oh, god! Oh, god! Don’t touch me — oh god!”

~ John Green

“I watched the squirrels play today. And it seemed that they knew nothing other than to be what they were created to be. And with the space to think of nothing else, they could not have been anything more.”

~ Craig D. Lounsbrough

And, of course, Millikin’s very own squirrel celebrity, dubbed “Rasputin” by the community: the squirrel with no tail.

EVOLUTION:

By: Lily Bryson

The power of community is in connection. From the streets of one’s childhood home to the steps of the Capitol, the connections we form with the world around us fuel these movements for change.

“Nina Cried Power”

by Hozier ft. Mavis Staples (2018)

This song celebrates the musical artists that have worked to create positive social change through their music, particularly Nina Simone. It emphasizes the counterproductivity of division, and celebrates the community found through protest.

4 “This Land is Your Land”

by Woody Guthrie (1945)

One of the most iconic folk songs of 20th century America, “This Land is Your Land” was an anthem of the Great Depression. In a period of instability and systemic inequality, Guthrie dreamed of a bucolic world where people could live together in stable, peaceful communities.

by Kacey Musgraves (2018)

From Musgraves’ Album of the Year-winning 2018 album “Golden Hour,” “Oh, What A World” is a dreamy country-pop celebration of the world around us and the connections with others that transcend these physical realms.

by Florence and the Machine (2018)

An anthem of the Me Too movement, “100 Years” is a tribute to victims of sexual abuse and speaks to the resiliency of survivors in the wake of assault, survivors banding together to speak out against injustice.

by HAIM (2021)

A gentle song from the sibling band HAIM, “Leaning on You” pays tribute to a partner who treats the singer with tender care even as they deal with their own baggage.

“ seven ”

by Tommy Lefroy (2021)

This indie-pop song showcases the flip side of activism, with the song’s narrator lamenting all that they’d given to a relationship where they’re always second to pet causes. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of someone drawn in by the promise of community, but left isolated and alone.

by Taylor Swift (2020)

This song, from Swift’s surprise eighth studio album “folklore,” is an ode to childhood friends and a distant, more innocent past, where finding a path from your neighbor’s house to India was still a possibility.

by Hozier (2019)

We find ourselves in an apocalyptic wasteland for this closing track. Despite the world ending in a blaze of fire, the love found in this life will transcend: “Not an end, but the start of all things that are yet to do.”

“100 Years”

“The Cause”

“Leaning on You”

“Oh, What A World”

“Wasteland, Baby!”