THURSDAY February 15, 2018
THE DAILY ILLINI
59˚ | 27˚
The independent student newspaper at the University of Illinois since 1871
WWW.DAILYILLINI.COM
Vol. 147 Issue 41
Undergrads unhappy with work conditions
LONGFORM: PART THREE
They, them, theirs
Taking steps toward a better housing experience for all BY BROOKE EBERLE
BY SAMANTHA BOYLE
SPECIAL SECTIONS EDITOR
STAFF WRITER
Many undergraduate workers have shown dissatisfaction with their workplace, according to a recent survey published by the Undergraduate Alliance. From October to November, Nick Goodell and Grant Neal, juniors in LAS and leaders of the UGA, waited outside of dining halls to talk to student workers and to recruit participants for their survey. Although other types of workers were surveyed, dining hall workers made up 48 percent of the total 56 student workers they polled. “While we are actively seeking student feedback to improve upon our services and to benchmark our progress, it is a benefit to University Housing to receive supplemental data from external parties,” said Chelsea Hamilton, senior assistant director for communications and marketing for University Housing. Hamilton and the housing department was unaware of this survey being conducted, but the information adds valuable data to information University Housing has already collected, she said. Neal said he worked for the dining halls for about six months before getting involved with UGA. “I would say that I saw a good amount of shady things happen,” Neal said. Goodell said he would hear stories from Neal that the working conditions were not the greatest. “It (seems) kind of weird to us how unorganized the undergrad labor fund is on
A multicultural advocate’s mission
Holiday Tang tries to carry out his role as best as he can. Tang, junior in LAS and former Illini Media Company employee, was the multicultural advocate (MA) for Pennsylvania Avenue Residence Hall during the fall 2016 semester. He had applied to be a residential adviser (RA) for one of the floors, but it was suggested he become an MA instead. This position came with uncertainty for Tang. MAs assume an active role in creating an inclusive community within residence halls. The weight of the responsibility all started with his training. Similar to RAs, MAs go through a specific training program in to learn how to treat students in certain situations. However, MAs primarily focus on learning about how to make an inclusive environment for minorities on campus. SEE ADVOCATE | 3A
MTD’s SafeRides to release new app in August
PORTRAIT OF HOLIDAY TANG BY QUENTIN SHAW THE DAILY ILLINI
Possible strike affects all students BY SAMANTHA BOYLE STAFF WRITER
BY CORI LIPPERT STAFF WRITER
SafeRides hopes to launch an app in August that streamlines its pickup service, but it has no plan to expand its service boundaries. Jacob Rajlich, sophomore in Engineering and Illinois Student Government transportation representative, said the app would allow drivers to see routes on a GPS and to plan drop-offs and pickups better. This may cause people to be on the bus longer, but they will be in a safe location. Rajlich said SafeRides was created in the ’90s by the Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District to be a campus service. “The SafeRides system is on top of everything else, and one of the big things that MTD points out all the time is that every one of our rides is a safe ride, whether you
SEE SAFERIDES | 3A
Undergraduate students may see classes cancelled or relocated resulting from the potential Graduate Employees’ Organization strike. Cancellations of discussion classes taught by teaching or graduate assistants involved in the GEO may start Feb. 26. Classes held in buildings surrounded by picket lines may be canceled or rescheduled to a different building, depending on the instructor, said Jessica Greenberg, director of undergraduate studies, at a GEO meeting Friday. Bruce Kovanen, grievance officer for GEO, said teaching assistants will also not be grading assignments, answering emails or holding office hours while on strike. “Every undergraduate is taught by a TA at some point during their time at UIUC, so they are acutely aware of how much our labor contributes to their education,” he said. Teresa Greppi, Ph.D. candidate in LAS and a TA who will participate in the strike, said she hopes undergraduates consider their own personal values and how they may or may not align with the GEO or the administration. “I hope that if (under-
DAILYILLINI, DAILYILLINISPORTS
INSIDE
Police
2A
|
SEE UGA | 3A
INSIDE
graduates) hadn’t already been considering it, that they understand how vital graduate labor is to their experience at U of I and more fully question exactly how their tuition money is spent,” Greppi said. Kovanen said some undergraduate students have been supportive of the GEO and the strike. If a contract is reached before Feb. 26, the strike will be called off; however, if not, it will last until
an agreement is reached between the the GEO and the administration. University spokeswoman Robin Kaler said the administration is continuing to bargain “in good faith” and is hopeful an agreement will be reached before the strike. “At a university of this size, we are always preparing for possible disruptions, but we remain hopeful that we can continue working through
@THEDAILYILLINI, @DI_OPINION, @DI_SPORTS Opinions
4A
|
Letters
Married alumni celebrate life after graduation
ANGELA KERNDL THE DAILY ILLINI
Students leave the Lincoln Hall Theater. If the GEO strikes, discussion sections taught by graduate students have the possibility of being cancelled.
4A
|
Crossword
5A
the mediation process to achieve an agreement and avoid a work stoppage,” she said. Greppi said undergraduate involvement is valuable because it would help sustain the GEO’s morale and show solidarity to their cause. “I will support (the GEO) because it is their right to strike,” said Samantha St. Leger,
Life
&
Culture
6A
|
Sports
Local feminist interpretation of famous play
SEE TA | 3A
THEDAILYILLINI |
PAGE 5A
PAGE 5B
@THEDAILYILLINI 1B
|
Classifieds
4B
THEDAILYILLINI |
Sudoku
4B
|
buzz
6B