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THE DAILY ILLINI
MONDAY October 9, 2017
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The independent student newspaper at the University of Illinois since 1871
WWW.DAILYILLINI.COM
Vol. 147 Issue 13
A divisive turning point
University ups security camera usage BY KAREN LIU STAFF WRITER
BRIAN BAUER THE DAILY ILLINI
Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk speaks to a crowd of supporters and opposers during a talk and Q&A session in the Illini Union on Thursday, Oct. 5. Kirk opened the talk with 10 reasons why the United States is the best country in the world and stressed a need for open discussion between people of all political backgrounds. Protestors gathered outside condemning Kirk and his support for President Trump Visit dailyillini.com to read the full story.
Campus conversation about sexual assault increases Illinois Student Government develops prevention department BY CORI LIPPERT CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Two student body executive members are following through on their campaign promise of focusing on sexual assault prevention. The Sexual Assault Prevention Department (SAPD) is a student push toward administration created by Student Body President Raneem Shamseldin, senior in Business, and Vice President Joseph Domanski, senior in LAS. The initiative provides support for survivors and sees where the University is lacking in support by talking to different organizations on campus that
are affected by sexual assault, Shamseldin said. The department will create a task force involving the “Women’s Resources Center, LGTBQ center, the cultural centers, of course students and different sexual assault organizations,” Shamseldin said. The group will then “move (the) agenda in that sense.” The department plans to oversee the work of other sexual assault organizations, including It’s On Us, a campaign created to make sexual assault victims feel safe on college campuses. The It’s On SEE ISG | 3A
ADAM ZHANG THE DAILY ILLINI
Students set up name plates for each student senator prior to the Sexual Assault Prevention Department meeting.
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Reports spike on game days, according to study BY GILLIAN DUNLOP
Sexual assault increases
28%
ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR
The multi-billion dollar college football industry has led to a culture of pregame drinking and socializing at some campuses, potentially leading to a 28 percent increase in sexual assault reports on game days, according to a recent study. The study, conducted by the American Economic Journal, revealed that the reported increase is by women victims ages 17-24 on football game days. These effects are even greater at Division 1A universities. Although no exact reason for the increase is outlined, the study provides “support for partying as the likely causal pathway.” Game days at the University are often celebrated by what is known as Block. Typically, a sorority and fraternity pair up during Block and drink in excess at different bars and venues around campus, beginning around noon and ending around 3 p.m. “There’s ... a lot more variety of drinks during the day,” said Alicia Coddington, member of Alpha Epsilon Phi and sophomore in DGS. “You can still drink throughout the night; you start drinking earlier (during Block).” The study reported that
on game days among 17 to 24-year-olds SOURCE LINDO, SIMINSKI AND SWENSEN
sexual assault reports on game days increase by 41 percent during home games as compared to away games, where the reports are only increased by 15 percent. “There are drink deals and stuff like that, so you can get drinks for cheaper and longer,” Coddington said. “Guys are probably looking to take advantage of girls.” T hese percent ages “imply that these games cause 724 additional rapes per year across the 128 schools participating in Division 1A,” according to the study. University of Illinois Police Department spokesperson Patrick Wade said University police officers do not focus on the eradication of alcohol during game days, but rather how to properly consume it. “I wouldn’t say we (are) trying to reduce the amount of alcohol consumption,” he said. “Our
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approach is more of what are the safe and healthy ways to use alcohol versus just trying to eliminate it altogether. That’s not gonna happen.” The study reported that two-thirds of student rape victims are intoxicated; however, the blame lies solely on the perpetrator. “Alcohol is a factor, but it is something to keep in mind, that perpetrators are using alcohol as a tool to facilitate an assault, and that it’s not the survivor’s fault for drinking,” said Jaya Kollisetty, associate director of R.A.C.E.S: Rape, Advocacy, Counseling and Education Services. Another possible reason for the increase in sexual assaults is that game day parties do not have the stigma attached to them that fraternity parties have. “My friends don’t feel comfortable going to frat
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Found Footage brings back VHS
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The University has increased its security camera count by more than 200 this year as of June, bringing the total to 1,652. Tim Hetrick, detective with the crime prevention unit at the University of Illinois Police Department, said the new security cameras were installed at the request of the other departments on campus. This request averages an increase of around 200 security cameras per year. Hetrick said the UIPD will help the departments in designing the placement of the security cameras based on their security needs. “Locations for new cameras are selected based on a number of criteria,” said Robert Watson, communication and outreach specialist from Technology Services, in an email. “For the most part, it comes down to which locations are going to be most useful from a public safety perspective.” Hetrick said the security cameras give the police a place to start an investigation along with real-time information. “In the event that we have a security camera in an area where something is actively happening, our tele-communicators can actually go to those cameras and give updated information to responding police or other EMS personnel,” Hetrick said. Hetrick said the security camera system also leads to a higher success rate in solving cases and providing evidence. “The security cameras proved to be useful in an
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