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Vol. 150 Issue 34

University reinstates dismissed PhD student School reduces sentence after fierce backlash from campus

CAMERON KRASUCKI THE DAILY ILLINI

Illinois student Samantha Rubin takes a University COVID-19 test at the ARC on Feb. 1. The testing method may soon expand to more places in the local community.

Saliva test expansion excites locals BY VIVIAN LA STAFF WRITER

As the University works on expanding COVID-19 saliva testing to the surrounding community, some locals are looking forward to being able to take advantage of the new opportunities. “We are hopeful that within the next couple of weeks, working with our community partners, we will start testing first responders, some employees of local governments and schools, some underserved groups and dependents of university employees,” University spokesperson Robin Kaler said in an email. John Garvey, French teacher at the University of Illinois Laboratory High School, said this will be a good thing for the community. Employed by the University, he said his family would

take advantage of this opportunity. Garvey tests biweekly through the University and received the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine through the school as well. “I think it’s very efficient, very accurate,” Garvey said. “I think it’s great compared to what the general public has to do to even get a test.” His wife, Barbara Oehlschlaeger-Garvey, works as a program director for the Champaign County Forest Preserve and was vaccinated through the local health department. Oehlschlaeger-Garvey said if she hadn’t been vaccinated, she would definitely get tested, but she thinks this will be a great service for the surrounding community. “It would really be a boon to the community,” she said. “Testing is key.” Oehlschlaeger-Garvey said she and her husband, in their

60s, worry about their health more these days. “We’re right at the cusp of being the really protected people (at age 65),” she said. “I’m at the top of the younger people. Not that that’s young.” Garvey said from his perspective as a teacher, he imagines a lot of students at the high school who likely have family that work at the University will make use of testing if it becomes available. His only concern is that people are starting to become too complacent too quickly, he said. “We’re seeing multiple times already, this whole cycle of ‘Okay, everyone’s better, so we’ll go have parties and restaurants,’” Garvey said. Luke Bronowski, University Laboratory High School physcal education teacher and coach for school basketball and tennis, said it would

matter what age requirements they put for testing, but overall thinks it’s a great idea. “I think it’s a great opportunity for the University to share a great resource that they invented on campus,” Bronowski said. “It can help a lot of people with regular, rapid testing that’s easily done and is less invasive than some of the nasal stuff.” Bill Sullivan, SHIELD member and part of a team that helped develop the Safer Illinois app, told The Daily Illini last week that the University is trying to create a new app to support this community testing. Kaler also said that there are a lot of “logistical and technical issues” when it comes to trying to expand testing. vla2@dailyillini.com

UI test regime spreads to new campuses BY ALIZA MAJID STAFF WRITER

The SHIELD Illinois program continues to expand the saliva-based test nationwide as more facilities and universities notice how accurate and accessible this testing is and request these services. Many universities have adopted saliva-based testing for their locations in order to crack down on COVID-19 cases on their campuses and create a safe environment for their community. “Currently, there are 14 colleges and universities utilizing the SHIELD Illinois saliva testing system, along with two companies,” said Ben Taylor, Marketing and Communications lead at SHIELD Illinois. Most of the clients are in-state: Northern Illinois University, Illinois College, Eastern Illinois, Knox College, Loyola University Chicago, Eureka Col-

CAMERON KRASUCKI THE DAILY ILLINI

Illinois student Seth Patterson receives the tube for his University COVID-19 test at the ARC on Feb. 1. The University saliva-based COVID-19 test has expanded nationwide.

lege, Elmhurst University, Wheaton College, Dominican University, Lewis University, Monmouth College, North Central College and Millikin University all have

adopted the saliva tests nia have all started using this semester. thousands of saliva tests Out-of-state, University on their campuses as well. of Wisconsin, University of Several mobile labs Maine and Shippensburg University in PennsylvaSEE REGIME | 3A

Church of the Living God hosts walk-in vaccine clinic THE DAILY ILLINI STAFF REPORT

In an effort to vaccinate underserved communities in the area, Carle Health and the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District partnered to host a walk-in vaccine clinic on Saturday at the Church of the Living God. The church clinic — located at 312 E. Bradley Ave. in Champaign — was open from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. “We’ve been partnering with Church of the Liv-

Police

PHOTO COURTESY OF GEO

ing God to address health care needs and disparities for some time and bringing vaccination opportunities directly to those who need it most is a natural extension of our reach,” said Jonathan Woods, Carle’s executive director of Community Health Initiatives. Another 1,217 people in Champaign County received their first dose of the vaccine on Friday, while another 905 received CAMERON KRASUCKI THE DAILY ILLINI their second dose. A Champaign County resident receives the Moderna COVID-19

A picture of Ivor Chen posted by the Graduate Employees’ Organization petition is pictured above. Chen was reinstated at the University on Feb. 16, with massive support from the student body.

INSIDE

Features: Students address racism in FAA

Sports: Dosunmu records second triple-double

PAGE 5A

PAGE 1B

vaccine at Church of the Living God on Saturday. Walk-in

SEE VACCINE | 3A vaccinations were offered at the location that day.

DAILYILLINI, DAILYILLINISPORTS

INSIDE

Chen did not know the site was on University property. On Dec. 21, Chen received a Disciplinary Charge Notice for COVID-19 testing non-compliance. This was the first non-compliance warning Chen received throughout BY AMRITA BHATTACHARYYA the semester, according to STAFF WRITER the GEO. The University of IlliDuring the spring semesnois has agreed to reduce ter, Chen applied for and the punishment for a received a testing exempfourth-year international tion from McKinley Health Ph.D. student who was dis- Center. missed from the University “The issue with the for COVID-19 testing non- COVID exemption in the compliance, reinstating fall was that it also wasn’t him at the University. well advertised,” Kai ShinIvor Chen, graduate stu- brough, graduate student dent in Engineering, was in Engineering and GEO dismissed Jan. 29 for one representative said. “And year at a disciplinary hear- we’ve heard from some ing held by the Office of Stu- University administradent Conflict Resolution. tors that actually to a cerHis case caught the eye of tain extent this was intenthe student community and tional. They didn’t want Graduate Employees’ Orga- to hand out a lot of these nization at the University, exemptions.” and a petition supporting Chen believed that since his readhe was a mission g r a du at e reached employee 18,000 signot work“In the end, it was an natures in ing on a matter of campus, honest mistake.” days. he was not Accordrequired KAI SHINBROUGH ing to the to test , GRADUATE STUDENT GEO, on accordIN ENGINEERING Feb. 16 ing to the the SenGEO. ate ComE l l ie mittee for Fujimoto, Student Discipline recon- graduate student in AHS vened to “evaluate new and GEO representative, information” related to his said the messaging by the case, modifying the origi- University regarding who nal disciplinary order to a has to get tested “was very dismissal held in abeyance unclear.” or probation until gradua“I mean, as graduate tion, two 1,000 word reflec- employees we’re both stutive essays and 25 hours of dents and employees so community service. Ivor saw the email that said In Fall 2020, Chen lived that employees, if possible, with his immunocompro- should work from home and mised mother in C-U while thought he was included in working remotely. Accord- that,” Fujimoto said. ing to the GEO, Chen did Chen must complete not leave his house except 80 hours of community for essential activities. service, two 1,000-word According to the GEO, ref lective essays, show Chen’s visa status was evidence of successful acarevoked as a result of the demic or work history durdismissal and he and his ing his year of dismissal mother are subject to and petition to reenter the deportation. University after one year. Throughout the fall Chen was also issued semester, Chen took three a trespass notification tests to confirm he was which prohibits him from negative. setting foot on University On Dec. 11, Chen tried to property. enter a building on Univer“It’s an incredibly dissity property to take a cer- proportionate discipline tification test by the Soci- for someone who was folety of Actuaries. Upon lowing the guidelines in the learning he would need a spring (of ) 2021 when they negative COVID-19 test were clearly communicatresult, Chen left the buildSEE PHD STUDENT | 3A ing. According to the GEO,

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MONDAY

February 22, 2021 The Daily Illini DailyIllini.com

NEWS FROM 1A

PHD STUDENT

PHOTO COURTESY OF LATOSHA POINTER

Illinois dance professor Cynthia Oliver performs a routine. Oliver recently received a $50,000 fellowship.

Dance professor wins fellowship BY ALEXANDRA GERGOVA STAFF WRITER

The United States Artists funding organization has announced that one University professor, in addition to 59 other individuals, have been awarded the organization’s 2021 Fellowship. These prestigious fellowships of $50,000 are bestowed upon artists in 10 disciplines: architecture & design, craft, dance, film, media, music, theater & performance, traditional arts, visual art and writing. The recipients of this fellowship represent artists ranging from diverse backgrounds. The award targets not only artists from emerging backgrounds but also artists that are fully committed in their careers, as well as those anywhere in between, according to Lynnette Miranda, program director of the United States Artists organization. “So it’s not just for folks that are new and up and coming, and it’s not just for folks who are super established and very well-known in the field,” Miranda said. “So it makes for a really unique experience for artists applying for this.” For Cynthia Oliver, dance professor in the College of Fine and Applied Arts and recipient of the fellowship, the U.S.A. Fellowship is extremely unique because it avoids financial conduits and instead transfers the unrestricted $50,000 directly to the artist, thus allowing them to use the funds without restraint or under strict guidelines. “It’s one of the few in the nation that trusts artists and gives them money directly as opposed to forcing us to have to go through a fiscal conduit to get financial support for our work,” Oliver said. “What often happens with the financial conduit is that they take money off the top for the administration of the support. So even if all they do is collect money from an organization, print the check and hand it to you, they might take 5% or 2% percent.” Miranda echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing the unrestricted nature of the U.S.A. fellowship as an incredibly important characteristic of the program.

“We don’t require them to spend it on a project or we don’t require them to tell us what they’re spending it on and report on it,” Miranda said. “They can definitely spend it for their own practice, whether it’s buying equipment or paying studio assistants or maybe establishing a physical studio space, but they can also spend it on anything else they want. Maybe they want to put a deposit on a home and so forth.” The recipients were selected as winners through a methodical year-long process that begins with a nomination. “We invite folks from all over the country to nominate artists that they think could be a real contender for this award,” Miranda said. “Every year we change those people. We really want to get everyone involved. So it’s not just folks that are at the very top of an organization; it’s also folks that are the program managers or the folks that are working with the artists day to day.” Following the nomination process, artists are invited to apply through a simple application consisting of two short answer questions, a portfolio of around 15 work samples and a short written biography. The application is centered around three conceptual ideas that the organization looks for: artistic vision, impact and momentum. A panel for each discipline is then created, hosting three experts per panel that convene and judge the applications. Oliver, who has been part of the University dance department since 2000, is one of five individuals that received the fellowship on Feb. 3 for the discipline of dance. Her work within the field of dance revolves around theater works, which are performance productions that use dance as the primary form of expression alongside other forms like theatrical production, text, visual art and fashion. “I’m always interested in a broad vision of a particular subject matter,” Oliver said. “I’m interested in Black life. I’m a very proud Afro-Carib-

bean person, and so that is an element in my work all the time. I’m interested in Black genius, the ways in which we navigate the world and manage very difficult circumstances in some of the most creative ways on the planet.” With the funding provided by the United States Artists organization, Oliver is currently deciding on pursuing one of three projects. The first project involves taking the time to complete her second book, which centers around the Black avantgarde through the lens of dance during a particular time period in New York. The second project involves furthering her 2019 project titled “Tether” that was created in honor of the 50th anniversary of the University dance department. The third project involves creating a site-specific work on a plantation in the Virgin Islands where one of her first African ancestors was enslaved. “One of those three things I will do,” Oliver said. “I haven’t figured out which yet. This is relatively new information, so I’m just going to kind of let it percolate and see which rises to the surface.” In addition to working as a dance professor at the University, Oliver also serves as an associate vice chancellor for research and innovation in humanities, arts and related fields. “(The position) allows me to advocate for humanists, artists and folks in other related fields across the entire campus to help them realize their projects and research and to find money and other kinds of support that they might need.” Besides producing her own works, Oliver recognizes that is also still a performer. She attributes a lot of the impact of dance on her work and the performing arena to individuals she has worked alongside. “Tere O’Connor and the dance department, Deke Weaver and Art and Design– I’ve performed in both of their works, and I’ve enjoyed that tremendously as well as doing my own,” Oliver said. gergova2@dailyillini.com

ed,” Becca Maree, GEO representative, said. Adv it h G ov i nda r ajan, graduate student in LAS and GEO representative, said the discipline was a “very condescending response” and not designed for international students, especially during a pandemic. The GEO exhausted the appeals process to try and reinstate Chen. “In the end, it was an honest mistake,” Shinbrough said. “Right, I mean he misread an email or he thought that he was in one group when he was actually in another.” Along with an email and phone campaign targeted at University administrators and after exhausting

FROM 1A

REGIME have been set up through Bloom Energy in Sunnyvale, California. According to Bill Jackson, leader of SHIELD T3, there are several other universities across the world that are also using the saliva test along with an international service agreement with Rako Science in New Zealand that is currently in the works. SHIELD T3 is an organization created by the University of Illinois system in order to expand the saliva-based testing program nationwide. Universities that have adopted this saliva-based test have recently made the transition from the original nasal swab test and have been adapting to this change. “As a patient myself, I think the saliva test is a lot quicker in terms of results and the nasal tests required a little bit more planning ahead of time just because it took longer,” said Sameer Chabbra, student at North Central College. According to Chabbra due to the new testing

FROM 1A

VACCINE By Saturday’s count, 21.9% of the county population has received at least one dose of the vaccine, or 26.6% of the vaccine-eligible population. Almost 7.5% of the population has received both doses of a vaccine. Champaign County’s full vaccination rate is third in the state, behind Adams and Springfield counties percentages of 14.47% and 7.67%. The count y brief ly expanded eligibility to residents 16 and over with underlying health conditins, but appointments quickly filled. Residents or workers in

appeal options, the GEO is working through filing grievances with the University. On Feb. 1, the GEO filed a Level 2 Grievance, alleging that the University did not possess just cause for Chen’s dismissal, discriminated against him in the form of disparate treatment and affronted Chen’s mental health. The grievance was denied Feb. 5 and only addressed the alleged violation of not possessing just cause for Chen’s dismissal. The GEO was in the process of filing a Level 3 Grievance on the part of Chen. “(T)he safety, health and well-being of our students, faculty, staff and greater community, especially during this pandemic, is our number one priority,” Robin Kaler, spokesperson for the University, wrote in an

email. “This is why we put the SHIELD safety ecosystem and its requirements in place.” According to Stephen Bryan, associate vice chancellor for student affairs, 51 students total have been dismissed from the University for COVID-related violations, with 26 specifically dismissed for violating testing requirements, as of Feb. 16. “University administrators have really been pushing the narrative that we’re in this together, we want to keep everyone safe,” Maree said, “And so when we’re facing the deportation of an international Ph.D. student, I think that greatly conflicts with the narrative that’s present right now from university administrators.”

method, the COVID-19 procedure at the location has become more organized than before. Once these schools adopt the University’s tests, the testing practices and terminology they use is entirely up to them. Loyola calls the saliva tests “surveillance tests.” The University of Wisconsin-Madison has conducted the highest number of tests among SHIELD clients, averaging 5,667 tests per day for the last week. Just like the University, there were some kinks to work out at the beginning of implementation. “Overall, we have gotten used to the new testing but in the beginning, a lot of the people I know kept on getting their test rejected,” said Ali Qureshi, student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. “I know one guy had his test rejected three times in a row and had to keep redoing them.” The SHIELD program is aware of samples being rejected due to contamination with things such as mouthwash, phlegm or tobacco because these samples must be clear in order to process properly. “The sample can’t have

anything in it but saliva; it needs to be clear in color,” Jackson said. “So we’ve recently created a video to help people learn how to properly drool into the vial and are starting to share that with our clients.” In order for an organization to receive these saliva tests, they must contact the SHIELD program and get approval in order to go forth with the process. A client could potentially enter a service agreement or hire the program to put a mobile lab at the client’s location. “We have three types of customers: one where we are hired to put a mobile lab at client site and run that lab, another type of customer who enters into a service agreement and the third group which is most often other universities with existing labs that we share our protocols with for free,” Jackson said. The SHIELD team hopes to pursue further widespread testing opportunities in order to protect lives and potentially become the nation’s preferred COVID-19 testing system in the near future.

Champaign County who are 65 and above, or 40-64 years old with certain underlying health conditions, like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cancer, heart conditions, diabetes, obesity, pregnancy, pulmonary disease, sickle cell or any disability, are eligible for the vaccine. Workers in the following industries are also eligible for vaccination: • Healthcare workers who are at risk of COVID-19 exposure or work with infected individuals/ materials • Caretakers of a disabled person • Staff at licensed daycare workers State of Illinois approved early childhood and licensed daycares and K-12 (public,

private and parochial) schools. • Corrections officers and inmates • Education • Shelters/Adult daycare • Public transit • Postal service • Grocery stores • Food and agriculture • Manufacturing Church of the Living God is a large space located near lower-income spaces in C-U. “We’re working hard to remove barriers to accessing the vaccine for our community members,” Wood said. Almost 70% of the 65 and above population in Champaign has received a dose of a vaccine.

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Regional test positivity reaches lowest point since summer Seventy-six hospitalized in region, lowest since Sept. 11 BY ETHAN SIMMONS NEWS EDITOR

COVID-19 metrics in Champaign County and the surrounding 20 counties that make up Region 6 have continued to improve. The rolling seven-day test positivity rate for Region 6, which covers east central Illinois, is down to 3.2%, the lowest since July 24. Regional hospitalizations for the virus, at 76 as of Friday, are the lowest since Sept. 11. Hospitalizations peaked in the region on Nov. 18, at 268, when the county was going through its worst dirge of new COVID-19 cases. The region has spent 37

days underneath the 8% test positivity threshold which typically calls for more COVID-19-related mitigations, like minimizing indoor dining. Locally, the ChampaignUrbana Public Health District confirmed another 22 cases of the virus among its residents after Saturday’s tests. However, active cases dropped by 137, down to 556 active cases of COVID-19 in Champaign County. Fourteen county residents are hospitalized for the virus as of Sunday, the same as Saturday. Among Carle’s hospitals, 29 patients are hospitalized for COVID-19, with three in Carle Foundation Hospital’s intensive care unit in Urbana. Since the pandemic began, 17,920 people have tested positive for COVID-19 in Champaign Coun-

ty, while 127 of them have died. The county has processed 1,679,929 COVID-19 tests to date. A steady f low of new COVID-19 cases continues to drag on the University’s spring semester, though the picture is still better than the fall semester. During the week ended Friday, another 255 people tested positive for COVID-19 for the first time. Since Jan. 15, when students began returning to campus, 1,170 people have tested positive for COVID-19 on campus. Last year, after the fourth week of class, 1,870 cases had been identified on campus since move-in, including 340 in the fourth week of class. @esimmsnews ecsimmon@dailyillini.com

Rolling seven-day test positivity down to the lowest since July Nov. 17: 14.6 15

Feb. 17: 3.2 12

July 2: 1.6

0 Source: Illinois Department of Public Health CASSIDY BRANDT THE DAILY ILLINI

MONDAY

February 22, 2021 The Daily Illini DailyIllini.com

LIFE & CULTURE

Titianna Ammons invigorates local election BY GWYN SKILES STAFF WRITER

The Ammons family name is very familiar to voters in Champaign County. State Representative Carol Ammons serves the 103rd district in the Illinois House of Representatives and her husband Aaron Ammons is the Champaign County Clerk. This upcoming Tuesday, yet another new Ammons family member will appear on the ballot. Titianna Ammons, 31-years-old, is following her parents’ passion for government and running as a Democrat for Urbana City Clerk. In addition to running for office, Ammons is a beauty queen, a traditional West African dance teacher, and a mom of two with multiple sclerosis. As a young, Black woman with a wide range of interests, Ammons said she represents citizens of Urbana and would provide a breath of fresh air to the city. Twenty-eight-year-old Communications Director, Jenna Sickenius agreed and said the representation Ammons would provide if elected promotes equality. “When the most vulnerable and underserved see equality, we all see equality,” Sickenius said. “As a young, innovative Black woman, Titianna understands that her position as a local official would be important because she would be representing the city itself.” While Ammons hasn’t had prior experience as Urbana City Clerk, she said having lived in Urbana the majority of her life, she knows the community.

PHOTO COURTESY OF TITIANNA AMMONS

Titianna Ammons speaks at a March for Black Lives event over the summer in Urbana. Ammons is running for Urbana City Clerk.

“I went to Urbana middle school and high school,” Ammons said. “I grew up here. This is my home and I want to make a path for other people.” One of the slogans of Ammons’s campaign is ‘service is love.’ Ammons said she demonstrates this belief through her activism. If elected, Ammons said she plans on inspiring positive change in Urbana. A mmons’ opponent, 73-year-old Phyllis Clark, has served as Urbana City

Clerk for six full terms. Clark said the purpose of the position is not to create change. “The City Clerk does not engage in trying to make changes to Urbana,” Clark said. “We’re here to be of assistance to the people and be of need.” Ammons said if elected, she hopes Clark will mentor her. She said she values Clark’s experience and service to the community. “This is my chance to say ‘hey, pass the baton’,”

Ammons said. “I want to know what you know so that I can continue the fight.” Clark said she has not heard from Ammons yet. She also said she won’t give Ammons any information about what happens in the Clerk’s office if she doesn’t ask for it. “If Titianna was running a race that was one of character, I wouldn’t mind mentoring her if she was to win,” Clark said. “But I think I wouldn’t at this

Clark said she denied these events and believes Ammons doesn’t run an integral campaign. Ammons said for her, candidacy is not about power, but rather about service. “I always wanted to be very clear that my family and I aren’t at all about power, we’re absolutely about service 100% of the time,” Ammons said. This belief and Ammons’ wish to inspire change appeals to voters such as Sickenius. “I’m supporting her because she’s excited about the future, she’s innovative and she’s constantly fighting for someone other than herself,” Sickenius said. One i n it iat ive of Ammons’ campaign that Sickenius said she’s looking forward to is a community outreach department. “One of the things that the city of Urbana needs desperately is a community outreach department in the city clerk’s office,” Sickenius said. “I think Ammons being city clerk will provide the community with the honesty and integrity it needs.” Ammons said she encourages students to go out and vote. She said local government is just as important as the national government. “I’m hoping the students find this election important because they come here, they live here, they spend money here and so they should be involved here,” Ammons said. “The only way for them to do that is by getting out and voting.”

point.” Ammons said before announcing her candidacy, she and her parents asked Clark for guidance and mentorship to which Clark agreed. Shortly after, Ammons said she heard about Clark’s candidacy without any warning. “She didn’t have any plans to stay and re-run,” Ammons said. “She doesn’t owe me anything but I would have liked at least a phone call because I had gskiles2@dailyillini.com spoken to her prior.”

RSO advocates student organ donation registration events as well as in-person fundraisers. The pandemic has changed the way these events can be planned. Despite the challenge of adjusting to COVID19-safe guidelines, SODA has seen a lot of growth and establishment of new chapters, including a new chapter at the University. This chapter of SODA was established on campus at the beginning of the spring semester by Sami Newman, junior in AHS. Like Miller, Newman was also impacted by organ donation when her family friend became an organ donor after he passed away. “I was little, but I remember my parents talking about how brave that decision was for the family and that always stuck with me,” Newman said. As a premedical student, Newman was inspired to start a chapter when she was looking for RSOs on

JULIA EVERSMANN THE DAILY ILLINI

campus that had to do with the medical field. She came across SODA and realized that there was a need for

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Many college students remember going to the DMV and getting their driver’s licenses when they turned 16. One part of the process they may have skipped over, however, was the section asking if they would like to be an organ donor. Groups of students across the country hope to address the lack of awareness, especially among young people, of organ donation and its life-changing abilities. Sara Miller, graduate of Washington University in St. Louis, founded the Student Organ Donation Advocates, or SODA. She currently serves as the leader of the national organization. She created SODA back in 2014 as a way to share her passion for organ donation with others. “At our core, we believe students can help reduce

the organ shortage, so we try to make it as accessible as possible for students who are passionate about organ donation to get involved. We support students all across the country and provide them with resources to allow them to be effective organ donation advocates,” Miller said. Sara’s passion for organ donation advocacy stems from seeing firsthand the impacts it can have on others. When she was younger, her older sister passed away and became an organ donor. “I was able to see the impact of organ donation on my family and on the recipient’s family,” Miller said. “I wanted other people to understand that organ donation can truly be life saving and provide hope for families.” In the past, SODA chapters held organ donation education and registration

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organ donation education Through SODA, Newas well as a need to address man said she wants to bring the fear often associated with it. SEE ORGAN | 5A

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Monday, February 22, 2021

Art students lead diversity conversations Black Advocacy Team engages FAA faculty members BY FARRAH ANDERSON STAFF WRITER

In the wake of the Black Lives Matter movement and the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, University student Faith Brown said the past summer inspired her to make a change. Brown, senior in FA A, said she and Masters student Bevara Anderson decided to found the Black Advocacy Team last summer within the Dance at Illinois department to address the feelings of students of color. “Just seeing the kind of impact it had on the dance community and on us specifically, we really realized that there was a need for communication between the faculty and the students,” Brown said. Since its onset, the team has held events for students highlighting health and wellness. They have also led conversations with faculty about microaggressions endured within the dance department. Although students and faculty said the meeting was difficult to have, many said they left feeling like some progress was made. “I still think there’s work to be done,” Brown said. “I think a lot of people think that inviting people of color is it. But there’s a lot more work and a lot more understanding and educating not just yourself, but other people in the department.” Jan Erkert, professor and the Head of Dance at Illinois, said when she came to the University in 2006, she didn’t feel like the population in the department

FROM 4A

ORGAN attention to this often overlooked issue and make others understand that registering may be a simple task but it is extremely impactful. “A lot of times, medicine focuses on the proce-

reflected the diversity she wanted to see. “I felt like, this is a state school, we should look more like the state,” Erkert said. To create a more diverse and inclusive department, Erkert said she follows a three-step approach: “who dances, what we dance and how we dance together.” Once the Black Advocacy Team held the meeting with the faculty, Erkert said she felt like it was important to open the door and talk about interactions students had with faculty that they didn’t want to repeat. “For students of color, something happens and then they keep it hidden or talk to each other about it but it doesn’t get voiced into the department, and then it becomes a secret and then it becomes anger,” she said. Especially in dance, Erkert said that being open and honest about experiences is essential for both students and faculty. “We cannot be fully creative or compassionate beings without addressing this,” she said. “Any kind of racism hurts everybody in some kind of way.” Bevara Anderson, a second-year master’s student in FAA and the co-founder of the Black Advocacy Team, said she was focused on addressing health and wellness. Once she held a meeting, Anderson said she heard that students of color were drained after all the events of the past year. “When we spoke, you could just tell that a lot of people were emotionally exhausted,” Anderson said. “It forced me to realize that not only do I need to be taking care of myself, but I need to make sure my peers are doing the same.” After founding an event called ‘Do it for me Friday’s,’ Anderson said the

entire department voted that it was their favorite event last semester. From creating socially distanced funk dance routines to a scavenger hunt across campus, Anderson said the events were focused on connecting the members of the dance department. “So often, African American people are so wrapped up in the mess that we experience in our everyday lives that we forget that we still need to take care of ourselves and the only way we

can fight a fight is if we’re well,” she said. In the future, Anderson said she wants to see more departments have conversations like the Black Advocacy Team had with theirs. To her, progress in diversity and inclusion can’t be made without input from students of color. “As much as they think that they can, they need their students,” she said. “They need to hear from their students, they need to hear how their students are feeling (and) what their

students feel is lacking in their department.” As Black History Month comes to a close, Dance at Illinois professor Endalyn Taylor said that although the country had a huge racial reckoning this past year, she hopes that education and hard conversations don’t end now. “Once things start to die down, keeping our foot on the gas pedals so that it is just a byproduct of humanity that we’re always thinking about,” Taylor said. Taylor said that despite

many of the opportunities for growth that happened within Black History Month and the Black Lives Matter movement, the focus on racial equality doesn’t end for people of color after a month. “It’s not something that we turn off and turn on,” she said. “Even though the light may dim on it at other times for other people who have that privilege, it is a constant thing.”

dure and recovery, but not so much on where everything is coming from and with what materials doctors are able to do transplants with,” Newman said. Starting an RSO in the middle of the pandemic has presented a few challenges. Alisha Mahkri, junior in AHS and Vice President of SODA on campus, spoke

more on how COVID-19 has affected event planning. “The executive board has been working on starting the club all of last semester and we had to go through the process and barriers of starting a club in a virtual environment,” Mahkri said. “That meant contacting people and spreading the work virtually like

through newsletters.” Although this is SODA’s first semester at the University, the chapter already has held meetings and planned events. As of now, the chapter is planning a blood drive in collaboration with the Red Cross at the Union. Keeping COVID-19 in mind, they are also looking to have a station set

up by testing sites around campus where students can scan a QR code that directs them to an organ donation registration website. All these events and future events will help young people become more aware and willing to help with organ donation. “I registered as an organ donor on my driv-

er’s license, but I don’t think I truly understood what that meant until getting involved with SODA. I think as college students, registering is such an easy thing to do and it can impact so many peoples’ lives,” Newman said.

PHOTO COURTESY OF STUDIODANCE

Graduate Student Bevara Anderson performs in “Somewhere Between,” Choreographed by Bevara Anderson & Danzel Thompson-Stout. The Black Advocacy Team hosts events that focus on wealth and wellness.

IF THEY CAN DO IT,

SO CAN YOU!

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NEW YORK TIMES CROSSWORD

ACROSS

1 Get ready to hem, say 6 Hankering 10 Thomas Edison’s middle name 14 Boxing venue 15 ___ Hari (W.W. I spy) 16 Russian “no” 17 City where you won’t find the Eiffel Tower 19 Cotton processors 20 Not to mention … 21 Org. for which Jason Bourne works in “The Bourne Identity” 22 Author Charlotte, Emily or Anne 24 City where you won’t find the Parthenon 28 1965 Alabama march site 30 Saintly “Mother” 31 Utopian 32 Plant on a trellis 33 1950s White House nickname 36 “Nuts!” 37 Gets ready, as for surgery 39 Insect flying in a cloud 40 CPR pro 41 Sound made by helicopter rotors 42 Rings, as a church bell 43 Yasir of the P.L.O. 45 What the back of a store might open onto 46 City where you won’t find Virgil’s Tomb 50 Pal of Jerry on “Seinfeld” 51 Driveway material 52 QB successes 55 Excessive drinking or gambling

43 47

21 24

45 49

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56 City where you won’t find the El Greco Museum 60 Neck and neck 61 Cousin of “Kapow!” 62 Refrigerator compound 63 Cincinnati squad 64 “Well, that was stupid of me!” 65 Commuter boat

DOWN

1 Owner of the first bed that Goldilocks tested 2 Tehran’s land 3 “Here comes Poindexter!” 4 Prefix with lateral or cellular 5 Easter-related 6 “Let me rephrase that …” 7 Receipt line just above the total

8 Org. that runs Windy City trains 9 Fading stars 10 Kind of goat that’s the source of mohair 11 Not upstanding, in either sense of the word 12 20-ounce size at Starbucks 13 Confounded 18 Bit of attire you might learn how to put on while using a mirror 23 Valentine’s Day flower 25 I.R.S. agent, quaintly 26 More than a couple 27 Part of a golf club 28 Pro or con, in a debate 29 Dutch cheese 33 All riled up

34 Curly-leafed cabbage 35 Online market for craftspeople 37 What follows the initial part of a master plan 38 Repeated bit in jazz 39 Neuter, as a horse 41 Small, brown bird 42 Join in couples 43 1986 sci-fi sequel set in deep space 44 Venerated symbols 46 “Not a chance!” 47 Still surviving 48 Walked nervously back and forth 49 Far out 53 Designer Christian 54 ___ Pictures, one of Hollywood’s Big Five studios 57 Cry of surprise 58 Drink like a cat 59 Bauxite, e.g.

The crossword solution is in the Classified section.

MONDAY

February 22, 2021 The Daily Illini DailyIllini.com

OPINIONS

Philosophy education lacks diverse thought, ideas ANDREA MARTINEZ COLUMNIST

Non-Western philosophy deserves more recognition by universities

hen thinking about philosophy, the minds of Plato or Emmanuel Kant come to mind. Karl Marx may come to the minds of the anti-capitalists as well. These are considered “real” philosophers. What is it that these people have in common? They are all European men. The core requirements for any philosophy curriculum consists of studying Greek, Roman and Enlightenment Era philosophers. In higher-level courses within the curriculum, from metaphysics to epistemology, the topic is centered around European schools of thought. A course focusing on the ideas of non-western philosophers is nowhere to be found at Illinois. Whether or not it be due to the lack of knowledgeable faculty at the University, it is undeniably a reflection of society’s delegitimization of non-western education. In the typical philosophy curriculum at U.S. colleges and universities, why do Ancient Philosophy courses focus only on the Greeks and Romans? All the while, major philosophies were also taking root on the other side of the world. There exists not a single course dedicated to studying the great minds of Confucius, Buddha or Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz at the University of Illinois. Why is feminism seen as a social movement but not also a philosophical concept? Why is dharma seen as a hip and trendy spirituality in the West, and

KAITLIN MIKRUT THE DAILY ILLINI

not also as the groundbreaking school of thought that it is? How did this hyperEuropean centric body of study come to be and what does it mean for the future of our education? Why has philosophy education come to be centered around Western schools of thought? Well, when looking at the historical development of philosophy, it becomes evident that Europeancentered philosophy education did not occur by accident. This is a carefully crafted academic body of study meant to uphold the ideas of white supremacy that have defined the western world. Though Buddhism is also a religion, the dele-

gitimization of Buddhism as a philosophical body of study cannot be ignored. As previously mentioned, the concepts of Buddhist teachings such as dharma and karma are viewed in the West as hip and trendy. As the Buddha’s image is plastered on items to be sold to the masses for the sake of an “aesthetic,” Buddhist philosophy is stripped of its religious significance and academic sophistication — it is whittled down to a mere commodity for consumption by others. The main argument in the overarching theme of this essay is that as the Era of Enlightenment took shape, philosophy was used to justify and solidify European superiority in

an ever-expanding world. This led to the expansion of westernized education as Europeans colonized the globe. Philosophers used their names and reputation to preach discriminatory ideas such as scientific racism which resulted in racist education in the West. We are taught “modern” medicine that was created in the West, literary “classics” and genres that were written almost exclusively by those of European descent, and philosophies by Europeans. The implications of a Eurocentric education is dangerous. Not only does the delegitimization hold, but it further spreads the ideals of white supremacy; this is also inherently

misogynistic. We learn the ideas of early modern philosophers in the context of western imperialism, most notably during the Scramble for Africa. The belief of scientific racism also comes to be. We’re looking at you, John Locke. What are we as students and as an overall society supposed to do? How can we change the ideas that have taken shape for millennia? It begins with education, for how can we become global citizens if we do not know what the rest of the world has to offer? We must begin offering non-Western philosophy courses here at the University of Illinois. Not only must they be offered, but

they need to be more than optional. The curriculum needs to be restructured in order to incorporate these truly modern, global philosophers. The white men whose philosophy is rooted in racism, misogyny and insurrection is lauded for its groundbreaking thoughts — yet the people truly expanding this body of study are left in the shadows, merely an afterthought in the form of course electives — providing such a course is even offered. Let’s make use of the “Power of I” by pioneering a truly globalized, world-class education. Andrea is a junior is LAS. amart249@dailyillini.com

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Anti-Asian discrimination escalates during COVID-19

istorically, someone is always “blamed” for diseases. Jews were blamed for typhus and smallpox. Haitians were blamed for AIDs. The German blamed the French, who blamed the Italian, for PHOTO COURTESY OF JOAN MARCUS/IBDB syphilis. The Africans Actress Rachel Tucker stars in a production of the musical “Wicked.” Columnist Noah believes the musical teaches uses an were blamed for Ebola. unlikely pairing to teach the power of friendship. The Chinese have been blamed for COVID-19. We should learn from the past that blaming an entire race for a disastrous disease is never the ters: Glinda the Good Witch never knew they had. friends I have made and kept answer. It only creates and Elphaba, the Wicked It’s captivating to watch at college and back home. more social divisions and NOAH NELSON Witch of the West. Not only their friendship bud into one They are there to share a segregations. The spread SENIOR COLUMNIST does the musical make one that should inspire anyone laugh, exchange life stoof the novel coronavilaugh and tap their foot, but to stay friends with the ones ries and are always ready rus (SARs-cov-2) has led it will teach you the power of who are true to you and will at your side in the click of a to a significant increase the world of Broad- friendship. do anything for you. heel when you need them in stigmatization toward way musicals, most Set in the Land of Oz, way Most people have watched the most. “Asian-looking” people. productions focus before Dorothy dropped the 1939 classic “The WizIf you have great friends The COVID-19 panon a love story between in, the story follows colard of Oz.” They could prob- in your life, cherish them. demic has made racial two different people who lege roommates Glinda ably even tell that whole And if you ever need a jolt discrimination against end up happily ever after. and Elphaba as they slowstory in their sleep — I know of inspiration to continue Asians more common. A With the likes of “Beauly obtain their respective I could. If you have never being a good friend or be now-deleted infographic ty and the Beast,” “West future roles. At first they are seen it, you must have lived grateful for the ones you posted by the UniversiSide Story ‘’ and “The the unlikeliest of friends: under a rock your whole life. have, “Wicked” is a mustty of California at BerkePhantom of the Opera,” Glinda being the rich, popWith “Wicked,” viewers will watch. Even if you’re not an ley included “xenophothose musicals are ular girl amongst the othsee Glinda and Elphaba like Oz freak or dislike musicals, bia” as one of the “normal great in their own right er students as opposed to never before and even how you won’t hate this one. reactions” resulting from because of the romantic Elphaba who deals with life beloved characters like the Cheers to great friendthe pandemic. The Wall plot line. But romance as a social pariah with — you Scarecrow, the Tin Man and ships! When you’re in good Street Journal published shouldn’t always be the guessed it — green skin. the Lion came to be in their company, you always know an article titled “China major focus in the story. The pair slowly become own right. there’s no place like home. Is The Real Sick Man of The Tony Award-winning friends throughout the Broadway musicals are Asia.” The terms “Chinese musical “Wicked” is by no two-and-a-half hour perby no means for everyone. Noah is a junior in the College Virus,” “Wuhan Virus” means a love story, but rath- formance as they visit the They’re not for me either — of Media. and “Kung Flu” used by er a tale about an unlikeEmerald City for the first the exception being “Wicknoahen2@dailyillini.com the former U.S. president, ly friendship between two time to meet the Wizard and ed.” The more times I watch, Donald J. Trump, were beloved pop culture charac- soon discover powers they the more I value the true broadcasted repeatedly

‘Wicked’ teaches power of friendship, companionship

on mass media. Since the first case of COVID-19 reported in the U.S., hate crimes against Asian Americans have increased to approximately 100 cases per day. According to the Stop AAPI (Asian American Pacific Islander) Hate reporting center, there were 2,583 antiAsian incidents reported nationwide over the course of approximately five months in 2020 (from March 19 to Aug. 5) with California being the highest. The victims include Asian American individuals and businesses. A major cause of the increased anti-Asian hate crimes during this pandemic is prejudice towards Asians, senseless coping strategies and media biases in the U.S. Hasn’t the COVID-19 pandemic already cost multiple lives and depleted massive amount of resources, why provoke hate and discrimination? We shouldn’t need to place blame, we need to solve the problem together. Kankanit is a freshman in ACES. opinions@dailyillini.com

SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS | opinions@dailyillini.com with the subject “Letter to the Editor.” The Daily Illini reserves the right to edit for length, libel, grammar and spelling errors, and Daily Illini style or to reject any contributions. Letters must be limited to 300 words. Contributions must be typed and include the author’s name, address and phone number. University students must include their year in school and college.

MONDAY

February 22, 2021 The Daily Illini DailyIllini.com

SPORTS

MEN’S BASKETBALL

EXPLOSIVE OFFENSE FUELS ROAD WIN BY JACKSON JANES ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR

After narrow wins over Indiana, Northwestern and Nebraska over the last two weeks, Illinois traveled to “The Barn” to take on Minnesota. The Golden Gophers are dominant on their home court, where they have defeated the Hawkeyes, Wolverines and Buckeyes by an average of 14 points. They also entered the matchup with a 13-1 home record, the second-best home win percentage in the Big Ten. Despite recent disappointing performances, the Illini came out firing on all cylinders, dominating for most of the game due to their efficient shooting, intense defense and a significant size advantage, leading to a 94-63 win that extended the

team’s win streak to seven games. It’s pretty easy to say that the Illini put together their best game of the season, but let’s take a more in-depth look at eight performances from the win. Note: Coleman Hawkins (two points), Benjamin Bosmans-Verdonk (two points), Jermaine Hamlin (one point), Tyler Underwood, Connor Serven and Brandon Lieb all got playing time on Saturday, though they did not play enough for me to fairly assess their performances.

AYO DOSUNMU Dosunmu’s decision to withdraw his name from the NBA draft and return to Champaign for a third season was already enough for many Illini fans, but the Chicago native continues to dazzle and rewrite history. On Saturday, Dosunmu notched his second-career triple-double after getting his first just two weeks ago, putting up 19 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists in the dominant win. After scoring eight points in the first half, Dosunmu kicked into second gear in the second half, but it was his vision that impressed the most. The junior guard frequently found team-

mates for dunks, including junior Giorgi Bezhanishvili and sophomore Kofi Cockburn. This selflessness is one of the reasons why Dosunmu is one of the best players in all of college basketball, and it’s easy to understand why he’s in the conversation for the Naismith and Big Ten Player of the Year awards. Performances like this are essential if the Illini want to make a deep postseason run in March, while it also shows why Dosunmu is such a unique player and one of the best to ever don the orange and blue of Illinois.

A+

TRENT FRAZIER It’s hard to describe how important Frazier is to this points on 3-11 shooting, including just four points in the Illini team. His defensive dominance and detersecond half. mination, combined with his efficient scoring, Frazier is known for his 3-point shooting, and were on full display on Saturday, and the senior after getting an early trey to fall, the senior gained guard finished with 15 points, four assists and confidence in his shooting from everywhere six steals, the most steals by an Illini player on the court, as he went 5-9 on all field goal since Luther Head had six in 2005. attempts. After scoring a 70-footer to beat It’s no surprise to see such impressive the buzzer against Nebraska last season, defensive displays from Frazier, as he is typFrazier took another attempt from deep on Saturday, this time ically tasked with guarding the opposition’s from just behind the half-court line to beat the buzzer at the end best scorers. Saturday was no different, as the of the first half. Florida native guarded star guard Marcus Carr After an all-around complete performance, Frazier will need to continue for most of the afternoon. Frazier held Carr, his hot streak over the next few weeks, especially since the Illini will be on who averages 19.4 points per game, to just 12 the road for four of their next five games.

A+

KOFI COCKBURN “Dominant” is the best way to describe the partner in crime for rim-rattling dunks. seven-foot sophomore, and Cockburn used Defensively, the sophomore cenhis size and strength to overpower Goldter didn’t allow any easy basen Gopher defenders all afternoon. kets, and his grit and toughDespite another impressive ness when Golden Gopher display, the Jamaica native shooters back into him proved how snapped his four-game doublefar he’s come in his second year double streak, finishing with under Brad Underwood. Cockburn’s 22 points and six rebounds. energy on both ends of the court will Cockburn was a beast in the be vital for the Illini during the Big paint and shot efficiently all afternoon, shooting 75% on 12 shots. Ten and NCAA tournaments. His free throw shooting also drastically improved, as he converted all four of his free throws. His partnership with Dosunmu is one of the best in college basketball, and Cockburn finished multiple lobs from his

JACOB GRANDISON Following a mediocre performance against Northwestern on Tuesday, Grandison came out with a chip on his shoulder on Saturday, putting together one of his brightest performances in an Illini uniform. The Oakland, California native finished with 12 points, his highest total since coming to Champaign, four assists, three rebounds and one steal. Grandison looked confident in his shot early, as he got to the free-throw line early before drilling two 3-pointers before halftime. His energy on the defensive end was also much improved from his performance on Tuesday, as he forced shooters into tough

contested shots on multiple occasions. His passing was also rather impressive, especially on a slick pass to Bezhanishvili in the paint. Like Frazier, Grandison’s all-around performance was a major boost for the Illini, and they will need solid performances from him moving forward, especially when his teammates are struggling offensively.

ADAM MILLER Miller has struggled with his consistency on offense this season, and his five points on Saturday once again proved this point, as he shot just 2-7 from the field, including 1-4 from behind the arc. Though he has struggled to get his shots to fall, Miller has made up for his offensive woes with his high-tempo defense, which was on full display on Saturday afternoon. His intelligence and intensity on the defensive end is extremely important for the Illini, and it’s one of the biggest reasons why Miller

A-

has retained his spot in the starting lineup. Despite his impressive defense, Miller had a few lapses in concentration on offense, including on a mishandled pass on a three-on-one fast break, though he quickly made up for it by feeding Dosunmu for an easy dunk. Miller’s emphatic dunk in the second half highlighted the Peoria native’s afternoon, and it showed what he’s capable of once he gets more confidence in his offensive abilities. SEE GRADEBOOK | 3B

MEN’S BASKETBALL

Ayo Dosunmu makes history with second triple-double BY GABBY HAJDUK SPORTS EDITOR

Ayo Dosunmu has one motto he consistently reminds himself and his teammates of: “do whatever it takes to win.” Every night Dosunmu does that and sometimes more for the Illini, whether it’s grabbing a team-high number of rebounds, finding his teammates for open shots when he gets double teamed or taking the ball to the hoop himself. But on Saturday afternoon at Minnesota — who posed a 13-1 home record — Dosunmu didn’t miss a beat and recorded his second triple-double of the season (19 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists) just 14 days after reaching the milestone for the first time in his career. “I think it happens when good players play on good teams,” head coach Brad Underwood said. “You can’t go achieve a triple-double if you don’t have guys mak-

ing shots and you don’t have other guys executing and you don’t have unselfishness. It’s easy to go out and score a lot of points. You usually look and you see those guys and they have no assists. That’s not the case.” “Like I said in describing Ayo, it’s winner and it’s all caps, every letter. He’s going to do whatever it takes to win and it is very unique.” Following his first triple-double (21 points, 12 rebounds, 12 assists) against Wisconsin, Dosunmu told reporters he had a feeling before the game he would earn the achievement, even telling his teammates to expect a triple-double. Dosunmu didn’t call this one, it more so came with the offensive flow the Illini retained through all 40 minutes. While the ChiSEE AYO | 2B

CAMERON KRASUCKI THE DAILY ILLINI

Ayo Dosunmu defends an Iowa player at State Farm Center on Jan. 29. Dosunmu recently recorded his second triple-double during the game against Minnesota on Saturday.

Monday, February 22, 2021

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SWIM&DIVE FROM 1B

home both Big Ten Player of the Year and National Player of the Year. Iowa’s Luka Garza, who averages 24.7 cago native hasn’t scored ppg and 8.4 rpg, has also under 10 points once this made a strong case for both season and consistently awards. reaches near-double digBut it’s hard to argue its in rebounds, in order to against Dosunmu being a reach that 10 assist mark, more complete player and Dosunmu’s teammates also a bigger influence on his have to be on. team. Dosunmu is now the That wasn’t an issue at all only player in the country on Saturday. Out of Dosun- and in the last 11 years to be mu’s 10 assists, three went averaging 20-plus points, to Kofi Cockburn down six-plus rebounds and fivelow who finished with 22 plus assists. points, two went to Trent Dosunmu also leads the Frazier behind the arc who Big Ten in assists, averfinished with 15 points and aging 5.3 per game and is two went to Jacob Grandi- second in scoring behind son who finished with 12 Garza with 21.2 ppg. And points. he ranks 17th in the conBut Dosunmu a lso ference in rebounding, attributed the triple-dou- averaging almost as many ble to his coaches, who rebounds per game (6.2) r e c og n i z e d as Wisconthe stat line sin’s leading with about 10 rebounder — minutes left Micah Potter “Like I said in in the game who averages and who con6.3 rpg. describing Ayo, it’s stantly push W h i l e him as hard Dosunmu winner and it’s all as anyone in has remained practice. caps, every letter. He’s humble, rare“I a i n’t ly accepting call this one. going to do whatever or giving himI just go out praise, it takes to win and self there a nd Under wo o d have f un,” Frazier it is very unique.” and D o s u n never fail to mu said. “I do it for him. BRAD UNDERWOOD was just in “He’s been HEAD COACH a rhy thm, made that doing whatca se since ever it takes. last year. I’ve My coaches get on me a lot. told him that,” Frazier said. Y’all would be surprised. I “I always believed in him. wish there was a mic and He’s an unbelievable player. y’all could really see how I tell him every game to do my coaches get on me so what he do, ‘be a pro.’ Every much in practice about game is going to be differrebounding or just mak- ent, guys are going to be ing the right read.” aggressive with Ayo.” “I just try to go out here “Damn, I don’t know and take the challenge. who’s any better,” UnderThey challenge me each wood said. “I know guys and every game and I just have more publicity and try to come out here and more marketing, but the take the challenge.” numbers don’t lie and the Dosunmu’s historic night productivity (doesn’t) lie in Minneapolis marked the and the winning doesn’t lie. 14th triple-double record- I have no idea who in the ed in the NCAA this season hell thinks anyone is better and the National Player of than him right now.” the Year candidate is just the second player to have @gabby_h11 more than one this season, ghajduk2@dailyillini.com joining Winthrop’s Chandler Vaudrin. With each game, Dosunmu comes closer to taking

AYO

PHOTO COURTESY OF FIGHTING ILLINI ATHLETICS

Senior Gabrielle Loeck swims during practice on Tuesday. Illinois will compete in the Big Ten Championships starting Tuesday.

Illinois seniors prepare to say goodbye BY RENATO ARTEAGA STAFF WRITER

With the Illini swim & dive team preparing for the 2021 Big Ten Championships, their playoff competition marks the end of a season that can only be described as one of a kind. COVID-19 protocols and safety guidelines shortened this year’s season to only four meets, limited their opponents to in-conference only and even canceled one matchup against Michigan State earlier in the season. To begin the season, many details were up in the air, as schools debated whether to have a season, but all eyes are currently on the seniors on the team as their collegiate careers are beginning to come to an end. Seniors Emma Curtis, Natalie Edwards, Erin Emme, Gabrielle Loeck, Jimena Martinez and Michelle McCord will complete their final season with the swim and dive program after this final Big Ten Championship meet. For many of these senior swimmers, COVID-19 played a big role in cutting their swimming careers short, as the pandemic abruptly can-

celed every sport’s practices and competitions just a few weeks after last year’s swim and dive Big Ten Championships took place. McCord has an opportunity to come back for a fifth year next year since injuries forced her to redshirt her sophomore year, but she has declined the opportunity and instead is focusing on her graduate school academics. “The redshirt decision my sophomore year was a difficult one, but necessary,” she said. “I feel like I was able to make a lot of progress towards my goals last year after being able to come back, but I have been dealing with other injuries now and getting surgery for those later this spring has made it a little harder, especially during COVID.” McCord points toward the coaching staff and their motto, “control what you can control,” with helping shape her as a person. She believes hearing that phrase “a thousand times,” has really helped with her development. “Everyone on the team now says that I’m a totally different person than I was freshman year, and

it’s totally true,” McCord said. “When I first got here, you might as well call me a nervous wreck. I was anxious about everything. Now, I can have a bad practice and just let it roll off because I know I did what I needed to do today, and it might not have worked out the way I wanted to, but it will be OK. I think that has been a big life lesson that swimming has taught me here.” Though injuries have prevented her from entering the pool with her teammates, she says she has been able to focus on being a leader and advocator for her younger teammates on the team. “I’ve been able to see just how much this team has grown since my freshman year,” McCord said. “The positive energy has grown a lot, and I think there has been a mindset shift on the team knowing that we may not be on the top of the top in the Big Ten, but we can still get up and compete against some of the best schools and put up really fast times, no matter what.” Throughout the whole pandemic, McCord believes she has learned how impor-

tant it is to enjoy the little moments and take life one day at a time “instead of worrying about how I’m going to get through the next practice or what if I don’t go best time,” which is something she thinks head coach Sue Novitsky helps guide all the swimmers with. “I feel like Sue really likes watching us grow as people,” McCord said. “She sees swimming beyond just the times and the practices. She really helps us truly embrace the studentathlete experience and … know that we’re not going to remember what times we went while we were in college, but we’ll remember the skills we developed and the friendships we made along the way.” The senior’s final playoff match will be during the Big Ten Championships that will take place from Feb. 23-27. The swimming events will take place in Minneapolis, Minnesota, while the diving events will take place in West Lafayette, Indiana, from Feb. 24-27. @renatoa2@dailyillini.com

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Monday, February 22, 2021

FOOTBALL

Reggie Corbin looks to jump-start career in Canada BY CARSON GOURDIE ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR

Former Illini running back Reggie Corbin possessed speed, quickness and a canning ability to catch a defense off-guard early. But with his college days over a year past him now, the All-Academic Big Ten tailback isn’t ready to hang up the pads just yet; Corbin is going over the northern border, signing a deal to play for the BC Lions, a former Canadian power that’s hungry for a return to prominence. “I couldn’t have picked a better team, especially with the indoor (stadium) and the great city of Vancouver,” Corbin said. “The orange (team color) runs through my blood a lot since being at Illinois.” Corbin, who stands at 5-foot-10 and 200 pounds, never had a quarterback at Illinois who could consistently keep defenses honest at the line of scrimmage. With the American structured style of play, running backs could sometimes be like sitting ducks, ready to get swarmed by the front seven. But Canada plays it differently than its southern neighbors. Skilled players don’t sit in one place, as any kind of

FROM 1B

GRADEBOOK Andre Curbelo: A-

Tuesday was a night to forget for the freshman, but on Saturday, Curbelo looked like a completely different player, as he was confident with both his passing and his shooting. The Puerto Rico native finished with four points and four assists in the commanding win. After an early turnover on a preventable travel, Curbelo settled in and found his groove. In the first half, the freshman guard took an inbound pass coast to coast, finish-

THE DAILY ILLINI FILE PHOTO

Former Illini running back Reggie Corbin rushes the ball during a game against Wisconsin at Memorial Stadium on Oct. 19, 2019. Corbin signed a deal with the BC Lions in Canada to continue his playing career.

motion is all right as long as enough players are on the line. Corbin, who plays shifty, will be able to have a head start this time around. Corbin’s career with Illinois marked a time of stagnation within the program, though that was by no means his fault.

Signed by Tim Beckman, redshirted under Bill Cubit and given the starting position by Lovie Smith, Corbin was a steady presence for a program dying for any sort of success. But Corbin had his own problems to worry about, too, dealing with two injuries in

three seasons that robbed him of valuable playing time. While Corbin had a productive freshman season, he was still an unknown quantity heading into his explosive junior season. Hiring a run-heavy, spread option pioneer — Rod Smith — definitely helped Corbin

ing the play with a clean layup. Just over a minute later, Curbelo grabbed a defensive rebound, spun 360 degrees and made a cross-court pass to Grandison, who was wide open in the corner, for three, which he buried. In the second half, Curbelo made a crafty behindthe-back, no-look pass to Cockburn in the paint to set up one of his many dunks of the afternoon, though he didn’t see much playing time after falling off the court in a scary sequence midway through the second half. Curbelo is known for his nifty passing and playmaking abilities, and Sat-

urday’s game was no different. This was one of his best performances of the season, but the freshman has yet to string together several solid games this year. Brad Underwood will be pleased with Curbelo’s showing on Saturday, but consistency is key for him moving forward.

dent on offense and settled in on defense after picking up an early foul. Bezhanishvili drew an and-one after good team passing in the first half, and he capped off his afternoon with a monster dunk in the second half. This aggression on offense is always important for the Illini, and it’s always good to get scoring off the bench and from people other than just Dosunmu and Cockburn. After an underwhelming sophomore season, the Georgia native has bounced back this year, and he added to his impressive resume with a determined display on Saturday. If Cockburn gets into foul trouble

Giorgi Bezhanishvili: A-

Bezhanishvili followed up an impressive showing on Tuesday with a solid performance on Saturday, as the junior forward finished with nine points and three rebounds in the win. The six-foot-nine-junior picked up right where he left off, as he looked confi-

put up video-game numbers, but the tailback’s ability to finally stay on the field was the top factor. Playing in all 12 games, Corbin ran for over 1,000 yards and scored nine touchdowns, while averaging 8.6 yards per carry. After helping lead the Illini to relevance, Corbin expected the next chapter of his life to start in the National Football League. But the NFL is cutthroat, and the Washington D.C. native never really got a shot — though it’s still on hold. Instead of locking himself away and feasting on McDonald’s Grubhub orders, Corbin used the COVID-19 lockdowns to prepare himself for a career he’s still pursuing, as he now thinks he’s bigger, faster and stronger. “It’s tough (training) in college because you do workouts that (are) catered towards 105 people,” Corbin said. “Now you do (workouts) every day that’s all about your strengths and weaknesses.” With those improvements, Corbin thinks he’s ready for the Canadian Football League from a physical standpoint, as he believes his Illinois days shrink in comparison. The CFL is offering more than a paycheck; it’s offering the chance for Corbin to develop

his football IQ. “Seeing different types of coverages, especially since it’s 12 people now, it’ll expand my knowledge of the game, and it’ll teach me a little bit,” Corbin said. Corbin’s best game at Illinois will always be the 2018 meeting against Minnesota, where the then-junior gashed the Gophers so badly — running for 213 yards on just 13 carries — P.J. Fleck fired his defensive coordinator. His ability to be patient before running up the sidelines made him one of the most explosive running backs in a conference dominated by running games. The NFL has not called Corbin yet, but plenty of players in the league had to start in another league before finally getting the call. Even if it’s not what he had in mind, Corbin isn’t bitter and plans to use the trip over the border as a chance to chase his dream. “My agent called me and said, ‘This is what we are doing,’” Corbin recalled. “I had three days to decide, so I looked it up, and I fell in love with it.”

going forward, Bezhanishvili proved he can fill in that gap off the bench when called upon.

converting one of them. His ball distribution has also been a huge boost for the Illini, especially on Saturday. Defensively, the senior guard looked superb, and his willingness to put his body on the line and take a charge allowed Williams to make his presence felt on the court. Despite losing his spot in the starting lineup, Williams has looked solid offensively and defensively, and the Illini haven’t lost a game since he was moved to a bench role.

Da’Monte Williams: A-

@gourdiereport gourdie2@dailyillini.com

Williams hasn’t had the strongest senior season thus far, but he has significantly improved on both sides of the ball over the last two weeks. On Saturday, the Peoria native scored three points, grabbed two rebounds and picked up two assists in the impressive win. Over the last few games, Williams hasn’t been as confident with his three- @JacksonJanes3 point shooting, but he got janes6@dailyillini.com good looks on Saturday and took two shots from deep,

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Monday, February 22, 2021

buzz calendar BY RUKAYAH HUSSEIN BUZZ CALENDAR EDITOR

The buzz calendar is a compilation of events happening in the Champaign-Urbana area. Follow our top picks in Monday’s and Thursday’s papers for ideas on what to do on any night of the week, from where to eat to what to watch. Want to submit an event? Email calendar@readbuzz.com.

MONDAY, FEB. 22

Health and Wellness (Virtual Talk)

PHOTO COURTESY OF STEAM

A character in “XCOM 2” prepares for battle. The game is a turn-based strategy title focusing on reclaiming the Earth from aliens.

‘XCOM 2’ encourages critical thinking buzz factor: BY AIDAN FINN STAFF WRITER

It was the summer of 2017. There were blissful sunset days when the sky was a pink and orange blur. August always marked the start of going back to school, and everything went back to being terrible. In one of the rare instances of walking into a store and looking for something interesting, I walked into my local Target. I was in the mood for an excellent game to binge during my final days of freedom. Thus, I walked out with “XCOM 2,” given my recollection of seeing a TV ad for it at a burger place a while ago. Things have never been the same. Things have never been the same. “XCOM 2” is a 2016 turn-based tactics video game and a sequel to 2012’s reboot, “XCOM: Enemy Unknown.” Developed by Firaxis Games and published by 2K Games, the game takes place 20 years after a successful alien invasion of earth. Now 2035, humanity is underneath the boot of an

intergalactic superpower, Advent. The alien regime relegates humanity to second-class citizens on their planet and, worse, converts them into their utmost supporters. This bleak depiction of a crippled society subdued by propaganda and Stockholm syndromeinduced nationalism, with the public cheering in support of their overlords as saviors from the trappings of human nature, is what elevates the game’s worldbuilding to triumphant highs. It’s an achievement when the worldbuilding itself can tell so many stories. Nonetheless, the brave souls left from the initial invasion are down but not out. With the help of a new generation, they rebuild the forces of XCOM, the Extraterrestrial Combat Unit, to lead a revolutionary war. As the Commander of XCOM in the fight against Advent, you’ll embark on a 20-30 hour long attrition campaign, bombing detention centers and raiding secret research facilities while slowly uncovering the mystery of the Avatar Project. A doomsday clock that signals for nothing

good as you race against time to shut it down as it slowly counts down across the storyline. What makes it so intimidating is the unscripted nature of the countdown. If you don’t prioritize your time wisely, you can get set back far enough to the point where you can’t win and will lose no matter what. The combat of “XCOM” is nothing new, so much so it is essentially a glorified make-over of the 1994 original’s turn-based chess match mechanics. Player-controlled team members could take turns exchanging fire and moving against the computercontrolled Advent forces, who have pinpoint accuracy that not even a sentient, quantum-computed AI could pull off those cheap and dirty moves. But it’s in the refinement of the formula that makes the cycle much more enjoyable. The custom character creator allows you to create a strike force consisting of Mr. Clean, Master Chief, Barack Obama and anyone else you can think of. The excessive customization

! Noon-1 p.m. " A virtual event hosted by Parkland College # Free Joe Omo-Osagie presents this unique series. The college will celebrate the historical achievements of African Americans with virtual events, including faculty lectures and student presentations. Parkland invites all community members to participate in the following virtual events on Zoom.

Virtual Open Mic Night with Canopy Club

! 7:30 - 11:30 p.m. " A virtual event hosted by The Canopy Club # Free Join the Champaign-Urbana Open Mic Nights crew, including Anika Emily, Jake Fava Music, Moe Pesci da Goodfella, Lola Honey and more for weekly COVID-19 induced Zoom open mics. Until we can all be back at The Canopy Club, this is the best we’ve got.

TUESDAY, FEB. 23

Champaign County Forest Preserve District Snowflake Search ! All Day " Champaign County Forest Preserves, 109 S. Lake of the Woods Road, Mahomet, IL # Free Get out and explore your local winter wonderland in search of snowflakes! The CCFPD, along with the Museum of the Grand Prairie and Homer Lake Interpretive Center, have hidden 30 creative snowflakes and winter fun facts throughout Champaign County Forest Preserves. Can you find them all? Bundle up and find as many as you can! Please take a picture of your finds and share them on Facebook and Instagram pages using the hashtag #CCFPDSnowflakeSearch.

AsiaLENS: “Edo Avant Garde” (Screening & Online Filmmaker Discussion)

! 4-5 p.m. " A virtual event hosted by the Center for East Asian & Pacific Studies # “Edo Avant Garde” is a film revealing the untold story of how Japanese artists of the Edo era (1603 - 1868) set the stage for the “modern art” movement in the West. During the Edo era, bold artists innovated abstraction, minimalism, surrealism and the illusion of 3-D. Their originality is most striking in images of the natural world depicted with gold leaf on large-scale folding screens. To capture the dynamism, scale and meticulous details of the art, Hoaglund worked with Japan’s Academy Award-winning cinematographer Kasamatsu Norimichi to film masterpieces in museums and private collections across the U.S. and Japan.

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 24

Lunchtime Live Storytelling

! 1:15-1:45 p.m. " A virtual event hosted by Spurlock Museum # Free Take a relaxing lunch break and join Kim Sheahan Sanford, our assistant director of education and resident storyteller, for familyfriendly stories from around the world.

Collage Concepts: Crafty Adults

! 7 p.m. " A virtual event hosted by Champaign Public Library # Are you looking to take your paper crafting skills to the next level? Learn some collage concepts to create cards, original artwork or decoupage projects! Join Laura Reiss as she shares with you how collage can be used to tell a story, refresh a space or even preserve a memory. Crafters of all skill levels are welcome! This event is made possible by partnering with The Idea Store.

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Monday, February 22, 2021

‘Super Monster’ encompasses feelings of modern youth buzz factor: BY SYDNEY WOOD STAFF WRITER

Few things in life compare to listening to the first track of an album for the first time and immediately relating to the artist’s lyrics and experiences. Listening to Claud Mintz’s debut album “Super Monster” is the embodiment of this feeling. Released on Feb. 12, “Super Monster” is a unique and surprisingly inspired product of the self-aware nature of Gen Z humor combined with an innate yet still developing understanding of love and relationships. Listening through the album is an exploration into Mintz’s inner workings as their lyrics fluctuate between personal experiences and fictive perspectives. “Super Monster” is a heartfelt coming-ofage album that approaches the seriousness of maturing with a playful, relaxed approach. Mintz is currently signed to Phoebe Bridgers’s recently launched record label, Saddest Factory, but the 21-year-old singer-songwriter has already released a few singles such as “Never Meant To Call” and “Wish You Were Gay.” Mintz first began releasing music in 2018 under the pseudonym name Toast. M i nt z ’s mu sic is described as a combination of indie and dreampop. Their music features easygoing synth-based melodies, fun guitar and bass melodies, and catchy, head-bopping percussion grooves. Some notable tunes on the album are “Jordan,” “Soft Spot” and “Falling With The Rain.” Mintz explores their lack of directness and inability to interpret social cues in “In or In-Between.”

FROM 5B

XCOM2

Complementing bass and drum rhythms guide the tune’s tempo and lead into the chorus. Mintz’s subtle vocal harmonies add another layer of depth that brings together the tune’s intersecting instrumental elements. A key change occurs in the tune’s final chorus, causing the last moments to sound slightly distorted, deeper and slower. This key change is a surprising twist in “In or InBetween” because it occurs after a fade-out that tricked listeners into believing the tune had already ended. Still, the critical change is consistent with the confused, directionless attitude of Mintz’s lyrics. In “That’s Mr. Bitch To You,” Mintz’s soft vocals are a weird yet appropriate contrast to their cheeky lyrics. The upbeat tune features Melanie Faye, a recurring guitar soloist on the album, and Faye closes the tune with a fast-moving guitar solo that fits perfectly into the defiant, lighthearted vibe of the song. The drumset keeps the tempo throughout the tune, yet the guitar riff becomes the most prominent instrument in the tune once the chorus hits. After being insulted, “That’s Mr. Bitch To You” is Mintz’s way of spinning the insult around and using it as a snarky comeback in response to people tearing them down. This tune is one of my favorite tunes on the album, mainly because of Mintz’s mocking tone in the chorus and Faye’s crisp guitar solo. One of my favorite elements of “Pepsi” is the bassline that kicks in during the chorus. W hile Mintz sings about losing faith in someone, Melanie Faye’s dreamy guitar solo is accompanied by a funky bassline with the perfect in to be obliterated in seconds. Watching your whole team get glassed from orbit or crushed by a squadron of alien mechs is gut-wrenching (unless you cheat and reload a prior save the file, but don’t do that). A single match of “XCOM 2” can have more weight and emotion than many games do in their entirety. It throws so much at you to juggle, makes you take on the most hopeless of odds. Yet those moments of victory, even victory in the sense that at least one soldier survived, makes it all worth it. “XCOM 2” is easily one of the finest titles of the 2010s. A strategy masterpiece that has and will continue to be copied upon for generations to come. “XCOM 2” is available on Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, PS4 and PC.

options can’t be understated. Go ahead and create your friends and family, and watch them get arrested by aliens and convicted of insurrection. It’s a meaty title that is incredibly replayable given its wide array of war strategies and customizable troops. You may end up replaying it unwillingly, given the ludicrous difficulty curve you face. If anything, the absurd difficulty right off the bat is realistic given a government wouldn’t throw a growingrebellion some softballs before getting serious. This game is not “Red Dawn,” and Charlie Sheen isn’t going to save the day. You are going to die and fail a lot. The permadeath nature of your troops means you can watch characters you’ve sunk hours of work aidanf3@readbuzz.com

PHOTO COURTESY OF BANDCAMP

The cover for Claud Mintz’s new album, “Super Monster”, is pictured above. The album was released on Feb. 12.

amount of funk and control. During her solo, the tone of Faye’s guitar takes on an almost exaggerated harmonic quality – possibly by using a guitar pedal to amplify her guitar’s natural reverberation – that resonates throughout her solo. All in all, the combined elements of Faye’s vibrant guitar solo, Mintz’s

sweet vocals and the fun bassline make “Pepsi” a notable feature in “Super Monster.” “Super Monster” is a charming album with fun, lighthearted instrumentals balanced by Mintz’s sweet voice and introspective lyrics. Mintz’s music showcases the multiple dimensions of their per-

sonality and compositional skills, and it’ll be interesting to see what direction they’ll take their music in the future. While this album falls under the category of coming-of-age albums, “Super Monster” is Mintz’s depart from the typical portrayal of what it means to grow up. Mintz feels deeply, and

their understanding of love and relationships is evident in their ability to evoke emotion through their lyrics. Their lyrics are tender in a way that makes it easy to understand and identify with Mintz’s experiences. swood2@readbuzz.com

PHOTO COURTESY OF STEAM

The cover art for “XCOM 2” is pictured above.

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