The Journal
In the First Amendment we trust
UIS WEEKLY STUDENT NEWSPAPER
Febuary 10, 2016
A LOOK INSIDE UIS Provost Lynn Pardie Retiring
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Shake Up Your Valentine’s Day
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Beneath the Surface Documentary Premieres
Volume 43 Issue 3
President Obama to address Illinois General Assembly in Springfield By Dalton Homolka News Reporter
President Barack Obama is set to visit Springfield in order to address lawmakers in the Illinois General Assembly on Feb. 10. Obama’s visit will mark the nineyear anniversary of his presidential campaign announcement on the steps of the Old State Capitol in 2007. The president’s speech, which is not open to the public, is expected to address themes of bipartisanship and cooperation. A statement released by the White House said that the president would speak to lawmakers about “what we can do, together, to build a better politics – one that reflects our better selves.” As his term approaches its end, Obama has been reiterating his administration’s success in reviving the economy and achieving a low unemployment rate, among various other achievements – as well as failures. He remarked in the State of the Union Address last month that “It’s one of the few regrets of my presidency – that the rancor and suspicion between the parties has gotten worse instead of better.” Mirroring the sentiment of his campaign announcement in 2007, he went on to say, “I have no doubt a president with the gifts of Lincoln or Roosevelt might have
President Barack Obama better bridged the divide, and I guarantee I’ll keep trying to be better so long as I hold this office.” His visit comes amid the ongoing Illinois state budget stalemate between the Democrat-controlled General Assembly and Republican Governor Bruce Rauner that has ended state funding for higher education – including UIS – and multiple social services. Illinois has been without a budget since last July, with no end in sight. The speech also occurs during a contentious election year. According to an article in the Chicago Tribune by Kim Geiger, Rauner has promised to use his own personal wealth to support Republican candidates challenging the Democrat’s supermajority in the Illinois General Assembly. Obama is expected to voice his
Illinois Gov Bruce Rauner support for redistricting reform “I look forward to welcoming and term limits – two issues that President Obama to the State he and Governor Rauner have Capitol and hearing him speak both taken up, albeit with differ- about finding common ground ing opinions on how to tackle the between Republicans and Demospecifics of the issues. crats,” Rauner said. “Despite our Any proposal from the Gov- political differences, the presiernor would also include lan- dent and I share a passion for guage that would end collective improving education, especially bargaining for Illinois’s public for young people from disadvanunions, keeping with his anti- taged backgrounds, a belief in the labor turnaround agenda. Illinois benefits of term limits and redisDemocrats strongly oppose mea- tricting reform for restoring good sures that would cut back work- government and a strong desire ers’ rights. to see more economic opportuThe Democratic president’s visit nity for all Illinoisans.” could be just the thing to inspire Rauner said that he will be invitstate lawmakers to find common ing Obama for a beer at a local ground, or it could inspire even brewery. more partisanship in Illinois state Obama’s speech, which is exgovernment. Only time will tell. pected to start at 1:30p.m., will According to a statement re- be available through www.whiteleased by the governor’s office, house.gov. Rauner remains optimistic about the president’s visit.
Black Lives Matter symposium and essay contest comes to UIS By John Kurecki Features Writer @KureckiUISJournal
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Baseball Player Receives DUI
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As part of the UIS Black History Month festivities, the Diversity Center is hosting an essay contest which culminates in a symposium where the finalists will present their work. The winner of the contest will receive $500, while the runner up will receive $250 and the third place contestant $100. The prompt asks students to answer one of two questions, each pertaining to the Black Lives Matter movement. If the student is part
of the black community, they are to answer what the movement means to them; if the student is not a part of the community, the student is to explain how their support of the movement
has taught them about the larger United States community. The Diversity Center’s website states, “The essay presentations will provide a greater awareness of and
respect for the difficult issues facing Black and African-American peoples in this country by literally taking action through enContinued on page 9
The Journal
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Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday Ash Wednesday Spotlight Jane Addams Taste of the Spirit Service Dance Reading Hour Motherland Team Practice 7a.m., PAC G Fundraiser 9-11:30a.m., Rehearsal 3:30p.m., TRAC Find Your Match 11-12p.m., SAB 60 1-4p.m., multi-purpose room 11-2p.m., PAC Concourse Valentine’s SLB MPR Legacy Dance PAC Concourse Dress for Fellowship Night Legacy Dance Team Practice Spotlight Dance 6p.m., PAC E Success Team Practice 6p.m., SLB Gym Fundraiser BMCS HIV Testing 6p.m., 3:30p.m., Dancing Stars Practice 11:10-12p.m., 9p.m., SLB Gym BRK AUD 8:30p.m., SLB Diversity Center PAC Concourse Muslim The Asia Multi-purpose room Y-3 Party Student Org HIV Awareness Muslim Student Project 10p.m., Soccer Seminar Org Soccer 9p.m., SLB multi-purpose 8:30p.m., 7p.m., Diversity Center 8:30p.m., SLB Gym BRK AUD room SLB Gym
Wednesday, Febuary 10, 2016 Monday Showcase Symposium: Black Lives Matter Featuring UIS students 6p.m., BRK AUD The Edge 9p.m., SLB Multi-purpose room
Tuesday 2016 Career Connections Expo 11:30-2:30p.m., TRAC LEAD Bookclub: The 5 Dysfunctions of a team 7p.m., SLB Study Lounge Dodgeball 9-11p.m., SLB Gym
Have an event you want others to know about? Call our office at 217-206-7061 or email calendar events to journal@uis.edu!
The African Student Association: Here to help diversify UIS By Tamarra Newbern News Reporter
If you are a member of the UIS community, you likely have heard about the African Student Association (ASA), an organization that looks to spread diversity, awareness, and positivity across the campus to both staff and students. The ASA was established in order to promote culture and strengthen bonds amongst African students and the American community. The association was originally established in 2002 as the Descendants of Africa. The club changed their name to the African Student Organization in 2008. After a brief hiatus the club was reestablished in 2013 by the former president, Afua Amoabin. The ASA holds goals that they wish to uphold while being active. Jacob Owusu, an accounting
major, said that “The goals of the ASA are to continually become a positive influence around our UIS community and everywhere else, lead a legacy for other upcoming students, and to unify us with many others, with education,
According to Jeffrey Wittah, a biology major and the vice president of ASA, their biggest event will be coming in the near future. Wittah said, “The big social event that we hold every fall semester is our annual Afro-
ASA members stand shoulder to shoulder. leadership roles, and global networking.” Additionally, the association wishes to spread positivity and awareness in order to diversify the UIS community. The ASA holds many events on campus to get its name around and to share what the organization is all about.
Aquarius (Jan. 20 – Feb. 18) Be respectful of others this week. An offhand remark or rude gesture could result in a confrontation with a friend. Aries (March 21 – April 19) Tensions between you and a family member will rise this week. Try not to get carried away and say something that you may regret later. Gemini (May 21 – June 20) Cold days have left you feeling low after the recent warm weather gave you the chance to shed your winter coat. As Valentines day rolls around so too will warmer weather! Leo (July 23 – Aug. 22) Staying inside and soothing your frozen limbs may sound tempting but be sure to keep up with your classes. Just because you’ve slowed down doesn’t mean they have. Libra (Sept. 23 – Oct. 22) You’ll feel the urge to play detective this week to uncover the source of a friend’s disappointment. Leave things as they are and they will tell you when they are ready. Sagittarius (Nov. 22 – Dec. 21) With Valentines Day fast approaching you’ve begun to sweat thinking about your plans for the day. Relax and remember that it’s a day meant to treat you and your significant other.
Photo by Tiffany Chin
Fusion Christmas Party, and the event in the spring semester is our Annual Taste of the Motherland.” They sponsor many other events such as the Rip the Runway fashion show, the International Dance Festival, and also tutoring sessions for midterm and final exams.
Although the ASA is an association that is based on African culture, students and staff of other ethnicities are able to join in on what the ASA has to offer. Overall, the ASA is an association meant to expand the minds of individuals in regards to African culture and to better themselves as well. Wittah expressed his passion toward the association by stating, “This organization has also allowed me to mature in ways I never thought would be possible. The numerous events that I have participated in have allowed me to escape from my shell of shyness to become more outgoing and opened to larger audiences and the community.” If you are looking for more information or are interested in joining the African Student Association, email Jeffrey Wittah at jwitta2@uis.edu.
Pisces (Feb. 19 – March 20) Procrastination has resulted in a large pile of unfinished work which has been weighing on your mind and stressing you out. Break out your laptop before time’s up! Taurus (April 20 – May 20) Enjoy an easy week of prosperity and relaxation this week as you come into some unexpected money and have the opportunity to treat yourself and a few friends! Cancer (June 21 – July 22) Reach for the stars this week! A golden opportunity lies just outside your grasp. Jump high enough and you may touch the stars at least for a short while. Virgo (Aug. 23 – Sept. 22) You’ll feel like cracking under the pressure this week. Remember that you have friends by your side and that there will always be people you can lean on when you need it. Scorpio (Oct. 23 – Nov. 21) You’re conscience has been bothering you recently. Try to make ammends as best you can and help yourself sleep a little bit easier at night. Capricorn (Dec. 22 – Jan. 19) Your imagination will set you apart from the crowd this week. This is a good thing! You will be recognized for your unique way of viewing the world.
Don Your Newspaper Hat The Journal encourages readers to submit guest commentaries and letters-to-the-editor for consideration for publication. Guest columns should run no longer than 600 words, and letters should be limited to 300 words or less. For more information, e-mail Marc Cox, editorin-chief, at journal@uis.edu, or call 217-206-6397 The Journal office is located in the SAB 20.
Editor-in-Chief:
Marc Cox Assistant Editor for Sports: Alexander Camp
Assistant Editor for Features: Jess Bayer
Copy Editor:
Sean Flamand Multimedia Editor: Destiney Boyd
Photographers: Leo Davalos Destiney Boyd Tiffany Chin Video Specialist: Josh Omenazu
Columnists:
Alexander Camp Daniel McFarland
Reviews:
Sean Flamand
Features Reporters: John Kurecki Cole Moriarty
News Reporters: Dalton Homolka Tamarra Newbern Daniel McFarland
Sports Reporter: Josh Omenazu
Illustrator:
Megan Gillmore
Distributors:
Leo Davalos Nilesh Boddapati
Layout & Design Editor: Megan Gillmore
Business Manager: Feng Gao
Adviser:
Debra Landis
Mission Statement
The Journal is the editorially independent student newspaper at the University of Illinois at Springfield. Our mission is to publish news and feature stories, editorials and opinions relevant to the campus community while upholding the highest professional and ethical standards as outlined in The Journal Code of Conduct and Editorial Board By-laws and Procedures.
Letters to the Editor
Letters may be sent by e-mail to journal@uis.edu, postal mailed to The Journal, SAB 20, UIS, Springfield, IL 62703 or faxed to (217) 206-7710. Letters should be 300 words or less. Deadline for submitting letters is noon on Thursday of each week.
Editorial/Guest Commentary
Journal editorials are the opinion of the newspaper’s editorial board. Guest columns should be between 300-500 words. The Journal does not necessarily endorse opinions expressed in any column. The Journal recognizes the importance of providing a forum for our readers to express personal views. Questions may be directed to The Journal at (217) 206-NEWS.
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The Journal does not knowingly accept advertisements that discriminate on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, disability, military status or sexual orientation, nor does it knowingly print ads that violate any local, state or federal laws.
The Journal
Wednesday, Febuary 10, 2016
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“My motivations have shifted to being a better example for my little cousins... One thing I’m big on is trying to influence lives.”
“I want my name to be respected and I want people to say this gentleman has impacted this world...”
- Dominique Wilson
- Dominique Wilson Photo By: Destiney Boyd
Black Success: Breaking barriers, accomplishing goals and impacting the world By Destiney Boyd Photographer/ Staff Writer
When some people hear the name Dominique Wilson, they may not be able to visualize the person pictured above this article. However, when UIS students, professors, and administrators hear the name, they are quick to recognize and associate it with the face of the young man to whom it belongs. Wilson epitomizes the UIS motto: Leadership Lived. The various leadership roles that he has taken on is evidence of his desire and potential to lead. Throughout his college years, he has broken barriers, accomplished many goals, and impacted the world. Currently, Wilson is a senior seeking a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications and Marketing. However there is certainly more to him than that. Throughout the course of his college career, Wilson has served as a member of the Resident Housing Association (RHA), a resident assistant (RA), and a member of the Student Organization Funding Association (SOFA). Moreover, Wilson has volunteered to be a peer mentor in programs such as the STARS Program and Necessary Steps Mentoring Program. Furthermore, he is a member of the Big Brothers Big Sisters organization, one of the largest volunteer-
supported mentoring programs in the U.S. In addition, Wilson has managed to stay connected and invested in the black community on campus by being a member, and once serving as the president, of the Black Student Union as well as being an active member of the Black Male Collegiate Society. When asked how he manages such a heavy load of responsibilities while maintaining an above-average GPA, Wilson replied by saying he’s always “planning ahead.” Wilson emphasized that prior preparation is what helps him stay organized and committed to completing his tasks. Wilson stated that he has many different motivations that have transformed over time. Initially, he says, he was a self-motivated person. “My motivations have shifted to being a better example for my little cousins,” said Wilson. Making sure his family is aware of their potential and aware of the fact that he supports them is Wilson’s main focus. Recently, Wilson became the student representative for the UIS Board of Trustees. Wilson noted that he, along with the two student trustees from UIC and UIUC, are the first African-American males to ever hold a student position on the Board of Trustees. “On the board, we are able to bring
life to certain things and challenge some issues from race to tuition to opportunities for students,” said Wilson Wilson stated that he was encouraged by a fellow UIS student to run for the position, and, if not for that student, he would not have run because he was completing two different internships at that time. In the summer of 2014, Wilson traveled abroad to The Gambia, a small country in West Africa. Wilson states that he was encouraged to go on the trip by Dr. Josiah Aluma, chair of the Public Health Department at UIS. Dr. Aluma created The Gambia Program, which is a program that works with the University of The Gambia to provide internship opportunities for students who want to study abroad. Wilson stated, “One thing I’m big on is trying to influence lives.” Wilson went on to say that he initially went on the trip to teach and help out at the schools, asking people to pay it forward to him so that he could afford to take this trip. With the financial support of generous people who believed in him and his mission, he ended up with more money than he needed. Wilson stated that with the extra money, he was able to donate $1,000 to the school he worked with. The school, in turn, decided to use the money to build a pavilion in his name for artistic stu-
dent performances. Moreover, Wilson tells of how he met a young boy in The Gambia who inspired him to start an education fund. Wilson now has a fund that supports the education of two third grade students living in The Gambia, a fund that will continue to support them until they graduate college. In light of Black History Month, Wilson spoke about the importance of the month. When asked why is it important for people to be made aware of the hardships that AfricanAmericans have experienced, as well as their accomplishments throughout history, Wilson stated, “because our world is being diluted.” He went on say that it is important for everyone to know the truth about what happened in the past in regards to slavery and the systematic racism that many argue persists today. Black history “is not something to forget or disregard,” said Wilson. Wilson also made the point that “if we have conversations about things that are uncomfortable, then they will become more comfortable to talk about.” He went on to say that “by having these conversations, bringing these things to light, we are able to change the mentality we have as a culture and as a society.” In addition, Wilson also spoke about his experience as a black man attend-
ing a predominantly white institution (PWI). He stated that the one thing he has learned is that some people like to put him on a pedestal. “I’m not the only black male being successful,” said Wilson. Wilson stated that he hopes these institutions don’t continue to make diligent black students feel like they are the only one and unlike other black students. Wilson went on to say that attending a PWI has taught him how to navigate through college, make sure his voice is heard, and make sure he and other black students are represented appropriately. “I have a lot of goals,” said Wilson. “I want to change the world.” After graduation, Wilson plans to expand on his trip to The Gambia. He said he hopes to build community schools that focus on health services in The Gambia. For over a year now, Wilson has been helping to develop a universitywide global initiative. Wilson stated that his ultimate goal after college is to create his own international nonprofit organization, starting with The Gambia. “I don’t share my experiences to boast, I share them to impact lives on a positive scale,” Wilson said. “I want my name to be respected and I want people to say this gentleman has impacted this world,” he added.
PRESENT YOUR RESEARCH! SHOWCASE YOUR CREATIVE WORK! • The deadline to submit abstracts is 5:00pm on Monday, Feb. 15th. • The UIS Student Technology, Arts & Research Symposium will take place on Thursday evening, April 14th, and all day Friday, April 15th. • The keynote speakers at the symposium will be: o Danielle Evans, MFA, Iowa Writers' Workshop, author of Before You Suffocate Your Own Fool Self (fiction) o Edem S. Agamah, MD, MS, FACP, Associate Professor of Clinical Internal Medicine at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine
• For more information, visit the STARS webpage at: http://go.uis.edu/STARS
The Journal
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OPINION
By Alexander Camp Assistant Editor for Sports/ Columnist
We’ve reached the halfway point of the Chicago Bulls season, and I don’t really know what to expect. Jimmy Butler has proven this season that his 2014-15 breakout campaign was no flash in the pan, earning a second straight trip to the All-Star Game, willing the team behind career-best performances while entrenching his status as arguably the game’s premier perimeter defender. The rest of the team however? Oy vey. As of this writing, the Bulls sit in fifth place in the Eastern Conference at 2721. Four games will have passed between the time of this writing and the
Wednesday, Febuary 10, 2016
The consistently inconsistent Bulls time you’re reading this; some will get their hands on this issue by the All-Star break. Best case scenario, the Bulls can enter the break with the third-best record in the East behind the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Toronto Raptors. Worst case, as the eighth and final seed in the playoff picture, being the third and eighth teams are separated by just two games in the standings. The bottom line is, you just don’t know what you’re getting out of this bunch on a given night. One hand, the team has carved an identity as a hard-nosed defensive juggernaut under head coach Tom Thibodeau, as evidenced in their impressive victories over the Cavaliers, a 97-95 season-opener capped by Pau Gasol’s game-clinching block on LeBron James and a decisive 96-83 outcome on Jan. 23. On other nights, the Bulls, quickly building a reputation of playing down to lowly perceived opponents, adhere to the propensity as evidenced in OT
defeats against the Utah Jazz and Minnesota Timberwolves, both of whom are under .500. Then there are nights like Jan. 20’s matchup against the history-driven Warriors that can be personified as a nothing but an absolute mess. Derrick Rose, having long been the face of the franchise (if not on the court as Butler’s consistency has vaulted the former MVP in that position, marketingwise), started the night hot, accounting for ten of the team’s first 12 points as they held an early lead over the Warriors. Conspicuously thereafter, Fred Hoiberg, who replaced the popular and successful Thibodeau in the offseason, benched Rose for E’Twaun Moore, and the next thing you know, the Bulls ended the quarter down 16 points. For his part, Rose finished the game with 29 points, along with Butler’s 23 points, but it would be all for naught as the Bulls would be squashed as if they were a little bug under the boot of the best that the league has to offer, 125-
94. If anything, the game itself was a microcosm of the trajectory the team’s been, a team suddenly without an identity. When the Bulls suffered a 107-91 loss to the Knicks on Dec. 19, Butler took Hoiberg to task about his coaching. “I believe in the guys in this locker room, yeah,” said Butler, “but I also believe that we probably have to be coached a lot harder at times.” A plethora of lineup changes that breeds no stability to sustain chemistry, a bench that is more or less as effective as Illinois lawmakers in the midst of a budget impasse, and a defense, once feared during the Thibodeau era, is suddenly a team surrendering points at will, as they give up 101 a night. Injuries obviously do the team no favors, as shoulder surgery was recently performed on Joakim Noah, the emotional leader of the team who was starting to regain his form that made him a MVP contender and Defensive Player of the Year winner back in 2014. All things considered, this begs the
question of whether this team can contend for a title. The diehard fan in me wants to hope against hope. One can argue after all, with the likes of Butler, Gasol, and a now reemerging Rose, the Bulls can make a run in the spring. But the cold hard reality is that this team is above average at best below the top tier of teams in the league. Last semester, I argued that the team had little to no margin to get over the LeBron James hump as he has knocked the Bulls out of the playoffs in four of the last six years. But seriously, take those three out of the lineup and you basically have a lottery team on your hands. And even with the improved play of Rose after his early season struggles, everybody significant on the roster not named Butler has been rumored to be on the trading block. It’s no telling what’s to become of the Bulls’ chances the rest of the way as much as forecasting who will remain by the end of this month. Time will tell sooner than later.
The budget impasse and its effects on college students
By Daniel McFarland Columnist/ News Reporter
The state of Illinois has been functioning without a budget for more than 200 days. When Governor Bruce Rauner vetoed the budget, it created a deadlock between the governor and the Illinois General Assembly. Negotiations between House Speaker Michael Madigan (D22nd) and the governor have failed, thus sustaining the deadlock. Meanwhile this impasse looms over the entire state in terms of its operations. In his recent State of the State address, Rauner men-
tioned very little about the financial impasse, while calling for better resolutions. With no sign of Rauner and Democratic lawmakers coming to an agreement, many social services and programs have succumbed to cuts and financial stress. The budget impasse has also put a major strain on higher education institutions. Even if a budget is agreed upon, Rauner still proposes a 31.3 percent cut to higher education, meaning less money for grants, scholarships, and programs. However, without a budget, the University of Illinois has had to use millions from cash reserves in order to compensate for funding that still hasn’t been received from the state. This means that funding for MAP grants and financial aid has been delayed for many students. In addition to the current problems faced by universities across
the state, the budget impasse will undoubtedly have damaging effects in the future as well. It is clear that the governor and lawmakers should negotiate a budget without bringing unrelated political demands to the table. The budget needs to be established without cutting a large portion of funding to higher education, otherwise the damaging effects will be further exacerbated. According to Eddie Arruza with WTTW, Tim Killeen, University of Illinois president, stated that cuts to funding received from the state would have devastating effects on the institution. “We’re talking about $650 million or so. My hope and expectation is that it won’t drop as much as the 31 percent, that there will be a number that is more moderate than that; 31 percent would be pretty dire for our programs.” By knowing they can be better off somewhere else, prospective
students will be discouraged from pursuing in-state colleges and universities. This not only lowers the reputation of Illinois higher education in the eyes of Illinois residents, but also throughout the country and the world. Further, if these prospective students can get better financial options and opportunities at universities in other states, it will cause many in-state universities to lose more business and money. With the ongoing budget impasse and the proposed cuts to higher education, many prospective students may not consider college simply because they cannot afford it and will receive little to no aid, thus effecting enrollment. The lack of enrollment and cuts to higher education would diminish curriculum and many beneficial programs, while costs would be made up through tuition hikes. The damage to education pro-
grams would only hurt the state as a whole, in that many prospective students would not go to college or would go outside the state, thereby making it bad to build business. The financial trouble of public universities needs to be addressed by creating a budget that does not include an absurd cut to higher education. The budget crisis only adds to Illinois’s financial instability and will continue to damage the reputation and quality of higher education. Cutting higher education by 31% will not help Illinois’s financial instability; it will only make it worse in the long run. Governor Rauner will present a budget plan for next year in a few weeks, while the havoc from this year’s refuted budget still continues. Rauner’s number one priority should be to establish a budget, and not be taken up by political differences and demands.
The Journal
Wednesday, Febuary 10, 2016
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UIS provost retiring after 27 years at the university By Cole Moriarty Features Reporter
Provost Lynn Pardie will be retiring from her position at the end of May after beginning her career at Sangamon State University in 1989. Reflecting on what brought her to this university in 1989, Pardie said, “what attracted me to this university was its excellence in teaching.” The values the outgoing provost ascribed to UIS focus on vibrancy, freshness, and curiosity, calling UIS a “university on the move,” and having “an atmosphere on campus of forward-thinking,” among other descriptions both laudatory and evocative of action. In her words, “working in university is a gift,” something that is “new and exciting all the time.” “New” seems to be the operative word. Pardie enjoys working with staff and faculty on campus because she says they’re “advancing” their skills. She likes working with the students, because she “get[s] to come to campus and you get to work with some of the brightest students around…they’re always interested in what’s new.” “In my current role, I love seeing what’s being done across the nation, and the world, looking for new things,” said Pardie. “At the same time, I’m getting new ideas from within.” “Is that me?” she said, referencing the focus on the future she describes. “Well, it’s certainly something that I loved about teaching, and love to be a part of as an administrator.” Whether the focus on using a framework of words describing living, breathing, and growing things is something the outgoing provost found on campus, as she asserts, or whether she brought it with her when she arrived, she
Provost Lynn Pardie smiles as she prepares to retire after 27 years at UIS. said it’s “one of the things that kept me engaged in higher education.” Pardie has “worked in the private sector,” as she is both a licensed clinical psychologist and a scholar in her field. That is to say, the outgoing provost has likely not been bound to this university by anything other than her affinity for it. Yet she has stayed for nearly three decades at a place where she has had a “very satisfying career.” Pardie has spent 27 years at UIS and stocked the proverbial trophy shelf, holding positions of ever-increasing importance following an academic and scholarly career that produced research papers and a book she co-authored, in addition to a UIS Faculty Excellence Award. While she didn’t come to this university with the aspiration or ambition of becoming provost (rather, she says she’d “hope[d] to be a full professor,”) she was eventually asked to chair her department. From there she served as the interim associate dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, then associate vice chan-
cellor for graduate education and research. In January of 2011, she began serving as interim occupant of her current office, and was appointed to the position outright of provost and vice chancellor of academic affairs in July of the following year. Indeed, the career arc of Pardie suggests a parallel between her and the university. During her time, the outgoing provost has been a party to what may very well be the defining years of this university. A few months from the close of her time at the university, words like “expansion” and “evolution” pop up every few lines with a note of belief – or perhaps more accurately, sureness. It is sureness born out of seeing those words translate into change, such as the transformation of Sangamon State University into the University of Illinois at Springfield. It’s the “adding of a doctoral program” and “expansion into lower divisions” and “Capital Scholars expansion.” It’s watching what Pardie calls the “spirit of innovation,” which has kept
Photo by: Tiffany Chin
the university at the forefront of technology, from “single-band radio and broadcast television” in the 1970s and ‘80s to the online technologies used today. It is fair to say that the outgoing provost has a regard for change, to be “open to new opportunities,” and as a corollary willing to “take risks.” Pardie stands now at the end of her career. Does she have any retirement plans? “No,” she said, “and I’ll tell you why. There are times in one’s life that you have to acknowledge are a big transition; I’m going to give myself a chance to wind down.” That’s as far as she’s willing to speak of with certainty. “Then, the challenge and the risk is to be open to new things,” Pardie added. When those new things, like her wish to travel to Kyoto, Japan to see the temple gardens, appear before her, the outgoing provost will probably use the process that has served her so well for so long. “The first step,” said Pardie, “is to think.”
The Journal
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Wednesday, Febuary 10, 2016
Valentine’s Day: How it all began By Tamarra Newbern News Reporter
When February rolls around each year, many people think about the one holiday that makes his or her heart flutter: Valentine’s Day. A day where sweethearts, family, and friends exchange cards, candies, flowers, and sweet kisses. But do people know the origins of this holiday? It hardly ever crosses the minds of many individuals but still should be known. A lot has gone into the story behind Valentine’s Day. What most people don’t usually know is that Feb. 15 was a fertility festival called Lupercalia during Ancient Roman times. Yet also during that time, the Roman Empire had turmoil during the third century, part of which was the aptly named Crisis of the Third Century. The Crisis of the Third Century was a period in which the Roman
empire nearly collapsed because of invasion, plague, and more. According to a Huffington Post article, “The Bloody History of Saint Valentine,” “[Emperor Claudius II] made the unpopular decision to ban marriage among young people, believing that unmarried soldiers fought better than married soldiers.” Claudius basically stated that marriage made them weak. That’s where St. Valentine comes into the picture. At the time there were many priests who took the name Valentine, so it could be seen as quite interesting to know
who exactly the day is actually named after. The one who seems to be most accurate is the priest that decided to officiate marriages in secret because he thought it was a God-given right. This Valentine was beheaded and then deemed a martyr by the Church, under Pope Gelasius, for giving his life. Pope Gelasius also deemed St. Valentine’s Day as an actual holiday during the fifth century. It wasn’t until the 1300s that the holiday was actually affiliated with love and romance, and it wasn’t until the 1500s that the
valentine letter appeared. Since then, the holiday has gone from just writing simple letters to purchasing flowers, chocolates, and dinners for a loved one. In 2015, Americans spent a whopping $18.9 billion on Valentine’s Day alone, making it the second most popular and expensive holiday, right behind Christmas. Although the idea of Valentine’s Day can be seen as lovely, in many other countries they celebrate the day in a way that can be seen as less expensive than America.
According to Marissa Willman, a writer with Travel Blog, “Rather than roses, friends and sweethearts exchange pressed white flowers called snowdrops” in Denmark. In South Korea, it’s usually the woman’s job to buy their valentine chocolates, flowers and more – but the tables turn when March 14 comes around, as this is a holiday called “White Day,” where it’s the men’s turn to woo the women. In South Africa, women were known to “wear their heart on their sleeve.” Women would pin their lover or the name of a love interest on their shirtsleeve. Although Valentine’s Day is viewed as a day to show love and appreciation for your valentine and or family, it can also be seen as a day to appreciate the man who went against orders and married the people who were truly in love.
Shake up your Valentine’s Day with these tips By Jess Bayer Assistant Editor for Features @BayerUISJournal
With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, some of you may be scrambling trying to figure out plans for the big day. Whether you will be celebrating with your special someone, friends, or by yourself, here are a few things you can do to make this Valentine’s Day one to remember. For couples The stereotypical fancy restaurant If you like the traditional Valentine’s Day that is full of chocolate, flowers, and a nice dinner, you are in luck; Springfield is filled with unique restaurants that have that romantic feel you are looking for. One in particular is Augie’s Front Burner. In previous years, they have had a special menu for Valentine’s weekend that is full of delicious options. They are a little on the pricey side, but you get a decent amount of food and a romantic atmosphere. Ice skating and ice cream Who cares if it’s the middle of February? Embrace the cold by taking your special someone out for a day of chilly adventures. Start by visiting the Nelson Center, which is scheduled to open for public skate from 2-4 p.m. on V-Day. Afterward, go treat yourself to some ice cream from Cold Stone or Baskin-Robbins. Nothing says
“I love you” more than a heaping bowl of ice cream. For friends Instead of sulking around alone this Valentine’s Day, why not grab some friends and celebrate in style? GNO What better way to embrace the single life than with a girls/ guys night out? Gather your other single friends and head out to grab some food and drinks at a casual restaurant, such as the Brickhouse or the Grille at City Centre. Following a nice, relaxing dinner, plan on going bowling or seeing that new movie you all have been dying to see. Potluck and movie night in
If going out is not your thing, or your wallet will not allow for it, call up some of your friends and invite them over for a potluck/ movie night. Surrounding yourself with good
friends, delicious food, and a funny movie is the perfect way to get through this holiday without moping.
For those riding solo Go pet animals at the APL If you have no one to love this Valentine’s Day, why not spend it with small, fuzzy animals who are in the same boat? According to a NPR story by Julie Rovner, Rebecca Johnson, a nurse who leads the Research Center for Human/Animal Interactions at the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine, did a study that found interactions with animals can actually increase oxytocin levels within individuals. “That is very beneficial for us,” Johnson told Rovner. “Oxytocin helps us feel happy and trusting.” Netflix and chill – singles edition
If you are someone who is trying to avoid the crowds and all the lovey couples on V-Day, this is the perfect solution. Throw on your favorite pajamas, grab a blanket and a handful of food, and hunker down in front of your TV/laptop. Lucky for you, Netflix just added quite a few new titles earlier this month that should keep you occupied for the day. Whether you are spending Valentine’s Day with someone else or by your lonesome, there are plenty of things that you can do in order to make it the perfect day. All you have to do is look around and get creative.
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Wednesday, Febuary 10, 2016 Black Lives Matter Continued from page 1 gagement with us in this showcase symposium.” The essay-writing contest will be incorporated into the Engaged Citizenship Common Experience (ECCE) curriculum, which pertains to all UIS students. The finalists will present their work at the Black Lives Matter symposium in the Brookens Auditorium on Feb. 15, which doubles as an event on the ECCE Speaker Series calendar. The event will be a part of the ECCE Speakers Series because of its focus
on community. According to the Diversity Center, “UIS Students will connect the Black Lives Matter movement to ECCE themes. These themes include how participation in this movement helps them to recognize their own social responsibility toward a larger community of people, Black people.” The essays are judged on their length (which must be around 1,200 words), relation to the Black Lives Matter movement, incorporation of ECCE learnings, argumentative strength, and technical writing. It is recommended that the students incorporate the
The Journal Black Lives Matter movement’s guiding principles, which include diversity, globalism, the affirmation of other groups, and empathy, among others. In its affirmation of other social groups, the movement hopes to incorporate them in its mission. According to the Black Lives Matter website, “It goes beyond the narrow nationalism that can be prevalent within some Black communities, which merely call on Black people to love Black, live Black and buy Black, keeping straight cis Black men in front of the movement while our sisters, queer and trans and
Page 9 disabled folk take up roles in the background or not at all.” The movement has stated, “We are committed to acknowledging, respecting and celebrating difference(s) and commonalities.” Black Lives Matter was borne from the controversy surrounding the shooting death of Trayvon Martin last year. The movement explains, “Black Lives Matter is an ideological and political intervention in a world where Black lives are systematically and intentionally targeted for demise. It is an affirmation of Black
folks’ contributions to this society, our humanity, and our resilience in the face of deadly oppression.” The event is intended to illuminate both the movement and its motives. The Diversity Center said, “We intend that this event will help bring to light the totality of the Black Lives Matter movement beyond sound bites and the glare of sensationalized media due to the prose and rhetorical lens of our students.” The Symposium is one of many events in the celebration of Black History Month at UIS, which culminates on Feb. 27 with the Ebony Ball.
CAMPUS/LOCAL NEWS Governor likely to veto MAP grant bill
General Assembly passes, but likely sends, SB 2043 to its doom By Cole Moriarty Features Reporter
On Feb. 10, President Barack Obama will address the Illinois legislature. There is little doubt the President, having been a state legislator in the not too distant past, is coming to try and press a resolution for the budget impasse. Until then, Monetary Assistance Program (MAP) grants, used by low-income college students to fund their education, remain in limbo. SB 2043, a bill funding MAP grants at $397 million and community colleges at $274 million, was passed by the General Assembly. Governor Bruce Rauner says he intends to veto the bill, arguing that the state cannot afford it. The state has yet to fund MAP grants for fiscal year 2016 (June 2015-July 2016) at any level. Universities across the state, including UIS, have credited students for both the fall and spring semester. Many universities have issued statements arguing that this cred-
Police Beat
University of Illinois Springfield Police Department reported responding to the following incidents for the period of Feb. 1 to Feb. 6.
it is unsustainable. UIS has nearly 1,000 students needing state funds to afford college, according to a campus-wide message from Chancellor Susan Koch last December. Passing the Illinois House of Representatives 67-42-6, and the Senate 36-12-3, the bill was passed with only Democratic votes. According to Nick Swedberg with the Chicago Tribune, Illinois State Senate President John Cullerton (D-6th) has yet to send the bill to the desk of Gov. Rauner, saying that he is holding the bill until Feb. 16 as a means of providing a “cooling-off period.” Sen. Andy Manar (D-48th) voted for the measure, and in a press release said, “MAP makes the difference between being able to attend college or not for thousands of students who couldn’t otherwise afford it. If we truly value education and opportunity for every student, we need to prioritize MAP, and that’s what we did today.” The release further notes that 128,000 students received MAP
grants in 2015, and that the funding provided in this bill would fund up to 15,000 low-income students. According to Tom Kacich with the News-Gazette, Rep. Bill Brady (R-44th) called the bill “a cruel hoax.” Many of the Republicans decried what they felt to be a pretense in the passage of this legislation, as they claim that the state lacks the money to pay for the allocation, and that the bill was in effect an empty gesture because it wouldn’t be funded. The Republican criticism of the bill come from three directions: First, it is asserted that the state doesn’t have the money to fund the legislation, and that passing the bill without creating a corresponding cut elsewhere in the budget or creating a source of revenue to supply the allocation was unacceptable. Second, that this bill does not include an allocation for public four-year universities, including the U of I system. Finally, Gov. Rauner has said that Democrats should vote for
a Republican bill which would fund MAP grants at 100 percent, community colleges at 90 percent, and four-year universities at 80 percent of last year’s funding levels. The legislation would also provide broad authority for the governor to shift and alter allocations in the budget at his discretion. Gov. Rauner has also called for procurement reform, a change in the way goods and services purchased by the state are acquired, which he says will save $500 million a year. In the meantime, MAP grants, colleges, and universities continue to coast on reserves, with no certainty as to when the propulsive engine of cash flow will start up again. UIS Student Government Association President Josh Lawson said, “It is significant in the aspect that this is the best time if there ever was one for student activism on behalf of MAP grants. We need to use our power as students to try and get the governor to sign that bill.” As previously reported by The
Journal, students from across the state gathered in October of last year to lobby the General Assembly into passing a bill which would fund MAP grants, colleges, and universities. That effort saw more than 300 students assembled. Last Thursday, the SGA sent out an email with the phone number of the governor’s offices in both Springfield and Chicago, as well as a link to the online contact form for the office, urging students to express their support for SB 2043, asking the governor not to veto the legislation. What action can be taken, at least in a collective sense, remains unclear. The fate of bill SB 2043 in the short term seems bleak and relatively certain. However, the budget fight will have merely concluded a round if the governor does indeed follow through and veto the legislation, and save the fight for the ballot boxes in November. Overall, a resolution on either the budget or higher education funding remains up in the air.
Burglary Report 2/01/2016 9:12-9:50 p.m. at Founder Residence Hall. Officers were dispatched to the above location for a reported burglary. A report was written.
a suspicious vehicle at the above location. The officer checked and cleared the vehicle before resuming patrol.
Theft Report 2/05/2016 4:19 p.m. at C-Lot North. Officers were dispatched to take a theft report at the above location. A report was written.
Patrol Investigation 2/05/2016 5:49 p.m. at Spencer House. Officers were dispatched to a report of an individual at the above location possibly shooting at vehicles with a pellet gun. Upon arrival officers checked the area but found no such activity.
Battery Report 2/02/2016 6:32 p.m. Officers were dispatched to take a battery report. A report was completed. Suspicious Vehicle 2/02/2016 9:50 p.m. at Brookens Library. While on patrol an officer got out with
Possession of a Controlled Substance/Paraphernalia 2/04/2016 7:24 p.m. at University Drive.While on a traffic stop, officers performed a search of a vehicle where they located drugs and paraphernalia. The subject was arrested and taken to the Sangamon County Jail. A report was completed.
Theft Report 2/05/2016 4:23 p.m. at University Hall Building.Officers were dispatched to take a report at the above location of a theft that occurred on 1/25/2016. A report was written.
Disturbance 2/06/2016 7:22 p.m. at Clover Court. Officers were dispatched to a possible disturbance at the above location. A report was written.
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WORLD NEWS
Wednesday, Febuary 10, 2016
Zika virus spreads like wildfire
Local transmission found in over 22 countries By Jess Bayer Assistant Editor for Features @BayerUISJournal
On Feb. 1, the World Health Organization (WHO) gathered an Emergency Committee and declared that the current Zika virus outbreak, which is linked to numerous birth defects, is an international public health emergency. According to Sabrina Tavernise, reporter for the New York Times, the WHO has only declared a “public health emergency three times since 2007, when it first established the procedure – for the influenza pandemic in 2009; in 2014 when polio seemed resurgent; and in August 2014 for Ebola.” The WHO reports that the Zika virus was “first identified in Uganda in 1947 in rhesus monkeys through a monitoring network of sylvatic yellow fever. It
was subsequently identified in humans in 1952 in Uganda and the United Republic of Tanzania.” The current outbreak began in May of 2015 when the first case of the virus was reported in Brazil. Since then, it has spread to over 22 different countries/territories, including Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. There have been a few confirmed cases within the U.S. of individuals who recently traveled to areas experiencing transmission of the virus. Sandee LaMotte, reporter for CNN, stated that there has also been an instance of local transmission in Texas. “The case, announced by Dallas County health officials, involved a patient who had sex with someone who had recently returned from Venezuela infected with the mosquito-borne virus,” LaMotte noted. “Should people of Illinois be wor-
ried? My answer would be no,” said Josiah Alamu, chair of the Public Health Department at UIS. “There are several factors that influence the spread of Zika viral infection, including the availability of Aedes aegypti, infected individuals, and susceptible individuals. As far as my knowledge is concerned, we have not recorded any dengue fever in Illinois; dengue fever is also being spread by the same mosquitos: Aedes aegypti. Therefore, we are not remotely connected with the diseases.” According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), only one in five individuals infected with the virus will become ill. Symptoms tend to start two to seven days after infection and commonly include fever, rash, conjunctivitis, and joint pain. There is currently no treatment or vaccine for the Zika virus. Infected individuals are advised to get plenty of
rest and drink lots of fluids. They are also advised to not take aspirin or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. The Zika virus is spread when an individual is bitten by an infected mosquito. Similarly, a mosquito can become infected when it bites an individual who was already carrying the virus. The virus can be transmitted from person to person through contact with infected bodily fluids. A pregnant mother can also transmit the virus to her baby during pregnancy or around birth. There have been numerous reports of a birth defect known as microcephaly, which is when the baby’s head is smaller than normal, in babies who are born to mothers who were infected with the virus during pregnancy. According to Lourdes Garcia-Navarro, an NPR international correspondent covering South America, there have been about 4,200 cases of microcepha-
ly reported in Brazil since the outbreak began, but “only six have been linked with certainty to the virus.” The exact link to the Zika virus and this birth defect is currently being investigated, but organizations are urging pregnant individuals to take caution. The CDC recommends that both pregnant women and women trying to become pregnant avoid traveling to areas where the transmission of the virus is occurring. Laura Ungar, reporter at USA Today, reported that Thomas Russo, professor and chief of the division of infectious diseases at the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the University of Buffalo, stated, “If you’re not pregnant the concern you should have is minimal.” For more information about the Zika Virus, please visit the WHO or the CDC’s websites.
Iowa caucus results: Cruz, Clinton win By Daniel McFarland
Columnist/ News Reporter
Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) declared victory over Donald Trump in the Iowa caucus, while Hillary Clinton surpassed Sen. Bernie Sanders (DVermont) by the slimmest of margins. According to the The Des Moines Register, regarding the Republican caucus, Cruz got 27.6 percent of the vote, Trump received 24.3 percent, Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Florida) landed 23.1 percent and everyone else got much lower. On the Democratic side, Clinton received 49.9 percent of the vote, Sanders received 49.6 percent, and Martin O’Malley got 0.6 percent of the vote. The victories for both candidates did not come easy. Cruz had to fight the potentially devastating attacks of Donald Trump during campaigning in the weeks prior to Iowa, in addition to dealing with doubtful Republicans.
During his victory speech, covered by CNN, Cruz said, “Iowa has sent notice that the Republican nominee and the next president of the United States will not be chosen by the media, will not be chosen by the Washington establishment, [and] will not be chosen by the lobbyists.” Meanwhile, Clinton’s victory came by the slimmest margin in Iowa Democratic caucus history. In a quote from CNN, Clinton said, “I am so thrilled. My luck was not that good last time around, and it was wonderful to win the caucus, to have that experience.” While the winners relished their victories, Sanders and Trump questioned the accuracy of the results. Staff members of Sanders’ campaign claim there could have been miscalculations in counting the votes. Though there may be discrepancies in the results, Sanders and his campaign blamed carelessness and human error,
not deliberate manipulation. Trump, however, claims Cruz, in an effort to gain more votes, conducted unfair campaigning tactics by stating that Ben Carson was dropping out of the race. In effect, Trump demands the results should be “nullified” for a new election, since he claims Cruz committed fraud. There are allegations made that coin flips were used to decide votes within the Democratic caucus. It was reported to the Des Moines Register that many coin flips were in fact used as tiebreakers, but that Clinton and Sanders won roughly an equal number of them. Approximately a dozen coin flips were reported, but the actual number is unknown, so it is not known how or if the coin toss affected the results. Many may be wondering what exactly a caucus is and what makes it different from a primary election. States choose whether to hold caucuses or primary elections.
A caucus consists of members from a registered political party who have small local party meetings in which members from each meeting debate the criteria of the candidates. In the Democratic caucus, members vote by gathering in areas of the room (often a school gymnasium) designated for their preferred candidate. Voters in each area are counted, and thus a candidate for the party is decided. Iowa Republicans also have local gatherings at each precinct, but votes are cast on paper (and in secret) rather than openly. A primary election, like the upcoming New Hampshire primary, simply involves an election process in which voters cast their ballots in private. According to Associate Professor of Political Science Dr. Calvin Mouw, “people participate more in primaries than caucuses. While caucuses tend to attract more of the ‘true believer’ types, people who are more ideologi-
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cally extreme, primaries attract more moderate voters.” There are 15 states that have caucuses for one or both parties, while the other states hold primaries. Iowa is considered one of the most important states in the presidential nomination race. Mouw stated that “Essentially 350,000 people in Iowa gives so much initial influence and direction in the nomination process.” Because the Iowa caucus is first, it provides the first concrete, official count regarding polling results and can be used to predict future results. Also, because it is first in the nomination process, it receives so much media and attention and can result in major impacts in coverage of nominees and their standing in the race. Though the Iowa caucus is an early stage in the nomination process, it gives an idea of how the candidates from both parties will fare with the rest of the states.
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Wednesday, Febuary 10, 2016
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CAMPUS/LOCAL NEWS UIS student premieres documentary as part of Black History Month
Grace Latimore (fourth from the left) stands beside participants in her documentary “Beneath the Surface” in the Public Affairs Center. By John Kurecki Features Writer @KureckiUISJournal
This year’s Black History Month celebration has provided the campus with something unique; among the events was UIS student Grace Latimore premiering her research project, a documentary titled “Beneath the Surface,” to an overflowing audience. According to the Diversity Center, the film, “[explores] what it means to be a minority in higher education.” The documentary is formatted as a series of questions and answers; various students active in the black community on campus were asked about issues like community, identity, and aca-
demics. Latimore expressed that while the film was originally intended to cover the experience of black women in higher education, she decided to expand her scope to include the entire black community. The film, which was about 30 minutes long, is comprised of the students’ recorded responses. According to Latimore, the aim was to get real, honest answers from the students. “There were no real rules or regulations for the students in their responses, all that I really asked is that they were honest, and we have an array of honest and sincere responses to serious questions,” she explained to the event’s crowd. One of the most common criti-
cisms raised by the film’s subjects was focused on diversity in the campus community. Latimore argued that, while UIS is technically diverse, the campus can often feel unwelcoming. According to the latest demographic data available from UIS, which is from the fall of 2014, roughly 14 percent of the UIS undergraduate enrollment is black. By contrast, the University of Illinois at Chicago reported slightly less than eight percent of their 2014 undergraduate class as black, and approximately five percent of Urbana-Champaign’s 2015 undergraduate class selfidentified as black. Latimore offered a potential explanation of the student’s viewpoints, stating, “The diversity is really a big concern
for students…Are we diverse on this campus? Yes…A lot of times I think people confuse diversity and being accepting of one another…we all come from different walks of life, different backgrounds and different experiences, but we don’t necessarily always feel accepted to be on this campus.” When Latimore asked the crowd how many had felt some type of racially based discomfort or aggression, a significant portion of the crowd raised their hands. When she asked how many felt that they “could talk to a member of the administration, a faculty member, and that something would come of it,” nearly all of the hands went down. In her address to the crowd after the screening, Latimore was
Photo by Destiney Boyd
critical of the university staff’s demographics, stating that “there is room for growth” in the diversity of faculty and staff. UIS reported that as of fall 2015, 5.4 percent of full-time staff members were black, which has increased each year since 2011’s 3.5 percent. The film is slated to be presented at the National Conference on Undergraduate Research, which, according to the event’s organizers, “is dedicated to promoting undergraduate research, scholarship, and create activity in all fields of study by sponsoring an annual conference for students.” This year’s conference will be held at the University of North Carolina at Asheville the weekend of April 7.
Campus Senate meeting recap By Daniel McFarland
Columnist/ News Reporter
On Feb. 5, the UIS Campus Senate met in PAC G, where Chancellor Susan Koch addressed the Senate on various topics of importance. In addition, a special presentation was given by Karen Moranski, and old business from last meeting was reviewed. Topics discussed included: •Koch started with news pertaining to higher education at the national level. The Higher Education Act is on the U.S. Congress’s agenda, in addition the Obama Administration’s proposed expansions for Pell Grants. Koch stated the “this proposal would reinstate year-round Pell Grant fund.” N.S.F. (National Science Foundation) funding will be up by 1.7 percent. The University of Illinois is the largest recipient of NSF funding in the country. •Regarding the Illinois budget impasse, Koch stated that “we are relatively wellpositioned to manage our operations.” Three different
proposals were introduced in the Illinois legislature that would fund MAP grants, scholarships, and other funding for higher education. •Regarding the campus level, Koch announced that the enrollment count for this semester this spring is 5,238, up by 45 students from last year. Student athletes achieved an average GPA of 3.2 last semester. Also, this spring will have the largest graduating class in UIS history. •Koch discussed the Student Union Building and stated funding for the building has gone well. Construction will begin on May 4 for the approximately 18-month project. •According to Koch, the Abraham Lincoln sculpture will be delivered in May or June and will be installed on the newly built plaza between UHB and PAC. •Karen Moranski gave a special presentation about the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). She discussed changes that were made to the accreditation process and that the HLC will be doing a site visit to UIS on Feb. 19-
20 in 2018. The assurance argument process for the accreditation reaffirmation is underway for the HLC visit. •The Senate readdressed old business from the last meeting which included resolution 45-10 Establishing a Minor in Music, and resolution 45-11 Elimination of the Minor in Elementary Education. Both resolutions were unanimously approved. No new business was introduced. •The senate reported that the dean searches for the Brookens Library and the College of Public Affairs Administration are going well. The searches and application process are underway. •Lastly, discussion regarding student evaluations was brought up. Since the topic was not on the agenda, the personnel committee will prepare a discussion about teaching excellence evolution, and it will be on a future agenda. The next UIS Campus Senate meeting will be held on Feb. 19 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. in PAC G.
Application/Contract Opens January 29
Deadline for Specialty Housing (Learning Communities, Family, Graduate, Themed) February 19
Priority Deadline (for Non-Specialty Housing) March 4
SelectRoom Access Times Posted on Website for Upperclass Students March 22
SelectRoom Access Times for Upperclass Students March 30-31 Ma
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Wednesday, Febuary 10, 2016
SPORTS UIS baseball player arrested for DUI By Alexander Camp
Assistant Editor for Sports/ Columnist
On Jan. 22, UIS junior Brooks Rohrman was arrested and charged for driving under the influence by UIS Campus Police. The UIS Athletic Department website lists Rohrman as a pitcher/outfielder on the UIS baseball team. According to Sangamon County Circuit Clerk documents, Rohrman was released from police custody after posting a $300 cash bond. Rohram is due in court for his first appearance on March 7. On the UIS Athletic Department website under the Student-Athlete handbook, the UIS Athletic Department takes a clear stance on alcohol use. “The Athletic Department maintains a strict policy on alcohol violations that all student athletes are required to follow from the official start date to the end of the academic year.” The Athletic Department policy
further states that any student-athlete who is in violation of policies substantiated on campus and/or is given a citation for bypassing alcohol state laws is in violation of the department’s alcohol policy and may face disciplinary measures. An official response by Athletic Director Kim Pate addressed the matter at hand. “We have high standards and expectations for how our student-athletes conduct themselves both on and off the field. We have taken appropriate disciplinary action in accordance with our athletics code of conduct and department alcohol policy. We hope that this will be an important life lesson for the student-athlete.” UIS athletics utilizes a three-strike program when handling alcohol offenses, where the first strike serves as a warning, the second strike results in suspension from 15 percent of the regular season, and the third strike results in dismissal from the UIS athletics program. According to the student-athlete
Brooks Rohrman
Photo provided by the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Dept.
handbook, a single DUI can result in any three of the strikes. The policy states, “Any egregious first incident related to the involvement with alcohol such as driving under the influence and other citations or arrests that may reflect negatively on the reputation of the University may be elevated to second or third offense sanctions or may result in immediate action up to and including: cancellation or suspension of scholarship, elevated suspension, or dismissal from the team.” The Prairie Stars baseball season starts on March 5 against the University of Missouri-St. Louis. Rohrman could not be reached for comment.
Sports Reporter
It’s safe to say that the UIS women’s basketball team had a quite productive road trip after going 2-1 in the threegame stretch after entering the games with a 7-12 record. The Prairie Stars began their trip on Feb. 1 with a dominant 93-64 victory over Oakland City University at the Johnson Center in Oakland City, Indiana. The result of this blowout game up was foreshadowed within the first quarter. UIS jumped out to an 18-point lead with a 24-6 point differential. Most of the points accounted for in the beginning of the game were produced by Meredith Marti and Syerra Cunningham. Chelsea Cross, who finished with ten points, got herself involved early in the game as well. Toward the end of the first quarter, Cross was able to knock down a jumper, get to the freethrow line, and grab a steal. Marti finished the first road game with a total of 21 points and four re-
Men’s Basketball goes on road trip Splits games against Maryville and UMSL By Alexander Camp
Assistant Editor for Sports/ Columnist
Over the weekend, the men’s basketball team hit the road in Great
UIS Athletics Photo
Prairie Stars alum fulfills professional dream
Kyle Gupton signed to Australian basketball league By Alexander Camp Assistant Editor for Sports/ Columnist @CampUISJournal
bounds. Cunningham finished one bucket shy of completing a doubledouble with nine points and 11 rebounds. Leslie Hairston contributed 12 points. UIS took the momentum from their win over Oakland City and ran with it to St. Louis, facing the Maryville University Saints on their home court on Feb. 4. This game turned out to be a lot closer, ending in a two-point difference with a final score of 59-57 after the Prairie Stars clawed back from a 31-16 first-half deficit. Field goal percentage turned out to be a key factor that contributed to the Prairie Stars’ early struggles. UIS was 7-27 from the field, or 25.9 percent, while the Saints made six more shots with a 13-30 ratio, a solid 43.3 percent. In the second half, UIS knew it was time to step up against their Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) division rival. The Prairie Stars dropped an impressive 43 points in the second half, boosting them to win the game. Cunningham scored 21 points, Marti contributed 14 points, and Ashley
McHenry had eight points. The Prairie Stars proved that it’s never really over until it’s over. This was the first time that UIS has won backto-back games since November. UIS ended their winning streak by finishing their road trip with a loss to the University of Missouri-St. Louis Tritons in St. Louis on Feb. 6 by a score of 61-53. The game was close throughout, and UIS put up a pretty good fight, but the Tritons proved to be just too much at the end as they broke away and finished with an eight-point difference. The Triton bench’s 18 points was a key contributor toward their victory over the Prairie Stars, as their starters had already provided an offensively balanced front. The 16 turnovers caused by UIS also came back to haunt them at the end of the game. Cunningham led the Prairie Stars with ten points. UIS returns home to prepare and face off against Drury University, another GLVC division opponent, on Thursday at 5:30 p.m.
It took three years and two continents, but finally Kyle Gupton can add “professional basketball player” to his resume. On Jan. 15, the Australian-based State League franchise Tamworth Thunderbolts announced their signing of the former Prairie Stars standout and Canton, Michigan native weeks ahead of the season opener. For Gupton, it was a longawaited odyssey. “Sometimes there were long days and long nights, but it definitely paid off, it wasn’t the easiest thing,” Gupton said. “Not having an assistant there, I always didn’t have anyone to rebound for me, so I had to conduct a lot of the drills, and a lot of video.” While he admitted the rigidness of the workouts, the 2013 UIS graduate believed in the inevitability of his lifelong dream to play professional ball. “I had to create different programs for myself and stay ready because I knew the phone call was going to come eventually,” Gupton said. Gupton regales the process of contacting the State League, which searches worldwide around this time of the year to look for imports to fill their ros-
Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) play against Maryville University on Feb. 4 and the University of Missouri-St. Louis on Feb. 6. In the first game, the Stars fell behind early, by a score of 112, against the Saints (8-14, 2-10 GLVC), and trailed by as much as 23-13 with under ten minutes to go in the first half. Sparked by a run led by Davi Austin, Jamall Millison, and JJ Cravatta, who combined for 25 of the team’s 36 first half points, the Stars would score 18 unanswered
points and take an 11-point lead to halftime. They held the lead into the second, forcing the Saints to shoot under 40 percent in the half and not gather any sustained momentum to charge a comeback, as the Stars won their second straight road game 68-59. Millison and Austin shared the team lead in scoring with 15 points, while Cravatta would be the other Star in double figures with 14. On Feb. 6, the Stars continued
their strong road play early on, as a hot start from Bahari Amaya, who shot six-for-nine from the field and a perfect four-for-four from three-point range, propelled the Stars to a 39-30 lead against the Tritons (9-12, 4-9 GLVC) at the half. After the Stars built a 15-point lead early in the second half, however, USML stormed back by erasing the deficit and taking the lead. Both teams teeter-tottered with the lead in the final seconds, and two clutch free throws from Cra-
Lessons learned in a 3 game road stretch by UIS Women’s Basketball Team By Josh Omenazu
Kyle Gupton makes a layup.
ters. It wasn’t until Gupton sent teams a highlight reel of his body of work, which included two years at UIS, that he started garnering attention from teams immediately. During his time donning a Prairie Stars uniform from 2011 to 2013, Gupton averaged double digits in scoring, leading the team in that category during the 2012-13 campaign. Gupton also accumulated several honors in that span, including All-GLVC Honors, Athletic Director’s Academic Honor Roll, and the 2013 UIS Male Athlete of the Year. “It took them about 45 minutes, and they contacted me back and they wanted to sign me. It’s just a great experience to have an organization that just really wants you to be part of their family,” Gupton said. Gutpon, who is the single-season UIS record-holder in threes made in a season, went on to state his plans for the upcoming season, which starts in early March. “I want to go there and definitely make an impact. I want to go there and make my presence known, do whatever I can do to help my team win, and I want to bring energy on both sides of the ball – scoring, essentially. I want [to] bring energy and I believe we can compete for a championship,” Gupton said. vatta put the Stars up 71-70 with 12 seconds to go. However, a foul committed by Austin on senior guard Tre Ogles with just two seconds left was pivotal, as Ogles sank both free throws to give the Tritons the victory and add a loss to the Stars’ 9-14 record, which includes a 3-10 record in GLVC play. The Stars will begin their final home stand of the season Thursday, as they take on Drury University.