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University leaders decline sanctuary campus designation, sign support of deferred action TAYLOR FLEIG Alestle Reporter Days before the start of the spring semester, students at SIUE received an email announcing that SIU System President Randy Dunn will not designate a sanctuary campus among the three SIU campuses — Carbondale, Edwardsville and Springfield. In December, two student groups from SIUC asked university administrators to designate a campus as a formal sanctuary for undocumented students. The students sent a letter to administrators asking them to adopt policies to protect students who may be at risk of losing their documented status. In the email, Dunn said the designation of a sanctuary campus would potentially put SIU at risk of losing federal financial aid since it is not clearly defined in any legal sense and suggests the university would be willing to violate the law. “At the same time, there are principles that we believe are important during this uncertain period,” Dunn said. “We will continue to do everything we can within the scope of our established law to support our students.” According to a separate email sent to SIUE students Jan. 6, Chancellor Randy Pembrook became one of 600 university leaders from across the country to sign the statement in support of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Program. Started in 2012 under the Obama Administration, DACA allows undocumented immigrants who entered the United States before their 16th birthday to receive a renewable two-year period of deferred action from deportation and eligibility for a work permit. In order to be eligible, immigrants must be currently enrolled in school or have been honorably discharged from the military, under age 31, and have not been convicted of a felony, or otherwise pose a threat to national security. “Though we do not know what specific changes may occur to DACA in the coming weeks and months, SIUE will continue to support and protect our students on campus as we have in the past,” Pembrook said in the email. “A key component of SIUE’s mission to shape a changing world is to provide access to higher education, particularly to first-generation students.” Out of more than 30,000 students, the SIU system as a whole enrolls fewer than 60 DACA students, according to the Jan. 6 email. “Obviously the 60 students, no matter how big or small that number may be, should be protected. They are already facing so much criticism. We have such a diverse campus, and we should keep it diverse, but also safe for everyone,” sophomore mass communications major Allison Wyrsch, of Bethalto said. If DACA students or other international students need assistance, they are urged to contact the office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs at 650-2020. Contact TAYLOR FLEIG Call 650-3527 Tweet @tfleig_alestle Email tfleig@alestlelive.com
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#SMASHTHEDICKTATORSHIP Interactive art project smashes expectations, patriarchy MIRANDA LINTZENICH Alestle Reporter When senior graphic design major Travis Ware, of Sacremento, first heard the news of who would soon take presidential office, he wanted to make a statement. As a comedian and side show performer, his way of doing so started by creating an interactive art project like no other, and between noon and 3 p.m. Friday, Jan. 20 — Inauguration Day — Ware’s project will conclude with the smashing of 70 phallic sculptures in the Stratton Quadrangle. SMASH | pg. 4
As a part of an interactive art project created by senior graphic design major Travis Ware, of Sacramento, two women write messages on porcelain phallic sculptures Dec. 30, 2016, at Shameless Grounds in St. Louis. | Photo courtesy of Travis Ware
Local artists petition loan of painting for inauguration MIRANDA LINTZENICH Alestle Reporter SIUE Art History Professor Ivy Cooper and St. Louis artist Ilene Berman started a petition to stop the loan of a painting at the St. Louis Art Museum from going to the 58th Presidential Inauguration and Luncheon, which the museum declined. SLAM is loaning former Missouri Legislator George Caleb Bingham’s painting “Verdict of the People” for the luncheon Jan. 20, according to Hyperallergic. As of Jan. 18, the petition was only 65 supporters short of having 5,000 signatures from both the local area and nationwide. Cooper and Berman said they believe the painting should have no part in the luncheon and have asked SLAM to cancel the loan as a result of that disagreement. “I first found out about the loan in an article in the St. Louis Post Dispatch stating that Senator Roy Blunt had selected the piece,” Cooper said. “We feel like the painting represents the St. Louis community, and we don’t want it representing us at the inauguration.” Cooper said she sees the loan of the painting as an endorsement of Trump’s presidency. The petition states that the signers object to the “painting’s use as an inaugural backdrop and an implicit endorsement of the Trump presidency and his expressed values of hatred, misogyny, racism and xenophobia.” Cooper and Berman notified SLAM of their actions. “We have notified the director and the petition is still open online,” Cooper said. “The museum issued a statement, and we met with the director this past Wednesday [Jan. 11].” “The museum takes no position on
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candidates for public office, nor does it support or opposed individuals elected to such offices. It does, however, support the office of the presidency itself. When the bipartisan Joint Congressional Commission on Inaugural Ceremonies requested the loan of a painting for the Inaugural Luncheon, it was an honor for the museum to participate in the long-standing tradition,” Brent Benjamin, the Barbara B. Taylor director of the SLAM, told Hyperallergic. Cooper said the director’s decision to decline the loan disappointed her. “They told us that the loan of the painting is not in support of any presidential candidate,” Cooper said. “Instead, it supports the inaugural tradition. The loan itself is not political.” Cooper said she knows the director won’t change his mind. “We are just happy that people are talking about art and its role in the political process,” Cooper said. “I would like people to look at the petition and consider signing it. But it is more than that — art is used to represent various views, and [they] may want to become more aware of how art is sometimes used for political purposes.” The painting was completed in 18541855 and depicts small town Missourians’ reactions to the result of a county election. During the same time period, slavery was legal and women could not vote. “I think, ironically, [the painting] also reflects the kind of division and the kind of exclusion that Trump would bring to his presidency,” Cooper said. According to the St. Louis Post Dispatch, Missouri Senator and JCCIC chairman Roy Blunt was the one who thought the painting would serve it’s place at the event. Sen. Blunt and the JCCIC sent a statement regarding the background of the
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painting and how it would serve on Inauguration Day. After Trump takes the oath of office and delivers his inaugural address, Sen. Blunt and the JCCIC will host a luncheon in Statuary Hall in Washington D.C., the statement said. The JCCIC has organized the celebration for the incoming president, vice president, their families, congress leaders and other invited guests since 1953. According to the statement, the program includes a set of speeches, JCCIC presentations and toasts to the new administration. As JCCIC chairman, Blunt had the responsibility to select a work of art to be displayed during the luncheon. The George Caleb Bingham Collection arrived on loan to the SLAM from the Bingham Trust in 2015, which is the first comprehensive exhibition of paintings and drawings by Bingham in 25 years, according to the JCCIC. According to the Columbia Missourian, a man seated in the foreground of the painting poses in a similar manner to that of the Roman sculpture, “The Dying Gaul.” The Missourian speculated the pose may correlate with Bingham’s feelings about the election results and pointed out that Conneticut College art history professor Nancy Rash related the painting to Bingham’s opinion about slavery in her book, “The Paintings and Politics of George Caleb Bingham.” Cooper said she has no affiliation with SIUE when it comes to the petition.
Contact MIRANDA LINTZENICH Call 650-3527 Tweet @mlintz_alestle Email mlintzenich@alestlelive.com
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News in brief School of Nursing online bachelor’s, graduate programs rank among nation’s best U.S. News and World Report ranked SIUE No. 68 out of 308 schools nationally for the School of Nursing’s online bachelor’s program, placing it among the top five online bachelor’s programs in Illinois on the Best Online Bachelor’s Programs list. The School of Nursing’s online graduate program also ranked 94th among the best 140 schools nationally. Laura Bernaix, dean of the School of Nursing, said the ranking reflects the school’s commitment to providing excellent academic programs. “To see such a dramatic improvement in rankings in only our second year of participating in this survey is quite an honor,” Bernaix said in a press release Jan. 11. “This accomplishment is a testimony to the hard work and dedication of our faculty in providing a high-quality, affordable and accessible education to students throughout the region.” For more information, contact Bernaix at 650-3969 or lbernai@siue.edu.
Online Healthcare Informatics program among top 25 SIUE’s online master’s program in healthcare informatics has recently been ranked among the top 25 in the nation by bestcolleges.com. The ranking guidelines include academic quality, affordability and online programming. The healthcare informatics program works to integrate the worlds of medicine and technology by incorporating expertise in their respective fields in data management, patient care and information technology systems. The program stresses the application of state-of-the-art computing technologies to healthcare.
The Rock to become handicap accessible In effort to make the Rock more accessible to all, construction began Jan. 16, to remove a portion of the curb surrounding it. According to Facilities Management Director Paul Fuligni, the Rock is receiving maintenance to become more accessible to disabled students, faculty and staff. “We are trying to develop a path that makes the Rock accessible for everyone,” Fuligni said. “Before, there was a [curb] around the Rock, which blocked anyone from getting to it, so we wanted to help provide assistance. We only moved the Rock temporarily, so we could provide that for everyone.” Construction for the Rock is expected to be completed later this week or sometime next week, according to Fuligni.
thursday, 01.19.17
More than meets the eye:
Misconceptions about depression linger on campus TRENT STUART Alestle Reporter Millions of people around the world are diagnosed with depression, and every year, thousands die by suicide because of the mental illness. Depression can stem from stress in college, and even if an individual is not affected, someone around them may be, so knowledge about the disorder is important. “I’ve noticed that it is more common than most people would know,” Lisa Thompson-Gibson, counselor and suicide prevention project coordinator, said. As a student, having depression can be a much different experience than it might be after graduation. According to Counseling Services Director James Linsin, the amount of time that students are evaluated in college may play a role in how depression affects them. Linsin said students’ classes, jobs and limited free time all play a part in their evaluation as a person. “Outside of college, there’s certainly no shortage of times when people feel evaluated, but I think in college, there tends to be more of those evaluation points,” Linsin said. Thompson-Gibson suggests the change from high school to college has a possibility of adding to depression among students. “People respond differently to transition in their life, and for some people it can show up as
depression,” Thompson-Gibson said. Additionally, there are some possible misconceptions when it comes to depression. For example, many people think the time of year has a direct correlation with how depressed someone is, but according to Thompson-Gibson, that may not necessarily be the case. She said how people react to the experiences and rhythms of life will most likely play a greater role in how depressed someone rather than the time of year. Some may also perceive the concept of depression as something different. Linsin said depression is more than just being sad. “Depression can include sadness, but it tends to go beyond sadness in a more painful way. It’s really a series of symptoms that negatively affect a person’s life along a lot of areas. It tends to get in the way of numerous things,” Linsin said. However, there are steps that can be taken to stay informed about the illness, and treatment is always available. “Sometimes depression can just strike seemingly out of nowhere, and it affects people from all different backgrounds and walks of life. So I think being able to realize not only is this not my fault, but the fact that it’s also something I can get help for, and that I’m not alone in dealing with it is important,” Linsin said. After recognizing the fre-
Depression can be described as a chemical imbalance in the brain that can result in disinterest in regular activities or depressed mood, so it is important to be there for loved ones who may have depression. | Photo via Pixabay
quency of the illness, one must then take the next step of reaching out to someone else, such as a friend, a teacher or Counseling Services. Many times, Thompson-Gibson said, the people who are close to the person with depression, such as their friends, coworkers or teachers will be the first people to notice that something is wrong. “Any work that you can do to help the community understand more about depression benefits our community. We all have a part in supporting each other and supporting good mental health,” Thompson-Gibson said. According to Thompson-Gibson, not only are there ways for depressed people to get help, but there are also proactive
ways to figure out how to recognize and talk to someone who is depressed, such as using Kognito, a program all SIUE students can use with the enrollment key “SIUe16.” People who are, or think they may be depressed are only a phone call away from getting the help they need. For help, contactCounseling Services at 650-2842, Chestnut Health Systems Crisis Line at 877-0316, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 273-8255. In case of an emergency during non business hours, contact University Police at 6503324 or 911. Contact TRENT STUART Call 650-3527 Tweet @tstuart_alestle Email tstuart@alestlelive.com
Satellite Fitness Center opens in Student Success Center MIRANDA LINTZENICH Alestle Reporter A new satellite fitness facility opened on Jan. 9 after Campus Recreation, the Morris University Center and the Student Success Center collaborated to find a space on the lower level of the SSC. “We wanted to get it done over break,” Director of Campus Recreation Keith Becherer said. “We figured that everyone would have a New Year’s resolution, and having the open house and facility opening when we came back would capture our message.” According to Becherer, the concept is close to that of a hotels. “Students can come in between classes, and faculty and staff can get specific memberships,” Becherer said. According to Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Jeffrey Waple, room 0206 was an
unused kitchen area before. The planning team did not want to take away spaces being used by students. “It was actually Kelly Jo Karnes [Director of the SSC, MUC and Kimmel Student Involvement Center] and Cathy Passananti [Associate Director of the MUC] who came up with this idea,” Waple said. “If students are commuting to school or don’t live in the [residence] halls, or if they just need a break, we wanted to give them this option.” Inside the facility, there is a treadmill, two ellipticals, a recumbent bike, a dual adjustable pulley and a stretch mat. “The idea stemmed from conversations with [Karnes] and Waple. We want as many opportunities for campus involvement as possible, and this is a way for more students in this facility to come after classes or after group studies,” Becherer said.
The sattelite fitness center is open Monday through Thursday from 7 a.m. - 11 p.m., Saturdays from 7:30 a.m. - midnight, and Sunday from 9 a.m. midnight. | Allison Gregory / Alestle
The new workout facility in the Student Success Center, Room 0206 offers a treadmill, workout pad, sink, stationary bike, two ellipticals and a multi-purpose lifting machine. | Allison Gregory / Alestle
Planning for the facility began this past fall semester. A camaera and signage was installed and equipment from the Student Fitness Center was moved to the SSC. “I think students who use it will be happy once this project has moved forward,” Waple said. According to Waple, the project turned over quickly and was relatively cost efficient. “The most expensive thing was the door. We had to get one that had glass so that you could see inside,” Waple said. “The equipment came from [SFC], so this was very low cost.” Waple said he anticipates this facility to be used more in the evening when students would be taking advantage of the SSC’s longer hours. The SSC satellite gym will
have longer hours than the SFC according to SFC Fitness Coordinator Amanda Couch. Monday through Thursday, hours will be from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., Saturdays from 7:30 a.m. to midnight and on Sundays from 9 a.m. to midnight. “We are hoping this will give us the opportunity to reach more students by letting them know there are more opportunities and to have those students connect more with campus recreation,” Couch said. “It will give them more accessibility.” For more information, contact Becherer at kebeche@ siue.edu or 650-3987. Contact MIRANDA LINTZENICH Call 650-3527 Tweet @mlintz_alestle Email mlintzenich@alestlelive.com
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thursday, 01.19.17
Someone bought all the tickets to ‘Hidden Figures,’ so you could see it for free ELIZABETH DONALD Belleville News-Democrat 01.11.17 An officer issued a written warning for failure to yield right of way on North University Drive at P1 Road. An officer issued a written warning for speeding 38 mph in a 25 mph zone on Northwest Entrance at Lot 11. An officer issued a written warning for speeding 61 mph in a 45 mph zone on New Poag Road at North University Drive. An officer issued a written warning for an expired registration on North University Drive at P3 Road. An officer issued a written warning for an expired registration on Cougar Lake Drive at North University Drive. An officer took report of a theft of a soda from a soda cooler on the second floor of the Vadalabene Center.
An officer issued a state citation to John T. Yingst for driving while using an electronic communication on North University Drive at P3 Road.
01.13.17 An officer responded to 410 Cougar Village regarding an active fire alarm. The officer advised the alarm was activated due to cooking. There was no fire, smoke or damage. The area was secured. A caller stated his neighbors were having a verbal dispute at 428 Cougar Village. Officers contacted the male resident and his wife who admitted to having a verbal argument during which she poured bleach on some of her husband’s clothes. The husband did not want to file any criminal charges against his wife.
01.14.17
An officer issued a written warning for speeding 37 mph in a 25 mph zone on Northwest Entrance at Lot 11.
An officer picked up a found wallet in Lot B. The wallet was returned to the owner in Edwardsville.
An officer issued a written warning for speeding 60 mph in a 45 mph zone on New Poag Road at North University Drive.
A written warning was issued for speeding 36 mph in a 25 mph zone on P2 Road at North University Drive.
01.12.17
An officer issued a written warning for speeding on North University Drive at the Flying Fields.
A fire alarm sounded at the Science East Building. Officers, building engineers and the Edwardsville Fire Department were dispatched. The alarm was activated by dust from a construction area and reset. The building was cleared and everyone was allowed to return. There was no fire, smoke or damage. An officer issued a written warning for an expired registration on North University Drive at P3 Road. An officer issued a written warning for improper display of license plate. The offense occured on South University Drive at South Circle Drive.
01.15.17 An officer issued a warning for no rear registration light on East University Drive at State Route 157. An officer issued a written warning for speeding on North University Drive at P2 Road. An officer responded to 513 Cougar Village for an active fire alarm. University Housing was notified. The alarm was activated by cooking and was restored. There was no fire, smoke or damage.
Someone thought everyone in Edwardsville should get the chance to see the story of “Hidden Figures,” and paid up to make sure they could. An anonymous person bought out the entire 4:45 p.m. showing of “Hidden Figures” on Martin Luther King Jr. Day and offered the tickets for free. A sign posted on the front door of AMC Theaters in Edwardsville announced the tickets were available until they ran out. A manager at the theater confirmed that a person “walked up and bought out the whole show.” He declined to be identified, and said because he had not asked the benefactor whether they wished to be public, declined to identify that person as well. “From what I understand, she saw the movie with her children and felt that the message was of great importance and should be seen by as many people as possible,” the manager said. “Hidden Figures” premiered nationally Jan. 6, and knocked “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story” off the pedestal, earning $22.8
million. It stars Octavia Spencer, Taraji P. Henson, Janelle Monáe and Kevin Costner, telling the story of Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan and Mary Jackson — black women who crossed gender and race lines at NASA to do the mathematics behind astronaut John Glenn’s launch into orbit. Other screenings of the film have been bought out with tickets offered for free, including 11 showings nationally by Black Girls CODE, a nonprofit dedicated to
introducing programming and technology to African-American girls, according to news reports. Spencer personally bought out a Los Angeles screening, according to news reports and Instagram posts from Spencer and Henson. The AMC manager declined to say how many seats are in a standard theater at the Edwardsville location. The usual price of a ticket is $10.99 per person. READ MORE WIRE STORIES AT ALESTLELIVE.COM
“Hidden Figures” introduces viewers to three black women who helped launch NASA’s first successful space mission. | Photo via IMDB
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contact the editor: lifestyles@alestlelive.com 650-3527 thursday, 01.19.17
#smashthedicktatorship Art student makes statement with phallic shapes SMASH | from pg. 1
Last semester, Ware was assigned an art project that included multiple cast items and turning them into sculptures. He chose to cast a mold from a dildo to convey an abstract message. “I made fine art out of dicks,” Ware said. “That is true to my own subversive nature because everyone thinks of conventional things to make fine art from and I’m like, ‘No, you’re going to look at this.’” Ware said after a week of letting reality set in, he spent a majority of his time planning the project, #smashthedicktatorship. He decided the best way to make the most impact was to let others say what was on their minds and participate. “It got to the point where immediately after Election Day, a lot of people were very quiet and a lot of people were really kind of went about their day like normal even though you could tell they were suffering inside,” Ware said. “To some extent, I think a lot of students these days, they become unaccustomed to feeling strong emotions — things like outrage and pain and strong opinion.” According to Ware, he didn’t want to have a voice in his project. His role was to manufacture the sculptures and hand them to others who have been oppressed by straight white males in America to share their message. Seventy ceramic figures were signed by individuals stating how they have been oppressed. Ware had half of the sculptures signed at SIUE, and the other half were
signed at a coffee shop called Shameless Grounds in St. Louis. “We are entering into a time that could be considered a fascist state run by a potential dictator,” Ware said. “It’s no laughing matter. As an artist and as myself, I kind of revel in subversiveness.” According to Ware, it was that very subversiveness that allowed him to begin this project. “It’s the culmination of so many voices being heard at once and ultimately this was done out of frustration. I fired back up ‘the dick factory’ — is what I call it — to start this next project. I never thought I’d do this again.” According to Ware, he went into the project knowing that he wanted to create something impactful. “The initial thought was the commentary on what I considered the opposition. I knew I wanted to do an interactive piece,” Ware said. Ware said he toyed with the ideas of the confederate flag and smashing that. However, he wanted a concept more to the point. “Things like porcelain represent the finer things in life ... also, porcelain is white — so very white — so when you reference that to male genitalia, what you’d find is a fragile, hollow kind of object,” Ware said. The first step was to cast the shape into the mold and then pour out the extra material, Ware said. The shape of a dildo represents the straight white, male ego and the project is supposed to compose a statement in deconstructing that agenda. Ware said
People who have been oppressed by straight white males in America share experiences on Ware’s artwork. | Photo courtesy of Travis Ware
Senior graphic design major Travis Ware, of Sacramento, poses next to porcelain phallic sculptures he created for his interactive art project dubbed #smashthedicktatorship. | Photo courtesy of Travis Ware
he thinks it shows that people will not go back to staying in the closet and women cooking dinner and birthing children. For him, it is a movement about solidarity in fighting oppression. “It is a direct representation of the straight white male, especially the ones who haven’t learned how to check that privilege, like most of the people in Trump’s cabinet and the people who voted for him,” Ware said. But just to have the sculptures stand for a bigger message wasn’t enough for Ware. He wanted to take the project a step further and he created a movement to incite conversation over the topic of oppression. “I kind of have a horse in this race — I am a straight white male, but I have a lovely, brownskinned daughter. Most of my friends are of something other than straight white males. As a performer, I am immersed in the LGBTQ community,” Ware said. “So, I went to a panel of 20 people who were not straight males and asked if I should do this because that is checking my privilege.” According to Ware, he wanted to express anger over the election results to help others digest their feelings, to incite thought and to safely express that rage. “It’s not the social status anymore to hide being gay and to vilify being colored. That time is over, and that is what this is for,” Ware said. Ware said everyone has done something they regret, whether it is judging someone or saying something they wish they could take back. The sculptures repre-
sent those marginalized and give a voice to the person it represents. During Friday’s event, those people who signed the sculptures will not smash them. It is not necessarily a rule, but it helps to further share the message with another person, according to Ware. To further his statement, a backdrop of apologies from straight white males will be displayed at the smashing event.
Ware said women came first for the project. He wanted to highlight how they’ve been negatively affected by men. “Then people of color and everything in between the spectrums ... For centuries, straight white men have been oppressing you,” Ware said. According to Ware, these are very powerful messages. Two examples that stuck out to him included “When’s dinner?” and
“
It’s the culmination of so many voices being heard at once, and ultimately, this was done out of frustration. TRAVIS WARE
Senior graphic design major
This group of people will not be able to participate in the smashing of the porcelain penises according to Ware, but they will be able to comfort those reading the messages and watch. “[Selected individuals] will read the messages aloud before [the sculptures are] destroyed forever, rendering the representation of straight white males and also destroying that public declaration,” Ware said. “Most of these people [that have experienced discrimination or oppression] have been through horrible trauma and have never publically stated these [instances] in their lives.”
“My husband sold me to a man who beat and raped me for eight hours.” Smashing these messages brings relief to most of the people participating, Ware said. “It’s very empowering and humbling. As an artist and performer, my stake is in bravado and turning the tables to make things funny,” Ware said. “This is different. This means something deeper and me removing my voice from my art has already helped so many people already.” Contact MIRANDA LINTZENICH Call 650-3527 Tweet @mlintz_alestle Email mlintzenich@alestlelive.com
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GAP creates buddy system for domestic, international students KIAH EARL Alestle Reporter Students travel from all over the world to attend SIUE for its low tuition rates, abundance of financial aid and close proximity to St. Louis, however, there is a need to help these students transition into campus life. Last semester, senior international business major Alexis Schad, of Shiloh, founded and now presides over an organization called Global Ambassador Program. Through this program, international students are paired with domestic students using a questionnaire to determine who should be “buddies” throughout the semester. The organization paired 40 international and domestic students together during fall semester of 2016, and according to Schad, members are hopeful to pair even more students this semester. According to Schad, this organization was her way of fixing a problem she saw on campus. “I spent the first year and a half that I was at SIUE not knowing any international students,” Schad said. “There are around 400-500 international students at SIUE, and I felt like I had to do something about that gap.” Similar buddy system organizations exist on campuses around the United States, and Schad said she thought the organization would provide domestic students with the experience of learning about other cultures without traveling abroad. Mary Weishaar, executive director of international affairs,said GAP has been a great additional form of support for international students on campus. “The program has been highly successful,” Weishaar said. “Students are really feeling good support, and the program gives international students additional ways to gain support.” GAP provides international students with a peer mentor, someone who would be there to show them around campus and help them figure out how things work, Weishaar said. GAP works directly with another program through the International Affairs office, called the International Hospitality Program, which supports international students in their transition into campus life. This program pairs students with host families throughout the Edwardsville area, and students spend time with them during holidays and special events. Schad said she hopes more domestic students apply to the program this semester because of the cultural exposure they can gain. The program is geared toward meeting the needs of international students, but domestic students can benefit greatly from the pairing as well. “Our real mission is to promote cultural exchange and get people talking and learning more about other people’s cultures,”
Top left, Randy Stark, Mrutha Logan, Ajim Uddin, Carmen Connors, Güneş Hacıhalil, Aslihan Celik, Jayda Hatten, Mackenzie Rogers and Milly Chen are all members of the Global Ambassadors Program. | Allison Gregory / Alestle
Schad said. “While the organization is based around acclimating international students to the United States, it’s a really good opportunity for domestic students to expand their knowledge about other people and the way that they live.” The transition for international students to the United States can be hard for some, according to Schad. “For some international students, this is their first time away from their parents and families,” Schad said. “It can be a big culture shock for them and having that support system through their GAP buddy proved helpful for participants.” According to various members, the program was successful last semester in creating lifelong relationships through the buddy system. Many buddies have become best friends, and some have even started dating. Schad said the application process is especially important, and she encourages anyone who fills out an application to be as detailed as possible with their answers. “We go through all the applications and match people as best we can based off how they answered the questions,” Schad
said. “The [more] honest you are on the application, the more likely you are to have more things in common with your buddy.” Economics and finance graduate student Ajim Uddin was born and raised in Bangladesh. Uddin started at SIUE in fall 2016 and said the program has been really helpful for him trying to get used to being in the United States. “I like it a lot here,” Uddin said. “School is going well, and I have made some great friends through this program.” Uddin said he appreciated how helpful and thoughtful his buddy was during the fall semester. “She always invited me to different things around town, and I invited her to things that I had going on as well,” Uddin said. “She also helped me a lot with practicing my writing and my language studies.” GAP is the sister organization to the SIUE Tandem program, according to Schad. The Tandem program focuses on pairing students for the purposes of learning language skills — international students can work on their English, while domestic students can learn a foreign language.
Run through the Department of Foreign Language and Literature, the Tandem program provides English workshops to non-native speakers, and according to Schad, there is a great need for English speakers to help international students learn and practice their skills. “Participating in this program as an American student can be an exciting and different learning opportunity,” Schad said. “Learning a foreign language can be hard for all types of students, and this program offers a differ-
ent approach than regular classbased learning.” Schad said she is extremely proud of how far the program has come in such a short amount of time, and she said she hopes after graduating in May more students will get on board to keep the program going. “We really want people who have the same passion for keeping these conversations and connections going, to get involved with the organization,” Schad said. “Becoming a buddy is a time commitment, but that’s not the only way to be involved.” GAP hosts six events per semester both on and off campus. These events and trips are open to the entire student body, and can be a great way for domestic students who cannot commit to having a full-time buddy to get involved. They also give international students an opportunity to meet not only domestic students, but also other foreign-born students. Members of the organization hang out with their buddies at least twice a month, Schad said. The organization tries to have multiple events throughout the year for international students have the opportunity to experience different aspects of American culture while attending SIUE. According to Schad, GAP and Tandem have a joint application that is available online, but students do not have to participate in both. The GAP online buddy application deadline is Feb. 2, and the organization will host a reveal for students to meet their new buddies Feb. 9. To apply for GAP or the Tandem programs, visit tinyurl.com/ domapp17 for domestic students, and tinyurl.com/intapp17 for international students. For more information about GAP, visit fb.com/siuegap, or email siue. tandem.gap@gmail.com.
Contact KIAH EARL Call 650-3527 Tweet @kearl_alestle Email kearl@alestlelive.com
opinion
VOTE IN THIS WEEK’S POLL ABOUT TRUMP’S ACTIONS AT ALESTLELIVE.COM
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Letter to the Editor:
A response to ‘Save Plumb-Bob’
I am writing in response to the communication from Mr. John Bob, class of 1969, posted on Jan. 12. A misconception exists that the sculpture known as “Plumbob XXVII” was created for and intended by the artist to be displayed in the SIUE University Center. This is completely incorrect. Documentation in the Louisa H. Bowen University Archives & Special Collections proves the work was first noticed and admired by Arnold H. Maremont, a wealthy Chicago industrialist and art collector who served as a university trustee from 1961 through 1967. Maremont conceived the idea behind and privately financed the visionary EPEC (Environmental Planning Edwardsville Campus) event held in East St. Louis June 2-4, 1961. Maremont thought the piece might possibly be appropriate for the anticipated new Edwardsville campus. At the suggestion of Maremont, Gyo Obata (lead architect of the campus design team) and John Randall (SIUE campus architect) went to view the piece at the Carnegie Museum in Pittsburgh Jan. 20, 1962. Maremont generously purchased the sculpture from the Allan Stone gallery in New York in April 1962 for $2,250 and donated it to SIUE. Although the piece has been displayed in the University Center since shortly after it opened in 1967, five years after Maremont purchased the work, “Plumbob XXVII” was not created for or intended by the artist to be displayed in the SIUE University Center. Hopefully, whenever and wherever he restored sculpture is displayed on campus once again, accurate contextual signage will be provided to help viewers appreciate both the intention and craftsmanship of the artist and the discernment andkindness of the donor.
STEPHEN KERBER, Ph.D. University Archivist & Special Collections Librarian
Politicians must be held accountable
It’s unlikely any young adult can remember a time when the country wasn’t so tense. Between those in positions of power constantly playing the blame game, major news outlets being dubbed “fake” by president-elect Donald Trump and his rather unfortunate love of Twitter, we have entered an unprecedented period of uncertainty and division, and with Trump’s inauguration rapidly approaching, it’s likely that division between political parties and individuals will only worsen.
ALESTLE STAFF EDITORIAL In this time of uncertainty, The Alestle urges its readers to hold all elected officials accountable for their words and actions. It is essential that we use our voices and do everything in our power to keep officials that they are in office to serve us, the people. Throughout history, we have seen an evolution of media and its impact on politicians, especially the president. In the first ever televised presidential debate,
John F. Kennedy turned the polls around in his favor against the stiff Richard Nixon. In 2008, President Obama utilized social media in ways no candidate had before, allowing him to target new demographics and connect with millennials more effectively. He was also the first president to have an active Twitter account, @ POTUS. This past election saw social media, specifically Twitter, used more than ever had before. Trump, who uses this platform, will soon find himself in the Oval Office trying to fufill his promise to “Make America Great Again,” and his tweeting tenedices call for questioning. He very aggressively approaches critics and sensitive material alike in an unharnessed way. He is also very vocal about his policies, plans and ideas, so it up to us — the public — to ensure he is held accountable for what he promises the United States. In such strenuous times, the easiest option seems like throwing our hands up in defeat, but complacency will get us nowhere. Not only do we need to hold these elected officials accountable for their negative words and
actions, but we also need to hold them accountable on their promises. Change starts with us, and if the president, or other elected officials promise greatness for our country, we need to make sure they keep their word. It seems as if the government is a world away from us, but something as simple as writing to a governor or talking with your local mayor can make a change. By the same token, if an elected official promises to make a change you feel will negatively impact the country or various communities, don’t hesitate to speak out. Research proposals by various politicians to see what impacts they may have and contact your local elected officials to explain your stance. Then, talk to your peers and encourage them to do the same. While it may seem easy enough to send a tweet with your concerns to your representative, there are much more effective ways to get in touch with them. A phone call, or even a traditional letter, will leave a stronger impact than a post on social media or an email.
Community action can help solve drug problem Madison County has a drug problem. No matter what way it is looked at, it is obvious there is a large amount of illegal drugs, such as heroin and prescription pills, circulating among the streets of Edwardsville, Alton and the surrounding area.
TRENT STUART Alestle Reporter Although limiting the amount of illegal substances in the area may be challenging, it can be accomplished by a better effort by the community as a whole. In order to achieve increased community awareness, one of the first steps is to have conversation. According to the Belleville News-Democrat,14,367,940 oxycodone and hydrocodone pills were sold in Madison County in 2014 — most than 78 times the national average of 182,742 pills. This fact alone is enough to prove
how out of hand this county is when it comes to prescription drugs. One of the biggest problems with the excess of prescriptions is that it leads to not only abuse of the pills, but also potential heroin abuse. Heroin is a cheaper, more accessible alternative with similar effects as prescription pills. Additionally, there have been many cases of police catching drug dealers in Madison County, including former SIUE baseball player Austin Verschoore. Although total drug-related deaths in Madison County have decreased the past two years, according to The Riverbender, in 2016, nine people died from heroin overdoses, with five cases pending results, and at least 18 people died of the painkiller fentanyl. The infamous Madison County drug problem has stayed away from SIUE for the most part, but the proximity to the issue makes it probable for the
drugs to have an impact on campus. However, the good news is that people can take precautions to put a stop to the extreme cases of drug abuse at SIUE. If you know anyone or have heard about anyone abusing illegal drugs, personally reaching out to offer them help and advice could be a good first step. Talking to Health and Counseling Services or other doctors in the area can also provide guidance. In addition, University Police has a box at their station to anonymously drop off unused prescription pills with no questions asked. It can be utilized by anyone in the area 24/7. The university, students, faculty and other members of the community are the people capable of standing up to the problem. Solutions are available, but it is simply a matter of everybody putting forth more effort to make sure these solutions are realistic. READ MORE OPINIONS AT ALESTLELIVE.COM.
KIAH EARL TAYLOR FLEIG MIRANDA LINTZENICH TRENT STUART reporters RYAN BIERI BRIDGET CHRISTNER BREANN SPERANEO copy editors NICOLLE PATTON editorial cartoonist LAUREN LOWE graphics manager
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The name Alestle is an acronym derived from the names of the three campus locations of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville: Alton, East St. Louis and Edwardsville. The Alestle is published on Thursdays in print and on Tuesdays online during the fall and spring semesters. A print edition is available every other Wednesdays during summer semesters. For more information, call 618-650-3528. For advertising, email advertising@alestlelive.com.
contact the editor: sports@alestlelive.com 650-3527 thursday, 01.19.17
sports
MEN’S SOCCER’S LEDBETTER TAKEN BY DALLAS IN MLS DRAFT READ MORE AT ALESTLELIVE.COM
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Women’s basketball seeks OVC rally
KYLE STEPP Alestle Sports Editor
SIUE women’s basketball team looks to bounce back from a four-game losing streak against Ohio Valley Conference opponents. After playing Southeast Missouri State University Jan. 18, SIUE hits the road for another league matchup against the University of Tennessee at Martin 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 25, at the Vadalabene Center. The Cougars hope to bounce back from a road loss to the Austin Peay State University Governors Jan. 11, and a home loss to the Murray State University Racers Jan. 15. The Governors used a first period double-digit lead to sweep the Cougars with a final score of 85-62. Austin Peay shot 51.7 percent from the field and had four players finish the contest in double figures. The Cougars were unable to get their offense going, only shooting 29.8 percent of their shots from the field. However, SIUE was able to make up for it at the free-throw line, reaching the charity stripe a season-high 39 times. SIUE also won the rebounding battle 41-31 with 18 offensive boards. Sophomore guard Amri Wilder led the Cougars with 14 points off the bench, while redshirt sophomore guard Nakiah Bell and junior guard Donshel Beck added 12 points each. After facing the Governors, SIUE returned home Jan. 15, for a close match against Murray State. After falling to the Racers 84-77, Head Coach Paula Bus-
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SIUE Standings MEN’S BASKETBALL OVERALL
Southeast Miss. E. Kentucky Austin-Peay Tenn. Tech Jacksonville St. Morehead St. SIUE Eastern Ill. UT Martin Belmont Murray St. Tenn. St.
7-13 8-12 6-13 7-13 12-8 7-11 5-14 9-9 12-8 11-4 10-9 12-6
OVC
2-3 1-4 2-3 3-2 4-1 3-2 0-5 1-4 2-3 5-0 4-1 3-2
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL OVERALL
Redshirt sophomore guard Nakiah Bell pushes past a Murray State defender to score Jan. 15, at the Vadalabene Center. | Caitlin Lally/ Alestle
cher said even though her team came up short, she saw some positive play from her team. “It was a great college basketball game, and both teams played hard. Late in the game, we needed to get a stop, and we couldn’t quite do it. But we played better overall and shot the ball better,” Buscher said. Redshirt junior guard Lauren White racked up a team-high 19 points, while Beck added 18 points and eight rebounds before fouling out. Sophomore center Sydney Bauman posted a career best with 13 points and grabbing 11 rebounds. Bell also reached double-digits with 14 points. Bauman said she felt it was her strongest performance, and
she had a different mindset than normal. “It’s definitely the best game I’ve had. I looked to score and was more aggressive,” Bauman said. The Cougars were forced to step up their game after falling 21-9 early in the first period. However, SIUE fought back and headed into the locker room with a 43-38 lead at halftime. The Racers sparked their offense in the second half, outscoring SIUE 46-34. The Cougars won the rebounding battle 37-27, and made 16 free throws. However, their 47.5 shooting percentage and 19 turnovers ultimately led to the loss.
Buscher said her team played hard, but was unable to close out the game. “I don’t fault our effort,” Buscher said. “We just weren’t as sharp as we need to be in closing out things toward the end of the game.” With 11 games remaining in their conference schedule, the Cougars are looking to make a strong push in the OVC for a high seed in the conference championship that will be held in Nashville, Tenn. in early March. Contact KYLE STEPP Call 650-3527 Tweet @kstepp_alestle Email kstepp@alestlelive.com
Southeast Miss. 8-10 7-11 E. Kentucky 10-10 Austin-Peay 6-12 Tenn. Tech 8-9 Jacksonville St. 14-5 Morehead St. 5-13 SIUE 5-13 Eastern Ill. 4-14 UT Martin 14-5 Belmont 12-6 Murray St. 7-8 Tenn. St.
OVC
2-3 4-1 3-3 3-2 1-4 4-2 1-4 1-5 1-4 6-0 4-1 2-3
WRESTLING
OVERALL SOCON
Chattanooga Appalachian St. The Citadel Davidson Gardner-Webb Campbell SIUE VMI
3-7 9-2 1-6 3-8 4-2 4-6 1-8 1-8
1-0 4-0 0-1 0-1 1-0 0-1 1-1 0-3
Men’s basketball winless in OVC KYLE STEPP Alestle Sports Editor The men’s basketball team dropped two more conference games, one on Jan. 12, and another on Jan. 14, at the Vadalabene Center. The Cougars are now 5-14 for the season, and 0-5 in the Ohio Valley Conference. The Cougars first played the Austin Peay State University Governors with more than 1,000 fans in attendance. SIUE put on a show with less than three minutes remaining in regulation, but fell short to the Governors with a final score of 83-81. After trailing 10 points through the first half, the Cougars overcame a double-digit deficit in the second half to force overtime. With less than three minutes remaining, SIUE went on a 9-0 run, and tied the game at 70 with a basket from junior forward Keenan Simmons. However, the Governors recovered and took a 13-11 advantage in overtime. Head Coach Jon Harris said the Cougars did a good job of keeping their energy up and continuing to play hard, despite trailing their opponents. “We did a tremendous job of battling back when we had some
adversity, and we really rallied around each other. We just came up a little short,” Harris said. Senior guard Burak Eslik led the Cougars with 20 points, his third game of the season with at least 20 points. Simmons scored 15 points, with 13 points coming in the second half and overtime period. He also finished the game with 12 rebounds. Simmons said he felt he played well and equally praised his teammates. “I thought I had a pretty good game,” Simmons said. “And the team did a better job in the second [half]. We just have to keep working hard and competing the whole game.” The Cougars returned to the Vadalabene Center Jan. 14 for another Ohio Valley Conference matchup against the Murray State University Racers. After facing a two-point deficit going into a half of play, the Racers outscored SIUE 37-31 in the second half, handing SIUE their fifth straight loss. Despite the early run, SIUE committed 17 turnovers and were outscored by the Racers bench 36-10 to lose the game. Redshirt sophomore guard Tre Harris led the Cougars with
15 points. Eslik put up 14 points and grabbed six rebounds in the loss. Senior guard Josh White scored a career-best of 12 points and snared seven rebounds. The Cougars fell behind 11-1 early, but SIUE picked up its defense and was able to close the gap to 30-28 by halftime. The Racers opened the second half with a 14-5 run to secure a 10-point lead. Tre Harris answered with eight points, two three-pointers, and helped close the gap to 5651. SIUE got as close as 61-57, but would eventually fall 67-59. Coach Harris said SIUE is looking to pass the Racers in the league, and showed some progress. “They are who we are chasing in the OVC, and they are a physical team and a good rebounding team. But we outrebounded them, and we made some progress,” Harris said. For the Cougars’ next game, the team will hit the road to face the Southeastern Missouri State University Redhawks at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 19. Contact KYLE STEPP Call 650-3527 Tweet @kstepp_alestle Email kstepp@alestlelive.com
Senior guard Josh White (15) shoots a layup during the 67-59 loss against Murray State University Jan. 14, at the Vadalabene Center. | Allison Gregory/ Alestle
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HOROSCOPES By Jennifer Shepherd, The Lipstick Mystic Monday, Jan. 16 - Sunday, Jan. 22 , 2017
Aries: March 21 - April 19 Take super good care of yourself this week. Your physical energy might be lower than usual, or your emotions could be a bit melancholy. Venus is urging you to take stock of what nourishment you require to be healthy, both physically and emotionally.
Cancer: June 22 - July 22 Mercury is opposite your sign for a while, and this means that hard work will definitely pay off. Focus hard on your tasks on the job and put in extra hours as necessary. In a relationship, concentrate on being loving and compassionate with your sweetie.
Libra: Sept. 23 - Oct. 23 Pay attention to creative ideas that come to you out of the blue. The sun is stirring your powers of imagination. You could compose a romantic poem or sweet song for your sweetheart. Or you might come up with a concept for a screenplay or book.
Capricorn: Dec. 22 - Jan.19 You’ll experience a heightened sense of connection to your sweetheart this week, courtesy of sensitive Venus. Maybe you’ll have a flashback about the past lifetime you had with your honey. Or perhaps you’ll have an impression about something through shared telepathy.
Taurus: April 20 - May 20 A moon opposition is warning you to use care with your words. Without realizing it, you could say something that hurts someone very deeply. Try to be extra empathetic and think about what other people might be going through. Be kind and gentle.
Leo: July 23 - Aug. 22 You could be attracted to someone who is your complete opposite, thanks to the sun. Allow yourself to flirt and to have some fun. Even if this person isn’t your true soul mate, you could enjoy some lively discussion and teasing.
Scorpio: Oct. 24 - Nov. 2 It’s time to get physical, thanks to Mars. Figure out a way to get into better shape. Find a better nutrition plan. Learn how to cook great foods at home. Surround yourself with people who have a healthy outlook on life, too. Soak up positive influences.
Aquarius: Jan. 20 - Feb. 18 With the sun in your sign, you’re going through a period of personal renewal. You’re feeling stronger about letting of negative people, habits and attitudes. It’s a great time to release stuff that is holding you back. Create a better future for yourself.
Gemini: May 21 - June 21 A bouncy sun is putting you in a good mood. Consider doing something nice for your sweetheart. Maybe your honey has been working long hours, and he or she would love you to make a nice, home-cooked meal. Or buy your partner a sweet gift .
Virgo: Aug. 23 - Sept. 22 With two planets opposite your sign, it’s important to be gentle on yourself. You could find yourself making some minor mistakes, but this just means you’re human. Or maybe you’ll fight with your romantic partner, but things will soon blow over.
Sagittarius: Nov. 22 - Dec. 21 You might find yourself attracted to more than one person at the same time. Maybe you’re still interested in somebody you used to date, and you wonder if you still have a future with this person. Meanwhile, a new relationship could hold promise.
Pisces: Feb. 19 - March 20 Someone could be falling in love with you, and you’re probably clueless about it. Venus is increasing the overall sexual energy in your life. You might not realize that a neighbor, co-worker or acquaintance is really into you romantically.
Jennifer Shepherd, the Lipstick Mystic®, is an astrologer and syndicated columnist with over 2 million readers. For mystical fun and psychic insights visit www.lipstickmystic.com.