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vol. LXIX no. XXVI
INTERNATIONALS URGED NOT TO LEAVE U.S. CAITLIN LALLY Alestle Editor-in-Chief
Left, college student personnel administration graduate student Liang Ge, of Ji Yuan, China, and senior international business major Alexis Schad, of Shiloh, hang hearts in the windows of the Office of International Affairs Friday, Feb. 3. The hearts have supportive messages written them for international students in response to the recent executive order banning entry to the U.S. from seven Muslim-majority countries. Anyone can write a message by visiting the office on the bottom level of the Student Success Center. | Caitlin Lally / Alestle
Student senators discuss changes to 20-hour work limit TRENT STUART Alestle Reporter Student Government discussed the possibility and process of raising the 20-hour limit for student employees in their meeting Monday. They also touched on the university’s Student Diversity Council’s plan to respond to recent student concerns, confirmed the four organizations coming to campus and appointed a new senator. Student Body President Luke Jansen said the proposed resolution about the work limit for student employees was the biggest thing students need to be aware of from the meeting. “[The limit is] a major complaint that a lot of people often bring up, whether they be a student employee or people in departments that employ student employees. So, we’re hopeful that that is going to bring about a positive change for the entire campus community,” Jansen said.
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Currently, student employees on campus are only allowed to work 20 hours each week, including during the summer. Jansen said the 20 hours is not enough for some students, so they have to work at places off campus as well, which is often an inconvenience to the students. “We’ve had this policy in place for a few years now, and we’ve tested the waters quite a bit and we’re seeing that it’s not serving our students or our departments very well,” Jansen said. The senators also compared SIUE to other universities in the state, and it was clear that SIUE’s work limit is one of the most restrictive. Student testimonials were read during the meeting demonstrating how students have been affected by the limit. Jansen said the faculty and staff senates are also involved in the discussion, and once it passes through them, Human Resources, Student Employment and ad-
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ministration have to make a decision about how they can possibly change the limitations. In the meeting, the members also talked about the Student Diversity Council’s full response to the events of the past few months. They are working on a document as an answer for the students, but it is still being revised. Jansen, who has a seat on the Student Diversity Council, shared the document with the group and is asking for feedback from the other members of SG. Additionally, SG appointed pharmacy graduate student Blake Pruett, of Brownstown, as a new senator. Pruett went through the application and interview process last week and was officially appointed Monday. “[I plan on] really just representing the voice of the pharmacy school ... and then hopefully delegate any issues with the student body,” Pruett said. Pruett filled the only open senator position, giving the stu-
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The Office of International Affairs is advising all students attending SIUE on F-1 or J-1 visas not to travel outside of the United States until further notice. This recommendation comes in response to an executive order signed by President Donald Trump Jan. 27, that has placed a 90-day ban for entry into the United States for citizens from seven Muslim-majority countries: Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen. The order also calls for a suspension of refugee processing for 120 days, an indefinite suspension of entry for all Syrian refugees, a new screening process for all visa applicants and a suspension of the visa interview waiver program — which means any citizen from any country will have to complete a visa interview before entering the country. The order continues to be argued in the courts, however Assistant Director of International Affairs Sandra Tamari said the recommendation still stands. “[The executive order] is changing — and it’s being challenged in the courts and it’s being challenged on the streets,” Tamari said. “And it’s unsure how the different agencies that implement immigration within the federal government are going to be implementing the executive order.” In turn, a high level of uncertainty surrounds the situation, and Tamari said many international students, including those from countries not mentioned in the order, have concerns. “We in the Office of International Affairs have an open-door policy — we’re seeing students to talk through some of their options as they think through how they can complete their degrees
and remain safe and successful here at SIUE,” Tamari said. International students with questions and concerns can make an appointment with the office by calling 650-3785. Additionally, the office has a few upcoming workshops for international students on topics related to finding careers and one’s legal rights as an immigrant or nonimmigrant. According to Tamari, immigration attorneys from the area will also be present for these workshops to answer students’ questions. Details for the workshops are available at siue.edu/iss.
Other resources on campus
For emotional support, Counseling Services has reached out to the Office of International Affairs to reaffirm that its services are available for all students. “If there’s an immediate concern and people need to get in very quickly to talk about the distress, we will certainly do our very best to get people in as soon as possible,” Director Jamie Linsin said. According to Linsin, the front desk staff will be notified to check in with the urgency of need if an international student stops by the office, to make special accommodations if necessary. Also, Linsin said a group is in the works for people who want to offer support and encourage open communication. “One thing we’ve talked about as a staff is an outreach program on how to be supportive of all students, including students from diverse backgrounds — including international students,” Linsin said. Aside from Counseling Services, University Police is another department international students can look to for safety. INTERNATIONAL | pg. 2
Left, senior senator for the School of Nursing Stephanie Garriott and junior Student Body President Luke Jansen present during the Student Senate meeting Feb. 6, in the Goshen Lounge. | Allison Gregory / Alestle
dent body a full student senate. Four organizations — the Chinese Student Association, Make a Wish, G.I.R.L. and Phi Alpha Theta — were recommended by acclamation at the last Student Organization Advisory Board meeting and confirmed by the student senate Monday. Before the meeting, each organization had properly revised the issues in its constitution based on the recommendations from The Alestle
the SOAB. The senate approval was the final step to becoming an official organization on campus, so they will now be able to function independently. The next SG meeting will be held at 6 p.m. Monday, Feb. 20 in the Goshen Lounge. Contact TRENT STUART Call 650-3527 Tweet @tstuart_alestle Email tstuart@alestlelive.com
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SIUE advises Provost search continues students to stay in U.S. Payne presents plan
INTERNATIONAL | from cover
“We’ve received every assurance from the police department that immigration status is never taken into consideration as they protect the campus and protect students. As long as a student is carrying their SIUE ID, no other questions will be asked about their identification,” Tamari said about encounters between international students and University Police. Police Chief Kevin Schmoll said during a phone interview Monday the officers will be conducting business as usual. “We are here to protect you to go to school,” Schmoll said referencing a conversation he had with an international student last week. However, if a student were to encounter police off campus, the case could potentially be different. A lieutenant from the Edwardsville Police Department said none of their protocols have changed, however, if an officer does come in contact with an undocumented citizen, it must be reported to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. This does not include those in the country on a student visa. Tamari said, “We’re advising students to stay in status — which means be in class, report your address and not break any U.S. laws.”
Finding alternative options
During a meeting to address concerns of international students Feb. 2, in the Fuller Dome, a student started tearing up as she explained she will finish her degree in May and was planning for her family to come and celebrate with her, but now realizes that may no longer be a possibility. This is a reality for many international students, and in order to stay in the country legally they must stay in status, which could mean applying to additional degree programs. “If they’re graduating from an undergraduate program, maybe they’d decide to pursue a master’s, or if they’re finishing a master’s program, maybe they hadn’t thought about it before, but now maybe a doctorate is looking like an option,” Tamari said. On the other hand, according to Tamari, students with an F-1 visa also have the option to apply for work authorization, known as optional practical training, which allows them to work for one year in a job or internship related to their field of study.
Words of encouragement
Despite this period of uncertainty for some, the Global Ambassadors Program is collecting hearts with encouraging messages directed toward international students to display in the windows of the Office of International Affairs. Students and organizations have signed hearts with phrases such as “You are welcome here,” “Policy changes, people don’t” and “Don’t allow the government to discriminate against Muslim students.” Anyone interested in adding their heartfelt message can stop by the Office of International Affairs on the lower level of the Student Success Center in room 0300 to do so. Contact CAITLIN LALLY Call 650-3530 Tweet @clally_alestle Email clally@alestlelive.com
MIRANDA LINTZENICH Alestle Reporter
James E. Payne, dean at J. Whitney Bunting College of Business at Georgia College and State University, was the second of four provost candidate finalists to present his candidacy during three open forums held Feb. 2 and 3. Payne is a first-generation college student who went to Florida State for economics. He was a provost at University of New Orleans and then became dean at Georgia College and State University. He also served as the regional vice chancellor for academic affairs and research at the University of South Florida Polytechnic. Payne identified four areas that, if chosen, he would work on as provost. These included securing a dedicated faculty and staff, student success, grant programs and scholarships for creative work. “To gain student success, we have to be recruiting and maintaining a diverse student body,” Payne said. “There needs to be a collaboration between academic affairs and student affairs. We also have to look at retention and grad rates, and implement high-impact learning practices, advising and career counseling, peer mentoring and the use of analytics to steer our progression.” Payne said recognizing a diverse learning community, trans-
fer and adult learner population recruitment, as well as starting industry partnerships will be key for student success. Director of the Office of Equal Opportunity, Access and Title IX Coordination Chad Martinez said he liked Payne’s plan. “I enjoyed his diverse action plan that he developed at Georgia State,” Martinez said. “I liked that he put it front and center to our mission.” Payne’s next point emphasized the appeal of programs to students and meeting workplace as well as social needs. “There has to be program differentiation and a marketing strategy regarding those programs,” Payne said. “We have to explore interdisciplinary collaborations and start looking at online course offerings and programs.” Payne said building on international education opportunities will also be beneficial for SIUE. He then transitioned to talking about scholarships related to creative work. “We have to have a strategic plan for research,” Payne said. “We should continue to build upon grant success incentives and also build partnerships in support of scholarly-creative work.” Payne said he wants to demonstrate broader community impact and gain national recognition, and wants to work together to get things accomplished. Payne then said SIUE need to grow and maintain a dedicated faculty and staff, as well as es-
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tablish a shared governance with staff. “There should be recruitment and retention of diverse, high-quality faculty and staff,” Payne said. “We have to address salary compression and inversion. There has to be opportunities for
professional development and advancement, and we have to foster entrepreneurial innovative spirit and the ability to adapt.” Contact MIRANDA LINTZENICH Call 650-3527 Tweet @mlintz_alestle Email mlintzenich@alestlelive.com
James E. Payne, presents his platform during an open forum Feb. 2, in the Mississippi-Illinois room of the Morris University Center. | Jenna Stephan / Alestle
Biology professor busy chartering bee club MIRANDA LINTZENICH Alestle Reporter Associate biology professor Jason Williams is passionate about bees, and is currently working on a charter for an Apidology Club to work with both honey bees and Dining Services to use the honey in meals they serve. Although the plan for the club does not currently have a focus in the rusty patched bumble bee, the club would eventually have the potential to raise awareness for bumble bees. “For right now, we have to start small and take baby steps,” WIlliams said. “If there is an opportunity to branch out to native pollinators, that would be great.” Senior biology and medical science major Dierdra Renfroe, of Ironton, Mo., has been around bees since she was young and plans on pursuing the club, pending its approval. “When I was little, my grandpa kept bees,” Renfroe said. “We have bees around my house, and they have never been aggressive. I also enjoy honey. I think if students were able to understand the necessity of bees, it would help them.” The rusty patched bumble bee has joined the list of endangered species as one of many endangered animals as part of the United State’s Fish and Wildlife Service’s decision to add it due to the Endangered Species Act. This species will join the other seven endangered bees only native to Hawaii. This decision may seem insignificant to some, but for others it is something to care about. According to the United
According to the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, the ruling of bees becoming endangered will take effect Feb. 10. | Photo via Pixabay
States Fish and Wildlife Service, this particular type of native pollinator used to be common in 28 of the 50 states, but its population has been decreasing since the 1990s. The rusty patched bumble bee can now be found in 13 states and one province: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, Wisconsin and Ontario, Canada. “Our top priority is to act quickly to prevent extinction of the rusty patched bumble bee. Listing the bee as endangered will help us mobilize partners and focus resources on finding ways right now to stop the decline,” Fish and Wildlife Service Midwest regional director Tom Melius said in a news release Jan. 10. The absence of what the bumble bees offer is what seems to be biggest problem. Their pollination efforts are estimated at a value of around $3 billion for their services. “Why is this important? Pollinators are small but mighty parts of the natural mechanism
that sustains us and our world. Without them, our forests, parks, meadows and shrublands and the abundant, vibrant life they support, cannot survive, and our crops require laborious, costly pollination by hand,” Melius said. According to Williams, SIUE is doing their part in saving the bees by having a variety of native plants on campus. “The rusty patch bumble bee is a ground nesting animal and they have become endangered primarily due to habitat loss,” Williams said. “SIUE is doing more than most. There is undisturbed habitat, and that is great for native pollinators.” Honey bees, however, are not endangered and are not native to Illinois, but Williams has taken a liking to them. “I had to complete a [postdoctoral] to become a professor. I worked with honeybees at the University of Nevada — Las Vegas,” Williams said. Williams hopes to make a difference on campus by utilizing honey bees.
“I have a series of honey bee colonies on campus,” Williams said. “There is currently a colony on the roof above Fixins’, so we would eventually hope to partner with [Dining Services] so that the honey produced will be used.” Students like senior social work and psychology major Kali Baum, of Mount Vernon, care about the bees as well. “I do think the preservation of bees should be prioritized a lot more than it currently is because bees are really important to the production of food and such,” Baum said. “I don’t know if it’s still a thing, but at one point in time we had a bee sanctuary in the Gardens [at SIUE]. I don’t know if it is still functioning or not but I think it’s an amazing idea.” The United States Fish and Wildlife Service believes the decline is directly in line with a loss of habitat, the use of pesticides, disease and parasites, climate change and small population sizes. However, planting more flowers, limiting pesticide use and following label instructions will be beneficial in saving the bees. According to the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, the final ruling listing this type of bee as endangered happened on Jan. 11, and the Federal Register will take effect Feb. 10. For more information on the Apidology Club, students can contact Jason Williams at jasowil@siue.edu. Contact MIRANDA LINTZENICH Call 650-3527 Tweet @mlintz_alestle Email mlintzenich@alestlelive.com
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SIUE makes switch to renewable energy TRENT STUART Alestle Reporter
02.06.17 An officer responded to the Student Fitness Center to pick up a cell phone. The officer contacted the owner to pick the phone.
02.05.17 An officer responded to Woodland Hall regarding a resident calling and stating that she was not able to get her friend in the car or his dorm room because he was intoxicated. The officer advised they located the subject in a vehicle and were able to walk him to his room. An officer issued a written warning for driving with one headlight. The offense occured at North Circle Drive and Peck Service Road.
02.04.17 An officer picked up a found key from Woodland Hall. An officer took a walkin report regarding a student whose unattached backpack and its contents were stolen from the Campus Recreation area. An officer issued a state citation to Jaydon J. Heeren for operation of an insured motor vehicle. A written warning was also issued for speeding 60 mph in a 45 mph zone. The offense occured on North University Drive.
02.03.17 An officer took report of a disturbance involving two males at Building B. The two subjects were subsequently escorted off campus.
An officer issued a civil citation to Steven N. Mitts for possession under 10 grams and possessions of paraphernilia. A written warning was also issued for driving with one headlight. The offense occured on South University Drive. An officer issued a written warning for disobeying a stop sign. The offense occured on East University Drive. An officer responded to 418 Cougar Village regarding a roommate dispute that turned physical. The subject had departed from the area prior to the officer’s arrival. The victim refused medical attention and declined to prosecute. The officer later spoke with the subject who agreed to stay away from the apartment until the situation was resolved on a permanent basis.
02.02.17 Joseph D.M. Bolden Jr. (19 years old, 2923 Mayfield Ave., Alton) was arrested for battery and was transported to the police department where he was processed and released after posting $150 cash bond. An officer responded to 414 Cougar Village for an active fire alarm. The alarm was activated by a blow dryer and was reset. There was no fire, smoke or damage. Officers responded to Lewis Road across from the SIUE Credit Union for a report of an elderly man sitting off the side of the road. Officers could not locate anyone on Lewis Road. Officers responded to the Engineering Building to retrieve a found wallet.
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SIUE is now one of the few universities in the United States to receive 100 percent of its electricity from renewable energy sources by purchasing renewable energy credits. Facilities Management made the decision in December 2016, and the university’s electricity supplier, MidAmerican Energy, made the switch at the beginning of the year. According to Director of Facilities Management Paul Fuligni, SIUE was purchasing 50 percent of its energy from renewable resources in 2016, and before 2016, it was around 10 percent. Fuligni said it will not only positively impact the environment, but it will also cost the same as it did the year before. “It turned out that the price per kilowatt hour was exactly the same as [it was in 2016], so it turned out to be very affordable,” Fuligni said. Senior secondary biological science education major Ford Barnfield, of Salem, said he thinks the switch is a good idea. “I don’t know of any reason why we wouldn’t want to use renewable energy, especially if cost is not a problem,” Barnfield said. According to Fuligni, it was a relatively easy process. The university simply bought renewable energy credits from MidAmerican, and they took care of the electricity from renewable re-
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sources. With the deal, SIUE is aiding in MidAmerican Energy’s initiative to provide all of its customers with 100 percent renewable energy, according to MidAmerican’s website. Students and faculty will not notice a difference on campus Fuligni said, but there will be a notable change on the university’s environmental impact. “Since we’re buying purely from renewable sources, we’ve reduced the carbon discharge into the atmosphere associated with our electricity use by about 30,000 metric tons per year.
States or Canada. SIUE joins the list of 40 colleges and universities in the United States to report their use of 100 percent renewable electrical energy to the Environmental Protection Agency. Barnfield said he thinks other schools will follow suit in the future. “I would expect that this will become a majority throughout the U.S. The need for resources is growing every year, so the ability to have some that are renewable should be used nationwide,” Barnfield said. Fuligni also said other universities may be making the switch in the near future due to the growth of the renewable energy market. “It’s getting much more cost competitive with the conventional sources of power, and it’s becoming a more mature marketplace, so it’s relatively easy now to go out and purchase renewable energy PAUL FULIGNI credits,” Fuligni Director of Facilities Management said. The cost Electricity represents the single efficiency and reduction of the largest component of the univer- university’s carbon footprint sity’s carbon footprint, so this is made the switch an easy decision a pretty substantial reduction,” for the university. “It really is a system by which Fuligni said. The renewable electricity is we and any other consumer going to be taken mainly from electricity can pretty much go out wind and solar sources, and and support a renewable energy some may be taken from biomass project anywhere in the U.S. or small hydroelectric plants. or Canada, so it works out very Fuligni said MidAmerican will easily,” Fuligni said. tell the university at the end of the year exactly where the energy Contact TRENT STUART had been taken from throughout Call 650-3527 Tweet @tstuart_alestle the year. The electricity can come Email tstuart@alestlelive.com from anywhere in the United
Electricity represents the single largest component of the university’s carbon footprint so this is a pretty substantial reduction.
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Professor collects donations for women in need KIAH EARL Alestle Reporter
With over 30 affiliations globally, the organization Support the Girls collects gently-used bras, new underwear and feminine hygiene products and donates them to local homeless shelters, domestic violence shelters, churches and schools. Applied communication studies department chair Alicia Alexander has recently brought an affiliation of Support the Girls to Edwardsville. Alexander launched the official Support the Girls Edwardsville affiliate in May 2016 after learning about a friend from graduate school who was collecting bras through Support the Girls in Washington, D.C. Alexander said she started the national affiliate in Edwardsville because she believes this is a giving community and also because she wanted to create a direct connection with the organization and the university. Alexander said she hopes to get students involved and said she eventually wants to see a student organization affiliate of Support the Girls on campus. Alexander had her first collection event in May 2016, a “Bra-B-Q,” where she invited friends and family to her home for food and asked them to bring feminine hygiene products and gently-used bras to donate. “It was a nice way to get into the project,” Alexander said. “People got excited about helping me collect the bras and encouraged me to launch an Edwardsville affiliate of Support the Girls.” According to Alexander, Support the Girls Edwardsville is the only bra-collecting non-profit organization in the Metro East area, and word is traveling fast about its existence. “I have people contacting me from all over the St. Louis area asking me for donations,” Alexander said. “We’re not limited to only helping Madison county — I’ve helped St. Louis and as far as Wentzville so far, and I’m excited to be able to continue to do more.” Alexander currently sorts bras and other donated items in her home and packages them up before taking the donations to women’s shelters and homeless shelters in the Metro East area. “[The women who receive donations] deserve to have pretty and clean bras just like everyone else. I want them to feel like they’re getting something special,” Alexander said. According to Alexander, students were excited to hear about the organization and have been getting involved through volunteering in different ways. “The best way for students to get involved is through organizing their own donation drives,” Alexander said. “I would love to have any organization or student group on campus involved with helping Support the Girls.” Support the Girls Edwardsville is having a donation event Saturday, April 8, in collaboration with students from the applied communication studies department. The event is a 21-and-older girls night out at The Studio, located in downtown Glen Carbon. Student volunteers table and compete for prizes based on the number of bras
contact the editor: lifestyles@alestlelive.com 650-3527 thursday, 02.09.17
Let these songs do the talking: A Valentine’s Day playlist
KENDRA MARTIN Alestle Managing Editor
1. “Come Close” by Common
Express to your significant other how much they mean to you with this beautiful hip-hop ballad. This is a smooth, hip-hop melody about letting go of the tough-guy persona in order to show your significant other how much they mean to you. The video is even better.
2. “The Line” by dvsn
Love is amazing, but new love is special, unpredictable, nerve-racking and something that continues to invade our thoughts. If you’ve got a crush on someone, and you are afraid of telling them how you feel, this is the song for you.
3. “You’re My Latest, Greatest Inspiration” by Teddy Pendergrass
This is an oldie, but a goodie. This classic R&B ballad showcases some of the most beautiful, heartwarming lyrics to dedicate to a significant other. If you are trying to pull all the strings with a marriage proposal, this is the song to choose to tell your partner everything you want them to know.
4. “Get You” by Daniel Caeser & Kali Uchis
Do you ever wonder what you did to deserve the person you are with because you feel so blessed that they entered your life? This 2016 slow jam explains in detail how much of a blessing it is to have someone by your side who is down for you, and only you.
5. “Love Will be Waiting at Home” by For Real
Love isn’t easy. It’s hard to maintain and can be stressful, but this song is the tune to show your partner that no matter what happens, you will always be there to show them you will be by their side. Junior marketing and management major Stephanie Estabrook, of Springfield, visits the Support the Girls-Edwardsville table at the Volunteer Fair Jan. 28 in the Goshen Lounge. | Photo via Facebook
and donations they receive. Volunteers are needed prior to the event for set-up as well as after the event for sorting, washing and packaging, according to Alexander. Alexander said in addition to this event, she is always in need of extra help sorting donations and washing donations that are not already clean. There are many ways to get involved, and while donating is a huge part of what makes the organization successful, any help is appreciated. Since launching in 2016, Support the Girls Edwardsville has distributed over 400 bras, 5,769 feminine hygiene products, 475 pairs of new underwear, over 200 pairs of new socks and other products on an as-need ed basis to homeless shelters and women’s shelters in the Metro East area. Kimmel Student Involvement Center Office Support Associate Vivian Rodgers said she is happy to see the Edwardsville community come together and provide these types of services to local women. “Hygiene products are essential to young women and sometimes can be expensive when a woman has to think about feeding her family versus buying something for herself,” Rodgers said. “Organizations like this help those women to not have to think about prioritizing things like that and
allows them to have the things that they need.” Recently, the Edwardsville Children’s Museum has offered to be a donation site for the organization. The museum will accept donations from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Museum operations director Lindley White said helping the community is central to the museum’s mission and any local organization that also models themselves off that belief can look to the museum for support. “We at the Edwardsville Children’s Museum are community centered,” White said. “Anytime we have the opportunity to get involved with an organization like Support The Girls, we are excited to do that.” For more information, visit the Support the Girls - Edwardsville Facebook page or contact Alicia Alexander at aalexan@ siue.edu.
Contact KIAH EARL Call 650-3527 Tweet @kearl_alestle Email kearl@alestlelive.com
6. “Cherry Wine” by Nas and Amy Winehouse
I’m a sucker for a good hip-hop love song, and this one is particularly amazing. With the drums, Nas’s rhymes and Amy Winehouse’s voice perfectly singing the hook, it showcases all the things we want in a partner — loyalty, ambition, and most of all, love. It is the perfect hip-hop ballad to set the mood for Valentine’s Day.
7. “Sunshine” by Lupe Fiasco
Crushes are … complicated. We are all guilty of doing something embarrassing in front of our crushes, and this song expresses everything we may be feeling when it comes to our crush. But in the end, it is necessary to put that fear aside and just tell that person how you feel and this song is the ultimate booster to gain the courage to do so.
8. “The Truth” by India.Arie
Love isn’t perfect and sometimes your significant other can get on your last nerve, but this neo-soul jam tackles the ups and downs of relationships. It shows that although your partner might have quirks about them that may be irritating, it does not outweigh the things you love about them.
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save the date: cheap ways to spice up valentine's day With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, some are scrambling to find the perfect way to spend the day with their significant other, or to distract themselves from being single on the corniest holiday of the year. We at the Alestle have compiled a list of ideas that will work whether you’re looking for a romantic date, a fun night with friends or an opportunity to treat yo self.
1. Have a cultured Valentine’s Day by paying a visit to the missouri
history museum
or the saint louis art museum. Both offer not only free admission and interesting exhibits, but also special events to celebrate the holiday. From 5 - 8 p.m. on Valentine’s Day, the history museum is holding a date night. Guests can leave “love notes” on their favorite objects in the museum’s galleries, enjoy free chocolate in the museum’s Grand Hall and watch vintage classroom films on love. Those able to spend a bit of money can dine at Bixby’s, the museum’s restaurant. SLAM is offering Hearts for Art Friday, Feb. 10 through Sunday, Feb. 12 and Tuesday, Feb. 14. Guests receive a paper heart when they arrive at the museum and drop it below their favorite piece of art — just think of the Instagram opportunities. 2. Try a unique restaurant without breaking the bank. Check out St. Louis favorites sauce on the side, fitz's or mission taco joint for fun foods like calzones, root beer floats and tacos that are perfect for sharing — or not. We won’t judge. 3. Looking to spend no money at all? make the most of what you have. Head to Campus Activity Board’s free on-campus showing of the romantic musical “La La Land,” and head home to try and create a great meal out of what’s in your pantry. Supercook.com lets you enter what ingredients you have on hand and gives you recipe ideas based on that. You could stumble upon a new delicacy, and if not, there’s always Taco Bell.
4. Bring out your inner Picasso by booking a class at pinot's palette. Enjoy your favorite beverages while creating your own masterpiece. An artist will instruct you in painting a design specific to your class. Head over to Pinot’s Palette’s website to see which designs they’re offering around Valentine’s Day, and make sure to book your spot early as seats can fill up quickly. What better way to spend your holiday than mocking the artistic skills of a loved one?
5. Grab a close friend or your significant other and pick gifts for each other on the spot. Visit a store like Books-A-Million or Vintage Vinyl and give each other 30 minutes to find a gift you think the other will love. Grab a cup of coffee after leaving the store and explain why you chose that gift. If you’re looking to take a route less sweet and more humorous, take the same challenge but look for the funniest gift.
6. For those not big on planning, leave it up to chance. Purchase a set of date night ideas, or go with the classic penny date challenge. Get in the car and let the person you’re with choose a number between one and 10, deciding the amount of times you’ll flip the penny. Heads is right, tails is left, and wherever you end up is where you hold the date. The best case scenario is that you’ll have a creative and great date. The worst case scenario is you’ll waste some gas. Flip wisely.
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Separate from the screen:
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Put the phone down, live in the real world With many new advancements being made to smartphones today, it’s no wonder people are having trouble putting down their mobile devices. Just look around and you will see individuals of all ages absorbed in their tiny screens. While smartphones do have a tendency to make our lives easier, they can also hinder our ability to actually enjoy them.
ALESTLE STAFF EDITORIAL We at the Alestle believe that while smartphones are a great tool, people should aim to appreciate their time in the real world rather than a virtual one. Instead of being absorbed in our screens all day long, it’s important to set limits for ourselves. Setting screen time limits is vital because constantly being on our phones not only interferes with daily interactions, but it can also decrease the amount of time you spend being productive. While some might think it is an exaggeration to say a person is addicted to their device, science proves otherwise.
Within the brain, there is a neurotransmitter called dopamine which is connected to the chemical process that makes you feel pleasure. According to Psychology Today, recent research has shown that dopamine is the part of the process that causes you to exhibit the behaviors of want, desire and searching. Couple this with the way social media and the internet are easily accesible, and an endless cycle of wanting and obtaining is created. Dopamine starts the cycle, and the easily attainable gratification of having nearly anything in the world at your fingertips within an instant continues it. With time, people become dependent on these rewards, which strengthens the hold of the cycle of instantaneous rewards on them. It is the reason why you can end up searching the internet for hours even though you’ve already come across your initial search item. One of the biggest examples of social media unawareness occurs during concerts. With the invention of Snapchat, people seem to spend more time recording videos of the performers rather than actually
enjoying the show. While some may argue these videos capture the memories and the experience that comes with such events, viewing life behind a camera lense is not always the best thing. There’s also the case of vidos showing fights, protests and accidents being shared on social media. While this footage may be a person’s way of making the audience more aware of the situation, filming an event of this nature begs the question whether or not you are being a responsible bystander. One of the biggest drawbacks to smartphones is that we seem to take part in life as more of a spectator rather than an actual participant. People stand by and hide behind the screen of their phones as serious and sometimes dangerous events occur right before them. They record fights, protests and accidents for the sake of awareness, but fail to step in to do anything when the situation seemingly gets out of hand. While smartphones are part of the issue, there are apps that have been developed to combat the lack of attention paid elsewhere when your phone is within reach.
One of these apps is Forest. Available for iOS and Android platforms, this app is meant to help users keep their phone out of their hands and stay focused. The process is simple; you just plant a seed and the more time you stay off of your phone, the more your tree will grow. The app has features that allow you to set up a break time and make a blacklist of sites that would instantly kill your tree, the representation of the progress you’ve made. Regardless of the technology we have at hand, we need to be people first. Life does not have a pause, fast-forward or rewind button. Smartphones are great for capturing moments and memories, but we need to remember that they are not part of us, and so we should not try to live vicariously through our tiny screens. Instead, we should focus our time on actually participating in the world around us. That’s how we will get the most out of our lives and how we will create the most change.
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Don’t drink, drive: You have options Although not drinking and driving seems like common sense to most, there are still numerous conversations about how college students think it is perfectly acceptable. In a college town such as Edwardsville, where the bar scene isn’t close to campus, more students may be drinking and driving than people may think. However, drinking and driving is never acceptable, and there are ways to avoid it.
CHLOE RICE Alestle Opinion Editor Taking AlcoholEdu at SIUE is mandatory, and, although it can be helpful and effective, the information gained from it is often quickly forgotten. It is easy to think that only a couple of beers have no effect
on our indestructible college bodies, but that is not necessarily true. Even though one may not feel drunk, their body and mind are probably still not functioning enough to drive safely. As college students, we usually elect someone as a designated driver for a night out on the town. However, sometimes this person catches a case of fear of missing out and decides to drink. Even though it isn’t convenient for a DD to ditch their responsibilities, it affirms the importance of always having a backup plan. Call a friend who is up late studying to come pick you up. The inconvenience of your call outweighs the risk of endangering yourself and others by driving drunk. Additionally, now that Uber exists, there is no reason to drive home drunk. Ubers are such a
convenient way to get from place to place; they are usually cheaper than a taxi and sometimes include water and snacks. However, a taxi is a helpful resource to use if needed. Another idea is to stay in for the night. Invite a couple friends over to your place to have a fun night in. Play card games in your pajamas and dance to music all night long. Not only does it allow you and your friends to stay there, but it also allows you to control who is driving. Take everybody’s keys and make sure no one is driving home while intoxicated. In college, it isn’t realistic to say “don’t drink ” because a lot of people do. Students just need to be more careful about doing so. Being a “good drunk driver” isn’t something to be proud of.
Not only are you endangering yourself and friends, but you are also potentially endangering others who are making the decision to be safe. It is easy to think we are invincible, but it’s been proven on numerous accounts we are not. Although this advice seems like common sense, some college students still drive drunk, so apply this advice to nights out on the town. It may be annoying to always try to find a DD or pay for an Uber, but the effort is worth it in the long run, especially if you could potentially save your life as well as the lives of others.
Contact CHLOE RICE Call 650-3527 Tweet @crice_alestle Email crice@alestlelive.com
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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, 02.09.17
sports
WRESTLING ENDS HOME SEASON WITH SENIOR NIGHT READ MORE AT ALESTLELIVE.COM
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Women’s basketball tied for third in OVC
KYLE STEPP Alestle Sports Editor
The Cougars are continuing their rise in the Ohio Valley Conference, after winning five of their last six games — all conference matchups. After extending its winning streak to four with a 75-59 win over the Eastern Illinois Panthers Jan. 28, in Charleston, SIUE was steamrolled by the Belmont University Bruins 94-67 Feb. 1, in Nashville, Tenn. However, the Cougars did not let the Bruins ruin their momentum, and they bounced back with a win over the Jacksonville State University Gamecocks Feb. 4, at the Vadalabene Center. The Cougars started their two-game road trip against the Panthers, taking a one-point halftime lead. SIUE built on its lead with a 71.4 percent shooting performance in the final period of the game, hitting 10 of 14 shots to cruise by EIU. Redshirt junior forward Micah Jones and redshirt junior guard Lauren White led the Cougars with 15 points each. Head Coach Paula Buscher said her team was able to control the tempo of play in the fourth period. “We did a good job taking care of the basketball late. Once we started to take care of the ball, we were able to spread it out the score,” Buscher said. After taking down the Panthers, SIUE traveled to the home of the OVC-leading Bruins. At the time, both teams held the longest winning streak in the OVC, but the Bruins would ease past the Cougars 94-67. Even after a strong second-half shooting performance, the Cougars were unable to stop the Bruins. Junior guard Donshel Beck led the Cougars in points and rebounds, with 22 and 15 respec-
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SIUE Standings MEN’S BASKETBALL OVERALL
Southeast Miss. 11-15 10-16 E. Kentucky 8-17 Austin-Peay 10-16 Tenn. Tech Jacksonville St. 15-11 Morehead St. 11-12 5-20 SIUE 11-13 Eastern Ill. 17-9 UT Martin 17-4 Belmont 12-12 Murray St. 14-10 Tenn. St.
OVC
6-5 3-8 4-7 6-5 7-4 7-3 0-11 3-8 7-4 11-0 6-4 5-6
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL OVERALL
Senior guard Lacey Buchanon (23) drives toward the basket while redshirt junior guard Lauren White (12) defends the ball Feb. 4, during the 69-62 win over Jacksonville State University. | Allison Gregory / Alestle
tively. Jones was the only other Cougar in double figures with 13 points. The Cougars opened the game strong, holding the Bruins to an 11-point first period. However, the Bruins opened their lead in the second period, closing out the half with 39-21 lead. Buscher said the second period was too much for SIUE to overcome. “Our struggles in the second quarter really wore on us. We struggled scoring. They played us well, but we were passive. We wanted to attack the basket earlier in the game. I thought we did it later in the game,” Buscher said. The Cougars returned home
for a victory against the Gamecocks during their Pink Zone game at the Vadalabene Center. The Cougars used a late-game push to score the final nine points of the contest, and secure a victory. SIUE is now 10-14 on the season, and 6-5 in the OVC. Buscher said her team bounced back from the Belmont loss, especially on the boards. “I’m proud of our team, the way we picked it up in the second half, especially with our rebounding. We didn’t play our best in our last game against Belmont, but we needed to move on to our next game. I’m happy how we responded,” Buscher said. White led all scorers with 19
points. Beck also scored in double-figured, putting up 17 points. Buscher said her team came through in the final minutes, and commended their efforts on the season. “Lauren keeps attacking and taking it to the basket, and Donshel is just being Donshel. Micah Jones has come off the bench and been a huge addition with the way she has played,” Buscher said. The Cougars have five games left before they head to Nashville, Tenn. for the OVC tournament. Their next contest is at 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 11, in the Vadalabene Center against the University of Tennessee at Martin Skyhawks.
OVC
Southeast Miss. 10-14 4-7 8-16 5-6 E. Kentucky 12-12 6-5 Austin-Peay 9-15 6-5 Tenn. Tech Jacksonville St. 10-13 3-8 18-6 8-3 Morehead St. 10-14 6-5 SIUE 8-15 4-7 Eastern Ill. 7-17 4-7 UT Martin 19-5 11-0 Belmont 13-11 5-6 Murray St. 9-12 4-7 Tenn. St.
WRESTLING
OVERALL SOCON
Chattanooga Appalachian St. The Citadel Davidson Gardner-Webb Campbell SIUE VMI
6-9 12-2 2-8 4-11 5-8 8-6 3-10 1-10
4-2 6-0 1-3 0-4 2-4 4-1 3-2 0-4
Bruins, Gamecocks silence Cougars KYLE STEPP Alestle Sports Editor With less than a month remaining before the Ohio Valley Conference tournament, the Cougars find themselves without a win in the league. In their most recent games, the Cougars fell to the Belmont University Bruins Jan. 30, in Nashville, Tenn. and dropped another game to the Jacksonville State University Gamecocks Feb. 4, at the Vadalabene Center. The Cougars’ fell to the Bruins 92-69, but Head Coach Jon Harris said he noticed positive aspects in his team. “You wouldn’t think in a 23-point loss that you took steps forward, but I thought we took steps forward tonight. I thought the energy and the effort that our guys played was great. I commend our guys for that,” Harris said. Three Cougars scored in double figures, with senior guard Burak Eslik leading with 18. Eslik was 4-12 from the field, and added eight points from the charity stripe. Freshman guard Christian Ellis added 16 of his own and junior forward Jalen Henry con-
tributed 16 points and seven rebounds. Harris said Eslik and Ellis had strong performances, which is reassuring for the team’s final games. “Burak was aggressive. He shot the ball. That was good to see. Christian came out of his shell a little bit and had a really good game. I was glad to see those guys step forward because they’ve not been playing great basketball. That was encouraging,” Harris said. Despite the losing streak, Harris said he is sure of a conference win before the end of the season. “I thought we competed from start to finish and we’ve not done that a lot this year. For me, that’s progress,” Harris said. SIUE returned home only to fall to the Gamecocks in a 72-61 contest Feb. 4, at the Vadalabene Center. The Cougars record slipped to 5-20 overall and 0-11 in the OVC. Eslik, the game’s leading scorer with 20 points, said the Cougars have the talent to win games, but are struggling to put together two strong halves.
“Most of the games we have lost, we have been in the games. We have to learn to play 40 minutes strong and keep playing strong all the time,” Eslik said. Ellis, Eslik and senior guard Josh White put together an impressive offensive output for the Cougars, combining for 44 points, 10 rebounds and six assists. Eslik scored 21 points, White poured in 12 of his own and Ellis scored 11 points. Harris said the Gamecocks played hard, but the Cougars’ play is keeping them from winning. “[The Gamecocks] made some plays when they needed to do it. Overall, we did some good things, but we still have some things to clean up, like our rebounding,” Harris said. The Cougars closed the gap to 34-33 early in the second half, but the Gamecocks went on a scoring spree to secure the win. SIUE’s next conference game is against the Southeastern Missouri State University Redhawks at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 9, at the Vadalabene Center. Contact KYLE STEPP Call 650-3527 Tweet @kstepp_alestle Email kstepp@alestlelive.com
Senior guard Burak Eslik (1) jumps to steal a pass from Tiger’s redshirt senior guard Jordan Reed (3) Jan. 25, during the 76-56 loss against Tennessee State University in the Vadalabene Center. | Allison Gregory / Alestle
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HOROSCOPES By Jennifer Shepherd, The Lipstick Mystic Monday, Feb. 06 - Sunday, Feb. 12 , 2017
Aries: March 21 - April 19 Venus is being a little tough on you right now, but ultimately, it’s a good thing. The love planet is forcing you to take a close look at how you are handling all of your closest relationships, including romantic ones. If you’re honest, you can do better.
Cancer: June 22 - July 22 Don’t let other people push you around. Somebody is trying to squelch or repress you, and you can’t let that happen. If your romantic partner is being too aggressive, Jupiter says have a long talk about this. If a friend is being unreasonable, confront him or her.
Libra: Sept. 23 - Oct. 23 You’re likely to experience a major breakthrough this week, courtesy of Jupiter. If you’ve been struggling to find a job, expect to get some juicy leads. If you’re interested in landing a hot date, you could stumble upon a sexy potential bedmate.
Capricorn: Dec. 22 - Jan.19 A moon opposition is telling you to slow down. If you’re at the early stage of a relationship, don’t rush things. Try to be in the moment and simply appreciate being with that special person. Set aside agendas, neuroses, and longterm plans.
Taurus: April 20 - May 20 You’re a compassionate person, but sometimes, you go too far. Neptune is reminding you that it’s important to set boundaries. Your sweetheart or a close friend could be taking advantage of you, and you need to get clear about this.
Leo: July 23 - Aug. 22 You’re feeling a little restless and manic, thanks to Mars. You’ll do well if you join a gym and start getting into better shape. Or you’ll be more motivated if you are thinking about starting to jog, bike, or power walk. Pretty soon, you’ll be an even sexier lion.
Scorpio: Oct. 24 - Nov. 2 Avoid seeking revenge, even if somebody is really getting under your skin. Mars is testing your patience and challenging you to forgive and forget if someone behaves inappropriately. Practice grace and composure, and practice this at home with your honey.
Aquarius: Jan. 20 - Feb. 18 Mercury will be in your sign for several weeks, and this will lift your spirits. You’ll find it easier to get along with those troubled people in your life. And if you are still nursing feelings for a former flame, you’ll finally be ready to let go of that relationship.
Gemini: May 21 - June 21 Playful Mercury is enhancing your free-spirited nature. You’ll seek freedom in all aspects of your life. If you’ve been in a long-term relationship, you’ll want to shake things up a little. Make sure you are also giving energy to outside friendships.
Virgo: Aug. 23 - Sept. 22 Don’t be too harsh on others this week. A moon opposition could make you a little emotionally cold, probably because you’ve been disappointed recently. You’re withdrawn, pulling inside your shell. Just don’t dump negative energy on your innocent sweetheart.
Sagittarius: Nov. 22 - Dec. 21 You’re getting closer to someone lovely as Venus gives you and your partner cozy energy. Try to set aside work obligations and really focus on your sweetheart. You and your significant other will enjoy an increased feeling of intimacy.
Pisces: Feb. 19 - March 20 You could find it difficult to remain focused. A sensitive moon has you daydreaming. You’re imagining what it would be like to spend intimate time with a certain sexy friend. Or you could be fantasizing about going on vacation or winning the lottery
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.