SIUE allies to show support at Pride Fest
Brock Weimer catches national spolight page 7
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wednesday, 06.14.17
alton — east st. louis — edwardsville
SIUE student killed in car crash CHLOE RICE editor-in-chief
SIUE student Emma Caserotti, of Mount Vernon, was killed in a car crash on southbound I-57 in Jefferson County Sunday, June 11, around 1 p.m., according to Mount Vernon CBS affiliate KFVS. Another victim was in the vehicle at the time of the crash and was taken to the area hospital after sustaining major injuries. Caserotti was driving a 2016 Jeep when a 2006 Mazda traveled across the median and hit the
Jeep head on. Both vehicles were towed at the scene. I-57 southbound was closed for five hours after the crash. The investigation is ongoing through Illinois State Police Traffic Crash Reconstruction Unit and Zone 7. So far, no charges have been filed. Caserotti would have been a sophomore in the fall. Facebook and Twitter posts indicate she was a sister of the Alpha Sigma Tau sorority. “Our thoughts and prayers are with Emma Caserotti’s family and friends as they face this tragedy,” SIUE Chancellor Randy Pembrook said. “It is heartbreaking to realize a young person’s potential won’t be fully realized. She truly will be missed by all of those who knew her at SIUE.” Emma’s visitation will be Wednesday, June 14 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at St. Mary Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Mt. Vernon. Following, her funeral service will be held at the same location 10 a.m. Thursday, June 15.
CHLOE RICE
vol. LXXX no. II
Professor uses drones, helicopters to teach at camp
SIUE Engineering Graphics and Surveying professor David Sherill organized a camp where students learned to survery areas using drones and a commercial helicopter to attach equipment for mapping on Tuesday, June 12. | Miranda Lintzenich / The Alestle
650-3527 @crice_alestle crice@alestlelive.com
Facilities Management takes advantage of summer MIRANDA LINTZENICH lifestyles editor
With fewer students on campus, the summer term proves to be the optimal time for making changes on campus. According to a PDF from Vice Chancellor for Administration Richard Walker, there are 11 projects planned for the summer. Facilities Management Interim Director Donna Meyer said the amount of projects this summer are typical, but they might be considered messier than in years past.
The projects include the Recreation Complex synthetic turf, the Applied Health nutrition lab, the Alumni Hall patio repair, the pedestrian campus walk replacement, the Science East renovation, the Lovejoy Library south entrance repair, and the Dunham Hall elevator removal and structural repairs, among others. “We try to do it when there is the fewest number of students less faculty,” Meyer said. “All of these projects are to maintain the campus and facilities so we can continue to provide the same experience we have been for years.”
Most of the projects are minor, but one of the bigger ones includes the Recreation Complex, known as the RexPlex, fields being installed as turf fields. Assistant Director of Campus Recreation Dave Hagedorn was excited to announce the project, as well as the remodeling of the rock wall entrance and installing energy-efficient lights in the gym. According to Hagedorn, the turf project was recently approved and will allow for rental income. “The bids came in and they were actually under budget so we
were pretty excited about that,” Hagedorn said. Hagedorn said the Student Fitness Center has seen an interest in outside groups wanting to rent out the fields, but did not want to overuse them. Having turf fields will allow for the space to be used by both the community and students without conflict. The fitness center recently finished a project on a universal bathroom and has now moved on to the rock wall entrance in an effort to give more accessibility to students. “We don’t want it to be a
secret,” Hagerdorn said in regard to the entrance. “Now it will be more of a cave-like rock facade. This will improve accessibility and add to helping our students know what they have access to.” It was not a planned event, but an email was sent out to students in regard to Textbook Services closing due to a major facilities issue. “It is for the safety of our students that we have closed temporarily,” Textbook Services Director Emily Colton said in an email sent out campuswide May 30. According to Colton, the problem was a result of a plumbing issue in a bathroom directly above Textbook Services. Someone clogged a toilet with paper towels, and Facilities Management was made aware as soon as possible. “We had to pull books off shelves not damaged and had to get in there and clean,” Colton said. “There a serial number for every single book. We had to account for and take the numbers out of the system.” The process took longer than expected, but Colton was clear about how facilities responded. “Facilities was right on it and nothing but helpful,” Colton said. “It was totally out of our control and it could have been a lot worse.” Another email was sent out to students announcing the temporary turn-around addition and closing of some parking spots in Lot C June 12. Both of these incidents were related to Facilities Management projects and were done so in an effort to improve areas on campus.
MIRANDA LINTZENICH
650-3527 @mlintz_alestle mlintzenich@alestlelive.com
@thealestle
@thealestle
The Alestle
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A lifelong partner in learning
East St. Louis Center offers wealth of opportunities CHLOE RICE editor-in-chief
CAITLIN LALLY editor
MIRANDA LINTZENICH lifestyles editor
KEEGAN GAUWITZ sports editor
BREANN SPERANEO TRENT STUART copy editors JUSTIN BRISTOL reporter NICHOLAS AGADI advertising manager AMRI WILDER DELENA STOKES office secretaries ANGIE TROUT office manager
TAMMY MERRETT program director Have a comment? Let us know! opinion@alestlelive.com The Alestle Campus Box 1167 Edwardsville, Ill. 62026-1167 Letters to the Editor Policy: The editors, staff and publishers of the Alestle believe in the free exchange of ideas, concerns and opinions and will publish as many letters as possible. Letters may be submitted at the Alestle office: Morris University Center, Room 2022 e-mail at opinion@alestlelive.com All hard copy letters should be typed and double-spaced. Letters should be no longer than 500 words. Include phone number, signature, class rank and major. We reserve the right to edit letters for grammar and content. Care will be taken to ensure that the letter’s message is not lost or altered. Letters to the editor will not be printed anonymously except under extreme circumstances. We reserve the right to reject letters.
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.
CAITLIN LALLY editor
When people refer to the “E” now, Edwardsville’s campus comes to mind, however, that was not always the case. “SIU has been offering classes in East St. Louis since [1957],” Jesse Dixon, director of the East St. Louis Center said. “Before the 1960s, when people said ‘SIUE,’ they actually meant East St. Louis.” According to Dixon, the roots of SIU in the Metro East were in East St. Louis, and the construction of the Edwardsville campus redefined SIU’s role in East St. Louis to focus more on community and social service programs. “That’s really been our identity for the last, you know, 60 years,” Dixon said. The East St. Louis Center is one of three campuses that make up what is referred to now as SIUE. From children to adults, the East St. Louis Center provides resources and opportunities for the whole family. “Head Start is the biggest grant the university has, it’s our biggest program, but you kind of work your way up [in age], there’s a range of other programs that are offered down here in East St. Louis,” Dixon said. Head Start/Early Head Start is a federally-funded program for children under the age of 5. “We have over 1,500 kids that we serve in Head Start,” Dixon said. “We’re in East St. Louis, but we’re also in Brooklyn, Cahokia and we’re in Belleville.” According to Dixon, about 800 children served are within East St. Louis city limits. ESLC on page 3
Information provided by East St. Louis Center Director Jesse Dixon.
news in brief
Caitlin Lally / The Alestle
CAS faculty member takes on role as associate dean
Upcoming kids’ summer camps
Anthropology department chair and professor Jennifer Rehg will serve as the associate dean of instruction, faculty development and academic programs in the College of Arts and Sciences beginning Monday, July 3. Rehg was selected by CAS Dean Greg Budzban. She has been an SIUE faculty member since 2003 and was elected to head the department in 2012, and again in 2015, according to a press release. Rehg’s focus of study is ecology and primate behavior. She obtained her bachelor’s degree in anthropology at Washington
Ages/Grade Levels: Girls entering grades 3-8 When: 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Monday, June 19 - Thursday, June 22 Where: Vadalabene Center Contact Info: Dodie Dunson, ddunson@siue.edu
University in St. Louis in 1995, and later earned both her master’s and doctorate degrees in biological anthropology from the University of Illinois. “CAS is at the heart of the university and its educational mission, and I am excited about working in a new capacity with others to make the college an even more valued, diverse and vibrant part of SIUE,” Rehg said in the press release.
READ MORE NEWS BRIEFS AT ALESTLELIVE.COM
Women’s Basketball All Skills Camp:
We Got Game: NBA Math Hoops:
Ages/Grade Levels: Students in grades 5-8 When: 9 a.m-2:30 p.m., Monday, June 19 - Friday, June 23 Where: SIUE Campus Contact Info: Cathy McNeese, cmcnees@siue.edu
Healthcare Diversity:
Ages/Grade Levels: Students entering grades 10-12 When: Monday Monday, June 19 through Friday, June 23 Where: SIUE Campus Contact Info: Lakesha Butler, lwiley@siue.edu
Women’s Basketball Perimeter Post Skills Camp:
Ages/Grade Levels: Girls entering grades 9-12 When: 6-7:30 p.m Tuesday, June 20, Wednesday, June 21 Where: Vadalabene Center Contact Info: Dodie Dunson, ddunson@siue.edu
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wednesday, 06.14.17
page 3
ESLC programs serve child, family needs ESLC from page 2
06.12.17
06.06.17
Officers issued a state citation to Brian Couler for speeding on North University Drive.
Officers issued Kaylee Burns a state citation for speeding on South University at Stadium Drive.
06.11.17 Officers issued a state citation to Bradley Spudich for an expired registration on South University Drive.
Officers noticed a Madison County Transit bus and another car were on the side of the road on North University Drive. When checked, there were no passengers on the bus and no injuries were reported.
06.10.17
06.05.17
Officers responded to a disturbance on South University Drive where a car was driving slowly and yelling at a pedestrian. Subjects said they were married and having a verbal dispute.
Officers checked a parked vehicle on the side of South University Drive. The subject held a revoked driver’s license, so he was transported to the SIUE PD, where he had to call for a ride home.
Officers responded to a broken window on a vehicle in the parking lot adjacent to Doyle Morris Trail on Stadium Drive. Nothing was reported stolen from the vehicle.
06.04.17
Officers issued Jacob Hamilton a state citation for an expired registration on East University Drive.
06.09.17 Officers issued Dakotah Sims a state citation for an expired registration on East University Drive. Officers issued McKenzie Marshall a state citation for an expired registration on East University Drive. Officers issued Cierra Thomas a state citation for speeding on North University Drive.
06.08.17 Officers responded to Cougar Village Apartments for an active fire alarm in building 428. The alarm was activated because of cooking. There was no fire or damage. Officers issued a warning for texting while driving on South University Drive. Officers responded to Cougar Village Apartments for an active fire alarm in building 524. The alarm was due to cooking, and there was no fire or damage.
Officers transported Rodney Davis to the Police Department to be fingerprinted, photographed and processed after attempting to flee on South University Drive. Initially Davis fled from the officers at high speeds in his car, but then parked his car and continued to flee on foot. Davis was charged with DUI, aggravated fleeing and eluding, improper lane usage, disobeying two traffic control devices, speeding 85 mph in a 50 mph zone, and driving without a valid license or registration. Davis was transported to Madison County Jail and placed on felony hold.
06.02.17 Officers retrieved a wallet in Founders Hall. The owner was contacted and picked it up.
06.01.17 Officers took a report of an accident in Lot S. There were no injuries. Officer responded to Lot F regarding Illinois registered vehicle Z269373 being in violation of the scofflaw policy. Brown’s Towing was notified. Owner of the vehicle showed up and signed the acceptance of responsibly form. Vehiclewas not towed.
“We have an agreement with the school district that lets us see how our Head Start kids do when they go into the school district, and we see that in math and reading are on grade level when they arrive,” Dixon said. However, this isn’t the case for all students who begin kindergarten. A new camp called Kindergarten Readiness is in its second year, Dixon said, and it helps to raise young learners up to the level of their peers. “Four of every 10 kids were in our [Head Start] program, but we’re still interested in doing more for the other 60 percent,” Dixon said. Possible through a grant from Boeing, Dixon said the Kindergarten Readiness camp pairs Head Start teachers with ones from the school district to work with a set of kids who have never been in an early childhood education setting before. “If you’ve been home, or in a much smaller setting, you show up to kindergarten and it’s overwhelming,” Dixon said. This camp runs for four weeks at Bush Elementary School in East St. Louis, according to Dixon. Another program the center runs is geared toward helping children with open cases in the Department of Children and Family Services. “We’ve got a program called Project Success, which is a K-8 after school and summer program for kids who have open DCFS cases ... DCFS will contact us to pick the child up from wherever they are staying, bring them [to the East St. Louis Center], provide a meal, homework help and other sort of academic and enrichment activities,” Dixon said.
This program sees about 75 kids, Dixon said, from 4-7 p.m. everyday after school. The East St. Louis Center also offers rigorous performing arts training. “We did a survey a couple years back in the East St. Louis community about what [citizens] thought of SIUE in East St. Louis, what we’re known for, and performing arts was actually at the top,” Dixon said. Dancer and choreographer Katherine Dunham, for which Dunham Hall was named after, had a huge influence on the East St. Louis Center and its contributions to the city, according to Dixon. “When she taught at SIUE, the performing arts program was based here in East St. Louis, and she lived in East St. Louis. She built this program and at one time had national renown, so that legacy lives on here,” Dixon said. When Dixon began as director in 2014, he said the program was defunct. “But we recognized how important it was and how skilled our instructors were in it, so we found some funding to bring that back,” Dixon said. The program is currently offering a summer camp that is in its second week of training musicians and dancers. The students will give a final performance 6 p.m. Friday, July 14, at East St. Louis Senior High School. “There’s a real pride and sense of rigor that comes behind the program that frankly surprised me when I started here,” Dixon said. “That sense of pride and rich legacy I think sets it apart from other performing arts programs.” As these students age, they have the opportunity to get involved with the Upward Bound programs as high schoolers. According to Dixon, the program
serves about 300 students a year to provide resources and opportunities easing the transition to and through college. During the summer, students in the math and science offshoot of Upward Bound get a taste of what the college experience is like, as they reside in the dorms on the Edwardsville campus for four weeks. “So for those 60 kids that are in that program, they spend every summer for four years in the dorms and being there all week, taking classes, and sort of getting that full college immersion experience,” Dixon said. Into adulthood, the East St. Louis Center still proves useful as it provides workforce opportunities and resources to training that some may not receive elsewhere. “In the federal Head Start program, there is a charge to not just serve the kids, but the parents as well,” Dixon said. “It’s intended to be a two-generation approach to breaking the cycle of poverty, where you work not just with the kids in the preschool classrooms, but you also work with the parents to help them meet their education and career goals.” Through this program, the East St. Louis Center directs parents to SIUE, Southwestern Illinois College, or shorter-term credentialing or training programs to ensure they have the opportunity to obtain living-wage jobs. “We’re connecting parents to opportunities in advanced manufacturing, IT, health sciences, nursing and hospital jobs and early education,” Dixon said. Go to siue.edu/eslc for more information about the East St. Louis and the programs it offers. CAITLIN LALLY
650-3527 @clally_alestle clally@alestlelive.com
All I see is $$$
Student wins $100,000 on game show TERI MADDOX Belleville News-Democrat
A Southern Illinois University Edwardsville student won $100,000 as a contestant on the ABC game show “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire.” Alyx Mark, 18, of Wood River, won by correctly answering the multiple-choice question, “In degrees Fahrenheit, what is the temperature range on the sun’s surface, also known as the photosphere?” The answer is “6,000 to 11,000.” “[Host Meredith Vieira] was messing around with me,” Mark said. “She gave me that ‘You didn’t get it right’ look, but then she said, ‘You got it right.’ I put my hands over my mouth and said, ‘Oh, my gosh! Oh, my gosh!’ It was surreal.” Mark appeared on the show for two nights during College Week. Both episodes were taped in New York City on Oct. 26, but she couldn’t discuss her winnings until after the broadcast during the week of Thanksgiving. Mark has already decided what to do with the money. She will invest half of it, take her roommate, Michelle Marek of St. Louis, on a spring-break trip to the Caribbean island of Curacao, use $5,500 to study in South Africa next summer and spend $3,800 on an “extravagant and
frivolous” Chanel tweed jacket. “Either I’m taking my mom to Australia or I’m buying her a new patio door,” Mark said. “She hasn’t decided what she wants yet. Those patio doors are really expensive.” Mark is the daughter of Dawn Means, of Wood River, an art teacher in Bethalto, and Michael Mark, a safety coordinator for a St. Louis subcontractor. Her father turned down a gift offer, even though he helped her reach the $25,000 mark on “Millionaire.” Michael Mark was one of four people on his daughter’s list of telephone “lifelines.” She called him for help with the question, “On the Princeton Review’s 2007 list of top party schools, what college was ranked most ‘stonecold sober’ for the ninth straight year?” He recommended the correct answer, “Brigham Young University.” Alyx Mark graduated from Roxana High School in 2005. She’s attending SIUE on a full scholarship and majoring in political science with plans to become a professor or lawyer in international affairs. She lives in an apartment on campus and works in the dean’s office in the university’s department of education. On “Millionaire,” Mark won $50,000 by correctly answering the question, “Pop singer Dido
shares her name with a prominent character from what classic work of literature?” The answer is “The Aeneid.” Mark won $100,000 after declining to answer the $250,000 question, “Which of these locales is not mentioned in Martin Luther King Jr.’s famous ‘I Have a Dream’ speech?” Mark wasn’t sure if the answer was “Hilltops of New Hampshire,” “Stone Mountain of Georgia,” “Rockies of Colorado” or “Blue Ridges of North Carolina.” (The latter is correct.) If she had guessed incorrectly, her winnings would have dropped to $25,000. “My makeup lady put things into perspective (before the show),” Mark said. “She said, ‘If you were in Las Vegas, would you really put $75,000 on the table if you only had a 25-percent chance of getting it right?’ And the answer definitely is, ‘No.’” Mark auditioned for the game show on Aug. 14 in a Chicago suburb. She drove 4 hours and 30 minutes, arrived at 5 a.m. and waited in line at a medieval dinner theater for four hours to do a one-minute interview and take a multiple-choice trivia test.
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LIFESTYLES
contact the editor: lifestyles@alestlelive.com 650-3527
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wednesday, 06.14.17
LOVE WINS SIUE Safe Zone to participate in St. Louis PrideFest
Thousands gather at Capitol Park in downtown Boise, Idaho, for the annual PrideFest rally and parade on Saturday, June 18, 2016. Speakers recounted the struggle for LGBT rights, and honored the victims of the mass shooting in Orlando, Fla., just a week before. | Darin Oslwald / Idaho Statesman / TNS
MIRANDA LINTZENICH
lifestyles editor
SIUE Safe Zone sent out an email June 8, inviting students to participate in St. Louis PrideFest on Saturday, June 24 and Sunday, June 25. The committee will host a booth and walk in the parade. Safe Zone has been around since 2000, according to former chair Rex Jackson. Jackson said the organization has only grown from there. “It is a predominantly faculty and staff committee, and over the years more students have gotten involved,” Jackson said. “The focus is primarily education for the LGBTQ community.” Jackson, now working behind the scenes, said the group offers ally training, educational outreach, campus climate and much more. Safe Zone also works with the Gay Straight Alliance and Delta Lambda Phi to provide spaces on campus for students that fit this demographic. Taking Jackson’s spot are Associate Professor of Management and Marketing Mary Sue Love and Coordinator for Student Services and Transitions Shelley Price-Williams. Love is new to the position, but has been a part of the group for a long time. “Safe Zone will always be a safe place you can come
to,” Love said. “We can help you, we can educate you.” Jackson said June 2013 was the first time SIUE had a presence at PrideSTL. “There are always a handful of students that join us in the parade,” Jackson said. “There are not a whole lot of public institutions showing up. We are the only institution that has a booth and is in the parade as far as I know. [Washington University] usually has a booth or is in the parade, but I’ve never seen them do both.” According to Jackson, participating in the celebration is SIUE’s way of showing support. “We want students to know we are a place they can call home,” Jackson said. “For those students that identify as LGBTQ, it is a wonderful thing to be involved with.” Jackson and Love both said pride is a safe space to be who you want to be and also to be with your family. “I remember two years ago, right after same-sex marriage was made legal, I was at Pride with my son who had just turned 21, and I just remember standing there, and everyone was so happy,” Love said. Sophomore nursing major Stephen Burrows, of Fredericktown, Mo., knows a lot of others that are a
part of the community and is planning on attending Pride for the first time to show his support. “I think it is going to be energetic and fun and loud. Everyone will be in a good mood,” Burrows said. “I think it’s good for everyone to come together and support instead of neglecting each other.” Jackson said SIUE wants students to know they are supportive of the community. “SIUE being a part of this is another example of how dedicated we are to staff, faculty and students that are members of the LGBTQ community,” Jackson said, “We will continue to show up publicly.” Burrows said he is excited to be a part of the event and looks forward to making memories. “Don’t be afraid to be yourself because life is too short to not be happy,” Burrows said. MIRANDA LINTZENICH 650-3527 @mlintz_alestle mlintzenich@alestlelive.com
A LOOK BACK AT HISTORY 1924
The Society for Human Rights is founded by Henry Gerber and acts as one of the first gay rights organizations.
1959-1960
JULY 1961
Illinois becomes one of the first states to decriminalize homosexuality after repealing the sodomy laws in place.
According to PubMed, the first gender change operation, called a phalloplasty, takes place in the Netherlands in Arnham.
SEPT. 11, 1961
JUNE 28, 1969
Police raid an NYC gay club, Stonewall Inn, resulting in the Stonewall riots, according to History.com.
A local station in California airs the first U.S. televised docmentary about being gay.
1973
The first legal organization to fight for equal rights of gays and lesbians is founded as Lambda Legal.
JUNE 28, 1970
One year after the riots, Christopher Street Liberation Day marks the first Pride parade.
wednesday, 06.14.17
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alestlelive.com
The Pride Package WHEN: WHERE:
Friday, June 23 from 4:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Saturday, June 24 from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday, June 25 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
WHO TO KNOW:
Soldiers Memorial Military Museum, 1315 Chestnut St., St. Louis, Mo. 63103
Jeffrey Waple
SIUE campus pride index rating:
4 / 5 stars
The campus climate index is based off the
atmosphere for LGBTQ individuals using diversity surveys
SOME
Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs jwaple@siue.edu
Basic Terms ally: someone who advocates for and supports members of a community other than their own, reaching across differences to achieve mutual goals
asexual: a person who does not
Mary Sue Love
Safe Zone Faculty Co-Chair marlove@siue.edu
experience sexual attraction
Shelley PriceWilliams
bisexual: a person who has significant
OCT. 11 National Coming Out Day
romantic, emotional, physical and sexual attractions to members of both sexes; the frequency, intensity, or quality of attraction is
Staff Co-Chair shewill@siue.edu
not necessarily equally directed toward both sexes
cisgender:
a person whose gender
identity and expression matches the gender identity typically associated with their
GSA
Rex Jackson
biological sex
gay: a man whose primary romantic, emotional, physical and sexual attractions
The Gay-Straight Alliance is a place for students to meet in an organized setting to share
feelings, concerns, and experiences that are unique to the LGBTQ community on campus and to raise awareness.
DLP
are to other men; can also apply to lesbians, bisexuals, and on some occasions, be an
Safe Zone Admin and Former Co-Chair rjackso@siue.edu
umbrella term for all LGBT people
gender: a socially constructed system of classification that ascribes qualities of masculinity and femininity to people; gender characteristics can change over time and are different between cultures
sex: a scientific system of categorizing
Kristin Miserocchi Trans Focus Group Coordinator kmisero@siue.edu
some animals based on chromosomal structure, reproductive organs, or reproductive function; usually, biological sex is assumed to be binaristic (male/female)
Delta Lambda Phi is a social fraternity for all male-identifying individuals, regardless of their
transgender: refers to a person who experiences a mismatch of the sex they were born as and the sex they identify as; not all transsexuals can have or desire surgery
Marie Klopfenstein
Ally Training Coordinator maklopf@siue.edu
sexual orientation.
DEC. 15, 1973
The American Psychiatric Association removes homosexuality from list of list of mental disorders in the DSM-11 manual.
JAN. 14, 1975
OCT. 14, 1979
The first National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights brings together 75,000 or more individuals.
The first bill to address discrimination based on sexual orientation is introduced.
MARCH 2, 1982
SEPT. 4, 2012
The Democratic Party becomes the first major political party to publicly support same-sex marriage.
Wisconsin is the first started to outlaw discrimination based on sexual orientation.
JUNE 12, 2016
Shooting in Orlando at Pulse nightclub leaves 49 victims.
JUNE 26, 2015
The Supreme Court rules that states cannot ban same-sex marriage.
opinion
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CAITLIN LALLY editor
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alestle view
Get ahead of the game this summer to knock out an internship. Without the stress of homework and studying for exams, you can devote yourself to the job, put in extra hours and make helpful contacts. Most employers like to see job experience on your resume — and an internship undoubtedly looks better than another summer at the local fast food joint. And if you’re lucky, you might even recieve a paycheck. Another route many take is enrolling in summer courses. If you enroll in enough summer courses, you might have the benefit of graduating early. With dozens of online offerings, you don’t have to be stuck in a classroom all summer either.
Take your laptop to the park and soak up some knowledge with the sunshine. Along with your internship or classes, summer is a great time to wind down from the stress of the regular school year and get organized. Mindful practices such as reading, writing, meditating and exercising are excellent ways to clear your head and focus on your summer goals. For those with bills to pay, we understand the need to have a paying job. However, if you don’t have the freedom to get an internship or take a class, consider the value of your time. Find a job that serves as a stepping stone to something greater in your ca-
reer field. What good do your 40 hours a week at Pizza Hut do if you don’t plan to make pizzas as a career? Plus, you can network while getting paid. Even if you intend to take it easy in the summer, the fact that you don’t have to worry about a tough class schedule means that you’ll have plenty of time to relax and enjoy the warm weather. When it comes down to it, a delicate balance exists between work and life, and while we encourage getting ahead, always prioritize your mental and physical health. READ MORE STAFF EDITORIALS AT ALESTLELIVE.COM
Thoughts on Washington:
Trump should take a tweet break President Donald Trump’s willingness to speak out on Twitter should be good for the American people.
RYAN BIERI guest writer
Unfortunately, the key word in that last sentence is “should,” because Trump has made a habit of being inflammatory, posting typo-filled tweets and reporting unconfirmed information. The Trump we see on Twitter is a childish caricature of a president, and shouldn’t be allowed to continue any longer. Considering press secretary Sean Spicer said last week that Trump’s tweets are official statements, the fact that Trump is also unpredictable at best on Twitter is potentially dangerous for all Americans. The idea of a president being open and active on a medium that can be easily seen by millions of
wednesday, 06.14.17
Understanding, sharing my mental illness
Write a letter to the editor.
Summer is often thought of as a break from the daily grind of school, and sometimes work. The sun is shining, pools are open, and many of us simply want to take some time to relax. While it may be the tendency of some to ease up on responsibilities during the summer, we think the summer is the ideal season to get ahead with work or school, making you that much more prepared to get in the swing of things by the time fall comes around. With internships, classes, camps and more, there’s no shortage of opportunities available during the summer months. Summer is the perfect time
Share your thoughts: opinion@alestlelive.com 650-3527
people around the globe should, in theory, lead to more open communication between the leader of one of the most powerful governments in the world and the people he affects. However, Trump has repeatedly shown that, quite frankly, he cannot be trusted with his own Twitter accounts. Trump’s “covfefe” tweet is the perfect example of this. Whatever the reason for Trump’s typo, the fact of the matter is that his reckless tweeting makes the U.S. look like we’re being led by a child, and that our government is in a state of chaos. Even the idea that Trump can reach more Americans easily falls to the wayside when you find out Trump has been blocking users from seeing and replying to his tweets. Some of those blocked by the president have even had lawyers ask him to unblock them. The New York Times reported that their letter suggests if he refuses, they may even resort to filing a lawsuit against him. Regardless of what those users have said to Trump, he is blocking U.S. citizens from seeing official
statements from the President of the United States. This is insane. Imagine the reaction if former President Barack Obama had made it so that certain citizens
starting a new armed conflict. Trump either needs to take a step back from Twitter and handoff control of his accounts to one of his aides, or take a long, hard look at what he’s doing and the serious repercussions it could have for the United States and the rest of the globe. As students, there isn’t much we can do to directly influence the president. However, by contacting our senators and federal representatives, we can put some pressure on Trump through them. With any luck, he’ll get enough backlash from both parties in D.C. to convince him to take a serious look at how his Twitter presence is affecting the rest of us.
“The Trump we see on Twitter is a childish caricature of a president ...” RYAN BIERI
who were vocal about their opposition to him couldn’t see his official statements. Fox News would be talking about it for years after the event, and they’d be right to do so. That’s not even considering what could happen when Trump has a poor interaction with a foreign leader and blasts them on Twitter. His tweets could have serious, retaliatory effects on trade deals, intelligence sharing or military operations, potentially even
RYAN BIERI 650-3527 @rbieri_alestle rbieri@alestlelive.com
“Does that mean you have two personalities or something?” you might be thinking. The answer is no, but keep reading, and I will explain. Since my diagnosis in January, I’ve had some time to come to terms with my mental illness. One of the things I’ve decided to do to help me cope is write about my experiences for others. This method helps me organize my thoughts in a way I can share them with others, and maybe, hopefully, someone can learn from it.
OK, but what is bipolar disorder? Now, back to that question: I don’t blame you if you don’t know what bipolar disorder is. In my experience, many people are unaware of what it is or how it manifests itself. (Shoot, doctors themselves don’t fully understand it.) However, put briefly, it is a mood disorder in which an individual experiences cyclical swings between episodes of mania and depression. From there, it’s important to know there are three different variations of bipolar disorder: type I, type II, and a less extreme though just as problematic one called cyclothymia. In my situation, with type II, I experience what are called hypomanic episodes. These are not the full-blown manic episodes that occur with type I, but are just shy of reaching that threshold. For me, hypomania looks like over productivity, impulsive decisions and restlessness, but of course, mental illnesses manifest differently for every single person.
So, what’s the purpose of “Owning It?” “Owning It” is a concept I came up with to challenge the stigmas associated with mental illness that are present today. Mental illness is often regarded as something we must keep to ourselves and share only with our doctors, but I believe this behavior is exactly what perpetuates ignorance about the topic. Instead, I choose to own my mental illness and share it with others in hopes to break down some of the barriers that prevent people from understanding it. If more people learn about illnesses and disabilities, the misconceptions can be eliminated, thus bringing people closer together. CAITLIN LALLY 650-3527 @clally_alestle clally@alestlelive.com
contact the editor: sports@alestlelive.com 650-3527 wednesday, 06.14.17
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SIUE men’s soccer, wrestling join Mid-American Conference Soccer set to join immediately, wrestling joins in 2018-2019 KEEGAN GAUWITZ Sports Editor
SIUE Director of Athletics Brad Hewitt announced June 2 that SIUE Men’s Soccer and Wrestling have accepted the invitation to join the Mid-American Conference beginning in the 2018-2019 academic year. As of June 9, SIUE Men’s Soccer received the opportunity to join the MAC immediately upon the 2017 season and accepted. The conference includes five other men’s soccer programs including soccer powerhouse Akron, Bowling Green, Northern Illinois, Western Michigan and West Virginia. For wrestling, the conference hosts eight other programs including Buffalo, Central Michigan, Eastern Michigan, Kent State, Northern Illinois, Ohio, Missouri and Old Dominion. For each of SIUE’s respective programs, the change in conference is a big jump into the national spotlight and a testimony to their continued success. In soccer, the Cougars have been to three consecutive Missouri Valley Conference championships, winning the tournament in 2014, as well as this past season in 2016. Following their Missouri Valley success, the Cougars defeated No. 13 Michigan State and No. 11 Butler on their way to the Sweet 16 of the 2016 NCAA College Cup. The MAC typically ranks around 10-11 in overall Rating Percentage Index — a scale developed to rank a conference or team based on their strength of schedule — for men’s soccer. Based on the RPI, the move to the MAC is a great jump from the Missouri Valley Conference, which typically ranks between 16 and 18.
Men’s Soccer Head Coach Mario Sanchez said he considers the move to be a positive shortterm change as well as an important long-term development for
son ranked No. 22, according to the NCAA coaches poll. However, as a member of the MVC, the Cougars’ RPI ranking dropped to No. 44 — a significant difference.
“My hope is that the student body is excited about having teams represent them and bring positive attention to SIUE in a way that makes all alumni proud
Left, heavyweight wrestler Jake McKiernan and men’s soccer midfielder Greg Solawa | Photo courtesy of SIUE Athletics
the program. Sanchez also said that almost every team in the MAC has finished the last two seasons ranked within the top 100 teams in the country. “We just felt that it was an opportunity to have a conference schedule where everyone is within almost the top 75 teams in the country,” Sanchez said. “Long term, that enables us to compete for not only a regular conference tournament championship, but also an at-large bid.” Sanchez said that in soccer, a lot of a team’s success depends on their conference schedule. Following their appearance in the Sweet 16, SIUE finished the sea-
With the transition to the MAC, Sanchez sees this as an opportunity to build the program’s national presence, recruitment and campus hype. “We want to recruit kids that want to not just play against, but beat the best teams in the nation. So now, when we recruit, we can tell players we’re playing in one of the best conferences in the country,” Sanchez said. Of course, there is a high standard and a level of excitement that comes with being around the best, and Sanchez looks forward to seeing what his program and the wrestling program can bring to campus with the move.
of the programs,” Sanchez said. Wrestling Head Coach Jeremy Spates is approaching the conference change with a similar attitude, as the wrestling team is also coming off a successful season, and the move to the MAC will boost their national reputation, recruiting power and campus awareness. Spates said he is looking forward to the conference’s strength of schedule as well as the locality, as most schools are Midwestern universities that the program is familiar with facing. “It’s a great move for us. The MAC is a really good wrestling conference. I think last year
they had the third highest number of tournament qualifiers, and we already wrestle a lot of those schools now, so we’re looking forward to the move,” Spates said. Spates said the conversation for moving to the MAC began when he was approached by a few MAC coaches following SIUE’s success in the NCAA tournament this year, where three Cougars wrestled after winning their respective weight classes in the Southern Conference tournament. Senior Jake Residori enjoyed huge success at the NCAA tournament, placing eighth in the 174 pound division and achieving All-American status. A few months after Spates was approached following the tournament, he received word that SIUE had been invited to join the MAC. SIUE Wrestling boasts a successful history at the Division-II level with three national championships as a team, 19 individual national champions and 111 Division-II All-Americans. Since the 2013-2014 season, the program has transitioned to the Division-I level with remarkable success. The move to the MAC is a result of the program’s past success, and an opportunity for the Cougars to further enhance their national reputation as a Division-I contender. “We’ve been trying to really grow the program back into a powerhouse. Joining the MAC is another big step for us, and I think it’s a step that we wouldn’t have gotten to without some success before this,” Spates said.
KEEGAN GAUWITZ
650-3527 @kgauwitzalestle kgauwitz@alestlelive.com
SIUE catcher named national semi-finalist for breakout player of the year KEEGAN GAUWITZ Sports Editor
SIUE sophomore catcher Brock Weimer has been named one of 25 semi-finalists for the Gregg Olson Award given to the nation’s breakout player of the year in Division I baseball. Weimer broke into the national spotlight by starting in 46 of the Cougars’ 52 games this year, posting a .329 batting average with 15 home runs and 50 RBIs. His 15 homers tied SIUE’s single-season record. Four of those homers came in back-to-back games at Morehead State. Weimer hit two bombs in each game, going 6 for 11 (.545) on the week with four bombs and 12 RBIs. Earlier in the week, Weimer tacked on another home run against Bradley University. Weimer’s play at Morehead State earned him the Ohio Valley Conference Player of the Week, and earned him a spot on Collegiate Baseball Newspaper’s
National Players of the Week — credits the drastic improvement in marking the first appearance of an his numbers to finally being fully SIUE player on a national team healthy this season, and the work put into his swing this offseason. of the week since the program’s move to the Division-I level. “It’s a good feeling to get recognition. You work for improvement in the offseason, then go out and try to perform in the spring. I’ve been lucky to have the coaches and teammates I have, and I’m just thankful for the opportunity,” Brock Weimer Weimer said. SIUE sophomore catcher Following an injury-plagued senior year at Ed“Coach Lyons helped me a wardsville High School, Weimer joined SIUE’s program as a lot with my swing throughout freshman in 2016, appearing in the fall, and that helped me settle 32 games, starting 19 behind the in. Then, just getting at-bats and being healthy. It’s hard to get into plate. In his freshman campaign, a rhythm when you’re injured,” Weimer hit .216 with 5 RBIs. He Weimer said.
Weimer also contributed his personal success to the team’s growth and improvement since the 2016 season. The 2017 squad improved their record to 23-29, following a 9-40 2016 season. “We were a really close group this past year and I think it translated onto the field. We were always pulling for each other, and that’s a big part of the game,” Weimer said. As the baseball program continues to develop and improve at the Division-I level, Weimer sees his nomination as a credit to the hard work of the program’s staff. “Personal recognition is nice, but I think the accomplishment is a bigger reflection on the hard work of the coaching staff as well
“...the accomplishment is a big reflection on the hard work of the coaching staff as well as the strength and conditioning staff.”
as the strength and conditioning staff,” Weimer said. As he awaits the results, Weimer is currently playing summer ball in the Northwoods League for the Madison Mallards in Madison, Wis. In 11 games with the Mallards, Weimer has 11 hits, 8 RBIs and holds a .256 batting average as he continues to develop his approach in preparation for next season. Finalists for the Gregg Olson Award will be announced during Super Regional play. The winner of the award will be announced in Omaha, Neb. during the College World Series. More information on the Gregg Olson Award, and other semifinalists, can be found online at olsonaward.com/pages/semifinalists2017
KEEGAN GAUWITZ
650-3527 @kgauwitzalestle kgauwitz@alestlelive.com
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By Jennifer Shepherd, The Lipstick Mystic Monday, June 12 - Sunday, June 18 Aries: March 21 - April 19 Jupiter is telling you to take it easy. Don’t allow your family members or friends to pressure you into making a crazy decision in your love life. Maybe you’re not ready to have kids or make a commitment just now. Be true to yourself. Taurus: April 20 - May 20 You could feel a powerful spiritual connection to someone. The moon is highlighting subconscious influences that link you to other people. Maybe you’ll have a dream about a former flame, and then you will run into him or her when you least expect it. Is it a coincidence? Gemini: May 21 - June 21 You’re engaging in some flirtatious banter with somebody sexy. Mercury is increasing your desire to communicate in provocative and intelligent ways. You could engage in spirited dialogue with a handsome or cute friend who holds different views than you do.
Cancer: June 22 - July 22 Don’t make any sudden moves. Mars is tempting you to force an outcome to a stressful situation in your personal or private life, but this isn’t a good idea. Instead, take a step back. Allow events to unfold, and remain detached until the smoke clears. Leo: July 23 - Aug. 22 A moon opposition has you questioning your current romantic path. It’s a healthy thing to contemplate your life. Consider talking things over with an objective outsider. Try consulting a therapist, minister or spiritual counselor. Virgo: Aug. 23 - Sept. 22 You’re in a thoughtful mood, thanks to Jupiter. You’re flooded with memories from the past, but you’re also considering lots of different paths for your future. Let go of people, romantic ties and goals that no longer serve you.
Libra: Sept. 23 - Oct. 23 You need some rest and relaxation. Think about taking a day trip or making a weekend getaway with your honey. Mercury is urging you to lighten up and have some fun. You’ve been way too serious lately, and it’s time to lighten up. Scorpio: Oct. 24 - Nov. 2 You could be inspired to start a new health regimen as Mars, the planet of physical health, boosts your energy. Consider changing your nutrition or exercise routines. Encourage your romantic partner to join you at the gym or go for a long hike or bike ride. Sagittarius: Nov. 22 - Dec. 21 With the sun opposite your sign, you could be feeling a little bummed out. Don’t obsess about the relationships that didn’t work out or the career situations that didn’t bring you success. In another four weeks, you’ll feel much more energized and optimistic.
Capricorn: Dec. 22 - Jan.19 It’s vitally important that you focus on taking care of you. You have a tendency to be a provider, being generous with your time, money and emotional energy. But this also means you tend to attract energy vampires. Mars reminds you to be more cautious. Aquarius: Jan. 20 - Feb. 18 You could be attracted to someone who has a history of addiction, mental illness or physical health problems. Even if he or she is a good person, the moon is encouraging you to be very careful about making a commitment to him or to her. Pisces: Feb. 19 - March 20 Your creative energies are picking up and the moon is inspiring you to be more poetic and imaginative. You could write a love poem for your honey or compose a romantic song for your partner on the guitar. Do something that shows your warm, dreamy side.
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.
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