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Shovelling secrets: SIUE’s response to snow and icy roads
Creative writing Athletics higher-ups becomes one of share vision for better campus’s newest clubs sports attendance
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Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Thursday, January 25, 2024 Vol. 77 No. 17
THE student voice since 1960
‘SHOCKINGLY DISINTERESTED’ — 3 in 4 students report feeling unprepared for an active shooter situation —
BRANDI SPANN opinion editor CHLOE WOLFE lifestyles editor Throughout 2023, the United States experienced 656 mass shootings in which four or more people were shot, according to the Gun Violence Archive. On Nov. 7, 2023, SIUE unveiled a new emergency preparedness procedure giving details for disasters such as tornadoes, flooding and active shooters. They provided a comprehensive list of actions that could be taken during, before and after such emergencies. Despite this list, a survey conducted by The Alestle reports that 54 percent of the campus population at SIUE feels unprepared in the event of an active shooter on campus. Professor of Criminal Justice Studies Trish Oberweis studies safe citizenry and the public’s relationship with policy and law. She believes that there are steps to be taken to work towards mass shooting prevention. “I think that Americans are shockingly disinterested in gun violence as a national problem,” Oberweis said. Oberweis said mass shootings in public spaces keep happening for two main reasons: hypermasculinity culture and gun accessibility. “I think it’s a really tragic collision of a set of factors that are out there, one of which has to do with mental health,” Oberweis said, “We have a group of almost
entirely white young men who are angry … Of course they have other avenues to express their anger, [but] they’re choosing this avenue because it’s available,” According to Everytown for Gun Safety, a majority of U.S. states require firearm buyers to be at least 18. Only seven states strictly limit gun purchases to people 21 years of age or older. But an NBC News article said children and adolescents report feeling as though they have easy access to their guardian’s gun, suggesting that these laws do not do much to prevent young people from obtaining these dangerous weapons. Oberweis said guns provide an impersonal method of violence, which can be a compelling reason for shooters to use them to express frustrations. “They have access to weapons of distant destruction. It’s different to kill somebody with your hand and strangle them than it is to imitate video games and kill people from dozens of feet away,” Oberweis said. “Some of the things that American citizens enjoy the right to own are clearly carefully engineered weapons of war for the purpose of killing the largest number of people in the smallest space of time, and ideally, from the farthest distance away,” People having access to weapons such as these can be especially scary for those who work in professions that are more heavily affected by threats of mass shootings such as teachers. Former student Skyler Boone, an education major, finds the threat of active shooters deterring and an immovable obstacle to a career in education.
“There were a couple of points mation about their walkout. Boone has found that her experithroughout my collegiate history here that I have actually thought about changing ence in the education field has given my major and not going into a classroom,” her a specific and unique look into the Boone said. “But really, it doesn’t matter threat of mass shootings and gun violence whether you’re in a school setting or in in schools. “As education majors, it hits us really just a public setting. The threat of gun violence is prevalent everywhere in America. hard,” Boone said. “For parents, teachers and students [it hits I’ve kind of just had hard] as well, but I to swallow and acthink those that aren’t cept and advocate and in fields that really exhope that better times perience [mass shootare coming.” firsthand don’t Boone organized The idea that any right ings] really understand how a campus-wide walksevere it is. Our goal out April 5, 2023, af- comes with literally was to just inform the ter only three days of no responsibility, student population planning. Boone said here at SIUE and let she was inspired to or- it just doesn’t exist them know that there ganize the protest af- anywhere else are things that we can ter seeing a post from do, even as students.” Students Demand Boone’s peer, forAction talking about mer student and edua national walkout Trish Oberweis cation major Jennifer following the mass Professor of Criminal Justice Davila, said parents shooting March 27 at Studies especially understand the Convent School in the threat of gun vioNashville, Tennessee. “I had seen that on [a] Monday night lence in schools, as she is a mother herself. and it was going to be happening on [a] She said it is difficult to have to accept that Wednesday,” Boone said. “So I sent an gun violence is a possibility, but having email to one of my professors who quick- training can be a helpful tool. Despite the issue that some Amerily got back with me and let me know the steps I would take — contacting the dean cans have with guns, it is protected with and the chancellor and the police depart- vague language in the United States Conment here — that was on my to-do list stitution: “The right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.” early Tuesday.” At the protest, Boone, faculty and students held signs in protest and handed out papers with QR codes for more inforsee GUNS on page 2
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of surveyed students said they felt UNPREPARED in the event of a bomb threat or active shooter
of surveyed students said they felt PREPARED in the event of a bomb threat or active shooter of surveyed faculty said they felt UNPREPARED for a bomb threat or active shooter
of those surveyed said they felt SIUE had done its duty in PREPARING them for an emergency of surveyed students said they were UNAWARE of the university’s safety policies and procedures online of surveyed faculty and staff said they were AWARE of the university’s safety policies and procedures online
Results compiled from an Alestle survey sent to all siue.edu account holders with 155 total respondents. Graphic by Dylan Hembrough.
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Study finds intimate partner violence precursor to becoming unhoused DOUG SMITH Los Angeles Times (TNS)
One in five women who become homeless in California flee their homes to escape violence and escalating abuse by an intimate partner, a new analysis of a statewide survey has reported. The study by the Benioff Homelessness and Housing Initiative at UC San Francisco found that a dearth of domestic violence shelters leaves women exposed to more violence in homeless encampments. “That system is completely overwhelmed, and people are winding up in encampments,” said Margot Kushel, director of the research group and co-author of the report. Among those who reported being victims of violence in the six months before losing their housing, two in five were victimized again while homeless, usually at the hands of a former partner who tracked them down. The report made several policy recommendations: more domestic violence shelters, better coordination of the intake system to those shelters and other services, and more permanent housing to create a path out of shelters. “What the domestic violence system also needs is the ability to move people on to a place that is safe,” Kushel said. “There is a huge shortage of domestic violence beds.” Inefficiencies and confusion in the system are also a factor, said Debbie Chang, president and chief executive of the Blue Shield of California Foundation, which helped fund the study. “Sometimes what happens
David Goodwin new SIUE PD is a survivor will try to access their kids, their home, their the homelessness system, the in- financial ability to function chief of police take worker will say, ‘You have domestic violence. You have to go to a domestic violence shelter.’ Or they don’t accept children. The survivor is fleeing with children.” Of those who experienced intimate partner violence in the six months prior to homelessness, only 12 percent sought help from a domestic violence organization and 10 percent received help. “Some people honestly had no idea what is a domestic violence shelter,” Kushel said. “Other people told us when they had to run, they had to run. They didn’t have time to figure out where to find a shelter. “ In the survey, 17 percent of homeless women reported experiencing intimate partner violence in the six months before becoming homeless. Kushel said some had first moved in with friends or family members to escape violence. Others had spent time in jail after police hauled off both parties to a violent episode. Predictably, the report found that poverty is a factor, disproportionately affecting minority populations. While domestic violence affects all ethnic groups and income levels, women of color “are more likely to be rent burdened, have extremely low incomes, and face a host of housing barriers rooted in legacies of racism and contemporary discrimination,” the report said. “In my opinion, probably 90 percent of the people that are in abusive relationships would get out if they had an out to go to, if they weren’t going to lose
day to day,” said a 43-year-old woman quoted anonymously in the report. Participants described needing time to plan their exit in advance and to accumulate resources such as money, phones and other essentials without their partner knowing. For that reason, the report found, cash payments could help victims of intimate partner violence overcome hurdles to getting reestablished, such as transportation and child care. More than 80 percent of women victimized by intimate partner violence in the six months prior to homelessness believed that a lump-sum payment would have helped them stave off homelessness. The report on intimate partner violence is a follow-up to the California Statewide Study of People Experiencing Homelessness published in June. That study, based on 3,200 questionnaires and 365 in-depth interviews, probed the pathways to homelessness, experiences during homelessness and barriers to regaining permanent housing. It found that lifetime experiences of discrimination, exposure to violence, incarceration and other traumas increase vulnerability to homelessness and that physical and sexual victimization were common. The analysis on intimate partner violence delved deeper into what Kushel characterized as an insidious precursor to homelessness.
David Goodwin has been serving as chief of police since Dec. 15, 2023. SIUE finally filled the position that was being held by Interim Chief Justin Lieberman, who is now captain of SIUE Police. Goodwin’s resume includes time spent at Washington University and in the National Guard Army Reserves. “I pretty much did everything at [Washington University]. I really was very fortunate [to work there],” Goodwin said. Goodwin started at the university med school, which is separate from the police force, but was still considered a Washington University employee. Goodwin eventually moved over to the main campus in 2002. “It was a whole different environment, but it was neat,” Goodwin said. “I went from a very research-focused campus where there were grants and research projects, and people were worried about experiments and coming in at all hours of the day and night — and I transitioned to an undergraduate campus with a level of energy that was fantastic.” Goodwin said he is committed to bringing his experiences and principles of open communication to SIUE. “If we are going to be a transformational police department, we have to be accessible
See VIOLENCE on page 7
See SNOW on page 7
SAM MUREN reporter
Students, staff differ on feelings about gun safety on campus GUNS | COVER
Oberweis said the Second Amendment fails to outline any real guidance for our modern world. She said that the culture of 1791 does not compare to the scenarios we are confronted with today. “I think at a minimum, the text of the Second Amendment says that Americans have rights to gun ownership,” Oberweis said. “Where the Constitution is silent, is what is the relationship between that right and the responsibility to make sure that other people are safe, and have a sort of reasonable expectation to their life, to their liberty, to move about without being afraid that someone’s going to shoot them at school or at work or at the grocery store.” Oberweis believes that this unique disregard for limitation and modification complicates how we approach the conversation today. “The silence on the responsibilities that go with those rights was so obviously plain to the Framers — that you would intercede when guns in public places became unsafe for innocent citizens. I think that’s really where this sort of modern culture war over guns is really at a serious contradiction,” Oberweis said.
“The idea that any right comes with literally no responsibility, it just doesn’t exist anywhere else — rights to religious freedom, rights to free speech, all of those things are limited.” Oberweis said there are a few places we could turn our attention to embolden prevention efforts. Gun accessibility in the home and parental accountability following incidents of gun violence are one of these options. “The justice system can hold parents accountable for their kids having access to their weapons. I guarantee you that if mom and dad think that they’re the ones who could go to jail if John gets their gun and goes and shoots up a school, mom and dad will, at least in some cases, be more cautious about having gun locks, trigger safety and separating ammo from weapons,” Oberweis said. Oberweis mentioned other options for court accountability as well. “After one of the famous shootings, there were lots of discussions about holding accountable the makers of those AR-15 style weapons, which isn’t just one manufacturer, as I understand it,” Oberweis said. If lawsuits against manufacturers were to continue, they are more likely to begin incorporating prevention methods, wheth-
er consumers are calling for them or not. Oberweis mentioned various types of trigger locks and identification rings as examples of things to explore in the future. “Those types of responses have been undesirable from the Justice Department. The courts have not generally responded favorably to those attempts to hold other people, aside from the shooter, accountable for the shootings,” Oberweis said. “I think if that were to change, you would almost immediately start to see barriers thrown in the way of would-be mass shooters, who then suddenly can’t just open up the nightstand drawer, grab dad’s gun and take it to school.” A study from The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that, in 2020, the leading cause of deaths for Americans under 19 years of age was firearms, surpassing a decades-long history of motor vehicle accidents being the number one cause. The future of gun policy is a balancing act between observing the laws we have in place now and supportive revisions to the laws that would be tolerated and promote responsibilities alongside our freedoms. “As with any freedom, once you take it away, it’s really hard to get it back,” Oberweis said. “You don’t necessarily want to see policy change that says we’re
just going to scratch out the Second Amendment and not have it anymore. The question really becomes how can we offer supported constrictors on the Second Amendment that promote, simultaneously, freedom and responsibility.” The threat of a mass shooting is only a small piece of America’s problem with gun violence. “It’s eye-catching, and it’s scary, but it’s not the bread and butter part of the problem,” Oberweis said. “Gun violence is a gender issue. It’s a racial issue. Black men in America, especially young Black men in America, have murder rates — especially murder by gunshot wounds — exponentially higher than their white male counterparts, certainly more than their white female counterparts.” Gun violence is prevalent in an array of areas in our society and mass shootings are a part of the larger role that guns play in our affairs. “The bulk of this issue, to me, is about racial justice, as much as it is about safety in shared public places, as much as it’s about preventing someone from committing suicide and giving them treatment and support and help instead of easy access to a quick, cheap solution,” Oberweis said.
01.20.24 An officer responded to a report of a person receiving a threatening message on social media. The investigation is ongoing. 01.21.24 An officer responded to a report of people walking on Cougar Lake while it was frozen over. The people left by the time the officer arrived.
01.21.24
An officer responded to a report of people ice fishing in the pond at the Gardens. The officer told the people to leave and they complied.
TURKEY Turkey’s parliament has approved Sweden’s entrance into NATO. The only country still holding Sweden back from entering is Hungary.
GERMANY Support for the rightwing Alternative for Germany party has dropped to 20 percent in Germany’s polls after protests, but this still places the party third overall. BRAZIL President Lula da Silva has said the government will respond after a recent attack on the Pataxó people by land-owning farmers. The farmers sought to control the Pataxó land. NORTH KOREA North Korea has reportedly torn down a monument symbolizing unity between it and South Korea. Previously, Kim Jong Un said unity is no longer possible. CHINA China underwent scrutiny at the U.N. for alleged human rights abuses against Xinjiang Uyghurs and the people of Hong Kong. China has denied the accusations, saying they are based on lies. Information courtesy of Reuters / AP
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How SIUE battles the snowy conditions during the winter season SAM MUREN reporter
Midwestern winters always bring unpredictable weather conditions that SIUE must overcome to maintain the university. After Monday’s half-day cancellation, many on campus may wonder what goes behind the decisions the university makes when it comes to closing the university due to weather. For everyone in the Midwest, winter brings specific hazards. One week could be a warm 45 degrees Fahrenheit average and the next could be below freezing with hazardous conditions such as wind chill, icy roads, downed power lines or frostbite risk. SIUE must rely on several departments to work together to evaluate and handle the weather’s week-to-week situation. SIUE Police, Facilities Management and the Vice Chancellor for Administration collaborate to work through the weather conditions. All of these departments are constantly watching weather reports and analysis for how the situation may turn out. SIUE Police monitor the situation on the ground. “Our officers are out on campus — the first thing they do is report to the watch commander, ‘that there is snow on campus.’ [It] could be snowing over by Cougar Village and not over at the police station — you never
know. [The officer] reports that,” Vice Chancellor of Administration Bill Retzlaff said. From there Retzlaff, Facilities Management and the police chief are notified that there are reports of snow on campus. “If the snow starts accumulating, we take pictures from the squad car or the officer’s phone,” Retzlaff said. Facilities Management will then begin evaluating the course of action to handle the weather. The department currently has nine groundspeople according to Director of Facilities Management Craig Holan. “I’m short three from my current authorization of 12,” Holan said. “They are all in play and in addition so that I can supplement by outside help if we get it. If not, I have other trades that are generally willing to help.” The course of action is then decided upon the circumstances of the event, according to Holan. Facilities Management considers the type and amount of precipitation, how cold it will be and what timeframe it will precipitate. Facilities Management’s objective is to see if they can handle the predicted weather conditions. The largest concern is for the safety of drivers. “Snow and icy weather can create hazardous conditions for transportation, posing challenges for drivers, such as reduced visibility, slippery roads, decreased braking ability, snow accumulation, freezing rain and sleet,”
The Cougar Statue covered in snow after the first week of snow at the beginning of the spring semester. | Maximilian Lenhart / The Alestle Geography Professor Shunfu Hu said. Given the situation, grounds will then come in ahead of the event to prepare. The crews will lay salt down along the roads and the designated snow path on campus. According to Holan, the preferred salt type is a brine, if the situation permits. Holan said the brine uses less salt, and is essentially salt water. This is the most effective salt and most environmentally-friendly. However, the brine is not effective in every situation, especially when precipitation is followed by a freezing condition. Plows also attempt to clear the sidewalks and roads as the
snow is falling. As for the decision to close the school due to inclement weather, that responsibility falls to the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Administration. Retzlaff is responsible for the decision on what SIUE’s response will be to the situation. Retzlaff will listen to both the SIUE Police and Holan of Facilities Management for their intake, and then he meets with the Chancellor and the Provost. Once the decision is made, students are notified and SIUE will close based on the conditions. This means the university could open late, close early or close for the day. By recognition of Policy 1C1, all classes that are
missed due to closure should have an alternate activity in lieu of seat time. This allows the class to maintain learning while keeping students safe from hazardous travels in inclement weather. According to Holan and Retzlaff safety is a top priority — no matter the weather situation, students, staff and faculty need to be aware of the circumstances the weather brings. “[A method to prepare for conditions is] informing faculty, staff and students about safe winter driving practices through advisories, weather updates and guidelines for winter preparedness,” Hu said.
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contact the editor: lifestyles@alestlelive.com (618) 650-3528
Thursday, 01.25.24
Creative writers now have a dedicated time and space in Lovejoy Library BRANDI SPANN opinion editor Beginning this semester, Lovejoy Library is offering a collaborative and creative space for students, faculty and staff to come together and write. The new Creative Writing Club is spearheaded by Lovejoy’s Senior Library Specialist Allie Barrows and Director for Research, Teaching and Learning, Humanities Librarian and Associate Professor Lora Del Rio. “I really feel like the library has a lot of potential for students to utilize as a gathering place and an outlet,” Barrows said. Barrows works in outreach and engagement, so she wanted to implement a space where the SIUE community could collaborate, uplift one another and enjoy the fun aspects of creative writing. She said it takes the pressure off projects, papers and grades, and centers creativity for creativity’s sake. “[We] came up with this plan to have it be this weekly, drop-in sort of thing. It is open to the whole campus, so faculty, staff and students can come. And you don’t have to be in a creative writing
class,” Del Rio said. “To have a dedicated space to meet others, workshop ideas or just know that you could have at least that day to know, ‘I’m going to go sit down and write’ — there would be good energy in the room from that.” Senior English major Graham Ballard said he is excited to join the club and work closely with his peers. “It’s beneficial to have a space where writers can workshop because there are very few workshops at SIUE for writers. Yes, there are classes we can take, but that’s a classroom, and you’re expected to act differently in that kind of a space,” Ballard said. “You can have a little bit more relaxed conversation and still have that feedback from people like you, who have the same ambitions, who are like-minded.” Ballard is looking forward to the camaraderie that a dedicated room of creative writers will bring. “I want other people to have that experience of being in a workshop and I also would like to have a space for myself as well where I can bounce ideas off of people. It’s just a space for us to collaborate together and make really good ideas and maybe delete some really bad ideas at the same time,” Ballard said.
The club will have monthly themes to approach varying writing interests and drive the structure of the meetings. January is an introduction to creative writing, to get to know members and their interests. “Next month is Valentine’s Day, and we’re going to be writing love letters. There’s a place that you send them off to, and they send them to people in need so they don’t feel alone and they know they’re loved,” Barrows said. Barrows is excited for March, as she recently became interested in junk journaling. Potentially, the club could collaborate with Lovejoy’s MakerLab to encourage different avenues of creative expression. She mentioned journal decorating, crafting and producing tangible objects as an exciting way to enhance the journaling experience. “And then April will be National Poetry Month. We have several published poets on this campus, so we’re hoping to engage them, but we’ll see,” Del Rio said. Attendees are encouraged to bring any project they might be working on. Engagement with the monthly theme is not required. The point of the club is to provide the creative space and for it to
be used as needed. “There’s no commitment to register,” Del Rio said. “You can skip weeks and come back another week. And you know, we’d love to see you and hopefully we’ll build a little community around creative writing.” Del Rio said she remembered taking a creative writing class while studying for her degree and thinking that short stories were what she would be best at, but learned that she was actually a big fan of poetry. She said she is hoping that the club will open up avenues for members to discover new ways to engage with writing. Barrows said she has a special place in her heart for stories. She loves writing, reading and drawing, and is excited to spend time in this dedicated space with other creatives. “We wanted to see where this would go. If it’s popular, we’ll add to it and keep doing it in future semesters,” Del Rio said. “We hope to see more folks show up. You’re welcome to write here.” If you’re interested in attending — the meetings are weekly, 11 a.m. - Noon Tuesdays. and 3 - 4 p.m. Fridays in the Library’s Quiet Study Room.
‘Baldur’s Gate 3:’ ‘Dungeons & Dragons,’ but for those with no free time T. WELTZIN multimedia editor If college life has made playing “Dungeons and Dragons” near impossible with your friends, look no further than “Baldur’s Gate 3.”
REVIEW As an avid player of “Dungeons and Dragons,” I was first skeptical of the positive claims that fans of “Baldur’s Gate 3” told me. I’m not exactly a stickler on rules, but I enjoy when media and games stick to the source content. That being said, “Baldur’s Gate 3” is truly the embodiment of “Dungeons and Dragons” as a video game. If you’re looking to get into “Dungeons and Dragons,” I highly recommend “Baldur’s Gate 3.” The game has relatively user-friendly tutorials that you can access any time through the menu, which is complete with concise information. This is far more helpful to new players than flipping through 311 pages of the “Dungeons and Dragons Players’ Handbook.” When first prompted to create your character, you’re greeted with all “Dungeons and Dragons” class options. For those who aren’t familiar with “Dungeons and Dragons,” classes refer to what type of character you will be playing and what they specialize in. For example, one can play a Wizard who specializes in casting spells or a Fighter who specializes in melee combat. There are many other classes that combine the two ideas of magic and more traditional combat techniques.
I was surprised to find not only are you greeted with all “Dungeons and Dragons” class options, but upon leveling your characters up, you have access to a lot of classic subclasses as well. I was immediately drawn to the option of a Circle of the Moon Druid, as it allows you to quickly gain access to powerful creatures you can morph into. The subclasses offer many gameplay possibilities, and it delivers every aspect in enchanting ways. Not only does “Baldur’s Gate 3” offer single player mode, where you are able to romance and control each party member as if they were your own, but the game also offers multiplayer for those who can’t physically get to a “Dungeons and Dragons” session. If you don’t have friends to play with but still want to join other players, “Baldur’s Gate 3” has an option to join randomized parties. “Baldur’s Gate 3” has an option for quite literally everything you could possibly want. However, when playing it I experienced a bug where a non-player character disappeared and would only reappear after speaking to the original quest giver. While I was able to finish the quest, the bug still led to half an hour or so of frustration. While the game is $70, the movie-like graphics and superb plotline are definitely worth it. It is evident that the game took six years to develop as Baldur’s Gate 3 has film grade cut scenes and an almost daunting amount of available side quests with an impeccable attention to detail. With so many options and story lines, Baldur’s Gate 3 puts the adventure back into boring college life. Despite its few bugs, I highly recommend playing “Baldur’s Gate 3” in your down time.
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My favorite movies that turn 20 in 2024 OLIVIA WHITLOCK copy editor What a year 2004 was, with the release of the Motorola Razr and iPod Mini, the end of McDonald’s Supersized meals, Ashlee Simpson’s lip-syncing scandal on “Saturday Night Live” and the rise of Myspace! Most importantly, what a year of cinematic chaos! I can’t believe I have to trim this list down to only 10 movies. In just 2004 alone, two of the most timeless films of all time were released: “Mean Girls” and “The Notebook.” Nonetheless, here are a few of my favorite movies from 2004. Please check out websites such as “Does the Dog Die?” to check for potential triggers and sensitive topics before viewing any movie on this list. ‘13 Going on 30’ Director Gary Winick The absolute chokehold Jenna Rink’s Versace dress has on fast fashion brands. This movie is nostalgia in a bottle with the most perfect wardrobe, casting and soundtrack. Jenna and Matty forever! If you enjoyed “13 Going on 30,” check out “The Hot Chick” (2002).
‘Napoleon Dynamite’ Director Jared Hess My all-time favorite movie! Oh, hipness purgatory, where have you gone? Jon Heder was paid $1000, given a perm and a Walkman, then proceeded to give the performance of a lifetime with one-liner after one-liner. Don’t even get me started on the title sequence! If you enjoyed “Napoleon Dynamite,” check out “Juno” (2007).
‘Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind’ Director Michel Gondry You couldn’t scroll an inch on Tumblr without seeing a scene from this movie! What a brilliant, beautiful, multifaceted film. I can say with certainty that out of the hundreds and hundreds of films I have watched, I haven’t seen something quite like this before. If you enjoyed “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind,” check out “Je t’aime, je t’aime” (1968).
‘Hellboy,’ Director Guillermo del Toro How much do you think Baby Ruth sales soared after this movie? Originally a comic from the ‘90s, “Hellboy” is an exquisitely crafted movie with the ultimate gothic ambiance. It is the perfect trifecta of action, comedy and romance. If you enjoyed “Hellboy,” check out “Constantine” (2005).
‘Speak,’ Director Jessica Sharzer Did you also watch this movie in your sophomore English class after reading the book in high school? One of Kristen Stewart’s best performances, this film accurately captures the darker aspects and nuances of the teenage experience that many girls unfortunately face. If you enjoyed “Speak,” check out “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” (2012).
‘Cinderella Story’ Director Mark Rosman There was a shift in the universe after Hilary Duff hung her flip phone on the strap of her lace-up heel. The “Cinderella Story” film collection stars various Hollywood starlets and it’s often debated which is the best, but can you really beat, “Waiting for you is like waiting for rain in this drought. Useless and disappointing.” If you enjoyed “Cinderella Story,” check out “The Prince & Me” (2004).
‘Closer,’ Director Mike Nichols Imagine you’re in critical condition and the emergency room doctor is AWOL because they’re engrossed in a risqué chat room conversation. This film is both frustrating and scandalous, with lies upon lies and brutal, intense emotions. If you enjoyed “Closer,” check out “Eyes Wide Shut” (1999).
‘Ocean’s Twelve’ Director Steven Soderbergh Maybe the real heist wasn’t robbing casinos or stealing a Fabergé egg, but the friends we made along the way. The second movie in George Clooney’s Ocean’s trilogy brings together another star-studded cast including Julia Roberts pretending to be Julia Roberts while on the phone with Julia Roberts in front of Bruce Willis, who you guessed it, is playing Bruce Willis. If you enjoyed “Ocean’s Twelve,” check out “Now You See Me” (2013). ‘New York Minute’ Director Dennie Gordon Mary-Kate and Ashley, you’ve crushed it once again! Only the Olsen twins, in no particular order, could get thrown off a train, unknowingly get involved in a black-market transaction, get kidnapped, be chased by a truancy officer, steal a senator’s dog and attend a Simple Plan video shoot all in the same day! If you enjoyed “New York Minute,” check out “Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen” (2004). Additional favorites of 2004: “First Daughter,” “Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story,” “Stuck in the Suburbs,” “Ella Enchanted,” “Meet the Fockers,” “White Chicks,” “50 First Dates.”
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MAN ON THE STREET: What are your 2024 ins and outs? In: Being more responsible with my work Out: Being too passive about my relationships with people
In: Study more and get more involved on campus Out: Procrastinating
Tanner Garrison
Freshman
Senior
Mass Communications major
In: Being more productive and going out more Out: Not have a negative attitude towards things Keira Malone Freshman
Nursing major
Nakiya Vincent Nursing major
In: Self-positive talk Out: Self-deprecation Kirstin Guardian Freshman
Pre-dental major
OPINION
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Libraries offer untapped resources for educational growth THE ALESTLE STAFF editorial board
Many students use libraries as a quiet space to read, study or work on group projects together, but public libraries — and our own Lovejoy Library — have a wide variety of other resources available to the university community that they may not know about. SIUE provides access to all library resources for free at Lovejoy Library, as well as the Edwardsville Public Library. Lovejoy Library, rooted at the heart of campus, offers many amenities, such as upto-date computer systems and regular and 3D printers, all of
which provide people with an environment to express their creativity and work on any of their own activities. Lovejoy’s resources also include a variety of textbooks and other resources for a multitude of areas of study. In addition, Lovejoy has access to a number of archived historical records, many of which can be requested online. Besides books, the campus library provides various unique features, including nap pods, studying treadmills and whiteboard desks. Additionally, Starbucks recently reopened in the library, featuring a condensed menu for people to satisfy their
caffeine fix. On the other hand, Edwardsville Public Library offers more fiction texts than the university library. They even offer audiobooks and a vast array of online databases for free to all library card holders. Being in a studying environment can also increase your own productivity. Central Michigan University conducted a study with undergraduate students to see just how much students’ studying habits improved in the library setting. According to the university’s study, the library proved instrumental in improving time management skills and
served as a central resource for research assignments. Library staff are helpful in finding certain items people may need, as well as giving helpful and insightful suggestions. While organizing diverse workshops and cultural events that cater to a wide range of interests and backgrounds, the library serves as a lively social hub. Libraries offer a sense of community through book clubs, group study spaces. Working in collaboration, both Lovejoy and the Edwardsville Public Library are co-hosting Ada Limon, a renowned American poet, at Lovejoy Library on March 12.
students are inferior to college students is ever-present. Trade school is considered a “second option” or an “if-college isn’tyour-thing” situation instead of a legitimate first choice for one’s future. There are also stereotypes that people who go to trade school are those who didn’t do well in high school or that people in trade school are unqualified for higher education. The idea that someone is inferior because they perform hard labor or are “blue collar” is ungrateful and pretentious. Those who enter trades are generally paid well, and without those jobs, where would we be? These stereotypes and mis-
conceptions about trades are harmful when those in trades work extremely hard, performing tasks that most people could never dream of. Some of these careers consist of climbing telephone poles, fixing entire HVAC systems or working on construction sites. You should not need a university degree to be considered a valuable member of society. Those who enter the workforce immediately after high school are not choosing an “alternative option” to the university experience — they are choosing a beneficial and worthwhile career. It may be true that those who decide not to go to university generally choose to enter a
trade, and I know people who did so, but those individuals are still pursuing a career path just like those in college. When people tell us they’re going to trade school, and we respond with, “Oh, there’s nothing wrong with that,” we are directly implying that there may be something wrong with going to trade school. Instead of treating trade school like a “second option” to university, we should treat those going into a trade like valuable members of society. Instead of making remarks such as, “Why didn’t you go to college?” or, “Was school not for you?” we should remember that trades are necessary in the world we live in.
Trade stereotypes for respect: Trade school education just as important as university degree MICHAL KATE CASTLEMAN online editor
People have many options for where to go after high school. The decision to attend university is applauded, but, for some reason, those who attend trade school are not as respected. I attended a small, rural high school where many students had parents who were HVAC technicians, welders, mechanics and electricians. When it came time to discuss our post-high school options, the trade route was a popular choice. Even though trade school is a popular choice in rural areas, the stigma that trade school
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Domestic abuse SIUE PD’s new chief of police could lead to CHIEF | page 2 homelessness VIOLENCE | page 2
That connection can be so strong that one in five women fleeing an abusive relationship gave up housing with a lease. “Very few people who wind up homeless left something where they had a voucher,” Kushel said. “This was the exception.” Fifteen percent of all cisgender women experienced continued violence while homeless. For those who had reported violence prior to becoming homeless, that rate jumped to 40 percent. “The people in encampments told us their perpetrators were finding them,” Kushel said. “They told us harrowing stories about moving to keep ahead of the perpetrator.” In contrast, those who found refuge in domestic violence shelters “were not experiencing domestic violence.” “If you want to solve homelessness, you have to address domestic violence,” said Chang, a member of the Blue Shield foundation, whose mission is finding solutions to domestic violence. “We really can’t solve one without addressing the others.”
and open to our community,” Goodwin said. The chief said on the first day back on campus, he was outside holding a help sign to assist students. “I would tell people, ‘I’m the new chief of police. I don’t know where you are going either so let’s look at a map and learn together.’ I tried to make it the best I could, but I was out there because I believe that people need to see the chief of police out there,” Goodwin said. Along with the connection to the community, Goodwin said he focuses on a connection with his officers. “I’m very interpersonal. I just started last week doing oneon-ones with my staff to get to know them — and so they get to know me. They get comfortable having that open, honest communication,” Goodwin said. “From the first day [Goodwin] was here, he jumped in. He’s doing a wonderful job of some really exciting things like wanting to meet each individual employee,” Lieberman said. Goodwin said he plans on continuing to get comfortable in the position and grow his relationship with the SIUE community following his first month as chief.
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New Athletics personnel share ideas to increase game attendance SAM MUREN reporter Last year, SIUE Athletics began taking steps to motivate the community to attend more athletic events and plans to continue that plan in 2024. Aside from athletic success, attendance is one of the top priorities for any athletic department. Drawing in and maintaining a committed fan base can be difficult for any small to medium-sized university. Since Director of Athletics Andrew Gavin assumed his role on April 17, 2023, the athletics department has taken steps to draw in more attendees to SIUE sports. One of SIUE’s main focuses is on students, but Gavin said he recognizes that reaching students can be difficult from an administrative point of view. “[Getting students to attend] can be a challenge. Students are busy with class, busy with work, busy with other aspects of their lives and other interests,” Gavin said. “But to really establish something special and sustainable, it’s got to be student-led.” The students taking the lead are the SIUE Redstorm. The group has already shared their goal to bring life to SIUE sports fans. Sophomore nursing major JD Stone, the current face of Redstorm, said he feels strongly about the influence sports can have on a university’s culture. “We want the culture to change at SIUE,” Stone said. With similar goals aligned, Gavin and the Athletics department reached out to Stone to help revive the former student section group. “Redstorm is an alumni-cre-
ated entity, so it started way back when. Athletics reached out to me and said, ‘Hey, we would love it if you brought this back because you tried to do it your freshman year and it didn’t fully follow through,’” Stone said. Stone and Redstorm are getting the opportunity to see the program come to life with the hopes of more to come. “When it starts rolling, it won’t stop,” Stone said. This is one of the athletic department’s top student outreach programs. The Redstorm has its own Instagram and is in attendance for every sport on campus. Gavin said he feels that students will attract other students and feels it is the athletic department’s job to draw in the outside SIUE community’s interest. “Edwardsville is a great town, but it’s only so big. For us to really expand our brand, expand our reach, expand our fan base, in my opinion, we have to expand who we are targeting, and that includes the entire Metro East,” Gavin said. One of SIUE’s most recent attempts to do this is through the opening of Eddieville. Gavin said Eddieville’s purpose is to create more amenities for fans. This is expected to please current committed fans but also draw in new fans from the Metro East area. Athletics knows the best method to draw a crowd is through the success of the team on the field or court. “Soccer was really unique where it was a direct correlation of when you have a really successful team; this is what [an increase of attendance] comes of it,” Associate Director of Athletics Sales and Partnerships Jake Sutter said.
SIUE fans fill the CITYPARK stadium in St. Louis for the annual Bronze Boot soccer game against SLU on Sept. 2, 2023. | Chloe Wolfe / The Alestle Basketball and soccer are the two sports that have seen the most success within the current administration’s oversight. The driving force is between the implementation of Eddieville and both sports’ recent success. However, despite certain success, there is a need to continue to grow, especially in sports that currently experience lower attendance. For specific sports, there are unique obstacles to overcome. Location majorly contributes to the attendance issues for SIUE, according to Gavin. “Men’s golf [is] the most obvious — they never play on campus,” Gavin said. Baseball and softball are in similar boats. While they are close to campus, the walking
distance is a larger ask for fans on campus. The one sport that breaks that factor is soccer, but soccer is less likely to deal with uncomfortable weather situations. “One of our struggles in the Midwest is weather. When baseball and softball are playing at home, and it is 35 degrees, it’s going to probably draw a different crowd,” Gavin said. That is also not considering the rainy springs as well. The other issue for Athletics is the popularity and notoriety of certain sports. “[Wrestling] is a little bit more of a mixed sport; a lot of people don’t understand wrestling. Frankly, I didn’t until I got to my last institution. Now it’s one of my favorite sports to
watch,” Gavin said. Gavin and Sutter are both in the early stages of growing SIUE sports, but have already started to make their mark. “From where we are at attendance-wise … I’m pretty happy with it. The reason I say that, even in our short time, we’ve unlocked a whole new group of people that don’t typically come,” Sutter said. Both Athletics and Redstorm are planning to continue to grow a sports community at SIUE to build attendance for both students and foster a community. If you are an SIUE student looking to be a part of that culture, reach out to Redstorm on their Instagram or other social media for more details.
Elbrecht is responsible for running the team’s on-ice operations. Since the club is not officially run by the school, the players are heavily involved in running the operations of the club. The team has a board of directors and collaborates with SIUE Campus Recreation and Club Sports. Currently, Rasch is the president of the board for the club. “Brendan Rasch, our president, has done a great job of making sure the not-so-fun stuff is taken care of to continue running how we are running,” Elbrecht said. Natalie Rosales-Hawkins, assistant director of recreational programs, is listed as the club’s advisor. “We’re supported by the school’s club sports. We got Natalie [Hawkins] and Joe [Carrillo] over there, who help us as well,” Elbrecht said.
The club also has other roles, such as a social media manager, run by senior forward Terrance Puribhat. The Cougars compete in the American Collegiate Hockey Association and specifically in the Men’s Division II Mid-America Collegiate Hockey Association. Their league consists of Bradley University, Maryville University, University of Iowa, Illinois State University, University of Illinois, St. Louis University and SIUE. The Cougars are not limited to these teams, as the club will play outside of their league, but the playoffs are based on these teams. “It’s separate from the [National Collegiate Athletic Association], but the competition is still very high. [There are still] playoffs, still nationals and everything,” Defosset said. The team is not restricted to games at East Alton Ice Arena.
The club gets to travel on a bus and stay at hotels for road games. “Usually we’re on a bus, so it’s a lot of team bonding on that. We’re pretty fortunate that our guys do get taken care of pretty well when it comes to the road trip,” Elbrecht said. “It’s nice to go see other rinks and play in front of other fans, too.” Players are either scouted by the coaching staff or can sign up to play by reaching out to the club. A majority of the team played for their local high school in the local Mississippi Valley Club Hockey Association. “I’ve been playing with most of these guys for most of my life. It’s kind of like a full circle for me, getting to play with all the guys I grew up with throughout the years,” Schreiber said. The Cougars will play against St. Louis University at 7 p.m., Jan. 26, at East Alton Ice Arena.
Hockey club sets, sticks to goals as sport SAM MUREN reporter
The SIUE Hockey Club brings ice hockey to students looking to play at a collegiate level. The team fully embodies the SIUE system, taking the university’s name, logo and branding. The Cougars play 20 minutes from campus at East Alton Ice Arena in East Alton, IL.
SIUE Hockey follows a format similar to all hockey teams. The team is allowed 25 players on their official roster. Currently, the club has 29 players ac-
cording to the club’s roster on their website. Every hockey team has captains and alternate captains, and SIUE is no different. The Cougars are captained by junior forward Simon Maxfield. Both senior forward Elijah Defosset and senior forward Jakob Schreiber share the alternate captain roles. Goaltending is also an important position in hockey. Teams are allowed to roster two goaltenders — typically, one is a starter and the other is considered the backup. Senior goalie Brendan Rasch is considered the club’s starting goalie and sophomore goalie Timothy Barbee Jr. is the club’s current backup goalie. Tyler Elbrecht fills the team’s head coach position and is joined by Assistant Coach Jorey Skelton.