The Alestle Vol. LXXII No. VII

T H E

ALESTLE

thursday, 10.03.19

The Student Voice Since 1960

vol. LXXII no. VII

Kasandra Eskew, a sophomore criminal justice major from Springfield, Illinois, designs a T-shirt at the Clothesline Project. The event was held Tuesday, Oct. 1 in the Goshen Lounge.

READ MORE About the Clothesline Project I page 2

CAMPUS MINISTRY Leads discussions on colorblindness I page 5

MEN’S SOCCER Makes homecoming record 12-0 I page 7 I MacKenzie Smith / The Alestle

page 2

thursday, 10.03.19

alestlelive.com

Clothesline Project returns to campus RYAN BIERI managing editor

Community members came together to share their stories about sexual violence and assault as well as support for survivors during the Clothesline Project event in the Goshen Lounge on Tuesday.

The event is held in the fall and spring semesters. During the fall, it is held in October, because October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, according to Samantha Dickens, director of the Prevention, Education and Advocacy Center.

During each event, paint, markers and other art supplies are available for attendees to write a message with their experience or support on a plain white T-shirt.

The shirts are then hung up on clotheslines until the event ends.

“The faculty, staff and students can come, they can make a T-shirt where they can share their stories as survivors. If they’re not a survivor, they can just share messages of support and encouragement or messages about oppression and privilege and how that plays into sexual and domestic violence,” Dickens said. “We just ask that they be thoughtful about what they put up there so it’s not harmful to the people who are viewing it.”

Dickens said the event began as a national campaign for domestic violence and sexual assault awareness.

There were 39 T-shirts on the clotheslines by the end of the event, Dickens said.

“Clothesline is a really great opportunity for students to give a few minutes of their time — because we know a few minutes is often all they have — to express their support,” Dickens said. “It means a lot to people who are survivors or know survivors to see

these kinds of messages because a lot of what they see or hear is really negative and not supportive.”

Kelsie Williams, a sophomore criminal justice major from St. Louis, made a T-shirt that said “We Believe You” on it. Williams said she didn’t know about the event beforehand but decided to make a shirt after seeing the event in the Goshen Lounge.

“A lot of times when it comes to sexual assault, [people] always want to victim blame,” Williams said. “I feel like that’s not right.

You should listen to his or her story, because they’re not lying most of the time; they’re telling the truth. I feel like their stories should be heard and not suppressed.”

Shae Olson, a junior social work major from Oreana, Illinois, said she visited the event to share a message of support for her sister.

“My sister was a victim of sexual assault, so I wanted to remember her,” Olson said.

Emma Bowen, a senior social work major and PEACe intern from Pinckneyville, Illinois, said she was happy with the turnout this year.

“I’ve been to the clothesline project in the fall and spring for the past few years, and this is more people than I’ve seen before,” Bowen said. “I’ve definitely never seen the clotheslines all the way filled up. It was pretty awesome.”

Dickens said that all the T-Shirts are only displayed during the event, but some of them will be out at other events held by PEACe throughout the year.

Dickens also said PEACe will also be holding an interactive theatre event called “Aftermath” as a part of Domestic Violence Awareness Month. “Aftermath” will be held from 5 to 9 p.m. Oct. 21 and Oct. 30.

Shae Olson, a junior social work major from Oreana, Illinois, creates a T-shirt at the Clothesline Project on Tuesday in the Goshen Lounge. | Mackenzie Smith / The Alestle

Kelsie Williams (left), a sophomore criminal justice major from St. Louis, designs a T-shirt with Mikala Hall (right), a sophomore psychology major from Danville, Illinois, on Tuesday in the Goshen Lounge. | Mackenzie Smith / The Alestle

Safety concerns spark changes at pre-homecoming soccer event MADISON LAMMERT editor-in-chief

Due to a growing concern of safety, what was previously called the homecoming tailgate — now called The Cougar Fan Zone — looked different this year.

Vehicles were not allowed on the freshly paved parking lot and attendees had to pass through a single entry and exit point to have their IDs checked.

All attendees, including alumni, were asked to show identification before entering the Fan Zone. Those of legal drinking age were given red wristbands.

While such carding measures have been taken at previous tailgates, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Jeffrey Waple said the carding spot as a single entry and exit point was a new factor this year.

“Even when we carded before, it wasn’t really a carding. It was people came to a tent, they showed us an ID and they got a bracelet, but you could come and go in that area freely,” Waple said before Saturday’s festivities.

“Now, there’s one entry point … everyone can enter one entry point and one exit point, which is

where our third party will be fencing around for the zone.”

Police made rounds throughout the zone to ensure safety.

However, Waple said the officers’ jobs were not to strictly enforce the wristband policy.

“Now, are the police going to go and check everyone for bands? No. The police are there just to make sure people are having a good time and not acting a fool. And that’s no different than the past,” Waple said prior to the event.

Junior computer engineering major Michael Salgado, of Chicago, who attended the event, said he thought this change could be useful.

“I feel like it does help, because [the bracelets] are more visible, so the cops can see who’s of age and who are not of age,” Salgado said. “I think it’s just easier for them.”

This change was the result of a seemingly higher number of individuals who were overly intoxicated at last year’s event, according to Executive Director of Marketing and Communications Doug McIlhagga. In addition, McIlhagga said there was a car accident last year related to the

tailgating event.

“There were representatives of senior level management that observed what they considered to be an unusual number of overly-intoxicated individuals,” McIlhagga said. “There was an auto accident after that event too, that involved people who had been overserved. What you’re trying to prevent, of course, is someone driving away from there and having something serious happen because of their attendance at that event.”

Vehicles were prohibited from entering and parking at the event space, as this could also present a safety concern.

“There was a great degree of concern of someone just driving off in the middle of it while the event is ongoing,” McIlhagga said.

McIlhagga said he has not been aware of any automobile accidents that occurred on Saturday relating to the event, and police told him there were one or two altercations in the Fan Zone. He also said he did not find these reports unusual for such an event.

Catherine Jatcko, who attended the event for the second time this year, said she believes

the precautions greatly reduced the number of overly-intoxicated individuals.

“I remember [when] pulling out of the parking lot last year, there were so many kids just really, really drunk getting in their vehicles or hanging around their vehicles just acting kind of crazy,” Jatcko said. “I think [the improvements] had a lot to do with cops being there, [people] checking bags and carding people. It kind of sets the tone, I guess, that it was a more monitored event, just because the cops were there and people were being checked before they came in.”

While groups could still reserve spaces and tents within the zone this year and provide their own food, food trucks brought more dining options to the event.

Waple said adding this option made for a more inclusive event, as those who were not affiliated with specific groups could have eating options.

“That’s also not only for the students, but that’s just if you’re not an alum, and you’re not in a group, and you went into the Zone, now you have an option [to eat],” Waple said.

Cathy Taylor, director of constituent relations and special projects at the SIUE Foundation, said this year the alumni and the university collaborated to make the event more enjoyable for all attendees.

“This year we’ve mixed it up quite a bit,” Taylor said. “As a university we’ve come together and tried to come up with some ideas that would appeal to the students, community, alumni, staff and tried to provide an opportunity for everyone to come back together and celebrate Homecoming.”

For example, this year the entire event was entertained by one band, where in the past the alumni tent had their own band and students would bring in their own music.

According to both Taylor and Waple, the university added more family-friendly activities.

“The Alumni Association has had some family opportunities for kids to participate, so we’ve added a couple extra bounce houses this year, photo booth, face painting, so some fun for the whole family,” Taylor said.

For a gallery of homecoming photos, visit alestlelive.com.

alestlelive.com

thursday, 10.03.19

page 3

Women in STEM panel comes to SIUE first year of college.

She described an incident where one male student said something insulting towards her, The fields of science, technoland another one of her male classogy, mathematics and engineering mates stood up for her. are often thought of as male-dom“I won’t lie, it’s not really bad inated, so three female STEM being a woman in a ‘man’s field,’ graduates visited campus Monday the way it was [in the past],” Wilkto talk to students about their exerson said. “For the most part, the periences in the workforce. boys will take care of you.”

Two of the panelists — AshAccording to the National ley Wilkerson and Alison Okeke Center for Science and Engineer— are graduates of SIUE, while ing Statistics, the percentage of the third — Katie Troll — went women in STEM fields compared to the University of Misto men has increased by souri Science and Tech5.9 percent from 1993 nology. to 2015. However, as of The panel was host2015, women still only ed by the Joint Engineeraccount for 28.4 percent ing Student Council and of the total STEM workthe Society of Women force.

Engineers, and organized At the end of the by senior mechanical enpanel, Liebel asked the ALISON OKEKE gineering major Holly panelists if they had any SIUE graduate and Women in STEM panelist Liebel, of Liberty, Misadvice for students getsouri, and Crishawnna ting ready to enter the Nash, a senior computer workforce. science major from Peoria, Illi- gineers at a different level. I went “Be willing to learn. If you’re nois. into these projects not knowing willing to learn anything, I feel Liebel said that during her anything, and they were like ‘oh like you can do anything,” Okeke time at Missouri S&T, women in my gosh, you’re so smart, you’re said.

STEM events were common on an engineer,’” Troll said. “Just Liebel said another women campus, and often had represen- hearing that, and knowing that in STEM event for next semester tatives from a particular field or [after] putting in the time for that is being planned, but no official company rather than an assort- program and earning that degree, date is available yet. For more ment of women in STEM fields. you have a skill set — though you information, contact the Joint She also said she would be inter- may not have the real-life experi- Engineering Student Council on ested in bringing those kinds of ence to know how to apply it.”

Facebook at SIUE JESC. panels here in the future.

Wilkerson said she has not “Hopefully this’ll be the first had much of an issue as a woman Editor’s note: Crishawnna Nash one, and we can maybe do one in her field, but that she experi- is a front office clerk for The a semester,” Liebel said. “Maybe enced some problems during her Alestle.

RYAN BIERI managing editor

09.26.19

09.29.19

An officer responded to Science East for a report of an employee claiming a subject was recording her during a meeting without her permission.

An officer responded to an active fire alarm at 426 Cougar Lake Drive. The officer said the alarm was activated by cannabis smoke. There was no fire, smoke or damage, but the case will be forwarded to Housing.

09.27.19 An officer gave a verbal warning to a driver in parking lot F for the illegal transport of alcohol and improper lane usage. A city ordinance citation was issued to passenger Ronald M. Goodlow Jr. for allegedly possessing of fewer than 30 grams of cannabis.

09.28.19 An officer responded to a call for an individual on the soccer field while a game was in progress. Travis M. Baldwin was charged with criminal trespassing on state property.

Baldwin was transported to the SIUE PD, where he was processed and released with a notice to appear.

An officer responded to a call about cannabis possibly being left in a bathroom inside Bluff Hall.

An officer responded to a call at 428 Cougar Lake Drive regarding a small snake in an apartment and removed it.

09.30.19 An officer responded to a call regarding a fight in progress at 407 Cougar Lake Drive. Both of the subjects refused to prosecute one another, and the case is being referred to Housing.

An officer performed a stop after observing a vehicle speeding on North University Drive near Lewis Road. Kallista M. Booker-Rhodes was issued a citation for allegedly driving on a suspended license.

not necessarily in this aspect, but [we could add] a theme to it.”

The panel mostly focused on information that would be useful for any young professional. However, there were some questions that applied specifically to women working in STEM. Troll said that confidence in one’s skills was one of the most important things to have after graduation.

“Something that I noticed not going into an engineering field, is that people really put en-

“Be willing to learn. If you’re willing to learn anything, I feel like you can do anything

contact the editor: lifestyles@alestlelive.com 650-3527

NEXT WEEK ONLINE: ‘JOKER’ REVIEW page 4

alestlelive.com

thursday, 10.03.19

CSDI celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month RYAN BIERI managing editor

The Center for Student Diversity and Inclusion is holding its first full month of events for National Hispanic Heritage Month, which spans Sept. 15 to Oct. 15.

So far, the center has hosted a celebration of Mexican independence and culture, the Our Lady of Guadalupe Dancers, a viewing of the film “And the Earth Did Not Move” with Spanish professor Carolina Rocha, a discussion on how to support undocumented students, a cultural dinner celebration and a panel discussion of Latinx students’ experiences at SIUE. Tarsha Moore, assistant director of the CSDI, said the events were planned after speaking with students and faculty members. “[The previous CSDI director] had an opportunity to engage some of the current Hispanic student organizations, and these were some of the things that we heard [students wanted] throughout those various conversations,” Moore said. “We also worked strategically with faculty to make sure that we brought in some very important educational pieces, such as celebrating Mexican Independence Day.”

Dancers from Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish Ministry of Dance in Ferguson, Missouri, gather before their performance on Sept. 18. | Taylin Ritter / The Alestle

campus at SIUE. “I’ve had some people who had misconceptions … because they’ve never been with our cultures. So there are some, you know, minor misconceptions or stereotypes, but it’s “I have a lot of pride, and not a big deal to it’s good to have an event to me,” Sanchez said.

“It’s just you have channel that pride into. to explain to them that that’s not what BRIANNA ABREGO the case is.”

Junior nursing major, of Waukegan, Illinois Sanchez also spoke about what it Moore also said that atten- meant to him to be the first memdance for the events had varied, ber of his family to get a college but been fairly small overall. education. He became emotionHowever, she said this was most al when speaking about how his likely because it was the center’s father, an American citizen who first year holding events for this was raised in Mexico, immigrated with his uncle and grandmother month of recognition.

“All traditions need time to after his grandfather left.

“When he came here, they develop into traditions, and I think this is just our first small had nothing. They were living attempt in doing so,” Moore said. in a basement, and all they had Brianna Abrego, a junior was their clothes, and a mattress. nursing major from Waukeg- And now, he has his own busian, Illinois, was a panelist at the ness,” Sanchez said. “It’s like my Latinx student experience event. duty to come here and study. To Abrego said aside from that, be able to show them my family she’d only been to the Mexican has come from nothing to someIndependence Day Celebration. where.”

According to the National However, she also said she enjoyed seeing the events on cam- Hispanic Heritage Month website, the month originally began pus.

“I have a lot of pride, and it’s as Hispanic Heritage Week under good to have an event to channel President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1968. In 1988, it was officially that pride into,” Abrego said.

Sebastian Sanchez, a soph- expanded to be a full month unomore accounting major from der President Ronald Reagan.

The final event in the CSDI’s Tacámbaro, Michoacán in Mexico, was the other student speaker Hispanic Heritage Month schedat the Latinx student experience ule is another film viewing with Rocha, this time featuring “Mapanel.

Both students said they have ria, Full of Grace.” The film will experienced racism in their lives, be shown at 4:30 p.m. on Oct. but so far it has not happened on 15 in the CSDI office.

thursday, 10.03.19

page 5

alestlelive.com

WHERE TO BE at the ‘e’: OCTOber THURSDAY, OCT. 3 1619 Commemoration - What Does Freedom Mean to YOU? 12 p.m., Goshen Lounge

THURSDAY, OCT. 10

Taste of SIUE

SUNDAY, OCT. 13

11 a.m., Meridian Ballroom

Race for Hope 12 p.m., SIUE

TUESDAY, OCT. 15 Diversity Day

FRIDAY, OCT. 18 - SUNDAY, OCT. 20

8 a.m., SIUE various locations

Family Weekend

Various times, locations

SATURDAY, OCT. 19 A Night in the Stacks

MONDAY, OCT. 21

6 p.m., Lovejoy Library

SIUE and SIUC Combined Orchestras

7:30 p.m., Dunham Hall Theater

THURSDAY, OCT. 24

Inaugural Ed Roberts Champions of Accessibility Celebration Dinner

MONDAY, OCT. 28

6 p.m., Lovejoy Library

Spooky Trivia Night

7 p.m., MUC Conference Center

InterVarsity discusses the importance of acknowledging ethnicity JENNIFER GOECKNER lifestyles editor

InterVarsity Christian Fellowship asks students to examine and share their feelings about their ethnicities in a four-week series called Beyond Colorblind.

InterVarsity kicked off the fall semester with the Beyond Colorblind Proxe Station, which allowed members of the organization to interact with other members of the SIUE community and spark an important conversation about what it means to be colorblind in terms of race and ethnicity.

The goal of this display was to get people thinking and talking about ethnicity and the impact of being ‘colorblind,’ according to senior marketing major and president of SIUE’s chapter of InterVarsity Kaitlyn Campbell, of Heyworth, Illinois.

“A couple weeks ago, we had what we call a proxe station on campus, [and] it’s just like an interactive display,” Campbell said.

“So, we had it set up in the Goshen for two days and then out by the Cougar Statue, and then we’re just asking people this question, ‘What is colorblindness? — Is it helpful? Is it invalidating?’ And just kind of getting people’s take on what colorblindness does to us.”

According to Christopher Shaw, a campus staff minister with InterVarsity and Edwardsville native, the organization views colorblindness as a problematic concept because it fails to recognize individuals’ experiences.

“Being colorblind is ignoring people’s race and ethnicity

or thinking that they’re not relevant to who they are,” Shaw said. “And a lot of people say, ‘Oh, I don’t see your color, I just see you.’ And it’s all good intentioned, it really is, but we believe that your ethnicity is part of who you are and how God made you.”

The proxe station was followed by weekly meetings, beginning on Sept. 12, which further explored the topics of ethnicity and colorblindness. These meetings include both multimedia and interpersonal aspects, Campbell said.

“It’s a four-week series we do on Thursday nights in the MUC, and we’ve been meeting each week to just talk about our own stories and share them,” Campbell said. “So, we watch little videos and study scriptures and things that talk about different people’s experiences with ethnicities, but then also we talk about it amongst ourselves.”

Each of the four weekly meetings has focused on a specific topic within the broader theme of ethnicity, according to Shaw.

“The first week, we talked about beauty and how each of our ethnicities were made for good and how every ethnicity is beautiful,” Shaw said. “And the second week, we talked about brokenness, so it’s pretty obvious, there’s a lot of brokenness in our ethnicities. Then [last] week, [we talked] about redemption and just how Jesus came down and is actually seeking to restore us in our ethnicities. And then [this] week, we’ll talk about how we can take part in that.”

Campbell emphasized diversity as a major focus of the organization and said it would be

Senior English major Jordan Ray, of Edwardsville, participates in a group discussion during InterVarsity’s third week of their Beyond Colorblind series. | Mackenzie Smith / The Alestle

difficult and unreasonable not to discuss topics revolving around ethnicity because of the various cultures represented within the community and the country.

“InterVarsity exists to be a multiethnic, multicultural community that connects people from different places, different cultures, different backgrounds,” Campbell said. “So, that’s like the heart of our God and the heart of our organization, so it’s only natural for that to flow into like, ‘Let’s talk about this.’ Not to mention that it’s a super relevant thing in our country today, that to not talk about it almost seems more inauthentic.”

Senior human resource management student and InterVarsity’s women’s fellowship

coordinator Samantha Johnson, of Shannon, Illinois, said she appreciates how the organization facilitates these conversations and encourages students to discuss difficult topics.

“It’s easy as a white person to ignore those things,” Johnson said. “Honestly, you don’t have to press into uncomfortable ethnic and racial conversations if you don’t want to because it’s a privilege, so it’s really cool that InterVarsity gives me the space to do that in a really healthy way.”

Junior anthropology major and InterVarsity’s large group coordinator Megan Walsh, of Toledo, Illinois, agreed with Johnson, saying she’s been a member of the organization since her freshman year because she values the

group’s exploration of tough subject matters.

“The reason why I’m involved in this campus ministry is because of its heart for this and issues like this,” Walsh said. “We talk about the hard stuff like race and women’s roles in the church and what that looks like to be a leader as a woman in the church.

We look at the hard stuff, which is why I’ve always been drawn to InterVarsity.”

InterVarsity’s final Beyond Colorblind discussion will be held at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 3 in the Mississippi/Illinois Room. The event is open and free to all.

To learn more about InterVarsity, visit their website at intervarsity.org/.

opinion

SEE STAFF EDITORIAL CARTOON NEXT WEEK page 6

share your thoughts: opinion@alestlelive.com 650-3527 thursday, 10.03.19

alestlelive.com

alestle

Write a letter to the editor.

opinion@alestlelive.com

MADISON LAMMERT editor-in-chief

RYAN BIERI managing editor

JENNIFER GOECKNER lifestyles editor JORDYN NIMMER online editor

Your opinions deserve more than 280 characters.

SPENCER PECK TAYLIN RITTER MACKENZIE SMITH photographers ELIZABETH DONALD BROOKE HILL SHANE WHEATLEY copy editors JUSTIN TEETER reporter ERICA GREEN podcast producer SUMMER BRADLEY graphics manager JONAS MALAVE CAMPOS advertising manager NATHANIEL JOHNSON DAVID DEWEESE ad consultant CRISHAWNA NASH JORDAN RICHEY MARISA RUSTEBERG office secretaries ANGIE TROUT office manager TAMMY MERRETT program director Have a comment?

Let us know! opinion@alestlelive.com Campus Box 1167 Edwardsville, IL. 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 Wednesday during summer semesters.

For more information, call 618-650-3528.

For advertising, email advertising@alestlelive.com.

Stop involving police in minor conflicts, disputes BROOKE HILL copy editor

Students, faculty and staff at SIUE have the power to involve police in a situation with a simple phone call — but many of them abuse this power.

It is important to do whatever we can to prevent violence from happening, and there are situations in which the most reasonable way to do this involves police intervention.

There are, of course, some circumstances in which the presence of armed figures of authority can be beneficial — such as instances of abuse and public safety — as it can prevent further violence from happening.

However, this does not pertain to the vast majority of interactions to which police are alerted, specifically on SIUE’s

campus.

The campus police blotter is full of incidents in which officers were summoned in response to innocent behaviors that were deemed ‘suspicious’ by an onlooker, including instances of loitering and suspicious odors, among many others.

By directing the police’s energy and resources to insignificant issues, they are prevented from dealing with the issues which are more deserving of their attention.

In most situations, the presence of a uniformed police officer will only escalate a conflict because their presence carries the implicit threat of state violence.

People can be made to cooperate as a result of police intervention because the police have the legal right to use physical force in situations where they consider it necessary in order to

enforce the law.

Even if that violence never happens, the understanding that it could happen shapes the interaction between the police and the people who are forced to interact with them.

When we call the police, we do not just invite people who are willing to resolve a conflict; we also invite potential violence.

There are many reasons violence could happen following the decision to involve police, including a lot of miscommunications with no ill intent behind them.

It is irresponsible to report a person to the police without first considering whether a person’s actions are worth the threat of violence.

For some lucky people, the presence of police officers can be comforting rather than a source of anxiety, and some of these peo-

ple are willing to weaponize that luck against other people who they consider a nuisance.

I would like to ask these people to consider the effects of their actions, respect that many people have very good reasons to feel differently about police, and try other approaches.

Every conflict is unique, and no solution is universal. Many situations are better handled interpersonally, perhaps with the help of a friend instead of an on-duty cop. Others are better left alone entirely and will only be unnecessarily complicated by outside involvement.

Some inclinations people have for reporting others, such as revenge, a dislike of certain smells or a gut feeling that they might be up to no good, are rarely worth acting on at all, and are not adequate cause to involve police.

alestle view

R.E.S.P.E.C.T., find out what it means to The Alestle THE ALESTLE STAFF editorial board

It is no secret that the current political and social climate reflects a large distrust toward mass media. However, the many journalists who strive to provide only the most accurate and unbiased information are being overshadowed by petty quarrels.

According to a Knight Foundation and Gallup poll released in September 2018, most U.S. adults say they have lost trust in the news media.

The survey found that 45 percent cited “fake news,” a term often used for anything which contradicts one’s own views, as a reason for their discontent with the media.

Given the language surrounding the media, this is not a surprise.

This mistrust trickles down from big news sources to what can be considered the microlevel: student news publications such as The Alestle.

As student journalists, we are constantly feeling the repercussions from rhetoric which often discredits the media at large.

Often, these repercussions can take a personal toll on our staff, even though we have to be well-versed in keeping our emotions and opinions out of our work in order to maintain balanced reporting.

Many of us have experienced difficulty performing and completing tasks due to the harmful rhetoric. However, we get up every day and do our jobs, despite whatever adversity we face, because many of us love this job.

This isn’t a “take pity on us” article, but rather a carefully for-

mulated staff editorial that introduces our readers to some of the pushback we face due to the mass crusade against the media.

To be clear, publications are not immune from making mistakes. After all, every publication is run by one or more human beings who make human errors.

We at The Alestle are not trying to say the media, including ourselves, are 100 percent perfect all the time — We actively work to learn from our mistakes.

However, we are saying that when phrases such as “fake news” are thrown around without regard for the individuals it might affect, it does sensationalize any problems with current reporting, including with our coverage.

We welcome constructive criticism — It’s why the email addresses of our staff members can be found all throughout the

paper.

This helps us to grow and ensures we are continuing to provide the most accurate information and presenting it in the most unbiased way possible.

Part of working at a publication is receiving criticism every once in a while — sometimes they are well-deserved.

When notified of a mistake, we carefully decide the best way to go about making a correction both in print and online. We own up to our mistakes, and we don’t take them lightly. This in itself deserves respect.

So, before dismissing us as yet another “corrupt” media outlet that’s fueled by a political agenda, actually give us a read.

Help us grow and develop as student journalists by letting us know what can be improved, but please do so respectfully.

sports

contact the editor: sports@alestlelive.com 650-3527 thursday, 10.03.19

BASKETBALL TEAMS HELP COMMUNITY IN THE NEXT ISSUE page 7

alestlelive.com

SIUE Standings MEN’S SOCCER

OVERALL MAC

West Virginia

6-2-1

W. Michigan

5-4

Bowling Green 6-3-1 SIUE 5-3-1 N. Illinois

4-5-1

Akron

0-7

0-0

0-0

0-0

0-0

0-0

0-0

WOMEN’S SOCCER

OVERALL OVC

SEMO

UT Martin

Tenn. Tech

Morehead St. Murray State E. Kentucky Austin Peay The men’s soccer team huddles around Colin Hilpert, junior of Fenton, Missouri, before the homecoming game starts. / Mackenzie Smith, The Alestle

Men’s soccer’s homecoming record remains undefeated MADISON LAMMERT editor-in-chief

The men’s soccer’s homecoming record remains undefeated The Cougars closed out homecoming weekend with a 2-0 win over University of Central Arkansas. The shutout boosted the homecoming record to 12-0.

Head Coach Cale Wassermann said that, while he was wellaware of the record, he made sure not to mention the high stakes leading up to the game.

“We did not reference that with the team today because I’m a little superstitious, but we’re

definitely happy to continue that tradition and get the win,” Wassermann said.

Wassermann said Central Arkansas came out strong during the first half, but neither team was able to get the back of the net. It factored into halftime discussions, Wassermann said.

“UCA is a really, really high-level experienced team, and we’re a little physically worn down. UCA was really sharp in the first half,” Wassermann said.

“We basically talked at halftime [about] having a little more confidence on the ball, taking care of it a little better because, in the first half, when we turned the ball over,

they punished us a little bit.”

The Cougars took the lead in the second half, resulting in the 2-0 shutout. A little over 50 minutes into play, senior midfielder Jorge Gonzalez scored the first goal, assisted by sophomore defender Corban McAvinew.

The final goal came approximately 15 minutes later, scored by sophomore midfielder Kelby Phillips and assisted by sophomore midfielder Steven Bibas. Phillips said he was pressured out wide, and, once he was able to cut inside, he made the shot. According to Phillips, this shot was unique from other goals he has scored.

“I guess the distance and the

way I hit it and the way it moved [made it unique], because I haven’t really struck a ball like that, especially at the college level,” Phillips said. “It’s just a good feeling.”

Wassermann said the success of the game was largely due to the players who were substituted during the middle of play.

“I want to put credit to our depth,” Wassermann said. “We’ve had a couple of guys come off of the bench recently — Kashaun Smith, Vincent Jackson II, Andres Delascio. Some of those guys have come off the bench and really given us a boost. Our starters have see UNDEFEATED on page 8

5-4

3-1

4-4-4

2-1-1

4-6-1

2-0-1

3-4-4 6-5 4-7

1-0-2 3-0 2-1

1-6-3

0-2-1

1-7-1 Jacksonville St. 3-8 Belmont 2-7-2

0-3-1

SIUE EIU

3-4-3

1-1-2 0-3

1-3

WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL OVERALL OVC

SEMO

9-7

1-1

Tennessee St.

9-7

2-1

Morehead St.

11-3

Jacksonville St. 7-7 Murray State

8-6

E. Kentucky

6-10

SIUE

Tenn. Tech.

Austin Peay EIU

Belmont

UT Martin

2-0

1-1 2-0

5-9

0-2

5-10

1-1

4-12 1-13 1-17 5-11

1-1 2-0 0-2 0-3 1-1

Softball dominates doubleheader to kick off fall season JUSTIN TEETER reporter

The SIUE Softball team kicked off its fall season with a doubleheader against John A. Logan College on Sunday The Cougars won both games against John A. Logan, outscoring their opponents 16-1 between the two games.

In the second game, the Cougars started the scoring in the first inning after a series of walks and fly balls before registering their first hit of the game.

After junior infielder Bailley Concatto walked and then stole second, she advanced to third on a passed ball. A sacrifice fly allowed her to score the sole run of the first inning.

A second inning run for the Cougars was overturned, and runners were sent back a base after umpires ruled there was interference from the Cougars’ first base coach.

After the run got called back, the Cougars scored three before the inning was over.

One of those runs was scored by junior Shortstop Rachael Quaritsch, who crossed the plate on a sacrifice fly.

At the beginning the season, of course, there are initial expectations for play.

“Practice on getting our game down, really getting all of the wins of the game and working as a team,” Quaritsch said.

Quaritsch added that, before the next game, the team could work on making more quality at-bats and eliminating errors.

“Which I thought we did a pretty good job at [in this game], and keeping a tempo,” Quaritsch said.

Senior third baseman Abby Marlow hit a third inning home run in both games of the doubleheader for a total of three RBIs. Marlow said she went into today’s games wanting to be aggressive at the plate and hit some line drives.

“If it goes out, I’m lucky,” Marlow said. “Before the next game, I’m going to make sure that I’m still short to the ball and through the ball.”

Head Coach Jessica Jones was very clear about her main goal for the season: To win a conference championship.

“I think this year is a good scenario because we have a very veteran team. We have a lot of experience on the field. We have leadership and a lot of really good team chemistry,” Jones said.

Before the next game, Jones said the team will work on not stranding runners in

Bianca Vozenilek, a sophomore from Plainfield, Illinois, pitches to Brittney Proctor, a sophomore from South Fulton, Tennessee, in the second game against John A. Logan College. SIUE Catcher Sydney Bina, a senior from Washington, Illinois, is at the ready. / Mackenzie Smith, The Alestle

scoring position and producing those runs.

The Cougars play a doubleheader at Noon and 2 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 5, against Parkland College at Cougar Field.

JUSTIN TEETER

650-3527 @jteeter_Alestle jteeter@alestlelive.com

page 8

alestlelive.com UNDEFEATED I PAGE 7

logged a lot of minutes, and for those guys to come and help give a boost has really given ourselves a lot of second half life.”

Senior defender Kashaun Smith said, while it can be difficult to come into play during a high-intensity game, he puts his team’s needs first in order to help push toward the win.

“You try your best as possible to help your team in whatever way possible. When you have that as your motivation, then you just go out there and do your best,” Smith said.

Redshirt sophomore goalkeeper Lluís Martorell started in the net for the second time this season at the homecoming game.

On Sept. 24 — his first career start in goal — Martorell shutout University of Missouri-Kansas City 1-0.

Martorell said Saturday’s homecoming win was not without its challenges, but he was able to make the saves when the defense could not prevent Central Arkansas’ advancement toward the goal.

“There were a couple of saves that were important to me. So, for me, [Central Arkansas] had really good players up top,” Martorell

said. “Something Coach mentioned was dealing with adversity, and during the first half they were better than us, but dealing with adversity is our job — for goalkeepers, our job is to be there and save when the team cannot get there. That’s where I try to go.”

Martorell’s appearance in goal was a shake up, as fans are used to seeing junior goalkeeper Noah Heim in goal. Wassermann said the team has a strong group of goalkeepers, and he expects Heim and Martorell to have some friendly competition throughout the rest of the season.

“We have a really strong group of four goalkeepers, and stuff will rotate from time to time just like field players. Lluís has waited a long time for an opportunity and has trained really well and he’s performed well,” Wassermann said. “But we have full confidence in Noah. Noah’s chipping at Lluís’ heels now, and it’ll be a back-and-forth battle with those two all year.”

The homecoming victory brought the Cougars’ record to 4-3-1.

MADISON LAMMERT

650-3527 @madison_Alestle mlammert@alestlelive.com

Follow @thealestle on Instagram!

thursday, 10.03.19

An Important Message About Gas Safety Natural gas is delivered to the university from Ameren IP through an underground piping system.

It is used to provide fuel for clean, efficient heat to all campus buildings and residence halls. It is also used for hot water and food preparation.

Overview of Hazards of Pipeline and Prevention Measures Used The hazards associated with the pipeline include fires, explosions, leakage, damage to the facility and loss of gas service. In order to prevent these incidents, the pipeline is maintained and inspected according to state and federal regulations. Facilities employees receive ongoing training to ensure the continued safe transport of natural gas to the campus.

In order to prevent damage to the pipeline due to construction excavations, SIUE participates in the one-call system known as JULIE. Within 2 days of a call for a planned excavation, SIUE will mark the location of underground gas as well as other utility lines.

Recognizing and Responding to Gas Leaks Pure, natural gas is colorless and odorless. Before gas is delivered to the SIUE campus, an odorant called mercaptan is added to give gas its distinctive odor so you can smell a leak immediately.

The odorant makes the gas smell like sulfur or rotten eggs.

If you smell a faint gas odor in any campus building, notify facilities management at 3711. If the gas odor is strong and or you hear a hissing or leaking sound, you should leave the building immediately. If the odor is strong: • • • •

Do not use telephones, cell phones, computers or elevators.

Do not smoke, use a lighter, match or open flame.

Do not operate vehicles near where the leaking gas could be.

Do not re-enter the building to retrieve personal affects.

If you smell a strong gas smell in the air outside, or you see unusual occurrences such as: high pitched whistle or hissing sound, blowing dust, dead vegetation in a normally green area, or ground fires, you may be observing signs of a leak in a natural gas line. Always use caution near an outdoor gas leak and recognize the possible hazards, such as fire, ignition or explosion.

In these conditions: • • •

Do not use any device or equipment that may generate a spark or flame.

Do not start up or shut down motor vehicles or electrical equipment.

Do not use a telephone or cell phone in or near the area.

In either case, notify Facility Management at 3711 or call 911 after 4:30 p.m.