The Alestle Vol. 71 No. 23

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51 years of service, cutting and styling

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Wrestling falls to Central Michigan at recent meet page 7

alton — east st. louis — edwardsville

vol. LXXI no. XXIII

Inclusive Conversations allow for healthy dialogue on campus

The meeting itself was held on Jan. 8 in the Center for Student Diversity and Inclusion in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Interim executive director of the SIUE East St. Louis Center Grant Programs Timothy Staples said the discussion was to help visualize where we are today after the 1963 “I Have a Dream”

speech given by Martin Luther King Jr. Interim Assistant Provost Jessica Harris said having open conversations can help students, faculty and administrators determine their roles in change on campus.

“It’s important, having those types of conversations where people can see themselves and where they fit, and we’re moving toward

that, but this has been our challenge,” Harris said.

Harris expressed some people may believe diversity and inclusion efforts fall on diverse groups and leaders on campus, but everyone can be involved.

“For so long it’s been one office, or these three people, or those pockets over there, but really we all have a role to play [in diversity and inclusion] and the basis of change is building relationships and getting to know people,” Harris said.

Tyrone Johnson, a senior exercise science major from Lexington, Kentucky, said conversations can be hard but can be used to create acceptance.

“You have emotions and hurts that may be exposed in these conversations, but they can create opportunities for [different] groups to learn and be trained on how to interact,” Johnson said.

For diversity and inclusion, Harris has ideas about additional training for the SIUE community.

“We offer a variety of opportunities that are not just focused on race,” Harris said. “Workshops we could offer around diversity and inclusion could start with gender 101, religion 101, sexuality and things we could learn to build on, and we do it across the board with students, faculty, staff and administration.”

Harris believes addressing

ter.

with the rest of Student Government, since last fall in order to bring this new resource to campus.

“We’ve gotten rid of the Mastercard thing and the Bank of Edwardsville logo because they no longer sponsor it, and we got rid of the [SIUE] logo because, obviously, it’s an SIUE card, and we were able to create the space on the back of the card to kind of fit everything on it,” Waple said.

The numbers can go on the back of anyone’s card, whether they are students, faculty or staff.

Currently, any new student or fac-

ulty member can receive the new card upon their arrival to SIUE. The card was originally set to be implemented during the summer term and then in the fall as the majority of new students, especially incoming freshman, arrive on campus.

Because the card is available earlier than originally expected, Student Affairs is still trying to figure out the logistics of distributing it to students. According to Waple, anyone who wishes to obtain the new ID card is welcome to do so for a small replacement fee.

Senior exercise science major and transfer student Tyrone Johnson of Lexington, Kentucky, speaks on feeling optimistic about his generation in regards to bias and race relations. Sitting to his right is Interim Dean of Education Paul Rose.

| Jakob Ruffner / The Alestle DARIAN STEVENSON reporter

Inclusive Conversations have returned and January’s topic related to Martin Luther King Jr. “Who’s in the Margin — Enacting the Dream” was the main discussion point, and led to an open discussion between students, faculty and administrators.

microaggressions should also be in a workshop for the SIUE community.

Microaggressions are the everyday verbal, nonverbal and environmental insults, which communicate derogatory or negative messages to target persons based solely upon their marginalized group membership.

“I think we could add into a workshop on microaggressions: what does it mean for a person who repeatedly dealt with it?”

Harris said. “And not in terms of their reactions, but the toll that it takes over time.”

Johnson believes having more inclusive meetings focusing on discussion will help varying groups understand one another.

“Honestly, what happens is you go into a conversation and you see someone you don’t agree with and you begin debating each other about it instead of discussing it between one another,” Johnson said. “You won’t get anywhere in a conversation with opposing viewpoints where both sides aren’t listening.”

Interim Director for the Center for Student Diversity and Inclusion Courtney Boddie said there are emotional dysregulation patterns and experiences people go through where it’s hard to be

see CONVERSATIONS on page 3

New Cougar Card design coming with start of spring semester BRIDGET CHRISTNER managing editor

Starting this semester, SIUE will begin to issue Cougar Cards with an updated design. The new card features the numbers for the non-emergency SIUE police as well as Counseling and Health Services, giving students quick access to these services by carrying their cards with them everywhere.

The cards are the result of a collaboration between Student Government, the Office for Student Affairs and the Service Cen-

“We wanted students to have quick access — they’re supposed to carry their ID card with them everywhere,” Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Jeffrey Waple said. “You have to use it in the residence halls, you have to use it to swipe in places and register places and it’s usually something that’s on you.”

Waple, Director of Business Operations for Student Affairs Paula Birke, Student Government President Mackenzie Rogers and Vice President Sadie Spears have been working together, along

However, there are plans of offering a one to two week period where any current student who wants the numbers on the back can replace their card for free.

“Our current students who want to have that number on the back should have that and it shouldn’t cost them to do it,” Waple said.

When the time does come for individuals to collect their new IDs, Student Government will be there ready to promote see CARDS on page 3

Graduate, teaching assistant unions forming to fight for higher wages JOANN WEAVER graphics manager

Graduate student employees are working with the Service Employee International Union, to form unions for teaching assistants and graduate assistants for a higher monthly stipend.

The Illinois State Board of Education certified the teaching assistant union on Jan. 22.

According to a union document from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, teaching assistants there are paid $1,425 monthly as opposed to SIUE teaching assistants, who are paid $896 monthly, according to the GA handbook. SIUC teach-

ing assistants reportedly made a minimum of $1,306 monthly in the 2015-16 school year, according to their union contract.

“I was under an RA contract during the summer with one of my professors,” Chemistry graduate student Sean Ritter, of Jerseyville, Illinois, said. “In the summer, I transitioned into a research assistant position in the graduate program, then into a teaching assistant position for the Department of Chemistry during the fall semester.”

During the initial campaign, which began in 2018, SEIU sought to bring awareness of the wage issue to the campus. The grassroots campaign started by

@thealestle

MONTHLY GRADUATE assistant STIPENDS

gathering teaching and graduate assistants’ personal information, including their addresses and phone numbers to reach out asking for support, according to Ritter.

According to Associate Provost for Research and Dean of the Graduate School Jerry Weinberg, the majority of the communication with the union has been through SEIU, who sent a Freedom of Information Act to request the listing of current teaching and graduate assistants with all available information.

“When I lived in Collinsville, one of the union representatives,

@thealestle

$1,425 $1,306 $896 SOUTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY EDWARDSVILLE

SOUTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY CARBONDALE

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS URBANA - CHAMPAIGN SOURCE: SERVICE EMPLOYEE INTERNATIONAL UNION

see UNIONS on page 8

The Alestle

JoAnn Weaver / The Alestle

alestlelive.com

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the

alestle MIRANDA LINTZENICH editor-in-chief

BRIDGET CHRISTNER managing editor TREVOR OLIVER lifestyles editor

HANNAH MILLER sports editor KAIT BAKER opinion editor

BRE BOOKER multimedia editor

MADISON LAMMERT TYLER PLETSCH DARIAN STEVENSON reporters

JAKOB RUFFNER photographer ANNA GASKIN BROOKE HILL copy editors

thursday, 01.24.19

SIUE students receive grants to study abroad TYLER PLETSCH reporter

SIUE sends an average of 200 students to study abroad each year, and they do everything from studying to working with the community in the hopes of bettering it in some way.

Senior chemistry major Marc Hohlt, from Edwardsville, received a grant allowing him to travel to Costa Rica for Spring 2019.

Hohlt was awarded the Gilman Scholarship. As part of his application process Hohlt addressed why he wants to go to the location he chose and what the service project will consist of upon return to the United States.

Students who wish to study abroad can apply for grants to help pay for part of their trip or the entire trip.

Study abroad adviser Kim Browning helped Hohlt throughout the entire application process and finds other ways for students to pay for trips.

“Marc’s [application] was particularly well thought-out and, as a result, he was selected by the committee to receive this award.

This is one of the most generous

study abroad awards available to our students; it’s right around $5,000,” Browning said.

Hohlt will spend the entire Spring semester in Heredia, Costa Rica, and is living with a family native to the area. He will be learning more about sustainability during his time there.

“He’ll work with a program that discovers sustainable practices within Costa Rica. The idea is some of those ideas might be applicable here,” Browning said.

While students can get deeply involved with a particular community, many students are looking to travel and immerse themselves in a new country.

Students at SIUE can choose from about 300 locations all across the world to go to.

Browning said what the student is studying has a big impact on locations.

Junior nutrition major Olivia Middendorf, from Menominee, Illinois, traveled to South Africa in Spring 2018.

“The opportunity is too easy not to take advantage of it with being able to still get credit, stay on track with your schooling and go explore another culture,” Middendorf said.

Abbie Schaefer (left) and Daniella Mazzaro (right) enjoying the view in Florence, Italy. | Photo courtesy of Abbie Schaefer

Middendorf stayed on the Nelson Mandela University campus in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, where she worked with SOS Children’s Village and children at an orphanage once per week. She also helped pack lunches for students on campus who couldn’t afford to purchase meals.

Junior history major Abbie Schaefer from Edwardsville, traveled to Florence, Italy, during the Summer 2018 semester. Schaefer traveled with history professor Carole Frick and studied the Italian renaissance.

“It was a really wonderful

experience; it was something that I, for sure, will never forget, both as a history person and just as a person who loves to travel and see the world,” Schaefer said.

Editor’s note: Marc Hohlt is in a remote area and was not able to be reached by The Alestle.

TYLER PLETSCH 650-3527 @tyler_alestle tpletsch@alestlelive.com

ERICA GREEN podcast producer JOANN WEAVER graphics manager CLAIRE FUESTING CRISHAWNA NASH office secretaries ANGIE TROUT office manager TAMMY MERRETT program director Have a comment?

Let us know! opinion@alestlelive.com Campus Box 1167 Edwardsville, Ill. 62026-1167 Letters to the Editor Policy: The editors, staff and publishers of the Alestle believe in the free exchange of ideas, concerns and opinions and will publish as many letters as possible.

Letters may be submitted at the Alestle office: Morris University Center, Room 2022 e-mail at opinion@alestlelive.com All hard copy letters should be typed and double-spaced. Letters should be no longer than 500 words. Include phone number, signature, class rank and major.

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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.

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news in brief Counseling Services launches Let’s Talk campaign TYLER PLETSCH reporter

Counseling Services is offering times each month for students to learn more about how their program works and how students can get help. The program has been talked about and tested throughout the past year and has found a possible foothold.

The Let’s Talk campaign has been running regularly since the beginning of the Fall 2018 term and offers students weekly opportunities to learn about Counseling Services.

Students who may be thinking about getting help, for any number of reasons, can go to the Engineering Building Room 2065 to hear more about what they can expect during a counseling session.

The campaign alternates days each week and runs from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Next month’s dates

are; Wednesday, Feb. 6, Tuesday, Feb. 12, Wednesday, Feb. 20 and Tuesday, Feb. 26.

According to the Coordinator for Outreach and Prevention Initiatives, Lisa Thompson-Gibson, Let’s Talk is not a walk-in therapy session and is anonymous.

Students do not have to give a name if they do not wish to, but if they are seeking help they are urged to go straight to Counseling Services.

Thompson-Gibson said this is one of the first real tests for this program, and at the end of the year an assessment will be made.

Counseling Services would like to hold the program in numerous buildings around campus, giving students time and flexibility to discuss any questions they may have.

The program will not expand to other buildings until next fall.

To learn more about the Let’s Talk program and to view all the dates and times visit the Let’s Talk Facebook events page.

Former SIU president Dunn will not teach at SIUE campus BRIDGET CHRISTNER managing editor

For reasons unknown, former SIU president Randy Dunn will not be teaching at SIUE during the Spring 2019 semester, as per his separation agreement with the Board of Trustees, according to SIUE Marketing and Communications Executive Director Doug McIlhagga in an email sent to SIUC’s Daily Egyptian on Jan. 3.

After stepping down in July 2018, Dunn was guaranteed $215,000 in severance pay as well as an 18-month teaching position at SIUE. His resignation as SIU president followed months of controversy after nearly 1,900 pages of documents — mostly emails — revealed Dunn was working together with SIUE

Chancellor Randy Pembrook, among others, regarding the proposed allocation of $5.125 million in funds as well as legislation aimed at splitting the SIU System apart.

Despite support from the SIUE community, the Board of Trustees unanimously voted for Dunn’s removal, and he was replaced by former School of Medicine Dean J. Kevin Dorsey, effective July 16, 2018.

There is no official report as to whether Dunn has violated his separation agreement. The Alestle will update this story as more information becomes available.

BRIDGET CHRISTNER 650-3527 @bchrist_alestle bchristner@alestlelive.com

Computer Science Department mourns loss of Professor Bill White MIRANDA LINTZENICH editor-in-chief

For students and faculty in the Computer Science Department, their shortened week began with a saddening surprise — an email announcing the passing of computer science professor

Bill White.

Associate Professor and Chair for the Computer Science Department Igor Crk was responsible for the email that informed the community.

“After many years of dedicated service to the university and the Computer Science department, Dr. Bill White has passed

away suddenly at his home late last week,” Crk said.

Crk encouraged students and faculty to utilize Counseling Services at 618-650-2842 or at the Student Success Center Room 0222.

“As you process this news, and should it become difficult to bear, please reach out to fam-

ily, friends, faculty or Counseling Services staff for support,” Crk said.

Courses that were being taught by White will be taken over by other department faculty.

Crk said he would provide the community with any information on memorial events as it becomes available.

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Center for Diversity and Inclusion invites dialogue CONVERSATIONS | COVER

01.16.19

Officers issued a DUI. Michael J. Dover was arrested for Driving Under the Influence and given citations for improper parking on the roadway and illegal transportation of alcohol.

The subject was transported to the SIUE Police Department where he was fingerprinted, photographed, processed and transported to the Madison County Jail because he was unable to post bond.

An officer responded to a loud noise complaint in Cougar Village 521. The subject agreed to turn the music down.

An officer took a report of a found debit card in the Morris University Center.

An officer took a report of a disturbance in the outside venue of the East St. Louis campus.

The officer advised there was a possibility of a physical altercation outside of the campus gate.

All parties involved did not want medical attention, and a report was not made.

01.17.19

An officer responded to a report of two subjects stating they were almost hit by a vehicle on a crosswalk, and the passenger of the vehicle got out of the vehicle and yelled at them.

01.18.19

An officer took a report of a driver’s license found in the Student Fitness Center.

An officer responded to a report of a suspicious odor in Cougar Village 422. The officer advised no suspicious odor was detected.

01.19.19

An officer responded to a loud noise complaint in Cougar Village 403. The residents agreed to turn down the music.

An officer responded to a report of a domestic disturbance in Cougar Village 422.

The report stated the subject was throwing items over a balcony. Upon arrival, the officer discovered a verbal argument between a male and female couple, and a few items had been thrown over the balcony.

01.20.19

An office took a report of a traffic accident in parking lot 4A. An officer took a report of a traffic accident on North University Drive near New Poag Road.

An officer took a report of a traffic accident in parking lot 5F.

01.21.19

An officer responded to a requested welfare check. The officer spoke with the subject and the subject advised the officer of his problems. No more police assistance was needed.

An officer took a report regarding a subject inquiring information about how to obtain a restraining order. The officer spoke with the subject and provided necessary information.

01.22.19

An officer issued a warning for speeding on North University Drive, near Research Drive.

rational, and they must teach the SIUE community to deal with these things.

“Part of what we have to teach is, how do I do conflict submerge? How do I do dialogue?

How can we apply various types of interventions so that people can observe and practice how to do those sorts of things?” Boddie said. “But then also, how do I regulate myself and then also listen to something that I don’t want to listen to, while also keeping in mind in order to be heard, I also have to listen?”

Boddie said he has seen students upset about the changes and how bias incidents are being handled.

“I think about hearing students talk about feeling frustrated by hearing senior administrators being defensive about what is or isn’t happening here at the institution,” Boddie said. “I understand why [administrators] would respond in that way, but if we increased our learning we might see that because that students’ experiences every day are like that, then perhaps that’s where the vehemence and the indignation comes from.”

Staples believes what frus-

trates students is seeing incidents continue to happen even as administrators are working toward change.

“We spend time filling up a tire; we hear you, we understand that this is what we see, this is the differences we’ll make and this is what we’re going to do, but we are dealing with a huge community and someone is going to put a hole in that tire,” Staples said.

Focusing on changing the incidents, but also the impact those incidents have on students is an important aspect to Staples.

“I don’t think we have conversations enough on impact,” Staples said.

Staples said after an experience he had, he wrote a poem talking about the impact the incident left on him.

“I was called a racial slur and I wrote the poem “Skunk, Skunk, Skunk” because when a skunk sprays something it’s quick, but the stench is lasting,” Staples said. “So, to help our students we have to talk about the impact so people can understand and then that will cause them to be more careful, more thoughtful about what they say.”

Boddie said a student’s well-being is one of the key factors to their future.

“I want all students to feel they can be well in this environment and therefore face whatever the challenges are that come with the environment and not the oppression on top of it,” Boddie said.

Harris said the core of the problem is trying to see where people are coming from, from all sides.

“The core of it really is about relationships and having these types of hard conversations and trying to understand where people are coming from,” Harris said.

Darrius Brimmage, a junior mass communications student from Belleville, Illinois, said people need to understand a group in order to accept their differences.

“I’ve been thinking about how we can get to a point where we are able to get past our differences, but you have to get to know people past common ground and understand their experiences, and once we do that we can become more accepting of each other,” Brimmage said.

DARIAN STEVENSON 650-3527 @dstevenson_alestle dstevenson@alestlelive.com

Cougar Cards to feature numbers for student services CARDS | COVER

their use around campus.

“We will be sharing with the students that this is something we highly encourage them to do, not for themselves but for the benefit of others,” Student Government Marketing and Communications Officer Zakary Brummett, of Auburn, Illinois, said.

Brummett, who’s had personal mental health and suicide experience, believes having these numbers readily available to students will make it easier than ever to access them and could make a difference in the lives of those who need help.

Sophomore international studies major Emma Curtner, of Carrollton, Illinois, thinks the

numbers provided on the back of the new card will be helpful, especially in times of emergency.

“I always have my Cougar Card with me, and so I can just look at that in case I absolutely need that number,” Curtner said.

According to Waple, the redesigned card is a resource, like the Rave Guardian app and the Bias Incident Response Protocol, that is catered to give everyone at SIUE a better experience.

“Our police officers have been trained in identifying students who are in emotional or mental distress and can make recommendations for those folks to seek treatment from our counseling folks and, especially on the weekend, maybe a medical transport if that’s necessary,” Waple

said.

Student Government has also partnered with Counseling and Health Services in hopes of breaking the stigma surrounding mental health and creating conversations on campus.

“I think our big goal is just making students aware that they have resources available for them that are anonymous and confidential, and that we are really here just to make sure that the people we see at the beginning of our college career we see at the graduation stage along with us,” Brummett said.

BRIDGET CHRISTNER 650-3527 @bchrist_alestle bchristner@alestlelive.com

Give 30 program seeking mentors for Madison County Schools MADISON LAMMERT reporter

The Madison County Regional Office of Education recently partnered with SIUE to gain mentors for at-risk students as part of the Give 30 program.

A meeting was held on Jan. 10 in Lovejoy Library for those interested in volunteering.

Give 30 is a volunteer program that was founded three years ago by Robert Daiber, an alumnus of SIUE who is now the Regional Superintendent of Schools for Madison County. The meeting explained Give 30 asks mentors to spend 30 minutes per week with an assigned at-risk student within one of many selected Madison County high schools and middle schools. Because the mentors meet with the students during the school day, they must have weekday availability.

“It was more so an informational meeting,” Program Specialist within the Madison County Regional Office of Education Taylor Donohoo said. “I presented

short clips about the things that mentors do in the schools and information as far as how to be a mentor.”

Information included the three-step process required to become a mentor: completing an online application, passing a background check and then attending a training session.

Donohoo said this is the first year that the program has stressed reaching out to SIUE in order to gain a more diverse age range in mentors.

“The majority of [mentors before this year] are older than college-age students … so it’s definitely an older population,” Donohoo said. “We are reaching out to SIUE as well because it could be something for students to [continue] even after they graduate [if] they are in this area.”

In order for more SIUE students to be eligible to mentor, the Madison County Regional Office of Education reduced the age requirement from 21 to 19.

The program benefits both SIUE students and at-risk students in the program.

“Mentoring is a type of leading, and so the opportunity to provide guidance to a teenager who’s in real difficulty gives the SIUE student the opportunity to practice some leadership skills while making a real difference in a teenager’s life,” Interim Dean of the School of Education, Health and Human Behavior Paul Rose said.

The program bridges connections between SIUE and the larger community, something Rose said is valuable for the university.

“At the same time, SIUE’s reputation is partially built on our ability to provide high-impact practices that impact students’ learning while also benefiting the community,” Rose said.

According to Rose, the meeting had approximately 40 members of the SIUE community in attendance and after the meeting 17 SIUE students signed up to be mentors. One mentor-to-be who sees value in Give 30’s mission is Mica Coleman, a graduate teaching assistant with SIUE’s Early Childhood Center from Springfield, Illinois.

Taylor Donohoo speaks at the Give 30 meeting on Jan. 10 in Lovejoy Library. | Photo courtesy of Paul Rose

“I actually had a really tough childhood, growing up with domestic violence and drug addiction in my family, and so one of my big mottos for me growing up is ‘be the person who the little girl growing up needed,’ so I always try to be a very positive role model,” Coleman said.

Those interested in mentor-

ing are encouraged to visit http:// www.give30.net. For further information, contact Donohoo at tddonohoo@co.madison.il.us or 618-296-4448.

MADISON LAMMERT 650-3527 @madison_alestle mlammert@alestlelive.com

READ THE ALESTLE NEXT WEEK TO SEE TEXTBOOK SERVICES page 4

lifestyles alestlelive.com

University Hair co-owner and hairdresser Terry Knebel trimming off the last bits of a cut on Wednesday.

contact the editor: lifestyles@alestlelive.com 650-3527 thursday, 01.24.19

Jakob Ruffner / The Alestle

University Hair serving SIUE since 1968

professional salon caters to community’s needs

MADISON LAMMERT reporter

Surrounded by the aroma of food and sounds of laughing students in the basement of the Morris University Center, University Hair salon has housed 51 years of makeovers and memories.

Separate from the university, Terry and Cindy Knebel pay rent for the space, and it has been in operation ever since the MUC was built. Terry came to the salon when he was 18 years old in 1972. Eventually he married Cindy, and she joined him 31 years ago in the hair care business.

Today, the Knebels are accompanied by receptionist Donna Lewis. A typical day at the salon consists of answering phone calls, keeping up with current appointments, scheduling new appointments and preparing for the next day before they leave.

“We start at 7 a.m. and we are never done before 7 or 7:30 at night,” Terry said.

As far as services go, University Hair does it all: cuts, styles, color and waxing. Prices vary based on the customer’s individual hair needs.

“We provide any type of service we can possibly do,” Terry

said. “Everything that we can possibly do to a head of hair, we do.”

The Knebles value the unique location of their salon.

According to Terry, the university is the perfect place to be able to experience a wide variety of hair needs.

“It’s a great place to be,” Terry said. “The university keeps you current and keeps you young.

You get to do things that you wouldn’t get to do in downtown Highland or Edwardsville, or any place else. We get to do it all.”

While the Knebels teach their clients about taking care of their hair, Cindy believes that she has learned many lessons from her clients that she wouldn’t have learned at any other salon.

“You learn people’s viewpoints who know something,” Cindy said. “It’s not like standing in the little town where I live and everybody’s complaining about the price of gas. Here, somebody can tell you why you’re paying that price for gas.”

Despite the salon’s location, their primary clientele are not university students. In fact, Terry Knebel says 70 percent of their customers are from outside SIUE. The other 30 percent come from inside the university,

and an estimated 5 percent are in what she does to your hair and mends calling to set up an apstudents. University Hair serves in how she treats you,” Gaudette pointment at 618-650-2299. customers of all ages and many said. “It’s a fun experience when of their clients have been visiting you come here. It’s not a negative the salon for years, some have atmosphere; it’s a positive atmo- MADISON LAMMERT 650-3527 even been seeing Terry since he sphere.” @madison_alestle started at the salon.

As University Hair operates mlammert@alestlelive.com “Any type of business that is on a busy schedule, Terry recomsuccessful is a repeat business,” Terry said. “So it makes no difference where [the customers] come from, just as long as they come [back].”

This allows the Knebels to get to know their clients and their needs over the years to ensure a look they’ll love by the end of their appointment.

“I think a lot of it is the fact that you try to talk to people and ask what they want, and you try to make their hairstyle fit their head,” Cindy said. “If you work at Great Clips, you have to do three heads of hair in an hour.

Now, what if somebody has more complicated hair? It’s not cookie-cutter.”

One customer who values this is Suzanne Gaudette, a manager for SIUE’s Information Technology Services. Gaudette has been to different hairdressers over the years, but she always ends up coming back to Univer- Cindy Knebel, co-owner of University Hair, has been working there for sity Hair.

31 years.

Jakob Ruffner / The Alestle “It’s the personalized touch

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‘New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe’ is a fun start to the year

Mario sprints toward a goomba in “New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe.” / Photo courtesy of Nintendo

TREVOR OLIVER lifestyles editor

“New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe” is essentially the same game released in 2012, which is great for those who missed it or never played it because what’s here is some of the best Mario platforming ever, even if the base game feels a little easy.

That said, this “deluxe” package is lacking in any new features

that make it stand out to those who have played the original before. This is essentially a repackaging of two older games, and while those are great, the extra additions don’t stand out.

“New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe” is one of the better 2D Mario games and one of the best in years. Jumping through each course is truly fun, especially thanks to new power-ups like the super acorn, which turns Mario and others into flying squirrels.

The new baby Yoshi is a favorite, too — not only is it adorable, but its powerful jump is also great for clearing levels.

The levels themselves are great but not as challenging as one would hope. Toward the end, things start to ramp up in difficulty, especially the final world, but it never becomes too difficult.

Generally, while there are some challenging jumps or enemies, these are few and far between.

The Mario series is known

for fantastic scores, and this game igi U” is shorter than the main is no exception. It’s similar to ex- game, but the length isn’t an issue pected Mario music, but it is still compared to the difficulty. just fantastic. In particular, BowsOutside of the addition of er’s castle music is fantastic. The two new characters, Nabbit and enemies even dance at certain Toadette, there isn’t anything beats in the themes, which is so noteworthy added to this port. adorable.

These two new characters also The art style of the “New make the game significantly easSuper Mario” series has been the ier. Nabbit doesn’t take damage same since the original “New Su- from any enemies, meaning levels per Mario Bros.” on the DS in are an absolute breeze. Toadette, 2006. Some of the worlds look by obtaining a super crown, can awfully similar to the same dull turn into Peachette, which allows backgrounds and color palettes, her to double jump and float and which is a shame. However, an grants immunity to pits. entire level based on the “Starry The selling point of this Night” painting by Vincent van package is obviously being able Gogh is possibly the most beau- to take it on the go with the tiful and best-designed level in Nintendo Switch, and the game the Mario series. It’s the most looks and runs smoothly in handeye-catching level and the creativ- held mode. While docked and ity is outstanding. displayed on the TV, the game This port of the 2012 game is visually appealing as well. The is the complete package of Wii frame rate never dips and the U Mario side-scrollers, and also game always runs smoothly. packs in its DLC, “New Super However, the asking price Luigi U,” which is tough as nails. of $60 for a-year-old game withIn “Luigi U,” players play as out many accouterments seems Luigi and only have 100 seconds a little steep, but for those who to complete each level. To com- want everything playable on the pensate for the time crunch, the go with their Switch, it’s a great levels are shorter but significantly investment. harder. It packs some of the best challenges of any Mario game. It’s great to contrast this with how easy “Mario U” can be. Honestly, TREVOR OLIVER 650-3527 this may be the best part of the @trevor_alestle package for series veterans. “Lutoliver@alestlelive.com

Shutdown of Wild Country leaves SIUE students upset DARIAN STEVENSON reporter

After almost 23 years of business, Wild Country, a popular spot frequented by SIUE students shut its doors without stating a reason.

Senior mass communications major Mollie Thompson from O’Fallon, Illinois, was one of many left surprised from the closure.

“It’s interesting because I thought they would have wanted to bring in last-minute business,” Thompson said.

Thompson said she visited the club often with her friends.

“I frequented often, at least once a month,” Thompson said. “I had friends that weren’t really into it and I had friends that were, but it was just a fun place to go and hang out with friends, especially since we hung out there before we turned 21.”

According to KSDK, Wild Country’s former owner Mike Major said he and his two brothers were tired of running the business.

He told the TV station they had owned the club for 22 years and eight months.

The nightclub was sold and permanently closed on Jan. 5 without prior announcement of the closing, but the club’s “about me” section on Facebook confirmed that Wild Country was permanently closed after the fact.

Pete Krieshok, a senior business administration student from Granite City, Illinois, said he heard about the closing through Facebook after they closed their doors for good.

“I didn’t hear about it until people started sharing it on Facebook and that’s crazy to me that they wouldn’t want to tell people about their decision to close,”

Krieshok said.

Krieshok felt the way the owners went about the closing was disrespectful.

“I think it’s rude not only to the customers, but I heard that the employees didn’t even know until the night of closing,” Krieshok said. “That’s a lot of jobs taken away without warning.”

It was estimated the club served over 2.5 million customers over the years, including Rachel McClery, a senior Spanish student from Granite City, Illinois.

McClery said the club was one of her favorite places to go.

“Country music is my favorite genre and I went from when I was 18 until they closed,” McClery said. “I went because I loved the dancing and it was the only place where people actually line dance.”

McClery said she felt safe at the country music club and liked the area it was in. She wishes she had known about the closing before it was too late.

“It was the only club in the surrounding St. Louis area I felt safe in and if I would have known the last time I was in there would be my last time ever going I think I would have tried to have more fun than usual and made it a night to remember,” McClery said.

KSDK said the sale of the building was finalized a few days before shutting down, and employees were told they were closing for good after their shift on Jan. 5. It’s reported the people who bought the building plan to turn it into a church and youth center.

DARIAN STEVENSON 650-3527 @dsteven_alestle dstevenson@alestlelive.com

The front of Wild Country, now closed for good.

Wild Country’s old home on Gateway Drive in Collinsville is now locked up.

Jakob Ruffner / The Alestle

Jakob Ruffner / The Alestle

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opinion alestlelive.com

ANNA GASKIN copy editor

Write a letter to the editor. opinion@alestlelive.com

alestle view

Icy conditions on campus should be prioritized threatened the safety of students.

When some of the parking lots were plowed, large piles of snow were left on the corners of intersections, making it difficult to see oncoming traffic. With the onset of class, this proved hazardous, especially with a constant flow of people driving to and from campus.

Snow and ice already increase the potential for accidents, and the obstructions brought on by the piles of snow only made the chances for an accident higher.

Once the snowing had stopped, it started melting but refroze, and on Jan. 14, students received an email from Facilities Management acknowledging that melted ice and snow was refreezing around campus and that if

students came upon a slick spot, they needed to report it.

Once again, a possible threat emerged for students — not only that of crashing but also of slipping as they walked to their first days of classes. Sometimes, ice can be seen before people come upon it, but at other times, it can be impossible to see until they are sliding around on it and possibly getting injured.

The safety and health of students should be among the university’s top priorities but their concern seemed to fall through the cracks when dealing with the snow and ice. We at The Alestle feel that clearing this ice should’ve been more of a priority.

However, we do realize this may be a lofty goal for a facilities management department on a tight

budget.

SIUE needs to be doing something — whether it be allocating more money or even raising student fees slightly — so they can properly deal with these weather events and perhaps be able to hire more seasonal staff for the times when the likelihood of snow is high before SIUE gets sued for the injury of a student or faculty member due to the inadequate clearance.

When SIUE falls short, students shouldn’t be afraid to raise their concern to the university because safety comes first. If they come across ice, the should report it. They should also let the university know that they are concerned about the way that ice and snow are being managed.

Interracial relationships need understanding, not just love DARIAN STEVENSON reporter

We live in a time where things that may have once been taboo are now an everyday thing and most millennials are more accepting of change than older generations, especially when it comes to love.

People generally find their better half through common interests and similarities to themselves, such as race, origin, languages and social interest. For some, however, these similarities don’t matter when it comes to love and companionship.

According to Encyclopedia. com the growth of interracial relationships has become more pronounced since the 1960’s.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2000 data, the number of interracial marriages rose to slightly more than 3 million and comprised approximately 5.5 percent of all marriages. Interracial couples must accept their cultural differences. They should learn to accept and respect diverse cultural practices, and by doing so they

thursday, 01.24.19

Tattoos allow people to express themselves

Your opinions deserve more than 140 characters.

This year’s winter season has been brutal. For Midwesterners, the colder months bring loads of snow and a lot of windburn.

Just like the city of Edwardsville or St. Louis, the SIUE community expects the powers that be to clear pathways, parking lots and walking trails as needed.

Yet, this year, the university seemed to have issues keeping up with the inclement weather due to a lack of resources, and some of the responsibility was put on the shoulders of students.

According to the National Weather Service, from Jan. 11 to Jan. 13, Edwardsville got 7.7 inches of snow, and Facilities Management worked around the clock to keep the campus clear of snow and ice. However, this became difficult and potentially

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

can learn more about their partner’s background and lifestyle.

It is important for couples to include the traditions and heritage of both sides of their partnership into their everyday lives, embracing symbols of each other’s cultures, visiting both sides of the family equally and celebrating both partner’s holidays and gatherings. This will strengthen their bond and help each partner love one another for who they are culturally.

It’s also important to get to know the person outside of labels and perceptions. Not every black person loves chicken and rap music and not every white person likes to drink Natty Lite or lives on a farm.

Interracial couples should dig deeper than the surface when getting to know their partner and should be careful not to assume anything about their partner based on stereotypes.

Although our generation can be more accepting, it is still possible that people can receive disapproval from their nearest and

dearest. One way to try to deal with this is to promote tolerance and understanding between all parties over the long term.

One reason people are against interracial relationships is because of ignorance and hatred that has been passed down over the years. These two things can coincide and feed off of each other. However, it’s important to educate those who are ignorant and show how to make the relationship work despite cultural differences.

There may be a chance someone close to each partner disapproves of your relationship, but as long as there are people who understand the relationship is worth more than just the differences in race, then it’s okay if some don’t agree and it isn’t detrimental to the relationship if they don’t.

It’s also important to not be influenced by people with varying opinions, so ignoring public opinion is another important aspect to making an interracial relationship work.

It can be hard to deal with sideways glances and ignorant comments, but couples must be sure of themselves and confident in the success of their relationship, never being afraid to show their affection for each other when out in public and providing a united front.

What is really important is how both partners feel and not those with opposing ideals.

Lastly, they need to be proud of their relationship and who they are dating. They need to sure to understand their partner’s culture and educate those around them. Everyone is different; those in this position just have to work through differences couples of the same race may not need to, but what matters most is the quality they find in each other and understanding love knows no color.

DARIAN STEVENSON 650-3527 @dsteven_alestle dstevenson@alestlelive.com

Tattoos and piercings are becoming more common among millennials. Future employers are raising concerns, but body modifications shouldn’t impact whether they get their dream job when they graduate.

A USA Today article published in 2017 estimated that about 38 percent of individuals ages 8 to 29 have at least one tattoo.

A lot of people who want a tattoo or piercing are worried about future employment opportunities that either won’t allow them to have the body art or that interviewers will view them negatively if they have these things showing.

Millennials are finding that tattoos and piercings are a way to express themselves outwardly.

In the past, tattoos and piercings were seen as indications of violence and illegal practices.

Body art has become a mode of communication to those around us and it’s not something that indicates anything other than a creative mind.

A lot of baby boomers have been a little slow to catch on to this change and view tattoos and piercings as habits of the lower class. This affects millennials because a lot of us will be hired by said baby boomers.

Body art has zero effect on work ethic. Just because certain individuals choose to express themselves through their body image doesn’t make them one thing or another, as has been thought for much too long. One of the primary reasons for getting tattoos is to express individuality.

People who put ink in their skin or get piercings are every bit as unique as anyone else and those body modifications have no effect on anything other than their bodies.

When young people go in to get tattoos, piercings and other body modifications, they expect a lot of judgment from older generations. People shouldn’t judge one another and it certainly shouldn’t have effects such as unemployment.

Employers have become more open-minded to the idea of pierced and tattooed employees, but it’s still extremely stigmatized within the workforce.

Employers shouldn’t be influenced by what’s on the outside. Do good work and they’ll see that the good inside outweighs what they may not like when they look at people.

ANNA GASKIN 650-3527 @anna_alestle agaskin@alestlelive.com

contact the editor: sports@alestlelive.com 650-3527 thursday, 01.24.19

sports

READ ABOUT TYSHAWN WILLIAMS’ COMEBACK AT ALESTLELIVE.COM

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Wrestling slammed by Central Michigan

Freshman Justin Ruffin, right, wrestles against his 157-pound Central Michigan University opponent Sunday in the Vadalabene Center. Ruffin beat his opponent 3-2. Bre Booker / The Alestle BRE BOOKER multimedia editor

Wrestling finished their Mid-American Conference season with a 32-10 loss against Central Michigan University Sunday in the Vadalabene Center. Three SIUE wrestlers bested their opponents.

“The score didn’t really re-

flect how we wrestled, in my opinion. I think every guy went out and scrapped. We gave them a couple of points by fault, where I think if we would have kept fighting we would have got up in there,” 157-pound freshman Justin Ruffin said.

Even though they didn’t win, Head Coach Jeremy Spates said the team took away many

highlights from the competition.

Freshman Sergio Villalobos gave the Cougars a head start by outdoing CMU senior Jordan Atienza 12-11 in the 184-pound weight class.

“We did alright — we had some good individual wins. Sergio Villalobos in the first match defeated — I’m pretty sure — a national qualifier, so that was a

good win,” Spates said.

The next three matches were taken by the Chippewas with three straight pins.

“The scoreboard shows that we probably didn’t do as good as we wanted to … It’s late in the season, but we still have time to work on things. It’s just tiny little tweaks and changes there that we have to fix that will change the

page 7

score greatly, I think,” 165-pound redshirt senior Nate Higgins said after the day’s matches.

Ruffin put the Cougars back on the scoreboard with a 3-2 win against CMU sophomore Bret Fedewa at 157 pounds, while Higgins was able to push through to bring his season record to 8-11.

“Nate Higgins at 165, he’s been in a little bit of a slump. He hasn’t been wrestling great. He went out and got bonus points today and really wrestled well, so we’re excited about that,” Spates said.

Higgins defeated his opponent 14-4.

“This week I’ve been working on getting to the inside tie on our feet … I’m always working towards the inside of the tie while me and the guy are tied up,” Higgins said.

In order to beat their upcoming competition, Spates plans to work on the wrestlers’ mental game and tweaking technical aspects of the game.

“We will really work on [our technical game]. We’ll go watch a lot of film with the guys and see where we can do things a little bit differently, and then a few guys need to change their mentality, too. So we’ll work on some different things with different individuals,” Spates said.

The Cougars are now 1-9 overall and will face Old Dominion University in Virginia Friday.

BRE BOOKER

650-3527 @bbooker_alestle bbookerbv@alestlelive.com

Men’s basketball continues downward streak, adds two more losses JAKOB RUFFNER photographer

January has been a rough month for the men’s basketball team, with five losses so far — two last week.

Thursday night’s game against Austin Peay started quickly, with the Cougars’ junior forward Anselm Uzuegbunem netting a layup in the first minute of play. Next, Peay and SIUE battled it out for free throws, setting the score to 1-4 before the 18-minute mark.

Both teams traded layups and 3-pointers, finishing the first half at 38-35. The second half started slower, with both teams alternating scoring — keeping the match neck and neck.

Toward the end of the match, two fouls by SIUE saw Peay gain the edge they needed to steal the game. The second half ended after a missed 3-pointer and a team switch-up by Peay, finishing the game at 79-71. The Cougars’ strong start never guaranteed enough momentum to carry home a win Thursday.

A recent string of close losses has dented the team’s record this month, something they have

to overcome, according to SIUE Head Coach Jon Harris.

“We practice consistently well — that’s why we’re able to perform. We just have to be a little bit better to get over that hump,” Harris said.

Peay’s sophomore guard and forward Terry Taylor was the top scorer Thursday with 33 total points and took the title for most total rebounds at 12.

Saturday night’s game against the Murray State Racers marked another tough match for the Cougars.

The Racers led the first few minutes of the game, beginning the match with an 11-9 lead at the 15-minute mark. Like Thursday’s match, the two teams kept close through the end of the first and beginning of the second half.

Like SIUE, Murray State stayed aggressive through the match.

According to junior guard Tyresse Williford, to the Cougars, it was just another match.

“Murray State’s a good team.

So, we always want to compete with any team that comes in.

When we get a good team like Murray State to come in, we just want to battle who they are,”

Williford said.

Murray’s sophomore guard Ja Morant took home 40 of the team’s 82 points Saturday, the game high. With 33 seconds left in the final half, Morant’s two free-throws finalized Murray’s win over the Cougars.

“We were close to the bone and by putting pressure on the defense I was able to get to the freethrow line and knock free throws down,” Morant said.

Murray State’s Morant came home with a high-scoring game, though SIUE wasn’t without acclaim Saturday. The Cougars’ own junior guard Tyresse Williford set a new personal record for total scored points that night, banking a career-high of 33 against Murray State.

A switch-up in Murray’s defense during the last four minutes allowed them to pull away from a 69-68 near tie and finish the match with a 10-point lead.

“We went to our half-court press. We covered up a lot of space and we closed down some of those driving lanes that were really hurting us and we limited Edwardsville to one shot,” Murray State Head Coach Matt McMahon said.

Halfway through the second half, left to right, SIUE’s junior forward Brandon Jackson, junior guard Christian Ellis and freshman center Elochukwu Eze reach out to rebound a shot.

Jakob Ruffner / The Alestle

Saturday’s game ended with Murray’s senior guard Shaq Buchanan taking home the top total rebounds at seven, with SIUE’s junior forward Brandon Jackson coming in at a close second with six total rebounds.

This month’s slump has dropped the Cougars’ season re-

cord to 5-13 with some close recent games. Their season continues Thursday against SEMO in Cape Girardeau, Missouri.

JAKOB RUFFNER

650-3527 @jakob_alestle jruffner@alestlelive.com

page 8

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thursday, 01.24.19

Unions forming at SIUE UNIONS | COVER Eric, came to my house. I had a talk with him showed interest and he gave me the general details as to how the formation of the union would work,” Ritter said.

One major step in the process, according to SEIU organizers, is that the majority of teaching assistants and graduate assistants vote to either approve or deny their respective unions to come to campus.

“I think what’s really important for graduate students is that we obtain the numbers to form the union. As the teaching assistants on campus have gotten the numbers we need, individuals with professional responsibilities are pushing to have meetings with the SIUE administration representatives,” Ritter said.

As the cost of living increases, the graduate assistant stipends have remained stagnant.

“People are searching for an affordable school to get an education. As more people continue to flock toward SIUE and as the number of enrolled students continues to increase, it’s important for the union to ensure the workers are compensated properly,” Ritter said.

The last time the stipends were adjusted for the cost of living was prior to 2010, according to Weinberg. The range for pay was increased, but there has not been a pay increase since he accepted his position in the Graduate School.

“As everyone from faculty members to students and people who live in the surrounding area knows, the cost of living increases. The payment towards SIUE’s graduate student workers needs to be reflective of this,” Weinberg said.

Ritter went on to mention how important it is for teaching assistants to get more organized in the next two weeks to send out messages to the administration about the goals they are looking to accomplish.

“As long as we have those numbers, I think that it’s important for teaching assistants to stay together, to keep talking and not lose sight of important issues we would like to address as a group and to maintain an overall camaraderie,” Ritter said.

SIUE teaching assistants filed for a union on Dec. 7. Meanwhile, general graduate assistants are still working to officially file for a union.

“I got involved in the developing graduate assistant union through an organizer named Tyler. She approached me, talked about the process and where they were at in getting the union on campus. She explained to me how it would work and how it worked for other schools in Illinois. She asked if I was willing to sign up and support,” biology graduate student Miles Gossett, of Godfrey, Illinois, said.

Gossett said as a person who came from a long family of union members, he was sympathetic to this cause from the beginning.

“It’s important for graduate assistants and teaching assistants who are in their last semester to support the union because in this process everyone essentially gets to vote on whether or not the union gets formed,” Gossett said. “If you don’t, by default, you’re voting no because we have to reach the majority to form a union. Afterward, we have to be able to show support through students who are here to ensure it will be here in the future.”

According to Weinberg, the Graduate School is aware of how teaching and graduate assistants make less in comparison to universities in the surrounding areas.

One reason he gave for the pay gap is how graduate students are in school for a short amount of time.

“Universities with unions have a number of doctoral programs. A majority of our programs are master’s programs, so the majority of our students are around for shorter periods of time — two years, maybe three,” Weinberg said.

Weinberg went on to say he is always advocating for support and conditions for graduate students in general, especially graduate assistants who bring valuable sets of expertise to the university.

“I encourage any graduate assistant or teaching assistant reading this that if they haven’t heard about it but they think they would like to support the union, to reach out to one of the organizers or a graduate student involved in this process to fill out a card,” Gossett said.

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