2023.04.12

The Daily Eastern News

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Madelyn Kidd DENeic@gmail.com

News Editor Cam’ron Hardy dennewsdesk@gmail.com

Photo Editor Rob Le Cates denphotosdesk@gmail.com

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Assistant Sports Editor Kate Stevens densportsdesk@gmail.com

Opinions Editor Ellen Dooley denop.eds@gmail.com

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Publisher Joe Gisondi

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About The Daily Eastern News is produced by the students of Eastern Illinois University. It is published weekly on Wednesday, in Virden, Ill., during fall and spring semesters and online during the summer term except during university vacations or examinations. One copy per week is free to students and faculty. Additional copies can be obtained for 50 cents each in the Student Publications Office in Buzzard Hall.

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Strike cancels counseling sessions

By Rob Le Cates Photo Editor | @DEN_News

Eastern’s Counseling Clinic canceled and rescheduled students’ appointments because of EIU-UPI’s strike.

Jessica Colbert, the associate director of the Counseling Clinic, said all four of the full-time counselors are striking with UPI, leaving eight other trained people to continue care.

Colbert said she is trying to remain optimistic with the situation and hopes the strike will only last a few days.

Corey Cunningham, one of the Clinic’s full-time counselors said it was a difficult decision to go on strike leaving the Clinic.

She said leaving her students is bittersweet because they are such a high priority for them, but they have to balance their needs in order to do their job well.

“In order to have quality counselors, we gotta be able to have a fair contract,” Cunningham said.

Drea Dills, a sophomore human services major, utilizes the clinic and although she has had to cancel an appointment, she put aside her problem to stand and support the picketing counseling staff.

“They get us through it someway, somehow, like no matter what horrible things that happen to us, they support us,” Dills said. “So we should be here to support them, because without them where do [students] end up?”

While she is not currently receiving help from the clinic, she ,along with others, have found comfort in other on-campus resources like Campus Ministry.

Colbert said she regularly sees around 10 clients and has canceled and rescheduled appointments to free up her time to help facilitate walk-in situations.

The clinic has had around 458 student contacts this semester, this number includes phone call check-ins, consultations, crisis appointments, call-in concerns from

staff members and regular counseling appointments.

Around 225 students are active clients within the clinic, but not all of the students have had appointments rescheduled, according to Colbert.

Almost every student who has requested to speak with someone has at least had an initial appointment to be linked with a counselor, resources and or skills.

Dills said she adores her counselor and if it means missing a few appointments in order for her counselor to get what they need in order to continue working, she will miss a few appointments.

“Not only are our counselors there for us, they remember us, they know what we’re going through,” Dills said. “ I feel like the least we can do is be there for them when they need us.”

Several students who do not utilize the clinic like Jonathan Coffin, a sophomore Spanish and Hispanic studies major, said the strike has heightened anxiety levels.

“I feel a lot more anxious about how the

semester will end,” Coffin said. “I also feel anxious and disheartened because I care a lot about my professors and I hate to see them exploited the way they are.”

Anna Snyder, a freshman nursing major, said the strike has not affected her mental health much but has several friends who have counseling sessions and rely on the staff at the clinic.

Snyder said although there are fewer staff members, she feels it is important for the center to remain available to students. For some faculty on the picket line they said the strike could negatively impact potential counselors who could work at Eastern.

Christina Harkulich, an instructor in the theater department, said if Eastern paid their staff a fair wage, it would encourage more counselors to come to and stay on campus.

Rob Le Cates can be reached at rllecates@eiu.edu.

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ROB LE CATES | THE DAILY EASTERN NEWS

Corey Cunningham, a counselor at Eastern’s Counseling Center, pickets outside Old Main April 6.

FRONT PAGE COVER BY MADELYN KIDD AND ASHANTI THOMAS

Day 1: EIU-UPI march in the picket line

By Madelyn Kidd Editor-in-Chief | @Madelyn__K

The first union strike at Eastern in 50 years began on Thursday when Eastern’s chapter of University Professionals of Illinois, EIU-UPI, striked after a year of contract negotiations with “little progress made.”

EIU-UPI began their strike after bargaining for a new contract since March 21, 2022. Their last contract ended on Aug. 31.

Throughout the first day of the strike, students, community members, alumni, other faculty and staff and others from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. in front of Old Main with a rally/press conference at 11 a.m. at Morton Park.

Civil service workers strike on Oct. 2, 1973 during ongoing contract negotiations. The strike lasted eight days and ended on Oct. 10, 1973 after a federal mediator was brought into the negotiations, according to The Daily Eastern News’ archives.

There were no other mentions of any union strikes before or after the civil service workers strike.

Jennifer Stringfellow, EIU-UPI’s president and a professor of special education, said this shows a message about Eastern if there has not been a strike since 50 years ago.

“Those 50 years, there was respect for human labor on this campus; the work that we do to keep Eastern going, and there was a mutual respect between members of the administration or teachers- they stayed and that was good,” Stringfellow said.

Billy Hung, EIU-UPI’s lead negotiator and a biology professor, said the union strike is important for Eastern’s future.

“We are putting our livelihood on the line for our campus and for our community,” Hung said. “When you’re walking today when it gets cold, you forgot your gloves, take heart that what you’re dealing with matters for our institution, our students, for posterity and it’s not just about today. It is about the health of EIU from now on.”

Many students came out to show support for EIU-UPI and join the picket lines. Stringfellow said if students want to support the union, make sure not to skip classes or responsibilities.

“If students want to support us, as long as they’re not skipping class or any of their other duties, they could certainly come out here and strike with us,” Stringfellow said. “We have signs we would be happy for them to carry, love to have them with us. And if they can’t do that, then they can put signs in their windows, even just handwritten signs.”

Gail Mason, the Coles County Board member representing district 12, delivered doughnuts for union members on the picket line.

Mason said she was a former Eastern faculty member for 20 years and supports the union in this negotiation progress.

“I want to congratulate you on this,” Mason said. “It’s a horrible thing to have to go through. And it’s unfortunate that we have not yet been successful. And I wish all of you luck and stay firm. We’ve got to make sure that everybody understands what’s going on and just how important this decision is.”

BY ASHANTI THOMAS | THE DAILY EASTERN NEWS

Stringfellow said she is proud of her fellow union members for walking the picket line.

“I am so proud of my colleagues because this is not easy for us, and I am just so proud that they have taken it upon themselves to come out here,” Stringfellow said. “And they recognize just as I have this is for the students as much as it’s for us. The people who are being selfish, it seems to me, is the administration.”

“We are putting our livelihood on the line for our campus and for our community.

-Billy Hung

Hasan Mavi, a professor of kinesiology, sport and recreation, said previous contracts with the university have been better earlier on.

“I think the money in 2008 was better than the money now,” Mavi said. “Life is getting tougher and tougher. In terms of finances, but like not just finances. If they let you work without a contract. It means that they don’t value you as a person. In any job, you need a contract to work… You want [administration] to value us as a professor.”

Stringfellow said Eastern has a responsibility to the public and the faculty.

“The funds that come to the university are not their money, it’s not their checkbook,” Stringfellow said. “This is a public university. They have a responsibility to the public, to all of the public. And we are a part of the public because we are not only wage earners, but we are members of the community, our students become

members of this community.”

University President David Glassman said Wednesday that he thought the strike was “premature” because progress was made in negotiation meetings on Monday.

Stringfellow said Glassman and administration had a year to prevent a strike, but waited until the week of.

“Premature may be his idea, but that’s because they haven’t been honestly or actively negotiating for a year,” Stringfellow said. “We started negotiating this contract March of 2022. It’s now April of 2023. And the first reasonable movement we saw was on Monday this week. So a strike is premature? I think he’s not thinking right… For him to say that this is premature, that may make him feel good, but it’s not the truth.”

A 30 foot inflatable rat was on display during the picket outside of Old Main. Stringfellow said the rat is a known figure during picket lines for what it represents.

“The history of that is that a lot of times when people cross picket lines,” Stringfellow said. “In the past, they have been ill treated. That is not us, we are teachers. So we have the rat to say the rats are inside; the rats are in Old Main, and if the rats want to negotiate we are ready to.”

Throughout Thursday, many cars that were on Lincoln Ave. honked in support of the union. There were periods of slow traffic caused by cars stopping to honk. There was a two-vehicle fender bender approximately at 12:15 p.m. It is unknown the cause of the collision, but it followed a traffic flow jam.

EIU-UPI received attention for the ongoing negotiation from the community, news media, students and the Eastern community within the first day of the strike.

EIU-UPI represents roughly 450 em-

ployees on campus including professors, academic advisors, annually contracted faculty, the tenured and tenure-track faculty and academic support professionals.

EIU-UPI will picket in front of Old Main from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Friday with half the picketers leaving at 8:30 a.m. to escort the bargaining team to a bargaining session at Elks Lodge at 9 a.m.

The decision to strike Thursday was made Tuesday evening.

After the previous bargaining session ended with Eastern’s administration team walking out before 5 p.m., EIU-UPI held a membership meeting to update members on negotiations and how they want to move forward.

The union delivered the intent to strike to Glassman’s office on March 20.

97 percent of voting union members, 85% of all union members, voted yes to give the EIU-UPI bargaining team the authority to call for a strike on March 9.

A federal mediator was called in by the union in November after bargaining sessions had reached a “stone-wall.”

EIU-UPI delivered a grievance to Glassman’s office for not bargaining in good faith in October.

Prior, the union had spoken at multiple Board of Trustee meetings throughout the FY23 and held a “Teach Out” on Sept. 8. The Teach Out provided students information on labor laws and updates on the current negotiations.

The last faculty contract ended on Aug. 31 leaving faculty to work without a contract for over seven months.

EIU-UPI’s negotiation team began preparing and planning for the bargaining session in August 2021. Thus, they have been working on negotiating for a new contract for one and a half years.

Madelyn Kidd can be reached at 5812812 or at DENeic@gmail.com.

President of EIU’s UPI chapter Jennifer Stringfellow talks to an audience full of professors, students, and supporters at the UPI rally at Morton Park Thursday afternoon.

Day 2: EIU-UPI picketing a ‘family affair’

By Cam’ron Hardy News Editor | @DEN_news

Eastern’s chapter of University Professionals of Illinois, EIU-UPI, continued their strike Friday for their second day with over 200 picketers, including students and families.

The strike began at 7:30 a.m. at Morton Park and union members walked to Old Main and began to picket at 8 a.m.

At 8:30 a.m., union members split into two groups. One of the groups continued picketing at Old Main, while the second groups escorted the bargaining team to Elks Lodge #623, located at 720 6th St. Picketers were able to be heard at Elks Lodge from Old Main.

People passing by the strike honked their horn in support of the faculty, including the panther shuttle bus.

At 9 a.m., administration and union members held another negotiating meeting at Elks Lodge.

The strike concluded roughly at 11 a.m. due to Good Friday and respecting those who celebrate.

Comparative to the first day, there were more students and community members picketing alongside union members.

At one point there were over 200 people in the picket line.

Domino’s Pizza donated 15 large pizzas for the union members for lunch.

American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, AFSCME, brought Dunkin’ donuts for union members as well.

Spencer Spear, husband of union member an instructor of English Shelly Spear, participated in the strike in support of his spouse with their two kids.

Spencer is an alum of and a current graduate student of Eastern.

Spencer said he is a proud student, but the situation is a “disgrace.”

“It’s just a disgrace that it’s been over a year with no contract for the folks who deserve it and have given up and scarified for so long without a raise,” Spencer said.

Spencer and Shelly Spear brought their two children out to support the strike as well.

Mary Atteberry, an instructor in kinesiology sport and recreations, attended the strike as well.

Atteberry held a sign comparing their salary to Glassman’s salary, which referenced an article posted by The Daily Eastern News.

Atteberry said seeing the difference between their salary and Glassman’s salary when he retires was “frustrating” due to how much work they do.

Glassman is set to retire June 30 and become a tenured professor to teach one class in the department of anthropology

“[It’s] very frustrating,” Atteberry said. “I commute from Champaign, and I know there are a lot of instructors that do that, and the gas prices have up [exponentially] more than our income.

Atteberry said she was a little embarrassed after having their salary posted, but later concluded that the university should be embarrassed that they pay her that amount.

Atteberry said she was excited about the students that came to the strike.

Student Senator Jasmine Yusef joined the picket line today and Student Senator Blanca Vilella joined Thursday for the

first day of the strike.

Executive vice president of the student body and student trustee on the Board of Trustees, Connor Mellott, was also at the strike on Thursday.

Family members of the faculty striking came out to support.

Angela Jacobs, a professor in the school of communication and journalism, and daughter Kate Jacobs, a junior elementary education major, picketed at the strike together.

Angela said she came to the event for one thing- getting a fair contract.

“We’ve been working; we’ve been generous to the university [during times of challenges], and I think now that the university is in a good place financially,” Angela said. “I think that faculty deserve a fair pay, fair wages, especially in light of this heavy inflation.”

Angela said she is concerned about her students since she is not in the classroom to teach.

“I’m concerned that my students, getting towards the end of the semester are not going to get the education that they deserve and are not going to be able to get what they need to finish the semester, [for] those that are graduating,” Angela said.

Angela said it felt “fantastic” for her daughter to be with her.

Kate said she came to the event to support her mother and the work that she and other union members do behind the scenes.

Being in the teaching work field, Kate said it was hard to see teachers strike and “fight for what they deserve.”

“It’s hard not [being in] the classroom and seeing them, but we’re gonna keep fighting until they get what they deserve for sure,” Kate said.

Kate said she thinks having students supporting the teachers will be impactful and hopes it is a step in the right direction.

She said it was “awesome” being out with her mother too.

Eloy Martinez, an associate professor in the biological sciences department, picketed outside of Old Main with his daughter, Amelia, 9.

Martinez said she wanted to come to the strike with her dad.

“I want to clarify that I didn’t bring her, she actually wanted to come with me,” Martinez said. “…We are born and raised in Puerto Rico. When we are called on for a strike its a family affair.”

Martinez said having family with him

felt “necessary” while making demands to administration.

“We do it as a family, and we do it as again, the union; it’s essentially a family as well,” Martinez said. “So, it’s an extended family. We feel that that’s an important aspect of our demonstration.”

Martinez said he felt it was “absolutely” important for his daughter to see him stand up for what he believes in.

“I think this is an example of hands-on social justice,” Martinez said. “I feel that any type of demonstration letting everybody know in a respectful way, what your position is in regards of a topic or a situation, I feel that it is a well opportunity.”

Amelia was also holding a sign saying, “My dad deserves a fair salary!” The quote was also written in Spanish on the poster.

Martinez said how the strike and his daughter coming out can impact the next generation.

“It’s a good opportunity for the new generation to learn and to also join us in the fight, as well as with students,” Martinez said.

Cam’ron Hardy can be reached at 581-2812 or dennewsdesk@gmail. com.

BY MADELYN KIDD | THE DAILY EASTERN NEWS

Paul Danyi, a political science professor, walks with his daughter and wife Claudia Danyi, a communications professor, back to campus from the Elks Lodge #623 Friday morning.

Strike day 3: EIU-UPI reacts to Friday’s negotiation meeting

By Madelyn Kidd, Cam’ron Hardy Editor-in-Chief, News Editor | @ DEN_news

Eastern’s chapter of University Professionals of Illinois, EIU-UPI, continued their strike on Monday for the third day following a “disappointing” bargaining meeting on Friday for EIU-UPI’s negotiation team.

EIU-UPI met at Morton Park at 7:30 a.m. and headed over to Old Main to picket at 8 a.m. to continue the third day of the strike.

Union members that are part of the negotiation team were part of the strike including Betsy Jewell, Melissa Ames and Jon Coleman.

Jewell, the ASP representation for Eastern’s chapter and member of the bargaining team, gave details about how the meeting went.

Jewell said administration was offering an additional $8 to Unit B members. Jewell said the union received the offer at 9:30 a.m. on Friday and by 5 p.m., administration were not going to increase the pay.

“$8 [additionally] a month doesn’t really pay for much,” Jewell said. “So, I didn’t really feel great about that offer.”

Jewell explained how the $8 is not the actual amount being offered.

“[It] isn’t even really $8 a month because $4, you all have to earn this as loan merit increases, but one of them is $4 a month for every year,” Jewell said. “The other one you only get once every four years.”

Jewell said other union members at the meeting were disappointed.

Regarding non-financial topics, Jewell said both sides did a good job covering those things.

Jewell said she loves all of the community support, and it shows how strong they are, but would rather be in the classrooms teaching.

“Both Dr. Gatrell and Dr. Glassman need to step it up and remember that this institution is going to be here long after this contract, and that the relationship between the incoming president. And this faculty needs to be repaired, and that’s what we’re going to happen if we get a contract soon,” Jewell said.

Ames, a professor of English, said her and other members were disappointed with the way the meeting went.

“I think we went in hoping that [it would] be resolved, and we’d all be back in our classrooms on Monday,” Ames said. “So, it was a frustration, slow meeting and it did not go the way we wanted.”

Starting Tuesday, Governor State University will begin their strike and Chicago State University has been on strike since April 3.

With that, Ames said the situation is “unprecedented” and “scary.”

“I hope above [administration] that the government and everyone else is taking it seriously,” Ames said. “I think that everyone should want all of the students across the state back in the classrooms because that’s where we want to be.”

Coleman, an instructor of counseling and higher education, said administration did not seem interested in doing much at the meeting on Friday.

Thomas MacMullen, an instructor in the school of business, said his mother works at Governor State and will be striking Tuesday while he strikes at Eastern.

During the strike, the chants included “[University President David] Glassman where are you?” throughout the three days of picketing. However, a new version of “[Provost and next president Jay] Gatrell where are you?” debuted Monday.

Budika, an African Spurred tortoise, joined the picket line when her owner Cassi Moody-Carpenter, the biological sciences stockroom and building manager, brought her to visit and show support for EIU-UPI.

Budika’s ride, a red wagon, displayed

a sign saying “I move faster than EIU admin during UPI strike negotiations.” She also wore a “We need a contract now” button pin on a stick attached to her shell.

Jasmine Yusef, a student senator, participated in the picketing.

Yusef commented on how things the unity allows the union to be stronger.

“Hopefully more numbers mean we can show the administration that we mean business,” Yusef said.

After hearing the news about the union and admin not reaching an agreement, Yusef commented on her personal thoughts.

“I thought it’d be too short for the strike on the last few days, but I was still hopeful,” Yusef said. “The fact that they had reserved the room until like super late and left like in the early evening shows that they weren’t seriously negotiating like they should have been. So I’m hoping that this Tuesday they are all

really ready to come up with a fair contract.”

Hannah Hone, a senior hospitality and tourism major, said she came out to support the teachers and does not think it is fair that EIU-UPI faculty have been working for a new contract for over a year.

Hone joined the picket line both in the morning and afternoon shifts.

Many other students joined the picket line alongside faculty.

During the morning session from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., approximately 130 picketers walked outside Old Main.

In the afternoon from noon to 3 p.m., around 160 participated.

Union members will meet Tuesday at Morton Park at 9:30 a.m. and begin picketing in front of Old Main at 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.

They will head back to the Morton Park around 2 p.m.

Some union members will join Governors State University in protesting.

Those joining the strike will leave from Morton Park at 8:30 a.m. and arrive for the rally at University Park, Ill. around 11:45 a.m.

They will leave from Governors State University at 1:30 p.m.

The union have been bargaining for a new contract since March 21, 2022 and have been working without a contract since Aug. 31.

The union represents roughly 450 employees on campus.

Union members delivered over 1,000 postcards addressed to the Board of Trustees in Old Main on Feb. 27. Students, faculty and members of the Charleston community signed cards to inform administration about the lack of fair contract offers.

On March 10, 97 percent of voting union members authorized the ability to strike.

Union members announced their rally to strike March 24. They delivered their intent to strike to University President David Glassman’s office on March 27.

The last negotiation meeting took place April 7 at Elks Lodge.

Madelyn Kidd and Cam’ron Hardy can be reached at 581-2812 or at dennewsdesk@gmail.com.

HELP WANTED! Office assistant position available. Looking for an individual willing to be trained to assist in a busy office. Advancement opportunities. Call 217-348-3344 or email: eawdblee@consolidated.net for more information.

ROB LE CATES | THE DAILY EASTERN NEWS

Eastern Illinois University’s chapter of University Professionals of Illinois had their third day of picketing for a fair contract Monday.

THROUGH THE LENS: EIU-UPI, students take to the picket line

Photos by: Rob Le Cates, Ashanti Thomas, Madelyn Kidd, Luke Taylor, and Cam’ron Hardy

Students left on their own amidst strike

EIU-UPI and Eastern’s administration have been negotiating for over a year leading to a strike beginning April 6.

This has led to almost all classes, advising appointments, committee meetings and more to be canceled impacting students daily life.

Students need to return to the classroom to obtain the education that they are paying thousands of dollars to attend.

They are missing out on valuable education that will be useful to them in the future.

Seniors may be worried about if graduation is going to happen and how it will impact their future.

Students are preparing to join the work force, employers may ask about transcripts and by teachers not working, they cannot provide the necessary documents for the students.

Students are left wondering what it is they should do throughout the day and how to go about completing the school year.

The strike leaves students in a predicament because they have nothing to do, and their future and educations are left on hold until the administration and the union members settle the contract.

The strike makes the university to look unprofessional to incoming students.

Advisors are not working during the strike and cannot assist students that are intending on attending the university.

Also, current enrolled students may leave the university as well. This could abolish the attendance rate of Eastern and create a negative reputation to the university.

Additionally, this can create long-term ef-

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

My name is Abby Mann, and I am a graduate student at EIU.

fects for students that went through the stoppage of everything due to COVID-19.

They may be traumatized from those times and are having to experience something close to that.

To some, it could feel like a waste of time and money since they have no classes going on and are sitting around waiting for updates on when they should go back to classes.

Students are able to keep the university functioning by still hosting the events around campus.

Ultimately, students are not able to have the college experience that they are paying thousands of dollars for.

The students are left for themselves in the midst of the disagreement.

We at The News urged those involved to end this now.

Do what it takes to reach an agreement as soon as possible.

No more leaving bargaining sessions at 5 p.m. when you have the ability to go until 2 a.m.

This is not the time to leave for home as if

this is a normal nine-to-five job where you get to leave the office at a set time. Bargaining takes time, it takes patience, it takes communication. None of this can be done by leaving early.

The Editorial Board can be reached at 581-2812.

Abby Mann, graduate student Admin, strike disrupting students learning, grades

I have been a student here since Fall of 2018, completed my undergraduate degree in May of 2022, and am now working on completing my graduate degree.

Thus, I have seen many ups and downs here at EIU and have spent many of my formative years here being educated by the exemplary faculty employed here.

I have worked under faculty for a project that distributes fresh produce to food pantries and now work with faculty as a graduate assistant teaching a class.

During my time here, I have learned from my professors and gotten to know them as people.

They show care and concern for their students, EIU, and the surrounding community.

Because of this, I fully support their actions at this time.

I do not support the interruption to my learning, which I interpreted would not be something that would happen

per the communication sent by the university.

I am one month away from starting my off-campus internship, and I will not be able to do so without completing these courses.

This will put me off track for graduation and may require additional time and money towards my degree completion.

I am disappointed in the interruption in my learning right now, which

is more significant in magnitude than when EIU was forced to put all classes online, and the entire student body and faculty had to navigate unprecedented times during the COVID-19 crisis. Again, these are troubling times, but I do not believe they were unprecedented.

I love EIU, which is why I feel the need to express my concerns at this time. I beseech you, the administration, to help stop this interruption to my learning, and I know that you can do so because this is not the first time I’ve seen the university navigate troubling times.

Madelyn Kidd Ellen Dooley

WILL SIMMONS | THE DAILY EASTERN NEWS

We have reached the end, now what do we do?

Recently, it has hit me that my time in college is coming to an end fairly quickly.

I entered college as a freshman in the fall of 2020.

College has definitely been different for me from my first semester on campus to now ending my sixth semester on campus.

Over time, my workload for each semester never truly got easier, I had just gotten used to the way my classes ran.

Seeing as I am ending my third year of college, my plan is to graduate in the spring of 2024.

It means that it would be in my best interest to have a plan ready for once I walk across the stage.

Will I have a job?

Will I have to go back home and work a different job before I can move on with my career?

Should I apply to graduate school?

Quote of the Week:

COLUMN

It is a lot of pressure and when you have lots of people wanting you to succeed and having different people in your ear regarding what you may want to do after college, it makes it even more stressful.

The reason why we come to college is to secure a success future for ourselves.

When we have multiple things on our plate, it can get difficult to actually focus on classes and school overall.

So, what do you do when these thoughts surround you?

If school is the most important focus, what about the other aspects of life?

The answer is simple yet it can be hard to execute.

You have to find a good balance of all the things you are involved in.

You must still make time to focus on homework and studying for tests and quizzes, some have to fit their job into that schedule somehow, and also making sure you set aside time to relax and clear your mind.

I have been through it too much: I pile on my schoolwork with my job

along with my extracurricular activities and if I do not make time to take a deep breath and calm myself down when I feel overwhelmed, I wait until my stress has piled up and I explode. It is an out-of-body experience for me, and I do not like when I act out of character.

Some of the things I like to do to calm myself down when I am feeling really stressed are to listen to music, read a book, or watch a good movie. These are little things that we can do to help our mental state out a bit.

I understand that juggling multiple things at once can be stressful, but it will all come together once we reach our end goal in any circumstance.

Kyla Moton is a junior English/ creative writing major. She can be reached at klmoton@eiu.edu or 217-581-2812.

" If we are facing in the right direction, all we have to do is keep on walking " - Unknown

What are students meant to do now?

While I normally do not write on topic for any of the issues of The News , Ellen said if I do not I will be forced to eat Kit-Kats and that is a fate worse than death. But really, this strike is too important NOT to write about.

There are a couple of issues with me writing about something like this though:

1. I am an idiot who often accidentally puts his foot in his mouth and while I attempt to be funny, humor is subjective and does not always scan with everyone.

2. I really do not know much about the context or the strike in general. Do I think professors should get a raise and better workloads/conditions? Absolutely. Do I know anything at all about the actual negotiations going on and what goes into the contract talks. I write columns about spaghetti and candy so I think you know the answer to that.

Alright, we have established that I know next to nothing about the strike so with that out of the way let us move onto the question at hand: What the hell do we do now (the “we” being students)?

Honestly, I have no earthly clue. I have heard that some students plan not to attend class to stand in solidarity with their students. I have mixed feelings about that.

On one hand, I think it is incredibly noble to support your professors in any way you can and I would never admonish anyone for doing so.

However, I personally think that it could have negative repercussions on your education and could result

in a big blow to your grades/GPA. Do these things matter in the grand scheme of things? Perhaps not, but you may feel it later and that worries me.

I really do not know if there is anything that students should do in terms of this whole strike. If you feel as though striking along with your professors is the right thing to do then you should do it.

If you do not, then do not. Students getting involved can make things tricky. I would hate to see students punished or penalized for supporting the professors who picket and rally; I think that you would be hard-pressed to find a professor that would actually do that, though.

One thing I will warn you against, though, is taking either side at face value. It is really, really easy to create this “Good Guys vs. Bad Guys” dichotomy but things are hardly ever that simple.

If you want to comment on it in a public way, you should do your research and be able to contextualize both sides. Ironic coming from me, but that is all the more reason you

should seriously consider it. I cannot say with any kind of certainty that this strike is a simple matter of giving the professors what they want. I think things should change and that professors should be given better pay and better working conditions.

But my feelings of what is right and what is possible may be too far apart. The simple truth is that I do not know. It very well could be and I am maybe overthinking it, but I think there are layers to this issue that go beyond my understanding.

If you want to know more about this whole thing, read the associated articles (i.e not mine) that cover the topic. There are a lot of good info there but also be willing to look at both sides objectively.

I am sure this will all be sorted out soon but in the meantime sit tight, snuggle up, and snack away—just not on Kit-Kats.

Will Padgett is an English graduate student. He can be reached at wpadgett14@gmail.com or 217581-2812.

Kyla Moton

Will Padgett

Students picket with EIU-UPI in strike

By Cam’ron Hardy News Editor | @DEN_news

Students came out to strike with Eastern’s chapter of University Professionals of Illinois, EIU-UPI, Thursday. One student said, “Glassman is the reason that I’m not learning today.”

EIU-UPI delivered over 1,000 postcards to the Board of Trustees calling for new contracts Feb. 27 and delivered their intent to strike March 27 to University President David Glassman.

EIU-UPI and administration had a negotiation meeting Monday, but administration walked out of the meeting around 4:30 p.m.

EIU-UPI requested another bargaining meeting for Tuesday, but administration declined. The union also told administration they were willing to meet on Wednesday as well.

EIU-UPI held their own meeting Tuesday to discuss what steps they should take.

They announced they were striking Tuesday and the earliest they could strike was Thursday.

Union members gathered at Morton Park around 7:30 a.m. and walked to Old Main and started to picket.

Union members have been bargaining for a new faculty contract since March 21, 2022. They have been working without a contract since Aug. 31.

Students joined professors as they walked around in a circle reciting chants such as “What do we want? Fair contracts. When do we want it? Now,” and “When we fight, we win.”

Students were also part of a sit in. On Yik Yak, students started a post asking other students to join professors outside of Old Main and to not attend classes with substitutes.

Sadie Willaredt, a graduate student of computer technology, took part in the sit in to support their teachers.

“A lot of them have been people I’ve

known for several years now,” Willaredt said. “As someone who went here for undergrad and is now doing grad school and as a grad assistant, I work closely with a lot of professors so it felt right to come out here and support them today.”

Willaredt said how student may feel with not being able to go to class with their original professor.

Willaredt said the university is “negating” all the hard work that teachers have done.

“It’s just honestly kind of disheartening to see our professors not being treated with the respect they deserve,” Willaredt said. “As a student, you know, they are someone I look up to and have looked up to for a very long time.”

Willaredt said it was nice to see professors protesting and standing for their beliefs, especially since they want to be a professor one day.

Jemma Allen, a senior music and education major, attended the strike as well.

Allen said it was pretty important to them to support the professors because without them, no one would be able to do common tasks.

“They’ve have been on the bargaining table for over a year, and it’s time for Glassman to step up,” Allen said. “…I’m not able to be in my classes today because the classes aren’t being held, and I support the teachers in that, and Glassman is the reason that I’m not learning today.

Breanna Heisner, a junior music education major, stood with EIU-UPI members in support. Heisner said that with all of the work that teachers do and all the support that they give students, that students should give it back to them. Heisner said they are “disappointed” that negotiations have been going on for so long.

“I’m really disappointed in the fact that this has been going on for so long and he refuses to sit at the table stay at the table to put real thought and consideration into actual people’s lives,” Heisner said.

Heisner said they are worried at the

moment because they want to go into the teaching field and that they will have to do the same thing.

“I’m [striking] in my education, not in my actual teaching, and if it doesn’t continue to get better or if it goes backwards, I will be doing this again, and that is a little scary that I’m already starting now,” Heisner said.

Jenna Decker, a junior education major, was out supporting EIU-UPI.

As a future educator, Decker said experiencing striking at an early stage in their career and being seeing the effects gives them the perspective of how much of an issue it is.

Decker said they were out supporting the teachers because of how much they do for students.

“I’m here today because I want to support my faculty and the teachers who are there for me every single day,” Decker said. “They do so much for me, and I feel like the least I can do is to show up and support a cause that is very important to both them and me.”

Despite supporting the teachers, Decker said they would have preferred to be in class.

“I would love to be in class today,” Decker said. “I would love to be learning. I’m at a very important phase of my career path.”

Decker said they are about to go into teaching and the classes they are taking right now and very important to be successful in.

“The classes that I’m in right now are very influential to my future,” Decker said. “…I feel like right now, more than ever, is one of the most important semesters that’s preparing me to go out to be a teacher, so not being able to be in class, not being able to learn the things that I feel I need to know, it’s a little upsetting… They just deserve the world, and EIU is not doing that for them right now.”

Samantha Dearth, a sophomore tv and video production major, said they came to

support their advertising professor.

Dearth said being closer with a professor makes it easier to learn and get the best out of their education.

Dearth also said they were worried about the rest of their time and that they will not be able to complete their finals and how it will affect them in the future.

Students hold hand-made signs and join in on the chants being yelled in support of their professors that are striking at the rally at Morton Park on Thursday afternoon.

Kristin Bailey, a junior communications major, went to the strike with Dearth to support the teachers.

Bailey said their classes were canceled and it felt right to be out supporting the teachers.

Bailey said they hope administration understands that students are with the faculty.

“I hope [administration] learns that the students are wholly with the faculty on this because honestly, the professors are the people who mainly support us here,” Bailey said.

Allison Smith, a sophomore communication disorders and science, was also at the strike and are deserving of a raise.

“They deserve what they’re asking for,” Smith said. “I think it’s unfair the way that they’ve been treated and the way the universities trying to turn the students against them, as well as them against each other and them against the union, and we’re fighting for that right.”

Administration and union members will strike tomorrow at 7:30 a.m. and starting at Morton Park.

Union members will continue picketing tomorrow at Elks Lodge #623, located at 720 6th Lodge.

There will be an off campus another negotiating meeting Friday at Elks Lodge.

Cam’ron Hardy can be reached at 581-2812 or at dennewsdesk@gmail. com.

MADELYN KIDD | THE DAILY EASTERN NEWS

Picketers stand on top of the flower bed in front of Eastern Illinois University’s gate on their second day of picketing for a fair contract Friday.

Eastern’s top 10 highest paid head coaches

By Autumn Schulz Sports Editor | @auschulz

Head Eastern Illinois football coach

Chris Wilkerson has the highest paid salary of the head coaches in the Eastern athletics department in 2022 and makes 12.96% more than the second paid highest coach.

In 2022, Wilkerson made $188,719, making him the highest paid head coach out of the 13 on campus. Wilkerson makes 326.2% more than the tenth highest paid head coach on campus.

Some head coaches on campus coach both men’s and women’s teams such as Erin Howarth, Mike Moncel, Keith Roberts, Paul Jarzynka and Johnathan Jordan.

Roberts is the director of track and field, Jarzynka is the director of tennis, and Jordan is men’s and women’s swimming coach.

The second highest paid head coach on campus is men’s basketball coach Marty Simmons. Simmons makes $167,063 and that is a 24.96% increase from 2010 when the salary was $133,688.

The third highest paid head coach is women’s basketball coach Matt Bollant. Bollant makes $122,521 and that is a 27.27% increase from 2010. Bollant came to Eastern in 2017 after coaching at the University of Illinois for five years.

Archibald is the highest paid female

head coach in 2022 and the fourth highest paid head coach at Eastern, making $82,211. She is one of three head female coaches on campus.

Wilkerson makes 129.55% more than Archibald. Archibald came to Eastern in 2019 and the salary increase from 2010 is 61.89%.

According to ziprecruiter, as of April 2023, the average annual pay for a NCAA softball coaching in the United States is $46,583 a year.

The fifth highest paid head coach at

Eastern is baseball coach Jason Anderson. Anderson makes $71,466 and he came to Eastern in 2015. The salary increase from 2010 is 11.67%.

The sixth highest paid head coaching salary at Eastern goes to volleyball coach Sara Thomas, two of three head female coaches on campus.

Thomas came to Eastern the same year as Archibald, in 2019, and makes $58,708. In 2010, the salary for the head volleyball coach position was $61,800.

Thomas was also recently named head coach of beach volleyball. Archibald makes 40.03% more than Thomas. According to ziprecruiter in April 2023, the average head women’s Division I NCAA volleyball coach makes $55,297.

The seventh highest paid head coach in 2022 at Eastern is former women’s soccer coach Jake Plant. Plant made $46,853, which is a $3,205 decrease from 2010. Plant left Eastern to coach at the University of the Incarnate Word and Dirk Bennett was named head coach earlier this year.

The eighth highest paid head coach in 2022 is men’s and women’s cross country coach Erin Howarth.

Howarth made $46,724 and she came to Eastern in 2010 when her salary was $42,000, that is a 11.25% increase.

The ninth highest paid head coach in 2022 is men’s soccer coach Josh Oakley. Oakley made $45,378 dollars in 2022 and he joined Eastern the same year. The salary increase for the head coach for men’s soccer since 2010 is 13.42%.

The tenth highest paid head coach in 2022 is men’s and women’s golf coach Mike Moncel. Moncel made $44,279 and has been with Eastern since 2004. The salary increase from 2010 is 26.24%.

Autumn Schulz can be reached at 581-2812 or at acschulz@eiu.edu.

GRAPHIC BY KATE STEVENS

SPORTS

EIU athletics reacts to EIU-UPI strike

BY MADELYN KIDD | THE DAILY EASTERN NEWS

By Autumn Schulz Sports Editor | @auschulz

The Eastern Illinois athletics department has continued to function normally during Eastern’s chapter of University of Professionals, EIU-UPI, strike.

The strike is entering its third day and has been happening since last Thursday.

Since the strike began, there have been spring soccer matches, tennis matches, softball games, baseball games, and track and field events.

Athletic director Tom Michael said to The News that the strike does affect the functionality of the athletics department.

“We are following the guidance provided by the institution regarding class attendance, continued learning and the expectations for all students in our communication without student-athletes.” Michael said. “We will continue to have our athletics events scheduled both here at EIU and four our teams traveling during the strike.”

The guidance provided by the institution was outlined in an email sent on March 13 by current Provost and Executive Vice President of Academic Affairs Jay Gatrell.

Regarding online courses and online elements of a hybrid course, Gatrell said to participate in online activities and complete the coursework as sched-

uled in the course outline.

Gatrell also outlined what students should do if they have face-to-face courses and classroom elements of a hybrid course.

“Attend all scheduled lectures, labs, and studios even if an instructor indicates that the class may not meet during a potential strike.”

Gatrell also told students to contact the department chair if they have any questions or if their instructor is absent.

In an email sent on April 5 by University President David Glassman, he also said that students are encouraged to attend all classes, whether face-toface or online, and to contact the department chair or college dean’s office if an instructor is absent.

The News conducted an anonymous survey that was open to all of those involved in the Eastern athletics department. Players, coaches, and employees were encouraged to participate in the survey.

The first question was “what do you think about the EIU-UPI strike?” and some of the responses were in favor of the strike.

“It is unfair to everyone involved and affects students’ academics, but it’s a result of unfair treatment to faculty so I am in favor of the strike to get what is deserved.”

“I support the strike 100% and want all professors to get their well-de -

served pay! As a student, it is hard trying to figure out what I am supposed to do during this time other than support, my education is on hold but I’m glad the professors are standing up for themselves.”

“I think it’s good for them and they should get what they are fighting for, however, it’s not fair of the school to require us to continue assignments and exams without the teaching and help of professors.” - a response from the survey

“The strike is necessary. A year and half without a contract is absolutely outrageous. EIU faculty deserves better.”

The other responses were either not in favor of the strike or not in favor of the guidelines provided by the university.

“I think it’s good for them and they should get what they are fighting for,

however, it’s not fair of the school to require us to continue assignments and exams without the teaching and help of professors.”

“A waste of time. The students are suffering due to greedy professionals throwing a tantrum. The salaries are not unreasonable and given the lost cost of living in Charleston, they are quite good. The strike is highlighting the lack of commitment the individuals on strike have to the students. My education is being affected because a group believes if they throw enough of a fit, they will get whatever they want.”

The final question asked in the survey was “do you think that athletics should continue as usual during the strike?” and the responses were overwhelmingly in favor of continuing.

“This is a dumb question. The strike has nothing to do with athletics LOL. Teachers are on strike, not coaches or athletic admin ….”

“I believe they should! I know athletes are also affected by this academically, but we might as well keep something going if our education is on hold.”

“Yes, students should have a sense of normalcy. But I think as student athletes, we are leaders and should show support for EIU faculty.”

“Yes, we represent the school, we are a team, we are united.”

Autumn Schulz can be reached at 581-2812 or at acschulz@eiu.edu.

The News conducted an anonymous survey that was open to all of those involved in the Eastern athletics department. Players, coaches, and employees were encouraged to participate in the survey.