January 22, 2015

SACIS OUTREACH

PANTHERS PUSHED BACK

Sexual Assault Counseling and Information Service’s new location boasts positive results.

Panthers lose to Tennessee-Martin Wednesday night.

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Dai ly Eastern News

THE

W W W .D A I L YE A S TE R N N E W S. C O M

Thursday, Jan. 22, 2014

Jeannie Ludlow speaks on abortion

“TELL THE TRUTH AND DON’T BE AFRAID”

VOL. 99 | NO. 81

By Danielle Tadlock Staff Reporter | @DEN_News

Pro-abortion rights and anti-abortion stances have been discussed in the past, but Jeannie Ludlow, associate professor in English and coordinator of women studies, offered a new perspective on the subject.

Ludlow gave her speech on Undue Burdens and Personal Responsibility: Literary Pregnancy and Abortion in the Post-Choice Decade in the United States on Wednesday in the Doudna Fine Arts Center.

Ludlow has a doctorate degree in American Culture Studies and worked in an abortion clinic for 12 years.

“I thought, working in the clinic, it was my job to comfort the patients but it wasn’t my job to tell a woman what experiences she was going to have,” Ludlow said.

She went on to explain she was pro-abortion rights before working in the clinic, but soon realized neither side was more important.

“I believe we should stop looking at prochoice or pro-life and we need to start looking at peoples lives,” Ludlow said. “We need to stop hurting people.”

In her speech, Ludlow explained it was not about pro-abortion rights and anti-abortion, but the experiences the women had when getting abortions.

“I tend to think of it as an argument; (kind of ) like an argument on a sitcom that isn’t funny anymore,” Ludlow said during her lecture.

She said we live in the post-choice decade, and the goal is to change the power system.

Ludlow went more in detail on her subject by using works of literature to emphasize her points of view during her lecture.

She used works such as “Father of the Four Passages,” written by Lois-Ann Yamanaka in 2001, and “Blues for an Alabama Sky,” a play written by Pearl Cleage in 1995.

“Father of the Four Passages,” is about a woman who wrote a letter to each of her unborn children, which she signed with love.

She also provided the age she was when she gave birth.

The story is about a young woman’s life experiences, explaining the reasoning behind her abortions throughout.

“Blues for an Alabama Sky” is set in the 1930s, featuring an African American woman who gets pregnant by an Italian man named, Leland. She then visits Sam, a Harlem Doctor, and gets an abortion for other reasons.

Lisa Rhodes, a communication studies major, said she had not given much taught about how literary text might affect abortion.

Shelby Niehaus, an English major, said the speech left an impact.

“I think the deconstruction of pro-life as a binary is what struck me the most,” said Niehaus.

Danielle Tadlock can be reached at 581-2812 or at drtadlock@eiu.edu.

K ATIE SMITH | THE DAILY EASTERN NE WS

Margaret Madden, a university presidential candidate, speaks about online courses during a faculty and staff interview Wednesday in the Arcola-Tuscola room of the Martin Luther King Jr. University Union.

First presidential candidate speaks

By Debby Hernandez Associate News Editor | @ DEN_News The open forums in the Arcola-Tuscola Room where filled with questions for the potential future president.

Margaret Madden is the provost and vice president for academic affairs at State University of New York at Potsdam (since 2002) Madden obtained her bachelor’s degree in psychology at the University of Wisconsin.

She attended the University of Massachusetts were she got her master’s and doctorate degrees in psychology.

She has also been a psychology professor and an acting president at Postdam.

“I have been lucky enough to been able to do some teaching,” Madden said. “I really value that because it gives me a chance to interact with students in the way faculty members do.”

Madden, originally from Glen Ellyn, spoke on her excitement to move back from New York where she has been for 16 years.

“My husband, who is a Wisconsin native, and I often talk about the fact that although we have been on the east coast in various places for quite a long time, our sensibilities are really Midwestern sensibilities,” Madden said. “Some of the stereotypes about New Yorkers are true.”

Madden explained during the forums that she would be a good fit for Eastern based on her experiences at Potstam, which is a similar institution in terms of size, community atmosphere, and other factors.

Madden also talked about priorities and issues within the institution.

Jeanne Lord, the associate dean of the Lumpkin College of Business and Applied Sciences, asked Madden what her concerns were about being the president of a university in Illinois.

Madden said problems like funding are present in every state, and she would focus on convincing legislators that Eastern is economically vital through methods like asking students to share personal stories.

“College presidents these days have a much

more external role than they used to,” she said.

“As much as I love being on campus and participating in campus events, it’s certainly going to be incredibly important to make the argument that this college is one of the most valuable institutions in the state.”

When it comes to the budget, Madden said looking at the numbers is important, but the context and likely outcomes should be considered when making cuts.

Enrollment was also brought up.

She said it would be beneficial to “to look at pockets of recruitment where there has been a decline in interest.”

She said many of her ideas to improving the budget and enrollment would be implemented in a strategic plan she would hope to set up if she was chosen for the position.

Bill Robenson, a local retired businessman, said enrollment is important for money purposes.

MADDEN, page 5

CAA to vote on business courses

By Luis Martinez Administration Editor| @DEN_News The Council on Academic Affairs will vote on changes to fall 2015 business courses Thursday.

Last week, the council talked about some of the courses being renamed during to accurately represent what the course will be focusing on.

One course in question is PLS 3253, known as International Criminal Law. During the meeting last week, some of the members had an issue with the proposal because of how much of the course would be changed if the revision was allowed.

The changes to International Criminal Law would include being renamed to Human Rights & International Law as well as many changes to the course description.

The added changes would also include the study of human rights laws in both the 19th and 20th centuries as well as looking at the effort of human rights leaders and different people’s movements included in these two time periods.

On Thursday, the council will be looking at a few more courses to rename for the fall semester.

The three courses that are up for revision for the will be BUS 1950, BUS 3500 and BUS 3950.

While most of these courses will remain the same, what these three courses will include in their curriculum will be technology delivery.

The reason for these course reevaluations is to help shape the classes to the point where most of them can be taught online most of the time.

While the council will be looking at these revisions, they will also be looking at adding a marketing minor as an option at Eastern.

The meeting is scheduled for 3 p.m. Thursday in Room 4440 of Booth Library.

Luis Martinez can be reached at lpmartinez@eiu.edu or 581-2812

2

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THURSDAY, JAN. 22, 2015

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T h e D a i ly Eastern News “Tell the truth and don’t be afraid.”

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By Cassie Buchman City Editor | @DEN_News Ever since Sexual Assault Counseling and Information Ser vices moved from campus to 18th Street, the facility has been able to develop connections with local business, and cater to clients from the Charleston community.

Erin Walters, the executive director of SACIS, said getting in touch with local businesses on 18th Street for events has been a positive change. “ When I introduce myself, (businesses) greet me with a smile,” she said.

Partnering with these businesses allowed those places to get more customers and SACIS, with a new facility now located at 1505 18th Street, Suite 2, to get more clients.

“Teaming up with local businesses has increased (referrals) for us, and businesses as well,” Walters said.

Since the office moved, SACIS members have seen an increase of referrals, some of which include college students.

A problem with the SACIS office located on campus was some community members believed it was only for students.

With its new location, people are viewing it as a resource for everyone, Walters said.

“I would say our goal was to reach out, and become more of an entity in the community,” she said.

Walters said the facility has maintained a balance of community members and students referrals.

The new location has helped eliminate some problems they had with the campus location.

“It’s so much easier to access

CHYNNA MILLER| THE DAILY EASTERN NE WS

Jana Roberts, the adminstrative assitant at the Sexual Assualt Counseling and Information Service, works on paperwork Wednesday at SACIS. SACIS switched locations last semester.

our ser vices with the ability to overcome some of the barriers, ” she said.

These barriers include parking issues, and the concern of being seen at SACIS on campus, which would make people hesitate to go.

Another issue was people were not aware of some their services.

These ser vices include counseling, transportation services for people, and having SACIS members available to meet with people who are uncomfortable with coming to their facility.

Walters said the move was not difficult.

“It’s like we blinked, and all of a sudden we were here,” she said. “ We had some time to prepare,

though. It was a fairly easy transition.”

They notified the public of he move through an open house along with the Take Back the Day run.

Another contributing factor to the increase in referrals was more public relations regarding to sexual violence, such as speakers attending campus.

Walters said their location is easy to find.

“It’s not terribly far from campus. It’s near the high school and middle school, ” she said. “It’s current location is in town where people can find us, and there’s not so much traffic that people will feel under a microscope if they

come here.”

Walters said there have not been any problems with the new location, although some things are a bit different. “(It has) been a positive change,” she said. “We really like our space here, and are proud of it.”

They also serve eight counties apart from with their location in Charleston.

SACIS members will be hosting Rock Out Against Rape on Jan. 30 on the Top of the Roc Black Front Restaurant & Lounge.

Cassie Buchman can be reached at 581-2812 or cjbuchman@eiu.edu.

Housing to offer prizes at Panther game 15-year tradition to continue in basketball game

By Stephanie White Entertainment Editor | @DEN_News Thursday, during the Eastern m e n’s b a s k e t b a l l g a m e a g a i n s t Murray State at 8 p.m. in Lantz Arena, Housing and Dining Serv i c e s w i l l b e h o s t i n g t h e Wi n Stuff: On-Campus Appreciation Night event.

The main prize is the single room upgrade for the residence halls on-campus or Greek Court, which guarantees the winner a double as a single, which is a double occupancy room for one person for the price of only half the room.

This also works for people who

wish to get a triple as a double.

The exact price of the discount will be $1,700.

Chad Franks, the publicity and promotions specialist for Housing and Dining, said he has been working on campus for 15 years, and this is his 15th time handling the event.

“I started doing it when I was a grad student, and it was here long before me so this would be at least the 15th year,” Frank said.

“At this point, it would almost be tradition.”

The things to be given away are items and treats, which were donated, including cookies and brownies that will be made that morning and put in over-sized gift baskets, he said.

Frank added items from Java Beanery and Bakery and the convenience center to be donated as well.

“In past events, the minute-one person comes back with the first prize, ever yone gets up asking where do they get the raffle tickets, and then they go get them,” he said.

Mark Hudson, the director of Housing and Dining, said this has been a long-standing tradition since before he came to Eastern.

“It has grown over the years,” Hudson said. “It started off as a Housing and Dining sort of appreciation for the staff, and also we would have them come. We would incorporate some stuff with the students so we would try to get more people to come to games and give giveaways.”

Hudson said for all the students who come, there will be a big table and banner in the corner of the gym, and they can register there so he can check if they

live on campus.

The Housing and Dining staff are getting into the game for free, Hudson said. He will be giving tickets to the game as a part of their gifts for that day.

“There will also be gift cards for the University Bookstore and Java that will be wrapped up in T-shirts that will be thrown into the audience during the event,” Franks said.

There is also going to be a Greek Night, Hudson said. Anyone under the age of 18 will also be allowed in for free as a part of a high school day.

Hudson added the Columbia Broadcast Station will be there to film the game, so the arena will be packed that day.

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Stephanie White can be reached at 581-2812 or at sewhite2@eiu.edu.

THURSDAY, JAN. 22, 2015

THE DAILY EASTERN NEWS | CAMPUS

3

Students seek out RSOs offered

By Luis Martinez Administration Editor | @DEN_News Students crammed their way through to meet representatives from more than 80 different organizations that set up shop for Pantherpalooza on Wednesday.

Created by student government, the event was tightly packed inside the Grand Ballroom of the Martin Luther King Jr. University Union.

Pantherpalooza has registered student organizations gather in one place and is open to all students who wish to take up extra activities in their spare time.

The space had gotten so tight that some of the organizations had to be moved into the hallway outside.

Some of the representatives said Pantherpalooza was easier for students because it was inside, while others felt it was inconvenient because of the overcrowding.

Ryan Brown, a junior accounting major, said his organization, the Student Accounting Society, did well at Pantherpalooza.

“We got to talk to a good amount of people that seemed to be interested in our organization,” Brown said.

“We’re kind of specialized so we only attracted people that are accounting majors.”

Brown said he liked the event last year when it was held outside on the South Quad.

“That way you get more people getting out of class and they see what’s going on,” Brown said. “I feel like it’s a better turnout when it’s outside and it’s more spread out.”

Other representatives did not feel the same, such as Michael Skasick, a senior English major and a representative of the Gamers Guild.

“Ususally when it came to Pantherpaloozas in the past, we have been able to get some members, but not as many as we really desire,” Skasick said. “This semester I definitely think it was different.”

Skasick also said that while the inside was all cramped up, it was a better turnout than in recent years.

“Last semester, with the whole thing being outside, we regrettably didn’t make the cutoff,” Skasick said.

“I actually prefer to be indoors, especially when it comes to something along the lines of gaming.”

Tyler Gordon, a sophomore communication studies major, and Patrick

MISSA BOR AH | THE DAILY EASTERN NE WS

Quincy Knolhoff, a sophomore psychology major, explains the psychology club while handing a ribbon to junior psychology major Jenna Coffelt and health studies senior Courtney Lieberman during “A Winter Wonderland” Pantherpalooza, Wednesday in the Grand Ballroom in the Martin Luther King Jr. University Union.

Muhne, a freshman kinesiology and sports studies major, were representing the EIU College Republicans and the water polo club, respectively, and they said they also believed the event would be better if it was held inside.

“Inside does work better than outside,” Munhe said. “It was really good

because it was really narrow and you just look left and right and you could basically see everything.”

Gordon and Munhe agreed, despite the overwhelming capacity in the ballroom, the inside space helped them meeting more people interested in their respective organizations.

“Our position was really convenient,” Gordon said. “We were on the edge and we weren’t as crowded.”

Luis Martinez can be reached at 581-2812 or lpmartinez@eiu.edu.

Minority women organization continues with mission

By Roberto Hodge Multicultural Editor | @BertoHodge An organization created on the principles of uplifting women in both their community and campus, the National Association of Colored Women’s Clubs on Eastern’s campus continues to uphold their goal one year later.

Founded in 1896, the National Association of Colored Women’s Club has been a leader in gaining rights for families of women and children. The organization is also the oldest women of color organization in United States’ history.

Sarah Smith, the vice president of the National Association of Colored Women’s Club, said in the spring of 2014, the organization inducted 16 girls, with 11 remaining in the spring 2015 semester; she said they are hoping to induct about 15 girls this semester.

Smith said looking back now, their organization is more established on campus with more students knowing about it, and one of the biggest challenges was working around everyone’s schedule.

“It was a challenge being a new organization,” Smith said.

In order to overcome that, the organization made sure to change the days for meetings and now meet during the day in between their class times.

For its first semester, the organization put on a list of two forums, one aimed at helping incoming freshmen and another discussing what men and women expect from each other in a relationship. The biggest take away from that forum was when one of the males in the audience said when a woman cheats on a man it is more emotional and when a man cheats it is more physical, Smith said.

Members hosted a drive for helping

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women in need, which assisted them with getting feminine products, lotion and shampoo to donate to the Sexual Assault Counseling and Information Services. The organization also raised more than $100 by selling “I heart boobies” bracelets for Breast Cancer Awareness month, Smith said.

Smith said the current goals for the organization are to reach out more to the Charleston community and to do more service and fundraising; she said there is also a desire to collaborate with other organizations on campus.

Swastika Sharma, the president of All Generations Engaged in Services,

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Roberto Hodge can be reached at 581-2812 or rlhodge@eiu.edu.

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said the group is a new registered student organization aimed at serving the central Illinois community through collaborations and partnerships involving the elderly and college students.

“The organization also seeks to assist local organizations and institutions in improving the resources and opportunities available for older adults while simultaneously combating ageist stereotypes,” Sharma said.

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4 OPINIONS

T h e D ai l y Eastern News W W W. DA I LY E A S T E R N N E W S . C O M

Thursday, 1.22.15

Pretty babies

Marge Clemente

Kids exploited affects health Since 1972, Prevention Child Abuse America has led the way in building awareness, providing education, and inspiring hope to everyone involved in the effort to prevent the abuse and neglect of our nation’s children. In America we make it pretty clear that we are supposedly concerned for the well being of children.

And with all of these successful programs why, then, is it that our nation’s children are still being exploited?

How many of you have young siblings, little nieces and nephews, cousins, or other children involved in your life? Would you feel proud to see that child exhibited like some trophy for the entire world to see?

I want to introduce you all to a relatively new concept called the Lolita Effect—coined by author, M. Gigi Durham. The Lolita Effect is the media’s sexualization of children. The sexualization of children can and does negatively impact the sexual development of children and is ultimately a form of child sexual abuse.

Child abuse isn’t necessarily battering a child or neglecting them—child sexual abuse has taken on a new form and manifested itself as the Lolita Effect.

The following quote from Rita Seabrook who is currently getting her doctorate degree in psychology and women’s studies at the University of Michigan speaks on the abuse that takes place in our culture and not only applies to young girls, but also applies to all children who are victims to sexualization: “Sometimes I think this push to sexualize girls from a young age is actually sort of a reaction, a pushback, and it serves to distract women from being successful in other ways. Really, we are just teaching girls from a young age that their appearance is the most important thing.”

Consider the instructions given in magazines to preadolescent girls on how to look sexy and get a boyfriend by losing 10 pounds and straightening their hair. Invision a soccer team of adolescent girls whose sex appeal is emphasized by their coach or a local journalist to attract fans. Think of print advertisements that portray women as little girls, with pigtails and ruffles, in sexual poses.

Children undergo the effects of sexualization in several different instances that the many are not entirely aware of. In one instance, a person’s value comes only from his or her sexual appeal or behavior, to the exclusion of other characteristics.

Essentially, one should consider the purpose of these beauty contests for toddlers—the extremely disturbing “Toddlers in Tiaras” show with mothers who live their sick dream through a small child. What exactly are these children being taught?

They learn to harbor shallow minds and hold appearances above all other qualities in a person.

Eventually, they realize a person will be judged solely upon their looks, regardless of personality. Identity is irrelevant—what matters most are the presence one brings with them on stage and what kinds of reactions are roused from the audience.

Also consider who is more psychologically damaged here—the parents, the judges, or the children?

A person is held to a standard that equates physical attractiveness According to childhelp.org, child abuse occurs at every socioeconomic level, across ethnic and cultural lines, within religions and at all levels of education. It’s about time we unmask the perpetrator do something to stop it.

Marge Clemente is a senior English major and can be reached at 581-2812 or denopinions@gmail.com.

JEHAD ABBED | THE DAILY EASTERN NE WS

STAFF EDITORIAL

President Obama should follow up on promises On Tuesday night, as the sea of heads all moved in to greet President Barack Obama, our newsroom fell silent. Those on the staff gathered around and watched intently when not editing stories as our president approached the podium and waited for his introduction and the roaring applause to cease.

It was difficult to not listen in eagerly as he began his promising State of the Union speech.

Our president is one of many impressive orators who move many. From the moment he belts out his first few words to his last vehement sentences that often become swallowed by a chorus of cheers, audiences abroad are captivated, thrilled, angered and stunned.

President Obama covered a variety of issues; however, he essentially focused on education and middle class economics.

He provided a definitive list of goals he believes we as a nation can accomplish. In his first few lines, we are sent back to a time of war, disaster and severe money depletion, and within those same lines he compares our recent past to our increasingly prosperous present.

President Obama has optimistic views on a solution for the abortion dispute and mentions that though many of us stand divided on the issue, it should not and does not matter because

our goals should consist of creating alternatives to help improve the aspects we do agree on.

He uses enthusiastic language, which encourages all Americans to negotiate and find a space of mutual respect and equality.

And yes, ladies and gentleman, our president did use the one word the LGBT community has insisted should be included when referring to different members of their community: transgender.

The President also proposed an aspiring effort to make community college free for students who prove themselves responsible. This means earning and maintaining good grades and staying on track for graduation.

President Obama states the proposal would make two not only make college free and as accessible as high schools, but it would also reduce the cost of a four-year degree, and improve the quality of community colleges that enroll almost 40 percent of all undergraduate students today.

Our collective opinion stands thusly: this proposal could help ambitious students tremendously. While we have all been guaranteed success, we believe it is not sufficient to make empty promises to a public that craves change and betterment of this country. Therefore, we can only

continue to harbor a strong sense of hope that the President’s words will eventually become a reality. Beautiful words should be accompanied with a desired plan of action.

It is important that all bipartisan individuals, the Administration, House and Senate should tranquilly congregate to address pressing matters. It has become clear that President Obama and the Republican Party stand allotted in the midst of decision-making; however, all parties should make an effort to place their differences aside. Though each group of individuals represent a particular set of beliefs, it is inevitable that they also share similar goals that will fundamentally restore this country’s wealth.

President Obama also uses examples from the past when Americans once came together as a whole in order to provide health care, education and security for families and especially children.

Now is a time when we should have faith in ourselves. Mayhem is unleashed when we so stubbornly refuse the possibility of a once again fruitful and truly wholesome country.

The daily editorial is the majority opinion of the editorial board of The Daily Eastern News.

Joining an RSO is your best bet to finding friends Nobody makes friends in class.

They just don’t. The classroom is not a conducive environment to making connections with anyone.

There may be anywhere from five to 50 other students surrounding you who share your exact major and university and probably some interests, but you are still not getting anywhere.

When I am in class, I am either daydreaming, thinking about what I have to do for work later that day, or on occasion, I am contributing to the class discussion.

Not to mention, I am getting in as many seconds as possible of listening to music before I see the professor say something and put my headphones back in my pocket, as I have seen many others do.

Maybe you will be forced to socialize in a group project.

But we all know how those go. You are more likely to make enemies than friends while completing a group project.

Realistically, you may make one or two friends in class, especially when you are a freshman taking general education courses where everyone else is just as lost as you are.

Stephanie Markham However, your best bet to establishing yourself with a group of friends and thus keeping your emotional health as in-balance as possible is to join a registered student organization.

Cults are fine too, but you did not hear that from me.

Student Government held a fair Wednesday showcasing the university’s multitude of groups in the Union.

And while some prospective members may have felt intimidated by the large number of people crammed into a small space, they should not let that stop them.

Even if you are introverted like I am, joining one or two RSOs will not be that scary. If anything, it will sig-

nificantly diminish your fear of other human beings.

For instance, I attended meetings for maybe five or six RSOs in my first few weeks on campus, and decided I could handle the pressure of committing myself to the two that were most important to me, The Daily Eastern News and EIU Pride.

I know a lot of people who are a lot more involved than that, and that is great for them, but this is what I knew I could handle.

Even just being involved in two groups, I still cannot go anywhere with out running into a handful of people I know, even in class.

Just go to a meeting. You might feel like the odd man out for a while, as some people have been in these groups for years and will seem a lot cooler than you.

But remember, that could be you one day. Most groups would do anything, criminal or otherwise, to gain a dedicated, enthusiastic new member.

You never know what you might have to contribute until you try.

Stephanie Markham is a junior journalism major and can be reached at 581-2812 or denopinions@eiu.edu

Editorial Board Editor in Chief Katie Smith

Managing Editor Jarad Jarmon

Photo Editor Chynna Miller

Online Editor Jason Howell

Opinions Editor Marge Clemente

THURSDAY, JAN. 22, 2014

»

THE DAILY EASTERN NEWS | CAMPUS

5

MADDEN

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Bill Robenson, a local retired businessman, said enrollment is important for money purposes.

“Enrollment is the bill,” he said. “We (have to have) students to pay tuition, and get government support.”

A main priority for her is funding the institution through the use of fundraising and other sources of revenue.

“One of the things I been very involved at my own campus in terms of fundraising, are identifying donors who are interested in supporting directly towards student activities of various kinds,” she said.

Madden said she would like to obtain funds that would support student research mentored by faculty members.

“I would expect that some of that revenue seeking activity would be (used to) allow students to do some of those things that make the experience more individualized and more meaningful,” she said.

Maggie Burkhead, the director of TRiO, asked Madden what it meant to her to have a commitment to diversity.

Madden said she has promoted equitable, justice-oriented attitudes on every campus she has worked on. “ I s p e n t m o s t o f m y c a re e r thinking about diversity issues,” Madden said. “As a psychology instructor I first started looking at gender issues in that curriculum, but quickly realized that if we were going to talk about inclusiveness, gender wasn’t enough.”

Mi l d re d Pe a r s o n , a n e d u c a tion professor, asked how Madden would address the recruitment and retention of minority faculty.

“We have a growth at Eastern of 30 to 40 percent minority increase, but students don’t see a reflection of themselves when they get to the classroom,” Pearson said.

Madden said her university was able to create target of opportunity appointments in which depart-

JASON HOWELL | THE DAILY EASTERN NE WS

Presidential Candidate Margaret Madden speaks at Eastern presidential forum Wednesday. “Our job is to meet the students where they are,” Madden said during open forum to faculty.

ments that could identify a qualified minority candidate could create additional lines to hire them.

Peggy Brown, an administrative assistant in the school of continuing education, asked about Madden’s experience with collective bargaining and unions.

Madden said as the provost of her university, she meets regularly with its unions, and though she has had grievances filed against her, she said working in consultation with the unions usually leads to more equitable outcomes.

After being questioned about the importance of technology on campus, Madden voiced her interest in keeping the school up-todate.

“It is important to keep current, and that means it is a simple part of financial expenses. It is just a part of the landscape now,” she said.

During the community forum, Madden said the relationship between the campus and the community is beneficial to all.

“Think about how this place would be like without this campus,” she said.

Herbert Lasky, Eastern’s former dean of the honors college, said his most important concern is the candidates’ attitude towards students and their potential, and how much support they will have academically.

He said there have been tension between academic, athletic, and the business office.

“The joke is that the business office believes the university exists for its benefits, but their wrong, its athletics,” Lasky said.

He said the tension would be a problem the candidate will inherit if she becomes the next president.

Other community members also

expressed their concerns about athletics exceeding in funding.

Madden said while she does not know all of the facts of the situation, but it could be resolved.

I am certain there are ways to change the actions so that sort of thing does not happen again,” she said.

Andrew Doto, a college student affairs graduate student, asked Madden during the student forum what was the most important lesson she learned in her career.

“Trust my gut feeling about issues that have to do with integrity,” she said. “With controversial issues, I like to make sure everyone at the table has a chance to speak.”

Madden said she has a high believe in shared governance within the institution.

“For many of the kinds of decisions that might affect students, I think consultation with the gov-

ernment structures here is the way to go,” Madden said.

He e x p l a i n e d s e ve r a l t o p i c s brought up, like the budget and enrollment cannot be given accurate helpful answers, without the candidates being in the position.

Madden said if she became the next Eastern president, she would use the first few months to listen to the campus community before making decisions, since every institution has its own “culture.”

Jacob Deters, a college student affairs student said attending the forums is important to him as a previous Eastern undergraduate.

“I want to make sure EIU is in good hands, (and) I want to see (the direction) it is going to go,” Deters said.

Debby Hernandez can be reached at 581-2812 or dhernandez5@eiu.edu

It’s that time of year again!

Senior Portraits January 20 - 23 2522 Buzzard Hall

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Check back on Friday for our Verge Edition to find out about the latest in entertainment!

6 THE DAILY EASTERN NEWS | SPORTS

Softball picked 7th in OVC Staff Report | @Den_Sports

The Eastern women’s softball team has been picked to finish seventh in the Ohio Valley Conference by the coaches and Sports Information Directors.

Last year the Panthers finished with a record of 38-17 overall and 17-7 in the conference.

Their season ended in the loser’s bracket of the OVC tournament because of a rainout. The Panthers did win their first game of the tournament against Tennessee-Martin but fell in the winner’s bracket to No. 2 seed SIUEdwardsville.

Edwardsville has been selected to win the 2015 OVC regular-season title. They finished with a 3023 record overall and 19-5 in the conference.

In last year’s tournament, Edwardsville defeated Murray State in the championship game 12-1.

Jacksonville State, Eastern Kentucky, Murray State and UT Martin rounded out the top-five.

Eight different OVC teams won a regular-season championship with Tennessee Tech and Southeast Missouri having the most titles with five each.

The 2015 softball season gets underway on Feb. 5, with conference play starting March 14. The OVC Softball Championship will feature the top eight teams and will take place May 6-9 on the campus of the top seed.

Eastern’s season will get underway Feb. 6 at Louisiana State in Baton Rouge, La.

THURSDAY, JAN. 22, 2015

Tennis to begin at Indiana Bob Reynolds Sports Editor | @BobReynoldsDEN The Eastern women’s tennis spring season gets underway at Indiana on Sunday in Bloomington, Ind. Panther coach John Blackburn said he is excited about getting the chance to compete for the first time since October.

“We’re making it a goal to compete very hard Sunday with great purpose and awareness of things and enjoy the experience,” he said.

The Panthers will not be back at home until their match against Chicago State on March 7.

Despite being on the road for the first seven games of the second half of their season, Blackburn is looking forward to getting everything underway.

“I think we’ve worked hard in the fall to improve everyone’s game,” he said. “Our team philosophy is based on development and improving everyday. I think we have made some strides as a group and individuals have improved.”

In the fall, the Panthers competed in five events, including the Alumni Match, the SIU Edwardsville Invitational, the Saluki Invite and a head-to-head match against Olivet Nazarene.

The Panthers defeated Southern Illinois and Olivet Nazarene, and senior Sephora Boulbahaiem and freshman Grace Summers finished first as doubles in the SIUE Invite.

Boulbahaiem is the lone senior on the Panther team and Blackburn has high praise for her.

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KE VIN HALL | THE DAILY EASTERN NE WS

Freshman Grace Summers attempts to hit the ball in her tennis match against Olivet Nazarene Oct. 6, 2014 at the Darling Courts.

out consistently,” he said. “In addition to being one of our top players the past couple of years, I think she brings a lot to our team culture and helps create a positive, fun atmosphere every day.”

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The Panthers and Hoosiers will get underway at 3 p.m. Sunday.

Bob Reynolds can be reached at 581-2812 or rjreynolds@eiu.edu.

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THURSDAY, JAN. 22, 2015

THE DAILY EASTERN NEWS | SPORTS

7

JEHAD ABBED | THE DAILY EASTERN NE WS

Senior Matt Mullen and Colin Altenburg look forward to the upcoming intramural basketball season. Mullen is in his second year of intramural officiating while Altenburg is training for his first season.

Reffing ain’t easy

Intramural officials prepare for upcoming season

By Jehad Abbed Assistant Sports Editor | @Jehada Intramural officials Colin Altenburg and Matt Mullen chose to be referees because of the excitement and the simple necessity of having a job.

“I needed a job,” Mullen said. “I watch people play sports anyway. I might as well get paid for it rather than sit on my butt.”

Mullen is a senior exercise science major. He plans to get certified to officiate high school basketball once he graduates.

Following graduation, he will be starting an unpaid internship and hopes to earn money through officiating.

Naturally, there are new students looking to land a job officiating intramural sports each semester. The amount of officials needed depends on how popular the sport is, and how many teams are signed up to participate.

Altenburg said they had 30 people

show up for their first training session.

Altenburg is a junior special education major and is currently completing the training process for the first time.

This will be his first semester as an intramural official.

Students go to meetings to learn the rules and are quickly trained. They are first tested during an abbreviated game with small teams.

Once they have completed their first training game, the trainees are thrown into a full-on practice game where they officiate a five-on-five scrimmage before the actual season begins.

“Through that practice game, they figure out who is the best,” Altenburg said. “Then they decide who gets to ref more games.”

Even if a student is an experienced official and returning for another semester to work for the intramural program, they are still expected to complete the training.

Mullen said there are a couple meet-

ings each year depending on what sport it is.

He said basketball is the toughest sport to officiate, and other sports do not require much training other than a meeting to go over the rules.

“You kind of just get thrown to the wolves when you first start off,” Mullen said. “You kind of just learn as you go.”

One of the biggest issues in intramural sports is the fact that both the players and the officials are both students.

In most cases, not many of the hired students have any experience or certification in officiating.

Mullen said because it is just intramurals, and the students are playing for free, there are not any significant funds that would allow anyone to become Illinois High School Association certified.

Intramurals at Eastern follow the rules and measurements of the IHSA. “Not everyone can be a ref,” Mullen said. “It’s not easy.”

Mullen said he was surprised by the

fact that many of what he sees as the better officials are students who have not even played the sport before. He said they pay more attention to the games because they had no prior knowledge of the rules.

“Even the best ref is going to miss a call,” he said.

The intramural officials are trained on many different sports ranging from basketball to wiffle ball.

When they perform their job better, an official is going to be asked to cover more games and probably other sports.

“Basketball is easily the hardest.” Mullen said. “But, it’s the most exciting.”

From junior high to the professional level, officials endure a barrage of pestering comments and scrutiny just because of what their job entails.

“I am expecting (to get yelled at) as a ref,” Altenburg said.

As an inexperienced intramural official there is no reason to expect any different.

Mullen recalled one of his first games as a basketball referee where he was teamed up with a fellow rookie referee because of a scheduling issue.

Typically a new official would work with an experienced one.

He said they handed out a couple technical fouls, because players were swearing at him and his partner.

“They had the right to swear,” Mullen said. “It was a pretty badly refed game.”

Altenburg’s first practice game was set for Wednesday evening where he hoped to gain good experience and get a feel for an actual intramural game.

“I’m excited to get in my first games,” Altenburg said. “I want to see how good of a ref I can actually be.”

Jehad Abbed can be reached at 581-2812 or jaabbed@eiu.edu

Edwards earns OVC Male Track Athlete of the Week Mark Shanahan Staff Reporter | @Den_Sports Junior Calvin Edwards led all Eastern runners last weekend at the Illini Classic where he had a first place finish in the 400-Meter Dash with a time of 48.32 seconds putting him in the top 15 in the country.

With that performance, Edwards earned himself the OVC Male Track Athlete of the Week.

Last season Edwards earned four straight OVC Male Track Athlete of the Week awards, and he believes his work ethic and the people around him got him where he is today.

Edwards was the 2014 OVC Indoor Track Athlete of the Year last season and competed in both indoor and outdoor.

He runs the 60-meter, 200-meter and the 400-meter.

He also participates in the 4-by400-meter relay for indoor track.

He is ranked fourth all time in school history in the 200-meter dash with his time of 21.21 seconds at the Notre Dame Meyo Invite last season.

He is also ranked third all-time at Eastern in the 400-meter dash where he had a time of 47.35 seconds at the Grand Valley Big Meet, also last season.

The junior is also ranked all-time at Eastern in three outdoor track events.

He is 10th in the 200-meter dash with a

FILE PHOTO

Junior sprinter Calvin Edwards is ranked in the national top 15. He also ranks highly among the all-time Eastern track athletes in multiple events.

time of 21.16 seconds.

He is fifth in the 400-meter dash and was apart of the 4x100 meter relay team who ranks second all time with a time of 40.08 seconds.

Edwards set himself high goals for this season.

“My goals for this season are to win conference, make it to regionals and make it to nationals,” he said.

He practices technique and does workouts week to week leading up to events.

“Monday’s, Wednesday’s and Friday’s are actually work out days and Tuesday

and Thursday’s are our technique type of days where we do blocks and work on handoffs and things like that,” he said.

He attended Joliet West High School and competed in four events at the 2012 IHSA 3A state championships.

He was runner up for both the 100-meter dash and the 200-meter dash in the state meet. Edwards also made it to state his junior year of high school and competed in the 100-meter and 200-meter dashes placing 8th and 9th.

Edwards played football along with track in high school.

“I had an option between football and to run track,” he said. “I just like the atmosphere around track, pretty much the team aspect compared to football. It’s just different, and I like the people I run with too. I made a good choice with my decision.”

Edwards said his favorite memory from track up to this point in his career is his first year at Eastern.

“My freshman year winning conference and being nominated for the male freshman of the year,” he said.

Edwards possibly plans on coaching after his college career.

Mark Shanahan can be reached at 581-2812 or mmshanahan@eiu.edu.

@DEN_Sports tweet of the day: Men’s basketball plays #MurrayState for the first televised game of Spoonhour’s time with #EIU, Thursday on #CBS.

S ports

Sports Editor Bob Reynolds 217 • 581 • 2812 DENSportsdesk@gmail.com

T H E DA I LY E ASTE R N NEWS

D A I LY E A S T E R N N E W S . C O M

T H U R S DAY, J A N. 22, 2015 N o. 81 V O LU M E 99

8

Panthers lose to defending OVC champs

By Bob Reynolds Sports Editor | @BobReynoldsDEN Eastern women’s basketball coach Debbie Black felt her team only played twenty minutes of basketball in the 81-51 loss to Tennessee-Martin in Martin, Tenn. on Wednesday.

“That is pretty much about all we played and not even that well,” Black said. “ (UT Martin) really couldn’t score. We were doing a pretty good job defensively. They got 16 points off turnovers. We went from only down five to down thirty. I am not really sure how it happened that quickly.”

At the half the Panthers were down 36-31, and in the blink of an eye the Skyhawks were up 59-41 with about 12 minutes left in the second half after a 23-10 run.

The Skyhawks kept pouring it on in the second half as they pushed the lead up to 30 with 1:27 to play in the second half.

Ohio Valley Conference leading scorer Ashia Jones continued to dominate conference opponents as she scored 26 points on 9-of-18 shooting from the floor.

The Panthers had a rough time shooting the ball in the final half of play as they scored 20 points on 6-of-24 shooting and 0-of-4 from 3-point range.

“I don’t think we played hard enough to win in the second half,” Black said. “We definitely didn’t play smart.”

This is the second straight game the Skyhawks were winning by five points or less heading into halftime and won the game by more than 20 points as they did to Jacksonville State last weekend.

Black knows how good UT Martin is and was not surprised how they took over in the second half.

JASON HOWELL | THE DAILY EASTERN NE WS

Freshman guard, Grace Lennox drives to the hoop during the Eastern Women’s Basketball against the University of Illinois-Chicago on Dec. 14, 2014.

“This team is the best team in our league right now,” she said.

“They do it to everybody. In the second half they just take over the game.”

Throughout the game, the Panthers were having a tough time getting the ball across half court and Black said the Skyhawks were making her team take tough shots when they got the ball across half court.

“They do a very good job of that,” she said. “We couldn’t really execute our plays like we should be able too. Even though we talk about not taking quick shots, the only shot we could take is a lay up. We have to find better ways to score, and we are not.”

Arnisha Thomas has a tough game shooting as she went 1-of-7 from the floor and Erica Brown shot

2-of-7 and scored six points on the day.

Panther forward Sabina Oroszova shot 5-of-12 from the floor and was in foul trouble in the second half, picking up her fourth foul early in the half.

Black felt Oroszova was a little tired in the game.

“The wear of her having to play 40 feet, because she had to help

bring the ball up, kind of wore her down,” she said. “She picked up some silly fouls too. We need her in the game to win these games.”

The Panthers next game will be Saturday against Austin Peay in Lantz Arena.

Bob Reynolds can be reached at 581-2812 or rjreynolds@eiu.edu.

Panthers host Racers in nationally televised game

By Blake Nash Staff Reporter | @Banash5 The Panthers make their national television debut this season Thursday night, when the Eastern men’s basketball team hosts Murray State at 8 p.m. at Lantz Arena.

This game between two Ohio Valley Conference divisional rivals will be on the CBS Sports Network.

Both teams come into the matchup with perfect records in OVC play, and find themselves ranked in the Mid-Major top 25 poll.

The Racers are ranked 8th, while the Panthers are ranked 23rd in the nation.

This will be the first nationally televised game of the Jay Spoonhour era, and the Eastern coach has heard nothing but praise this week from local residents and fans, who are excited about this Panther team, which has won nine consecutive games. This is the most wins by the team since joining Division 1 play.

“People have been texting me all week, telling me how excited they are for this game,” Spoonhour said. “This has been what we’ve been working for these last few years, and it is why guys go to college to play basketball.”

Spoonhour knows it won’t be easy as the Racers have won 12 in a row, and are the highest scoring team in the conference. The Rac-

JASON HOWELL | THE DAILY EASTERN NE WS

Junior foward, Chris Olivier, goes for a loose ball during the Eastern men’s basketball game against Eureka College on Nov. 17, 2014.

ers average 79.7 points per game, and shoot a league best at 49.7 percent from the floor.

They’ll face the OVC’s number one defense in the Panthers, who have allowed just 60.6 points per game, leading up to this contest.

“Murray State has so many guys that can score, but we’re going to take the same approach defensively and try not to give them any easy buckets,” Spoonhour said.

Spoonhour added the Panthers

can’t allow the Racers to score 90 points, because Murray State has scored 90 points five times this year and won all five games. “ They’re ver y fast, especial ly Payne and use good judgment when shooting,” Spoonhour said.

“That’s how you win, you can’t score points with hard shots, just easy shots.”

Guard Cameron Payne and forward Jarvis Williams lead the Racers with 18.4 and 16.4 points per

game, respectively.

Spoonhour wants the Panthers to play a smart game. He does not want to let the Racers dictate the pace of the game, just as they did two years ago in Charleston.

“Getting that win helped, especially because if we were going to make it to the conference tournament, we had to upset somebody,” Spoonhour said.

Senior guard Reggie Smith was a red-shirt during that season, and

said he has been looking forward to this matchup all season, especially since the Racers swept the Panthers last season.

“I’m pretty excited about this game. I feel like last year they got us both games, and I know we can compete with them, and my team knows it,” Smith said. “I think this is going to be the most exciting game that we have this year.”

Spoonhour said it’s exciting around Charleston this week with the game being televised. He appreciates the patience shown by all the fans who have come to games even when the team was not as much fun to watch.

“I’ve been in that game when it’s been packed, and it can be a hard place to play,” Spoonhour said. “We haven’t arrived yet, but in time, it’ll eventually happen.”

Smith has also noticed a change since he arrived two years ago.

“I know before I came it was k i n d o f o n a d ow n h i l l s l i d e ,” Smith said. “I think now it’s starting to pick itself up and a lot of people are starting to get interested in it.”

Tip-off is scheduled for 8 p.m.

The first 300 students will get a blue t-shirt, and everyone is encouraged to wear blue for the “Blue Out Lantz” event.

Blake Nash can be reached at 581-2812 or banash@eiu.edu