STAT ATTACK
BIG TEN BATTLE
Check out this week in sports by the numbers, including stats from football, women’s basketball, and men’s and women’s soccer. Page 7
Eastern’s men’s soccer will take on the Wisconsin Badgers Wednesday in Madison, Wis. Page 8
Dai ly Eastern News
THE
WWW.DAILYEASTERNNEWS.COM
Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2013
VOL. 98 | ISSUE 52
“TELL THE TRUTH AND DON’T BE AFRAID”
Phi Beta Sigma appeal circulating By Bob Galuski News Editor | @DEN_News Members of Phi Beta Sigma fraternity have sent out a petition to appeal a hearing decision following the “Barn Party” incident, likening the findings to giving “the electric chair to our fraternity for not cleaning our bedroom.” Members of Phi Beta Sigma were unavailable for comment. Phi Beta Sigma members directed the appeal to Dan Nadler, the vice president for student affairs. Nadler said he was unable to comment on pending student disciplinary matters. “The Appeal of Suspension of Phi Beta Sigma” appeared online at The Petition Site Monday, and, as of press
time, had 796 online signatures. According to the appeal, a hearing took place on Oct. 16, where several findings resulted in consequences for the fraternity. “On the grounds of the sanction being inappropriate for the violation, we are formally appealing the findings of that hearing and request the five year suspension, the 300 hour community service requirement, the $2,000 fine and the demand we move out of the Greek Court house be immediately, and forever vacated,” the appeal states. Members of the fraternity are also asking that two individuals, Jajuan Jefferies and Dajon Sherman, be reinstated as students in good standing and that there be an apology issued to the
fraternity at the local, state, regional and national level. “The accusations that these young men were complicit in a violation that the hearing board didn’t even find a preponderance of evidence for, and stated as such, almost unbelievable and hard to digest at its most liberal interpretation,” the letter states. The letter of appeal continues to state the findings from the hearing are equivalent to “a death sentence for an (registered student organization) that has for four decades positively contributed to the university on campus.” The letter also addressed the fact the fraternity members were advised not to have the off-campus party as part of the organization.
“We are indeed aware that it was advised that members of our organization, as an organization, not have an off campus party,” the appeal states. “We are also aware that individuals of our organization helped to host the party.” Members of Phi Beta Sigma also extended an invitation to the university to help with safety protocols that will apply to all RSOs. According to Eastern’s student conduct code, a written appeal of the process or decision may be submitted to the Vice President for Student Affairs within seven calendar days from the date of the decision letter. However, the student conduct code does not mention anything in the ap-
peal section about needing a certain number of signatures or any sort of petition in general. The “Barn Party” incident occurred on Sept. 15, when the party ended in gunshots, sending two gunshot victims and one battery victim to Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center. Following the “Barn Party,” latenight on-campus parties were temporarily suspended and then reinstated on Sept. 27 after new policies went into effect. The “Barn Party” investigation is currently ongoing. Bob Galuski can be reached at 581-2812 or rggaluski@eiu.edu.
Yang displays piano talents at Doudna By Marcus Curtis Entertainment Editor @DEN_News William Yang, a 12-year-old pianist, may be young, but his musical abilities exceed his age. The now 12 -year-old pianists displayed his classical scales and chords in the Doudna Fine Arts Center in the Recital Hall Tuesday. The scene is the Recital Hall filled with audience members. Young Yang, standing at about 5-feet tall and appearing older than the pictures in the advertisements, approaches the stage in a clean black tuxedo and bows to the crowd. Yang’s performance screams intensity throughout it. Every piece played by the young pianist grabbed the audience’s attention and had them on the edge of their seats. Audience members were very quiet and attentive as Yang tapped the keys on the piano to create fast-tempo chords. Smiles substituted applause from the crowd to show satisfaction and excitement while the pianist performed his classical pieces. While playing the piano, Yang appeared to be very serious and almost emotionless by the look on his face, but all of Yang’s emotions were in his hands. He did not use sheet music throughout his entire performance, instead relying only on memory. Yang covered pieces from Ludwig van Beethoven in the first half of his performance, as well as J.S. Bach. If the audience viewed Yang’s hands while performing, they would understand why the sounds that came from the piano sounded so authentic to the original piece. Yang’s hands moved rapidly as the classical tunes of Beethoven’s “Sonata No. 8 in C Minor, Op. 13” “Pathetique” filled the small Recital Hall. Yang’s cover of Beethoven’s “Pathetique” received an extended round of applause from the audience. A combination of soft and hard
Amanda wilkinson | The Daily Eastern Ne ws
William Yang, 12, performs “Scherzo No. 1” by Fredric Chopin Tuesday in the Recital Hall. Yang said in his new apartment in Boston, the security was called on him because he was practicing piano past 9 p.m. He also said he enjoys listening to classical music, swimming and his iPad.
keys, as well as a shift in fast to slow tempos from Yang throughout the entire performance brought the audience to their feet for a standing ovation. The Recital Hall in Doudna proved to be the perfect venue for Yang’s piano performance. The Recital Hall happens to be small, but the size of it gave the performance from Yang a more intimate feeling for the audience members as well as Yang. In addition to the Recital Hall giving audience members an up-close and personal feeling, it also allowed
everyone in attendance to view Yang’s hands while he performed. There were mirrors located above and around the stage that revealed the reflection of Yang’s hands. During the question and answer portion after Yang’s performance, Yang mentioned that he does not get nervous during his performances, but he does get nervous before he enters the stage. He said he concentrates on the music to help him avoid being nervous. “(I get nervous) sometimes before, but not after,” he said. “It’s easier to
just be in the music.” In the question and answer portion, Yang also revealed that he has only had experience playing classical piano music and enjoys it. Yang also said he enjoys practicing the piano at night. He shared a story about how the security in his apartment building had to ask him to stop playing the piano one night because of noise complaints. Yang has other hobbies besides the piano, including swimming and playing table tennis. He said it is impor-
tant to have hobbies so he does not get tired of playing the piano. “If you have too much of the same thing in your mind, it can be exhausting,” he said. Yang even gave other young pianists who were in attendance words of advice. “It’s important to think about what you’re doing and how you can make it better,” he said. Marcus Curtis can be reached at 581-2812 or at mlcurtis@eiu.edu.