THE
Daily Egyptian SERVING THE SOUTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY COMMUNITY SINCE 1916.
DAILYEGYPTIAN.COM
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2024
VOL. 107, ISSUE 19
Disability needs for students not fully met despite university efforts
Carolyn Dickte Guest Contributor
Southern Illinois University touts a long history of accessibility and accommodations around campus and in classes, even before the law required specific accommodations. But despite meeting federal requirements, SIU still does not provide a learning environment that meets what many students need to be successful. “‘You still have to attend, even if you can’t understand,’ is basically what I was told,” said Declan Smith, a Deaf student with ADHD and severe social anxiety. Smith said that sometimes his hearing implants, which he prefers over an American Sign Language interpreter, malfunction, but he is still required to go to class. “Having a way to have access to the slides from the professors or at least
notes would be extremely helpful,” he said. “I’ve missed tons of due dates or information I would have used. Almost missed an exam due to it not being written down or posted online.” Smith also referred to the required “Intro to Communications” course, which the university’s Disability Support Services (DSS) cannot accommodate for. The course’s abundance of presentations and speeches creates major difficulty for disabled students such as Smith. “I’ve had a trigger attack during a class speech and was marked down on my score and talked to privately after,” he said. Morgan VanMeter, another SIU student with ADHD, believes that the university should be more accommodating beyond what is
DISABILITY NEEDS | 4
A heavily used accessibility button sits outside of the front of the Communication Building on campus Jan. 29, 2024 in Carbondale, Illinois. Simeon Hardley | @simshardphotography
Dorm maintenance issues raise concern on campus; bugs not a “priority”
Carly Gist | cgist@dailyegyptian.com
The start of a new semester brings new faces, experiences and new friends. But for some students, it introduces unwanted guests. “I came back from winter break to a dozen dead roaches and a couple alive roaches,” SIU freshman Justyce Petty said.
For Petty, it took contacting her RA, hall director and University Housing to get in touch with maintenance. “It was frustrating because our campus got shut down [due to snow] the day they were supposed to come so they couldn’t come. They came a couple of days after that, but I honestly feel as though the only
reason I got a response was because we went through [the assistant housing director,]” she said. Before maintenance came, Petty and her friends deep cleaned her room, bought roach traps and sprayed the walls with Raid. She said that maintenance has continued to reach out to her to check on the issue, but
that the response was much slower than her first time working with them, when her bathroom flooded shortly after Thanksgiving break. “I would recommend them [maintenance] for anything that isn’t bug related,” she said. “They came really quickly when my shower flooded, and they cleaned it and
washed our rugs for us because they got drenched. They were really quick about that, but I don’t know if I would suggest them for roach problems.” In a small, nonscientific survey conducted by the Daily Egyptian, 88.1% of students said they have had issues with their dorm that required
MAINTENANCE | 5
Salukis bark back, overcome 20-point deficit in win against Murray State Ryan Grieser rgrieser@dailyegyptian.com
Xavier Johnson (10) jumps up to shoot a layup for the Salukis as they face Murray State on the road Jan. 27, 2024 at CFSB Center in Murray, Kentucky. Lylee Gibbs | @lyleegibbsphoto
A familiar sight for Saluki fans was on display with four seconds left on the clock. Star guard Xavier Johnson had the ball in his hands, and he would not be denied. Johnson, off a hesitation dribble, drove to the right side of the basket and kissed the ball off the top of the
glass to give the Salukis their only lead of the game. It proved to be the only lead that mattered. SIU held on, winning 60-58 against rival Murray State Racers while completing a 20-point comeback. “(Johnson’s) had a lot of great opportunities, he’s earned it. I trust his work, and he made a great finish,” Saluki head coach Bryan Mullins said.
The weight of the moment and completing the comeback was not lost on Johnson. “I appreciate Coach, I’m humbled that he gave me the opportunity to have the ball in my hands at the end of the shot clock, my teammates believing in me. Just grateful for that,” Johnson said. Senior Trent Brown came up big BARK BACK | 6
1, 2, & 3
BEDROOMS (618)549-0335 | (618)549-0895
AVAILABLE Grab a roommate for $300-$350 per person!
805 E. Park Street
Page 2 | Entertainment and Culture
Wednesday, January 31, 2024
Free Family Day at the Rec. Center
Gena Albert (left) offers students Jessica Taylor (middle) and Kennedy Crockett (right) free t-shirts at the Free Family Day at the Rec Jan. 26, 2024 at the SIU Rec Center in Carbondale, Illinois. Albert, the Associate Dean of Students, oversees nontraditional students, organized the event for students to bring any member of their family, with special activities for children.
Games await students and their families at the Free Family Day.
Giveaways await students at the Free Family Day.
Coloring activities await students at the Free Family Day.
Photos by Enan Chediak echediak@dailyegyptian.com
News | Page 3
Wednesday, January 31, 2024
Local band hits all the right notes in return to Carbondale
Alli Goering agoering@dailyegyptian.com
A Murphysboro band will return to the local area to perform at Hangar 9 on Feb. 3. Murphy500 is a country music band that writes and performs original music and covers. “It’s nice when you go to a show and you know almost everybody in the crowd,” said lead vocalist Justin Easton. The band comprises Easton, bass guitarist Patrick Jones, guitarist John DeNosky and drummer Seth George. They began playing together locally in 2014 and then started to expand their music career. Some of the band’s original music includes Heart Strings, I Wanna Know, Last Cigarette, Carving Her Name, City Rust and Gasoline. These songs are part of their debut self-titled album. “We decided to kind of go down to Nashville and record a song,” Easton said. “And we kind of did that on a low budget. We did it in a guy’s house studio and it was all low budget, not good recording. But anyways, once we did that, and kind of put it out to our friends and all that started gaining a little traction, we got offered a management deal. And we ended up signing that in 2014 and they basically put a band together for us. And so the whole
band has been together since 2014.” The southern Illinois locals have been staying in the area while they are working on putting out new music. “Right now we’re just kind of playing shows kind of within three to four hours from home, nothing crazy right now,” Easton said. “And then we’re working on some new music and we’re working with a producer in Nashville on two songs. We’re going to kind of see where that goes and that leads to where we need to start traveling. We will [travel] but for right now, we’re just gonna play pretty close down.” All of the members have regular jobs and take off work to travel for gigs when needed. The band members have a special connection with people who live in southern Illinois and attend many of their concerts. “Something I would say about Murphy500 is that they are the same on and off stage,” said SIU alumni Kaitlin McWhorter, who works at Buckle. “I’m lucky to interact with them outside of the concert environment. And they actually come to shop with me where I work which is really special because a lot of times they’ll have on something that I sold them that’s cool. But other than that, they’re just true good hearted people who like to have a
good time.” The band’s name was inspired by Easton’s hometown of Murphysboro. The main street from Hardee’s, leading down to Casey’s has a special name from locals, The Murphy500. “This has been going on way before I was even alive, but basically, you just drive up downtown on Main Street. We got to come up with a name so we wanted something to do with the hometown so that’s what it ended up being,” Easton said. On Saturday night, they will be performing covers of country music and some of their original music. Their covers vary from hits to fan favorites to please everyone who attends. Guests at Hangar 9 have to be 19 or older and pay a 5-dollar cover charge. “I mean, we have people from 19-yearolds to 60-year-olds that show. I mean, ever since we kind of started gaining traction, it’s been all ages, which is good,” Easton said. McWhorter said the band is very family friendly. “Everywhere I’ve been and it’s just consequently always been an establishment where they serve alcohol. So I’ve seen younger people there. But I always find a mature lady to buddy up with and dance with. It’s a great place to go dancing. So
Murphy500 performs at a previous Hangar 9 concert in Carbondale, Illinois. Photo provided by Justin Easton.
anybody that likes to dance and sing it’s a really interactive concert,” McWhorter said. The doors will open at 9 p.m. and Murphy500 will begin its set at 10 p.m. It will play throughout the night as long as the crowd wants until 1:30 a.m. Hangar 9 will have a cash bar and drinks will be served until 2 a.m. Attendees of prior concerts are waiting to welcome Murphy500 back onto the stage. The local southern Illinois area has a range of people who never want to miss live country music.
“I’ve been going to watch Murphy play since 2019, when I transferred here to go to SIU,” McWhorter said. “So it started as a fun thing to do as a college student. I’ve now seen them probably at least five times and enjoy the fact that they play a lot of cover music of all genres, but also that they will always play their own music that they produced.”
Staff Reporter Ali Goering can be reached at agoering@egytian.com
SIU Carbondale advertising student earns national diversity honor SIU Communications
Southern Illinois University Carbondale senior journalism major Monserrat Muñoz knows exactly where she needs to be. The once shy and quiet Muñoz has taken what she has learned in SIU Carbondale’s advertising program and used it to be nationally recognized as one of American Advertising Federation’s (AAF) 50 Most Promising Multicultural Students for 2024. This is the first time that a student from SIU has been selected for the highly competitive honor. “It seems so unreal that I was selected as one of 50 in the nation,” said Muñoz, who is from Fairmont City, Illinois, and a Collinsville High School graduate. “I am honored to have been selected to represent SIU Carbondale as well as my roots. Being selected has shown me that all my hard work has paid off.” Muñoz will participate Feb. 4-9 in New York in professional development and personal branding workshops and have the opportunity to connect with advertising, media, communications and tech companies. “I can’t wait to get industry insight on how to succeed and be a representation/role model for others. Also being in New
York again is something I am very excited about,” said Muñoz, who will earn her degree in May with a specialization in advertising. She will also earn a minor in Spanish. Wants to mentor others Muñoz is president and creative director of Saluki AdLab, a student-run advertising organization, and she learned of the AAF competition through Saluki AdLab faculty adviser Bridget Lescelius, an associate lecturer in the College of Arts and Media’s School of Journalism and Advertising. Muñoz decided to enter because she wants to serve “as a mentor to other diverse students who may be walking in a similar path to myself. Advocacy and representation are something I didn’t receive much of growing up. “I would love to build a network of like-minded individuals who may share similar lived experiences and challenges as myself. This opportunity will help me bridge the gaps that I believe would help me succeed in my future career while helping bring others up along with me moving forward.” After she graduates, Muñoz wants to work at an advertising agency as a junior creative working her way up to become an art director or go to graduate school
to develop her skills further. In either role, she plans to advocate for diversity and inclusion in the advertising industry. Work with Saluki AdLab was key Muñoz’s older brother attended SIU Carbondale, and that had a “huge impact” in where she went to college. She was attracted to advertising due to the “creativity and team aspect” within the profession. “When I dove into what advertising consisted of, it opened my eyes to how impactful advertising is and how it can have big impacts and influence changes,” she said. Muñoz’s selection was based on a portfolio of her Saluki AdLab work and judged by advertising industry professionals. Muñoz said Saluki AdLab has given her “professional hands-on experience that has allowed me to build my portfolio and have an impact on real work.” Lescelius said she could not think of a more deserving student. “Monse has worked very hard the last two years to build a portfolio worthy of this award. It will open so many doors for her,” Lescelius said. “I’m incredibly proud of Monse’s growth and accomplishments. When she joined AdLab, she was shy and
National recognition: Monserrat Muñoz, a senior majoring in journalism with a specialization in advertising, was recently recognized by American Advertising Federation as one of the organization’s 50 Most Promising Multicultural Students for 2024 — the first time an SIU student has been selected for the highly competitive honor. (Photo by Russell Bailey)
quiet. Now she’s winning national awards.” In turn, Muñoz credits Lescelius, noting her “huge impact on what I consider my accomplishments” and someone who “always advocates for us as students.” “She has allowed me to fail and succeed and will be there to help pick us up if we ever have questions,” Muñoz said. “She has had confidence in my abilities to create content and communicate with clients, which has helped me
grow in a personal and professional capacity.” Muñoz’s selection is noteworthy for the program, Lescelius said. “Our program is so small compared to most of the other programs, so it’s huge for us,” she said. “It’s a testament to our school’s commitment to experiential learning and supports our position as a professional school with labbased opportunities like AdLab. Classroom learning gets them grades; experiential learning gets them jobs.”
Page 4 | News
Wednesday, January 31, 2024
DISABILITY NEEDS CONTINUED FROM 1
offered, taking student needs into account. “I think they should allow all students the option of taking a test at DSS, whether or not they have a doctor’s note,” VanMeter said. “A lot of people have testing anxiety but you can’t really get that diagnosed.” VanMeter also called out the common practice of instructors banning laptops from class. In those cases, students will need to go through Disability Support Services in order to gain access to much-needed technology. “I’ve needed special notes allowing me to have laptops in certain classrooms that I only get because I have DSS accommodations,” VanMeter said. The university has a few programs in place to help improve accessibility within the classroom. Lisa Caringer is the director of the Office for Access and Accommodations; that office includes the Disability Support Services program as well as Achieve and employee accommodations under the ADA Office – which ensures the university complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act. “We’re here should students elect to use us,” Caringer said. “It’s pretty painless, just an appointment with a coordinator to talk about needs.” Through an interactive process between a student and a coordinator, after reviewing medical information and talking about life in college with accommodations and the expectations that come with that, the student can choose which accommodations they’d like to use for each course. Students can even opt out of using any sort of accommodations, so the students have control and have the final decision over which accommodations they’d like to use. “We hope that students start to recognize that it’s, you know, in your best interest to use the services that are available,” Caringer said. “...But if they’re not satisfied with our services, they can complain to the Office of Equity and Compliance for some consideration whether or not we might have discriminated or someone else – another office on campus – discriminated against, they can assist students through that process.” Caringer is an SIU alum whose background is in language interpreting and rehabilitation. Before working at SIU, she coordinated the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services program at John A. Logan College in the 90’s, pushing for the administration to allow a specialized grant program for all students with disabilities. “Everything clicked for me, and I really just fell in love with language and the Deaf community,” she said. Caringer currently works with a small number of Deaf and hard of hearing students since the university doesn’t have a coordinator in that position at the moment, she said. “Basically, our mission is to give students an equivalent experience to that of their non-disabled peers so that things are equally effective and the same ease of use, same manner… have as close an experience to someone who doesn’t need accommodations if possible,” Caringer said. The issues disabled students face are not limited to just the inside of the classroom. As the campus’s buildings age, their outdated architecture and lesser priority on accessibility leaves some Salukis out in the cold. Mark Owens, director of Facilities and Energy Management, said in an emailed response that SIU complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act, a federal civil rights law aimed to provide people with disabilities the same employment, goods and services and state/government participation and opportunities as everyone else.
A student returns from class as the worn ceiling in Kellogg Hall of Thompson Point sits above him Jan. 24, 2024 in Carbondale, Illinois. Jason Isele | @iselephotography
While all the buildings on campus are ADA compliant, some more historical buildings remain mostly untouched with just a few modifications here and there such as at least one ramp and elevator where needed, Caringer said. A few examples include the Old Baptist’s Foundation that has a ramp on the back as well as Anthony Hall, another historical building, has an elevator since it’s the administration building and needs to be accessible. “We could modify those buildings, but when you think about a historical building and the way they’re built and the ornateness of them, it’s darn near impossible to do it without ruining the building. The approach has just been to, if there’s a classroom in there – and there typically isn’t – we remove the class,” Caringer said. Owens said, “Access is part of our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, which is a pillar of our Imagine 2030 strategic plan. Nevertheless, facilities have been modified to ensure accessibility,
and we often exceed ADA standards. We have received national recognition for our efforts, including being named among the Top 20 Wheelchair Friendly Colleges by New Mobility Magazine and the United Spinal Association.” He added that if people are finding issues, they should contact the staff at foc.facilities@ siu.edu. The Daily Egyptian surveyed six of the most frequented campus buildings. We found that some buildings are more accessible than others. Among our findings: • The Student Center has four main entrances to the building, all of which are handicap accessible. All handicaps buttons to open the doors work, and the ramps and elevator are in good condition as well. Bathrooms on floors B, 1 and 2 are accessible. •The Communications Building has handicap accessible entrances on all sides except for a few of the side doors near the School of Journalism. The elevator to all floors works, but there are no buttons to the
Daily Egyptian newsroom doors and there is one accessible one-stall bathroom on the first floor. •In Morris Library, handicap buttons for doors to bathrooms are available only on floors 1, 6 and 7. All elevators are in good condition, and there are two ramps on both sides of the building to the main doors; however, the right side ramp is much more narrow than the left side. •In the Banterra Center, the downstairs main entrance’s handicap buttons do not work on the right side doors for both inside and outside. There are stairs at almost all of the main entrances besides the downstairs one. There is an elevator next to that entrance that is in good working condition. •In Shryock Auditorium, steep ramps are in place for all accessible entrances, which are in mid condition. The elevators are in good condition. •In Faner Hall, there are elevators at each entrance. However, narrow hallways would be difficult to navigate in a wheelchair.
Wednesday, January 31, 2024
MAINTENCE CONTINUED FROM 1
maintenance. Of the 43 participants, 72.1% live on West Campus, 25.6% live on East and 2.3% live in Wall and Grand Apartments. Insects seem to be a common issue among students living in West Campus dorms, while water and plumbing is a major problem for those on East Campus. One anonymous survey participant wrote, “I heard lots of people [are] living among cockroaches on West Campus, which is not sanitary at all and not acceptable. The buildings should be shut down.” A sophomore on East Campus wrote, “Our shower wasn’t draining and we had a light out and they [maintenance] came the next morning and fixed it! Very nice.” Students who participated in the survey were asked to select all dorm issues that applied to them. Results found that water/ plumbing was the most common issue among participants. Insects and AC/heat followed in second and third respectively, and 14 participants listed other issues, such as mold, electricity and broken door handles. The survey also found that many students have mixed reviews when it comes to the maintenance team. Sophomore Abby Zerrusen wrote, “Sometimes they blame you and don’t take you seriously, but some people are kind and friendly and genuinely care.” Zerrusen emphasized the importance of treating students with respect, but also recognized that the maintenance team may not be fairly compensated for their tasks. “I don’t know how much maintenance workers get paid, maybe they don’t get paid enough to care all that much,” she said. “Either way people just need to be more kind and believe students when they say something is an issue, and most importantly not ridicule people. I have heard of and experienced instances where either maintenance, housing or both just act like whatever issue there is was the students fault and even laughed at the student in one case.” Jim Hunsaker, Senior Associate Director of Housing Operations, said that over the last three years, $10 million has been put into keeping the buildings safe for students. “Student safety and comfort and convenience is always at the forefront of our minds,” he said. Hunsaker said that if students are faced with an emergency, they should contact their resident assistant or hall director immediately. “For instance, a leaking shower or a
News | Page 5 sink that won’t turn off or any type of leak should be reported immediately, so we can take care of that,” he said. “Otherwise, through the housing portal, a student will submit a maintenance request. If it’s bug issues or other non-emergency issues, we will prioritize those and take care of those as soon as we possibly can. But the emergency needs to get reported right away, and everything else is done through the housing portal on a maintenance request.” Emergency responses are immediate, he said, but other issues can take up to ten days depending on priority. “We’re going to prioritize the work orders. If it’s an issue of light bulbs or bugs, light bulbs are going to take precedence over now sweeping up ladybugs, for instance,” he said. “We definitely will get to it as soon as possible, but there could be a seven-to-10 day wait for some issues.” To keep rooms free of pests, Hunsaker recommends getting rid of garbage and making sure your room is clean. “Cardboard is a nesting ground for bugs. A lot of pests will lay eggs in the cardboard. If students don’t get the cardboard out of their rooms, they can hatch pests,” he said. “Keeping your room clean, keeping the food put away, either in the refrigerator or covered in a container, that’s the biggest thing… We recommend that the students keep their room as clean as possible; clean the bathroom, clean the room, and just try to help us control these issues. Because if the students can’t keep their rooms clean, it just is a breeding ground for pests that makes it harder for us to do our job.” Hunsaker spoke proudly of the maintenance team and commemorated them for their efforts. “I think we have a fantastic maintenance staff, and I think our students really appreciate how quickly we get on things,” he said. “We live in Southern Illinois, we have the most beautiful campus in the state. But along with that natural beauty of the campus, with the woods and in the lake and…being surrounded by rural farming communities, there’s gonna be bugs without question…We are here to make the experience the best we possibly can for the student, and quite frequently, our maintenance staff will get thank you letters…So for the most part, our students really appreciate what we do.” For more information, visit the Maintenance & Housekeeping page on the University Housing’s website. Staff Reporter Carly Gist can be reached at cgist@dailyegyptian.com.
Justyce Petty holds a photo of the bugs that accumulated in her dorm room over winter break Jan. 30, 2024 at Smith Hall on West Campus at SIU in Carbondale, Illinois. “[The roaches] got solved kind of right away but not really because I had been not sleeping in my dorm for four days because I was like ‘what am I supposed to do while there’s roaches in my room?’ So I slept in other people’s dorm rooms,” Petty said. Due to the maintenance request being put in right before the weekend, maintenance was not able to immediately fill the requests made by Petty. Dominique Martinez-Powell | @dmartinez_powell.photography
Justyce Petty shows off a photo of the bugs that accumulated in her dorm room over winter break Jan. 30, 2024 at Smith Hall on West Campus at SIU in Carbondale, Illinois. Petty mentioned finding roaches and mice feces on the floor when she returned from break. Dominique Martinez-Powell | @dmartinez_powell.photography
Page 6 |
BARK BACK CONTINUED FROM 1
down the stretch, scoring 12 of his 16 points in the last 13 minutes of second half and igniting the Salukis’ 25-3 run to finish the game. It did not appear SIU would have the chance to win, after a sloppy first half that saw the Salukis commit 17 turnovers, and enter the break trailing by eight. Murray State jumped out to a quick 5-0 lead to start the game field by Saluki turnovers. When SIU answered with a Rupert slam and a Johnson three, Murray stayed calm and answered with a three-pointer of their own.
Wednesday, January 31, 2024 Every time the Salukis got a little bit of momentum in the first half, the Racers would answer with a nearly identical basket. SIU would enter the half down eight but in control of the momentum via a Jarrett Hensley dunk with seven seconds remaining in the half. The Racers came out of the break hot, holding SIU to five points in the first six minutes of play and building up to a 20 point lead. A switch flipped for the Salukis with 14 minutes left, and Murray State’s layup with 14:09 on the clock would be their last basket for 10 minutes. The Racers only scored three points for the rest of
the game behind excellent defense and overwhelming offense from the Salukis. “What was able to get us back was taking care of the ball and then getting stops, keeping them out of the paint. We were able to rebound, and limit them to one shot,” Mullins said. Foul trouble proved to be a problem for both teams’ big men. Clarence Rupert played only 10 minutes due to foul trouble, while Murray State’s big men also spent long stretches on the bench. Rupert’s replacement, Scottie Ebube, proved to be a big spark off the bench in what may have
been his best defensive game of the season. Ebube, who played 18 minutes, finished the game with eight rebounds, three steals, and two massive blocks. “Scottie did a great job,” Mullins said. “He was able to break up a couple passes, and then we were struggling with guarding the paint from the post and also the guards driving down. I think his presence in there made it hard for guards to finish.” AJ Ferguson helped keep the Salukis afloat in the first half by scoring 12 of his 14 points in the first half, including a season-high three baskets from behind the arc.
| Page 7
Wednesday, January 31, 2024
Saturday’s win marked the Salukis’ third road win in the Missouri Valley and has them in fifth place in the MVC standings. “It’s huge to win on the road in this league, regardless of if we’re down 20 or win by 20… it’s great to be able to build off the Valpo game and hopefully we can continue to keep it going,” Mullins said. The Salukis will return home to Carbondale and face the Missouri State Bears on Wednesday at 7 p.m in the Banterra Center. Sports reporter Ryan Grieser can be reached at rgrieser@dailyegyptian.com.
Xavier Johnson (10) and Trent Brown (24) bow their heads for the playing of the national anthem just before tipoff.
AJ Ferguson (14) jumps up to shoot as he is guarded by Nick Ellington (23) and JaCobi Wood (24) of Murray State.
Saluki men’s basketball and supporting fans scream in celebration after SIU makes a 20-point comeback in the second half to take the lead with 2.8 seconds left in the game. Photos by Lylee Gibbs | @LyleeGibbsPhoto
Troy D’Amico (0) passes the ball across the court.
Scottie Ebube (2) dunks the ball early in the first half.
The Dawg Pound cheer on Saluki men’s basketball as they head back to the locker room after making a comeback win over Murray State Jan. 27, 2024 at CFSB Center in Murray, Kentucky. Photos by Lylee Gibbs | @LyleeGibbsPhoto
Page 8 | Sports
Wednesday, January 31, 2024
Jackie Lis poses with her baseball bat in hand March 29, 2023 at Charlotte West Stadium in Carbondale, Illinois. Simeon Hardley | @simshardphotography
Jackie’s Journey: From Saluki family ties to softball stardom Ryan Grieser rgrieser@dailyegyptian.com
When asked if there are any differences in her teammate Jackie Lis’ mindset, sophomore Erin Lee said, “I think she’s the same.” The rest of the Missouri Valley Conference likely doesn’t want to hear that. If SIU gets the same Jackie Lis as last year, they’re going to be a major threat to not only repeat as MVC Tournament Champions, but potentially win the regular season title behind the powerful bat of the sophomore shortstop. In 2023, Lis had one of the most prolific offensive seasons in SIU history, setting the records for singleseason home runs and single-season RBIs with 16 and 57, respectively. She had a .356 batting average, tied for the seventh-most hits all time with 62, and set the school record for single-game
RBIs, driving in eight runs against Murray State. Lee, mainly a second base player, notes Lis’ confidence, a big factor in her breakout season. “Her number one thing is just confidence and knowing that she basically owns the field, whether she’s doing bad or good,” Lee said. At the end of the season, Lis received plenty of accolades, being named to the All-MVC First Team, MVC AllTournament, NFCA All-Region, and D1Softball Freshman All-American. Entering the 2024 season, Lis has again been recognized for her excellence, listed at number 92 on D1Softball’s Preseason Top 100 Player List and number nine on D1Softball’s Middle Infield Power Rankings list. While Lis appreciates the recognition, she’s not ready to rest on her laurels.
“I still kind of try to use it to push myself. I was 92 overall, so this year I’m gonna try to get into the top 50,” Lis said. Lis has several goals for the season, including raising her batting average, but one specific goal can be tied back in part to her placement on the middle infield power rankings list. “For the shortstop poll, they had all seniors and super seniors ahead of me… this season, I’m really going to try to lock it down on defense and get up to where those seniors are going to be leaving and try to take those spots as they’re getting pushed out,” Lis said. If there is one weakness in Lis’ game, it would be the number of errors she gives up. In 2023, Lis led the team with nine. That’s a number she’s determined to bring down in the upcoming season. “I want to get that number down and lock it down on the left side. We have Riley Hamilton right in front of me, and we all know she doesn’t make many errors, and I’ve got Elizabeth Warwick behind me in left field making all kinds of catches over the fence and sliding catches. So I don’t want to be the bum on the left side of the field,” Lis said. While Lis contains plenty of natural ability, her family history likely contributed to her success. Her grandfather played eight seasons of Major League Baseball, while her father reached the Triple-A level with multiple organizations. The Lis family even has direct ties to SIU; Becky Lis, Jackie’s aunt, is a Saluki Hall of Famer, having played softball from 1994-97.
Becky Lis, a two-time All-American, holds the career record for batting average and is in the top-five in several other career statistical categories. “It runs in our family,” Lis said. “My life revolves around softball and baseball and it always kind of has.” With the full backing of her family, Lis was able to dream of a collegiate softball career. “It’s every travel ball player’s dream to play in college, so I always wanted to do that,” Lis said. “I would joke with my aunt when I was younger that I was gonna come here and break her records.” The dream didn’t always seem like a possibility. Due to her small size, Lis had thought she would play D2 softball. “It was always kind of a joke because I was a small kid. We never really thought I would make it to division one… but then all of a sudden, you started looking at me and I was like, ‘I’m gonna go do it, Becky.’ And then I committed here,” Lis said. While it is expected that most players may face a bit of a challenge transitioning into the college level, Lis didn’t. She began her SIU career with a nine-game hitting streak. Lis’ credits her background for helping to prepare her to “continue with where they left off for me.” “The baseball school that my dad has, it kind of keeps me motivated, because a lot of people don’t have such easy access to hitting,” Lis said. “But being able to do it for free with
instructors that I’ve literally known my whole life, and that I know had success in their careers, also was a big push for me.” Lis is also hoping to help the Salukis make a big push during the upcoming season, though she recognizes that it will be an uphill battle. “Something coach (Jen) Sewell also says to us is, ‘We’re always going to get everyone’s best game.’ Other teams are going to pitch their number one against us… we always get everybody’s best games because we always have that target on our back,” Lis said. While everyone on the team may improve, Lee thinks that Lis has already elevated her game through experience and may be even better in the upcoming season. “Taking that step to college ball, you’re always going to get more experience… so now in conference, or teams that we’re going to play again, she knows what to expect, and she knows they’re going to come after her,” Lee said. Both Lee and Lis are excited to see how far this current team can go, and Lis’ supreme confidence shines through when asked about where she thinks the team will be in May. “I think with the team we returned, and the newcomers we brought in, I think this team could easily go back to that regional and win it,” Lis said. Sport reporter Ryan Grieser can be reached at rgrieser@dailyeygptian.com
Wednesday, January 31, 2024
Calendar | Page 9
Community Calendar Wednesday Jan. 31 Blood Drive 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM Student Center Renaissance Room Contact: Tara Lincoln, Tara.Lincoln@redcross.org McNair Scholars Program Information 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM Student Center North Table #2 Contact: Rhetta Seymour, rseymour@siu.edu Kappa Delta Chi Sorority Informational 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM Student Center Ohio Contact: Natalia Lopez, natalia.lopez@siu.edu
Contact Us
Chi Alpha Christian Fellowship Meetings 7:00 AM - 8:15 AM Student Center Delta Room Contact: Jaedyn Vela, jaedyn.vela@siu.edu Eclipse Lecture Series 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM First Floor Rotunda and Guyon Auditorium Contact: Cori Brevik, corinne.brevik@siu.edu Meet and Greet with Frederick Douglass Descendent 4:30 PM - 5:30 PM Third Floor Rotunda Contact: Cherie Watson, cwatson@lib.siu.edu Saturday Feb. 03
Black Women’s Task Force General Meeting 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM Student Center Activity Room AB Contact: Janiyah Gaston, janiyah.gaston@siu.edu
Women’s Basketball: SIU vs Missouri State 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM Banterra Center Contact: Saluki Athletics, SIUTicketOffice@siu.edu
Men’s Basketball: SIU vs. Missouri State 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM Banterra Center Contact: Saluki Athletics, SIUTicketOffice@siu.edu
FGC Practice 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM Student Center Esports Contact: SIU Esports Club
Thursday Feb. 01
Alpha Gamma Delta Recruitment Event 3:30 PM - 7:00 PM Student Center Illinois Contact: Natalie Distlehorst, natalie.distlehorst@siu.edu
Black History Month Kickoff 11:00 AM - 8:00 PM First Floor Rotunda Contact: Mildred Williams, mildred@siu.edu
Club Rhythm Practice 6:00 PM - 9:30 PM Student Center Esports Contact: SIU Esports Club
InterVarsity Chapter Night 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM Student Center Kaskaskia/Missouri Contact: Annie McCormick, anniemccormick@siu.edu Friday Feb. 02
Faculty Managing Editor: Annie Hammock
News Editor: Joei Younker
ahammock@dailyegyptian.com
jyounker@dailyegyptian.com
Editor-in-Chief: Cole Daily
Sports Editor: Jamilah Lewis
cdaily@dailyegyptian.com
jlewis@dailyegyptian.com
Design Chief: Peyton Cook
Digital Editor: Bhayva Sri-Billuri
pcook@dailyegyptian.com
bsri-billuri@dailyegyptian.com
Photo Editor: Lylee Gibbs
Business Manager: Jessica Guthrie
lgibbs@dailyegyptian.com
jguthrie@dailyegyptian.com
Ad Chief: Makena Masterson
mmasterson@dailyegyptian.com
Monday Feb. 05
Black History Month Kickoff 11:00 AM - 8:00 PM Guyon Auditorium Contact: Mildred Williams, mildred@siu.edu
Smash Bros. Ultimate Practice Night 6:00 PM - 9:30 PM Student Center Esports Contact: SIU Esports Club
Email: editor@dailyegyptian.com
Tuesday Feb. 06 Grad Bash 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM Student Center Bookstore - University Contact: Kim Goforth, kgoforth@siu.edu Richard Kelley, Faculty Saxophone Recital 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM OBF Recital Hall 104 Contact: Richard Kelley, kelley2@siu.edu
About Us
The Daily Egyptian is published by the students of Southern Illinois University Carbondale on a weekly basis. Fall and spring semester editions run every Wednesday. Free copies are distributed in the Carbondale, Carterville, and Springfield communities. The Daily Egyptian can be found at www.dailyegyptian.com or on the Daily Egyptian app!
Mission Statement
The Daily Egyptian, the student-run news organization of Southern Illinois University Carbondale, is committed to being a trusted source of news, information, commentary and public discourse, while helping readers understand the issues affecting their lives.
Publishing Information
The Daily Egyptian is published by the students of Southern Illinois University Carbondale and functions as a laboratory for the School of Journalism in exchange for the room and utilities in the Communications Building. The Daily Egyptian is a non-profit organization that survives primarily off of its advertising revenue. Offices are in the Communications Building, room 1259, at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Carbondale, Ill., 62901.
Copyright Information
@2024 The Daily Egyptian. All rights reserved. All content is property of the Daily Egyptian and may not be reproduced or transmitted without consent. The Daily Egyptian is a member of the Illinois College Press Association, Associated Collegiate Press, College Media Advisers Inc. and the College Business and Advertising Managers Inc.
Submissions Cole Daily
Cole Daily cdaily@dailyegyptian.com
Letters and guest columns must be submitted with author’s contact information, preferably via email. Phone numbers are required to verify authorship, but will not be published. Students must include their year and major. Faculty must include rank and department. Others include hometown. Submissions should be sent to editor@dailyegyptian.com
Page 10 | News
Wednesday, January 31, 2024
NASA awards SolarSTEAM $2.6M grant to further heliophysics research
Annalise Schmidt aschmidt@dailyegyptian.com
In April, SIU will be partnering with NASA to gather vital data about the total solar eclipse that can be viewed at totality in Carbondale. NASA is giving a chief research group, SolarSTEAM Project, $2.6 million dollars to support public engagement regarding the sun and its impacts. Cori Brevik, a lead researcher and assistant professor of practice in the School of Physics and Applied Physics at SIU said, “One of the messages we’re trying to get across to the world is that the sun is everywhere. The sun literally touches everything in our lives.” SolarSTEAM wants to help people understand the world they live in, by making people more aware of the connections between them and the sun. “The sun affects the clothes you wear, it affects the food you eat. It affects your transportation. It affects the climate and the weather,” Brevik said. The team’s research is broken up into various themes. This year’s first big theme happens to be the solar eclipse. However, this project will expand beyond just that. Brevik said, “SolarSTEAM is a long-term project. It is not just focused on the upcoming eclipse, but also on heliophysics in general.” This year the project will have numerous event themes based on different aspects of solar science. Brevik said it is currently NASA’s Big Year of Heliophysics, or the sun’s relationship with the other celestial objects in our solar system. NASA has Big Years to celebrate key innovations, and this year SolarSTEAM hopes to continue its mission on campus. Other events they will be hosting concern the Parker Solar Probe, which will be the closest probe to ever get near the sun, and an approaching solar maximum, where the sun is at its most active. With its newest grant from NASA, the project’s ability to educate a broader audience, especially during the week of the solar eclipse, will increase even more. Harvey Henson, principal investigator of SolarSTEAM, as well as associate professor in the School of Education and director of SIU’s STEM Education Research Center, said, “Eclipses happen all over the world. About every year and a half, two years. You just have to be in the right spot when it happens and look up.” SolarSTEAM and the events it is hosting are mainly focused on the U.S., but its efforts have the potential to reach far beyond. Brevik said, “The goal is to get people into the path of the eclipse. A partial eclipse is fine. But it is not the amazing thing that totality is, and so we really want to encourage people to just go wherever you can
get to go see it.” The project has nationwide engagement, and consists of a large team. It’s several people at SIU, the planetarium of Chicago, Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Lab and two NASA centers. “As a scientist, a science educator, that’s an ideal situation because we can capture and engage with these phenomenons and get the chance to interact with a larger audience,” Henson said. Before SolarSTEAM was able to connect with other organizations and become more widespread, it first needed to gain traction on campus and in the community. “Maybe none of us would have known the impact of having two total eclipse events and all the other astronomical events happening at Carbondale, without Bob Baer,” Henson said. Baer is Director of the Physics Department’s public astronomy observation program and co-chair of the Southern Illinois Eclipse 2017 - 2024 Steering Committee. His enthusiasm to inform the public of these discoveries helped to jumpstart the eclipse day celebrations at SIU. “After I got done freaking out about the fact that we’re going to see two total solar eclipses in seven years and the centerline of both of those eclipses comes over Carbondale, then all the work started,” Baer said. This discovery got Carbondale its initial point on the map, but the work needed to offer solar eclipse-related events in 2017 (and eventually 2024), included a long and tedious proposal process. Due to the success the program had in 2017, Baer said, the team was able to draw attention back to Carbondale for this upcoming eclipse. “We didn’t have the kind of attention on us externally for 2024, at least not from the public and the media until we started engaging and writing proposals and getting grants,” Baer said. Over time, the efforts have become more widespread, allowing for new research opportunities and involvement. Henson said, “Between Bob Baer and I, we have five grants: science research, heliophysics research, educational research, engagement, broadcasting and arts.” These grants, while useful to the organization and to the eclipse events, do not limit their broad goal of having other heliophysic- related projects. “Many of those other projects are supported by sponsors, by university funds and just by donations,” Henson said. He said many people have given up their precious time to put events on and make them free for SIU students. “None of us would be here
Day Starr-fleming | Day SF - Facebook
without students. Why would we? We’ve taken that same mentality, that same service mindset to all of this,” Henson said. The team hopes to provide and facilitate unique opportunities, so that students can make the most of their eclipse week and learn more in the process by attending and volunteering for events. Baer said students who volunteer at the eclipse events at the stadium get to apply their knowledge firsthand and get a front row view of the activities, including working personally with people from NASA. Volunteering is a chance for extra professional development for students as well. Students majoring in communication and arts will have many opportunities to create content about the eclipse. Brevik said, “Karla Berry over in Media Arts has a huge team of students who are building videos, they’re doing web content. It’s not
just a sciency event. There’s all these pieces connected.” Volunteers will be filming the sun during the eclipse. The livestreams will be broadcast throughout the world, and there will be a chance that their feed may be used by NASA. “We also have an astrophotography team on campus. That is made up of people from any major and no astronomy or photography background is required,” Brevik said. If students are interested in doing research with this group they should get involved with their student programs. SolarSTEAM has started an Eclipse Chasing program, which is a study abroad group. Brevik said, “We went to the Australia eclipse last April. In a few years we’ll be going to Spain, and then to Africa to witness total solar eclipses, so there’s some really good study abroad opportunities that anybody can take.” Henson said, “As an educator, most of what we learn is outside the
classroom, especially because we get the chance to apply our knowledge. This event is a life-changing application.” SolarSTEAM will be offering once in a lifetime opportunities to members of the Carbondale community this year, and hopes people everywhere take a moment to learn more about the impacts of heliophysics. “One of my personal goals is to have as many people as possible experience the eclipse for themselves, and just have that moment of personal appreciation,” Henson said. For any additional information about eclipse day events and the work SolarSTEAM has been working on, as well as volunteer opportunities and future projects see eclipse.siu.edu. Staff reporter Annalise Schimdt can be reached at aschimdt@dailyegyptian.com
Wednesday, January 31, 2024
Entertainment and Culture | Page 11
Black RSO Fair Photos taken by Jason Isele | @iselephotography
The Women of Action Chapter RSO presents during the assembly.
Board members of the Black Women’s Club talk before the presentation assembly Jan. 25, 2024 at the Student Center in Carbondale, Illinois. Students talk amongst themselves and look on as preparations for the Black RSO Fair presentation assembly reach completion.
Dynasty Dance Company Board Members Zion Gatson, Jamie Lenoir, Francesca Stewart and Arieyon Hicks stand for a photo.
The Black Affairs Council kicks off the Black RSO Fair presentation assembly with their slideshow.
Page 12 | Ad
Wednesday, January 31, 2024
• LOCAL, ORGANIC, FAIR TRADE • WELLNESS • BULK • GROCERY • DELI • FRESH PRODUCE • CRAFT BEER & WINE •
Neighborhood Co-op Grocery Open daily 8am - 9pm
In the Murdale Shopping Center • 1815 W. Main Street, Carbondale IL • (618) 529-3533 • www.neighborhood.coop
Buy One, Get One
FREE 5/$5
3/$5
$3.99 ea
Ramen
Organic Nut Butter Cups
Chocolate Bars
Koyo
2.21oz. • Selected varieties
Justin’s
5.5-6 oz. • Selected varieties
Tony’s Chocolonely 6.35 oz. • Selected varieties
Muir Glen
Organic Tomatoes Selected varieties • 28 oz.
2/$6
2/$7
$4.49 ea
Organic Macaroni & Cheese
Organic Tortilla Chips
Plant-based Proteins
Annie’s
Late July
Gardein
7.4-10.1oz. • Selected varieties
8.1-13.7 oz. • Selected varieties
5.5-6 oz. • Selected varieties
The Good Crisp Company
Potato Crisps or Cheese Balls Selected varieties • 2.75-5.6 oz.
$4.79 ea
2/$8
2/$8
Organic Plant-based Crumbles
Organic Frozen Potatoes
Pizza Poppers
Plant Boss
Cascadian Farm
12-16 oz. • Selected varieties
Annie’s
6.8 oz. • Selected varieties
3.17-3.35 oz. • Selected varieties
& DEBT DAWG
Sale prices valid through Feb. 13, 2024
Against the Grain
Gluten-Free Frozen Pizzas
F L E S R U O Y T A TRE
Selected varieties • 22.4-24 oz.
at the Co-op! FUDGE • CHEESECAKE CUPCAKES • PIES • COOKIES BROWNIES & MORE
Aura Cacia
Mineral Bath
Selected varieties • 2.5 oz.