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Jackson County police to take over gun-theft case TARA KULASH Daily Egyptian
Carbondle city council member Jane Adams requested an internal investigation of the police department’s policies and procedures as Jackson County police take over the investigation of the theft of Police Chief Jody O’Guinn’s gun. Carbondale police believe the killing
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of Carbondale resident Deaunta Spencer, 20, Sept. 14 may have involved O’Guinn’s handgun that was stolen from his personal car in June. In a press conference Tuesday at the Carbondale Civic Center, Jackson County State’s Attorney Mike Wepsiec said the amount of media that has surrounded O’Guinn has cast him in a negative light and disturbed the case.
“While questions are important in our democratic society, rumors do not facilitate a healthy environment in which to conduct a good police investigation,� Wepsiec said in the conference. Questions have swirled around the lack of urgency O’Guinn displayed when he reported the stolen gun a week after it went missing. Please see POLICE | 3
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Students speak out about university insurance policy
Southern Recycling Center sorts it out
Students with Medicaid not eligible for refund JAMES JONES Daily Egyptian
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y frustration is not targeted at the fact that I do not receive a refund; it is based on fees we are expected to pay the university for insurance that doesn’t provide full coverage. — Marla Baker graduate student in public administration from Chicago Every student is able to use their own health insurance, according to the Student Health Center’s website, but there proves to be an exception. Jim Hunsaker, assistant director of the student health insurance department, said Medicaid — a government-funded program provided to lower income families — is an unacceptable form of student insurance. Although Medicaid covers students’ expenses, it is not a commercial insurance policy, which is why students who are covered under Medicaid are still required to purchase university insurance. “If students were to use their Medicaid health plan, SIU would pay expenses first and Medicaid would pay a small portion of the remaining amount,� Hunsaker said. “SIU’s goal is to always be the payor of last resort, not the primary source.� Students who have a credible form of health insurance outside of SIU are eligible for a $300 insurance refund at the beginning of each semester, according to the Student Health Center website. Those who do not have any form of alternative insurance are required to use the university’s. Marla Baker, a graduate student studying public administration from Chicago, said she understands the logic behind the refund policy but does not understand why she has to purchase insurance from the university. Baker, a Medicaid program participant, said Medicaid covers all of her medical expenses. According to Medicaid’s website, the policy states that holders have 100 percent coverage for medical expenses, yet the university’s health care covers only 85 percent of total expenses for students under their plan. “My frustration is not targeted at the fact that I do not receive a refund; it is based on fees we are expected to pay the university for insurance that doesn’t provide full coverage,� Baker said. Hunsaker said many students are misinformed about the Medicaid program, as many believe it to be insurance. Medicaid is not an insurance policy but a program through the state that assists those who cannot afford health insurance. Keilani Riley, a sophomore from Chicago studying prenursing, said it was an inconvenience for her to have to deal with extra fees. Because she has children, Riley said she is not able to use the health center to its fullest because her children cannot be treated there. Please see INSURANCE | 3
LYNNETTE OOSTMEYER | DAILY EGYPTIAN
Ernie Herrera, a Southern Recycling Center employee, throws cardboard onto a conveyer belt Thursday. Southern Recycling Center has been open since 1988 and is one of the largest recycling centers in southern Illinois. “In a month’s time we process 1,200 tons of different materials,� said Tasis
Karayiannis, manager of the center. The center processes recyclable materials commercially and also allows the public to bring in their own recycling. Workers sort through all the material before it is processed and shipped out. “It’s a hard job, but I get a lot of exercise,� Herrera said.
Faculty Association: Tenure at risk SARAH SCHNEIDER Daily Egyptian
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he imposed conditions under those circumstances give no need to prove that layoffs need to occur. I can’t understand why the chancellor does not see the danger in that. — Mary Lamb professor in English and member of the Faculty Association
Members of the Faculty Association will vote Wednesday to authorize a strike with one of the key reasons being to protect tenure. In a letter to the faculty and staff Wednesday, Chancellor Rita Cheng said she is keeping in mind the concerns of the supposed destruction or elimination of tenure because, as a long-time tenured faculty member, she understands the importance of its protection. Randy Hughes, an associate professor in mathematics and president of the Faculty Association, which represents both tenured- and tenuretrack faculty, said Thursday the chancellor’s email was misleading because she said the two bargaining teams tentatively agreed on the contract article that governs tenure in February. He said the language about which the association has not agreed with the administration is not in the sections of the contract regarding tenure or academic freedom but the section titled, “Reduction in force and recall procedures.� He said the section gives a wide latitude of why a tenured faculty member could be laid off. Cheng could not be reached for comment Thursday. The article presented to the association in March as part of the last, best and final offer said if the board has a need for a reduction in force for faculty members, the board will notify the association in writing. Hughes said this was added and in the previous contract from 2006-2010 there was no clause discussing layoffs of faculty. The proposal states full-time, untenured tenure-track faculty will be considered for full and partial layoff before tenured faculty, but both
CALEB WEST| DAILY EGYPTIAN INFORMATION PROVIDED BY SIUC POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
would be contemplated. “If the board decides it is necessary to fully or partially lay off faculty members in accordance with this article, the factors which will be considered in light of the university’s program needs, in determining which, if any, employees will be retained,� the article stated. Mary Lamb, a professor in English and member of the Faculty Association, said this language is extremely dangerous for tenured and untenured faculty. “The imposed conditions under those circumstances give no need to prove that layoffs need to occur,� she said. “I can’t understand why the chancellor does not see the danger in that.� Please see TENURE | 3