Daily Egyptian

Daily Egyptian THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 2016

VOL. 100 ISSUE 66

SINCE 1916

DAILYEGYPTIAN.COM

Board discusses MAP payback, future of towers, budget impasse ahead of Thursday meeting EVAN JONES | @EvanJones_DE

The SIU Board of Trustees heard presentations Wednesday morning ranging from potential tuition hikes to proposals for new dorms on the east

side of Carbondale’s campus.

Here’s what the nine trustees discussed during the executive meeting. They will vote on some of the following issues Thursday morning.

Will students who received MAP

grants this year have to pay SIU back?

This fall, the university funded Monetary Award Program grants to meet the financial needs of 4,766 eligible undergraduate students

with the expectation that the state would refund it.

SIU President Randy Dunn said university administrators don’t know if they are going to charge those students or if they will just “eat it” and

let them keep the money.

Carbondale student trustee Allen Shelton said this would be tough on students because it is money they need to go to school.

Please see MAP | 3

U.S. Agriculture Secretary Vilsack talks about the future of farming EVAN JONES | @EvanJones_DE

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack said the future is bright for agriculture, but its success requires new ways of thinking.

Vilsack’s lecture on the future of farming, which occurred Wednesday at the Student Center, focused on security from national, energy, economic and environmental standpoints as well as the opportunities for farmers — who make up less than 1 percent of wage and salary workers in the nation. Vilsack, President Barack Obama’s longest-serving cabinet member, visited as part of the MortonKenney public affairs lecture series sponsored by the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute.

“Agriculture is helping to lead an effort to redefine, to recreate the American economy,” said Vilsack, who served two terms as the governor of Iowa.

He said if young people want to make a difference, then agriculture is the place to be.

“There is an absolutely bright, incredibly innovative, unbelievable future in agriculture,” he said.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has invested more than $47 billion during the past seven years in Illinois for everything from research to nutrition programs.

Vilsack said agriculture students should not be concerned about employment despite admitting the field is an unappreciated and under-used aspect of the economy.

“American agriculture supports one in every 10 jobs in this economy,” he said.

He said a predicted 60,000 jobs will be available in agriculture during the next three to six years. However, only about 30,000 students are being trained for these jobs.

Peter Dirks, the recruiter for the College of Agricultural Sciences, said college enrollment has been progressing, especially because of its student and faculty involvement with industry, technology and research in a state where agriculture is the top employer.

People need to begin thinking innovatively, creatively and passionately about agriculture, said the secretary of agriculture. To do that, they

Morgan Timms | @Morgan_Timms U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack lectures to a crowd Wednesday as part of the Morton-Kenney Public Affairs Lecture Series at the Student Center Auditorium. Vilsack is President Obama’s longest-serving cabinet member and, prior to his appointment, served two terms as the governor of Iowa. “The reality is that American agriculture supports one in every 12 jobs in this economy,” Vilsack said. “It’s an extraordinary aspect of our economy that’s underappreciated and underutilized. … Over the next three to five years, there are going to be 60,000 jobs available for college graduates in a variety of aspects involving agriculture and agribusiness. But we’re only training about 30,000 folks for those jobs.”

must understand the role agriculture plays in the country and the world, said Vilsack, who arrived in Illinois after visiting Cuba. While on the island with Obama, he discussed ways to build a better relationship with the country and their farmers.

He went on to suggest farmers take a more proactive approach to sustainability and climate change because people are becoming increasingly concerned about where their food comes from.

@DAILYEGYPTIAN

“It’s not just about corn and beans, it’s about conservation as an income source,” Vilsack said.

Agriculture must lead the transition from a fossilfuel based to plant-based economy, he said.

He said it’s necessary to build a vibrant economy in rural America — one that supports and complements changes and improvements in agriculture.

Zachary Howard, a junior from Homer studying agriculture, said the lecture was uplifting and it left him hopeful for his

future in agriculture.

Many people don’t think about who is going to feed their family because they consciously or unconsciously delegate that task to farmers, Vilsack said.

“I don’t know the last time we thanked an American farmer for that opportunity,” he said.

Anna Spoerre can be reached at aspoerre@dailyegyptian.com or 618-536-3325.

PAGE 2

THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 2016

Graduate assistants plan meeting to solve budget crisis TIERRA CARPENTER | @TIERRAMC_

Graduate students are calling on students, faculty and the Carbondale community to brainstorm ideas that combat the effects of the state's budget impasse on the university during a meeting Saturday.

The event, organized by Graduate Assistants United, starts at 4 p.m. at the Guyon Auditorium in Morris Library.

Joon Kang, GAU's grievance officer, said the group wanted to host the meeting after SIU President Randy Dunn announced earlier this month that the university will eliminate 180 faculty and staff and cut programs and services by nearly $23 million if Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner's fiscal year 2017 budget passes.

“In response to this news that came out of the administration, a bunch

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Southern Illinois University School of Law

Inaugural

GENE AND KATY

SIMONDS LECTURE “Reclaiming the Heroes and Lessons of the Black Tradition of Arms”

MARCH 31 5 P.M. Lesar Law Building

Reception immediately following

NICHOLAS J. JOHNSON Johnson is a professor of law at Fordham University School of Law. He has testified before Congress on firearms law and had his work cited by the Supreme Court of the United States.

of students got together and we just started talking about how we can affect change at the state level to help solve this budget crisis,” Kang said.

Kang said students must take a proactive role in the discussion.

“This is about protecting the fidelity of their institution and the value of their degree,” Kang said.

“The budget cuts could devastate the quality of their education, so taking action now is a way to prevent that.”

About Us

The Daily Egyptian is published by the students of Southern Illinois University Carbondale 43 weeks per year, with an average daily circulation of 7,800. Fall and spring semester editions run Monday through Thursday. Summer editions run Tuesday and Wednesday. All intersession editions run on Wednesdays. Free copies are distributed in the Carbondale and Carterville communities. The Daily Egyptian online publication can be found at www.dailyegyptian.com.

Mission Statement

The Daily Egyptian, the student-run newspaper 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.

Copyright Information © 2016 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 and College Media Advisers Inc. and the College Business and Advertising Managers Inc.

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.

Uche Onyebadi, fiscal officer.

THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 2016

PAGE 3

Innovation and Sustainability Hub to open in Student Center ANNA SPOERRE | @AnnaSpoerre

Whoever said it wasn’t easy being green?

The Innovation and Sustainability Hub — expected to open the week of April 4 — is in the process of moving into the old Starbucks storefront at the north end of the Student Center. The location will help make the community more environmentally conscious by serving as a place to hold events and display students’ sustainability projects.

Sustainability coordinator Geory Kurtzhals said the hub will provide a space where people can

MAP CONTINUED FROM

1

“MAP grant is a need-based grant, so it’s not like its extra money thrown on top of your scholarships,” Shelton said after the meeting. “Just at a first glance, I don’t think that would be realistic.”

Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner has vetoed two bills that would have funded the state’s MAP grants.

Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner has vetoed two bills that would have funded the state’s MAP grants.

Illinois universities and colleges have gone 267 days without state funding.

SIU still includes MAP grants on the scholarship and grant money for prospective students, even though the state might not fund the program next fiscal year.

Will SIUC tear down the towers?

The board said it will consider renovating or tearing down the Towers on East Campus.

Renovating the 50-year-old buildings would take nine summers — costing an estimated $233 million, including inflation — by the time renovations end in 2026.

Water pipes in the 17-story Towers have been deteriorating for years, Lori Stettler, interim chancellor of student affairs, said Wednesday. The university spends half a million dollars every year ripping walls out in the Towers to repair leaky pipes.

collaborate to solve many of the issues related to sustainability.

Tao Huang, an assistant professor of design and a member of the university’s sustainability council, helped design the new space where students can exhibit research projects — particularly those funded by student green fee grants.

Huang said new light panels will be installed in the office to make the space more inviting for students.

The Sustainability Office’s student green fee, the Center for Innovation — a part of the College of Business — and the Chancellor’s Office are funding the

renovations. The re-purposed furniture in the room is from Woody Hall and the old Starbucks, Kurtzhals said.

“We’re very conscious of the financial impact it will have on the campus … so we’re going to re-use as much as we can,” Huang said.

Kurtzhals said renovations won’t be final when the hub opens, but rather the space will continue incorporating more project as the year continues.

“We can work together here to create model solutions to problems that can be replicated at other places around the world,” Kurtzhals said.

The other option is to demolish the towers — which houses two-thirds of SIUC’s on-campus students — and build four six-story dormitories on the east side of campus, which would cost an estimated $257 million.

SIU would demolish one Tower at a time after new dorms are built to house students. This process would be complete by 2027.

The six buildings would house 2,300 more students than the three Towers and feature two-story suites.

“Housing really draws in a lot of prospective students,” Shelton said. “If your campus is attractive to students, that will sway students’ decisions. High school students look at everything.”

Implementing an age requirement for on-campus living was also discussed at Wednesday’s meeting. Students younger than 20 years old could possibly be required live on campus, drawing in more revenue for the school.

Now the policy is that all freshmen must live on campus.

What did Dunn say about the budget impasse?

Dunn said he would “dance in the streets” if Rauner and the Democratic-led Legislature pass a bill to fund higher education.

The fiscal year 2016 budget is irrelevant now, Dunn said, and if the university is in the same situation by July 1, “We cannot sustain that for another year.”

Will incoming SIUC students pay more?

The board said it will vote tomorrow on a 3 percent tuition hike for incoming SIUC students, which would generate about $1.5 million in tuition revenue.

This would be an increase of $8.83 per credit hour.

“Will that 3 percent be enough?

Probably not,” interim Chancellor Brad Colwell said. “But given the constituency that we serve and given the competition that we have ... we thought 3 percent would probably be the safest place to land given all the variables.”

SIUE is facing either a 7 percent or a 9 percent hike in tuition.

“Nine percent doesn’t sound bad, but it could have a problem with accessibility,” board member Joel Sambursky said. “I get nauseous at 9 percent, I get nervous at 7 percent. And that’s a reality that we face in a high education institution in Illinois.”

The board will also vote on uncapping tuition for incoming SIUC students.

Right now, students who take 21 credits pay the same tuition as fulltime students taking 12 credit hours. If approved Thursday, incoming students will pay for every credit hour they take.

SIUE has already uncapped its tuition.

Evan Jones can be reached at EJones@dailyegyptian.com or at

BE A VOICE

S T UD E NT TR U ST E E PETITIONS AVAILABLE Represent the Interests of the Students of Southern Illinois University on the Board of Trustees.

PETITION RESPONSIBILITIES Obtain a Candidate Petition from

QUALIFICATIONS Must be an IL state resident

http://dos.siu.edu/student.trustee.election.html

Submit Candidate Registration & at least 200 signatures by April 8, Noon to Dean of Students office.

Attend a mandatory candidate meeting on Wednesday, April 13 at 6 p.m. in Student Center (exact room TBD and announced via email).

Must have & maintain at least a 2.5 cumulative GPA Must be a full-time SIU Carbondale student

TERM OF OFFICE July 1, 2016 - June 30, 2017 Student Trustee petitions are available at http://dos.siu.edu/student.trustee.election.html Questions can be directed to Mr. Jonathon Howard, jhoward79@siu.edu, Student Trustee Election Board Chair.

PAGE 4

THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 2016

Who let the dogs out

Autymn Suyko | @AutumnSuyko_DE Katie Niersbach, a freshman from Palatine studying business, plays with puppies during National Puppy Day on Tuesday outside of the Student Center. “I saw the puppies on my way to my math class, so I ditched to play with them,” Niersbach said. “Puppies make me happy and free. They calm me down.” The puppies were brought from St. Francis Care, a no-kill animal shelter in Murphysboro.

Students for Life of America offers alternative to Planned Parenthood DIAMOND JONES | Daily Egyptian

The debate about whether taxpayers should fund Planned Parenthood came to campus Wednesday.

SIU’s Student Center was a site for the nationwide “We Don’t Need Planned Parenthood” campaign started by the Students for Life of America, an anti-abortion group for college students.

Members of Saluki Respect Life, an anti-abortion student group on campus, displayed signs that stated federally qualified health centers provide care for all patients, tailor their services to community needs

and offer a wider array of services than Planned Parenthood.

“With our group being a part of this tour, we want to educate our audience on how these centers can provide more services for more women with taxpayer money,” said Kasey Schwartz, president of Saluki Life Respect, which consists of about 10 students.

If $548.4 million in government funding was given to these centers, the group told people at the Student Center, it would create $5 billion for economic benefits, according to the National Association of Community Health Centers in 2009. This would create an estimated 47,290 jobs in the

nation’s economically challenged areas.

And women don’t need Planned Parenthood to get an abortion, the group said, because it carries out just one-third of the nation’s abortion procedures.

Julie Lynn, Planned Parenthood’s manager of external affairs for Illinois, said Tuesday her organization does more than abortion by administering STI testing and treatment, sex education, annual exams, breast cancer screenings and sexual health services for men.

Some people who support Planned Parenthood showed up to the Student Center to talk with the

group, said Schwartz, a graduate student in speech pathology from Carterville. Most conversations were respectful, but some students ripped her group’s cards up or handed them back. She said Saluki Respect Life handed out close to 1,000 information cards.

Shay Woolard, vice president of Saluki Life Respect, said federally qualified health centers have 22.8 million patients nationally compared to Planned Parenthood’s 2.7 million.

“With this tour we were not only able to educate students about the [federally qualified health centers], but also about the

help the pro-life movement gives to pregnant and parenting woman who need support,” she said.

“Pregnancy can be tough and so can life and maintaining general health. We want women to know we’re here for them to talk and give our genuine support.”

For more information on your local federally qualified health centers and other health services check out these sources: optionalline.org findahealthcenter. hrs.gov and pregnantoncampus.org Diamond Jones can be reached at djones@dailyegyptian.com or 618-536-3325.

THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 2016

PAGE 5

Softball bats surging through start of season SEAN CARLEY | @SCARLEYDE

Power surges have been coming to Charlotte West Stadium this season.

Saluki softball has hit 25 home runs in 25 games after having 18 through 25 games last season.

With its current home run per game pace — best in the Missouri Valley Conference — the team would finish with 52 home runs on the year, the most since the 2007 team that made the NCAA tournament.

Coach Kerri Blaylock emphasized solid contact in offseason training to help generate more power throughout the lineup after hitting 34 home runs last season.

"We're working on hitting line drives and ground balls," she said. "If you hit one out where you square up a ball, that's great."

Most of the resurgence in power comes from the bat of junior first baseman Shaye Harre.

She has already set a career high with eight home runs on the season and is nearing her career total of 10 from the previous two seasons.

Blaylock said before the season that Harre always had the ability to hit more home runs, but the first baseman reinforced the coach's point that they haven't been the focus of her at-bats.

"Not home runs, just hitting line drives," she said. "If they end up going out, then they go out."

Harre said she has not adjusted her approach at the plate, but her increased production is a culmination of her previous years of work.

Home runs are only part of the

Reagan Gavin | Daily Egyptian

power equation; Saluki batters have hit the gaps in the outfield as well.

SIU has outdone its opponents in extra-base hits so far this season 65-29, with 37 doubles and four triples. The 65 extra-base hits also lead the MVC. Freshman outfielder Eyrika Brandenburg leads the team with two triples and is tied for fourth with four doubles — even with a different approach.

As a slap hitter, Brandenburg strides out of the box to get a running start at both the ball and first base on

her swings.

Even though she's a slapper — typically not a power hitter's norm — she said she gets extra-base hits with a combination of her power and her speed.

"I'm too slow to be a soft slapper," Brandenburg said. "I just like to slap with power instead of softly tapping it."

By being in a consistent hitting position, with her crossover step in her running start of a swing, she pushes off her leg to get the power necessary for extra-base hits.

SIU middle infield linked in THOMAS DONLEY | @TDONLEYDE

Roommates and partners up the middle, junior shortstop Will Farmer and redshirt sophomore second baseman Connor Kopach form the Missouri Valley Conference's top double playturning combination.

The two have been teammates since the 2013-14 season and attribute their on-field chemistry, at least in part, to a game they play in their apartment.

"We play Nerf basketball at home," Kopach said. "We usually have a countdown from three and see who can make the basket, so that might help."

Southern Illinois leads the MVC with an average of 1.10 double plays turned per game. The Salukis are in a six-way tie for 14th in the nation in that category.

"I give all of my success to the defense," senior right-handed starter Bryce Sablotny said. ""They've always had my back, whether I give up two or four runs in the first inning, they're right there battling with me, keeping my head positive."

Farmer said when the Saluki pitching staff works quickly, it contributes as much to the defense as Sablotny said the defense helps him.

"If you get guys out there

Double Plays per Game Missouri Valley Conference

Illinois State (0.58) Wichita State (0.58) Bradley (0.67) Evansville (0.78) Indiana State(0.85) Missouri State (0.89) Dallas Baptist (0.89) Southern Illinois (1.10)

Sloan Marion | @SketchingBear

taking their time, walking around the mound and slowing the game down, you kind of get tired and forget what you're doing out there," Farmer said. "But if you get guys like [sophomore righthander Michael] Baird and [junior righty Chad] Whitmer that are always around the zone, there's balls going all over the place all the time, so you're really staying on top of it."

Baird's WHIP of 0.72 is second in the MVC and 16th overall nationally. Whitmer holds opponents to a 0.97 WHIP. SIU's earned run average is 2.69, best in the Valley and 22nd

best in the nation.

The Dawgs have turned a teamhigh six of their 22 twin killings with Whitmer on the mound and four behind Baird.

"We spend a lot of time working [on infield defense]," coach Dan Henderson said. "And we've got pitchers that throw strikes and get ground balls. When you get opportunities, you've got to turn them, so we work on that, and our infielders have good, quick hands, so it's a combination of things."

Thomas Donley can be reached at Tdonley@Dailyegyptian.com or at 618-536-3307

For context, SIU's previous slaphitting specialist, MVC batting champion senior outfielder Kalyn Harker, hit four career home runs with 35 career extra-base hits.

Being a powerful slap hitter is a new trait for Brandenburg as she said she's just recently gained the ability this season after only hitting one home run in her career.

"Since I came to SIU I learned how to hit for power better," she said. "I used to struggle with the inside pitches, but now I can even hit those for power too."

Brandenburg is third on the team

with 31 total bases, even though she admitted she's not incredibly fast.

Regardless of whether it's a slapper or traditional hitter, Harre said there is a key to getting hits in the outfield gaps or home runs.

"Just staying through the [strike] zone is the biggest thing," she said.

"If you're in the zone longer, you get more time on the ball so that's just the thing to do."

PATTERSON

works primarily with hitting — have tried changing everything in the junior's swing, eventually moving her up in the box and emphasizing getting her front foot down early.

"When my foot is down, [Sewell] can tell I'm receiving pitches all the way to the catcher and reading them as well as anyone on the team," she said. "Right now, I'm early ... I'm getting outside pitches and I'm not recognizing them."

We've seen the slow start before, but with Northern Iowa currently at 22-7, 2-1 in conference and preseason favorites Wichita State and Missouri State lying in wait, the conference isn't going to get any easier this season.

In a season where SIU softball is on pace for 30-plus wins and possible postseason success, Patterson and her bat need to help lead the Salukis through it.

CONTINUED FROM

8

Once the team gets into the thick of the conference schedule, Patterson’s bat will be needed. The Valley had seven of 10 teams finish with a winning record in the Valley last season and one finish .500.

Patterson's bat was crucial last season in an early match-up with conference favorite Wichita State. The then-sophomore hit walk-off home runs in two of the games during a weekend sweep of the Shockers at Charlotte West Stadium.

Blaylock said getting Patterson going offensively is essential to the team's success.

"She's a kid that you want to get going," she said earlier this month.

"She's a gamer, a competitor."

Breaking the slump has not been for a lack of trying. Patterson said she and associate head coach Jen Sewell — who

MVC CONTINUED FROM

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To add another variable, there is an additional "supplemental distributions" fund the NCAA puts out, according to a document from Elgin. This money comes from a surplus in the NCAA's budget and is also based on units earned in the sixyear period; but the NCAA is in the same spot as the MVC, not knowing exactly where its finances lie.

The MVC projected this season's supplemental total to be $480,000 last year.

All of this muddies the water for SIU,

Sean Carley can be reached at scar@dailyegyptian.com or at 618-536-3307.

Brent Meske can be reached at bmeske@ dailyegyptian.com or at 618-536-3333 in dire need of financial assistance amid the state's budget impasse.

March 9, SIU President Randy Dunn listed the men's and women's tennis team among the cuts in a proposal responding to Gov. Bruce Rauner's proposed 2017 budget, saving the school $688,000.

If this proposal ends up coming to fruition, and expenses are low for the MVC, the money gained from the conference's success could help fund those teams.

Sean Carley can be reached at Scar@dailyegyptian.com or 618-536-3307.

PAGE 6

Today’s Birthday (03/24/16).

What work would you love? Study and travel to explore it this year. Accept big challenges. Take your relationship to the next level after 3/23, launching a two-year partnership phase on 9/9.

A turning point in work and health arises after 9/1. Adapt to changes after

THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 2016

9/16. Together, you’re unstoppable.

To get the advantage, check the day’s rating: 10 is the easiest day, 0 the most challenging.

Aries (March 21-April 19) -- Today is a 7 -- Look before leaping. Don’t get stopped by past failures, but don’t start projects either. New information becomes available, with Mercury trine Mars. The puzzle starts coming together. Reality bursts a fantasy bubble. Guard against breakage.

Taurus (April 20-May 20) -Today is an 8 -- Watch your mouth!

Oversharing comes too easily. Listen more than you speak ... it’s about timing. Rewrite the copy, if not the concept. Consider consequences of your words. Finalize and sign documents after thorough review.

Gemini (May 21-June 20) -Today is a 7 -- Discuss changes you want, with Mercury trine Mars. Collect suggestions and criticism. List negatives and make corrections. Anticipate

confusion with accurate data. The potential for error is high. Avoid an awkward stall. Messages travel far.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) -Today is a 7 -- A n i ntere s t i n g de ve lopment s end s t he g r ap e v i ne bu z z i n g. G e t t he word out , a f ter scr ubbi n g for publ ic c on su mpt ion. K e ep f a m i ly c on f idenc e s.

A sk i r re verent que s t ion s a nd g e t su r pr i si n g a n s wer s. H itc h you r w a g on to a bre a k i n g s tor y.

Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) -- Today is a 7 -- Listen for the perfect timing. Friends follow wherever you lead, as word spreads like wildf ire today. Don’t tell all you know yet. Keep the conversation respectful. Do a good job; important people are watching.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) -Today is a 7 -- Don’t be hasty. Choose your own path. Follow a dreamer with an enchanting vision. Present arguments tactfully. Surprising

reactions can erupt. Relax, and wait for the punch line. Write your own conclusion.

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) -- Today is a 9 -- Choose your words carefully.

Clear up misunderstandings before they ferment. Things don’t necessarily go by the book. Speak now, or forever hold your peace.

Write, record and film. Deliver your heart-felt message.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) -Today is a 7 -- Sort facts from gossip.

The flow of information could seem like a deluge. A possible gain or loss depends on recent actions. Writing projects go further than expected.

Post, publish and broadcast.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) -- Today is a 7 -- Expand your view.

Allocate funds for communications.

Invest in business promotions. Participate in an intellectual conversation at a higher level. A conflict of interests gets exposed.

Truth leads to healing. List limitations and barriers.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) -Today is a 7 -- Back up intuition with research. Confer with partners on professional opportunities. The truth is revealed, and it might not be pretty. Make the case for a new direction. Ask great questions.

Share what you learn.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) -- Today is an 8 -- Finalize advertising or other public communications. Your income rises as your communications go viral, with Mercury trine Mars.

Take the lead. Keep cool as angry rhetoric can backfire. Speak out.

Don’t be bashful.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) -Today is a 7 -- Express your views in writing. Discuss the financial implications of your plan. Use facts to back up your position.

Expect criticism, and def lect with a thoughtful response.

Persuade, motivate and incite action.

THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 2016

Brought to you by:

FOR RELEASE MARCH 24, 2016

Los Angeles Times Daily Crossword Puzzle Edited by Rich Norris and Joyce Lewis

207 West Main Street Carbondale, IL Ph. 1-800-297-2160

<< Answers for Wednesday Complete the grid so each row, column and 3-by-3 box (in bold borders) contains every digit, 1 to 9. For strategies on how to solve Sudoku, visit www.sudoku.org.uk

ACROSS 1 See 44-Across 5 Bremen or Hamburg, locally 10 Fast-food order 14 Joie de vivre 15 Circus Maximus attire 16 Pizza chain started in Chicago, informally 17 Rich and Chris in a capital?

19 Pond denizen 20 Stumped 21 Fragrant hybrid 23 Billy and Minnie on a road?

27 Pub order 30 Cause harm 31 Capt.’s direction 32 Family member 33 “__ Mir Bist Du Schoen”: Andrews Sisters hit 34 Come out 37 i follower 38 Vida and John in a ballpark?

40 i follower 41 Nicks on albums 43 1980s-’90s gaming console 44 With 1-Across, woodcutter who stole from thieves 45 River island 46 “I gotta run!”

48 Animal in the Chinese zodiac 49 Karen and Adam on a hill?

53 Eellike fish 54 Brand with classic “beep beep” commercials 58 Forte 59 Eddie and Arsenio in a concert venue?

63 Scams 64 __ firma 65 Exam type 66 Some honored Brits: Abbr.

67 Aerosol targets 68 Europe’s highest volcano

By Mel Rosen

DOWN 1 Composer Bartók 2 Settled down 3 Cricket equipment 4 Starting stakes 5 Jeanne d’Arc, e.g.: Abbr.

6 Craggy crest 7 Earlier 8 Three-syllable foot 9 Expressed disdain for 10 Often photogenic event 11 A round of 73, usually 12 Use a divining rod 13 Fall flower 18 Acclaim 22 “You __ Destiny” 24 To the manor born 25 Dijon deity 26 Property recipient, in law 27 Nile threats 28 Hot stuff?

29 Affection 34 Campus breeze

03/24/16 3/24/16

Wednesday’s Answers Wednesday’s Puzzle Solved

©2016 Tribune Content Agency, LLC

35 It might be a big benefit 36 Cut and paste, say 38 Muzzle wearer, probably 39 Derisive shout 42 One way to get backstage 46 Worked in a salon 47 Art major’s subj.

49 Rattling sound

03/24/16 3/24/16

50 Golden calf maker, in Exodus 51 “Peachy-keen!”

52 Second-deepest U.S. lake 55 Trading center 56 Feud faction 57 Clay crock 60 Good bud 61 Guess wrong 62 Dorm deputies: Abbr.

7

Sports

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THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 2016

Hill’s jerseys to be retired by alma mater BRENT MESKE | @BRENTMESKEDE

SIU football coach Nick Hill was an all-state athlete in football and basketball at Du Quoin High School and now his jersey numbers are being retired.

The Du Quoin Board of Education voted to retire the No. 17 football and No. 35 basketball

jerseys in a meeting on Thursday.

Hill was a three-year starting quarterback for the football team.

The Du Quoin Evening Call reported that alumnus Monte Khnert, who is one of five Du Quoin basketball graduates to have a jersey retired, made the request for a jersey retirement during the opening public comments.

The board unanimously approved.

Analysis: For SIU softball to keep going, Patterson must get going

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Hill, who graduated in 2003, was first-team all-state and all-conference as a senior after accumulating 1,451 yards, 19 touchdowns and one interception.

The new Saluki coach was the team's first 4,000-yard passer since former MLB pitcher Don Stanhouse in 1968.

Hill earned all-state in basketball as

a junior after averaging 26.7 points, 6 rebounds and 2.4 assists and again as a senior when he averaged 22.7 points, 7.7 rebounds, 5.7 assists and 3 steals. His senior squad finished 28-5 and Hill finished eighth in state voting for Mr. Basketball. He was one of three Du Quoin Indians players to score 2,000 points.

The Salukis will have their first

scrimmage game of the spring season April 1 at Du Quoin High School. It will be Hill's first scrimmage as the SIU coach.

Hill could not be reached for comment.

Brent Meske can be reached at bmeske@dailyegyptian.com or at 618-536-3333

PARTIAL LIST OF 2015 NCAA basketball fund CONFERENCE distributions

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BRENT MESKE | @BRENTMESKEDE

Despite the 17-8 start to the season, and the best nonconference start to the season since 2008-09, one major element has been missing for SIU softball this season — junior center fielder Merri Anne Patterson's hot bat from last season.

While the team is swinging a hot stick with a combined .284 batting average, Patterson has lagged behind with a .209 average, which is 10th on the team.

The Salukis need Patterson to trade the strikeouts for hits if they're going to make a run in the Missouri Valley Conference.

Patterson leads the team with 21 strikeouts in 25 games, nearing her 22 strikeouts in 47 games last year.

She's tied for sixth on the team with senior designated player Caylee Cook with 14 hits.

The Lynnville, Tenn., native has more multiple strikeout games, six, than multiple hit games, two, and has batted below .200 for 15 of the first 25 games of the season.

A slow start to the season is nothing new for the firstyear center fielder. She batted between .000 and .227 through the first 17 appearances in her freshman season before finishing the last nine games batting between .233 and .295.

Then she burst onto the scene her sophomore season, batting at or above .300 for 17 of the final 36 games of the season.

Patterson said the reason behind her slow starts has been her lack of live-pitching workouts during the offseason, leaving her confined to a batting cage.

"That takes a toll on you," she said March 2. "You're feeling good after an indoor workout, but in reality some of those [hits] weren't that great."

Another inconsistency this season has been Patterson's spot in the batting order, but that's nothing new. She's batted in five different spots this season compared to seven last year.

She's spent most of her games in the No. 7 spot in the lineup, and the team is 11-4 when she's batting there.

While coach Kerri Blaylock said earlier this month that she likes having Patterson anywhere in the bottom half of the order, a more consistent spot may lead to a more consistent average.

If Patterson can get back to her old ways, she could provide some stability to the bottom-half of the order. This would protect the hot bats of junior first baseman Shaye Harre and sophomore catcher/ third baseman Sydney Jones who are batting .426 and .333, respectively.

Patterson said she is used a slow start and is more focused on her play in conference as opposed to the nonconference schedule.

SIU opened conference play against Loyola last weekend with a 2-0 sweep of the team picked to finish ninth in the preseason MVC poll. The Salukis were picked to finish seventh.

While the team combined for nine runs on 18 hits, Patterson again struggled at the plate going 0-5 with one RBI. Please see PATTERSON | 5

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Sean Carley | @SCarleyDE

Salukis may reap benefits of MVC’s March Madness success SEAN CARLEY | @SCARLEYDE

SIU can soon write a thank-you note to former conference rivals Ali Farokhmanesh, Doug McDermott, Ron Baker, Fred VanVleet and Seth Tuttle; but it is unsure how big of a note is necessary.

Even though the Dawgs haven't made the NCAA tournament since 2007, Saluki Athletics will receive monetary benefits because of the Missouri Valley Conference's recent success in the 66-team tournament.

The revenue comes as part of the NCAA basketball fund, established in 1990 as a result of the association's efforts to more fairly divide the profits brought in by the yearly championship tournament, according to the NCAA website.

March Madness is one of the NCAA's biggest money makers, as its new TV contract with CBS/Turner Sports will bring in $10.8 billion over 14 years — almost $771 million a year, according to a release from the association.

Funds are distributed based upon a conference's success over the previous six tournaments, according to the NCAA's website. The latest payments will come to the MVC April 13 for the tournaments from 2010 to 2015.

For each game played in the tournament,

the team's respective conference is given one "unit" holding a value assigned by the NCAA. This year, each unit is valued at approximately $260,800.

During the previous six years, Valley teams have played in 21 March Madness games, led by Wichita State's 11 appearances, meaning $5,476,800 will be awarded to the conference on the distribution date.

Wichita State's run to the round of 32 from the First Four, and UNI's rollercoaster run in its two games gives the MVC five units this season, which the conference projects to be worth $8,100,000 during the next six years.

Last year, the MVC received the ninthlargest distribution out of the fund, tied for fourth out of mid-majors behind the Atlantic 10, Mountain West and West Coast conferences.

Here's a video from Bloomburg to further explain this: Divide the $5,476,800 among the 10 MVC teams and each team would receive $537,680, a rather hefty payday for a program that hasn't played in the tournament since before President Barack Obama took office.

Unfortunately, the world is not that perfect.

To properly reimburse the teams that do participate in the tournament, the MVC awards each team that receives a March Madness bid that year a "participation stipend" equal to onehalf unit, said conference commissioner Doug Elgin.

This year, with Wichita State and UNI making a run, one unit overall is taken off lowering the pool's total to $5,216,000.

Since the basketball fund accounts for more than 70 percent of the league's annual revenue, the conference uses the fund to cover its operational expenses throughout the year such as conference championships, TV productions and officials.

Once the conference's expenses are covered, the remaining amounts are distributed equally to each member university.

It is still to be determined how much in expenses the conference has to cover, Elgin said.

The MVC's overall books will not be determined until an auditor comes in later this year, and the process takes months. Elgin said it is difficult to ballpark a figure that the conference needs to cover because of all the revenue and expense variables involved.

Please see MVC | 5