Daily Egyptian

Daily Egyptian WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2016

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SINCE 1916

VOL. 100 ISSUE 108

Health insurance Friends gather to remember costs could double SIU student killed in house fire for SIU employees MARNIE LEONARD | @marsuzleo

SIU union leaders are worried one of the most attractive aspects of university employment — good health care benefits — could be in jeopardy.

At issue is the November ruling by the Illinois Labor Relations Board that contract negotiations between Illinois and the state council of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees were at impasse. The ruling was a win for Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner, whose administration has been in contentious bargaining meetings with the union since its state contract ended in July 2015.

An impasse means the governor chooses the terms of the contract, and the union can either accept those terms or strike.

David Johnson, president of the SIU Faculty Association, said those contract terms could potentially “put [state employees] through hell.”

With declining salaries and “lousy” pension plans, Johnson said increasing the costs for health care benefits could be a sign for prospective or current employees

at the university to find work in another state.

“With the state in financial crisis, there are already a lot of motives for people to look elsewhere for employment,” Johnson said. “This would be yet another one.”

A lawsuit was filed by AFSCME on Wednesday in attempt to block the decision and bring Rauner back to the bargaining table, but that measure is expected to only stall temporarily.

The complaint alleges the governor failed to respond to attempts by the union to continue negotiations and bargain in good faith.

On Wednesday, nearly three dozen Illinois lawmakers held a press conference to urge the governor to resume negotiations with the union. This group of legislators was made up of Republicans and Democrats, because they said the impasse is a “nonpartisan” issue for state employees.

Rauner spokeswoman Catherine Kelly called the ILRB decision “fair for taxpayers and state employees,” saying in a Nov. 15 statement that it would save taxpayers $3 billion over a four-year period.

Please see INSURANCE | 4

Morgan Timms | @Morgan_Timms John Kenny, a senior from Aurora studying political science, lights candles on Friday in memory of his late friend and roommate Alex Kierstead — who died in a house fire on Nov. 23 — during a candlelight vigil outside the burnt home in Carbondale.

CORY RAY | @CoryRay_DE

Dozens of single flames illuminated images of a smiling SIU student, often pictured hiking, as friends gathered to remember Alex Kierstead on the the front steps of the house where he was found dead the day before Thanksgiving.

“You expect your grandma to die,” said John Kenny, one of Kierstead’s

roommates. “You never expect your 20-year-old best friend to die.”

Kenny, a senior from Aurora studying political science, was one of about 80 people who gathered Friday evening to remember their friend Kierstead, whose body was found the morning of Nov. 23 after a fire at a home on 700 W. Freeman St. that he shared with three other SIU students. Kierstead was a junior

from Aurora studying political science and journalism.

Though the vigil was supposed to begin at 6:30 p.m., a crowd had already begun to form 30 minutes prior.

"It's uplifting," Kierstead’s roommate Joe Hein said of the vigil.

"I've been pretty devastated since this, but this has been the happiest I've been since he died."

Please see REMEMBER | 8

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Wednesday, december 7, 2016

Construction of ‘all-gender-inclusive’ bathrooms echo student requests OLIVIA SPIERS | @_spierso

Gender-neutral bathrooms are being built in Grinnell Hall and Trueblood Hall in response to student requests, a measure administrators within the university’s housing department hope will accommodate students.

Jon Shaffer, director of University Housing, said the bathrooms — which will consist of one toilet, a sink and changing table — will be available for public use early in the spring semester, though he did not have an exact date. Shaffer said up to $30,000 was approved for the construction.

“These restrooms, like other gender-inclusive restrooms, serve far more than just transgendered folks,” Shaffer said during an interview Thursday. “Although, it is my hope that transgendered people feel comfortable using them.”

The LGBTQ Resource Center, a branch of the Student Multicultural Resource Center, worked to accomplish the yearlong project on East Campus in response to student demand to accommodate all student genders.

“This construction is seen as a great first step toward safety for all students,” said Travis Tucker, a student coordinator at the LGBTQ Resource Center.

In Fall 2015, students petitioned the Residence Hall Association to begin the construction of the bathrooms, a measure that made administrators “more than eager” to create them, Shaffer said.

While the bathrooms were made with transgender students in mind, the facilities will be open to everyone.

The choice to designate the restrooms as gender-neutral rather than transgender is done to make people feel safer, said Les Delgado, a vocal supporter of the construction.

Delgado, a student worker at the LGBTQ Resource Center, said it “makes sense to not call the bathrooms ‘transgender’ for fear of harassment.”

The new restrooms are a step toward what Delgado said is a continuing effort by the LGBTQ Resource Center to install gender-inclusive bathrooms on campus. The resource center wants to install one in the Neckers Building as well, Delgado said, but funding has

been an issue.

Shaffer said the biggest hitch has been the aging infrastructure.

He said most of the construction is being done by SIU staff, but outside contractors have been brought in for some of the specialty work.

The up to $30,000 cost is accounted for through an annual $3 million to $5 million maintenance budget of campus facilities, Shaffer said.

These gender-neutral bathrooms are not the first to be built on campus.

All-gender-inclusive restrooms were built in the Student Recreation Center in 2012, said Troy Vaughn, director of the recreational center. He said the bathrooms have had a positive effect on the campus, and as far as he knows, there have been no complaints from visitors of the recreational center.

“The end goal is to make people feel more comfortable using the facilities on our campus, no matter their gender,” Vaughn said.

Staff writer Olivia Spiers can be reached at ospiers@dailyegyptian.com, 618-536-3325

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Morgan Timms | @Morgan_Timms Senior Andy Ross swims butterfly in the 200-yard individual medley race Saturday during the Saluki men's team's 195-93 loss to Missouri State at Edward J. Shea Natatorium.

Wednesday, december 7, 2016

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A fantasy of lights

Morgan Timms | @Morgan_Timms Dressed as minions, Elliott Polley, 6, of Carbondale, left, and his father, Loren Polley, gaze out from inside a UFO float sponsored by B and A Travel Service on Saturday during the Carbondale Lights Fantastic Parade on East Jackson Street.

"We had a blast," Loren said. "I asked my son if he wanted to watch the parade or be in it and he wanted to be in it. I think he loved just seeing all the people and waving to everybody. We had a blast."

Longtime public servant to speak at fall commencement DAILY EGYPTIAN CAMPUS DESK

A 1971 alumnus and longtime public servant has been chosen to give the commencement speech for the university’s fall graduation ceremony for undergraduate, graduate and professional students.

Delivering the address is Howard A. Peters III, who graduated from SIUC with his master’s degree in guidance and educational psychology, according to a university news release. The ceremony is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. Dec. 17 in the SIU Arena.

A criminal justice consultant, expert witness and president of HAP, INC., a consulting, strategy and advocacy service,

Peters has spent nearly 30 years as a public servant whose career included two cabinet positions under former Illinois Gov. Jim Edgar.

In 1991, he was appointed as the first African-American head of the Illinois Department of Corrections by thenGov. Edgar. Prior to becoming director, Peters had over two decades of service in the IDOC. This isn’t the first time Peters has given an address at the university. He gave the SIU School of Law address in 2001.

Peters also serves on several boards, including the Illinois State Commission on Sentencing and Criminal Justice Reform, the Springfield Memorial Health System, the Illinois Medicaid

Advisory Committee and AARP. In addition, he is assistant pastor of the Fresh Visions Community Church in Springfield.

In a statement Monday, interim Chancellor Brad Colwell said he is delighted Peters agreed to be the speaker, adding that his “amazing personal journey” to high positions within state government began in public housing in Memphis, Tenn.

“His story serves as an inspiration to all of us — but I hope especially to our graduates,” Colwell said.

The Daily Egyptian campus desk can be reached at 618-536-3326 or editor@dailyegyptian.com.

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Wednesday, december 7, 2016

If implemented, federal regulations could strain SIU department budgets OLIVIA SPIERS | @_spierso

New federal regulations have departments at SIU tightening their already small budgets in preparation to pay their shorthanded staffs overtime — if they are implemented at all.

Some 280 university employees are now entitled to time-and-a-half overtime pay under the Fair Labor Standards Act, said Kevin Bame, vice chancellor for administration and finance. Their job requirements are now re-defined by an hourly wage status that reclassifies them as eligible to receive time-and-a-half pay after 40 hours of work.

But the new regulations, which were supposed to take effect Dec. 1, were halted following an injunction filed Nov. 22 by Judge Amos L. Mazzant III of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas. There will have to be a federal court hearing to determine if the regulations will be carried out, though no date has been set.

Bame said the overall cost for the overtime is unknown because the university has a decentralized budget, and separate departments must decide how much money to set aside for overtime pay.

The act was originally passed to set up the nation’s minimum wage and establish the 40-hour work week. It also required employers to keep records of the hours their employees worked so overtime could be given to employees who are entitled to overtime pay.

In 2014, President Barack Obama signed a memorandum directing the Department of Labor to re-evaluate the exemptions to ensure that white-collar workers

are paid for the overtime they work and to modernize and simplify the regulations. Those regulations had not been updated since 2004.

The Department of Labor amended the act in May by raising the minimum salary threshold for overtime pay from $23,660 to $47,476. This extends overtime coverage to 4.2 million U.S. workers, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The regulations would also be updated every three years to ensure the law stays up to date.

University employees now entitled to overtime under the new regulations earn salary wages paid at a fixed rate on a yearly or monthly basis rather than by the hour. Many of those employees in the past were not paid overtime because they were paid at a set rate, said Mark Brittingham, a clinical assistant professor in SIU’s School of Law. “What the regulations were supposed to do is cut down on any potential abuse from employers,” Brittingham said.

Bame said many of the employees affected are admission coordinators, or recruiters, which would specifically impact the undergraduate admissions office.

Terri Harfst, undergraduate admissions director, said if the amendment takes effect she would likely try to schedule her dwindling staff so no one is required to work overtime because the department cannot afford to do otherwise.

“Paying overtime would be the last resort,” Harfst said.

She said admissions coordinators usually visit three high schools per day and attend college fairs at night. The irregular hours, she said, leads to a lot of overtime

and makes rescheduling workers virtually impossible.

One viable outcome is requiring employees who work overtime to take that time off later as a credit toward paid time off, Harfst said.

This compensatory time would be time-and-a-half pay, which Harfst said could ultimately bleed the budgets dry.

Bame said the new regulations could cause complications with departments’ financial plans.

Because of the lack of state funding, he added, many of the departments have had to layoff employees, shortening branches of the university that are already short-staffed. “[Not paying overtime] will be hard for departments to pull off given the university’s understaffed faculty,” Bame said.

Aside from the injunction filed in federal court, the new regulations are faced with opposition from President-elect Donald Trump.

In an Oct. 18 press release, Anthony Scaramucci, one of Trump’s advisors, said the President-elect intends on repealing the regulations.

While the departments have prepared for the implementation of the amendment, all changes at the university have been put on hold because of the nationwide injunction and the probability that Trump will revoke them when he takes office.

“If the changes do take effect, departments should expect to crack down on their budgets,” Bame said.

Staff writer Olivia Spiers can be reached at ospiers@dailyegyptian.com or 618-536-3325

Wednesday, december 7, 2016

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SIU Board of Trustees to consider campus-wide alcohol proposal DIAMOND JONES | @dimewrites

The SIU Board of Trustees will consider Thursday a new policy that would allow alcoholic beverages to be sold on university property during select campus events.

A new law, which was signed by Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner in August, amended the state’s Liquor Control Act of 1934, which prohibited the sale of all alcoholic beverages on properties owned by the state’s public universities. Sen. Pat McGuire introduced the legislation for the Illinois Senate to allow booze and beer to be sold during campus sanctioned events such as sports games and concerts.

But even if the board passes the new policy, it could be some time before it takes effect.

“This could take up to about a year or two to get going,” Tommy Bell, director of the university’s athletics department, said Monday. “We don’t want to invest in equipment if we’re not going to make a profit.”

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Following the decision by the state's labor relations board, SIU President Randy Dunn said in a statement that proposed contract terms between the state and its largest public employee union could cause a 100 percent increase to university employee healthcare costs within the next year.

Though the union does not directly represent most university employees, the health care benefits are based off of the same state plan.

Over the next three years, this would mean a $10,000 increase in individual employee health care premiums, said Anders Lindall, a spokesperson for AFSCME. Lindall said a typical university employee pays around $3,100 a year for

Bell said the policy isn’t just targeted toward athletic events, but also toward the SIU Arena aspect when pursuing and trying to book concerts. He said the policy could bring better chances of getting someone famous to perform at SIU while also helping to promote the entertainment and vendor used within the event.

Once the bill was passed in the summer, it had to go through two reviews by the board of trustees before making a final decision, Bell said. He said once the decision is made, they will be able to go about making plans with their options pertaining to what venues will be used and what alcohol will be served.

“This will be an entrepreneurial route to possibly enhance additional revenue,” Bell said.

In the policy’s proposal for approval, supporting data showed that area schools have discovered a reduction in mid-day alcohol incidents on campus through regulated sales. The case study used was Northern Illinois University, one of the

colleges that has implemented similar university policy changes.

Illinois State University, Chicago State University, the University of Illinois and the University of Eastern Illinois are among other colleges that have been legally given the policy of selling alcoholic beverages during campus events that are considered non-student related.

If approved, according to the proposal, the board will authorize campus administrators to amend policies, regulations and procedures to regulate the possession, service and sales and consumption of alcoholic liquors at facilities under the control of the board.

“We have to look at the physical setting and group of people who are going to be attending and determine by age, if it’s relative to whether we can sell alcohol or not,” said John Charles, director of SIU’s government and public affairs.

Charles said an important safeguard would be making sure that the places where alcohol will be sold are far

health insurance. The first year of the contract under Rauner’s terms would double that cost in the first year, and raise it to $7,500 from $6,200 incrementally over two years.

Ami Ruffing, president of the Association of Civil Service Employees, said some members of her union will likely be forced to switch to plans with lower premiums and higher deductibles, which she called a “catch-22.”

“You pay less monthly, yes, but you just have to hope that nobody in your family gets seriously sick,” Ruffing said.

She said civil service employees, who are the lowest paid permanent full-time employees on campus, face disproportionately negative consequences to the rising costs.

Trish Cochran, a member of ACSE’s executive council, said the potential impact is significantly more

for employees who have family health insurance plans that cost more. For a parent, she said, it’s a tough decision to switch to a health insurance plan with less coverage.

“You just never know what’s going to happen,” said Cochran, an admissions and records officer at the university and mother of three. “That’s what insurance is for, right? The things you don’t forsee.”

The faculty union agreed in its most recent contract negotiations to receive no pay raises through 2018.

Though they have to start out with the plan the state offers, Johnson said the faculty association could look into negotiating a university add-on to the state health insurance plan with the SIU administration.

“We didn’t enter negotiations with the expectation of getting a big cut in health care benefits,” Johnson said.

Ryan Michalesko | @photosbylesko Football fans fill the stands during the Salukis' 50-17 win over the Murray State Racers on Sept. 17 at Saluki Stadium.

away from student seating to prevent underage drinking.

Another safeguard, Charles said, would be the importance of properly training those who are allowed to sell alcohol, which the campus has already taken initiative on.

“The rules and regulations will

ultimately be up to the campus to decide,” he said. “But what we hope to get out of this is an overall better control on alcohol usage.”

“That essentially amounts to a big pay cut.”

The university could chip in voluntarily to supplement premium payments or come to a collective bargaining agreement with campus unions if they so choose, Johnson said.

But with the university being “broke,” Johnson said this largely depends on the state budget the university receives.

Ruffing said the ACME is still negotiating its new contract with SIU because administrators are pushing for the union to agree to no pay raises.

“That’s a double whammy,” Ruffing said. “You’re not going to get any raises and you’re going to be paying a whole lot more money for health insurance.”

AFSCME leaders continue to weigh the possibility of a strike for the first time in the union's history. That would lead to state employees going without

paychecks and the shutdown of the state's social services.

The decision to strike would be made once a written ruling is issued from the board, but Lindall said no one knows when the ruling will come. Normally, he said, it could take months.

“Nothing about this particular issue has been normal,” Lindall said. “It could be any day now.”

Because AFSCME represents few employees at SIU, Johnson said a strike would not significantly impact SIU operations. But standard practice would be for campus unions to show support by walking picket lines and bringing food and other necessities to picketers.

But Johnson said a strike is not something anyone takes lightly — and it could be risky against someone like Rauner, who isn’t afraid to “play hard-ball."

Staff writer Diamond Jones can be reached at djones@dailyegyptian.com or 618-536-3325.

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Opinion

Wednesday, december 7, 2016

Letter to the Editor: Gender-neutral bathrooms are needed on campus Les Delgado, a junior from Elgin means that I use the pronouns they/ studying communication studies, is a student them, wear ties and boxers, choose to be worker at the LGBTQ+ Resource Center. called something else other than my legal name, a preferred name, and I give zero As an openly Queer, genderqueer fucks on how I look to you because I am student at SIU, I think my safety should … me. Got the gist of it? Good. matter. That I, as a human should matter.

I am me and there are times when After the Daily Egyptian posted on I walk into the women’s bathroom Facebook about the construction of and I get nervous. And I shouldn’t. It’s gender-neutral bathrooms on campus, I because I’m genderqueer, wear bowties was excited. Then I read the comments. and people think I’m in the wrong I read things that mentioned that these bathroom and I’m not because I’m bathrooms were “a waste of money,” and legally a woman. If I could change my “not a legitimate problem.” I was called certificate it would say “genderqueer” things like “a special snowflake” for as my gender but one day as a society needing these bathrooms and was told we will get there. So whenever I use when I defended these bathrooms, “Fuck the restroom it feels like a combination your safe spaces.” of assessing my safety and asking how Thank you folks for showing your much I want to push people’s button. true colors. Not only have you told I try to be very responsive, try. I members of the LGBTQ+ community become like an animal who can smell that we do not matter, but you have fear and become aware of all the other made us fear for our safety even more. people in the room. I start thinking: See, people who appear to be one “Are other people staring at me too long? gender but identity in another way are What do I do? What’s going on? Is it essentially force to “out” themselves each the way I look?” Then I try to leave as time they select a bathroom. Choosing quickly as possible. I get uncomfortable and using a restroom can actually be with myself. I should not feel like this. I extremely difficult and provoke anxiety could walk into the men’s bathroom but and it shouldn’t be.

I am legally a “woman” and God knows I think about why these bathrooms what could happen to me if tried to pee are needed, why they are essential to in there. Essentially, I’m putting myself at campus. As a student worker for the risk when I’m walking into the women’s LGBTQ+ Resource Center, this is one restroom and I’m putting myself at risk if of the projects I am working on. My I chose to use the men’s restroom. former coworker mapped out all the These bathrooms are essential to gender-neutral or lockable bathrooms campus for folks to have a safe space to on campus and there are not that many. relieve themselves. Nobody should be Currently, I am trying to find a way on feeling ashamed, scared or uncomfortable how to have these maps available for at all while using a bathroom. Nobody students who need these bathrooms. should feel what I feel. I am not the But mostly I think about the times I voice of people who identity as me but I have walked into a bathroom and I have know what I feel, I am not alone. Instead, felt uncomfortable or at times, not gone. people who have this privilege of not I identify as genderqueer. I have spent having to worry where they pee have to my whole life explaining who I am, be less problematic and ignorant. trying to get people to understand me Using a public washroom isn’t and accept me, saying “love me” until my something most folks whose gender I lose my voice. If you don’t know what identity matches the gender they were “genderqueer” means, today I have made assigned at birth ever really think about. a crash course for y’all that will hopefully This privilege is not shared by trans folks make things easier. For me, genderqueer or for people who don’t conform to

gender norms. The fear, stress and real potential for violence associated with using gender-segregated bathrooms sometimes can be so great that it can actually limit the participation of folks in everyday life.

What if gender-neutral bathrooms were the norm? I feel they should be. Isn’t there one in your home?

If all bathrooms were gender neutral, then discriminatory, anti-LGBTQ legislation, such as North Carolina’s HB2 law — which was passed in March and makes it illegal for trans folks in North Carolina to use bathrooms that don’t correspond with the gender listed on their birth certificates — would not exist.

I think about all the safe spaces that were eliminated this year in America.

After Orlando, why do I need to fear going out in public and check exits of every bar I walk into? I think about what it would feel like if the LGBTQ+ Resource Center did not exist after this year’s election results, or how much I would need it in the next four years.

So next time you tell me “fuck your safe spaces,” also tell me why life does not matter to you.

A massive barrier to feeling welcome at school is not having access to the most basic resources. We know the risks for trans people when they are forced to use gender-segregated bathrooms. The issue of gender-neutral bathrooms doesn’t need more research. What we need is for cis-gender opponents to check their privilege and respect people as people.

Let’s put the issue of funding in the back of our minds. These bathrooms are not going to be the downfall of SIU. They are safe spaces for students in need. Not just students of LGBTQ+ but also for single parents of children and people with disability. Check your privilege, stop being ignorant and I am not a special snowflake for wanting a gender-neutral bathroom.

I have spent the majority of my life telling people, “this is who I am, love me.”

I shouldn’t be telling you, “this is who I am, please give me a safe space.”

Wednesday, december 7, 2016

Opinion

Robert Gauthier | Los Angeles Times President-elect Donald Trump stops to give an autograph after speaking to supporters aboard the USS Iowa battleship in Los Angeles on Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2015.

Letter to the Editor: Everyone, including his supporters, knows Donald Trump lies Mike Sullivan is a professor in SIU’s may find a middle ground that you to be honest, that they can make up Department of Mathematics. could both live with. “facts” as they will and freely contradict themselves, even the possibility of Dear Editor, rational discourse is gone.

“As the Trumpian Why does President-elect Donald As the Trumpian style of discourse style of discourse Trump lie routinely? Everyone, including becomes normalized in state legislatures, becomes normalized city council meetings, TV talk shows and his supporters, knows that he lies.

Is he psychologically unstable? Can debates at the diner, democracy itself will in state legislatures, he really not remember the claims he city council meetings, become unsustainable. made the week before? No. Trump’s In the chaos, Trump, who represents a TV talk shows and dishonesty is part of a deliberate, well certain faction of the billionaire class, and debates at the thought out strategy. his enablers in the GOP, will cut taxes on When you debate politics with your investment income and eliminate estate diner, democracy boneheaded cousin or your smarmy taxes on the wealthy. Their hope is that itself will become neighbor, no matter how much their progeny will become a permanent unsustainable.” you may disagree, you can be fairly ruling aristocracy. confident that they believe what they Reason is one of the pillars on which are saying to be true.

Trump has established a personality democracy depends. To eliminate the As long as this is the case there cult. His followers — those who voted latter, they must attack the former. is at least the possibility of rational for him, not merely against Clinton — discussion. You may discover that will mimic his behavior patterns. When Letters to the editor can be submitted by it is you who is wrong! Or, you they “realize” that there is no reason emailing editor@dailyegyptian.com.

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Wednesday, december 7, 2016

Morgan Timms | @Morgan_Timms Top: Garrett Lindgren, a senior from Cary studying mass communication and outdoor recreation, Josh Schenkenfelder, a senior from Oak Forest studying journalism, and Melissa Hull, a senior from Wentzville, Mo., studying zoology, mourn their late friend, Alex Kierstead during a candlelight vigil.

Jacob Wiegand | @jawiegandphoto Bottom: Candles sit next to a picture of Alex Kierstead.

REMEMBER CONTINUED FROM

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Hein, a senior from Lansing studying political science, spent the evening passing around dozens of candles to those gathered around the ruined home.

"There's a lot of power," said John’s brother, Patrick Kenny, a freshman from Aurora studying anthropology. "There's a lot of magic that Alex had. That's why everyone's here."

Shock. Disbelief. Denial.

These words filled the air as friends remembered first hearing of Kierstead's death.

"It felt like a dream," Patrick Kenny said. "It still does feel like a dream."

Wednesday, december 7, 2016

Jacob Wiegand | @jawiegandphoto Benjamin Puffer, hand on candle, and Josh Schenkenfelder, a senior from Oak Forest studying journalism, work to craft a display of candles that reads "Alex K" in memory of Alex Kierstead — who died in a house fire the day before Thanksgiving — on Friday outside the burnt home in Carbondale. Puffer, a freshman from Carbondale studying physics, met Kierstead through a mutual friend. "He was a really good guy," Puffer said. "He's just really cool. He had a really good soul. It's one of the best things." Kierstead, a junior from Aurora studying political science and journalism, was remembered by a few dozen friends and mourners at the candlelight vigil held outside the burnt building at 700 W. Freeman St. where Kierstead and his three roommates resided prior to the blaze.

But for John Kenny, the vigil provided some closure.

"At least today it's becoming a little bit more real, a little bit more concrete," said the senior from Aurora studying political science.

John Kenny knew Kierstead since he was in high school, and Kierstead was over at his house almost every day last school year, he said. They eventually became housemates in August.

It was the morning before Thanksgiving and John Kenny woke up around 7 a.m. to the sound of his parent's installing new floors in their Aurora home.

He said he couldn't sleep from the noise, so he checked his phone and saw a message with a picture of his house on fire.

John Kenny said he immediately called Kierstead but couldn't reach him. He shrugged it off, saying Kierstead didn’t usually

answered his phone right away anyway.

"That hour went by," John Kenny said. "I started to realize more and more ... time kept going and going."

Then he received the news that a body was found in their home.

On Monday, authorities identified the body as Kierstead. A cause of the fire has not yet been released, though foul play is not suspected, police have said.

Four days later Leia Ruebling, a sophomore from Springfield studying international studies and German, stood in front of the now abandoned home passing around a pot of hot chamomile tea — Kierstead's favorite.

Ruebling said she and Kierstead spoke about death in casual conversation about a month before his passing. He told her

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Jacob Wiegand | @jawiegandphoto Emily Kottwitz, a sophomore from Elmhurst studying communication design, places her head on her legs during a candlelight vigil for her friend Alex Kierstead, who died in a house fire the day before Thanksgiving, on Dec. 2 outside the burnt home in Carbondale. "He's a one-in-a-million kind of person," Kottwitz said. "He meant everything to me and so many others. Like, he touched so many peoples' hearts over the years. ... He's like, one of my best friends and it hurts that this happened."

he wanted people to listen to his favorite songs, drink tea and celebrate his life.

"I feel like this was a really good depiction of what Alex was," Ruebling said as she passed out tea to those gathered at the home Friday. "He was always the hot cup of tea on a cold day."

Ruebling considers all those who met Kierstead lucky just for being able to have conversation with him, remembering a hike she went on with Kierstead to the Little Grand Canyon.

At first, Ruabling said she was not impressed by the hike.

"I was like, 'Alex, where's the rocks? This place isn't very cool,’" Ruebling said. "He was like, ‘Leia, have you stopped to look? Look at this place — it's beautiful.’"

"He was able to take something so simple and make it into this beautiful, elaborate creation," Ruebling added.

Many other friends at the vigil had memories of hiking with Kierstead.

Hein recalled the many days they spent hiking together. He said the two would sometimes take to the trails as many as four times a week.

But Ruebling said it was the quiet moments she remembered best. She frequently visited Kierstead's house to cook and make tea.

"We could sit in silence, and that itself would say a million words," she said.

For Ryan Rambow, a childhood friend of Kierstead’s who lived two doors down from him growing up, it was his best friend's humor and kindness he remembers best.

He said Kierstead was able to make him laugh even when he

didn't feel like smiling.

"He went out of his way just to be really over-the-top and heartfelt," Rambow said.

When Rambow’s girlfriend broke up with him, Kierstead called to see if he needed anything, but Rambow said he would be fine.

Soon after, Rambow said he heard a knocking on his front door. He opened it to find Kierstead holding a bundle of thyme he had pulled from his mother’s garden.

“Time heals all wounds," Rambow recalled Kierstead telling him that day.

Staff writer Cory Ray can be reached at cray@dailyegyptian.com or 618-536-3326.

Page 10

Wednesday, december 7, 2016

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Page 11

Morgan Timms | @Morgan_Timms Junior Bryn Handley swims the 500-yard freestyle race Saturday, Dec. 3, 2016, during the Saluki women's team's 155-143 loss to Missouri State at Edward J. Shea Natatorium. Handley and her teammates, junior Kelsie Walker and senior Lauren Stockton, took the top three places in the 500-yard freestyle event.

SIU swim and dive teams drop meet to Missouri State SEAN CARLEY | @SeanMCarley

SIU swimming and diving’s first home meet of the season couldn’t recreate the magic of the last one meet in Edward J. Shea Natatorium.

The women’s team narrowly lost to Missouri State, 155-143, while the men’s team lost to the Bears, 195-93.

Across the 32 events, SIU tallied 11 first place finishes and 34 topthree finishes.

The women’s team dominated the freestyle events of the meet.

Bryn Handley had a day to remember, winning each event she participated in: the 400-yard freestyle relay, the 100, 200 and 500-yard freestyle. The junior now has six event victories on the season.

Junior Kelsie Walker walked away with three individual top-two finishes — winning the 1,000-yard freestyle — and the team win in the 400-yard freestyle relay.

She was one of multiple Salukis to walk away with multiple top finishes.

Fellow junior McKenna Avery also had four top-three finishes, joining Walker on the 400-yard freestyle relay win as well as finishing second in the 50-yard freestyle and third in the 100yard freestyle.

The 200-yard and 500-yard events in particular went about as well as possible for SIU. The Salukis took first through fourth in the 200, with Handley, Walker, sophomore Jordan Ries and senior Lauren Stockton finishing before any of the Bears.

Walker’s second-place finish in the 200 impressively came just two events after her win in the 1,000-yard event.

In the 500, Handley, Walker and Stockton took first through third.

Other Salukis to win their respective events were junior Rachel Williams on the one-meter dive and freshman Samantha Parsons in the 200-yard breaststroke.

Parsons continued her impressive season, after breaking the school record in

that event less than two months ago. She also broke the school record in the 200yard individual medley earlier this season.

On the men’s side, senior Andre Brilhante earned two event victories in the 50 and 100-yard freestyle. He also finished top-three in the 200-yard medley relay and the 200-yard freestyle.

Freshman Kai Hoffmann-Dussome won the one and three-meter diving events by at least 25 points each.

The men’s team took home 14 topthree finishes throughout the meet.

The last time SIU competed in the natatorium in February, the women’s team took home its first Missouri Valley Conference team title since 2007.

Neither SIU team competes again until 2017 until the women’s team hosts Arkansas-Little Rock on Jan. 14.

The men’s and women’s teams will travel to face Indiana State on Jan. 27 in Terre Haute.

Sports editor Sean Carley can be reached at scar@dailyegyptian.com.

Page 12

Wednesday, december 7, 2016

Brought to you by:

Answers for Wednesday >> Complete the grid so each row, column and 3-by3 box (in bold borders) contains every digit, 1 to 9. For strategies on how to solve Sudoku, visit www. sudoku.org.uk

Wednesday, december 7, 2016

Today's Birthday (12/07/16). Unite forces this year. Apply your talents and influence for a larger group purpose.

Your academic ramblings take a new turn after spring, when domestic comforts flower. Rewrite your story as autumn wanderings lead to exciting discoveries. Play with people you love.

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 9 -You're e spe ci a l ly popu l a r for t he ne x t mont h, w it h Venu s i n A qu a r iu s. Group a c t iv it ie s go wel l. G e t out i n publ ic . S ocia l a c t iv it ie s bene f it you r c a re er.

Taurus (April 20-May 20) -- Today is an 8 -- Watch for career advances in a direction you love. Take on more responsibility this month, with Venus in Aquarius. It's easier to advance your agenda.

Gemini (May 21-June 20) -- Today is a 7 -- Travel and discover new beauty over the coming month.

It's easier to venture forth now that Venus is in Aquarius. Set study goals. Explore.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) -- Today is a 9 -- Go over the numbers now that Venus is in Aquarius. The next month is good for saving money. Increase your assets with organization and attention.

Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) -Today is an 8 -- Partnerships flow with greater ease over the next month, with Venus in Aquarius. Compromise comes easier. Share beauty and love. Turn up your feminine magnetism.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept.

22) -- Today is a 9 -- There's profitable work coming over the next month, with Venus in Aquarius, and it's the fun kind that you like. Creativity and beauty flourish with love.

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) -- Today is an 8 -- You're especially lucky in love over the next month, with Venus in Aquarius. Artistic efforts sparkle. Practice skills, talents and hobbies.

Give in to romance.

Page 13

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) -- Today is a 9 -- Nurture your home and family this month. Repair structural problems. Fill your house with love and beauty, with Venus in Aquarius. Cook, clean and feast together.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22Dec. 21) -- Today is an 8 -- Speak from the heart. Your creative muses sing to you, with Venus in Aquarius.

You're especially clever and creative with communications.

Write, record and express yourself.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) -- Today is a 9 -- Gather new income over the next month, with Venus in Aquarius.

It can be a quite prof itable phase. You f ind your professional performance zone.

Aquarius (Jan. 20Feb. 18) -- Today is an 8 -- You fe el e spe cia l ly belove d t h i s mont h, w it h Venu s i n you r sig n. You r c h a r m a nd c h a r i sm a sh i ne. Tr y a ne w st yle or look . Step on st a ge a nd sm i le.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) -- Today is a 9 -- Find the beauty in the silence between notes. Finish old jobs and rest, with Venus in Aquarius for a month.

Fantasize and invent.

Savor peaceful moments.

FOR RELEASE DECEMBER 7, 2016

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

ACROSS 1 Kind of basin 6 State secrets?

9 Intense dislike 14 Act poorly?

15 Run a tab, say 16 Words between two “thanks” 17 Chef protector 18 See 8-Down 19 Floorboard support 20 Many a Sundance film 22 Rent payer 23 Registered names: Abbr.

25 Action at the front 28 H.S. hurdle 29 Adorn 32 Comical punctuation marks from the drummer 34 Marshy lowland 35 Chihuahua, por ejemplo 36 “__ Eyes”: Eagles hit 37 ’60s campus gp.

38 Hieroglyphics reptiles 41 “Do __, not ... ” 43 Work on, as a stubborn squeak 45 Tablets’ kin 48 Swingline insert 49 2,170-mi. trail terminus 50 Walk with style 52 Luau music provider 53 Wanting too much 55 Pry 58 Cookie named for its flavor 59 Aromatic necklace 61 Stage performances 64 Words after miss or skip 65 Resting place 66 Down source 67 Singer Bruni married to Nicolas Sarkozy 68 Morning cuppa 69 Amounts to DOWN 1 Leaves in a bag

By Matt Skoczen

2 Prankster 3 “Pillow Talk” actress 4 Lots 5 Provide with for a time 6 Montague lad 7 Blow away 8 With 18-Across, Southwestern cuisine 9 Museum pieces 10 Lucy and Ethel and Thelma and Louise 11 “Indeed!”

12 Oust, in a way 13 Church choral works 21 “Eww!” 22 Tibetan title 23 “Angie Tribeca” channel 24 Weak cry 26 Brand of blended seasonings 27 Itsy-__ 30 Inventor Howe 31 Population information 33 Book after Daniel 35 Ulysses threesome?

12/07/16 12/7/16 Wednesday’s Answers

Tuesday’s Puzzle Solved

©2016 Tribune Content Agency, LLC

39 Web irritants ... and what appears in each set of puzzle circles?

40 __-screen printing 42 Faulkner’s “As __ Dying” 44 Actor Marvin of “Cat Ballou” 45 Courvoisier, e.g.

46 Speedy Gonzales cry 47 Kitchen gadget

12/7/16 12/07/16

48 OED entry 51 Words for the audience 54 Hebrew for “skyward” 56 Oil bloc 57 Hodgepodge 59 Pres. sworn in on Air Force One 60 Job listing ltrs.

62 “Is it soup __?”

63 Fourth-yr. students

Page 14

Wednesday, december 7, 2016

NCAA rule changes have been problematic for fouling Salukis JONATHAN THOMPSON | @TheReal_Jt3

SIU men’s basketball coach Barry Hinson has never been a fan of foul calls, but his team has been racking up more of them than most other teams this season.

This is partly because the NCAA has instituted multiple rule changes in hopes of speeding up the game and increasing scoring.

More freedom has been given to offensive players than ever before. The ball handler is allowed more space to make plays, such as passing, dribbling and shooting, without the defender jamming him up.

“Getting up on guys — those days are over,” Hinson said. “I’m an old school guy. I’ve always been about get in their grill, get up, get in them, bother them — do all this stuff. Those days are over.”

During SIU’s Nov. 18 win against SIU-Edwarsdville, the Salukis had

compiled 30 personal fouls, two short of having every Saluki forward foul out of the contest.

The national team average is currently 19.33 personal fouls per game. SIU averages 22.0, a jump from last year’s 21.44 per game.

“I think we’ve done a poor job, specifically me as a head coach adjusting our guys to the new rules,” Hinson said.

The Saluki coach has worked with his team in practices to be more effective on the defensive side without getting whistled.

In the first four games, Southern averaged 23 personal fouls per game. But in past four, the team has averaged 21 per contest.

“I think we’re finally starting to adjust a little bit,” Hinson said. “We fouled way too much in the first part of the season.

We were way too aggressive on our defense with our hands and not getting

into position and not moving, so I don’t think that’s as much our players’ fault as it is my fault.”

But the coaching staff can only provide advice to the players. It’s up to those on the court to comprehend and implement the lessons.

Sophomore guard Armon Fletcher is leading the team with a team-high with 27 fouls this season. He said the team needs to be more aware on defense to stay out of the foul column. “[We need to] play smarter defense,” Fletcher said. “Not letting my man get to my body — they know the new rules, if you touch them, it’s a foul. As a defender, you have to try different things to try to distract the offensive player. Keep your hands active and keep your feet moving, so you won’t get those touch fouls.”

Staff writer Jonathan Thompson can be reached at jthompson@dailyegyptian.com.

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Wednesday, december 7, 2016

Page 15

Bol making immediate impact on both ends of the court JONATHAN THOMPSON | @TheReal_Jt3

Christmas came early this year for Saluki men’s basketball coach Barry Hinson as junior forward Thik Bol has been a big boost for SIU’s interior defense.

Last year, senior forward Sean O’Brien led the Dawgs in blocked shots with 29 for the year. Bol already has 19 in eight games, with as many as six in a single game.

“We felt like we have to have somebody that can alter or block shots,” Hinson said. “We’ve not had that since I’ve been here. We’ve had kids that have had some size, but they couldn’t block shots. Nor could they finish shots. We think Thik is that guy.”

Bol said he takes pride in being the

Salukis’ rim protector and sending any shot back that he can.

“I try to go out and do that every night,” he said. “I try to block everything.

That’s what I came here to do.”

The newest Saluki center has made a career out of rejecting shots long before his transfer to SIU. He led all junior college athletes with 4.9 blocks per game his freshman year at Iowa Western Community College. The next season he was fourth with 3.3 blocks per contest.

The 6-foot-8 big man played multiple other sports growing up that helped him develop his basketball skills.

As a young child, Bol built his skills playing soccer with his brothers as well as playing volleyball.

Because of his unique abilities, Bol

brings a different type of skill set to the team that it didn’t have last year.

“He plays higher,” sophomore forward Rudy Stradnieks said. “He can finish around the rim, he can block shots, he can rebound. He’s not as strong as [last year’s center] Bola [Olaniyan] used to be on defense, but that’s maybe my part there to step up against bigger guys.”

The Salukis have been able the change their defensive schemes because of Bol’s presence near the rim. Stradnieks said SIU’s forwards are able to be more relaxed on ball screens because they know they have one last line of defense waiting at the rim.

But Bol contributes more to the team than just length on the defensive end.

The Sudanese-born forward has become must see TV as his athletic alley-

oop finishes are reminiscent of the old NBA Jam video games.

His alley-oop off the backboard in the season-opener against Wright State caught the attention of the entire nation as it was pick as the No. 4 play of the day in SportsCenter’s Top 10 plays.

“Thik’s a phenomenal athlete,” sophomore guard Armon Fletcher said. “I’ve never played with a guy like Thik. He gives us a lot of energy seeing him dunk on people and blocking shots. He’s just a big spark for the team.”

The junior currently is one of the five Salukis averaging double-figures at 10.1 points per game, and adds 7.5 rebounds per game. However, his help on offense is much more than him cleaning the glass and putting the ball in the basket.

Bol being such a big inside presence has opened up the game for SIU’s other big men who can shoot, such as Stradnieks, O’Brien and sophomore forward Austin Weiher.

“Teams are scouting him because he’s an inside player,” Stradnieks said. “[They] guard him closer to the basket, so it gives us the opportunity to slip out and shoot the ball more.”

Their expanded offensive options have been on display as Stradnieks and Weiher have both made 10 of their 18 shots each this season.

Bol will be back in action to make plays for SIU at 6 p.m. Wednesday against Louisville.

Staff writer Jonathan Thompson can be reached at jthompson@dailyegyptian.com.

3 things we learned from SIU's games against Murray State and Texas Southern SEAN CARLEY | @SeanMCarley

Over the last seven days, SIU men’s basketball grinded out two tough wins against underrated opponents with an overtime win against Murray State and a last-minute victory over Texas Southern.

Here’s what fans can take away from those games.

1. This year’s squad is far more resilient than last year’s.

These types of wins count in more than just the win column. They show the nature of a team.

The Murray State game felt a lot like last year’s game at home against Evansville, when D.J. Balentine also sent the game into overtime with a buzzer-beater 3-pointer.

Senior guard Mike Rodriguez

said the team felt the same way, but handled it entirely different. He said that last year, the Salukis hung their heads in defeat. This year, they stood strong and held their ground.

In both games, SIU had a chance to put its opponent away and didn’t — which is an issue — but the fact they still found ways to win shows resilience.

Last season’s overtime loss started a four-game losing streak. We’ll see what an overtime win does for the team.

2. Armon Fletcher is the real deal.

After Saturday’s game, coach Barry Hinson said sophomore guard Armon Fletcher “is going to be paid to play basketball one day.”

Based on where he is right now, that may seem like a pipe dream but

it really may not be.

Fletcher brings something to every facet of the game.

He can nail the 3-pointer — currently shooting 43.6 percent. His length at the guard position helps keep defenders outside — tied for second on the team with five blocks.

His athleticism and basketball IQ are off the charts — leads team with 14 steals.

This is all with him playing just 40 games of collegiate basketball.

Given he stays healthy and otherwise eligible, he has about twothirds of his career to continue to improve.

If he improves every year as much as he did from last year to this year, he will likely be paid to play basketball.

Will he play in the NBA? Who

knows. Will he have the opportunity to play overseas or in South America?

More than likely.

3. SIU will live and die by the play of its guards.

The play at the forward position has been fairly consistent this season.

You can count on about 10 points, six rebounds and five assists from senior Sean O’Brien nearly every game. Junior Thik Bol will contribute around another 10 points and six rebounds, but add a couple blocks.

Sophomores Austin Weiher and Rudy Stradnieks will come in and give those two valuable rest while still putting up a couple points and grabbing a few rebounds.

So because of that, the guards will decide most of SIU’s games.

Luckily for SIU, the three starting

guards have been solid all year.

Rodriguez, Fletcher and senior Leo Vincent are the top three scorers on the team at 14.5, 13.5 and 11.6 points per game, respectively.

In addition to those two, sophomore Sean Lloyd and freshman Aaron Cook have each provided quality outings off the bench.

However, Vincent and Rodriguez have each had multiple games where they struggled to put the ball in the basket, especially from long distance.

If the three starters can find a way to nail down their shooting, SIU should be a top-five team in the Missouri Valley.

Sports editor Sean Carley can be reached at scar@dailyegyptian.com.

Page 16

sPorts

Wednesday, december 7, 2016

SIU swimming and diving competes in first home meet Page 11

INSIDE: SIU foul trouble pg. 14 | Bol making immediate impact pg.15