Indiana Statesman
Thursday, Nov. 8, 2018
Indiana Statesman
@ISUstatesman
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Volume 126, Issue 23
PIZZA AND POLITICS
Students watch midterm results roll in Lauren Rader Reporter
To bring young voters together to watch the local and state race results come in, the American Democracy Project hosted an Election Night Watch Party at 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 6. The American Democracy Project has a strategic initiative that promotes civic engagement on campus here at Indiana State. Free pizza and drinks were provided to the students who attended. “I’m hoping that a lot of students voted today. I think seeing the results up on the screen will be really powerful for them, and will help them see their impact on the election as a campus,” Student Coordinator for the American Democracy Project, Abram Gagnon said. “Also, there is a community aspect of being here. Celebrating and watching the returns come in with everyone on campus is really important. We’ve been pushing that a lot with our hashtag, Sycamores Vote Together.” The election results were posted on the screen for everyone to see. People on the project set up tables with U.S.A based activities, like coloring sheets. Red, white, and blue decorations were put up to add a patriotic flare. There were stations that included making your own candidate t-shirt, writing why you vote on poster boards, and making predictions on the election. Many students were excited to come together and participate in this event. Johnson Korvah, an international student, was excited to see the final results and be
Anna Bartley | Indiana Statesman
Students watch the midterm election votes turn out in the Cunningham Memorial Library on Nov. 6.
involved with what was going on. “I came to this because it seemed like a safe place to discuss politics. Nobody is fighting or bickering about political stances. It’s more of a casual setting,” Korvah said. ”Voting is important, because it gives ordinary people a chance to make a change, be a part of a democracy, and it allows individuals to voice their opinion about things. Instead of sitting at home and arguing with each other, you’re actually doing something that could make and actual difference.” Getting students involved on campus is the main goal of the American Democracy Project,
because political awareness is an issue that young people face today. “I’m a political science major and the fact of the matter is, politics is everything that we do. Everything in government politics affects us, especially on the local level,” Gagnon said. “That’s why we’re trying to get students engaged in local races as well as the presidential, national races. The local level is where everything really gets down to the nitty-gritty.” Many other groups on campus are trying to get student involvement with government politics as well, such as College Republicans and College Democrats.
The main goal is to engage students with their government and educate on politics, even if it is affiliated with a certain part. “It is important to give everyone their own voice about what goes on in the country; especially for young people,” ISU student, Connor Lenihan said. “I feel like young people should go out and vote more. It affects us more, because we’re going to be here longer.” Johnson Korvah understands Lenihan’s point and expressed why he votes. “From my standpoint and my views, I’m more politically conscious than a lot of people. I’m
an international student and you wouldn’t know that by having a conversation with me. I don’t study political science,” Korvah said. “I am just someone who likes to be aware, and who wants his children to grow up in a world where that grants them personal freedom. Even though I am an international student, that would be my influence to vote.” Either way a student swayed, it was a safe environment to talk about politics and to come together as a community with fellow students on campus.
She’s the First hosts charity dinner, auction Nicole Nunez Reporter
University Marketing
Hannig Construction has done other projects on campus, including the Health ad Human Services building the Student Recreation Center and renovated the Sycamore Tower buildings.
ISU awards Hulman Center renovation contract to Hannig Construction Indiana State University officials have awarded the contract for the renovation of the Hulman Center to Hannig Construction of Terre Haute. “We are excited to kick off this much-needed upgrade to a highly used community asset,” said Deborah J. Curtis, president of Indiana State University. “We are looking forward to the countless community events, concerts, dinners, basketball games, lectures and other activities that will take place in the newly renovated Hulman Center in years to come.” Improvements include replacing outdated mechanical and electrical systems and failing exterior metal panel cladding and curtain walls. Updates to safety systems for fire suppression and key areas of the existing catwalk above the bowl area are also planned. Other limitations set to be remedied include adding a second, larger elevator. Hannig’s base bid of $42.8 million, which includes selected alternates, was the lowest among three submitted last week. Construction is set to begin soon and is expected to take 24 months. The university will continue to hold limited activities -- including men’s and women’s basketball games -- during the renovation period. Heavy mechanical work will occur during the summer months. “After several months of preparation work, we are eager to get construction under way and look forward to working with Hannig Construction and
its team of subcontractors to build a better Hulman Center,” said Diann McKee, senior vice president for finance and administration and treasurer at Indiana State. “Not only will the university and community enjoy a facility that will better serve their needs, but we also will have the satisfaction of knowing that many people from the Wabash Valley will be employed to do that work over the next two years.” Total cost for the project is $50 million, which includes construction costs as well as soft costs such as design. Funding consists of $37.5 million appropriated by the state and $12.5 million from university gifts, cash reserves and non-fee-replaced borrowing. Constructed and opened in 1973, Hulman Center has long served as the university’s focal point for community engagement and one of the key drivers to stimulating activities in downtown Terre Haute. Strategically located on the campus’s southeast edge, the Hulman Center, which has 174,000 gross square feet, bridges campus life with Terre Haute’s downtown and hosts hundreds of events for citizens of all ages. The project, which was expected to begin last summer, had to be redesigned and rebid when the low bid was $5 million higher than construction estimates. University Marketing.
This Saturday, Nov. 10, She’s the First is hosting a Charity Dinner and Silent Auction. The dinner and auction will be held at 6 p.m. in Dede I. The event will consist of dinner, entertainment, a photo booth, a silent auction, lantern decorating, and a lantern release. It is open to anyone including students, faculty, and the community. One can buy tickets at the door. It is $7 for students and $15 for non-students. The silent auction will have a wide variety of items for people to bid on. The photo booth will also be $1 and the photos will be sent directly to you after the event. There will be performances by Indiana State students featuring singing and dancing. Also, Dr. Rider will be the keynote speaker at the event. Rider is a first generation woman and will be speaking on supporting first generation women. All of the funds go towards the She’s the First student organization. She’s the First is a nonprofit organization and is nationally known. Anyone can start their own chapter on a college campus. Tawana Chakanyuka started the chapter at Indiana State University and is now the president. “We’re trying to raise funds that we can send to young women so that they can create scholarships for them to attend school,” said Chakanyuka, “These scholarships help to buy uniforms, buy materials for them, an d help them complete their education.” The national organization creates scholarships for girls in countries that lack access to education. All of the chapters send their funds to the national organiza-
tion and about $1000- $1200 supports one girl’s schooling through high school. The national organization sends each chapter information about the girl, so the chapter knows exactly to whom their fundraising has worked towards. “I think their mission to be able to fundraise for women who are undereducated or who are unable receive the education they deserve, just because they live in another country, is great,” said member of She’s the First, Amy Vandevelde. She’s the First as an organization is inclusive and provides a place for female students to feel welcomed and heard. “It’s an organization that’s different than anything else I’ve ever experienced before,” said Vandevelde, “Even if it is something you don’t know a lot about, the people in the organization make it really inclusive and are willing to inform you and teach you about things you don’t understand. Mainly it’s all upperclassmen, but even being a freshman I feel included and they are all really caring and they want to take the time to get to know you personally. … You have a lot that you are able to voice even if you’re not experienced.” By attending Saturday’s event, one can have an amazing time with friends, family, and faculty while advancing a great cause. “I think people forget how important it is for women to get education in the world because I think people assume that men should be the ones who receive education, but women need it too. Once everybody is educated and once education is a right and not a privilege, it gives everyone an opportunity to be better and we could probably solve a lot of problems in the world with the education of women,” said Chakanyuka.