Northern Star
• Students hang their fears and dreams in a web. Read more on Page 6. •
Since 1899
Thursday, Oct. 27, 2016
Volume 117
NIU officials rethink facility Students protest for a larger center Leah Nicolini Editor in chief
Xavier Ortega | Northern Star
Carlo Aseron, Asian American Resource Center graduate assistant, shows the room students meet in at the Asian American Resource Center. The center reaches about 300 students and often relocates meetings to other areas on campus such as the Holmes Student Center.
Affiliated organizations The Asian American Resource Center reaches about 300 students through organizations that receive the center’s support: • Alpha Phi Gamma • Asian American Association • Burma Interest Group • Chi Sigma Tau • Chinese Student and Scholar Association • Indian Student Association • Kappa Phi Lambda • Kappa Pi Beta • Philippine Student Association • Southeast Asia Club • Taekwondo Club • Taiwanese Student Association space they can call home and feel welcomed in. Repairs Chief Diversity Officer Vernese Edghill-Walden said the center has had several repairs this year, including upgraded electrical outlets and water testing, which was negative for contaminants. Next steps Leaders from the center have met with Eric Weldy, vice president of student affairs and enrollment management, Edghill-Walden and President Doug Baker multiple times this past year after hearing
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Basketball preps for fresh start Tom Burton Assistant sports editor
DeKALB | About 35 students
have or have almost fallen down the basement stairs of the Asian American Resource Center. The narrow staircase that fits one person at a time and is difficult to climb is among the list of issues the resource center has along with wheelchair accessibility limitations, electrical issues, iron-tasting water, one functioning computer, one bathroom and limited space. Students marched around campus Tuesday from MLK Commons to inform NIU administration and the community they need a better facility. This center was given to students 12 years ago as a temporary space to accommodate the needs of the Asian American community that did not have a facility prior. The center reaches about 300 students through organizations it supports such as Alpha Phi Gamma, Asian American Association and Indian Student Association. The center uses heritage programs, academic support and events to foster inclusion and enhance the quality of life for Asian American students, according to the center’s website. Michelle Bringas, Asian American Resource Center director, said students began to relocate their events for more space several years ago to accommodate the increase in students who use the center. “Over the years, they have outgrown [the facility] because their individual groups have grown larger,” Bringas said. Members of the center, including Melissa Cardella, senior communication major, president of the Asian American Association and co-director of the center’s renovation committee, use support from the Asian American community to feel a sense of belonging among peers at NIU that stereotype Asians. “A lot of people, when they do realize I’m Asian, they’ll go to the stereotypes [such as] ‘oh, you can help me with my math homework’,” Cardella said. “A lot of that does affect the community.” Bringas said students do better academically when they have a
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Tyus Tuialii | Northern Star
A protestor holds a “12 years too long” sign, advocating for a better resource facility for the Asian American community Tuesday in the MLK Commons. NIU gave the resource center to students 12 years ago as “temporary” space.
concerns about the center. Possibilities for the resource center could include renovating, relocating and reaching out to alumni for funding to support the center. Weldy said NIU will continue to assess and understand the community’s needs, and a timeline for a resolution has not been established. Weldy, Edghill-Walden, Ombudsperson Sarah Klaper and Richard Tom, senior assistant director of admissions, attended the protest to let students know they were being heard. Tom served as an advocate for the center’s inception in 2002. “We were very gratified that we originally got the [center] at all,”
Tom said. “And even at that time, it was looked upon both by the administration, as well as the faculty and the students, as a beginning from which we were hoping it would be a seed to be planted and grow to support the future [students]. I think that time has come now for the next step which is an improved facility.” Members of the center began a renovation committee to address the center’s future and meet 5 p.m. Thursdays. The location varies depending on what meeting space is open on campus. Email AsianAmericanCenter@niu.edu for more information.
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DeKALB | The men’s basketball team will look to build on a successful 2015-16 season in which it competed in the Mid-American Conference championship game and in the Vegas-16 tournament in March. The team finished the season with a 21-13 overall record while going 18-1 at home. Head Coach Mark Montgomery said he is stressing the Mark new season, and Montgomery the team cannot Head coach get too comfortable coming off its successful season. The players need to take the season one day at a time. “Part of the [season-long] journey is that it’s a process,” Montgomery said. “I try to tell the new guys and the young guys that you can’t end where you ended last year and just turn the page, and all of a sudden, we’re in the postseason.” The team has three returning double-digit scorers, including two seniors, guard Aaric Armstead and center Marin Maric. Montgomery said the success of this year’s ball club begins with the senior players on the team. “At this point, we’re just trying to bring everything together and into form to start off the season,” Armstead said. “We just need to get everyone to Aaric Armstead start working to- Senior guard gether and operating as one so we can get off to a good start to the season.” Montgomery said Armstead is the most versatile player on the roster this season, as he will be one of the players who will look to fill the void of last year’s senior guard Travon Baker. “I would say that my shooting and passing has definitely improved,” Armstead said. “I’ve also improved on the intangible things like getting my team involved and being a good leader.”
Read more on the upcoming season at NorthernStar.info/Sports/.
Cubs win game two
The Chicago Cubs won game two of the World Series against the Cleveland Indians Wednesday. The Cubs will return to Chicago for game three on Friday. Read more about the game on Page 10.