The Daily Illini: Weekly Edition Mar. 8 2023

Student pleads guilty to the a er embezzling $10k from RSO

By News Staff

A former treasurer of the Illinois Trial Team was sentenced to Second Chance Probation on Feb. 23 after pleading guilty to stealing more than $10,000 from the registered student organization in 2022.

Nubaira Kabir, senior in LAS, was charged with Class 2 felony theft on Oct. 6.

In October, Lieutenant Andre Davis of the Champaign Police Department said that between the months of June and July in 2022, Kabir was “alleged to have stolen $10,487” from the RSO’s private

bank account.

There were over 17 unauthorized transactions made over the span of a few weeks.

According to Davis, the president of the trial team was alerted when the bank account was charged with overdraft fees.

As part of her two-year probation, Kabir is ordered to complete 30 hours of community service.

If she adheres to the terms of probation, she will be able to have the conviction cleared from her record as part of Second Chance Probation. Second Chance Probation is an Illinois sentence that is unique to

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the state. The sentence allows convictions to be cleared from one’s record after the completion of probation. It has been in effect since 2014 to give judges the option to sentence offenders to probation without having a felony conviction on their record. The sentence is only applicable for nonviolent offenders and if the offender has not previously committed a felony or violent offense.

An attorney who represents Kabir as well as the Illinois Trial Team could not be reached for comment.

news@dailyillini.com

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Bias in health care affects women, new study finds

By Anneliese Cornejo Garcia Staff Writer

A new study from a University professor and a group of graduate students examined how women feel as if they aren’t taken seriously by physicians.

Charee Thompson, professor in LAS, alongside Sara Babu and Shana Makos, graduate students studying communication, studied the experiences of female patients who said they felt dismissed by physicians.

“Trust the fact that if you feel like something is wrong with your body, there probably is,” Babu said.

(reclaimed) their voices by resisting psychogenic explanations for their problems, critiquing women’s health care, asserting their needs and advocating for others,” Thompson said.

Psychogenic refers to a problem that is psychological rather than physical.

According to the study, some participants said they also felt dismissed by family and friends during conversations about their health. Some said the feelings of guilt and shame, much like their long-standing health issues, carried with them for years.

“The intensity and duration of their experiences was surprising, and it shouldn’t have been,” Thompson said.

One participant said she regarded the normalization and dismissal of her pain as “a lifetime” rather than episodes of disappointing interactions.

Monica Mezzich, senior in LAS, who has experienced similar situations, said she felt dismissed by a doctor when attempting to address a recent health issue.

Researchers said their experiences can be summarized as communicative disenfranchisement.

Communicative disenfranchisement is defined by Elizabeth Hintz from the University of Connecticut as “disempowering talk which results in an individual or group’s diminished capacity to participate meaningfully in society through effects on agency, perceived credibility, legitimacy and/ or rights and privileges.”

The study observed 36 women in the U.S. with chronic pain disorders ranging from ages from 21 to 70. Among these disorders were polycystic ovarian syndrome, endometriosis and cancer.

According to participants, many physicians cited mental health issues as the primary cause of their symptoms. Among these were anxiety and major depressive disorder.

“Women responded to disenfranchising talk with silence, and they

“The doctor talked down to me assuming I didn’t know my body as well as he did. My issues weren’t taken seriously,” she said.

Thompson and Babu said there are strategies to combat disempowering communication between health care professionals and female patients at the individual and systemic level.

Thompson said shifting to a more informed discourse surrounding women’s health in the media and in conversation can also help create systemic change.

She also said female representation in health care can lessen instances of communicative disenfranchisement, especially in female-focused specialties. “We can go with them to appointments where they may be concerned that they may not be seen as a credible witness to their health,” Thompson said. ahc6@dailyillini.com

“The doctor talked down to me assuming I didn’t know my body as well as he did.”

Monica Mezzich, senior in LAS

Is UI prepared for natural disasters?

By Aarushi Aggrwal Staff Writer

It was a quiet Monday morning. Every student was dreading the end of the weekend and struggling to wake up for their 9 a.m. courses. The color gray softly took over the sky, and trees bent and swayed in the wind. Then, a tornado was spotted.

On Feb. 27, at 8:55 a.m., an Illini-Alert was sent out that said a tornado emergency was underway.

The tornado didn’t leave a lot of damage. However, a tornado watch was in effect until 3 p.m. Following this, a question arose: How well prepared is the University for natural disasters?

Jagriti Sidharth Jain, sophomore in Engineering, said she thinks students should be given more information about the protocol to follow during a natural disaster.

“I feel like the University is pretty prepared, but they haven’t given the students enough information as to what needs to be done,” Jain said. “When the warning was issued, I was outside

waiting for the bus, and I didn’t even realize that there was going to be a tornado. Later, I realized it was a pretty serious thing.”

Nirali Dhote, freshman in Engineering, talked about what happened in her class when the tornadoes hit on Monday.

“My TA didn’t really care,” Dhote said. “I know other people were sent to the basement. Even when the alarm kept going off, we just kept working.”

Brian Brauer, executive director of Emergency Management of the University’s Division of Public Safety, explained how the University prepares for natural disasters.

“We have three levels of preparedness. The top level is the University level — the Illini-Alerts and notifications like that,” Brauer said. “We have a solid system because we as a university are 100% in control of that. We have a very robust system for getting that information out telling people to stay away from the area quickly.”

Brauer said the next level is less secure.

“The next level is the department level, and I would give us a B,” Brauer said. “Because at the department level, what is required is we help each individual department create the building emergency action plan.”

Brauer said the third level is the toughest one to manage.

“The weakest layer that I think we have is the individual layer ... Individual preparedness is where this system could easily break down.” Brauer said.

Brauer said it is common for people to underestimate the seriousness of calamity.

“But I’m optimistic about it,” Brauer said. “Most of our buildings have building managers that take that responsibility of making sure that evacuation routes are posted, making sure that people know where the closest tornado refuge area is.”

Another concern Brauer expressed is about the accessibility of the evacuation protocols in place. People with disabilities may have trouble following current evacuation plans.

“We’re partnered with Facilities & Services. In a newer building, we have designed what are called areas of rescue assistance,” Brauer said. “So, we make sure that there is a place in every stairwell where someone who can’t self-evacuate can go and be separated.”

aggrwal3@dailyillini.com

ANGIE ORDONEZ THE DAILY ILLINI

Revolving roommates

Students share their experiences with unexpected vacancies

By Lillie Salas Features Editor

Moving onto a university campus is a huge and daunting task for some students. The process of picking a roommate follows prospective students until it is time to finalize their choice.

An individual could choose a random roommate, they could room with someone they know or they can choose to live alone if they’re lucky enough to get a single room. What many people tend to overlook is the possibility of having that roommate, if they so choose to have one, leave. Many students whose roommate leaves mid-semester find themselves in a state of stress or confusion. What comes next? Some students at the University who have had their roommate drop out or unexpectedly switch rooms have criticisms of University Housing’s approach.

Meghan Flannery, freshman in LAS, had been living in a triple dorm with two roommates until one dropped out near Labor Day weekend for uncontrollable reasons. Flannery said that the change was emotional

den change occur in a short period of time. Still, University Housing’s presence, or lack thereof, may inflict more stress on students, Flannery said.

“With the whole roommate issues, (housing) really doesn’t make an effort,” Flannery said. “They never said anything afterwards to me after my roommate dropped out. Nobody did anything other than my RA.”

Flannery acknowledged that with the size of the University, it can be challenging for housing officials to be involved in everyone’s unique roommate dilemmas. Still, Flannery said she wished University Housing would have been more involved and would have given more information. However, not all students have complaints about the laissez-faire, relaxed approach that housing staff takes with students in similar situations.

Joshua McWhorter, freshman in Media, had no critiques on the moveout process he experienced with his roommate, who moved out in October.

A few days after his roommate left, McWhorter received an email from housing about the options for the vacant space in his room. He decided to leave the space open for another potential roommate, but months later, he is still living in a single dorm.

“Other than the email, I didn’t hear anything from housing,” McWhorter said. “I didn’t really need support. I was just chilling with the whole thing.”

to students about their vacant spaces, but for some students, that hasn’t been the case.

Andee Erickson, freshman in LAS, had her roommate switch to a single dorm during the third week of her first semester.

Her former roommate did not notify her that she was leaving until Erickson came back to the dorm one day to find her ex-roommates belongings gone.

The University had not notified Erickson that her roommate was leaving in time for her to prepare, and she did not get the confirmation email until days later.

just confused about what was going on.”

Flannery said the lack of communication caused her to worry about whether she would suddenly have another roommate without warning.

She said she thinks students should not need to feel alone in the process of figuring out what their living situations will be like.

and stress inducing.

“I was literally crying,” Flannery said. “We obviously only knew each other for some weeks, but we bonded so much. Honestly, I was having trouble making friends in college anyways, and then I met her. And then she’s like, ‘Oh, I’m not going to be here anymore.’”

Students have to deal with the emotional distress of having another sud -

While some students may need a sense of involvement to lead them through the confusion, McWhorter said he felt the approach from University Housing was for the best.

One way of making this transition less stressful could be a change of perspective, which is what McWhorter did when dealing with the absence of his former roommate.

“I didn’t see it as losing a friend,” McWhorter said. “I saw it as gaining my own space.”

One of the only steps that University Housing takes is sending an email

“You should notify people when that’s happening,” Erickson said. “I asked my RA about if someone does move out, and she said that they’ll try to notify me, but that it is not a guarantee.”

A similar situation occurred with Flannery, except she did not receive an email until months after their roommate had left.

“(Housing) said nothing,” Flannery said. “We had to wait months to get the email about them asking, ‘Do you want this to be triple or double?’ So, we were living for multiple months

“If you have an adverse reaction or something, there’s so many different mental health places for us to go to even within the buildings in some cases,” Flannery said. “I would just say use all your resources. Just understand that this is a really sucky situation that you’re going through, and that’s OK.”

Who your roommate will end up being may seem like a life or death to some students, but McWhorter stressed the importance of being flexible during that time.

“Be open to everything,” McWhorter said. “Just because your roommate drops out does not guarantee that the space will be vacant. So, if someone moves in or if no one moves in, just be open and go through the process.”

BECKETT GREEN THE DAILY ILLINI

“(Housing) said nothing … So, we were living for multiple months just confused about what was going on.”

Meghan Flannery, freshman in LAS

Crowds of green on Green

Sleet

12:30 p.m.

By Lisa Chasanov Staff Writer

It is the afternoon of March 4, a day known affectionately on campus as Unofficial St. Patrick’s day. Houses in Seniorland are beginning to liven as house music blares into the street, and empty cans fall from second-floor windows.

University students host their friends from near and far, hoping to show them the energy and culture that make Champaign-Urbana unique. According to Clara Cupuro, senior in Business, her friends have guests from across the Big Ten Conference.

“Yeah, I guess we’re celebrating with all of our friends. We call it kind of like a last hurrah,” Cupuro said. “(Unofficial) is like the biggest Champaign event. We even have friends coming into town for this from Mizzou, Iowa — all of the Big Ten colleges.”

The yearly celebration is marked

by notoriously wild parties and high attendance at campus bars. For many students, Unofficial is a hallmark experience each year on campus, and many associate the celebration with some of their craziest college memories.

“I did a backflip last year and fell on my back,” Tia O’Malley, senior in LAS said. “I believed in myself. That’s all that matters.”

Students choose to observe the campus holiday in various ways, but Julianne McClatchy, senior in LAS, said she hadn’t planned her day of celebration.

“My plans are wherever the day takes me,” McClatchy said. “I’m just gonna go with the wind.”

Cupuro suggests starting with a big breakfast regardless of the approach to celebrating the campus holiday.

“If you know you’re going to (party) all day, you need to start with a good breakfast,” Cupuro said. “Traditional Irish food — eggs, potatoes, bacon and sausage.”

lisamc3@dailyillini.com

2 p.m.

By Lisa Chasanov Staff Writer

As students embark upon their Unofficial weekend plans, the streets fill with groups dressed in festive green outfits. Although it isn’t uncommon to see a few people protesting the all-green dress code, most participants are showing their spirit. It seems as though most members of the campus community wish to get in on the action, including graduate students who attended other universities for their undergraduate degrees.

Kristen Miller, graduate student studying food science, said the culture at her undergraduate alma mater, the University of Mississippi, was very different from the culture here.

“The U of I goes hard every weekend, but there’s something special about Unofficial,” Miller said. “I never really dartied at Ole Miss, but on Unofficial, it’s like, ‘OK, you must be drinking at brunch, and you must be going to a party immediately afterward.’”

Miller said she experiences college differently from undergraduate University students, but she and her friends choose not to let that stop them from participating in traditions

like this one.

“We pregamed at an apartment party, and now we’re going to KAMS for funsies,” Miller said. “We are going to KAMS ‘ironically,’ we like to say.”

Claire Warsek, another graduate student studying food science, said Unofficial reminds her of her experience at the University of Wisconsin.

“I went to Wisconsin for Undergrad, and they had (Mifflin Street Block Party), which happens on the last weekend of April,” Warsek said. “It’s kind of like the equivalent of Unofficial, so this doesn’t confuse me. It’s just a different time of year, but it’s like, equivalently going hard.”

Some students waited in line for a seemingly unexpected reason — lunch at the freshly opened Raising Cane’s at the corner of Green and Fifth streets.

Parker Johnson, student in ACES, came to Raising Cane’s in a full Leprechaun costume in order to show Unofficial spirit.

“Unofficial is a good opportunity to spend time with friends,” Johnson said. “It’s a time to go out into the community and make some memories. Embrace people from other places in the United States who come here and celebrate with us.”

and snow kept partygoers inside Friday, but students emerged en masse on Saturday to celebrate the Unofficial St. Patrick’s Day

BRIGIDA DOCKUS THE DAILY ILLINI Students celebrating Unoffocial at KAMS pose to take their BeReal on Saturday a ernoon.

ANGEL SALDIVAR THE DAILY ILLINI

Unofficial celebrators walk down East Green Street toward the bars during the early a ernoon.

3 p.m.

By Marta Narag

News Editor

Green Street is still full of various parties of people dressed head-to-toe in green. Lines to bars have died down, but there is still a short line outside of campus’ newly opened Raising Cane’s.

Henry Horton, junior in Media, said his plans today included, “Just having fun, spending the day with friends, maybe drink a little bit and (having) a good time celebrating St. Patrick’s Day weekend.”

It’s a good day to do that — the weather is currently 52 degrees and sunny, with clouds overcast to block people from direct sunlight. There aren’t many people bundled up, even though there are still remnants from yesterday’s snow on the streets.

The air is thick with spirit, smells of fermented yeast and sporadic whiffs of something green. People are walking and laughing with their friends, congregated on crosswalks, waiting for the walk sign so they can straightly cross the street.

And since Unofficial is unofficial, some students are denying any festivities today, saying things like, “Sorry, we just like to wear green!”

mnarag2@dailyillini.com

4 p.m.

By Marta Narag News Editor

As the day peaks, more people were seen throughout Green Street, most on their way to darties, or day parties, at various apartments. People are moving from the bars to various home-style, apartment gatherings.

“Today is crazy, for one,” said Makayla Owens, sophomore in AHS. “I got invited to a day party, just at my friend’s apartment.”

The stigma around Unofficial has always brought an increased police presence throughout campus. There haven’t been many police cars seen, but there were a few Carle ambulances on standby.

Music and various noises were heard throughout Fifth and John

streets. Two darties on East Healey Street were competing for loudest music, though only one was decorated in green streamers.

Festivities throughout the day will lead to hunger and high appetites tonight. Fast food restaurants and food trucks are ready to serve the cravings of people with intoxicating plans occurring throughout the day and evening.

For Alah Khalifah, the owner of Fat Sandwich Company, tonight is one of the busiest nights of the year.

“After 11 p.m., it’s crazy. The line will be from here to past the wall,” Khalifah said. “I’ve been here for seven years, and every year, there are so many customers during Unofficial.”

The McDonald’s on Green Street experienced a similar preparation.

Eduardo Torres, manager at the Green Street McDonald’s, said, “Like every other major holiday, we try to schedule more workers. We ordered extra Shamrock Shakes, extra syrup, more buns and more lettuce.”

He said that because he knows how busy they will get, they tried their best to stock up on both employees and food.

“Unofficial also calls for extra, extra fries,” Torres said.

mnarag2@dailyillini.com

6 p.m.

By Piotr Fedczuk Managing Editor for Reporting

Gray clouds obscured almost every color but one. Neon green seeped out of every crowd. Caps, hats, shirts, jackets

and pants all painted the same shade. Some people in green shirts went home, talking about how cold they are. For others, however, the night had just begun.

“It’s been a great day. We’re having a lot of fun,” said Ilan Kaplan, sophomore in LAS.

Kaplan wore a green cap and shirt, his other clothing shades of grey and brown; however, the color of fresh spring leaves was not exhausted from his wardrobe, Kaplan said. His girlfriend wore his green bandana. Kaplan said he would buy groceries with his friends and cook dinner later that night.

“I think it could be storming out, and people would still be out,“ said Luke Telstad, a University alum.

Telstad and his friend from Chicago, Conrad Garbacz, planned on hitting Murphy’s Pub, KAMS and then The Red Lion.

“It’s been incredible,” Garbacz said. “It’s so nice to see a vibrant campus.”

Garbacz said drinks in Champaign were much cheaper than in Chicago.

Other Chicago natives were handing out what they claimed to be keys to a maintenance closet for an apartment complex on campus.

“We’re desperately trying to get rid of (maintenance keys) because we’re heading to Chicago,” Aidan Weyland, a Chicago native, said. “There’s not a single soul who will take this maintenance key.”

Weyland said that although no one was taking the keys, he believes University students would use the key to get free windex, squeegee, mops, buckets and internet fame.

fedczuk2@dailyillini.com

ANGEL SALDIVAR THE DAILY ILLINI

Partygoers sit on the roo op at a house party at the corner of First and Chalmers streets.

BRIGIDA DOCKUS THE DAILY ILLINI

Omar Mora, senior in LAS, holds two tequila sunrises at KAMS on Saturday.

VR lab aims to make future accessible

The TechHub lets students use expensive technology for free

By Koumae Adams Staff Writer

Located in the UI Armory, room 151A holds many tools of the future.

From virtual reality headsets that immerse participants into another world to a 3D printing machine, the Center for Innovation in Teaching & Learning’s virtual reality hub opens new doors of opportunities for many people.

Jamie Nelson, the assistant director of merging educational technology at the CITL, explained the benefits of the VR lab.

“One of the reasons here is just to give people exposure to new technologies and be thinking about the future,” Nelson said.

Nelson said utilizing the TechHub doesn’t require background knowledge.

“People can come in without any knowledge of laser cutting or anything VR and we walk the person through setting that stuff up,” Nelson said.

The lab is utilized by classes that focus on architecture, social work, art and fashion design to create a unique learning experience for students.

The lab has open hours on Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Thursdays 1 to 4 p.m. Here, the TechHub provides an open space of technology and staff assistance for students.

Andrea Bautista, freshman in DGS and a staff member at the TechHub, expressed joy for the students who wander into the lab.

“I really like when people come in, and they get excited to see all of the machines because they’re like, ‘Wow! This space existed, like, this whole time? I didn’t even know about this,’” Bautista said.

The lab provides opportunities for students to use expensive technology without any charge.

“I feel like VR is not really accessible to everyone, so when you come into the space you’re like, ‘Wow, this is tech (that) I usually don’t have or see, but I could mess around,’” Bautista said.

Denise Carmona, senior in FAA and a staff member at the lab, said her interest in esports and gaming is what led her to join the lab.

“Essentially, I ended up working here because they needed someone to take care of open gaming hours, which goes on from Tuesdays and Thursdays from five to nine every week,” Carmona said.

Despite her personal interest in gaming and esports, Carmona said she enjoys everyone who comes in.

“I really love helping people learn laser cutting (and) 3D printing because

when I started, I really struggled with that,” Carmona said. “But I feel like because I developed a skill, I want to give back that same knowledge to other people that come here for their classes.”

Nelson said one of the most inventive technology pieces in the lab is a mixed reality headset.

“So, virtual reality is where you’re closed off, and you only see (the) game

world or whatever world,” Nelson said.

“However, with this (mixed reality) headset, you can see the room and it scans the room. It knows where the ceilings, walls (and) floors are, depending on the app, you can put a bunch of TVs on the walls,” Nelson said.

Carmona said the lab is working to prepare students for the world.

“Right now, we’re working with Gies on having the skill training on how to interview, get a job and whatnot on how to get those soft skills,” she said. Carmona said she sees VR technology as having lots of potential.

“So, I think that there’s a lot of potential, especially VR and mixed reality, for people to learn a lot about, even if it feels like you’re in this virtual world,” Carmona said.

MICHAEL CHEW THE DAILY ILLINI

Headsets and other equipment sit in the VR lab on Thursday. The lab, located in the UI Armory, serves as a research and testing grounds for faculty and students curious in VR, catering to development, experience and testing.

“One of the reasons here is just to give people exposure to new technologies and be thinking about the future.”

Jamie Nelson, assistant director of merging educational technology at CITL

Stereotypes create harmful expectations

By Janessa Mosqueda Columnist

No matter where we come from or who we are, stereotypes affect all of us,. Falling into the slippery slope of conforming to a stereotype — whether consciously or subconsciously — is something that can lead to further issues such as poor mental health.

It is unfortunate that people feel pressured to fit into certain categories due to societal standards.

Stereotypes can target identities such as gender, race, sexuality — basically, anything you can think of.

Stereotypes tend to originate from some kind of truth. However, over time, these stereotypes can be manipulated into incorrect and sometimes bigoted opinions that target the group involved.

A common stereotype is that blondes are dumb. Obviously, this is a misconception that can have a negative effect on those who are blonde.

The societal pressure to fit into certain stereotypes strips away individuality. It causes people to develop low self-esteem because they do not fit the

criteria of what they are “supposed to be.”

Why would a blonde person act dumb? Because society thinks they are.

Similarly, there are stigmas surrounding Latina women, who have been labeled or assumed that they would act a certain way. As someone who is Latina, I notice these things daily and in the lives of my other Latina friends.

According to stereotypes, Latinas are spicy, exotic, ditzy, uneducated, loud, lacking proficiency in English, promiscuous and Hot Cheeto girls.

There is a laundry list of other things that Latinas are associated with, and the stereotypes that I mentioned were just the ones that I have heard the most often.

I have seen these stereotypes harm the Latina community countless times. We are commonly put down, generalized and shamed if we fall into these categories and then shamed if we don’t match these “criteria.” Nothing ever seems to be enough.

This leads to the issue of self-fulfilling prophecies, and the expectations that others hold of you, whether nega-

tive or positive, affect behavior.

With the growth of social media, we have to be aware that these perceptions are reaching children. Children should be working on finding themselves instead of trying to fit into a mold.

The need to conform spills into adolescence and possibly even adulthood, which is simply tragic.

Even if a stereotype does seem to apply to you, who cares? For example,

I eat and enjoy Flamin’ Hot Cheetos. Does that make me a Hot Cheeto girl? No.

I am social and talkative and in touch with my culture, but if these traits were applied to anyone else, it would not be seen as falling into a negative Latina stereotype. This would just be seen as normal behavior.

I know that I am so many other things than what people say I am.

Today, the constant perpetuation of stereotypes contributes to a lack of progress in our society. While there might be times when you are the victim of a stereotype, keep in mind that you could be pushing that idea onto others as well.

I leave you with this advice: Let yourselves live. Let others live.

Take ownership of your individuality; do not feel like you have to be forced into a certain character.

Love who you are because you want to be that way — do not force yourself into loving someone who is not you.

Janessa is a freshman in LAS. jmosq3@dailyillini.com

AMY SANCHEZ THE DAILY ILLINI

Los Angeles Times Sunday Crossword Puzzle

Edited by Patti Varol and Joyce Nichols Lewis

Barbers are essential to a functional society

By Aaron Anastos Columnist

The next time you get a haircut, take a good look in the mirror at the person standing behind you with the shears in their hands. They are essential figures in society, keeping public discourse alive since 3500 B.C.

The barber trade has origins dating back to Ancient Egypt, where barbers would often double as priests, saving the scalp and soul in a single visit. In the Middle Ages, barbers did the work of a modern-day surgeon, performing crude operations like bloodletting, the purposeful cutting of patients’ veins to empty out illness.

Since then, they have facilitated the current social atmosphere through their own unique version of a public forum.

I’m not saying that barbers are some kind of elevated citizens, taking democracy in one hand and a pair of scissors in the other.

Rather, there is more to the environment of a barbershop than may be apparent.

The talk with the barber or stylist is

half the experience — and why many establishments have become their own modern-day versions of a Boston coffee shop or Paris salon. They are spaces for free, unadulterated discourse, varying from gossip to politics — which aren’t necessarily mutually exclusive.

For modern Black communities in cities such as Baltimore and Washington D.C., the barbershop is a center of free speech and safe cultural discourse, gathering a steady clientele that comes for the conversation just as much as for the haircut itself.

The value of the open soapbox of the barber’s chair is easy to underestimate, but such establishments in those Black communities draw in notable figures ranging from local politicians to business leaders, showing the clear role they hold in the eyes of the public.

In addition to providing a safe harbor for the public discourse, barber shops act as a facilitator of popular culture. This was seen in the 1940s, when skilled barbers were drafted overseas, leading to the increased popularity of the lesscomplicated buzz haircut. Similarly, the Beatlemania of the

1960s meant that any barber who could not replicate the “Fab Four’s” signature mop-tops would likely end up unemployed.

From the ages of Tutankhamun to McCartney, barbers have always occupied a unique space within the current social climate.

The roles of barbers often have reflected the needs of the times in which they’ve operated. This ranged from providing spiritual assistance to the superstitious ancient Egyptians, to keeping teenagers since the ’60s up to date on the latest trends and to creating a necessary safe space for cultural dialogue.

The services provided by the barber should not be undervalued. The COVID-19 pandemic hit the personal service industry hard, closing many barber shops and robbing communities of their own little public forums.

In the wake of the pandemic, it’s necessary to support local businesses and ensure that communities can retain their prime sources of pure communication with their neighbors.

Whether it be a barber shop, a hair salon or a stylist, any safe space for

open dialogue is priceless, and should be valued and protected. Barber shops and other hairstyling establishments are little havens for democracy. They are vital in building communities and promoting secure environments for the best of conversations, whether it be about the president, the neighbor’s dogs or anything in between.

Aaron is a freshman in DGS. aaronda3@dailyillini.com

ALYSSA SHIH THE DAILY ILLINI OMG Salon, located at 715 South Sixth Street in Champaign.

Bringing the party home

By Kylie Corral buzz Editor

House venues are popular among the University students, and it’s not uncommon to see groups of friends dressing up on a weekend evening to see their favorite local bands. While it’s well known that students are attracted to house shows on and near campus, it’s often forgotten that some of these same venues are run by students as well.

Ryan Waldinger, senior in ACES, is one of those students. The house venue that Waldinger runs is Champaign-Urbana’s Waluigi’s Mansion.

“So, actually, my older brother ran Waluigi’s, and started it in 2018 with his roommates at the same house. I actually didn’t go to U of I the first couple of years that I was in college,” Waldinger said. “Then, the year that I transferred here was the year my brother was actually moving out. He suggested to me that I move in and start and keep the shows going after he leaves.”

Waldinger added he was skeptical about continuing the venue at first since he didn’t want to copy his brother’s management style. However, he said he soon found fun in managing it.

“I saw how much fun it was for him and how kind of gratifying it was, and I kind of wanted to do that too,” Waldinger said. “So I asked a few friends of mine if they wanted to join in, and yeah, that’s how my roommates got involved. We pretty much just kept it going”

Waldinger described the venue as a place where touring and local bands can bring a big stage presence to a small space.

“(What) we typically have is bands, occasionally rappers and then sometimes, we do open mics where we kind of allow anything, (it) can be poetry, the spoken word, stuff like that,” Waldinger said.

He added that the only difference with house show venues and other venues is that it happens to be in the space they live in.

“So, I would definitely say it’s challenging, and the most challenging thing for sure is probably the fact that it coincides with our living space,” Waldinger said. “We had to work out when that works well

for us as roommates. But I would still say that it’s a lot of fun and we enjoyed it.”

He explained that most shows are put on one week out of the month. Waldinger and his roommates move all their furniture, schedule artists and complete their shared checklist.

“For one thing, I definitely have to call off my job for at least two days so I can manage everything,” Waldinger said. “In terms of balancing (things) between my job and school and setting things up, it’s a little bit challenging. But we’ve tried to do it where it’s easier for us to

manage.”

He also added that his favorite part of managing house shows is that he gets to see many of his favored artists within Waluigi’s lineup.

“I hope that people see these kinds of experiences and want to get into it,” Waldinger said. “It’s really, it’s super fun. I want as many people as possible to try and experience it, whether they’re running it themselves or whether they’re helping a friend out that’s doing it or they’re just going.”

Keaton Yarber, senior in FAA, is another student house show manag-

er. He organizes house shows at a well-known venue called The Mirror. Yarber said that at The Mirror, many acts are bands, local rappers and solo acts. There are performances throughout the night that never lack musical variety.

“There’s a cover charge (that) usually all or mostly all of goes to the artists,” Yarber said. “(There’s) not necessarily all (performances) that we’re a fan of or that we listened to, but just try to get people to, you know, like, get their own stuff out there and share.”

Yarber explained that he was propelled into the house show business by his own inclination to music.

“I’ve never actually been to a house show, and I wanted to meet more people, and I thought it would be a great way to do that,” Yarber said. “I’m a musician, and I wanted to meet other like-minded people. I talked with some of the people in the bands that I was booking for the first show just about how to do everything.”

Yarber said that the first step to house shows is always the booking of stage presences. After that, most bands will reach out to the venue themselves.

“Getting that to line up and then when the show actually comes around, it’s a lot of moving things, you have to empty out your entire space,” Yarber said. “If you’re doing like a living room thing, you don’t want people standing on the couches or destroying your fish tank.”

He added that running cables for sound equipment can be the next hardest thing; however, it’s worth it for the end result.

“Lately, the house has been pretty inactive this year due to a smaller space,” Yarber said. “But last year, when we were in full swing, it was not nearly as intimidating as it sounds. We only used to have about one to two shows planned at a time … It seems daunting, but it’s really not and it’s really rewarding.”

But when there’s no performances planned, Yarber said the venue is just like a regular house, buzzing with excitement for the next show.

“People are incredibly respectful and just happy to be in the space with some great music,” Yarber said.

PHOTO COURTESY OF RICKY PAN

Power of Dusk, a locally based band, performs at a house show venue known as The Mirror.

“People are incredibly respectful and just happy to be in the space with some great music.”

Keaton Yarber, senior in FAA

Illini fall in Big Ten tournament quarterfinals

Underwhelming second quarter results in early exit against Maryland Terrapins

By Conor Blount Assistant Sports Editor

After an 81-55 walloping of Rutgers, Illinois women’s basketball was tasked with the three-seeded, No. 5 nationally-ranked Maryland Terrapins in the quarterfinal round. The Terrapins ended up being too large of a test for the Illini, as Maryland sent Illinois packing, 73-58.

To close the season, Maryland elevated its already spectacular game and won its last six games in a row. This streak included an 82-71 win over the Illini, which was a sign of what was to come. The Illini put up a good fight to start out, leading by as much as five points midway through the first quarter, but Maryland eventually settled in and found their groove shortly after.

Illinois was still without sophomore forward Brynn Shoup-Hill and sophomore guard Jayla Oden, whose injuries have kept them out of the last four matchups. Aside from the universal detriment of losing two of your top players, Shoup-Hill and Oden each bring something unique that the Illini have missed greatly in their absence, namely ShoupHill’s size and Oden’s energy.

Due to these injuries, Illinois’ starting lineup saw some shakeup but has remained constant ever since, with junior guards Makira Cook and Genesis Bryant holding down the backcourt alongside sophomore guard Adalia McKenzie, senior guard Jada Peebles and junior forward Kendall Bostic.

The Illini started the game on defense after losing the tipoff but were able to hold the Terrapins to a miss. Attempting to get into the same flow from behind the arc that was kind to Illinois against Rutgers, Peebles quickly took a transition three but was unable to connect.

Through the first media timeout, neither team had gained much positioning over the other, with Maryland sitting at an 8-7 lead. Out of the break, the Terrapins were able to drop in shot from behind the arc to create a bit more sep -

aration, but the Illini finally had their answer. Illinois strung together nine uninterrupted points to take its first lead of the game, with Cook scoring or assisting on seven points (16-11). However, Maryland found its response just as quickly, ending the first quarter on a 9-2 run of its own to retake the lead at 20-18. This run continued after the break, with the Illini being outscored 13-2 over the next five minutes (33-20). A second chance three point basket fell for Cook after a timeout by head coach Shauna Green, but the Illini could not get any stops to balance out the offense. By halftime, Illinois trailed 41-25 and was held to just seven points in the second quarter.

Bryant started the second half on fire, going on a personal five-point run

to create a dent in the lead and almost bringing the Illini within single digits. Maryland responded with points of its own, but Bostic pulled in a strong offensive rebound and dropped in a layup to put the Illini back within 11 (43-32).

No further ground was gained from there, however, as Maryland continued to dominate inside the arc. Heading into the final quarter, Illinois had managed to outscore the Terrapins by one point after trailing by as much as 18, but were still behind a daunting amount with a score of 60-46.

Seemingly flipping a switch, Maryland ruled the opening minutes of the fourth quarter and developed its lead to a game-high 20 points. Illinois technically closed the game on a 6-0 run and had held Maryland scoreless for

nearly five minutes, but it was all for nothing as Illinois fell 73-58 in the Big Ten tournament quarterfinals.

It is not yet certain when Illinois women’s basketball will return to the court, however, its best lineup in almost a decade all but guaranteed that it will be selected for the NCAA Tournament next Sunday at 7 p.m.

Despite the uncertainty in their future, head coach Green is extremely proud of the ground gained over this season.

“From day one, this team has just believed,” Green said. “They believed they could win probably before even I thought we could win.”

CADEN BARGOWSKI THE DAILY ILLINI Junior guard Genesis Bryant closes down Minnesota’s Katie Borowicz during a game on Feb. 5.