The DI: Welcome Back Edition 2023

St. Champaign, IL 61820 || (217) 337-8300

The Daily Illini is the independent student newspaper at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The newspaper is published by the Illini Media Co. The Daily Illini does not necessarily represent, in whole or in part, the views of the University of Illinois administration, faculty or students.

All Illini Media Co. and/or The Daily Illini articles, photos and graphics are the property of Illini Media and may not be reproduced or published without written permission from the publisher.

How to contact us

The Daily Illini is located in the basement of the University YMCA at 1001 S. Wright St., Champaign, IL 61820. Our o ce hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday - Friday.

General phone numbers

Front Desk: (217) 337-8300

Advertising: (217) 337-8382

Newsroom: (217) 337-8345

Newsroom contacts

Online: If you have a question about the dailyillini.com website, please email our Managing Editor for Online at online@dailyillini.com.

Visuals: If you have a question about photos, graphics or The Daily Illini’s social media, please email our Managing Editor for Visuals at visuals@dailyillini.com.

Employment: If you would like to work for the newspaper’s editorial department, please ll out our online form at dailyillini.com.

Calendar: If you want to submit events for publication in print and online, visit dailyillini.com. Letters to the editor: Letters are limited to 300 words. Contributions must include the author’s name, address and phone number. University students must include their year in school and college. The Daily Illini reserves the right to edit or reject any contributions. Email opinions@dailyillini.com with the subject "Letter to the Editor."

Advertising

Placing an ad: If you would like to place an ad, please contact our advertising department at (217) 337-8382 or e-mail advertise@illinimedia.com.

Corrections: When we make a mistake, we will correct it in this place. We strive for accuracy, so if you see an error, please contact Editor-inChief Lika Lezhava at (217) 337-8365 or email editor@dailyillini.com.

Editor’s note

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF LIKA LEZHAVA editor@dailyillini.com

he Main Quad is full, the books are fresh and the lines at Starbucks are once again long and impatiently awaited.

Welcome back Illini, the fall 2023 semester is underway. A new semester can be a new beginning for University students and it’s time to make the most of it.

The DI is also seizing the opportunity for a fresh start.

The first step we have taken is switching to a monthly print edition. With this new format, we will be able to bring you more concentrated, developed and original content.

Editorial Team

Editor-in-Chief: Lika Lezhava editor@dailyillini.com

Managing Editor for Reporting: Piotr Fedczuk reporting@dailyillini.com

Managing Editor for Visuals: Jacob Slabosz visuals@dailyillini.com

Managing Editor for Online: Rohit Chatterjee online@dailyillini.com

News Editor: Ella Narag news@dailyillini.com

Features Editor: Lillie Salas features@dailyillini.com

buzz Editor: Sarah Bond buzz@dailyillini.com

TFrom switching up the fonts to playing with the colors, we’ve realized that we have a lot more ideas in our back pocket than we thought we did. Monthly editions have also inspired us to update our designs. Our design team has been working hard on creating a completely new look for print. Each design will be directly tailored to the story on a given page.

When you pick up a copy of The DI, you can expect a lot of what you’ve learned to love about the 153-year-old news source, as well as much more.

We’re excited to bring you much more event coverage, news happening around campus, sports that you love and so much more.

In our first monthly edition, we have combined a set of stories that will help you get this year started.

Looking for some vegan and vegetarian options on campus? No prob-

lem. Head over to page 23 to see all the options you can choose from.

We’ve also given you a complete rundown of how much college costs you and where all your hard-earned money goes to on page 6.

On page 39, we discuss the upcoming football season and what the future of the program looks like.

If you missed out on Lollapalooza this year, head over to page 19 for a four-day recap and photo gallery, featuring a specialized Lollapalooza design.

Many stories feature QR codes: Scan these to read the full story or to get more information.

All these stories and more can be found on The Daily Illini website, where we upload new stories every day to keep you in the loop. You can also follow our socials — conveniently located at the left side of this page — to stay up-to-date as you scroll.

Good luck on the first day of the semester and make sure you keep an eye out for the next edition of The DI.

@di.sports

Opinions Editor: Raphael Ranola opinions@dailyillini.com

Sports Editor: James Kim sports@dailyillini.com

Photo Editor: Jacob Slabosz photo@dailyillini.com

Graphics Editor: Amy Sanchez graphics@dailyillini.com

Design Editor: Sophia Kim design@dailyillini.com

Copy Chief: Haley Jin copy@dailyillini.com

Social Media Director: Lauren Jenkins social@dailyillini.com

ON THE COVER

Alma Mater in her permanent standing place on Oct. 7. One of the University’s most recognizable landmarks, Alma Mater stands with open arms, welcoming all students, whether for their first semester or their eighth. Alma has been at the University since 1929, standing for nearly a century.

JACOB SLABOSZ THE DAILY ILLINI

ISSUE IN THIS

VOLUME 153

ISSUE 2

In the Welcome Back Edition, we explore all things related to coming to campus, whether for the first time or for the thousandth time. From topics like the true cost of college and when dropping a class is worth it, to CU’s favorite late-night food options and ways to get involved with music, we cover it all. Check out our website for more stories.

04 NEWS

06 How much does college really cost?

DESIGNERS

Jacob Slabosz, Sophia Kim, Beckett Green, Lorelei Streb, Lux Lin, Talha Ali, Kate Oates, Meilin Wang, Kendall Clayton, Candice Zhou, Amy Sanchez, Alexis Ramirez and Emily Campos

13 Quad Day: A guide to UI’s massive RSO display

16 BUZZ

16 Getting involved with music on campus

23 Surviving college on a plant-based diet

19 LOLLAPALOOZA 2023

28 OPINIONS

29 Tenants-to-be: Make wise choices

30 FEATURES

31 Does “Animal House” still ring true?

33 PUZZLES

35 SPORTS

37 Illinois volleyball gears up for boune back 2023 season

39 Illinois football builds off of breakout season

91% of our domestic graduates are hired within three months of graduation.

Learn more about why you belong in HR at go.illinois.edu/HR

Scout addresses incoming freshmen

To whom it may concern, Campus Scout has gone missing. Coming back from summer is never easy for the diminutive blue surveyor of the University campus and longtime illicit resident of the steam tunnels underneath. Spurring himself from his hibernation this year, however, is proving even more di cult than during the Great Swine Rampage of 1977.

This year, it is not wild enraged hogs that have driven Scout into hiding. If the most popular theory circulating The DI is correct, then he has disappeared out of shame.

This is likely a new emotion for Scout, who in the past has inadvertently taken part in an underground chinchilla ghting ring and has caused multiple crises of national security.

This sudden change for Scout likely began when his latest business venture, Campus Scones, led for bankruptcy within a month of opening. Perhaps it was unwise to cut its inaugural ribbon only a week before the University let out for summer.

Campus Scout, however, did leave behind one clue as to his whereabouts, in this letter provided below. Left on the threshold of Gregory Hall swaddled in blankets like an unwitting newborn, this letter was sealed in a co ee-stained manila envelope left over from the Cold War.

To my longing hordes of adoring fans,

It is I, the Campus Scout. I apologize profusely for abandoning you just before we ring in the new school year, but I must take some time for myself.

People have been relying on me lately more than I’m used to — from providing delicious morning pastries for the good folks of the local Champaign-Urbana area to continuing to pay o the damage caused by my overly enthusiastic “mob” of supporters during the Anti-Mammoth-Statue Protests of 2023.

Whatever the case for my disappearance, it matters to me and myself only. For the time being, I wish to leave advice for the incoming freshmen who have not yet been acquainted

with my majesty.

To be a freshman is to have one’s entire fate in the palm of their hands. Worry not, because no one else here knows what they’re doing anyway.

Trust no one but yourself — this debauched campus is the Wild West, and you’re the only person who won’t tell you lies or offer you to take care of their chinchillas for a weekend.

Your dorm room is your sanctuary away from the dangers of the outside world. Just as the steam tunnels are my Fortress of Solitude, your living space defends you from the perils of deceitful strangers soliciting you, using coercion to promote their “Pottery Club” or “Volunteering Opportunity” to satisfy their own sel sh means.

In the midst of the uncertainty orbiting the mind of the college newcomer, remember to stick to your guns. Your chosen major is your anchor — your Inception-esque spinning top in times of confusion. Always remind yourself what those 17 credit hours mean: the chance to do exactly what you love from the moment you click your pen on the

rst day of class.

For those desiring a lovely picnic spot, there is a beautiful little piece of land sandwiched between the Main and South Quads called the Morrow Plots. Highly recommend.

Classes often require textbooks and other materials that can be purchased from the Illini Union Bookstore. You deserve only the best, so make sure to buy the new copies instead of the musty old used ones. That extra dough spent will be worth it in the long term when you reminisce over those pristine pages in years to come.

Days can get hot early in the school year. Luckily, the Dairy Queen located across the landing from Scout’s o ce in Altgeld Hall is open for business as usual and will be welcoming the expected hordes of eager students to indulge in its sweetly refreshing delights.

Chancellor Jones is a welcoming father gure to the campus, so feel free to stop by his o ce anytime! He’s especially enthusiastic about tutoring students in his favorite courses, from Paper-Signing 101 to Golf Cart Driving for Beginners to Introduction to Disgruntled Employee Management!

And nally, remember to be yourself. You are a deeply unique individual, and there is no one else similar to you at all on this 44,000-student campus.

This coming year is your oyster. Bite into it.

Sincerely, Your Campus Scout

Here concludes Scout’s long meandering self-promotions disguised as cheap advice for incoming freshmen. The DI does not endorse any of the behavior mentioned by Scout, nor do any of us know when that elusive individual willnally return to campus — likely when the rest of the student population returns so he can slip in, unnoticed.

For now, we can only enjoy the peace and quiet while it lasts …

*Campus Scout writes opinion-based, satirical stories and uses ctional sourcing.*

Submit tips to scout@dailyillini.com

CAMPUS SCOUT scout@dailyillini.com

AMY SANCHEZ THE DAILY ILLINI

How much does college really cost?

LISA CHASANOV

lisamc3@dailyillini.com

One of the largest and most impactful nancial investments that many people make in their lives is the cost of attending a college or university.

According to a cost of attendance calculator on the University’s website, a fulltime undergraduate student from the state of Illinois can expect to spend between $35,000 and $40,000 for the 2023-24 academic year. This estimate includes their housing and food costs, books, supplies, fees and, of course, tuition.

As indicated in a recent a ordability report from the College Board, 78% of public university students across the country receive federal, state or institutional grant aid. This often means that a student will

pay well below the sticker price for their education.

If a student does not receive nancial aid, their bachelor’s degree could cost them between $140,000 and $200,000. When faced with this price, rst-year Illini may wonder what factors contribute to their cost of attendance.

Food and housing

According to the University Housing website, staying in a double room in an air-conditioned residence hall with the most popular dining plan will cost $13,354 for the 2023-24 academic year. Including additional expenses, the University estimates that a year of sustenance and shelter will run a rst-year student around $13,938.

The 10/45 dining plan covers 10 meals per week and 45 Dining Dollars. The 10

meals included in the plan can be redeemed at any of the four traditional dining halls while the 45 Dining Dollars can be used at all dining halls and any of the seven retail locations throughout campus.

Generally speaking, renting an apartment with roommates and cooking at home is less expensive than living in University housing and eating at the dining hall. Still, the convenience of on-campus living and “all-you-care-to-eat” meals lures some students into the dorm lifestyle beyond the one-year requirement.

For those students opting to live in ocampus housing, room and board costs can vary greatly.

Factors that a ect apartment prices in Champaign-Urbana are proximity to Green Street and the Main Quad, number of roommates, age of the apartment building, renovation status and the leasing company renting out the unit.

For some students, the price of oncampus living is a worthwhile investment in their academic success. For others, it is an optional luxury that does not merit the extra dough.

BECOMING A DOCTOR?

RIMSAP CAN HELP

RIMSAP is a partnership between the Illinois State Medical Society and Illinois Farm Bureau that helps qualified applicants with financial or academic barriers gain acceptance to the University of Illinois College of Medicine.

Applicants then agree to practice medicine in a rural Illinois community for five years.

To learn more about the RIMSAP & Rural Nurse Practitioner Scholarship Programs, visit www.rimsap.com or contact Donna Gallivan at 309-557-2350

Tuition

In a study by the College Board, it was found that the average tuition at a four-year public university in the United States was $10,940 during the 202223 school year.

For the 2023-24 academic year, the base tuition rate at the University will be $12,254, a 1.9% increase from 202223.

Although this number is publicized as the University’s tuition rate, some academic colleges charge up to $5,000 dollar differential payments on top of tuition due to additional costs associated with running their programs.

According to Vicky Gress, the University’s associate chancellor and vice provost for budget and resource planning, differential funds flow directly to the specific program’s budget.

Base tuition contributes to the University’s unrestricted budget, which funds faculty salaries, administrative costs, facilities and services, some research-related costs, centrally-awarded financial aid, campus insurance and other campuswide programs.

Fees

The University administers several speci c administration fees alongside tuition to all full-time students. For the 2023-24 school year, these fees will total $4,860.

Academic Facility Maintenance Fund Assessment — This fee helps to support ongoing and future renovations of academic facilities on campus.

General Fee — The de nition of this fee is quite broad, but the O ce of the Registrar describes it as funding “improvements and enhancements for facilities within the Auxiliary Facilities System (repairs and replacements), utilities costs, overhead and employment-related costs … eligible grant programs and capital nancing and related costs.”

Health Service Fee — Even if a student opts out of University insurance, they are required to pay the automatic Health Service Fee if enrolled full-time. This cost funds services at McKinley Health Center, a resource that provides care to University students from across campus.

Library and Information Technology Fee — Students are assessed a fee that is used to fund the University library

system and its technological improvements.

Transportation Fee — This fee funds unlimited access to public transportation in Champaign through the Mass Transit District, or MTD. Students can ride buses throughout Champaign-Urbana using their iCards.

The transportation fee also helps to fund the SafeRides program, which provides secure transportation for students at nighttime.

Student-Initiated Fees — These are fees that were approved by students as part of a referendum process in student elections. An itemized list of the fees that fall under this category is available on the ofce of the registrar’s website.

Health Insurance Fee (unless optout) — The University provides health insurance to students through UnitedHealthcare. This plan is accepted by many providers outside of the University. A student may opt out if their existing health care plan “provides access to in-Network emergent AND non-emergent care within a 50 mile radium of the UIUC campus.”

Books and supplies

The University estimates that a student will spend $1,200 on course-related books and supplies in an academic year, according to the cost of attendance calculator.

According to a 2015 NBC review of Bureau of Labor Statistics data, textbook costs have risen 1,041% since 1977 — or over three times the rate of in ation.

While some courses require students to purchase online access codes for their textbooks, many only ask that students have the required text on hand. This means that students are free to purchase any required texts secondhand — or to take a not-solegal route.

Some students choose to limit textbook costs by pirating the materials from one of several textbook piracy sites.

While this method is certainly the cheapest means of obtaining necessary texts for class, it also places students at risk of violating copyright law. If found out, a student could face nes between $200 and $150,000 under copyright law.

Beyond books, many students may encounter a time when they need to purchase a laptop, software, iClickers, equipment or

other miscellaneous supplies. It may be necessary to maintain space in your budget for unexpected educational needs.

Other expenses

The University’s cost of attendance calculator estimates that students will spend $2,500 on “other expenses” in an academic year.

This cost, however broad and randomly estimated, could be an important one to remember.

There could be instances throughout a student’s academic career when they need to purchase a large winter coat, new shoes, an overpriced cup of co ee, a refrigerator or even a movie ticket to prevent themselves from going insane during nals week.

This cost could vary from person to person depending on frugality, frequency of bar attendance, taste in clothing, Greek house a liation or any number of other factors.

Lifestyle choices in college contribute greatly to the resulting cost of attendance, so it may be worthwhile to evaluate priorities.

How much does college really cost?

pay well below the sticker price for their education.

meals included in the plan can be redeemed at any of the four traditional dining halls while the 45 Dining Dollars can be used at all dining halls and any of the seven retail locations throughout campus.

Tuition

One of the largest and most impactful nancial investments that many people make in their lives is the cost of attending a college or university.

According to a cost of attendance calculator on the University’s website, a fulltime undergraduate student from the state of Illinois can expect to spend between $35,000 and $40,000 for the 2023-24 academic year. This estimate includes their housing and food costs, books, supplies, fees and, of course, tuition.

As indicated in a recent a ordability report from the College Board, 78% of public university students across the country receive federal, state or institutional grant aid. This often means that a student will

If a student does not receive nancial aid, their bachelor’s degree could cost them between $140,000 and $200,000. When faced with this price, rst-year Illini may wonder what factors contribute to their cost of attendance.

Food and housing

According to the University Housing website, staying in a double room in an air-conditioned residence hall with the most popular dining plan will cost $13,354 for the 2023-24 academic year. Including additional expenses, the University estimates that a year of sustenance and shelter will run a rst-year student around $13,938.

The 10/45 dining plan covers 10 meals per week and 45 Dining Dollars. The 10

Generally speaking, renting an apartment with roommates and cooking at home is less expensive than living in University housing and eating at the dining hall. Still, the convenience of on-campus living and “all-you-care-to-eat” meals lures some students into the dorm lifestyle beyond the one-year requirement.

For those students opting to live in ocampus housing, room and board costs can vary greatly.

Factors that a ect apartment prices in Champaign-Urbana are proximity to Green Street and the Main Quad, number of roommates, age of the apartment building, renovation status and the leasing company renting out the unit.

For some students, the price of oncampus living is a worthwhile investment in their academic success. For others, it is an optional luxury that does not merit the extra dough.

In a study by the College Board, it was found that the average tuition at a four-year public university in the United States was $10,940 during the 202223 school year.

For the 2023-24 academic year, the base tuition rate at the University will be $12,254, a 1.9% increase from 202223.

Although this number is publicized as the University’s tuition rate, some academic colleges charge up to $5,000 dollar differential payments on top of tuition due to additional costs associated with running their programs.

According to Vicky Gress, the University’s associate chancellor and vice provost for budget and resource planning, differential funds flow directly to the specific program’s budget.

Base tuition contributes to the University’s unrestricted budget, which funds faculty salaries, administrative costs, facilities and services, some research-related costs, centrally-awarded financial aid, campus insurance and other campuswide programs.

ASSISTANT

Fees

The University administers several speci c administration fees alongside tuition to all full-time students. For the 2023-24 school year, these fees will total $4,860.

Academic Facility Maintenance Fund Assessment — This fee helps to support ongoing and future renovations of academic facilities on campus.

General Fee — The de nition of this fee is quite broad, but the O ce of the Registrar describes it as funding “improvements and enhancements for facilities within the Auxiliary Facilities System (repairs and replacements), utilities costs, overhead and employment-related costs … eligible grant programs and capital nancing and related costs.”

Health Service Fee — Even if a student opts out of University insurance, they are required to pay the automatic Health Service Fee if enrolled full-time. This cost funds services at McKinley Health Center, a resource that provides care to University students from across campus.

Library and Information Technology Fee — Students are assessed a fee that is used to fund the University library

system and its technological improvements.

Transportation Fee — This fee funds unlimited access to public transportation in Champaign through the Mass Transit District, or MTD. Students can ride buses throughout Champaign-Urbana using their iCards.

The transportation fee also helps to fund the SafeRides program, which provides secure transportation for students at nighttime.

Student-Initiated Fees — These are fees that were approved by students as part of a referendum process in student elections. An itemized list of the fees that fall under this category is available on the ofce of the registrar’s website.

Health Insurance Fee (unless optout) — The University provides health insurance to students through UnitedHealthcare. This plan is accepted by many providers outside of the University. A student may opt out if their existing health care plan “provides access to in-Network emergent AND non-emergent care within a 50 mile radium of the UIUC campus.”

Books and supplies

The University estimates that a student will spend $1,200 on course-related books and supplies in an academic year, according to the cost of attendance calculator.

According to a 2015 NBC review of Bureau of Labor Statistics data, textbook costs have risen 1,041% since 1977 — or over three times the rate of in ation.

While some courses require students to purchase online access codes for their textbooks, many only ask that students have the required text on hand. This means that students are free to purchase any required texts secondhand — or to take a not-solegal route.

Some students choose to limit textbook costs by pirating the materials from one of several textbook piracy sites.

While this method is certainly the cheapest means of obtaining necessary texts for class, it also places students at risk of violating copyright law. If found out, a student could face nes between $200 and $150,000 under copyright law.

Beyond books, many students may encounter a time when they need to purchase a laptop, software, iClickers, equipment or

other miscellaneous supplies. It may be necessary to maintain space in your budget for unexpected educational needs.

Other expenses

The University’s cost of attendance calculator estimates that students will spend $2,500 on “other expenses” in an academic year.

This cost, however broad and randomly estimated, could be an important one to remember.

There could be instances throughout a student’s academic career when they need to purchase a large winter coat, new shoes, an overpriced cup of co ee, a refrigerator or even a movie ticket to prevent themselves from going insane during nals week.

This cost could vary from person to person depending on frugality, frequency of bar attendance, taste in clothing, Greek house a liation or any number of other factors.

Lifestyle choices in college contribute greatly to the resulting cost of attendance, so it may be worthwhile to evaluate priorities.

Fees

The University administers several speci c administration fees alongside tuition to all full-time students. For the 2023-24 school year, these fees will total $4,860.

Academic Facility Maintenance Fund Assessment — This fee helps to support ongoing and future renovations of academic facilities on campus.

General Fee — The de nition of this fee is quite broad, but the O ce of the Registrar describes it as funding “improvements and enhancements for facilities within the Auxiliary Facilities System (repairs and replacements), utilities costs, overhead and employment-related costs … eligible grant programs and capital nancing and related costs.”

Health Service Fee — Even if a student opts out of University insurance, they are required to pay the automatic Health Service Fee if enrolled full-time. This cost funds services at McKinley Health Center, a resource that provides care to University students from across campus.

Library and Information Technology Fee — Students are assessed a fee that is used to fund the University library

system and its technological improvements.

Transportation Fee — This fee funds unlimited access to public transportation in Champaign through the Mass Transit District, or MTD. Students can ride buses throughout Champaign-Urbana using their iCards.

The transportation fee also helps to fund the SafeRides program, which provides secure transportation for students at nighttime.

Student-Initiated Fees — These are fees that were approved by students as part of a referendum process in student elections. An itemized list of the fees that fall under this category is available on the ofce of the registrar’s website.

Health Insurance Fee (unless optout) — The University provides health insurance to students through UnitedHealthcare. This plan is accepted by many providers outside of the University. A student may opt out if their existing health care plan “provides access to in-Network emergent AND non-emergent care within a 50 mile radium of the UIUC campus.”

Books and supplies

The University estimates that a student will spend $1,200 on course-related books and supplies in an academic year, according to the cost of attendance calculator.

According to a 2015 NBC review of Bureau of Labor Statistics data, textbook costs have risen 1,041% since 1977 — or over three times the rate of in ation.

While some courses require students to purchase online access codes for their textbooks, many only ask that students have the required text on hand. This means that students are free to purchase any required texts secondhand — or to take a not-solegal route.

Some students choose to limit textbook costs by pirating the materials from one of several textbook piracy sites.

While this method is certainly the cheapest means of obtaining necessary texts for class, it also places students at risk of violating copyright law. If found out, a student could face nes between $200 and $150,000 under copyright law.

Beyond books, many students may encounter a time when they need to purchase a laptop, software, iClickers, equipment or

other miscellaneous supplies. It may be necessary to maintain space in your budget for unexpected educational needs.

Other expenses

The University’s cost of attendance calculator estimates that students will spend $2,500 on “other expenses” in an academic year.

This cost, however broad and randomly estimated, could be an important one to remember.

There could be instances throughout a student’s academic career when they need to purchase a large winter coat, new shoes, an overpriced cup of co ee, a refrigerator or even a movie ticket to prevent themselves from going insane during nals week.

This cost could vary from person to person depending on frugality, frequency of bar attendance, taste in clothing, Greek house a liation or any number of other factors.

Lifestyle choices in college contribute greatly to the resulting cost of attendance, so it may be worthwhile to evaluate priorities.

When is dropping a class worth it?

eral education requirement, but course Y is more interesting while satisfying the same criteria, then drop course X.

Well before the semester even starts, most students have a brief idea of what their courseload is bound to look like — our advisors usually warn us of our requirements before we even step foot on campus for the semester.

Sometimes, life can get in the way or a class isn’t as interesting as you thought it might be. You might start to question if taking the class is the best idea. So, should you drop it?

If your reasoning is based on logistics — i.e., you’ve switched your major from biochemistry to journalism and organic chemistry is no longer required — then drop it. Unless it really strikes your fancy, there’s hardly a reason to put yourself through unnecessary stress.

If you’re taking course X to ful ll a gen-

If the concern is more time-related, it might be worthwhile to consider making a list of priorities. Think about which course you would bene t most from taking. Knowing where your priorities lie can be helpful regardless of whatever decision you make.

There are also caveats of dropping a course that can be stressful. Finding an open replacement course, or even just dealing with the post-drop emotion can be upsetting.

Mary Therese Thavis, senior in Business, dropped a course, but knowing she could reschedule it to a di erent semester helped her make the choice.

“I felt better, since I knew the decision would have a net neutral gain on my academic career but bene tted me by allowing lunchtime in between my already busy class schedule,” Thavis said.

It’s important to keep in mind that if you dropped a course, you did so for a valid reason. Like Thavis, you can always take the course you dropped over a di erent semester without repercussion.

At the end of the day, you’re in control of

your own schedule. Thinking about what is best for you and knowing your own limits will ultimately be the deciding factor on whether or not a class drop is the best choice.

Protect your mental health from academic stress

22 school year, 44% of students reported symptoms of depression and 37% of students experienced anxiety.

ability. Sometimes, it feels like the pressure is too much to bear.

However, there is good news: Taking steps to ensure a healthy split between high grades and mental health can help prevent academic burnout. The University provides resources to help with striking this vital balance.

The website also notes that being able to take breaks and not overexerting for an extended period of time can be helpful as well.

The University highlights that burnout is not formed overnight and is not solved quickly. However, making lifestyle changes will support a healthier mindset.

As the new school year dawns, the pressure that accompanies the college lifestyle is reintroduced into many students’ lives. A crucial part of staying sane during the year, the balance between grades and well-being, is often di cult to maintain. Toxic cycles of sacricing sleep for better grades become selfful lling prophecies and it is important to identify when it has become unhealthy.

A study conducted by the Healthy Minds Network surveyed over 95,000 college students across 133 campuses. The survey found that during the 2021-

Mental health issues arise for a multitude of reasons. A mental health episode can quickly spur academic burnout in a student and vice versa. Feelings of perfectionism or lack of control might make students more susceptible to sacri cing their wellbeing for good marks.

According to a paper published by the National Library of Medicine, “(Academic burnout) can cause some psychological disorders including anxiety, depression, frustration, hostility and fear in students.”

Dealing with these issues can cause students to fall behind and discourage them from working to the best of their

The University Extension website has a list of symptoms to identify burnout. It also includes a list of steps to take to cope with and overcome burnout.

Some include setting healthy boundaries, such as being comfortable with saying “no” to social plans or extra tasks.

“Along with making small changes, take some time to re ect on your values, goals and dreams,” the University Extension website states. “Consider what really makes you happy and how you can nd new opportunities to live true to yourself.”

Ravyn Edran, sophomore in Engineering, noted that occasionally changing her study habits and environment helps to recalibrate her attitude towards her tasks. Edran said she retrains her mind and thought processes in order to deal with burnout.

“I try to listen to my body when it tells me it can’t study anymore that day, even when I’m anxious that I haven’t done enough for that day,” Edran said. “I’ve worked on putting less pressure on myself and (focusing) more on just learning what I need to from the course.”

AMY SANCHEZ THE DAILY ILLINI

Gen eds: A requirement or an opportunity?

LISA CHASANOV lisamc3@dailyillini.com

Love them or hate them, as part of a University education, most students need to take general education courses on campus to ful ll the requirements set forth by their respective colleges.

The requirements established by each college are slightly di erent, but all majors require at least one course that falls under each of seven di erent categories, according to the University website.

The courses that ful ll these requirements span departments from foreign language and graphic design to computer science and chemistry, so they often push students to take courses that do not correspond to their majors.

Some students, like Emma Rose Schnitzler, sophomore in ACES, see general education courses as an opportunity to explore new ideas and expand academic horizons.

“I personally think gen eds are really important,” Schnitzler said. “My dad is an educator, so I’m just one of those people that thinks if you’re a STEM major, it’s really important that you understand that humanities work is also hard, just in a di erent way — and vice versa.”

According to the University website, the courses that ful ll general education requirements are intended to expose students to perspectives that otherwise wouldn’t be accessible to them in their major-speci c classrooms.

“Gen ed requirements cover the kinds of knowledge all students should have,” the website explains. “These courses build students’ abilities to think critically, solve problems, generate new ideas and create knowledge, make connections between academic disciplines, respect and understand di erences and develop as citizens and leaders.”

While some students express support for these requirements, others believe that if a course is not directly preparing them for a career, it is essentially a waste of time.

“I’ve heard gen eds make people more well rounded, but I don’t really understand what that means,” said Conor Deblin, senior in Engineering. “I feel like when you go to college, you study something speci c and that’s the point of going to college. I think they’re pretty dumb and take time away from classes to try to do well with.”

Deblin said that some general education courses are informative and interesting, but that others are needlessly difcult or time consuming.

“I really liked Music 132 because it was very easy and it was just something I had to make up credit hours for hard classes,” Deblin said. “I didn’t like Global 100 — there was a lot of work and I just didn’t learn much. It felt like a lot of busy work.”

Brad Palagi, Engineering class of 2023, said that the University should do away with the requirements altogether.

“I think they should get rid of it — technical classes are always going to be more valuable in terms of (your education),” Palagi said. “(General education courses) have some value — in terms of kids having a bunch of debt. It’s like paying for a bunch of garbage classes.”

According to Emma Wasilewski, sophomore in LAS, the negative emotions that can arise from taking a course outside of your major are likely symptoms of being pushed out of your comfort zone.

“You’re getting a wider range of education and information — and you’re being pushed out of your comfort zone by taking classes that don’t necessarily go with your major,” Wasilewski said. “It’s forcing us to think about things from multiple di erent perspectives and get

more in-depth.”

An individual’s attitude toward their general education requirements could depend on whether or not they end up enjoying the course. Kusa Park, FAA class of 2023, said that general education courses can be fun if you choose them with the right mindset.

“I think my favorite gen ed by far had to be ice skating,” Park said. “It’s like a short eight week course that just starts you from the top — it’s a lot of fun and you learn so much in those eight weeks. The professor is really chill. There’s work, but, like, it’s not much. But if you miss classes, you don’t get as good at ice skating, right?”

Ultimately, general education requirements are just that: requirements. Whether you see a point in them or not, they bring the campus community together.

“We’e all learning di erent things, but we’re still here taking this class together,” Wasilewsky said. “We’re all sitting at the same table and we’ve got this class to take — we might as well just get along and learn about what (others) are doing in school too.”

ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR

Brad Palagi, Engineering class of 2023 (le ) and Anna Kelly, UIC-Urbana Nursing graduate (right) stand in front of the Noyes Laboratory of Chemistry on May 8. Palagi believes that the University should remove the general education requirement altogether.

JACK LARSON THE DAILY ILLINI

Kusa Park, FAA class of 2023, stands at the north end of the Main Quad on May 8. According to Park, his favorite general education class was ice skating.

JACK LARSON THE DAILY ILLINI

Quad Day A guide to UI’s massive RSO display

MICHAEL BALES mcbales2@dailyillini.com

On Sunday, Aug. 20, the Main and South Quads will be lined with tables and tents for the University’s annual Quad Day. Here, a selection of the University’s 875 registered student organizations will be vying for your interest in their activities, which range from volunteering to virtual reality.

Joining a new organization can be daunting, especially if you are unfamiliar with it, but at Quad Day, the discomfort is embraced. Except for some competition level organizations, most clubs are not looking for the experienced, they are just looking for the interested.

The University is a large place, and a perk of that is being exposed to a variety of new people and activities, some of which you may never have heard of, let alone tried. RSOs recognize this, meaning clubs that focus around a sport, game or art will always have a place for people who have never tried it.

As much as these organizations can be a great opportunity to meet others with common interests, they can also be a learning experience for that thing

you’ve wanted to try but never had the opportunity to.

Other RSOs featured at Quad Day will be cultural organizations, which create communities centered around shared aspects such as heritage, race, language, religion and sexuality. As large as the campus is, it’s very possible to find yourself having an isolated college experience. In representing a wide array of backgrounds, cultural RSOs give the ability to meet others just because you are yourself.

If you want to take advantage of the community building or professional development opportunities within RSOs, then you can find no shortage of competition at Quad Day. The University has a selection of club sports, competitive martial arts, esports and competitive STEM environments that can satisfy those with a competitive edge or those looking to build on previous experience in a field.

As much as there is to be said for the education you’ll find in the classroom, the college experience isn’t complete without testing the waters of your new social environment. There are few places where so much is offered in one place, so take advantage of this opportunity!

Check out CU’s latest restaurants

Home to countless delicious restaurants, Champaign-Urbana offers a wide range of international cuisine and underrated foodie spots. For those looking to try something different or expand their palate, here are some new restaurants to check out.

NAYA

This March, NAYA Bar & Eatery reopened as NAYA Indian Cuisine, o ering student-accessible Indian food in Campustown. NAYA is located on the corner of Green and Third streets and offers various Indian dishes.

nando’s has been mobile since 2017 and added a second truck in 2022. However, Fernando’s has recently opened a restaurant on the 500 block of Town Center Boulevard in Champaign.

Leonor said that having a restaurant brings added bene ts to the business because during the winter, it is hard for customers to wait for food outside.

Fernando’s is open from 11 a.m. - 9 p.m. every day.

Shots N’ Slots

Although Campustown’s bar scene is quite popular, Shots N’ Slots, a new bar in Urbana, perhaps aims to attract an older demographic.

2022 Quad Day took place on Aug. 21, spanning from the Main Quad to the South Quad and covering all walkways in between. From 12 to 4 p.m., the bustling crowd is everpresent. University students use the event to find new RSOs and opportunities to get involved on campus throughout their four years.

Fan favorite picks include the butter chicken and the mango lassi. NAYA is also extremely vegetarian-friendly, with more than a dozen entree options available without meat. NAYA is open every day from 11 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. for lunch and 5-11 p.m. for dinner.

Fernando’s

Fernando’s, a taco truck, can often be spotted around Champaign, sporting a cute cow logo on the side. Fernando’s offers classic Mexican favorites, including tacos, burritos, quesadillas, nachos and tortas.

According to owner Eric Leonor, Fer-

O ering pool tables and cornhole boards, the owners are in the process of obtaining a gambling license for the bar. They plan to have video gambling machines, which will ful ll the promise in the latter part of the establishment’s name.

Shots N’ Slots is available for takeout, dine-in and delivery. With a variety of classic American staples, including wings, pizza and burgers, the bar claims to have something for everyone.

These newer restaurants in the C-U area o er various cuisines to target different groups of people. Be on the lookout for other restaurants or food trucks throughout the city and on campus!

STAFF WRITER

SYDNEY LAPUT THE DAILY ILLINI

Shelves of alcohol behind the bar at NAYA Indian Cuisine, located at the corner of Green and Third streets on Aug. 9. In March, the restaurant reopened, changing from the previous name, NAYA Bar & Grill.

ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR

Getting involved with music on campus

Getting involved with campus music groups

Students can audition for Black Chorus, University Chorus, Women’s Glee Club, Varsity Men’s Glee Club, Chamber Singers and several other vocal ensembles to stay involved with singing on campus.

Getting involved with music in C-U

Iyou have a passion for music, the University of Illinois was an excellent pick for your college years. Not only does the University itself supply many musical opportunities for students, but Champaign-Urbana has a vibrant music scene.

Whether you’re a vocalist, a classical musician, a jazz fan or just somebody looking for good places to attend concerts around town, The DI has a list of ways to get involved with the music community here in Champaign-Urbana.

The University has endless opportunities for students wanting to get involved with music. The best part? You don’t need to be studying for a music degree to get involved! All of these ensembles are open to everyone.

If you participated in concert band or orchestra in high school and don’t want to give up your instrument just yet, look no further than the Illinois band program.

With five concert bands, there’s plenty of room for musicians of all skill levels to participate. The University’s three bottom bands — Campus Band, University Band and Hindsley

Symphonic Band — are intended for nonmusic majors and even community members who want to keep playing for fun.

The University’s top two bands — wind symphony and wind orchestra — are intended for music majors, but are still available to students studying other degrees. All bands are audition only, but there’s always a seat for everybody in at least one of the groups.

The University additionally has three orchestra ensembles available for strings players, with limited horn spots available as well.

For singers, the University has a number of musical groups available. A capella, lyrics theater and a variety of choirs are all available for any student to take part in after auditioning.

Anyone interested in performing jazz at the University has their choice of smaller instrument specific ensembles, big bands, a Latin jazz ensemble or small jazz combos.

Along with more formal musical ensembles, the University has a variety of athletic bands for volleyball, men’s and women’s basketball and, of course, football. Students of all fields of study are welcome to join the Marching Illini or any other athletic band the school has to offer.

With the exception of athletic band auditions taking place throughout the school year — Marching Illini auditions are held in May; basketball and volleyball band auditions are held in the fall — all auditions for musical groups are held during the first week of the semester.

Outside of o cial on-campus musical ensembles, Champaign-Urbana provides an abundance of musical opportunities for students and community members alike. There are several venues that bring live music to the area on a regular basis. The Canopy Club provides a vibrant music scene right on campus, while the Rose Bowl Tavern brings live music to downtown Urbana every night of the week.

Krannert Center for the Performing Arts is another venue located in the middle of campus that brings a huge variety of music and art to the area. A more complete list of Champaign-Urbana’s many music venues can be found on The Daily Illini website. Additionally, house shows are a very popular way of sharing music among students. The performances are a great way to make new friends on campus and meet some other musicians or music lovers like yourself.

The Registered Student Organization Punchline organizes frequent concerts and house shows near campus, and can be found on Instagram at @punchline.il.

Eric Hu, senior in Business, sings “Annoying Autumn Wind” by Frankie Kao during The Voice of UIUC at Canopy Club on April 16. Hu placed second overall, and it was his last performance at the University. Canopy Club frequently hosts performances, including notable bands. Most recently, Canopy Club held a performance by indie pop band Peach Pit.

Getting involved with music on campus

ASSISTANT BUZZ EDITOR MAAIKE NIEKERK maaiken2@dailyillini.com

Iyou have a passion for music, the University of Illinois was an excellent pick for your college years. Not only does the University itself supply many musical opportunities for students, but Champaign-Urbana has a vibrant music scene.

Whether you’re a vocalist, a classical musician, a jazz fan or just somebody looking for good places to attend concerts around town, The DI has a list of ways to get involved with the music community here in Champaign-Urbana.

Getting involved with campus music groups

The University has endless opportunities for students wanting to get involved with music. The best part? You don’t need to be studying for a music degree to get involved! All of these ensembles are open to everyone.

If you participated in concert band or orchestra in high school and don’t want to give up your instrument just yet, look no further than the Illinois band program.

With five concert bands, there’s plenty of room for musicians of all skill levels to participate. The University’s three bottom bands — Campus Band, University Band and Hindsley

Symphonic Band — are intended for nonmusic majors and even community members who want to keep playing for fun.

The University’s top two bands — wind symphony and wind orchestra — are intended for music majors, but are still available to students studying other degrees. All bands are audition only, but there’s always a seat for everybody in at least one of the groups.

The University additionally has three orchestra ensembles available for strings players, with limited horn spots available as well.

For singers, the University has a number of musical groups available. A capella, lyrics theater and a variety of choirs are all available for any student to take part in after auditioning.

Students can audition for Black Chorus, University Chorus, Women’s Glee Club, Varsity Men’s Glee Club, Chamber Singers and several other vocal ensembles to stay involved with singing on campus.

Anyone interested in performing jazz at the University has their choice of smaller instrument specific ensembles, big bands, a Latin jazz ensemble or small jazz combos.

Along with more formal musical ensembles, the University has a variety of athletic bands for volleyball, men’s and women’s basketball and, of course, football. Students of all fields of study are welcome to join the Marching Illini or any other athletic band the school has to offer.

With the exception of athletic band auditions taking place throughout the school year — Marching Illini auditions are held in May; basketball and volleyball band auditions are held in the fall — all auditions for musical groups are held during the first week of the semester.

Getting involved with music in C-U

Outside of o cial on-campus musical ensembles, Champaign-Urbana provides an abundance of musical opportunities for students and community members alike.

There are several venues that bring live music to the area on a regular basis. The Canopy Club provides a vibrant music scene right on campus, while the Rose Bowl Tavern brings live music to downtown Urbana every night of the week.

Krannert Center for the Performing Arts is another venue located in the middle of campus that brings a huge variety of music and art to the area. A more complete list of Champaign-Urbana’s many music venues can be found on The Daily Illini website.

Additionally, house shows are a very popular way of sharing music among students. The performances are a great way to make new friends on campus and meet some other musicians or music lovers like yourself.

The Registered Student Organization Punchline organizes frequent concerts and house shows near campus, and can be found on Instagram at @punchline.il.

Eric Hu, senior in Business, sings “Annoying Autumn Wind” by Frankie Kao during The Voice of UIUC at Canopy Club on April 16. Hu placed second overall, and it was his last performance at the University. Canopy Club frequently hosts performances, including notable bands. Most recently, Canopy Club held a performance by indie pop band Peach Pit.

Lolla Palo oza

Lollapalooza 4-DAY RECAP

Thursday, Aug. 3

The first day of Lollapalooza boasted impressive headlining performances from Karol G and Billie Eilish.

The day also saw sets from Carly Rae Jepsen, Diplo, Portugal. The Man, Noah Kahan and many more artists.

Though it was a hot and sunny Thursday, roughly 120,000 festivalgoers attended.

Matt Maltese opened the T-Mobile stage with a breathtaking, passionate 45-minute performance. Maltese, best

known for his mega-hit “As The World Caves In,” did the entire set while sitting at his piano, resulting in a stand-out performance.

Noah Kahan drew a large crowd to the Tito’s Handmade Vodka stage. The singer shared a journey of self-improvement with the crowd as he sang his most popular hits, including “Stick Season” and “Dial Drunk.”

Carly Rae Jepsen presented a dancefilled performance on the Bud Light stage. The singer performed her hits “Call Me Maybe” and “I Really Like You” and clipped some length off her dress with a pair of scissors midway through the show.

cident.

The band’s Lollapalooza set did not explicitly mention the previous incident. They performed a normal set, full of Healy’s usual stage antics: drinking, smoking and lots of talking to the crowd.

Kendrick Lamar presented an artful set at the T-Mobile stage. Despite starting a few minutes late, Lamar left the crowd buzzing after performing a jampacked set of Grammy Award-winning rap songs and memorable visuals.

vocalist, a guitarist, a steel guitarist, a bassist, a saxophonist, a drummer, a percussionist and a keyboard player who also played trumpet.

Yung Gravy played a fun set at the Coinbase stage. He brought out fellow rapper bbno$ as a surprise guest. Gravy commented on the size of the crowd, saying it may have been the biggest show he’s ever played.

ODESZA finished out the night with a set at the T-Mobile stage. The show had many impressive visuals, utilizing

pyrotechnics, fireworks, onscreen visuals and fog. The set also had several guest appearances and a drumline.

Tomorrow X Together performed an impressive and energetic 90-minute set on the Bud Light stage. Dedicated fans waited the entire day in the crowd through the weather for the set.

Matty Healy, lead singer of The 1975, on Aug. 4. The 1975 performed as a headliner of day two at Lollapalooza, and the show drew in a sizeable crowd. Healy was very interactive with the crowd, frequently talking to and poting at the audience members.

the night, gave an electric performance at the T-Mobile stage. She blazed through 24 songs in a 75-minute set filled with flashing lights, pyrotechnics and fireworks.

Friday, Aug. 4

The second day of Lollapalooza, cooler than the first day yet still sunny, had many talent-filled performances, concluding in headlining performances from Kendrick Lamar and The 1975.

Featured artists of the day included Declan McKenna, DJ Diesel, Peach Pit, Thirty Seconds to Mars, Sabrina Carpenter and others.

Sabrina Carpenter delivered a bubbly and poppy set at the Coinbase stage. Carpenter gave an energetic performance, covering ABBA and singing her original hits including “Nonsense.”

Declan McKenna delivered an extremely energetic performance on the BACARDÍ stage. McKenna performed all of his top hits, including his viral single “Brazil.”

The 1975 performed at the Bud Light stage. At the band’s previous concert in Malaysia, lead singer Matty Healy’s onstage rant about the country’s anti-LGBTQ+ laws resulted in the cancellation of an entire festival. Healy also kissed his male bandmate on stage in the in-

Saturday, Aug. 5

Lollapalooza’s third day finished with headliners ODESZA and Tomorrow X Together. Unforecasted heavy rain for the first several hours of the festival resulted in a wet day and many festivalgoers purchasing ponchos.

Other performances included Suki Waterhouse, Yung Gravy, The Revivalists, Pusha T and Alex G.

The Revivalists put on a very entertaining set at the T-Mobile stage. The band had eight members, including a

ODESZA, an electronic music duo, performed as a headliner on Aug. 5 and put on a visually intensive show. They made heavy and frequent use of pyrotechnics, fireworks, smoke, lasers, strobes and other elements. During their performance, they brought out multiple other artists, including Sudan Archives to perform “Selfish Soul” and Izzy Bizu to perform “Forgive Me.” The crowd was active and very responsive to the group’s heavy bass levels and captivating visuals.

Sunday, Aug. 6

Though cloudy and rainy, the last day of Lollapalooza delivered a strong lineup.

The ground within Grant Park was very wet from over 24 hours of onand-o rain, resulting in mud patches throughout the park. Festivalgoers donned mud-covered shoes and pants.

The day’s most notable performances included Red Hot Chili Peppers, Lana Del Rey, Louis The Child, L’Impératrice, The Backseat Lovers and Alan Walker. Lil Yachty gave an hour-long rap per-

formance at the Bud Light stage. The rapper played his most popular hits, “Broccoli,” “I Spy” and “Poland.”

Joey Bada$$ took the Tito’s Handmade Vodka stage for an upbeat set. Bada$$ was joined by surprise guest Chance the Rapper towards the end of his performance.

The Red Hot Chili Peppers gave a high-energy headlining set to close out the T-Mobile stage, playing many well-known hits like “Californication,”

“Can’t Stop” and “Give It Away.” The set featured many instrumentals, showcasing the strong talent of the band’s guitarist, bassist and drummer.

Lana Del Rey played a headlining 90-minute set to an enormous crowd at the Bud Light.

The artist performed all of her biggest hits and spent several minutes midperformance chatting with fans in the crowd.

Interested in more coverage of Lollapalooza 2023? along with audio, try out our new audio player featured on all stories from Lollapalooza 2023, or visit our website.

Scan the QR code to check out all of the stories and photo galleries from the festival. If you prefer to listen to your news or read

BUZZ EDITOR

SARAH BOND sbond21@dailyillini.com

ASSISTANT BUZZ EDITOR

MAAIKE NIEKERK maaiken2@dailyillini.com

JACOB SLABOSZ THE DAILY ILLINI

JACOB SLABOSZ THE DAILY ILLINI Jordan Miller, lead vocalist and bassist of The Beaches during their opening performance on Aug. 3

JACOB SLABOSZ THE DAILY ILLINI

Lollapalooza 2023

The crowd was attentive and engaged during English actress and singer Suki Waterhouse’s set on Aug. 5.

Niel Smith, lead singer of Canadian indie pop band Peach Pit, started off the band’s Aug. 4 set by crowdsurfing. A er a wild beginning, the band changed to a more mellow note to match the tone of their songs, playing many fan favorites and finishing the show with “Shampo Bottles.”

ABOVE – The crowd during the Backseat Lovers performance on Aug. 6.

LEFT – Yung Gravy performed on the Coinbase stage on Aug. 5. During his performance, he brought out Canadian rapper bbno$, an artist featured on multiple of his songs.

JACOB SLABOSZ THE DAILY ILLINI

Sabrina Carpenter’s performance on the Coinbase stage on Aug. 4 included her song “Nonsense,” which is known for different endings at

each show.

DAILY ILLINI Claire Rosinkranz,

popular by her single “Backyard Boy,” which went viral on TikTok during an interview with The DI on Aug. 6.

DAILY ILLINI

JACOB SLABOSZ THE DAILY ILLINI

JACOB SLABOSZ THE

English actress and singer Suki Waterhouse performed on the BACARDÍ stage on Aug. 5 with a soul-filled set.

JACOB SLABOSZ THE

made

JAMES HOECK THE DAILY ILLINI

JACOB SLABOSZ THE DAILY ILLINI

JACOB SLABOSZ THE DAILY ILLINI Karol G. closed day one on Aug. 3 as the first female Latin artist to headline at Lollapalooza. The set was entirely in Spanish except two sentences.

JAMES HOECK THE DAILY ILLINI Altnernative artist UPSAHL performed on Aug. 6 on the Bud Light stage for her debut Lollapalooza performance.

Surviving college on a plant-based diet

ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR LISA CHASANOV lisamc3@dailyillini.com

For many vegetarians and vegans, the option to cook at home is vital to ensuring that all dietary needs are met.

From B-vitamins to iron and protein, many components of a healthy diet are more di cult to nd in readily available plant-based meals than the standard meat options.

The college lifestyle sometimes limits the ability to try new recipes and ensure the completeness of diets — but this is especially true for students with plant-based diets.

From University dining halls to restaurants across campus, vegans and vegetarians have multiple nutritious and relatively cost-e ective options across the Champaign-Urbana area.

Dining halls

A meal plan at the University provides students with access to all traditional cafeteria-style dining facilities and ve convenience store-style locations.

Notably, Field of Greens is a hall located in LAR catered to vegatarians and vegans. For those wishing to pay special attention to their dietary needs, there is a nutritional breakdown of every dish served at the dining halls available on the Illinois app. These descriptions include ingredients, caloric value, macro- and micronutrients and allergens.

Using the Illinois app, a vegan or vegetarian student can decide which dining hall on campus is serving the most nutritionally viable choice — or plan an extra protein bar at some point in their day.

The retail dining locations can be an asset in this process. As a vegetarian freshman, a ordable access to Amy’s frozen dinners can be a godsend when the dining

hall serves pasta dish after pasta dish.

Additionally, these retail locations often have vegetarian salads, sushi and even made-to-order black bean burgers.

The dining halls always serve at least one vegan and one vegetarian option for each meal time. If the option doesn’t compel you, most dining halls also o er pizza, pasta and salads every day.

Grocery shopping

People are not exaggerating when they say that grocery shopping is by far the most budget-friendly option to feed oneself.

For example, a chickpea tikka masala recipe from The Simple Veganista can cost less than $1.50 per serving to cook at home. Compared to an almost $12 bowl from Signature Grill with the same ingredients, this is a no-brainer.

If you are able to drive to do your grocery shopping or hitch a ride with a friend, the most cost e ective grocery store varies depending on dietary habits. For many

students on a budget, the grocery store of choice is Aldi, which has three locations across the Champaign-Urbana area.

If you are not able to drive somewhere to complete your grocery shopping, you can either rely upon on-campus grocery stores or order your groceries through a delivery app like Instacart. Although delivery services add a convenience fee to your order, they eliminate the need to take long walks across campus with imsy, break-prone bags in tow. Even with the added costs, ordering groceries is considerably cheaper than buying meals from a restaurant — just please make sure to tip your driver.

CU’s late-night food faves

Burrito King

As a college town with a smorgasbord of nightly parties and bustling watering holes, ChampaignUrbana is a veritable paradise for anyone stricken with acute late-night munchies.

The widely beloved late-night snacks littering Green Street range from national goliaths like Taco Bell and McDonalds to local establishments like Chopstix and Jurassic Grill. In short, whether you crave a humorously large bowl of fried rice or a burger of prehistoric proportions, an option awaits you on campus — even after your bar of choice plays “Closing Time.”

A University cult classic, Burrito King is nestled comfortably between Raising Canes and Jurassic Grill — within a tempting distance of both The Red Lion and Joe’s. Burrito King, equipped with bar seating overlooking the hustle and bustle of Green Street, is a casual spot where you’d be lucky to nd a seat on a Saturday night at 2 a.m.

The menu is what one would expect from an establishment called Burrito King — it features generously sized burritos, chips and house salsa, tacos, quesadillas and aguas frescas.

The sta at Burrito King is pleasant, helpful and always willing to provide a suggestion. In my experience, this is a good

place to throw out a little late-night Span-

ish to impress your entourage.

There is a reason this place is hailed as one of the best post-bar strongholds in Champaign — the food is good, relatively inexpensive, quick and satisfying. If the wind carries you here, you’re in for a fun night.

The burrito vegetariano at Burrito King is sincerely the only thing on my mind after a long night of playing cards and discussing the untold secrets of the universe at Lion with my friends. In fact, it hastily becomes the only reason to stay out when the clock strikes midnight.

This burrito has everything that an exhausted vegetarian college student could possibly want in the wee hours of the morning — melty cheese, grilled squash and zucchini, bell peppers, refried beans, rice and sour cream — all wrapped in a avorful green tortilla. When dipped in the spicy orange salsa that comes in Burrito King’s nondescript, slightly translucent paper bag, this burrito is the stu of daydreams.

Sporting a price tag of $13, this meal is not necessarily the cheapest option on

campus at night, but it is a memorable one.

Paired with fresh tortilla chips fried in-house and some of the most delectable salsa on campus, the veggie burrito will close out any fun night — or sponsor a heroic rally.

Fat Sandwich

When walking into any restaurant in the center of campus, you never know quite what to expect. Most venues fall very strongly into one of two categories: freshly renovated and very new, or a little more worn down from years of serving college students.

Fat Sandwich Company, tucked away near the intersection of Fifth and John streets, falls into the second grouping. With torn-up booth seats stacked in a corner of the restaurant and a vague air of being under construction, the venue is comfortable, but not exactly luxurious.

However, for hungry customers in search of a late-night snack, Fat Sandwich Company is positioned at an ideal location to serve the masses. The menu provides a variety of items for any midnight meal needs with customizable options.

Always a safe order, curly fries are a great go-to side at any fast food joint. They pair well with anything, but they’re also a good snack on their own.

Fat Sandwich’s side of curly fries appear to contradict themselves — while being labeled as a side dish at a fast food restaurant, they cost over $6.

That being said, they aren’t bad — seasoned with salt and fried to a satisfying texture, there’s nothing at all wrong with them. Fat Sandwich’s curly fries are a safe order, but nothing outstanding.

The “Hangover Helper” portion of Fat Sandwich’s menu provides a series of breakfast sandwiches — with breakfast wraps on request — designed to satisfy anyone who may be bouncing back from a long night.

The quality of the “Hangover Helper” sandwiches is absolutely nothing special. A bacon egg and cheese sandwich consists of processed cheese product smushed into a squashed bread roll with several whole eggs and extremely thick-cut bacon.

The hash brown is the only part of the sandwich that brings something special, but would be better left on its own as a side,

rather than crushed into the mess of mostly bread, cheese and egg.

This meal is perfect for someone who urgently needs a lot of food in their stomach — maybe someone who can’t nd anywhere else to eat. But for a normal meal between classes or a food stop before work, Fat Sandwich Company is not meant for you.

Chopstix

Most items on the Chopstix menu solidify its position as a just-OK Chinese takeout haunt during the day and a Mecca of sustenance at night. With several passable vegetarian options, Chopstix is an equal opportunity oasis — be sure to stop by if you yearn for an egg roll or some sesame tofu.

Chopstix is a stronghold for a reason — it gets the job done. With a menu spanning several walls and an accommodating sta this hole-in-the-wall on Green Street is seen with lines out the door for takeout orders on most Saturday nights. There is theoretically a place to sit and eat your meal at Chopstix, but it is far more common to take the food and run as quickly as possible to the evening’s tertiary loca-

tion. It is di cult to conceive a reason to sit inside of Chopstix and eat, but someone most certainly has.

Chopstix is like the mysterious stranger at the bar who piques your interest at midnight but causes you to lightly cringe on your way to econ class not nine hours later. Good for now, slightly shameful later. At Chopstix, most everything tastes good in the middle of the night.

The General Tso’s tofu, with its chewy exterior and tangy, slightly spicy sauce, is a safe choice at all hours of the evening.

The spring rolls, which come with a golden, aky wrapping and tender vegetables inside, are delightfully crispy and satiate the nebulous craving for something fried.

The fried rice — which comes to you in sky-high proportions — is absolutely jawdropping, with the fragrance of days-old grease emanating from the container. Nothing you get here will taste bad — but don’t blame us for the impending stomachache.

ASSISTANT BUZZ EDITOR MAAIKE NIEKERK maaiken2@dailyillini.com

ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR LISA CHASANOV lisamc3@dailyillini.com

The Burrito King food truck parked on W Springfield Avenue in October 2022. The truck is frequently found around campus late at night, serving as a portable satellite location for the restaurant located at the corner of E Green and S Fi h streets.

DANIEL ZHOU THE DAILY ILLINI

CU’s late-night food faves

Burrito King

As a college town with a smorgasbord of nightly parties and bustling watering holes, ChampaignUrbana is a veritable paradise for anyone stricken with acute late-night munchies.

The widely beloved late-night snacks littering Green Street range from national goliaths like Taco Bell and McDonalds to local establishments like Chopstix and Jurassic Grill. In short, whether you crave a humorously large bowl of fried rice or a burger of prehistoric proportions, an option awaits you on campus — even after your bar of choice plays “Closing Time.”

A University cult classic, Burrito King is nestled comfortably between Raising Canes and Jurassic Grill — within a tempting distance of both The Red Lion and Joe’s. Burrito King, equipped with bar seating overlooking the hustle and bustle of Green Street, is a casual spot where you’d be lucky to nd a seat on a Saturday night at 2 a.m.

The menu is what one would expect from an establishment called Burrito King — it features generously sized burritos, chips and house salsa, tacos, quesadillas and aguas frescas.

The sta at Burrito King is pleasant, helpful and always willing to provide a suggestion. In my experience, this is a good

place to throw out a little late-night Spanish to impress your entourage.

There is a reason this place is hailed as one of the best post-bar strongholds in Champaign — the food is good, relatively inexpensive, quick and satisfying. If the wind carries you here, you’re in for a fun night.

The burrito vegetariano at Burrito King is sincerely the only thing on my mind after a long night of playing cards and discussing the untold secrets of the universe at Lion with my friends. In fact, it hastily becomes the only reason to stay out when the clock strikes midnight.

This burrito has everything that an exhausted vegetarian college student could possibly want in the wee hours of the morning — melty cheese, grilled squash and zucchini, bell peppers, refried beans, rice and sour cream — all wrapped in a avorful green tortilla. When dipped in the spicy orange salsa that comes in Burrito King’s nondescript, slightly translucent paper bag, this burrito is the stu of daydreams.

Sporting a price tag of $13, this meal is not necessarily the cheapest option on

campus at night, but it is a memorable one.

Paired with fresh tortilla chips fried in-house and some of the most delectable salsa on campus, the veggie burrito will close out any fun night — or sponsor a heroic rally.

Fat Sandwich

When walking into any restaurant in the center of campus, you never know quite what to expect. Most venues fall very strongly into one of two categories: freshly renovated and very new, or a little more worn down from years of serving college students.

Fat Sandwich Company, tucked away near the intersection of Fifth and John streets, falls into the second grouping. With torn-up booth seats stacked in a corner of the restaurant and a vague air of being under construction, the venue is comfortable, but not exactly luxurious.

However, for hungry customers in search of a late-night snack, Fat Sandwich Company is positioned at an ideal location to serve the masses. The menu provides a variety of items for any midnight meal needs with customizable options.

Always a safe order, curly fries are a great go-to side at any fast food joint. They pair well with anything, but they’re also a good snack on their own.

Fat Sandwich’s side of curly fries appear to contradict themselves — while being labeled as a side dish at a fast food restaurant, they cost over $6.

That being said, they aren’t bad — seasoned with salt and fried to a satisfying texture, there’s nothing at all wrong with them. Fat Sandwich’s curly fries are a safe order, but nothing outstanding.

The “Hangover Helper” portion of Fat Sandwich’s menu provides a series of breakfast sandwiches — with breakfast wraps on request — designed to satisfy anyone who may be bouncing back from a long night.

The quality of the “Hangover Helper” sandwiches is absolutely nothing special. A bacon egg and cheese sandwich consists of processed cheese product smushed into a squashed bread roll with several whole eggs and extremely thick-cut bacon.

The hash brown is the only part of the sandwich that brings something special, but would be better left on its own as a side,

rather than crushed into the mess of mostly bread, cheese and egg.

This meal is perfect for someone who urgently needs a lot of food in their stomach — maybe someone who can’t nd anywhere else to eat. But for a normal meal between classes or a food stop before work, Fat Sandwich Company is not meant for you.

Chopstix

Most items on the Chopstix menu solidify its position as a just-OK Chinese takeout haunt during the day and a Mecca of sustenance at night. With several passable vegetarian options, Chopstix is an equal opportunity oasis — be sure to stop by if you yearn for an egg roll or some sesame tofu.

Chopstix is a stronghold for a reason — it gets the job done. With a menu spanning several walls and an accommodating sta , this hole-in-the-wall on Green Street is seen with lines out the door for takeout orders on most Saturday nights.

There is theoretically a place to sit and eat your meal at Chopstix, but it is far more common to take the food and run as quickly as possible to the evening’s tertiary loca-

tion. It is di cult to conceive a reason to sit inside of Chopstix and eat, but someone most certainly has.

Chopstix is like the mysterious stranger at the bar who piques your interest at midnight but causes you to lightly cringe on your way to econ class not nine hours later. Good for now, slightly shameful later.

At Chopstix, most everything tastes good in the middle of the night.

The General Tso’s tofu, with its chewy exterior and tangy, slightly spicy sauce, is a safe choice at all hours of the evening.

The spring rolls, which come with a golden, aky wrapping and tender vegetables inside, are delightfully crispy and satiate the nebulous craving for something fried.

The fried rice — which comes to you in sky-high proportions — is absolutely jawdropping, with the fragrance of days-old grease emanating from the container. Nothing you get here will taste bad — but don’t blame us for the impending stomachache.

The Burrito King food truck parked on W Springfield Avenue in October 2022. The truck is frequently found around campus late at night, serving as a portable satellite location for the restaurant located at the corner of E Green and S Fi h streets.

DANIEL ZHOU THE DAILY ILLINI

2 things I wish I knew sooner

EDDIE RYAN opinions@dailyillini.com

Dear University students, both incoming and returning: You have made an expert choice of institution, and I hope you are proud.

I write to you now as a dusty old alum, and I thought I would share with you a few things I wish I’d known sooner. Forgive me for beginning bitterly, but I consider it a crime worthy of high annoyance not to have been told about these in particular.

1. Nap Pods

That’s right. Look no further: The future of public napping is here. On the third oor of the Sidney Lu Mechanical Engineering Building, you will nd covered pods meant for students in need of a quick snooze. Picture a motorcycle helmet for your whole body, complete with a reclining bench and

an alarm to jolt you awake.

As a poor sleeper, I know the value of a midday emergency nap. I resigned myself long ago to the hard wooden benches of the main library’s third oor, where one’s backpack becomes a pillow and one’s coat a blanket. You can imagine my indignation after observing that mildly humiliating ritual several times a week for multiple years upon learning there was a better way.

2. Nick Offerman

Not the man behind Ron Swanson himself, but the way his legacy is communicated on this campus. You may have heard — eagerly whispered through your own alumni channels or shouted at you through a megaphone on your campus visit tour — of the beloved Nick O erman bench.

If you have not, you have extra homework. Located under a gazebo just a short walk inside the Japan House gardens in

Urbana, you will nd a lovely wooden seat hand-crafted by O erman himself and dedicated to his teacher at the University, sensei Shozo Sato. It’s a great place to think and absorb the gardens’ serenity.

While I would never question O erman’s woodwork, the bench is not the most interesting O erman-related attraction in Champaign-Urbana.

As I was told by a trusted advisor, there is a bar in downtown Champaign (what bar?) that runs a video loop of Nick O erman sitting reside, Scotch swirling in hand.

Like the blooming of Japan House’s cherry blossoms, the Swanson-sighting is only seasonal, o ering just a narrow window for drinking in its sublime aesthetic.

That season happens to be winter, meaning I can only recommend this spot on the strength of its reputation and obvious spellbinding power. Given that for four years, my cop-out answer to the perennial

“What’s on your Illinois bucket list?” question was to visit the Nick O erman bench, I took the news of this virtual scotch Swanson hologram with a grimace.

I suppose I shouldn’t sulk too much. Perhaps this is what I get for not being an engineer, or not looking at Reddit — where the best and worst of the University’s intellectual output collides. It may already be obvious that I am the kind of person who catches on to things late. Su ce it to say, others are not solely to blame for my missing out.

So, dearest new arrivals and returning scholars, I hope you will take these words as a reminder to enjoy this great campus and to explore early and often. Pause to admire the Main Quad on a crisp Champaign spring or Urbana autumn day and take in all those other sites of future nostalgia. Treat yourself to an Illini Blizzard at the Altgeld Hall Dairy Queen once in a while.

But don’t feel pressured; my message is hopeful too. Even in my last semester on this campus, I still found fresh delight in the University’s hidden wonders. As you begin your time here, I wish you growth and ful llment in your stay. Have fun, save the environment and write for The DI.

STREAMING NOW ON THE ILLINOIS APP!

Tenants-to-be: Make wise choices

OPINIONS EDITOR RAPHAEL RANOLA rrano2@dailyillini.com

As an incoming sophomore, I would no longer consider myself the spring chicken that I was around this time last year. Instead, I’m kind of like a fall chicken: experienced, but juvenile and less learned than the grizzled winter chicken who has dealt with the worst landlords and lived to tell the tale.

Perhaps one day, a year from now, I can rightfully call myself a leasing veteran.

But today is not that day. If I could go back in time and sit my spring-chickenof-a-self down, I would let him know that the housing and move-in process certainly does not get easier. When my roommates and I signed that lease with Green Street Realty in October, our fate was sealed.

As much as veterans of this process can try to provide a wealth of resources through means such as Reddit, which has

generously provided a list of each landlord in the C-U community organized by the number of complaints made against them — with our GSR as the winner with a whopping 16 complaints circa 2018) — or via lengthy housing guides courtesy of The Daily Illini, chickens don’t know to read. Guilty as charged.

I’m already annoyed with my housing company, and I haven’t even moved in — a promising start to a very loving and healthy relationship.

Why on Earth do I have to pay for a full month’s rent at the beginning of the month when my lease o cially starts on the 16th?

As in, the Wednesday before school starts? Why not have the lease start on the 1st? Or at least the weekend before?

My second gripe is that their o ce isn’t open on weekends — when most people move in. This means you have to hope someone you know is moving in on a weekday and can pick up your keys for you. Why not make an exception for the

weekend before school starts, when people tend to move in?

I know why: That would make too much sense.

My heart goes out to the people who have summer leases that end around the beginning of August and whose semester lease begins in the middle of August, leaving them in a frightening liminal space where they must scramble to nd a sublease or make a friend (terrifying) to nd shelter for that brief two-week window. Their struggles are in nitely worse than mine. If this describes you, I am terribly sorry.

Today, I must cope with the mistakes that I had made as a spring chicken and hope that this cautionary tale may inspire others to seek out as much housing information as possible before that late-fall rush of trying to nd housing. To avoid being in the same boat as me, seek out as much information on housing as early as you can. The resources I mentioned above are quite useful, as well as the “Tenant & Housing

Information” section of the Student Legal Services website.

You would also bene t from inquiring with an upperclassman, who would delight in telling you horror stories about washing machines that took weeks to service or, on the opposite side of the spectrum, talk endlessly about how their landlord is a shining star amid mediocrity. In a community whose housing situation is run by a slew of companies whose mantra is “just make money,” all we have is each other.

Look, if GSR happens to blow my socks o with their performance and attentiveness this semester, perhaps I will respond to this column with a glowing recommendation. Given that this housing asco is my introduction to them, I don’t think this is very likely.

Students at Illinois: Apartment hunting season happens sooner than you think. Make a well-informed decision. Don’t be a spring chicken.

Spend time, not money, on having fun

LILLIE SALAS lmsalas2@dailyillini.com

The time has come for all 40,000plus students to return to campus life at the University. Many students look forward to meeting new people and developing new relationships as the semester progresses.

The University is perpetually abuzz with various events and activities to create long-lasting memories with new friends, but some budding social butteries struggle to nd a ordable options.

Despite what some may think, there are many outlets for fun that are a ordable and accessible to all students.

A popular option to meet other students without a cost is to join an RSO. An RSO is a registered student organization, similar to a club, according to the University’s website.

There are over 800 RSOs active on

campus. With this staggering quantity of options, there are plenty of RSOs for students with varying interests.

From hobbies such as painting to RSOs for social awareness causes, it’s likely any individual can participate in a group they are passionate about.

Oftentimes, RSOs have no cost and they can be opportunities to get together with groups of students with common interests. An e ective way to learn more about RSOs may be to visit the University’s web page containing an up-to-date list of all active groups.

Another method of discovering RSOs is to attend the University’s Quad Day and Involvement Fair. Quad Day is always held the Sunday prior to the start of fall semester classes, meaning the 2023 Quad Day is at noon on Aug. 23.

For students with established friend groups, there are various hangout ideas with low costs. A bit of creativity may be needed to discover interesting ways to

have fun without spending money.

A fun approach to connecting a friend group could be to make a book club. Pick a book to read together and create a schedule assigning how much to read at once.

Not only could this idea academically engage students, but it allows friends to experience a new environment together and assess the imaginary world they are sharing.

What could be cuter than a good book on the Main Quad with friends? Maybe adding a picnic.

A picnic is another a ordable activity to share with friends. All that may be needed is a blanket, food and a speaker. The University has many spaces for students to sit and enjoy the scenery as the summer fades into the fall season.

Getting take-out containers from the dining hall, buying snacks with Dining Dollars, making your own snacks or investing in a meal from one of the many food spots on Green Street are a few of the

many options to fuel the picnic.

If students want organized and lowmaintenance activities, the Illini Union actively hosts events throughout the school year.

Events are constant at the beginning of the fall semester and the event calendar can be viewed on the Illini Union’s website.

Some events include movie nights, comedy shows and karaoke nights. There are many movies to go see projected inside the Illini Union, and sometimes out of the Main Quad, for all the lm-lovers, free of charge. Be sure to check the events calendar often for updates.

RSOs, picnics and movie nights are only a few options for Illinois students to spend their time. There are many other activities to do on campus and more free events yet to be announced. With a bit of creativity, students can nd ways to engage with friends in new and unique ways.

Does “Animal House” still ring true?

ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR

LISA CHASANOV lisamc3@dailyillini.com

Arguably one of the most in uential college lms in the zeitgeist of American cinema, “Animal House,” released in 1978, centers around the tumultuous experiences of bottom-tier fraternity pledges at Faber, a ctional institution modeled after Dartmouth College.

As the University of Illinois begins its own school year and introduces a new crop of rushes into its Greek letter organizations, fans of “Animal House” may wonder; does this almost 50-year-old commentary on Greek life hold true?

The lm opens as Larry “Pinto” Kroger (Tom Hulce) and Kent “Flounder” Dorfman (Stephen Furst) move into their dorm room, ponti cating upon their glorious hopes for the upcoming semester.

The plucky freshmen begin the fraternity rush process, rst attempting to brown-nose their way into Omega, a fraternity known for its association with top sororities. Upon their dismissal to the rejects corner at uptight Omega’s rst rush party, Kent and Larry reckon with the reality that they may need to set their sights a bit lower.

As Larry begins to succumb to defeat, Kent suggests paying a visit to Delta fraternity, a notorious sanctuary of mischief — and home to a guaranteed legacy bid.

The decidedly villainous Dean Vernon Wormer (John Vernon) puts it best — at Delta, “every Halloween, the trees are lled with underwear and every spring, the toilets explode.”

After some convincing from Kent, Larry agrees to pay a visit to the rickety Delta shack — and the two embark upon a crass, vulgar and whimsical journey.

At the Delta rush party, the lm intro-

duces several colorful characters— the snarky, Abbott-and-Costello-reminiscent Otter (Tim Matheson) and Boon (Peter Riegert), the upstanding Hoover (James Widdoes) — and lovable and chaotic John “Bluto” Blutarski (John Belushi).

“Don’t worry about Bluto,” Otter once said. “Just keep your hands and feet away from his mouth.”

In spite of its lighthearted air, the lm deals with issues spanning from race relations to sexual violence. Although it does not make the level of commentary expected by a modern-day audience, it critiques fraternity culture in a way that is refreshing and appropriate for the late 1970s.

Following seemingly relentless disciplinary notices from Dean Wormer, Delta House faces a trial in front of a jury of its peers — with the ever-witty Otter playing lawyer.

“You can’t hold a whole fraternity responsible for the behavior of a few sick, twisted

individuals,” Otter pleaded. “...If the whole fraternity system is guilty, then isn’t this an indictment … of our entire American society? Well, you can do whatever you want to us, but we’re not going to sit here and listen to you bad mouth the United States of America. Gentlemen?”

When faced with the potential revocation of Delta’s charter, the young men reckon with a shared sense of dread in various ways.

“Seven years of college down the drain,” Bluto, who was awarded a 0.0 GPA at midterms, said. “Might as well join the f-----Peace Corps.”

Although many fraternity members claim this movie to be an accurate portrayal of the college experience, the four — or seven — years you spend working towards a bachelor’s degree are customizable to your priorities. Keggers and disciplinary hearings are not part of everyone’s college lifestyle — but they do make for a hilarious 1970s comedy.

Los Angeles Times Sunday Crossword Puzzle

“BLOOD BANK” BY MATTHEW STOCK

Edited by Patti Varol and Joyce Nichols Lewis

Making the most of game days

ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR

ADAM ROSEN

With the summer coming to an end, Illini athletics and their teams are gearing up to show fans and students alike what they have been practicing for while school hasn’t been in session. With students getting returning to campus, it is imperative to know what game days are like and what students need to do in preparation for sporting events, speci cally football, which hopes to experience more success during the 2023-24 season after a resurgent 2022-23.

The best approach is to get ready early. Orange is the rule, maybe some blue, and be prepared to get loud. Meet up with some friends and have a central location planned out, likely the Main Quad or Illini Union,

depending on where you live. Eat a snack before you go, since it will be fun to go out and get some dinner after the game with your friends. Additionally, bring a portable charger — I always bring one to sporting events just in case I lose juice.

If you are joining a tailgate, I would recommend taking one of the buses. The 22 Illini is the best for this situation, as it will take you right to the ARC, which is directly next to Memorial Stadium. Many tailgates will happen in Grange Grove and nearby parking lots. The band and cheerleaders will perform down Fourth Street and the festivities are quite fun to partake in. Personally, I love getting to the games early to enjoy these activities and take some photos. The gates to Memorial Stadium open 90 minutes before kicko , so choose your method.

Illinois games often kick o at 11 a.m.

and, if it is in fact an 11 a.m. kicko , wake up early. That’s the best thing to do without a doubt. I never advocate for not showering, but since you will likely get all sweaty and smelly, I would save the shower for postgame — unless you plan on going out to the bars afterward where it might get even worse.

If the game is later in the day, wake up around 10 or 11 a.m., shower, get dressed and start heading to the stadium about 90 minutes before kicko or sooner, depending on how far in advance you would like to arrive. If your game is in the evening, like 6:30 p.m., de nitely plan not to head home afterwards, depending on your personality. I would get ready for a fun night out with friends, or maybe just a nice, relaxing night. It all depends on you and your pref-

In the event of a road game, get a group to watch with. It is way more fun to watch with friends. A great place to watch away games is at a sports bar on Green Street, as plenty of places are open, but get there early because they could be packed within minutes of the doors opening. If so, get ready to walk early or take a bus — 50W or 50E on Green is your best friend in this scenario.

Regardless, game days are super fun and I cannot recommend getting involved in them enough — because whether or not you are a sports fan, the time and memories you spend with friends will last you a lifetime.

@arrosen76

Get involved with intramural sports

SPORTS EDITOR JAMES KIM jamessk4@dailyillini.com

Whether you’re looking for some fun competition, the chance to meet new people or a way to be active, joining intramurals at Illinois is a great opportunity offered to students. With great facilities, fields and courts to compete on, intramural sports are a great option for both experienced players and those looking to try something new!

However, the process of joining and registering for intramurals may be a little confusing for newcomers. Here’s how to get properly signed up for the intramural season.

Your first stop in your intramural journey will be the Active Illini web

portal. This can be found by searching “Active Illini portal” online. Once on the site, you’ll need to sign in using your NetID and password. This is where you’ll be able to get your intramural membership.

In order to participate in any intramural activity on campus, you’ll need to have an Active Illini membership. These memberships can be purchased in the “memberships” section of the web portal or in person at the ARC. Purchasing the Orange Intramural Membership will allow you to compete in season-long sports, and you will receive two jerseys as part of the membership.

Now that you’re all registered with an official intramural membership, it’s time to download the FusionPlay app, where you can create or join teams.

This app will be your primary hub for intramural sports moving forward.

Sign in using your Illinois email address and you’ll be directed to the home screen to browse the sports offered during the current semester. The registration periods will be listed for each sport, as well as the start and end dates for each sport’s season.

When the registration period opens, you can create or join a team by selecting the sport you’re interested in. You can participate in as many sports as you’d like, with each sport being divided into men’s, women’s and co-rec leagues. Within these leagues, you’ll need to pick a day of the week and time that works best for your schedule, as this will be when your team competes every week. You can create a team for others to join or you can select some-

one else’s team and request to join it.

Once your team has met the minimum requirements in terms of roster size, you’ll be officially entered into the league! Teams play once a week and those at the top of the standings by the end of the season will advance to the intramural playoffs for the chance to win it all.

The intramural experience on campus is a special one that will only add to your time in college. It’s a great way to try out a new sport or to continue playing, and the best part is that they are only as competitive as you choose to make them. As a great stress reliever from the chaos and pace of the semester, intramural sports at Illinois are an opportunity that should not be missed!

Students in the north end zone hold up an Illinois flag during the homecoming game against Minnesota on Oct. 15.

LOGAN HODSON THE DAILY ILLINI

Senior outside hitter Raina Terry hits the ball during a game against Purdue on Sept. 30.

A er last season’s perfectly even record, the Illini hope to bounce back for a more productive year.

Prefer to listen to your

Illinois volleyball gears up for bounce back 2023 season

men last season and while that may seem like an indictment of the immediate value of the 2023 class, it simply means Illinois will have eight new pieces to work with as Tamas looks to break into the upper echelon of Big Ten volleyball once again.

Rounding out Illinois’ o season changes was Jen Tamas, seven-year volunteer assistant coach and wife of Chris Tamas. This summer, Jen Tamas was o cially promoted to assistant coach following an NCAA rule change that increased the coaching spots. A former player herself and a longtime a liate of Illinois volleyball, the two have coached together for a decade, beginning in 2013 at Cal Poly.

An increased role for a beloved volunteer assistant coach, coupled with ve brand new faces that contribute to eight new skill sets for Illinois to shu e minutes between, have been brought to the table. With a little less bad luck on the injury front, Illinois could very well snap its three-year stretch in the middle and that goal could not be any clearer for Chris Tamas.

By many standards, Illinois volleyball’s 2022 season was as even as it gets. The Illini, led by head coach Chris Tamas, nished their 30-game season with a record of 15-15, complimented by a 10-10 record in conference play. This was good for seventh place in the Big Ten, an appropriate continuation of Illinois’ even trend.

As middling as the end results were, the American Volleyball Coaches Association actually voted Illinois as the No. 17 team in the nation in early August. Going from the lower half of the preseason poll to splitting your schedule in half is by no means a free fall, especially considering the extenuating circumstances placed on Illinois this season.

“It takes a lot to nd yourself in a good spot (of the conference), you need

to have a healthy season,” Tamas explained. “Last year I don’t think … I don’t think, I know we didn’t have a healthy season. It was just kinda some random injuries that we took on and I had to move some players around, maybe not the best design as you would have it in your head, but that’s just how it works.”

On top of there, hopefully, being a healthier season in store for the Illini, a fair number of fresh faces will be present and able to bring new life to a team that has nished seventh in the Big Ten for three years straight. Maya Imoto-Eakin, Lily Barry, Taylor de Boer and Gabby Dean make up the 2023 freshman class, complemented by graduate transfer Vanessa Pan. It is early, but each of the ve appears to have made positive impressions on their peers.

“I think all the freshmen … and the one transfer, Vanessa (Pan), they’re awesome,” said senior hitter Raina Terry when asked what she is looking forward

to the most next season. “They’ve done a great job, they’ve worked so hard in the summer and I think you can anticipate a really competitive season. We have a lot of re, we compete with each other every single day … no matter how small the competition.”

Illinois also redshirted three fresh-

“We’ve made it to several tournaments and done much better than seventh place in the conference (in tournaments),” Chris Tamas said. “I think at the end of the year that’s what you’re aiming for, right? With that being said, we’re not happy that we nished in seventh place. I told the team in the spring, I didn’t sign up to come here to hope for seventh place and then do damage in the tournament. We want to know that we can place well in the conference.”

@blountco21

Students in the Spike Section, the student section at volleyball games, read a copy of The Daily Illini during a game against Maryland on Sept. 23.

SYDNEY LAPUT THE DAILY ILLINI

Illinois football builds off of breakout season

The college football o season seemingly ew by for an Illini team surrounded by excitement and intrigue for the rst time in years. Although the 2022 campaign ended with a bowl game defeat in Tampa, Florida, the Illini view the season as a successful step back to prominence. A lot happened for a program that appeared in the AP Poll for the rst time since 2011, and the Illini begin a 12-game grind with newfound expectations when they take the eld on Sept. 2.

The program hasn’t quali ed for consecutive bowl appearances since 201011, but they have larger goals than only achieving the six-win total necessary to repeat that feat. Fortunately for the Illini, they reside in the West division for

the nal season of its existence in the Big Ten conference. As a result, they avoid the preseason No. 1 and 2 teams in the conference while playing the Penn State Nittany Lions and Wisconsin Badgers, arguably the two best teams on their schedule, at home.

The Illini also have personnel suited for winning, despite losing four players to the draft and more to the transfer portal. Head coach Bret Bielema has restocked practically every hole on the team, starting with the quarterback position.

Quarterback Tommy DeVito was an upgrade under center in 2022, but the Illini knew he was a rental. When DeVito left for the NFL, the Illini went shing in the portal to nd their guy once again.

Former four-star recruit and Ole Miss freshman Luke Altmyer eventually committed, taking the o ense’s reins.

While Altmyer did not receive much game experience with the Rebels, he has

as much raw talent as any Illini quarterback in a long time. The sophomore will also bene t from a receiving core set to be near the top of the conference. The Illini return three of the top four leaders in receptions from a year ago while adding four-star freshman Malik Elzy and redshirt freshman Shawn Miller. Senior receiver Isaiah Williams will be the star; however, the younger guys can step up to spread defenses thin.

A strong pass attack will make the o ense more diverse after being very one-dimensional in 2022. The run game lost star Chase Brown, but junior Reggie Love, sophomore Josh McCray and four-star freshman Kaden Feagin will split carries. Paired with an experienced o ensive line led by senior guard Isaiah Adams, the group should have fresher legs to run through open holes under coordinator Barry Lunney Jr.’s second-year o ense.

Defensively, the Illini look to remain one of the nation’s top units by sticking to their physical brand of football. Familiar faces are returning, but a big part of the country’s 2022 No. 1 scoring defense, Ryan Walters, left for the head coach position at Purdue. Bielema decided to promote from within to replace Walters, awarding former defensive backs coach Aaron Henry the job.

Henry is fortunate to return arguably the best defensive tackle duo in the Big Ten next season. Nicknamed “The Law Firm,” juniors Jer’Zhan Newton and Keith Randolph Jr. are forces to be reckoned with in the trenches. The linemen will dictate the defense this season, and if they play to their capabilities, it will be tough to score against the Illini for the second year in a row.

All fans can do now is wait for the anticipated home opener against the Toledo Rockets. The Illini sold 9,500 new season tickets for the upcoming season, proving the excitement that has hovered over the program since their bowl game in January. It’s a new era for Illini football as they work to build o last year’s impressive season. @benfanfader7

JAMES HOECK THE DAILY ILLINI

Students cheer from the north end zone during a game against Wyoming on Aug. 27, 2022. A er last year’s relatively strong performance, the Illini are looking to build on the success and improve this year.

ASSISTANT

Artisan, freshly baked local bread available at the Champaign ! Urbana Farmers Markets & at your local grocery store.

Classic deli favorites, downtown Champaign, free parking, ! outdoor patio.