THE DAILY ILLINI
MONDAY February 25, 2019
The independent student newspaper at the University of Illinois since 1871
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Vol. 148 Issue 44
Leaders explore effects of legalizing marijuana BY EUNICE ALPASAN CONTRIBUTING WRITER
the study, said the phthalates research is a continuity of a previous study which showed 10 days of exposure of a very common plasticizer called di-2-eth-
While medical marijuana has been legal in Illinois since 2013, the proposed bills for legalizing recreational marijuana use has been in discussion in the state government. Illinois State Rep. Carol Ammons and State Sen. Scott Bennett held a town hall meeting in Champaign to discuss the proposals on Feb. 18. The meeting included an education and legislative panel to present information and address the concerns of the local community regarding specific bill proposals and their potential economic and societal impact. The meeting was held against the backdrop of increased talks of legalizing recreational cannabis through a proposal introduced to the Illinois General Assembly by State Sen. Heather Steans and Rep. Kelly Cassidy in early 2017. Illinois residents ages 21 and over would be able to purchase and possess up to 30 grams of cannabis for recreational use under the program. Additionally, it would allow employers to maintain a drug-free workplace and for landlords to restrict access to marijuana. The panel discussed equity programs for businesses applying for cultivation licenses, especially
SEE PLASTICIZER | 3A
SEE LEGALIZE | 3A
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Katie Chiang works in her lab at the Veterinary Medicine Basic Sciences Building in Urbana on Tuesday. She’s been involved with research at the College of Veterinary Medicine since 2013.
Research links plasticizer to infertility BY BENEDICTE YENYI MULUMBA STAFF WRITER
Researchers at the University have found feeding mice doses of phthalates, found in plastics, decreases fertility in female mice for up to nine months
afterward. Jodi Flaws, professor in Veterinary Medicine, said people have to care about fertility in female mice because we are exposed to these compounds every day.
“They are in a lot of different products, and phthalates, the main category of the chemical, are in a lot of care products such as shampoo, lotion, makeup (and) nail polish,” Flaws said. “The level in women
tends to be higher than in men. The reason is because women are more likely to use personal care products than men.” Katie Chiang, doctoral student in comparative bioscience and co-author of
Student proposes Grant gives higher education to community historical UI mascot BY MEGHANA KAZA
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
BY ETHAN SIMMONS CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Universit y student Mike Skibski, sophomore in Business, is presenting his design for a new school mascot to the University Board of Trustees as a public comment. The proposed mascot is named Champ, and it represents University students who died in World War I. Champ resembles a WWI doughboy with an Illini twist, wearing a helmet with a Block I and carrying a billowing Illini flag. Skibski posted his first full artwork onto the UIUC subreddit on Feb. 11, along with a change.org petition to monitor support. His post garnered over 350 upvotes and 90 comments, while the petition hit 100 signatures in less than three days. Skibski credits the design’s historical continuity for its warm
reception. “A lot of people like the fact that it’s historical. We’re the Fighting Illini, and that’s based off of Memorial Stadium. So it makes a lot of sense to have a mascot that’s based around the Fighting Illini,” Skibski said. Skibski’s interpretation of “Fighting Illini” fits an early use of the term, dating back to the fundraising period for Memorial Stadium. Per the University Archives, the term “Fighting Illini” first appeared in early 20th century coverage of the University’s athletic teams, commenting on the competitive nature of the games. The University officially used “Fighting Illini” in promotional materials for the 1921 Memorial Stadium fundraising stretch, SEE CHAMP | 3A
INSIDE
Sports: Flyin’ Illini celebrate 30th anniversary
buzz: zzo ‘Tells Other People’s Stories’
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The Illinois Program for Research in the Humanities received a $650,000 grant from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation to support the Odyssey Project at the University. The Odyssey Project was founded in Fall 2006 and is a free, two-semester program dedicated to helping community learners, who range from the ages of 18 to 80, acquire their education with a foundation in humanities. The project allows participants to earn college credit and then continue at a community college or any other higher education institution of their choice. “We support the Odyssey Project because providing access to higher education is part of our University’s mission,” said LAS Dean Feng Sheng Hu in an email. “But more importantly, this program has real impact on real people in our community.” Hu said the University is fortunate to have the Illinois Program for Research in the Humanities, which contributes to the community in many rich and meaningful ways. Hu also expressed his admiration for the University’s highly accomplished and dedicated faculty members who provide an enriched education to humanities students. “Studying languages, history, philosophy, religion and literature helps us better understand the world around us,” Hu said. “Our humanities programs help students develop important skills like verbal and writ-
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PHOTO COURTESY OF ANTIONETTE BURTON
Member of the Odyssey class meet at the Urbana Adult Education Center. The Odyssey program allows community learners to receive humanities education.
ten communication, critical analysis and problem solving.” Antoinette Burton, director of IRPH, said the participants are interested in starting or completing their education by reconnecting with core humanities courses. Burton said the importance of humanities today is that in the increasingly technological age that we live in, where humans can be transformed by all kinds of innovations and technologies, it is important to have a deep knowledge of the humanities and to be able to think, write and speak critically in an engaged way.
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The grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation will help the project expand and work toward being more supportive of its students. Community learners will receive mentoring services to assist them and will be presented with opportunities to hear speakers and work with resident artists. An emphasis will be placed on connecting students to the campus and community. In addition, night classes will be held at the Ikenberry Commons to provide dinner for the students as well. “We typically have had, over the years, Odyssey stu-
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dents do poster projects for Undergraduate Research week, so we will continue to do that to make them feel like they are integrated with the campus community,” Burton said. Burton talked about her appreciation for the University’s support in the endeavors of the program. “It’s part of the University’s larger effort to think more imaginatively about public engagement, and in any case we think that public humanities is really key to that kind of connection with the community,” she said. mkaza2@dailyillini.com
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