INSIDE Dogs can relieve stress, but not considering the consequences of a pet on campus hurts more than helps
Winter warm-up
Day to Love
Baseball escapes the cold for a Texas season opener.
Valentine’s Day ideas for any relationship status. Page 6A
THURSDAY February 12, 2015
SPORTS, 1B
THE DAILY ILLINI 5he independent student newspaper at the University of Illinois since 1871
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Vol. 144 Issue 56
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CFA urges University to prevent censure BY FARAZ MIRZA STAFF WRITER
The Campus Faculty Association held an academic freedom and shared governance panel Wednesday night to highlight where Steven Salaita’s case stands after controversial tweets resulted in his rejected appointment on Sept. 11. The panel, held at the University YMCA, was led
by John Wilson, co-editor of the American Association of University Professors’ Academe Blog. Wilson discussed the importance of shared governance, explaining it is vital in protecting academic freedom. “There’s no real doubt that there was violation of shared governance in the Salaita case,” Wilson said. Wilson said the nation-
al AAUP is likely to vote on censuring the University at its annual meeting on June 14, and the University needs to move fast to stay off the AAUP’s list. He believes the AAUP will only remove the University from censure after the policies and principles surrounding hiring processes are corrected, and a settlement, compensation or reinstatement is given
to Salaita. Additionally, he suggested when new information is revealed regarding a hire, it should be sent to the candidate’s search committee for review. He also suggested the Board of Trustees should be removed from voting on hiring processes. He said academic decisions should be made by academic experts and not a politically-appointed board.
“What I would propose is U of I create a set of ethical standards for the hiring process,” Wilson said. He also expressed censure by the AAUP is very probable, and will have a negative effect on competitive hiring. He said professors receiving offers from different universities would likely select an uncensured university and might feel distrust with
the University’s Board of Trustees. Cary Nelson, former president of the national AAUP and emeritus professor of Jewish Culture and Society, said the AAUP is visiting campus near the end of February and is likely issuing their own report at the end of March. He said there is time between
SEE CFA | 3A
Ammons seeks big changes for Ward 3 BY FATIMA FARHA STAFF WRITER
Aaron Ammons isn’t someone defined by his past. Despite his former struggle with street life and drug use, Ammons’ future looks to bring justice and empowerment to the African-American community in Urbana. Ammons, who replaced his wife Carol Ammons as the Urbana City Council Alderman for Ward 3 in January, said he’s been down a bumpy road of bad decisions to get where he is today. “I don’t know what people think they can accomplish in that lifestyle,” Ammons said. “I don’t even remember what my goals were, I was searching for something I never found in that lifestyle.” During this dark time in his life, Ammons found comfort in reading, poetry and prayer. After seven to eight years of drug addiction, he began regrouping his life. He then returned to Parkland College and worked in a small gas station on Lincoln
Road and Kirby Avenue. Ammons’ inspiration to work for social justice came from workshops he attended during that time about the science of nonviolence, atonement and the civil rights movement. He then became involved in community activism on issues such as the purchase of Tasers in the county. Around this time, Ammons worked with several others, including his wife, to start Champaign-Urbana Citizens for Peace and Justice. Ammons also started the Citizens with Conviction program, which helps people with felony convictions and confront the dehumanization of these people. “I think it’s my responsibility to humanity,” Ammons said. “I know that what I learned through that spiritual walk for me, it was so profound, it led to all of these things we’re discussing now, and it led to a quality of life
SEE AMMONS | 3A
BRENTON TSE THE DAILY ILLINI
Members of the Orange Krush attempt to distract Rapheal Davis while he inbounds the ball during the game against Purdue at State Farm Center on Jan. 21. The Illini won 66-57.
Basketball faces Michigan Men’s basketball looks to avenge previous Michigan loss, extend conference winning streak BY SEAN NEUMANN STAFF WRITER
PORTRAIT BY FOLAKE OSIBODU
Illinois basketball’s loss to Michigan was the most heartbreaking of the season. It’s one the Illini are looking to avenge, and there might not be a better time to do it. The team dropped the last meeting between the two in Ann Arbor, Mich., losing in overtime 73-65. Michigan came back from a 13-point deficit in the second half to grab the overtime win. Illinois (16-8, 6-5 Big Ten) has won three-straight games for the first time since
a trio of nonconference wins in late December. The Wolverines (13-11, 6-6) are experiencing the opposite, having lost four of their last five games. The teams will meet for the second time on Thursday night in an “Orange Out” at State Farm Center. Since the loss to Michigan, the Illini have gone 6-4 in conference play, trading wins and losses up until its recent three-game winning streak — all while dealing with injuries and suspensions to guards Rayvonte Rice and Aaron Cosby.
On Wednesday, head coach John Groce said both Illini guards are still “suspended indefi nitely” for violation of team rules. The two have been healthy scratches from the Illinois lineup since Jan. 31. Rice was the team’s leading scorer and rebounder before breaking his hand in practice in early January, while Cosby started 13 games for Illinois before suffering a retinal tear in his left eye against Indiana on
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SEE MBBALL | 3A
Illinois vs. Michigan When: 8 p.m. Thursday at State Farm Center TV/Radio: ESPN/Fighting Illini Sports Network Quick notes: Illinois is looking for fourth-straight win. Michigan has lost four of last five. Hidden stat: Illinois is 0-5 against Michigan under head coach John Groce
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0RUH LQVLGH Read columnist Joey Figueroa’s thoughts on the Michigan game . 3DJH %
Campus representatives discuss safety, racism BY CHARLOTTE COLLINS STAFF WRITER
In light of the recent crimes on campus, La Casa Cultural Latina held a discussion at the Asian American Cultural Center regarding students’ unsafe feelings at the University. Representatives from University Housing, the University of Illinois Police Department, the Counseling Center, the Office of Inclusion and Intercultural Relations and the LGBT Resource Center were in attendance Wednesday night. Xavier Ramirez,
senior in Social Work and LAS, said he worries younger students out on campus at night may feel a justified sense of insecurity about their surroundings. “I don’t want people to be scared to be in certain spaces after it’s dark out,” Ramirez said. “We talk to students and tell them it’s okay, and we don’t know it’s okay. With everything going on that’s so recent, we don’t know if it’s okay.” UIPD Sergeant Joan Fiesta said she is aware of the concerns, especially regarding minorities on
campus. “There are issues at play that we have to balance, part of that is do we use racial identifiers?” Fiesta said. “Because based on a very, very scant description, that makes a part of our population feel targeted. We don’t want to do that, as the police.” Several attendees raised the topic of Unofficial St. Patrick’s Day t-shirts, specifically a recent design featuring Illinois’ former mascot, Chief Illiniwek, as well as a comment about reservations. Students made com-
ments about feelings alienated on a predominantly white campus. “I remember we had this issue last year when Phyllis Wise wouldn’t close down the school. We had students who felt in a position that they could make these racist, sexist comments to the Chancellor,” said Ramirez. “... It’s hard to tell students to feel safe physically when socially they feel so vulnerable.”
Charlotte can be reached at cjcolli2 @dailyillini.com.
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BRENTON TSE THE DAILY ILLINI
University police, University Housing, the Counseling Center and other organizations gathered to discuss campus safety.
ON THE
THIS WEEK IN ILLINOIS ATHLETICS THURSDAY, FEB. 5
FRIDAY, FEB. 6
SATURDAY, FEB. 7
SUNDAY, FEB. 8
W BASKETBALL vs. Minnesota - 8:00 PM
M TENNIS vs. Kentucky - 6:00 PM
W TENNIS vs. San Jose State - 12:00 PM
WRESTLING vs. Wisconsin - 2:00 PM
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Atkins Tennis Center
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W GYM vs. Minnesota - 4:00 PM Huff Hall
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