ILLINI BEAT GOPHERS
FACE YOUR FEARS
SENIORS, DON’T MISS OUT
Embrace your inner arthropod at Saturday’s 31st annual Insect Fear Film Festival
Get your picture taken before it’s too late! Visit IllioYearbook.com
Upset fueled by Nnanna Egwu’s double-double performance
SPORTS, 1B FEATURES, 6A
THURSDAY February 20, 2014
THE DAILY ILLINI
WWW.DAILYILLINI.COM
UI pension reform stirs up debate
The independent student newspaper at the University of Illinois since 1871
55˚ | 29˚ Vol. 143 Issue 81
|
FREE
State University Retirement System to help faculty, staff understand pension changes will include information regarding the pension cap, delayed retirement age and changes to the effective rate of interest as well as encourage faculty to look into details about pension reform on the SURS website. At a later date, SURS will host three webinars and have Larry Curtis, the employer representative at SURS, give presentations about pension reform impacts. Spenc er a nd K i ndt emphasized the stipulations of the legislation affect each faculty member uniquely. “It is very sensitive and people need to make sure that they are getting good advice for their particular situation,” Kindt said. “Every situation is different. They (faculty and staff) should not rely on hearsay, or talk around the water cooler. My committee and I have not been giving advice.” Pension reform has stirred up discussion and debate on campus. University president Robert Easter and his staff are currently in the process of developing a plan to supplement decreased pensions in some way. Business Professor Jeff Brown wrote a paper in 2012 endorsed by both the Urbana-Champaign Senate and the University Senates Conference regarding how pension reform should be.
BY MARYCATE MOST STAFF WRITER
The State University Retirement System has waived its one-consultation-per-year rule to aid University faculty and staff who are considering what the state’s pension reform will mean for them. John Kindt, chair of the Senate committee on faculty and academic staff benefits, said no one but SURS staff should be advising University faculty and staff on decisions regarding retirement. “People should simply talk to SURS,” he said. SU R S Communication Manager Beth Spencer said SURS will not make recommendations to faculty and staff but instead provide information to potential retirees to help them make the right decision. “We don’t give suggestions; we give people the facts and let them know what their options are,” Spencer said. “There are many components of this. We are just trying to break it down so they know how it affects them individually.” SURS will be giving a presentation at the University on March 1 explaining the details of the state’s pension reform, which was passed in December and will potentially be enacted on June 1, pending court cases surrounding the legislation. The presentation
SAISHA SINGH THE DAILY ILLINI
For Gene Week, Sigma Delta Tau sponsored a free yoga class at the Illini Hillel house Wednesday night. The first 60 people that walked in the door received a free yoga mat.
Gene Week encourages health Multiple student organizations focus on genetic information
genetic health to just being proactive with your health in general,” said Taryn Gluskin, assistant director of the Center for Jewish Genetics. “ ... We’re here to plant the seeds, to get the conversation going, knowing that there are things you can do now to be proactive for the future.” The term “Jewish genetic disorder” describes a group of conditions that are unusually common among Jews of Ashkenazi descent, according to the Center for Jewish Genetics’ website. The website also states that one in four Jews is a carrier of a Jewish genetic disorder.
BY STEFFIE DRUCKER STAFF WRITER
Wednesday marked the kickoff of the fourth annual Gene Week at the University. Gene Week’s programs focus on the importance of genetic health and is sponsored by several groups, including the Center for Jewish Genetics, the Genetics Student Leadership Committee and the Martin and Mary L. Boyer Foundation. “While we know that the idea of getting married and families is probably very far removed from your average college student’s mind, we want to tie your
SEE SURS | 3A
A side of folk at the cafe
cups, sunglasses, string bags, hot chocolate, a bow and arrow game and a homecoming float,” Coppola said. “After speaking with many of my constituents, they became outraged by these expenditures.” He added that the senate has spent more than $8,500 on promotional items. Every year, the senate receives $39,000 worth of student fees. “This ensures that the money gets back to the students because it is their money and a lot of it doesn’t get back to the students,” Coppola said. “For example, the (Homecoming) float is primar-
STAFF WRITER
Signatures are currently being collected regarding whether students support the idea of reallocating the Illinois Student Senate’s annual funds to a general scholarship fund. If 3,000 signatures are collected, the question will appear on the Spring 2014 referenda. Matthew Coppola, senior in Engineering, submitted the petition. “During my time in senate, about a third of the money that the senate has spent is for plastic
ANKIT AGGARWAL THE DAILY ILLINI
Emily Otnes and The Weekdays perform at Illini Unplugged at the Courtyard Cafe in the Union on Wednesday.
UIPD reviews safety practices, plans after Purdue shooting During the recent shooting at Purdue University, when a teaching assistant was shot and killed by a student, some professors continued to teach and even refused to lock doors and take safety precautions, according to the Purdue Review. In the wake of this tragedy, University of Illinois police officers have met with University faculty and staff to review emergency plans. An active threat can occur anywhere, from schools to the workplace, and does not only include someone wielding a gun, said Univerity of Illinois Police Department Lt. Matt Myrick. “People shouldn’t get locked into one mindset of thinking they can (only) be threatened
Police
2A
|
Against Suicide to raise awareness on suicide; the senate bought balloons and helium tanks 6. Quad Connection, $1,680: Purchased sunglasses, cups and flyers for the Committee on Public Relations to organize a table outside the Illini Union on the Quad to distribute ISS giveaways
1. Student Loan Interest Rates, $26: Provided reimbursement to individuals who traveled to advocate for keeping the interest rates for student loans capped at 3.4 percent 2. Quad Day, $2,839.79: Purchased promotional tools, such as drawstring bags and plastic cups, handed out on Quad Day
7. ISS Operating Expenses, $2,000: While the expense is still pending, it covers the costs associated with general operations
9. Student Debt Awareness Week, $2,515.34: Used funds to host a week dedicated to growing awareness of student debt crises. Costs were used to rent a room at Lincoln Hall, purchase food and pay for lodging and transportation
4. Business Cards, $49.50: Purchased business cards for the Student Body President Damani Bolden to use while networking 5. Tea-Light Ceremony, $125.96: Co-sponsored with Students
2A
|
Opinions
4A
|
Letters
4A
|
Crossword
10. Cocoa on the Quad, $1,007.50: Purchased popcorn, hot chocolate and cups to cosponsor an event with Student Alumni Ambassadors to provide refreshments on the Quad during Homecoming
SEE GENE WEEK | 3A
5A
|
Comics
5A
|
Life
ate’s Treasurer Kevin Seymour submitted a judiciary petition to clarify whether the senate needs to follow the Illinois Open Meetings Act after it violated its constitution on Feb. 5. The College of Law’s Moot Court met earlier on Wednesday and declined accepting the case. Student Body President Damani Bolden will now have to elect an independent student organization to serve as judiciary.
Megan can be reached at majones5@dailyillini.com and @meganash_jones.
15. Hunger Games, $2,500: Cosponsored an archery battle with the Illini Union Board for Illinites 16. Activity Day, $5: Covered registration costs for Activity Day
11. New Member Workshop, $157.72: Provided a workshop for the new members of ISS, which included water, muffins, chips, dip and a media fee
17. ABTS Winter Conference, $2,336: Covered lodging, transportation and registration for senators to attend the Association of Big 10 Students Conference 18. Facilities and Services Bike Lane Improvements, $6,000: Repainted 1.2 miles of bicycle lanes
13. Teaching Excellence Awards, $3,528.85: Reserved the venue and entertainment for the Teaching Excellence Awards
19. ISS Co-Sponsorship of Engineering Open House, $1,000: Co-sponsored the Engineering Open House, which allowed ISS to be included in promotional tools
14. Fall Advocacy Day, $175.85: Hosted the Fall Advocacy Day in Springfield, IL and the expenses paid for transportation and folders
20. iLove Illinois Week, $508: Cosponsors with the 1867 Society and Student Alumni Ambassadors; the senate purchased cupcakes and electronic advertisements
@THEDAILYILLINI
THEDAILYILLINI
@THEDAILYILLINI, @DI_OPINION, @DI_SPORTS Horoscopes
ily for ISS just to promote themselves and to reap the benefits of it. These funds are the students money and this is the best way to give it back to them.” 300 signatures have been collected so far, and Coppola said, “we’ve got a long way to go.” Coppola devised the idea to cut down on promotional spending within the senate, instead giving financial support to the students who need it. The signatures are due to the Campus Student Election Commission on Feb. 25. Additionally, the student sen-
12. Monthly Senator Emails, $150: Covers the cost of targeted emails to a voting block of students on updates on ISS
8. Homecoming Float, $934.20: Rented a float for ISS to use during Homecoming and purchased candy to pass out
3. iRent Expansion, $7,998: Provided more i>Clickers to be used for the iRent program, which allows students to rent i>Clickers for free
SEE UIPD | 3A
DAILYILLINI, DAILYILLINISPORTS
INSIDE
Breaking down Illinois Student Senate fund allocations for 2013-2014
in one way,” Myrick said. “An active threat can be anything — it seems like most often it is firearm related, but it doesn’t have to be.” An active threat is any incident that creates an immediate threat or presents an imminent danger to the campus community, according to the University Public Safety web site. Some other examples include fires or chemical spills. UIPD conducts training i n t e r n a l ly a nd w ith neighboring law enforcement agencies to prepare for times of emergency; these agencies include the Champaign and Urbana police departments, as well as the Illinois State Police. Myrick said the department builds these relationships
STAFF WRITER
when former student Sondra Feldman gained an interest in Jewish genetic health while interning at the Center. “She realized that her network at school really didn’t know much about Jewish genetics or that testing was available,” Gluskin said. Four years later, the Center for Jewish Genetics has partnered with various Jewish organizations around campus to present a week of programs that connect genetic health to general health and well-being. The week kicked off with a yoga class at Illini Hillel on Wednesday, and will continue with an educational program on breast and ovarian cancer at the
ISS hopes to reallocate student funds BY MEGAN JONES
BY BRITTNEY NADLER
Gluskin explained that everyone is a carrier for something, making genetic health important for people from all different backgrounds to know. “Depending on your ethnicity, certain disorders are more prevalent or more common for your particular group — but everyone is a carrier,” she said. Gluskin said some genes, like certain cancer genes, are affected by environmental factors so it’s crucial to maintain a healthy lifestyle in order to prevent the possibility of having cancer. “While your carrier status doesn’t change ... there are things you can do today to help prevent the risk of you getting cancer,” she said. Gene Week, a program that’s unique to the University, began
&
Culture
6A
|
Sports
B1
|
THEDAILYILLINI Classifieds
B3
|
Sudoku
B3