The Daily Illini
Friday April 6, 2012
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The independent student newspaper at the University of Illinois since 1871
Vol. 141 Issue 127
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Provost candidates address UI community BY CARINA LEE STAFF WRITER
MELANIE CHALLBERG THE DAILY ILLINI
U.S. Rep. Tim Johnson, R-15, smiles while addressing his decision to not run for reelection. Johnson was at Urbana City Hall on Thursday to explain his retirement after over 40 years of service. He stated he could not adequately serve the 15th district, continue campaigning and care for his family. “It would be a disservice to us all,” he said.
Johnson drops re-election bid Personal obligations cited as reason not to run 7th time BY MATT RICE STAFF WRITER
At a press conference in Urbana on Thursday, six-term U.S. Rep. Tim Johnson, R-15, announced his decision to drop his re-election bid, saying he no longer wishes to make the personal sacrifices that come along with the office. “Aside from the missed birthdays, births and weddings, there are some specific critical family issues that require my ongoing attention,” he said. “Taken together, I cannot adequately serve the 15th District, campaign in the new 13th District, be in Washington, D.C. and fulfill my obligation to my family. It would be a disservice to us all to attempt that.” The Republican has served in public office for 44 years, having joined the
Illinois General Assembly in 1976 and the U.S. House of Representatives in 2000. He has often split from his party to stick to his principles, including his harsh criticisms of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. He said he is proud of being extraordinarily connected to his constituents. “The single proudest thing I can look back on is the legacy of the fact that there is a real face associated with real public service,” he said, in reference to his relationship with his constituency. His decision not to run leaves his ticket on the 2012 ballot for the 13th District vacant. Many names have been put forth as possible replacements, but so far any talk of a replacement is only speculatory. Johnson stated that he has a particular person in
mind to fill his spot but would not offer a name. “I know them all (the potential candidates), and I like and respect them all,” he said. Johnson said his decision to drop out of the race was unrelated to the possibility of losing his seat. “If I felt we were not going to win the election, it would cause me a lot more angst about my decision,” he said. Jon Schroeder, a local farmer and supporter of Johnson’s, was present at the announcement. He said he understands the politician’s decision. “Speaking as a farmer, I appreciate his years of service for agriculture,” he said. “He will be missed, but there is an ebb and flow to politics.” The 66-year-old Congressman said “three more years could be 50 percent of the rest of my life” and added that he was concerned by his colleague Mark Kirk’s recent stroke. Johnson has made it clear that he does not intend to fade out of the public eye. His potential future endeavors include returning to practicing law
and perhaps even teaching. However, Johnson declared that he would never become a Washington lobbyist. He said he worked well with people of differing beliefs throughout his career. “I appreciate my friends, I appreciate people who have been my adversaries because quite frankly that’s the way the system works,” he said. Johnson intends to resign at the end of his current term. At the announcement, he was surrounded by his tearful family members. Johnson’s family supports his decision, said Buzz Johnson, the representative’s son. “Today, our family emotions are excitement and happiness for our dad, and we support him 100 percent,” he said. Johnson stated that his successor should be nominated by Illinois Republican Party Chairman Pat Brady some time after April 20. His successor will then have to face David Gill, a Democrat whom Johnson has defeated in three past races.
The fi nal three candidates for the provost position came to speak with the University community in a series of public forums. The forums were vice president and chancellor Phyllis Wise’s idea and are a fi rst for the campus. Each candidate had 30 minutes to discuss their strategies for bringing change to the University as well as previous experiences that they believe will help them in the position. After the presentation, a Q-and-A was held for audience members. Last week, Adam Gamoran, professor of sociology at the University of Wisconsin and director of the Wisconsin Center for Education WATKINS Research, held his forum at the Knight Auditorium in the Spurlock Museum. He said he was glad to have a public forum and meet with faculty members. “The position of provost is one that reaches all the different parts of the Uni- ADESIDA versity, and so it’s important that people have a chance to meet the provost candidates,” Gamoran said. He added that his background from the positions he held at Wisconsin has helped him understand more about the University of Illinois. “I served a very wide GAMORAN range of campus roles, so I think my experience in working at the campus level with lots of different schools and colleges would be an asset,” he said. “I have experience with fi nding creative solutions to the challenges that all major research universities are facing.” The remaining two public forums were held this week on Tuesday and Thursday at 1:30 p.m. Ruth Watkins, dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, mentioned her achievements, which include providing more scholarships to students, increasing transfer students and creating more online courses for students. Watkins emphasized the importance of collaboration while talking about her main philosophy. “I try to put the focus on: how do I help people be successful, how do I help them raise up their scholarship and their research to the area and level that they want to, (and) let
See PROVOST, Page 3A
Crime Alerts see substantial decline since last term STAFF WRITER
On Nov. 13, students, staff and faculty received an alert from the University Division of Public Safety regarding a shooting near campus that morning. Fast-forward to April, and no other Crime Alert has been issued since. University Police have confirmed that since the November incident, the campus has not seen any crime warranting the mass distribution and activation of the University’s Crime Alert system. According to the University Police Department’s archives, there have been no police reports in 2012, compared to 34 alerts issued in 2010 and 15 in 2011. Capt. Skip Frost of the University Police said only “crimes of a certain magnitude” are published and released, such as armed robbery, sexual assault and aggravated battery. “It doesn’t mean crimes aren’t occurring,” Frost said. “We do not report minor crimes to everyone.” Lt. Tony Brown of the University Police said the department’s decision not to disclose these other minor crimes falls in line with the 1990 Clery Act. The Clery Act is a federal statute that requires all financial aid-providing universities and colleges to gather and disclose information regarding crime and safety on or near the school’s campus. However, Brown added that minor crimes are not required to
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be reported in these alerts. For those crimes, Brown said that it is up to a lieutenant or higher ranking department official to decide what gets distributed to Crime Alert subscribers. It all depends on crime patterns, the risks associated with not releasing information, whether or not the crime was an isolated case and how severe the crime was. “We go more on a case-by-case basis,” Brown said. “We look and see if there is a pattern. Assaults, for one, happen very frequently on campus. But if it is an isolated incident, maybe just one person hitting another, if it appears it is just people getting into a fight, then we probably won’t report it.” Drug crime arrests and theft cases are not reported with Crime Alerts, for example. In 2011, there were 247 drug crime arrests and 371 cases of reported theft. According to the department’s security report and other departmental data, there was a decrease in almost every type of offense in 2011 compared to years past. Burglary has declined every year since 2009, when 103 incidents were reported. In 2011, that number decreased to 35. Statistics for 2011 will be officially confirmed later this year. However, he added, that does not mean crime now is nonexistent on campus.
See CRIME ALERTS, Page 3A
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Crime Alerts lower now than in previous years With the exception of motor vehicle theft, the number of criminal offenses reported by University police has decreased over the past few years. In addition, no Crime Alerts have been issued this year. Note: 2011 statistics are not official. University police will unveil official data in the 2011 security report later this year. 120
MICHAEL BOJDA THE DAILY ILLINI
Star of the NBC show “Parks and Recreations” and University alumnus Nick Offerman pauses during a meet-and-greet after performing to a sold-out crowd at the Illini Union on Thursday.
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‘Parks and Recreations’ star performs to sold-out crowd
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Number of offenses
BY RAFAEL GUERRERO
2008 2009 60
2010 2011
BY ELIOT SILL STAFF WRITER
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The Illini Union Board welcomed University alumnus Nick Offerman to provide some of the “Parks and Recreation” star’s comedic stylings. Offerman, most famous for his television role as Pawnee Parks Director Ron Swanson in the NBC series, offered fans of his television role access to the actor behind Swanson’s trademark mustache as well as his own advice for students.
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Sex offenses
Robbery
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Burglary
BRYAN LORENZ design editor
Source: 2010 Security Report, University Police Department
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“I thought, ‘If I’m gonna talk to young people, I’m gonna give them the best version that I can of my tips for how to have a prosperous life,’” Offerman said. “There will not be a quiz handed out by me, but life will be giving you a pop quiz.” Offerman, who appeared sans mustache, had not been back to campus since graduating with a fi ne arts degree in 1993.
See OFFERMAN, Page 3A
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