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Elections Guide

Take another look at the debates and top issues as the election approaches SECTION C

Tuesday October 30, 2012

The Daily Illini www.DailyIllini.com

The independent student newspaper at the University of Illinois since 1871

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Vol. 142 Issue 47

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Faculty members voice concerns about Coursera

ELECTIONS 2012

BY LAUREN ROHR STAFF WRITER

STUDENTS DEBATE

University faculty members expressed concerns about the University’s partnership with Coursera, a site offering free courses from top universities, at the Annual Meeting of the Faculty on Monday. The University formed the partnership with the online education platform in July. The program was started by two professors from Stanford University and gives interested students of any age the chance to take free, higher-education courses from universities within the partnership. The University, one of 33 partnered with Coursera, offers 10 online courses through the program. Unlike some other universities in the partnership, Chancellor Phyllis Wise said, for now, the courses offered on Coursera do not count toward credit hours or toward a degree or certificate. She said the University may eventually decide that certain courses could count for credit, but “it’s totally up to us to decide.” University President Robert Easter said administrators need to think deliberately about how online courses “contribute to a student’s growth and education.” So Provost Ilesanmi Adesida has formed a committee that will evaluate the program and develop a system for deciding which University courses will be available on Coursera. Still, many faculty members said they were worried about the future of the University and the quality of education students will receive from online courses compared to a campus experience. George Gollin, professor of physics, said he values

See MEETING, Page 3A

BRIAN YU THE DAILY ILLINI

Shana Harrison, left, president of the College Democrats, explains her opinions on the issues of the presidential election as Despina Batson, president of the College Republicans, listens during the debate between the two groups Monday night at the Alice Campbell Alumni Center. BY CORINNE RUFF

STAFF WRITER

ith a week left until Election Day, students representing the Democratic and Republican parties debated current issues presidential candidates have been debating during the last few weeks. Shana Harrison, president of College Democrats and senior in LAS, and Despina Batson, president of College Republicans and senior in LAS, debated their views on four categories: the economy, jobs, foreign policy, and social and domestic issues. Cynthia Schweigert, anchor for The Morning Show on WCIA 3 News, moderated the hourlong debate at the Alice Campbell Alumni Center. Each candidate argued the ideologies of her respective political party on each issue. Harrison and Batson discussed Obamacare, the auto industry, Libya, Afghanistan and social services such as Pell grants for students. Lucy Li, student senate committee member and freshman in LAS, said she tried to be optimistic during the debate but said she felt Batson relied too much on personal experience and not enough on facts. “I’m irritated by the remarks of (Batson),” she said. “Much of her statements were not supported by facts or actual evidence whereas (Harrison’s) information presented was reliable, and she was legitimately informed.” During the debate, the audience had the opportunity to tweet in questions to Schweigert, who presented them to the candidates.

Angela Karountzos, junior in LAS, said she came to the debate to hear how the two sides would represent their views on popular issues. “You watch the presidential debates on TV and everyone is always arguing,” she said. “But this (debate) was low-key. Everyone respected each other’s opinions, and I think it was handled very well.” The debate was co-sponsored by Illinois Connection, an advocacy network within the Alumni Association, and the Illinois Student Senate, which put together a reception offering students the opportunity to speak with local legislators. Jordan Hughes, chairwoman for the ISS committee on community and governmental affairs and senior in AHS, coordinated the reception. “ISS wanted to be a part of the event because we thought it was important to give students an outlet, an open forum, to discuss these issues before the election,” she said. “We thought it was important for them to be talking to other students about these issues.” Mike Frerichs, D-52, who is running for re-election, said he was invited by the student senate and was glad meet some of his constituents. “I applaud the two women who participated tonight because it is so hard to get up on stage in front of other people and to debate on issues,” he said. “Especially when you aren’t the candidate yourself, and you have to argue on behalf of someone else.”

Corinne can be reached at cruff2@dailyillini.com

Urbana City Council approves small raises BY CHRISSY PAWLOWSKI CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Urbana’s elected officials — the mayor, city council and city clerk — may receive raises for the first time since the 2008 recession. The Urbana City Council unanimously approved a proposal for moderate raises last week and will vote on these raises on Monday. Historically, salaries of elected officials have been raised to match inflation each fiscal year, but this practice stopped in June 2009. “We try to keep all the salaries in the city kind of in sync with each other, and before the recession really hit, people were getting 3 percent raises,” Mayor Laurel Prussing said. “We can’t really afford 3 percent anymore, and I don’t think other cities are doing that.” Because 3 percent raises are no longer plausible, Prussing proposed keeping salaries flat this year, then raising them by 1 percent next year and by 2 percent the following two years. “What we’re proposing is pretty conservative, and I think very reasonable,” Prussing said. “We expected to start growing again because houses are starting to sell again and prices are going up, but that could take a couple of years, so we’re just trying to set the standard for what

See RAISES, Page 3A

Therapy dogs provide stress relief at UGL BY CHRIS SIMON CONTRIBUTING WRITER

While students were busy studying for midterms on Monday, Hunny, a registered therapy dog, was at the Undergraduate Library for a different kind of work. The Australian cattle dog mix enjoyed attention from stressed students who needed a break from their work. The Undergraduate Library, in collaboration with the International and Area Studies Library teamed up with the Champaign-Urbana Registered Therapy Dog Group to bring in one of three therapy dogs to campus. Hunny was available Monday on the main fl oor of the Undergraduate Library for students, faculty and staff to pet, play with and walk for three hours. Event planners scheduled the event during midterm season as a way to

INSIDE

bring stress relief, said associate professor Dave Ward , who works in reference services at the library. Ward said the idea was formed at the Yale Law Library, where their therapy dog Monty provides a diversion for law students. “The idea is to meet with the dog(s) and relax,” Ward said. This is the fi rst time the libraries have ever held such an event with therapy dogs. Ward said both libraries will look to make this a regular event if it is successful this year. Mary Davis , Hunny’s owner and admissions and records offi cer in LAS , is an officer for the Dog Training Club of Champaign-Urbana . Davis has been training dogs since she was 14, and she knows how much having access to a dog can help with stress. “When I went to school, I stayed

close to home so I could see my dogs,” Davis said. Davis said she got 6-year-old Hunny from a shelter after she was found severely injured — shelter staff assumed she was likely hit by a car — and was given a second chance by the veterinarian who cared for her. Davis said she was glad Hunny was given that chance. “She was waiting for me at that shelter,” she said. Therapy dogs, Davis said, are trained step by step. They start out with basic obedience training and then work their way up. Davis said each dog has potential, and therapy dogs harness their “talents” for service. At least 100 students stopped by

SARI LESK THE DAILY ILLINI

Hunny, a 6-year-old Australian cattle dog mix, lies on the floor of the Undergraduate Library on Monday See PUPPIES, Page 3A afternoon. Her handler, Mary Davis, was contacted by the library to come for a therapy dog event.