SWITCH FROM EMPANADAS TO BURGERS
ILLINI FACE HURRICANES In first road game of the season, No. 24 Illinois will be tested by No. 15 Miami
Jurassic Grill, formerly The Empanadas House, is reopening with a new focus
December 2, 2014
An American tradition experienced for the first time gives perspective to the holiday
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THE DAILY ILLINI he independent student newspaper at the University of Illinois since 1871
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Vol. 144 Issue 53
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BONEYARD CREEK REVAMPED Urbana’s local creek gets a renovation
BY WALBERT CASTILLO STAFF WRITER
Two years and $7.9 million dollars later, the City of Urbana is celebrating the completion of the first section of improvements to Boneyard Creek. The community gathered for a ribbon cutting ceremony on Nov. 21 held to commemorate the completion of the Boneyard Creek Improvements Project, which redeveloped parts of the creek between Griggs Street and Broadway Avenue. The city has plans to develop five different sections of the creek, spanning from Founders Park in the west to the intersection of Vine Street and University Avenue in the east. The recently completed project, section three, covers a distance of approximately 800 feet and is located in the middle of the four
SEE BONEYARD | 3A
New features of Boneyard Creek park
An eight feet wide concrete pathway Public art depicting the creek’s history Renovation of the old wooden railroad bridge into a pedestrian walkway Accent lighting on the stairs leading into the park and along the bridge and pedestrian lighting along the pathway A public overlook near Griggs and Race streets A plaza near the Station Theatre
SOURCE: THE CITY OF URBANA
ZIANG XIAO THE DAILY ILLINI
The City of Urbana recently completed the $7.9 million Boneyard Creek Improvements Project, bringing a new pathway, bridge, local art and more to a section of the creek between Griggs Street and Broadway Avenue.
University holds Ferguson discussion BY EDWIN HSIEH STAFF WRITER
Emotions were high Monday night as students and community members discussed the recent events that took place in Ferguson, Missouri, last week and explored the role of the white ally in dismantling racism and violence. Since the Nov. 24 grand jury decision to not indict officer Darren Wilson of the murder of Michael Brown, students across the nation have brought conversations about race to their campuses by protesting and holding dis-
cussion forums. The University of Illinois Diversity & Social Justice Education hosted an open discussion, titled “What’s a White Ally to Do,” at the University YMCA to address feelings about the recent verdict. “Tonight is really to provide a space for people to reflect on the events happening in Ferguson the last four months and to talk particularly in terms of race relation and racism,” said Ross Wantland, director of Diversity & Social Justice Education. The discussion focused on the definition of a white ally.
SENATE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
SEC defers Salaita case, waits for report from committees BY ABIGALE SVOBODA STAFF WRITER
The Senate Executive Committee moved to postpone a resolution regarding Steven Salaita’s rejected appointment and the importance of shared governance, in a 7 to 5 vote with 2 abstentions. Two senate committees have been appointed to review how
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“Many of us here are pissed off about what happened in Ferguson, I am not sure even if I want to be here,” said Leslie Morrow, director of the LGBT Resource Center and Ph.D. student. Wantland led the charge in the discussion and asked the participants to redefine the words “ally” and what it means for race relations and the community as a whole. Amnesty, openness to possibility, mindfulness of action and words were among the many things that people said in regard to what one should do.
Classified Research Policy
The Senate Executive Committee discussed a proposed classified research policy, which will be discussed further at its Dec. 8, Academic Senate meeting. The resolution would allow the University to accept research opportunities and receive funding from organizations that use classified or restricted research, from organizations such as the Department of Defense or national security organizations. The policy would be applied to all three University campuses, Salaita’s case was handled. Nick Burbules, SEC chair of General University Policy, said he believes it is important to wait until those groups report back
Handouts were given to people in attendance, which listed the five qualities of a good ally: an ally listens, an ally is present, an ally opens doors, an ally takes chances and an ally gets support. People were later broken down into discussion groups and participants shared their perspectives and personal experiences on how Ferguson or racism has impacted their lives. “I think it’s really important (that) people, including white people, deal with white
SEE FERGUSON | 1A
a matter that raised concern about binding the units without consent. The policy also could keep students from publishing research findings. Committee members addressed many concerns over how the policy interferes with the University’s educational mission, as it would likely halt international students from participating in classified research. The SEC agreed to form an ad hoc committee to review the policy and report back to the senate before its Feb. 9, 2015, meeting. to the senate before the resolution is decided upon to ensure mixed messages are not sent.
SEE SEC | 3A
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The University discussion centered around the definition of a “white ally” and allowed student to share their opinions.
Armed robbery hits Urbana gas station DAILY ILLINI STAFF REPORT
An armed robbery was reported around 4 a.m. Sunday at a gas station in the 1800 block of Philo Road in Urbana. The offender pointed a silver semi-automatic handgun, which he held in his left hand, at a clerk and demanded money and cigarettes, according to a press release from the Urbana Police Department. Prior to the offender entering the gas station, a female came in and was possibly casing the store. The offender is described as a black male, about 6 feet tall with a thin build. He was wearing a navy blue hoodie, black pants, black shoes, a black backpack and a full coverage costume feminine face
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mask with an exaggerated smile. On Oct. 27, the same female entered the same gas station prior to another armed robbery by a similar offender. The offender is the same build, left-handed and wore a different mask in the previous robbery. Urbana Police Sgt. Dan Morgan said that although the suspects’ identities are still unknown, it is a possibility both robberies were committed by the same offender. The female is a juvenile and has been identified and interviewed, but was uncooperative.
Jessica Ramos and Miranda Holloway contributed to the report
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