The DI: New Student Edition 2023

SHIP TO SCHOOL SERVICE

The

THE DAILY ILLINI

St. Champaign, IL 61820 || (217) 337-8300

The Daily Illini is the independent student newspaper at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The newspaper is published by the Illini Media Co. The Daily Illini does not necessarily represent, in whole or in part, the views of the University of Illinois administration, faculty or students.

All Illini Media Co. and/or The Daily Illini articles, photos and graphics are the property of Illini Media and may not be reproduced or published without written permission from the publisher.

How to contact us

The Daily Illini is located in the basement of the University YMCA at 1001 S. Wright St., Champaign, IL 61820. Our o ce hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday - Friday.

General phone numbers

Front Desk: (217) 337-8300

Advertising: (217) 337-8382

Newsroom: (217) 337-8345

Newsroom contacts

Online: If you have a question about the dailyillini.com website, please email our Managing Editor for Online at online@dailyillini.com.

Visuals: If you have a question about photos, graphics or The Daily Illini’s social media, please email our Managing Editor for Visuals at visuals@dailyillini.com.

Employment: If you would like to work for the newspaper’s editorial department, please ll out our online form at dailyillini.com.

Calendar: If you want to submit events for publication in print and online, visit dailyillini.com.

Letters to the editor: Letters are limited to 300 words. Contributions must include the author’s name, address and phone number. University students must include their year in school and college. The Daily Illini reserves the right to edit or reject any contributions. Email opinions@ dailyillini.com with the subject "Letter to the Editor."

Advertising

Placing an ad: If you would like to place an ad, please contact our advertising department at (217) 337-8382 or e-mail advertise@illinimedia. com.

Corrections: When we make a mistake, we will correct it in this place. We strive for accuracy, so if you see an error, please contact Editor-in-Chief Lika Lezhava at (217) 337-8365 or email editor@dailyillini.com.

Editor’s note

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF LIKA LEZHAVA editor@dailyillini.com

he new school year will soon be upon us, and The Daily Illini is here to welcome you to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

The Daily Illini is the number one student news source on campus, now featuring editorial selections written and built up by your fellow students once a month.

The Daily Illini is here to tell you what is going on across campus and around the world. We have sent you this special edition to help you start your college journey on the right foot.

Editorial Team

Editor-in-Chief: Lika Lezhava editor@dailyillini.com

Managing Editor for Reporting: Piotr Fedczuk reporting@dailyillini.com

Managing Editor for Visuals: Jacob Slabosz visuals@dailyillini.com

Managing Editor for Online: Rohit Chatterjee online@dailyillini.com

News Editor: Marta Narag news@dailyillini.com

Features Editor: Lillie Salas features@dailyillini.com

Our team of talented writers have put together a selection of articles that will help to guide you through our beloved University before you even step foot on campus.

TYou can spend endless hours online scouring articles containing tips for surviving your first year in college, but nothing can substitute genuine advice from students at your school.

Think of it this way: This paper is your upperclassman best friend.

We send you this editorial edition before the school year starts so that you have time to read through our curated articles — or even explore our website, which is filled with even more tips, stories and general information about our University.

Even with this tool in hand, remember to maintain an open mind and construct your own perspec-

tive as you learn.

A brand-new year and a brandnew place can mean something different for everyone. Give yourself the opportunity to adjust your goals and priorities — allow yourself to try things that you wouldn’t before. Having a “college experience” isn’t going to be the same for everyone, so take this as a sign to create your own.

Join the clubs you want to join. Prioritize the friends that make you feel best. Dress the way you want to dress. Become the person that’s going to make you happy. You have entered your adult life, so give yourself the opportunity to build the life that you’ve always wanted.

Have an amazing rest of your summer and get ready for an exciting ride come August.

@thedailyillini @di.sports

buzz Editor: Sarah Bond buzz@dailyillini.com

Opinions Editor: Raphael Ranola opinions@dailyillini.com

Sports Editor: James Kim sports@dailyillini.com

Photo Editor: Jacob Slabosz photo@dailyillini.com

Graphics Editor: Amy Sanchez graphics@dailyillini.com

Design Editor: Sophia Kim design@dailyillini.com

Copy Chief: Haley Jin copy@dailyillini.com

Social Media Director: Lauren Jenkins social@dailyillini.com

ON THE COVER

An aerial photo of the Main Quad, taken with a drone on May 9. The Main Quad is a popular spot to hang out, study or eat between classes for a large amount of the University’s students. On many warmer fall and spring days, students gather by the hundreds to sit on blankets in the sun.

JACK LARSON THE DAILY ILLINI

VOLUME 153

ISSUE 1

This issue serves as a guide for incoming students at the University. Explore topics ranging from staying healthy on campus to the best locations to take your parents. There are recommendations for food options on Green Street, a tutorial on how to train your roommate and a guide to tailgating and an Illinois football game, plus so much more.

DESIGN TEAM

Jacob Slabosz, Sophia Kim, Beckett Green, Lorelei Streb, Lux Lin, Talha Ali, Kate Oates, Meilin Wang, Kendall Clayton, Candice Zhou, Amy Sanchez and Emily Campos

11 HEALTH & WELLNESS

13 Resources to stay safe on campus

15 How to lead a healthy lifestyle on campus

16 FEATURES

16 Navigating UI’s cultural and resource centers

47 Tips from a graduated senior

20 OPINIONS

21 How to train your roommates

29 Must-haves for the dorm lifestyle

PUZZLES & QUIZ

34 BUZZ

34 Best places on campus to bring your parents

39 CU’s top music venues

41 SPORTS

43 A guide to Illinois sporting events

46 Illinois club sports

ILLINI MEDIA COMPANY

A place for students in media to thrive

EDITOR LISA CHASANOV lisamc3@dailyillini.com

Most universities have studentrun newspapers or radio stations. Some even have magazines or television channels. The one thing that all of them share is that they present students with the opportunity to work in media before graduation.

Many student newspapers are directly a liated with their universities, which can present challenges to the reporters. At times, employees of university-a liated media organizations may feel unable to report honestly on the negative sides of their schools.

What makes the Illini Media Com-

The Daily Illini editoral board sits on the Main Quad on May 1. The board will serve their term through Spring 2024, overseeing production of the print edition, The DI, as well as updating

The Daily Illini website regularly with content relevant to University students.

pany di erent is that it is an independent entity that is run by students, for students.

Being an independent company allows the students on sta the freedom to write about, publish and broadcast anything that they believe is important.

There is space for any kind of talent at IMC. A student can channel their creativity in photography or graphic design, improve their reporting skills, promote students’ work through a vast social media platform, work behind the scenes on the technical side of a media company and even share some of their favorite songs on the radio.

As a part of IMC, there are numerous channels through which students can get involved. The Daily Illini is the independent student newspaper with a website as

well as print editions, WPGU is the alternative rock radio station that features student shows and Illio is the yearbook. There is also the possibility to join the marketing and advertising teams.

Each of these organizations allow students to come together and gain professional experience, learn new skills and share meaningful work with the world. Anything that is produced by IMC is built from the ground up by students. All of the articles, visuals, web design, music and print editions published by IMC are chosen and built by students.

Students who are interested in a career in media are highly encouraged to join IMC, but that doesn’t mean it is restricted to them. Any student is encouraged to get involved with IMC and learn the in-

ner workings of a media company. A large group of IMC sta members major in subjects generally thought to be unrelated to student media. Nonetheless, they thrive. With no prior experience necessary, IMC allows students to learn and develop their skills. Students are able — and encouraged — to teach and learn from one another. Through all pathways, there is an opportunity for employees to work their way up to paid positions, be it an executive position, an editorial position, an assistant or the like.

Regardless of your experience and interests, the Illini Media Company has a place for you to explore new passions and grow as an individual. We hope to see your faces in The Daily Illini newsroom, the WPGU studio or the IMC o ce in the fall!

JAMES HOECK THE DAILY ILLINI

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF LIKA LEZHAVA lezhava3@dailyillini.com

SUMMER

The University distributes its income across numerous categories. See how your tuition fits into the picture. Tracking tuition dollars

As indicated in a report from the College Board, the average tuition at a four-year public university in the United States was $10,940 during the 2022-23 academic year.

For the 2023-24 academic year, the base tuition rate at the University will be $12,254, a 1.9% increase from 2022-23.

The base tuition rate is the absolute minimum that an in-state full-time student will be charged for their coursework at the University if they do not receive anancial aid package.

Due to college-speci c fees, some students will pay considerably more than base tuition; a full-time in-state student majoring in engineering will be charged $17,348.

Despite the relative a ordability of an Illinois degree when compared to private peer institutions, the education o ered at the University is more costly than at the average public school.

Although it is generally understood that tuition is a student’s required contribution to the University’s budget, tracking the impact of tuition dollars may begin to explain the hefty price tag of an Illinois degree.

University budget sources

According to Vicky Gress, the University’s associate chancellor and vice provost for budget and resource planning, the institution’s budget is divided into two categories or “colors” of money: “restricted” and “unrestricted.”

Restricted income in the University’s budget includes sponsored research grants, gifts from donors and auxiliary

enterprise funding. These portions of the budget are labeled as restricted because they generally have been given to the University with a speci c purpose.

“When a fund source is restricted, it’s earmarked,” Gress said. “So we can’t take funding from these sources and just decide what we want to do. The sponsored research funding that we get to spend on research has to go to the projects that were proposed.”

According to Gress, while some restricted income is only intended to be used on speci c projects or departments, not all of it is “earmarked.”

“While some of the gift and endowment income might technically be unrestricted, many of the dollars have donor intent attached to them,” Gress said.

Unrestricted income, which is the category that receives our tuition funds as part

of the University’s “income fund,” is far less rigid in terms of its required uses.

For the 2023 scal year, the University’s unrestricted budget totaled $1.42 billion.

Unrestricted budget

As illustrated by gures from the o ce of the provost, the largest portion of the University’s unrestricted budget for this scal year went back to academic colleges. Gress said the vast majority of this allocation went toward salaries for faculty.

Portions of the unrestricted budget also went to fund centrally awarded nancial aid, technology services, Facilities & Services, utilities, campus-wide support initiatives, insurance for the University’s campus, other centrally budgeted administration costs and campus-level research units such as the Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology and the Beckman Institute.

SUMMER EDITOR LISA CHASANOV

Gress said the tuition dollars that students are charged by the University will work to support their education. is includes the out-of-state premium charges and additional funds charged by certain programs.

“ e di erential that nonresidents pay, we take 20% of that and ow it to the college of enrollment, but then the other 80% gets put into the (tuition) bucket with the base rate,” Gress said. “Some of the colleges have program di erentials, like engineering or business — and some others across the campus.

ose were requested and approved because they could make a case that it costs them

more to deliver their education in those programs.”

Di erential funding charged by certain colleges or programs ows directly to those entities and does not apply to the University’s budget, Gress said.

As the University’s tuition revenue has grown, Gress said that the central investment in nancial aid has grown with it. She went on to say that the University projects smaller increases in nancial aid spending over the next several years.

“

e Illinois Commitment scholarship, which is the one where families under a base

salary or income level get full tuition and fee funding for four years, started in 2020,” Gress said. “As we brought each cohort in, once the student receives the funding, they keep it the full four years. Now, there are four cohorts — freshman through senior. We’re projecting a leveling o (in nancial aid costs) because … now it’s going to be four full classes that are receiving the funding.”

e Illinois Commitment scholarship is the University’s largest and most costly nancial aid program. It provides full tuition and fee funding for in-state students whose family income totals less than $67,100 per year.

The data for these visualizations were provided by the University of Illinois Office of the Provost regarding the University’s spending trends. The graphs allow for an easier visualization of where the University’s budget comes from and where it goes.

Its introduction in 2020 contributed to a signi cant increase in nancial aid costs for the University.

Gress indicated that there is no way to determine exactly where each base tuition dollar will go, but that the unrestricted budget gures could yield a close estimate.

“Tuition money is always going to be spent in support of the student’s education,” Gress said. “If you think about the provost’s o ce and the chancellor’s o ce and what we do, it’s really to support the education of the student. Students should rest assured that their money is going to be utilized in support of them.”

What is the McKinley Health Center and why should I care?

MARTA NARAG mnarag2@dailyillini.com

STAFF WRITER MICHAEL BALES mcbales2@dailyillini.com

The McKinley Health Center is the University’s on-campus health center. Just south of the Main Quad, the historic building serves students from across the University’s campus.

The services provided to students at McKinley are paid for by the Health Service Fee included in University tuition, so even if a student opts out of University health insurance coverage, McKinley is there to help.

When experiencing any health complications or injuries while on campus — or even if you just come down with a cold — it’s helpful to understand the many ways to utilize McKinley’s services.

McKinley o ers a range of health care services including physicals, women’s health care, mental health support and a pharmacy.

“McKinley should come rst to mind when (a student) is thinking about (their) health care needs when (they) are on campus,” said Awais Vaid, director of the McKinley Health Center.

McKinley has an online portal called MyMcKinley that students can use to schedule appointments. Using a NetID and password to log in, the portal allows students to choose their provider, communicate the reason for their appointment and select a time that best ts their schedule.

Students may also call 217-333-2700 during weekday business hours — Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. — to schedule an appointment.

To cancel an appointment, students can call the same number. Failure to cancel within two hours of the appointment time will result in a $20 fee charged to the student’s account.

McKinley o ers an array of products and services including bloodwork, X-rays and prescription medication.

“The pharmacy at McKinley lls most

of the prescriptions — if not all of them,” Vaid said. “Most of those prescriptions are $5 out of pocket — so it’s a very small copayment.”

Other items provided by McKinley include products for minor injuries, allergies, insomnia and sexual safety — which are free of charge, like most of their services. There are vending machines throughout campus that o er supplies, only requiring an i-card to use.

“We have primary care providers who can see you for all of your health needs,” Vaid said. “All of these services can be taken care of in-house at McKinley.”

According to Vaid, McKinley o ers specialty care for women’s health, counselors and psychiatrists who can prescribe medication, physical therapists and stress management counselors to students.

Even if students chose to opt out of the Illinois student health insurance plan,

they still have access to McKinley.

“The health insurance coverage is only for services outside of Mckinley,” Vaid said. “Since you’ve already paid the student fee, you are getting the services at no charge.”

According to Vaid, the cost of McKinley is included in the student fee that is charged alongside tuition each year. This cost also covers the University counseling center.

Vaid said that although McKinley is free to students, the sta are highly qualied and experienced.

“There is a misconception out there that since it’s a student health center, we do not have the expertise or the providers that we have are at the same level as if you would go to a hospital,” Vaid said. “But that’s not true.”

Vaid added that McKinley’s family medicine and internal medicine providers are also board-certi ed, which gives

students easier access to quality medical professionals.

Another bene t to seeking medical attention at McKinley is reduced wait times for certain kinds of specialty care, Vaid said.

McKinley also o ers University students mental health resources. These include appointments where students can meet con dentially with a licensed mental health professional.

McKinley o ers a wide range of services, but Vaid is still looking to make new additions in the future. Some of the ideas suggested for the future range from satellite location technology for urgent care to an in-house massage therapist, which Vaid said “a lot of students have requested.”

“We coordinate everything for you and we do everything for you,” Vaid said. “We want to keep you well so that you can excel in your education.”

NEWS EDITOR

LISA CHASANOV

The McKinley Health Center, located at 1109 S. Lincoln Ave., on May 29. The health center provides a multitude of services to University students and also operates a satellite location on the lower level of the Illini Union.

A guide to campus safety resources

reach and Support Team provides educational and community programming, including therapy dogs for campus events.

Although going to college often leads to a host of memories — new friends, opportunities and career paths — it’s important to stay vigilant. The Daily Illini has created a guide to the many safety resources available on campus.

University of Illinois Police Department

The University of Illinois rests between two cities: Champaign and Urbana. The University of Illinois Police Department, part of the University’s Division of Public Safety, has jurisdiction over campus. Last April, UIPD o cially adopted jurisdiction over Campustown.

According to Pat Wade, senior spokesperson of the department, the UIPD is tailored to the needs of a college campus and operates year round. The UIPD is also fully accredited and provides patrol services, emergency response and investigative resources.

Furthermore, the Community Out-

Within COAST, the Response, Evaluation and Crisis Help initiative pairs mental health professionals with police o cers, providing a co-response model to mental health-related emergencies, Wade said.

In addition, because forceful sexual o enses are the most common crimes to be reported on college campuses according to the National Center for Educational Statistics in 2019, UIPD specially trains detectives in the Investigation Unit to support survivors of sexual assault.

“The mission of the University of Illinois Division of Public Safety is to promote a safe and secure environment where education, research and public service can ourish,” Wade said. “When crime does happen, it is our goal to identify and apprehend o enders as quickly as possible.”

Illini-Alert

The Illini-Alert is a system where emails and text messages are sent to

the campus community when incidents that present an anticipated threat to life, health or safety occur. All campus members automatically receive Illini-Alerts to their Illinois email accounts.

Anyone can opt into Illini-Alert text messages by texting “IlliniAlert” to 226787.

SafeWalks

Because criminals are more likely to target individuals who are alone at night, the UIPD o ers SafeWalks to University students, faculty and sta . Through the SafeWalks program, Student Patrol ofcers escort the caller to their destination. The UIPD also recommends that students stay together in groups to reduce the risk of being targeted.

SafeWalks operates from 9 p.m. to 2:30 a.m. Sunday to Wednesday, and 9 p.m. to 3 a.m. Thursday through Saturday. SafeWalks escort can be requested by calling 217-222-1216.

Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District SafeRides

SafeRides, o ered by MTD, is a service meant for people traveling alone, or in very small groups, late at night to destinations not on a xed route bus service, according to Amy Snyder, chief of sta at MTD.

Those interested in requesting a SafeRide may do it via the app or call 218384-8188. If the trip quali es under the parameters — the place of origin and destination — then they will get approved.

“(If) your origin and destination is already on a bus route, we’re going to have you take the bus, because we want to get to people who are in isolated locations as quickly as we can,” Snyder said.

Snyder cites Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays as the highest volume days and said that wait times on those respective days may last from 30 to 60 minutes.

“SafeRides are not fast rides … this isn’t Uber or Lyft, where you just pop in the queue,” Snyder said. “SafeRides is for people who are kind of out on the fringes.”

• Trust your instincts. If a situation or location is making you uncomfortable, leave immediately and seek people and places with lights, if possible.

• Lock your doors, even if you are in the room. In order to prevent theft, one of the most common crimes to occur on campuses, the best thing individuals can do is to secure their belongings and their residences.

• Be aware of your surroundings. Music or phone usage may distract from nearby vehicles or people.

• Watch out for scams. College students, especially international college students, are often targeted online or by phone. Scammers often know background information about their targets and appear legitimate. Stay alert and watch out for red flags.

THOMAS CAI THE DAILY ILLINI

The Public Safety Building, which houses the University of Illinois Police Department, is located at 1110 W. Springfield Ave.

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Artisan, freshly baked local bread available at the Champaign ! Urbana Farmers Markets & at your local grocery store.

Breakfast and Lunch, closed Mondays, freshly baked pastries ! desserts.

How to lead a healthy lifestyle on campus

NEWS EDITOR

MARTA NARAG

Coming to college for the first time can be an exciting and somewhat nerve-wracking process. Whether you find yourself thousands of miles from home or just a short drive away, your life will heavily change in the days following move-in.

While signing up for various RSOs and finding a groove for your daily schedule, it remains important to remember to make your health a priority. Your routine won’t be very helpful if it is frequently interrupted by sicknesses both mental and physical.

Diet

An important diet is necessary to stay healthy both mentally and physically. It can be inconvenient to consider nutritional needs in college, but being intentional about your food and water intake can go a long way for your academic performance.

While this can seem difficult, and at times almost impossible, the dining halls across campus often offer healthier options alongside the traditional processed college grub.

Stocking up on fruit from one of the convenience-style dining locations and keeping it in your room can help to meet health goals and ensure that you always have access to a healthy snack.

Drinking water is also a crucial step. Staying hydrated can help with fatigue and mind fog throughout your day — especially during the toasty months of August, September and May.

It can be a challenge to stay hydrated for a variety of reasons, but drinking an adequate amount of water is important for your body to continue to function well.

a gym before, coming to college is a great opportunity to take advantage of the exercise-related resources the University offers.

habits. A new environment can be conducive to a change in headspace, allowing for the introduction of new, healthier practices.

Interested in learning more about University recreation centers? Take a look at our full rec center guide!

Read it on page

Eating healthy and balanced meals is important for proper sustenance. The Department of Agriculture recommends eating around two to three cups of colorful fruits and vegetables daily. The inconsistent nature of a college student’s lifestyle requires plenty of energy, so prioritizing eating well and enough food can help you to stay healthy and on top of your schoolwork.

The general guideline is drinking 64 ounces — or eight cups — of water daily. This requirement can vary from person to person depending on body mass, activity levels and other factors. Investing in a high-quality water bottle might help motivate you to remember to drink water throughout the day.

Food and liquid intake is important, but it’s also important to remember that your diet will not and often should not be exactly like that of another person. The steps one takes to stay healthy should be specific to their needs and priorities. It is important to recall that this distinction is okay.

Exercise

Exercise is a vital part of staying healthy on campus. Whether that includes a spritely walk around the Main Quad or a few laps in a University pool, an exercise regimen can help contribute to improved mental and physical health.

Even if you’ve never stepped foot in

The University has two different main gyms: the ARC and CRCE. Memberships to both gyms are included in the student fees that are paid alongside tuition.

Utilizing this effectively free gym membership is not only a means of keeping your body in check, but a potentially vital part of your daily routine. Although it is generally understood that exercise is crucial to strengthening your body and preventing disease, there is also evidence of exercise as a reliever of stress.

According to Mayo Clinic, “physical activity may help bump up the production of your brain’s feel-good neurotransmitters, called endorphins.”

Endorphins are used in the body to both reduce stress and improve mood, and when the body releases them through exercise, you can feel the effects very quickly, according to Mayo Clinic.

Habit formation

Coming to college can be a good time to begin implementing healthier

Keeping healthy habits can help to counteract the discomfort of transitioning into a new lifestyle.

Healthy habits aren’t always directly associated with bodily health. Simple tasks like making your bed, practicing self-care through a skincare routine, drinking tea in the morning or even listening to a new album of music weekly might be helpful in creating a new mindset for a healthier outlook on life.

Staying organized using a planner or online calendar can also be helpful in reducing stress. It can help to visually see the tasks and events you have planned for a week.

Transitioning into college should be fun, but at times it can be very stressful and difficult. The University offers a variety of resources that are at no extra cost to the student, including support from McKinley Health Center, which provides access to both physical and mental well-being experts.

Everyone is going through a similar journey, so make friends, make memories and make healthy choices!

BECKETT GREEN THE DAILY ILLINI

An introduction to UI’s cultural and resource centers

of closeness with like-minded individuals, many students nd that connections across campus are equally important to the undergraduate experience.

versity’s campus.

When attending an institution that serves over 55,000 undergraduate and graduate students, it is easy to feel as though each individual is just another number on a page or an unremarkable dot in a sea of faces.

As the University becomes home to a new cohort of students in the fall, introduction into the campus community can seem like a daunting task. It can be intimidating to consider all of the various means of building community on the University’s campus.

Although classes, majors and academic colleges can foster some degree

Some students encounter personal connections and build community on campus through organizations. Intramural sports teams, Greek life, musical ensembles or RSOs can be extremely helpful in this process, but even with a vibrant social life and various social connections, yearning for cultural traditions, solidarity or reminders of home can magnify the intimidating e ect of such a large and vibrant campus.

One of the numerous ways that students remain in touch with their cultural and ethnic identities during the semester is through programs o ered at the eight cultural and resource centers on the Uni-

Each center celebrates and serves a particular student need or cultural identity, often hosting programming and safe spaces for students across the entire campus community.

• Bruce D. Nesbitt African-American Cultural Center

• Asian American Cultural Center

• Diversity and Social Justice Education Resource Center

• La Casa Cultural Latina

• Gender and Sexuality Resource Center

• Native American House

• Women’s Resource Center

• International Education Resource Center

These spaces serve to educate, accommodate and support students from across the campus community with dedicated sta and resources.

According to Jazmyne Kellogg, director at BNAACC, cultural centers are spaces for celebration as well as solidarity and struggle on the University campus.

“Our spaces are a place to tell the full story of what it means to be a part of our cultures,” Kellogg said. “Oftentimes, there’s a single narrative story around, like, particular aspects (of our experience) and so we have the opportunity here to talk about our joy, our resilience and everything else that makes us excellent and wonderful.”

Kellogg went on to explain that BNAACC is intended to meet students where they are with both its program-

SUMMER EDITOR

ming and its sta interactions.

“BNAACC is whatever meets their needs — I think that there’s a way to be involved with the Black cultural center, whether it’s just coming in and doing their homework because they’re a person who needs to observe the space rst, or if it’s like, ‘I really want to learn more,’ come to a program and do that,” Kellogg said. “If they’re like, ‘OK, I’m trying to make friends, build skills, et cetera — join 100 Strong.”

All of the resource centers on campus o er programming that is geared not only towards their communities of focus, but also towards allied individuals who wish to learn more about the issues a ecting them.

“We serve all students,” said Charlotte Davidson, director of NAH. “Not just particular student communities.”

community members and are intended to foster community and learning.

Although the meals are free and open to all, individuals who don’t belong to the communities centered at these events should be mindful of their surroundings according to Mariana Ortega, director of La Casa.

“Not all of our lived experiences, at least for Latinos, have been positive,” Ortega said. “So they should come in with that lens and really be open and intentional about how they are taking up the space, if they are being respectful. They are not walking into our spaces with chief gear or … other apparel that might create triggers or harm to our current students.”

Ortega went on to explain that students from across the campus community are encouraged to be involved with the centers, but that they should maintain empathy and respect as they do it.

“It’s okay to come to programs, but just be intentional that you’re being respectful and that we’re not being tokenized because of the free food,” Ortega said.

According to Davidson, NAH and other cultural houses on campus welcome the exploration of various facets of identity — including for those who have limited experience with common aspects of culture.

“We encourage indigenous academic identity development — and regardless of whether a Native, First Nations or indigenous student has grown up in their traditional cultural communities or not, we recognize that they have a connection with place, that they are of a place,” Davidson said. “Oftentimes when we establish kinship relations with one another, a practice that I often do is introduce myself according to my clan relationships, because it’s a way to model for students that whether we are conscious of it or not, we are of a place.”

Ortega suggests that students learn more about the need for these centers by visiting their websites and gaining insight into their history.

The need for these centers, according to Davidson, stems from a desire to preserve and celebrate aspects of culture that have been previously vili ed or hidden by cultural norms at predominantly white institutions.

tion about being encouraged by the chancellor to create a welcoming campus environment,” Davidson said. “I think our cultural centers have done that throughout their existence, because they have served and continued to serve as the front door for their communities.”

As part of their work, these cultural centers create spaces for students to interact and engage with one another through programs and activities. Across many of the cultural centers, there is an early arrival program wherein students are introduced to campus in advance of the academic year alongside a group of peers.

These programs as well as the open spaces at each of the buildings foster a familial attitude amongst the students, according to Ortega.

“It becomes such a communal thing that if students hear their peers going through something, they’re going to say, ‘Go to La Casa and tell them what happened and they will help advocate or help you navigate that,’” Ortega explained.

Across campus, culture and resource centers all host free lunches or dinners featuring expert speakers and dialogues. These “Lunch on Us” days are open to all

“The culture resource centers have a very, very rich history on this campus,” Ortega said. “A lot of our history is on Google or our archives — start there and learn it. I don’t think that necessarily has be the rst step, but if you’re being intentional about learning it, a lot of us have some of that history posted or on our Instagram pages.”

“From the standpoint of the Native American House, I would say that we — much like La Casa and BNAACC — serve students who come from communities that have been historically dehumanized,” Davidson said. “What our cultural center o ers is it promotes a sense of belonging. Oftentimes, you know, our students might feel like they have to force- t themselves into this environment — and what we strive to do at the NAH is nurture an understanding of the cultural gifts that our Native higher education student community brings with them.”

Davidson said that supporting and engaging with these cultural centers is a process that will work to support not only the most a ected students, but the campus community as a whole. According to Davidson, NAH’s work is concerned not only with the uplifting of Native-identifying students, but with introducing them to a larger, more diverse campus community.

“We often serve as the front door for not just rst year students, but anyone who may identify as the community in which the cultural house is centered,” Davidson said.

Davidson recounted that the University community has bene ted from the support o ered by these houses for decades.

“I know that there’s been some men-

Ortega said that beyond advocacy, La Casa can provide students with understanding and belonging that they may nd di cult to encounter at a predominantly white institution like the University.

“It’s important to recognize we’re at a predominantly white institution — look at our percentages,” Ortega said. “I can only speak for La Casa, but it’s going to be a sense of belonging. It’s going to be the place that if you were questioned about your identity or how you look or you were called some derogatory term, you know that’s a place that you can go.”

MICHAEL CHEW THE DAILY ILLINI

The Bruce D. Nesbitt African American Cultural Center on April 26. The center is located at 1212 W. Nevada St.

LISA CHASANOV THE DAILY ILLINI La Casa Cultural Latina on July 9. Located at 1203 W. Nevada St., La Casa provides resources and education around Latin and Hispanic heritage and culture.

Our spaces are a place to tell the full story of what it means to be a part of our cultures . . . we have the opportunity here to talk about our joy, our resilience and everything else that makes us excellent and wonderful.

Jazmyne

Kellog, director at BNACC

LISA CHASANOV THE DAILY ILLINI

A large majority of the campus resource centers are located on Nevada Street. The cultural houses line both sides, providing important resources to University students.

Favorite places on campus

hand into the cookie jar, and I could not go back. So, for anyone that wants to dive into campus, this should be your rst pick.

West side of the Illini Union Tunnel between Bevier Hall and Turner Hall

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF LIKA LEZHAVA lezhava3@dailyillini.com

The right amount of shade and shield from the noise on the Main Quad. With just a small amount of seating, you’ll be lucky to nd a table on the west side of the Illini Union, but when you do, you have unlocked one of the best study spots on campus for a warm day.

With many food options inside — and most importantly, co ee — it’s a great place to get work done while getting some fresh air instead of being in a stu y room.

Students usually enter the Union from the north or south entrances, so there isn’t much that can bother you.

But what are the uses of this exquisite spot? Mental breakdowns, angry phone calls, realizing that you might be failing

your astronomy class that you had to take even though you’re an English major, writing, watching lecture videos and so much more!

MANAGING EDITOR FOR REPORTING PIOTR FEDCZUK fedczuk2@dailyillini.com

Tucked away underground, this dimly-lit tunnel connects two buildings on the south end of campus.

A stark contrast to the green plant life strewn around campus, this mode of transport felt foreign at rst. It felt wrong, as though I would soon get caught and paraded back to the tunnel’s entrance. But, most of all, the tunnel renewed my interest in exploration.

Had my roommate not dragged me into this tunnel, I would have never stepped inside Bevier or Turner Hall.

However, now I am the one dragging my roommate into new buildings and tunnels on campus. I had stuck my

Espresso Royale on Daniel Street

Just a block west o the quad and behind the bookstore, a tall glass door opens to a modern, ambiently lit coffee shop.

Soft jazz or quiet 2000s music plays in the background as customers chat with their peers or zone in on schoolwork. The black brick backsplash is perfectly juxtaposed with the variety of syrup avors seen behind the bar.

Menu options span from turkey sandwiches to mojito lemonades, and there’s something for everyone, ca eine lover or not.

The drinks and the aura make Espresso Royale my second home — whether it’s for my weekly dates with friends or

LIKA LEZHAVA THE DAILY ILLINI

The seating area on the west side of the Illini Union.

for a solo study session for a chemistry exam, the environment of the cafe is simply unbeatable.

With their iced lavender matcha latte with oat milk in hand, I could probably take on the world.

Illini Union Courtyard Cafe

BUZZ EDITOR

SARAH BOND

sbond21@dailyillini.com

If you like to people-watch, there’s no better place than the Courtyard Cafe inside of the Illini Union. The room is lled with tables and chairs and is always, always busy.

I love sitting down with my Starbucks grande hot white mocha in a corner of the room with a good book and immersing myself in the college atmosphere. Whether there’s a noontime performer at the stage, a trivia night, a sports event being projected onto the big screen or it’s just an average afternoon, the hustle and bustle feeling of a true college environment is always present.

State Farm Center

JAMES KIM jamessk4@dailyillini.com

If there is one place on campus that both guratively and literally screams ‘Illini,’ it is the State Farm Center. Anyone looking to understand what Illinois is all about just needs to take a quick visit there at the south end of campus on game day.

The ferocious passion of the Illini fan base overwhelms you as you take your seat in the arena, and it is, in my opinion, the number one place on campus to truly feel the sense of family that’s present at Illinois.

I still remember after attending my rst ever basketball game being struck with the thought of ‘wow, so this is what being an Illini is all about.’ State Farm Center quickly became my happy place, as it allowed me to release all my stress by screaming and cheering the team to victory down on the court.

It doesn’t get much better than being surrounded by fellow Illini enthusiasts, and as you exit the building after a night of Illinois basketball, I guarantee your mind will be spinning in orange and blue.

FEATURES EDITOR

LILLIE SALAS

lmsalas2@dailyillini.com

The word “paradiso” is from the Italian language and means “paradise” in English.

A paradise is exactly what Ca e Paradiso is on campus. On the Urbana side, nearing Florida Avenue Residence Hall, the cafe sits on the corner of Nevada and Lincoln streets with its cozy vibe, amazing music selection and welcoming sta .

I’ve had a handful of study sessions at their wooden tables and countless of my academic papers have been nished

while sipping on Paradiso’s chai.

I tend to drink more tea than co ee, but almost every drink I have tried has been of a high caliber. Their chalkboard placed beside the register containing their unique seasonal beverages, handpicked by the sta , was always a favorite feature of mine.

Ca e Paradiso hosts multiple poetry slams throughout the year and tends to be very active with their following on Instagram.

As you begin to return again and again, you may recognize the community the cafe has created. There is no feeling like looking at the lively and well-maintained houseplants, outside the window at the busy street, or people watching inside its beautiful interior.

Urbana is recognized for its art scene, its alternative audience and its unique spirit, which is exactly what Ca e Paradiso encapsulates.

Siebel Center for Design

DESIGN EDITOR

SOPHIA KIM skim660@dailyillini.com

The uniquely designed building of Siebel Center for Design already stands out on campus with its open atmosphere, large skylights and expansive central sloped pathway.

Beyond its exterior, SCD boasts an extensive list of additional plusses that have easily made this building a favorite location on campus.

Located at the end of the South Quad, this place has opportunities for students to explore multidisciplinary interests and the building’s spaces have been speci cally designed for collaboration.

With its many studios and whiteboards scattered throughout, you will always have the optimal space for all your study sessions! Even if you want to study by yourself, you will always nd tucked away spaces to be the most productive. In addition, this building is a hotspot for tons of events!

Thrift pop-ups, clothing vendors, and the annual Circular Fashion Expo all take place at SCD.

With its expansive space optimal for creative events and a quiet ambience for the ideal study session, Siebel Center for

OPINIONS EDITOR

RAPHAEL RANOLA rrano2@dailyillini.com

One of the reasons why I love being a student of the University of Illinois is the long history attached to it — I am a part of a long line of students pursuing higher education.

No place on campus screams “historical” more than our Main Library.

The greatest draw of the Main Library is its gorgeous Reading Room located on the second oor, and my personal favorite place to study.

Your rst time exploring the Main Library is nothing short of enchanting. The walls beside the staircase are adorned with paintings and charts and the ceiling is encrusted with ornate lining. The Reading Room itself is lined with huge windows and dusty old tomes. You can sit down at one of the long tables, plug in the chargers for your devices and go to work in a beautiful study room just like the students who came before you.

Main Library Orange Room

GRAPHICS EDITOR

AMY SANCHEZ amys3@dailyillini.com

Close to the Main Quad sits one of the least intimidating spaces on campus, the Orange Room. It’s only a section in the Main Library’s rst oor and yet, it’s managed to become one of my favorite places on campus.

Unlike the typical library norms, the Orange Room allows food and drinks and welcomes loud conversations. To have the full experience you must rent out one of the study rooms, my favorites being Room 8 and 10. Ask a friend to join you there for lunch and chat while playing baby animal cams on the monitor. Be careful with volume though; we found out the hard way that some monitors play sound. The last bonus point the Orange Room gets is that it’s attached to one of the best parking lots on campus.

SPORTS EDITOR

MARTA NARAG THE DAILY ILLINI

An iced matcha latte from Espresso Royale, located at 604 E. Daniel St.

LILLIE SALAS THE DAILY ILLINI

Caffe Paradiso on Aug. 26. The restaurant is located at 801 S. Lincoln Ave. in Urbana and is a popular spot for coffee and studying.

College advice your mama won’t tell you

OPINIONS EDITOR RAPHAEL RANOLA rrano2@dailyillini.com

It’s no secret that going from high school to college is a big adjustment — and the newfound freedoms you’re met with as a rising freshman can be daunting and tend to be the subject of a touchy conversation with Mom.

This is especially true at the University of Illinois: a drinking school with an engineering problem. Don’t let this turn of phrase scare you — I’ve come up with a list of 10 tips to help you navigate your freshman year as somebody who’s gone through his freshman year with barely a scratch.

1. You will have so much more freedom

For many of you, this will be your rst time living away from your parents for an extended period of time. With no parents, no truancy enforcement and easy access to

booze and mind-altering drugs, the degree of freedom you will experience as a freshman is immense, much to Mom and Dad’s potential dismay.

2. Perhaps too much freedom?

With freedom comes a need for responsibility. One of the biggest learning curves when it comes to adjusting to college is that you are in charge of taking care of yourself. It’s easy to lose sight of the fact that, ultimately, you’re going to college to get an education. It’s up to you to gure out the balance of self-discovery and self-discipline you need to grow as a person.

3. Hit the ground running and make friends while you can

Make no mistake: The rst two weeks of your freshman year are basically a strange adult summer camp, and everyone around

you is in summer camp mode. Even if it’s outside of your comfort zone, make an effort to connect with the people on your oor or whoever’s next to you during an event. This excitement wears o quickly, and there is a brief window of time before you’ll never know your neighbor’s names.

4. Take care of yourself, don’t be a dumb freshman

College is a time for experimentation. This, however, is not an open invitation to black out and ruin your night and the night of the poor soul who is tasked to take care of you. Try to get a grasp on what your limits are and try to adhere to these limits — you’re not impressing anybody by drinking beyond your limit. While this excitement will go away, your liver will remember.

5. Get a gadget

Despite the blue light system and other safety features in place, a college campus can still be an unsafe place to be — particu-

larly in bars or frat houses. Here I remind you that window poppers, alarms, pepper spray and cup covers can be a crutch where the need to protect yourself arises.

6. Your parents don’t have to know everything

You made it. All of your hard work paid o , and now you’re on your way to a respectable institution that knows how to work hard and play hard. This also means that you’ll be putting a healthy and necessary distance between yourself and your parents, who are probably scared to death. Thus, it’s important that you have an open and honest discussion with your parents about boundaries and expectations so you can explore adulthood and come into your own.

Read the full story:

How to train your roommates

Method One: Positive Reinforcement

It’s much better to say something along the lines of, “Derrick. Clean. Now.”

Whether you’ve known your roommate since birth or are only meeting the guy on move-in day, there is one inevitable outcome: You will hate them by the end of the year (unless you had my roommates, those guys are cool dudes). OK, you probably won’t hate them, but they’ll get annoying really fast.

They’ll refuse to put in earbuds, invite their copy-and-paste friends over, watch TV while you’re working and just act like animals. So, when it comes to setting boundaries and trying to adapt to sharing a living space with new people, there is only one possible solution: You have to train them.

I have listed out several methods — both good and bad — that you can use while dealing with a roommate.

A simple and e ective way to mold your roommate into your image is through positive reinforcement. Positive reinforcement is as simple as giving your roommates a reward after they’ve done what you’ve commanded. For example, if your roommate nally picks up his stinky socks, give him some Skittles. This treat will make your roommate more likely to repeat the behavior in the future.

According to the Humane Society, when training dogs, it’s crucial to keep your commands short so that they can easily understand what they’re being told. Like dogs, sometimes roommates have di culty understanding complete sentences like, “Hey Derrick, I was just thinking that for the past couple of weeks, I’ve been doing all the cleaning around the dorm, and I’d really appreciate it if you could help me out some.”

When using positive reinforcement on your roommates, be careful when choosing your reward. If you decide to give your roommate a treat like Snickers or beer, you might be turning their freshman 15 into a freshman 50. Sometimes just saying “Good Boy!” will do.

Method Two: Punishment

Oh no! You’ve completely run out of treats for your roommate and they’re still a menace, whatever are you to do?

Don’t worry. If your roommate isn’t responding to positive reinforcement, you can always turn to punishment.

No one wants to punish their roommate, but when push comes to shove and your roommate is on the PlayStation ‘til 3 a.m. while you are preparing for the midterm that’ll push your grade from a D to a C, make sure to use a rm hand so you don’t have to teach them the lesson twice.

My favorite method is making things disappear. Maybe your roommate can’t nd their computer mouse, or maybe their essay somehow gets deleted. Who knows how these things happen, but they’ll de nitely make them think twice.

If your roommate requires a more direct approach, try setting your alarm for 6 a.m., 6:05 a.m., 6:10 a.m., 6:15 a.m. and so on until noon. It’ll put a damper on any night plans they might have.

Adam is a junior in LAS.

These are just two of columnist Adam Gorcyca’s methods!

Scan the QR code to visit our website and read the full story for more methods. Or, if you prefer to listen to your news, we’ve got you covered. Try our new narration feature!

Schedules make or break the college experience

OPINIONS EDITOR MEGAN HARDING mhard62@dailyillini.com

COLUMNIST TALIA DUFFY taliagd2@dailyillini.com

Creating your college schedule is almost like an NFL draft. While the amount of choices seem endless compared to high school class options, choose carefully! Like picking the wrong player may a ect the team’s performance, picking the wrong class or the wrong time can negatively impact your college experience.

Thankfully, as second- and third-year students, we have advice on how to build the perfect schedule.

Not too early or too late

We know exactly what you’re thinking.

You just survived four years of waking up for high school, which started at 7:30 a.m., Monday through Friday. You were tired, sure, but it wasn’t the worst thing in the world. So when your counselor suggests taking an 8 a.m. lecture three days a week, you agree. That seems reasonable and you can even sleep a whole half hour later than in high school! It’ll be totally ne.

Except it’s not ne.

There’s no scienti c explanation for it, but once you enter college, it becomes a

lot harder to wake up early for class. Latenight studying, later-night partying, latest-night deep talks with your roommate — it’s hard to get a good night’s sleep as a student.

So instead of eight in the morning, try starting your day with a 9 or even 10 a.m. time slot. Three months from now, you’ll be thanking yourself from the comfort of your lofted bed.

Location, location, location

The University has a sprawling campus that includes 354 buildings across 3.6 square miles in the main University District. It’s a beautiful area, and having such a large campus creates an immersive college experience.

But when you realize it’s a 20-minute walk from the Siebel Center for Design to your next class at the Siebel Center for Computer Science, you might be a little less grateful for the scenic stroll. Passing periods are only 10 minutes here, which means you’ll be really pressed for time if you don’t pay attention to where your classes are held in relation to each other.

As you progress through your se-

mesters, your classes will likely be less spread-out — for example, many business classes are held in the Business Instructional Facility, and many engineering classes are held on the Bardeen and North Quads.

But general education courses are free reign, so either give yourself more time in between classes, make sure the walk is doable in 10 minutes or consider bringing a bike to cut down your travel time.

Megan is a sophomore in Media. Talia is a junior in Media.

Interested in more, online exclusive tips for building the perfect schedule?

Scan the QR code to visit our website and read the full story for more advice. Or, if you prefer to listen to your news, we’ve got you covered. Try our new narration feature!

ASSISTANT

SENIOR

This year, it will be on Aug. 20.

Connor Flanagan, sophomore in LAS, and his mother, Ronna Flanagan, look at handmade soaps at the Illini Union Cra and Vendor Fair during Moms Weekend on April 15. Each year, Moms Weekend draws crowds of parents and children all over campus for a slew of events hosted by the University.

University students line up with their parents outside of Joe’s on April 15. The bars are a popular stop during both Moms and Dads Weekends, with lines o en stretching a block or more.

RIGHT – Sean Kingston performs at the Spring Jam on April 23. The Spring Jam is hosted each year by the Illini Union Board. The concert is free to all University students and has featured artist such as Yung Gravy and T-Pain.

ANGEL SALDIVAR THE DAILY ILLINI

LEFT – The Marching Illini perform in front of Foellinger Auditorium on Quad Day on Aug. 21. The University hosts Quad Day each year to allow students to explore ways to get involved.

SYDNEY LAPUT THE DAILY ILLINI

JACOB SLABOSZ THE DAILY ILLINI Offensive Lineman Alex Palczewski rides a mechanical bull at the Illini Union’s homecoming week event on Oct. 22.

JACOB SLABOSZ THE DAILY ILLINI

JACOB SLABOSZ THE DAILY ILLINI Helen Leventis, senior in FAA, models during The Fashion Network’s pop-up runway on the Main Quad on April 28 to promote the Circular Fashion Expo.

JACOB SLABOSZ THE DAILY ILLINI

Students

on the Main Quad on April 11, one of the year’s first warm days.

University

An aerial shot of Illinois Street Residence on May 1. The building also houses the Illinois Street Dining Hall, which is the second largest dining hall in the country. A popular spot for first-year students, the hall is located just between Illinois and Greet Streets.

An Illini Pub Cycle

down Greet Street on March 4, full of people celebrating Unofficial St. Patrick’s Day, a University tradition.

On April 13, the Planters NUTmobile visited the University, offering free peanuts and putting smiles on students’ faces.

The Tesla coil concert at Engineering Open House on April 1. Each year, the Grainger College of Engineering hosts Engineering Open House, a multiday long program where engineering students can show off interesting projects to the student body, C-U community and local elementary and middle school students.

LEFT – Rae Spooner of Joyful Bubbles puts on a show at the annual Matsuri Festival at the Japan House on May 6.

JACOB SLABOSZ THE DAILY ILLINI

JACOB SLABOSZ THE DAILY ILLINI

rides

YICHEN LIU THE DAILY ILLINI

ABOVE –

gather

DANIEL ZHOU THE DAILY ILLINI

JAMES HOECK THE DAILY ILLINI

students, faculty and C-U residents alike gather on Oct. 1 to watch the annual Urbana Pride Festival.

MICHAEL CHEW THE DAILY ILLINI

McKinley Health Center

McKinley Health Center is your campus health center. We provide convenient, high quality healthcare and health education to students. Our accreditation assures that we meet nationally recognized healthcare standards for quality and safety.

MyMcKinley is a secure patient portal where students can manage their healthcare at McKinley. Several features of MyMcKinley can be found on our website: mckinley.illinois.edu

Los Angeles Times Sunday Crossword Puzzle

“STATE OF

Edited by Patti Varol and Joyce Nichols Lewis

16 Olympian Nathan Chen, notably 17 Grazing ground 20 German woman 23 Aromatherapy array 24 “Lookee here!” 30 Counterpart of “ser,” in Spanish 32 Steamy spot 34 “If u ask me” 35 Spanish “Very good!” 36 Slow Churned brand 38 Caprice 42 Egg cell 43 Went for the gold? 44 Playground retort 46 Convened 48 Swiss peak

Super Bowl org. 51 Complete a Monopoly circuit 53 “Showtime!”

What dorm room are you?

As you work through the quiz, keep track of your points.

Choosing option A earns 1 point, option B earns 2 points and option C earns 3 points.

1. How are you spending an ideal Friday night?

A: Getting my homework out of the way before the weekend! Grainger, here I come!

B: Recipe for success: lots of snacks, a movie and my weighted blanket.

C: Out and about! Directing my friends and I to the nearest rager.

3. Which friend are you?

A: The Bookworm — This friend is fun and fresh when they don’t have an assignment due the next day. Otherwise, good luck getting them to answer your FaceTime!

B: The Mom/Dad/Parent — On a typical evening, you’re giving relationship advice, cleaning up vomit and providing free therapy to your less mature friends. It’s all worth it in the end, because you get the benefit of a sober “I told you so” the next morning.

C: The Party Animal — You consistently wreak havoc in your friend group. This friend is constantly involved in hoodwinks and mischief, simultaneously entertaining and concerning everyone in a one-mile radius.

Glorified Prison Cell 4-6 pts.

Your dorm is functional and efficient. This is your home base while you pad your GPA and bounce between class and the library. Yes, you have a social life, but it doesn’t need to take place in your dorm — you don’t have time for that

2. What snacks are you keeping in your room?

A: Apples, baby carrots, multigrain bagels, hummus and local honey! Gotta keep myself fueled for the day?

B: Hot chocolate, Cheez-Its, energy drinks, granola bars and lots of string cheese. Can’t be too healthy — it’s college a er all!

C: Funyuns, Four Loko, Cheetos, Oreos, Fat Sandwich curly fries and ramen. Shouldn’t matter, because I’m following a liquid diet over the weekend anyways!

4. Which TV character best represents you?

A: Young Sheldon from “Young Sheldon” — Your friends may want to beat you up with hammers.

B: Squidward Tentacles from “Spongebob” — You hate your job and perpetually roll your eyes at the meddlesome goobers around you.

C: Kramer from “Seinfeld” — Today, you’re carpeting the walls in your apartment on a whim. Tomorrow, you’re taking 30 doves into a New York City cab. You’re the best person to have around when the days are starting to blend together, but nobody is completely sure of your safety at any given moment in the day.

Be Grade-A Chiller

7-9 pts.

Your dorm is always stocked with the best snacks and your friends know they can come over whenever they need to have a deep talk. There are way more blankets than people in your room and your skills on aux are nothing short of impeccable.

10-12 pts.

Everyone knows that you run the pregame pad. Your dorm décor is chill and vibe-y with plenty of bottles lining the shelves. This doesn’t mean that you aren’t dedicated to school or your friends, for the record — you are the embodiment of work hard, play hard.

Must-haves for the dorm lifestyle

SUMMER EDITOR MAAIKE NIEKERK maaiken2@dailyillini.com

The dorm experience is a rite of passage for many freshmen at Universities across the country. With minimal space, which you might be sharing with a complete stranger, it’s important to know what items are necessary for success in your first year of living alone.

As always, The Daily Illini has your back with a list of dorm essentials for any newcomers to the college dorm experience.

Microwave-fridge combo

Whether you bring your own or use the University’s rentable combo, a microwave and fridge will be extremely useful for your first dorm room.

Entering your freshman year of college, you might be looking after your own meals for the very first time. A microwave and fridge make it much easier to save your leftovers and enjoy them another day.

Without a decent way to preserve and reheat your food, you’ll find yourself throwing away meals that could’ve otherwise saved you from paying for another meal later.

A fridge with plentiful storage space allows you to keep future meals and snacks — just make sure you’re staying within University Housing’s guidelines for furniture size.

A helpful option is the combination microwave and fridge, which are available for rent from University Housing. You can easily split the cost with your roommate and won’t have to worry about getting rid of the appliances at the end of the year.

Shower shoes

Ah, communal bathrooms. Sharing is caring, but also a little gross when it comes to bathroom floors.

Regardless of whether you’re living in a dorm with bathroom stalls or individual rooms, shower shoes are a must-

have. Dorms are a place where diseases thrive and you don’t need to share any more germs than necessary.

Additionally, shower shoes can double as something to slip on your feet for a quick trip down the hallway. If you’re just heading out to wash your dishes or refill a water bottle, you don’t necessarily need to lace up your sneakers, but you definitely don’t want to take the trip barefoot.

Common choices for shower shoes include Crocs, slides or flip-flops. Anything waterproof that you don’t mind getting a little dirty is a perfect choice.

Power strips / Surge protectors

With the general lack of space and therefore outlets in a dorm room, a good power strip or surge protector with multiple outlets becomes absolutely necessary.

With a multitude of devices to be charging every day, having a lot of available outlets is never a bad idea. Power strips and surge protectors — especially those with longer cords — can make plugging in your devices much easier, allowing you easier access to charge your phone, laptop and anything else you might have brought to school. Surge protectors, along with being convenient, can also help protect your devices from power surges that may damage them. Buying new electronics is expensive, so making a small extra purchase to protect your technology is never a bad idea.

Getting a heavy duty power strip with a long cord can be especially useful if you plan on lofting your dorm bed. Outlets are not always within reach, and there’s no greater struggle than having to climb out of bed in the middle of the night to plug your phone in.

A set of utensils/dishes

There is nothing worse than finding out your friend down the hall has a box of cereal to share and you have abso -

lutely nothing to eat it with.

Don’t be that person who eats everything with their bare hands. Living in a dorm room doesn’t mean you have to be uncivilized! A set of plastic dishes and utensils can be incredibly useful for a year in the dorms.

Yes, many snacks can be eaten on the go or out of your pocket, but if you plan on making dorm mac-n-cheese or using the residence hall kitchens at all, some simple dishes like a cup and a plate can really come in handy.

That weird hang-overthe-door pouch pocket thing

You know what I’m talking about. It’s in every college move-in ad and it will be on display at Targets across the country come August. You may be tempted to overlook this item because

it seems too basic and cliche, but don’t. In the dorms, storage is no joke.

The dresser and cabinets provided beneath the bed in your dorm room might not be enough for your belongings, especially smaller things — sunscreen, makeup, snacks, what have you. A small caddy to hang over the side of your bed or the top of your door isn’t just useful for storage, but for organization as well.

This item is especially useful if you plan on having a high-loft bed. There are some necessities that you might want by your bedside — your phone, some water, ChapStick — and it would just be too much of a pain to scramble down and grab it in the middle of the night.

Seriously consider investing in your dorm room storage. It may look ugly and basic, but it could really come in handy during the coming year.

Finding art in a school full of tech

FEATURES EDITOR LILLIE SALAS lmsalas2@dailyillini.com

The University of Illinois is widely recognized for its engineering, technological and sports programs. However, beyond the worlds of code, a booming arts culture can be found on campus.

Under the College of Fine and Applied Arts, there are many facilities waiting for students’ usage. There are multiple facilities ranging from ceramics to textiles that current students may not be aware of.

3D fabrication labs are available in Flagg Hall. These labs allow large art projects to come to life with equipment available such as saws, sanders, a drill press and other tools.

There are varying levels of equipment available depending on the student’s experience in 3D fabrication. To

use the level one tools, the student must complete the lab safety orientation provided by the sta .

Room 123 in Flagg Hall is home to another creative space on campus. A ceramics lab is available with specialized training.

For students with Art & Design facilities access, digital labs are ready to start printing. The labs include laser printing, inkjet printing, 3D printing and risograph printing.

For photographers, shooting studios can be rented throughout the school year. The studios are located in 334 and 336 in the Art & Design building.

The studios contain a large studio and a small studio with di ering equipment. Although, both studios provide students with white, gray and black backdrop paper, tackboards, LED studio lights, color lters for LED lights and much more.

Aside from Flagg Hall and the Art &

Design building, the Siebal Center for Design can provide even more resources for students’ creative journeys.

SCD has spaces students can rent out to meet with groups or host events throughout the year.

Along with event opportunities, SCD has a shop. The shop at SCD is a technical and creative workspace, according to their website.

Any student, faculty or sta can work on models, prototypes, large prints or projects. Equipment and tools are available for any phase of the project. Any training or equipment is free to any interested student on campus.

A production shop and maker space are small pieces in the entire shop. The shop is open from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday to Sunday.

SCD also o ers a media studio consisting of two workspaces: a large space with varying recording equipment and a smaller space designed as a record-

ing or editing suite. Equipment such as built-in mics and wiring, cameras and tripods, multiple lightings and other media equipment can be used by any student.

The SCD website states the media studio is capable of enhancing students’ video productions, photography, audio recording, content creation and more.

The SCD also provides equipment to check out for students and sells materials. Students can check out pliers, clamps, power tool accessories, measuring tools and more. Students have the opportunity to buy materials for silk screen printing, large format printing, laser cutting and etching, wood and 3D printing supplies.

Even with a large list of resources online, each art-dedicated space on campus is active with new events, workshops and material being updated while students are active on campus and classes are in session.

Private Certified vs.

OPINIONS EDITOR AARON ANASTOS aaronda3@dailyillini.com

Located at the corner of Sixth Street and Armory Avenue, Newman Hall would likely be mistaken for an English building or library, if not for the conspicuous — and often amusingly imposing — statue of Jesus in its South Courtyard.

Yes, Newman is the University’s “Catholic” dorm, but fear not, because its residents are by no means required to abstain from meat on Fridays or be assailed by intermittent bouts of deep guilt.

The religious community and resources are all there if one so desires to engage with them — however, what really matters to this column and the curious reader is the day-to-day life at Newman Hall.

Luckily, Newman is tted with not only the same facilities as the ner dorms on campus, but also sports a few additions that truly carve its own niche in the assortment of University housing.

Upon waking in one’s room on one of the seven oors of the two wings, there’s no need to worry about making a trek to nd sustenance. Newman has its own cafeteria and catering courtesy of College Fresh, boasting one of the highest, if not the highest, quality dining experiences on campus.

The dining hall is out tted daily with a fantastic brunch spread, followed by a lunch and dinner that o er not only both vegan and vegetarian options, but also a Fresco Grill from which solid and delicious reliables like chicken ngers or burgers can be ordered if the main spread is not to one’s liking.

After a nourishing breakfast, whether hot or continental, there’s also no need to worry about rushing to class — Newman is located an immensely convenient oneblock distance from the Main Quad, making any transit an easy task.

Once a long day of classes has ended, Newman becomes less of a dorm and more of a second home, with countless cozy corners in which to unwind, from the woodpaneled Lewis Lounge to the lounges on oors two through four, which feature pool, ping pong and air hockey tables.

A guide to Newman Hall

Any upperclassman knows that life at college isn’t all relaxation once the school day ends. Fortunately, Newman features free in-house laundry and Wi-Fi, so any tedious chores and homework are just that much easier to complete.

What makes Newman truly unique, aside from its excellent dining and prime location, is its community. No matter a resident’s religion, the atmosphere at Newman is incredibly warm and tight-knit.

This is due to the fantastic RA sta and the event-planning committee, known as SPARK. The RAs are all very friendly and knowledgeable, ensuring a smooth start of the school year for any new resident. SPARK plans monthly events that draw massive attendance from the dorm population, from creating its own escape room to hosting variety shows.

This sense of community is also felt deeply by spending time in the common areas, like the dining hall. Friends and familiar faces are sure to always inhabit the dining hall, ensuring that eating or studying alone becomes a foreign concept.

After homework and relaxation have worn out their welcome, returning to one’s dorm room is by no means an undesirable task. Every oor has two wings — the North side, costlier with more singles and private bathrooms, and the South side, which is more a ordable with communal bathrooms and more doubles and triples, yet boasts a much closer community.

No matter which wing, each dorm room at Newman sports its own AC and heating unit and ample space for couches or dressers. This, combined with close parking and helpful on-site sta , check o the basics for a solid dorm while the community and ne dining of Newman give it its own unique avor.

A day in the life at Newman Hall is guaranteed to be reliably convenient and full of helpful amenities that, along with its tight-knit atmosphere and central location, make the start of the school year that much smoother.

Aaron is a sophomore in Media.

ASSISTANT

University Housing

ASSISTANT OPINIONS EDITOR MEGAN HARDING mhard62@dailyillini.com

Pennsylvania and Florida Avenue Residence Halls — known as PAR and FAR respectively — are considered the “trenches” by some, but PAR speci cally o ers unique student living not found anywhere else on campus.

While PAR is on the edge of campus, the MTD bus service is unmatched. During the school week, there is a bus that can take you wherever you want to go every ve or ten minutes.

If you are ever on campus and looking for a bus that will take you back to PAR, you have many options: the 12E Teal, 8E Bronze, 13S Silver, 22S Illini (I will warn this bus goes everywhere on campus and is a long ride depending on where you get on) or the 21 Raven to Vet Med.

Even though being further away may sound unappealing, the walk really isn’t that bad. Plus, Campus Recreation Center

A guide to Pennsylvania Avenue Residence

East and McKinley Health Center are less than a quarter of a mile away.

PAR is also situated near historic Urbana, which is lled with charming brick roads and early 20th century houses. Urbana High School is only around a mile away, meaning if being on campus all of the time makes you anxious, you are only steps away from the feeling of home you may be missing.

I will warn, however, the cattle farms are only around a mile away as well — meaning the smell of manure is stronger on this side of campus. After all, the University of Illinois is known for the agriculture program.

I would also recommend picking a room that is not near the Grind2Energy food waste machine, or your room may smell like food scraps. If you get a room near there (like I did), using room spray is

a quick x. I personally used the Bath and Body Works room scents. Since candles are not allowed in dorm rooms, you might as well use a scent that replicates one. Oil di users are another popular option.

While PAR is one of the less social dorms, I have noticed a trend of tight-knit cultural groups. Since PAR is one of the dorms that stay open during breaks, it is a popular choice for international students.

My hall was not the most outgoing and I did not know everyone living there super well, but I had a close group of friends on my oor that I hung out with. Throughout my freshman year, we tried many new restaurants, had game and movie nights and even did Secret Santa around the holidays.

Even though PAR rooms are slightly smaller than the rooms in Ikenberry South, the individual-use bathrooms make up for this in my opinion. On each

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oor, there are eight individual bathrooms with a toilet, sink and shower — meaning even though everyone on the oor is sharing them, you get a moment of being alone while showering or using the bathroom.

And I cannot forget the dining hall. The infamous “PAR stir fry” is known for being one of the best food options on campus. While there is often a long line, you can choose between virtually any sauce, topping or protein and have the choice between two di erent types of noodles and rice.

If you get tired of eating at one dining hall, you are only a short walk away from Allen — and only a ve or 10 minute bus ride away from another campus dining hall.

Megan is a sophomore in Media.

With so many housing options available for first-year students, it can be difficult to choose between Private Certified or University Housing. Find out some key differences between two popular options.

Best places on campus to bring parents

Church of Urbana, the thrift store is full of kind characters donating their time. This quaint earthy place o ers a sustainable shopping experience for you and your family.

You might be wondering where to bring your parents during their visit. Lucky for you, the Champaign-Urbana area is lively and vibrant, and has many fun spots the whole family can enjoy.

Twice Is Nice Thri Shop

Twice Is Nice is a folksy consignment store full of steals in Urbana. Racks of clothes and shelves of knickknacks ll the rst oor to the brim inside its historic home location.

You can nd anything there, from formalwear for networking events to ceramic plates for your new residence hall.

Opened by the First Presbyterian

Japan House and the Arboretum

Japan House is a cultural staple of the campus that brings Japanese traditional arts to the area.

The house was established in 1964 by Professor Emeritus Shozo Sato. He renovated a Victorian house on campus to teach classes, but the University needed the land, so Japan House relocated to its current property.

The current structure is a traditional Japanese building with tea rooms and a large classroom. There, you can attend di erent Japanese art classes or traditional tea ceremonies. If you’re lucky to visit during the summer, you might even

see the cherry blossoms blooming. The University of Illinois Arboretum, located right next to Japan House’s property, provides a serene walk with nature. Trees, owers and unique landscaping will surround you on your stroll. It’s also a great place for a picnic.

Krannert Art Museum

The University’s visual art museum has an extensive collection, and notably a piece by widely known abstract painter Mark Rothko.

KAM holds art from various countries in Africa, the Andes and the Mediterranean. Most impressive is their 20th century work including their collection called Modernist Strategies, art made for the Federal Art Project funded by the Works Progress Administration during the New Deal.

This can also be seen in the Art Since 1948 collection, which displays many pieces exploring history through surrealism and abstraction in a 60-year span.

Admission is always free. Current exhibitions include Patterns and Process, about repetition within the world; and The Ink Wash Drawings of Shozo Sato.

Spurlock Museum

The Spurlock Museum has art and artifacts from cultures around the world: Southeast Asia, Native American communities, Africa and Greece.

The museum has been finding and sharing archaeological collections at the University since 1911.

Here, you can see the many tools of life different cultures use, including beautiful handmade South American ritual clothing and musical instruments.

One impressive exhibition is the current Nikkeijin Illinois exhibit, a collection of stories from the Japanese American students, staff and faculty of the University throughout the 20th century.

Rose Bowl Tavern

If music is something you or your family might enjoy, look no further than the friendly atmosphere of the Rose Bowl Tavern.

With live music every night of the week, the downtown Urbana performance space showcases a variety of tal-

ent from across C-U.

From jazz to country, the Rose Bowl has taken the lead in hosting performances for small musicians in the area.

A complete calendar of events can be found online here.

Bring your family and friends to support local musicians, all while getting a better taste of the social scene in Urbana.

Spoon House Korean Kitchen

A major perk of campus is the abundance of restaurants representing various cultures from around the world.

One of these is Spoon House Korean Kitchen, a tasty Korean fusion restaurant with something for everyone.

Located at the very heart of campus on Green Street, Spoon House is a fairly close walk from most dorms, so no need to panic while looking for parking!

Korean style burritos, quesadillas and tacos stand out from some of the more traditional items on the Spoon

House menu. Whatever you’re craving, Spoon House Korean Kitchen provides a nice space on campus to enjoy any meal of the day.

Cocomero

If your family can’t decide between a treat of dessert or coffee, there is a delicious option right on campus which offers both.

Built in a former pizza restaurant, small business Cocomero is a unique

frozen yogurt place, as it presents a wide-ranging menu from coffee to bubble tea to waffles.

The two-story café has a nice view of the famed Alma Mater statue, just across the street in front of Altgeld Hall.

After customizing your yogurt bowl or ordering your drink of choice, you and your family can lounge in comfortable chairs and enjoy this classic Champaign dessert spot.

Spicey pork from Spoon House Korean Kitchen. Located at 616 E. Green St., the restaurant serves a variety of Korean fusion foods, including things like Koreanstyle burritos and tacos. The restaurant has more traditional offerings as well, such as beef bulgogi.

THOMAS CAI THE DAILY ILLINI

Green Street

their favorite toppings.

lucyjb2@dailyillini.com

Green Street is a bustling area of campus that students at the University venture to not just for the social scene, but to indulge in their favorite meals that campus has to o er.

With restaurants lining the entire street, Green Street is home to some of the most beloved restaurants on campus. Whether it be the comfort of chain fast-food restaurants or the Chambana classics, students with any food interest can nd something they enjoy on Green.

To make it easier for new and returning students to nd their favorite spot, here is a breakdown of the must-eats and extensive menus of the diverse restaurants on Green.

Mia Za’s

Mia Za’s is an Italian restaurant also located near the corner of Wright and Green streets, right in the heart of campus.

O ering a casual takeaway or dine-in experience, students are able to quickly and conveniently walk to Green Street to grab their favorite pizzas and pastas made fresh.

While Mia Za’s has a set menu of specific meals, one element drawing students to the restaurant is the “build your own” option. Students completely create their own pizza, pasta, salad or sandwich with all of

Mia Za’s homemade feel is loved amongst campus residents. The restaurant is open Sunday to Thursday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Friday to Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Vinny’s Pizza

Vinny’s Pizza By the Slice is a campus classic. This pizza parlor is one of the most popular post-night-out food spots on Green Street.

Serving just the right amount of food for a pick-me-up, Vinny’s sells unique styles of pizza by the slice. Some of the variations include macaroni and cheese, BBQ, margarita and more.

Vinny’s is currently closed for summer break but will reopen on August 1 for students’ return to campus.

Shawarma Joint

Shawarma Joint serves Middle Eastern cuisine right in the heart of Campustown. The restaurant has many food options where you can order a traditional meal or build your own.

Customers can create their own bowl, pita or wrap, adding a base of rice or hummus, choice of protein and a wide assortment of veggies prepared in alignment with traditional Middle Eastern cuisine.

Shawarma Joint also o ers delicious sides and shareables of hummus plates, shawarma plates, baba ghanouj, grape

leaves, baklava, rice and more. The restaurant is open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Teamoji

Teamoji is a bubble tea shop and restaurant on Green Street that serves a variety of bubble teas, bakery items and savory foods.

Teamoji’s biggest draw is their wide selection of bubble teas. Customers can pick from fruit teas, milk teas or from their signature crafted drinks that combine teas to create unique drinks like their taro milk tea with crystal boba.

Although known for their namesake of bubble teas, Teamoji also o ers items such as a dozen di erent avors of mochi donuts, rice hot dogs, egg toasts and a variety of bakery items.

Teamoji is a great place to stop and grab a bubble tea and a mochi donut on your way to campus. The shop is open daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Cracked: The Egg Came First

Cracked is a breakfast restaurant located on Green Street. As a popular breakfast option, Cracked brings in a lot of students on the weekends who come in with their friends, as well as those who bring their families when they visit campus.

With a menu that serves a variety of classic breakfast foods, like sandwiches, eggs and tater tots, Cracked is a staple stop along Green for savory breakfast lovers.

p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

Murphy’s Pub

Murphy’s is a classic Irish pub located in the center of Green Street. Promoting themselves with the tagline of “Serving Illini since 1969,” Murphy’s has an extensive menu of beer and food.

Murphy’s has 25 beers on tap and does not serve solely Irish cuisine. Although they do serve common foods served at a pub, like bangers and mash and sh and chips, classic favorites of burgers, paddy melts, corned beef and pork tenderloin are also o ered on the menu.

Murphy’s sticks to a schedule of o ering di erent deals on food and drinks almost every night of the week. The most popular of these nights are Wednesday’s Logo Glass Day, Thursday’s Pint Night, Saturday’s Karaoke Night and Sunday’s Trivia Night. Take a trip to Murphy’s Pub for a good time and good food!

Noodles & Company

Noodles & Company is a well-known chain restaurant that serves a wide variety of noodle-based dishes, ranging from Asian noodles, pastas, loads of mac options and even zoodles — zucchini noodles.

The Noodles & Company located on Green and Sixth streets in Champaign is a popular weekend food destination among students, as it is close to many apartments, houses and residence halls.

A few from the intersection of Green and Wright streets. Green Street is a bustling social hub of campus, featuring a large majority of the food options in Campustown. Choices range from nationwide fast food favorites to smaller, more local sit-down restaurants specific to Champaign.

Cracked is open daily from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Yummy Future

Yummy Future is a co ee shop that opened on Green Street in the fall of 2021. The co ee shop is de nitely one of the most unique on campus, as it is a robotic co ee shop.

A machine serves people who walk through the door, making a wide variety of co ee drinks and serving up delicious desserts and pastries.

Yummy Future is a must-do while on campus, and it is open from 10 a.m. to 5

Many students will mobile order and grab Noodles & Company for a quick grab-and-go meal! The restaurant is open Wednesday to Sunday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Caffe Bene

Ca e Bene is a staple study spot on campus, and the Green Street location o ers a middle ground meeting spot for people from di erent residential areas.

Bringing together the Urbana and Champaign students residents with co ee, acai bowls, smoothies and studying, the Green Street Ca e Bene is an ideal place for students to meet with friends, settle in for

A guide to food in Campustown, from quick eats to sit-down restaurants, all at a walkable distance

STAFF WRITER LUCY BRIDGES

LISA CHASANOV

a study session or grab a cup of joe on their way to class.

Ca e Bene is open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Signature Grill

Signature Grill on Green Street is an Indian restaurant where customers can make their own version of traditional Indian food.

Customers choose to make either a rice bowl, salad, wrap, dosa, burrito or taco, and then add their choice of protein, choosing from a variety of curried chickpea, tikka chicken, malai chicken, masala shrimp and more.

Signature Grill’s style of make-yourown allows people to customize the experience of tasting the avors of traditional Indian food. Signature Grill is open daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m..

Forage Kitchen

Forage Kitchen is a semi recently opeForage Kitchen is a semi-recently opened customizable salad restaurant on campus.

Although priced on the higher end of the scale, the salads and bowls o er a

healthy and customizable option to students.

Forage has a set menu of green bowls, grain bowls and kitchen salads, but also o ers a “Make Your Own” portion of the menu for those who wish to curate their own salad or grain bowl.

While Forage Kitchen is takeaway friendly, the restaurant does o er a nice dine-in environment with a nice seating area for customers to sit with friends and enjoy a healthy and hearty meal.

Forage Kitchen is open every day from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Raising Cane’s

The most recently opened restaurant on Green Street — as well as the most anticipated and popular — Raising Cane’s created quite an uproar when it opened up right on campus.

Creating a unique and fun vibe inside the restaurant and then an open rooftop seating area, the new Raising Cane’s is a great place to socialize with friends and to eat great chicken.

Raising Cane’s is open Sunday to Thursday from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Friday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to midnight..

C-U La La Noodle

C-U La La Noodle is a restaurant that o ers a wide variety of Chinese cuisine to students walking up and down Green Street.

C-U La La Noodle o ers many dishes from their massive menu: noodle soups; mixed noodles; fry noodles; many meat options including chicken, pork, beef and lamb; seafood, buns; and many rice and vegetable dishes.

C-U La La noodle o ers takeout, delivery and dine-in options to accommodate

anyone. C-U La La’s large menu can be enjoyed with friends or solo every day from 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Burrito King

Burrito King is another popular graband-go restaurant on Green Street that serves Mexican food dishes.

The Burrito King menu is extensive and has something for everyone, serving quesadillas, enchiladas, burritos, tortas, autas, chicken dishes, steak dishes and more!

A popular aspect of Burrito King amongst students are its late hours, as it remains open Monday to Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 a.m.

Plus so many more!

Scan the QR code to visit our website and read the full story for more options. Or, if you prefer to listen to your news, we’ve got you covered. Try our new narration feature!

CADEN BARGOWSKI THE DAILY ILLINI

Forage Kitchen is a popular location for those interested in vegetarian food options located on Green Street.

Hidden gems in ChampaignUrbana

More information can be found on the Seven Saints website.

Meadowbrook Park

Heading o campus into Champaign-Urbana can be intimidating for anyone new to the area. Here are some fun spots to visit that you may not know about.

CU Adventures in Time and Space

Working an escape room together can be an excellent bonding activity for a new RSO on campus — or any new group of friends.

Located in downtown Urbana, CU Adventures in Time and Space o ers seven di erent in-person escape rooms and one online escape room, all featuring unique storylines.

The escape rooms are an hour in length, and can be played with groups of two to 10 people.

Bookings can be made on the CU Adventures in Time and Space website.

Seven Saints

For a slightly more upscale option, Seven Saints is a bar and grill that boasts a delicious menu and a friendly environment.

Seven Saints has a small performance area, and occasionally hosts live musicians — such as various University jazz groups — for guests to enjoy alongside their meals.

With an abundance of positive online reviews, Seven Saints can be trusted to deliver a high quality meal after a long day on campus.

In the center of downtown Champaign, the restaurant isn’t too far away from campus and is a great stop for a special meal.

For a more outdoor approach, Meadowbrook Park in Urbana showcases the beauty of the extremely at Midwest. The park provides a unique combination of nature and artwork with multiple sculptures along its winding prairie paths.

The park, though it is close by the hustle and bustle of campus, is a nice break from the chaos that is moving into a new space at the same time as hundreds of others.

It is also home to an iconic “wooden playground” backed by a big grassy eld that is perfect for picnics.

More information can be found on the park’s website.

Savoy 16 + IMAX

With no movie theater available on campus, the Savoy 16 + IMAX is a great spot to see all of the latest movie releases on the big screen.

Ran by Phoenix Theatres Entertainment, the theater’s large number of screens allow for a wide variety of viewing times, making it easier to t a movie into your schedule.

The IMAX additionally shows lms in 3-D, with an extra-large screen to enhance viewing experience.

Located in Savoy, a town next to Champaign, the theater is a straight bus ride o campus at the Savoy Plaza.

Curtis Orchard & Pumpkin Patch

Another opportunity for outdoor activity with plenty of food involved comes in the form of Curtis Orchard and Pumpkin Patch.

About a 10-minute drive o campus,

Curtis Orchard is well worth the trip in order to spend a day outdoors enjoying fresh apple cider donuts.

Curtis Orchard additionally includes a venue for live music, a small corn maze, a cafe and a store with many orchardthemed items.

With an abundance of activities for people of all ages, Curtis Orchard is a

standout spot in Champaign, and labels itself on its website as an “escape to the country.”

The orchard o ers apple picking, award-winning honey and apple cider donuts, among many other farm products.

Curtis Orchard could be a great place to visit as a nice change from the traditional urban surroundings of campus.

JACOB SLABOSZ THE DAILY ILLINI

Helene Simmons, junior in Media, picks at apple at Curtis Orchard on Sept. 25. The orchard is located at 3902 S. Duncan Road in Champaign and offers things like a pumpkin patch, apple picking and a goat petting zoo, among others.

CU’s top music venues

BUZZ EDITOR SARAH BOND sbond21@dailyillini.com

Champaign-Urbana has a vibrant music scene and many venues that host all kinds of music and live acts.

Canopy Club

Located in the heart of campus at 708 S. Goodwin Ave. in Urbana, Canopy Club hosts a wide variety of events and artists. According to its website, the venue has hosted artists like Fall Out Boy, Snoop Dog and Smashing Pumpkins.

The venue has three setups for shows: a small stage near their bar; the small hall, a smaller version of the large setup which provides a more intimate setting; and the theater, the full-size venue that hosts large sets.

Canopy Club also hosts themed nights like Latin Night, Swift Me Away, Ninten-

do Rave and K-pop Night.

Notably, the venue is hosting indie pop band Peach Pit on Aug. 1.

Rose Bowl Tavern

Dubbed “Urbana’s home for music and drinks since 1946,” the venue-slashbar has an impressive lineup of regular performers. Located at 106 N. Race St., the venue usually hosts one to three musical events per night.

Most events are jazz or folk groups, but the venue also sees open mic nights, trivia nights and musicians of all genres.

Krannert Center for the Performing Arts

A University-run venue since 1969, the KCPA hosts many musical events on its ve indoor stages. It also has an outdoor amphitheater.

At 500 S. Goodwin Ave. in Urbana, the KCPA hosts performances of many

musicals and choral, orchestral and band performances, as well as various touring musical acts.

According to the KCPA’s website, the block-long building’s history began in 1962 when the Krannert family made “a large contribution to the University of Illinois and chose to build a performing arts center because they believed that to experience the arts was ‘one of the most rewarding and enriching experiences people can enjoy.’”

Virginia Theatre

Owned and operated by the Champaign Park District, the Virginia Theatre hosts a wide variety of events including the annual Roger Ebert Film Festival.

The venue, established in 1921, is located at 203 W. Park Ave. in Champaign and regularly hosts movie screenings, musical performances, recitals and more.

The Space

The Space is a new restaurant and music venue located at 1 E. Main St. in Champaign. The venue has hosted bands like OTNES and Emily The Band.

The Space also has a food menu, though all menus are “subject to our whims and thus constant change,” as listed on the venue’s website.

The owners of the venue also sell many kinds of hot sauce, titled “Weird Meat Boyz sauce.”

Huber’s West End Store

Huber’s is a tavern that regularly hosts live musicians. According to its website, Huber’s is family-owned and all are welcome.

The tavern, at 1312 W. Church St., also offers food and drinks along with video gaming and darts.

Neil St. Blues

A local restaurant that sporadically hosts live music events, Neil St. Blues has seen drag shows, tribute concerts and soul, reggae, Motown and blues concerts. According to the restaurant’s website, it o ers Southern-style cuisine.

Get in the zone at Campus Recreation facilities

Ice Arena

The University of Illinois boasts a wide range of di erent opportunities for students to work out, play various sports or enjoy a nice picnic with friends. Whatever students want to do, there’s most likely a Campus Recreation facility where they can do it.

Activities and Recreation Center

The largest Campus Recreation facility on campus, it is also the most popular as it o ers a little bit of everything. Living up to its name, the ARC is home to various recreational activities such as pick-up basketball, indoor volleyball, badminton and even martial arts such as Brazilian jiu-jitsu and boxing. With over 340,000 square feet of space, the ARC contains a multitude of features and areas. This includes three gyms to play basketball and various other sports in; two strength and conditioning areas packed with free weights, machines, treadmills and power racks; a performance pod for powerlifters; an indoor track on the second oor; and racquetball courts in the basement.

For the more adventurous students, the ARC has a 35.5-foot climbing wall with built-in auto belays as well as dedicated sta who can help any rookie climbers. There is also a 12-foot bouldering wall for those who want to climb but may be afraid of heights, or those who don’t want to deal with all the straps that come with climbing.

For the more aquatically inclined student, the ARC has two pools: an indoor pool available year-round and an outdoor pool for the warmer months. Additionally, the ARC has supplementary locations and rooms such as the sauna, instructional kitchen used for cooking classes and the combat room, as well as locker rooms and family changing rooms. The

ARC is also home to the majority of winter intramural sports such as basketball and volleyball. The ARC is located across the street from Ikenberry Commons.

Campus Recreation Center East

CRCE is like a smaller version of the ARC on the Urbana side of campus. With 110,000 feet of space, CRCE is able to accommodate many of the same things the ARC has. These include a gym, a strength and conditioning area, racquetball courts and a track. CRCE also has its own attractions, as it contains the Aquatic Center, which has a leisure pool, water slide and spa. The facility is also home to the multiactivity court, which is used for the indoor soccer intramural season and can be used for oor or roller hockey as well. Another plus of CRCE is that it is usually less crowded than the ARC is, which should provide another incentive for students to check it out.

Built in 1931, the Ice Arena is the oldest building run by Campus Recreation on campus. The arena is open to both students and community members throughout the year. Public skates are o ered throughout the week, with public lunch skates being available every day from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., as well as public skates on Wednesdays and Fridays from 7:30-9:30 p.m. The Ice Arena is home to the Illini Club Hockey Team. Unsurprisingly, the arena is the place to play hockey on campus, with drop-in hockey and stick and puck practice sessions taking place on Friday nights. Intramural hockey also takes place here from April to the rst week of May. For those who can’t ice skate and want to learn, the Ice Arena o ers Learn to Skate programs through Campus Recreation itself or in the form of the course KIN 104: Skating Activities.

Outdoor Center Playfields

A pretty self-explanatory name, the

Outdoor Center Play elds is a collection of outdoor elds, sand volleyball courts and tennis and basketball courts. Located on First Street just across from Ikenberry Commons, the complex includes four lighted turf elds for soccer and football and is where intramural ag football and soccer are played. There are three lighted sand volleyball courts for recreational and intramural use as well as six lighted basketball and tennis courts. There are also drinking fountains and port-a-potties open to students and the public.

Illini Grove

Illini Grove is the best place to go for outdoor activities. Located near PAR, Illini Grove is like a park students are most likely nd at home. It is home to a basketball court and sand volleyball court for some fun with friends and has eight lighted picnic sites that each come with a grill. Add a log pavilion with brick grills and drinking fountains as well as nine lighted tennis courts, and Illini Grove is the best place for a cookout or picnic with friends.

With all these facilities on campus, there’s a little something for everyone. So, whether students are a gym rat at the ARC or a rink rat at the Ice Arena, there will always be a place to go to on campus.

The Ice Arena is located at 406 E. Armory Ave., across the street from the Armory. The arena is open to students throughout the year, and also hosts game for the club hockey team.

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STAFF WRITER JAMES BARROWMAN jamescb2@dailyillini.com

YICHEN LIU THE DAILY ILLINI

How to tailgate at UI

BEN FADER bfader2@dailyillini.com

It’s safe to say that Illinois football is back, with a golden opportunity to have their best season since 2007. After a surprising year where the Illini reached their rst bowl game since 2019 and spent several weeks ranked in the AP poll, there is excitement surrounding the program that hasn’t been seen in a long time.

The Illinois Athletics ticket o ce announced that 93% of season ticket holders renewed their plans for the upcoming season, and that season tickets, in general, are up 300%. With the emergence of a quality program and fans packing the stands once again, tailgating is sure to be a blast.

Grange Grove

The center of the action, Grange Grove, opens at 7 a.m. on game days and is party central for most of the day. Events start three hours before kicko , including mu-

sic, a pregame radio show, the team merchandise store and tailgating in the grass. Occasionally, the Kids Zone and autograph tent open up for additional fun. Located on the west side of the stadium, Grange Grove is often full until after the games, making it a fun time even for those without tickets.

Where to go

Most of the surrounding lots are open to partiers, but Lot 31 and Lot 42 attract a lot of tailgaters, with spots available for cars,

RVs and oversized vehicles. Both lots are close to the stadium, but 31 is just across the street from Grange Grove, making it the epicenter of Illinois football tailgating.

Fans can also purchase parking tickets beforehand for spots in Lots 44, 49 and Research Park. These locations are a little further away from the stadium, but there are occasional golf carts and shuttles to take small groups to the stadium.

What to bring

Anything you want — it’s really up to you. Common things to bring include a tent for shade, chairs to lounge in, food, a grill, a cooler and a speaker; the basics for everyone to gather around for some burgers and dogs while socializing with tunes in the background.

Most tailgates prefer grilling meat, but sandwiches, chips and dip, fruit and more are other popular things to indulge in. Stocking the cooler with drinks is important as well, especially for the rst part of the season when the weather is still scorching. Water, sodas and beer are fan favorites for refreshing beverages before a game.

While waiting for the food to cook and the game to start, many fans also bring games to keep themselves busy. Cornhole and Spikeball are popular, as well as a football to throw around the lot. If you really want to show your Illinois pride, bring Illini ags, blankets and more to deck your entire area out with orange and blue.

When to arrive

Tailgating can start at any time, but it’s best to arrive around three hours prior to kicko . This will give you enough time to cook your food and hang out with friends and family before the game. If you are having too much fun and lose track of time, Illinois football has you covered. Beginning last year, the Illini began setting o reworks at the 60-minute and 25-minute marks before kicko . The display gave fans warnings that the game was approaching, so they could begin packing up their tailgates and heading into the stadium. Still, there’s no pressure to be in the game right at kicko . Tailgating is about having fun, so there is no need to rush into the stadium, especially if you aren’t sitting with everyone at the tailgate.

ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR

ANGEL SALDIVAR THE DAILY ILLINI University students tailgate before the homecoming game against Minnesota on Oct. 26.

A guide to Illinois sporting events

ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR CONOR BLOUNT cblount3@dailyillini.com

Whether you are fresh out of high school or are transferring away from another institution, chances are, the sports atmosphere in Champaign will be very di erent than what you are used to.

Prepare for men’s basketball tickets to sell out

The student body loves men’s basketball, and if you are an incoming student, you either like men’s basketball or must be prepared to be surrounded by it for four years. If you are planning on getting student tickets, you better be ready to be just as committed to getting those tickets. Last year’s student tickets sold out in 36 minutes, even after the loss of 10 players from the 2021-22 roster. While an o cial time

and date of the ticket drop has not been announced, it will be something to look out for in the early weeks of rst semester.

Get there early

Arriving to Illinois sporting events early has its own bene ts, especially in the case of football and men’s basketball where student seating is almost entirely based on a rst-come, rst-served basis. On top of potentially getting a better seat, contributing to and soaking in the pregame atmosphere is something you can’t miss.

Go to football

In recent memory, football has taken a back seat while Illinois has earned the label of a basketball school, but since last year, it is apparent that change is coming. Illinois participated in a bowl game for the rst time since 2019 and won the most of games since its 2008 Rose Bowl appearance, as second-year head coach Bret Bielema showed that complacency is not

acceptable.

Illinois has already begun to churn out professional talents with Devon Witherspoon’s selection at fth overall in the 2023 NFL draft — the highest an Illini has taken in over 25 years. This year, with a regular season schedule that does not feature either Ohio State or Michigan, Illinois’ destiny is in its own hands.

Check out the tailgating scene

In the same vein as football, Illinois has always had an impressive tailgating culture regardless of team success. With setup starting days in advance, expect the area surrounding Memorial Stadium to be packed to the brim with students, alumni and even fans from out of town. Whether hosting a tailgate yourself or crashing a friend’s, the hours before a football game are as good a time as any to bump shoulders with fellow supporters of the Illini.

Support as many sports as possible

While football and men’s basketball are the popular juggernauts at every school, Illinois happens to have a lot of talent in other sports as well.

Last year, women’s tennis saw its duo of junior Kate Duong and sophomore Megan Heuser crowned ITA Regional champions, defeating the best duo in the nation along the way.

Women’s golf earned its rst ever Big Ten championship, while men’s gymnastics placed third at the national championships.

All the while, rst-year head coach Shauna Green completely turned the women’s basketball program around and earned its rst NCAA tournament bid in 20 years.

Odds are that no matter the sport, Illinois will be ghting for something and needs its students to pack the stands.

Kicking off the school year with intramural sports on campus

SPORTS EDITOR JAMES KIM jamessk4@dailyillini.com

Every year, thousands of high school student athletes hear that whistle for the last time. This sound marks the end of an era for the majority of senior students, as their time playing competitive sports has come to an end.

However, while only a select few are able to continue competing at the Division I level, there is still a great option available for all students on campus. Intramural sports allow students to stay active while o ering healthy competition during the semester.

For Quinn Athas, freshman in Engineering, joining the intramural scene at

Illinois was always the plan after wrapping up four years of high school soccer. While Athas looked forward to continuing to play in college, intramurals also o ered a lot socially.

“The team we had was a lot of my friends,” Athas said. “But it was also just random people we found playing soccer before the season started. It was just a great way of meeting new people from a lot of di erent backgrounds my freshman year.”

For any incoming students looking to get involved in intramurals on campus, there is a signi cant range of sports to choose from.

In addition to soccer, the University o ers football, basketball, volleyball, dodgeball, badminton and a wide variety of other sports and activities that can

How are you doing? Really.

be found listed on the o cial campus recreation site.

Notably, joining an intramural league isn’t overly time consuming. A typical intramural regular season runs for approximately three weeks, with the ensuing playo s lasting another two weeks. Teams play one game per week, and when signing up, students are able to pick a speci c day and time of the week that best ts in with their schedule.

“It’s only an hour or two of commitment a week,” Athas said. “It’s really nice because it forces me to have a break from school, get out and be active and just be social with the people on my team.”

While intramurals are a great option for students looking to continue playing in college, they are also a great option for

those looking to try out a sport for the rst time. The competition is low stakes, creating an environment focused on allowing students to have a social space to spend time being active and having fun.

The start of the semester can be a nerve-wracking time for many, and being a part of an intramural sport is a great way to alleviate some of that stress. O ering both social and health bene ts, intramurals are an excellent place to start getting involved in the on-campus community at Illinois.

“I think my biggest advice is to just do it,” Athas said. “There’s no harm in just joining a team or trying to build a team. Even if it doesn’t go well in the aspect that you’re winning all the time, it’s still a good experience to have and it’s just a ton of fun.”

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Continue the competition with Illinois club sports

Along with the many registered student organizations and unique opportunities that the University of Illinois has to o er are a wide range of club sports that also allow students to get more involved on campus.

Club sports at the University provide an opportunity for all students to expand their horizons during the time they spend on campus. From the Illini Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Club to the Illinois Men’s Lacrosse Club, there are 38 clubs that allow individuals to continue to operate in a competitive environment at the University.

By joining club sports, students are

granted the opportunity to develop their skills beyond the sport itself. As incoming junior and mid elder for the Illinois Men’s Lacrosse Club Phillip Mackey points out, each member belongs to an organization that encourages personal growth.

“I have found that the unique opportunities presented by club sports for those who excelled at the high school level but didn’t wish to pursue the D-1 college sports experience are invaluable as an outlet for the student body to come together and represent their university in a more formal way, or to bring together like-minded individuals to grow as a unit through sport,” Mackey said.

For sports like lacrosse that don’t have an o cial Division I program at Illinois, the club sport lls this void and is extremely competitive, sharing the same Big Ten

rivalries that an o cial program has. With this in mind, some club sports require a larger commitment than others.

Member of Illinois Men’s Volleyball Club and recent alum Rocky Mayer gave important advice to freshmen considering a club sport.

“Fully commit to whatever team you may be on,” Mayer said. “The guys within volleyball that have fully applied themselves to competing with their teams have been the guys who have enjoyed it the most as well as have had the most success.”

Shots Takeda, incoming senior and member of the Illini Swim Club, has been able to balance two other RSOs, a job and his engineering workload all while consistently making nationals for club swim. The team has tryouts, weekly practice and three events throughout the season.

As for balancing time spent with friends, it hasn’t been an issue for Takeda either, as it has shown him some of his closest relationships.

“Swimming has given me some of my best friends from college and I’m excited to make more memories with them and the new freshmen to come,” Takeda said.

Some of the club sports at the University have enjoyed a great deal of success, such as men’s volleyball, which nished as the runner-up at the national tournament. Others are steadily improving each year to get to their desired destination.

Whatever state the club sport that may interest incoming freshmen is in, they are heavily reliant on the next wave of students to continue to grow their programs.

Like any other organization on campus, what the student puts into their time spent with the club is what they will get out of it.

By joining a club sport, however, the individual is provided a competitive outlet to continue to live out the passions that they developed through high school, travel to other colleges and the potential to foster some of the strongest friendships made while in college.

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Advice from a graduated senior

Some notes at the time that I’m writing this: I handed in my last exam yesterday. I nished my last research paper two days ago. Graduation is three days away. I shudder a bit as I count on my ngers the days from today until graduation. I am done with college — all that’s left is to walk across the stage.

I’ve been tasked with giving college advice to incoming students: to impart some words of wisdom to the next generation of Illini. To you, incoming students reading this edition who may — or may not — be eagerly waiting to set foot in this academic outpost of central Illinois, here are some tips.

By the time you’re reading this, I’ll be really, truly done. I’ll be moved out and the college apartment where I held my birthday party and cooked poorly constructed dinners on a worn-out stove will be packed away in little cardboard boxes. I’ll be what they consider a “real adult.” Champaign-Urbana will be in the past.

But it won’t, really.

I think there’s a distinctly American conception of college as a bu er period between youth and fully edged adulthood. In that bu er period, nothing seems to be really real. It’s not real because you did it for an assignment, or it’s not real because you’re only living there for a limited, graduation-bound period of time. However, while this certainly is a transition period and you shouldn’t take yourself too seriously, what you do here has all the signi cance that you ascribe to it, so why not treat it with importance?

I was tempted to turn this piece into a rabid defense of the liberal arts model of college, loudly proclaiming education for education’s sake, but even in its most

vocational iterations, college is not just a four-year job training program. You’re not sequestered from the outside world or stuck in some sort of semi-adult purgatory waiting to be deemed worthy of the privilege of being a fully realized, real person — although it may feel like it. You’re in it, the part of the world around you. The things you do in college will matter: to the other people at this school, to the world around you and, most importantly, to yourself.

Not to write the cliché “you-can-doanything” type of advice column that’s all too popular for this kind of edition, but you kind of can do anything here. Resources are plentiful. Think of what you want to do, and odds are, you can do it.

Think of the person you want to be by the time you’re out of here and spend your days acting as that kind of person. No one else is going to give you permission to do what you want to do, so bestow it upon yourself.

This sounds like the most obvious advice ever, but I can assure you that once you’re in school, there will come a time that the days start to pile up on top of each other and just getting through the day becomes your main task. On those days, it will take a concerted amount of e ort to act as the person you want to be, to not just do the work you have to do, but to do the work you want to do. This can take whatever form you want it to —whether that’s conducting your own independent research project, putting together your own website, starting a YouTube channel or getting involved with local politics.

I’m nearing the end of my editor-allotted space, so I feel like I owe you some practical advice after all this rambling. Quickly, here’s some rapid- re pragmatic advice about college and college life here at the University:

Do not take 20 credit hours in a semes-

ter. I speak from experience.

The ARC and CRCE are free. No one cares if you don’t know exactly how to use the weights. This will be the last time in your life you have a free gym, so you should use it.

Joe’s Brewery is underrated. They have the best outdoor seating and it’s never crowded because everyone thinks they’re too good for it. Fishbowl Friday is undefeated.

Learn how to use the bus.

Google Calendar is a lifesaver.

If you’re still using Snapchat as your primary mode of communication, why? Grow up.

You can get an insanely cheap cup of co ee in the Illini Union snack shop. Go in the Main Quad side doors on the left and the shop is right there. It’s not good, but it’s cheap.

Invest in a good set of Tupperware.

Greek life is fun, but it’s not for everybody. If that’s your thing, great. If not, don’t sweat it.

Illini Pantry has the best customer service.

If you’re going to get in a ght with your roommate, be prepared to spend a lot of money on eating out.

The University’s Center for Advanced Study has a recurring “Food for Thought” series where scholars give presentations on their research and attendees get free food. The food is way better than you’d expect, and you get to hear about the cool things professors are working on.

That person you met at KAMS is not your soulmate, but it could be fun to gure out exactly why they aren’t.

Veoride bikes are actually one of the best ways to get around campus.

They say you can’t take food from the dining halls, but no one will check your backpack.

Keep an eye out for live music on and around campus. I saw the best show of my life at the Channing Murray Foundation, a beautiful old Unitarian church just about The Red Herring in Urbana, just because I saw a poster.

Venture o -campus. There are plenty of great restaurants and bars in downtown Champaign and Urbana. If you don’t have a car, there are bus routes with great frequency that take you to each downtown.

Finally, how you spend your days is how you spend your life. The same is true for college, so spend it deliberately.

UI alum Matt Troher sits at a computer on May 8.

STAFF WRITER MATT TROHER mtroher2@dailyillini.com