The Shield April 21, 2016

THE

SHIELD

T h u r s d a y, A P R I L 2 1 , 2 0 1 6 | U s i s h i e l d . c o m | v o l . 4 6 i s s u e 3 0

WORLD-WIDE WEB VIEW

Study reveals internet posts shape religious views

illustration by Philip kuhns | The Shield

by bobby shipman Special to The Shield Megan Dickens struggled for years with the concept of homosexuality.

The graphic design alumna grew up in a small, mostly conservative Indiana town, where she was taught that same-sex relationships were sinful.

“When I started college, there seemed to be a very large push for the gay community,” Dickens said. “I had a really hard time with it.”

Moving from Loogootee with a population of less than 3,000, to Evansville with a population of more than 110,000, was a big change for Dickens.

The 22-year-old Office Depot print supervisor had no idea she would feel like her views on LGBT rights were in the minority on campus, she said, but her activity on the Internet gave her a new perspective.

Social media sculpted Dickens is just one of millions of people, young and old, whose religious and political views are shaped by social media every day.

“Facebook has opened up this weird relationship with everyone where I’m allowed to talk about politics and religion,” she said.

“If I was friends with you in real life, we might talk about these things, but we would

never argue about them. I feel like what happens is we are all given a megaphone.”

Half of Millennials (individuals born between the 1980s and the mid-2000s) describe themselves as political independents and 29 percent say they are not affiliated with any religion, according to a 2014 Pew Research Center study.

The study concluded that these are at or near the highest levels of political and religious disaffiliation recorded for any generation in the quarter-century that the Pew Research Center has polled on these topics.

Also known as Generation Y, these are the first people to grow up in the digital age.

These “digital natives” are known to be avid consumers of social media, which plays a major role in how they construct their world view.

In a 2015 study by American Press Institute and the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, 88 percent of Millennials who participated said they use Facebook to find news.

Dickens’ strict religious upbringing sculpted her negative perception of homosexuals, but as she pressed down on her mouse to play an online video, she said something clicked.

The video titled “Love Has No Labels” features a giant X-ray that guises the true identities of the couples behind it. Onlookers gather around the skeletal images of two

figures kissing, holding hands and dancing.

Gay, straight and interracial couples emerge to reveal that no matter the combination, everyone looks the same on the inside.

After watching the video, Dickens said she started to pay more attention to streams of positive LGBT messages online.

Dickens said she now strives to no longer judge people.

‘Where the people are’ In a way, Dickens said, almost everything she comes across on social media ties into religion.

She said even politically-charged posts carry a religious message since they usually pit conservative against liberal, who are frequently depicted as pro-religion or anti-religion.

“I think everything boils down to something religious or something concerning moral value when it comes to what I see on the Internet,” Dickens said.

Not only are Millennials less likely than older generations to be affiliated with any religion, according to the Pew study, they are also less likely to say they believe in God. Eighty-six percent said they believe in a higher power, but just 58 percent admitted to being “absolutely certain” of God’s existence.

Social media & Religion, PAGE 3

Lenhardt named HR director by nick leighty ndleighty@eagles.usi.edu

Andrew Lenhardt sensed he had a special opportunity as a first generation college student.

The university appointed Lenhardt as the new executive director of Human Resources, effective Lenhardt June 1.

Lenhardt grew up in the town of Waterloo, Illinois, where he started work on his grandfather’s farm at 4:30 a.m. each day. He would drive up to Grant’s Farm south of St. Louis, unload bales of hay and be back by 8 a.m.

He began his career in human resources in 2006, after he received his Master’s Degree in public administration from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. After receiving his degree, he began working for his alma mater as a human resources assistant and jack-of-all-trades.

Lenhardt said during his time as a human resources assistant, he gained mentorship and guidance from Angelo Gene Monaco. He said it was because of his tutelage he was able to get a grander view of the field as a whole.

“I wanted the opportunity to act on more of my ideas.

I wanted to feel included,” Lenhardt said. “More importantly, I wanted a mentor, someone who would listen, and thankfully I found a great mentor in Monaco.”

Lenhardt was promoted to HR specialist and remained there for one year before receiving another promotion to assistant associate director of human resources. While there, he served as ethics officer for state mandated ethics compliance and coordinated various award ceremonies for staff.

“I had a great team.

There’s nothing I’ve been able to accomplish alone,” Lenhardt said. “It’s all been with a great team and I’ve had the privilege of working with great individuals.”

He remained in that position until July 2014, when he decided to take the director of human resources position at Indiana University East in Richmond. He felt he could make more of a mark on initiatives and be able to formulate human resources strategy while being a part of the Chancellor’s Cabinet.

Lenhardt, PAGE 2

Tenure: helping or hurting? Rally to promote by gabi wy

diversity, equality

news@usishield.com @ShieldsterGabi

by abigail suddarth acsuddarth@eagles.usi.edu

Cassidy Ferguson doesn’t pay attention to her educators’ job titles.

While students like Ferguson took courses this year without a thought to whether their teachers hold doctorates, Faculty Senate discussed promotion and tenure at length. The conversation, which lasted an entire academic year, is not over.

Ferguson, a freshman public relations major, said she didn’t know much about tenure, but thinks the concept could be harmful to student learning.

“If a certain number of students don’t like a professor, administration should be able to do something,” she said. “(Administration) can’t if they can’t fire (tenured

5 YEAR PORTFOLIO

ASSISTANT PROFESSOR

EVALUATION

. research . university service . education/teaching

. has Ph.D . works full-time

. promotion to tenure status OR . process of being fired illustration by Jessica Stallings | The Shield

Once hired on the tenure track as an assistant professor, a faculty member spends five years developing a portfolio to present to his or her department. During the sixth year, the faculty member is evaluated and the Board of Trustees either grants tenure or gives the faculty another year before terminating employment.

professors).”

When the university hires a full-time educator with a doctorate, that individual is hired as an assistant professor.

Assistant professors seek tenure, which is essentially permanent job security.

On the tenure track, as-

sistant professors collect evidence of scholarship, research and service for five years. After that period, departments give recommendations to the dean, then to the university committee, provost and Board of Trustees.

If a professor receives ten-

ure during that sixth year, he or she receives a permanent job contract and becomes an associate professor. If tenure is denied, the assistant professor is given a seventh year at the university before being fired.

tenure , PAGE 2

Danesha Shelton will ask the question: “Why is it hard to talk about race?” for her capstone project.

The Center for Social Justice Education intern will ask this question to Stand Against Racism Rally attendees and include their responses in her project.

The CSJE, the YWCA and the Multicultural Center will host the university’s fourth annual Stand Against Racism Rally April 28, at the USI Amphitheater.

Speakers include members of the Black Student Union and the Hispanic Student Union, Assistant Professor of English Marcus Wicker, incoming SGA president Ash-

ley Wright and Mayor Lloyd Winnecke.

Shelton said people on campus often skirt around issues of race.

“It’s really awesome to see that people within the USI community are dedicated to talking about the issues,” the senior social work major said.

“I would say this year, I’ve definitely seen an increase in dialogues about race.”

Students have a responsibility to create an inclusive space for everyone, Shelton said. She personally strives to make that happen.

“I’ve always felt welcome at USI,” she said. “But I would like to see more representation of people of color on this campus.”

There’s always room to improve conversations about race relations, Shelton said.

racism rally, PAGE 4

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tenure

continued from Page 1

Faculty Senate’s discussion focused on whether to disband or keep the university-wide promotions committee. The committee remains as is, while the discussion about the tenure process will continue into the 2016-17 academic year.

Ferguson wants her educators to engage with her regardless of tenure or job title.

“If a professor is bad, I’d question if they have a good education,” she said, “but if one is good, I’ll be impressed and not care.”

‘It didn’t used to be like this’ Robert Wuerth considers himself “anti-tenure.”

Wuerth, an instructor of accounting, is in his last semester at the university and said he never had any desire to achieve tenure.

“Once you’re tenured, you could be totally worthless, but (the university) can’t do anything,” he said. “(Tenured professors are) clearly treated differently because no matter how bad they are, they can’t be fired.”

Within his department, Wuerth said career work often matters more than a doctorate.

During his time at the university, Wuerth has seen several professors who, despite having Ph.D.’s, failed at teaching because they had no experience.

“If you have experience in accounting, that’s what students are looking for, not the academic,” he said. “Students don’t care whether you have a Ph.D. or a master’s.”

He said the quality of an instructor isn’t defined by their job title or the contract they hold with the university.

“I wouldn’t want tenure because I’d want to keep the high quality students want,” Wuerth said. “Once you get tenure, you’ve got no motivation. You have increased salary and don’t have to work as hard as before.”

According to the public university payroll, the highest-paid professor for 2014 earned $136,390. Two tenured professors, both from the accounting department, made more money than several associate provosts and assistant vice presidents in administration.

However, the lowest-paid instructor in accounting made $25,800 in 2014, which is only 18 percent of what the highest-paid tenured professor made.

“It didn’t used to be like this, where you have incredible difference in salaries,” Wuerth said. “You bring in a Ph.D. and pay them maybe twice as much, but then they’re horrible teachers.”

Making students enroll, making students stay Wuerth first worked at the

university 20 years ago and retired after 10 years. The Romain College of Business reached out to him for help this past year, so Wuerth decided to teach for one more year.

He said when he came back, he found the accounting program had “deteriorated.”

“When I came here, I said, ‘My gosh, this is bad.’ All the people they bring in have no experience,” Wuerth said.

“Students just want to learn from you, and it’s not just talking textbooks. It’s about the real world.”

He said the decreasing trend in enrollment, especially in the accounting department, can be attributed to weaknesses in the hiring process.

From 2014 to 2015, university enrollment dropped 3.6 percent, according to the University Factbook.

The undergraduate accounting and professional services program had 297 students in 2014 and 275 students in 2015, a 7.4 percent drop.

The program’s enrollment decreased 22 percent in the past five years.

“Once students are here, they’ll stay, but they won’t come if the faculty isn’t quality,” Wuerth said. “When professors get tenure, you won’t get the (quality) results, yet you pay that person much more money.”

Nicholas LaRowe, however, said receiving tenure will only enhance his teaching.

The assistant professor of political science is awaiting tenure approval during his sixth year on the tenure track.

He said because he’s gotten recommendations from the department chair, the department and the liberal arts dean, he’s pretty sure he will receive it.

“It’s certainly possible that when you get tenure — a lifetime job — you won’t want to work as hard. Any system has ways to take advantage of it,” he said. “But most of us get into this job because we like it.”

As a member of the 201516 Faculty Senate and the incoming chair of the 2016-17 senate, LaRowe said promotion and tenure is critical at a university.

“It’s hard to think of anything more important than this discussion,” he said. “I think it’s something we need to keep on talking about as a university.”

He said tenured professors might not receive more respect from students, but there is certainly more respect from other professors and administrators.

“The main reason I sought tenure was academic freedom,” he said. “You can explore controversies and take more risks. I might experiment.”

‘A higher standard’ Paul Kuban said if anything, receiving tenure helped his teaching rather than draining his motivation.

“I’ve discovered that I’ve worked harder the longer I’ve been here,” the tenured engineering professor said.

“With tenure comes a lot more responsibility, such as mentoring faculty, serving on committees and taking a leadership role.”

He said tenure was his ultimate goal because of job security.

“In engineering, I’d make a lot more money working in industry than academia, but tenure is something you can never get in an industry job,” Kuban said. “It’s a trade-off — a lifetime job for a lower salary grade.”

He said another good reason for offering tenure at a university is the push it creates for excellent faculty.

“Tenure forces early faculty to work to a higher standard in order to earn it,” Kuban said. “They put in an extra effort to gain that tenure, and I don’t know that that happens at places with no tenure track.”

Hiring and keeping faculty with doctorates is necessary for the engineering program’s quality, Kuban said.

“We probably wouldn’t be accredited without faculty with terminal degrees,” he said. “The accreditation

board looks at that.”

Kuban said students probably don’t take note of their instructor’s job titles.

“I don’t think it matters to the students whether the teacher is an instructor or a professor,” he said. “But I do think they respect when a certain instructor has education in their field that lends credibility to what they’re teaching.”

Provost Ron Rochon said tenure provides “great recognition” and opportunities.

He said when he was in college, he knew little about tenure.

“I think it would be wonderful for students to learn about the tenure process,” he said. “I believe in discovery and for students to ask healthy questions about what’s going on.”

He said the university is having good discussion about the future of promotion and tenure, and he hopes all faculty will be part of the conversation.

“Tenure is not for everybody,” he said. “At the university, we have lots of different titles and different ranks.

(All faculty) are worthy and respected. They are fullfledged citizens of the community.”

ing Title IX compliances and practices. Enacted in the 1970s, Title IX originally was thought of as intercollegiate athletics providing equal resources.

In reality, it is more than equality in athletics, he said.

Title IX handles sexual discrimination, harassment and

violence.

Lenhardt worked to create awareness programs and student committees to have more people talk on the issue. He also created events in April to combat sexual violence and harassment and bystander intervention training.

Vice President for Finance

and Administration Steve Bridges said there was a consistent message of honesty and skill in his profession when calling references about Lenhardt.

“There’s very few reference checks I have done in my career here of 27 years that have come back quite as

strong as Lenhardt’s,” Bridges said.

He said it is beneficial for Lenhardt to live in Evansville because it is closer to home.

Lenhardt stood out to Bridges because of his sense of caring, and knowledge of human resources and his desire to improve.

LENHARDT continued from Page 1 The cabinet would meet once a month to discuss strategic planning, enrollment and facilities. Lenhardt was responsible for integrating human resources management into an institution-wide strategy.

“I think human resources impacts every part of the or-

ganization,” Lenhardt said.

“Employees are the most valuable aspect an organization can have.”

While at IU East, Lenhardt completed a new employee orientation and recruitment program.

At both colleges, he was responsible for maintain-

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The shield | APRIL 21, 2016 | Usishield.com

social media & Religion Jay Kranda hopes to reach this demographic of nonbelievers via social media.

Kranda, who worked as the online campus pastor for Saddleback International Church in Lake Forest, California for six years, said the main reason the church uses social media is to engage with its community about its worship services. He considers social media an extension of the church, which attracts nearly 25,000 people to its campus each week.

“We have internal messages and external messages,” he said. “We are purpose driven in our strategies. We build people from community to commission.”

The church posts religious quotes and shares event information to its social accounts to attract those who may be interested in God, but aren’t ready to apply the interest, he said.

They may agree with a quote the church posted or share it, which could spark them to check out their website or even physically visit the church.

Kranda said there have been many instances of people joining their church because of social media.

The reason Saddleback uses social media is because that’s where the people are, the pastor said.

This is by no means a new method.

“Different movements have been powerful at different times,” Kranda said. “The apostle Paul capitalized and was able to plant churches in the first century because of the Roman roads that were paved.”

The printing press allowed the German Bible to be printed in different languages and radio and TV broadcasts also amplified and altered the way religious leaders spread their messages.

Now, there’s the Internet.

“I don’t care if you’re selling shoes on Zappos or you’re in the church trying to sell the message that Jesus loves every-

continued from Page 1

one,” Kranda said. “You’re going to capitalize on whatever’s happening and where people are.”

Digital Crusades Dickens said she lost a close friend because of a social media post.

She met the girl in class and they soon became friends until the person — an atheist — found out about Dickens’ Christian beliefs.

“Our friendship became (the person) trying to argue with me, and I was like, ‘We

with someone, she said she puts her “two cents in” as a confirmation of what that person is saying.

She said she “zips her lips” when she disagrees because she doesn’t feel it’s her place to tell someone they’re wrong.

But many Facebook users have no problem starting arguments online.

“That’s what Facebook is to me: Here’s some controversy.

Now start bashing each other,” she said.

But according to the Pew study, half of all Millennials

atheists and the separation of church and state.

Fish works to develop messaging and outreach strategies, particularly in the arena of politics and policy, and engages local activists to amplify the voices of atheists in public discourse.

The non-profit posts content relevant to the atheist community with a political or community angle, Fish said, especially at times when its identity is attacked or denigrated by members of the political class or political establishment.

‘

I don’t care if you’re selling shoes on Zappos or you’re in the church trying to sell the message that Jesus loves you.

You’re going to capitalize on whatever’s happening and where people are.

- Jay Kranda Online campus pastor for Saddleback International Church

never had this problem until you found me on the Internet,’” Dickens said.

She said it was heartbreaking that something she posted online ruined their friendship.

Although half of Millennials identify as politically independent, the Pew study shows the social-media savvy demographic votes “heavily Democratic” and holds some liberal views such as favoring an activist government, marriage of same-sex couples and marijuana legalization.

Normally, if Dickens agrees

choose not to identify with either political party, and 31 percent say there is a great difference between the Republican and Democratic parties. Fiftyeight percent of people from older generations surveyed felt the parties greatly differed.

Nick Fish doesn’t mind if people disagree with his organization online, as long as it’s not based on a misinterpretation.

Fish is the national program director at American Atheists, a non-profit organization that fights for the civil liberties of

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of people within our own community because we want to be conscious of the way people perceive things.”

A social engagement A BuzzFeed video about depression follows a man going through his day-to-day routine.

He encounters many people, including a particularly chipper co-worker who stops him repeatedly to happily greet him.

The end of the video reveals the man being followed does not have depression, but the one who appeared so happy and cheerful did. The supposedly happy co-worker commits suicide.

“It made me think about a lot of things in my life,” Dickens said. “It made me think, ‘Well, I can’t judge others based on what I see on the outside because I don’t know anything about them on the inside.’”

Dickens said it inspired her to be a better person and open up more to other people.

“I (now) accept a lot more of what people say,” she said. “I understand where they’re coming from because I don’t know their story or their life.”

Fish said, like Kranda, he has witnessed a lot of engagement online, especially from young people who tell him they first saw his organization on Facebook.

That is why he emphasizes engaging people on social media platforms, he said.

According to the American Atheists’ Facebook analytics, 65 percent of their total audience is under the age of 34.

“That is a huge number and that’s broadly reflective of the role social media has in people’s lives under 30,” Fish said.

“It certainly is self-evident that young people are engaged in social media to figure out their worldview, and how could they not given the role it plays in our lives?”

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“When they see that one of their central identities is under attack, they are more likely to share it, engage with it,” he said.

Fish said they are focused on showing atheists in a positive light, as opposed to attacking religious organizations.

“No matter what we do, people are going to be less than thrilled with anything we post, or people who oppose atheists or religiously proselytize, we mostly just ignore it,” he said. “We do, however, listen to the tone and the substance

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Dogs to help stressed students Students overwhelmed with stress before finals begin can visit the Recreation Fitness and Wellness Center Quiet Room starting Monday for Paws n’ Play.

From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Monday and Tuesday, and 3-5 p.m. Wednesday, therapy dogs will be available for students to play with.

For more information, contact Katie Loehrlein at kloehrlei@usi.edu or at 812-465-1638.

Giveback to raise money for bone marrow Buffalo Wild Wings will hold its Give Back Night event 11 a.m. to 1 p.m Friday.

When a participant eats in or carries out, they can

mention “Be the Match On Campus” and Buffalo Wild Wings will donate 10 percent of the check to Be the Match On Campus.

Money raised will go directly to people on the Bone Marrow Registry.

Anderson to receive highest honor Biology major Maria Anderson will receive the President’s Medal, the highest honor given to a graduate in the Class of 2016.

She will graduate with a 3.9 GPA and is planning on working toward her Masters of Health Administration degree.

Anderson is also a leader at the university’s Camp Eagle, a Student Ambassador and a student worker in Admissions.

She will receive the award during the Pott College of Science, Engineering and Education and Outreach and Engagement Commencement April 30.

5k to honor student who died in 2014 A 5K honoring USI student Emily Lengacher, who died in 2014, will be held at noon (EST) May 21, at Gastof Amish Restaurant in Montgomery.

The event is named Proverbs 31:25k after Lengacher’s favorite Bible verse. There will be a balloon lift off to start the race and a raffle will be held throughout the event, with winners announced at the end.

Same-day registration begins at 10 a.m. (EST).

Register before May 1 to get a shirt before the race.

All proceeds from the event will be donated to the USI Chi Alpha group and Raber Minstries, both of which impacted Lengacher’s life.

For more information, call 812-787-1076.

Information gathered from USIʼs Public Crime Log, provided by USI Safety and Security.

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The shield | APRIL 21, 2016 | Usishield.com

‘It has changed my life’ Nigerien student says goodbye to university, friends

Photo by alyssa smith | The Shield

Souleymane Mamane Illia, a junior English major from Niger, studies for finals Tuesday at Rice Library. Illia will return to Niger after finals and said he will miss his friends, professors and advisers who made his experience in the United States great.

by Megan Thorne features@usishield.com @ShieldsterMegan The Shield interviewed three international students to see how they were acclimating to life at a U.S. university. In this weekly series, The Shield revisits Souleymane Mamane Illia, a junior English major from Niger, to hear about his U.S. experience.

or WhatsApp and things like that. But the big thing is, I am going to leave in less than three weeks, and I will miss all these people I met here because we have been hav-

‘

The Shield: What was your overall experience like?

Illia: It has been really good from the start to the end. I liked all the aspects of my experience — the studies, staying with people here and all the people I met.

The Shield: What new knowledge will you take back to Niger?

Illia: I’ve learned a lot from my classes and my stay here as a whole because I met people from all over the world.

You always get to learn from each other, and I learned a lot about all these people during my stay. I’ve learned the values of other people. I also told them about mine, which is a good thing. I think I have new insight. It’s a new experience that will surely help me make positive changes when I go back home.

The Shield: Have you missed Niger?

Illia: I do miss home — my family, friends, all the chill spots. I do miss them, but it’s fine because I can get in touch with all these people through social media, Skype

Racism Rally

The Shield: Have you overcome the things you found difficult?

Illia: The first day of class, I saw that everything was different. It was a new thing and

It’s a new experience that will surely help me make positive changes when I go back home.

-Souleymane Mamane Illia Junior English major

ing a really good time. I know for sure I will miss them a lot and it’s something that makes me nervous. They are people that you have a good time with and establish some type of good relationship and now you have to leave them, and you’re not sure if you’re going to meet all of them again.

The Shield: Are there certain classes you’re going to miss?

Illia: My American Literature class — I like my professor. He is really cool and I like how he tries to get your attention. The second class is about women and literature and talks about women’s situations. It’s kind of a feminist class. I like this class because it talks about women and how they are treated in different societies, so I’m going to miss these main classes.

but I can say that it’s a lifechanging event. All the experience I’ve gained and the experience in the American educational system, which is different from our educational system. Even the fact of not only traveling but staying in another country and another school. Getting to make connections with people and connections that I hope will bring about something great in the future. I think it has changed my life. I’ve grown up as a person and another thing is, three weeks ago, we attended a program workshop in Washington D.C. and it was really great. I’ve learned a lot and this workshop was a highlight in my stay here in America because we talked about how to face and handle issues. My stay here has had a really positive impact on my life.

’

I was wondering if I would even be able to study and understand something, but as time goes on, I’ve managed to solve all these things. The first week I had a lot of problems, even listening to the professor and getting what they were saying. But now I think it’s perfect. I don’t have to go sit at the front. This is one of the biggest problems I’ve overcome here, and how to deal with homework assignments. In our system, we don’t have all these assignments because the American system is based on continuous education, which is not the same back home. It was difficult having all these assignments every day, but now it’s fine.

The Shield: Do you plan on coming back to the United

States?

Illia: Of course, because I know I’m going to graduate next year, and I only have two semesters left and then I graduate. I hope I will find another opportunity to come back here in two years. I can’t say I’m sure, but I know I have like a 60 percent or 70 percent chance of (returning).

We have a lot of programs and scholarships given by the American government to our countries, so as long as you work hard, you will be able to get a scholarship and come here and study.

The Shield: Is there anything you missed from Niger?

Illia: My first time here I missed the food a lot. I (said) “Oh my gosh, how am I going to deal with this food?” I couldn’t even eat as much as I wanted because the food was not the same as the food I was used to. But I tried, and I got used to all the food here in America, so I don’t even miss my food a lot.

The Shield: Is there anything you would like to add?

Illia: I’m just going to miss everyone —my classes, my American and international friends — sometimes they were like a family to me. I remember when we had our bike accident how people were calling us and were like, “Hey, are you OK? Do you need help? Do you need a ride to the hospital?” And this really made me feel at home because these friends care for you, and I will really miss them.

continued from Page 1

“I definitely see USI moving in the right direction,” she said.

Speakers at the rally can talk about personal experiences regarding race or how the university handles racism, said assistant professor of social work James “Jay” Dickerson.

“We have a wonderful administration that sees a need in our community and in our campus community, and

they’ve done very well at opening dialogues and trying to begin a conversation,” the CSJE director said.

Like President Linda Bennett’s semester theme of civility, the point of this rally is to open up a dialogue between people who are different, Dickerson said.

“Our viewpoints may never be the same, but at least we can talk about our differences and from those conversations

FASt FACTS What: When: Where: Cost:

The Shield: How have you grown as a person during this experience?

Illia: I can’t even tell how much it’s impacted my life,

Stand Against Racism Rally 11 a.m. - 1 p.m., April 28 USI Amphitheater Free

hopefully grow,” he said.

Dickerson is looking forward to having students and faculty from different disciplines come together to discuss race and how to improve the university’s environment, he said.

“There’s something special that happens when we bring a lot of people together under an umbrella for the same cause,” he said. “There’s a lot of energy that gets created so I’m excited about that.”

Inequality and discrimination are still prevalent in today’s society, Dickerson said.

He wants the rally’s attendees to learn that society isn’t finished dealing with racism.

“We’ve come a long way

Photo by The Shield

The Joshua Academy choir sings “Heal the World” by Michael Jackson last April at the Take a Stand Against Racism rally. This year’s ralley will take place April 28, at the USI Amphitheater.

as a society and as a culture, but I think we still have work to do,” he said. “We cannot

become complacent. I think there’s always more that can be done.”

REVIEW

‘Jungle Book’ oddly casted In theaters now

“The Jungle Book” tells a good story with gorgeous visuals and great acting. A child will love this film; an adult who’s seen multiple movies by the big-name actors won’t be able to separate the voice from the person.

This isn’t helped by the film’s irritating habit to re-write characters to fit the actor more so than demanding the actor play to the character. I get the impression they were cast more so for their marketability than because they were perfect for a given role.

Scarlett Johansson’s interpretation of Kaa is simply her stock throaty “sexy” voice and lasts just long enough to justify her name being on the poster.

It’s an embarrassingly short rendition of Kaa as well, serving only to deliver one long exposition speech before disappearing from the film entirely).

Some major creative differences arise in characters more important to the story, as well. These problems are particularly apparent in the character of Baloo (Bill Murray).

Instead of the bouncy, fun John Goodman-esque voice I’ve grown to associate with the character, Bill Murray’s version felt like an alternate reality version of “Garfield.” This version of Baloo is more of a con artist than a lazy hippy.

The 1967 film version of Shere Khan was a terrifying villain to me as a child because he was smooth, sly and dangerously clever. Idris Elba’s modernn interpretation boils down to “murderer who yells a lot.”

Besides a basic knowledge of wolf-pack dynamics, Kahn really does nothing but rely on the fact that he’s a fricking tiger to get what he wants.

Meanwhile, the modern version of King Louie was obviously written from the ground up for Christopher Walken, turning the iconic song “Walk Like You” and modifying it until it sounds like the sort of song you’d hear sung by a Walken impressionist.

In fact, that sums up the big-name acting of “Jungle Book,” it feels like whenever you see voice actors take a script of a famous movie and read the characters in their voices.

Sure, it might be funny for 10 minutes to hear a scene from “Pulp Fiction” acted out by “Animaniacs” voice actors, but for an entire film’s length, the charm dies out.

While I have problems with the big-name actors of this film, I think it’s worth bringing attention to Neel Sethi’s Mowgli.

For a child actor who had nothing but green screen and some sparse sets to work with, he did an excellent job.

His was the only character I began to think of as their character and not their actor name.

In the end, “The Jungle Book” will please Disney fans, entertain those new to the story and possibly be underwhelming for those who walk into the theater expecting their favorite actors to bring something new to the table.

Rating 4/5 by gavin gaddis

The shield | APRIL 21, 2016 | Usishield.com

5

‘Cohesiveness, cooperation’ Chamber Choir prepares for spring concert, Ireland trip by nick Leighty

ndleighty@eagles.usi.edu Dylan Claywell and Clay Steenbergen described their experiences in Chamber Choir as “a sense of community and family,” “cooperation” and “cohesiveness.”

The work and rehearsals of the Chamber Choir will culminate in the Spring Choir Concert Sunday.

Steenbergen began his choir career in high school because he wanted to find different paths in his life.

The freshman political science major said he struggled to learn the Gaelic language for the Mayo International Choral Festival this summer.

Steenbergen and other members of the choir will travel to Ireland for the festival in May. “I personally like to focus more on what we do well,” Steenbergen said. “We’re a very strong group that is willing to work with each other and be friends with each other and listen and change things for the better.”

Steenbergen said besides the standard rehearsals during the week, he also takes his own time to memorize songs and practice the rhythm.

He said there are constantly changes between each practice.

Claywell joined choir in middle school and has since been immersed in choir. He said he chose USI because of the music group.

He said reading rhythm

and learning Irish Gaelic were problems for him, but was able to conquer them because of his work in the choir.

“I really enjoyed working with a bunch of talented people that really have a passion for making music,” Claywell said. “Last year and this year both, I have experienced an ease of making friends. It just comes naturally with this group.”

Chamber Choir Director Daniel Craig said the current group of students is one of the best he has taught. He said the group is mature and because of their cooperation and talent, are able to build their events quickly.

One problem that appears with each group is the blending of voices and making sure they flow well together. Once the voices are blended, then comes the process of teaching them the music.

“There’s not one person in this roster I am worried about,” Craig said. “They’ve done everything I’ve asked them to do.”

Craig usually has the choir perform at Rice Library during the season, but because finals are close, he said the library needs to be quiet. The second floor reading room in the library has the perfect acoustics and the Old North United Methodist Church is the second best place for them to perform.

“The theater is very lucky to have (the Performance Center). Unfortunately, it doesn’t always work out for

Photo by Nick leighty | The Shield

Music instructor Thomas Drury plays the melody for a Chamber Choir rehearsal while students sing Monday in the Hamilton Music Studio. The choir will perform April 24, at Old North United Methodist Church on Stringtown Road.

a good choral event,” Craig said. “You want a room that has more ring to it.”

The choir does not use the Performance Center because it was not designed with acoustics in mind. He said it was designed primarily for the spoken voice.

The Chamber Choir will perform music planned for the Mayo International Choral Festival and some Irish traditional pieces Craig wrote Sunday at the concert.

What: When: Where: Cost:

FASt FACTS Chamber Choir Spring Concert Sunday Old North United Methodist Church Free

REVIEW

‘Putnam’: playful, perfect pick-me-up by bobby shipman

editor@usishield.com @ShieldsterBobby Regardless of my politics, I typically hang my head in disappointment when a play or musical digresses from its plot to unabashedly insert the director’s personal agenda.

But when said play or musical megaphones its message through the conduit of a lispy 9-year-old with two gay dads and a seething hatred for Donald Trump, I can’t help but crack a grin.

Last week, USI Theatre presented “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,” a musical comedy about a group of elementaryschool overachievers who take on the pressures of adolescence through song.

Despite the occasional emotionless line delivery and a couple moments of jarring overreacting, the cast did a wonderful job of serving up

hearty laughs and engaging the audience in its well-paced and heartwarming adventure.

By inserting members of the audience into the show as bee contestants, a level of spontaneity and improv was introduced. As a strictly observant audience member, I felt like I was attending the spelling bee.

Several times, the characters address members directly in their seats.

Alec Willis, who played three characters in the show (contestant Chip Tolentino, one of the “gay dads,” and a short, slightly more Guatemalan version of Jesus Christ), became erect at the sight of one audience woman he named “Marigold.”

While Willis’ acting chops were not up to par with the rest of the cast, he managed to roll the audience with laughter. His powerful vocals were also impressive, even as he belted out about his erection.

Emily March played Logainne (the Trump hater), and Nick Smith played William Barfee, an allergy-prone know-it-all with a magic spelling foot.

Both had a firm grasp on their characters’ intricacies and conveyed them consistently throughout.

Briana Weaver played the uptight and robotic Marcy Park. Weaver was a little flat in her character portrayal, but wowed the audience with a dance-heavy solo that drew a large applause.

Maggie Browne was lovable and relatable in her role as the vulnerable Olive Ostrovsky. Browne’s improvision was colorful and genuine and as Ostrovsky, she tugged at heartstrings while she yearned for her parents’ presence at the bee.

As a frequent USI Theatre attendee, I have seen many actors come and go, shine and fizzle, impress and, rarely,

appall. I will graduate next week, and therefore, this is my last chance to share my thoughts on a production for whoever may want to read them.

That is why I am elated Enjoli Drake and Craig Belwood had roles in the musical. I have seen them in their various portrayals through the years and they are my two favorite USI performers.

Belwood had me tearing up with laughter as the abstractly-dressed Leaf Coneybear. He was the epitome of random childhood as he buzzed around the stage in his superhero cape and spelled his words with a sock puppet.

He even managed to make me tear up with sadness at one point.

Drake played grumpy Mitch Mahoney, an ex con helping out the bee as part of his community service, who develops a soft spot for supporting children during

Photo by angela moore | The Shield

Nicholas Smith (William Barfee) performs a solo April 12 during the dress rehearsal of USI Theatre’s “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.”

their losses. She is hilarious, spunky and wears drag comfortably.

The acting wasn’t always on point, but the whole cast melded together in a beautiful mess of fun and pandemonium. Watching them have such a good time acting off each other made my last USI The-

atre review that much more memorable.

Finally, I’d like to congratulate director Eric Altheide on his consistent jobs-welldone. “Putnam” was exactly what it needed to be: playful, surprisingly touching and a perfect end-of-year pick me up.

ON NEWSSTANDS EVERY THURSDAY & ONLINE EVERY DAY AT USISHIELD.COM

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6

Opinion

The shield | APRIL 21, 2016 | Usishield.com

March 21

April 21

Screagles Call Question: “Is there a problem on campus that needs addressing?”

Name: Sydney Latham Major: Criminal Justice Grade: Junior Answer: “I don’t think there is a problem. I don’t live on campus.”

Last week students | Carlos Baquerizo | The Shield

Living with anxiety by megan thorne features@usishield.com @ShieldsterMegan I am 15 and staring at the ceiling of my doctor’s exam room after confiding in him about my fears and stress levels.

It was the last day I felt comfortable to talking my inner struggles with anyone.

My doctor rushed in 15 minutes later to say I had chronic anxiety and OCD and I needed to be medicated and sent to a psychologist right away. He was worried I was “on the verge of cracking.”

I walked out of the office with my head lowered and tears streaming down my face. I felt like my diagnosis would be the beginning of people not understanding what was going on inside my head.

It felt like the word “anxious” was branded on my skin.

When I finally returned to school, people looked at me differently. After confronting my friends about my diagnosis, they made mocking remarks like, “Are you sure you want to go to the mall with us? What if you have an anxiety attack?”

None of them knew what anxiety felt like.

They weren’t left physically out of control, crying in a heap, head clouded and about to pass out. They were making hasty generalizations based off what they thought the disorder was.

Fear began to take over

even more as I tried to learn to accept my disorder and openly tell people about it. I wanted them to understand where I was coming from when I would have an attack.

But instead, they would say, “Why don’t you just manage your stress?” or “You’re crazy.”

When the time came to go to the psychologist, I never went. I was afraid.

I figured if my friends could say these things to me then what would a stranger say? What would he or she think of me?

The first time I went to a counselor was last semester, four years later. It was the scariest thing I’ve ever done.

My friends asked me if I was “cured” or “better” now after one session, but that’s the thing that many people without mental illness don’t understand.

Just because I received help doesn’t mean I’m better now. Anxiety and OCD will always be a part of my life, but it does not define me.

No one should ever tell someone they can just “get over it” after an attack, or make a generalization about their disorder.

Do your research. Understand that just because anxiety makes someone afraid of certain things, it doesn’t make them afraid of the world.

I am Megan and I am a human. I deserve to live a life without being told by friends and doctors that I can’t do tasks or have fun because I live with a monster.

THE

EAGLE EXAMINER

Cry like a man by osman bien aime orbienaime@eagles.usi.edu I’m just gonna say it — the idea that a guy can’t cry and needs to “be a man” is the single biggest fallacy of adulthood.

I held onto that belief, up until my last breakup left me miserable inside and uncontrollably angry on the outside.

I’ve been surrounded by tough, hypermasculine friends most of my life, and unless I was happy or pissed about something, I learned not to show an emotional response to most things.

Though not intentional, my peers created an environment for me where sadness was viewed as weak — an ugly, emasculating thing reserved for “pussies.”

Without support or constructive recourse, I dealt with my breakup by acting erratically, straining the friendships I had at the time. For a while, I’m certain I’d have rather broken ties with everyone than just say, “I’m miserable right now

and I need someone to talk to.”

It was ultimately a female friend during this chaotic time that asked me to open up and share my feelings, someone I wish I’d had in my life sooner.

I think guys should open up their minds and hearts to each other more. We should work together to foster a

more accepting, understanding world we can all feel comfortable in.

There isn’t enough dialogue between men about negative emotions, and it reinforces the idea that it’s wrong to feel them.

After I moved on, I decided to position myself as someone my friends could talk to when they’re hurting over something. I’ve got a friend who drinks when he’s stressed, and when he broke up with his girlfriend, I invited him to vent about the whole thing over dinner rather than hit the bottle.

Thinking about how happy my friend was after he got to talk to me about his problems leaves me certain we need to grow out of this archaic idea and support each other more.

For a long time, I held this idea of, “I’m a man, I can take care of myself,” and the truth is, there’s nothing wrong with finding someone to lean on when we’re not strong enough on our own.

In fact, it’s a disservice to each other and ourselves not to.

Illustration by Philip Kuhns | The Shield

No

89%

Yes

11%

Nine people responded to this week’ s Eagle Examiner.

Watch The Shield’s Twitter @usishield for the next poll.

Grade: Freshman Answer: “Being a person that loves music, there aren’t any practice rooms.”

Name: Mpho Mashabe Major: Public administration Grade: Graduate student Answer: “As an international student, I would say transportation. Most of us don’t have a car to get around, so we have to ask people.”

THE

SHIELD Editorial Board Bobby Shipman Editor-in-Chief Gabi Wy News Editor Megan Thorne Features Editor

Unauthorized Advice

by Gavin Gaddis

Remember what’s important

Do you have a job lined up after graduation?

Name: Emily March Major: Theatre

I keep an essay from my first English class on my desk at home, just off to the side.

It’s nowhere near the best writing of my academic career, or even the best work I submitted for that class, but it’s the reason I’m still in college.

Firmly in my senior year at USI, it is quite easy for me to become burned out of the daily college grind. I’m officially in the middle of what some refer to as the senior slump.

For all of the cheesy study tactics, Netflix breaks, and all the other trendy strategies you’ll come across when trying to beat that slump, there’s one that works every time for me: looking at one of the items that changed my life.

Tucked away on the back page is a mess of neat handwriting in green ink, notes

telling me exactly what my strengths are and what I need to work on. This might seem like a run-of-the-mill paper, but this is my first essay ever.

I walked into community college a socially awkward 19-year-old with zero aspirations in life beyond “write, I guess.” My English 101 class was taught by a shy novelist/ ex punk-rocker adjunct instructor named Joey Goebel.

Every assignment Goebel handed back would come drenched in ink, highlighting everything right and wrong about it he could find, as well as a substantial note explaining what I needed to work on improving.

He did all of this work for every student, every week, and as an adjunct was earning less money for his two classes than my, frankly large

paycheck, as an editor at the community college paper.

A cashier job at Taco Bell would’ve earned him the same amount of money for much less effort, yet he stuck around and gave me the help I needed to succeed.

Goebel’s excited Bill Nye of English attitude stuck with me and made me want to be that same teacher for students someday.

So on days like today, when I catch myself researching how much time and money it’d take me to become a cross-country truck driver (spoiler alert: not a lot, and I’d make more money than teaching), I look at Goebel’s notes and remember why I’m here at college and where I can go with my degree.

Gavin Gaddis Opinion Editor Sarah Loesch Sports Editor James Vaughn Chief Copy Editor Jessica Stallings Visual Editor

S ta f f Alyssa Smith Chief Photographer APPLY NOW Community Engagement Manager Brian Tenbarge Page Designer Philip Kuhns Page Designer

Sales & Marketing S ta f f Anthony Ross Sales & Marketing Director Olivia Meyer Business Manager APPLY NOW Marketing Manager Danielle VanHooser Layout & Design Manager Gavin Gaddis Circulation Manager

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Sports

The shield | APRIL 21, 2016 | Usishield.com

‘A very short memory’ Junior softballer discusses success, need to stay confident

Photo Courtesy of Photo Services

Junior pitcher/infielder Haley Hodges steps into her swing during the team’s double header against the University of Illinois-Springfield March 25. Hodges recently became the softball player with the most single-season homeruns in USI history.

by sarah loesch sports@usishield.com @ShieldsterSarah Junior computer science major Haley Hodges now holds the single-season homerun record for the university. The pitcher/ infielder sat down with The Shield to talk about when she discovered softball and this year’s season.

The Shield: What got you started playing softball?

Hodges: It was a little town league. I don’t remember exactly why I wanted to start playing.

I think a lot my friends were. I just wanted to be a part of it, too. After I started playing, I just fell in love with it.

The Shield: Did it take time for that love to develop?

Hodges: I had always been an athletic child. I was already in soccer and gymnastics and neither of those were really my favorite. But then, when I started playing softball, I was like, “Wow, I really like doing this,” and I just kept doing it.

The Shield: Did you grow up in a softball community?

Hodges: I’m from Portage. It’s a pretty goodsized town up north close to Gary. There were definitely a lot of good, talented players around and especially in the towns around us. When I got a little older, I started playing travel ball and it was all very competitive.

The Shield: Did you enjoy the competitive nature of the sport?

Hodges: Definitely. Playing against people who are

good makes you an even better player.

really want to be a part of that someday.”

The Shield: Have you always played the same position?

Hodges: I’ve been catch-

The Shield: Did you have a lot of family support behind that decision?

Hodges: It’s been really

‘

to the team?

Hodges: Freshman year is always hard because you have to earn your position with a bunch of other girls, who were all the best players at their schools, too. It

Everything is fun, I think.

Softball is the one release you get from school and work and real-life drama.

-Haley Hodges Junior catcher/infielder

ing since I was 11 and since then, I haven’t really played many positions besides that. Before that, I was mostly an infielder.

great. My parents are super supportive. My dad was an athlete, so he’s been a huge part of this. He’s been my coach for a long time.

The Shield: Do you have a place on the field where you feel most comfortable?

Hodges: I definitely feel most comfortable as a catcher. You have to think a lot. You’re involved in every pitch, every play of the game. You’re the eyes and ears of the game. You can see pretty much everything that’s going on. I like that you have a certain amount of control over the pace of the game. It’s a very mental position.

The Shield: Did you look at a lot of colleges before choosing USI? Hodges: I actually didn’t.

I didn’t want a ton to do with the recruiting process.

I thought it was all a little bit stressful. I mostly went to camps and when I came here, they liked what they saw, I guess, and the rest is history.

The Shield: At what point did you realize you wanted to pursue college softball?

Hodges: Definitely very early (in high school). I might have realized in middle school even. But from watching the women’s college world series on TV. I realized, “Wow, I

The Shield: When you look back at high school, do you consider that time a success?

Hodges: I think my high school career was definitely successful. My senior year, we actually went and won state so that was pretty cool, too. I’ve grown as a player since high school, but that was part of it.

The Shield: Once at USI, what was it like adapting

’

was tough, I guess, but I’ve always been the type of person who wants to earn my spot. I feel like after my freshman season I did earn my spot.

The Shield: Did the team closeness come quickly?

Hodges: The first year I was here, I was maybe not as close to everybody, but that’s normal. I take a little bit to warm up to people.

That’s just the way I am.

This year, we are all very, very close. We have great team chemistry.

The Shield: How important is the chemistry to team success?

Hodges: It’s so important.

It affects the way we play with each other on the field — how we string things along even if they aren’t going as we want them to.

It helps us push through because we know we’re all there for each other and playing for each other. Just in general, having a family to come to when you

aren’t close to your parents at home is a comforting thing.

The Shield: Overall, how have you felt this season?

Hodges: I think we are doing really well this season. We are playing as a team. Everyone is pushing to make each other better, pushing to win games and support each other. I can’t say enough good things about this team this year.

The Shield: How does the current success affect the future?

Hodges: I try not to think too much ahead. That’s the one thing that’s made the difference this season. I’m not putting as much pressure on myself. I’m trying to be a little bit more confident. I think that’s helped a lot. My teammates have all been great. They go crazy everytime someone hits a homerun. It’s always so exciting every time anyone is successful on this team.

The Shield: What goes into having confidence in a game for you?

Hodges: You have to have a very short memory. Even if you struck out your first at bat, you have to find a

way to make the most out of your next one. It’s really a hard thing. You have to fake it until you make it.

Once you start doing better, you string things along because you start to think, “Oh, I can do this.”

The Shield: Has there been a point this season when your confidence was low?

Hodges: Absolutely. You try really hard to stay confident but there are going to be games when you just don’t do well, or games where you put pressure on yourself or someone else is putting pressure on you.

But through that, you just have to know your teammates, your coaches and your family are all there to support you no matter what, and that’s what I usually think about when I’m stressed out. I just try to go up there and have fun.

The Shield: What part of the game is fun for you?

Hodges: Everything is fun, I think. Softball is the one release you get from school and work and reallife drama. Getting to be out on that field is such a privilege and doing well just adds to that.

Season highs Hits: Doubles:

2 vs. Wisconsin-Parkside

Home runs:

2 vs. Quincy

Runs scored: Runs Battled: Bases stolen:

3 vs. Quincy

Assists:

4 vs. Saginaw Valley

Putouts:

12 vs. Augusta

4 vs. Indianapolis

5 vs. Indianapolis 1 vs. Lewis

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The shield | APRIL 21, 2016 | Usishield.com

The Verbal Commitment

By Sarah Loesch

Branch out

The upperclassmen on a team are like the roots of a tree.

They keep the team grounded and they provide a base for growth.

While it may seem odd to put the upperclassmen at the bottom of a metaphor, the base should be the strongest part.

While talking to Haley Hodges, an upperclassman on the softball team, she showed her own leadership abilities.

She mentioned finding confidence and working through issues even when a game isn’t going exactly the way she wants it to.

That mindset comes with experience. That mindset is simply maturity.

As a junior, Hodges still showed a lot of respect toward the seniors for their role on the team. It is up to the leaders on the team to keep the group steady. They know what to do when struggles arise. They have been through it.

Sometimes there are no seniors available to lead a team, but if there are, it often falls to them by default.

“They have played a lot of games and their leadership is a key part of this team,” Hodges said. “We all look up to them and look to them to see what to do.”

As the regular season comes to an end for most spring season sports, it’s time to look forward.

The seniors maintain a strong base, but the tree only grows strong branches and limbs if the underclassmen can move into those leadership positions.

It’s important to not wait until the seniors are gone to think about who is stepping into leadership roles and who has the ability to take the team in a winning direction for years to come.

The leadership is more than talent in their position and it’s more than an understanding of the game. Each of those aspects are important on their own, and when you bring them together, they are even stronger. But it takes maturity and understanding to lead.

Teaching the other players that confidence can be found even in the struggles of a game and bringing the wisdom only experience can create are both major undertakings for a team leader.

Right now, all the teams, whether in season or not, should be looking forward in terms of leadership. Teams need to know which positions will take on leadership roles and have them take over little by little as the season winds down.

When one class leaves, another has to prepare to step up.

The roots of a tree keep it alive, but the branches are where the fruit can grow.

Upcoming Games

scoreboard Baseball

Men’s baseball

men’s tennis

2 p.m.

April 23 USI Baseball Field Lewis University

2 p.m.

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Noon April 24 USI Baseball Field Lewis University

11 a.m.

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6 p.m.

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softball April 16 1-0

Softball

2 p.m.

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Noon April 23 USI Softball Field Maryville University

10 a.m.

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2 p.m.

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Men’s track & Field

April 19 Cancelled

All Day April 23 Louisville, Kentucky Bellarmine Classic

April 19 Cancelled

Noon April 24 USI Softball Field U. of Missouri St. Louis 2 p.m.

April 24 USI Softball Field U. of Missouri St. Louis

woMen’s golf

woMen’s track & Field All Day April 23 Louisville, Kentucky Bellarmine Classic

All Day April 22-24 Anbriar Country Club GLVC Championship

April 16 6-7 April 16 9-8 April 17 1 - 13 April 17 0-7

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April 18 | 19 Great Lake Valley Conference 6th of 14 teams

women’s golf April 16 | 17 UIS Invitational 1st of 4 teams

2016

Spring S pr riin ng gC Closing losing

HOUSING AND RESIDENCE LIFE CLOSES at 6 pm on wednesday, may 4, 2016.

!

Residents should move out 24 hours after their last final or by 6pm on May 4, whichever comes first, HOWEVER, if you have a late afternoon or evening final on Wednesday, May 4, you can wait to check out by noon on Thursday, May 5. You must submit a Stay Late Request if you have a late Wednesday final.

Need to stick around?

HOW DO I CHECK OUT?

If you need to stay later than 6pm on Wednesday (for any reason), please fill out the Stay Late Request form. Please be specific with your reason to stay late. If you need to stay late due to a Wednesday final, please include the class number, class name and time of final scheduled for Wednesday, May 4. To complete the Stay Late Request, please log into myUSI, click on the Housing icon to the left and go to the appropriate online form.

Remember this is a request and subject to approval by HRL staff.

All residents must sign up for a check out time with their RA by Wednesday, April 27. RA check outs will be Thursday, April 28 through Wednesday, May 4.

During the check out you will turn in your key. For apartments, the last resident to check out will turn in the mail key.

Things to do before you check out: · Remove all your belongings · Clean your apartment thoroughly (empty drawers, cabinets, refrigerator, etc.) · Make sure your apartment is in the same condition as when you moved in and all furniture is accounted for · Report all maintenance concerns via Fix My Home: www.usi.edu/housing/fix-my-home · Remove all decorations from doors and windows · Take out the trash When packing up belongings residents are encouraged not to leave items in their vehicles overnight. This provides opportunity for theft.

What if i need to stay past may 4?

If a resident needs to stay past 6pm on Wednesday, May 4, fill out a Stay Late Request by Friday, April 29. Remember this is a request and subject to approval by HRL staff. If a resident needs to stay after May 8, but not the full summer then complete a summer housing contract. Residents will be charged by the day ($25/day) for all days in Housing after May 8. To complete the summer contract, please log into myUSI, click on the Housing icon to the left and go to the appropriate online form. The summer contract will be available online April 1. Remember this is a request and subject to approval by HRL staff.