NEWS 3
Q&A WITH LARRY DIETZ; ISU OFFERS PASS/FAIL
FEATURES 7
NETFLIX’S ‘TIGER KING’ ROARS IN FIRST WEEK
TUESDAY, APRIL 7, 2020 | Vol. 132 | No. 28
videtteonline.com
No time off
With essential employees working overtime, punching in isn’t without risk STORY BY MAIA HUDDLESTON News Reporter | @maiawrites
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hile most workers in BloomingtonNormal are working from home, some jobs can’t be performed remotely. What makes an essential worker so essential? Gov. JB Pritzker’s COVID-19 Executive Order No. 8 includes several business types on its list of essential businesses, including grocery stores, pharmacies, charitable organizations, cannabis dispensaries and health care operations.
Senior double major in biology and photography Nickolas Parra works two days a week as a lab assistant at OSF St. Joseph Medical Center. “The hospital’s census lately has been low, and many mission partners like nurses, lab assistants, CNA’s, etc. have been sent home even on our scheduled workday,” Parra said. According to Parra, the dwindling number of people seeking medical care in McLean County is negatively affecting his income. “Being an essential worker
comes with their pros and cons but at the end of the day, it’s like a soldier on the frontline fighting ’till the end,” Parra said. Medical Director of Illinois State University Student Health Services Anne Risk said the school’s healthcare workers are conducting most appointments over the phone. “When we are at work, it is definitely different than normal. The building is quiet, but that does not mean the staff is less busy,” Risk said. Continued on Page 3
Reggie Redbird’s bust at Illinois State University’s Fell Hall courtyard wears a cloth mask with the words “Stay Safe” written across it, promoting social distancing and proper protection practices against COVID-19. ASHLEY BINKOWSKI | Vidette Photographer @BinkowskiAshley
PAGE 2 | NEWS | THE VIDETTE
TUESDAY, APRIL 7, 2020
Current CDC Covid-19 guidelines Wear a facemask When going outside, CDC reccomends wearing a facemask that reaches above the nose and below the chin, fits snugly against the sides of your face and is made of multiple layers of breathable cloth.
Clean your hands often Hands should be washed with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Wash your hands after being in a public place, or coughing and sneezing. If your hands are unwashed, avoid touching your face until they are cleaned. Ali Rasper | Photo Editor | @alirasper4
This time last year, students and Normal residents alike were gathering to enjoy the warm weather. Under the stayat-home order, and the Town of Normal’s enforcement, gatherings of 10 or more will be approached by NPD and asked to disperse.
Normal Police to enforce stay-at-home order, break up large groups ELIZABETH SEILS News Editor | @seilselizabeth
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n order to further prevent the spread of Covid-19, the Town of Normal has enacted an emergency order giving Normal Police the ability to enforce the stayat-home order. The order comes after NPD patrol officers and Normal residents have noticed large gatherings over the past few days. According to the emergency order, police are given the ability to issue ordinance violations or issue criminal charges based on a person's conduct. They are also permitted to direct people to leave locations and return to their homes. However, Community Officer Brad Park said the order is mainly looking for cooperation from the public. "We're mainly looking for voluntary compliance to help everybody in need," Park said. A criminal charge would be based on disorderly conduct, reckless conduct or other offenses which would be determined by circumstances of the situation. Park gave the example of 15 people having a cookout. In that situation, NPD would first approach and educate the people gathered on Gov. JB Pritzker's stay-at-home order, and ask them to disperse. Criminal charges and ordinance violation fees would only come if the people still do not want to comply with
the order. The order mainly focuses on gatherings of 10 or more. Park said that people who are out in smaller groups would not likely be approached. Also, he said this doesn't keep people from going outside, barring they follow social distancing rules. "The purpose of it is for those who have gathered together for an extended period of time," Park said. "People that are running or biking on the trail, you shouldn't be next to somebody for a long amount of time in a large group. Hopefully not groups of ten or more are running together for extended periods of time." Though NPD is only enforcing groups of 10 or more, the governor's stay-at-home order does ask everyone to stay home except for necessities. As for the NPD, Park said that they are doing their best to social distance and disinfect their squad cars. Officers have been given a mask that they can use, but it's at each officers discretion. "It's up to the officer whether or not they want to put it on if they come into a situation where they might be exposed," Park said. Also, the NPD is taking information on cases through email or phone when possible. ELIZABETH SEILS is a News Editor for The Vidette. She can be contacted at elseils@ilstu.edu Follow her on Twitter at @SeilsElizabeth
Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily Surfaces such as tables, doorknobs, light switches, faucets and phones, among other surfaces. Use an alcohol solution of 70% or higher, diluted household bleach or other household disenfectants.
Avoid close contact Stay in your home as much as possible. The CDC recommends staying at least six feet away from other people. McLean County Health officials also recommend distancing like everyone already has the virus.
Follow all of the guidelines CDC recommends that all of the guidelines be followed together. Wearing a facemask alone is not enough protection.
Avoid large groups Gov. JB Pritzker’s stayat-home order mandates that Illinois residents stay home except for necessary trips. The Town of Normal and Normal Police are asking residents not gather in groups if possible, but to also not gather in groups of ten or more.
SOURCE: CENTER FOR DISEASE CONTROL COMPILED BY ELIZABETH SEILS | NEWS EDITOR ART BY FLYNN GERAGHTY | ART DIRECTOR
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THE VIDETTE | NEWS | PAGE 3
TUESDAY, APRIL 7, 2020
CORONAVIRUS UPDATE: A VIEW FROM THE TOP
‘It’s not all gloom and doom’
Dietz shares perspective on ISU’s handling pandemic INTERVIEW COMPLIED BY KELLIE FOY
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Senior News Reporter | @kellie_foy
ith the first few weeks of online-Only classes under the belt, students, faculty and administration can now take the time to sit back and reflect on this new way of life. For Illinois State, the decisions and actions of administration that followed the coronavirus outbreak came quick, with vague responses and loads of disappointment for many students. For President Larry Dietz and his team, the decisions that have come in the previous weeks weren’t made lightly. It involved multiple groups coming together for quite some time leading up to the university’s spring break. Here’s what Dietz had to say about what this pandemic has looked like from him perspective.
What are some of the unusual challenges you guys have been facing? With the tough calls/decisions you have been making, what would you say would be the hardest of them all? “We have 16 different working groups that are tentacles of the Emergency Operations Center and those work groups are still working. I would say that the major issue is around the health and safety of our students and our faculty and our staff, so there are a whole variety of issues around that. The Human Resources office has played a key role in helping us work through things or legal issues compared or within all of these issues. “The underlying theme is making sure that we’re doing everything possible to ensure the health and safety of our students, faculty and staff. I’m very proud of the work that everybody’s doing. You know, [it’s] kind of harken back to the good old days when we went in classrooms teaching and we could get out and about socializing and all those kinds of things. You know, that’ll return and in the meantime, safety is the first kind of motto. I think everybody’s really doing what they can, whether it’s teaching in a different way, learning in a different way or providing service in a different way. I think we’re doing as well as we can be [in these] circumstances.”
and that’s really our brand. We want students enrolling here not only wanting a solid degree and a good discipline that will lead to career success and satisfaction, but we also are interested in providing students with experience while they’re here. That experience oftentimes is not only in the classroom, but it’s outside the classroom, co-curricular activities and activities that you’re working on right now that lead to your career in your field. “We’ve got a lot of those experiences, so to me, the future is back to what we’re really good at. We’re really good at providing an experience for our students and students tell us that. It’s reflected in our high retention and graduation rates
and reflected in our enrollment [and when] enrollments [have been] strong even in a very difficult budget time. “So I sense enrollment is going to be strong here. Again, we just have a bit of a diversion from that right now. Frankly, some faculty may say, “well you know, this has been an interesting way to teach and I might include a couple Zoom opportunities in my classroom for the future.” I think our bread butters still, you know, this face to face interaction, sharing of information, working closely with our students, I don’t think that’s gonna change.”
How does the university plan to move forward with this decision? “I’d say just trying to adjust to a new environment if you will. I think none of us know [when] all of this will be over. They talked about different states peaking at different times. There is no one size fits all on this. I think social distancing [that] the scientists tell us [to do is] a real critical part of all this [and do it] as much as we can to the respect that will help all of us. “But for the future, my hope is that students again will, if you know the virus is dealt with through the rest of the spring and people are feeling that they could go places and get over that. My sense is that our Fall Enrollment won’t be robust. Again, there may be some folks that might choose to stay a little closer to home. But I think our grant was very strong, going into this thing is going to be strong coming out of it as well. We’ve just had this diversion for the spring of the summer as well, but hopefully, go back to normal as possible this fall.”
You and your staff meet at least once a day and some-
How will this change or shape the university going forward in regard to being remote rather than onsite? “Our brand is really a high tech, but we’re also a high touch kind of university
times more to discuss everything going on with the coronavirus pandemic- what has that been like? “My sense is that we’ve had good teams and a lot of different areas for a long period of time. The collegiality on this campus, and the collaboration between individual staff and family members. Units are really, in my estimation, a pretty high level. I think that always helps in these kinds of circumstances. “We also try to, you know, keep the meetings as tight as we can and stay on task, because they’re just lots of things to do. Everybody has risen to the challenge of my estimation. We better do that with your respecting time for other things that we have going but actually, we make sure that during parts of these meetings, that somebody has a positive story that they’ve heard about something that we’re doing and they’re able to share that. “So it’s not all gloom and doom by any stretch. I mean, we take the things that we need to just really about problem solving and not really, we’re focused on the future not necessarily on ‘Well, you know, how many cases do we have today?’ Those cases are limited control over that. So what we’re trying to do is as good a job as we know how to do all the things that we control.”
Especially knowing that a lot of students will respond and have responded with disappointment, what would be some advice you would offer to them? “One important thing to do is that you know, the sky is not falling on anything, got a bit of a cloud that’s rolling through here, right now, but the sun’s gonna come out on the other side of that. Stay resilient, stay positive. Take care of yourself, take care of those that you love, and want to hold on to get through this together. I am convinced that we’ve got bright people, we have resilient people. “We have two things that we control, I think I said this when we had the budget impasse, and I think it’s true for this situation as well. There are two things that we really do have control [over.] We have control over planning processes. We have control over attitude. And as long as we’re planning our work and working our plan and being willing to adapt that as things change, that’ll serve as well. And if we have a positive attitude about the sun’s gonna pop out tomorrow. That’s gonna serve us as well. So I think those two things are really important to keep in mind.” Jen Haiden | Photo Editor
“We have control over attitude. And as long as we’re planning our work and working our plan and being willing to adapt that as things change, that’ll serve as well.” LARRY DIETZ, president of Illinois State University
Essential Worker Continued from Page 1
Risk said the workers at SHS agree that the department should stay open as an essential business, even though their work schedule may result in personal difficulties. “Our staff are no different than the rest of the population,” Risk said. “A lot of America’s workforce is juggling the new normal of trying to shelter-in-place as much as possible while continuing to work and for some, having the added work of helping their children with distance learning.” According to Risk, SHS is also closely following the situation surrounding COVID-19. “In order to take the best care of the ISU students that we can, we must keep up with
all the latest information about the pandemic so we can keep everyone, our staff and students alike, as healthy as possible,” Risk said. Like Risk and the workers at SHS, ISU Director of Emergency Management and essential worker Eric Hodges’ job fluctuates based on COVID-19 updates. “The daily Emergency Operations Center briefings have about 25 people on the call, and other meetings throughout the day are keeping me very engaged with the campus community,” Hodges said. While Hodges has been working at home for about two weeks, he said he is grateful for all essential workers on campus.“We’re so fortunate that we have such a great team of people who are putting in so many hours day after day to get us through this crisis,”
Hodges said. Hodges said the past several weeks have shown him how strong the University community is during times of crisis. “Our students, faculty and staff have sacrificed, adapted and risen to daunting challenges that this incident has thrown at us all,” Hodges said. “As an emergency manager, I could not be more proud of how we continue to support one another as we work our way through this and ultimately emerge a stronger University family,” Hodges continued. MAIA HUDDLESTON is a News Reporter for The Vidette. She can be contacted at mkhuddl@ilstu.edu Follow her on Twitter at @maiawrites
Ashley Binkowski | Staff Photographer Kim Anderson is an essential worker at Advocate BroMenn Medical Center in Normal. She works inside at the Health Department updating policies and procedures while wearing protective gear.
Viewpoint
PAGE 4 | THE VIDETTE
VIDETTE EDITORIAL
TUESDAY, APRIL 7, 2020
Optional pass/fail system makes grade
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hange happens unexpectedly that can rearrange the structure we have built in our lives. Rapid, fast-moving change is overwhelming. Going from in-person classes to online classes in the blink of an eye is one of the biggest changes students have had to face. Taking one online class is different than taking an entire semester of online classes. It is not the same. We no longer have the resources and places on campus that helped students strive for success. Not having access to the library or tutoring services can change one’s ability to be successful in class. No longer having the in-person aspect of classes can be a difficult transition. We no longer have the class structure where students can stop the professor at any time to ask questions and get an answer right away. Not all professors are going to use zoom and will instead upload pre-recorded lectures and to email them for questions or concerns. Thankfully, students at ISU who feel they might need to utilize the pass and no pass credit policy can apply until early May. The change in policy can help relieve some anxiety as the semester progresses. For students with a “C” or better it will count as a pass but will not boost the students GPA. But before making the decision,
But is switching to the alternative worth it? For one, if someone finds themself needing a boost to their GPA to get into their desired major or off of academic probation, it will not benefit them. The quickest way to boost a GPA is by earning a letter grade. And what about all those sleepless nights spent in the library during the first half of the semester? Or sitting in a dorm room with the desk light on, earplugs in Editorial Cartoon by Flynn Geraghty | Vidette Art Director with pencils and papers sprawled everywhere? students should talk to their profesTrying to find the time to sit down Letter grades are not everything sors and academic advisors to see if to read and take notes can be difficult and the option for pass and no pass the change is worth it for themself in due to a disruption in one’s usual is not for everyone. But why give the long run. routine. Going from a desk or table up on those grades one worked to Without having access to tutors, on the quiet floor of the library to achieve during the first half of the study groups or professors’ office going home where it feels almost like semester? hours that are vital to one’s focus and a vacation can cause a lack of motivaOur professors are still here, teachunderstanding of class material, it tion. ing us and doing their best to help can make the online transition more Not only a lack of motivation is to even with having a family at home. If difficult. blame, but not every student has the they can continue putting in the work Having something as simple as luxury of good internet or access to from a new location, so can everyone sitting in the library, the skywalk, a computer, access to the textbook else. Reach out and communicate. meeting up with a study group or because they were using it at the The alternative grading choice is performing a dance or musical piece library or can’t dedicate their entire not for everyone nor should it. It is could make all the difference in how free time to classwork. Nor does not a decision that should be made someone performs to earn a letter everyone have the privilege of being lightly. If one might absolutely need grade. Those who are struggling or able to just focus on their education it due to the new circumstances they feel like they will without the extra at home. They might have to take are facing, whether at home or strughelp now have a sense of security care of their younger siblings or go to gling without the use of on campus with the pass and no pass credit work because they are deemed as an facilities, talk to professors and advipolicy. essential worker. Going back home sors before making the change. Changing a class to a pass and no is a different situation than the life Don’t let our new norm hinder the pass option can be a stress-reliever. we’ve created at college. growth of learning and success.
EDITORIAL POLICY Editorial written by GRACE KINNICUTT, a member of The Vidette’s Editorial Board. Editorial policy is determined by the student editor, and views expressed in editorials are those of the majority of The Vidette’s Editorial Board. Columns that carry bylines are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily represent those of The Vidette or the University.
April social distancing will make May exist MY VIEW HAILEY BIALAS | @haileybia-
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ell folks, here we are. It is currently week who knows of isolation, we have another month of this and everything is starting to blur together. We are all now proud students of Zoom University, may never see some of our friends again and COVID-19 is still a force to be reckoned with. What a time to be alive, right? Now, I don’t know about you, but this is not fun. I’m like Tinker
Bell, if I don’t get enough socialization I lose my sparkle. That sparkle, at this point, consists of whatever make up I decide to slap on, if I even decide to, but I do not care because it is all for a good reason. Don’t get me wrong, this is actually the worst. I never asked to live through such a pivotally historical period of time that would alter my everyday life, but as Kourtney Kardashian would say, there are people that are dying. I actually feel bad for complaining about the things I have sacrificed during this all. My senior year has been cut two months short, I can no longer walk across a stage to receive the most expensive piece of paper I have ever bought and my future has been put on hold due to hiring freezes. What I didn’t lose though is my
Chicken Doodle Soup by Claire Wagner | Vidette Cartoonist
life, and I am more than ok with giving up my livelihood so others also do not have to lose that. Campus is weird right now, let alone life being weird, yet I still see some of you completely disregarding every precaution we are supposed to be taking. And I have to ask, why? We may be young, and trying to grasp onto any sense of reality we can to keep normalcy prevalent, but we are not invincible. Even if we are, those around us also aren’t. My good friend, a newly 22-yearold, called me the other day. It was not to catch up, but it was to tell me that she was going to be celebrating her 22nd birthday in quarantine, alone, because she contracted the virus. She is doing better, thankfully, but she is not doing well. She is
weak, alone and struggling to even speak over the respiratory distress that has taken over her body. She is not invincible. A relative of mine the other day had to be rushed to the hospital due to things unrelated to COVID19. She was left there, alone, in severe pain, because nobody could join her. The risks were not only too high for her, but also for her loved ones that wanted to help her through this. She is not invincible. An older woman working at Walmart was helping me checkout the other day and told me she was terrified. She has never seen anything like this in her vastly eventful life, yet she is still working despite the exposure she could be surrounded by. She is not invincible either, and
she is scared, and we should be too. So, I am begging you, just stop. Stop gathering together in large groups and stay with the same ten people. Go for a walk outside, but don’t go outside to be around all of your friends in close proximity. Stop going against all the advice the world is throwing at us, and start caring. Care about yourself. Care about others. Care about helping to get the world back to normal. Over 8,000 people have died in our country alone. More will if we let the ignorance of youth distract us from the global tragedy that is upon us. HAILEY BIALAS is a Features Reporter for The Vidette. She can be contacted at hgbiala@ilstu.edu Follow her on Twitter at @haileybialas
VIDETTE POLL
How do you feel about ISU’s pass/no pass grading option? Cast your vote at videtteonline. com or by using The Vidette mobile app
EDITORIAL BOARD JONATHAN BARLAS Editor-in-Chief | @janveselybarlas GRACE BARBIC News Editor | @gracebarbic ANDREW DOUGHERTY Columnist | @addough ANDREA RICKER Features Editor | @ ricker_andrea ELIZABETH SEILS News Editor | @SeilsElizabeth
THE VIDETTE | NEWS | PAGE 5
TUESDAY, APRIL 7, 2020
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‘I get nothing’ Illinois State students react to COVID-19 relief check exclusion STORY BY GRACE KINNICUTT | Features Reporter | @GKinnicutt Photo Illustration by GETTY IMAGES
ith the coronavirus stimulus relief check expected to hit American’s accounts within ongoing weeks, many have been excluded from the extra pay day. It is not a secret that many college students are some of the most financially vulnerable people with having to pay for tuition, books and other expenses. In the stimulus relief passed by Congress, many college students will not be receiving the extra $1200. In the bill, it is stated that if your parents claim you on their taxes or are over the age of 16, that dependent will not benefit from the bill. “I’m frustrated because I am only a dependent so that I can stay on my father’s health insurance. I’ve had a job since I was 16, and I always do my taxes and I get nothing,” junior Kaeleigh Kreis said. “My parents will get no stimulus money for me and my brother since we are over 16.” Parents who claim any child over the age of 16 will not be eligible to receive the extra $500 included with the one-time payment of $1200. Many students pay for college with very little help from parents and work while
CORONAVIRUS UPDATE: ADAPTING MENTAL HEALTH
SCS launches ‘tele-mental’ health program ANDREW DOUGHERTY News Reporter | @addough
changes in their academic work and adjusting to the changes in their living situIllinois State Univerations that they’re not really sity’s Student Counseling reaching out to us in as large Services will continue to a number,” she said. offer students remote serIn a few cases, SCS has vices via telephone or video had a few calls and in conference as the univerturn has been able to refer sity continues the campus some people to providers restricted facility access in their respective home protocol. communities. Director of Student “Even with our existing Jennifer Haiden | Photo Editor | @jen_haiden Counseling Services Sandy Student Counseling Services is launching appointments clients, there’s quite a few of Colbs said the department through telephone and video conferencing to provide them who haven’t reached is in the process of launch- students with mental health services. back to us to let us know if ing what she described as they want to continue countele-mental health service in response to the COVID-19 seling remotely,” Colbs said. facilities lockdown. “I think for some, going back home is a source of The tele-mental health service will operate like an support and so they may not feel the need for counselaudio or video counseling service, similar to Zoom, which ing support if they have the in-house support of their is what ISU is using for many courses which have been families.” converted to online. “For others whose families may not be as supportive, “Since this is a new service, we had to purchase a new [they] may be reaching out to friends. I hope people are license and purchase a new account because we needed a still reaching out but honestly, we just don’t know or product that is more secure and confidential for the sort have a good read on how students are dealing with this of communication we’re conducting, unlike the regular change,” she added. Zoom product,” Colbs said. SCS is preparing to launch a new website called “Red“We’re hopeful that within a week or so that we’ll be birds Keep Thriving,” that will provide a large amount of able to launch that program. We’ve already reached out resources on how to adjust to the vast changes. to all of our existing clients and asked them to let us know “We’re excited to be able to reach out to students in if they want to continue their work through tele-mental a different way because I think it might be strange for health services,” she said. some students, especially if they’re living with parents, to When significantly fewer students began to return, SCS sequester themselves in a private room and do a therapy began offering consultation and emergency services by session in their house which could be awkward.” phone. “Whether it’s living at home, dealing with online learnColbs added there has been a decrease in the number ing, managing anxiety about the virus or financial stress. of students seeking counseling services since the stay-at- Once that website is launched, we’re going to try to pophome mandate by Gov. JB Pritzker. ulate that with other ways to assist students other than “I think people are so focused on adjusting to the traditional counseling.”
balancing a full class schedule. “It’s frustrating. I’m doing my taxes now and I’ll only get $20 back despite all this money being spent elsewhere. It’s sort of ridiculous that no one can help out. I lost my job due to this. My parent lost her job and income now too. We are all struggling and to exclude anyone is just frustrating,” senior Megan McCabe said. With the summer approaching, some college students fear they might not be able to go back to work and make money that will help pay for school come the fall. “I’m mostly upset because it’s like, I’m not going to be able to get a job when classes end. So, how am I supposed to start paying for my next apartment?” junior Gabe Ayala said. An addition to the bill has been proposed which would allow more widespread relief. The addition of the bill would hope to provide more money to those who claim dependents on taxes and college students. GRACE KINNICUTT is a Features Reporter for The Vidette. She can be contacted at gkinnic@ilstu.edu. Follow her on Twitter at @GKinnicutt.
Coping with COVID-19
Tips to handle change during life-changing times Be productive Use the extra free time to motivate yourself to start dream projects, organize that closet and complete that back-of-the-mind bucket list.
Make a to-do list With each day of the shelter-inplace, let alone overall pandemic, moving very slowly, making a to-do list to hold people accountable during the day can stifle the boredom. Completing a day full of activities, although not necessarily the most desired of activities, will add a sense of accomplishment. Who doesn’t love that?
Try to keep things business as usual This doesn’t mean people can do everything they normally did, and now realize they took for granted. What it does mean, though, is that they can keep a routine, which will keep a sense of order in lives where it seems like there isn’t any.
Get creative Think. Use that brain and think of all the possible things and ways people can prosper during this time. Dust off some old board games, use technology to gain social structure and just because it isn’t easy to have fun does not mean it is impossible.
Band together One individual is not the only person going through this This is a worldwide pandemic for a reason. Remind loved ones that they are loved. Tell people that they are missed. Banding together can bring a sense of community back to a stifled world, while also lifting people’s spirits.
Stay motivated Life is not ending; it is just changing. Stay motivated to keep moving through this, or the feeling of being stuck in hard times can become allencompassing.
Remember it is for a very good reason Does this suck? It absolutely does, but it is so life as we know it can return to what we knew it as. It is so people can survive and then thrive again. Reminders of this can motivate people to see the light at the end of the tunnel, although we do not know how far away it is. COMPILED BY HAILEY BIALAS | FEATURES REPORTER | @HAILEYBIALAS
EXPANDED STORY @ videtteonline.com
PAGE 6 | THE VIDETTE
Features
TUESDAY, APRIL 7, 2020
Normal gets abnormal twist NYU film student writes paranormal pilot episode, ‘Normal, Illinois.’
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New York University senior film and television major Jori Johnson wrote a pilot for a paranormal comedy that takes place in Normal. Johnson’s class began production on the pilot episode this past semester, however, due to COVID-19 concerns, production has been post ponned until further notice. Johnson, from Barlett, has been working on production of her pilot episode as a part of one of her NYU classes. Even though production has been put on hold, Johnson plans to “see her way through production in whatever way possible.” Photographs courtesy of Jori Johnson
script.” However, due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, production of the pilot is currently on hold. NYU has moved to online classes for the rest of the semester. “NYU Tisch has assured us that all our production will still happen, we just don’t know when,” Johnson said. She added that production could mean coming
back after her graduation, or when her graduation ceremony would have been held. “I will likely have to find a lot of new cast and crew members, as people on the team likely have other plans for summer or fall.”
EXPANDED STORY @ videtteonline.com
Families coping, staying together in quarantine HAILEY BIALAS Features Reporter | @ haileybialas
Netflix’s ‘Tiger King’ lures in big audiences HAILEY BIALAS Features Reporter | @haileybialas
ANDREA RICKER Features Editor | @ricker_andrea
t the very least, you have to admit there’s something whack going on in a town whose motto is ‘Everything is just as it seems.”’ Jori Johnson, from Bartlett, Illinois, is a senior studying film and TV at New York University. For a class last semester, Johnson wrote a pilot episode of a paranormal comedy, set in none other than Normal, Illinois. But Normal isn’t so normal. The show, titled “Normal, Illinois,” follows a teenage girl, Greer Gallagher, as her family moves into a haunted house in town. “[Gallagher] is repeatedly disturbed by some type of paranormal presence, but nobody will believe her,” Johnson said. “So she has to team up with a couple of the outcast kids at school to try to figure out what’s going on.” The pilot was one of two chosen to be produced in NYU’s Intermediate Children’s TV Production Workshop during the current spring semester. “This wasn’t the first time I had pitched something for production class and previous times I hadn’t been selected,” Johnson said. “This is the first chance that I’ve had to make something that I’ve written myself. I’m beyond excited to finally be able to do that.” Johnson spent her fall semester writing the script in a class called Writing the Half Hour Pilot. So, why Normal for the setting of the spooky show? “I thought it would be the perfect town because of the name,” Johnson said. “It’s a little bit of an odd name and it goes well with the paranormal concept.” Johnson adds that for every script she writes she tries to have the setting be in Illinois, “Because that’s what I know from growing up there. I feel like it’s not a setting that is on TV.” “For inspiration I looked into a lot of history about Normal and images of what it looks like,” Johnson said. “I’ve been trying to incorporate a lot of that into what I just know about growing up in the midwest.” For as long as she can remember, Johnson has been interested in ghost stories. She adds that for her pilot, ghost hunting shows and sci-fi movies and TV shows were huge inspirations. “By watching all of that content I kind of realized a lot of what happens in those types of movies and shows [is that] they’re very funny but always played as serious and dramatic.” “I wanted to explore the area of paranormal comedy where there are some spooky things going on but it’s funny,” Johnson said. “I think that was my main inspiration when writing this
REVIEW
think we’re all handling it pretty well.” “We’ve been sending just one person to the With many people grocery store only when traveling to their we need to go,” Waple hometowns to be with elaborates. “We’ve also their families, students been trying to make are able to further be more meals at home, exposed to what it is and being more caulike to not only struggle tious about how much through COVID-19 as we go out and trying a college student but a not to interact with as family unit. Families do many people. We all not only consist of parhave our own schedules Ali Rasper | Photo Editor @alirasper4 ents and siblings, but in the house and we try Kyle Rasper (left), a junior at Johnsburg High School, and also grandparents that to stick to them so we Ian Rasper, a sophomore at Rocky Mountain College of Art are more threatened by & Design are two of the many students transition to going to can all get our work and the nature of the global class at home. schoolwork done.” pandemic. His sister Emily, who of his dorm with the help of his Nate Waple, a freshis currently living on sister, senior Emily Waple, and man studying business administracampus during isolation, comfriends. Since moving home to be tion, is the second of his siblings ments, “My mom isn’t letting my with his family, he says, “It’s been a to attend Illinois State University. dad or the boys go to the store bebig adjustment for everyone, but I This past week he had to move out cause my dad has underlying condi-
tions, and my mom doesn’t want to expose the boys to anything.” Hannah Martin, a senior currently student teaching at Huntley High School, explains, “My family has been taking extra precaution since they saw first-hand what can result from not isolating yourself or taking this seriously. Seeing one of our neighbors that lives just three houses down get pulled out on a stretcher due to this virus truly added perspective to the severity of this situation. It served as a harsh reminder to continue to follow each of the guidelines to keep yourself and loved ones safe and healthy.” Other families, related to redbirds or not, are also taking serious precautions by wiping down all groceries, sterilizing food that is delivered to houses and making sure family members that leave the home sanitize themselves properly before entering.
ions, tigers and Joe Exotic, oh my! With isolation taking over the world, the public has been eager for some new quality binge-able television. What else are people supposed to do during this next month of lock down? Netflix, of course, delivered just that. The new documentary, Tiger King, has been sitting on Netflix’s number watched program in the U.S. for the last week. Why? Well, it is the definition of entertaining. The series focuses on what it is like to be in the world of Big Cats. These feline tycoons have not only spanned across the country, but are part of a very interestingly criminal empire. There are three main, selfowned, zoo owners that the series sheds light on. First, there is Doc Antle. The interesting character, in several polygamous relationships with his staff, owns a very high scale big cat sanctuary in Myrtle Beach. He has grown up devoting his life to several exotic animals, runs a tight ship and focuses on the uniqueness that is experiencing these animals. Next there is Carol Baskin. Carol Baskin, owner of Big Cat Rescue in Tampa, is the rival of several in this special community. She advocates highly to end the abuse that big cats receive in these kind of companies, and has been knocking on Capital Hill’s door to do so for a while. She also is rumored to have killed her second husband, which raises heads around the community. Last, but certainly not least, Joe Exotic is featured throughout each episode. The redneck self-proclaimed Tiger King owned a zoo in Oklahoma, with over 200 big cats. His outspoken personality, unique relationships and business style is nonetheless amazing TV. The series follows the plot of these three zoo owners, their several disputes and criminal encounters all while exposing the slight god complex that can come with being a big cat owner. The series is based on very serious topics, which is what gets the public intrigued, but its juxtaposition with the comedic relief of the rivaling bold personalities is what makes it hard to turn away. It also is unsure if the series is truly over. Much more can come of the continuation of this story. Since the documentary has reopened there have been several criminal findings, relocations and changes to the community. It is a must watch that can continue either on television, or through social media. HAILEY BIALAS is a Features Reporter for The Vidette. She can be contacted at hgbiala@ ilstu.edu Follow her on Twitter at @haileybialas
THE VIDETTE | SPORTS | PAGE 7
TUESDAY, APRIL7, 2020
Q&A: Paul DeJong on MLB shutdown, life without baseball I’ve gone fishing a lot, reading, doing quite stuff. Stuff about the human conciseness, religious stuff, some philosophie stuff. Just a lot of trying to navigate my way through this. The Cardinals complex is open with batting cages and weight rooms available. I feel like they are going to shut down the complex soon, so the next couple of weeks are uncertain. I have a place down here (Jupiter) that is comfortable. My agent and I are coming up with our outreach program through Topps in the classroom. We are trying to engage kids in science and literacy so kids can stay locked in on school. Even though everyone seems to be in a freefall with no structure. I’m sure it is difficult learning online.
INTERVIEW COMPILED BY
JA K E SE RM E RSH EIM Spor t s Editor | @JakeSermer sheim.
Sermersheim: What was your initial reaction to the shutdown. DeJong: Kind of shocked almost hurt. Went through a little depressed state, not too bad. Everyone has that uncertainty, everyone is scared of the sickness. A lot of emotions that they canceled baseball, which has never been done before. We are walking on ground that has not been traveled before. It gives me confidence that everyone is in the same boat.
Does it feel like you should be playing games right now? It feels like spring training is still far away. Itdoes not feel like it should be opening day to me. Putting everything on hold for everything in the world is beyond baseball. I know they were playing old games but I think everyone is missing baseball.
What are you expecting once baseball comes back? I think you have to compare `it to 9/11. After baseball came back everyone was unified. I am hoping that when we start playing there will be a newfound love by fans and players. It is something everyone can get behind once it is back. I am expecting a big comeback.
What is the hardest part of this break?
How is the Topps in the Classroom affected by this shutdown? Tr i b u n e N e w s S e r v i c e
Paul DeJong of the St. Louis Cardinals chats in the with the media as he prepares for the 2019 National League All-Star team in Cleveland. DeJong is the only member of the Cardinals on the NL All-Star roster.
Just the uncertainty on how to prepare and how to get ready, everyone wants to be ready once the season starts. For us, it has been a standstill waiting to hear from the player’s asssociation on an excact date. I know for sure we have to wait for the CDC’s order of no general assembly. That was a week or two ago so I think we are looking at a month. Guys have thrown dates out but nothing is set in stone yet. We still do not know if we will have a 140 game season or expanded playoffs or some of
the other things that have been thrown out. Shorter season, prorated pay, more doubleheaders, expanded roster, longer playoffs are some things that are being talked about. I think what players want the most is more games. The goal is to get as many games in without hurting yourself or causing damage to our bodies. It is definitely a walking the line situation.
What does your day-to-day look like without baseball?
We will have to do more remote stuff. We were going to go to hospitals and ronald mcdonalds house but that has changed. Once the season gets going again I am going to focus on working with the Ronald McDonald House in St. Louis.
Earlier this year you were honored with the Outstanding Young Alumni Award, what does that mean to you? It is truly a great honor to be recognized by my school. I wear my college colors with pride because of how much college means to me. My experience at Illinois State modeled me and is a part of me so very grateful to be able to give back. To be honored by them is great.
Beattie overcomes setbacks en route to MVC title MATT KALINOWSKI Sports Reporter | @MattKalinowski
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llinois State University runner Grace Beattie set herself apart when she became a Missouri Valley Conference Champion in February. The redshirt junior has overcome many obstacles in her career so far, including multiple injuries and second-place finishes. However, the cancellation of college sports due to COVID-19 may be the most impactful of them all. “At first it didn’t feel real,” Beattie said. “And now I’ve had to accept it. And though it’s hard to accept, it’s understandable. My mom always tells me, ‘You have 24 hours to sulk and pout about a bad race, and then you have to Courtesy of Illinois State Athletics Redshirt junior Grace Beattie leading the way during a race earlier this season. move on.’ It took way more than 24 hours. “After about four days, I was my outdoor title last outdoor, and “My reaction to that was a, ‘Hey like, ‘You know what, there’s a Grace, you’re back!’ kind of feeling,” this indoor I was like ‘I’m not going lot [of worse outcomes], I could be home with another second-place Beattie said. sick, I could be dealing with this medal.’ It was tough, but it was the “But getting out there and personally with a family member or best feeling I’ve ever had, regardwinning that race was pretty motimyself.’ So, I just have to be blessed less of what race.” that I have an opportunity next year vating for me. A girl I beat in that She has another year of eligibilrace was a 10-second faster steepleto return.” Beattie said. ity left, but in the meantime will be chaser than me, and steeple chase Beattie overcame early-season focusing on her studies as a social is my main event in outdoor.” illnesses and setbacks to finally work major. Beattie defeated 18 others in the establish herself as one of the con“I’m going to get my master’s 5k to win the MVC Indoor Champiference’s elite in early February; degree, which is awesome, because onship (16:50.96) and avenged her she ran a 4:52.32 mile at the Adidas I got into the master’s program second-place finish from 2019. Classic. here,” Beattie said. “I want to even“It was a good feeling,” Beattie The Missouri Valley Conference tually be able to open up my own said. “I have gotten second in the named her Track Athlete of the practice, but right now I’m curmile, the steeple chase, the 3k, the Week for her conference-best time rently doing my clinicals at an DMR and the 5k. And finally, I won at the event.
addiction and treatment facility. I want to, eventually, have my own treatment facility for my own practice regarding addiction counseling (drugs, alcohol, eating addictions).” In addition to relying on her family for support, she uses them as motivation; in addition to her parents, Beattie has four siblings who run collegiately. “I have three older sisters and I have a twin brother who run collegiately,” she said. “My twin probably is my most inspiring figure. He runs for Utah State University; he’s a very different runner than I am.” Finally, Beattie looks to get out and accomplish even more in the next running season, as well as in the classroom. “I’m definitely looking forward to
getting back into the classroom and have clinicals,” she said. “Because that’s really when my cross [country] season went poorly, trying to balance the clinicals with the practice, and trying to not walk away with the stress of being a social worker.I’m really looking forward to reaching some pretty big goals … I said when I got here ‘I am going to be a cross country runner’ … there is no reason I shouldn’t be a titlecontender in cross if I can win it on a track.” Head coach Jeff Bovee shares a similar ambition, and says the program wants “to contend for a team title in cross country and win at home and then for Grace to qualify for the NCAA Championships outdoors in the steeplechase.”
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Sports
PAGE 8 | THE VIDETTE
TUESDAY, APRIL 7, 2020
‘Wichita Kid’
Mile-High Redbird Davontae Harris discusses journey of ‘seizing opportunites’ STORY BY JAKE FOGAL | Sports Editor | @jfogal5
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lectrifying: A powerful word used for those special enough to thrill fans and captivate audiences with sudden excitement. That word isn’t just thrown around, as earning such a moniker inspires onlookers’ in amazement. A word that former Illinois State defensive back Davontae Harris used to describe what he expects to do this upcoming season for the Denver Broncos. Wearing the Redbird uniform from 2013-2017, Harris bleeds red and recalls splendid times from his alma mater. Of course, leading those memories is the National Championship appearance by ISU in 2015. While Harris wasn’t sending shockwaves through the crowd at this point in his career, the experience was certainly one he didn’t take lightly. Other momentous occurrences that Harris remembered was the Chicago Cubs snapping their 108-year World Series drought in 2016. “When the Cubs won the World Series, the whole town went crazy, and I think that was a pretty cool moment to be a part of,” said Harris. Harris claims to have no loyal ties to the Cubs nor baseball but having been able to experience that electrifying run that the Cubs put together was a memory that Harris had not forgotten. A rough start accompanied Harris as he started his NFL journey. Being drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in 2018 with the 151 pick, finding himself fighting for a roster spot, Harris’s luck took a turn for the worst as he injured his knee in a preseason game against the Dallas Cowboys. Quickly being placed on the injury reserve list put Harris on the shelve for the remainder of the 2018 season. Fast-forwarding to the 2019 season, Harris heard his name called once again, but only to be cut by the team that drafted him the year prior. Harris saw this as a blessing in disguise, “Honestly, I was at peace. I think I was at peace because I understood whatever was to come was out of my control, and whatever was to come that I did have control over I was going to make the most out of the opportunity,” said Harris. “It didn’t really hinder me mentally in many ways, just because I feel I have gone through a lot in my lifetime to where things always rebound, and you look at it the right way. I knew what I was capable of doing being a part of adversity, and I just had to figure it out and go forward.” Moved forward he did, as Harris quickly found himself picked up by the Broncos the next day. The Broncos would move Harris up to their 53-man roster, and Harris found himself in the place he expected to land in his first year. “My experience from Cincinnati was completely different than my experience in Denver, Denver is what I expected when I went into Cincinnati. When I finally got to what I expected, it felt like a place I belonged.” Now maintaining a position in Denver, Harris credited a major difference between the Bengals and the Broncos was leadership. Although Harris spent his entire first season on the sideline in Cincy, the losing environment and locker room issues concerned Harris. Arriving in the Mile-High City, Harris quickly made relationships with well-known team leaders Chris Harris Jr. And Von Miller. When asked who Harris has made the largest impact on the team for him, he mentioned both Harris Jr. and Miller, calling them “Two legends.” “I would definitely say Chris (Harris Jr.), he’s one of my bigger mentors. He’s always looking out for me, always teaching me life skills, whether it’s football or if its life. He’s kind of throwing gems at me without even realizing it,” said Harris. The other, which is who I probably hang out with more in Denver, is Von (Miller). I think he’s just a really good loving guy, he is exactly who you perceive him to
PHOTOGRAPH courtesy of The Denver Broncos | Illinois State Athletics
be. He wants to create a good team-environment and bring people in and make everyone feel welcome.” While Harris is currently training in Dallas, Texas with mentor Chris Harris Jr., he recently sparked some of ISU faithful with a tweet at the university back on Feb. 25. Receiving a litany of responses from current students, alumni, and other news outlets, Harris accomplished exactly what he wanted to. “So the reason I put it out there was because I want people to see it, like you from Illinois State, or like coaches of different sports to realize that we(former athletes/alumni) have gone off to go to the NFL, or whatever our next journey is, but we haven’t forgotten where we came from in regards to our alma mater that gave us the platform to be where we are,” Harris exclaimed. “I just think it’s really important for them (ISU) to reach back to the former players, so we can build a bond and a relationship even outside of going to school there. I feel like a lot of the times when you let the players leave, you call them a couple times a semester and ask for donations, but like what am I committing to, what am I really a part of? Like I gave
my four years; I feel like I gave everything I had to the school and they would want to be a part of the next journey that I was on.” Maintaining the connection that helped him reach the limelight that he is presently engulfed in today, allows Harris to give back to the place that he called home for five years of his life. The place that set the stage that gave Harris memories, success and eventually his platform to electrify. Being no stranger to giving back, Harris is constantly in contact with his hometown of Wichita, Kan. Leading his local charity The Wichita Kid Foundation, Harris noted that he is grateful from where he came from, wanting to give back to the place that he loved so dearly as a child. At the end of the day, Harris voiced: “I’m just a guy who worked towards an opportunity that put me in the position to use my platform for things that are bigger than me.” With his goals in place, aspiring to train harder, as well as be better and do better for those around him pushes Harris to seize further opportunities. JAKE FOGAL is a Sports Editor for The Vidette. He can be contacted at vidette_jpfogal@ilstu.edu Follow him on Twitter at @jfogal5