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THE VIDETTE
TUESDAY, APRIL 13, 2021 Vol. 133 | No. 25
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Back to the
drawing board
College of Engineering plans grind to halt due to union conflicts STORY BY GRACE KINNICUTT NEWS EDITOR
PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY ALEX GANT PHOTO EDITOR
& FLYNN GERAGHTY ART DIRECTOR
P
lans for Illinois State University to add a College of Engineering building have come to a standstill. Illinois State University sought approval from the Academic Senate on March 24 to go forward with plans for a College of Engineering, but the Senate rejected the new building to stand in solidarity with members of the Graduate Workers Union, who are fighting for a living wage. Vice President of the Assembly Dylan Toth expressed during the Academic Senate meeting in March that he was voting no in support of student workers earning a livable wage. “I’m not opposed to a College of Engineering, but I will be voting no on this motion until our university pays our graduate workers a living wage that they are entitled to simply by being human beings,” Toth said. With ISU still discussing plans about the new college, it has left graduate workers frustrated that the university does have the funding but is putting it toward future projects. “It’s frustrating hearing all these decisions [and] conversations,” English teaching assistant and PhD student Edcel Javier
Cintrón-Gonzalez said. “But let’s just build this new thing and attract more people and more students [even though] these new students [will face] the same poverty wages as we are right now.” English PhD student and graduate teaching assistant Bryanna Tidmarsh also expressed concerns of how the university continues to ignore current problems while asking for more funding for a new project. “I have no personal feelings about a College of Engineering, per se. I think that there’s just a lot of things that need to happen first, right?” Tidmarsh said. “The narrative we keep getting told is that the College of Engineering will bring in more money for other departments. That doesn’t happen like that.” Negotiations between GWU and ISU have been ongoing since October 2019. Members have been fighting for ISU to pay graduate workers a living wage. Graduate workers are paid a stipend of about $667 a month which is about $8,500 for the nine-month contract. Grad students also have to pay $2,500 in student fees. See COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING on Page 3
‘STUDENT SUCCESS’ MEANS SUPPORTING GRAD WORKERS VIEWPOINT PAGE 4 GRAD WORKERS, STUDENTS SHARE CONCERN FOR FALL SEMESTER NEWS PAGE 3
PAGE 2 | NEWS | THE VIDETTE
TUESDAY, APRIL 13, 2021
COVID-19 in
NEWS IN BRIEF
16,324 cases in
Food drive to help School Street Pantry
MCLEAN COUNTY McLean County
164 new cases since
Friday in McLean County
5.3% seven-day positivity rate through Sunday
5.6% cumulative
positivity rate in McLean County
210 COVID-19-related
deaths in McLean County
292,000 total tested in McLean County
15,508 recovered in McLean County
561 individuals in home
TOP: Freshman physical education student Jake Sliter hands testing employees his form that asks for his name and questions regarding if he has been exposed to COVID-19 recently or has had any COVID-19-related symptoms. LEFT: Freshman social work student Malcom Brown participates in the free COVID-19 testing provided by ISU in the temporary home in The Alamo II parking lot. Brown swabs both nostrils and then puts the swab into a protective sleeve for it to be tested.
isolation in McLean County
45 hospitalized due
to COVID-19 in McLean County
92,719 vaccinated in McLean County
SOURCE: MCLEAN COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT
Alex Gant | Photo Editor | @AlexGant16
ISUPD recruiting students to help stop crime JOHN MURRAY News Reporter | @jmurr__
Illinois State University Police Department is continuing to recruit volunteers for its fall 2021 STOP program. STOP, which stands for Students On Patrol, provides an opportunity for current ISU students to play an active role in keeping the ISU campus safe. Sgt. Mike Gardner is the Supervisor of ISUPD’s Community Engagement Unit, which oversees the STOP program. Gardner says the program was created to have an extra set of eyes and ears on campus. “The entire campus benefits from STOP members being extra sets of ‘eyes and ears,’ and from their crime-deterring nature of their visibility,” Gardner said. Aside from being afforded the opportunity
to build future leaders and law enforcement officers, STOP members also benefit by gaining real-world, resume-building experience while voluntarily performing a civic service for the ISU community. While ISUPD did run its usual recruiting campaign during the spring 2021 semester, the force did not receive enough applicants to run the STOP program. “With this semester [spring 2021] being the exception, we [ISUPD] usually receive 20 or 30 applications per semester.” ISUPD has shifted its focus toward recruitment for the fall 2021 semester. Once a student has made it through the application approval process, they must go through mandatory training to prepare them for patrol. The student must also commit to a minimum of 20 volunteer hours for the semester, broken into four-hour shifts.
“After they’ve been trained, during their shifts, STOP members walk around campus with at least one other member, to provide extra ‘eyes and ears’ for ISUPD, while also being available to give Safe Walks to members of the ISU community who may need it,” Gardner said. The STOP program also provides free optional trainings throughout each semester. Trainings include, but are not limited to, CPR certification, verbal de-escalation, insights into crisis negotiation and more. Gardner wants to make it clear that the STOP program is open to all majors. “Students On Patrol is not specific to any major. Some students may get the impression that they have to either major or be interested in criminal justice to participate, which is not true.” More information about the program can be found on ISUPD’s website.
The Civil Service Council, the Food Insecurity Committee and the A/P Council are hosting the Redbirds Care Drive-Thru Food Drive from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday at the Normal First United Methodist Church at 211 North School Street. The food drive is to help support the School Street Food Pantry which helps students facing food insecurity and serves about 90 to 200 students on a weekly basis. The groups are asking those who donate to enter the parking lot near Locust Street. Individuals donating are also asked to have the donations ready to be taken from the back seat or trunk of their vehicle as they drive through the lot. Donations needed include canned tuna or chicken, pasta, rice, spaghetti sauce or canned tomato products, flour, salt, sugar and spices. Other food donations needed include salad dressings, cooking oils, gluten-free items and vegetarian or vegan items. Essential items that can be provided as donations include soap, deodorant, shampoo, cleaning supplies, feminine care products and toothpaste. KELLIE FOY VIDETTE NEWS EDITOR
IF YOU GO WHAT: Food drive WHEN: 9 a.m. to noon Saturday WHERE: First United Methodist Church, 211 North School Street, enter through parking lot near Locust Street WHY: To help with School Street Food Pantry that aids students FOOD ITEMS TO DONATE: Canned tuna or chicken, pasta, rice, spaghetti sauce or canned tomato products, flour, salt, sugar, spices, salad dressings, cooking oils, glutenfree items, vegetarian or vegan items. ESSENTIAL ITEMS TO DONATE: Soap, deodorant, shampoo, cleaning supplies, feminine care products and toothpaste.
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TUESDAY, APRIL 13, 2021
THE VIDETTE | NEWS | PAGE 3
‘We’re being told we’re forced in person’
ISU’s desire for in-person and flexible classes for fall raise concerns among graduate students KELLIE FOY News Editor | @kellie_foy
minimum of once per week,” explore other spaces in campus buildings that allow for proper social distancing or “adhere to standard block scheduling” among other s Illinois State University conthings. tinues working through its fall If they choose to adhere to standard semester plans and pushing to block scheduling, this would include have as many in-person classes as posmoving certain Monday and Wednesday sible, graduate workers are expressing classes to Monday, Wednesday and Friday concerns over the modality and commuclasses. nication issues with these plans. Both Tidmarsh and Department of EngIn a thread of emails sent to departlish graduate teaching assistant and PhD ment chairs and directors over the last student Edcel Javier Cintrón-Gonzalez said few weeks, Vice President for Academic that they believe this method of adhering Affairs and Provost Aondover Tarhule to standard scheduling is flawed because it stated that the country’s vaccination leaves students and professors more vulprocess allows ISU to “continue [its] nerable to catching the virus regardless of planning for a more traditional campus who is vaccinated and how effective these experience, with students living on camvaccines are. pus, staff back in offices and faculty back “I think that is still a big concern that in classrooms.” is worth pushing back on because I don’t With a list of planning assumptions for think that any students or instructors are the fall semester and ISU among other in favor of that switch to more Monday, Illinois universities calling on the Illinois Wednesday, Friday classes. But, it’s less Department of Public Health to install immediate at least and I hope that there’s a COVID-19 vaccine requirement for at least time for us to be connecting with students and staff, graduate workers feel this method of planning is not enough Joey Aquino | Photographer | @JoeyAquino711 the university and having a dialogue about that,” Tidmarsh said. when it comes to the safety of the campus Graduate workers share their concerns with Illinois State University’s fall plans, saying that there are However, Tarhule said in the email that many flaws and that it is too soon to have so many in-person classes. community. at the end of the day, “chairs and directors When it comes to whether ISU will “It’s a completely understandable sentiment. We spent have the authority to make the final decision regarding how require everyone to be vaccinated before coming back for the a year and a half telling everyone to stay away, be scared of and when courses are offered.” fall semester, Tarhule said that the decision is ultimately up to COVID-19 [and] don’t get close to anyone. People took that Both Tidmarsh and Cintrón-Gonzalez echoed each other’s IDPH and Gov. JB Pritzker. message as expected, which is good,” Tarhule said. concerns and said the pandemic has played a large toll in the “I know President Larry Dietz is in discussion with the “But now, we’re reversing that message [and saying to] way graduate workers structure their classes regardless of presidents of other universities and in discussion with IDPH come back, don’t be scared of people [and] get back together. class format. They said that having these assumptions is not about this. The state governor is thinking about it [and] we As I’ve said in some of the venues, it’s not going to be an auputting the interests of the ISU community in mind as many heard they are discussing it in Springfield,” Tarhule said. “At tomatic switch [and] there needs to be a psychological change faculty, staff and students do not feel safe coming back yet. some point soon, we hope to hear whether they are going to where people have to relearn not to fear things we’ve been “I think [not having] a clear say on what’s going to happen require it or not.” telling them to fear.” in the fall is important for us mostly because [graduate workFor Department of English PhD student and graduate Tarhule said that the science and data allows the university ers] handle all the planning and material for our classes. No teaching assistant Bryanna Tidmarsh, her concerns range to assume that social distancing will be lifted and everyone one gives us a plan or the materials for our classes,” Cintrónfrom the lack of communication from administration to the will be vaccinated come the fall semester, providing the opGonzalez said. university’s lack of discussion with faculty and graduate work- portunity for ISU to bring back as many people to campus as “We handle all the assignments; we handle the syllabus ers when it comes to what goes into these plans. Tidmarsh is possible and have a more traditional campus experience. [and] we handle the outline and the reading list.” also concerned with the way ISU is handling the vaccination Within the email he sent to department chairs and direcCintrón-Gonzalez went on to discuss that the work that requirement. tors, Tarhule and his working committee said that they graduate workers do is not as easy as some might think. “We’re being told we’re forced in person but being told to “expect the percentage of in-person course offerings for “It’s a lot of work and course design. Even though some be flexible [and] that changes could happen if it’s not a bestfall 2021 to be much closer to that of fall 2019” and “course people think that it’s no problem [and that we can] transfer case scenario. We’re not being involved in the process or the enrollments should be set at pre-COVID course enrollment what we made for in-person classes online, it’s not as simple decision-making for those changes,” Tidmarsh said. maximums” and that “large classes of more than 100 students as that,” Cintrón-Gonzalez said. However, Tarhule said the communication and discussions can be offered in person.” However, Tarhule stressed that in spite of these concerns, are happening within his working committees as the individuIf social distancing is not lifted come August, Tarhule said the decisions are not set in stone and come from what the als within these committees represent the broad horizon of that department chairs and directors have several strategies majority of the campus community seems to want. To him, the campus community. to choose from that would best fit how their department is the majority of the community wants to have some sort of He also said administration and the working committee do formatted and structured. normalcy and tradition and wants to come back to campus. not plan to ask for the campus community’s thoughts and inIn the email, Tarhule stated that chairs and directors “Our sense is that students really want to be back in person puts for the format of the fall semester because of the science have the ability to “transform fully in-person courses to [and] a lot of faculty really want to be back in person, so that’s and data given by health officials, the federal government and hybrid where students meet with the instructor in person a what we’re trying to make happen,” Tarhule said. the state government.
A
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING Continued from Page 1
Joey Aquino | Photographer | @JoeyAquino711
In mid-February, the Graduate Workers Union held a car caravan protest in order to bring attention to its struggle to come up with a fair contract with ISU officials.
GWU feels loss of support Graduate Workers Union released a statement on Jan. 14 stating that the university is offering old changes or policies and feels the university has failed to support them. The union stated that the proposals Illinois State put forth have previously been proposed and most of the changes highlighted in the proposal are already enacted with the state’s minimum wage law.
College of Engineering introduced During the Feb. 19 Board of Trustees meeting, President Larry Dietz and Provost Andover Tarhule presented the first half of a proposal to launch new engineering programs along with a college for the program. In the proposal, the College of Engineering would be located in the John Green Food Service building across from University High School and near Cardinal Court on Gregory Street. Dietz highlighted how the new building and expansion of the engineering program would attract and increase enrollment. “We’re looking for new opportunities for new markets for students, and the engineering program clearly gives us access to new students,” Dietz said in the meeting. On Feb. 24, the Student Government Association passed a resolution in support of Graduate Workers Union with ongoing negotiations for a fair contract. The resolution supports future professional efforts of graduate workers at Illinois State University and recognizes the need for improved working conditions. It also calls upon the university leadership to work with GWU to reach a reasonable and livable wage for workers.
COE rejected by Academic Senate At the March 24 Academic Senate meeting, the university was seeking approval for the new College of Engineering. The Senate rejected Illinois State’s proposal for the college to stand in solidarity with the Graduate Workers Union. Senators support the engineering program and a new college but want the university to finish negotiations with GWU. During the meeting, GWU members and graduate workers Trevor Rickerd and Steven Lazaroff expressed concerns regarding the university’s negotiation tactics and leaders. Both individuals also discussed how the latest negotiation proposal was sent five minutes before the meeting began which made it difficult for GWU to express concerns about the proposal.
Alex Gant | Photo Editor | @AlexGant16
ISU is looking to remodel the John Green building for the College of Engineering project.
Current state of COE Even with plans halted for the new College of Engineering, the board held discussions regarding the benefits and impact of the John Green building becoming the College of Engineering. At the April 3 board meeting, no actions were taken but plans about the renovation, costs and benefits were shared. Vice President for the Division of Finance and Planning Dan Stephens presented how much it would cost the university along with the financial benefits it would bring in the coming years once it is up and running. With additional lab equipment, office space and other things needed, the renovation would cost a total of $44 million. Stephens is projecting that it could allow anywhere from 520 to 1,040 students to enroll which would help attract more in-state students to the university instead of them having to go out of state, along with increasing enrollment and meeting the state's job market demand. Dietz emphasized that the College of Engineering would not be happening within the next year as the university continues to seek approval. But plans for the college will continue with the hopes of it being approved in the next three years.
Viewpoint
PAGE 4 | THE VIDETTE
VIDETTE EDITORIAL
TUESDAY, APRIL 13, 2021
‘Student success’ should mean student success
G
raduate worker unions have been forming at colleges and universities across the nation in recent months and years. With graduate workers and community members coming together to negotiate for fair contracts and livable wages from these colleges and universities, the fight is far from over. Since late January, Illinois State University’s Graduate Workers Union has turned to the public stage to bring awareness to the university’s failure to provide proper negotiations that include these livable wages and a fair contract for its graduate workers. From various forms of protests to solidarity and support from students and campus groups, such as members of the Academic Senate and the Student Government Association, these methods of awareness have put the university in a position to pay attention, step up and right its wrongs. The solidarity and protests over the past few months have given university officials plenty of opportunities to show that they are not only talking the talk but walking the walk when it comes to ISU’s core values of having a diverse and inclusive campus. The university has continued to shoot down every one of these opportunities since then, putting itself in a position
to show that it is only capable of talking the talk. We see that these university officials and the administration say that they strive and push for student success. University officials proved where their core values truly lie at one of the latest Academic Senate meetings when they tried to get members to approve spending millions to remodel the John Green building near Cardinal Court for the College of Engineering. Yet, many graduate workers showed up to Academic Senate and Board of Trustees meetings to speak out about their current conditions and how ISU continues to fail them. These workers have told The Vidette that university officials have specifically
told them during negotiation sessions that funding has been an issue across the entire campus. To the members of the campus community, this does not look like student success to us. This looks like the university does not care about us and our graduate workers. Student success is not avoiding our current campus problems and saying we do not have enough funding to fix these problems just to turn around and have enough funding to remodel an entire building. Student success is using that funding to give students and graduate workers the resources and tools they need to be able to have their basic needs such as food, shelter and health care as we
conquer a deadly pandemic. Student success is not allowing these graduate workers to live in constant anxiety and fear of what will happen to them and their co-workers because they are living with poverty wages during this deadly pandemic. Student success is sitting down with these graduate workers, listening to them voice their concerns and stress and coming up with negotiations and a contract that allows them to provide for themselves, their loved ones and their students. Student success is standing in solidarity with these graduate workers and supporting their fight in a fair contract with ISU. Let us take care of our students and our campus community before shifting our attention to bigger and more glamorous projects. Improving student life starts with actually improving the conditions of student living by providing graduate students with fair compensation for their work, and for addressing other campus climate issues that have been talked about for years. If we really are a diverse and inclusive campus that cares about the students and faculty, we need to do better and be better. Right now, that starts with proper negotiations and a fair contract for our graduate workers.
Editorial Cartoon by Flynn Geraghty | Vidette Art Director
EDITORIAL POLICY Editorial written by KELLIE FOY, a member of The Vidette Staff. 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.
Celebrate the ‘return to normal’ with a return to live performance MY VIEW ANDREA RICKER | Features Editor
T
he performing arts is an industry that thrives off of working with others and welcoming in audiences to see their hard work. For a solid year, live theater performances have not been able to happen due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Performers have not been able to have that audience interaction, to hear the sounds of applause and laughter, to see people showing love for a project they have poured their hearts into.
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As vaccine rollout is increasing and the thought of getting back to normal does not seem so far away, many theater groups have been able to get back to performing. The world of performing has completely shifted, and even though it is coming back, it is still a little different. We are not performing to packed theaters and crowded stands. A lot of performances are virtual, with the cast and crew physically at the stage and audiences watching remotely. Sometimes only a certain capacity is allowed to watch the show live. With show week for the Gamma Phi Circus starting, I have been thinking a lot of just how important it is to support the performing arts right now. For circus, this show has been two years in the making. We are continuing our show that was going to be performed in 2020 but had to be canceled.
If anything, having this show canceled once before has made our troupe work even harder to make this performance the best it can be. Countless hours have been spent perfecting routines, making the music flow just right and making sure the costumes shine. The same applies for all performing groups, not just Gamma Phi. So many groups have been struggling financially for the past year since there have not been ways to make the same amount of money they used to with ticket sales. Throughout quarantine, performers have not stopped. We have just adapted and kept working toward the day we would be able to perform once again. When creatives are kept inside for months, we just start to work on what we love. Scripts and music have been written, choreographers have kept dancing, costumes and props have
NOTABLE NUMBERS
ANDREA RICKER is Features Editor for the Vidette. She can be reached at arricke@ilstu. edu. Follow her on Twitter at @ricker_andrea.
“
THEY SAID IT
? $503
would be added to 2021 tuition if a proposed increase goes through. Tuition rates are locked in for students based on the year they entered the university, which means the increase would affect incoming students.
433.9
continued to be created and more. Now that theater is slowly coming back, why not go see a show? Purchase a ticket to a virtual performance or come in and watch live if you can. You will not only see a great show, but you will see people finally getting to do what they love after months of not being able to. You will see all the hard work that has been put into these shows shine on stage. Besides seeing the show, purchasing a ticket also helps these groups after not bringing in the ticket sale money like normal. While theater might look different, the passion behind the performances is still there, and is even stronger now.
NEWS PAGE 5
miles, the distance from Redbird Arena to the CHI Health Center in Omaha, Nebraska. Illinois State University volleyball will travel to face the University of Nevada Las Vegas in the National Collegiate Athletic Association tournament.
SPORTS PAGE 8
“Climate change affects each of us and we hope that one’s experience of seeing these large, and often vibrant, works encourages visitors to increase their awareness and activism.” Kendra Paitz, director and chief curator for University Galleries
EDITORIAL BOARD ELIZABETH SEILS Editor in Chief | @SeilsElizabeth ANDREA RICKER Features Editor @ricker_andrea GRACE KINNICUTT News Editor @GKinnicutt KATIE BESTE Night Editor @BesteKatherine
MAIA HUDDLESTON Photo Editor @maiawrites MYA ROBINSON Sports Reporter @Im_Myaaa JOHN MURRAY News Reporter @Jmurr__
TUESDAY, APRIL 13, 2021
THE VIDETTE | NEWS | PAGE 5
ISU looking to increase tuition
The Board of Trustees is looking to increase tuition 1-2% for incoming freshmen and transfers this fall semester JORDAN MEAD Features Reporter | @meadjordan19
Illinois State University’s Board of Trustees’ April meeting included discussions about ISU’s current position in cost of attendance relative to where ISU’s sister schools stand. In May, the BOT will decide whether ISU will increase the cost of attendance by 1-2 percent in the fall 2021 semester. “Based on the conversation with the board, right now they are leaning away from any kind of change in the mandatory student fees, but there are considerations for a change in the tuition and room and board area,” ISU Vice President for Finance and Planning Dan Stephens said. “From a historical perspective, out of the 11 sister schools, we rank sixth. There are five other schools that have higher tuition than we do.” Stephens went on to say that the board is looking at all categories that relate to cost of attendance. This includes tuition, mandatory student fees and room and board fees. “Traditionally in the last four years, we’ve tried to limit our overall increase to less than 2 percent. Using some type of combination, whether it’s a tuition, fee or room and board increase, we try to keep our increases modestly managed,” Stephens said. The entering class that is joining ISU in the fall, whether that involves freshmen or transfer
students, would be impacted by a tuition increase. It would not apply to existing students at ISU. Any increase in room and board would affect all students living in the dorms or Cardinal Court. An increase in fees would apply to every student enrolled at ISU. According to fall 2020 tuition cost, a full-time student taking 30 credit hours a year will pay $11,524 in tuition. Mandatory student fees for a fulltime student taking 15 credit hours per term for two terms is $3,223. While there are several options and packages for housing and dining at ISU, the most common package is $9,850. Lastly, there is optional health insurance for students, costing $563 for a full year. The total published cost of attendance adds up to $25,169 according to fall 2020 costs. An increase of 2 percent in overall cost, which the board does not want to go over, would add an additional $503 to the fall 2020 prices. The determined percentage will be decided in May 2021 and will go into effect in the fall 2021 semester. Not only is ISU basing this potential increase off what sister universities are charging, but ISU is trying to battle the losses in revenue that occurred in the housing and dining area within the last year because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, an increase could help handle the increased costs that
of that type of funding,” Stephens said. “Our president, our board and our leadership team have been constantly talking with legislatures about this inequitable treatment of the ISU community.” Stephens said ISU officials are hopeful that this financial imbalance will change in the future. “The most frustrating thing is the appropriation right now, and for a long time, it hasn’t been indicative of the number of Alex Gant | Photo Editor | @AlexGant16 students we serve,” Stephens said. Incoming students gather in Hancock Stadium for Redbird Day on April 2. The Board of All in all, Stephens Trustees is looking to increase tuition which would take effect this coming fall semester for incoming freshmen and transfer students. said that the money a student or a family spends in the overall may stay around due to the ongoing losses, we’re trying to manage the cost is a worthwhile investment in impact of COVID-19. cost going forward to our students one’s future. Stephens said there was not a and families.” “ISU ranks very high if you look significant enrollment decline in In addition to managing the the last year. costs associated with the pandemic, at websites with statistics about our graduation and the opportuniHowever, dorms and dining Stephens said ISU is advocating ties for students to get quality jobs. facilities were at 50% capacity, and with the state to provide a higher We rank among academic proISU was incurring all costs to keep appropriation to ISU. grams across the nation, and we the facilities open. This is because ISU receives the “The institution does its best to least funding on a per-student basis rank very well for a public institution, certainly within the Midwest manage its fiscal resources. Obvifrom the state in comparison to the in the state of Illinois,” Stephens ously with the pandemic, it cost the sister universities. institution a significant amount of “On average, our 10 sister schools said. “ISU offers a tremendous value money and we had to use savget around $6,000 per student in the long run graduating from ings from reserves to cover those funded by the state. ISU’s number this institution in no matter what losses,” Stephens said. is around $3,500 per student. ISU “Despite all those costs and is doing its best despite the inequity degree you choose.”
Despite virtual format, Preview still stirs excitement CHELSEA CORA News Reporter | @cora_chelsea
I
l l i n o i s State’s 2021 Preview days this summer for incoming students will be virtual. Preview is a two-day orientation program held for new students. “We learned so much from last year and are applying that to the virtual programming this summer. Preview is an entire campus initiative, and it’s been amazing to see everyone coming together, sharing ideas and thinking creatively to provide the best and safest experience for our new students,” Preview Coordinator Corey Burgess said. The Preview guides for 2021 summer are still thrilled to be participating despite the virtual format. “Although a virtual format for Preview isn’t ideal, I am still looking forward to a fun summer. We had a very successful Preview season last summer, and I’m sure we will this
summer as well,” Preview Guide Cody Miller said. Preview is an event that will allow students to meet and get to know other students attending ISU. They will also be registering for classes with the help of their academic adviser. “Once students complete their virtual Preview and register for fall classes, they will be invited to attend an optional in-person experience in July where they can visit campus, connect with other students in a small-group setting, learn more about campus resources and obtain their Redbird ID card,” Burgess said. Miller is also a student coordinator helping organize Preview and make it the best experience possible for incoming ISU students. “This summer, I have the opportunity of being one of the student coordinators. My position works heavily behind the scenes of Preview and helps oversee the Preview guide team. The Student Leadership team plans to
come up with ideas to make this a fun summer. Preview can be stressful at times and so we want to try our best to take us much of that away and to make Preview something you won’t forget,” Miller said. Even though Preview is in a virtual format again for this summer, Preview guides are still looking at the bright side of the event and trying to create a positive atmosphere for the students. “Overall, I’m just looking forward to being back in person and working with a fun group of people. This will be my third summer working for Preview and as a whole, it’s just something I always look forward to,” Miller said. Preview Guide Justin Mabrey is keeping a positive attitude about the virtual event and has many plans for Preview this summer. He is still doing his best to make it a fun, virtual experience. “While I am disappointed that we won’t be able to welcome all of the incoming freshmen
on campus the way we all want to, I understand why the decision was made,” Mabrey said. “If we take extra precautions this summer and make some sacrifices now, that puts us in an even better position to have a more traditional on-campus experience this fall. I would much rather our incoming freshmen have a safe fall semester on campus than take any risks this summer.” The Preview guide team isn’t just excited for the opportunity to make it a good experience for the students, but to also engage with their fellow Preview guide friends and teammates. “As a newly promoted lead Preview guide, I am looking forward to the additional responsibilities of being a leader within the Preview team and supporting my fellow guides every step of the way while also supporting and challenging myself to be a better guide and leader,” Mabrey said. More information about Preview can be found online at University College’s website.
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PAGE 6 | THE VIDETTE
University Galleries hosts artist Hargrave’s unique look at declining biodiversity and habitat for birds
Features
TUESDAY, APRIL 13, 2021
GRACE DOYLE Features Reporter | @Amaaziinggracee
I
llinois State’s University Galleries is currently hosting the photo, video and audio inclusive exhibit “Alice Hargrave: The Canary in the Lake” until May 16 to offer audiences an artistic and honest look into the loss of biodiversity and habitats for birds in relation to climate change. “This exhibit has been an exciting way to build upon University Galleries’ history of supporting interdisciplinary projects and drawing attention to urgent issues,” Kendra Paitz, director and chief curator for University Galleries, said. “Climate change affects each of us and we hope that one’s experience of seeing these large, and often vibrant, works encourages visitors to increase their awareness and activism.” “The Canary in the Lake” exhibit is divided into two spaces — one addressing birds in southern Florida and the other addressing freshwater lakes on all seven continents. By gathering data from freshPhoto courtesy of Michelle Hassel, University Galleries water lakes through studies conducted in University Galleries is currently showcasing works by Alice Hargrave, including “The Conference of the Lakes, After Farid Attar.” The display will 2020-2021, Hargrave was able to create be available until May 16, and visitors must book an appointment. what she calls “lake-portraits,” where she would use the data to generate topographiCenter and even the portfolio. Rather than making illustrations of birds, however, cal patterns, which were then layered upon Lianzhou Photo FestiHargrave used images and sound to convey how it feels to photographs that reference lake lore and the val in Lianzhou, China. search for the birds in their natural settings after completing variety of possible lake colors. O’Reilly has been her own artist residency at the same locations. In addition to these portraits, Hargrave involved in several This exhibition is at the center of multiple educational has also collaborated with ISU professor of large-scale collaboraprograms that will be taking place throughout the year as geology Catherine O’Reilly, whose research tive projects with over University Galleries continues their collaboration with the focuses on freshwater environments with an a decade of research Children’s Discovery Museum for Art Around You, a series of interest in how lakes and rivers are impacted on Lake Tanganyika virtual tours and workshops for children ages 7-10. Museum by human activities and climate change, to in eastern Africa and curators, with help from various teachers around the commucreate an adjacent exhibit that shows off 20 her work has been nity, have also developed a special opportunity for sociology transparent fabric works that are each 10 reported in the British students, where after learning about Hargrave’s work, they feet high, an experimental audio track and will be able to work together to create their own artwork that Photo Courtesy of Michelle Hassel, University Galleries Broadcasting Cormultiple photos. poration, The New University Galleries is currently showcasing works by will be shown at University Galleries during the summer. “We’re featuring a large-scale installation, Alice Hargrave, including “Herbarium, lake algae, macYork Times, National Hargrave, O’Reilly and Paitz also conduct virtual visits with ‘The Conference of the Lakes, After Farid rophytes.” The display will be available until May 16, and Geographic and many Illinois State University classes. Attar,’ which was created in collaboration visitors must book an appointment. more. Through being “Alice, Catherine and I have been conducting virtual exhibiwith Catherine O’Reilly,” Paitz said. “That a part of the 2007 tion tours and class visits with ISU students, as well as stuproject combines data — including temperature shifts, salinity Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, O’Reilly shares dents and community members in other states and countries, increases, glacial melt and algal blooms — from 20 internaa Nobel Peace Prize with Al Gore and 2000 other scientists. to make both the works and the discussions as accessible as tional lakes, with photos, colors and stories from each.” Hargrave’s other solo section of this exhibit, “Tracing possible,” Paitz said. Alongside being a successful artist, Hargrave is currently a Audubon — 1832/2021,” focuses on birds and is inspired by In accordance with public health guidance, attendance at professor at Columbia College in her hometown of Chicago. ornithologist and artist John James Audubon’s trip to the University Galleries will be kept under 25 at all times and visiHer artwork has been shown at a variety of notable locations, Florida Keys and the Dry Tortugas in 1832 where he observed tors must book an appointment. including Yale University Art Gallery, the Chicago Cultural and painted 22 birds to create his “Birds of the Florida Keys”
A creative look
at climate change
Denim Day on April 28 to raise awareness of sexual assault JORDAN MEAD Features Reporter | @meadjordan19
April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, and Illinois State University’s Health, Promotion and Wellness is partnering with the Student Wellness Ambassador Team and Students Ending Rape Culture. Together, these organizations will work together to educate the ISU community on topics involving interpersonal violence, consent, boundaries and more. On April 28, everyone is encouraged to wear denim Photo courtesy of Illinois State News for “Denim Day,” to raise awareness of rape and sexu- ISU’s Health, Promotion and Wellness is helping to provide events al assault. SWAT and Health throughout April for Sexual Assault Awareness month. Promotion and Wellness Zoom background to show their support for Sexual are inviting the ISU community to wear denim to Assault Awareness month at bit.ly/31HJUBn support survivors of rape and sexual assault. For more information on how to change your There is also a virtual Denim Day photo contest. Zoom background, go to bit.ly/3mhxuJO To participate, wear denim on April 28 and submit For more information regarding events or a form on their Redbird Life website showing your questions about Sexual Assault Awareness Month, social media post with the hashtag #RedbirdDenim contact Misia Grzybowski at mgrzybo@ilstu.edu for the chance to win a wellness basket. or Vanessa Le at vpsahtle12@ilstu.edu. Additionally, students and faculty can download a
Mutant and proud, ReggieCon to discuss X-Men, diversity GRACE DOYLE Features Reporter | @Amaaziinggracee
ReggieCon will be hosting its newest panel focusing on diversity within the vast world of “X-Men” from 7-8:30 p.m. Thursday via Zoom. This panel will feature numerous guests including Chris Claremont, longtime writer for the “X-Men” comics who is also credited for pushing the importance of creating strong female characters within the Marvel universe. This event is free to attend and requires no background in comic book knowledge, however the suggested reading before attending the panel is “X-Men: God Loves, Man Kills,” by author Chris Claremont and artist Brent Anderson. ReggieCon is a series of panels taking place during the 2020-2021 school year that leads conversations surrounding inclusivity and diversity by connecting them to comic books and other pop culture-related topics. Each month, new guest panelists are invited to take the stage and bring new conversations to topics ranging anywhere from race,
sexuality, culture and more. The other guest panelist speaking alongside Claremont this month is trauma specialist and William & Mary University assistant professor Leandra Parris. This will not be Parris’s first time on a panel as she has spoken at Wizard World Comic Con discussing various heroes and villains. Other panelists attending this event include Scott Jordan, chair of the Department of Psychology at Illinois State University; Victor Dandridge, founder of Vantage InHouse Productions; Theresa Rojas, professor of English at Modesto Junior College and director of the Latinx Comic Arts Festival; and Eric Wesselmann, associate professor of psychology at Illinois State. To view this event, those interested can visit the ReggieCon website for access. ReggieCon will have one more panel discussion for the semester on May 6. “Eyes Unclouded by Hate: The Spirit of Hayao Miyazaki” will be for Asian Pacific Heritage Month.
TUESDAY, APRIL 13, 2021
THE VIDETTE | SPORTS | PAGE 7
Walk-off
Redbirds clinch share of Valley title
ISU wins first round on penalty kicks
MATT PETROVITCH Sports Reporter | @matt_petrovitch
ERIC SCHWEIZER Sports Reporter | @EricSchweizer
Illinois State soccer advances to the Missouri Valley Conference Women’s soccer championships semifinals after a dominant penalty kick finish to defeat Northern Iowa. “Survive and advance,” ISU head coach Brad Silvey said. Priya Gillan was back starting at goalie for the Redbirds. This would prove to be a huge move for the Redbirds throughout the match. The Redbirds controlled the ball early, getting good passing lanes and moving the ball well. An early save by the Panthers’ Caitlin Richards kept this game tied at zero. There were only five shots combined by both teams through the first 20 minutes of the game. Great defensive performances by both teams kept this one very close all game long. At the 20th minute, Johnnie Hill got the Panthers on the board and gave them an early 1-0 lead. “It really wasn’t a shift, it was just cleaner execution after that,” Silvey said. The Redbirds could not make anything happen for the rest of the half and trailed the Panthers at halftime. Both teams had only three shots each in the second half of the first. “At the end of the day, it really wasn’t an adjustment,” Silvey said. “Holding each other a little more accountable and executing. Making sure we’re not relaxed and taking plays off.” The Redbirds came out hot in the second half, scoring within the first two minutes on a corner kick hit in by Ashley Santos, tying the game 1-1. Another good shot from ISU missed the net just to the right and would stay a tie game.
W Courtesy of Illinois State Athletics
Illinois State soccer running and celebrating after beating Northern Iowa. The Redbirds beat the Panthers after a draw in overtime. ISU got the win after outshooting UNI 3-0 on penalty kicks. “100% credit to our team. They weren’t satisfied with their performance in the first half,” Silvey said. “Really impressed with our team’s energy and intensity coming out of the half.” It would be all defense for the rest of the match as both teams played tough. The Redbirds continued to get shots on goal but could not get the ball in the back of the net. After 90 minutes, it was still a tie game and needed overtime to decide the winner. More of the same would continue with missed opportunities for the Redbirds in the first overtime and neither team being able to score, pushing the game into a second overtime. “If we can net a few more of our chances and opportunities, we’re not going to find ourselves taking these games down to the wire,” Silvey said. It looked like the Redbirds had scored the winning goal off of a penalty kick early in the second OT, but the goal was waved because of an offsides penalty, keeping the game tied at one. After 10 more minutes of overtime, both teams were in a stalemate. “That was something that almost energized our team a little bit more; Being able to see the ball go in the back of the net in that moment,” Silvey said.
“I almost think it kinda gave them another jolt.” The game went into a penalty kick shootout at the end of the game where each team would get five shots apiece. “We practiced them one time [penalty kicks] and it was about a week ago,” Silvey said. “We didn’t want our student-athletes to get mentally wrapped up about it.” Gillan would have a dominant outing, getting three saves, followed by three straight penalty kick goals from Abby Basler, Logan Ziegler and Michaela Kirschten for the Redbirds, giving them a 3-0 win in the shootout and advancing them to the semifinals. “That’s big time. In a moment that we have not experienced before,” Silvey said. “Just really proud of our team and our student-athletes and our leaders.” The Redbirds will go on the road to take on Loyola Chicago at 4 p.m. Wednesday. “We gotta be on our toes. We gotta be ready to adapt. We’ve gotta be ready to pivot and we’ve to adjust at any point in time,” Silvey said. “As prepared as we want to be going into these contests, everybody’s season is on the line right now and we’re going to get everybody’s best.”
Redbird Report Card women’s basketball
ith their strong weekend of Missouri Valley Conference matches, ISU women’s tennis clinched at least a share of the regular season title against Drake. After sweeping all three doubles matches on Saturday, the Redbirds found themselves in the driver’s seat and did not let up. Tara Damnjanovic and Tijana Zlatanovic took control of their match, winning 6-4 and the next pair of doubles did not disappoint. Laura Fitzgerald and Penelope Abreu won 6-2 and Jelena Karla Vujicic and Alicja ZduCourtesy of Illinois State Athletics niak won 6-4. Illinois State’s Laura Arciniegas “Everyone did a great job celebrating during the Redbirds’ today, playing with a lot of confi- weekend win over Drake. dence and great energy,” ISU head undefeated in league play in 2019. coach Maja Kovacek said. “This is Getting off to a hot start was key a great way to start the weekend, but for Illinois State as they won all three we have another tough test [Sunday] doubles matches. After the matches against Drake.” They took care of business on the were tied two a piece, Laura Arciniesingles side, sweeping all six matches gas won at the fourth spot to put in straight sets. The reigning MVC Illinois State up 3-2. The Redbirds Singles Player of the Week Zlata- never looked back from there, finnovic picked up the win, pushing the ishing the competition strong with Redbirds’ lead to 3-0. It was all Illi- two more victories. “It was a competitive match from nois State the rest of the way, as the start to finish and much closer than team capped off a 7-0 victory. Heading into Sunday morning’s the 5-2 score would suggest,” Kovaaction, Illinois State looked to con- cek said. “We got off to a great start tinue the momentum from Saturday with doubles and three first-set wins in the first round of singles, but Drake afternoon. The Redbirds found themselves came back with a couple of big wins in a tough spot as they were tied 2-2 and momentum turned their way. with Drake with just three matches The bottom half of our lineup really left in the competition. With victo- came through for us yet again and ries in the final three set matches, raised their game when they needed ISU secured its share of the Missouri to. The whole team showed so much Valley Conference regular-season heart and I’m so proud of them. We title for the second straight season. turn our focus to next weekend and The Redbirds took the regular know we will need to back up this season championship after going win at Valparaiso to secure the top seed in the MVC Tournament.”
Anstey, Beattie in NCAA top 10 ZACH STANGEL Sports Reporter | @Zstang5
COMPILED BY ANTHONY FERRETTI & DARNYSHA MITCHELL
Sports reporters | @anthonyferrett6 & @DarnyshaM
Juliunn Redmond | Guard
Mary Crompton | Guard
Reigning MVC Newcomer of the Crompton broke the Illinois State UniverYear Redmond led the team with sity record for three-pointers in a season 13.9 points per game and averaged with 64 and finished the season ranked 32 minutes played in 24 games. third in the nation with three-point field She led ISU to its first postseason goal percentage at 46.7%. The 2021 appearance in eight years at the MVC Most Improved Player averaged WNIT and finished the regular 11.1 points per game in 24 starts and grabbed a season-best season with All-MVC First Team honors. seven rebounds in ISU’s win over Samford in the WNIT.
Grade: A
Grade: A+
DeAnna Wilson | Forward
Wilson averaged 9.2 points and 6.3 rebounds in 23 games played. Wilson’s performance in the final stretch of the regular season solidified her spot in the starting lineup after beginning the season on the bench.
Grade: B
Lexy Koudelka | Forward
Koudelka appeared in all 24 games for the Redbirds and started in 14 of them. In over 12 minutes per contest, the junior averaged 4.3 points and 2.5 rebounds per game to go along with 10 blocks and eight steals. She shot 42-73 (.575%) from the field. Despite high expectations, Koudelka fell flat.
Grade: D
Kristen Gillespie | Head Coach
Gillespie will be entering her fifth season at the helm of the Redbirds with a 68-47 overall record and 42-30 in MVC play. The program finished better than its MVC Preseason Poll prediction the last three seasons, including back-to-back 19-win seasons. Gillespie helped get the Redbirds a postseason win for the first time since 2012-2013 with a bid into the Women’s National Invitational Tournament. Illinois State University beat Samford 68-62 to make it to the Memphis Region consolation final.
Grade: A
EXPANDED REPORT CARD OF FULL TEAM ON VIDETTEONLINE.COM
CLASSIFIEDS
At the Joe Walker Invitational at Ole Miss, six student-athletes recorded seven top-10 performances for ISU, including national top-10 days from Jack Anstey and Grace Beattie. For the second time in two weeks, the fifth-year senior Beattie ran the second-fastest time in school history. She ran a 17-second personal-best time to win the 3,000-meter steeplechase and set a new facility record at the Ole Miss Outdoor Track. Beattie had a time of 10:02.73, which is No. 1 in the MVC, No. 2 in ISU track and field history, No. 5 in the National Collegiate Athletic Association West Region and No. 7 in the nation. Last week she ran a NCAA West Preliminary Round qualifying time of 16:06.28 in the 5,000-meter run. That is the No. 2 time in school history. Grace Fifth-year Beattie senior Anstey took down three records at the Joe Walker Invitational and achieved a NCAA
West Preliminary Round qualifying time in the 1,500-meter run. Anstey placed eighth overall (3:39.17) and broke the 1,500-meter school-record three times, twice this season. Anstey now leads the MVC and broke the Valley record in the 1,500m for the second time this Jack Anstey year. The top-eight finishers all ran a sub-3:40 and broke the Ole Miss track facility record. Anstey’s time was the second-fastest time in the NCAA West Region and the ninth-fastest time in the NCAA. The Redbirds will be back in action at 8:30 p.m. on Friday at the Virginia Challenge in Charlottesville, Virginia. The Redbirds finished with four in the top-10 in Day Two after having a record seven in the top-10 the first day of the invite. ZACH STENGAL is a Sports Reporter for The Vidette. He can be contacted at zstange@ilstu.edu. Follow him on Twitter at @StangelZach.
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Sports
PAGE 8 | THE VIDETTE
TUESDAY, APRIL 13, 2021
NCAA again neglecting women’s tournament MY VIEW JAKE SERMERSHEIM | Sports Editor
O
Alex Gant | Photo Editor | @AlexGant16
Members of the Illinois State volleyball team celebrate a 3-1 victory over Loyola to clinch the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament title and an NCAA berth on April 3 in Redbird Arena. The Redbirds will face UNLV in the first round of the tournament Wednesday in Omaha, Nebraska.
Time to Dance
Redbird volleyball preps to open NCAA Tournament Wednesday against UNLV MIKEY FORNELLI Sports Reporter | @mfojr
D
espite all the challenges that the 2020-21 National Collegiate Athletic Association women’s volleyball season faced in this incredible year, the bracket is set for the national tournament. The best 48 teams in the country all gather in one city, fighting for one championship. For the ISU Redbirds, it is the third season in a row achieving this feat. While it is still an honor to even be involved, they have victory on their mind headed to Omaha, Nebraska. Here are four things to know about the Redbirds and the tournament ahead of Wednesday’s first round.
Missouri Valley’s best
For the second-straight season, the Redbirds earned an automatic tournament bid due to their Missouri Valley Conference Championship. They went 11-3 in conference, 12-2 at home and 16-5 overall on their way to both the regular season and tournament titles in conference. It was another stellar season for the Redbird team, whose senior core had made it a goal all season long to capture these titles. On their way to these achievements, senior captain Stef Jankiewicz has seen a lot of success and growth from her teammates. “There’s been huge strides from everyone on our team,” Jankiewicz said. “Our connection is so much stronger than it was before. Nicole Lund hits amazing, Kaylee Martin has a starting role and Kaitlyn Prondzinski steps up her game every time and has such a high standard for herself.”
Alex Gant | Photo Editor | @AlexGant16
Kaylee Martin and Stef Jankiewicz celebrate a kill en route to the MVC tournament win.
Bubbled Up
off my face. Hopefully it makes it easier and is just The tournament would not be correct if it did not one benefit of playing in the bubble.” reflect the unique season it is celebrating regard- Red-hot Rebels ing rule changes and locations. For the first time The top 16 teams in the country achieved a bye in NCAA women’s volleyball history, the tourna- past the first round, leaving 32 other teams to ment will take place all in one host city, a “bubble” battle it out to join them in the second round. in Omaha, Nebraska. For the Redbirds, that means getting past the All 48 teams, down 16 from the 64 in years prior, UNLV Rebels in their first-round matchup at 6 will travel to Omaha, Nebraska, for p.m. CT on Wednesday. The Rebels the entire tournament packed into are no team to dismiss, having gone a “Our team is 12 days. The first and second rounds perfect 12-0 on their way to the 2021 always looking Mountain West Conference regular will take place on Wednesday this week. For Redbird head coach Leah to play someone season title. This is the program’s Johnson, there are definite pros and third NCAA tournament berth in who challenges school history after 2007 and 2016, cons to the bubbled setting. “It’ll be busy. We’re going to see us, who makes but they have made the National a lot of teams that we normally Invitation Tournament the last two us better.” wouldn’t even think about,” Johnseasons. son said. “It’ll be important for us Leah Johnson, head The Rebels’ perfect season is the to keep our eyes neutral, and not get best in school history, and Johnson volleyball coach caught up in who’s around us. That knows the Redbirds should not take can’t matter to us. A benefit of that them lightly. is that everyone’s going through the same thing. “The thing I do know is they’ve had a lot of sucEvery venue is the same, the circumstances are the cess this year,” Johnson said. “They know how to same, the testing. No one is truly at home, and I win, they expect to win, and I think we share that like that.” quality. Our team is always looking to play someOne big rule change for the tournament is one who challenges us, who makes us better.” masks, or the lack thereof. All season long, the Slump breakers Redbirds took part in mask-wearing during pracThe Redbirds of 2018-2021 have accomplished tices and games along with the rest of the Missouri many goals: four different conference titles, many Valley Conference. Now down to 48 teams in a individual all-conference awards, and much more. bubbled setting, masks will not be required for the However, as they enter their third-straight NCAA Redbirds during matches for the first time since tournament, they cannot help but notice that one the end of their 2019 season. goal is yet to be achieved: a tournament win. “I’m really excited to not have to play with “In our minds, making the tournament is just masks,” senior Kaylee Martin said. “It’ll be one the expectation now,” Martin said. “We’ve upped less thing to have to worry about. I know I’m conour goal to winning in the first round. It’s great stantly trying to make sure it’s up and not falling that we made it, but we want more.” In 2018, the Redbirds fell in three sets in the first round to Cincinnati. One year later, they HOW TO FOLLOW THE TOURNAMENT again got swept at the hands of No. 4 Wisconsin, WHERE: CHI Health Center, Omaha, Nebraska who went on to advance as far as the tournaWHEN: 6 p.m. CT Wednesday, ISU v. UNLV ment championship. However, Johnson is 6 p.m. CT Thursday — Winner of ISU-UNLV game confident in her team and their ability to break faces No. 2 Kentucky out of this slump in this third opportunity. “A first-round win this year is almost like a HOW TO WATCH: Matches will air on ESPN3, with second-round win,” Johnson said. “It’s just live coverage of the entire tournament. Spectator a unique year, because the tournament field attendance is capped at 25% of the venue capacis so much smaller. I’m excited for them [the ity, with that figure including athletes, coaches and Redbirds]. They’re driven, and when they hit officials as well. First- and second-round attendance another gear and decide they’re going to do is limited to players and player guests. Tickets will something, very seldomly have they missed. be made available to the general public following That motivates me to make sure I do my job to the second round. have them as prepared as possible, so they can Fans can also follow the live coverage of the event at go chase that goal.” videtteonline.com and on Twitter at @Vidette_Sports.
n Wednesday, teams from around the country will hit the court in Omaha, Nebraska for the anticipated National Collegiate Athletic Association volleyball tournament. While many beat reporters and photographers have been following the team the whole year — like our Mikey Fornelli, Matt Petrovitch and Alex Gant — they will likely not be able to make the trip unless their team wins three games. The NCAA is not allowing print reporters into the tournament until the regional final round when just eight teams remain. This has to be a letdown to any journalist who has been covering their beat for the whole year. While fans and announcers are allowed in the CHI Health Center, writers will be stuck watching from the couch. While writers will be watching the first three rounds from home, fans and announcers can be in attendance. Fans are limited to just 25% capacity (4,300) for every game. Originally the NCAA and ESPN did not intend to have announcers at the tournament, but outcry reversed that decision. With broadcasters now allowed, it raises the question: why not allow writers to cover their team? This is not the first tournament the NCAA has mistreated. Just about a month ago, there was outcry about the conditions of the women’s basketball tournament compared to the men’s. Once again, more neglect is coming women’s athletics’ way. Reports from Emily Ehman and more about the NCAA not having locker rooms, adequate weight rooms, safe practice space and proper media coverage quickly sprung up on social media over the weekend. Originally Ehman reported that teams would have no locker room and would have to change on the bench, and that practice courts were laid over concrete, providing no cushioning for jumping players. The NCAA addressed these issues in a press release, saying it had no responsibility to provide broadcasts for the first two rounds. The NCAA also denied that teams would have to change on the sidelines and that the practice courts were safely padded. Ehman quickly shot back on Twitter that this was new in the last 24 hours, since the NCAA issued the press release on Thursday. This wave of negative press already comes after the league cut the tournament from 64 teams to 48 (25% less). Should I mention that volleyball is the most played women’s college sport? With a reduced tournament field and less media coverage, the NCAA is putting less importance on one of the most electric college sports. We are not asking for much. We just want to do what we have done all year; cover our beat. JAKE SERMERSHEIM is a Sports Editor for The Vidette. He can be contacted at vidette_jrserme@ilstu. edu. Follow him on Twitter at @ JakeSermersheim.