V THE VIDETTE
MONDAY, AUGUST 17, 2020 Vol. 133 | No. 1
videtteonline.com
VIEWPOINT 4
COVID SPREAD A BOMB WAITING TO GO OFF?
FEATURES 6
SHOW GOES ON FOR MUSIC PERFORMANCE STUDENTS
Students push
lower tuition
for classes online
FU L L STORY ON PAG E 3
COVER ART BY FLYNN GERAGHTY | ART DIRECTOR
EXPANDED COVERAGE OF THE RETURN TO CAMPUS DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC
PAGE 2 | NEWS | THE VIDETTE
MONDAY, AUGUST 17, 2020
and reservations from families and parents coming to Bloomington-Normal. One increase in the traffic comes from Illinois Wesleyan University. h e impact that the coronavirus pandemic has The university recently announced that it plans to had on the travel and hotel industry has been reduce the number of students living on campus by swift and devastating. housing them in some of the local hotels. For many local Bloomington-Normal hotels, the “We’ve started a bit of a rebound, not a full rebound, impact was felt as soon as the pandemic hit back in but a rebound,” Ralston said. March. “I think if cases were to increase, I This comes as college students were think we would feel it and once again, sent to their permanent residences as people would stop traveling.” the virus spread throughout the counOther hotels in town felt the impact try and large gatherings and events of the pandemic over the course of days were canceled or postponed. to weeks, as travel restrictions were As March progressed, multiple states being implemented across the United were putting stay-at-home orders in States. place and travel bans started to occur “In March, when it was announced across the world. that people needed to not travel, and “Travel, that’s impacted our income Matt Ralston, manager of the stay in place, we were 100% for six really. Because we have fewer guest Candlewood Suites days in a row,” Holiday Inn Express and a lot of events have been canand Suites in Normal owner Anthony celed,” General Operations Manager of DeAngelis said. The Candlewood Suites Matt Ralston “When it was announced, we went from 100% to 5%. said. COVID-19 has devastated the hospitality industry.” The financial burden this costs many hotels has been With cases rising all over the state of Illinois and overwhelming for The Candlewood Suites. in McLean County, this could lead to another several “That has impacted us financially just because we don’t have as many guests as we would during a normal months of travel restrictions and reduced business. Until there is ongoing resolution to the COVID-19 year. We’re not seeing the same level of travel from pandemic, travel will continue to be a concern and the people coming into town,” Ralston said. repercussions of this will have a lasting impact on the With students coming back to campus for classes travel and hotel industry. this fall, many hotels are seeing an increase in traffic
Rebounding T from ‘devastation’
Local hotels feel lasting effects of shutdown Photo Courtesy of Expedia
ERIN JOCHUM News Reporter | @erin_jochum
“We’ve started a bit of a rebound, not a full rebound, but a rebound.”
ISU plans random surveillance tests Goal calls for testing around 1,500 students each week GRACE KINNICUTT News Editor | @GKinnicutt
Illinois State University will be providing random surveillance testing through the end of 2020. The five-month contract with Reditus Laboratories costs $3.3 million. The surveillance testing approval comes in time as students move back to campus for fall semester. ISU asked students to be tested before returning but did not require it in order to move back to campus. “Initially, it was really encouraged to be tested before coming to campus and to not come until you were cleared,” ISU Director of Media Relations Eric Jome said. “At the time, larger public health recommendations didn’t require testing for returning. We wanted to have testing in place for symp-
FAST FACTS Five-month contract with Reditus Laboratories Contract to last until December Total cost of testing: $3.3 million Number of tests being conducted per week: 1,500 Number of tests being conducted per day: 500 tomatic testing live on and near campus.” The university hopes to conduct about 1,500 tests each week through Reditus Labs. About 500 tests can be conducted per day and will be completed at multiple on-campus locations. “People are going to be interested in more testing offers and demand
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and seek out where they can be tested,” Jome said. It is yet to be determined who will receive the random tests and where the testing areas will be located throughout campus. General Revenue Funds and available federal and state grants will help pay for the testing. Students who are showing symptoms can get tested at the Student Health Services building. Testing used at Student Health Services is a separate agreement. Students can also get tested for free at the Interstate Center located in Bloomington.
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The Student Services building at Illinois State University is at the corner of University and College.
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MONDAY, AUGUST 17, 2020
THE VIDETTE | NEWS | PAGE 3
Students petition for lower tuition costs Over 3,000 sign document urging university to compensate for non-classroom courses
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GRACE KINNICUTT News Editor | @GKinnicutt
i v e months after students had to abruptly vacate campus and move back to their permanent address, new and returning Illinois State University Redbirds have flocked back to the nest for the start of the fall semester. But as the coronavirus continues to surge, the demand to lower tuition prices rings across social media. This is due to the university changing most classes to an online format two weeks before the classes were scheduled to begin. This has left students angry that they are now paying for an online education that does not amount to the experience gained in a classroom and for apartments or residence hall rooms they will not be utilizing. “I feel as if we are being ripped off because online education is just not the same as in-person learning. We saw with spring break and last semester that we didn’t get the same education as we did beforehand,” senior accounting major Chloe Alsup said. “I’m living at home this semester. I have an apartment, but in the process of trying to sublease. It has been a huge pain having to try and find someone because everyone is in the same situation. If a sublease doesn’t work out, I will be wasting my money on an apartment because I am only staying home so I can work more.” Thousands of other students have signed a petition demanding the university lower tuition costs for
“I feel as if we are being ripped off because online education is just not the same as in-person learning. We saw with spring break and last semester that we didn’t get the same education as we did beforehand.” Chloe Alsup, senior accounting major students. Over 3,000 students have signed the petition with many leaving comments. Comments expressed that students feel it is only right the university lower costs for amenities no longer being used and an education they feel will not amount to in person. “I think it is unfair how much we are being charged when most of the things we are being charged for, recreational and ‘enhancements’, aren’t even things we are able to utilize when most, if not all, classes are online,” senior interpersonal communication studies major Tatum Flores said. “The university is knowingly charging us more for recreations and utilities that over half of the students are not using since they are taking classes online in their own homes or apartments off campus.” Marketing analytics senior Nehal Shah would like to see tuition be lowered especially since he is an international student who is no longer in the United States after going back home for the summer. “I will be taking all online classes, and I will not be in the U.S. for this semester. Honestly, I think the tuition price should be lowered by
at least 20-25%, mainly because due to the pandemic, we won’t be using all the normal services and buildings that we could have used during normal times,” Shah said. “And with most classes being online, we won’t use the classrooms and the facilities and hence lower electricity and maintenance costs for the university.” Students are frustrated that as the pandemic continues to cause more financial strain, they feel not enough action is being done to help lower the burden financially. “I think it’s unfair and ridiculous that we are required to pay the same price as we would if we were on campus. We are in the middle of a pandemic and ISU has offered no help or sympathy to their students,” sophomore middle education major Madison Morris said. “I am stuck home taking classes online and am paying the same price I would as in a lecture hall? I can’t even believe our school thinks that’s reasonable or fair. Some of us even are out of work. I feel our school has been selfish and not so heartwarming during this pandemic.” In May, the Board of Trustees decided that the 2020-21 rates for tuition, room and board would remain the same as rates for the
2019-20 academic year. When students pay into the university, those fees go toward the different services and entities throughout campus whether students take advantage of places like Milner Library, Campus Recreation or Bone Student Center. When tuition is “locked in,” it has less of a chance to be changed during the academic year. According to ISU’s Truth in Tuition Procedures, upon a student’s first enrollment in a degree program at ISU, tuition for undergrad students will be locked and remain the same for a four-year period. “Costs will stay the same. Each academic year, the tuition is locked in by the Board of Trustees. Tuition doesn’t differentiate in person versus online,” Director of Media Relations Eric Jome said. “The academic preparation — stuff faculty does is the same — even more so as they are working hard to change to an online format.” However, Grant Chassy, sophomore political science major and student Senator for Student Government Association and the Academic Senate is creating legislation to acknowledge and demand change when it comes to tuition for online learning.
Chassy is working on two different bills for SGA to formally acknowledge that there is a price disparity between the costs of traditional and hybrid instruction and a commitment for SGA to pursue cost reforms due to COVID-19. Chassy hopes to bring the bills to attention and have them voted on during the SGA meeting Wednesday. The acknowledgement points out that due to the hardships from COVID-19, the university will be providing less services than a standard academic semester. SGA would recognize that several elements included in the cost of tuition along with extra mandatory fees are less applicable than intended for the semester due to social distancing learning and other measures the university has taken to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. The commitment to pursue cost reforms, if voted for approval, the SGA would pursue action to reform the cost of tuition and fees amid COVID-19. “The Student Government Association doesn’t have direct power, but we can demand change,” Chassy said. As discussion continues to hopefully demand change in lowering tuition costs, students can find financial assistance through the Redbird Response Fund and applying for the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act that ISU is providing. Students can fill out the application online through ISU’s emergency grant fund.
From then to now A timeline of COVID-19 at Illinois State KELLIE FOY | News Editor | @kellie_foy Approximately eight months have passed since the world was first introduced to the coronavirus. Since then, the world has been forced to live alongside the virus and adjust everyday life as it was once known to be. Below is a timeline of some key events since the start of the pandemic. March 2: Illinois State University strongly encourages current ISU students studying abroad in Italy to consider the risks if they do not return to the United States. March 6: ISU encourages all students who are studying abroad in Italy and Japan to come back to the United States as soon as possible. March 11: ISU extends spring break until March 23 and transitions from face-to-face teaching to online instruction through at least April 12. March 17: ISU moves to online classes for the rest of the spring semester. March 19: University Housing requests students to completely move out of their residence hall rooms and complete the spring semester at their permanent residences. March 20: ISU announces that spring and summer commencements will be held in a virtual format. March 25: Students begin to push for the option to switch their classes to the ISU pass and no pass grading system due to COVID-19. April 3: ISU adopts the pass/no pass grading system for online classes for the spring semester. April 9: ISU announces that summer classes will be going all online. April 22: ISU’s two-day summer orientation and registration program, known as Preview, moves to a virtual environment. May 11: Two ISU students are reported to be among new McLean County COVID-19 cases.
May 26: Two ISU students sue the university, saying that the student fees refund was not enough based on how much of the campus was closed. June 10: Dietz announces the return of students for the fall semester with proper safety protocol and several learning formats and sends out the first Redbirds Return report. June 30: ISU faculty, staff and students create a 16-page letter addressed to Dietz, asking for more transparency and protection for the reopening of campus. July 3: ISU calls a virtual meeting days after faculty and staff express concerns about the upcoming semester. The meeting was scheduled for July 16. July 9: Dietz holds a press conference with an updated version of the Redbirds Return report. July 27: Faculty members continue to express their concern for the Redbirds Return plan during the Board of Trustees meeting. July 29: ISU strongly encourages students to get tested before returning to campus. ISU also announces that they will provide free masks for all students. Aug. 4: Dietz announces that most classes will be online for the fall semester due to testing capabilities not being available as originally planned. Aug. 10: ISU administration asks the Board of Trustees to approve spending $3.3 million on random surveillance testing for students. Aug. 11: A student living in the residence halls tests positive for the virus. Aug. 12: The Board of Trustees approves spending $3.3 million on random surveillance testing for students.
Alex Gant | Photo Editor | @AlexGant16
Since the start of the pandemic, things have looked a bit different as ISU continues to navigate the best possible strategies to remain safe.
Viewpoint
PAGE 4 | THE VIDETTE
VIDETTE EDITORIAL
MONDAY, AUGUST 17, 2020
Illinois COVID-19 response goes back and forth
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n the age of quarantine and COVID-19, the world had to sit back and reevaluate its relationship with time, and how each person chose to spend it. At home, without having to go to work, some were subjected to the relentless tick-tock of each second going past, as they wondered what to do with their endless free time. In an older home, or perhaps the home of an antique collector, there might be a grandfather clock, counting the days away with the steady swing of the pendulum, and the hearty chimes that come each hour. Illinois, too, is operating much like a pendulum. Where the swinging began on one end was total shutdown; online classes, businesses and restaurants closed. The other is the reopening and return to “normal life.” For a brief moment, the pendulum began swinging toward that normal life. Universities said they would have students on campus in the fall; the case numbers were dropping, and life was returning to
some previously empty spots of the state. For a while, there was hope. The pendulum swung to the other side. Finally, it was over. The virus could be limited to a weird spring and summer, and fall will be just as it was. But as the people came out of their shelters, the cases went back up and now we are witnessing the swing back into shutting down. It’s to be expected in a way, there’s a natural order of things, the clock will always tick. But the disappointment that comes from
being told everything will go back to the way it was and slowly watching that all fall apart is immense. Not to mention, the toll that comes with rolling things back is costly. By the time the university announced all classes, except those that must be in person, will go online, many students had signed leases and even paid the first month of rent. Dorm dwellers had bought sheets and meal plans, now rendered potentially useless. But there’s still hope. Maybe the virus will just be a weird fall, maybe we should throw the whole
year of 2020 out. By spring semester it will be all cleared up … we hope. It’s worth noting that the rollbacks will ultimately stop a second, deadly peak from happening. While they are inconvenient, in the long run they will save lives. It’s also worth noting this secondary rollback could have been avoided if Illinoisans had been responsible, and if health had been prioritized instead of saving the economy. If universities had not been scared to lose tuition money and student enrollment numbers, and not promised the return to classes before they were ready, they might have been able to have students in classrooms. Will the state go into complete lockdown? It is unclear. The pessimistic among us may say yes, but studies show that that doesn’t have to happen so long as each citizen does their responsibility. For now, the best we can do is get used to the swing of things and wait for the pendulum to swing back into place.
Editorial Cartoon by Flynn Geraghty | Vidette Art Director
EDITORIAL POLICY Editorial written by ELIZABETH SEILS, 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.
Campus a ticking time bomb for virus spread
am disappointed that Illinois State University still lacks in implementing proper testing for the entire campus community. If athletes and athletic staff are able to be tested periodically through the semester, why can’t the rest of the student population? As someone who is lucky enough to have a job through university athletics and be tested once a month, I feel for the rest of the student population. I’m angry for everyone else who isn’t getting tested properly throughout the year.
Every single student coming back to campus should have been required to be tested upon their return and then be tested at least once or twice a month. Asking or recommending is not going to push most students to be tested. If someone isn’t showing symptoms, they are more than likely not going to get tested because they feel it would be a waste of a test for someone who needs it. Surveillance testing is going to be somewhat helpful. But my problem with surveillance testing is they will randomly test a small portion of the student population until the end of December. Student Health Services is only testing symptomatic cases at this time, but what about the asymptomatic cases that are going to go undetected and spread like wildfire? A few blocks up the road from ISU, Illinois Wesleyan University required students to be tested when coming back to campus. In Champaign, the University of Illinois is testing
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students twice a week. So why can’t ISU find the means to have proper testing for students? And yes, members of the Redbird community can go out to the Interstate Center to be tested whenever they want. But not everyone has a car nor the time to take a bus out to the testing site. And why should they when the university should be providing testing for the campus community? ISU is a ticking time bomb for an outbreak of the coronavirus. And maybe I’m wrong and it will go better than what I think since most classes were switched online two weeks before the start of fall semester. But the thing is even with classes online, students are still living on campus. What is housing doing besides de-densifying and giving the option to live off campus? Are they cleaning the shared bathrooms more thoroughly and more than once a day? How are masks and social distancing in the residence halls going to be enforced?
GRACE KINNICUTT is News Editor and a columnist for The Vidette. She can be contacted at gkinnic@ilstu.edu. Follow Kinnicutt on Twitter at @GKinnicutt.
THEY SAID IT
fall athletes with a postponed or cancelled season. Winter and spring sports are up in the air for now. Football, crosscountry, women’s soccer and volleyball are affected by the ruling. SEE SPORTS, PAGE 8
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There will be students who stay at their permanent address with their family but what about those of us living in apartments? We are stuck paying for a lease when we could be at home saving money. I want nothing more than to spend my senior year of college experiencing my lasts on campus just like I experienced my firsts when I stepped foot on campus three years ago. But, sadly, that’s not the reality I can have. I know I am at least one person who will follow the guidelines, wear my mask and do everything I can to not get it nor spread the virus. ISU needs to implement a more serious and strategic testing plan. They need to be testing the campus community once to twice a month in order to really mitigate the spread on campus and throughout the BloNo area.
months, the length of the testing contract Illinois State University entered with Reditus Laboratories, a medical company in Pekin. There will be 1,500 tests administered each week at random, but it is not clear how students will be selected for testing. SEE NEWS, PAGE 2
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There’s nothing in my mind that will replace the feeling of a live performance. Nothing on Zoom or on video will give the same rush that singing live in front of an audience does. But in these times, the most important thing is moving forward with your craft.” Mikayla Mindiola, vocal performance major
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
MONDAY, AUGUST 17, 2020
THE VIDETTE | NEWS | PAGE 5
Mail-in ballots see a surge amid USPS concerns TYRAY RATLIFF News Reporter | @RatliffTyray
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h e U.S. Postal Service has been facing cutbacks this year, and with COVID-19 still posing a major problem, mail has been slowed as a result. Mail will arrive later and take longer to be delivered than expected. Mail-in voting is being pushed in McLean County so many wonder how the Bloomington-Normal post office is responding to this situation. McLean County Clerk Kathy Michael provided an insight on how they have managed to keep things under control. “We have seen a surge in requests for mailin ballots. We sent out 61,000 vote-by-mail applications to all registered voters, which was a large increase from the 1,500 requested back in March.” The McLean County clerks have worked with Postal Service to ensure everything goes as smoothly as possible. “The USPS have complied with us and have been very helpful. We have had no trouble with them, and we are very confident in the work that is being done amidst all the distractions.” Many are concerned over the deadline for mail-in voting. With everything going on
Alex Gant | Photo Editor | @AlexGant16
Located in Uptown Normal, the U.S. Postal Service is preparing for a surge in mail-in ballots over the next few months. and mail taking longer to arrive, citizens are concerned if their votes will be received by the deadline. Michael assured that everyone’s vote will be counted. “We urge everyone to mail in their applications as soon as possible, but they have plenty
of time. The last day to request a mail ballot in is Oct. 29, but we strongly suggest people send in before that date. If mail-in ballots are received after the deadline, as long as the mail is postmarked before Nov. 3, the vote will count. There will also be a 14-day window
for late ballots.” For those wanting an application for mail-in ballots instead of waiting in long lines to register to vote, Michael urged people to go on the McLean County clerk website to apply or a state board website. It takes 15-20 minutes to register to vote in person but waiting in line could extend the period people have to wait. Early voting is the way to go. Mail-out ballots legally cannot be mailed out until Sept. 24, so citizens of McLean County have plenty of time to complete the application for mail-in voting. For students on campus who wish to vote, the Bone Student Center on ISU campus will offer that option as well as the residence hall Watterson. To ensure no fraudulent voting takes place, there will be three election judges, including one Republican and one Democrat. They will observe the process to make sure nothing goes wrong, of course while following COVID-19 guidelines. There will be 6-foot social distancing, as well as masks being required. Gloves will also be available. For any further questions or concerns, people may contact the county clerk’s office for more information.
Cash crop: Pennycress potential future of biofuel
ISU receives $13 million federal grant to strengthen plant ERIN JOCHUM News Reporter | @erin_jochum
John Sedbrook, an Illinois State University genetics professor, will be leading a project aimed to strengthen the plant known as pennycress for the use of sustainable energy. The U.S Department of Energy has awarded ISU $13 million as part of a grant in efforts to allow researchers to alter and improve the strength of pennycress as a crop. Sedbrook had devoted decades to the research of seed oil and protein of the pennycress weed. Research has shown that pennycress can yield up to 1,500 pounds per acre of seeds and can produce up to 65 gallons of oil per acre that can be turned into biodiesel and bio jet-fuel. “We’ve been working on pennycress since about 2012 and the reason we started working on it is because a businessperson was
looking for a university to partner with to develop pennycress into a crop,” Sedbrook said. Pennycress has about the same level of oil content as canola, which could provide economic and environmental benefits. Sedbrook added, “Everything we’re doing needs to be good for the environment. Our issues with the environment, big issues with the environment with climate change and water quality. The biggest challenge is to reduce our carbon CO2 emissions,” “Biofuels from pennycress can help do that and at the same time, growing pennycress can help improve water quality, so it keeps nutrients from running into streams,” Pennycress is the perfect crop for Illinois farmers, as it can withstand the hard winters. In these economically tough times, it could also mean an extra source of income for local farmers.
“Dr. Sedbrook’s lab is leading the way in science that not only protects the environment, but also opens new avenues for the agricultural industry. His work with undergraduate and graduate students in the lab truly embodies the incredible opportunities for student research at Illinois State,” University Assistant Director of Media Relations Rachel Hatch said. “This latest grant for his work is a testament to Dr. Sedbrook’s achievements, his collaborative spirit, and the innovative potential he brings to the field.” Other institutions taking part in the project include the University of Minnesota, the Carnegie Institute for Science, Western Illinois University and The Ohio State University. ERIN JOCHUM is a News Reporter for The Vidette. She can be contacted at eejochu@ilstu.edu. Follow her on Twitter at @erin_jochum.
Photo Courtesy of John Sedbrook
Sedbrook sits with pennycress, a cover crop that can survive Illinois winters and create oil that’s useful for biofuel.
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Features Music students adapt to changes
JAKE DAHL Features Reporter | @jdahl3005
Illinois State University recently made the decision to push most in-person or hybrid classes to fully online, according to a recent letter from President Larry Dietz. One of the exceptions made in the letter was for music courses, which was stated in the letter to remain face to face or hybrid. For most students in the music department however, it appears that that will not entirely be the case. “As of now, all of my music classes have been changed to an online format,” junior vocal performance major Mikayla Mindiola said. “From what I can tell, my courses will be conducted similarly to last semester, which will be a mixture of Zoom meetings and edited-together choir performances.” This is not limited to just choir performances, it appears. Students who are focused on an instrument will also have severe restrictions on where they can practice around campus, espeJunior music education and performance major Danny King practices while wearing his mask. Alex Gant | Photo Editor | @AlexGant16
MONDAY, AUGUST 17, 2020
cially if the instrument requires contact between the instrument and the mouth. “Personally, I think these restrictions are the best we can do given the circumstances,” flute performance major Brianne Steif said. “It sucks being restricted to only large indoor spaces or outdoor spaces, but as far as I’m concerned, the goal for this semester is to stay safe and learn as much as we can.” Whether these restrictions will stretch to the other two previously exempt areas, that being the arts and sciences, remains to be seen. For the time being, however, what seems to be most important to these music majors is adapting to the circumstances that COVID-19 has caused and trying to give it their best regardless. “There’s nothing in my mind that will replace the feeling of a live performance. Nothing on Zoom or on video will give the same rush that singing live in front of an audience does,” Mindiola said. “But in these times, the most important thing is moving forward with your craft.” “While the worth of performance-based classes might be taking a hit, along with the quality of the performances, playing with other musicians is why I love my major in the first place,” Steif said. “Frankly, I’m grateful to be in person at all.”
Returning to empower students UPB alum Amanda Cox accepts role as coordinator STORY BY ANDREA RICKER FEATURES EDITOR
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hen Amanda Cox was deciding where to go to college, she was initially set against attending Illinois State University because both of her parents are alums and she wanted to “forge her own path.” But now in 2020, Cox returns to campus as the new University Program Board coordinator. As coordinator, Cox oversees the organization as a whole and directly works with the Executive Board and graduate assistants. She began working in this position in June while living in Milwaukee and came back to BloomingtonNormal in mid-July. Cox graduated from ISU in May 2016 after double majoring in music and Spanish. She returned to the university for graduate school and received her master’s degree in college student personnel administration in 2019. College student personnel administraPhoto courtesy of Illinois State University tion involves studying higher education ISU alumna Amanda Cox became the new University Program Board coordinator on June 1, overseeing the organization as a whole and working directly with students. and student affairs. “That’s where I was able to really solidify working as a higher their full trust,” Cox said. “Their programming board was brand new “[The students in UPB are] really shaping education professional,” Cox said. “Working with the faculty and staff here rethat year too so that was something that was the program into something that I think is During her time as a student, Cox was ally helped hype me up and give me the confia fun challenge for me as a professional trying more accessible and inclusive of the students involved in multiple organizations, including dence and space to learn those things and then to build their organization from the ground we have on campus,” Cox said. UPB. On the board she held leadership as the be able to do them for myself. I think that was up,” Cox said. “They really challenge me in thinking more Spirit and Traditions chairperson. something that made a huge impact on me.” However, due to COVID-19, Cox was furabout social justice issues and about diversity She adds that she had friends who encourHer experiences at ISU helped her pursue loughed from her job at UWM, conveniently, and inclusion, and I think those are things that aged her to join UPB. student affairs as a career. After completjust as the position for ISU’s UPB coordinator UPB traditionally has not been known for,” “[During undergrad] I was just not feeling ing graduate school, Cox originally hoped opened up. Cox said. super equipped or able to hold a leadership to work at ISU or in the surrounding com“I was super nervous applying for the posiShe adds she is hopeful the students will position, so I almost didn’t apply [to be the munity, but there were no jobs available at tion because I knew that it wasn’t guaranteed “make us an organization that is not only Spirit and Traditions chairperson.],” Cox the time. She then began working as a Peer that I would get the role and I was really known for great campus events but is reputable said. “Then I ended up getting an interview Mentor Program Specialist at the University invested in it,” Cox said. “I’m very thankful as one that is inclusive of all students, that they and ended up getting the role and that was of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. [ISU and the Dean of Students Office] gave can be part of this. That their voice is something amazing and incredible.” “Initially I was very bummed about it beme the opportunity to come back as a profeswe want to hear, and we want to serve them.” While in UPB as a student, she was able to cause I had wanted to stay [at ISU] so badly. A sional. I know it looks very different knowHer goals for the program as a whole renetwork with other professionals on campus lot of the professionals I worked with were ening many of them from my undergraduate volve around diversity, equity and inclusion. in different areas. She was also able to attend couraging me to go get experience elsewhere to grad school and establishing myself as a The program has also been learning how to the National Association for Campus Activities and learn more about how higher education professional on campus.” market to students with visual impairments which allowed her and other board members works at other institutions,” Cox said. “I think Going forward in her position, she wants and making sure marketing is inclusive. to see different universities’ programming and ultimately that was the right move for me.” to “make sure that I’m able to empower Cox adds that UPB has a lot of privilege as implement those techniques to UPB. Cox was able to get experience at an urban students the same way that I felt empowered an organization, since most students know Another part of Cox’s experience on camcampus, “Being up there for a year was defias a student.” who they are. pus which had an impact on her was her four nitely a unique experience.” UPB has changed since Cox was involved “[I hope to help] them understand that not summers spent working as a Preview Guide. During her time in graduate school she in the program as a student. Most notably, only is this a fun organization to be part of, “Being able to work with other student had a similar opportunity working in student the Spirit and Traditions committee she once not only are these people that you’re working leaders and the staff that oversees Preview activities at Illinois Wesleyan University and served as chairperson of no longer exists. with going to become like family to you, but just really empowers the students to be leadseeing the perspective of programming at a However, Cox adds that “the essence of the you also have a responsibility to serve the ISU ers, have critical thinking skills and give them small liberal arts school. committee” still lives on. campus with the resources you are given.”
MONDAY, AUGUST 17, 2020
THE VIDETTE | SPORTS | PAGE 7
Strong
Transfer Josiah Strong looking to build legacy as a Redbird
Continued from Page 8
Beginnings
MATT PETROVITCH Sports Reporter | @matt_petrovitch
I
ncoming junior transfer from Iowa Western Josiah Strong seeks to be a pivotal force in leading the Illinois State University men’s basketball team over his tenure. The 6-foot-2 guard from Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, is motivated to get to work with his teammates and coaches giving all of his focus to what the team is trying to accomplish this upcoming season. “Obviously our goal is to win a conference championship and go to the NCAA tournament and win that. I mean, there is no reason why we can’t do that,” Strong said. “Personally, for me I want to go down as one of the greatest Redbirds to ever put on a uniform. Regardless of what that means, I want to make a lasting impact.” Holding himself accountable, Strong is ready for the competition on the court and to feel at home in Redbird land. “Feels good to be an Illinois State Redbird. It feels like a new home with great opportunities. It is a great community to get comfortable in. I am comfortable with everybody and even with a pandemic going on, we are off to a great start,” Strong said. Strong spent his first two years jumping around schools understanding that his journey was meant to be done his way. He attended the Naval Academy in 2018-2019 and Iowa Western 2019-2020. During his time at Navy, Strong played in 31 games and came off the bench in all 31 games. Averaging 10.5 minutes per game, scoring 96 points, racking up 30 assists, and 24 rebounds in the 2018-19 season. “I grew as a person when I was at the Naval Academy,” Strong said. “I learned that I needed to go to another level to help my team win. I grew mentally tough which helped a lot of my personal development”. While attending Iowa Western, Strong earned NJCAA honorable mention All-American honors after one year with his new squad. He was also named an honorable mention in the JUCO recruiting.com top-100 player rating. Averaging 17.8 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game he made 48.8 percent of his shots from the field and 46.2 percent of his shots from long range in the 2019-2020 season. Strong put up double digits in 25 of the 28 games he played during the season which includes 13 games of 20 or more points. His season high came against Northeast Community College. Strong made 12 of 23 shots from the field. He made at least one three-pointer in each of his games this season while in 19 of those
Goodbye
Courtesy of Illinois State Athletics
Illinois State men’s basketball junior transfer Josiah Strong running drills during an ISU practice this fall. Strong transfers over to the Redbirds after two seasons at Iowa Western Junior College. At IWJC, Strong averaged 17.8 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game. games he made at least three. His season-high in three’s was six against Southeast Community College and Cloud County Community College. Dishing out a season-high eight assists against Butler Community College and had a season-high of seven rebounds against Indian Hills Community College. “While at Iowa Western that is where I grew into a leader. As a team that year we came from a lot of different places and at times it was tough to be on the same page, but we were able to bring it
all together and it worked,” Strong said. The addition of Strong adds a significant upgrade in shooting from downtown especially when it matters most late in games. Illinois State shot 42.4 percent in field goals and 35.5 percent from long range in the 2019-2020 season. ISU went 10-21 on the season and 5-13 in conference play, but despite the unsuccessful season Strong is confident in his new group to turn it around and have the season he believes they are capable of having.
“For me personally I want to go down as one of the greatest Redbirds to ever put on a uniform. Regardless of what that means, I want to make a lasting impact.”
KEVIN KOSKI is a Sports Reporter for The Vidette. He can be contacted at vidette_ckoski@ilstu.edu. Follow him on Twitter at @_Koski_.
Josiah Strong, Illinois State junior guard
Sports IN BRIEF 109th Mid-America Classic canceled The annual Mid-America Classic has been canceled for this fall, as jointly announced by both Illinois State University and Eastern Illinois on Friday evening. The matchup was originally scheduled for Sept. 12 at Hancock Stadium. This was to be the 109th meeting between the two in-state rivals. The cancellation also means Illinois State football will not play any nonconference games. The announcement comes shortly after the Missouri Valley Football Conference’s postponement of league play on Aug. 7. The last time the Mid-America Classic was not contested during the regular season was back in 2001, when the event was canceled due to the 9/11 tragedy. The Ohio Valley Conference, in which Eastern Illinois plays football, postponed fall sports competition earlier, with hopes of teams playing a spring conference schedule. Both EIU and ISU administrations agreed that based on other regional institu-
tions decisions and the current state of national health, it was not in either universities’ best interest to continue with the originally scheduled date. All three non-conference games the Redbirds were slated to play have now been canceled. ISU was to open the season at Illinois (Big 10) and play host to Dixie State (WAC) on Nov. 21. More information will be available to Redbird football season ticket holders on Monday regarding options for the games moved to the spring season.
Track and field/cross country announce signing class Jeff Bovee, Illinois State University director of track & field and cross country, announced on Monday the signing of 27 student-athletes to the cross country and track and field teams. “I think this recruiting class is a much different class than the one from a year ago in that the women’s group is much larger,” Bovee said.
“We had a really talented group of seniors who finished up this last year and we needed to go out and fill in those few holes. We definitely have key pieces that will help us to continue fighting for Missouri Valley Conference championships and help us to make a bigger impact on the national level.”
Vidette Archive
Romeo McKnight on the sideline last season.
Defensive end Romeo McKnight to enter transfer portal Senior defensive end Romeo McKnight intends to transfer from Illinois State University, he announced on his Twitter Friday. In his tweet McKnight cited a canceled Missouri Valley Football Conference season as a primary factor in his decision. McKnight ended his tweet
Another top runner, Kimathi Johnson redshirted 2019 too so that the Redbirds would return every runner on their roster. The cancellation of last track season just gave us reason to put more emphasis on the upcoming cross country season. We set our goals high. Not only did we want to win the MVC championship race on our home course, but we also had the goal to qualify for the NCAA national championships. No doubt some people would have called that goal crazy or label us as underdogs, but the crazy thing is that this group of underdogs just may have been able to do it. Through every obstacle and curveball of the past five months the guys on the team put their nose to the grindstone and improved tremendously. In unofficial, solo time trials just about every runner put up a new personal best mark, many running times that would have made it onto the top-10 alltime ISU lists. Not stopping there, they followed it up by putting in week after week of the highest weekly mileage of their lives. Multiple guys topped out running over 100 miles per week. We wanted this season to happen badly and we were ready to do something truly spectacular. Sadly, we will never know if we could have met our ambitious goals, however, I can’t really blame the NCAA for canceling the season. I recognize it is a necessary step for the protection of public health. To ignore the fact that we are in the middle of a global health crisis is foolish and to claim that sports are more important than the lives of people around the world is arrogant. I am crushed to be missing out on the senior season I’ve been dreaming of since the fifth grade. It hurts to see my friends similarly crushed, to see the light so close at the end of the tunnel get taken away again, however, I know that together we will navigate this turmoil and any future obstacles COVID-19 throws our way and whenever and wherever we do race next we will be ready. Until then all we can do is our individual part to stay safe and healthy and try to put a stop to the spread of the virus so that we can get all sports back as soon as possible.
with “I am ready to play football.” In two seasons as a Redbird, McKnight earned First Team AllAmerican honors twice. Over his career, McKnight has accumulated 111 tackles and 15 sacks.
Gymnastics recognized for 2019-20 GPA The Illinois State University gymnastics team perfected its balance this past spring, averaging a 3.6860 team grade-point average throughout the 2019-20 season. The Redbirds were ranked No. 21 on the Women’s Collegiate Gymnastics Association’s (WCGA) list of the
top 25 teams, with 12 of the athletes posting a GPA of 3.5 or above. “I am so very proud to announce that 80 percent of our team were Academic All-Americans this year,” ISU head coach Bob Conkling said. “I can’t say enough about how this team stepped up academically this year, especially with going online midway through the spring semester.” Two of the 12 gymnasts recognized with WCGA Scholastic All-America Honors, Gabrielle Cooke and Sofia Iribarren, were also recognized on the Midwest Independent Conference’s (MIC) All-Conference team for their performance last season.
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Sports
PAGE 8 | THE VIDETTE
MONDAY, AUGUST 17, 2020
Farewell, fall sports
Lyons explains fall sports stoppage with eye on possible postponement JAKE FOGAL Sports Editor | @jfogal5
such a shock this time around. “The NCAA has a 50% threshold to hold s fall semester is set a championship. Once to begin, Illinois State conferences started canUniversity fall sports continue to suspend. In celing and each sport fell below this minimum a news-filled weekend during the course of last full of cancellations and postponeweek, the MVC decision ments, National Collegiate Athletic was not a surprise,” Association President Mark EmLyons said. mert began the series of announce“It doesn’t make it ments Thursday night via Twitter. easier. So many people “We cannot now, at this point, are impacted ... studenthave fall NCAA championships, athletes, coaches, supbecause there’s not enough schools port staff, band, cheer, participating,” Emmert said. dance line, and many Emmert’s statement spoiled the students who gain valuMissouri Valley Conference’s press able experience because release that had been planned for 1 of the athletic contests. p.m. Friday. The MVC would have Much like the spring, similar announcements with plans it’s very disappointing. in place to postpone fall sports But at the same time, in the winter or spring season if this virus is not under viable. ISU sports impacted by the control yet.” rescheduling are football, volleyOver the past sevball, women’s soccer and men’s and eral weeks, collegiate women’s cross country. Vidette Archive athletic conferences “Based on continuing uncerIllinois State soccer players Emily Adelman, Ashley Santos and Alyssa Ramsden reacting to fallen teammate Sarah LaFayette after getting pushed down versus Illinois on made moves to halt tainty around the ability to play most if not all fall sports Sept. 8, 2019. full-season league schedules safely competition. With an amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the unorganized approach Missouri Valley Conference has happened with the fall sport decia winter season to take place but the fall semester has seen from announced the postponement of sions,” said Lyons. maybe only the conference portion conference to conference, Lyons conference schedules and chamWith no official announcement of the schedule,” said Lyons. believes a solution could be better pionships in MVC-sponsored fall on an extra year of eligibility being ISU winter sports that would be found if the decisions made would sports,” the MVC said. offered to Redbirds competing impacted by any schedule changes benefit nationally instead of indiExperiencing yet another sports in the fall season yet, much of it are men’s and women’s basketball, vidual conferences. season cease did not come by with depends on if a postponed season is swimming and diving, gymnastics, “It is important that we have a the initial shock as spring sports available for play. Lyons expects the men’s and women’s track and field national discussion on winter and cancellation did. ISU Athletic DiNCAA to follow the decisions made and men’s and women’s tennis. spring sports. We cannot allow a rector Larry Lyons spoke with hope based on eligibility for spring sports Added to the list of cancellations piecemeal (conference by confertowards the future for fall sports. to be similar to fall sports outcome. Friday evening was the 109th anence) approach to take place that While realizing the news was not If a postponed schedule is made nual Mid-American Classic between available by the NCAA and MVC Illinois State and Eastern Illinois for fall sports, it is believed that it set to take place on Sept. 12. The would be taking place in the spring two schools agreed on the suspencompared to winter. sion of the non-conference game “The goal is to play the fall sports as the Ohio Valley Conference sus(FB, VB, SOC and XC) in the spring pended fall sports earlier on Friday. assuming there are NCAA champiThe Redbirds were also schedonships for each sport in the spring. uled to play Dixie State on Nov. 21, Each sport will be allowed to before the Trailblazers deferred continue to have strength workouts their football season on Wednesas well as on court and off court day. instruction with coaches this fall,” With a sports-less fall season said Lyons. ahead, many mysteries still lie Focus has now primarily shifted on what to expect in the upcomto winter sports. While there still ing months for winter and spring is much time before any decision is athletics. needed to be made, concerns arise with a mid-November start time. JAKE FOGAL is a Sports Editor “Given what we know now, startfor The Vidette. He can be conVidette Archive ing the season in November seems tacted at vidette_jpfogal@ilstu.edu ISU Redbird senior outside hitter Kaylee Martin and senior libero Kendal like a challenge. I am hopeful for Follow him on Twitter at @jfogal5. Meier positioning on defense against Missouri State.
A
Goodbye to the greatest season we’ll never have
I
have been going back and forth trying to find the best way to start this off. It seems almost impossible to find a way to properly translate my thoughts and emotions regarding the string of sports cancellations in the wake of COVID-19. I am a fifth-year senior on the Illinois State University cross country and track and field team. Looking back on March, it seems like a small eternity ago that we found out spring sports were getting canceled. That cancellation stung, but the unprecedented nature of it, and how quickly it came about, threw me into a shock-like state, numbing me from feeling too upset. Things happened fast, with new information about the virus releasing daily and the many changes to academics and athletics all combining to form a riptide that pulled me under and rushed me along the remainder of the semester.
MY VIEW KEVIN KOSKI | Sports Reporter Depositing me somewhere at the end of May confused, worried and — admittedly — slightly angry. As crazy and challenging as last semester was, I was continuously motivated and inspired by my teammates. Throughout all the turmoil they continuously produced amazing performances in workouts and admirable results in solo time trials. It was truly inspiring to be a part of a team that demonstrated an awesome work ethic, though there was not a
season to properly display the fruit of their labor. The team members pushed on, training as hard as they could to be ready for the next opportunity to race again. For the distance runners on the men’s team, when things got tough, the carrot we used at the end of the stick was this 2020 cross country season. Personally, I have been equally dreaming about and dreading this, my final season, since I first started racing 13 years ago. Back then I joined cross country primarily for the social aspect of sports and quickly discovered that I was pretty good. With this realization the desire to improve and compete grew in me. A desire that soon became this itching-burning feeling that I could never seem to satisfy. Like a type of bug bite that the more I scratched at it the worse it would
become. It’s weird trying to describe this driving force because it almost sounds like an unpleasant experience, but I promise you, it is anything but. Each year I pushed myself harder, got better then pushed myself harder than before. After each personal best I believed I had more in me to give, so I would set my goals higher for the next race. At ISU I have seen tremendous growth as an athlete and, to capitalize on that growth, I redshirted the 2019 cross country season to set up for a full fifth year of eligibility in cross country and track. I was not the only one who had this 2020 season in their scope. The team is full of runners who have that same itching-burning drive to push themselves to improve and compete. See GOODBYE on Page 7
COACH REACTIONS
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Change is hard, but so is making a change for the health and safety of our studentathletes, and Leah Johnson all of those who support them, is a change that is always worth making. Uncertainty is hard, but no matter the uncertainty over our competitive season, we can be certain that we will serve, grow and build our traditions resiliently. A lot of things are hard this year but taking pride in being a Redbird is easy.”
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Leah Johnson, ISU volleyball head coach
The range of emotions on our team has varied throughout the last few months but we were hopeful that we would be able Jeff Bovee to toe the line this fall. After a successful spring and summer training regime, the team was ready to compete at a high level and was striving to compete for MVC titles on our home course on Oct. 30 and then looking to qualify for the NCAA postseason. The team is sad and taking it hard right now, but they are resilient, and their training efforts will not be lost as they prepare for a track and field season in the spring. We understand that health and safety must come first and we appreciate the efforts by our administration, our athletic staff and by our strength and conditioning staff to put together protocols to make this a safe place for all to train and compete. We have a special group of student-athletes and we will bounce back and be stronger from the adversity we face with the support of so many fantastic administrators, coaches, and support staff we have at Illinois State. We support this decision by the MVC and will be prepared for the next opportunity.”
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Jeff Bovee, ISU track & field and cross country director
My heart goes out to our Redbird soccer family and especially our studentathletes as we Brad Silvey all process the disappointing news of the postponed fall season. We know these difficult decisions are made with the health and safety of our student-athletes as a top priority. Redbird soccer is built on excellence, and we will not waiver in our commitments during challenging times. We will band together, move forward with hope, and work towards effecting positive change. We know this is a moment in time that we can experience incredible growth, so we will look ahead and find a way to be champions at the end of each day. #StrongerTogether.” Brad Silvey, ISU soccer head coach
Compiled by JAKE FOGAL