04.21.20

VIEWPOINT 4

TUESDAY, APRIL 21, 2020 Vol. 132 | No. 30

Earth Day blooms reminders of sustainability, self-care PAGE 5

SEILS: ‘IT’S ABOUT US GROWING TOGETHER’ SPORTS 8

ROBINSON, KIRK GEAR UP FOR NFL DRAFT

videtteonline.com

Lending a

helping hand

McLean County Cares about residents’ need for groceries amid pandemic MAIA HUDLESTON News Reporter | @maiawrites

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loomington-Normal’s Mutual Aid Team is running small errands for vulnerable community members during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Team organizer Torii Moré said the group delivers fewer than 10 items to those with limited mobility, underlying health conditions and compromised immune systems.

They also help community members over 60 years old.

“In this specific circumstance, people in high-risk groups benefit the entire community when they decide to stay at home, so we don’t overwhelm our healthcare system,” Moré said.

The mutual aid team also offers technology tutoring for those who must learn to order their groceries online. The team’s goal is to make help accessible to all community members in vulnerable positions.

“Having a phone number for anyone to call if they don’t have someone to turn to seemed like

something that was needed, and so we started a phone line, gathered supplies and created a team of people ready to help,” Moré said.

Volunteer Robert Garcia, 42, of Bloomington geared up with gloves and a mask to start off his first round of errands at Sam’s Club Sunday morning.

Each errand runner is always equipped with a mask, gloves, hand sanitizer and Lysol wipes. Moré said they take cleanliness very seriously and sanitize supplies between every errand run. All deliveries are nocontact.

Garcia arrived at the store minutes before it opened, but still had to wait in a line of about 30 other shoppers, all 6 feet apart, waiting to be ushered in the store for their opportunity to shop.

Since the stay-at-home order went into effect, Sam’s Club is only allowing 100 shoppers in the store at a time. Management said they usually have about 40 or more shoppers congregating in line outside of the store.

See VOLUNTEER on Page 3

Bloomington Realtor, McLean County Cares member and Mutual Aid volunteer Robert Garcia strives to make things easier for BloNo residents who cannot grocery shop during quarantine.

McLean County’s Mutual Aid team has been delivering groceries to the doorsteps of community members free of charge amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Photograph by Ali Rasper | Vidette Photo Editor | @alirasper4

PAGE 2 | NEWS | THE VIDETTE

TUESDAY, APRIL 21, 2020

A ZILLION ZOOM MEETINGS Zoom, the video conferencing app that allows multiple users to video chat at the same time, has taken over life as we know it during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Most Illinois State classes have transferred to meeting via Zoom during class time. Additionally, many campus groups and legislative bodies use Zoom to conduct their typical in-person meetings.

While it seems like every day there’s another Zoom invite in the email inbox, just how many Zoom meetings have been happening through Illinois State?

From March 23 to April 16, there were on average:

1,034 meetings per day 9,567 Illinois State students, faculty and staff in Zoom meetings per day

376,521 minutes, or about 6,275

hours of Zoom meeting time combined from all users.

39 minutes spent by each Zoom user every day

1000% increase in Zoom meetings between February and March,

12% increase n Zoom meetings between March and April

17,210 meetings have been held so far in April

Over 10 million minutes spent so

far in Zoom this year by over 272,000 participants, collectively.

SOURCE: ILLINOIS STATE IT DEPARTMENT | COMPILED BY: ELIZABETH SEILS | NEWS EDITOR  INFORGRAPHIC BY FLYNN GERAGHTY | ART DIRECTOR

Seils named next editor of Vidette; Wilkens to lead Advertising Dept.

VIDETTE STAFF @The_Vidette

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i d e t t e staff members Elizabeth Seils and Brianna Wilkens have been named editor in chief and advertising sales manager, respectively, at Illinois State University's student-run newspaper and website.

Their appointments are effective for the 2020-2021 school year at ISU. The Vidette Publication Board announced its decisions following its meeting Tuesday evening. The meeting and interviews were conducted online for the first time in the history of the 133-year-old Vidette

At left, incoming Vidette Editor in Chief Elizabeth Seils and Brianna Wilkens the incoming advertising sales manager. organization. Seils and Wilkens will officially assume their positions at the end of the current semester.

Seils joined The Vidette in 2018 as a news reporter and since last

STAFF LIST

PHONE OR FOLLOW

2020 Editor in Chief Jonathan Barlas News Editors Grace Barbic Lizzie Seils

Photo Editors Jennifer Haiden Ali Rasper

Features Editor Andrea Ricker

Night Editors Jordan Kanellis Kelvin Pough

Sports Editors Jake Fogal Jake Sermersheim

Social Media Mary Ann Rasmussen

Art Director Flynn Geraghty

Office Manager Daniela Jaime

Ad Sales Manager Brad Fekety

Marketing Team Manager Aleks Subotin

Ad Production Manager Arnie Lack Business Manager Grant Olson

summer, has served as one of the two news editors, along with Grace Barbic. They manage a team of seven news reporters for The Vidette and its website, VidetteOnline.com.

Seils is a junior from Chicago double-majoring in journalism and psychology. In February, Seils won two second-place awards in the Illinois College Press Association journalism contest. Her wins came in the News Writing and Headline Writing categories. In addition to her work at The Vidette, Seils is also a producer and anchor at TV10, the student-run television station within the School of Communication.

Seils will succeed outgoing editor Jonathan Barlas who will graduate

Business Adviser Madeline Smith General Manager John Plevka

Editor 309.438.8745 Display Ads 309.438.8742 Business 309.438.5929 Classifieds 309.438.7685 Fax 309.438.5211 General Manager 309.438.7688

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from Illinois State University in May with a degree in public relations.

Wilkens has been named the incoming advertising sales manager at the student-run newspaper and website.

Wilkens has served as an account sales executive for The Vidette’s Advertising Department since fall 2019. In that role, she meets with an assortment of advertising clients on a regular basis as well as prospects new advertising client relationships. Wilkens is a junior from Schaumburg majoring in marketing and professional sales and analytics in the College of Business.

She is currently the president of the

Professional Sales and Marketing Fraternity, Pi Sigma Epsilon. The organization at ISU currently has more than 75 members.

Wilkens will succeed advertising sales manager Karina Herrera who will graduate in May with a degree from the College of Business.

The Vidette publishes a newspaper on Tuesdays during the school year and maintains a full-service website and mobile device app seven days a week. Due to the coronavirus pandemic and ensuing closed-campus situation at Illinois State, The Vidette has been publishing digital versions of the newspaper for the last four weeks and will continue to do so through at least July.

The Vidette The Vidette is published Tuesdays every week, except for final examinations, holidays and semester breaks. The Summer Vidette is published in June and July. Students are responsible for the content of the Vidette. The views presented do not necessarily represent, in whole or part, those of the Illinois State University administration, faculty and students. The Vidette is a member of the Associated Collegiate Press and the Illinois College Press Association. Subscriptions are available by mail to anywhere in the United States for $150 per calendar year. © The Vidette 2020 University & Locust / Campus Box 0890 / Normal, IL 61761–0890

THE VIDETTE | NEWS | PAGE 3

TUESDAY, APRIL 21, 2020

CORONAVIRUS UPDATE: A VIEW FROM THE TOP

Chief Woodruff weighs in

ISU Police Department’s on-campus role changes amid pandemic INTERVIEW COMPILED BY KELLIE FOY

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Senior News Reporter | @kellie_foy

fter about one month of being in quarantine with online classes, the adjustments to the new normal have become easier to deal with.

Despite students being stripped of in-person classes and many spring activities and events, the emptiness of campus has brought some light and quietness in the crime and police reports for the Illinois State Police Department.

Chief of Police Aaron Woodruff and his department have taken steps to be there for students moving out, especially consdiering the closure of many on-campus buildings, all while practicing social distancing and protecting themselves.

Here’s what Woodruff had to say about what this pandemic has looked like for him and his staff. 

How have things looked around campus, especially with only a select number of students on campus? “[The] things initially we were involved with [were] the move-out process and some of the closing of the buildings. But since then things have quieted down quite a bit. I think we’re just a little under 100 students still residing on campus. We still have a population to make sure that they’re still safe and secure. And then of course, we have the facilities that we’re trying to make sure that we’re keeping secure as well. So really, our role is gone. [It’s] much more from a facility security point of view than any type of enforcement or other issues.”

How has crime looked over the past few weeks? Have any unusual crimes come up over the past few weeks?

“Now we’ve only taken a handful police reports since the closure, but I think there’s

one of the daily crime on today for sexual assault but that was related to a case set.

One, that happened over a year ago, but two, it was related during the course of investigation of another case that we found out about it. So, nothing really new that’s unique or really aren’t that out of the ordinary.”

What would you say some of the biggest and unusual challenges that you guys have faced? What has been the hardest of them all?

“I think for us, it’s more [that] we’ve had to plan for our own staffing and safety. We’ve got a limited number of dispatchers, and one case within the department could certainly spread rapidly. We’re actually reducing staffing. They’re doing some off-site and work-from-home hours too, myself included.

We really minimize the exposure matters as much as possible to these next few weeks until hopefully the peak kind of passes and then we can ramp up our efforts again.”

Volunteer Continued from Page 1

Stacks of toilet paper and paper towels as tall as the shelves were placed between each aisle. Garcia said they restock these items almost daily.

While some volunteers are given specific lists of items to purchase, Garcia shops in bulk and stockpiles various items in his home for other volunteers to pick up for delivery.

A rare find for Garcia was hand sanitizer. He said he hasn’t been able to find any since mid-March.

Other items he was picking up on his trip to the store included groceries, cleaning supplies and medical supplies. The volunteer service also sees some special requests, for example, families with babies will request diapers.

According to group organizer Moré, very few local grocery stores are still taking orders over the phone.

“We also know there are more people out there who can use our service, and we just want as many people as possible to call us and let us help,” Moré said.

Moré is grateful for Gov. JB Pritzker’s response to the pandemic but understands that government action takes time.

“It requires cooperation and coordination on the ground in every community to make sure people can get food and supplies,” Moré said.

How have you and your staff felt about being an ‘essential worker’ during these times? How do you feel your role in society has changed?

“Well, again, it goes back to [the fact that] we’re a little bit different than maybe municipality. Our calls for service have reduced. We’re not getting called for taking reports or responding to incidents. So really, we’re more kind of caretaking for the facilities making sure that the skills facilities are secure and that there’s no issues going on inside. If there’s leaks or other things that get that, we’re getting reported to the facilities management to get taken care of as well. So really, we’re not doing very much enforcement, we’re just making sure that the buildings are safe and secure.”

Knowing that a lot of students have responded with disappointment over the past few weeks with the campus closing, what would be some advice you would offer to them?

“It’s all about patience. We’ll all get through this together.

I know that’s a cliché that we’re hearing nonstop. But the route is, this hopefully will pass, and it will eventually. And we’ll look forward to all moving on past this and getting back to normalcy. But I think in the meantime, we’re doing all the things as a society that we need to do, hopefully to, to keep as many peo-

After hearing about the crisis in Italy, Moré knew the virus was going to impact the Bloomington-Normal community.

“I couldn’t shut my brain off. I knew we had to do something to help enable people to stay at home,” Moré said.

The group launched publicly on March 18 and has completed over 50 errands for locals in need.

“People need food and medicine and other essential items to live, so people who are not in those risk groups can help enable them to stay home by offering to do that for them,” Moré said.

Moré acknowledged that the mutual aid team is not the only group of volunteers helping the community in this time of crisis.

“So many people are reaching out and offering to get groceries for their friends and neighbors, but we also know there are people who may not have family local, or maybe the people they once relied on are part of an at-risk group themselves and no longer able to help,” Moré said.

“The idea is that this is solidarity, not charity, that we all have to come together to help each other get through life, not only in times of crisis,” she added.

Community members seeking help should call and leave a voicemail at (309) 839-9496 for assistance in English or (309) 232-8902 for assistance in Spanish.

McLean County Mutual Aid Team Volunteer Leader Robert Garcia, 42, of Bloomington reaches for a pack of paper towels during his Sunday trip to Sam’s Club. Garcia is stocking up on various items that will later be delivered to at-risk and in need community members who are not able to make it to the store themselves due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Photograph by Ali Rasper | Photo Editor | @alirasper4

ple safe as possible. And I know, initially, a lot of people, college students didn’t see it as a threat to their safety. But what we’re seeing nationally, there are people you know, college ages that are still getting seriously ill and even dying as a result of this too. The university is doing everything it can to make sure that we’re protecting all of our campus community.”

What advice would you give to those students still on campus when it comes to Gov. JB Pritzker’s executive orders and recommendations?

“For the students who are still on campus and are still in apartments off campus, I would still say follow the guidelines. I mean the social distancing piece’s there for a reason. If you’re going out in public while it’s not required, wear a mask even if it’s not so much for your sake but for those others that are in the store shopping around you to keep them safe. Make sure you’re washing your hands, using sanitizer [and] doing those things that even if you’re not feeling ill. Hopefully you’re protecting others from getting the illness because it affects everybody differently and some people you know may not realize that they’re actually carrying the disease. So just be smart and be safe around others and think about other safety as well.”

Illinois State University Police Chief Aaron Woodruff Vidette Archive Photograph

PAGE 4 | THE VIDETTE

VIDETTE EDITORIAL

Viewpoint

TUESDAY, APRIL 21, 2020

Mind over money: Facing education inequality

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hen a magiCollege is the time for cian performs refining the skills necesa magic trick, sary in the professional they divert the viewer’s world. If more than half attention to the place of all African American where the magic isn’t students and almost half really happening. The of all Hispanic students sleight of hand and only have a 12% chance at swift deception hapgraduating, are we really pen when the viewer funneling our money into isn’t looking. And, like a system that’s working? clockwork, we usually Or, are we magically apfall for it. plying a bandage to the In 2014, The U.S. Degaping wound of inequalpartment of Education ity in America? gave out $96 million in What if we could take grants to impoverished that $7 billion that is or minority students currently funding reenrolled in higher medial college courseEditorial Illustration by Flynn Geraghty | Vidette Art Director education. Further, work and invest it in more than $150 billion EDITORIAL POLICY Editorial written by ANASTASIA GUSTAFSON a member of The Vidette’s Editorial Board. Editorial K-12 public schools in federal student aid policy is determined by the student editor, and views expressed in editorials are those of the majority of The Vidette’s that serve communiwas given to students Editorial Board. Columns that carry bylines are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily represent those of ties with mostly people who demonstrated of color and families The Vidette or the university. “financial need.” These below the poverty line? grants were intended What if we could take to help close the equity gaps experienced by a different set of parameters to determine some of that $150 billion in federal gift success than students who have had, hispeople of color and those living in poverty aid and reallocate it to somewhere that torically, many advantages in life. who wanted to attend college. The Americounts?

We know what happens in American can public, eager to appear helpful regardWe know that giving more funding to politics to issues like these. The polarized, ing the plights of historically underrepreschools with low-income students and stuenergized tension begins to slowly accrue. sented groups, approved of this plan. dents of color is paramount for students’ That polarization is where the magician Yet, this largely respected and ongoing success. We know that funding provides wants our eyes to focus. It is not where the approach is not fully sound in its design money for new textbooks, curriculum, answer will be found. and execution. In fact, it might be ineffecprograms and better teachers. When we In a 2017 Hechinger Report study of tive in giving our students what they need put our money in the hands of our commu44 U.S. states, researchers found that a to succeed. Programs such as the aforenities that need it most, we finally start to startling number of newly enrolled colmentioned undermine the more compreclose the gap between historically disadlege students arrive unprepared for higher hensive, unpopular methods that would vantaged students and privileged ones. education. prove more beneficial to our disadvanOf course, there must be strategic plans “A high school diploma, no matter how taged, prospective college attendees. put in place for this funding. Hiring five recently earned, doesn’t guarantee that The American public should not be pournew administrators per school is not going students are prepared for college courses,” ing money into the hands of underprivileged to be beneficial in addressing the inequalistudents when they knock on the ivy-covered read the report. ties experienced in education.

What results in this unfortunate realdoors of universities. By the time they get This isn’t the first time we’ve heard that there, we are too late. We need to be relaying ity is that many students are then placed when public schools receive more fundin remedial courses which, according to resources into the communities of people of ing, the students inside their walls benefit. another study, cost taxpayers around $7 color, people in poverty and other disadvanIt’s about time we, as the American public, billion annually. taged groups long before we get here. start to listen.

“Besides financial aid, remedial educaThe United States has a long and ugly We want every American student who tion is perhaps the most widespread and history of mistreating minority groups. is pursuing higher education to arrive on costly single intervention aimed at improv- campus as a college-ready pupil.

We also know that, after our wrongs are ing college completion rates,” the 2012 exposed, the United States creates poliHowever, when we continue to fund unstudy Improving The Targeting of Treatcies that work to annul the unjust, horrific successful programs because we are afraid ment: Evidence From College Remediation to say controversial things, we don’t make and inhumane acts toward people of color

by Judith Scott-Clayton, Peter M. Crosta and minorities. It is honorable that we, as progress. We should not continue to offer and Clive R. Belfield read. a country, are trying to right our wrongs. funding to collegiate students of color and According to a similar study by Complete impoverished college students for simply But we should consider digging a little bit College America, the demographics of deeper when it comes to addressing the being students of color or impoverished. those who end up in remedial coursework needs of our fellow Americans.

That is unequal. are also noteworthy. It was shown that Defining equality in this country is hard.

Clearly, giving disadvantaged college 56% of all black students and 45% of all How do Americans define equality? Right students costly second, third, or fourth Hispanic students who enter college enroll now, this country is trying to overcomchances at a university isn’t giving our in remedial coursework. Additionally, pensate for its heinous historical mistreatstudents the success they are looking for. ment of minorities by creating policies that 35% of all White students attend remedial We need to meet them where their needs courses. And surprisingly, a staggering hopefully work to close the equity gaps in begin. We need to help disadvantaged 42% of all enrolled college students attend education. students develop foundational skills earlier In 2003, the Supreme Court case Grutter at least some form of remedial classes. on in their educational careers.

Devastatingly, in Illinois, there is only a V. Bollinger ruled that student admissions When we ensure that every child in 12% graduation rate for the students who procedures that favor “underrepresented America, no matter their economic backenroll in remedial coursework. minority groups’’ do not violate the 14th ground or ethnicity, can receive a qualFrom this same study, we also know Amendment’s Equal Protection Clause if ity, college-preparatory education, that is that over half of all individuals who attend there are other factors taken into account when we bridge the gap between privileged remedial courses receive a Pell Grant. Most and disadvantaged students. Obviously, it’s during applicant evaluation. In short, students who receive the Pell Grant have awarding university entrance to minority a rougher course to journey. That’s befamilies who make less than $20,000 a students over their equally qualified white cause, in this country, we have become acyear. This means that more than half of peers is currently a legal practice — even customed to relying on magical, politically students in remedial coursework are also with race acting as the tipping point. charged remedies to solve our problems of below the poverty line.

In general, it was argued that equity inequality.

Saying that the color of one’s skin may means different things to different groups.

It’s time we stop believing in magic be used as a tipping point for any legal For a white student who has had adequate tricks and instead, believe in what works: decision is exactly the kind of thing this education, a comfortable homelife, and critical thinking and thoughtful, sociallycountry has fought to end. It is also the emotional support their whole lives, they just policymaking. kind of flashy, racially charged topic that come to college far more prepared than keeps people focused on the wrong part of poor and minority students who, maybe, ANASTASIA GUSTAFSON is a News Reporter did not have access to these same things in the puzzle. for The Vidette. She can be contacted at It would be more beneficial to all groups their lifetime. It was decided that historiajgusta@ilstu.edu. Follow her on Twitter at cally disadvantaged groups should be given pursuing a college education to show up @AnastasiaGusta9. on campus with equally stocked toolboxes.

Chicken Doodle Soup by Claire Wagner | Vidette Cartoonist

New beginnings are ahead as new editor in chief

MY VIEW ELIZABETH SEILS | News Editor EDITOR’S NOTE: Last week, The Vidette Publication Board named Lizzie Seils editor in chief for the 2020-2021 school year. She is currently news editor at the newspaper.

I

feel like I’m standing in front of a huge cliff. Not at the top, but at the bottom. I’ve got all these tools at my feet. And someone is telling me how to rock climb at an alarming pace, but I haven’t grasped the information yet. The timer’s counting down, I have to climb this cliff and reach the top. How? When? Doesn’t matter. Go! Now hang on, hang on. This isn’t as bad as it sounds. In this metaphor, I want to scale this cliff. I very much want to. It feels like something I have to do, and I think I’m ready to do it.

But, you have to admit it’s intimidating, and it’s a lot to pick up at once.

I’m lucky, luckier than most. I have some great people on my side who are going to make this transition easy. And I have a great foundation to start on.

I’m excited for where The Vidette can go, and I’m so happy to have been a part of the journey to get to this point.

To our outgoing Editor in Chief Jon Barlas, thank you for all that you’ve done. Not just for the Vidette, but for me as well. The only reason I feel prepared to take on this role is because I have confidence and trust in you, and I know you’ll impart with me all the knowledge I need. You’ve done so much for us, you helped us become the No. 1 paper in Illinois! For that, I think I speak for the whole staff when I say we are grateful.

So, what next? I haven’t decided yet. There are many opportunities for growth here, and I can’t wait to see where we go. I know I’m the incoming editor in chief, but this isn’t really about me. It’s about the reporters, the sub-editors and all the members of the staff who make up The Vidette. It’s about us growing together as a team, and as a Vidette family. I hope to not only be a leader, but a friend.

Yeah, I’m nervous, but I’m also brimming with excitement. I’m excited to watch students grow into reporters and reporters grow into sub-editors.

I’m excited to see the first paper the next editorial team puts together. I’m excited to see us all together in the office, barring the world goes back to some normalcy.

Most of all, I’m excited to be the head of this big, wonderful family.

We’ve done great things before, everyone, let’s do them again!

VIDETTE POLL

What are you looking forward to most after COVID-19 quarantine?

Cast your vote at videtteonline. com or by using The Vidette mobile app

EDITORIAL BOARD JONATHAN BARLAS Editor-in-Chief | @JonBarlas

GRACE BARBIC News Editor | @gracebarbic ANDREW DOUGHERTY Columnist | @addough ANDREA RICKER Features Editor | @ ricker_andrea ELIZABETH SEILS News Editor | @SeilsElizabeth

TUESDAY, APRIL 21, 2020

THE VIDETTE | NEWS | PAGE 5

New signs urge Constitution Trail-goers to keep their distance JACK O’NIELL News Reporter | @JackONe39393244

With Covid-19 leading to the closure of most businesses and activities, residents of Normal are taking hikes more than usual during the pandemic.

The problem with too many residents going to the trails is that the more people that are on the trails, the higher risk of direct contact with Covid-19. Residents who live around Illinois State University's campus will likely see an increase in traffic on the Constitution Trail.

The Constitution Trail is a popular route for biking, jogging and walking for people who want to get some fresh air. Now that everything is closed down during the pandemic, these activities are some of the only things people can do when leaving the house.

Former president of the Bloomington Rotary Club Jane Chamberlain said that people need to be careful when doing these activities.

"Rotary has made disease prevention one of its six Areas of Focus.

Our club felt it was important to get the word out to trail users that,

while it is wonderful that it is spring, and we can be outside, we need to be fully aware of keeping our physical distance from each other,"said Chamberlain.

It’s important to remind people that while it’s beneficial for your health to exercise outside, it’s detrimental to your health if you are around possibly-infected strangers.

It’s advisable to wear a mask or a bandana while you’re social distancing on the trail. Of course, Normal is not the only place that’s having an uptake in traffic on hiking trails.

President of the advocacy group Friends of the Constitution Trail Patrick Dullard says that someone in their group talked about a system to prevent unnecessary social contact.

“One of our members shared some messaging that a heavily-used trail system in Atlanta, GA was using,” said Dullard. “It seemed like a good idea to spread that message given the increased usage our trail is seeing.”

Those who wish to hike should hike alone or with someone in their household and maintain at least six feet from everyone that they don’t know.

Courtesy of @cityblm

Signs reminding trail-goers to social distance have popped up along the Constitution Trail. The trail has seen increased traffic since the weather has warmed up.

EARTH DAY 2020: A HALF CENTURY OF ACTIVISM

‘What have we learned?’

Office of Sustainability promotes using the pandemic to reflect on humanity’s impact on the environment A plastic glove is thrown on the ground after serving it’s purpose as personal protective equipment.

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STORY BY MAIA HUDDLESTON | News Reporter | @maiawrites  PHOTOGRAPH BY ALI RASPER | PHOTO EDITOR | @ALIRASPER4

accessible recycling bins at off-campus n Wednesday, most American apartment complexes. citizens will celebrate the 50th The ISU Office of Sustainability originalannual Earth Day by staying ly scheduled an Earth Day breakfast event inside their homes. for Wednesday morning with Since state and local governkeynote speaker and 2013 CNN ments began issuing social Hero of the Year Chad Pregracke. distancing guidelines, scientists Pregracke founded the nonacross the country have noticed profit river cleanup organization some significant changes in the Living Lands & Waters. ISU stuenvironment. dents work with the organization According to The Atlantic, a to clean up rivers on Alternative pause in naval transportation Spring Break trips every March. and cruise ship travel is lessening Director Elisabeth Reed said stress hormones in humpback Elisabeth Reed the office is disappointed about whales. the cancellation of the departAdditionally, University of ment’s Earth Day Breakfast, but she is Michigan researchers believe social distancoptimistic that the event will be rescheduled ing in the United States will result in less for Earth Day 2021. demand for products from factories that “ISU students have shown time and time emit carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. China experienced a similar reduction again how much they care for our environment. I am optimistic with the news in greenhouse gas emissions last month. reports of less air pollution, cleaner waters, This research suggests that social disand a shrinking ozone hole,” Reed said. tancing can positively affect the state of the During this time of social uncertainty, environment.

Reed said the Office of Sustainability inAt Illinois State University, many students are passionate about environmen- terns are posting environmentally-themed book reviews on social media. Students talism. Last fall, students called for more

can like each post for a chance to win the featured book.

“While we are not solving climate change with a pandemic, we can certainly take this time to reflect and learn from this experience,” Reed said.

Reed said the Office of Sustainability will be posting helpful tips and advice all month to celebrate Earth Month “because every day is Earth Day.” “What have we learned? How can we change systems when the world re-opens?

These are the questions we should all be asking and finding solutions both with systematic change and in our own personal lives,” Reed said.

Reed is currently working from home on ISU’s first campus wide Sustainability Strategic Plan. The department is assessing the need for and value of sustainability on campus and creating goals for the future.

“This plan will require teamwork from various constituents all across campus,” Reed said. “I am enthusiastic that we will return to campus out of this pandemic with a fresh perspective and a renewed energy to make our campus and community a more sustainable place.”

Take care of the beauty this Earth Day 2020

I

love Earth Day. I always have.

I’m not entirely sure why. I think it traces back to memories of elementary school, where all of us kids would march out and pick the litter off the playground, or rake some old leaves, or plant some flowers along the classroom window instead of staying in for classes on a beautiful spring day.

It may have to do with how much I love spring. Summer is fine, fall is pretty, but feeling that warm breath of air after a long winter cures my chilly blues more than anything else in the world.

During this time in history, we could all use the curing of our blues. ELIZABETH SEILS It’s profound when you think about it.

In the 50 years since Earth Day was first celebrated, this is the first time humanity has been told to stay inside. And, weirdly enough, it’s one of the best things we’ve ever done for the planet!

I’ve seen the pictures online, and I’m sure you have too. The smog has dissapated over Los Angeles, the air feels fresher, the water seems cleaner. Animals are returning to habitats they haven’t set foot in in a long time. The herds of beans have returned to their natural habitat in Millenial Park, where they can meet with their mother, the Bean.

Okay, that last one was a joke.

Now, I’m not sure how true all of those pictures and stories are, but doesn’t it make you love nature?

I can’t help but see all these beautiful skies and sprouting flowers and not go out and be in it.

But, once I get out into it, I remember that we all still live on the planet. Food garbage, plastic bags, gloves and face masks, even while we isolate inside, somehow our garbage persists.

So, I’m sure tomorrow you can catch me out in the sun, breathing in the fresh air and admiring how green everything can be even after a cold winter.

You can also catch me picking up the litter I find.

It’s simple work, and it makes out big, beautiful world just a little bit better.

I encourage those who can do the same, to try and clean up the parts of the Earth you care about: the trail, the park, even your own backyard. We may not be able to gather together, but we can all work together, even from six feet apart.

Happy Earth Day! ELIZABETH SEILS is a News Editor for the Vidette.

She can be reached at elseils@ilstu.edu. Follow her on Twitter at @SeilsElizabeth,

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Features

PAGE 6 | THE VIDETTE

TUESDAY, APRIL 21, 2020

‘Dye’ing to go to the salon

Cut corners?

Or keep up those high-maintenance routines?

MADIGAN LANDESS Features Reporter | @madigan_corrine

H

air salons around the country have closed up shop in an effort to keep the public safe and healthy during the pandemic — as a result opening the door for unwelcome gray hairs and split ends that are being desperately treated by a DIY frenzy.

Many hair-color devotees have retreated to boxed color, spontaneous haircuts and TikTok trends to keep up with their highmaintenance hair routines, ultimately capitalizing on the rebellious attitudes of bored and desperate “quarantine-ees” that have nowhere to go and therefore nothing to lose.

One of TikTok’s latest trends that has spiraled many in search for “the best curls you have ever seen.”

TikTok user Bri Harmon shares her surprising admiration for this latest trend.

Alex Gant | Senior Photogrpher With salons being closed it might be tempting to cut your own hair. However, some advise to wait until quarantine is over to get a nice chop.

Many other hair care junkies alongside have taken matters into their own hands to keep their hair stylish and up to the status tion, as a trick for making the horizon beyond It is within our nature as humans to crave quo. However, hair stylists have urged their this pandemic more attainable. physical changes that are parallel to our So, can this be true? I decided to give it a clients not to pursue such remedies such as Many of our favorite stars such as Jim Carpersonal growth and inner changes. Thus, try. All you need? The belt of your robe. box color and spontaneous haircuts. rey and John Mayer have been taking to social possibly suggesting that “quarantine hair” This overnight remedy has been taken on “We are all in the same boat and want media to show off their quarantine style as is a hungry, energetic and desperate experiby many TikTok users. I tried it and it indeed our hair done, so don’t be embarrassed they grow out their facial hair, alongside Pink ment to fill in the hole for loss of our everyday works. Simply lay your robe belt on your head about outgrowth,” Jenni’s Salon hair stylist, who recently shaved her head. These physical “normals” with something new and exciting to like a headband and plait each side of your Chelsey Lamberti said. “But do not try to changes have echoed across social media, but keep us entertained. hair around the belt. It works best with damp cut your hair like those cute bloggers in Cali perhaps there is more to this #quarentinehair It is essentially the pursuit to strengthen hair, but after sleeping on it overnight — I do and expect the perfect cut … it is not real trend than meets the eye? our identity during a time when we are forced know it may sound crazy — it worked. In… just wait until you can come back to my According to Allure Magazine and its disto put our identities under the microscope deed, after attempting this viral trend myself, chair.” cussion on the channeled DIY cuts and colors, for strict reflection. Because of course, most I can attest that this hair care trend is an easy In light of this pandemic Lamberti goes there is perhaps a deeper meaning to all of of us have plenty of time to. Nachum in her and heat-free way to give you the curls of your further to suggest that now is the time this. discussion with Allure goes further to suggest dreams. Don’t believe me? Then you might to “give your hair some extra love” with “An external change can be a simple and that maybe this search for identity should be just have to journey to TikTok and try it out for heatless curls, hair masks or achieving the easy way to signify a transition that is interembraced. yourself. perfect messy bun. nally more complex and harder to articulate “If you’re feeling called to cut, color or MADIGAN LANDESS | Features Reporter “Now is the time to give your hair a break otherwise,” therapist Nikki Nachum exotherwise change your hair, consider that the … even just doing conditioning treatments plained in an email to Allure. “A new haircut call might actually be from somewhere deeper In the midst of a pandemic and unquiet while you clean or watch Netflix, or letting becomes almost like an announcement to both for something deeper,” Allure stated. “A sign isolation, perhaps it is a nice shift to focus on it air dry … plus hats are your new best friend yourself and the outer world that something is of unprocessed emotions that can’t be swept proper hair care rather than the weeks of isolanow.” changing in your life.” away like dead ends on the bathroom floor.”

Does TikTok ‘curls’ method work?

When world changes,

art adapts

For old-school film photographers, it’s a matter of turning a negative into a positive ASHLEY BINKOWSKI Features Reporter & Photographer | @ BinkowskiAshley

M

any extroverts may be struggling inside their self-quarantine time while introverts are living their best life indoors. The creative bunch stuck at home are still honing their skills, especially those passionate about film photography.

The revival of analog photography has proven that nothing really goes away. This goes along with fashion, movies and art, inspiration is drawn from history and always makes a comeback. Who would have thought bell bottom jeans or frosted tips would be back in style so soon? Besides the point, analog photography never really died. It was always there but now it has made a bigger comeback in today’s generation. Many people are appreciating the personal journey of shooting, developing and scanning their own photos.

The first film camera was invented by George Eastman in the late 1880s and was called “Kodak”, which has been around ever since. Film photography has been here for

a long time and through many historic events that were wonderful and awful.

Photography shares a pivotal role in understanding history and gives us a piece of the past that we can share.

Ashely Binkowski | @BinkowskiAshley Due to the COVID-19 Film photography remains alive pandemic we are all going Photo Courtesy of Jeff Smudde even while social distancing. through, things have become Photojournalist Jeff Smudde remains busy with film photography, even durSome photographers are revisitmuch slower. Film photogra- ing a time period of social distancing. ing their old work in film. phy remains the same, it is a slow process and it takes time one’s time in quarantine, “Use this time to look graphic eye in a leisurely direction. to set up the frame, develop and scan. at your photos and revisit your old work, maybe “When I’m out, there are very few people Photojournalist and film enthusiast Jeff build a small project. It’s a good time to find around. This gives me confidence and patience Smudde discussed how he stays busy in selfopportunities to collaborate with other artists to frame things very slowly, not snapping and isolation with his film. using the artwork you have already made and moving on but stopping for a length of time “Since I have a plethora of films to scan, allowing everyone to kind of benefit from this.” and almost breathing into the image,” Garvey this extra downtime has allowed me to revisit Although being in quarantine has restricted said. “Going out alone for hours at a time and my old film, rescan it and make sure that many photographers’ capabilities to create visu- not having distractions has almost cleared the the photos look good,” Smudde said. “The ally compelling images with other people at the way for a completely different kind of seeing. virus is helping me with scouting, looking for moment, that does not mean they are stopping I find that being 100% in the moment 100% compositions and thinking of ideas on how to their daily lives of shooting or going outside. of the time has allowed me the liberty to see approach different conceptual ideas as well as Berlin film photographer Lucas Garvey beauty in things I had not seen before.” my vernacular stuff.” discusses his isolated days with his camera EXPANDED STORY @Videtteonline.com  Smudde offered advice on how to utilize and how the pandemic has steered his photo-

THE VIDETTE | SPORTS | PAGE 7

TUESDAY, APRIL 21, 2020

REDBIRD REWIND: LOOKING BACK AT ISU BASEBALL’S MAGICAL 2019 SEASON

Brent Wicklund pitching against Nothern Illinios last season on March 19, 2019.

Last season the Illinois State University baseball team was a dominating force in the Missouri Valley Conference. In his first season as head coach Steve Holm led the Redbirds to a 36-25 record and a trip to the NCAA Regional Tournament that included wins over Power Five schools Indiana and Louisville.

VIDET TE ARCHIVE PHOTOGRAPHS BY ALI R ASPER AND JENNIFER HAIDEN | PHOTO EDITORS

Johnson challenges Redbirds to meet goals ALFONSO CERNA Sports Reporter | @fonzcerna

menting that mindset now, regardless of these unusual Coming off an impressive final circumstances. stretch of the season en route “I challenged the to back-to-back NCAA Tournateam to see how we ment appearances, the Illinois can still meet our State University volleyball team goals,” Johnson (22-12, 12-6 MVC) was looking to said. “This is an continue building on its experiexcuse for a lot of ences with offseason preparapeople if they want tions. it to be, but we’re The Redbirds won eight straight gonna stay prematches to end the year, including pared by challenga three-set sweep of Northern Iowa ing ourselves in a (24-11, 17-1 MVC) to win the 2019 way that we don’t Missouri Valley Conference Tournaget on the courts ment. that will transfer to Having received an automatic bid when we’re able to to the NCAA Tournament, the ’Birds play and into our bowed out to the eventual runnerAli Rasper | Photo Editor life skills as well.” up Wisconsin Badgers (27-7, 18-2 Having tracked Illinois State University volleyball coach Leah Johnson yelling to her team in a 3-0 Big Ten) in the opening round to COVID-19 prior to win over Indiana State on Nov. 22. Johnson and the Redbirds finished the 2019 season with a record of 22-12. end their season. the official NCAA This experience for a relatively cancellations, Johnwas looking forward to a team trip to China young team with returning key son and her coach(later changed to Italy) in May before the players is one that is surely bound to make ing staff began preparing a plan to keep the COVID-19 pandemic put a halt to all college Illinois State volleyball a national force to be competitive mindset of the team sharp. athletics in the country. reckoned with the next time it take the court.

“We’ve had team meetings, doing topical Although the sports world has been put on Whenever, that may be. conversations about things like leadership The Redbirds began offseason preparations hold for the time being, the opportunity to and habit building to use this opportunity improve will continue for head coach Leah with standouts Stef Jankiewicz and Kaylee as a different type of learning experience.”

Johnson and the team.

Martin attending the U.S. Women’s National Johnson said.

The third-year head coach explained the Team Tryouts.

As shown throughout her tenure at Illinois motto for the upcoming 2020 season is “Dare State, the team has bought into expectations Illinois State also kicked off the first of its spring scrimmages against Northwestern and to Lead,” so the Redbirds have begun impleset by Johnson, even during this period of

adjustment.

“The team has been fabulous,” Johnson said. “I think it’s because they know what their goals are and how hard it is to reach them. They wrote them down and we told them to hang it on their wall so they can see it every day to remind yourself why you’re getting up working.”

Two straight trips to the NCAA Tournament has proven the hard work in and outside of the gym during Johnson’s tenure has been beneficial for the Redbirds.

Adversity is nothing new to this team who was bitten by the injury bug for a majority of this past season before rallying for a dominant final run down the stretch.

The same kind of adversity during this period of unknowns is one the team will continue to embrace.

“We know we can’t control the ultimate outcome, but we can control the preparation, mindset, and the things that will allow us the opportunity to earn that end result,” Johnson said. “The minute you take a break from the work, the opportunity is no longer deserved.

The guarantee will never be there, but the opportunity will always be.”

While we are unsure when college athletics, and even everyday life will get back to normal, one thing is certain: Redbird volleyball will continue the hard work and preparation that has made it one of the best programs at Illinois State in recent years, and when that time comes to take the court once again, the team will be ready.

“This is an excuse for a lot of people if they want it to be, but we’re gonna stay prepared by challenging ourselves in a way that we don’t get on the courts that will transfer to when we’re able to play and into our life skills as well.”

Leah Johnson, Illinois State University volleyball coach

Sports IN BRIEF Men’s basketball signs pair of 6’10” recruits Illinois State University men’s basketball landed a pair of 6-foot10 recruits in Alex Kotov and Dusan Mahorcic.

The Daytona State College transfer Kotov has signed his national letter of commitment to ISU’s head coach Dan Muller.

“I’m so excited to add Alex to the family,” Muller told goredbirds. com. “He is a 6-foot-10 skilled forward who will have three years to play as a Redbird due to an injury last season. Alex played for a terrific coach in junior college in Martin McCann, and a terrific coach

at Montverde under Kevin Boyle.

Alex is a competitor who loves the game of basketball, and I believe his future is very bright on and off the court as a Redbird.”

Kotov appeared in just three games with Daytona State his sophomore year before an injury took him out for the season. Due to appearing in just three games, Kotov took a redshirt season, giving him three seasons of eligibility with the Redbirds. As a freshman Kotov averaged 6.1 points, 5.9 rebounds over 30 games.

Mahorcic signed his national letter of intent to play for the Redbirds starting in the 2020-21 season announced by Mahorcic on Instagram. While at Moberly Area Community College, Mahorcic averaged 9.9 points and six rebounds a game.

Women’s basketball adds 4

Illinois State University women’s basketball has announced four signees for the 2020-21 season.

Deanna Wilson is a 6-foot-2-inch forward from St. Louis who attended Moberly Area Community College. During her time at Moberly, Wilson averaged 15.6 points and 9.7 rebounds in her debut season.

Fantasia Baines, Jasmine McGinnis-Taylor and Kate Bullman join the Redbirds.

Baines is a 6-foot-1-inch forward from South Holland who averaged 14.1 points.

McGinnis-Taylor is a 6-foot-3inch forward from Omaha, Nebraska who averaged 9.7 points and 9.7 rebounds a game last season.

Bullman is a 6-foot-2-inch forward from Grayslake who averaged 14.9 points and 10 rebounds a game.

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Sports

PAGE 8 | THE VIDETTE

TUESDAY, APRIL 21, 2020

2020 NFL DRAFT: A PREVIEW

Vidette Archive

James Robinson pushing a Youngstown State defender away during a game during the 2018 season. Robinson finished his career as an Illinois State Redbird as the second best running back in ISU history with 4,444 rushing yards.

Draft profile: James Robinson

Redbird running back likely among first MVFC players taken JAKE SERMERSHEIM Sports Editor | @JakeSermersheim

A

workhorse running back for the Illinois State Redbirds, James Robinson fares to be a late-round pick in the upcoming NFL draft.

Over three years as a main piece of the Redbirds' offense, Robinson remained one of the best running backs in the Missouri Valley Football Conference.

For the last two seasons, the Rockford native led the MVFC in rushing yards. His junior season Robinson led the league with over 1,200 rushing yards and followed that up with an almost 1,900-yard season this year.

This season Robinson was the main focus of the Redbirds' offense leading the team with 1,899 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns.

In the FCS playoffs, Robinson

put the Redbirds on his back for 601 rushing yards in three games.

In the first round, Robinson racked up 297 rushing yards and a touchdown en route to a 24-6 win over Southeastern Missouri University. In that game the Redbirds had 66 total offensive plays with Robinson featured on 42 of those plays.

In a 24-14 win over Central Arkansas Robinson was once again featured early and often.

Robinson racked up 201 yards on the ground and two scores.

But Robinson was stopped in the FCS Quarterfinals against North Dakota State, limited to just 97 yards and no touchdowns.

After the season was over Robinson was invited to the EastWest Shrine Bowl in Tampa, Florida.

Despite being ranked at the bottom of the West’s running back depth chart, Robinson came

Other MVFC draft hopefuls Ali Rasper | Photo Editor

Luther Kirk diving for a tackle against Northern Arizona.

Luther Kirk | S | Illinois State | Undrafted free agent The first time FCS All-American led the Redbirds' defense at safety. Kirk finished the season with 89 tackles, four for loss and one forced fumble. At the end of the season Kirk was invited to the East-West Shrine Bowl taking home Defensive MVP honors after recording the only interception of the game and a pair of tackles.

in and posted 136 all-purpose yards (80 rushing, 56 receiving) and a touchdown. That touchdown was a 63-yard rush that was the longest in Shrine Bowl history.

Robinson was one of just three MVFC players to be invited to this year’s NFL Combine. While there Robinson impressed ranking in the top five in three categories. Robinson ranked second in the vertical jump (40 inches), third in the bench press (24 reps) and fifth in the three cone drill (7.03 seconds).

The senior added a 4.6 second showing in the 40-yard dash, 125 inches in the broad jump and a 4.19 showing in the 20-yard shuttle.

Robinson has proven his ability to be a No. 1 back by racking up yards for the past two seasons.

But that workload could be an alarming sign for NFL front

offices. The last two seasons Robinson raked up over 500 touches.

His workload has been constant since his days in high school. While at Rockford High School Robinson set an IHSA record for 9,045 career rushing yards.

Scouts praise his work ethic, lane development awareness and pass protection. But on the other side of the ball teams question the effect of his high workload and say he is too girthy for a running back.

Overall Robinson was given a projection as an end-of-roster player or practice squad member according to NFL.com.

JAKE SERMERSHEIM is a Sports Editor for The Vidette. He can be contacted at vidette_jrserme@ ilstu.edu. Follow him on Twitter at @JakeSermersheim.

Derrek Tuszka | EDGE | N. Dakota State | 7 round

Jeremy Chinn | S | Southern Illinois | Projected round: 2

The MVFC Defensive Player of the Year and FCS AllAmerican was a big reason for the Bison’s recent FCS Championship. This season Tuszka recorded 48 tackles, 19 for loss, 13.5 sacks and five pass breakups. At the combine the senior posted Tuszka projects to be a backup/special team player.

Chinn will be the first player from the MVFC drafted this year.

In his senior season at SIU Chinn recorded 71 tackles, four interceptions and three pass breakups en route to a Second Team All-American and First Team All-MVFC team. NFL.com projects Chinn as a backup with the ability to be a starter.

Robinson’s numbers 4,444 career rushing yards 46 career touchdowns 5,218 career all purpose yards Three time All-American Sixth round projected pick

NFL DRAFT Fast Facts

1 The first draft was

held in 1936, and has been held every year since The first player ever selected in the NFL draft was Jay Berwanger by the Philadelphia Eagles The 2020 NFL Draft begins 7 p.m.

Thursday with the first pick of the first round in Las Vegas. Only the first round takes place Thursday; the second round begins at 6 p.m Friday immediately followed by the third round. The final four rounds begin at noon Saturday.

Illinois State’s highest selection: Laurent Robinson, Atlanta Falcons, Rd. 3 Pick 75.

WR, Class of 2006-07 ISU has never had a first-round pick in its history.

2 3

4 5