SEASON KICKS OFF WITH REDBIRD SCRIMMAGE
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SPORTS PAGE 12
MONDAY, AUGUST 17, 2015 ILLINOIS STATE UNIVERSIT Y’S NEWS SOURCE SINCE 1888
Vol. 128 / No. 01
‘Breaking Bad’ actor speaks at ISU AUDREY ANFIELD Staff Writer
“Breaking Bad’s” RJ Mitte helped welcome and inspire ISU’s newest incoming freshmen class at the University convocation Friday in the Bone Student Center. Diagnosed with cerebral palsy at the age of three, Mitte openly shared the challenges he has faced throughout his life. Mitte’s presentation to the new college students was nothing short of inspirational as they began their four years as Redbirds. Occurring at child birth and during a child’s developmental stages, cerebral palsy results from a lack of oxygen to the brain, affecting motor skills, eye coordination and muscle plasticity. “Through this I learned a lot. I learned about what I need to do to better myself,” Mitte said. “I learned what I need to do to survive and fight forward because having a disability at a young age made me stick out in school.” After Mitte shared a few humorous childhood anecdotes, the packed auditorium listened to Mitte explain how a simple gesture can make a huge difference in the world. “Never be afraid to step out of the realm of comfort, never be afraid to step in someone else’s life to have an impact, because
Vince Pinto / Photo Editor
‘Breaking Bad’s’ RJ Mitte speaks to students in Braden Auditorium during Welcome Week at Illinois State University. you never know how far your reach will go,” Mitte said. “You never know how far a smile or hello will go. You can’t imagine the impact you can have with something so simple. I’ve seen the smallest gesture mean
so much to someone having a horrible day.” Mitte kept “Breaking Bad” references to a minimum during his time on stage. The key points he wanted to target were irrelevant to Mitte’s time in front of TV cameras. Mitte
emphasized the significance of not exposing too much via social media to the crowd. What students post online can linger with their names forever, which is something everyone needs to be reminded of at times. “Once it’s in the matrix […] it’s there,” Mitte said. “You have to protect yourself, because so many times people will try to use social media against you.” Mitte explained how a simple Facebook profile can be viewed by future employees like a resume today. Born in Louisiana, Mitte’s acting career began at the age of 13. He played Walt Jr. on the Emmy-winning AMC drama “Breaking Bad.” His character on the show also had cerebral palsy. Outside of his role on “Breaking Bad,” he has played roles on shows like ABC Family’s hit drama “Switched at Birth.” At one point in his career, Mitte was filming for 13 different shows. Along with his acting, Mitte is involved with several organizations that raise awareness of the quality of diversity. Mitte explained that college is a point in life where students are viewed as individuals more than ever. It is time to step out of comfort zones and do amazing things. “So many times, you think in your head, ‘I can’t do this,’” Mitte said. “You can do it, you go do it.”
Course registration returns to ‘one stop’ EMA SASIC Senior Staff
A new school year ushers in a time of change and renewal for many students and staff members. One of the main changes returning ISU students will notice is an updated online campus service website. Aug. 3, the Office of the University Registrar sent out an email informing students that My.IllinoisState. edu will be the exclusive website for University affairs. Students will login to the website with their ULID and password to gain access to their student center, ReggieNet, Redbird Mail and other features. While the website has been used in the past, My.IllinoisState.edu will be the only resource students will have to login to this year. Last September, in addition to My.IllinoisState.edu, Go.IllinoisState.edu was used in transition to the new student information system.
Director of Web and Interactive Communications Arturo Ramirez explained that My.IllinoisState.edu was brought back as the main campus portal because of its reliability and usefulness for students and staff. “Students, faculty and staff are familiar with My’s user friendly interface and the way that those services are presented,” Ramirez said. “The intention is certainly to continue to use My as the starting point to access the University services that students need to be successful.” Students may have wondered why two campus portals were used last fall. Mark Walbert, associate vice president of the Office of Academic Technologies, said they were intended for different audiences. “My.IllinoisState.edu became the University intranet in 2012 at the same time that the ISU home page became the University outwardfacing website,” Walbert said. “Go. IllinoisState.edu was launched last
September as the primary access point to the new student information system (Campus Solutions) for students seeking to apply to Illinois State.” While Go.IllinoisState.edu was created with prospective students in mind, they were not the portal’s only visitors. During the past spring semester, ISU students used the online service to register for fall 2015 courses, view financial aid and see holds or blocks on their account. Even though the change has been made to one main portal, certain links under the Academics and Student tabs, like Course Registration and Student Accounts, continue to redirect students to their Student Service Center on Go.IllinoisState. edu. With a project this large, Ramirez explained, it will take some time until all resources are available on one website.
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Screenshot of My.IllinoisState.edu
“With the this implementation of our Course registration is now accessed via My.IllinoisState.edu. online.
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