Big fish in a bigger pond First year have you worried? Stay ahead of the social curve at college with some key tips with The Vidette’s Declassified ISU Survival Guide
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GRACE BARBIC • News Editor • @gracebarbic
Check out the top of Watterson Towers
fter being at the top of the food chain as seniors in high school, its back to the bottom of the totem pole as incoming freshman at Illinois State University. A new school means a new set of standards. Here’s some tips on how you can ease into the social life on campus:
If you live in Watty this will be the spot to go. While you are doing laundry at the top or just trying to get out of your shoebox of a dorm room, that is definitely the place to be. The views are insane. You can see the entire campus from one side and the city of Bloomington-Normal and beyond from the other. I highly suggest going up there at least once to watch the sunset. It’s breathtaking and can really be a cool spot to hang out.
How to say Schroeder
You will quickly realize that anyone who goes to ISU knows one of the biggest indicators of a newbie is how you pronounce Schroeder Hall. As a freshman, Vidette Archive Photo Facebook pages are your friend you will likely have many classes in this building. You will say it Illinois State University’s stone bridge from the library to the quad. You have likely already joined wrong and you will get called out some kind of Illinois State Class for it, but it’s sort of a rite of passage. It is pronounced Sch-RAY- of (insert your graduating class here) Facebook page searching for der, not Sch-Row-der. As long as this is out there, and you at least roommates or trying to meet new people. If you have, amazing. If attempt to understand the severity of this situation, all peace will you haven’t, you should. Not only can joining a page like this help be restored among the student body. It’s Sch-RAY-der. find potential roomies, it is also the go-to spot for a number of other things that can be very helpful throughout the school year. You Don’t wear your lanyard around your neck It’s a cliché, but it is so true. Wearing your lanyard around lost your school ID? Hit up the Facebook page. You need to sell an your neck with your ID and keys jingling obnoxiously as you race unused textbook? Facebook page. You get the point. across campus to make it to class is not cute. It is not a fashion Parking is a nightmare statement, it is actually more of a scarlet letter marking you “freshEveryone will be asking you for rides and you’ll probably wish man.” Everyone will look at you, silently laugh in their head at you, you never brought it, especially with the ridiculously expensive remember a time when no one told them it wasn’t cool to wear their pass you have to buy just to park your car in the parking garage. lanyards around their neck. Bottom line don’t sport your lanyard Don’t take morning classes as a necklace - that is what pockets are for. Avoid 8 a.m., 9 a.m. and even 10 a.m. classes. And if we are being Go to Festival ISU brutally honest here, you will have a difficult time even making it Picture this: if you have ever seen the original Pitch Perfect your 11 a.m. class. If you are not a morning person, you will not movie when the main character Beca is walking around her new magically become one once you get into college. Remember being a college campus and there are booths set up everywhere and people kid and hating taking naps? Naps will become your best friend, your are just walking around living their best life. That is basically what saving grace, the one thing that motivates you to get through class. Festival ISU is, just without all the Hollywood exaggeration and Try for afternoon classes if you can. You’ll thank me later. glamour. But it all seriousness, it is a really cool event where clubs, Although ISU is a campus of 20,000 students, it really has a organizations, businesses and so much more take over the quad. small school feel. You will likely see some of the same people all You can walk around and get free stuff, join clubs and just meet a the time. One of the biggest pieces of advice that I can share from ton of cool people. Take advantage of it. my experience is to form relationships with your professors and Eat at Tri Towers when you can classmates. The professors here at ISU truly care about your wellFor some reason the food at Tri Towers seems better than Wat- being and they want you to be the best that you can be. Introducing terson Towers. yourself to your professors, showing up to their office hours and If you live in the central campus dorms - Tri is a bit of a haul, but asking for help when you need it will truly go a long way. there is a bus that can take you there. Linkins Dining commons College is the time for you to find yourself. It is a fresh start and ayt Tri Towers has a hibachi grill where you can build your own an opportunity for you to be whoever you want to be. Be openbowl and pick your veggies, sauces, meat, all that good stuff, kind minded and keep in mind that you will be taken care of at ISU. Not of like a Mongolian style grill. Always keep in mind, flex dollars go only will you receive a good education, but you will also meet so so fast. You may feel like balling out early in the year, but I promise pretty great people along the way. Enjoy your time while you can you will want to guard those dollars with your life. because four years will go by in the blink of an eye. 1
A fresh start and a new beginning
KEY REDBIRD DATES
MY VIEW JON BARLAS | Editor-in-Chief
I Wednesday, Aug. 15 7 a.m. - 8 p.m. Marketplace at Linkins Center open 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. Watterson Towers Residence Hall Move-in 8 -10 a.m. and 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. West Campus Residence Hall Move-in 8-11 a.m. and 1-4 p.m. East Campus and Cardinal Court Residence Hall Move-in 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Information Station Open 11 a.m. - 8 p.m. Watterson Dining Commons Open 1 - 5 p.m. Res-Net Computer Clinics for Residence Hall Students 7 - 8 p.m. Transfer Student Social 7:30 - 8 p.m. Residence Hall Connections 8 - 11 p.m. Viva Las Vegas
Thursday, Aug. 16 8 - 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. West Campus Residence Hall Move-in 8 - 11 a.m. and 1 - 4 p.m. Watterson Towers, East Campus, and Cardinal Court Residence Hall Move-in 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Information Station Open 1 - 4 p.m. Backyard Bash 1 - 4 p.m. Classroom Tours 1 - 5 p.m. Res-Net Computer Clinics for Residence Hall Students 3 - 4:30 p.m. Fraternity and Sorority Life Information Fair 5 - 6 p.m. Transfer Student Social 5:30 - 6 p.m. Residence Hall Connections 6 - 9 p.m. Quadchella 7 p.m. Redbird soccer vs. California State University Northridge 9:30 - 11:45 p.m. Movie on the Quad: Black Panther
Friday, Aug. 17 8:45 - 9:45 a.m. Honors Program EXPO (Mandatory for freshmen honors students) 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Information Station Open 10 - 11 a.m. What It Means To Be a Redbird (Mandatory Attendance)
11 a.m. - 1 p.m. ISU Spirit Picnic 1 - 5 p.m. Res-Net Computer Clinics for Residence Hall Students 2 p.m. Varied Academic Department/School Meetings (Mandatory Attendance) 2 - 3 p.m. School of Communication Festival (Mandatory for Communication majors) 2:30 - 4 p.m. Diversity Advocacy Space Showcase 3 - 5 p.m. Community Service Project 5 - 6 p.m. Transfer Student Social 5:30 - 6 p.m. Residence Hall Connections 6 - 7 p.m. Volleyball Red/White Scrimmage 6 - 9 p.m. Reggie’s Karaoke BBQ 7:30- 9:30 p.m. Diversity Advocacy presents Cafe Soul 9 p.m. Midnight Meijer Mania
Saturday, Aug. 18 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. Veteran and Military Connected Student Kickoff Picnic 1 p.m. Redbird volleyball vs. DePaul University (Exhibition) 1 - 4 p.m. Information Station Open/Classroom Tours 1 - 5 p.m. Res-Net Computer Clinics for Residence Hall Students 1:30 - 2:30 p.m. Trivia w/ Pride 3:15 - 3:30 p.m. Redbird Spirit Photo 4 - 5:30 p.m. Football Red/White Scrimmage 4 - 7 p.m. New Student VIP Shopping Event 5 - 6 p.m. #DiversityAtState Induction 2018 8 - 9 p.m. Transfer Student Social 9 - 10:30 p.m. The Second City Improv Show 10 p.m. - Midnight Up Late @ State Glow It Up!
Sunday, Aug. 18 12 - 4 p.m. Picnic, Paddle, & Play 1 - 4 p.m. Stress-Free Sundae 1 - 5 p.m. Res-Net Computer Clinics for Residence Hall Students 1 p.m. Redbird soccer vs. Eastern Michigan University 2 - 3 p.m. Transfer Student Kickoff 4 - 5 p.m. Transfer Student Library Orientation 4 - 6 p.m. Kickoff ‘Que
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get it, the first week of college can be scary. Lots of new faces, new places — an overwhelming amount of emotion in a nutshell. Things like adjusting to your new dorm room, your new or first ever roommate, where you’re going to eat, who your friends will be, navigating the quad and dealing with grueling coursework will be some of the many intricacies college will present. Relax. Take a deep breath. Stressing yourself out over the ageold stigma of “finding yourself” happens more naturally than you would think. Getting involved is the one way I thought to overcome any intial butterflies. “I was invovled in high school,” I said to myself wandering the quad aimlessly at Festival ISU. Entering my fourth year at Illinois State, between working at the rec center, being a former president of ISU club baseball, a sports reporter, sports editor and now Editorin-Chief, I found my place in the most unexpected of times. I’m sure you will too. It just takes time. Don’t rush to conclusions right away. They say “college is what you make of it.” So don’t be afraid to make something of yourself. You’ll be glad you did. JONATHAN BARLAS is Editor-inChief for The Vidette. He can be reached at jgbarla@ilstu. edu. Follow him on Twitter @janveselybarlas
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Did you know? A few fun factoids about ISU Red Fridays
Enrollment totals Undergraduate Graduate Total
18,107 2,528 20,635
Enrollment by Gender Male 8,931 Female 11,678 Non-Binary/Not Disclosed 26
Enrollment by race/ethnicity Am. Indian or Alaskan Native 22 Black or African American 1,827 Asian 434 Hispanic 2,133 Hawaiian or Pacific Islander 19 White 14,986 Two or More Selections 629 No Response 70 Non-U.S. Citizen 515
Vidette Archive Photo
Battle Bird
Prior to every athletic event, each coach and student-athlete touches the Battle Bird. The sculpture symbolizes pride in and dedication to the university’s ideals, mission and tradition, while the gesture reflects the bond between all Redbird student-athletes, past and present. New students Fall 2018 The bronze sculpture was unveiled 4-Year College Transfers 305 in 2000. Each year, Redbird fans Comm. College Transfers 1,509 bid for the right to be that season’s First Time in College 3,689 honorary “Keeper of the Bird.” The Average ACT Score 23.2 first was Laverne “Speed” Chagnon, a Redbird tennis standout in the SOURCE: University Facts: Fall 2018 late 1940s and early 1950s.
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Showing Redbird pride by donning Illinois State red every Friday is one of ISU’s newest traditions. The idea was introduced in the early 2000s by the Redbird Pride Committee, a group of campus staff and faculty and Bloomington-Normal community leaders. The idea continues be adopted by more of the campus and local community each year.
Normalized The town of Normal got its name from “Illinois State Normal University,” the school’s old moniker. Once upon a time, the school was a teachers’ college and “normal” meant teaching.
ISU BY THE NUMBERS
17:1 29.4
Ratio of undergraduate students to faculty
Percent of students who live in on-campus housing; another 0.5 percent live in off-campus, university-owned housing.
1,110
Total acres of ISU campus, which includes 188 buildings. The estimated total replacement value of the facilities is $3.8 billion. SOURCE: University Facts: Fall 2018
Food for thought: campus dining
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ELIZABETH SEILS • News Editor • @SeilsElizabeth
esides sitting in class or sleeping in bed, a student will spend most of their time eating in the dining
center. While the selection is large, the number of options can be daunting. From bagels to burritos, each dining center has a vast daily selection for students to choose from. Watterson Dining Commons is the largest of the two dining centers. Located next to Watterson Towers, it is the closest to campus and is frequented most often by students. Watterson Dining Commons alones serves almost 9,000 meals a day. However, ask anyone on campus and they will tell you Linkins Marketplace, commonly referred to as “Tri,’ is often preferred over Watterson. “I think it’s better because I feel less greasy,” said psychology student Joie Pecoraro, “but I also feel that even though I have fewer choices, I feel healthier about it.” Additionally, the smaller size of Linkins Marketplace can be more appealing to some students. “Tri has a smaller dining area with more communal seating so it feels more friendly
Vidette Archive Photo
Sophomore Michelene Janesku working at Watterson Dining Commons.
than the massive amounts of people and small tables at Watterson,” said psychology student Meara Gietl. Each dining center offers breakfast, lunch and dinner options, as well as options available all day, such as salad and yogurts bars, bakery and fresh fruit. The meal selections change daily. The menu is always available online. The menu also allows for students to see which foods have potential allergens or gluten in them. Watterson Dining Commons has three sections with rotating options: Homestyle, which
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offers classics such as hot dogs, meatloaf or roasted chicken as well as vegetable medleys; the Wok, which has various Chinese food options from orange chicken to a customizable ramen bar; and Fresh Bites, which provides healthy and less traditional options such as black bean quesadillas or edamame. There is also a Gluten Free station that serves the same meals as Homestyle, but for students who cannot have gluten. When nothing on the menu seems appealing, staples such as pizza, pasta and burgers are always available at both dining centers. Watterson also has a Burritos, etc. section, which has made-to-order quesadillas, burritos, tacos and other Mexican foods. “Don’t go overboard with the foods they offer everyday, like the fries, because you’ll get sick of them fast.” said anthropology and journalism student Liz Kolze. Students have eaten at the dining centers for years, and the best advice they give is to get creative and try new things to find what you like. “Once you find a food you like save it as a treat,” Gietl said. “Make sure to eat whatever vegetables and fruits they offer.”
Don’t let parking drive you crazy ANDREA RICKER • Features Editor • @ricker_andrea
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f you choose to bring a car to ISU, there are a few things to know about parking and the different lots around campus. The blue lots are the studentstorage lots, which are located in some of the parking garages on campus. Cars can be left in these lots for 24 hours a day. Only students living in residence halls can park in these lots. The green lots are for student commuters. These are for off campus students and students who are not living in the residence halls. These lots are located around campus and are open to those who have the commuter permit from 6 a.m. until 7 p.m. After that, anyone care park in the lot until it closes at 4 a.m. Parking permits for residence halls will go on sale July 15 for incoming freshman and transfer students. Residence
hall parking permits for returning students will go on sale July 17. Permits for these parking garages are limited and runs in the range from $167-$300 depending on where you live. Commuter permits will go on sale July 15 for both returning and new students. There is no limit to these permits and will cost $94 per year. “I thought having my car was well worth it,” ISU Junior History Education Major Beau Kallenbach said, “Especially since I lived at Cardinal Court and I had a job I needed to get to, and the bus was not very reliable after 1 p.m.” Faculty and Staff lots are the
red lots. Only cars with a valid red lot permit can park in these lots from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. After 5, anyone with a valid commuter pass can park in these red lots until 4 a.m. These lots close from 4 a.m. until 6. On weekends, open parking is available in the red faculty lots and the green commuter lots from 7 p.m. Friday until 4 a.m. Monday. Regardless of permit, anyone can park in these two types of lots during these times. Cardinal Court residences need a valid Cardinal Court permit to park in their lots. Parking in the Cardinal Court lot costs are included in a signees original housing contract and are on a first-come first serve basis. ISU also offers
metered spaces and pay lots. Pay lots are available at the Bone Student Center and the first floor of the School Street Parking Garage. These lots are closed from 4 a.m. to 6 a.m. and overnight parking is not permitted. Parking in pay lots is charged at an hourly rate. Motorized vehicles need a valid motorcycle permit to park on campus. These vehicles must also park in the designated motorcycle areas only. Kallenbach offers some advice for students looking to bring their car to campus. “Lock your doors and be grateful when you find a spot because when I used the garage, all of the spots were taken and some of the cars did not have permits,” Kallenbach said. “[If that happens] just call the Parking Office.”
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Forget something?
Don’t leave these unexpected necessities at home
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here are a lot of misconceptions about what you will need when you go away to college. Although it may seem like a lot and become overwhelming at first, if you write out a list and prioritize what needs to come with and what you can do without, you will be grateful you didn’t haul unnecessary belongings up flights of stairs, just to have to bring them back down because they didn’t fit in your room. Take it from someone who had to do exactly that. Use your best judgment and don’t overthink it. Packing doesn’t have to be a pain if you organize and prioritize.
Shower caddy and shower shoes You will now have the privilege of community bathrooms. A shower caddy is necessary to carry your toiletries from your room to the shower and I am a huge advocate for shower shoes. Just buy a cheap pair of flip flops from the
GRACE BARBIC • News Editor • @gracebarbic
dollar store. You don’t know who or what was in the shower before you, so if you take any of my advice, please let it be shower shoes.
Pack an umbrella Dorm life means walking everywhere and mother nature may not always be on your side. I highly suggest packing an umbrella and I would even go as far as suggesting rain boots and a rain coat or windbreaker of some kind.
Put together a med-kit As you will no longer be in the comfortable confines of home, there are some things that go unnoticed. One of these being the medicine cabinet that is always fully stocked with anything you may need for a cold, headache, stomach ache, whatever it may be. You will want to pack whatever medication you may need whether it be over the counter or prescription. Being prepared is
better than getting sick while in the dorms and having to walk to the CVS. Think ahead and prepare a small medical kit, including a first aid kit.
Eating utensils You don’t need a whole kitchen set, but having at least one bowl, a nice fork and spoon is helpful for those days when you don’t feel like walking down the stairs or taking the elevator to get Watty food. Also, the dining centers get old pretty uickly, so try and keep snacks in your room too. With eating utensils also comes dish soap and a sponge to clean it. There’s nothing worse than dirty dishes. Although you won’t have kitchen sink to wash your dishes in, the bathroom sink works just as well. Just be sure you don’t dump leftover food in the sink, there’s nothing worse than wet food sitting in the sink when you go to brush your teeth or wash your face.
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‘I like our attitude’
2019 ISU
Football Schedule Home Games in Red
Illinois State head coach Brock Spack confident in Redbirds’ chances for Missouri Valley Football Conference title
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Northern Illinois TBA Aug. 31
Morehead State 6:30 p.m. Sept. 7
BLAINE LEWALLEN • Sports Editor • @blainelew3
t is no secret that the 2018 also had four touchdowns. Illinois State football squad Senior defensive back Luther did not play up to their Kirk headlines the returning standards, ultimately failing to defensive starters from last year’s reach the FCS playoffs for the squad. The six foot two Kirk second consecutive season. was a MVC All-Conference First Expectations Team selection as a remain high for safety. He picked the 2019 season off five passes, for ISU, as head which was tied coach Brock for first in the Spack brings league and was back 19 starters second on the from last seateam with 61 son’s club that tackles. went 6-5. Lansing, “Our goals Michigan native never really junior cornerchange,” Spack back Devin said. “Each year Taylor, a second ever since I team All-MVC came in here our performer a goal has been Vidette Archive Photo year ago, returns to compete for after leading the ISU quarterback Brady Davis championships, conference in whether it’s Missouri Valley or passes defended (12 breakups, national title. This year I think three interceptions). we’ll have a good team. We are a Defensive end Romeo little deeper team than we’ve been McKnight will anchor the ISU the last few years, we have a little defensive line after leading more depth at certain positions.” the team with three sacks Of the returning starters for and nine tackles for a loss ISU entering the 2019 season last season. On the opposite is senior All-American running line, left tackle Drew Himback James Robinson. Robmelman looks to pave way for inson led the Missouri Valley Robinson and company up Conference with 1,290 yards front. Himmellman was an rushing a season ago. All-Conference Second Team Quarterback Brady Davis also selection last season. returns for the Redbirds. Davis, With all of the returning who was granted a sixth year faces for the Redbirds enterof eligibility during the spring, ing the new season, Spack is finished with 1,935 passing yards pleased with the mindset his and 19 touchdowns, while throwguys have. ing just five interceptions in 10 “I like our attitude,” Spack games. said of his team. “I think the Sophomore receiver Andrew culture has been set, and this Edgar join Robinson and Davis team has a very good attitude on the offensive side of the ball about that. I think we updated after being named a FCS Freshour culture here, I think it is man All-American after his a lot better here than it was performance last year. Edgar even two years ago. We have supplied an ISU freshman record very good players in a lot of 746 yards on 44 receptions. He spots.” 8
Not only this, but Spack has numerous new faces entering Normal that look to make a profound impact on this year’s team. Included in ISU’s first-year members is transfer running back Jeff Proctor, who compiled 2,064 all-purpose yards while at San Bernadino College in California. Proctor will look to share carries with Robinson in the backfield. Spack has for his roster, it is easy to see why expectations are high for Redbird football. The Redbirds will open up play August 31 in Dekalb against Northern Illinois, a member of the FBS and the Mid-American Conference. ISU has won its’ last two games against FBS opponents (last season at Colorado State, 2016 at Northwestern).
Eastern Illinois (Mid-America Classic) TBA Sept. 14
Northern Arizona (Communiversity) 6:30 p.m. Sept. 21
North Dakota State (Family Weekend) Noon Oct. 5
Southern Illinois 6 p.m. Oct. 12
Western Illinois TBA Oct. 19
Indiana State (Homecoming) 2 p.m. Oct. 26
Northern Iowa Noon Nov. 2
South Dakota State TBA Nov. 9
Missouri State (Senior Day) Noon Nov. 16
Youngstown State 11 a.m. Nov. 23
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