fall05 Messages

Secret military bases topic of geographer's lecture

bdarger@... — Tue, 07 Mar 2006 03:31:33 GMT

Daily Egyptian

Long before Google Earth allowed the average Joe to view satellite images of virtually any location on the globe, Trevor Paglen was pulling documented photographs from space the old-fashioned way.

Paglen, a doctoral student in geography at the University of California Berkeley, was researching California's population of rural prisons via satellite pictures taken by the United States Geological Survey in the late 1990s. When he did, he noticed deleted images that turned out to be secret U.S. military bases.

The 31-year-old California native, a self-described "conceptual artist," is speaking at 5 p.m. in Lawson 101 with a speech entitled "The Secret Bases," which he said will focus on the secrecy of military research. He will also be displaying his landscape photography of some of the installations.

"As dorky as all this seems, with satellites and government secrets, there's a real story there," he said.

Paglen was able to pinpoint military bases all across the western part of the country by looking into missing images of certain geographical regions. He discovered the Air Force and CIA requested the United States Geological Survey to remove images of the bases from its database.

"It's pretty harmless, all that information is publicly available if you look hard enough," he said. "I don't break any laws. I'm not out to take down the government or anything like that. I think in democracy, it's your responsibility to try to figure out what your government's doing."

Photography has been a big part of Paglen's work since his satellite discoveries. Paglen travels to sites he has discovered, photographs the landscape and develops galleries that have been displayed all over the country. He has become most interested with the controversial Area 51 in Arizona, and gives tours of the perimeter three times a year.

Sarah Kanouse, an assistant professor in the Department of Cinema and Photography, invited Paglen to speak at the University after hearing his presentation at the University of Illinois last year. She said his research, especially that of rural prisons in California, is relevant to the area.

"Southern Illinois has an enormous concentration of prisons, from maximum security in Marion to the Murphysboro Youth Center," she said. "I think there's a lot of similarity between what Trevor has observed to what students and faculty might be interested in looking at in their own backyard."

For more on Trevor Paglen's research, visit www.paglen.com.

Speaker says equality can be reached through colleges

bdarger@... — Tue, 07 Mar 2006 03:29:49 GMT

Stereotyping 101 and Respect Each Other 101 would be part of the core curriculum if Joe Feagin were in charge of the education system...

Speaker says equality can be reached through colleges

bdarger@... — Tue, 07 Mar 2006 03:29:27 GMT

Brandon Weisenberger

Daily Egyptian

Stereotyping 101 and Respect Each Other 101 would be part of the core curriculum if Joe Feagin were in charge of the education system.

The Texas A&M University Liberal Arts professor was at SIUC Monday speaking on "Where and How Whites Still do Racism," a study of how racism still exists despite a popular belief that it is on the decline.

"Virtually all popular opinion polls show a decrease in white racial thought," Feagin said. "Open your eyes, look around and honestly tell me racism is easing."

Feagin presented findings of a research project that involved more than 1,000 white and black college students throughout the country who kept a 12-week journal detailing daily encounters with racism. Out of 15,000 accounts, about 10,000 detailed run-ins with racist actions.

Feagin, who has composed 48 textbooks and nearly 200 scholarly articles related to civil issues, said today's universities could be key in erasing decades of racial tensions among whites and blacks. He said colleges should establish courses on racism history and aspects of stereotyping.

"We certainly need more public discussion when it comes to racism in this country," he said. "The educational system is essential in teaching even the basics of stereotyping."

Associate Provost Thomas Calhoun asked Feagin if most students would view such proposed core classes as "irrelevant" or "just another stepping stone to graduation." Feagin replied that he believed most students would be inspired to strive for a difference if they were exposed to such material in the classroom.

Curtis Sehy, a freshman studying radio and television from Effingham, said he thought the idea of racial issues being taught in college was a good idea. Sehy heard of the speech in his Black American Experience class and was glad he went.

"That was really an eye opener," he said.

The occasional death threat and hate mail from white supremacists have followed Feagin in his 43-year career of campaigning for and teaching about civil rights. Feagin said he has encountered much criticism for his role as a white man advocating for equality.

He said he would never back down and said he hopes others will push for civil harmony.

"It's courageous Americans who've always brought change," Feagin said. "You don't get change without courage."

CASA seeks higher minority enrollment

bdarger@... — Tue, 07 Mar 2006 03:27:53 GMT

The transportation industry is looking for diversity in its workforce and the College of Applied Sciences and Arts held a discussion panel Monday to find ways to stay ahead of the curve...

CASA seeks higher minority enrollment

bdarger@... — Tue, 07 Mar 2006 03:27:29 GMT

Panel members discuss recruitment of minority students

Ryan Rendleman

Daily Egyptian

The transportation industry is looking for diversity in its workforce and the College of Applied Sciences and Arts held a discussion panel Monday to find ways to stay ahead of the curve.

The panel's focus was on the college's recruitment and efforts to make its faculty, staff and student body more reflective of the state of Illinois, said Paul Sarvela, dean of the college. Businesses such as The Boeing Company were represented at the panel.

According to Institutional Research and Studies, the college has been among the top tier for enrolling minority students. In 2005, it ranked fourth in both enrollment of black students, with 334. and American Indian/Alaskan National students with 9. They were first in enrolling Asian Pacific Islander students, with 78, and second in enrollment of Hispanic students with 120.

The University has made vast improvements, he said, but it must continue to push for greater diversity.

"We must continue our good work to make access of education a possibility for all people who want to take part in our education programs," he said.

Sarvela said diversity among the student body and faculty is important to the college because it promotes intellectual development and enhances critical thinking. It also decreases prejudice, he said.

Various chairs from different departments within the college discussed their individual issues with recruiting of faculty and students. Some of those included Jack Greer, chairman of the Department Automotive Technology, David NewMyer, chairman of the Department of Aviation and Flight and John Cotter, chairman of the Department of Aviation Technologies.

Greer said the Department of Automotive Technologies goes to Chicago area schools to talk with students and counselors. It also sponsors open houses at SIUC and maintains a Web site. He said the department wants to increase diversity, develop marketing materials, and make the demographics better match those of the University. He said he wants the department's faculty to become more diverse, too.

NewMyer said bringing students to the aviation program can be difficult because of the high cost. In addition, he said there are not many program-based scholarships, which also hurts recruitment.

Cotter gave statistics of the demographics in the Department of Aviation Technologies. He said out of approximately 120 students, 4 percent are female, 5 percent are black, 4 percent are Hispanic and 3 percent are Asian. He said the program is below capacity in enrollment of students. In addition, he said there is a misunderstanding of career possibilities in aviation maintenance and that almost all graduates of the program find jobs in their fields.

Sarvela said he hopes ideas presented at the panel can be used to raise awareness and bring diversity to the different departments.

Fate of embattled child-care center in question again

bdarger@... — Tue, 07 Mar 2006 03:26:54 GMT

Pamela Chappel picked up her daughter Talima at the Eurma C. Hayes Child Care Center after work on Tuesday...

Fate of embattled child-care center in question again

bdarger@... — Tue, 07 Mar 2006 03:26:26 GMT

After numbers show low enrollment and negative budget, Eurma Hayes

Jaclyn Brenning

Daily Egyptian

Pamela Chappel picked up her daughter Talima at the Eurma C. Hayes Child Care Center after work on Tuesday.

Her four-year-old danced around the SUV, chanting, "I love daycare! I love everybody!"

Talima has attended Eurma C. Hayes Child Care Center on East Willow Street since she was just months old, and her mother said she loves it. But the center's continual battle with low enrollment and budgetary struggles has its existence in question again.

"I think a lot of people from the community aren't aware how much this place has changed," Chappel said. "I think it's a really good place to put your kids."

The fate of the daycare and community center has existed for about three decades. But because of its costs, the center will be discussed at the City Council meeting Tuesday night after nearly two years of subsidizing expenses and remodeling the facility.

The center's future and financial straits preoccupied the council two years ago as well. Mayor Brad Cole appointed a nine-member panel to consider and make recommendations on the center, which the city has operated since 1975. The panel was to explore possible alternatives to closing the center.

The Community Services Department released numbers last month showing the daycare center at yet another year of low enrollment with a budget still about $50,000 in the negative. City Manager Jeff Doherty said that despite remodeling, advertising and reorganizing the program's budget, the center is still not self-supporting, mostly because of low enrollment.

"There's not the enrollment to generate the funds," he said.

Doherty said Monday he did not want the Daily Egyptian talking with the Eurma C. Hayes Child Care Center, and Jill Johnson, the director, said she could not comment on the future of the center later that afternoon.

The program's net deficit at $56,470, and projections for the upcoming fiscal year continue the downward trend, according to numbers from the Community Services Department.

"That's still quite a bit," said City Councilman Joel Fritzler. "But it's still a lot better than last year when it was about $200,000."

Although Fritzler said the city probably never intended to be in the daycare business, he said the center is still important to the city. He said he would just like to see more Carbondale families use it.

Figures from last month showed that 43 children attend the center. Thirty-one children are full-time and 12 are part-time. The three classrooms at the daycare center can hold up to 45 full-time children. Doherty said the city had anticipated more children this fall, but parents chose other options.

About 40 families use the facility, and half of these families have at least one parent who is an SIUC student. Doherty said a question city officials must ask is whether the city's role is to provide childcare for SIUC students' children.

Veranice Williams, a freshman studying elementary education from Chicago, was loading her 2-year-old nephew Donald into the backseat of her SUV. She said Donald has been going to the center for nearly two years.

"He learns a lot here," Williams said. "He's learning to share and play well with the kids. He understands concepts real well now."

Williams said she thinks her brother, an SIUC graduate student, chose the center as his son's daycare because it was fairly close to where he lives and the price was reasonable.

Daycares around the community and campus have waiting lists, but the Eurma C. Hayes Child Center struggles to fill a possible 45 full-time spots.

Eva Murray, director of the Rainbow's End Child Development Center on campus, said she has about 100 families on the waiting list. For infants and toddlers, that's a nearly yearlong wait. In other age groups, Murray said the center isn't as full but still has about a two-semester wait. The center can hold 111 children, Murray said, and is full all the time.

Fritzler doesn't know why the Eurma C. Hayes Center seems to have difficulty attracting families.

"It's kind of interesting we're not able to attract those people on the waiting lists at other daycares," he said.

It might be lack of publicity and a bad reputation from years ago that keeps some families away from the center, Chappel said. She said she wasn't impressed with the center a few years ago, but likes the facility after it got a new director and was remodeled.

Chappel said she thinks it could take time for the center to develop a good reputation again.

City Councilwoman Sheila Simon agreed. She said she is interested in giving the center a little time.

"I think the last time, there was a real crisis with the spending," she said. "We are way far away from that kind of a crisis. Jill Johnson is a very energetic person. I think she can do a lot if we give her the time."

Graduate students oppose fee increases

bdarger@... — Tue, 07 Mar 2006 03:25:41 GMT

Not all students support the administration's proposed tuition and fee increases...

Graduate students oppose fee increases

bdarger@... — Tue, 07 Mar 2006 03:25:19 GMT

Group wants to appeal to Board of Trustees

Zack Quaintance

Daily Egyptian

Not all students support the administration's proposed tuition and fee increases.

The Graduate and Professional Student Council has collected more than 300 signatures as part of "Draw the Line," a student-initiated campaign to defeat a 9.4 percent tuition increase and a number of student fee raises.

The Board of Trustees will discuss the proposals at its 9 a.m. meeting Thursday in the Student Center. Draw the Line organizers said the meeting marks the students' last chance to rally against the increases before the board votes in May.

Students flowed through the Student Center at noon Monday, often grabbing a quite bite to eat before class. At a table across from Starbucks, Jon Pressley, the president of GPSC, sat back in his chair, resting his right foot on his knee.

"Hey man, have you heard about tuition and fees going up?" Pressley asked a passerby.

Juan Rodriguez, a graduate student studying anthropology from Venezuela, stopped to check out what Pressley had to say.

"I haven't heard, is that something that will affect me?" Rodriguez said, referring to the proposed increases.

Pressley, a graduate student from Fort Worth, Tex., directed Rodriguez's attention to fee information handouts spread out on the table between them.

Rodriguez examined the fliers, listened to Pressley's explanation and became the 20th person to sign the petition within the previous hour. Pressley said the interaction was typical of the response Draw the Line's efforts have gotten.

"The more we tell people about what's going on, the more they are upset about it," Pressley said.

Pressley is not alone in trying to educate students about fee increases.

Since the proposals became public in October, Chancellor Walter Wendler held various meetings for groups ranging from the College of Science faculty to any interested student who cared to show up.

At several meetings attended by Daily Egyptian reporters, the responses to the chancellor's presentation have been mostly positive. Many students have said they are willing to pay fees to support "Saluki Way", a massive overhaul of the east side of campus.

If trustees approve the construction plan, the athletic fee will increase by $44 for the next four years to pay for a renovation of the SIU Arena, a replacement for McAndrew Stadium and a new field house. An additional $20 fee, which will also go up by the same amount for the next four years, would support an academic student services building to be located where McAndrew Stadium now stands.

Pressley said the chancellor has been met with support because the students who oppose the raises feel they cannot make a difference by speaking against the proposals. Pressley implored students to break their silence at the board meeting Thursday.

The graduate student government, which represents participants in master's and doctorate programs, passed a resolution last month opposing many of the fees. The Undergraduate Student Government will vote Wednesday on whether to lend their support to the proposals.

Students interested in helping Draw the Line should send an e-mail to edford@siu.edu.

Panel: Combine linguistics with other program

bdarger@... — Mon, 06 Mar 2006 03:21:03 GMT

Department is up for elimination

Monique Garcia

Daily Egyptian

A Faculty Senate review panel examining the proposal to eliminate the linguistics department suggests that it should possibly be merged with the Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures instead.

The recommendation comes after a three-member panel met with faculty and students in the department and examined the liberal arts dean's proposal to disband the department.

Dean Shirley Clay Scott wants to eliminate linguistics as a separate academic unit to save administrative costs. Her proposal also calls for eliminating the master's degree in Applied Linguistics.

In her proposal, she says other degree programs in the department will still be viable if distributed among other departments such as psychology and anthropology, which have some linguistics-based content.

However, the review panel found that a "core faculty in linguistics seems essential to anchor ... these interests." The panel also says the degree programs in linguistics are interrelated and eliminating the master's in Applied Linguistics would have "little practical benefit."

The panel also says the department needs more time to attract undergraduate students, which it suggest will happen with the recent approval for a bachelor's program in linguistics with a specialization in English as a second language and bilingual education. It is the only program of its kind in the state.

Previous complaints about the department centered on its low undergraduate enrollment. The department has historically had a larger graduate student population.

The Rev. Joseph Brown, who led the review panel, said previously officials focused on two extremes: either eliminating the department all together, or leaving it to continue as it stands today.

Instead, he said the panel chose the middle of two extremes.

"It was clear that we had to have [linguistics] here in some capacity while protecting its autonomy and integrity," Brown said.

The panel recommends officials should examine a merger with the Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures that would depend on linguistics "being recognized as an equal component of any new academic unit, and that sufficient resources are provided to ensure that its important to the mission of the University be protected," the report stated.

The panel also suggests sufficient resources should be given to support the new certificate program in bilingual education and English as a second language, including tenure-track faculty. Currently, the department has one tenured professor, Joan Friedenberg, who plans on retiring next year.

Todd Winters, chairman of the senate's Undergraduate Education Policy Committee, said the College of Liberal Arts has taken some steps to move forward with the panel's suggestions, but declined to elaborate.

Winters said more details would be available Thursday at an open hearing to discuss the panel's findings. The hearing will take place at 1 p.m. in room 209 of the Agriculture Building.

Though various student and faculty groups, such as the senate, have come out against eliminating the linguistics department, the Board of Trustees has final say in the matter.

Renowned musician Freddie Ravel coming to SIUC

bdarger@... — Mon, 06 Mar 2006 03:20:23 GMT

An acclaimed musician who has played with the likes of Phil Collins and Prince is coming to the University today to talk about how music can bridge various cultures and bring people together...

Renowned musician Freddie Ravel coming to SIUC

bdarger@... — Mon, 06 Mar 2006 03:20:04 GMT

Famous keyboardist, composer and producer will give lecture at 4:30 p.m. Monday in room 1032 Communications Building

Ryan Rendleman

Daily Egyptian

An acclaimed musician who has played with the likes of Phil Collins and Prince is coming to the University today to talk about how music can bridge various cultures and bring people together.

Keyboardist Freddie Ravel will present an interactive lecture and performance from 4:30 p.m. in room 1032 in the Communications Building.

Todd Herreman, assistant instructor in the Department of Radio-Television, said Ravel is very gifted and the opportunity to bring him to SIUC is unique.

"He is an extraordinary performer, as well as composer and producer," Herreman said. "Freddie has crossed over so many social, cultural and musical boundaries, and really brought them all together very effectively."

Not only does Ravel communicate well through his music, but Herreman said he is also a great conversationalist.

"In addition to being a very talented and confident musical performer, he's just a very dynamic personality, and I think he can captivate the attention of a room very easily," Herreman said. "He's a very dynamic presenter."

Ravel has had more than 25 years in the music business and has worked with many famous artists, including Earth Wind and Fire, Jennifer Lopez and Ricky Martin. Also, Herreman said Ravel did a "sizzling" keyboard solo on Madonna's remake of "Don't Cry for Me Argentina," which is from the musical, "Evita."

"I think he brings a lot to the table that's very compelling and very interesting to listen to," he said.

Ravel's manager Paul Rodriguez said his newest album, "Soul to Sol" blends as many as six different musical genres and is multicultural. Some of the genres include salsa, samba, cha cha and jazz.

"He runs the gamut from R&B to contemporary pop," Herreman said.

In 1991, Ravel helped contributed to a soundtrack for the film "Mississippi Masala" starring Denzel Washington. He collaborated with L. Subramaniam, a famous musician from India.

After the lecture, Ravel will work with Herreman's creative audio producing class as well as his recording engineering class.

The lecture is sponsored by the Global Media Research Center and time will be available for questions and answers.

Rodriguez said CD's will be available, with a portion of the proceeds going to the Media Research Center.

MCMA names two new department leaders

bdarger@... — Mon, 06 Mar 2006 03:19:20 GMT

Two new department chairs have accepted positions in SIUC's College of Mass Communication and Media Arts and are awaiting final approval from the Board of Trustees...

MCMA names two new department leaders

bdarger@... — Mon, 06 Mar 2006 03:19:10 GMT

Appointments are pending approval from Board of Trustees

Ryan Rendleman

Daily Egyptian

Two new department chairs have accepted positions in SIUC's College of Mass Communication and Media Arts and are awaiting final approval from the Board of Trustees.

John Hochheimer, an associate professor of journalism at Ithaca College in New York, will be chairman of the Department of Radio-Television. Deborah Tudor, an associate professor of journalism at DePaul University in Chicago, will be chairwoman of the Department of Cinema and Photography, said Manjunath Pendakur, dean of the College of Mass Communication and Media Arts. Both will begin their work this summer.

Department chairs are responsible for everything that occurs in their particular departments, including teaching, research and service programs. The college began searches for positions in fall 2004, but were unsuccessful. Searches resumed in the summer of 2005 to replace current chairs R. William Rowley in cinema and photography, and Phylis Johnson in radio-television.

Johnson and Rowley will both step down after their terms and will continue teaching as faculty in the departments.

Pendakur said the additions of the new chairs will benefit the college and students in many ways.

"They're bringing experiences from a larger national and international level, which will help the students in looking at the media issues from a global perspective," he said.

Hochheimer said he got his start working in media by writing a sports column for a local newspaper in New Jersey. His academic career began at Boston University.

After leaving the station, he said he worked at WBCN, a large rock station in Boston, where he met famous musicians, such as Jerry Garcia, Elton John, B.B. King, Rod Stewart and David Bowie.

Eventually, after a stint as a driver on movie sets in California, Hochheimer said he decided he wanted to be a college professor.

"I wanted to do something that would use my brains a little more," he said.

Hochheimer earned his doctorate at Stanford University in 1986 and said he set up Ithaca College's journalism program in 1991. He has also worked for independent radio stations, covering social movements in Europe, the United States and other parts of the world.

Hochheimer said he hopes to dismantle the idea of "town and gown" and get students involved in the community so they can see the connections between their lives and the lives of others in society.

"I want to help students overcome the false barrier of town and gown because the world of town is real," he said.

The cinema and photography department's new leader, Tudor, grew up in Western Kentucky. She said her interest in cinema was the result of her early exposure to photography.

"My parents gave me my first camera when I was about 10," Tudor said. "When I was in college, I realized that film was even more interesting to me than photography so I switched my major to cinema studies."

Tudor received her doctorate from Northwestern University and has written a book on sports and Hollywood and is also working to finish another book about British and Australian cinema, Pendakur said.

Tudor has taught at DePaul University in Chicago for nine years.

In addition to being interested in cinema and photography, Tudor said she enjoys hiking and being outdoors and is looking forward to coming to a more rural environment.

"I'm also an outdoorsy kind of person, I like to hike," she said. "So coming to a place that's much less urban than where I've been living for 20 years did have a great deal of appeal. It's a pretty area."

Tudor said she hopes to be an asset to the College of Mass Communication and Media Arts.

"I think Carbondale has a great program over there," she said. "I think that SIU is uniquely positioned to become even more of a star university than it already is."

Making the icy plunge

bdarger@... — Mon, 06 Mar 2006 03:17:58 GMT

Neither the blaring theme music from "Jaws" nor the 41-degree water could keep southern Illinois residents from lending a helping hand this weekend...

Making the icy plunge

bdarger@... — Mon, 06 Mar 2006 03:17:31 GMT

Annual Polar Plunge raises about $38,000 for Special Olympics

Gabe Ehrnwald

Daily Egyptian

Neither the blaring theme music from "Jaws" nor the 41-degree water could keep southern Illinois residents from lending a helping hand this weekend.

Nearly 200 participants, some even dressed in costume, jumped in the frigid water for the annual Polar Plunge to benefit the Special Olympics at North Marcum Beach at Rend Lake Saturday afternoon.

Jo Dodd, co-coordinator of the event, said 161 plungers raised $37, 400. Participants solicit donations for the Special Olympics in exchange for their plunge into Rend Lake, which is about 40 miles north of Carbondale.

Dodd said the event started in 1999 at Lake Bluff and has spread to more than 15 locations across the state. Since its start, the event has raised about $1.2 million to benefit the Special Olympics, an organization that gives adults and children with disabilities the chance to compete in Olympic-style events.

Regardless of Saturday's 30-degree weather, a movie star, SpongeBob Squarepants and his sidekick Patrick, patriotic sailors, clowns and a man wearing a seven-foot boat all made appearances at the Polar Plunge.

Wearing a two-foot-high yellow beehive hairdo, a red feather boa, evening gloves and a pair of sunglasses, Marian Furlow of Christopher said she liked to keep people guessing as to her identity.

"People keep asking me if I'm Dolly Parton." Furlow said. "But I just tell them that I'm famous."

Furlow said she became involved in the event through her grandson's Cub Scout pack in Christopher. She said she dressed up in her flashy outfit and went around to local businesses and hit up people she knew for donations.

Once she made the icy plunge, Furlow said was determined to make it to the end of the line where the Rend Lake dive and rescue team was stationed.

"I was thinking about 'Chariots of Fire' as I ran out to the water, thinking 'I hope I make it,'" she said.

Furlow raised $759 in donations, Dodd said.

"I think this is a great way to help southern Illinois because all of the money raised stays here in the region," Furlow said.

Rhonda Knight, co-coordinator for the Polar Plunge, said all the money raised Saturday would stay in southern Illinois to benefit area Special Olympians. The money raised goes to events such as the summer games in June and other individuals and teams that advance to state competitions.

While there were almost 50 more participants than last year's plunge, Knight said the number of participants grows every year.

Perry Follmann, who represented the Herrin Fire Department, said the plunge was his first and the experience was awesome. Follmann said participated because it was for a good cause and plans on returning next year with some fellow firefighters.

"I wish there would have been ice on the lake," Follmann said. "That would have made it more fun."

Shaping SIUC's future

bdarger@... — Fri, 03 Mar 2006 03:59:28 GMT

At the beginning of the school year, more than 300 incoming freshmen were surveyed on a variety of issues, including grades in high school, political and religious affiliation and drug use...

Shaping SIUC's future

bdarger@... — Fri, 03 Mar 2006 03:56:45 GMT

Monique Garcia

Daily Egyptian

At the beginning of the school year, more than 300 incoming freshmen were surveyed on a variety of issues, including grades in high school, political and religious affiliation and drug use.

Their responses were compared to those of hundreds of thousands of students at universities across the nation to determine trends in attitudes and values of freshmen students.

Administrators say the information is important to better serve the needs and expectations of students and to help them succeed academically.

Officials said some of the responses were encouraging, such as the high-level of community involvement many freshmen claim. Other responses, however, were troubling, such as frequent alcohol and drug use.

Over the following weeks, the DAILY EGYPTIAN will take a closer look at these survey findings, learn what the University is doing with the information and examine the changing demographics of the freshmen class.

According to a recent survey of incoming freshmen, SIUC students not only drink alcohol more frequently than other students across the country, they also suffer from more negative consequences because of it.

More than 67 percent of incoming freshmen reported drinking beer in the last year, compared to 40 percent at other institutions across the nation. More than 74 percent of SIUC freshmen reported drinking wine or liquor in that same time, compared to almost 47 percent at other public four-year schools.

On top of alcohol consumption, more SIUC freshmen smoke cigarettes than the majority of college students and 28 percent are current marijuana users. One out of 10 SIUC freshmen reported using an illegal drug other than marijuana in the month before the survey, officials say students are increasingly using ecstasy, methamphetamines and heroin.

Cheryl Presley, director of the Student Health Center, said officials do not know why drug and alcohol use is higher at SIUC than other universities, but want to reduce the harm associated with the habits.

Presley is leading a new drug and alcohol task force that was formed to assess such use on campus and find ways to address it. Presley said the group is expected to submit its report on the issue by the end of the semester, and is focusing on how to keep students safe rather than taking an abolitionist stance.

"It's upsetting that kids are really hurting themselves a lot," Presley said. "But at certain times, students are more vulnerable, and that is often when they first come to the University. But, instead of telling students well, 'I don't think you should drink that much,' we should say, 'You know, you are really putting yourself at risk by doing that,' and address that."

Presley said the University is seeing an increasing number of freshmen enrolled who have already started rehabilitation programs, and is training faculty and staff to recognize students who may have problems.

Students should realize that excessive drug and alcohol use not only hurts them academically, Presley said, but it also affects their friends, family and at times, future.

Problems associated with drugs and alcohol can also strain the University.

The top insurance claims the University deals with are those for injury and accidental poisoning, Presley said. Claims for that category total nearly $1 million, and while Presley said there is no way to know how many accidents are caused because of drinking and drugs, she suspects it is quite a few. Drug overdoses also fall under the accidental poisoning category, Presley said.

As a result, student health fees must be raised to cover insurance claims. Larry Dietz, vice chancellor for student affairs and academic management said the University is considering a $60 hike to cover the rising cost of insurance.

While information about drug and alcohol use may seem bleak, Dietz said these results, along with other facts gathered by the survey, serve a purpose.

The survey is distributed among faculty and staff so they have a better understanding of the student body they serve, he said. And if administrators are aware about trends and problems, they can better address them, Dietz said.

"This really isn't about accomplishments or failures as much as it is just for educational use," Dietz said.

Presley agrees, noting that students who drink and do drugs are a small percentage on campus, but said that does not mean the information should be discounted.

"I just think about how many dreams are shattered by students who permanently flunk out, or injure their minds and bodies with this stuff and it's depressing," Presley said. "Students should know that they can turn this stuff down and be in the norm, it is not the norm to abuse. There are other options."

For more information about alcohol and drug use, or for assistance quitting, call the Wellness Center at 536-4441.

Friends and family remember SIUC student, Carbondale resident

bdarger@... — Fri, 03 Mar 2006 03:54:26 GMT

For the next year, seat one at Illusions barbershop in Carbondale will be empty...

Friends and family remember SIUC student, Carbondale resident

bdarger@... — Fri, 03 Mar 2006 03:53:44 GMT

Gandy, Williams honored after their Jan. 28 deaths

Jordan Wilson

Daily Egyptian

For the next year, seat one at Illusions barbershop in Carbondale will be empty.

That top barber's position belonged to the late Christopher Gandy, a 23-year-old SIUC senior. In memory of his Jan. 28 death, the chair will not be open to customers or other barbers.

Stories like this and others were told Thursday at a memorial service in Grinnel Hall honoring Gandy and Carbondale resident Larry Williams. Williams, 23, was also killed on Jan. 28 in a separate incident. Williams and Gandy were both from Englewood.

A Murphysboro couple has been charged in Gandy's death while no suspects have been named in Williams' case, which is ongoing.

Gandy's 24-year-old brother, Jonathan, said he misses Christopher, whom he called his best friend. He misses the haircuts, too.

"To this day, I still haven't found a barber good enough to replace what he used to do," Jonathan Gandy said.

Christopher Gandy made Illusions his home away from home while he was taking classes to complete his degree in architectural studies. Lucky Bowden, who holds seat two at Illusions and worked with Gandy for three years, said Gandy was hands-down the best barber in Carbondale.

A sign outside of the shop located on West Walnut Street with messages from old customers serves as proof of Gandy's expertise and following.

"Most of his customers wouldn't let anyone else cut their hair," Bolden said. "If he wasn't around, they wouldn't get their hair cut."

But there was more to Christopher Gandy than a pair of clippers.

Jonathan Gandy said he and his brother performed in a rap group called the YAOP squad, which stands for Y'all Ain't On Point. Aside from that, he was devoted to architecture, which was his major. Gandy said there were times when his younger brother would stay overnight in a classroom to work on projects.

Christopher Gandy even turned down a scholarship for an architect apprenticeship to attend SIUC, his brother said.

Bolden, who got his job at Illusions through Gandy, said the architecture major would frequently draw blueprints and pictures of houses for him. Bolden still has a drawing of a house Gandy drew for him, which he said will be framed.

"Before all this happened, I told him I wanted him to build and design that house," Bolden said. "That's why I took one of his pictures. I'll probably still get that house built. I feel like I owe it to him."

Larry Williams was also remembered at the memorial service, which was sponsored by the Black Affairs Council and the Black Togetherness Organization.

Williams was a 23-year-old Carbondale resident looking to find his way back into school, said SIUC graduate student John Davis, who also spoke at his friend's funeral.

Davis said he spent much time with Williams during the last week of his life while trying to help his friend get back into school.

The recent SIUC graduate was one of many speakers to share memories of their late friends to the diverse, standing-room only crowd. As he reminisced about his friend, Davis suddenly addressed the crowd intensely, saying there was more to Williams than the hard-nosed, baggy-jean wearing thug he portrayed.

Davis said he and Williams regularly worked out at the Student Recreation Center. But their friendship also went deeper than that, he said, with countless intellectual discussions about books, philosophy and politics.

"He was a very good person," Davis said. "He was pretty good at everything he put his hand on, play ball or whatever. He was good at most things I saw him attempt to do. Like reading a book about politics, he could switch it on at any moment.

"He just needed more time. Unfortunately, sometimes our wings get clipped before we start to fly."

The Rev. Joseph Brown, director of Black American Studies at SIUC, expressed his remorse for the pair that was killed, but also said such cases are preventable.

He said he was tired of burying people.

"You didn't come here to be dumb, so don't leave here stupid," Brown said in his address. "Two Children of God were murdered. This has to be stopped."

Carbondale police chief and SIU alumnus head into nearly 30 years with department

bdarger@... — Fri, 03 Mar 2006 03:47:43 GMT

Despite having three SIU degrees under his belt and almost 29 years of police experience, Carbondale Police Chief Steve Odum said he still has work to do..

Carbondale police chief and SIU alumnus head into nearly 30 years with department

bdarger@... — Fri, 03 Mar 2006 03:46:36 GMT

Three degrees earned in Carbondale

Gabe Ehrnwald

Daily Egyptian

Despite having three SIU degrees under his belt and almost 29 years of police experience, Carbondale Police Chief Steve Odum said he still has work to do.

Reclining in a high-backed chair in his office, Odum peered out the shaded windows as he talked about his life and career Wednesday afternoon.

The Marion native said he had an unorthodox higher education, joking that he was on the 20-year plan at SIUC. Odum left the University after his freshman year in the spring of 1974 in search of something else. He said he believed college was not the place for him.

After a stint in the Army as a military officer and investigator, Odum applied for a job with the Carbondale Police Department.

"When I got out of the Army, I found out I liked police work, so I took the test here and got hired," Odum said.

During a 14-year span, Odum has earned three degrees from SIUC, and all of them after becoming a police officer. In 1981 he earned an associate's degree in law enforcement. Two years later, he earned a bachelor's degree in technical careers, and in 1995 Odum received his master's degree in administration.

Odum said none of his success would have been possible without the help of his wife, who supported him and encouraged him to enroll in the associate's degree program.

"She got behind me with a big stick and said, 'You need to go back to school, you need to go back to school,'" Odum said.

Odum, who lives in Carbondale, has held five positions in nearly three decades at the department. He began his career as an officer and climbed through the ranks of sergeant, lieutenant, deputy chief and chief of police.

Deputy Police Chief Calvin Stearns has worked with Odum for 24 years and said he is a great all-around citizen and officer. He said Odum is able to balance the needs of the community with the many administrative needs such as budgeting and lawmakers.

"He is one of the best trained and educated policemen in the state," Stearns said.

When Odum is not on the job, he said he enjoys the sport of competitive clay pigeon shooting. A neon orange clay pigeon mounted on the wall of his office has become a clock. Pictures of hunting dogs and related sporting events adorn the walls of Odum's spacious office in the police department on East College Street.

He said he immerses himself so deeply in the sport because it affords him the opportunity to concentrate strictly on the task of shooting neon clay pigeons.

"It's one of those things you get out and concentrate so hard on you forget about everything else," he said.

But when Odum has to work, he said he considers it an honor to represent the 84 people who work at the department.

"It's a good department with a lot of good people," he said.

Looking back on his career, Odum said one of his career achievements was when he developed a plan to build a training center and shooting range for the department.

"It's a pretty big deal for a department of our size to have a facility for training, Odum said. "It's something we still benefit from and I'm pretty proud of it."

But Odum said he's not done yet.

With his job, family and more work to do in Carbondale, Odum said he doesn't plan on leaving the department anytime soon..

Professors pick brains of gamblers

bdarger@... — Fri, 03 Mar 2006 03:45:16 GMT

Two researchers began a study last year to compare the brains of gambling addicts and those who don't gamble...

Professors pick brains of gamblers

bdarger@... — Fri, 03 Mar 2006 03:43:59 GMT

Jaclyn Brenning

Daily Egyptian

Two researchers began a study last year to compare the brains of gambling addicts and those who don't gamble. They found distinct differences along the way.

"We accidentally stumbled across something pretty serious," said Mark Dixon, an assistant professor in the behavior and analysis program at SIUC. "The brains don't look the same."

Dixon and assistant psychology professor Reza Habib wanted to see if they could confirm an idea that gambling addicts had brain abnormalities. A year after they conducted MRI scans of gambling addicts and non-gamblers as they played computerized slot machines, the professors found some distinct differences between the brains of each group.

Dixon said they are still not sure what the discoveries mean.

For people without gambling problems, wins were exciting and triggered an area of the brain responsible for pleasure and rewards, Habib said.

Yet the scans of people with major gambling experience showed different parts of the brain being triggered. He said scans showed winning did not mean much to gambling addicts.

"We found that near misses triggered more positive feelings instead of wins," Habib said. "Pathological gamblers aren't getting the same high from winning bets that other people were."

Eighty percent of college-aged students reported gambling each year, although most do so legally and responsibly, according to a study cited by the Illinois Higher Education Center.

However, a study by the Minnesota Institute of Public Health found that gambling is a significant problem for 5 percent of college students.

Ken Culton, coordinator of Alcohol and Drug Awareness at the Wellness Center, said he is concerned about these students.

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders classifies pathological gambling as an impulsive disorder, and Culton said young college students could be susceptible.

Most people don't realize they have a gambling problem for seven or eight years, he said. Whether it starts in high school, college or later in life, he said gambling addictions usually lead to financial destruction, broken marriages, ruined friendships and ultimately, unhappiness.

Gambling is an addiction like any other substance abuse, Culton said, but it can be even more devastating because it's hard to recognize.

Becky Markwell is the director at the Illinois Higher Education Center for Alcohol, Other Drug and Violence Prevention. She said most students don't go to riverboats in St. Louis or Metropolis - they're sitting in their dorm room in their pajamas and gambling online or playing cards with friends.

Easy access to the Internet and credit cards has only contributed to the gambling problem, she said. Random drug and Breathalyzer tests won't identify a compulsive gambler, although credit card reports and Internet history sometimes can. Students can gamble away scholarship money and financial aid with a mere click of a mouse.

Culton said it could be difficult to pick a compulsive gambler out of the crowd, possibly because of the poker face - the common rule of thumb not to show emotions. But Culton said it is easy to tell poker lovers by the look in their eyes or they way they talk about the game.

"They love it," Culton said. "They get a warm look in their eyes when they talk about it. They lovingly talk about the thing that almost destroyed them."

Culton said he has worked with the environmental aspect of gambling for years, and is glad a study is being conducted on the physical and scientific aspects of gambling addictions.

Even though Dixon and Habib aren't quite sure what the brain study means yet, they said they're excited. They hope to come to some conclusive findings within a couple of years, depending on the availability of grants for research.

Architecture school building master's program

bdarger@... — Fri, 03 Mar 2006 03:42:38 GMT

SIUC will be the third Illinois public university to offer a professional degree in architecture if a plan nearly 10 years in the making comes to fruition...

Architecture school building master's program

bdarger@... — Fri, 03 Mar 2006 03:26:27 GMT

Professional degree to help grads get licensed in Illinois

Brandon Weisenberger

Daily Egyptian

SIUC will be the third Illinois public university to offer a professional degree in architecture if a plan nearly 10 years in the making comes to fruition.

Terry Owens, a longtime SIUC professor and newly appointed School of Architecture director, has been working with other College of Applied Sciences and Arts faculty since 1998 to establish a master's program that will also meet new requirements set by the Illinois Architecture Licensing Board.

In 2004 the agency required all architecture students enrolled in and after the fall 2005 semester to graduate from an accredited master's program to be licensed as an architect in Illinois.

"By having the accredited professional degree here, we're going to allow our students to stay here at SIU, complete their professional accredited degree here and move into the profession," Owens said.

The School of Architecture recently hired Jack Kremmers, a former professor at Kent State University in Ohio, to lead the proposed program. The school was also approved to recruit one of two more required faculty. Kremmers left Kent State in 1998 to help establish an accredited master's of architecture degree at Judson College in Elgin. He begins his duties here July 1.

Spyros Tragoudas, a professor of electrical and computer engineering, presented a resolution to the Graduate Council Thursday endorsing the program.

"Academic-wise, we found no flaws in the proposal," said Tragoudas, a member of the council's New Programs Committee.

Owens said he expects the council to approve the master's program, which must be reviewed next by the Board of Trustees before going up for approval by the Illinois Board of Higher Education. The National Architectural Accrediting Board will review the program for accreditation once the first class graduates.

About 30 students have committed to the inaugural master's class, said Owens, who set the summer of 2008 as a realistic start for classes.

Currently, the University of Illinois campuses at Urbana-Champaign and Chicago are the only public universities that offer a Master's of Architecture degree. Two private schools - Judson College and the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago - also offer the degree.

Owens said SIUC's proposed program will be set apart from others because of its structure. Students will go through a 42-credit hour sequence in 15 consecutive months, starting in May of one year and ending in August of the next. Other schools offer their programs in the traditional four-semester method, with classes only running in the fall and spring.

SIUC graduates could earn nine months of extra income compared to other schools' students, Owens said.

"We wanted to develop a master's degree program that was profession-focused, drew upon the strengths that have traditionally been associated with our undergraduate program, and come up with something that was unique," he said.

New system monitors every watt used on campus

bdarger@... — Fri, 03 Mar 2006 03:25:19 GMT

As Cassie Grimm waits in an Altgeld Hall student lounge for her piano class to start, a temperature control system keeps the room comfortable, and fluorescent lights make it possible for her to review her notes...

New system monitors every watt used on campus

bdarger@... — Fri, 03 Mar 2006 03:23:56 GMT

Physical Plant works to decrease energy bill

Zack Quaintance

Daily Egyptian

Grimm, a freshman studying vocal performance from West Frankfort, has no idea that an employee at the Physical Plant is monitoring the wattage flowing into the room.

The vending machine down the hall from the lounge, the computers used in the Department of Music administrative offices and the lights in the building's many classrooms can all be examined for energy use with a few clicks of a mouse.

Across campus, Justin Harrell is concerned with the amount of power being used in Altgeld Hall, and on the whole campus.

Harrell, a graduate student studying engineering, works for the Physical Plant determining ways SIUC can be more energy efficient. Armed with a more than $200,000 computer program called Metasys, he battles rising utility costs caused by inflation, high gas prices and overuse.

Last year, the Physical Plant's electric bill surged $390,218, a 7 percent increase. In the past three years, the bill has increased by more than $1 million.

Administrators said Wednesday that an equal or greater increase could be coming this year, although they are not certain. Steps are already being taken to lower the bill, and while the system may cost more upfront, administrators expect to save money long term.

When the University buys energy from a provider, it pays a monthly rate equal to its peak usage. Even though less electricity is used on the weekends and at night, there was previously no way to monitor that. The Metasys system changed that.

Physical Plant Director Phil Gatton said collecting numbers and ascertaining which buildings are using the most electricity would make it easier to curb overuse.

"That's the problem here. Nobody has really been concerned about the utility cost on campus," Gatton said. "It has all been billed under one umbrella."

In addition to increasing awareness and accountability, Gatton said they want to bring peak and minimal usage closer together by turning on blowers and other large pieces of equipment during the night, when smaller equipment is off. Lowering peak usage would save money with no effect on the environment in the buildings, Gatton said.

SIUC could also save money on labor. The energy use data is collected through the Internet, which can show workers which piece of equipment is causing the problem.

From his cubicle in the Physical Plant, Harrell can identify a stalled engine, restart the equipment and get things back to normal without leaving his desk, which is adorned by stacks of books about heating, cooling and alternative fuels.

"The value of this system far outweighs the cost," Harrell said.

The program, which Gatton said was a very advanced and specific metering system, is being tested in Altgeld Hall. But, administrators said they hope to bring it campus wide in the next eight months. Two employees are working full-time to do so. Sensors and wiring need to be installed in the other buildings, Gatton said.

The eventual goal is to monitor not just electricity, but utilities like water as well.

Two months ago a pipe beneath Neely Hall burst. Gatton said normally a broken pipe is discovered when a worker notices puddles of water, but there was no visible run-off because water leaked into a nearby creek.

About 30 million gallons of water were lost, Gatton said.

If the system becomes standard on campus, an alarm will go out to the Physical Plant as soon as utility usage exceeds normal levels, he said.

"It's a heck of a useful tool that we've never had before," Gatton said.

Both Carbondale and SIUC Police arrested a suspect linked to stickup

bdarger@... — Thu, 02 Mar 2006 03:46:24 GMT

Two SIUC students were arrested Tuesday night after robbing four students at gunpoint in an apartment on South Wall Street...

Both Carbondale and SIUC Police arrested a suspect linked to stickup

bdarger@... — Thu, 02 Mar 2006 03:36:54 GMT

Gabe Ehrnwald

Daily Egyptian

Two SIUC students were arrested Tuesday night after robbing four students at gunpoint in an apartment on South Wall Street. Carbondale and SIUC Police tag-teamed the suspects, with each department arresting one suspect, officials said Wednesday.

Curtis L. White, 20, an undecided sophomore from Carbondale and Kenneth Triplett, 18, a freshman studying music from Chicago, were arrested and charged with armed robbery, home invasion and possession of cannabis.

Carbondale Police Chief Steve Odum said the suspects entered a unit at the Quadrangle Apartment complex at 1207 S. Wall St., brandished a gun and told the four people in the room to lie down while one suspect took an unknown amount of money and items.

Both Carbondale and SIUC Police responded to the scene after receiving the victims' call at 9:41 p.m. Tuesday, said SIUC Police Chief Todd Sigler. Police said the suspects fled on foot and were caught near Wall Street. Each department arrested one of the suspects.

White and Triplett were taken to Jackson County Jail in Murphysboro where they each remain on $10,000 bond, an employee of the Jackson County Jail said. No court dates have been scheduled yet.

According to the University directory, White and Triplett are residents of University Hall at 1101 S. Wall St., which is located a block from the scene of the incident.

Carbondale Police Chief Steve Odum said it is believed the suspects knew the four victims before the robbery and they did not wear anything to conceal their identity.

Sigler said it is not unusual for the two departments to work together, adding they do so on an almost daily basis.

"That is one of the nice benefits of living in the area." Sigler said. "The two departments work together to benefit the community."

Sigler said the department received a thank you e-mail from Carbondale Police after helping in the chase.

The benefits don't end where the two department's patrols overlap, Odum said, or when they respond to calls for assistance. Sharing of knowledge on events and personal information, Odum said, are just two of the things the departments do regularly.

"It was a great way that it worked out and the two departments were able to clean up so quickly," Odum said.

Plan offers ways to recruit, retain minority faculty

bdarger@... — Thu, 02 Mar 2006 03:35:31 GMT

A top University administrator has developed a comprehensive plan to help recruit and retain minority faculty, and officials say it's likely many aspects of the plan will be implemented at SIUC...

Plan offers ways to recruit, retain minority faculty

bdarger@... — Thu, 02 Mar 2006 03:34:40 GMT

Suggestions may be implemented at SIUC

Monique Garcia

Daily Egyptian

A top University administrator has developed a comprehensive plan to help recruit and retain minority faculty, and officials say it's likely many aspects of the plan will be implemented at SIUC.

Associate Chancellor for Diversity Seymour Bryson spent more than three years developing the plan, which was funded by a grant from the Illinois Board of Higher Education. The plan offers suggestions for those involved at all levels of higher education, from the governor and lawmakers to the IBHE, campus administrators, deans, department chairs and faculty.

Bryson said many of the recommendations can be easily enacted.

"A lot of these recommendations do not require additional resources, but strong leadership," Bryson said. "To be effective, we need a visionary, a courageous, culturally sensitive leader who operates by the Nike idea of 'Just Do It.'"

Bryson developed recommendations that range from encouraging University governing boards to develop effective strategies to find and hire minority faculty, to requiring that administrators provide resources and flexibility to retain them once they get here.

Graduate students should be groomed into faculty, and when necessary, departments should go beyond what their budget allows to hire qualified minority faculty, said Bryson. Search committees should also be diverse and aggressive when looking for new faculty, he said.

"We need to be active, we can not just take out an ad in the Chronicle of Higher Education and wait for people to come to us," Bryson said. "We need to know where the talent is, and run this like an athletic team by recruiting people from all over, seeking them out."

Bryson also suggested college deans make sure minority faculty have "visible roles as valued professors, researchers and mentors." He also notes that faculty of color should be rewarded for helping minority students, the University and the community.

Administrators should also explore other methods for "evaluating faculty of color up for tenure whose research time may be decreased by the amount of time they spend providing academic and personal services and support for students of color and serving as minority representatives on committees," he said.

Bryson said he realizes the recommendations are not foolproof, but they offer a starting point and can be molded and changed to work best.

SIU President Glenn Poshard said Bryson's plan has "many, many excellent ideas," and will soon be examined to see how they can be implemented at SIUC.

Following a settlement with the Department of Justice over three fellowship programs it alleged were discriminatory, Poshard vowed to examine the levels of minority representation across the university system.

But first, Poshard said officials are focusing on being compliant with the settlement, and have begun assessing all programs, fellowships and graduate assistantships.

A group with representatives from both the Carbondale and Edwardsville campuses will soon be formed to examine minority participation at the University, from faculty to construction jobs, Poshard said.

After the group is formed and completes its assessment, then the kind of recommendations Bryson has put forth can be implemented, said Poshard.

"Dr. Bryson's plan is an action plan, and right now we are still a couple of steps ahead of that," Poshard said. "That group must first assess the needs through the system, identify the goals towards which we would like to work, then develop an action plan similar to Dr. Bryson's suggestions."

But Bryson said small steps are already being taken, particularly in regards to retaining minority faculty. This year, Chancellor Walter Wendler set aside funds to provide training sessions for faculty on various aspects to help them better their research.

"The world is changing and higher education must also change," Bryson said. "Our students are increasing black and brown, and our faculty must be, too."

Athletics vs. Academics

bdarger@... — Thu, 02 Mar 2006 03:30:38 GMT

As administrators prepare to overhaul nearly every building on campus within the next fifteen years, some constituency groups are asking them to remember SIUC's mission is academics - not athletics...

Athletics vs. Academics

bdarger@... — Thu, 02 Mar 2006 03:27:37 GMT

Constituency groups weigh in on "Saluki Way"

Zack Quaintance

Daily Egyptian

As administrators prepare to overhaul nearly every building on campus within the next fifteen years, some constituency groups are asking them to remember SIUC's mission is academics - not athletics.

On March 9, a vote at the Board of Trustees meeting in the Student Center will shape the future face of SIUC. Up for approval is a plan to overhaul nearly every part of campus, from minor details to athletic buildings costing more than $40 million.

A successful vote from the board would merge a campus-wide construction plan from 2001 with "Saluki Way," Chancellor Walter Wendler's proposal to renovate SIUC's east corridor.

The first plan continues to produce results. Charlotte West Stadium, renovations to Altgeld Hall, Morris Library and Lawson Hall, the opening of the Student Healthplex and University Housing's near-complete Wall and Grand Apartment Complex all originated from the earlier project. Saluki Way, which includes replacing McAndrew Stadium and renovating the SIU Arena, would be combined with the 2001 project.

However, some constituency groups are concerned with the plan's implementation. They feel that an academic building should come first.

Both the Faculty Senate and the Graduate and Professional Student Council passed resolutions within the last month imploring administrators to remember the University's mission is academics.

The faculty resolution, passed in February, neither supported nor opposed a new stadium. The resolution simply asked administrators to give new classroom and academic buildings priority throughout the construction process.

Faculty Senate President Rob Benford said before making any major decisions, administrators needed to ask whether their actions clearly met the University's academic mission.

Wendler said athletics has always been supplemental to academics, and nothing will change.

"This lie that the athletic tail is wagging the academic dog is a misrepresentation of what we're trying to do here at Southern Illinois University Carbondale," the chancellor said.

Money dedicated to academics between 2003 and 2010 far outweighs that given to athletics. Academic program enhancements - professor salary increases, strategic hires and merit pay - will total nearly $140 million through 2010. Student focused commitments - scholarships, assistantships and minimum wage increases - came to nearly $47 million during the same period.

Saluki Way promises $79.8 million to athletic venue improvements, which most on campus have agreed are direly needed.

Wendler has said before this fall's football season begins an engineer will evaluate McAndrew Stadium to determine if a collapse is possible, as has been the practice in recent years.

If Saluki Way becomes integrated, construction on a new football stadium, softball fields and tennis complex would start soon. The projected completion is between October 2007 and July 2009. The price tag is $42.3 million, according to information provided by Wendler.

Once McAndrew Stadium is razed, a student services building would be constructed in its place to house offices moving from Woody Hall, which would then be renovated and opened for other departments.

Almost simultaneous with the football venue improvements is a renovation of the SIU Arena to improve the look and add higher quality eateries. The basketball facilities are loosely targeted for completion before Oct. 2010. Arena renovations will cost $33 million.

Meanwhile, a $47 million renovation of Morris Library is scheduled to wrap up in June 2008, and a $42 million Transportation Education Center to house the nationally ranked SIUC automotive and aviation programs is expected to be finished June 2009.

Jon Pressley, president of the Graduate and Professional Student Council, said his group has opposed Saluki Way since it was first announced. Pressley said regardless of the money spent on academics, renovating athletic facilities must be evaluated on its own.

"This is a brand new proposal and it should be accepted or rejected upon its merits, not upon the merits of all the stuff that preceded it," said Pressley, referring to the money invested in academic programs and student focused commitments.

The graduate student representatives oppose not only investing in athletics, but some of the ways administrators have proposed to pay for the overhauls.

In January, Wendler proposed increasing the athletic fee by $44 annually for four years to support Saluki Way. He also suggested adding a $20 student services facility fee that would increase the same way to pay for a building to replace Woody Hall.

Pressley said his group opposes the new fees not for their purposes, but rather because they are paying for things traditionally supported by tuition. In 2004, state lawmakers made it illegal for universities to raise tuition rates for current students. Pressley said raising those fees is a way around the tuition law.

Other campus representative bodies have not taken a stance on Saluki Way. Nate Brown, president of the Undergraduate Student Government, said his group will likely vote on the matter at their meeting Wednesday.

Jay Brooks, president of the Civil Service Council, said although he has seen the chancellor's Saluki Way proposal many times, his group has not and cannot vote on it until they see it.

Graduate Council leader John Benshoff said his organization had also not officially voiced support or opposition.

"It's just something we've not chosen to address," Benshoff said. "Although, I generally think we're in support of (Saluki Way)."

In later phases of the construction plan, renovations to the Communications and Agriculture Building, Greek Row and Woody Hall are planned. Saluki Way also calls for academic buildings to be built where McAndrew stands now.

SIU President Glenn Poshard has said all roads running through campus will be modified in an effort to give students somewhere to congregate, study and meet while on campus during the day.

The vote to merge the plans will be next week and the decision on whether to implement the fees will be in May.

TV distorts reality of homicide investigations

bdarger@... — Thu, 02 Mar 2006 03:26:07 GMT

With two recent homicides in the southern Illinois area, the Williamson and Jackson county sheriff's departments have been busy...

TV distorts reality of homicide investigations

bdarger@... — Thu, 02 Mar 2006 03:24:34 GMT

Bethany Krajelis

Daily Egyptian

With two recent homicides in the southern Illinois area, the Williamson and Jackson county sheriff's departments have been busy.

It's not an easy job and some local officials warn television shows such as A&E's The First 48 Hours make it look easier than done.

While most of the investigations portrayed in The First 48 Hours are typically solved within two days after the homicide, Lt. Eric Farttini of the Williamson County Sheriff's Department said it's not typically that quick.

"We'll devote the amount of time needed," he said. "It doesn't matter if its 48 hours or weeks."

Farttini, who is the chief investigator for the Williamson County Sheriff's Department and coordinator for the Major Case Squad, said homicide investigations are case specific and are handled accordingly.

The department is currently investigating the death of 23-year-old Larry Williams of Carbondale. Williams was shot in his car leaving the driveway of Fred's Dance Barn in Carterville Jan. 28. He later died from his injuries.

Farttini said there is no new information in the investigation. He said he could not release if any suspects have been named or if police have any leads because it is an open case.

While these investigative-type television shows are laid out in a 30 minute or one-hour time frame, Jackson County Sheriff Bob Burns said solving a homicide can take anywhere from hours to years.

Burns and his department investigated the Jan. 28 death of SIUC student Christopher Gandy. Gandy's body and burned car were found in a cemetery outside Murphysboro. Hours after the investigation began, a Murphysboro couple were arrested and charged in connection. John and Lisa Bryant pleaded not guilty last week and are in jail awaiting trial.

Agreeing with Farttini, Burns said investigations vary greatly depending on the situation. He said factors like whether the crime occurred in or outdoors, who the victim was and when it occurred will affect the investigation process.

"No two investigations will be the same," Burns said.

While Burns said the first 48 hours are crucial, it is possible to clear cases days, weeks or even years down the line.

Daniel Woloson is currently in jail awaiting a trial on murder charges for the 1981 slaying of SIU student Susan Schumake. He was arrested and charged in September 2004, more than two decades after the crime he is charged with occurred. Police linked DNA from a cigarette butt to DNA from the crime scene.

While the CSI television shows primarily portray the use of DNA technology to solve crimes, Burns said the basics of investigating play a large part as well.

"I think the average citizen believes some of these tools on television like DNA are the magic bullets," Burns said. "There's still a lot of investigation that needs to go into those cases."

Farttini also said forensics results are not available instaneously, like shown on television.

Neither Burns nor Farttini could give an estimate on the average amount of hours spent on an investigation.

Burns, who spent a majority of his 30-year law enforcement career in the investigation department, said one of the best and useful tools in a homicide investigation is experience.

With more and more police related television shows on the lineup, Farttini said this trend would continue because the public is interested.

"These shows are extremely intriguing to people," Burns said. "They show a side of life people don't typically see."

SIUC launches ad campaign to beef up summer enrollment

bdarger@... — Thu, 02 Mar 2006 03:23:38 GMT

The University is launching a new $50,000 advertising campaign to promote and increase summer enrollment, which has declined in recent years...

SIUC launches ad campaign to beef up summer enrollment

bdarger@... — Thu, 02 Mar 2006 03:23:03 GMT

Monique Garcia

Daily Egyptian

The University is launching a new $50,000 advertising campaign to promote and increase summer enrollment, which has declined in recent years.

Provost John Dunn said there are many reasons students should take advantage of summer courses, including locking-in cheaper tuition, more time to adjust to college life and the chance for students who may have faltered to get back on track.

"The summer term can help students stay on course towards degree completion," Dunn said. "We really think this will help retention and graduation rates and appeal to other student markets such as adults and other non-traditional students in the community who would like to further their education, but are unaware of opportunities at SIUC."

The campaign consists of print and television advertisements, posters and mass-mailings featuring a photo of a Saluki wearing sunglasses and standing in front of a lake.

Posters promote not only academics, but also summer social activities, including Sunset Concerts and the 2006 Southern Illinois Music Festival, which takes place June 16 through July 2.

"The goal is to promote and market summers at SIUC better," Dunn said. "The summer is an opportunity to not only learn in a rich environment, but enjoy some of those activities, and there is certainly nothing wrong with having a little fun."

The University has also created a comprehensive Web site, www.summer.siu.edu, which offers one-click access to financial aid, housing and enrollment information. The campaign was developed in-house by the Division of Continuing Education.

Associate Provost Thomas Calhoun said the campaign is directed toward three demographics: current students, new students and non-traditional students.

Calhoun said new students would benefit from locking in lower-tuition rates, as tuition is expected to increase by 9.4 percent in the fall, and will have extra time to adjust to campus life. Current students can spread out class loads or take make-up work, and non-traditional students will be able to take shorter, intensive courses to help better juggle careers, family and other obligations.

Keeping students in Carbondale during the summer will also enhance their bond with the University, which helps retention, said Calhoun.

According to information from Institutional Research and Studies, summer enrollment has decreased for the past three years.

In the summer of 2002, there were 7,082 undergraduate, graduate, law and medicine students at the SIUC campus, which decreased to 6,995 in 2003. That number also decreased in 2004 to 6,867 and again in the summer of 2005 to 6,686 students.

Calhoun said better promotion of what SIUC has to offer in the summer could help combat this.

"Our reasoning is that the return on this investment will be well worth it," Calhoun said.

Registration begins March 21. For more information, visit www.summer.siu.edu.

Get schooled on taxes

bdarger@... — Thu, 02 Mar 2006 03:21:16 GMT

Filing taxes is never going to be the cool thing to do...

Get schooled on taxes

bdarger@... — Thu, 02 Mar 2006 03:20:33 GMT

Jordan Wilson

Daily Egyptian

Filing taxes is never going to be the cool thing to do.

Before the Internet generation, most college students who filled out those tedious tax forms had few resources aside from books, word of mouth and the Internal Revenue Service itself.

With the April 17 federal tax deadline in view, students don't need to fret. A hefty load of online information, coupled with the ever-growing world of electronic filing, can make the process of filing taxes as pain-free as opening that refund check envelope.

Julie Smallheer, a junior studying broadcasting from O'Fallon, said she wouldn't mind a little convenience during tax season. She said she thinks taking her W2 forms to a tax preparer is a rip-off, considering it is free to do online. She said this year she would give the IRS' online e-file a try.

"I might start doing it that way," Smallheer said. "I'm not trying to sound mean, but if my mom can figure it out, I think I can."

Smallheer isn't alone in the trend of people shifting toward electronic filing.

Michael Devine, an IRS spokesman, said filing taxes electronically has already started to phase out the longhand paper version. He said the 2004 tax season was the first time that more than half of the country's total returns were filed electronically. Through a number of free services offered on the IRS' Web site, Devine said it's easy for taxpayers to find a fast and safe way to bury the tax burden.

"You can use the e-file and the direct deposit," Devine said. 'You can have your refund in as little as two weeks. That's not a bad deal."

Of course, it's not always that easy for tax filers. The traditional tax deadline of April 15 - which was moved back because the other date falls on a Saturday - has become a type of doomsday for those having to cut a check to Uncle Sam.

If the amount is too much or if you don't have time to gather all the necessary forms, Devine said an extension is possible. Prior to this tax season, approved extension granted a taxpayer four months of amnesty. This year, that grace period has been expanded to six months. But just because an extension is granted doesn't mean money owed to the IRS goes unaccounted for. Devine said that amount still has to be paid, but a payment plan can be set up if a lump sum isn't possible.

Luckily for the college-aged crowd, it usually doesn't have to pay the IRS hundreds of dollars. Brenda Watts, the office manager at the Carbondale H & R Block, said students generally are the ones receiving the checks as a result of tax returns, not writing them to the government. Watts said assuming a student has no exemptions, is single, doesn't have a six-figure salary and doesn't own property, it's safe to say he or she will have a refund on the way.

If a person provides bank account information while filing his or her taxes, a direct deposit option would be used for a refund. In this case, a refund could arrive within two weeks.

Watts said confirmation from the IRS within two days of filing taxes online and a quick refund make online filing the ideal route to travel.

"Electronic filing is the way to go," Watts said. "It's a win-win situation."

CAUTION IS THE KEY

To avoid scratching your head, wondering where your federal tax refund is or dodging collection letters from the IRS, simple steps of precaution should be taken.

Communication between parents and students is one of the most important steps in the tax-filing process. Most of the time, Watts said, it goes unnoticed.

"There's not a lot of communication between college students and parents," Watts said. "We've been down that road a time or three, that's for sure."

Dan Kerley, the vice president of operations at Jackson Hewitt Tax Service in Carbondale, said if students don't interact with parents, it could spell disaster. He said most of the time, students will claim themselves to be independents. Problem is, the parents would claim them, too.

"We have issues where college students claim themselves before their parents can claim them," Kerley said. "It creates a mess, because then the parents' forms get rejected."

To avoid issues like this or any problems that may surface while using a tax-preparing agency, Devine said it's important to find a trustworthy company. He said to make sure the agency will still be in business in the future. That way, if you have any discrepancies, you will have someone to go to. Or in other words, a reputable tax agency is usually a safe bet.

"Pick your tax preparer like you would pick your attorney or dentist," Devine said. "When you get dental work done, you'd like your dentist to still be there in two or three months in case the filling comes out. Whoever does your taxes should know what they're doing. If there's a problem in six months, you want them there to answer questions."

PROCRASTINATING NOT SMART

Holly Martin said taxes aren't exactly a priority in her household.

Martin, an undecided freshman from Kewanee, said taxes are sometimes put off until the last minute. She said when her family turns their tax forms into a tax preparer, anticipation sets in.

"We take them somewhere and the lady is always late doing them," Martin said. "My parents get worried about that."

Devine said this probably isn't the best approach. If any problems come up or a form is missing, procrastination can in turn prove to be detrimental to the tax process.

"Don't wait that long," Devine said. "It's not like finals week where you can cram at the end. Start early and get it done."

Even though someone's refund may be too small to even care about, it is required by federal law to file taxes. Beside that, there is an enormous amount of money going unclaimed. After three years, Devine said that money goes to the federal government.

"For people that didn't file their taxes in 2002, there's about two billion dollars sitting there in unclaimed refunds," Devine said. "Billion - with a 'B.' That's a lot of zeros."

Even if someone isn't guaranteed a sizeable return this tax season, a tax form is the key that opens the door to federal financial aid. So no matter someone's situation or preference toward filing taxes, it is, after all, inevitable.

"One thing we see a lot in Carbondale is it gets close to time to fill out financial aid forms and, 'Uh-oh, didn't do taxes,'" Watt said. "You have to have those numbers for student loans. Don't put it off, just bite the bullet and do it."

'Dr. G' paints opportunity

bdarger@... — Wed, 01 Mar 2006 03:15:19 GMT

Assistant Professor Leonard Gadzekpo tells his students one of two things will result from their college careers: They will become educated and work for someone rich or become rich and hire someone educated...

'Dr. G' paints opportunity

bdarger@... — Wed, 01 Mar 2006 03:14:21 GMT

BAS professor balances teaching with artwork

Zack Quaintance

Daily Egyptian

"Either way you have to be educated," said Gadzekpo, who is commonly known as Dr. G. "Education is the most important tool one can have."

Gadzekpo has heeded his own advice well. He has a bachelor's degree in German, a master's degree in fine arts and a doctorate in American culture.

Although Gadzekpo could have supported himself with a career in painting - churches in Germany, Africa and Ohio feature his work on stained-glass windows, walls and canvases - he chose to teach college simply because he "saw a need for it."

"What excites me about teaching is knowing the students are taking the knowledge and using it," Gadzekpo said.

After teaching at universities in Maine and Ohio, Gadzekpo came to SIUC's Black American Studies program in the late 1990s, and said the strength of the department was enticing. Now, he coordinates the program's core curriculum; the Rev. Joseph Brown, the department director, says he is invaluable.

"He has helped keep this program going," Brown said. "I only regret we haven't had an opportunity for him to be as much of an artist as he could be."

On Tuesday afternoon, Gadzekpo taught a section of an entry-level Black American Studies course about the African American experience in a pluralistic society.

"Stereotypes are mnemonic devices since they allow the individual to sort people into certain slots based on a set of preconceived notions," Gadzekpo scrawled in big letters on the chalkboard.

The professor said stereotypes are like a mental cookie cutter that makes everyone in a group exactly the same, regardless of individual differences.

"It works effectively because one does not have to think about what the person is," he said, emphasizing that stereotypes remove identities.

While Gadzekpo offered definitions, stories and insight, the students listened silently. After he opened the floor to discussion, students engaged each other and their professor.

Gadzekpo often challenged the students' beliefs. He compared opinions to the contents of a box, saying he wanted to take them out, flip them around and put them back together after achieving a better understanding of what they are.

After class, Gadzekpo retreats to his office where one of his paintings hangs on the wall. With a wide smile, he admits time to paint has been sparse.

"I have to squeeze time in, especially after class," Gadzekpo said. "Sometimes I paint late into the night."

Another reason he came to SIUC was for an opportunity to blend his passion for art and education. Aside from the core curriculum class, he also teaches an upper level African aesthetics class, which deals heavily with artwork.

Wilton Eldridge, a senior studying cinema and photography from New York, is enrolled in one of Gadzekpo's classes. The love for teaching and art is evident, the student said.

"That's one person, I can honestly say, whose true passion is to teach," said Eldrige, who works in the Black American Studies office. "He has no interest in fighting or flunking you."

While co-workers and students respect him greatly, Gadzekpo awaits the administration's decision on his application for tenure. Provost John Dunn said his recommendations for tenure should be publicized soon, maybe in time for the Board of Trustees to vote on by next week.

Gadzekpo said for now he is more concerned with planning an annual summer study trip to Ghana, which he has taken students on for the last four years. The professor raved about the benefits of taking the trip.

"Students see the natural resources and they see human beings," Gadzekpo said. "They see all parts of the country from the government level to normal day-to-day life."

BAS close to offering major

bdarger@... — Wed, 01 Mar 2006 02:14:59 GMT

With SIUC's black student population growing, the director of Black American Studies says his program has never been closer to reaching its longtime goal of offering students a major...

BAS close to offering major

bdarger@... — Wed, 01 Mar 2006 02:14:36 GMT

Zack Quaintance

Daily Egyptian

With SIUC's black student population growing, the director of Black American Studies says his program has never been closer to reaching its longtime goal of offering students a major.

In fall 2004, SIUC's student population was just less than 14 percent black. Data provided by the Illinois Board of Higher Education shows a 1-percent increase ever since. According to fall 2005 enrollment numbers, Chicago State and Governor State Universities in Chicago are the only public institutions in Illinois with a higher percentage of black students.

"This is in keeping with the tradition of Southern Illinois University," Chancellor Walter Wendler said.

The Rev. Joseph Brown, director of the Black American Studies Program, said while administrators can be proud of enrolling many black students, they must now concentrate on retention.

One way to keep black students at SIUC is to recruit more black faculty, Brown said.

"If you have a critical mass of black faculty then students and professors can sustain each other," Brown said.

About 5 percent of the University's faculty members are black, meaning there is a 10 percent difference between students and professors. Brown said part of the problem is some professors are reluctant to mentor students who are different than them.

Brown recanted a story where a student he barely knew requested a letter of recommendation from him, and said he was shocked when the student told him in four years at SIUC Brown was the only professor he had gotten to know.

Kevin Winstead, a junior studying marketing from Chicago and coordinator of the Black Affairs Council, said he chose SIUC because of a reputation for accommodating minorities. Winstead said having professors like Brown helps, but the difference between the student and faculty percentage is too great.

"The few mentors we have are wearing themselves thin," Winstead said.

The four faculty members in the Black American Studies Program devote much time to interacting with students, to the point where it is hindering the program from offering a major, Brown has said.

However, with Assistant Professor Leonard Gadzekpo's bid for tenure appearing more certain, Brown said the program is stronger than it has ever been. For the first time since Brown came to the University in the late 1990s, the administration has commissioned a thorough review of the program, which has occurred this semester.

Brown said much of the information compiled for the review is the same as data necessary for proposing a major.

"It's all coming together," Brown said. "It has taken me 10 years since I've gotten here, but it's all coming together."

Fires a hot topic at family housing site

bdarger@... — Wed, 01 Mar 2006 02:11:17 GMT

Fires have caused a financial strain for the Evergreen Terrace family housing complex, with recent blazes causing more than $100,000 in damage, a University official said Tuesday...

Fires a hot topic at family housing site

bdarger@... — Wed, 01 Mar 2006 02:10:16 GMT

Over $100,000 damage incurred in past eight months

Brandon Weisenberger

Daily Egyptian

Fires have caused a financial strain for the Evergreen Terrace family housing complex, with recent blazes causing more than $100,000 in damage, a University official said Tuesday.

Three fires within the past eight months have occurred at Evergreen Terrace, taking a heavy toll on funds, said Lisa Marks, an associate director of University Housing. The last fire occurred last week when a French fry grease destroyed one apartment unit and damaged others.

Marks said no provisions are made for fires or other disasters in the annual $1.6 million budget for Evergreen Terrace. The complex, located about two miles southwest of the main campus, is covered by SIUC insurance with a $25,000 deductible. Any damage falling under the deductible must be paid for with operating funds.

"It's already tight finances in that area, it is a small area, and it does stand on its own," Marks said.

Evergreen Terrace is not subsidized by state funds, only by rent. And unlike the residence halls on campus, Evergreen Terrace is mortgaged through the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Marks said the remaining $500,000 of the mortgage should be paid by 2009, giving the University complete ownership of the complex.

Frequent flames

Fires are a common occurrence at Evergreen Terrace, said Marks, who recalled at least one fire a year in her six years as an associate director.

A fire last August destroyed one apartment unit and another fire in November destroyed the area office, forcing staff and the youth recreation program there to relocate to vacant apartments located across the 39-building complex.

The damage to the area office was estimated at $160,000, Marks said. Jamie Corr, who founded the recreation program, was unaware of plans to repair the building as other facilities on campus have a higher priority.

"It was horrible when it happened, but we're getting back on our feet," Corr said during a benefit for the area office last week.

Twenty people were forced to relocate last week and the fire forced the closure of a two-story, eight-apartment building. Each apartment unit suffered fire, smoke or water damage, and residents were moved to open apartments at Evergreen Terrace, Marks said. No cost estimate was available and did not know when the building would be repaired.

Shawn Muir, a graduate student in electrical and computer engineering from Champaign, and his wife Marie-Eve had to evacuate from their second-floor apartment down a ladder provided by firefighters.

"Most of the apartment was water damaged, and there was a lot of smoke damage. I've done probably 30 loads of laundry since then, trying to get the smell out," Muir said.

Marks said all fires that have occurred in the residential buildings derived from the kitchen area, mostly taking place during cooking. She said residents of family housing sites are at extra risk of fire because of the cooking utilities, and said residents are encouraged to purchase renter's insurance to cover such incidents.

Future plans

Recent state legislation is requiring all universities to establish sprinkler systems in every residence hall by 2013. Schneider Hall received a system last summer and Mae Smith will receive a $2 million sprinkler system this year.

Marks said that Evergreen Terrace units will require a sprinkler system when the University gains ownership of the complex.

Officials recently proposed a 10 percent rent increase from $413 to $454 monthly for a two-bedroom apartment and from $446 to $490 for a three-bedroom apartment. Marks said the suggested rent hike, the largest in at least five years, will help make up for the recent fires and keep up with raises in the cost of operation.

"The increase will help some, but yet we've had increases in University service expenses, increases in utilities, the maintenance increases continue to go up each year," Marks said. "We have a lot of pieces to the puzzle that have just increased that we have no control over."

Carbondale getting unwired?

bdarger@... — Wed, 01 Mar 2006 02:08:51 GMT

Carbondale could soon cut ties with wired Internet access...

Carbondale getting unwired?

bdarger@... — Wed, 01 Mar 2006 02:07:58 GMT

City could join others that have opted for wireless Internet access

Jaclyn Brenning

Daily Egyptian

Carbondale could soon cut ties with wired Internet access.

Though nothing is official, city officials are looking at options for the upcoming fiscal year's budget. Officials are researching details such as where wireless could best be used, the company to use, how the operation would be funded and the community's interest.

As cities around the state are going wireless or are checking into the possibility, Carbondale may be feeling the pressure of Internet expectations from residents and students.

"Already the question is: 'Why don't you have (wireless)?'" said City Manager Jeff Doherty

There's no reason the city hasn't gone wireless before, he said. The city has been looking into options for wireless Internet hot spots for several years, but the officials vested in the venture have retired or left. It's now up to the current administration, and Doherty said it's hard to keep up with the technology.

"It's a learning curve for most of us," he said.

Scrolling through his Blackberry, Doherty said he's amazed what wireless technology has done for him. What it could do for the Carbondale community could be even more beneficial.

City Councilman Joel Fritzler said wireless Internet access could have many benefits, most important of which is drawing SIUC students into the community.

Junhyun Park, a senior studying chemistry from Korea, said he uses the wireless Internet access at the SIU Student Center to read material for class and do homework on his laptop.

Though he rarely heads downtown, he would more often if wireless Internet were available.

"Wireless is very convenient," he said. "I think it would increase my reasons to go downtown."

When Mariella Martinez isn't doing homework on her laptop, she's listening to music on it.

She said wireless Internet access around the city could be nice, but the city would have to promote it because students wouldn't know about it.

Doherty said the city is considering hot spots at places like the Carbondale Town Square rather than a completely wireless city like Rockford, partly because of funding. He said the city hasn't even estimated funding costs yet. Also, some businesses don't want wireless Internet access.

Elaine Ramseyer, general manager of Longbranch Coffee House, said she doesn't want wireless Internet available at the coffee house located near the Town Square.

"It's a coffeehouse, and I want people to be able to eat here and socialize and study," she said. "I don't want people to sit here glued to the computer screen for 10 hours."

However, she said she thinks wireless Internet access could help build up business on the Strip and bring more students out into the community, encouraging growth.

Carbondale isn't the only city in southern Illinois thinking about wireless Internet access.

Rex Duncan, a research project specialist at SIUC, is working on wireless and broadband Internet access throughout the rest of southern Illinois, including areas like Du Quoin and Chester. He's part of a group called Connect SI.

It's still in the early stages, but Duncan said the group has secured nearly $100,000 in grants to install wireless or broadband Internet.

"We're not studying," Duncan said. "We're doing. We're past the studying."

Access to high-speed Internet could place southern Illinois on the map, Duncan said. People would take southern Illinois more seriously because, in a world increasingly connected through fiber optic cables, it could be in better touch with the rest of the world.

"It could be a way to learn, a way to earn," he said.

While some businesses such as Panera Bread are already wireless hot spots, the University Mall is considering the option.

Tony DiFlavis, the vice president of retail leasing at Stoltz Management that leases University Mall, said options are being investigated and if all goes well, the mall could have wireless Internet access soon.

"We are looking to make University Mall the place everybody wants to come," DiFlavis said.

Events focused on women's achievements

bdarger@... — Wed, 01 Mar 2006 02:05:55 GMT

James Allen is familiar with several misconceptions about women in the work force...

Events focused on women's achievements

bdarger@... — Wed, 01 Mar 2006 02:04:43 GMT

Women's History Month events begin tonight

Brandon Weisenberger

Daily Egyptian

For a list of Women's History Month events, go to http://www.siu.edu/~studdev/multicultural/whm.htm

James Allen is familiar with several misconceptions about women in the work force.

Allen, the director of University Core Curriculum, has heard many people say women have no real ambition in their work and that they are there for a quick thrill and will be out of the office as soon as they get married.

"There's a fairly pervasive view that women are not really serious about their work," Allen said. "All of those myths are just that - myths. Many women work to help support their families. There are not in the workplace just for fun."

Allen and Holly Hurlburt, assistant history professor, will present "Defining the Boundary of Women's Work: A Conversation with Historians" at 7 p.m. tonight in Student Center Ballroom A during the open ceremony of Women's History Month at SIUC. The two will discuss the evolution of women in the work force over time and focus on how working women balance lives at the office and home.

"The goal is to develop a new appreciation for the two, seemingly endless jobs women have - the job she does in the marketplace and the domestic work she does at home," Allen said.

Several events have been set for Women's History Month, including poetry readings, art receptions and three presentations of the "Vagina Monologues."

Joan McDermott, director of Women's Studies, said the events this month are geared toward honoring more than just women throughout history.

"On our campus, we recognize the importance of celebrating women's history, but we also celebrate women's scholarship, achievements and abilities," she said. "There are a lot of things going on this month, a lot of interesting opportunities to recognize those things."

An all-day event on March 22 at the University Museum will benefit female-exclusive scholarships. Other events will benefit the Women's Center of Southern Illinois, which assists women who have experienced domestic abuse or sexual assault.

"I encourage everyone to look at the variety of events we have. There should be something to fit just about everybody's interest," said McDermott.