the daily egyptian
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The Daily Egyptian for August 23, 2011TRANSCRIPT
An increase in retention and graduation rates could mean additional funding for the university.
Governor Pat Quinn signed a bill Aug. 12 to give universities funding based on enrollment, retention and graduation rates. Chancellor Rita Cheng and Allan Karnes, a professor in accounting, are both on the performance funding steering committee that determines the metrics of the bill that will be e! ective the " rst day of this year.
# e bill is part of Lt. Gov. Sheila Simon’s plan to increase the state’s college completion rate to 60 percent by 2025. According to the 2008 census, nearly 41 percent of Illinois’ working-age adults (25-64 years old) hold at least a two-year college degree. According to the Lumina Foundation, a 5.4 percent yearly increase is needed if the state wants to reach this goal
“I think it is a stretch goal but it is important that we align our work to the Illinois public agenda and that along the way to getting a college degree, other goals are kept in mind,” Cheng said.
She said benchmarks that universities across the state are trying to implement to encourage students to continue their education are to stay in school, cut down the time it takes to
get a degree, and to get a certi" cate or an associate’s degree along the way to a bachelor’s degree.
According to the O$ ce of Institutional Research the most updated data for the " rst to second year retention rate for freshmen in 2009 was 68.7 percent.
Karnes said this number refers to students who do not return to SIUC but may be enrolled in another college. However, he said students who transfer to SIUC and graduate are not counted in the graduation rate.
“We graduate a lot of people,” he said. “In general, we have more people transfer in than transfer out.”
Some of the ways SIUC plans to ensure the university receives the additional funding is through the University College, strengthening beginning math and English skills and reducing the gap of those who come in with basic skills and those who don’t.
“If we do our work here, we develop the kind of plans and programs that keep our kids here, that help us to go out
and get students with a good pro" le to get here and help them survive and get them all the way through graduation,” SIU President Glenn Poshard said. “# en we should be getting additional money over and above what we currently get from our enrollment.”
According to the Lumnia Foundation, 64 percent of Illinois jobs will require postsecondary education by 2018 and Illinois will need to " ll about 2 million vacancies by then.
Of those vacancies, 1.3 million will require postsecondary education.
Poshard has been working with a P-20 council — preschool through graduate school — to ensure retention rates in the future.
# e council is a statewide commission that works to ensure students who begin in kindergarten have a program all the way through graduate school and do not think of school as separate stems but more of one system.
Students could be forced to " nd alternative transportation a% er 21 Saluki Express bus stops were o$ cially eliminated Monday.
“Student residents are scrambling to " gure out how they’re going to get to classes,” Tammy Halliday said.
Halliday, property manager of University Heights Rentals who owns a mobile home rental property on Warren Road, said 92 of her 95 tenants are SIU students.
# e board of trustees approved the elimination of the 21 stops with the lowest reported ridership, less than 200 student riders, at the end of the school year, said Lori Stettler, director of the Student Center. # e stops were taken o! bus routes 1, 10 and 52. Stettler said administration adjusted the routes based on where students live and ride the most. # e university records student ridership when students swipe student ID cards for bus fare.
Halliday said one of the stops eliminated was located next to her property on Warren Road. She said she and " ve other property managers located
on Warren Road, which is 3.1 miles from campus, rent to an estimated 380 students.
Katie Rick, a senior from Waterloo studying electrical engineering, lives on Warren Road and said she used the bus
stop every day in rain or snow despite the fact that the stop is inconveniently located in a ditch.
# e Carbondale City Council denied a special-use permit for Home Rentals to build a four-unit apartment complex on West Monroe Street.
Council member Jane Adams said the amount of public opposition in& uenced her to vote against the permit.
“# e way I see it, special-use permits are established to allow people in the neighborhood to say they don’t want them,” she said. Adams said with a special-use permit, citizens can voice their opinion and ask council members to vote against it.
# e property requested by Home Rentals owner Lindsey Fisher is owned by the First Christian Church and adjoins the Carbondale Public Library. # e library wanted to buy the property to use for either green space or more parking space, so it strongly opposed the permit.
Owners of homes in the area also opposed the idea because they felt Home Rentals has not had adequate maintenance of its homes in the past.
Adams said one home across the street from the library had a lot of renovations, and the resident owners didn’t want the apartment complex across the street. She said one of the Home Rentals’ properties on the street has a blue tarp over it and the home looks disheveled.
“# eir standards on the other three buildings on the street are not of the quality of maintenance and upkeep that we target,” she said. “# ey don’t have the kind of track record that would give me con" dence (in them).”
# e Arbor District Board unanimously denied the permit. Kathy Benedict, vice president of the board, said the group felt it would be best for the library to purchase the property.
“We just felt (the neighborhood) still has a character of single-family homes, and the complex just did not " t into the neighborhood,” Benedict said.
Planning Commission chair Rhett Barke said while the board originally denied Home Rentals’ request to rezone the property, it granted the local business a special-use permit because it would allow the city to put certain standards on the structure.
Please see PERMIT | 3
Sara Nafari, left, a graduate student in mechanical engineering, and Cherita Chavers, a sophomore studying fashion design and merchandising, look over a Saluki Express route map Monday in front of the Student Center. Three
routes have been condensed into the Logan route, which eliminated 21 stops. Nafari, who was familiar with the old routes, said she is now confused. “I was here for the summer and now I’m like ‘what the hell happened.’”
STEVE MATZKER | DAILY EGYPTIAN
Home Rentals denied specialpermit to buildTARA KULASHDaily Egyptian
SARAH SCHNEIDERDaily Egyptian
Home Rentals, a property management company in Carbondale, was denied a special-use permit to build an apartment complex on the 300 block of West Monroe Street. Carbondale Public Library opposed the request citing that the business has not repaired storm damage to other properties. Carbondale City Council voted 4-3 August 16 to deny Home Rentals’ request.
BROOKE GRACE | DAILY EGYPTIAN
Please see PERFORMANCE | 3
New state bill provides incentive for increased graduation, retention rates
Please see BUS | 3
Eliminated bus stops hinder transportation
W e want programs to help kids on the bottom end succeed. That could mean more tutoring or more intrusive advising..
— Rhett BarkePlanning Commission chair
OPINION THE GRIND
WHITNEY WAYDaily Egyptian
D!"#$ E%$&'"!( E!"#"$%& Tuesday, August 23, 20112
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Gus Bode says:
“Need a job that will provide you with great experience?”The DE is looking for: Arts & Entertainment, campus, city,
multimedia and sports reporters and copy editors. The DE also needs a web administrator with basic web programming skills.
Come to Room 1247 of the Communications Building for an application.
About Us) e D!"#$ E%$&'"!( is published by the students of Southern Illinois University Carbondale 50 weeks
per year, with an average daily circulation of 20,000. Fall and spring semester editions run Monday through Friday. Summer editions run Tuesday through ) ursday. All intersession editions will run on Wednesdays. Spring break and ) anksgiving editions are distributed on Mondays of the pertaining weeks. Free copies are distributed in the Carbondale, Murphysboro and Carterville communities. ) e D!"#$ E%$&'"!( online publication can be found at www.dailyegyptian.com.
Mission Statement) e D!"#$ E%$&'"!(, the student-run newspaper of Southern Illinois University Carbondale, is com-
mitted to being a trusted source of news, information, commentary and public discourse, while helping readers understand the issues a* ecting their lives.
Mission Statement) e D!"#$ E%$&'"!(, the student-run newspaper of Southern Illinois University Carbondale, is com-
mitted to being a trusted source of news, information, commentary and public discourse, while helping readers understand the issues a* ecting their lives.
Publishing Information) e D!"#$ E%$&'"!( is published by the students of Southern Illinois University Carbondale. O+ ces are
in the Communications Building, Room 1259, at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Carbondale, IL 62901. Bill Freivogel, , scal o+ cer.
D!"#$ E%$&'"!(N!"#Tuesday, August 23, 2011 3
“What we are ) nding today is that we get tons of students in here that qualify for admissions but they can’t pass their math and science classes,” Poshard said. “So when they get to the university level they aren’t facing a drop out potential because they can’t do math and science.”
Karnes said the performance funding will help the university stay
focused on completion of degrees and retention.
“We want programs to help kids on the bottom end succeed. * at could mean more tutoring or more intrusive advising,” he said.
Karnes said one thing he will push as a member of the steering committee is that the funding will be add-on bene) ts and will not be a redistribution of funds already coming from the state.
Cheng said the chancellors and presidents on the committee have
been clear that the funding is not additional. It could make it more di+ cult for the universities to reach the goal of graduating more students, as they would have to cut the programs that lead to student success.
“We hope that through our participation we can convey that institutions are di, erent from each other so we are all starting in a di, erent place in our approach to student learning and success, but we all want the same thing, which is
PERFORMANCECONTINUED FROM 1
BUSCONTINUED FROM 1
Shilpa Mora, a graduate student in electrical engineering from Hyderabad, India, studies the Saluki Express map Monday in front of
the Student Center. Mora said she had not heard of the changes to the bus route, but said it does not affect her.
STEVE MATZKER | DAILY EGYPTIAN
“I feel like they don’t care about us out here. Just look at our bus stop,” Rick said. “Now they’re saying ‘you don’t even get a bus.’”
Rick said she prefers to use the bus because it drops her o, close to her classes and saves her gas money.
* e eliminated stops include the Armory, Bridge at Willow, Bu, alo Wild Wings, Pleasant Hill Road, Willow at Oakland, College at Logan, College at Marion, College at Wall, Denny’s, Marion at Birch, Marion at Oak, Mill at Wall, Oak Hills Mobile Home Park, Pleasant Hill Mobile Home Park, Pleasant Valley, Sycamore at Billy Bryant, * e Quads, Waldron Circle, Washington at College, Washington at Lot 100 and Warren Road.
Mike Peterman, property manager of Southern Oaks on Warren Road, said he has 120 student tenants and many of them were attracted to his property because of the low costs and close proximity to the bus stop.
“Students signed their leases
thinking they would be in close proximity to a stop,” Peterman said. “Students are paying for the transit service … they should have a voice in what stops are eliminated.”
Stettler said the decision to condense routes and cut stops was prompted as an e, ort to stay within the budget.
Rod Sievers, assistant to the chancellor for media relations, said 90 percent of the transit budget is made up of the $36 student fee incorporated in tuition. * e remaining percent of the budget is made up of bus fare, fees from John A. Logan College, fees from the city of Carbondale and advertising fees, he said.
Halliday said she contacted university o+ cials to request the Warren Road bus stop be re-incorporated into the bus route.
She said she was told in a conference call with Stettler and Kevin Bame, vice chancellor for administration and ) nance, that she and other property managers should purchase a bus to substitute the Saluki Express bus stop that is no longer available.
Halliday said she will continue to push for the return of the bus stop.
“Every student counts,” Halliday
said. “If there is even one student who needs to get to class, there should be a bus to take them.”
Whitney Way can be reached at [email protected] or
536-3311 ext. 254.
certain standards on the structure. He said the commission
conducted a lengthy hearing that gave Home Rentals restrictions on the color of the complex, the shutters and what material would be used for the porch.
“It was what I would call a lot of hoops that the applicant would have to go through,” Barke said. “And Home Rentals was ready to do so.”
Council member Lance Jack said he thought the company’s willingness to meet exterior guidelines made it deserving of the permit.
“I thought that if they would agree to let the Preservation Commission dictate the exterior design and look of the building, that it would be a better ) t to the area,” he said.
Home Rentals was unavailable for comment.
* e property has been sold, but
PERMITCONTINUED FROM 1
D!"#$ E%$&'"!(C!"##$%$&'#Tuesday, August 23, 2011 9Leah StoverEditor-in-Chief
Kathleen HectorManaging Editor
Lauren LeoneDesign Chief
Editorial PolicyOur Word is the consensus of the D!"#$
E%$&'"!( Editorial Board on local, national and global issues a) ecting the Southern Illinois University community. Viewpoints expressed in columns and letters to the editor do not necessarily re* ect those of the D!"#$ E%$&'"!(.
Eric GinnardOpinion Editor
Sarah SchneiderCampus Editor
Tara KulashCity Editor
Cory DownerSports Editor
Brendan SmithA&E Editor
Pat SutphinPhoto Editor
Dissecting youropinion page Masthead Cartoon
Sta! Column
Letter to the Editor
Submissions
Notice
Listed here are the student editors who are nine student editors, charged with maintaining the 95-year-oldtradition of excellence.
This space is devoted to political cartoons of two kinds: Professional cartoons and those drawn and submitted by the people of the community. If you wish to submit a cartoon, or apply to be a regualr cartoonist, vist Room 1247 of the Communications Building.
Sta! columns are columns written by sta! members regarding various topics of their choosings. While they do not necessarily re"ect the opinions of the DAILY EGYPTIAN or the editorial board, we encourage our sta!ers to share their individual voices. If you think your opinion should be heard in a regular column, send us a writing sample to [email protected].
Letters to the editor are short submissions from people of the community. We encourage our readers to submit letters in response to our coverage or regarding anything else they feel strongly about.
All submissions, including letters to the editor and columns must contain the author’s contact information, including an e-mail and phone number. Phone numbers are required to verify authorship but will not be published. Letters are limited to 300 words and columns are limited to 500 words. Submissions should be sent to [email protected].
The DAILY EGYPTIAN is a “designated public forum.” Student editors have the authority to make all content decisions without censorship or advance approval. We reserve the right to not publish any letter or guest column.
Our Word
At the DAILY EGYPTIAN, editorial topics are chosen by our editorial board, which consists of nine student editors. From international to local issues, we promise to select topics we feel are most important to our world and to the world at large. Readers can be guranteed that Our Word is well researched, fully discussed and devoid of sweeping generalizations. It is our duty to serve the Southern Illinois University campus and the surrounding area. We will stand by our decisions, our word, with full con#dence.
Editorial - (n.) a newspaper or periodical article that is given a spe-cial or signifcant place and that intentionally expresses the views of those in control of the publication on a matter or current interest.
At the Daily Egyptian, editorial topics are chosen by our editorial board, which consists of nine student editors. From international to local issues, we promise to select topics we believe are most important to our world and to the world at large.
Readers can be guaranteed that Our Word is wellre-searched, fully discussed and void of sweeping gener-alizations. It is our duty to serve the Southern Illinois University Carbondale campus and the surrounding area. We stand by our decisions and our word with full con+ dence.
, is space is devoted to political cartoons of two kinds: Professional cartoons and those drawn and submitted by community members. If you wish to submit a cartoon, or apply to be a regular cartoonist, visit Room 1247 of the Communications Building.
Listed here are the student editors who are preceded by the 95-year-old tradition of the Daily Egyptian.
All submissions, including letters to the editor and columns, must contain the author’s contact information, which includes an e-mail and phone number. Phone numbers are required to verify authorship but will not be published. Let-ters are limited to 300 words and columns are limited to 500. Submissions should be sent to [email protected].
, e Daily Egyptian is a ‘designated public forum.’ Student editors have the authority to make all content decisions without censorship or advance ap-proval. We reserve the right to not publish any letter or guest column.
Letters to the editor are short submissions from people of the community. We encourage our readers to submit letters in response to our coverage or in regards to anything else they feel strongly about.
DAILY EGYPTIAN
DAILY EGYPTIAN.
DAILY EGYPTIAN
Grind Editor
Sta) columns are written by sta) members regarding various topics of their choosings. While they do not necessarily re* ect opinions of the Daily Egyptian or the editorial board, we en-courage our sta) ers to share their individual voices. If you think your opinion should be heard in a regular column, send us a writing sample at [email protected].
DAILY EGYPTIAN
I was in third grade when I truly recognized my passion for writing. I’m now 21 years old and a senior in journalism who specializes in advertising and integrated marketing and communications yet practices the art of editorial news on a daily basis. ! is is my second semester as editor-in-chief, and let me tell you, we give our all to this paper. Working at the DE is a full-time job and if someone disagrees, they’re lying. As the editor of this paper, my duty is to promise those in the community that we will print the news to the best of our ability. I’m a Carbondale native and hope tobring my knowledge of this city to all of our sta" . Please, feel free to shoot me an e-mail: [email protected].
facttf
LEAH STOVEREDITOR!IN!CHIEF
KATHLEEN HECTORMANAGING EDITOR
ERIC GINNARDOPINION EDITOR
PATRICK SUTPHINPHOTO EDITOR
LAUREN LEONEDESIGN CHIEF
TARA KULASH CITY EDITOR
DAILY EGYPTIAN
FALL 2011EDITORIAL BOARD
As a possibly aspiring journalist, I love to write — just not about myself, but here we go anyway. I’m 20, studying journalism and Spanish (¡ay ay ay!) and still quite unsure of what I’d like to be ‘when I grow up.’ I believe in free speech, Nutella and Kurt Vonnegut. I like to think I bring many things, besides an obnoxious laugh, to the newsroom such as an open mind, a curious attitude and a strong desire to produce a daily product that isn’t your typical college paper. I have many dreams, and they include a better DE, Andy Samberg, eventually graduating and somehow getting milk in vending machines. Oh, and I’d like you folks to be more involved, so here is my e-mail: [email protected].
I am 21 years old; I am from Hillsboro and graduated from high school in 2008. With no serious direction in my life, I really had no idea what I wanted to do for a career or livelihood (other than the fact I didn’t want to become Peter from the # lm “O$ ce Space”) so I enrolled in classes at Lincoln Land Community College. So here I am two years later, writing for one of the most respected college newspapers in the state, going to school for a career in something I love, in a town comprised of like-minded people my own age. I would say, at the end of the day, that’s a damn good way to kick o" a career. If you feel you have an opinion I would encourage you to write to this paper and support our # rst amendment
I’m a junior from Edwardsville studying journalism and creative writing. I used to write columns for the opinion page as a sophomore before I became a full-time sta" member during the summer. I originally thought I would # nd the city desk boring, but I almost immediately fell in love with it. I can’t wait to share the City Council meetings with you so you can come to your own conclusions about local issues. My email is [email protected].
I have been graphic designer, copy editor, photographer and campus editor. Now I’m back as design chief. It’s impossible to work here and not develop a passion for journalism. When the DE hires someone, the # rst thing I tell them is to plan on sacri# cing their social life and sleep for this job — but it’s worth it in the end. I’m engaged to one of the sweetest guys in the world, I play guitar in a local band, I love golden retrievers and I have a tattoo dedicated to Kelly Clarkson. When I’m interested in something, I’m committed to whatever it may be. I can be reached at [email protected]
CORY DOWNERSPORTS EDITOR
I am a journalism major who transferred the start of the 2011 spring semester. I am 25 years old and grew up in East Alton, just across the river from St. Louis. I graduated from high school in 2004, went to a junior college and then transferred to SIUE. While at Edwardsville, I # nally realized journalism was the # eld I wanted to pursue. I didn’t necessarily want to write sports articles only, but I grew up playing sports, and it has always been a big part of my life. You can reach me at [email protected].
I picked up my # rst camera in seventh grade. From there it was no question: I wanted to be a photojournalist. Eight years later I’m sitting here as the photo editor for the DAILY EGYPTIAN. As a senior majoring in photojournalism, I’m proud to be a member of the DE sta" , but getting here wasn’t easy. My advice to young photographers is to get involved in as much as you can, and always carry a camera with you. Don’t be afraid of criticism because you’ll only learn from it. Finally, send your pictures to me. If it’s good and you have the right information, we’ll publish it. E-mail me at [email protected].
SARAH SCHNEIDERCAMPUS EDITORI came to SIUC last fall as a freshman not knowing what I really wanted to do here except that I wanted to work at the DE. A% er a year as a campus reporter, countless hours in the newsroom and lost sleep, I have somehow become the campus editor. My position at the DE has allowed me to try new things and meet many amazing people. We are always working to relay accurate information to our readers while focusing on what will a" ects students, faculty and sta" . Feel free to reach me at [email protected].
BRENDAN SMITHTHE GRIND EDITORI’m stoked to be starting my third semester as an arts and entertainment writer for the DE. I’m a senior from St. Louis studying cinema production and advertising. I transferred to SIUC last year a% er spending my # rst two years at Howard University in Washington, D.C. ! e summer before I became a Saluki, I worked as a Digital Media intern for the MTV Network in New York City. I’m super excited to introduce ! e Grind and give a voice to the artists on campus and the community. My goal is to make this section as creative and interactive as possible. Reach me at [email protected].
D!"#$ E%$&'"!(M&&' '(& E)*'+,*-. B+-,)Tuesday, August 23, 2011 5
D!"#$ E%$&'"!(Tuesday, August 23, 2011 7
6 TUESDAY, AUGUST 23, 2011 DAILYEGYPTIAN.COM
Summer fun has come to a halt, and fall semester 2011 is o! cially in session.
As students get back into the swing of classes, sleepless study nights and tedious group projects, they can " nd comfort in knowing there is more to school than work and stress.
# ere are countless ways for students to get involved and stay active on campus. As part of exercising their options, many students will attend one of the " rst main events of the semester: # e Registered Student Organization fair, # ursday in the Student Center Ballrooms.
“RSOs give students the opportunity to connect with other students in a structured setting,
helping tap into skills such as leadership, as well as learning how to follow those in charge,” said Simone Biles, a senior from Country Club Hills studying theater and president of the RSO Oops! Entertainment.
If students missed the opportunity to meet with representatives, they can catch some of the RSOs in action at “Smokers Rush” Aug. 27.
As a member of Oops! Entertainment and Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Biles said she gets two perspectives of the event.
Biles said Smokers Rush, usually referred to as a Fraternity Smoker, is a term coined by the Greeks that involves an event or meeting hosted by the “smokers,” or fraternities, for individuals who wish to join.
Fraternities and sororities on campus can take this opportunity
once per semester to creatively expose campus students to Greek life with a showcase.
“# e event not only introduces a part of the RSO society to students but also displays what each RSO contributes to the SIUC community,” said Arielle Jamison, a senior from Chicago studying speech communication.
Jamison said she believes community involvement is the most rewarding feature about RSOs.
In past years, modeling RSO Vanity Fashion Fair Models has established a scholarship program for Carbondale students through
their Vanity Teen program. Another modeling RSO, Essence Fashion Models, has donated clothing from their shows to the Goodwill.
Eric Moore, a junior from Chicago studying psychology, said it’s not always about the fun aspect but also about giving back.
“RSOs are more than what students get to see. A signi" cant portion of their time is also spent contributing to community service, volunteer work, mentoring, scholarship programs and fundraisers,” Moore said.
Previous Smokers Rush events have also given non-Greek organizations such as Fatal Fusion
Dance Group, Essence Fashion Models and Vanity Fashion Fair Models a moment of spotlight to perform for new students, as well as students who are simply unfamiliar with RSO life.
Students interested in the more artistic or Greek organizations, which are part of the National Pan-Hellenic Council-oriented RSOs, will have the opportunity to meet and greet with those organization representatives.
James Jones can be reached at [email protected] or
618-536-3311 ext. 266
RSOs gear up for fair, Smokers RushJAMES JONESDaily Egyptian RSOs give students the opportunity to connect with other students in a structured setting,
helping tap into skills such as leadership, as well as learning how to follow those in charge,— Simon Biles
President of Oops!
D!"#$ E%$&'"!(Tuesday, August 23, 2011 7
D!"#$ E%$&'"!( N!"# Tuesday, August 23, 20118
) e Board of Trustees plans to borrow $25 million for deferred maintenance to improve the physical state of the university and to reduce in* ation costs.
Phil Gatton, director of Plant and Service Operations, said deferred maintenance costs have reached close to $500 million. Similar to many universities that expanded in the 1950s and ‘60s, Gatton said the campus has aged and buildings need to be renovated or completely replaced. However, he said the state doesn’t have the funds to do that.
“We have kept up with what has been required of us from the state ... but as far as the actual condition of the buildings, we’re certainly not ahead of any of the universities that I know we compete with,” SIU President Glenn Poshard said. “It’s impossible to get all that caught up, and the state essentially gives us nothing.”
Poshard said he expects that the board will look at a bond sale within three to + ve months, as written in the original deferred maintenance plan. He said he will present the board with the decision to approve a bond sale at the Sept. 8 meeting.
A 10-year $100 million deferred maintenance plan was enacted in 2008 for campus repairs. Poshard said the facilities maintenance fee paid by students is designated for $75 million of the plan and the remaining $25 million is + nanced through bond sales.
According to the 10-year plan, the borrowed funds are to be used for budgeted items, such as $7 million toward heating and air conditioning and $2 million toward classroom and lab upgrades.
Projected repairs during the remaining years could go toward a range of close to 30 projects, which include elevator and electrical repairs and window replacement.
Money from the facilities
maintenance fee has recently gone toward placing sprinkler systems in buildings and improving Internet capacity. Gatton said areas that a, ect health and life safety, such as roofs or sidewalks,
are the top priority when deferred maintenance is addressed.
He said the university addresses about $10 million in deferred maintenance a year.
“) e Band-Aids don’t work for very long and at some point of time you need to have a greater measure in backlog,” he said.
While funds for this plan may be allocated toward the upkeep, at the BOT meeting Wednesday some trustees raised the issue of repairing facilities above adequacy.
Chairman Roger Herrin suggested that instead of “periodically and half-repairing” areas of campus, working to make sustainable repairs could be more economical as well as go toward a “face-li- ” for the university.
Gatton said the possible costs of in* ation on more than $400 million in deferred maintenance could cost an extra 3 percent in construction each year, which could add an additional $15 million in deferred maintenance per year.
“On top of that, you say 2 percent of your assets are deteriorating … and we’ve got a couple billion dollars in assets. You could have $40 million to $50 million in new deferred maintenance every year,” he said.
While Poshard said the original goal of the 10-year plan was to complete designated projects by 2018, Gatton said maintenance issues will still remain.
“We will not eliminate our deferred maintenance within the next 10 years,” he said.
DEDaily Egyptian
Deferred maintenance plan proceeds to update aging campus LAUREN DUNCANDaily Egyptian
JIM ECKLUND | DAILY EGYPTIAN
W e have kept up with what has been required of us from the state ... but as far as the actual condition of the buildings, we’re certainly not ahead of any
of the universities that I know we compete with
— Glenn PoshardSIU President
I was in third grade when I truly recognized my passion for writing. I’m now 21 years old and a senior in journalism who specializes in advertising and integrated marketing and communications yet practices the art of editorial news on a daily basis. ! is is my second semester as editor-in-chief, and let me tell you, we give our all to this paper. Working at the DE is a full-time job and if someone disagrees, they’re lying. As the editor of this paper, my duty is to promise those in the community that we will print the news to the best of our ability. I’m a Carbondale native and hope tobring my knowledge of this city to all of our sta" . Please, feel free to shoot me an e-mail: [email protected].
facttf
LEAH STOVEREDITOR!IN!CHIEF
KATHLEEN HECTORMANAGING EDITOR
ERIC GINNARDOPINION EDITOR
PATRICK SUTPHINPHOTO EDITOR
LAUREN LEONEDESIGN CHIEF
TARA KULASH CITY EDITOR
DAILY EGYPTIAN
FALL 2011EDITORIAL BOARD
As a possibly aspiring journalist, I love to write — just not about myself, but here we go anyway. I’m 20, studying journalism and Spanish (¡ay ay ay!) and still quite unsure of what I’d like to be ‘when I grow up.’ I believe in free speech, Nutella and Kurt Vonnegut. I like to think I bring many things, besides an obnoxious laugh, to the newsroom such as an open mind, a curious attitude and a strong desire to produce a daily product that isn’t your typical college paper. I have many dreams, and they include a better DE, Andy Samberg, eventually graduating and somehow getting milk in vending machines. Oh, and I’d like you folks to be more involved, so here is my e-mail: [email protected].
I am 21 years old; I am from Hillsboro and graduated from high school in 2008. With no serious direction in my life, I really had no idea what I wanted to do for a career or livelihood (other than the fact I didn’t want to become Peter from the # lm “O$ ce Space”) so I enrolled in classes at Lincoln Land Community College. So here I am two years later, writing for one of the most respected college newspapers in the state, going to school for a career in something I love, in a town comprised of like-minded people my own age. I would say, at the end of the day, that’s a damn good way to kick o" a career. If you feel you have an opinion I would encourage you to write to this paper and support our # rst amendment
I’m a junior from Edwardsville studying journalism and creative writing. I used to write columns for the opinion page as a sophomore before I became a full-time sta" member during the summer. I originally thought I would # nd the city desk boring, but I almost immediately fell in love with it. I can’t wait to share the City Council meetings with you so you can come to your own conclusions about local issues. My email is [email protected].
I have been graphic designer, copy editor, photographer and campus editor. Now I’m back as design chief. It’s impossible to work here and not develop a passion for journalism. When the DE hires someone, the # rst thing I tell them is to plan on sacri# cing their social life and sleep for this job — but it’s worth it in the end. I’m engaged to one of the sweetest guys in the world, I play guitar in a local band, I love golden retrievers and I have a tattoo dedicated to Kelly Clarkson. When I’m interested in something, I’m committed to whatever it may be. I can be reached at [email protected]
CORY DOWNERSPORTS EDITOR
I am a journalism major who transferred the start of the 2011 spring semester. I am 25 years old and grew up in East Alton, just across the river from St. Louis. I graduated from high school in 2004, went to a junior college and then transferred to SIUE. While at Edwardsville, I # nally realized journalism was the # eld I wanted to pursue. I didn’t necessarily want to write sports articles only, but I grew up playing sports, and it has always been a big part of my life. You can reach me at [email protected].
I picked up my # rst camera in seventh grade. From there it was no question: I wanted to be a photojournalist. Eight years later I’m sitting here as the photo editor for the DAILY EGYPTIAN. As a senior majoring in photojournalism, I’m proud to be a member of the DE sta" , but getting here wasn’t easy. My advice to young photographers is to get involved in as much as you can, and always carry a camera with you. Don’t be afraid of criticism because you’ll only learn from it. Finally, send your pictures to me. If it’s good and you have the right information, we’ll publish it. E-mail me at [email protected].
SARAH SCHNEIDERCAMPUS EDITORI came to SIUC last fall as a freshman not knowing what I really wanted to do here except that I wanted to work at the DE. A% er a year as a campus reporter, countless hours in the newsroom and lost sleep, I have somehow become the campus editor. My position at the DE has allowed me to try new things and meet many amazing people. We are always working to relay accurate information to our readers while focusing on what will a" ects students, faculty and sta" . Feel free to reach me at [email protected].
BRENDAN SMITHTHE GRIND EDITORI’m stoked to be starting my third semester as an arts and entertainment writer for the DE. I’m a senior from St. Louis studying cinema production and advertising. I transferred to SIUC last year a% er spending my # rst two years at Howard University in Washington, D.C. ! e summer before I became a Saluki, I worked as a Digital Media intern for the MTV Network in New York City. I’m super excited to introduce ! e Grind and give a voice to the artists on campus and the community. My goal is to make this section as creative and interactive as possible. Reach me at [email protected].
D!"#$ E%$&'"!(M&&' '(& E)*'+,*-. B+-,)Tuesday, August 23, 2011 5
D!"#$ E%$&'"!(C!"##$%$&'#Tuesday, August 23, 2011 9
HoroscopesBy Nancy Black and Stephanie Clement
(Answers tomorrow)FLOSS GOOSE FOURTH NIMBLEYesterday’s Jumbles:
Answer: His shoddy workmanship on the bookcasewould give it a short — SHELF LIFE
Now arrange the circled letters to form the surprise answer, assuggested by the above cartoon.
THAT SCRAMBLED WORD GAMEby David L. Hoyt and Jeff Knurek
Unscramble these four Jumbles,one letter to each square,to form four ordinary words.
CTMHA
LUNEC
OIVNIS
RALIDZ
©2011 Tribune Media Services, Inc.All Rights Reserved.
Sign
Up
for t
he IA
FLO
FCI (
OFF
ICIA
L) J
umbl
e Fa
cebo
ok fa
n clu
b
”“Answer here:
Complete the grid so each row, column and 3-by-3 box (in bold boarders) contains every digit 1 to 9. For
strategies on how to solve Sudoku, visitwww.sudoku.org.uk.
MONDAY’S ANSWERS
Level :
Today’s Birthday — Today’s Birthday (08/23/11). Does a butterfly remember being a caterpillar? You’re going through your own metamorphosis. When all is done and you leave your cocoon, will you recognize the person that you are? Have a nice trip. You can invent yourself as the person you most want to be.Aries (March 21-April 19) — Today is an 8 — Discipline is useful today. Heed the voice of experience, and look for hidden resources. Practice pays off. You have the drive, so put it to work on the details.Taurus (April 20-May 20) — Today is an 8 — You’ve achieved a lot. Now enjoy it! The next month brings luck and romance. Travel could tempt you to new experiences. Get out and shake it up.Gemini (May 21-June 21) — Today is an 8 — Use a winning formula. Invest in good materials. Deliver quality results, and gather up the riches. Home’s the place to be this month. Discussion leads to a profitable plan.Cancer (June 22-July 22) — Today is a 9 — Rely on a loved one (and your own common sense). Keep the momentum up. You’re getting more and more curious ... take advantage of this laser-like concentration. Study. Write.Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) — Today is an 8 — Unless distracted by introspection and self It’s easier to make money for the next month. Little successes add up. You see the value of excellence. A female brings great news, and
an elder offers partnership.Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — Today is a 9 — You’re the star for the next month. Friends support you, and you have the advantage. People want what you’re selling. Work may include travel. Keep the speech brief.Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) — Today is an 8 — The next month is great for organizing and housecleaning. Finish old projects, and clear space for new. Write something. Take a day trip or a hike to reward yourself.Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) — Today is a 7 — Your team can help you get out of your head and into action. Focus on friendship and love to find satisfaction. Finances start to open up.Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) — Today is a 9— Your common sense and positive thoughts are very attractive now. Find beauty in places and situations that are normally not so beautiful. You may be surprised.Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — Today is an 8 —When confronted with challenges, take the philosophical high road. This next month is good for travel and for launching new projects. Enjoy epic dreams.Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) — Today is an 8—Being organized is an asset. This comes easier now. Keep track of details, and expand your portfolio. Stash away reserves.Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) — Today is an 8 — For the foreseeable future, focus on strengthening partnerships. You could start by writing letters, sending emails or posting witty thoughts publicly. Participate.
Los Angeles Times Daily Crossword Puzzle Edited by Rich Norris and Joyce Lewis
ACROSS1 Close-up lens6 Jazz jobs
10 Con game14 The American
dream, e.g.15 Colosseo city16 “__, Can You
Hear Me?”: songfrom “Yentl”
17 Road hog20 Pvt. driller21 Drips in the ER22 Arm-twisting23 Ritzy apartment
feature26 __ mater27 Hog heaven32 Frank topper34 Diddly, in
Durango35 Nietzsche’s
“never”36 Bush’s
undergraduateclassmates
37 Truth-in-advertising agcy.
38 Disconcert39 Candy with
collectibledispensers
40 Flying start?42 I-beam, e.g.44 Hog wild47 River in central
Germany48 Diamond-
patternedstructure, as atrellis
51 Black suit54 Hither’s partner55 Beach shade56 Whole hog60 GI’s supply61 Mindless
learning62 Shrink in
increments63 It’s history64 Rephrase, say65 South-of-the-
border sir
DOWN1 Center2 “A watched pot
never boils” isone
3 Bring under asingle control
4 Dusting aid5 __ Miss6 Kowtow7 Chits in the pot8 Baseball VIPs9 Got ready to ride
10 Slinky shape11 Auel’s “The Clan
of the __ Bear”12 King Kong’s kin13 Viking’s landing
place18 Big name in
copiers19 Cuban dance24 Baseball scoring
stats25 Shrek’s sidekick
Donkey, e.g.26 Run __:
postpone the barbill
28 Take out of thecarton
29 Also30 Fitting
description?31 Nostradamus, for
one32 Auto taken back,
briefly33 Topog. map stat37 Uncle Remus
appellation
38 Stew40 First Mayflower
passenger to setfoot on PlymouthRock, so it’s said
41 Neighborhoodimprovementtarget
42 Beanstalk threat43 Hairy TV cousin45 Sizzling46 Room for a
broom
49 “No prob!”50 Sign up to
compete51 Trade52 Arizona tribe53 Bread machines,
for short?54 Hairy Himalayan
legend57 Valance holder58 Legal thing59 “__ you
serious?”
Monday’s Puzzle Solved
By Marti DuGuay-Carpenter 8/23/11
(c)2011 Tribune Media Services, Inc. 8/23/11
D!"#$ E%$&'"!( S!"#$ B%&'( Tuesday, August 23, 201110
1 23 4
CLOTH PLUME GASKET THRASHThe fight between the beer drinkers wasgoing to lead to — MUG SHOTS
MONDAY’S ANSWERS
D!"#$ E%$&'"!(N!"#Tuesday, August 23, 2011 3
“What we are ) nding today is that we get tons of students in here that qualify for admissions but they can’t pass their math and science classes,” Poshard said. “So when they get to the university level they aren’t facing a drop out potential because they can’t do math and science.”
Karnes said the performance funding will help the university stay
focused on completion of degrees and retention.
“We want programs to help kids on the bottom end succeed. * at could mean more tutoring or more intrusive advising,” he said.
Karnes said one thing he will push as a member of the steering committee is that the funding will be add-on bene) ts and will not be a redistribution of funds already coming from the state.
Cheng said the chancellors and presidents on the committee have
been clear that the funding is not additional. It could make it more di+ cult for the universities to reach the goal of graduating more students, as they would have to cut the programs that lead to student success.
“We hope that through our participation we can convey that institutions are di, erent from each other so we are all starting in a di, erent place in our approach to student learning and success, but we all want the same thing, which is
PERFORMANCECONTINUED FROM 1
BUSCONTINUED FROM 1
Shilpa Mora, a graduate student in electrical engineering from Hyderabad, India, studies the Saluki Express map Monday in front of
the Student Center. Mora said she had not heard of the changes to the bus route, but said it does not affect her.
STEVE MATZKER | DAILY EGYPTIAN
“I feel like they don’t care about us out here. Just look at our bus stop,” Rick said. “Now they’re saying ‘you don’t even get a bus.’”
Rick said she prefers to use the bus because it drops her o, close to her classes and saves her gas money.
* e eliminated stops include the Armory, Bridge at Willow, Bu, alo Wild Wings, Pleasant Hill Road, Willow at Oakland, College at Logan, College at Marion, College at Wall, Denny’s, Marion at Birch, Marion at Oak, Mill at Wall, Oak Hills Mobile Home Park, Pleasant Hill Mobile Home Park, Pleasant Valley, Sycamore at Billy Bryant, * e Quads, Waldron Circle, Washington at College, Washington at Lot 100 and Warren Road.
Mike Peterman, property manager of Southern Oaks on Warren Road, said he has 120 student tenants and many of them were attracted to his property because of the low costs and close proximity to the bus stop.
“Students signed their leases
thinking they would be in close proximity to a stop,” Peterman said. “Students are paying for the transit service … they should have a voice in what stops are eliminated.”
Stettler said the decision to condense routes and cut stops was prompted as an e, ort to stay within the budget.
Rod Sievers, assistant to the chancellor for media relations, said 90 percent of the transit budget is made up of the $36 student fee incorporated in tuition. * e remaining percent of the budget is made up of bus fare, fees from John A. Logan College, fees from the city of Carbondale and advertising fees, he said.
Halliday said she contacted university o+ cials to request the Warren Road bus stop be re-incorporated into the bus route.
She said she was told in a conference call with Stettler and Kevin Bame, vice chancellor for administration and ) nance, that she and other property managers should purchase a bus to substitute the Saluki Express bus stop that is no longer available.
Halliday said she will continue to push for the return of the bus stop.
“Every student counts,” Halliday
said. “If there is even one student who needs to get to class, there should be a bus to take them.”
Whitney Way can be reached at [email protected] or
536-3311 ext. 254.
certain standards on the structure. He said the commission
conducted a lengthy hearing that gave Home Rentals restrictions on the color of the complex, the shutters and what material would be used for the porch.
“It was what I would call a lot of hoops that the applicant would have to go through,” Barke said. “And Home Rentals was ready to do so.”
Council member Lance Jack said he thought the company’s willingness to meet exterior guidelines made it deserving of the permit.
“I thought that if they would agree to let the Preservation Commission dictate the exterior design and look of the building, that it would be a better ) t to the area,” he said.
Home Rentals was unavailable for comment.
* e property has been sold, but
PERMITCONTINUED FROM 1
D!"#$ E%$&'"!(S!"#$%Tuesday, August 23, 2011 11
only a great honor, but it bene) ts the player because it can bring on more attention as Major League Baseball teams prepare for the 2012 dra* .
“I think it is extremely important and valuable as they choose to develop their career on a professional level,” Ebbing said. “Having player of the year under his belt, it’s a monumental step for Chris.”
He said the award carries additional weight because players don’t always make a smooth transition to the next level.
“We knew (Serritella) was a quality player, but sometimes a good player can come into a wood bat league and not produce,” Ebbing said. “+ ings
just clicked and Chris did well to have a good season.”
Saluki coach Ken Henderson said the summer league was close to a best-case scenario for Serritella. He said the mixture of the at-bats and playing time he saw, combined with the con) dence gained, was something he needed a* er missing all of last season.
Fully aware of what Serritella is capable of, Henderson said he isn’t surprised by the power of Serritella’s bat, but rather the overall success he achieved in Quincy throughout the summer.
“It’s impressive how well he ) gured it out and how quickly he ) gured it out in Quincy,” Henderson said. “To have that kind of summer a* er being o, for six months, that’s pretty amazing.”
SERRITELLACONTINUED FROM 12
Junior first baseman Chris Serritella goes up to bat April 28, 2010, during a game against Eastern Illinois. Serritella, who was unable to play the 2011 spring season due to a broken wrist, was
named Player of the Year for the Prospect League this summer. He was chosen by the Kansas City Royals in the 31st round of the MLB Draft, but decided to stay at SIU for the 2012 season.
PROVIDED PHOTO
+ e SIU volleyball team was 9-1 when it entered its ) rst 2010 conference matchup against Creighton, winning eight of its ) rst 10 matches before what would become a .500 season.
“When we start, not everyone sees a lot of ) lm on us, so we were a good team,” Head Coach Brenda Winkeler said a* er the team’s ) rst scrimmage of the season Saturday. “But in conference you have availability to ) lm a* er ) lm a* er ) lm. And if you studied us, we were too one-dimensional as far as the things we did on o, ense and our weaknesses on defense.”
Last season, the team sputtered to a 5-13 conference mark and ) nished eighth in the Missouri Valley Conference standings, three games behind Illinois State for the last spot in the MVC tournament. + e team went under serious changes at the top during the o, season when both assistant coaches le* . Julie Yankus took the head coaching position at Southeast Missouri State University, while Evan Hook le* for family reasons.
To replace Yankus and Hook, Saluki Volleyball hired Peter Chang, a defense-minded coach who helped Indiana University to its ) rst NCAA Sweet 16 birth last year, and Tammi Fries from East Tennessee State. With Chang taking care of the defenders and Fries controlling the hitters and blockers, Winkeler said she’ll have more time to focus her coaching on the setters.
“Volleyball is similar to football or basketball. + e point guard coach doesn’t coach the bigs, and in that respect our sta, is set up great,” said Winkeler. “+ ey both have a lot of experience, which I haven’t gotten in the past.”
Before his time as a volunteer assistant coach at IU, Chang guided Ball State’s club volleyball team to four top-5 ) nishes at the NIRSA nationals and earned the 2007 NIRSA National Coach of the Year award.
“I’ve been to winning programs, and I’ve learned to win at each di, erent level,” Chang said. “Right
now, my challenge as a coach is bringing the winning mentality to this team.”
Long time starters Jennifer Berwanger and Alicia Johnson graduated a* er last season, but the team will have a lot of experience when they line-up against Green Bay in the opening game of the University of Iowa Tournament Aug. 27. + e team returns four starters from last season, including junior setter Rachel Brown and junior middle blocker Alysia Mayes, who played every set for SIU last season. Junior libero Bailey Yeager and sophomore outside hitter Jessica Whitehead are also returning starters.
“+ ose four have been on the court almost every match here, but they made freshman and sophomore mistakes,” Winkeler said. “We lost a lot of kills, and we’ll de) nitely miss that, but this team should play with a better team cohesiveness.”
Winkeler said they have a lot of depth returning from last year along with a few newcomers that are prime to make big contributions this year. Libero Caitlin Schumacher, a sophomore transfer from North Dakota, had 26 digs in Saturday’s scrimmage while middle blocker Alexis Braghini’s, a junior transfer from Parkland College in Champagn, had 14 kills. Returning
sophomore outside hitter Emily Less led the team with 17 kills.
One team member who will not be returning to the court will be senior Lauren Blumhorst, who suffered three concussions and decided to sit out her last season. Blumhorst will stay with the team as an assistant, but Winkeler said she’s content with her future career as either a coach or a math teacher.
“She was very strong defensively,” Winkeler said. “Immediately I said to Chang ‘we have got to ) nd someone to take her place’ as soon as we got that email from Caitlin Schumacher. It was de) nitely a good break to have someone with Lauren [+ ole’s] capabilities to step in to that role, along with Caitlin.”
Chang said the team needs to be more patient defensively, but being too one-dimensional seemed to be the biggest weakness addressed during the o, -season camps.
“As we got into conference, those teams can scout us more cause they can watch ) lm on us every week,” Yeager said. “+ is year we need to adapt more to what they’re doing instead of sticking to the same game plan every time.”
+ e team will have one more scrimmage at the SIU Arena Wednesday at 6 p.m. before its season opener.
Volleyball changes it up for a new seasonJOE RAGUSADaily Egyptian
Senior middle blocker Alysia Mayes blocks a set Saturday during the SIU volleyball team’s first preseason scrimmage at Davies Gymnasium. Mayes, who played in all 99 sets last season,
is one of four returning starters for the team. After a second scrimmage Wednesday, the team will play its first season match at Mississippi State Aug. 26 as part of the Mississippi State Tournament.
ISAAC SMITH | DAILY EGYPTIAN
The Saluki women’s cross country team starts off their training with a 30-minute easy run Monday around campus.
The team will run the Saluki Early Bird at 5:30 p.m. Sept. 2 at Carbondale.
LYNNETTE OOSTMEYER | DAILY EGYPTIAN
Saluki bounces back
A! er months of sitting out due to a season-ending wrist injury, the Salukis leading hitter from 2010 made his debut back to the baseball diamond in June and " nished the summer season with player of the year recognition.
Redshirt junior Chris Serritella was selected as the Prospect League’s Player of the Year, elected as a Prospect League all-star at " rst base and named Prospect League’s Pro Prospect of the Year due to his performance on the ball " eld representing the Quincy Gems this summer. # roughout the season, Serritella tied and broke records. He said the league was a huge boost to his con" dence as he prepares for another year as a Saluki ballplayer.
“A! er being out of the game for a while I was worried about how I was going to come back,” Serritella said. “Now that I had a great summer I feel very con" dent going into the next year and I know I’m able to compete at the same level before my injury.”
Despite the success he had on the " eld, Serritella said he didn’t set any summer goals of " nishing with recognition, but instead he wanted to get back to the level he thought he should be playing at.
“I really just wanted to get my swing back and get my approach back,” Serritella said. “Now I really just want to work on every aspect of the game. You never want to stay stagnant in one side of the sport.”
Serritella, who declined a contract o$ er by the Kansas City Royals a! er being selected in the 31st round of the MLB dra! , missed the entire 2011 baseball season due to a fractured bone in his wrist however he made a full recovery and was able to display his talents on a grander scale. He started his summer ball in the Cape Cod Baseball League, but a! er a con% icting contract and limited at-bats, Serritella went to the Prospect League to play for the Gems.
During his time at Quincy, Serritella tied the Gems’ single-season record of 14 home runs, set a team record with 60 RBIs in a season and " nished the year with the league’s fourth best batting average at .361.
He did all of this playing 70 percent of the Gems’ regular season games.
Rob Ebbings, Gems General Manager, said Serritella’s attitude and determination was the noticeable di$ erence to set him apart from other ballplayers in the league. Ebbings said the league is a perfect opportunity for players to get the feel of playing professional baseball, and said Serritella took full advantage of his time in Quincy.
He said the signi" cance of being named the player of the year is not
CORY DOWNERDaily Egyptian
Please see SERRITELLA | 11
Experienced direction and young, able talent are two things the SIU cross-country team can hang their hats on.
The season kicks into gear the Saluki Early Bird meet at 5:30 p.m. on Sept. 2. With this meet, the team will be back to their mission of working to secure a conference title.
Head coach Matt Sparks said the men’s team hopes to continue to challenge for the title as last year’s runner-up. He said the women’s team is looking to establish themselves among the top three teams within the conference with strong leadership and incoming help.
A Missouri Valley Conference preseason poll, posted on the MVC website, has pinned the SIU men’s squad to place second, only three points behind 2010 champion Indiana State with 74 points and three first-place votes (cast by MVC coaches), according to the MVC website.
The poll projected the SIU women’s cross-country team to finish in fifth place, with only three points separating them and fourth-place Missouri State.
“Our goal is always to try to challenge for the conference title,”
Sparks said. “Then if the team can’t get to the national meet, at least send somebody to the national meet.”
Graduated runner Dan Dunbar, conference-champion for the Salukis last fall, left behind some swift shoes to fill. Sparks said he believes that senior Neal Anderson can bring those qualities to the team.
“You just look for the next big gun to step up and take some of that, some of his leadership,” Sparks said. “That’s where we’re looking for Neal, who had a great track season to step up for us.”
To keep tempo on the men’s side, Sparks said runners have been keeping active during the summer months.
“We’ve had guys run between 50 miles a week and 100-mile weeks,” Sparks said. “We have a few guys who’ve hit that 90-mile week, which is 12 to 14 miles a day.”
Sparks emphasized time management as a large factor of being a successful runner. He said he makes a point to explain to his athletes the importance of properly planning out daily schedules and this mentality has translated well in the classroom.
“The men’s cross-country team last year actually had the second highest GPA in the country with a
3.60 GPA,” he said.On the women’s side, the team
said goodbye to two all-conference runners, Emily Toennies and Megan Hoelscher. Sparks said they will be greatly missed.
“Our top two finishers,” Sparks said. “They were … fourth and fifth which is our highest individual finishes in several years, and losing those two is a huge hit to the program.”
Sparks was, however, optimistic despite the losses. He said leadership from senior Jamie Pfister and continued high performance from sophomore Eileen Schweiss will be the driving forces in the team’s success.
“Expect a lot of leadership out of Jamie this fall with such a young group,” Sparks said. “I’d like to see if they could break into the top three; that’s the goal for the ladies.”
Sparks said the incoming class on the women’s side is the largest that has been introduced during his 9-years as head coach, and is itching to compete.
“This is by far my largest recruiting class ever for freshman with 14,” Sparks said. “My most competitive group that we’ve ever brought in, in my 10 years here on
the women’s side.”Zach Dahleen, a junior from
Orland Park studying information systems technologies, said there are roles on the team that need to be filled with the departure of some of last years runners. He said, however, it is a position they are familiar with.
“Last year was pretty much the year where we lost a lot of great runners on our team, so we needed everyone to really step up,” Dahleen said. “Now this year, again we lost Dan (Dunbar) who had won conference last year, so this year we’re actually coming from a lower point again.”
Dahleen said despite the men’s second-place finish last season, he was very aware that injury plagued the team. He said this year’s runners seem to be in good shape thus far.
“We’re all looking pretty healthy this year,” he said.
Sparks said the expectations he has for freshman have changed. He said they will be asked for more than they have in the past.
“We’re looking for some of the freshman to step up into contributing roles when we traditionally haven’t asked a whole lot of freshman to do that,” he said.
Cross-Country o! and running; leadership and youth keys to successNAREG KURTJIANDaily Egyptian
T he women’s team is looking to establish themselves among the top three teams within the
conference with strong leadership and incoming help.