ILLINOIS STATE UNIVERSITY NEWS

Red Cross highlights the importance of donations (Click Here to View) Bloomington/Normal
In honor of Black History Month, the American Red Cross is reminding people of all ethnicities the importance of donating blood.

 

OTHER ILLINOIS STATE UNIVERSITY NEWS

Social Justice Project to host convicted murderer
Campus
The Social Justice Project will host guest speaker Dale Helmig on Tuesday, April 3 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Prairie Room of the Bone Student Center.


State Farm Hall of Business nationally ranked among top schools
Campus
According to dean of the State Farm Hall of Business, Scott Johnson, ISU's College of Business is ranked 107 out of 124 nationally ranked schools.


Rec program to host the annual Night of Champions
Campus
On Tuesday, April 3, ISU's campus recreation intramural program is hosting its annual Night of Champions in the Redbird Arena beginning at 6:30 p.m.


CampusDealin' website to launch at ISU
Campus
CampusDealin' is a newly launched website for college students offering deals of 50 to 90 percent off daily at different restaurants, liquor stores, bars, and theaters.


Event aims to end the use of the word 'retarded'
Campus
Student Government Association, along with co-sponsors Campus Dining and Association of Residence Halls, hosted an event Thursday afternoon to end the use of the word "retard."


Former detective to speak on homicide
Campus
Steven Spingola, a former Milwaukee Police Department homicide detective and police lieutenant, will speak Monday on "The Psychology of Homicide."


School of Communication hosting annual COM Week
Campus
The School of Communication is hosting their annual Communication Week from April 2 to April 5 with a series of speakers from the communication field and panel sessions.


Edible books to be on display at Milner
Campus
On Monday, April 2, students are invited to attend the International Edible Book Festival at Milner Library. The event is free and runs from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. on the library's main floor.


Colleges cut tuition costs and offer three-year degrees
State
An increasing number of colleges are cutting tuition costs or speeding up the rate at which students graduate in order to attract more students.


Campus Rec to offer wilderness first aid course
Campus
Campus Recreation and the Outdoor Adventure Center will be offering a multi-session Wilderness First Aid Certification course during the month of April.


Eastland Mall crimes interest police
Bloomington/Normal
Recent juvenile crimes at Eastland Mall in Bloomington have sparked an interest in the Bloomington Police Department.


Walkway approved for Uptown Station
Bloomington/Normal
The Normal Town Council recently approved a public walkway at Uptown Station which will allow passengers to cross the Uptown railroad tracks.


Ill. scores 'B-' for gov. transparency
State
According to a recent report, "Following the Money 2012: How the States Rank on Providing Online Access to Government Spending Data," Illinois received a "B-" for their government spending transparency, which puts Illinois in the middle of the pack among other states.


Campaign funds topic of livestream conversation
Campus
The American Democracy Project will present a conversation about money and politics through a free, live-streamed event on Thursday, March 29 from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.


ISU takes second place at Risk Management & Insurance Challenge
Campus
A team of four ISU insurance majors took second place in the Risk Management and Insurance Challenge on March 12 and 13.


Study shows anti-smoking efforts have saved 800K lives
National/Global
A U.S. study reported March 14 that an estimated 800,000 lives have been saved since the implementation of higher taxes on cigarettes, limits to selling to children, and educational campaigns about the risks of smoking.


Young adults, recent graduates 'cheerful, upbeat' about moving home
National/Global
Young adults are cheerful and upbeat about moving back home with their parents after college, and the increased choice of graduates to move back has become less stigmatized, according to a new Pew report.


'No Child Left Behind' opponent speaks on school systems
Campus
Nationally recognized educator, historian, and author Diane Ravitch presented her speech titled "The Death and Life of the Great American School System" Tuesday night in Braden Auditorium.


College of Education dean leaving for new position
Campus
Deborah Curtis, dean of the College of Education, has accepted a position at the University of Central Missouri and will be leaving ISU at the end of this school year.


Student, teacher opinions vary on lecture halls
National/Global
In a recent USA Today College article, students reported they enjoyed lecture hall classes compared to smaller classroom settings despite mixed feelings from other media outlets and university professors.


Study: Young people not as worried about environment
National/Global
According to a recent psychological study, the generation that came of age after the year 2000, also known as the Millennials, are not as concerned about living environmentally-friendly lifestyles as most people think. They are also not as concerned about the environment as previous generations were.


Millennials less concerned with volunteering
National/Global
A recent study found that Millennials (born 1982-2000) are more concerned with material values than volunteerism, in comparison with previous generations.


'Pride and Passion' to be exhibited at Milner
Campus
Milner Library will host the traveling exhibition "Pride and Passion: The African-American Baseball Experience" beginning Wednesday, March 28 through Friday, May 11.


Social Work Day to focus on traumatic situations
Campus
The ISU School of Social Work will host their annual conference in honor of Social Work Day. This year, the topic of the conference will focus on those in the community who are first responders to traumatic situations.


Religion an important factor in Ill. Republican primary
National/Global
Religious affiliation and worship attendance among voters were some of the factors that affected Mitt Romney's victory in the Illinois Republican primary.


Two students found dead in residence halls
Campus
Two students were found deceased in their residence hall rooms Thursday night around 9:30 p.m. and after midnight Friday morning in what are believed to be separate incidents.


Bowman and Donnelly earn leadership award
Campus
ISU President Al Bowman and Michael Donnelly, youth interventionist at Normal Community West High School, are receiving leadership awards from the Multicultural Leadership Program.


CIRA approves $3 million boarding bridge project
Bloomington/Normal
The Central Illinois Regional Airport has recently approved the addition of four new boarding bridges. Of the nine terminals, currently three have boarding bridges.


Campus Recreation to offer public rappelling workshop
Campus
Campus Recreation's Outdoor Adventure program will be offering a rappelling workshop on Saturday, March 31 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the rappel tower near University High School and the ISU track.


Annual book sale to help NPL program funding
Bloomington/Normal
The Friends of the Normal Public Library is hosting their annual book sale in the community room of the library during the weekend of March 23.


ISU-based study determines cause of bat deaths at wind farms
Bloomington/Normal
A research team based at ISU has conducted a study to determine the cause of thousands of bat deaths every year at wind farms.


Nomophobia: Fear of losing mobile contact can be coped with
Bloomington/Normal
A recent study sponsored by SecurEnvoy, an Internet security company based in the UK, showed that a substantial number of people are hit with anxiety when they lose mobile contact.


State of the Student Body Address reviews goals, success
Campus
Student Body President Zach Owens delivered the State of the Student Body Address last night in the Old Main Room of the Bone Student Center.


Education grad program gains 20 ranks from last year
Campus
According to WJBC, U.S. News & World Report ranked ISU's College of Education graduate program 84 in the nation, jumping 20 spots from 104 last year.


Winter season ranked fourth warmest on state record
State
The state of Illinois recorded its fourth warmest winter on record based on a number of factors that include average temperature and amount of precipitation.


Education advocate to speak at Braden
Campus
The College of Education will host nationally recognized educator, historian, and author Diane Ravitch on Tuesday, March 27 at 7 p.m. in Braden Auditorium.


Speaker will dish the dirt on clean water
Campus
In honor of World Water Week, the next piece in line for ISU's Spring Speaker Series is a discussion and demonstration on water quality. The presentation will take place on Wednesday, March 21 from 7 to 9 p.m. in the Prairie Room of the Bone Student Center.


ISU brings home fourth Tree Campus award
Campus
Illinois State has been listed as Tree Campus USA for its dedication to collegiate forestry management and environmental stewardship for the fourth straight year.


Mennonite to open simulation lab
Campus
The Mennonite College of Nursing will host an open house at the Nursing Simulation Laboratory on Tuesday, Mar. 20, from 2 to 4 p.m.


Diane Irvine to keynote Business Week
Campus
Diane Irvine will act as keynote speaker for ISU Business Week 2012. She will present "Find Your Passion: Lessons for Life and Career" on Wednesday.


ONLINE EXCLUSIVE: Normal Fire Department responds to Bone Student Center fire
Campus
The Normal Fire Department extinguished a fire late Tuesday evening at approximately 11 p.m. after reports of smoke in the Bone Student Center.


Universities may lose state funding for pensions
State
Illinois lawmakers are discussing whether or not to shift a portion of the state's pension obligation from the state to public universities, as part of Gov. Pat Quinn's proposed budget for the fiscal year 2013.


University Galleries receive Warhol grant
Campus
University Galleries, an extension of the College of Fine Arts, recently received a $27,000 grant from the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts.


Illinois voted second-least state in national popularity poll
State
According to a recent poll, American voters dislike Illinois. Considered only slightly better than California, the Land of Lincoln was voted the second-least popular state nationwide.


Coded condoms act as educational tool
National/Global
Planned Parenthood has combined safe sex and social media by introducing QR-coded condoms, which allow wearers to track their safe sex activity.


ISU, IWU students work on study for Bloomington
Bloomington/Normal
Seven ISU and Illinois Wesleyan University students are working individually with a staff member to develop a study specific to Bloomington's needs.


NEWS BRIEF: Lloyd Watkins, former ISU President, has died at 83
Campus
Lloyd I. Watkins, retired president of ISU, has died at the age of 83.


Diversity on campus focus of award ceremony
Campus
The 24th Annual Commitment to Diversity Awards will take place Sunday, April 1 from 2 to 4 p.m. in the Prairie Room of the Bone Student Center.


Tea Ladies host interactive Titanic program
Campus
Karen Patton and Nancy Perzo, sisters who make up The Tea Ladies, hosted "Titanic: The Ship of Dreams" on Thursday night on the main floor of Milner Library.


Annual fair to showcase cultural food, entertainment
Campus
The 42nd annual International Fair will be held on Saturday, March 3, in the Brown Ballroom of the Bone Student Center from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.


Closing of local post office leading to job loss
Bloomington/Normal
Bloomington's postal processing and distribution facility will be closed after May 23, the U.S. Postal Service announced Thursday, Feb. 23.


Award honors Town of Normal and local businesses
Bloomington/Normal
The Redbird Pride Committee has bestowed Redbird Pride Awards to the Town of Normal and area businesses in recognition of their long-standing and continuous partnership with ISU.


ISU Board of Trustees president, chief judge offers students advice
Campus
Judge Michael McCuskey, chief judge of the Central Illinois Federal District Court and president of the ISU Board of Trustees, presented a lecture Wednesday, Feb. 29 to law students in professor Bob Bradley's judicial process class.


Normal City Council hears Uptown site proposals
Bloomington/Normal
Four developers presented proposals to the Normal City Council on Tuesday night in order to claim a vacant site in Uptown Normal where they can construct their respective building plans.


Ill. Republican Party chairman talks campaigning in state
Campus
"The most important and unfortunately the hardest part of politics is financing and raising money for campaigns," Pat Brady, Illinois Republican Party Chairman, said in Bob Bradley's campaign politics class Wednesday afternoon.


A 'Titanic' kick-off for Spring Speaker Series
Campus
This year's Spring Speaker Series begins March 1 with a program about the ill-fated Titanic and will continue on throughout the semester with programs delving into topics ranging from a presentation on civic responsibility to an exhibit focusing on Negro League baseball during a time of social uncertainty.


Marriage Fairness Act may not be Illinois House's primary concern
Campus
The Illinois House recently re-visited a bill proposed in 2007 by Democrat Rep. Greg Harris. The bill, supported by openly gay state representatives and other lawmakers, is known as the "Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act." The legislation aims to eliminate the part of state law that prohibits same-sex marriage.


Campaign embraces natural body shape and size
Campus
Student Counseling Services is hosting the "Be Comfortable in Your Genes" campaign from Feb. 26 to Mar. 3.


'With My Own Two Wheels' helps bicycle relief
Bloomington/Normal
The Normal Theater in Uptown will be screening "With My Own Two Wheels" on February 28 at 7 p.m. The movie is a documentary about how owning a bicycle is life-changing.


Education job fair provides opportunities for students
Campus
Education majors and alumni from all around the country are invited to participate in the annual Mid-America Educators' Job Fair at the Bone Student Center on Tuesday, Feb. 28.


'CSI: New York' actor speaks about self-motivation
Campus
Hill Harper, actor and author, spoke Sunday at the Black History Month Cultural Dinner about how to set and achieve goals.


Event to display 16-year-old hamburger
Campus
The ISU Public Relations Student Society of America Bateman team will host the first public viewing of a 16-year-old fast food hamburger for their Meet the Burger event.


Simulation to show effects of poverty
Campus
Diversity Advocacy is hosting the third annual poverty simulation event for those interested in learning about the daily struggles of poverty stricken families and individuals.


Homecoming committee accepting applicants
Campus
ISU's Student Homecoming Committee is now accepting applications for students interested in getting involved in the 2012 Homecoming festivities.


BBB warns of email and text message scams during tax time
Bloomington/Normal
The Central Illinois Better Business Bureau is alerting taxpayers about the potential threat of a phishing scam that aims to target one's financial information.


Local professional hockey team to host college night and Stanley Cup
Bloomington/Normal
The Bloomington Blaze will host a college night for ISU and Illinois Wesleyan University students at the U.S. Cellular Coliseum on Thursday, Mar. 1, at 7:05 p.m. against the Quad City Mallards.


FLAME raises awareness of sex trafficking
Campus
The Feminist Led Activist Movement to Empower group held a discussion Wednesday about the realities of sex trafficking both in the United States and abroad.


Educating Illinois seeks student opinions at forum
Campus
Educating Illinois held an open forum Tuesday to allow students to share their opinions on the current status of ISU, as well as possible changes that could be made in the future.


Friday Night Live with the Black Actors Guild
Campus
The School of Theatre's Black Actors Guild will present "The Mystical Willie Lynch: A Musical, Poetic, and Mental Exploration" at Milner Library's Friday Night Live on Friday, Feb. 24.


Blo-No ranked second best city for singles in U.S.
Campus
Bloomington-Normal was recently ranked the second best city in America for singles based on income, living costs, unmarried households, and entertainment costs.


ISU alumni create virtual coach to help businesses
Campus
Three 2011 ISU graduates created virtual business called Coach Charles to help others launch new businesses.


Chicago voter registration lowest since 1942
Campus
The Chicago Board of Election Commissioners recently announced the number of registered voters in the city is at its lowest on agency records, which spans 70 years.


Four square marathon to help scholarship
Campus
The Theatre of Ted is accepting participant applications for its annual Four-Square Marathon on the Quad Thursday, Apr. 19, in hopes to raise $20,000 for an endowed student scholarship.


ISU sees fewer large house parties after 15 years
Campus
The ISU and Normal Police Departments recently noticed a significant change in the number of people attending parties in the area.


ONLINE EXCLUSIVE: Poll: Republican states increased in 2011
National/Global
According to a new Gallup poll, the amount of states with a clear Republican advantage doubled in 2011, which is part of a larger trend of states moving into the GOP column.


ISU offers variety of alcohol-free efforts
Campus
ISU Dean of Students Office has started Up Late At State, which are monthly late night programming activities for students to come out and engage in alcohol-free games, dances, movies, and other activities.


Uptown Partners replaces past association
Bloomington/Normal
Members of the Uptown Normal Business Association unanimously approved restructuring and expanding their organization, which will now be known as Uptown Partners.


Local police support amending eavesdropping law
State
On Feb. 8, an Illinois House committee approved amendments to the Eavesdropping Act that would allow the citizens to record police officers performing lawful duties in a public setting.


Sex trafficking focus of FLAME discussion
Campus
The Feminist Led Activist Movement to Empower is hosting a discussion about the effects of sex trafficking on Wednesday, Feb. 22 at 8 p.m. in Schroeder Hall 203.


War veteran, filmmaker shows film on experiences
Campus
Kyle Hausmann-Stokes, Iraqi war veteran and filmmaker, spoke Monday evening about his experiences as an active duty soldier, student, and veteran once he returned from the Middle East.


Job market continues to recover in 2012
National/Global
The number of available jobs reached a near three-year high during December of last year, according to recent reports by the U.S. Department of Labor.


Co-op would encourage buying local, eating healthier
Bloomington/Normal
The Bloomington-Normal Co-op Grocery Committee will hold a public meeting on Tuesday, March 6 from 7 to 9 p.m. in the Community Commons Building at Heartland Community College.


Founder's Day celebrates ISU history
Campus
The 2012 Founders Day celebration commenced Thursday morning with the annual bell ringing ceremony. The ceremony took place in the Prairie Room in the Bone Student Center.


Discount store with brand name clothing opens in Normal
Campus
JP Treasures, now open at Constitution Trail Center in Normal, is selling brand name clothing at discount prices.


Study shows not all majors pay off after graduation
Campus
A study conducted by the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce shows not all college majors have equal employment and pay options after graduation.


CSI actor Hill Harper to speak at cultural dinner
Campus
Hill Harper will be speaking at ISU's Black History Month Cultural Dinner on Sunday, Feb. 26 at 5 p.m. in the Brown Ballroom of the Bone Student Center.


Alumnus to discuss Super Bowl national security and field experiences
Campus
ISU's Department of Geography-Geology will host geography alumnus Steve Kwiatkowski on Thursday, Feb. 16, at 4 p.m. in Felmley Hall of Science room 133, in an event that is free and open to the public.


Coliseum brings in more concert-goers
Campus
Bloomington's U.S. Cellular Coliseum is drawing in record numbers of concert-goers to the Twin Cities by marking January as their highest attendance ever.


Sales career fair and reception returning to ISU
Campus
On Thursday, Feb. 16, the Sales Career Fair and Networking Reception will be held in the Prairie Room of the Bone Student Center. The fair runs from 6 to 8 p.m. and is open to every grade level. 


Founders Day to honor ISU accomplishments
Campus
ISU will be holding its annual Founders Day celebration on Thursday, Feb. 16 to observe university traditions and award the achievements of faculty, staff, students, and alumni.


Obama's tuition plan forces financial reform
State
President Barack Obama's recent plan to force colleges and universities to control tuition costs or risk losing federal funding may result in budget trade-offs that can have a negative effect on colleges and universities.


SGA launches Textbook Exchange website
Campus
The Student Government Association has launched its Textbook Exchange website in an effort to promote an easier and more affordable means of buying and selling textbooks.


Campaigns focus of Rutherford class visit
Campus
State of Illinois Treasurer, Dan Rutherford, spoke to Robert Bradley's Campaign Politics class Monday afternoon on the process of creating campaigns.


Catholic bishops judge birth control plan
State
In recent weeks, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has actively criticized President Barack Obama's requirement that religiously-affiliated institutions employing and providing services to non-Catholics must provide full contraception coverage for female employees.


Facebook IPO could be social media game changer
National/Global
Facebook's recent initial public offer filing has already started to show increased stocks in some social networking groups, and the move to go public may prove fruitful for the social media giant.


McLean County Coroner explains death investigation
Campus
Beth Kimmerling, McLean County Coroner, was a guest speaker at a Forensic Science and Criminal Proceedings class in Schroeder Hall on Friday, where she discussed the coroner's responsibilities during a death investigation.


HOPERA Unleashed combines drama, hip-hop, and opera
Campus
HOPERA Unleashed: A Hip-Hop Opera was performed in Braden Auditorium to an enthusiastic audience on Saturday evening. HOPERA Unleashed is the abridged version of HOPERA: A Fallen Hero.


ISU Career Center hosts two student career fairs
Campus
The Career Center will hold two Career Fairs this week, on Tuesday and Wednesday.


Pink Reception to celebrate survivors
Campus
ISU's Mennonite College of Nursing is hosting a Pink Reception celebrating community cancer survivors at the women's basketball PINK game on Sunday, Feb. 12.


Uptown Station seeking artist work for display
Campus
The Town of Normal is asking McLean County local artists to submit their work for the opportunity to have it displayed in the forthcoming Uptown Station.


Diversity Advocacy to sponsor hip-hop opera
Campus
ISU will host a production of "Hopera Unleashed: A Hip-Hop Opera" that will take place this Saturday, Feb. 11.


Ill. moves up in wind energy rankings
Campus
Illinois installed more wind turbines than any state last year while ranking fourth for wind energy capacity behind Texas, Iowa, and California, according to multiple renewable energy reports for 2011.


Fitness testing assesses body composition, physical activity
Campus
The Exercise Physiology Laboratory is now offering health, fitness and metabolic assessments to help participants manage health and weight, as well as increase athletic performance.


Red Cross highlights the importance of donations
Bloomington/Normal
In honor of Black History Month, the American Red Cross is reminding people of all ethnicities the importance of donating blood.


ISU joins UNICEF family with creation of new RSO
Campus
UNICEF has joined the ranks of ISU's Registered Student Organizations. The United Nations Children's Fund works in countries around the world to bring basic necessities to impoverished children.


NFD launches slogan contest for new EV
Bloomington/Normal
The Normal Fire Department launched a contest Wednesday in search of a fire safety slogan for the rear windshield of its new 2012 Mitsubishi MiEV.


Campus Rec to offer women's weight training workshop
Campus
Campus Recreation will be hosting a women's weight training workshop to work on lifting techniques and a basic fitness plan.


Rec named Outstanding Sports Facility
Campus
The Student Fitness Center and McCormick Hall recently received the 2012 Outstanding Sports Facilities award from the National Intramural-Recreational Sports Association.


Vagina Monologues to portray struggles
Campus
The Feminist Led Activist Movement to Empower will host activist Eve Ensler's "The Vagina Monologues" from Feb. 9 to 11 at 8 p.m. in Capen Auditorium.


Goals, strategies topics at Educating Illinois forum
Campus
ISU's Educating Illinois Task Force is hosting an open forum Wednesday, Feb. 8 from 3 to 4:30 p.m. in the Prairie Room of the Bone Student Center.


Student Health Services earns full accreditation
Campus
The Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care has awarded full accreditation to ISU's Student Health Services for meeting national standards in outpatient health care.


Geophysicist speaks on recent Haiti, Japan earthquakes
Campus
Wayne D. Pennington, a geophysicist with the U.S. Agency for International Development, presented a lecture Friday, Jan. 3 on the recent Haiti and Japan earthquakes and what can be learned from them.


SGA endorses reading and review week
Campus
ISU's Student Government Association will endorse a reading and review period, which will be forwarded to the Academic Affairs committee for voting in the course of the semester.


Campaign winning artwork shows students talents
Campus
The Student Government Association has just announced the winners of this year's State Your Art Campaign. Every year in the past, the University Marketing Board teams up with SGA to bring student artwork to multiple locations around campus.


Programs awarded by wellness group
Bloomington/Normal
McLean County Wellness Coalition is looking to support healthy programs in an attempt to promote healthy living within the community.


Student tickets on sale for annual Black Heritage Ball
Campus
Tickets for ISU's Black Heritage Ball, sponsored by the Black Student Union, will go on sale at 7 p.m., Monday, Feb. 6.


Brood reproduction discussed at zoologist seminar
Campus
The School of Biological Sciences hosted Douglas Mock, University of Oklahoma's George Lynn Cross Research Professor of Zoology, yesterday afternoon in Schroeder Hall as part of the school's ongoing seminar series.


'Mitchell 20' exposes struggles for educators
Campus
The College of Education and the student organization Urban Needs in Teacher Education will sponsor a screening of the documentary "Mitchell 20: Teacher Quality is the Answer" on Monday, Feb. 6 at 6:30 p.m. in the Brown Ballroom of the Bone Student Center.


Geophysicist to speak on recent earthquakes
Campus
Wayne D. Pennington, a geophysicist with the U.S. Agency for International Development, will speak Friday, Feb. 3 on the recent earthquakes in Japan and Haiti in a lecture titled, "Preparing for the Future: Scientific and Humanitarian Lessons from the Haiti and Japan Earthquakes."


Leadership and service unit begins new campaign
Campus
On Thursday, Feb. 2, the Leadership and Service Unit of the Dean of Students Office will launch their new campaign, titled "I am a [blank] leader."


Increase in education funding goes to pension program
State
A 12 percent increase in the state of Illinois' higher education funding for the fiscal year 2012 will be going to the State Universities Retirement System to repair unfunded liabilities.


United Way campaign reaches 2011 goal
Bloomington/Normal
The United Way of McLean County announced they have successfully reached their $4.3 million goal for 2011 at a recent campaign celebration at the Marriott Hotel.  The total amount was $4,300,220.


All skill levels welcome at climbing workshop
Campus
Campus Recreation is now offering climbing opportunities for climbers at every skill level.


Eye on Crime
Campus
Here are the condensed crime reports from January 23 to January 29:


Biparental animal care to be discussed by zoologist at seminar
Campus
ISU's School of Biological Sciences will host a seminar focusing on biparental care in animals on Thursday, Feb. 2 in Felmley Hall of Science.


CARLI, Book Digitization Initiative archive provides access for students
Campus
Milner Library recently received a Book Digitization Initiative from the Consortium of Academic and Research Libraries in Illinois.


Ill. testing cameras in the courtrooms
State
The Illinois Supreme Court announced the approval of a policy to allow cameras and electronic recorders in state circuit courts as part of an experimental pilot program.


Professors named for Team Research Award
Campus
Louis Reifschneider, professor of technology, and Peter Kaufman, professor of marketing, are the recipients of the Outstanding Team Research Award.


Campus Rec offering spring intramurals
Campus
With a new semester underway, Campus Recreation is gearing up with the start of the spring intramural sport lineup.


Initiative launched to raise awareness of sexual violence
Campus
An informational breakfast will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 1 at 7:45 a.m. in Student Services Building 375 to formally launch "Friendly Faces," a new initiative by the Sexual Assault Prevention and Survivor Services program.


Ill. tuition plan at $560 million deficit
State
College Illinois, a prepaid tuition plan overseen by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission, will be $560 million short of obligations towards almost 54,000 current and future students based on a recent audit.


Ill. considers loosening smoking ban in bars, restaurants
State
Illinois lawmakers are considering loosening the Smoke Free Illinois Act, which prohibits smoking in all indoor public places since being passed in 2008.


Sleep can lock in bad memories, according to new study
National/Global
Sleep may lock in bad memories and emotions, according to a new study conducted by researchers at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.


Astroth named Nurse Educator Fellow for contribution to program
Campus
ISU's Mennonite College of Nursing Assistant Professor Kim Astroth has been named Nurse Educator Fellow by the 2012 Illinois Board of Higher Education.


Rec Center offering body sculpting class
Campus
Campus Recreation will now offer a one-hour TRX Body Sculpt class that will incorporate the TRX Suspension Trainer to help participants use their own body weight as leverage during workout sessions.


Social Justice Institute helps students explore identities
Campus
Diversity Advocacy will host "The Power of One: Awareness, Change, Responsibility Social Justice Institute" on Jan. 28 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Old Main Room in the Bone Student Center.   


Section of Constitution Trail closing for safety purposes
Bloomington/Normal
The area of Constitution Trail between the Children's Discovery Museum and Uptown Station will be closing for safety purposes, Joe Tulley, Uptown marketing manager, explained.


Normal hosts an EVening of electric vehicles
Campus
The Town of Normal hosted An EVening with EVs Thursday. The event was held in the Marriott Hotel Ballroom, in which several electric vehicles, such as the Telsa Roadster, Nissan Leaf, Chevrolet Volt and the Mitsubishi "I" were displayed.


Violence against women topic of documentary screening
Campus
FLAME, ISU's on-campus feminist group, hosted a screening of the documentary, "Until the Violence Stops" on Wednesday evening in Schroeder Hall.


New martial arts class coming to rec center
Campus
Beginning Feb. 2, the Student Fitness Center will have a new class available, Introduction to Martial Arts.


IDOT agreements to add more safety, beauty to Uptown Normal
Bloomington/Normal
The Town of Normal signed an agreement last week with the Illinois Department of Transportation for the building of an overhead walkway for the new multimodal Uptown Station that will offer passengers an easy, safe way to cross active rail lines.


Lt. Gov. calls for change in community colleges
State
Illinois Lt. Gov. Sheila Simon addressed the need for educational reform within two-year institutions in a report released on Thursday, Jan. 19.


Ill. receives an "A" for smoke-free air and "D" for cigarette tax
State
The State of Tobacco Control 2012 report was released by the American Lung Association on Jan. 19, which sheds light on each state's ability to make progress in four categories based on policies to save lives and cut healthcare costs.


Gossip may serve a social purpose, study shows
National/Global
According to a study conducted by researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, gossip may serve a higher purpose than proving the premise for primetime television shows such as "Gossip Girl" and "Pretty Little Liars."


Civil rights lawyer, activist speaks at MLK Jr. Dinner
Campus
Michelle Alexander, a civil rights lawyer and scholar, was the keynote speaker at the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Dinner. The dinner was sponsored by the ISU President's Office and the ISU student chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). The meal was provided by Campus Dining Services.


ISU alumnae appointed to Educational Investment Fund Board
Campus
The Educational Investment Fund recently added two Illinois State University College of Business alumnae to its Board of Directors.


Recycling program aims for efficiency, effectiveness
Bloomington/Normal
The Normal City Council recently received a proposal for a new recycling plan that would allow residents the option of both curbside and drop-box recycling.


Binge drinking common on college campuses
Campus
In the past academic year, 61.3 percent of ISU students reported binge drinking, according to the Core Alcohol and Drug Survey in 2011.


New bill criticizers deem college is not for everyone
National/Global
A new bill that could change the current high school graduation requirements has resulted in many explanations as to why college is not for everyone.


Skibo named distinguished professor
Campus
ISU President Al Bowman has appointed James Skibo as a distinguished professor, an honor given to a faculty member who demonstrates excellence throughout the university.


ISU partners with WIU for Wind for Schools Program
Campus
ISU and Western Illinois University have partnered together in order to provide classroom materials that contribute to wind energy curriculum's in chosen schools.


Normal to lease six electric vehicles, Amtrak additions approved
Bloomington/Normal
The Normal City Council agreed on the lease of six Mitsubishi electric vehicles, as well as the approval of several additions to the new Amtrak station during the city council meeting on Tuesday.


Two drink-free days a week needed, according to new U.K. study
National/Global
People should avoid drinking alcohol at least two days a week, according to a recent recommendation by the Commons Science and Technology Committee of the U.K. Parliament. 


Healthiest Winner program to offer fitness, lifestyle help
Campus
This spring, Campus Recreation will host the Healthiest Winner program, a fitness and lifestyle plan designed to help with weight management and overall physical health.


Civil rights lawyer keynote speaker at MLK Jr. dinner
Campus
Michelle Alexander will appear as the keynote speaker on Friday, January 20, at the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Dinner at 5 p.m. in the Brown Ballroom of the Bone Student Center.


Teaching graduates place in top 20 for certification
Campus
ISU was among the top 20 undergraduate institutions in the nation to award education graduates with National Board Certification.


Apt. construction expected to level out in 2012
Bloomington/Normal
While Normal saw a dramatic increase in apartment construction in 2011, town officials expect multi-unit buildings to level out this year.


Radon: A noble gas with dastardly effects
National/Global
Radon, a colorless, odorless noble gas, has been named the leading cause of cancer in non-smokers. January has been named National Radon Action month, according to RadonMonth.org, in response to an article they submitted stating that radon gas has been named the leading cause of cancer in non-smokers.


EPA awards smart growth award to roundabout
Bloomington/Normal
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has chosen the Town of Normal as a recipient of the 2011 National Smart Growth Award.


Educational economist discusses school accountability
Campus
David Figlio, Orrington Lunt professor of education and social policy at Northwestern University, discussed the effects of school accountability on residential areas and schools on Dec. 7 in Stevenson Hall.


Blagojevich sentenced to 14 years in prison
State
After a three-year, nationally-publicized fight against charges of corruption, former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich was sentenced to 14 years in prison Wednesday.


SGA and Milner hosting dance party
Campus
The Student Government Association and Milner Library will host a study break dance party on Sunday, Dec. 11 at 10 p.m. on the main floor of the library.


School of Fine Arts launches music label, Stu Records
Campus
ISU music classes held a party Thursday afternoon to celebrate the launch of ISU's record label, Stu Records. Students performed both original songs and covers across various genres.