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YEAR IN REVIEW EDITION

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MONDAY May 7, 2018

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Vol. 147 Issue 62

IN REVIEW

Top five moments of past year BY HEATHER SCHLITZ ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR

As the school year comes to an end, let’s take a look back on the biggest moments that happened over the year, in no particular order.

GEO strike

After almost a year of bargaining over a new contract between the University administration and the Graduate Employees’ Organization, the GEO went on strike in late February over tuition waivers, health care premiums and wage increases, among other demands. The strike forced classes to be relocated or canceled while graduate employees withheld labor and picketed buildings around campus. The 12-day strike ended with a new contract, with a 98 percent approval rate from the GEO members.

stand trial on April 2, 2019. More than two weeks after Zhang’s disappearance in June, Christensen was arrested for her kidnapping and was indicted by a federal grand jury in July. Though Zhang is presumed dead by the FBI, Christensen has pleaded not guilty to one count of kidnapping resulting in death and two counts of making false statements to the FBI.

protesters demonstrated against the Honor the Chief Society’s participation in the parade. The Chief portrayer who was in the parade left in a police car as the University of Illinois Police Department attempted to de-escalate the situation. The protests, organized by the Illinois Student Government, had originally planned to walk alongside the parade route, but as more registered student Suburban Express email organizations joined in the Suburban Express sent effort, protesters decided to an email to customers in block the route instead. December saying, “You won’t feel like you’re in College of Business receives China when you’re on our $150 million donation buses.” The email was conThe College of Business demned by the University was renamed the Gies Coland provoked widespread lege of Business following a outrage from the Chinese $150 million donation from community. The Illinois University alumni Larry attorney general filed a and Beth Gies. The Univerlawsuit in April against the sity plans to use the donacompany for racially dis- tion to fund scholarships criminatory behavior and and student programs, as harassment of customers. well as to hire faculty. Larry Gies is the founder, presProtesters stopping the ident and CEO of Madison Homecoming Parade Industries. The Homecoming Parade in October was blocked as schlitz2@dailyillini.com

Campus construction carries on BYTHEDAILYILLINISTAFFREPORT

Yule Ball spreads holiday cheer

buzz’s semester in review

Bren Spillane has surprised the nation

As the semester comes to an end, several construction projects across the campus have been substantially completed, and some remain to be completed over the summer. According to Steve Breitwieser, communications officer of Facilities and Services, capital improvement projects have been completed over the course of the year at the following locations: the Integrated Bioprocessing Research Laboratory, the Agricultural Engineering Sciences Laboratory, the South Farms, the Illini Union and the Construction Engineering Research Laboratory. Breitwieser said in an email there will be more than 40 active capital projects in the construc-

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Kidnapping of Yingying Zhang

Brendt Christensen, the accused kidnapper and murderer of visiting scholar Yingying Zhang, is set to

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Life

Sesquicentennial commemoration ends University celebrated for 15 months BY REBECCA WOOD STAFF WRITER

As the school year comes to a close, so does the University’s sesquicentennial celebrations commemorating the school’s history over the last 150 years. Laura Wilhelm-Barr, director of special events for the Chancellor’s Office, has overseen several sesquicentennial events over the past 15 months, including the initial kick-off, a series of musical performances and the upcoming commencement. Wilhelm-Barr said her office has been involved in the planning of University-wide events, rather than the smaller events planned by the sesquicentennial committee. “Units across campus have held their own sesquicentennial celebrations,”

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Wilhelm-Barr said. “So I’ve only been involved in the book-end events.” The kick-off in February 2017 consisted of a series of talks and presentations commemorating the accomplishments of the University’s societal impact since its establishment in 1867, said Pradeep Khanna, chair of the planning committee for the sesquicentennial. “Again, the focus there was to celebrate our accomplishments to society and to renew our commitment to the land-grant mission of the University moving forward,” Khanna said. Khanna said the University hosted a conference in April entitled Illinois 150: The 21st Century University and Research for the Public Good. “The focus was there to highlight the faculty and research and to see how

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Criminal damage to property was reported on the 1700 block of West University Avenue around 10 a.m. Jan. 17. According to the report, the victim’s car received an unsolicited coat of spray paint. There are no suspects at this time. Deceptive practices were reported on the 500 block of East Sunnycrest Court around 12:30 p.m. Jan. 23. According to the report, the deceased victim’s children report-

ed that their mother was a victim of an internet scam. A suspicious letter was reported at the Office of Student Financial Aid, 620 E. John St., around noon Feb. 20. According to the report, a University employee received a suspicious letter with glitter inside with no other information or communication. An arrest on charges of domestic battery was reported on the 2000 block of Vawter Street around 5 p.m.

Feb. 5. According to the report, the 44-year-old male arrestee threw a glass of iced tea onto the victim. The two are roommates. Residential burglary was reported on the 900 block of Pomona Drive around 12:30 a.m. March 14. According to the report, a pizza pan containing chicken strips was taken from the victim’s home while they were gone. news@dailyillini.com

University offers various jobs over summer

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Managing editor, Online

Five unusual police blotters of the semester BY THE DAILY ILLINI STAFF REPORT

The Daily Illini is the independent student newspaper at the University of Illinois at UrbanaChampaign. The newspaper is published by the Illini Media Co. The Daily Illini does not necessarily represent, in whole or in part, the views of the University of Illinois administration, faculty or students. All Illini Media Co. and/or The Daily Illini articles, photos and graphics are the property of Illini Media and may not be reproduced or published without written permission from the publisher. First copy is free; each additional copy is 50 cents.

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BY MADALYN VELISARIS STAFF WRITER

Students who are staying on campus over summer break have a variety of University jobs to choose from, with varying earning potentials. Michelle Trame, acting director and senior associate director for the Office of Student Financial Aid, said it is difficult for students to figure out which job may pay the highest salary. According to the Office of Student Financial Aid’s website, there are four different groups of University jobs that all have a starting pay of $8.25 but with varying earning potentials. Group A, entry-level or unskilled jobs, earns $8.25 to $9.40 per hour and requires no experience. Employees can complete all of their training during their jobs. According to the website, jobs classified in Group A include basic office work, preparing and serving food, working a cash register, stocking supplies and assisting in classroom duties. Semi-skilled jobs fall under Group B, and students earn $8.25 to $10.20 per hour. Work responsibilities require some experience, education and job training. Among the duties Group B assumes are basic computer work, helping with

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Pennsylvania Avenue Residence Hall dining hall during late night. Working a cash register and preparing food are two jobs the University offers for students over summer.

animal care, working and organizing intramural sports or events in facilities, general labor and working at the library and in food service administration. Students who work technical jobs are in Group C, which may earn an hourly wage of $8.25 to $12.25. Jobs considered technical are office and laboratory work utilizing special skills in the field that the student is employed, aviation-related duties, custodial or grounds-keeping and student patrol. Pay raises are based on merit and a high performance level, according to the website.

Students tend to work different University jobs over the summer for a multitude of reasons. “Students work for a variety of reasons, including reducing the amount they need to borrow to pay for school, learning timemanagement skills and gaining work experience,” Trame said. Meha Patel, senior in LAS, worked at the Parent and Family Programs Office in the Illini Union during the summer of 2016. “I was doing research for the Communications Department but wasn’t getting paid, so I had to find a job to support living in an

apartment,” Patel said. Patel tutored athletes taking summer courses, helped with summer registration with the PFPO and communicated with parents about the University. The job helped her gain valuable experience by working with people from all sorts of backgrounds, she said. “When finding a summer job, find something that you’d consider working at part-time throughout the school year,” Patel said. “I stayed with the PFPO for an additional two years, so I’m glad I found it over the summer.” madalyn4@dailyillini.com

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Corrections When we make a mistake, we will correct it in this place. We strive for accuracy, so if you see an error in the paper, please contact Editor-inChief Abby Paeth at (217)-337-8365.

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NEWS

Top 10 resolutions by ISG over the past year BY CORI LIPPERT STAFF WRITER

The Illinois Student Government addressed important campus issues by proposing a total of 115 resolutions in the past year.

Removal of Chief logo

The University responded to the ISG resolution to remove all Chief logos from University buildings. “We documented almost 40 instances of the Chief logo still being on University property in certain areas,” said ISG President Walter Lindwall, senior in LAS. “So we passed a resolution asking that they be removed in compliance with the retiring of the logo, and they followed through and did that, that week.”

Creation of the Sexual Assault Prevention Department

An executive order was passed to create a Sexual Assault Prevention Department within the student government to raise awareness about bystander intervention and sexual assault prevention. “We did a lot of work and did a lot of good things, including putting bystander intervention signs in local bar restrooms and creating a support video for survivors,” said Joseph Domanski, senior in LAS and former ISG vice president. “I created this department to help the student body and create a dialogue around an issue that is not being talked about enough.”

Support for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals students

In response to the U.S. government ending the DACA program, the ISG passed a resolution to show their support. The resolution also created an i-Care event that would give students training on matters

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150

CONSTANCE SARANTOS THE DAILY ILLINI

New senate members are sworn in during an Illinois Student Government meeting. ISG has composed a list of over 100 campus issues that have been resolved in the past year, including issues relating to the school mascot and bus companies.

related to undocumented process. students.

Impeachment of diversity and inclusion chair

The impeachment of Andrew Minik, former chair of the Committee of Diversity and Inclusion and senior in Business, sparked a debate between the political parties present on campus. Lindwa ll sa id the impeachment of Minik was unprecedented because every time ISG has had a bad committee chair, they would ask the chair to resign. However, Minik would not resign, and the senate had to go through the official impeachment another picture in the block “I”, similar to that of their freshman year. Khanna said the University stoles will still have the sesquicentennial logo on it, and there will be speakers at commencement talking about the school’s accomplishments over the last 150 years. Wilhelm-Barr said the amount of alumni involvement has a positive effect on the impact of the celebrations. “I think it just helps us look back at the achievements over the last 150 years, the progress we’ve made, and helps us to celebrate what we have to look forward to in the future,” Wilhelm-Barr said. Khanna said the sesquicentennial provided a natural opportunity to take part in the introspection of what the University has done, as well as to think about future plans. “We as a University have made an impact on our world that transcends the national boundaries and the impact has gone all over the world,” Khanna said.

our faculty and research are transforming the society,” Khanna said. According to the website, Illinois 150 gathered together Illinois faculty, “We published a series of three books highlighting different aspects of our accomplishments,” Khanna said. Khanna said there have been three books published about the University during the last 15 months, about innovations, athletics and architecture. The final event for the sesquicentennial celebration is the commencement on May 12 at Memorial Stadium. Like last year, there will be confetti cannons to celebrate the 150 years. “The sesquicentennial celebration wraps up with commencement this May,” Wilhelm-Barr said. “So May 2018 marks the end of the sesquicentennial celebration.” Wilhelm-Barr encourages graduating seniors to stay until tassel-turn to experience the confetti and get rnwood2@dailyillini.com

they're in China while riding the Suburban Express Support of the Graduate buses. Employees' Organization “The statement that was strike released by this company In response to the GEO was simply stupid and unacstrike, ISG passed a resolu- ceptable,” Domanski said. tion affirming its support of the GEO. The student gov- Reaffirmationof commitment ernment also passed a reso- to find a new mascot lution that allocated funds The ISG passed a resoluto provide water bottles, tion that reaffirms its comhand warmers and food to mitment to finding a new the GEO. mascot. “The purpose of this is to Condemnation of Suburban finally rip off the band-aid Express and establish a new masThe ISG passed a resolu- cot that students could get tion condemning Suburban around,” Domanski said in Express after the company an email. sent out an email saying its customers wouldn’t feel like Response to the Secretary

of Education’s changes to Title IX

awareness to organ donation. It created a lot of different drives where people signed up to become organ donors, and it brought awareness to the cause,” Domanski said.

The ISG condemned the words and actions of Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos. The executives condemned the actions of DeVos and promised the University community that the ISG Creation of Coffee With will continue to advocate for Constituents resources and support for The series of Coffee With sexual assault victims. Constituent events was created to help close the gap Organization of Life Goes between ISG senators and On task force University students. The The Life Goes On task events were held in various force was created by an locations around campus. executive order to increase Students were able to speak the number of organ donors with senators and executive on the University campus. staff over coffee. “The purpose of this task force was created to bring coridl2@dailyillini.com

BRIAN BAUER THE DAILY ILLINI

Chancellor Robert Jones speaks at the sesquicentennial celebration at the Krannert Center on Feb. 28. Seven University faculty members were awarded the 2017 Chancellor’s Academic Professional Excellence Award.

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CONSTRUCTION

HANNAH AUTEN THE DAILY ILLINI

The former African American Cultural Center was torn down in March. This is one of the many construction projects the University has planned for the past year.

ity formally opens this fall. Breitwieser said each capital improvement project is unique, requiring specific project planning and management. “One of the goals in the capital projects planning and transfer phases is … to outline and develop an appropriate schedule for project execution and minimize potential inconveniences to students, faculty and staff,” he said. The summer period, from immediately after Commencement until the start of the fall semester, with a reduced number of students and faculty on campus, provides a time frame for significant project work to occur, he said.

tion phase on the Urbana side of campus this summer. “Some high-profile projects are the Bruce D. Nesbitt African American Cultural Center, the Siebel Center for Design, the Illinois Street Residence Dining Facility, Freer Hall renovation and the Football Performance Center,” Breitwieser said. Work will also continue on Everitt Laboratory, he said, as part of the Grainger Engineering Breakthroughs Initiative, which is transforming the building into the home for the Department of Bioengineering when the facil- news@dailyillini.com

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Restaurant turnover in Champaign-Urbana area

SABRINA YAN THE DAILY ILLINI

The build-your-own pizza restaurant, Azzip Pizza, previously located at 505 E. Green St. closed early October. In its place is Signature Grill, which offers a variety of Indian and Mexican foods. Signature Grill is among several other restaurants that came to Champaign-Urbana within the past year. BY SAM BOYLE ASSISTANT DAYTIME NEWS EDITOR

Restaurants closed in the past year: Chatime

Chatime was located on 512 E. Green St. before it was permanently closed in March 2017. Chatime was a cafe known for serving bubble tea. The location was taken over by Taipei Cafe.

Azzip Pizza

Azzip Pizza was located at 505 E. Green St. before it closed on Oct. 7. The Champaign location was first opened in 2015. and no new Illinois locations have opened since.

Mashawi Grill

Mashawi Grill was located at 617 E. Green St. before it closed in April 2017. The restaurant closed suddenly and notified its customers with a pink note on the door saying the restaurant had been sold. Teamoji took over the location in October.

Wedge

Wedge, a Mexican restaurant and bar, closed on March 25. Wedge was originally located at 415 N.

Neil St., and the restaurant opened around six years ago. No new businesses have taken this location.

ing Azzip Pizza. Signature Grill opened on March 1 and offers a variety of Indian and Mexican foods.

Brixx Wood Fired Pizza

Nanjing Bistro

Brixx Wood Fired Pizza was originally located at 2043 S. Neil St. and closed on Dec. 9. Brixx still has locations in Indiana, Ohio, Tennessee, North Carolina, Alabama and South Carolina.

Nanjing Bistro is located on 508 E. Green St. and offers a variety of Chinese food. Nanjing Bistro opened in the Champaign area in 2017.

Mid Summer Lounge

Mid Summer Lounge is located on 623 E. Green St. and opened in April 2017. Lao Sze Chuan Mid Summer Lounge is a sitLao Sze Chuan is a Chi- down Chinese restaurant. nese restaurant located at 608 E. University Ave. This Garbanzo restaurant and bar opened Garbanzo Mediterranean in Champaign last summer Fresh opened in February and has several other loca- and is located in the Illitions in the country. ni Union food court. It is a chain restaurant that offers Taipei Cafe Mediterranean food, and it Taipei Cafe is located at is also the first restaurant on 512 E. Green St. and was campus to offer halal food. opened in summer 2017, replacing Chatime. The TeaMoji cafe offers different kinds TeaMoji is located at 617 of beverages and a few food E. Green St. and opened options. Braised pork rice in October 2017, replacing and waffle dogs are some of Mashawi Grill. TeaMoji the options on the menu. offers smoothies, bubble tea, pastries and more. TeaMoji Signature Grill also has a location in Boston. Signature Grill is located at 505 E. Green St., replac- sjboyle2@dailyillini.com

Restaurants opened in the past year:

SABRINA YAN THE DAILY ILLINI

The inside of Mid Summer Lounge restaurant, located on Green Street. Mid Summer Lounge is one of several new restaurants to open in Champaign-Urbana in the past year.

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OPINIONS

MONDAY May 7, 2018 The Daily Illini DailyIllini.com

NIGHT

Instapoetry lacks substance, depth

DAY Z Z

Z Z

Z Z Z

CINDY OM THE DAILY ILLINI

Start your morning off right small problems become something that seems too BRIAN LOH much to handle. VIDEO EDITOR The way to prevent this stress from overwhelming you is with a morning rouith finals week tine — something to start comes complaints your morning off right and from students kick-start a productive day. regarding their lack of This can be something as sleep and excessive stress. small as making your bed As a result, many stuin the morning. dents tend to stay up late, A morning routine that eat poorly and cram right you execute daily will help before their final the next combat the feelings of day. stress and anxiety, because However, the problem you force yourself to comwith this is it takes away plete a task that is benefifrom time spent elsewhere. cial for you. It’s similar to So, if I stay up late to cram, how small problems can I’ll get less sleep and won’t snowball and become large, be able to focus properly overwhelming issues — during the final, if I even small, beneficial tasks can wake up and get there on fuel a day of productivity. time. For example, say your These issues then continue routine is to wake up every to pile up. Eventually, these morning at 8 in order

to eat breakfast before your internship, summer class or job. If you follow through with the routine, you won’t be late. Plus, you’ve already accomplished a few goals you set up for yourself; then, you’re on schedule to have a productive day. Many students I know claim to be night owls and don’t think they’re morning people because they can’t wake up early in the morning. But sleep schedules are like clockwork; if you’re consistently sleeping and waking up at the same times, your body gets into a rhythm, and it no longer becomes a chore to wake up in the morning. If you aren’t waking up early, try adjusting your sleep schedule to go to bed on time and wake up earlier.

time / she was blooming / for herself.” This style of poetry COLUMNIST relies on some teenage angst coming from the audience in the hopes that nstagram poetry has the audience can relate. grown with a massive The “Instapoets” write amount of popularity, their poetry to be as draespecially among young matic, relatable and simhigh school and college ple as they can so they can students. This type of reach as many people as poetry is known for having possible. It is only written very short sentences and to be consumed easily by stanzas that are accessible others and for the writto everyone through the ers to gain a very lucrapoem’s content and the tive amount of money social media platform. over simplicity and little Rupi Kaur is the author meaning. of the New York Times The “poems” read like bestseller “Milk and Hon- inspirational quotes, but ey.” Her success came a compilation of inspifrom her huge social rational quotes does not media following on Insqualify as a good poem. tagram, where she postHow every poet choosed small poems about es to express themselves “violence, abuse and is not my decision, but femininity.” their popularity over simOne of her small poems ple writing is frustrating from “Milk and Honey” when other poets who are says, “You were so afraid so talented are unrec/ of my voice / I decided ognized. I believe readto be / afraid of it too.” ing is beneficial to people This does have much sub- because it opens your stance and depth to it, but mind to a different view of to me, it is difficult to call the world, but this type of this type of writing real reading through a social poetry. media platform, geared Poetry by writers like toward becoming famous, Sylvia Plath, Pablo Neruda is unnecessary. and Charles Bukowski all I do have to applaud are carefully thought-out these Instagram poets for and do not use any overtheir ability to draw peosimplified style. Their ple in and make money works make us feel and off of this writing, and I evoke emotion that lasts. am not saying that all of They make us think deep- their writing is bad. Hower because their poems ever, most of the poems include elements of imag- posted on their social ery, allusions and metamedia accounts, where phors. Instagram poetry their audience mostly may just evoke an emotion consumes their products, for a second, or not all, and have little content that it does not require any does not challenge the deeper thinking due to its reader's mind. simplicity. Others have caught on Another one of her to the ridiculousness of poems says, “She was some of these Instagram a rose / in the hands of poems. One person poked those / who had no intenfun at this style of writtion / of keeping her.” This ing: “I understand / why is all just one poem. There guacamole is / extra / it is is nothing else to the page because / you / were nevbesides blankness. er / enough.” When put Reuben Holmes is into a joke, it’s easy to see another famous Instahow overdramatic most of gram poet who uses his these poets’ content is. social media following as a Even with these Instaway to publish his poems. gram poets, at least there He goes by the name r.h. is an audience that wants Sin on Instagram. His to read and be involved style of poetry is very sim- in literature. Hopefully, ilar to Kaur's as it relies on their audience is also conan empathetic audience, suming great literary and angst and simple language poetic works other than and format. One of his just “Instapoetry.” poems says, “She wasn’t / doing it for you / she was Jaime is a sophomore in LAS. always / a rose / and this jaimelw2@dailyillini.com JAIME WATTS

In addition to being more productive, there are many other benefits to having a morning routine, including being more proactive, maintaining a healthier diet and simply having more time in the day. Life’s already stressful enough, so having something solid to lean on, like a routine, is a commodity that’ll help maintain your sanity through difficult weeks. A morning routine isn’t a new concept either; it’s a tried and true way to have a productive day. As Benjamin Franklin once said, “Early to bed and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise.” Brian is a junior in Engineering. bzloh2@dailyillini.com

Sometimes it’s OK to be unproductive SRIRAM KARUMBUNATHAN COLUMNIST

reaks are fantastic. I’m pretty sure most of us can agree. One break, I went to India and visited a lot of my family. It was a joy being around those who I do not normally have the luxury of seeing, such as my little cousins, aunts and uncles. It really made my break that much more enjoyable, because I am only able to see these family members once every two years. Since our time together is valuable and scarce, my family members were trying to spend every minute with me that they could. It should have been a perfect break, yet for some reason, I didn’t feel right about spending time without working or having nothing looming over my head. It may sound silly, but this gnawing feeling that came with not being busy nearly ruined my vacation. While I was cleaning up after my 2-year-old cousin who was running around, I slowly felt something turn in my stomach. I soon realized it was my mind telling me I wasn’t doing anything productive. During the semester, I had become so accustomed

SABRINA ZHANG THE DAILY ILLINI

to constantly doing work and having more work to do that I could not go a few days without being productive. When I say productive, I mean having some sort of goal in mind and finishing that goal within a reasonable amount of time. During the semester, there is always something I must do, whether it be work or homework. As the semesters have gone by, I’ve gotten accustomed to this busy schedule. This all finally hit as I was spending my time relaxing instead of being constantly on the move. I

had cleared up my schedule so I could take two weeks in India, yet when it finally came time to relax, I found myself still thinking about what had to be done when I got back home. This is not entirely a negative thing, as I’m better with managing my time than I was before college, but it did take away from my vacation quite a bit. I think once I get away from college, or at the very least undergrad, where hours are packed tight with work, I will adjust to having a set time to work and a set time to enjoy

myself. It’s important to enjoy time away from work; it helps us recharge and reassess our values and goals. But right now, in the college environment, my mindset has shifted to adjust to my hectic schedule. It’s just one of the many things college has changed about me, and while it does help me with my coursework, I think it’s important to realize there should be times where we don’t need to do anything, and that is perfectly fine. Sriram is a junior in Engineering. karumbu2@dailyillini.com

“I understand / why guacamole is / extra / it is because / you / were never / enough.” Liked by jessburz, emward44

CINDY OM THE DAILY ILLINI

SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS | opinions@dailyillini.com with the subject “Letter to the Editor.” The Daily Illini reserves the right to edit for length, libel, grammar and spelling errors, and Daily Illini style or to reject any contributions. Letters must be limited to 300 words. Contributions must be typed and include the author’s name, address and phone number. University students must include their year in school and college.

THE DAILY ILLINI | WWW.DAILYILLINI.COM

Monday, May 7, 2018

Harry Potter Alliance host annual charity Yule Ball BY SARAH O’BEIRNE STAFF WRITER

It was a night of witchcraft and wizardry as the Harry Potter Alliance held its annual Yule Ball. The third annual event took place Jan. 19 at the I Hotel and Conference Center. This year, the Harry Potter Alliance sold more than 350 tickets. The Yule Ball is inspired by “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire,” which is the fourth book in the Harry Potter series. Three wizarding schools come together to celebrate the Christmas season and those competing in the Triwizard Tournament, a magical contest between Beauxbetons Academy of Magic, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and Durmstrang Institute, mentioned in the book. The event not only pays tribute to the series, but it also raises money for charity. Harry Potter Alliance President Holly Miller, junior in LAS, along with the executive board, chose the Syrian refugee crisis as this year’s recipient. They also chose Crisis Nursery, a charity from the Champaign-Urbana area focused on preventing child abuse and neglect. “It’s something that members of the (executive board) felt very strongly about,” Miller said. “The money will help children and then also help our local community.” Despite being held by a registered student organization, the event was open to the entire community,

BEAUXBETONS ACADEMY OF MAGIC

HOGWARTS

DURMSTRANG

INSTITUTE

SCHOOL OF WITCHCRAFT AND WIZARDRY

BERCHAM KAMBER THE DAILY ILLINI

and tickets sold out weeks before the ball. Miller said there was a lot of interest from the community, and many people who don’t attend the University bought tickets. This included community member Jennifer King, who has attended the Yule Ball for the past two years. “I absolutely love attend-

ing an event with people who have the same love for Harry Potter,” King said. “I can tell what house some people are in by their colors or their accessories, and it’s nice to have this kind of camaraderie with a group.” To live up to fans’ expectations, Harry Potter Alliance Art Director Brandy Alley, senior in LAS, had

to create the grand experience based off the same high standards set by the Hollywood films. The Yule Ball followed a Harry Potter winter wonderland theme, and most of the decorations were handmade by Alley and other club members. The colors kept to the same silver and blue col-

Alley said she hung up hundreds of snowflakes to the ceiling to help create the winter atmosphere. She also put together table centerpieces made of wooden books, which were painted silver and blue with the Harry Potter book titles. “I used to own an Etsy store where I made Hedwig lamps and Harry Potter lamp shades with book pages,” Alley said. “I’ve made wood burnt signs for Harry Potter and some small, themed sketches.” Attendees were encouraged to dress formally, and many arrived in gowns. Along with dancing, the event had a photo booth, themed games and Harry Potter ornaments and wands for sale to raise additional money. Prior to the event, free ballroom dance lessons were held by the Illini Dancesport Competitive Ballroom Team to go along with the waltz danced in the movie. “Harry Potter is a huge part of my life. I have a Harry Potter tattoo, and when I got married two summers ago, we did an unbreakable vow with wands,” Alley said. But no matter whether they were University students or community members of any age, all attendees had one large connection: their love of Harry Potter. “I loved seeing how (the Harry Potter Alliance) combined their idea of Hogwarts with the books and brought it to life,” said Kayleigh Meinzen, senior in Engineering.

or scheme, with lights and light-up Christmas trees adding to the ambiance. “The movie obviously went all out, so it’s difficult to do that, but it’s similar to a prom,” Alley said. “People are crazy about it and always think that they could have done more, so I tried to put everything I got into this, to meet people’s expectations.” sarahjo2@dailyillini.com

BRIAN LOH THE DAILY ILLINI

Decorations at the third annual Yule Ball on Jan. 19. “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire,” the fourth book in the series, served as the theme for the night, and the proceeds went to charity.

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ACROSS 1 Arnaz of “I Love Lucy” 5 Skewered meat dishes 11 Col. Sanders’s restaurant 14 Muscat’s land 15 Battery terminals 16 Not feeling well 17 62-Across landmark 19 Siegfried’s partner in Vegas 20 Laurence who wrote “Tristram Shandy” 21 Vietnamese holiday 22 What’s thrown in a cafeteria fight 23 Blue Jays’ home, for short 24 62-Across museum 26 Turn down, as an offer 29 N.B.A. coach Steve 30 62-Across bridge 32 “I know! I know!” 36 Opposite of WSW 37 Basketball venue 40 Roadside bomb, for short 41 Artoo-___ of “Star Wars” 44 62-Across school 47 Clutch 50 Toy that shoots foam darts 51 62-Across cathedral 55 “… or so ___ told” 56 ___ vera 57 Airport guess, for short 58 Exile 61 Family members 62 World capital that’s the theme of this puzzle 64 She tasted the forbidden fruit 65 Many 66 One of three in a hat trick

31 37

32 38

47 53

44 48

40 45

50 54

19 21

PUZZLE BY JASON MUELLER

67 Dôme ___ Invalides (historic church) 68 Extends, as a lease 69 Abbr. on many a cornerstone

DOWN 1 Bucks’ mates 2 Let out 3 Social Security, Medicare, etc., collectively 4 Leading the pack 5 Green vegetable with tightly curled leaves 6 Suffix with differ 7 Diner seating option 8 Trade publication read along Madison Avenue 9 Ladybug or scarab 10 Ukr., e.g., once

11 Big name in Russian ballet 12 Elevator stop 13 Bonnie’s partner in crime 18 Scandal-ridden company of the early 2000s 22 Pelts 24 Grand ___ (cultural trip around Europe) 25 “… man ___ mouse?” 26 Zoomed 27 Top-notch 28 Drink that’s often iced 31 Second-largest city of Morocco, after Casablanca 33 Mythical ruler of Crete 34 List of options 35 Genesis garden 38 ___ of the above

39 “Vous êtes ici” (“You ___ here”) 42 Shrek, e.g. 43 Galena or bauxite 45 Hide-out for Br’er Rabbit 46 At the point in one’s life 48 Think up 49 St. Genevieve, for 62-Across 51 Like a jaybird, in an idiom 52 Shade of green 53 Shades of color 54 State formed as part of the Missouri Compromise 58 Bosom buddies, in modern lingo 59 Sing like Ella Fitzgerald 60 Clutched 62 Golf course standard 63 Strew, as seed

The crossword solution is in the Classified section.

MONDAY May 7, 2018 The Daily Illini DailyIllini.com

LIFE & CULTURE

PHOTO COUTESY OF CHARITY DAVIS

Charity Davis (right) is a professional backup singer for pop star Demi Lovato. When performing, Davis refers to her stage name Cherry D, and she has had the opportunity to sing with other famous performers including Lady Gaga, Selena Gomez, Robin Thicke, Cee Lo Green, Kesha and Pharrell Williams.

‘Cherry D’ on top: UI alumna, professional backup singer BY SIDNEY MADDEN STAFF WRITER

When Charity Davis was in elementary school, she was always singing. Her classmates even complained her constant humming was distracting during instructional time. At home, though, she was free to belt as loudly as she pleased. Currently, Charity, under the stage name Cherry D, is a professional backup singer for pop star Demi Lovato. Charity was born and raised in the C-U area by Black Chorus Director Dr. Ollie Watts Davis and Reverend Harold Davis. From church choirs to instrument lessons, music was an integral part of her life growing up. Dr. Davis, a highly decorated soprano herself, was careful not to push her love for music onto her own children. “As parents who are musicians, we didn’t want to force music on our children,” Dr. Davis said. “But if it evolved naturally, we definitely promoted it and encouraged it.” All of their children are musically gifted in their own ways. They’ve performed in various youth choirs and even formed a string quartet among the four of them. The baby of the family, Charity, had her own unique talent: her voice. While directing local youth choirs, Dr. Davis would often bring Charity along to sing with the choirs before she was old enough to be in them. “She was the smallest one there, with the biggest sound,” Dr. Davis said. “And I thought, ‘One day, she’s really

going to sound for something quite spectacular.’” Dr. Davis also allowed her kids to attend Black Chorus rehearsals. One year, for the annual Moms Day concert, Charity sang a solo for a 1,000-member audience. Dr. Davis recalls wondering if, in the moment, Charity was going to be able to sing. “My student was standing beside her, just in case she couldn’t. And when we got to it, she sang out, and it was absolutely beautiful,” Dr. Davis said. “That was the moment I thought, ‘Wow.’ She was shaking! Her little leg was shaking! But her voice wasn’t shaking. It was just calm and clear and resonant for all these people. And I thought, ‘She could be a singer.’” Following these critical developmental experiences, Charity sought out more opportunities to perform. She performed in local musical theater and at school talent shows. She debuted her first original song in sixth grade. She quickly realized home was where the stage was. “I knew that I loved that feeling of being onstage, of performing,” Charity said. She continued to perform, but also explored other interests in high school, such as dance and basketball. When it came time for college, she enrolled at the University with the hopes of becoming a high school English teacher. While on campus, she worked on her music, finding gigs for the local band she was the lead singer for. From a friend, she heard there were

auditions in Chicago for P. Diddy’s show, “Making His Band.” After much debate, she decided to pause her studies to audition, a decision her parents were initially apprehensive about. “I think my parents are very education-driven. Everyone should have an education and everyone should have something to fall back on, and I agree with that. But I felt like at that age, with what I was doing and the timing, I thought it was perfect, and I didn’t want to lose the opportunity,” Charity said. “So I just jumped out on my own and did it. And they have since understood that you can go off and do these things, and then come back and finish school.” After the audition, Charity was hired to sing backup professionally for Lady Gaga on her Monster Ball tour. She has since sung and toured with various other artists, including Selena Gomez, Robin Thicke, Cee Lo Green, Kesha, Pharrell Williams and Demi Lovato. In between all her touring, Charity still tries to make it home at least once a month. When she returns, she finds her spot in the alto section of the Black Chorus like she never left. “It feels good because it feels like home, and it’s something I’ve been doing for so long,” she said. Current students welcome her back with open arms. President of Black Chorus and senior in FAA Brianna Tyler said she appreciates

2018

Charity’s modesty and willingness to help the chorus out. “I love when Charity comes because she’s always really humble,” Tyler said. “You know she could easily come in with superstar status and have on sunglasses and nice clothes, and not want to talk to us. But when she comes back, she remembers her roots. She comes in and sits down in the alto section. She’s just another member of the choir.” Charity has previously helped out with the Moms Day concert, choreographing dances and playing the drums. This year, she was unable to attend the concert on April 14 due to tour conflicts. Still, Dr. Davis enjoys how Charity’s visits can inspire current members of the choir. “For someone who has taken the principles and practices that have been taught in class and applied them, and has gained a measure of success and significance, I think it gives them a lot of hope and optimism about how they can do the same. Not only in music, but in life,” Dr. Davis said. Regarding the future, Charity is working on her music, and she also has dreams of being on Broadway and writing music for Disney shows or voiceover work. Given her success thus far and her large social media following, she often receives requests from young aspiring artists on how to make it in the industry. She encourages them to use online resources,

COMMENCEMENT

PHOTO COUTESY OF CHARITY DAVIS

Charity Davis on the Tell Me You Love Me Tour with Demi Lovato, 2018. Davis continues to inspire university students.

to practice regularly and to get experience. “If you’re a singer, you have to practice every single day. You need to know different types of genres,” Charity said. “You have to be able to talk about different kinds of art-

ists that have influenced you. I think it’s important to get out there and sing. If there are open mics, perform. Let people see you; let people hear you.” sidneym2@dailyillini.com

MONDAY May 7, 2018 The Daily Illini DailyIllini.com

SPORTS

ILLINI OF THE YEAR

Illini of the Year BY GAVIN GOOD STAFF WRITER

Coming into the 2018 season, there was not a lot of hype surrounding junior Bren Spillane and the Illinois baseball team. The Illini make up a team returning much of its talent, and Spillane was merely a player with potential. He had struggled to play well consistently in his first two years while dealing with different injuries. A couple of months later, things have changed significantly: the Illini are 26-14 (10-5 Big Ten Conference) and control their own NCAA Tournament destiny, while Spillane is third in the nation in batting average (.423) and leads the team in almost every offensive category. Spillane leads Illinois in batting, slugging percentage (.954), home runs (16), RBI’s (49), hits (55), runs scored (41), doubles (17), total bases (124) and stolen bases (14). Third-year hitting coach Adam Christ always saw how productive Spillane could be, even in his years as an underclassman, when his numbers were nothing like they are now. “Bren’s always had the tools to be a good hitter,” Christ said. “It just becomes consistency, staying healthy, having a good work plan every day, not looking at results when you come out to practice,

looking at your playing, how you go about it and your position you get in to hit every day. He does the best job of it right now.” Christ has been around the game for a long time and has experience coaching players who go on hitting tears and those who get caught in a slump. “The biggest thing is when a guy is on a hitting streak like he was earlier, you stay out of his way,” Christ said. “He was seeing the ball really well and that’s the biggest thing. If he just stays within himself and tries to get a pitch to hit, he’ll do it. If he tries to do too much, he’ll start expanding the zone and then the strikeouts come once he does that. If he stays locked in on his own pitches, he can do a lot of damage.” Christ also looks to the first baseman as a shining example for younger and less successful players within the program to model their approach after. Christ believes Spillane’s willingness to do what it takes to improve each day and maintain his patience even as he struggled have helped him. “Bren showed the resilience to come back after a first couple years with some injuries and keep working and keep working,” Christ said. “It gives younger guys a chance to SEE IOTY | 3B

AUSTIN YATTONI THE DAILY ILLINI

Illinois infielder Bren Spillane hits a three-run triple during the game against Rutgers at Illinois Field on April 13. Spillane has put together a breakout season to become one of the nation’s best collegiate baseball players.

WOMEN’S GOLF

SOFTBALL

Perry's 500th Illinois takes historic second place career win was business as usual BY RACHEL SPENCER STAFF WRITER

BY BRIAN BINZ STAFF WRITER

Illinois softball head coach Tyra Perry isn’t one to sing her own praises, and when she passed 500 career wins, it was no exception. “It means I’ve had really good assistants and good players over the years,” Perry said. “Winning is tough; to have one win is a blessing, to have 500 is even more of a blessing.” Perry picked up her 500th win on March 17 in a 5-3 victory against Cal Poly, pushing Illinois’ record to 15-9 at that point. Illinois has since won five of its last six games, including a series win in its Big Ten opener against Purdue. The team is currently on pace for its third straight 30-win season under Perry’s watch. Perry’s arrival in 2016 marked a shift for the Illinois softball program, which went 36-23 in its first winning season since 2012 and piled up the most wins since the 2010 team went 45-8. Victories aren’t just com-

ing from a difference in strategy, but from a change in the approach, according to senior infielder Leigh Farina, who was a sophomore when Perry was brought in to be the head coach. “She definitely brought in a different mentality,” Farina said. “Everything we do is with hustle and heart, and buying into that has been a game-changer for us.” No real secret exists to Perry’s success, she said. According to Perry, she has gotten this far by showing up every day ready to work hard and give her best. Perry came to Illinois with 409 wins already, leading similar surges at Western Kentucky and Ball State, where she won 60 percent of her games. Even though she has spent a relatively short time in Champaign, the change has given Perry new memories. “Having the opportunity to coach players like Allie Bauch, Nicole Evans, Danielle Trezzo, Brianna WonSEE SOFTBALL | 3B

PHOTO COURTESY OF MARK JONES

Junior Bing Singhsumalee hits a ball at The Ohio State University Golf Club in Columbus, Ohio. The women’s golf team played in the Big Ten Championships on April 20-22 in Maineville, Ohio.

The last time the Illinois women’s golf team finished in second place at the Big Ten Championships, The Commodores and Queen were in the Top 40 music charts, the nation was preparing to celebrate its bicentennial and Gerald Ford was president of the United States. Add in the fact most of the 2018 team wouldn’t even be born until 20 years after the 1975-76 women’s golf team took home second, and that makes the accomplishment all the more special. The Illini returned to TPC River’s Bend in Maineville, Ohio for this year’s Big Ten Championship. Flash back a year earlier at the 2017 Championships, when Illinois encountered challenges on the course and ended up in the middle of the field with a seventh-place finish. But this time around, Illinois had more momentum going into its first postseason competition. The 2018 spring season has been marked by five top-10 finishes in just as many tournaments and three top-5 finishes, to name a few. The women’s squad was also ranked at a seasonhigh No. 23 after its performance at the Briar’s Creek Invitational, according to Golfweek. Senior Chayanid Prapassarangkul cited the team’s

energy as a major factor that helped it through the Big Ten Championships — Prapassarangkul finished in a tie for eighth place alongside fellow senior Grace Park and junior Bing Singhsumalee. “For the whole year, we’ve focused on having high, positive energy and trusting the process; that has really been key for us this season and we really brought that at Big Ten,” Prapassarangkul said. “There was a great level of trust. We truly believe in ourselves and in each other and the work that we put in, and just went out and enjoyed and played hard.” Determined to play hard, the Illini earned their second-place finish at TPC River’s Bend after a slow start on Friday and Saturday. Battling back from fifth place, Illinois eventually outpaced conference rivals like Ohio State and Purdue with an unprecedented final round score of sevenunder-par. The strong finish matched the lowest round score in Illinois women’s golf history and tied Maryland for second place. Michigan State would go on to take home the conference title, besting Illinois and Maryland by four strokes. Park believed having a few friendly faces in the crowd played a huge impact for her SEE W GOLF | 3B

MEN’S GYMNASTICS

Alex Diab, team flip into success BY MILES POWERS-HUANG ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR

AUSTIN YATTONI THE DAILY ILLINI

Illinois head coach Tyra Perry smiles as she walks past the Illinois dugout during the game against Northwestern at Eichelberger Field on Wednesday, March 28.

Athletic talent cannot be bought. It is given. For Illinois gymnast Alex Diab, this idea is ingrained within him by his coach, which Diab then passes down to his teammates as well. The Illini men’s gymnastics team captured the Big Ten championship with a team total of 413.900. According to Diab, part of Illinois’ triumph is attributed to the work the team put in while others were on spring break, which re-focused the

team and propelled it to its success. “After the last home meet, we had a three-week break before Big Tens, and one of those weeks was spring break,” Diab said. “We were here and we totally focused on gymnastics, and in that three-week period, the team really stepped up and showed up at the Big Ten team finals.” Diab’s 14.650 second-place finish in the still rings event was one of the main catalysts of the Illini victory. He went on to be named a member of the All-Big Ten first team the

following day. Illinois head coach Justin Spring knows he has a talented athlete on is hands, whose work ethic could push him as far as he lets it take him. Saturday of the Big Ten Championships was just another example. “It was the best one, plain and simple,” Spring said. “He’s always been super strong, but like any competition, it comes down to who performs the best on that day. Alex’s consistency is what is most impressive about what he’s done, and I think he’s cer-

tainly a front-runner for the national championship.” Diab doesn’t just show up and perform; he puts in hours beforehand honing his craft. Since his arrival on campus, Spring has noticed his strength in more ways than one. He said Diab not only possesses great physical strength, but he also has the mental strength to continue to work hard in practice. “Since he’s been there, he has been a grinder. He takes the most turns out of anyone SEE M GYM | 3B

2B Monday, May 7, 2018

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FROM 1B

SOFTBALL derly,” Perry said, “the caliber of athlete that I’ve gotten to coach has been wonderful.” Perry herself was no benchwarmer in her day, transferring to LSU during the first two years of the program’s existence. Perry led the Tigers in home runs and batting averages in her two years on the team. Perry’s Tigers won 102 games in the two years she was there and collected an NCAA regional second-place finish in the program’s first trip into the postseason. Perry’s past playing career is reflected in the Illini’s intensity. For example, even when the ball isn’t in play, they sprint everywhere they go. “It sets an intimidation factor and it just looks crisp,” Farina said. Emily Oestreich felt that intensity when she was looking at schools to play for this year, saying that Perry’s winning history caught the attention of the then-prospective pitcher. “She’s really tough,” Oestreich said. “She pushes me harder than I’ve ever been pushed. I love her.” Behind the coaching of Perry, Oestreich has helped soften the departure of Wonderly, who led the Illini in starts and wins on the mound last year. Oestreich has become the ace of the pitching staff and has started the year with an 11-4 record. Perry preaches consistency, and due to her accomplishments as a player and her growing number of wins, few coaches can practice what they preach like her. “As soon as you start looking for outcomes and focusing on hitting home runs and all those things, then you’re setting yourself up for failure,” Perry said. “My most consistent teams have been the most successful teams.” @binzy_20 brianb2@dailyillini.com

FROM 1B

W GOLF and the team. “It was nice to have a lot of friends and family come out and watch us this weekend,” Park said. “The crowd was great. We normally don’t get too many people out at the golf course watching us, so this tournament was pretty special.” Although the Big Ten Championships have come to a close, the spring golf season is far from over for the Illini. After an off week, the next challenge awaiting the Illini will be at the NCAA Regional in May. With such big competition and high stakes in front of them, Park is confident that it will be business as usual for the team. “A big focus will be to continue on sticking to the process and making sure we stay healthy,” Park said. sports@dailyillini.com

Thursday, May 3, 2018

Illini capture many strong finishes

ETHAN SCHOLL THE DAILY ILLINI

AUSTIN YATTONI THE DAILY ILLINI

PHOTO COURTESY OF ILLINI ATHLETICS

Illinois captured two Big Ten Championships this year in men’s gymnastics and men’s golf. There were numerous other strong finishes across other sports including women’s golf, men’s track, women’s tennis and men’s tennis.

FROM 1B

IOTY look up and say, ‘Sometimes things don’t always go your way, you have bad luck, you get an injury. But guess what? If you keep working hard, you can do good things’.” With his numbers this year, Spillane has drawn the eyes of tons of MLB scouts. They love his power at the plate and his production is unrivaled among the vast majority of prospects across the NCAA this season. He’s 6-foot-5 but also has a wealth of speed, as evidenced by his ability to steal bases with ease. He has a strong arm that he’s showcased at the first base position, and also having experience at third base and in the outfield, his versatility is clear. He’s well aware of that fact, though, and knows it comes down to his ability to choose the right pitches to take cracks at and be patient, especially when opposing pitchers try to avoid giving him anything

hittable. “It’s something that I know I’ve done all year; my strikeout rate, I’ve struck out a good amount,” Spillane said. “But it’s one of those things where I’m not going to go up there and try not to strike out, you know what I mean? If it happens, it happens, but I think that just comes back to pitch selection.” Spillane is no stranger to getting big league attention. After all, he was already drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2015, but he chose to develop and wait for his draft stock to rise. He knows that now may be the time for him, but he said he’ll only go if it’s a situation that he’s comfortable with and feels ready for. “If the opportunity is right, yeah, (going pro is) the goal,” Spillane said. “Since I was a little kid I’ve wanted to play pro ball, so it just depends if the opportunity is right.” With that, these last few series and potentially the postseason might be Spillane’s last several weeks at Illinois. If the team fails

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to make the NCAA Tournament, he could be done as an Illini by the start of June. The impact Illinois has had on him is immeasurable, and it’s something Spillane will never forget and will always be grateful for. He said he’s become a much better person since coming into the program as a freshman out of Wheeling High School. “It’s helped me grow on and off the field; I can’t imagine being anywhere else,” Spillane said. “The relationships, everything, I love this place to death. I’ll always be an Illini.” Observing from the dugout and along the third base line, Christ sees a focused and determined player in front of him. He is unmoved by outside pressure and hype that has grown around him as the season has progressed and is focused on owning the present. “Bren is just a guy that is very locked in right now,” Christ said. “With everything he does.” @itsallG_O_O_D gavinrg2@dailyillini.com

FROM 1B

M GYM

Diab simply pictures himself being successful, then goes out and does it. “I usually visualize my routine one team through before I go out and do it, but other than that, I don’t do anything weird or special,” Diab said. Diab feels if he captures the same momentum he did at the Big Ten championships, the team can ride the wave all the way to the pinnacle of collegiate athletics. “We’ve got to keep doing what we’re doing. The team’s looking good,” Diab said. “We’re coming off a Big Ten championship and our next goal is to win a national championship, and I really think we can do that; we just got to make it happen on that day.” While Diab and the Illinois men’s gymnastics team try to stand out from the rest, Spring looks at his team a bit differently than the rest. “We’re almost a strength team that does gymnastics on the side, and Alex is easily the strongest ring-guy in the country.”

— he’s a workaholic,” Spring said. “You’re talking about an event that takes crazy, super strength. There’s no cutting corners. It takes purposeful work, and he’s been great with that.” Other strong Illini performances came from Brandon Ngai, who scored a 15.000 to win the pommel horse event title, and Tyson Bull, who took home the high bar event title with a score of 14.850. Spring tabbed Diab to be team captain in large part because of his confidence in Diab to both set the standard and hold his teammates accountable. “Lead by example in the gym and help push and motivate the guys to be better every day, and making sure the team stays focused during the competition, is a big part of it,” Diab said. During postseason play, nerves can start to get the best of some, but Diab doesn’t let that affect him. While others might have some special pregame routine to @MilesP_H prepare for the high stakes, milesp2@dailyillini.com

ROLLIN’ ILLINI RUNS FOR CP AND IMC On April 28, The Rollin’ Illini will be taking to the streets of ChampaignUrbana to run in the Illinois Marathon 10k for the Cerebral Palsy Foundation. Rollin’ Illini is a televised radio show on WPGU 107.1 FM. We have a commitment to distribute content that positively impacts disabled athletes and the Paralympic movement in a way that directly challenges the general population’s perception of the “disabled.”

We’d love your support!

There are 3 easy ways YOU can support our Fund: 1.

Studio,1,2,3 & 4 bedrooms Take a video tour at www.bankierapartments.com or call 217-328-3770 for a showing!

2. 3.

You can purchase any of One Mission’s great products and 40% of what you spend will be donated. You can donate cash (One Mission doesn’t charge a platform fee). You can share this Fund with your friends and family. Please consider doing all these things!

Visit: dailyillini.com/rollinillini to make your donation. Thank you!

4B Monday, May 7, 2018

THE DAILY ILLINI | WWW.DAILYILLINI.COM

FOOTBALL

New Illini position coaches making their mark

BY GAVIN GOOD STAFF WRITER

Gill Byrd knows how the game of football should be played: with a heart and mind filled with desire and passion. As the new Illinois safeties coach and passing game coordinator, Byrd hopes to change both the culture and the on-field results of a program that has struggled to compete at a high level for years. The San Francisco native, like many of his fellow coaches on staff, has a wealth of NFL experience. He’s fresh out of the league, having worked as the Buffalo Bills’ defensive backs coach in 2017 and on head coach Lovie Smith’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers staff in 2014 and 2015. He also had a 10-year NFL career with the San Diego (now Los Angeles) Chargers, retiring in 1993 as the franchise’s all-time interception leader (42). Before that, he walked on at San Jose State, eventually earning a starting role and later getting drafted No. 22 overall by the Chargers in 1983. In his most recent position, Byrd is wasting no time sharing his experience with the players. He wants the young men to understand what it takes to succeed at both the collegiate and pro-

“A child does what he wants to do when he wants to do it. A man does what he has to do, even though he doesn’t necessarily want to do it.” GILL BYRD SAFETIES COACH AND PASSING GAME COORDINATOR

fessional levels. One of his first takeaways from working with his unit has been a notable desire to win. For Byrd, however, there is a distinct difference between wanting to win and having the will to win. “The want to get better is, ‘I want to win. I want to do well. I desire to do that,’’’ Byrd said. “The will to do that means that ‘I’m going to take the extra mile, I’m going to give 15 more minutes at night and look at my tape.’ The will to win is ‘I’m going to come and see my coaches, and we’re going to talk ball.’” Though winning is the goal, Byrd views his job in the program as more than that. He wants to help shape his players into men with strong characters. “A child does what he wants to do when he wants to do it,” Byrd said. “A man does what he has to do, even though he doesn’t necessarily want to do it. That’s the difference between want and will.” He believes talent can only take players so far, before other factors like drive and knowledge of the game distinguish between the good and the great. Byrd observed this during his tenure in the NFL, as many players who were naturally less talented than others went on to more successful careers. These players would focus on the fundamental and technical aspects better than others, being aware of their own strengths and weaknesses. Though he takes his job seriously, Byrd admits he’s known for his sarcasm. “If I say, ‘Man, you run there, you lookin’ like a little bitty baby out there when you jam, or when you turn and run, you look like you’re waddling and not running,’” Byrd said. “I tell them, ‘Something said is something meant. Coach Byrd is saying now, I better turn and run.’ For me, it’s been a joy to watch them understand that I think foot-

PHOTO COURTESY OF TREVOR DIEDRICH

Illinois safeties coach and passing game coordinator Gill Byrd helps direct football practice. Byrd joins tight ends coach Cory Patterson and defensive line coach Austin Clark as one of the team’s newest coaching additions.

ball should be a game played what we’re starting to install with passion.” in my room. I’m hoping that those things will carry over.” Patterson preaches effort With last year’s starter above all Louis Dorsey not practicing While Byrd’s mantra with the team this spring, revolves around the will to Patterson is seeing other win, new tight ends coach guys from within the unit Cory Patterson’s approach stand out. Patterson said he focuses on drawing the max- has been impressed with redimum amount of effort from shirt-juniors Austin Roberts his players. and Caleb Reams, who have Arriving from Trinity played smaller roles previCatholic High School in St. ously in their Illini careers, Louis, Patterson is settling but could see an expanded into the program and imple- role under Patterson’s tutementing his message after lage and new offensive coorbuilding a powerhouse pro- dinator Rod Smith’s more gram and developing Illini progressive schemes. quarterback commit Isaiah “Right now, Austin RobWilliams. erts is showing a lot,” Pat“It’s all about effort; it’s terson said. “I’m enjoying about working hard for the coaching (him); he’s playguy next to you,” Patterson ing his tail off. Caleb Reams said. “I think right now, that’s is doing a good job (too), but

Austin is one of those guys of younger players who saw that’s standing out to me significant time last season, right now.” including Bobby Roundtree and Isaiah Gay, each of whom Austin Clark settles in as played in all 12 games at defensive line coach defensive end. Gay, like DorsAfter Lovie Smith spoke ey, is not practicing with Illiof new arrival Austin Clark nois this spring. shocking him with “his Clark wants his guys to enthusiasm and detail,” focus solely on getting betClark has been getting accli- ter in the present and turnmated to his new role with ing things around on the field the defensive line. Moving come fall. across the country from USC “It’s a new year, a new may have been a big shift geo- season, a new coach for (the graphically, but Clark said his defensive line), and everyadjustment to the Illinois body has a clean slate,” Clark program has been seamless. said. “We’re not really conHis message to the guys: cerned with what happened Last year is over. The 2-10 before, but really focused record from 2017 is in the on improving each day in past. The Illini are 0-0 now practice.” and have the chance to make big strides in the fall. @itsallG_O_O_D The line is returning a lot gavinrg2@dailyillini.com

THE DAILY ILLINI | WWW.DAILYILLINI.COM

Monday, May 7, 2018

6B Monday, May 7, 2018

THE DAILY ILLINI | WWW.DAILYILLINI.COM

# BDROOMS

American Campus

FU RN / LA UNF U UN DR RN YI A/ C NU NIT PA RK I UT NG O ILI NS TIE S I ITE NC L.

FU RN / LA UNF U UN DR RN YI A/ C NU NIT PA RK ING UT ON ILI S TIE S I ITE NC L.

Rental Quicklist # BDROOMS

MISC.

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www.americancampus.com

309 Green

PPM Inc.

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2,4

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4 4 4

Some utl. incl. 1gig fiber. internet to each BDR, starts at $1575

4 4 4 4 $199 all summer mo. w/ summer lease & fall renewal

503 E. Springfield, C.

1,2

4 4 4

Some utl. incl. 1gig fiber. internet to each BDR, starts at $790

4 4

Some utl. incl. 1gig fiber. internet to each BDR, starts at $795

Lofts 54 Campustown Rentals

MISC.

2,3,4,5 F

4 4

$0 Down for Summer

1003 W. Stoughton, U.

Campustown Rentals

4 4

$10 App fee, Apply Today!

1208 Elm Blvd, C.

U 4 4 4

Great close to campus home $905

Campustown Rentals

4 44

Rates as low as $309, Pet friendly

713 W. Springfield, U.

U 4 4 4

HUGE campus house $1199. Garage too!

301 S. 4th, C.

Some utl. incl. 1gig fiber. internet to each BDR, starts at $1190

Bailey Apartments

217-344-3008

www.baileyapartments.com

4 4 4

1010 W. Springfield, U.

3,4

4 4

2.5 blocks to the Quad

305 W. Birch, C.

U 4 4 4

Just off campus, July or early August move in!

111 S. Lincoln, U.

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911 W. Springfield, U.

4 4

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901 W. Springfield, U.

1,2

4 4

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311 Birch St., C.

4 4 4

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1004 W. Springfield, U.

2 Blocks to Siebel

808 Illinois, U.

4 4 4

Only 2 left! $1350, Hurry!

Bankier Apartments

217-328-3770

www.bankierapartments.com

Rob's Apartments

217-840-5134

www.robsapartments.com

303 W. Green

1,2,3

4 44

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506 E. White, Champ.

2,3

4 4

900 sq. ft! Free fiber. 9 & 12 mo. leases. Eng. campus

408 E. Green

1,2,3

44 4

Centrally located. A floor plan for every budget

101 W. Park, Urb.

1,2

4 4

700 sq. ft! Free fiber. Next to Crystal Lake Park!

519 E. Green

44 4

First class living in an unbeatable location

Roland Realty

805 S. Fourth

44 4

Spacious floor plans

1001 S. Fourth

4 4 4 4 $1000 RENT CREDIT IF YOU SIGN BY 6/1/18

1107 S. Second

444

Blaconies off every bdrm. close to Memorial and the ARC

908 S. First

Studio,1,2,4

4 4 4 4 The best single living options on campus!

501 S. Sixth

4,5

4 4 4 4 Luxury Apartments stops from School of Engineering

Barbara Runyan

bru3457691@aol.com 217-352-3829 or 217-637-3945 1

502 S. Fifth, C.

Burnham 310

Quiet area, Laundry on site, 4 blocks from Quad.

217-239-2310

www.burnham310.com

217-351-8900

www.roland-realty.com

903 S. First

1,2,3

4 4 4 Affordable! Great Location! Free Laundry!

404 E. Stoughton

4 4 4 Steps from County Market and School of Engineering

310 E. Springfield Ave.

1B/1B

4 4 4 4 Newly renovated, very spacious, pet friendly

909 S. First

Studio

4 4 4 Affordable Studios

310 E. Springfield Ave.

2B/2B

4 4 4 4 Close to campus, renovated amenities, open floor plan

311 E. John

4 4 4 Great Location! Remodeled Units!

310 E. Springfield Ave.

3B/3B

4 4 4 4 Near Engineering campus, 10ft ceilings, individual leases

911 S. Oak

310 E. Springfield Ave.

Studio

44 4 4

Royse & Brinkmeyer

Next door to local grocery store, secure access, new flooring and appliances

Gharst Rentals

217-202-2785

Renovated townhouses in Seniorland!

4 44

217-352-1129

www.RB-APTS.com

211 W. Springfield Ave., C. 1,2,3

4 4

Garages available at some locations

401 N. Prarie, C.

U 4 4 4

$685/mo, secure building, close to downtown C., elevator, no pets

Shlens Apartments

405 N. State, C.

$550/mo, close to downtown C., no pets

1004 W. Stoughton St.

4 4

Large flatscreen; laundry on-site, $900/mo TOTAL or $250/bedroom

1102 W. Stoughton St.

2,3

4 4

Large flatscreen;laundry on-site, $300-$350/person

2,3

4 4

Large flatscreen;laundry on-site, $300-$350/person

Green Street Realty

217-356-8750

www.greenstrealty.com

217-344-2901

www.shlensapts.com

809 W. Nevada, U.

4 4 4 4 Brand New! Utilities Included!

904 W. Stoughton St.

201 W. Green, C.

1&2

44 4

Tri County Management

601 S. First, C.

2,3,4

4 4 4 4 Great Location! Utilites Included!

906 S. Locust, Ch.

4 4

Space for 1-4 people. Parking 45/mo. Quiet location

314 E. White, C.

4 4 4 4 $500 Signing Bonus! Included Utilites!

705 S. First, Ch.

3, 4

4 4

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3081/2 E. Clarke, C.

4 4 4 4 Brand New! Rooftop Lounge! Utilities Inlcuded!

Quiet Location! Steps to Campus! Includes water & internet!

609 S. Randolph, C.

2,4

44 4

209 E. University, C.

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4 4 4 4 Brand New! Near Engineering! Utilities Included!

305 E. White, C.

2,3

Near Engineering! Close to Everything! Call Today!

208/210 E. White, C.

3,4

Near Engineering! Close to Everything! Call Today!

312 E. White, C.

4 4

Near Engineering! Close to Everything! Call Today!

809 W. Nevada, U.

Marlin Apartments 1

315 E. University Ave.

4 44 4

U 4 4 4

217-778-9498

Lg. Quiet 2 BR; $680; Free Parking; Race at Washington in Urbana. No pets.

THE DAILY ILLINI

Classified advertisers can now place print and online classified ads directly at:

11. Jun 2008

Help Wanted Marketing/Advertising Associate Will you be around this summer? Are you outgoing and dependable? We have the perfect job for you!! Highly motivated and responsible students who are going to be in Champaign Urbana this summer are invited to apply to work on our Marketing/Advertising team.

www.dailyillini.com/classifieds Sign in to set up an account with us. Pricing is available on the site upon login. You can place ads in The Daily Illini print publications on Mondays and Thursdays, or on our dailyillini.com website, or both. In addition to PAID ads for commercial businesses, we offer FREE ONLINE ads to UIUC students who sign into their accounts with “Illinois.edu” addresses.

You will be meeting with clients and (potential) clients in person and over the phone to help them promote and market their business through traditional media like print, radio and digital and also some fun channels like street team, flyering and event planning.

You must be available to work Monday - Friday, avg 20 hours a week. Sometimes more, sometimes less but no less than 3-4 hours a day. Include your resume AND 3 references in your email. Also, to prove you actually read this listing, also include in the email your favorite thing about campus.

For more info or help placing your ad, contact us at: diclassifieds@Illinimedia.com

Help to make well known of sudoku-topical.com! You like this website? Then recommend it to your friends. If you own yourself a website, place a link to sudoku-topical.com If you print out the sudokus then print them twice and give one to one of yo Tell your acquaintances, friends and teammates about sudoku-topical.com Just help to make this site well known.!

217 - 337 - 8337

Email mgpasco@illinimedia.com

Full and part time positions available.

Please apply in person. Ask for Rick. 1211 S Prospect Ave., Champaign

dailyillini.com 1

5 3

2 1

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5 8

1 5

9 2 1

Enter the numbers 1-9 in the blank spaces so that each row, column and 3x3 square contains only one of each number. There is only one solution. (solution in Classifieds and online at www.dailyillini.com).

5 3

3 1

6 7

11. Jun 2008

Part A

Skill:

PRINTED EVERY 9 7 4 3MONDAY 6 8AND 3 6 2 FREE. 8 4 1 THURSDAY FOR 5 8 3 9 2 1 2 5 1

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3 9

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H E L D

S C A T

E D E N

M E N U

C L Y D E

F L O O R

K I R F O O U V R R A S K I B O N R F G I A M A N I R A N G O E S

S S R

12 3

N A K E D

O G O T R L O E I N V E E S

K E B A B A N O D E E L T O W E N E T E T R T H E L O T O K E N E U F A R E N A O S O R R I P N E E D A M E E T A B P A R I S F A T O N O F R E N E W S

Contact Carol at carol@universityymca.org or 217-337-1500.

A O N E

I N F R O N T

Fully furnished rooms. Fulled equipped communal kitchen. Cable TV lounge. All utilities included. UI Certified Private Housing for Men at UIUC and Parkland.

S P E D

S A F E T Y N E T

Now leasing for Summer/Fall 2018!

and 5 get 2 headline news sent straight to your email! 4

Positions include bartenders, cashiers and pool deck help.

E M I T

Make the Quad your neighbor. Live at the University YMCA.

Sudoku Skill: 6

Use the QR code below to

Skill:

newsletter 6

Champaign Country Club is recruiting Seasonal Staff for our Poolside Bar and Snack bar.

D O E S

Seasonal Staff

Shipping additional. Pink and blue. Contact helpdesk@illinimedia.com or call 217-337-8314 for photos and sizes.

Rentals

Part A

Only $5 each if you pick up.

Contact Melissa Pasco at mgpasco@illinimedia.com with your hours and days of availability.

Deadline: 11:00 a.m. one business day prior to publication

FOR RENT

217-337-8337

Avail. Jul. & Aug. Most util & internet incl. Starting at $650/room. Sem. lease avail.

CLASSIFIEDS

Laptop Sleeves

or call

217-443-4343

www.oldtowneapts.com

We have several laptop sleeves leftover from the Illini Apple Center.

diclassifieds@illinimedia.com

$800 Duplex near Quad; eng Fall 1 Bedoom w/ office

Old Towne Apts

Merchandise

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1 or 2

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WANT TO LIST YOUR PROPERTY?

4 4 4 4 Brand New! Roomate Matching Available!

Midtown Properties

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Awesome Location! Roomate Matching Availiable!

jackcorgi@sbcglobal.net

710 W. Western, U.

www.tricountymg.com

6 6 7

8 3

2 4

The Daily Illini 4

THE DAILY ILLINI | WWW.DAILYILLINI.COM

Monday, May 7, 2018

PHOTO COURTESY OF KENDALL HILL

Junior Kendall Hill exhibited his piece, “Dog Eats Dog,” at Temple Hoyne Buell Hall on April 12-16. In the exhibition, he combined collage work, photography and video display.

Kendall Hill lives in a ‘Dog Eats Dog’ world BY LIZZIE JEDRASEK STAFF WRITER

As a freshman at the University, Kendall Hill would have never thought he’d become a student in the School of Art and Design. Fast-forward to junior year and Hill had his second solo exhibition in ChampaignUrbana, entitled “Dog Eats Dog.” The exhibition was a combination of photography, collage and video display. According to Hill, he has always had an affinity for writing. However, when it comes to photography and collage work, Hill said these newfound interests were sparked after he came to college. “I write a lot. Writing has been so personal to me. I’ve been writing, honestly, since I could pick up a pen,” Hill said. “When I was younger, I would enter poetry contests and stuff like that. So, I write

pretty extensively. That’s kind of my main thing, but it lives so much behind-thescenes now.” While attending Lane Technical High School in Chicago, Hill wrote for the school newspaper and ran a personal blog. Yet, upon coming to college, Hill’s photography began to take off. As a result, Hill applied to the School of Art and Design. As one of the main components of the “Dog Eats Dog” exhibition, photography focused on exploring perspectives of truth. “The reason that I started doing photography in the first place was because I felt like I couldn’t express well enough through writing how I pictured a moment in my mind,” Hill said. “I use (photography) in this exhibition specifically because it tells a good truth about my emotions and where my headspace is.”

Collage, on the other hand, worked differently in this exhibit. Hill said using a collage helps him tell multiple stories and express his opinions more. “Even though pictures can say so much, they can also say so little, because they’re constricted to what’s being shown to you,” Hill said. “But, with collage, I’m able to play out things how it happened in my mind, or if I take 36 pictures at a shoot one day, I can sum up that day’s feeling in one image.” Furthermore, Hill said using collage has helped him learn more about himself and grow as an artist. “Collage is the first thing that I can manipulate and make my own, and that helped with my photography. I learned what I wanted to see in my photos through messing with my collage work,” Hill said.

WHERE

FRESH & FAST MEET ®

WE DELIVER! VISIT JIMMYJOHNS.COM TO FIND A LOCATION NEAR YOU

Although the “Dog Eats Dog” exhibition mainly consisted of Hill’s own photography and collage work, there was also a video component. Hill said he is just beginning to explore videography as an art form and used the video to promote the exhibition. The promotional video featured a unique rhythmic montage of ’80s home workout videos played over 21 Savage and Offset. Hill started planning the “Dog Eats Dog” exhibition back in January, but he created a majority of the featured work with the intention of it being in an exhibition. “One of my mentors told me to look through all of my past work and ‘see what you find,’ and I just noticed the type of pictures I was picking up all kind of fell under the same theme, and that’s when the exhibition started,” Hill said.

Some of the topics Hill tackled in his latest exhibition included accuracy and fiction, good and evil and the morality of the world around us. Hill was ecstatic to invite the audience into how he thinks and into the questions he poses through his artwork. “I just wanted to question myself. This exhibition is not about the outward person, but it’s about me asking myself questions and kind of challenging myself to think about who I am,” Hill said. Since his first exhibition, Hill feels he has become more patient and reasonable with himself. His creative process emphasizes patience: He allows himself enough time to think through pieces and lets inspiration come to him rather than seeking it out. Much of Hill’s work is inspired by music — particularly The Weeknd — and his

hometown, Chicago. “I’m not creating images just to tell an expression, but, like, letting small moments and efforts from all over the place tell the story for me,” Hill said. “I didn’t realize what the exhibition was about, and what it could be, until I started putting all these pictures together and was like, ‘These are what all these moments meant.’” While most artists today have online portfolios, Hill is slightly more skeptical about what the internet means for the modern artist. He said he prefers sharing his work in person instead of online. “I hate the internet and I think just having work on the internet is very impersonal. You need to see it,” Hill said. “I like that you can go to the exhibition and see what I was really thinking.” jedrase2@readbuzz.com

MONDAY May 7, 2018 The Daily Illini DailyIllini.com

buzz

From dare to ‘Drag Race’: Trinity Taylor on her career The fame and recognition are undeniable, but it wasn’t always like that for the queens on “Drag Race.” In recent history, there’s been a stigma against drag, but

BY ZOE STEIN STAFF WRITER

Trinity Taylor began her drag career 15 years ago on a dare from her friends. “I did a contest and lost … I’m a competitive person, so I wanted to do that contest until I won, and I finally won after three tries, and by that time I was just hooked on it,” Taylor said. The dare paid off. Since then, she’s performed in nightclubs, pride parades and even the ninth season of “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” where she placed in the top four. Her time on “Drag Race” was transformative, giving her a chance to learn from other queens while also using it as a platform for herself and her career. T a y l o r ’s season had a wide variety of drag styles, from the unconventional to the pageant-inspired. The diversity of her fellow drag queens made for a season that taught them to step out of their comfort zones and try something new. “It is inspiring to work alongside some of the best (queens) in these genres of drag,” Taylor said about her castmates. “There were so many amazing entertainers.” Speaking of post-show life, Taylor explained how the show has affected her career. “You go from an underground ent er t a i ner that performs mostly in nightclubs to being an international celebrity,” Taylor said.

COLLEEN ROMANO THE DAILY ILLINI

“Drag Race,” Taylor said, “gives people a chance to connect with it and break down these walls between, like, a suburban mom who would never go to a gay club to watch a drag queen, and a club kid, who is the complete opposite. It gives them a connection they might not have had without the show.” That’s the beauty of “Drag Race.” Not only does it operate as a platform for the queens, but it also functions as a way to break down barriers that exist in our own society today. For Taylor, the impact of the show on both the queens and the world is undeniable, and it only seems to be growing. The art of drag has also changed over time, and the way we explain it to others is starting to change, too. “Before the show, I would describe drag queens as female impersonators — a man that dresses up as a woman,” Taylor said. After “Drag Race,” though, Taylor has since changed her explanation. “Drag is not really necessarily about a man dressing up as a woman,” she said. “Drag is more an expression of yourself in a different kind of way. There’s no one way to describe drag. Drag is … there’s no rules, there’s no set definition or set guidelines.” This idea of no set guidelines certainly plays into Taylor’s form of drag. Though she has a hard time picking her favorite looks, Taylor pointed out some of her favorites, including her club kid from “Drag Race” and a time she dressed as David Bowie in the movie “Labyrinth.” Taylor’s not confined to one type of drag. Rather, she lets herself experiment and explore new horizons. Taylor’s passion and dedication to drag was clear when she performed on Feb. 10 at 51 Main in downtown Champaign. zstein3@readbuzz.com

Vinyl takeover: The turntables strike back against the digital age BY SAN KIM STAFF WRITER

In an era of cutting-edge technology where even a slight inconvenience is irritating for everyone, the digital is eroding the physical faster than we think. E-books have superseded paperback books, Venmo has eliminated the need to carry cash and fancy note-taking with an iPad is no longer a spectacle. However, in the music industry, there is one anomaly resisting digital’s overarching influence: Vinyl sales have been on the upswing in the last decade. Since 1988, the first year CD surpassed vinyl in sales, vinyl was quickly relegated to a medium for only music maniacs. The rather random increase in vinyl sales started from 2007 and continued to creep up until now to reach 10 million units in 2017, a tenfold rise from 2007, according to the Recording Industry

Association of America U.S. Sales Database. The rise is all the more impressive juxtaposed with the decline in CD sales due to the ubiquity of streaming services, which accounted for 62 percent of the U.S. music industry’s revenue in the last year, according to the RIAA 2017 midyear revenue statistics. As to why CD has exclusively taken a toll in terms of sales, many claim CDs’ value diminished because the market is flooded with them, and they are no different compared to digital file songs. The way vinyl withstands the dominance of streaming services remains unclear. Many assert nostalgia is the biggest driving force for the resurgence in vinyl, but Jeff Brandt, the owner of the local record store Exile on Main Street, doesn’t agree with this sentiment. Brandt believes streaming services have contributed to vinyl’s revival considerably.

“The streaming services, in my mind, help sell records because people like something enough and they’re interested in collecting and buying music,” Brandt said. Brandt’s take that streaming services, rather than nostalgia, inaugurated vinyl’s comeback is also supported by numerous statistics. According to ICM, in an article in the “Economist,” a talent and literary agency in New York, nearly 50 percent of vinyl customers are 35 or younger; the most voracious customers of streaming services have no experience with vinyl’s fuzzy and warm sound in their childhood. Brandt said vinyl’s rarity makes it endearing to millennials. “Some people younger than me grew up in the postCD age and they haven’t really been consuming media in a physical form at all, so for some people, it’s just a unique way to collect things that you

really really like,” Brandt said. The inherent qualities of vinyl versus an online streaming site appeal to listeners of all demographics. “There is just something stupidly satisfying about putting a needle on a record and flipping the record. It’s kind of active listening versus more passive listening,” Brandt said. Brandt said vinyl’s large album cover is another selling point, from his experience running the record store. “There are some people that come in to buy records for the actual cover, just to display it as an artwork,” he said. While the growth of the vinyl market seems benign, it also is altering the music industry to detrimental effects. “The worst part about it is that some of the record labels are price-gouging,” Brandt said. “It’s mostly just record labels trying to recoup

more money.” Major labels are releasing many reissues on vinyl, furtively raising prices to capitalize on the growing number of people eager to buy vinyl. The shortage of vinyl pressing plants also poses a threat to the burgeoning market; in the United States, there are only 20 pressing plants, according to Pitchfork.com. Brandt said before vinyl went out of fashion, all major labels used to own their own manufacturing plants, but only a handful of them survived after the CD became the next big thing. The small number of vinyl manufacturers makes them susceptible to monopoly by major labels who wish to churn out as many reissues as possible. As a result, small indie labels see their album release date delayed as more popular album reissues get prioritized. Brandt said the boom in vinyl alleviated this prob-

lem a little bit with more manufacturers to meet the demand. “I did hear this complaint a little bit more a couple of years ago than I do now; I think it’s starting to even out a little,” he said. Still, Brandt said it is a risk to anybody who is “not Jack White” to build a new recordpressing plant, expecting vinyl to be a more thriving business in a decade. Despite some monopolizing major labels and the lack of vinyl manufacturers, Brandt said the increased demand for vinyl is not just a fad, and vinyl has already established a firm footing in the music industry. He sees more young people gravitating towards vinyl and, at the same time, collectors continuing to expand their record collections. “I think it will continue for a long time,” Brandt said. insank2@readbuzz.com

N O T I C E T O G R A D U AT I N G S T U D E N T S

2018

COMMENCEMENT

MEMORIAL STADIUM

HOUSE RULES

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