Students Ending Rape Culture (SERC), an Illinois State University Registered Student Organization (RSO), is delighted to share various Sexual Assault Awareness Month events happening during April. All events are free and open to the ISU community. Day of NO Silence Wednesday, April 9th, 2025; Schroeder Plaza; 11am-2pm Rain Location: Bone Student Center Concourse Day of (No) Silence is a nationally recognized day of action created to spread awareness about the impacts of bullying and harassment of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning students. SERC’s tabling is meant to help prepare for Friday, April 11 when individuals across the world break the silence to combat the repression and erasure of the LGBTQ+ community. GLSEN.org/dayofnosilence Consent Day Wednesday, April 16th, 2025; Schroeder Plaza; 11am-3pm Rain Date: April 23rd Consent Day, an event hosted by SERC brings together various campus organizations to explore the different ways consent plays a vital role in our daily lives. IPV/SA and LGBTQ Workshop “Implementing Supportive Practices for the LGBTQ Community with Stepping Stones” Thursday, April 17th, 2025; 11:30am-1pm This event is hosted by Queer Coalition and the Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Program at ISU. Representatives from Stepping Stones will host a workshop on intimate partner violence, sexual violence, and the LGBTQ+ community. If you require accommodations to attend, please contact wgstudies@ilstu.edu Advanced registration is required: Register Here Clothesline Project Wednesday, April 23rd, 2025; Quad Flagpole; 11am-2pm (The event will be canceled if there is inclement weather.) The Clothesline Project is an art installation that displays T-shirts created by survivors of interpersonal violence from our community. Survivors can create their own shirts to add to the collection. Denim Day Wednesday, April 30th, 2025; Schroeder Plaza; 11am-2pm Rain Location: Bone Student Center Concourse Denim Day is a worldwide campaign that began after a rape conviction was overturned. The Italian Supreme Court justices felt that since the victim was wearing tight jeans, she “must have helped the person who raped her remove her jeans, thereby implying consent.” The following day, women in the Italian Parliament came to work wearing jeans in solidarity with the victim. We continue this tradition 24 years later. Join us in wearing denim to show your support for survivors of sexual violence and to help eliminate victim-blaming attitudes. DenimDay.org If accommodations are needed for Day of NO Silence, Consent Day, Clothesline Project, or Denim Day, please contact wellness@illinoisstate.edu

Students Ending Rape Culture (SERC), an Illinois State University Registered Student Organization (RSO), is delighted to share various Sexual Assault Awareness Month events happening during April. All events are free and open to the ISU community. Day of NO Silence Wednesday, April 9th, 2025; Schroeder Plaza; 11am-2pm Rain Location: Bone Student Center Concourse Day of (No) Silence is a nationally recognized day of action created to spread awareness about the impacts of bullying and harassment of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning students. SERC’s tabling is meant to help prepare for Friday, April 11 when individuals across the world break the silence to combat the repression and erasure of the LGBTQ+ community. GLSEN.org/dayofnosilence Consent Day Wednesday, April 16th, 2025; Schroeder Plaza; 11am-3pm Rain Date: April 23rd Consent Day, an event hosted by SERC brings together various campus organizations to explore the different ways consent plays a vital role in our daily lives. IPV/SA and LGBTQ Workshop “Implementing Supportive Practices for the LGBTQ Community with Stepping Stones” Thursday, April 17th, 2025; 11:30am-1pm This event is hosted by Queer Coalition and the Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Program at ISU. Representatives from Stepping Stones will host a workshop on intimate partner violence, sexual violence, and the LGBTQ+ community. If you require accommodations to attend, please contact wgstudies@ilstu.edu Advanced registration is required: Register Here Clothesline Project Wednesday, April 23rd, 2025; Quad Flagpole; 11am-2pm (The event will be canceled if there is inclement weather.) The Clothesline Project is an art installation that displays T-shirts created by survivors of interpersonal violence from our community. Survivors can create their own shirts to add to the collection. Denim Day Wednesday, April 30th, 2025; Schroeder Plaza; 11am-2pm Rain Location: Bone Student Center Concourse Denim Day is a worldwide campaign that began after a rape conviction was overturned. The Italian Supreme Court justices felt that since the victim was wearing tight jeans, she “must have helped the person who raped her remove her jeans, thereby implying consent.” The following day, women in the Italian Parliament came to work wearing jeans in solidarity with the victim. We continue this tradition 24 years later. Join us in wearing denim to show your support for survivors of sexual violence and to help eliminate victim-blaming attitudes. DenimDay.org If accommodations are needed for Day of NO Silence, Consent Day, Clothesline Project, or Denim Day, please contact wellness@illinoisstate.edu    

Are you ready to advance your academic and professional journey? Whether you are interested in personal growth, career advancement, or changing careers, applying for graduate school is a major decision that can shape your future. “Your graduate degree can provide greater employment prospects, higher earnings, and industry-specific knowledge,” said Career Services Associate Director Scott Summers. “While you are learning, you will network with peers, instructors, and industry professionals that can help you identify jobs and opportunities to collaborate. Having an advanced degree can also help you move into leadership positions.” In addition, many professions require or prefer candidates with a graduate degree, which may also be essential for career progression. “Graduate school challenges students with experiences that can develop their critical thinking, problem-solving, and research abilities,” Summers said. “They will also have access to research facilities and be able to utilize other academic tools, which can enhance their learning. A graduate degree will help you be more prepared for your profession, in a way that is greater than with an undergraduate degree alone.” Assistance with applying to grad school Career Services assists Redbird students and alumni when deciding if graduate school is right for them by offering personalized career advising. A career advisor can help identify job market information, assist with graduate school applications, and help to identify the steps to one needs to be well-prepared and confident in graduate school. Graduate School Series Career Services also hosts the Graduate School Series. Offered each semester, students get helpful tips and insights such as how to choose the best graduate school program, financing graduate school, and much more. The Graduate School Series this spring includes the following sessions: Researching, Choosing, and Paying for Graduate School  Accepted? What’s Next? Life of a Grad Student Graduate school can be a transformative step in your academic and professional journey. With the support of Career Services, you can confidently navigate the decision-making process and take the next step toward achieving your career goals.

As the semester ends and you are preparing for the next step in your academic and professional journey, Career Services is pleased to provide you with free access to test prep resources for graduate admissions exams, licensure, and credentialing exams, as well as skills development courses.  Offered through the Prepare for Illinois' Future Powered by Kaplan's All Access License, you can access over 40 different graduate admissions, licensure, and credentialing exams, and skills development courses. Get expert guidance and comprehensive materials to help you prepare for crucial exams like the GRE, GMAT, MCAT, LSAT, and many more. To get started, visit go.kaplan.com/illinois for a complete list of available courses, registration details, FAQs, and guidance on how to best utilize these resources based on your individual goals. A direct link to the Kaplan site is also available on the Career Services website. "We are confident this program will be a tremendous asset as you pursue your career goals," states Career Services Director Quanisha Kumi-Darfour.

We are accepting submissions to be published in our very first zine issue! This issue is all about community and connection. Send us your creative writing, collages, drawings, comics, poetry, photography, etc about the theme and we will compile the submissions into our zine! Submissions are due 3/28

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For the second year in a row, the Redbirds earned a bid to the Opening Round Championship Series (ORCS) of the American Mock Trial Association (AMTA). ISU Team 1069 plus five other teams advanced from the St. Louis regional to the next level of competition—ORCS. The other advancing teams were Loyola University (2 teams), Washington University in St. Louis, Indiana University, and the University of Iowa. The St. Louis regional was hosted by Washington University.   Illinois State’s 1069 Team won six ballots and lost two. The team’s competitors included Cornell College, Western Kentucky University, and DePaul University. ISU 1070 Team faced two Loyola teams, Washington University, and University of Iowa.  The 1070 team had the most difficult pairing of the 25-team regional, facing three of the top five teams. ISU 1070 garnered a 2-6 record. Senior Kyleigh Weir was named outstanding attorney for her performance. She was ranked top attorney by three judges and second place by a fourth judge. Illinois State University will compete at the ORCS in Geneva, Illinois on March 7-9. Twenty-three other teams will participate, including Northwestern University, the University of Notre Dame, and Ohio State University.  The members of Team 1069 are Leah Carcasson, Ava Knapp, Nick Kniebusch, Jackie Mykytiuk, Sara O’Dowd, Emmalie Parson, and Kyleigh Weir.  Team 1070 is composed of Grace Betts, Denise Flores, Jake Podvrsan, Jamani Reed, Audrey Salamon, and Katie Schafer. The mock trial team is led by head attorney coach A.J. Blodgett, a Bloomington attorney in private practice, and assistant coach Spencer Chikahisa, a McLean County Assistant State’s Attorney. Professor Tom McClure is the educator coach.

Distinguished Professor Ali Riaz, who is currently serving as the Head of the Constitution Reform Commission in Bangladesh, has submitted the Commission’s report to the Chief Advisor of the Interiem Government Professor Muhammad Yunus on 15 January 2025. The Commission was appointed on 7 October to review the current constitution and recommend reforms needed for democratization. The Commission is comprised of nine members including lawyers, professors, social activists and a representative of the students who spearheaded the popular movement which deposed Sheikh Hasina on 5 August, Nobel Laureate Yunus was appointed to lead the county. The Commission recommended sweeping changes in constitution including term limit for the Prime Minister and creating new state institutions which would bring representatives of legislature, executive and judiciary to work together on various national issues.

James M. Scott, University Professor and Chair, Department of Politics and Government, Illinois State University, USA and Patrick James, Dana and David Dornsife Dean’s Professor Emeritus of International Relations, Department of Political Science and International Relations, University of Southern California publish Conflict, Crisis, and War in a World of Politics: An Introduction. This topical textbook outlines conflict, crisis, and war central challenges in the international security arena, exploring their history, evolution, nature, dynamics, and trends. Patrick James and James M. Scott discuss the major approaches to analyzing conflict, crisis, and war and identify the key avenues for managing them. ‘In this timely, comprehensive, and thought-provoking book, Patrick James and James M. Scott offer an integrated approach to the study of conflict processes that brings together multiple levels of analysis. They masterfully blend existing scholarly work with unique visual tools and offer a wealth of illuminating examples from the real world. This authoritative text puts the pieces of the puzzle together in a highly accessible way, making it an extraordinary resource for all who are concerned with conflict in the contemporary global system.’ – Zeynep Taydas, Clemson University, USA

On Friday, January 24, from 9:00-11:00, Pi Sigma Alpha (PSA) students joined the Center for Civic Engagement to volunteer at the Midwest Foodbank for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s Day of Service, which honors Dr. King's commitment and contributions to the Civil Rights Movement and social justice.  The Midwest Foodbank is a local nonprofit that partners with schools and food pantries. These valued partners then distribute food to 132,000 neighbors in need throughout Central and Southern Illinois. In addition, Midwest Food Bank commits to supplying food packs every Friday in local schools for 2,975 children who would not otherwise have food on the weekends. Students worked together to prepare bags of cereal for distribution.   

Hi everyone! It's Reid from Redbird Zine Club here to give you an update! We are currently working on room reservation forms and we are so excited to announce our participation in Winter Fest 2025!! It'll be our first time tabling at a university fest so we are so excited to be there. Come join us and stop by to learn a bit about zines and our club mission!! This semester we will be meeting and talk about our first issue about community on campus. We will hopefully start meeting in the next two weeks and will explain how submissions will work for the zine & our timeline. So excited to get the ball rolling on our first issue! Thanks for reading, Reid Karsen

Dr. Lori Riverstone has successfully published another volume of The Local Power &Politics Review. The LPPR is a space where researchers and advocates engaged in documenting, understanding, and combating abusive state preemption share insights, strategies, and resources. This latest edition features articles on Texas's "Death Star 2.0" legislation; the erosion of local election authority; abusive preemption laws targeting the LGBTQ+ community and how its fighting back; protecting prosecutorial reform; reproductive rights in a post-Dobbs era; and climate change. As Dr. Riverstone writes in her introductory piece, "As attacks on our nation’s vulnerable groups and localities grow increasingly bold and hostile, advocates, researchers, and many local leaders are keeping pace, evolving and adapting their skills and strategies to protect the rights and freedoms that are promised to all. This edition of the Local Power & Politics Review is a testament and tribute to them – to you – to all who have chosen to believe in abundance over scarcity."

Read the Decemeber 2024 RSO Newsletter through your browser, or continue below.   Happy December, Redbirds! Wishing you the best of luck during finals week, and congratulations on all your hard work this semester! While there’s so much to look forward to next semester, take this time to rest, recharge, and stay warm over the winter break. Enjoy your well-deserved time off!  -Student Activities, a unit of the Dean of Students Office   RSO of the Month!   WZND Radio is a student-run radio station and a sponsored RSO on campus, offering a platform for students to gain hands-on experience in the media industry. Through internships in journalism, graphic design, event planning, and programming, WZND provides valuable opportunities for students to develop their skills in a supportive environment.  During October and November, WZND leveraged its platform to encourage voter participation in the election. The station aired on-air promotions, supported and hosted campus events, expanded its news coverage, and utilized social media to connect with and engage new students.    Congratulations to WZND Radio!     Want to see your group featured here? Nominate your organization for RSO of the Month by filling out the RSO of the Month application! Winners will receive $50 for their RSO from the Student Government Association. RSO of the Month application RSO Staff Update   RSO Staff Update Our office is saying goodbye to Jacob, who has accepted a new role on campus. Jacob will leave the Dean of Students Office on December 6, 2024. After his departure, please review the contacts below to ensure you contact the best person for your questions.  General RSO Questions – StudentOrgs@IllinoisState.edu or kmlafre@IllinoisState.edu   RSO Finances – hllough@IllinoisState.edu  RSO Registration, Winter Fest Registration, Starting a New RSO – isu_totters@IllinoisState.edu     General Announcements  Winter Fest Registration for Winter Fest 2025 is now open! This is a great chance for your RSO to connect with the campus community and help students discover new ways to get involved. Space is limited, so be sure to register your RSO soon to secure your spot at this fantastic recruitment opportunity. We look forward to seeing you on Tuesday, January 21, and Wednesday, January 22, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Bone Student Center!    Complete the Winter Fest RSO Registration to sign up!   Winter Commencement Congratulations to all our graduating Redbirds! Winter Commencement is on December 14. We’re excited to see all the amazing things you’ll accomplish next! Visit the commencement website for ceremony information.  RSO Support Do you need extra guidance or support for your RSO? We are here to help! Reach out to StudentOrgs@IllinoisState.edu, and someone from our office will meet with you to help ensure your RSO can be successful this year!    RSO Funding Funding for 2024-2025 Program Fund This funding opportunity is OPEN. Applications will be accepted until February 12, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. Event/travel must occur between July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026.   More information and applications for these funds are available on the RSO funding website.  Opportunity Fund  The Opportunity Fund is currently closed. Visit the RSO funding website for more information.   Additional Funding Opportunities Review the RSO funding website if your RSO is looking for other funding options  RSO Funding Training Reminder, if you received any funding from the Program Fee Board for this academic year, don’t forget to set up a training appointment with Heather Marshall, our RSO Financial Associate, using the Bookings link    Redbird Life Tip of the Month  Post Events on Redbird Life! Does your RSO have an exciting event or meeting to share with the ISU community? Post it on Redbird Life! You can customize the visibility of your event—whether you want it open to everyone, just students, or only your organization members. You can also select themes, allowing students to filter and find events that match their interests.    Check out the Redbird Life resource page for step-by-step instructions on adding your RSO information to your page and managing the functions Redbird Life offers.  Campus Policy Spotlight  RSO Funding Policy  Each month, we highlight a campus policy that can often impact RSOs or RSO operations. This month, we are highlighting the RSO funding policy. This policy outlines what processes and policies need to be followed if your RSO is given money from the Fee Board. Interested in applying for funding? Check out the RSO funding policies and information before completing an application.      Information & Opportunities  Bone Student Center Booking Want to reserve a space in the Bone Student Center? Open bookings will begin on Monday, December 2, 2024, at 8 a.m. This is the start of bookings in the Bone Student Center for RSOs for the Spring 2025 semester. Note: Reoccurring practices and meetings held Monday – Friday can be scheduled during the time blocks of 5-7, 7:15-9:15, and 9:30-10:30 p.m.   Winter Preparedness As you prepare to leave for winter break, the Safe Redbirds and Student Activities want to remind you and your members that it is essential to take a few steps to ensure your space stays safe and in good condition during the cold months ahead!   Avoid packing the night before you leave Unplug electronics, appliances, and extension cords, and other appliances to protect from power surges, but keep fridge plugged in Set your thermostat to 60°F to prevent pipes from freezing Leave cabinets with plumbing open to circulate warm air to prevent frozen pipes Close all windows and blinds  Check that all doors and windows are securely locked Throw out or take any perishables, and take the trash out to avoid coming back to unpleasant odors or spoiled food Take all medications, contact lenses, and important documents with you Keep a master list of large valuable items – take pictures  For those living in a house off-campus, you can request that the Normal police department stop by and check on your residence.  For more information, visit the off-campus services website. Take care of these tasks to return to a clean, safe, and cozy space. Happy winter break!     Winter Break Hours December 13-December 19: Open 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday   December 20-January 1: CLOSED  January 2-January 12: Open 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday    Reserving Rooms Want to reserve a space in the Bone Student Center?  Make sure to fill out a booking privileges form! Then visit the Bone Student Center scheduling webpage to reserve your space.  Looking for a classroom space? Check out the Conference Services website and contact the appropriate area for your reservation.   RSO Newsletter submission Submit materials to be featured in this section of the newsletter by filling out the RSO Newsletter submission form.    New RSOs this Month New groups are always forming on campus, and we are excited to welcome these RSOs that started this month. Click on the links below to learn more about these organizations in Redbird Life.    New RSOs on Redbird Life Team Dale  Nigerian Students Association   Student Involvement Center The hub of all things RSOs. We have lots of fun resources available for your organization!   Conference Space  Computers with Adobe Creative Suites  Free 15 pages of printing per day per RSO  Black & white or color     Button Makers  24 buttons per semester per RSO  RSO mail pick up  Digital display screen General seating areas  We also provide free marketing opportunities for RSOs. Submit a Marketing Request through the online form!    Contact us at StudentOrganizations@IllinoisState.edu or (309) 438-2151. Bone Student Center, 227 Open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.– 6 p.m.   Student Activities StaffKate Piper (she/her) Assistant Dean for Student Activities Email: kmlafre@IllinoisState.edu  Taylor Otterson (she/her) Student Involvement Graduate Assistant Email: isu_totters@IllinoisState.edu Heather Marshall (she/her) RSO Financial Associate Email: hllough@IllinoisState.edu Important Links General Resources Find information on navigating Redbird Life as an RSO, FAQs, marketing opportunities, and so much more! This section also includes annual orientation information for presidents, treasurers, and advisors.   Redbird Life If you have any questions regarding Redbird Life, please contact Kate Piper.   Funding Information Learn about how to apply for funding, how to set up an RSO bank account, and review purchasing guidelines to ensure your student organization uses its funding allocation properly! If you have questions about funding information, contact Heather Marshall.    Event Planning Find information about how to reserve space, manage risk, and promote your event on campus. Follow the guidelines, and remember to plan ahead! Student Activities Website Redbird Life

The Special Issue “aims to explore the diverse experiences of the Hispanic/Latino population of the United States in higher education.”   The first article, “Latinx College Students in a PWI: Perceptions of Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access (IDEA), Basic Psychological Needs Satisfaction, and Access to Mentorship,” shows that Latinx and first-generation college students reported lower perceptions of IDEA and a lower sense of basic psychological needs satisfaction than their White and non-first-generation peers. Hendricks and his co-authors provide practical and policy implications for higher education administrators, faculty, and staff when working with Latinx and first-generation students. Their results indicate the urgent need to respond to basic psychological needs among Latinx students and first-generation college students through policy-making and prioritizing student events to support Latinx students’ academic and social activities. Hendricks’s co-authors are Drs. Chang Su-Russell (Department of Family and Consumer Sciences) and Jordan Arellanes (Department of Psychology).   Hendricks took the lead on the second article, “Exploring the Pandemic’s Impacts on Latinx Students’ Learning.” Their study underscores their concerns regarding access to essential educational resources, especially online learning tools, mental health support, and building connections with peers and the campus community. Their findings highlight the importance of understanding the Latinx student experience to inform educational policies and pedagogical practices, particularly in the context of post-pandemic online and remote learning, aiming to address their unique challenges effectively. Hendricks’s co-authors are Drs. Chang Su-Russell (Department of Family and Consumer Sciences) and Jordan Arellanes (Department of Psychology). This article also includes two graduate student co-authors: Nur Moon, a previous MS student in the Department who is pursuing her PhD in political science at the University of Connecticut and Shania Vasquez, a former MS student in the Department of Psychology.  

On November 15, Dr. Michael Hendricks participated in a virtual roundtable on Governance and Violence in Latin American Migration. The event was hosted by the Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies at the University of Kansas. Hendricks participated with other experts from various scholarly disciplines from the University of Kansas; the University of Nevada, Reno; and the University of South Florida. During the roundtable, the panelists explored “the intricate dynamics between governance structures and the various forms of violence that influence and are influenced by migration within and from Latin America. (The panelists) contributed their insights and research findings to shed light on the critical issues of governance and violence in the context of Latin American migration.”

  The Redbirds competed against teams from Case Western University, the University of Illinois-Chicago, Lewis University, and Carthage College. The students split ballots against Case Western and Lewis. The students took both ballots from UIC and Carthage.  Criminal Justice major Audrey Salamon earned an outstanding witness award with 17 ranks. Business major Jake Podvrsan earned an outstanding attorney award with a perfect 20 ranks. He was the only attorney in the tournament to earn 20 ranks. In addition to Audrey and Jake, Squad 1070 is composed of Grace Betts, Denise Flores, Viv Garcia, Jamani Reed, and Katie Schafer. This squad’s next outing is Eastern Kentucky University’s tournament held in Lexington, Kentucky. The mock trial team is coached by A.J. Blodgett and Spencer Chikahisa. Prof. Tom McClure is the educator coach.