The United Faculty of Illinois State University (UFISU) announced that a full tentative agreement has been reached with the University's administration Friday evening. UFISU and the University administration reached a tentative agreement after a lengthy 16-hour meeting on Thursday immediately followed by another meeting on Friday. "This monumental achievement would not have been possible without the demonstrated collective power of all of you—our members, our union siblings, out students and our communities," the online announcement read. The announcement expressed appreciation for those who have supported UFISU's movement over the last 13 months. This story will be updated.

A 16-hour-long negotiation session between the United Faculty of Illinois State University (UFISU) and Illinois State University on Thursday did not result in an agreement. UFISU released an update on the bargaining process with ISU's administration for fair wages Friday morning. "As of today, the 650 tenured and tenure-line faculty in the union may legally strike at any time," read a statement released by UFISU on Friday. Associate Professor of the Department of Finance and Law and co-lead negotiator for UFISU, Tice Sirmans, was quoted in the update. Sirmans said the 16-hour meeting only created more distrust. "While the administration continues to insist that they are prioritizing student and faculty needs, their actions repeatedly prove otherwise. Rather than focus on bargaining a fair contract that helps to ensure a high-quality education for students, President Tarhule and his team are prioritizing research and trying to pit faculty against one another for meager raises in a Hunger Games-like scenario," Sirmans said. Sirmans said UFISU is prepared to strike next week if necessary. Several UFISU members formed a last-minute gauntlet as they met with administrators Friday morning for another negotiation session. UFISU also scheduled a rally for Friday evening, but it was canceled due to the weather. "Our power is strong, and the ISU Admin know we can mobilize at a moment's notice if we have to," the UFISU rally cancellation post read.

At 4 p.m. on Thursday, the United Faculty of Illinois State University (UFISU) held the Big Union Family Rally on Illinois State University’s Quad. It was the last day before the union was allowed to initiate a strike. Before the scheduled march around the Quad, speeches were given by members and special guests regarding the demand for a fair contract from the administration. One of the two final speakers included Illinois’ State Representative Sharon Chung. “I am a union member myself. I have a lot of friends here, and also my background comes from being a faculty member as well. I’m always going to be standing up for workers’ rights,” Chung said. The rallies over the last few weeks have grown in numbers. The rally held today had multiple new faces as families and friends joined in solidarity. Members from the non-tenure track faculty union, the graduate student union, the local teamsters, family members of UFISU and local K-12 teachers attended the rally to put pressure on the administration. “We invited people from the community, so people can bring their families and pets. We wanted to make sure that people knew that we’re there for them and we appreciate everyone attending,” Special Education Associate Professor Mark Zablocki said. According to a media release from ISU, the university and the union met for the 46th negotiation session on Wednesday, April 2, 2025. The university presented an enhanced on-the-record economic proposal, as well as an on-the-record proposal on definitions. There were off-the-record topics discussed afterwards. These negotiations did little to increase the hope of an agreement for UFISU. “The goal today is to send a clear message to the administration that the faculty are not going to be pushed around,” UFISU Professor Keith Pluymers said. “We’re not going to see this university put a system that devalues student learning at every turn by telling us that if we focus on teaching, we don’t deserve to get paid a raise that keeps up with inflation.” Bargaining table sessions between UFISU and ISU have been long and grueling, as most sessions have gone for hours on end. A majority of the UFISU members have numerous emotions about the lack of response from the university administration regarding a contract. However, the support from the campus and Bloomington-Normal’s community has kept UFISU’s spirits lifted. “I think people are anxious and frustrated, but also really excited and feeling heartened by events like this, where community support is so obvious. We feel like we really have a big, diverse group behind us,” Assistant History Professor Taylor Soja said. Many students attended the rally in support of their professors and colleagues in UFISU. Freshman music education majors Nick Sleevar and Nathan James emphasized the importance of supporting the faculty. “We’re both future teachers and this concerns us; this is the well-being not only for us, but for our future students,” Sleevar said. “Not even just for teachers. It’s important for people to be unionized and to have a voice for their own contracts and their pay,” James said. The march began at approximately 4:37 p.m., and concluded at five. Members marched with signs that read “Take care of my dad, so he can take care of his students” and “Pay faculty, not lawyers.” Tension hung in the air after the group distributed. “We’re all feeling a lot of stress because we don’t want to go on strike. We are feeling sick at the decisions coming from President Tarhule and the whole administration team,” Pluymers said. “They look at [students] as nothing more than tuition dollars. We look at [students] as people, and we hope [they] understand the difference…We are absolutely fed up.”

Illinois State University students made their voices heard Tuesday during this year's McLean County municipal election. On the ballot for the April 1 election were Bloomington and Normal mayors, city councils, school boards, township leaders, community college boards and other local offices. The elections were sponsored by the Center of Civic Engagement, where voting commenced in the Founders Suite of the Bone Student Center. Celeste Brennan, a volunteer for the Center of Civic Engagement, shared the importance of voting for politicians who keep the public in mind. “Mayors are really important, especially in our town where there are two towns together and each is different,” Brennan said. “Each mayor has a different outlook, and just like any other election, you hope to have a mayor in office who is looking out for you.” Voter turnout in local elections is historically lower compared to the presidential and congressional elections, yet many students understood the importance of making their voices heard. “As a citizen of the United States, that’s my civic duty,” said Julia Gancarz, a sophomore French educational major. “It is my job to make sure the town I live in gets my vote, and I can get what I want.” “Local elections are important since it’s the fact that you live in that neighborhood that affects you the most,” said Estefani Lopez, a senior history and political science major. “You need to make your voice heard.” “If you want local change, going out and voting in local elections is what’s going to do that,” said Ari Palma, a senior social work major. Despite recent on-campus political turmoil following November’s presidential election, Center of Civic Engagement staff member Caitlin Bradford was satisfied with the student voter turnout. “The interest really seems to be there this year, which I’m happy about because oftentimes with consolidated elections, the turnout is usually lower than general or even midterm elections,” Bradford said. “I’m happy with how it went and we’re just happy to see students here and voting.” At the polling booths, students voiced their opinions on what needs improvement with new leaders at the helm. “I definitely think more money needs to go out to our roads. We’ve got a lot of really bad streets in town,” said Nate Eagles, a sophomore English education major. “I live out west too, so on my drive home near Rivian, there’s a lot of bad [roads].” Palma said she desires enhanced resources for immigrants and people of color in McLean County. “There’s so many different populations in this area that could definitely be built upon,” Palma said. “A lot of places and services only speak in English, [so] being able to have that diversity and showing that [you care] is important.” Students also highlighted the importance of voting as college students since legislative representation can have a direct impact on their field of study. “With my major, I’m going into education and I’m from here in town,” Eagles said. “I think the 1% sales tax increase is probably a good idea for our public schools, so I wanted to support it.” “I want to support the school boards here in town,” said Julie Webb, a freshman elementary education major. “I wanna be a teacher, so obviously it’s important for me to vote.” Tuesday’s election saw many students perform their civic duty, proving that local elections continue to matter, especially when they hit so close to home.

The Illinois State University Queer Coalition hosted its fourth annual Transgender Day of Visibility Sashay on Monday. The sashay was co-sponsored by Pride for the second time with support from McLean County’s Prairie Pride Coalition. Transgender Day of Visibility is celebrated on March 31. The Human Rights Campaign describes the day as “a day to celebrate and honor the resilience of transgender and non-binary people.” Attendees were made up of students, faculty and community members. “Trans Day of Visibility is a day of celebration to highlight the trans people in our community and to support them,” Queer Coalition Co-President Karmine Beecroft said. Senior psychology major and Pride President Abby Odelson described what message they want people to take from this effort. “It's about remembering how far we’ve come. Even if it’s just a personal progress [and] even if there are some things that are going backward, there are things that are progressing, and I think it's important to remember that,” Odelson said. An anonymous student expressed satisfaction with the event in regards to their career path. “As a special education major, I work with kids who are discriminated against. I have a trans student, and I think it is very important for me to be a voice for them,” the student said. Attendees gathered back in the Watterson Towers Rosa Parks Conference room to hear from Interim Chief Equity and Inclusion Officer Byron Craig, Queer Coalition Co-President Brie Byers and Odelson. “Here at ISU, we’re committed to ensuring that visibility is not just symbolic because to be visible, one should also be supported,” Craig said. Odelson and Byers also made testimonies. “I encourage you all to be allies and advocates wherever you go because if we don't have each other's back, who will?” Byers said.

The Center for Civic Engagement at Illinois State University will hold its annual Bring it Back to Normal volunteer event on April 4 and 5. The Center for Civic Engagement will team up with local organizations like the Ecology Action Center and Normal Parks and Recreation to provide students with volunteer opportunities. More than 10 organizations will be hosting groups to participate from noon to 3 p.m. on April 4 throughout Bloomington-Normal. Students can RSVP via RedbirdLife and can find the waiver of liability required to participate. Students can engage in activities such as cleaning at Anderson Park and assisting at the Fell Arboretum. The Center for Civic Engagement and the Ecology Action Center have a farm clean up from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on April 5 at the ISU farm. Transportation will be provided to and from the farm. Lunch will also be provided. Students interested in participating can RSVP and find the required waiver of liability in RedbirdLife.

Ewing Manor will host its annual architecture tour from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 5. Tickets cost $25 per person. Those interested in rich history are encouraged to attend. The tour will be available at 10 a.m., 11 a.m., noon and 1 p.m. Reservations are required. Space is limited to 12 people per tour. Guides will show all 44 rooms of the manor. The tour will last approximately two and a half hours. All details can be found here.

Students could be affected by the possibility of the United Faculty of Illinois State University (UFISU) beginning to strike as early as Friday, April 4. Here is a full rundown on how a strike might impact students: Classes Unless notified otherwise, students should still attend classes and are advised to check their ISU email inbox and Canvas for updates. Some classes may be modified, moved online or canceled for a short period during the strike. The University stated on its Frequently Asked Questions website that it prioritizes academic continuity and expects students to complete their coursework. According to ISU’s website, the University might also implement substitute instructors or combine class sections if needed. Students will earn course credit at the end of the semester regardless of a strike. The departmental units and supervising faculty will assign grades accordingly for each course. Summer classes are intended to run as scheduled. Graduation Seniors and graduate students graduating in May will still be able to participate in spring commencement. The strike will not affect spring graduating students receiving their degrees. Housing and dining services/events Housing and dining services will be unaffected by a strike. Performances, productions and similar events will be reviewed individually to determine whether they can continue. How to support UFISU Those interested in supporting UFISU are encouraged to follow the union’s Instagram and Facebook accounts for updates. UFISU also regularly updates its website with bargaining updates and other information. Students can write a letter to President Aondover Tarhule to bring in a fair agreement in support of UFISU. Attending future rallies is another way to support the faculty. According to their website, UFISU’s next rally will be at 4 p.m. Thursday, April 3, starting at the Old Main Bell on the Quad. Additional information is available on ISU’s website or by contacting StrikeQuestions@ilstu.edu.

Frustration grows, and a strike is imminent as demands remain unmet. On Friday, Special Education Associate Professor Mark Zablocki and assistant history professors Taylor Soja and Camille Cole collaborated to provide updates on the United Faculty of Illinois State University (UF). At the end of February, UF announced that there would be discussions of striking due to the slow progress in reaching an agreement. Some members displayed signs outside their office doors indicating their readiness to strike. Significant steps have been taken toward action. In early March, Cole said UF had taken a strike authorization vote, which authorized their table team to file with the Illinois Labor Relations Board. “There was another mediation session immediately after, where the administration made a little bit of movement but really not the kind of movement that we need to see,” Cole said. “After, the table team did choose to file it with the board this past Monday.” UF members are currently undergoing the state-mandated 10-day cooling-off period. According to Soja, the earliest potential strike date would be April 4. Cole added to the discussion by reminding that UF will continue to hold sessions throughout this period. Sessions sometimes last for hours, with one even being held during bad weather. “The last mediation session, they were there for 11 hours–that day of the tornado–they all had to go inside the building. That's just to say that however long they would need to be in that room, that's what we're gonna do,” Cole said. In the event of a strike, students should anticipate that a professor participating in the strike will not conduct classes, update Canvas, check their email, do service work for the University or engage in other related activities. “There are also people who teach classes who are not part of our unit, so people who are non-tenure track faculty are not allowed to strike because of the way that U.S. labor law works. Those classes presumably will still happen,” Cole said. On Friday, a University-wide email was sent to all students and faculty. The response included tentative agreements reached by the parties during the session on Friday. It was stated that these agreements pertained to non-economic issues. “We're just focusing on the bargaining and on trying to make movement for the faculty at the table,” Cole said. According to the email, negotiation sessions are now scheduled for April 1-4. As a strike looms, rallies increase in numbers. On Thursday, over 200 individuals attended the UF rally on the Quad. Pressure was applied to the University as members chanted and marched around campus, continuing to demonstrate their willingness to fight for a fair contract. Illinois Representative Sharon Chung and Illinois State Senator Dave Koehler attended the rally to show support for UF. They gave speeches alongside many others who were there in support. “What really stuck out to me is what Camille was talking about: how this has kind of gotten people from different departments together who normally wouldn't get together,” Zablocki said. “For the past four years, we've been having conversations with people all across campus. We tried to talk to every single faculty member–650 of them–so we made every attempt to talk to everybody. I think yesterday was really a show of unity," Zablocki continued. Zablocki, Soja and Cole agreed that they have seen more interest from students due to the rallies growing in numbers. “I think a lot of faculty have been talking to students outside of class and answering the questions that they come to us with about what the union is and how it all works, but also what we're fighting for,” Soja said. “And I can speak for myself and say that, when I've talked to students outside of class, there's real frustration. I feel like they're very much in it with us," Soja continued. Cole said that students are able to contribute to UF’s efforts in numerous ways. Students can write to President Aondover Tarhule through the link on UF’s Instagram to urge him to direct his table team to work on an agreeable offer for everyone. “Follow us on socials… But also, talk to your friends, talk to your parents. The more that the community knows and that people who have a stake in the University, and the more that those people are also reaching out to the administration, the more likely it is that they settle a fair contract with us,” Cole said. At the end of the discussion, the three shared a few thoughts that summarized the emotions within UF. Zablocki shared that among the frustrations, he felt uplifted by the interest from students. “I teach pre-service teachers, and most of them will join a union. Talking more about unions and what they mean for the country has made me feel pretty good,” Zablocki said. Soja agreed with Zablocki’s statement and said the feeling was mutual. Cole also shared similar feelings. “I feel similar. Tired, frustrated, a little bit anxious. But I am also ready; I am ready to fight if that's what they're gonna insist on,” Cole said.

Illinois State University and Heartland Community College (HCC) will be hosting the Southeast Asian Cultural Festival from April 1 through April 4. These events are free and open to the public. Here is a full schedule of events being held: Tuesday, April 1 at HCC Main Campus There will be a guest lecture with speaker Robby Anggriawan from 9:30-10:45 a.m. in the Welcome Room of the Workforce Development Center (WDC). There will be a religious panel discussion with monk Bhante Rahula from 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. in the Leadership Room of the WDC. Lunch from Dang and Thai House will be served during the Le Hien Minh documentary showing and nail salon from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the Multicultural Room of the WDC. A presentation titled “Empowering Young Entrepreneurs: The Role of Education and Support Systems in Vietnam” will be given by Mai Nguyen Lisovich from 12:30-1:45 p.m. in the Leadership Room of the WDC. There will be a Muay Thai boxing event from 2-3:15 p.m. in the Welcome Room of the WDC. There will be a guided meditation session from 2-3:15 p.m. in the Multicultural Room of the WDC. There will be a screening of the “Cirque du Cambodia” film and director Q&A from 6-8 p.m. in Rooms 1406 and 1407 of the Community Commons Building (CCB). Wednesday, April 2 at HCC Main Campus There will be a Muay Thai boxing event from 9:30-10:45 a.m. in the Welcome Room. A presentation titled “Empowering Young Entrepreneurs: The Role of Education and Support Systems in Vietnam” will be given by Mai Nguyen Lisovich from 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. in the Leadership Room. Lunch from Dang and Thai House will be served during the Le Hien Minh documentary and nail salon from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the Multicultural Room. A presentation will be given by Professor Katherine Bruhn titled “Global Art and Visual Culture (Indonesia)” from 12:30-1:45 p.m. in the Welcome Room. Thursday, April 3 at ISU Vrooman Center There will be a yoga and breathwork workshop from 9-10 a.m. in the Marilyn M. Boyd International House. A presentation titled “Batik Art & Indonesian Traditional Games” will be given by Robby Anggriawan from 10-11 a.m. in the Eleanor Kong Room. There will be a lunch reception with a presentation from The Grand Cafe from 11:15 a.m. to noon in The Jaime Escalante Room. RSVP is required. A presentation titled “Empowering Young Entrepreneurs: The Role of Education and Support Systems in Vietnam” will be given by Mai Quynh Nguyen from noon to 1:30 p.m. in the Jaime Escalante Room. There will be a Muay Thai boxing and Burmese Lethwei Martial Arts demonstration with Band of Brothers Martial Arts from 2-3 p.m. in the Eleanor Kong Room. A presentation titled "Balikbayan: A Photographer's Connections to the Philippines" will be given by Jason Reblando from 3-4 p.m. in the Jaime Escalante Room. There will be a Tinikling Dance Performance by the Asian Pacific American Coalition (APAC) Student Organization from 4-5 p.m. in the Marilyn M. Boyd International House. There will be a dinner reception with a presentation from Dang Boba, Poke and Banh Mi from 5-6 p.m. in the Jaime Escalante Room. RSVP is required. There will be a screening of “Cirque du Cambodia” with Director Joel Gershon from 6-8:30 p.m. in the Jaime Escalante Room. Friday, April 4 at ISU Vrooman Center There will be a guided meditation and mindfulness workshop with Jim Almeda from 9-10 a.m. in the Marilyn M. Boyd International House. A presentation titled “Global Art and Visual Culture [Indonesia]” will be given by Katherine Bruhn from 10-11 a.m. in the Eleanor Kong Room. There will be a lunch reception with a presentation from Thai House of Bloomington from 11:15 a.m. to noon in the Eleanor Kong Room. RSVP is required. There will be a violin performance by Chona Noble from noon to 1 p.m. in the Eleanor Kong Room. There will be a Muay Thai boxing and Burmese Lethwei Martial Arts demonstration with Band of Brothers Martial Arts from 2-3 p.m. in the Eleanor Kong Room. More information can be found here.

The United Faculty of Illinois State University (UFISU) and Illinois State University reached three tentative agreements on Workload, Assignment of Duties and Identification of Union Representatives during a negotiation session on Friday. During this session, two additional sessions were added alongside the previously scheduled Wednesday, April 2, and Friday, April 4, sessions. The new sessions will be held on Tuesday, April 1, and Thursday, April 3. The negotiation session lasted around 13 hours from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. UFISU described the three tentative agreements as a “huge win” on its website. “We have been in discussion about paths to agreement on these topics for weeks (or, over a year if you count that we submitted the original proposal in our first bargaining session on February 28, 2024,” the UFISU website said in its bargaining update post. In an email sent to students, faculty and staff, ISU Media Relations said almost all non-economic issues have been resolved with these three tentative agreements, with focus shifting to economic issues like compensation and parental leave. Friday’s negotiation session had no involvement with a federal mediator. The choice not to involve a federal mediator follows the implementation of a March 14 Executive Order that decreased the size of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service and “ended support to public-sector negotiations.” “While good progress was made with the mediator’s support, the University believes the parties have developed a productive working relationship that will allow negotiations to continue without the involvement of a mediator as Illinois State and the Union move toward contract resolution,” ISU said in its email. In the tentative agreement for Assignment of Duties, employees will receive more support from ISU in considering their course teaching preferences and earlier notification of what courses they teach in upcoming semesters. Department teaching loads were also discussed with Workload. Departments will develop workload policies according to their standards and service requirements. Employees with “sufficient scholarly and creative productivity, and assigned institutional and departmental service responsibilities,” will not be assigned over 18 teaching credit hours. UFISU and ISU continue to have economic discussions. ISU proposed an updated economic offer, involving base and promotional salaries. UFISU has described these “off-the-record” economic discussions as “intense.” On Monday, UFISU filed a Notice of Intent to Strike. If an agreement is not met between UFISU and ISU for a fair contract in the next negotiation sessions moving into April, the faculty union may strike as early as Friday, April 4.

The United Faculty of Illinois State University (UFISU) filed its Intent to Strike notice earlier this week. Over the past year, University administration and UFISU have bargained back and forth, seeking fair wages for all faculty. Here is a definitive timeline on the negotiations dating back to February 2024: Spring 2024 The first bargaining session took place on Feb. 28, 2024. ISU faculty expressed feelings of isolation within their schools and departments through spokesperson and associate professor Ashley Farmer. UFISU presented University administration with copies of a proposal based on the Bargaining Pillars of the union. University administration has been led by Mark Bennett of Laner Muchin Ltd. After questioning different aspects of the proposal, Bennett assured that the University would have counterproposals by the next meeting. During a four-hour session in March, the ISU administration did not have counterproposals or sign any tentative agreement. Testimonials from staff were a focal point during the spring sessions. Xiaoying Zhao, an international faculty member, shared that ISU’s management of the immigration process was slow and complex, with a lack of on-campus help. Zhao also revealed that several of the fees included were paid out of pocket, a surprising detail for some administrators. UFISU revealed that ISU had the lowest salary for its professors in the state of Illinois. Bennett presented a short proposal during the final session in March. The proposal said that the University believed that no fundamental change was needed at that time. In April, UFISU rejected several proposals from ISU administration and submitted counterproposals, highlighting the need for change and fair compensation. Union faculty and ISU administration signed their first tentative agreement on April 29, 2024, regarding the economic availability of the final agreement. Summer 2024 A movement in tentative agreements was seen over the summer during the first session on May 16, 2024. UFISU and University administration signed three proposals, among them being No Strike No Lockout, stating that union members are not authorized to strike after signing the contract. Proposals for non-discrimination and workplace bullying were two key topics discussed in May. On June 5, 2024, both parties signed their sixth tentative agreement on union dues. During the June session, University administration heard presentations from Director of Environmental Health and Safety Adam McCrary and Executive Director of Facilities Services Kristie Toohill. Both discussed their areas and responsibilities in terms of their current projects on campus. This led to the conversation on health, safety and facilities, where the UFISU expressed concern over the lack of locks on doors across campus in the event of an active shooter. Administration said the concern was unnecessary to bring into the bargaining agreement. UFISU and ISU administration signed a tentative agreement on July 31, 2024, which focused on academic freedom. The proposal enabled faculty to select materials and develop assignments within their individual courses and assign additional materials if needed in their courses. In August, union faculty revisited the need for door locks in buildings across campus. Administration also made progress on all-gender restrooms on campus. Fall 2024 Both parties had their first session of the fall semester on Aug. 23, 2024, where a Memorandum of Understanding on Facilities Improvements was agreed upon. This included a commitment from ISU administration to install locks on all classroom doors within five years and solidified progress on all-gender restrooms. On Aug. 28, 2024, two additional agreements were signed, relating to health and safety and facilities. Until this point, no economic proposals were made by the administration. UFISU members had waited seven months because the proposals were related to staff workload and pay. An agreement on limitations and savings was signed on Sept. 16, 2024. In November 2024, grievance, non-discrimination and disability were the main points of bargaining. On Nov. 19, UFISU requested mediation due to its frustration with the administration’s response to the proposals. Mediation was also requested due to the lack of economic proposals. ISU administration denied the request for joint mediation since the union faculty had to make a request to the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board first. Salary was the main focus of December’s mediation session. UFISU and ISU administration presented different numbers, which further deepened the disconnect between them. Spring 2025 UFISU spoke during the public comment portion of the Board of Trustees meeting on Feb. 21, 2025. Jessica Rick, an assistant professor in the School of Communication, shared her personal experiences as a parent and advocated for a new child leave policy. School of Communication professor Joseph Zompetti discussed the financial stresses ISU faculty face. Ashley Farmer, an associate professor of criminal justice sciences and lead UFISU negotiator, voiced concerns about the uncertainty of a fair contract. UFISU’s current demands ask for an average salary increase of over 28% over the next 33 months. The approximate salary at ISU is $88,089, which is 12% below the national average. During the mediation session on March 24, 2025, UFISU informed University administration that it filed an Intent to Strike notice with the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board. Faculty members can go on strike as early as April 4. The filing does not mean that all union faculty members will go on strike, but it allows them to do so, if necessary. Future mediation sessions will take place April 2 and April 4.

The United Faculty of Illinois State University (UFISU) held a rally on Thursday on the Quad, demanding that the University provide fair wages for all faculty members. The rally began at the Old Main Bell before participants marched to Hovey Hall, where faculty and supporters chanted phrases such as, “Get up, get down. Normal is a union town,” and “What do we want? A fair contract. And if we do not get it? Shut it down.” State Rep. Sharon Chung of Bloomington attended the rally to support UFISU, asserting that the rally made a “powerful message.” "It makes the most impact to show how important a fair contract is to them and that they have demands and needs they hope [the University] can come to some sort of agreement on,” Chung said. Special Education Associate Professor Mark Zablocki believes a united front will help the union’s voices make an impact. “I think that it shows our collective power. It helps us in negotiations with administration and things like academic freedom,” Zablocki said. Mathematics Assistant Professor Julien Corven expressed dissatisfaction with the University’s administration, claiming that faculty have suffered enough. “I think that the communication from the administration has been very misleading,” Corven said. “I think that they are failing to recognize the real harm that faculty members in this institution have suffered through with years of wage erosion, sub-inflationary raises and years of no raises.” “I really need them to understand that this affects faculty members. It affects ISU's reputation as an institution,” Corven continued. Jolyne Custer, a freshman English education major, cares about the union’s needs. “I have always been passionate about education. I have always been passionate about being for the people. And when my professors are not having their needs met in order to operate at full function, it jeopardizes everybody's education,” Custer said. “It jeopardizes the health of my professors, [who] I care about outside of an educational setting. I care because they are people,” Custer continued. Zablocki highlighted how their current efforts to reach a fair contract can not only impact the union but also students. “We are also not just fighting for us. We are fighting for better learning conditions, resources in the classroom and mental health services for our students,” Zablocki said. “It is not just about us. It is also for the students.” UFISU is scheduled to have more mediation sessions with a federal mediator on Friday, March 28, Wednesday, April 2 and Friday, April 4. UFISU filed a Notice of Intent to Strike on Monday, meaning that if the union and the University cannot reach an agreement in the upcoming mediation sessions, the union could strike as early as April 4.

Career Services hosted the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Expo from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Tuesday in the Brown Ballroom at the Bone Student Center. The EDI Expo aimed to connect students with employers that valued EDI. The expo included a networking workshop, lunch and a career fair. Sophomore creative technologies major Amber Davis attended the event to look for a full-time job for the upcoming fall semester. Davis was hesitant to attend but enjoyed the EDI aspect of the expo. “I believe that with everything going on in the world right now, with companies pulling back EDI, I think it’s important for us to have those companies that still value it,” Davis said. “It helps me feel more comfortable and I imagine a lot of people in my position feel the same.” Sophomore cybersecurity major Tyler Werner said EDI is important in his career field because it allows for more perspectives and easier communication. “It can allow people to better collaborate with other countries for improved security in their systems,” Werner said. Growmark Student Recruiter Ruthie Morgan emphasized the importance of EDI in the workplace. “There is a totem pole in businesses, but [it’s important] to make people feel valued and important and that their position in the company is worthy,” Morgan said. Heartland Community College HR Analyst Jodi Ellsworth said EDI brings new ideas and fresh visions to the workplace. Ellsworth believes it allows for better input for companies and businesses when there are more diverse backgrounds. “I feel like all of that is important because it helps everybody evolve; it helps all of our departments and businesses grow,” Ellsworth said. Ellsworth finds it important for students to attend career expos and network with professionals in their fields. “[Students’] goals, whether they are short-term or long-term goals, are important, and everybody is a resource. Just putting themselves out there and talking with as many people as they can, they’ll connect with a variety of different people that might pave a path for them,” Ellsworth said. Morgan expressed that when students are job searching, they should consider companies that align with their beliefs. “I think as an employee, [students should] find a company that goes along with their values and morals. So in this ever-changing world, they can trust in their company and know that they are valued as an employee even if they are at the bottom of the totem pole,” Morgan said. This expo was Davis’s first career fair, and she hopes to attend similar ones in the future. “I think it’s nice to see that businesses still value certain things,” Davis said. “Anybody who hasn’t come to one should definitely come. Everyone is really nice and accommodating,” Davis continued.

Illinois State University will conduct its biannual Emergency Alert test at 2:05 p.m. Thursday, March 27. The alert will be visible through text message, email, digital display in public spaces, the ISU homepage, classroom desktop computers and the SafeRedbirds app. It will also be posted on social media through SafeRedbirds, ISU Police and ISU’s primary Facebook and X, formerly known as twitter, accounts. Students are encouraged to let family and others registered for the alerts know it is only a test. More information on the emergency alerts can be found on SafeRedbirds.

Illinois State University’s Center for Civic Engagement is partnering with the American Red Cross for a “Spring into Service” blood drive. The drive will be from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, March 28, in the Escalante Room of the Vrooman Center. While walk-ins are welcome, interested participants can schedule an appointment here.

Illinois State University Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Ani Yazedjian provided an update regarding the United Faculty of ISU's Intent to Strike. In a March 26 email to students, faculty and staff, Yazedjian shared what happened at Monday's negotiation session between the University and Union faculty. During the session, the University presented a revised proposal that includes increased pay for sabbatical leave and other benefits. ISU's goal is to offer competitive salaries for tenure-track faculty, while maintaining an affordable education for all students. ISU maintains that the UFISU's salary demands, which include average increases of over 28% over the next 33 months, are "unrealistic" based on the University's current financial state, enrollment projects and uncertain federal developments. If a strike occurs, the University intends to continue normal operations to the fullest extent possible, while minimizing its impact on students. Students are encouraged to regularly monitor their course Canvas sites and their ISU emails if a strike date is announced. Yazedjian said that University employees not represented by the UFISU are not legally permitted to strike and should continue to perform their job duties as normal. Despite the troubling turn of events, Yazedjian outlined the next steps. "The University remains steadfast in its commitment to continued good-faith negotiations to reach a fair contract agreement that reflects the needs of all stakeholders and demonstrates the value we place on our faculty," Yazedjian said in the email. "However, we are also committed to the principle that the University must remain fiscally prudent, resilient, and sustainable for the long term." Ongoing updates will be available on ISU's website.

Painters, drawers and creators can find opportunities to express themselves at Derpfest. Derpfest is a 48-hour live painting show. Artists will be making their first brush strokes at 10 a.m. Friday, March 28, at the Hangar Art Company in Bloomington. The festival will also feature live music and other activities available at the festival. A Bloomington-based artist, Daniel DeJarld, partnered with Hangar Art Company owner Santino Lamancusa and started this event in March 2024. They aimed to create and experience a more robust scene for local and regional artists. The Illinois Art Station was then brought to this event as a nonprofit partner. Last year, the first DerpFest welcomed more than 400 visitors. They raised nearly $3,200 for the participating artists from all across Illinois and the Midwest. These profits are split equally among the artists and the Illinois Art Station. Each piece has the same minimum bid, and those in attendance can bid on pieces, thus increasing the profit both the artist and Art Station get. An open call for artists was launched in December 2024 to submit photos of their art as well as personal statements about their artistic process, preferred mediums and inspirations. “Derpfest privileges the process above all else. Not only do attendees have the opportunity to witness art in action, but also the artists themselves," said executive director of the Illinois Art Station, Hannah Johnson. This year, nine of the original twenty artists will return for round two of DerpFest. Viewers can witness the opportunity to watch masterpieces created live and in front of them. This event will then have an online art auction from Monday, March 31, through Friday, April 4 at 8 p.m. during downtown Bloomington's monthly installment of First Fridays. More information about Derpfest can be found here.

The United Faculty of Illinois State University (UFISU) filed an Intent to Strike notice on Monday. Members can begin to strike as early as April 4 if an agreement is not reached with the University. While UFISU has plenty of on-campus support, some students are nervous about how the potential strike could affect their education. Junior psychology major Isaac Serna shared his concerns. “It leaves uncertainty. I’m pretty sure most students are supporting professors, but they also have to look out for themselves,” Serna said. Serna was especially concerned about the money students could lose if UFISU does strike. “If the University says no, then they are going to have to reimburse the students if they aren’t getting the classes they paid for,” Serna said. In addition to tuition, many students are worried about staying on track for graduation. Junior marketing major Catie Sims is one of them. “A lot of people would not have their classes and wouldn’t be able to stay on track [with] their academic schedule. I think that’s really a big issue, especially for me with it being my junior year going into my senior year,” Sims said. “I feel like it would be a really large setback if they were to go on strike because I wouldn’t get my classes done,” Sims continued. Sophomore interior design major Abigail Kleidon expressed similar concerns but believes the ISU faculty deserves a fair wage. “It’s definitely important for them to get their fair compensation. It’s a little concerning because if teachers are striking, then no one is teaching class, and I wouldn’t want to fall behind, but also teachers need to be paid fairly,” Kleidon said. Sophomore computer science major Patrick Marrella said he fully supports the faculty, although he understands why students are concerned about the strike. “I think that the whole strike thing is good for the teachers because they are fighting for more equal and better pay. I think it’s good that they are fighting for this,” Marrella said. Freshman public relations major Lincoln Ringger hopes that both parties come to an agreement soon. “I think it’s a great bargaining tool that they have in their back pocket, but I doubt that they are actually going to use it. I hope the University can support their actions and will be able to find a middle-ground that’ll help both sides,” Ringger said. “I’m glad they have a union where they are able to support each other, but I also understand the University’s position,” Ringger continued.

The Fourth Judicial District Illinois Appellate Court staged two hearings for People v. Barton McNeil and People v. James Snow Tuesday morning at the Bone Student Center. Both cases involve two local men convicted of murder and claim they were wrongfully convicted. People v. McNeil (10 a.m.) Barton McNeil was convicted in 1999 for murdering his daughter, Christina McNeil, in 1998. A decade later, McNeil’s ex-girlfriend, Misook Nowlin-Wang, was convicted of murdering her mother-in-law, Linda Tyda. This reopened Barton McNeil’s case to reconsider his previous claim that Nowlin-Wang had murdered Christina. This is the first court hearing for People v. Barton McNeil since November 2023 when Nowlin-Wang invoked her Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination. All evidence presented by McNeil’s defense team was later deemed insufficient by the court. Tuesday's argument was heard by judges Amy Lannerd, James Knecht and Peter Cavanagh. Attorney Karl Leonard of the Exoneration Project represented McNeil. Leonard said the case is not a “classic case of circumstantial evidence,” as the court previously tried to label it. He argued that DNA of Nowlin-Wang found at the crime scene after McNeil’s conviction warrants a new trial. Leonard also referenced Nowlin-Wang’s overuse of the Fifth Amendment during questioning at a previous hearing. Knecht challenged Leonard’s later references to the Tyda murder, through which Leonard intended to demonstrate Nowlin-Wang’s capability of murder. Knecht argued that the circumstances surrounding both cases are “significantly different,” focusing on the age difference of the victims. Leonard said the circuit court had called the Tyda murder simply an “interesting case” when presented as potential evidence. Leonard finished by repeating that the only reason McNeil was convicted at all was because of his admission to knowingly having been in his apartment at the time of his daughter’s death. Leonard said that the newly-discovered biological evidence, which had been previously requested by the court around the time of McNeil’s conviction, now warrants a new trial. McNeil’s cousin Chris Ross spoke at a short media gathering after the hearing. Ross further emphasized the importance of the new DNA evidence. “Normally, forensic and biological evidence is the gold standard of these kinds of cases,” Ross said. “[McNeil] was very hopeful, at the time [1998-1999], that he agreed to a bench trial that there was further DNA testing that was being done.” Ross said the Tyda murder is relevant to the McNeil murder precisely because of the similarity. “You have the smothering case of a child, then you have the asphyxiation case of an elderly woman,” Ross said. Asphyxiation in the first instance and asphyxiation in the second instance. They [the state] cite, for example, that the second case was premeditated, well, who’s to say the first case wasn’t also premeditated?” More information about the case of Barton McNeil can be read on The Vidette here. People v. James Snow (11 a.m.) James (Jamie) Snow was convicted in 2001 for the murder of gas station attendant Bill Little in 1991, ten years after his supposed crime had been committed. Snow has maintained his innocence, saying that he was at Easter dinner with his family when the crime had occurred. The argument for Snow's case was heard by judges Robert Steigmann, James Knecht and Peter Cavanagh. Attorney Debra Loevy of the Exoneration Project represented Snow. Loevy’s primary argument for Snow’s deserving a new trial was the discovery of 21 fingerprints found on the cash register at the scene of the crime. This is evidence that, like in McNeil’s case, couldn’t have been found due to weak methods of testing DNA at the time of Snow’s arrest. Steigmann argued, saying that the request to present more DNA or fingerprint evidence is now inappropriate at this stage of the case. He also said that examination of areas like the gas station door alongside the cash register would have picked up hundreds of prints, which could have led to potential suspects. Loevy said that it is the responsibility of the police to match any fingerprints from the gas station door with the cash register and then simply investigate, as it is their job. Loevy also said Snow’s height is a six-inch differential from the described height of the suspect. More information about the case of Jamie Snow can be read on The Vidette here.