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.”

Professor Michael Hendricks, Applied Community and Economic Development (ACED) graduate student Matthew Stinson, and ACED alum Dan Myers participated in a panel discussion at Normal Theater on November 11, 2024, regarding their experiences serving in the Peace Corps. The discussion occurred after the debut showing of India 42: A Peace Corps Story. Dr. Brent Simonds from the School of Communication produced the documentary that features a behind-the-scenes look at Peace Corps volunteers who served in India working with sustainable agricultural practices in the 1960s and how the experience impacted their lives. Hendricks served in Nicaragua and China, Stinson served in Rwanda, and Myers served in St. Vincent. Along with two other panelists, Hendricks, Stinson, and Myers answered questions from Dr. Simonds about their experiences serving in the Peace Corps and how their service impacted their lives.

This semester, the Delta Psi chapter of Lambda Theta Phi Latin Fraternity, Inc. continued its tradition of service by donating to The Immigration Project and Border Angels. These groups tirelessly serve immigrant communities by promoting human rights, justice, and universal access to legal aid. It's about showing support for people who are most in need, not simply about the money. The Immigration Project focuses on providing legal aid and resources to immigrants, empowering them to build stable lives. Border Angels advocates for human rights, humane immigration reform, and social justice. This work is done in an attempt to reduce the number of fatalities along the US-Mexico border by educating and assisting the communities on both sides of the border. A Brother's Reflection: Why This Matters For many brothers, this initiative is deeply personal, including Brother Rodrigo Sanchez, who has seen firsthand the struggles immigrant families face. Rodrigo shared his thoughts on the donations: "We went to The Immigration Projext to donate the money and they had a shelf that was a leave what you can, take what you need. It was almost empty and we felt bad so we went to Aldi and bought a bunch of canned foods. My parents are immigrants and this one hit home. The struggle my parents faced wasn't easy, and I am priveleged to have a better life because of their sacrifices." Looking Ahead Through volunteer work and educational initiatives, Lambda Theta Phi intends to strengthen its collaboration with both organizations. “These donations are a step toward living our values,” said Jacob Abasta, Social Relations Officer for the Chapter. At the core of who we are is service. Together, we can make a difference and help build a world where everyone is given the opportunity to thrive. Stay tuned for updates as Lambda Theta Phi continues to lead through service, compassion, and solidarity.