From 3-6 p.m. Wednesday, students will be able to receive free confidential STD testing. Testing provided by Central Illinois Friends will take place in the parking lot of the Multicultural Center on campus. This is a part of Sex-Ed Night hosted by Pride at Illinois State University, an event to inform students on safe sex practices. Vice president of Pride and junior piano performance student Ezra Tarcak commented on the importance of having these resources available. “We want to normalize getting tested; it’s something everyone can and should do. Our goal is to spread awareness about something people should pay attention to, and partnering with Central Illinois Friends is a great way to do so. Testing is confidential and easy; you can walk in and out and receive your results in 15 minutes,” said Tarcak. Additional information can be found on Redbird Life.

After closing its main branch for renovation in 2024, the Normal Public Library reopened to the public on July 25. The library hosted its grand reopening celebration from 3-5 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 16. Normal Public Library Director John Fischer explained the library’s history and what the renovations have to offer. “The library is in a building that was built in the ‘70s, and there was an addition made in the ‘90s,” Fischer said. “This is a renovation of that new building. So, what we have to offer are updated spaces, improved lighting, updated furnishing, more open areas, a bright collection [of books], and then a few new spaces including a tinker studio, which is the maker space, a preteen lounge area and a teen area.” Before the ribbon cutting ceremony, numerous activities were available for attendees to enjoy, including giveaways, a photo booth and tours of the newly renovated library. Giveaways included bookmarks, stickers, pens, keychains and more. Snacks and light refreshments were also available. Katherine Lester, a retired food service worker at Illinois State University and Normal resident of 13 years shared what it was like for her to come back to the library after it reopened in July. “It’s really amazing because I usually came to this library a lot and I really missed it. The other one was kind of tiny, and now this one is so open and spacious,” Lester said. “It’s just really beautiful. And the open space helps the people, you know. It really does something for your spirit.” Lester expressed that her favorite part of the newly renovated library is the study rooms. “You know, you could just get a pod by yourself. It has outlets and everything for your devices, it cuts off the noise and it’s like you’re in a room by yourself,” Lester said. “It has two seats in each one, so it’s not too big, but it’s just right.” The ceremony continued with a presentation at 4 p.m. led by the McLean County Chamber of Commerce. Membership Director Brooke Fenske took a moment to recognize everyone who made it possible for the renovation to occur. The presentation continued with five guest speakers, all of whom expressed gratitude and reflected upon their memories associated with the Normal Public Library. Guest speakers included President of Normal Public Library Board of Trustees Beth Robb, Mayor Chris Koos, state Rep. Sharon Chung, state Rep. Chris Welch and state Sen. Dave Koehler. Library foundation members, library trustees, the Town of Normal Council and state representatives took an opportunity to take pictures after the presentation. The ribbon cutting took place immediately after. Bloomington Public Library retired librarian Carol Torrens expressed satisfaction with the Normal Public Library’s new appearance. “It’s so much brighter with the carpeting, the pink colors, and the lighting. The previous library was darker, and built in the 1970s. At that time, it was a concrete block building, had smaller windows, and had more darker colors,” Torrens said. “Even visually, it’s just much more exciting beyond the services they can offer now with the teen space and the makers’ space.” For residents like Torrens, the Normal Public Library may hold many fond memories. Torrens, who has lived in Normal for over 26 years, recalled bringing her children to the library. “I brought my kids here when they were younger, and they had fun playing upstairs because they’ve always had a nice little play area,” Torrens said. “So, even at that time, it was more than just books. You can come here and do activities, and of course, there’s all those programs [to] continue learning and continue your education.” Attendees and guest speakers alike recognized how the Normal Public Library is a staple of the Normal community. Fischer expressed the importance of libraries and how they serve the community. “Our top priority is to ensure that our community has an excellent experience when they visit the library. Whether they’re coming in for a book or meeting a friend, or just using the space to read and study,” Fischer said.

Illinois State University is hosting its annual Career Readiness Week from Monday, Sept. 22, to Friday, Sept. 26, 2025. Each day, career services will highlight an important aspect of networking and thriving in your future career. Program Coordinator for Career Services Tamanna Tasmin shared what students can expect from the in-person and virtual sessions. “Each session is designed to be interactive, informative and immediately applicable to students’ career goals,” Tasmin said. “It bridges the gap between academic learning and professional success.” “In today’s competitive job market, students need to demonstrate leadership, adaptability and strategic thinking. This week provides opportunities to build those competencies in a supportive environment, while also connecting students with alumni and industry professionals who can offer real-world insights and mentorship,” Tasmin continued. This week is about providing students with the tools they need to help them prepare for internships, exploring career options, getting ready to graduate and building a career with confidence and resilience. The schedule for Career Week 2025 is as follows. 4-5:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 22, Fast Track Networking This is a virtual “speed dating” way to network and connect with Redbird alumni. Students can view the link to join here. 5-6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 23, Leveling Up Your Career Game Students are invited to come learn more about how to take their career to the next level. Three-time author and founder of Ideal Candidate, Kevin Davenport, will be speaking. More information can be found here. 4-5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 24, Everyday Influence: Leadership Without a Title Held by the Leadership Education Development (LEAD) and the College of Business, students can learn more about showing initiative and demonstrating leadership qualities. More information can be found here. 3-4 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 25, AI Hacks for Career Development This virtual session will assist students with looking for a job while using AI as an innovative tool. Students can view the link to join the session here. 11-12:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 26, Interviewing with Confidence. In collaboration with the College of Applied Science and Technology (CAST) success center, CAST Connections, this virtual session will allow students to learn more about having an effective job interview. Students can view the link to join the session here.

The first bill of the year was proposed at Illinois State University’s Student Government Association (SGA) meeting this past Wednesday. The bill will likely be voted on at the next meeting. If approved, it would provide funding for the School Street Food Pantry to buy canvas bags. Watterson Senator Lennon Stoner introduced it. “The School Street Food Pantry has reached out to us this year to help purchase some canvas bags for students to use during Friday pickup … the food pantry provides food and supplies to college students and trade students in the Bloomington-Normal area who are experiencing food insecurity,” Stoner said. “They are a great campus partner that we have worked with in the past.” Two Safe Redbirds representatives attended the meeting to give a presentation on how to stay safe with drugs, alcohol and social events. “One thing that [students] really have to think about is that when their parents were in high school and college, they were doing this kind of stuff … it was a lot different than it is now,” junior criminal justice major Jake Glynn said. Glynn further explained that five out of 10 pills with fentanyl contained a lethal dose, and fentanyl overdose deaths have been increasing dramatically in the past 10 years. He also discussed the dangers of alcohol poisoning and the importance of staying aware and planning. “If [students] take every single thing that we’ve talked about today, it is possible to have fun while also being safe and smart,” Glynn said. Off-Campus Senator Mikayla Blum also announced a field day event, which will allow sport and athletic registered student organizations (RSOs) to connect to potential new members. “It is going to be an opportunity for underrepresented RSOs, specifically like sports and athletics, and like gym-based RSOs … to come out on the Quad and have a little setup of what their sport is,” Blum said. The next SGA meeting will take place at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 1 in the Old Main Room at the Bone Student Center.

In honor of Constitution Day on Sept. 17, the Center for Civic Engagement (CCE) and Leader Education and Development hosted guest speaker Jason Mazzone. Mazzone, professor of law at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, talked about the importance of unity, the Constitution and how to deal with political polarization. Mazzone has a background in teaching the Constitution and law. His work has appeared in prominent legal journals, helped him teach around the world, and led him to meet people such as then-Illinois State Senator Barack Obama. Mazzone opened up his speech talking about the decline in civic America since the 1950s and what that means to the general public. “[There is] a reduction in all kinds of activities in which people had previously forged social connections,” Mazzone said. He said this decline in connection can impact the health of the public and of democracy. Mazzone said that evidence of political polarization is seen in the news almost every day. “We [are] increasingly detached from each other but increasingly attached to people who are like ourselves,” Mazzone said. According to Mazzone, the future of political polarization can be shifted based on how the public deals with each other, and college students want to make a change. “College campuses are polarized in the same way as the country,” Mazzone said. “At the same time, students long for more level-headed engagement.” Despite the need for change, Mazzone said students censor themselves on campus because of concerns of hate. Mazzone highlighted that the public’s trust in the federal government is now at a record low. “A majority of Americans are dissatisfied with the direction the country is taking,” Mazzone said. Even with the low reviews, Mazzone said that Americans still hold the Constitution in high regard. Professor of civic engagement and assistant director of assessment at the CCE, Rachel Waring-Sparks, said that the Constitution can be used for the country to strive. “The Constitution is a powerful but imperfect document that I would like to see society pay more attention to,” Waring-Sparks said. “[It’s] meant to strive to go for continuous improvement.” Graduate student of health sciences Keara Gray emphasized that the Constitution holds a lot of information on what rights you have. “It is important to continue educating yourself on democracy,” Gray said. “You have to take every opportunity to educate yourself.” The question of unity came up often. Mazzone believed that unity starts with who you are friends with. “People [students] hang out with … they all believe the same thing,” Mazzone said. “They are not willing to make an effort to reach across the political aisle.” Mazzone said that the Constitution holds some power to create unification. “The Constitution cultivates and requires connections among the public,” Mazzone said. “It can promote pluralism.” Listeners held Mazzone’s speech in high regard. “It gave me a sense of reassurance,” Gray said. “It’s important to have those conversations about what continuous improvement looks like for American society,” Waring-Sparks said. Mazzone encourages students to take some time to try and understand the Constitution. “From beginning to end, [it] has a lot of value,” Mazzone said. “It doesn’t answer everything,” Mazzone said. “But it gives you a good starting point for answering difficult questions.”

The TRIO Opportunity Walk will be held at Illinois State University from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sept. 27 on the quad. The event is a part of a nationwide program, all participating on the same day. TRIO programs are funded by the U.S. Department of Education and are meant to serve low-income, first-generation students, students with disabilities and veterans as they navigate through college and into life. TRIO provides a support system that equips students with the tools they need to thrive and succeed. LaToya Carter, an ISU alumna from the class of 2018, was appointed the University College’s assistant director and project director of TRIO Student Support Services on Aug. 1, 2025. “Attendees of TRIO’s Opportunity Walk can expect an uplifting and energizing experience that celebrates community, resilience and the power of education,” Carter said. Participants can choose from a 1K, 3K, or 5K walk. This year’s event is a celebration and act of advocacy. In recent years, the TRIO program has faced unpredictable challenges. “The Trump administration’s proposed fiscal 2026 budget includes the elimination of all $1.2 billion in federal TRIO funding, citing concerns over performance measures and accountability. This proposal threatens the future of programs that currently serve over 870,000 low-income, first-generation, and disabled students nationwide—students whose lives are transformed by TRIO’s support,” Carter said. Although Congress has not approved these cuts, the prospect may be disheartening for those involved. This event was created to show students, educators, alumni and community members how essential the TRIO program is at ISU. Those wanting to attend can sign up here.

From 2-3 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 25, Illinois State University’s President Aondover Tarhule will be addressing the institution in the annual State of the University Address. The State of the University Address will take place in the Brown Ballroom at ISU’s Bone Student Center. This event will also be livestreamed via ISU’s YouTube channel. If any attendees need accommodations to participate in this event, reach out to Rachel Caracci at rrcarac@ilstu.edu or at 309-438-8790.

Political activist Charlie Kirk was assassinated on Wednesday, Sept. 10, at Utah Valley University during the debut of his fall 2025 American Comeback Tour. The news spread immediately, and the nation responded in an uproar. Kirk’s death resulted in worry about safety from people all around, including students at Illinois State University. Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA in 2012, made an appearance at ISU on April 8, 2025, to discuss topics about the government and AI with students. The connection between Kirk’s death and his history with ISU has left students feeling upset and alarmed. “He was just here, a few months ago, speaking at ISU, and it’s just so sad,” junior psychology major Olivia Chapman said. “That could have happened to any one of us.” Other students said that this entire situation has become complex. “[It] adds another layer of complexity that Charlie Kirk was here on this campus. The fact that it did happen on a college campus is alarming,” an anonymous student said. Concerns over the lack of security rose, and students shared their worries about how his assassination happened in a free-range area. Sophomore business information systems major Jordan Hayes questioned the lack of security, “It makes [students] think ‘Am I really safe on my own campus?’” “I think if they had a more secure location that was better thought out, he would have still been here,” freshman physical education major Matt Allen said. “There should have been more security,” freshman nursing major Kaitlyn Anderson said. “If someone wants to go to a rally, they should not be worried for their life.” Issues of gun violence directed towards politics have been more apparent recently, and students shared their worries for the future. “Political figures are probably going to be way more hesitant than ever to stand up in public,” an anonymous student said. Sophomore education major Thluai Par said that people’s different opinions on values can cause hate. “When people hear things they don’t agree with, things tend to get violent,” Par said. Allen believes that speaker events might not be as big in the immediate future, but they should continue to happen. “It’s definitely time in our world, everybody needs a voice,” Allen said. “Schools are supposed to be a learning space for people who have different opinions to come together and share them,” Par said. “Campuses are supposed to be a safe environment.” School gun safety is an ongoing concern, but students shared similar opinions on what should happen in the future. “There should be more awareness around it,” Chapman said. “Kids should be taught about gun safety.” Students believe that lessening the number of gun owners can also influence the future of gun safety. Par said that a way to address gun violence starts with acknowledgment. “People have to wake up and acknowledge that this is a huge problem nationwide,” Par said. “It’s my right to want a gun, but it’s the student’s right to go to school safely without fearing for their lives.” “While tragedy will still continue to occur, every wrong will eventually be undone,” said an anonymous student. “That’s the hope that we can have in life.” On Sept. 11th at 7:30 p.m., Turning Point USA at ISU hosted a vigil in the center of the quad in memory of Kirk. Students came together as a community, prayed for the nation, and shared support regarding the tragedy.

Redbird families and alumni are invited to campus for Illinois State University's annual Family Weekend. This year, Family Weekend goes from Friday, Sept. 19, to Sunday, Sept. 21. Students and their loved ones can expect a fun-packed weekend with many activities. Friday, Sept. 19 Family Weekend Scavenger Hunt Students and their families can engage in a campus-wide scavenger hunt for a chance to win prizes. Participants can download the digital scavenger hunt app, Goosechase, for iOS and Android and enter the code “FG7L59” or search for “Family Weekend Scavenger Hunt 2025” to start the challenge. This event begins Friday, Sept. 19, at 8 a.m. and ends Sunday, Sept. 21, at 10 p.m. More information can be found here. Laser Fantasy Light Show The ISU Planetarium is offering a unique laser light show for Family Weekend. It will run at various times throughout the weekend. Those in attendance can expect a full-dome laser concert that highlights music from different genres and eras. This year's concerts will feature music by Taylor Swift, The Beatles, Queen, Elton John and Pink Floyd. Tickets can be purchased at the door. More information about the planetarium show can be viewed here. Saturday, Sept. 20 Redbird Football vs North Alabama Come and cheer on the ISU Football team in their game against North Alabama at noon at Hancock Stadium. Tickets can be purchased here. Dinner & Dueling Pianos Dueling Pianos is a fun and interactive event featuring the talents of dueling pianists Cool 2 Duel. Students and their families can enjoy various music ranging from hard rock and R&B to show tunes and the Top 40 hits. It will be at 4 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. in the Brown Ballroom of the Bone Student Center. Tickets can be purchased here and at the Braden Box Office. Comedian Ryan Hamilton Enjoy a good laugh at Ryan Hamilton's comedy show. Armed with the unique perspective of growing up in rural Idaho, Hamilton is a favorite in the New York stand-up comedy scene. Tickets can be purchased here and at the Braden Box Office. Sunday, Sept. 21 Legacy Brunch To wrap up the fun-filled weekend, legacy students and their families are invited to have brunch and celebrate Redbird spirit. Vice President for Student Affairs Levester Johnson will be speaking. Those wanting to attend must register by 4:30 p.m. Sept. 15. To register, visit this website. More information about Family Weekend and its activities can be viewed here.

Career Services is hosting a five-part International Student Career Series. These events aim to help international students find internships and full-time jobs in the United States and abroad, including how to use GoinGlobal and Hire-A-Redbird. Sept. 17 This part of the series will give students tools and strategies for jobs specifically in the U.S. There will be two sessions: the first is at noon and the second is at 1 p.m. Both sessions are in Fell Hall, Room 304. Oct. 17 This part of the series features immigration legal expert and attorney Thomas J. Arkell from the Dunn Law Firm in Bloomington. Arkell will discuss life after Optional Practical Training (OPT) and the application procedures, specifically how to apply for H-1B visas. This session will be from 12-1 p.m., held virtually. Nov. 5 There are three sessions on Nov. 5. The first is a worldwide initiative recognizing international education and exchange worldwide. Students can participate in an open house to connect with staff and discover how to prepare Redbirds for the global work environment. This session will be from 1-2 p.m. at the Career Service Hub in the Bone Student Center. The second session will be to learn about the successes and challenges former international students faced when seeking opportunities in the U.S. and strategies for how to succeed. The session will cover resumes, interviewing and sponsorships. This session will be from 2-3 p.m. at the Career Service Hub in the Bone Student Center. The final session is about vital transferable skills employers in the U.S. seek in international candidates, such as leadership and communication. Students can discover ways to develop and strengthen these skills and how to incorporate them into a resume, interview or in conversations. This session is from 3-4 p.m. at the Career Service Hub in the Bone Student Center. More information on these sessions can be found on Redbird Life.

The Town of Normal held a community satisfaction survey. The main takeaways from the survey were desires for higher quality of life and maintaining roads, as well as a dissatisfaction with the lack of affordable housing. 70% of residents rated quality of life as good or excellent, which is higher than the national average of 67%. Town of Normal City Manager Pamela Reece shared how she viewed the survey results. “We appreciate hearing from residents that Normal is a great place to live. We know quality of life amenities are important to our residents, and the town works hard to make this community a place where people want to be. Roads, infrastructure and services are an important foundation, but Normal truly shines as a community that feels welcoming and vibrant,” Reece said. Residents said that the number one action Normal can do to improve their services is to fix roads and potholes. “We know this is important and we are focused on it year in and year out,” Reece said. Reece highlighted that the current five-year budget includes $33 million for general street resurfacing, which is up 8% compared to the most recent budget. Only 30% of residents were satisfied with the availability of affordable housing, and 36% were dissatisfied. Of the dissatisfied residents, 28% believed public-private partnership could help address the issue. “It’s valuable to know residents are thinking about housing costs and want us to seek out these types of projects. We’ve been using incentives and exploring opportunities to encourage private developers to construct more housing units. We’ll continue to do so,” Reece said.

Conservative commentator Charlie Kirk was shot Wednesday during an event at Utah Valley University. Video shared on social media shows Kirk sitting under a white canopy, talking, when he suddenly falls back as the sound of a loud pop is heard. A spokesperson for Kirk told the Associated Press that he was shot. Kirk’s condition is unknown. Utah Valley University police said in an alert that “a single shot was fired on campus toward a visiting speaker” and that it was investigating the shooting. The department said a suspect was in custody. Another video on X shows an older man in handcuffs, who witnesses claimed was the gunman. Police have not identified the suspect. On Tuesday afternoon, President Trump posted a message about the incident on Truth Social. “We must all pray for Charlie Kirk, who has been shot. A great guy from top to bottom. GOD BLESS HIM!” he said. Mike Lee, a Utah senator, posted on X shortly after videos circulated online that he was “tracking the situation at Utah Valley University closely.” “Please join me in praying for Charlie Kirk and the students gathered there,” he said. The shooting drew immediate words of support and calls for prayers for Kirk from America’s leading conservative politicians. “Say a prayer for Charlie Kirk, a genuinely good guy and a young father,” Vice President JD Vance posted on X. Leading Democrats also moved swiftly to condemn the attack. “The attack on Charlie Kirk is disgusting, vile, and reprehensible,” California Gov. Gavin Newsom said on X. “In the United States of America, we must reject political violence in EVERY form.” Kirk, a conservative political activist, was in Utah for his “The American Comeback Tour,” which began at Utah Valley University on Wednesday. The tour, like many of his events, has drawn both supporters and protesters. Kirk’s wife and children were at the university when he was shot, Oklahoma Republican Sen. Markwayne Mullin posted on X. Kirk, 31, is one of the Republican Party’s most influential power brokers. The founder of the influential conservative youth organization Turning Point USA, Kirk has a vast online reach: 1.6 million followers on Rumble, 3.8 million subscribers on YouTube, 5.2 million followers on X and 7.3 million followers on TikTok. During the 2024 election, he rallied his online followers to support Trump, prompting conservative podcast host Megyn Kelly to say: “It’s not an understatement to say that this man is responsible for helping the Republicans win back the White House and the U.S. Senate.” Just after Trump was elected for a second time to the presidency last November, Kirk frequently posted to social media from Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, where he had firsthand influence over which MAGA loyalists Trump named to his Cabinet. Kirk is known for melding his conservative politics, nationalism and evangelical faith, casting the current political climate as a state of spiritual warfare between a righteous right wing and “evil” liberals. He has declared that God is on the side of American conservatives and that there is “no separation of church and state.” And in a speech to Trump supporters in Georgia last year, he said that “the Democrat Party supports everything that God hates” and that “there is a spiritual battle happening all around us.” Kirk is known for his memes and college campus speaking tours meant to “own the libs.” Videos of his debates with liberal college students have racked up tens of millions of views.

Students will notice rather colorful crosswalks as they move from class to class. Outside of a splash of creativity, these temporary paintings are step two of seven in Uptown Normal and Illinois State University’s quick-build projects. These plans are included in the recently launched Pedestrian and Roadway Campus Safety Initiative. The initiative is a grant-funded project currently run by the Town of Normal; safety concerns rose from the community regarding traffic and pedestrian activity, which encouraged the launching of the initiative, ISU Director of Environmental Health and Safety Adam McCrary said. “We've done a lot of research, collected a lot of data, and [have] come up with these ideas about what we can do here,” McCrary said. “What they're trying to do is find common, feasible solutions that will focus on areas around campus that people are concerned about.” In addition to brightening the crosswalks, the sidewalks around campus received a refresh and temporary bike lanes were created as a test run for future construction plans. A two-way stop will be converted to a four-way stop at Broadway and Beaufort, and several other projects will commence to improve foot traffic safety for students and Normal residents. “​​We wouldn't be here without our students, faculty and staff. It's extremely important we engage them whenever we do these types of initiatives and projects,” McCrary said. “[We want] to get their feedback because they're our primary customers and the users of our campus.” Town of Normal Director of Public Works and Engineering Ryan Otto said the projects were motivated by a rise in accidents involving pedestrians, bicycles and cars. The rapidly moving traffic risked the safety of many on-foot commuters — some accidents resulted in fatalities. “Our goal with this project is to pilot projects that improve safety for everyone in the community,” Otto said. “Our hope is that [the] lessons we learn through these pilot projects can be implemented community-wide. I think in the next couple of years, we will look to implement the lessons we learned but continue to explore options to decrease pedestrian and vehicle interactions.”

Illinois State University has released new enrollment data for the fall 2025 semester, setting a record of 21,994 students after three consecutive years of growth. Total enrollment increased by 448 students, or 2.1%, compared to spring 2025 enrollment. The first-to second-year retention rate is a .5% improvement, with 81.9%. ISU’s total student population has grown to 19,513 undergraduates and 2,481 graduate students. ISU President Aondover Tarhule commented on these enrollment numbers. “Continued strong enrollment and increased retention demonstrate Illinois State’s commitment to student success and exceptional student experiences,” Tarhule said. ISU Media Relations Office credits improvements in enrollment and retention to their new programs, expanded student support resources and engagement opportunities. For more information on ISU enrollment, visit here.

Illinois State University’s Student Government Association (SGA) held its second meeting of the year this past Wednesday. They passed their annual budget and appointed a new ex officio for the Black Student Union (BSU). Student Body President Noah Montoya also gave an update on feedback gathered through meetings with the leadership of various Registered Student Organizations (RSOs). The annual budget was passed unanimously and is similar to last year’s budget. Student Body Chief of Staff Sam Majka expressed his satisfaction with it. “I’m excited to spend money to be able to give students different kinds of reasons to engage with us … I’m excited to grow programming and help fund programs that you all want to do,” Majka said. Senior communication sciences and disorders major Kyndia Motley was appointed as the new ex officio for BSU. Last year, she was the organization’s president and played a major role in reactivating the Black Caucus, which consists of 25 representatives from Black student organizations at ISU. The caucus maintains communication with BSU’s ex officio, allowing SGA to get a thorough understanding of the concerns of ISU’s Black community. “I can assure you that I will provide a comprehensive and unified report on the status of Black students at Illinois State University because things are already in place for that to be a success,” Motley said. Motley made a strong impression during the appointment process. “We threw a lot of questions at her during internal affairs, and she answered them amazingly. [She] had very thought-out answers, so it showed she very much cares about being the ex officio for BSU,” Off-Campus Senator Matthew Rickey said. Tri-Towers Senator Hassan Hillard, a fellow member of BSU, also praised Motley. “She made me, like, really excited to be a part of the mentorship program that BSU offered … she’s an overall great person,” Hillard said. Montoya spoke about the feedback he gained from meeting with RSOs. “Importantly, one thing they kept bringing up was [that] they want us to show up. They want to see us, not just in meetings like this one and the Academic Senate, but in their meetings,” Montoya said. Montoya encouraged the SGA to be active in the community and support ex officio members. “We are not just here to speak with students. We are here to stand with them,” Montoya said. The next SGA meeting will take place at 7 p.m. on Sept. 17 in the Old Main Room of the Bone Student Center.

Kaleb Joseph, a mental health advocate and former D1 athlete, will be coming to speak about his experience with mental health and the importance of it from 7-8:30 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 8 at the Braden Auditorium in the Bone Student Center. The event will be hosted by Event Management, Dining, and Hospitality and is part of a wider event titled “Your Story Matters,” which is a mental health awareness event. EMDH Assistant Director of Marketing and Communications Samantha Schlutz explained the process of getting Joseph to speak about the topic and the impact that his experiences may have. “We try to find speakers that can relate to our student audience through real lived experience and age, and Kaleb fits that. Even if students are not student athletes, it is a message that can resonate with anyone,” Schultz said. EMDH Hospitality Coordinator Kacy Rader expressed the significance of having opportunities for students to discuss mental health and providing safe spaces to do so. "The mental health of our students is incredibly important, but it can sometimes be a topic people shy away from. We want to continue hosting events promoting a positive environment to talk about mental health, providing resources to students, and reducing the stigma about this topic,” Rader said. The event will be free to all students and faculty members.

Illinois State University Athletics is enforcing a new tailgating policy this football season, leaving victory celebrations to the fans in Hancock Stadium. Tailgate lots will now only be open for five hours before kickoff, prohibiting tailgaters from staying in the lot during game time. The ISU Police Department (ISUPD) discussed the new policy in a Facebook post. The post highlighted that this policy will allow for more support for the students involved in games, reduce strain on first responders and prevent alcohol-related incidents. ISUPD emphasized that this policy is consistent with other schools in the same conference as ISU. “Tailgating will always be an important part of the Redbird experience. Thank you for helping us keep game days safe, spirited and unforgettable,” said the Facebook post from ISUPD. While this post may explain the reasoning behind the policy, students have mixed opinions about how it will affect their lives and game day. Junior criminal justice major Ambria Garner liked to tailgate during the game with her family and friends. “I feel like it keeps people out of trouble, too, because there are so many cars and people around. It’s also a good place to meet new people,” Garner said. “Tailgates are a big family thing. Nobody wants to do anything bad around family. Incidents can happen at any time, so if that’s [their reasoning], I don’t know [if it’s good reasoning],” Garner continued. Junior business administration major Kevin Beltran believes the policy might eliminate some of the problems on game days. “It could definitely stop students from being stupid outside [of the stadium] and making decisions that they might regret later on. It would stop a lot of those issues,” Beltran said. Freshman accounting major Kavon Dixon is excited to experience football season at ISU, but this new policy may change how his game day celebration looks. “At first [I did want to tailgate], but I don’t know. Honestly, I don’t think I will now,” Dixon said. All tailgating rules and regulations can be found on the ISU Athletics website.

Bloomington-Normal residents gathered Saturday, Aug. 30, on the lawn of the Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts (BCPA) to protest the Trump administration in a rally titled ‘United We Stand — Say No to Hate.’ Starting at noon, an estimated 60 protestors held a variety of political signs and waved at passing traffic, encouraging drivers to honk in support. This peaceful rally lasted approximately an hour and included multiple political booths, a group of protest singers, and four speakers. According to the rally flyer, activists gathered to “promote kindness and stand united." Protester, Bloomington-Normal resident, and parent of two LGBTQ+ children, Lynn Litwiller, shared her reasons for participating in the protest. "I mean, we're out here to fight for democracy. We're out here to fight for human rights. I mean, even the immigrants, right? Everybody,” said Litwiller. While holding a sign reading “Stop Trans Hate,” Litwiller cited her deep commitment to transgender rights as a driving force behind her decision to protest the administration. “They're trying to persecute trans people ... They're putting out a false narrative that these young kids, you know, don't know what they're doing. I mean, you go through psychiatry, you go through your doctors, your parents, your doctor ... everybody needs access. It is a life-and-death situation,” said Litwiller. “Not In Our Town: Bloomington-Normal,” a local activist group that aims to “eliminate bigotry, bullying, and hate in the Twin Cities,” and Bloomington-Normal 50501, the local chapter of the 50501 movement focused on “fighting to uphold the Constitution and end executive overreach,” have been two of the many organizations that have joined forces to organize these rallies, which now take place at least monthly. The ‘United We Stand — Say No to Hate’ rally was specifically organized in direct opposition to a planned Nazi march in Bloomington earlier that day, which ultimately did not take place. President of Prairie Pride Coalition, Dave Bentlin, was one of the four protest speakers and provided some insight into the opposing march. “The recent handbill with racist, threatening and hateful imagery and text, and the individuals who created that flyer seek to silence and erase not only our voices, but our power and the progress achieved on the federal, state and local levels that has improved equity and opportunities for the LGBTQIA+ community and other minority communities. The fact that a march didn't occur this morning does not negate the fact that, through their tactics, this small, infinitesimal group of people seeks to intimidate and silence us. We will not let that happen,” said Bentlin. Along with Bentlin, the three other rally speakers included American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) speaker, Irving Epstein, a “Not In Our Town: Bloomington-Normal" speaker and sophomore history-social sciences teacher education major at Illinois State University, Andrew Franson. First speaker of the day, Franson, delivered a talk on how students in the area stand in solidarity with the “fight against fascism.” Franson expressed hope for the future. “I'm optimistic because look at the crowd. I mean, look at all of the people that we have out here. We have a lot of wonderful people ... So, I think there's a lot of hope,” said Franson. The crowd was described to have a “very good turnout” by protesters and speakers. Litwiller spoke on the sense of unity she felt among fellow demonstrators. “I love to read everybody's signs. But just like like-minded people, we're all here together fighting for the same cause,” said Litwiller.

This past Saturday, about fifty counter-protesters stood outside the Grossinger Motors Arena in downtown Bloomington, in response to a flyer indicating a neo-Nazi protest projected to begin that morning at 7 a.m. “We’re here today because we’ve been made aware of the posters and the plans for self-proclaimed Nazis to come and storm Bloomington, and we don’t want to stand for that,” counter-protester, Gigi Alsberry, said. The poster stated, “We have the White House, Congress, the courts, and the Bloomington mayor. Now it’s time to take back our state. It’s time to make a statement and celebrate with a march on Bloomington, Aug 30.” The poster went on to say that the neo-Nazi’s would gather at Miller Park and march to Downtown Bloomington Farmers Market. “We are trying to deliver a message of solidarity, a message that [we] don’t stand for bullying; we don’t stand for hate. We stand for the people, and anyone who is against the people is not welcome here,” Alsberry said. Punks Against Trump, a group describing themselves as “radical punks against fascism,” were the first to suggest a protest. “A person in my organization came to me and was like, ‘we have to do something,’ and I agreed. It was kind of just a question of what [we would do]. The only think we could really come up with was a counter-protest [because] a counter protest puts us directly in their line of sight. That way, we can show the community that they are here, but so are we,” co-founder and president of Punks Against Trump, Oriah Matich, said. By the end of the protest, after countless anti-Nazi chants and speeches, neo-Nazis did not show up. But Matich says that whether they do or not, that is not the point of the protest. “Bloomington-Normal should know that these people are real, regardless of whether or not they show up today, […] they are everywhere, and they are widespread and they will not stop. So, Bloomington-Normal should know that we have to be on guard. We can ignore this. We have to understand that this is a real threat,” said Matich.

The Town of Normal and Illinois State University will host a collaborative feedback workshop regarding quick-build safety installations. This event will take place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 4 in the outdoor area behind the Hewett-Manchester dormitories. “The Town and Illinois State look forward to feedback on the temporary solutions being implemented,” Town of Normal Communications & Community Director Cathy Oloffson said. Refreshments and interactive activities will be provided to encourage students and the community to attend. The goal of this interactive workshop is to provide students with the opportunity to offer immediate feedback to the project team on the Pedestrian & Roadway Campus Safety Initiative. “The purpose of the interactive workshop gives students a chance to tell us first-hand about their commute. We want to know if it was better or worse based on the changes being tested,” Oloffson said. After the workshop, insights will be combined with safety data and usage patterns to inform final recommendations for permanent infrastructure improvements. This event is weather dependent, and interested individuals should check for updates through normalil.gov/CampusSafety.