On campus: UI System president Timothy Killeen visits campus
UI System President Timothy Killeen came to campus Dec. 8 for the Annual Meeting of the Faculty. To a room of about 200 students and faculty members, Killeen expressed support for diversity, equity and inclusion, celebrated the University’s growing enrollment and noted this year’s high amount of alumni donations.
Killeen began his remarks by acknowledging challenges to higher education since President Donald Trump took office last January.
“This year has been unusual in that higher education itself, our whole enterprise, has been in a spotlight, not always a favorable spotlight, despite the fact that we have a mission that we serve to provide teaching and learning to mostly young people at scale with excellence and integrity,” Killeen said.
On campus: University hosts De-Stress Fest, final examination period begins
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The University Library system hosted its annual De-Stress Fest, a series of events to aid students with stress management before the final examination period began. These events, which included crafts, virtual reality experiences and academic support, took place Thursday at various libraries across campus.
Participating libraries included the University’s Main Library, Funk ACES Library, Grainger Engineering Library and Music and Performing Arts Library.
The University’s official final examination period began Friday and will extend through Thursday, Dec. 18.
In C-U: Extreme winter weather hits Central Illinois
Dangerously cold temperatures hit the central Illinois area over the weekend, with wind chills in the negatives and several inches of snowfall piling onto the already snow-covered streets and sidewalks in Champaign-Urbana.
“Bitter cold temperatures are predicted for the next several days, and we want you to be aware of this inclement weather,” wrote Danita M. Brown Young, vice chancellor for student affairs, in a Massmail sent to students Friday. “We encourage you to refer to the National Weather Service website and make any travel plans accordingly.”
WCIA meteorologist Jacob Dickey wrote the area’s snow totals “have tied 1950 (19.4”) for the snowiest start to the winter season, and are ahead of 1977 (18.4”) for the season to date.” He said that is based on unofficial totals, and the Illinois State Water Survey will tally the official totals after winter.
In Illinois: Pritzker signs medically assisted suicide law
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker signed a bill into law Friday allowing some adults with a terminal illness to take their own lives with medical assistance. The measure, called Senate Bill 1950, or the Medical Aid in Dying bill, will take effect on Sept. 12, 2026.
The law provides terminally ill adults with a six-month or less life expectancy the option to request a prescription from their doctor which they can self-ingest to die on their own terms.
Also known as Deb’s Law — in honor of Illinois resident Deb Robertson, who is living with a rare terminal illness — the bill passed out of the Illinois Senate on a 30-27 vote in October after receiving a 63-42 vote in the House in May, with two members voting present.
Proponents, including Pritzker, have said the bill benefits those living with terminal conditions who no longer have the strength to continue. He said it will allow those patients to “avoid unnecessary pain and suffering at the end of their lives.”
Opponents of the measure argue people can defy the odds and survive a six-month terminal diagnosis. They also have concerns with the amount of people who could gain access to the end-of-life drug.
In the U.S.: Mass shooting at Brown University
A gunman opened fire inside an academic building at Brown University just after 4 p.m. Saturday. Authorities say at least two people have died and nine others were injured.
The attack prompted local law enforcement to issue a shelter-in-place order for the larger university area. Authorities announced Sunday that they had taken a person of interest into custody but later released the person of interest without charges.
“Sadly, today is a day that the City of Providence and the state of Rhode Island prayed would never come,” Providence Mayor Brett Smiley said at a press briefing. “We’ve heard about horrific acts of gun violence and active shooter situations in other places, but not here.”
The gunman is still on the loose and the search has continued.
In the world: Gunmen open fire at Sydney’s Bondi Beach
Two gunmen opened fire during a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia, on Sunday. The attack, which officials declared an antisemitic terrorist incident, left 15 dead and dozens more wounded.
One of the gunmen, a 50-year-old man, was fatally shot by police. The other shooter, his 24-year-old son, was wounded and was being treated at a hospital, said Mal Lanyon, New South Wales police commissioner. That man is in police custody, authorities said.
Lanyon said there will be an increased police presence at Jewish houses of worship and areas frequented by members of the Jewish community.
“I want to make it very clear the New South Wales police will not tolerate the types of violence or the types of antisemitic behavior we have seen,” Lanyon said.
