Students speak out, share experiences of social injustice on campus
By Heather Robinson, Assistant Daytime News Editor
August 7, 2020
In the past month, students have taken to social media to amplify their voices in the midst of the Black Lives Matter movement which is now believed to be the largest movement in U.S. history. Petitions for systematic change on and around campus are circulating throughout the online student com...
Paign to Peace protests ICE
By Salem Isaf, Interim Editor in Chief
July 17, 2020
A protest organized by Paign to Peace was held Friday at 6 p.m. in Urbana. This is the group’s third event, entitled “No Hate! No Fear! Immigrants are Welcome Here!” The purpose of the demonstration was meant to protest the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, as well as show solidari...
Professor receives $3 million grant to study yoga health benefits
By Aliza Majid, Staff Writer
July 17, 2020
Neha Gothe, director of the Exercise Psychology Lab and a professor in the college of AHS, received a $3 million grant from the National Institute of Aging. The grant will allow her to explore the health benefits of yoga. “These three groups of people will exercise with us for six months on campus ...
University urges against Greek Reunion attendance
July 8, 2020
The University is asking students not to attend this weekend’s “Greek Reunion." The annual tradition is a mid-summer reunion for the Greek community that draws thousands of students to come together on campus. The event, which is not sanctioned by the University and not affiliated with Frat...
Free COVID-19 testing offered on campus to students, staff, faculty
July 8, 2020
Free testing sites for COVID-19 opened on campus Wednesday morning. Sites are available to all students, staff and faculty for free at the Alice Campbell Alumni Center and State Farm Center. The testing sites were developed by the University’s COVID-19 SHIELD: Target, Test, Tell team. Martin Bur...
Mayor issues order to reign in campus bars
By Luis Velazquez, Assistant News Editor
July 2, 2020
Due to Phase 4 of the Restore Illinois Plan, Mayor Deborah Frank Feinen of Champaign, IL issued the Emergency Order 20-21 that will go into effect on July 2 after 5 p.m. Emergency Order 20-21 allows local enforcement of Phase 4 guidelines with limits and social distancing requirements for bars and restaurants. The order requires any liquor-licensed establishments to follow the COVID-19 2020 Restaurant and Bar Establishment Safety Guidelines for Phase 4 of the Restore Illinois Plan. Any liquor establishments, with combined indoor and outdoor standing areas, in Champaign’s Campustown area who have 200 or more people will receive enforcement actions. Actions include emergency closures, fines, suspensions or revocation of the establishment’s liquor license, as stated in the order. Starting on July 3, the order requires Campust...
Protests continue through the end of June
By Salem Isaf, Interim Editor in Chief
June 29, 2020
Around 11 a.m. on Sunday, demonstrators gathered in West Side Park for another march through Champaign streets to protest police brutality and call for other changes in the community. This protest was organized by Champaign All Black Lives Matter (ABLM). After the rain subsided and the weather clea...
Students, community members protest The Red Lion, KAM’s
By Salem Isaf, Interim Editor-in-Chief
June 28, 2020
On Thursday evening, June 25, protesters gathered in the intersection of South Third and East Green streets just outside the campus bar, The Red Lion. This group of people met to protest two campus bars, The Red Lion and KAM's, both owned by Scott Cochrane, for what protesters called racist business practice...
State prepares for Phase 4 of Restore Illinois plan
By Heather Robinson, Assistant Daytime News Editor
June 23, 2020
On Monday, the State of Illinois announced its plans for Phase 4 of the Illinois Restore Plan. After reaching the safety benchmarks in Phase 3, the updated changes of Phase 4 are set to be effective beginning this Friday. The Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity produced a ...
CU libraries scheduled to open buildings Friday
By Samantha Boyle, Managing Editor for Reporting
June 23, 2020
The Urbana Free Library and Champaign Public Library are scheduled to open their buildings Friday as Illinois moves into Phase 4 of the Restore Illinois plan. The Urbana library will start a “Grab and Go” meaning that patrons should enter the building, get what they need and go in order to minimize...
Protesters march from Urbana to Champaign, demand police reform
By Amrita Bhattacharyya, Staff Writer
June 22, 2020
Demonstrators marched through Urbana-Champaign on June 16 to protest the reinstatement of Urbana Police Chief Bryant Seraphin, calling for police reform. Seraphin was involved in the Aleyah Lewis case, which protesters believe was handled incorrectly due to excessive force and unjust charges. ...
CU community takes collaborative approach to police reform
By Amrita Bhattacharyya, Staff Writer
June 19, 2020
The Champaign County Community Coalition met on June 10, bringing together various community leaders to discuss racism and police reform. “We’ve had two weeks of anger, frustration, sadness, and the time is right for us to look at this issue as a key moment in time for all of us and our natio...
