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The independent student newspaper at the University of Illinois since 1871

The Daily Illini
The independent student newspaper at the University of Illinois since 1871

The Daily Illini
The independent student newspaper at the University of Illinois since 1871

The Daily Illini
The independent student newspaper at the University of Illinois since 1871

The Daily Illini

Ellen Barczak

The Alma Mater statue stands proudly with her arms spread wide on a summer day.

Opinion | A love letter to Alma Mater

By Ellen Barczak, Assistant Opinions Editor • December 12, 2020
Columnist Ellen Barczak poses with her dog Buddy. Barczak believes people should carefully consider before adopting dogs during the pandemic.

Opinion | Resist urge to adopt a quarantine puppy

By Ellen Barczak, Assistant Opinions Editor • November 17, 2020
Opinion | Take festive solace in Midwestern party food

Opinion | Take festive solace in Midwestern party food

By Ellen Barczak, Asst. Opinions Editor • November 13, 2020
The Estuary of Bilbao flows through Bilbao, Spain in the spring. Spain is a popular study abroad destination for Illinois students.

[Photo] University suspends study abroad through spring term

By Ethan Simmons, News Editor • October 5, 2020
Socially distanced voters mark their ballots during early voting for the state primary at North Quincy High School in Quincy, Massachusetts on Aug. 22.

Opinion | Be an election judge, eliminate voter suppression

By Ellen Barczak, Senior Columnist • September 24, 2020
Opinion | Word Art always disappoints

Opinion | Word Art always disappoints

By Ellen Barczak, Senior Columnist • September 14, 2020
Singer Sufjan Stevens performs at the Pabst Theater in Milwaukee on Sept. 25, 2006.

Opinion | Validate your negative emotions

By Ellen Barczak, Senior Columnist • May 15, 2020
An overlook view of Bilbao, Spain on Jan. 5, 2008.

Opinion | Misperception of severity, cultural habits exacerbate pandemic

By Ellen Barczak, Senior Columnist • April 12, 2020
Opinion | What it really means to be pro-life

Opinion | What it really means to be pro-life

By Ellen Barczak, Senior Columnist • December 9, 2019
Opinion | Keep high school accomplishments on your resume

Opinion | Keep high school accomplishments on your resume

By Ellen Barczak, Senior Columnist • November 21, 2019
Opinion | Broaden oncology research donations beyond breast cancer

Opinion | Broaden oncology research donations beyond breast cancer

By Ellen Barczak, Senior Columnist • November 7, 2019
Opinion | Equality won't be accomplished until every woman can feel safe

Opinion | Equality won’t be accomplished until every woman can feel safe

By Ellen Barczak, Columnist • October 24, 2019
Opinion | Social media catalyzes political polarization

Opinion | Social media catalyzes political polarization

By Ellen Barczak, Columnist • October 7, 2019
A tractor drives down County Road 450 E. in Monticello on Sept. 6. Columnist Ellen urges students to recognize the beauty of the Midwest.

Midwest is best: Don’t badmouth heartland Midwest rocks

By Ellen Barczak, Columnist • September 23, 2019
An actress rehearses for “Because I am your Queen (A Feminist Fantasia)” at the Illinois Theatre on March 13. Columnist Ellen praises artistic individuals for their creative minds.

Rock on, fine arts majors

By Ellen Barczak, Columnist • September 9, 2019
A child plays a video game on a tablet. Columnist Ellen urges parents to allow their children to be bored and, thus, cultivate their imagination rather than drown them in technology.

Technology kills our imagination

By Ellen Barczak, Columnist • August 27, 2019
Beware of falling standards in higher education

Beware of falling standards in higher education

By Ellen Barczak, Columnist • April 29, 2019
Beware of rhetorical hypocrisy in politics

Beware of rhetorical hypocrisy in politics

By Ellen Barczak, Columnist • April 18, 2019
Tell your mom you love her

Tell your mom you love her

By Ellen Barczak, Columnist • April 4, 2019
You have a place in church

You have a place in church

By Ellen Barczak, Columnist • March 12, 2019
Stop stereotyping by major

Stop stereotyping by major

By Ellen Barczak, Columnist • March 10, 2019
Healthy lifestyle does not depend on high-impact exercise

Healthy lifestyle does not depend on high-impact exercise

By Ellen Barczak, Columnist • February 25, 2019
Put your money where your mouth is

Put your money where your mouth is

By Ellen Barczak, Columnist • January 28, 2019
Be your own sunshine this season

Be your own sunshine this season

By Ellen Barczak, Columnist • December 13, 2018
We need to change our dating habits

We need to change our dating habits

By Ellen Barczak, Columnist • November 28, 2018
Consider minimalism this holiday season

Consider minimalism this holiday season

By Ellen Barczak, Columnist • November 26, 2018
Political correctness ruins free expression

Political correctness ruins free expression

By Ellen Barczak, Columnist • November 5, 2018
Steer clear of skincare myths

Steer clear of skincare myths

By Ellen Barczak, Columnist • October 22, 2018

Set an example with Judge Kavanaugh

By Ellen Barczak, Columnist • October 3, 2018
Don't let political correctness distract you

Don’t let political correctness distract you

By Ellen Barczak, Columnist • September 21, 2018
Former President Obama begins his address to the University's attending students.

Obama’s speech warns against voter apathy

By Ellen Barczak, Columnist • September 14, 2018
Technology makes finding college friends difficult

Technology makes finding college friends difficult

By Ellen Barczak, Columnist • September 10, 2018
Learn to embrace your individual beauty

Learn to embrace your individual beauty

By Ellen Barczak, Columnist • August 28, 2018
Reconciling truthfulness, kindness is a hard burden

Reconciling truthfulness, kindness is a hard burden

By Ellen Barczak, Columnist • April 30, 2018
Step away from the stress of your phone

Step away from the stress of your phone

By Ellen Barczak, Columnist • April 13, 2018
Appreciate the differences of school and home

Appreciate the differences of school and home

By Ellen Barczak, Columnist • March 30, 2018
There's a sense of community in weekly shows

There’s a sense of community in weekly shows

By Ellen Barczak, Columnist • March 21, 2018
The view outside the Altgeld Hall, where the Mathematics Department is located, on November 6.

Appreciate old campus buildings for their history

By Ellen Barczak, Columnist • March 2, 2018
The grass isn't always greener on the other side

The grass isn’t always greener on the other side

By Ellen Barczak, Columnist • February 20, 2018
A call for the end of frat culture

A call for the end of frat culture

By Ellen Barczak, Columnist • February 10, 2018
When did pettiness become a good thing?

When did pettiness become a good thing?

By Ellen Barczak, Columnist • February 1, 2018
Don't start this semester off with bad habits

Don’t start this semester off with bad habits

By Ellen Barczak, Columnist • January 17, 2018
Learn lessons from elders to avoid mistakes

Learn lessons from elders to avoid mistakes

By Ellen Barczak, Columnist • January 16, 2018
Hibernation is key: How to survive finals

Hibernation is key: How to survive finals

By Ellen Barczak, Columnist • December 14, 2017
There are hidden benefits of general education

There are hidden benefits of general education

By Ellen Barczak, Columnist • November 11, 2017
A squirrel gathers leaves near the Undergraduate Library on Feb. 10.

We can learn a lot from the bold squirrels on campus

By Ellen Barczak, Columnist • October 27, 2017
Neutrality is a stance

Neutrality is a stance

By Ellen Barczak, Columnist • October 15, 2017
A ‘Wonderful Life’ awaits those who search for it

A ‘Wonderful Life’ awaits those who search for it

By Ellen Barczak, Columnist • October 2, 2017