Rethinking Middle East relations
April 23, 2015
As a Jewish-American in this community, I have protested Israel’s occupation of Palestine since 1999. The realities of American and Israeli imperialism have become clear to increasing numbers, especially since the second Intifada in 2000. Nevertheless, these realities are constantly challenged by ...
Nourishing families and stronger communities
April 22, 2015
On Saturday, April 11, Eastern Illinois Foodbank staff had the great honor of attending the 2015 Community and Campus Day of Service at Memorial Stadium. This event, hosted by the University of Illinois’ Office of Public Engagement and the registered student organization Illini Fighting Hunger, is the...
Restoring immigration services
April 21, 2015
As of April 3, Governor Bruce Rauner cut funding for vital programs across the state, including all immigrant service programs. The Immigrant Service Line Item makes up only .01 percent of the overall state budget. This cut severs funding for essential programs, and hinders progress in the state. Immigra...
Protect and expand Amtrak
February 27, 2015
I am very upset with Governor Rauner's proposal to cut Illinois' Amtrak routes by 40 percent. More people, including the millennial generation, are using Amtrak. Since the millennial generation is notorious for ditching automobiles, the millennials need to get out and vote so we do not elect another a...
May the Unofficial force be with you
February 27, 2015
Dear Great Ones,You've made it to the holy grail of public ivy at the University. If there's one thing that alumni & students alike can almost all agree on, it's that Unofficial is awesome. The Daily Illini accurately dubbed it as the "Social Storm" of second semester - a joyous occasion where academi...
Love for all, hatred for none — the true message of Islam
January 21, 2015
I will speak truthfully: I was very hurt by the insulting French cartoons depicting Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). For me, freedom of speech does not mean insulting any prophet or religious founder. These cartoons were equally tasteless as the depiction of Jesus in “South Park.” There is no justification...
Theatre production of “West Side Story” lacks cultural sensitivity
November 17, 2014
When the Illini Student Musicals announced that their Fall 2014 show would be “West Side Story,” I interviewed to work on the production as director and instead ended up joining the production team as dramaturg, meaning it was my job to focus on the majority of the research for the show. After...
Apology for Homecoming decorations
October 30, 2014
The Illinois Chapter of Delta Chi would like to formally apologize for the Homecoming decorations that were displayed Friday, Oct. 24 through Sunday, Oct. 26 outside of our Chapter House. The representations on the paddle were meant to show school pride in our football team. We now realize how this co...
Kristin Williamson for state representative
October 27, 2014
I write to endorse Kristin Williamson for state representative in the 103rd District. In spite of the demands of being a single mother, Kristin worked her way through Parkland College and became a graduate of the University of Illinois. She is now the Director of Public Relations at Benefit Planni...
Facing the existing gender gap
October 6, 2014
The opinions column “Drawing the gender line” was very disconcerting to me. To be told that I am a minority because I perceive myself to be is offensive and factually inaccurate. There is a gender gap in engineering, which can be proven to exist by numbers and the anecdotal experience of almost any fe...
Termination of Steven Salaita a bad move by the University
August 18, 2014
I received my Ph.D. from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, but I have never felt less proud of my alma mater than upon learning of Chancellor Wise’s decision to summarily terminate the appointment of Professor Steven Salaita in the American Indian Studies Program at the University. If...
A librarian’s response to campus reading
April 24, 2014
Jian Chen’s guest column in the April 21 issue struck a chord with me and my fellow librarians. Like Jian, we wish there were more bookstores in the immediate campus area to promote reading and the joys of browsing. To fill this void, Jian proposed that the Main Library create an open-air lending libr...
