Better Make Room

Daily Illini Staff Report

First Lady Michelle Obama has released her next campaign under the Reach Higher initiative, “Better Make Room.”

Better Make Room is geared toward students aged 14-19 in an effort to get them through the transition from high school to college.

Through collaboration with companies such as Vine, Mashable, The CW Network and Funny or Die, Better Make Room will aim to provide a platform in which student accomplishments can be praised at the same level as those of athletes and celebrities.

The campaign is also reaching out to students through the use of a new, text-based service UpNext. In conjunction with UpNext, Better Make Room will send personalized text messages to students reminding them to apply for college, apply for student financial aid and pay back student loans as deadlines approach.

Other partners of the campaign include College Humor, NBC Universal Cable Entertainment and A+E Networks. The media companies will promote the campaign through spotlight posts and advertisements, and create PSAs using stars on their own channels.

“With partners in the business, philanthropic, media, and education realm, this campaign will stretch across the country to inspire students and give them the tools they need to reach higher for college,” said the Office of the First Lady in a press release.

Biden still undecided on presidential bid, sources say

Tribune News Service

WASHINGTON — Vice President Joe Biden is still weighing a decision on running for president, and isn’t expected to make an announcement before the end of the week, people close to him said.

That timing would put the decision just before a major Democratic political dinner next weekend in Iowa, where organizers said the vice president can be accommodated there at the last minute should he jump into the race.

As of Monday morning, Biden had not decided whether to run, said one person familiar with his plans, who spoke on condition of anonymity to tamp down expectations amid reports his announcement is imminent. Another person familiar with the vice president’s planning, who also spoke on condition of anonymity, said that if Biden decides in the next couple of days he is likely to share it first privately, with family, close friends and a small circle of staff and supporters.