Opinion

SGA to sponsor NY Times Program

Dear Editor:

    It is with much pride that I announce the coming of a new program to UIS: the New York Times Knowledge Network Program.
     Beginning January 24, 125 copies of the New York Times will be spread out among three locations at UIS: outside of the south entrance of the Public Affairs Center, inside the northwest entrance of University Hall, and in the main entrance to the Homer L. Butler Housing Commons.
     To accommodate UIS’s current class schedule, the papers will be distributed on a Monday through Thursday schedule up until April 21.
     As this program is being funded primarily through student fee dollars, the program will be exclusively for students, and if you see anyone other than a student picking up a copy of the New York Times out of one of the designated distribution boxes, please report it to uissga@uis.edu.
     While the SGA was debating on which paper to choose for this program, the New York Times stood out as far and away the best possible choice for UIS. The largest seven day newspaper in America, the New York Times has served customer’s for over 150 years, attaining 89 Pulitzer Prizes.
     In addition to the hard copy paper, students will have available to them a broad range of online materials at nytimes.com/knowledge. That site will offer curriculum guides in science, political science, economics, marketing, advertising, mass communications, journalism, and news media, as well as ideas for portfolio development and clipping projects.
     With the unveiling of this program, UIS will join over 350 colleges and universities around the nation, including a dozen in Illinois, that currently offer this program for their students.
     It would not have been possible to bring the New York Times to campus without the generous support of UIS Housing, Student Affairs, and the Student Activities Committee, who all joined with the SGA in bringing this program to fruition.
Many thanks to all who have had a part in making this program a success!

Tyson Roan
President
Student Government Association

Update on library safety
Note: This letter was submitted to the Journal in late November

Editor, The Journal:

Today I had a good conversation with two students about safety issues in the library. They told me that they and other students felt that my remarks in the November 17 issue of the Journal implied that we in the library are not sufficiently concerned about the personal safety of the people who use the library. I regret that my remarks were interpreted in that way, and I want to assure the campus that there is no higher priority for me and the library staff than the safety and security of everyone who uses the library.

I also want to report on the actions we have taken since the last article in the Journal. I have requested that surveillance cameras be ordered and installed in the library as soon as possible. Like the cameras in University Hall, these cameras would be monitored by campus police. We are investigating small personal alarm devices that could be checked out at the Circulation Desk. These devices set off a loud alarm when pressed. We are also looking into the cost and feasibility of devices that could send a signal to a remote location, such as the Circulation Desk. Some of the lighting in the stacks will be upgraded this year, and a “life safety audit” of all campus buildings, including the library, will occur during spring semester.

In addition, on Wednesday, November 17, I raised the issue of campus security with Academic Cabinet, a group of deans and other academic administrators, and urged that we begin a more systematic approach to security right away. As a result of that discussion, the president of the Campus Senate plans to propose that a Committee on Campus Safety and Security be formed. The committee, with membership including students, faculty, key administrators, and the Campus Police, would provide guidance for developing policies and priorities for safety and security on the campus.

In the meantime, I look forward to working with the Student Government Association, the Campus Police, and individual concerned students to do everything we can to make Brookens a place where students are safe.

Sincerely,

Jane Treadwell
University Librarian and Dean of Library Instructional Services

SGA to sponsor NY Times program

Update on library safety