Opinion

University of Illinois...Sorta
Marking the loss of identity

By Carly Hawkins - Columnist

Maybe you haven't heard it yet, but the running joke for some on campus is that UIS stands for University of Illinois ...Sorta.

The "Sorta" means different things to different people who make the remark. To some, mostly the professors who long for the glory days of Sangamon State , "Sorta" implies all the things that they had to give up in order to take on the UI name - things like their union or the more idealistic view of the school as outlined in the Blue Memo.

To students, it calls to mind our lack of sustained history, as we look to our sister school in the east and their original 1870s buildings. We don't even have something like 100 years of basketball traditions to look to, and it can leave the students feeling transient as we hope that Blue Crew will outlast its first graduating members.

The fact is, though, that in a more umbrella-like sense, the "Sorta" is about the marked identity that this school still lacks. Sure, we're a school that's dedicated to public affairs. It's nice, and I like it, but I'm a policy nerd and probably one of the few who gets excited about that. Sure, we're the Prairie Stars, but people don't go to games so much because they're absolutely devoted to the athletics of this school so much as their friends and roommates are playing in the game. Sure, we just got University Hall, but the students want to call it U-Hall, and everyone else stubbornly insists on UHB. (I contend that this will, in the end, have something to do with Banner.)

I would argue that the majority of this student body couldn't care a whit about this lack of identity, either - they're here taking night classes, worrying about working the next morning, worrying about their families, worrying about getting ahead with a new degree. It's not about the "college experience" that was enough of a draw to keep a certain USC quarterback from making an atrocious amount of money in the NFL next year. I do care though, because in a couple of months I'm going to be able to call myself an alum, and I'm proud to have gone here, but I want other people to know what UIS is when I talk about it.

As the university continues to expand, however, and especially as we continue to add younger students who will more likely be here for four years, living on campus, being involved with the out-of-class, on-the-weekend sort of stuff, somehow things have to solidify. Traditions have developed, certainly, but it's hard to feel as though any of them will stick as I prepare to graduate. After these first few classes of Capital Scholars are gone, will people still play hide and go seek in the PAC? Will people still have vicious, 3 a.m. snowball fights the first time it snows?

It's any number of these sometimes stupid things that create a history and a story for a school, and it's those aspects of a school that provide the true draw in recruiting students. No amount of glossy ads or billboards will make up for a school that has something more interesting going on under the surface of small class sizes. The traditions that students are attempting to jumpstart should be encouraged rather than squelched, if this university expects to enjoy any kind of longevity or alumni loyalty.

UIS right now feels like it's floundering. We're moving in a direction, certainly, but it's as though we're fumbling around in a dark room for the light switch - nobody could tell you, exactly, what the direction is, other than that it's bigger and shinier and we'll like it when we get there.

Counselor's Corner
Time management is key to being a successful student

By Courtney Bailey - Guest Commentary

Welcome back everyone! As we dive into another semester, it is important to remember the keys to being a successful student. Learning how to manage your time is not only valuable while you are in school, it is a tool that can be used throughout your life in building a strong career. The beginning of a semester can be very tough and make you feel overwhelmed. Effective time management can relieve these feelings and put you in control of your work--leaving more time to enjoy the fun aspects of college. Here are some great tips for effective time management.

• Find out when you are most effective during the day. If you have trouble waking up in the morning, do not put off your work until then. If you tend to get tired in the middle of the day, it might be best to work in the morning or at night. Monitor yourself in order to find the best time to do work.
• Make sure your environment contributes to effective work habits. You should have everything you need to do your homework right around you. If you need music or television in the background, that is fine. If you need absolute silence, make sure you get that. If you can't get it in your room, find someplace else.
• Make sure you say, "no" to projects you cannot or do not have the time to complete. This does not mean that you should not do your homework for classes, but you can say no to friends, activities, or other distractions that may come along during your work time.
• It is important to set goals and prioritize them. Determine which goals are the most important. When setting goals it can be things you would like to get done today, this week, this month, this semester, or all four. Goals can also include things that are not academic such as exercising, grocery shopping, getting your car fixed, or socializing with friends. By setting these goals and making a pact to accomplish them, you are managing your time effectively and creating more time for the fun things in your life.
• Lastly, do not forget to take care of yourself. Sometimes we get so focused on tasks that we forget to take time for ourselves. If it is important to your physical and mental health and well-being, take time to exercise everyday. Make that a priority. Do not forget to eat and choose healthy meals that will give you energy for the day. Do not over plan or set such unreasonable goals that you cannot take the time to do the things you enjoy. (source: uiuc.edu)

If you get work done more efficiently, there can be a lot more time left for the things you really enjoy. For more information on Time Management visit or call (206-7122) the Counseling Center in SAB 30. You can also check out the Counseling Center website at www.uis.edu/counselingcenter and click on Time Management.

University of Illinois...Sorta

Counselors Corner