Editorials

One hundred thousand — that’s the number of American teens and young adults that travel to resort areas throughout Mexico during spring break, according to the U.S. State Department Web site. If you are one of those 100,000, or if you’re traveling anywhere out of the country, we urge you to be safe.

3/17/2010 - 10:16 PM    Post your comment

The 2009-10 Illinois men’s basketball regular season ended in disappointment for both the team and the fans. The NCAA Tournament selection committee opted not to invite our Illini to its 65-team tournament, which many consider to be the biggest collegiate sporting event of the year.

3/16/2010 - 10:26 PM    1 comment

In this economy, we’re pinching pennies. We’re taking classes online at community colleges, taking out more loans, even taking a break from our studies to work. But Interim President Stanley Ikenberry is being realistic. During last week’s Board of Trustees meeting, he suggested an accelerated baccalaureate degree option on all three campuses.

3/15/2010 - 9:55 PM    Post your comment

Sunshine Week is a national project devoted to government transparency. Although it started Sunday with a rainy day, a new Web site designed to shed some light on Illinois government surfaced.

3/14/2010 - 10:21 PM    Post your comment

In a time when our University is struggling to gain more transparency and reject some of the corruption that has plagued our state, Soso will be a breath of fresh air. He is a representative who seems to only want to make promises he can keep and advocate platforms he is truly behind.

3/10/2010 - 11:30 PM    Post your comment

On March 3, Illinois Student Senate passed a resolution to form a committee of students, faculty, staff, alumni and community members responsible for proposing an idea for a campus mascot.

3/9/2010 - 11:42 PM    26 comments

Today, The Daily Illini is launching a new section of our Web site that allows readers to view and examine some of the data we have used in our stories. We are conducting more in-depth stories to provide a deeper understanding of issues affecting the University. We want to make sure the information from these stories is available to everyone in a searchable, electronic way.

3/8/2010 - 11:09 PM    1 comment

It is easy to take the election systems we have in place in America for granted. Even grade-schoolers are used to voting — perhaps on what to name the class pet or which game to play during recess. At our University, all voting requires is to follow a link e-mailed right to our inboxes. State and national elections take place at various campus residence halls and other polling places where the sound of mortar attacks does not accompany voters to the ballot box. Yesterday, Iraq held elections to determine both its parliament and prime minister. In Baghdad, at least 38 people died. Dozens more were injured. Despite the violence, the Iraqi people made a strong, commendable showing.

3/7/2010 - 10:48 PM    1 comment

Whether you love it or hate it, Unofficial St. Patrick’s Day is, unofficially, one of the biggest celebrations on campus. It brings thousands of members of our University community together, and attracts many visitors to town who wish to join in on the party.

3/3/2010 - 10:54 PM    12 comments
The Supreme Court is hearing three cases that could impact one of the Bill of Right’s most controversial amendments— the right to bear arms. Two of the cases stem from Illinois court decisions, hand gun bans in Chicago and the suburb of Oak Park, that are being challenged.
3/2/2010 - 10:59 PM    Post your comment

March 2 and 3 mark the elections for student trustee and members of the Illinois Student Senate. There is also an opportunity to vote on referendums, such as the student sustainability fee increase. With the turmoil our University’s administration has faced this summer, now, more than ever, it is important for students to make their voices heard. Because our campus is growing and changing, we must all push for the best possible campus environment. From sustainability to diversity, so many issues have deeply affected students on our campus.

3/1/2010 - 10:44 PM    1 comment

The Illinois Student Senate elections are Tuesday and Wednesday, and the student trustee for our campus will also be decided this week. During this time, our peers will be elected to positions that allow them to lead our student body. With recent changes at the highest levels of the University’s administration and increasing calls for transparency, there has never been a more important year for these decisions. The elected student trustee represents our campus on the University’s Board of Trustees, and is the face of the Urbana-Champaign branch of the university system. The Daily Illini’s editorial board met with each trustee candidate to find out what motivated them to run and what they hope to do if elected.

2/28/2010 - 11:12 PM    2 comments

On March 2 and 3, students will vote on a variety of candidates for student senate and trustee, as well as many campus proposals. One of the questions students will encounter on that day is “Do you support increasing the $5 per semester Sustainable Campus Fee to a refundable $14 to expand the student-allocated funding available for clean energy and sustainable campus initiatives?”

2/24/2010 - 11:48 PM    13 comments

Five countries are responsible for over 90 percent of executions in the world, according to the Anti-Death Penalty Information organization. Joining the U.S. are China, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan. We are on a list with the very countries we protest against because of their human rights abuses. In 2007, the United Nations called for a worldwide suspension of the death penalty. Of the member nations, 104 voted in favor of the moratorium, while 54 voted against and 24 abstained from the vote.

2/23/2010 - 11:23 PM    2 comments

After pursuing and researching the search for our next provost, we have had plenty of time to consider the efficiency of the time and resources committed. The University spent just the right amount.

2/22/2010 - 11:13 PM    2 comments

New credit card rules are taking effect Monday, and people not yet 21 years old may now find it more challenging to get a card. The Credit Card Accountability and Disclosure Act will make several changes to protect consumers, including changing the way credit card companies can apply your payments toward interest and how your rates can be changed.

2/21/2010 - 10:48 PM    Post your comment

As the 40th anniversary of the African American Cultural Center approaches this weekend, we want to take this opportunity to congratulate all of the cultural houses on campus for their success over the years.

2/17/2010 - 11:09 PM    7 comments

Last Wednesday, Google released Google Buzz, a social media aggregator that allows people to share text, photos and videos. It joins Twitter, Facebook, MySpace and countless others in the social media realm.

2/16/2010 - 11:18 PM    Post your comment

We ask a lot from those who are assigned to protect us. When crime happens on campus, we want to know what’s being done and why it happened in the first place. We expect the police to keep us safe.

But as college students, we are uniquely aware of the rights that make up our freedom as citizens. Sometimes, these two things are in tension with each other. We give power to the police at the expense of our own freedoms; we trade freedom for security.

2/15/2010 - 11:19 PM    1 comment

We ask a lot from those who are assigned to protect us. When crime happens on campus, we want to know what’s being done and why it happened in the first place. We expect the police to keep us safe.

2/15/2010 - 11:19 PM    Post your comment

Sunday was significant for all of us in some way. It was a day to celebrate love; it also was the anniversary of a tragedy that robbed five young victims of their lives and shook Illinois’ campuses.

2/14/2010 - 11:15 PM    Post your comment
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