International students celebrate the holidays away from home

On Tuesday, December 23, 50 students representing a handful of cultures gathered at the Butler Housing Commons building on the UIS campus to spend time together, listen to music and try a few new foods during a holiday party coordinated by Jeannie Capranica, acting assistant director of the Diversity Center.

The holiday party and other social opportunities for international students who stay on campus over winter break are written about in an article by the State Journal-Register on December 25, 2008.

Download a PDF of the article
20081225-SJR-InternationalStudents.pdf

Springfield upbeat at news of Governor's arrest

The mood in the capital city was for the most part upbeat when news of Governor Blagojevich's arrest broke on December 9.

UIS associate professor Marcel Yoder was among psychologists asked to explain the irreverent public reaction to such a serious situation. Yoder said that many people "have a tendency to believe the world is a just place. They'e glad the Governor is getting his comeuppance."

Yoder's comments appeared in a December 17, 2008, article in the State Journal-Register.

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20081217-sjr-BallandChainParty.pdf

Is Illinois really the most corrupt state?

Rod Blagojevich's addition to the state's rather long list of public officials to run afoul of the law has led to the observation that if Illinois isn't the most corrupt state, it's at least "one hell of a competitor." But it turns out that determining which state really holds that title isn't so easy.

In an article published in the December 18, 2008, Kansas City Star, Chris Mooney, UIS professor of Political Science, observes, "It's notoriously difficult to measure political corruption."

Download a pdf file of the article
20081218-KCS-IsIllinoistheMostCorrupt.pdf