Mandela Social Justice Day keynote to explore values of equity in reproductive health
The University of Southern Indiana Nelson Mandela Social Justice Commemoration Committee will host Dr. Rachel Hardeman, reproductive health equity researcher, for the annual Mandela Social Justice Day. The presentation, “Black Reproductive Health: Getting at the Root Cause of Inequity,†will begin at 4:30 p.m. Monday, February 27 in Carter Hall, located in University Center West on campus. The event is open to the public at no charge.
Hardeman says structural racism puts Black birthing people at a disadvantage before, during and after pregnancy, leading to heartbreaking health inequities for themselves and their babies. Relationship centered and culturally centered care models provide needed support to Black birthing people, making strides on the path towards racial birth equity.
Hardeman is a tenured Associate Professor in the Division of Health Policy and Management at the University of Minnesota’s School of Public Health, the Blue Cross Endowed Professor in Health and Racial Equity and the Founding Director of the Center for Antiracism Research for Health Equity.
USI has sponsored the Nelson Mandela Social Justice Day and Speaker Series since 2014. “It has been a pleasure serving with my colleagues to support the legacy of Nelson Mandela,†says Dr. Veronica Huggins, Associate Professor of Social Work and Co-Chair of the Nelson Mandela Social Justice Committee. “The committee allows us to intentionally seek out social justice warriors to share insight on the importance of inclusivity, equality and equity.”
The goal of this event is to raise dialogue at USI around current issues of human and civil rights, public service and activism through diverse, dynamic, nationally and internationally known public intellectuals and academics. Previous speakers include authors Manisha Sinha, Tim Wise, and Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor, community organizer Tia Oso, and academics and activists such as Dr. Cornel West and Dr. Angela Davis.
“The annual Mandela Day at USI gives students, faculty, staff, and community members an opportunity to learn, reflect and determine action steps needed to address social injustice,†adds Dr. Elissa Mitchell, Associate Professor of Social Work, and Co-Chair of the Nelson Mandela Social Justice Committee. “We look forward to welcoming Dr. Hardeman and learning how structural racism affects reproductive health outcomes.â€
The 2023 Mandela Social Justice Day is sponsored by the Nelson Mandela Social Justice Committee and the College of Liberal Arts, in partnership with the Center for Social Justice Education; Pott College of Science, Engineering, and Education; College of Nursing and Health Professions; Romain College of Business; Multicultural Center; Housing and Residence Life; and the Provost’s Office.
IDOE seeks organizations to serve summer meals to children
The Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) is looking for schools and other organizations interested in serving students meals during the summer months when school is out of session.
The 2023 Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) reimburses sponsors that serve meals to students 18 and younger. Last year, sponsors served over 2 million meals to children.
Sponsors can be nonprofit groups, summer camps, religious organizations, or private and public groups. Those interested can also partner with pre-existing sponsors such as school corporations. They can also offer activities for students in addition to serving meals.
SFSP is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and administered by individual states. Applications for new sponsors are due by April 30. Those interested in applying can go to portal here.
—Ashlyn Myers
USI Softball selected 5th in OVC
Newman named to 2023 OVC Softball Players to Watch List
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Softball is projected to place fifth in the Ohio Valley Conference in a vote submitted by the league’s head coaches and communication directors. USI heads into its first season as an OVC member and NCAA Division I program.
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The nine-team OVC will feature a schedule with each team playing each other in one three-game series for a 24-game conference schedule from March 11 through May 7. The conference’s season concludes with the OVC Softball Championship Tournament taking place in Oxford, Alabama March 10-14.
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The University of Tennessee at Martin was projected first in the OVC preseason poll with 123 points and 11 first-place votes. Southeast Missouri State University was selected second with 119 points and seven first-place votes. Tennessee Tech University rounded out the top three with 91 points.
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Eastern Illinois University was picked fourth with 86 points ahead of Southern Indiana in fifth with 70 points. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earned 61 points for a projected sixth-place finish. Lindenwood University was picked seventh with 45 points while Tennessee State University (30) and Morehead State University (23) round out the preseason poll.
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As part of the OVC’s preseason announcement, sophomore pitcher Josie Newman (Indianapolis, Indiana) represented USI on the 2023 OVC Softball Preseason Players to Watch List. Coming off a standout, freshman season in the circle in 2022, Newman went 17-3 with a 1.74 ERA and 185 strikeouts in 144.2 innings pitched. Newman made 21 starts in 31 appearances, recording 12 complete games and six shutouts with one no-hitter. The right-hander held opposing batters to a .171 batting average.
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Newman’s 185 strikeouts were third in the NCAA II Great Lakes Valley Conference and 29th in the nation. Plus, her four saves last season ranked first in the GLVC and 14th nationally. Additionally, Newman was a Schutt Sports/NFCA Division II Freshman of the Year finalist, named second-team All-GLVC, voted second-team All-Region by D2CCA, and earned Academic All-GLVC laurels.
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The 2023 USI squad features 19 players – 12 returning players and seven newcomers, beginning its 22nd season under the leadership of Head Coach Sue Kunkle, who has a 628-420-1 career record. The 2022 GLVC Coach of the Year has her squad primed to make the jump, however, as her squad is coming off a historic 2022 season that saw the Eagles go 49-13 overall and 26-2 in GLVC play. Her staff was named NCAA II Midwest Region Coaching Staff of the Year for the third time after the Eagles won the GLVC regular-season, GLVC Tournament, and NCAA II Midwest Region titles, marking the first time in program history USI has won all three championships in the same season.
Additionally, Kunkle’s Eagles set numerous records including the most wins in a single season, the most GLVC wins in a single season, and the best start to GLVC play (16-0). USI, which had its best 40-game stretch (37-3) in program history, tied the program record for consecutive wins (18) and set program records for triples (28), runs (353), RBI (327), and doubles (96).
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Alongside Newman in the circle, USI also returns sophomore pitcher Hailey Gotshall (Lucerne, Indiana) and senior utility pitcher Allie Goodin (Evansville, Indiana). Gotshall was 8-1 with 38 strikeouts last season, posting a 2.96 ERA in 68.2 innings pitched. Gotshall made 10 starts in 20 appearances. Goodin tallied a 16-4 record with a 2.03 ERA in 144.2 innings, striking out 96 hitters. Goodin made 26 starts in 30 appearances, going the distance in 11 games. Goodin earned second-team All-Midwest Region honors from both the D2CCA and the NFCA and was a unanimous first-team All-GLVC selection last year.
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Goodin was just as good in the box, batting .350 with eight home runs and 37 RBIs. The senior posted a 1.030 OPS in her junior season. Also, back in the Screaming Eagles’ lineup with Goodin is junior infielder Lexi Fair (Greenwood, Indiana). Fair recorded a .389 batting average with a team-best 13 home runs and 56 RBIs. Fair also scored 41 runs, hit 20 doubles and three triples, and posted a 1.230 OPS while starting all 62 games in 2022. The Greenwood, Indiana native collected second-team All-Region by D2CCA, second-team All-GLVC, and Academic All-GLVC last season.
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Opening day for the Screaming Eagles in 2023 will be February 10 at the Elon Softball Classic when USI opens against Winthrop University. USI will play five games from Elon, North Carolina to begin the 2023 campaign. Southern Indiana will start conference play March 11-12 at Morehead State before hosting its home-opening series from USI Softball Field March 18-19 against Lindenwood University.
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2023 OVC Softball Predicted Order of Finish
(as voted on by the league’s head coaches and communication directors)
- UT Martin (11 first-place votes) – 123
- Southeast Missouri (Seven first-place votes) – 119
- Tennessee Tech – 91
- Eastern Illinois – 86
- Southern Indiana – 70
- SIUE – 61
- Lindenwood – 45
- Tennessee State – 30
- Morehead State – 23
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2023 OVC Softball Players to Watch
Morgan Lewis, Eastern Illinois
Amanda Weyh, Lindenwood
Madeline Gailor, Morehead State
Paige Halliwill, Southeast Missouri
Lauren Yslava, SIUE
Josie Newman, Southern Indiana
Maria Mauroschadt, Tennessee State
Haeli Bryson, Tennessee Tech
Kallie Pickens, UT Martin
EPA Opens Public Comment Period for Indoor airPLUS Program Update
WASHINGTON (Feb. 1, 2023) — In order to advance indoor air quality protection, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing proposed updates to the Indoor airPLUS program, and will be taking public comment for 60 days. Comments will be accepted until April 3, 2023.
Indoor airPLUS is a voluntary partnership and labeling program designed to improve indoor air quality in homes to help reduce the likelihood of common and serious health problems like heart disease, cancer, asthma and other respiratory issues. Builders that participate in the program must use construction practices designed to minimize exposure to airborne pollutants and contaminants in the home. The indoor airPLUS program also requires that these practices are inspected and certified by qualified verifiers.
The updates to the program being proposed today take into consideration the broad range of feedback EPA received in response to a December 2020 opportunity for public comment on revised Indoor airPLUS Construction Specifications proposed at that time. This 2023 proposal is designed to address feedback received on the 2020 proposal and to encourage broad industry participation to advance indoor air quality protections, while strengthening program integrity with an improved verification and quality assurance framework.
Under this proposed program update, builders will have an opportunity to choose between two Indoor airPLUS labels: Indoor airPLUS Certification, and Indoor airPLUS Gold. The proposed “Indoor airPLUS Certification†specifications focus on strategies to improve indoor air quality without a pre-requisite of ENERGY STAR certification. The proposed “Indoor airPLUS Gold†specifications include more advanced protections for improved indoor air quality in conjunction with ENERGY STAR certification.
Other features of the proposed program update include changes to the training requirements for verifiers, a Home Certification Organization model to improve quality assurance, and a five-year expiration date to the new Indoor airPLUS labels and specifications for voluntary recertification by the home/building owner after the five-year expiration.
Following the 60-day comment period, EPA expects to release the final Indoor airPLUS Certification and Gold specifications in January 2024. During the first 12-months of implementation beginning January 2024, partners could continue to use Indoor airPLUS Construction Specifications Version 1, Rev.4or begin to use one of the new two-tier specifications, if finalized. EPA anticipates that the Indoor airPLUS Construction Specifications Version 1, Rev. 4will be sunset by January 2025. These dates are subject to change.
More about the Indoor airPLUS program:
Indoor airPLUS homes are healthier by design, improving indoor air quality (IAQ) and comfort. Labeled homes can help reduce the likelihood of common and serious health problems like heart disease, cancer, asthma, allergies, respiratory issues, headaches and more through comprehensive IAQ approaches. These approaches include mold and moisture control; radon resistance; pest management; improved heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning systems; combustion venting; healthier building materials; and homeowner education.
HEALTH OFFICIALS ANNOUNCE NEARLY $8.5 MILLION IN GRANTS TO HELP IMPROVE HOOSIER HEALTH OUTCOMES
INDIANAPOLIS — The Indiana Department of Health has awarded nearly $8.5 million in grants to organizations working to improve Hoosiers’ health as part of the Health Issues and Challenges program, which was established by the Indiana General Assembly in 2021 with funding from the American Rescue Plan Act. This is the second round of grants through the program and follows $35 million that was announced last June.
“Public health is built on a foundation of prevention and accessibility, and we are grateful to be able to use the remaining funds that our legislators allocated to support programs that will help improve Hoosiers’ health and well-being,†said State Health Commissioner Kris Box, M.D., FACOG. “These programs are locally delivered and reach Hoosiers where they live.â€
Entities were invited to apply for funding for programs to help improve health outcomes related to one or more of the following priority areas: tobacco use, food insecurity/obesity, lead exposure, chronic disease and disease prevention programs, including community paramedicine and community health workers. A total of 117 organizations submitted applications, and a total of 27 awards were issued.
Priority was given to applicants that demonstrated high need and high impact in their grant proposals. Funding includes:
- More than $2.2 million to address chronic disease, including asthma, diabetes and cancer
- $3.5 million for community health workers
- $1 million to support community paramedicine programs in Clark, Posey and Wabash counties
- Nearly $1.6 million to address food insecurity and obesity in Marion, Lake, Jennings and Vanderburgh counties, as well as Northwest Indiana
- Nearly $91,000 for lead prevention programs in local health departments in Kosciusko, Clark, Franklin and Orange counties
- Nearly $32,000 to the Porter County Health Department for tobacco prevention and cessation programming
The funding must be spent by Dec. 31, 2026. Click here for a list of recipients and for more information about the program. Visit the Indiana Department of Health at www.health.in.gov for important health and safety information, or follow us on Twitter at @StateHealthIN and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/StateHealthIN.Â
Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch presented award by Indiana Mineral Aggregates Association
 The Indiana Mineral Aggregates Association (IMAA) named Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch as the 2023 Honorary Aggie at its annual Winter Workshops on Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023.
This prestigious award recognizes a non-industry member who makes an exceptional contribution to the Indiana aggregates industry.
“It has been my life’s greatest honor to serve the state of Indiana alongside organizations who strive to improve the quality of life of Hoosiers,” said Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch, who also serves as Indiana’s Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development. “The Indiana Mineral Aggregates Association is a prime example of an organization that works hard to make our state the best it can be.”
The IMAA solves common problems of the Indiana aggregate producing industry, increases public awareness of the importance of aggregate products in Hoosier lives and represents over 90% of aggregate production in Indiana. Aggregates are essential construction materials for residential and commercial development, as well as for improvements to infrastructure projects to support quality of life.
“One of the great facets of Lt. Gov. Crouch’s character is she is always willing to listen, and she gets it,†said Calvin Lee, executive director of IMAA. “She recognized that the Indiana aggregates industry is essential to the overall viability and success of this great state of Indiana and its citizens as it relates to infrastructure and economic development.â€
In the last few years, Indiana aggregate companies have produced nearly 75 million tons of crushed stone, sand & gravel, slag and similar products. They employ approximately 2,300 workers and pay almost $100 million in wages and over $4 million in state income taxes.
“From our interstates to our walking trails, I am confident IMAA will continue to be a key player in the future of Indiana and how we connect our communities,” Crouch said. “We are very lucky to have you. I will proudly carry the title of Honorary Aggie.â€
New Children’s Weekly Programming
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Willard Public Library | Children’s Department Beyond Books – Every Tuesday Afternoon at 4PMÂ
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The Children’s Department at Willard Public Library is developing a brand-new weekly program aimed at children of all ages. Beyond Books is a program designed to engage children with a new activity every week. Â
Activities and specific plans are still in development, but attendees can expect a medley of yoga, arts and crafts, games and more. Beyond Books will take place in the Browning Gallery, located in the lower-level of Willard Public Library. This weekly program is free of charge to anyone who attends and any supplies necessary will be provided. Participants do not need to have a WPL card, but are encouraged to do so. |
EPD DAILY ACTIVITY REPORT
FOOTNOTE: Â EPD DAILY ACTIVITY REPORT Â information was provided by the EPD and posted by the City-County-County Observer without opinion, bias, or editing.
USI Liberal Arts Faculty Colloquia to explore backlash against prosocial ad
The University of Southern Indiana College of Liberal Arts will host its second Faculty Colloquia presentation of the Spring Semester featuring Dr. Erin Dennis, Associate Professor of Advertising. The presentation, “On the Razor’s Edge: Exploring Gillette’s ‘We Believe’ Prosocial Advertising Campaign,†will begin at 3 p.m. Friday, February 24 in Kleymeyer Hall, located in the lower level of the Liberal Arts Center. The event is open to the public at no charge.
Denis’ presentation will discuss prosocial advertising, the online backlash against the “We Believe†ad and how Gillette is now managing this prosocial messaging campaign. In addition, best practices for handling online negative consumer reactions will be discussed.
This presentation is part of the Spring 2023 Liberal Arts Faculty Colloquium. Each Fall and Spring Semester, USI faculty members from the College of Liberal Arts present individual, free, public lectures featuring their current research. To see the current lineup of speakers for this semester, visit USI.edu/lafc.