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HEALTH DEPARTMENT UPDATES STATEWIDE COVID-19 CASE COUNTS
Sycamores defeat Aces in home opener
UE right back in action on Sunday
Alondra Vazquez and Melanie Feliciano led the University of Evansville volleyball squad once again, but in the rematch against Indiana State, it was the Sycamores finishing with a 3-1 win at Meeks Family Fieldhouse on Friday evening.
Vazquez led the Purple Aces (1-1, 1-1 MVC) with 17 kills. She added another double-double with 10 digs. Feliciano added 15 kills and 10 digs. Laura Ruiz led UE with 12 digs while Allana McInnis added 26 assists, 10 digs and an ace. Chloe Bontrager and Elise Moeller recorded 8 and 7 kills, respectively. Moeller added three block assists while Hannah Watkins tied for the match-high with four.
Indiana State (1-1, 1-1 MVC) was led by a 16-kill effort from Mallory Keller
Game 1
The opening two points of the night belonged to Evansville as Allana McInnis posted an ace. The Sycamores fought back to take their first lead at 5-4. With the set tied at 9-9, ISU scored three in a row before extending their lead to five points at 18-13. Evansville used a 9-3 rally to push its way back in front with Laura Ruiz capping it off with an ace to put the Aces in front – 22-21. Despite UE’s momentum, Indiana State countered with the next four points to earn the opening set, 25-22.
Game 2
After falling into a 1-0 hole, the Aces flexed their muscle in the second frame, scoring the first four point before extending that lead to 17-6. Chloe Bontrager notched a kill that gave UE a 9-2 edge and they added to it from there with Vazquez and Feliciano adding kills that made it a double-digit game. The Sycamores fought back to get within five points, but Feliciano’s sixth kill of the set clinched a 25-19 win. Vazquez had seven kills in the second game.
Game 3
Indiana State had their most dominant effort of the night in the third stanza. They posted eight of the first 11 points before taking a 2-1 match lead on the strength of a 25-14 victory. ISU hit .371 in the set while holding the Aces to .032.
Game 4Â Â Â Â
UE jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the fourth set, but ISU countered with seven in a row, forcing an Aces timeout. The break was just what Evansville needed as they went on a 12-5 run to retake the lead at 14-12. Vazquez had two kills in the rally while Kate Tsironis finished the stretch with one of her own. Indiana State reeled off the next three to go back in front before UE came back to tie it up at 18-18. A game-changing stretch by the Sycamores saw them score the next four tallies before clinching the match with a 25-22 win.
Up Next
On Sunday, the Aces travel to Bowling Green, Ky. for a pair of matches. They open against Saint Louis at 2:30 p.m. before playing Western Kentucky at 6 p.m.
American Historical Association Expresses Concerns About UE Realignment PlanÂ
American Historical Association Expresses Concerns About UE Realignment Plan
 by Daniel Byrne, Secretary-Treasurer UE AAUPÂ
Thursday, January 29, 2021Â
Evansville— 1/29/21 — On January 26th, Jacqueline Jones, the President of the American Historical Association (AHA), and James Grossman, Executive Director of the AHA, sent a letter to the President of the University of Evansville (UE), Christopher M. Pietruszkiewicz, the Chair of the UE Board of Trustees, Linda White, and UE’s Executive Vice-President for Academic Affairs, Michael Austin, outlining their “grave concern†about UE’s ongoing realignment process. The AHA is America’s largest and most prominent organization of professional historians. Writing on behalf of the AHA, Jones and Grossman observe that the current draft academic realignment plan is an “ill-considered plan†that “not only diminishes the quality of a University of Evansville degree; it also identifies the university with employment practices that have no place in American higher education.â€Â
Jones and Grossman open their letter by noting that UE is proposing to terminate two tenured history professors and remove the history major. They urge “the university to consider the educational and community impacts of this short-sighted plan for realignment, which will serve to weaken the preparation of†the university’s students “for the global citizenship imperative to economic and civic accomplishment, as well as the lifelong learning essential to professional success.†The letter also points out that “cutting a core liberal arts degree like history is an especially odd move†at this time. “Civic leaders from all corners of the political landscape†have recently “lamented the level of historical knowledge of American citizens.†Furthermore, there is presently “overwhelming evidence that shows employers seek the kind of skills a history degree can provide.â€Â
The AHA’s letter goes on to say that the fact that the university is seeking to terminate tenured professors “without adhering to its own contractual Faculty Handbook and in apparent violation of American Association of University Professors guidelines, not to mention generally accepted ethical guidelines†is “an especially striking embarrassment for an institution whose stated values emphasize ‘a culture of trust.’†The plan proposed by President Pietruszkiewicz, they continue, “will have serious and deleterious consequences for the practice of history and hence the quality of undergraduate education at the University of Evansville.â€Â
We, the UE AAUP chapter, thank Jacqueline Jones, James Grossman, and the staff of the AHA for their work in putting together this forceful and necessary letter. It accurately captures the university’s violations of “generally accepted ethical guidelines†and clearly delineates some of the consequencesÂ
that would result from the implementation of the President’s draft academic realignment plan. We welcome the letter’s call for President Pietruszkiewicz, Ms White, and Dr. Austin to rethink their “hasty initial inclinations†and to consider that “what might be suggested as a temporary solution to an immediate crisis often becomes a long-term problem.â€Â
To learn more: Visit our website at saveue.com • Follow us on Facebook at Save UE,  Follow us on Twitter at @Save_UE • Follow us on Instagram at save.ue,  E-mail us at ueaaup@gmail.comÂ
Key Committee Supports McNamara’s Bill Helping Students impacted By Pandemic
Key Committee Supports McNamara’s Bill Helping Students impacted By Pandemic
STATEHOUSE (Jan. 29, 2021) – State Rep. Wendy McNamara’s (R-Evansville) legislation that would establish the Student Learning Recovery Grant Program to help students experiencing learning loss due to the pandemic advanced out of the House Ways and Means Committee.
According to McNamara, students transitioning back and forth between e-learning and classroom learning are likely to experience some form of learning loss. McNamara’s proposal would create a $150 million grant program to provide individuals or organizations resources to help students who have fallen behind in class, scored below academic standards or are at risk of falling behind.
“We want to ensure all students have the opportunity to reach their full potential,” McNamara said. “This grant program is designed to close learning gaps created by the pandemic, and connect students with tools and resources to catch up to their peers. While the steps schools have taken over the last year have been necessary to keep our children and educators safe, we must now work to ensure students catch up and get ahead.”
McNamara said many students experience some form of learning loss after summer break, but most are typically able to relearn forgotten lessons quickly. However, a recent study completed by Stanford’s Center for Research on Education Outcomes, shows the average Indiana student lost 129 days of reading knowledge and 209 days of math knowledge as a result of COVID-19 disruptions.
Program criteria for grants would be determined by the Indiana Department of Education, along with the State Board of Education. McNamara said applying organizations, which could include local schools, colleges or universities, community or philanthropic organizations, and prospective, current and retired educators, would be required to submit a plan detailing the programs that would supplement a student’s regular coursework. The DOE would be responsible for overseeing the grant program.
Visit iga.in.gov for more information on House Bill 1008. This legislation now moves the full Indiana House of Representatives for further consideration.
Gov. Holcomb Signs COVID-19 Executive Orders
Gov. Eric J. Holcomb today signed Executive Order 21-02 to adjust the targeted restrictions for counties that have high levels of COVID-19.
He also signed Executive Order 21-03 to extend the public health emergency an additional 30 days.
“We are not out of the woods. The steps we have been taking to reduce the spread must continue, especially wearing a face covering and maintaining social distancing,†Gov. Holcomb said. “As we’ve experienced before, trends that look promising can shift very quickly, and we will continue to monitor what is happening with positivity, deaths, and cases per capita, as we have done since the start of the pandemic.â€
The Indiana Department of Health has established a color-coded county map that measures weekly cases per 100,000 residents and the seven-day positivity rate for all tests completed. Each county is assigned a color based on the average scores for the two metrics. Restrictions are assigned based on the map, which is updated each Wednesday at www.coronavirus.in.gov.
Click here for an in-depth description of the requirements for all Hoosiers and targeted restrictions for counties: https://www.in.gov/gov/files/Feb-1-to-Feb-28-Coronavirus-Response-Requirements.pdf
Among the adjusted requirements are:
Red: The county has very high positivity and community spread. When a county is in the Red metric, these requirements remain in effect until the metric has returned to Orange or lower for two weeks.
- The overall size of a social gathering or event is strongly recommended to be limited to 25 people.
- If the venue owners, hosts or organizers have a written safety plan submitted to the local health department, social gatherings and events are limited to 25 percent of a facility capacity.
Orange: The county’s community spread is approaching high levels. These requirements are in effect when a county reaches the Orange metric and remain until a county moves to Yellow or Blue for two straight weeks.
- The overall size of a social gathering or event is strongly recommended to be limited to 50 people.
- If the venue owners, hosts or organizers have a written safety plan submitted to the local health department, social gatherings and events are limited to 25 percent of a facility capacity.
Yellow: The county has moderate community spread. These requirements are in effect when a county reaches the Yellow metric and remain until a county moves to Blue for two straight weeks.
- The overall size of a social gathering or event is strongly recommended to be limited to 100 people.
- If the venue owners, hosts or organizers have a written safety plan submitted to the local health department, social gatherings and events are limited to 50 percent of a facility capacity.
Blue: The county has low community spread.
- The overall size of a social gathering or event is strongly recommended to be limited to 250 people.
- If the venue owners, hosts or organizers have a written safety plan submitted to the local health department, social gatherings and events are limited to 100 percent of a facility capacity.
Face coverings are required for all Hoosiers. Businesses of all types are required to place clearly visible signs at their public and employee entrances notifying all that face coverings are required.
All customers in restaurants and bars are required to be seated. Tables, counters, or other seating arrangements must be spaced six feet apart.
Executive Order 21-02 goes into effect Monday and runs until Sunday, Feb. 28. Local governments may impose more restrictive guidelines.
Click here to see the executive order: https://www.in.gov/gov/governor-holcomb/newsroom/executive-orders/
CollegeChoice 529 Savings Surpass $6 Billion
Treasurer of State Kelly Mitchell announced that assets in the state’s tax-advantaged CollegeChoice 529 education savings plans have surpassed $6 billion, an increase of more than $3.1 billion since her tenure began in November 2014.
To date, over 397,000 accounts have been established, with an average account balance of $15,000. CollegeChoice 529 assists in reducing future generations’ education debt by offering incentive-driven savings options for parents and students. Education debt is one of the most significant issues facing Americans today. Outstanding student loan debt in Indiana held by approximately 875,000 Hoosiers is estimated at $28.7 billion.
“With CollegeChoice 529, we’ve created a flexible option for education savings, and the program’s family-friendly tax credit has appealed to so many Hoosier families, yielding excellent results,†said Treasurer Mitchell. “Hoosiers, now more than ever, are choosing to break the education debt cycle by saving in a 529. As we strive to make the next generation more prepared to compete in the global economy, every dollar saved today is one less dollar that needs to be borrowed later.â€
CollegeChoice 529 enables account owners and gift contributors to save for a beneficiary’s education at any eligible school. Accounts can grow tax-free as long as the money is withdrawn to pay for qualified higher education expenses like tuition, room and board, books, computers and fees.
Indiana taxpayers may also be eligible for an annual state income tax credit of 20 percent of contributions to CollegeChoice 529 accounts, worth up to $1,000 each year.
“We know that education and investing are not ‘one-size-fits-all,'” said Marissa Rowe, Executive Director of the program. “That’s why you have a choice in Indiana. We offer three plans – Direct, Advisor, and CD, so you can find the option that works best for your family. Whether you’re thinking about graduate school, technical training, a four- year college, or an eligible apprenticeship program, you can start saving today with as little as $10.”
For more information, interested Hoosiers can visit www.collegechoicedirect.com/plans.
A DELICATE BALANCE
A DELICATE BALANCE
GAVEL GAMUTÂ By Jim Redwine
www.jamesmredwine.com
Five-foot, four inch tall “Little Jimmyâ€, James Madison, Jr. (1751-1836), applied his gigantic intellect to melding the Natural Law theory of John Locke (1632-1704) and the Separation of Powers theory of Charles Montesquieu (1689-1755) into the Constitution of the United States. Locke and Montesquieu postulated that all things being equal no person should harm another in his/her life, liberty, health or possessions. They, along with Madison, also believed that every person who has power is apt to abuse it. Therefore, governments are necessary to keep individual power in check but the power of government must also be kept in check.
According to Edgar Bodenheimer (1908-1991) in his treatise on jurisprudence:
“The basic idea of the American Declaration of Independence as well as the Bill of Rights is the recognition of the natural and inalienable rights of life, liberty, and property, as conceived by Locke, while the main body of the United States Constitution is a practical application of Montesquieu’s doctrine of separation of powers. The connection between these two doctrines in the American government is made by the theory of judicial review. The United States Supreme Court has held that, in order to guarantee the enforcement of natural rights, the power to make laws must be separated not only from the power to execute laws, but also from the power to review laws with their regard to their conformity with higher principles, as recognized by the United States Constitution. Thus, in the United States the courts, and especially the United States Supreme Court, have assumed guardianship over natural law.â€
See Bodenheimer, Jurisprudence at p. 146
This separation of powers has served America well since 1789. As is to be expected in matters as complex as government and politics the powers of the three branches have each waxed and waned from time to time. However, we have always managed to keep our democracy by remaining moored to the rock upon which it was founded. Just as our founders recognized that individuals and governments will abuse power unless checked, they also recognized the danger and guarded against any of the three branches having unfettered power. The wisdom of Madison, et. al., is once again being tested. Has the Executive Branch gone outside its traces and incited violence against the Legislative Branch? Has the Legislative Branch blurred the boundaries that should keep all three branches separate by both charging an impeachment and then filling the role of the Judicial Branch by having one of its own members serve as the presiding officer at the trial? And, has the Judicial Branch been marginalized because the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court will not be serving as the neutral and detached trial judge as designed by our Founders.
For as Bodenheimer points out, “Any abuse of its power by the legislature should be curbed by the Judiciary Branch of the government, to which falls the duty of declaring void all statutes which are repugnant to the Constitution.†See Bodenheimer, Jurisprudence, at page 148. Perhaps Chief Justice John Roberts and the rest of the Supreme Court are anticipating being confronted with such an issue later.
The crimes that were committed on January 06, 2021 are being investigated and several alleged perpetrators have already been identified and charged. Numerous others will and should be. America’s normal criminal justice system can fairly and efficiently provide due process to those involved. If Donald Trump committed any state or federal crimes either on or before January 06, 2021 he can be prosecuted separately from the impeachment. And if a pardon is considered it would cover only federal offenses.Â
In our current test of our charter’s application, the Legislative Branch has filed an article impeaching the head of the Executive Branch, former President Donald Trump. It is alleged he engaged in:Â
“[H]igh crimes and Misdemeanors by inciting violence against the Government of the United States†on January 06, 2021 and for in the months preceding January 06, 2021 repeatedly issuing false statements asserting that the Presidential election results were the product of widespread fraud and should not be accepted by the America people or certified by State or Federal officials.
The Article of Impeachment was returned against President Donald Trump on January 13, 2021 while he was still the acting President. On January 25, 2021 after Donald Trump’s term had ended, the Article of Impeachment was sent to the Senate for trial. The Senate has set the trial to begin February 09, 2021 with Senator Patrick Leahy, Democrat from Vermont, to preside and the senators to serve as jurors.
Article I, Section Three, of the U.S. Constitution provides that in the trial of the President of the United States the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court shall preside. For reasons not yet fully explained, Chief Justice John Roberts will not be involved, so only two of our three equal branches of government will be embroiled in this matter of grave national concern. It is suggested that this is because Donald Trump is no longer President. However, that does not take into consideration the bed rock reason why the Founders made it mandatory for the Judicial Branch to be involved.
The impact of this omission upon public confidence in the fairness of the process is worthy of consideration. After all, it is not Donald Trump’s fate that is most important, but the country’s faith in the process that determines that fate. However, this faith might be shaken by a trial where the role of a “neutral and detached magistrate†is filled by a member of the body that both files and prosecutes the charge. Symbolism is important and a level scales of justice is one of our nation’s most potent and delicately balanced symbols.
For more Gavel Gamut articles go to www.jamesmredwine.com
Or “Like/Follow†us on Facebook & Twitter at JPegRanchBooks&Knitting
Ivy Tech Community College Announces MLK Essay Contest Winners
Evansville, Ind..- Winners of the Ivy Tech Evansville Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Doing the Dream 2021 Essay Contest have been selected.
- Payton Watkins of North High School is the winner in the High School category
- Hannah Robinson of Ivy Tech is the winner in the College category.Â
Both recipients will receive a $500 Ivy Tech Scholarship.
The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day essay contest, is an annual event through the Ivy Tech Evansville Diversity, Equity and Belonging Council. Entrants were asked to submit a 5
