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HOT JOBS IN EVANSVILLE
Oak Hill to Participate in Rock Your School Day
Thursday, September 19, 2019
9:45 a.m.
Oak Hill School, 7700 Oak Hill Road
Making the school day fun and exciting is something teachers in the EVSC strive for everyday. Tomorrow, teachers at Oak Hill will be joining in a national program – Rock Your School Day – to create an outside-the-box educational experiences for students. During the event, sponsored by Get Your Teach One, teachers at Oak Hill will transform their classrooms and create a “theme” for the day, such as an apple escape in kindergarten, a first grade camping day, and more.
Media are invited to visit two sixth grade classrooms to see the transformations in action. One classroom will enjoy a “Starbucks” transformation, complete with donated supplies from local Starbucks locations. Another sixth grade class will have a mad science theme, complete with lab coats donated by Three I Design.
EVSC Plans Options Fair Oct. 2
Making learning fun and engaging is paramount in the EVSC, which is why the district is hosting an Options Fair for area eighth grade students and their families to learn more about the innovative options available in the district. The EVSC Options Fair is scheduled for Wednesday, October 2, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Southern Indiana Career and Technical Center, 1901 Lynch Road.
Enrollment for high school begins in November and the fair will give students and families a better understanding of the options that are available to them in which they can enroll. Informational booths will be set up and students will be able to speak with teachers and current students in a variety of programs.
The EVSC’s innovative options include five half-day programs: International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme; Randall T. Shepard Leadership & Law Academy; Medical Professions Academy; Early College High School; JROTC; as well as the Southern Indiana Career and Technical Center. Other full-day options include New Tech Institute and EVSC Virtual Academy.
Students who participate in one of the half-day innovative programs can still maintain their allegiance to their home high school and participate in athletics and other extra-curricular activities at their home school.
In addition to informational booths, each program will conduct two, 20-minute presentations. Presentations will be made at the following times:
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International Baccalaureate Degree Programme (IB): 5:35 p.m. and 6:35 p.m.
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EVSC Virtual Academy: 6:15 p.m. and 7:15 p.m.
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Randall T. Shepard Leadership and Law Academy: 6:15 p.m. and 7:15 p.m.
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Medical Professions Academy: 5:35 p.m. and 6:35 p.m.
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Early College High School: 5:55 p.m. and 6:55 p.m.
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JORTC: 6:15 p.m. and 6:55 p.m.
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Southern Indiana Career and Technical Education Center: 5:55 p.m. and 6:35 p.m.
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New Tech Institute: 5:55 p.m. and 6:55 p.m.
Program information:
International Baccalaureate: Housed at Bosse High School, EVSC’s IB program is one of only 22 in the state. It is a comprehensive liberal arts program that includes a rigorous college preparatory experience. To learn more, visit www.evscschools.com/ib.
JUST IN: Evansville Police Department (“EPDâ€) Declared That They Have No Confidence In Chief Billy Bolin As Chief Of The EPD
On September 18, 2019, officers of the Evansville Police Department (“EPDâ€) declared by vote that they have no confidence in Chief Billy Bolin as Chief of the EPD. All active officers of the EPD are members of the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 73. This is the first time in its history that the FOP Lodge 73 has held a vote of no confidence in its chief.
Chief Bolin has alleged on social media that the FOP leadership has “made fun†of his motto of “Be Nice.†This vote had nothing to do with whether Chief Bolin is a nice guy. Instead, the question is whether he effectively leads the EPD to ensure the safety of Evansville citizens and of the police officers who work under him. EPD officers have overwhelmingly stated that he does not.
The questions presented on the ballot and the results were as follows:
1. As an Evansville Police Officer, do you believe the citizens of Evansville are safer and crime has been reduced under Chief Bolin?
78% NO
2. Do you believe Chief Bolin ensures adequate staffing of motor patrol to provide for the safety of citizens?
84% NO
3. Does Chief Bolin prioritize the duties of law enforcement officers and the everyday functions of the Evansville Police Department over media relations?
82% NO
4. Has Chief Bolin’s elimination of the traditional chain of command improved performance and morale within the ranks of the Evansville Police Department?
80% NO
5. Are taxpayer dollars appropriately allocated within the Evansville Police Department under Chief Bolin?
72% NO
6. Are policies and procedures, including those pertaining to discipline, administered fairly and consistently within the Evansville Police Department under Chief Bolin?
77% NO
7. Do you have confidence in Chief Bolin’s ability to effectively lead the Evansville Police Department?
74% NO
Between 2010 and 2012, prior to Chief Bolin’s appointment as chief, Evansville recorded an average of 5 homicides per year; under Chief Bolin, the homicide average has risen to 13 per year. Prior to Chief Bolin’s appointment, the average number of assaults per year totaled 280; that average increased to 507 in 2016 and 2017. Perhaps most notably, the violent crime rate in Evansville has nearly doubled from 235.5 per population of 100,000 in 2011 to 402.1 in 2017. Meanwhile, the national crime rate during that same time frame remained steady.
Despite the rising crime rate, the number of motor patrol officers working the street has decreased. In 2011, the EPD employed 138 motor patrol officers. At the beginning of 2018, the EPD employed only 110 motor patrol officers. On most days, the EPD is at minimum staffing levels of patrol officers. This lack of manpower has resulted in slower response times and decreased the safety of our citizens. Officers often cannot proactively patrol our neighborhoods because there are too few of them to do anything other than respond to calls. The back-up times for officers are much slower because of the lack of manning, posing a risk to the safety of those officers. Although the FOP has attempted to address the manning issue with Chief Bolin many times, he consistently denies that the lack of staffing of motor patrol is an issue.
Rather than focusing on the safety of our citizens and the day-to-day operations of the department, Chief Bolin chooses to expend his energy, efforts, and taxpayer dollars on projects that are important to him. Although the FOP certainly agrees that community outreach is very important, the Chief’s projects and relationship with the media should not take precedence over public and officer safety. The Chief is quick to pay overtime to officers who work his special events; yet, the number of patrol cars available for officers to use to patrol our streets is grossly inadequate. Many officers are required to “double-up†in patrol cars or drive rundown vehicles because Chief Bolin chooses not to allocate funds for vehicles.
Chief Bolin’s poor decision-making with regard to personnel issues has also led to low morale within the EPD. Under Chief Bolin, good officers who perform their jobs well have been removed from their positions or reassigned contrary to the best interest of the department.
In short, the officers of the FOP have no confidence in Chief Bolin’s ability to effectively lead the EPD. Unfortunately, in the past, Chief Bolin has dismissed the officers’ concerns, stating to the FOP leadership that the concerns they have brought to him are the concerns of only a few who like to engage in, as Chief Bolin calls them, “boogeyman theories.†The FOP hopes that the outcome of this vote will lead Chief Bolin to realize that the concerns that have been brought to him are, in fact, real and need to be addressed. The FOP further hopes that this vote will effectuate change to better ensure the safety of Evansville citizens and police officers and improve the operations of the EPD.
The FOP President will hold a press conference at 3:30 p.m. on September 19, 2019, at the FOP Lodge, located at 801 Court Street.
Tam Sets Program Kill Mark In 3-2 Win Over Tennessee Tech
Aces Win Fifth Consecutive Match
 In another exciting night of action inside Meeks Family Fieldhouse, Rachel Tam reset the University of Evansville program kills mark as the Purple Aces earned a 3-2 win over Tennessee Tech. The win was the fifth in a row for the Aces, who are off to a 6-2 start in 2019.
Just three days after teammate Melanie Feliciano set the program kill record at 36, Tam tallied 39 kills in 75 attempts. Her tally puts her second all-time in Missouri Valley Conference, just one off of the record of 40.
“We knew that Rachel did not have her best games at the beginning but we knew what she could do,†Aces coach Fernando Morales said. “This is a fun group to coach, we have weapons everywhere. If it is not one girls night, another will step up.â€
Tam was extremely humble after breaking the record and was happier about the team win and improving her play.
“I did not come in trying to break the record tonight. I did not play well in the tournament and wanted to come out and have a better performance tonight,†she said. “All I wanted was to have the team win, that is the most important thing.â€
Feliciano finished the night with 19 kills while Alondra Vazquez finished with seven. Allana McInnis had another strong offensive effort. After setting her career mark with 65 assists on Saturday against Eastern Illinois, the junior posted 64 in the win over TTU. She also tied her career mark with 19 digs. Gabriela Macedo added 16 digs while Vazquez had 12 and Feliciano finished with 10. Freshman Hannah Watkins added five more block assists to her conference-leading average.
Tennessee Tech had a nice start to game one, jumping out to a 5-1 lead. Melanie Feliciano ended the stretch with a kill and the Aces started to battle back, taking their first lead at 12-11. Rachel Tam added a kill to extend the lead.  The Golden Eagles were able to end the threat to jump back in front at 15-14 before opening up their largest lead at 18-14. Cecilia Thon posted an ace to help Evansville tie it up before consecutive Tam kills put UE on top, 23-21. TTU fought back with two in a row but it was Tam coming through once again with the two clinching kills in a 26-24 win. She had nine in the game.
It was the Golden Eagles with another quick start out of the gate in the second game. After taking a 9-6 lead on an ace, TTU extended their advantage to five at 13-8. A pair of Hannah Watkins kills cut into the deficit before Tam’s 12th kill of the evening made it just a 1-point deficit (14-13). A double block from Watkins and Tam knotted the score at 15-15, but Tennessee Tech had another rally, pushing the lead back to 21-18 before knotting the match with a 25-21 decision.
A kill by Alondra Vazquez gave Evansville a 6-5 lead in game three before TTU rallied for an 11-7 advantage. The Aces came right back to tie it at 11-all on a block assist from Tam and Patricia Joseph. A Tam kill gave UE the lead, but the Golden Eagles came back with an 18-16 edge. Evansville came right back once again, tying it on a double block from Joseph and Vazquez. On the next play, Tam gave UE the lead with another kill. In a set that featured mini rallies by each team, TTU reeled off three straight to go back up by a pair and went on to win by a score of 25-23.
Service aces from Laura Ruiz and Cecilia Thon helped the Aces take a 4-2 lead. Tennessee Tech made it a 7-6 contest, but Evansville took control midway through the stanza when a Macedo ace extended the UE lead to 19-13. Ruiz added another service ace and the Aces forced the decisive 5th set with a 25-19 win.
Evansville kept the momentum rolling in the fifth and used a little bit of luck to take a 6-3 advantage. Melanie Feliciano dove to the ground to dig a ball from TTU and ended up landing it across the net in the perfect spot for her 16th kill as UE padded its lead. Tennessee Tech got within a pair at 9-7, but it was Tam providing the finishing touches, recording five more kills on her way to breaking the UE mark and leading the Aces to a 15-10 win in the fifth set.
This weekend, the Aces play their final non-conference tournament as they head to Martin, Tenn. for the Skyhawk Invitational. Evansville is slated to face UT Martin (12:30 p.m.) and Arkansas Little Rock (4:30 p.m.) on Friday before finishing with an 11 a.m. match on Saturday against Mercer.
Record Growth Continues In USI Graduate School Enrollment
For the seventh consecutive semester, the University of Southern Indiana has seen record-setting growth in its graduate enrollment. At 1,537, graduate student numbers are up 6.1% from last year, much of which can be attributed to the continued success of The Romain College of Business’ online MBA program. USI currently offers a total of 13 master’s programs and two doctoral programs.
“Our graduate programs, including our highly-successful MBA program, are prime examples of how we are innovating to meet the needs of our community, the region and beyond,†said Dr. Ronald S. Rochon, USI president. “A dual AACSB accreditation in business and accounting places our business college in an elite category shared by less than 2% of business schools worldwide. That’s a distinction that highlights the quality of the academic offerings we provide.â€
USI also welcomes the most academically well-prepared freshman class in its history. These 1,585 first-time-in-college students boast an average 3.44 GPA on a 4.0 high school scale. “USI has become a campus of choice for students who have high academic standards and goals,†said Rochon. “We focus on providing a high-quality education in an environment that is nurturing and prepares our students for all aspects of their lives.†The University has seen sustained growth in four-, five- and six-year graduation rates, another indicator of student quality and success.
In a highly competitive marketplace, overall USI enrollment for the 2019 fall semester, at 10,734, is down by 2.6% from 2018. This includes students in undergraduate and graduate degree programs and 2,044 students enrolled in dual credit including USI’s College Achievement Program (CAP) in 27 high schools across Indiana. CAP continues to be an important tool in enabling many students to graduate college in four years or less. Transfer enrollment stands at 509 students in 2019, compared to 519 in 2018.
Students at USI represent 91 Indiana counties, 42 states and 69 countries. In-state students make up 80% of the student body, while out-of-state enrollment, including international students make up 20%. Minority and international students are at a record high at 15.4%.
AG Curtis Hill Files Motion Supporting Trump Administration’s Clean Energy Rule
Attorney General Curtis Hill has filed a multistate motion supporting the Trump administration’s pro-coal Affordable Clean Energy Rule as it faces a court challenge. As part of a 20-state coalition, Attorney General Hill seeks to intervene in defense of the rule’s repeal of the so-called Clean Power Plan, an Obama-era regulation.
“We must keep energy clean and affordable while at the same time respecting each state’s individual authority to represent their own interests,†Attorney General Hill said. “We are capable of protecting both the environment and state sovereignty.â€
The Affordable Clean Energy Rule respects the important role of states in regulating energy and air quality. It is a step forward in embracing Congress’ intent for cooperation between the state and federal governments, correcting the previous one-size-fits-all model that threatened to devastate coal communities across the nation.
By promoting such cooperation, the Affordable Clean Energy Rule restores each state’s authority to consider factors specific to the energy needs and facilities in their borders, including costs, practical achievability and the useful life of any particular power plant.
Tickets On Sale For USI’s Historic New Harmony Atheneum 40th Anniversary
The University of Southern Indiana’s Historic New Harmony invites you to help celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the construction of the Atheneum Visitors Center in New Harmony, Indiana from Thursday, October 10 through Saturday, October 12.
Completed in 1979, the Atheneum is an internationally celebrated and award-winning example of modern architecture. Notable for its light and clean spaces, the Atheneum is a three-story building with a long ramp and overlaying grids that provide beautiful views of the town, Wabash River and surrounding countryside from just about anywhere inside and on the spacious viewing deck on the roof. It was designed so that visitors can take a specific path through the building and then emerge into New Harmony itself.
Charitable gifts and funds raised from these events will be used for renovations and upgrades to the Atheneum to ensure it remains a vibrant part of New Harmony’s landscape for many more years to come.
Tickets are currently on sale for a black and white themed reception, gala dinner, auction and after-party at USI.edu/atheneum40tickets. The dinner will be catered by Kyle Kellogg, chef at the Evansville Country Club. Additional information about the celebration, including panel discussion and speaker series events, can be found at USI.edu/atheneum40.