siuDE.com

For Todd Sigler, a recent disturbance at Woody Hall highlighted holes in university communication he hopes to clarify with new training for SIUC staff. Scott Toomsen, a freshman from Carbondale, was expelled June 24 after a causing a disturbance at Woody Hall June 17.… Post the First Comment

Three former students who accused the university of discrimination after they were suspended for hazing in 2004 do not have a federal case, an appeals court ruled last week. The plaintiffs claimed the university treated them more harshly than white students who had committed the same actions, as well as deprived them of the right to due process during disciplinary hearings, according to court documents.… 4 Comments

A recently expelled student said Wednesday he is innocent of claims that he purposely struck the car of an administrator two days after he reportedly made threats in her office. Scott Toomsen, a 38-year-old undecided freshman of Carbondale, was expelled June 24 for charges that included threatening Director of Disability Services Kathleen Plesko and staff two days before he hit Plesko's car at a red light.… 4 Comments

Mark Robinson has driven Reba McIntyre and the foreign minister of Afghanistan. But he won't talk about it. Robinson, who chauffeured in private business before he became transportation assistant manager in the SIUC travel service department, protects his clients' privacy with a simple credo: "What happens in the sedan stays in the sedan.… Post the First Comment

Gary Kolb has inhabited his office for more than a year. He said he hopes he can unpack soon. Kolb was offered and accepted the dean's slot for the College of Mass Communication and Media Arts, interim Provost Don Rice confirmed last week. Now Kolb is waiting for his contract to be finalized so he can unpack the boxes that have been full since May 2007, when he temporarily took over for former Dean Manjunath Pendakur.… 7 Comments

SIUC hopes a hired firm can help the university take its first step in its new First-Year Experience program. Mark Amos, head of the committee to develop First-Year Experience, said SIUC is interested in hiring the Policy Center on First Year of College. It would implement its specialized plan that focuses on retention and creation of a plan to help the university develop an easy transition for incoming freshmen.… 15 Comments