While the holiday season invites shoppers to take advantage of their credit cards, credit scores may be impacted.

Increased holiday shopping can affect a credit card user's rating. For students who are working to establish credit, financial experts advise consumers to consider what they can repay before making a purchase.

Finance department chair Mark Peterson said consumers should understand how credit scores are calculated in order to understand the impact extra shopping will have. He said a credit score is determined by how much of a "credit risk" a person poses.

" The one that carries the most weight is the payment history that one has,” he said. “So if you make payments on credit cards ... whether you've been late, whether you've paid off an entire loan, that is the number one factor in the credit score."

Peterson said situations such as late rent payment factor into this

Since two attempted robberies and aggravated batteries have occurred at the university within the last month, o! cers in the Department of Public Safety are encouraging students to be safe when walking on campus.

Safety alerts were posted on the Department of Public Safety's website Nov. 16 and Dec. 5 a" er attempted strong-arm robberies — where no weapons were used — and aggravated battery incidents were reported Nov. 13 and Dec. 3.

Both incidents were reported near the west side of the Recreation Center. Although the incidents remain under investigation, police are warning students to remain cautious of walking in dark areas at night.

Todd Sigler, director of the Department of Public Safety, said the department has no indication the incidents were related, but police are considering comparisons in the investigations.

Sigler said the department has increased patrol in the area, and as a result, a recent incident was avoided.

"Last weekend there was a # ght that was going to take place, but because our o! cers were there it was di$ used," he said.

% e victims of both cases reported the suspects attempted to take items from their pockets. Russell % omas, a police o! cer with the DPS, said students should be cautious in trying to retain their belongings in an attempted robbery.

"If it appears they have a weapon, I don't know that it's a good idea to # ght those kinds of people," he said.

In both occurrences, there were two victims who were approached by more than one suspect, according to the DPS website. % e report states during the Dec. 3 incident three men were reported to have attacked two victims who were walking along the west side of the Recreation Center at around 11:45 p.m. % e suspects battered the two victims and attempted to "ri& e through their pockets in a search for valuables," according to the report. No items were tak en.

During the Nov. 13 incident, the two victims reported to police two students approached them from behind and punched them several times on their backs.

"% e suspects then attempted to grab the victims' wallets from their back pockets, but were unsuccessful," the report stated. % e victims escaped without injuries, according to the report.

% e two suspects were seen in a group of six people before the attack, which happened at 1:30 a.m., according to the DPS website.

% omas said the buddy system can be used to avoid becoming a victim of robbery or battery, as well as staying in well-lit areas at night.

"If you get into a dark area there's always an opportunity for somebody to take advantage of you," he said.

% omas said an alternate route to walking along the Recreation Center's west side, near where both crimes took place, is to take Washington Street.

Reaching safety should

SIU police investigateattempted robberies

Holiday shopping could lead to poor credit scores for studentsLAUREN DUNCANDaily Egyptian

Please see CREDIT | 3

CITY CAMPUS SPORTS

William Burris, a freshman from Rockford studying physical therapy, washes his 1996 Cadillac Monday at a car wash near Grand Avenue. Burris, a Vietnam veteran who served as a boatswain’s mate for the Navy, said he is

going back home for the holidays and will fill his gas tank with the money he made from selling back a textbook. He said his Cadillac is made for the open road. “It’s like laying on a couch and watching TV,” Burris said.

STEVE MATZKER | DAILY EGYPTIAN

Please see BATTERY | 3

LAUREN DUNCANDaily Egyptian

SABRINA IMMUNDO | DAILY EGYPTIAN

SOURCE: SALLIE MAE, INC. "HOW UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS USE CREDIT CARDS"

Warmer weather allows time for a wash

Lindsay was 3-4 from beyond the arc, and he has been the only consistent threat at the three-point line since sophomore guard Diamond Taylor went into a funk these last two games. Taylor only scored one three-pointer Sunday,

which was one point better than his performance against Western Kentucky.

Swan has continued to develop as the team’s point guard. He had only one assist, but that’s one more than he had in his last game against Western Kentucky. He also turned the ball over only once as opposed to the seven turnovers he

committed against WKU.As a team, SIU records only

8.7 assists per game, which ranks 333 out of a possible 338 teams. Distributing the ball has been an issue for the team with the early season shu! ing of the lineups, but help could be on the way soon.

Lowery said a" er the game that junior guard Kendal Brown-Surles

could be back as early as Saturday’s game at Northern Illinois. Brown sat out every game this season thus far to focus on academics, and he will probably start at point guard as he did in 19 games last year.

SIU played with only four players on the bench for the second consecutive game, with senior guard Justin Bocot still

under investigation for an alleged sexual assault and freshman forward Dantiel Daniels still out with a pulled groin. There hasn’t been a timetable set for either players’ return.

Joe Ragusa can be reached at jragusa@dailyegyptian.com or

536-3311 ext. 269.

D#$%& E'&()$#*S!"#$%Tuesday, December 13, 2011 11MEN’S BASKETBALLCONTINUED FROM 12

LAKE FOREST — A tough loss lingered for the Chicago Bears on Monday and coach Lovie Smith called the 13-10 overtime defeat in Denver one of the most di+ cult he has ever experienced.

It was the Bears’ third straight loss, dropping them to 7-6 and putting their playo, hopes in jeopardy as they face a home game Sunday against Seattle.

It was how they lost to the Broncos that was really eating at them the day a" er.

Two crucial mistakes by running back Marion Barber hurt the Bears in the - nal stages, and they blew a 10-0 lead a" er they had pretty much put the clamps on Tim Tebow for three quarters.

“It’s going to sting for a while. Giving up a lead like that. ... You

are going to have losses but losing games like that really hurts,” tight end Matt Spaeth said.

. e plane ride home was a quiet one as the players tried to cope with what had happened.

“Just stunned, I would say would be the best word to put it,” Spaeth said. "Nobody thought we would have lost that game the way we did.”

Tebow completed only three of his - rst 16 pass attempts through three quarters, then hit 18 of 24 in the - nal quarter and overtime against a tiring Bears’ defense.

Chicago led 10-7 and the Broncos were out of timeouts with about two minutes to go. Barber, who ran hard all day and gained 108 yards on 27 carries, then inexplicably went out of bounds, stopping the clock. It eventually gave the Broncos extra time and they moved in for a game-tying - eld goal, a 59-yarder by Matt

Prater that forced overtime.Barber then fumbled in

overtime at the Denver 33 as the Bears were driving. . en it was Tebow time, and he led the Broncos into position for Prater's game-winner.

“De- nitely one of the toughest ones I've had to deal with, we’ve had to deal with,” said Smith. “We normally celebrate when we have a game in control like that late in the game. We haven’t been in this position very o" en, if at all. We don’t like it, but it’s how we respond and we will respond.”

With Caleb Hanie still struggling but not throwing any interceptions in his third game replacing the injured Jay Cutler, the Bears' running attack had some tenacity behind Barber, who was the featured back with Matt Forte injured.

But with Bears on the cusp of

being able to run out the clock, he went out of bounds a" er - ghting for extra yards and the clock stopped.

“Whether it’s mental or not, it’s something that shouldn’t happen but it did. And things like that do happen. Marion would tell you ... to stay in bounds, he was trying to stay in bounds, he should stay in bounds,” Smith said. “But you know sometimes trying to get a few more yards, it’s best to get down.”

And how down was Barber a" er his two ga, es? He seldom speaks to the media, so no one was sure.

“He’s a veteran, he’s a football player and that’s how it goes when you play ball,” Smith said. “. ere are going to be some days like this where you just have a terrible feeling deep down and it would really be bad if that was the last game you get a chance to play in. But that’s not the case.”

A" er facing the Seahawks, a team

they beat in the playo, s last year to get to the NFC championship game, the Bears go to Lambeau Field and face the Packers, who could be 14-0 at the time. . en it’s a season - nale on New Year’s Day against the Vikings in Minneapolis.

Somehow the Bears must put the Denver debacle behind them.

“As big as the game is this weekend coming up, there was so much - ght and heart put into this past game, it is incredibly hard to walk away from,” Bears safety Craig Steltz said.

“At 7-6 we’re on the outside looking in. You lose three in a row this time of year, you are normally not in a great position,” Smith said. “But we are in position still. And that’s what we have to keep in mind. We have to get a win. . e Seattle game was an important game, no matter what happened yesterday.”

RICK GANOAssociated Press

Smith, Bears try to shake o! devastating defeat

High school senior Sam Strus, a forward for the Carbondale High School Terriers, listens to a pregame talk from head coach Jim Miller Saturday against the Marion High School Wildcats during the Saluki Shootout at the SIU Arena. Strus is the only senior on the team, and Miller said it is a tough spot to be in.

“Being a senior is a lot of responsibility, especially when you’re the only senior,” Miller said. Strus had a rough game Saturday with a technical foul at the end of the first half and enough fouls to foul out of the game at the end of the second. The Terriers lost 59-55.

ISSAC SMITH | DAILY EGYPTIAN

Tough time to be a Terrier

D!"#$ E%$&'"!( E!"#"$%& Tuesday, December 13 , 20112

Today Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

57°32°

40% chance of precipitation

30% chance of precipitation

20% chance of precipitation

30% chance of precipitation

20% chance of precipitation

49°45°

61°56°

41°30°

43°30°

DEDaily Egyptian

About Us) e D!"#$ E%$&'"!( is published by the students of Southern Illinois University Carbondale 50 weeks

per year, with an average daily circulation of 20,000. Fall and spring semester editions run Monday through Friday. Summer editions run Tuesday through ) ursday. All intersession editions will run on Wednesdays. Spring break and ) anksgiving editions are distributed on Mondays of the pertaining weeks. Free copies are distributed in the Carbondale, Murphysboro and Carterville communities. ) e D!"#$ E%$&'"!( online publication can be found at www.dailyegyptian.com.

Copyright Information© 2011 D!"#$ E%$&'"!(. All rights reserved. All content is property of the D!"#$ E%$&'"!( and may not

be reproduced or transmitted without consent. ) e D!"#$ E%$&'"!( is a member of the Illinois College Press Association, Associated Collegiate Press and College Media Advisers Inc.

Mission Statement) e D!"#$ E%$&'"!(, the student-run newspaper of Southern Illinois University Carbondale, is com-

mitted to being a trusted source of news, information, commentary and public discourse, while helping readers understand the issues a* ecting their lives.

CHICAGO — The state of Illinois' billion-dollar prepaid college tuition program has stopped selling new contracts, at the same time as a new study found the fund has a 30 percent shortfall.

The Illinois Student Assistance Commission plans to give Gov. Pat Quinn and lawmakers comprehensive recommendations on fixing the 13-year-old, $1.1 billion College Illinois program, commission chairwoman Kym Hubbard tells Crain's Chicago Business. That should happen early next year.

Hubbard said she is confident about the program's future.

"But final decisions must be made by the governor and the General Assembly," she said.

The recommendations could include asking universities and parents who buy new contracts to assume some risks from tuition inflation.

More than 30,000 Illinois families hold contracts for more than 50,000 students in College Illinois, which lets parents lock in tuition costs at public universities years before students go to college. The commission stopped selling contracts on Oct. 1.

A study from March of this year found a 30 percent shortfall in the program. That's the same

shortfall found in June 2010, but the new report incorporates lower forecasts on investment returns.

State Rep. Jim Durkin, a Western Springs Republican, plans to introduce legislation in 2012 that would make College Illinois more transparent. Durkin owns a College Illinois contract for his daughter.

"It is important that families know at all times where the fund stands," Durkin said. "At this time advertising, administrative costs, salaries and operational costs are all draining the investment fund and this must stop immediately."

Hubbard said she supports Durkin's efforts.

Ill. prepaid tuition program stops new contracts

D!"#$ E%$&'"!(N!"#Tuesday, December 13, 2011 3

Reaching safety should be the ) rst concern of a victim in an incident, * omas said. However, he said if a person is able to see an attacker, details of what they saw or heard can be helpful to police. He said a victim should look for distinctive features such as tattoos, jewelry, haircut, shoes, or even

speech in order for police to have a better description of who the suspect may be.

"Every little detail we can get will help us," he said.

Although how to avoid becoming a victim of a battery or robbery may not be on the mind of a person each time they are out walking alone at night, * omas said getting into the habit of walking alone can increase a person's risk of

involvement in an incident."You may walk on the west

side of the (Recreation) Center a hundred times, and one time something might happen," he said. "How many times have people walked by there and not had a problem? Now we have two incidents."

Both incidents occurred a+ er the Recreation Center had closed.

"* is is an unusual situation

where you have more than two victims, and it's very unusual for somebody to take them on like that," he said.

If the victims had not been together, but alone, * omas said he believes the incident could have ended di, erently.

Rod Sievers, spokesman for the university, said there has not been new information in the investigation of the case.

Information regarding the description of the suspects is available on the Department of Public Safety website, www.dps.siu.edu. Sigler said anyone with information regarding the case is encouraged to contact the DPS or Crimestoppers.

Lauren Duncan can be reached at lduncan@dailyegyptian.com

or 536-3311 ext. 259.

BATTERYCONTINUED FROM 1

"Any time you're delinquent on paying a bill, the institution that you're paying the bill to will report that to the credit bureau," he said. "So you want to make full payment and pay it on time and that will establish good payment history."

LaCharles Ward, a graduate student in speech communication from Chicago, said he has never made a late payment. He said he uses two cards, a regular credit card and a store credit card. Ward said it made sense to sign up for the retailer’s card because most of his shopping happens at Banana Republic.

While some shoppers are sent a noti) cation letter of credit card approval, Ward said he was approved on the spot because of his good credit score. However, Ward said those who don't have a job shouldn't take on a credit card.

"It becomes really taxing ... people see the amount of money and they think they can use it all," he said. “But it’s just the maximum they can spend, not the amount of money they have.”

While paying bills on time can help

a credit score, paying them early can boost the score even more.

"I get my payments in weeks before they're due," Ward said.

Establishing credit may be limited for students who have struggled to pay bills on time or do not initially qualify for a credit card. However, Stacy Callahan, vice president of lending at SIU Credit Union, said the institution will grant customers a $500 Visa even if they have no credit.

"We start them out and see how they do with the $500 one, and a+ er a year if they've maintained it and paid everything on time, we'll up it to $750 and build from there," she said.

Callahan said the credit union has seen students come in who want to establish credit for the ) rst time. Although she said it is considered a risk to help someone establish credit, the credit union has found it to be bene) cial.

"We do have some losses, but not to where it's not worth doing it anymore," she said.

When it comes to loans, Callahan said, a credit score could a, ect whether a student may be able to take one out a+ er graduating.

"Every time you get a loan or

apply for a credit card, that's how they determine your rate," she said. "* e worse your score, the worse your rate, so the more you pay."

Callahan said numbers at the credit union show shoppers tend to make late holiday-season payments, but the institution has taken that trend into account.

"Our delinquency is a little higher during December and January, but we have started to o, er a skip-a-pay, so if you're in good standing with us, we'll let you skip your December or January payment to help with the Christmas holiday," she said. "But that's if you're in good standing, so that's a reason why you need to keep your credit good."

While some shoppers may consider the impact of their holiday spending on their credit scores, credit scores are not a concern for others because they have yet to establish any credit.

Peterson said one suggestion for a student to establish credit is to have a good relationship with a bank.

"If you have a long-term relationship with your bank or credit union, you could take out a loan from them, because they know your history if you've been a depositor or a member

of a credit union for a long period of time," he said.

Peterson said he co-signed on a credit card when his son in college turned 18 because the credit union would not give him a card without a co-signer.

"Previously, when we would buy a computer for him, I might buy it, or he would pay in cash, but now he buys it using his credit card," he said. "It seems to make sense for college students to ) nd someone who can co-sign on a credit card and establish credit that way, and make sure the bill is paid on time and in full and it will look pretty good on the credit history.”

According to the Credit Card Act, which was signed into law in May 2009, a person must be 21 to sign up for a credit card unless he or she has a co-signer or can prove they have the money to repay the debt. While students are o+ en warned against signing up for credit cards because of the risk it poses to those who are working to establish a means of income, Peterson said he recommends credit cards to the responsible student.

"I can't imagine being in college and on my own and not having a credit card," he said.

Peterson said if a student was in a situation where they needed a car, for example, they would need a credit card to rent one.

"Now, if you misuse it, and you're buying things you cannot a, ord and you don't need, then it's horrible for you ) nancially to do that," he said. "But if you're a disciplined consumer, credit cards are almost a must."

Peterson said he recommends graduates to work and pay o, their bills with the highest ) nancing charges or interest ) rst, and bills should be paid o, as early as possible.

“* at's not to say you need to deprive yourself of everything, but use good judgment when you're purchasing new things and you're already in debt, because student loans for example have to be paid back,” he said. “You can't just walk away from them, so it's going to require some discipline."

Peterson said he recommends students check their free credit scores every year, which are available through the three major credit bureaus, Equifax, Experian and Transunion.

Lauren Duncan can be reached at lduncan@dailyegyptian.com

or at 536-3311 ext. 259.

CREDITCONTINUED FROM 1

D!"#$ E%$&'"!(C!"##$%$&'#Tuesday, December 13, 2011 9D!"#$ E%$&'"!( N!"# Tuesday, December 13, 20114

SIU campus smokier than most) ere is a higher percentage

of smokers on SIU’s campus compared to others, according to recent statistics.

SIU has a higher smoking rate than the national average for all colleges, according to the 2010 Core Institute Survey.

According to the Institute — the country’s largest national Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug database for college students’ drinking, tobacco and drug use — 19 percent of SIU students reported smoking on a regular basis, which is comparable to the nation’s 13.4 percent average.

Michelle McLernon, outreach program coordinator at the Wellness Center, said people are in* uenced by friends and other social groups who smoke. Non-smokers go to parties over the weekend with friends who smoke and tend to feel pressured to join in, she said.

“) e danger in that is ... all of a sudden it’s not just the weekends,” she said. “You kind of have this craving for a cigarette at other times, and eventually the addiction kicks in and you can’t control it.”

Deonta Taggett, a junior from Chicago studying radio-television, said he didn’t start smoking until he came to college.

“I smoked just to try it, but I don’t o+ en,” Taggett said. “(I)

usually (smoke) only if o, ered, and even then it’s rare.”

Nearly 47 million Americans reported smoking on a regular basis, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. However, tobacco use has signi- cantly declined during the last 45 years.

) e CDC estimates that tobacco use causes one in - ve deaths and costs U.S. consumers more than $193 billion a year.

Cigarette smoking among consumers declined 50 percent between 1965 to 2009, according to the survey. In 1965, 42 percent of American adults smoked. In 2009, however, the survey reports the number has dropped to 21 percent.

Tobacco use is slowing among American adults, but the survey shows there are some areas where it’s more prevalent than others. SIU in particular has a high smoking rate.

McLernon said nearly 30 percent of SIU students reported smoking in social groups, compared to the

national 25 percent who report the same activity.

Chun Hsien Wu, a graduate assistant in Africana studies from Taiwan, said he started smoking when he was 20 because of peer pressure.

“I don’t encourage people to smoke a lot because I don’t smoke a lot,” he said.

McLernon said smoking can be difficult to resist when a person is young and constantly

surrounded by smokers. She said the peer pressure may be too much for a person.

Stress relief is another reason students say they smoke.

“Sometimes if I feel tired or if I’m stressed, I would smoke a cigarette to help me calm down or relax,” Wu said.

McLernon said nicotine does tend to have a calming e, ect on people, so it wouldn’t be surprising

for a student to use smoking as a stress antidote.

“) ey’ll calm down once they have that cigarette and it helps reduce some of their stress,” McLernon said. “Unfortunately it’s going to cause them long-term concerns later in life.”

Clayton Armstrong can be reached at carmstrong@dailyegyptian.com

or 536-3311 ext. 265.

CLAYTON ARMSTRONGDaily Egyptian

Bruce Perschbacher smokes a cigar at Yesteryear Tobacconists Monday while preparing for a large shipment of rare cigars. He and his wife Patti own

the shop on Illinois Avenue. Perschbacher, who sells various types of tobacco, said people smoke for different reasons.

SARAH GARDNER | DAILY EGYPTIAN

I smoked just to try it, but I don’t often,” Taggett

said. “(I) usually (smoke) only if offered, and even then it’s rare.

— Deonta TaggettJunior from Chicago

studying radio-television

D!"#$ E%$&'"!(Tuesday, December 13, 2011 5

PICTURED LEFT: Heather McDonald, a veterinary technician, holds Oliver after he was neutered Monday at Wright-Way Rescue in Murphysboro. According to Manager Blake Bramlett, Wright-Way is a no-kill shelter that was founded eight years ago in a garage. After the cats are spayed or neutered, Wright-Way works with Petco to help the animals get adopted.

PICTURED BELOW: A golden retriever and chow chow puppy sleeps against his cage Monday at Wright-Way Rescue in Murphysboro. According to manager Blake Bramlett, all animals brought to Wright-Way are spayed or neutered, dewormed, microchipped and vaccinated. The shelter only accepts animals with a “no bite” history, and they call local kill shelters in the mornings to try and rescue animals on the "kill list." Bramlett said they try to get the animals adopted within 14 days, but that’s not always the case. Max, a three-year-old pit bull-terrier mix, has been at Wright-Way for more than a year now. “The shorter time the better,” Bramlett said. “This is more of a transition place until they can find a loving home.”

PAT SUTPHINDAILY EGYPTIAN

Waiting for a good home

Alumnus awarded for dedication to serviceAt a young age, Larry Bailey said

he learned the importance of giving and sharing resources with others.

“Service to me is for the bene) t of mankind, because when you do things for the human race as a whole, it makes things a lot more pleasant, a lot easier and it continues to make things grow for the next generation,” he said.

Bailey, an SIU alumnus with a Bachelor's in accounting, will be awarded the Distinguished Service Award at the May 2012 commencement for his devotion to service. Bailey, a Washington D.C. native, graduated from SIUC in 1972.

* e award is reserved for those who contribute to the southern Illinois area, the state and the university, according to a university press release. * e press release also stated both current and former university employees are eligible for the award, except in the year they retire.

Bailey is a founder of Blacks Interested in Business, a group based on raising awareness and opportunities for minorities in business. With more than 26 years of experience, he was the ) rst African American tax partner at Peat Marwick and Coopers and Lybrand, which are now known as KPMG and PricewaterhouseCoopers LLC.

Dennis Cradit, dean of the College of Business who works with the college's external advisory board, said Bailey has always been an example for students, not only in the professional world but also in society.

"* is is a nomination that went to a university-wide committee, and there was absolutely no question that this is the type of individual that is not only a role model for the College of Business, but a role model for the entire university," he said.

A+ er graduating from SIU, Bailey received his master's in ) nance from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. He is a member of

Wharton's Alumni Association and has served on the Graduate Executive Board since 2001. He is a licensed certi) ed public accountant in the state of Maryland and the District of Columbia. He is also a member of the National Association of Black Accountants, an organization focused on the concerns of minorities entering the accounting profession.

Since 2000, he has been involved with the Corporate Council on Africa, a council working with governments, groups and businesses to improve the trade, and investment climate in Africa. Bailey has also been a member of Africare, a group focused on improving quality of life for people in Africa.

He said of all his accomplishments, it was the education he received at SIU that gave him the platform to be successful.

"A lot of the foundation that gave me the ability to be able to do that, I obtained at SIU," he said.

Bailey said it takes time and

resources to be able to give back.He said his involvement in

groups such as Blacks Interested in Business, Africare, and his role as a vice chairman and treasurer of CCA, allowed him to see how he could not only help underrepresented populations, but also how he could contribute to society as a whole.

“How do we get blacks to be more involved in business so that it doesn’t just bene) t our community but it bene) ts the whole country?" Bailey said. "In today’s society, you can’t just look at how something a, ects black people. You have to look at how black people are a part of a whole macro world."

Michael Haywood, director of minority a, airs for the College of Business, said he has known Bailey more than 30 years. He said Bailey has a vision to help people around the world and a success story students can look to for inspiration.

“He is an excellent example to students of how all it takes is potential

and hard work," Haywood said. "If the youth today would take a look at his past and his accomplishments, they would see not only did Larry do great things, but they have the potential to do even greater things."

Now retired, Bailey is the president of LDB consulting, Inc. He provides ) nancial and tax consulting services to corporations, small businesses and individuals. He said he hopes the people he encounters are motivated to help others in the same way he helped them.

“When you’re in service, you don’t go out and try to accomplish anything. You just go out and serve," he said. "I hope people continue to be concerned and involved, not about themselves, but about other people. * at’s the real legacy you leave, is when people ... feel that the things you have done are worth carrying on."

Jacqueline Muhammad can be reached at 536-3311ext. 259

or at jmuhammad@dailyegyptian.com.

JACQUELINE MUHAMMADDaily Egyptian

N!"#

D!"#$ E%$&'"!( Tuesday, December 13, 20116 N!"# D!"#$ E%$&'"!(N!"#Tuesday, December 13, 2011 7

NEW YORK — Fears that persisting economic woes would increase child abuse in the U.S. have proved unfounded, according to the latest federal data.

A comprehensive new report, to be formally unveiled Wednesday, shows overall abuse and neglect ) gures declining slightly between 2008 and 2010, and child fatalities dropping by 8.5 percent during that span.

"* e recession hasn't had the draconian e+ ect that some feared," said Richard Gelles, dean of the University of Pennsylvania's School of Social Policy and Practice and an expert on child welfare. "* e doom and gloom predictions haven't come true."

* e annual report from the Department of Health and Human Services said the estimated number of victimized children dropped from 716,000 in the 2008 ) scal year, when the recession began, to 695,000 in 2010. * at's down from 825,000 in 2006.

* e rate of abuse — factoring in cases where some children were abused more than once during the year — was 10 per 1,000 children, down from 10.3 in 2008, to reach the lowest level since the current tracking system began in 1990.

* e number of fatalities from abuse and neglect has dropped markedly, from an estimated 1,720 in 2008 and 1,750 in 2009 to 1,560 last year. About 80 percent of those killed were 3 or younger.

Overall, 78 percent of victims su+ ered neglect, nearly 18 percent were physically abused and 9.2 percent were sexually abused. * e report tallied 63,527 children who were sexually abused in 2010 — a drop from 65,964 in 2009 and down more than 55 percent from the peak of about 150,000 in 1992.

* e report, formally known as the National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System, is based on input from child protection agencies in every state. According to its data, about 80 percent of abuse perpetrators are parents, and 6 percent are other relatives of the victims.

Federal o, cials welcomed the new data, but added words of caution.

"We are heartened to see maltreatment on the decline, but even one child being a victim of abuse and neglect is too many," said George Sheldon, HHS acting assistant secretary for children and families. "* e report reminds us of the continuing need for investment in prevention e+ orts and the importance of coordination between federal, state and local agencies."

Sociologist David Finkelhor, director of the University of New Hampshire's Crimes Against Children Research Center, said some of the new data might re- ect methodological changes as well as lower levels of abuse. For example, the number of abuse-related child fatalities in California dropped in part because the state changed the parameters for how it tallied them.

Finkelhor also noted that a recent study led by Dr. Rachel Berger of Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh documented an increase in head-trauma injuries to infants during the recession.

Overall, however, Finkelhor said the federal report was evidence of a sustained decrease in the prevalence of serious child abuse.

"It shows that whatever processes are involved in the decline are fairly deeply rooted, so they aren't being reversed by the considerable adversity that families are experiencing," he said.

Among the likely factors, he suggested, are greater public awareness about child abuse, wider use of psychiatric medications by adults who might have abusive tendencies, and more knowledge among parents of good child-rearing practices.

"No one should take this as a sign of victory, but it is encouraging and suggests that the things we've been doing are helping, and we should be doing more of them," Finkelhor said.

Gelles, the University of Pennsylvania professor, noted that a range of social problems did not worsen during the recent recession, despite some fears to the contrary — the overall crime rate was down, for example, and welfare caseloads did not surge.

“Economic disadvantage in the U.S. may not be so bad that it has a one-to-one relationship with the abuse of children," Gelles said. "* e life preservers still function."

DAVID CRARYAssoicated Press

US data shows continuing drop in child abuse

D!"#$ E%$&'"!(N!"#Tuesday, December 13, 2011 7

NEW YORK — Fears that persisting economic woes would increase child abuse in the U.S. have proved unfounded, according to the latest federal data.

A comprehensive new report, to be formally unveiled Wednesday, shows overall abuse and neglect ) gures declining slightly between 2008 and 2010, and child fatalities dropping by 8.5 percent during that span.

"* e recession hasn't had the draconian e+ ect that some feared," said Richard Gelles, dean of the University of Pennsylvania's School of Social Policy and Practice and an expert on child welfare. "* e doom and gloom predictions haven't come true."

* e annual report from the Department of Health and Human Services said the estimated number of victimized children dropped from 716,000 in the 2008 ) scal year, when the recession began, to 695,000 in 2010. * at's down from 825,000 in 2006.

* e rate of abuse — factoring in cases where some children were abused more than once during the year — was 10 per 1,000 children, down from 10.3 in 2008, to reach the lowest level since the current tracking system began in 1990.

* e number of fatalities from abuse and neglect has dropped markedly, from an estimated 1,720 in 2008 and 1,750 in 2009 to 1,560 last year. About 80 percent of those killed were 3 or younger.

Overall, 78 percent of victims su+ ered neglect, nearly 18 percent were physically abused and 9.2 percent were sexually abused. * e report tallied 63,527 children who were sexually abused in 2010 — a drop from 65,964 in 2009 and down more than 55 percent from the peak of about 150,000 in 1992.

* e report, formally known as the National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System, is based on input from child protection agencies in every state. According to its data, about 80 percent of abuse perpetrators are parents, and 6 percent are other relatives of the victims.

Federal o, cials welcomed the new data, but added words of caution.

"We are heartened to see maltreatment on the decline, but even one child being a victim of abuse and neglect is too many," said George Sheldon, HHS acting assistant secretary for children and families. "* e report reminds us of the continuing need for investment in prevention e+ orts and the importance of coordination between federal, state and local agencies."

Sociologist David Finkelhor, director of the University of New Hampshire's Crimes Against Children Research Center, said some of the new data might re- ect methodological changes as well as lower levels of abuse. For example, the number of abuse-related child fatalities in California dropped in part because the state changed the parameters for how it tallied them.

Finkelhor also noted that a recent study led by Dr. Rachel Berger of Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh documented an increase in head-trauma injuries to infants during the recession.

Overall, however, Finkelhor said the federal report was evidence of a sustained decrease in the prevalence of serious child abuse.

"It shows that whatever processes are involved in the decline are fairly deeply rooted, so they aren't being reversed by the considerable adversity that families are experiencing," he said.

Among the likely factors, he suggested, are greater public awareness about child abuse, wider use of psychiatric medications by adults who might have abusive tendencies, and more knowledge among parents of good child-rearing practices.

"No one should take this as a sign of victory, but it is encouraging and suggests that the things we've been doing are helping, and we should be doing more of them," Finkelhor said.

Gelles, the University of Pennsylvania professor, noted that a range of social problems did not worsen during the recent recession, despite some fears to the contrary — the overall crime rate was down, for example, and welfare caseloads did not surge.

“Economic disadvantage in the U.S. may not be so bad that it has a one-to-one relationship with the abuse of children," Gelles said. "* e life preservers still function."

DAVID CRARYAssoicated Press

US data shows continuing drop in child abuse

D!"#$ E%$&'"!( N!"# Tuesday, December 13 , 20118 D!"#$ E%$&'"!(Tuesday, December 13, 2011 5

PICTURED LEFT: Heather McDonald, a veterinary technician, holds Oliver after he was neutered Monday at Wright-Way Rescue in Murphysboro. According to Manager Blake Bramlett, Wright-Way is a no-kill shelter that was founded eight years ago in a garage. After the cats are spayed or neutered, Wright-Way works with Petco to help the animals get adopted.

PICTURED BELOW: A golden retriever and chow chow puppy sleeps against his cage Monday at Wright-Way Rescue in Murphysboro. According to manager Blake Bramlett, all animals brought to Wright-Way are spayed or neutered, dewormed, microchipped and vaccinated. The shelter only accepts animals with a “no bite” history, and they call local kill shelters in the mornings to try and rescue animals on the "kill list." Bramlett said they try to get the animals adopted within 14 days, but that’s not always the case. Max, a three-year-old pit bull-terrier mix, has been at Wright-Way for more than a year now. “The shorter time the better,” Bramlett said. “This is more of a transition place until they can find a loving home.”

PAT SUTPHINDAILY EGYPTIAN

Waiting for a good home

Alumnus awarded for dedication to serviceAt a young age, Larry Bailey said

he learned the importance of giving and sharing resources with others.

“Service to me is for the bene) t of mankind, because when you do things for the human race as a whole, it makes things a lot more pleasant, a lot easier and it continues to make things grow for the next generation,” he said.

Bailey, an SIU alumnus with a Bachelor's in accounting, will be awarded the Distinguished Service Award at the May 2012 commencement for his devotion to service. Bailey, a Washington D.C. native, graduated from SIUC in 1972.

* e award is reserved for those who contribute to the southern Illinois area, the state and the university, according to a university press release. * e press release also stated both current and former university employees are eligible for the award, except in the year they retire.

Bailey is a founder of Blacks Interested in Business, a group based on raising awareness and opportunities for minorities in business. With more than 26 years of experience, he was the ) rst African American tax partner at Peat Marwick and Coopers and Lybrand, which are now known as KPMG and PricewaterhouseCoopers LLC.

Dennis Cradit, dean of the College of Business who works with the college's external advisory board, said Bailey has always been an example for students, not only in the professional world but also in society.

"* is is a nomination that went to a university-wide committee, and there was absolutely no question that this is the type of individual that is not only a role model for the College of Business, but a role model for the entire university," he said.

A+ er graduating from SIU, Bailey received his master's in ) nance from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. He is a member of

Wharton's Alumni Association and has served on the Graduate Executive Board since 2001. He is a licensed certi) ed public accountant in the state of Maryland and the District of Columbia. He is also a member of the National Association of Black Accountants, an organization focused on the concerns of minorities entering the accounting profession.

Since 2000, he has been involved with the Corporate Council on Africa, a council working with governments, groups and businesses to improve the trade, and investment climate in Africa. Bailey has also been a member of Africare, a group focused on improving quality of life for people in Africa.

He said of all his accomplishments, it was the education he received at SIU that gave him the platform to be successful.

"A lot of the foundation that gave me the ability to be able to do that, I obtained at SIU," he said.

Bailey said it takes time and

resources to be able to give back.He said his involvement in

groups such as Blacks Interested in Business, Africare, and his role as a vice chairman and treasurer of CCA, allowed him to see how he could not only help underrepresented populations, but also how he could contribute to society as a whole.

“How do we get blacks to be more involved in business so that it doesn’t just bene) t our community but it bene) ts the whole country?" Bailey said. "In today’s society, you can’t just look at how something a, ects black people. You have to look at how black people are a part of a whole macro world."

Michael Haywood, director of minority a, airs for the College of Business, said he has known Bailey more than 30 years. He said Bailey has a vision to help people around the world and a success story students can look to for inspiration.

“He is an excellent example to students of how all it takes is potential

and hard work," Haywood said. "If the youth today would take a look at his past and his accomplishments, they would see not only did Larry do great things, but they have the potential to do even greater things."

Now retired, Bailey is the president of LDB consulting, Inc. He provides ) nancial and tax consulting services to corporations, small businesses and individuals. He said he hopes the people he encounters are motivated to help others in the same way he helped them.

“When you’re in service, you don’t go out and try to accomplish anything. You just go out and serve," he said. "I hope people continue to be concerned and involved, not about themselves, but about other people. * at’s the real legacy you leave, is when people ... feel that the things you have done are worth carrying on."

Jacqueline Muhammad can be reached at 536-3311ext. 259

or at jmuhammad@dailyegyptian.com.

JACQUELINE MUHAMMADDaily Egyptian

N!"#

D!"#$ E%$&'"!(C!"##$%$&'#Tuesday, December 13, 2011 9D!"#$ E%$&'"!( N!"# Tuesday, December 13, 20114

SIU campus smokier than most) ere is a higher percentage

of smokers on SIU’s campus compared to others, according to recent statistics.

SIU has a higher smoking rate than the national average for all colleges, according to the 2010 Core Institute Survey.

According to the Institute — the country’s largest national Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug database for college students’ drinking, tobacco and drug use — 19 percent of SIU students reported smoking on a regular basis, which is comparable to the nation’s 13.4 percent average.

Michelle McLernon, outreach program coordinator at the Wellness Center, said people are in* uenced by friends and other social groups who smoke. Non-smokers go to parties over the weekend with friends who smoke and tend to feel pressured to join in, she said.

“) e danger in that is ... all of a sudden it’s not just the weekends,” she said. “You kind of have this craving for a cigarette at other times, and eventually the addiction kicks in and you can’t control it.”

Deonta Taggett, a junior from Chicago studying radio-television, said he didn’t start smoking until he came to college.

“I smoked just to try it, but I don’t o+ en,” Taggett said. “(I)

usually (smoke) only if o, ered, and even then it’s rare.”

Nearly 47 million Americans reported smoking on a regular basis, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. However, tobacco use has signi- cantly declined during the last 45 years.

) e CDC estimates that tobacco use causes one in - ve deaths and costs U.S. consumers more than $193 billion a year.

Cigarette smoking among consumers declined 50 percent between 1965 to 2009, according to the survey. In 1965, 42 percent of American adults smoked. In 2009, however, the survey reports the number has dropped to 21 percent.

Tobacco use is slowing among American adults, but the survey shows there are some areas where it’s more prevalent than others. SIU in particular has a high smoking rate.

McLernon said nearly 30 percent of SIU students reported smoking in social groups, compared to the

national 25 percent who report the same activity.

Chun Hsien Wu, a graduate assistant in Africana studies from Taiwan, said he started smoking when he was 20 because of peer pressure.

“I don’t encourage people to smoke a lot because I don’t smoke a lot,” he said.

McLernon said smoking can be difficult to resist when a person is young and constantly

surrounded by smokers. She said the peer pressure may be too much for a person.

Stress relief is another reason students say they smoke.

“Sometimes if I feel tired or if I’m stressed, I would smoke a cigarette to help me calm down or relax,” Wu said.

McLernon said nicotine does tend to have a calming e, ect on people, so it wouldn’t be surprising

for a student to use smoking as a stress antidote.

“) ey’ll calm down once they have that cigarette and it helps reduce some of their stress,” McLernon said. “Unfortunately it’s going to cause them long-term concerns later in life.”

Clayton Armstrong can be reached at carmstrong@dailyegyptian.com

or 536-3311 ext. 265.

CLAYTON ARMSTRONGDaily Egyptian

Bruce Perschbacher smokes a cigar at Yesteryear Tobacconists Monday while preparing for a large shipment of rare cigars. He and his wife Patti own

the shop on Illinois Avenue. Perschbacher, who sells various types of tobacco, said people smoke for different reasons.

SARAH GARDNER | DAILY EGYPTIAN

I smoked just to try it, but I don’t often,” Taggett

said. “(I) usually (smoke) only if offered, and even then it’s rare.

— Deonta TaggettJunior from Chicago

studying radio-television

QUEEN PARCH PANTRY STICKYYesterday’s Jumbles:Answer: The hair stylist got this after hearing the

complaint about her work — SNIPPY

Aries — Today is a 7 — Love and creativity are all around you. Mercury goes direct this evening, which is perfect for clear communications. A romantic dinner could entice.

Taurus — Today is a 7 — Shop only for the things that you or others really need. Confusion diminishes noticeably over the next few weeks. Old friends offer great new ideas.

Gemini — Today is a 7 — Send off the paperwork for a raise in funding. You can solve the puzzle. You have especially keen understanding and research skills now.

Cancer — Today is an 8 — Don’t blend romance with finance. Take one step at a time, especially where money’s concerned. Have faith in your own imagination. Try something different.

Leo — Today is a 9 — When in doubt, tell yourself, “It’s getting better all the time.” Confidence and inspiration are yours with the moon in your sign.

Virgo — Today is a 7 — There may be a conflict between career and home. Review your priorities. Everything works out if you don’t panic. You end up earning confidence.

Libra — Today is an 8 — Get your projects completed earlier, because you’ll want to party later. Your friends want your attention. Lines of communication are suddenly clear.

Scorpio — Today is a 9 — Focus on your goals. A new source of cash develops. The work routine settles in for the next few weeks. You’re gaining respect. Send out invoices.

Sagittarius — Today is a 7 — Get in touch with a distant loved one. Your charming personality can keep you out of trouble. Love’s less confusing for the next few weeks.

Capricorn — Today is an 8 — Chaos reigns, so you may as well just flow with it. Review the financial plan. Brainstorming productivity soars for the next month. Home investment pays.

Aquarius — Today is a 9 — Your partners and the experts in your network are your hidden assets. Focus on abundance, even if it’s not obvious. Trust your imagination.

Pisces — Today is a 9 — The work pace is hopping, and barriers dissolve. Good fortune seems to find you more often over the next few weeks. Brilliant innovation arises.

KKUSN

MULPP

RIJUNY

DDACEE

©2011 Tribune Media Services, Inc.All Rights Reserved.

Now arrange the circled letters to form the surprise answer, assuggested by the above cartoon.

Level: 1 2 3 4

D!"#$ E%$&'"!( S!"#$ B%&'( Tuesday, December 13, 201110

(Answers tomorrow)

A

D!"#$ E%$&'"!(N!"#Tuesday, December 13, 2011 3

Reaching safety should be the ) rst concern of a victim in an incident, * omas said. However, he said if a person is able to see an attacker, details of what they saw or heard can be helpful to police. He said a victim should look for distinctive features such as tattoos, jewelry, haircut, shoes, or even

speech in order for police to have a better description of who the suspect may be.

"Every little detail we can get will help us," he said.

Although how to avoid becoming a victim of a battery or robbery may not be on the mind of a person each time they are out walking alone at night, * omas said getting into the habit of walking alone can increase a person's risk of

involvement in an incident."You may walk on the west

side of the (Recreation) Center a hundred times, and one time something might happen," he said. "How many times have people walked by there and not had a problem? Now we have two incidents."

Both incidents occurred a+ er the Recreation Center had closed.

"* is is an unusual situation

where you have more than two victims, and it's very unusual for somebody to take them on like that," he said.

If the victims had not been together, but alone, * omas said he believes the incident could have ended di, erently.

Rod Sievers, spokesman for the university, said there has not been new information in the investigation of the case.

Information regarding the description of the suspects is available on the Department of Public Safety website, www.dps.siu.edu. Sigler said anyone with information regarding the case is encouraged to contact the DPS or Crimestoppers.

Lauren Duncan can be reached at lduncan@dailyegyptian.com

or 536-3311 ext. 259.

BATTERYCONTINUED FROM 1

"Any time you're delinquent on paying a bill, the institution that you're paying the bill to will report that to the credit bureau," he said. "So you want to make full payment and pay it on time and that will establish good payment history."

LaCharles Ward, a graduate student in speech communication from Chicago, said he has never made a late payment. He said he uses two cards, a regular credit card and a store credit card. Ward said it made sense to sign up for the retailer’s card because most of his shopping happens at Banana Republic.

While some shoppers are sent a noti) cation letter of credit card approval, Ward said he was approved on the spot because of his good credit score. However, Ward said those who don't have a job shouldn't take on a credit card.

"It becomes really taxing ... people see the amount of money and they think they can use it all," he said. “But it’s just the maximum they can spend, not the amount of money they have.”

While paying bills on time can help

a credit score, paying them early can boost the score even more.

"I get my payments in weeks before they're due," Ward said.

Establishing credit may be limited for students who have struggled to pay bills on time or do not initially qualify for a credit card. However, Stacy Callahan, vice president of lending at SIU Credit Union, said the institution will grant customers a $500 Visa even if they have no credit.

"We start them out and see how they do with the $500 one, and a+ er a year if they've maintained it and paid everything on time, we'll up it to $750 and build from there," she said.

Callahan said the credit union has seen students come in who want to establish credit for the ) rst time. Although she said it is considered a risk to help someone establish credit, the credit union has found it to be bene) cial.

"We do have some losses, but not to where it's not worth doing it anymore," she said.

When it comes to loans, Callahan said, a credit score could a, ect whether a student may be able to take one out a+ er graduating.

"Every time you get a loan or

apply for a credit card, that's how they determine your rate," she said. "* e worse your score, the worse your rate, so the more you pay."

Callahan said numbers at the credit union show shoppers tend to make late holiday-season payments, but the institution has taken that trend into account.

"Our delinquency is a little higher during December and January, but we have started to o, er a skip-a-pay, so if you're in good standing with us, we'll let you skip your December or January payment to help with the Christmas holiday," she said. "But that's if you're in good standing, so that's a reason why you need to keep your credit good."

While some shoppers may consider the impact of their holiday spending on their credit scores, credit scores are not a concern for others because they have yet to establish any credit.

Peterson said one suggestion for a student to establish credit is to have a good relationship with a bank.

"If you have a long-term relationship with your bank or credit union, you could take out a loan from them, because they know your history if you've been a depositor or a member

of a credit union for a long period of time," he said.

Peterson said he co-signed on a credit card when his son in college turned 18 because the credit union would not give him a card without a co-signer.

"Previously, when we would buy a computer for him, I might buy it, or he would pay in cash, but now he buys it using his credit card," he said. "It seems to make sense for college students to ) nd someone who can co-sign on a credit card and establish credit that way, and make sure the bill is paid on time and in full and it will look pretty good on the credit history.”

According to the Credit Card Act, which was signed into law in May 2009, a person must be 21 to sign up for a credit card unless he or she has a co-signer or can prove they have the money to repay the debt. While students are o+ en warned against signing up for credit cards because of the risk it poses to those who are working to establish a means of income, Peterson said he recommends credit cards to the responsible student.

"I can't imagine being in college and on my own and not having a credit card," he said.

Peterson said if a student was in a situation where they needed a car, for example, they would need a credit card to rent one.

"Now, if you misuse it, and you're buying things you cannot a, ord and you don't need, then it's horrible for you ) nancially to do that," he said. "But if you're a disciplined consumer, credit cards are almost a must."

Peterson said he recommends graduates to work and pay o, their bills with the highest ) nancing charges or interest ) rst, and bills should be paid o, as early as possible.

“* at's not to say you need to deprive yourself of everything, but use good judgment when you're purchasing new things and you're already in debt, because student loans for example have to be paid back,” he said. “You can't just walk away from them, so it's going to require some discipline."

Peterson said he recommends students check their free credit scores every year, which are available through the three major credit bureaus, Equifax, Experian and Transunion.

Lauren Duncan can be reached at lduncan@dailyegyptian.com

or at 536-3311 ext. 259.

CREDITCONTINUED FROM 1

Lindsay was 3-4 from beyond the arc, and he has been the only consistent threat at the three-point line since sophomore guard Diamond Taylor went into a funk these last two games. Taylor only scored one three-pointer Sunday,

which was one point better than his performance against Western Kentucky.

Swan has continued to develop as the team’s point guard. He had only one assist, but that’s one more than he had in his last game against Western Kentucky. He also turned the ball over only once as opposed to the seven turnovers he

committed against WKU.As a team, SIU records only

8.7 assists per game, which ranks 333 out of a possible 338 teams. Distributing the ball has been an issue for the team with the early season shu! ing of the lineups, but help could be on the way soon.

Lowery said a" er the game that junior guard Kendal Brown-Surles

could be back as early as Saturday’s game at Northern Illinois. Brown sat out every game this season thus far to focus on academics, and he will probably start at point guard as he did in 19 games last year.

SIU played with only four players on the bench for the second consecutive game, with senior guard Justin Bocot still

under investigation for an alleged sexual assault and freshman forward Dantiel Daniels still out with a pulled groin. There hasn’t been a timetable set for either players’ return.

Joe Ragusa can be reached at jragusa@dailyegyptian.com or

536-3311 ext. 269.

D#$%& E'&()$#*S!"#$%Tuesday, December 13, 2011 11MEN’S BASKETBALLCONTINUED FROM 12

LAKE FOREST — A tough loss lingered for the Chicago Bears on Monday and coach Lovie Smith called the 13-10 overtime defeat in Denver one of the most di+ cult he has ever experienced.

It was the Bears’ third straight loss, dropping them to 7-6 and putting their playo, hopes in jeopardy as they face a home game Sunday against Seattle.

It was how they lost to the Broncos that was really eating at them the day a" er.

Two crucial mistakes by running back Marion Barber hurt the Bears in the - nal stages, and they blew a 10-0 lead a" er they had pretty much put the clamps on Tim Tebow for three quarters.

“It’s going to sting for a while. Giving up a lead like that. ... You

are going to have losses but losing games like that really hurts,” tight end Matt Spaeth said.

. e plane ride home was a quiet one as the players tried to cope with what had happened.

“Just stunned, I would say would be the best word to put it,” Spaeth said. "Nobody thought we would have lost that game the way we did.”

Tebow completed only three of his - rst 16 pass attempts through three quarters, then hit 18 of 24 in the - nal quarter and overtime against a tiring Bears’ defense.

Chicago led 10-7 and the Broncos were out of timeouts with about two minutes to go. Barber, who ran hard all day and gained 108 yards on 27 carries, then inexplicably went out of bounds, stopping the clock. It eventually gave the Broncos extra time and they moved in for a game-tying - eld goal, a 59-yarder by Matt

Prater that forced overtime.Barber then fumbled in

overtime at the Denver 33 as the Bears were driving. . en it was Tebow time, and he led the Broncos into position for Prater's game-winner.

“De- nitely one of the toughest ones I've had to deal with, we’ve had to deal with,” said Smith. “We normally celebrate when we have a game in control like that late in the game. We haven’t been in this position very o" en, if at all. We don’t like it, but it’s how we respond and we will respond.”

With Caleb Hanie still struggling but not throwing any interceptions in his third game replacing the injured Jay Cutler, the Bears' running attack had some tenacity behind Barber, who was the featured back with Matt Forte injured.

But with Bears on the cusp of

being able to run out the clock, he went out of bounds a" er - ghting for extra yards and the clock stopped.

“Whether it’s mental or not, it’s something that shouldn’t happen but it did. And things like that do happen. Marion would tell you ... to stay in bounds, he was trying to stay in bounds, he should stay in bounds,” Smith said. “But you know sometimes trying to get a few more yards, it’s best to get down.”

And how down was Barber a" er his two ga, es? He seldom speaks to the media, so no one was sure.

“He’s a veteran, he’s a football player and that’s how it goes when you play ball,” Smith said. “. ere are going to be some days like this where you just have a terrible feeling deep down and it would really be bad if that was the last game you get a chance to play in. But that’s not the case.”

A" er facing the Seahawks, a team

they beat in the playo, s last year to get to the NFC championship game, the Bears go to Lambeau Field and face the Packers, who could be 14-0 at the time. . en it’s a season - nale on New Year’s Day against the Vikings in Minneapolis.

Somehow the Bears must put the Denver debacle behind them.

“As big as the game is this weekend coming up, there was so much - ght and heart put into this past game, it is incredibly hard to walk away from,” Bears safety Craig Steltz said.

“At 7-6 we’re on the outside looking in. You lose three in a row this time of year, you are normally not in a great position,” Smith said. “But we are in position still. And that’s what we have to keep in mind. We have to get a win. . e Seattle game was an important game, no matter what happened yesterday.”

RICK GANOAssociated Press

Smith, Bears try to shake o! devastating defeat

High school senior Sam Strus, a forward for the Carbondale High School Terriers, listens to a pregame talk from head coach Jim Miller Saturday against the Marion High School Wildcats during the Saluki Shootout at the SIU Arena. Strus is the only senior on the team, and Miller said it is a tough spot to be in.

“Being a senior is a lot of responsibility, especially when you’re the only senior,” Miller said. Strus had a rough game Saturday with a technical foul at the end of the first half and enough fouls to foul out of the game at the end of the second. The Terriers lost 59-55.

ISSAC SMITH | DAILY EGYPTIAN

Tough time to be a Terrier

It’d be easy to say SIU shot itself in the foot against Western Michigan, but that would imply the Salukis were accurate shooters.

SIU (1-6) lost 54-43 to Western Michigan (2-7) in Kalamazoo, Mich., Sunday while hitting just 28.8 percent from the field. Western Michigan’s defense forced the Salukis to commit 16 turnovers, 12 of which came in the first half.

After jumping out to an early 5-4 lead, SIU went on an 11-minute offensive drought that helped Western Michigan take a 15-5 lead with 4 minutes and 34 seconds left in the first half. SIU was 0 for 13 in that stretch.

The Salukis were down 21-11 before freshman guard Josh Swan hit a three-point jumper with 58 seconds left in the first half to make it a 21-14 game at halftime. Led by senior forward Mamadou Seck’s eight points, only three SIU players scored in the first half. Seck finished the night with 15 points and eight rebounds.

“We didn’t have the confidence to take or make a shot,” head coach Chris Lowery said in a press release. “We dribbled ourselves into trouble and that allowed (Western Kentucky) to get some run-outs here and there.”

The Salukis slowly clawed

their way back into the game in the second half. They cut the Western Michigan lead down to 39-38 after Seck hit a jumper with 6 minutes and 9 seconds left in

the game, but the Broncos went on a 10-0 run to seal the victory.

“When we got to that point where we needed to take the game when they gave us a chance,

it didn’t happen for us,” Lowery said in a press release.

Junior guard T.J. Lindsay was one of only two Salukis to reach double figures Sunday as he

finished the night with 11 points, all of which were scored in the second half.

Senior forward Mamadou Seck struggles for a rebound Wednesday in the Salukis’ home loss against the Western

Kentucky Hilltoppers. The Salukis will face off against the Northern Illinois University Huskies Saturday in DeKalb.

ISAAC SMITH | DAILY EGYPTIAN

Shooting woes continue in loss to Western Michigan

Please see MEN’S BASKETBALL| 11

JOE RAGUSADaily Egyptian

Santa can take a few days o! as the Salukis look to bring holiday joy to southern Illinois.

" e SIU men’s basketball team will host a Saluki Basketball Toy Drive to bene# t disadvantaged children in the area during the holiday season. Leading up to the holiday season, Saluki fans are encouraged to bring new or used toys to the SIU Arena to donate to the cause. In return, each donor will receive a $5 coupon to use towards a Saluki men’s basketball ticket.

Growing up in an atmosphere where his family was always giving, freshman center Harry Whitt is spearheading the toy drive. He said this is a great opportunity to spread holiday cheer and to bene# t

the charity’s donors, too.“" e community has warmly

welcomed me in the short time I've been here, and this is a way to give back,” Whitt said. “No one gets to where they are without being given an opportunity or a little help. Just giving a kid a toy can help spark their imagination, which is really important.”

Whitt said the goal is to gather 500 toys, each of which will be given to the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program for distribution to underprivileged children in the southern Illinois region.

Junior guard Kendal Brown-Surles said he has always had compassion for those less fortunate during the holiday season, especially children.

“Anytime you have the chance to give, take the opportunity,”

Brown-Surles said. “I was raised on the fact that it’s always better to give than receive. " e fact that I know I’m making someone smile for just a moment is something that will always stick with me.”

Brown-Surles said there are a lot of people who don't have families, and for them, holidays are just regular days.

“I love children,” Brown-Surles said. “I never had an older brother or sister coming up, so just that feeling of having someone to look up to I never experienced. All I

know is how my younger brothers and sisters look at me when I’m able to do something for them, and that look is priceless.”

Freshman guard Josh Swan teamed up with Whitt to push the cause. He said he has always been interested in doing charity work, and his motivation came from his parents.

“My mom and dad have always taught me to give back,” Swan said in an interview on WSIL-TV. “My dad is actually a mentor and has been doing it for 10 years.

Just seeing him in action doing those things and giving back to the community made me want to come out wherever I am and help the less fortunate.”

By participating in charitable events, Swan said the players will be a good in$ uence on children who attend games. He said he hopes everyone contributes to the cause.

“It’s important for everyone to bring as much as they can or as little as they can,” Swan said. “Anything will do. We just hope to get a great turnout.”

" e Salukis said they look forward to seeing smiles on the faces of the children and hope to have a huge impact on their lives.

Brandon Willingham can be reached at bwillingham@dailyegyptian.com

or 536-3311 ext. 269.

BRANDON WILLINGHAMDaily Egyptian

Salukis have a heart for the underprivileged on Christmas

I was raised on the fact that it’s always better to give than receive. The fact that I know I’m making someone smile

for just a moment is something that will always stick with me.

— Kendal Brown Surlesjunior guard men’s basketball

Did Albert Pujols make the right move by leaving the Cardinals for the Angels in the

second richest deal in MLB history?

While the holiday season invites shoppers to take advantage of their credit cards, credit scores may be impacted.

Increased holiday shopping can affect a credit card user's rating. For students who are working to establish credit, financial experts advise consumers to consider what they can repay before making a purchase.

Finance department chair Mark Peterson said consumers should understand how credit scores are calculated in order to understand the impact extra shopping will have. He said a credit score is determined by how much of a "credit risk" a person poses.

" The one that carries the most weight is the payment history that one has,” he said. “So if you make payments on credit cards ... whether you've been late, whether you've paid off an entire loan, that is the number one factor in the credit score."

Peterson said situations such as late rent payment factor into this

Since two attempted robberies and aggravated batteries have occurred at the university within the last month, o! cers in the Department of Public Safety are encouraging students to be safe when walking on campus.

Safety alerts were posted on the Department of Public Safety's website Nov. 16 and Dec. 5 a" er attempted strong-arm robberies — where no weapons were used — and aggravated battery incidents were reported Nov. 13 and Dec. 3.

Both incidents were reported near the west side of the Recreation Center. Although the incidents remain under investigation, police are warning students to remain cautious of walking in dark areas at night.

Todd Sigler, director of the Department of Public Safety, said the department has no indication the incidents were related, but police are considering comparisons in the investigations.

Sigler said the department has increased patrol in the area, and as a result, a recent incident was avoided.

"Last weekend there was a # ght that was going to take place, but because our o! cers were there it was di$ used," he said.

% e victims of both cases reported the suspects attempted to take items from their pockets. Russell % omas, a police o! cer with the DPS, said students should be cautious in trying to retain their belongings in an attempted robbery.

"If it appears they have a weapon, I don't know that it's a good idea to # ght those kinds of people," he said.

In both occurrences, there were two victims who were approached by more than one suspect, according to the DPS website. % e report states during the Dec. 3 incident three men were reported to have attacked two victims who were walking along the west side of the Recreation Center at around 11:45 p.m. % e suspects battered the two victims and attempted to "ri& e through their pockets in a search for valuables," according to the report. No items were tak en.

During the Nov. 13 incident, the two victims reported to police two students approached them from behind and punched them several times on their backs.

"% e suspects then attempted to grab the victims' wallets from their back pockets, but were unsuccessful," the report stated. % e victims escaped without injuries, according to the report.

% e two suspects were seen in a group of six people before the attack, which happened at 1:30 a.m., according to the DPS website.

% omas said the buddy system can be used to avoid becoming a victim of robbery or battery, as well as staying in well-lit areas at night.

"If you get into a dark area there's always an opportunity for somebody to take advantage of you," he said.

% omas said an alternate route to walking along the Recreation Center's west side, near where both crimes took place, is to take Washington Street.

Reaching safety should

SIU police investigateattempted robberies

Holiday shopping could lead to poor credit scores for studentsLAUREN DUNCANDaily Egyptian

Please see CREDIT | 3

CITY CAMPUS SPORTS

William Burris, a freshman from Rockford studying physical therapy, washes his 1996 Cadillac Monday at a car wash near Grand Avenue. Burris, a Vietnam veteran who served as a boatswain’s mate for the Navy, said he is

going back home for the holidays and will fill his gas tank with the money he made from selling back a textbook. He said his Cadillac is made for the open road. “It’s like laying on a couch and watching TV,” Burris said.

STEVE MATZKER | DAILY EGYPTIAN

Please see BATTERY | 3

LAUREN DUNCANDaily Egyptian

SABRINA IMMUNDO | DAILY EGYPTIAN

SOURCE: SALLIE MAE, INC. "HOW UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS USE CREDIT CARDS"

Warmer weather allows time for a wash