Monday, July 31, 2017 — www.theintelligencer.com Page 3 Regional Tenure carries both privileges and responsibilities

Politicians and many in the general public ask, “Why mount an attack on his research and character. He was in medieval times, but has undergone a metamorphosis. do university faculty need tenure?” One could give accused of scientific misconduct. He was cleared of Initially, academic freedom referred to a scholar’s guar- many reasons based on history or philosophy. But some- Dr. Aldemaro Romero Jr. those charges but not before his own home institution, anteed right to travel freely from one place to another in times examples prove the most powerful explanations. Letters from Academia the University of , conducted its own investi- the interest of education. At the time, there was a great Two weeks ago, on July 18, one of the world’s aca- gation and locked him out of his own files, putting bars demand for people who could teach. Travel between demic heroes passed away. His name is not familiar being lead-based, and with lead pipes running water, on his file cabinets. urban centers was frequent. Later, the idea of academic to most, but thanks to his work we live in a healthier lead was, quite literally, nearly everywhere. It was espe- Despite the professional and personal attacks he freedom developed into the freedom to teach or research world. His name was Herbert Needleman. Born on cially present in urban areas. endured, he moved forward and was finally exonerated anything in any manner. Dec. 13, 1927, in , he came from a Jewish Needleman started to study the composition of teeth of all charges, and his research became the lighting rod Unfortunately, there are some cases where the priv- family of modest means. His father sold furniture, and shed by children aged 6 and 7 in Philadelphia and in combating the effects of lead and other toxic chemi- ilege of being tenured is abused by some faculty who, his mother, whose family owned a pickle business, ran and found out that kids living in poor urban cals in the environment. after obtaining it, significantly reduce their academic the household. neighborhoods had lead levels five times higher, on Needleman also stood firm on many of his other activity or use that protection to engage in conduct He graduated as a medical doctor from the University average, than those of their peers in the suburbs. convictions – many that rattled the political and cor- unbecoming to their institutions. of Pennsylvania in 1952, specializing in pediatrics In 1979, he published a paper in The New England porate establishment. In the 1960s he went to jail for This is why the very notion of tenure is under attack. and . He went on to be a faculty member at Journal of Medicine, wherein he and his coauthors participating in campaigns against the Vietnam war As recently as this year, legislation has been introduced and . In 1981 reported that children whose accumulated exposure to and became the head of a group called the Committee in Iowa and Missouri to remove tenure from professors he became of professor of child psychiatry and pediat- lead was at the highest level scored four points lower of Responsibility to Save War-Burned and War-Injured at state institutions. rics at the School of Medicine. on an I.Q. test than youngsters whose exposure was at Vietnamese Children, which brought injured youngsters One of the big lessons of Needleman’s life is very After medical school and while working at a commu- the lowest level. to the for medical care. He brought one of simple. Without tenure academics will be unprotected nity psychiatric clinic in north Philadelphia, Needleman Further, teachers of those kids reported them as those children to live at his home with his family. from political and special interest attacks just because became intrigued by young patients who – while they having a host of issues, including attention deficit and When asked about how he was able to keep his job their ideas are inconvenient to some. By the same token, appeared bright – showed symptoms of , behavioral problems. A follow-up study by Needleman despite all these attacks he had a simple answer: tenure. faculty in colleges and universities need to make sure including difficulty in speaking. showed a correlation between high lead levels and Tenure is one of the oldest and most significant tra- that such a privilege in granted only to individuals who By the 1950s it was already known that high doses delayed reading abilities. ditions in academic life. Although some people today can demonstrate that they are not only worthy of it but of lead caused mental problems, even permanent brain His studies and those of other colleagues encouraged see it as a labor issue, the fact of the matter is that it also that they are going to use that privilege responsibly. damage and death. But what was not known at that time stiffer regulation of is rooted in the idea that one cannot be fired from an was how low levels of lead could affect children’s men- lead in gas, tin cans, paint, household pipes and other academic institution just because of unpopular ideas or Dr. Aldemaro Romero Jr. is the Dean of the Weissman tal development. At that time, with the rapid increase in products. Today the federal health authorities consider research findings. Today this is what we call “academic School of Arts and Sciences at Baruch College-CUNY. the number of automobiles running on leaded gasoline, lead unsafe at any level for children. freedom.” He can be contacted through his website at: http://www. with virtually all paint in homes and other buildings Needleman’s findings caused the lead industry to The notion of academic freedom was first developed aromerojr.net MOVIES

Continued from Page 1 a new authority figure rises at Hogwarts. The third week of August will Directed by David Yates, the feature, “In the Heat of the Night,” film stars Daniel Radcliffe, Emma at 7 p.m., Tuesday, August 15. Watson and Rupert Grint. Canal said this movie will be It’s rated PG-13. this month’s classic movie, as the The last film of the month will Wildey shows a classic each month. be “American Graffiti,” at 7 p.m., The film tells the story of an Tuesday, August 29. African American police detective Canal said in addition to seeing who uncovers a murder in a racial- this film, the soundtrack is also ly hostile town in the south. worth listening to. Directed by Norman Jewison, the “(This film has) a lot of good 1967 film stars Sidney Poitier, Rod music – great soundtrack,” Canal Steiger and Warren Oates. said. “It’s about a bunch of people Next will be, “Harry Potter and leaving high school in the early the Order of the Phoenix,” – the ‘60s, I believe, to go to college.” fifth film in the Harry Potter series. Directed by George Lucas, the The show will debut at 7 p.m., film stars Richard Dreyfuss, Ron Tuesday, August 22. Howard and Paul Le Mat. “We’ve been doing Harry Potter It’s rated PG. once a month, going through the Tickets for movies can be pur- series,” Canal said. chased at the Wildey Theatre one The 2007 film, based on J.K. hour prior to the showing. Cash or Rowling’s book series, portrays checks are accepted and seating is Lord Voldemort’s return as Harry general admission. For more infor- and Dumbledore are targeted by mation, visit the Wildey’s website Wizard authorities, all the while at www.wildeytheatre.com. For the Intelligencer Radiologic technology ECLIPSE Graduates of the Southwestern Illinois College Radiologic Technology program recently gathered at St. Peter’s Cathedral in Belleville for the 2017 Health Sciences Pinning Ceremony. Radiologic Technology graduates from Madison County include: Continued from Page 1 astronomy and the universe.” from left, first row, Kaitlin A. Sturdivant of Collinsville, Desiree L. McMillen of Caseyville, Esther Diaz of Collinsville, Brida Klein Manning said that what has of Troy, Maria F. Ochoa of Fairmont City, Billie Schwartzkopf of Collinsville; second row, Lindsey Beyer and Meagan Wiles, He hopes to do Hawaii in the always excited him is the awe both of Granite City, Joseph Bartee of Collinsville, Emily D. McVey of Edwardsville, Dana R. Karpel of Collinsville, Brittany N. future. From there, the program and beauty of the universe, and Cripps of Granite City; third row, Hannah Hayes of Glen Carbon, William D. Hayden of Madison, Stefanie R. Phillips of Wood may expand to other countries. The being able to share that with the River, Morgan Caban of Edwardsville, Amanda Sospizio of Granite City and Ashley M. Klunk of Grafton. Wiles delivered the purpose of all this traveling and lay public. His aim is to encourage farewell address to her class and Sospizio won the Francis E. Bihss, M.D., Memorial Award for clinical education and related talking is to foster scientific literacy young people to pursue careers in compassionate patient care skills. Through the use of X-rays and other specialized technology such as ultrasound, MRI and CT and curiosity in science “to help science. scanning, radiologic technologists provide doctors with an internal view of the human anatomy to help them make a diagnosis people become aware of things.” “I know when I was young we and check medical progress. SWIC offers a two-year Associate in Applied Science degree in Radiologic Technology. This year, But recently he was made aware were number one in the world nearly 200 students graduated from SWIC Health Sciences programs. of a survey whose results found that when it came to science,” Manning 80 percent of Americans sampled said. “We are not close to that today. thought the sun revolves around And I’m only one person, so I’m on the earth. “When I heard that I a big mission. I’m trying to make thought ‘Oh my gosh, I’m doing a tiny little dent of a difference the right thing, then.’ After you in that so that we can climb that Illinois schools still lack state funds hear my program, you won’t have scale again and become the premier a shadow of a doubt about that and nation in the world when it comes CHICAGO (AP) — Schools in Illinois could Illinois — one of the state's largest — will run makers to Springfield this week for three days a multitude of other things about to science.” start classes in a few weeks without receiving out of money in mid-November if lawmakers of a special session to deal with the issue, but any state money to help pay teachers, buy sup- can't work something out. By then, "there's with no bill to act on and no negotiations occur- plies or keep lights on, as a new front in the going to be a lot of other districts ready to go ring, he's spent time blasting Cullerton and CITY yearslong fight between the Republican gover- under." Democratic House Speaker Michael Madigan nor and majority Democrats threatens funding Funding remains an issue because the bud- of Chicago for holding up the process. for roughly 850 districts statewide. get deal lawmakers approved stated that any "Turn in your homework," Rauner implored Continued from Page 1 Democrats for nearly two months have held money for K-12 education must be distributed the two leaders on Thursday, after lawmakers off on sending a funding bill to GOP Gov. Bruce through a new formula intended to reduce adjourned for the day after just a few minutes. “(We’re) trying to finish up some of the underground utilities. Rauner because he's pledged to strip money large disparities between districts. "We're all here. There is no excuse for us not to They’re working on the utility paths in the rear of the structure. They for Chicago Public Schools that he's declared a Democrats who control the Legislature be working on that bill." pulled a lot of conductor wires (Monday),” Williams said. “Once the "bailout." If the two sides can't reach an agree- adopted the plan in May but Senate President Railing against Chicago, its financially trou- masonry subcontractor finishes up and they get their scaffolding out of ment, some poorer districts worry they won't John Cullerton of Chicago decided to hold on bled schools and its politicians has been a tried the way, you’ll start seeing more of the site work. It’ll start taking shape be able to keep the school doors open into fall. to the bill rather than send it to Rauner. and true political strategy for Rauner, who around the building.” It's just the latest man-made crisis to hit Cullerton said this week he's concerned used it to win his first public office in 2014 and Discussion came to a close and Welle said overall, the project is mov- Springfield, where lawmakers earlier this about Rauner's "mental state" after a massive has maintained the theme as his poll numbers ing forward nicely. month voted to override Rauner's veto to end a defeat on the budget, followed by the firing have sunk, making him one of the nation's “It’s going well. We’re staying on top of it,” Welle said. state budget impasse that stretched into a third or resignation of many top staffers, and didn't most vulnerable GOP governors. The facility is also adjacent to the Leon Corlew Spray ‘n Play Park year, creating billions in debt and forcing some want the governor to act out of anger. He said He's called Madigan "cold-blooded" and a and is located on South Main Street and East Schwarz Street. domestic violence shelters and other social ser- he hoped that Rauner would sit down with "tyrant" who's taking money from schools out- For more information about the public safety facility, visit the city of vice programs to shut down. Democrats to work out a compromise, but side Chicago. The comments have stoked hard Edwardsville’s website at www.cityofedwardsville.com. School administrators, who faced a similar either way he'll send him the bill on Monday. feelings toward the Democratic stronghold worry last year due to the budget standoff, say Rauner, a businessman-turned-governor among many voters in more conservative areas there's a feeling of deja vu — and dread. who's seeking his second term in 2018, said outside the city — people Rauner must moti- "This year the stalemate is longer and you he'll use his amendatory veto powers to remove vate to support him if he hopes to be re-elected. can tell it's a lot more intense," said Todd millions allocated to the nation's third-largest If Rauner uses his veto pen to amend the State rep. Wheeler to Covault, chief operations officer and treasurer school district. legislation, it would return to the Legislature. for Decatur Public Schools. "Right now there's He's objected to $215 million to help cover There, three-fifths of lawmakers in both cham- no assurance any money is going to be com- the cost of teacher pensions, as the state does bers must vote either to override Rauner or not seek re-election ing." for other districts but not Chicago, and another accept his changes and have the bill take effect Covault estimates the district in central $250 million block grant. Rauner called law- immediately so money may be distributed. CRYSTAL LAKE, Ill. (AP) — She opposed the House vot- Illinois state Rep. Barbara Wheeler ing to increase taxes during the says she is not seeking re-election state's budget crisis and called out Emergency responders soon arrived uation where the mother was using we have reached a point where it’s next year. Republican colleagues who voted CHARGES from the Mitchell Fire Department narcotics in the bathroom and, as a 17-month-old child, it’s even more The (Crystal Lake) Northwest with Democrats. and the Alton Memorial Ambulance the drug starts taking effect she disturbing.” Herald reports that the death of She says a younger generation Service. They began a criminal drops something on the floor and Lakin praised the family member her mother and stress from the job of leaders is needed. Wheeler said Continued from Page 1 investigation and seized suspected the child just immediately picked it who realized that Cottle and her son are her reasons for the decision. she has not given much thought drug paraphernalia, according to up and put it in his mouth.” had not been seen for a while, and Wheeler was first elected to the to plans after her term."The sand Several family members had been a news release from the Sheriff’s Lakin characterized fentanyl as a took action to find out why. seat in 2012. can be reused; public works can outside the house at 136 Troeckler Department. “very, very strong and dangerous The Illinois Department of The Crystal Lake Republican rep- use it for backfill excavation. But Lane when one of them noticed Lakin said it is still unclear how drug” that has “more and more Children and Family Services is resents Illinois' 64th House district the bags degrade over time, so we the mother and child hadn’t been the infant ingested the drugs. “But I become part of what we’re fighting actively involved in the investiga- says her mother was very involved throw those out," West Dundee with them for several minutes. think back on being a parent myself, here.” tion and is coordinating placement in family life and her death left a Public Works Director Eric Babcock That prompted one of the family and I realize that when young chil- “It’s just very disturbing to us,” of the child. Lakin said he believes void. That's made balancing family said. "They can be stockpiled for members to enter the house, pound dren pick something up, the first Lakin said. “We know that every a family member will step up and life and work difficult. future use if you keep them dry on a locked bathroom door, and thing they do is it goes toward their day there are people overdosing on “take good care of the child because Wheeler also says pushing for and out of the sun, tarped and off force their way inside, Lakin said. mouth,” he said. “It could be a sit- heroin and other drugs, but when they care deeply about him.” change in Springfield is a tough. the ground."