While you were on vacation

Over the summer the Independent followed several significant developing stories. The following is a re-cap of those events.

Summer storm batters main campus shutters El CentroOn June 26 heavy storms flooded and closed the main campus for a day and caused damage at El Centro that closed it for the rest of the summer. Summer classes were re-scheduled at the main campus. El Centro was scheduled to open yesterday (Monday).

The storms dumped three inches of rain in a 45-minute period with winds gusting up to 40 mph. WGN Weather Producer Bill Snyder told the Independent that the rainfall from the storms was equivalent to a hurricane.

Robbery and sexual assaultTwo minors ages 12 and 13 were arrested on June 20, charged with allegedly sexually assaulting and robbing a female student on June 17 at 8:40 p.m. while she walked between WTTW and the P.E. Building on the main campus to catch a bus.

The student was allegedly grabbed by the throat and taken to the ground by one of the youths who then fondled one of her breasts while the other took her wallet.

Chicago Police District 17 Tactical Lieutenant Joe Porebeski said the two youths were caught because of a tip from councilors at the group home where they live. Police said that the youths were bragging about the incident and the councilors called police.

Porebeski credited the NEIU Police's investigation with providing enough information to have charges filed. One of the youths confessed to the crime according to Porebeski.

New $3.00 campus green fee in effectA campus Green Fee of $3.00 per student, regardless of credit load, will go in to effect this fall. The drive to institute the fee was started by students in the Green Cycle Club.

A committee of students and administrators will use the funds to make NEIU more energy efficient. Plans are to look at small things like more expensive but longer lasting energy efficient light bulbs to larger projects like the use of solar panels.

New position of VP of Development announced A new position of Vice President for Development was created by President Hahs and approved by the Board of Trustees. The VP will be responsible for fundraising, , Development, Alumni Affairs, Marketing and Public Relations.

Three seats opened, one seat filled on board of trustees Three seats opened on the Board of Trustees as long time Trustee and former Head of the Speech and Performing Arts Department James Barushok died of heart failure, Trustee Ald. Margaret Laurino (D-39th) stepped due to a conflict of interest as her husband took a job as a lobbyist for Cook County teachers and Trustee Arnold Park stepped down as his business interests demanded more of his time.

Grace Dawson, a former professor at the Carruthers Center for Inner City Studies was appointed to replace Laurino. Shortly after the other two seats became vacant the state budget impasse began and university officials said they did not expect any new appointments until after the budget crises was resolved.

The three seats vacated on the board were all held by democrats, state law requires that the party of the Governor hold one more seat than the minority, three republican trustees are at the end of their terms but will remain in place until replacements are named by the Gov. Blagojevich.