Once a little understood tool of last resort, impeachment has become a political weapon of choice in recent decades, and one that is leading to an increasingly toxic culture in American politics.
So says Northern Illinois University’s prize-winning historian David Kyvig. His new book, “The Age of Impeachment: American Constitutional Culture Since 1960” (University of Kansas Press), chronicles the rise of a culture of impeachment that extends well beyond the infamous scandals surrounding Presidents Richard Nixon and Bill Clinton.
Kyvig, a Distinguished Research Professor at NIU, spent more than four years researching and writing the book, including a year in residence as a fellow of the prestigious Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars in Washington, D.C., and another year at the Library of Congress.
The author also snagged some high profile interview subjects for the book. They include Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Bob Woodward; John Dean, former counsel to President Nixon and the star witness in the Watergate proceedings; U.S. Rep. Alcee Hastings, once a federal judge who was removed from office via impeachment; Sen. Daniel Inouye and former Rep. Lee Hamilton, the co-chairs of the committee to investigate the Iran-Contra scandal; Illinois Congressman Ray LaHood, who presided over the House impeachment proceedings of Clinton; and journalists Daniel Schorr and Nina Totenberg of National Public Radio.
The Wilson Center will hold an official launch of Kyvig’s book from 2 to 4 p.m. (EDT) Wednesday, May 14. The event is expected to be covered by C-Span and will feature commentators Linda Greenhouse, a Supreme Court reporter for The New York Times, and James Reston Jr., a senior scholar at the Wilson Center.
Northern Today caught up with Kyvig for the following Q&A.
What did you set out to accomplish in this book? I wanted to examine how the process of impeachment has changed the culture of Congress and national politics. Impeachment, and even the threat of impeachment, has made the American political scene increasingly combative. When I started working on this book I had no idea we’d end up dealing with calls for the impeachment of President Bush and Vice President Cheney, yet that has been part of the political conversation in the last few years. It demonstrates how impeachment has gone from something people never thought about to a first response to unpopular political leadership.
Why do you call this the age of impeachment? In the final four decades of the 20th century, Congress looked into as many serious proposals for impeachment as it had from 1789 to 1960. This includes not only calls for presidential impeachments but judicial episodes as well. The decade of the 1960s saw three impeachment efforts against Supreme Court justices. In the 1970s, President Nixon resigned under the threat of impeachment, while his vice president (Spiro Agnew) sought to be impeached in order to avoid an indictment. During the 1980s, President Reagan was threatened with impeachment over the Iran-Contra affair. And at the end of the next decade, Bill Clinton became only the second U.S. president ever impeached and tried by Congress.
How often is impeachment successful? Between 1960 and 2000, we had 12 proposed impeachments, three convictions and five resignations. So two-thirds of the time, a serious call for impeachment was successful in removing the person for office. It’s no wonder impeachment is being used more frequently as a political tool.
How have judicial episodes of impeachment impacted the overall political culture? That’s where Congress has gotten most of its experience conducting impeachments. In the late 1980s, the Senate conducted three trials of federal judges. Those experiences served as preparation when it came time to deal with Clinton’s impeachment.
Who were some of your best interview subjects? Bob Woodward, who grew up in Wheaton, was wonderful. He got my letter, called me up and invited me to his home for what turned out to be a very productive conversation.
Alcee Hastings also gave me a great interview. Hastings was the first black federal judge in Florida since Reconstruction. Accused of taking a bribe, he was acquitted in a criminal court. Nevertheless, he was impeached by the House, tried by the Senate and removed from office. Three years later he was elected to the House of Representatives, where he still sits. So there can be political life after impeachment. He also was on the House floor at the time of the Clinton impeachment, and spoke vigorously against it.
What conclusions do you draw in the book? The one that will probably be most controversial is that our impeachment experiences have contributed to an increase in presidential power. Presidents have learned how the process works, what acts might be construed as grounds for impeachment and what sorts of evidence Congress needs. The unintended consequence is a growth in the secretiveness of administrations and a greater push by presidents for independence, particularly when it comes to foreign affairs. We’ve seen this with President Bush and Vice President Cheney, who were in a sense liberated by the fact that Congress was unwilling to impeach Nixon over the secret Cambodian invasion and unwilling to impeach Reagan over the Iran-Contra affair.
What does the future hold for impeachment as a political tool? It’s very much tied to the future of partisan relationships within Congress and between Congress and the White House. The founders set up impeachment in such a way that it required a pretty high degree of consensus to remove an official, but it requires a lower threshold to actually impeach someone – impeachment being the equivalent of indictment. What we saw in the 1990s was impeachment used to embarrass an official when the likelihood of removal was slim. We may see more of this in the future, using impeachment as a means to embarrass the other party. There’s also the question of whether future presidents will restrain themselves or push for greater independence.
Pam Nelson was assigned to the hospitality committee when she first became involved with the Northern Illinois Reading Council in the early 1980s.
Among her responsibilities: storing and transporting the plastic water pitchers used at meetings and conferences in a giant trash bag. She eventually served as the group’s president.
Twenty-five years later, on the eve of her retirement this month from NIU’s Department of Literacy Education, Nelson has received one of five International Reading Association Maryann Manning Outstanding Volunteer Service Awards.
And when she names some of the wonderful activities of the local, national and global literacy organizations, she gushes with the same passion she taps to describe her favorite children’s books.
“It feels wonderful,” Nelson says. “It’s easy to stay involved when you’re part of a strong group, and I’ve had so much support at both the local and state levels.”
Pam Farris, a Distinguished Teaching Professor Emeritus from the Department of Literacy Education, nominated Nelson.
“She was the first name that came to mind – and the second, the third and the fourth. She is the most sincere, warm and compassionate faculty member in the College of Education,” Farris says.
“Certainly her influence extends beyond NIU and throughout our state. She is revered for her efforts,” Farris adds. “She has been recognized throughout the state of Illinois, and now internationally with this award, for her service in the area of reading and literacy and her dedication to getting teachers more involved in the teaching of reading and the use of children’s literature.”
Nelson’s work ethic is not bound by school hours, Farris says, and her community spirit is not restricted to the promotion of reading. Nelson is a docent at the Naper Settlement and sits on the Naperville Settlement Advisory Board for Educational Programming and Interpretation.
“She does things quietly in the background,” Farris says. “You can call her office at 7:30 in the morning, and she’ll be there, and this after having taught a night course, and she spends her weekends devoting time to volunteer organizations.”
Nelson was a young teacher in Kansas when she became involved with an International Reading Association reading council. A colleague invited her to a conference where she heard the late children’s author and literacy advocate Bill Martin Jr.
In 2006, she held the presidency of the Illinois Reading Council. Based in Normal, the Illinois Reading Council has about 5,900 members and hosts the nation’s second-largest state conference on reading. She also served the state organization as secretary and student membership chair.
Last year, she volunteered as the regional director for Region 1, which includes the Northern Illinois, Northwest Illinois, Blackhawk and Sauk Valley reading councils. (The Northern Illinois Reading Council, which serves DeKalb, Boone, Ogle, Winnebago and eastern Lee counties, is led by Mary Gardner, an instructor in NIU’s Department of Literacy Education and a reading specialist in the Oregon School District.)
Nelson still recruits her students to join the organizations as they become professionals and frequently receives stacks of brochures in the mail to boost her marketing efforts.
“When this envelope came, I thought, ‘Oh, it’s a student promotion.’ I almost didn’t open it,” she says. “And here was this letter that said, ‘Congratulations.’ ”
The work of reading organizations is crucial.
Nelson says some teachers who are feeling the pressure of meeting federally prescribed “No Child Left Behind” goals are moving away from reading aloud to their students, for example, so they can use that time to teach toward the benchmarks.
But they need to stand their ground, she says.
“It’s hard to do that when you feel as though you are alone. Professional organizations offer teachers a lot of support,” she says. “Teachers should make time for best practices that are research-supported and theoretically strong. Rather than making you doubt yourself, we give you support.”
Teachers also can find good ideas and camaraderie at small “Teachers as Readers” gatherings held at neighborhood bookshops or libraries where they meet to discuss books on literacy education topics.
Meanwhile, Nelson says, members of reading organizations are reaching out to their communities.
The Northern Illinois Reading Council works with Habitat for Humanity to ensure its homes include book cases stocked with good reading tailored for the specific family that will be moving into the home. The Northwestern Illinois Reading Council sends Santa Claus to a local library at Christmastime to read and share books.
Reading councils invite all stakeholders in literacy to their activities, she adds.
“We’re open to anyone interested in promoting literacy and reading: publishers, parents, librarians, learning center directors, service organizations,” she says. “Our work makes people aware of books to share with their children.”
Nelson came to NIU in 2002 after nine years on the faculty of Dominican University in River Forest.
She earned both her master’s and doctoral degrees here in DeKalb, where she also reunited herself with reading councils after taking some time off to raise her children.
“I came back to school and I remember going to the fall conference. I was so excited about that event and was just taken by all the experts. It was wonderful to have other professionals from the area talk about what they do,” she says. “Donald Graves, Ken Goodman, Stephanie Harvey, Tomie dePaolo, Lois Lowry – they brought these people right to me, to DeKalb, to Springfield. When you’re getting that kind of service, you can store a few water pitchers, bring them back and rustle up a few cookies.”
Nelson, who teaches courses in language arts and children’s literature in a multicultural society, has an office in the Children’s Literature Collection filled with colorful books, stuffed animals that represent storybook characters and even pillows, curtains and knickknacks celebrating fiction for young readers.
Her focus in recent years: keeping boys interested in reading as they end their elementary school years and head toward middle school.
One project paired fifth-grade boys from a Rockford elementary school with “pen-pals” at NIU – Nelson’s students – to discuss good books via e-mail. Nelson was able to choose several imaginative works from a children’s literature market that recently has seen publishers “willing to put money into the development of wonderful books.”
She hopes to keep teaching a course or two during her retirement.
“I’ve gotten to do something I love,” she says. “Read the books, share the books and buy marvelous turkey puppets.”
While the installation of chilled water lines beneath Normal Road will likely be the most disruptive construction project on campus this summer, many other projects will take place the next few months.
Here is a glance at the warm weather work:
The School of Music in the NIU College of Visual and Performing Arts is accustomed to taking bows for its excellence in areas such as jazz, steel drum and classical music. More recently, however, the school also has received kudos for its work in high bandwidth internet technology.
During the 2007-2008 academic year, the school’s faculty and staff have learned how to harness the latest in fiber optic technology to bring world-class musical performances and instruction to students of the school – and to export some expertise of their own.
The school hosted a performance March 10 of music from the movie “2001: A Space Odyssey.” The concert was presented by the Philadelphia Orchestra and viewed in real time at NIU and other universities across the country utilizing the high-speed connectivity of Internet2.
The performance featured high-definition video images on a large screen with concert hall-quality sound. The event was the third (and best quality) live broadcast of the Philadelphia Orchestra that the school has received via Internet2.
“This time, we were able to use everything we have learned to provide a great concert experience,” said Paul Bauer, director of the NIU School of Music. “You really felt like you were sitting in the room with the orchestra.”
Word of NIU’s expertise has spread quickly, and other universities already have been calling, seeking advice on how to get their own Internet2 facilities up and running – not just for concert events, but for teaching and learning.
For example, just days after the Philadelphia Orchestra performance, NIU students were in the percussion rehearsal room receiving a master class from an instructor in New York. The topic: how to use cutting-edge technology to teach music online. Later in the semester, an NIU professor will give a master class to students at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln without leaving DeKalb.
In each instance, the cost of delivering world-class instruction to students hundreds of miles away ranged from free to $200. That represents a savings of thousands of dollars compared to the cost of bringing a teacher to campus – with modest impact on the quality of instruction, Bauer said.
“This technology is allowing us to dramatically expand and enhance the type of opportunities we are able to offer our students,” said Bauer, who is working to create cooperative ventures with other orchestras, as well as ways to extend the teaching of his programs to schools throughout the university service region and beyond.
NIU Housing and Dining is recruiting volunteers to welcome students back to campus on Opening Day, scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 21.
Nearly 4,000 students are expected to arrive on campus that day to move in to residence halls.
“We want Opening Day to be not only a smooth transition to campus living, but also a day that our students will remember throughout their lives as a time filled with excitement and fun,” says Kelly Wesener, executive director of Housing and Dining.
Faculty and staff are needed to drive the golf carts that will help students move their belongings from parking lots to residence halls. Volunteers can sign up for morning or afternoon shifts or an all-day shift.
Faculty and staff also can participate in the Huskies Helping Huskies program, which stations volunteers at kiosks around campus on the first two days of classes (Monday, Aug. 25, and Tuesday, Aug. 26) to answer questions and offer directions.
Volunteers also are being sought for the House Calls program, in which faculty and staff visit students in residence halls during the evening of Monday, Aug. 25, to answer questions and make sure their transition to campus is going smoothly.
For more information, or to volunteer for any of those tasks, visit the Housing and Dining Web site at www.housing.niu.edu and click on the link for Team NIU.
William A. Oleckno, Distinguished Teaching Professor Emeritus at NIU, has written a new textbook of epidemiology.
This comprehensive text is aimed primarily at public health graduate students and practicing health professionals interested in understanding the fundamentals of epidemiology and particularly study design and analysis. Epidemiology is the study of the distribution, causes and control of human diseases, including infectious diseases such as meningitis and noninfectious diseases such as coronary heart disease and stroke. Epidemiologists use a variety of research methods to uncover risk factors for disease that can often be prevented or controlled using various public health measures.
Oleckno’s 649-page text, “Epidemiology: Concepts and Methods,” was published in February by Waveland Press, Inc., located in Long Grove, Ill. It is Oleckno’s fourth book.
A professor in the College of Health and Human Sciences for more than 25 years, he currently teaches part-time in the School of Nursing and Health Studies. His professional interests span epidemiology and environmental health. Among the many features of the new book is a comprehensive glossary of more than 700 terms used throughout the 14 chapters comprising the text.
His new book is in addition to his 2002 epidemiology text, also published by Waveland.
This book, “Essential Epidemiology: Principles and Methods,” is a basic introduction to the field. It has received outstanding reviews in the academic world and has been referred to as “an excellent, easy-to-read textbook and general reference.” One reviewer called it “one of those books that should be a cornerstone in a new epidemiologist’s own personal library.” Another referred to it as “the best epidemiology text for understanding the statistical and scientific basis of epidemiology.”
Oleckno resides in DeKalb with his wife Karen.
Northern Illinois University Press has announced that one of its recently published books has been honored with an award.
“Founding Corporate Power in Early National Philadelphia,” by Andrew M. Schocket, is the 2008 winner of the Ohio Academy of History Outstanding Publication Award. The Ohio Academy of History is a professional society bringing together teachers, scholars, public historians and students interested in all fields of history.
NIU Press published “Founding Corporate Power in Early National Philadelphia” in January 2007. In the book, Schocket analyzes the establishment, growth and operations of both commercial and municipal corporations in the Philadelphia.
Between 1780 and 1830, corporations sprang up to provide water, transportation and financial institutions for the citizens of Philadelphia. An elite group of entrepreneurs controlled these corporations, but Schocket argues they generated widespread prosperity by offering services that allowed middle-class businessmen to flourish. This mixed legacy resulted in ambivalence toward U.S. corporations to this day.
“U.S. history is one of the primary subject areas in which we specialize, but it is also a very competitive area,” stated J. Alex Schwartz, NIU Press director. “We are quite pleased to add this award to our long list of achievements.”
Besides publishing on a variety of topics in the humanities, arts and sciences, NIU Press also focuses on the history of Chicago and the Midwest.
Schocket’s award-winning book can be purchased through NIU Press by calling (815) 753-1075, by ordering online at www.niupress.niu.edu or by visiting a local bookstore.
Junior Kerri Simons, a member of NIU Forensics, won the Interstate Oratory Association (IOA) national tournament held April 25 and 26 in Madison, Wis.
A maximum of two students from each state were selected to compete in the IOA tournament, the nation’s oldest public speaking contest.
Simons’ oration on inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) won the persuasive speaking category of the Illinois Intercollegiate Forensics Association state tournament in March and qualified for the IOA tournament.
Simons, a Spanish language and literature major, worked throughout the school year researching, writing and refining her speech. Simons’ central purpose was to raise awareness about IBC, a rare but aggressive form of breast cancer not usually detected by mammogram or ultrasound.
She was thrilled by her championship win. “This doesn’t even seem real right now,” she said after receiving her first-place award.
Simons’ teammates and coaches also are pleased by her competitive success.
“Kerri worked very hard and always stayed focused on the importance of her message,” coach Judy Santacaterina said. “We are all extremely proud of her.”
The IOA national tournament has been held annually since 1875. Its contestants have included William Jennings Bryant, Barbara Jordan and George McGovern, as well as 11 alumni of NIU.
Construction of the new underground chilled water piping on campus will continue around the north side of Faraday West and Faraday East halls this week. Lot 10 will remain closed, as it is being used as a construction materials staging area.
Anticipated working hours this week are from 6:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Most of the work will take place along the east/west sidewalk on the north side of both Faraday halls, extending east to Castle Drive and west to Normal Road. Heavy equipment and heavy truck traffic will pose a hazard to pedestrians in this area. Trucks will enter and leave off Normal Road near Davis Hall to access the east/west sidewalk between Faraday West and Davis Hall.
The north/south sidewalk on the west side of Montgomery Hall up to Faraday Hall will be accessible, along with the bridge across Watson Creek. For safety reasons, pedestrians are urged to find alternate routes while work is in progress.
The Division of Research and Graduate Studies will hold its Outstanding Graduate Student Reception from 3 to 5 p.m. Monday, April 28, in the Duke Ellington Ballroom of the Holmes Student Center.
An awards ceremony will be held at 4 p.m. to honor students who are receiving the following awards: the Carter G. Woodson Fellowship, Jeffrey T. Lunsford Fellowship, Dissertation Completion Award, University Fellowship, Diversifying Higher Education Faculty in Illinois Award and the Outstanding Graduate Student Award.
Graduate faculty and advisers are encouraged to attend the event. Refreshments will be served.
Join the NIU Community School of the Arts this spring at one of many music performances.
Students of all ages perform solos or in ensembles. All recitals are scheduled in the Music Building Recital Hall unless otherwise noted, and many end with a gala reception. The recitals are free and open to the public.
Lessons, classes and ensembles in music, art and theater are offered for children and adults throughout the year. The summer semester begins Monday, June 16. For more information, contact Renee Page at (815) 753-1450 or visit http://www.niu.edu/extprograms.
The summer semester is right around the corner, and the NIU Community School of the Arts has great classes and ensembles to offer people of all ages. Registration is open. Look at the summer’s offerings on the updated Web site: www.niu.edu/extprograms.
Are you looking for a fun, exciting summer camp for your children or grandchildren? Look no further than your own back yard.
NIU offers summer sports camps for all sports with a fun and challenging atmosphere for all skill levels. NIU employees receive a discounted rate on all camps.
Campers receive Division 1 college coaching as well as interaction with collegiate athletes combined with the college campus experience. For more information, call (815) 753-5300, e-mail sportscamps@niu.edu or visit- www.niuhuskies.com.
Founders Memorial Library has extended hours for spring finals weeks:
Interim session hours begin Saturday, May 17.
NIU President John Peters will host a Community Thank You and Appreciation Reception to be held from 3 to 5 p.m. Tuesday, May 13, at the NIU Convocation Center.
When tragedy struck Feb. 14, the greater DeKalb/Sycamore community united with NIU to provide excellent emergency and medical response, generous contributions to healing and recovery efforts, numerous expressions of compassion and countless acts of kindness. Today, NIU’s recovery is under way and continues to be sustained by the collective spirit of the unified community and university – the “communiversity.”
Please join us as we acknowledge the many people who contributed and continue to offer a helping hand as we move forward, together forward.
A brief presentation will begin at 3:45 p.m. Light refreshments will be served. RSVP at (815) 753-0835 or apetta@niu.edu.
Michael Martin, director of the University Honors Program for the past six years, will retire at the end of June. Martin previously taught in the School of Family, Consumer and Nutrition Sciences.
A reception will be held from 3 to 5 p.m. Thursday, May 15, in the Honors Program Office, Campus Life 110. Presentations will be made at 3:30 p.m. Refreshments will be served.
Contact Joanne Ganshirt at (815) 753-9398 for more information.
Faculty and staff are invited to join President John G. Peters at the Fall 2008 Academic Convocation to be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Aug. 22, in the NIU Convocation Center.
Academic Convocation is the formal ceremony to officially welcome and celebrate incoming NIU students. Students will learn about the many academic opportunities and cultural traditions of NIU.
RSVP by Thursday, May 15, to Mary Spring, Office of Student Affairs, at mspring@niu.edu or (815) 753-1573. For more information and to order regalia, visit www.stuaff.niu.edu. Regalia and assembly at 10:30 a.m.
Diane Schlosser is retiring after 32 years of service at University Bookstore.
A celebration in her honor is planned for 2 to 4 p.m. Friday, May 23, in the University Suite.
NIU’s College of Engineering and Engineering Technology will sponsor “Natural Winds and Traffic Safety,” a presentation by visiting Fulbright scholar Hrvoje Kozmar.
The presentation takes place from 2 to 3 p.m. Tuesday, May 6, in Room 211 of the Engineering Building. Refreshments will be served.
Kozmar is on the faculty of mechanical engineering and naval architecture at the University of Zagreb in Croatia. He also is a visiting Fulbright scholar with the Department of Civil Engineering and Geological Studies at the University of Notre Dame.
If bringing classes, RSVP by Monday, May 5, to Mia Hannon in the dean’s office at (815) 753-1284 or via e-mail at hannon@niu.edu. For more information, contact Frank Gruber at (815) 751-2012 or frankgruber@sbcglobal.net.
A book drive is being held in the Founders Memorial Library lobby through Thursday, May 15.
Textbooks, picture books, law books, medical literature and general literature (good reads) are being collected. Donations will become part of the new library for Restore Academy in Gulu, Uganda.
For more information on the academy’s sponsor, Restore International, visit http://restoreinternational.org/. For information on the book drive specifically, contact NIU student Jessica Goodrum at goodrum.jessica@gmail.com.
Eligible faculty and staff now can obtain their new NIU OneCards.
To get new IDs, members of the faculty and staff should bring their current NIU OneCards to the OneCard Office, located on the lower level of the Holmes Student Center across from the University Bookstore, from 8:15 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Lost ID charges will apply for failure to return current cards. Call (815) 753-9569 for more information.
NIU’s School of Music will offer a new choral ensemble during the fall 2008 semester.
Women’s Chorus, a one-credit, non-auditioned elective course is open to NIU undergraduate students (MUSC 369, Sect. P-2) and graduate students (MUSC 769, Sect. P-2). NIU full- and part-time female faculty and staff and alumni also are invited to join.
The chorus will rehearse from 4:30 to 6:40 p.m. Mondays in Room 171 of the Music Building and will hold one performance each semester. Glenda Cosenza, associate professor of music education and an experienced choral conductor, will be the group’s director.
Repertoire will include treble voice works by male and female composers from the Western art music tradition and from non-Western oral traditions as well. While the ensemble will be primarily a vocal one, instruction also will be given on ethnic instruments, and performances occasionally will include dances and mimes.
MUSC 369/769 cannot be considered as meeting required choral ensemble credits for NIU music majors. Applied voice majors are admitted by permission of School of Music Voice Area only.
NIU’s Alumni Travel Program is getting ready for some exciting trips over the summer to Alaska and Russia.
Travelers can head to Russia to experience Moscow’s rich history, and then it’s off to Finland to discover the Nordic mystery of Helsinki.
Or, have an Alaskan adventure in July featuring majestic mountains, lush forests and magnificent national parks as well as immense glaciers and icy inlets. Explore it all by foot, rail, sea and motorcoach on this dynamic touring itinerary with a land and sea tour.
More information about these and other NIU Travel Programs is available online.
To perform maintenance and repairs on high pressure steam lines on campus, the Physical Plant and Heating Plant will conduct the annual steam outage.
West Campus: 9 p.m. Monday, May 19, through noon Friday, May 23. This will include all buildings west of Carroll Avenue, except Stevenson and the Neptune Complex, and various other smaller buildings not served by steam. Domestic and heating hot water will not be available.
East Campus: 9 p.m. Sunday, May 25, or Monday, May 26, through noon Thursday, May 29. This will include all buildings east of Carroll Avenue and the Neptune Complex, except for various other smaller buildings not served by steam. Domestic and heating hot water will not be available.
Address any questions or concerns to Kevin Vines, chief engineer, at (815) 753-6090 or via e-mail at kvines@niu.edu.