THE THEME IS SUPPOSED TO BE ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE. That's what President Peters said in October. Somehow, on the heels of the twins purloining the x-box, a technology professor clocking a colleague with an aluminum rod further deviates from the theme.

An apparent argument between two Northern Illinois University professors ended with one allegedly hitting the other on the head with an aluminum rod.

Radha Balamuralikrishna, 44, of Aurora was charged with aggravated battery Monday morning. According to University Police Lt. Matthew Kiederlen, Balamuralikrishna and another professor had a disagreement over something just before 11 a.m.

“You had two colleagues that apparently got into an argument or heated discussion about something,” Kiederlen said. “One got upset to the point that he grabbed a small aluminum rod and hit the other on the head.”

Students witnessed the incident, he said. Police did not know what the rod's usual intended use would be.

Both men work in the same department, Kiederlen said. Balamuralikrishna is an associate professor of technology. Kiederlen did not release the name of the second professor involved in the incident.

I heard this news last night on the television station from which University Diaries obtained the online story. The virtual side of the television station has a further story. The Northern Star has not yet published the story, and university officials have not yet released the name of the second professor, who was stitched up at Kishwaukee Hospital and released.

Developing ...