Masks not required on campus, El Milagro employee labor wins, over 100 Ukrainian students enroll at DePaul
and the latest episode of the B-Side
Welcome back to ‘In the Loop’! It’s your newsletter team — Claire, Grace, Elly, Mariah, Lily, Maureen, Emily, Kate, Cam and Richie — here with all the city news and campus updates you need to start your week.
Today we have a feature story on DePaul’s latest masking guidance, the low-down on DePaul waiving tuition fees for over 100 Ukrainian students, news on El Milagro organizing wins and another recommendation (or lack thereof) on one of the box office’s latest action films. In addition to all that, our newest episode of The B-Side drops today! It’s a personal favorite, so be sure to give it a listen when you get a chance.
In other news, this week 14 East was honored by the Society of Professional Journalists with the Mark of Excellence Award for Best Independent Online Student Publication. Additionally, several other members of our staff were recognized for their work. Engagement Editor Aneesah Shealey won the award for Best Cultural Commentary for her piece, “After the Dance,” and Managing Editor Cam Rodriguez, Engagement Editor Claire Malon and former Editor-in-Chief Francesca Mathewes were finalists in the Breaking News Reporting category for their coverage of Chicago’s vaccine rollout plan.
It is because of our readers’ continued support that we are able to produce award-winning journalism that engages, compels and informs those in our community. But to continue this work, our newsroom needs funding — funding that will help us purchase equipment, fund community engagement events and finance long-term reporting projects like our investigation into lead water contamination or our Austin housing project. So if you value the work we do at 14 East, please consider donating to our ongoing fundraiser. We receive 100% of your donation, so anything is appreciated.
That’s enough from me, so let’s get into it!
The Seventh Episode of The B-Side
By Grace Del Vecchio with Claire Malon
Published in 2019, “Why My Mom Carries Cash” dives into the harmful nature of stigma regarding homelessness. Featuring a collection of interviews from those experiencing homelessness, housing organizers and advocates and community members, Editor-In-Chief Grace Del Vecchio writes about culture around homelessness in Chicago and how stigma plays a direct hand in stopping those experiencing it from getting the help and resources they need.
Story by Grace Del Vecchio
Recorded by Claire Malon
Produced by Grace Del Vecchio
Mask optional policy gets mixed responses from faculty
By Elly Boes
Effective today, masking on campus is no longer mandatory for the DePaul community.
Prior to Spring Break, university officials announced masks would only be required in spaces like classrooms and labs for the first two weeks of Spring Quarter.
Now, the university has switched to a fully “mask-optional” policy.
While masking on campus is still strongly encouraged for indoor spaces, according to the announcement, “departments and community members cannot require others to wear a mask.”
For instructors — who largely enforced the mask policy in their classrooms over the past year — the decision elicits mixed feelings.
“I am not sure how they arrived at that decision [to go mask-optional] but it's okay with me,” said William Chin, a tenured professor in the Mathematical Sciences Department. “The mask policy is not really controversial from what I see.”
According to university officials, the decision was made by reviewing city and campus COVID-19 data, guidance from public health departments and the “perspectives and recommendations of DePaul's Community Health Team and the university's medical advisor.”
Communications instructor Kristen Pengelly is concerned that positive case rates “will go up exponentially” following the change in policy.
“I have not heard of administration gathering opinions of people who are often in ‘large’ on-campus gatherings (i.e. class, labs, etc.) before making and sticking with this decision,” she wrote in an email to 14 East.
In particular, Pengelly said she’s noticed concerns from students and faculty with care-giving responsibilities, those at higher risk of severe illness and populations living in communities who’ve been most impacted by COVID-19.
However, many of the professors interviewed for this story said they would personally continue masking in their classrooms.
“I'm going to continue to wear a mask, partly because in one of my classes there is pretty close contact between students, in close proximity,” said Chin.
“I plan to strongly encourage everyone in my classes to wear a mask indoors until we get to a point where the pandemic is over,” said Assistant Professor of Philosophy Rafael Vizcaíno.
“Right now, for instance, the Omicron subvariant remains of concern. The benefits of being cautious continue to outweigh the potential consequences of infection, especially for vulnerable populations.”
While the university still promotes a “mask-friendly campus,” instructors with personal preferences on masking noted the university policy does not permit them to enforce protocols differently.
“Although I really wish we were continuing to require masks in the classroom and labs, I have no plans to attempt to make people wear them in class if that’s not the university policy,” Pengelly said.
However, this is not the first time DePaul has switched the policy to encourage, but not require, indoor masking.
Stay tuned later this week for an in-depth look at university masking policies over the last two years and additional reporting on DePaul’s COVID-19 case rates.
Have thoughts about DePaul’s COVID-19 policies? Let us know by sending a message to 14east.magazine@gmail.com or by replying to this email.
DePaul News
By Mariah Hernandez
Over 100 Ukrainian Students Enrolled into DePaul Online Courses
The Ukrainian Catholic University and other higher education institutions reached out for help for their students due to the Russian attacks on Ukraine. DePaul took it upon themselves to enroll over 100 students in online courses this spring quarter. The students enrolled have had their tuition and fees waived. Classes are helping to aid Ukrainian students in need of education that is not able to be provided due to the war. You can read about the aid DePaul is providing here.
Demonthon raises over $90,000 for Children’s Hospital of Chicago
DePaul’s annual 12-hour-long dance-a-thon took place on Saturday April 9 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Demonthon is a year-long fundraiser for the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago. The fundraiser ends with the Demonthon event in the spring. This year $90,532 was raised. It was the first time the event has been in person in two years. To read more about Demonthon’s cause and mission you can visit their website here.
The Spirit of DePaul Awards Nominations being accepted
The Spirit of DePaul Awards are accepting nominations to be submitted to celebrate full time faculty and staff at DePaul University. Nominations can be submitted by staff, faculty and students. Nominations will be accepted until April 22 for The Spirit of DePaul Awards. You can read more about the awards here.
Lastly, here is your weekend sports update (April 8 to April 10):
The softball team won against Seton Hall 2-1 on Friday.
The women’s tennis team won against Seton Hall 6-1 on Friday.
The softball team won against Seton Hall 8-7 on Saturday.
The softball team won against Seton Hall 4-1 on Sunday.
The men’s tennis team won against Butler 4-3 on Sunday.
The women’s tennis lost to St. John’s 5-2 on Sunday.
Chicago Headlines
By Lily Lowndes
El Milagro Organizing Leads to Change— Since last fall, workers at El Milagro tortilleria have been pushing for better working conditions. On Monday, employees announced several victories, including increased pay and required anti-sexual harassment training for managers. Madison Savedra of Block Club Chicago has the full story.
Willie Wilson Enters Mayoral Race— Businessman and philanthropist Willie Wilson announced he is launching his campaign for the third election cycle in a row. Wilson made headlines earlier this year when he gave away over $1 million in gas to Chicago residents during the gas price surge. Wilson is a third-party candidate, but previously ran as a democrat. Mariah Woelfel of WBEZ wrote more about Wilson’s bid here.
Navy Pier’s International Art Expo Returns— Over 8,000 attendees walked through over 100 booths of artwork displayed at Navy Pier last weekend. The International Art Expo returned in person for the first time in 2019. Among the artwork exhibited were pieces created by local CPS high school students. Lauren Victory interviewed the budding artists for ABC 7.
The Bulls Set to Face Defending Champions— The Chicago Bulls are back in the playoffs for the first time in five years. The team will begin the first round against the defending NBA champions, the Milwaukee Bucks. The first game of the series will be held this Sunday at Fiserv Forum. Julie Poe of the Chicago Tribune has more about what to expect for the Bulls.
National Headlines
By Maureen Dunne
Elon Musk Ducks Out of Serving on Twitter Board of Directors — Elon Musk, the outspoken CEO of Tesla and SpaceX and the richest man in the world, has declined Twitter’s offer to serve on the company’s board. The move comes after Musk became Twitter’s largest shareholder with his early-April purchase of 9.2% stake in the company. His decision not to join the board nulls an agreement he signed to not acquire more stock in the company, leaving its future uncertain as he is positioned to buy more stocks and take over the company. Mike Isaac of the New York Times has more.
Maryland Lawmakers Expand Abortion Access, Override Governor’s Veto — The new law makes Maryland the fourteenth state to allow non-physicians, including nurse midwives and physicians assistants, to perform abortions. It also invests $3.5 million a year into abortion care training. Amid many other states tightening abortion restrictions and the future of Roe V. Wade uncertain, the bill faced opposition from Governor Larry Hogan, whose veto was overridden to pass the bill into law. Guilia Heyward of the New York Times reports.
Philadelphia Reintroduces Indoor Mask Mandate Amid City-Wide COVID Surge —Philadelphia is soon to be the first major U.S. city to reinstate its indoor mask mandate next Monday. City health officials intend to forestall another surge from an Omicron sub-variant. This move is opposite recent Centers for Disease Control guidance which led many cities across the country to drop indoor mask mandates in late March. Michael Rubinkam of the Associated Press reports.
Utility Company Pacific Gas and Electric to Pay $55 Million in California Wildfire Lawsuit Settlement — The U.S.’ largest utility company, Pacific Gas and Electric, will pay $55 million and face five years of oversight to avoid criminal prosecution in connection with two major Northern California wildfires. Though the company admitted no responsibility in the settlement, the aging power lines are thought to have caused the blazes. The money will be distributed to hundreds of people impacted by the fires. Olga R. Rodriguez and Mike Liedtke of the Associated Press report.
Hey, Check This Out!
With Featured Columnist Emily Soto
Over the weekend, Ambulance was released in theaters but received a disappointing turnout. It was beaten at the box office by films that have already been out for weeks — and I can see why.
The film, which stars Jake Gyllenhaal and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II as brothers from a family of bank robbers, follows them on their next heist. The catch is, Abdul-Mateen’s character Will, walked away from the “family business” years ago. He hasn’t talked to his brother Danny for years and has a wife and child of his own now. He has been struggling to support them since concluding his military service so, under pressure, he reluctantly agrees to help with the next robbery.
And that’s the whole film. Will they get caught? Or will they get away with it?
The film tries to dig into themes of brotherhood and sacrifice but that doesn’t go beyond some needless disagreement and stress-induced arguing. Instead the screen is filled with absurd explosions and fast, swooping action shots. Not a moment of this getaway was realistic. But to top it all off, the only two women in this film are depicted as the most basic, surface level, “tough girl” tropes a film could ask for.
The only thing that kept this story moving was wanting to find out if they would complete their mission. Every time you learned a little more about Will and Danny’s backstory, you hoped a little more that they would walk away with the win. But was this “fateful day” something that seemed like it would change everyone’s lives forever, as the film suggested? No.
So if you want to see a classic, fast paced Michael Bay film with some larger than life action, this might be the film for you. But if you’re looking for something a bit deeper, I suggest you look elsewhere.
Resources
Need resources regarding warming centers, rental assistance, COVID-19 testing and vaccines or mental health? Check out our complete list here.
That’s all for today. Now get outside and enjoy this warm spell before it gets cold again! We’ll see you back here next Monday. Peace!
The 14 East Newsletter Team
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