Our last newsletter of the academic year, what you need to know for commencement and the Queer Issue
and the tenth episode of The B-Side
Welcome to the final installment of ‘In the Loop’ for the 2021-2022 academic year! To all our Blue Demon readers, we want to wish you the best of luck on your final projects, exams and essays. The newsletter team – Claire, Cam, Richie, Grace, Eiman, Kate, Mariah, Mo and Emily – wishes you a happy summer and graduation (to those who are celebrating).
It’s officially Pride Month! 🌈 And to kick it off, we published our last issue of the year: The Queer Issue. Complete with an extensive look at gender inclusive university housing across Chicago, a commentary on unique queer representation in media, a profile on the TEDxDePaul poet who examined the intersection of race and sexuality, a guide to sapphic dating and a special letter from 14 East Editor-In-Chief Grace Del Vecchio – we truly have it all so be sure to check it out!
Thank you for sticking with us during another academic year of the newsletter. Every reader and supporter plays a role in keeping this newsletter – and magazine – up and running. If you want to show some end-of-year support for 14 East and ‘In the Loop,’ we invite you to donate directly to our newsroom. Whether it’s a one-time contribution or a monthly gift, every cent helps us build a newsroom that serves you, our readers, and we get 100% of your donation.
We’re taking a short break to recuperate from a long academic year, but we’ll be back this summer so be on the lookout for the next installment of ‘In the Loop’ brought to by 14 East’s new management!
The Tenth Episode of The B-Side
By Meredith Melland with Anna Retzlaff and Richie Requena
This final installment of The B-Side for the academic year features a look back at Northwestern University students’ protest to establish an Asian American studies program. In the award-winning piece, “Northwestern’s Asian American Studies Hunger Strike, 25 Years Later,” former associate editor and web developer Meredith Melland takes an extensive look back at the perspectives of former students who went on hunger strike to fight for the now-established Asian American studies program.
“Student support and student advocacy for the program, as well as student participation in the program, has meant that the Asian American studies program has been able to become an intellectual, academic, scholarly campus home for students and for faculty, where ideas thrive, people develop projects, and students grow and mature,” Ji-Yeon Yuh said. “I think that because of that, we will be able to thrive for a long time to come.”
Story by Meredith Melland
Recorded by Anna Retzlaff
Produced by Richie Requena
The Need-To-Know For DePaul’s Upcoming Commencement
By Kate Linderman
Many DePaul students are preparing to graduate this weekend and simultaneously finish their finals right before commencement ceremonies. To ease some stress and to answer a few questions, here’s what graduating students and their families need to know about the commencement ceremony this weekend:
Commencement Kickoff
Students can pick up their tickets, cap and gown, and reader card for the weekend’s commencement ceremony.
Tomorrow and Wednesday, students graduating from colleges located on the Lincoln Park campus (College of Education, School of Music, The Theatre School, College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, College of Science and Health) can pick up their commencement necessities from 10:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Student Center Room 120 A & B.
The commencement kickoff for colleges located in the Loop (Jarvis College of Computing and Digital Media, College of Communication, School of Continuing and Professional Studies, Driehaus College of Business, Kellstadt Graduate School of Business) was last week, but students who missed the event can email commencement@depaul.edu.
Students unable to attend the event can send someone on their behalf to pick up the items. That representative must have permission through an email or letter and the student’s ID number. More information about the commencement kickoff can be found here.
Tickets
Graduating students will receive six guest tickets and can pick them up at either the commencement kickoff or the box office at Wintrust Arena. The box office will open one hour before each ceremony.
Commencement Schedule and Bag Policy
Graduation ceremonies will be held at Wintrust Arena.
Anyone entering is only allowed to bring in a small purse that does not exceed 4.5” x 6.5” or a clear plastic or PVC bag that does not exceed 12” x 6” x 12”. Medical exceptions will be made. More details about the bag policy can be found here.
Prohibited Bags:
Approved Bags:
Masks and COVID-19 vaccinations are encouraged, but not required.
Here’s a rundown on the commencement dates and times:
Saturday, June 11, 2022
Jarvis College of Computing and Digital Media and The Theatre School
8:00 - 10:30 am, doors open at 7:00 am
College of Communication and the College of Education
1:00 - 3:30 pm, doors open at 12:00 pm
College of Science and Health and the School of Music
6:00 - 8:00 pm, doors open at 5:00 pm
Sunday, June 12, 2022
Driehaus College of Business (Undergraduate only)
8:00 - 10:30 am, doors open at 7:00 amKellstadt Graduate School of Business
1:00 - 3:30 pm, doors open at 12:00 pmCollege of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences and the School of Continuing and Professional Studies
6:00 - 8:00 pm, doors open at 5:00 pm
For those looking to watch commencement virtually, live stream details can be found here.
Late RSVP
If you forgot to RSVP for commencement, there is still time. Those still looking to RSVP to the graduation ceremony must contact their college to assist with the process. The list of emails for each college can be found here.
For more details and updates, visit DePaul’s commencement page.
DePaul News
By Mariah Hernandez
Finals Week & The End of Spring Quarter
The Spring Quarter will come to an end on Friday, June 10. Because finals are taking place throughout the week, the Richardson Library will be open 24 hours between June 6 and June 9.
“Vinny Vans” are available during finals week to safely transport students residing on the North Side from the Lincoln Park library to their apartments as long as they live within the boundaries defined by the service – with northern boundaries set at Addison to the southern boundary of Sedgewick, and east/west boundaries set at Clark and Southport. Services will be available from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m.
The Loop Library is also open for extended hours during this same time period from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Spring Quarter grades are officially due June 17. You can read more on the academic schedule here.
Summer Session begins, and U-Passes end
Summer is right around the corner, as is the beginning of the first Summer Session. Summer Session I begins June 13 and will end July 17. The deadline to add classes for Summer Session I is June 14. Summer Session II will begin July 18. For the summer term, U-Passes will stop working for students not currently enrolled in a degree-seeking program and a minimum of one class. U-Pass distribution for the summer term begins June 13 for undergraduate and graduate students. For law students, this begins June 6. More information on U-Passes can be found in the FAQ’s.
Lincoln Park Residential Halls Move Out for Spring Quarter
Students moving out after the Spring Quarter are expected to be out of the Lincoln Park residential halls by noon on Saturday, June 11. Meal plans will also be canceled for Lincoln Park residents after June 10. Whatever amount is left on the plan will be forfeited and cannot be refunded. Mail keys can be returned to the Lincoln Park Student Center on the third floor in room 317. Anyone who does not move out by the times required can be fined $150. Students living in University Center will receive moving information in early June. Residents planning to live in summer housing will be contacted as well with their assignments. The deadlines and move-out stipulations can be read here.
Chicago Headlines
By Maureen Dunne
Lake Michigan Recession Exposes Old Structures, Impact of Beach Erosion — As climate change worsens across the globe, Chicago’s lakefront erosion and receding water levels are visible reminders to Chicagoans of the crisis. Many beaches across the city this summer are undergoing maintenance, while others have been filled in with rocks and no longer allow swimming to combat sand erosion. Some, like Rainbow Beach, have eroded to show their underlying cement structures. Read more about the changing lakefront from Sylvia Goodman of the Chicago Tribune.
Ed Burke Racketeering Charge Advances Closer to Trial — Disgraced Alderperson Ed Burke has been awaiting trial for over three years on a racketeering charge, but his case may see a trial soon as a federal judge rejected all of his pre-trial motions, which had been bogging down the process. However, due to a backlog in cases due to COVID-19, he is unlikely to see a courtroom until next year, according to the judge. John Seidel of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.
Governor J.B. Pritzker Announces Clearing of Statewide Sexual Assault Kit Backlog — Despite state law mandating the testing of sexual assault kits within six months of their collection, for years, Illinois had a backlog of thousands of untested kits. Governor Pritzker announced Friday, June 3, that all backlogged tests had been processed due to increases in staffing and funding. “It is part of our mission to bring justice to those who have survived sexual assault as quickly as possible,” Illinois State Police Director Brendan F. Kelly said in a statement. Stefano Esposito of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.
Third Law Enforcement Officer Shot This Week in Chicago — Sunday afternoon, a Chicago police officer was shot during a traffic stop in Englewood. According to department officials, a person emerged from their car during a traffic stop and shot at officers and they returned fire. The alleged shooter was also wounded by police gunfire. This is the third law enforcement official shot in Chicago since Thursday, June 2, when a U.S. Marshal was shot in Portage Park. Block Club Chicago Staff has more.
National Headlines
By Richie Requena
BTS Meets with President Joe Biden — K-pop sensation BTS visited the White House to speak with Joe Biden on the grim topic of the rise in anti-Asian attacks in America on the last day of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. The Grammy-nominated band spoke to reporters in the briefing room, and then to President Biden in the oval office. “We believe music is always an amazing and wonderful unifier of all things,” said band member Jungkook. Will Weissert of the AP has more.
Proud Boys Charged with Sedition on January 6 Capitol Attack — Leaders of the right wing extremist group known as the Proud Boys received indictments for seditious conspiracy in connection to the January 6 insurrection. Prosecutors say that while chairman Enrique Tarrio was not physically present in the Capitol the day of the insurrection, he “led the advance planning and remained in contact with other members of the Proud Boys” during the storming of the building. Alan Feuer, Luke Broadwater and Adam Goldman of the New York Times have more details on the indictment.
In 10 States, a Gallon of Gas Now Costs More Than $5 — Gas prices in the U.S. hit a record high on Monday, with the nationwide average of a gallon at $4.86, according to the AAA. Illinois ranks sixth highest for the average gas prices, with a 41-cent increase since last week. Bill Chappell from NPR has the story.
Starbucks to Close One of its First Unionized Stores — Starbucks workers in Ithaca, New York say their store is being shut down in retaliation for unionizing its employees back in April. The worker committee is filing a formal complaint to the National Labor Relations Board and said in a press release the closure of their store is a “clear attempt to scare workers across the country.”A Starbucks spokesperson said the company opens and closes stores as part of its regular operations, but did not go into specifics on the Ithaca location. Ramishah Maruf of CNN Business has the story.
Hey, Check This Out!
With Featured Columnist Emily Soto
Hi, everyone and welcome to the final recommendation of the school year! It has been my absolute pleasure bringing you everything from the media I enjoyed to the best places to eat or shop around Chicago. I hope you loved reading these suggestions as much as I loved writing them every week. It’s because of them that I found more courage as a writer to try new things and expand my understanding of what journalism could be.
But I’m not done yet! I plan to bring you more recs this summer – so keep an eye out for what’s to come!
Now, let’s get into this week’s rec!
In honor of our Queer Issue last week, I’m recommending a great piece of queer media — Heartstopper on Netflix. If you haven’t already seen the show, you’re missing out on a story that transforms the usual, cheesy high school romance.
The story starts with Charlie Spring, a shy and nervous boy in Year 10 at an all-boys school in the U.K. His friends, Tao, Issac and Elle are loyal and protective of him, especially when he begins to develop a crush on the most popular boy in school — who they all know is straight.
In fact, when Charlie joins the rugby team to be closer to his crush Nick, the group disagrees with the choice and begins to drift apart as they try to figure out where their friendships lie.
But with this time apart, they all begin to learn more about themselves and what really matters to them in their lives. They discover connections they didn’t realize already existed and find strength they didn’t know they had.
Typically, I am not a fan of these high school dramas where you know exactly what the ending will be. They are unrealistic and predictable. They rely on weak teenage stereotypes to convey an old, tired theme.
But Heartstopper is the exact opposite.
Throughout the series, I was always guessing what would happen next. The story felt real — like I was experiencing each moment alongside the characters. Each of them slowly opened up and shared their feelings with the audience just as they did with their friends and family.
It’s in these moments that we can relate with them and their reactions to the many struggles of being a young person who is still figuring out life.
Resources
Need resources regarding rental assistance, COVID-19 testing and vaccines or mental health? Check out our complete list here.
That’s all for this week! Again, we want to thank you for your readership over the last year and for your continued support. We’ll be taking a short break from the newsletter for finals and graduation, but stay tuned this summer for more campus updates, city news, media recommendations and community resources!
With love,
The 14 East Newsletter Team