Student health insurance, on-campus COVID-19 and flu shots and another mask mandate lifted
plus the return of The B-Side!
Welcome back to ‘In the Loop’! It’s your newsletter team — Kate, Citlali, Maddy, Richie, Mariah, Cary, Chinyere, Isabella, Lauren, Monique and Bridget.
We're premiering our first episode of “The B-Side” for the 22-23 academic year. This will be the 11th episode of our podcast that launched in January. Listen to more episodes on SoundCloud.
Before we get into today’s lineup, check out Pueblo’s most recent issue published last week.
Today, we’re laying out what and when to expect student health insurance at DePaul, COVID-19 and flu vaccine clinics on campus and Governor J.B. Pritzker’s updated executive order no longer requiring masks in healthcare facilities.
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The B-Side: Lessons on Convivencia
By Citlali Perez with Maddy Maes and Richie Requena
The first installment of the B-Side this academic year features Engagement Editor Citlali Perez looking back on the memories of their childhood including many stories they heard from their family. The story, Lessons on Convivencia Through Memory, was performed at 14 East Live, our annual live storytelling show, last May.
Story by Citlali Perez
Edited by Maddy Maes
Read by Richie Requena
What to expect if student health insurance returns to DePaul
By Mariah Hernandez
Student health insurance is slowly making its way back to DePaul with efforts from the Student Health Insurance Task Force and now the new Student Health Insurance Committee.
It has been about seven years since students have had a health insurance plan provided through DePaul. The option was taken away in 2015 when students were alerted that the healthcare plan DePaul previously had with the insurance provider Aetna would be discontinued.
Things started looking up for students in need of a healthcare plan in January of this year when the Faculty Council announced their new task force with plans to look at the need for student health insurance.
14 East has previously reported on the task force that was created. That article shared pictures of an email sent out from Faculty Council to faculty explaining that the task force would investigate the needs of students and report back to the Cabinet by the end of the 2021-2022 academic year.
Since the end of the 21-22 academic year, there has only been one update. The DePaulia reported on July 23 that university leadership accepted the recommendation for student health insurance. At the time, there were not many specifics in the plan or who is overseeing this process.
Now, instead of the Student Health Insurance Task Force, the University Student Health Insurance Committee will be working on finding student insurance.
Who is currently addressing the issue of student health insurance?
The University Student Health Insurance Committee was created in the later part of the summer and began meeting towards the end of September.
The committee is made up of several members of the task force along with faculty members, department leaders and consultants. A graduate student and an undergraduate student are on the committee as well helping to provide a student perspective on the issue.
Kimberlie Goldsberry is associate vice president of Student Affairs and chairperson of the Student Health Insurance Committee.
When will students get insurance?
At this point in their process, Goldsberry said the committee is working on creating a Request for Proposal. The RFP will be sent to various insurance providers to reply back with a proposal to the university. She says the committee is on track for submitting the RFP and looking over proposals by mid-December. The information will be relayed to the DePaul Cabinet, who will then decide which carrier best meets DePaul’s needs and how to move forward with them.
When students will get this plan is not in the hands of the committee. “The timeline for implementation can be impacted by a variety of factors and the actual implementation goal date will be determined by the Cabinet,” Goldsberry said. There is not a definite date and time for when student insurance will be back at DePaul.
A few things to expect from the plan:
A requirement for health insurance
In an email from Goldsberry, she explained that with the eventual implementation of student insurance, all undergraduate, graduate and international students will be required to have health insurance. This can be from an outside source or through DePaul. Currently, international students already are required to have a plan and DePaul provides insurance through ISO Student Health Insurance.
If students have their own insurance, they have the option to waive the need for DePaul’s program.
Accessibility & options
The Student Health Insurance Committee is seeking out locations where students already are frequenting for services, “We have made a significant emphasis in the RFP to request information about coverage at medical service facilities near the Lincoln Park and Loop campus that are currently used by many of our students,” said Goldsberry. This goes for mental health facilities as well since the plan intends to cover not only physical health but mental health too.
What to do in the meantime?
Goldsberry realizes the effects that going so long without health insurance can have on students. “Not having health insurance which provides increased access to services for physical and mental health impacts all aspects of a student's life including their ability to be successful with their academic goals,'' explained Goldsberry.
Graduate nursing student Ryann McKinnell has felt confused by DePaul not having an insurance program, especially when it is required in her program.
“My program has a mandatory requirement to have health insurance to be compliant with attending clinical and I have heard many of my peers struggle with the fact that DePaul does not have an option for student insurance,” McKinnel explains.
While waiting for a plan from DePaul, if you are currently in need of a healthcare plan you can read NPR’s guide to finding health insurance and also browse the Healthcare.gov website to find plans and read more about the Affordable Care Act.
DePaul News
By Cary Robbins
Celebrating National Disability Employment Month
On Thursday, October 20, from 2-3:30 p.m., DePaul is hosting an event via Zoom for national disability employment awareness month to discuss and commemorate all past and present workers with disabilities and all they have accomplished. It will also discuss inclusive practices that companies should practice to make workspaces more inclusive. David Harrell will be the guest speaker at the event. He is an “award-winning actor, speaker and disability advocate.” Read more about the event and where to sign up here.
Study Abroad in Spain Information Meeting
If you want to study “Spanish film and culture in Madrid and Barcelona this summer,” you should attend the session that will explain more about the Summer 2023 course “Spain: Cinema and the City.” This event will take place on Tuesday, October 25, from 4:30-5:30 p.m. at the DePaul Center 11042 (North Cafeteria) in the loop. Daniel Makagon and Luisela Alvaray are the faculty Program Directors for the summer program and will be discussing the academic focus of the program and answering any questions students may have about the event. Click here to read more about the summer program session.
DePaul’s free COVID-19 booster and flu shot vaccination clinics
DePaul is offering free to students “two COVID booster clinics and two flu shot clinics this fall.” They will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and it is encouraged that students register for appointments soon because there are a limited number of spots. No proof of insurance is required, but students are required to wear a mask and bring their student ID to their appointment. If you are receiving a COVID-19 booster shot, you must bring your COVID-19 vaccination card in order to prove that you have received the required vaccinations. Here is more information about registering for the vaccinations.
Here are the days and times the clinics will be open:
Flu clinics
Wednesday, October 19 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. at the Lincoln Park Student Center, Room 315
Thursday, October 27 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. at the Loop Campus DePaul Center, Room 8012
COVID-19 vaccine clinics
Thursday, November 3 at 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Lincoln Park Student Center, Room 324
Thursday, November 10 at 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. at the Loop Campus DePaul Center, Room 8012
Lastly, here is your weekend sports update (Oct. 13-16):
DePaul women’s soccer lost 3-1 against the UCONN on Thursday.
DePaul volleyball lost 3-1 against Xavier on Friday.
DePaul men’s cross country placed 19th overall in the 8k and the women’s cross country placed 20th overall in the 6k on Saturday.
DePaul men’s soccer team tied 1-1 with Xavier on Saturday.
DePaul volleyball lost 3-2 against Creighton on Sunday.
DePaul women’s soccer won 2-0 against Seton Hall on Sunday.
Chicago Headlines
By Chinyere Ibeh
The Obamas vote early in Chicago — The former president and former first lady cast their votes on Monday at the city’s early voting center. Barack greeted poll workers when he arrived and the couple stood at adjoining booths to fill out their ballots. Lynn Sweet reports on the interaction with the former presidential couple for the Chicago Sun-Times.
Illinois no longer requires masking in all healthcare facilities — Governor J.B. Pritzker updated an executive order earlier today bringing Illinois’ requirements in line with the recent recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Lisa Schencker reports on the change for the Chicago Tribune.
Cultural venue HotHouse is making a comeback with the help of a crowdfunding campaign — HotHouse closed its Balbo Street location in 2006, but is now fundraising to reopen in Bronzeville. The team behind the club’s revival wants to buy the Donnelly Chicago Youth Center to fulfill their plans. Jamie Nesbitt Golden gives the details via Block Club Chicago.
Mountain lion struck and killed in DeKalb County — Following the accident, the lion was sent to the University of Illinois for a full necropsy and DNA analysis. Illinois Department of Natural Resources officials confirmed the animal’s death on Sunday. Noah Nelson has the full story on WGN News Chicago.
National Headlines
By Isabella Ali
Washington state wildfire out of control, thousands evacuate — The Nakia Creek Fire in Vancouver, Washington scorched roughly 2,000 acres and crossed containment lines on Sunday, according to the authorities. Clark Regional Emergency Services Agency says residents of more than 2,900 properties were ordered to evacuate and another 5,000 more homes received notices to be prepared for an evacuation. David K. Li from NBC News has the story.
Deadly floods in Nigeria killed more than 600 people — According to officials, Nigeria’s worst flooding in a decade has left approximately 603 dead, 2,407 injuries, and 1.3 million displaced. Approximately 82,000 homes have also been entirely destroyed, along with 332,000 hectares of roads and infrastructure and 108,000 hectares of crops which raises questions about Nigeria's food supply. Ayana Archie of NPR has more information.
Fossil fuel activists throw soup at Van Gogh’s $84.2 million painting ‘Sunflowers’ — Two anti-fossil fuel activists threw cans of Heinz tomato soup onto Vincent van Gogh's "Sunflowers" painting in London's National Gallery on Friday. The UK government announced new North Sea oil and gas exploration licenses earlier this month. The campaigners claim that their objective is to persuade the government to stop issuing new licenses for fossil fuel exploration, development, and production in the UK. The gallery has since confirmed the painting was not harmed but there was some minor damage done to its frame. The activists were arrested and taken into custody for criminal damage and aggravated trespass. The Guardian’s Damien Gayle has the story.
The Gates Foundation pledges $1.2 billion to the global effort to end polio — On Sunday, The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation made a $1.2 billion donation to the global polio eradication effort. "Polio eradication is within reach. But as far as we have come, the disease remains a threat. Working together, the world can end this disease," Bill Gates said in a statement. In order to vaccinate 370 million children, the Global Polio Eradication Initiative will need $4.8 billion in financing from now until 2026. Paul Best from Fox News has the story.
U.S. to host Israeli President next week – U.S. President Joe Biden will meet with Israeli President Isaac Herzog in Washington, D.C. next week to “reinforce the strong partnership between the United States and Israel,” according to the Israeli government. Biden and Herzog will consult on regional and global concerns in an effort to advance freedom, security and opportunities. This meeting comes as Biden is being criticized for not speaking against Israel’s human rights abuses against Palestinians. Israel receives $3.8 billion in annual military aid from the U.S., and Biden has vowed to increase this support in both the military and diplomatic spheres. For more, visit Al Jazeera.
Hey, Check This Out!
With Featured Columnist Lauren Sheperd
Hello everyone, I have a classic rec for you today! Usually, I’m more of a food person, but today I’m going to recommend a show that has been taking up way too much of my time lately: “Shameless.” “Shameless” is a classic, especially for someone who comes from a family of Gallaghers (all of my cousins got the last name, but I didn’t). However, I didn’t begin watching it until a few months ago. Now, it has become a staple for my roommates and I, and we usually watch at least one episode each night.
I want to preface this rec by saying I am only on Season 4 of the show; so please no spoilers! “Shameless” is known for its raunchy humor and nods to Chicago, but what’s kept me invested is the storylines of each character, especially Lip, but that’s just a personal preference. Throughout the show – which first premiered in 2011 – viewers watch the characters grow up. We watch as they grow as individuals, as well as how the characters grow as a family. I’m currently at a point in the show (middle of Season 4) where a few major conflicts have caused issues within the Gallagher family and between the members of the family. This comes after a short period of success and bliss in the family. These episodes can be emotionally draining to watch, but it’s almost impossible to stop watching because you so badly want something to go right. It goes against the common perceptions of “Shameless,” but keeps the viewer involved even more so than the typical humor and struggles.
“Shameless” is also well known for tackling issues families and individuals face across the world: poverty, addiction, homophobia and others. The writers and actors do this in a real way and do a great job showing the emotions and obstacles the Gallaghers attempt to overcome. Sometimes they succeed, but a lot of the time, they don’t. This ensures the show is not some unrealistic, inspirational tale of a family from the South Side of Chicago, but rather that it is realistic and relatable to those who have faced any of these struggles.
Thank you for joining me this week! Be sure to check the next newsletter for a very special rec. See you then!
Resources
Need resources regarding cooling centers, rental assistance, abortion access, COVID-19 testing and vaccines or mental health? Check out our complete list here.
That’s it for today! See you next Monday.
The 14 East Newsletter Team