Check out Netflix’s new interactive game: Trivia Quest page 23.
Why is it so difficult to prosecute Russian war leaders? Page 10.
DePaulia
The
Volume #106 | Issue #21 | April 18, 2022 | depauliaonline.com
Where do DePaul’s dollars go By Lawrence Kreymer Editor-in-Chief
For the most part it can be hard to get a lot of details regarding the financial details of DePaul University due to the fact that it is a private university, which means that it is not subjected to the same Freedom of Information laws that other public universities are required to follow. Since DePaul is a nonprofit organization, however, the university is required to file an annual Form 990 with the Internal Revenue Service, which reveals key details about the highest paid employees, revenue generated, expenses incurred and endowment growth in the fiscal year. The form, while not revealing everything about the university’s financial details, provides a glimpse into some of DePaul’s The DePaulia has been able to take a look at the most recent Form 990 for the 2019-20 fiscal year. Who were the highest paid employees for the 2019-20 fiscal year? That answer is pretty simple: Iit was former men’s basketball head coach
Highest paid employees in 2019-20 Former men’s basketball coach: Dave Leitao
Total compensation: $1,423,644
President:
A. Gabriel Esteban Total compensation: $1,105,329
Dave Leitao, who received a total compensation package of $1,423,644 — which is a combination of his base compensation, bonuses, other reportable compensation, retirement and other deferred compensation and nontaxable benefits, according to the form. Leitao did receive a contract extension in the spring of 2020, but he was fired a year later. At the time, The DePaulia reported that Leitao’s contract did not include a buyout or any guaranteed money. DePaul has replaced Leitao with Tony Stubblefield, but his compensation will not be included in the Form 990 until next year. Esteban comes in just behind Leitao for the 2019-20 year, at a total compensation of $1,105,329, which is about a $10,000 increase from the previous year, according to the form. He will be stepping down as the university’s president at the end of the school year, but he did receive a contract extension in the summer of 2020. Leitao and Esteban are the only two people at the university to receive over a
See DOLLARS, page 15
Professor, Driehaus school of Business: Mark Frigo
Total compensation: $873,170
Endowment 2019-20:
$751,411,827
2018-19:
$696,452,199
‘The glue that holds [it] together’: Facility Operations is the backbone of DePaul By Patrick Sloan-Turner Faculty Council Beat Writer
EMILY SOTO | THE DEPAULIA
Facility Operations President Bob Janis discusses plans with his co-worker, Linda Van Houzen.
If you walked the streets of DePaul’s Lincoln Park Campus on the morning of Good Friday, the setting might feel off in comparison to its usual hustle and bustle. With no students gathered outside Arts and Letters Hall, no one sitting on the steps outside the Levan Center and no one entering and exiting the revolving doors of the Student Center, you might think the campus was empty. It wasn’t. While many students and faculty had vacated campus to enjoy a long Easter weekend, DePaul’s Facility Operations employees were hard at work. “It’s an opportunity at moments like this when students and staff aren’t around that we can get in here to fine-tune things,”
said Danny Cruz, the head custodian of the Schmitt Academic Center. Cruz and his crew use days, like the Friday of a holiday weekend, to accomplish things they typically wouldn’t get to on a regular school day. “We have thousands of students here, so there’s wear and tear,” Cruz said. “[Over a holiday] we can do things like paint and touch things up… there’s always so much to do.” The details that Facility Operations maintains affect students more than many might realize, according to Kellen Brown, the executive vice president of DePaul’s Student Government Association. “Even though you may not see it, these are the people that are making sure that everything goes efficiently and smoothly for all of our students,” Brown said. “I’m blown
See JANIS, page 7
2 | News. The DePaulia. April 18, 2022
First Look
CAMPUS COVID-19 CASES March 4, 2022 - April 15, 2022
The DePaulia is the official student-run newspaper of DePaul University and may not necessarily reflect the views of college administrators, faculty or staff. EDITOR-IN-CHIEF | Lawrence Kreymer eic@depauliaonline.com PRINT MANAGING | Nika Schoonover managing@depauliaonline.com ONLINE MANAGING | Nate Burleyson online@depauliaonline.com NEWS EDITOR | Nadia Hernandez news@depauliaonline.com ASST. NEWS EDITOR | Kiersten Riedford news@depauliaonline.com NATION & WORLD EDITOR | Jackson Healy nation@depauliaonline.com OPINIONS EDITOR | Erik Uebelacker opinion@depauliaonline.com FOCUS EDITOR | Josephine Stratman focus@depauliaonline.com ARTS & LIFE EDITOR | Amber Stoutenborough artslife@depauliaonline.com ASST. ARTS & LIFE EDITOR | Lilly Keller artslife@depauliaonline.com
SOURCE: COVID-19 DASHBOARD | DEPAUL UNIVERSITY
Visit the Covid-19 Dashboard for information on how to report positive cases on campus.
SPORTS EDITOR | Darcy Waskiewicz sports@depauliaonline.com ASST. SPORTS EDITOR | Joshua M. Hicks sports@depauliaonline.com ART EDITOR | Alicia Goluszka art@depauliaonline.com PHOTO CHIEF | Emily Soto photo@depauliaonline.com ASST. PHOTO CHIEF | Sofia Leal photo@depauliaonline.com COPY EDITORS | Luke Myers & Corey Schmidt copydesk@depauliaonline.com SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR | Lily Lowndes social@depauliaonline.com ADVISOR | Marla Krause mkrause1@depaul.edu
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News. The DePaulia. April 18, 2022 | 3
Former Chicagoan takes a stand in the Ukrainian refugee crisis By Sam Moilanen Staff Writer
For the past four weeks, Michal Lorenc woke up in a Lublin, Poland hotel after temporarily leaving his family, his co-owned soccer team and his job at Google behind in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Lorenc, a former Chicagoan and Loyola alumnus put his normal life on hold when Russia invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24. After starting a GoFundMe raising over $80,000 for Ukrainian refugees, Lorenc traveled to the Poland-Ukraine border to volunteer. On March 20, Lorenc traveled to Lublin, Poland, the city where he grew up, to assist refugees crossing the Ukrainian border. Lorenc said he knew he had to help, and couldn’t stand by watching people suffer while he had the means and opportunity to help. “I just couldn’t fathom not doing anything, I needed to help,” Lorenc said. “I just had this need to do something other than yell at my TV from across the world.” A freshman at DePaul University and long-term family friend of Lorenc, Carter Altruda said he believes what Lorenc is doing makes him a hero, because he is helping others without any gain for himself. “He’s a hero, there are people that do [humanitarian work] when they’re in the limelight, and there are people that are actual heroes [like Mike],” Altruda said. Lorenc said he set up base in a hotel in Lublin because he wanted to prioritize secondary border crossings, and spends most of his time in Dorohusk, Zosyn, Hrebenne and Chelm, which are towns that border Ukraine. Chelm also has a large refugee center and train station coming directly from Ukraine where he was able to volunteer at the humanitarian aid center.
“I wanted to be in-person, to be able to help welcome the thousands of refugees a day that are coming here,” he said. Lorenc said he starts his day at a train station in Lublin to see what they need, which is typically water, juice, diapers and basic necessities. Then he travels to three out of the four refugee centers he volunteers at repeating the same routine. Then, at about 2 p.m. he comes back to Lublin to shop for clothing for the refugees. In Lublin, Lorenc has been assisting an organization called Free Clothing, which offers free clothes to Ukrainian refugees servicing close to 1,000 people a day. “Today, I ended up getting probably 250 spring dresses for the kids and they had this Wonder Woman women’s t-shirt, and all the refugee moms are Wonder Women so I bought literally the entire selection from the stores,” he said. Lorenc said the refugee’s needs vary dayby-day because the weather and their situations are constantly changing. At first, one of the greatest needs was underwear and shoes because many Ukrainians first traveled the border with only one pair of winter boots and the clothing on their backs. Now, many cities in Poland have opened up free access to swimming pools for refugees now that the weather is warmer. As a result, swim suits are in high demand and Free Clothing volunteers — like Lorenc — are actively working to provide this need to refugees for free. “[This] is amazing, but nobody brings a swimsuit when they have to fit their livelihood into one backpack so that’s something we organize and end up buying hundreds of swimsuits so [refugees] can get them for free,” he said. He also helps out at the Help Ukraine Center which provides medical supplies to
PHOTO COURTESY OF MICHAL LORENC
Michal Lorenc traveled to Poland in March to help refugees at the Ukrainian border. Ukrainians fighting in the war. Lorenc typically buys and donates supplies like bandages, first aid kits or thermal blankets. “Earlier today, I dropped off another 250 first aid kits which they will send directly to the Ukrainian army in Kyiv and Eastern Ukraine,” he said. Tom Anubliss, another volunteer, met Lorenc at the Help Ukraine Center. His role at the center consisted of sorting the supplies delivered by drivers like Lorenc. “The time that we met, I had been there for three weeks volunteering at this point, MICHAL LORENC | INSTAGRAM and was getting a sense for what was good Lorenc ordered 1,000 custom colored supplies and when he came in with the med- Ukrainian flag lollipops to hand out. ical supplies, I was like this is really good stuff so straight away I was excited to meet than 1.1 million children have arrived in Poland since the start of the war, accordhim,” Anubliss said. Lorenc said thousands of refugees are ing to United Children’s Fund (UNICEF). continuing to cross the border everyday, Additionally, Lorenc said the population in with about 21,000 people crossing the bor- Warsaw increased by 15 percent within only der on Monday, April 11 which is considered three weeks so housing has become a major a slow day. About 90 percent of Ukrainian issue in Poland. “Lots of people in Poland have opened refugees are women and children and more up their homes and welcomed Ukrainian families,” he said. “The question is, how long can somebody stay like this?” Lorenc said there isn’t an easy answer to the refugee crisis, but it is important to address the long-term needs of refugees and determine how to help them start rebuilding a life where they are able to fend for themselves. “The challenge is, how do you balance the two, how do you prepare for the long term crisis and give them an opportunity to stay and be able to integrate, while at the same time, giving them a chance and a way to come back [to Ukraine] as quickly as possible,” he said. When asked how he made the decision to put his life on hold to help Ukrainian refugees, Lorenc said what he is doing is simple and safe compared to what they have to go through. “I can always go back to my old life, but for the millions of people that are experiencing war, and are literally fleeing their country, their home for their safety, they don’t have that luxury,” he said. “The life they had before is gone, even if they go back.” Lorenc will be coming back to Michigan on April 21 and is already thinking about how he can continue to help Ukrainians once he gets back. In addition to supplying clothing, food, medical supplies and other necessities to Ukrainian refugees, Lorenc has also been considering how he can help the women and children meet not only their physical needs, but also emotional needs. To bring a smile to the children’s faces, Lorenc custom ordered 1,000 lollipops in Ukrainian colors. “I think it’s so important to bring a human element to everything we do and get people to show them respect because they had lives that were not much different than [ours] four or five weeks ago, and now evMICHAL LORENC | INSTAGRAM erything has changed,” Lorenc said. Lorenc works with multiple organizations to offer aid at the Russia and Poland land border. He is returning to Chicago April 21.
4 | News. The DePaulia. April 18, 2022
DePaul affordability questioned with latest tuition increase By Grace Vaughn Contributing Writer
Gas prices, grocery costs and now tuition prices are rapidly increasing. Students face between a two and three percent increase in undergraduate tuition for the upcoming 2022 - 2023 academic year, according to Karen LeVeque, director of student services in the Office of Financial Aid. DePaul’s Board of Trustees and Chief Financial Officer Sherri Sidler collectively determined and released the new rates on April 1. An institutional-wide tuition increase will be in effect by the start of fall quarter. Many current students are yet to experience this price growth since the university froze tuition costs for students during the 202021 school year. The only colleges with raised prices during the 2021-22 school year were the School of Music, The Theatre School and the College of Law. In an effort to offset this increase, DePaul planned to allocate $282 million in financial aid to provide to students for the 2022-23 academic year. This is a three percent increase since this past academic year, according to DePaul spokesperson Kristin Mathews.. “DePaul’s tuition rate increases are on par or lower than peer institutions,” Mathews said. “The university strives to keep tuition affordable through its budgeting process and by raising funds for scholarships and other student uses.” Many colleges throughout Chicago are also seeing an increase in tuition cost for the upcoming academic year.. On January 12, Loyola University Chicago announced a 3.65 percent increase in undergraduate tuition and a 3.3 percent increase in meal plan prices
for the 2022-2023 academic year, according to the Office of the President at Loyola. This expanded their annual cost by approximately $1,690. After freezing tuition for two consecutive years, the Columbia College Chicago Board of Trustees approved a 10 percent increase in undergraduate tuition for the fall. The University of Illinois in Chicago raised tuition for the second time in the last eight years. The increase is just under 2 percent for incoming in-state freshmen. At The University of Chicago, undergraduate tuition increased by 4.96 and housing rates by 4.72 percent. Their total annual tuition and fees now add up to $65,330. Robert Kallen, a former clinical professor of economics at DePaul University, said due to the large demand of prospective students interested in attending their institutions, universities were in an enviable position up until 2020. This is a result of the decrease in applicants over the past couple of years, Kallen said. “There were more applicants than there were seats, and it was a nice model,” Kallen said. “Obviously, the pandemic hit and enrollments are down. Universities are now struggling with what the correct price point [is when] moving forward.” He noted universities tend to deal with determining financial help for students in different ways. “Some universities are very adept as far as figuring out what your parent’s income is or what you’re willing to pay, and they’re able to charge full bulk,” Kallen said. “Other universities are saying, ‘Okay we’ve been able to segment the market, and we feel you can pay this much.’” The return of tuition increases appears to
be a trend nationwide this year. A handful of public and private universities in all regions of the country chose to announce the new rates for the upcoming academic year, according to NBC News. These universities’ explanations behind the financial decisions varied. Some cited in official announcements that the university needed higher tuition to pay for higher employee income, inflation, new infrastructure and the decline in student enrollment since the pandemic. Students like Cindy Rocha, first generation Latina student and junior at DePaul, said she felt she is already under enough financial pressure with the effects of the ongoing pandemic and high inflation rates. Rocha said pursuing higher education is continuing to become more and more classist as tuition costs increase. “I know it doesn’t look like a lot on paper, but that [tuition increase] is going to impact our finances so much,” Rocha said. “I had to take out more loans for this year than I had for the other two combined. M y
mother is struggling with her health. My father has to work overtime to keep everything afloat.” Rocha held the position of Executive Vice President of Student Affairs for DePaul’s Student Government Association from May 2021 to March 2022. She said after hearing many students’ financial stories she worried about how this new tuition rate could affect people with lower income and international students’ ability to attend DePaul this upcoming academic year. “Where is justice?” Rocha said. “In a school that’s founded in justice and founded in social justice, where is that awareness? What must be done? Maybe the answer to that is looking at your community and making things more adjustable for them.” Students facing difficult financial circumstances related to Covid or other issues are encouraged by DePaul’s Office of Financial Aid to reach out directly to the department for appropriate appeal guidance based on their situation.
ALICIA GOLUSZKA | ART
CAMPUS CRIME REPORT: April 6, 2022 - April 12, 2022
LOOP CAMPUS
LINCOLN PARK CAMPUS
1150 W Fullerton 3
5
7
Lewis Center DePaul Center
DePaul Student Center
April 6 1) A Theft report was filed for a person whose wallet was pickpocketed while walking in the public area of Lincoln Park. (Not pictured) April 8 2) A Sexual Harassment report was filed for a person who was harassed by an unknown subject in the Student Center. April 11 3) A Criminal Trespass Warning was issued to a person in the public library at 1150 W. Fullerton.
7
5
1
LINCOLN PARK CAMPUS
4
6
Assault & Theft
5 6
Drug & Alcohol
Other
LOOP CAMPUS April 6 4) A Graffiti report was filed for markings on the Lewis Center. 5) An Aggravated Assault report was filed regarding an incident in which an offender threatened Barnes & Noble employees with a weapon in the DePaul Center. Chicago Police arrived on scene and took the offender into custody. 6) ATheft report was filed regarding an incident that occurred on the sidewalk in from of 14 E Jackson. April 10 7) A Graffiti report was filed for markings on the Lewis Center.
News. The DePaulia. April 18, 2022 | 5
Chicago Reader rallies for non-profit status By Nadia Hernandez News Editor
The Chicago Reader Union will rally this Thursday to demand that co-owner Leonard Goodman authorize the publication’s nonprofit status. Goodman has been blocking the sale since 2021. Goodman, a criminal defense lawyer and an adjunct professor at DePaul’s College of Law, bought the Reader under Leonard C. Goodman’s Institute for Investigative Reporting in 2018. He has owned the Reader along with Elzie Higginbottom. In an op-ed published in the Chicago Tribune on Thursday, Philip Montoro, Micco Caporale, Leor Galil and Yasmin Zacaria Mikhaiel from the Reader asked Goodman to approve the sale of the Reader to The Reader Institute for Community Journalism. If not, the Reader will stop publishing in weeks. The Chicago Reader Union will also hold a rally outside Goodman’s residence on Thursday, April 21 at 11 a.m. Montoro, the unit chair of the Reader Union, told The DePaulia that the union leadership has not heard from Goodman officially. He did not respond for comment in time for publication. On Saturday, Goodman replied to various Reader staff on Twitter. “The Reader union has not heard from Len Goodman since the publication of the op-ed,” Montoro said. “But we’ve never heard from him, so that’s not a surprise.” The Reader staff is made up of about 35 workers which make on average about $45,000 a year, according to their op-ed. Currently as a for-profit publication, The Reader and Goodman made a deal at the end of 2021 to transition into nonprofit status. “A nonprofit has enhanced capacity for fundraising, whether through donations from individuals, grants from foundations, or other sources,” Montoro said. “We won’t have to depend as heavily on ad sales, which have been depressed for more than a decade and
will likely never return to their old highs.” However, Goodman and Higginbottom have yet to authorize the sale. “We’ve been losing money for years as a for-profit, and in fact Len Goodman funded us generously to keep us afloat after he became part-owner in 2018,” Montoro said. “This makes it even more baffling that he doesn’t seem to understand that he’s hurting us by cutting us off from the additional revenue streams available to a nonprofit.” The Reader has weeks until they will shut down. “A rich man thinks we should fear for our jobs because we dared try to correct his mistakes,” according to the Chicago Reader Union press release. “I care deeply about the Reader,” Goodman told the Chicago Sun-Times in February. “I have invested heavily in keeping it alive. The main reason for that is its tradition of hard-hitting reporting that isn’t being done elsewhere.” Kelly Garcia, a Reader staff writer, told The DePaulia that the disconnect between the board and workers has created a hierarchy. “I don’t think he’s genuine about saving the Reader or having any good intentions because of this lack of relationship and communication,” Garcia said. “It’s baffling how someone who has yet to engage with the editorial union of the Chicago Reader has our lives and our jobs and the legacy of this paper in his hands.” Goodman’s DePaul faculty page says that he helped “save” the Reader. Goodman saved the Reader from bankruptcy in 2018 by buying the company for $1. Despite his help, Garcia said she felt that with the lack of a long-term plan, Goodman does not have the Reader’s best interests in mind. Goodman also published an op-ed Wednesday about the dangers of fact-checking opinion writers due to suppressing personal opinion. He previously published a
column in The Reader in November about being hesitant to vaccinate his 6-year-old. Goodman claimed Reader editors were limiting free speech with fact checking. If the sale goes through, Goodman claimed in a tweet on April 16, “there will never be opposing points of view in The Reader.” The Reader is celebrating its 50-year anniversary and hopes to continue serving its mission statement in the creation of a non-profit. “We all want to keep getting paid, our modest salaries notwithstanding, so that we can keep doing the brave, compassionate, independent journalism that has made the Reader valuable to Chicago for more than 50 years,” Montoro said. If The Reader stops publishing, it would end the work Garcia wants to continue doing. “It’s really concerning that we’re here now, instead of being able to celebrate our 50 years as the city’s alternative free paper,” she said. “We are having to fight for the future of it. What’s at stake here is the potential for journalism. That’s really centered on the communities here, it’s really disheartening that [Goodman] doesn’t seem to get that at all.” As a free newspaper, Garcia added that those experiencing homelessness who cannot access the news can read the paper as well. “A lot of people, especially people who are experiencing homelessness, are able to read about the news because of us, especially when we bring the age of the people and a lot of people can’t access the news,” Garcia said. “It’s important for papers like ours to continue circulating.” This week’s rally is supposed to symbolize what Chicago will lose if Goodman continues to block the sale. “He has our jobs at stake,which means he also has our lives at stake,” Gar-
LEONARD GOODMAN | DEPAUL
“It’s baffling how someone who has yet to engage with the editorial union of the Chicago Reader has our lives and our jobs and the legacy of this paper in his hands.
Kelly Garcia
Chicago Reader Staff Writer cia said. “Some people won’t be able to afford their rent in a couple of months. This sale doesn’t go through and we can’t get paid. We’re just trying to make it clear to him.”
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6 | News. The DePaulia. April 18, 2022
DePaul fraternity faces backlash after controversial charity By Josephine Stratman Focus Editor
After a fundraising event for a controversial charity prompted criticism on social media, DePaul fraternity Sigma Epsilon changed their charity for a fundraiser event. On April 5, the fraternity posted an Instagram post announcing the return of their annual Lip Sync event after the pandemic. Within days, the post racked up dozens of comments from angry members of the DePaul community claiming the charity to be harmful, anti-vax and regressive. On April 14, the fraternity announced they would be swapping the charity out for a new one. “Why are you fundraising for an organization that believes vaccines cause autism?” wrote one user. “God I’m begging y’all to read a single thing,” said another. “who planned this event???? Literally do an ounce of research into legitimately helpful and non-ableist organizations i beg you,” said another. Sigma Epsilon saw the controversy and course-corrected, the member said. “I’m not claiming to be an expert,” a SigEp executive board member who wished to remain anonymous said. “I’m just a college kid. Like, trying to do some research and provide a good organization that we want to support with our money and like with supporting the community. But it seems like people were saying that they would rather see a different organization supported, and since our main goal is to do good and to uplift the community, we decided that that’s what we were going to do.” The fraternity chose the charity, The Autism Community in Action (TACA), for this year’s annual Lip Sync event, hosted on April 23, because the charity they usually support, Big Brothers Big Sisters, fell through and one of the members had worked with them in the past, the executive board member said. TACA is a California-based national nonprofit founded in 2000 by Glen and Lisa Ackerman. Its mission is “to provide education, support and hope to families living with autism,” according to its website. The fraternity chose TACA because this mission seemed positive, and another fraternity brother had worked with the charity in the past, making it a seemingly straightforward choice, the Sigma Epsilon member said, adding that the fraternity did some research on the charity, including going over 990 tax forms. “We didn’t find any of them in their current initiatives or in the ways that they spent their money,” he said. “So we decided that TACA would be an organization that we felt fit well because of our personal connection and the way that they have helped the art brother and his family deal with ASD [Autism spectrum disorder] .” The frat initially referred to TACA by its old name “Talk About Curing Autism,” but changed the post quickly to account for the organization’s new name: The Autism Community in Action. The name of the organization was in 2019, according to a press release, but language on the charity’s website still maintains “We know that curing autism is not like really a… it’s a harmful thing for the autism community,” the SigEp member said. “And so that rhetoric on our end, we wanted to correct that.” “We don’t want to detract from that with any sort of negativity or any sort of
like, yeah, just negativity really from the DePaul community… When we realized that TACA was not an organization that could best achieve that goal in our DePaul community, we decided to look for something that might be able to better serve the DePaul community as well as our mission to help the world and provide for charities that can do some good.” After the backlash, SigEp changed their charity to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, keeping the original date. David Hupp, SGA’s senator for disabled students, and an autisitc disability advocate, said the language of “curing autism,” TACA uses is very problematic, and a type of therapy the organization promotes, applied behavior analysis therapy, can also be very harmful. “Autism is not a disease,” he said. “It’s not something that can be cured. And arguably, it’s not even a disorder.” There are a lot of resources for autisitc people and their families — and many of them are a “mixed bag,” Hupp said. Often, he finds himself recommending books or resources but giving stipulations and disclaimers to certain parts. This kind of situation isn’t special, Grace Koehler, a freshman at DePaul, said — just the latest example of a common problem. “It’s not an uncommon mistake with conversations around autism,” Koehler said. “Autistic people are so rarely included in those conversations. And like, it’s not a coincidence, I think, that the people who were picking these organizations were members of the fraternity … it’s an environment that is based so heavily on a person’s ability to be social and to excel in a social environment… It’s unsurprising that there’s also a wider idea that there’s a specific way to interact.” So how can students help autistic students? Hupp said people can start with the way they refer to autisitic people, using identity-first language to say “ausitic people” instead of “people with autism” and trying to avoid use words like “neurodivergent” or “neurotypical” that can create a sense of “othering” autistic people. “I would say, be accommodating,” Hupp added. “Think about examining ways that you might contribute to people who are diverse in those ways, feeling left out and make a better effort to include them socially, and otherwise. Make them feel more comfortable.” Koehler suggested students support organizations by and for autisitic people. “It’d be really neat if we could get more of a conversation started and have people realize that it’s okay to be this way and it’s fine to interact with all kinds of people and makes you know less of a person, if you have different social behaviors than what’s widely accepted. “ “I’m not a charity case. If you want to treat me like one, hit me up. I can give you my Venmo,” Koehler said, laughing, “But there’s this misunderstanding that comes from a fundamental lack of considering autistic people as human and that’s something you see with a lot of marginalized groups historically, and that’s something you see with disabled people. So it’s an issue of human rights, not necessarily one of like, a disorder or a cure.”
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News. The DePaulia. April 18, 2022 | 7 JANIS, continued from front page away by the amount of work they juggle… [without getting] too overwhelmed.” DePaul’s custodial crews, like Cruz’s, are just one piece of Facility Operations. The department manages numerous aspects of campus such as public safety, emergency management, parking and housing management and more. While DePaul has grown - both in physical size and student enrollment - over the past half century, one constant has partly witnessed and played a role in this growth and development: DePaul’s Vice President of Facility Operations Bob Janis. On Oct. 31, Janis will retire from a 48-year career working at DePaul. As head of Facility Operations, Janis oversees a department that employs 173 full-time DePaul workers and nearly 200 contracted employees. “Bob Janis, he sets the example,” Cruz said. “He commands authority… but in the same token, he’s really went to bat for me in many ways because that’s who Bob is as a person.” While some of Janis’ employees currently see him as an esteemed and accomplished department head, that hasn’t always been his place at DePaul. Janis first stepped foot on DePaul’s Lincoln Park Campus in 1974 to interview for a custodian job in the Vincentian residence to fill in for an injured employee. What was supposed to be a six-month stint at a temporary position, turned into a year and a half for the Chicago native. Afterwards, Janis was given a permanent custodial job. “I was scrubbing bathrooms, cleaning toilets, and doing whatever else needed to be done,” Janis said. Slowly but surely, Janis began to move up the ranks. After working in the Vincentian residence, Janis started working in the residence hall and later moved to work with the on-campus carpenter. From there, Janis was pulled into what was then called the physical plant office, where he began managing small construction and remodeling projects. “I was blessed to have people in positions above me who were observing that I wanted to work hard… and I wanted to do more,” Janis said. “They gave me opportunities and gave me a chance to learn from them and grow with them.” As he moved up the ranks as a DePaul employee, Janis also took steps to better his life through education. While working as a custodian in McCabe Hall, Janis formed relationships with its residents, many of whom were MBA and law students. “I interacted quite a bit with that group… I said [to myself] ‘I want to be more like these guys,’” Janis said. “I need to go to school; I need higher education in my life.” Like his methodical rise through Facility Operations, Janis gradually made his way towards two degrees. Over the course of 11 years, he attended night classes and earned a bachelor’s degree from DePaul’s School of Continuing and Professional Studies in 1982 and a master’s degree in interdisciplinary studies from the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences in 1986. “All while working here,” Janis said. Throughout the past 48 years at DePaul, Janis has seen DePaul grow in physical size from under a million square feet to over five million square feet today between the Loop and Lincoln Park campuses. Facility Operations is at the forefront of physical planning of projects on campus, making decisions on what a new building’s layout should look like or the methods of renovation that should take place. Over the years, Janis has played a significant role in the physical assembly of DePaul University that current students like Brown are familiar with today. “For me my favorite building is Arts and Letters,” Brown said. “He presided over the construction of that building, the Richardson Library, the music school… the list goes on and on… he’s the glue that holds DePaul together.” For members of Facility Operations, con-
EMILY SOTO | THE DEPAULIA
Loop campus facility manager Donna Voight [left] and Vice President of Facility Operations Bob Janis [right] talk about future projects. tinuity like Janis’ tenure of almost 50 years has been instrumental to the group’s long-term success. “By my count, our... divisional leadership team has over 150 years of collective DePaul experience,” said Richard Wiltse, director of facility operations. “When the leadership team has worked together for so long, it… [makes for] a cohesive and effective team.” Janis and Facility Operations have also had to navigate disasters at DePaul. Wednesday marked the 30-year anniversary of the Chicago flood of 1992, an event that Facility Operations had their hands full with at DePaul’s Loop campus. “There was 30-plus-feet of water in the lower levels of the Lewis Center Building,” Janis said. “All the primary mechanical equipment and electrical gear was underwater… We had to shut down everything.” Facility Operations have been the primary force in managing recent crises too. The Covid-19 pandemic brought on many changes at DePaul, and crews had to roll with the punches. The team has done much to enable students to learn in a safe environment, from extensive cleaning practices to renovating workstations for increased safety protocols. “During the pandemic, we took it to another level,” Cruz said. “[We’ve] been rocking and rolling every day to get this place clean… and to make sure kids can come in knowing that.” If you ask Janis how he’s been able to accomplish so much at DePaul, he’ll tell you in his calm, yet commanding, voice that all of his success is due to those that surround him. Janis said the key is filling the department with talented workers from top to bottom. “You have to make sure that you always have the right people in place to deal with all the moving parts,” Janis said. “[You need to] make sure you have properly trained individuals… that all touch some component of a very complicated and dynamic operation… Nothing moves forward without them.” Although some DePaul students might not realize it, this cohesive team has a big part in students’ education. The department’s web page on DePaul’s website explains that Facility Operations is “a service department that provides for the effective operation and maintenance of DePaul University’s buildings and campus grounds.” Facility Operations stock supplies in campus bathrooms, repair broken elevators and remove snow for easy access to campus buildings, amongst countless other responsibilities. “I always hope that everybody understands… that everybody from the top to bottom [in Facility Operations] works really hard on behalf of the entire community here,” Janis said. “But first and foremost, especially for the students… We’re here to serve.”
EMILY SOTO | THE DEPAULIA
Construction Project manager Katrina Ladendorf [left] discusses plans for the twelfth floor of the Daley building with Vice President of Facility Operation President Bob Janis [right].
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8 | News. The DePaulia. April 18, 2022
DePaul’s Covid-19 polic March 11, 2020
April 8, 2021
DePaul University cancels all in-person winter quarter finals and announces remote learning for all applicable spring quarter 2020 courses.
DePaul President A. Gabriel Esteban announces DePaul University will return to full on-campus classes fall quarter 2021.
April 21, 2
DePaul University a will require all stude not provide valid ex receive full Covid-19 beginning fall qua
University lifts mask mandate, students unsure of timing By Lilly Keller Asst. Arts & Life Editor
DePaul’s campus-wide mask mandate officially ended on April 11. Students, faculty and staff may now choose whether or not they will wear masks on campus, even in classrooms and lab rooms. The university continues to regard itself as mask friendly, encouraging mask-wearing when indoors. The university saw 56 cases the week of Apr. 1 to Apr. 8, with 50 student cases and six staff cases, according to DePaul’s Covid-19 dashboard. This marks the university’s second-highest instance of Covid-19 on campus, with the record belonging to the week of Jan. 21 to Jan. 28 - the first week back in-person after initially starting online - with 57 cases, when Omicron was at its peak. Chicago’s cases also continue to climb, with a 45 percent increase from last week’s 314, according to Chicago’s Covid Dashboard. The university has declined to directly respond to questions regarding the impact on immunocompromised students and confusion regarding masking in the face of possible exposure. Yet, students and faculty remain divided regarding the university’s decision. DePaul freshman Lilly Groth expressed apprehension due to Covid-19’s lingering presence on campus. “I somewhat expected DePaul to start lifting their mask mandates eventually, but I still
feel like it is a little too early of a call,” Groth said. “Just recently, some friends of mine were contacted about possibly being exposed to a Covid outbreak, and this email came to them just three or four days before the mandate was lifted.” Despite students returning from spring break, DePaul’s increase in cases cannot entirely be written off as an expected upsurge. Since Omicron’s initial wave has faded, BA.2 – known as “stealth Omicron” – has become the dominant strain globally accounting for 72.2 percent of cases within the U.S. as of Apr. 2, according to the CDC. While BA.2 is 50 percent to 60 percent more transmissible than the initial omicron variant, it appears no more severe than its predecessor, according to NBC Chicago. DePaul management professor Erich Dierdorff believes the university is in a stable place to safely remove masks from the classroom without endangering at-risk faculty or staff. “The primary reason I’m pleased is that we have been cautious as an institution,” Dierdorff said “We have met the thresholds that the CDC put out and remained masked anyways. I believe we honestly could have made this shift last quarter.” As masking becomes a personal decision, Dierdorff clarifies that the choice is up to his students. “I will always encourage individuals to do what they feel comfortable with,” Dierdorff said. “I care for my students and would not want to stress them out by forcing my perspective upon them.”
EMILY SOTO | THE DEPAULIA
Masks are still optional in public university spaces such as the Student Center. Parveen Mundi, Student Government As- students. sociation senator for intercultural awareness, “I don’t think this decision sends a good remains on edge regarding the university’s message to these students,” Mundi said. “The ability to handle the inevitable uptick in cases. university has shown time and time again that “I think there is going to be a burden on they are not willing to go out of their way to faculty when it comes down to more stu- accommodate these students just as they’ve dents being exposed to somebody else with shown they don’t want to keep the protection Covid-19,” Mundi said. “Should students wear in place for them.” masks to class if regarded as close contact? As for whether or not it is too early for the We’re going to get these answers pretty soon, university to be making such an impactful deI think, but I believe it will be from demand cision, Kaur continues to be wary. through students and staff, rather than from “I think it was too much too fast,” MunDePaul taking charge.” di said. “I understand the university’s thought Despite the majority of individuals con- process [of] wanting to return to the quintestracting Covid-19 experiencing minor symp- sential college experience, but it feels like an toms, DePaul’s judgment possesses complica- uncoordinated leap, rather than a thought-out tions for immunocompromised and disabled plan.”
Graduates question safety at in-person ceremony By Kiersten Riedford Asst. News Editor
EMILY SOTO | THE DEPAULIA
DePaul is still a “mask friendly” campus after lifting all mandates last week.
This year, DePaul will host its first in-person graduation since June 2019. But, with the pandemic still lingering, many upcoming DePaul graduates are questioning the safety of the ceremonies given the updated health protocols. For the graduation ceremonies on June 11 and June 12, the graduates and guests will not be required to wear masks. The guests do not have to show proof of vaccination and they also do not have to show proof of a negative Covid-19 test. Each graduate is allowed to bring up to six guests to their ceremony. Additionally, graduates who are not vaccinated will be allowed to walk at their ceremony, but they must show proof of a negative Covid-19 test when checking into their ceremony. The test must be done with-
in 72 hours of the graduate’s ceremony. Even though she is excited for the opportunity to graduate in person, senior Emma Markuson said she is conflicted about having in-person ceremonies due to the lack of safety protocols. “I’m glad that we’ll have something to actually do to celebrate graduating instead of just watching a Zoom meeting, but at the same time we are still in the midst of a pandemic,” Markuson said. “Having such a large gathering of people, many of whom will likely be coming in from out of town [or] out of state still doesn’t feel like a great idea.” With the mandates being lifted, many graduates like second-year graduate student Sloane Szuber see this as a potential moment for the world to return to normal. Szuber said she appreciates the mask-optional setting. She is also happy to be able to bring her family members along to her grad-
NORMAL
News. The DePaulia. April 18, 2022 | 9
cies change within weeks Feb. 8, 2022
DePaul University drops its mask requirement outside of classrooms and labs, announcing that masks will continue to be required in classrooms and labs at least until the end of winter quarter 2022.
2021
announces it ents who canxemption to 9 vaccination arter 2021.
April 11, 2022
Mask mandates lifts for all on-campus activities and classes. University opens its visitor policy for on-campus residents to allow guests that are both DePaul and non-DePaul affiliated. These guests must show proof of vaccination and a valid ID or student ID when checked in by the resident.
Resident hall guest policy reinstated For the first time since March of 2020, DePaul students can now welcome all vaccinated guests into their on-campus housing units. DePaul’s Department of Housing and Residential Education updated its visitor policy on April 11. The updated policy opens on-campus housing to DePaul students and non-students. Before, the only people who were allowed into campus housing were DePaul students, parents and guardians. “DePaul housing formed its latest decision about the visitor policy based on a variety of factors, including the number of cases in our resident community on campus and throughout Chicago,” said Rick Moreci, director of housing, dining and student centers. “Moreover, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) recently released a new Covid-19 community level system to help measure Covid risk, which we are now taking into account.” The updated visitor policy allows for students to have a maximum of two vaccinated guests. However, there are still guidelines that students must follow when hosting guests. Both the student and the visitors must sign in and out at the security desk at the front of the residence hall. The guests must present their DePaul student ID or government-issued ID. If they are not a DePaul student, they must show proof of vaccination as well. “I am from the suburbs, so it will be nice that when my hometown friends or my brothers come to visit me, I will be able to bring
them into my dorm, especially if the weather isn’t so great outside,” said Payton Ramsey, freshman and University Hall resident. “I will even be able to have friends spend the night if we wanted.” The university has regularly updated its housing policies since the start of the pandemic, and due to ongoing uncertainties regarding potential new variants, the door remains open for DePaul to update the policies again. In the week of April 8, 50 student cases were reported, while there were 19 cases in the week of April 15, according to DePaul’s Covid-19 Dashboard. “We have an internal committee of staff from Housing, Residential Education and Public safety, and our planning process has not changed since the beginning of the pandemic,” Moreci said. “We monitor Covid cases, review guidance from local authorities and public health organizations and meet regularly to discuss next steps for the visitor policy.” In the transition to spring quarter, the university began to lighten up on their safety protocols for the pandemic, which included the visitor policy. When the school returned from spring break, masks became optional around campus and, as of April 11, inside classrooms. However, some students have mixed reactions about the changes to the pandemic policies which were announced in the past few weeks. “I think it’s great if you have family visiting and they want to see your apartment,” said junior Emilie Jonas, who lives in Sanctuary Hall. “But I think in terms of a Covid perspective,
uation ceremony. But, other students, like Markuson, said the masking policy makes them feel uneasy about their safety. “If masks were required, I would feel much more comfortable, but with masks being optional, it feels like DePaul isn’t really taking our safety or our guests’ safety seriously,” Markuson said. “Obviously there are some people who can’t get vaccinated, and sure, some people have chosen to [not] be vaccinated, and those people still deserve to participate in this important moment, but I think that allowing them not to wear masks is dangerous.” Senior Riley Reed said she is also conflicted. She said she understands not needing to wear masks on campus or in classes anymore because the virus can be controlled more effectively. But she said she is worried because of how many people there will be in such a tight arena. “I won’t shame anyone for not wearing a mask, but for a packed venue, it makes me wary,” Reed said. “But now we have to start coping with Covid as an endemic rather than as a pandemic, like we did for the flu.”
In regards to the number of guests allowed to attend, students like Szuber are discontent with the limit on the number of guests per graduate. “I have five family members and then grandparents [and] extended family who want to come as well, and because of the limit, I’m not sure who is going to be able to come,” Szuber said. “I understand the limit because of capacity, but I don’t like it.” Reed said the number of tickets was enough for her family. She is even able to bring a couple of close friends to her ceremony. But she said she understands it is more difficult to put a limit on the number of guests for people with bigger families. “With the ceremony being held in Wintrust, you kind of have to pick and choose who you want to come,” Reed said. “You want to bring the people who are the most important to you.” In the same light, Markuson said the number of tickets was perfect for her family. “Allowing everyone six guests feels reasonable to me,” Markuson said. “My family is excited to attend the ceremony, especially after not being able to attend my older
By Darcy Waskiewicz Sports Editor
EMILY SOTO | THE DEPAULIA
Guests will have to provide a government issued ID to be checked into resident halls. having especially a lot of friends in the dorm I felt like it was a lot of undoing Covid proceand people from other colleges, maybe from dures all at once. people’s hometowns who live here, I think it’s College students’ living spaces can be a key a little risky.” part of their college experience. From the perFor Amber Rosegay, freshman and Uni- sonal touches added to the time spent there, versity Hall resident, who said she is in a sharing that space with friends and family is long-distance relationship, the former visitor half the experience. policy meant that she always had to take the “Although I have yet to take advantage of train to her boyfriend’s place to see him. Rose- the change, being able to have friends come in gay said she appreciates that he can now come will be very convenient, especially for friends visit her in her dorm, but she is still wary of the from out of Chicago,” said freshman Molly fluctuating policies. Tinkey, who lives in Belden-Racine Hall. “In“I’m happy that we’ll be able to have people stead of meeting outside the dorm, I can just who are outside of DePaul come to visit, just hang out in my own space. Many of my friends because I have friends [who] obviously don’t and family are just curious to see the dorm and go here, but go to other colleges nearby, so it my room. would be nice to have them be able to come If there are any future updates to the housby and visit,” Rosegay said. “Then, at the same ing visitor policy, further information can be time, with them allowing guests to come in, found on DePaul’s housing website under and at the same time lifting the mask policy, “Resident Resources and Visitor Policies.” sibling’s graduation ceremony in 2020, so they’re excited that six of them will be able to come.” In order to participate in the graduation ceremonies this June, graduates must RSVP
for their graduation ceremony by April 27. For more information on graduation ceremonies and how to reserve tickets for guests, students can look under the “Academic Progress” page on Campus Connect.
JIM SUMMARIA | DEPAUL UNIVERSITY
Commencement 2022 will be the first in-person ceremony in the past two years.
10 | Nation & World. The DePaulia. April 18, 2022
Nation & World
Will Russian officials be prosecuted for war crimes? It’s complicated. MIKHAIL KLIMENTYEV | SPUTNIK, KREMLIN POOL PHOTO VIA AP
Russian President Vladimir Putin chairs a Security Council meeting via videoconference at the Novo-Ogaryovo residence outside Moscow, Russia, Thursday, April 7, 2022.
By Jackson Healy Nation & World Editor
As investigators from a number of nations and organizations gather evidence in the hopes of building a case against alleged war criminals in the Russian invasion of Ukraine, questions loom over whether any of these efforts can or will be successful. Tom Ginsburg, international law professor at the University of Chicago Law School, notes how far-reaching the classification of war crimes can be, adding that there has been ample evidence of such acts being committed by Russia during its invasion. “Anything that is directed at a civilian — killing, torture, even extensive destruction of property beyond what’s justified by military necessity — taking prisoners of war and forcing them to do labor or bringing them out of the country, depriving any prisoners of war of their trial of you’re going to punish them — those are all war crimes,” said Tom Ginsburg, international law professor at the University of Chicago Law School. “And most of those things, we’ve seen plenty of evidence for [in Ukraine].” Currently, a number of both national and international figures have accused Russia of likely committing war crimes in Ukraine. The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe released a report Wednesday classifying Russia’s attacks on civilians as war crimes. And President Joe Biden has called for a war crimes trial following the massacre of Ukrainian civilians in Bucha, even accusing on Tuesday Russian President Vladimir Putin of committing genocide on the Ukrainian people. Despite growing international pressure to prosecute Russian leaders for their alleged war crimes, there are a number of logistical difficulties in doing so — most notably, it must first be determined where such lawsuits would be brought. “When someone in Illinois, for example, breaks a law and is arrested, the criminal trial will be a court in Illinois,” said Sonia Green, associate law professor at UIC Law. “When it’s a war crime committed by people from a foreign country, it is harder to determine the tribunal that would have that power.” First and foremost, the state of origin for alleged war criminals has an obligation
ALEXEI ALEXANDROV | ASSOCIATED PRESS
A woman walks past damaged houses in Mariupol, Ukraine, Friday, April 8, 2022.
to investigate and prosecute the accused for their alleged crimes. However, internal prosecution of war criminals in Russia currently faces long odds. “Assuming you think there are Russian soldiers committing war crimes in Ukraine, then the first obligation will be on the Russian government to investigate and prosecute,” said Stuart Ford, law professor at UIC Law. “That looks extremely unlikely, given the current regime and a lack of an independent judiciary in Russia.” In the likely event that Russia fails to investigate or prosecute for war crimes allegedly committed by its military, the next most likely judiciary authority typically goes to the country in which the crimes were committed or the country whose nationality was targeted — in this case, both instances being Ukraine. Ukraine’s prosecutor general has assembled a multinational team of investigators and forensic experts to collect evidence of violations for this exact purpose. Still, without the ability to extradite accused war criminals, Ukraine has no way to enforce any ruling they make. “The problem from the Ukrainian perspective is, of course, obtaining custody of any of the people who are alleged to have committed these crimes to the extent that they’re Russian soldiers and they’ve retreated to Russia,” Ford said. “The likelihood the Russian government is going to turn them over for prosecution in Ukraine is very, very small.” If Russia and Ukraine are both either un-
able or unwilling to investigate and prosecute allegations of war crimes, jurisdiction would likely shift to one of two modes of international courts. In instances such as the Yugoslav Wars and Rwandan genocide, the United Nations has formed special tribunals to prosecute war crimes specific to one specific conflict. However, because Russia is granted veto power as a permanent member of the UN Security Council — the body traditionally tasked with forming such a tribunal — the creation of one for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is extremely unlikely. What’s more likely is that jurisdiction would be handed to the International Criminal Court (ICC), a permanent international criminal tribunal seated in The Hague, Netherlands. Despite having both legal jurisdiction and an ongoing investigation in Ukraine, the ICC’s lack of an enforcement body forces it to rely on cooperation with countries for any decisions to actually take effect. As such, the ICC cannot forcibly extradite any Russian accused of war crimes, striking a major blow to its ability to hold the nation’s officials accountable. “Most of the defendants at the International Criminal Court have been warlords from small countries in Africa,” Ginsburg said. “Occasionally, there’s been an indictment of a sitting leader like [former Sudanese President] Omar al-Bashir. But even in that case, Omar al-Bashir isn’t in The Hague — he’s in Sudan, being protected by the military.
So, in general, the difficulties are present even for relatively small countries. Now you’re talking about a global superpower — the prospect of success is pretty limited.” Ford emphasizes that for the ICC’s decisions to hold any weight, member states must act to effectively strong-arm Russia into cooperating. “The extent that the ICC is going to be successful is going to have to rely on NATO states like the United States, Germany, et cetera to apply significant pressure on Russia to coerce them or convince them that it’s in their best interests to turn over people who’ve been indicted to the Court,” Ford said. If all previously mentioned means of prosecution fail, individual countries can attempt to prosecute alleged war criminals within their own judicial systems through a legal principle known as universal jurisdiction. “Universal jurisdiction is the idea that for certain really egregious acts — genocide, torture, possibly aggression — any court, any country, anywhere in the world can choose to exercise jurisdiction over these crimes if the person who committed them is found there, even if that country has no connection,” Ginsburg said. Currently, 11 European countries have opened investigations into alleged crimes in Ukraine with the possibility of criminal prosecution within their respective nations’ courts. Despite calls from several world leaders for Putin to face trial for his involvement in the invasion, it is extremely unlikely he will take the stand in any court of law — Russia does not appear to have any intention to extradite its highest-ranking official. That’s not to say that no war crimes trials will occur over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, though. As there is no international statute of limitations for war crimes, any individual accused of committing war crimes can be charged and prosecuted at any point in their lifetime, meaning offenders may eventually face accountability even decades from now. “At the short term, the chance [of prosecution] is functionally as close to zero as I can imagine,” he said. “Medium term, it’s small but not zero. Long term? I think there’s a modest chance.”
Nation & World. The DePaulia. April 18, 2022 | 11
High gas prices, environmental concern leads many to consider electric vehicles By Hank Mitchell Contributing Writer
As food, energy and housing costs continue to rise across the U.S., many consumers have had to face difficult choices in balancing their budgets. Because fuel costs are rising so sharply, the prospect of driving an electric vehicle (EV) might seem like a more budget-friendly mode of transportation these days. The electric vehicle could possibly become a more economically viable method of transportation with the continuation of rising oil prices. According to figures provided by AAA, average prices for regular gasoline in Metropolitan Chicago reached a high of over $4.60 per gallon during March of 2022. These prices increased from an average of $3.18 per gallon for regular gasoline the year before. Stephen Hart, a bartender in Pilsen, notes that the 40 percent gas price hike has left him reconsidering whether paying at the pump will remain financially viable for him. “I don’t know if I can afford to keep driving a gas car,” he said. “I am now officially looking for an affordable EV. It seems like most of them are luxury, but I have found a couple of cheaper options.” One disadvantage to owning an electric vehicle is the initial purchase price. According to Kelley Blue Book, the average transaction price of an electric vehicle in the US was $51,532 in April 2021. Comparatively, the average purchase price for a compact SUV/crossover in the same month was only $31,033. This initial cost is prohibitive for many
would-be EV buyers. “I drive pretty far when I visit family, so there was a time that I thought an electric car might be smart to save money on gas,” said Sarah Jannsen, a student at the University of Illinois. “I even shopped around a little bit, but my parents have always said that cars are a bad investment because they depreciate a lot in value, so the cost seemed like too much for me.” When asked about some of the cheaper options, Jannsen said, “I know there are some cheaper EVs, but I would rather go with something I know and trust.” Joseph Schweiterman, a public service and sustainable urban development professor at DePaul, shared his thoughts on the importance of lower-priced EVs in expanding the electric vehicle market. “I think lowering the high purchase price is the single biggest barrier [to electric vehicles becoming more mainstream],” he said. “Many people look only to the short term when they buy cars and are reluctant to make the extra investment for EV, despite the reduced operating cost.” As a part of the government’s focus on lowering fossil fuel consumption domestically, the U.S. has implemented several tools to make purchasing EVs more attractive. Those who purchase electric vehicles manufactured after 2010 can receive a federal tax credit worth between $2,500 and $7,500 depending on the vehicle purchased. To qualify for this credit, the vehicle must also be one of the first 200,000 electric vehicles sold by a manufacturer. This has been complemented by some states with their own programs to incentiv-
HANK MITCHELL | THE DEPAULIA
An electric vehicle charger is placed in a parking lot in Deer Park, Illinois.
ize the sale of EVs. On Sept. 15, 2021, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker signed into law the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act, which includes a $4,000 rebate to Illinois residents who buy an electric vehicle in the state and retain ownership of the vehicle for a minimum of 12 consecutive months beginning at the time of purchase. Promoting the use of electric vehicles has gone beyond consumer sales incentives, though. Signed into law in November 2021, President Joe Biden’s Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will invest $7.5 billion to create a network of EV chargers inside the United States. All of these changes amount to more infrastructure costs and taxpayer spending to incentivize electric vehicles. When asked to evaluate whether or not this shift towards EVs may present a good financial investment for regular people, Schweiterman notes that while initial costs may be high, the long-term environmental benefits would likely outweigh the price of investment. “You may spend $2 billion to save consumers $1 billion, hypothetically,” he said. “But the real mode of investments are the non-monetary, environmental benefits that will flow from less fossil fuel consumption, [such as] climate change and meeting the goals of the Paris Accord.”
Nation &World briefs
JACKSON HEALY | THE DEPAULIA
Content written by Jackson Healy | THE DEPAULIA
Palestinians, Israeli police Brooklyn subway shooter clash at major holy site suspect jailed without bail Israeli police raided the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in East Jerusalem early Friday, injuring over 152 Palestinians, according to Palestinian medics. The Israeli Foreign Ministry said police entered the compound early Friday “to disperse” a group of Palestinian “rioters” who were collecting rocks and throwing them toward the nearby Jewish prayer area of the Western Wall. Palestinian witnesses said a small group of Palestinians threw rocks at police, who then entered forcefully entered the compound, according to the Associated Press. The director of the mosque said Israeli police detained at least 400 Palestinians during the incident. Thousands of worshippers were gathered at the mosque for early morning prayers at the time of the raid. The clash came just ahead of Sunday’s rare convergence of Ramadan, Passover and Easter holidays. Israeli security forces have been on high alert as terror attacks in the country have killed 14 people over the last two weeks.
MAHMOUD ILLEAN | ASSOCIATED PRESS
Israeli security takes position at the Al Aqsa Mosque compound, Friday, April 15, 2022.
Because the Al-Aqsa Mosque is the third holiest site in Islam and the Temple Mount on which it sits is the holiest site in Judaism, the compound has long been a source of significant religious contention. The mosque was reopened later Friday, and tens of thousands of Muslim worshippers attended midday prayers, according to the Associated Press.
Frank R. James, the man charged with shooting a firearm and setting off smoke grenades in a Brooklyn subway car, was jailed without bail Thursday, according to the Associated Press. James, 62, was arrested in Manhattan Wednesday after calling a police tip to say where he was, ending a 29-hour-long manhunt across New York City. He was brought into a Brooklyn federal court without handcuffs. Authorities say James set off smoke bombs and fired dozens of bullets in a train car full of passengers Tuesday morning, shooting at least 10 people. At least five victims were in critical but stable condition following the attack. In total, 23 people were injured. All victims are expected to survive. According to authorities, no evidence currently links James to any terror organization and no motive is currently known. “The defendant terrifyingly opened fire on passengers on a crowded subway train,
SETH WENIG | ASSOCIATED PRESS
Frank R. James, 62, is led away from a police station by law enforcement officials in New York, Wednesday, April 13, 2022. interrupting their morning commute in a way the city hasn’t seen in more than 20 years,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Sara K. Winik said. Defense attorney Mia Eisner-Grynberg advised the public Thursday to avoid “a rush to judgment.” “Initial reports in a case like this are often inaccurate,” she said outside court.
12 | Opinions. The DePaulia. April 18, 2022
Opinions
Introducing
2022-2023 Editors RODRIGO MELGAREJO | LA DEPAULIA María Marta Guzmán, co-founder and editor-in-chief of La DePaulia, trains new editorial staff. Sophomore Jacqueline Cardenas will take over as editor-in-chief for the 2022-23 school year.
By María Marta Guzmán La DePaulia Editor-in-Chief
When my peers and I launched La DePaulia in January of 2020, we never envisioned the paper as a “temporary” publication — instead, we saw a long-term newsroom that would report on Chicago’s Latino community by generations of Latino journalists. My journey with La DePaulia began my sophomore year at DePaul University when my peers, Hillary Flores, Izabealla Grimaldo and Jonathan Aguilar, and I first launched it. After leading the newsroom as managing editor last year, I soon became editor-in-chief. The past two years of my education and reporting career has been centered around La DePaulia and laying the groundwork of the publication. After co-founding and leading the newsroom for two strong years, I’m now stepping down from my position and passing the baton to the future of La DePaulia. Beginning Monday, Jacqueline Cardenas, a journalism sophomore at DePaul University, will lead the newsroom as editor-in-chief. I met Jackie at the start of 2022 and right from the beginning I noticed her ambition, determination and passion to bring Latino voices to the forefront. Her ambition reminded me of my younger sophomore self, who wanted to use her journalism passion to make a difference and shed light on Latino stories. It wasn’t long before I realized that Jacqueline would be the person that would help continue the mission of La DePaulia and move the publication forward. There were many times during the last four months where I felt anxious about the future of La DePaulia and whether or not the publication would be able to stand alone. But Jackie was an answer to a prayer to my worries. As my academic journey at DePaul University soon concludes, I step down
confidently knowing that La DePaulia ation [student] is important to me because is in the good hands of seven editorial oftentimes communities do not have a board members from different walks of voice to speak for them,” Juárez Hernánlife that will bring a new perspective to the dez said. “I want to be one of those voices newsroom. to bring various stories to the light of the As a proud now former editor-in-chief, public. It is important to have the freedom I introduce you to La DePaulia’s 2022-2023 to write about stories that interest us and editorial board: make the Latinx community feel seen. I Jacqueline Cardenas, editor-in-chief am grateful to be part of La Depaulia and of La DePaulia, said she joined the publihope to continue providing a voice for the cation to highlight the Latino community. Latinx community.” “I joined La DePaulia because I want Vanessa Ramos, multimedia editor of to give a voice to the Latino community La DePaulia, is a photojournalism student and diversify the news industry,” Cardenas who wants to use her talent in photograsaid. “I look forward to working with the phy to tell stories. team and seeing everyone’s passion come “I want to be able to grow my portthrough in their folio and learn about writing. This different communities publication is while also being able special to me as to experience different I get to connect opportunities within with people who the Latino commuare driven.” nities,” Ramos said. Santiago “I started out as a Posada-Jarapossible sportswriter, millo, managing but pushed myself up editor of La to be the multimedia DePaulia, is an editor since I wanted international to expand my photogstudent from New Editor-in-Chief of La DePaulia raphy portfolio and Colombia who capture moments and joined the team at unique photos of what the end of 2021. our Latino communities have to offer. In “La DePaulia has been a place where hopes of growing within La DePaulia I I connect with a more global Latine want to be able to make a name out of myculture,” Posada-Jaramillo said. “I also get self and make personal connections with to amplify stories and voices that may not fellow artists, shop owners and help people have a place otherwise. I want to be able grow and find themselves and possibly get to keep the bar as high as it was when I inspiration within my work.” arrived and help La DePaulia expand so Frankie Perez, assistant multimedia it connects even more strongly with the editor of La DePaulia, will be using his Latine community in Chicago.” love for design and photos to maintain La Andrea Juárez Hernández, Opinions DePaulia’s branding and creative content. and Arts & Life editor of La DePaulia, is a “I’m looking forward to working with freshman who will focus on bringing the La DePaulia to further my career with entertainment focus of the Latino commu- working with multimedia by bringing in nity to life. new perspectives and ideas to a setting “I am not a journalism major, but of press and DePaul’s newspapers,” Perez being part of La Depaulia as a first-genersaid. “I’m really excited for the whole
“I want to give a voice to the Latino community and diversify the news industry.”
Jacqueline Cardenas
experience of working with a whole team on a weekly basis. Working together to get stories and capturing those events to provide an immersive experience when reading issues from La DePaulia.” Geovani Camarena, podcast producer of La DePaulia, will be leading the publication’s podcast that was created earlier this year. “Growing up in New Mexico, I was always surrounded by people who shared similar experiences as me and I was missing that here in Chicago,” Camarena said. “My parents taught me to always speak my mind in a respectful way and to always seek out different opinions, but as a queer Latino, I struggle with taking up space and that is one of the main reasons why I wanted to join La DePaulia. I believe representation and community are important for people to see and that is something I hope I can do with La DePaulia’s podcast.” With those beautiful written intros from our new editors, I tell them that the future is theirs, and that the future of the publication is in their hands. I thank La DePaulia’s past editors who have left their mark in the publication. To our readers, I thank you for being with me from the start. Thank you for trusting our team and me these past years, and for sharing your stories with us. I thank The DePaulia’s former and current editors who have supported us since La DePaulia was simply an idea: Marla Krause, Shane René, Lacey Latch, Bianca Cseke, Ella Lee, Emma Oxnevad, Lawrence Kreymer, Nika Schoonover and Nathan Burleyson. To the co-founders of La DePaulia — Hillary Flores, Izabealla Grimaldo and Jonathan Aguilar — we did it. We established Chicago’s first Spanish student newspaper that would continue for years to come. For one last time, I am signing off as co-founder and editor-in-chief.
The opinions in this section do not necessarially reflect those of The DePaulia staff.
Opinions. The DePaulia. April 18, 2022 | 13 By Jim Blissitt III Contributing Writer
Illinois’ state law now acknowledges the harms endured by specific geographical communities statewide. The Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act compelled the creation of the mapping of areas most disproportionately impacted by the war on drugs. An individual’s eligibility for participation in the Illinois Adult-Use cannabis program, as a licensed business, requires the acquisition of competitive social equity related application points. These social equity application points may be secured either as a product of an individual residing in a disproportionately impacted area (DIA), hiring individuals from a DIA or being arrested for or having a family member be arrested for eligible cannabis-related offenses. The legalization and normalization of adult–use cannabis in Illinois must be understood and communicated in the best way to prevent additional harm to those most impacted by the war on drugs. Social inequity has been inflamed by disparities in arrest rates and negative criminal justice outcomes in these specific geographical communities, especially those home to Black and Brown Illinoisians. The question of equity in this emerging cannabis industry has been at the heart of advocacy by both activists and state officials. The recent public awareness of state sanctioned deprivations committed against America’s Black community, as described by certain Black Lives Matter activists, brings the demands for social justice and equity in cannabis to the forefront. These activists often assert the legalization of cannabis must benefit communities that have been targeted during the era of cannabis criminalization. We must act as Saint Vincent De Paul and stand with those most impacted by these policies. Since 1937, unjust policies of prohibition have justified tremendous assaults on Black and Brown communities across the state. Many universities, including DePaul, have supported cannabis prohibition by excluding the drug’s discussion, squashing cannabis related scholarship, and enforcing punitively harsh campus cannabis policies. Just as Saint Vincent De Paul provided food and medicine to suffering families, DePaul and those adhering to the Vincen-
St. Vincent, cannabis and social equity tian model of service should seek out those harmed by oppressive cannabis policies to bring them comfort through personal attention, access, advocacy, and the provision of economic resources. We must also enlist the allyship of stakeholders across all bounds of stratification in the efforts to support the Illinois Cannabis social equity mandate found within the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act. Recent DePaulia publications fail to mention the social equity mandate existing at the heart of cannabis legalization in Illinois. Previous DePaulia articles completely ignore the destructive nature of past cannabis policies, while also ignoring DePaul University’s long history of dismissing students on account of cannabis consumption. The Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act clearly defines cannabis as the legal form of marijuana. Any term other than cannabis remains a classifier for a prohibited substance. A simple course of action we can all adhere to is dismissing the use of the term marijuana when discussing legal cannabis consumption or cultivation. The DePaulia’s persistent past use of the term ‘marijuana’ dismisses the decades of racist abuses and destructive policies associated with the term ‘marijuana.’ Conflating the terms marijuana and cannabis also presents
such harm. We must also act with great intentionality as we share depictions and images of those actively seeking a space in the Illinois adult-use cannabis licensed industry and cannabis non-licensed ancillary business markets. Currently, Black and Brown cannabis industry stakeholders, supporters and entrepreneurs are in a tremendous fight to stand up for social equity focused cannabis businesses in the face of blatant White male domination of the industry. A failure to highlight Black and Brown industry stakeholders in outlets such as the DePaulia or on Radio DePaul contributes to the erasure of those most victimized by the war on drugs. Micah Crawford, a graduate student in DePaul’s Digital Communication and Media Arts (DCMA) program, a resident of a community disproportionately impacted by the war on drugs and business owner of Chill Haus Club, a cannabis accessory company, encourages media outlets to be “aggressively intentional in the promotion of nonwhite industry stakeholders.” Crawford expressed, “Black companies already face shadow banning for intentionally targeting black customers on many media outlets. A lack of representation in outlets, such as the DePaulia or on Radio DePaul, is further indicative of the lack of representation in an industry that continues to demonize Black people.” Imagery of Blackness, within popular culture, is often intertwined with depictions of criminality associated with the
ART BY ALICIA GOLUSZKA
war on drugs. These depictions caused tremendous harm to individuals within Black communities. Equitable or meaningful representations of Black and Brown men and women within every sphere of the emerging cannabis industry must be intentionally pursued as a fundamental pillar of social equity. Beyond media, equitable and meaningful representations of Black and Brown men and women in cannabis education and cannabis curriculum design must also be seriously promoted. Educational institutions asserting a social equity focus must have a knowledge of the role of race and gender in the emerging cannabis industry. The sexualization and objectification of Black women in the popular cannabis magazine, High Times, is indicative of the exploitation of Black women within cannabis industry coverage. We must now wrestle with a choice between the traditions of the oppressed forefathers and the oppressor’s present way of business as usual. Postsecondary institutions and outlets must now proverbially reject the present way of facilitating the cannabis industry without a regard for social or economic equity. This choice must be made with the preservation and welfare of those most impacted by the war on drugs as a priority.
Masks at DePaul shouldn’t go away just yet
By Preston Zbroszczyk Contributing Writer
We all know masks will never go away. The importance of individual health and stopping the spread of the virus will forever be a priority in larger environments. For that, we have Covid-19 to thank. As of Monday, April 11, DePaul eased its mask requirements, allowing students to choose whether they feel comfortable enough to have masks off in classroom environments. But is that really the right decision? Masks have been our safety nets, they have been able to protect us and allow us to feel comfortable while still performing everyday activities in life. This comes after DePaul initially eased its mask mandate ahead of spring break, with mask friendly areas established everywhere on campus but in classrooms and labs, where it stayed mandatory until Monday. I’ve felt social pressure as a student to wear a mask. I don’t want to be the singled-out student, being the only one in a class of 15 or less with it off. The opposite goes for a larger classroom that has more than half with their masks off, there I will feel more comfortable taking it off. Let’s face it, nobody enjoys wearing masks. We can’t hear people half the time,
nor can we read facial expressions and it just makes it harder to breathe. “Right now, I don’t, because we are presenting and it is better to see faces, easier to talk through and breathe.” sophomore Danesh Kumar said. A larger question can be raised. Is this beneficial for DePaul? Are they keeping their students safe if they don’t know who has tested positive? Per CDC, individuals who tested positive within the last three months and recovered should not get re-tested, as long as they do not develop new symptoms. How can one trust others around them, that they have not developed symptoms? The cases here in the U.S. have fluctuated heavily, and with asymptotic patients, there is a cause for concern. Everyone is being placed in a difficult situation, with seasons changing and weather starting to warm up, we want to be out more. Cases tend to ease off in the warmer temperatures, but this is where following Covid-19 restrictions gets ignored and cases once again begin to rise. “I think the new mask rule was bound to happen, now that other places are lifting it,” junior Kathy Rayyan said. “I wear my mask in class, but if I’m walking around the school or in the commuters lounge, I take it off, it depends on where I’m at I guess.”
If you require students to wear a mask for an hour and twenty minutes in a classroom, I am sure a lot wouldn’t find a problem with that. It allows them to feel safe around the presence of others. As mentioned by Rayyan, students will take off the mask immediately leaving the classroom, making no difference between the classroom, elevator or anywhere else on campus. In situations like these, it feels like you are trying to survive at your own risk. Being vaccinated and boosted gives confidence for when you do happen to test positive, but the motive is to stop the spread, and masks are the answer. College of Communications professor William Baglia expresses his perspective on the eased mandate of the masks, and how he has been assessing his classrooms. “Teaching my Arts and Letters class, 60 or 75 percent did remove their masks,” Bagila said. “I am paying attention to the comfort of my students.” With now two years of mandates, guidelines and living with Covid-19, it’s understandable that people want to live life and walk out of their homes as if Covid-19 never happened. But it seems we cannot catch a break with recurring variants. Once again, an increase in
cases is on the rise, which means a chance of all mandates and guidelines making a return. Professors can make this decision easier for students to decide. Some will give their perspective and let you make that decision, or some will encourage masks to be worn. However, being able to walk into a class without worrying about your decision makes life easier. “I do want students to feel comfortable,” Baglia said. “My class is a mask friendly place. Staff and faculty have demonstrated their flexibility in responding to this virus and the students have as well.” DePaul has done a great job in terms of flexibility and giving students freedom to do what they want with their masks, truly making it a mask friendly campus both at the Loop and Lincoln Park. Masks will be safety nets until we feel viruses like Covid-19, or others won’t pose a threat to our individual health. The importance of individual health and protecting those in large environments will always be a priority. The only way we get past the fear of Covid-19, and feel safe, is to see cases diminish and have it no longer be a topic of conversation. Keep masks as a requirement, and reassess for next school year.
Focus 14 | Focus. The DePaulia. April 18, 2022
Highest paid employees
Title as of 2019-2020
Base compensation
Total compensation
Men’s Head Basketball Coach
$1,347,940
$1,423,644
President and Trustee
$740,605
$1,105,329
Senior Vice President for Enrollment Management and Marketing
$258,255
$824,510
Provost
$720,973
$779,665
Secretary
$126,627
$748,294
Executive Vice President
$440,413
$502,888
Athletics Director
$353,160
$487,116
Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary
$415,072
$466,809
$408,049
$447,471
Dean of Driehaus College $385,066 of Business
$439,898
Dave Leitao
A. Gabriel Esteban
David H. Kalsbeek
Marten L. denBoer
Edward R. Udovic
Jeffrey Bethke
Jean Lenti Ponsetto
Jose D. Padilla Interim Provost Salma Ghanem
Misty Johanson
Focus. The DePaulia. April 18, 2022 | 15
DOLLARS continued from front page million dollars for the 2019-20 year. Some other notable inclusions for the highest paid employees include former athletic director Jean Lenti Ponsetto, who received a total compensation of $487,116 in her last year with the university. Current athletic director DeWayne Peevy is not included in this document because he was hired after the conclusion of the 2019-20 fiscal year. Two professors — Mark Frigo and Werner De Bondt — are included in the top five, with Frigo earning $873,170 and De Bondt receiving a little above $800,000. Both professors are in the Driehaus school of Business. A notable exclusion from the list is women’s basketball head coach Doug Bruno. In the previous year, Bruno received an estimated $568,535, but he was not included in this year’s document. The DePaulia reached out to the university for comment on this matter, but we did not receive an answer before publication.
How much money did DePaul make and spend in 2019-20? Again, the answer is very simple: a lot. The university made over $900 million in the 2019-20 fiscal year, just over a $70 million increase from the previous year. DePaul made most of its money from tuition, a little bit more than $700 million, according to the form. DePaul spent $795,777,740 for this fiscal year, which is a little bit less than the previous year, per the form. Most of DePaul’s expenses went to “grants and other assistance to domestic individuals.” The university also spent over $200 million in “other salaries and wages.” These interactive charts breakdown where that money came from and where it went. How much has DePaul’s endowment grown to? DePaul has seen its endowment grow every single year during Esteban’s tenure. The university’s endowment now sits at $751,411,827 after the 2019-20 year, which is about a $50 million increase from the previous year.
JOSEPHINE STRATMAN | THE DEPAULIA
Top paid professors
Mark Frigo
Werner De Bondt
Belverd Needles
Total estimated compensation: $ 873,170
Total estimated compensation: $ 805,292
Total estimated compensation: $ 704,608
Total estimated compensation: $ 616,868
Frigo founded the Strategy, Execution and Valuation initiative at the Driehaus College of Business and is a professor emeritus in the School of Accountancy & MIS. He is the author of seven books and has had over 100 articles published by publications including the Harvard Business Review. His teaching has focused on strategy, strategic risk management, valuation and management accounting and financial accounting. He received his Ph.D. and MBA from Northern Illinois University and his bachelor’s degree from the University of Illinois.
De Bondt is a professor emeritus in the Department of Finance & Real Estate at the Driehaus College of Business. Before taking emeritus status in 2019, De Bondt served as a professor of finance. He is one of the founders of the field of behavioral finance and the founding director of the Driehaus Center for Behavioral Finance at DePaul. He’s also fluent in French, German and English.
Needles teaches financial accounting and auditing at DePaul. His textbooks are used internationally, and his work has been in leading journals, including most recently on the subject of strategy and financial characteristics of high-performance companies. He received BBA and MBA degrees from Texas Tech University and a Ph.D. from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. He was also named Educator of the Year by the American Institute of CPAs, Accountant of the Year for Education by the national honorary society Beta Alpha Psi and the Excellence in Teaching Award from DePaul University.
Ahern earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in accountancy from DePaul, and he has spent more than four decades teaching students auditing, financial accounting and managerial accounting at the school. He previously served as an associate dean and director of the School of Accountancy and Management Information Systems and stepped up as interim director of the College of Business in 2015.
Professor
Professor
Professor
John Ahern Professor
16 | La DePaulia. The DePaulia. April 18, 2022
La DePaulia ‘Gracias por la memorias’
FOTO CORTESIA DE RODRIGO MELGAREJO | LA DEPAULIA
Carta de la editora: Conoce a los nuevos editores de La DePaulia 2022-2023 By María Marta Guzmán Jefa de Redacción, La DePaulia
Cuando mis compañeros y yo lanzamos La DePaulia en enero de 2020, nunca imaginamos al periódico como una publicación “temporal”, sino que vimos una publicación que a largo plazo informará sobre la comunidad latina de Chicago por generaciones de periodistas latinos. Mi viaje con La DePaulia comenzó en mi segundo año universitario cuando mis compañeros Hillary Flores, Izabealla Grimaldo, Jonathan Aguilar y yo lanzamos por primera vez. Tras dirigir la sala de redacción como gerente editorial en 2020, pronto me convertí en jefa de redacción en 2021. Los últimos dos años de mi educación y carrera periodística se han enfocado en La DePaulia y en crear las bases de la publicación. Después de cofundar y dirigir la sala de redacción durante dos exitosos años, ahora doy un paso al costado y pasó la batuta al futuro de La DePaulia. A partir del lunes 18 de abril, Jacqueline Cardenas, estudiante de segundo año de periodismo en la Universidad DePaul, dirigirá la sala de prensa como jefa de redacción. Conocí a Jackie a principios de 2022 y rápidamente noté su ambición, determinación y pasión por llevar las voces de los latinos al frente. Aquello me recordó cuando era una joven de segundo año, y quería usar mi pasión por el periodismo para marcar la diferencia y arrojar luz sobre las historias latinas. No pasó mucho tiempo antes de que me diera cuenta de que Jackie sería la persona que podría continuar con la misión de La DePaulia y hacer avanzar la publicación. Hubo muchos momentos durante los últimos cuatro meses en los que me
sentí ansiosa por el futuro de La DePaulia y me preguntaba si la publicación podría mantenerse por sí sola. Pero Jackie fue la respuesta a mis preocupaciones. A medida que mi viaje académico en la Universidad DePaul va concluyendo, termino mi tiempo con seguridad sabiendo que La DePaulia está en las buenas manos de siete editores de diferentes historias que traerán una nueva perspectiva a la sala de redacción. Como orgullosa, ahora, ex jefa de redacción , les presento a los editores de La DePaulia 2022-2023… Jacqueline Cardenas, jefa de redacción de La DePaulia, dijo haberse unido a la publicación para brindar las historias de la comunidad latina. “Me uní a La DePaulia porque quiero dar voz a la comunidad latina y diversificar la industria de las noticias”, dijo Cardenas. “Espero trabajar con el equipo y ver la pasión de todos transpirar en sus historias. Esta publicación es especial para mí porque puedo conectarme con personas motivadas y ambiciosas”. Santiago Posada-Jaramillo, gerente editorial de La DePaulia, es un estudiante internacional de Colombia que se unió al equipo a finales de 2021. “La DePaulia ha sido un lugar donde me conecto con una cultura latina más global”, dijo Posada-Jaramillo. “También puedo amplificar historias y voces que de otra manera no tendrían cabida. Quiero poder mantener la barra tan alto como cuando llegué y ayudar a que La DePaulia se expanda para que se conecte aún más con la comunidad latina de Chicago”. Andrea Juárez Hernández, editora de opiniones de La DePaulia, es una estudiante de primer año que se enfocará en dar vida al entretenimiento de la comunidad latina. “No soy estudiante de periodismo, pero ser parte de La Depaulia como [estudiante] de primera generación es importante para mí porque muchas veces las comunidades
no tienen una voz para hablar por ellas”, dijo Juárez Hernández. “Quiero ser una de esas voces para traer varias historias a la luz del público. Es importante tener la libertad de escribir sobre historias que nos interesen y que hagan que la comunidad latinx se sienta vista. Estoy agradecida de ser parte de La Depaulia y espero seguir brindando una voz a la comunidad latinx”. Vanessa Ramos, editora de multimedia de La DePaulia, es una estudiante de fotoperiodismo que quiere usar su talento en la fotografía para contar historias. “Quiero poder hacer crecer mi portafolio de fotografía y aprender sobre diferentes comunidades y, al mismo tiempo, poder experimentar diferentes oportunidades dentro de las comunidades latinas”, dijo Ramos. “Empecé como periodista deportiva, pero me esforcé por convertirme en editora multimedia porque quería ampliar mi cartera de fotografías y capturar momentos y fotos únicas de lo que nuestras comunidades latinas tienen para ofrecer. Con la esperanza de crecer dentro de La DePaulia, quiero poder hacerme un nombre y hacer conexiones personales con otros artistas, dueños de tiendas y ayudar a las personas a crecer y encontrarse a sí mismas y posiblemente obtener inspiración dentro de mi trabajo”. Frankie Perez, asistente editorial de multimedia de La DePaulia, utilizará su amor por el diseño y las fotografías para mantener la marca y el contenido creativo de La DePaulia. “Espero con ansias trabajar con La DePaulia para avanzar en mi carrera trabajando con multimedia para traer nuevas perspectivas e ideas al entorno de la prensa y los periódicos de DePaul”, dijo Pérez. “Estoy muy emocionado por toda la experiencia de trabajar con un equipo completo semanalmente. Trabajando juntos para obtener historias y capturar esos eventos para brindar una experiencia inmersiva al leer ediciones de La DePaulia”.
Geovani Camarena, productor de podcasts de La DePaulia, estará al frente del podcast de la publicación que se creó a principios de este año. “Al crecer en Nuevo México, siempre estuve rodeado de personas que compartían experiencias similares a las mías y extrañaba eso aquí en Chicago”, dijo Camarena. “Mis padres me enseñaron a siempre decir lo que pienso de una manera respetuosa y a buscar siempre opiniones diferentes, pero como latino queer, me cuesta ocupar espacio y esa es una de las principales razones por las que quería unirme a La DePaulia. Creo que la representación y la comunidad son importantes para que la gente las vea y eso es algo que espero poder hacer con el podcast de La DePaulia.” Con estas hermosas introducciones escritas por nuestros nuevos editores, les digo que el futuro es de ellos y que el futuro de la publicación está en sus manos. Agradezco a los editores anteriores de La DePaulia que han dejado su huella en la publicación. A nuestros lectores, les agradezco por estar conmigo desde el principio. Gracias por confiar en nuestro equipo y en mí estos últimos años, y por compartir sus historias con nosotros. Agradezco a los editores anteriores y actuales de The DePaulia que nos han apoyado desde que La DePaulia fue simplemente una idea: Marla Krause, Shane René, Lacey Latch, Bianca Cseke, Ella Lee, Emma Oxnevad, Lawrence Kreymer, Nika Schoonover y Nathan Burleyson. A los cofundadores de La DePaulia, Hillary Flores, Izabealla Grimaldo y Jonathan Aguilar, lo hicimos. Establecimos el primer periódico estudiantil en español de Chicago que continuará en los años venideros. Por última vez, me despido como cofundadora y jefa de redacción. Gracias por el viaje, La DePaulia.
La DePaulia. The DePaulia. April 18, 2022 | 13
Conozca al nuevo equipo editorial de La DePaulia 2022-2023
Jacqueline Cardenas Jefa de Redacción
Santiago Posada-Jaramillo Gerente Editorial
Andrea Juárez Hernández Editora de Opiniones
Vanessa Ramos Editora de Multimedia
¡Contacta el equipo! Jacqueline Cardenas eicladepaulia@depauliaonline.com Santiago Posada-Jaramillo opinionesladepaulia@depauliaonline.com Geovani Camarena gcamare3@depaul.edu Andrea Juárez Hernández opinionesladepaulia@depauliaonline.com Vanessa Ramos multimedialadepaulia@depauliaonline.com Frankie Perez @assistantmedialadepaulia@depauliaonline.com
Frankie Perez Asistente Editorial de Multimedia
Geovani Camarena Productor de Podcasts
Rodrigo Melgarejo Traductor Editorial
Rodrigo Melgarejo: rmelgar3@depaul.edu
La gerencia del podcast cambia de manos By Julie Atencia Editora de Multimedioa, La DePaulia
supe Siempre quién quería ser desde que era pequeña. Quería ser escritora, ruidosa y memorable. A lo largo de la universidad logré canalizar todos esos aspectos a través del periodismo y el activismo. Me volví más franca y quería desesperadamente abarcar eso dentro de mi trabajo. No sabía por dónde empezar o cómo publicar algo, pero sabía que era algo que quería. En mi tercer año de universidad, encontré La DePaulia a través de una amiga. Me enamoré de todo lo que representaba y la representación que brindaba a la comunidad latinx. Sentí que finalmente había un lugar donde sería
escuchada y donde podría crecer como periodista. Empecé como escritora y pronto me convertí en la editora multimedia de La DePaulia. En mi último año de La DePaulia, sabía que quería que la publicación se expandiera a otras plataformas, pero no sabía muy bien cómo hacerlo hasta que Santiago Posada-Jaramillo, el gerente editorial, le dio al equipo la idea de crear un podcast. El Podcast de La DePaulia comenzó como una idea, pero a través de las contribuciones de todos, logramos crear una plataforma donde podemos celebrar e informar a nuestra audiencia. El podcast es uno de los proyectos más gratificantes en los que he trabajado y ahora que estoy produciendo el último episodio, será un
momento agridulce, ya que presentará al nuevo equipo editorial y actuará como despedida para los editores principales. Decir adiós a La DePaulia y al podcast será difícil, pero sé que quedará en buenas manos y seguirá creciendo a través de los años. “También estoy emocionado de ser una voz diferente para La DePaulia y creo que el podcast es una forma muy divertida para que las personas adquieran más personalidad”, dijo Geovani Camarena, el nuevo Gerente de Podcast de La DePaulia. “Así que sí, estoy emocionado, espero que la gente me quiera y espero que todos los que lo escuchen hasta ahora se diviertan adaptándose a mí.”
GRÁFICO JOCELYN DIAZ | LA DEPAULIA
Escanear para escuchar nuestro nuevo episodio de podcast.
18 | Arts & Life. The DePaulia. April 18, 2022
Arts & Life
PHOTO COURTESY OF @DEPAULARTISTCOLLECTIVE
DePaul Artist Collective features artists every week on their instagram. Molly Jamison's digital art was featured on DAC's instagram the week of December 17th 2020.
DePaul Artists Collective annual exhibition By Leslie Williamson Contributing Writer
The DePaul Artists Collective is opening their annual student exhibition this week. The exhibition’s theme revolves around space, created realities and escapism. After two years of the pandemic, the Collective finally has a true space of their own for the show. The DePaul Artists Collective is a student organization dedicated to providing a community for art lovers and a platform to highlight the abundance of student talent both in the Art School and among other majors. This year, the Collective’s annual student exhibition will be held in the Richardson Gallery. Located just off the main hallway for the John T. Richardson Library, the Art School’s new gallery was converted from a meeting room to a sleek space complete with professional lighting last summer. DAC’s exhibition will be the first student work to be shown in the new space, and the show will open Wednesday, April 20 with a reception from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m. There were no restrictions on the art that students could submit, but after looking through the works, the DAC board noticed a unifying theme to bring to the exhibition. “A major theme of our exhibition is the idea of space, especially the idea of created or invented realities,” said Maisey Phillips. As most of the featured works were created during the pandemic, Phillips expressed how the weird and confusing experience of navigating quarantine and a world post-Covid showed through in the art they received. “People are practicing escapism through their art or creating new environments in which to imagine themselves,” Phillips said. Last year, the exhibition was held online due to the pandemic, complete with a 3D virtual space to view the art. But after the restrictions of the past two years, Phillips said artists are even more enthusiastic to be back in person, and that this year’s exhibition will be the largest collection they’ve had since she joined DAC in 2017. “We have way stronger participation
than we had pre-pandemic,” Phillips said. The exhibition saw a record number of submissions this year, with more than 100 works from 46 different artists. The DAC board eventually narrowed the number down to around 30 works to fit everything into the gallery space, but encouraged students whose art did not make it into the exhibition to continue to submit to future projects. “There was so much strong work; there are so many talented artists at DePaul,” Phillips said. This is also the first year the show will be open to the public. Before the pandemic, the exhibition was held in a classroom, but the Richardson Gallery is open to the entire Chicago community. Representatives from DePaul’s residence halls will even be attending the show looking to purchase student pieces to display in the school buildings. Although the gallery is a part of the Art School, DAC is open to all majors and all skill levels. “That’s something that we really promote,” Phillips said. “We’ve always had so many artists here [at DePaul] and we want to facilitate an actual sense of community among artists.” DAC’s vice president Nicolette Giatras is a marketing major. She said it can often be difficult to find time to be an artist during the busy school year, but she has two pieces in the gallery and said seeing the exhibition come together has been a highlight for her at DAC. “This year’s [gallery] will definitely be more effective and bring people together,” Giatras said. “I’m most excited that it just looks so professional and so nice for a student show.” Giatras mostly works with acrylic paints and features classical Greek and Roman art styles, inspired heavily by her family and her trips visiting Greece. One of her paintings in the exhibition features a bust of Aphrodite and stained glass windows from the Greek Orthodox church she went to growing up. “I really love my roots there,” Giatras said. The Collective is just as inclusive to art as it is to artists, with any and all mediums welcome. The exhibition will feature a diverse
PHOTO COURTESY OF @DEPAULARTISTCOLLECTIVE
AJ Fuller's digital painting was featured on DAC's instagram on Nov 12, 2020.
LESLIE WILLIAMSON | THE DEPAULIA
DAC members set up in John T. Richardson Library's galllery located in main hall. of range works including paintings, videos displayed on monitors, digital prints and ceramic work — they've even received GIFs in their art submission box. “We’re here for all kinds of art,” Phillips said. Besides their annual event, the Artists Collective showcases student artists
all year with the Artist of the Week program on their Instagram. They use the social media platform to spotlight a different student’s work every week, and artists can simply send a direct message for information on how to apply. “I think it’s a great opportunity to see peers’ art, see what other people are working on,”
Arts & Life. The DePaulia. April 18, 2022 | 19
PHOTO COURTESY OF @DEPAULARTISTCOLLECTIVE
said Jaxanna Fink, who has been featured as an artist of the week. Fink embodies the Collective’s multimedia spirit, working with a huge range of art, including digital art, photography, sculpture work and miniatures. “I really like to incorporate humor into my art,” she said, not taking her work too seriously and approaching art with a sense of curiosity and fun. “Comedy is a big part of my life,” Fink said. “A lot of art is deep and meaningful…but I like to also intertwine things that are just funny to look at, or just the idea of it is funny.” But when she does take a more serious tone, Fink focuses her work around the body. Her piece displayed in the exhibition is a set of 20 polaroid photographs she took after drawing on her body with a permanent marker. The project shows the changes over 13 days as her drawings fade and new ones are added as she documents her thoughts in ink. Fink also owns a small business selling handmade earrings on Etsy. Her tiny wearable sculptures include mini umbrellas, dogs in banana costumes and marshmallow Peeps for Easter. Fink has separate Instagram accounts she uses to promote her
art and business. She said that it can be challenging trying to grow engagement on social media, but that DAC’s Instagram could help artists gain more visibility. “It’s important because there’s just a lot of art in the world,” she said. “You have to gain publicity somehow, [and] you might be able to see other opportunities connected from that.” DAC also connects DePaul’s artists by hosting events where students can practice creativity during their busy schedules. They’ve done painting on the quad, calligraphy workshops, and a collage-making event coming soon. The events even supply students with free art supplies by collaborating with Pentel, thanks to Giatras’ position as an ambassador for the stationery brand. “The Pentel events in person give students basically free art supplies and a space to create,” Giatras said. “It’s a great way to meet people,” After the opening reception, the student exhibition is open Tuesday through Thursday from 1 to 5 p.m. and will run until May 12.
[Clockwise from left] Artwork by Marina Gaglio, featured on DAC's instagram the week of March 11, 2021. Sculpture by Maisey Phillips, featured on DAC's instagram in the winter art exhibit. Photo by Leslie Williamson. Members of DePaul's Artist Colllective begin setting up in the Richardson gallery. Drawing by Nadia Ahmed, featured on DAC's instagram the week of December 23, 2020. Artwork by Esther Ajayi, featured on DAC's instagram the week of December 30, 2020.
PHOTO COURTESY OF @DEPAULARTISTCOLLECTIVE
LESLIE WILLIAMSON | THE DEPAULIA
“People are practicing escapism through their art or creating new enviroments in which to imagine themselves."
Maisey Phillips
DePaul Artists Collective President
PHOTO COURTESY OF @DEPAULARTISTCOLLECTIVE
PHOTO COURTESY OF @DEPAULARTISTCOLLECTIVE
20 | Arts & Life. The DePaulia. April 18, 2022
Arts & Life. The DePaulia. April 18, 2022 | 21
AMBER STOUTENBOROUGH | THE DEPAULIA
A sweet new addition to Magnificent Mile By Lilly K eller
Asst. Arts & Life Editor
The scent of vanilla and butterscotch wafts through the air as "I Want Candy" by Bow Wow Wow plays over the speakers and wide-eyed customers appraise It'sugar, the newest addition to Chicago’s Magnificent Mile. Covering over 11,400 square feet across Michigan Avenue, this extravagant candy store offers more than 400 types of sweets, guaranteeing satisfaction for all who enter. The store's neon yellow walls cast an upbeat glow as customers surround selfserve candy stations, filling plastic bags with gummy worms and jelly beans until satisfied. Every corner of the store offers something new, from a timeline of Chicago’s candy history to international brands such as baked custard-flavored Kit-Kat’s, to Cadbury Dairy Milk. SOFIA LEAL | THE DEPAULIA Besides the seemingly endless stock of candy, It'sugar offers more than mere Sussie Wassie's son picks candy at a self-serve station in IT'SUGAR which opened its doors on April 7 on the Magnificent Mile. satisfaction for the tastebuds. Housing an 11-foot Ferris wheel display, jelly being on the Magbean mosaic of the Chicago skyline, and nificent Mile, everybody has heard of it 1,000 plus lollipop garden, it provides an and now they can experience a delicious aesthetic showcase to customers as they piece of it." Despite only being around for 15 shop. It'sugar has made a name for ityears, It'sugar General Manager Heather one of the most extensive becoming self, Manning expressed excitement for the globally, according to its supplies candy company's newest location. currently owns business The website. "This is one of our larger stores, United States. the across stores 100 over housing all the fun characters from Touthe store as describes Manning can Sam to Nerds, while also offering so sellers. other to compared unique many different brands," Manning said. " We ' r e "Opening ana differjust other store on brand ent “We're just a different the Magnificanof cent Mile in brand of candy store, you store,” dy the candy capiManning tal of the world get to feel like an adult said. “You has been surget to really real." being a kid in a candy feel like an Since the adult being 1800s, Chicago shop.” a kid in a SOFIA LEAL | THE DEPAULIA has been the candy shop. world's largest IT'SUGAR contains a garden if over 1,000 lollipops, an 11-foot ferris wheel and jelly bean Overall, it's candy producmosaic of the Chicago skyline. The company houses over 100 stores in the U.S. an increder, becoming ible envi- store's location. the birthplace "It's close to where we live," Wassie ronment iconic for that allows said, gesturing to her two young sons. "It brands such as General Manager of IT'SUGAR so much makes it easy to stop by and grab a sweet Snickers and interaction treat whenever necessary." Tootsie Roll, From champagne gummy bears to the with according to public on top of an escape from everyday chocolate-covered Oreos, It'sugar offers Chicago Loop Alliance. the perfect gift or afternoon pick me up A special aspect within It'sugar walls life." Alba Diaz, a tourist from Florida, to all who enjoy the sweeter side of life. resides in its tribute to the windy city, "I just want individuals to rememselling bags filled solely with Chica- says the store's open doors and artfully returning to our go-made candy, offering a one-of-a-kind crafted displays of lollipops, arranged as ber and look forward to from Chicago are they whether a three-tiered garden caught her atten- stores — taste to the city where they were made. week, I want a for city the in or merely "I think everybody wants to come tion. Manning back,” come to "We were just passing by when my them always SOFIA LEAL | THE DEPAULIA to Chicago, even besides us being the third-largest city, we have so much to of- nephew insisted we go inside,” Diaz said. said. Buckets of candy sit on a self-serve fer, from festivals, especially in the sum- “I simply could not tell him no." stations at IT'SUGAR Chicago native Susie Wassie exmer,” Manning said. “It's not something other places can offer, and especially pressed her appreciation regarding the
Heather Manning
22 | Arts & Life. The DePaulia. April 18, 2022
DePaul Art Muesum: An Exhibition giving a voice to the once voiceless
TIFFANY HARRELL | THE DEPAULIA
DePaul Art Museum reveals their newest exhibit: Remaking the Exceptional Tea, Torture, & Reperations | Chicago to Guantanamo.
By Tiffany Harrell Contributing Writer
The silent voices of those formerly and currently incarcerated have found a way to reach the public through art. The DePaul Art Museum has collaborated with contributing curators and The Tea Project, which advises the development of the exhibition and continues to engage with overarching themes of war, tourture and imprisonment. It organized by Amber Ginsburg and Aaron Hughes, “Remaking the Exceptional: Tea, Torture, and Reparations | Chicago to Guantanamo,” an exhibition that marks 20 years since the opening of the United States’ extralegal prison in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. The exhibition occupies all of the museum’s galleries and examines the local and international ramifications of state violence. The exhibit is an ongoing series of installations and performances that create opportunities to engage with local and global histories of war, torture and confinement. This series runs from March 10 through Aug. 7, 2022. When visitors walk into the gallery they are instantly taken on a journey through paintings, sculptures, drawings and installations produced by torture survivors, activists, artists and collectives. “We have so much to learn from survivors,” Ginsburg said. “That’s why when you walk into the gallery in every room there is a quote from a survivor from the Guantanamo Bay Detention Camp all the way to Chicago.” Despite being in horrible situations, detainees found a way to be creative, thinking outside of the prison walls to the countries they left behind. The Styrofoam cups along the museum wall were brought to life by Guantanamo Bay guard Chris Arendt who fell in love with the drawings detainees created by carving into the cups with their fingernails. The Tea Project uses this exhibition to creatively tell the story of everyone unlawfully detained. Ginsburg and Hughes’ teacup archive houses 779 porcelain-cast Styrofoam cups, one for each detainee in Guantanamo Bay since 2001. All cups are beautifully inscribed with a national or a native flower from the 48 countries of citizenship represented in the detention camp. One cup consisted of 220 small flowers carved on it, representing the number of Afghani men who were detained at Guantanamo Bay. “This exhibition is a visual storytelling of the last 10 years of sitting down with people and having a cup of tea,” Hughes
said. “From the tea sipped at a family gathering, to a cage in Guantanamo Bay, tea is not only a favored drink but a shared moment that transcends cultural divides and systems of oppression.” Museum visitors move through a digital and interactive presentation exploring the direct connection of Guantanamo Bay to the Chicago Police Department. It tells the story of a long history of police abuse under the direction of police commander and Vietnam War veteran Jon Burge and his officers who coerced and tortured hundreds of predominantly Black men and women into false confessions between 1972 and 1991 in their Area 2 and Area 3 headquarters. In 2015, Chicago became the first municipality in the nation to award many Chicago torture survivors reparations for racially motivated police violence. DePaul Art Museum Director Laura-Caroline de Lara feels that this exhibit gives survivors a voice. “For many of the Chicago survivors it’s about wanting to have their stories told, ensuring that it doesn’t become part of Chicago’s history that is just swept under the rug,” she said. Among the most impactful artifacts available while visiting the exhibition is in the center of the room on the first floor. Ginsburg and Hughes have recreated their podcast, also entitled “Remaking the Exceptional,” using a gramophone to play soundbites of the testimonies of tortured survivors from Guantanamo Bay and Chicago. Take a moment, close your eyes, and listen to the pain and suffering of so many people. “From that time on after I refused to sign it,” the voice of a Chicago police torture survivor says. “I was slapped, choked, beaten, slammed into the concrete wall, handcuffed, and called names that I had never been called before.” The 51st (Free) State exhibition is a body of work generated in art classes taught at Statesville Prison by Prison + Neighborhood Arts/ Education Project (P+NAP), a collective of artists, writers and scholars. Since 2019,the group has engaged in research and discussions, imagining a sovereign nation of incarcerated people. Through the pandemic, arts created iconic elements of state-craft, including emblems, songs, choreography, graphic narratives, symbols, tools and stage sets. These images and words are a call to community, one that connects thousands of people incarcerated across the nation through a spatial-political imaginary. The DePaul Art Museum’s new exhibit is a true testament to strength and cre-
TIFFANY HARRELL | THE DEPAULIA
A collection of art hangs on the wall at the DePaul Art Museum ending on August 7. ativity. These are just a few of the amazing art pieces that are on display. Due to the nature of this content, visitors will find a coping skills flier to help manage traumatic stress reactions during their visit. Ultimately, regardless of where you stand on any side of the issue of local and international struggles for justice and rep-
arations, the important part is that it’s getting talked about. The more that we sweep things under the rug, the less we can move forward. To find out more about the museum, other exhibits and events, visit its website.
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Arts & Life. The DePaulia. April 18, 2022 | 23
Trivia Crack returns
Once popular app becomes new Netflix interactive game ART BY ALICIA GOLUSZKA
By Amber Stoutenborough Arts & Life Editor
As I aimlessly scroll through Netflix, a familiar color-coordinated pinwheel stares back at me. Flashbacks of 2013 middle school years fill my mind, desperately willing the school wifi on my iPod touch to survive long enough for my turn to play Trivia Crack. It’s 8 a.m. — way too early for a 13-year-old to become an addict, wagering school lunches on the winnings from an internet sensation game. And yet here it is again, a new and improved version that embraces the wonders of interactive streaming — "Trivia Quest.” Don’t worry if you start late, you can play each episode at any time on normal or difficult levels within the trivia format. If you weren’t a part of this fad and have no idea what I’m talking about, Trivia Crack is a trivia-based virtual game where you compete with friends and strangers to answer the most questions correctly. There are six topics on the spinning wheel: history, science, arts, world, sports and entertainment. Each genre gives fifth grade and higher level questions ranging from, “What’s 4x12?” to “How many holy symbols are there in the Catholic Church?” (There are 10, by the way). Each failed question gives a flashback to the disappointment on your parents’ faces after failing third-grade math, but the victory is like nothing else. After playing a couple of days of the Netflix series “Trivia Quest,” I felt nostalgic for the phone game itself and decided to redownload for research purposes and here is what I have to say about the difference between the two. The Netflix series gives more of a backstory than the app, which makes sense as it’s on a streaming service and is introduced as a “kids’ interactive animated show.” The show follows Willy (the pinwheel) on his adventures to save his friends of trivia land from the conqueror Evil Rocky. Each episode is a new day of 24 multiple-choice trivia questions (12 standard and 12 optional hard ones.) You have the option to replay, but you can only rescue one of the characters if you get every answer right and gain enough points. When you finally gain the right amount of points, you can advance to help Willy save his friends from Rocky’s dungeon. As opposed to the Netflix series, the
original Trivia Crack app lets you compete with friends and provides no backstory. Dueling your intelligence against your friends (soon to be foes) definitely feels different. Failing on your own watching the TV screen flash red when you click Howdy, the Good Outdoor Manners Raccoon, instead of Smokey the Bear for “What mascot does the U.S. government use to preserve forests?” truly makes you question your public
school education. No matter the platform, these games offer a fun test to your intellect while still distracting you from your important daily tasks. Very few
times have we seen a short-lived viral game from the early 2010s come back into popularity, but Trivia Crack beats the odds once again.
24 | Arts & Life. The DePaulia. April 18, 2022
St.Vincent’s
D e JAMZ
“Spinning fresh beats since 1581” By Lilly K eller Asst. Arts & Life Editor
This may seem off compared to the normal Dejamz. At least the other playlists have real-life artists with opposable thumbs and exist past the video game screen. K.K. Slider is the cartoon music superstar in Nintendo’s “Animal Crossing” series. Since his debut in 2001, K.K.’s music has lived on. K.K. Cruisin' In my opinion, this is the best song to ever be made in the “Animal Crossing” universe. This hip-hop beat based on “Virtual Insanity” by Jamiroquai, holds whistling synth perfectly emulating ‘90s rap style. Even the album cover goes hard, with K.K. posing on a velvet sofa, jeweled out with classic sunnies. Among the “Animal Crossing” community this song is ranked in the top three.
K.K. Condor Featuring a South American influence, this song offers a warm blend of acoustic guitars and woodwinds. One of my personal favorite aspects of this song is the adorable album cover that coincides with it. Featuring K.K. amid a sprawling Peruvian desert, garbed in a poncho and chupalla, inviting listeners to get lost in its pleasant beat. K.K. Lament An underappreciated side of K.K is highlighted within this melancholic piece. Appearing first in the 2001 installment of “Animal Crossing,” this gloomy ballad displays a tasteful mix of sorrow and weariness, making it one of my personal favorites. Maybe I’m just a sucker for a sad song, but K.K. wholeheartedly delivers with this one.
Crossword French Revolution by Alejandro Arakelian
K.K. Western For all my Johnny Cash and Marty Robbins fans, this song is for you. A tasteful blend of strings and woodwinds, K.K Western makes me feel like I’m facing down an outlaw beneath the afternoon sun. Containing a comparable melody to “The House of the Rising Sun,” this homage to the wild west is the perfect shakeup for your stale playlist. DJ K.K. A blast from the past, this 2000’s centric beat extends a burst of energy to performing even the most mundane tasks. As someone who needs background noise when doing anything from grocery shopping to cleaning, “DJ K.K.” supplies the perfect medley of production and vitality perfect for anybody suffering from the mid-quarter slump.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF WIKI
Trivia Crack answers: D, A, B, D. ACROSS 1 Hamburger holder 4 Alien-seeking org. 8 Dressed 12 Pitcher's stat 13 Cut 14 Troubles 15 Snail in Paris 17 Scoffing sound 18 Insects' sense organs 19 Orchestral reed 21 "The Perks of Being A Wallflower" actress 26 Misstep in Lyon 29 Settle, as a debt 30 Scale measurement: Abbr. 31 Depaul dining hall, casually 33 Sounds of relief 34 More than overweight 37 Naive trope in Nice 40 Beyond this realm 42 Spongebob network for short 43 Stomach problem 47 Iridescent stone 49 Individually in Marseille 52 Brown fuzzy mascot for a Japanese TV network 53 Way 54 Great serve 55 Bambi or Rudolph 56 Prefix with logical 57 org. with Kings and Golden Knights
DOWN 1 Cookie that comes in thin and double varieties 2 Bathe in the sun 3 Ancient Peruvian 4 Crustacean in a cocktail 5 Brain scan for short 6 Only evenprime number 7 Trailing behind 8 "Breakfast at Tiffany's" author 9 28 hours for a housefly 10 Sitcom alien 11 Summer hours 16 Pinnacle 20 Standard 22 More, in Mexico 23 Up and about 24 Honolulu's island 25 Wall St. index 26 Fail, as a movie 27 "Lay All Your Love On Me" group 28 Discord tag 32 Albuquerque sch. 35 One at sea 36 Letter abbr. 38 1980 Steely Dan album named for a South American cowboy 39 Fitzgerald with 13 Grammys 41 Giraffe relative 44 Vodka ____ 45 ___ A Sketch 46 Director's portfolio 47 Peculiar 48 "The Raven" poet 50 Little guy 51 Consumed
Sports
Sports. The DePaulia. April 18, 2022 | 25
Break out the brooms
Offense soars in sweep over St. John’s
Offensive highlights
Game 1 - W 9-1 • • • • •
Brooke Johnson: 2 H, 3 RBIs Skylor Hilger: 2 H, 2 RBIs Anna Wohlers: 2 H, 2 RBIs Nicole Sullivan: 2 H, 2 RBIs Sarah Lehman: 10 strikeouts
Game 2 - W 14-0 • • • • • DONALD CROCKER | THE DEPAULIA
DePaul first baseman Brooke Johnson swings towards the ball against St. John’s. Johnson had four hits and five RBIs in the series.
By Darcy Waskiewicz and Thomas Gorski Sports Editor and Contributing Writer
In a weekend series against St. John’s, DePaul softball came away with the sweep after the offense dominated in all three games on Friday and Saturday. DePaul took game one against St. John’s with a 9-1 victory, led by four DePaul home runs and a near flawless pitching performance by graduate student Sarah Lehman. “I think we came out strong, but a little disappointed that we got the run rule in the sixth inning, but it’s like we could’ve taken more pitches off Sarah’s arm,” head coach Tracie Adix-Zins said. “At the end of the day, we got the win and Sarah threw well and the offense came out and scored runs, so it’s hard to be too upset when you hit back-to-back home runs to start the game and then finish the game.” DePaul took an early lead in the bottom of the first after junior first baseman Brooke Johnson and freshman third baseman Anna Wohlers hit back-to-back homeruns. “I won’t lie, I think it’s been a great combination of what the middle of our lineup is supposed to do and the power that they supply,” Adix-Zins said. “It definitely makes people think twice when pitching to them, I can’t really complain when they hit back-toback homeruns.” Lehman was lights out through the first two innings, recording three strikeouts and not allowing a hit until a solo blast. “I think it’s definitely easier when you can trust your defense behind you and we had a really good defense today,” Lehman said. “Riley [Pool] really helped me out today with some pitches and framing, so it went really well today.” After a double by Meyers in the third, Sullivan hit a line drive to center field that resulted in a triple and brought Meyers home to make the score 6-1. Lehman tossed five strikeouts and only allowed two hits over the last three innings. Overall, Lehman was dominant, throwing a complete game and striking out 10 batters. “I think Lehman did a good job,” AdixZins said. “She’s a power pitcher, so they were
DONALD CROCKER | THE DEPAULIA
The team cheers with Anna Wohlers (No. 22), who ended game one with a home run. definitely off guard by how hard she threw and we had her throw a little more changeups the second time through the order. The nice part about Sarah is that she can go down and up and she made it work in her favor today.” DePaul ended the game in the sixth after Johnson and Wohlers went back to back again. Wohlers hit the walk-off home run to finish off a dominant day at the plate; going 2-for-3 with two home runs and two runs batted in. “When I first went up to bat, I was just thinking of getting a little hit so the runners can get everything going,” Wohlers said. “My mindset was just hit a line drive and if it goes over, it goes over and obviously it did. It felt really well off the bat.” In game two, the offense soared in a 14-0 victory, led by a three-run home run from graduate student shortstop Maranda Gutierrez and Meyer’s three RBI performance. “We came out strong and scored the first run,” Adix-Zin said. “[Erin] Hocker threw a good game and only gave up three hits, we just had a lot of base hits from everybody and there was a lot of good solid softball allaround.” Johnson slugged her third home run of the day to give the Blue Demons an early 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first.
“I was just trying to protect and luckily it was a better pitch than I thought it would be and I just turned on it,” Johnson said. “I came in with the mindset that we have to win two games today and I’m going to do what I can to help my team do that.” The offensive firepower this inning was highlighted by Meyer’s two RBI triple to right center field, Cosgrove’s RBI double down the right field line and Gutierez’s three-run blast. Hocker was strong on the mound, throwing a complete game with six strikeouts. “She did such a good job today,” AdixZins said. “She has the changeup, so that’s what we tend to throw and it just helped set up everything else because now they have to think about the changeup. Both of our pitchers executed the game plan well today.” After the wins on Friday, the Blue Demons returned to close out the series on Saturday. St. John’s offense made an appearance for the third game, but DePaul made the comeback and defeat St. John’s 11-8 for the sweep. Hocker was on the mound again after a dominant performance in game two. However, Hocker’s exhaustion hit and she gave up a home run in the first inning,. St. John’s added to their lead in the second inning with another home run, before a double by St. John’s cleared the bases
• • • •
Hilger: 3 H, 1 RBI Maranda Gutierrez: 2 H, 4 RBIs Tori Meyer: 3 H, 3 RBIs Kate Polucha: 2 H, 1 RBI Erin Hocker: 6 strikeouts
Game 3 - W 11-8 Meyer: 4 H, 1 RBI Wohlers: 3 H, 2 RBIs Sullivan: 2 H, 2 RBIs Polucha: 1 H, 3 RBis
to give them a 5-0 lead in the second inning. Wohlers countered with a home run of her own in the bottom of the second but St. John’s added another run in the top of the third to take a five-run lead. A walk to Wohlers loaded the bases for Polucha, who came up to the plate and hit a ball that sailed into right field and bounced off the top of the fence and back into the ballpark. The umps initially called the hit a home run, but after gathering and talking it over, the umps brought Polucha back to where she was at third base and called it a base-clearing triple. A single by Meyer put her on base, and she followed by stealing second. That move had an immediate impact when Sullivan stepped up and hit a single that scored Polucha and Meyer to tie the game at six. Freshman infielder Carly Alvers came off the bench and had an immediate impact, hitting a double that brought home Meyer to give DePaul their first lead of the game. Sullivan and Alvers then scored off a single by Gutierrez, who then scored off a single by Wohlers to make the score 10-6. “In general, we needed a team win like that,” Meyer said. “I think it’s cool and more rewarding as a whole when you see people step up and people who you know can do the job and they do it, and I just think that as a whole team, this is a really big win for us moving forward for the rest of the season.” St. John’s tacked on two more runs in the sixth inning, but DePaul was able to shut them down with a big catch by Sullivan in center field, and DePaul added on a home run by Meyer to open up the bottom of the sixth. The game finished early after the sixth inning because of St. John’s flight schedule. “I’m proud of how we just kept fighting, we kept trying to figure out a way to steal some outs,” Adix-Zins said. “With the catch in center field [by Sullivan] and the catch in right field [by Meyer] earlier in the game, we were just trying to do everything we could to keep us in the game, and that’s all I could ask for at the end of the day.”
26 | Sports. The DePaulia. April 18, 2022
Men’s tennis records big win against Xavier on Senior Day
6-1 By Joshua M. Hicks Asst. Sports Editor
The seniors shined bright on Senior Day, helping DePaul finish the regular season with a bang as the men’s tennis team defeated Xavier — one of the three undefeated teams in conference play — 6-1. The win brings DePaul to a 5-0 conference record and 10-12 record overall. DePaul came out the gate swinging, winning two of the three double matches. Vito Tonejc and Luke Wassanar lost their doubles set 6-2, but wins by the pairs of Tripp Tuff/Marino Jakic (6-3) and Jona Gitschel/Leon Huck (6-2) put DePaul over the edge to start the match. Transitioning to the single matches, the team did not let up, annihilating everything Xavier swung at them. The seniors led the way, starting with Wassenar winning his set 4-6, 6-3 and 6-1, giving DePaul their first points. Tuff followed suit, winning his singles match 6-4 and 6-3. Tonejc put the icing on the cake, winning his set 6-3, 6-7 (9-11) and 6-4 to secure the victory. The team is now heading for the conference tournament next week in South Carolina as a top seed with a chance to repeat as potential champions. “[Xavier] was a big win for us,” head coach Matt Brothers said. “Xavier has been playing well and they are undefeated, so we were not blowing them off by any means. It was a fantastic win for Vito, Trip and Luke. All the seniors come through with wins and secure the team win. It does not get much better
DONALD CROCKER | THE DEPAULIA
Vito Tonejc, DePaul tennis junior, swings into the ball in a win over Butler on April 11. than that.” Wassenar played his final match at home knowing the end was coming. He wanted to make sure he ended his career at home on a good note. “The match had a certain energy,” Wassenar said. “We wanted to win not just because we wanted to, but because it was senior day, our last match at home. I was a little nervous, but I am happy that all the guys pulled it out.” For Tonejc, the idea of playing his final match at home has not sunk in yet. But he did come into the match prepared so have some fun in his last go around.
“There was always a little bit more pressure on this match because we seniors wanted to win, especially on senior day,” Tonejc said. “But I also remembered before the match that this is my last regular season college match so I tried to have some fun, hit some balls that I usually won’t, loosen my arm. I saw Wassenar and Tuff win their matches so I knew I had to win mine.” Wassenar and Tonejc believe their defining moment of their careers was accomplishing the ultimate goal of winning the conference championship last season. Although Tuff agrees with their
sentiments, he believes that an additional defining moment changed his life in preparation for the later achievements. “When I found out I had two extra years of eligibility (one redshirt and an additional year due to Covid), I knew that I had to make a change with how I was approaching the game,” Tuff said. “It was a second chance. At one point I thought my career was over with Covid but all of the sudden I had two extra years. I did not want those to go to waste.” With the final three seniors of the original “Band of Brothers’’ crew signing off for the final time at home, they now focus their attention on the last conference tournament they will ever play in their collegiate careers. They would love to go out with a bang by winning the championship, but they highlighted how important it would be for the younger guys on the team to get that experience. “It would be great for the young guys,” Tonejc said. “I think the fact that we are older than them is good because they’ll know what the discipline is so we can keep them in place a little bit. But they are great players and they helped us.” Due to the senior’s championship experience last season, Brothers highlighted the importance of his veteran leadership to lead the team to victory as they make a run for the title. “[The seniors’] experience is going to be vital for us,” Brothers said. “These young guys have not experienced this yet, but their work ethic and leadership is what is going to give us another great opportunity to bring home another championship. It will be exciting.”
DePaul cheer competes at Nationals By Darcy Waskiewicz Sports Editor
After months of practice and performing at DePaul games, the DePaul cheer team competed in Nationals and placed 11th out of 13 in the Small Coed Division 1. The team traveled to Daytona Beach, FL., to compete at the National Cheerleaders Association (NCA) Collegiate Cheer and Dance Championship on April 7-8. The Blue Demons performed once
at Thursday and once on Friday at their final competition of the season. In their performances, the team showed off their skills and the time spent practicing through their routines. The team also had time off the mats to go to the beach and travel around Daytona. In those moments, the team was able to having bonding time and fun together away of the hectic and rigorous routines and competition at Nationals. Check out some photos of the team performing at Nationals and around areas of Daytona Beach. PHOTO COURTESY OF SHANON LERSCH
DePaul’s cheer team stunts on the beach during their off time in Daytona Beach, FL.
PHOTO COURTESY OF SHANON LERSCH
DePaul cheer poses at Daytona Beach during team bonding moments at Nationals.
PHOTO COURTESY OF SHANON LERSCH
DePaul cheer performs their routine at the NCA Collegiate Nationals on April 8 and 9.
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STEALING BASES, continued from back page last weekend, the third game was the closest in score, where DePaul trailed 6-1. In the game, junior right fielder Tori Meyer stole two bases, and sophomore center fielder Nicole Sullivan stole another. The Blue Demons were able to come back and win the game, and the stolen bases by Meyer and Sullivan built the foundation for the comeback. When the players are on the bases, there is nothing they can do about the batting, but stealing bases gives them a way to tag up and get closer to helping the team add runs. “It’s just one more thing that we can contribute to the win,” Sullivan said. “You take every little thing in softball, because everything matters, so stealing one base, for example — it matters.” Sullivan’s stolen base against St. John’s was her first of the season, while Meyer’s two stolen bases now has her at a perfect five for five in stolen base attempts this season. “Just like, going hard, pushing for that extra base,” Meyer said. “If the batter at the plate gets a base hit, then you’re scoring too, so then again, that’s helping them and in turn helping the whole team, so it’s just going hard and not holding up and doing what you need to do to get to that next base.” In practice, the Blue Demons work on sliding into base with their runners, while pitchers and catchers try to perfect their timing in the feel of an in-game situation. The pitchers will throw pitches that the runners must respond to with perfect timing in order to take off and steal the base. “We do a lot where our catchers are trying to throw us out at second, and
PHOTO COURTESY OF STEVE WOLTMANN/DEPAUL ATHLETICS
Skylor Hilger, DePaul second baseman, prepares to run and attempt to steal a base. She leads the team with nine stolen bases. we’re super aggressive on our lead offs, just making sure that we’re not late on the pitcher’s pitch,” Meyer said on the team’s practice methodology. “Our coaches are very diligent about making sure that we know if we are late, so that we know we need to be a little earlier to get that next base for our team.” Stealing bases is a tricky maneuver, because if done incorrectly, it can lead to more outs that a team does not have to spare. However, if done right, a stolen base can be just what a team needs to earn that extra run and win a game. “[Stealing bases] just puts us 60 feet closer to scoring,” Adix-Zins said. ALICIA GOLUSZKA | THE DEPAULIA
HAN TRAINING, continued from back page our own rights. Our bodies are our birthright.” Typical fitness philosophies tend to focus on structure; Kim tries to focus on flexibility as well. “Recognize that goals are always going to fluctuate and the things that you learn to enjoy are always going to fluctuate,” they said. “So being open to that, and having structure where it needs to be held, but also being flexible with ourselves.” Kim wants to highlight gender non-comforming, plus-sized and disabled bodies. Although commercial gyms may promote accessibility, Kim wants to bring it front and center. “I have clients who are wheelchair users, have mobile devices or have disabilities where they can’t use steps,” Kim said. “A lot of big box gyms don’t consider accessibility the same way. There’s no active push to make sure that safety is considered.” Sam Kochanek, client and operations manager for Han Training, helped Kim build ramps to get inside the gym. “We are on the ground floor of the building — it’s not inherently physically accessible, there are steps to get down in,” Kochanek said. “We have one portable ramp, and then two ramps that we actually built to make sure that the space is physically accessible.” All around the outside of the space, there are flags such as “Stop Asian Hate” and queer pride. “I wanted to make it very obvious where I stand on a lot of things,” Kim said. “I feel like it’s easier to be honest about it and be open and be like, we’re just here. We have so much community, we have so many people in the community that folks will come together. I feel good about that.” Kim also considered financial accessibility for their clients. They have a strict
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Owner and founder of Han Training Minky KIm teaches a class focused on self defense. “no one turned away for lack of funds” policy. “I’m on a back end level of financial access I think is really huge for marginalized communities,” Kim said. “I think that having these resources for mental health and physical health should be for everyone.” Kim and Kochanek want to provide not only a fitness space, but a communal space for the queer and transgender people of color community in Chicago. Noopur Shahfeels the difference of coming into Han Training compared to other gyms he has attended before. “This is one of a kind in Chicago,” Shah said. “It feels like you’re getting a big hug in here as you’re becoming more confident in your own bodies, which is
really rad.” Kim holds an open gym every day and allows about two people per hour, while classes have a maximum capacity of three people — unlike other commercial gyms, where there may not be a capacity limit. “Usually, I feel subconscious or too aware [in big box gyms],” Shah said. “Bigger bodies are underestimated, but not here.” The lack of judgment and working with Kim is what motivates Shah to keep coming back. “Unlike a lot of gyms where it feels competitive or people are watching, here it feels supportive and there’s not a focus on weight or numbers, it’s just what feels good to you,” Shah said. Having a communal aspect was es-
sential for Kochanek because they did not want members to feel isolated or judged. “In those big box gyms it’s not welcoming, it’s not always friendly,” Kochanek said. “We want to build a space where folks can come and get their workouts in, but the community aspect is really important because you can come and not feel worried about judging me either for the way that I look, the way that my body moves or maybe doesn’t move.” Han Training will be hosting the Chicago “Pull for Pride” on June 4 as another way to get involved with the queer fitness community. In March, the gym held a training event for Narcan, a prominent opioid overdose treatment, in collaboration with Lurie Children’s Hospital. This was an effort on Kim’s part to show folks in the community that they did not judge. “I think that shows other folks in the community that we don’t discriminate or judge anybody for their life choices,” Kim said. “What we want to do is protect and serve and provide resources. Reduce harm as best as possible.” No matter what your background is, ‘Han’ aims to connect people from all marginalized communities through world wide experiences of imperialism and white supremacy. “It is a part of what unites us and allows us to better empathize and understand each other, so that we may forge unbreakable and fierce bonds that can overcome the systemic injustices of our world,” Kim said on their website. Han Training has only been open for four months. Kim envisions the future of Han Training to include more employment of queer trans people. “I would love to open up a bigger space and allow for more like queer and trans folk to work in this space as well,” Kim said. “My dream would be to get big enough that I can just hire everybody in the community and then we just all live in one building forever.”
Sports
Sports. The DePaulia. April 18, 2022 | 28
The art of stealing
DONALD CROCKER | THE DEPAULIA
DePaul softball freshman infielder Baylee Cosgrove slides into second base in the Blue Demons’ win over St. John’s on April 15. The stolen base was the first of her career.
Softball gains an advantage with stealing prowess By Darcy Waskiewicz Sports Editor
In sports, everything is a science that needs to be perfected down to the second, and for softball, one of those things is stealing bases. When stealing, everything needs to be timed and placed exactly right to beat the pitcher or catcher and get to the next base. And for DePaul softball, stealing bases is an art they have perfected. “It’s really fun,” Skylor Hilger, DePaul softball graduate second baseman, said about stealing bases. “My game is kind of [about] speed, so I kind of utilize it as much as I can, and in this game, every
out, every base is so important, so to be able to just be gritty and take that base is really fun.” The Blue Demons are 25 for 28 in stolen bases this season, and Hilger leads the team with nine out of 11 attempts. She uses her speed as a way to help her team by earning those extra bases, which puts her at a place where she only needs a single or double to score. “I think [the stolen bases] are big,” head coach Tracie Adix-Zins said. “When you steal a base, it just keeps moving you up to scoring position, which means you only need a single now instead of hitting a double, or a triple or anything else.” The bases around the infield are not
the only bases that Hilger has stolen. In the Blue Demons’ 7-1 win over Villanova on April 2, there was a pause in the action during which the Wildcats pitcher stepped off the mound for a breather. At the same time as a train entered the Fullerton L station next to the field, Hilger took off and slid into home plate. “It’s kind of a new rule [that] when the pitcher steps out of the circle and they’re not paying attention, you can take a base,” Hilger said. “So in my head, I’m thinking, ‘Close game, everyone matters, and I know I have speed, so I’m going to take advantage of them when they’re sleeping.’” Hilger, who is in her sixth year at
DePaul, has seen and experienced a lot of things in her softball career and has stolen quite a few bases. She has stolen 18 bases in her time at DePaul, but she said that stealing home was one that will stand out. “I was telling my dugout, ‘I came back for my sixth year, thank God, because now I can say I stole home,’” Hilger said. “It was super exciting, something I never thought I would ever experience, but you catch the defense sleeping and you take advantage.” While the offense was in full display in the Blue Demons’ sweep over St. John’s
See STEALING BASES, page 27
Han Training: An intersection of queerness, fitness, community By Nadia Hernandez News Editor
‘Han,’ is a Korean word for “an internalized feeling of deep sorrow, resentment, grief, regret and anger, which is felt by all Koreans.” But you won’t find any of that at Han Training. Although “Han” is distinct for the Korean identity, it applies to those Han Training looks to serve. Han Training opened January 2022 and is a gym for queer people of color in Chicago. Located in upper North Halsted at 743 W. Irving Park Rd., Han Training values accessibility, intention, liberation and affirmation. Owner and founder Minky Kim felt a queer gym and communal fitness space was lacking in Chicago. “I was looking for a place where I could bring my friends because most queer people don’t want to go to a gym, which is totally fair,” Kim said. “Once I realized that there weren’t too many
spaces that folks felt comfortable in, I decided to kind of make my own way.” Kim started their platform as “LiftyBoi” on Instagram and became a certified personal trainer. Han Training eventually became their full-time job. “[I] thought it was just going to be a side hustle, a little passion project that turned out to be something that folks needed more than I realized,” they said. “That kind of just grew over time, and the need was so great that I ended up opening up a space.” There are over a thousand gyms in Illinois, but Kim wanted to differentiate Han Training based on their radical beliefs about movement. “A lot of my practices also kind of focused on rejecting this idea of what fitness is supposed to be like,” Kim said. “My movement philosophy, I think movement is for everybody and every body. What we do for ourselves is within
See HAN TRAINING, page 27
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During a strength class, Minky Kim helps member Ann Mitchell improve their form.