A chat with Bella Thorne
Who runs the sports? Girls.
Disney’s “Shake it Up” star discusses her future on the big screen, see Arts & Life, page 17.
Three women’s sports teams claim conference championships this year, see Sports, page 27.
Volume #98 | Issue #27 | May 27, 2014 | depauliaonline.com
Von Nida elected SGA president
Vote calls for divestment
By Nathan Weisman Asst. News Editor
Matthew von Nida and Christina Vera led a full ticket for the Student Government Association’s (SGA) executive board to victory in last week’s election. Von Nida and Vera ran unopposed, but Vanessa Cadavillo and Khalil Pillai who ran on their ticket faced challenges by candidates from OneDePaul, an unofficial student group who sought to reform SGA. Cadavillo won her race for Executive Vice President (EVP) for Student Affairs over OneDePaul candidate Nassir Faulkner. Pillai won his bid for EVP of Academic Affairs over OneDePaul’s Kevin Brooks. The race for EVP of Operations was won by Jake Boria, the current Senator for First Year Students. He was running against Pierre Anderson who is the current senator for Third Year Students. Von Nida supported Boria in his bid. OneDePaul didn’t win any of their bids for SGA’s executive board, but Joseph Arcus won his bid to be the Senator for Sustainability and Luke Kula will be a Senator for the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences. “OneDePaul will continue to be an active member of political discourse and discussion here at our University,” Michael J. Rance, a spokesperson from OneDePaul, said. “Our dream and our vision of fostering a community of engaged and active students will continue onwards, and we look forward to working with DePaul SGA in efforts to make DePaul University a better place for all.” “Every student elected to SGA worked hard to be elected,” von Nida said about working with next year’s senators. “We believe every voice will be important to SGA’s process this next school year. Everyone offers unique viewpoints, and we look forward to hearing those diverse voices.” One of their top priorities is addressing student concerns over the cost of their education. “College is expensive, textbooks are expensive, and living in this city is expensive,” von Nida said. “We plan to continue SGA’s efforts working with state legislators on enhancing Monetary Award Program, or MAP, grants available to students. Moreover, we hope to work with the university to increase opportunities for students on the DePaul scholarship portal.”
MATT PARAS | THE DEPAULIA
Supporters of DePaul Divest dropped a Palestinian flag Wednesday, May 21 in Arts & Letters Hall. By Kevin Gross Opinions Editor
Students voted in favor of a Student Government Association (SGA) referendum calling on DePaul to withdraw its investments in companies that do business with Israel’s military and corporations that work in the West Bank and Gaza, easily passing by 54.2 percent. A total of 2,908 votes were cast, with 45.8 percent against the referendum, an 8.4 percent
margin in favor of the proposal. The vote, dubbed “DePaul Divest,” followed weeks of campaigning by Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) and counter demonstrations by several campus Jewish groups opposed to the measure. SJP set up a ‘refugee camp’ in the SAC pit as well as an ‘apartheid wall’ detailing Israel’s alleged human rights violations, while Jewish fraternity Alpha Epsiolon Pi (AEPi) and Students Supporting Israel at DePaul (also known as Demon PAC) set up displays in
the Quad highlighting Israel’s achievements in technology, human rights and humanitarian aid, among other things. Both groups handed out flyers and urged students to vote against or for the measure. With the issue of Israel/ Palestine relations already a divisive one, it is clear that not all students see eye-to-eye with the nature of the referendum. “This campaign seemed to more so center around the vilification of Israel, rather than practical solutions,” Eli
Hershkovich, a Jewish student at DePaul, said. “These efforts were, if not anti-Semitic, at the very least pretty insensitive, and I couldn’t help but feel a bit uncomfortable on campus.” “One thing that I heard over and over again is that this effort is an ‘anti-Semitic attack,’ that (DePaul Divest) is attacking Jewish students on campus, and that’s just such a ridiculous claim,” Mishka Pavlovich, a member of Jewish Students for
See DIVEST, page 5
Students let loose at FEST By Amanda Driscoll Business Manager
DePaul’s grassy Quad was transformed Friday afternoon from a study space to music venue for the highly anticipated FEST. Walkie-talkies incessantly buzzed on the hips of DAB volunteers while equipment and lighting crews prepared for the festival. Grills were loaded with hot dogs, coolers were packed with drinks and fryers crisped funnel cakes to perfection. After a tormenting week of midterms and unpredictable weather, a sunny Chicago day filled with music and food was just what DePaul students needed. Earlier this month, DePaul Activities Board (DAB) announced to an energetic crowd in the Student Center Atrium that Washed Out, Local Natives and Childish Gambino would make their way to Chicago for the concert. Lauren Eisentraut, a junior and marketing coordinator for DAB, explained how much planning and budgeting must happen for FEST to be successful.
Photo courtesy of DAB
Students pack the Quad Friday, May 23 for Childish Gambino at FEST. “We spend the full school year planning for FEST,” Eisentraut said. “At the first meeting in Fall Quarter, we basically shout out the artists who we want to come. After that, we we figure out who fits in our budget, who isn’t touring and then we give the survey to the student body so they can vote.”
In addition to the three main acts, Bill, The Pony, winner of DAB’s Battle of the Bands, was set to kick off the festivities. The band, consisting of DePaul students Eric Richardson, Ethan Fang, Jake Garcia,
See FEST, page 20