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Meet Zeel Mody, President of Union Board for the 2023-2024 school year
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Greek Life: Creating a Culture of Acceptance and Leadership on Campus
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Somewhere Over the Rainbow Your Future Job Awaits: Here are Some Tips on How to Find It
Adriana
Briscoe (she/her) Editor-in-ChiefA campus memorial for former English professor and The Leader’s adviser, Ronald Wiginton, will take place Oct. 6 from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. in the Hammerschmidt Memorial Chapel, according to H. Scott Matheney, Elmhurst University’s chaplain.
Matheney, who is organizing the campus memorial, wants the event to honor Wiginton’s life in a meaningful way.
“It should give meaning and joy for this man,” Matheney said. “And there’ll be sorrow, there’ll be tears, it’ll be hard. But it will also be a way to put into context a significant quarter-century of life, a gift to this place and what he’s done and all the alums and present students for the future.”
In addition, Matheney acknowledged Wiginton’s commitment to social justice and believed Wiginton would want students to carry this commitment forward.
“He certainly would want you and all to be politically engaged, seekers of the truth, social agents of justice, and hoping that your life could make a difference,” Matheney said.
“He would want that. So the history of social justice, like Reinhold Niebuhr here, Martin Luther King, or all the lectures that we do, they’re rooted in an intellectual tradition, a faith tradition, a political tradition, and an activist tradition. He would rest in that.”
Not only will there be a campus memorial, but The Leader will be putting together a special memorial issue to honor Wiginton; former and current EU faculty and students who knew Wiginton may submit a tribute piece to be included in this issue.
If you’re interested in participating, submit a piece of no more than 500 words to leadernewsec@gmail.com by Sept. 20.
Susan Martin, former editor-in-chief of The Leader and 2008 graduate, recalled going to San Francisco when The Leader applied for national awards and remembered Wiginton pushed the entire editorial board of The Leader to step outside their comfort zones.
“The Leader has always done amazing things in Illinois and Illinois colleges, but he pushed us to say, ‘If you guys really wanna be journalists, get outside your damn bubble and look at what else is out there,’” Susan Martin said.
Wiginton died on Aug. 9. He served as the faculty adviser for The Leader between 1997 and 2020 and MiddleWestern Voice between 2021 and 2023.
He will be greatly missed by many faculty, staff, and students.
Susan Martin said that Wiginton was always “who he needed to be” for each student.
“He knew when he needed to back off, he knew when he needed to be hard and just curse us out because we needed it,” Susan Martin said. “Two ‘o clock in the morning phone calls, and ‘why the fuck is the paper not to bed?’ Like we needed that, ‘why are you fuckin’ around?’ We needed that call sometimes.”
Susan Martin also mentioned that when she needed it, Wiginton would let her come up to his former office at the top of the Chapel and cry. “He could let me do that, and he could do that for a lot of people,” Susan Martin explained.
Syeda Sameeha, The Leader’s editor-in-chief from 2018 to 2019, appreciated Wiginton for always fighting for her and supporting all of his students.
“Dr. Ron was not only an amazing teacher, inspiring journalist, and the best mentor, but he was
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Adriana Briscoe (she/her) Editor-in-Chief
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also my friend,” Sameeha said. “He made me who I am today. I can still picture him walking around campus with his baseball cap or beanie if it was cold out, a tote bag, and one arm taking long puffs of his cigarette.”
Sameeha continued, “I will forever be indebted to him for standing by me when things got tough as Editor-in-Chief, especially when we were both subject to a lawsuit on campus. I was nineteen and I thought my life was over, but Dr. Ron was there ready to fight for me.
“That’s the type of person he was. It is definitely an end of an era with Dr. Ron’s depart from this world. But I know each of us, his students, his Leader crew, and everyone who was impacted by him, will forever hold a piece of him in their hearts. Farewell, Dr. Ron.”
Victoria Martin, The Leader’s news editor between 2016 and 2018, expressed that while Wiginton was hard on The Leader staff when it came to “spelling errors, our inability to finish a production weekend before the early hours of Monday morning, or our everyday shenanigans,” he was hard on them because he cared and wanted the staff to be the best they could.
Victoria Martin believes she is all the better for Wiginton’s support.
“He supported us in ways I don’t think we ever really thanked him for,” Victoria Martin said. “He was so much more than a faculty adviser to the editorial staff. He will be greatly missed, and the world feels a little emptier knowing he isn’t in it.”
Roxee Timan, The Leader’s multimedia and managing editor from 2016 to 2018, and Cole Sheeks, The Leader’s sports editor in 2018, both had a close mentorship and friendship with Wiginton.
Timan appreciates Wiginton for pushing her as a writer, being a role model, and living life to the fullest.
“Ron has been a constant in Cole and I’s lives even five years after graduating,” Timan said. “I can’t thank him enough for all of the late nights, stretching us as writers, and introducing me to my best friend.”
“He once said, ‘Have more fun today than you did yesterday,’ and he did that til the very end. No one else could tell me, ‘You write like shit,’ and still be one of the people I look up to most.”
Sheeks had a similar experience with Wiginton, attributing fond memories, close friendship, and inspiration to him.
“Ron will be missed terribly,” Sheeks expressed. “His mentorship and friendship meant the world to me. He played a massive role in the person I have become. Not only do I owe him for my career, but I owe him for so many of my closest friends and most cherished memories.”
“I wish he was here to proofread this for me right now because I just know he’d have something quippy to say about it. He was inspiring, and he always knew how to add color to a conversation. He was a great friend and the best teacher I ever had,” Sheeks continued.
Gianna Montesano, The Leader’s editor-in-chief for the 2021 to 2022 school year, admires Wiginton for shaping her and many other students into the writers they are today.
“During my time as a student, Ron was one of the first people who viewed and treated me as a journalist,” Montesano said. “Without his guidance, passion, and talent, The Leader, or the remarkable writing talent he molded out of every student that walked through his office door, wouldn’t exist.”
Not only did many former EU students express feeling mentored and supported by Wiginton, but several EU faculty and professors felt deeply impacted by Wiginton as well.
Eric Lutz, faculty adviser to The Leader and editor-in-chief for the 2009 to 2010 school year, expressed the impact Wiginton had on the EU community.
“Ron was synonymous with The Leader, and
had an outsize impact on the lives and careers of so many students who passed through it,” Lutz said. “This is a tremendous loss for the college, The Leader, and the decades of students he taught and mentored.”
Ann Frank Wake, professor of English, shared a similar sentiment.
“Honestly, the first thought I had when I heard about the unusual circumstances surrounding Ron’s passing was that he would be ticked that he couldn’t write that story!” Wake said. “I imagined the ‘stream of consciousness’ technique leading up to final events, with the ‘unknown’ ending that cliffhangs us into the future.”
She continued, “It hit me hard that Ron would not be here to teach and influence future writers. He loved writers and writing, but he revered free speech and an independent Press.” Janice Lively, professor of English, appreciated the way Wiginton took his dreams and made them a reality.
“Ron was a character,” Lively said. “He was funny, he had a good heart. The thing I like most about Ron, he was a dreamer, but he didn’t just dream — he worked really hard at what he did, and he was good at that.” Lively mentioned that Wiginton envisioned the creative writing and digital media programs and helped bring them to EU.
“He wouldn’t take no,” Lively said. “He would keep pushing until he found a way to get it.”
This summer, Bluejays were welcomed back to campus with a 3.5% tuition increase and an additional $50 parking permit expense.
In January, the Office of Business and Finance informed students via email that the Elmhurst University Board of Trustees approved a 3.5% undergraduate tuition increase for the 2023-24 school year.
This brings the grand total of tuition to $41,258, compared to the previous academic year’s $39,862.
In the email, the Office of Business and Finance explained that they believe this decision is one made with the students in mind, in their commitment to further allocate funds to enhance the educational experience.
They cited a new health sciences building and improvement in academic and athletic recreation facilities as the destinations for this extra funding. However, despite touting these improvements, some students are questioning the impact of their extra tuition costs.
Senior Jorge Luis Garcia has seen this happen
before.
“I think it’s unfair how they raise the price every year, and this year it’s over a thousand dollars,” Garcia said. “The same benefits we got last year are the ones we’re getting this year. We’re not getting anything new.”
The Office of Business and Finance also made a point to remind students of their sensitivity to the current state of the economy and the impact this current climate has on the student body. They mention that they have limited the tuition increase to only half of the current rate of inflation.
Junior Itzel Cedillo-Arenas felt that the Office of Business and Finance’s announcement about the tuition increase didn’t validate students’ experiences.
“Them saying that they were essentially doing us a favor because they didn’t raise it as much as they would have otherwise sounds invalidating,” Cedillo-Arenas said.
She continued, “They know we would pay whatever they raised it to, and it doesn’t sound like they’re sorry for that. I guess good for them for trying to make light of a situation that only benefits them.”
In addition to the tuition increase, students were
also belatedly informed two weeks before the semester started that there would be a $50 price increase for parking permits—after many had already registered for them.
Students were previously informed via email that prices would remain the same.
The parking permit price increase took Claire Moloczyj, a senior commuter, by surprise.
“I was very shocked about it, [the price increase], it’s kind of ridiculous,” Moloczyj said. “The parking isn’t great anyway, most days you can’t even get a spot in the lot and then you’re stuck. Or you’re parking so far away it’s not even worth paying the extra price.”
Garcia provided a suggestion to EU in regards to the increased prices.
“If they wanna keep raising the prices, the parking pass should be included in the cost of tuition,” Garcia said.
Garcia also expressed concern for students who have a few more years of school to go.
“I fear for the incoming freshmen,” Garcia said. “They have a long four years of these price increases ahead of them.”
Staff Report
Elmhurst University junior Dylan Moran died on Aug. 30. Dylan was an exercise science major and a “standout athlete” on the men’s cross country team, according to President Troy VanAken in an email sent to the campus Aug. 30.
VanAken expressed his condolences on behalf of the campus community.
“We offer our deepest condolences to Dylan’s family and friends, and mourn the loss of such a young and promising life,” VanAken wrote.
VanAken also hopes campus community members will support each other during this time.
“If you know any of Dylan’s teammates, coaches, professors, family, and friends, I hope you will reach out to them with comfort and support during this profoundly difficult time,” VanAken wrote.
Those who need support can reach out to Counseling Services at 630-617-3565, the Office of Student Support Services and Intervention at 630-617-5790, the Office of the Chaplain at 630617-3025 (office) or 630-926-8028 (cell), or the Department of Public Safety at 630-617-3000.
In addition, all students, faculty, and staff have access to Therapy Assistance Online (TAO), an online mental health platform, and students can schedule free teletherapy with UWill.
While we were all on summer vacation, many important national events took place that The Leader hasn’t addressed yet. To recap on the summer’s news, here are five national events that have garnered attention over the past few months, according to newsletters from The New York Times.
The fire that swept through the town of Lahaina on Aug. 8 was the deadliest in the U.S. since 1918, and Maui officials are still working to identify who survived and who has been lost.
As of Sept. 8, the number of people missing has dropped to 66 and the official death toll is listed as 115.
But at the same time, warming ocean temperatures have the potential to stir up hurricanes and block El Niño’s hurricane-calming effects.
Trump indicted and surrendered to Atlanta jail
Former President Donald J. Trump surrendered to Fulton County Jail on account of him and his allies being accused of interfering with his 2020 election loss in Georgia. This was his fourth criminal arrest of the year.
He was fingerprinted, photographed, and released on bond. Shortly after, he posted his mugshot on X, formerly known as Twitter, which went viral across social media platforms.
The Supreme Court rejected loan forgiveness because they thought it interfered with executive powers.
For those who have loans, the Education Department finalized a system that could decrease payments, potentially cutting many loan borrowers’ monthly bills in half.
Additionally, the Biden administration is providing an “on-ramp” for students and their families; missed monthly bills won’t be considered delinquent from Oct. 1 to Sept. 30, 2024.
The Supreme Court also supported a web designer who claimed she had a First Amendment right to refuse to design websites for same-sex marriages. It’s unclear whether this explanation will apply to other services.
While hurricane seasons typically hit their peak in September, this hurricane season struck suddenly in mid-August.
Hurricane Idalia formed on Aug. 29 and struck the southeastern U.S. at a Category 3 level. It caused a dangerous storm surge, flooding, and wind damage.
At this point, it’s unclear how the rest of this year’s hurricane season will play out. El Niño, a climate phenomenon that produces mighty winds that can break storms, may prevent hurricanes from forming.
The Supreme Court rejected affirmative action and student loan forgiveness, and they backed a web designer who was opposed to creating websites for same-sex marriages this summer.
The Supreme Court rejected two education initiatives this summer - affirmative action and student loan forgiveness.
Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. claimed affirmative action can’t work hand-in-hand with the equal protection clause.
“Both programs lack sufficiently focused and measurable objectives warranting the use of race, unavoidably employ race in a negative manner, involve racial stereotyping and lack meaningful end points,” Roberts said.
Justice Sonia Sotomayor disagreed, saying affirmative action is a crucial part of countering systemic racial discrimination.
“The court subverts the constitutional guarantee of equal protection by further entrenching racial inequality in education, the very foundation of our democratic government and pluralistic society,” Sotomayor said.
Waste water monitoring from Biobot Analytics suggests an increase in COVID-19 infections in the West and Northeast of the U.S. Also, COVID-19-related hospitalizations rose in a two-week period ending Aug. 12, according to the CDC.
In addition, experts warn that COVID-19 could spread more in the fall and winter months.
When she was in high school, Zeel Mody wanted to be part of an organization that planned events, but never had the chance because she was committed to multiple service clubs, such as Rotary Interact, Animal Advocates Club, and LINK Crew.
When she discovered the Union Board at Elmhurst University’s Involvement Fair, she realized she was able to fulfill that dream.
“I wrote my name down, and then I went to the first meeting and I was like, ‘Yep, this is something I want to join for sure’,’’ Mody said.
Mody was elected president of the Union Board for the 2023-24 school year and is seeking to increase student involvement with the Union Board.
“My plan is to work with the vice president and have incentives and get-to-know meetings and potlucks and private sessions; such things as that to grow the student involvement but also take what they have as their ideas,” Mody said.
Mody continued, “And also hear out other students that are not on Union Board and plan events that they will enjoy as well to have something that they can get involved in that is not very educational or school-based.”
During her time on Union Board so far, Mody has enjoyed the connections she has made with other members.
“I like that we’re very close and that we’re not afraid to be ourselves around each other,” Mody said.
“Being a leadership organization as well, it can be hard when everyone is so based on their positions, so we really try not to have that as our main goal and put together that we are a team and that we can just get together and not be so serious and strict all the time and just have fun with what we do,” she continued. She especially liked the retreats that the organization went on during the beginning and end of the school year.
“During that time, we would take bits and
pieces of Union Board and just talk about ideas we had, collaborate based on that, and it was mostly to get away from the educational, like the school environment, and just have fun and talk and just get to know each other,” Mody said. Mody also enjoys Union Board because it gives her a break from her workload. She explained that the transition from high school to college was tough, and during her first semester, she had a professor who would assign a lot of essays.
Union Board helped her take her mind off “all that chaos and the essays” she was doing. “Getting my mind off of the essays themselves and putting them into planning events, talking to people, designing stuff - it took bits and pieces of what I wanted to do in high school … and just like hobbies I like to do at home and just like planning and sketching and designing and stuff,” Mody said. “I had a fun time doing that which got my mind
With her double major in criminal justice and cybersecurity, Mody plans to go into law enforcement with an emphasis on technology. Her advice to students is not to be afraid to seek help. She explained that when she first picked her double major, she was used to doing everything on her own and felt stressed. However, since then she has reached out to a life coach, a department chair, and students she knew from Union Board for support.
She added that students seeking leadership positions should not worry so much about having a specific role or level of experience.
“I’d say leadership isn’t always about holding such [a] role as in previous years or needing that label,” Mody said. “It’s mainly about the initiative one takes into going forth oneself and working with others as well.”
Throughout the country, writers, actors, and supporters of the WGA and SAG-AFTRA have been on strike. But what really does this strike mean? And what does it mean for the future of entertainment content?
Who are the WGA and SAG-AFTRA?
The Writers Guild of America (WGA) and The Screen Actors Guild and American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) are both labor unions within the entertainment industry.
Why are they striking?
In May, the WGA went on strike, and the SAG-AFTRA joined them in July. Both are striking over ongoing labor disputes with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP.)
They represent over 350 American television and film production companies including Amazon, Apple, Disney, Warner Bros. Discovery, Netflix, and NBCUniversal.
When it comes to the WGA, there are currently only agreements in place for writers who work on broadcast television shows, not streaming television. This means writers have to negotiate individually with streaming companies for their pay.
Median pay at the higher writer and producer level has fallen by 4% over the last decade, and many writers struggle to make a living even when working at these higher levels. Dylan Guerra recently worked on season three of the Max Original “The Other Two” and he was paid $3,200 per week for those 15 weeks.
This may seem like a lot, but when union dues, agent fees, and other living expenses are taken into account, it’s significantly less. Not to mention, this pay for 15 weeks of work has to last him for months in between gigs. Actors are having a similar issue.
For example, the minimum amount of money a performer must earn in order to qualify for the union’s health plan is $26,470. According to Shaan Sharma, an actor and SAG-AFTRA board member, only about 12.7% of members qualify for this health plan. Another issue is something called mini rooms. Mini rooms are money-saving tactics used by studios that usually consist of the showrunner(s) and two or three other writers who are paid to write a series in a short amount of time for little pay.
This causes writing to become a gig job rather than a stable career and keeps many writers off-set and out of the production process.
Another concern that has been taking up headlines is AI (Artificial Intelligence). The WGA wants to make sure that AI programs, such as ChatGPT, are only used to aid writers in areas such as research, not content creation. SAG-AFTRA is on strike for similar reasons, especially surrounding pay. Residuals are how actors are financially compensated in areas such as reruns and syndication and are a large part of negotiation talks.
These conversations also surround streaming services, and SAG-AFTRA is demanding streaming residuals based partly on viewership levels.
One SAG-AFTRA member, Kellee Stewart, who had appeared in shows such as “All American” and “Black-ish” shared screenshots on X, formerly known as Twitter, of five residual payments from streaming services totaling just 13 cents.
Sheri Holman is a writer and executive producer of Apple TV+’s “Palm Royal” and one of her residual checks for the show was only $8.
Similar to the WGA, SAG-AFTRA also has concerns over AI. The biggest talks surround the idea of who owns an actor’s likeness if it is reproduced by AI.
What does the strike mean for films and television shows?
The first shows to be impacted by the strike were late-night talk and sketch shows such as “Saturday Night Live” or “The Tonight Show.” Popular shows such as “Euphoria” and “Stranger Things” have also all been delayed due to the strike.
When it comes to films, studios within the AMPTP claim to have enough content to outlast those striking. That being said, movies such as “Dune Part Two” and “Spiderman-Man Beyond the Spider-Verse” have already been delayed with more to come.
Also, actors who are part of SAG-AFTRA aren’t allowed to promote any struck work, including new movie releases.
This strike only affects American film and TV, so foreign projects will continue to be made. There are some companies that have been given permission to continue production. For instance, two A24 films were given permission by SAG-AFTRA to keep filming, as they agreed to all of the union’s terms.
How long will the strike last?
The last time the WGA went on strike was in 2007, and it lasted 100 days. The last SAG-AFTRA strike was in 1960 and lasted for three months.
The WGA strike, as of this issue’s release, is currently going on day 134. The SAG-AFTRA strike, on the other hand, is going on day 61. CEO of Disney, Bob Iger, has gone on record saying that the labor unions must “be realistic about the business environment and what this business can deliver.”
Meanwhile in 2022, Iger’s total pay package was $15 million, and in 2023, he has the potential to earn $27 million.
The AMPTP has said that they plan to wait out those striking, so there’s no way to tell how much longer this strike will continue.
Thank you for picking up our first issue of The Leader.
As many of you may already know, this summer, the former adviser to The Leader and English professor, Dr. Ron Wiginton, passed away. This was a huge loss for The Leader family, as Wiginton advised The Leader from 1997 to 2020 and continued to mentor students even after his advising years.
The Leader was his baby, which is why in this issue, we decided to dedicate a story to him
that includes details about the upcoming campus memorial, the memorial issue The Leader is planning for him, and quotes from students and professors who have had the privilege of working with him over the years. After Wiginton’s passing, we decided to postpone our summer Orientation Issue, which is an issue dedicated to teaching students about the ins and outs of college life. In this issue, we included an insert of stories from our Orientation Issue.
The Orientation Issue was Wizard of Oz themed, so you’ll see some graphics relating to that
theme throughout several pieces. Our staff have put our blood, sweat, and tears into this issue, and we can’t wait for you to read everything we’ve been working on.
Whether this is your first year or your last, I hope your year is filled with joy, success, and lots of memories, and that you find a place to belong at Elmhurst University.
Sincerely,
Adriana Briscoe (she/her)At the beginning of each semester, students are faced with a list of things to do and purchase in order to ensure that their classes go smoothly. Some of the main items included on the list are textbooks.
Textbooks and other books are common requirements for many courses, so the prices can add up quickly, leaving students stressed.
Many students are left wondering where and how they are going to get them, as well as how they are going to pay for them.
There are multiple ways to get textbooks and save some money while doing so.
The easiest and most common way that many students purchase their textbooks is through the school itself.
Elmhurst University has an online eCampus Bookstore where each student can find their required books for each of their courses. Here, students can select different formats, conditions, and terms for the books they purchase. A student can purchase used or new copies, but they can also rent their books and return them at the end of the semester. If an instructor does not specifically ask for “new” copies, many students opt for used books rather than new ones, because they tend to be a little cheaper. For those who do not prefer physical copies, ebooks and PDF versions are another way that students can obtain their required materials. While many students use the eCampus Bookstore, not all do.
Chegg is another convenient and common place to purchase or rent textbooks. Chegg gives people a return date, and one can easily ship their books back by the return date or get
an extension.
Any required textbook or book will be listed on the syllabus that instructors go over at the beginning of the semester. Most instructors will give students at least two weeks to obtain any required materials.
If a textbook is on the way but not yet shipped, chances are the campus library will have a copy or previous version that a student can use until it arrives.
Getting textbooks for one’s courses may seem difficult or daunting, and it can cost a pretty penny, but it is actually fairly easy, and there are many options that can help one save money.
Textbooks and course books are a part of college, but it becomes an easy part once one gets the hang of it.
Gabriel E. Galindo (he/him) Staff Writer and Spanish Translator
As a commuter student, the experience here at Elmhurst University can be a tad different, but regardless, you can still enjoy campus life. Here are some tips to take into consideration during your time here at EU.
The early bird catches the worm: Driving to campus can be a hassle for many commuters, especially for those whose distance is farther than 10 to 15 minutes. I would highly recommend arriving about 30 minutes before your classes even start; that way you don’t have to rush from building to building or struggle to find the right parking space for your vehicle. Money and Food: The cafeteria and The Roost can be expensive when you don’t have a meal plan or struggle to find something you like. Many commuters usually come to campus
with a packed lunch that can last from noon to the afternoon.
Also, there are restaurants and places that have more variety and can be more affordable. My best advice would be to eat a decent breakfast, pack a lunch that lasts, and use your money wisely when buying dinner or food if you’re staying in the afternoon.
Time Management: One of the biggest struggles when it comes to all types of students is time management. Your classes differ on a block schedule, and for first-year students who never had such a schedule, it can be hard to deal with at first.
For commuters, try to balance the time you spend between class and assignments, and utilize resources to the best of your ability during your time on campus. The Learning Center at the A.C. Buehler Library will certainly have workshops during protected hour to help with that.
Extracurriculars and Flexibility: Trying to be part of a club or organization on campus and participating in events can be a hassle. Most commuters leave after 1 p.m. and some stay all the way until 4 or 5 p.m.
Keeping that in mind, commuters must keep in touch with their respective clubs and organizations to the best of their ability. There are always days and times to meet up depending on their schedules.
Resources and Help: Just because you’re a commuter, it doesn’t mean you can’t access the resources EU has to offer. It can be hard, but there’s always time to use to the Learning Center, the Weigand Center for Professional Excellence, and the Wellness Center. You are a student here, regardless of whether or not you live on campus. Your voice does matter and makes a difference — it just takes one leap or action to ignite it.
Como estudiante que viaja diariamente, la experiencia aquí en Elmhurst puede ser un poco diferente, pero, de todos modos, aún puedes disfrutar de la vida en el campus. A continuación, se ofrecen algunos consejos que debe tener en cuenta durante su estancia aquí en la Universidad de Elmhurst.
El que madruga, atrapa el gusano: conducir hasta el campus puede ser una molestia para muchos viajeros, especialmente para aquellos cuya distancia es superior a 10 o 15 minutos. Recomiendo encarecidamente llegar unos 30 minutos antes de que comiencen las clases, de esa manera no tendrá que correr de un edificio a otro ni luchar para encontrar el espacio de estacionamiento adecuado para su vehículo.
Dinero y comida: la cafetería y el descanso pueden
resultar costosos cuando no tienes un plan de alimentación o te cuesta encontrar algo que te guste. La mayoría de los viajeros suelen llegar al campus con un almuerzo para llevar que puede durar desde el mediodía hasta la tarde. Además, hay restaurantes y lugares que tienen más variedad y probablemente a un costo que uno pueda pagar. El mejor consejo sería entonces desayunar bien, preparar un almuerzo que dure y usar tu dinero sabiamente al comprar la cena o la comida si te quedas por la tarde.
Gestión del tiempo: una de las mayores luchas cuando se trata de todo tipo de estudiantes es la gestión del tiempo. Sus clases difieren en un horario en bloque, y para los de primer año que nunca tuvieron ese horario puede ser difícil de manejar en el primer intento. Para quienes viajan diariamente, traten de equilibrar el tiempo que pasa entre clases, tareas y utilizando los recursos lo mejor que pueda durante su estadía en el campus. El Centro de Aprendizaje de la Biblioteca A.C
Buehler seguramente tendrá talleres durante el horario protegido para ayudar con eso.
Actividades extracurriculares y flexibilidad: intentar ser parte de un club u organización en el campus y participar en eventos puede ser una molestia. La mayoría de los viajeros salen después de la 1 y algunos se quedan hasta las 4 o 5. Teniendo esto en cuenta, los viajeros deben mantenerse en contacto con sus respectivos clubes/organizaciones lo mejor que puedan. Siempre hay días y horarios para reunirse dependiendo de sus horarios.
Recursos y ayuda: nunca asuma que el hecho de que sea un viajero no significa que no pueda acceder a los recursos que Elmhurst tiene para ofrecer. Puede ser difícil, pero siempre hay tiempo para acudir al Centro de aprendizaje, al Centro Weigand para la excelencia profesional y al Centro de bienestar. Eres un estudiante aquí, independientemente de si no vives en el campus. Tu voz sí importa y marca la diferencia, solo hace falta un salto o una acción para encenderla.
Moving on campus, whether for the first time or for the fourth time, always seems like a hassle, but there are so many ways to make campus living easier and more enjoyable. Here are five tips that may help make your experience on campus easier.
Don’t Over Pack
Moving into your dorm room and unpacking everything can be a tedious process. The rooms are not that big, and most people share that space with another person.
Chances are, you will not need or use as many items as you think you will. Overpacking will only leave you with a cramped space and a ton of items that end up sitting without being touched.
Same goes for clothes. If you second guess whether or not you will wear something, you probably will not.
Pack lighter, and if you are missing something you need, things can easily be shipped to you on campus. There are many places close to campus too, like the mall, where you can find a ton of items and clothes.
Get Things to Organize and Store Your Stuff
Organization will be your best friend. Having a more organized dorm will keep the space from feeling too cramped or cluttered, and for some, help you focus better.
Getting things to keep your items organized, like storage drawers or racks, gives you extra space to set your stuff on top of the shelves and dressers already in your dorm room. Many closets are big enough to fit extra storage compartments, so that leaves you with more floor space in the room itself. Make The Dorm Yours
While you do not need to go out and buy a ton of new decorations, make the room yours. Customize the dorm and fill it with things that make the room feel more like you.
The room is your home for the semester or year; make it a space that you feel comfortable in and that you want to be in. That is your space, so show that. Whether it’s posters, pictures, lights, knicknacks, or even your bedding, find ways to make the space your own paradise or comfort place while you are living on campus.
Set Boundaries with Your Roommate(s) and Discuss Schedules
If you have a roommate, or multiple, make sure to set boundaries and discuss schedules. When living with another person, communication is key to ensure that issues are avoided. If issues do come up, communication can help resolve those issues and smooth them over.
As soon as you move in with your roommate and get settled in, discussing boundaries and schedules is a good idea.
Talk about what you are comfortable with and what you are not comfortable with. Bring up things that are a “must” and things that you want to avoid. Having rules and boundaries with your roommate(s) right off the bat will let each of you know each other’s preferences and
it gives you an idea of what living together might look like.
Having that level of communication can also help avoid potential conflicts in the future, as comfort levels and “rules” have already been gone over.
Discuss schedules too, such as class times and extracurricular times, so each of you has a sense of when one will be free or busy. It is also good to know each other’s schedules in case someone has an early morning class or a night class.
One of the quickest ways to adjust to living on campus is to take advantage of what campus has to offer and to make friends with other residents.
Late night study session? The Library and Founder’s Lounge offer great places to study that are open late if you need a quiet place to go.
The Roost stays open late as well if you want a bite to eat or just want a place to hang out with friends.
During the day, many of the buildings have study spots tucked throughout them, the campus has many benches and little spots outdoors too.
Elmhurst University has a pretty campus with many spots to go both indoors and outdoors. Take advantage of them if you do not feel like staying in your dorm.
Making friends with other residents is a great way to feel more comfortable as well. Hanging out around campus or in each other’s dorms is always fun, and having more familiar faces will help you feel a little less lost as you settle into your dorm and college life.
Dorm life can seem scary at first, especially if it is brand new to you, but it can be a lot of fun if you make the most of it and put in the effort to ensure your comfortability.
Make the dorm yours, communicate with your roommates, take advantage of the campus, and talk to other residents. Living on campus will not seem so bad if you find the good things in it. This is your home for the next few months, so make it one.
Mudarse al campus, ya sea por primera vez o por cuarta vez, siempre parecerá ser una molestia, pero hay muchas maneras de hacer que la vida en el campus sea más fácil y disfrutable.
Aquí hay cinco consejos que pueden ayudar a que su experiencia en el campus sea más fácil: No empaques en exceso
Al mudarte a tu dormitorio, desempacar puede convertirse en un proceso tedioso. Las habitaciones no son tan grandes y la mayoría compartirá ese espacio con otra persona.
Lo más probable es que no necesite o use tantos elementos como cree que lo hará. Empacar en exceso solo lo dejará con un espacio reducido y una tonelada de artículos que terminan sentados sin ser tocados.
Lo mismo ocurre con la ropa. Si adivinas si usarás algo, probablemente no lo harás.
Empaque más liviano y, si le falta algo que necesita, se lo pueden enviar fácilmente al campus. También hay muchos lugares cerca del campus, como el Oakbrook Mall, donde puedes encontrar un montón de artículos y ropa.
Obtenga organizadores y almacene sus cosas
La organización será tu mejor amiga. Tener un dormitorio más organizado evitará que el espacio se sienta demasiado apretado o desordenado, y puede mejorar su enfoque.
Obtener organizadores, como cajones de almacenamiento o estantes, le brinda lugares adicionales para colocar sus cosas encima de los estantes y tocadores que ya están en su dormitorio.
Muchos armarios son lo suficientemente grandes como para acomodar compartimentos de almacenamiento adicionales, por lo que puede dejarle más espacio en el piso de la habitación.
Hazte dueño de tu dormitorio
No es necesario que salgas a comprar un montón de decoraciones nuevas, hazlas tuyas. Personaliza el dormitorio y llénalo con cosas que hagan que la habitación se sienta
más como tú.
Ese será tu hogar para el semestre o todo el año, conviértelo en un espacio en el que te sientas cómodo y en el que quieras estar. Ese es tu espacio.
Ya sean carteles, fotografías, luces, chucherías o incluso tu ropa de cama, encuentra formas de convertir tu espacio en tu propio paraíso o lugar de confort mientras vives en campus.
Establezca límites con su(s) compañero(s) de cuarto y analice los horarios Cuando se vive con otra persona, la comunicación es clave para garantizar que se eviten o resuelvan los problemas, así que asegúrese de establecer límites y discutir horarios. Tener reglas y límites con sus compañeros de cuarto desde el principio les permitirá a cada uno conocer las preferencias de cada uno y les dará una idea de cómo sería vivir juntos. Hablen sobre con qué se sienten cómodos y con qué no se sienten cómodos. Mencionen las cosas que son “imprescindibles” y las que desean evitar.
Discutan también sobre sus horarios, como las clases y los extracurriculares, para que cada uno de ustedes tenga una idea de cuándo estarán libres u ocupados. También es bueno conocer los horarios de cada uno en caso de que alguien tenga una clase temprano en la mañana o en la noche.
Aprovecha el campus y hazte amigo de otros residentes
Una de las formas más rápidas de adaptarse a vivir en el campus es aprovechar lo que el campus tiene para ofrecer y hacer amistad con otros residentes.
¿Tarde en la noche? La biblioteca A.C. Buehler y el Founder’s Lounge ofrecen excelentes lugares para estudiar que están abiertos hasta tarde, si necesitan un lugar tranquilo al que ir.
The Roost también permanece abierto hasta tarde, si quieren comer algo o simplemente buscan un lugar para pasar
el rato con amigos.
Durante el día, muchos de los edificios tienen lugares de estudio escondidos por todas partes. El campus también tiene muchos bancos y pequeños espacios al aire libre. Aprovechen estos lugares interiores y exteriores si no tienen ganas de quedarse en su dormitorio. Hacer amistad con otros residentes también es una excelente manera de sentirse más cómodo.
Pasar el rato en el campus o en los dormitorios de otras personas siempre es divertido, y conocer caras más familiares te ayudará a sentirte un poco menos perdido a medida que te adaptas a tu dormitorio y a tu vida universitaria.
La vida en el dormitorio puede parecer aterradora al principio, especialmente si es nueva para ti, pero puede ser muy divertido si lo aprovechas al máximo y te esfuerzas por garantizar tu comodidad.
Hazte dueño de tu dormitorio, comunícate con tus compañeros de cuarto, aprovechen el campus y habla con los otros residentes. Vivir en el campus no parecerá tan malo si encuentras cosas buenas que hacer ahí. Es tu hogar para el próximo año, así que conviértelo en uno en el que disfrutes vivir.
if there’s anywhere nearby that still has a record listening booth that still works.
Under the Tuscan Sun
Streaming on Amazon Prime Video
This film inspires me to want to make Italy my new home every time I watch it. “Under the Tuscan Sun” follows Frances Mayes, played by Diane Lane, a writer in San Francisco, as she attempts to rethink her life while on a trip to Italy.
The film kicks off after Frances learns that her husband is cheating on her, and to help her regain a sense of self, her best friend Patti, portrayed by Sanda Oh, convinces her to go on a tour of Italy.
Sarah Glees (she/her)
Multimedia Editor
Whether it’s your first day of college, or you’re entering your last year, a new school year can bring its share of excitement as well as stress. One way to help combat any first-day nervousness is to relax with a feelgood feature.
Before Sunrise
Available to rent (trust me, it’s worth the $3.99)
“Before Sunrise” is quite possibly a perfect movie that can’t help but make you feel at home. It is the first film in a truly fantastic trilogy that follows the romance between Jesse, portrayed by Ethan Hawke, and Celine, portrayed by Julie Delpy.
This rewrites the standards for a romance film. It isn’t your typical boy-meets-girl situation. Jesse is on his way to catch a flight back to the United States and Celine is on her way to Paris; however, they have a core connection that leads them to spend the little time they have together exploring Vienna.
By the end of this movie, you feel as invested in this relationship as the characters are because you pretty much lived every moment of the day with them.
It’ll have you laughing, crying, and wondering
During the trip, Frances impulsively decides to uproot her life and purchase a Tuscan villa. While on this new path, Frances dives into this culture meeting a sprawl of different characters with unique personalities. This story focuses on these ideas of reinvention, femininity, and independence, all with the Tuscan landscape in the background.
Moonrise Kingdom
Available for rent (this is also worth it)
Nothing makes you feel more at home than a storybook. “Moonrise Kingdom,” possibly my favorite Wes Anderson film, just feels like you’re flipping through pages of a picture book as you watch.
The film follows two 12-year-olds, Sam, portrayed by Jared Gilman, and Suzy, portrayed by Kara Hayward, as they claim to have fallen in love and run away from home. Set in 1965 on a small island off the coast of New England, this small community seems to be its own world apart from anything happening elsewhere.
There’s also a great cast of adults that are searching for Sam and Suzy, including Bruce Willis, Edward Norton, Frances McDormand, and Bill Murray. This quirky film can’t help but bring you back to that age of no responsibilities and pure imagination.
Streaming on Disney+
“The Parent Trap” is a nostalgic classic that has that comforting feeling of home throughout. For anyone who hasn’t seen it or if it’s been a while since your last watch, “The Parent Trap” is a remake of a film that came out in 1961 of the same name and follows a similar premise.
Two girls meet at summer camp, learn that they’re actually twins separated at birth, and decide to switch places with the goal of meeting their other parent and reuniting them when they have to get switched back.
The standout of this film is the incredible introduction of Lindsay Lohan. It’s hard to imagine this was her first film because she manages to bring life to not one but two characters.
Whether you never got to enjoy this or haven’t seen it since you were a kid, it’s worth the watch and definitely holds up.
Mamma Mia
Streaming on Peacock
If Italy doesn’t work out, this movie also makes Greece seem like a gorgeous place to make a future home. “Mamma Mia” is a movie that’s less about the story and more about the show-stopping music and dance sequences.
That being said, the story follows Sophie, portrayed by Amanda Seyfried, who has been raised by her single mother Donna, portrayed by Meryl Streep.
The film begins as Sophie is trying to figure out who her father is by inviting three potential men who all slept with her mother around the same time to her upcoming wedding.
This film goes on to prove that I don’t think there’s anything Meryl Streep can’t do. Even with the, at times, bad singing, it’s still hilarious, fun, and just makes for a feel-good feature.
If you love this, definitely check out the sequel, which I have to say I think I might love even more than this one.
Greek life is a big part of college culture, but it is not necessarily a good part. Fraternities and sororities across the country hold stereotypes of drinking and hazing, sometimes resulting in serious injury or death.
However, Elmhurst University’s Greek life groups work to counter that stereotype.
Samuel Shulman is a member of Lambda Chi Alpha, one of the first fraternities to ban hazing and pledging on a national scale. Since then, both across the country and within EU’s Pi Zeta chapter, members have taken to heart their motto “Every Man a Man.”
Shulman, who’s openly gay, encourages his brothers to be open with themselves and to each other.
“Greek life should be safe and inclusive to join,” Shulman said.
Shulman added that toxic masculinity and stereotypical fraternal culture are harmful.
“A lot of queer men are emasculated,” Shulman explained, “My freshman year I thought, ‘I’m gay. I’m gonna get hazed. I’m gonna die,’ but it’s not like that,” Shulman described.
As the vice president, or “High Beta” of his chapter, Shulman has both experienced and contributed to change within his fraternity and within his community.
As a junior, he served on the Inter-Fraternal Council’s leadership board and was the leading voice in creating a three-week-long recruitment period on campus. He said the change made men, “more inclined and less afraid to join.”
It meant potential brothers had time to learn what Greek life is truly about and which organization suits them best.
It also gave the fraternities time to decide if they shouldn’t offer a bid to somebody. Without giving specifics, Shulman admitted there were instances where individuals were likely to receive a bid, or invitation to join, but didn’t because of their behavior during the recruitment period.
“We respect our brothers and respect our school,”
Shulman said about misbehavior. “Once they act a certain way, they have to go.”
However, respect goes beyond the initial recruitment phase, and another EU fraternity, Alpha Sigma Phi’s (A-Sig’s), values reflect this sentiment.
The Sigs’ core values include Charity, Honor, Patriotism, Purity, and Silence. Each value has its own volunteer opportunity attached. Charity, for example, is supported by their work with Shatterproof, an organization dedicated to stopping addiction and substance abuse.
Alex Eddy, president of A-Sig, served as one of two ambassadors last year during a nationally broadcasted info session, sharing how fellow chapters, as well as individuals, can help end addiction.
“To Better the Man” is the motto of A-Sig; Eddy and his chapter strive every day to reach that goal. A-Sig served as the first partner to a new organization called “Stop Hazing” last year, serving to do exactly that.
They recognize the history and baggage that fraternities come with and look to make sure those actions and behaviors are never imitated.
“That culture was universal,” Eddy said, “I thought Greek life was what you hear from the news. I feel like it didn’t match me,” referring to when he first came to EU.
Fraternities are reaching out more and more to new members with the goal of showing them what the experience is actually like. Eddy said going to recruitment events and hangouts for all the campus fraternities helped him immensely.
“You learn ‘oh, he’s not an asshole’ and ‘they’re not terrible people,’” Eddy explained.
With the addition of Continuous Open Bidding, the option to apply or join a fraternity after the initial “bid week,” students are given even more time to find their place on campus.
“If you say this isn’t a fit for you, it’s not a fit for you,” Eddy added.
Making the experience fit you is a big part of Greek life at Elmhurst.
Klaudia Piechocka, president of Elmhurst’s Kappa Kappa Gamma chapter, takes this to heart when
talking about her sorority. KKG is bigger than all fraternities, and is one of the larger sororities on campus, boasting about 20 members. Still, they have a very close-knit feel.
“We’re here to have fun,” Piechocka said, calling her chapter, “a big group of friends.”
Piechocka wants to avoid the stigma of massive southern schools with hundreds of members, most of whom likely barely know each other.
She said her chapter wants, “genuine girls with genuine personality.” They achieve this through numerous recruitment events, retreats, and formal and informal get-togethers.
On an even more personal scale is Sigma Lambda Gamma (SLG), a sorority dedicated to empowering Latina women. Their chapter only has five members, though they still manage to get a lot done.
SLG travels door to door collecting donations and hosts events such as their Loteria Night. Loteria is a Mexican game similar to bingo, and the entrance money goes to support and uplift Latina voices in the community and in the country.
Jocelyn Moreno, chapter president, noted the commitment SLG requires.
“A lot of us carry multiple roles,” Moreno said, with her taking on three roles this year within SLG. “I was working on an invoice in class…you have sisterhood with a side of business.”
The effort that goes into planning events, even for a sisterhood as small as Sigma Lambda Gamma, breaks down the idea of a stereotypical sorority. Moreno says working with her sorority is “like another class” and they are “always trying to get that stereotype out of [public opinion].”
According to the Greeks themselves, just about anybody can find a home in a fraternity or sorority on campus. Almost any member would be happy to invite interested students to events, whether it be an extravagant fundraising event or an informal dinner get-together.
Several Greek life leaders gave the same advice — joining Greek life is for service and friendship, not partying and drinking.
Shulman phrased it best, “You have to want it for what it stands for.”
On the job hunt? You’ve come to the right place. The Leader spoke with Christina Danno, assistant director of Career Experiences with
that Handshake is a great place to start looking for jobs or internships. Employers interested in hiring EU students will post their job and internship offerings on the EU Handshake page, so students can browse through those jobs and begin applying.
students can point out experiences they’ve had that fit the skill(s) certain roles are looking for.
When it comes to cover letters, Danno believes that students should send employers a cover letter even if they don’t ask for them because she thinks a strong cover letter can give students an advantage.
She explained that the cover letter serves a different purpose than the resume.
“It’s more of your story; it’s your brand,” Danno said. “So kind of explaining to the employer why you’re interested in this industry, why you’re passionate about it.”
She continued, “And explaining the role that you had mentioned on your resume, bringing that onto your cover letter, and maybe explaining how you got into this role.”
As an example, she said that if an employer is looking for someone with leadership and social media experience, one can begin their cover letter by saying something like, “I believe I’d be a good role because I have experience in leadership and social media” and explaining their reasons in the letter.
“And then that employer will be really interested because it [will] be like, ‘Okay, wow, you really understood the job application, you were able to identify the skills that we think are really important for this role and then articulate those,” Danno said.
For interviews, Danno believes practice is key. “My number one tip would be to prepare more than you think you need to prepare,” Danno said. She said EU offers a couple of resources that can help students prepare for interviews. One is an online resource called Stand Out, which gives students practice interview questions and allows them to record themselves answering the questions.
There is also a mock interview event held by the WCPE every fall and spring. In these mock interview events, employers from various industries do 45-minute, one-on-one
mock interviews with students and give them feedback on their interviewing skills. Lastly, students can schedule mock interviews with WCPE staff.
Students can also practice with as many people as they can, look up practice interview questions on Google, and write out a little note sheet with specific examples that can help them recall their experiences during the interview, according to Danno.
Danno suggests that students break up their note sheets into four to five sections and include a maximum of three bullet points per section, and students can also include questions they plan to ask the interviewer. They can carry the sheet with them to the interview in a padfolio along with their resume and notepad.
In addition, Danno said doing research on the company and expressing passion for the company during the interview is very important.
“You want to make sure that they understand that you really are interested because they want to hire somebody that’s excited and interested,” Danno said. One way that students can show their interest is by asking the employer strong questions at the end of the interview. Danno said students should prepare eight to 10 questions prior to the interview.
“When they come in with strong questions to ask the employer, it looks really good,” Danno said. “It shows that you did your research. It shows you’re interested in the company.”
The importance of informational interviewing and networking
Danno said students should not only set goals for them -
selves when applying to jobs, but they should also set goals for reaching out to people. One way they can do this is by doing informational interviews, which involve talking with professionals and asking them about the industry they work in.
Students can also network and attend career events. Danno said that the WCPE hosts career fairs; this upcoming school year, there will be an accounting and finance fair in the fall and a main career fair for all majors in the spring.
“Come to those events, meet those employers, Danno said.
“Even if you’re not looking for an internship, just come and start networking and talking to people and getting used to doing that.”
4 out of 5 stars
Spoilers Ahead
This film did what other DC films were meant to do — provide an entertaining and well-developed story arc, as well as give us DC fans the first live-action Latino superhero on the screen.
Jaime, alongside his family and Jenny Kord, must keep the ancient alien scarab (voiced by Becky G) away from the ambitious Kord Industries CEO Victoria Kord (Susan Sarandon) and her armored henchman Carapax (Raoul Max Trujillo), who plan to use it to create a super soldier army.
According to its director, Angel Manuel Soto, the superhero film is also meant to be a “pop culture love letter” to Latin America and its people, filled with references to entertainment icons such as Maria la del Barrio, Don Francisco, and El Chapulin Colorado — Mexico’s own comical superhero.
The soundtrack helps emphasize that sense of identity, featuring iconic songs from Latin American artists such as Vicente Fernandez, Selena Quintanilla, and Soda Stereo among others.
In comparison to other superhero films, “Blue Beetle” holds a level of representation and identity that resonates with many Latin Amer-
icans who live in the United States, as well as those who immigrated here.
The theme emphasized most in the movie is the importance of family.
Throughout the film, Jaime’s family never gives him a break; it’s your archetypical Hispanic American family, with the nosy sister, the crazy uncle (George Lopez, by the way), and the abuela who may be kind and wise but holds some secrets of her own.
There are many moments where the audience, particularly Latinos, see themselves through Jaime’s journey.
These moments include the fears and struggles that he endures as a first-generation and Mexican American, especially one who graduated from college.
The film also touches on conflicts of capitalism, American imperialism, gentrification, and militarism, among others, most of which connect with the film’s Latin American identity. However, the film does exaggerate the Latino identity too much, more specifically the Mexican side of it. For example, the Spanish used in the film is constantly embedded with swearing. Then there’s the uncle’s truck, which he christened the “Taco.” Out of all the nicknames that the 4x4 pickup truck could have had, it’s the “Taco?”
Then there’s also the grandma, Nana. In the trailers, you see Jaime’s grandmother carry a machine gun like an expert. The explanation
the movie gives is both exaggerated and funny. The writer and director really played a lot with representation in this film that’s both emotional and funny at way too many moments.
With visual references and nods to filmmakers David Cronenberg and Guillermo del Toro in terms of the suit, scarab’s design, with its bright neon blue cinematography and special effects, the movie packs action that is both for laughs and entertainment.
Some will criticize the film as being too exaggerated, but when it comes to superhero films, everything is exaggerated.
“Blue Beetle” truly is a stable film that brings DC into a lighter and more heartwarming tone for DC’s rebooted cinematic universe; one that strives away from the dark and somber tone of the Batman films and Zack Snyder’s three to six-hour-long films.
Given that it doesn’t hold strong connections with any of the previous DC films, James Gunn commented that “Blue Beetle” could transition into the rebooted universe.
As of right now, the film has had a positive reception from its audience, especially the Hispanic audience in the U.S.
What can best sum up the film’s tone and experience is a mixture of “Iron Man,” “Spider-Man,“ and “Spy Kids” with a touch of Latin American identity, and it’s worth watching twice.
4 out of 5 Stars
“Past Lives,” the latest A24 film written and directed by Celine Song, follows Nora, portrayed by Greta Lee, throughout three stages of her life and dives into the idea of inyun.
”Inyun”: The ties between two people over the course of their lives; one’s connection with certain people or things.
Spoilers Ahead
The story begins with Nora’s childhood in Seoul, South Korea, where she spends most of her time with her best friend and crush, Hae Sung, portrayed by Teo Yoo, until having to immigrate with her family to Canada.
The story then picks up twelve years later as Nora begins studying to become a writer in New York City and virtually reconnects with Hae Sung, before jumping ahead another twelve years.
She is still in New York City, but now married to a fellow writer named Arthur, portrayed by John Magaro, and is about to meet Hae Sung in person for the first time since they were children.
The highlight of “Past Lives” is the conversations had throughout and the way relationships are built between characters.
Throughout the film, Nora grapples with her own identity, as well as figuring out how she fits into the world around her. This personal navigation is all done through conversation and her connection to people in her life.
There’s a moment later in the film after Hae Sung has come to New York to meet Nora in person, and Nora and her husband Arthur are in bed together when Arthur shares his fears with her.
Arthur tells Nora that when she talks in her sleep, she only speaks Korean, and he shares how much it scares him because there is this whole other place that she goes to in her dreams that he can’t go to.
It’s a moment that stands out as some of the best writing I’ve seen in a long time. Despite the connection that gets built between Nora and Hae Sung, this small moment demonstrates the
love between Nora and Arthur and how much they care for each other, making the situation even more complex.
As much as the dialogue sticks out in this film, one aspect that stands out even more is the lack of dialogue in crucial moments.
At the beginning of the film, the audience learns Nora is immigrating to Canada, and the final goodbye scene between Nora and Hae Sung is one of these moments.
Despite the lack of dialogue, it’s a scene made beautiful through its mise en scène as well as the direction of the actors.
An overwhelming sense of loss and uncertainty fills the air as Nora ascends a set of stone steps while Hae Sung continues on the path ahead, neither of them looking back as they get not only emotionally but visually torn apart. However, what truly sets “Past Lives” apart from others of the romantic drama genre, is the final scene of the film. It’s one that’s heartbreaking, yet also the perfect ending to this evolution that Nora goes through.
The scene captures Nora having to say goodbye to Hae Sung after she just got to reconnect with him, with the knowledge that she may never see him again.
Nora walks Hae Sung to his Uber in silence and then they pause to just stare at one another before the car arrives. It’s a shared moment of heartbreak, yet also of knowing that although they weren’t meant to be together in this life, they were meant to pass in one another’s lives. The only thing I could have asked from this film is more of it.
There were times, mainly at the beginning, that felt rushed and, with more time, I felt these characters could’ve had the space to reveal themselves even further.
That being said, in the 106 minutes allotted for this feature, the filmmakers told a complete and beautiful story, enough so that I wanted to spend more time with each of the characters.
“Past Lives” is truly unique in its ability to showcase this aspect of a person re-discovering a version of themselves.
There are so many memories and emotions that get associated with different moments in our lives, and often the people that surrounded
you during that time bring all those emotions and memories flooding back.
Although Nora seemed indifferent to leaving Seoul at first, she made it clear that the change was extremely difficult. Hae Sung’s coming back into her life reminded her of everything that she left behind in her childhood.
It’s that final moment at the end of the film of longing yet letting go that has Nora breaking down in tears as she says goodbye not only to her childhood friend but to a past version of herself.
Review Rewind: “Before Sunrise” (1995) Do you want to go see if that listening booth still works? “Before Sunrise” is quite possibly one of the best romance movies ever made. Similar to “Past Lives,” this film is made wonderful by simplicity as it follows the conversations between the two main characters, Jesse, portrayed by Ethan Hawke, and Celine, portrayed by Julie Delpy, after they meet on a train and spend the day together in Vienna.
The conflict in this film is a bit better though, due to the external factor of both of them knowing they only have until sunrise to be together.
After months of “Barbie”-themed clothing, TV specials, product collaborations, and cafe popups, Greta Gerwig’s latest directorial endeavor, “Barbie,” has arrived in theaters.
Like many others, I got dressed in “Barbie” pink, all of us excited to finally see this hyped feature. Unfortunately, that exciting feeling quickly waned, and I left the theater utterly disappointed.
The start of this movie really held my hopes high, and I was gearing up for what I thought might be one of my new favorite films. There were hilarious satirical moments that had me laughing out loud, the aesthetic was super fun, and I felt truly transported to this fictional “Barbie” world. Additionally, the acting was good based on the script. I also loved how they mimicked “2001: A Space Odyssey” in the opening, but made it 100 times better.
However, the biggest flaw with “Barbie” is that it tries to tackle too much in the allotted time.
About a third of the way through the film, you meet a tween girl named Sasha, who brings up a lot of valid points about “Barbie,” and it completely shifts the tone of the film.
Sasha mentions the role the doll plays in contributing to unrealistic beauty standards for women and a capitalistic environment. From that moment on, the whole lens of the film shifted for me, and I slowly sunk deeper and deeper into an existential crisis in regard to the movie — and not in the way they wanted us to.
I started to feel very weird about the film as a whole as they continued to bring up these heavy topics about how unjust and misogynistic the world can be due to capitalistic patriarchal societies, yet the film would gloss over this quickly. The only comment they seemed to want to make was simply acknowledging and reminding the audience of these problems.
The lack of addressing these themes, especially the ones seeming to poke at capitalistic environments, made me overly aware that Mattel Inc. was behind this movie, and they clearly still have “Barbies” they need to sell.
Another part of this film that didn’t work for me was giving Ken a “what about me” storyline.
Aside from his solo, which I have to admit was catchy, this plotline made Ken into a “nice guys finish last” character and just detracted
The scenes that focused on them seemed out of place and appear to be a call out to all-male executive rooms.
However, at the same time, you could tell Mattel Inc. did not want to be portrayed in a negative light, so they gave Will Ferrell a line saying he wanted to save Barbie and restore her power in the Barbie world, making him the good guy.
On top of this, the fact that the board is made up of all men isn’t ever resolved, and with the way this movie ends, it appears that Mattel Inc. is still run without a single woman in charge.
After sitting through this movie, I couldn’t help but be disappointed about the potential the film could’ve had.
I played with “Barbie” for a large portion of my childhood and loved every second of it. “Barbie” let me create stories, dive into my imagination, and helped me cultivate my love for filmmaking, with many of my early productions starring “Barbies.”
Other than the occasional nods to past “Barbie” products, this didn’t have the nostalgic punch I was expecting. I felt like “Barbie” was destined to be more of a coming-of-age story, similar to the works we’ve seen from Gerwig in the past. Instead, what “Barbie” gives us is a mix of themes and messages that left me feeling sad, confused, and overwhelmed when it was over. For a good portion of the movie, I was just sitting there trying to take in a heavy moment, but the movie had already cut to another one-liner.
Many people are praising this movie for its feminist theme. However, I felt like it lost itself about two-thirds through the runtime and quickly just became an attempt to dive into feminist issues simply by stating what those issues are without adding anything to the conversation.
from Barbie’s storyline as well as the feminist tone they seemed to be aiming for.
Had those Ken moments been focused on just Barbie’s plotline, there might have been more character development, and the themes may have felt less rushed.
I also disliked the Mattel Inc. executive board made up of all men, with Will Ferrell acting as Mattel Inc.’s CEO.
At the end of the day, “Barbie” felt more like a long commercial, rather than a heartfelt nostalgia piece that it had the potential to be.
Lets face it: college is chaotic. From endless homework assignments, to work, to extracurriculars, pretty much everyone has a lot going on during their college years.
It can be a stressful time, but with some planning, resourcefulness, and open-mindedness, you can manage to make your college journey a little smoother.
Here are three key tips for making the most out of your time in college.
Use a planner and prioritize assignments based on what’s due first.
Don’t get caught up in a twister of assignments! When you have multiple classes on your plate, it can be challenging to keep track of all of your deadlines.
By writing down all of your tasks, scheduling a specific time to do them, and completing your most urgent assignments first, you can
help yourself keep up with your assignments and possibly even get ahead.
Bonus tip: start assignments as early as possible; that way, you’re not scrambling to figure out what to do at the last minute.
Take advantage of all of the resources the school has to offer you.
Whether you need tutoring, financial aid assistance, or counseling, Elmhurst University has many resources to support its students. Don’t hesitate to reach out for any kind of support you may need — EU’s faculty is here to help you. Plus, these services are included in your tuition anyway, so you might as well take advantage of them!
Also, ask your professors and parents for help when you need it. Whether you need academic help, career advice, or help with a personal problem, there are plenty of people who will
be happy to help you if you reach out and ask. Explore your interests.
College is a wonderful time to explore what you like to do with many clubs, electives, and events right at your fingertips. If you find yourself being drawn to a particular subject or hobby, why not give it a try?
EU also provides numerous opportunities for learning beyond the classroom, such as internships, study-away programs, research, service-learning programs, and more. There is an abundance of opportunities to learn and gain experience in a number of disciplines, so follow what piques your curiosity.
By staying organized, being resourceful, and opening yourself up to new experiences, you can achieve academic success all while discovering yourself in the process.
Letters to the editor can be submitted below or sent to leadernewsec@gmail.com. Letters must include your full name and Elmhurst University affiliation. All letters should be 300 words or less in length. The editors retain the right to edit letters before publication. Don’t forget to spell-check. The Leader is the student-run newspaper speaking to students, faculty and administrators of Elmhurst University. The Leader is not submitted to any person or organization for prior approval. The contents are the decision of the editor in agreement with the editorial board. Opinions expressed in The Leader do not necessarily reflect those of the paper or its staff, and are not intended to represent those of EU at-large. All text, photos and art cannot be reproduced without direct permission of The Leader.
