The Leader -- Nov 30 Issue

ISSUE 06 11/30/ 21 ELMHURSTLEADER.COM

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@elmhurstleader @ElmhurstLeader TheLeader

TIME IS MONEY, SO WHERE ARE OUR CHECKS?

EDITORIAL BOARD

“I MUST BE AT ELMHURST”: BRUCE KING AND HIS JOURNEY TO INAUGRUAL VP OF DEI PAGE 01

Gianna Montesano

OFFICE 630.617.3320

INQUIRIES & LETTERS leadernewssec@gmail.com

PAGES 21-22

HOUSE OF CONFUSION: A “HOUSE OF GUCCI” REVIEW Ryan Windle

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EDITORIAL BOARD GIANNA MONTESANO/ EDITOR-IN-CHIEF OLIVIA JANICKE/ COPY EDITOR JASMINE LILLIS/ GRAPHICS EDITOR RYAN WINDLE / ARTS + CULTURE EDITOR

NEWS

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“I MUST BE AT ELMHURST”: BRUCE KING AND HIS JOURNEY TO INAUGURAL VP OF DEI Photo courtesy of Elmhurst University

JARED BOEKENHAUER/ NEWS EDITOR VANESSA SEVILLA/ OPINIONS EDITOR ERIC LUTZ/ FACULTY ADVISOR ASSISTANTS SARINA OKRZESIK/ Assistant Copy Editor STAFF MINH NGUYEN KWEEN JEAN ISABELY HERNANDEZ KAY LOVING EMMY SHAFFER HANNAH BARRETT NUMAIR YOUNUS AARON TSCHETTER CONTACT US THE LEADER NEWSPAPER Elmhurst University 190 Prospect Avenue Elmhurst, IL 60126 Office: 630.617.3320 General Inquires & Letters to Editor: leadernewsec@gmail.com ADVERTISE WITH US: theleaderadvertising @gmail.com ABOUT US The Leader is the student-run newspaper to the 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 the EU atlarge.

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Editor-in-Chief Seated in his Chicago office with oversized headphones, nestled into his swivel chair on Zoom, Elmhurst University’s inaugural Vice President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Bruce King donned a bright smile.

For King, the journey to EU was not a one and done decision. King was apprehensive because he just entered his current job position at City Colleges of Chicago (CCC) as associate vice chancellor for racial equity in February.

As he progressed through the process of applying to, learning about, and visiting the institution, it became clear to King what he needed to do.

“I must be at Elmhurst,” said King between laughs.

King became aware of the inaugural role opening up at EU through his friend of 40 years, who has worked with EU in the past and put the job on King’s radar.

“He called and said ‘I’ve worked with Elmhurst and I think it would be a great place for you,’” said King when discussing how he was told about the opening.

One of the draws that attracted King to EU is its proximity to Chicago. Having grown up in the city, King finally circled back to home base with his position at CCC, and with Elmhurst’s proximity to Chicago, it wouldn’t keep him far away from home.

While apprehensive to consider EU because PAGE 01

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with King being at the top making calls to other administrators to fix any problems.

Throughout his first year in the role, King’s goal is to develop relationships by getting to know the campus community. By harvesting a relationship with the campus, he will be enabled to identify the needs and issues the campus needs to improve upon to enhance diversity.

“I really want to learn about the campus and the people and [learn] what is high hanging fruit and low hanging fruit,” said King. “I immediately see a couple priorities is to create a physical space for students to feel like they have a place on campus that isn’t a residence hall room or a table in the cafeteria.”

Gianna Montesano

A bright voice matched the warm personality King evoked through the camera. He goodnaturedly joked and laughed about how The Leader didn’t endorse him as the candidate for the inaugural VP position in the Oct. 14 editorial at the beginning of the call. Yet, he still eagerly expressed his openness to sitting down for an interview.

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of his position at City Colleges of Chicago, he noticed something at EU that reminded him of a common theme throughout the trajectory of his career.

“My career has been kind of at colleges like Elmhurst [that are] progressively being challenged around diversity, equity, and inclusion,” explained King. “When I talk to people on campus [I find] a real sincere desire not for a saviour, but someone that can help them with the work that’s already been going on.”

With this inaugural position, King will set the foundation for the role with one of his first tasks being hiring a director of DEI to be “student facing” on the ground, interacting with students and reporting back to King in order to resolve issues and bring them up to the cabinet.

“It needs to be somebody fresh out of student life [still] in student life mode,” explained King.

“I have someone over in the Frick Center who has people popping in everyday and that person says ‘you got to talk to Bruce or let’s have a meeting.’”

King revealed he would be coming onto campus in order to draft a job description for the new director who will begin searching for and hiring in Spring 2022.

A must for King is somebody working in the office of DEI who is accessible to students 24/7.

This is needed in order to have the work flow between students, faculty, and administrators, Continued on PAGE 02

King mentioned reading The Leader’s article in the Sept. 28 issue highlighting the four student workers running the ODI remotely after Jasmin Robinson’s departure in August, stating the article provided him with insight about the state of DEI at the school and allowed him to get in contact with the students to see what change is needed.

In an email, Desiree Chen, senior director of communications and external relations, sent over the job prospectus outlining the responsibilities the position entails.

One of the main responsibilities of King’s position is reporting to President Troy VanAken, and overseeing institution-wide initiatives that promote EU’s vision regarding DEI. “The new VP also will take part in all aspects of institutional planning in support of the University’s mission and goals that are designed to meet the needs of its diverse student body, faculty and staff,” reads the prospectus statement sent

by Chen.

In an email statement to The Leader, VanAken expressed his thoughts on King and his previous work, and what he can bring to EU. “Bruce’s extensive leadership experience, including his strong record in recruiting and retaining a diverse faculty and staff, was one of the main factors that distinguished him,” VanAken wrote.

“In Bruce, we’ve found a leader who can bring his perspective, knowledge and experience to the work we’ve been doing at Elmhurst, and shape this new role in ways that will benefit our entire campus.”

PHOTO BY Rollcall.com A news conference organized by Sens. Chris Murphy, Mitt Romney, and NCAA president Mark Emmert covers how student athletes will be compensated.

NCAA FACES PRESSURE TO CHANGE COMPENSATION RULES News Editor

restrictions, and on the other hand it’s trying to get Congress to get it off the book on some of these issues that came up with the Supreme Court’s decision,” said Kowal.

In June of 2021, the Supreme Court ruled that the NCAA had been violating United States antitrust laws. Now, five months later, the NCAA is reportedly rewriting its constitution to allow college athletes to be compensated for the usage of their image and likeness.

The Washington Post reported on some of the new changes made to the NCAA’s constitution.

One of these changes includes the allowance of NCAA athletes to profit off their name, image, and likeness, something that the NCAA has kept restricted.

“The NCAA is reacting to essentially two things: The decision of the Supreme Court, the NCAA vs. Alston decision,” said Steven Kowal, Elmhurst University adjunct professor. “And there were also the series of state laws that were passed that allow athletes to be compensated for the use of their name, image, and likeness.”

The Washington Post also reported that the NCAA cannot limit educational benefits in order to preserve an amateur status. According to the report, such a choice put a large gash in the NCAA’s power in compensation.

Jared Boekenhauer

Kowal recently gave a lecture about the NCAA legal issues as a part of the Emerging Legal Issues series he does with Lisa Woods, EU prelaw advisor. He discussed the NCAA vs. Alston decision, which he says questioned the legality of compensation restrictions.

“On one hand, the NCAA is reacting [to the Alston decision] by liberalizing some of its compensation PAGE 02

“The Supreme Court ruled unanimously Monday against the NCAA’s limits on education-related perks for college athletes, a serious blow to the organization’s power to dictate the rules for compensating those who participate in college sports,” wrote the Washington Post in June of 2021.

The NCAA has seen a large decrease in regulator power, and the changes they make will affect the future of collegiate athletics for years to come.

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SECURITY OF RIDE-SHARE SERVICES CALLED INTO QUESTION AFTER LYFT SGA PROPOSES SAFETY REPORT RELEASE STUDY SESSION starts off stating that, “since Lyft’s founding in Keithleen Mendoza 2012, safety has been fundamental to everything FOR COMMUTERS Staff Writer we do.” There is also a claim that these incidents

CUBANS CONTINUE PROTEST MOMENTUM ON NOV. 15

FE E L L I K E YO U R VO I C E ISN’T BEING REPRESENTED ON CAMPUS? H AVE YO U R VO I C E H E A R D

BY J O INING O U R AWAR D WINNING NE WS PAPER

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Minh Nguyen Staff Writer During the SGA meeting on Nov. 18, Erum Atcha, senator for commuter and transfer students, proposed holding a study session event for commuter students.

The primary purpose of this event is to create a friendly environment for students who do not live on campus, allowing them to feel included.

This is also a chance for them to connect with other transfer students.

“I am [planning] on doing a study session for all of our commuter students here on campus.

This will be a good, chill place to get some work done,” said Atcha during the meeting. “There will be some food to attract commuter students.

And then also, I am hoping to connect with the learning center and see if I can get some tutors.”

However, they are still waiting to check with the faculty for scheduling the venue. The official time and date of this event have not been announced yet.

“I really want to do it in the commuter lounge, but I am having trouble with scheduling that room . . . The intended date will be December 7,” said Atcha.

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In a safety report published by Lyft at the end of October, it was revealed that they had more than 4,000 cases of reported sexual assault between 2017 and 2019. Though the company is being praised for their transparency, these numbers sound like alarming news to regular users of the app.

The report breaks down the cases into five categories. For the category, “non-consensual touching of a sexual body part,” there are a total of 2,300 cases reported between those three years. For “non-consensual sexual penetration,” there are 360 reported cases.

This is particularly concerning for college students who live on campus and don’t have a car. With the Elmhurst University shuttle bus making a return, there may be certain instances where students don’t have to use a ride-share app anymore. Even so, there are some destinations where the bus does not make a stop and students will have to find alternative means of transportation.

are statistically very rare, although, “even one of these incidents is too many.”

A portion of their safety protocol consists of a 24/7 Critical Response Line, a two-way rating system, and a background check conducted on the drivers. Although the company states that over 99 percent of rides were completed without incident, the incidents that did occur reveal that users should still be cautious of their surroundings when using these services.

In an article published by State Farm, they listed numerous additional precautions to take when using these services. The main precautions are to ride with others, sit in the back seat using a seat belt, and to be aware of your surroundings.

Keep an eye on your route to make sure the driver does not veer off course.

An additional precaution is to follow gut feelings.

If something feels off prior to getting on, such as the vehicle not matching the description, the passenger has the right to cancel.

In a short survey conducted by The Leader, 52.6 percent of responses revealed that the responder felt unsafe at one point while using a rideshare service. 84.2 percent identified as female, and 68.4 percent said they were not surprised at the total number of cases reported by Lyft.

Though Lyft emphasizes that these statistics reveal a low amount of sexual assault cases on their service, they only touch upon those cases that are reported. According to the Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network, “only 310 out of every 1,000 sexual assaults are reported to police.”

Delving deeper into the Lyft report, the introduction

The true accuracy of Lyft’s figures remain unclear.

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Gianna Montesano Editor-in-Chief The Cuban government and revolutionaries barred protestors from marching on the streets of Cuba during a national protest calling for the freedom and release of more than 500 political prisoners on Nov. 15.

island, but occurred throughout the week around the world with Cuban diaspora marching down streets waving Cuban flags, echoing chants of “libertad” (freedom) and “patria y vida” (homeland and life).

Some protests outside of Cuba took place in Chicago, Miami, Las Vegas, and Rome.

Videos circulating on social media show protestors inside their homes hanging white sheets, holding white roses, and wearing white in protest against the Cuban government.

Under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and various other international human rights treaties, the civil and political rights outlined include the right to protest, freedom of assembly, difference in opinion and expression, and freedom from arbitrary arrest, exile, or detention.

The increase in Cuban protests follows the mass government protest on July 11, that spanned the entire month, and followed throughout the entire world after Cubans on the island began documenting and sharing the poor health care conditions during a rise in COVID-19 cases.

In both July and November, the Cuban government failed to uphold these rights for Cuban citizens by having the highest number of political prisoners in decades, according to Prisoners Defenders, many of them being minors with sentences varying from 13-27 years.

Footage showed how hospitals left people dead in corners with no adequate measures in place to treat patients, in addition to a food shortage on the island.

Cuban students at Elmhurst University are spreading the word on the injustices and protests going on in Cuba to their followers through social media posts.

Activist group “Archipiélago” was born on social media on Aug. 9, when playwright Yunior García Aguilera founded the group where they organized and sought out permits for the Nov. 15 protests that were denied by the government, according to NBC News.

Isabely Hernandez, The Leader’s social media manager, is a senior studying political science and a first generation Cuban-American.

García and his family, after his plan to protest by walking down the street carrying a white rose was foiled by police, fled Cuba with his family to seek exile in Spain on a tourist visa on Nov. 17, according to CNN. Protests on Nov. 15 did not stay only on the

“I think these protests demonstrate the pain and anguish of the Cuban people, and I think that it is happening now due to the struggles that the pandemic exposed within the country,” said Hernandez. “Just because Cubans have fled Cuba does not mean they do not still feel the pain of seeing their loved ones still on the island suffer everyday because of the lack of human rights and basic resources. ” PAGE 04

C O N TA C T GIANNA MONTESANO

gmont0454@365.elmhurst.edu

TO AUDITION FOR A COLUMN

C A N ’ T WA IT TO M E E T YO U

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PREDICTIONS FOR THE 2022 GRAMMYS: I AM PREPARED TO BE DISAPPOINTED Ryan Windle Arts + Culture Editor Another year full of disappointment for Grammy nominations.

The 2022 Grammy nominations were revealed on Nov. 23, and to be quite honest, I was a little upset in the choices that were made; a lot of my personal favorites of the year got snubbed.

However, I am only a 20-year-old gay man from Illinois, so maybe my music taste is not the same as The Recording Academy.

Although it is sad to see, if there is anything that can make me feel better, it is predicting who will win and I love to give my opinion. I will only be predicting the categories I am the most knowledgeable of; I do not think I can give a solid prediction for the best classical album.

Here we go, if I’m wrong… no I am not.

Record of the year: I Still Have Faith in You

by ABBA

to. It truly is a perfect piece of music, and I am expecting it to win.

Song of the year: Kiss Me More by Doja Cat featuring SZA This song really has ruled the radio since its release. Every time I start my car I feel like this song is playing. People are obsessed with this song and they have every reason to be. This song is addicting to listen to; I can play it endlessly and never get tired of it. I love Doja Cat’s relaxed vocals, and SZA really adds a nice depth to this song with her verse; I really hope I am right with this prediction.

Best New Artist: Olivia Rodrigo Olivia Rodrigo has owned this year with her debut, there is no doubt in my mind that she will win this award. If she doesn’t win, it truly will be (not a favorite) crime.

Best Pop Duo/Group Performance: Butter by BTS

To be honest I had to Google the difference between record of the year and song of the year; it is a concept I have never quite understood.

From my understanding, record of the year is for a song that may not have the most commercial success, which is why I choose ABBA.

After the mess of last year with BTS not winning a Grammy, I feel like they almost have to win this category. “Butter” may not be the best song off of the list, but the performances of this song are steller.

I was baffled to hear this was their first Grammy nomination, which is why I am predicting they will win. ABBA has to win a Grammy and I feel like this is an easy category for them to finally get the award they deserve. ABBA has been around for years giving us banger after banger with “Arrival,” “Gold,” “Super Trouper,” and many more.

Best Pop Vocal Album: Positions by Ariana Grande

Album of the year: Sour by Olivia Rodrigo “Sour” hands down was my favorite album of the year from the nominations, and I know this is a lot of people’s pick to win. For a debut album, Rodrigo really knocked it out of the park. Even though this album was released in May, it still is in my current rotation of music that I listen 11/30

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I need Ariana Grande to win after the travesty that occurred at the 62nd Grammy Awards, where her album “thank you, next,” received many nominations but left with no winners. For her to be one of the most highly acclaimed artists of the generation, yet only have two awards, it does not sit right with me.

“Positions” is an amazing album, it has some of my favorite tracks from her catalog. She should win a Grammy for “pov” alone. I want her to win this so badly, please Recording Academy hear my prayer.

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Best R&B Song: Good Days by SZA

she was only “19.”

This song is the reason I am no longer sad. I started having more “Good Days” all around.

It is one of the most relaxing songs I have ever heard, and the lyric “I don’t miss no ex, I don’t miss no text. I just choose not to respond,” needs to be in the history books. I love this song and it deserves to win.

If “Rolling in the Deep” had a sister it would be the song “Can I Get It.” The guitar is addicting, and Adele’s raw vocals are such a departure from the clean vocals in the prior songs.

Best Country Solo Performance: camera roll

by Kacey Musgraves Is this song really a country song? Absolutely not. However, it still deserves a Grammy. This is my absolute favorite song from the entire year and in every category that it is nominated in I need it to win.

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Best Country Song: camera roll by Kacey Musgraves I mean the lyric “chronological order and nothing but torture” is why I am the man I am today. Give this song the win, please and thank you.

Producer Of The Year, Non-Classical: Jack Antonoff This man right here is an ally of the LGBTQIA+ community. What he does, is for the gays. I mean, he worked with Lana Del Ray, Taylor Swift, and Lorde this year. I need him to win; he really deserves an award for producing some of the best albums this year.

Best Music Video: Montero (Call Me By Your Name) by Lil Nas X My absolute favorite music video from the entire year, and one of the more controversial ones.

The message of the video, Lil Nas X giving Satan himself a lap dance, truly is modern art. I hope this man gets awarded for being so brave with this video The 64th Grammy Awards will take place on Monday, Jan. 31.

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GRAPHICS BY Jasmine Lillis

“30”: ADELE’S NEWEST MASTERPIECE Ryan Windle Arts + Culture Editor

GRAPHICS BY Jasmine Lillis

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Just when I thought that I finally recovered from my most recent breakup, Adele’s newest album, “30,” tore me apart and suddenly left me back to where I was the day it all ended.

The highly anticipated album, “30,” was released on Nov. 19. Fans were eager to connect once again with Adele’s touching lyrics and powerful voice, it’s safe to say that Adele did not disappoint.

The first lyric on the album, “I’ll be taking flowers to the cemetery of my heart,” destroyed me. I had to take a pause almost right away to collect myself and refocus. Every emotion started to flood in all at once during this long-awaited return.

This lyric is from the first song of the album, “Strangers By Nature,” and what a strong start it is. This song has an eerie nature to it, and it feels like we are at the funeral of Adele’s former marriage.

No complexity is needed to make this into a powerful song; the gentle organ, the violins, and the chilling vocals all help set the scene.

This song instantly captivated me and I felt like I was in a trance. When hearing the lyric, “when no one knows what it’s like to be us,” the tears began falling. They did not stop until the album was finished.

Following this powerful introduction is “Easy On Me,” the lead single for the album. It shocked me when this song was at the beginning of the album, I thought this song would be toward the end. However, after listening to the album in full,

The build-up in the bridge, leading to such a minimalist chorus first made me upset; it felt like Adele was edging us. As the same pattern continued throughout, I enjoyed it more. The whistling in the chorus and the background vocals all are very well placed and it makes for a truly special song.

the placement of this song couldn’t have been any better. The piano in the back is soothing to listen to, and the drums help add depth to this song. An amazing single for the album.

After the high of these three songs, “I Drink Wine” brings things back down. This song has some amazing lyrics; starting off with “how can one become so bounded by choices that somebody else makes?” As the verse continues, the simple piano in the background doesn’t distract from the message Adele sings.

“My Little Love” took me out. This song includes some of the same eeriness in “Strangers By Nature.” The voice memos between Adele and her son within the song help tell the story of a hopeless mother trying to explain her divorce to her child.

The rough vocals are present once again, and another voice memo ends this beautiful song.

When Adele said “the only regret I have I wish that it was just at a different time,” I audibly gasped. Hearing Adele say it made me feel like I was not alone with my struggles.

Specifically, the ending voice memo of Adele by herself has to be my favorite laced into the entire song. Adele crying, saying how for the first time she feels lonely, is something that I could relate to and made my heart break for her. Ending the song with the orchestra was so smart. That voice memo left me in disarray, and just having the instruments to let me process silently was helpful.

“All Night Parking” is an interlude between songs featuring Erroll Garner. This track screams modern jazz, and I loved every second of it. The sultry piano into the lo-fi beats is spectacular. I loved this inclusion into the album; it’s a nice break to relax to.

“Cry Your Heart Out” is a nice, upbeat song that helped me get out of the sadness I experienced with the last three songs. The combination of the guitar, piano, and snare drum is simple. The song is well-executed, providing a nice breather.

While this song may have been more upbeat, it still has deep lyrics which hit close to home.

My favorite lyric has to be from the pre-chorus, where Adele sings, “when will I begin to feel like me again? I’m hanging by a thread.”

I wasn’t prepared to dance to the album, but the song “Oh My God” really made me want to get up. This was such a modern sound for Adele, and I loved it. The whistling in the song made it so unique, and I loved the drums. It feels nostalgic in a way, as if we were reconnecting with the Adele who caught the world’s attention when PAGE 06

This song had my favorite lyric of the entire album: “But every time that you text, I want to get on the next flight home.” So relatable, I loved it.

This album displays Adele is not one to hide her true feelings, and we get all her thoughts in “Woman Like Me.” This song includes another guitar-heavy sound. The lo-fi beats of the previous song are carried over to this song, which is a nice touch to help connect the two.

Adele truly is dragging her ex in this song. The entire chorus had me in shock, but specifically the beginning. “Complacency is the worst trait to have, are you crazy? You ain’t never had, ain’t never had a woman like me.” This song showed her personal growth over the years, and displayed Adele’s new confidence.

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“Hold On.” This song is classic Adele, a piano ballad and her amazing voice. The lyrics are very simple, but I don’t care.

TWICE swearing is something fans were not expecting, but with the reggae-influenced song “Icon” they let it all out. Momo rapping “Damn, I got it, I’m iconic” made the song and Chaeyoung’s rapping made this one of my favorite songs off of the album, with the lyric “Gimme all my props ‘cause, baby, I’m a hustler” saving my 2021.

The big build of the instruments, her voice, the chorus in the background all toward the climax of the song made me so excited. This is why Adele’s music is a style we don’t get to hear too much of; rarely do we ever get music with this much power, and this was a powerful song.

My favorite song off of the album hands down was “To Be Loved.” This was another gorgeous piano ballad. Words can not even describe the emotions I felt while listening to this song; it’s hard for me to not cry every time I listen. Adele encapsulates the unique feeling of wanting to be loved by someone else so perfectly.

The raw emotion in her voice sold the song for me. Simply, the way she sings the chorus took my breath away. “Let it be known that I tried” is a lyric which hit very close to home. This song is her next “All I Ask,” and it may be my favorite song that she has ever released.

Closing out the album is “Love Is A Game,” which truly wraps everything up in a beautiful way. It feels so classic with the orchestra in the background and her deep, sultry vocals. This was a nice, hopeful song that makes you wonder if love is a game truly worth playing. The big ending of the song made me so happy; we just don’t hear music like this from artists anymore and I want more.

With stunning lyrics and amazing vocals, this has to be one of my favorite albums of the entire year. Adele truly has amazing talent, and I highly encourage that everyone listens to this amazing story of music.

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The slow disco beats of “Cruel” were a nice calm down from the intense rap in the previous song.

Experimenting with falsetto made it a pleasant listen too. Blasting this in my car was the best decision I have ever made, the synth truly rocked my body.

PHOTO BY Keithleen Mendoza

“Real You” was not a standout song, mirroring “Moonlight” but with higher vocal range and upbeat synths.

ASHNIKKO’S CONCORD MUSIC HALL CONCERT WAS ONE BIG CARDIO WORKOUT Keithleen Mendoza Staff Writer Fresh off the success of singles “Daisy” and “Slumber Party,” Ashnikko played a sold-out show on Nov. 6, at Concord Music Hall. Entrance to the show required an ID for those who wished to purchase alcohol, and a quick check for a COVID-19 vaccination or a negative test.

The show included two openers. The first was Chloe Moriondo, an alternative singer with a sweet voice and a handful of slower melodies.

The crowd’s energy picked up more towards their final track, an experimental piece entitled “Hell Hounds.”

Following them was DJ Krystal Lake, an incredibly energetic performer who would go on to accompany Ashnikko during her set. She got the crowd moving with chart-toppers such as “Industry Baby” by Lil Nas X and “I Like Him” by Princess Nokia.

helped by those around him and escorted away by security.

The moment they took center stage, Concord Music Hall overflowed with all the pent-up energy that had been building up since the crowd entered the venue. Ashnikko had all the charisma and stage presence of an artist who is passionate about what they do.

Some of her songs were preceded by a short backstory or explanation about their significance. She spoke genuinely and openly on the importance of consent and the ongoing struggle of loving oneself.

There was also a cheeky explanation behind the “yankee candle” comparison in the track “Manners.” There were other memorable moments, such as the marriage proposal that kicked off the show, and Ashnikko’s appreciation of a doll that a fan made modeled after her.

The opening acts went well, perhaps easing some worries in the crowd. After news of the Astroworld tragedy broke, many groups had been whispering over concerns of safety.

These breaks and shifts between a few slower and many faster songs made it easier for the crowd to keep going until the very end. Ashnikko made it very clear they wanted to end the show with a bang, even cutting off the encore track “Daisy” and replaying it when the energy was not where she and DJ Krystal Lake wanted it to be.

Throughout the whole night, Ashnikko herself did check-ins, making sure everyone was having fun in a safe manner. There was an incident where a man passed out, but he was immediately

Overall, it was a great show for one who hasn’t attended a concert since the pandemic began, and Ashnikko closed it off with a final command to see “sweat dripping from the ceiling.”

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“F.I.L.A (Fall In Love Again)” is when the album solidified itself as something special, transporting the listener to feel like they’re at Studio 54.

Strong bass beats in the song bring the listeners to their feet.

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GRAPHICS BY Jasmine Lillis

LEARNING THE “FORMULA OF LOVE: O+T= <3” WITH TWICE’S NEWEST ALBUM Ryan Windle Arts + Culture Editor A perfect piece of music doesn’t exist, but it is hard to say that TWICE’s newest album is not absolute perfection.

K-Pop girl group TWICE released their third full album “Formula of Love: O+T=<3” on Nov. 12.

Not really knowing what to expect with the new direction the group is going in, this album came as a pleasant surprise.

The title track “Scientist” fares as one of the weaker songs on the album, which is surprising for a lead single. The title track should have been a different song.

The low synth beats combined with bass were

unique and pleasant. Though the song lacked in the chorus, as there was no special feeling that distinguished it from the rest of the song, everything surrounding the chorus was strong.

TWICE always has spectacular raps with amazing lyrics. In “Scientist,” Dahyun rapping “you gotta crush on me, you’re gonna fall for me” stood out lyrically because of the smooth transition into the bridge.

The retro feel to all of the B-sides made this album what it is: a seamless genre blend taking the listener to the sonic wonderlands of disco, reggae, and R&B. “Moonlight” transported the listener to a 70s disco with synths in the background and drum beats that elevated the song, making it difficult to not want to get up and dance.

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I was locked in a trance when I heard the preview of “Last Waltz,” and luckily, I was when hearing the full song too. This song took a traditional waltz beat and turned it on its head. The use of a harp with the low synth beats was mesmerizing. The chorus simply being “dun dun dun dun dun dun dun” to the tune of the waltz was so inventive.

“Espresso” was the definition of modernizing a traditional sound. The song was filled with loud modern R&B vibes, and I was obsessed with every second of it. The lyrics “e-s-p-r-e-s-s-o that’s who I am” and “drip, more intеnsely drop, dizzyingly” were my favorite lyrics of the song. This song is one of my top three from the album.

Calming down with a more relaxed R&B song, I was taken by surprise by how much I enjoyed “Rewind.” I hate comparing, but this song reminded me a lot of the Red Velvet song “Hello Sunset,” with similar harmonizing vocals and bass beats.

“Cactus” is my favorite song on the album, without a single question. This may be the weirdest comparison I will ever make in a review, but I was transported back to when I was at Bible camp — this song felt like actual worship.

The gentle guitar paired with their soft voices and a lovely build-up was pleasant. Learning that this song was about Jihyo’s actual cactus that died made it so much better. It feels like Continued on PAGE 09 11/30

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such an emotional love song, but in reality, it’s just about a dying plant.

Leto had the worst performance of the film. His accent was like a mockery — at times he sounded like Mario. Compared to Gaga and Driver with their strong, accurate accents, it felt like Leto was struggling to fit in.

“If you find me first, you’ll hug me again, I’ll be fine” ending the song is what broke me. This was such a nice, unexpected song. Surprisingly it still fits the vibe of the album, which makes it even better.

At times the soundtrack is distracting. Never in my days did I expect to hear “I’m A Believer” in Italian in a film with Lady Gaga. The cuts are harsh, and it is a mix of period-accurate hits and classical music turned into an 80s fever dream.

Following these ten songs that had all the members in them, the next three songs were a departure from the traditional TWICE sound. Separating the nine members into groups of three created an amazing opportunity for the members to showcase talents that they may not be able to express when they are together as a full group.

A redeeming factor is the wardrobe. As to be expected from a Gucci movie, the fashion of the film is immaculate. Gaga stuns in numerous beautiful outfits with incredible detail. Adam Driver also was particularly well-dressed in this film, but male fashion bores me.

The first sub-unit had members Jihyo, Sana, and Dahyun with the song “Push and Pull.” This song got us back to the upbeat disco vibes of the album, and it was my favorite song of the sub-units. Jihyo rarely raps, so hearing her rap was a shock.

The song “Hello” consisted of the sub-unit with Nayeon, Momo, and Chaeyoung. From this grouping, I knew this entire song was going to be heavily inspired by modern rap. This did Nayeon, the lead vocalist of the group, a disservice.

Hearing her rap with two of the group’s rappers seemed odd. Nevertheless, I enjoyed the song a lot, with the lyric “ig I’m litty yeah” making me feel like a bad bitch.

Reggae-inspired “1,3,2” featured the members Jeongyeon, Mina, and Tzuyu. This was a relaxing yet upbeat song. All of their voices blended together so well, and the next time I am on a beach this song will definitely be played. My favorite lyric from the song, “follow, follow, follow, follow your tempo” is an earworm that I have been struggling to get out of my head — the way they sing it is addicting.

Ending the album were the songs “Candy” and “The Feels.” Both songs were released prior to the album, so many already knew them. However, they are very nice songs to round a perfect album out.

I love this album; it will be on replay for the rest of the year. TWICE gets better with every new release, and I am so happy that I get to hear this amazing music every day. I highly recommend this album to everyone, even if you are not an avid K-Pop listener like myself.

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Returning to the plotline, while grateful to see this inclusion of how Patrizia manipulates her husband into betraying his family, I think they focus on the tax fraud for a little too long. Aldo, played by Al Pacino is convincing, but then again, when in a scene next to Jared Leto, anyone’s performance could look spectacular.

Then, the weirdest jump of the movie occurred, going from tax fraud to Christmas. Aggressively, “It’s The Most Wonderful Time of the Year” plays at the end of an intense fight and suddenly things are transported to the Swiss Alps.

Internet Photo

GRAPHICS BY Jasmine Lillis

HOUSE OF CONFUSION: A “HOUSE OF GUCCI” REVIEW Ryan Windle Arts + Culture Editor Father, son, and house of inconsistent storylines.

My most anticipated movie of the year, “House of Gucci,” was released on Nov. 24. I ran to see this film as soon as I could, and I left the theatre knowing that I enjoyed the film; however, I still felt dissatisfied with some aspects of it.

Within the first five minutes of the film, Patrizia, played by Lady Gaga, is already enamored with Maurizio, played by Adam Driver. This entire storyline is rushed; the two get married twenty minutes into the film. I wanted more background on the two and how their relationship came to be.

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Within the first half hour of the film, there is an aggressive sex scene. I felt like I barely knew these characters and I was already seeing them at their most vulnerable. What made me more uncomfortable was how purely aggressive it was.

It is hard to put into words. The only way I can put it is that Driver was just pounding Gaga to death — I feared for her.

Then out of nowhere, we are introduced to Jared Leto’s character Paolo Gucci, who is unnecessary to the film. In a story about Patrizia and Maurizio, too much of the movie focuses on Leto’s character. In fact, I despised his character. He’s supposed to be the comedic relief of the film, but I cringed at all of his “jokes.”

Continued on PAGE 10

This is when the marriage starts to fall apart, as compared to the beginning of the film when they were so madly in love it made me upset. Both Gaga and Driver’s characters have a complete change in their motives, and I loved it.

This to me is when Gaga starts to stand out. Gaga’s commitment to this character is remarkable; her performance is breathtaking, she gave it her all. From the beginning, I instantly understood her character, how deceptive her Patrizia is.

Was she really in love with Maurizio, or did she really just want the money? Gaga made strong choices and it paid off in the end. If Gaga was not in this film, it may not have had such a strong redeeming quality.

Driver also does particularly well with his characterization. In the beginning, he is a shy man, wanting nothing to do with Gucci, only wanting to be happily married to Patrizia. Then, suddenly he becomes power-hungry once he inherits the business, and almost writes Patrizia off as soon as he meets a new love interest.

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Spectacular performance on his behalf, and I am expecting an Oscar nomination for them both.

About five new storylines get added in the last thirty minutes, which makes no sense. The film started to drag and I almost forgot about Gaga because no plotline centered around her. Did the inclusion of a Tom Ford fashion show make any sense to the main plot? No, but I was very happy to see an ass cheek on the big screen.

The main storyline reimerges with Patrizia and Pina, played by Salma Hayek, plotting the murder.

Pina is such a weird character to include in the film, I did not understand her at all; nevertheless, she was there.

The plans are made, and I expected the next scene to be the murder. It wouldn’t be “House of Gucci,” however, without one last weird new plotline to add. A weird business meeting occurred after the fashion show, and truly, I could not tell you any significance to it.

The most climactic part of the movie, the murder, was underwhelming. Out of nowhere Driver gets killed, and then we see Gaga in a bathtub.

It was a weird way to showcase death — I wish it was more intense.

The ending was rushed. I wish some of the unnecessary plot points were taken out so we could get more of the trial, or not even include the trial at all since they only spend a minute covering it.

The movie closes with the worst thing that could have ever happened: A montage. To say I audibly screamed when I saw the text pop up on the screen saying where everyone ended up... I was utterly disgusted at this cheap way to end the film.

If this montage did not mark the end of the movie, I would have ranked it higher, but it ruined the film for me.

Overall, the movie had some strong moments, but some even weaker moments. I encourage everyone to see this for Gaga and Driver alone, they made this movie what it was. While it may not have been everything that I hoped and dreamed, I enjoyed most of the film and definitely will be watching it again.

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THREE GUCCI ITEMS UNDER $100 TO START YOUR OWN “HOUSE OF GUCCI” Gianna Montesano Editor-in-Chief Affording Gucci is not easy, but here are some pieces from the designer house that won’t break the bank — though it may break your moral code of spending an obscene amount of money on one thing.

Vernis à Ongles Nail Polish — $30 Available in 10 different shades, you can have your nails painted with polish that looks like it could be from anywhere, but there’s a nice ring in saying “it’s Gucci nail varnish” rather than saying “it’s wet n wild nail polish.”

Gucci Mémoire d’une Odeur Edp Spray Unisex, 3.3 fl oz, — $77 The holidays are synonymous with department store perfumes and Gucci is no stranger to the mix. You’ll be left smelling delicious as you walk out of Nordstrom, getting lightheaded from all the perfumes being sprayed by sales people, knowing you scored a great perfume for a decent price.

Children’s cotton GG lamé socks — $90 The good thing about socks is that they stretch, so you’ll be able to flex these monogrammed cotton socks on anybody that knows what Gucci is, 10/10 worth the buy.

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DE-STRESS THIS FINALS SEASON WITH THESE TWO VIDEO GAMES

10

RYAN’S TOP OF 2021 PLAYLIST 1

camera roll

Ping Pong

by HyunA & DAWN

3

4

Hula Hoop

by LOONA

by Doja Cat

6

WINTER BLISS: A SNEAK PEAK OF WINTER FASHION TRENDS OF 2022

by STAYC

Have Mercy

by Chloe Bailey

8

by Cherry Bullet

by TWICE

This fall/winter 2021/2022 ready-to-wear collection is set to be a celebration of winter sports.

As VOGUE says, this season is all about “ski chic.”

This season, you’ll see puffers, jumpsuits, parkas, and more. Brands are creating a modern twist to all the winter items you may think you knew before. Be excited to see all the different types of fashion dedicated to winter sports.

Life on Mars Life on Mars entails spacesuits and silvers, and that exactly is what’s present in upcoming collections. Many items are made up of silver fabrics to help give a futuristic vibe and surprisingly, there are some spacesuits.

Love So Sweet Cactus

It’s winter, and that means new fashion lines are here.

Not only is the fall/winter 2021/2022 ready-towear collection about winter sports style, but it’s also showing off new ideas such as faux fur, pleats, life on Mars, the 1960s, knitwear, shimmer, leather, club kids, and many more.

Stereotype

10

1960s The 1960s are tied to bright colors. Despite this,

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Finals are one of the most stressful times for students. While we are all cramming in information for our tests, it is important to give our brains a break. One way that people like to de-stress during this time is by playing video games, and I am here to recommend two of my favorite games that I play when I want to calm down.

GRAPHICS BY Jasmine Lillis

Staff Writer

by Olivia Rodrigo

Need to Know

9

2

traitor

by TWICE

7

Arts + Culture Editor

Marisa Sandoval

The Feels

5

Ryan Windle

PHOTOS BY Vogue

by Kacey Musgraves

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the collection is all monochrome. Black and white are the main color scheme; a quite simple but still very classic representation of the 1960s. You won’t want to miss out on this fashion trend.

Club kids Club kids are something new to the mainstream fashion scene. Club kid style is all about having fun with some pop of colors and metallics, and wearing art. This is a bit different from mainstream style, but those wearing this trend are making bold fashion statements and are not afraid to do so.

Shimmer, shimmer, shimmer Sparkles, silvers, and gold will be present this winter. This line looks like New Year’s Eve come to life. Sparkly two pieces, dresses, pants, blazers, boots, purses, glasses, and more. These are perfect pieces for any party.

“Unpacking” PHOTOS BY Ryan Windle

GRAPHICS BY Jasmine Lillis

CAROL’S CHRISTMAS SUGAR COOKIES Ryan Windle

For frosting:

Arts + Culture Editor

2 cups confectioner sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Growing up, I always anticipated the day I got to feast on my grandma’s cookies each holiday season. My favorite was the simple sugar cookie, and I would manage to eat way too many to count. Here is the recipe for my all-time favorite cookie, and I hope you enjoy them.

Ingredients: ¼ cup shortening (part butter or margarine softened) 1 cup sugar

Knits

2 eggs

Knitwear is a classic yet popular trend right now.

Knitwear is universal and can include tops, dresses, pants, jumpsuits, two pieces, purses, and rompers.

The amazing thing is that knitwear can be as revealing as you want it to be. Many people love knitwear items because they’re comfortable. A definite staple for this season.

1 teaspoon vanilla or ½ teaspoon lemon extract 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking powder 1 teaspoon salt

2 ½ tablespoon water Various food coloring to dye Mix together thoroughly shortening, sugar, eggs, and extract of your choosing. Blend in the flour, baking powder, and salt. Cover and chill for at least one hour (my grandma would always chill the dough overnight).

Heat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Roll the chilled dough ¼ inch thick on a lightly floured cloth-covered board and cut into desired shapes.

Place the cookies on an ungreased baking sheet and bake for six to eight minutes, or until very light brown.

For the frosting, mix the sugar, vanilla extract, and water together. Divide into separate bowls and add dye as desired, then frost to your heart’s content.

PAGE 12

Available on Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, macOS, Xbox Series X and S, Linux, and Microsoft Windows.

While unpacking in real life can be stressful, unpacking in a video game is my go-to stress reliever. “Unpacking” follows a story, from childhood to adult life, moving into new places and unpacking into your new space. This game is addictive. I love organizing random items into spaces; I haven’t even played the whole story out, I love redoing stages. Truly, the best way to calm down after a stressful day of learning.

“Stardew Valley” Available on Microsoft Windows, macOS, Linux, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation Vita, iOS, and Android.

In this game, your player’s grandfather left you a plot of land and an abandoned shed in his will.

Leaving behind modern life, you have to learn how to farm to survive, and learn the intricacies of the townspeople in “Stardew Valley.” This game has been a favorite of mine for the past couple of years, there are so many unique ways to play it that it never gets boring. Giving my farm a layout calms me down, and I love to be distracted by the character’s personal storylines.

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lems they cause.

But when they do turn on flight mode, they’re probably going somewhere picturesque and off the grid since they’re known for being big travelers and adventurers.

GRAPHICS BY Jasmine Lillis

Sagittarians are some of the best people to know, they’ll always be there for their friends and are two steps ahead on having the perfect party or night out. You’ll never find them sitting in the corner, they’re always charming the room with their dance moves, endless conversations, or party moves — they’re never going to be the fish out of water.

PULL OUT THE LEATHER JACKETS, IT’S SAGITTARIUS SEASON BABES

Ruled by Jupiter, Sagittarians are often enthralled in their own world and are extremely lucky individuals who have the world at their mercy, getting anything they want.

PHOTOS BY the New York Public Library Internet Photos

GRAPHICS BY Jasmine Lillis

G WITH THE TEA Gianna Montesano Editor-in-Chief Keeping up with the Kousins: Kardashian kids take over TikTok Following in the social media footsteps of their mothers, North West and Penelope Disick are all the rage on TikTok this past week after Disick’s secret account, now named @pandkourt, was discovered by users.

The two cousins document their uber exciting lives of being eight and nine years old through short snippets of their day showing them making their hot chocolate, outfits of the day, skincare routine, or showcasing their Christmas decor.

Kim Kardashian and her daughter post videos of them together singing along to different songs, doing different TikTok trends, or on their golf carts where they announce where they’re going for the day.

While it seems mundane, the comments are what’s keeping @pandkourt and @kimandnorth so entertaining.

A slew of viral comments have made the account what it is with users talking to the two daughters saying, “ok North have you ever heard of this game called Zelle it’s super fun and easy to learn” alluding to West taking her mom’s phone and sending money to fans.

Commenters are also asking West if she saw “an awkward hunched over tall white man at PAGE 13

thanksgiving this year,” referencing the latest romance between comedian Pete Davidson and Kardashian.

Taylor Swift may not be good at telling jokes, but she gets the last laugh 20-year-old Taylor Swift was not good at telling jokes but a decade later, Jake Gyllenhaal may have to enter the witness protection program with Swift’s release of the 10-minute version of her song, “All Too Well.”

The highly anticipated release throws some serious shade at Gyllenhaal, calling him out for missing her 21st birthday party, as well as telling Swift they may have worked out if they were closer in age.

As a result, listeners swarmed Gyllenhaal’s direct messages and comments attacking him, saying he’s the worst for what he did to a young Swift a decade ago. While he has not put out a statement, sources close to him have come out saying “he doesn’t read gossip or pay any attention to that... He’s living his life and focused on himself.

He’s ignoring all of the noise.”

Now, why is he lying like that? If I were in Gyllenhaal I would 100 percent be planning the most devious publicity stunt to get people to forget that I’m a vile 40-year-old currently dating a 25-year-old because, as Swift said in the song, “I get older, but your lovers stay my age.” That’s a tough one to bounce back from.

Gianna Montesano Editor-in-Chief From Nov. 22 to Dec. 21, we enter Sagittarius season; the centaur gallops into the forefront of astrology with an airline ticket in one hand and a camera roll full of globetrotting photos in the other.

Sagittarius are the mutable fire sign of the zodiac, and they are represented by the centaur.

Being a mutable fire sign means they are quick-witted, passionate individuals who are able to move

on faster than you can say “Sagittarius.” The other fire signs in the zodiac are Leo and Aries.

No fire sign is free of being a temperamental little flame, but with Sagittarians, their flame dies down almost as soon as they stop talking.

They are not ones to hold intense grudges or yearn for revenge, they let the universe serve the karma after they have their little unhinged moment and forget about it because nothing is real to them.

While some hate the flighty nature of a Sagittarius, their perfect matches are Pisces, Aries, and Aquarius.

If you know a Sag in your life, be extra kind to them and throw them a birthday parade — it’s the least they deserve for being the second funniest person in the room, after me, of course, and for picking you up when you feel down.

Some famous Sagittarians include Britney Spears, Taylor Swift, Nicki Minaj, Frank Sinatra, and The Leader’s very own, Olivia Janicke.

Sagittarians are intelligent individuals who live in a constant state of fight or flight; ready to defend themselves or run away from the prob-

SAG SEASON PLAYLIST Olivia Janicke, Copy Editor

1.

2.

3.

Sound and Vision (1999 Remaster)

by David Bowie

Vibin’ (Unfinished)

by Jai Paul

Why Hide (ft. Diana Gordon)

by Mark Ronson

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4.

Champagne Coast

5.

Lost in the World

6.

This Must Be the Place

by Blood Orange

by Kanye West & Bon Iver

by Talking Heads

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SPORTS

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OPINIONS

away games, the team has been handing out losses to not only Kalamazoo and Principia, but also Illinois Institute of Technology, St. Norbert College, and Alma College.

A prospective commuter could assume with such a large body of commuter students, and with Elmhurst Unviersity using that as a selling point to come here, that the designated commuter spot would flourish and give a greater emphasis to its commuter students.

“Every game I play, I want to play well for my team. I believe if we keep getting better the way we are, we could definitely win the CCIW ’ship,” said Lavon Thomas, senior stretch forward. “I just want to keep the winning tradition going.”

On top of the lackluster of the lounge itself, many students are unaware the lounge even exists.

The Leader conducted a poll, and out of the 13 students polled, six have said they have never been there, and two said they were unaware there is even such a place.

Finding his groove this season, Thomas scored double digits against Principia and IIT, almost finishing both games with a double-double in points and rebounds.

On top of our poll, SGA had a full discussion in a meeting this semester about how to get more students to come to said lounge. While many suggestions were given during the meeting, my suggestion would be this: Make it into a hangout spot with comfortable seating, lighting, and more space, not another classroom.

Alongside Thomas is senior guard, Dominic Genco, who was two points short of scoring double digits in all five games.

PHOTO BY Elmhurstbluejays.com

MEN’S BASKETBALL RANKS IN THE TOP 10 AHEAD OF UPCOMING CCIW TOURNAMENT Kween Jean Staff Writer Tenth-ranked in the nation, Elmhurst University men’s basketball secured their fifth consecutive win of the season and set new school records in effort “to win Conference and the National Championship.”

Starting the season with all gas and no brakes, the team has beaten five opponents by 20 points or more, backing up their words with action. By “taking it one game at a time,” EU has their eyes on the prize.

Head Coach John Baines believes the men’s Bluejay basketball team is capable of winning the CCIW Tournament.

“We have the ability to beat every team, as well as the capacity to lose to all of them,” said Baines. “If we play like we are capable, we figure to be in the mix.”

His “experienced and mature” roster started their season with one goal in mind.

At the home opener against Kalamazoo College, senior guard Jake Rhode kicked off the first 11/30

game of the season with 28 points and a new career assists school record.

“Individual and team goals go hand and hand.

We believe this can be a very similar season like the one we had two years ago,” said Rhode.

In the 2019-20 season, the Bluejays advanced to the NCAA Tournament before the championship was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Coming off a shortened 2020-21 season by only playing each CCIW team once, COVID-19 impacted their last season in more ways than one.

“Now that fans and family are allowed to spectate, it really helps us out,” said Wesley Hooker, junior guard. “We are already a very exciting team and full of energy, so when we’re able to get the crowd going with us, it really motivates us to win.”

With the fans on their mind and wishing for another championship ring, EU is determined to finish what they started during their last full schedule.

On average, the men’s basketball team is scoring 84 points per game this season with a current game high of 107 points against Principia College on Nov. 13.

With two wins at home games and three wins at PAGE 15

Genco led in scoring against Principia finishing with 19 points. Thomas followed right behind him with 18 points. A total of six Bluejays finished with double digits including Wesley Hooker, Ocean Johnson, Jay Militello, and Hunter Merritt.

#

“As a senior, my biggest takeaway has been trying to enjoy the little things that make being a student athlete so unique like having team meals and traveling together,” said Genco.

The team’s chemistry is apparent on and off the court as many of the players have been with each other for years. Training together, traveling together, and even preserving during COVID-19 has made this team “confident and very experienced.”

Despite their successful start to the season ahead, the players are not complacent.

“Complacency hasn’t been an issue and I don’t foresee it being one,” said Baines. “We are simply trying to do what we do, better.”

Rhode believes the team should continue taking it one game at a time because any game can make or break a season.

Their first conference game will be held on Dec. 4, against Wheaton College, who is ranked sixth in the nation according to D3hoops.com’s preseason top-25 poll.

Until then, the Bluejays have two remaining non-conference competitions against Buena Vista University and Calvin University.

“Just keep watching us, we are going to have a great season,” said Hooker.

PHOTO BY Vanessa Sevilla

THE COMMUTER LOUNGE IS DUE FOR AN UPDATE Jared Boekenhauer News Editor On an average fall day, I found myself with an hour gap between my classes. To fill the time, I figured I would partake in my typical routine of checking emails, writing stories, and finishing homework.

Unlike residential students, I did not have a dorm room to go to, so I decided to try a quiet place on campus dedicated for gaps like these: The commuter lounge.

My assumption going in was that the commuter lounge was a place that would provide comfortable solace, apart from the other vigors of university activities. Providing a location that would be

comfortable and separate from the typical cramped classroom setting.

However, my assumption about the commuter lounge was unfortunately not the case.

The lounge is a doorless, small space, lucky to be larger than a typical classroom. It has roughly 4-5 desks with typical desk chairs, and a row of plastic-esque benches set to posture someone at an awkward 90-degree angle. The room is also small, so as to be quite difficult for any social distancing or to accommodate for COVID-19.

For a university that boasts about their “love” of the commuter population, stating on their website “commuter students are a big part of the vibrant daily life on campus,” and even designating an SGA senator to commuters, the designated commuter lounge is quite a letdown.

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When I am finished with class, after sitting in posture chairs, sitting with a straight back, and focusing on note taking, I would appreciate time to plop down into a comfy chair to focus on work, school, or just drink a coffee.

While I recognize this is not the biggest issue to ever face EU, it is ambivalent to the larger issue which is the disregard that EU is demonstrating, regarding their supposed love for the population who do not reside on campus.

Now, EU does have many comfortable spots on campus to hang out, and it would be unfair to disregard those. On EU’s website, a space that is actually used and adored among many is Founders Lounge. There is also the game room in the Roost, the AC Buehler cafe in the library, amongst others. However, they have acknowledged the need for a designated commuter location by having a commuter lounge, and have failed in their execution.

Despite the update they made over the summer of 2021, they should be open to updating more than just the signs on the wall.

For a university that has such a commuter population, the current commuter lounge needs a change, and EU can do that, especially before the brisk midwestern winter months where the outdoors is uninhabitable for school related activities.

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PHOTO BY Mikoto.raw

OPINIONS

GRAPHICS BY Jasmine Lillis

GRINDR: THE SILENT KILLER OF THE GAY COMMUNITY Content warning: Mentions of assault and harassment Ryan Windle Arts + Culture Editor Sex is something that most humans crave; in this new age of technology, an app to make hooking up easier was destined to come to fruition.

Grindr is an LGBTQ+ app that mostly is used by gay and bisexual men for hookups. This app is accessible for anyone to download, and use, no matter what age they are.

Of course, there is an age requirement for the app.

You have to be eighteen years of age to have a profile, but Grindr lacks the security it needs to enforce that rule; there is no required proof of age to make a profile, so the requirement is more of a loose suggestion.

Having minors is a problem their app faces, since almost anyone is able to lie about their age to become a user. In fact, many underage gay teenagers make a Grindr profile to have their first sexual experience, trying their best to match the experiences that their straight peers around them are having.

As a younger teenager, I knew to avoid Grindr 11/30

for as long as I could; I did not want to be sucked into the murky water of that app.

It wasn’t until I started to get older, and everyone around me was talking about their sexual experiences, where I finally caved in and downloaded the app. I was determined to recreate the same experience as some of my peers.

At first, I was surprised to find it was not all bad.

Without a profile picture and bio, there was not enough information to lure a large crowd. My blank profile really did not have anyone interested in me, so I stayed under the radar on the app until I uploaded a photo of 16-year-old me, which is exactly when it all seemed to change.

Older men know how to prey on people who are younger than them, and this was an experience I witnessed firsthand while using the app.

Mostly, it would be the older men messaging me first, saying how they would “treat me right” for the first time; trying to manipulate me into being with them.

The whole thing never sat right with me. I did not enjoy any of the older men messaging me in this way, having these types of interactions, and feeling pressured to reciprocate in some way.

Worse was being the person responsible for stopping it. I kept blocking and blocking, but the aggression and threats would only get worse.

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I received death threats because of saying no.

I was made to feel guilty for saying no. I was attacked for my looks for telling these grown men no. Ultimately, after being worn down by all the hate, I ended up sending things I didn’t feel comfortable doing in the first place.

restrictions still remain loose, and men are still given the power to assault and groom younger men on this type of platform.

Receiving this type of treatment on the app forced me to sit down and question why I even downloaded the app in the first place. I started distrusting a whole generation older than me by questioning why we are told to look up to our elders and respect them when they are the ones ruining the younger generation for their own benefit.

The reality is the many lives ruined by the app and the lack of repercussions taken for the consequence that many have to live with.

It is hard to describe this experience that I have faced. Never did I want to send my naked body to these men, or be sent nudes by 40+ year old men without my consent, but I felt like if I spoke up about not wanting either of these things, my life would be in danger.

What is Grindr doing about these types of experiences young LGBTQ+ youth are facing on the app? How is an app supporting all of this trauma that young gay men deal with?

The one and only hookup I have ever done on that app was with an older man. The pressure I felt from this man was so overwhelming, I feared for my life if I did not go on this hookup.

I never gave consent to anything, and I wish I had set boundaries before walking into his house. Walking through the door, I wanted to run right back out. He grabbed me and led me into his bedroom. Then, he started doing what he needed to do for his pleasure; I stood there still in shock at what was happening to me. Once it was over, I never had put my clothes back on faster in my entire life.

Walking out, I noticed a picture of what I assumed to be his wife on the end table. Did I know this fact about him? Absolutely not, and I felt even more guilty for what had just gone down.

On the drive home I just sat in silence processing what happened to me. At that moment I deleted the app and have rarely been on it since that day.

I know I am not alone in this experience. Ingroup members are aware of all taking place, and given that it is a common experience on the app, I am sure the creators are aware of this too.

Yet, many still keep themselves on this app, age

It saddens me that this is currently taking place in our world, and on an application meant to be more inclusive of all sexualities.

At the time, I already had sexual experiences with people my age. I really did not need to be on this app, and why I was still on it was a question going through my mind every day. I knew I was going to hate the experience going in, but I wanted to have a story to share with my peers; I wanted to fit in. What happened to me, however, is a story that I never could have imagined happening.

ISSUE 06

OPINIONS

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I am not saying this entire app is awful and everyone who uses it is doing so with ill-intentions.

Actually, I have made some amazing friends thanks to this app. However, how justifiable is it to have this platform still running when it has done so much harm to a group that already goes through so much?

There needs to be a change with this app, starting with protecting younger LGBTQ+ members more.

Having an actual age requirement check can save so many from sharing the experience that I had to go through.

Every day on social media I see screenshots from other gay men sharing the exchanges that they go through on the app; it is horrific to see but important. We must be aware of the problem that is happening.

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People are addicted to this platform, validation from complete strangers at times can be the biggest form of comfort. While not everyone has gone through what I have, being aware of this and bringing attention to the issues that this app has caused is important.

I am not ashamed of having gone through this experience, it only makes me stronger in sharing my story. I know that not everyone is like this, but I am hoping by sharing this, no one else will have to go through what I experienced. Going forward, hopefully we can be more cautious and protect ourselves from the harm this app has caused many gay individuals.

INTERESTED IN STARTING YOUR OWN PODCAST? Contact Gianna Montesano at gmont0454@365.elmhurst.edu for more information.

Continued on PAGE 18 PAGE 18

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SPORTS

ISSUE 06

whatever social rule exists if others have context of their disability or difference, but without the context, a harsh consequence for not following the unwritten rules may be given.

Many in the alternative program, including myself, were out of luck, not granted empathy.

Even though they all had disabilities and were deserving of understanding, they were insulted and given the cold shoulder, because other students thought they were screwing with them, or even worse, dangerous.

I wanted to know if I was the only one who had noticed how poorly people with invisible disabilities were treated, or if I was looking back on my public education days with a bit too much self-righteousness or paranoia.

To get more information, I contacted people from the Illinois Department of Human Services to get their perspective on the subject, curious if adults with invisible disabilities were treated as unfairly cold as they are as teenagers.

PHOTO BY New York Times

STOP BEING ABLEIST AND BE EMPATHETIC TO THOSE WITH INVISIBLE DISABILITIES. Aaron Tschetter Staff Writer In middle school, a combination of medical and life circumstances caused me to fall so far behind that when I entered high school, I was placed in nearly all special-ed courses. My high school teachers liked to refer to them as “alternative program” classes to normalize being separated from our peers.

recall many of the students in “regular” courses — including those who would volunteer to spend more time with students from the alternative program — being absolute jerks to those in the program.

Despite missing my friends who were placed in “normal” classes, I am able to reflect back and say all of my best memories from high school came from that placement.

When I, as a high school freshman, pondered over how poorly my friends from the alternative program were treated, I soon had a worldshattering epiphany: Those who showed up to the Fox Valley Special Olympics and Mid Valley Special Education events to work with us were superficial phonies, and many were only willing to treat those with disabilities kindly if they could see and understand the disability they were expected to accommodate.

However, many of my most frustrating moments in high school were observing my new friends from the alternative program interact with others. I

People need to be given an explanation when excusing others from social or cultural norms.

Someone may be forgiven for not meeting

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ELMHURSTLEADER.COM

those who tire easily, for example, are looked at askance when they park in the “handicapped” parking spots or use a scooter in a store, even though they are unable to walk through the entire store or mall.

Sally: — and people who have learning disabilities, brain injuries or memory issues get a lot of negative feedback from people they encounter in public, they appear to be okay, but once you start talking to them, it gets complicated really fast — they don’t react as quickly, they forget names, or they need to read and reread material in order to comprehend it. Sometimes they even need to work with the material before they will completely understand a concept, so classroom material might not make sense until they do a lab, for example. They need to apply the information before they completely “get” it.

Together, Sally, Joe, Margie, and Lori have a combination of 87 years working as rehabilitation counselors and case coordinators helping Illinoisans with different types of disabilities get employmentrelated services from the state. While the others would be considered generalists, Joe specifically works with the deaf population of Illinois as a rehabilitation counselor.

Margie: We encourage a lot of our customers to use lists or use their cell phones to take notes as reminders, but sometimes their bosses don’t like that because it looks like they are getting to “play on their phone” when in reality they’re just trying to keep up with everyone else. So we try to teach them to advocate with their employers and talk to their coworkers and explain why they need those devices. Sometimes it’s hard to get that process started but it can really pay off.

Q: What are some “invisible” disabilities that your clients may have?

Q: Does people not seeing they have a disability cause people to be less empathetic?

Lori: Invisible disabilities we see a lot include learning disabilities, epilepsy, mental health issues, chronic pain or auto-immune disorders, being hard-of-hearing, or any number of other health conditions that limit interactions or independence, on a regular basis.

Q: What unique social struggles do people with invisible disabilities face?

Joe: Their struggles are not as open as those who have mobility issues like wheelchair users, amputees, or people who are visibly blind, for example, so society tends to doubt that their disabilities are legitimate. Often we will find that people with so-called minor mobility issues or Continued on PAGE 20

ALL: Yes. Sally: Especially in today’s political climate — people think they can touch pregnant women’s bellies, insult people using the handicapped parking spots, and all that. Sometimes it is almost easier to have a severe mobility issue, and use a wheelchair, if you’re in public — that way people aren’t judging you. They let you be. It’s bad that they feel sorry for people in a wheelchair but at least they don’t yell at those folks for using a handicapped spot or going to the front of the line at an amusement park.

Joe: If you’re deaf and you don’t respond when someone behind you asks a question you’re

ISSUE 06

OPINIONS

taking your life in your hands these days. People get really mad. When that happens, I just turn around and start frantically signing at them; a lot of times I don’t even let on that I can talk because they just get even more mad. They don’t understand that some deaf people can talk and lip read; we just can’t hear — they get frustrated and it can be dangerous.

Q: How does this impact their peer relationships at work or school?

Lori: Oftentimes, if peers don’t understand they have a disability, like I said, they’ll be less empathetic. I’ve seen cases where tall buff guys kept asking the same question because of “working memory issues.” Or, without being aware of how it may come off, chased down shorter girls in the middle of the night just cause they needed directions. It can be pretty traumatizing for them when they learn that they actually made someone uncomfortable, because that’s not their intention.

When I see conversations about supporting people with disabilities, it’s often centered around visible disabilities, disabilities others can easily see, understand, and accommodate. But I advocate for showing respect to those with disabilities that aren’t visible.

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After all, kindness should not only extend to those with a visible disability. Supporting those with a disability is about having an open mind when a classmate whom one doesn’t know very well takes extra long to solve a problem.

It’s about not judging walking individuals when they decide to take the elevator or sit in a handicapped spot. It’s giving people a second chance during social interactions when someone might do something incredibly awkward, or forget your name for the hundredth time, or take forever to say hi because they simply lost the words.

All of this may sound like common courtesy that has nothing to do with whether someone has a disability or not, but that’s the point. If you would be patient with someone if you knew they had a disability, be kind to them even if you don’t know, because, for all you know, they do.

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gmont0454@365.elmhurst.edu

TO AUDITION FOR A COLUMN

C A N ’ T WA IT TO M E E T YO U

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EDITORIAL Students wear multiple hats throughout their involvement during college, whether it be as activists, community organizers, resident assistants, editors, presidents, orientation leaders, and more. It is safe to assume students are the backbone of their institutions, paying them to stay open in exchange for an education.

While it may seem like a fair trade-off from a business perspective, why are involved students always getting the short end of the stick for the extra work they do to attract prospective students?

Here at The Leader, we are a team of seven editors who contribute anywhere from 10 to 20 hours a week to put together each biweekly issue of this newspaper, working out of our office every other Sunday for at least 12 hours writing, editing, and laying out the final issue that hits racks the following Tuesday.

While we undoubtedly love working for The Leader, gain valuable journalism experience from it, and create bonds with each class of editors and writers, the truth is that experience does not pay the bills.

A lot of us have to call off work every other Sunday, where we could be earning money to pay bills or to save for postgraduate ordeals.

Instead, we have to work for free with minimal breaks in a room with no air conditioning and a mysterious stench that brings on migraines and cold-like symptoms.

Through years at competitions (which The Leader regularly wins numerous awards at) like the Illinois College Press Association (ICPA), other university newspapers are stunned to hear The Leader editorial board, and writers, are not paid for their contribution to the newspaper; for them it’s the norm, for us it’s the dream.

In fact, some universities even have their Editor-in-Chief on payroll and they take the year off to focus on running the paper without having to juggle both a course load and a job.

While each institution varies from staff size, campus 11/30

OPINIONS

ISSUE 06

TIME IS MONEY, SO WHERE ARE OUR CHECKS? size, printing runs, and publication frequency, it is still noticeable there is a vast difference in how other institutions value their press compared to Elmhurst University.

While anybody on The Leader staff can earn credit for participating in the newspaper as an internship or practicum, the age-old debate about how unpaid internships are unfair also arises. As mentioned prior, experience is great, but it does not pay the bills.

We aren’t the only ones facing similar issues of working long hours with no pay or minimal compensation like EU swag or outings.

Resident assistants on campus are only provided free room and board and a free meal plan for working with EU. While this may seem like a fair trade off, free housing and food in return for around the clock monitoring of the dorm halls is not a fair trade.

At other institutions like Florida Atlantic University, RAs are paid a stipend on top of having a free meal plan and half off their room and board.

Stipends usually hit their bank accounts at the beginning or end of the semester, providing a comfortable financial cushion for the laborious work they put in, which includes hourly rounds throughout the night, organizing programming, providing emotional support for students in crisis, and more.

For the amount of work and training they’re put through, why aren’t they paid an hourly wage for at least their on-duty hours since being an RA is a full time job?

On top of being a student, RAs have to become a beacon of resources for people their age, for free. Physical compensation does not compare to a liveable wage for people who are paying thousands to get a degree.

Student leaders spend so much of their free time crafting and curating an image the school wants to portray, taking away from valuable self-care time and opportunities to earn money and provide the bare minimum for themselves.

PAGE 21

While The Leader cannot speak on the experiences of every student group on campus, we can highlight known facts about groups like RAs and their compensation. The Leader did not speak to any past or present RAs in preparation for this editorial.

At The Leader, we don’t seek any approval before going to print, we are independent from administrative influence. We work to keep the school accountable in every aspect of our reporting and champion for the student body to be heard and taken care of.

But we’re students too, and it gets difficult to recruit people who can commit to writing regularly.

Often the bulk of the work falls on editors to pick up every production cycle. While it seems simple, writing a short 500-word article takes a lot of time between setting up interviews, transcribing audio, doing research, editing, and illustrating the story through photography or graphics.

ELMHURSTLEADER.COM

provided to the campus through reporting, the time devoted to putting together each issue, and for consistently keeping the administration accountable.

Not only The Leader, but every student who contributes to keeping the institution reputable and on top of the U.S. News rankings deserves to be properly compensated for their contributions to campus.

While EU may try to divert attention away from potential scandal-ridden headlines during tours, admissions events, or public events keep this one in sight for everyone to see: Pay your student leaders.

Eric Lutz, The Leader’s adviser, serves on the media board. Lutz did not advise The Leader editors, nor have any involvement throughout the writing of this editorial.

OPINIONS

Letter to Editor Submissions 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.

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Some may argue that we should just quit rather than complain, but why quit when our concerns can be raised to identify issues to fix things for future generations of The Leader’s journalists?

Historically, The Leader has paid its editors in the form of a stipend derived from the advertising budget at the end of the spring semester.

The amounts vary depending on the amount of money earned from advertising, sometimes editors would earn $50 for their year of work, but in recent years, it’s been zero.

ISSUE 06

CARTOON BY Jasmine Lillis

In the past three years the current Editor-in-Chief has been on the editorial board, the editors have not been paid, mirroring the national newsroom crisis, advertisements are dwindling causing print newspapers to shut down or move online entirely.

The Leader asks the media board to provide funds to provide a yearly or semesterly stipend for The Leader editors, to begin with, because college journalism consistently proves itself to be a vital part of campus life.

The Leader deserves more for the contributions Continued on PAGE 22 PAGE 22

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