May 28, 2019 Full Issue

TUESDAY, MAY 28, 2019

WWW.NEIUINDEPENDENT.ORG

Student-run newspaper since 1962

VOLUME 38 ISSUE 17

Feeding the NEIU community NEWS

State cuts 1.4 million dollars from NEIU funding.

SEE PG. 6

OPINIONS

Supporting parenthood in the workplace.

SEE PG. 8

ARTS AND LIFE

When the Game ends, who resides on the Throne?

SEE PG. 14

POLICE BLOTTER

Graffitis, fires and more from the police blotter.

SEE PG. 3

LET US KNOW!

Next issue is out JULY 23.

Our office is located in E-049 at the main campus.

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NEWS | MAY 28, 2019

INDEPENDENT EDITORIAL BOARD EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Robin Bridges MANAGING EDITOR Frannie Mendoza PRODUCTION EDITOR Marco Mendoza NEWS EDITOR Rebecca Denham

NEIUINDEPENDENT.ORG

Spring commencement speaker inspires self-advocacy

OPINIONS EDITOR Edwin Gramajo ARTS & LIFE EDITOR Charles Sipps ONLINE EDITOR Ankush Vyas SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR Amaranta Arcentales MARKETING DIRECTOR Frannie Mendoza PAYROLL MANAGER Francisco Sebastian

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Robert Kukla

The Independent is a public forum for all of Northeastern Illinois University’s campuses and surrounding community.

The Independent is entirely student-run and is published bi-weekly, except during summer and semester breaks.

The editor-in-chief is responsible for the content of the Independent, and views presented do not necessarily represent those of the administration, faculty and students. The Independent is a member of the ICPA, CMA and ACP. For further details email: theneiuIndependent@ gmail.com.

Photo by Frannie Mendoza

Rebecca Denham NEWS EDITOR

NEIUNewsEditor@gmail.com Maria Woltjen gave the commencement speech at NEIU’s 2019 graduation ceremony on May 6.

The founder and executive director of The Young Center for Immigrant Children’s Rights at the University of Chicago Law School, Woltjen spoke about the primary purpose of the organization and the individual lives that she affected through her work.

Her main focus as a professional is on reforming the immigration system.

According to Woltjen, she aims to change the system “in which children are treated as adults into a system that recognizes children as children with rights and protections all their own.”

She was named a 2018 Chicagoan of the Year by Chicago Magazine because of her work at The Young Center, where she has helped to advocate

for the safety of separated immigrant children from countries like China, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, India, Mexico, Romania and Somalia.

Woltjen received the 2017 UNICEF Chicago Humanitarian Award. She was also the recipient of the 2013 Ruth Goldman Award from the American Constitution Society for Law and Policy for her work on protecting the rights of immigrant children, especially those who enter the United States without a parent or guardian.

In her speech to the graduating students of NEIU, she talked about why each individual student’s story is important in relation to her own journey.

“I was born in Missouri and I was one of nine kids. There was never enough.

You would either get to the dinner table on time, or you would miss out,” said Woltjen.

In her adolescence and early adulthood, Woltjen feared being judged by her peers because of her childhood, but she told NEIU students that she now realizes that “everything that happened to [her] shaped who [she is] today and has given [her] strength and perspective.”

She spoke about the stories of individual children that she personally served - from their original struggles to the resolutions that she was a part of creating.

Helping to change the legislative system that treats them as adults is what she claims is her purpose in her career.

She left the graduating class with a farewell and a final thought: “all of you here today come to this single place with your own stories and narratives.

Many of you are here, I’m sure, after many detours. Some of you supported

yourselves financially as you went to classes, many of you are immigrants or children of immigrants. And all of you know what it means to advocate for yourselves.”

Maria Woltjen

MAY 28, 2019 | NEWS 5/1 - Bryn Mawr and Central Park While on patrol, officer observed vehicle make a wrong turn and strike parked car. Chicago police made arrest after conducting a field sobriety test.

5/3 - Library Graffiti reported on back of door in library. Offender is unknown. Facilities management was notified for clean up.

Police Blotter April 15 - May 22

The following incidents occured on NEIU campus property for the dates of April 15 to May 22.

4/15 - El Centro Student reports verbal threats made to him by classmate during a verbal altercation while discussing a group project. Dean of students notified.

4/17 - Testing Center During a routine patrol, officer discovered several rear facing windows damaged. Offender is unknown.

4/18 - E Building During a routine patrol, officer discovered office door ajar. After further investigation, it appears door faceplate and latch had been tampered with.

4/20 - Tennis Courts NEIU neighbor reported group playing cricket on tennis court being loud and aggressive. Cricket ball smashed the car windshield of her relative.

4/21 - The Nest Built up grease on stove caused

fire in apartment. Resident put fire out with extinguisher. Fire department responded. No injuries were reported.

4/24 - D Building Officers on standby during an employee termination meeting. No incidents reported.

4/25 - Parking Lot F Officers reported paint transfer to squad car while parked in lot. Offender is unknown.

4/26 - Parking Garage Relatives wanted to file a missing person report. Pinged victim’s cell phone to NEIU. She was located safely in parking garage . She had slept in her car overnight.

4/29 - Enrollment Office Police investigating text messages sent to university staff by high school student who was a part of NEIU’s Future Freshmen enrollment campaign.

4/29 - Student Union Unknown offender wrote graffiti on bathroom mirror and stall in the lower level men’s washroom. Facilities management was notified for clean up.

4/29 - Fine Arts Building Building fire alarm went off when child pulled alarm. Fire department and campus engineers reset the alarm.

4/26 - El Centro Unknown offender damaged university computer while in lab.

4/30 - Library Unknown offender wrote graffiti on bathroom stall doors and walls.

Facilities management was notified for clean up.

4/26 - Library Staff reports contact by high school friend over social media over the last ten years. Victim was told to block him and contact police if contact becomes threatening.

4/30 - 3518 W. Bryn Mawr Subject walked into station seeking help from off campus domestic issue with girlfriend. Chicago Police Department also responded and told him to get an order of protection.

5/3 - C Building Fire department responded to fire alarm coming from elevator. Unfounded alarm was reset.

5/4 - The Nest Officers and fire department responded to call of fire caused by cooking grease. Fire was put out by resident. No injuries were reported.

5/7 - E Building Officers called to bookstore for subject making staff nervous by peering through window and attempting to enter a restricted area. Contact was made. Subject left.

5/7 - Carruther Center for Inner City Studies Instructor reported cash stolen from her purse after cabinet that it was left in was forcefully opened.

Possible offender seen leaving room.

5/9 - The Nest Police received report of possible sale of a firearm at the Nest. Further investigation determined that it was a prank call.

5/10 - Fine Arts Building Employee reports injury to hand after removing a lightbulb from a box. NEIU nurse provided medical assistance.

5/11 - Lech Walesa Hall Employee found a small bag with possible suspect cannabis in men’s bathroom. Baggie was inventoried at police department.

5/14 - College of Business and

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Management Unknown offender wrote graffiti on bathroom stall inside men’s bathroom. Facilities management was notified for clean up.

5/15 - Parking Garage Fire alarm was pulled to summon help after occupants panicked when door in building vestibule jammed and they could not exit. Alarm was reset.

5/18 - PE Building Woman asked officer to check on her friend’s well being in bathroom.

Woman thought friend may be having a medical emergency. No one was found inside bathroom.

5/19 - Pedroso Center Staff reported several university owned property, including laptop and camera, missing from office area.

5/20 - Library Officers responded to verbal altercation between two library patrons insulting each other. Peace was restored.

5/22 - Library Graffiti was found on office interior wooden door. Offender is unknown. Facilities management was notified for clean up.

Want to write about crime on campus?

Email

neiuManagingEditor @gmail.com to apply!

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NEWS | MAY 28, 2019

NEIUINDEPENDENT.ORG

Photos by Rebecca Denham

NEIU’s pantry helping year round Rebecca Denham NEWS EDITOR

NEIUNewsEditor@gmail.com

Located in the basement of building E, next to the student lounge, NEIU’s Student Pantry provides perishable and non-perishable items to students year round at no cost.

Ranging from fresh produce and canned goods to essential toiletries, an array of products is collected by volunteers throughout the year.

“In order for a student to gain access to the food pantry, all they need is their student ID. The only reason we need that information is to verify that they are from NEIU,” said Jannedh Lema, an NEIU alumna and this year’s student pantry supervisor.

When asked why she got involved with the pantry, Lema said, “as a previous student myself, I also had struggles

and hunger. Paying tuition is not easy, so I know how it feels.”

“

that we are open if they can.” Due to lower student volume in the summer,

As a previous student myself, I also had struggles and hunger.

Paying tuition is not easy, so I know how it feels.”

- Jannedh Lema, Student pantry supervisor

The pantry is open Monday’s and Thursday’s from 1 PM to 4 PM, year round. Students are encouraged to come once a week; but if a student is in need, they are more than welcome to come twice a week.

“Especially in the summer - we have a lot of products,” Lema stated.

“So we want them to come every day

perishable items get disposed of if not picked up.

“Because of lower student traffic, we are more focused on programming for the fall semester because we are trying to set up events for the upcoming school year,” said Lema.

Collections for the food pantry come from three different locations:

the Greater Chicago Food Depository’s Healthy Kids Market, outreach to local grocery stores and donations from NEIU faculty, staff and students via donation bins placed around campus.

There are approximately seven bins set up throughout campus, in buildings such as LWH and the library.

The food pantry’s staff consists of mostly volunteers, ranging from current students and alumni to those who do not have any affiliation with the NEIU community.

Some have been volunteering for years while others have just began this last semester. The duties of the volunteer staff include checking students in, distributing food, organizing products and collecting donations.

There are multiple ways to get involved, from walking in to the pantry during their open hours and signing up

in person to registering on NEIU’s website. In the Targeted Announcements that all NEIU students receive in their student email, a QR code can be found that will also link students to the food pantry’s web page.

Donations can be dropped off in the following locations: • Academic & Community Partnerships (E 047 C) • Advising Center (LWH 0027) • Angelina Pedroso Center (B 159) • Learning Support Center (4th floor of the Library) • Project Success/Proyecto Pa’Lante Office (LWH 4029) • Student Disability Services (D 140) • Student Leadership Development Office (B 119)

MAY 28, 2019 | NEWS

The Independent newspaper is looking for people eager and ready to write.

Love policies? STEM? Business? Events on campus?

Humanities? Art? Hearing people’s stories?

Music? Theatre?

GREAT! We want YOU to join our paid staff.

Email the Independent to inquire about more information: NEIUManagingEditor@gmail.com

(Above) Numbers on the shelves indicate the amount of each item per visit that recipients can take, however, the pantry encourages everyone to visit often.

Photos by Rebecca Denham

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NEWS | MAY 28, 2019

Upcoming state budget decision Marco Mendoza PRODUCTION EDITOR

NEIUProductionManager@gmail.com

The NEIU Board of Trustees met in regular session to discuss the 2019 - 2020 budget on May 23.

Questions were asked at this gathering, but some of them were left unanswered, one of which was the budget on advertising.

There was talk about the success of the school’s advertisements, both online and physical, and mentions turnouts for many events increasing when properly advertised on websites such as linkedin.

Discussion furthered regarding issues with how to increase the effectiveness of the advertisements within the next year’s budget.

The department of marketing had questions concerning what the Board’s plans were on how their funding should be executed, and what their opinion was on what could be cut.

The Board responded that they were unaware of any statistics involving the ratios of success with advertisements. The board also requested that the same statistics be presented as a part of the monthly meeting in the form of charts and graphs in order for them to be able to make knowledgeable decisions in the near future.

Dr. Lopez was appointed head of this issue, along with co chairs: Faculty member Dr. Share and staff member Dr. Maria Ugarte. The goal these three have was to continue the search to find more nominees for the position of Vice President for Finance and Administration.

The reveal of this continued 18-month search, led to the conclusion that finding a professional must adhere to the policy of “inclusion and diversity” and that such policy would be taking priority in this search as stated by our President, Gloria J. Gibson.

Budget 2020 / page13

Chicago’s New Mayor Edwin Gramajo OPINIONS EDITOR

NEIUOpsEditor@gmail.com

In April 2019, Lori Elaine Lightfoot (Democrat) was elected mayor of Chicago after a runoff election. Lightfoot was sworn in as mayor on May 20, 2019 at the Wintrust Arena. According to Mayor Lightfoot’s official website, “as mayor, she will work to create opportunity for every Chicagoan—regardless of race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, economic status, or neighborhood.”

Mayor Lightfoot completed her Bachelor’s Degree with honors at the University of Michigan and is also a University of Chicago Law School graduate.

Mayor Lightfoot has served in multiple committees. “As Chair of the Police Accountability Task Force, Lori created the organizational structure and staffing, and helped facilitate the financing for the independent PATF

which conducted an in-depth analysis of the practices of the Chicago Police Department and related entities.”

Mayor Lightfoot has also served as president of the Chicago Police Board. As president she led a civilian group that was “charged with deciding disciplinary matters involving allegations of police misconduct.”

According to Mayor Lightfoot’s website, improving schools, public safety and neighborhood development are all parts of her future plans.

Numerous public schools are underfunded and many have been closed.

“The cornerstone of our education policy must be to improve the quality of our neighborhood schools. These schools are not just places to learn, they are valuable resources and places that should be a source of pride.”

Lightfoot/ page 13

MAY 28, 2019 | opinions 7

A call to action: Support higher education Edwin Gramajo

Opinions Reporter NEIUOpinionsEditor@gmail.com As many of you know NEIU has struggled economically in recent years. Many students, including me, pick NEIU because it is local, affordable and diverse.

In order to keep NEIU open we need to have monetary funding and a budget.

According the NEIU website “During the FY16-FY18 Illinois budget crisis, funding for higher education throughout the state of Illinois was significantly reduced by hundreds of millions of dollars, forcing universities to defer maintenance and realign resources to ensure student success.”

It is important to keep public institutions funded because future teachers, future police officers and future accountants are all currently being educated at NEIU.

You can and should get involved in supporting public colleges.

We can ask our state legislators to support our university by voting for an increase in funding for higher education, and a capital bill before May 31.

You can find out who your state legislator is by visiting the website openstates.org. Let him or her know why it is important to fund higher education.

Many areas of our campus need improvements. According to an email sent to NEIU students, “some of our buildings are deteriorating and NEIU has a backlog of deferred maintenance.

Funding to upgrade existing buildings and build new, state-of-the-art facilities is critical to ensure Illinois higher education remains at the forefront of the discovery and workforce development that drives a vibrant economy.”

In order to attract new students, NEIU has

to be presentable. According to College Calc, the average annual in-state college tuition in Illinois was $17,888 for the 2017-2018 academic year.

NEIU is one of the least expensive 4 year colleges in Illinois. NEIU’s current tuition is about ten thousand dollars per academic year. By attending you can save a lot of money.

NEIU is a public university. This means that a good portion of funding is given by the state government. In order to keep NEIU affordable we need to have good funding.

As current students it is our responsibility to ensure NEIU remains funded for the benefit of current and future students not only when there is a budget crisis but always.

Current international student Ankush Vyas says “Funding public universities is extremely important to me so I can perform well in my education and graduate without extreme burden on

worrying about my basic requirements such as having a roof over my head, and having some food to eat due to extreme financial hardships.”

Vyas also says “I believe that funding club activities, hiring student recruiters, expanding career services, and compensating low paid instructors can greatly increase NEIU’s potential to generate bright students and progress toward a working society.”

Vyas is not alone, there are many more students in similar situations.

If we do not do anything NEIU could lose students, faculty, and services.

Act now by contacting your state legislator and let him or her know why funding higher education is important to you. #FundHigherEd

8 OPINIONS | MAY 28, 2019

NEIUINDEPENDENT.ORG

Can we work, pause and thrive for parenthood?

Edwin Gramajo

Opinions Editor NEIUOpinionsEditor@gmail.com

Many aspects of American parenthood have changed in only a few decades.

However, many, if not most of our systems have not changed. Rather they have become more expensive to access. Rent is rising, college tuition is rising and cost of life is rising.

Whereas, pay is not.

Many companies are built around the “ideal worker” theory. The “ideal worker” is someone who is available all the time and has someone available to take care of his/her children. However not many people can afford to be “ideal workers.”

As active members of our country, we should all step up and mentor and sponsor current and future parents.

On May 2, a crowd of about 30 NEIU students, instructors and community members gathered to listen to NEIU President Gibson, and author of Work Pause Thrive, Lisen Stromberg, have a fireside conversation about the state of parenthood in the U.S..

One purpose of this event was to bring awareness of the current state of parenthood.

Photo by Frannie Mendoza

Photo by Frannie Mendoza

Today, family structures and roles have shifted drastically. No longer does one parent go work and one stays home raising the children. Now, in most families, both parents have to work.

As a result, many people are opting to not have children or are waiting until an older age. It is important for people to have children because if not our population will decrease. We need people to keep this country going.

According to Stromberg, our current culture “doesn’t value that which is most important to us: our families.” Families are what keep countries running.

Good family structures raise children who contribute positively to society. We have to make sure that we create a culture where people who want to have children have access to affordable resources.

NEIU serves about 7,570 students of all

ages, many of whom are parents. NEIU tries to help it’s student-parents by providing programs such as child care, mentorship, and advocacy.

Child care is expensive and complicated without a strong family circle. According to Verywell Family, the cost of daycare in the U.S. is $11,666 per year ($972 a month).

One of the main reasons many students choose NEIU is because it is one of the most affordable 4-year colleges in Illinois. Therefore paying this much for child care is almost impossible. Many student-parents have to make the choice between tuition and childcare.

NEIU has a Child Care Center that serves children from toddlers to kindergarten aged children. This resource offers convenience to parents. Without programs like this, many students who are parents would not be able to succeed academically.

Systems like this are what many people such as Stromberg want. According to Stromberg, there is no systematic support for parents in the U.S. A few decades ago life was more linear.

Today, there are more paths to choose from.

Stromberg says, “It is a different world”.

It really is.

Today there are more career choices and lifestyles. Many of these new paths that have been created are near impossible to pursue for many parents.

One topic that arose was the difference between mentorship and sponsorship.

In order to succeed, people need support.

A mentor can be one of your parents, a teacher, an employer. In essence, a mentor is someone who is present, guides you, answers your questions. A sponsor is someone who gives you money.

We can all be mentors and sponsors regardless of our status. From teaching a child how to tie their shoelaces to giving someone an opportunity at a company. President Gibson said, “as a mentee you have to listen.

It’s absolutely okay to ask your mentor follow up questions.” It is important to ask questions.

After President Gibson’s and Stromberg’s conversation, audience members were given the opportunity to comment and ask questions.

Why has parenthood become harder?

Primarily, The economy.

Student loans, rising rent and gentrification are all impacting parenthood. Something has to change. One student said, “Rising rent prices. Rise of prices makes it impossible to have that one person make that full pay.”

As an attendee I was struck with the realization that parenthood is currently in a tough spot.

A good economy equals more parents.

Like I said before, we must support current and future parents by being mentors and possibly sponsors.

We value your opinion.

Share them with NEIUOpsEditor@gmail.com

MAY 28, 2019 | opinions 9

My farewell letter to The Independent When I first entered room E049 during the fall 2018 semester, I had no idea what I was doing. All I knew was that I was looking to gain editing experience for my future career. What I received was a whole lot more.

I got to know the staff and together we formed a bond that I had never experienced.

We weren’t just friends or colleagues, we became a family.

After a semester of being a stage writer, I was asked to take over the role of Arts and Life Editor. This was the role where I started to feel that journalism might be something I want to pursue as a career.

So many nights, hanging out in the office trying to get the latest issue done only made us closer. After all, can you think of anyone else you spend an entire night in an office sharing one goal?

I will always remember my time with The Independent, and I will always keep it close to my heart because not only did I gain valuable experience, I gained a second family and the feeling like I belonged.

I will always remember Frannie with her music blasting, Robin as the mom of the group, Nic and her pursuit of investigating the administration, and Amaris encouraging me to share my opinion. If it wasn’t for the entire Independent team, my college experience wouldn’t have been the same.

I owe tremendous gratitude to this team and organization, and if you’re someone contemplating whether or not to join the newspaper my advice is to just do it because it will change your life for the better.

Robert Kukla

Illicit Drugs inside our education system

Ankush Vyas

Online Editor NEIUIndependentOnlineeditor@gmail.com

Ultimately, students taking illicit drugs is a genuine issue in light because it not only impacts the individuals in all aspects of life, the effects swell out to destroying families due to emotional and financial burden caused by healthcare expenses.

Communities and the public in general are also impacted if students are bringing drugs inside academic institutions. There are numerous medical applications of these drugs for treating other medical issues.

However, drugs should just be administered by professionals and not through the self-administration of illicit drugs.

I am reaching out to the educating bodies and my fellow students to be cautious against this dangerous culture of illegal drugs. Many students fall prey to the drug life. How does it come to this?

Students have been abusing drugs to achieve happiness which is short and ugly. It is saddening to see our students become part of a drug lifestyle that is full of regret. Please, seek out help if you are using non-prescribed or illegally obtained drugs.

According to gatewayfoundation.org,

there are many side effects to using illicit drugs such as abnormal heart rates, heart attacks from injected drugs, nausea, abdominal pain, liver problems, seizures, mental issues, brain damage, lung diseases, problems with memory, focus and decision-making which makes daily living difficult.

I strongly believe that if you are taking illicit drugs, you are in danger because they impact the user’s health, families, academic institutions and overall our society.

I came to learn core facts about this drug abuse in our education system when I started working at a nursing home as a social worker.

I met with many patients, mostly students that were suffering from mental issues caused by drug abuse from illicit drugs such as marijuana, cocaine, heroin, acid, LSD, methamphetamines, antidepressants, stimulants and other forms of illicit drugs.

It was shocking to see how the majority of people in the nursing home were actually students suffering from brain related issues.

Furthermore, they were away from their family and unable to participate in any activity outside the nursing home.

The drug issue in our society had attracted my attention to speak with teenagers. I met some teenagers in the neighborhood who were

smoking marijuana. It was easy to approach them, because a person in the group was a friend of my friend.

I asked them about the drug culture in our high schools. They said that, “everybody does it” and “even the girls do it.”

I also asked them if they were ever involved in such activities and their response was, “hell yeah. We are about that high life.”

They had named many other drugs, such as non-prescribed antidepressants, acid, LSD and cocaine that were also being circulated within the school system.

Another student told me about his experience as a young child.

He usually spent his time outside selling weed to support his education and his parents would worry where he would go every day.

Anytime I had a chance, I would try to keep him away from drugs.

I would ask him about his relationship with his parents and he would get emotional towards a few of his family members.

I would tell him to spend more time with them in hope to bring closure between them and reduce his addiction.

He believed that marijuana is good in terms of building finances to fund his education and producing several art forms like

painting, drawing and writing poetry, but the act of smoking itself was not because it damages your lungs.

He had tried several other drugs that were extremely dangerous as well. I was able to persuade him away from other drugs because I took him to my workplace and showed him the ultimate reality of drugs.

Just like me, he was shocked and learned several lessons and was able to reflect how young adults were suffering with permanent mental issues.

Communities and the society at large are also impacted.

According to addictioncenter.com, drug abuse can influence changes in the academic settings such as drastic changes in participation, grades and academic performance.

These influences have bigger ripple effects on our society because academic institutions can create shifts in public perception of drugs; thus, changing legislation that makes penalties more or less severe for the individual and the society in broader context.

May 28, 2019

| ARTS & LIFE

11

NEIU’s very own aficionado: Becky Sarwate Robert Kukla WRITER Becky Sarwate is a NEIU alum and currently teaches a class called Making Your Liberal Arts Degree Work For You, a class that I had the privilege to take during my final year as an undergrad.

Sarwate is not only a professor but she works full time for TransUnion, writes for different blog websites and is a published author which makes her more than qualified to teach a class about making it after you graduate.

“The inspiration in designing the class was that I spent eight years fucking around after getting my master’s degree, not feeling like I had quite what I needed to go into what I wanted to do, which I kind of generally knew was in the corporate world communications or marketing, but I didn’t like know how to get the foot in the door, the writing samples you do in school are not useful for that.

“So after I finally, like, made it to a small degree, and continuing my friendships with some of the professors from my own ma program; I was always telling Tim liberty that there was a disconnect for me, between the kind of rigor of academia and earning your degree, especially the liberal arts degree, and then transitioning and pivoting in that into marketable job skills, and that I felt I had figured out how to do that, but it took eight years and, who has that kind of time, especially with student loans,” Sarwate said.

“And then one semester, he came up short, there was a few professors on sabbatical, and I think a class got canceled last minute. And he said, Okay, let’s give this a shot. And I have never taught I don’t have a degree in education.

I mean, I haven’t even run a daycare. Yeah. So it was very daunting. But I also want to go to your earlier question about what motivates me a big challenge definitely does,” Sarwate said.

She brings something unique to the NEIU English department, that many professors don’t, and that is that she is an alum of NEIU, so she knows what it’s like to navigate the university as a student.

“It’s really special, I didn’t just want to teach the class that I teach, I wanted to teach it at Northeastern. Now, There’s been times where I’ve been frustrated by the class itself, or administration or whatever. And folks will say, or even when Rob Rauner was looking like

he might run northeastern into the ground, people were like, wouldn’t you just teach your class somewhere else? And I said, Well, no, because it wouldn’t be the same. Because Yeah, I walked into Northeastern very clueless, and that doesn’t mean I came out with all the answers after my MA, but I was definitely a better, smarter person. And what since it’s done so much for me, the school it’s important and feels great to be able to give back.”

I learned more about Sarwates giving back nature when I got a chance to discuss her book, Cubsessions, which she wrote with co author Randy Richardson. A book that has all its proceeds going to charity and really encompasses the feeling of community and family with different people sharing their stories of what it’s like to be a Chicago Cubs fan.

Discussing how the charities were chosen she said, “One of the interviews in the book is a man named Stuart McVicker who runs club 400. And it’s a cool venue and I’ll be able to see it in person in July. But when he hosts the events at his man cave, that was shown on Netflix, he does charity events. So I interviewed him for the book. And you know, he was delighted to be included in it.

“But I mentioned to him, it might be cool to partner with you on a charity event. And that just naturally started the ball rolling. And so in July, we’re going to his club 400. And though they’ll bundle our book with ticket sales to an event where cubs catcher Wilson Contreras will be there, so I would want him to be in the book anyway, because he’s a cool guy and a super Cubs fan and has, some media interaction. But then it just seemed natural that there, his Foundation’s mission is called fans supporting other Cubs fans. And that’s kind of what my book is about, if not from a charity angle. It’s about the community. Right? So that seemed like a very natural partnership. So we are we’re working with them this time.”

Sarwate also talked about her experience interviewing people for the book and she said, “the fact that I exchanged emails with Nick Offerman like, Yeah, I love his wife a little bit more than him if possible. But like that was a big deal. That was also a big deal for my husband. Bill Curtis, who’s been like one of my journalism and media idols since I was young enough to remember, I mean he started out in Chicago on TV. And then Joe Monteña, who

I already mentioned, and Bob Newhart, yeah. coolest person.”

The biggest thing I took from reading Cubsessions, which was briefly mentioned earlier, was that the entire book embodies the sense of family and community. Everyone in the book has their own stories to tell, but what connects us all is our love for this team, even when they’re not the most fun team to watch.

Sarwate said, “I think it’s where we ended up where organically I know, for me and my experience as a cub fan, you know, when you’re losing for 108 years, you have to be bothered by something other than winning, right? Because that wasn’t my thing. So I think it was like this kind of long suffering community vibe that you get. And yeah, I mean, not so much today as the team is getting more corporate ties.

“But, you know, back in the day when most of the Cubs game were day games, and I’m young enough to remember I have been to many of those, you know, you’d see like a guy in a suit with his sleeves rolled up.

There’s a guy who worked third shift, who stayed up and got breakfast and came to the park. So like, yes, there’s that.

Like, if you meet a Cubs fan anywhere, and I travel lots of places and seen them in places, it’s like automatically, you have something in common. And I think the book echo that especially the fact that was written by two different authors that really all those stories are from the same place.”

Cubsessions

is about to be rereleased in the form of a new special edition featuring 7 new interviews, and it’s an exciting time for Becky Sarwate.

Not only is her book a phenomenal read and one that really captures the essence of Cuba Fandom, but she is doing amazing things for the NEIU community and deserves all the praise and recognition coming her way.

Becky Sarwarte

12 arts & life | May 28, 2019

neiuindependent.org

The Great Mouse Detective Charles Sipps

Arts and Life Editor NEIUArtsLifeEditor@gmail.com

Detective Pikachu (DP) is an enjoyable step into a world of Pokémon that begs for further exploration. In the film, we meet Tim, a young man who has turned his back from the world of Pokémon, and the case of his dead detective father.

We soon learn that Tim’s father may not be dead and in fact Tim and his dad’s Pokémon partner may be the only ones who can find him.

Thus, we are introduced to the heart and soul of the flick, Ryan Reynolds’ Detective Pikachu.

Brought to life with signature Reynold’s charm and wit, the character effortlessly ingratiates itself upon the audience. Unfortunately, none of the human characters can hope to match Pikachu in terms of emotional investment.

The film plays out in a far more child friendly way then the trailers would have you believe. The film tells a simplistic story, until it inexplicably does not in the third act.

It is not the story you will remember here, but the world that DP creates. Here, is a world full of Pokémon as imagined by a kid of the 90s.

It’s all there, and true fans of the franchise will find Easter eggs throughout that hint at a larger world, that will hopefully be explored in sequels.

The stars of this film are the Pokémon themselves, who live in Rime City. In Rime City Pokémon and humans coexist in harmony.

Have you ever wanted to see a Squirtle Squad fight fires? Or a Machamp direct traffic?

DP gives you all that and more. While a lot of Pokémon make blink-and-you’ll-miss-it cameos, those given the chance to shine truly stand out. Mr. Mime in particular is a show stealer, and I could have easily watched his antics for hours.

If you ever considered yourself a fan of Pokémon, you owe it to yourself to go out and see this one. While it is not a cinema tour de force, it is a fun romp that shows what a world of Pokémon can look like. It’s a film worth catching. Get it? Cause you catch Pokémon?

Alright I’m done.

BIG Center’s first cohort ( Left to Right): Melanie Adcock, Ingrid Peterson, Jennifer Thomas, Andrew Ziccardi, Margaret Johnsson, Kathy Knapp, Nicole Vidales, Stephanie Gillman, Terrie Albano.

They’ve got BIG future plans

The College of Business and Management’s Business Innovation and Growth (BIG) Center hosted its first Entrepreneurial Pitch Night on May 22. There were eight pitches total from the BIG Center’s first set of cohorts, sponsored by AARP Foundation’s WFY@50+ program. The pitches ranged from tech, nutrition, co-housing, consulting, bottle cap, artist service and medicinal marijuana. This will be the first of many pitch nights according to Professor Margaret Johnsson, director of the BIG Center. NEIU recently received a grant that will expand BIG into three sites.

(Left) Marge Johnsson, BIG Center director, introduced each pitch to the crowd. (Right) Andrew Ziccardi showcases his patented product to potential investors.

All Photos by Frannie Mendoza

Lightfoot Continued from 6

“No child should have to leave his or her neighborhood to attend a Level 1 or Level 1+ school. When a school gets a Level 1 or Level 1 plus, it means that they are in good overall status. Many Chicago schools are still trying to get to Level 1.

Lightfoot’s passion for Education stemmed

Budget 2020 Continued from 6

One of the temporary solutions that President Gibson provided was emailed to all students, and proposed once more at this meeting, to outsource to another financial firm to temporarily manage the school’s funding. NEIU currently has less money for the budget than last year.

According to online records available to all students in PDF format off the school’s website, the state has cut another 4.2% off our budget going into this year.

That equates to a grand total of 1,430,192 dollars lost this year. As a total, NEIU has lost 8.6% of its total revenue starting this year. This information was found in the president’s report to the Board of Trustees on NEIU’s website and

from her parents. “As a result, Lori thrived academically and earned acceptance to the University of Michigan, where she graduated with honors.” (Lightfoot For Chicago) Some of Lightfoot’s views include supporting LGTBQ+ Chicagoans and legalizing cannabis. More information about her plans can be found on lightfootforchicago.com In order to get involved in Lightfoot’s campaign, look in to donating time at the Local School Councils, CAPS Meetings, and non-profit organizations. the information is available to any and all students who wish to confirm these findings.

Reasons as to why the state is cutting our funding is in relation the Illinois budget crisis, which reduced school funding initiatives statewide, as well as a large increase of Illinois college applicants choosing to go to colleges out of the state.

The president has sent emails encouraging students to go connect with state legislators to make them aware of the importance of funding our school and how it can impact such a large number of students.

The overall message she provided in the email is that the quality of life at NEIU would improve in areas such as preserving buildings and infrastructure, funding the facilities and creating more job opportunities for professors and students alike.

MAY 28, 2019 | ARTS & LIFE 13

Spring has awoken!

Ankush Vyas

ONLINE EDITOR NEIUIndependentOnlineEditor@gmail.com

NEIU music enthusiasts! Get ready to bloom this season with rich sounds organized

by React Presents Spring Awakening Music Festival 2019.

This festival will be from June 7 to June 9 at Poplar Creek in Hoffman Estates, Illinois. React Presents is featuring more than 90+ artists this year, featuring the rapidly growing electronic music genre in our Chicagoland area.

React Presents is setting up five unique stages across 27 acres of land with interactive art installations and will feature notable artists like DJ Snake, Excision, Galantis, ZEDD, DJ Martin Garrix, GRiz, Benny Benassi, Alan Walker, What So Not and many more. They even have carnival rides set up!

This is an amazing event to attend if you are someone who is not aware of the electronic music genre. Electronic genre is music created using electronic instruments.

The most fascinating thing about this genre is its ability to combine other genres like hip-hop, rock, jazz, blues and many others to produce completely new forms of music. For example, the fusion of jazz with electronic genre creates nu jazz, hip hop with electronic creates trip-hop, and pop with electronic music creates electropop respectively.

Don’t simply take my word for it because the best way to understand this genre is through listening!

If you would like to acquire massive amount of experience and information about the electronic music culture or simply would like to listen to your favorite artist live, then grab your tickets now at www.springawakeningfestival. com.

They are providing free shuttle service from nearby Metra stations to the Spring Awakening festival if you are taking public transport. They are also providing parking on site if you are traveling by car for a cheaper price than last year.

Keep an eye out for our review of Spring Awakening in our next issue.

14 ARTS & LIFE | MAY 28, 2019

NEIUINDEPENDENT.ORG

Fans worldwide are done watching the Throne

Charles Sipps ARTS AND LIFE EDITOR

NEIUArtsLifeEditor@gmail.com

After eight seasons of must-see television, HBO’s Game of Thrones (GoT) has finished its run. Like all good things, the ups and downs, highs and lows, and twists and turns have to end. Despite its divisive final season, GoT will go down as a show for the ages and perhaps the best of all time. GoT has always been a show of subverting expectations. In season one, we follow the bold and noble Ned Stark, played by the always captivating Sean Bean.

Surely this is the man we follow throughout the seasons to come, the lone sane man in a world of chaos; but no, GoT says, as we lose Ned in the eighth episode of the first season.

Well now his son, Rob Stark, will be the one to guide us…oh he’s dead to? Cool. Much in the same way, GoT subverts our expectations, by turning Daenerys Targaryen from savior to mad queen.

George R.R. Martin has sought to subvert the hero tropes in literature from the very beginning. In Westeros, the noble and good often meet gruesome and undeserved ends, while the vile and malcontent thrive. But Martin strives to show us that these judgements are just based on our point of view.

No character believes they are evil, instead they are the hero of their own story as it were, and thus Dany believes burning down King’s Landing is a necessary evil. It is the first time that we as an audience need to question the person, we thought we knew, and whom we had rooted for to take the Iron Throne.

Unfortunately for the Mother of Dragons, but perhaps fortunate for the people of Westeros, she never so much as sits on the Iron Throne due to her assassination at the hands of her lover, and nephew (gross), Jon Snow. For most viewers it was a forgone conclusion that either Jon or Dany would sit on the Throne, even if it meant battling it out with whoever survived the dust up claiming the Throne.

It was not meant to be for either character as Jon never wanted it and Dany seemingly wanted it too much.

No, instead the Throne went to Bran the Broken, the Three Eyed Raven, whose mind is home to the collective history of Westeros.

The show ties itself up neatly. The surviving Stark children going on to lead Westeros into the future, and Jon living for the rest of his days beyond the wall. Many a fan favorite characters have positions of high authority in this new world order, and all is right in the realm.

This more than anything is what has agitated some of the more fervent of GoT’s fanbase. The feeling that things were tied up too neatly has been lobbied against the show, but in truth it’s a double-edged sword.

It failed to show the outcomes for beloved characters and claims of a plot hole begin.

Showing the fate of all these characters and claims of fan service arise.

More and more there seems to be a vocal minority both on and offline who believe with enough vitriol and hate, they can change pop culture to better serve their inclinations.

That is why over a million “fans” have signed a petition to have the final season rewritten.

Tyrion Lannister, another fan favorite, may have put it best in the final episode. “It’s not up to you.” Ultimately the responsibility of an audience begins and ends with viewing the art. By allowing the audience to dictate where the art is heading, limits the art in the future.

Only by allowing the artist the freedom to express themselves without the fear of mob justice can art continue to flourish.

While the petulant among us may think themselves the hero for fighting for a “better” ending, in truth they are the villains they claim to defy.

It is said that in a show as momentous as GoT, its end is so tarnished by its audience.

Instead of vilifying how the show ended, let us celebrate it for the joy it brought over these past eight seasons.

Always remember this: What do we say to our angry inner fanboy? Not today.

This image released by HBO shows from left to right Maisie Williams, Isaac Hempstead Wright and Sophie Turner in a scene from the final episode of Game of Thrones, which aired Sunday, May 19, 2019. | HBO via AP

May 28, 2019 | arts & life

Marvel Movie Universe now that it’s over Charles Sipps

Arts and Life Editor NEIUArtsLifeEditor@gmail.com

Marvel’s Endgame has brought to a close over twenty movies worth of stories. No piece of cinema ever before has rivaled it in terms of scope and importance.

We may never truly see something like it again. While Marvel has announced a slew of upcoming movies, it’s time to take a look back at the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) at its best and worst in these top 5 lists.

Top 5 Heroes of the MCU 1) Iron Man- While in my heart, I will always love Captain America just a bit more - no one else deserves this spot but Tony.

He is the soul of the MCU and the Shepherd that ushered in the Infinity Saga and shielded his flock as they journeyed into the next phase of the MCU. Rest in Power, Mr. Stark.

2) Captain America- If Iron Man is the soul of the MCU, then Cap is its heart. Never before have we been so enthralled by an old white dude from the 40’s.

Cap is the epitome of self-sacrifice, always putting others before himself. Plus, he is the bearer of America’s Ass.

3) Thor- Thor is a god, however, we love him because of how truly human he is.

His role in Ragnarök proved to be a turning point for him and truly cemented him as a beloved character.

His realization that despite his failures he is still worthy is one of the most emotionally earned moments in Endgame.

4) Ant Man- While relatively new to the MCU when compared to those above him, Scott Lang is the everyman that is needed to ground the Avengers.

Not granted his powers due to science or the divine, Scott is just a schmuck who stumbles into them. He proves that past mistakes do not prevent future glory.

5) Hulk- HULK SMASH! Need I say more?

Top 5 Villains of the MCU 1) Thanos- Who else could it be? The threat behind every occurrence in the MCU, how could Thanos possibly live up to expectations?

By being one of the most compelling and sympathetic characters ever put to screen.

There are points in Infinity War and Endgame where you want Thanos to win, until you remember he once tried to kill half the population.

2) Killmonger- Another compelling villain who takes the second spot on the list.

Not only is he a physical threat to Black Panther, he is an intellectual one as well.

Killmonger gets into a moral debate with Black Panther, that Wakanda should not be an isolated state and instead help the less fortunate in the world, and he wins changing Black Panther’s viewpoint on isolationism.

Plus, Michael B. Jordan is fine.

3) Loki- The original big bad of the MCU, Loki finds himself at number three thanks to diminishing returns and his flip flopping between villain and not quite a villain.

Still without him, the Avengers would have never formed.

4) Vulture- The Vulture is a villain scarier when he is just being Michael Keaton as opposed to when he is suited up as the Vulture.

He brings the right blend of creepy and scary to the definitive Spider-Man film.

5) Red Skull- A Skeleton-faced Nazi. If I have to explain more than that, you are part of the problem.

Now a quick-fire listing of the top 5 moments and films.

15

Top 5 MCU Moments 1) Avengers Assemble- Endgame. The line that took nearly ten years to be delivered. Boy was it sweet.

2) Cap is worthy- Endgame. To see Cap lift that hammer and open a can of whoop ass on Thanos. GET HYPED SON! 3) “I am Iron Man”- Endgame. A more somber entry but one that does indeed prove that Tony Stark has a heart.

4) The Snap- Infinity War. The event that changed everything and truly cemented Thanos as the ultimate threat.

5) “Have you heard of the Avengers Initiative?”- Iron Man. Nick Fury’s line that first hinted at the MCU. Top 5 films of the MCU 1) Endgame 2) Infinity War 3) Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 1 4) Homecoming 5) Ragnarök That’s it for our ranking of the MCU. Let us know what your ranking is at NEIUArtsLifeEditor@gmail.com to see your list in the next issue of the Independent.