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Articles by Ashlynn Hill
New Proposed Core Curriculum
Ellie Heider Contributing Writer Dominican faculty’s proposal to change core curriculum could alter the number and type of required classes for future students. The current core curriculum at Dominican consists of classes in critical reading, writing, and speaking (CRWS), language, mathematics, technology, semester-long seminars, area studies (fine arts, history, literature, natural science, philosophy, social science, and theology), and diversity/multicultural studies.
Will you be my Galantine?
Betsy Carreno Copy Editor For many people, Valentine’s Day is centered around celebrating romantic love. Recently, however, a different approach has been taken when Galentine’s Day was introduced. Galantine’s Day is an unofficial holiday with your closest “gals” (or friends) celebrating the love and friendship you have for each other.
Sandra Delgado: Una Artista, una Educadora, una Fuerza
Traducido por Matthew Desmond Staff Writer Como una consumada actriz, dramaturga, cantante, productora y educadora, Sandra Delgado lo ha hecho todo. Es más famosa por su primera obra escenificada, La Habana Madrid. Se representó tanto en Steppenwolf como en el Goodman Theatre y recibió excelentes críticas. Delgado, de origen Colombiano-Americano, tiene como objetivo elevar la cultura latinoamericana por encima de sus representaciones mediáticas y estereotipadas.
New Tools for LGBTQIA + Inclusivity
Litzi Duran Contributing Writer Several hundred students have used Dominican’s new Preferred Pronoun and Lived First Name tool for online university platforms since it was introduced this semester, according to the university’s chief information officer. Calling people by their preferred pronouns and lived first names are two components to show solidarity with the LGBTQIA+ community at Dominican.
Affinity Circles Aim to Heal
Katie Agans Contributing Writer This week, Dominican’s Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation Center (TRHT) is putting on the first Black and African American Affinity circle of the semester. This Feb. 9, affinity circle is a place for Black students to come and talk about their experiences as people of color, learn more about other students’ experiences, and find connection and healing, according to Amy Omi the project coordinator for the office of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
‘Swiper, NO Swiping!’ Dining Services Backs Down on Policy
HomeCampus News‘Swiper, NO Swiping!’ Dining Services Backs Down on Policy Angel Dominguez Assignment Editor This semester Dominican’s Dining Services started enforcing a long-ignored rule against resident students sharing food from their meal plans with other students, but back-tracked on the change when students began to show frustration. Resident students must buy a meal plan that includes several set meals each week and more flexible Meal Plan Dollars/Points.
TikTok: A Security Threat to Universities or Harmless?
Litzi Duran Contributing Writer Students at dozens of universities around the country are losing on-campus access to TikTok, but that kind of ban is highly unlikely at Dominican University, according to a top tech official. State universities around the country have blocked access to the popular social media app under pressure from state lawmakers, who worry about the misuse of data on state-run networks.
Sandra Delgado: An Artist, An Educator, A Force
Matthew Desmond Staff Writer As an accomplished actress, playwright, singer, producer, and educator, Sandra Delgado has done it all. She is most famous for her first staged play, La Havana Madrid. It was performed at both Steppenwolf and Goodman Theatre and received rave reviews. Delgado, a Colombian American, aims to uplift Latin American culture above its common media portrayals.
Dominican’s Volleyball Team Kicks Off New Season
Matthew Galdi Contributing Writer Dominican University men’s volleyball team heads into the 2023 season with high hopes led by a new head coach, William Craft. Craft came to Dominican after four years of coaching and playing volleyball in Europe. Earlier, he had been a star at Carthage College, where he was an AVCA All-American, and graduated in 2016. In Europe, Craft played and coached in the German Bundesliga and in the Danish League. He earned a bronze medal finish respectively in both leagues.
Letter From the Editorial Board
Editorial Board Hello readers, this is the first edition of the spring semester. In this semester’s leadership positions, many changes were made in order to have a more collaborative environment. The Editorial Board consists of five editors: Betsy, Bianca, Angel, Fernanda and Edgar. We wanted to introduce ourselves to all of you: Take a moment to appreciate the people that you love. For this edition’s #Photosforthestar the theme is “Things We Love” for Valentine’s Day.
Intramurals Resume After Off-Season
HomeCampus EventsIntramurals Resume After Off-Season Robbie Taylor Contributing Writer Intramural’s are back at Dominican University with a variety of sports after a two-year-long off-season caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Intramural’s are different this time, according to David Levy, the coordinator of recreational activities and campus athletics. Students can choose from five different sports — volleyball, soccer, dodgeball, basketball and flag football.
Gallery Honors Stories of Independent Artists
HomeCampus EventsGallery Honors Stories of Independent Artists Katy Coakley Contributing Writer The O’Connor Art Gallery at Dominican is featuring a new artistic exhibition Tending/Tender that celebrates the diverse artwork created by three independent artists. All artists were contacted through the gallery’s curator Jennifer Mannebach to have their work on display. The gallery’s colorful sculptures, photographs, paintings, and more are on the fourth floor of Lewis Hall.
Iceless Ice Skating at Dominican
HomeCampus EventsIceless Ice Skating at Dominican Ellie Heider Contributing Writer The idea of ice skating without ice seems unrealistic, but students who attended the iceless ice-skating event on Jan. 20 learned how it works. Dominican’s iceless ice-skating event took place in the Parmer Hall Atrium from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. There were cookies and hot cocoa provided for those who attended. The event staff from Record-A-Hit, a party equipment business, set everything up.
A Break for Self-Care
HomeOpinion PiecesA Break for Self-Care Matthew Desmond Staff Writer Congratulations, Stars! The first semester is almost over! After all the homework, projects, and tests, it’s finally time for a good, long break. For some, this might mean celebrating the holidays; for others, it might just mean a time to relax. Whatever this time means to you, it is also a time for you. Here are some tips to help you enjoy your break. Take care of your physical health.
ShopDU Elevates Students’ Businesses
Anna Martucci Contributing Writer ShopDU is Dominican’s brand-new website to promote DU student entrepreneurs. Starting Dec. 8, ShopDU will be an all-in-one referral site to connect entrepreneurial DU students with the Dominican community. ShopDU will be a website with different categories such as products, services and art/creative services.
Un descanso para cuidarse a sí mismo
Matthew Desmond Traducido por Matthew Desmond ¡Felicidades, estudiantes! ¡El primer semestre casi ha terminado! Después de toda la tarea, proyectos y pruebas, finalmente es hora de un buen y largo descanso. Para algunos, esto podría significar celebrar las fiestas; para otros, es sólo un momento para relajarse. Sea lo que sea y signifique este tiempo para usted, también puede ser una oportunidad para cuidarse. Aquí hay algunos consejos para ayudarle a disfrutar de su descanso.
DU Faces Diversity Challenges
Azhley Rodriguez Editor-in-Chief Throughout the fall semester, the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (ODEI) has been working on improving campus climate, encouraging members of the DU community to speak out on their experiences. Precious Porras, ODEI vice president, has been at Dominican since March 2021. She has dedicated her time at DU to improving campus climate and educating the community on social justice issues.
Mural Symbolizes Immigration, History
Katy Coakley Contributing Writer When walking down the halls between Lewis Hall and the Rebecca Crown Library, Dominican students will see a new and colorful mural that contains three different sections to view. The size of the first panel is about 9 feet tall and 50 inches wide. The second panel is about 9 feet tall and 45 inches. Painting began in May and is continuing as lead artist Fran Gregory and Dominican art students put finishing touches and final details on the mural.
Sanderson Wraps Up Mistborn Era 2 Series
HomeReviewsSanderson Wraps Up Mistborn Era 2 Series Fiona Rowlands Staff Writer “The Lost Metal” by Brandon Sanderson is the fourth and final book of Mistborn Era 2. This will be a spoiler free review. Era 2, aka the Wax and Wayne cycle, is a genre blending series with equal parts fantasy, mystery, and western. “The Lost Metal” does not disappoint. It is fast paced and explores what the Set, a mysterious crime organization, has planned.
DU Community Continues COVID Caution
Ally Fahner Contributing Writer It’s important that people still take caution to maintain their well-being, despite COVID rates drastically decreasing since March 2020. Therefore, although the COVID-19 has receded, it’s vital for people to understand that resurgence is possible, especially with the holiday season approaching, Dominican health experts say. The Illinois required immunizations are also necessary such as measles, mumps, rubella, meningitis, tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis.
Nursing Students Alleviate Shortage
Angel Dominguez Staff Writer Dominican’s focus on community-based learning as well as a continuous push for diversity and inclusion has assisted student nurses during a pandemic-led nurse shortage. Dr. Tamara Bland, interim dean of the Borra College of Health Sciences in the Elizabeth T. MacNeil School of Nursing, describes a shortage of nurses as an ongoing dilemma, she attributes this to the frustration of nurses during the pandemic that led to many retirements from the industry.
Time has Flown as a Chief Designer: Bye for Now
Cristian Raya Chief Graphic Designer and Staff Writer If you told me three and a half years ago that I would be chief designer for my university newspaper and graduating college early, I would have called you crazy. Graduating from college felt like a long way away when I stepped in to Lewis Hall for the first time. Now, it’s just right around the corner. These last three and a half years have flown by faster than I could ever imagine and I wish they could have lasted longer.
Letter from the Editor
Hi Friends! We did it! We finally made it to the last edition of the semester! Not only that, but it’s also my last edition as editor! As I hold back tears, I’d like to take a moment and thank the many people who have made the Star, and me as a journalist, into what we are today. To my team: everyone has worked so hard this semester and I am beyond proud of the news writers you have all grown to become.
Ways to Celebrate a Chicago Christmas
Bianca Dinkha Staff Writer With the holidays approaching quickly, you might be occupied with traveling, buying expensive gifts, family obligations and even preparing meals. Despite all the stress and worry that comes with the holidays, you should take the time to enjoy yourself this season. Rides are free from noon to 5 p.m. Most importantly, try this season’s newest holiday drinks at Starbucks.
DU Greenhouse Grows for Students
Danylo Biskup Contributing Writer A hidden green gem, Dominican University’s greenhouse is one of the many interesting places to get involved on campus. The greenhouse is situated in the parking lot between the Magnus Arts Center and the Igini Sports forum. From the outside, it is a small, window-paneled room with a sloped roof. Three raised garden beds sit in the sunny southern exterior of the greenhouse alongside two rain barrels collecting water for the plants.
Turkey, Pie, and Friendsgiving
Betsy Carreno Staff Writer One of the more contemporary ways to celebrate Thanksgiving has recently been by celebrating Friendsgiving. Friendsgiving started becoming more popular thanks to the new exposure on social media. Friendsgiving first made an appearance when it was mentioned on social media. Before that, many TV shows would demonstrate the act of friends having thanksgiving together instead of being with family.
Oak Park Public Library Now Presents DU Alumna
HomeProfileOak Park Public Library Now Presents DU Alumna Chloé Cabrales Staff Writer Joslyn Bowling Dixon is the embodiment of a Dominican University alum. The examples she has set with her accomplishments, goals and desire to form a bond with her peers shows just what a Dominican University graduate should always strive to achieve. Dixon’s hiring was approved unanimously by the Oak Park Public Library Board on Oct. 6 and has since begun her position as library executive director on Nov. 7.
Sostenibilidad: Educación y más allá
Matthew Desmond Staff Writer and Translator El cambio climático es un problema personal, local, nacional y global. Dominican University ha incluido clases sobre sostenibilidad y cambio climático en su plan de estudios además de un seminario de segundo año. La profesora Mary Ellen McManus, una profesora de inglés en el Rosary College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, dijo que la universidad ha tenido el liderazgo de personas que han apoyado la inclusión de la instrucción ambiental.
Wakanda Forever: Movie Review
HomeMovie ReviewsWakanda Forever: Movie Review Cristian Raya Chief Designer Marvel Studios has hit the mark with their latest and final installment of Phase 4 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Esports is the New Star at Dominican
Angel Dominguez Staff Writer Dominican could see a new sport as soon as this January as the university is considering adding esports as a club sport for this spring, according to administrators. They discussed their plans with a small group of enthusiastic students late last month. Afterwards, freshman Melanie Canales complimented the idea.
The #Metoo movement, what really changed for Women in Hollywood?
Katy Coakley Contributing Writer Five years of the #metoo campaign against sexual harassment, abuse and assault has led to improvements in the entertainment industry, Dominican University experts say. However, there is still plenty of room for improvement. Dominican film professor Beth Bullock has been following the impact of the #metoo campaign on Hollywood. Christina Perez, a women and gender studies professor, said it was important that the movement extended beyond the entertainment industry.
Midnight Madness Kicks off Basketball Season
Angel Dominguez Staff Writer Dominican’s Midnight Madness is an evening basketball event that allowed for team introductions as well as student body involvement. This event is a yearly tradition to kick off the men’s and women’s basketball season. Freshman forward Diana Villegas’ excitement to begin the season was reciprocated throughout the team.
DU Dreamers Go to DC to Support DACA
HomeCampus NewsDU Dreamers Go to DC to Support DACA Azhley Rodriguez Editor-in-Chief National organizations, FWD.us and PASOS Network, are sponsoring five Dream U.S. Scholars from Dominican to speak in front of Congress during I Stand with Immigrants Day of Action. The event will be held over a three-day period, Nov.
Calling all Podcasters and influencers
Ellie Heider Contributing Writer Aspiring student podcasters, videographers and influencers now have a new place to create at the recording studio in the basement of the Rebecca Crown Library. The studio has four rooms – three for audio recording and one for video recording, complete with a green screen and lighting. Upon entrance into the studio, all the outside noise is drowned out by silence.
Letter from the Editor
Hi Friends! Welcome to the second to last issue of the fall semester! I can’t begin to express my gratitude to the team who have worked so hard this semester to make sure we have content and stories for all our wonderful readers. My time as the editor is sneakily coming to an end, and I refuse to accept it! This issue is a special one, for many reasons.
Speaker challenges issues of race at Dominican
Enzo Alcedo Contributing Writer Anthony Ocampo visits Dominican to talk about the importance of stories. By talking about his experience as a Filipino American, he learned how Filipinos break the rules of race and expand the Latinidad identity. Ocampo was the first in a series of speakers organized by University Librarian Estevan Montano. For the speaker series, the Crown Library invites different authors to Dominican University to talk about their books and what inspires them to write.
Cyber Cafe stopped its evening services this fall
Danylo Biskup Contributing Writer The Cyber Cafe will now be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Fridays. The café remains closed Saturdays and Sundays.
Sustainability: Education and Beyond
HomeOpinion PiecesSustainability: Education and Beyond Matthew Desmond Staff Writer Climate change is a personal, local, national, and global issue. Dominican University has included lessons about sustainability and climate change in their curriculum and sophomore seminar. Professor Mary Ellen McManus, an English Professor in the Rosary College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, said that the school has had champions who have supported including environmental instruction.
Student Volunteers help out in Maywood
Anna Martucci Contributing Writer Student volunteers with Dominican University’s Ministry assembled and delivered 240 meals last Tuesday for hungry people in the neighboring town of Maywood, an event ministry has done monthly for at least four years. The students quickly set up an efficient assembly line and filled 240 plastic bags with oranges, chips, and fruit snacks. They then loaded the meals into a shuttle bus and traveled to Maywood’s Quinn Center, 1832 S. 8th Ave.
Midterm Elections and How to Get Registered to Vote
Taylor Robert Contributing Writer Midterm elections are approaching on Nov. 8 and Dominican University has been trying to get students motivated to participate, but many students are still unaware that the elections are occurring.
Domestic Violence Awareness Month at DU
Ally Fahner Contributing Writer Dominican is hosting campus-wide events and initiatives this month, in addition to putting up posters and flyers, to spread awareness of domestic violence. Much of the work stems from a federal grant that allowed the university to create the Rise Up Project, which aims to change the culture and mentality about domestic violence around campus, according to Mayra Chacón, Project Coordinator for the Wellness Center.
Healthy Eating in the Dining Hall
Fiona Rowlands Opinion Writer It can be hard to be healthy in college. Having limited time for working out and being able to go back for second or third helpings in the dining hall makes it hard to stay healthy. However, the food that the dining hall serves makes it especially hard to eat healthily. Bianca Leon, a junior said “Maybe there aren’t any healthy options.
Existimos y Aquí Estamos: La Perspectiva AfroLatino Sobre Dominican University
Chloé Cabrales, Staff Writer Matthew Desmond, Translator AfroLatino está lejos de ser un término nuevo. Sin embargo, incluso ahora, la comprensión de esta identidad tiende a ocupar un incómodo término medio. Ser AfroLatino es cuestión de reconocer la idea de que la negritud y la latinidad están mutuamente relacionadas y entender que nuestras historias no se pueden marcar en casillas.
Banned Books Bring New Challenges
HomeCampus EventsBanned Books Bring New Challenges Elizabeth Nyugen Contributing Writer Students and graduates of Dominican’s School of Information Science (SOIS) commemorated Banned Books Week this year with growing anxiety about the unprecedented rise in book challenges in today’s heated political climate. Book challenges and banning have become a major topic of concern and discussion according to the American Library Association (ALA), as incidences have risen drastically across the country.
La Alegría y los Desafíos del Otoño
Matthew Desmond Staff Writer & Translator Ya ha llegado octubre. Estamos en lo más profundo del año escolar. Puede ser que estén emocionados por los colores, el clima fresco, los juegos de fútbol americano, pero no todo el mundo espera con ansias este tiempo. El trastorno afectivo de la temporada de invierno, conocido en inglés como SAD, es un tipo de depresión que está relacionada con los cambios en las estaciones.
White Accountability Group Acknowledges Privilege
HomeCampus EventsWhite Accountability Group Acknowledges Privilege Litzi Duran Contributing Writer On Monday, Sept. 26, the Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformative initiative at Dominican hosted its first student-based White Accountability Group to strengthen its efforts of establishing an antiracist climate in higher education.
Get into the Spirit of Fall at the Pumpkin Farm
HomeFeatured ArticlesGet into the Spirit of Fall at the Pumpkin Farm Bianca Dinkha Staff Writer With Halloween rolling around the corner, there are several fall festivities to do with friends or even with the whole family. Goebbert’s Pumpkin Patch and Farm Home, in South Barrington, is a fun location where you can engage in all things fall. This includes amusing activities where you can explore animal land, get lost in corn mazes, root for racing pigs, pumpkin picking and more.
DU Shuttle Involved in Vehicle Collision
Stacey Sheridan Wednesday Journal A Dominican University shuttle bus ran into a River Forest home after it collided with another vehicle at about 8 a.m. Sept. 26 near the intersection of Bonnie Brae Place and Chicago Avenue. One student, the bus’s sole passenger, sustained a minor hand injury. The cause of the accident is being investigated by the River Forest Police Department.
The Joy and Challenges of Fall
Matthew Desmond Staff Writer It’s October now. We’re deep into the school year. Some of you may be excited for the colors, the crisp weather, football games, but not everyone looks forward to this time. Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that is related to changes in seasons. People can experience SAD during any season, but, according to Mayo Clinic, it is most common in the fall and into the winter.
A Mural Celebrating Diversity
Betsy Carreno Staff Writer The Heritage Mural, located in Lewis Hall, was completed this past month with the help of various DU students and faculty. The location of the mural was decided, “To those visiting Dominican for the first time and those who will pass through the halls everyday, we hope that the mural reminds them that Dominican is home to all,” Fran Gregory, senior graphic designer with DU’s Office of Marketing and Communications, said in a past interview with the university.
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