DePaul’s graduation update, tuition freeze, student employment changes
And Animal Crossing outfit customization
Happy Thursday!
How are you all feeling? With classes “Zoom”ing in this week, it’s been a crazy time for students and faculty to adjust to this “new normal.” In case you’ve fallen behind with the news due to all the adjusting (or have intentionally avoided it for your mental health), here’s what you need to know in 14 East’s fifth COVID-19 newsletter hot off the press … um, I mean the internet.
It’s your Thursday update team here, Associate Editor Meredith Melland and Event Planners Justin Myers and Mikayla Rose Price. Tonight, we’ll look at tuition, U-pass and graduation changes, the increasing number of Chicago cases and the Animal Crossing’s glorious outfit customizations.
If you recently subscribed, this is the fifth issue of our twice-weekly newsletter created to provide updates on all things COVID-19 at DePaul by 14 East, the university’s online magazine. Now that it’s Spring Quarter, you can also check out our weekly lineup of stories on our website or general newsletter tomorrow.
We do this because we think it's an important public service. But if you would like to support this work on Venmo @fourteeneastmag, or tell your friends to sign up for this newsletter — it'd be greatly appreciated.
What’s the latest at DePaul?
Are you graduating this quarter? While DePaul canceled May and June ceremonies, there may still be hope for an in-person ceremony. In the second installment of President Esteban’s “DePaul Connection” video series Interim Provost Salma Ghanem said the university is looking into plans for a rescheduled in-person commencement in addition to the virtual alternative. Due to the uncertainty of the current COVID-19 situation, Ghanem said the university isn’t making any solid plans now but is exploring their options, such as holding the 2020 commencement with the 2021 commencement.
Be sure to send your books back! This Saturday, April 4, is the last day you can print off a free shipping label to return their rented books without paying late fees to the university’s bookstores. If you have not yet printed off your label, here is where you can do so. If you borrowed a book from the university’s library, there’s no need to rush. The library is not issuing any fines until they reopen.
Vice President for Student Affairs Gene Zdziarski took time during “DePaul Connection” to reassure students that all numbers and services for DePaul’s offices, such as its Title IX office and Counseling Services, are still operational and available as staff continues to work remotely.
Speaking of working remotely, student employees will have to wait a bit longer to return to work. Students will continue to work remote for the “foreseeable future.” Plans for work over the summer are planned to be announced in early May. Many student employee supervisors are coming up with alternative method payroll and remote work for students who hold jobs that can’t be done remotely. These vary by department, so reach out to your supervisor directly if you are unsure if your department is offering alternative options. Additionally, you can access the university’s policy for student employees unable to work remotely here.
Though the university is firm on not reducing tuition rates for Spring Quarter amid the online shift, today it announced a tuition freeze for the 2020-21 academic year. Meaning, tuition rates won’t go up or change like they usually do going into next year. Students should receive official notice of this decision soon.
U-Passes are still available for students to use during Spring Quarter if they need to without any additional charge. However, students not planning on using their U-Pass should fill out this form to opt-out of their U-Pass. All students have had the quarterly charge for their U-Pass waived, regardless of if they will be using it or not.
What’s happening in Chicago?
You may have gotten a message on your phone on Tuesday with an unpleasant alarm. Governor J.B. Pritzker had an emergency alert sent out to residents, asking any recent retirees or people who left the medical field to help with the expected surge of COVID-19 cases.
Meanwhile, the number of COVID-19 cases in Illinois continues to rise (as expected as more tests are available). Today, Illinois announced 16 additional deaths and 715 more known cases of novel coronavirus in Illinois. To date, there have been 157 deaths and 7,695 known cases, the majority of which have been in Cook County.
This morning, a Chicago police officer died of complications from COVID-19. The officer, Marco DiFranco, was 50 years old. He was the second city employee to die from the virus.
Having a hard time dealing with the global crisis? CDC provides some coping skills as well as how to take care of loved ones that are at high risk.
Recently, there has been a lot of back and forth about whether or not people should be wearing masks when they go outside. Yesterday, Governor J.B. Pritzker said he is not against people wearing masks, but that it doesn’t replace staying at home. Mayor Lori Lightfoot also agreed that it is a good idea, but knows it does not make anyone invincible.
Other Chicago News:
Here’s live updates of Chicago COVID-19 news from the Sun-Times Staff
Here are some projections of when the COVID-19 outbreak will peak in Illinois by the Tribune’s Joe Mahr, Jonathan Berlin and Lisa Schenker
Here’s what the mayor and governor think about face masks, from NBC 5 staff
Here’s a story about a man with COVID-19 who was denied bail twice, from the Sun-Times’ Andy Grimm
Here’s a story about how Dimo’s Pizza in Wicker Park is making face shields in their pizza ovens! From Hannah Alani of Block Club
Here’s a sweet story about how a Rogers Park nonprofit is using art to express feelings around coronavirus, from Joe Ward of Block Club
Here’s Mayor Lightfoot addressing the Aries community and writing a jingle in a stay-at-home PSA
Not sure what the symptoms are? Here’s what to look for. Feeling sick? Here’s what to do.
If you don’t want to watch the news, here are the national headlines to know:
The Zoom privacy backlash is only getting started, from WIRED’s Lily Hay Newman
Wisconsin has an election on April 7 in the middle of a pandemic. It’s shaping up to be a debacle, from Vox’s Ian Millhiser
Stunning: Record 10 million file for unemployment in 2 weeks, from NPR’s Avie Schnieder
The rush for $350 billion in small-business loans starts Friday. Banks have questions, from the Wall Street Journal’s Ruth Simon, Peter Rudegeair and Amara Omeokwe
Adam Schlesinger’s 30 essential songs, from the New York Times’ Rob Tannenbaum
Social Security recipients will automatically receive stimulus pay, from CNN’s Katie Lobosco
A new abortion debate rages as coronavirus cripples the US, from Quartz’s Ephrat Livni
Democrats postpone presidential convention until August 17, from Politico’s Alex Thompson and Mark Caputo
Spain passes ten thousand coronavirus deaths, from the BBC’s Coronavirus Global Update podcast
On to some better news: Animal Crossing is an opportunity for fashion and friendship
If there’s anything DePaul’s campus life is known for, it’s our collective incredible style game. To fill the void of wearing a curated look through DePaul’s hallways and interacting with friends in person, some DePaul community members are turning to Animal Crossing: New Horizons.
This new installment of the Animal Crossing franchise, released on March 20 for Nintendo Switch, is a wholesome, creative outlet amplified in significance because of social distancing.
Will Roelke, who just finished his senior year during Winter Quarter, has been playing the game in quarantine to connect with online friends and show off fits.
“My favorite part of it has honestly been the sense of community; I've met multiple people I only sort of knew before this that I've really been able to bond with using the game,” Roelke said. “We all let each other know what's on sale on our respective islands each day, send each other little gifts, help each other collect things, etc.”
The central purpose is to foster community life on a sunny island, but the game’s ability to upload images and customize furniture, facial features and clothing can be used to showcase a player’s lifestyle.
“I've also gotten to customize clothes and show off outfits with it, which sounds silly, but is one of my favorite things to do in normal life,” Roelke said. “I've been both using the in-game clothing and recreating pieces that I own in real life or will never be able to afford.”
Roelke’s player (left) hanging out with a French DJ he knows via Instagram. “We're both super into outdoors fashion so it was super fun.”
He thinks he’s played more than he would have without the COVID-19 outbreak, but there’s no way to make a fair comparison. Ultimately, it’s a calming distraction from the current climate.
“It's silly, but it really does feel nice to see people in-game,” Roelke said.
If you want to browse other Animal Crossing fits, go here. If you, too, are missing being able to show off your outfits, feel free to send 14 East your favorite quarantine look with a few words on your inspiration on Twitter, Instagram or email reply — we might just feature it.
How are students decompressing?
If you don’t have Animal Crossing, here are some other options to unwind your mind.
📺 Annie is watching High Fidelity on Hulu
📺 Sydney is watching The Good Place on Netflix
📺 Madelein is watching Stumptown on Hulu
🎧 The 14 East staff has updated our quarantine playlist just for you – featuring new music along with the songs we just can’t get out of our heads.
Feeling overwhelmed?
Who says concert season has to end because of COVID-19? Find live streamed concerts from your favorite artists here
Have a virtual party! Go here for free and/or cheap ways to play games or watch movies with friends and family via the world wide web
The DePaulia just published some tips to maintain good mental health amid isolation
Pull out those leg warmers and rock those sweatbands to join Jane Fonda, Marky Mark and Cher for some retro workouts
Goth YouTube personality Black Friday has started a new channel featuring calming readings of famous fairytales and short stories for bedtime or stress
Call 312-747-1020 for free teletherapy services at Chicago Department of Public Health Mental Health Centers
Call 833-626-4244 for the NAMI Chicago Helpline or 833-TURN-123 for the Bright Star Community Outreach to speak to a mental health counselor
If it’s late at night: text HELLO to 741741. Crisis Text Line is a 24-hour hotline that serves anyone, in any type of crisis
Want to help?
Donate to or buy a gift card from this list of Chicago restaurants
Here’s Chicago organizer Kelly Hayes’ mutual aid form to sign up to help
Sign up to do senior wellness checks for My Block My Hood My City
Lost your main source of income?
Here’s where to apply for unemployment and here’s how to apply
Need financial assistance?
Need food or supplies?
Here are Chicago Public Schools locations for food distribution
Here’s how to apply for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) (Which was extended with the federal stimulus bill and you can now apply online!)
Need more information on COVID-19?
Here’s a spreadsheet of COVID-19 resources for undocumented individuals, by UndocuScholars
We know this is an overwhelming time and want to be here to help you sort out and process the constant news cycle. Respond to this email and let us know how you are doing, and what you think about the newsletter. Until Monday, please take time to rest. Stay safe and healthy.
See you next week,
Meredith Melland, Justin Myers and Mikayla Price
We do this because we think it's an important public service. But if you would like to support this work on Venmo @fourteeneastmag, or tell your friends to sign up for this newsletter — it'd be greatly appreciated.