A collection of journalism, film criticism and PR articles
Vicious Phishing Scam Targets Dominican Accounts
September 26, 2020
Technology support team warns phishing email attacks in the Dominican University system.
Jill Albin-Hill, Vice President for Technology & Operation, said the perpetrator is not internal. She further corroborates that the phishing email attack started after the attacker accessed the password on a Dominican account.
Adjunct Instructor Resigns Amid COVID-19 Concerns
October 14, 2020
Dominican University Adjunct Instructor Robert Lance Wilson resigned on October 7 after the lecture portion of Advanced Human Anatomy continues to meet in-person.
Wilson, who did an exclusive interview with NBC, said Dominican is “an unsafe workplace” and advocated for all 60 of his students to quarantine for 14 days.
The University was first notified of the positive case on the night of Oct. 4. The Wellness Center reached out to the student on Oct. 5 morning. The student did not return to campus after receiving the positive test result, according to Barrington Price, Vice President of Student Success and Engagement.
Social Gathering Violation in Residential Dorm
October 17, 2020
Quarantine and isolation in place after eleven students gathered in Murray dorm on September 21 night without face mask or social distancing.
Around 10:05 p.m. Campus Safety received a report of an on-campus social gathering. At about 10:30 p.m., the leadership team received the same report, which they then shared with Resident Life. One Resident Assistant, one professional staff, and one campus safety officer were dispatched to the location.
Social Media
Throughout 2020 and 2021, I have used a variety of media engagements for covering campus news as a student journalist.
International Student Identity at Dominican
January 30, 2019
Dominican University is known for its recognition of students of various heritage and backgrounds and support of a faith-filled environment. Some of that is reflected in the International Integration and Success as well as
the Buddies System that pair up an international student with an American citizen.
Two Separate Language Core Curriculum Proposals Processed for Approval
March 3, 2020
The Modern Foreign Languages department sent out two core curriculum language proposals to the University Curriculum Committee (UCC) for approval.
One of the proposals will affect French and Italian core requirements while the other proposal will affect Spanish core course requirements.
Dominican University Club Plans for Fall 2020
September 6, 2020
At the start of fall semester, Dominican University reached out to Dominican University clubs to ascertain their perspective plans for this fall semester.
Here are the responses we have received. We have asked for the club missions, plans for fall 2020, and openings for administrative positions.
Snapchat Anonymous Q & A: Back to Campus Edition
September 17, 2020
Dominican Star spearheads the Snapchat Anonymous Q & A in August 10, following our first anonymous Q & A efforts initiated after university closed in mid-March.
This project first started in January 18, 2020 and finetuned to answer only student concerns in mid-March when the university started its quarantine measures.
Stepan Bookstore Encounters Delays in Book Delivery
September 26, 2020
Stepan Bookstore experiences delays in book shipments due pandemic-related complications.
According to Irma Galarza, Stepan Book store manager, the pandemic has caused problems for all the publishing industry. The shipment delivery – usually three to five business for publishing companies – now take more than seven days. Publisher Weekly also details updates to the publishing dates on their website.
Political Science Professors Discuss Impeachment of President Trump
Letter to President Donna Carroll Spotlights Multicultural Issues Facing Dominican University
Dominican University Aid Furloughed Dining Services Workers during COVID-19
October 28, 2019
Dominican University’s political experts say impeachment is not as straight forward as it seems, drawing from their knowledge on the topic. Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, announced on Tuesday, Sept. 24, the start of an impeachment inquiry against President Trump.
January 14, 2020
This is a great place to showcase a sample of your written work or write a short description about your project. Did you collaborate on a print or multimedia project? If so, dazzle your visitors with images and video. Make sure to include a link to the full live project or document so readers can enjoy the entire piece.
April 27, 2020
Dominican University answers United Here’s call for Dining Service Workers to be paid during the COVID-19 pandemic.
A Virtual Rally for Laid Off University Workers was held on April 7th by the Local 1, an affiliate of United Here, a labor union that represents 300,000 workers across Canada and the United States.
1000 Ways to Drag: Individuality Shines at Dominican University
Sustain DU Celebrates 50th Anniversary of Earth Day Virtually
Rockapella’s Performance Wows Audience Friday Night at Dominican University
March 28, 2019
Glittering sequins, high heels, fluorescent hair reflecting upon the checkered floor of DU. Powdered faces. Flitting perfume. Sounds of excitement radiating from the crowd. As the music from 80s, 90s, and present escalates, one by one, figures of exceptional individuality emerge. This is Dominican University’s 1000 Ways To Drag.
Stars Connect Joins Offices to Better Service Student Needs
March 11, 2020
Dominican University offices collaborate in joint program to ensure a centralized service for student needs.
As of mid-March, after Spring break, Financial Aid, Registrar, and Student Account offices will be combined in Lewis 115 for unified service to student needs. The program, called Stars Connect, will open a door connecting Student Accounts to the Registrar’s office. The lobby area of the Registrar’s office will also go under reconstruction. The door to the Student Account lobby will be closed, effectively combining Student Accounts to Registrar’s office.
April 13, 2020
On April 3, the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends wearing a cloth mask to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
The recommendation came in light of the recent studies that found asymptomatic and pre-symptomatic individuals can also transmit the virus.
Asymptomatic means lacking symptoms and pre-symptomatic means symptoms will develop later on. People who are in close proximity with each other can spread the virus through sneezing, coughing and speaking.
April 27, 2020
This is a great place to showcase a sample of your written work or write a short description about your project. Did you collaborate on a print or multimedia project? If so, dazzle your visitors with images and video. Make sure to include a link to the full live project or document so readers can enjoy the entire piece.
Profile on Dr. Carmen Ayada
Campus Safety Takes Down White Supremacist Stickers
Shuttle Schedule Change Raises Student Concerns
November 10, 2019
The white supremacist stickers highlight greater need of understanding to promote equity and equality at Dominican University. On Thursday, October 24, at 1:50 p.m. a student reported to Campus Safety a Nazi sticker on a light pole. There were two stickers found on university. One of them was on Greenfield Street and the other near the ramp by the Rebecca Crown Library.
February 15, 2020
Dominican shuttle schedule for Spring 2020 raises concern of communication and transportation inconveniences for students.
The new Dominican shuttle schedule is effective from January 15 to May 15, 2020. The shuttle runs on an hourly schedule from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. on weekdays while class is in session. The weekend and non-class shuttle schedule is once for every two hours from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Summer and Fall Plans in Place to Reopen Campus
Gathering Collective Strength Amid COVID-19: DU Statements on Anti-Asian Racism
In the Spirit of a Well-Rounded Language Experience: A new look at French & Francophone Studies Program
June 21, 2020
According to the Summer & Fall Plan posted by Dominican University. Here are the changes in place for the summer session and fall semester.
Summer Plan:
Lewis Hall front door and Welcome Information Desk (WID) reopens on June 15, with staff and essential office workers. North door of Parmer Hall opens on July 6, with the WID staffed and all key offices open.
All offices open, with safety measures, on July 13. A plan for visitors will also be in place.
Rebecca Crown Library reopens on August 17. Students, authorized guests, and university staff will have limited access.
July 19, 2020
In Fall 2020, the French &Francophone Studies program strives to implement deeper cultural appreciation and provide professional development across its courses.
Dr. Jennifer Morrissey, the full-time French & Francophone Studies lecturer and division director, notes the importance of examining French histories through a historical and post-colonial lens.
“In my view, it’s incomplete if you study the classical period without examining France’s role in other countries, particularly [its role] in colonialism” Morrissey said.
University Organizations Collaborate to Celebrates 50th Anniversary of Earth Day Virtually
Fall Semester Classes Scheduled to Meet In-Person, Others Moved Online
Dominican Sinsinawa Sisters Bond in Faith and Community During COVID-19
April 28, 2020
University Ministry, Civic Learning, Office of Student Involvement and Sustain DU partnered to organize a virtual Earth Week to raise awareness for sustainability and ecological justice.
The 50th Anniversary of Earth Week celebration is a collaborative effort of students and faculty from four campus organizations. Daniela Martinez and Linda Nevarez, Welcome and Information Desk (WID) student workers, created a Wakelet website with information about the Earth Week activities and ways to live more sustainably
May 17, 2020
Classes for fall semester are scheduled to be back to normal, but some professors have opted for virtual learning.
As Dominican students managed to finish half a semester of unintended online classes during quarantine, fall semester classes are expected to be back to be in-person, with close observations on the CDC and Illinois government guidance.
June 15, 2020
With prayers and gratitude for the community, Dominican sisters at the Sinsinawa Mound Center take precautions during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Mound is currently closed to public. Programs, meetings, retreats and gatherings have been cancelled until June 15 in compliance with Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines.
‘Return to Campus Guide’ Sheds Light on Fall Semester Reality
A 3% Tuition Increase as Students Return this Fall Semester
Health Sciences Dean Addresses Students COVID-19 Testing Concerns
July 28, 2020
Dominican University provides updates in addition to plans to reopen campus, with strong emphasis on face covering and social distancing, most campus services are administered through virtual arrangements.
Self-Monitoring and App-Tracing
Dominican University will implement mobile app #CampusClear for monitoring, reporting, and tracking in case of confirmed COVID-19 cases. The app will offer recommendations based on the responses recorded, tracing anyone confirmed with COVID-19 for appropriate cleaning and informing others who was in close contact with the patient.
August 7, 2020
Dominican’s undergraduate tuition will go up nearly 3 percent – some $500 – despite an online student petition to lower it because of COVID-related changes.
The university’s Board of Trustees had approved last October the tuition increase for the 2020-21 academic year, according to Mark Titzer, vice president of finance.
Titzer in an email reply said that the Board sets tuition rates annually. A key factor among many for the financial decision process is the room and board fees of other colleges Dominican competes with for students.
August 25, 2020
As Dominican University prepares to reopen on August 31 for a hybrid model, many students expressed concerns over in-person courses. Among those most affected by the hybrid model are Physicians Assistants and Nursing students.
On August 18, the Founding Dean of Borra College of Health Sciences (BCHS) Kavita R. Dhanwada addresses the PA and Nursing student concerns via email to the Dominican Star.
COVID-19 Guidelines for Dominican Clubs and Organizations
Rebecca Crown Library Unveils Uncommon Use of Learning Commons
Understanding the COVID-19 Tracking Board
August 27, 2020
Office of Student Life publishes COVID-19 guidelines for on-campus clubs, emphasizing virtual engagements and health precautions.
On August 21, Office of Student Life emailed student leaders special guidelines for organizations on campus. Student club officers must work with the office to decide if an event should be held virtually, rescheduled to a later date, or hosted in person if it is important.
August 30, 2020
This fall semester, Dominican University students will return to Rebecca Crown Library to find a myriad of academic services and study spaces in the newly furnished spaces of the Learning Commons.
The visions of the Rebecca Crown Library staff, Student Success and Engagement (SSE) staff, and stakeholders come to fruition in this student-centric project.
Literary Magazine Stella Veritatis Opens for Submission
October 20, 2020
Stella Veritatis, Dominican University’s own literary journal, is seeking submissions for the 2020 publication.
The submission is open to undergraduates, graduates, staff and faculty of Dominican University. The magazine and its editorial team accept all forms of creative writing.
Rise in COVID-19 Cases Urge University-Wide Campus Clear Commitment
October 30, 2020
Dominican University responds to an added number of COVID-19 cases from last week with stricter measures of Campus Clear uses.
The total new positive cases from Oct. 10-22 is 13, doubling from the six cases of the week past. According to the COVID-19 dashboard, 12 students and 1 employee on campus tested positive this week.
IMAT Documentation Reveals Case Threshold Details for Closures
November 1, 2020
Incident Management and Assessment Team (IMAT) details plans and COVID-19 positive case thresholds for on-campus space closures, complete online class format, and activity cancellations.
As of Oct. 30, 4:10 p.m., Albin-Hill, vice president for Technology & Operations, says in an email reply that Dominican University has 27 active COVID-19 cases.
The university’s 2.5 % threshold is 37 cases. Albin-Hill says the intent is to avoid full movement to online format.
Outside Writings
Non-journalism writings for other organizations outside campus.
New Releases: A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood
March 14, 2020
Lady Bird: When the Bird Has Flown the Nest
September 26, 2020
The Designer Behind 'The Power of We' Theme Logo
January 20, 2020
Cube: An Endless Existentialist Escape
July 30, 2020
