Chipotle and Demon Express

Chipotle is one of my favorite places to eat and I have been going to the Chipotle located at 2256 N. Orchard St. between Belden Ave & Lincoln Ave across the street from the Children's Memorial Hospital.  Like many places in and around DePaul there are some places where students can use their Demon Express money.  I only recently realized that this Chipotle allows DePaul students to use their Demon Express instead of using cash or a credit card.  This is great because I have found myself low on money in my bank account and without cash like most broke college students, but I did have a few dollars in my Demon Express account so I was able to get some food at Chipotle.  There are also two Subway locations one on Fullerton a half a block east of Ashland that lets students use their Demon Express and they also give a small student discount  There are many places that offer the same hospitality to students and I hope I can find more.  

Non-Violence and Social Justice

On Tuesday February 17, 2009 on the 11^th floor of DePaul’s loop campus DePaul Center in the student center there was an event held entitled, “Non-Violence and Social Justice Teach In.”  This event was carried out starting at 11 am and ended at 2 pm.  Starting at 2pm there was an open mic till 3pm and from 3-5 pm there is a scheduled showing of movies and documentaries.  

I took the elevator up to the 11^th floor in the DePaul Center which is directly above the library and the event was well advertised and it was actually held in the common area where there are televisions and chairs set up.  There was a stage in front of the rooms glass doors which gave those in attendance a good view of the Sears Tower while speakers where making there presentations.  The event focused on social understanding and promoted world peace.  There was a large amount of food and cake that was arranged for the guests and I can say that this is one of the most welcoming events that I have been to while at DePaul.    

Police Torture

On February 12^th, 2009 in the Schmitt Academic Center on DePaul’s Lincoln Park campus their was an event entitled “Taking on Torture: Chicago and Beyond.”  The event was sponsored by the DePaul Students Against the Death Penalty and Amnesty International.  Their were special guests that have had first hand encounters with torture and came to tell their story.  The list of guests included Darrell Cannon a Chicago Police torture survivor and Father Memo a witness to torture in Latin America.

The purpose of this gathering was to raise awareness on the illegal practice of torture not only within Chicago and the United States but also torture around the world.  There was a flyer that was passed around to those in attendance even before the speeches started.  This flyer was a political flyer that was in opposition to Judge Lisa Madigan who has supposedly not sought out punishment for Chicago Police officers involved in torturing and beating citizens.  The event also promoted a rally and a pack the court on February 20^th at 1 P.M. at 26^th and California.

Use Protection!

On Thursday February 12 from 10-4 p.m. in the Student Center Atrium there will be an event entitled Concealed Carry and Women’s Safety.  This event is hosted by Students for Concealed Carry on Campus and the DePaul Conservative Alliance.  As stated in the title of the event it will deal with issues of self protection through the use of a concealed firearm.  The Students for Concealed Carry on Campus have been motivated by tragedies such as Virginia Tech and NIU in to try and help students learn how they can protect themselves. 

 

Although concealed carry on campus is not legal these groups are striving to make it legal hoping that this change will bring about a safer campus atmosphere.  Having more guns on campus seems to me like it would do nothing but make campuses across America even more dangerous than they are now but I could definitely be wrong.  For those who are in favor of this movement or if you are just curious to find out exactly what this event plans to accomplish stop by the student center this Thursday.  More information on the group Students for Concealed Carry on Campus can be found at concealedcampus.org and they can be reached at Illinois.SCCC@gmail.com.  The DePaul conservative alliance has a website at depaulca.org and they can be contacted through email at contact@depaulca.org.   

Student Activist Union

On February 6^th in the Student Center Atrium there was a dance sponsored by the Activist Student Union.  The dance was accompanied by a live DJ, food, and refreshments.  The event started at 6:00 and went until 8:00.  When I arrived at the event they were still setting up because they were running a little behind schedule.  The dance actually started at 6:30 when the DJ had set up his equipment.  When the event officially began students periodically stopped by to listen to music and get a few dances in.  I noticed that there was not that many people at the dance besides those who had organized the event and this was most likely due to the fact that it was a surprisingly nice night and student shad decided to spend their Friday night else where.

 

The dance ended out being enjoyable because it was right in the middle of the student center and people where constantly stopping by and talking with one another.  Hopefully there will be an event similar to this dance for the students sake especially freshman who need help meeting new people.  If you are interested in joining or simply participating in the DePaul’s Student Activist Union they can be reached through email at depaulasu@googlegroups.com.  

Wellness Fair

On Thursday, January 29^th from 11:00 – 2:00 p.m. in room 120 of DePaul’s Student Center there was a Wellness Fair to educate students and staff on how to live a long healthy life.  When I arrived I was greeted at the door and my name was entered in a raffle that would have been held at the end of the fair.  I walked to the first booth I saw and I was greeted by Ashley Nicole who is a DePaul student.  She was running the Physical Wellness booth. She showed me manuals on physical health that stressed a healthy diet and regular exercise like we have been told by our gym teachers in grade school and high school.

There were six components of wellness that the fair highlighted and they were environmental, emotional, intellectual, spiritual, social, and physical wellness.  It seems that overall wellness would be important to students that have to deal with school, work, and family all at the same time.  So if you are looking to get in better shape or you might want to participate in an organization that benefits environmental causes DePaul has events that are geared toward these needs.