Announcement from Asian Student Alliance

We, as the leadership of Asian Student Alliance, request that our learning environments remain inhospitable towards hateful speech, including but not limited to:

●      “Wuhan virus”

●      “Chinese/China virus”

●      “Kung flu”

●      Threats or demands that individuals “go” or “return” to other countries

 While we understand the importance of freedom of speech and expression, we believe these terms endanger the safety and wellbeing of our students. These terms create association between a deadly disease and a specific identity, fueling stigmatization that puts an entire community at risk. 

 We ask that faculty prevent, address, and eliminate the use of these terms in favor of scientific, universally-accepted names such as COVID-19, etc. This will ensure a safer, more productive learning environment for everyone. Furthermore, this will demonstrate our university’s intolerance towards hate, bias, prejudice, and racism.

 We also stress the importance of reporting incidents in which these terms are used, regardless of whether they are targeted at a specific individual/group. Only by reporting can we obtain the data necessary to form effective solutions in the future. The bias incident form for Regis University can be accessed using the following link: https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?RegisUniv&layout_id=4

 As a Jesuit institution, Regis University is committed to cura personalis—encouraging care and concern for the whole person—and we believe our request will help uphold this value in our learning environments. We are grateful, in advance, for your efforts to promote equality at Regis University. 

Regis University Asian Student Alliance

 

 

 

 

Embracing the Stormy Sea-OVID-19

By: Jesse Stewart, Staff Writer

In March of last year, I was on a date with a model at a fancy Italian restaurant in Hong Kong. In March of this year, I was alone in my parents’ basement with a plate of chicken tenders. I ordered chicken tenders in Hong Kong as well, but that's not the point.

To say that COVID-19 has upended the average life would be an understatement. Every nation has been brought to their knees, economies slowly sinking and people more unsure and insecure than they have been since the Second World War. Even those that love to plan and prioritize have found themselves look at not just the coming year with uncertainty but the coming week.

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My Coronavirus Experience: Where’s the empathy?

By:  Morgan Jacobus, Staff Writer

In the midst of this coronavirus pandemic, I can’t help but marvel at how the people around me are reacting. I, personally, have not had too much worry about this situation, as I am not in the high risk demographic for contracting the disease.  I have faith that we will work through the complications - as a country and as a college. However, I have gotten more and more concerned about the people around me. My apprehension began with people’s reactions, concern, and expression of worry over this sudden change in daily life. It quickly escalated last week as people awaited the official guidelines. On Thursday, Regis finally released their highly anticipated decision regarding the virus. At that point, people’s anxieties skyrocketed as the time without information lengthened, and their frustrations reached a breaking point. The frustrations only seemed to continue and exponentially increase as they released their frustrations on Regis’ instagram post announcing their decision. Frankly, I was shocked and dumb-founded by the outpour of sheer anger. 

Now, I am not saying I agree 100% with the way that the institution handled the situation, but I did not think that the student body handled it in the best way either. The blatant attacks that happened were so uncalled for, and were frankly immature. What shocked me even more was how I saw people I was friends with, including  my roommate, all join in on this mob mentality. It was excessive and unnecessarily aggressive. 

Not long after following the announcement,  the university sent out an update declaring that they had revised their plan so that in-class meetings would be suspended for three days, and online classes would begin after that period. I believe this was a better course of action, due to the nature of the pandemic, however I think that this change was a result of RUSGA’s address about the decision, not the hateful comments from various students. At least, I would like to believe that. 

Now, fast forward a few days when I am able to come home, being fortunate enough to have my home not too far of a drive away. My mama and I bravely voyaged to none other than Sam’s Club. Never before had I seen such barren shelves at this store. People were grabbing anything they could get their hands on, whether or not it was what they were after originally. You could sense the sheer panic and frustration hanging in the air. Everyone was on edge. We somehow made it out alive, with some groceries in hand. 

Seems like all over social media there are people posting about empty grocery shelves as more information about the virus circulated. I understand that being told to stay at home if you can for a few weeks can result in stocking up on some essentials, but the sheer volume and ferocity with which people chose to stock up was outrageous. I mean, is it necessary to buy out all of the toilet paper?? 

Once again I found myself in awe at people’s behavior. I tried to practice understanding, like how I did with my college when they were having to handle a difficult situation, but I couldn’t help but see a lack of empathy and kindness. Even grocery decisions aside, I was aghast at how many people weren’t taking this situation seriously. While I didn’t have many worries myself, I still understood the sheer urgency and importance of following government guidelines to stay home. The fact that they had to explicitly call out millenials to avoid discretionary trips and social gatherings made me so disappointed that that was what it had to come to. 

I saw a post on Instagram recently that said how our elders were called to war to save lives, we are being called to sit on the couch to save theirs, which I think is important to keep in mind as we struggle through this change in our daily lives. Yes, I know there are some things you would rather be doing, but put it in perspective for a second: this is not for us, who are young enough and healthy enough to fight this disease, it is for the people who can’t. And come on, I’m sure there are plenty of us who didn’t need an excuse to stay home beforehand, so why not now? Make the best of the situation you are in; watch that show you haven’t had time to watch, read some books, snuggle your dog, and do what you can to not make this situation worse.

The Easiest, Healthiest Chili you Need to Make

For the flavor palate, with this dish you’re going to experience a noticeable amount of heat but it shouldn’t be overwhelming. The addition of the dash of cinnamon was something I discovered by accident, as with it the spice level becomes much less overwhelming. While normally I advocate spicing with reckless abandon, with this recipe less is more. Just a touch of cinnamon will be more than enough to achieve the desired, full up and down sweet and spicy ride of a good bite of chili.

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