Accessibility Day Celebrates Disability Pride and Promotes Awareness

James Ortiz, Staff Photographer 

On April 9th, 2025, Regis University hosted Accessibility Day with games, prizes, and food trucks. Festivities took place on the Quad, and served as a way to celebrate diversity pride, and to promote awareness. The event taught skills and resources to make the world more accessible to all. It was organized and sponsored by Student Disability Services, Community for Belonging, RU Student Government Association and GLOBAL Inclusive Program. 

Resources are exchanged for Accessibility Day. Photo by James Ortiz

Educators offer guidance to students, encouraging accessibility for all. Photo by James Ortiz

Accessibility Day was completed with sunny skies and gorgeous weather. Photo by James Ortiz

New Campus Office Opens Doors for Immigrant Students and Families, Offering Resources

Katherine Fragoso, Guest Writer 

Note: This article was written for Writing For Media, with Dr. Emily Stones and in collaboration with Delia Greth, Academic Success Coach at RU, and Karlett Eguiliz, Financial Aid Counselor at RU. 

Student activists at Regis University have launched a new initiative aimed at supporting immigrant students and their families.The Student & Family Immigrant Resource Center, located in Main Hall 343, officially opened Tuesday, February 4.

The Center, a project created by the student, faculty and staff-run Undocumented Student Resource Alliance + (USRA+), provides essential resources and a welcoming space for immigrant individuals, including those from mixed-status families. USRA, originally a small group that met weekly in various locations around campus or via Zoom, has officially opened up this office space. Their help to open up a resource center marks a significant milestone for the organization.

It is designed to help students navigate the challenges of their immigration status while fostering a sense of community and belonging. The center offers a variety of services and resources to support students, including academic assistance, mental health services, legal referrals, and assistance with finding and applying for scholarships.

“We want to make sure undocumented, DACA, refugee, immigrant, and ESL students have a voice here at Regis,” said Karlett Eguiluz, a USRA member. “The center is a place where these students can find support, guidance, and resources, and where faculty and staff can learn how to better serve them.”

Eguiluz emphasized that, while the center is small, its impact is powerful. The team behind the project is made up of dedicated students, faculty and staff who are committed to helping immigrants and displaced students and families during difficult times.

“Each person at the center comes from different areas of campus,” Eguiluz explained. “We bring our diverse skills and knowledge to make sure students have the help they need. And if we don’t have the answers, we will look in our networks to find resources for them.”

The center’s soft launch on February 4 featured a community gathering designed to provide comfort and support for students who faced difficulties due to their status. The event showed an empathetic campus environment and support, while being sociable and welcoming. They advised no one should have to go through these issues alone. The event was informative but also exciting. They provided snacks and desserts at no cost plus plenty of creative activities. 

As the national climate surrounding immigration policy remains tense, the Student & Family Immigrant Resource Center has become even more crucial for the Regis community. With many individuals in the community facing uncertain futures regarding their status, the Center is dedicated to providing a safe space where students and their families can find the support they need.

The Center's launch is part of a larger movement at Regis University to offer solidarity and resources for marginalized populations. As the program continues to grow, members of USRA+ are hopeful that it will make a lasting difference for students and their families.

USRA+ wants to make sure that everyone, regardless of their immigration status, knows they have a place here at Regis.  For more information or to get involved, students and families can visit the center in Main Hall 343 or contact the USRA+ members directly. USRA+ also has an email which is regularly monitored. monarch@regis.edu

Trump’s Executive Orders Target Immigrants

Caleigh Montoya, Staff Writer

Upon taking office on January 20th, 2025, one of President Trump’s first orders of business was cracking down on immigration. Titling the executive order, “Protecting The American People Against Invasion”, Trump’s blatant attack on immigrants is clear. Naming immigrants as invaders, aliens, and a threat to public safety in an executive order delivered straight from the white house to all of America displays Trump’s racism seeping into our politics. Let’s dive into how he has fulfilled this executive order into his presidency thus far.

On his first day in office, he had the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrest 308 migrants to fulfill his promises to his voters and supporters. By February 3rd, 2025, Trump had 8,768 migrants arrested. This number has continued to grow rapidly under Trump’s presidency. Deporting and displacing thousands of migrants, the majority of which are undangerous, is causing many immigrants who have built their lives here, worry and fear.  

Although ICE is not legally allowed to enter your home without a warrant, detain children without their guardians, or detain you in certain areas, it seems as though their legalities have been dismissed. ICE has been targeting migrant communities, forcing themselves into their homes, arresting children, and targeting schools and hospitals. This is illegal and inhumane! 

For more information on ICE and your rights, and for guidance on how to navigate this political time, use the resources below:

Know Your Rights: If You Encounter ICE

Denver Immigrant and Refugee Resources

What To Do When Interacting with ICE

What To Do If ICE Approaches You

ICE NOT WELCOME: Verify, Document, and Report

DEI: What It Is, What It Does

Caleigh Montoya, Staff Writer

With the current political choices surrounding us, many may question what is really changing in our world. DEI is one of the floating policies that is causing a lot of controversy. DEI stands for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Diversity and inclusion are already well known. Diversity means a variety of people and inclusion means that we are to involve all, especially those marginalized. Equity is lesser known, but is very pertinent to today’s issues. While often confused with equality, which means treating everyone the same, equity goes the extra mile by treating everyone the same, but also providing the necessary help to anyone who may need it to achieve said equality. 

DEI policies and programs are provided to advocate for the fair treatment of all people, and to ensure that those who come from historically oppressed communities are given the same opportunities as everyone else. While these policies gained more prominence under the Biden administration, DEI policies have been around for decades. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 made hiring and work discrimination illegal, and this was the first step in creating programs attempting to end hidden prejudices. Since then, DEI has been trying to better our institutions. 

Less than a month into his inauguration, one of President Trump’s first acts was to end all DEI initiatives. On January 20th, Trump signed an executive order titled “Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing,”.

Unless you’re a white man, the ending of DEI is a scary thought. We all have something to be frightened of if our identities are being not only ignored but blatantly used against us. Solving the problem of the elimination of DEI requires a radical raise of our voices, so that this attempt of oppressed silence will not succeed.

Somos Hosts First Meeting of Spring Semester

James Ortiz, Staff Photographer

On February 13th, 2025, Somos hosted its first meeting of the spring semester. Somos exists to provide support, celebrate, and promote appreciation for Latinx culture. This first meeting followed that mission by allowing participants to invite friends and create Valentine’s Day cards together. 

The leaders of Somos start the event with a presentation. Photo by James Ortiz

The opening presentation introduces participants to the mission behind the organization. Photo by James Ortiz

Students enjoy the meeting and the themed activities provided. Photo by James Ortiz

Students begin crafting Valentine’s Day cards to celebrate the upcoming holiday. Photo by James Ortiz

Downtown Denver Celebrates Día de los Muertos

Lily Berzoza, Staff Videographer

Last fall, Downtown Denver participated in a variety of activities to celebrate Dia De Los Muertos. From homemade shrines to candlelight vigils, a communal sense of love, remembrance, and reverence was nurtured.