DePaul’s Student Government Association has passed several resolutions related to undocumented and international student issues this quarter. SGA is providing resources for students to secure state identification, committing to holding quarterly “Student Advocacy Dialogue” meetings and is planning an alumni-based networking event for the spring.

The actions, spearheaded by the Academic Affairs Committee, the Diversity and Equity Committee, and the International and Undocumented Student Support Committee, come after feedback from international students in early January and as a surge in immigration enforcement is rumored to be coming up in the spring.

Leen Hashlamoun, co-chair of the International and Undocumented Student Support Committee, said the purpose of the quarterly Student Advocacy Dialogue meetings is to inform students of their rights if they come into contact with federal agents. The sessions would be led in partnership with the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights, commonly known as ICIRR. The first session is tentatively set for March.

“In the dialogue sessions, we want to have discussions about your constitutional rights, specifically in the context of federal agents,” Hashlamoun said. “What does that mean for us as students, and how we can better protect and educate our population?”

Co-chair of the International and Undocumented Student Support Committee Taras Mytrofanyuk said students interested in joining the committee can apply on a rolling basis. The body will be working with the Office of International Student Success and Global DePaul.

Students can apply to join via SGA’s Instagram page. The committee has also released a survey asking international and undocumented students for feedback on their experience at DePaul.

“We don’t want to make policy decisions or legislation that is speaking for them, and is saying ‘This is what you need,’” Hashlamoun said. “We want to listen to them. We want to have them on the committee and figure out their needs and figure out the best way to address them.”

State ID access initiative

The Academic Affairs Committee is working on an initiative to inform students, particularly international students, on how to obtain a state-issued ID, according to Mytrofanyuk. An international student representative suggested this idea during the first meeting of the quarter.

“For the state ID initiative, we have been working to better understand the legal process and how to clearly communicate the steps students need to take to obtain a state-issued ID,” Mytrofanyuk told The DePaulia in an email. “Right now, we are in ongoing conversations with university offices and administrators to determine what is legal and feasible and how we can make this initiative a reality for students.”

The resolution requires SGA to make a checklist of the required documents and proposes using trained volunteers to accompany students to DMV locations. 

The Academic Affairs Committee is also leading an initiative to hold an alumni-based networking event on April 17 in Student Center 120AB. Mytrofanyuk said the first event will be geared towards students in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, but he hopes that DePaul will expand this idea to other colleges.

“The goal is to create more opportunities for professional development and networking,” Mytrofanyuk said. “We have been working with several campus departments to secure space, coordinate promotion, and align this event with existing student resources.”

Campus Affairs prepares to “Fuel up for Finals” and responds to Aramark feedback

Peyton Deck, chair of the Campus Affairs Committee, said she is working on a “Fuel up for Finals” event that will educate students on the purpose of the Basic Needs Hub, which includes the Rosalie Rendu Student Pantry and also provides access to toiletries and the Career Closet.

Razvan Popescu, sophomore studying film and member of Deck’s committee, spoke about his interest in making it easier for students to provide feedback on Aramark’s food now that Chartwells’ kiosks have been replaced with smaller QR codes. 

“I appreciate the work the staff does a lot, they’re very nice and kind, and I feel like there’s a lot of effort put into it to really make it satisfactory for DePaul students,” Popescu said. “I do think, though, that there needs to be more communication on that, and I do think that a lot of student ideas just aren’t being said — not because it’s their fault, but because they just don’t know the avenues for that.” 

The change from Chartwells to Aramark has gotten mixed reactions from students this quarter.

Future provost selection continues

In light of Provost Salma Ghanem leaving DePaul at the end of the academic year, the university is hosting open forums in which prospective provost candidates give a brief presentation followed by a moderated Q&A session. The forums will be held through Feb. 20. 

Vice President Ahmad Barakat is a member of a student advisory group regarding the provost search.

“Even if you’re not a part of the Search Committee, I urge all students to go and put their input in because I know the administrators are going to take that into consideration when deciding on the provost,” Barakat said.

SGA hosts its general body meetings on Wednesdays from 6 to 8 p.m. in McGowan South 104.

Related stories: 

• SGA begins winter quarter with heated meeting but passes first bill of the academic year
• Manuel, administrators address budget, ICE concerns at SGA meeting
• SGA fall election voting opens, Manuel to speak at Wednesday’s meeting