News - The Eastern Echo

Ypsilanti rapper, Kid Jay, collaborates with the Detroit Youth Choir to recreate "Glory" and bring light to racial injustice

By Bianca Ramsey · Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020

Ypsilanti rapper, Kid Jay, the Detroit Youth Choir, and rapper IndigoYaj teamed up, utilizing their social media platforms in order to bring awareness to the Black Lives Matter Movement. The song highlights racial injustices in the United States, a major point of discussion in the 2020.

Eastern Michigan Aviation Program signs 5-year partnership with Crosswinds Aviation

By Cameryn Eberly · Saturday, Sept. 19, 2020

Eastern Michigan University and flight training school Crosswinds Aviation have teamed up in a five-year partnership agreement to expand opportunities for aviation students. Several new benefits include more training locations, expansion of aircraft training, and emphasis on the advancement of the High School Flight Program, helping aviation students get a head-start on their career goals.

COVID-19 pushes student government spring elections into fall 2020, meetings have yet to resume

By Kennedy Robinson · Thursday, Sept. 17, 2020

Student government elections have been pushed from late march into fall 2020 semester. Students may vote for as few or as many of the listed candidates as the choose due to the limited pool of candidates. Following elections, student government will resume meetings virtually.

Namesake of Quirk Theatre exposed for blackface performances; EMU officials exploring next steps

By Ashlee Buhler · Monday, Sept. 14, 2020

Officials at Eastern Michigan University are discussing the next course of action after learning of the racist history tied to one of the namesakes for the Quirk-Sponberg Theatre, Daniel L. Quirk Jr. Quirk. Quirk frequently directed and performed minstrel shows.

Eastern Michigan esports partner pledges $1 million towards gaming industry

By Cameryn Eberly · Monday, Sept. 14, 2020

Global esports organization Gen. G has granted $1 million towards the advancement and expansion of opportunities for gaming-industry students. With Eastern Michigan University as a founding partner, the money will be used to support career goals for students in the Simulation, Animation and Gaming program at Eastern, including a scholarship offer for one freshman.

A life of art and music: EMU's oldest professor, Nelson Amos, retiring from EMU at 81

By Gracie Thompson · Monday, Sept. 14, 2020

EMU’s oldest professor, Nelson Amos, is retiring at 81 years old, after 46 years at EMU as a professor of guitar, lute and music history. He spoke to the Echo about his future plans and the challenges he has faced during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Ypsilanti Township Board of Trustees votes down option to purchase additional ballot scanners

By Juliana Lumaj · Monday, Sept. 14, 2020

The Ypsilanti Township Board of Trustees voted down two options to purchase addition ballot scanners to count the absentee ballots for the upcoming general election.

Map of campus-area crime: Sept. 5 through Sept. 11

By Tyler Gaw · Monday, Sept. 14, 2020

The campus area crime map is a report of criminal activity that has been reported in the Ypsilanti-area as well as on the campus of Eastern Michigan University. The following crimes were reported between Sept. 5 through Sept. 11.

Campus area crime: Aug. 17 through Sept. 4

By Tyler Gaw · Monday, Sept. 7, 2020

The police blotter is a report of criminal activity that has been reported in the Ypsilanti-area as well as on the campus of Eastern Michigan University. The following crimes were reported between Aug. 17 through Sept. 1. On Thursday Sept. 3, EMU Police sent out a timely warning to all students and staff about an off-campus armed robbery.

EMU Counseling and Psychological Services continues to thrive with virtual operations during COVID-19

By Cameryn Eberly · Monday, Sept. 7, 2020

Eastern Michigan University’s Counseling and Psychological Services has transformed their practices to solely online methods in an attempt to slow the spread of COVID-19. Program director Dr. Lisa Lauterbach opens up about plan challenges brought on by the pandemic circumstances. CAPS remains dedicated to providing mental health services in a virtual format that protects physical health concerns while also addressing the drastic surge in coronavirus-related depression and anxiety levels among college students.

Michigan has cut funding to universities in the state by $200 million: What this means for EMU

By Liz Erne · Monday, Sept. 7, 2020

No fall sports and a delayed move-in, along with a budget slash at the state level of $200 million has impacted EMU’s financial health. EMU has responded with salary cuts to administrators and a reliance on state unemployment programs for non-bargained staff through the Michigan Work Share program. Access the interactive map made by the Echo’s Digital Editor, Liz Erne, to see the changes made at other university in the midwest due to the economic impact of COVID-19.

Ypsilanti City Council discusses marijuana, election funding, and police updates

By Juliana Lumaj · Monday, Sept. 7, 2020

Ypsilanti City Council discussed marijuana retailers, a budget increase for the November general election, police training, and a rise in the water and sewage bill for city residents, during their Sept. 1 meeting.

“Let’s Talk About Online Learning” seminar answers student questions about online learning

Advice from EMU professors on how to survive a semester online

By Gracie Thompson · Sunday, Sept. 6, 2020

Six EMU professors hosted an online seminar, “Let’s Talk About Online Learning,” on Thursday, August 27 to answer questions and acknowledge the difficulties that may be faced in the virtual Fall 2020 semester. Topics included building student interaction, technical difficulties with working virtually, as well as student proactivity.

EMU students frustrated with the last-minute decision to delay fall move-in

By Austin Elliott and Liz Erne · Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2020

Last week, Eastern Michigan University announced that move-in for on-campus housing would be delayed by three weeks, until Sept. 17. The Monday morning announcement was criticized by some students and parents for it’s last-minute nature, which caught many students and university staff off-guard.

New thrift store and clothing bank to open in Depot Town

By Bianca Ramsey and Ronia-Isabel Cabansag · Monday, Aug. 31, 2020

The Thrift Depot, a thrift store and clothing bank, is set to open in Depot Town on Sep. 1. Store owner Joshua Maxam has a mission to serve those experiencing homelessness in Ypsilanti.

EMU delays fall move-in for three weeks and will transition to mostly online

By Austin Elliott · Monday, Aug. 24, 2020

In an email to students Monday morning, EMU President James Smith said that over a 72-hour period, the university made the decision to postpone move-in, following their assessment of other university reopenings across the country.

#EMUSAFE COVID-19 related campus flyers.

Getting ready for the Fall: How EMU plans to re-open on August 31

By Dan D'Introno · Thursday, Aug. 20, 2020

Eastern Michigan University plans to re-open on August 31, following COVID-19 guidelines mandated at the local, state, and federal level. On August 7, the university released the “Safe Return to Campus Plan” in a campus update from the Office of the President. The 20 page document entails the University’s “phased return to campus” for both students and university employees.

Controversial new Title IX regulations now in effect

By Sophia Kalakailo · Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2020

The US Department of Education released new Title IX regulations earlier this year on May 6, that will go into effect on Aug. 14, 2020. The Echo spoke with EMU's Title IX Coordinator, Anika Awai-Williams about what these new regulations will bring to Eastern Michigan University.

WCC students and faculty plan to save the Culinary and Baking/Pastry Arts program

By Carmen Cheng · Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2020

Washtenaw Community College announced plans to discontinue the Culinary and Baking/Pastry Arts programs on July 9. A petition was started by two culinary arts students. The petition was presented to the WCC Board of Trustees at their monthly meeting on Tuesday, July 28. As of now, the program will still be cut.

Fraternity Alumnus charged with sexually assaulting seven women at Eastern Michigan University

By Cameryn Eberly · Monday, Aug. 10, 2020

Ypsilanti police arrested 23-year-old Dustyn Michael Durbin on July 29, after being accused of multiple sexual assaults since his enrollment at EMU in the fall of 2014.