News - The Eastern Echo

Housing and meal plan rates to increase for fall 2020

By Dan D'Introno · Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2019

The Eastern Michigan University Board of Regents unanimously voted during the Regular Board Meeting to increase on-campus housing rates by an average of 2.94% and university meal plan rates by 2.95%. According to the university the increase in housing is aimed at helping offset “deferred maintenance costs [costs]“ related to on-campus housing.

EMU holds its fall 2019 commencement ceremony with over 2,300 students eligible to walk

By Austin Elliott · Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2019

EMU held its fall 2019 commencement ceremony on Dec. 15, 2019. In total, over 2,300 students were eligible to walk in the ceremony. U.S. Sen. Gary Peters was the commencement speaker, and he was awarded an honorary Doctor of Public Service degree.

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Business and Finance Committee ends semester with generous allocations

By Jenna Robinson · Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2019

The Business and Finance Committee allocated 7% of the budget to club hockey after giving them no funding at the previous allocation meeting. Senators also allocated a total of $3,508 to student organizations during the meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 10. This will be Student Government’s last meeting until after winter break. The next meeting will be a Senate meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 7.

EMU awards special recognition to minority and international students

By Sophia Kalakailo · Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2019

Students of color and international students received special recognition at the Multicultural Graduation Celebration for Fall 2019. Graduates received stoles of their choice to represent their culture, heritage and academic success. A Multicultural Graduation Celebration will also be held for Winter 2020 graduates.

Sigma Sigma Sigma and EMU’s physician’s assistant program "Break the Chain" event to raise awareness of human trafficking

By Kylie Gilligan · Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2019

On Wednesday, Nov. 20, Sigma Sigma Sigma and EMU’s physician’s assistant program held an event for women seeking education on human trafficking. The event was comprised of a documentary viewing and guest speakers.

Update: Swoop’s Pantry struggles to keep up with increased demand

By Austin Elliott · Saturday, Dec. 14, 2019

Dr. Paul Leighton, who currently serves as the Chair of Swoop’s Advisory Board, addressed the board of regents on behalf of Swoop’s Pantry, saying that Swoop’s has seen a 50% increase in demand from last year. He has asked the board for additional storage space within Pierce Hall.

EMU Campus Sleep Out raises awareness about homelessness

By Bianca Ramsey · Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2019

EMU held the first annual Campus Sleep Out on November 21, in front of the university's Department of Public Safety. The event was intended to raise awareness about homelessness in Washtenaw County.

First Year Writing Program hosts the 37th Semiannual Celebration of Student Writing

By Austin Book · Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2019

The First Year Writing program hosted the 37th Semiannual Celebration of Student Writing in the Student Center Ballroom on Thursday, Dec. 5.

Student Senate unanimously passes resolution asking for the president and provost to support the creation of a Housing Insecurity Fund

By Dan D'Introno · Monday, Dec. 9, 2019

Passed in a 17-0 vote on Dec. 3 by EMU student senate, the resolution asks for the president and provost’s support in creating a housing insecurity fund, as well as to allow students to donate excess meal swipes and flex dollars to Swoops Food Pantry, and provide students who use Swoops Food Pantry hour-long parking passes when accessing Swoop’s.

State Senator discusses legalization of marijuana pertaining to Ypsilanti

By Sophia Kalakailo · Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019

Sen. Jeff Irwin visited EMU’s Student Center to inform interested locals on the recent opening of recreational marijuana dispensaries. There are currently seven operating recreational facilities in Ypsilanti as of Dec.1

Police Blotter: Dec. 2 - Dec. 7

By Tyler Gaw · Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019

The police blotter is a report of criminal activity in Ypsilanti and Eastern Michigan University during the week of Dec. 2 through Dec. 7

Rapper Juice WRLD reported dead on Sunday morning

By Austin Elliott · Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019

Hip hop sensation Juice WRLD, a rapper from the Chicago area whose real name is Jarad A. Higgins, was reported dead on Sunday Dec. 8 according to the Associated Press.

Students and faculty remember lost lives for Transgender Day of Remembrance

By Austin Book · Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2019

Eastern Michigan University’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Resource Center (LGBTRC) hosted the Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR) event in McKenny Hall on Wednesday, Nov. 20. This year marked the 20th anniversary of TDOR.

Suspect in Country Meadows apartment complex faces charges

By Tyler Gaw · Monday, Nov. 25, 2019

26-year-old Ajay Tremaine Stovall has been arraigned of two charges. Victim’s condition is still unknown.

NASO and CORE partner with QueerKwe Designs to teach Two-Spirit Identity

By Megan Girbach · Saturday, Nov. 23, 2019

Students interested in learning about Two-Spirit Identity and creating beautiful pride jewelry met in the Student Center Intersection on Nov. 19.

EMU student body Senators discuss housing insecurity, mental health crises, and other student concerns on campus

By Jenna Robinson · Saturday, Nov. 23, 2019

Senators brought up concerns regarding food insecurity, student homelessness and housing insecurity, disorganization within EMU facilities, and the lack of funding for Counseling and Psychological Services at EMU. Senators brought up these topics during the Senate meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 19 to make the Student Body Government aware of these issues so that plans of action can be made.

Poetry reflects life inside Women's Huron Valley Correctional Facility

By Ronia-Isabel Cabansag · Saturday, Nov. 23, 2019

On Tuesday, Nov. 19, "The Writers' Bloc: Poetry from Inside Women's Huron Valley Correctional Facility," served as the third and final segment in this semester's Star Lecture Series, titled, "Ideas into Action." A panel of volunteer facilitators and poets shared their experiences in a poetry workshop held within the women’s correctional facility just twenty minutes from EMU’s campus.

OWCR provides students with access to affordable health insurance

By Megan Girbach · Saturday, Nov. 23, 2019

The Office of Wellness and Community Responsibility (OWCR) hosted an affordable health insurance event on Nov. 20 in the EMU Student Center. Certified enrollment agents from the Washtenaw Health Initiative (WHI) spoke with students to help them look for the best insurance plan based on their coverage needs and financial plan.

Senate passes resolution to match student donations to the Student Emergency Fund

By Jenna Robinson · Thursday, Nov. 21, 2019

Senators passed Resolution 106-10 in a 18-1 vote during the Senate Meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 19. The resolution states that Student Government will match student donations up to $15,000 during a 30-day period. This resolution is in addition to Student Government matching student’s $5 donations on Giving True Day.

Prison Creative Art Project hosts Michigan Review of Prisoner Creative Writing

By Dan D'Introno · Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2019

An evening of poetry and prose was hosted at 734 Brewing Company in downtown Ypsilanti, in the Depot Town neighborhood. The event, open to the public 18 years and older, showcased the publication’s work from the last 11 years.