University president passes away
By Cassidey Kavathas, News Editor On the morning of March 1, the St. Bonaventure university campus paused as the news of President Dr. Dennis Deperro’s passing sat in everyone’s email inbox. “I was sitting at my desk this morning when the news came from Dr. Zimmer and it was one of those days where I had just felt that something was off from the moment I woke up,” said Dean Whitcomb, the assistant director of admissions at the university. “I was in shock and deeply saddened to read the words on my screen.” The news that the 21st president passed away after his battle with COVID-19 was delivered at 9:17 a.m. as students and faculty prepared for classes and work. DePerro was first admitted to a Syracuse hospital Dec. 29 after testing positive for COVID-19 on Christmas Eve. He was placed on a ventilator midJanuary. DePerro died at 4:30 a.m. on March 1, at the age of 62.
The DEI Commission changes campus mindset
By Cassidey Kavathas, News Editor The Diversity, Equity and Inclusion commission is a campus-wide initiative to create a more culturally conscious campus. Since 2018, the diversity task force inside of the Jandoli School of Communication has adopted this initiative. The task force includes Dr. Kimberly DeSimone as diversity advocate, Assistant Professor Heather Harris, Dr. Pauline Hoffmann, and Dr. Chris Mackowski. “The focus of the Jandoli DEI plan is instituting observable and measurable strategies and tactics to enhance and standardize diversity, equity and inclusion in ways that can be assessed and measured quantitatively to ensure we are reaching every student,’ said DeSimone.
Snowy conditions lead to slippery sidewalks around campus
By Cassidey Kavathas, News Editor
Winter weather has graced Western New York and the Greater Olean area leaving St. Bonaventure University stuck in the cold, covered in snow and ice. This has led to some unfavorable conditions to walk around campus heading to class or to meet up with peers.
“It’s icy and slushy and I slip all the time,” said Caitlyn Slater, a freshman childhood and early childhood education major. “I have to go to class earlier than planned to make sure I can get there safely.”
With campus mainly consisting of students whose main mode of transportation is walking, slippery sidewalks can be a real hazard, according to students.