RCL Blog

This post was authored by undergraduate student Gina Reitsma for Professor Christine Wilson's ENG 335 assignment, Writing as Social Action. It is part of a “Student Speaks” series on the RCL blog.

When I graduated college the first time around, pre-COVID, I vowed I’d never go back to school again. I had just spent four years getting a two-year associates degree at a community college. I was only a part-time student, but I still struggled with keeping my head above water. My mental health had taken a nosedive in 2016, somewhere between starting my first job at a local Walgreens and the “Pokémon go to the polls” incident. I had been tracking my mood on a new period tracking app and realized that I marked most days with a blue frowny emoji. I then decided it was time to try seeing a therapist. 

Even though I started my therapy journey while I was in school, I still struggled. If you’ve been to therapy before, you’ll know that the first year or even the first couple years are a bit rough. Your mind is still getting used to the new thought patterns and reframing that you’re trying to hammer into it. You’re undoing all the unhealthy coping mechanisms learned throughout your childhood. It’s hard work, it’s tiring, and sometimes, I’d rather just go back to sleep. I was still having panic attacks, still falling behind on my homework, and still dealing with many crippling phobias.

In 2019, my mental health was drowning me yet again and I considered dropping out of school. I was encouraged to stick with it because I only had one semester to go. I needed that god-forsaken piece of paper that supposedly proved I was worth something to employers. So I did it. As soon as I graduated with an Associates in General Education, I immediately felt relief. Throughout my academic career, I had this giant boulder of pressure on my shoulders. It was finally being lifted. 

My journey wasn’t over yet, though. I continued going to therapy every week while picking up part-time jobs. While attending college, I got a job at my local library in the circulation department. It started out as a shelving position, but I quickly moved up to a service desk position. I loved working at the library, but without a Master's degree in Library and Information Science, I could never be full-time. But I did not want to go back to school. I couldn’t have that boulder be dropped back on me again. Instead, I picked up other jobs that might fill the gap. I worked at a doggy day care and I walked dogs; I even tried retail again. I was miserable everywhere I went. 

After all the trial and error and dipping my toe in other career fields, I realized the library was where I wanted to be. I decided I couldn’t leave the library in favor of somewhere that would give me full-time hours and health insurance. I was not going to be the person that hated their job, that dreaded Mondays, that contemplated quitting every week like clockwork. 

At this point in my life, I had already made tremendous progress with my therapist. I started taking medication for my depression and was discovering that I also had ADHD. This progress opened up many more resources for me. I read books and watched videos about how to manage ADHD which seemed to help me. My mental stability began to even out. I was, dare I say…happy. I finally felt like I could take something else on, something challenging. I knew it was time to take the next step; I applied to Dominican University.

Therapy has taught me a lot in 8 years. Eight years ago, I couldn’t see myself surviving well into my adulthood. I wasn't able to picture myself turning 30. Now I can. I’m 27 now and I truly wouldn’t be here today without the help of CBT and a good old SSRI. Sometimes I feel too old to be getting a bachelor's degree, that I should have done this years ago. But that’s not true. I bring a different perspective to the discussions in my classes, the perspective of someone who has entered the so-called “real world” that our professors talk about. I have a real goal for my education now. I’m not the same 18-year-old that was being pressured to choose what I was going to do with the rest of my life. 

How’s that for reframing?

Editor's Note: Dominican's Wellness Center offers free counseling services. Please visit their website or email wellness@dom.edu to find out more about their services. 

Candace Fleming, award-winning author for Children's picture books and young adult nonfiction and fiction books, spoke at the 13th Annual Butler Lecture Series at Martin Recital Hall on Tuesday. Her lecture was followed by an audience Q&A, then a book signing alongside illustrator Eric Rohman who has illustrated many of Fleming's works.

In introductory remarks, Butler Center curator Jennifer Clemons described Fleming as a "friend to the University and Center,” having helped establish the Butler Center 15 years ago. Previous series speakers have included Kyle Lukoff (2024), Ebony Elizabeth Thomas and Renee Watson (2021), Andrea Davis Pinkney (2018), and Jane Yolen (2014).

Visceral Creativity 

A theme throughout Fleming's address was tactile experiences during the processes of research and writing. When writing drafts, Fleming said she uses cheap blue pens. That way, after a hard day of writing, with blue ink stains on her arm she can truthfully say, “I'm blue…I wrote today." 

Fleming also told a story from her youth, having just had her heart broken at a high school dance. Her mother's comfort came by means of a story from her own youth when she learned about the tragic disappearance of pilot Amelia Erhardt. Fleming remembers hearing how her mother “watched, waited, willed Amelia home” helped pull her from her own trifles and recognize the profound ways stories can be a window to empathize with feelings and experiences we don't participate in firsthand.

Like many creative souls, Fleming thrives on new experiences through travel to inspire her research. A trip to Egypt provided sensations of sand skittering beneath her feet and the dark, quiet of the tombs which informed The Curse of the Mummy: Uncovering Tutankhamun's Tomb.

Visiting Alexander Palace in St. Petersburgh, Russia allowed a critical shift in Fleming's perspective. Experiencing firsthand how close the palace gates were to the village and everyday life was a window into how the last czar family of Russia had created a psychological distance between themselves and those they were charged to lead. She then recognized that writing the award-winning The Family Romanov would need to include peasants, soldiers, and Revolutionaries to tell the story truthfully.

Finding the Story

“Searching and finding is not natural to me," said Fleming. When Dominican professor Cecilia Salvatore asked about her research process, Fleming admitted “It's so messy.”  Sometimes an unexpected spark opens the path for a project for the author. After taking six full pages of notes on Faberge eggs, Fleming joked, the author turned course to research the exciting tale of the Russian Revolution.

Fleming described the research for what was initially meant to be a true crime story to be like lifting a rock.  In The Rise and Fall of Charles Lindburgh, Fleming would write about the “underside” of a man's life who, while known to most as a national hero, was also part of a secret society of eugenicists and had secret families. “Research can take you to shocking places, and I wasn't ready for it,” she said.

Fleming prefers to do research with primary sources. “That's where the telling, intimate things are.” She begins a project by discovering which institution carries the most primary sources on her current topic of interest. Even if many documents are available digitally, Fleming prefers the hands-on experience of sifting through them. In researching for what would eventually be Amelia Lost: The Life and Disappearance of Amelia Earhart, Fleming parsed through hand-written letters of sympathy to George Putnam. This allowed her to read the endearingly personal notes Erhardt's widower put on the envelopes of these letters.

Fleming explained she has only begun to focus on nonfiction for young adult audiences in the last 5-8 years. She has a widely spanning oeuvre which includes many picture books as well as nonfiction and fiction books for older children. When an audience member asked whether writing nonfiction or fiction offers more rewards, Fleming said “I need them both.” She enjoys people's responses when she admits a fact-based story of danger and excitement like The Family Romanov is followed up by a picture book called Bulldozer's Big Day.

A Reliable Guide

Beyond being an author of high stature, Fleming is passionate about providing true stories to young readers. Her goal is to provide escapism so enticing her readers will gobble it up in one sitting like a cake. She recognizes that teens are daily awash with information, and she sees her role as guiding them through narratives and wild seas. 

At the same time, she trusts teens to wrestle with contradictions founds in her stories which embody the human condition. Such as depicted in Death in the Jungle, her forthcoming book about the 1978 “revolutionary suicide” of Jonestown. Despite some adults questioning whether such material is fit for teens, Fleming views the tale cautionary yet human, and one she trusts her teen readers to empathetically wrestle with

As a hopeful author of books for youth, these campus events are incredibly inspiring. Make sure to check out the SOIS Signature Events page for future awesome lectures on campus.

More Candace Fleming books found at Rebecca Crown Library:

This post was authored by undergraduate student Jazlyn Cordero for Professor Christine Wilson's ENG 335 assignment, Writing as Social Action. It is part of a “Student Speaks” series on the RCL blog.

As we enter adulthood, life pushes and pulls us in different directions. We are challenged to establish who we are, what we identify as, or simply where we belong. That said, finding a community that truly embraces us can be difficult and frustrating. Putting ourselves out there can be unsettling, especially when there are always demands on our time. As a current sophomore at Dominican, I understand how daunting it can be to branch out and find one's place on campus. I am all too familiar with how obligations such as commuting, working, and even studying can interfere with prioritizing yourself. 

With everything going on in the world, as well as in our personal lives, it is easy to forget being part of a community can be essential for our social, academic, and professional lives. Here at Dominican, there are many activities, events, clubs, and programs that aim to enable students from all types of backgrounds to form unique communities. The effort it takes to find your niche may seem daunting, but it requires only a little movement on your part as a student and person. Your reasons for engagement don’t even have to be fully academic; they can incorporate your interests, hobbies, or even side hustles! Trust me, Dominican will most likely have something to fit your needs. Even if they don’t – yet – you have the power and flexibility to fulfill your need and even bring others alongside who may potentially share your interests.

I also want to express that there is no judgement in not knowing where to start when it comes to becoming a more active member of a community. At times we all face some sort of pressure, or perhaps guilt, in not being aware of all we have to offer in giving back to a community. Perhaps you can gain a little confidence by recognizing there is someone in the same boat as you are. Here is something else to keep in mind if you are feeling alone in your movement to engage with others: you can consider inviting someone you are comfortable with to help you find something suitable for you. Sometimes it takes time to find your voice and power – and that's okay – but that is no excuse to withhold yourself from expanding your horizons or from finding your safe place. 

By no means am I telling anyone that their road to self-discovery and involvement will be an easy one. I know it is not. Even after being at Dominican for nearly two years, I sometimes still feel I have yet to truly leave my mark. However, I have found people ready to encourage me every day, as well as rewarding ways to build community on campus and beyond these walls. 

So even if you find yourself roaming these halls feeling a little lonely, awkward, or shy, just know you are not alone. Whether you become part of a social group like a club or engage in civic opportunities, you will – eventually – find your place here.

This post was authored by undergraduate student Catherine Luquetta for Professor Christine Wilson's ENG 335 assignment, Writing as Social Action. It is part of a “Student Speaks” series on the RCL blog.

🎵 Going to the chapel and we’re … gonna get married. 🎵

Actually, we’re going there to do homework!

As a commuting student here at Dominican, I am not always able to stay at home to get effective work done and have had to find other spaces to be productive. When I need a place to do classwork and enjoy the great things that comes with college late at night, Rosary Chapel and Noonan Reading Room have been the best spots to work. On the rough weeks leading up to finals, the place to find me while I study and do my notes is the Reading Room. I am grateful it is always so open and welcoming. 

Not only is the area pretty to admire, but it is quiet enough to not be distracted from people conversing. Although many people prefer to study at the library here at Dominican University, I prefer Noonan since it is open 24 hours and has an enjoyable ambiance. The atmosphere of Noonan Reading Room is so comforting. The coziness of the chairs makes me feel like I am at my grandparents' house. This unique space has the feeling of acceptance since anyone can go there to study, admire the architecture, or just sit there quietly. In the times I must look up from my computer while working, I find myself gazing at the stained-glass windows. When you are in Noonan or the Chapel during the daytime, there are perfect moments where you can catch sunbeams reflecting through the stained-glass windows onto the ground. Having a place to look at nice things when I am taking an eye break from my computer allows me to recoup my concentration. This also helps me when I am in need of inspiration to create new ideas.

In the library, depending on the location, the options are limited for scenic seating. When you look up from your computer screen, you are most likely going to see shelf after shelf of books. If you are lucky enough to get one of the corner spaces in the library, you can catch a view of the outside of campus. However, this is unreliable. Depending on the time you find that seat, it may be dark outside which limits the view. 

Last fall semester, right before finals rolled around, I had not found a place to sit where I could concentrate on my work without having to worry what time the library closed or if my seat was appealing to the eye. The library was a good place to work, but I had to worry if I was going to finish my work before they closed. Then I would have to pack up all my stuff up and move to another location, or for that matter, maybe head home. Getting a late-night cram session at the library means getting it done by 11pm Sunday through Thursday. At Noonan, I was able to stay until 3am completing the notes I needed for upcoming exams. There was no stressing about the time I had to move which would inevitably cause me to lose concentration. Having brought an assignment from a blank page on my computer to over a page of notes and ideas really helped me realize that I value certain spaces on campus. 

The only drawbacks I see are the lack of accessible outlets without an extension cord, table lamps that are decoration only, and an awkward table to chair ratio. Other than these things, Noonan Reading Room is perfect for enjoying a solo study session. It also works well for group studying with tables comfortably seating up to six people and additional space for chairs besides. 

Cover photo was taken from https://www.dom.edu/alumni/faith-spirituality/masses

This post was written by undergraduate student Raziel Salamanca for Professor Christine Wilson's ENG 335 assignment, Writing as Social Action. It is part of a “Student Speaks” series on the RCL blog. In-post pictures were added by the editor.

There is something special about volunteering for a local community. Many times, we do not stop to think about how volunteering can leave an impact on our own communities and deepen our understanding of civic responsibility and compassion, as well as form significant social connections. It is nice to take step back from our day-to-day schedules and find ways we can contribute to our own communities with small or big actions.  

In late January, I had the opportunity to volunteer for DU Ministry's monthly Come to The Table. This was a new and wonderful experience that allowed me to not only build connections with students and members of the community but also assist the local community at the Quinn Center (Maywood, IL) that rely on these food distributions for their families.  

I was intrigued by the flyer of the service opportunity, and I scanned the QR code to log into EngageDU to view the details and RSVP. When I decided to volunteer for Come to the Table, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I had never done a service opportunity like this before. The description noted that we would have to pack food bags and distribute them at the Quinn Center. I realized afterwards that volunteering for this service was much more than that. It was a unique experience to connect me to the heart of the community. 

One week later, the day came for Come to the Table. The first time I walked into University Ministry, I was struck by the energy of the room as it was a calm and friendly environment. The center felt like a cozy little area. There were a couple of students in the center when I walked in. The students there greeted me and asked me if I was volunteering. After I told them I was, they welcomed me to sit at the couch or chairs near the tables until University Ministry staff finished their meeting.  

After a few minutes, two members of University Ministry, Rachel and Kayla, entered with boxes of food we were going to pack to distribute at the Quinn Center. We needed to clean off the table and placed a tablecloth over before packing 100 food bags to distribute. The eight of us had an hour to make 100 sandwiches and place fruit and treats into each of the paper bags. We decided to split up the work so that each person had a task to do. I could see that everyone was focused on their task as we passed the food bags down to for the next person.  

While we were packing, Rachel started an ice breaker to give us the opportunity to know each another. It was interesting to see students from different majors represented and to get to know each other a bit. Kayla told us more about what this service opportunity is and its origin. I found it incredible that this service started at DU for around 20 years. DU Ministry partners with the Quinn Center to aid local families that rely on these resources. After half of an hour, the table was filled with food bags ready to be placed and stacked into the cart and plastic bins.  

University Ministry provided us the transportation to head to the Quinn Center, located within the St. Eulalia parish, and back to the University. When we got there, a group of individuals were already placing their food bags on the tables. We placed our food bags in sets of four with the rest of the other food bags.  

The people at the Quinn Center were very welcoming and guided us through their process. They explained that some of us would go up to the people in their cars and asked them for a number of family members so we could make sure each person received a food bag. Two other students and I were in charge of sorting the bags into another plastic bag and adding  either a cereal box or a bag of bread. Other students went up to the cars to distribute the food bags. Seeing the gratitude of the people driving by with their food was indescribable. Next, I helped sort the food pantry of the Quinn Center with two other students. I enjoyed organizing the shelves, especially because it allowed me to form a bond with this community and students.  

The drive back from the Quinn Center made me realize that volunteering is such a rewarding experience that makes you grow as a person, get out of your comfort zone, and enact the civic responsibility we have to our own communities. I plan to assist the next Come to The Table service opportunity to become more involved and aid the local community of the Quinn Center. 

I know many of us have busy schedules and it can be difficult to volunteer. However, I believe if you can find time - even if it’s for one or a couple hours per month - you will find something wonderful in volunteering and forming amazing bonds with people. I encourage you to volunteer for the next Come to the Table service opportunity. This wonderful experience will amaze you at how assisting local communities can truly make a long-lasting impact. 

This post was written by undergraduate student Talissa Gonzalez for Professor Christine Wilson's ENG 335 assignment, Writing as Social Action. It is part of a “Student Speaks” series on the RCL blog. Pictures were added by the editor.

According to the student body, the Writing Fellows only exist for a couple weeks each semester – around midterms and finals. Other than that, the ASC (Academic Success Center) runs at its usual slow pace. It’s possible that many people don’t know we exist, and if they do, maybe they aren’t aware of all the services we provide. We are not spell-check, Grammarly, or citation machine. We are real human beings, sitting idly in the ASC until we are deemed useful. 

This is my second semester tutoring at Dominican, but I’ve been tutoring since high school and it’s not all that different. It's possible students want to avoid burdening someone else with their academic struggles, but the Fellows quite literally set time aside for students to do that. Although our skill and position allow for some authority over our tutee, our tutoring pedagogy invites us to approach our tutees as equals and to learn along with them. Fellows benefit from engaging with forms of writing that are foreign to them, just as students benefit from a listening ear and helpful hand. However, there’s been an apparent lack of such. 

Writing exists in nearly every major, regardless of the degree pursued. Yet the vast majority of our tutees are freshmen from CRWS courses. Why don’t we encounter Philosophy majors who need help brainstorming their approach to a certain phenomenon? Or Communication majors who need a test audience for a presentation? Additionally, why don’t we encounter upperclassmen such as seniors who are spiraling about what to include in their portfolio? A large part of this falls on our faculty’s hands. Most of our appointments are generated from courses that incentivize a visit with a Fellow, whether it’s required for a grade or offered for extra credit. We are grateful for the handful of professors we regularly get students from, but there are plenty of others who could encourage it as well. Professors are here to teach what they specialize in, but they are also here to teach students to utilize all the resources available to them on campus. 

Although it can be initially uncomfortable, I love to work with students who bring work that forces me to critically think alongside them. It does me no good to stay within my comfort zone in writing. Not that the appointments are primarily for my benefit, but having a greater diversity in our tutees by working with a larger portion of the student body would be beneficial for the newcomers as well as the tutors. Allowing the Fellows to engage with coursework unfamiliar to them puts them at a more equal pedestal with tutees and allows them to prepare for similar situations in future appointments. We will continue to remain stagnant in trajectory and narrow in audience if our faculty does not aid us in the mission for greater involvement. 

Beyond that, greater involvement isn’t exclusively beneficial to the students. While it may seem like I’m selfishly asking for more traffic in the ASC to feel like a better used resource, it’s more than that. Students we interact with are the same students submitting assignments, participating in class discussions, and most importantly (to some), rating instructor effectiveness – not just through the end-of-semester surveys, but by word of mouth. Professors, when students leave your class, can they honestly say that you did everything in your power to support them in their learning? Writing Fellows can obviously help them as a writer, but a bigger part of our job is empowering our peers with confidence and autonomy over their work. Within the 30 minutes I am given with a student, my main goal is not to inform and instruct, but to uplift. In addition to advocating for professors and their rubrics, I help students feel confident in their writing choices and rediscover the “umph” behind writing – a benefit beyond a good grade.  

The Writing Fellows have no way of hurting course curriculum but have many ways of helping if we are included. The authority dynamic doesn’t always make professors the easiest to approach with issues or concerns, so it’s important to establish another resource that can offer similar support. It’s imperative that faculty start incentivizing visits to the Writing Center by adding it into their syllabus, not only to make students aware of such resources, but to improve engagement with course material and better achieve course learning goals. Help us, by helping the students, help you. 

This post was authored by Future Librarians and Activists for Palestine, a committee of Dominican University's Information Science Student Association.

The desire to remain neutral is often cited as a reason why libraries choose not to get involved in issues of politics or social justice. A common argument is that libraries are supposed to be politically neutral, so they distance themselves from anything that might cause controversy. However, when it comes to issues that are already rooted in an imbalance of power, silence for the sake of neutrality has the unfortunate side effect of affirming the side of the oppressor. It tells the side being oppressed that acknowledging their struggle and elevating their voices isn’t as important as maintaining the status quo—a status quo that is contingent on their continued oppression.

Rather than striving for neutrality by inaction, libraries and library professionals should strive for an active form of neutrality that ensures that all voices are amplified in equitable ways. We should develop our collections to reflect a balance of perspectives so that patrons and users have the opportunity to learn about the issues they are hearing about in the news and form their own informed opinions on these issues. We should uplift the voices of people who are being oppressed and give them the freedom to share their stories. We should make it clear, through our collections, displays, and signage, that all are welcome in our libraries.

When it comes to uplifting the people of Palestine and addressing the decades-long oppression and violence they have faced, there are many things that libraries can do. Many of these actions are an extension of things that libraries are already doing. Collection development librarians can make an effort to include books and materials by Palestinian authors. These books don’t have to be limited to just history or political commentary, instead extending to memoirs, fiction, poetry, and literature for children and young adults that highlight the struggles and pride of being Palestinian. Resources on Palestinian culture, such as cookbooks and embroidery books, can serve as powerful tools to humanize a population that is seldom shown to the broader world outside the context of war journalism. 

Librarians and Archivists with Palestine has an extensive Readings and Resources list that includes information sources as well as reading recommendations for nonfiction, fiction, memoirs, poetry, and children’s books for all grade levels. The Palestinian American Research Center also has a great bibliography of books on various topics. Skyline College Library Palestine Research Guide is another great resource for reading recommendations and understanding the art, culture, and history of Palestine. The Palestine Program Toolkit features books and media recommendations as well as tips and ideas for library programming.

Cooking and crafting are already mainstays in library programming, so holding a class on Palestinian cooking or a workshop on Palestinian embroidery (recognized by UNESCO as an important intangible cultural heritage!) can provide opportunities for members of the community to learn about Palestinian culture, especially if the program is led by Palestinian members of the community. Libraries should also make sure that their policies are updated to include protections from harassment based on nationality, ethnicity, and religion, including religious garments like head coverings and veils, and enforce these policies to ensure that all patrons feel safe using the library.

The ALA highlights access, equity, intellectual freedom and privacy, public good, and sustainability as the core values of librarianship. While neutrality is a noble aspiration, too often it is used as a crutch to support the decision to not take action or voice support for social justice issues that tend to elicit complex emotions among patrons, staff, and leadership. Silence that stems from a refusal to speak up contributes to a continued cycle of violence and oppression. Only through an active form of neutrality—one that focuses on equitably uplifting those oppressed voices—can libraries make themselves welcoming to all.

Links:

UNESCO page on the art of embroidery in Palestine as Intangible Cultural Heritage: https://ich.unesco.org/en/RL/the-art-of-embroidery-in-palestine-practices-skills-knowledge-and-rituals-01722

Librarians and Archivists with Palestine Reading and Resources: https://librarianswithpalestine.org/readings-and-resources/

Palestinian American Research Center Bibliography: https://www.parc-us-pal.org/bibliography-of-books-on-palestine/

Skyline College Library Palestine Research Guide: https://guides.skylinecollege.edu/palestine

Palestine Program Toolkit: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1STXQ0JnFR3WZ_AF2SKRot93SEJKW5Ca723ldOk6bsCQ/edit?tab=t.0#heading=h.97xnqhi699av

ALA Core Values of Librarianship: https://www.ala.org/advocacy/advocacy/intfreedom/corevalues

This post was written by undergraduate student Elizabeth Martinez for Professor Christine Wilson's ENG 335 assignment, Writing as Social Action. It is part of a “Student Speaks” series on the RCL blog. Pictures were added by the editor.

Our Dominican Community is made up of many students who are undocumented or have family members who are. During these challenging times, it is imperative to spread awareness of their rights and available resources while also offering hope. It is crucial to foster an environment where individuals feel accepted, understood, and valued. Thus, embodying Dominican’s mission statement: “to give compassionate service, and to participate in the creation of a more just and humane world”.

The wake of President Trump’s inauguration has led to executive orders such as mass deportations (specifically in sanctuary cities like Chicago) and the ban on birthright citizenship. These have invoked fear and uncertainty among many immigrant families.

During these times of uncertainty, it is easy to feel alone and isolated. We must remind ourselves during these hardships that we as a community must stay united, hopeful, and collaborative. Dominican has a wide range of organizations and resources available to undocumented students and their families. Organizations like Undocumented and Immigrant Allyance, Organization of Latin American Students, and Community Action Network provide valuable information about legal rights and advocacy.

Our campus has also worked to provide support, from mental health services and Free Legal Clinics which will be available all spring semester to both students and families. The Wellness Center offers confidential support, individual counseling, or group counseling to support those in these unprecedented times. The University Ministry is offering spaces and company for those wishing to process recent events through prayer. For additional resources related to immigration, you can contact Yessy Hernandez or Jacky Neri Arias in the Center for Cultural Liberation. These resources exist to help support our undocumented students and serve as a reminder to our community that they are not alone in this fight.

Beyond campus, Dominican works with various partners to advocate for changes at both the local and national level, including the President’s Alliance on Immigration, the Resurrection Project, and TheDream.US. These organizations provide support for immigrant communities through advocacy, education, and legal assistance. The Resurrection Project specifically empowers low-income and immigrant families with financial, housing, literacy, and immigration services. TheDream.US provides scholarships and mentorship for undocumented students. Altogether, these organizations work to promote policy changes and social mobility that benefit immigrants in the U.S.

Our Dominican community’s strength lies within its togetherness. The obstacles that undocumented students and families face are real, but so is the hope, drive, and solidarity to overcome them. Whether it’s rallying for policy changes, creating safe spaces for dialogue, or simply being there to listen and support one another, our community continues to support its students.

To my fellow Dominican peers who may be navigating these challenges: know that you are not alone. You are surrounded by peers who believe in your potential and who will rally for your rights and your dreams. Lean into this community and don’t hesitate to reach out for support—whether it’s through student groups, allies on campus, or trusted faculty members. And most importantly, hold on to hope. There is light at the end of the tunnel, and together, we will continue to move toward it.

I am not an AI skeptic, necessarily. I see artificial intelligence making valuable contributions in the fields of research, the health sciences and towards more accessible design. I love technology and gadgets, and despite my feelings towards the large tech firms, I generally am still optimistic about what technology has and can do for us.

That said, I also see a trend of large (respectable?) organizations cramming AI into their products and services. A few interesting ones have stood out to me recently: Amazon's Rufus, and Reddit's Answers. I thought I would put both to the test and report back: Are these useful tools or more examples of the end of the AI hype cycle?

Disclaimer: Both of these features are currently in BETA so I am sure they will be improved or discontinued or more likely commodified at some point. Let's start with Rufus.

RUFUS

I noticed this a few weeks ago at the top left of Amazon's web page - a prominent place considering how people read the internet. After clicking on “Rufus” the following appeared on my screen:

About three months ago I searched for new work shirts, so I suppose the “Keep shopping” prompts make some sense. The fact that this is the top result is revealing. The “Compare options” suggestions were tangentially related to my previous searches but I am honestly not to sure why I would be asking Rufus to compare quilts and comforters. The suggestions in the “Learn before you buy” section was even stranger: but let's play along. I clicked “What does cocktail attire mean?” and was given the following LLM-like response:

And of course, underneath the explanation were links to various things I can buy (now that I know what cocktail attire is, of course…):

So a relatively boring rabbit hole and not too useful in my opinion, but Lets see how Rufus responds to an actual user prompt: “What is the best laptop”. When I first tried this out last week, I was honestly surprised to see a somewhat useful response about “things to consider” before buying a laptop (operating system, processor, storage, display etc.), and as I scrolled down further I saw advertisements for large laptop manufacturers. This time, it was just the adds for the largest computer brands, with the links to the products underneath. I was quite disappointed by this development.

Overall Rating: Could be somewhat useful, but in the end I do not trust the intentions or the long term stability of this product. I am also still wondering why I would ever be asking Rufus or Amazon what Cocktail Attire is. Not very fun. Not very useful.

Reddit Answers:

As far as I can tell Chat GPT, Claude, Perplexity, Google Overviews, and Deep Seek have all scraped Reddit to some extent to help generate their responses. Reddit obviously noticed this as well and decided to create a LLM (perhaps a medium language model?) that has been trained exclusively on Reddit posts and comments. Or as Reddit puts it, Answers is “a new way to get the information recommendations, discussion, and hot takes people are looking for - on any topic - from real conversations and communities across all of Reddit.” Hmm…

Having spent some time on Reddit, this sounded pretty interesting (and potentially horrifying…) so I wanted to test the guard rails. I started immediately with a rather loaded question: "Is Donald Trump corrupt?" I was surprised to get an actual answer which included a very Perplexity-like response that included a general overview of the topic including sections about: “Allegations of Corruption and Criminal Activity”, “Public Perception and Defense”, and “Concerns about Future Actions”.

It concluded with this: “The debate over whether Donald Trump is corrupt is complex and multifaceted, involving numerous allegations of illegal activities and concerns about his potential future actions. Opinions on Reddit reflect a wide range of perspectives, from staunch criticism to strong defense.” There were also links to reddit posts and conversations about this topic, recommended Subreddits where you can discuss this more, and related follow up questions. I thought that this was a fairly balanced response to an obviously contentious question.

My unrelated follow up (which is equally contentious in some corners) “Is Messi or Ronaldo the GOAT?”. I received an equally balanced and I would argue useful response. I think that this is perhaps a slight improvement over Reddit's current search engine, but it is also limiting the context of the information that users are seeing. 

Overall Rating: Despite my low expectations, I actually found Reddit Answers to by useful and dare I say fun - especially for niche questions or content recommendations. That said, typing your questions directly into the regular OG Reddit search bar would often return many of the same results. Fun. Somewhat Useful.

If any of this is worth destroying the rainforest for - is another question for another day. 

(Spoilers: It's not)

For this blog post, I drew my inspiration from our very own Technical Services Coordinator, Allison Liesz. Go check out her blog post “Five Books That Got Me Through Grad School”. I myself have been a reader on and off since middle school. It can be hard to read when I am back in school, but when I do, I go for the books that will drive a metaphorical knife through my heart. I personally am a mood reader, so on any given day I can decide to read wherever my heart takes me. Typically, it takes me to sad novels.

This is your official warning: these books are sad…proceed with caution. 

(Or don't; I didn’t.)

These books are ordered by sadness:

If We Were Villains by M. L. Rio

This novel is dark academia and is told by Oliver Marks who just spent the last ten years in prison for a murder he may or may not have committed. Oliver recounts the events of his time at Dellecher Shakespeare Conservatory. Pieces of Shakespeare's plays are woven into the lives of the characters, blurring the lines of their lives and a play. Although this group of friends is close, they fight each other for the main roles in the plays. Tensions build, friends are hurt, and someone ends up dead.

This book will keep you guessing while you try to decide whether Oliver is actually a murderer. While this book is not entirely sad, readers may be left with an ache in their heart.

Sadness Rating: 1.5/5

If He Had Been with Me by Laura Nowlin

This novel follows the main character Autumn who is next door neighbors with Finny. Their moms are best friends, Finny and Autumn were raised together, inseparable…until high school. Everything changed in high school. Finny was considered popular while Autumn was considered an outsider and kind of weird. They both avoided each other, their friend groups being enemies. The story moves all throughout high school with flashbacks to their childhoods intertwined. Read to find out if their paths ever really cross over again.

I have read this book almost once a year since middle school. It is a quick read and brings me so much comfort. You may cry, I cannot confirm or deny. Bonus! In 2024, Laura Nowlin published a sequel to this book; If I Had Told Her. It is told through the perspective of three different characters recounting the events of the last book from different character's POV, as well as the future. The second book is much sadder than the first in my opinion, but tied together, they are a tragic duo.

Sadness Rating: 2.75/5

Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin

This novel follows two main characters, Sam and Sadie. They met when they were children at a hospital not really thinking they would cross paths in the future. But when Sam is attending Harvard, he bumps into Sadie who is attending MIT. Both have a love of video games, it was originally what they connected over when they were children. But as adults, their love of playing video games has shifted to creating. After their run in, they begin to create a game together. The novel moves through the next couple years of their life. 

This was my first read of 2024 and it has stayed with me since then. When I play video games, I wonder what Sadie and Sam would have to say. Even if you personally don’t play video games, this book is a must read. It has a diverse cast and the characters feel real.

Sadness Rating: 3.5/5

Call Me by Your Name by Andre Aciman

I first watched the movie a few times before I decided to pick up the book and boy was it worth it. This book is a very quick read, coming in at just about 280 pages. Taking place in Italy during the 1980s, Elio and his family take in PhD student Oliver. Elio and Oliver spend the summer together where Elio is discovering his sexuality. They both know that the summer will end and Oliver has to return to America, but that doesn’t change how they feel towards one another. If you have watched the movie, you may think their story ends when Oliver leaves, the book however chronicles 20 years of their relationship. All the missed chances and longing they both feel. 

As I said before, I originally watched it before I read it. The movie does an amazing job at staying close to the book but the book just provides so much feeling and desire. Elio discovers who he is while Oliver has other obligations. There is no avoiding the sadness you will feel at the end of this book.

Sadness Rating: 4/5

A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara

I will start off by saying that you must check Trigger Warnings before picking up this book. A Little Life follows four college friends: Jude, JB, Willem, and Malcolm. They started off as roommates but quickly became lifelong friends. Although they all hail from various backgrounds, cultures, economic statuses, and family upbringings, they always have time for each other. Jude, who hides his past but is truly the glue to the group, is a lawyer. JB is an artist who likes to play with all different mediums and chronicles the group's friendship through his art. Malcolm is an architect who makes a career for himself and is constantly trying to accommodate for Jude. And Willem is the actor of the group who is kind and compassionate. Hanya Yanagihara beautifully writes these characters and while you read, you will feel like an invisible fifth friend. Watching all four men grow and each individually face hardships is gut-wrenching but real. 

Not a week goes by where I do not think about Jude. He really is the main focal point that brings all the other characters together. His slowly unraveled past will keep you holding a box of tissues at your side. All the tears will be shed throughout this book.

Sadness Rating: 5/5

I know these books are sad but that is what makes me love them. I constantly say to myself and those around me that it is good to feel things and I believe that to be true. Without a doubt, these books will make you feel things. Fret not, I will provide a happy list for those of you who do not want to be sad.