CITY DIVIDED FOCUS, page 14
Vol. # 96, Issue # 17
April 2, 2012
Protestors prepare for NATO Summit By EVA GREEN Contributing Writer
“There is this rhetoric that really vilifies free speech,” said Daniel PasquiniSalazar, a DePaul alumni who graduated with his master’s degree in international public service in reference to the anticipated NATO demonstrations in Chicago. “ I want to go down to the protests and be part of that conversation and really engage people about what they’re thinking in terms of what are the solutions…” Salazar’s comments came just prior to the recent ruling by Judge Raymond J. Prosser who denied protesters a parade permit, which would pass through the middle of the downtown area during the NATO summit. City officials say it would cause a logistical disturbance and could be a possible safety
risk. “I think it’s really important to realize the humanity on both sides,” Salazar said. “The police are often very frightened and they are untrained and they’re not in the right frame of mind because they have been told these are violent people…” Some people around DePaul’s downtown campus say they don’t understand the issues raised by activists, an anticipated presence which has influenced DePaul to close its Loop Campus during the weekend of the NATO summit.
“ I don’t know why people are upset that the NATO thing is being held here,” said Ricardo Vazquez, a second year law See NATO PROTESTS page 5
SamanthaSchroeder|TheDePaulia
Hungry? Don’t wait Vision unclear
Audience’s appetite still ample for the “Hunger Games” By KIERSTEN SINKO Staff Writer Another blockbuster trilogy has made its way into the hearts of the world. Similar to the tales of “Harry Potter” and “Twilight,” “The Hunger Games” has captured the attention of millions of viewers. Premiering last week and raking in a record $155 million in North America alone, the first of Suzanne Collins trilogy earned the title of strongest opening weekend total for a spring release, in all time. Over the past year, Lionsgate has executed an extensive marketing campaign to supplement the release of the feature film, including near-constant use of Facebook and Twitter, a YouTube channel, a Tumblr blog, iPhone games and live Yahoo streaming from the premiere. “The Hunger Games” promises to be one of the biggest film franchises of this decade, with predictions that it will easily earn $500-$700 million, depending on the interest overseas. Basically, if you hadn’t heard of “The Hunger Games” recently, you must have been living under a rock. Seriously, these guys were and still are everywhere. Lead actress Jennifer Lawrence spoke of this in several interviews before the film was released, emphasizing her shock when millions of screaming fans lined up to meet the young woman. “This is big, huh?” she remarked to David Letterman. It’s common for viewers to have complaints when their favorite novels are made into films, such was the case with many for the “Twilight” Photo courtesy of MCT Wire Service
saga and “Harry Potter,” however, “The Hunger Games” was the complete opposite. Although the film was longer than most, and the portrayal of the book was not exactly perfect, this movie was exactly what readers hoped it would be: powerful. “The Hunger Games” did have a few deviations from the book, including a head gamekeeper who easily communicates with President Snow and the instant start to the rebellion in District 11. The movie even went through a talk show to explain parts of the 74th Hunger Games arena, in order to ensure that the audience understood what they were seeing. These add-ons were exactly what this movie needed in order to explain the concept of the story to viewers who have not read the books. Suzanne Collins, the author of “The Hunger Games” trilogy, collaborated with the writers of the script in order to make sure her books were displayed in a way of her liking. After hearing this, I was fully See HUNGER GAMES, page 24
DePaul’s strategic planning draft leaves developement questions By PAIGE WAGENKNECHT News Editor
Vision2012 kicked off the DePaul sprawl with new facilities including an art museum, a new academic facility and a half-built Theatre School facility, which accounted for solid chunk of the plan. However, it appears the Vision2012 building projects will spill over into the new Strategic Planning 2018 plan, based on the latest draft emailed to the university community, March 21. The Board of Trustees will vote on the draft in May, and if accepted will determine DePaul’s plan for the next six years. “They will tear down McGaw soon and start building the Music School after the Theatre School is complete,” said Student Government Association (SGA) President Anthony Alfano. During the December Faculty Council meeting, one executive vice-president cautioned against ambitious building projects issued in Strategic Planning 2018 because several big facility ideas from Vision2012 will not be completed until 2016. The new draft stated commitments to complete the Lincoln Park campus fine arts quarter, including finishing the Theatre School and Music School, and selectively expand the Loop campus. The plan also calls for increased sustainability by reducing the university’s carbon footprint through a “practical and appropriate framework.” But, the one bullet point that received the most attention was a reference to the possibility of a return for the men’s basketball team to Chicago: “Seek opportunities to bring men’s basketball back into the city.” While many took this statement as an affirmation the team will return to Chicago to See STRATEGIC PLANNING DRAFT, page 9