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College of DuPage's Student Newspaper

The Courier

College of DuPage's Student Newspaper

The Courier

Content by Taira Alabi
Board meeting ends with no advances

Board meeting ends with no advances

Taira Alabi, Freelance Reporter January 8, 2016

2016 has started off with more of the same of 2015 for the College of DuPage Board of Trustees. On Jan. 7, College of DuPage held a special board meeting. The meeting was held in the Student Services...

Days of Our Lives: An Inside Look at the Lives of COD’s Muslim students

Taira Alabi, Freelance Reporter December 9, 2015

“Now I have to be careful when I leave my house” said Laraev Haque, a first year respiratory studies major at the College of DuPage.   Haque is just one of  many Muslim students at COD. For these...

Student Filmmakers challenge racial status quo with new film

Taira Alabi, News Editor May 6, 2015

For Rachel Bass, the faces seen in media everyday weren’t something to be taken lightly. They were images that conveyed powerful messages. Now, she is conveying her own messages by casting people of...

What you need to know about Breuder’s leave

Taira Alabi, News Editor May 6, 2015

On April 30, the College of DuPage board of trustees voted to place President Robert Breuder on administrative leave. In his absence, the board named Joseph Collins acting interim president. A Here are...

President Robert Breuder

Commencement will not feature Breuder

Taira Alabi, News Editor May 6, 2015

College of DuPage will host its 48th annual commencement ceremony in the Physical Education Center, with a couple of notable changes due to President Robert Breuder’s administrative leave. According...

Taira’s Timeline: COD’s year under the media’s microscope

Taira Alabi, News Editor May 6, 2015

In just a year, the College of DuPage has been thrust into the forefront in the media. The second-largest higher education institution in Illinois has been the talk amongst news outlets near and far in...

Police Reports: 4/29/15

Taira Alabi, News Editor April 29, 2015

Van strikes cars in parking lot C1 At approximately 9:33 a.m. on April 17, police were called to the Fawell C1 parking lot where a crash had occurred. A white Ford Econoline van was trying to park when...

Foundation defends scholarships, despite recent scrutiny

Taira Alabi, News Editor April 29, 2015

With a massive $14.5 million endowment, an elite 20-member board and aggressive campaigns to raise money, the College of DuPage Foundation’s may seem out of reach for a community college in Illinois....

Board meeting to feature new trustees

Taira Alabi, News Editor April 29, 2015

The College of DuPage Board of Trustees will hold a meeting April 30 at 7 p.m. in the Student Services Center. The meeting will feature the swearing in of the three new candidates, Deanne Mazzochi, Frank...

Dining services says cafeteria is having “good year”

Taira Alabi, News Editor April 29, 2015

Whether it was ensuring there was whipped cream on a mocha at Starbucks or sizzling chicken to perfection for a salad in the cafeteria, the College of DuPage dining services says this past year was a success. Sodexo,...

Watchdog group barks back

Taira Alabi, News Editor April 22, 2015

A local watchdog group might be barking its way into College of DuPage student email accounts soon. The Edgar County Watchdogs, a self-described group of “concerned citizens” that hopes to “foster...

Police Reports: 4/22/15

Taira Alabi, News Editor April 22, 2015

Police Reports Person falls in Arts Center At approximately 4:39 p.m. on April 12, police were dispatched to the McAninch Arts Center. Upon arrival, police met with an individual who had lost her...

Despite ban, some students vape on campus

Despite ban, some students vape on campus

Taira Alabi, News Editor April 22, 2015

There’s a new trend flaring up at the College of DuPage. Vaping, the inhaling and exhaling of smoke from an electronic cigarette, has become a staple in the hallways of campus. While e-cigarettes produce...

COD hires new PR Firm

Taira Alabi, News Editor April 22, 2015

After the initial outcry over the hiring of Res Publica, another communications firm, in March, it appears the College of DuPage has hired a new firm. Levick, a large public relations firm based in...

The Student Life area becoming the home for a Board of Trustees meeting at the College of Dupage on Jan 28.

College of DuPage under federal investigation

Taira Alabi, News Editor April 22, 2015

After months of scrutiny over a lack of transparency and financial oversight, the College of DuPage will add one more bullet point to its list of problems: a federal investigation. According to the...

COD board meeting cancelled in light of election

Taira Alabi and Joash Mencias April 15, 2015

Correction: This article has been updated with the correct name of the spokesman quoted (April 15, 4:13 p.m.) Clarification: This article has been updated to clarify the role of the spokesman quoted...

ELECTION ANALYSIS: What does this mean for COD?

ELECTION ANALYSIS: What does this mean for COD?

Taira Alabi, News Editor April 15, 2015

To the surprise of many, the censured board member Kathy Hamilton endorsed Clean Slate featuring Deanne Mazzochi, Frank Napolitano, and Charles Bernstein took all three vacant seats on the College of DuPage...

Police Reports: 4/15/15

Taira Alabi, News Editor April 15, 2015

Car Struck While Backing Out in Fawell Parking Lot At approximately 4 p.m. on April 6, police were called to the scene of a crash in a parking lot near Fawell Boulevard.  The driver of a red Lincoln...

New health-conscious vending machines have some saying ‘whoa’

New health-conscious vending machines have some saying ‘whoa’

Taira Alabi, News Editor April 15, 2015

While the business affairs office at College of DuPage hopes students will be excited by the “Go! Slow! Woah!” program now offered by vending machines on campus, some students are simply saying “woah”...

New majority set to take majority on board

New majority set to take majority on board

Taira Alabi, News Editor April 15, 2015

Three reform candidates for the College of DuPage Board of Trustees claimed victory over the April board election. Election returns put candidates Deanne Mazzochi, Frank Napolitano and Charles Bernstein...

Student Organizations Try To Tackle Low Involvement

Taira Alabi, News Editor April 8, 2015

While College of DuPage's Student Leadership Council struggles to get students involved, leaders of COD’s clubs and organizations are taking their own initiative to find innovative ways to get students...

POLICE REPORTS: 4/8/15

Taira Alabi, News Editor April 8, 2015

Book Lost in HSC At approximately 11:25 a.m. March 26, police were dispatched to deal with a delayed theft. A student explained that he had left his book on a window ledge in the Health and Science...

Torres receives seat on ICCB

Torres receives seat on ICCB

Taira Alabi, News Editor April 8, 2015

Student Leadership Council President Stephanie Torres has been elected to a serve as a student representative on the Illinois Community College Board. Torres, who also served as a student trustee at...

Elections are here: Here’s what students need to hear

Elections are here: Here’s what students need to hear

Taira Alabi, News Editor April 8, 2015

After months of campaigning, forums, and controversy, District 502 residents had an opportunity to elect three members to the College of DuPage Board of Trustees. Whether or not you voted, here are...

'Clean Slate' candidates claim victory

‘Clean Slate’ candidates claim victory

Taira Alabi, News Editor April 7, 2015

Three candidates for the College of DuPage Board of Trustees claimed victory in the April 7 consolidated elections. Unofficial election returns put candidates Deanne Mazzochi, Frank Napolitano and Charles...

From left: Earl Dowling and College of DuPage President Robert Breuder at a student event March 24.

Breuder addresses scrutiny on COD at student event

Taira Alabi, News Editor March 27, 2015

In the midst of criticism over his leadership tactics and $763,000 severance package, College of DuPage President Robert Breuder gave students an opportunity to ask him questions in a forum dubbed as "Pizza...

Police Reports: 3/18/15 – 3/25/15

Taira Alabi, News Editor March 25, 2015

Theft in the PE Center At approximately 8:50 a.m. March 13, police were called to the Physical Education Center. A student told police that his wallet had been removed from his backpack during track...

Student election turnout lower than previous year

Taira Alabi, News Editor March 25, 2015

Even though enrollment at COD is increasing, turnout for student elections is not. While the College of DuPage has almost 30,000 students, just a little more than 1 percent of the student population...

Data courtesy of SLC.

Roark elected first African-American student trustee

Taira Alabi, News Editor March 25, 2015

When Gloria Roark found out she was the first African-American student trustee at College of DuPage, she was more than ecstatic. “I felt like, I did it,” Roark said. Roark, a first-year nursing...

A person browsing snapchat in the Student Life Atrium at the College of DuPage on March 23.

Inside the story of COD Snaps

Taira Alabi, News Editor March 25, 2015

Taking the term “work hard, play hard,” to new levels, College of DuPage students are showing off the good, bad and illegal on a new Snapchat account called COD Snaps, stylized as “cod_snaps.” After...

Data courtesy of SLC.

Student elections: Roark elected student trustee

Taira Alabi, News Editor March 19, 2015

The results of the 2015 College of DuPage Student Leadership Council election have been released. Gloria Roark received 184 votes, beating out Joshua Clayton for student trustee. Clayton received 136...

provided by Aftermath Entertainment

Lamar Soars On ‘To Pimp A Butterfly’

Taira Alabi, News Editor March 18, 2015

After confusion over the exact release date, Kendrick Lamar’s “To Pimp A Butterfly” was put out into the world March 16. The album was heavily anticipated as Lamar has maintained a cult-like following...

Photo Poll: Student Elections 2015

Taira Alabi, News Editor March 18, 2015

This week, College of DuPage Students will have the opportunity to take to the polls and vote for  Student Leadership Council members. The Courier decided to find out whether or not students were voting. John...

POLICE REPORTS: 3/11/15 TO 3/18/15

Taira Alabi, News Editor March 18, 2015

Accident in Fawell parking lot At approximately 3:45 pm on March 12 in the Fawell A parking lot, the driver of a blue Ford Fusion was looking for a way out of the Fawell A parking lot when the driver...

Board of Trustee candidates answer questions in a public forum an the Turner Conference Center in the College of DuPage on March 11.

Candidates talk improvements for students at forum

Taira Alabi, News Editor March 18, 2015

College of DuPage’s adjunct association hosted a trustee candidate forum March 11 in the Turner Conference Center. The forum featured all twelve candidates vying for three seats on the board of trustees. The...

COD News Bureau

What I’m most excited for this spring

Taira Alabi, News Editor March 12, 2015

This past week, we turned our clocks an hour forward and saw the snow on our front lawns finally begin to melt. Spring is almost here! As temperatures begin to heat up and floral smells fill the air, I...

‘Pizza with the President’ rescheduled

Taira Alabi, News Editor March 12, 2015

A student event featuring college President Robert Breuder has been rescheduled for March 24, according to student body President Stephanie Torres. Dubbed “Pizza with the President,” the event was...

Police Reports: 3/4 – 3/11

Taira Alabi, News Editor March 12, 2015

Traffic incident At approximately 8:23 a.m. on March 6 in the Fawell B parking lot, a traffic incident occurred when a male student bumped and scuffed a black Toyota highlander while backing into a...

SLC President Stephanie Torres

With student elections approaching, involvement remains an issue

Taira Alabi, News Editor March 12, 2015

Though the Student Leadership Council elections are coming up, student leaders say students are not readily involved in campus issues. Stephanie Torres, student body president and former student trustee,...

SLC President Stephanie Torres

Meet the SLC candidates

Taira Alabi, News Editor March 12, 2015

Meet the SLC candidates In just a week, students will be able to vote for candidates for student body president, student body vice president and student trustee. This year, the student elections come...

provided by The Clean Slate

Key parties make their picks

Taira Alabi, News Editor March 4, 2015

As the board of trustees election draws closer, key college stakeholders have decided to back candidates they feel will change College of DuPage. Last month, the college’s faculty association endorsed...

courtesy of Tumblr

Taira’s Trends

Taira Alabi, News Editor March 4, 2015

  Too busy studying to keep up with the top trends this week? Join Courier News Editor Taira Alabi as she rounds up the week’s hot topics from both far and near in Taira’s Trends.   #TheDress...

Flickr/Creative Commons

Taira’s Trends

Taira Alabi, News Editor February 25, 2015

Too busy studying to keep up with the top trends this week? Join Courier News Editor, Taira Alabi, as she rounds up this week hot topics far and near in Taira’s Trends. #Oscars -  “Birdman”...

Board opts to freeze tuition

Taira Alabi, News Editor February 25, 2015

College of DuPage’s board of trustees voted to hold tuition at $140 per credit hour for the fall 2015 term. In September, the board voted to reduce tuition from $144 to $140 for district 502 students....

SLC President Stephanie Torres

Student leaders reflect on time at COD

Taira Alabi, News Editor February 25, 2015

Most College of DuPage students will be filled with hope of the start a colorful spring next month, but for Stephanie Torres, student body president, and Michelle Gallardo, student body vice president,...

provided by Pixabay

Campus Internet attacked, perpetrators unknown

Taira Alabi, News Editor February 18, 2015

College of DuPage students who use their laptops, cellphones and iPads may have noticed the campus Internet was down several times last week. The college received several denial of service attacks, according...

Taira's Trends

Taira’s Trends

Taira Alabi, News Editor February 18, 2015

Too busy studying to keep up with the top trends this week? Join The Courier News Editor as she rounds up this week hot topics in Taira’s Trends. #Breudergate- While the media frenzy surrounding...

A group of students at a Diversity Club meeting at the College of DuPage on Feb. 13.

College Diversity Center focuses on black students

Taira Alabi, News Editor February 18, 2015

Home to more than 2,000 African-American students and founded during the heat of the civil rights movement, College of DuPage’s new center for diversity and inclusion has formally celebrated Black History...

The crowd of district 502 citizens at the Board of Trustees meeting in the Student Life area of the College of DuPage on Jan. 28.

Q+A with Student Trustee Omar Escamilla

Taira Alabi, News Editor February 11, 2015

As the College Of DuPage board of trustees was criticized over President Robert Breuder’s $763,000 severance package, there was a COD student who experienced the backlash firsthand. Omar Escamilla has...

COD News Bureau

Spring enrollment up 3.6 percent

Taira Alabi, News Editor February 11, 2015

For College of DuPage students, the college reaching its largest spring enrollment yet might mean a longer wait in line at Starbucks or less open parking spots. But for Earl Dowling, vice president of...

State lawmakers taking action after Breuder buyout

Taira Alabi, News Editor February 4, 2015

Legislation is already being proposed to ensure that no public official ever gets a severance package as large as Breuder’s again. Peter Breen, state representative for House District 48, which includes...

President Robert Breuder at the board of trustees meeting at the College of DuPage on Jan. 28, 2015.

Student leaders upset by negative coverage

Taira Alabi, News Editor February 4, 2015

Last month, College Of DuPage students saw their school’s name on TV, in newspapers and on the radio. College President Robert Breuder’s $763,000 severance package became COD’s claim to fame for...

The crowd of district 502 citizens at the Board of Trustees meeting in the Student Life area of the College of DuPage on Jan. 28.

Trustee election 101

Taira Alabi, News Editor February 4, 2015

In the past two weeks, President Robert L. Breuder’s large severance package has caused COD to become the hot topic of local and regional news media. Words like “Buyout,” and “Secrecy” have been...

President Robert Breuder at the board of trustees meeting at the College of DuPage on Jan. 28, 2015.

EXCLUSIVE: Breuder Speaks On His Retirement to College Staff

Taira Alabi and Joash Mencias January 30, 2015

Speaking candidly to members of the COD community for the first time since news broke of his buyout, President Robert Breuder laid out several institutional plans during an internal meeting for college...

President Robert Breuder, as pictured above during an August 2014 interview with The Courier, is set to retire in March 2016.

Trustees agree to Breuder buyout of $762,000

Taira Alabi and Joash Mencias January 22, 2015

College of DuPage President Robert Breuder will be seeing the end of his presidency soon. COD’s board of trustees voted 6-1 on Jan. 22 to grant Breuder a severance package to the tune of $762,000. Breuder...

'Snappening' serves as reminder to be cautious online

‘Snappening’ serves as reminder to be cautious online

Taira Alabi, Reporter December 3, 2014

While the backdrop of a snowy winter wonderland may seem like the perfect setting for your next selfie, students may want to think twice about what they post to social media this winter break. In October,...

Banks delivers on delayed album

Taira Alabi, Reporter November 19, 2014

https://play.spotify.com/track/5eWpsO2k3dYH6P5nSFA8ZM Banks finally gives us something to say thanks for. Azealia Banks, the feisty female MC who had the music scene buzzing when she released her single...

College of DuPage Foundation Director Cathy Brod presents eight distinguished alumni. Photo courtesy of COD News Bureau.

College recognizes notable alumni

Taira Alabi, Reporter November 19, 2014

“Never forget where you came from, even when you get to the top,” Buna Dahal, an alumna of College of DuPage, said as she spoke to a class at COD. All eyes laid on the small, blind woman who filled...

Two staff members showcase their decorated pumpkins during an event sponsored by COD Cares at College of DuPage.

Staff dress up pumpkins for ‘Little Friends’

Taira Alabi, Reporter November 4, 2014

Pumpkins dressed up as minions, monsters and men were on display on Oct. 30 as College of DuPage staff members participated in the first Great Pumpkin Decorating Event in the Student Resource Center cafeteria....

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