Special Edition Fall 2021: Proactive vs Problematic
Proactivity of St. Kate’s and The Wheel
Since 1935, The Wheel has been informing the Katie community about current events happening both on-campus and globally. As the world changes around us, The Wheel needs to change with it by continually covering and broadcasting important issues. Let’s go back in-time and examine some examples of the proactivity of St. Kate’s and The Wheel.
Global Issues
November 5, 1976
In 1976, the University of St. Catherine established an Awareness Day for world hunger and invited a guest speaker, Dr. John Murray, to give a talk about his experience abroad helping communities in need of food. Additionally, the University collected food for a local food shelf in the twin cities. Almost 50 years later, St. Kate’s continues to bring awareness to this important issue by hosting Empty Bowls, an initiative that raises money and awareness for Open Arms of Minnesota.
September 23, 2005
After the devastating effects of Hurricane Katrina, the St. Catherine community came together in an effort to help those affected by the natural disaster. The students, faculty, and staff raised a total of $15,000 and a group on campus held a rally in support of the victims of the natural disaster. Additionally, the University provided enrollment opportunities for students from affected areas, like the Xavier University in Louisiana, so that students could continue their studies.
Student Issues
April 5, 1994
As a student newspaper, The Wheel strives to provide support for the students attending St. Kate’s. In a special edition, The Wheel writers dedicated a majority of the article to discussing the issue of eating disorders. The article provided information on specific eating disorders, like anorexia, bulimia, and overeating, and it also provided a resource list and a therapist’s perspective. Although eating disorders can affect any individual, it greatly affects young women, so it’s necessary that St. Kate’s addresses this challenging issue as a historically women’s institution.
May 19, 1994
College gives students the ability to dive deep into aspects of their identity that have previously not been discovered. Given this new freedom, some students may begin to question their sexual orientation and/or gender identity. The Wheel recognized this opportunity of exploration and decided to help students who may be struggling. For one of the column’s Q+As, a student asked about who to talk to while questioning your sexuality. The Wheel answered the question by providing a variety of resources and information regarding this topic.
Professor Issues
April 9, 1998
In the late 90s, the university promised its professors a pay increase to their salary. However, the enrollment did not meet expectations, and the professors did not receive their raises. Frustrated, the professors questioned whether or not their raises depended on the enrollment and wanted the pay increase to be reinstated. The Wheel wanted to cover this issue and support the teachers requesting the pay increase. Although this goes against the university, The Wheel wanted to help the professors of the Katie community receive the compensation that they were promised.
September 8, 1978
June Noronha, the intercultural coordinator of St. Kate’s in the late 70s, acted as a resource for students of color navigating the complexities of college life. As a migrant who graduated from Macalester college in the Twin Cities, Noronha experienced the obstacles that many other international and minority students face when entering college. From not understanding certain subjects to being afraid to ask for help, Noronha made her way through college with little to no resources. Noronha did not want that to happen to other students in a similar situation to her, so she decided to be the recourse that she wished she had in college.
