STORIES

Over the past year, immigration enforcement has become one of the greatest concerns all around the country. It has created uncertainty for students and has led to planned walkouts in many schools to advocate for their rights. While no one hopes to experience a situation where immigration enforcement is present on campus, understanding what to do and knowing the available resources can help students feel more prepared and supported. According to the Dean of Student Life, Cedri

As of next year, the University of St. Francis (USF) is sunsetting four majors: political science, English, theology and substance abuse counseling, a decision that has left many USF students frustrated, confused and unsure about their academic future. For Noah Daufenbach, a double major in psychology and substance abuse counseling, the news felt abrupt. He had never imagined that the program he chose, which is one rooted in service and community impact, would be on the chopp

This past weekend, staff from the Encounter attended the annual Illinois College Press Association (ICPA) conference in downtown Chicago. The attendees this year included Editor-in-Chief Rodolfo Flores, Assistant and Sports editor Scarlett LaBuda as well as Head of Public Relations and Feature and Entertainment editor Kathleen Norton.  The ICPA conference features all college press across the state of Illinois coming together for two days to share work, attend sessions run by

This past week, excitement has been buzzing as the Archway Review held its launch party, celebrating the publication of its fifth issue! Such a milestone truly highlights the hard work and dedication from students and faculty alike that brought this magazine to where it is today. However, this success did not come overnight, but rather through the advocacy and vision of Dr. Anna Ioanes and Dr. Elizabeth McDermott, who both wanted to establish a platform that would be able to

Over the past few months, there have been numerous announcements made regarding the current financial situation at the University of St. Francis (USF). Following a series of budget cuts that have altered job positions as well as undergraduate programs, concern and frustration have carried a cold weight across campus due to the unexpected plot twists filled with a lack of transparency. In an effort to reinforce its financial foundation, USF is currently aiming to restructure p

The Recreation Club (Rec Club) is revamped and ready for an active spring semester. They started the new year on a high note with new board members and two events in January, and will keep the momentum by filling the spring semester with a multitude of exciting events.  On Jan. 12 the club posted on Instagram announcing the new board members. This is an entirely new team which is made up of mostly students majoring in Recreation and Sports Management.  The team consists of si

Cold cases. Something that pesters many investigators across the United States. Many of these cold cases are tied to one of the most severe crimes of all. Homicide. According to Project: Cold Case, 37% of homicides that happen in the United States go unsolved. One of the most famous of these occurred not too far from the University of St. Francis (USF).  On a quiet February morning in Tinley Park, Illinois, tragedy struck at the Lane Bryant store in the Brookhaven Marketplace

This past month, the University of St. Francis (USF) announced the termination of 18 staff positions as part of a broader academic reorganization. This move followed the installation of Ryan C. Hendrickson as the university’s 10th president. According to a statement quoted in the Joliet Patch, Hendrickson said the restructuring was “designed to strengthen the institution for the future” and emphasized the university’s “impressive legacy”.  The layoffs have raised concerns amo

As many students have become aware that The University of St. Francis (USF) has made a series of budget cuts including faculty positions as well as undergraduate programs and departments. While this process has been deemed an academic reorganization, according to the Saints United section on the University’s website, it raises serious questions as to how this process will affect students and their career choices, current and future. During the Student Government Association (

On Oct. 22, the Student Government Association (SGA) held a meeting that discussed the university’s financial status. In the meeting, it was confirmed that due to a decline in enrollment, an increase in operationals costs, budget overestimation and misclassification of grant funding revenue, the University of St. Francis (USF) is in a $6 million deficit. To account for this deficit, President Hendrickson's recovery strategy is an academic reorganization. An announcement was r

There are many changes that have been announced at the University of St. Francis (USF) over the past weeks. Some may know that many staff and faculty members have been terminated, or that the school is around $6 million in debt after it was previously reported that there was only a deficit of $1 million.  One change that has not been widely publicized throughout campus has been the budget cuts that have been made to student clubs. At the Student Government Association (SGA) m

KayJ Hood is a junior Studio Art major who is making an impact with her efforts to change and update SGA legislation and policies. In the last few months, Hood has taken the initiative to write legislation intended to positively impact students as well as clubs and organizations involved in the Student Government Association (SGA). Hood spearheaded three major initiatives to ensure legislation properly reflects the needs of the student body. Starting as a class senator, Hood

Dr. Ryan Hendrickson, chosen as the tenth president of the University of St. Francis (USF) on Feb. 18, was officially inaugurated into...

The Student Success Center (SSC) recently experienced some delays in the building process. This delay was caused by many things,...

Photo credit: University of St. Francis With the excitement surrounding a new addition to the USF campus, the upcoming Student Success...

On Feb. 18, 2025 the USF officially announced the nomination of its tenth president to all of the members of the university. Dr. Ryan...

Of the 47 vacancies, 24 are listed as admin, staff or faculty, and the other 23 are student openings. 

President of the University Arvid Johnson and the University of St. Francis has announced his retirement effective May of 2025.

Budget concerns have risen as of late at the University of St. Francis and its latest casualty has been department spending.

Clare’s Garden, the on-campus food option for the St. Clare campus, closed unexpectedly in early February.