I have been involved with Roo News for 2 years, and I am the Editor-in-Chief. I have previously worked as a staff writer and a section editor. I am a senior communications major and am hoping to work in journalism down the road. In my free time, I love to watch TV and hang out with my friends.
The new student advisory group for The National Museum of Toys and Miniatures has one goal–increase student engagement. Earlier this semester, professors at UMKC handpicked certain students to be a part of a group to encourage the student body to visit the museum through...
In a recent Instagram post, UMKC hopped on a trend of relying on AI-generated art of UMKC students and KC memorabilia. Some students are calling it “lazy” and a potential deterrent to incoming students at UMKC.
The post, published on April 11, features a “student...
The newly-elected Student Government Association (SGA) President Justice Horn promised free parking for students during his campaign, but Chancellor Mauli Agrawal said the proposal isn’t realistic–or even on the table.
Asked about the likelihood of Horn’s plan...
When Chancellor Mauli Agrawal heard about the passing of UMKC Conservatory student Yuxi Wu, he thought about the parents who were left without a daughter.
“For somebody who is older, my wife and I think of all of our students as part of a family. That was the first...
The UMKC Conservatory community mourned with music in a memorial concert at Grant Hall on Friday, Oct. 18, in remembrance of pianist and graduate student Yuxi Wu.
Wu, who was struck by a car while near campus on Sept. 26, was remembered for her passion for music,...
The UMKC Pride Luncheon resulted in a new $40,000 scholarship for LGBTQ+ students and more than $250,000 in donations, a record high for the group.
Previously hosted as a Pride Breakfast, the event, which drew more than 720 attendees on Oct. 1, was themed around “A...
Yuxi Wu, a Conservatory pianist student, was killed on Thursday while riding her scooter across Troost Avenue and 51st Street.
The master's student was struck by a speeding red Ford Focus heading north around noon while crossing a crosswalk. Wu was pronounced dead...
Dr. Toya Like, a professor of criminal justice and criminology (CJC), wants to challenge common perceptions of victimization and show the resiliency of those who are victimized.
Like, the newly appointed associate dean of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences...
The Student Government Association (SGA) is urging UMKC leaders to be more transparent about why this year’s 5% undergraduate tuition increase was needed.
In a statement released Tuesday, SGA said it believes the tuition hike, announced in May, was poorly communicated....
Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) organized a ‘Liberation Zone’ on Monday, April 29, to call on UMKC to disclose and divest funds from Israel and Israeli institutions.
During the event, university officials removed tents and told protestors that temporary...
Over 150 students showed up to participate in a protest in solidarity with Palestine and other protests across the nation on Monday.
Around 2 p.m., organizers and students put up tents at the University Walkway, started chants and listened to speakers share their passion...
Aurora Wilson, Lifestyle and Culture Editor April 11, 2024
The U.S. House passed a bill on March 13 that would ban the app TikTok across the country if ByteDance does not sell its stake.
With 170 million users nationwide and a majority of those under the age of 18, outcry has stemmed from teens and influencers alike.
Members...
Aurora Wilson, Roo News Lifestyle and Culture Editor March 22, 2024
Last year, SGA caught the attention of the students and faculty – but not for new bills passing or legislation being introduced.
The previous administration faced scandals of resigning senators, unclear leadership and the impeachment of former SGA President...
Aurora Wilson, Lifestyle and Culture Editor February 22, 2024
UMKC’s Student Environmental Coalition (SEC) spent a chilly morning spreading millions of seeds across the Kansas riverbank to help restore the natural species of wildflowers and native grasses.
Around 30 members of the community showed up on Feb. 10 to help Friends...
Aurora Wilson, Lifestyle & Culture Editor February 17, 2024
Feelings of exhaustion and a lack of shock echoed around Kansas City on Feb. 14 as the 50th mass shooting of 2024 took place at the Chiefs’ Super Bowl parade.
Over 80 people, including Liza Lopez-Galvan, died in the first 45 days of the year due to mass shootings...
Aurora Wilson, Lifestyle and Culture Editor November 9, 2023
The APA defines disinformation as “false information which is deliberately intended to mislead—intentionally misstating the facts.”
Early into Hamas’ attack on Israel, a headline broke declaring 40 Israeli babies were beheaded at the hands of Hamas soldiers.
Israeli...
Aurora Wilson, Lifestyle and Culture Editor October 31, 2023
Located at the corner of Cherry and 52 St., the Epperson House looms over UMKC’s campus, haunting students who dare to walk past it.
Construction on the 54-room mansion started in 1919 and cost over $450,000 to build to completion–over $13 million in today’s...
Aurora Wilson, Lifestyle and Culture Editor September 25, 2023
Dri Hernaez, a third-year MFA acting candidate at UMKC, didn’t expect to find a career in acting, but KC Rep Spencer Theater helped her grasp her lifelong dreams.
Hernaez began her education in Hawaii, pursuing elementary education, while doing small shows for her...
As conversations regarding mental health have risen in relevance, the push for people to go to therapy has too. With outspoken celebrities and politicians, a modern, positive narrative about going to seek treatment, one of acceptance, appeared.
Arguments against seeking...
Professor Sheila Honig, the longest-standing English professor at UMKC, taught for over 40 years and left her mark on thousands of students.
The Missouri native passed away on Feb. 9, 2023, due to a stroke earlier in the week, according to the obituary.
She...
The owner of Love, Lilacs, Lexi Nardini, is chasing her dreams and fostering love, one petal at a time.
Nardini, who started Love, Lilacs in 2023, has seen her company bloom into a thriving business with creating and organizing floral arrangements for large corporate...
If you have been following season 27 of "The Bachelor", it is no secret that Zach Shallcross has made some questionable decisions during his time as the Bachelor.
From sending home women who bring up concerns in the name of avoiding drama to doing rose ceremonies...
Ophelia Griffin is the new Student Government Association (SGA) president.
Griffin, a communications major, is elated to be taking over as president after yearlong tension within SGA and her predecessor, Tim Nyguen.
“I am feeling so excited. A huge weight...
Vibrant and characterful post-it notes filled the Miller Nichols Library this week for Operation Beautiful, an event hosted by the UMKC Women’s Center for Every Body is Beautiful Week (EBIB).
Students had the opportunity to write positive messages and spread them...
Despite protests from foreign language professors, the School of Humanities and Social Sciences no longer requires foreign language classes to complete its degree programs.
Faculty outside of the foreign language department voted on the removal, which went into...
It took three children’s deaths to bring national attention to postpartum care in America.
On Jan. 24, Lindsay Clancy killed all three of her children and then attempted to end her life. Clancy survived the fall from a second-story window but is now permanently...
As a weight lifter, junior Makena Martinez didn’t have much use for the comments: “You’re getting too big.”
“You don't want to look like a man!” or her favorite, “That body type isn't feminine or attractive.”
In response to these and other demeaning...
Netflix’s new original series “Kaleidoscope” follows a group of seven criminals who come together to pull off the extraordinary task of stealing $7 billion from the world’s most highly guarded vault.
The show features all the great aspects of a well-rounded...
Vocal education major Elizabeth Watzke has strived for excellence throughout her time in the UMKC Conservatory but is beginning to question the state of the program.
Watzke, a sophomore originally from Omaha, Nebraska, participated in choir throughout high school and...