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APRIL 21, 2020
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PHOTO HIGHLIGHT
INDEX
CM LIFE
NEWS
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NEWS
Students evacuate
A CMU email alerted 17 students to evacuate from their study abroad trips in Italy and China immediately.
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EDITORIAL CMU putting students first
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FOLLOW US ONLINE
Refunds, credit/no credit options, tuition and more have proved that CMU is putting students first during coronavirus concern.
SPORTS Former basketball stars affected
Make sure to read all of our coverage on our website, cm-life.com.
.COM
No tuition increase Amidst the coronavirus uncertainty, the Board of Trustees decided not to raise tuition for the first time in years.
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Marcus Keene, Reyna Frost and Braylon Rayson’s playing careers were all affected by the coronavirus.
COVER Spring Semester Interrupted Isaac Ritchey | Photo Editor A man sits on a park bench along an empty section of sidewalk March 26 on Broadway Street in downtown Mount Pleasant.
Bay City senior Danielle Larsen is pictured in her commencement cap and gown, with a protective mask, on campus in March. Larsen has a compromised immune system dur to Crohn’s Disease treatments.
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APRIL 21, 2020
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SOCIAL DISTANCING. How we got here.
It was the week before Central Michigan University’s Spring Break when most Americans first started taking the novel coronavirus seriously. It was an infectious disease that caused mild-to-severe symptoms that could lead to death, but for most, just lead to respiratory issues and a general feeling of unwell. It originated in Wuhan, China, and spread rapidly across the country and the world. By Jan. 20, the first case was diagnosed in the United States, from a man who developed symptoms after visiting Wuhan. In the coming days, the World Health Organization declared a global health emergency. The President’s administration started restricting travel from China. A cruise ship in Japan quarantined thousands of people, of which more than 600 of the total 3,700 passengers were infected. As things progressed, many institutions in the United States stayed put. Central
Dylan Goetz Editor-in-Chief
Michigan University’s first big warning about coronavirus didn’t come until the Mid-American Conference basketball tournament was held without fans, the week before spring break. It became a reality to many Americans when the spread of this virus started affecting their interests. In a matter of 30 minutes on a surreal March 11, the National Basketball Association was indefinitely suspended and beloved actor Tom Hanks announced his infection on Twitter. Nobody knew what to think. Nobody knew what to do. But everyone knew that the world would soon come to some serious changes. By the end of CMU’s spring break, students were told not to return to campus, classes were transitioned to online-only, and businesses started closing their doors. The coronavirus spread in the United States at the same rate it spread in other countries around the world. First, hotspots popped up in California and New York, later Detroit, Washington DC and Chicago. As of April 18, there have been more than 2 million confirmed cases. There are near-
ly 800,000 confirmed cases in the U.S., with more than 30,000 deaths and rising numbers each day. The world goes on, however, virtually. In a matter of days, most Americans quickly picked up video-chatting services like Zoom, FaceTime and WebEx to continue their work via the internet. Class discussions are being had after students must click Zoom’s “Raise Hand” function to grab their teacher’s attention. It was March 23 when Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer effectively introduced a stay-at-home executive order to quell the spread of the coronavirus that has ravaged the city of Detroit. Many people were already practicing social distancing and staying home from work. Now, on April 21, we have entered our seventh-straight week of social isolation. People around the world are craving social interaction, best illustrated by people playing instruments on their porches and holding virtual happy-hour get-togethers with their closest friends. At Central Michigan Life, it is business as usual, with a twist. We are meeting, reporting and informing our audience virtually. For the staff, it’s become a reliable sense of normalcy in a time when everything is uncertain. We have created this virtual edition of Central Michigan Life to serve as a piece of history. Coronavirus is likely the biggest story that journalists will cover in their entire lives. We want you to be able to look back at this unprecedented period and see how lives changed day-to-day in the cam-
pus community. Thank you for reading.
Members of the Central Michigan Life staff hold a virtual meeting going over coverage.
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APRIL 21, 2020
| SPECIAL EDITION | CORONAVIRUS 2020 | 5
Curbside resh
GreenTree is dedicated to helping you and your family remain healthy. We are now offering our farm fresh groceries with
FREE CURBSIDE PICKUP! FOR MORE DETAILS, CALL OR VISIT OUR WEBSITE:
greentree.coop
Support Your Local Producers and Growers!
214 N. Franklin • Mt. Pleasant • (989)772-3221 •
DEEMED E
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While most people are staying home to stop the spread of coronaviru
USPS mail carrier Joe Yuncker sits in his truck after delivering mail April 6 in downtown Mount Pleasant.
(From left to right) Nurse Terra Bailey, Doctor Greg Zivic, nurse Becky Babcock, nurse Steven Moore and
IMAGES BY ISAAC RITCH
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us, many Mount Pleasant workers are keeping the community going
Chezney Bauer pose for a photo April 16 in an emergency room at Midmichigan Health
EY | PHOTO EDITOR
Cart technician Blake Kooiman poses for a photo April 6 in the Meijer parking lot.
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UPS delivery driver Jason Lewis poses for a photo April 7 in downtown Mount Pleasant. Lewis has been driving for UPS for more than 16 years.
Waste Management employee Tim McLavy poses for a photo outside his truck April 10 in the parking lot at Celebration Cinema. McLavy said he is still driving all around Isabella County.
(Top left to right) Nathan Black and Josiah Carson (Bottom left and right) Anne at Pixie Restaurant.
ette Williams and Amanda Baker pose for a photo April 6 in the drive-through
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Rich Clark, a sergeant at Mount Pleasant Fire Department, poses on a firetruck ladder April 6 at Mount Pleasant Police Department. Clark said practice is important in a time like this because “if you don’t use it, you lose it.”
Attendant Victoria Escobedo poses for a photo April 6 at Pickard Street Citgo.
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Officer Josh Loudenslager poses for a photo with his squad car April 6 at Mount Pleasant City Police Department. Loudenslager said the hardest part of policing during the pandemic is finding ways to break the monotony of the job.
Teller Kalli Granlund and Banker Andrea Millis of PNC Bank pose while holding up envelopes with messages written on them April 7 at PNC Bank on Mission Street.
Steven Griffin of Curtiss Pro Hardware poses for a photo April 6 at the hardware improvement, Griffin said most customers are looking for masks.
e store. While the store carries tools and other supplies for home
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Jessica Poli, Maria Castillo and Bethany Hoomstra pose for a photo April 10 at Northwoods Pet Care Center. The pet hospital is still caring for animals but are not allowing humans into the building.
Chef Pete Lieber takes a break from making food to pose for a photo April 10 at the Cruisin’ Chef food truck. After the cancellation of his catering jobs, Leieber started selling microwavable meals for people tired of cooking.
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I Ride bus driver Arden Caszatt poses for a photo April 10 at the Isabella County Trasportation Commission. Because of COVID-19, I Ride is also helping deliver groceries and food to people in need.
Pharmacist Lisa Johnson poses for a photo April 6 at Downtown Drugs in downtown Mount Pleasant.
Optometrist Jacob Zainea poses for a photo behind some equipment April 7 at Pleasant Optics.
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How the coronavirus outbreak is affecting Mount Pleasant businesses out have been successful, Holton said he is still has property taxes and has missed out on several of his big dates like Mother’s Day, Easter and Central Michigan’s Graduation in May. “It will be the worst year we’ll ever have,” Holton said. Holton is currently working on federal loans to keep his businesses running and to have a place where his employees can return to work once the restaurants are reopened. One of the oldest bars in Mount Pleasant, the Green Spot Pub, also had to shut down.
taxes,” Faulkner said. “Those things go on whether you’re open or you’re closed. When you have all of those overheads that you have no way to get rid of and you’re not open, that’s a significant amount of money.” The Bird Bar & Grill, another long-running Mount Pleasant landmark, also couldn’t switch to a takeout service. The sales margin on food for the Bird was too slim to justify doing it, manager Ben Breidenstein said. Missing out on St. Patrick’s Day sales was also a big financial hit for the Bird.
businesses, B’s Music Shop closed on March, owner Brian Hansen said. He’s keeping the store afloat by selling his products online and news@cm-life.com moving music lessons online through Zoom, a video conference service. Despite knowing the closure of his business Hansen said his walk-in traffic is typicalwas imminent, Jim Holton said he could have ly around 100-200 people each day. That never fully prepared to shut down Mountain decreased to about 15 per day during the Town Station. pandemic, but before the store closed. About His employees were sent lay-off notices, one-third of both his customer base and his many of whom he said he knows live paycheck staff is CMU students. With students having to paycheck. Holton stopped ordering food returned home, he said he is concerned about and gave away what was left to his employees. the future of some Mount He halted waste pickup and shut Pleasant businesses. down as much electrical equip“Everyone’s local busiment as he could. ness relies on that grind of Holton is trying to prevent college students,” Hansen as much financial damage as said. “We are Mount Pleaspossible. ant because of CMU and – “Financially, there’s no way to in a similar vein – Soaring prepare for something like this,” Eagle Casino. Holton said. “In the restaurant “Those two entities being business, our margins are thin. closed is very worrisome.” We can’t stockpile cash.” Along with bars and With a sudden halt to student restaurants, spas were also life and restaurant operations, this closed by Whitmer until at could present many challenges to least May 1. Salon Blu in business owners like Holton. Downtown Mount Pleasant When Gov. Gretchen Whitmer had half of its business closed all bars and restaurants shut down by that order. at 3 p.m. on March 16 to stop Owner Terri Ramon said large gatherings and mitigate she had to indefinitely lay the spread of the coronavirus, off all her staff. Some of it caused many local businesses her employees are also scrambling to make adjustments struggling to get approved to stay afloat. Shortly after, for unemployment. Apart Whitmer issued a temporary stayfrom selling some products at-home order that also closed all curbside, there is no money non-essential businesses. coming into the store. With many businesses only “I feel like we were open for takeout until at least May having a really good year 1, and with most Central Michso far,” Ramon said. “It igan University students gone stinks. Now I feel like we’re from Mount Pleasant, it could be definitely going to be starta difficult few months for local Isaac Ritchey | Photo Editor ing from scratch.” businesses. A sign points toward Green Spot Pub informing drivers passing by the bar March 18 on North Mission Street in Mount Pleasant, MI. Despite the hardships, Through his businesses – many of the business ownMountain Town Station, Sumers are optimistic they can make it through the mit Smokehouse, Mountain Town Brewery, The bar doesn’t offer delivery service and Other restaurants like Vin Trofeo’s, a newvirus outbreak. Camille’s Prime and Alma Brewing Company – chose not to make the transition, owner Mike comer to Downtown Mount Pleasant, were Both the Bird and Mountain Town Station Holton employs 147 people. While he was able Faulkner said. Whitmer’s order could not have able to continue operating through takeout will be taking this time to do cleaning projto keep Summit and Alma Brewing Company happened at a worse time for Green Spot. and delivery. The pizzeria and bar had limited ects, which will give employees at the Bird open for takeout, he was forced to close his Establishments were ordered to close on the delivery hours before but expanded that sersomething to do, Breidenstein said. He’s sure other businesses. day before St. Patrick’s Day – the pub’s biggest vice to offset some of the lost bar revenue. The the Bird will open back up once this outbreak However, Holton was able to find a new way day of the year. While the bar was able to sell pizzeria has been able to sustain itself with a passes. to keep cashing coming to Mountain Town. all the food prepared for that day, the bar itself slight decrease in revenue, Baird said. They’ve “We’ve been here way too long that it He began a grocery service, where he has been was not able to open. had to shorten business hours and tips are wouldn’t matter what it would take. We would selling grocery food, such as large pieces of While Faulkner said the closure might not being split through the entire business staff. open our doors back up no matter what,” Restaurants and bars are not the only busiproduce. This curbside service that will operate have as much of an effect on his business as others, it will still impact him heavily. nesses affected by the coronavirus pandemic. Breidenstein said. “There’s too much history to Saturday through Wednesday. “You still have utilities, insurance and Before the mandatory closure of non-essential let that go.” While both the grocery service and the takeBy Andrew Mullin Staff Reporter
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Courtesy Photo
Jasmine Smith poses for a selfie with her father, Jessie, and her mother, Patricia.
‘HE HAD A HEART OF GOLD’ CMU freshman reflects on loss of father due to coronavirus
By Dylan Goetz Editor-in-Chief news@cm-life.com
Jessie and Patricia Smith were admitted to Henry Ford Hospital just like they lived most of their lives – together. They had been celebrating Patricia’s 69th birthday at the Motor City Casino in Detroit, but when they began showing symptoms of coronavirus, they were taken to the hospital. Jessie, also 69, was admitted for his respiratory symptoms. Patricia couldn’t get out of bed and suffered a severe headache. Jasmine Smith, their youngest daughter, a Central Michigan University freshman, had just moved back to her Detroit
home after students were told not to return to campus after spring break. In a matter of days, Jasmine found herself without her parents and her university, struggling to keep up with classes while at home. “I didn’t want to do anything without them home,” Jasmine said. “I would just lay in bed and sleep or call my parents.” Jasmine thought of her father as her best friend. Since she was the youngest of six sisters and three brothers, Jessie was always very protective of her. “I am 19 years old, and I still do not know how to drive, simply because my dad would take me everywhere,” Jasmine w SMITH | 15
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“Love has no price. Kindness has no price. We all need to help one another.” Patricia Smith
said. “We would do everything together. “My dad has never told me no for anything. He was such a loving and caring person.” When it was time for Jasmine to come to Mount Pleasant for university, Jessie was not happy. His little girl would no longer be by his side every day. “Jasmine said, ‘I am going away to school.’ Jessie said, ‘No, you aren’t,” Patricia recalled. “You gotta let her go, I said. Oh boy, he was not happy. “When we got her all settled in, he was happy that she was there.” Jessie rode alone to pick up Jasmine from CMU before spring break. It was the last time they, Patricia said, that they would make the trip home from CMU together. Life at-risk Jessie knew he was at risk from the start. He was diabetic, has asthma, other health concerns and he was over 60. He even warned Jasmine about coronavirus weeks before his death. On March 10, Jasmine and Jessie spent the day together. Jasmine had a six-hour salon appointment that Jessie had driven her to. Instead of dropping her off and picking his daughter back up, Jessie stayed in the car and used his free time to stream some old Westerns, his favorite movie genre. When Jasmine returned to the car the two had a candid conversation about the risks of coronavirus. Jessie told Jasmine that this virus was serious, and they needed to start taking precautions. The retired Ford employee warned that if he were to die, he wanted to be buried, not cremated. March 10 was the same date that the first coronavirus case was confirmed in Michigan. “He told me, ‘Jasmine, when I go to heaven, do not allow me to be cremated. I want to be properly buried so that my soul can fully rest and be released,’” Jasmine said. “That stuck with me. He literally just told me that and nine days later he was in the hospital.” Fighting the virus The Smiths were hospitalized in separate rooms, yet spoke every single day on their phones. At one point, Patricia could only speak to
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Coronavirus survivor
over the phone. The sisters drove to the hotel and went to Patricia’s room. They held back tears as they expressed their love and asked how she was feeling. Patricia knew something was wrong when Jasmine and Shanier broke into tears. “What is it?” Patricia asked. That’s when Jasmine told her about Jessie’s death. She had lost her partner after more than 50 years of marriage. “I am still fighting the battle, myself. I don’t think I’ve really accepted it,” Patricia said. “He was more than an intricate part of this family. He was this family.” Courtesy Photo
Jasmine Smith poses for a photo with her father, Jessie.
Jessie – a nurse told her that Jessie could hear her, but he couldn’t reply. Patricia knew his breathing was being aided by a respirator. About a week after the Smiths were admitted, both received positive COVID-19 tests. Patricia was released from the hospital on April 1. Her family immediately booked a hotel room to self-quarantine for 14 days to stop the spread of the virus. Meanwhile, Jessie’s symptoms were getting worse. He was having seizures and there was concern of kidney failure. Three days later, Jasmine woke up to receive a phone call that she never expected. It was her sister. She asked Jasmine not to look at her phone and to go downstairs. Shanier Smith, Jasmine’s sister, turned to her and explained that their father, Jessie, died at 4:33
a.m. April 5 due to breathing complications caused by COVID-19. Jasmine was in shock. She couldn’t, and didn’t want to, believe that her father died just three days before her April 8 birthday. Breaking bad news Patricia was still quarantining in a hotel room in Farmington. The whole family had been keeping constant contact with Patricia to keep her spirits up while she was in the hotel. She would often lay on one of the two beds and speak to family members for hours at a time. One of the couple’s five daughters booked a room with two beds so Jessie could stay there after he was released. Breaking the news to her about Jessie’s death just wasn’t something that her family wanted to do
‘He had a heart of gold’ Jessie was his wife’s “ride or die” sidekick. He was someone who was kind, compassionate and “wore his heart on his sleeve.” She knew it from the first day they met when Patricia was a 15-year-old girl living in the Detroit area in 1966. They became great friends over the next two-three years, and when Patricia turned 17, Jessie asked her mother if they could get married. “My mother said no,” Patricia said. “He came in one day and said ‘I got a job at Ford, I found an apartment and we’re moving.’ I was so mad at him – I was not ready to move.” Though it took some convincing, Patricia’s mother agreed to sign the marriage papers. They immediately went to the county building to get the marriage license and celebrated their new, lifelong commitment with a couple of hamburgers in downtown Detroit.
Jessie’s commitment to his wife is the stuff of many family stories. In 1968, Patricia was rushed to the hospital to give birth to their second child. Jessie was not with her. As Patricia was going into labor, Jessie ran/walked for miles to be there for her and their child. “I remember he walked all the way to the hospital huffing and puffing,” Patricia said. “That must have been about 10 miles away – it was a distance.” One of his favorite pastimes was going down to the boxing gym. Some of Patricia’s favorite memories are about Jessie teaching his kids, and his grandchildren, how to box. “He thought he was Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier rolled into one,” Patricia joked. The entire family relied on Jessie for support. In his retirement, he would often drive family members to appointments, volunteer his time taking care of children and run errands for family members while Patricia worked 40-50-hour weeks. “He has touched so many people over the course of his 69 years,” Patricia said. “Now, in this unprecedented situation, that all of us are in, we have to sacrifice being together in order to prepare his burial. “The power of feeling for someone that you love and that many years… it has no expression.” Jasmine and Patricia both told stories of Jessie taking off his shoes in the street to give them to a homeless man. He also purchased entire outfits for the homeless in the winter. The coronavirus has turned the lives of the Smith family upside down. During this time of mourning, Patricia is self-quarantining in a hotel room. Jasmine is trying to find the motivation to do her CMU schoolwork while staying with her older sister. The only thing the family has been able to do is visit with each other over the phone. Both Patricia and Jasmine are appreciative of the respects that have been paid to their family over the last few days. Primarily, Patricia is now worried about the big picture. Everyone, Patricia emphasized, needs to take precautions to protect their health and practice social distancing. “This is about us a human race,” Patricia said. “Love has no price. Kindness has no price. We all need to help one another.”
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LIVING ON CAMPUS DURING A PANDEMIC This Cincinnati freshman stayed on campus to protect his family’s health. He is one of very few students still in dorms STORY & IMAGES BY ISAAC RITCHEY | PHOTO EDITOR Cincinnati freshman Johnny Evers Smith poses for a photo from the window of his dorm room March 27 on the basement floor of Larzelere Hall.
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Cincinnati freshman Johnny Evers Smith walks down an empty hallway March 26 in Larzelere Hall.
C
incinnati freshman Johnny Evers Smith grabbed his backpack from his partially vacated dorm room
on the basement floor of Larzelere Hall. He continued his daily routine as his shadow was cast on the dark cinderblock walls. He flicked on the light of the study room and sanitized the table. Evers Smith began recording a video for his American Sign Language class but was interrupted by news of a confirmed case of coronavirus at Central Michigan University. “Really?” he said with his eyes wide for a moment. “I guess it was only a matter of time.” w JUMP TO | 18
Cincinnati freshman Johnny Evers Smith disinfects a table after using it March 26 in Larzelere Hall. Evers Smith said he is taking very precaution to keep himself from being infected by the coronavirus.
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Cincinnati freshman Johnny Evers Smith returns from Fresh Food Company and walks across the street March 26 toward Larzelere Hall.
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Evers Smith decided to remain on campus after many other CMU students chose to stay in or return to their hometowns after spring break. Now, he lives on a college campus infected by COVID-19. He said his decision to stay on campus has not changed despite the news. “There’s always a possibility that I may have it now, and I don’t want to bring it back to my family,” he said. “I’m isolated here and there is no way that I can bring it back to my grandparents.” Evers Smith’s volunteer positions at an on-campus lab and Listening Ear Crisis Center -- a non-profit organization that gives people an opportunity to voice their worries and troubles -- played heavily into his decision to remain on campus. “What we do at Listening Ear is important now,” Evers Smith said. “The world is falling apart and people need a place they can go like Listening Ear.” Evers Smith has gotten into a routine to keep himself from sleeping in every day and keep up with classes. While Evers Smith also stays busy with his volunteer positions, he still finds time to practice the piano and binge watch “Friends.” Evers Smith previously lived with two roommates. Now, he constantly notices the quietness while walking the hallways alone. However, he attempts to remain positive and see the bright side of things. “I miss the social interaction, but at the same time, I’m never trying to find alone time,” he said. “I never have to wait for laundry or worry about loud neighbors.” Evers Smith said he tries to find social interaction where he can while taking every precaution necessary. “Every time I have a face-to-face interaction, I’m telling myself in the back of my mind, “Please, don’t get coronavirus from this,’” he said. “The worst part of COVID-19 is the fear you might get it.”
Cincinnati freshman Johnny Evers Smith records a video for his American Sign Language class March 26 in a study room at Larzelere Hall. Moments later, Evers Smith learned of the first confirmed case of coronavirus on campus.
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Cincinnati freshman Johnny Evers Smith gets dinner March 26 at Fresh Food Company on East Campus. Evers Smith said dining halls were one of his main sources for social interaction.
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Cincinnati freshman Johnny Evers Smith plays “City of Stars” from the musical La La Land in an empty community room March 26 at Larzelere Hall. Evers Smith has been playing since he was 12 years old and described playing as “therapeutic.”
Cincinnati freshman Johnny Evers Smith throws in a load of dirty laundry March 26 in the laundry room at Larzelere Hall. Evers Smith said an empty laundry room is a benefit of staying on a vacated campus.
Cincinnati freshman Johnny Evers Smith takes out the trash March 26 in an empty parking lot at Larzelere Hall.
CLOSED CAMPUS
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A history of public health emergencies at CMU
Makayla Coffee Staff Reporter
news@cm-life.com
When Central Michigan University switched to online-only classes on March 11 and asked students not to return from spring break due to the coronavirus pandemic it began a unique chapter in the university’s history. However, coronavirus isn’t the first illness that has affected Central Michigan University’s academic school year. In 1968, more than 1,000 cases of the flu were reported in CMU’s residence halls, where 6,000 beds were available for students. The flu outbreak prompted President William Boyd to cancel classes for three weeks from Dec. 14, 1968 to Jan. 5, 1969. Students were advised to leave campus a week early for winter break and not return until Jan. 6. For 1970 alumna Donna Whiteley, the situation was concerning. “I remember so many students getting sick all over campus,” Whiteley said. “The health center was overcrowded and there was no place to send sick students. So the best solution was to send us all home early to get distance from each other.” As campus was closing, a snowstorm hit Mount Pleasant. Whiteley’s travel home was longer and more challenging than usual due to the storm. “Most students were in a rush to get on the road ahead of the storm,” Whiteley said. “I remember the parking lot at my apartment complex had not been plowed, so we were carrying our suitcases through the snow and across a big ditch to the car on the main road.” For other students, this schedule change came as a surprise. Jan Seidel and her roommates lived in Calkins Hall and were “shocked” after learning about the situation. A 1969 alumna, Seidel brought her roommate with her to Gladwin, Michigan to stay with her parents. Her roommate lived in the Chicago area, and stayed with Seidel’s family until she could drive home. Although the early arrival allowed Seidel
to help her family decorate for Christmas, she spent the majority of her extra time studying. “Another thing that was different when I was there, (was) after Christmas vacation we went back to school to take our final exams,” Seidel said. “We had to take our stuff home to be prepared for final exams… so that was a harder semester.” For 1969 alumnus, Al Bromund, the university’s re-
sponse to the situation was questionable. Bromund lived in the dorms after spending the first eight weeks of his fall semester student teaching. Although Bromund did not participate, he said his roommates tried to make him falsely claim he had the flu. Not long after this, he discovered that CMU canceled classes. “I didn’t know how many (cases) were real or not because my roommate said that, ‘People have got to start calling the health center and saying they’re sick and then they’ll shut it down,’” Bromund said. “I didn’t know if that was real or not.” Archivist Bryan Whitledge doesn’t have information about the university administration or health services validated student reports. Instead, Whitledge believes the university trusted students self-reporting their symptoms. “Of course, this means some people could take advantage,” Whitledge said. “In a public health crisis, trusting people about their symptoms is what saves lives. I doubt that most people would take advantage during a public health scare.” Bromund was disappointed when Boyd announced the decision to close the university. “I was a bit disappointed. I spent eight weeks off campus, and some of what I would consider the best times of my life were spent at CMU as a student,” Bromund said. “You just sort of got settled back in. I hadn’t even had enough time to connect with a lot of my friends who weren’t in the education department.” Despite the 1,000 cases re-
ported at CMU, other institutions like Michigan and Michigan State University were not affected as drastically as Central. Whitledge found the University of Michigan did not close campus due to the flu, but did offer vaccines. As for Michigan State University, the institution only had around five cases before their winter break. During the last week of October 1918, CMU faced a more dangerous flu crisis. This outbreak had a high mortality rate and caused the cancellation of classes from Nov. 1-18. Out of 1,200 students, there were 110 cases of influenza reported by Nov. 8. Among those sick, Professor Lucy Sloan, a popular English instructor, and Clarence Neal of Coleman, a student of the World War I Student Army Training Corps program, died. In an effort to combat the illness, an emergency hospital was set in the school’s gymnasium with members of the Red Cross willing to help. Whitledge said the gymnasium was “akin” to the idea of Finch Fieldhouse or the Student Activity Center, just smaller. The gymnasium was filled with bed linens, nightgowns, towels, washcloths, face masks and other hospital items to treat the sick. Through the history of 1918 and 1968, the university has learned and adapted to how to deal with health emergencies. Now, through the latest pandemic, the university is putting these plans to the test and will hopefully further learn for the future. “CMU, like most other large organizations, thought about these situations in theory – organizations do a lot of ‘what if’ scenarios,” Whitledge said. “ Now, we are putting the ‘what if’ answers to the test. ” As the coronavirus pandemic continues, CMU is creating history, similar to what is read from 1918 and 1968. The actions of the University today will soon be looked at by individuals in the future. “When we adapt to an extraordinary event like this, we are creating history,” Whitledge said.
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CENTRAL MICHIGAN LIFE | CM-LIFE.COM
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APRIL 21, 2020
| SPECIAL EDITION | CORONAVIRUS 2020 | 21
Isaac Ritchey | Photo Editor Bay City senior Danielle Larsen poses for a portrait on campus in March.
A plea from an immunocompromised college student
As Central Michigan Life’s Engagement Editor, my work is mostly done behind the scenes. I don’t write stories or articles, but rather, I make sure the work of our staff is published on social media. In the most simple terms, my job is to manage the social media channels of CM Life. I’ve got my fellow coworkers’ backs by ensuring our content gets shown to the masses on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube and, yes, even TikTok. So, allow me to introduce myself. Hi. I’m Danielle Larsen. I’m a senior graduating in May and I’m immunocompromised. Living in this time with COVID-19 coronavirus, and its seemingly never-ending rampage on people around the world, is incredibly scary for me, as well as many other immunocompromised people. I don’t fall into the category of college students who can claim, “If I get corona, I get corona.” I’m stuck at home, looking out a window and seeing people of all ages who feel as though they don’t have to worry about getting sick. I have Crohn’s Disease. Crohn’s is a gastrointestinal disease that affects the digestive track with extreme inflammation. If left untreated, the disease can prove to have life-threatening complications. Since being diagnosed at the age of 12, I have been hospitalized three times. I receive monthly treatments in the form of chemotherapy. For the most part, my treatments let me lead a normal life. In that sense, I’m lucky. I know I am. There are plenty of others who share my disease who
Danielle Larsen Columnist
cannot receive treatment. However, because I do receive treatment, which is an immunosuppressant, I am more susceptible to sicknesses other people routinely fight off such as a cold, influenza and more. I am more susceptible to being affected by coronavirus than many people reading this. I’ve had the flu once in my life. Last year, March 26, 2019, I was told I had both strep throat and the flu. My body did not react well. My stomach turned, hating my every move in attempts to get comfortable. Even when I finally got to a point where I thought I could fall asleep and let it pass, I would have to get up, my body hating me more, to throw up. Smells sent me over the edge, moving hurt. Breathing hurt, too. I could not catch a break. This year, on March 11 in a congressional testimony, Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Disease, said coronavirus is 10-times more deadly than the flu. Of course I’m scared of
this disease. Do I perhaps go a little overboard with my caution and prep? Honestly, that might be true. But it’s how I can guarantee my safety. I wish I could trust the people around me. I wish I believed they are also taking precautions. I wish I could trust them enough to relax a little, but I can’t. I can’t because I see them out my window breaking the “Stay Home. Stay Safe. Save Lives.” executive order by Gov. Whitmer. I see them skip the sanitizing wipe for their cart at Walmart. I see them not covering their mouths when they cough. I see them not following basic CDC guidelines of avoiding close contact with others, sick or not. When I see these videos of spring breakers out in Florida, or even when I see larger gatherings outside my own apartment, it really does feel like no one gives a damn. I see them not having everyone’s best interest at heart. Normally, I wouldn’t be overly concerned about flu season, or cold season or whatever sickness is making the rounds. My treatments make me feel so much better that sometimes I’ve actually forgotten I have a chronic disease that I will deal with for the rest of my life. There is no cure for me. There isn’t one for COVID-19 either. And now the numbers are rising, the death toll is rising, the virus is in the county I live in and the hospital I go to and receive my monthly treatment - the threat we
are facing has become more real to me. On top of everything, I am a first-generation college student. I’ve worked five long years to get my degree and graduate cum laude. I was proud of the fact I would walk on May 9. This virus ruined that for my whole graduating class. Yes, it was only postponed and not flat-out canceled - for that I am grateful. But it destroyed what was meant to be our last semester on campus. Not a single senior knew saying goodbye just before spring break was to be the last time they’d set foot on this campus. I feel robbed. Don’t rob me of my health, too. I don’t know about you, but I would like this to be over as soon as possible. Following the guidelines of social distancing helps us get there. Staying home where you can will help us get there. Please, help protect the people like me whose bodies won’t allow us to fully protect ourselves. In the Chippewa Marching Band, where I played trumpet for my whole college career, there were shows everyone liked, there were shows no one liked, there were shows where people were in between. Despite what we felt, the show had to go on and we still had to march. In marching band, you move as a team. Everyone participates. You don’t get to choose. Why is now any different? I have my coworkers’ backs. And I have your back during this global pandemic. Why don’t you have mine?
22 | SPECIAL EDITION | CORONAVIRUS 2020 | CENTRAL MICHIGAN LIFE |
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APRIL 21, 2020
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17 students studying abroad in Italy, China forced to evacuate By Courtney Pedersen Staff Reporter news@cm-life.com
After one month of studying at Florence University of the Arts in Florence, Italy, Maddison Goulet and her three roommates went on a weekend getaway to Nice, France. Asleep in their hostel, at 7 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 29, Goulet, a Livonia sophomore, woke up to one of her roommates yelling, “Oh my God, they’re sending us home!” An email from Central Michigan University instructed them to return to the United States immediately because Italy designated a level-three coronavirus warning. “You must make immediate plans to leave the country,” Dianne Desalvo, director of the study abroad office, wrote in the email. “Please contact the airline to request a ticket change for departure as soon as possible.” Covid-19 is a specific strain of coronavirus that originated in bats in Wuhan, China. Typically, the effects people experience from the virus are similar to the common cold, according to George Kikano, dean of the College of Medicine. Out of 153 students who planned on studying abroad during the Spring 2020 semester, only 59 Central Michigan University students will still be able to. Due to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s recommendations regarding the coronavirus, CMU students spending the semester in China, South Korea or Italy were instructed to evacuate. Sixteen CMU students studying abroad in Florence were instructed to get a flight out of the country and self-quarantine themselves for 14 days. When they were first instructed to leave the country, the students were given little to no information about refunds and finishing their courses, Goulet said. On March 5, the group received an email from Marko Schubert, assistant director of study abroad, that dis-
Courtesy Photo | Jacquelyn Peters Jinli Ancient Street, a popular tourist attraction in Chengdu. It’s free to get in, but because of the virus, there was a temperature checkpoint set up before you enter. “Usually it’s packed with people, but that day the entire street was deserted,” Peters said.
cussed the remainder of the semester. “These circumstances will force institutions like FUA to offer as many courses as possible online as teaching on campus is not an option anymore under the current circumstances,” Schubert said in the email. “Earlier this week – before the decision to close – they let us know that we can expect a list of classes that can be switched to an online format by (March 6).” Once the list of courses becomes available, students will have the opportunity to work with Schubert
individually to find alternatives for the FUA courses or work with CMU faculty to help finish courses that can’t be offered online. The email offered more information on possible travel and program refunds for the affected students. “President Davies authorized funds to cover potential refunds for students who had to leave their programs early,” the email read. “He also made funds available to help with the burden of airline ticket change fees, so please
keep your receipts in case you paid a fee to get your ticket changed.” The group from Florence flew back to the U.S. throughout the first week of March, although the program was supposed to end in May.
| “The fact that they told us we had sufficient time to learn about the country (and) appreciate the culture really made me angry, because yes we had time to do that, but we didn’t have the amount of time we predicted,” Chicago sophomore Bridget Peterson said. “I’m supposed to have three more months to appreciate the culture.” Brighton senior Jacquelyn Peters felt the same way about her own study abroad trip in Chengdu, China that started in early January.
“As the virus became more known in China, around the third week of January, we were told not to worry about it too much, so we didn’t,” Peters said.
“Around that time I was contacted by USAC (University Studies Abroad Consortium), CMU and the U.S. Government through the STEP program about the danger of the disease but was also told not to worry about it too much.”
CENTRAL MICHIGAN LIFE | CM-LIFE.COM
About a week later, just before the Chinese New Year at the end of January, Peters was told to stay out of Wuhan and the Hubei region. “School was going to be closed for a week due to the holiday and all of the locals were returning home to be with family, so most of the city was going to be closed,” she said. “Naturally a lot of students wanted to travel during this time, including me. Thankfully, I canceled all of my travel plans a couple of days before the holiday began.” As the week-long break began, Peters started planning local trips to different towns around the province with her friends because they figured with most people out of Chengdu and the surrounding area, it would be safe. “Those plans didn’t last long because the virus became more aggressive each day,” Peters said. “By Monday and Tuesday, guards became more common around the city, and I
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APRIL 21, 2020
| SPECIAL EDITION | CORONAVIRUS 2020 | 23
couldn’t enter campus, where me and all other international students lived, without my Chinese student ID and a mandatory temperature check.” Guard stations were set up outside of Walmart and other public places to check the temperatures of people entering, according to Peters. “Everybody who checked your temperature was a cop. They were typically accompanied by other cops with large guns visible,” Peters said. “It was also very common to see guards walking around in full SWAT gear, especially in more touristy/ public places.” On Wednesday of that week, University Studies Abroad Consortium, the company that CMU goes through for the Chinese study abroad program, told the students that the program was canceled. But they could wait it out if they wanted. “Nearly everybody in the program wanted to wait it out, but just a few hours later, by mid-day
Wednesday, we were told that we had no choice and had to leave campus by next Thursday,” Peters said. “I booked my plane ticket home that Friday.” Peters was given a full refund for her program. CMU promised she would have classes to take so she could still graduate on time. “I really didn’t want to spend my last college semester at my parents’ home doing online classes,” Peters said. “So me and nine others from China transferred to one of the only programs that would take us, which is in Uruguay.” Peters was the only CMU student studying abroad in China this semester. The eight or nine students scheduled to study abroad in South Korea, which is now canceled, were supposed to leave in March, according to Desalvo. Desalvo said the students who are still studying abroad will continue to be closely monitored.
Courtesy Photo | Maddison Goulet Central Michigan University students pose at the Vatican in front of St. Peter’s Basilica.
Courtesy Photo | Maddison Goulet Central Michigan University students pose at the Vatican in front of St. Peter’s Basilica.
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s the coronavirus pandemic grinds normal life in Michigan to a halt, it seems increasingly clear that the coming weeks and months will be unlike anything ever experienced by most Americans alive
today. For a glimpse of the pandemic through a historian’s eyes, Central Michigan Life reached out by email to Dr. Andrew Wehrman, who teaches classes on the early history of America and American medicine at Central Michigan University. Wehrman’s book project, “The Contagion of Liberty,” explores how 18th century smallpox epidemics influenced Americans’ perception of the relationship between the government and their health. A member of the American Association for the History of Medicine, Wehrman also discussed how early American cities responded to quarantines, the lasting effect the coronavirus protocols could have on our lives and encouraged everyone to stay informed and to practice social distancing.
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Q&A CM-LIFE.COM
APRIL 21, 2020
How is coronavirus notably similar to, or different from, previous American epidemics? The most concerning thing about COVID-19 is that it is new. None of the 7.8 billion people on the planet had been exposed to it, or had immunity to it, before the recent outbreak. There has also never been a pandemic with so many people on the planet or one where people can travel as easily as they do today. The scope of the pandemic, and the disease type, has reminded many of the so-called “Spanish Flu” epidemic of 1918. But in 1918, air and car travel had barely begun. The world’s population was just 1.8 billion. The 1918 influenza infected some 500 million people and killed perhaps 50 million. The ability for a disease to spread, and to spread quickly, has never been higher. That’s the bad news. In 1918, germ theory was not widely understood. Communication was slower, and now we have the knowledge of 1918 to help guide our policy and actions. You may have seen the chart of the difference between Philadelphia’s and St. Louis’ responses to the influenza in 1918. Philadelphia went ahead with its planned Liberty Loan parade in September 1918, bringing 200,000 people together. Weeks later, Philadelphia was one of the hardest hit cities in the United States with some 16,000 deaths. St. Louis canceled its parade and suffered just 700 deaths. From my research, I think it’s important to note that quarantines were a common part of life in early America. The Founding Fathers all experienced disruptions from disease. Cities shut down, businesses closed and schools closed. Tensions were often high. My work describes protests, debates and riots in communities across the colonies. Early Americans became quite vigilant and, by the standards of their time, quite successful at stopping epidemics. They did it by trusting experts, printing accurate statistics in newspapers, destigmatizing disease, supporting the poor and community vigilance. Colonial Americans demanded accountability from their government and that aid be given to those who needed it and accepted aid when given. History can help us recognize the beginnings of a crisis, but it can also inspire us to know that crises can be stopped and certainly will be endured.
Solving an epidemic requires an all-in public effort. It can’t be on the shoulders of healthcare provides, elected officials or the press alone. It requires the public to overcome its apathy to ensure equal and continuing access to effective prevention, treatment and support for all.
Is there anything you find interesting about the coronavirus, particularly from your perspective as a historian?
Businessmen in early America often opposed broad public health measures that might shut down commerce for long periods of time. I have several of those debates in my book, and that’s certainly something that I’ve been paying attention to in the current crises. Usually health and wealth go together, but in an epidemic they’re at odds. Many of the most explosive events in my book derive from issues of inequality. In my book, I describe a private hospital in Marblehead, Massachusetts, that offered inoculation for smallpox in 1774. The problem was that the hospital was the most expensive in the colonies. Most people in this fishing town could not afford treatment there. Public debates could not stifle the resentment of the people, and in January 1774 a group of fishermen burned the hospital to the ground – thankfully it had no patients at the time. I hope there are not similar events in the current crisis, but inequality in healthcare during a crisis can get ugly fast.
What impact could the coronavirus have on the course of history, particularly in America?
Andrew Wehrman
To try and contextualize the coronavirus’s impact on world history, Central Michigan Life consulted this historian, professor and expert on American medicine. Justin Cooper ■ Associate Editor
Gosh, this is the area where we as historians get uncomfortable. We can’t predict the future. It is going to have a tremendous impact on many aspects of our lives. I think it is certainly accelerating things like telecommuting. I think it will have profound impacts on higher education as colleges do a massive experiment in remote learning albeit in an extraordinarily stressful time.
What should people know about the pandemic that you don’t think most are aware of? I hope people are being well-informed and are taking a clear-eyed view of the situation. This is nothing to take lightly. I hope people are following social distancing rules. I think one of the bigger things that people generally may not understand is how long this is likely to last. A vaccine is 12-18 months away, and even then, it may take even longer for things to get back to normal. Social distancing is an effort to slow the spread of disease until a combination of the vaccine and herd immunity (people who have recovered from the disease) can stop the progress of the virus altogether. Getting widespread testing available is also crucial, and we have lost a lot of time there. Smallpox was readily identifiable. People who had smallpox symptoms were relatively easy to spot and to isolate, but coronavirus is much more difficult since carriers can be asymptomatic or have very light symptoms that may look like allergies, a cold, or flu. Follow the advice of the experts, folks – stay in, avoid unnecessary associations with others and be ready for a long fight.
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APRIL 21, 2020
| SPECIAL EDITION | CORONAVIRUS 2020 | 25
Students reflect on 23 hours stuck in Europe due to rapid coronavirus spread By Samantha Shriber Staff Reporter news@cm-life.com
Illinois senior Ren Crudele and Macomb junior Brennen Malaga’s European expedition was supposed to be a token of adventure, encapsulating a persistence to explore far beyond the box. The disarray they experienced as countries around them were closing boarders now only embodies the lack of foreshadowing the coronavirus pandemic had, they said. Before leaving North America, Crudele said she couldn’t help but roll her eyes at the pandemonium erupting from her phone screen. As opposed to unsettling her, the handwash tutorials on TikTok and tweets mourning trip cancellations only made her more eager for spring vacation. So as she rode shotgun to O’Hare International Airport, she admitted having no preparation to face the pandemic that would come most alive in a German airport. They departed for their trip Wednesday, March 4 – exactly one week before a presidential proclamation suspended entry into the U.S. by residents of Europe’s Schengen Area. This zone of 26 countries had 17,442 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 711 deaths when the proclamation was made on March 11. In only 17 days, this has skyrocketed to more than 290,000 confirmed cases and 17,700 deaths, according to data from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. After the proclamation was made, a frenzy of messages stampeded into Crudele and Malaga’s inboxes. Each word was made less comprehensible by the immediate terror surrounding the term “travel ban.” “(There) was a dozen calls and texts asking if I needed money to get home and if I would be stuck on the other side of the world,” Malaga said. “After doing a single Google search, I saw that the Trump Administration later clarified that the ban would not affect U.S. citizens, so my panic instantly subsided.” Even while wandering through Europe, the two said they felt separate from the American media’s narrative. “When we first arrived in Europe, London specifically, nothing seemed out of the ordinary,” Malaga said. “The amount of tourism seemed appropriate, and all of the places we visited were open for business. We did not experience any signs of the virus until our final day in Budapest, (where) some of the larger night clubs were closed due to government concerns there.” The trip was organized and booked eight
Courtesy Photo Macomb junior Brennen Malaga (left) and Illinois senior Ren Crudele (right) spent their spring break traveling through Europe, spending time exploring mountains in Switzerland.
months before Spring Break. It consisted of pub crawling throughout England, gazing at Swedish mountains between cappuccinos and soaking up some Portuguese sun. “We had plans to visit Rome near the end of our two-week journey through Europe, and even when we left for the trip, the situation in
Italy was not as severe as it would be at the end,” Malaga said. By Sunday morning, March 15, Crudele’s fantasies of photographing the Coliseum and enjoying scoops of gelato were out of reach. “SO I’M STUCK IN EUROPE,” she posted on Facebook. “Next flight home costs a fortune
and won’t get me there ‘til Tuesday, even though I’m already at (another) airport. Any love, kind words or pennies will help get me home!!” Crudele, Malaga and their traveling companions, Navy members Mike Ceccardi and Ed Gutierrez, were forced to sit in Düsseldorf International Airport in Germany, the atmosphere frozen beneath a single question: “What happens next?” Their $2,000-per-person budget skyrocketed to more than $2,700. The next flight to the U.S. cost $590 each and was 23 hours away from takeoff. “We planned to go from Budapest to Rome and just stay in the airport until our flight (for home),” Crudele said. “But then we tried to check in for our flight and got notified that it was canceled.” Crudele said the airline, TAP Air Portugal, offered no financial compensation. Without rescheduling through the original airline as an option, Crudele said the group was forced to combine savings – money originally set aside for covering two months-worth of rent and utility fees back home. Only Venmo payments made by friends were used for food. As they arrived for their layover in Atlanta, Georgia on Monday evening, Crudele was notified she’d be unable to return to her retail job at Claire’s for two weeks. Although the two said the trip was worth every penny, hysterical Facebook message and airport-induced body ache, they agreed it left them feeling disillusioned. “The trip was absolutely worth it, I wouldn’t have changed a single thing besides not buying flight insurance,” Malaga said. Crudele said reality hit the worst while physically engaged with the common naivety people shared toward the virus. “Being on public transport was usually awful,” she said. “We took buses and trains everywhere... People would cough so openly. We tried to keep a positive outlook, but with all this panic and the numbers of people dying, it’s hard not to be concerned when you know germs are getting on you without your control.” She said the dining experience usually consisted of being inundated by multiple languages, each one repeating instructions to wash up better and avoid facial touching. As Crudele lies in bed, she observes the media as travel restrictions stiffen in the communities she was just exploring. On March 17, all Schengen Area member states passed a plan requesting the European Commission to close all of the territory’s external borders for at least 30 days.
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APRIL 21, 2020
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Cincinnati freshman Johnny Evers Smith eats his lunch March 20 in the Health Professions Building.
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After students were to spring break and on reported to work, PHOTO S ISAAC R Empty seats accompany someone using the computers at Charles V. Park Library March 17 on campus. The Charles V. Park Library originally remained open despite classes being moved online.
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APRIL 21, 2020
| SPECIAL EDITION | CORONAVIRUS 2020 | 27
A man watches bluegill in an aquarium March 20 on the first floor of the Biosciences Building.
old to not return from ly essential workers campus was silent TORY BY ITCHEY | EDITOR
Ph.D. student Kaitlyn Whitefoot, right, studies as another individual leaves the building March 20 on the second floor of the Biosciences Building.
28 | SPECIAL EDITION | CORONAVIRUS 2020 | CENTRAL MICHIGAN LIFE |
A custodian walks the hallways March 20 in the Health Professions Building.
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APRIL 21, 2020
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A worker from Facilities Management exits Pierce Hall March 20 on campus.
The Engineering and Technologies building sits empty on March 20.
A student walks across an empty campus March 20.
A custodian mops the floor March 20 on the second floor of the Education Building.
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A student’s backpack, water bottle and jacket sit on an empty chair while the owner is nowhere to be found March 19 at Dow Science Building.
A student walks up to a barricaded entrance to Foust Hall March 20 on campus.
Graduate assistant Adebola Ogundare grades exams March 20 in an office at Dow Science Building.
Detroit sophomore Darrick VanWay and boyfriend Ryan White talk with professor Andrew Spencer March 20 in the Music Building.
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APRIL 21, 2020
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APRIL 21, 2020
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SGA GOES DIGITAL New administration elected, inauguration held via WebEx
By Michael Livingston and Justin Cooper Staff Reporter and Associate Editor news@cm-life.com
There was a lot of business to take care of after spring break, and Central Michigan University’s Student Government Association didn’t let the COVID-19 closure keep any of it from getting done. In its final four weeks, SGA passed four resolutions, hosted a debate between three presidential campaigns and elected next year’s administration without ever meeting face-to-face. Kaitlyn Prebelich and Brett Houle, previously SGA’s press secretary and membership director, were elected president and vice president. Senator Boluwatife Ogungboye, who campaigned with them, was elected treasurer. Prebelich said one of the projects she is most excited about is her administration’s CMU Supports CMU initiative, a campaign to build a stronger sense of community at CMU. Houle said he will focus on wider outreach to the student body. “I am looking most forward to providing more students with information on what is going on in SGA,” Houle said. “I have said it before, and I will always say it. We must be reaching out to students ourselves, not wait for them to come to us.” The winning candidates sent each other texts throughout the day counting down to midnight, when the voting period ended, and Prebelich spent Friday night playing board games with her family to keep her mind off her nerves. When the results were announced, the candidates erupted with joy from their separate quarantines.
“Brett and I immediately Facetimed each other screaming,” Prebelich said. “In these difficult and uncertain times, that moment was absolute pure joy.” “When we saw the results our entire house exploded with cheering,” Houle said. “Honestly, it was a refreshing change to be able to take our mind off of things such as being quarantined, even if it was just for the night.” “I was in my room alone, anxiously waiting for the results, and when I got the email all I could do was thank God and cry,” Ogungboye said. Four students were also sworn in as senators: Lansing junior Ramiro Garcia, Jackson senior Savannah Dragan, Detroit freshman Aubre Thomas and Troy sophomore Sara Pope. SGA used Engage Central to vote on the following resolutions, all of which passed: • A resolution in favor of replacing many paper towel dispensers with hand dryers, authored by Sen. Sarah Bidgood. • A resolution to provide compostable and metal silverware in the Down Under Food Court, authored by sustainability committee chair Kalli Walz. • A resolution to reinstate last year’s hours for the Bovee University Center, the Student Activity Center and the on-campus dining halls, authored by governmental affairs committee chair Ashlyn Pinter. • A resolution to protect the right of students to freely join registered student organizations, authored by academic affairs committee chair Brandon McDonald and On the Rox A Capella representative Chloe Ilacqua. The three campaigns for next year’s president and vice president positions each relied on social media to connect with students and spread the word about their platforms. Trenton junior Lauryn Gibas ran for president alongside Freeland freshman Lauren Henderson.
Photo Illustration SGA President-elect Kaitlyn Prebelich delivers her inaugural speech Thursday, April 9.
Gibas is the president of Turning Point USA at CMU and Hendersen is a member of the Leadership Institute. The Gibas/Hendersen campaign centered around immediacy and planned to tackle longterm goals, like food insecurity. They also released plans for an app to help keep students organized. “The app would be something for students to reference every day,” Gibas said. Brandon McDonald, a senator who chaired the academic affairs committee, ran alongside Josh Moody, who was senate leader. Their campaign focused on encouraging a sustainable campus and increasing outreach to Greek Life, athletics and other involvements. They also sought to support registered student organizations and connect students to resources. McDonald and Moody both said CMU’s response to the coronavirus touched on a core concern of their campaign: transparency. “I’m not so sure the student voice is being heard by administration in any of this development,” Moody said. “Our platform is about connecting with administration, and unifying student voices is a big part of that. I think coronavirus shed some light on that disunity and lack of communication and connection.” For Jake Hendricks and Lyndi Rose, who were then president and vice president, the four weeks of all-digital student government were the conclusion of two years in office. “It really sucks,” Rose said. “For the last whole month in office, I’m not even going to be able to do my actual job. It’s really rough. I don’t know how to put it other than (I’m) devastated.” The livestreamed inauguration ceremony was bittersweet for the outgoing administration. Its closing minutes were filled with farewells to friends and colleagues some may not see again next year and never said goodbye to in person.
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APRIL 21, 2020
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Spring commencement rescheduled for Aug. 15 File Photo | CM Life An undergrad smiles after walking across the stage at commencement on May 4, 2019.
By Austin Chastain Sports Editor news@cm-life.com
Central Michigan University’s spring commencement has been rescheduled for Aug. 15 after the event was postponed in March. President Bob Davies made the announcement of the postponement due to the coronavirus pandemic March 19 in an email to the university community. ”This decision is to protect the health and well-being of you and your family, in accordance with state and national recommendations — but that doesn’t mean it was an easy choice,” President Bob Davies said in the email.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer issued an executive order on March 13 prohibiting all gatherings of more than 250 people in an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19 in the state. In his email to the community, Davies assured students every effort would be made to reschedule the event and give those graduating the opportunity to celebrate their accomplishments. Davies delivered when he sent another email on March 30 announcing the change of date for the ceremony. “We have chosen the weekend of August 15, 2020 as the new date for your commencement ceremony,” Davies said in the second email. “I hope you and your friends and family will return to campus to celebrate with us.”
Usually, students who finish their degree in August participate in the December ceremony. With the change, these students are able to participate in the rescheduled spring ceremony or elect to walk in December as normal. Ari Harris, Assistant Director of University Communications, said in an email the plan is to still host the ceremony in McGuirk Arena while working around other events such as Leadership Safari, IMPACT, the new student convocation and Campus Life 101. Harris added there will be a live stream of the event for graduates unable to attend. Davies’ email announcing the rescheduled date included a link for students to fill out if
they are planning on attending the ceremony. Additionally, Davies said students’ certificates will be sent 6-8 weeks after final grades are posted and the degree is awarded. Commencement Coordinator Kyle Pybus-Jerome said she is excited graduates will have an opportunity to celebrate their graduation. “We know students were disappointed when the May commencement ceremonies had to be postponed, and we’re excited to have an option for graduates to return to campus to celebrate their achievements in August,” Pybus-Jerome said. “I am hopeful that many will be able to join us back on campus with their family and friends.”
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APRIL 21, 2020
| SPECIAL EDITION | CORONAVIRUS 2020 | 33
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APRIL 21, 2020
| SPECIAL EDITION | CORONAVIRUS 2020 | 35
Model United Nations class emulates World Health Organization during coronavirus pandemic By Michael Livingston Staff Reporter news@cm-life.com
Matthew Koutz spent his Friday afternoon trying to get hotel and travel refunds for the trip to New York City he had planned for his students. On March 12 the National Model United Nations Conference, which gathers more than 5,000 university students (more than half from outside the United States) was canceled due to travel restrictions. The conference hasn’t been canceled since World War II. Koutz is the faculty adviser for the Model United Nations program, a class in the political science department where students role-play as delegates from a member state of the United Nations. The material trains students to attend a regional or national Model UN conference every semester. Students draft speeches, position papers, learn the parliamentary rules and procedures that are practiced at the UN and hold practice simulations. “The conference being canceled completely turned the class upside down. In fact, 25% of the final grade is attending the conference,” Koutz said. The class was supposed to be acting as Armenia at the New York conference. The students prepared their research weeks ahead of time in anticipation for competing with others around the world. Koutz needed to create a new curriculum, fast. “I knew if we were going to do something it should not only reflect the spirit of the United Nations but also have some components of civic responsibility,” Koutz said. Instead of echoing the UN General Assembly, the students will zoom in on the World Health Organization, which has been at the forefront of advising global leaders on the COVID-19 pandemic. “It’s not much of a transition for students to imitate the UN general assembly then the World Health Organization,” Koutz said. “We’re producing something useful that
File Photo | CM Life Students represent Afghanistan at the Fall 2019 Regional Model United Nations conference in Chicago.
wasn’t in the syllabus but mirrors a lot of what we do in the class.” One assignment is to develop a PowerPoint that will summarize what the WHO’s response should be to the COVID-19 pandemic. This ranges from epidemiology to finances to coalition building and logistics. The class will also create an informational pamphlet about COVID-19, including what it is and how to prevent or contain the spread of it. Koutz said he hopes this pamphlet can be distributed to educate more people about how to protect themselves.
“I like the assignments. It allows us to take a more real-world approach to what’s going on and actually understand what’s going on instead of staying in with the mass hysteria that many others are experiencing,” Wisconsin junior, Alexis Holstead said. As of today, the WHO has built coalitions, produced educational materials and fundraised for individuals, corporations and institutions alike. As head delegate, Hamburg senior Wyatt Shoner works with Koutz to organize class material and monitor other students, similar to a
teaching assistant position. “The cancellation of NMUN this year has definitely shaken up the structure of the class. All the assignments that we have worked on so far have been in preparation for us sitting in committee,” Shoner said. “When I first found out the conference was canceled, I was very disappointed. This would have been my last MUN conference” Instead of spending a weekend in New York, the students will spend the rest of the semester at home. But their commitment to understanding global affairs remains consistent. The class meets virtually
on Tuesdays using WebEx and exchanges messages on GroupMe. Holstead said the class is like a family. “This just shows the resilience of students,” Koutz said. “I was nervous because this is such an in-person course. I was wondering how we could facilitate the same spirit as before spring break. The level of dedication is really great to see.” Political Science 353: Model United Nations is available for any major and any class standing. For more information, contact the Political Science Department Chair David Jesuit at jesui1dk@cmich.edu.
36 | SPECIAL EDITION | CORONAVIRUS 2020 | CENTRAL MICHIGAN LIFE |
CM-LIFE.COM
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APRIL 21, 2020
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#MyMaskSavesLives CMU faculty, alumna, grad student develop homemade mask design
By Justin Cooper Associate Editor news@cm-life.com
North Miami Beach graduate student Alberto “Ali” Alvarez drew his professor’s attention when, at the beginning of an online course in early March, he introduced himself by saying he had recently recovered from COVID-19. His professor, Lana Ivanitskaya, had been developing prototypes for a washable, homemade face mask with alumna Armine Ghalachyan, an apparel designer who focuses on “human well-being, enhancement and empowerment.” After reading his post, Ivanitskaya invited Alvarez
to contribute ideas to the project and translate its documentation into Spanish. Now Alvarez, pursuing a Master of Health Administration degree remotely from Miami, splits his time between setting up an industrial hygiene consulting firm and breaking Ivanitskaya and Ghalachyan’s efforts into wider public consciousness. The project’s short-term goal is to give people a personal mask to use, freeing up supplies of N95 masks widely sought by hospitals for their superior protection. Ghalachyan, an assistant professor at Washington State University, said she became concerned early in the disease’s spread in Washington – one
of America’s hardest-hit states – when she saw Seattle-area doctors making protective equipment with materials repurposed from around the hospital. “You can see a lot of posts, for example in the Boston area, an emergency room doctor buys shower caps and other products to create her own personal protective equipment, and that is horrible,” Ghalachyan said. The design document suggests posting pictures of yourself wearing the mask alongside the hashtag, #MyMaskSavesLives, to promote the design and donating N95 masks. With N95 masks in such short supply that some doctors use them past their expiration, Ghalachyan
and Ivanitskaya’s washable, reusable design could be a more sustainable and resilient face mask than disposable N95’s. In the long term, Ghalachyan said she’d like to see if the design can pave a new way forward for professional face masks once the pandemic subsides. Ivanitskaya and Ghalachyan’s mask design mainly uses fabric from reusable shopping bags, whose non-woven material resembles that of surgical masks and provides little opportunity for the virus to slip through. For a nose bridge, the design recommends flower stem wire, fresh produce ties or, best of all, a coffee bag tie. The design document, which evolves day-by-day as new ideas are tested, details the step-by-step process of making the mask using only basic materials and common household supplies. Learning how to make the mask takes about an hour, Ivanitskaya said, and after that, a mask can be made in about 30 minutes. Geology faculty member Maria Gonzalez said she was able to make the mask in 10-15 minutes. “I used the mask to go grocery shopping and, if nothing else, it helped to keep people six feet from me!” Gonzalez said. “It kind of looks intimidating. Also, I use it for walks. They wash very well, and the design covers the mouth pretty well compared with other masks I have seen on YouTube tutorials.” Ivanitskaya, a CMU health administration professor, said her 12- and 13-year-old daughters helped to cut reusable Meijer shopping bags, and her family has made five masks. Only her husband wears it consistently, as his small business supplies personnel deemed essential by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. “We have no mask-wearing tradition in the United States, and people are afraid of breaking social norms,” Ivanitskaya said. The team’s mask design is more effective than others available online, according to Ghalachyan, because
many use materials susceptible to the virus passing through, such as cotton. Many designs also have a stitch line in the center of the mask parallel to the nose, giving virus particles a chance to enter there. Ghalachyan emphasized that though the design is based on research and her knowledge as a functional apparel expert, it remains to be rigorously tested, and that kind of testing can likely only occur after the crisis has passed.
Courtesy Photo | Gonzales Geology professor Maria Gonzalez wears a face mask she made according to Dr. Lana Ivanitskaya and Dr. Armine Ghalachyan’s design on Sunday, March 29, 2020.
“People should not have false hope when they put the mask on,” Ghalachyan said. “Even N95 protects 95 percent if worn correctly and if it’s new… When they’re wearing the mask, they should still be practicing social distancing, washing their hands, wiping surfaces – all the other aspects of hygiene and preventing the spread of the virus are very important.” Still, it is Ghalachyan’s belief that the homemade masks are better than no protection at all.
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APRIL 21, 2020
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Courtesy Photo English language and literature professor Joseph Sommers posts videos on social media to entertain young viewers. Sommers hopes the videos of him reading children’s books will provide a resource for parents trying to keep their young children busy during Michigan’s stay at home order.
CMU professors work to raise morale during the coronavirus pandemic By Courtney Pedersen Staff Reporter news@cm-life.com
Two or three times per day during the coronavirus pandemic, Joseph Sommers sits down with a children’s book and records himself reading it to his daughters. Then he posts the reading on Facebook to share those moments with his Central Michigan University students, colleagues and friends from around the world. The English language and literature faculty member saw a Facebook post from his cousin, who is living in Italy with her deployed husband and their two children, asking for people to send her children’s books during these difficult times. “I am an asthmatic with high blood pressure, so I’m told I am a bit at risk to go out and do most anything,” Sommers said.
“However, I’m also a guy with a couple of children and a couple decades plus of children’s literature in my house. It didn’t take too much math to figure out that maybe something I could do is post videos on Facebook of me reading to kids so their parents could have a short break.” Sommers is just one of several CMU professors who have been recording and posting videos of themselves reading and singing to boost morale of their students and families during the coronavirus pandemic. Jim McDonald, teacher education and professional development faculty member, also has been posting videos of himself reading books to his children. “Since everyone has to stay home and schools are closed, there are some schools I work with that their parents are really looking for something to use for learning at
home,” McDonald said. “I figured I could read some science books and give some ideas for lessons they could do on those books.” In his classroom, McDonald shows students how to teach science for future elementary teachers and tries to show how to use science and literature at the same time. According to him, his videos model what he teaches the students in his class. Instead of reading, Jordan Bruuresma, recreation, parks and leisure services faculty member, has been playing songs and posting the videos on Facebook. “A lot of times on our trips, we sit together and sing songs and it really brings students together in that setting,” Bruursema said. “Since we are far away and I knew things like that had a real big impact on students in some of my other classes, I was like well I guess I’ll try and reach
out through song virtually and see how it goes.” Bruursema has recorded three songs so far which have been uploaded to the public Facebook page “Quarantine Center of the Arts”, which is the name he has given his garage he records in. The first song “Coronavirus Blues” he recorded alone, the second is a cover recorded with his roommate and the final one “My Family” is written by his daughter and features her on the pots and pans. The three professors have used their talents and resources to help students, alumni and community members while still following CDC guidelines and nationwide shutdowns. “If you can do anything to help people you know or don’t, it’s something. And it gives you a little bit more sunshine in your day,” Sommers said.
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APRIL 21, 2020
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CMU declines to raise undergrad tuition despite looming coronavirus challenges By Dylan Goetz Editor-in-Chief news@cm-life.com
Central Michigan University will not increase tuition rates for undergrads for the 2020-2021 academic year, due to the trouble that many Michigan families already face with COVID-19. It was a tough decision, trustees agreed, noting that the pandemic also presents significant looming financial challenges for the university. The decision was made with students and their families in mind, President Bob Davies said. “Has the virus had a financial impact on the university? Yes, no question,” Davies said. “To me, this is the right thing to do.”
The April 16 Board of Trustees meeting was held via a WebEx broadcast and shared publicly with nearly 200 attendants. During last year’s April meeting, tuition was increased by 3 percent and room and board rates were increased by 2.5 percent to account for low enrollment. This is the first time in “quite some time” that tuition has not increased for the upcoming academic year, all due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Davies said. Lower level tuition will remain $417 per credit and upper level tuition will remain $434 per credit. Since at least 1993, CMU has annually increased tuition rates or raised fees for undergraduates. Despite this decision to not raise tuition, it was clear to all that participated in the
virtual meeting that this pandemic would have wide-ranging effects on the university. In his opening remarks, Davies warned of the potential impact of coronavirus on enrollment, finances and recruiting efforts. “The events of the past month will have a significant impact on our enrollment and operations,” Davies said. “We know there will be challenges to everything we do, but we do not know to the extent.” Davies said that the university has always been financially “prudent,” citing a strong financial position, low debt and “great flexibility” that allows CMU to not increase tuition. Other business - Provost Mary Schutten presented four different tentative plans for how to reopen the
university and start the Fall 2020 semester. Her team is constructing one for regular faceto-face learning, a compressed semester, starting with online classes then transitioning to face-to-face and a completely online semester. • CMU’s e-sports team was approved to join the E-sports Collegiate, Inc. league for competition. E-sports Collegiate, Inc. was recommended by the Mid-American Conference. • New Student Government Association President Katie Prebelich and Vice President Brett Houle were welcomed. • Co-Chairs of the Emergency Management team Jonathan Webb and Mary Hill presented comments on how CMU has been responding to the challenges presented by the pandemic.
University announces credit/no credit option for student flexibility By Michael Livingston Staff Reporter news@cm-life.com
Students will now have the option to opt for Credit/No Credit classes, according to an email from the Office of the Provost. “This option is available to you on a course by course basis. This means that you can choose to change one, none, all or any combination of your current courses to Credit/No Credit,” said Provost Mary Schutten. In addition, students can withdraw from one or more of your courses through May 20, 2020. This decision comes amid growing coronavirus confirmed cases in the state of Michigan. Because of the coronavirus, all classes for the remainder of the spring 2020 semester have been moved online. A petition was made an anonymous student in response to the university’s extension of online-only classes until Monday, April 6, due to the rising number of COVID-19 cases in Michigan. The petition was updated on March 17 to address concerns students had about falling GPAs. As of March 24, the petition had over 7,500 signatures. CMU intends to release additional academic support to students by developing a pilot advising and grade policy. “What the provost and her team have done is put forth a great safety net that protects students while they’re going through this shift,” President Bob Davies said at the March 24 Academic Senate meeting. “At the same time (Credit/No
Isaac Ritchey | Photo Editor Resident Assistant for the north community Nate Roselle sits on a park bench in front of the Central Michigan University seal March 26 in Warriner Mall. The Milford senior said he was using the peace and quiet of campus to digest news of the pandemic.
Credit) provides the opportunity for students to be rewarded for their hard work in the circumstances.” Here are the directions CMU provided to convert to credit/no credit classes: How to sign up for Credit/No Credit Any undergraduate student may choose to take a spring 2020 course Credit/No Credit
(CR/NC). Your instructor is not notified when a course is taken Credit/No Credit and will assign the appropriate letter grade at the end of the course. The grade is automatically converted to credit or no credit, according to the following guidelines: You must earn a grade of ‘C’ (not C-) or better in the course to receive credit. The course will
appear on your transcript with a grade of “CR”. A grade of “NC” will be assigned for any grade below a “C”, which indicates that no credit has been earned for the course and will not count toward your degree requirements. The grades of CR or NC have no effect on your grade point average. This semester, courses taken CR/NC will not count towards the 25-credit hour maximum that can be applied to a degree or the maximum of seven (7) credit hours that can be applied to University Program requirements. You are strongly encouraged to talk to an academic advisor to fully understand how choosing the Credit/No Credit option may affect you. The following outcomes may vary from student to student. Courses taken for “Credit” will count toward a degree when a grade of ‘C’ or better is earned but will not be used to calculate your cumulative grade point average (GPA). Professors have been asked to be ready to tell you your estimated grade by April 25. Grades in Credit/No Credit courses can impact your satisfactory academic progress standing for federal financial aid. If you are repeating a class this semester, and you switch that course to Credit/No Credit, the letter grade you previously earned will not be used in your GPA. If you are uncertain how Credit/No Credit courses would impact certification or licensure programs, please connect with your academic advisor.
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APRIL 21, 2020
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NEW REALITY Students adjust to the new reality of online only courses, WebEx meetings
By Courtney Pedersen Staff Reporter news@cm-life.com
For India Ambrose, Central Michigan University’s switch to online-only classes last month meant balancing her own coursework while also homeschooling her 8-year-old brother. “I have tried to adjust my brother’s schedule because I worry the effects of this pandemic will cause more stress on him and his learning,” the Grand Rapids senior said. “His usual classroom of friendly faces is now his sister who he often finds annoying.” All public universities in Michigan have made a switch to online classes for the second half of the spring 2020 semester due to worldwide coronavirus pandemic. On Monday, April 6, CMU President Bob Davies announced all Summer I courses (May 18 through June 25) will be online-only as well. Ambrose isn’t the only student who is facing challenges in the switch to online-only classes. For senior Jamie Covelli, online classes mean constantly remembering the hour time difference in order to make it to her courses on time. “I have class that starts at 6:30. Well, it may start at
6:30 Michigan time, but I have to somehow keep reminding myself it starts at 5:30 my time now,” said Covelli, of Monee, Illinois. Gladwin junior Elza Hays said taking online-only courses means having to find quiet time for class with his kids at home all day. “Trying to learn with children in the household is very difficult,” Hays said. “They don’t understand that they are home without homework, so they are playing and having a good time while I am trying to study and listen to lectures.” Since the start of online-only classes on March 16, Central Michigan University students have been working to adjust to the concept of learning from home, the challenges that it brings and what it means to them. With professors providing their course materials and lectures in many different formats – including Zoom, WebEx, Facebook Live, Blackboard and email – students have to keep track of many more websites. “Every teacher does it differently. They all are structured significantly different than when we were in school,” Clarkston freshman Lauren Dombrowski said. In addition to balancing multiple different platforms for classes, students have different access to the internet and
other necessary materials. Although, due to the unusual circumstances brought on by the coronavirus pandemic, students have been learning strategies and completing assignments that they wouldn’t normally be able to. Wayland junior Shelby Henshaw is in the course “Recreation Planning Events,” which is based around planning and producing an event. “Instead of producing the event, now we have to come up with cancellation strategies, which I feel is something that probably wouldn’t be touched if the coronavirus had not happened,” Henshaw said. “They talk about stuff going bad all the time, but now stuff is going bad. We get to work through that before we get on the job.” The students all mentioned having an appreciation for their professors who had to work to quickly learn online formats and adjust lesson plans. “It has just been really cool to see how everyone has come together,” Dombrowski said. “Professors are there for their students for anything, whether it’s an extra day for an assignment or a shoulder to, virtually, cry on. “It was eye-opening to truly see how supportive my school is.”
42 | SPECIAL EDITION | CORONAVIRUS 2020 | CENTRAL MICHIGAN LIFE |
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APRIL 21, 2020
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Students struggle after university job losses
By Evan Petzold Managing Editor news@cm-life.com
When Mathieu Mondro learned Central Michigan University was suspending face-to-face classes and encouraging students not to return to campus after spring break, his initial concern had nothing to do with school. He was more concerned about losing his on-campus job at Fresh Food Company. Mondro, a junior from Canton, relies on his 20 hours per week to pay for apartment utilities, groceries, gas and, of course, his education. Despite coronavirus concerns, Mondro was hoping for as many shifts as possible. The university employs approximately 3,200 student employees, manager of Student Employment Services Amy Thering said, but the amount of them that returned after spring break to work is unknown. On March 19, CMU President Bob Davies’ announced that online-only classes would continue for the remainder of the semester. The university also announced May commencement is postponed. The university encouraged students who prefer to stay at home to begin making arrangements to move out of campus housing. Fresh Food Company, located in east campus, is the only residential restaurant open serving meals for students with a meal plan. Residence halls will remain open for students who need to live on campus until May. Mondro received an email from campus dining explaining that his service wouldn’t be needed until further notice. “In accordance with CMU keeping campus closed through April 6, all student employees are not required, nor will be scheduled for any shifts during this time frame,” the email stated. “We are working with CMU on closure dates and directives. If this time frame changes, you will be notified about returning to work from your location manager.” Only student workers were sent the email. Mondro is under the impression only full-time employees are working at the restaurant. “I don’t have anything scheduled,” Mondro said. “I thought I’d need to work. Sure enough, Fresh started to pull all my shifts.” Student employees will not be compensated for time not worked due to the situation created by COVID-19. They are also not required to continue to work at any campus jobs, as long as their supervisor is notified. Finding work in his hometown, due to the continued increase of coronavirus cases in Michigan, will be a challenge for Mondro as restaurants, bars and other service businesses feel the negative economic impact of the statewide business shutdown. He’s left wondering how he will provide for himself. “This job was really important to me,” Mondro said. “It was my only source of income during the school year. Now I have to tap into my savings from my summer job.” After the Mid-American Conference announced March 12 its decision to cancel all remaining winter and spring athletic competitions, Nick Vuylsteke knew he would be out of a job for the rest of the semester. Vuylsteke has been employed as a student by CMU Athletics for about two years. He is learning to improve his writing skills, time
Courtesy Photo Athletics student employee Nick Vuylsteke (left) holds the microphone while interviewing soccer coach Jeremy Groves (middle) at the CMU Soccer Complex.
management and gaining experience within a Division I athletic department. The decision made by MAC commissioner Jon Steinbrecher leaves Vuylsteke, a journalism major, out of a job and a chance to continue to build his skills. Working an average of 20 hours per week at minimum wage, Vuylsteke was informed March 13 by athletic communications representative Andy Sneddon that he was no longer needed. “It was a shocker to see sports were canceled,” Vuylsteke said. “Maybe (at first) it was a bit of an overreaction, but I don’t have an issue with it. I think it was the correct decision.” Before the coronavirus outbreak terminated CMU sports for the rest of the academic year, Vuylsteke had plans to cover track and field indoor championships, football pro day, lacrosse and other events. Missing out on those opportunities does more than just hurt his portfolio. As a senior, his time working with CMU Athletics as a student is done. There is no “next year” for him. Vuylsteke is going home to Sterling Heights and plans to work at Jet’s Pizza. “I’m in a fortunate situation that they were willing to accept me on quick notice,” Vuylsteke said. “If (Jet’s) didn’t hire me back, it would be scary. I don’t have anything lined up past CMU Athletics in sports.” Working with the athletic department was a life-changing experience. Vuylsteke found his passion for public relations within college sports and doesn’t think he would have received the same exposure at a different university. “I met some great people along the way,” Vuylsteke said. “I learned a different style of writing. I’m very appreciative.” Where Mondro and Vuylsteke have been given information on their status from employers, others have been left without answers.
“
“It was my only source of income during the school year. Now I have to tap into my savings from my summer job.”
Mathieu Mondro
Canton junior
Maddie Thomas was at her sister’s choir concert when she noticed other universities in Michigan were shutting down in-person classes and asking students to remain at their permanent residences.She knew it was only a matter of time before CMU did the same. Thomas works for Classic Fare Catering, the catering service on campus. The Macomb sophomore works in the retail office, handling orders, communicating with the sales team and remaining in constant communication with kitchen staff. “I really like my job, and I like being paid,” Thomas said. “It’s nice to have money when you’re a college kid. It’s scary to be in the dark, hoping something gets better.” Her shifts are canceled.Thomas’s employers told her not to contact them with coronavirus questions. “They haven’t given me any information,” Thomas said. “When things happen, they will contact us. I’m just THOMAS: “It’s floating.” Taking out loans for this academic scary to be in the dark, hoping some- year, Thomas was hoping she wouldn’t have to do the same upon moving off thing gets better.” campus as a junior beginning in the fall. Averaging 15 hours per week, she was counting on being in Mount Pleasant for the last two months of school to supplement her summer rent, giving her the ability to use prior savings for academics. Now, she might have to take out an additional student loan for next semester to pay for school, rent, food and other expenses. The lack of communication with her employer has caused nervousness. “I hope they come up with some plan to give students the money they were expecting,” Thomas said. “There are so many people that rely on their jobs to pay rent each month, and they don’t know how to get by without it.”
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APRIL 21, 2020
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How coronavirus is affecting CMU staff, students, alumni By Makayla Coffee Staff Reporter news@cm-life.com
It had been 12 years since public relations faculty member Chunbo Ren had spent the Chinese New Year with his family in Yantai, Shandong Province, China. Ren was excited to use the spring 2020 semester as an opportunity to both spend time with his family and do some research. It was not until Ren arrived in China for his sabbatical leave that he realized the looming health threat of coronavirus. Yantai is about 13 hours from Wuhan, China, where the outbreak first started. He was celebrating Chinese New Year’s Eve when his family received the news about the first case of COVID-19 in Yantai. “Usually visiting relatives and friends is a major tradition in (the) Chinese New Year holiday,” Ren said. “For this year, people were strongly advised to stay at home.” Due to the outbreak, and about 80,000 total cases being reported from China, Ren only leaves his home to take the trash out every two days and his brother-in-law brings him food. Ren considered flying back to the United States when the severity of the virus increased but held off. He wouldn’t have been able to finish his research and many previous flights to the United States were being suspended. On top of that, Ren was concerned about how he would be treated if he returned to the United States at this time. Some students are feeling this way, too. “I concern the potential stigma I may experience – you know, I’m from China. People may (be) concerned that I may bring the virus to Michigan,” Ren said. “I could be a threat to people’s health.” Ren said Yantai is using strict border control and local quarantine policies to prevent the spread. Each traveler must take a 14-day quarantine before moving around the town or doing business. The highway is blocked so only those
with special permits may drive. For nearly three weeks, there have not been any new cases confirmed in Yantai. Businesses and malls are starting to open back up, he said. Since Ren’s comments through email over the past few days, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has announced that two confirmed cases exist in the state – one in Wayne
County and one in Oakland County. Over the next 24 hours, businesses, universities and government organizations have scrambled to act and take precautions. Michigan State University switched to online classes and served as the first domino to fall. MSU was followed by CMU, Wayne State, Western Michigan and the University of Michigan in either canceling or switching to online classes. All CMU classes have been moved to an online format until March 20, and students have been advised to not return to campus after spring
break. A decision regarding classes for the following week will be determined by 4 p.m. Thursday, March 19. While a faculty member is feeling safe in Yantai, Shandong Province, China, a CMU alumna is finding that she might be out of a job. Paige Sheffield, a 2018 graduate, teaches spoken English and creative writing at a school in Shanghai, China. She said the coronavirus outbreak has left her “uncertain” about what will happen next with her career. Sheffield has been in the United States for a little over a month waiting for the opportunity to go back to work. Due to the spread of this virus, schools in Shanghai are holding classes online only. “All of the schools in Shanghai are closed right now. They’re doing online classes,” Sheffield said. “I did a few online classes, but then the school basically decided that they don’t want to have too many
online classes for the students. So right now I’m teaching fewer classes than I did in person just because of that format.” Even if Sheffield wanted to return to China, she still could not work due to her school’s closure. Due to this, her pay has been something she has been unsure of. “I don’t know what the pay will be like,” Sheffield said. “There’s really no way around that because even if I went back to China I wouldn’t be able to teach any more classes than I am right now.” Meanwhile, Sheffield still has to pay rent to her Shanghai apartment, where many of her possessions remain. Sheffield is trying to remain calm, but at one point, she considered seeking employment elsewhere. CMU philosophy faculty member Hope May planned to travel to South Korea to lead a teaching workshop at a local Seoul bookstore and lecture at Yonsei University. Before her departure, CMU rescinded the trip’s approval. May is pleased with the precautions that CMU is taking. “CMU is doing its due diligence. I have no complaints here and am glad to see that the university is exercising due care for its community,” May said.
Makayla Coffee | Staff Reporter Public Relations Professor Chunbo Ren is currently in Yantai, Shandong Province in eastern China on sabbatical leave. Ren has seen the effects of the coronavirus first hand as Yantai has directly been impacted.
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Helen Egwu, a graduate student at Central Michigan University, attempts to stay active amid the coronavirus outbreak April 2 at Lexington Ridge Apartments.
Mount Pleasant residents take advantage of spring weather STORY & PHOTOS BY ISAAC RITCHEY | PHOTO EDITOR
Clack. Click. Clack. A jump ropes beats down on the pale sidewalk outside an apartment building at Lexington Ridge. Helen Egwu, a Central Michigan University graduate student, is wearing a grey track suit. Her toes bounce repetitively up from the ground to clear a pink wire swirling through the air. On March 23, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer issued a “stay home” order to try to slow the spread of the coronavirus. As a result, Michigan residents must stay home except for essential purposes. People can also leave their homes to engage in outdoor activity, which includes “walking, hiking, running, cycling, or any other recreational activity consistent with remaining at least six feet from people from outside the individual’s household.”
With no one in sight, clear skies and sunshine were a chance for Egwu to stay active outdoors while still respecting the rules set in place by Gov. Whitmer’s executive order, she said. “This is my way of staying sane,” Egwu said. “If I stay in the house for too long, I start to lose my mind.” Egwu was not the only one enjoying the break from the gloom of the weather and pandemic. A few miles down the road just outside downtown Mount Pleasant, Island Park was the busiest it has been recently. Most picnic tables at the park remain upright and out of service. However, CMU international students Mara Pederini of Italy and Johahnna Mues of Germany laid out a blanket in the grass to enjoy their
Blaze Pizza and The roommate er before Mues r “After (Mues) a great chance to er,” Pederini sai The Southwell family of four ch between them. “This is our fir pened to eat a me taking a bite of h According to t Pleasant will see Over the next 10 the mid- to late-
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Central Michigan University international students Mara Pederini of Italy and Johanna Mues of Germany lay out a blanket in the grass to enjoy their Blaze Pizza and lemon-lime soda April 2 at Island Park in Mount Pleasant.
lemon-lime soda. es were spending one last day togethreturned to her home in Germany. leaves, I’ll be living alone, so this is o get outside and enjoy lunch togethd. l family had a similar idea. The hose to sit at a picnic table with space
rst chance since everything has hapeal as a family,” Phillip Southwell said, his fried chicken. “It’s been crazy.” the National Weather Service, Mount e a few more rainy days next week. 0 days, temperatures will remain in -50s.
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The Southwells enjoy a picnic April 2 at Island Park in Mount Pleasant.
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Shepherd resident Morgan Painter uses a sewing machine to stitch fabric for a mask April 9 at her home.
DOING HER PART
Shepherd resident attempts to balance making masks, being a mother
M
organ Painter sits at her grandmother’s embroidery machine accompanied by a mess of yarn and unfinished masks. Fabric is thrown over the cabinet door like dish towels on a drying rack. The farmhouse walls are decorated in family photos and crafts. They are spotlighted by the few streams of sunlight breaking through the thick curtains covering the picture window. Painter’s been up since 6:30 a.m. to get a head start on her five hours of mask-making before her two kids, Hudzyn, 7, and Creedynce, 5, wake up to start
their new daily routines. Painter said she returns to the workshop between the family’s living room and dining room in the evening to round out her nine hours of mask making. Justin, Painter’s husband, worked as a welder before being laid-off with three-quarters of the factory staff. He said he has been supporting his wife’s service by making breakfast in the morning and keeping the kids occupied with dirt bikes and tire swings. Before schools were shut down because of an executive order, Painter worked at Lakeview Elementary school helping stu-
dents improve their reading skills. “When the schools shut down, it was shocking and heartbreaking because there is no closure,” the reading tutor said. “It was hardest for my son, who is in preschool, because he didn’t understand why he wasn’t going to school to see his teachers and friends,” Painter said the heartbreak of the sweeping shutdowns motivated her to sew masks for people who needed them. In the time since she has been home, Painter has made almost 600 masks. She sends 8 or 9 packages a day to hospitals, nursing homes and individuals across the
United States, she said. She likened sewing to playing video games. “It takes 6 to 8 minutes to make one mask,” Painter said. “Once you sit down, hours will go by before I realize how long I’ve been sewing.” Painter’s journey began with a lot of YouTube videos and a process of trial and error, she said. “I nailed the first one I made and just kept sewing,” Painter said. One of the reasons mask-making in Michigan began was because of a shortage of masks for medical personnel. w JUMP TO | 48
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herd residents Justin and Morgan Painter push their son Hudzyn, 7, on a tire swing April 9 at their home. Painter said swinging is their children’s favorite outdoor activity.
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Now, Painter said she has seen a shortage of mask-making supplies like fabric and elastic. The lack of supplies has forced Painter to improvise, and she is now crafting mask ties from blanket yarn, making the masks comfortable and more one-size-fits-all. Painter has benefitted from donations from people like Delani Huntoon, a neighbor who helped restock Painter’s fabric supply. Huntoon works at Home Depot in Mount Pleasant. She said the hardware store’s supply of masks was sent to relieve hospitals, leaving few masks for its employees. “My co-workers and I wanted to sew some masks, but we are all working 60 or 70 hours a week,” Huntoon said. “We had lots of fabric — just not the hours.” Painter said she has been blessed by the continued support and donations she has received. The most important part about making masks, Painter said, is that she sets aside time during the day to still be a wife and mother. “It’s been a blessing to be home,” she said. “It has given our family a chance to plant our roots again and define the meaning of family.”
Shepherd resident Morgan Painter has a conversation with her husband, Justin, as she looks at fabric donated by a friend April 9 at her home.
Creedynce Painter, 5, left, and Hudzyn Painter, 7, watch videos on their parent’s phones while their mother Morgan Painter makes masks from fabric April 9 at their home.
Shepherd resident Morgan Painter works on masks from her grandmother’s old sewing table April 9 at her home.
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Shepherd resident Morgan Painter waits for her Cricket, a smart cutting device, to finish cutting a piece of plastic from a place mat April 9 at her home. The piece of plastic can be used on the back of a mask to relieve the tension on the ears of the wearer.
Shepherd resident Morgan Painter holds her daughter Creedynce, 5, while taking a break from sewing April 9 at their home.
Shepherd resident Morgan Painter ties a mask around her face April 9 at her home. Because of a shortage of elastic, Painter has had to make ties out of yarn.
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Isaac Ritchey | Photo Editor Brianna Milton called McLaren Central Ready Care and alerted them that she was coming in to seek a coronavirus test. She had no problem getting a test from the clinic.
‘TAKE THIS SERIOUSLY’
CMU student tests positive for coronavirus STO RY BY DY L A N G O E TZ | E D I TO R I N C H I E F
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ntil Brianna Milton told her Facebook friends that she had tested positive for coronavirus, she felt that some of her peers were not taking the virus seriously. Many people have reached out to her today to express their feelings after she shared her health update and the news that her father has been hospitalized. Milton’s biggest concern, however, wasn’t her own physical health. She was concerned that she had spread the virus. “People are saying they are taking it seriously, but they are not taking it seriously,” Milton said. “You could have an impact on others and you may not even know it.” A Clinton Township senior, Milton received confirmation of a positive test this morning after getting tested at an urgent care in Mount Pleasant last week. She suffered from a nagging cough at the peak of her symptoms. Her father, Tim Milton, who also received confirmation about testing positive today, is still hospitalized. The two of them had driven to Mount Pleasant from Clinton Township after spring break. Tim was feeling a bit under the weather at the time. Brianna developed a cough a few days later. On March 26, Brianna received a phone call from her mother that said Tim’s symptoms were getting worse. He sought medical care from a respiratory clinic near Clinton Township. The clinic called him back and told him to go to the emergency room. Milton called McLaren Central Ready Care and alerted them that she is coming in to seek a coronavirus test. She had no problem getting a test from the clinic. “The first thing I did was fill out some paperwork. Then, they gave me a mask,” Milton said. “They were in full protective gear that covered their arms and legs, latex gloves, a facemask and a face shield over top. “They wrote their names on the top of the face shield, so that was kind of cool.” Despite her father’s complications, Milton did not have a fever and doesn’t feel a shortness of breath – two of the most common symptoms of coronavirus. The coronavirus bothered her mental health, she said, more than it has her physical health. “My anxiety has spiked a lot,” Milton said. “It’s been more of a mental game than a physical game. (Now) I’m in the house watching Netflix and cooking and everything is fine.” Her father is still being treated at a local Clinton Township hospital. He is on oxygen and is having trouble breathing. “He was so fatigued to the point that he couldn’t go to work or get out of bed,” Milton said. Milton used to work at CMU, but now she is filing for unemployment after losing her hours. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s stay-at-home executive order made it so only essential staff must report to work. Today, Milton has been deemed “no longer contagious” from the Central Michigan District Health Department. She was told her case was “mild.” Milton and her roommates are spending a lot of time disinfecting surfaces in their home, washing their hands and keeping an eye out for anyone communicating COVID-19 symptoms. Once symptoms resolve, it is believed that there is a short period of time when you are still contagious, hence the 14-day self-isolation period that is being recommended. Milton was told that she was no longer contagious because she experienced receding symptoms for three straight days and did not develop a fever over that period. CM Life reached out to the Central Michigan District Health Department for more information about how someone is deemed no longer contagious. “By the standards of the department of health I am technically able to go out,” Milton said, “but I am not going to risk it.
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Student teachers to fulfill program requirements from home By Michael Livingston & Makayla Coffee Staff Reporters
File Photo | CM Life The Education and Human Services building on Feb. 1.
news@cm-life.com
Steven Keene spent his spring break traveling down to Florida, only to be sent back soon after his arrival. He wasn’t going to party on the beach like some college students show in national media. Keene was moving to Immokalee, a small agricultural town in southwest Florida, to begin student-teaching at Collier County Public Schools. Immokalee has a large immigrant population from Mexico, Haiti and Central America. This alternative student teaching program is implemented every spring to give student teachers a chance to gain clinical experience in another state. Keene was supposed to be teaching middle school students from primarily low-income families. After a two-day drive with six other student teachers, Keene was greeted by the school district administration on March 5. He was even given a riverboat tour of wetlands in Immokalee. Keene was to begin his new position the following Monday. Keene followed new stories about how the coronavirus was affecting Michigan. He said CMU kept in close contact with the group about plans for their semester. “(That weekend) was very eerie. We were out enjoying our night and then got a notification on our phones about how Michigan closed all of its schools for three weeks,” Keene said. “That is a very vivid memory. It was one of the first times we thought, ‘Oh no, we may have to come home.’” As the coronavirus continues to affect the state of Michigan, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has decided to close all K-12 schools for the remainder of the school year. This closure has created displacement for many people, including student teachers. For CMU, this change has impacted many student teaching candidates as they now have to move from the classroom and adapt to these changes. The requirements for student teaching are not necessarily changing, but candidates are now being given more leniency. “We are very fortunate that the Michigan Department of Education has been working really well with their higher education partners to provide us flexibility with working with our candidates,” Director of Clinical Experiences Jillian Davidson said. “No requirements have been waived, but they are giving institutions of higher education flexibility so that we can be creative in allowing our candidates to continue to grow professionally and meet the requirements that
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they need to graduate.” Candidates are still required to complete a certain number of weeks, attend professional development sessions and continue to try to contribute to students’ learning. “All of our candidates in student teaching specifically are continuing to contribute to the educational community from their homes,” Davidson said. “They’re doing whatever they can do to help families across the state who are now trying to educate their children from home.” What a candidate does to contribute educationally is dependent on their school district. For some districts, computer and internet access may be limited. This is especially true in Wayne senior Amy Hoch’s case. Hoch had just finished fulfilling her requirements as a special education student teacher in the Metro-Detroit area before Michigan schools began to close indefinitely. “My students need a lot of reinforcement and redirection to keep them on task,” Hoch said. “Many of them have working parents, or parents that do not feel comfortable helping them with homework for a multitude of reasons. Some don’t have reliable internet access at home, let alone a computer to use to get work done.” Hale senior Kaylee Bernard spent her semester with Mount Pleasant Public Schools teaching band to grades six through 12. For Bernard, providing educational compo-
nents online has been difficult for Mount Pleasant Public Schools. However, she does what she can by posting on the band’s social media page. She shares content such as YouTube videos, music theory and practice tips for students. “This (experience) has really made me reconsider how online resources can be helpful for students and families, and how I can contribute to that,” Bernard said. “It has definitely made me be a lot more active online and…(has) helped me expand my knowledge of resources.” These differences force candidates to approach their districts differently. With the educational contributions given, candidates log what they have accomplished weekly. Bay City senior Holly English was in week 10 of 12 of a student teaching program in her hometown. She said the weekly journal entries will look different for every candidate. “Some of my colleagues that teach in more affluent districts can do more with their students online and use that for a journal entry. For me, that means putting together materials that would’ve gone with my official lesson plans,” English said. “For example, we’re reading ‘Macbeth’ in my English 10 class. I created an intro to dramaturgy by pulling together some online resources, having them examine different plays and apply it to Macbeth.” With the worries many candidates are facing, Davidson has started to conduct a weekly WebEx video conference to answer questions. Bernard
said this communication is helpful when understanding expectations. “Sometimes I worry about what I’m contributing, and feeling like I’m not contributing enough,” Bernard said. “But I think the Q&A with her was really nice because she reassured us that as long as you’re trying to help people and providing them with that support, then that’s the most you can be doing right now.” Despite the challenges of this situation, many student teachers believe this experience has helped them prepare for the future. They are commending the College of Education and Human Services for efficient updates and helpful accommodations. Davidson said specific details about what will be done for candidates’ final evaluations are still being discussed. Candidates should expect to be updated “within the next week or so.” In Keene’s case, he hopes to return to Immokalee as a full-time teacher after he graduates. “All of this was really confusing initially but the staff at the education department wants to see the best for us,” Keene said. “I’ve never had a moment where I felt like I was in the wrong hands.”
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Isaac Ritchey | Photo Editor Memorial Gardens employees Gilberto E. Franco and Bruce Porter, far and near respectfully, help vaulter Joe Wheeler prepare a grave at Memorial Gardens in Mount Pleasant.
Gravediggers say job affected by COVID-19, fear influx from virus G
ilberto E. Franco, an employee of Memorial Gardens, massaged dirt from his calloused hands. His face grew grim as an instrumental of “Amazing Grace” was heard from across the gravel road separating him from a group of amassing mourners. He looked to the ground and readjusted his sweat-stained Cabela’s hat. Across the road, masked family and friends stood swaying to the faint music. They were grouped into different clusters, which stood about six feet apart. “This is the hardest part,” Franco said under his breath. “I started this job one year after my dad died, and it still gets to me sometimes.” Two hours earlier, Franco, his coworker Bruce Porter and Joe Wheeler, a vaulter from Fenton,
were preparing a grave for the deceased. Before long, the three men watched as the family said their goodbyes. Then, each took part in lowering the body of an 86-year-old woman into the grave they had prepared. Porter said it was the first burial at Memorial Gardens in two weeks. Because of coronavirus concerns, dressing the gravesite with carpet and curtains was discouraged. Wheeler said he usually puts up a tent around the burial site for the family but could not because of standing room restrictions. On March 24, an order from Gov. Gretchen Whitmer went into effect, shutting down businesses not deemed essential or “critical infrastructure.” “Businesses and operations that do work that
sustains or protects life can continue to perform that work in person,” Whitmer said. “But in doing that critical work, they must take aggressive steps to minimize the spread of COVID-19 as much as possible.” The executive order from the governor laid off Franco and Porter from doing anything but preparing graves. Wheeler, whose job is creating and delivering vaults for burials, said his job has not been affected by the order. Porter said the majority of Franco and Porter’s tasks are things other than preparing graves for burials. Franco admitted that is hard to even pinpoint a title for himself and Porter. “The terms ‘gravedigger’ and ‘undertaker’ are too menacing and don’t really encompass everything we do for Memorial Gardens,” Franco said,
sharing a laugh with Wheeler. “There’s really no titles for this line of work.” Porter said the men are also responsible for mowing the grass twice a week, beautifying gravesites and pulling plot markers in the spring. Other jobs, like installing name plaques, require two people, which goes against Gov. Whitmer’s order. Porter said when things go back to normal, he does not look forward to playing catch up. He added that he misses his job, and Franco agreed. “Believe it or not, this job is rewarding,” Franco said. “I am able to take care of the memories of people’s family, and for those that no longer have family around, it’s my duty to be there to look after them too.”
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CMED students still celebrate Match Day during quarantine By Katie Hixson Staff Reporter news@cm-life.com
Match Day is an event during which Central Michigan College of Medicine students gather with their friends and family to learn where they will perform their medical residencies. The students usually receive their envelope upon arrival, and at exactly noon, they would all open their envelopes and reveal which health center had chosen them. Ten days before the ceremony, on March 10, the medical students received an email stating that Match Day had been canceled due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Instead of an envelope opening ceremony, they received an email at noon on March 20 disclosing their residency location. Many medical students were heartbroken by the cancellation news. However, others got the chance to celebrate Match Day in personal, unique ways. Kristen Carillo-Kappus Medical student Kristen Carrillo-Kappus initially started her education intending to go into family medicine. However, after recognizing that she “always had a passion for women’s health, equality and advocacy” she decided to specialize in obstetrics and gynecology. Carrillo-Kappus applied to 61 residencies. She received 13 interview offers and interviewed at 11 residencies all over the country, including Tennessee, North Carolina, Texas and Maryland. When Carrillo-Kappus learned of the cancellation, she and her husband, Alex Kappus, decided to put on their own individual Match Day festivities. This was the plan: At noon on Friday, March 20, Kappus would go into a separate room to read Carillo-Kappus’s email disclosing her match. Then he would write down the results, and seal it in an envelope for Carillo-Kappus to unveil. It was important for Carrillo-Kappus to let her husband be the first one to read her Match Day results. “He was very nervous,” Carrillo-Kappus said. However, Kappus had a few other surprises up his sleeve for his wife. Friday morning, Carillo-Kappus woke up and went downstairs to make brunch before their celebration. But she noticed that something was different about her living room. Certain pictures and family portraits were taken down from the walls, and their tickets to the Match Day ceremony were taken off the fridge. Then, she discovered a blanket covering the entrance of a side room in their house. On the blanket, it read “Match Day 2020, Door opens @ 11:45 a.m. (please ensure each guest has a ticket).” At 11:45, Carrillo-Kappus arrived at the side room and found Kappus standing there holding her guest, a teddy bear dressed in scrubs, and their two tickets. She stepped around the blanket and into the room to see her graduation regalia, celebratory banners and all of the pictures that were missing from the house on the table displayed as her guests. The pictures included her late grandparents, her parents, brothers, brothers- and sisters-in-law, and her closest friends. “I was emotional and had tears even before the results were available,” Carrillo-Kappus said. At exactly noon, Kappus left to go read the Match Day results email. He had to read it 10 times over exactly to make sure that he had read the news correctly. He wrote them down and put it in an envelope, licked it, sealed it shut and gave it to Carrillo-Kappus to open. Carrillo-Kappus felt so surreal holding that envelope. The moment had finally come, she opened the letter. “All I had to see were the first two letters: D-U,” Carrillo-Kappus said. “I jumped out of my chair, (and) squealed ‘We’re going to Duke!.’” Carrilo-Kappus matched into Obstetrics and Gynecology at
Courtesy Photos Elizabeth Godfrey, Kristen Carrillo-Kappus and Elise Edwards-Cavalieri all were paired with medical residencies.
Duke University Medical Center, which was the program that both she and her husband wanted most. This program is ranked fifth in the country out of 275 existing programs for training in OB-GYN, according to the U.S. News & World Report 2020 best medical school rankings. “I interviewed at Duke in October of 2019 and I immediately felt like it was the right fit,” Carrillo-Kappus said. Before Match Day, Carrillo-Kappus and her husband had nothing set in stone for the future, as all of their plans depended on this outcome. Now, their future finally has a concrete path. Carrillo-Kappus is looking forward to treating patients and caring for women. “I’m finally a doctor,” Carrillo-Kappus said. Elizabeth Godfrey Medical student Elizabeth Godfrey was initially interested in studying obstetrics, however, after falling in love with the required six-month family medicine program during her education at CMU, she decided her specialize in family medicine because of the various branches medicine she can use, including geriatrics, obstetrics and pediatrics. “I was a little neurotic in my application process,” Godfrey said. Godfrey applied to 50 residency programs across the country, including locations such as Oregon, Maine and Florida. She interviewed for 21 residencies. Godfrey had been following the COVID-19 outbreak updates routinely, as it pertains to her career field, so she expected the Match Day ceremonies to be canceled. However, Match Day is an event that medical students across the country look forward to during their four years of medical school, so it was still a disappointment, Godfrey said. Godfrey and her husband, Michael, went back to their hometown of West Branch, Michigan, to celebrate Match Day with her parents, siblings and her in-laws. “I started crying instantly just because I was so happy,” Godfrey said. Godfrey was chosen to practice family medicine at Munson Medical Center in Traverse City.
After falling for the unique demographics of Traverse City and the variety of patients that are available to treat both in both age and ethnic background, Godfrey put Munson at the top of her list. However, she was not certain that she would be accepted, as there were many students applying. But upon opening the letter, a wave of disbelief and excitement came over her. The following days have been a whirlwind of emotions for Godfrey and her husband. They have already started looking for houses in Traverse City. Elise Edwards-Cavalieri Edwards-Cavalieri chose to go home to the Upper Peninsula to be with my family to celebrate the big news. Edwards-Cavalieri, her brother’s family, her sister’s family, her parents and her husband all dressed up in fancy clothes and gathered at her sister’s house. They went out and bought cupcakes and wine to celebrate. When the time came, at exactly noon on Friday, they all gathered around to watch Edwards-Cavalieri open the awaited email. “It was actually very nerve-wracking,” Edwards-Cavalieri said. Edwards-Cavalieri actually got the email notification on her phone before everyone was together. When she finally opened the email, it wasn’t clear to Edwards-Cavalieri where she matched. She first saw the letters “CMU” so she thought she matched there. Then after rereading it, Edwards-Cavalieri blurted out “Wait, that’s where I go to school! I matched at MAHEC!” Edwards-Cavalieri matched in the OB-GYN program at Mountain Area Health Education Center in Asheville, North Carolina. “I was so excited and we all jumped around and screamed for like 10 minutes straight,” Edwards-Cavalieri said. Edwards-Cavalieri is looking forward to working with the closeknit family of OB residents, learning and training as a surgeon and seeing how medicine is practiced in a different state. Edwards-Cavalieri has lived in Michigan and Wisconsin her whole life, but she is ready for a new adventure in a new state. “Asheville will be an amazing place for outdoor recreation and small city living,” Edwards-Cavalieri said.
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Central Michigan Life | File Photo Junior Marcus Keene shoots over a Toledo defender on Jan. 13, 2017 in McGuirk Arena.
Senior forward Reyna Frost waits to take a free throw against Buffalo on Fe
Former basketball stars discuss
By Christian Booher Staff Reporter sports@cm-life.com
Reyna Frost was stuck in Italy. The former Central Michigan women’s basketball star received news of Italy’s nationwide lockdown while preparing for a road game. Coinciding with the lockdown, her first season with Italian club Associzione Sportiva Dilettantistica Basket Costa came to an abrupt end. The spread of coronavirus has brought the world to a standstill. Universities have transitioned to online-only classes, gatherings of more than 10 people have been canceled and sports in the United States have been completely shut down. People in Italy, where Frost was, have been confined to their homes. Though she was making arrangements to travel back to her hometown of Reese, Michigan, she encountered difficulties in doing so. Her teammates banded together to help her eventually get out, however, not before she spent three days in locked down Italy. “It was a hard three days because I would gain hope that I was going home but then the plan of the flights we had fell through,” Frost said. “It was crazy to be in, and I feel for Italy.
We did go to the store one time and only 20 people were allowed inside, and we had to stand in a line outside but stand far apart.” Eventually, Frost was able to get back home to her family. She’s currently quarantining in hopes of not spreading or contracting COVID-19. Frost and her mother called the local hospital upon returning to see if testing was necessary. Medical professionals determined against a test because she lacked symptoms. “At this point, I think everyone should try to stay home as much as possible,” Frost said. “My younger siblings stayed away while school was still going on, and I still haven’t seen my little brother because he goes to work and doesn’t want to risk it so he’s staying with my grandparents a bit. My family wants to make sure we do our part to not spread it.” Before the outbreak in Italy, Frost was basking in the experience of living in a new country. As a first time professional, life away from home was difficult. Throw in the fact that Frost was overseas, and it made for a bit of a mental struggle at times. “There are a lot more practices but being thousands of miles away from my entire support group was the hardest thing for me,” Frost says. “I was blessed to play in a beautiful country and see things I wouldn’t see in Michigan, but I was homesick
and it made it difficult to play basketball at times when all I wanted was to see the people I love.” Despite being so far from Mount Pleasant, Frost followed her alma mater as much as she could. Having spent four seasons with Heather Oesterle, Frost said she was proud of the first-year head coach’s ability to sustain the program’s success. “I’m so proud of her and the team,” Frost said. “It was awesome to see her develop the players. I saw a different kind of confidence from a lot of the players like Maddy (Watters), Gabi (Bird) and Kyra (Bussell). (Micaela) Twin (Kelly) killed it this season. I’m just so excited to watch them next season and see what they can do.” Frost is thankful for her experience in Italy but is unsure if the league will start back up. She has seen the effects that COVID-19 has on society and knows precautionary measures should be taken, even if they are unpopular. “I witnessed what is happening over there,” Frost said. “It is serious, clearly as the news shows, but I know people over there and they’re all very kind people. I pray the families I know and the rest of the nation gets the strength to endure through this.” Now, Frost is back home and enjoying time with her family. Though she keeps her distance, she makes grocery runs for her
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eb. 2, 2019 in McGuirk Arena.
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Central Michigan Life | File Photo Senior guard Braylon Rayson steps back against the defense during the game against Green Bay on Dec. 6, 2016 at McGuirk Arena.
impact of coronavirus outbreak grandparents. She’s delighted to have her family healthy after her quarantine. ‘It’s the right thing to do’ When Marcus Keene took the floor for his game on March 19, he knew it would be his last time doing so for two weeks. His team, the Yulon Luxgen of the Taiwanese Super Basketball League, was informed before the game that the league would be shut down for the following two weeks due to concerns regarding the worldwide coronavirus pandemic. Keene scored a game-high 32 points and added 12 assists in the game, a 104-96 win over Pauian. The SBL is the highest level of semi-professional basketball in Taiwan and just recently shut down, unlike its counterparts in America. “It’s the right thing to do,” Keene said of the sports shutdown. “It’s about the safety of people’s health more than anything. It sucks, but until stuff gets better, we have to do that.” Keene will remain in Taiwan, as his team still plans to hold practices. His daughter, Alani, is in the United States with her mother. Keene said his family is doing everything possible keep her safe. “She either goes to my mother’s house or stays with her
mother,” he said. “That’s it.” Keene is currently the SBL’s second-leading scorer, averaging 24.5 points per game. The former Chippewa leads the league with four player of the week awards. Fighting the fear Braylon Rayson thought it was scary. Rayson, who was playing for the Sudbury Five of Canada’s National Basketball League, was rushing home as the national borders were closing. His season came to an abrupt end on March 13, and Rayson was just trying to get back to his comfort zone. “It was scary,” Rayson said, “being rushed home because the borders were closing and flights were minimum, (while also) knowing that the airport was the most dangerous place to be on Earth at the moment.” Rayson had been coming off a week in which he averaged 45 points. For the season as a whole, he was having an MVP-caliber season and leading his team in search of its first championship. “(It was) sad, we (were) getting into a groove,” Rayson said. “I averaged 45 for a week and then boom, season canceled. No more games, no more money, gotta fly back home and risk getting sick and taking that sickness to my family. Luckily I took
proper precautions and stayed healthy, hopefully, everybody does the same.” Being away from his family is the toughest challenge that Rayson faces playing internationally. However, he ranks his COVID-19 experience a close second. For him, many difficulties come in life without basketball. “Sitting home right now and not being able to have income coming in and still having bills to pay is the hardest pill to swallow during this virus outbreak,” he said. “Hopefully (President Donald) Trump figures it out and shuts down all bills and gives us enough money to get groceries to support our family and kids.” With his season over, Rayson currently resides in Dallas, Texas. He wakes up each morning and goes through a workout routine that includes a 5-mile run, stretching and ball handling drills. Though unable to get in a gym, he continues to work on his craft in anticipation of a return. Rayson and Keene keep in touch daily, both missing their playing days. But for now, it can be universally agreed upon that, without basketball, their focus is on the future. The hope is that each of these three can return to their playing careers that have been put on pause. When that day comes is anyone’s guess.
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A LOST SEASON An aisle attendant watches a game between Central Michigan and Toledo from the top of an empty section of seats March 11 at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse in Cleveland, Ohio.
CMU athletes reflect on coronavirus’ effect on sports STORY BY A U S T I N C H A S TA I N | SPORTS EDITOR PHOTOS BY ISAAC RITCHEY | PHOTO EDITOR
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eats at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland, Ohio were supposed to be occupied by fans for the Mid-American Conference Basketball Tournament. Fans from across the conference generally make their way to the arena to cheer on their respective teams as they battle for conference supremacy and an automatic berth in the NCAA Tournament. However, the 2020 edition of the women’s tournament was far different than its past, which dates back to 1982. The conference announced the day before the tournament began it would be played without fans for the first time in its history. Outside of family of the players and those deemed as essential workers, the seats were empty for the quarterfinal games of the women’s tournament.
The eerie quiet hum of Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, which holds 20,562 fans, as the ball was tipped in the conference tournament was moderately drowned out by the chatter of the players and the communication of the players. Because of the lockout, CMU’s Sixth-Man Band was not able to make the trip to the arena — adding to the abundance of silence — but the parents created their own atmosphere at halftime as they sang the CMU fight song while the players left the floor. The Chippewas ended up losing the quarterfinal game to Toledo, 78-71, and was eliminated from the tournament. Following the game, coach Heather Oesterle — in her first season at the helm — said the silence was palpable. “It’s a tough environment to play in because we do
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The Central Michigan Women’s Basketball Team returns to the floor after a timeout during a game against Toledo in the first round of the MAC Tournament March 11 at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse in Cleveland, Ohio.
travel really well,” Oesterle said. “Our fans are really into it and we had a lot of people that wanted to come down here for the game today that weren’t able to because they couldn’t get on our pass list. But I don’t blame our loss on that, but it was a tough environment to play in.” After the NCAA announced its men’s and women’s Division I tournaments would be barred from the public, conferences across the country began cancelling the tournaments. The MAC was one of those conferences, it canceled the remainder of the men’s and women’s tournaments before the men tipped off. Shortly after the basketball tournaments were canceled the NCAA canceled the remaining winter and spring championships. Then, the MAC, along with every other conference in the country, canceled the rest of its season for the academic year.
“It was pretty tough,” said Tyler Hankins, a senior left-handed pitcher on the CMU baseball team. “Hearing the news and knowing we wouldn’t be able to play the season. We were all really upset because we all worked hard for it. It’s not fair but we understand, we’re not mad at anyone. We understand why it’s happening, it’s a crazy situation.” The Chippewas had just finished up a two-game set with Bucknell in Winter Haven, Florida, with each team taking a win. CMU won its game 22-2, Bucknell won 5-3 in the second game. Little did the players know that game would be the last of what looked to be a promising 2020 season after winning the MAC regular season and tournament titles in 2019. Hankins recalled the moment he learned the season was
over. He said second-year coach Jordan Bischel called a team meeting and explained the situation to the team. “(Bischel) said it was unfair,” Hankins recalled, “but it’s one of those situations where you can’t drive yourself crazy over things you can’t control. He was really supportive and understanding of the whole situation.” About 76 miles to the West in Madeira Beach, Florida, the CMU softball team had just dropped a 2-1 matchup against Creighton. Before the team’s game against Merrimack, first-year head coach McCall Salmon delivered the news to her team that it would be the last game of the season. Bella Robles, a senior outfielder for the Chippewas, quickly realized that game against the Warriors was going w JUMP TO | 58
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to be her last game in a Chippewa uniform. “(Salmon) didn’t really say too much about it but that our season was canceled and that we needed to play our last game leaving our hearts on the field,” Robles said. “We weren’t going to walk off the field without a win.” The Chippewas did, in fact, walk off the field with a 4-0 win over the Warriors. Robles drove in the team’s other senior, Morgan Gardner, for the game’s final run. A day after what turned out to be the final day of competition, Robles said she was hoping to retain her final year of eligibility. Robles, a Fontana, California native, said her emotions were all over the place as her mind was racing with questions. Would the NCAA grant her the additional year of eligibility? Would she be able to play for CMU again? If she was, what would the logistics look like? “I’m sure that was going through a lot of athletes’ heads during that time,” Robles said. “It was questions like, will we be able to get our scholarship back? I just had a bunch of questions in my head and trying to figure out what was going on and what it meant to get that extra year.” Robles and other seniors in spring sports across the country received their wish. The NCAA Division I Council Coordination Committee announced it would work to grant “eligibility relief” for the athletes in spring sports following the cancellations. The announcement of the extended eligibility was the first piece of news Robles said she was waiting for, to see if it would be possible or not. When it came down and was good news, Robles said she was excited, of course. w JUMP TO | 60
Central Michigan Associate Vice President and Director of Athletics Michael Alford sits among a row of empty seats courtside during Central Michigan’s game against Toledo
Noises in Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse echo during halftime of a game between Central Michigan and Toledo March 11 in Cleveland, Ohio. Only family members and media personnel were allowed to attend the game.
A Mid American Conference official walks in an empty section of the concourse March 11 at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse in Cleveland, Ohio.
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A stadium employee from housekeeping helps wipe down seats before a game between Central Michigan and Toledo March 11 at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse in Cleveland, Ohio.
A stadium employee wipes the last railing before a game between Central Michigan and Toledo March 11 at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse in Cleveland, Ohio.
A stadium employee from housekeeping helps wipe down seats before a game between Central Michigan and Toledo March 11 at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse in Cleveland, Ohio.
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| A stadium employee takes a break from wiping railings before a game between Central Michigan and Toledo March 11 at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse in Cleveland, OH. The worker, who was unable to provide her name because of team policy, said the protocol was not a normal pregame task.
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“I didn’t want to make those couple of games I was able to play in my last,” Robles said. “No one does.” In the same way as Robles, Hankins understood the situation and was appreciative of the option to retain his final year of eligibility after appearing in four games for CMU, the last on March 6 — a 12-6 victory over North Florida. “At first, I thought I played my last baseball game ever,” Hankins said. “Fortunately, the NCAA was quick to give everyone another year of eligibility, which was good. I’m happy for that, it leaves an opportunity for seniors whose seasons were cut short.” While playing the additional season is ideal for Hankins, he is still undecided because of the academic piece of being a student-athlete. However, Hankins said he is leaning toward coming back and playing next season. “There’s nothing I love more than playing CMU baseball,” Hankins said. “It’s been the best time of my life. It’s just one of those hard situations you have to think about for a while.” With closures of facilities and other mandates in place, Hankins said he is not sure what he and the rest of his teammates can do in terms of training. However he can, he will continue working on his game. “Everyone on this team loves working, me included,” Hankins said. “I’m going to keep throwing because I love doing it. It’s our lifestyle at this point.”
A stadium employee carries away a trash bag full of disinfectant wipes before a game between Central Michigan and Toledo March 11 at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse in Cleveland, OH.
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How McElwain is bringing normalcy to coronavirus challenges By Evan Petzold Managing Editor news@cm-life.com
Jim McElwain’s no caveman, but he hadn’t fully understood the power of technology. At least not until it became the only thing he could rely on. Small boxes with faces on his computer screen are his players and assistant coaches. Technology is used for WebEx videoconferences, FaceTime calls, Blackboard, reviewing spring practices and preparing for the upcoming season. Everything is online. Without those online aids, Central Michigan football would be lost in the abyss of a nationwide athletic shutdown caused by the novel coronavirus. Practices are nixed indefinitely; in-person recruiting is suspended through May 31. The secret, McElwain shared, is bringing normalcy to each day. “Looking at any situation and asking yourself, ‘How can we get better?’ McElwain said. “We never get today back, so what can we do today that’s going to help everybody around us be better tomorrow. Those are the messages and things we are doing.” Getting on the grill to cook and fully cleaning the house are activities McElwain does to occupy himself with a little more time on his hands. But the work calendar hasn’t changed. Every morning starts with a shower and a warm cup of coffee. A coaching staff meeting is first on the agenda, beginning with an academic update. A handful of players don’t have computers. Others don’t have internet service. “The professors on our campus have done an excellent job of understanding and helping the students,” McElwain said. “That’s been good.” The staff then moves into on-field tendencies for each player as well as incoming recruits. CMU was one of the few programs that had spring practice. The Chippewas had 10 of their 15 practices before cancellations. McElwain considers that a blessing.
“We grew as a team,” he said. “Some of the players that we wanted to see, the young guys, to see their development and growth from a year ago was fantastic.” Coaches transition into position group and private conversations with an emphasis on physical and mental health. The strength and conditioning staff, led by Joel Welsh, provides updates on how to make improvements without a weight room. Some players don’t have dumbbells. “The guys have been really good about sharing their workouts on a group basis,” McElwain said. “The leaders have done a great job of staying in touch with their position groups and showing them different ways to stay sharp.” Typically, McElwain would have recruiting events on campus each weekend to showcase his program. Without visits, he’s forced to set aside a portion of recruiting. Part of the new normal is preparing for the 2020 season. Games are still scheduled to start in early September. Without definitive knowledge of when the team will be able to return to practice, McElwain is preparing as if he’s not going to have time to prepare. He’s gone as far as to call other coaches to get their advice on how to schematically devise a plan for upcoming opponents. “Breaking things down offensively and defensively and getting some preseason scouting reports done on that,” McElwain said. “We do those updates once per week with new ideas and new thoughts.” For McElwain to make everything normal for those within the program, he’s had to find peace within himself despite the unknowns that have been caused by COVID-19. He’s steadying the state of his mental health by making others smile through daily compliments. “We’re just pounded with the negative on a daily basis,” McElwain said. “Keeping the TV off and going to work every day is healthy.”
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The professors on our campus have done an excellent job of understanding and helping the students. Jim McElwain Head Football Coach
File Photo | CM Life Central Michigan coach Jim McElwain waits to address the media ahead of the New Mexico Bowl against San Diego State Dec. 20 at Isleta Resort and Casino in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
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EDITORIAL
‘THE RIGHT THING TO DO’ Students have been CMU’s first priority during coronavirus pandemic
C
entral Michigan University has faced unprecedented challenges due to the coronavirus pandemic. Every single day, university administrators, faculty and staff are asking: How do we respond to this latest, unexpected situation? There are many unknowns for higher education amid the coronavirus pandemic, including how to reach out to next year’s new students, how to conduct this semester’s exams and how to accommodate students who paid to live on campus and take in-person courses. We want to recognize CMU’s thoughtful, surprisingly rapid reaction to the coronavirus pandemic. The university is taking care of its current students who have had their lives turned upside down by extending credit/no credit options, offering refunds for on-campus housing and constantly updating its students about new information via email. Many students set to graduate in May were heartbroken to hear that spring commencement must be postponed. This week we received an email from President Bob Davies rescheduling commencement for Aug. 15, just three months after the original graduation date. “In a month of troubling headlines, I am grateful to have some good news to share with you today,” Davies’ email read. “In my last message, I assured you that we would find a way to celebrate your outstanding achievements together — and now we have.” CMU is offering a credit/no credit option until May 20, which is a full week-and-a-half after exams. Students can also withdraw from one or more of their courses until May 20. Professors were told to have an estimated grade for each of their students by April 25, so students will have a good idea of whether to apply for credit/no credit. Michigan State University, similarly, is offering its students a “satisfactory/not satisfactory” grading option after the transition to online learning. Western Michigan University is offering a similar option. During the April 16 Board of Trustees meeting, CMU’s leaders decided to not increase tuition rates for the first time in documented
EDITORIAL STAFF EDITOR-IN-CHIEF..................................... Dylan Goetz MANAGING EDITOR...............................Evan Petzold ASSOCIATE EDITORS...............................Sara Kellner ENGAGEMENT EDITOR.................... Danielle Larsen PHOTO EDITOR.......................................Isaac Ritchey SPORTS EDITOR.................................Austin Chastain MULTIMEDIA EDITOR..........................Alanna Sparks ENGAGEMENT TEAM.......................Delaney Walden PRESENTATION EDITOR...................Sarah Brownell DESIGNERS............................................Madison Skop Jon Hearth REPORTERS..................................Michael Livingston Andrew Mullin Rachael Yadlowsky Katie Hixson Teresa Homsi Courtney Pedersen Amalia Kalergis Ben Jodway Brendan Weisner Makayla Coffee Justin Cooper Christian Booher Andrew Loveland
ADVERTISING STAFF AD MANAGERS...........................................Connor Turpin Lauren Frailey SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR...........Victoria Savicki ACCOUNT MANAGERS......................... Madison Craven Kara Dobulis Austin Kennedy Samantha Sweeting Brad Vandekerkhove Ainsley Young CONTENT CREATOR.......................Delaney Brickley ______________________________________________ All letters to the editor or guest columns must include a name, address, affiliation (if any) and phone number for verification. Anonymous letters will not be printed, except under extraordinary circumstances. CM Life reserves the right to edit all letters and columns for style, length, libel, redundancy, clarity, civility and accuracy. Letters should be no more than 450 words in length. Longer guest columns may be submitted but must remain under 750 words. Published versions may be shorter than the original submission. CM Life reserves the right to print any original content as a letter or guest column. Please allow up to five days for a staff response, which will include an expected date of publication. Submission does not guarantee publication.
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CMU President Bob Davies presents during the Board of Trustees meeting April 16. history. They said that students and their families are facing enough issues amid the COVID-19 crisis, even though the pandemic will bother the university’s financial standing. “Has the virus had a financial impact on the university? Yes, no question,” Davies said. “To me, this is the right thing to do.” Between the stay-at-home order and the closing of many businesses, CMU students are doing what they can to pay their bills, help their families, conquer the stress and anxiety caused by the coronavirus and finish their classes strong. Thankfully, one thing that we haven’t had to worry about is CMU’s response to its students during this pandemic. Not every single student has had every single question answered, or every problem solved. But most of us feel like the university is trying hard to figure out solutions that prioritize students. Thank you, CMU, for working with us through this challenging time.
Central Michigan Life, the independent voice of Central Michigan University, is edited and published by students of Central Michigan University every Thursday during the fall and spring semesters. The newspaper’s online edition, cm-life.com, contains all of the material published in print, and is updated on an as-needed basis. Central Michigan Life serves the CMU and Mount Pleasant communities, and is under the jurisdiction of the independent Student Media Board of Directors. Dave Clark serves as Director of Student Media at CMU and is the adviser to the newspaper. Articles and opinions do not necessarily reflect the position or opinions of Central Michigan University. Central Michigan Life is a member of the Associated Press, the Michigan Press Association, the Michigan Collegiate Press Association, the Associated Collegiate Press, College Newspaper Business & Advertising Managers Association, the Mount Pleasant Area Chamber of Commerce, Central Michigan Home Builders Association, Mount Pleasant Housing Association and the Mount Pleasant Downtown Business Association. The newspaper’s online provider is SN Works. Central Michigan Life is distributed throughout the campus and at numerous locations throughout Mount Pleasant. Non-university subscriptions are $75 per academic year. Back copies are available at 50 cents per copy, or $1 if mailed. Photocopies of stories are 25 cents each. Digital copies of photographs published in Central Michigan Life are available upon request at specified costs. Central Michigan Life’s editorial and business offices are located at 436 Moore Hall, Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, MI 48859, telephone (989) 774-3493 or 774-LIFE.
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From the son of a nurse, thank you healthcare professionals I’m writing this column from my residence hall as one of the students who did not return home when CMU suspended in-person classes starting March 16. I stayed in Mount Pleasant because my dad told me it may be safer for me to be on campus than in my home. He works at one of the largest medical facilities in Michigan and, over the last few weeks, watched the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases grow exponentially. At 41 years old, my father went back to school to become a registered nurse. The eight years that followed were extremely difficult. He spent hours in our basement cramming terminology and even longer gaining clinical experience. Through all of it, he worked hard, forging a better future for my family. Three weeks ago, he was redeployed from the cardiac unit to an intensive care unit where every patient has the coronavirus. He suspects there are over 200 positive cases at the hospital. After his 12-hour shifts, he drives home, strips off his scrubs in our garage and takes an intense shower. My mom puts on gloves and a mask before carrying the scrubs to the washing machine. “In a pandemic like this, it’s better to do more than to do less,” he told me. “As a nurse, you al-
Michael Livingston Columnist
ways have a paranoid person in your head telling you it’s better to be as safe as possible.” My dad isn’t the only health care provider in my family. On my mom’s side, it’s pretty much a family tradition. My cousin, Sharon, is a licensed clinical psychologist based in Chicago who works with children and adults. Illinois has more than 11,000 known cases and more than 200 deaths according to the Chicago Tribune. Ever since Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker implemented new health and safety guidelines, her in-person therapy sessions are now on Zoom. Sharon said she heard stories from her colleagues about people hacking into Zoom
sessions and disrupting important behavioral therapy exercises. “I’m lucky that most of what I do can be done from home, but the in-person interaction goes a long way in this field,” she said. Another cousin is a registered nurse in the Metro-Detroit area, the largest hotspot for positive COVID-19 cases in Michigan. She was only nine months into her first full-time position as a nurse when the coronavirus began to purge the state. “I was so lucky to have at least some time getting comfortable with being in an ICU unit before all (of) this hit,” she told me. “Some of the newer nurses will need to go through orientation again because the only patients they’ll have experience with are COVID patients.” Like many other hospital workers, she is limited to one mask per shift. She said some of her coworkers began making their own surgical caps to keep the virus from getting in their hair. She demanded her parents (my aunt and uncle) not leave their home under any circumstances. Sometimes when she’s not working, she’ll shop for them and leave the groceries on their doorstep. The harsh truth is that none of these issues are unique to my family.
Medical staff everywhere are being forced to work in extremely unsafe conditions. It seems like every day we see headlines about shortages in sterilization and protection equipment. Even worse are the stories that engage in military rhetoric. They use phrases such as “the war against COVID-19,” “on the front lines,” or “heroes.” My family members are not soldiers. They did not become healthcare professionals to potentially die in the line of duty. I’m lucky enough to do my job from the comfort of my dorm room by writing stories about how the coronavirus is affecting people in my community. My distant observations have shown me that the most important people in the world right now are those trained to treat this illness and isolate those who have it. It’s our responsibility to assist Michigan in its COVID-19 response. Volunteer your extra time, spare resources and warm hearts to those who really need it. Refer to the list of donation programs on michigan.gov and nonprofits in Isabella County that are providing aid through the pandemic. I commend all the health professionals that risk their lives to protect those of us that need to stay home.
Valuing togetherness during a time of social distancing There’s a stretch of land outside of Evart, Michigan, that goes on forever but leads to nowhere. Hayfields surround you for what seems like miles on the each side of the road as vehicles bounce on the gravel-created road, making for a less than ideal drive if you’re into fancy scenery. It’s a drive that my family has made thousands of times. There are family records that date back to 1896. It was Andrew Booher who tapped trees and boiled sap into maple syrup in the backyard of his stone house for hours on end. While there’s no reference of this before the late 1800s, I assume he must have learned from someone. Either way, it more so serves as a good reference point. What occurred in that backyard is also why, nearly 125 years later, I accompany my brother, aptly named Andrew Booher, out to the stone house to be a part of that family tradition. Those that know me well understand that I am not particularly into the agricultural side of the world, despite it being in my roots. Sometimes it’s an excessive chore to get me to go outside when there are sporting events on television. Sadly, these sporting events are no longer an excuse to stay inside. They’re gone, at least for the time being, due to the coronavirus pandemic. Ten minutes into my time back at the stone house, it hit me just how different things are nowadays. What felt like a Saturday afternoon at my grandpa Darwin’s place was actually a Wednes-
day. At this time on a typical Wednesday, I’d usually be taking notes and listening to lectures in my BCA 211 and COM 101 classes. But, like I said, life as we know it has changed. Nowadays, there are no sports to watch. All my classes are online. A majority of my time since starting classes after spring break has been spent in front of a computer – and while I appreciate the convenience of attending an 8 a.m. lecture from the comfort of my bed – now I gladly welcome every opportunity that I have to step out into fresh air. Six months prior, before heading off to college for my freshman year, I was giving up times like these at home. Now I’m right back where I started. The day seems like just yesterday, but two weeks ago I sat in Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse and watched Central Michigan’s women’s basketball team lose a quarterfinal contest to Toledo in front of a nearly empty arena. That night, NBA player Rudy Gobert tested positive for COVID-19, causing the season to be put on hold. The following day, all of sports was shut down. New territory for a freshman sports reporter, if you ask me. Back to the stone house. I’m feeling a sense of ease as I arrive at the stone house, accompanied by my father, Chad, a Central Michigan University alumnus, and younger brother, Jacob. It was there we met Andrew and Darwin, who already had the sap boiling. It’s a painstakingly long process that spans into the late hours of the night. It doesn’t
Christian Booher Columnist
require a ton of manpower besides tending to the fire that heats the sap. A simple conversation struck, and I realized that, despite not being overly ecstatic about the syrup making industry, it was refreshing to be outside with my family. I’d been looking forward to this since the beginning of the week simply because it was an opportunity to get away from the confinement of my house. The process of syrup making requires more attention than physical work, therefore there was a lot of downtime. We traded stories and laughter. Andrew, a junior at Michigan State University, and I agreed that we were more than happy to be home, even if the reasoning for us being back home was not ideal. It’s times like these that we may take for granted. In a time of social distancing, togetherness is as important as it ever has been. There has been an order requiring us to stay home, but we can still look out for and check in on one another – a text message, phone call or email can make a difference. Andrew and I went over the finer details
of our post-retirement business venture. The two of us plan to return to Evart in the future, creating homemade beer with the hops that we grow on our farm and starting up a sports bar or a brewery. The two of us agree that wherever we go, there will always be a place for us here in this little corner of the Osceola County. When I wasn’t talking shop with Andrew or tending to the fire, I was fine-tuning my photography skills with Jacob. We were joined by various other family members throughout the day, each offering pleasantries and bits of conversation that added to the value of the experience. It was the perfect getaway from reality. When it came time to leave, I felt somber. The getaway was over. It was time to return to the reality of online classwork and the news stories that have consumed my thoughts. However, I was reminded that my brothers and I are the seventh generation of this family to partake in this activity. That fact is surreal in itself – that so many people have done what I did. In the end, the only tangible item to show for it is the quarts of maple syrup we produced. The spread of the coronavirus, and the way it’s changed the world, has been hectic, there’s no denying that. But it also has allowed me to take a break to remember my roots along with seeing the value of moments like these. Memories created in the experience made the COVID-19 ordeal worthwhile. And it’s moments like these that will get us through.
64 | SPECIAL EDITION | CORONAVIRUS 2020 | CENTRAL MICHIGAN LIFE |
CM-LIFE.COM
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APRIL 21, 2020
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