A NOTE FROM OUR EDITORS
Welcome to the University of Kentucky
You made it! We’re so glad that you’re a part of the Wildcat family.
The boring part is over standardized testing, college applications, making your college decision, moving all your stuff to your new home in Lexington … and now it’s time for the fun to begin! It will be fun, we swear. Freshman year is intimidating and unfamiliar, but you’ll have the time of your life here at UK and hopefully learn a thing or two along the way.
The most important thing to remember about your freshman year is that it’s yours, not anyone else’s. Don’t compare your experience to that of others, whether to your fellow Wildcats or students at other schools. It’s easy to feel like you’re falling behind or doing something wrong if you focus too much on how good everyone else seems to be doing. Remember, social media creates false expectations and establishing a social network in a completely new environment takes time. Focus on the opportunities and relationships that are right in front of you, not on whatever you’re worried you’re missing out on.
Believe us, there’s no shortage of opportunities to jump into and relationships to be made here at UK — you just have to be brave and go for it! You’ve made it this far, how hard can it be? Go to that K-Week event. Attend the first meeting of that club that caught your interest. Spark up a conversation with the person next to you on the first day of class (you really should go to class, by the way). College is a clean slate to build the life you want for yourself and become the person you’re meant to be.
That sounds like a lot of pressure, but you’re never alone in this journey. Your professors, advisors and counselors are here to help you succeed, and everyone around you is in the same boat as you are. The University of Kentucky is a huge, diverse community with so much to be learned from every person you encounter. You’ll find your clan to pull all-nighters at Willy T. and spend Caturdays cheering on the Wildcats with. (In our experience, student media is a pretty great place to meet them.)
So, Class of 2028, soak up each moment … the next four years will be over before you know it. Romanticize your freshman year, explore Lexington as much as you can and get out of your comfort zone. To learn and grow here is a privilege and we can’t wait to see all that you do. You got this!
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Photo by Abbey Cutrer
How to Become a Kernelite
Becoming a Kernelite is easy. Succeeding as a Kernelite takes hard work, dedication and a desire to be a part of one of the top media outlets in the nation. Take these simple steps to become part of the Kernel Media family. Kernel Media invites students from all majors and backgrounds to join us. We are always looking for writers, photographers, videographers, designers and more.
1. Get To Know Us:
Kernel Media is a student-run organization that includes several publications. The Kentucky Kernel, UK’s independent student newspaper, publishes multimedia content daily online at kykernel.com and produces multiple special-section print products a semester. KRNL Lifestyle + Fashion publishes a magazine once a semester as well as blog content and more at krnlmagazine.com. Kernel Media also produces annual magazines such as Year in Photos and Inside UK.
2. Email our Editors:
Abbey Cutrer | Kentucky Kernel Editor-in-Chief
Contact: editor@kykernel.com
Laurel Swanz | KRNL Lifestyle + Fashion Editor-in-Chief
Contact: editor@krnlmagazine.com
3. Tell Your Friends:
Encourage your friends to join the Kernel Media team. We are always looking for diverse voices from across campus.
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW
by Adah Hufana
UK ALERTS
UK Alerts is the university’s emergency notification system. Whenever there is a crisis, emergency or any other sort of situation that could be a threat to student safety, alerts are sent to students via text messages, UK emails and phone calls. All UK students are signed up automatically for UK Alerts and parents can sign up to receive notifications through the UK Police Department website. Phone numbers and other email addresses can be added to the system by signing into myUK and going to the UK Alert tab.
LIVESAFE
LiveSafe is a mobile app students can download which offers students another way to communicate with the UK Police Department. The app allows students to report suspicious activity or potential risks to safety to UKPD. Students have the option to send in videos, pictures and anonymous tips to university police. Aside from quick and discrete communication with UKPD, LiveSafe also has maps containing the locations of all of UK’s emergency towers (also known as blue towers) as well as general maps of campus. The app tracks campus buses and contains more information on university safety resources.
The Cat’s Path is made up of multiple walking routes throughout campus that are frequently used by students and staff. Many of the emergency towers are installed along these paths and they are patrolled frequently by UKPD. The paths are marked with paw print logos on the ground, but can also be found marked out on campus maps.
SAFECATS
UK’s safety service program connects students to different services during the academic year, including a safety escort service to accompany students from one place to another, particularly at night. SAFECATS can also connect students to on-demand bus services that operate from midnight to 5 a.m. on weekdays, as well as other referral lines and the UK Violence Intervention and Prevention Center. The student escort service operates Sunday to Thursday from 8:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. and is free to all students. The escort service along with the other services can be used by calling 859-257-7233.
UK’s on-campus buses, particularly the Blue and White routes, run from 6:45 a.m. to midnight Monday to Friday and circle campus at regular intervals. Two mobile apps and websites, TransLoc and Mystop, can be used to track the buses and get estimates on what times they’ll arrive at different stops. On mobile, once UK’s bus routes are selected, both apps will display where bus stops are and the real-time location of the buses. TransLoc and Mystop can also be accessed online through uky.transloc.com and mystop.lextran.com.
With fall semester coming up, students new to UK might be wondering how to get around and stay safe on campus. UK has multiple free resources for on and off-campus transportation along with ways to stay safe and informed about conditions on campus. While all students are automatically signed up for UK Alerts, there are a number of other resources available to students that offer more services and information on campus safety and transportation.
Students can sign up for the Wildcab Vouchers program, a partnership with Uber which gives students discounted Uber rides for late night transportation. The program is active during the fall and spring semesters on Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. Students who sign up are issued vouchers for a $10 discount on Uber rides and are given up to 10 vouchers. The sign up form for the program can be found on the UK Transportation website under the services tab. Further information on resources for safety and transportation on campus can be found on UKPD’s website.
CAT’S PATH
TRANSLOC & MYSTOP
WILDCAB VOUCHERS
Photo by Abbey Cutrer
Eli Capilouto President Office of the President pres@uky.edu
Ana Franco-Watkins, Ph.D. Dean, College of Arts and Sciences 259 Patterson Office Tower ana.franco-watkins@uky.edu
Simon Sheather, Ph.D. Dean, Gatton College of Business and Economics
Gatton College of Business, Dean’s Office simon.sheather@uky.edu
Jennifer Greer, Ph.D. Dean, College of Communication and Information 105 Main Administration Building jennifer.greer@uky.edu
DEANS DEANS DEANS
Jeff Okeson, D.M.D. Dean, College of Dentistry 800 Rose Street okeson@uky.edu
Mark Shanda Dean, College of Fine Arts 202 Fine Arts Building mark.shanda@uky.edu
Scott Lephart, Ph.D. Dean, College of Health Sciences Room 123D Wethington Building scott.lephart@uky.edu
Nancy Cox, Ph.D. Dean, Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment S-123 Ag. Science North Lexington nancy.cox@uky.edu
Ned Crankshaw Acting Dean, College of Design S-305J Agriculture Science Center North ned.crankshaw@uky.edu
Charles “Chipper” Griffith III, M.D. Dean, College of Medicine Willard Building., Room MN143 Marie.Marefat@uky.edu
Mary Davis, J.D. Dean, J. David Rosenberg College of Law Room 125 College of Law mjdavis@uky.edu
Danelle Stevens-Watkins, Ph.D. Acting Dean, College of Education 251C Dickey Hall d.stevenswatkins@uky.edu
Rudy Buchheit, Ph.D. Dean, Stanley and Karen Pigman College of Engineering 353 Ralph G Anderson Building rudolph.buchheit@uky.edu
Kip Guy, Ph.D. Dean, College of Pharmacy Lee T. Todd, Jr. Bldg, Ste 216 kip.guy@uky.edu
Justin (Jay) Miller, Ph.D. Dean, College of Social Work 619 Patterson Office Tower justin.miller1@uky.edu
Christian Brady, DPhil Dean, The Lewis Honors College Lewis Honors College - U117 christian.brady@uky.edu
Rosalie Mainous, Ph.D. Dean, College of Nursing 751 Rose Street rosalie.mainous@uky.edu
Heather Bush, Ph.D. Dean, College of Public Health Research Facility #1, Room 112 & Multi-Disciplinary Science Building (MDS), Room 401C heather.bush@uky.edu
Padraic Kenney, Ph.D. Dean, The Graduate School 101 Ezra Gillis Building gsdean@uky.edu
Doug Way Dean, Libraries W.T Young doug.way@uky.edu
WAYS TO Prep FOR THE UPCOMING SCHOOL YEAR
By Lilly Keith
Get Familiar With Your Schedule 2 #
During the time in between move-in and the start of classes, it’s a good idea to walk through your class schedule. Walk, bike or take the bus around campus and locate your classes to help with memorizing classes and your route to get there, allowing yourself some peace of mind the day classes start. This will also give you an idea of how much time to allow yourself when getting to class! Shifting from high school schedules to college schedules can be an adjustment, but familiarizing yourself with your schedule in advance can assist in that change.
1 #
Attend K Week Events
Incoming freshmen have a week before classes with many functions to integrate them into the university’s clubs, organizations and activities. These events allow freshmen the opportunity to learn about what campus has to offer and familiarize themselves with it, starting new students off on the right foot. This year, K-Week will commence Aug. 21-25 with events such as the Wildcat Welcome Festival, Campus Ruckus and Cat-A-Palooza. K-Week will provide new students’ first memories and connections on campus, so attend events and enjoy the time before classes!
1#
Approaching professors can be intimidating when in large lecture halls, but it can make asking for help in the future much less daunting. During the first week of classes, introduce yourself to your professors. You never know when you might need to ask them something, and having a prior introduction can make it more comfortable to ask for help and even build a friendship with your professors. Doing so also shows them that you care about your success in their class.
4 #
Get Involved
The biggest favor you can do yourself when adjusting to college life is getting involved with something you’re interested in or passionate about. UK has a massive selection of clubs and organizations, which you can find more about at uky.campuslabs.com/engage. By surrounding yourself with people who share similar interests and forming friendships with them, it can make you feel more connected to campus and all it has to offer. Finding a community to support you during freshman year will make everything easier!
Photo by Abbey Cutrer
Caturday
TOOLKIT
By Emma Engel and Lola Kirk
With football season right around the corner, it’s time to start cultivating gameday outfits. Caturdays are the perfect occasion to show off your simple closet staples, as well as statement pieces. A great way to start is with basics like denim and a white tee, and then adding in touches of blue for some Kentucky pride. Accessories can always complete and elevate an outfit. Gold jewelry and sleek sunglasses are a great go-to. Finally, finish off your look with some cute shoes. Find styles that make you feel confident, and have fun experimenting with gameday
Caturdays in Lexington
By Casey Sebastiano
School is back, which means Caturdays are in full swing. Here are a few ways to prepare to watch the Wildcats play at Kroger Field.
Tickets
Football and basketball tickets can be purchased and claimed through your myUK Athletics student account via ukathletics.com/ticketing/student-tickets/.
At the beginning of every home game week, you’ll need to login to UK Athletics and claim your ticket.
Once you’ve claimed your ticket, you are almost ready for a Caturday down at Kroger Field. Downloading your digital ticket to your phone’s digital wallet will make your entry into the game run more smoothly.
The cellular service at Kroger Field and the surrounding area can be slow during games and may make pulling up your ticket more difficult if you’re accessing it through the UK Athletics website.
Bag Policies
All bags brought into Kroger Field must be clear, according to the UK Athletics website. Amazon carries a number of clear bags as do local boutiques.
Bags may not exceed 12” x 6” x 12” even if they are clear.
Staying Hydrated
The first handful of games will be hot and according to UK Athletics, there is complimentary water available throughout the stadium. However, complimentary water is not available at concession stands.
It’s another first down Kentuckyyyy
One of the most important things to know about Caturday is the first down tradition. Every time the Wildcats get a first down, the student section yells in junction with the announcer, “It’s another first dowwwwn Kentuckyyyyy,” while motioning the first down sign.
Photos by Abbey Cutrer and Samuel Colmar
Whether it’s a $20 gift card for your local clothing boutique, or $5 off a burrito at your local restaurant, discounts can go a long way for college students. Here are a few hidden gem student discounts and deals that will help you save big bucks this school year and make the most out of your shopping experience.
One great local restaurant to visit in Lexington is Girls Girls Girls Burritos. Not only do they offer deals deals deals, they also offer a specialized menu just for UK students, where students can buy meals $4-5 cheaper than the normal Girls Girls Girls Burritos menu offers. Located at the corner of South Limestone and Avenue of Champions, Girls Girls Girls Burritos also has a variety of vegan, vegetarian and gluten free options, as well as live music and a full bar.
When it comes to getting a great deal on clothing, look no further than Lexington’s Cotton Patch clothing store. By joining Cotton Patch’s Blue Card Club, members are able to buy one item at 20% off from Cotton Patch every month for a year. To add to the appeal, Cotton Patch shows their love for Lexington’s community by donating half of your $40 yearly subscription fee to a local Lexington charity. Located on Tates Creek Road in the Lansdowne shopping mall, not only will you be able to help someone in need at Cotton Patch, you’ll be able to look stylish while doing so.
Full address: 3367 Tates Creek Rd, Lexington, KY, 40502
If there’s one thing that can help students destress after a giant final or quiz, it’s the movies. Lexington’s Cinemark, located in the Fayette Mall, offers discounts to UK students on tickets for standard showings of movies. By presenting your UK student ID when buying tickets inside, you can save over $3 for a ticket, leaving yourself with more cash to buy popcorn and soda.
Full address: 3800 Mall Rd, Lexington KY, 40503
Full address: 395 S Limestone, Lexington, KY, 40508
By Isabella Sepahban
Getting involved on CAMPUS
By Adah Hufana
UK’s campus is one of the largest in the state. With the large number of students enrolled and living on campus, there are plenty of people with different interests and hobbies.
The university is home to more than 600 student organizations with a wide range of clubs and groups to match its growing student population. Student organizations offer opportunities for those interested in service, academic opportunities and finding others with similar interests.
The University of Kentucky has the most students out of any other university in the state. With over 30,000 students enrolled, campus is full of people with different interests and hobbies.
UK has a wide selection of organizations and clubs to match its growing student population. Along with sports and academic programs, UK has more than 600 student organizations, according to the student success website.
That amount of choices can be overwhelming for students when looking for something that suits them. Here are a few student organizations and clubs to remember when searching for something to get involved in, all organizations mentioned and more, along with their upcoming events, can be found online on BBNvolved:
Volunteer and Service Organizations
Many UK student organizations provide avenues for students to participate in volunteer work and service.
One such group is the UK Campus Kitchen, an organization concerned mainly with food insecurity and waste. Campus Kitchen recovers food from stores and restaurants and makes meals for students and people struggling with food insecurity. Campus Kitchen accepts volunteers year-round for its food recovery, cooking and delivery shifts and can be signed up for on the UK Department of Dietetics and Human Nutrition website.
End Overdose is a nonprofit organization with a branch at UK that focuses on the reduction of drug-related overdose deaths. The group frequently tables around campus spreading information on how students should respond to overdoses and distributes naloxone, a medicine that can reverse an opioid overdose. Students can attend End Overdose meetings and volunteer for tabling or training for naloxone use.
Academic Clubs Hobbies and Interests
Some student organizations are centered around furthering students’ academic interests, some dedicated to more specific majors or areas of study, while others cover broader topics.
Alternative Service Breaks is one such group that welcomes students of all areas of study. The organization connects students to both service and academic opportunities all over the country. The organization holds events year-round with orientations, programs and fundraising events for students to get involved. Leadership classes are offered alongside applications for service and academic trips during breaks. Students can get involved with Alternative Service Breaks by attending meetings or classes.
While it is solely focused on neuroscience, NeuroCATS is open to all students interested in the field as well as neuroscience majors and minors. The club holds educational, social, leadership and networking events and also runs events for elementary and middle schools. To join the organization, students can be added to the organization’s GroupMe and email list by contacting them at neurocats.uky@gmail.com.
Many of UK’s clubs are dedicated to creating a space for students with similar interests or hobbies and offer events for both recreation and education.
Cover to Cover is the university’s book club. The club chooses a book each month for members to read and discuss. Members are able to recommend books for the club to read and also vote on what books will be chosen to read for the month at meetings. The club covers multiple genres and also hosts other literature-related events. Students can join the club by attending its introductory meeting at the beginning of the fall semester or going to any of its monthly meetings.
For those interested in experiencing nature and wilderness around Lexington and Kentucky in general, the Hiking Club offers numerous activities throughout the year. The Hiking Club offers service projects along with hiking and camping trips. The club does two activities a month and can offer transportation for students who don’t have the means to travel outside Lexington. More information about the club can be found by messaging kyhikingclub@gmail.com.
Photo by Matthew Mueller
Photo by Abbey Cutrer
SESSION CLASS
KRNL L + F
Photographer Elizabeth Solie
Models | Caroline Bruening, Ashton Calvert, Smit Patel, Eman Rasul, James Rodgers |
Stylists | Kadija Conteh, Alana Blackwell
Junior Stylists Lilly Hardwick, Lola Kirk, Drew McNully |
The ColumnAdvice
Read what our team thinks are your keys to success at the University of Kentucky!
“Embrace change! College is scary and can be challenging, as nerve wracking as that is, you grow and learn so much from letting these changes naturally happen.”
Zaida Bell, Kernel News Writer
“Listen to everyone, but remember to trust yourself. You’ll be given so much advice over the years — retain it, but don’t let someone else’s journey define you and your path.”
Khushi Arora, Kernel Opinions Writer
“Take a deep breath each morning and get out there and make the most of these next four years. Because yes, they will fly by and you won’t even realize it.”
Ava Bumgarner, Kernel Features Writer
“Stay focused on your studies but also allow yourself to enjoy the experiences and memories college gives you. Whether it’s gamedays with your fellow Wildcats or grabbing food with your roommates, try to soak up every second.”
Ally Landgraf, KRNL Asst. Lifestyle Editor
“It may sound cliche, but make sure to get involved in anything! The best way to get over the jitters of college is to meet people and adapt together.”
Tyler Russell, Kernel Sports Writer
“Don’t limit your social circles and be willing to take intellectual risks and try new things even if they aren’t majorrelated.”
Christian Kantosky, Kernel Photographer
“Don’t feel bad about switching your major. Switch it a million times until you find what you’re passionate about.”
Nupur Bendre, KRNL Co-Digital Editor
EDITORS-IN-CHIEF
Laurel Swanz
Abbey Cutrer
MANAGING EDITORS
Reaghan Chen
Casey Sebastiano
DESIGNERS
Sara Nelson
Ashleigh Jones
PHOTOGRAPHERS
Abbey Cutrer
Matthew Mueller
Samuel Colmar
Elizabeth Solie
BEHIND THE SCENES
Ryan Craig
David Stephenson
Bryce McNeil
WRITERS
Laurel Swanz
Abbey Cutrer
Casey Sebastiano
Adah Hufana
Lilly Keith
Emma Engel
Lola Kirk
Isabella Sepahban
Zaida Bell
Tyler Russell
Khushi Arora
Christian Kantosky
Ava Bumgarner
Ally Landgraf
Nupur Bendre
Ashleigh Jones
“Try it. The worst that can happen is it not working out, and you never have to wonder ‘what if?’”
Ashleigh Jones, KRNL Co-Digital Editor
CONTRIBUTORS
