Volume 150 No

Volume 150 No. 1 MONDAY, AUGUST 23, 2021

Miami university — Oxford, Ohio

Back to Back to normal* normal*

*well, almost

Miami plans for fall semester

LEXI WHITEHEAD COSETTE GUNTER

ASST. CAMPUS & COMMUNITY EDITORS

Miami University’s COVID-19 restrictions and guidelines are still a work in progress as thousands of students move back into residence halls, apartments and houses this fall.

Miami announced new mask guidelines Aug. 5, requiring all faculty, students and staf to wear a face covering indoors regardless of vaccination status. The announcement came after several other Ohio universities implemented the same policy on their campuses.

On Aug. 5, Miami President Greg Crawford wrote in an email to the Miami community that “face coverings, social distancing, and vaccination will likely remain a part of our experience for at least part of this fall.”

Still, many COVID-related restrictions in place during the 2020-2021 school year will not return this semester.

Vaccines & testing

Miami is not requiring students, staf or faculty to receive the COVID vaccine, yet. But the university is strongly encouraging those who can get vaccinated to do so. Otherwise, students who are not vaccinated or have not uploaded documentation of at least one dose of the vaccine will be required to submit to regular testing.

Jessica Rivinius, director of news and media relations, said Miami is not requiring the vaccine because it is still under emergency use authorization through the FDA and is not fully approved.

“Overall, we want to encourage our entire university community to get vaccinated, but at this time we’ve decided not to require vaccines,” Rivinius said. “We work closely with the Inter-University Council and if [the vaccine requirement] were to change, we [would] notify the university community immediately, so it’s just one of those ongoing things.”

Vaccines are being ofered to students, faculty and staf throughout the semester for free at the Student Health Services building and at the Armstrong Student Center.

Armstrong will have a drop-in vaccination clinic where students can get their shot without scheduling an appointment.

Students who upload their vaccination records are entered into Miami’s vaccine incentive program Your Shot to Win for a chance to win prizes such as bookstore gift cards, a laptop and a tuition credit for one semester.

Staf members who submit information about their vaccination status will receive two days of bonus leave to use in lieu of vacation over winter break.

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A deep dive into the success of the incoming class of 2025

LILY FREIBERG

STAFF WRITER

When frst-year education major Michael Sanchez heard Miami University’s class of 2025 had been named “the largest, most academically accomplished incoming class in history,” he was surprised.

“I’m a bit intimidated,” Sanchez said. “In front of other people, I don’t think I would hold up to that standard, but hopefully I do.”

Bethany Perkins, director of Admissions, said grades and course rigor were key factors in admitting the best students.

“Both of these metrics are tied to a student’s overall achievements and performance over their high school career, not a point-in-time measurement such as a test score,” Perkins said.

Zeb Baker, director of the Honors College, said the basic academic profle is the most important part of the admissions process for the college.

“Even though it was a cohort of students across the university that [were] admitted through test-score optional means, that didn’t deter the university from being able to identify outstanding students,” Baker said.

Baker said he thinks the Honors College has been successful with attracting students. Over 4,500 students applied to be a part of the Inaugural Cohort of Honors College students in the frst year of its institution.

“We were able to help the university to continue to make the case for really good, smart students to choose Miami, whether or not they’re in the Honors College,” Baker said.

While some might have high ACT and SAT scores, that wasn’t the case for incoming frst-year Kaila Powers. Also an education major, Powers said her hard work and passion helped her get accepted despite her low test scores.

“I am more knowledgeable about stuf that strings along with my passions,” Powers said. “I work hard, I study hard and I get decent grades.”

Sanchez, like Powers, took pride in his determination and work ethic to get his grades up.

“I struggled early in high school and made up for it my junior and senior year,” Sanchez said.

Perkins said Miami attracts students because of the challenging courses, academic experience, positive career outcomes and engaging campus experience.

“I think our applicant pool refects our student body,” Perkins said. “Our students work hard and are involved in life outside the classroom, and that foundation is laid before starting at Miami.”

Powers chose Miami because of the school’s proximity to her home in Cincinnati, Miami’s beautiful campus and the school’s opportunities for students.

“Every single time I went there [to visit], I just felt connected to it,” Powers said. “I was like, ‘Yes, this is the place where I ft in.’”

Both Powers and Sanchez plan to get involved in student organizations. Powers wants to join an a capella group and an exercising program like yoga or zumba. Sanchez wrote for his high school newspaper and wishes to continue that in college.

Jayne Brownell, vice president for Student Life, said her role helps students get engaged in a lot of activities, supporting them as they progress through their years.

“We want to make sure [students] have a great experience while they’re here,” Brownell said. “We want them to stay, persist and graduate.”

Perkins said Miami plans to share students’ stories with everyone and anyone they can.

“We trust that the value of the Miami experience will continue to speak for itself in many ways.”

This Issue

@LLFreiberg freibell@miamioh.edu

Miami athletics has busy summer

SAM BACHMAN (PICTURED) WAS SELECTED NINTH OVERALL BY THE LOS ANGELES ANGELS IN THE 2021 MLB DRAFT. PHOTO EDITOR ZACH REICHMAN

LUKAS NELSON

SPORTS EDITOR JACK SCHMELZINGER

ASST. SPORTS EDITOR

While students were away from campus for the summer, the action continued for some of Miami’s athletes. Here’s a look at what Miami athletics was up to while you were away.

Embry gets statue in front of Millett Hall

Miami basketball legend Wayne Embry, class of ‘58, was given the ultimate honor by the university: a statue of his likeness outside Millett Hall. The statue depicted Embry shooting a hook shot, a staple of his game at Miami and during his 11year NBA career.

Embry was honored in a statue-unveiling ceremony outside Millett Hall on May 18, at 11 a.m. In attendance were Embry’s college teammates and other current and former RedHawk athletes, as well as other members of the general public. The event was called ‘Wayne Embry Day.’

Embry was also receiving the Freedom Summer of ‘64 Award. Beginning in 2018, the award is given by Miami to a person or group of

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CAMPUS & COMMUNITY

Student orgs will now have the opportunity to meet in person with less restrictions. SPORTS

The Olympics started a conversation between Miami RedHawks about the importance of mental health as student athletes. OPINION

Staf Editorial: Oxford is more than just the student body. We have a community to protect. STAFF BIOS

It’s a new year, but our staf remains committed to you. Get to know more about us.