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TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 1, 2020
136th YEAR ISSUE 2
THE STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY SINCE 1884
Fulbright Mayor welcomes students to school, MSU’s finalist hoping to warns against inviciblility mindset teach in Germany HANNAH BLANKENSHIP MANAGING EDITOR
“Starkville wouldn’t be Starkville without the kids. I love having them in town. This is just a time when we want you to be a little more cautious,” Starkville Mayor Lynn Spruill said of the return
of Mississippi State University students to campus. Spruill said the return of students poses a unique challenge to the city of Starkville, as the mindset of young people can incline them to be less cautious. “The kids have a sense of invincibility. That’s why kids do what kids do- which is take
chances, drive too fast, which I remember doing, and did and in some cases still do,” Spruill said. The city is increasing certain safety measures to account for the beginning of classes but Spruill implored students to lay aside certain behaviors for a brief time out of respect for the lives of
Mary Georgia Hamilton | The Reflector
Mayor Lynn Spruill works to address the challenge posed by MSU students returning this fall amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
those around them. “It’s going to go away,” Spruill said. “There are lots of us that have spent time doing things we might not have wanted to do in order to get this result. Well, this is one of those sacrifice times in order to get this result and in some cases this result is life and death.” On Aug. 4, the city of Starkville re-declared a state of emergency, which allows them to receive emergency funding as well as implement certain special measures if needed such as shutting down the city, requiring masks or mandating a curfew. This emergency status is reevaluated by the city every 30 days. In the spring after classes were moved online, Starkville implemented a mandatory face covering rule as well as a 10 p.m. curfew. Both mandates were eventually discontinued when cases initially fell. However, the city recently reinstated the face covering requirement. Spruill received backlash on Twitter, detailed in a previous Reflector article, after implementing the mask mandate the first time, and said she received even more criticism SPRUILL, 2 the second time.
EMMA KING
STAFF WRITER
When political science graduate Semaj C. MartinRedd learned he had become Mississippi State University’s latest Fulbright finalist, he was beyond excited to see the intense application process had paid off. “I felt great,” MartinRedd said. “Within an hour of each other, I found out that I got a full-time job with Congressman Trent Kelly and the Fulbright, so you know it was a really good day.” Martin-Redd is set to begin his Fulbright program in Hamburg, Germany in January 2021. He is currently residing in Washington, D.C., working as a staff writer for Mississippi Congressman Kelly. The decision to go to Germany was a relatively simple one for MartinRedd, considering he has been studying German since high school. In Hamburg, Martin-Redd will be teaching English to young students. “I’ve been studying German since my first year in high school, and I minored in German
when I was at Mississippi State,” Martin-Redd said. “I decided that this would be a good opportunity to help some children out across the world.” Martin-Redd’s plans may be put on hold, however, depending on the development of travel restrictions due to COVID-19. He says he would not be too disappointed if that was the case, because he is currently living out a lifelong dream — working in Congress. Martin-Redd’s political science professors saw a spark in him the moment classes began. Assistant Professor in the Department of Political Science & Public Administration Thessalia Merivaki describes him as a “superstar.” “Semaj is a superstar; he truly stands out,” Merivaki said. “He is intellectually curious and wants to be challenged in and outside of the classroom. I watched him grow in the course of a few years into a strong leader, team player and a professional. I was not surprised at all when he became a Fulbright finalist.” FULBRIGHT, 2
Multiple MSU Greek houses City of Starkville replaces see outbreaks, in isolation current recycling system HANNAH BLANKENSHIP MANAGING EDITOR
Within two weeks of the return of Mississippi State University students to campus, six MSU Greek houses have been required to quarantine due to COVID-19 outbreaks in their chapters. A student in one of the affected organizations confirmed, as of last week, two houses,
Phi Mu and Fiji, were in quarantine. Phi Mu’s quarantine is set to be up Sept. 4, and Fiji’s is set to be up Sept. 3, the student source said. However, according to Regina Hyatt, the vice president for student affairs, four more Greek houses have followed suit, experiencing similar outbreaks either in their house or on their residence hall floors. These organizations include Kappa Delta,
Chi Omega, Tri Delta and Pi Kappa Alpha, student sources confirmed. According to MSU Chief C o m mu n i c a t i o n s Officer Sid Salter, the Mississippi State Department of Health defines an outbreak as three cases or more. At that point, members of the organization are required to isolate for 14 days, either at their permanent residence or in an MSU
quarantine facility. The two hotels under contract with the university to provide quarantine space for affected students are The Hampton Inn and the Comfort Suites. “The university has spent 1.2 million of the CARES Act fund to make sure we had sufficient isolation and quarantine bed spaces for our students,” Salter said.
PAYTON BROWN STAFF WRITER
The City of Starkville has decided to eliminate the town’s standard recycling process and has found another way to stay green. This new system ensures Starkville will remain an ecofriendly city while cutting recycling costs for the city and its residents. According to Starkville Mayor Lynn Spruill, the Golden Triangle Regional Landfill Authority’s green power program has ISOLATION, 2 successfully replaced the
former WastePro recycling program. This new way to “reduce, reuse and recycle” involves efficiently transforming trash into energy. According to the Daily Times Leader, the landfill has been converting trash into green energy since 2011. Mayor Spruill explained that the former recycling program was suspended due to the inefficient work performed, immoderate price and the decline of the recyclables market to near extinction. “At this point and time, we have gone from drop-off
Hannah Blankenship | The Reflector
The Comfort Suites on Russel St. is one of MSUʼs off-campus quarantine spaces where members of affected Greek organizations are isolated.
TUESDAY HI: 91 LO: 73 SKY: Partly cloudy POP: 40
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THURSDAY HI: 93 LO: 71 SKY: Sunny POP: 0
recycling to curbside recycling to drop-off recycling again due to pandemic, and we are now going to suspend traditional recycling in its entirety. It has gotten to the point now where there is very little to no market for recyclables,” Spruill said. “Those who have taken our recyclables have cut back dramatically on the types of things they will accept, and so it is now costing us in the neighborhood of about $40,000 a year to recycle with no understanding of if the items are actually getting recycled.” RECYCLING, 2
Kaylee Ricchetti | The Reflector
An overflowing trash can sits outside of Strange Brew Coffee House on Main Street. Starkville will be replacing the current recycling system.
FORECAST: Things will be getting warmer this week! A chance of thunderstorms on Tuesday will be followed by a few sunny days. Temperatures will reach the low 90’s during the day and low 70’s at night.
Courtesy of National Weather Service
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RECYCLING Spruill said a recycling fee was added to participating resident’s bills, but the fee will vanish beginning Oct. 1. “Those participating in the program had a $2 fee added to their monthly bill for water, utilities and sanitation, so that will be removed, and the recycling drop-off bins will go away as well,” Spruill said. Michiah Bromley, a sophomore majoring in finance, understands the reason behind the dismissal of the old program and agrees that the program would only be holding back
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Starkville financially. “If there is not a market for it and they are losing tons of money, then the traditional recycling program seems to be more of a detriment than anything,” Bromley said. “It would be understandable to shut it down if there is not a profit nor proof of the materials being recycled. Obviously, recycling is good, but if they are not able to keep it up and if the process is just simply ineffective at the moment, then it is completely justified, and they should be stopping it for now.”
Bromley believes in the adoption of the green power plan and feels it would be a great way for the city to proceed in their efforts at being environmentally friendly. “If the green power program is efficient and providing clean energy, then it is OK to say goodbye to the old program as long as Starkville is continuing to recycle in other forms. I’m happy to say that I agree that this form will be quite beneficial and bring us in a step in the right direction,” Bromley said.
Lifelong Starkville resident Maggie Fischer is proud of the changes Mayor Spruill has set into place and believes the right call has been made to ensure satisfaction among the town. “I think Mayor Spruill is being responsible and making better choices for our town to keep us from wasting money on programs that aren’t actually making any difference for our community. Being from Starkville, it’s great to know we’re being led by someone who can make sure that programs we fund are
effective and someone who makes sure our community can always be the best version of itself,” Fischer said. Fischer wants to see the city flourish and thinks any initiative to be environmentally conscious is a great way to start. “The new green power program sounds just as resourceful as the former recycling program, so I think if Starkville is finding a way to keep recycling at a cheaper cost to the city and its citizens, then everybody should be at ease. The subtraction of the recycling
ISOLATION Jacqueline Mullen, the director of student activities and fraternity/sorority life for MSU, said she did not know any specifics of how outbreaks occurred within the first two Greek organizations required to quarantine. “We don’t know if the student came in contact with someone from the house; we don’t know if the student came in contact with someone outside of the house. There could be various reasons of how they came in contact with someone,” Mullen said. Mullen said she has been overall impressed with how the MSU Greek organizations have been handling themselves
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throughout the pandemic. “I’ll be honest, I’ve been very, very pleased with our chapters, and I wouldn’t say it if I didn’t see it on the frontlines,” Mullen said. Panhellenic Executive Council President Katey Koon, a senior educational psychology major, said she also was very pleased with all the hard work chapter leaders have put into enforcing COVID regulations. “They’re like sponges. They’re taking in every piece of advice they can from the dean of students, from Jackie (Mullen), from me, and so, I think that’s been really encouraging for me. They want to know the rules, so they can enforce
them,” Koon said. Mullen said the various chapters have taken extensive measures to ensure a safe and healthy return to campus for their members, including consulting cleaning companies on the most effective chemicals to use to disinfect common spaces, setting capacity limits for rooms within the houses, hiring additional cleaning crews, implementing a grab-and-go dining system and setting rules for guests within the houses. While Salter did not say either of the first two chapters in isolation had violated university COVID-19 rules, he did say he expected heavier
enforcement from the university of their health guidelines. “I think moving forward you will see the university take a harder line on activities that our policies have said are against the public health interest of the university right now,” Salter said. Salter said he believes students are doing well with masking and social distancing on campus, but he is concerned about what goes on off-campus. “The problem is coming when they hit town and the bars and all that, and so, we’re trying to reiterate the message that slowing the spread is sort of a 24/7, 365 exercise. Big parties,
long periods of exposure in close proximity, not distanced, with no maskthat’s a recipe for disaster,” Salter said. Koon said she believes Greek life should not bear the brunt of the blame for off-campus gatherings contributing to the spread of the virus. “I think Greek life is an easy target- ‘they’re the culprits of the off-campus events.’ But it’s every student right now,” Koon said. “We all want to be back in Starkville. We all want to be with each other, but I think one of the positives of Greek life is when people do have that attitude they have this accountability, this community to say ‘no, you’re
FULBRIGHT Vasabjit Banerjee, also an assistant professor in the Department of Political Science & Public Administration, said it is students like Martin-Redd that make teaching a joy. “Semaj was the sort of well-rounded student with excellent academic and extensive co-curricular interests who made teaching and mentoring a pleasure,” Banerjee said. “What struck me most was how he always went that extra length to understand the topic at hand—a true scholar and a gent.” During his time at MSU, Semaj could be found in a number of leadership roles, including president of the College Republicans and the Residential Advisor Association, co-director of the Student Association Cabinet’s Community and
fee is nice addition to all this as well,” Fischer said. Fischer explained that while the recycling is a great way for Starkville to make an impact, Starkville could go even greener by sharing the importance of recycling and what it is to be eco-friendly through the surrounding school systems. “Exposure starts through the schools, so to begin promoting these values would be a gamechanger and allow the idea to influence schoolchildren would allow Starkville an even greener future,” Fischer said.
held to a higher standard. There will be consequences, not only with the university but with your chapter if you break one of these laws.’” While Panhellenic has always been enforcing all of the governors’ orders and will continue to do so, Koon said, the outbreaks have been a wake-up call for the MSU Greek organizations and their leaders. “I think unfortunately it sometimes takes an example of what not to do to realize how serious it is. So I do think since then and since we’ve had a few different hiccups like I said, I think it’s time for our presidents and our leaders to say ‘we need to do more,’” Koon said. CONTINUED FROM 1
Governmental Relations Committee and member of the Model United Nations campus group. After completing his Fulbright program in Germany, Martin-Redd plans to run for office and one day work for the White House. Martin-Redd first learned of the J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Program through the Shackouls Honors College’s Office of Prestigious External Scholarships. David Hoffman, interim director of the office, mentored Martin-Redd throughout the application process. “Semaj had many of the qualities that make for a good Fulbright applicant and future Fulbrighter,” Hoffman said. “He had a good story, was qualified and had the interest in the program. He was always
willing to work hard with me to get his essays to a point where they were excellent and communicated what he brings to the table as a scholar and representative of the best the U.S. has to offer.” The Fulbright Program began in 1946 and has since accepted more than 390,000 finalists from the U.S. and 140 countries. Martin-Redd encourages other students to apply for the numerous scholarships offered at MSU by reaching out to the Office of Prestigious External Scholarships. “The number one thing I want people to know is you never get these things unless you put an application out there,” Martin-Redd said. “Half the battle is putting in an application. The worst they can do is say no, and the best thing they can do is
consider you for it, right?” Hoffman said the office is open to all students interested in the Fulbright and other prestigious fellowships and scholarships. They are dedicated to helping students identify potential opportunities during or after their time at MSU. The Office of Prestigious External Scholarships also helps applicants prepare for interviews and other elements that might come down the road as they are selected as semi-finalists. Hoffman’s advice for students interested in these opportunities is to attend the information sessions offered for various opportunities, set up an appointment at the office to talk about their interests, experiences and future plans and to follow all updates on the office’s social media accounts.
Semaj Martin-Redd | Courtesy Photo
Martin-Redd prepares to travel to Munich, Germany in January 2021 to teach English.
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“I think I got a little more pushback the second time around because now it’s been polarized. It’s either a hoax or ‘we’re all going to die,’ and the ‘we’re all going to die’ are good with masks but the ‘it’s a hoax’ people have gained some steam and become more vocal,” Spruill said. Even with the population of Starkville doubling due to the return of university students, Spruill said she still firmly believes masks are the key to keeping everyone safe and healthy. “I believe that the masks are a critical piece of that and understanding social distancing is important,” Spruill said. Creating a safe environment in Starkville is about striking the balance between continuing to perform daily, essential tasks but also taking necessary health precautions, Spruill said. “Everybody’s got to live, everybody’s got to eat,” Spruill said. “People have to stock the shelves in Kroger, they have to come in and deliver things. You just can’t quit living and breathing, so how do we find our best balance in the masks and social distancing?” Spruill said she was very pleased with the measures the university has taken to prevent the spread, but
Mary Georgia Hamilton | The Reflector
Mayor Spruill discusses the state of Starkville with students returning during COVID-19 with Reflector Managing Editor Hannah Blankenship.
spoke of the increased difficulty in regulating a whole city vs. a controlled community of students and faculty. As of Aug. 24, the Mississippi State Department of Health reported that Oktibbeha County had 1319 positive COVID-19 cases, the highest among the surrounding counties. In response to this, Spruill said it is simply because Oktibbeha County has MSU. She cited the college
age group as having some of the largest numbers of positive cases. Spruill also outlined what regulations the city is allowed to enforce. Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves’ executive order prohibits gatherings of more than 10 inside and more than 20 outside. The Starkville police are authorized to break up gatherings in violation of this mandate, the only problem being that they cannot break up gatherings
they are not aware of. “We’re authorized to break up a party that we know is in violation of the governor’s executive order but we have to know about it first. That’s one of the issues,” Spruill said. To see current case numbers for Oktibbeha County, visit the state department of health’s webpage. To view current case numbers for the MSU campus, visit the Longest Student Health Center’s webpage.
THE REFLECTOR TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 1, 2020 @REFLECTORONLINE
The Reflector 9/1/20 Sudoku
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Reflector 9/1/20 Crossword
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BAD DAWGS Friday, August 7, 2020
Friday, August 14, 2020
Property damage reported in the parking lot behind the Pi Kappa Phi fraternity house.
Property damage reported in the rear parking lot of Oak Hall.
Lost, found or shortage of property reported on HWY 19. Monday, August 10, 2020 Lost, found or shortage of property reported in the Facilities Management Shop. Wednesday, August 12, 2020 Possession of marijuana 1 ounce or less reported in the parking lot of College View Apartments. Thursday, August 13, 2020 Possession of marijuana 1 ounce or less reported in room A206 of Oak Hall. Student arrested in Turman Field House of Davis Wade Stadium for possession of marijuana 1 ounce or less.
Monday, August 17, 2020 Lost, found or shortage of property reported in the MSU police station lobby.
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9 5 6 3 4 8 9 5 1 2 4 7 6 4 1 3 8 2 7 5 7 7 3 2 Copyright ©2020 PuzzleJunction.com CLUB INFO Student organizations may place free announcements in Club Info. Information may be submitted by email to managing@reflector. msstate.edu with the subject heading “CLUB INFO.” The deadline for Tuesday’s paper is by 3 p.m. on Thursday. MSU student organizations may place free announcements in Club Info. Sudoku
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Lost, found or shortage of property reported in the oncampus Subway. Tuesday, August 18, 2020 Lost, found or shortage of property reported in the Holliman Athletic Center. Possession of marijuana 1 ounce or less reported at the Retreat Apartments. Lost, found or shortage of property reported in the Perry Cafeteria on Lee Blvd. Friday, August 21, 2020 Lost, found or shortage of property reported in the Chapel of Memories.
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OPINION
FACE-OFF: What is the best model of lecture?
In-person instruction is most ideal Online classes outweigh all others PAYTON BROWN STAFF WRITER
TAYLAR ANDERSON is a junior majoring in English. Contact her at opinion@reflector.msstate.edu.
With the arrival of COVID-19, many colleges and universities across the nation are finding newer and safer ways to resume class instruction. From completely online to other hybrid methods, these uncertain times have produced some unconventional methods of both learning and teaching for our students and professors nationwide. For example, according to Morgan McFall-Johnsen of Business Insider, 60% of schools are conducting in-person classes, while others are implementing a hybrid method.The introduction of these new methods has proven beneficial for different learners and educators in various ways, and some may even hope these new methods will continue to be offered beyond the current pandemic. Although faceto-face is not the safest option right now, I argue it is still the best mode of learning because it provides a hands-on, inperson experience which encourages both dialogue and discussion, and it is simply the least difficult to manage. The hands-on and inperson experience students and professors gain from face-to-face instruction is simply unbeatable. With face-to-face classes, students can speak directly with their educators and have all the visual aids needed to fully grasp the material they are learning. This direct communication and visual aid is imperative. According to Molly St. Louis of Inc., over 65% of the population are visual learners, meaning they learn best from their
instructors when they have visual aids to help them such as chalkboards, hands-on experiments and physical assignments and labs. Also, classes which require physical work such as art, architecture and laboratories are almost impossible to successfully complete online. In-person instruction also best encourages discussion and dialogue within the classroom. This face-to-face engagement is a very beneficial way for students to effectively learn and fully grasp their material while also being able to share different ideas and strategies among their classmates. This class discussion is likely a main reason why professors prefer faceto-face classes even more than students; they get to facilitate healthy classroom discussion which ensures their lessons are delivered as efficiently as possible. As reported by Rebecca Koenig from EdSurge, studies show 70% of student respondents and 73% of surveyed professors preferred face-to-face learning environments. Overall, these numbers indicate the majority of students and professors are more partial to in-class instruction than any other
instruction method. Lastly, the technological requirements which come with online classes make face-to-face classes easier to work with for both students and professors. Not every student has easy and affordable access to both a computer and internet access every day. Also, technological difficulties can always unexpectedly arise and prevent instruction. Additionally, online classes tend to be too expensive for some students with universities charging distance learning fees as well as some scholarships and other forms of financial aid refusing to offer full coverage for online classes. While online classes may be more flexible with deadlines, face-to-face classes are easier to keep up with as you get reminders for assignments two to three times a week by attending class. As someone who has taken both modes of classes over the years, I definitely feel as though face-toface classes are the most informative and beneficial option. Though I usually perform much better in my in-person classes, everyone learns differently and has to find the option which best suits them and their schedules.
As masks and social distancing become the new normal, online education is sparking the interest of many educators and students. What was formerly a costly option for long-distance students and those looking to avoid classroom settings has now become a necessary reality for us all due to the current situation of quarantining. Online education allows any student to continue learning regardless of circumstance and provides opportunity amid a national pandemic. The students who reject at-home learning may feel they are receiving an inadequate learning experience or feel the flexibility they receive will limit their accomplishments. Some are concerned about potential internet connectivity issues. While online education may limit the personal connections made in the classroom, students can learn to grow and adapt in new ways through learning in this inclusive form. Regardless of the many complications that come with online education, it is the temporary form needed during the national crisis everyone is experiencing. This new way of learning could invite many good changes. Technology could reform education in a new and improved way. Students can begin to work on school without having to worry about the stress of the pandemic, and students in any position still have the chance to complete their degree. The integration of internet-based instruction could allow our education to become a technology-friendly place and could bring about further growth in the realm of technology in general. According to Jon Marcus of the New York Times, the re-introduction of online education could allow faculty to bring about new online tools in their future instructions. Within these new advancements, technology would be further
integrated into the learning system and could help students relate to the lessons being taught. Generation Z, a generation with a strong understanding of technology, could especially relate to the educational world in a better sense if technology were introduced into each seminar. Teachers will also be able to become accustomed to a world of technology they may have never truly known before. The stress of the COVID-19 outbreak has many unable to concentrate on completing their education and has affected the mental stability of many collegiate students. After spending months in quarantine with little to no interaction with the outside world, the load of schoolwork could send students into a mental decline. Anya Kamenetz of National Public Radio believes online education, if managed properly, could allow students time to process the current state of the nation while being able to successfully complete assignments. If the stress of schoolwork is lessened over the internet and the teacher’s grading becomes more lenient, this will give students an opportunity to breathe after all they have endured over the past year. Students are able to work at their own pace. Mental health is an important discussion, especially among those of a collegiate level, and online education helps ensure the possibility of becoming overworked is eradicated or at least lessened. Many students are performing under stressful conditions which may
prevent them from being present at an in-person class. The spread of COVID-19 continues to be an issue in the U.S., and many students are continuing to catch the virus. In order to keep from spreading germs and to keep exposure limited, online education is an option for anyone scared of becoming exposed to the virus or for those who have already been exposed. According to Lisa Nielsen of Huffington Post, one of the reasons students say they prefer online classes is health issues they might have are not a hindrance, whereas they would be for traditional inclass instruction. Regardless of the athome setting, students have an even more direct line of communication to their instructors through Canvas, email and online video interaction, which is especially beneficial for educators as they work to keep themselves safe. This option is a safety net for any student having to deal with the ongoing caution of COVID-19 exposure and can even help those with health conditions that would put them at a greater risk if exposed. The kinks within this renewed form of education have not all been fixed, but the potential this learning system holds is truly great and impactful. With time, practice and patience, the world may further rely on the practice of online education in order to keep students safe and prepared throughout difficult circumstances. The online realm holds many beneficial perks and is a system which is successfully helping universities make their way through the COVID-19 pandemic.
The cost of going to a university is high enough; some may feel being entirely online is wasting the enormous amount of money they are spending on their education. The HyFlex model of learning permits students to have the in-person learning they are paying for while also having the safety net of online classes. In these uncertain times health, money and food are large concerns for many people. As much as college is romanticized, these are real concerns for many college students. HyFlex learning
lets students attend class and justify the large expense while knowing if need be, they can attend online. As a result of this pandemic many things are going to change, and the education system will in some way be impacted in the long term because of it. HyFlex classes also show a lot of promise in a hopefully soon post-pandemic world. If these types of classes continue after the pandemic ends, they will permit students to take better care of themselves. Many students will show up to class sick, out of fear of falling behind. If HyFlex instruction proves to be useful, it will enable students to remain on track and not fall behind. This method may even help students improve their exam scores by allowing students to re-attend lectures. HyFlex classes make it easier for students to review and revise notes as well as reassess topics they may be struggling with before a test. As reported in Educause, the flexibility HyFlex grants “encourages students to be
more engaged and to take greater initiative in their learning, possibly helping cultivate metacognitive skills.” A university’s goal should be for the students to succeed, but in order to do so, students need to be seen as more than a tuition payment. HyFlex learning gives students the ability to take better care of themselves, to not fall behind and to give them a better understanding of their classes. Overall, HyFlex classes are one of the small solutions universities have in solving the large problem of providing education during a pandemic. This method allows students and professors to have in-person classes with a safety net. It is important for students, faculty and their families to know there is an easy transition back to distance learning if necessary. While universities are on the way to being fully opened back up again, the HyFlex instruction shines a little light on a dark situation.
HyFlex courses hit home in the grand scheme of COVID-19 HALLIE GREEN
is a senior majoring in philosophy and religion. Contact her at opinion@reflector. msstate.edu.
College during a pandemic is an absolute chaotic thing to figure out for the students, their families and the universities. There have been a variety of small solutions implemented to help solve the larger problem, one of them being HyFlex classes. HyFlex classes provide students a more flexible range of options for attendance by letting them decide whether they go to a physical classroom or participate online. According to Beth McMurtrie with The Chronicle of Higher Education, the HyFlex model “allows for socially distant classrooms by rotating students through on alternating days,” so students in a large class may attend
physical class one day while others attend through Zoom. This alternating instructional method gives both the students and professors some control in case there is a need to shift to distance learning. HyFlex classes also lets students review previous lectures they attended online or in-person; this may help students score higher on exams since they are now given the opportunity to review topics they struggle with. Giving students and professors the ability to decide whether they or the class needs to switch to distance learning ensures safety not only for the individual but for the class as a whole. If one student in the class ends up testing positive for the virus, the professor, when given the information, will be able to handle the situation efficiently and inform the class of their need to quarantine. If the situation is handled correctly, this lessens the likelihood of the university as a whole needing to totally shut down again.
According to Doug Lederman of Inside Higher Ed, the freedom of choice the HyFlex instructional model grants to students is especially important during uncertain times such as these. HyFlex allows students to take better care of their health by giving the option to attend class online if they are sick. Especially now, it is not good to be out with a compromised immune system, so this class system ensures students do not fall behind while taking care of themselves or family members.
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LIFE & ENTERTAINMENT
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MSU students see masks as a fashion opportunity MARY CAITLYN WRIGHT STAFF WRITER
Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, there have been many changes. Face masks have quickly become a constant in our 2020 lives. Fashion changes in extreme ways throughout the decades, but the incorporation of surgical masks into everyday fashion is something not even the most style-savvy could have predicted. Fashion icons have demonstrated the ways a protective face covering can be used to accessorize and enhance an outfit. Traditionally, face masks have been thought of as the traditional blue and white rectangular hospital masks, but today, they have become so much more. Now face coverings have a wide variety of patterns and colors. With so many different mask options, everyone has the chance to show off their own sense of style while staying safe. Here in Starkville, Mississippi State University students have added their own personal flare to their back-to-school styles.
Madison Glusenkamp is a senior at MSU majoring in public relations and is a model for MSU’s Fashion Board. Glusenkamp said she has always had a love for fashion. She specifically loves bonding with others through fashion, as this is something she has always enjoyed. Glusenkamp expressed how she is maintaining her fashion sense while following pandemic health guidelines. “I always try to somewhat match my mask to my outfit depending on the color or a pattern. I am really into floral masks or bright blues and pinks just because I am not a very bold person. I try to stick with what I am comfortable with,” Glusenkamp said. Fashion allows everyone to be different, but a mutual love and appreciation for fashion can bring people together, even during these troubling times. Metri Lyons is a senior majoring in theater and is a host for Fashion Board. Lyons expressed how he felt about face masks and what they have done for those involved in the fashion community, as well as those
who are not. “I think that masks have not only updated our fashion, but it has also allowed people to be a little bolder about what they are doing because you cannot see their faces. People have dared to step out of the box and out of their comfort zones and truly wear what they want because they are unrecognizable in their masks,” Lyons said. Lyons’ attitude towards face masks is indicative of many others who have chosen to view the face coverings as a means of expression and protection, rather than an annoyance. Even during these trying times, people are choosing to look at the positive. Many people have begun to create and sew their own masks. Glusenkamp said she prefers homemade masks to store-bought. “I think it would be really resourceful and save people money if they were able to make masks at home. I have two that are homemade. And they are probably my favorites just because they are well-made, and I was able to customize them. You can
pick out your own pattern, how big or small you want it and how big you want the straps to be. I think it would be great for people to learn how to make their own masks,” Glusenkamp said. Everyone’s sense of style is different, but all can relate to the struggle of picking out an outfit. Alexis Drake, a senior marketing major, has been a model for Fashion Board since her freshman year. Drake shared the fashion insight behind a mask style which she has come to love. “I have this one nude mask that matches my skin tone. I am kind of obsessed with wearing all nude or all white, that monochromatic style. I love accessorizing with it because it turns into a look,” Drake said. Clearly, COVID-19 is not planning to leave anytime soon, and this means face masks are also here to stay for a little while longer. In the meantime, by investing in face masks as a form of self expression, students have the chance to tap into a more creative side, while keeping themselves and those around them safe.
Bethany Crane| The Reflector
Fashion Board members Shelby Freeman and Bradlea James pose in their stylish masks.
Student mental health during COVID-19: an updated resource guide for students KERRIGAN CLARK STAFF WRITER
Jordan Smith | The Reflector
Mississippi State University students gather at Grace Presbyterian Church to attend a Reformed University Fellowship (RUF) large group gathering.
MSU offers freshmen campus involvement amidst COVID-19
EMMA KING
STAFF WRITER
On-campus involvement looks a little different this year due to the effects of COVID-19 on the safety of large group meetings. This affects freshmen more than any other group as they enter Mississippi State University’s campus for the first time, looking for leadership opportunities and clubs to call their own. Luckily, many student organizations at MSU are doing everything they can to recruit freshmen and encourage involvement. Three of the most prominent freshman-friendly organizations are offered by the Student Association and known fondly as the Freshman Groups. These include Freshman Forum, Freshman Edge and Freshman Council. Smith Lyon, a junior marketing major, is the current director of outreach for Freshman Forum. He believes Freshman Groups often act as the doorway for future SA involvement and are a great way to meet new people. “If you plan to get involved in your time at Mississippi State, this is what you do first, and it’s the best way to meet people,” Lyon said. “We really want to emphasize to freshmen that they may want to join a freshman group just to meet friends.” SA accepts around 80-90 freshmen each year to split between the three groups. When students apply, they apply for all three and rank their choices between them. Freshman Forum trains students throughout the year to serve as counselors for the Donald Zacharias Leader Conference (DZLC) in late Febuary or early March, which
hosts high school juniors and seniors as they learn more about collegiate leadership and involvement. This year, the DZLC will also host college freshmen for the first time. Freshman Forum is also currently exploring other ways it can contribute to MSU, rather than focusing only on the upcoming conference. Freshman Edge, another of the Freshman Groups, focuses on leadership through service both on campus and within the Starkville community. Sarah Rendon, a sophomore majoring in communication, is the director of Freshman Edge. Rendon is already thinking of ways the group can give back during the pandemic. “I imagine that we’ll have to make adjustments to largescale service projects to keep everyone involved safe, but we’re not going to give up on serving this campus or curating strong leadership within it,” Rendon said. The application deadline for the Freshman Groups has already passed, and interviews began on Aug. 25. The Freshman Groups are not the only way for freshmen to get involved at MSU. Two more opportunities can be found in Music Maker Productions and Reformed University Fellowship, or RUF. Music Makers is a group of twenty students dedicated to bringing quality entertainment to MSU and the Starkville community. Applications are open to all undergraduate students, including freshmen, and are due Sept. 10. An interest meeting will be held virtually through WebEx at 6:30 p.m. on September 3. Madeline Emery, a senior kinesiology major, is the current director of Music
Makers. She encourages any student who shares her passion for music to consider joining Music Makers. “I joined Music Makers as a freshman, and it was a great way to meet friends, invest in the university and be a part of something I was truly passionate about,” Emery said. “Despite the setbacks, we encourage freshmen and all students to get involved.” Finally, RUF is one of the college ministries with a large following on campus, offering itself as a safe place to explore the Bible while meeting other people. Anne Michal Carter, a second-year intern and graduate from Texas A&M, has been a part of RUF for over six years. She says the RUF community at MSU is much larger and more involved than most. “I really like RUF at State because there’s a lot of student involvement,” Carter said. “I came from a smaller group of around 30 people, but here there’s a really good community where you can come and meet friends.” RUF had to adjust its recruitment process this year. Where the group would normally visit residence halls on move-in day, they instead placed signs across campus with QR codes that led to new-student forms and available groups. Carter said this has not changed RUF’s level of participation, though, demonstrated by the number of attendees at this year’s freshman meet-and-greet. There are many more opportunities on campus to get involved with, despite COVID-19 concerns, and many organizations are doing their best to ensure continued freshmen participation and a semblance of normalcy for comfort in today’s difficulties.
As Mississippi State University students return to campus, the stress of transitioning back to college life amidst COVID-19 hangs heavy in the air. Moving back to a familiar place can create an illusion of “normal life” that is a stark contrast to the reality of the world. Between juggling a variety of class delivery styles, virus-related anxiety and navigating social encounters, the strain on students’ mental health only grows heavier. Now is the time for students and people everywhere to step back and focus on making sure their mental health is sound. Alana Buchanan, a junior majoring in psychology, is the secretary of Active Minds, an organization at MSU devoted to bringing awareness to mental health. Buchanan gave her advice for students who may be experiencing loneliness. She provided insight on some things which could help students feel less anxious about being alone. “My advice to those who are not used to being alone is to take care of yourself physically (eat well and exercise) and mentally. Enjoy a hobby, call up a friend or family member or text them if you haven’t in a while to check on them, look at pictures with your friends and remember that you are not alone. They are there for you, as well,” Buchanan said in an email correspondence. “Above all, just remember that you are not alone in this. Think positively.” There are many students who utilized the MSU Student Counseling Services because it provides the opportunity to speak with professionals in a time of crisis. Since the campus life is far from normal, students might assume these services
are no longer available to them, but this is far from the truth. Kim Kavalsky coordinates mental health outreach with MSU Health Promotion and Wellness and has been assisting Student Counseling Services with changes due to the virus. Students have several opportunities to access counseling services. During business hours (Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.), students may go to www.counseling.msstate.edu and enter a virtual waiting room to be assisted by the next clinician. Students also have the option to call the office at (662)-325-2091 between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Kavalsky also gave advice to students who are feeling anxious during this tough time. “Since none of us know when our lives will return to normal, it is understandable that we are feeling fear and anxiety. As human beings, we need social connection … We are going through all of these things together, so I encourage staying connected with others and leaning on each other for support (use Facetime, texting or Zoom),” Kavalsky said in an email correspondence. Jeremy Baham, MSU’s assistant vice president for student affairs, pointed out the availability of medical services on MSU’s campus in an email. “Longest Student Health Center is continuing to operate normally for our students, and that includes a staff psychiatrist and psychiatric nurse practitioner,” Baham said. Although giving and receiving treatment looks drastically different this semester, the mission behind MSU Student Counseling Services remains the same - to provide students and faculty with treatment. Lu Switzer, director of Student
Counseling Services, wrote Counseling Services is continuing to assess the situation and adapt to student needs. “In terms of future outlook, that is not easy to navigate. We are going along with the guidelines required by the university,” Switzer said. Student Counseling Services is offering a variety of services. They have moved all of their workshops online and have added two new courses which provide help for students during the crisis. These courses include: Coping with COVID, Transitioning to Online Courses, Changing Unhelpful Thoughts, Stress and Anxiety 101, Intro to Mindfulness, The ABZzzzzs of Sleep, Intro to Wellness, Relationships 101, Test Anxiety and Teaching Online Courses.To enroll in these workshops visit https://www.counseling. msstate.edu/casworkshop . For students wanting to speak to a Student Counseling Services technician in order to find more about the resources available, virtual Let’s Talk sessions are being offered on Tuesdays from 1-3 p.m. Let’s Talk sessions can be accessed at https://msuscs. doxy.me/peeples . Virtual Tea Talks are also being offered on the second Tuesday of every month for international students and their friends. To join a Tea Talk simply visit https:// tinyurl.com/yypf42p8 and enter the passcode ISAB. Everyone is going through this tough time together, and it is important for students to pay special attention to their mental health. Whether this means talking to a therapist, attending a virtual workshop or finding an anxiety-reducing hobby, prioritizing mental health in this transitional time is of vital importance.
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SPORTS
THE REFLECTOR SEPTEMBER 1, 2020 @SPORTSREFLECTOR
Mike Leach, Kylin Hill discuss unity on the football team after Unity Park march HUNTER CLOUD STAFF WRITER
This week after the NBA and other teams decided to not play, Mississippi State University joined the University of Kentucky in not participating in practice on August 27, but instead walked to the Unity Park in downtown Starkville as a moment of racial unity. Over the offseason, MSU football coaches were in Starkville, Mississippi to participate in the March for Justice after George Floyd was killed by a police officer. Assistant Coach Dave Nichol described how the coaching staff felt about the team using their platform
on Wednesday at the afterpractice press conference. “I think it’s good to have those conversations,” Nichol said. “We are a pretty easy-going staff when it comes to that — sitting in your office and just talking.” On Saturday following the team’s unity march, head coach Mike Leach said most people are against injustice; it’s just that people have different ways of approaching how to have the dialogue. Leach said, to better the situation in America, the common American needs to first individually improve. “If you want to improve the team, improve yourself,” Leach said. “I think as
people individually steadily improve themselves, I think that’s the biggest step in the right direction. I also think a big part of that is being open to dialogue and listen.” Kylin Hill, the team’s AllSEC running back, tweeted after the march to the Unity Park on Thursday. In one tweet, he shared a photo of the team at the park and spoke about the bond between the teammates. His second tweet showed his appreciation for the staff. “Lastly I want to Thank Every Single person on Staff for hearing us out & accepting us to speak,” Hill shared in his tweet, “They didn’t have too but they
Jordan Smith | The Reflector
This photo of Douglas L. Conner is on display in Starkville’s Unity Park. The park was founded in 2011 by citizens of Oktibbeha County.
Kylin Hill | Courtesy Photo
Senior Kylin Hill tweeted this image of his teammates after the Mississippi State University football team walked to Unity Park last week on August 27 instead of having their regularly scheduled practice in order to display their unity and support for racial equality.
MSU volleyball adds alumni to team staff LYDIA PALMER SPORTS EDITOR
On August 27, the Southeastern Conference announced new starting dates for various fall sports. In the release, they stated volleyball would run from Oct. 16 to Nov. 27, and SEC teams would play only against other teams in the conference. “The 2020 SEC volleyball season will consist of an eight-match, conferenceonly schedule over six weeks of competition beginning Oct. 16 with each school competing against four opponents twice in the same weekend on back-to-back days,” the release stated. Mississippi State University’s volleyball team has already been practicing and making additions to their coaching staff in preparation for this delayed and limited season. Head Coach Julie Darty Dennis announced the additions of Phil Evans and Alleah Stamatis to the bulldog coaching team earlier in August. Evans is an MSU alumnus who will be taking the volunteer position of assistant coach. He will be working with training and coaching, as well as scouting. Head Coach Darty Dennis said in the release she was excited for the energy Evans will bring to the coaching team. “Phil has a passion for our sport and a desire to learn, and I am really excited for him to come in and contribute to our coaching staff,” Darty Dennis said. “He is a great teacher, and his voice will be a welcome addition in our gym.” Stamatis is a former student-athlete at MSU where she was a setter on the volleyball team following her time in Jacksonville, also playing under Darty Dennis’ leadership. She will be taking the position of technical coordinator. Stamatis’ last season as a Bulldog was the 2019 season, so she is still very familiar with how her coach
likes things to operate and can give input on how to improve the team. Stamatis’ job will be to overlook video footage breakdown, plan daily operations, coordinate travel and arrange other operations to help the team run smoothly. “She has always been a great teammate and having someone like that on our staff is going to be a huge addition for us,” Stamatis’ former coach Darty Dennis said. “She is highly motivated, organized, detailed-oriented and has a great eye.” There are less than two months until the shortened season starts for the team, and the additions of the new staff members are exciting
to Darty Dennis and her players. In the midst of all that has happened this year, the team is grateful for the opportunity to play, according to a statement made by Darty Dennis. “We are grateful for the leadership we have at the SEC and on our campus,” Darty Dennis said in a statement on Twitter. “My team is taking a tremendous amount of pride in following the protocols set up for us. We want to play, and we want to keep our studentathletes safe. And because of our leadership we have found a way to do both. We are committed to prioritizing player safety as we look forward to competing.”
Jordan Smith| The Reflector
Callie Minshew serves the volleyball during the 2019 season as her teammates look on.
Mary Georgia Hamilton | The Reflector
MSU Head Coach Mike Leach rings his cowbell on the day he first arrived in Starkville to start coaching the Bulldogs football team.
Bulldogs prepare for football season debut at Death Valley HUNTER CLOUD STAFF WRITER
There are now 26 days left until Mississippi State University plays Louisiana State University at Death Valley to start off the 2020 football season. A new offensive scheme, new coaches and a pandemic have changed how teams have been able to practice. However, MSU is working hard to be able to hit the ground running with the Air Raid scheme. Dave Nichol, the team’s inside receivers coach, said the inside receivers have to make more catches and that starts with punishments for dropped passes. “My guys right then and there do ten up-downs — which doesn’t seem like a ton, but when you are running a vertical route of 50 yards, three plays in a row, those ten up-downs are a struggle,” Nichol said. Catching the football is important in the Air Raid Offense because it is a heavy passing scheme. MSU had a 55% completion rate the past two seasons with 351 out of 638 passes being completed. By comparison, Washington State University, where Mike Leach formerly coached, had a completion rate of 71% in 2019 with 477 out of 668 passes being completed. Nichol said they have been working on
instilling confidence in the receivers, something they lacked at first. “More than anything, we have been putting it in their brain that they need to expect to catch it,” Nichol said. “Early on, when they dropped it, it was like a drop was okay. Just mindset stuff along those lines.” Former tight end Geor’quarius Spivey, a sophomore from Monroe, Louisiana, has made a transition to be an inside receiver. Spivey said he believes the move will help his development and chances at a professional career. “I can show how I can make mismatches on the field,” Spivey said. “If it’s a small guy, I can use more of my size, and if it is a big guy, I can use more of my speed. I feel like it will help me in the future.” With the new coaching staff came a new practice style and one that Spivey said his fellow players enjoy. The practices have been about working together as a group of peers in their position groups, which Spivey said helps the team get stronger. Tyson Brown, the new strength and conditioning coach, started working with the players over the offseason since he first got to Starkville. Spivey said he feels stronger, faster and tougher. “The coaches helped me
a lot and prepared me enough to play to my full ability,” Spivey said. “Everyone get tired all the time, it’s just about mental toughness — how are you going to push through.” Playing in an Air Raid Offense is supposed to cause havoc on a defense, but offensively, it is a scheme that Spivey said is fun to play in because receivers want to make plays. From the defensive side, Fred Peters, a senior safety from Columbia, Mississippi, said because the offense is throwing the ball a lot it allows him to work on his man-to-man technique. “It’s just teaching me to get better with my man technique,” Peters said. “Like JP (JaVonta Peyton) said, we go against each other every day, and he makes me better.” A transfer from Jones Community College, Peters said he has a lot more confidence this season than he did last year. “I feel much better, my confidence is way up there,” Peters said. “My man technique, I’ve been more patient than what I was last year.” All of this work by the players and new coaching staff is taking place during their practices leading up to the start of their season on September 26 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.