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Letter from the editors: Look back, move forward

New additions have grown campus, will continue to change USC in future

‘Iron sharpens iron’: University President Bob Caslen said he believes USC will leave pandemic stronger than before

USC’s COVID-19 timeline over first 12 months

Column: Looking back at presidential accountability

Letters to the editor: Former student body presidents reflect on what defined their presidencies

Majority of students say online classes were right call, mixed reviews on quality

Seniors’ advice for underclassmen: Their USC must-do’s

Dining changes: The good and the bad

Column: Top movies, songs, memes since 2017

Upperclassmen turn extraordinary experiences into Honors theses

From campus to Columbia: Looking back at protests in USC history

A look at activism, fight for equality in 2020

Looking back on student athlete careers as they prepare for the future

Columbia art scene continues to challenge its artists, future

Looking back: Four years of USC history

Gamecock football program has new hope under head coach Shane Beamer

Column: USC being reactive will never be enough

Beyond the beak: Anonymous interview gives current Cocky a voice

A look back at past four years of women’s basketball

Column: What some freshmen are looking forward to in post-COVID-19 semester

Safety leaders on campus discuss what safety looks like, plans moving forward.

Four years of fashion — a neverending cycle

Gamecocks discovered new hobbies in quarantine

Year after COVID-19 shut down sports, Gamecock athletics still sees effects

Column: USC’s decision to go test optional is positive change for new applicants

Live music lives on in Columbia

Column: A reminder you need the Earth, just as it needs you

Column: Professors are heroes of Zoom university

TikTok takes over social media, influencers make waves

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Letter from the editors: Makayla Hansen, Vanessa Purpura & Kailey Cota

ach school year begins a cycle of excitement and nerves for the new academic year, eventually turning into stress and then bittersweet relief as the next break approaches. It’s easy to get wrapped up in the last year, which seemed to last an eternity. COVID-19 intensified that cycle, particularly the stress and burnout. But college — and life, in general — is larger than just one year. Remember the variety of your experiences at USC. Remember the highs you felt after watching our sports teams inch out a victory. Remember sleepy mornings at Soda City with your friends. Remember each and every one of the random, and sometimes awkward, experiences college forces you into. As our staff worked on this issue, we knew we couldn’t only highlight the best of times. We had to highlight some of the worst of the last four years, too. We’ve lost our classmates, faced major changes to the way we live our lives and seen systemic issues of discrimination — within our university and our nation — be exposed. It’s been hard. As we approach this summer, some of us are graduating and starting a new chapter of our lives. If there’s one thing we’ve learned, it’s that we have to be sure to make time for ourselves. We deserve it. The best is still to come.

Photo: Nick Sullivan

Sincerely, The Managing Team

New additions have grown campus, will continue to change USC in future

Samantha Douglas

n the past 220 years of USC’s existence, the university has grown from the surrounding Horseshoe area to include much of Columbia. It continues to expand with new projects such as Campus Village and the health sciences campus. USC released a master plan update in 2018, which included all of the projects completed since the previous master plan in 2010 and plans for future renovations and expansions. Since the previous plan, USC most notably built the Darla Moore School of Business in 2014, 650 Lincoln in 2015, the USC School of Law in 2016 and the Center for Health and Wellbeing in 2017. With the addition of these new buildings and the future addition of Campus Village and the health sciences campus, USC will continue to change and grow. As USC continues to expand, there have been concerns over the communities that were destroyed in the process. In the ‘60s and ‘70s, when USC moved south into the area where the Carolina Coliseum, Strom Thurmond Wellness and Fitness Center and 650 Lincoln are located, it demolished a neighborhood called Ward One. Ward One was a historically Black community that was pushed out under urban renewal. “Through an urban renewal campaign of the ‘60s, those areas were acquired using eminent domain methods, arguing that the acquisition of these properties were in the interest, was in the public interest, meaning the interest of the university,” Bobby Donaldson, associate professor of history, said. “That led to a dramatic redevelopment of the campus at the expense of these African American families and institutions.” Other neighborhoods, such as Wheeler Hill, where Campus Village is currently being built, and University Hills, where Capstone, Gambrell and the humanities buildings exist, have been changed in a similar way. “It’s happening all the time in our campus — our university is growing every day,” Donaldson said. “And so, to grow, they’re going to have to figure out ways to expand their footprint in an urban environment. And so, it does mean you rethink about repurposing space at the Bull Street mental facility. It means you think about student housing.” In the past several years, other projects have included renovations to several facilities, such as Women’s Quad, South Tower and Patterson. In 2015, Hamilton College

underwent renovations to become the College of Social Work, and the old school of public health was renovated to become the School of Journalism and Mass Communications. More recently, Close-Hipp was renovated in 2020 to become the College of Hospitality, Retail, and Sport Management. Another project included renovating the brick wall that surrounds parts of USC’s campus. “They actually built it to try to keep the students on campus,” Elizabeth West, university archivist at South Caroliniana Library, said. “Because in 1835, the students were not allowed to leave campus without permission from the faculty or the president. And they had a bad habit of sneaking into town at night and going to the bars and taverns and coming back and causing a bit of trouble.” In 1865, when Sherman marched to the sea, he burned much of Columbia. The Horseshoe and many of the buildings on it survived because of the wall running along Sumter Street, Pendleton Street and Greene Street. “There’s an eyewitness account that describes the flames sweeping up to the very wall of the campus,” West said. The 2018 plan also highlighted several future projects the university has in the works. Campus Village, the engineering district and the health sciences campus are among those. As a part of Campus Village, Cliff Apartments was torn down this year. According to communications manager Koby Padgett, construction on the site of Campus Village, which will include four housing residencies and a transportation hub, will begin summer 2021. In a board meeting on March 14, the board of trustees approved phase one of relocating the medical school to the health sciences campus at the BullStreet District. The first phase includes $4.2 million in costs, and construction is scheduled to begin in 2024. With these new construction projects underway, USC needs to think about the communities it will impact, Donaldson said. “The other thing I think the university needs to do and should do and is doing, to some degree, is listening — listening to citizens and to residents and taking into consideration their own thoughts about how to acknowledge a neighborhood that will not look the same as it did 50 years ago,” Donaldson said.

Infographic: Cat Harris

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Upperclassmen turn extraordinary experiences into Honors theses ALLYSON REAVIS

hird-year Honors student Andrew Chen was born in Greenville, South Carolina, but spent his middle and high school years living with his family and grandmother in China. Now, for his senior thesis, he’s documenting his grandmother’s stories as a midwife in rural China. Through the Honors College senior thesis, upperclassmen such as Chen can create a research project where they highlight unique aspects of their education and personal identity. Chen said he combined his interests in public health, social sciences and “traditional pre-med stuff” to create his major, interdisciplinary studies in bio-social health. His thesis, called “The Oral History of My Grandmother,” is inspired by the stories his grandmother told him of her time as an informal medical practitioner in China. “It’s a critical medical anthropology paper, about birth and cultures and practices in China,” Chen said. “It’s very personally engaging because I get to document the stories of my family, and my grandma in particular, especially for a day when, you know, she might not be around anymore.” Chen’s plan is to collect six to 10 hours of interviews with his grandmother, translate them into English and present them in a website alongside pictures, with some of his writing and reflections on her. The 12-hour time difference between China and the U.S. is one of his challenges, he said. Now that he is older, Chen’s grandmother is open to sharing more about her past with him, such as the fact that she gave birth to three of her children completely unassisted. This project has shown him the importance of hearing our ancestors’ stories. “Who knows, maybe in 100 years or whatever, someone will pull out these recordings,” Chen said. “And it’ll be just such a valuable resource.” Chen describes his thesis as a vignette of his grandmother. He said he wants to encourage people to ask their elderly family

members for stories, even if they aren’t recorded. Savannah Allen, a third-year biological sciences Honors student and Chen’s friend, emphasized how much his grandmother’s experiences influenced him. “He’s just, super interested about promoting that and bringing awareness to it in the U.S., especially when it comes to taking a social and cultural perspective of medicine,” Allen said. Chen’s thesis also emphasizes the importance of qualitative data, he said. “It’s so valuable to remember that qualitative data has a huge place in everything, whether it be like, shaping medicine or just understanding our past,” Chen said. The Honors thesis is an opportunity for students to draw from their personal lives and turn it into valuable research. Evan Robinette, a fourth-year exercise science student, is another Honors student working on his senior thesis. His thesis is titled, “Examining the Effects of Vegan Diet on Osteoarthritis Pain Levels.” Robinette said he struggles with osteoarthritis. He experimented on himself with a vegan diet to alleviate his symptoms before starting his thesis. “I pretty strictly followed a vegan diet for five to six months,” Robinette said. “I did notice a change in my symptoms.” Robinette conducts his research through NEW Soul, a community intervention study run by the Arnold School of Public Health, examining the effects of a vegan diet on weight in the Columbia African American community, specifically the psychological links between overeating and stress. His personal angle on the study is osteoarthritis. The participants meet weekly for classes and form a tight bond with

Photo: courtesy of Andrew Chen

each other and the community leaders, according to Robinette. “That, in my opinion, is the strongest component of getting these people to adhere to the diet and stick with it,” Robinette said. “It’s the communal and supportive aspect of it.” Robinette used a scale for measuring the participants’ osteoarthritis symptoms. It included their “pain, symptoms, activities of daily living, sport and recreation and quality of life.” “On average, all of the participants, from zero months to three months, experienced an improvement in all five of those categories” while on a vegan diet, Robinette said. Hearing the testimonies from the study’s participants has been rewarding, Robinette said. “I’ve just heard some really incredible stories about people who previously felt like they had lost hope, a little bit, in their own health status, or their ability to ambulate or move,” Robinette said. Caption: Third-year Honors student Andrew Chen and his grandmother. Chen’s senior thesis is about his grandmother’s stories as a midwife in rural China.

From campus to Columbia:

Looking back at protests in USC history T Hunter Thompson

hroughout 2020 and 2021, the USC campus and surrounding Columbia was the site of many protests and demonstrations — some student-led, and some led by outside groups. However, USC has a long history of on-campus protests and activism since its opening in 1801. Elizabeth West, the university archivist at the South Caroliniana Library, said she traces student activism back to before the Civil War, when faculty lived on campus and students could seek out individual professors to rally against. “Most of the protests that happened in the antebellum years were spontaneous, or smaller or were typically against a particular professor that they didn’t like how he conducted some things — surprised them with an exam, or something like that,” West said. “And so the students would gather at night and perform ‘tin pan serenades,’ where they would bang on their metal plates and cups under the windows of the faculty.” Other demonstrations at South Carolina College included the Great Biscuit Rebellion of 1852, when most of the student body withdrew from the college to protest the poor state of campus dining. Only four years later in February 1856, tensions between students and Columbia’s town marshals led to students raiding the campus library, seizing the cadet arsenal and preparing to fight the city’s militia, in an event called the Guard House Riot. The honor-culture among young men in the South — USC’s first female student was not admitted until 1895 — and the closed-off and tight-

knit South Carolina College campus in the 19th century might explain why these incidents were so common. “You had a lot of hotheads, still a lot about the ‘honor,’ and they were much quicker to challenge each other, I think,” West said. However, the largest mass demonstration in USC history took place in May 1970, called the Months of May. On May 7, 41 student protesters occupied Russell House and refused to leave in response to the high-profile shootings of anti-war Photo: Kailee Kokes Isabella Jones and a fellow student yell in protest of an anti-Black Lives Matter student protestors at Kent State. A 2007 “Peace protester on-campus Aug. 22, 2020. Many students yelled in agreement with them. & Change” case study by researcher Andrew Grose recalls that, when USC’s overbearing administration and its more riot police arrived to arrest the demonstrators, outspoken student body, especially on the issue the mood around the campus became more of race. “There were external factors, certainly, during sympathetic to the activists’ cause. the early days. It was a white school. Black people “Eventually, the police were able to disperse couldn’t come. All of a sudden, it was a Black the crowd without using violence or tear school. Then, all of a sudden, it was a white, Jim gas,” Grose wrote, citing an article from The Gamecock the following day. “However, the Crow school,” Bursey said. “But there was always next day [May 8], a group of 1,000 students a heavy hand of government on the university.” Bursey also traced some of the unrest back marched in front of the Statehouse and called to the patriotism that defined baby boomers’ for a pardon of all those arrested in connection upbringings and the apparent disconnect with the Russell House incident.” On May 11, 250 protestors who entered the between that and their actual experiences. “One thing America learned about the ‘60s Osborne Administration Building to and the war in Vietnam was, don’t draft middledemand more transparency in how the Russell House activists were being class kids,” Bursey said. “It took the pressure off of disciplined grew to a crowd of 2,000 kids that were my age, that were raised well, and demonstrators who faced off against believed in democracy and equality and all that stuff. And then you try to practice it, and they put the South Carolina National Guard. Curious bystanders were attacked you in jail and beat you up.” USC continues to be the site of protests and and arrested by law enforcement activism today. along with real protestors, Gamecock In the modern era of campus protests, columnist Michael Ball wrote on May 13. For the first of two times that week, USCPD Captain Eric Grabski said the university is dedicated to defending authorized protestors’ tear gas was used against students. Brett Bursey, a former USC freedom of speech. “We are a public institution, so obviously we student and self-described “militant radical” who now serves have to afford the opportunity for individuals to as the director of the South Carolina express their First Amendment rights on campus,” Progressive Network, said he felt Grabski said. “The thing is, somebody just can’t the 1970 protests were driven in come on campus and do what they want to do, Photo: courtesy of university archives part by the clash between where they want to do it.” Students fill the Horseshoe in May, 1970, to protest the Vietnam war.

Camdyn Bruce ollowing the death of George Floyd on May 25, 2020, racial tension in America skyrocketed, sparking a wave of protest nationwide. In the aftermath, Black Lives Matter South Carolina (BLMSC) and other organizations in Columbia came together to voice outrage about police brutality. Here is a timeline of protests over the past year.

of the Statehouse and included provisions such as requiring body and dash cams for all officers, with public footage stored for a minimum of two years. The crowd then moved to stand along Gervais Street, as it had at the previous two protests, facing the officers across them and chanting, “Black lives matter.”

The I Can’t Breathe - South Carolina March began at 11 a.m. at the Columbia City Hall. Lawrence Dishawn Nathaniel, the founder of National Organization for Change, organized the protest. Thinking back on the protest, secondyear broadcast journalism student Mikenzie Turner said there was a powerful atmosphere at the rally. “It was definitely a bunch of people who were tired and upset of seeing Black people treated poorly,” Turner said. “It was a lot of people who just wanted to fight for what’s right.” The protest initially started peacefully, but things escalated just after 2 p.m., as the crowd threw water bottles and rocks at police dressed in riot gear. Some Columbia Police Department cars were set on fire, and officers used pepper spray and rubber bullets to control the crowd.

A demonstrator from Indiana named Jim Gilles protested against Black Lives Matter on Greene Street, holding up signs that read “BLM are racist thugs” and “BLM: rent a riot.” Gilles was surrounded by a group of students most of the afternoon chanting “Black Lives Matter” and “No justice, no peace” in a counter-protest. Trey Hogan, a first-year bass trombone player, and a couple of other students brought their instruments and played loudly as Gilles spoke. “I came out here before, and then I just thought, ‘I’m going to go get my trombone just to mess with him,’” Hogan told The Daily Gamecock.

May 29, 2020

JunE 1, 2020

Protesters held a “Die-In” at the Statehouse, where they laid on the ground for nine minutes and chanted “I can’t breathe,” which were the last words Floyd spoke. Despite snipers on the Statehouse roof and a helicopter overhead, USC student Marnija Lewis told The Daily Gamecock the protest was calmer than the previous two. “I’m so tired of seeing us in the media, dying, our bodies slain,” Lewis said. “Today is much more peaceful for what it seems, and I’m glad about that.” Nathaniel, who also organized this protest, and other leaders passed out a list of demands, which included a “District Base Community Police Oversight committee.”

Jun. 5, 2020 Protesters stated their demands outside the South Carolina Governor’s Mansion before leading a march to the Statehouse, where a rally was held. The list of eight demands was read in front

Aug. 21, 2020

Aug. 26, 2020

A group of protesters from the Republican National Convention arrived on campus holding signs with anti-Black Lives Matter, antiLGBTQIA+ and religiously intolerant messages. Again, students gathered and engaged in counterprotest. The group of protesters were separated from students by metal fences and did not cross them. Former Student Body President Issy Rushton said it was a difficult day. “That was one of the hardest days of my entire presidency, but I definitely was proud to see the student body protesting out there and having their voice heard, and standing up for what they believed in,” Rushton said.

Aug. 29, 2020 BLMSC led a series of marches following Jacob Blake’s shooting. The rally began around 9:30 a.m. with a march on Senator Lindsey Graham’s Columbia offices to pressure Graham to support both the George Floyd Police Accountability Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Act in Senate. Things remained peaceful and the march featured a series of speakers, including Majority Whip Jim Clyburn, who spoke on various topics. “I say to students ... [the late Rep.] John Lewis would say it all the time: If you see something, say something,” Clyburn said. “My dad used to tell me all the time, ‘Silence gives consent.’ So we saw wrong and we did something about it.”

Sept. 26, 2020

BLMSC hosted a rally outside the Statehouse to express its disapproval of the Breonna Taylor case’s verdict and launched a call to protect Black women. Executive director of BLMSC Kayin Jones told The Daily Gamecock that none of the officers being charged directly with Taylor’s death was a point of pain for him. “If you’re willing to tell us that the officer was to be charged for missing Breonna Taylor’s body and shooting into somebody’s else’s apartment, that says that her life doesn’t matter, simply stated,” Jones said.

Hundreds of people crowd the South Carolina Statehouse on May 30, 2020, Photo: Robbie greenwald to protest the killing of George Floyd and racial inequality in America.

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Looking back on student athlete careers as they prepare for the future GRacen Leaks

he year of 2021 will see many South Carolina student athletes face the possibility of turning pro or leaving their Gamecock uniform behind as they head out into the real world. Here’s a brief overview of their careers at USC.

Israel Mukuamu Cornerback Israel Mukuamu shined during his time at South Carolina, especially during his sophomore year. He became a household name after the Gamecocks upset Georgia in 2019, and he totaled 86 tackles and seven interceptions in his three years as a Gamecock. “The thing about Izzy, he’s going to work,” former head football coach Will Muschamp said. “You’re going to talk to him about the things he’s got to do to improve himself, and he’s going to go do them.” Mukuamu is projected to be selected in the fourth round of the NFL draft.

Jaycee Horn

Cornerback Jaycee Horn had his break-out season during the 2020 campaign. He earned several awards including a second-team AllSEC (coaches), third-team All-SEC (Pro Football Focus) and Walter Camp National Defensive Player of the Week. This put Horn on the radar for many NFL teams, and he’s projected to be a top-25 pick in the 2021 NFL draft. He ended his career as a Gamecock with 101 tackles, 23 pass breakups and two interceptions.

Photo: Vanessa Purpura Junior cornerback Israel Mukuamu runs down the field with his arms spread out. Mukuamu totaled 86 tackles and seven interceptions during his three years at USC.

Shi Smith Wide receiver Shi Smith was a consistent player for South Carolina in his senior year, averaging a team-leading 70.33 receiving yards per game in his last season. He will leave Carolina with 174 receptions, 2,204 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns. He was named a captain, was invited to the Reese’s Senior Bowl and is projected to be picked in the fifth round of the NFL draft, according to The Big Spur.

LeLe Grissett The 6-foot-2 guard from Durham, North Carolina impacted the women’s basketball team since her freshman year in 2017. Even though Grissett is not always in the starting lineup, she is a force to be reckoned with when she is on the court. “She doesn’t fight us anymore, she’s open. She’s texting me, ‘I want to get better at playing the guard position, so help me,” head coach Dawn Staley said in an interview with The State. Grissett has a total of 635 career points, 63 blocks and 93 assists in her collegiate career. Due to the extra year of eligibility by the NCCA due to COVID-19, there is a chance that fans may see Grissett in a Gamecock jersey next season.

Luciana Zullo Luciana Zullo is a forward for the women’s soccer team. Zullo is tied in ninth place for NCAA Tournament points in a career with 4 points and tied in fifth place for goals in a career with two goals in an NCAA Tournament.

Photo: Hayley Salvadoor Senior guard Lele Grissett dribbles past an Auburn player. With the NCCA giving an extra year of eligibility due to COVID-19, there’s a chance Lele Grisset will be on USC’s court again.

She has been lighting it up on the field since

her freshman year by scoring 13 points on five goals with three assists. Head coach Shelley Smith said Zullo brings “a great combination of pace, skill and toughness” when she is on the field, according to GamecocksOnline. As of April, she has a career total of 13 goals with 34 points and eight assists.

Mikayla Robinson

Mikayla Robinson, a middle blocker for the women’s volleyball team, was a dominant force during her four years at South Carolina. She began making her mark during her freshman campaign with 121 blocks and 260 kills, making records for both. Robinson made the 2017 SEC AllFreshman Team; 2018, 2019 All-SEC Team and 2019 AVCA All-Region, Southeast. Her aggressiveness on both sides of the ball had a huge impact on the team with a career total of 983 kills and 81 blocks.

Kyla Manning

South Carolina volleyball’s outside hitter, Kyla Manning started her collegiate career at Coastal Carolina University and played every set since she got to USC in fall 2020. In her very first game as a Gamecock, she led the team with 13 kills against Georgia. After only one season, she has 273 kills and six blocks. Despite Manning playing for a short time, she was a big reason why the South Carolina volleyball team was a success.

Photo: Courtesy of south carolina athletics Graduate student outside hitter/left side Kyla Manning jumps from left side to swing at the ball. Within her one season at USC, Manning has 273 kills and six blocks.

‘Iron sharpens iron’: University President Bob Caslen said he believes USC will leave pandemic stronger than before Jack Bingham & Kailey Cota

oving to South Carolina from West Point, university President Bob Caslen made a point to sit down and talk to students — many of which opposed his election — during the morning of his first day in office. “I wanted right away to know what was on their mind,” Caslen said. “I’m here because of students ... They’re the ones that I want to develop a relationship with so that I can understand what their needs are.” One of the ways he recognizes student, faculty and staff excellence is by rewarding select Gamecocks with his Presidential Coins. On the back of his coin is the university motto, “learning humanizes character and does not permit it to be cruel.” “We could be cruel with each other on how we behave with each other and in other biases that we have. But this is a university that discourages that. This is a university that encourages learning and intellectual development to build character,” Caslen said. Caslen also stays in tune with faculty and staff. Soon after his arrival, he gathered staffers together to talk about their visions for the future of the university. After creating a broad outline of goals, Caslen created

collaborative committees where those goals could be refined into a strategic plan. He was also quick to address the need for a staff senate, according to staff senate president Shelley Dempsey. “That’s been, I think, one of the most important things he’s done — is utilizing staff on committee work and in meetings,” Dempsey said. Caslen said by collaborating with deans and other executive university members, he was “building ownership across the entire institution.” “The skillset is to build from the bottom up, so that you can have — build a collaborative effort that creates buy-in,” Caslen said. Dempsey’s first impression of Caslen was that he was a willing partner, she said. “I find that he does listen — he doesn’t just hear. You know he’s there — not just the formality of hearing what we say, but listening to what we say and then using that to inform his decisions,” Dempsey said. The COVID-19 pandemic has shifted the landscape of the world, according to Caslen. He said with this shifting, opportunities are created. “I wasn’t going to stand by and just deal with the pandemic every single day. I had to do that anyway. I wanted to also, at the same time, keep my eyes on the strategic horizon that was shifting out there, to make sure that we positioned ourselves to be able to take care of that,” Caslen said. Some of these opportunities have included a $3.8 billion research partnership with the Savannah River National Laboratory, a nuclear research site, and the expansion of the university’s online offerings to nonresidential students, which Caslen said is in the works. The premise that “iron sharpens iron” inspires Caslen. Illustration: Olivia Harvey

“If you put something under pressure, you know, that’s where you really learn where your strengths and where your weaknesses are,” Caslen said. “And that’s where, as a result, you have the opportunity to develop some resilience and some strength of character.” Mark Bieger, Caslen’s chief of staff, said Caslen’s character was shaped by the numerous crises he dealt with during his 43 years of military service. “He’s about as calm, resolute, determined individual as you can imagine being around,” Bieger said. At the same time, Caslen said he realizes that to get to the point of resiliency, one has to first go through hardships. “We’re all in this pandemic. We’re all persevering through it. It’s not fun, it’s not easy,” Caslen said. “I do recognize that a lot of students are stressed because of this. And that generates some other issues, like mental health issues, that need to be addressed.” Director of Counseling and Psychiatric Services at USC Warrenetta Mann said the pandemic is a stressor that will leave long-term effects on students, faculty and staffers. “Typically, the more stressors you have at one time, the longer and more intense the effects would be on the person experiencing [them]. And so what we can expect from a pandemic kind of stressor is that for years to come, there will be some effects,” Mann said. Caslen is briefed on student mental health statistics from surveys Student Health Services conducts. He said you can choose to cower and hibernate yourself in a crisis, or you can figure out how to live your life safely — that’s what he chooses to do. “In a crisis, you can’t let fear dominate your thinking. You’ve got to understand where risks are, and you got to figure out ways to mitigate that risk so that you can still be able to accomplish your mission,” Caslen said.

See online for timeline.

USC’S COVID-19 TIMELINE OVER FIRST 12 MONTHS Marina CutulLo & Tyler Fedor March 9, 2020 First two cases of COVID-19 are detected in South Carolina by DHEC.

JUNE 19, 2020 Fall 2020 study abroad programs canceled.

JUNE 21, 2020 Nursing students among the first group of students to return to campus.

SEPT. 9, 2020 Carolina Socialists protest the lack of testing and other university decisions.

March 10, 2020

March 11, 2020

March 17, 2020

March 19, 2020

March 23, 2020

Study abroad students forced to return home after travel ban announcement.

Spring break extended until March 22. The initial plan was to resume online on March 23 and inperson on April 6.

Students no longer allowed to live in on-campus housing until April 5, given three days to retrieve “essential belongings.”

USC to conduct remote learning through online classes for the remainder of the spring 2020 semester.

Online classes begin via Blackboard Collaborate, Google Classroom, Zoom and other virtual platforms.

MAY 31, 2020 Students return to campus to gather belongings, or have them stored or shipped on their behalf.

JUNE 23, 2020 Cost-cutting furloughs announced.

MAY 25, 2020

MAY 17, 2020

USC announces USC to end inface coverings will person classes after be required on Thanksgiving break campus beginning and cancel fall June 1. break.

July 11, 2020 In-person commencement canceled for class of 2021 December graduates.

SEPT. 8, 2020

SEPT. 4, 2020

Saliva testing resumes with a capacity of 200 tests a day.

USC faces 1,461 total active cases of COVID-19 on campus, the highest in its current history.

JUly 14, 2020

May 6, 2020 USC to resume in-person instruction during fall 2020 semester.

AUG. 19 , 2020

ICE and DHS Saliva tests begin rescind guidelines being used to saying international detect COVID-19 students need to at USC. take at least one inperson class.

SEPt. 3, 2020

SEPT. 2, 2020

Saliva testing Two possible canceled due clusters located to personnel in two residence shortage; testing halls. capacity reduced.

OCT. 4, 2020

OCT. 27, 2020

NOV. 8, 2020

Nov. 23, 2020

USC announced no “traditional spring break.”

Quarantine and isolation housing empty for the first time during fall 2020 semester.

Nearly 1,000 students reported for COVID-19 violations since the start of fall 2020 semester.

USC announces plan for mandatory testing for the spring 2021 semester.

MARCH 8, 2021

april 1, 2020 USC announces refunds for meal plans, parking and on-campus residential housing.

APRIL 2, 2020

april 1, 2020

President Bob Caslen announces USC will extend online learning through Aug. 1.

The faculty senate votes to approve pass/fail option for online classes in the spring semester.

AUG. 24, 2020

AUG. 27, 2020

First sorority houses Three additional are quarantined, Greek village houses starting with Tri Delta quarantined for five and Chi Omega. total.

SEPT. 2, 2020

AUG. 28, 2020

Interfraternity Council announces fall fraternity recruitment will be virtual.

Sixth Greek Village house is quarantined due to members testing positive for COVID-19.

MARCH 10, 2021

MARCH 31, 2021

South Carolina USC announces moves into phase in-person 1b of vaccination graduation for process. spring class of 2021 graduates.

The state of South Carolina expands vaccine eligibility to all those 16 and older. 17

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Columbia art scene challenges artists, has uncertain future Stephen Pastis

treet art is a ubiquitous part of the city around us, and there is a deep struggle behind the scenes in the creation of these colorful pieces. The “struggling artist” is already a common cliché — one that Columbia artists are already familiar with, especially in the COVID-19 era. Michael Dantzler is a photographer and muralist based out of Eastover, South Carolina, who became part of the Columbia art scene with his murals. He, like other artists, felt there was an incredibly tough art culture in Columbia. He said Columbia is “one of those cities that people leave” but also a city that is still slowly growing — it has the potential to be a city more like Charleston or Charlotte, but it is still a smaller city with a narrower market, which pushes successful artists to take their talents elsewhere, he said. “It is very complex. This is a very hard situation,” Dantzler said. “I would say most — the most logical or rational thing to do is leave Columbia unless you have a really great support system. If you have a really great support system, or you have people that really have your back ... You’re fine, you’ll do well. If you don’t have that here, you’re pretty much struggling on your own, for the most part.” Dantzler is an artist who doesn’t care about fame. He said he believes skill, determination and talent are needed to succeed but has also seen a struggle for the artists here.

“Ability is definitely needed for artists, period, no matter how many resources you have. But I have seen, yeah, mental health issues, people committed suicide or people die from poor health, and all of that, from even trying in Columbia,” Dantzler said. This more pessimistic outlook of the Columbia art scene is not an atypical idea. Sentiments of struggle, tokenism and problems with the profit and imagefocused motivations in place of authentic artistic appreciation in the environment prevail in local artists. Blue Sky has been prominent in both Columbia and worldwide for about 50 years but struggles like any other artist because of similar problems. He said he feels there is an impossible system keeping artists from getting their work on the radar and that in our modern world, the divisiveness of politics, technology and issues of copying contributes to a lack of emphasis on art in Columbia. “If Blue Sky had to do a GoFundMe for a mural, I’m like, ‘Man, that’s bad,’” Dantzler said. “If you got cats like Blue Sky, who is supposed to be like the O.G. in the art scene in Columbia, doing a GoFundMe like someone like me, like, ‘Oh God.’” Artists struggle in other places besides Columbia, too. Karl Zurflüh, based out of Charleston, has done work in Columbia and feels that the situation is even worse for artists in Charleston.

“Art in general … it is [a] very, very difficult hustle,” Zurflüh said. According to Zurflüh, the fine art world is “super, super cliquey, super difficult to break into,” and when governmental and economic decisions have to be made and personal agendas satisfied, the art world can be a brutal challenge that takes time and tons of layers of approval to crack through. Cedric Umoja, a pillar of the Columbia art scene with over 10 years of presence in the community, understands these feelings but embodies a more hopeful outlook. Unlike most, he said he sees a grain of truth where others see desperation. Umoja said he feels the Columbia art scene has changed recently and that there is a bubble that has burst, bringing with it a new wave of talented muralists experimenting with new ideas. Umoja said he believes putting in effort and doing great work has helped him to be successful and stay positive. According to Umoja, he did the best work he could, then found and worked with people it resonated with. “You can’t expect other people to see greatness in [art], when you didn’t put greatness into it,” Umoja said. “People want it to happen overnight, and to be honest, it doesn’t matter how great you are ... What really matters is, whether you’re consistently working.”

Pictured from left to right: Karl Zurfluh, Brandon Donahue and Cedric Umoja.

Photo of the triptych mural on Millwood Avenue: This mural was created by Karl Zurfluh, Brandon Donahue and Cedric Umoja.

Photos: Courtesy of Cedric Umoja

LOOKING BACK: FOUR YEARS OF USC HISTORY March 29, 2019:

Samantha Josephson is killed after entering a car she thought was her Uber

Marina Catullo, Emma Dooling, Tyler Fedor & Holly Poag

Samantha Josephson was a fourthyear political science student planning to attend Drexel University law school in Philadelphia in the fall of 2019. One night in Five Points, however, Josephson entered a car she thought was her Uber and was murdered. In response to her death, bars in Five Points pledged to ensure students’ safety getting to their rides after the bars close for the night. Uber and USC announced a partnership on a nationwide campus safety initiative encouraging students to ask their rideshare drivers, “What’s my name?” before getting in their cars.

May 15, 2018: Aug. 18, 2017:

While you were away: Tuition up 3.64% in 2017-18 USC’s board of trustees increased tuition 3.64%, the largest increase in years, due to the university losing funding from the state. On June 23, 2017, the budget was voted on in the board of trustees meeting. Five members voted against raising tuition.

Allison Dunavant sues USC, Pastides, Voros, International Center of the Arts in sexual harassment lawsuit Allison Dunavant, an alumna of the School of Visual Art and Design (SVAD), said SVAD professor David Voros forced her to do manual labor or she would not receive food during an abroad trip with Voros to Italy in 2016. Dunavant said she also warded off unwanted sexual advances from Voros on the trip. USC agreed to pay $75,000 for a settlement.

Aug. 17, 2017:

Feb. 21, 2018:

USC built the Center of Health and Well-Being over the summer of 2017, aiming to deliver messages of wellness for students. The building replaced Thomson Student Health Center as the hub for student health.

Richard T. Greener became the first Black professor at USC in 1873. USC was the only Southern public university at the time to employ a Black professor. The push to create the statue was started by students, faculty and staff, according to reporting done by The Daily Gamecock.

The Center for Health and Well-Being is completed

Statue in honor of Richard T. Greener unveiled

Oct. 3, 2018:

Harris Pastides announces plan to step down as university president Former USC President Harris Pastides made the announcement to step down in July 2019 during his State of the University address. This began a controversial process of selecting a new president. Students protested both the lack of women presidential candidates and Bob Caslen as a candidate.

bob Caslen selected by Board of Trustees as university president South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster had called the board of trustees to vote specifically on Caslen. The initial vote on April 26, 2019, was met with student and faculty protests against Caslen, leaving the chancellor of USC Upstate the interim university president until July 19, 2019.

The board voted for Caslen in an 11-8 vote, with one board member abstaining. McMaster, an ex-officio member of the board, was not present.

Photo: Kailee Kokes

The USC Center for Health and Well-Being was completed in 2017.

Photo: Haley Salvador

july 19, 2019:

Former USC President Harris Pastides announced he would be stepping down in 2018.

feb. 8, 2021: Photo: Kailee Kokes

Aug. 27, 2019

Student loses life to suicide in Greek Village

In August 2019, Matthew Grossman entered his second year at USC and moved into the SAE Fraternity house with a friend from his hometown, whom he played basketball with when they were younger. It was on Aug. 27, 2019, however, that Grossman took his own life. Friends and family held a candlelight vigil in front of the SAE house in Grossman’s honor.

feb. 21, 2020:

USC makes history with new pick for vice president of diversity, equity and inclusion On Feb. 21, USC found its first vice president of diversity, equity and inclusion in Julian R. Williams. Williams would report directly to the president to create a “diverse, equitable, and inclusive” environment on campus.

Photo: Courtesy of Julian Williams

Julian Williams, USC’s first vice president of diversity, equity and inclusion.

Demonstrator Jim Gilles protests the BLM movement. Many students came together to protest Gilles and his messages.

Aug. 21, 2020:

Protestors preach hate on campus, students counter-protest A lone demonstrator protested the Black Lives Matter movement with signs reading antiBLM messages on Greene Street. Five days later, a group of protestors arrived on Davis Field holding signs with anti-BLM, anti-LGBTQIA+ and religiously intolerant ideologies. Both times, students formed a counterprotest until the protestors left. USC upheld both the individuals’ and groups’ right to protest on campus.

March 16, 2020:

COVID-19 begins to uproot normal USC operations USC students’ spring break was extended to March 22, 2020, with the expectation being students would return to campus April 6, 2020. Students wouldn’t return to campus until fall 2020, with a mix of in-person and online classes.

Campus pushes to rename buildings after Student Government letter The campus community, in addition to former Student Body President Issy Rushton and former Student Body Vice President Hannah White in an open letter, criticized the Presidential Commission on University History for its inaction regarding renaming campus buildings. In 2019, Caslen created the commission to look into the history of the university and make recommendations for university action based on their research. No buildings have been renamed thus far.

Dec. 17, 2020:

Accusations of sexual harassment come to light, students petition for firing of SVAD professors David Voros, Laura Kissel, reform of harassment reporting system

Besides calling for the firing of Voros and Kissel, the petition called for an “overhaul” of the Office of Equal Opportunity Programs’ (EOP) system for reporting sexual harassment. The petition came after two former instructors filed lawsuits in 2020 which detailed the mishandling of both reports by Kissel, who directs the school. The university has since removed Voros from the classroom.

march 18, 2021:

Theater professor fired, Caslen announces changes to university’s sexual assault, harassment response On March 18, USC theater professor Robert Richmond was removed from the classroom. This came after reporting by The State detailed Richmond’s inappropriate behavior with female students. The reporting led to Caslen announcing numerous changes in the university’s response to sexual harassment. Some changes included the creation of an independent Title IX coordinator and a review of the appeals process for EOP investigations. 21

Gamecock football program has new hope under head coach Shane Beamer Nate Shirley & Noah Watson

tudents and players alike voiced their support of new head football coach Shane Beamer and the culture he is bringing to the program. The Gamecock athletic department decided to move on from head coach Will Muschamp, buying out his contract for about $13 million with three games remaining in the 2020 regular season. “I give him a lot of credit,” university President Bob Caslen said. He called Muschamp’s overall career excellent but said “in the business that we’re in, you have to win.” Caslen said the program reached a point where he felt “we just needed to make a change and bring some new leadership in place.” The Daily Gamecock interviewed 40 students to hear their thoughts about it all. Third-year broadcast journalism student Patrick Demarre said Muschamp’s recent years were unacceptable. “College football is a business,” Demarre said. “It was time to make a change.” That change came in the form of former Oklahoma assistant head coach and tight ends coach Shane Beamer. While Beamer does not have prior head coaching experience, he is the son of longtime Virginia Tech head coach Frank Beamer. This is a “great resource for him,” first-year undeclared student Harrison Stone said. While Beamer had success as an assistant head coach, it is a “world [of] difference coming into the SEC,” Andrew Gray, fourthyear computer science student said. Stone said Beamer has “more than proven himself” in his coaching opportunities so far. Demarre said he feels like USC is cautiously optimistic about Beamer, and that it’s “tough to say right now” whether the move was the right one. Other students are more confident in

Photo: courtesy of South carolina athletics

Beamer’s offensive mind. “I believe that Shane Beamer has brought a lot of offensive firepower,” fourth-year broadcast journalism student Jay Weaver said. “I think it’s going to make our offense so much better.” His offensive prowess is one thing that has fans excited, but both fans and players have noticed something special during his short time on campus up to this point. The head coach “seems like he has an actual connection to the program and to the city,” which is something Muschamp never did, Sergei Alexeev, third-year biochemistry and molecular engineering student, said. “I think the culture is great with [Beamer],” second-year real estate student Michael Paragano said. “It’s kind of throwing it back to the Spurrier days.” Caslen said Beamer has “already established a unique culture on the team.” The players have bought in to their new head coach, who has earned their trust, according to multiple players. “When he tells you something, you can really take it to the bank,” senior defensive back R.J. Roderick said at a press conference March 22. Sophomore linebacker Mohammed Kaba said he was impressed by Beamer’s actions on campus. “He’s going to do what you do two times more,” Kaba said at a press conference March 22. According to Kaba, Beamer is always working out before the players get there and putting in more effort than he asks out of the team. Sophomore edge rusher Jordan Burch expressed a similar sentiment. “We trust him as a coach so far,” Burch said at a press conference March 22. “Having him around is like, it pumps everybody up.”

is now

Community upgrades underway Clubhouse | Fitness center | Exteriors

Column:

USC being reactive will never be enough H a l e y bo r o wy

rom institutional racism to sexual assault and harassment on campus, the general feeling from the university’s administration has been one of reactivity rather than proactivity. It’s great that there’s real discussion about renaming buildings on campus that are honoring people who had immoral beliefs, but it took a national, widespread racial justice movement for this to be seriously considered. Furthermore, what has changed? Former USC President Harris Pastides endorsed the creation of the Presidential Commission on University History, which investigates solutions to this issue, but last fall the commission only met twice. This was due to the COVID-19 pandemic, of course, but they could have used the platform that many of us are forced to use to attend our online classes: Zoom. Again, it’s great President Bob Caslen endorsed the decision to rename the Sims residence hall, but it’s almost comical at this point that not even a placeholder name has been chosen. Are there really no better deserving people with connections to the University of South Carolina to name a building after? At the end of the day, Sims is still named after a doctor who forced unnecessary

experimental procedures on enslaved women, and the Strom Thurmond Wellness and Fitness Center is named after a man who only gave up on being pro-segregation when he was faced with his own mortality. And plenty of other places are still named after people who make you reread the little blurb under “Controversy” or “Personal Life” on their Wikipedia pages. It is fine and dandy that USC plans to hire an independent Title IX coordinator for the university, establish a case review committee and make other changes to its process of reporting sexual assault and harassment. However, all of these changes were only promised after a tidal wave of student and public outcry following allegations of university negligence on the behalf of people who were assaulted by faculty. The email from Caslen was coincidentally sent out only after a long, varied exposé by The State on alleged victims USC failed just in the past couple years. This is to top off the persistent issues of students not feeling safe on campus. No amount of sympathies or promises makes up for feeling unsafe in your own home, or, for some people, being assaulted. Receiving Carolina Alerts when there is an active shooter on campus is expected;

not receiving them when there is an active shooter near campus is a total lack of foresight. The same goes for receiving alerts when a crime occurs, but not when a student goes missing because there is no perceived threat to anyone else. The troubling thing these issues have in common is that there appears to be zero foresight on part of the university. Nobody in the administration appears to have had a backup plan for if the names of buildings on campus were criticized publicly. Nobody appears to have had a quick plan to change statues or plaques or to recognize the people they honor as indecent. Promises to address sexual assault and harassment situations only happen after survivors go public with how their cases were mishandled or ignored. It took victims risking their careers, privacy and safety to state their experiences publicly for that to happen. How can we be expected to grow as a campus? How can we expect to feel comfortable, to feel seen, to feel safe as a whole student body if it feels that nothing is done to secure our welfare until after we, ourselves, cause an unavoidable ruckus or something unavoidably terrible happens? It’s time for the administration to think ahead for a change.

C olumn:

Looking back at presidential accountability Ian Grenier

he class of 2021 studied under two seemingly different university presidents, but there was one consistent trait between the Pastides and Caslen administrations: a total lack of accountability to the student body. Our current president’s issues started before he even took office. Despite student protests and the faculty senate voting unanimously against his appointment and his lack of qualifications, Robert Caslen was appointed university president in 2019 thanks to Gov. Henry McMaster’s support. Since his initial appointment, Caslen’s reputation has become more mixed. Some faculty and board of trustees members have changed their stance and expressed support for his presidency, especially regarding his hires elsewhere in the administration. However, his administration still suffers from the fact that its largest constituency, the student body, has no real influence over the decisions made about its university. This problem did not arrive on campus with Caslen — President Emeritus Harris Pastides’ tenure had similar problems. Many examples span administrations. For example, both Caslen’s and

Pastides’ administrations showed a total lack of transparency and accountability regarding how they both essentially ignored the allegations of sexual harassment and abuse against professor David Voros, with whom Pastides was a personal friend. Caslen’s and Pastides’ administrations also both refused to seriously engage with their university’s racist past and present. In 2015, a group of students put together a series of 12 demands entitled the “2020 Vision” campaign. It demanded that the university acknowledge its history of slavery, expand its minority recruitment efforts, improve its efforts around student mental health and address other social justice issues. After a walkout and demonstration on the Horseshoe, the administration began dialogue with the campaign’s leaders. Some changes were made, most prominently the plaques on the Horseshoe about USC’s history of slavery, but for the most part the administration had a “clear refusal to acknowledge 2020 Vision,” according to former Honors student Clarie Randall in her senior thesis. In the administration’s words, the changes were made “because it’s the right thing to do,” despite the fact the changes might not have happened without the campaign. Caslen is currently using a similar strategy. Instead of recognizing and immediately acting on the demand from students to rename the buildings on campus that are named after racists, Caslen created a “Presidential Commission on University History” in 2019. After more than a year, the committee released a list of buildings for possible renaming and a list of possible options for new namesakes. The administration has not acted on them. Students have: USC’s chapter of NAACP took matters into their own hands and renamed the campus library after “Dean” Willie L. Harriford, USC’s first Black administrator.

If Caslen had any real interest in listening to students (or any of the other people who demand renamed buildings), there are clearly more efficient ways to do so. These examples are just a handful of the ways in which the administration has ignored student concern over multiple university presidencies. In reality, this is a much deeper issue than just who happens to be university president. The central problem is systemic — it’s a matter of how the university is organized. Formal student power on campus is limited to Student Government and the Residence Hall Association, whose powers are mostly limited to appropriating some of the money students pay through various fees. These studentled organizations are buried under layers of bureaucracy and are essentially powerless without the administration’s consent. When we look back over the last four years, we must recognize that the people who actually make campus function — the students, faculty and staff — have very little power over how the university is run. It’s hard to see our school as a real community when most of us have so little say. Our goal looking forward should be to highlight this contradiction and work to empower the more powerless members of our community, including the student body. Photo illustrations: vanessa purpura

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Let ters to the Editor :

Former student body presidents reflect on what defined their presidencies

ongratulations class of 2021! It feels like just yesterday we were welcoming you to the University of South Carolina, and I was giving you my phone number during freshman orientation. Your collegiate experience has been defined by tremendous achievement despite great adversity, which is something you should all take immense pride in.

n a beautiful afternoon in Rutledge Chapel, April 3, 2018, I began the journey of a lifetime and was sworn in as student body president. I didn’t know exactly what the year ahead would look like at the time, but it turned out to be an incredible period of transformation for our university—full of unexpected twists and turns, all of which shaped the institution’s trajectory. One of the most memorable transformations was the renovation of the Russell House. We said 28 goodbye to the Taco Bell and Pizza Hut restaurant

It remains one of my greatest honors to have served as your student body president during the 2017-2018 year. Our campaign brought back the idea of running with fellow candidates as the Momentum ticket took executive office, a tradition we have seen continued in subsequent years. While there are countless memories to reflect on, a few stand above all. We celebrated milestones in our athletic programs as we made our first trip to the men’s basketball Final Four and attained our first women’s basketball National Championship, creating a new tradition of gathering in the fountain in front of Thomas Cooper Library to celebrate. We hosted our second annual Cockstock Concert during Homecoming alongside Carolina Productions and Gamecock Athletics, boasting an attendance of over 7,000 students as it was expanded to the Colonial Life Arena to include alumni, the surrounding community and even a Homecoming festival outside. Dance Marathon raised over $1 million For the Kids at Prisma Health Children’s Hospital–

Midlands in downtown Columbia. Most significantly, the university celebrated our diversity by raising a statue in honor of Richard Greener, the first African American professor on our campus. Our time was not without hardship, as a cowardly and ignorant few posted repugnant flyers that were hung on campus right after Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day. During these times, the Carolina spirit rose above hate as we swiftly denounced any tolerance of such acts. One of my most fond memories came during the spring, as we memorialized our beloved mascot after years of fundraising to be seen and admired by generations of students and alumni to come. These memories are the ones I cherish the most when reflecting on my time, and I hope you have those that you will always remember similarly. Although you will move on to a new chapter, you will always be a Gamecock. Congratulations!

fusion (RIP) and welcomed a full-service Chickfil-A and other exciting new restaurants. We also welcomed several special guests to campus during the 2018 to 2019 school year. President Bill Clinton visited to celebrate the Richard W. Riley collection opening, and the king and queen themselves (a.k.a. Jay-Z and Beyoncé) performed at Williams-Brice Stadium in front of a packed crowd. In the sports arena, we were one year out from historic runs by both basketball teams, and we were on the heels of a nine-win Gamecock football team that was, many thought, on the brink of greatness in the SEC. The 2018 football season was not as successful as we hoped. However, we did launch two successful programs: mobile ticketing and guest ticketing. Both initiatives re-invented student ticketing and led to a more efficient way for students to enjoy Gamecock athletics. The annual weather event tradition continued, and we bunkered down for Hurricane Florence, which, thankfully, never turned into anything more than a light drizzle and a few much-needed days off from schoolwork. And how could we forget the USC brand

refresh, which went ... interestingly. It was also a year Student Government launched several programs: • Carolina BeYOUtiful, which focused on mental health and body positivity;

-ross Lordo

• Swipe Out Hunger, focused on food insecurity;

• The Big Event, a day full of service promoting social sustainability. In addition, there was a push for increased inclusion and equity. The groundwork was laid for the Presidential Commission on University History. A university-wide advocacy effort was also launched to increase state support for the university, leading to a tuition freeze — an essential first step in making college more affordable and accessible. One of the biggest surprises was the announcement that our beloved president, Dr. Harris Pastides, was retiring. An announcement that led to a contentious presidential search, which initially ended in a failed search — until the Board of Trustees changed course and conducted a vote that summer. Throughout this process, we saw student activism ignited, and the power of the student voice was on full display.

-Taylor Wright

o the class of 2021, Congratulations! This is the time to reflect on your time here at the University of South Carolina, celebrate your incredible accomplishments and plan for the next chapter of your lives. You are all standing at the precipice of the beginning of the rest of your lives. I know this road may seem daunting and you are uncertain of what is next, but don’t worry — we all have those feelings when we close one chapter and begin another. You all have had an irreplaceable experience as Gamecocks. This past year is undoubtedly one of the strangest times the education landscape

020 will forever be remembered in the history books. Through not only a global pandemic that flipped the world upside down but a Black Lives Matter movement that defined the future of the United States, the University of South Carolina stood strong and exemplified what it meant to be made of boundless resilience. While my tenure as student body president was never easy (it rarely is), this year of great tribulations made the triumphs well worth the fight. On March 10, 2020, the university extended its spring break schedule in an effort to mitigate the risk of the rapidly emerging virus, COVID-19. Students expected to return in a matter of

has ever seen. You all have faced challenges and obstacles that you never imagined you would, but here you are today… standing strong and proving your success, as you prepare to walk across the stage in Williams-Brice in May. The lessons you all have learned from your successes and mistakes will propel you forward and keep you grounded as you step into the world after graduation. I know that you all have overcome hardships, while learning in less than ideal circumstances. Don’t forget this fact the next time you face adversity. When I think of the defining moments over the years we spent together and the time, more specifically, we shared as I served as your student body president, I am overwhelmed with memories and emotion. We celebrated together over many incredible and groundbreaking achievements, but we also faced no shortage of adversity. We worked to support one another after the tragic loss of our friends and peers, such as Samantha Josephson. We continued to fight for increased rideshare safety, and today we see “Sami’s Law” enacted to do just that. We worked together to make our parking more efficient and accessible through multiple kiosks in Bull Street Garage with increased payment options and our Purple Heart

parking recognition for our student veterans. We enhanced and increased our study space through a much-needed renovation in Thomas Cooper Library. We worked to elevate the student voice as we welcomed a new university president and a new university provost — our first African American one in our history, at that. We brought underrepresented groups to the decision-making process through the creation of new positions, such as secretary of CarolinaLIFE, as Student Government strived to represent all of our students. We celebrated our women’s basketball team excelling at the highest levels as they won countless championships, and we celebrated our football victory over Georgia between the hedges. Most importantly, we stood strong when times were tough. We leaned on each other and fought to support one another because we came to know just how much our Carolina family means to us. Your memories at Carolina will serve you well as you embark on the next chapter of your life. Never forget them, and always know USC is here to welcome you back. Forever to thee, class of 2021.

weeks but were eventually sent home for the remainder of the semester, leaving Columbia, South Carolina, and the on-campus college experience behind. Thankfully, the university jumped into action, forming a community of students, faculty, staff and administration that worked tirelessly to find a solution to the pandemic. The year ahead was hard, but our commitment to the student experience rang true when the university triumphed with the return of students to campus in the fall of 2020. Masked up, socially distanced and with a movement titled #IPledgeColumbia, students filled the Horseshoe and the Russell House once again and proved relentless in their passion for the university and personal resilience. Students proved this once again when, on May 25, 2020, George Floyd, a 46-year-old African American man, was murdered after being handcuffed and suffocated by a white police officer in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Students at the University of South Carolina jumped into action and protested in the name of social justice across the country, passionately fighting for what they believed in. As a result of these protests, student leaders from across campus gathered to create the

2020 Revision, a set of demands pertaining to diversity and inclusion that were presented to faculty, staff and the university Board of Trustees. These demands saw a new era in student advocacy, with the following year filled with monumental movements such as the re-establishment of the NAACP, student calls for the renaming of all buildings on campus named after racist historical figures and the development of a 2020 Revision working group. It became clear in 2020 that the student body at the University of South Carolina was passionate about real and actionable change to make campus a more diverse and equitable environment. Finishing up my term as student body president and reflecting on the past year, I have served through the COVID-19 journey and have seen first-hand how our student body waded through campus closures, canceled commencements and an unprecedented year of highs and lows. I have seen a group of student leaders come together in pursuit of real diversity, equity and inclusion and advocate for the community they call home. It was the honor of my life to serve through a year of triumphs and tribulations and to forever reflect on how the year 2020 changed us forever.

-Luke Rankin

-Issy rushton

Photos: Courtesy of former student body presidents

LIVE THE RETREAT

Lifestyle

BEYOND THE BEAK:

ANONYMOUS INTERVIEW GIVES CURRENT COCKY A VOICE SAVANNAH RUSSELL

tudents at the University of South Carolina have a special relationship with their mascot, Cocky. Cocky was introduced to the university in 1980, and students anonymously take on his identity to keep his legacy alive throughout the years. When it comes time for the students who take on Cocky’s identity to graduate, they reveal their hidden identities by wearing Cocky’s feet at graduation. The Daily Gamecock anonymously interviewed Cocky to give the speechless bird a voice. Cocky said he developed great nonverbal communication by answering fans’ questions without using words. The question Cocky is asked most often is, “Is it hot in there?” to which Cocky responds: “Yes, it is hot — very, very hot.” Cocky gets a break from warm outdoor appearances when he attends other events, such as weddings, birthday parties, polar plunges or wherever he is requested. Cocky said that is one of his favorite parts of the job. Cocky said the best part of his job is interacting with fans. “Every time you’re out there, you’re going to make someone’s day,” he said. “Everyone loves Cocky.” Through his appearances, Cocky gets the chance to meet celebrities and alumni

such as Stephon Gilmore, A’ja Wilson, D.J. Swearinger and Darius Rucker. Beyond just being too warm in his uniform, being an SEC mascot comes with other challenges. Becoming Cocky is a very secretive process, and once a student earns the job, it can be very difficult to balance classes, a social life and Cocky obligations all while keeping it a secret. Cocky stays organized so he can balance his responsibilities. “It’s super fun to keep Cocky a secret because it’s a great surprise at graduation, but in some situations, I have to tell a little fib. I make up excuses and keep the secret on the low, while hiding Cocky’s accessories around the house,” Cocky said. While Cocky said he loves to appear at sporting events, COVID-19 reduced his usual appearances, leaving him without much fan interaction. Cocky said everyone’s safety is his highest priority, and through the pandemic, he has gotten to see how dedicated the fans are, which is “just awesome.” However, Cocky has had time to come up with creative ways to interact with fans. Making signs for birthdays and weddings that he cannot physically attend has been a way Cocky has tried to keep in touch with

his fans, he said. Some signs even end up on social media due to their creative flare. “This season for basketball, I’ve had a lot of fun with using a whiteboard to write down either some sort of a joke or a meme … or playing like, hangman or tic-tac-toe with the fans,” Cocky said. The lucky students who are Cocky eventually have to graduate. Cocky said thinking about graduation is bittersweet. To the graduating class of 2021, Cocky has a few words of wisdom. “I’d say to take that passion and that devotion that I’ve seen at sporting events ... the fans and how hard they cheer for the Gamecocks ... take that into your future endeavors and just keep that focus and love for everything you do,” Cocky said. This Cocky will soon strut his spurs on the graduation stage. “It kind of feels like I’m leaving behind a piece of myself in a way, but, at the same time, it has been an honor to contribute to the legacy of Cocky — there’s been so many great ones that have come before. And it’s been a once-in-a-lifetime experience and opportunity, and I can’t thank this university enough for what it has done for me,” Cocky said. Illustration: Sabrina Hampton

A look back at past four years of women’s basketball

Ellie Long ver the past four years, the South Carolina women’s basketball team has seen it all. From conference titles and tournament appearances, to producing WNBA players and battling COVID-19, head coach Dawn Staley has proved nothing short of a success with her Gamecocks.

Star players

When graduating students think of Gamecock women’s basketball athletes over the past four years, there is one go-to name, and that name is A’ja Wilson. Wilson finished her Gamecock basketball career after the 2017-18 season, moving onto the WNBA, where she was drafted first overall by the Las Vegas Aces. Wilson was awarded National Player of the Year and was also named the SEC Player of the Year during her senior year. In her final season, she led the Gamecocks to a historic SEC title win and to the Elite Eight in the NCAA Tournament. “A’ja has done so many great things for the community as a whole at South Carolina, like, I’ve never known a person that brings a whole state together,” Allisha Gray, a former teammate of Wilson, said in 2018. In addition to Wilson, Mikiah Herbert Harrigan and Tyasha Harris are two players who cannot be forgotten when discussing the Gamecocks’ success over the past four years. Herbert Harrigan and Harris finished their college careers after the 2019-20 season and,

Photo: Yangxing Ding Junior forward A’ja Wilson holds up the 2017 National Championship trophy while confetti falls in celebration to the University of South Carolina’s win.

like Wilson, moved onto the WNBA, where they both were drafted in the first round. The two teammates helped to lead the Gamecocks to a 32-1 season and an SEC title their senior year before their final season was cut short by the COVID-19 pandemic. Sophomore forward Aliyah Boston is another standout player students have been able to watch over the past two years. In her freshman season, Boston earned National Freshman of the Year. More recently, Boston was named First-Team All-American by the Associated Press and ESPN. Along with this, she holds the title of co-Defensive Player of the Year.

Historic wins

Looking back since the 2017-18 season, the Gamecocks have had their fair share of iconic victories. The 2017-18 season was one for the record books, as the Gamecocks captured a historic fourth-straight SEC title over No. 2 Mississippi State. ‘’It’s a blessing and an honor,’’ Wilson said in 2018. ‘’The SEC is a great conference and to make history like that, to be a team that’s gone four times in a row to the championship and won it, it’s a great feeling.” On Feb. 10, 2020, the Gamecocks secured a 70-52 win over the UConn Huskies, the program’s first in the history of the team. Boston, Herbert Harrigan, Harris and current sophomore guard Zia Cooke all greatly contributed to this historic win, as a packed Colonial Life Arena cheered them on to victory. “We had 18,000 fans. You look on social media and [people] took off work, came from different states. The ones here just rallied everybody. I’m happy for them, because they cheered loud and proud. They wanted this for us in the same breath that we wanted it for us. We felt that,” Staley said in 2020. In more recent victories, South Carolina secured another SEC title this season, as the team beat Georgia 67-62. This win is South Carolina’s third SEC title in the past four years. “We earned it on the court, and we earned it off the court,” Staley said in a press conference after the team’s SEC title victory.

Photo: Yangxing Ding Junior forward A’ja Wilson goes in for a lay-up during the National Championship game against Mississippi State on April 2, 2017.

COVID-19 challenges

It is impossible to reflect on the past four years of South Carolina basketball without discussing the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic, which resulted in the Gamecocks having to forego the rest of the 2019-20 season. The season was looking to potentially be another national championship year, as the Gamecocks were on a 26-game winning streak and had just won the SEC title before the pandemic. Though the pandemic put everything on hold, the Gamecocks still finished the season as the No. 1 team in the country. “If you had to give out a national championship, then we played up to that,” Staley said at a press conference last spring. “We played up to being the number one team in the country.”

C OLUMN:

WHAT SOME FRESHMEN ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO IN A POST-COVID-19 SEMESTER Raymond Escoto

he class of 2024’s unique freshman year is nearly over, and we can’t wait for the coming semester. With a return to normalcy on the horizon, freshmen are eagerly looking forward to knowing what a more conventional semester of college is like. It’s obviously no secret that the ongoing pandemic has affected life at USC, and many freshmen were prepared for the inevitable differences that would be in place. However, with the university’s formal announcement that a full return to in-person instruction will happen for the fall 2021 semester, it seems that the normal college experiences we were waiting for are back on the table. To me, the biggest things that made my freshman year odd were the online classes and many restrictions. Online classes did not work for me, and the restrictions understandably prevented me from joining some of the clubs I wanted to join

“I look forward to interacting with my professors and putting a face to my name.” -Landon Borchardt, first-year biological sciences student

or meeting new people. First-year biological sciences student Sadie Singh agreed and said she’s excited to do things such as go out with friends. “In-person classes will definitely be more motivating, for sure,” Singh said. Singh was far from the only person who shared my sentiment. “I’m going to be actually able to do well in my classes because I did not do well online,” first-year history student Kevin Hart said. And the academic side of online classes weren’t the only thing we had problems with. Meeting new people mattered just as much to these freshmen as it did to me. “I look forward to meeting people in the same classes that I’m in because most of my friends are not following the same pathway that I am,” first-year biological sciences student Landon Borchardt said. “I look forward to interacting with my professors and putting a face to my name.” Additionally, working together on projects, making new friends in the classroom and simply studying together were all missed. “Study groups would be fun to help me with some of my classes because you can’t really do that right now,” first-year

marketing student Gabrielle Ziegler said. “It’ll be easier to meet my classmates and get help with my classes.” Even those who were lucky enough to make new friends outside of online classes shared similar feelings. First-year aerospace engineering student Chase Robinson said although he “made a lot of friends in college,” he’s looking forward to “hopefully getting to know some more people.” In short, the worst part of our unique freshman year was online classes. These freshmen all shared the same view that online classes felt unmotivating and underwhelming to them. But now, we’re excited to get back into a classroom next semester, along with socializing with our peers, whether it be in study groups, sports events or club meetings. And while it’s exciting to look ahead, it’s worth reflecting on the unique first year that’s nearly behind us — USC does always advertise its status as the best-ranked first-year experience in the nation. But with the pandemic guidelines putting up many restrictions, it was interesting to find out how that reputation measured up under these circumstances. My reaction was largely one of understanding. I knew this year would definitely be unique and that we would

“I’m having a wonderful first year ... I guess I don’t really know what it would have been like, otherwise.” -Chase Robinson, First-year aerospace engineering student

have to miss out on a lot of the more normal parts of college because of the pandemic. Singh, Ziegler, Borchardt and Hart agreed, and they all said the pandemic had understandably prevented their freshman year from living up to that advertised reputation, though it was not USC’s own fault. The lack of things such as clubs, study groups and meeting in-person with professors and classmates was apparent, and our experiences suffered for it. However, it wasn’t all disappointed reactions. “I’m having a wonderful first year. I love it here. I love it here; it’s wonderful,” Robinson said. “I guess I don’t really know what it would have been like, otherwise.” While the past year was rough for most, it appears better times are finally within reach, and it’s the hope of these freshmen that next semester we’ll be able to have those memorable college experiences. And we can’t wait for it.

TikTok takes over social media, influencers make waves

Mafe Balthazar

ver the past year, TikTok has taken over the social media world, becoming a central aspect of entertainment and communication. The social media app came after other entertainment platforms of its kind, such as Vine and Musical.ly, which featured similar content, such as short skits, dancing videos and lip-syncing. AJ Chadha, company co-founder and brand outreach manager for influencer marketing company OutreachX, said “there’s always been its rise and fall” about the demise of Musical.ly and the successful rise of TikTok. “It’s a new platform, and a lot of people are constantly on it daily. It’s a platform where creators can help support other creators or artists. And it’s a place where people can express themselves freely and catch up on trends,” Chadha said. The app, described by Chadha as a sort of combination of Vine and Musical.ly, utilizes features such as filters, video effects, hashtags, popular tunes and content monetization to hook audiences in what Chadha calls a “scrolling paralysis.” OutreachX, which was started last fall, works to pair brands such as Casetify with social media influencers to advertise their products. TikTok has become a tool in the consumer world, and even institutions such as the University of South Carolina have hopped on the wave. Aidan Baker, a third-year marketing student, has worked as the University of South Carolina’s social media intern for the last two years and runs the school’s different accounts, including TikTok. Baker said the university introduced the platform to its range of media in an effort to “meet students where they are.” “One of the things we wanted to do was kind of display, like, student life in a way that was more student-driven and directly student-based,” Baker said.

USC’s TikTok account serves as a marketing tool aimed at prospective students and a way for the university to connect with the current student body. According to Baker, many prospective students, including high schoolers early in the college selection process, consider attending USC because they found the university on TikTok. Baker said the university page features “college-centric” videos that follow trends and display student life at USC in an authentic and creative way from a viewpoint different than on other social media platforms. The simplistic and candid content style that captures people’s daily lives is what has made the platform so popular among young people, Baker said. The app is popular and habitually used by a majority of people in the student demographic, according to Baker. He also said COVID-19 and quarantine propelled the app’s popularity even further. “I really think the quarantine had a lot to do with it, when everyone had nothing to do. Everyone just spent their time finding random videos on TikTok, and then eventually you just get hooked,” Connor Brew, a third-year sports and entertainment management student, said. Brew has amounted over 570,000 followers on his TikTok account @brewskibrew and over 21,000 followers on Instagram because of his comedy skits. Like many students, Brew joined the app over quarantine, and his page gained traction after four months, when a video received 8.5 million views.

Illustration: Zoey Futch

His original comedy videos, which take four to five hours to make, have brought him brand deals, opportunities to travel to Los Angeles in the future, and what he said he hopes will become a full-time job in content creation. Although the app features lighthearted content, it has also given way to advocacy for social issues and beyond. According to Baker, the app allows youth to be engaged in social movements and what is going on in the world, creating a sort of “educational hub,” providing information in as little as 15 seconds. Baker said Tik Tok has, “done more help than harm in regards to, I think, exposing younger people to social issues and civic engagement issues.”

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Majority of students say online classes were right call, mixed opinions on quality Caleb Bozard & Samantha Douglas

he majority of students surveyed by The Daily Gamecock said the move to mostly online classes in the 2020-21 academic year was the right decision to make, though the transition had its issues. “I would have been much more uncomfortable if I was forced into a schedule that I needed to be in-person without having that choice,” Manuela Cano, a second-year integrated information technology student, said. “So I do think it was the right choice.” Of 41 students interviewed, only one did not have any online classes in the fall 2020 semester. All 41 students surveyed have at least one online class in spring 2021. Several students said they wished the university would provide more monetary support in lieu of online classes. Mikayla Carty, a second-year biology student, said she would have liked to see the university provide tuition reduction or a refund for the things students are missing out on.

“Last spring, we got refund checks. And that was pretty nice because it was like, we got paid back for at least some of the stuff that we were missing out on,” Carty said. “But now I feel this year, there was almost no change.” Fifteen of the students reported enjoying online classes. Many cited both drawbacks and benefits to the experience. First-year chemical engineering student Leslie Butler said it was more difficult to focus on the material in online classes. “I have my phone right there, I have other distractions around me, but if I was in a lecture hall, I would be forced to pay attention to the professor,” Butler said. Not all students said their learning styles were compatible with online instruction, such as third-year integrated information technology student Robbie Mroz, who said he is a “hands-on learner.” Losing the social component of classes was another concern. Fourth-year theater student Kinzie Correll said she never meets classmates, unless it’s in passing in a breakout room. Casper Skinner, a third-year media arts and geography student, was concerned about the lack of interaction they have had with professors and other students. “I’m going to be applying to grad school next semester, which is like, I’ll be like, ‘Hey, I was in your class two semesters in a row, but you don’t know me, like, can you write me a recommendation?’ and they’re like, ‘I guess you turned your projects in on time? I don’t really k n o w who you are.’ And it’s like, it’s a bit frustrating,” Skinner said. Fourth-year civil engineering student Sophie Curry said one benefit of online class was the

material was more accessible. “In the past, if you couldn’t make it to class one day, it made things very difficult if there was a test coming up. It really set you behind. But now you can go back and you can look at the lectures,” Curry said. Some students also said they liked the less stringent scheduling. “I would say it has been easier to hold a job with my online classes, but I’m definitely less engaged, so I don’t know if I technically enjoy them. I think they’re — they’re easier to work around,” Deanna Smith, third-year psychology and public relations student, said. First-year biochemistry student Miranda Fritz said her entire college experience being mostly online was “disappointing.” “Without going to class in person I feel like there’s no way to meet new people and create a new life. It’s just kind of isolated,” Fritz said. While the majority of students felt their professors have done a good job adjusting to online learning, some said professors need to be more understanding about technical difficulties. “Some [professors] should be more sympathetic about [how] you’re using online assignments, because I had an exam that I failed because it crashed, and I didn’t have time to finish it,” Genny Hicks, a first-year fashion merchandising student, said. “And they just weren’t really understanding that it was more technical fault than my fault.” Many students interviewed said they weren’t sure they were getting their money’s worth with online education. Fourth-year environmental studies and global studies student Ashley Clubb said as consumers of the university, students are not getting all that USC is selling. “They’re selling the USC brand, and the things that we do, and it’s not just coming to school anymore,” Clubb said. “That’s why we’re not getting our money’s worth. It’s because we’re paying for things that keep USC going as a business and not just as a university.” Illustration: Kelsey Worthington

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Seniors’ advice for underclassmen: ABBY COLE The Daily Gamecock gathered up some of USC’s 2021 graduates and asked them for some words of wisdom for underclassmen.

Don’t be afraid to take opportunities USC has many opportunities for students to take advantage of, according to fourth-year geography student Sophie Kahler. Whether those opportunities include studying abroad, internships, research or other things the university has to offer, “take advantage of all of the events that we have,” Kahler said.

Don’t compare yourself to other people While taking opportunities is a great thing to do, don’t feel like you have to do everything all at once just because other people might be, Caroline Farrell, fourth-year international business and operations and supply chain student, said. Farrell said she wants underclassmen to know they shouldn’t take every opportunity because other people are doing it. Get involved in things that will build you up after college, she said, not just things to keep you busy.

Experience all the campus dining options Freshmen are required to get a meal plan, so you might as well take advantage of all of the campus dining while you can, Darren Burton, fourth-year accounting student, said. USC has some hidden gems besides what’s in the Russell House. Places such as Top of Carolina, located at the top of Capstone residence hall, or Preston’s at Noon, are some not so well-known spots on campus.

Find your escape on campus It can be very easy to feel constantly surrounded by academics, tests, work and more, Burton said. His personal solution is grabbing a smoothie at Tropical Smoothie, he said. Whether it be taking a walk or sitting on the Horseshoe, find a place where you can get away from academics and relax.

Take advantage of being on a college campus According to Kahler, there are some experiences you have access to that are unique to college campuses. Those experiences are things such as lectures, panels, museum exhibits or just professional knowledge, and the best part is: It’s free. “When else are you going to be on a campus where there’s just a bunch of brilliant minds, and successful people, and all these influential figures, and they just kind of come talk or network with people for free,” Kahler said.

Build relationships with faculty Building relationships with faculty can definitely be intimidating, but professors have a lot of insight, especially if it is in a field of interest for you, Burton said. According to Burton, whether it be asking for career advice or just life advice, professors are professional role models and resources. Work on building those relationships in class or during office hours — you might find yourself in need of a letter of recommendation down the line, Burton said.

Don’t wish your time away Do not wish away your time at USC. Fourth-year finance and real estate student Jackson Stanton said four years at the university go by “crazy fast.” Even if you are studying for an exam or having a bad week, live through those journeys, and don’t wish away that time until the next weekend or break, Stanton said. “If you are waiting until tomorrow, and you are waiting until next week, next month, spring break, summer break — you’re wishing all that time away, and you’re not really living in the moment of your college experience,” Stanton said.

Safety leaders on campus discuss what safety looks like, plans moving forward Holly Poag

he university has dealt with student deaths, druggings in Five Points and alcohol misuse over the past four years, and it is initiating programs to combat these safety issues among students. Such responses came after the murder of Samantha Josephson in 2019. The incident sparked an international campaign initiated by former President Emeritus Harris Pastidies called “What’s my name?” aimed at promoting rideshare safety. “Not only did it change the ways we look at ride sharing, and ride share safety on campus, but it changed how Uber, at least, looked at safety nationwide,” USCPD Police Captain Eric Grabski said. Sam Laundon, a 19-year old USC student, died as a result of complications from blunt force trauma after he fell into the Vulcan Materials Company quarry in October 2020. Laundon’s death was a “very, very tragic thing,” Grabski said. Since August 2017, there have been three reported student deaths related to issues of safety. The university has a trauma response team for student deaths, according to Marc Shook, the dean of students and deputy Title IX coordinator. During the fall 2020 semester, there were shootings at student apartment complexes Rivers Edge and Granby Mills. Because these incidents occurred offcampus, USCPD cannot begin the investigation, but it can assist local law enforcement when shootings involve USC students, according to Grabski. In October, Zachary Williams, a former first-year student at USC, robbed and fatally shot 26-year-old Wesley Brown. Brown was shot at the 1700 block of Senate Street near the McMaster School of Visual Art and Design. 40 USC did not issue a Carolina

Alert when this event occurred. University spokesperson Jeff Stensland told The Daily Gamecock Carolina Alerts are not required in situations that have “already occurred, and that we don’t believe is currently a risk.” Christian Stegmaier, a local attorney at Collins & Lacy, told The Daily Gamecock he believes the university violated the Clergy Act by not issuing a Carolina Alert. According to Grabski, USCPD has a close relationship with local law enforcement and the student apartment complexes to promote safety in these areas. Grabski said he attributes a decrease in the crime rate on campus to the Rave Guardian app because students often report incidents through the texting feature in the app. Rave Guardian has been the primary venue for students to report druggings in Five Points. USCPD received 84 emergency calls through the Rave Guardian app in 2019, and 45 calls in 2020. In 2019, 5,043 students registered for the app, while 1,707 students registered for the app in 2020. “The way we handle [druggings in Five Points] is we assist in investigation with our partner law enforcement agencies with anything that we can help with. We have also been doing a lot of safety education about how to protect yourself — how to keep you and your drink safe,” Grabski said. Shook said his office works closely with the USCPD and helped handle the druggings in the fall. “There was a specific meeting where we [sat] down with a large group that included our representatives from Student Health Services, particularly in our public health education,” Shook said. “There was a campaign designed; we relaunched a number of our bystander intervention campaigns looking to educate

students around those areas.” One of these bystander programs includes “Gamecocks Stand Up Bystander Intervention Training.” According to the Combined Annual Security and Fire Safety Report, this program’s scope covers “informational material, classroom discussion, and peer education.” Shook said he believes his office hugely impacts the reduction of alcohol misuse situations on campus. The number of hospital calls, which signify when a student has drunk so much they have to go to the hospital, has decreased significantly over the last four years, Shook said. “While we’ve seen a decrease in that number, we’re still not [to the point of no calls], we’re still having students make poor choices. We have to be very diligent in our work to continue to encourage students to make good choices, particularly when it surrounds alcohol and other drugs,” Shook said. The Substance Abuse Prevention and Education office is the primary resource on campus for the prevention, education and early intervention for students who begin

to misuse alcohol and drugs. “We help people get connected to treatment programs if they need that and then we also have recovery support services,” Aimee Hourigan, the director of the Substance Abuse Prevention and Education office, said. “We also do a lot of harm reduction education.” According to Hourigan and the AlcoholEdu executive summary from 2019-2020, 70% of USC students reported drinking less than five drinks when they go out. USCPD has some new programs to promote campus safety for the 2021-2022 school year and plans to enhance many of its current programs, Grabski said. “The one thing that we’re continuing to enhance, as well, that you may or may not be aware of is, we have a council called the Community Relations Council,” Grabski said. “We have a cross-section of different students and that group has been instrumental in helping us understand, number one, how we can connect better with our student population and also give great ideas on how to do that.”

Four years of fashion — Morgan Robinson

lot has changed over the past four years. In the blink of an eye, the freshmen who started at the University of South Carolina in the fall of 2017 are now graduating seniors in 2021. Not only have classes, hobbies and extracurriculars changed; fashion trends have changed, as well. These changes have been dramatic — some trends have reemerged from 40 years ago. Cecilia Jakovljevi, fourth-year finance student, is the president of the Fashion Board club at USC. Jakovljević said she enjoys “getting to meet other people with similar interests and talk about what was going on in fashion.” All year, they work on a show that occurs in April. It’s a chance for local vendors to display their upcoming clothing lines to the students. Jakovljević said she remembers Adidas striped sneakers were huge before her freshman year, and then FILAs became popular later on. Now, she said, many people can be seen walking around campus in Nike Airs. Julia Rothman, a firstyear retailing student, said four years ago chokers were a huge hit in addition to wearing lace bralettes underneath sweaters. Monogrammed items and big-name brands such as Lilly Pulitzer and Vineyard Vines were also popular trends, especially in the South, according to Alden Risell, a firstyear fashion merchandising and retailing

student. Risell works at Vestique, a boutique clothing store in Five Points. During the pandemic, tie-dye and loungewear became very popular, according to Jakovljević, Rothman and Risell. While everyone was stuck in their houses during lockdown, comfort was a necessity. “A bunch of stores, especially, like, Vestique, they would bring in matching sets, like cute comfy shirts and shorts and pants, that like, people could wear around the house but also go out in if they wanted to,” Risell said. Bright colors and pastels are also starting to be worn this spring and are often debuted with old trends and on clothes that are being recycled and reworn, according to Rothman. “I feel like everyone’s going back to the 2000s, where flared jeans are in and mom jeans. That’s coming back instead of skinny jeans,” Rothman said. Not only are trends from the 2000s coming back this year, but also the ‘90s. Baggier shirts with jeans are on-trend and are a personal favorite of Risell’s, and they can be seen across campus. “Emma Chamberlain definitely brought [the ‘90s] back,” Jakovljiević said. This year is the decade of “different dressing,” according to Jakovljević. Styles from years ago are being brought back and revived into new trends for 2021. Fashion is a never-ending cycle, and while trends have definitely changed over the past four years, styles from the ‘80s, ‘90s and 2000s are still alive Photos: Cera Hansen today.

photo Illustration: Vanessa Purpura41

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Patrick McAuliffe

espite quarantine and isolation last summer, some Gamecocks made the most of their time by capitalizing on their hobbies. Ansley Patton, first-year exercise science student, didn’t know how to spend her time once school was canceled. She said she went from balancing eight AP-level classes to having no schoolwork to do. Patton said she tried painting, but didn’t want to paint on a canvas, as it makes her feel limited or trapped. After not practicing a hobby for two years, she said she was trying to have a creative outlet. Inspired by @trippydraws on TikTok, Patton painted a mural on her wall. She began by sketching and then painting shapes in black before filling them in along with white dots to make the black appear less harsh, she said. “I think that’s something really cool that I’ve done that I definitely wouldn’t have done if we weren’t in quarantine,” Patton said. “It was kind of nice to just have a project that I was doing for me.” Another student, Jules McHenry, also found inspiration to pursue hobbies on TikTok. “When I was younger, I used to make jewelry out of polymer clay, and so then, when I saw them being popular over TikTok and Instagram, I was like wait — I can do this too,” McHenry, a second-year marine science student, said. Over the summer, her jewelry making was just for fun, but over winter break, McHenry began selling earrings. To make the earrings, she mixes “the clay together to make the pattern, and then I use little clay cutters to cut it out, and then I bake them in the oven,” McHenry said. The designs she makes, which are available to buy on Instagram at jewelry. by.julesm, depend entirely on the mood she’s in. “Because my audience is, like, broke college students, I tend to have them less than $15,” McHenry said.

All items have a flat rate of $4 for shipping, according to McHenry. Brynnan Frye, a third-year education student, also took the quarantine as a chance to revisit a hobby she loved when she was younger. After many art lessons in her youth, Frye ran across string art on Pinterest. Originally, string art was a way to pass the time throughout summer, but, “it just kind of grew into something bigger than I thought it would be,” Frye said. To make the string art, Frye outlines the shape of a state with nails and then loops string throughout to fill in the shape. She sells her art on the Instagram page @studentmadestore, which features around 15 other artists at USC who all make different products. The string art she makes costs $35 plus shipping, and customers have the freedom to design the art to fit their tastes. “I think that [quarantine] gave me time to kind of get back into art, which, you know, has meant a lot to me for a long time, but it had fallen to the back burner because of school and work,” Frye said. Creating art isn’t the hobby for everyone, and streaming might be an easier option than ever. After Googling “fun things to do when you’re bored,” Logan Ingram, a fourth-year advertising student, found YouNow.com. “The whole point of the website is [to] get on there, and if somebody has content that you like, you can send them likes,” Ingram said. During a live stream, the hosts can have three people join them on camera to talk to with an audience watching. Streamers can also send money to other streamers on the site. Ingram used YouNow as a way to talk to people while staying safe, but he said he has furthered the online connection to hanging out with people from YouNow in real life, making him thankful for the experience.

Illustration: Michelle Ballman

YEAR AFTER COVID-19 SHUT DOWN SPORTS, GAMECOCK ATHLETICS STILL SEES EFFECTS Jacob Phillips

n March 11, 2020, the sports world came to a quick and sudden halt after Rudy Gobert of the Utah Jazz tested positive for COVID-19. Moments later, the NBA announced it was postponing the rest of its season. Within the next 24 hours, the MLB, NHL and NCAA all cwwwwanceled or postponed their seasons, as well. “I was really surprised, and then, at the same time, I was a little bit concerned, too, because my family in Italy experienced some coronavirus before we did,” graduate women’s tennis player Silvia Chinellato said in an interview with Gamecocks Online. It has been more than a year since COVID-19 struck the sports world, and there has been a difference in and out of the locker rooms for South Carolina’s teams. Players and coaches are tested multiple times a week and told to wear masks when they are not actively playing. Teams also have restrictions on practice times, along with how much time they can be together. “We’ve been training this team in an eight-hour, limited segment. We’ve only been allowed four hours a week on the field. That’s a challenge. A lot of [players] haven’t played since December,” head women’s soccer coach Shelley Smith said in an interview with Gamecocks Online. “The limited-time is OK, but we haven’t been able to progress like we would if we had a little more time.”

Less time at practice has been an issue for many teams on campus. While positive COVID-19 tests have been rare in USC athletics, they nonetheless have occurred. In December, the men’s basketball team faced a damaging outbreak of COVID-19. The team took a hiatus for weeks and canceled many games, including all of its remaining non-conference games. The weeks without practice left the future of the season unclear. Multiple other teams on campus had unexpected pauses and cancellations of games. Football, women’s basketball, women’s soccer and men’s soccer are a few of the teams on campus who have had to postpone or cancel a game. This situation has taken a toll on players. “Mental health for these kids is a complicated formula because they’ve got

no outlet right now,” head men’s basketball coach Frank Martin said on his “Carolina Calls” radio show. The limited interaction with people outside the team has also been an issue in recruiting the next class of South Carolina athletes. When COVID-19 safe recruiting guidelines were released by the NCAA, recruitment had lengthy dead periods. During this time, coaches could not have in-person contact with potential recruits. “The challenge for this next class is that we have not seen a lot of them in-person. It’s going to be difficult to make a decision,” Smith said. This process has also made it challenging for players to build a connection with the team and the school prior to their arrival. “They’re having to make decisions on schools based on not really having interactions in-person with the coaching staff or the team,” Smith said. “A lot of them, if they haven’t already been on campus, they have to come do a tour of their own without having anyone show them around or see what the team is like.” All of this factors into how successful a team can be in a game. Less time around each other on and off the field can affect a team’s chemistry in ways that negatively impact performance. “This is not the year to pound on the players,” Martin said. “This is not the year to over-judge good days and bad days. We should all celebrate the days we get to go out there and play.”

Illustration: Sabrina Hampton

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Dining changes: The good and the bad Richie Holmberg

hile most of USC’s undergraduate population only knows Russell House as it is today, the class of 2021 knew “Old Russell” as an all-you-caneat dining hall with a combination Pizza Hut and Taco Bell option. When it was renovated in fall 2018, Russell House added 12 new dining options to campus, drastically changing the way students eat at USC. “Instead of it being all these, like, random little to-go eateries, where you get a bunch of food to-go and get everything in plastic and everything, it was truly like, an all-you-can-eat buffet dining hall, in a sense,” Jenny Covington, fourth-year biochemistry and molecular biology student, said. According to some students, such as fourth-year finance student Mark Fu, pre-2018 Russell House had a different feeling than it does today. “One thing I remember is that it was kind of dark, the lighting was kind of dim. So, it was a little bit strange. I think I prefer the lighting now,” Fu said. While the other traditional style dining halls — Honeycomb Café, Bates Diner and Gibbes Court Bistro — have largely stayed the same, fan-favorite restaurants have come and gone from Russell House. In place of the combination Pizza Hut and Taco Bell is a fullservice Chick-fil-A and a Panera Bread. “Everybody really loved [the combination Pizza Hut and Taco Bell], especially on, like, game day Saturdays,” Covington said. “I don’t know why, but even if you came back early or something like that you’d always see so many people in line for those two because they were always open.” Other eateries that were removed are Great American Cookie, Marble Slab Creamery

and Pandini’s Pizza. The change from a traditional dining hall to a quick-service hub raised environmental concerns among students. “I will say something I definitely miss from old Russell House is the sustainability aspect of it,” Covington said. “I think now it’s way less eco-friendly than it used to be because it used to be everything was, you know, utensils and it was all real plates and salad bowls and things like that.” Student means of buying food at Russell House have also evolved over the years to make the system more flexible. In the past, meal swipes were tied to a specific time of day — a big difference from the current system. Meal swipes would expire after the breakfast, lunch or dinner time slots.

“It was literally the worst,” Covington said. “That is, like, definitely the best part about like how they changed [the dining program].” While meal plans no longer restrict swipes to a certain time of day as they did before 2018, students find some of the rules to be overly complicated. Some students feel restricted to ordering the same menu items that are covered by a meal swipe, as they find the meal swipe equivalency system to be confusing. Lainey Stalnaker, a first-year political science and economics student, said the meal swipe cash

equivalency system is frustrating, because she feels like she eats the same things too often. Others experience confusion at the Gamecock General convenience-store locations around campus. First-year mechanical engineering student David Ziehl said he wanted to buy Skittles with his meal swipes, but found he was unable to. “I feel like we should be able to buy something like that on a meal swipe if we want to because like the actual value of our meal swipe, like the dollar value, is higher than the value of those items,” Ziehl said. While the post-2018 layout of Russell House offers students more flexibility in dining options, Covington said she sees a downside. “I think if I was an incoming freshman and even if it wasn’t a pandemic, and they just gave me like, a to-go bag with my food, I might just take it back to my residence hall room because I’m nervous to meet other people or eat alone or something,” Covington said. “The real utensils and plates and everything kind of forced you to sit there and make that connection.”

College students’ schedules can be booked and even unpredictable, so some students think longer dining hours could help students make the most of their time.

“I think most places should be open later, because I got a job this semester and the hours are 4 to 9 or 10 depending on, you know, the day,” Stalnaker said. “And a lot of places are closed by then, like Honeycomb is closed, and that’s the nearest dining hall to me.”

Illustration: Katie valdez

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TOP MOVIES, SONGS, MEMES SINCE 2017 Noah Trainor & David Gordon

n our age of endless information, it’s too easy for days, months and years to blend together into one long wash of time. A fun and effective way to differentiate one year

from the next is through popular culture. Here is a list of the most memorable movies, songs and memes that make every year since 2017 its own.

MOVIES Two awards are given to the top movies of each year. The “Cha-Ching” Award is given objectively to the highest-grossing

movie of the year, while the “Cocky” Award is given subjectively to the movie with the most pop culture gravitas.

2017 Cha-Ching Award: "Star Wars Episode VIII: The Last Jedi" ($517,218,368)

The eighth film in the “Star Wars” Saga grabs the top spot of 2017. There’s something about Mark Hamill being stranded on that island that feels both timeless and so four years ago.

Cocky Award: "It"

The 2017 reimagination of Steven King’s 1987 novel about a murderous clown dominated people’s fears and 2017 movie culture.

Cha-Ching Award: "Black Panther" ($700,059,566) Cocky Award: "Avengers: Infinity War"

“Avengers: Infinity War” left 2018 movie-goers with arguably one of the most epic cliffhangers in the history of cinema, more than enough to earn it the 2018 Cocky Award.

2019 Cha-Ching Award: "Avengers: Endgame" ($858,373,000)

Apparently, a lot of people were curious to see if the Avengers would come back to defeat Thanos.

Cocky Award: "Joker"

Hotly anticipated since Joaquin Phoenix was cast in the titular role, “Joker” proved that comic book movies can be both prestigious pieces of art and mass entertainment.

2020 Cha-Ching Award: "Bad boys for life" ($204,417,855)

Despite earning less than a quarter of 2019’s top film, a top spot is a top spot. The third film in Will Smith and Marin Lawrence’s movie series earns this prize during a difficult year for the movie industry.

Nothing quite defines a year like a song. Let’s travel back through the past four years by revisiting some of each year’s greatest hits. These songs were selected based on their position on Billboard’s Year-End Hot 100 Charts, along with their overall presence in pop culture.

2017 1. “Shape of You” – Ed Sheeran 2. “Despacito” – Luis Fonsi, Daddy Yankee 3. “HUMBLE.” – Kendrick Lamar The musical theme for 2017 was multiculturalism. The top hits of 2017 featured tracks by English, Puerto Rican and American musicians, respectively (and Canadian, if you count Justin Bieber’s "Despacito").

2018 1. “God’s Plan” – Drake 2. “Perfect” – Ed Sheeran 3. “meant to be” – bebe rexha feat. florida georgia line Karaoke was the theme for 2018. It seemed like everyone was singing Drake’s hit single in 2018. “Meant to Be” works great for couples at karaoke night, and Ed Sheeran’s “Perfect” is, well, exactly that.

2019 1. “old town road” – lil nas X feat. Billy Ray Cyrus 2. “Without me” – Halsey 3. “bad guy” – billie eilish

2018 This award is bittersweet following the tragic death of Chadwick Boseman in August 2020. Still, we can remember 2018 partly due to this monumental film, which was as profound as it was action-packed.

SONGS

Cocky Award: "Soul"

In addition to being a profound story that animates life’s biggest questions, “Soul” is indicative of the movie business’ changing strategies from theatrical releases to streaming services.

2019 was the year of unlikely combinations. The unlikely combination of country and rap took the top spot, while second and third place was claimed by songs that are polar opposites.

2020 1. “blinding lights” – the weeknd 2. “circles” – post malone 3. “The box” – roddy ricch 2020 was the year of reflection. The Weeknd’s No. 1 hit reflects on the ‘80s with its driving beat and synthesizer melody, while “Circles” and “The Box” reflect in their own ways. You can find these songs and more hits from the years on The Daily Gamecock's Class of 2021 Playlist.

47 47

See page 48 for the memes.

Continued from page 47. Memes are kind of like new kids at school. They sort of MEMES appear out of nowhere and either rise to prominence or fade into obscurity. While the memes for 2017 and 2018

2017

were selected because of their hilarity and popularity, the memes for 2019 and 2020 were selected because they recall some significant, defining event of their respective years.

2019 “The Distracted Boyfriend”

Photo: Antonio Guillem

Area 51/Aliens

The beauty of this meme is twofold — it is both hilarious and appalling. Since going viral in 2017, the distracted boyfriend meme has been as ubiquitous as guys with wandering eyes.

Photo: “Men In Black” movie still

One of the most entertaining pop cultural phenomena of 2019 was Storm Area 51. Along with a Facebook event that listed over 2 million attendees, alien pop culture, such as this “Men In Black” meme, began popping up everywhere.

2020

2018 “Change my mind”

Photo: Steven Crowder

The great thing about the “Change My Mind” meme is that its roots are completely genuine. Steven Crowder (the dad-looking guy with the coffee mug) uploaded this photograph to his Twitter account in 2018, and it has taken on a life of its own ever since.

“Toilet paper” memes

Photo: @Kareninillinois

2020 wouldn’t be properly archived without a toilet paper meme. The problems we faced together during the worst of the pandemic are elegantly — and disgustingly — captured in this simple meme. While funny, this image also reminds us that even the most basic things can be taken for granted.

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USC’s decision to go test optional is positive change for new applicants BRidget frame

SC’s decision to have a test-optional application in 2021 should become a permanent fixture because it offers all students the chance to be accepted into universities without the obstacles and bias testing puts forth. A permanent test-optional application will increase diversity in college. When colleges choose to forego the SAT and ACT, the enrollment of underrepresented groups increases, according to FairTest, The National Center for Fair & Open Testing. Biases that often appear in testing keep diverse candidates from getting higher scores. Factors such as economic standing and family income keep many students from succeeding on the test and being represented fairly on applications. Test-optional applications help bridge the wealth gap that separates students. Students should not be measured by a numerical exam system. There are too many mitigating factors that can affect a student’s performance. When a student can afford tutoring or prep classes, it can dramatically increase their score. In fact, SAT scores are often correlated with a family’s income. According to The Washington Post, in 2014 “students from families earning more than $200,000 a year average a combined score of 1,714, while students from families earning under $20,000 a year average a combined score of 1,326.” Another factor that can affect a student’s performance is if they have a learning disability. Other times, it can be as simple as having test anxiety — when students cannot perform well under pressure. Ten percent to 40% of students suffer from test anxiety. This is a common struggle for students, and one that can’t be brushed off. Being labeled and measured by one score received on one day of testing, which can later determine an important part of your future, is an application factor that must be phased out. This phasing out will make it easier for

students to achieve higher education. Holistic applications actually create a more connected university where students feel more valued. In the past, the University of South Carolina, like many other higher learning institutions, required SAT or ACT scores. Now, test-optional applications are beginning to roll out across universities. Students can show themselves as more than a number or a score. Holistic application reviews have become increasingly popular, especially after instances in which students received unfair treatment. When the news broke that children of prominent figures, such as Lori Loughlin, could pay to falsify test scores, it caused a major change in how the application process was conducted. Students paid other individuals to take their test for them. Test-optional applications remove the risk of these unfair advantages and lead to a more equal application process. Extracurriculars, general class grades and grade point averages show more about a student’s passion and daily life outside of a testing day. They offer more information about students. The biggest reason this test optional change appeared more often was because of the COVID-19 pandemic. It was much harder for students to access standardized testing locations, and adequate study time and preparation was cut short. The pandemic was a breaking point, forcing people to realize what was important and necessary. It became too difficult to require standardized testscores in the 2020 year for many colleges and universities. This change should be permanent because more

students within minority groups apply at a higher rate when given the opportunity to apply test-optional. This new application process would benefit both students and the university. The university’s decision to have a testoptional 2021 application is a considerable step in the right direction. It should be lasting policy, allowing all students to receive a fair shot at acceptance into the university. This sets a positive example for other colleges and universities to make the same decision. Within the college decision process, students deserve to be treated as people, rather than numbers. When you view students holistically, rather than numerically, you gain valuable people for your campus. It gives more students a chance to attend certain institutions that previously were unavailable. It evens a playing field that was, prior to this year, severely raised. This decision was a positive change, and one that should be the stepping stone for other institutions to do the same.

Illustration: Kailee Kokes

Live music lives on in Columbia Ashlee Gainey

ith the arrival of a global pandemic and the transition into virtual classes, live music might seem like a thing of the past. However, Columbia’s music scene has made efforts so that live music will persevere. Although major venues such as Carolina Coliseum had no choice but to halt their live performances, local venues such as New Brookland Tavern and other creative outlets are keeping the scene alive. Third-year journalism student Carson Peaden attended a show at New Brookland Tavern on Jan. 29 to see a mutual friend perform. Peaden said she felt comfortable the whole time she was at the show because the people around her had their masks on except for when they were drinking. However, Peaden said that, just like everyone else, she misses what shows were like pre-COVID-19. “Even though I had a really good time, it was just constantly in the back of my head that like, this is different,” Peaden said. Fourth-year entrepreneurial management and finance student Louis Rubino (Bear Ley) has been performing at New Brookland Tavern since his first year at USC and was performing the night that Peaden attended the show. He agrees that there is a change in the atmosphere. “It’s like the difference between, basically, the vibe of a restaurant with live music and a music venue,” Rubino said. Rubino said this is because New Brookland Tavern only has seated shows so people aren’t packed into the venue. He said the venue did a good job of transitioning into this restaurant-like vibe because of how good its food is. Both Peaden and Rubino said it is important to support local artists and venues during this time. “Artists are really struggling right now,” Peaden said. “It’s just very hard to do live shows and live performances, so if there’s a way I can safely support that, then I will.”

Rubino said venues such as New Brookland Tavern still have to pay the rent and taxes despite working around COVID-19 barriers, so it’s up to the public to support them so they can stick around. However, even with COVID-19 protocols, some might still be hesitant to face public crowds to support the live music industry. Luckily enough, Columbia’s Digital House Show “At The Addition” has a solution for this issue. At the Addition is a bi-monthly high-quality live stream run by USC alumni that showcases local and regional bands and artists. “We get bands to come in, they play a set, in between the set we interview them, talk to them, get to know them as a band and then we wrap, and that’s kind of the format of the show,” executive producer Austin Syms said. Meg Southern, who serves as the on-air host for “At The Addition,” said the goal is for bands to come in and not have to worry about the video or audio quality or any other technical issue of the live stream. Southern said the idea for this digital house show came when bands all over town started having to cancel their shows due to the pandemic, and many bands were struggling with managing their own live streams. “It felt a little selfish to not do it like, okay, we have the setup and we have the people. We should be offering this help to other people in town,” Southern said. Southern said even after the pandemic, she thinks live streaming will continue, not because it can replace in-house live music, “but because it offers something slightly different with its own set of benefits and opportunities that aren’t available to you in-person.” Some of these benefits are that with live stream shows, the weather is not an issue, as it would be for many outdoor or in-person shows, and access barriers such as cost and transportation are knocked down with live-streamed shows. “At The Addition” goes live every other Sunday on Twitch. Illustration: Kaitlyn Campbell

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A REMINDER YOU NEED THE EARTH, JUST AS IT NEEDS YOU Natalie Hunt

onsider this a “wake-up call.” Many thoughts and ideas surfaced this past year while reflecting on our world through the scope of a pandemic. Balance has been disrupted. This has given way for leaders and citizens in our community to reevaluate and bring more attention to sustainability initiatives. Let’s start here in Columbia. It is important to note the intersectionality of environmentalism and that the environment is tied to us as a human society, according to Grace Kazmierski, the assistant director for student engagement in the Office of Sustainability. “Being able to recognize that we have an impact on the environment, just as the environment has an impact on us — I think has been a really interesting part of the pandemic,” Kazmierski said. Kazmierski said COVID-19 has made time to rethink sustainability efforts. “Instead of just doing business as usual, we’re able to think, ‘OK, is this working?’ If not, why, what can we change?” Kazmierski said. Of the hot topics discussed in terms of change: How we use and produce our energy now that our lifestyles have changed, what the break in the economy means for carbon emissions and how we educate people to move forward for a sustainable future fueled by personal responsibility. COVID-19 presented frustrating changes Kazmierski said are “a sign of the time,”

not to mention the wildfires in California and the snowstorm that hit the South. The burden and anxiety of dealing with such problems have been noted in the growing generations, but Kazmierski said we all have the power to create change. “Being able to be a change agent, to me, is the most empowering, and recognizing that the environment we live in, or the life we live in, would not exist without the environment the way that it is,” Kazmierski said. COVID-19 seems to be a case of correlation, not causation — meaning, when the world was put on hold, the way we live was, too. We had some isolated time to step back and think: How is the way we continue to adapt to life going to affect our environment? A key rise in sustainability conversation, third-year geography and global studies student Claire Windsor said, is the increase in intersectional awareness and heightened awareness around environmental racism. “I think people on campus, too, are pushing those boundaries because they don’t see much action,” she said. Windsor said she doesn’t think enough attention is paid to the environmental issues being debated in our backyards at the Statehouse. “Anyone can have a role,” Windsor said. “All of us, each of us are constituents for these legislators.” City of Columbia sustainability facilitator Mary Pat Baldauf said COVID-19 “sent a message that, you know, that change is possible.” Baldauf emphasizes the importance of education: Learn what can and can’t be recycled, get involved with organizations in the community by putting “service above self,” understand what you are investing in, take advantage of your role with the government and stop littering. Columbia is pursuing the Sierra Club’s Ready for 100 campaign, a national initiative for 100% clean energy by 2036. Mayor Stephen Benjamin signed this “tall order,” Baldauf said, and it will take the whole community to make this landmark change. Richland County is also considering a ban on plastic bags. The pandemic shifted the way we work and use energy daily. Energy use moved

from powering office buildings to powering virtual home offices worldwide. COVID-19 being a “fascinating test case” has left associate professor Conor Harrison of the Department of Geography and School of Earth, Ocean and Environment interested in how the pandemic has translated how we use our land, buildings and energy. Harrison said there is a certain amount of energy use built into society, but we can change how we produce that energy to combat the climate crisis. Harrison and Windsor are spearheading a divestment from the fossil fuels campaign. The Sierra Club Student Coalition has been investigating the university’s endowment and what investments they had in fossil fuel industries. According to Windsor, this is a grassroots campaign that has allowed student voices to “galvanize a really important movement” happening on campus and spark higher-level conversation in the faculty senate. “It’s at least bringing up conversations about how the university is contributing to climate change without actually being the one producing those emissions,” Windsor said. The university has seen an increase in student engagement, according to Kazmierski, and Windsor said there are many efforts in place to rethink the infrastructure of how we navigate powering the institution and even the transportation we use to get around. Harrison said one of the biggest changes we will experience in the next five to 10 years is electric vehicles, both for personal and business reasons. For now, biking has been a great alternative. Looking broader, Columbia in general still has work to do. It comes down to responsibility and taking the extra step for our home and an enjoyable future. “Overall, the message should just be to consume less, if possible,” Windsor said. “But also, when you do, just being environmentally conscious about what you’re doing.” However, it goes both ways, Windsor said. Demanding changes at the top through political advocacy makes it easier for the individual and is more economically viable. “You have to think about, ‘What I can do,’ but also questioning, ‘Why is it not being done at a higher level?’” Windsor said. Illustration: Sabrina Hampton

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PROFESSORS ARE HEROES OF ZOOM UNIVERSITY Audrey Elsberry

he unsung heroes of the quick shift to remote classes were our professors, who had to redesign their courses on the fly and be the support system the student body needed. Professors had to change their lesson plans with little notice or instruction from the university and still instruct their classes as the world collapsed around us. As many people took time off to spend time with family, given the impending lockdown, professors went to work. “It was really stressful, really chaotic,” David Reisman, a biological sciences professor and director of the graduate studies program, said. Reisman, who has 30 years of teaching experience, said he didn't know Blackboard Collaborate existed. "I didn't think I was going to be able to use it, it was kind of overwhelming. And we had to kind of move pretty quickly," Reisman said. Jason Porter, a visual communications instructor, said the faculty’s main concern was “not so much, 'How do we teach the students? How do we keep them on their stuff?' It was, 'How do we get them the resources they [need] to actually get their stuff done?'” Faculty's first priority was to ensure students were going to be able to perform their duties from home, so the professor’s instruction would still prove useful in this new classroom setting. “We were having conversations about like, 'What if this person lives in the middle of nowhere and doesn't have internet access? What if their computer is a, you know, a terrible computer that can't handle the video editor, and they’re in the middle of editing their video final?'” Porter said. Not only did professors create an online curriculum over the summer, some included special touches of humor and creativity to enliven the students' spirits in a time of extraordinary stress. Porter talked about putting on a Halloween costume in the middle of June for a lecture that students would have to watch around Halloween. He said he remembers thinking, "Well, I hope this gets a laugh in October.” Professors had to figure out new ways to get information to students on their own, often figuring out the software as they went. Reisman discovered that posting lectures on YouTube not only

gave students the ability to easily access large lecture files, but also allowed them to go back and watch multiple times when necessary. “They didn't have to download anything. You can just click on it and watch it. And then — and then people were also asking for more because, you know, it's hard without being able to ask questions” Reisman said. Tena Crews, a professor in the sport and entertainment management department, taught online classes long before the pandemic made it necessary for the university to switch to virtual learning. Crews said she has become a resource for other professors, who would seek her out for advice on handling online instruction. “They're just people who know me across campus, and they'll call and go, 'Oh my gosh, I'm struggling with, you know, students aren't being actively engaged in a discussion board,' or 'Students have questions all the time,' or, 'My email has blown up," Crews said. "You know, we just hash it out.” Professors have had to put aside their home lives to have an open line of communication with students to account for the lack of more clarifying instruction that is common in the classroom. “I told my students, I was like, 'Hey, I'm going to be available for you guys a lot," Porter said. "And I'm going to be available to, you know, shoot you back a message on Slack on a Saturday afternoon, if you want. Which many students do take advantage of.” Crews said she encouraged teachers to take what they have learned in this time of online learning and apply it to in-person classes. “They really have to integrate the technology that they use online into their classroom," Crews said. Yes, the student body did have to learn in an entirely new way this year, and it has been tough; but we had our professors to lead us through an uncertain year, not only in academics, but also as our mentors. If professors had not stepped up to the plate without question, this year would have been impossible. Take a minute to think about your professors who went the extra mile while in quarantine, while caring for their children or just trying to stay healthy themselves. They deserve our thanks.

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Med NET ia Gr oup

WHERE GAMECOCKS FIND THEIR ROOST

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I love being a part of GMG because it has increased my conﬁdence in myself and my craft. I’m surrounded by creatives who are eager for progress and don’t shy away from challenges. This has been one of the most impactful experiences in my college career thus far.

Taylor Jennings-Brown • Senior Managing Editor, Garnet & Black

Join the GMG team at garnetmedia.org/join

C olumn:

USC needs to stop repeated fraternity violations Gigi Duncan

ne thing has remained constant within the past few years at the University of South Carolina: Fraternities receiving violations. While the university has made several strides to punish these fraternities, more must be done to prevent harm. Many chapters at USC have gotten in trouble for hosting events, such as parties and tailgates, that included the serving of alcohol; there have been too many to count. Fraternities can often have positive attributes in promoting strong academics, community service and friendship. However, some more serious allegations have been brought to light that have garnered a lot of negative attention. According to HazingPrevention.Org, hazing is any action taken or situation created that spurs “embarrassment, harassment, or ridicule” and risks emotional or physical harm to the individuals involved, regardless of their “willingness to participate.” In the past four years, at least five chapters have been found responsible for hazing and other violations, many of which have repeated offenses. In 2017, Tau Kappa Epsilon, Kappa Alpha Order, Phi Sigma Kappa and Beta Theta Pi were all found to be responsible for incidents of hazing or similar offenses. Of these, the most extreme case had an incident report consisting of “personal servitude, calisthenics and inappropriate activities in the new member education experience.” In 2018, extreme events took place within several chapters, such as physical altercations, theft, damage to property and even starting a fire. Kappa Alpha Order, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Alpha Epsilon Pi and Chi Psi were among the many involved in such activities. In 2019, the most common violations were found to be the distribution of alcohol, forced physical activities and failure to comply in initiation deadlines. Kappa Alpha Order, Alpha Epsilon Pi, Phi Sigma Kappa and Sigma Nu were among the common violators of the university's rules. Lambda Chi Alpha was suspended until August 2023 for alcohol violations, physical altercations, hazing and allegedly harassing a reporter that was covering the story. Among Lambda Chi Alpha’s suspension, one of the most extreme incidents that have taken place beyond these past four years was the Sigma Chi chapter being kicked off campus.

According to the police report filed in the spring of 2016, there were “drops of blood on the floor, some broken glass in the hallway as well as a bloody paper towel.” Other findings included a pledge found to have been bruised and bleeding from a supposed “basketball game.” The most devastating effect of a fraternity’s actions here resulted in the death of an 18-year-old pledge of Pi Kappa Alpha, Charlie Terreni Jr., who was found following the night of a party held in 2015. Come this past fall, most of the violations chapters received were due to failure in complying with the university’s public health directive regarding COVID-19. With this in mind, the violations increased considerably compared to the previous year. When situations such as these occur with fraternities, the university will typically impose fines and conduct-probation, suspend any social activities, impose educational sanctions or suspend that chapter off of campus in the most extreme cases. While these consequences seem simple enough, university officials must do more. Any member of the Carolina community should feel concerned by the fact that many of the violations listed above are similar throughout each year and are often repeated by the same fraternities. For example, Phi Sigma Kappa had both drugand alcohol-related incidents on different dates within the same semester, let alone between years such as with other fraternities. While an anti-hazing pledge exists, more can be done. Inside Higher ED writer Nick Altwies suggested each chapter should require a trained alumni adviser to promote safety and well-being and should have to publish all data and incidents for parents and potential pledges to view, such as average GPA and campus or national fraternity rules violations. Implementing generous and active alumni who desire for their past chapters to be perceived in a positive manner would push for more accountability. Publishing all data and incidents would incentivize fraternities to want to have as few statistics as possible in order to seem appealing to potential pledges and their families. The university must strive to implement consequences that last so that fraternities' positives aren't overshadowed and to prevent tragedy from occurring in the future. Illustration: Parker Knight

HOME AWAY FROM HOME:

International students find solace amid pandemic Frances Hutchful

F Photo: Courtesy of Mubarak Bello

Photo: courtesy of Nowrin Tamanna

Photo: Courtesy of Radhika Ranganathan Top: Headshot of Mubarak Bello, a graduate chemical engineering student. Bello said making friends as an international student has been a challenge. Middle: Nowrin Tamanna, a graduate epidemiology student, poses in front of Yosemite Valley. Bottom: Headshot of Radhika Ranganathan, a graduate epidemiology student at the University of South Carolina. Ranganathan said that coming to the United States was her first official international visit.

rom cherished buildings and faculty to fascinating spectacles and disappointments, international students at USC have experienced a wave of emotions. Radhika Ranganathan, a graduate epidemiology student, said coming to the United States was her first official international visit. Having to leave her family in India was tough, she said. “My family has been very supportive in all my career decisions, being a woman. Like, I was able to come out of the stigma of women being — staying at home,” Ranganathan said. “Everything sounded new to me, right from people, culture, talking, eating.” International travel and studies alone pose obstacles, but the pandemic added a whole other aspect in navigating a life abroad. Since moving here, Ranganathan said she has not had a chance to go visit family for three years. Ranganathan said she is grateful for video conferencing, but it has been a compromise. “I feel this pandemic has pushed people to be stranded, being isolated. Communications turned virtual,” Ranganathan said. “Even a small hug would have made life different. Otherwise, I would say, I am a people person; I would want that.” Nowrin Tamanna, a graduate epidemiology student, said two months into her arrival, her apartment was completely burned down. Tamanna said many things got destroyed, but the Bangladeshi community in Columbia was very supportive in giving shelter and providing for her needs. Before the pandemic, the Bangladeshi community organized some social gatherings and personal hangouts, but all that took a sudden pause with the outset of the pandemic, Tamanna said. According to Mubarak Bello, a graduate chemical engineering student, the social life here for him is rather mute. Bello said he loves socializing, but to “break that circle” has been more difficult than he expected. “It’s difficult to make friends. Maybe international friends are easier, but to make friends, to make real friends that are native American,” Bello said. “That’s really awkward for me. I’m like, ‘Why am I here?’” For thoughts on Student Government and other matters, Bello said back at home, student organizations had a presence; people idolized

them because they went out of their way to show up. Bello said he doesn’t see that here. “If I have to ask about [organizations at USC], then someone is not doing their job,” Bello said. It goes beyond emails; getting yourself out there and making people aware of your presence is his encouragement to student leaders. Looking back at 2018, Ranganathan said “[being different] did not prevent me from reaching out to people,” and that the Buddies Beyond Borders Program, along with organizational fairs, demonstrated the importance of networking. “[My American friends] are very respectful about my culture, which I appreciate,” Ranganathan said. “It is kind of difficult to communicate our routine. And which — I get it, it is the same from my end.” According to Bello, international students might like a big city because of the economic benefits, such as increased chances of getting internships within the city, which is a criterion USC and Columbia might not fit. “I prefer staying in a very calm city like Columbia,” Tamanna said. Tamanna said she has enjoyed going to Lake Murray and the parks in the area, although they aren’t fascinating sites such as California and Las Vegas, which she visited in the past. Bello said he loves the outdoors and has seen many people spending time in the fresh air near the Solomon Blatt Physical Education Center, although he hasn’t been. “I like the environment; that it’s possible to actually escape your own academics and have a life,” Bello said. Ranganathan said she has found herself spending a lot of time at the Mad Platter pottery studio and Riverfront Park. “Whenever I am off my mood, I go to the fountain place near Starbucks in Five Points, and that’s my favorite spot,” Ranganathan said. For international students, moving around can be stressful, but Ranganathan said getting to experience different places in the U.S. can be a nice way to encounter different atmospheres. Being an international student can mean many things to many people at different times — the highs and lows of being in a foreign land are endless — but one thing remains true: A little love from another person goes a long way.

Congratulations Class of 2021! YOU DID IT!

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