Wednesday
Winthrop University
February 6 , 2019
Rock Hill, SC
Serving Winthrop and Rock Hill Since 1923
Anna Sharpe/ The Johnsonian
Michelle Hare, Charles Yearta, Jared Garrett and Ximena Perez-Velazco addressed student concerns.
Town Hall Tuesday
Students were invited to voice their opinions about a variety of topics, including campus security, dining services and financial aid. will often wait until August to visit the Office of Financial Aid to discuss tuition and scholarships. According to her, this is too late. By that time, all the office is able to offer students are loans. In order to prepare for cost of the next semester, students should use the Office of Financial Aid estimate of tuition to get an idea of payment. “We will be putting out there, by April, an estimate of what next year’s costs will be. They won’t be exact, because the Board of Trustees creates the cost in the summer, but we’re really close,” Hare said. “You can use this year’s award package, next year’s cost and get a really close estimate so you know what you’re looking at and we can start having those discussions now. You can use the summer to get a summer job and at least make a dent in the books,” Hare said. Hare also encouraged looking for scholarships before the semester ends. Scholarships for specific colleges, such as the college of education, can be found on their websites. “We’re working on getting a database on our website for any private scholarships that we hear about. We’re hoping to have that ready by the end of spring,” Hare said.
Anna Sharpe sharpea@mytjnow.com On Tuesday, Jan. 29, students, faculty and staff were given a chance for their voices to be heard at a town hall sponsored by the Council of Student Leaders. Students were encouraged to ask questions and air grievances regarding dining services, financial aid, campus police and other issues. Representing financial aid was Michelle Hare, Director of Financial Aid. Lieutenant Charles Yearta represented campus police. Council of Student Leaders Chair and Vice Chair, Ximena Perez-Velazco and Jared Garrett represented CSL. No representative for dining services was in attendance. The town hall was moderated by John Holder, a professor of political science. Financial Aid Many students took issue with the Office of Financial Aid, saying they felt overlooked and there was a lack of concern for their situations. “I certainly want to say that I’m very sorry to hear that anyone thinks we have a lack of concern in any way, shape or form. That is not our intention,” Hare said. Hare said often times students
Campus Security Campus security was a hot topic of the night. Winthrop University Police Department offers an escort service for students who feel unsafe traveling around campus and the surrounding areas at night. Campus police patrol zone encompasses a two-to-three mile radius around campus. Campus police also employs an app called LiveSafe. This app allows users to communicate directly with campus police through their cell phone. “LiveSafe allows you to instantly communicate with the police department via text, via phone call, via email, however you want to work it. We’ve had a lot of success with that app,” Yearta said. There is also a “safe walk feature” in the app that gives another user access to your location to virtually assist you on your journey until you have arrived safely to your destination. “If you have this app, if you open it, you can text your friend who also has the app, it will send them a message that you’re doing a safe walk and you want them to follow you. It’ll show your GPS coordinates as you walk and it’ll send alerts to campus police and the person watching
you if there’s some trouble going on,” Yearta said. Another popular issue of the night was parking. Students feel there is a lack of resident parking on campus. Students also took issue with the appeals system for tickets. Yearta said campus police is working on a way to review the ticket appeals process, but has not had much success yet. “Unfortunately, the police department does not have unilateral say on policy and procedures at Winthrop University. It requires the Board of Trustees to sign off on changing that. At this point, we have not been very successful with that. We are constantly looking to change that, though,” Yearta said. Yearta said the police department is working to take the tickets to an online payment system to minimize unnecessary travel between the cashiers office in Tillman and the police department. “The other part of that is we’re looking to take that to an online system to where it would be more user friendly and take up less of your time going from cashiers to the police department. That is a struggle for us,” Yearta said.
•See Town Hall pg.2
Supreme Memes
Winthrop meme accounts @wonthorp_eagles and @winthorp_seagulls have become increasingly popular on Instagram. The Johnsonian wanted to find out some more about the memers and who the student body believes to be the supreme maker of memes. Caleb Hinkley hinkleyc@mytjnow.com When college students are in need of some break from endless amounts of classwork, surfing the internet for some quality memes can provide quite the
escape. Meme accounts are common on Instagram and Twitter and can gain hundreds of followers overnight. Some accounts are dedicated to providing content aimed at students of a particular college or university and Winthrop certainly has its own tributes. The accounts @wonthorp_eagles and @winthorp_ seagulls are two of the most popular accounts on the market. The account @ wonthorp_eagles claims to be the “unofficial meme account of Winthrop University.” It has over 680 followers and nearly 90 posts. The account has a variety of memes, many which include Winthrop President Dan Mahoney.
The account is run anonymously by a group of admins, presumably Winthrop students. Gold is an admin and frequent poster of memes for the account. “We started as a small page and grew to share with the rest of the students at WU,” Gold said. “We just want to have a laugh and share opinions.” Another popular Winthrop-themed meme account is @ winthorp_seagulls. They include similar memes revolving around the student body and the Winthrop-famous Dan Mahoney. The account welcomes submissions and is run by admins as well. One anonymous admin stated that they are the best Winthrop meme page because they “relate better to the student body and have quality memes.” A spin-off account was made
News
Opinion
•pg.3
•pg.10
What’s new at the Winthrop Poll
mytjnow.com
Perfection, procrastination and more problems
based on the memes made after the bricks were stolen from the Winthrop walkway near Digs. The account called @winthropbrickburglarz is managed by a few unknown admins as well. One goes by CEO. A well-known rivalry has evolved between the @wonthorp_ eagles and @winthorp_seagulls, and CEO endorses @wonthorp_ eagles. The rivalry between the accounts was challenged when The Johnsonian put up a poll on Instagram and asked the student body what meme page is supreme. 205 students voted overall on the poll.
•SeeMemes pg.9 Image courtesy of @wonthorp_eagles
Sports
Two lacrosse players earn preseason honors
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Index: News 3 | Science & Tech 5 | Sports 6 | Arts & Culture 8 | Opinion 10
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PAGE 2 theJohnsonian February 6, 2019
•Town Hall From front Yearta also spoke about the number of parking spots on campus. There are 931 faculty and staff parking spots and 3,003 student parking spots. “There are more parking spaces than students registered on campus. We are looking at adding parking areas to small plots of land that we own. However, as with unfortunately everything that we sometimes do, we would have to get approval from the university to pave these lots, mark these lots, bumper these lots and things like that. That costs more money,” Yearta said. Campus Climate Ximena Perez-Velazco, Chair of CSL, and Jared Garrett, Vice Chair of CSL addressed concerns about student-administration relations. Some questions from the audience suggest-
ed a disconnect between the one of the weaknesses of two. CSL has been a lack of avail Garrett said the ability to the student body purpose of CSL is to voice at large, but through recent student concerns to admin- restructuring of the organiistration and faculty. zation this has improved. “Ad “One mission of this ministration isn’t always aware of all CSL is here for each student the concerns to make sure that you guys that students have are heard and make sure that on campus. your issues and concerns are It is about 5,000 of us. being taken care of.” It would be hard for cer- -Jared Garrett, Vice Chair tain amount Council of Student Leaders of people to have all of these concerns that need particular year is to start into be addressed, but CSL ternally and kind of restrucis here for each student on ture ourselves and make campus to make sure that ourselves more available you guys are heard and to students. Based on the make sure that your issues student response rate to our and concerns are being tak- availability, that is someen care of,” Garrett said. thing that I feel like we’ve Perez-Velazco said met at least at a 75 percent
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About The Johnsonian The Johnsonian is the weekly student newspaper of Winthrop University.
CONTACT INFORMATION Our offices are located in suite 104 in the DiGiorgio Campus Center. Phone: (803) 323-3419 Email: editors@mytjnow.com Online: mytjnow.com
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Editor-in-Chief Téa Franco francot@mytjnow.com Managing Editor Cheyenne Walsh walshc@mytjnow.com
goal rate,” Perez-Velazco said. Perez-Velazco serves as the student representative to the Board of Trustees. She and Garrett also meet monthly with Mahony to communicate student concerns. “On a larger spectrum of things, we work very hard to work as liaisons between the Board of Trustees, professors, the higher ups and beyond that, our state legislative level, that’s something we take a lot of pride in our city engagement committee,” Perez-Velazco said. Dining Services Bryan Harriss, director of dining services, was scheduled to answer questions and concerns around Sodexo but was absent.
Sports Editor Greta Conboy Assistant Sports Gabby Gardner
A&C Editor Ad Manager Dillon Oneill Victoria Howard howardv@mytjnow.com News Editor Anna Sharpe Assistant News Oriana Gilmore S&T Editor Mikayla Mangle
Assitant A&C Caleb Hinkley Opinion Editor Erin Streetman
Layout Editor Carmen Little Graphic Designer Jordan Farrell Photographers Sam Ross Camille Riddle Copy Editors Casey Smith Matt Thrift Haleigh Altman
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NEWS theJohnsonian February 6, 2019
Jordan Farrell The Johnsonian The Winthrop poll recently released new results from a Southern opinion survey.
The latest from the Winthrop Poll The Winthrop Poll most recent results reveal a look into the opinions of Southerners
Winthrop Poll receives $3.4 million in state contracts, will conduct national surveys
Southerners were asked vey every other month. Winthrop UniOriana Gilmore whether or not they had With 12 additional surveys, the versity’s Center for gilmoreo@mytjnow.com experienced discriminaPublic Opinion and Winthrop Poll had to expand their call tion within the last year Policy Research, formerly known as the center from 25 calling stations to 54 because of their race or ethnicity. 52 percent of Social and Behavioral Research lab, will calling stations. black Southerners said “yes” and 18 percent of The assistant director of CPOPR, conduct three new surveys this year as whites said “yes,” according to the Winthrop Summersby Okey, said she is looking part of two new state contracts totaling Poll’s Southern Focus Survey. forward to see how the Winthrop Poll to $3.4 million. Political science professor Scott Huffmon “will rise to the challenge.” The state contracts were originally teaches Southern Politics and thought it was im“I am also excited that we have the with the University of South Carolina’s portant to semi-regularly survey the Southern opportunity to get not only Winthrop public opinion research center. states to see common trends among Southernstudents, but also community members, When USC found out their public ers. opinion survey and research center was involved with these projects,” Okey said. “A lot of the stuff we wanted to look at were isHuffmon said the Winthrop Poll has going to shut down, the Department sues like that, as well as, the difference in day to partnered with a Find Great People of Health and Environmental Control day life experience between African Americans LLC, a local temp agency, to hire callers and the director of USC’s survey center and whites in the south,” Huffmon said. outside of Winthrop. contacted Scott Huffmon, founder and Callers surveyed the entire South; The South is “Because it’s 12 months out of the director of the Winthrop Poll, about the considered to be the eleven states which seceded year, we had to figure out a way to make Winthrop Poll and the state contract (South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia, Louisure we would be fully staffed all year. opportunity. siana, Alabama, Mississippi, Florida, Virginia, So, what Huffmon said the negotiaTexas, Arkansas and Tennessee). Summerstion for the chance to be conAssistant Director Summersby Okey said by has tracted with the state started I am excited and humcallers asked Southerners common questions done is last summer. about the economy, society and politics. The developed The new surveys will focus bled that DHEC would main focus was on Southern opinion about race a relationon improving health, health trust us with such a and attitudes towards the Confederate flags and ship with policies, children’s health and Confederate monuments. a temp attitudes and behavior about huge and important According to the Southern Focus Survey, 31 agency tobacco use around the state. project” percent of white Southerners thought that the that is The Behavioral Risk FacConfederate flag symbolizes racial conflict while on state -Summersby Okey , tor Surveillance Survey, or 64 percent of black Southerners thought the BRFSS, will be conducted Assistant Director CPOPR contract Confederate flag symbolizes and other monthly. BRFSS is a federracial conflict. places,” ally required by the Centers Callers asked Southerners whether they Huffmon said. for Disease Control and Prevention in believe Confederate monuments should be left The Winthrop Poll will now have every state and U.S. territory. alone, left alone but add historical context or about 120 callers year-round. An inThis survey asks South Carolinians interpretation, moved to a museum or removed crease in callers would allow the Winabout the status of their health and completely. 42 percent of Southerners said to throp Poll to reach their goal number which choices they are making to stay leave the monuments; 28 percent said to leave healthy regarding drug use, exercise use of calls each day. Students can be hired but add a marker for historical context; 23 and health insurance coverage. BRFSS is through the university or through Find percent said the monuments should be moved Great People. administered through the South Caroto a museum and 5 percent said the monuments All callers are trained in several areas, lina Department of Health and Environshould be removed, according to the Southern including survey methodology and mental Control. Focus Survey. trainings specific to each new survey. The Children’s Health Assessment Huffmon said he hopes the Southern opinion Callers are required to sign confidentialSurvey asks parents about their chilsurvey results will start a conversation about ity waivers because of the content asked dren’s health, wellbeing, and adverse trends in race relations and attitudes towards in each survey. experiences. Huffmon said this is a the preservation of Confederate history. Okey said that she felt “overwhelmed” monthly survey specifically for South “The commonality among people who want to when she initially found out the WinCarolina. save the confederate monuments is not whether Respondents who are given the BRFSS throp Poll was going to be in contract they identify as a Southerner or not, it’s not with the state, but she is thrilled about will also be asked the CHAS. Both the heritage,” Huffmon said. “It seems to be a lot of the Winthrop Poll serving the commuBRFSS and CHAS surveys are under racist sentiment. That’s not something a lot of nity. one contract. people want to hear, but it allows a continuing “Now that we are up and running, I The second contract covers the Adult conversation on it.” am humbled and excited that DHEC Tobacco Survey. ATS is a DHEC surThe Winthrop Poll was created by Huffmon would trust us with such a huge and vey, however, it is funded by “tobacco in 2002 for political science students to conduct settlement money,” Huffmon said. South important project,” Okey said. actual research and collect data to serve the Carolinians will be asked the ATS surRock Hill community and South Carolina.
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Anna Sharpe | News Editor sharpea@mytjnow.com
theJohnsonian February 6, 2019
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Campus police faces criticism Students around campus address the panhandler situations that have arised and how they felt WUPD dealt with these incidents. Savannah Scott Staff Writer Thirty-four minutes is the amount of time between Charlotte and Rock Hill. Charlotte is notoriously known as the city for the highest rate of human trafficking in North Carolina and Winthrop is only thirty-four minutes from this danger. Recent incidents regarding panhandlers on campus have led students to question how campus police is working to keep students safe. There have been reports of panhandlers approaching students around Winthrop to campus police and claims that these incidents were sensationalized. However, many involved in these situations believe that Winthrop Campus Police have downplayed these incidents. Many of the people involved have said they felt as though they were being stalked and like they were going to be kidnapped and trafficked by those who approached them. Katie Durgin, a sophomore social work major, reflects and shares her friend’s story of one of these recent incidents, on behalf of the student involved as she feels uncomfortable sharing her story personally. “She told us that while she was working in Starbucks [at DIGs] on Wednesday night she noticed a man was outside. He was wearing dark clothes and he was acting like he was putting stuff on around the table, but she noticed he was watching her and writing things down in a journal and it seemed to her that
he was writing down where she Legion and then circle the parking was, what she was doing and her lot and drive off when people show appearance. Then she told us that up,” Durgin said. while her friend was trying to park Michelle Tuel, a senior political in Legion, a man approached her science major, explained on why she car and was trying to get her out of believes many of these incidents are the car really aggressively which was not taken serious. really scary,” “I think Durgin said. WUPD Durgin felt demonthat campus on I think WUPD demonstrated strated police did multiple ocon multiple occasions that casions that not handle the situation they care much more about they care effectively. much more the perception of Winthrop about the “When they told WUPD and the image than what is perception about the of Winoccuring at Winthrop. situation and throp and about what the image Michelle Tuel was going on, than what is Senior political science major they basicaloccuring at ly laughed Winthrop. at her and They are said that ‘you’re not going to get very much quick to jump to the gun kidnapped on our watch. This isn’t and to say that an incident is not to real, like stop being overdramatic’ be concerned about, not to cause and just left. I already know they’re panic when really it needs to be inhandling the situation as a joke vestigated further. WUPD has been because it’s not the first instance,” a problem and their lack of seriousDurgin said. ness that they deal with an incident Durgin herself has experienced has been a problem for me and my being followed by a stranger on friends,” Tuel said. campus. Similarly, she was unhappy Tuel is not satisfied with how with the way campus police adcampus police handled these incidressed the situation. dents. “I had to call my friends one night “For a campus that is 70 percent to walk me from Legion to the dorm female [and] to make your female because a car followed me from population feel as though they are work and circled me in Legion. I not being heard and to laugh at their told the police about it they were reports [and] to make them feel like ‘it’s probably a student trying to belittled is completely unacceptable find a parking spot.’ I was like you and shows a lack of professionalism, don’t follow someone from IHOP to a lack of training, it shows a lack of
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basic decency of respect in people and of their fears because campus police is supposed to be there to make us feel safe. Having a body of students that do not feel heard and for so many people to hear about [the incidents] and automatically go ‘yeah, I believe that it happened and our campus police did not take it seriously,’ that’s a problem. Durgin believes these accounts were considered sensationalized in campus police’s eyes as well as the student body because those who came forward have tried their best to get their voices heard and spread awareness about similar incidents. “I don’t think [these incidents are] sensationalized. I think nobody talks about it, so when we do talk about it it gets blown into this big serious thing because people were like ‘well we didn’t know this was going on because nobody said anything.’ WUPD has again and again been like ‘oh it’s panhandling, oh it’s a religious organization,’ when it’s clearly not. When these girls are telling their stories in classes and crying because they were so shaken up and are at the point of feeling they need to go to the city paper and the Johnsonian and [talk] to media sources about it because WUPD is not doing anything. I don’t think it’s been sensationalized. I think it’s not being talked about so people freak out when they hear about it,” Durgin said. Campus Police has not yet responded to emails asking for comments.
Faculty diversity is higher than ever
Jordan Farrell/ The Johnsonian
A target of Mahony’s Winthrop Plan was reached six years ahead of schedule Anna Sharpe sharpea@mytjnow.com In the month of January, a target of goal 3 of President Daniel Mahony’s Winthrop Plan was reached six years ahead of schedule. Goal 3 focuses on hiring and retaining a diverse faculty and staff. In the State of the University address in the fall, Mahony reported that the percentage of diversity among faculty and managerial staff was on target at 18 percent for fall 2018. On Friday, Jan. 25, Mahony announced that diversity among staff has increased to 21 percent, exceeding the stretch target of 20 percent for fall 2025. This achievement marks the first time a stretch target goal for the Winthrop Plan has been reached. Students like Marshari Adams, a freshman musical theatre major,
enjoy seeing faculty diversity on campus because they feel represented. “It’s easier to relate to people who are the same color as you or have the same culture as you, so if you see a faculty member that is the same as you, it’s easier to talk to them about things and it’s easier to relate to the things that they’re saying,” Adams said. Winthrop’s percentage of diversity among students currently sits at 38 percent. Adams said faculty diversity should parallel this figure. “If we have a diverse school, we should have diverse faculty members,” Adams said. Quest Morris, a sophomore education major, said faculty diversity is necessary for students to see because it inspires them. “I feel like it’s definitely needed, especially in the field that a lot of students plan on going in. If you
Oriana Gilmore| Assistant News Editor gilmoreo@mytjnow.com
always know that it’s going to be a white-dominated area, you’re not going to really think you’ll be able to perform as well as you would be able to if somebody who looked like you performed well,” Morris said. Morris said he is always excited to see people of color in the educational field because it is dominated primarily by white women. “When I am able to go into my classes and see that it’s being taught, not necessarily by a black man, but a black woman, someone who has the same color skin as I do, someone who has similar background, someone who can relate to me, that’s a big thing. That makes me want to work even harder, personally,” Morris said. Morris also said that while diversity in faculty is an important goal to strive for, he hopes that Winthrop will hire new employees based on their qualifications as well
as diversity. “I feel like it should always be a goal that we have. But also keep in mind that those people hiring a diverse group of people, those people also have to be qualified. I don’t want it to necessarily be where we have all this diversity just to meet a quota or just to make us look good and then the quality isn’t there,” Morris said. Katie Marcelino, a freshman theatre major, said seeing a diverse faculty is encouraging for students of color to see. “Diversity brings a variety of perspectives that, in turn, brings innovative concepts and a more constant flow of creativity and efficiency, which Winthrop definitely benefits from. As a person of color, it’s nice to see minorities becoming increasingly represented, and I hope the percentage continues to rise,” Marcelino said.
S&T
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theJohnsonian
A new way to volunteer February 6, 2019
Eagle Impact is offering an easier way to learn about volunteer opportunities within the Rock Hill community Sarah Delventhal Staff Writer Many Winthrop students volunteer around the Rock Hill community either for school or sorority credit, or often just for fun. There is now an easier way for students to seek out these opportunities to help out in their community. “Eagle Impact is a volunteer management system that serves our community partners. The site has over 145 agencies on there that are connecting with students,” Laura Foster, the volunteer coordinator on campus, said. This is Eagle Impact’s second year, however many students are still unaware of the program. “We are still trying to introduce it to clubs and classes. It is a great tool for students to look up agencies is their major,” Foster said. There are 16 causes to choose from on the website such as education, environment, animals, domestic violence, crime, arts
and culture, seniors, etc. The site also offers 15 interests to further narrow volunteer options that one might like. They include advocacy, art and/or music, board service, clerical, education, finance, food prep, helping out whenever, marketing, medical, physical labor, research, technology, tutoring with children and website and social media development. Foster said, "it is easy to find and maneuver through." Foster said she "encourages students to cruise through" the agencies "and read about them." Once a student finds an agency they like, it will tell them their contact information, where it is located on the map and the causes the agency works for. The site offers one-time events and ongoing events. “Depending on where you are volunteering they may have orientation background checks, often times for ongoing events,” Foster said. To get to Eagle Impact, go to the Winthrop website, then in the search bar type in “cce.” At the bottom of the page, there is a link
to the site. Click on the link and it will bring you to the Eagle Impact website. From there you will have to log in. As a Winthrop student, the username is your email @ winthrop.edu, and the password is your Wingspan password. Then you can create an account and choose which services and agencies one is interested in. After that, the user is all set to go and sign up for events. There are multiple ways to find events to volunteer for. One “can go in and go into the needs and filter them by different categories based on one's preferences,” Foster said. One can also search a particular cause according to Foster. There are many reasons to volunteer. Volunteering can help relieve stress and is a way to network in your free time. "Finding something that you are passionate about it is a great stress relief and it can align with your major. There is a wealth of ways to connect," Foster said. "It is a great networking opportunity there is no telling whom you will meet and the connections you will have.”
Foster said the best gift students can give to some of these organizations is their time. "For students the most valuable thing that they have is time," Foster said. Last week Foster and members of SOAR, a volunteer based student organization at Winthrop went to a men's shelter here in Rock Hill and served food. Foster said they were so happy to see Winthrop students. Along with helping out with SOAR, Foster is a coach for All American athletes, which helps kids with disabilities. Foster also helps with Pilgrims Inn, a shelter in Rock Hill for women and families. “If I am free, I am going to volunteer because I think it is important,” Foster said. Some events the website is offering currently are the community blood drive, an alternative spring break service trip and many more. For more information on these events, go to the website at winthrop.galaxydigital.com or contact Foster at fosterl@winthrop. edu.
The Spot On Period Tracker app allows you to track your period and your choice of birth control method (the pill, patch, ring, implant, shot or IUD) that may affect it. The app will track your period, fertility windows and record your symptoms and moods. The app is powered by Planned Parenthood and is available on Google Play or your iPhone’s App Store.
Sam Ross/ The Johnsonian
Netflix vs. Hulu Which one is the better streaming service? Zuri Anderson Staff Writer
• Base rate is $8.99 per month • No commercials • Most watched streaming service in the United States • Has over 700 original programs, including television and movies • Over 3,000 movies and over 1,000 television shows in total • Began expanding its anime library in the last three years, including original anime programs including “Little Witch Academia,” “Kakegurui” and “The Seven Deadly Sins” • Subbed and dubbed • Offers a variety of foreign television shows and movies
Both services are available on iOS and Android devices, gaming consoles (e.g. PlayStation 4, Xbox One) and streaming devices like Roku. Netflix and Hulu also offer closed captions for a variety of languages.
Mikayla Mangle | Science & Technology Editor manglem@mytjnow.com
• Currently $7.99 per month, but the base rate will drop to $5.99 per month on Feb. 26, 2019 • Commercials • Second most watched streaming service in the United States • More than 40 original programs, including television and movies • Has over 1,600 television shows and 2,000 films • Features shows with current seasons airing on television • Offers many anime titles, new and old, subbed and dubbed • Offers some foreign television shows and movies
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SPORTS theJohnsonian February 6, 2019
Lacrosse Eagles Soar with Preseason All-Conference Honors Two Lady Eagles Bring Home Lacrosse Preseason Awards.
Photo Provided by Winthrop Althletics
Allison Thomas Staff Writer Lady Eagles Alaina Girani and Emily Torris have just been named to the Big South Lacrosse Preseason All-Conference Team. The Big South office announced this on Jan. 23.
Last year she redshirted due to an injury. “The process (to recovery) was definitely tough because I wanted nothing more than to be on the field with my teammates,” Girani said. “I used the summer to rehab and gain strength back in my ankle that way when I came back in the fall, I was right back where I left off.” “I expect her to break her own save percentage/saves in a season records as well as be the Big South Defensive Player of the Year,” Blankenship said.
Meet #1 Alaina Girani Redshirt senior goalie Girani from Wirtz, VA is the first Big South lacrosse player to be named to four different conference preseason polls. Meet #19 Emily Torris “It feels good to be recognized and it’s such an This is the first Big South honor for defender honor,” Girani said. Torris from Granite Bay, California. “I am Last season in the net she led the Eagles to the very honored to be selected for pre-season Big South Final. She was third in the conference all conference,” Torris said. “So much of my allowing 11.22 goals per game and second with a success comes from all of the people around .476 save percentage. me. If it wasn’t for my coaches “Alaina is hands-down making me better everyday then I the best goalie I have would not be where I am today.” worked with and is far Last season, Torris played in every better than those we game, starting in 18. She forced 12 see in our opponents,” turnovers and picked up 14 ground said head coach Julika balls. Blankenship. “She has a “Emily is a very strong takeaway very strong lacrosse IQ defender that we rely on oftentimes and of course, experience to mark out our opponents’ best that can lead us to the player,” Blankenship said. “I expect top.” Emily to be a huge threat out of the Girani was the Big Julika Blankenship back for us and a first line of attack South Freshman of the Women’s Lacrossse Coach type role in our clear. She has every Year in 2015, the Big capability of being an All-Conference South Defensive Player first team player.” of the Year and Big South Tournament MVP in Prior to transferring to Winthrop in 2017, 2016, and First-Team All-Conference in 2015-16. Torris played at George Washington University.
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Alaina is hands-down the best goalie I have worked with and is far better than those we see in our opponents
Greta Conboy | Sports Editor conboyg@mytjnow.com
“I transferred to Winthrop because I was impressed by the program that was being built here,” Torris said. “I fell in love with the South and could picture myself excelling on the field and with academics due to all of the support offered.” Lady Eagles The Big South Lacrosse office predicted Winthrop to finish in third this season. Last year they made it to the finals, losing to High Point 18-7. Both Girani and Torris agreed that their goals are to win the Big South Championship. “My favorite memory playing for Winthrop was when we won back Emily Torris to back Big South Women’s Lacrossse Player Championships my freshman and sophomore year,” Girani said. “It was such a special feeling, and I would love to end my years here with another ring.” The women’s season begins on Feb. 8 at East Carolina. Their first home game is on Feb. 10 at 1:00 p.m.
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I transferred to Winthrop because I was impressed by the program that was being built here
theJohnsonian
February 6, 2019
Mahony heads to NCAA Conference
Winthrop President visits NCAA Conference to explain more of Diversity in college athleticdepartments Joseph Calamia Staff Writer
Due to the increasing enrollment of college students in athleticprograms, there was a call for college campuses all over the United States to be more inclusive with regards to their athleticprograms in order to be a symbol of unity for all students. Recently, Winthrop University had the opportunity to showcase the efforts of inclusivity and diversity of our athletic program to the entire nation. According to the Rock Hill Herald, Winthrop University President Daniel Mahony was invited to attend a conference by the National College AthleticAssociation in Orlando, Florida on Jan. 23. The goal of the conference was to present a program called “Presidential Pledge: From Commitment to Action,” showing the efforts of expanding diversity in sports programs in colleges all over the United States. Mahony told the Herald about how honored he was for Winthrop University to be recognized for diversifying their athleticdepartment. “To have the NCAA recognize our success and to use us as an exemplary case study is flattering, but we were more excited to use the opportunity as a means to share our success and the initiatives that got us there with our peers and colleagues, so that they too can effectively diversify their campuses and athletics departments,” Mahony said. Besides Mahony, the other attendees from Winthrop were Vice President and AthleticDirector Ken Halpin and Senior Associate AthleticDirector Renae Myles. Myles knew about the impact of the Presidential Pledge made back in 2015 by the NCAA. “The Presidential Pledge is a document that President’s at all NCAA institutions were encouraged to sign to signify their commitment to diversity and inclusion on their respective campuses,” Myles said. In an exclusive interview with the Johnsonian,
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Mahony explained why Winthrop’s involvement in diversity in the Athleticdepartment was selected out of thousands of colleges in the country. “We want to be a national model and have our college be recognized on doing diversity the right way for college athletes,” Mahony said. Before attending the NCAA conference, the invited Winthrop members organized the points they would make in their presentation on how the ways Winthrop implemented diversity in the athletPhoto Provided by Dan Mahony via Instagram @presidentdanmahony icdepartment. Dan Mahony catches up with old friend Devin Crosby, the “ Mahony, Halpin current athleticdirector at Lynn University and I met separately to discuss the points with a sense of pride about how the university of emphasis each of us would make in regards to prioritizes the students and their wellbeing in our theme: Leadership + Action = Results. Maacademics and sports. hony spoke on the leadership aspect of increasing “Our athleticdepartment believes that diverdiversity and inclusion, Halpin spoke about the sity within our teams, coaches and staff, gives actions we took to increase diversity and incluus a competitive advantage. When students sion, and I delivered the closing points on the see at Winthrop, see us celebrating diversity, it results of the leadership and action,” Myles said. gives them something to be even more proud of. The presentation that the Winthrop group Winthrop students can say, ‘I attend a school that presented at the NCAA discussed Winthrop Unisees me and I matter. No matter my ethnicity, versity’s success with increasing diversity in staff race, gender, or sexual orientation,’” Myles said. and students to 25 percent, ahead of the schedWith the end of the conference, Mahony and uled 20 percent by 2025. the Winthrop athletic department have made it “Our presentation was full of practical ways their goal to continue to note and improve the other institutions can increase the diversity of diversity council and how the University can be a their campuses. We provided specific examples, national example. and the attendees were writing down most of our “It is continuing to do more with diversity examples,” Myles said. training on a wider range and a diversity council Mahony noted that having a diverse student on improving how we can continue to include athlete and faculty body would not only help diversity,” Mahony said. show an inclusive community at Winthrop, but Another big takeaway is the importance of dialso inspire student athletes with seeing diverse versity because of its ability to show what makes faculty members during their experience at Winevery individual student unique and allows stuthrop University. dents to reach their potential. “It helps when you have different perspective “One nugget that I took away is that enhancing in the sports in decision making process,” Mahodiversity and inclusion is not hard. People make ny said, “Having diversity in leadership gives our it sound challenging, but if you are truly commitstudents role models they can aspire to.” ted to it, you will find a way to make it happen,” Myles also made the point at the conference Myles said. that diversity can provide Winthrop students
Lady Eagles Softball start of the season Winthrop returns to the Big South with eight starters
Gabby Gardner gardnerg@mytjnow.com The Lady Eagles softball team has been voted 7th in the Big South preseason poll. The Eagles finished 17-32 last season and 7-14 in the Big South but return the top eight batters and their entire pitching staff. Among the eight starters returning this season All-Conference, Ansley Gilreath, junior infielder, is ready for a competitive season this year. “I’m looking forward to seeing how much better we are as a team since last year. The progress we’ve made and hard work we put in during the off season will show on the field,” Gilreath said. With three new freshman and many returning junior and senior players this year, Winthrop has been preparing during the off-season. “This team has so much unseen talent, and I’m ready to see how God uses us this year,” Gilreath said. Since the season is only weeks away, the Lady Eagles have been busy practicing everyday. Gilreath noted it’s all about repetition and perfecting every little thing so that when the time comes it will be muscle memory for the players. The softball team has been practicing many game-like situations to prepare for the real thing. “We take a lot of ground balls everyday because like Coach Thees says, ‘If we can field a hundred balls perfectly then the one or two ground balls we get in a single game should be easy. Hitting is the same way.’ We take a lot of reps and swings and see live pitching as much as possible,” Gilreath said. When pitchers aren’t throwing in practice, Coach Thees throws to the girls so they always see live pitching to help prepare for game situations. Windy Thees was announced as head coach and Jamie Morgan announced as new assistant coach. This year will be Tori Walker’s third year
Photo Provided by Winthrop Athletics
Lady Eagles Softball team has been preparing for a competitive season, and the preseaon voters note that they are on the rise as a Lady Eagle outfielder. “This season, I am most looking forward to seeing how we perform as a team. We got new coaches this year that have really been putting us to work, and I’m excited to see the outcome of all of our fall and preseason work, “ Walker said. As Winthrop returns eight starters, eight players with at least 35 starts and its entire pitching staff from a 2018 staff, the Lady Eagles are looking at a good batting average for the season. “As a team, I think our strengths will be our bats. Everyone’s swings have improved from last year and we all have gained a lot more power,” Walker said. The Lady Eagles will face another competitive schedule as 10 of its 26 opponents of the year finished in the Top 100 RPI in 2018 and seven in the Top 75. There will also be three opponents
that made the NCAA Regionals last year, 11 teams that finished in the Top three of their respective leagues, five of which played in their conference championship title game. Logan Webb, a sophomore catcher for the Lady Eagles is prepared for another season. “This season, I’m looking forward to our team being able to compete with our conference and being able to play one last season with our seniors,” Webb said. “I think our strengths are our team chemistry and how we have each other’s backs.” The Lady Eagles’ season begins Feb. 8-10 as they travel to Statesboro, Georgia for the Bash in the Boro. The Big South Conference play will begin Mar. 9 to 10 as the Eagles open at Campbell. The first home game of the season for the Lady Eagles will be their second league series Mar. 15-16 when they host Longwood.
Gabby Gardner | Assistant Sports Editor gardnerg@mytjnow.com
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A&CtheJohnsonian February 6, 2019
Arts & Culture Spotlight:
Annie Get Your Gun
Photo courtsey of Matthew Ferell
Photo courtsey of Winthrop’s Department of Theatre and Dance
The play centers around an old western theme.
A look at the Winthrop Musical Theatre Department’s latest production, promising thrills and a taste of classic Americana. Joseph Calamia Staff Writer Classic Americana, the Wild West, outlaws and musical classics are some of the treats that are offered in the latest showcase in the Winthrop Musical Theatre. This upcoming show in Winthrop University’s Johnson Hall is “Annie Get Your Gun” starting on Feb. 13 at 8 p.m. The showcase will feature a story about the tension-filled romance of Annie Oakley and Frank Butler, featuring musical selections from prolific American composer, Irving Berlin. Associate theater professor Matthew Ferrell is directing the musical. “I believe the most challenging aspect has been getting the students to buy into the choice. When the show was announced, many students were upset because they felt it was racist and old-fashioned,” Farrell said. “I think the students cast in the production have really enjoyed performing a show they were unfamiliar with and most have had a change of heart and find the show to be humorous, touching and relevant.” Senior musical theater major Logan Cosper is playing the role of Dolly Tate, the villain in the show. She is excited to play a character that helps challenge audience members through the core message of the play. “This play is important to me because it teaches the all-important lesson of not judging a book by its cover. It is all about inclusion, and
Dillon O’Neill | A&C Editor oneilld@mytjnow.com
Annie Get Your Gun opens on February 13
unapologetic individuality,” Cosper said. “It’s been interesting to see things from my character’s perspective and get into the head of someone who is prejudiced and see the power that ignorance can have and how it can lead to a lifetime of negativity.” Ferrell had previous experience with directing this play, which especially helped when focusing on choosing the students for the roles and teaming up with the musical department. “We were looking for a classic American musical and I knew that audiences responded well to this show. I also thought it would be a good choice to introduce our students to the style of this type of musical,” Ferrell said. “I also felt it would be a good choice of a show that could use a big, orchestral sound.” Cosper is excited for the production to come out in the second week of February, which will allow students and parents to enjoy an entertaining play over Valentine’s Day. “For students, the play has to offer its amazing music, talented cast, and the overall roller coaster love story of Annie Oakley and Frank Butler. It’s perfect for Valentine’s Day weekend,” Cosper said. Ferrell was impressed and excited to see actors, like Cosper, challenge herself with the complex subject matter and exploring the thought process of characters in days gone by in Americana, giving students something to think about. “Logan is taking on a role that many actresses didn’t want to portray because she is mean spirited, and hateful as well as prejudiced towards others. I applaud her bravery in tackling this complex villain,” Ferrell said. Another key player is Sebastian Sowell, who is playing the protagonist Annie Oakley in her first lead role of a mainstage production at Winthrop. “Annie Oakley was a woman who was way ahead of her time in her day. The more I learned
about her, the more important this role and the show became to me,” Sowell said. “This cast is also just full of great talent that brings this show to life. It’s a heartfelt dramatized love story that is perfect for Valentine’s Day coming up, but it’s also an entertaining adventure for the audience as well as the cast.” Sowell’s time in rehearsing for the show has given her, and her castmates, a challenge unlike any they’re used to. “This show is definitely not the kind of show where you can get by relying on others, and our director, music director, and choreographer have made that very clear to us. We are working very hard as an ensemble and on our own,” Sowell said. “Sebastian has some of the best work ethic I have ever seen in anyone. It is an honor to share the stage with her. My character hates hers, so that is sometimes difficult, but she is just an excellent cast member, actor, singer, dancer, and friend,” Cosper said. “Annie Get Your Gun” will seek to entertain Winthrop students about the culture of the Wild West, but also explain the importance of musicals and their power to imitate life and history as a reflection of our own world. “It’s important for several reasons; the iconic Irving Berlin score is an American classic, the story is based on actual historical events. It’s important that we keep this type of musical alive and continue to tell the story so we can see how far we’ve come, yet how far we need to go,” Ferrell said. “Annie Get Your Gun” is presented by the Winthrop Musical Theatre in Johnson Theatre. The play will run from Feb. 13-16 at 8 p.m., and Feb. 17 at 2 p.m. Tickets for the show for are $10 for students with a Winthrop ID and $15 for the general public.
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February 6, 2019
Memes from front After 24 hours the results were finalized and @winthorp_seagulls was voted best meme page winning 125 of the votes compared to 80 votes total for @wonthorp_eagles. As a result, @winthorp_seagulls now boasts “voted best Winthrop meme page”. A few months ago, the accounts had a meme
war and students were not afraid to show support to their favorite account; many can be seen promoting their favorite page in the comments section of rivalry memes with #teamwinthorp or #teamwonthorp. Regardless of the rivalry, all involved in the creation and acceptance of submissions for these
accounts are doing it just for fun. No matter what side a student is on, the memes on these accounts can be enjoyed by everyone on campus and provide a fun outlet for students to express what it’s like to be a part of the Winthrop experience.
@thejohnsonian on Instagram/The Johnsonian
The students have spoken. Exercise your right to vote, even if it’s just Instagram.
presents:
“Spotlight” The News Literacy and the Future of Journalism series continues with a viewing and discussion of the film “Spotlight.” Matt Thrift breaks down what makes the film great and why investigative journalism matters.
Official movie poster
“Spotlight” took home the Oscar for Best Picture in 2016. Matt Thrift thriftm@mytjnow.com In today’s increasingly hostile climate where the media’s credibility is frequently called in to question, it is important to remember the positive changes that journalists have helped to bring about. One of these positive changes is the revelation of sexual abuse committed against children at the hands of Catholic priests. Back in 2001, Spotlight, the Boston Globe’s team of investigative journalists, wrote a series of Pulitzer Prize-winning articles. They covered the heinous crimes that had been committed by Catholic priests in and around Boston, Massachusetts and the subsequent cover ups by the Boston Archdiocese. “Spotlight,” the film, was released in 2015 and focused on the efforts of these journalists to bring the story of abuse within the Catholic Church to light. On Jan 29, “Spotlight” was shown in Dina’s Place as part of Winthrop University’s ongoing series “News Literacy and the Future of Journalism.” In addition to the screening of the film, a panel discussion was held following the conclusion of the film. The panel consisted of Nathaniel Frederick, an associate professor of mass communication and Peter Judge, department chair of philosophy and religious studies. During the discussion, a range of issues were covered as the panelists fielded questions from the audience and addressed the issues of systemic sexual abuse that occur in religious organizations, the role of investigative journalists and the downsizing of newspaper staffs that has precipitated a decline in investigative journalism at local/regional levels. Frederick described investigative journalists as a “luxury” for newspapers today and that investigative journalism has “not necessarily been a priority” in the wake of journalists undergoing mass layoffs. The film features an all-star cast and was a hit among critics and audiences alike. “Spotlight” not only did well at the box office but went on to
win Academy Awards for Best Picture and Best Original Screenplay. The film makes heavy use of Catholic imagery and symbolism, which should come as no surprise to the viewer. Catholic church buildings appear in many scenes and much of the dialogue revolves around the Catholic Church and Catholicism as a whole. Boston has historically had a strong Catholic population. On one hand, this explains the abundance of Catholic Church buildings appearing in many of the scenes. On the other, this also appears to be a deliberate move on the part of the filmmakers. Furthermore, Boston plays a large role in the history of the United States and has a rich history and a unique culture. This translates in many films that are set/filmed in Boston – particularly “The Departed,” “The Boondock Saints” and “Mystic River” – with the city itself becoming an inescapable character that permeates every aspect of the film. One of the most interesting techniques used by the filmmakers are sequences or shots that are subtly jarring. One example of this is when one of the Spotlight journalists is conducting an interview with a childhood sexual abuse survivor. The camera follows the pair as they stroll along an outdoor path and the survivor details the abuse he endured. As the scene comes to an end, the camera pans to reveal a group of children playing just outside of a Catholic church building. Another subtle plot device that jars the viewer was pointed out by Judge. During the panel discussion after the film, Judge mentioned a scene where a survivor recounts how the priest who abused him took him out for ice cream. The survivor said that he did not eat the ice cream but instead let it melt and run down his arm. As he finishes telling the story to the journalists, the camera pans to reveal track marks from IV drug use that now scar his arms. While “Spotlight” addresses many issues within the Catholic Church, including the abuse committed by some priests and the vow of celibacy that priests take, it also brings up issues within the field of journalism. The film addresses the problems of one story taking precedence over another and of the difficulties of dealing with
sources and getting quotes or interviews. On a more important level, the film also addresses carelessness among journalists. In a particularly poignant scene toward the end of the film, the editor of the Spotlight division admits to his team that more than a decade earlier he had received a list of priests who were sexually violating children yet had declined to follow up on the story. To provide a level of context for the film, Judge detailed the importance of the Catholic Church in cities such as Boston. Judge said that the church became a “focal point of support” for immigrants from Catholic countries such as Ireland, Poland, France and Italy. “Oftentimes, [Catholic immigrants] had priests that spoke their own languages,” Judge said. Judge reinforced a point that was made during the film where Catholic priests were seen, in a sense, as being God. “The priest was seen as the presence of God in the neighborhood,” Judge said. While describing priests showing up to the houses of children they targeted for abuse, Judge said, “You heard people in the film talk about it was like God coming to your house.” While the film mostly dealt with religion, journalism played an equally important role. Frederick said that “Newspaper staff is down 40 percent since 2003” which has led to a decline of investigative journalists in local and regional markets. Frederick described the process of investigative journalism as “tedious” and said that major stories, like the one in “Spotlight,” can takes months or years of work to finish. Frederick also stressed the importance of “hitting the streets” and making phone calls to find sources and obtain information. While investigative journalism is disappearing from newspapers, Frederick said that there are “people who, as freelancers, do this kind of work.” He also made reference to the rights that citizens of the United States have, such as the right to submit requests under the Freedom of Information Act and to attend public meetings. “That’s the reason why people can write these types of stories,” Frederick said.
Caleb Hinkley | Assistant A&C Editor hinkleyc@mytjnow.com
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OPINION
theJohnsonian
Protect trans troops February 6, 2019
Once again, Trump lets down LGBTQ+ people, telling them that they are not welcome in his version of America. Erin Streetman streetmane@mytjnow.com In the past few years, Trump has made it very clear where he stands on a variety of issues. During his campaign, he claimed that he would be inclusive towards the LGBTQ+ community, but since then, he has done everything but. Between his choices of representatives with a history of discrimination against the LGBTQ+ community, such as Vice President Mike Pence or Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, and his clear lack of respect for protections for the community, such as his choice to rescind protections for transgender youth in schools, Trump has made it clear where he stands. Perhaps one of his more recent assaults on the community lies in his attack on transgender military troops. Last year, Trump attempted to set a ban on transgender people serving in the military, but the ban was temporarily blocked by lower courts. Recently, the Supreme Court put some of these Erin Streetman/The Johnsonian injunctions on hold, and there is currently one remaining nationwide that allowed transgender people to injunction in Stone v. Trump. serve openly in the military. Each Trump has used flawed reasoning cites a 2016 study by the RAND to discriminate against a minority Corporation, and a Department of group (again), for reasons that are Defense-commissioned study, which likely more political than anything. puts the annual cost of transgender The rationale for this ban involves health care between $2.4 million two main points: cost and readiness. and $8.4 million per year, increasAccording to Vox and The Washing the military’s health care budget ington Post, years of study have by 0.04 to 0.13 percent. To put this gone into the Obama-era policy number in perspective, Military
Times gives another estimate: $84 million per year goes into Viagra and similar medications for troops. If that alone was not enough to convince you, the cost to replace the estimated 15,500 transgender troops would be far more than Trump could ever bargain for. Trump also claimed that trans troops would affect the “readiness” or ability of the military to win wars
or serve the people. However, Vox says, there have been openly serving trans troops since 2016, when the original ban was removed by the Obama administration, and this has not negatively affected morale or unit readiness. According to Military Times, each of the four chiefs of staff have confirmed that openly serving trans military personnel have not negatively impacted unit cohesion or military readiness in any way. This ban could lead to trans troops staying in the closet, even when it negatively affects their service or mental health. It could lead to trans troops being discharged or abused, affecting their mental health, their economic well-being and the well-being of their families. In the end, this is simply another way for Trump to give off a clear message: LGBTQ+ people are not welcome in his version of America and they never will be.
Perfection, procrastination, and more problems I have been an overachiever all my life. Here is why that has never been a good thing.
Erin Streetman streetmane@mytjnow.com You know the feeling: you can’t prepare enough for the week to come. Your grade in that one class has been falling behind, and you have a huge test coming up in a few days. The essay due next week has been on your mind for days, and don’t even get me started on that group project you have been putting off. All of the work that is stressing you out feels like it is piling onto you at once. So what do you do? Turn on Netflix of course! I have been an overachiever all of my life: always getting straight A’s, working as much as I can, and trying to find as much time as I can for my friends and family. I always feel like I have to raise the bar or at least meet where I have set the level before. This has led to so many problems: low self-esteem, burnout, and perhaps worst of all: procrastination. I am always afraid that I won’t meet up the expectations I have set for myself, or that I feel others have set for me. I stress myself out over small things, over everything. Because of this, I wait until the last minute to do everything. I know that I have things do, but I don’t want to work on them because I am afraid that I will not do well. Because of this, I put them off and put them off and then suddenly it is the night before and I have to cram to finish everything.
Logically, I know this doesn’t make sense. I would do my best work if I was working on it slowly over time, letting myself revisit topics and actually learn material instead of memorizing it. Somehow, though, I haven’t been able to convince myself that is the case. I will write essays the night before they are due, or study for tests at the last possible second. I will stress myself out and have breakdowns over how stressed I am. This is not a healthy cycle. Perfectionism and procrastination go hand in hand, and both are bad habits. I have been led, overtime, to believe that I have to be perfect, that I have to give 100 percent to everything that I do. But the problem with giving pieces of yourself to everything you do is that in the end, you will have nothing left. I learned this the hard way, and I am learning every day that I do not have to be perfect all the time. I do not have to dress up all the time, I do not have to make straight A’s on every assignment I am given, I do not have to give 100 percent to every activity I am a part of. Some things do not require all of my attention or all of my energy. A simple homework assignment that is graded for completion is meant to test my knowledge and keep me in check. It does not require all of my effort. An essay due in two weeks will be a lot less stressful if I start on it now. I continue to learn ways to keep myself in check,and I must admit that I am still working on getting
Erin Streetman | Opinion Editor streetmane@mytjnow.com
Jordan Farrell/The Johnsonian rid of the parts of myself that tell me I am not enough. Many people hear “overachiever” and have one of two reactions: they either think I am annoyingly or amazingly studious. To those who think I am annoying, that I work too hard all the time: you may be right. I wish to try my best at every task I am given, and that is not always a good thing. I don’t begrudge you for not doing the same. To those who think that I am amazing: take a good long look. You will see the dark
circles under my eyes. While I work hard and do well, it all comes at a cost. Perfection isn’t really something we need to reach for. We all need to find a balance between trying our best and keeping ourselves healthy. Our lives cannot be ruled by the standards we have made up in our heads.
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February 6, 2019
Away from the daily grind We all have busy schedules - here are a few ways to find some “you” time. Erin Streetman streetmane@mytjnow.com
Between classes, work, friends, schoolwork and more, it is hard to find time to relax. As a result, we tend to feel constantly stressed out and, at times, at our breaking point. As hard as we try, it is hard to keep up with everything, and we end up feeling burned out. To fix this, we have to learn to relax, but who has the time? Here are a few ways to fit “relaxation” into your daily schedule. Schedule personal time. We have our days planned out by the classes we take, the meals we eat, and the times we want to go to sleep. It makes sense, then, that we should schedule when we need time to relax. Set aside a half an hour each day to shut down and regain your energy for the day. Find what works for you. In order to actually relax, we have to find what activities work for us and what don’t. The traditional view of meditation and herbal tea doesn’t work for everyone and it shouldn’t have to. Find what activities help you relax - whether that be going for a run, taking a nap, or getting away from your technology for a while. Stop feeling guilty. We have been raised in a society where relaxing is synonymous with being lazy. If you aren’t doing something productive, that means you are doing nothing at all. We have to work to get rid of the idea that we have to be doing something, anything, always. Feeling guilty about relaxing may just be the reason you find it hard to relax. Just remember: everyone needs a break sometimes. It is what helps us carry on when we need to. Take a nap. But don’t take a “I am going to fall asleep and *maybe* wake up in four hours” nap. Schedule your nap for 20 minutes, which will allow you to feel energized and refreshed. If 20 minutes isn’t nearly long enough for you, take a 90 minute nap instead! This will allow your body to go through an entire sleep cycle. Work it into your current schedule. Packed to the brim with things to do and can’t possibly find time to relax? Learn to work it in to what you are already doing. Listen to music while cleaning up and be mindful of each of your activities. Use
Jordan Farrell & Erin Streetman/ The Johnsonian
Jordan Farrell/ The Johnsonian
your shower time to relax and play your favorite music. Enjoy the walk to and from your classes. Relaxation can be found anywhere, anytime. You simply have to put in the effort to find it. Find a quiet, cozy place. Maybe the only way for you to relax is to find somewhere quiet. If you hate being cooped up in your bedroom all day, try walking around town and finding a nice cozy place to sit. Stop by Amelie’s and grab a coffee, or sit on the balcony of Digs and enjoy the view of the sunset on campus. Your place can be any place, you just have to find it first.
Wake up a few minutes earlier. By waking up 15-20 minutes earlier, you can seriously decrease your morning stress. Take a morning shower and sit in the warm (or cold!) water. Sit down and drink a cup of coffee or tea. Take a moment to breathe, stretch or meditate each morning. Starting your day off well will help you feel energized for the day to come. Everyone feels stressed out at times, but it is important to find time for yourself to relax and reenergize. By scheduling some “you” time, you will feel more prepared for your day, work more efficiently, and be a whole lot happier.
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February 6 ,2019