8/27/21

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Shifting stance Friday, August 27, 2021

OSU again tweaks guidance for faculty, staff and students

Abby Cage Alpha Tau Omega is no longer participating in OSU’s centennial Homecoming celebration.

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Maddison Farris Editor-in-Chief

Oklahoma State is making changes to COVID-19 protocols, directly affecting students in classrooms.

leadership, including President Kayce Shrum, last week to voice their concerns on how the university is responding to COVID-19. University Health SerAnna Pope vices (UHS) reported 286 active cases as of Aug. 24. News Editor Last Thursday, UHS noted 194 active cases. Oklahoma State is Here are key topics the changing its COVID-19 guid- university outlined in its latest ance for the second time this message to faculty and staff. week. Contact tracing: Two days after the uniThe university will be versity altered its mask lanintroducing a streamlined reguage in campus buildings to porting system in order to help “expected,” university officials ease the process of contact released a statement to faculty tracing for UHS. and staff on Wednesday outlinWhen a student selfing new guidance and updated reports or tests positive at information. The change now UHS, instructors: leaves it up to faculty, staff and Will receive an email students to navigate this new notification naming the student guidance. who tested positive - which This announcement came they cannot disclose. after some university emThey will be asked to ployees met with members of check the seating chart for the

Graphic by Abby Cage and Maddison Farris

students who surrounded the student who tested positive for at least 15 minutes, and other 3 options... Instructors have three choices on how to shift classes for two week if a student in class tests positive for COVID-19. Instructors can: - Move the course online - Teach a hybrid course of online and inperson classes - Continue withan in person class with masks required

Students will then receive a UHS email with instructions. Faculty and staff cannot contact the affected students. Temporary adjustment to course delivery: Instructors have three choices on how to shift classes for two weeks, if a student in class tests positive for COVID-19. Instructors can: Move the course online. Teach a hybrid course of online and in-person classes. If a student attends face-to- face class, masks will be required. Continue with an inperson instruction with masks required. Additionally, Stillwater News Press released a letter, signed by some OSU faculty and staff, listing employee’s concerns of the university’s response to COVID-19.

students instructors feel were likely within 6 feet of that individual. Professors will use the Academic Alert system to report names of the students who are close contacts. news.ed@ocolly.com

An apple a day Bryanna Nickel Staff Reporter Three students agreed there is one mistake many college students make when beginning a health journey. Addyson Mitchell, a strategic communications junior, said the most common health mistake of college students is they jump into healthy habits too fast-- taking all unhealthy food out of one’s diet, for example. “Most people don’t ever make a true change because they

are powered by waves of motivation rather than an actual routine,” Mitchell said. Mitchell also said it is easier to become burnt out of a health journey when one hasn’t allowed a healthy habit to build over time. “They’ll try to jump in too fast, and they’ll start working out six or seven times a week,” Mark Turner, an international business sophomore, said. Turner said a student that does not gradually become used to a healthier lifestyle will become burnt out soon after one begins. “It is very difficult to cut everything out at once,” Kennedi Schinkel, a food science senior, said. “It’s often why people end

up going backwards from their weight loss journey.” Kennedi said when she began her health journey, she slowly weaned off an unhealthy diet by removing one unhealthy food from her diet each week. This allowed Schinkel to gradually become used to healthier foods in her diet. Mitchell also agreed setting realistic goals is a great way to start healthy habits. “They have to slowly work their way into it. They can fix those mistakes by starting out slow,” Turner said. Turner said not eating out of one’s dorm/apartment/home for lunch or working out three times a week

The O’Colly has confirmed the fraternity Alpha Tau Omega (ATΩ) has been kicked out of OSU’s centennial homecoming celebration. Also confirmed: a hazing incident took place at the house some time in early August. Talk of legal action and potential removal of the chapter also surfaced over the past two weeks. This comes in advance of the school’s 100th edition of “America’s Greatest Homecoming,” set to take place Oct. 24-30. There are 26 houses listed to partake in the celebration, and ATΩ is not one of them, according to orangeconnection. org. The fraternity was previously matched with Phi Mu, but the sorority has since been paired with Sigma Alpha Epsilon. This story will be updated. news.ed@ocolly.com

are good examples of a gradual health journey. “Celebrate your victories no matter how small. Keep a journal so you can see your progress,” Turner said when asked about what advice he would give students striving to live a healthier lifestyle. Mitchell said to not get discouraged if one misses a leg day or eats a bad meal and to keep striving toward healthier habits until the habits come naturally. “Staying healthy physically, mentally and spiritually is not only necessary, but definitely doable,” Mitchell said.

See Apple on 6A

Students working out at the Colvin.

Ellie Donowho


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