Shively Court will permanently close…PG 6 How local law enforcement is making changes due to COVID-19…PG 16 Graduating ‘Post’ seniors say farewell…PG 18 THURSDAY, APRIL 23, 2020
IN RETROSPECT A look at the best photos throughout the 2019-2020 academic year. Check out the complete photo edition online.
FROM THE PHOTO STAFF
Thank you from The Post photo staff
Thank you for reading The Post this year and following along with our photo staff. This year’s staff was one of the biggest that we have had in the past few years, and it showed through all the work we got to do. The freshmen really stepped up, took assignments and took any critiques that were thrown at them. Throughout the year, I have seen them grow so much. This staff stayed with me as I learned a new position that I did not expect to be in, listened to me complain, laughed with me and grew with me. I am so grateful that I had the opportunity to work with this staff, and I am so excited to work with them again next year. I want to give a big thank you to our staff photographer, Nate Swanson. Nate was not only our staff photographer this
year, covering last-minute assignments, but he also took on the role of photo editor and truly helped me keep my head on straight. He was a tremendous help, and I am very excited to work with him this coming year. Each year, we put out our photo issue as a wrap-up for the end of the school year. It is a nice reflection of all the stories that we covered and the amazing growth my photo staff showed. However, with current events going on, our executive office made the decision that we needed to continue to report on what was happening in Athens and at Ohio University due to COVID-19. We have highlighted some of the best of the best photos in this edition of The Post and the full 2020 photo issue can be found on The Post’s website.
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COVER PHOTO BY KEVIN PAN
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E-school Adjustments Athens schools adapt to remote learning for remainder of the year EMMA SKIDMORE STAFF WRITER Gov. Mike DeWine announced Monday all K-12 schools in Ohio will remain closed and move to remote learning for the remainder of the school year. “We’re not telling schools how to do this, but the gathering of a significant number of people is dangerous,” DeWine said in a tweet. “So just as schools have been innovative in how to teach from a distance, I know they will be innovative as they find a way to honor students.” DeWine said each school district will look a little different, but the change in learning could even extend to the fall. “There is the possibility that we will have a blended system this fall — some distance learning as well as some in-person learning,” he said in a tweet. “That’s just a possibility and each school district is different.” Athens City School District Superintendent Tom Gibbs said ACSD will continue to provide remote education during this time. ACSD is also providing support to students through providing Chromebooks and internet hotspots. “Teachers have been tasked with posting three lessons per subject area to their online classes each week and are also setting up virtual class meeting times via Zoom and Google Hangouts,” Gibbs said in an email. “We are using Google Classroom as our primary platform, however some (middle school and high school) teachers use Canvas (similar to Blackboard).” He also said food service staff, bus drivers and custodians have been working to deliver breakfasts and lunches to approximately 570 families. Local businesses have also contributed to providing for food insecure students, according to a previous Post report. Gibbs said he believes universities will be accommodating to graduating seniors who have had their academics affected by this change. “ACT and SAT tests have been canceled, so any student who had waited to take those tests will need to request from the universities they apply to for some consideration of the circumstances,” he said in an email. Gibbs said the Ohio Legislature passed House Bill 197, which allows students to still receive high school di-
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We’re not telling schools how to do this, but the gatherings of a significant number of people is dangerous. So just as schools have been innovative in how to teach from a distance, I know they will be innovative as they find a way to honor students.” - Mike DeWine, Governor of Ohio
ILLUSTRATION BY RILEE LOCKHART
plomas without standardized testing if they were already on track to graduate. “We are planning a virtual graduation ceremony, but also tentatively scheduling a date later in the summer as an alternative commencement ceremony date,” he said in an email. Athens City School Board President Sean Parsons said the school board will be trying to support students as much as possible. “This is just so unusual, but we are doing the best we can,” Parsons said. “It needs to be more than just making kids do extra homework. It’s the connections with their teachers and seeing their classmates, and making sure that there is ... as close to a sense of normalcy as possible.” Parsons said the board has been
working to figure out what are the most essential things that need to be done as well as what it can realistically accomplish and what the school district has the support for. “We had to ask all those questions to develop a plan, and (send) surveys to students about Internet access and food security,” he said. “These sorts of things are challenging. A lot of parents are not working right now, so we’re mindful of that as well.” Parsons said the board is also looking into ways the school district may be able to support graduating seniors, especially to provide them with closure. “We’ll need to be working on ways for students to access stuff that they have left at school,” Parsons said. “There are a lot of kids that thought
they were going to be taught by their teachers for a couple more months in-person at their school, and now they’re going to be heading into middle school (or) high school, and they don’t have that sense of closure.” Parsons said ACSD still plans to do everything they can to support both teachers and students. “That is not just education, but a lot of other care, including food, nutrition, tech support counseling services,” he said. “All of these things are still going to continue. We’re just learning how to deliver that effectively and as quickly as possible in this new environment.”
@E_SKIDMOREGS ES320518@OHIO.EDU THEPOSTATHENS.COM / 3
OU’s Bobcats Take Care campaign raises over $160,000 for students in need Ohio University is giving out a maximum of $500 per student in the form of microgrants for students struggling financially due to COVID-19 TAYLOR BURNETTE FOR THE POST
Ohio University has raised over $160,000 for students in need since launching an emergency COVID-19 support fundraising drive early last month. OU launched the drive, called Bobcats Take Care, on March 19 as a fundraising and social media campaign meant to financially support students struggling due to COVID-19 through the use of microgrants. These microgrants can be used for many necessary costs related to COVID-19, including for housing, groceries, childcare, distance learning and technology. OU students can apply for the microgrants just as they would apply for a normal microgrant through Bobcats Helping Bobcats. The funds are available to all Ohio University students on all campuses. The university began the fundraising campaign after it received an increased number of requests for microgrants than usual. As of April 20, over 700 students had applied for the emergency grants, Kathy Fahl, assistant dean of students, said. At the time, about $103,000 of the $110,000 raised by the campaign had been distributed to students. However, the microgrants have been reduced from the typical maximum of $1,000 to $500 in order to serve more students, Fahl said. She said the funds could be used for any emergency related to COVID-19, but the university may ask to see if the student has been making academic progress and may ask for documentation if appropriate. “Obviously we're not going to ask somebody to provide documentation of their need for 4 / APRIL 23, 2020
groceries, but if they want to help with rent we would ask for like a copy of a lease or their expenses,” Fahl said. It may take up to two weeks for students to receive funds, she said. “Typically, we would get maybe four requests (for microgrants) a week,” Fahl said “There was one point where we’re getting 68 a day. So we have some extra staff and Student Affairs help-
ILLUSTRATION BY RILEE LOCKHART
ing us with the process to try to break up the review process and the screening process.” A majority of the emergency funding has been provided by donors, including alumni, parents, faculty and staff. About 60% of the funding came from alumni, and faculty and staff have donated about 27%. The university also began matching donations on April 20. A pot of about $93,000 had been gathered from alumni, friends, and university administrators to be used to effectively double the donations until it ran out, Sarah Lack, associate director of development and annual giving, said. “It's kind of a way for people to double their impact, and so we're hoping that gets some people excited and motivated to give a gift,” Lack said. “I love scrolling through and seeing the social media posts, especially from alumni who are posting. We have some current students who posted about what they've been doing since being in quarantine and social distancing.” Lack said she hopes the emergency funds are able to help students in need start to overcome the uncertainty caused by COVID-19. “I would love to know that every student who applied to receive a grant was able to be helped through these efforts,” Lack said. ”Anything that we can do to help lift those spirits of people who are feeling that same sense of loss a little bit is definitely a win in my book.”
@THATDBEMYLUCK TB040917@OHIO.EDU
Musicians stream concerts in lieu of performances For many musical artists, the COVID-19 pandemic has limited their source of income through live shows. Several have turned to livestreaming their performances KERI JOHNSON STAFF WRITER The COVID-19 pandemic has put everyday life on hold. Especially for those whose profession relies on mass gatherings for income, the effects of the pandemic cannot be understated. Both small and big musicians have postponed or canceled shows. From Bonnaroo to the Nelsonville Music Festival to Lady Gaga and indie bands, albums, tours and the music industry are under delay. Ohio University alumna Angela Perley is one such singer-songwriter whose work has been affected by the pandemic. Perley is an independent, Columbus-based, rock ‘n’ roll and country-influenced artist. Perley’s been working professionally as a musician for about a decade now. Most of her income comes from live shows, she said. Perley turned to livestreaming performances on her Facebook page as an alternative to live shows. As music is Perley’s professional career, livestreaming in combination services like Venmo and PayPal as well as her online store are working in place of revenue from live shows. Perley is new to livestreaming, as her first show was March 22. It was an acoustic, roughly hour-long set with her partner. “(The livestream shows are) acoustic, in our living room,” Perley said. “It feels pretty natural ... I had a really great time doing the last one.” Perley started performing with her band in Athens, where she realized music was her passion, right after she graduated. She tries to return to Athens twice a year, in the spring and fall. She usually plays at The Union Bar & Grill, 18 W. Union St., and ironically was supposed to play there last Friday, April 17. For Perley, an interesting perk of livestreaming has been people tuning in
worldwide. She’s noticed that livestreaming pulls in people. “People from Ireland and the UK (are) watching at the same time. Who wouldn’t normally be able to come to the show made it to the show,” Perley said. “(It’s) kinda accessible to everyone everywhere.” Though livestreams aren’t the same as live shows, Perley still gets a little bit of a rush from performing for her fans, she said. Jacob Diaz’s debut shows were canceled due to the pandemic. Diaz, who performs as Madverse, grew up playing music and decided to pursue it at college. Diaz, a senior studying music production and the recording industry, now makes his own independent hip-hop music. For Diaz, building a fanbase is hard without touring and meeting people. Diaz was set to play at Casa Nueva Restaurant & Cantina, 6 W. State St., a few weeks ago. “That was kinda one of my big plans to make revenue,” he said. In the meantime, Diaz is trying to expand his online presence and streaming. He’s optimistic about streaming and trying to set up his own streaming accounts. “I am working and trying to figure (it) out through Twitch,” he said. “I think crowdfunding is the way to go.” Later this spring, Diaz will perform in a livestream series through Athens Live Music and ACRN Media. Diaz will DJ and rap a set featuring music from his new album. He might also speak on working as a musician during the pandemic. For him, it’s simply a wild time to be an artist. “The entire industry, which most of us have been preparing
(Screenshot) Angela Perley and Chris Connor perform in a Facebook livestream on April 19, 2020.
for, is just not there,” Diaz said. “Artists are going through a lot and trying to reevaluate what they’re doing.” Harley Wince, bassist for Athens group Boy Jorts and a junior studying photojournalism, feels the same. For Wince, the pandemic has put musicians in a “state of purgatory.” “All events being suspended has put a lot of strain on the industry and uncertainty,” Wince said. “A big thing for people to know is that releasing an album and not touring is a bad move.” Boy Jorts saw its shows canceled, too. Described as “trash-punk” by leadman Philip Hickey, the band had its debut EP release show canceled. “Timing-wise, we just got screwed out of things,” Hickey said. Boy Jorts participated in ACRN’s first event of its virtual concert series on April 18. The band wants to be more entertaining to adapt to livestreaming, Hickey said. Boy Jorts has been practicing and performing
within the rules of social distancing, Wince said. The band has been implementing the “isolation pod” method and sticking to only socializing with fellow bandmates, essential services and maintaining physical distance from each other.
@_KERIJOHNSON KJ153517@OHIO.EDU
THEPOSTATHENS.COM / 5
OU closing Shively Court, predicts to save about $1 million IAN MCKENZIE ASST. NEWS EDITOR
S
hively Court will be closing permanently due to the low enrollment forecast for the Fall Semester. The decision to shut down the dining hall was made before the COVID-19 pandemic started, Carly Leatherwood, an Ohio University spokesperson, said. OU will continue to reassess the dining court’s need moving forward, Leatherwood said. The Shively Hall residence will remain open, but both Shively Court and Grab ‘n’ Go will be closed the next academic year, Leatherwood said. This leaves just The District on West Green and Nelson Court on South Green as campus dining halls. The transfer process for employees is easy, Rodgers said in the email. In the summer of 2018, Shively Court had $1.8 million of renovations that were funded by Culinary Services, ac-
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The fact that this dining area was just renovated at the cost of $1.8M raises further questions about the management of university finances.” - Loren Lybarger, AAUP-OU President and professor of classics
cording to a previous Post report. Jim Sabin, a university spokesperson, previously said it was a “front-ofhouse” refresh. Ohio University is predicting that closing Shively Court will save the university about $1 million. The students who worked at the dining hall were told to look at Nelson Court and the District on West Green for other employment opportunities, according to an email from Laura Rodgers, the current Shively Hiring Coordinator. The university evaluates the needs of each venue every semester, Leatherwood said. No other venues are
planned to close at this time. Shively Court was chosen to be closed because of how close it is to Nelson Commons and the cafe in Nelson Court, South Side Espresso Bar. Nelson Court, which will now serve breakfast, has a larger seating capacity and more amenities, Leatherwood said. All current staff members, including student employees who decided to return in the Fall Semester, will be reassigned to other Culinary Services positions. Culinary Services employs over 2,100 students in all dining courts, campus markets, catering and cafes. Student employees start out making
between $8.70 and $9.55 per hour at jobs within Culinary Services. OU posted on LinkedIn over a month ago, opening applications for an executive director for Culinary Services within the Division of Student Affairs. Culinary Services has a budget of over $39 million for the 2020 fiscal year. “The fact that this dining area was just renovated at the cost of $1.8M raises further questions about the management of university finances,” Loren Lybarger, president of the OU chapter of AAUP and professor of classics, said in an email. Lybarger said OU has been in an “unsustainable arms race” to keep enrollment up by spending money on the student experience, like residence hall and dining area renovations, while investing comparatively less in the university’s actual academic mission.
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Senate election updates
GAMES
Investigations into Student Senate tickets find one guilty, removed from ballot ABBY MILLER NEWS EDITOR An Ohio University Student Senate ticket was removed from the 2020-2021 election ballot Thursday after investigations found the ticket guilty of violating election procedures. The ticket, ACTION OU, was found guilty of quid pro quo through providing appointments in exchange for support of the ticket, according to a press release from the Senate Judicial Panel. ACTION OU also provided misleading and inaccurate information to the Judicial Panel involving the existence of those mutualistic relationships. UNITY, the other ticket on the Senate ballot, was also investigated for reported claims of quid pro quo. There was not enough evidence against UNITY to charge the ticket, Casey Hall-Jones, chief justice on the Senate Judicial Panel, said. The ACTION OU ticket was made up of presidential candidate Ceren Ozcan, vice presidential candidate Maddie Kramer and Sam Carryer, candidate for treasurer. All executive candidates on the ticket will be removed from the ballot, and the ticket as a whole will be disbanded. Any non-executive candidates who were formerly on the ticket will be allowed to run as independents, according to the release. Individuals removed are allowed to appeal to the Committee on Election Appeals chaired by the Student Senate president, Lydia Ramlo, according to chapter 13 of Senate rules and procedures. An appeal may be reduced, overturned or upheld as the Special Committee sees fit. Ozcan, Kramer and Carryer all appealed to the committee. After hearing appeals Monday, Kramer was barred from running for and holding a position in Senate’s 2020-21 body. Kramer was found guilty of quid pro quo through providing appointments in exchange for support of her ticket. She was also found guilty of providing false and misleading information to the Judicial Panel when asked about the existence of those mutualistic relationships, according to a Senate press release. Ozcan and Carryer were found guilty of witnessing the providing of compensation through appointments in exchange for
ticket support. Ozcan and Carryer are not allowed to run for positions but are not removed from Senate. Both may apply for and be appointed to a position on the body next year. The decisions are final and not subject to further appeal. Those decisions also leave the UNITY ticket as the only registered ticket on the ballot. The ticket is led by presidential candidate Carlo Deniro. Having a ballot with a singular ticket aligns with past Senate elections trends. During the 2020-19 and 2019-18 Senate elections, only one ticket ran, Hall-Jones said. The last election with multiple tickets on the ballot was the 2018-17 Senate body. There were originally three tickets before the FIGHT ticket was disqualified. FIGHT was removed from the ballot after failing to submit four financial reports on time, according to a previous Post report. If not for the coronavirus pandemic forcing the remainder of Spring Semester to be held online, Senate elections would have already taken place, and the new body would be entering office, Hall-Jones said. The virus has delayed the election process by months. Senate decided it was undemocratic to campaign on a campus with virtually no students, Hall-Jones said. Elections will now take place on the fourth week of Fall Semester. Some of the details for how a delayed election will work are still being decided. The current plan is to have passive campaigning on social media take place over the summer. Once students are back on campus, active campaigning will begin the first day of Fall Semester, Hall-Jones said. Not only does the coronavirus impact Senate elections, but it also hampers the ability for Senate to operate over the summer. “With the absence of most of senate as no officials are elected between the terms, without proper management on the part of the interim Executive officers, it will be very difficult for Senate to not be damaged in terms of its overall operations through the summer,” Hall-Jones said in an email.
@ABBLAWRENCE AM166317@OHIO.EDU THEPOSTATHENS.COM / 7
Ohio University students protest and crowd around gun rights advocate Kaitlin Bennett inside Baker University Center on Monday, Feb. 17, 2020. (NATE SWANSON | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Mike Philibin of the Athens Fire Department carries an American flag during the fifth annual Stair Challenge at Peden Stadium in Athens, Ohio. (BLAKE NISSEN | FOR THE POST)
Alex Armstrong and Jacob Chaffin lead the protest against Ohio University budget cuts on Monday, November 25, 2019. (ALEC SYRVALIN | FOR THE POST)
BEST OF NEWS AND CULTURE Highlights from events throughout the year 8 / APRIL 23, 2020
Mayor Steve Patterson and his wife, Connie Patterson, celebrate his reelection with a kiss while their daughter hugs him on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2019. (LAURA BILSON | FOR THE POST)
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Rick Schwardt (right) shows Carrie Lowery (left) a river rock at the Pawpaw Festival in Albany on Friday, Sept. 13 2019. (CARRIE LEGG | FOR THE POST)
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From left to right, members of Judge Russo Marvin Dotiyal, Dewy D’Amore, Anthony Stanzi and Anthony Joseph on Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2019. (JESSE JARROLD-GRAPES | FOR THE POST)
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THE BEST OF THE YEAR A showcase of some of our best photos of the 2019-2020 academic year
ABOVE: Ohio University running back O’Shaan Allison (No. 28) dodges the Flashes. Bobcats won 45-38 on Oct. 19, 2019. (RYAN GRZYBOWSKI | FOR THE POST) TOP LEFT: Kaylyn Schaffranek, who is a resident assistant in Bromley Hall, sticks a poster back onto the wall while moving out of the building on March 17, 2020, after Ohio University moved to online teaching for the rest of the semester due to the COVID-19. (ERIN BURK | FOR THE POST) TOP RIGHT: Students travelling through College Green experienced a memorial acknowledging those lost to suicide for Send Silence Packing on Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2019. (JESSE JARROLD-GRAPES | FOR THE POST) BOTTOM RIGHT: A group of Mennonites pass over a bridge at Old Man’s Cave in Hocking Hills on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019. (ALEC SYRVALIN | FOR THE POST) BOTTOM LEFT: Ohio University teammates Thomas Pokorney (No. 4) and J.T. Schimizzi (No. 12) celebrate a scored point during the Bobcats’ game versus the University of Pittsburgh on Friday, Feb. 21, 2020, in Bird Arena. (ANTHONY WARNER | FOR THE POST)
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Best of Sports Highlights from sports events throughout the semester
Ohio’s Logan Stanley wrestles Campbells’s Austin Murphy during a match on Nov. 10, 2019, in The Convo. (MEAGAN HALL | FOR THE POST)
Ohio forward JT Schimizzi (No. 12) celebrates after scoring a goal during the Bobcats’ hockey game on Friday, Feb. 21, 2020, at Bird Arena. (COLIN MAYR | FOR THE POST)
Ohio’s forward Gabby Burris (No. 41) celebrates on the bench against The University of Toledo on Feb. 19, 2020. (MADDIE BRYANT | FOR THE POST)
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Ohio University outside hitter Lauren Park prepares to hit the ball in a game against Ball State in on Oct. 19, 2019. (ERIN BURK | FOR THE POST)
Ohio's Paige Knorr attempts to kick the ball past Cleveland State's Essence Canady during Ohio's game versus Cleveland State on Friday, Aug. 30, 2019. The Bobcats beat the Vikings 2-1. . (ANTHONY WARNER | FOR THE POST)
Ohio’s Logan Stanley wrestles Campbell’s Austin Murphy during a match on Nov. 10, 2019, in The Convo. (MEAGAN HALL | FOR THE POST)
Ohio's Karynne Baker tries to keep the ball away from Drexel's Puk Thewessen during the Drexel and Ohio matchup Aug. 30, 2019. (HANNAH RUHOFF | FOR THE POST)
THEPOSTATHENS.COM / 13
UNCLE SAM
IT WASN’T SUPPOSED TO END LIKE THIS
COVID-19 and mental health
Goodbye, Athens
SAM SMITH is a junior studying geography at Ohio University
Stopping the spread of COVID-19 has demanded millions across the United States isolate themselves and entirely change their lifestyles. However, the mere knowledge of the importance of these alterations for saving lives doesn’t make them easy for all of us. One poll even found that nearly half of Americans claim their mental health has been harmed by the COVID-19 outbreak. Indeed, being confined in a space with a small group of people is not conducive to the mental health of many. I, like everyone else, greatly miss my friends. While I love my family dearly, it is almost just as difficult to be indefinitely stuck with them. Additionally, I had grown accustomed to the privacy and independence I had at college that I must forfeit at home. I know for a fact that many other college students hold similar sentiments. But, of course, isolation is not the only stressful factor about the pandemic: The virus has mandated that we change nearly all aspects of our lives. Working and studying from home demands that we endeavor to adapt to formats that may not be conducive to our productivity. Every run to the grocery store, as my mom puts it, is like playing a game of Russian roulette. You never know which outing will be the one that infects you. And that is another matter in itself: COVID-19 can be fatal. The very prospect of our loved ones or ourselves contracting the disease is like having a gun to the head — It is justifiably a major stress factor for many. For those to whom this has already happened, nothing less than society’s greatest condolences are mandated. In short, this is a very sad, stressful and generally mentally tough time for a lot of people. As such, we must systematically respond to the mental health crises caused by the pandemic. Governments must ensure that mental health resources are as available as possible. Fortunately, that is already happening to some degree: New York, for example, has mustered 8,000 mental health 14 / APRIL 23, 2020
professionals to help residents who need it. China moved mental health workers to Wuhan rapidly at the pandemic’s outset. Even Ohio has expanded mental health resources during this time. Still, as is commonly the case in this country, government responses are unreliable and uneven. Furthermore, with our medical system already saturated because of COVID-19, much of the burden of coping with the mental health fallout of the pandemic will fall on the public. That is tragic because mental health issues, by their very nature, cannot be addressed by individual efforts alone. People facing mental health crises need others’ help. Therefore, our roles as friends, family members, neighbors, coworkers, classmates and fellow Americans are more crucial than ever. We must check in with those who are important to us. Sending memes, a quick call or even a simple “How’s it going?” can go far. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provide a page with useful information on mental health care resources and techniques during the outbreak. Most importantly, among these recommendations, are keeping a healthy lifestyle with diet and exercising, getting rest and trying new things. These alterations to our lives have certainly given us the opportunity to try new things. I, for example, have found new music, attempted to study German, written more and have been more physically active. At the same time, the quarantine provides us with a unique chance to take a break from the normal routine of life. While framing the quarantine in this way has been useful for me, different things work — and don’t work — for different people. Ultimately, finding what works for you may require experimentation, and even then, some may never get to a place where they are fully mentally healthy during the quarantine. At that point, it becomes a matter of trying to maintain the perspective that this is temporary and minimizing the negative effects we feel. For those experiencing great pain, it is important to remember you are not alone. Seek out people to talk to, even if you can only do so electronically. In Ohio and elsewhere, there are ways in which you can access help on the phone and online. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline can be reached at 1-800-273-8255, and that organization also has an online chat function. Now more than ever, it is so important that we take care of ourselves and each other.
Please note that the views and opinions of the columnists do not reflect those of The Post. Want to talk more about it? Let Sam know by tweeting him @sambobsmith_.
MATT PARKER is a senior studying journalism at Ohio University
I’m sitting in my childhood bedroom at my parent’s house in Columbus being flooded with memories from the last four years. Walking up Morton Hill as I exited my freshman dorm on my way to my first journalism course. Leaving my sophomore dorm to play basketball on the courts at South Beach with friends and strangers who later became friends. Spending my time with people I loved junior year since most of them were about to graduate, and I didn’t know when our paths would cross again. And then, of course, senior year where I spent every day soaking up the moment because I knew it would end. What I didn’t know was how it would end. For the last month and change – though it feels exponentially longer – I’ve spent the time trying to put into words how I wanted to say goodbye to a town that gave me more than I ever thought it would. I, like every other senior, had plans on how I was going to spend the remaining weeks in Athens. There were various Court Street bar crawls being planned – a quick thank you to The Pigskin for making my senior year so memorable. The Post has so many senior traditions that I was looking forward to partaking in. Some of those traditions are emotional, such as the senior sendoff. Others are more light-hearted, like our end-of-the-year get-together. Of course, those plans were at first put on hold, and then eventually canceled. How could I be forced to say goodbye when it still wasn’t over? That contention led to a lot of headbutts between my mom and I, who told me that it’s time to start thinking as if I had already graduated. It hur t to say goodbye when I wasn’t ready. But then again, is anyone ever really ready for a goodbye
when you know that it’s going to hur t no matter when? I let myself be sad for longer than I should have, but then my perspective changed. The sadness I had felt changed into appreciation. Sure, I physically had to say goodbye, but the truth is, Athens will always be with me. The bricks that make the campus so beautiful will still be there. The cherry blossoms along the Hocking still bloomed this spring. Schoonover Center is still standing. And of course, Baker 325, which is home to the best student-ran newspaper in the country, is still intact. No, the class of 2020 didn’t get the traditions. It didn’t get the final last call on Court Street. It didn’t get one last hike throughout the various hills nearby. But it did get something that very few people can say: the complete and absolute joy of experiencing what a town in the foothills of the Appalachians can give if you allow yourself to change. I grew up in Athens. I learned a lot in classes and my experiences at The Post of course, but the last four years taught me more about how to be a good person. How to handle stressful situations, and honestly on some days, how to simply get out of bed and put my feet on the ground again. So, with a full heart filled with the best years of my life, goodbye, Athens. We will see each other someday when the life of the city is back. When the restaurants are busy, the shops open and the sidewalks full. When the bricks are occupied, Peden is rocking and Bobcats are home. Please note that the views and opinions of the columnists do not reflect those of The Post. Want to talk to Matt? Tweet him @matthewlparker5.
4 reasons why it’s OK to not be super productive during a pandemic
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MADDIE BUSSERT FOR THE POST As the current COVID-19 pandemic continues to progress, daily life has shifted for all Americans and likely for most of the world. Students are taking their classes online, all non-essential businesses are closed and almost 9 million Americans are unemployed. It seems that life as we knew it has temporarily come to a halt. The pandemic was an unexpected shock, and everyone is adjusting to the “new normal” in different ways. Social media influencers are posting their at-home workouts, some are learning new languages and some are seemingly being more productive than ever. It’s easy to feel guilty or feel like you’re wasting time if you aren’t being super productive right now. Here’s a few reminders of why it’s OK to let yourself relax:
TIME SPENT AT HOME DOES NOT EQUAL FREE TIME
Although many people are not physically going into work or school, a lot of people are still working full-time from home. Adjusting to online work or schooling takes time and can be a challenge in itself. Some parents are now having to help home-school their kids and work full-time in addition to maintaining daily household chores. Our homes have turned into work spaces, and because of that, it’s now easy to feel guilty if you’re at home and not constantly working on something. Instead of feeling bad about yourself, try dedicating certain times of the day to relax, guilt-free.
DIFFERENT PEOPLE THRIVE IN DIFFERENT ENVIRONMENTS
Some people do extremely well under pressure, and others do not. If you’re the type of person who doesn’t thrive in a stressful environment, then it’s likely that this period of isolation has been tough on you. If that’s the case, then know that it’s OK to be overwhelmed, sad, stressed or whatever emotion you’re feeling. This pandemic is something none of us have ever experienced before. Remember some people busy themselves as a way to distract from the emotions they’re feeling. If you find yourself measuring your self-worth by how productive you’re being, it’s time to step back and reevaluate.
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BE COMPASSIONATE WITH YOURSELF; LET YOURSELF REST IF YOU NEED IT
If you are feeling inspired, have more free time and are getting more things checked off your to-do list, then that’s great. Productivity is important, but being honest with yourself is more important. Be kind to yourself, and allow yourself to rest as much as you need. Almost everyone has experienced some sort of loss — a canceled trip, a school year cut short, a job no longer deemed necessary. This pandemic has caused a form of grief that some will experience more than others. There are no rules for however you choose to spend your time, and the most important thing is just to do what's best for you.
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How local law enforcement is adjusting to the coronavirus pandemic Departments have made adjustments to protocols and staffing in order to ensure the health of employees and Athens’ residents ELLEN WAGNER EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Captain Ralph Harvey has lived in Athens his entire life and has worked for the Athens Police Department for 23 years. Since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, he has never seen Athens quite like this. There has not been a lot of activity in Athens since most students have moved out of their off-campus housing and plans for fests and other city events have been canceled. “We’ve never dealt with something exactly like this,” Harvey said. “We’ve dealt with a number of different crises, but they’re generally short. Even blizzards don’t last weeks.” He said it reminds him of when Ohio Uni-
16 / APRIL 23, 2020
versity was on the quarters system. During the summer, there was an intercession where the level of activity in the city went down since students would leave campus, and permanent residents would go on vacation. There is still work for all law enforcement departments, even with less activity in Athens, and changes have been made to ensure the health and safety of residents. DAY-TO-DAY CHANGES Some of the APD administrative staff have been doing their work from home and only coming into the department when necessary. Harvey and APD Chief Tom Pyle each work half the week from home so they are not in the office at the same time and limit contact with patrol officers to avoid any spread of COVID-19.
This way, Harvey and Pyle can work as patrol officers if current officers get sick, Harvey said. Pyle is also working as the acting safety service director while remaining as the APD chief. Director Andrew Stone was called to service for the National Guard prior to the pandemic and is now assisting at the state level in response to COVID-19. The department had plans for Pyle to fill the position before the pandemic so it would not disrupt the service for the city. APD has not scaled back on patrol in Athens but has added additional precautions. The number of officers on patrol have remained the same with the exception of less overtime since large weekends, parades and fests are canceled. The Ohio University Police Department is still on patrol every day but is carefully coor-
dinating office duties to social distance when possible, OUPD Lieutenant Tim Ryan said in an email. Staff, such as administrative employees and investigation personnel, are working from home when they can. Officers take turns and coordinate times when they are in the office to eat lunch and to write reports to practice social distancing as much as possible. Access has been restricted to the OUPD’s communication center, and appropriate cleaning supplies are available to be used before and after working at each computer station and cruiser. The Athens County Sheriff’s Office has divided officers into Team A and Team B so there will still be officers to work in case some officers have to be quarantined. Officers are also provided with masks, gloves and a lot of hand
sanitizer. Detectives remain on standby, and the administrative staff has been only working four hours a day in the office and the rest at home. People can still report to the sheriff’s office and are able to do CCW background checks and sheriff sales, which are administrative things required by law to get done, Sheriff Rodney Smith said. Next week, the sheriff’s office is going back to eight hours a day of work in the office but will still use lots of precautions and follow the guidelines set by Gov. Mike DeWine. “We’re still going to do the same things as far as the way we take our reports, and we’re still going to try to limit our officers to do the social distancing as much as possible when they can,” Smith said. The prosecutor’s office has also reduced the amount of in-person work since the suspension of the grand jury has put the office at a standstill. Since March 23, only 20% of the staff has been working in the office, Athens County Prosecutor Keller Blackburn said. Next week, the staffing will begin to increase in the office since the backlog of work has been increasing. Blackburn said changes will have to be made to the way things were done in the past in order to ensure the safety of everyone. Contact in courtrooms will be limited, and more time in between hearings will have to be longer so cleaning can be maintained. “We want to keep our community safe,” Blackburn said. “We won’t be able to set courtroom hearings every 15 minutes.” PROTECTING THE PEOPLE OF ATHENS Harvey said APD has made changes to protocols both internally and externally to ensure the safety of workers and residents. “We don’t have the volume of calls that we’ve had in the past, but we still have serious calls. We’re still handling things we’re doing as much as we can to mitigate contact with lots of people, including each other,” Harvey said. The front doors of the department are locked. People have to ring the buzzer if they need assistance, and an officer will be sent outside to speak with them. The department is still taking calls for reports and will respond to calls for assistance. People can even submit a report through email if that’s what they are most comfortable with, Harvey said. “We’re trying to use those options, a lot more than we have in the past,” Harvey said. “We don’t want you in the perception of we’re trying to ignore things or do not do the due diligence that we should for reports.” OUPD is still continuing to work even though campus buildings are closed and only about 150 students remain living on campus in residence halls. OUPD is also taking reports both over the phone and in-person. Ryan said officers are shifting their attention toward the protection of property since there are fewer people around to report suspicious activity. “For most minor crimes a phone call is sufficient and preferred,” Ryan said in an email. “When reports need to be taken in person, officers will do their best to maintain at least six
ILLUSTRATION BY RILEE LOCKHART feet of distance from the reporting party(ies).” The sheriff’s office still has officers and first responders out in full force, Smith said. The officers respond to emergency calls and maintain social distancing when possible. If fewer people are needed to handle a situation, only one or two officers are sent to control the situation. “We’re just trying to mitigate as much of a risk as we can, but at the end of the day, you know we just want to reassure people that we’re out there,” Smith said. The work of the prosecutor’s office may be limited, but they have found other ways to work to keep moving forward. There has been limited hearings for people who are incarcerated for things like bond hearings and arraignments. Blackburn said they have also used this time as an opportunity to negotiate deals with the defense council. Blackburn said the office is still expected to have the same number of case totals as last month. Blackburn said groups and programs have had to make changes in order to say in touch with
the people in them. Groups, such as the support group for families of addicts, have been moved to telephone meetings. People in the diversion program can complete their community service hours through a program that started to beautify neighborhoods in Athens. Many people have to do at least 60 hours of community service so they are picking up trash in their neighborhood. People who are incarcerated for nonviolent offenses in the Southeastern Ohio Regional Jail have been moved into a treatment program instead. Other people have been released because their sentences were completed. The jail can hold up to 70 inmates, and there are currently only 28 inmates. COMING TOGETHER FOR THE CITY Law enforcement want to ensure that the safety of the people and the city are still a top priority during a time of change. Blackburn said it is a difficult time for everyone since so many things are abnormal, but the prosecutor’s office will continue to serve Athens.
“We are ready to move forward and keep doing what we are doing,” Blackburn said. Smith said the sheriff’s office will continue to monitor the risks of officers and residents but will continue to be there for the community in every way possible. “I just want to reassure people again that we’re out in force, and our main goal is for the safety and well-being of the citizens of Athens County. We’re going to make sure that happens,” Smith said. Harvey said he thinks the city has responded well and has seen people and business come together to help one another. “I think the Athens community has always been and always will be very community oriented,” Harvey said. “We’ll do everything we can to be part of that as a police department.”
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THEPOSTATHENS.COM / 17
FROM THE SENIOR’S DESK
A final goodbye from the 2020 graduates F
or the seniors at The Post, the year certainly did not end how we expected it to or hoped it would. We missed our many lasts and celebrations we had been looking forward to all year. However, we would not have traded these last four years at Ohio University and The Post for anything. In the academic year’s final print edition, a few of our seniors want to say farewell and thank you to parents, friends and all of our readers who have supported us. We could not have done it without all of you.
TAYLOR JOHNSTON DIGITAL MANAGING EDITOR
When I visited Ohio University for the first time, I picked up a copy of the tab in Baker. Flipping through the pages made me so excited to graduate from high school and move to campus so I could finally get started in the next chapters of life. Little did I know this chapter, especially the part where I joined The Post, would gain me so many friendships, teach me the ins and outs of the field, allow me to explore career options and most importantly, be a second home to me. Thank you to everyone who has supported me – my family, who pushed me to do my best and to work hard, and Aimee Edmondson and Juan Thomassie, you showed me the world of data and its importance in journalism. I wish my senior year didn’t end in the midst of a pandemic, but I will still cherish the memories and experiences I have endured these last four years.
MATT PARKER SPORTS EDITOR
I’m asked one last time for The Post to effectively paint a scene in as few words as possible but with the best words. It only feels like yesterday where I covered my first event for this paper. An intrasquad baseball scrimmage where Ohio won and the Bobcats lost (ba dum tss). From the moment on, I knew that The Post was going to become a second home to me. There’s been a lot of laughs along the way, a lot of frustrations, a lot of failures. But there’s also been a lot more good moments, and those are moments that will last with me for the rest of my life. I can’t thank every single person that deserves a thank you from me. I probably owe more thank yous than I even realize. For the last time, I’ll jokingly add one of my favorite euphemisms from these last four years: “Shut up, sports!”
LOGAN MOORE NEWS REPORTER
I remember taking my first journalism class, JOUR1330 with Nerissa Young, and thinking, “Wow, I will never be able to memorize the entire AP Style Guide.” But let me tell you, it’s possible when you work for The Post. Aside from the massive amounts of experience gained through the paper, I’ve met my best friends through this organization and learned so much about myself in the process. For that, I am so grateful. Thank you Nerissa Young for teaching me that 18 / APRIL 23, 2020
some of the hardest moments are the best places to learn. Thank you to my parents for pushing me so hard to further my passions, and thank you to my best friends at The Post! And most importantly, thank you to our readers in Athens and beyond!
RILEE LOCKHART ART DIRECTOR
I joined The Post as a freshman, literal days after I got to OU. At the time, I was thinking, “This will be something good to put on my resume and a cool thing to do a couple days of the week.” If only I had known that this would become a community I felt I belonged in and a family I feel deeply indebted to. I can’t imagine having a college experience without The Post, for better or worse. I want to thank the people that helped me throughout these years, especially my boyfriend, Nathan, who put up with me coming home at 3 a.m. on Wednesdays when we had to make the paper, my mom who listened to all my frustrations and stress about getting things done on time and being good enough and my VisCom professors, who encouraged me to do my best work throughout these four years. Leaving now seems surreal, but I would not trade my past four years in Athens for anything in the world. OU, The Post and Athens will always hold a special place in my heart.
MAGGIE CAMPBELL NEWS REPORTER
I never thought I would go to school out-of-state when I was in high school. After a visit to Ohio and a meeting with Dr. Stewart, I knew it was the place for me. Nerissa Young, my adviser freshman year, made me feel at home during BSO. Andy Alexander, one of my earliest mentors, helped me choose The Post as one of the places I could call home at Ohio. Through The Post, I have met wonderful people and incredible reporters. I couldn’t be more grateful for the opportunities given to me and the encouragement I have received from editors over the years. Thank you to my mom and dad for helping me to get to Ohio countless times and always encouraging me. Thank you to my friends within The Post and outside of The Post for always encouraging me and providing a shoulder to cry on. Thank you to Dr. Stewart and Andy Alexander for encouraging me to attend OU and always providing excellent guidance. Thank you to Nerissa Young for your support and love over the last four years. Thank you to Dr. D and all the other journalism faculty who guided me through my time at Ohio University as well. I wouldn’t have traded these past four years for the world. To The Post, write on, and continue to make me and the other alums proud.
KEVIN PAN SLOT EDITOR
It’s an understatement to say the last four years I’ve spent in Athens have been the greatest four years of my life. I walked into The Post newsroom my first week here on campus and met what ended up becom-
ing a group of people that is as close to me as family. I don’t even know what to say now that I’m leaving. How do you say goodbye to a world you feel like you’ve known your whole life, a world where everything just feels right? There’s no real way to do it, I guess. You just gotta be happy that times like Homecoming exist, so it’s never a permanent goodbye. One of the greatest feelings in the world is making a road trip back to Athens after some time away and rounding the final bend to see campus come into view. Athens is a magical place, and I won’t ever forget that. I’m grateful for every minute I’ve had in this town, and I’ll never forget all the great people I’ve met. Every fest, every party, every late night in the newsroom and every late night on Court Street are all memories that never can and never will be replaced. Although my senior year was cut short, I’m happy I was able to live life to the fullest the three-and-a-half years before. Thank you, Athens, for everything. I wouldn’t trade it for the world. See you next time.
ANTHONY POISAL SPORTS EDITOR
The Post has given me everything I asked for since my first days as a freshman living inside Washington Hall and having little idea about what to expect with college life. Because of The Post, I’ve made close friends, covered just about every Ohio University sport and have been given a path for a career in sports journalism. I was always proud to call myself a Postie, and now I’ll be proud to graduate into the massive group of alums who have never forgotten where their journalism careers started, too.
GEORGE SHILLCOCK NEWS REPORTER AND PODCASTER
The biggest mistake I made in college wasn’t doing bad in a class, sleeping in or even the many times I spent neglecting my responsibilities in favor of having a social life. Put simply, it was not joining The Post the moment I stepped on campus as a freshman journalism major. “Better late than never” is an apt expression for me in this situation. I missed out on over a year of stellar journalism, opportunities at getting mentored by some of the best journalists at OU and really the chance to make some more friends. The tragedy of it all is that while I did make the most of my three years creating podcasts and covering breaking news and politics, it has all been cut short. I’ll never know what those last two months as an OU senior will feel like, culminating in that final walk across the stage and getting that real “I graduated from college” feeling. Pursuing this degree at this college was probably the smartest decision I had made in life up to my freshman year. Athens has given me a place I can call home, lifelong memories with people I will call friends for decades to come and the experience of a lifetime living and learning what it means to be a Postie, a SMO guy, a New Chord and a Bobcat. Until next time Athens. Thank you for everything.
2020 SENIORS
THEPOSTATHENS.COM / 19