News | 2
News | 3 Gym masters sets new tryout safety guidelines
Students Missions office reduce number of operations
July 30, 2020 Collegedale, Tennessee
Religion | 4 My Savior in the drought: Learning from the faith of a widow
Southern Accent
Southern announces important guidelines for August graduation ceremony
Vol. 75 Issue 28 Summer Edition
The student voice since 1926
Southern implements online food ordering app, discontinues self-service at the cafeteria
Taylor Dean News Editor Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Southern’s postponed May 2020 graduation ceremony is set to occur on Aug. 9, and will be held in the Iles P.E. Center located on Southern’s campus. According to the graduation page on Southern's website, to accommodate for social distancing guidelines, there will be three consecutive services at 9 a.m., 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. Each graduate has been granted a maximum of four reserved seats for guests, and registration to attend the in-person ceremonies is now closed. Upon arrival, at least one person from the attending party must show his or her e-Ticket to enter the building as stated on the website. Additionally, photo ID of either a driver’s license or a Southern ID will be required to aid with security regulations, and masks must be worn throughout the entirety of the program. According to Academic Administrative Assistant and Graduation Coordinator Eve Knight, there will also be a temperature-check station that everyone will need to go through to be allowed into the gym. A wristband will be given to each individual to indicate See GRADUATION on page 2
Lunch hour at the cafeteria. Food Services is discontinuining self-service for the coming fall semester. Photo courstesy of University Marketing and Relations Department.
Paola Mora Zepeda Editor-in-chief As a COVID-19 safety precaution, Southern is adding an app to order food online from KR’s and the Kayak. In addition, there will be a change to the cafeteria’s menu as self-serve service will be discontinued. The app, called CBORD GET, will allow students to place and pay for their orders from KR’s and Kayak online. It will not work with meals in the cafeteria, and no official decision has been reached about which functions will be used for the Deli. The app will be linked to students’ meal plan account and will directly calculate purchase discounts respective to students' individual meal plans. The goal is for the app to help decrease the number of cus-
tomers inside the waiting areas of these food facilities. “So, if [students] order and pay online for a pickup … they won't have to then go and swipe their card at that place,” Financial Administration Senior Vice President Tom Verrill said. “It’s all online. [So], they can just show up to pick up their order, which makes the process a lot quicker.” However, it will still be possible for students to order in person. Though the app will not have the option to order food from the cafeteria, it will be used to reserve seats in the dining hall. As seating capacity in this designated eating area is being reduced by 33%, CBORD GET will allow students to secure a space. According to Verrill,
students may reserve a spot for just themselves or a group of friends. Implementing this feature to the app will also allow Food Services to clean up the tables after each use.
The app, calledd CBOARD GET, will allow students to place and pay for their orders from KR's and Kayak online. “Students will still be allowed to come in [without a reservation],” said Teddy Kyriakidis, Food Services director. “But we're trying to get students to
sit in a designated area. That way we can keep a rotation going and prevent traffic to the dining hall, allowing us to clean up before the next group comes down again.” Food Services is also implementing a change to the cafeteria’s menu. Each meal period will have fewer options, and self-service will be suspended for the time being. Some popular features, such as the ice cream machine, will no longer be available. Discussion is still taking place about the accessibility of the waffle station during breakfast and the haystack bar during lunch and dinner, according to Kyriakidis. Though self-service will not See FOOD SERVICES on page 2
Hulsey Wellness Center to reopen Residence halls and Southern Village add with COVID-19 regulations
new air filtration devices installed into AC units Taylor Dean News Editor
As the Hulsey Wellness Center prepares to reopen, every other exercise machine has been marked off to enforce social distancing. Photo by Paola Mora Zepeda.
Megan Yoshioka Staff Writer Hulsey Wellness Center will reopen Aug. 3 to Southern students, along with employees and their families, amid new health regulations. Hulsey’s new restrictions follow guidelines set by the Hamilton County Health Department and Southern’s administration. Anyone entering the building will be required to wear a mask and take the daily health assessment, which includes a temperature check and ques-
tionnaire. According to Hulsey Facility Manager Darin Bissell, people must also wear masks while walking through the hallways. However, subject to approval by Administration, they may remove their masks during workouts. The University has not yet approved Hulsey’s reopening to community members. According to School of Physical Education, Health and Wellness dean, Robert Benge,
Administration has voted that there will be no Gym Kids or community children swimming lessons this fall semester. In accordance with the Tennessee Pledge, all contact sports, including basketball, will not be allowed. However, non-contact sports, such as volleyball, will still be acceptable. Child care, ice baths and massages will also not be available upon Hulsey’s reopening, according to Bissell. Other facilSee HULSEY on page 3
As Southern’s housing departments prepare to welcome students back to campus, the AC units located in Thatcher, Thatcher South, Talge and the Southern Village apartments have been altered with needle point bipolar ionization (NPBI) devices designed to improve improve air quality. After a test run of the NBPI devices proved effective in reducing air particulates, allergens, mold and killing a variety of viruses, installation began in each residence room, according to Financial Administration Associate Vice President Marty Hamilton. “All of the residence hall AC window units have been pulled out, cleaned, and then installed with the device,” Hamilton said. “It has no harmful byproducts and does not generate ozone gas like many other air ionizers and even UV light devices.” According to Plant Services Director of Building Systems Dennis Clifford, although the installations began back in
March, Southern had already been in contact with the NBPI manufacturer before COVID-19, looking to purchase the product.
All of the residence hall AC window units have been pulled out, cleaned, and then installed with the device. It has no harmful byproducts and does not generate ozone gas like many other air ionizers and even UV light devices. “Ninety-five percent of the installations are complete, with the Service Department being the only area left to have the devices installed,” Clifford said. “Systems have been installed into dorm rooms and Southern Village apartments—one per dorm room, plus a bigger one for lobbies and hallways, and one per apartment in Village.” See AIR FILTRATION on page 2
2 | Thursday, July 30, 2020
If you would like to be a contributor, contact Paola Mora at paolam@southern.edu
NEWS GRADUATION
FOOD SERVICES
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be an option in the cafeteria this semester, food will still be charged by weight. To make up for the fewer menu options, Verrill says, there will be more grab-and-go choices. In fact, the pavilion outside of KR’s will be a designated grab-and-go spot. Administration will be adding coverings to this area so that it is still usable during bad weather. The Presidential Banquet Room will also be open to accommodate more students. Besides these changes, anyone inside the cafeteria, KR’s, Kayak or Deli will be expected to wear masks at all times with the exception of when they are eating in the designated eating
areas. Customers will also be asked to sanitize their hands as they enter the cafeteria and will have to keep some distance as marked by tapings on the floor. Hours for all food places will remain the same. “We're working with our county health inspector to make sure that things are being done safely,” Kyriakidis said. “We’re going by his recommendations and guidelines. Overall, our goal is to best serve our students safely while giving [them] the college experience they expect.”
AIR FILTRATION continued from page 1
that they’ve been cleared. Of all the guidelines for the ceremony, Knight said the most emphasized is to abide by social distancing policies. “We are asking everyone to maintain their physical distance from other family groups if they are waiting outside prior to or after their program, and that all attendees remain in their seats during the program,” Knight said. “At the end of the program, guests will be dismissed by rows to exit out the side doors of the gym. We are asking the guests and their graduates to meet at one of their vehicles after the program in order to facilitate appropriate distancing outside after the program.” In a poll conducted on the Accent’s Instagram account, 37 respondents said they will be attending the in-person graduation ceremony while 119 said they will not. Clinical psychology graduating senior Shirali Pathak said that despite the fears of larger events amidst COVID-19, she still plans to participate in the ceremony. “I chose to attend the in-per-
son ceremony because we don’t know what the future holds,” Pathak said. “I’m starting my master’s in the fall. And with how the world looks, this could possibly be the only opportunity I have left to walk. So, I decided to take it.” Mass communication graduating senior Tierra Hayes credits the rising Hamilton County cases and not wanting to unnecessarily expose her family members to COVID-19 as her reasons for refraining from participating on Aug 9. She said that while she knows some of her classmates are planning to walk and she is happy for them, it just wasn’t the right choice for her. “I just don’t think I could justify bringing my family - some with prior health conditions hours away to be in an enclosed space for an extended period of time just to watch me walk into the gym and across the stage,” Hayes said. “I got my diploma in the mail, and I feel that I have gotten the closure I’ve needed for my college years.” According to Knight, there are 72 graduates signed up for 9 a.m., 93 signed up for 1 p.m.
and 49 signed up for 4 p.m., which equates to 214 out of a total of 485 graduates. With roughly 44 percent of graduates participating in the services, Knight said that while these are the sign-up numbers, she can’t predict how many will actually attend. “Graduation is usually a ‘welloiled machine,’ where everybody knows his or her designated responsibilities and fulfills them,” Knight said. “With information page at www. southern.edu/graduation
Student Missions reduces number of operations due to COVID-19
A Global Plasma Solution (GPS) device, which improves air quality through needle point bipolar ionization, has been installed in the AC units of each dorm room and Village apartment. Photo by Paola Mora.
Since the project began, Clifford said a team of about 16 people have been working on the installations, including student workers from Plant Services.
The most challenging part has been how time-consuming the project was. They’ve [the team] installed between 2,000-3,000 units. The ones in the dorm, which are the smallest ones, take about 30 minutes each to install.
the smallest ones, take about 30 minutes each to install.” According to Global Plasma Solutions’ (GPS) FAQ page, the company that manufactures the device, its GPS technology can be installed in any system in any building. Additionally, it states that its technology saves energy consumption and lowers one's carbon footprint, all while delivering clean indoor air that is safe and healthy.
“The most challenging part has been how time-consuming the project was,” Clifford said. “They’ve [the team] installed between 2,000 and 3,000 units. The ones in the dorms, which are
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Editor-in-Chief Paola Mora Zepeda News Editor Taylor Dean Staff Sponsor Alva James-Johnson
Carolina Lopez, '18, and Melanie Ramirez, '19, infront of the clinic at Riverside Farms, Zambia, during their year as student missionaries. Riverside Farms is one of the 14 organizations Southern's Task Force has approved to send Student Missionaries and one of the six that are ranked a "high probability location." If her Visa is approved, Nicole Donesky will be serving here. Photo courtesy of Christian Bunch.
Paola Mora Zepeda Editor-in-chief As Southern prepares for the start of the new semester, a small handful of students are anticipating the start of a year as student missionaries (SM). But with the abrupt changes caused by COVID-19, Student Missions has opted to reduce its operations for the Fall 2020 semester. “We recognize the increased risks brought on by the novel coronavirus, not only to health but to travel,” the Student Missions Office wrote in a statement released on Southern’s website. “As such, we will be partnering with a reduced number of organizations until the pandemic has subsided.” Under normal circumstances, Southern’s Student Missions works in over 40 countries worldwide and has connections with approximately 100 organizations, according to Student Missions Director Christian Bunch. This year, however, the opportunities are limited. As of July 29, Southern’s COVID-19 Task Force has approved only 14 organizations to work with this semester. Of that number, only six are ranked “high probability” locations, meaning that the countries’ borders are open. Eight are ranked “moderate probability” locations, meaning that they are still unclear whether or not the borders will allow SMs
to deploy. The list will be revised on Aug. 2. “Just because the task force approves [of an organization] doesn't necessarily mean that we can send somebody,” Bunch said. “It just means that in the event that the border is open, and we have worked it out with the organization, and they want to receive student missionaries, we have the ability to send them.”
[Student Missions] has been very open during this time even though they don't have all the answers. At the moment, there are approximately 30 students signed up to go as student missionaries during the fall semester. Though Bunch still expects the number to change, he says this is about half the number when compared to previous years. Despite these stats, most organizations Student Missions partners with will continue to carry on their operations. “We seek to work with organizations who don't rely specifically on student missionaries,” Bunch said. “Though [not receiving SMs] may reduce their capacity to do everything that they have done in the past, most of our organizations will be able to continue without as
many student missionaries.” Nursing junior Nicole Donesky is one of the students who plans to serve as an SM this coming semester. She will be working in Zambia at a medical clinic. Though she was worried at first about COVID-19, she says God kept proving to her that this was the right decision. “God just kept opening the doors since the beginning,” Donesky said. “There were other locations - [India and Peru] where I had looked into going. But out of those options, the one that seemed to fit me best was Zambia. ... Now, because of COVID, those locations don't sound as promising or possible as Zambia. So, I can see God leading that decision.” Donesky is currently working to get her Visa and plans to leave for Zambia at the end of August. “[Student Missions] has been very open during this time, even though they don't have all the answers,” Donesky said. “They're optimistic and trying to do the best that they can to help us, while also being real with us and telling us the potential risks with COVID and different countries that are open or borders that may close.” As a safety precaution, SMs are required to wear masks while traveling. They also have to quarantine for 14 days upon arriving at their destination.
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3 | Thursday, July 30, 2020
NEWS
ACA to allow study abroad in some countries for upcoming school year
Left: Blue markings have been placed on the floor of the gym to inforce socail distancing. Right: As a safety precaution, the drinking fountains are temporarily closed. Only bottle is allowed. Photo by Paola Mora Zepeda.
HULSEY
continued from page 1 ities such as the pools, fitness floor and Iles Gym will reopen with decreased capacity. Every other exercise machine on the fitness floor will be marked off to maintain social distancing. According to Benge, fitness classes are adjusting to social distancing guidelines through schemes like moving to bigger spaces or decreasing class sizes. No fitness classes have been canceled due to the new restrictions. Despite more limited access to gym equipment, Benge said fitness classes will still require the same amount of workout hours. “The physical activity requirement for PEAC and ADAC classes will remain in place,” Benge said. “While every other piece of equipment in Hulsey will be off limits due to social distancing, remember, community members will not be allowed in the facility. So, that will free up equipment. “Also, exercise outside,” he continued. “Anything done out-
side lowers the risk of contracting the virus (i.e., walking on track, tennis, pickleball, hiking, road biking, mountain biking, frisbee golf). People may have to get creative.” In order to keep the facility sanitized, Bissell said that the fitness floor staff will clean high touch points at least every two hours. Gym staff will also use an electrostatic sprayer to clean equipment every night. Equipment like racquets, mats and jump ropes will still be available to rent and will be cleaned upon return. Southern has also installed a needlepoint bipolar ionization system to purify the air. In addition to these routines, people will be requested to wipe down machines before and after use. People will also be required to wear masks while they are not actively working out or swimming in the pool. Junior public relations major Bailey DuBose said she does not plan on wearing a mask while exercising, but would wear one
while she is not working out. “I believe that as long as everyone is socially distanced, then a mask doesn’t need to be required,” DuBose said. “Personally, I would not wear a mask if I am actively working out but would put one on while I am moving to a different machine and entering or exiting the gym.” Senior biology major Madison Tsuchiya said she would prefer to wear a mask at all times in the gym. “Wearing masks is going to be important even if you are social distancing,” Tsuchiya said. “While social distancing may help, the gym is an enclosed space, and people are going to be moving around and past each other in order to get to the weights, mats or different machines. If masks aren’t mandated in the gym, I would seriously reconsider going there at all at least for the first couple weeks. If I did go to the gym, I would definitely wear a mask.”
Gym-masters sets new tryout COVID-19 safety guidelines
Gym Masters performing at their 2019 homeshow. Photo courtesy of Aimee Heather.
Bailey DuBose Staff Writer Southern Adventist University Gym-Masters will be implementing new safety measures in its try-outs, practices and shows for the 2020-2021 school year due to COVID-19. According to Gym-Masters' Team Manager Aimee Hunt, tryouts will be held Aug. 24-27 at 6 p.m. at the Gym-Master’s gym in the Hulsey Wellness Center. A second session will be held at 7 p.m. if there are more than 50 students present to try out. “Usually, tryouts include lots of group skills testing,” Hunt said. “But to keep contact to a minimum, this year's tryouts will be individual skills, and strength testing.” After students get their tem-
peratures checked and take their outside shoes off, they will enter through one door and practice and exit from another. In addition to these measures, there will be hand-sanitizing stations set up around the gym and each team member will be provided a face mask, according to Hunt. “There will be more individual routines, and working in ‘family groups’ so that the same team members are working with each other to keep contact to a minimum,” Hunt said. In past years, the Gym-Masters performed throughout the school year at different Southern events and shows, but due to the restrictions of COVID-19
that will be limited this year. “We are not leaving campus for any shows, first semester,” Hunt said. “[However,] we hope to have a special event produced for the end of the semester.” According to Hunt, Gym-Masters is planning on having shows during the Winter 2021 semester, but that has not been finalized. “Big group routines will have to wait, but not eliminated completely,” Hunt said. “The face masks will also be a change for the athletes. We will be spending more time on ‘classic’ gymnastics, meaning hand balancing, tumbling and flexibility.”
Heidi Ramierz, Hannah D'Avanzo and Alexis Johnson. D'Avanzo is going to Villa Aurora in Italy for a year abroad with ACA. This is the second time D'Aavanzo is participating in the ACA program. Photo courtesy of Hannah D'Avanzo.
Aubri Dancek Staff Writer As schools prepare to resume in the fall, ACA (Adventist Colleges Abroad) has made the decision to resume its program, which will allow students to travel abroad starting in September. Despite worldwide COVID19 concerns, ACA’s programs in Argentina, France, Germany, Italy, Lebanon and Spain will be prepared to open their campuses to students arriving in the fall. The only programs that have been suspended for the 2020-20201 school year are to Austria and Brazil. Sandra Esteves, director of ACA, believes that campuses are taking precautions necessary in order for students to be safe during their time there. Each campus abroad has remained safe from COVID19,” Esteves said. “Surprisingly, it looks like living abroad right now is safer than living in the United States, given that the U.S. has become the new hotspot of COVID-19 spread. Nevertheless, because this virus has spread to all the world, caution and education about how this virus is spread is essential to guide our daily life wherever it takes place.” According to ACA’s website, safety measures at the campuses and dormitories will be adjusted to abide by WHO (Worldwide Health Organization) and government guidelines. Students will be given the opportunity to stay in single rooms with no additional cost. If a student is symptomatic or tests positive for COVID-19, online courses will be ensured while in quarantine. Some of the other safety measures include face coverings provided and required to be worn by students and faculty, social distancing and body temperature checks, which will be taken regularly on campus and during cultural tours. Along with studying on cam-
pus, organized tours and personal trips are a significant part of ACA’s program. “As far as the cultural component of each program, each program director will do their best to offer an impressive ‘menu’ of cultural tours, equal to pre-pandemic times. But it is possible that some tours may have to be adapted due to safety concerns,” Esteves said. For Hannah D’Avanzo, senior broadcast journalism major, this will be her second time going to Italy through ACA.
I believe campuses abroad will take the measures needed regarding safety precautions. Overall, it’s our responsibility to keep ourselves safe, and I feel very comfortable going back to Italy for another year of school. Although it will be a different experience than when I attended Villa Aurora my sophomore year, I’m excited for a new experience my senior year and am thankful it can still happen despite COVID-19.
“I believe campuses abroad will take the measures needed regarding safety precautions. Overall, it’s our responsibility to keep ourselves safe, and I feel very comfortable going back to Italy for another year of school,” D’Avanzo said. “Although it will be a different experience than when I attend Villa Aurora my sophomore year, I’m excited for a new experience my senior year and am thankful it can still happen despite COVID-19.”
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If you would like to be a contributor, contact Paola Mora at paolam@southern.edu
| Thursday, July 30, 2020
RELIGION
My savior in the drought: Learning from the faith of a widow Juan Carlos Grajales Contributor These past couple of months have been rough to our world. You may be thinking, “How on Earth will I recover from this?” The Bible tells us the story of a widowed woman who, with her young child, gathered the last few scraps of food and provisions to make what would be their last meal. However, in her despair and fear, God saved her and her son. The land in those days was devastated by a three-year-long
drought, and millions of people were suffering from dried-up crops and lack of water for their animals and themselves. Yet, out of all of those people who needed the help, God specifically chose to send Prophet Elijah to the widow and her son. Fast-forward a little bit, we now find ourselves at the local synagogue in Nazareth where Jesus is speaking. To the people inside the synagogue, and to us, Jesus speaks of the faith of
the widow at Zarephath in the times of Elijah as the differential key that separated her from the lawlessness around her. This faith is one that the children of God desperately need and the one that God so willingly wants to give. Bear with me one second, because this is what I’m getting at: In this COVID-19 infected world, where millions have lost their jobs and income, where millions are suffering
from abuse on the outside and inside, where millions are being ravaged like the land that was whipped by drought for three years, God has promised a way for those who have faith. My dear friend, faith is not just a blind “feel happy” kind of thought. Faith is not what many out there may negatively think it to be. The story is told of a father who was looking for a house to buy for himself and his 6-yearold daughter. As they looked
around a particular house, the father decided to check out the basement area - a completely dark place. Now, from the basement you could see fine. But for the person looking down from above, it was pitch black. As the father climbs down the wobbly ladder and inspects the basement, his young daughter decides she wants to follow her dad. She yells down to her dad, “Where are you?!” Her dad replies, “I’m right here; jump down and I will catch you.” The little girl could not see anything, but her father could see exactly where she was from below. Through her fear, she decides to trust in the voice of her father and takes the leap of faith to find herself in her father’s arms.
Through her fear, she decides to trust in the voice of her father and takes the leap of faith to find herself in her father’s arms. It is God’s promise to take care of those who trust in Him as their Father. God wants to give to you - my dear friend peace, guidance and real solutions for the troubles in your life. All you need to do is trust in His word. “The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34:18.
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