News | 2
News | 3 Graduation pictorial spread
Southern shares results of May 7 survey
August 13, 2020 Collegedale, Tennessee
Religion | 4 Connected to the vine: The ultimate purpose of Christians
Southern Accent
Vol. 75 Issue 29 Summer Edition
The student voice since 1926
Freshman, SAU Intramurals set to continue into the transfer fall semester with updated guidelines student orientation altered to address COVID concerns Paola Mora Zepeda Editor-in-Chief On Friday, Aug. 14, incoming freshmen and transfer students will start arriving on campus to settle into their new rooms and prepare for orientation week. But with SmartStart canceled this summer and new precautions set for the semester, the yearly program will look different from previous years. Orientation will start on Monday, Aug. 17, and will run until Thursday for most students and Friday for international students. There will be nine different sessions, and students, divided into nine groups, will attend three sessions per day in a rotation cycle. On Thursday, students will meet with their Southern Connections class to participate in community service. According to First Year Experience Coordinator Renita Moore, this is the first time all incoming freshmen and new transfer students are attending orientation together. Usually, due to SmartStart, orientation week is mostly aimed for those who did not attend a summer class. Now, Moore said, orientation coordinators are expectSee ORIENTATION on page 2
Jayson Rhea prepares to pass the ball during a flag football game last fall semester. Flag football is one of the five sports confirmed to still take place this coming semester. Photo courtesy of Intramurals at Southern Adventist University via Facebook.
Taylor Dean News Editor Southern’s intramurals website was updated on Tuesday Aug. 11 to confirm that intramurals will continue throughout the Fall 2020 semester. While there will be new guidelines in place to help minimize contact and large crowds, the sports set to take place this fall include softball, tennis doubles, futsal, flag football, 3-on-3 basketball tournaments and floor hockey. Director of Intramurals Troy Walker said although the complete schedule has yet to be published, the running dates for each sport’s season can be found on the website. According to the Fall 2020 intramurals sports plan that Walker created, all new guidelines are based on current CDC,
state and county recommendations and are subject to change as new information is released. The plan contains basic guidelines for both indoor and outdoor sports, as well as new protocols for each specific sport. “I have a set of guidelines that was approved by the University Cabinet that will function as our main resource of how intramurals will run,” Walker said. “It's going to be mostly normal, with some minor adjustments.” As stated in the plan, both outdoor and indoor sports will have a 30 minute buffer between games in an effort to allow groups to leave before others enter. This timeframe will also give intramural staff the adequate time to clean and disinfect any playing equipment
Mckee Library adjusts rules, increases cleaning to comply with health regulations
According to the Fall 2020 intramurals sports plan that Walker created, all new guidelines are based on current CDC, state and county recommendations and are subject to change as new information is released. that will be used for the next game. Players will also be asked to wait outside of the field or
gym for the start of their games and to refrain from any type of physical acts of sportsmanship such as high fives, fist bumps and hugs. Specific to indoor sports, the amount of fans and spectators allowed inside the gym while games are going on will be limited, and those who are on a team will only be allowed in the gym while their team is actively playing. Additionally, spectators will be expected to social distance whether they are sitting or standing, and must wear face coverings at all times while inside the gym. “The number of people in the gym including players, officials and fans will be limited to See INTRAMURALS on page 2
Residence hall staff prepare designated quarantine halls in Talge and Thatcher Taylor Dean News Editor
Mckee Library. Photo courtesy of Southern University Marketing and Relations Department.
María José Morán Staff Writer Mckee library has adjusted its rules in order to comply with health regulations on campus. Some of the regulations being enforced_include_frequent cleaning of surfaces, material rentals online, and installation of plexiglass as well as reduced student capacity. The latter will only allow for 50 percent of each floor to be used, making it easier to comply with social distancing rules. To help keep the library clean
and disinfected there will be a half-hour increment between room reservations to allow for cleaning. The library also has changed its operating hours and will now be closing at 11:00 P.M., though this decision was reached due to unrelated COVID-19 issues. Although many of the superficial guidelines have changed, the library will still be offering the same services it has provided in the past.
This means that services such as meetings with research coaches and Writing Center appointments will remain the same with the exception that face masks will be required. “I’d like the students to know that we are here to help them no matter the circumstance,” said Library Director Deyse Bravo. “I’d like to encourage students to ask for help when they need it. We love helping students with research!”
In a previous article published by the Accent, it was announced that Southern will have one hall reserved in both Thatcher and Talge to accommodate students who may need to quarantine if they come in contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19. According to the article, Vice President of Student Development Dennis Negron reported that 30 rooms in each hall have been designated to house one person per room if needed. Dean of Students and Director of Residence Life Lisa Hall said the halls will be solely reserved for students who need to quarantine and will be unoccupied if there is no one in quarantine. Southern Village student residents who have been exposed to COVID-19 will also be placed in the Thatcher or Talge quarantine rooms, depending on their gender. While Hall said that quarantined students won’t be allowed to transfer everything from their regular rooms to quaran-
tine facilities, essentials will be provided to them by dorm staff. According to Hall, a system is being set up to provide quarantined students with meals and necessities as efficiently as possible. Additionally, Hall said the residence life team is prepared to help any quarantined student with other necessities such as laundry and appliances.
Meals will be delivered to the door of their room, and linens, a blanket, a pillow and towels will be provided in each quarantine room as well as a refrigerator and microwave. “A system is being set-up where students in quarantine can go online to place their See QUARANTINE on page 2
2 | Thursday, August 13, 2020
If you would like to be a contributor, contact Paola Mora at paolam@southern.edu
NEWS INTRAMURALS
ORIENTATION
continued from page 1 50 percent of the overall gym capacity,” Walker wrote in his plan. “Only players involved in the current game will be allowed in the gym during game times. Rosters will be given to desk workers who will screen players to ensure they are on the roster before entering the gym.” In an Instagram poll conducted by the Accent, the newspaper asked students if they plan to participate in intramural sports during the fall semester. Out of 221 voters, 105 said they plan to participate while 116 said they will not. Students were also given the opportunity to share their personal opinions on why they believe intramurals should or should not occur. Sophomore social work major Morgan Garcia said that due to the nature of being on a college campus where students are living together and eating in communal locations, she believes that there is a very present risk of COVID-19 spreading. “If intramurals are held, the risk is even greater,” Garcia said. “Not only because of the nature of sports and exercise, but because it is just another thing to add to the list of exposure and contact to others. This in turn affects those who are not even participating in sports.” On the contrary, junior education major Misael Polanco said intramurals should continue despite the concerns because he believes that sports can help students relieve stress and create a place where they can feel like they’re a part of something and have fun.
continued from page 1 “Not many people attend a university just to study and get a degree, even if that’s the ultimate goal,” Polanco said. “Many want to get that full college experience, whether that’s worshipping together, joining clubs or playing sports. I think if we figured out a way to return to face-to-face learning and worshiping together, we should be able to have a way to play intramural sports.”
Many want to get that full college experience, whether that’s worshiping together, joining clubs or playing sports. I think if we figured out a way to return to faceto-face learning and worshipping together, we should be able to have a way to play intramural sports. According to Walker, students can go to www.IMLeagues.com/ southern and www.southern. edu/intramurals for the complete schedule and more information. Guidelines for specific sports will be released as the scheduled start dates for the intramurals approach.
QUARANTINE
continued from page 1
ing about 600 new students to attend the program. “[This year] it’s so different because they're all going to be together, and we’re spreading out the sessions over four days,” Moore said. These changes will also give students a better chance to meet with their Southern Connections student mentors. “So, the mentors will be in charge of getting the freshmen from place to place and acclimating them,” Moore said. “I'm really excited about that because normally my mentors don't get to meet all of their students since the SmartStart kids have already attended classes … Now they're going to be able to develop some really good bonds.” The sessions will include the usual topics, such as Title IX, academic health and counseling. Students also will hear lectures about COVID-19 and their responsibility for protecting themselves and others.
Throughout the whole week, students will be required to complete a daily health assessment, social distance and wear masks at all times. In addition, the yearly welcome party—a one evening event for all freshmen and new transfer students—will be replaced with other evening activities stretched throughout the week. These activities include a “Block Party” hosted by the Student Association (SA), an open gym night hosted by the Hulsey Wellness Center and an event called “Music in the Park” which will be planned by current Southern students as well as some alumni. In-coming communication freshman Cassidy Connolly said that though she knows things will be different due to COVID-19, she looks forward to starting her time at Southern. “It’s definitely a little bittersweet now with COVID-19,” Connolly said. “But it’s nice that the campus is open so we can still fellowship together….
[During orientation] I’m hoping to meet a fewe new people and get a feel for the atmosphere of the university.”
I can't wait to have students back. I think I will be more cognizant of the fact that, ‘You know, to make this campus run, we need students.’ Moore, who has been planning the orientation for months now, is also excited to see students fill the campus again. “I can't wait to have students back,” Moore said. “I think I will be more cognizant of the fact that, ‘You know, to make this campus run, we need students.’ I mean, the energy and the lifeline of our students is so important that it has just not been the same without them.”
Southern shares results of May 7 survey regarding COVID-19 preventative measures Paola Mora Zepeda Editor-in-Chief On May 7, Southern sent a campus-wide survey to both returning and new potential undergraduate students about their willingness to abide by new rules in order to protect themselves, friends, faculty and staff from the spread of COVID-19 on campus. The Southern Accent was able to contact Chris Hansen, director of Southern’s Institutional Research and Planning, to get a copy of the results of this survey.
Question: Keeping campus safe during the COVID-19 pandemic is a responsibility shared by everyone. How willing are you to take the following steps to limit the spread of infection and protect yourself, your friends, staff, and professors? Wear a mask on campus
ABIDE BY CDC GUIDELINES
ADJUSTING EATING TIMES TO AVOID CROWDS IN THE CAFETERIA
88.5%
72.0%
While Hall said quarantined students won’t be allowed to transfer everything from their regular rooms to quarantine facilities, essentials will be provided to them by dorm staff. order for the day—three meals, snacks and drinks,” Hall said. “Meals will be delivered to the door of their room, and linens, a
blanket, a pillow and towels will be provided in each quarantine room as well as a refrigerator and microwave.” Thatcher Residential Assistant Bailey DuBose, a junior public relations major, said that in an effort to look out for the girls in her hall, she will be reminding residents to be mindful of the health guidelines the dorm has announced. “I’ll be encouraging them to follow all guidelines that have been put in place, especially with wearing their masks and washing their hands regularly,” DuBose said. “It is my hope that we will make it through this school year with no issues.”
61.0%
21.2%
19.1%
14.4%
9.7% 3.4%
1.2%
Total RESPONSES: 1,252
Total RESPONSES: 1249 aVOID SPENDING TIME WITH GROUPS OF MORE THAN 10 PEOPLE
51.0%
41.9% 29.2%
31.9% 15.8%
27.0% 19.1%
14.9%
Total RESPONSES: 1,250
AVOID OFF-CAMPUS ENTERTAINMENT VENUES
REPORT COVID-19 SYMPTOMS TO THE UNIVERSITY HEALTH CENTER
Southern Accent
85.8%
The Accent encourages readers to write articles and voice their opinions. However, the views expressed do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Accent, Southern Adventist University, or the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
40.3% 32.0%
29.4%
27.9%
24.8%
20.9%
13.8%
For all advertising inquiries, email accent@southern.edu
11.0%
10.6% 2.7%
Total RESPONSES: 1,247
Total RESPONSES: 1,250
Staff Sponsor Alva James-Johnson
12.0%
2.2%
Total RESPONSES: 1,252
AVOID EATING AT OFF-CAMPUS RESTAURANTS
News Editor Taylor Dean
LIMIT OFF-CAMPUS TRAVEL TO ESSENTIAL TRIPS ONLY
51.0%
Total RESPONSES: 1,252
Editor-in-Chief Paola Mora Zepeda
1.7%
Total RESPONSES: 1,253
MAINTAIN PHYSICAL DISTANCE WITH OTHERS AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE
3.9%
For any questions, comments, and article submission information email us at accent@southern.edu
7.1%
0.6%
Total RESPONSES: 1,252
TAKE HYBRID CLASSES
Abide by quarantining guidelines if asked
0.9%
Extremely Willing
HESITANTLY Willing
UNWILLING, BUT WILL DO IT IF ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY
EXTREMELY UNWILLING
73.1% 58.7%
24.1%
20.1%
12.8%
5.2% 1.6%
Total RESPONSES: 1,251
Total RESPONSES: 1,250
4.4%
Infographic by Paola Mora Zepeda.
3 | Thursday, August 13, 2020
For more related news, visit our website at accent.southern.edu
NEWS
August 2020 Michael Baranda, senior class president, delivers graduation speech. Photo courtesy of the Marketing and University Relations Department.
Rodny Aquino, BBA Business Management major, waves at friends in audience. Photo courtesy of the Marketing and University Relations Department.
Michaela Lewin, B.S. Public Relations major, poses for picture. Photo courtesy of the Marketing and University Relations Department.
Tiago Ferreira, BA international development major, walks down the aisle. Photo courtesy the Marketing and University Relations Department.
Family and friends of graduate cheer during the program Photo courtesy of the Marketing and University Relations Department.
Coby Federowski, BBA Management Entrepreneurship major, during the graduation program. Photo courtesy of the Marketing and University Relations Department.
Sharlyn Rumambi, BS Medical Laboratory Science major, poses for photo. Photo courtesy of the Marketing and University Relations Department.
Graduation
If you would like to be a contributor, contact Paola Mora at paolam@southern.edu
4 | Thursday, August 13, 2020
RELIGION
Connected to the vine: The ultimate purpose of Christians Noah Humphrey Contributor
Recently, I have been preparing my physical therapy application. There are many boxes to fill, experiences to log, and essays to write. Soon, I will submit the application and go through a series of interviews. This is quite an anxious process for me, as there is no guarantee that I’ll be accepted anywhere. The school I attend will certainly affect where I will be when I launch my career. Sometimes, I’m tempted to wish that God would come and just tell me what His plan is for my life. It would be nice to know which doors will open, what program will accept me, and where my career might go. However, I have a sneaking suspicion this will not happen. We have a desire to know. We want to see a glimpse at what the future holds so that we can
prepare. We want to know that we are ready for any challenges that might come our way. We want to know what God is going to do and when it will happen. At the center of this desire to know, often, is the calculation of whether God’s plan is worth continuing. Yet, the peace and joy of Christianity comes not from knowing every detail of the plans of God, but from coming to know the goodness of His love and character. In John 15, Jesus eloquently shows us our position in the parable of the vine and the branches. “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I
At the center of this desire to know, often, is the calculating of whether God’s plan is worth continuing with. Yet, the peace and joy of Christianity comes not from knowing every detail of the plans of God, but from coming to know the goodness of His love and character. have spoken to you. Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear
much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” When Jesus called the disciples, He simply said, “Follow me.” He did not tell them that they would see the multitude eat, the blind healed or the dead raised. He didn’t tell them of the betrayal to come or the pain and triumph of the cross. The disciples often knew the general direction in which they were going, but they were unaware of what they might encounter when they reached their destination. The task of the disciples was to intimately get to know Jesus—to wake up every day and build a relationship with God himself. By getting to know Jesus and his love for all humanity, they became changed and were able to bear much fruit. The_sam e_assignm ent_is
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offered to us today. This might be surprising to hear, but the ultimate goal of a Christian should not be to go to Heaven. It should be to be there with Jesus. What will make Heaven special won’t be the bejeweled construction of the pearly gates. The joy of Heaven will be the unfiltered access to the Savior. We can experience some of the delights of Heaven right now. The good news is that we don’t have to toil and sweat to create these good things. Our task as branches is to ensure that we are always connected to the vine. We do not have to know every detail of the future to be confident in our earthly walk. Through our connection to Christ and our willingness to be used by Him, we can have assurance that our lives will bear heavenly fruit.
#SAUlife Victoria Hansbury
Katherine Faith Victoria Zoch
Camila Oleaurre @camila_oleaurre
my bf always says he likes my style but I only drip athleisure so I know he’s lying
Daniel Yonkers @DannyYonkers Came home to find out my mom didn’t water my plant :(
David Matthew Runnels II @RunnelsIi
Coming back to college with a mandatory mask policy is going to make us more aware of people’s foreheads, eyes and hair than we ever thought would be necessary. It’s gonna have us like; Yo Daniel? Is that you? I knew it! I’d recognize that forehead anywhere!
Natasya Panjaitan @natasyapnjtn
ordering lashes bc my eyes are all y’all gonna see this semester
vikki1288 On to new chapters #SAUlife
Alejandro Sanchez
katiezoch It’s just my Associates but it’s the first step to greater things! #SAUlife
Thyrell Smith
Andrew Korp @Magi_korp
If we treated each other the way Chic-fil-A employees treat customers, the world would be a much better place
Stephanie Chavez @stephychav
If I don’t graduate on time I would like everyone to know it’s because I have failed the fitness classes at Southern
hondocubansanchez I leave this place how I entered it! Climbing️... slowly but still going! #SAUlife
Stephanie Siliezar
stephanie_siliezar Stephanie Siliezar, RN #SAUlife
thyrell_smith Alford Jonathan Smith B.S. Busi-
ness Administration, Minor in Marketing #SAUlife
Melody-Joy Drummond
ms.melodyjoy Melody-Joy Drummond, BA Chemistry #SAUlife