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Major Apison Pike improvement project moves forward
The day sports stood still
Are masks a necessity?
What I wish someone told me my freshman year
September 2, 2020 Collegedale, Tennessee
Southern Accent
Vol. 76 Issue 1
The student voice since 1926
Administration discontinues enrichment Mental Wellness credit requirements for the Fall 2020 semester Week to help students adjust during pandemic Zoe Kanas Lead Reporter From Aug. 31 to Sept. 4, Student Development and Counseling Services will host Mental Wellness Week, which aims to bring awareness to common mental health challenges college students face, especially during this unique semester. A survey conducted in 2013 by the Association for University and College Counseling Center Directors found that “anxiety is the top presenting concern among college students (41.6 percent), followed by depression (36.4 percent) and relationship problems (35.8 percent).” Now, with the added stress of the COVID-19 pandemic, and all the other factors that it brings into students’ lives, awareness surrounding mental wellness is crucial. Tiffany Bartell, a full-time counselor with Counseling Services, recommends that all students make time for self-care and recognize that it is perfectly normal and healthy to process their emotions during this time. She said it is a stressful period for everybody, and no one should feel ashamed for needing help. “One thing to start off with is just to be really kind to yourself,” Bartell said. “If something See HEALTH on page 3
Paola Mora Zepeda Editor-in-chief Taylor Dean News Editor In a meeting this past Monday, Aug. 24, administration made the decision to suspend the enrichment credits requirement for students during the Fall 2020 semester. The decision, which will eliminate both cultural and worship credit requisites, was reached after the President’s Cabinet held a discussion with Southern’s Faculty Advisory Committee. “We decided that it was inconsistent to require worship but tell the faculty that they should not be taking attendance in classes,” Vice President of Student Development Dennis Negron said. “We did not want to put students in a position
where they felt like they had to go to a meeting and compromise social distancing.” According to Negron, all scheduled programming, such as Vespers, will still take place, but attendance will now be voluntary. Sophomore education major Michelle Sandoval said that since the announcement, she feels a little more at ease as she now has one less thing to worry about. She said that it was the right move by administration as gathering for events like Vespers and convocation could make some people feel unsafe. “I personally want to attend some Vespers because they are one of the first things that made me feel comfortable the first time I came to Southern,” Sandoval said.
McKee Library changes book checkout process, implements new safety precautions
Shelves at the Mckee Library have been closed to avoid contamination. To check out a book, students must place a request online, and library workers will pick it up for them. Photo by Paola Mora Zepeda.
Gia Arroyo Lead Reporter With the arrival of students on campus, McKee Library has undergone major changes in its day-to-day functions in order to practice safe social distancing. Students and faculty are expected to keep their masks on at all times while in the library and follow any safety protocols set by the university, according to Library Director Deyse Bravo. The biggest change students will encounter is the process of checking out books, Bravo said. To ensure student’s safety, the book stacks have been closed this semester. Students will now
have to request a book using the library’s online catalog. Once a book request is made, an email will be sent to the student’s Southern email address letting him or her know when the item is ready for pickup. To return the books, students can use the book drop-off box outside of McKee or inside the library at the Circulation Desk. All books will be quarantined for three days upon their return. Periodicals can be checked out at the periodical desk or on Flipster, McKee’s online magazine stand. Through the library’s
website, students have access to thousands of articles and thousands of streaming media titles. Any periodicals checked out will be quarantined for one day. Yet, there are many materials still available, and Bravo encourages students to use them. “Take advantage of our plethora of resources,” Bravo said. “If we don’t have something you need, we will get it for you via an interlibrary loan...We love helping students with their research. That’s our job!” In addition to changes to See LIBRARY on page 2
Campus Ministries Experience Coordinator and theology senior Bryan Arvelo said he is not worried about discontinuing worship credits because he feels Southern students are very communal and have the desire to spend quality time with each other.
We decided that it was inconsistent to require worship but tell the faculty that they should not be taking attendance in classes “I've listened to a couple of voices from students and there's pretty much a common
feeling of joy about the fact that we don't have worship credit anymore. And I actually understand it,” Arvelo said. “Vespers attendance might go down a little bit, but I don't think that will mean a Christ-centered campus will disappear.” Arvelo said while it won’t be in the same capacity, he hopes students will engage in smaller-scale spiritual opportunities on campus. “Fortunately, we still have ministries like Life Groups and several different other ministry opportunities throughout the year that will keep students involved and excited about continuing their spiritual walk,” Arvelo said. “I think it's for the best with this COVID situation. See CREDITS on page 2
New campus-wide food restrictions present challenges for SA events Amanda Blake Lead Reporter Estefania Sanchez Lead Reporter This year, because of COVID19, food has been removed from all Student Association (SA) events. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Tennessee Department of Health, there are three safety precautions that decrease the chances of spreading the virus: wearing masks properly, washing hands frequently and maintaining social distance. At large events such as the recent Welcome Back party, the annual Fall Festival and 423 Night Market, following these three guidelines can become difficult, especially when there is food involved. “During meals, the mask comes off and the social distance rarely, if ever, gets maintained,” Vice President of Student Development Dennis Negron said. “Events bring a large number of students together in places that often make distancing difficult or impossible.” To replace the lack of food, SA has discussed alternatives such as restaurant gift cards to hand out at events. Although a
temporary fix, Negron acknowledges this alternative is much pricier than serving food. Nadine Peteros, SA’s social vice president, said attendance at this year’s events will be affected because, “… food brings everyone together.”
During meals the mask comes off and the social distance rarely, if ever, gets maintained. Events bring a large number of students together in places that often make distancing difficult or impossible. While Peteros acknowledges low attendance is a possibility, she says SA is working hard to make events as engaging as possible while following the safety precautions. In a recent poll on the Accent’s See SA EVENTS on page 3