News | 3 Southern's COVID-19 timeline: A year in review
March 10, 2021 Collegedale, Tennessee
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Collegedale establishes a new Board of Building Construction Appeals
Debating the minimun wage: Should it be raised?
A message to the unmotivated, unispired and unsure student
Southern Accent
Vol. 76 Issue 19
The student voice since 1926
Over 1,400 students sign SA petition Campus requesting two mental wellness days safety
officers, Southern Village residents navigate increase in fire alarms Victoria Mills Staff Writer
Illustration by Nickolas Nieves
Christina Coston Managing Editor Zoe Kanas Lead Reporter On_March_1st,_the_Student Association launched a petition calling for the implementation of Spring 2021 Wellness Days — two days scattered throughout the remainder of the semester designated_for_mental_health and wellness. The_petition,_created_by_SA President Sheryl Kambuni, calls on administration to approve mental wellness days for the student body. In the petition, Kambuni writes: “I am proposing two days dedicated to wellness that would give students the opportunity to get some much-needed sleep, catch up on difficult classes, and do other activities that promote rest in order to perform their best." The _ petition _ continued _ by explaining _ how _ the _ two _ days would be distributed.
"These days would be scattered between now and the end of the school semester, during which there would be no classes (in person or on Zoom) [and] assignments due or tests.” In an interview with the Accent Kambuni said the idea to implement mental wellness days came to her after hearing about the shortened Spring Break. "The reason behind shortening Spring Break was to lessen the amount of time that people can be off campus to get exposure [to the coronavirus]," Kambuni said. "But, it doesn't cater to_students'_needing_breaks, so_these [mental health days] would cater to that." The petition received a large amount of support from students reaching more than 1,000 signatures within the first 12 hours. As
The petition received a large amount of support from students reaching more than 1,000 signatures within the first 12 hours. of March 8, the petition had over 1,440 signatures. “I _ had _ spoken _ to _ some _ of the_cabinet_and_they_thought students_would_be_receptive,” Kambuni_said. _ “But _ we _ just hoped _that _once _several _students heard about it they would get behind it, because there is strength in numbers.”
In the comment section of the petition, students have given various reasons for why they believe the days should be approved. Nikki Nadler, freshman music major, supports the petition. “... I’m not a machine,” she said. “I need a day to be able to do things guilt free. I want to be able to decide to disinfect my room or take a moment with friends without feeling guilt and stress because I’m not spending all my time studying.” Lorne_Owens,_junior_history major, notes that “there is a rise of depression because of the pandemic, [and] students’ grades are slipping.” The CDC has attributed rising rates of depression, anxiety and substance abuse to the COVID19 pandemic. As stress levels See WELLNESS DAY on page 2
Southern_Village_residents have_experienced_20%_more fire alarms this school year than last school year, according_to a flyer_issued_by_Campus_Safety to Village residents on March 2. The flyer_also stated that 88% of the_alarms are caused by cooking, with construction, hair products and tools for the other 12% of alarms. Many_students_noticed_the increase_in_alarms_since_the beginning_of_this_semester. Senior nursing major Stephanie Trinidad, an RA in Southern Village, said the alarm in her building went off seven times — none of which were the result of a real fire. “I’m not 100% positive why this keeps happening,” Trinidad said. Two_of_the_seven_incidents Trinidad_referred_to_happened to senior nursing major Juliana Camacho. On Jan. 23, around 6 a.m., Camacho was boiling water for tea while showering when she heard the fire alarm go off. She quickly got dressed, opened the window and went outside. Camacho said her water was only steaming a little, and she didn't know if the alarm was her fault. Camacho also said she was confused by the verbal instruction in the fire alarm. “It’s a weird new alarm,” CamaSee FIRE on page 2
SA Senate to build new $135,000 outdoor Local Churches wrestle with COVID-19 basketball courts set for early summer Miranda Delgado Staff Writer With cases still rising all over the _ country, _ local _ congregations face challenges during COVID-19. In Hamilton County, churches are allowed to choose whether to open or close and whether or not to require people to wear masks during services, according to directive No. 5 of the Hamilton County Health ( Jan. _ 16, _ 2021). _ Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) churches in the Chattanooga area have chosen various approaches to cater to the needs of their members and communities. “We are doing everything we can to keep our church, university and community safe,” said David Ferguson,_senior pastor of the Collegedale Church of Seventh-day Adventists. According to Ferguson, the Collegedale _ Church _ follows _ a series _ of _ protocols _ including temperature checks, health surveys and mask requirements. At the East Ridge SDA Church in East Ridge, Tenn., the congregation _ offers _ two _ places of _ worship _ to _ accommodate members who prefer to wear masks_and those who prefer not to wear masks. A live service is alternated between the two locations. Church leaders
find themselves working with two groups of people who feel strongly _ about _ implementing COVID-19 protocols or not implementing them. “Most _ people, _ when _ they come_to our church, cooperate with our protocols,” said Steven Grabiner, pastor of the East Ridge SDA Church. “On one side, there is the feeling that we are not strong enough with our protocols. And, on the other side, the feeling that people’s autonomy is being taken away.” Just a few miles away, Hamilton_Community_Church has been “growing since the pandemic,” according to Hal Moore, the church's communications director. Church members, students, community_members_and guests have been attending the now very active Hamilton Community Church. “COVID-19 has been the best thing that has happened to our church,” said Dave Ketelsen, the church's pastor. When COVID-19 struck, the church moved to two services and Ketelsen feared that their numbers_would_diminish. Instead, Ketelsen reported that See CHURCHES on page 2
Mock-up courtesy of Marcus Abejar
Computer mock-up of the proposed outdoor basketball courts. The courts will be located next to the lower tennis court behind Hulsey Wellness Center. In total, the entire project will cost around $135,000 to $136,000.
Aaron Mumu Staff Writer Led by Marcus Abejar, senior marketing major and Student Association_executive_vice president, SA Senate will build two new outdoor basketball courts next to the lower tennis court behind Hulsey Wellness Center._Construction_for_the project will begin as soon as the weather improves. According_to Abejar,_creating the_outdoor_basketball_courts will cost just under $84,000, while excavating and grading will cost over_$28,000._SA_Senate_also plans to install four lighting poles, costing an additional $24,000, to
allow students to play basketball at night. In total, the entire project will cost around $135,000 to $136,000. The funds for this project come directly from the SA contingency fund._According_to_Jessica_Ing, sophomore business administration major and SA executive secretary, the money from this fund can only be used for projects that students create. These funds cannot be used for any projects not previously allocated for. “We want to do something that will benefit a lot of people,” Ing said. Since _the _pick-up _games _in
Iles _Gym _were _discontinued due to COVID-19, Abejar hopes the_new_outdoor_courts_will provide a space for students to_play_basketball_together. Students like Jon Pinero, junior psychology major, said a new court will benefit students. “I like this one here,” Pinero said, referring to the single basketball hoop in Southern Village. “But I know having a full court will be awesome.” Pinero_also_said_that_“Even though we have a gym, it’s occupied a lot. Having it outdoors will give us more accessibility.” See COURT on page 2