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Remembering the legacy of Kobe Bryant
Reflecting on MLK
2020 Christian Playlist
Student Spotlight: Laiza Silva
January 30, 2020 Collegedale, Tennessee
Southern Accent
Vol. 75 Issue 12
The student voice since 1926
The Trump impeachment trial: what you need to know
Records unveils new electronic “add/drop” form Tierra Hayes Managing Editor Students were able to use a new electronic “add/drop” form for the first time during the early weeks of the 2020 winter semester. Previously in order to alter one’s schedule after registration deadlines, students had to fill out a paper form and get an advisor, as well as course instructors, to sign the form which then had to be taken to Records.
Graphic provided by Kirsten Clark
Bailey DuBose Lead Reporter This article was last updated on Jan. 28. For daily updates go to our website accent.southern. edu. The U.S. Senate Impeachment trial for President Donald Trump began Jan. 21 with an intense 13-hour debate over ground rules for the legal proceedings. Throughout the process, Congress has remained split along party lines, with
most Democrats in favor of impeachment and a majority of Republicans supportive of the president. Senators will eventually vote on two articles of impeachment that were approved by the U.S. House of Representatives on Dec. 18 and sent over to the Senate on Jan. 15. Article 1 is for abuse of power and Article 2 is for obstruction of Congress. Specifically, the president is accused of initially withholding nearly $400 million of military and security aid in an attempt to
pressure the Ukrainian government to publicly announce an investigation into his political opponent, Joe Biden. The president also has been charged with blocking documents and testimony from government officials in the impeachment inquiries conducted by House committees. If convicted, Trump would become the first U.S. president removed from office through the impeachment process. The Senate is acting as the jury, consisting of 45 Demo-
crats, two Independents and 53 Republicans. Senators could debate whether to subpoena witnesses and documents as early as Friday, according to some news reports. But the outcome of the trial remained uncertain as Republican senators grappled with the leak of an unpublished manuscript written by Former National Security Advisor John Bolton, which claims Trump demanded Ukraine investigate Democrats in exchange for the foreign aid, See THE IMPEACHMENT on page 2
Starting this semester, students had the option to instead go online to add or drop Starting this semester, students had the option to instead go online to add or drop a class with the exception of a few specific courses, such as music lessons. Assistant Director of Records/Graduate Studies Michelle Younkin said See ADD/DROP on page 2
Widening and makeover of Apison Pike scheduled to begin early 2020
Students find business opportunities through thrift shopped items
Apison Pike is expected to undergo a major makeover over the next few years according to an official statement released by the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT). Plans call for expanding the road from two to five lanes with curb and gutter, plus added sidewalks, bike lanes and Greenway trail connections by or before June 30, 2025. In this third phase of construction, the 3.4 mile-long project will widen the roadway from Ooltewah-Ringgold Road to east of Layton Lane near the Collegedale Municipal Airport. Improvements include grading, paving, and new signals along with the construction of several new bridges. In addition, much of the project will be built on new alignment, meaning that the road will have updated curves and grades of steepness. A large bridge is also projected to be built over the railroad tracks that run through Collegedale to the McKee plants. “The railroad splits Collegedale in half, and the bridge will help emergency services because we have been stopped many times because of trains,” said Ethan White, a commis-
Ciarah Clark Lead Reporter
Elise Deschamps Lead Reporter
sioner who volunteered with the Tri-Community Volunteer Fire Department for nearly two years, in an interview with the Chattanooga Times Free Press. “Avoiding Apison Pike completely will improve emergency services for residents." “Yes, it is necessary,” said Lorraine Ball, associate professor in the School of Journalism and Communication, who has lived in Ooltewah since 2000 and worked at Southern since 2001. “With the train, the traffic can be backed up all the way to the stoplight. So I see the need, but I don’t look forward to construction.” In a 2017 statement announcing the plan, Gov. Bill Lee said, “Investing in infrastructure is an important part of driving economic opportunity throughout our state. This funding, particularly for rural Tennessee, will help to keep Tennesseans safe.” While the $93 million contract awarded to Wright Brothers Construction Company is still being finalized, drivers in the Collegedale area should start seeing activity on the project in early 2020, according to the statement by TDOT. Once a work schedule and project-phasing information are available, TDOT will communicate any further construction updates.
Thrift shopping trends have seen a 37% growth among Millenials and 46% growth among Gen Z, according to The Redup. A poll conducted by the Accent’s Instagram account found that 76% of the 136 respondents regularly shop at thrift shops. Some Southern students have found business opportunities through this new trend by bringing thrift-shopping directly to campus. Senior marketing major Nick Gonzoga runs Est. 1997 Vintage (@est.1997vintage), an Instagram-centered business selling vintage clothing. His interest in thrift-shopping began two years ago after seeing a bootleg rap tee a friend bought from a thrift store. “Thrifted clothes create a story,” Gonzoga said. “Where did this shirt go? What memories did you create in this shirt? Try to find those pieces that create a memory for you.” Gonzoga started his business at Southern’s 423 Night Market event last semester, selling items such as Looney Tunes shirts and a Beach Boys T-shirt, making nearly a 300%
Thrifted clothes create a story, Gonzoga said. Where did this shirt go? What memories did you create in this shirt?
Apison Pike. Photo courtesy of Elise Deschamps
profit. Sophomore public relations major Elise Deschamps began
Elise Deschamp thrift shopping. Photo courtesy of Elise Deschamp
The Southern thrift shop/ Photo courtesy of Elise Deschamp
her business, Le Marche Du Soleil (@le_marche_du_soleil), last summer by selling thrifted clothes in one of Thatcher Hall’s lobbies. “My friends always say that they want me to take them thrifting; and when I do, they do not have the patience to thrift for hours, which is what I do,” Deschamps said. She began reselling thrifted clothes to her friends, and it soon grew into a larger business with an Instagram account. She now goes thrift-shopping at least
once a week. “I love wearing thrifted clothes because no one else has them,” Deschamps said. “... There is a lot of variety to what I can wear. And because it’s so cheap, I have more freedom and ability to put together outfits. “Also, it’s sustainable and keeps clothes out of landfills,” she added. So far, Deschamps has sold nearly 140 pieces of clothing, most of them T-shirts and See THRIFT SHOP on page 2