Vol. 79 Issue 13

Mental Health | 5

Opinion | 6

Religion | 6

Lifestyle | 7

Comfortable or confined?

New year, new daunting resolution

What if I mess up?

Finding mercy in mistakes

Four creative methods for effective goal-setting

January 17, 2024 Collegedale, Tennessee

Southern Accent

Vol. 79 Issue 13

The student voice since 1926

Southern adds second Vespers service Students debate and returns to church sanctuary venue enrichment credit policy's

impact on class pre-registration Emma Rodriguez Contributor Lesieli Savelio News Editor

be at Vespers could be at Vespers, and that would entail having two services because the church … doesn’t have enough room for all of the students,” Khabbaz said.

The introduction of two services brings additional responsibilities for those working behind the scenes, including the audio-visual team, performers and speakers. Those involved will need to arrive even earlier for sound checks

Due to a lack of enrichment credits, some students at Southern Adventist University were unable to pre-register for Winter 2024 semester courses when pre-registration opened for their respective class standings last semester.

Although this is a longstanding policy, several individuals expressed to the Accent frustration in regard to the policy’s effect on their academic lives. Others, however, defended the rule.

Last semester, the university’s Student Development office sent an email to students who did not meet the number of credits necessary to be considered current. The email, with the subject line “Worship Update/ Hold,” informed recipients of the consequential impact on their pre-registration.

The email stated, “As per policy, your pre-registration for classes Winter 2024 semester has been placed on hold because you have chosen not to attend chapels and Convocations during the first half of this semester. This hold will be lifted only after you are current.”

The email included a chart demonstrating the number of credits students, divided by class standing and housing status, should have during each of the remaining weeks of the fall semester to be considered current. According to Dennis

See VESPERS on page 2

See CREDIT on page 2

Karl Michael prays over students at a ministry expo Vespers service in the Collegedale Church of Seventh-day Adventists. Friday, October 7, 2022.

(Photo by Elias Zabala)

Amy Mejias Reporter On Jan. 4, Southern Adventist University students received an email from Joseph Khabbaz, vice president for Spiritual Life, stating that two Vespers services will now be offered each Friday night.

This change marks the first time Southern has offered two Vespers services, Khabbaz told the Accent. It also marks a return of the service to the Collegedale Church of Seventh-day Adventists.

The first Vespers service will be from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., and the second will be from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. Both services will be held in the church.

For most of last semester, Vespers took place in Iles P.E. Center due to the high student attendance. According to Khabbaz, his office received no explicit complaints about holding Vespers in the gym, but some students expressed that they missed the traditional setting of the church.

In the Jan. 4 email, Khabbaz stated that he proposed the change due to a significant response from students regarding spiritual life on campus.

"We wanted to ensure that every student that wanted to be at Vespers could be at Vespers."

“We wanted to ensure that every student that wanted to

Village Market offers online Student shuttle ordering and curbside pickup reduces service Emma Boughman Reporter Curbside pickup services and a new ordering website are now available to all Village Market customers. In an email to the Accent, Nick Johnson, assistant manager, stated that the Village Market wanted to give customers a new, more convenient way to shop its products.

“Our online ordering and curbside pickup service is a great way to conveniently shop at Village Market,” Johnson stated. “We add new products to the site on a daily basis, and it’s the best way to view our weekly and monthly sales flyers.”

Customers can filter products online by department, brand or item type, according to Johnson. In-store shopping promotions are also available while shopping online. Once selections are made, customers can choose a pickup time and park in the pickup spots in the Village Market parking lot. Staff will then bring their orders to their vehicles.

“Customers who sign up and activate their account can receive their first order with no pickup fee, and they can also take advantage of special onlineonly promotions not available in-store,” Johnson stated.

“Students are welcome to shop online; however, because of the way student meal plans and account charges are set up, they can only use their student ID cards when in-store shopping, and unfortunately not online,” Johnson stated.

Currently, there is no way to identify meal plan-eligible items on the shopping site; however, at the bottom of the homepage, a link explains the items that are mealplan eligible, according to Johnson.

The Village Market has been trying to offer these online services for the last six years.

“Because there were unique challenges that third-party online

shopping integration companies couldn’t solve up until roughly four months ago, we’re just now able to offer online shopping for our customers,” Johnson stated.

Johnson explained that since they do not have an in-house IT or marketing team, keeping the site up-to-date will be challenging yet rewarding for everyone.

Furthermore, having the needed employees to help with the picking process is key. According to Johnson, the Village Market is always looking for new student workers in various departments, and students can fill out an application on the website or visit the customer service desk.

Signs for the Village Market’s new curbside pickup service. Friday, January 12, 2024. (Photo by Mila Bales)

Amanda Blake Editor-in-chief Southern Adventist University students can expect to see the student shuttle much less this semester. The shuttle service, started by the university last semester to combat an anticipated parking problem on campus, will no longer operate during the afternoon hours.

Furthermore, only one shuttle vehicle instead of two will run in the mornings.

Few students utilized the new service in the afternoons last

semester, prompting Southern administrators to cut its hours, as explained in an email Dennis Negrón, vice president for Student Development, sent to students last week.

The shuttle originally ran from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Mondays through Thursdays, and 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Fridays. Two vehicles ran in the morning. One ran in the afternoon. This semester, the shuttle will continue to run on weekdays and begin at 7:30 a.m.

See SHUTTLE on page 2

A student shuttle travels its route on Colcord Drive. Monday, September 4, 2023. (Photo by Preston Waters)

If you would like to be a contributor, contact Amanda Blake at ablake@southern.edu

2 | Wednesday, January 17, 2024

NEWS CREDIT

continued from page 1 Negrón, vice president for Student Development, this is the first semester his office has sent this chart to students. Student Development is trying to work more consciously to avoid fining students, he said. As detailed in the Student Handbook, students who do not meet enrichment requirements will face consequences, including fees of $5 per credit missed.

In an interview with the Accent, Negrón said this policy is not new and is mentioned in the Student Handbook. The Student Development office has enforced the policy before. He added that he emphasized the enrichment credit policy and its potential consequences at the freshman and returning student orientations.

“I think it helps cultivate responsibility, which is good, because if someone doesn't get their necessary credits, then they have to pay for it by not registering."

“We’ve been doing it for years,” he said. “Students don’t read the handbook.”

The handbook states: “Students who are short more than 10 credits 2 semesters in a row or who are more than 50% short in any one semester are ineligible…to pre-register for classes for the following semester without speaking to

the Vice President for Student Development first.”

The execution of this policy has received mixed reviews from students. Some told the Accent they believe they should have the freedom to choose when to acquire their worship credits; others said the policy improves time management skills.

Sierra Anderson, senior nursing major, said attending Vespers is part of life at a Christian university and also a good way to build friendships.

“While credits can be stressful and a pain to complete sometimes, I believe they are an important part of keeping our campus community involved and Christ-focused,” she said. “I appreciate how hard Southern works to make the programs interesting and well done.”

Lauren Ogle, sophomore biology major, said she believes the policy is a positive thing because it’s not a good idea for students to procrastinate on obtaining their enrichment credits until the end of the semester.

“I think it helps cultivate responsibility, which is good, because if someone doesn’t get their necessary credits, then they have to pay for it by not registering,” Ogle said. “It may be a bit harsh, but it’s really not hard to get all the necessary credits, as long as one is consistent.”

Anish Bachan, sophomore business management major, said he was directly affected by the policy. Several classes he needed to take this semester filled up while he was unable to register last semester, he told the Accent.

“My experience with registering for classes was bad. I was able to register a week before finals, when my account finally

got taken off the hold,” he said.

“I don’t like it because I thought I had a choice in when I get my credits, even if it’s at the end of the semester.”

“A hold on registering for classes should not be a consequence for not getting your credits on time.

These are two unrelated events.

And it causes more stress, and students lose the opportunity to get into the classes they need."

Kaitlyn Vasquez, junior biology major, said she was unable to meet the enrichment requirements because of her work and class schedule.

“Students should feel happy and willing to go to these events, but in the end, many feel stressed and forced to make it to as many as they can, while also juggling a lot of other responsibilities,” she said. “A hold on registering for classes should not be a consequence for not getting your credits on time. These are two unrelated events. And it causes more stress, and students lose the opportunity to get into the classes they need.”

The Student Handbook states that students can apply for enrichment credit reductions under certain circumstances, such as working an on-campus job that cannot close during Convocation.

Josh Nerona, junior business administration major, said the policy did not affect him but

Students attend a Thursday convocation. Thursday, November 16, 2023. (Photo by Andre Ottati)

VESPERS

and that both services will be identical to each other, with the same performers and message being given.

SHUTTLE

"For our team, we are praying over them and supporting them even more as they are preparing for it."

Nick Veals fills out an enrichment credit card while attending a School of Business convocation. Thursday, January 11, 2024.

(Photo by Andre Ottati)

did affect his friends. He wishes Student Development would communicate things with the student body better.

“Not knowing this [policy] was very problematic for my friends because they weren’t able to register for their classes, therefore risking their spot whenever the next wave of students could register,” he said. “Communication is the issue.”

Angelina Jones, senior social work major, said this policy has affected her and other students she knows.

“I work as a student adviser with First Year Experience, and I have had students come in who can’t register because of this new rule,” she said. “It is inconvenient for everyone involved.”

Negrón said that gathering together to worship is an important part of campus life at a Christian university, and the policy of withholding class registration from those who are not staying up-to-date on enrichment credits and others like it help maintain Southern’s spiritual culture.

“It’s not so much that lots of students were falling behind,” Negrón said. “But what we know about behavior is that even though students will agree that they need to go, [that] they should go to chapels, worship and things like

that, they won’t go voluntarily.”

Negrón said attendance at enrichment events, such as Vespers and convocations, during the 2020-2021 school year helps prove that behavioral fact. During the Fall 2020 semester, the university suspended enrichment credit requirements due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and during the Winter 2021 semester, students were required to receive only half the regular amount of enrichment credits.

“But what we know about behavior is that even though students will agree that they need to go, [that] they should go to chapels, worship and things like that, they won't go voluntarily.”

“Right now, we have 1,600 students going to Vespers. When it was voluntary, 200 students [went],” Negrón said, referencing the Fall 2020 semester. “We have over 1,000 students going to convocation. During that [voluntary] time, 20 students went.”

Some students received an email from Student Development last semester with the above chart attached. The email notified them that their pre-registration had been placed on hold because they had not attained a current number of enrichment credits, and the chart demonstrated which number of credits was considered current during the remaining weeks of the semester. (Screenshot of email)

this observation rang true throughout the fall semester.

However, only one vehicle will run, and it will end each day at 12 p.m., so students should anticipate longer wait times. Its route, bookended by Laumere Court and Spalding Cove, will remain unchanged.

In an interview with the Accent, Negrón said the shuttle was implemented to not only alleviate a parking problem anticipated by the university due to increased enrollment, but also to accommodate a growing number of students living in university housing situated away from Southern’s main campus, such as Laumere Court and Spalding Cove.

However, shuttle usage numbers recorded by the shuttle drivers last semester demonstrate that the need for a student shuttle was not as great as the university expected, especially in the afternoons.

Typically, 20 to 30 students rode the shuttle each morning, and five to 10 students utilized the service in the afternoons, according to the usage numbers. On a daily basis, shuttle drivers picked up more students at Southern Village than at Laumere Court and Spalding Cove combined, with a few exceptions.

As reported in an Accent article published last September, Campus Safety observed less parking pressure on campus than the university expected when the school year began. Negrón said

Lifestyle Editor Allison Grundy

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Editor-in-Chief Amanda Blake

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For any questions, comments and article submission information, email the editor at ablake@southern.edu

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Collegedale News Editor Hayden Kobza

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continued from page 1 and remain at the church even later due to the time of the second service. This will require about six hours of commitment for many individuals.

Khabbaz is planning spiritual support for everyone involved in the services.

“Spiritually we are wanting to fill them up a lot more intentionally, since they are going to be pouring out so much,” Khabbaz said. “For our team, we are praying over them and supporting them even more as they are preparing for it.”

Khabbaz said he wanted the first service to be just as spiritual as the second service

According to the email sent to students, the Office of Ministry and Missions is anticipating that the second Vespers service may have higher attendance than the first service, so those who want a guaranteed seat may need to attend the first service.

Southern Accent 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.

continued from page 1

Layout Designers Anton Kannenberg Conner Bartsch

Shuttle usage numbers recorded by shuttle drivers last semester demonstrate that the need for a student shuttle was not as great as the university expected, especially in the afternoons.

“There have been fewer complaints about parking than in recent years,” Negrón said.

“That’s not to say we haven’t See SHUTTLE on page 3

Photographers Mila Bales Ron Cabacungan Andre Ottati Preston Waters Staff Sponsor Alva James-Johnson Circulation Manager Norelie Cabrera

3 | Wednesday, January 17, 2024

For more related news, visit our website at southern-accent.org

NEWS SHUTTLE

continued from page 2 had any complaints about parking, but it doesn’t appear to be as big of an issue this year with this group of students.”

However, more than 50 respondents, comprising 55% of total responses to a poll on the Accent’s Instagram, indicated that they were disappointed to learn the shuttle will no longer run in the afternoons. Over 150 respondents, comprising 95% of total responses in a separate poll, indicated that they believe Southern’s campus has a parking problem.

One of the respondents, Shayla Moguel-Coronel, senior psychology major, said she regularly struggles to find parking on campus.

“I could be [leaving on time to be] 10 minutes early to my next class but still be five minutes late because I can’t find parking,” she messaged the Accent. “I believe that a parking garage in a central part of campus would alleviate the parking issue quite a bit. A great location for the garage would be the lot behind Summerour.”

Moguel-Coronel thinks finding parking has become more difficult this school year. Another respondent, Michael Britt, sophomore construction management major and commuter student, told the Accent that he thinks Southern’s parking situation has improved slightly this year. However, he wishes Campus Safety would better regulate where residential students park.

to find parking for Ledford due to dorm students parking there.”

Negrón said most parking complaints come from students who are unable to park where they want instead of students who cannot find parking anywhere on campus. Still, the university is planning to add more parking spaces to campus, he added.

Some recent plans to expand campus parking previously

reported by the Accent have already been enacted, such as the gravel lot added by the WSMC radio station last summer. Other plans, including a lot between Hulsey Wellness Center and the Village Market, have not yet come to fruition.

Recently, the university has been clearing land adjacent to the SuCasa church on Colcord Drive. According to Negrón,

this land could be turned into a parking lot in the future. The Accent will continue to report on parking developments.

In regard to the student shuttle, Negrón said the university has no plans to eliminate the service. Future changes to the service depend on student feedback, usage and enrollment numbers.

“I believe that a parking garage in a central part of campus would alleviate the parking issue quite a bit. A great location for the garage would be the lot behind Summerour.”

“I would just say Campus Safety needs to be more consistent with [keeping] parking lots for commuters and faculty more available,” he wrote in response to the poll.

Later, in a message to the Accent, he wrote, “It is quite hard

Signs for Southern Adventist University’s shuttle service are located at several shuttle pickup and drop-off areas on campus. Although the shuttle service reduced its hours this semester, it still begins at 7:30 a.m. each weekday. Friday, January 12, 2024. (Photo by Mila Bales)

COLLEGEDALE NEWS From pop-up to coffee shop: Morning Brew Co to open store in Cambridge Square Matthew Orquia Managing Editor Morning Brew Co, a business that provides coffee catering services for events and recently ran a pop-up cart at The Commons, is opening a new coffee shop in Cambridge Square, according to owner Denis Liskevich.

The original opening date at the end of January has been delayed due to construction, said Liskevich, but the company is aiming to open the shop in February or March.

Denis Liskevich, owner of Morning Brew Co. (Photo courtesy of source)

According to an announcement from the Cambridge Square development office, the shop will serve both traditional and specialty coffees, as well as danishes, scones and crepes.

“I want it to be a local coffee shop where people are able to get a good cup of coffee ... [and] just have their day slow down for a minute or two as they enjoy a cup of coffee."

“Originally we were aiming to work with the local bakeries and shops, but unfortunately we just weren’t able to find the quality and find what we were looking for in terms of pastries,” Liskevich said.

“We’re sort of trying to be more toward the European style and European pastries.”

Morning Brew Co will work with the Chattanooga-based Goodman Coffee Roasters to provide their coffee beans, the same roasters that Liskevich used while running Morning Brew Co’s pop-up cart. At its Cambridge Square location, the company also will offer whole coffee beans for sale. According to Liskevich, Morning Brew Co chose Goodman after trying several other roasters in Chattanooga.

“They’re great people, [and] it’s great working with them,” Liskevich said. “They’re really helpful, and I was able to get a beautifully delicious chocolate and nutty coffee from them.”

Liskevich said Morning Brew Co picked Cambridge Square as the location for its new shop because as owners, he and his wife saw the need for a coffee shop in that area. According to Liskevich, his company has sold its products at markets in Cambridge Square before, and its coffee was well received by the people there.

“It just honestly worked out so perfectly where we were able to get an opportunity to get a spot,” Liskevich said.

Jim Cheney, who handles marketing and leasing for Cambridge Square, stated in an email to the Accent that Morning Brew Co’s ambition and energy when approaching Cambridge Square helped demonstrate that they would be a good fit.

“Morning Brew complements the current business owners in Cambridge,” Cheney stated. “They recognize the value of being surrounded by local entrepreneurs, and they embrace that same mindset.”

Liskevich said that after getting married, he and his wife moved from Ohio to Chattanooga, where they started to get more involved in making coffee as a hobby and then decided to pursue it more seriously.

“We kind of kept growing and growing to the point where I decided to just do it as a side hustle and just give it a shot,” Liskevich said. “And luckily, I think we were able to have some success with it.”

Their experience running the pop-up coffee bar at The Commons taught Morning Brew Co more about the community of Ooltewah and Collegedale, which helped them decide to open their shop in the area, according to Liskevich.

“My goal is to create a coffee shop — not just to have

a coffee shop, but also for [the] community as well,” Liskevich said.

Liskevich said his goal is to make the coffee shop a “staple of the community” and a place where coffee can help people appreciate the little moments in life.

“I want it to be a local coffee shop where people are able to get a good cup of coffee … [and] just have their day slow down for a minute or two as they enjoy a cup of coffee,” Liskevich said.

Morning Brew Co opened a pop-up coffee bar at The Commons last September. The company plans to open a coffee shop in Cambridge Square in February or March. Friday, October 20, 2023. (Photo by Andre Ottati)

Don’t miss the Southern Accent's special train derailment anniversary project!

In collaboration with the Fall 2023 Investigative Reporting class at Southern Adventist University, the Accent published a special edition of the newspaper as a multimedia project, remembering and investigating a train derailment that rocked the City of Collegedale one year ago.

Read the stories of witnesses and first responders.

Watch the train derail.

Listen to 911 calls made within minutes of the crash.

See photos of the wreckage.

Visit our website at southern-accent.org.

Click "Collegedale News."

Learn about the nation’s concern for railroad safety.

Discover the history of Collegedale’s railway.

4 | Wednesday, January 17, 2024

If you would like to be a contributor, contact Amanda Blake at ablake@southern.edu

NEWS

GLOW NIGHT OF SPORTS

Southern students create unique bead bracelets. Saturday, January 13, 2024. (Photo by Ron Cabacungan)

Braden Mann steps forward to hit the pickleball. Saturday, January 13, 2024. (Photo by Andre Ottati)

Koby Lucag prepares to spike a volleyball. Saturday, January 13, 2024. (Photo by Andre Ottati)

With painted faces, Heidi Burke (left) and Ruth Rawlings (right) watch glow-in-the-dark sport games from the stage. Saturday, January 13, 2024. (Photo by Ron Cabacungan) Andre Ottati and Sam Morales pose in front of the Christmas tree with hot drinks. Refreshments were offered after the tree was lit.

November 28, 2023. (Photo by Preston Waters)

Jisu Park, Kyungseo Moon and Sarah Park pose with glowing props alongside Southern’s mascot. Saturday, January 13, 2024. (Photo by Ron Cabacungan) Ken Parsons conducts the Southern Jazz Ensemble, which performed at the beginning of tree lighting ceremony. Tuesday, November 28, 2023. (Photo by Adam De Lisser)

5 | Wednesday, January 17, 2024

For more related news, visit our website at southern-accent.org

MENTAL HEALTH Comfortable or confined? Learning to befriend the frightening Tiffany Bartell Contributor Editor’s Note: The following articles are written by counseling professionals from Counseling Services in partnership with the Southern Accent.

How many of us have found ourselves saying the phrase, “That’s out of my comfort zone,” when confronted with trying something new? As a therapist, I’ve heard many clients play tug of war with themselves as they simultaneously want to go out and try a new adventure but feel anxious and reluctant to leave the familiar and known.

I tend to think that our “comfort” zone is, more often than not, actually our “dis-comfort” zone. The space that feels known and familiar can feel safer than what lies outside it, but it can also be a confining and restrictive place that keeps us as a spectator in our own world.

According to an article on the Harvard website, the concept of a comfort zone was first coined in the early 1900s by psychologists who created what is called the Yerkes-Dodson Law. This principle states that our performance actually increases with stress or pressure — up to a certain point — after which it starts to decline, according to a Harvard Business Review article.

The idea is that there is a benefit to be had by doing something that makes you a little uncomfortable or causes a small amount of pressure or nervousness. That little bit of discomfort can give you the energy to tackle something new successfully.

When thinking about getting out of your comfort zone, it is

important to remember that everyone has an individual and unique experience in life, and what is adventurous to one person might not sound like fun to someone else. It is important to challenge ourselves in ways that are oriented toward our personal interests and goals. Using your motivational tendencies can also be helpful. (For more information,

check out Gretchin Rubin’s Four Tendencies Quiz.)

If peer pressure helps you move through that initial stress to tackle a challenge, doing the activity or training with a buddy can be helpful. If you are motivated and encouraged in a different way, use your knowledge of who you are to make a plan that is suited specifically to you.

I will probably never go skydiving, but I remember the butterflies in my stomach when I interviewed for my doctoral program. Taking the plunge to start a doctorate was very scary for me, but the feeling I had after graduating made every moment of nervousness worth it.

While you are in college, you will meet many everyday challenges, such as asking your

crush to go to Vespers with you this week. You will also face times that feel more daunting, such as interviewing for your dream internship or dental school. Whatever the mountain you must climb, consider making friends with that nervous feeling or stress that you feel.

It might just be the bridge from your “comfort” zone into a bigger and richer life.

The lifestyle we consider to be within our “comfort zones” often keeps us as spectators in our own world. Sometimes, to live a richer life, we must leap outside our confining zones, whether that’s skydiving or pursuing a doctoral degree. (Photo sourced from Unsplash)

SPORTS College football crowns a champion and NFL teams battle for victory Jacob Nevis Sports Editor Whenever the new year comes around, America’s favorite sport begins winding to a close. The college football season has already come to an end, and the NFL season is in its divisional round of the 2024 playoffs.

College football saw the Michigan Wolverines defeat the Washington Huskies in the National Championship, a first for the winning team under the NCAA college football rule. The Wolverines’ last national championship win was in 1997.

This season, Michigan’s head coach, Jim Harbaugh, was suspended after the program was in-

volved in a sign-stealing scheme.

However, this controversy inspired the team to rally around Coach Harbaugh and bring home the national championship.

Harbaugh has been coaching the Wolverines since 2015 and boasts a record of 86-25. Before accepting the coaching job at Michigan, Harbaugh coached the San Francisco 49ers in the NFL and led them to a Super Bowl appearance. Now, after achieving what he set out to do in college football and with his contract coming to an end, Harbaugh might return to coaching the professionals. NFL teams have requested to interview Harbaugh for head coach positions. One team that has shown

significant interest in Harbaugh is the Los Angeles Chargers.

In other college football news, one of the best — if not the greatest — college football coaches has retired. Longtime University of Alabama head coach Nick Saban led the school to six national championships. Former Washington Huskies coach Kalen DeBoer, who led his team to a national championship appearance this year, will take over as the head coach of Alabama.

The NFL playoffs are underway, with the wild-card round coming to a close. The San Francisco 49ers and Baltimore Ravens were the first-seeded teams in their respective conferences, which allowed both

teams to get a bye and advance to the divisional round.

The young Houston Texans, led by standout rookie quarterback CJ Stroud, defeated the Cleveland Browns. In one of the coldest games in NFL history, the Kansas City Chiefs were able to knock off the Miami Dolphins.

Another young team, the Green Bay Packers, beat the Dallas Cowboys, whom fans had considered promising earlier this season. The Detroit Lions defeated the Los Angeles Rams, snapping the team’s long-standing losing streak in the playoffs.

The Lions hadn’t won a playoff game since 1992. After the Lions’ playoff victory, the Dolphins now hold the longest playoff victory

The Detroit Lions broke their long-standing losing streak in the playoffs with a victory over the Los Angeles Rams. (Photo sourced from Flickr)

drought, last winning a playoff game in 2000. The Buffalo Bills cruised past the Pittsburgh Steelers, while the Tampa Bay Buccaneers crushed the Philadelphia Eagles.

With the wild-card matchups complete, the divisional round matchups are set. In the AFC, the Texans will travel to Baltimore to take on the Ravens, while the Chiefs will travel to Buffalo, where quarterback Patrick Mahomes will have to play his first road playoff game, excluding the Super Bowl.

In the NFC, the Packers will travel to California to take on the 49ers, while the Buccaneers will travel up to Detroit to take on the Lions.

6 | Wednesday, January 17, 2024

If you would like to be a contributor, contact Amanda Blake at ablake@southern.edu

OPINION New year, new daunting resolution: Stop setting yourself up for defeat Alexis Dewey Opinion Editor “3…2…1…Happy New Year!”

You hear the shouting and cheering as you look around with a new excitement, your eyes filling with tears. You take in your first breath of the new year and exhale, just trying to bask in the moment and absorb your surroundings.

Then, it hits you. It is Jan. 1, the beginning of a new year.

That sweet moment ends abruptly as you immediately become nervous and feel the sweat dripping down your forehead.

“It is the first day of New Year’s resolutions,” you think to yourself with a big sigh. “Time to change my whole life around and quit everything I love.”

It seems the time after every Christmas holiday is spent discussing New Year’s resolutions.

Conversations surrounding the “big changes” everyone is making can be daunting for some people, leaving many feeling like those same changes should be made in their own lives.

At the start of each year, people work hard toward their goals: to be healthier, have more devotional time, volunteer more, learn how to cook, etc.

Oftentimes, people will set high expectations for themselves that can seem unattainable. In return, people often become discouraged and give up before they accomplish their goals.

No one likes feeling defeated.

No one enjoys feeling as if they have failed themselves. This is another reason why many people find New Year’s resolutions so daunting. In fact, according to a poll that Forbes Health conducted, 61.7% of people felt pressured to set a New Year’s resolution. Then, only a few

months later, 90% of those resolutions were no longer upheld.

Preparing for the new year and wanting to make positive changes in your life is not the issue I have with New Year’s resolutions. What I dislike is that some people tend to take these resolutions too far. For example, I have heard too many conversations about people wanting to be “healthier,” so they decide they are going to skip meals in

order to lose weight. Thinking “too big” is not always the route to take while finding a new resolution. Resolutions should be goals that inspire us to push ourselves to improve as individuals, not to burn ourselves out.

There is nothing wrong with wanting to improve yourself.

However, wouldn’t it be better to try improving when you first notice the issue, instead of waiting around for Jan. 1? That could

make New Year’s resolutions less daunting and nerve-wracking.

Another tip I have found helpful is to take your resolution at a steady pace while starting out.

You don’t have to quit certain things “cold-turkey” in order to achieve your goals. Sometimes, taking it one step at a time will have a much bigger benefit.

At the end of January, you don’t want to be already giving up on resolutions you started at

the beginning. Make your goals achievable, and take it one step at a time. Follow the simple guidelines below, and check out this week’s lifestyle column to discover more tips for setting goals this year.

• Make attainable goals • Don’t wait for Jan. 1, start now.

• Slow, steady pace. Slow improvement is better than no improvement.

“Resolutions should be goals that inspire us to push ourselves to improve as individuals, not to burn ourselves out.” (Photo sourced from UnSplash)

RELIGION

What if I mess up? Finding mercy in mistakes Madison Wilcox Religion Editor What was your New Year’s resolution? I’m guessing it had something to do with improving your life. Maybe you swore off dark chocolate for the fifth time or outlined a spartan routine to follow religiously during the semester. (Waking up at 4 a.m. to a cold shower and weekly fasting, anyone?) Or maybe your resolve reached a serious level: This year you would allow God to confront your favorite sin. You would finally surrender what you’ve been clinging to all along.

Despite such grand hopes for transformation as the year began, it’s more than likely as we reach the third week of 2024 that these brave plans have already started to weaken at the seams. Mine surely have. So, what then? Where do we go when our resolve has already turned to regret?

We’ll start with Psalm 23.

In the final verse, David makes a bold promise: “Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life.” (Psalm 23:6) He uses confident, dangerous language here: “Surely” and “all” leave no room for outliers.

According to David, God’s goodness and mercy follow him unrelentingly and eternally.

Does this confidence resonate with you? It doesn’t always resonate with me.

In fact, my life frequently operates as a living antonym of the verse: Experientially, it seems as if wickedness and cruelty are in hot pursuit of me, while goodness and mercy drag behind.

Worse, it’s usually my fault. Maybe if I kept my life together, I could agree with this verse. But my frequent mistakes seem to prove it untrue.

When I face this incongruence between my experience and the

inspired words of David, it helps me to return to David’s experience. It helps me to remember that this psalm was written by a human being, often tangled in his own sin, always needing mercy. David prayed within the nitty-gritty particulars of his own situation, yet somehow he still used words like “surely” and “all” to describe the insistent goodness of God. So, where might this confidence in God’s mercy have come from? I think it may have come, ironically, from one of the biggest mistakes of David’s life, the capture of Ziklag described in 1 Samuel 30.

The story boils down to a simple pattern: David makes a lot of mistakes, all in a row. David’s first mistake (taking refuge with the Philistines) leads to a second mistake (being forced to fight his own people), which leads to a third mistake (leaving the vulnerable in Ziklag without protection) that results in a final, awful consequence: Every man in his band loses home and family to Amalekite raiders; Ziklag is burned, and the women and children are all captured.

Naturally, David’s band faces intense grief. They weep “until they have no more power to weep.” (1 Samuel 30:4) Then they speak of revenge; they pick up stones.

Imagine David’s predicament.

Where could God’s goodness and mercy be now? His life has become a challenge to God’s promise; he has reached a climax of incongruence. At this moment, David could have chosen from a hundred different trains of thought, each of them leading to despair. But somehow, he refused each of them and chose another. Verse six says, “But David found strength in the Lord His God.” (1 Samuel 30:6) The Bible doesn’t give a detailed account of what this strengthen-

ing looked like. It must not have taken very long — he was under intense pressure, a death threat in the air from the ones who were meant to support him. Yet, whether five seconds or five minutes long, David’s remembrance of God filled him with enough strength to rally his men, pursue their family’s captors, and restore every single thing that had been lost. (1 Samuel 30:19)

David’s story reveals that goodness and mercy aren’t just words to describe what God does, but who God is. Goodness and mercy followed David because God did.

I have decided to cling to this truth myself, to choose the confidence that God’s good presence in my life does not hinge upon me. God’s mercy pursues me, even when I don’t pursue

Him. And ultimately, it’s the mercy that changes me.

I encourage you to embrace this alternative New Year’s resolution with me: When you mess up — even if it’s the second, third or 50th mistake in a row — strengthen yourself in your God. God is not as afraid of your mistakes as you are.

God is not as afraid of your mistakes as you are. (Photo sourced from Pexels)

7 | Wednesday, January 17, 2024

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LIFESTYLE

Four creative methods for effective goal-setting Allison Grundy Lifestyle Editor As the new year begins, some people start to think about their resolutions. For many, the new year is like a blank canvas where they can have a second chance to work on themselves and toward their goals. One reason why making resolutions may be worth considering is the ability to look back over the years and see growth.

Of course, the new year is not the only time to start working toward goals. Most resolutions can begin any day; the most important aspects of meeting goals are determination and consistency, which have nothing to do with the starting point.

But the new year is undoubtedly a time of reflection.

Whether or not you decide to make traditional resolutions for the new year, I hope you will keep your goals in mind. If you choose to make resolutions, here are a few different ways to outline new year goals: An “Ins” and “Outs” List: For this type of list, make two columns, one labeled “ins” and the other labeled “outs.” The ins are the aspects of life to start incorporating. The outs are the things to take a break from. This type of list may be best for people who want to highlight specific switches.

For example, students might put “whole milk” in their outs and “oat milk” in their ins if they want to take the steps to have a more plant-based diet. Another example is putting “supporting small businesses” in their ins and “ordering from Amazon” in their outs.

But keep in mind that there doesn’t have to be correlations on the columns; one can simply list ins and outs.

Anti-resolutions List: For this list, people can write down what they will stop doing. I tried this type of approach in 2023. Instead of writing down a list of the habits I wanted to start doing, I took some time to think about the habits that I wanted to try to take a break from.

I’ve always been under the impression that it’s a bad thing to think in the negative realm, as in,

“Don’t focus on what you won’t do; instead, focus on what you will do.” However, I found that this list helped me to think about what I value in my life and the areas I wanted to see change in.

A few things on my anti-resolution list are to stop watching movies with violence and to stop looking at reviews of movies and books before I read them.

Group Resolutions: In the new year, consider getting together some friends, family or like-minded people to make a goal. A group resolution is

a great way to feel supported throughout the year, due to the reminder that others are making the same changes and having the same challenges. An idea for a group resolution is to choose one day a week to go without using social media.

A Mood Board: A mood board is essentially a collage that captures the feelings behind the goals. This can be achieved through pictures that make people think of the life they want to build for themselves. This is a good option for those who are

Dear Kevin

Dear Kevin, There is an obnoxious, passive-aggressive male who is following me around campus despite repeated verbal and physical cues from me that I am NOT interested in even an acquaintanceship, much less

The new year can be a convenient time to make changes and become excited about the selfgrowth that comes with hard work. And while resolutions are oftentimes unkept, it’s important to keep goals in mind while going through life. Making both small and large changes can lead us to hopefully be a little better every time the clock strikes midnight on Jan. 1.

There are many creative ways to organize your goals to better remember them and make the resolution process fun. (Photo sourced from Pexels)

SOCIAL

For a chance to be featured, use or tag @sauaccent on Instagram in your posts!

Dear Kevin, If Kevin were a type of bread, what type of bread would he be?

Dear English Muffin Edna, I love bread; just thinking about it puts my mind in an absolute state of euphoria. My favorite form of bread is crackers, of course. If I had to pick my bread-sona, it would probably be pumpernickel. It stands out, a little nutty and slightly sweet. My favorite way to eat it is to toast it and have it for breakfast after I wake up at the quack of dawn.

more visual or creative. Mood boards can be very diverse and can be as abstract or as specific as their owners prefer.

a friendship or romantic relationship. When he can’t find me to confront, he’ll accost my relatives and my friends and complain about how he never sees me. Is there anything I can do (besides avoiding him as much as possible) to keep him away?

Dear Perturbed Patricia, I’m sorry that you’re having to deal with this person. This is a tough situation. If they continue to approach you, try and communicate that their advances are unwanted as clearly as you can. If you have asked them to stop, and they still won’t leave you alone, you should report the situation to the Title IX office as soon as possible and to Campus Safety as well. As much as possible, avoid walking places by yourself, especially at night.

#SAUlife L

Lana Aiko Merginio

🍊🤍

lanai_va 2023 top pick Photo Credit: Ron Cabacungan

K

Kara Janzen

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Jack Bell

jackbell4053 23 was for da homies :)

A

April Espinoza

Do you have a question for Kevin?

Scan the QR code or click on the link in the Accent’s Instagram bio to submit your question.

This week’s winner is @marc0____. To collect your prize, go to the Student Development office.

Knowing that students might need new supplies this semester, Kevin is offering a:

_karajanzen In love with this life because God really is in this place Photo Credit: Herself N

Nyah Banks

apriljespinoza sunkissed

T

Tracy Tambingon

$10 Gift Card to Walmart DM us on Instagram with a photo of where Kevin is hiding!

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nyah.ks you crown the year with your goodness & your paths drop with abundance -psalms 65:11

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tracytmr 123123 Photo Credit: Nando Welan

8 | Wednesday, January 17, 2024

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CHATTER Today — 17 34 - 14

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Weekly Birthdays

Faculty Development, 12:00 PM @ Presidential Banquet Room 3 on 3 Volleyball Captain’s Meeting, 5:00 PM @ Hulsey Wellness Center SA Senate, 8:00 PM @ Bietz Center

TODAY |17

Thursday — 18 • •

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Friday ­— 19 34 - 9

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Sunset, 5:55 PM Star Watch, 6:30 PM @ Hickman Science Center Parking Lot Vespers - Chaplain Anna Bennett, 6:30-7:30 OR 8:30-9:30 PM @ Collegedale Church GroupLink, 8:45 PM @ Iles PE Center

Fee for Class Change and “W” on tran- 43 - 30 script (16 weeks classes) Convocation: Katie Koestner - Sexual Integrity, 11:00 AM @ Collegedale Church Graduate Curriculum Committee, 3:30 PM Student Organization President’s Meeting, 5:30 PM @ Presidential Banquet Room

Saturday — 20 Connect, 9:00 AM @ Collegedale Church SOAP Outdoor Church: Caving, 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM @ Wright Hall Steps Sabbath Chats, 10:00-11:15 AM @ Bietz Center Merge Worship, 11:45 AM 3 on 3 Volleyball tournament, 7:00 PM @ Iles PE Center American Spiritual Ensemble, 7:30 PM @ Collegedale Church Sigma Theta Chi Skate Party, 11:30 PM

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Sunday — 21

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Carolyn Dillon-Melville

Gaby Peña Ramírez

Lauren Bowlby

Ellie Rose Emde

Christina Rada

Rachael Courtney

Juan Harmse

Matthew St. Hilaire

Johnson

Christine B. Kurian

Joshua Ward

Hannah Langford

Koby Lucag

Tuesday |23

Thursday |18

Migdalice Ramos

Ellisa Anderson

Lillian Bennethum

Nieves

Leilani G. Darnell

Natasha Draia

Gregory Stinson

Cameron Johnson

Michaela Lohr

Sunday |21

Jisoo Lee

Ethan Lopez

Sienna Day

Tobias Lim

Katie Monroe

Madelene Hamann

Liz Mapp

Rhett Seitz

Juho Hwang

Sonja Meadows

Friday |19

Josie Izquierdo Andino

Emmily Ndege

Adonna Andino

Melissa Lee

Angella Pangemanan

Miguel Cox

Somin Lee

Joseph J. Park

E. J. Garcia

Matthew Naukkarinen

Rory Rodney

Kristen Killingsworth

Joshua Roberts

Kenneth Salmon

Kimpu Kim

Kyle Rogers

Abigail Touma

Nate Lopez

Maddie Schmidt

Isabelle Touma

Tiara Palar

Monday |22

Angelic Wilson

Saturday |20

Leila Alav

Lucca Despirito 26 - 10

Cooper Larsen

Student Activities Announcements OMM applications open until Jan. 31 Student Organization applications open until Jan. 15 Student Association applications open until Feb. 1

Monday — 22 • •

Tuesday — 23 51 - 40

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Last day for Student Insurance Open Enrollment Student Week of Worship, 8:00 PM @ Collegedale Church

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Chinese New Year Last Day to Add a Class (16 week classes) / Census Date All vehicles must be registered with Campus Safety E.A. Anderson Lecture Series, 6:50 PM @ Brock Hall 3205 Student Week of Worship, 8:00 PM @ Collegedale Church

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