TheSouthTexan!"#$ Texas A &M University-Kingsville Award-Winning Student Publication
Monday, February 7, 2022
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@thesouthtexan
Vol. 96, Issue 8
TAMUK sees 18.1% positivity rate for COVID-19
COVID cases continue to rise on campus
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COVID-19 cases are rising this spring semester with an 18.1 percent positivity rate from the total number tested. As of Jan. 24, there are 202 positive
active cases on campus. Upon the return from the winter break in early January, students, faculty regarding the semester required COVID-19 testing, regardless of vaccination status. On campus testing began Jan. 3 with a deadline to test by Jan. 28. “Students who test positive should take steps to immediately self-isolate,” Dean of Students Dr. Kirsten Compary said.
Out of the 5,375 tested between Jan. 3 and Jan. 24., 974 tests came back positive, resulting in a positivity rate of 18.1 percent, which is notably higher compared to UTSA’s 11 percent and TAMIU’s 9.9 percent reported. Students living off campus will be able to self-quarantine at their place of residency or another location of their choice while on-campus students can choose to
either isolate at Turner/ “We do not require all students who test positive to stay in Turner/Bishop. It is available to any student who lives on-campus who tests positive, as well as pus if they cannot safely isolate where they live or at another location,” Compary said. TAMUK provides private rooms for quaran!""#12345&'()''*
The clues he shared, one step at a time Burns visits campus, shares memories &0))1%&'()" |'()*+,-1*/1!2*34 !/*(3'()*+,-.+/(&,%+/+(0"1'!,#
Students anxiously waited in their seats, talking amongst each other as the lights dimmed. The crowd roared with excitement as the iconic childhood character Steve was standing before them.
Multimedia To see video g interview check out the Javelina Media Experience on h Youtube On Feb. 2, Texas A&M University Kingsville (TAMUK) hosted a lectureship series, during which Steve Burns, the original Blue’s Clues host, was invited to speak with students. Burns was welcomed to campus by students, many who grew up watching and learning with him “The support feels wonderful,” Burns said. “It’s mostly just cool to sort of continue the conversation from when we were
Online Beat Do you not subscribe to !"#$%&!"!#'()*+%,? Catch up on exclusive stories about our campus and community when you sign up for our newsletter. Here’s a sneak peak of what you missed online.
Have you seen our new media channel? Subscribe to the Javelina Media Experience on Youtube today to see more content.
all so much younger. This always felt like we were really talking to each other and because of social media because of many things were still able to. It feels to me anyways, like we’re continuing the same conversation with the same people and that is pretty awesome.” Blue’s Clues in 1996 and Burns hosted until 2002, before his character left for college. Last year for the 25th anniversary of the show, Burns recorded a message for Blue’s Clues fans, but directed it towards those who had grown up with him on the show. “When we did that little viral video I remember thinking, oh I don’t want to talk to the little kids now who are watching the reboot of Blue’s Clues. I want to talk to you, the exact human beings that I talked to back then, and many of them are in college now, that’s really the impetus for doing it,” he said. Burns’ video has amassed more than 40 million views since it was posted last year to @nickjr Twitter account. Burns was welcomed back by a generation that spent years watching him on TV. “It’s hard to make that
Search for new president Hallmark serves as interim !"#"$%&'()" | !"#$%&'()*+,!"#$%&'()*+,-.+/(&,%+/+(0"1'!,#
Dr. Steve Bain sits on stage at Jones Auditorium while asking Steve Burns questions.
feel real you know, it’s hard to explain to someone,” he said. “I can never really think about Blue’s Clues as this thing that an entire generation experienced, for me it was always this little, tiny show. I was just talking to a camera; it seemed very small, very simple.” Burns is overwhelmed and humbled by the support he has received since releasing the anniversary video, and tells of honor it is to be a part of something he describes as meaningful. “We’re often asked to have a dream,” he said. “You’ve got to have this dream and you follow your dream at all costs; use
your mind take a step at a time, follow that dream. But it was never my dream to be on children’s television ever. It’s nothing I’ve ever thought about. I never gave it 10 seconds of thought in my life, and if I had just sort of followed a prescription in my life for what I wanted to do I would have missed that. “I’ve noticed in my life it’s been very useful to your dream and to look for things that, if aren’t exactly that, that might rhyme with your dream or are harmonious with your dream,” he continued. Students were given an opportunity to compete for a chance to meet Burns
Ronni Reyna
if they could correctly answer when Blue’s Clues
Texas A&M University-Kingsville (TAMUK) continues its search for a university president after Dr. Mark A. Hussey announced he was stepping down in December. In the meantime, Texas A&M University Vice Chancellor for Academ-
to correctly answer were given the opportunity to speak with, meet and take a picture with Burns. “I was a big fan growing up. It was like my childhood coming completely full circle. It was very much nostalgic but made my heart warm in the best way possible,” senior Bio-Medical Science major Maddi Guess said. Guess was one of the students given the opportunity to meet with Burns. The lecture consisted of Burns opening with his own words, a sit-down
Dr. James Hallmark is serving as interim president until the university selects !"#$%&'() someone *&++'&", to f ill 5/+3-*# Hussey’s 67.89 now va:-3&*)3/+ cant position. “[my experience has been] very good! The university faces many challeng-
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A Javelina Promise for success New tuition assistance for students *"+"(,"$%-$".'/ |' ."/"0*/0'()*+,#"1"2*12'()*+,-.+/(&,%+/+(0"1'!,#
The launch of the new Javelina Promise Program gives hope and assurance to Texas A&M University- Kingsville (TAMUK) students to continue their education without the worry of a financial burden. On Thursday, Jan. 27, TAMUK hosted an event to promote the university’s program. In order to be eligible for the Javelina Promise, students must be a Texas resident, submit a FAFSA/TAFSA application, have a total family income of $65,000 or less, maintain a 2.5 GPA
or higher, and enroll for at least 12 credits each semester as part of their undergraduate degree plan. Unlike scholarships, there is no application process to be considered for the promise. Students do not need to reapply each semester. plies federal and state aid, such as scholarships and grants, to student tuition and fees and any remaining costs not covered by those programs will be covered by TAMUK’s Javelina Promise. If eligible, students will receive aid for all four years of attendance at the university if they continue to meet the requirements and enroll for at least twelve hours. This announcement event was open to university leaders, K-12 school district leaders and some community colleges who feed into TAMUK’s trans-
Courtesy of TAMUK Facebook
Dr. Rito Silva (right) and Dr. Hoskisson (left) unveiling the Javelina Promise program.
fer program. “The idea behind the Javelina Promise Program was to look for ways to provide greater access to nancial barriers often stop students from coming to
college and we don’t want that to happen,” Assistant Vice President for Enrollment Management Dr. Darin Hoskisson said. The university plans to es it has to allow students
to get the education they need. “I think they’re moving in the right direction towards assisting all students in obtaining college !""#(#/0,%+&'()''*