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WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 12, 2020
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$9 MILLION DECREASE IN TRUMAN BUDGET RYAN PIVONEY Editor-in-Chief
Truman State University will begin the 2020-21 academic year with a budget of $85.4 million, a $9 million decrease from last year. This smaller budget is a result of state government withholdings and a smaller student body. With fewer students on campus, the University is getting less money from tuition and fees. Dave Rector, vice president for administration, finance and planning, said the state appropriation was reduced to the amount Truman received last fiscal year, $35 million. Last year the University was granted $39 million from the state, but that was then reduced by Gov. Mike Parson who withheld $5.2 million. Rector said he had projected a cut this size, so he worked to create a budget that would reflect that loss in funding. “It was a pretty drastic cut,” Rector said. “It’s the lowest operating budget we’ve
Enrollment estimated to fall again RYAN PIVONEY Editor-in-Chief Truman State University is projected to have another decrease in enrollment this academic year partially because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Official numbers will not be released until the University conducts a census 20 days after the start of the semester. However, Tyana Lange, vice president for enrollment management and marketing, said she expects about 100 fewer new students from last year. Although Truman is pulling in fewer students than last year, Lange said this estimate is better than what she was initially expecting. According to Lange, some campuses were expecting to be down 15-20%. See ENROLLMENT page 5
According to Tyana Lange, vice president for enrollment management and marketing, some campuses were expecting to be down 15-20%. She said Truman’s enrollment will also be down. Photo by Rachel Becker
had in about 10 years.” Rector explained that most of the budget cuts have been accounted for by staff and faculty turnover, retirements and resignations. While the University did furlough some staff for the summer — such as bus drivers, secretaries and lab technicians — these staff members have been brought back to campus for work and Rector said he doesn’t anticipate more furloughs unless it is necessary to shut the campus down again. Rector said the Governor is being conservative with the state appropriations because current state income trends are still unclear. The auxiliary budget, which is used for the Student Recreation Center, the Student Union Building and the residence halls, is made up primarily of student fees and will thus be reduced by $4.9 million. Rector said some of this decrease in the budget can be accounted for by paying for less food and not needing to hire more cleaning staff with fewer students on campus. See BUDGET page 5
University confronts issues
of racial inequality
RACHEL BECKER News Editor Truman State University administrators have been working to better diversity and inclusion on campus. This action follows a petition about racial inequality at Truman State University on June 17, a town hall in the beginning of July and a peaceful protest in Kirksville. Janna Stoskopf, vice president for student affairs, said she was pleased with the town hall and thought the students who participated brought forth relevant and important information. She said it was important for students to have the opportunity to be heard and speak directly to administration. Stoskopf said the town hall made her realize how, as a campus, Truman has not fulfilled part of its mission. If the University is at a point where it has to have discussions like this, Stoskopf explained, it has already failed. “We were blind to the fact [that] we are not the institution we aspire to be or thought we were,” Stoskopf said. Stoskopf said the administration is now acknowledging it needs to work on diver- Kirksvillle residents walking along Baltimore Street during a peaceful protest sity and inclusion after the town hall com- against racial inequaity. Protesters were greeted with honks and waves from municated concerns about heartfelt and cars passing by. In total, the protest lasted over two hours. Photo by Ryan Pivoney real experiences. of students, faculty and staff are working tests — drove students to talk about the After the town hall, Truman announced to make Truman more diverse, Thomas inequalites of race on campus. the hiring of Bertha Thomas, a consultant added. The Association of Black Collegians for campus diversity and inclusion. Thomas said for faculty and staff, that presented a list of demands for change Stoskopf said before Thomas’s hiring work includes additional training as well at Truman through a Change.org petition there was only a white male in the diveras conversations about revisiting some June 17. sity and inclusion office, and that situation curricular offerings. Thomas said she is The petition from ABC remindmade it difficult for students of color to also developing long term strategies for ed Truman about their shortcomings, come with concerns or for advice. hiring more administration, faculty and Thomas explained. She said it was a Stoskopf said Thomas is working to staff of color. really great first step to lay out some of help set the foundation of student supThomas has also been working with the issues. However, the concerns from port and bring in alumni to mentor stualumni of color to create a virtual mentor- ABC are not new. dents of color. ship for current students. The petition states ABC created a list Thomas worked at Truman from 1992 Thomas said the current climate of the of demands in 1971, which was published until her retirement in 2014. She now has world — with the inequalities associated by The Index. a contract with the University until March. with COVID-19, as well as the murder Thomas said the work she will do here of George Floyd and the following proSee ABC page 6 is critical, and she is happy to do it. Lots
Dorms reopen with new rules RACHEL BECKER News Editor
With the dorms reopening amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Residence Life has made changes and new regulations to hopefully quell the spread on campus. The new regulations ResLife has set for the semester include, wearing a mask in all public areas of the building and not bringing non-Truman students into the dorms. All ResLife activities will be socially distanced and halls will be disinfected multiple times a day. Residence Life Director Jamie Van Boxel said Hall Directors, Community Coordinators and Student Advisors underwent two weeks of training each to ensure
VOLUME 112 ISSUE 1 © 2020
residents have a good experience. That experience will shift as the community learns more about COVID. “Everything that we do, and our staff will do, to engage with our residences has to happen with the framework of wellness and health,” Van Boxel said. Van Boxel said all community spaces in dorms, like lounges and study bubbles, have signs stating a maximum occupancy based on how many people can properly socially distance in the area. Activities are going to look very different than what returning students will be used to, he said. The dorms will receive their regular deep cleaning daily, Van Boxel said. Additionally, housekeeping will disinfect high touch areas, like elevator buttons and door
handles, more often than they used to. SAs are also being asked to disinfect high touch areas in their houses seven days a week and SAs on duty will be asked to disinfect high touch areas in community spaces. See DORMS page 6
Mask on Mask off When and where to wear a face covering
Students will now be required to wear face maskes in common areas. Non-Truman students will not be allowed in the dorms. Photo by Rachel Becker
See page 5
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WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 12, 2020
Students come back to campus and get introduced to the “New Normal”
In the dining halls masks will not be required while students eat, however social distancing will still be required. Tables and booths are also divided with plastic barriers. Photos by Rachel Becker
What to do if you think you have
COVID-19
If you start to run a fever, cough, difficulty breathing, loss of smell or taste or exhibit other COVID symptoms Truman State University advises you follow these steps A sign in Barnett Hall stating that the water fountain is for water bottle filling only. Asking partons not to drink directly from the water fountain can reduce the risk of germs spreading.
Inform your roommates, suite mates so they can take the proper precautions
Test at the Student Health Center, but call ahead telling them you might be infected
Re-test if negative, a second test will be sent out to verify the negative results Isolate on campus students will be provided space to isolate as space allows, Sodexo will also work with those isolating
Seats are now social distanced in classrooms. All classrooms on campus have limited occupancy to ensure distance between students.
Come back after 10 days since symptoms first appeared and 24 hours with no fever and after symptoms have improved
Crime Reports staff Serving the University community since 1909
DPS & KPD 8/3 Harassment reported at the 300 block of East Burton Street 8/3 Harassment reported at the 700 block of South Halliburton Street 8/3 Firearm theft reported at the 1200 block of East Jefferson Street
Editor-in-Chief: Ryan Pivoney Managing Editor: Elisabeth Shirk News Editor: Rachel Becker Features Editor: Erica Lindsay Copy Chief: Julie Thomassen Designer: Nora Grojean Photographers: Caleb Bolin, Bidan Yang Copy Editors: Luke Jacobi, Jessica Robinson, Sami Harris Staff Writers: Chase Potter, Allison Maschhoff, Anakin Bush Adviser: Don Krause
8/3 Sex offense reported at the 100 block of East McPherson Street 8/3 Theft reported at the 1200 block of North Elson Street 8/4 Bike theft reported at the 1200 block of East Scott Street 8/4 Theft reported at the 1800 block of North Baltimore Street 8/4 Trespasser reported at the 300 block of East Porter Street 8/4 Shoplifter reported at the 2200 block of North Baltimore Street 8/4 Assault reported at the 500 block of North Walnut Street
8/6 Burglary and property damage reported at the 900 block of South Osteopathy Street 8/6 Fraud reported at the 500 block of North Baltimore Street 8/6 Public intoxication reported at the 600 block of North Franklin Street 8/6 Trespasser reported at the 200 block of East Illinois Street 8/7 Property damage reported at Devlin Place 8/7 Trespasser reported at the 1200 block of North Main Street 8/7 Fire reported at Chelsea Drive 8/8 Third and second degree assault reported at the 600 block of Benton Way 8/8 Fraud reported at the 300 block of East Burton Street
8/5 Theft reported at the 500 block of South Elson Street
8/8 Statutory rape and child molestation reported at the 1000 block of North Luther Street
8/5 Theft reported at the 900 block of West Martha Street
8/8 Theft reported at the 2100 block of East Shepherd Avenue
8/5 Property damage reported at the 1700 block of North Centennial Avenue
8/9 Bike theft reported at the 500 block of East Hickory Street
8/5 Fourth degree assault reported at the 1800 block of South Boundary Street
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WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 12, 2020
BUDGET| Truman faces ENROLLMENT| a budget cut due University sees lower to lower enrollment enrollment for fall and state withholdings Continued from page 1 Rector said there are some reimbursement possibilities for some of the money the University has spent on COVID-19 safety measures and the costs associated with shifting to online classes. “It’s not good news for the budget to be this low,” Rector said. “So far we’ve been able to absorb it with our turnover, retirements and so forth.” In addition to restricting the appropriation to Missouri universities, Gov. Parson also restricted funding for the Bright Flight Scholarship, which is awarded to the state’s top scorers on the ACT. Most of the Bright Flight scholarship awards were cut in half.
“It was a pretty drastic cut. It’s the lowest operating budget we’ve had in about 10 years.” -Dave Rector, Vice President for Administration, Finance and Planning Rector said students should contact the Financial Aid Office if their Bright Flight Scholarship has been reduced and they need financial assistance. With nearly $1 million that was cut from Bright Flight Scholarships on Truman’s campus, Rector said the University cannot cover those cuts, but could offer assistance to students looking for alternatives.
Continued from page 1 “Given where we were with COVID-19, that was actually a little bit better than we had anticipated,” Lange said. “We won’t know for sure until people actually show up because we are definitely having students who are … uncomfortable and haven’t decided what they wanted to do for sure for the fall semester.” Lange explained that the University has been exploring ways to make these students feel more comfortable about going to college in a pandemic. Students who prefer to stay away from campus but are still interested in going to Truman, for example, can use awarded scholarships to pay for a part-time schedule, allowing them to enroll in six to 11 credits online. Lange explained that Truman is also allowing new students to defer their acceptance to spring or fall 2021 and guaranteeing that their scholarships will be applied if they choose to enroll later. Even before getting accepted, some prospective students needed accommodations as the pandemic made it difficult for many to complete standardized testing that is usually considered part of the Truman admission process. The test scores were viewed as optional for this year as a result. Lange said these accommodations are important for enrollment and retention because it shows the University is keeping options open for students. “When things get back to semi-normal we want to make sure that we have developed an amazing relationship with those prospective students so they still want to be part of the Truman family,” Lange said. “These kinds of things help us maintain that relationship with them and we just feel like it’s the right thing to do.” Lange said she is hearing a variety of perspectives from prospective students and parents — some of which are excited to get to campus and others who are considering postponing their in-person college experience. Truman is trying to meet these students at their comfort level and offer accommodations, Lange explained, instead of trying to convince everyone coming to campus is the right option. While total enrollment might be decreasing, first to second year retention is up to 88.6%, which is up from the rate of 83.5% from the last two years. Lange said Truman implemented more communication and intrusive advising, which is a more proactive approach. She said this advising approach will continue in the future.
Truman implements new regulations on campus In class:
Mask on these are places you are either required to wear a face covering or are highly recommended by Truman State University administration
in-person classes are socially distanced and require masks
In a Truman Building:
masks are required in all campus buildings
In a private office: masks are not required when alone, however some may require guests to wear masks On The Quad: if you can maintain distance between others a mask is not required
In community spaces of dorms:
In your dorm:
When not social distancing:
When eating or
like kitchens, lounges and study bubbles
when you can’t keep a 6 foot distance between you and others
Mask off these are places or situations where a face covering is not required by Truman State University administration
it is not required in your assigned dorm room
drinking: at dining areas social distancing will be recommended instead
Truman State University administration now requires face coverings in all campus buildings. However, if social distancing is followed and students are outdoors it is not required.
Students returning to campus in the fall will be welcomed back with new safety regulations. These regulations are seen on signs posted around campus. Photos by Rachel Becker
Doors around campus are marked as enter or exit only to better direct traffic and aid in social distancing. Students are also asked to stay home if they feel ill.
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WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 12, 2020
ABC| University confronts issues of diversity and inclusion on campus Continued from page 1 This list called for more scholarships for Black students, as well as a Black counselor and advisor and an end to Black academic oppression, among other demands. “We have demonstrated, sat-in, sat down, sat around, prayed, sung and begged,” the April 1971 article published by The Index stated. “We are tired.” The latest petition states that many of the original demands have not been met 49 years later. Truman has ignored the interests of Black students and actively contributes to the systemic racism which disproportionately impacts Black people today, the petition explains. ABC member Elyse Ellis helped craft the petition because she said many people in the organization shared a feeling of stagnation from the University around issues of race and ethnicity. Stoskopf said there is now a committee, made up of faculty and a student representative, to push for more diversity and inclusion. The committee members will work to recruit and retain faculty and students of color as well as curricular and cocurricular culture education. “[This committee will] work through the semester to turn the tide on the campus culture,” Stoskopf said. Stoskopf said she is working to empathize and figure out what has contributed to what made Truman the way it is. Stoskopf also said she is working to be a role model for others by educating herself on the different experiences and perspectives students might have experienced at Truman. . “I want them to know there are people here who want them here, that are willing to be their allies and want to develop a deeper understanding,” Stoskopf said. She said she is a vice president for every student and wants to push herself to get better connected with students of color, to get to know them better, to represent them better. “Confront things that are uncomfortable to talk about, without that discomfort there is no change,” Stoskopf said.
DORMS| ResLife prepares dorms for residents to return
Academic calendar changed for
FALL 2020 Fall 2019
Fall 2020
Classes start
Aug. 14
Aug. 17
1st block classes end
Oct. 8
Oct. 6
Last day of classes
Dec. 6
Nov. 24
Study break
N/A
Nov. 25 - Dec. 6
Finals start
Dec. 9
Dec. 7
Finals end
Dec. 13
Dec. 11
A peaceful protest was organized at Rotary Park in Kirksville. The protest was in support of the Black Lives Matter movement and George Floyd, a Black man killed by a police officer in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Photo by Ryan Pivoney
The semesters have the same number of class days, but the 2020 semester will have no midterm break or labor day break to condense the semester
Continued from page 1 “The reality is we are hopeful all of our on campus residences will take seriously all the COVID precautions from mask wearing to maintaining social distance to using disinfectant [in public areas],”Van Boxel said. Van Boxel said he is hoping students stick to the regulations and recommendations without need for residence life staff to enforce them. “Even if you are confident that you are healthy and would likely not experience significant distress with a COVID-19 infection, please consider that some of those around you could have pre-existing conditions or be immunocompromised,” the residence life website reads. “Following social distancing and mask-wearing guidelines contributes to the health and wellness of our entire University community.” However, if an on-campus resident tests positive for COVID there will be no community wide notification to those living around them.Van Boxel said that would be breaching laws and policies on privacy and that ResLife respects a student’s right to keeping their medical history confidential. If residents test positive, they will need to let ResLife staff know, so they can arrange the appropriate isolation procedures. The medical information related to the isolation will not go beyond the small number of staff members, Van Boxel said. This semester ResLife offered more single rooms and double room buyouts to both returning residents and freshmen. Van Boxel said he was fairly surprised the number of requests for singles or buyouts hasn’t been higher, especially among first year students. “I think first year students ultimately want to engage with their college experience, they want to get to know other students, they want to be connected to other students and that is driving their decision to have roommates,” Van Boxel said. He said he would have been less surprised if 75% of first years wanted a buyout, but it’s been a small number. With less than a hundred students requesting a buyout or single room since the initial offering, Van Boxel said they have not turned away any student who has requested a buyout or single room.
Welcome back Truman students and faculty!
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Fraternities and sororities: Bulk pricing for Rush Week and all your formals and events
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Finals and Illness Survival Baskets personally delivered to students
10% cash and carry with Truman ID! Please call (660) 665-1505, Stop by 1103 N. Green Street, or Order online 24/7 at www.blossomshopkirksville.com
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 12, 2020
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What your hall choice says about you
ERICA LINDSAY Features, Opinions Editor If you’re an incoming freshman at Truman State University, the housing process can be a stressful ordeal. As your first (and certainly not last) existential college decision, the residence hall you choose has implications far beyond where you live, eat and sleep. Whether you did extensive research or opted for random, here are some of the things your hall choice might say about you.
e l y R
Ryle Hall’s wide array of luxuries might explain its popularity among freshmen and transfer students alike. With a dining area, spacious common area, game room, piano and more, this larger hall has lots to offer in amenities as well as student life. The hall’s convenience and recreation makes your decision practical yet adventurous, ensuring a whale of a good first year.
Ce nte nn ial Like Ryle, Centennial Hall’s multitude of services makes it a common choice for new Truman students. The building does come with one notorious catch: no central air conditioning. What this hall lacks in A/C, however, it makes up for with a cool and friendly atmosphere. Students picking Centennial are known for their resilience against seasonal heat as well as their appreciation of classic banana shenanigans.
ri u so s i M Although its shape might say otherwise, the fun you’ll
have in communal living comes with no asterisk. Lounge (and bathroom) bonding makes for a friendly dynamic that keeps MO residents coming back year after year. Those close-knit community vibes might look a little more distanced this semester, but those who choose Missouri Hall are still capable of connecting with fellow moosen no matter the circumstance.
Do bso n Is it getting toasty in here or is it just Dob? Dobson Hall residents have long been famous for their abilities to heat up any situation — often by forgetting to put water in their easy mac. Frequent fire evacuations aside, this hall has several other hot features that set it apart from the rest. For example, you can enjoy rooming with your pet and residing just a few steps away from one of Truman’s two C-stores. Speaking of hot, if you contract a fever you’ll get to live upstairs … but if you really want to live in Dobson, just stay healthy and make friends with your fellow toasters.
See WHAT THE HALL page 8
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WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 12, 2020
WHAT THE HALL | A helpful guide to who you are based on residence hall
BN B What are a pirate’s favorite letters of the alphabet? B-N-B! Buccaneers are known for their fun-loving yet determined mindsets that create an exciting energy for all who live there. With rich learning communities combined with Greek housing, you’ll have a variety of hall mateys to help their peers paddle through no matter how rough the waters. Sometimes college might feel like a wreck, but once you experience Blanton-NasonBrewer’s waves of excitement, you’ll never want to jump its ship.
s u p m a C t s e W
Various halls on campus might have attached bathrooms, but with West Campus Suites’ additional living areas and greater roommate capacity you’ll truly be able to savor the suite life. This uniquely connected style offers just the right amount of shared space and privacy, allowing those who choose this dorm to balance both community building and personal development. West Campus residents can appreciate the luxuries within their hall but also tend to be found at nearby buildings such as the Campus Recreation Center, Centennial Hall or the Student Union Building. Wherever you spend your time as a wolf, however, you’re sure to have a howling great time.
Ap art me nts
While not exactly the same as dorm living, Truman’s Campbell and Randolph Apartments provide similar conveniences and community values to their larger hall counterparts. The feeling of off-campus freedom combined with on-campus comfort makes it an ideal living location for transfer students and incoming upperclassmen. Those choosing University apartments understand the advantages of more independent college living, while also knowing that potential pals are just a few doors away.
Wherever you choose to reside this semester, all of us here at the Index would like to welcome you to our campus community!
TOP by Savannah Kluesner, Dorm Design Dabbler
{5}
Ways to make your dorm home
Even with the nice rooms and spaces that Truman has to offer, dorm rooms can feel a bit impersonal. These five suggestions can help make on-campus housing your home away from home.
5. Rug Rugs are inexpensive ways to spice up a room without taking up too much space. They are also great for keeping your floor warmer in the winter and softening the outdoor carpet that is standard in Truman dorm rooms.
3. Throw blanket Air conditioning units can be tricky to figure out in dorm rooms, especially if roommates have different ideas of a comfortable room temperature. A throw blanket that shows your personality and keeps you cozy is the perfect addition to make your bed and room yours.
2. Posters Although there isn’t a ton of wall space in a standard dorm room, posters are a great way to eliminate those plain walls and share your interests with your roommates and guests. Whether you choose a full-size poster or miniatures for the built-in bulletin board on your desk, you’re bound to find something that sparks your interest.
1. Encouraging Collage 4. Wax warmer Although candles aren’t allowed in the dorms, wax warmers are a great way to keep your room smelling fresh. With so many different scents to try, you’re bound to find one that both personalizes your space and expresses your individuality.
The thing that I missed most as a freshman were my family and friends. A collage that can be hung up on the wall like a poster is the perfect way to have many pictures of loved ones in one space and is a cool piece of wall art that is completely unique to you. If you don’t feel particularly artsy, you can tack up whole pictures on a bulletin board or use an online calendar maker to remind you of family and friends you can’t wait to see on break.
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WEDNESDAY, AUGIST 12, 2020
In Perspective Narratives from the campus community
How are you feeling about the return to campus?
RENA OWENS,
JANNA STOSKOPF,
Freshman
Vice President for Student Affairs
“There was a lot of thought that went into picking a roommate before the virus, but once that became a concern it was mainly finding an understanding about how important it is to stay safe. Both of our families have high risk members, it means a lot to both of us to remain healthy. Choosing a single room would have been maybe the safest choice, but changing from living in a busy house into living completely on my own would have been a big difference. Having a built in best friend, and someone who is so similar to me, will help ease into this new lifestyle. My only worry now is that other people won’t take precautions nearly as seriously and that we will get sent home to infect our families.”
“It’s been very lonely because there’s only been a handful of us in the building [since March], but it’s really exciting to me to see students coming back. It’s exciting to me to talk to you. It’s exciting to me to have done building superviser training earlier today. It was exciting to me to talk to the Student Union employees and talk to our student advisers who came back in for training last week. It’s just been exciting to see students again, because that’s why I got into this line of work. To have you all gone — it’s hard enough for me during the summer. Having been without you guys on campus since March has been as hard on me as it has been for you guys. It’s exciting to see you all return.
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WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 12, 2020
Follow new coronavirus guidelines After months of both anticipation and apprehension, the time has come: moveins, class materials and time management strategies are on the forefront of many students’ minds as they return to Truman State University for fall classes. Those anxieties, though normal for the beginning of the school year, will likely be further exacerbated this semester by concerns regarding campus reopening amid continued COVID-19 spikes nationwide. As students navigate what life might look like these next couple months, they must consider their responsibilities as both students and members of society. We, The Index Editorial Board, urge fellow classmates and faculty to take charge of their own health while looking out for those around them. There are undoubtedly heightened pressures under these new and unfamiliar circumstances, but putting an effort into developing healthy habits in conjunction with Center for Disease Control and Prevention and Truman recommendations should be of utmost priority. While school work is important, your mental and physical wellbeing are more so. To make sure on-campus attendees are prepared for a healthy semester, Truman has provided an online page titled “COVID-19 Updates and Guidance for On-Campus Living During the COVID Pandemic” for all to access. Within it you can find what to monitor for your daily wellness check, cancellation policies, disinfecting precautions and proximity regulations. Truman steadily updates its guidelines for coronavirus-related issues in accordance with public health initiatives, so it is necessary for you to stay informed and check this page regularly. Such instructions might seem bothersome after many years without rigid safety procedures, but students should understand the need for these rules after what happened this past spring. As we all can remember, the unforeseen illness created almost instant chaos as universities, businesses and individuals hurried to find some sort of solution. As we now continue to coexist with this virus and manage contact, we should be ready by any means necessary to avoid that havoc in the future. We have since gained greater insight into the signs, symptoms and prevention methods. All that’s left: putting this knowledge into action. Although we might be missing out on more in-person gatherings or occasionally running late to class due to a forgotten mask, these sacrifices are small in comparison to the greater good they can contribute to our friends, families, neighbors and country. The college transition can be tough, especially during these times — but we are tougher. Follow the guidelines to make for a safe and healthy environment here and everywhere.
The Index is back RYAN PIVONEY Editor-in-Chief After five long, taxing months, your trusty campus newspaper is back and better than ever. The Index will appear as a physical newspaper again this semester, but on a different schedule. We will only produce a new physical issue once a month. But, make sure to stay tuned into our website and social media, as we will publish consistent online and digital content each week. A new issue of The Index will appear on the following dates for the fall semester: • Thursday, September 17 • Thursday, October 22 • Thursday, November 19 In addition to the monthly newspaper, The Index will publish a weekly newsletter and podcast covering the latest news and events. If you’re not already signed up, you can register for the email newsletter on our website, tmn.truman.edu, so you can have the latest news sent directly to your inbox. On the website you can find daily content, as well as our podcast, which can also be found on Spotify. If social media is more your speed, be sure to follow along on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram by searching, “Truman Index.” While this schedule is different than what we are accustomed to, we as a staff felt it was a necessary change for the safety of us and the community. By reducing the number of issues we produce we are able to share and create more content remotely. It is the responsibility of everyone in the community to limit their exposure to others right now, and we at The Index are doing our part. Instead of spending each week in the office, we’ll spend more time creating digital content and in-depth stories remotely. When we are in the office, we will still be taking necessary steps to ensure our safety, including wearing face masks, socially distancing our desks and limiting the number of people in the office at one time. In the future, I hope we can return to producing more regular issues of the newspaper, but in the meantime we appreciate your commitment to student journalism and The Index. Our mission is to provide the latest news and information, which we will continue to do throughout this uncertain time. We’re here to serve you, no matter what format we’re in.
Fighting the misinformation pandemic ELISABETH SHIRK Managing Editor It’s safe to say we’re all probably exhausted by all of the information about COVID-19, social issues, local and national elections and all sorts of other hodgepodge that’s been hurled at us through our televisions, computers, phones and even our mail. I’m an editor for a newspaper and I know it’s important to stay informed but even I want to shut it all off sometimes. What’s worse than the overabundance of media messages is the often-conflicting and misleading information from sources we’re supposed to trust. Unlike COVID, misinformation has been around for a long time, but they are both spreading like wildfire presently. We all know the basic guidelines for fighting COVID — wearing a mask, social distancing,
sanitizing — but it’s definitely time for a refresher on fighting misinformation. Understanding and dealing with misinformation is an important job to which many people have devoted their entire life’s work. It’s a lot to fit into one brief column but here are a few tips and tricks I’ve learned from my professors at Truman State University, other scholars with whom I’ve had the pleasure of speaking and my own experiences as a student, editor and aspiring communication professional. There are three major steps I use to fight misinformation: spot it, halt it and call it out. The first thing to keep in mind when trying to spot misinformation is to always be skeptical. That doesn’t mean you should assume all news is fake news, but rather don’t assume that all news is 100 percent factual. In short, just don’t assume. While you want to be a skeptic, assuming is what lazy skeptics do, which brings me to another big point: don’t be lazy. Check information across multiple sources. It’s possible that one source
completely fabricated its information, which is a very black-and-white scenario and fairly easy to spot. Other times the facts may be similar, but the portrayal of an event is different across sources. These cases require a little more work and, unfortunately, are common. Check out the bias of each source by researching the source’s history and what others have said about it. Try to read news from sources that are classified as generally neutral. With that in mind, also keep tabs on sources that have heavy biases. Understanding the language and style of biased reporting can help you spot it in the future. Don’t forget to approach those sources with skepticism or, in my mother’s words, take them “with a grain of salt.” To help halt the spread of misinformation, be sure to do all of the above before you share new information. Social media has made it so simple and efficient to hit share and exponentially grow an audience. Unfortunately, this is like coughing misinformation into a crowd. If you’ve done everything above and you’re still not confident in the source’s
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credibility or the information’s validity, it’s probably best to err on the side of caution and not share it. The last step, which really should be done all the time, is to call out misinformation when you spot it. Organizations whose purposes are to provide information to people have a responsibility to those they serve, including you. If they are spreading misinformation they are failing their mission and you should let them know. Call, email or message an editor, writer or other staff member to let them know they got information wrong. As Managing Editor of The Index, I encourage you to include us in this endeavor. We are committed to helping fight the spread of misinformation and that means we need to be held accountable to our mission of providing accurate information to you. While we continue to battle COVID-19 with its sweeping effects and look forward (or not) to elections, we must continue to work against misinformation in its many forms.
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WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 12, 2020
9
Fall 2020 Athletic Calendar September Sunday
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Tennis vs Saint Ambrose University
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Tennis vs Quincy University, Coe College
Tennis vs Central College
Tennis at Missouri Valley College
Cross Country vs Tennis vs Tennis vs Maryville, Quincy University Quincy (cont.) Lindenwood Cross Country at Columbia College
October Sunday
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GLVC decision on winter athletic play
Cross Country at Augustana College
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Cross Country at Missouri Western
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Cross Country at NCAA Midwest Regional
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WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 12, 2020
GLVC POSTPONES FALL COMPETITION
Stokes Stadium won’t see a game this fall after the Great Lakes Valley Conference decided to delay multiple sports seasons to the spring. Football, volleyball and soccer are among the sports that will now have a spring season. Photo by Ryan Pivoney
Low contact, low risk sports to continue with regular seasons RYAN PIVONEY Editor-in-Chief
The Great Lakes Valley Conference announced Monday afternoon that a majority of fall sports will be postponed until the spring semester. Truman State University football, men’s and women’s soccer, and volleyball teams will not compete in the fall. The GLVC’s Council of Presidents stated on its website that the decision was made in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The men’s and women’s cross country teams, however, are still permitted to compete in the 2020 GLVC Cross Country Championships, which will take place in late October. The golf and tennis teams are allowed to compete in their non-championship seasons as they normally would this fall.
Truman Athletics Director Jerry Wollmering said the decision is disappointing and frustrating for student athletes and the campus community. Not only are student athletes not competing, Wollmering said the decision is an indication that many campus activities aren’t completely back to normal. Wollmering explained the postponement of fall sports seasons will likely affect traditional festivities surrounding the sports, like Homecoming. Because of the GLVC decision, there are also some seniors graduating in December without a senior season. Wollmering said he is looking into whether the teams can train, condition and practice as they usually would in the non championship segment of their season. Wollmering and the athletic administrators will use the fall season to organize and plan for the now busier spring season.
The GLVC announcement also states that winter sports, including men’s and women’s swimming and diving, and men’s and women’s indoor track and field, will compete as scheduled. The GLVC established Oct. 1 as the deadline to determine when men’s and women’s basketball and wrestling will start. The announcement states that the decisions regarding which sports can be played and which ones should be postponed are based on guidance from the National Collegiate Athletics Association COVID-19 Advisory Panel and the American Medical Society for Sports Medicine COVID-19 Working Group. These groups determine which sports are low contact and low risk. The GLVC is the 11th NCAA Division II conference to postpone fall competition, while the NCAA has yet to determine the final status of its fall national championships.
Bulldogs to watch this season EMILYJunior DUCAJI
THOMASSenior CORMIER
Golf
Cross Country
Among the many talented Truman State University golfers, junior Emily Ducaji stands out as a leader. Over the course of 11 rounds last season, Ducaji maintained an average of 85.8 points, which landed her a top five finish and four top 20 finishes. She concluded three rounds under 80 and set a season low at 77. In her freshman year, Ducaji had two top five finishes, six top 20 finishes and two rounds under 80. With a history of top finishes, this sharpshooter is expected to do well again this season.
Senior Thomas Cormier consistently led the pack for the Truman State University Bulldogs last season. Cormier crossed the finish line first for the ’Dogs in four out of the seven races last season, and the other three he came in second. Cormier has had 13 top 10 finishes throughout his career running cross country and track and field for Truman.
STATS: STATS: Season Low Tournament: 155 Season Low Round: 77 Career Rounds: 29 Career Strokes:2526 Career Average: 87.1
6K time: 20:13.6 8K time: 26:01.8 10K time: 33:42.6 Season Average: 3:22.8/K
MORGAN EBY Senior Tennis
Earning the Great Lakes Valley Conference student athlete of the week last spring, senior Morgan Eby is a standout on the tennis team. Eby won every match she played in during the GLVC season. She dominates the court in singles matches and works with doubles partner Alex Rogers to best her opponents. As she begins her senior season, Eby should be looking to continue this success streak this fall.
STATS: Career match wins: 9 Match wins last season: 4
Each athlete was chosen based on their previous season, career statistics and rankings. VOLUME 112
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STAY SAFE, BULLDOGS!
For some CDC tips on how to handle COVID-19 in college, check out the back!
BACK-TO-COLLEGE TIPS
Protect Yourself from COVID-19
Watch your distance Stay at least 6 feet apart from others, when possible
Wash your hands or use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol
6 ft
The more closely you interact with others and the longer that interaction, the higher the risk of COVID-19 spread.
Wear a face cover in public spaces and common areas
CS 318091-A 07/14/2020
DORM
• Avoid sharing items with roommates or others. • If you do, clean and disinfect before sharing or using.
SHARED BATHROOM
• Avoid placing toothbrushes directly on counter surfaces. • Use totes for personal items to limit contact with other surfaces in the bathroom.
CLASSROOM
• Enroll in online classes if they fit your educational needs. • Wipe down your desk with a disinfectant wipe if possible. • Skip seats or rows to create physical distance between other students. • Avoid placing your personal items (e.g., cell phone) on your desk.
DINING HALL & MEALS
• Avoid sharing food, drink, utensils or other items with people. • Pick up grab-and-go options for meals if offered. • Avoid buffets and self-serve stations.
LAUNDRY ROOM
• Clean and disinfect surfaces that others have touched (e.g., buttons on the washing machine). • Wash face covers in warmest appropriate water setting for the fabric.
BEFORE YOU GO OUT, TAKE THE FOLLOWING:
• • • •
Cloth face cover Tissues Hand sanitizer Disinfection wipes (if possible)
cdc.gov/coronavirus