Let The Shield be Your USI Guide
At the light, turn left. In one mile, turn right. Arrive at your destination.
Does life ever feel like you are listening to GPS give you instructions on where to go? Everyone is telling you to go left and right, and then finally, you will arrive at the place you are meant to be.
I was recently blessed with the opportunity to attend MediaFest22 in Washington, D.C. with three Shield staff members and the advis on behalf of The Shield. We increased our knowledge about how to make The Shield a better publication and, while we were there, we did a little sightseeing of the nation’s capital.
We had a plan for the trip to make sure we could experience as much as we could in our limited time. We were in a beautiful, unfamiliar city. We knew what we wanted to see, but we didn’t know how to get there.
So, we did what most people in our generation would do. We pulled out our phones, put the address in Maps and used its instructions to help us arrive at the right place at the right time.
We followed that blue line and the instructions across the city.
At the light, turn left. Continue 500 feet to the metro station. Take the blue, orange or silver lines towards New Carrollton. Get out at the Smithsonian stop. Exit towards Seventh Street NW. Walk 650 feet to your destination.
We became really familiar with using Maps to know where to go. If it were not for those instructions, we wouldn’t have known how to get to our destinations, and we wouldn’t have made so many memories in Washington, D.C.
Life is like this too. Sometimes we need others’ instruction, guidance and knowledge to help us get where we need to be.
November is the time of year when knowing things becomes crucial for students. Finals are coming. Semester-long projects are almost due. Papers, papers and more papers need to be written.
It’s the time of year when the knowledge we gained throughout the semester is put to the test. It’s the time of year when we are supposed to know what’s going on, what the semester’s final destination is and how to get there.
We all know we need to get serious about studying for finals. We all know we have due dates coming up. We all have heard the list of study tips, but what about the other things going on in November that we don’t know about?
The interesting thing about GPS is not that it helps us reach our destination, but how it helps. GPS satellites orbit the Earth to give you accurate knowledge about the street in front of you. At The Shield, we do the same thing. We orbit the entire university to ensure you get all the facts from every angle about the university in front of you.
Let The Shield be your GPS for USI. As the student publication of this university, we combine our resources to provide you with the knowledge you need while you’re here.
The purpose of “Know-vember” is to provide you with the knowledge about USI you will need for this month and beyond.
How do you get the knowledge you need?
In 52 words, you will be finished reading this letter. Look right to page 3. At the bottom of page 3, turn right. At the bottom of page 5, turn right. At the bottom of page 7, turn right.
Arrive at your destination: gaining all the knowledge you need to know about USI this November.
USI’s colleges work to increase student enrollment numbers
BY IAN YOUNG Staff WriterThe university’s colleges are working to increase student enrollment after student enrollment decreased for the 11th year in a row.
The Fall 2022 total enrollment was 7,361 students compared to the 7,938 students for Fall 2021. The 7% decrease in enrollment from Fall 2021 to Fall 2022 follows a decade of decreasing enrollment.
The university’s enrollment numbers follow the national trend for enrollment. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, national undergraduate enrollment decreased by 9% between 2009 and 2020.
The Shield contacted Provost Mohammed Khauym Oct. 31 for university-wide enrollment updates, and, as of Nov. 11, had not responded for comment. Rashad Smith, executive director of enrollment, was contacted Oct. 31 and directed The Shield to the University’s Communications’ Sept. 19 press release that announced the Fall 2022 decreased enrollment.
According to the press release, Khayum said the university’s success
in increasing graduation rates will require the university to place more urgency on reversing the decline in the size of new freshman classes.
The College of Liberal Arts and the Romain College of Business are working to improve enrollment numbers for their colleges.
Del Doughty, dean of the College of Liberal Arts, said representatives from the college are beginning to work with local high schools’ principals and guidance counselors to improve recruitment.
“Instead of just looking at data like GPA or test scores, we go out and ask high school principals and counselors,” Doughty said. “It’s kind of like a holistic way of looking at students and trying to find the right fit for them.”
He said they are looking for students who might not have achieved high academic success.
“Principles and guidance counselors can see the promise in a person, and we’re just asking them to send them our way,” Doughty said.
Doughty said the College of Liberal Arts and the Romain College of Business are looking for students who are “curious, intellectually adventurous” and have “untapped potential.”
Sudesh Mujumdar, dean of the Romain College of Business, said the high schoolers will still have to go through the application process. The college has made contact with several schools in the Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation.
Mujumdar said the long-term goal is to build longer-term relationships with high schools.
“I talked about building these bonds with high schools early on when I applied for the position as dean,” Mujumdar said. “If we build these bonds early on, maybe they’ll choose us as their partners in their journey to their successful future.”
Mujumbar said improving enrollment numbers is more than making the right advertisement campaign, it is creating the university students want to see.
He said, “If you don’t do the hard work early on, thinking about what value our students want to see, it’s not going to be that meaningful.”
Athlete Awards
Women’s Soccer:
Senior Maya Etienne earned OVC Goalkeeper of the Week twice
Freshman Peyton Murphy received OVC Offensive Player of the Week Men’s Soccer
Sophomore Sam Benoist named Summit Offensive Player of the Week Men’s Cross Country
Senior Noah Hufnagel received OVC Men's Runner of the Week three times. Women’s Cross Country
Junior Lauren Greiwe received OCV Women’s Runner of the Week twice and received OVC Women’s Cross Country Runner of the Year.
Junior McKenna Cavanaugh was named OVC Women's Runner of the Week. Men’s Swimming and Diving
Freshman Lane Pollock named Summit Diver of the Week.
Women's Volleyball
The team's overall record was 1 26 as of Nov 11
The team’s first win percentage in the OVC was 0 062 as of Nov 11
Junior Leah Anderson reached 1,000 digs and 1,000 kills
Men's Cross Country
The team placed thir Championship Senior Noah Hufnag Championships and s 23:36 6 at Live in Lo Women’s Cross Country
The team placed seco Championships. Junior Lauren Greiw Championships.
Cross-Country
Men’s Soccer
The team’s overall record was 2 12 3.
Women’s Soccer
The team’s overall record was 5 8 4
Freshman Peyton Murphy got the first DI hat trick, three goals, vs Rose Hulman Institute of Technology Aug 25
Soccer
d in the OVC el won first in the OVC set an 8K record of ou ond in the OVC e won first in the OVC
The first DI season so far What to know: What to know:
By Eric Reynolds, Staff Writer Design by Maliah White, Visual EditorSwimming and Diving
Men's Swimming and Diving
Fall 2022 is the first Division I season for USI athletics. The university decided to transition to Division I Feb. 7. They were officially accepted into the Ohio Valley Conference and The Summit League July 1.
The team’s first program record was 0 4 as of Nov. 11. Womens Swimming and Diving
The team’s first program record was 2 3 as of Nov 11
First DI Wins
Women’s Volleyball
First win was Sept 30, 3 0 vs Lindenwood University Women's Soccer
First win was Aug 30, 1 0 vs Winona State University Men’s Soccer
First win was Oct 1, 3 2 vs Eastern Illinois University Men's Cross Country
Won first Oct 15, at the University of Evansville Invitational Women’s Cross Country
Won first Oct. 15, at the University of Evansville Invitational. Women’s Swimming and Diving
First program win was Oct. 1, 188 92 vs. Valparaiso University.
What Campus What Campus Resources to Know Resources to Know
By Sydney Lawson, Lifestyle Editor Design Shelby Clark, Editor-in-ChiefHealth Resources Health Resources
Health Resources Health Resources
University Health Center
Offers diagnostic appointments, gynecological services, pregnancy testing, STD testing, vaccinations, X rays, medication prescription, minor surgical procedures and more.
Counseling and Psychological Services
Provides on campus and student peer support as well as 24/7 support options through TalkCampus and TalkNow
Recreation, Fitness and Wellness Center
Offers group exercise, dance, low rope and yoga classes, video game consoles and cardio, weight and muscle strengthening exercise equipment
Clothing + Food Resources Clothing + Food Resources
Necessity Resources Necessity Resources
Archie's Closet
Gives free groceries and hygiene supplies
Career Services and Internships
Provides suits for students with interviews through Suits for Student Success Closet
Teacher Education Office
Offers clothing for student teachers.
Academic Academic Resources Resources
Academic Skills
Offers tutoring and academic coaches
Dean of Students Office
Provides assistance with academic injustices and resources.
Miller Language Lab
Offers assistance to students learning new languages.
USI Disability Resources
Provides assistive learning materials and accommodations for students
Screagles Mentoring Directory
Connects students with alumni for advising.
Know your Title IX rights
BY TEGAN RHUL Assistant Lifestyle EditorIf you were like me, you probably had to do Title IX video training as part of your USI orientation. You have likely also read a Title IX heading in each syllabus. However, like me, you probably did not retain what Title IX was or how it affects you as a student.
Title IX is a federal law that prohibits descrimination in educational programs and activities on the basis of sex and gender.
As defined by the United States Department of Education, “No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex (including sexual orientation and gender identity), be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.”
The Institutional Equity Office serves as USI’s Title IX Office.
“Institutional Equity believes individuals must know their rights to better identify situations of discrimination and recognize abuse of power.,” said Chelsea Givens, Title IX coordinator and affirmative action officer. “Furthermore, by knowing one’s rights, they are better equipped to take action to protect, defend or advocate for themselves and others.”
The Title IX policy on USI’s website primarily focuses on sexual assault and instances of gender violence.
The Institutional Equity Office may respond to instances of threatening or causing physical harm, discrimination, intimidation and any offense based on the victim’s sex or gender deemed discriminatory. Such offenses include
dating violence, domestic violence, sexual violence/assault, sexual harassment and sexual misconduct.
Students, employees, a student’s parent or guardian, a third party or anyone who requests action on a student or employee’s behalf can file a Title IX complaint stating a misconduct offense.
Title IX complaints can be filed in three ways.
Student-on-student incidents can be filed to the Dean of Students Office. Student-on-faculty/staff incidents can be filed to the Dean of Students, director of human resources or Title IX officer. Lastly, any other reports can be made to the director of human resources or Title IX officer.
USI’s Title IX guide encourages students to be familiar with USI’s policies and to report all instances immediately. It is important to know
students should not promise anyone confidentiality when reporting Title IX cases.
Title IX also provides students with information on how they can help their peers who have been assaulted and lists a variety of resources available on campus, including USI’s sexual assault prevention and response website, Counseling and Psychological Service, Dean of Students Office and Public Safety.
It’s extremely important to know your rights under Title IX in cases where misconduct offenses arise. Knowing your rights means you have more power to help yourself and other students identify and find assistance for Title IX offenses.
Nguyen Business Manager Maddy Wargel Sales and Marketing SupervisorThe Shield is a designated public forum and the student publication of the University of Southern Indiana.
Read more and subscribe to our digital newsletter at usishield.com.
Life with Lawrence
BY ELIZABETH HARRIS CartoonistMovie Trivia: Harry Potter
How well do you know Harry Potter? Write the answers in the bubbles below. Which candy includes collectible wizard trading cards?
Which class has a new professor in each film?
What does Hermione use to take more classes?
What is the name of the shapeshifting potion?
How many horcruxes are there?
in the first