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‘It’s disappointing to lose’: Federal budget cuts impact university research programs’ funding
PATRICK BUSCH Staff Writer
Many across academia are experiencing uncertainty as the Trump administration’s actions have resulted in cuts to research funding. Several students, faculty and professors at UT participate in research across all fields.
Carlisle Ballantine, a freshman studying civil engineering, is one such student who has worked as a research assistant since September.
Ballantine worked under Mohammad Safi, a researcher and Ph.D. student, alongside four other students in the program. Ballantine expected the position to be stable and available to her all four years.
That changed three weeks ago when Ballantine received unexpected news — the sponsor cut funds to the project due to recent federal budget cuts.
Ballantine’s project was within a division of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering that examines geotechnical research. The research analyzes the soil’s load-bearing ability and how it acts under stresses in different environments.
“This research that we do kind of explains what happened to the Leaning Tower of Pisa and how the building slanted in because the soil underneath it couldn’t support the weight or the force being pressed down on the soil,”
Ballantine said.
Ballantine was informed of the discontinuation of her research project through an email. Khalid Alshibli, the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering associate department head of graduate studies, informed the program’s participants of the change in funding.
“The sponsor cut the funds for the project that pays for your effort due to recent budgets by the federal government,” Alshibli said. “Therefore, I am sorry to inform you that the maximum number of hours per week will be reduced to 4 hours/ student effective Monday March 31 and will run out of funds by April 25th. I am sorry and I wish to continue funding you beyond April 25th which is unlikely. I thank you for all help and contribution to our research.”
Ballantine searched for another research opportunity she could participate in — yet, she discovered that the funding is depleted in so many areas that she wasn’t likely to pick up another position.
Ballantine’s work as a research assistant provided valuable opportunities to grow her professional skills and scientific knowledge, and it also contributed to her income as a college student. Ballantine worked eight hours a week and earned roughly $700 a month.
“I was going to use that to pay for college next year,” Ballantine said. “And so with it being defunded two weeks ago, I had a lot of
instability in terms of how I was going to pay for it next year, but I’ve come up with a couple solutions.”
The difficulty extends beyond financial and professional concerns — as Ballantine believes, she’s losing relationships with her colleagues.
“These people have become part of my family, which is the hardest part,” Ballantine said. “I spend eight hours a week with these people, and all you do is make connections and talk and learn about each other. That whole aspect is just hard, because I’m not only losing a position that is helping me get better as a civil engineer, but I’m also losing the community that I have.”
Professors have also felt the effects of federal budget cuts on research projects. Associate Professor Jack Mewhirther in the Baker School of Public Policy and Public Affairs saw a research effort he was involved in cut early.
Mewhirther’s research typically examines complex governance systems and civic problems that involve intersectoral collaboration. Much of his previous work was related to COVID-19, co-production between vaccine providers, scientists and government agencies, the Department of Homeland Security and the National Security Agency. STORY CONTINUED ON PAGE 3
Update: 9 at UT have had their immigration status changed
Five more students are now at risk for deportation, following an announcement from the University of Tennessee on April 11, that four international students have had their Student Exchange and Visitor Information System status changed by the federal government.
These students were on F-1 student visas or work visas. Visas are usually revoked because of a criminal issue, even if the charges are old. In order to attend American universities, international students fill out forms, pay the SEVIS fee and meet with their country’s United States Embassy to receive a visa stamp, if approved.
The nine international students under deportation threat are listed as “individual identified in criminal
records check and/or has had their VISA revoked.”
The Center for Global Engagement and International Student and Scholars Services office helps international students receive visas and obtain an active SEVIS status.
An investigation conducted by UT found that two students had their statuses changed due to a criminal record. One student is on judicial diversion for a property crime, and another has been charged with driving under the influence.
The details for the remaining seven have not been shared, and it is not known if these students are still on
campus or have left the country.
“Guidance for students and former students affected by status changes is case-specific, and details on their situations are private. Our priority is to provide as much support as appropriate to each person based on their circumstances,” Kerry Gardner, UT’s director of Media and Internal Relations, told The Daily Beacon.
The names of these students are omitted for privacy reasons.
This is a developing story. Follow along at utdailybeacon.com for updates.
STAFF REPORT
Mewhirther and his colleagues won a planning grant through the National Science Foundation. The NSF is one of the largest funders of research grants in the agency, where many apply for the most significant grants available.
He and his colleagues won a $100,000 planning grant through the NSF’s Centers for Research and Innovation in Science, the Environment and Society program.
“Our proposal was to form an online one-health research center, which was designed to bring together 11 leading policy scholars, veterinary scientists, public health experts and disease ecologists to develop a systems-based approach for preventing and managing health threats that emerge at the human-animal environmental interface,” Mewhirther said.
The team worked on developing a proposal — if selected, they would receive significantly more funding to complete the project. Part of their development project included members flying from across the globe and convening at Harvard University in Massachusetts. Their final proposal asked for $1.8 million in funding from the NSF.
A few weeks ago, Mewhirther’s team received an email from the grant office.
“The principal investigator received an email letting them know that the program was no longer in existence, and she emailed us and was just like ‘no dice,’” Mewhirther said.
Mewhirther’s team was saddened by the news but not shocked, having seen other program cuts and projects end.
“It’s disappointing to lose,” Mewhirther said. “Once you get a planning grant, the chance that you accomplish and get the ultimate grant goes up really high, so it’s obviously disappointing to not have a shot, especially when it’s a really important topic and something that you’re invested in.”
For Mewhirther and other researchers, grants will be less available. Mewhither, however, continues to look for more opportunities for research funding, like other NSF grants and the Decision, Risks and Management Sciences grant.
Mewhirther also changed where he looks for funding — he is applying for a Sloan Foundation grant, a nonfederal organization that provides research grants.
The ripple effects of federal research cuts are profoundly felt at UT, where students and professors face not only financial and professional setbacks but also the loss of community and collaboration. While uncertainty for research looms large, researchers persist, seeking alternative funding solutions.
Weekly Campus Crime Log
DUI, Failure to maintain lane, Underage consumption of beer
1734
1323
04/13/25 023004/13/25 0303
1734
Destruction Of Evidence, Unlawful Drug Paraphernalia, Resisting Arrest 04/11/25 1323 04/10/25 1910
Manufacture, Delivery, Sale or Possession of Methamphetamines 04/09/25 1451
1451
Theft Under $1000 All Other Larceny 04/08/25 090004/08/25 2107
2107
Violation of Seat Belt Law, Stopping, Standing Or Parking On Roadway, Simple Possession/Casual Exchange, Unlawful Drug Paraphernalia, Confiscation 04/13/25 0825
1545
1545
Ave at 11th St
Several universities are at risk due to recent federal budget cuts under the Trump administration. Tuesday, April 15, 2025. Samantha Whitley / The Daily Beacon
SGA’s last meeting for spring semester 2025: Updates, plans for next year
PATRICK BUSCH Staff Writer
Tuesday, April 8, the Student Government Association Senate held its final meeting and discussed several bills and resolutions with last reflections and a special speaker.
Special speaker Keith Carver
This session of the senate was initiated by Keith Carver, former chancellor of the University of Tennessee, Martin and current senior vice chancellor and senior vice president of the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture.
Carver discussed the mission of the Institute of Agriculture — it has an agriculture extension office or research center in all 95 counties in the state.
“That’s to help farmers,” Carver said. “That’s to help moms who are bringing home children for the first time and they need help to figure out how to raise this child and feed this child. We also work with young couples who are trying to buy their first home on financial plans. We do a little bit of everything.”
Carver shared personal lessons with the senate about leadership and handling immense transitions as he reflected on his life and his strained relationship with his father.
However, on April 6, 2023, Carver got a call informing him that his dad had terminal cancer and only had about a week left to live.
This prompted him and his dad to rekindle their relationship. Carver’s dad began making calls, from sunup to sundown, to everyone in his life and made Carver do the same to make amends with certain relationships.
“The first list is a list that I want to say ‘I’m sorry,’” Carver said. “The second list is people that I want to say ‘I accept your apology.’ The third list are people that I want to say ‘I’m proud of you.’ And the fourth list is people that I want to say ‘I love you’ to before I die.”
Carver’s story concluded with a message that you should live a well-lived life, commit yourself to being openminded and love others.
Final updates from the current executive, introductions from the new executive
According to Student Body President Dante Grayson, Sen. Ella Blair’s project to create a new entrance to Sorority Village is in the implementation phase. Grayson provided updates on the FUTURE program, including that the University of Tennessee System President Randy Boyd toured the facility. The executive believes they will
have some updates and improvements complete by next school year.
Grayson concluded that he is proud of SGA’s work, particularly the senate, and he is confident in next year’s leadership.
The recently elected “top three” introduced themselves and provided contact information. Speaker-Elect Campbell Butler, Student Body President-Elect Chase Darwin and Student Body Vice President-Elect Ella Blair spoke briefly.
Second readings: Campus infrastructure improvements, providing new prayer, relaxation
spaces
Bill 24-16, the Serenity and Spirituality Spaces Bill, is sponsored by Sens. Nicolette Abate and Madeline Bell. The bill proposes the addition of another quiet place on campus for students to use for prayer or relaxation.
The bill faced an intense debate over concerns of room placement, lack of space on campus and questions on the practicality of its passing through the lobbying process.
Despite some apprehension in the senate, the bill was passed with 69% in favor, 21% opposed and 10% abstaining.
Bills 24-15, the Vols on Solid Ground Bill, and Bill 24-17, the Clear Crossings and Safe Streets Bill, were both sponsored by Sens. Abate and Blake McClurkin. Both bills are similar in their intentions of filling in potholes and smoothing uneven pavement and sidewalks across campus. Both bills also want to create more and higher-quality street crossings to improve pedestrian safety.
Bills 24-15 and 24-17 passed, respectively, with 98% in favor and 92% in favor.
Resolutions
The bulk of the measures passed were resolutions and two proclamations — the first proclamation, 24-1, recognized Grayson for his reception of the Torchbearer Award. Proclamation 24-2 recognized this year’s SGA leadership and all members of SGA for their work. Both passed.
Resolution 24-9, To Restore Blueberry Falls to its Former Beauty, was sponsored by Sens. Abate and McClurkin. The resolution would beautify Blueberry Falls, the waterfall outside of the Student Union dining floor, through enhanced maintenance and preservation efforts. It passed with 84% in favor.
Resolution 24-10, the Student Discount Initiative Expansion Resolution, was sponsored by Sens. Butler and Secretary Avery Combs. The resolution asks the university to possibly partner
SGA discussed final resolutions and bills for the 2024-2025 school year. Thursday, April 10, 2025. Samantha Whitley / The Daily Beacon
with nearby restaurants and stores to provide UT students with discounts. They explained that this is a common practice at other universities, using Auburn University as an example. It passed with 97% in favor.
Resolution 24-11, To Improve Staircase Accessibility, was sponsored by Sen. Abate. The bill asks the university to increase visual contrasts on stairs to make it safer for students, especially those with visual impairments. This resolution passed with 95% in favor.
Resolution 24-12, Increasing Accessibility to Feminine Hygiene Products, sponsored by Sen. Secretary Combs and Sen. Caroline Marcus. This resolution is in response to a bill passed in the Tennessee state legislature that requires all public higher education institutions to provide tampons in women’s restrooms. The resolution asks the university to acknowledge the legislature’s move and to offer tampons in female restrooms. This resolution passed with 97% in favor.
Resolution 24-13, Improving the Neyland Stadium Student Entrance, was
sponsored by Sen. Secretary Combs and Kate Gourley. This resolution calls on the university to improve the student gate entrance to Neyland Stadium, ensuring a more efficient entrance strategy by eliminating long lines. It passed with 97% in favor.
Resolution 24-14, In-Stadium Dining Dollars, also sponsored by Combs and Gourley, echoed a similar sentiment of improving students’ experience at sporting events. The resolution asks the university to begin accepting dining dollars at all UT stadiums, including Neyland Stadium, the Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center, Lindsey Nelson Stadium and others. This resolution passed with 97% in favor.
Resolution 24-15, to Support the Expansion of the T-Bus Late Nite Route, sponsored by Sen. Gourley, was the last action item for this year’s SGA senate. The resolution stated that the senate’s support for the university would expand to Fort Sanders to provide more efficient transportation. This resolution faced no dissent and passed with 100% in favor.
A step in the right direction: New sustainable confetti for grads
EMMA CASKILL Arts and Culture Editor
Graduation season at the University of Tennessee, or any SEC school, usually means finding confetti everywhere you go on campus from the aftermath of senior photos. At the end of it all, the confetti does not get cleaned up on its own.
UT employees are left cleaning it up, or worse, it ends up in our rivers, ultimately creating pollution and harm to our wildlife here in East Tennessee. The Student Government Association at UT brought the idea of bringing sustainable confetti to campus to the Division of Student Life as a replacement for store-bought, nonbiodegradable confetti.
Hope Adkins, the special projects coordinator at the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Life, explained that their department was more than excited to see students involved in campus sustainability practices.
“The Division of Student Life was eager to support a student-driven effort that combined school spirit with environmental responsibility,” Adkins said. “We saw it as a fantastic opportunity to make campus celebrations more eco-friendly while highlighting student creativity and leadership.”
Dante Grayson, SGA student body president, explained that he and the University of Alabama SGA president discussed bringing this new,
sustainable form of celebration to campus.
“They actually have the same initiative provided by their Student Government Association,” Grayson said.
Grayson explained that he meets with SGA presidents at SEC colleges monthly, allowing him to bring new ideas to UT while putting his creative spin on them.
Store-bought confetti contains polyvinyl chloride, one of the most toxic synthetic plastics, taking over 1,000 years to decompose. This harms not only our environment but also wildlife. The microplastics within confetti can be seen as food to marine life and birds, ultimately spreading to predators higher in the food chain. With those statistics, that means that every UT graduate who has celebrated with confetti has contributed to long-lasting damage to our environment.
Grayson explained that the sustainable confetti is made from wood pulp and contains zero metal, unlike store-bought confetti. With wood pulp being made up of natural components, the wood-based cellulosic fibers biodegrade within only a few weeks with the help of soil and water.
“The Division of Student Life helped us connect to a specific distributor of biodegradable confetti,” Grayson said. “We wanted to be specific about the way in which this was biodegradable.”
Adkins explained that through the distributor, they were able to find a supplier for biodegradable confetti that aligned with UT’s sustainability
Sustainable confetti brought to UT by The Student Government Association is available to all graduating seniors. Thursday, April 10, 2025. Courtesy of Dante Grayson
goals. Since this project was new to UT, only a limited quantity of confetti was purchased to gauge student interest.
At UT’s grad fair that occurred from March 25 to March 27, SGA distributed an entire box of sustainable confetti poppers to seniors getting ready for graduation photos. Seniors at UT can obtain confetti poppers at no cost from the Center for Student Engagement located in the Student Union or at upcoming events.
Grayson acknowledged that while senior photos have already begun at UT, SGA believes that bringing sustainable confetti to campus is a step toward becoming a more sustainable campus.
“When you promote awareness of sustainable efforts such as this amongst students and the broader campus community, I think they are
more willing to be educated,” Grayson said. Grayson hopes that other student organizations will want to become more involved with sustainability efforts by taking this initiative.
“For any student leadership, make your mark here so you can help educate others in the future, especially when it involves sustainable efforts as well as environmental efforts to show that impact.”
Adkins explained that the Division of Student Life sees this project as a stepping stone for larger sustainability initiatives on campus.
“As a pilot program, the biodegradable confetti project is testing out a new, eco-friendly idea with the potential for broader impact,” Adkins said. “If successful, it could inspire more sustainable practices in campus events. It’s a small but meaningful step that could lead to a bigger campus transformation that will help keep Rocky Top beautiful.”
“When we think about the campus itself and the sustainability of it, we need to make sure that we are continuing these efforts to not only beautify our campus but to educate our campus.”
Dante Grayson SGA Student Body President
Journavx: Groundbreaking non-opioid medication, FDA approved
NICHOLAS WRIGHT Staff Writer
The opioid crisis has claimed the lives of over half a million Americans since the beginning of the epidemic, a process fueled heavily by prescription pain medications.
On Jan. 30, the United States Food and Drug Administration made a potentially revolutionary decision to approve Vertex Pharmaceuticals’ new pain relief medication marketed under the name Journavx.
Journavx represents the first drug in an entirely recently developed class of pain relief medications that address issues caused by traditional treatments — such as opioid addiction.
Karen Pershing, the interim director of primary prevention services at Metro Drug Coalition, explained what this new drug could mean for the opioid crisis at large.
“I am pleased to see the release of a non-narcotic pharmaceutical pain reliever,” Pershing said. “However, whenever new medications are released, I am cautiously optimistic.”
The new drug works by intercepting sodium channels within the peripheral nervous system of a patient. This
interaction causes a reduction in pain signals before they reach the brain.
To truly grasp the importance of this development, it is necessary to understand how traditional pain treatments are different.
According to Anne Burnett Young, director of recovery support services at MDC, Buprenorphine is an opiate commonly used to treat both pain and opioid misuse. The drug is an example of this contrast and why traditional treatments carry some risk.
Young highlighted this distinction by explaining how opioids, specifically Buprenorphine, affect the body.
“Buprenorphine is a partial opioid agonist,” Young said. “This means that it activates opioid receptors in the brain, but to a lesser extent than things like heroin or morphine would.”
This activation of a patient’s opioid receptors and subsequent triggering of the brain’s reward system is where the risk of addiction stems from.
The ability of Journavx to prevent pain without the risk of purposefully activating opioid receptors represents a significant step in combating both the prevalence and danger of these traditional treatments, of which 125 million prescriptions were written for
American patients in 2023.
The efficacy of Journavx was tested within two studies that examined how the medication impacted patient recovery after two different surgeries when compared to a placebo.
The previous trials, combined with supporting data from another study, confirmed Journavx’s safety profile — a drug’s safety profile relates to its possible side effects, with fewer side effects correlating to a stronger safety profile.
Some common side effects of Journavx found in the study included itching, muscle spasms and rash. However, no serious side effects were found to be related to Journavx.
There are apprehensions about Journavx that permeate the discussion around this development. Pershing described what these concerns are.
“Many were told in the mid-1990s that OxyContin was non-addictive, which is what fueled the opioid epidemic,” Pershing said. “Another question is going to be the affordability of the new medication. Prescription opioids are on the generic tier for most health plans, including Medicare and Medicaid. For this medication to be affordable, it should be offered on the generic tier as well.”
As Journavx represents a vital change from the traditional and addictive pain relief medication, it alone cannot end the all-encompassing opioid crisis.
“It is important for everyone to remember that there are very effective non-pharmacological pain management therapies as well,” Pershing said. Students interested in finding out more about Journavx can visit the medication’s website.
The Weekly Crossword by
Margie E. Burke
Tennessee tennis seniors cap final regular-season match at Barksdale
RYAN HANNA Contributor
Tennessee tennis gave its seniors a day to remember as it closed out the 2024-25 regular season with a 4-2 win against No. 4 ranked Texas at Barksdale Stadium.
22
23
39 Dave ____ Band
41 Sponsorship
42 Scale deduction
43 Hymn 62 Ethan or Woody 12 Helps a hood
37 Julia's "Wonder" homophone 13 Something to co-star
45 Initials at sea DOWN clean up 40 Rabbits'
46 Copyright 1 Colorado resort 19 A judge, e.g. relatives violation 2 Machu Picchu 21 Airport near 41 Oil company that
50 Metric volume builder OAK merged with units 3 Most turbulent, 24 Blood flow Hess, once
51 Just too cute as weather blockage 43 Yard borders
54 Giving in abun- 4 Neighbor of Fiji 25 "Bonanza" bro 44 "As I see it," dance 5 Marin County's 26 Country singer online
56 To no ___ San _____ McCann
46 Europe's "boot"
57 Protected, at 6 Nissan, way 30 Former voice of 47 Defiant sea back when Aflac's mascot response
The Vols honored their four seniors before the match with their annual ceremony of a plaque presentation and a team picture before the match.
Shunsuke Mitsui, Alan Jesudason, Alex Kotzen and Ian Cruz make up the Vols’ senior class this season, and have had a significant role in the team’s turnaround to finish 9-5 in conference play after an 0-3 start.
Mitsui needs no introduction as Tennessee’s true senior secured his place in program history Friday against Texas A&M, winning his 125th career singles match, good for fifth all-time in career singles leaders.
The Vols’ legend has gone a combined 29-6 this season, and has been a stabilizing force for a group that has lacked experience at times.
Kotzen, a grad transfer coming into the year, has stepped up in a big way for the Vols as the year has gone on, winning 15 singles matches with nine conference wins, and his growth on the doubles court cannot be overstated.
“They’ve done an incredible job,” head coach Chris Woodruff said. “It is so difficult to win at line one anywhere, but especially in the SEC, so really happy for everybody.”
Kotzen has won 11 matches alongside junior Alejandro Moreno, and the two have become a consistent threat on Court 1 this season for Tennessee.
Kotzen has lived up to the billing that the coaching staff put on his shoulders alongside Mitsui as one of the more experienced and veteran players on the team.
Cruz has also played well for Tennessee in his lone season for the Vols, collecting 14 singles wins, particularly during outdoor matches, where the weather has been his strength this season.
While Cruz didn’t play doubles for the team, he had some memorable moments during singles, securing the match-clinching point in wins over Vanderbilt, Ole Miss, Kentucky and Belmont.
Having a clutch factor like Cruz on Court 6 has been a significant reason for the Vols’ continued success this season, and he has brought an energy to the team that will be hard to find moving forward.
“I tell our guys six is the most important spot in college tennis,” Woodruff said. “He’s been incredible, to come in from Belmont, he’s just a warrior, somebody that, I don’t want to jinx it, we can count on him a lot, just happy for him and he’s just been an incredible team guy.”
Meanwhile, Jesudason never really found his footing in singles play, but gained a wealth of knowledge and experience playing alongside Mitsui on Court 2 during doubles play this season.
For a team that added nine new players in the portal last offseason, Tennessee has maintained its success level without skipping a beat.
The growth and success of the team this season have been in large part due to the experience of the coaching staff and veteran players like Mitsui and Kotzen stepping up both on the court and in the locker room.
While Sunday’s win against Texas marks the final home game for the seniors, it’s not the end of the road just yet. The Vols will embark on their postseason run beginning Thursday with the SEC Tournament in South Carolina.
Alan Jesudason smiles with his family during a Senior Day match against Texas at Barksdale Stadium. Sunday, April 13, 2025. Cambree Gliessner / The Daily Beacon
Tennessee football ‘moving on,’ hold ‘unbreakable’ bond through Nico Iamaleava
TREVOR MCGEE Sports Editor
Miles Kitselman surveyed the practice field on Friday, looking for gossiping teammates.
He saw nothing. Tennessee football did not pitter-patter when it learned that starting quarterback Nico Iamaleava was a no-show following NIL disputes.
Instead, it was business as usual.
“Didn’t skip a beat,” Kitselman said about Friday’s practice. “Ready to roll.”
When the Vols woke up Saturday morning and reported to team meetings, they were met with a message from head coach Josh Heupel. He informed his squad they would be moving forward without Iamaleava.
“At the end of the day, he’s moving on,” Heupel said. “We’re moving on too, and we’ll be ready to roll when we get to next fall.”
Still, there was no change in the way that Tennessee attacked the day. Following morning activities, the Vols made their way to Neyland Stadium for the Orange & White game.
They played behind the two remaining quarterbacks on the roster, Jake Merklinger and George MacIntyre, not the one who is no longer with the team.
“This is just a true test and testimony of who we are as people and as a team,” linebacker Arion Carter said. “I just feel as long as we rally around these young guys and get them better day in and day out and just continue to rise, I feel like we’ll be just fine because we got the guys. We’re all we got, we all we need.”
Tennessee’s two quarterbacks combined to throw for four touchdown passes and 204 yards across a total of eight drives during the shortened scrimmage.
MacIntyre impressed with a trio of passes then ended up in the checkerboards, while Merklinger added one for himself.
“We’re good with whoever we got back there at quarterback,” Kitselman said. “We got some dogs here. These two guys. We got guys that want to be here, we got guys that want to give their all and they’re going to go the extra mile to do whatever they can to give us the best opportunity to win.”
Neither quarterback has the level of collegiate experience that Iamaleava had, but both are absorbing the chance to learn with the circumstances they face. Both of their roles quickly changed in the course of a day, but the focus has always been on preparing every day as if they were a starter.
For Merklinger, he has been vaulted into a starting role for the time being. The Georgia native only has two career appearances to his name with a total of seven pass attempts.“I don’t think it changed either way we thought,” Merklinger said. “We were going
to practice on Friday to practice on Friday. We went to practice and we practiced.”
As for his backup, Merklinger recognizes the work MacIntyre has done to prepare himself for this prominent role early in his career.
“He’s like a sponge,” Merklinger said.
“Anything he can learn, he can learn. He’s always up in the quarterback room watching film, so yeah, he’s doing a really good job.”
Saturday was the first time the freshman quarterback had the opportunity to play in front of a college crowd, even at limited capacity. At the same time, it was his first opportunity to experience some of the game day traditions.
“As the in-state kid, there’s all this talk about all this quarterback stuff, and for me, it was a dream come true to run out of the T today, and that was a cool feeling,” MacIntyre said.
While the college football world was focused on what was happening in Knoxville, the team was unbothered by what the national media was concerned about. The players were looking forward to closing out the spring with one last scrimmage.
That is what they got. Team Orange and Team White concluded the game with a 14-all tie, leaving without a winner — but instead, left with a tighter-knit bond built through the turmoil experienced over the previous 48 hours.
“I’ve been a part of some really talented teams that haven’t won a whole lot because they were individuals on those teams,” Kitselman, a former Alabama and Hutchinson Community College transfer, said.
“Quite frankly, there’s no other group that I’d rather go to war with right now than the guys that we got on this team and just implementing that — and knowing that I got their back and I don’t even have to question if they have mine — and just day in and day out, show them that i’m going to give my everything for this program.”
Losing a leader at the conclusion of spring practice is not easy for a team to adapt to, but the Vols are not worried about that. Instead, it is just another motivating factor as Tennessee looks to progress through the offseason.
Kitselman has seen a lot of football during his time in college. He is entering his sixth season on the field with his third different school. For him, these are the situations that he plays for.
“This just makes me even more excited,” Kitselman said. “Knowing what’s going to come as far as how we need to rally together now even more than ever, and that’s what college, that’s what sports are all about. It’s about teams coming together.”
Tennessee football kicks off its 2025 season in Atlanta with the Aflac Kickoff
Game against the Syracuse Orange on Aug. 30.
With the spring portal opening on Wednesday, April 16, the Vols will find out who really wants to suit up in orange and white.
“The guys who want to be here are the guys who want to be here,” Carter said. “… A bond is unbreakable between brother to brother.”
“At the end of the day, he’s moving on,” Heupel said. “We’re moving on too, and we’ll be ready to roll when we get to next fall.” Josh Heupel Head Coach
Jake Merklinger (12) passing the football during warmups at the Orange & White game at Neyland Stadium. Saturday, April 12, 2025. Bailey Beller / Contributor
Takeaways from Tennessee football Orange & White game: Freshmen shine, voices arise
THEO COLLI Staff Writer
The morning of April 12, 2025, Tennessee football received word that it would be short on a quarterback for the upcoming season.
Redshirt sophomore quarterback Nico Iamaleava and head coach Josh Heupel parted ways after a day-long saga of questions surrounding the former fivestar’s future with Tennessee.
Tennessee’s spring Orange and White game took place the same day as Iamaleava’s departure. The absence of last season’s starting quarterback created a handful of questions entering the spring window.
Here are three takeaways from the Orange and White game.
Questions surrounding the quarterback Friday was the last day of practice in spring ball before the Orange and White game kicked off on Saturday.
“We found out same time everyone else did,” Tennessee quarterback Jake Merklinger said. “But you know, I don’t think it changed either way we thought we were going to practice on Friday.”
While Iamaleava was absent, the mindset never wavered for the team.
Merklinger and George MacIntyre were the two quarterbacks who took snaps on Saturday. MacIntyre shined despite being a true freshman, while he posted a throwing line of 12-for-16, 124 yards passing and
three touchdowns.
An important note was also MacIntyre’s ability to extend the play within and outside the pocket. His legs moved quite a bit on Saturday, and while gameday may not feature as many quarterback runs, the versatility adds to MacIntyre’s value.
As the other quarterback on the field, Merklinger finished 6-for-14 passing, with 82 yards in the air. He also posted an interception compared to one touchdown.
“I thought they did a really good job today for the most part,” Heupel said. “Obviously, Merk had the one pick on the double move where the safety’s a player in the middle of the field, but for the most part, they handled the operation pretty well. There was a couple checks that we can clean up, just some of the operations side of it and the ultimate check.
“But they moved the football. They made plays. I thought they used their feet. Obviously, they weren’t live. They’re going to have to learn how to protect themselves out in space, but it was a great day for both of them as young players being out in front of that crowd, having to be the guy and go operate.”
Finding their voice after a handful of veteran departures
The Vols find themselves losing a handful of experience on the offensive side of the ball, including their starting running back, a handful of receivers and now their
quarterback.
“But at the end of the day, it’s next man of mentality,” linebacker Arion Carter said. “And I feel like whoever steps in that position is going to be able to go out and ball out. I do my due diligence as a leader, not only on this team but as defense, to make sure those two will often all prepare to go out there and play on Saturdays.”
Losing production at skill positions can impact the dynamic of a team on and off the field. Despite the roster turnover, a few veteran players from last season’s team have emerged as new voices of reason.
“Miles Kitselman,” Heupel said. “Eeally mature, great command, great presence, ability to demand things from the guys around him – is somebody that’s really strong. Up front, Lance Heard is developing some of that, but that’s my job with the leadership council, our young shadow warriors to continue to grow those guys throughout the rest of the season.”
Kitselman leads not only the tight end group, but is becoming a voice for the entire offense. With groups like the receiving and running back room, who lost a handful of production, having a voice like Kitselman can make all the difference.
Landscape is different, but game remains the same
The passing days have been a brutal example of how different the game of college football has changed. The Tennessee
team understands, though, that this game is much more than just one player.
“I’ve been on some talented teams that haven’t done too well because there are a bunch of individuals on those teams,” Kitselman said. “And I’m not just saying this to say this, but, man, this team’s different. Our o-line’s close, wide receivers close, tight ends – the closest group I’ve ever been with — our quarterbacks are close.”
The camaraderie among the team showed through some of the performances from underclassmen such as receiver Radarious Jackson and veteran transfer Star Thomas.
“What happens outside of the game, in some ways, has changed,” Heupel said. “The game itself hasn’t changed. You got to be tough, smart, and physical. You have to play extremely hard. You have to have fundamentals and technique.”
Both new to the team, Thomas as a senior transfer while Jackson is a true freshman, the two showed promise in their limited time.
Jackson tallied 65 yards along with an impressive grab on the sideline to set the Vols up for a score. Thomas, on the other hand, led the team in rushing with 44 yards.
The two are a prime example of how, in the context of today’s game, the class can’t amount to the production. The two will have a handful of chances to see playing time this season.
Jake Merklinger (12) passing the football during warmups at the Orange & White game at Neyland Stadium. Saturday, April 12, 2025. Bailey Beller / Contributor RYAN OSBORN Cartoonist
Frieson Black Cultural Center hosts Caribbean Currents, homage to diversity of region
HARRISON ING Staff Writer
The little gallery room of the Frieson Black Cultural Center was filled with items from the Caribbean, everything from steel drums to Carnival costumes and books on folklore. It was like viewing a microcosm of the region itself — compact but incredibly diverse.
Caribbean Currents is a project of the Caribbean Student Association, a collection of donated items representing over 30 countries from the region. Friday, April 11, the public was invited to the FBCC to view the gallery and partake in Caribbean food and music, but the gallery will remain open until April 30.
Ashley Sooklal, a junior studying biology and the member relations officer for CSA, said the range of cultures makes the region unique. A child of immigrants from Trinidad and Tobago, she said there are so many nuances between her traditions and even those of people from neighboring islands.
“The Caribbean is based on a mix of different cultures and ethnicities because there’s a lot of migration that happened there,” Sooklal said. “And since then, the hot pot of cultures has mixed and combined to create different variations of food and traditions that are very unique to the Caribbean.”
Sooklal said the event’s name was inspired by the archipelago’s colonial history. Many ethnic groups were led worldwide by sea, carried by the currents to their displaced homes, where they created the culture seen on display.
Directly in the center of the exhibition was a pedestal with several wooden statuettes. They depicted figures of children sweeping the streets and women carrying baskets upon their heads, representative of typical laborers in Haiti, where the statues originate.
Amber Demarco, a senior studying biology and a member of CSA, said that viewing pieces like this can help relay the tumultuous history of the Caribbean. She said that people there still find ways to build vibrant communities, and people could learn from that.
“Just seeing that all shows you that there are different ways to live, and that you shouldn’t fear people because they come from a different part of the world,” Demarco said.
The harsher realities of Caribbean life
The Caribbean Student Association’s exhibit “Caribbean Currents” will be on display in the Frieson Black Cultural Center until April 30. Tuesday, April 15, 2025. Harrison Ing / The Daily Beacon
were backdropped by a steel drum that could be played, flanked on either side by Carnival costumes resembling spirits of the forest. Posters of Caribbean artists hung higher up on the walls on both sides of the gallery.
Sooklal said events like Carnival are integral to the fabric of Caribbean society. She said in Trinidad, they call parties and festivals “limes,” and everyone comes together during events of celebration.
“Everybody gets so excited for Carnival, whether they’re in the States or anywhere around the world, but especially in Trinidad,” Sooklal said. “People will even take off work, just so they can come together, dance and drink in the streets with everyone else.”
Demarco, whose mother immigrated from Belize to the United States, said
food and music are the two most significant ties to her heritage. She said there isn’t really an equivalent in American culture to the communal way Caribbean people view music, food, or general life.
“I took a trip to Belize and saw so many Canadians and Americans moving there because the cultural environment is just so inviting,” Demarco said. “But Belize is not alone in that — the Caribbean in general is just so welcoming of all people.”
Tables before the Carnival costumes held various artworks, braided garments, books from influential Caribbean artists, and other heritage pieces. As they moved through the exhibit, people read passages, felt clothes and engaged with the culture firsthand.
On the wall behind the table on the left side of the room were posters with key facts about each of the Caribbean countries. The posters included information like the steel drum originating from Trinidad, Belize having the second biggest barrier reef in the world, and Anguila being named for eels.
Demarco said the whole exhibit feels gratifying as a minority in the U.S., where many often lump the many cultures together into one. She also said this exhibit should be seen as an invitation to viewers.
“I hope that seeing this makes people want to explore these places and see things they’re not used to,” Demarco said. “You go there and you’ll see that people really value family, God and non-materialistic things.”
Ian’s Market 141: ‘We are run by Vols for Vols’
PATRICK BUSCH Staff Writer
Ian’s Market 141 is a new convenience store at 16th Street and Clinch Avenue. Members of the store hope to be more than just a shop and become an integral part of student life for Volunteers.
Ian’s Market 141 doesn’t just serve the UT community — it is run by it.
Joshua Forbey, general manager of Ian’s Market 141, is a master’s candidate at the Haslam College of Business Online MBA Program.
“The majority of our customers are students, the majority of staff are students and the ownership’s family are either Alumni or currently enrolled in undergraduate or graduate programs at UTK, we are run by Vols for Vols.”
Joshua Forbey General Manager
Blessing Aldridge, a cashier at Ian’s Market 141, expanded on the market’s goal for Knoxville and UT.
“We’re not just another store on campus — we want to be a part of the student community,” Aldridge said. “We strive to create a friendly, familiar environment where students feel comfortable stopping by, whether for a quick snack or just to say hello.”
Forbey wants Ian’s Market 141 to be a place where students get a snack, a cool drink, a boost of caffeine or whatever they’ll need for the weekend ahead.
Aldridge and Forbey emphasized the importance of customer feedback to the store as they enjoy hearing from students on what they appreciate and what could improve the market.
The market’s employees also hope to develop personal relationships with customers, and the community and to become students’ go-to destination for everything from alcohol to dorm essentials.
As a part of the market’s mission of serving UT students, they worked with the university to accept VolCard for payment. As a result of student
feedback, Forbey fulfilled students’ requests.
“We reached out directly to the VolCard Office and they were helpful with informing us on the requirements of the program and the associated fees,” Forbey said. “We were all set up shortly afterward and we have had numerous Vol Card transactions since.”
Students can use their VolCard to purchase anything in Ian’s Market 141 — except alcohol, nicotine, delta and tobacco products.
Ian’s Market opened during finals week in December 2024. One main
challenge the store faced was slow business due to the timing of Christmas break. However, the store has gradually picked up as they see new faces daily.
The plans for Ian’s Market 141 are far from complete — Forbey looks forward to possibly turning the undeveloped property below the store into a pizza restaurant and bar, expected to be completed this year.
“We are partnering with Godfather’s Pizza and opening a bar and full-service restaurant in 2025 with multiple taps, pizzas, pizza by the slice, wings and various grab-and-go options,” Forbey said.
Other plans include opening up another Ian’s Market across the river, targeted toward students, that will sit in the lower level of the Davy Apartments. These apartments are currently under construction at the intersection of Blount Avenue and Henley Street. This location will also collaborate with Godfather’s Pizza and will offer pizza rolls, calzones, wings and more.
Ian’s Market has ambitious plans to continue and expand its service offerings to UT students. More information can be found on their Instagram.
Review: Winter is coming: Does George R.R. Martin’s ‘A Game of Thrones’ hold power after show?
KACIE BURNS
Staff Writer
George R.R. Martin’s “A Game of Thrones” was released in 1996 and quickly gained a cult following among fantasy readers. HBO’s adaptation, premiering in 2011, thrust the “A Song of Ice and Fire” series into pop culture stardom.
Nearly 30 years after its original release and well after the show’s controversial finale, many new readers ask if the series is still worth reading if you have already seen it on screen.
Martin is a master of world-building, making “A Game of Thrones” more than worth a read for first-timers and fans of the TV series alike.
“A Game of Thrones” introduces readers to a treacherous world of legacy, betrayal and honor. The novel explores the complexities of Westeros by using multiple POVs from characters such as Jon Snow, Daenerys Targaryen, Arya Stark, Tyrion Lannister and many others.
A key detail that HBO’s adaptation made when producing the show was to change the ages of many characters. For example, in the book, Daenerys is 13 years old at the beginning of the series. This change can come as a shock to some readers, so it is good to be prepared for this age shift.
The strength of the Stark family, the cunning of the Lannisters and Daenerys’s tragic rise to power feels richer, more complicated and more personal than the show was able to convey.
For new readers, “A Game of Thrones” centers around the fate of the Seven Kingdoms as powerful and noble families vie for control in a world where seasons can last decades.
At the center of everything is the Stark family, whose story begins when Lord Eddard Stark is forced to make a fateful decision. This decision sets the ball rolling for every other tragedy that happens throughout the book.
One of the overwhelming strengths of this book is Martin’s brutal realism. No character is ever safe and the stakes are constantly being raised. Political intrigue, morality and surprising twists drive the narrative from page one.
Martin’s prose can be very dense but rewarding, giving readers rich detail that a TV show could never capture.
While Martin’s writing is brilliant and immersive, the character size and dense political world-building can be overwhelming for first-time fantasy readers. It can be easy to get lost with the dozens of POV characters and layered histories.
In the later seasons of the TV show,
fans critiqued that complexity was traded for spectacle, whereas the book lingers on subtle moments and character introspection. Catelyn Stark’s sorrow, Tyrion’s wit or Jon’s inner conflict feel more profound with the written word.
The pacing of “A Game of Thrones” can feel slow, especially after watching the show, but the build-up is worth the patience.
“A Game of Thrones” offers far more than the show could ever portray. Each book is over 800 pages long, meaning that the adaptation was forced to trim or alter important subplots for time.
The depth of the books gives readers a much better view of the characters’ inner monologues, offering a more satisfying and rich texture.
Reading the books after watching the show can be very refreshing for many fans. You will already know the story and much of the history, but the books will help you understand the why.
However, if you are craving the nonstop action that the show provides, you will be disappointed. The plot can drag on, focusing more on backstories and internal struggles. The books are a chess match, not a sword fight.
In the end, “A Game of Thrones” is not just a retelling of a story you have seen before — it is deeper, exploring power,
more
Courtesy of IMDb
identity and the cost of legacy. It provides fans of the show with missing layers that can be crucial to a well-rounded understanding of this world. For those new to “A Game of Thrones,” it offers a dark world that focuses on attention to detail. It is an unforgettable journey that is well worth the time.
Ian’s Market 141 is a new convience store for students. Thursday, April 3, 2025. Courtesy of Amir Boghani
Staff Writer Kacie Burns reviews George R.R. Martin’s series “A Game of Thrones.” Burns says while the books progress slower than the TV show, the characters have
depth.
Opinion: I actually talked about it: Respect or reputation part
two
ANSLEY GRAVES Opinions Editor
After publishing an article about the lack of conversation regarding suicides on our campus and from the administration, I was taken aback by the amount of attention and concern that this particular issue gained from fellow students, faculty and alumni.
I realized that I was not alone in this issue, and that many individuals from our community wanted this to be addressed just like me. I also learned that this needed further discussion with the necessary facts and answers.
A little under a month ago, I had the opportunity to meet with Vice Chancellor Frank Cuevas and Vice Chancellor Tisha Benton to answer these questions, in hopes that the University of Tennessee’s community could get some reassurance and clarity. It only felt right to shed light on some of the behindthe-scenes work being done that we might not be aware of.
Cuevas, head of the Division of Student Life, and Benton, head of marketing and relations, graciously allowed me to interview them about my concerns. I felt confident that their willingness to meet with me on behalf of my article would be a great resource to share with our community.
I asked if they were familiar with the article I recently published, questioning the administration’s role in suicide awareness and coverage. They were.
The following questions and information were obtained via a consented, recorded interview with both vice chancellors:
Benton stated that she leads the central communications and marketing team. She also shared that the team creates a repository of central tools for the colleges and responds to all reporters on behalf of the institution.
Cuevas stated that his role involved working with a team of 400 dedicated folks across the division. He shared that the staff creates opportunities and experiences for students to learn.
Additionally, his team works with families when they experience a loss. They take on life outside the classroom and are working to ensure students have the programs and services they need to succeed.
“The unfortunate piece is that we are no different in what you see in the community,” Cuevas said. “We have student deaths all the time, and for a variety of reasons — it’s
not always suicide. We have a dedicated postvention response team that really steps into providing support for the family and those affected. … The postvention team jumps in action with a couple of different parts.”
I was then handed a written document that stated the step-by-step protocol for the postvention team’s duties, just as Cuevas had mentioned.
“The first step is to support and stabilize the situation. The second step is to prevent any further harm. This is where we are saying, ‘How can we prevent any more risk, to self, to others?’”
Then the other part is really a focus on healing. How do we help individuals deal with grief, whether directly affected or (if they are) faculty, staff or students? Because again, our students are going to impact everyone,”
Cuevas said.
It became clear that while it might not be a public resource to concerned students like myself, there are steps that are followed, a protocol in place and action that the Division of Student Life takes. Nevertheless, I wanted to know more about how this affected students who learn of a loss occurring on campus, primarily by suicide.
Just as I was going to ask them my number one question, Benton beat me to it — “That number in your piece was not accurate.”
Expanding on this information, Cuevas stated what he says is the truth.
“We only had six student deaths since last semester, and two of them were from suicide.”
I was shocked to hear information that I had believed to be true was, in fact, not. It was also difficult to grasp that someone in power from the administration spread misinformation to students. Most importantly, however, it was a relief to hear that the number was less than I originally thought.
In the situation of student loss on campus, Cuevas explained that, “Sometimes, the families are the first people we deal with.”
Cuevas also shared that he has a difficult responsibility in his role as the head of the Division of Student Life.
“As someone who has sat across from families and provided the support that they needed at that moment, the grief and loss is at a magnitude that we might be able to imagine at that point in time.”
Cuevas stated that his team looked at how this student was connected to campus, and described it as a “web.”
“How is this student connected to campus, and who do we need to reach out to for support?” Cuevas said.
I started to see that this “web” was bigger than students might assume. Reaching out to those affected was one of the greatest responsibilities.
Opinions Editor Ansley Graves had the opportunity to sit down for an interview with Vice Chancellor Frank Cuevas and Vice Chancellor Tisha Benton to discuss her previously written article “Respect or reputation: What we don’t know about UT suicides.” Read more for the administration’s perspective regarding student suicides.” Ansley Graves / The Daily Beacon
“This is very important as the situation may be affecting another student and lead to another loss,” Cuevas said.
Cuevas assured that the strategies he referenced above “just went through a rehaul” (as of spring 2024).
“The team really spent some time reviewing the mental health alliance, and sort of recommended strategies to deal with student deaths in general, and then drilling into that, how to respond to a student suicide on our campus,” he said.When dealing with a high-volume situation such as a student death, Benton said, “From a communications standpoint, every situation is different.”
Benton then referred to a section in my article where I stated, “Whether it be an email or announcement, I think that our professors should at least be required to acknowledge a suicide if it happens and to offer resources.
A professor acknowledging an incident like this would assure students that they didn’t just hear a rumor and that they are not being kept in the dark.”
She mentioned that in the situation I referenced and The Daily Beacon covered, there was information pushed out by student life, and her team consulted with them to find available resources. She added that it would be rare that death by suicide, or any kind of death, would have a campus-wide email announcing it.
She mentioned that in the situation I referenced and The Daily Beacon covered, there was information pushed out by student life, and her team consulted with them to find available resources. She added that it would be rare that death by suicide, or any kind of death, would have a campus-wide email announcing it.
My previous article should have clarified that this was something that I believed should be done in the unique case that the student was a part of a class, in which fellow classmates and/or administration were notified of the loss
and later affected.
As Benton reiterated her claim that “different situations call for different things,” she recalled a “terrible tragedy” at Middle Tennessee State University in which many students were directly affected.“This was a situation in which public communication would be used,” Benton said.
However, some considered the Stokely incident from the fall a public occurrence because they lived there and witnessed the aftermath.
It is a situation in which I and others felt strongly that we lacked the proper communication. I now understand that the university did respond appropriately, although not in the way that everyone found reassuring. Benton said that complex situations like these are challenging to communicate or cover.
I do not believe that there is a right way to talk about suicide or the death of any person. However, there are guidelines to follow, which I was quickly informed of.
Benton said that not going public in a situation like this is not an effort to keep information from people.
“There are a lot of different things at play, like the people who were close to them, who is the priority,” Benton said.
Cuevas agreed.
“We want to be respectful as a team and work all the angles,” Cuevas said, “Any loss is difficult, all losses are difficult, we just try to be respectful … We are going to take the guidance from the families. I think we have gotten better through this postvention team as a process, which is a good thing.”
Cuevas also explained that the guidelines he and his team follow are grounded in the work of the Higher Education Mental Health Alliance.
He pointed out that “this is a national organization that really sets forth standards around how to deal with student deaths on a college campus. ... We recently, last year, had a team that evaluated all of our processes and made recommendations and changes to the process we have now.”
I mentioned to both Benton and Cuevas some active mental health resources that I was aware of — JED, Rocky Top Recovery, Student Health Center, etc. However, I wanted to know more about on-campus resources that I, or other students, might not be aware of, and how their roles contributed to these developments.
Cuevas said that the Center for Care and Resilience and Rocky Top Recovery are fairly new. He mentioned that they are connected with the Counseling Center by relocating to the Student Health Center building. He agrees that his team has had a hand in shaping these developments.
Cuevas expressed that his team has invested resources in training everyone so they can train more faculty and staff on campus on what to look for in the classroom or on campus.
According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, suicide is the second leading cause of death among 15-29-yearolds, and there are far more statistics available that emphasize this specific age range of young adults. Knowing the sensitivity of mental health during the early stages of one’s adulthood, specifically on a college campus, can make a greater impact than one might think.
“Any time there is a student death, regardless of how it happened, the protocols that I mentioned are how we take care of it. … We deploy this under any circumstances, because a loss is a loss.” Cuevas said. “Even if something happens to someone on break, for example, there’s still people on campus who do outreach,” Benton adds.
Both vice chancellors made it very clear that there were a plethora of resources their departments each provided in the situation of a student death at UT.
“Sometimes we don’t even hear about a student death, especially if it’s not on campus,” Cuevas said. “Most of our student deaths do not occur on campus. Oftentimes, we are learning well after. It could be a week or a day, because the family is dealing with grief … or we might hear from students because they are connected within class or a friend of theirs.”
Cuevas said, “Sometimes if a death happens on or off campus, we might not even know the circumstances. We are just there to reach out.”
The conversation I had with the vice chancellors gave me more insight into these situations. It taught me about protocols and scenarios I previously questioned, all while getting the overarching, repeatedly stated claim of the resources they have in place.
Concerning administrators’ role in the classroom where a student has died, Benton said, “I don’t think there has been any guidance that tells people that they are not allowed to talk about something ... from our office, certainly.”
As an opinion writer, I have the privilege of writing about topics I feel strongly about — good and bad. I am lucky to have a platform where I can do so. However, it is not always easy.
While being told by the people who would know best that I was wrong about the number was a relief, it was, most importantly, a learning experience.
I learned that in a lot of cases, not talking about suicides is not always because it is taboo for the community, or to protect a reputation, but to prevent a snowball effect. Publishing information regarding the death of a student by suicide can sometimes influence other students to take similar extreme measures, which does not benefit anyone whatsoever.
So what now?
My most important goal is to continue to raise awareness about suicide and promote mental health resources that can be easily accessible to students on college campuses. That might look different in many ways when considering students’ safety and what can make the greatest impact.
March 29, I had the privilege of attending the “Out of the Darkness Walk” hosted by the American Foundation of Suicide Prevention. The event touched my heart, as did hearing personal stories, hand-painting the rock and walking to honor those who might have lost someone, struggled or were just there for the cause. Our staff letter includes more information about our experience.
There are many ways to advocate for mental health resources and suicide prevention, and there is a lot to learn for myself and others about doing it effectively and appropriately. In doing so, remind yourself why you are doing it. Ask how you can be a better advocate and remember the people you might help along the way.
If you or anyone you know is struggling with suicide or mental health issues, call the National Suicide hotline at 988 or consult a list of resources found on the Student Counseling Center’s website. Columns and letters of The Daily Beacon are the views of the individual and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Beacon or the Beacon’s editorial staff.
at agrave24@vols.utk.edu.
Ansley Graves is a junior at UT this year, studying journalism. She can be reached
