Campus

Hi there, soon-to-be Volunteers! My name is Sarah Rainey, the new Editor-in-Chief of The Daily Beacon for the 2021-2022 academic year, and I am so excited to welcome you all to Rocky Top.

I know that the transition from high school to college can be overwhelming, but this edition of On Rocky Top has everything you need to know about coming to the University of Tennessee.

Whether you are looking for details on the best restaurants to try near campus, seeking advice from the recently graduated UT Class of 2021, wondering how you will decide on which organizations to join or wishing you knew of an awesome boba tea business to check out, this edition has it all.

Although your last year of high school was altered by the pandemic, we are hoping for a new normal at UT this fall with many classes and events planned to be in person. We have all found that while we have somehow made it work with everything being online, Rocky Top just isn’t the same without that in-person, on-campus experience. We are so looking forward to seeing everyone in August.

I hope that during your time at UT, you will find your people, you will find your place and you will find your path in life — or at least get an idea of what it could be. College is an amazing place to figure things out for yourself and uncover your true passions. With so many different ways to get involved and to learn new things, UT can offer countless opportunities.

I have been so fortunate to have utilized one of these opportunities — The Daily Beacon — and to have worked here since the first month I arrived at UT in August 2018. I was welcomed to the world of student media after having had no prior experience in journalism. Anyone from any background or major can become involved with student media and find something they are passionate about, garner life and career skills and meet some pretty amazing people.

Whether you are interested in news, opinion or sports writing, photography, design, copy editing, video production, audio, script writing or simply creating, you can find a spot at the Beacon. However, even if your place is somewhere else on campus, the possibilities are truly endless and I guarantee you will find your niche.

Throughout the next four years, or five, or whatever amount of time you will spend at UT, I also hope that you will look to the Beacon as a resource and an outlet. Our purpose is to allow student voices to be heard, and we offer the latest information on things happening at the university and in the city of Knoxville, entertainment, sports and more.

If there is one thing I would like to leave you with in this transitional period, it is to be open to new experiences and to try to step out of your comfort zone. Incredible things can happen if you challenge yourself to do something you never thought you could do.

I can’t wait to meet you all this fall. Thank you for reading this edition of On Rocky Top!

Sarah Rainey

Editor-in-Chief

Hey Vols!

Welcome to Rocky Top! We are Claire Donelan, Reginald (Reggie) Williams II, Nia Myrthil and Simon Jolly. We will be serving as your Student Body President, Vice President, Student Services Director and Executive Treasurer, respectively. As you come to join the Volunteer Family and navigate what these next four years will bring, we encourage you to join the Student Government Association family!

The Student Government Association (SGA) is a place where all of us have found our life-long friends, campus resources and continues to give each of us a chance to be a representative voice for the betterment of Student Life. Whether you have a question about where to find your classes or want to contact the administration, you can find one of our welcoming faces in the Student Union (Student Engagement Suite, Room 174) or email sga1@utk.edu.

Within our department, there are many opportunities for you to be a part of our family. As first-year students, you can apply to be a member of the FirstYear Leadership Council (FYLC), which is a cohort of first-year students who focus on leadership development and strategic student representation. To find out more about our application and interview process, please email Reggie Williams, sga2@utk. edu.

You can also become a part of the branch that we like to call the “face of SGA,” and join one of our Student Services Committees. These committees focus on direct student engagement, event planning and more! For information on how to apply, email Nia Myrthil, sga3@utk.edu.

Courtesy of Forward UTK

Our Student Services Committees are: Academic Affairs Diversity Affairs Environment and Sustainability Government Affairs Health and Wellness Smokey’s Closet Student for the Rock Technology Affairs UT Traditions

SGA also has a unique branch called General Body. Within the General Body Branch, all students can have direct communication with our executive team, university administration and talk to your Student Senate representatives. Please feel free to stop by, grab a slice of pizza and discuss what changes you would like to see on Rocky Top.

For more information about how to join our department, please visit our website, sga.utk.edu, and fill out our interest form. Again, if you have any questions, please email us at sga1@utk.edu.

Our SGA family would love for you to become a member, or just help you become more involved with any aspect of student life. Don’t forget to check out all our organizations that UT has to offer on our VOLink website.

Please do all that you can to stay healthy and safe at this time! Welcome to Rocky Top, and Go Vols!

-Claire, Reggie, Nia and Simon

HOLLY FAHY Staff Writer

The Pride Center is the heart of LBGTQ+ resources for UT students and fights to support the diverse community that encompasses the university.

The Pride Center has resources, events and engagement opportunities available for all members of the UT community. Here are some of the opportunities the Pride Center has to offer.

LGBTQ+ Reading Group

The Pride Center has offered an LGBTQ+ Reading Group for two semesters.

The object of this group is to encourage students to learn more about gender, sexuality, identity and the LGBTQ+ community through literature.

Peer Mentoring Program Safe Zone Workshops

The Pride Center hosts educational workshops that are open to all faculty, staff and students at UT. Currently the Pride Center is offering two types of these workshops: Tier 1 and Tier 2.

The Tier 1 workshops focus on awareness and help to teach about the correct and proper usage of language and terminology as related to gender identity, gender expression and sexual orientation. This workshop also shares knowledge about the LGBTQ+ resources available on campus.

Tier 2 focuses on knowledge and on the terminology that relates to sex assigned at birth, gender expression and gender identity, as well as ways to support the transgender and non-binary communities.

This program matches newer UT students with upper-level students to better help connect them with the LGBTQ+ community on campus.

This program intends to make new students feel more confident and successful on campus. The applications for this program are still open for any students who are looking to join.

Resource Series

The Pride Center hosts a resource series throughout the semester that focuses on a variety of topics, including Writing Support Resources with the Writing Center, LGBTQ+ Health Services at UT, Title IX Virtual Lunch Hour, the Women, Gender, and Sexuality Program and LGBTQ+ Virtual Fair.

More information about this resource series and the particulars about each of the events in the series can be found on the calendar of the Pride Center’s website.

Lectures

During the semester, the Pride Center often holds interesting lectures with notable LGBTQ+ individuals.

Peer-facilitated Discussion Groups

These peer-facilitated discussion groups are identity-based groups that act as a safe place for students to connect and interact with each other.

There are discussion groups for those identifying as asexual, aromantic, bisexual, pansexual, transgender, nonbinary, queer and trans people of color (QTPOC) and QueerAbility, which is “at the intersection of LGBTQ+ and ability/disability” according to the Pride Center website.

More information about these events, opportunities and resources can be found on the Pride Center’s website.

PRIDE List

show support and allyship for the LGBTQ+ community at UT.

The signatures are collected from August to September and are published in October. The publication of this list is known as the PRIDE List.

SARAH RAINEY 2021-2022 Editor-in-Chief

When coming to a university as big as UT, it can feel a bit daunting being just one person in a pool of 30,000.

One way to make this university feel a little less huge is by joining campus organizations. Not only is this a way to make new friends, but it is also your chance to find your place on Rocky Top and to delve into your interests.

For example, perhaps in high school you learned French, but upon arriving at UT, you decide you want to start learning Japanese and join the Japanese Club. Or, maybe you really enjoyed playing lacrosse in high school and want to continue playing with the intramural team at UT. The possibilities are truly endless when it comes to UT’s organizations.

Take advantage of resources

Because there are so many organizations at UT, VOLink and the student engagement fair are your best friends.

VOLink is a website where you can search through 606 of UT’s organizations. You can browse through all of the organizations in general, or you can search using keywords to find exactly what you are looking for.

Also, the student engagement fair is a vital resource when it comes to finding organizations to join. Due to the pandemic, these fairs — held at the beginning of each new semester — were altered a bit, but with things being mainly in person this fall, they should be rewired back to a new normal.

The student engagement fair is an in-person event where students from various organizations set up tables with information about what they do and why they chose their organizations, and are there as a helping hand for new — and current — students looking to find their footing at UT.

Prioritize your choices

While it is great that there are hundreds of organizations at UT, this can also make it a bit difficult to narrow down what exactly you would like to join. Your choices should all depend on what truly interests you.

It is best not to join every single organization that catches your eye, because several of them require a fee upon joining and the amount of clubs you have joined can become overwhelming. Try to look for what really speaks to you and your interests before making a decision.

It is a common theme for new students to join several organizations when first arriving at UT because everything is so fresh and exciting. However, this can quickly become a nuisance when homework starts piling up and organizations start holding regular meetings or events.

For students who really want to dip their toes in multiple organizations, a good rule of thumb is to narrow it down to around three that most pique your interest. This is a good starting point, and it is possible that you will end up only deciding on two — or even one — once you figure out where your priorities lie.

Challenge yourself

Sometimes the best decisions are those that make us the most uncomfortable.

Discomfort is often necessary for change, and it is possible that when you arrive at UT you will be nervous to join an organization that you have no prior knowledge of or experience with.

All organizations at UT are made up of students — people who have all stood where you have stood and are either the same age as you or just a little bit older. Everyone is in the same boat and you don’t need to be afraid to join something that you are unfamiliar with.

The amazing thing about college is that it is an opportunity for self discovery. Join the organizations that you are most interested in and that give you a chance to try new things. You may discover something about yourself, and you will definitely meet some amazing people along the way.

DANIEL DASSOW 2021 Campus News Editor

One of the easiest ways to make friends in college is with your new roommate(s), and part of creating this friendship — or at least common ground — is by accommodating and being mindful of each other’s space, as well as being as considerate as possible.

To help you become the best roommate you can be, here are some specific things you can do to put yourself in the good graces of those you live with.

Rinse food off dishes before putting them in the sink

More often than not, the problem isn’t that you haven’t done any dishes, it’s that you left half-eaten lasagna in the sink where it has become soggy and is attracting fruit flies. When you’re done eating, just rinse or scrape the food off of your plate before placing it in the sink, and your roommates will be less upset at you for not doing any dishes.

Let your roommate(s) do homework

If you get along well with your roommates, it can be tempting to talk to them or show them funny videos rather than allowing them to do work. Set boundaries with your roommates so that you can achieve a good balance between having fun and doing homework. Otherwise, they may come to resent you for enabling their procrastination.

Support your roommate(s) in their extracurricular activities

If you have a certain roommate who is highly involved on campus or in the community, show them that you notice and appreciate their work. Attend their games or club meetings if you can. Sign their petitions. Go to their art shows. Read their poetry, even if it’s bad. Or just ask them questions about how their extracurricular activities are going so they know that you care.

If you share a bathroom sink, keep your side clean

ther toothbrushes are left touching the counter, or hair is stuck to the sink, or there are just too many products cramming the counterspace.

If you use many different bathroom products, consider storing them in a cabinet or organizing them. If you want to be extra considerate, ask your roommate(s) what their bathroom counter pet peeves are. Chances are they have some and you can take care to avoid them.

Invite your roommate(s) to hang out with you and your friends

Sometimes roommates share the same friend group, but more often they have different friends. Regardless, it’s polite to occasionally invite your roommates along with you when you hang out with your friends. This doesn’t mean you should take your roommate along everywhere, but nobody likes to feel constantly left out, especially if they have fewer friends than you do. They probably won’t always say yes, but it’s the invite that counts.

Be mindful of shower length

Especially if you split the utilities bill among your roommates, be mindful not to take luxuriously long showers. Consider the amount of time you spend just standing in the shower not doing anything particularly useful. Try to cut that time in half, or just cut it out altogether.

Offer your roommate(s) food when you make it

In addition to asking if your roommates need anything from the store, it is considerate to ask them if they want some of whatever you’re cooking. Just like with inviting them to hang out with you, they probably won’t say yes most of the time. But cooking for one is hard to get right and you’ll have more than you need.

Be open about what you need from your roommate(s)

Just like with any relationship, you shouldn’t expect your roommates to know what you need from them if you haven’t told them. This one rule can cover a multitude of roommate problems, from bed times to music volume to hosting Friday night parties. Just let your roommates know what your expectations are and they will listen to you if you’re meant to be roommates.

CAMPUS 10 things I wish I knew before starting college

CALEIGH ROZMENOSKI 2021 Copy Chief

There is no end to the advice after college starts. Some of it is helpful and some, not so much. Everyone’s college experience is different and what applies to you might not matter to someone else. However, here are 10 things I wish I knew before coming to UT — in no particular order.

Textbooks

Most classes will require a textbook or workbook of some sort, while others have something called inclusive access — this just means that the materials are covered in tuition and a separate purchase is not required.

Don’t buy your textbooks until after the first class. There is always the option to drop a class and professors might not update their syllabus. It’s impossible to know if you will actually need your books until after the first lecture. Plus, there is always the possibility of finding free PDF versions, too.

RateMyProfessor

Don’t trust it. RateMyProfessor is a decent way to gauge how a course might go, but it is not an end-all-be-all. The ratings are pretty biased, and the reviews are usually polar opposites. One of my favorite professors is only rated as a 2.1. Just make sure to take what you see with a grain of salt and don’t let it affect your schedule too much.

Roommates

I’ve been in a lot of different roommate situations. I’ve had ones my age, ones younger than me and ones older than me. I’ve also had extremely neat roommates and roommates that thought foaming hand soap could be used on dishes.

The key to a happy, calm living environment is civility. No matter what kind of person or persons you find yourself living with, just remember that in the end, you share the space. Not every roommate relationship develops into best friends, and that’s totally normal!

Majors and minors

Change your major! That is, if you want to, of course. I know too many people that are scared to just make the change, whether the hesitation is from parent disapproval or future job opportunities.

Personally, I got stuck in the ifit’s-not-STEM-it’s-wrong loop. But, the most important thing to remember is that you have to live with what you do and learn in college. Make sure it’s something you care about.

Go to bed

Sometimes it feels like everyone is in competition to see who can take the worst care of themselves. This doesn’t help anyone. There are a lot of people out there that like to brag about pulling all-nighters. In college, it’s so much more impressive to be able to say you were in bed by 10:00. Take care of yourself; the homework can wait until the morning.

Join a club

This one sounds kind of obvious, but it’s still really important. Joining one of the 400+ student organizations on campus is not only a great way to get involved, but it’s the perfect way to make friends with similar interests. Plus, it’s the perfect excuse to get away from schoolwork!

STORY CONTINUED ON PAGE 12

Use the “free” resources

After all, they are not truly free — they are paid for with your tuition. So, go to the tutoring center, or use the library chat feature, or take the bus, or attend Supplemental Instruction sessions. Using the resources available to you and seeking help — whether it’s academic or emotional — is the equivalent to getting your money’s worth.

Parking

Parking on UT’s campus is impossible any day of the week. But, I’m here to tell you that you should never move your car on game day. You will not be able to park it anywhere near campus until the next day. Instead, take an Uber or the bus, or carpool with a commuter student, because moving your car on game day is just not worth the hassle.

Professors

In high school, most teachers felt the need to share that college professors don’t ever tolerate anything. While this might be true for some, most professors can easily be described as “chill.”

I am not suggesting you slack off or try and take advantage of their kindness. Just know that you can go to File / The Daily Beacon

the bathroom without asking and you are almost always welcome to office hours. Professors are there to help you because they want to, not because they need to.

Meal and dining

I wasted so much money as a freshman because I did not understand how UT’s meal swipes worked.

Basically, the dining plan every freshman is required to have includes unlimited meal swipes plus dining dollars. UT Dining breaks the day into breakfast, lunch and dinner. You can swipe into the dining halls multiple times within each time block. However, there is the option of going to specific restaurants on campus and using a meal swipe to cover a small portion of the cost and covering the rest with dining dollars. This can only be done once per each meal time of the day, and it’s a great way to save money.

Starting college can be daunting, but there are plenty of people out there willing to advise and aid you in your first year on Rocky Top.

ALEXANDRA DEMARCO 2020-2021 Editor-in-Chief

When making the transition from high school to college, the prospect of a new workload and new levels of stress can be daunting. Coupled with the effects of the pandemic, stress can lead to missed deadlines, anxiety and other negative mental health effects.

However, with proper expectations and management, you can reduce the negative impact stress has on your college career. Here are a few tips on how to manage and reduce stress levels.

Set a regular study schedule

In high school, there is little flexibility; classes take place eight hours a day, and you have to squeeze homework, a part-time job and any extracurriculars into the few remaining evening hours. In college, classes take up far fewer week-day hours, meaning that students are left largely up to their own devices when it comes to creating a study schedule.

In order to stay ahead of the game in classes, it is a great idea to pick regular times each week that you plan to dedicate to studying or spending in the library. This will ensure that you treat these classes as if they are required, scheduled class times and give yourself adequate time to complete your work.

Google Calendar can be incredibly helpful for completing this goal. The software is available as an app or on desktop and allows you to easily add and remove items to a schedule. You can also send and receive calendar invitations and set reminders for events.

On a campus as big as UT, with a number of other alluring activities, distractions are limitless, so setting this study schedule once you create your class schedule could be incredibly helpful.

Keep up with emails

This step sounds simple, but it’s amazing how easy it is to let your email inbox pile up. One week of getting behind on emails often rolls over into the next — until you have 100 unopened messages, and it’s too late to even respond to some of them.

It can be really overwhelming to have to constantly respond in the digital age, but keeping up a little bit every day will help you avoid drowning in a flooded inbox. Additionally, you can utilize Gmail’s categorization tools to help separate your emails out — perhaps by classes, jobs or other traits.

Keeping up with your emails will remove the aspect of email fatigue and dread that can easily arise and ensures that you are not missing any opportunities that come your way.

Pay attention to and value your mental wellbeing

Historically, mental health concerns have been cast aside — to the detriment of many people. In reality, mental health is just as crucial as physical health. It is now spoken about more openly, and it’s very important to pay attention to the state of your own mental well being.

For those who experience depression, anxiety or another mental health disorder, stress can be particularly impactful. It is extremely important to seek help if you are experiencing a mental health crisis, and UT has several available resources. The Counseling Center offers both one-on-one and group counseling sessions, and UT’s counselors can also refer patients to psychiatrists if needed. Students in crisis can also call the Counseling Center at 865-974-2196 to make a crisis appointment.

Additionally, UT has a crisis line available 24 hours a day at 865-974-HELP. Students in distress can call the number for assistance from the university. To access the crisis text line, text “CONNECT” or “HOME” to 741741. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline — 1-800-273-8255 or 1-800-SUICIDE — is also an important resource for those in crisis. STORY CONTINUED ON PAGE 14

Psychologytoday.com is another great website for finding mental health professionals. You can search for therapists by your insurance, specific mental health struggle, location, religion, sexuality and more.

While these are not replacements for professional mental health resources, mindfulness and meditation are two great skills to practice to help reduce anxiety and improve your mental health. Mindfulness is the practice of learning to tune yourself in to the present moment and observe your thoughts without judgement. Meditation comes in many forms but often incorporates mindfulness and may involve breathing, walking or repetition.

Additionally, do not be afraid to reach out to your professors if you are struggling with your coursework because of a mental health or other health-related problem. Professors can be great mentors in a time of need, and they are also more likely to be understanding about missed work if they are aware of extenuating circumstances.

Take a well-deserved break

College, while rewarding and fun, is also stressful. The coursework can be strenuous and sometimes seems to be never-ending. So, don’t forget to give yourself a well-deserved break here and there — A student rests in a hammock by the Art and Architecture building in between classes.

File / The Daily Beacon

whether that be taking a mental health day off from class or just spending a Saturday to yourself.

Knoxville is home to a large park and urban wilderness infrastructure, so if you enjoy being outdoors, you can easily find respite just across the river five minutes from campus — or, you can make the 45-minute trek out to the Smokies to hike. You could also relax at one of the many restaurants downtown and in Market Square.

Stress, though inevitable to a certain degree, can be manageable with the proper tools and resources. Overall, enjoy your time in college, and don’t let the stress get you down too much.

DANIEL DASSOW 2021 Campus News Editor

Joelle Jarjoura

important, but they don’t define you. It’s okay to ask for help and take advantage of the academic resources UT offers.”

Though they will not be on campus together, students from the Class of 2021 and the Class of 2025 have a unique shared experience: they both spent their senior years adapting to and overcoming the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The senior class that graduated in May included many notable campus leaders and volunteers, each of whom left UT older and wiser and more prepared for their lives because they weathered the storm of a global crisis. Because they will not be around to tell the incoming freshmen what they learned, a few seniors shared their advice for the newest Vols here.

Shelby Guthrie

“After four years of college, I feel like the biggest thing I have learned is that everything might not go the way that you want, but everything will work out — usually for the best. Make the most of where you are by being present and paying attention to the people that are in front of you. Being kind to someone can make a bigger impact than you think. And know that it is always okay to ask for help!”

“Welcome to Rocky Top! This is a place I’ve grown to love immensely over the past four years. It’s your new home now, so it’s in your best interest to explore it to the fullest. Try new coffee shops, study spots, student orgs and sports games ... even if you’re not sure you’ll like them. They will surprise you and you’ll learn something about yourself in the process. Enjoy your new home — I know I’m gonna miss it!”

Mustafa Salameh

“Welcome to Rocky Top! My main piece of advice for students coming in is to just be yourself and don’t change for others. Enjoy your time at the University of Tennessee because as cliche as this sounds, college flies by in the blink of an eye. Make sure when you look back that you don’t have any regrets. Go Vols!”

Nikki Hernandez

“Take a deep breath and take care of your mental health. Know there are people and resources on campus here for you every step of the way. Your mental health is just as important as your physical health! Grades are

Simeon Glover

“To the Class of 2025, they weren’t lying when they said that college would be the best years of your life! You learn new things, meet new friends and make memories that’ll last a lifetime! My best advice is to soak up every moment; don’t spend your college years focused on the future and let it all pass you by! College is what you make of it! Focus on your studies, but also never pass up on an opportunity to make memories. Say yes to the late night Cookout runs, the trips to Max Patch or Dollywood, eating out with friends at SoKno Taco Cantina or South Coast Pizza Co. College really is the best years of your life, so be open to trying everything that comes with it.”

Deja Hughes

“College is different from anything you’ve experienced in life up until this point. Have fun, but don’t forget why you’re here. Study, but don’t stress yourself out. Make lasting memories!”