Policies for Prevention G R A N D VA L L E Y L A N T H O R N
GV aims to stop gun violence through early intervention
ArtPrize cultivates competition RECORD | A10
Carl Trosien resigning from DI men’s hockey club HOCKEY | A11
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A2 | NEWS NEWS BRIEFS
AUGUST 1, 2022 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLNEWS
ENTERPRISING
GV AREA GAS PRICES DECLINE AS INFLATION REMAINS
Gasoline prices around Grand Valley State University have steadily declined with those across the nation for several weeks as inflation has continued to strain personal and family budgets. According to GasBuddy.com, a company analyzing real-time price data from over 140,000 gas stations across the country, average gas prices in Grand Rapids stood at $4.18 per gallon as of July 31. This contrasted with an average of $4.59 per gallon less than two weeks prior. The trend comes as the grip of inflation hikes prices for other everyday necessities at a time when students begin their return to campus and attempt to lay out personal budgeting plans to afford the collegiate experience. In its latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) report in June, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported a CPI increase of 9.1% in the last year – the largest price increase since the 1980s.
MICHIGAN SUPREME COURT RULES EXISTING LAW BANS ANTI-LGBTQ DISCRIMINATION
In a 5-2 decision on Thursday the Michigan Supreme Court ruled in Rouch World, LLC v Department of Civil Rights that the state’s 1976 Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act bans discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. Given the arguments of the case, the Court was asked to determine whether the law’s inclusion of the word “sex” as a protected category applied to instances of discrimination against members of the LGBTQ community. Republican Justice Elizabeth Clement joined Democratic justices Richard Bernstein, Megan Cavanagh and Elizabeth Welch as well as Democratic Chief Justice Bridget McCormack in the majority opinion. With the Court’s expansion of the law’s protections, members of Michigan’s LGBTQ community are now shielded from discrimination in all areas outlined in the law’s language.
GV alum founds sustainable clothing company aimed at protecting the Great Lakes BY PAYTON BRAZZIL NEWS@LANTHORN.COM
Over a year after its initial launch an eco-friendly, sustainable clothing line created by Grand Valley State University graduates has a considerable future ahead as it aims to raise awareness about plastic pollution in the Great Lakes. GVSU alumnus and CEO of Forever Great, Chad Howell, launched the company with one of his fellow students on Earth Day, 2021. Howell now runs the company on his own. The idea for Forever Great sparked a couple years ago on a walk along the Lake Michigan. Howell said he was shocked at how much trash he saw stretched across the shoreline. As a Michigan native, this wasn’t the first time he saw litter on the beach. However, it was the first time he felt he had to do something about it. “I stopped and wondered what problems the Great Lakes are facing when it comes to climate concern,” Howell said. “We hear a lot about forest fires and the ocean,
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At the drawing board, Howell needed the resources to make this dream a reality. He worked with the Richard M. and Helen DeVos Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation (CEI) at GVSU’s Seidman College of Business. Through the CEI, he participated in the 77 IdeaLab, which provides student entrepreneurs with consulting and monetary support. LOG ON TO:
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GV professor believes climate change poses threats in West Michigan
Michigan voters will head to the polls on Tuesday, Aug. 2, to vote in this summer’s state primary elections ahead of the November midterms. Grand Valley State University will offer campus community members voter registration and absentee voting services at its Allendale Township Satellite Clerk’s Office inside the campus’s Kirkhof Center in the run up to and on election day. The office will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on election day. www.lanthorn.com
no one’s really talking about the local impacts on the Great Lakes.” Concerned with the lack of awareness, Howell researched how to help this issue that he felt was close to home. Between 80% and 90% of wastewater is discharged into the environment without any treatment, according to the 2020 United Nations World Water Development Report. The connection between fast fashion and freshwater pollution inspired Forever Great. CLIMATE
GV SATELLITE POLLING LOCATION CONTINUES FOR AUG. 2 PRIMARY ELECTIONS
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SUSTAINABILITY: Small business clothing stores are on the rise amongst younger generations looking for sources of income. COURTESY | NIC SAGODIC
CRISIS CONCERN: Researchers and experts alike continue to warn the public of the everlasting threats of climate change. GVL | MEGHAN TRIPP
An increase in precipitation, hotter temperatures, significant seasonal changes, more diseases and devastating storms have been witnessed around West Michigan. These are symptoms of a larger problem - climate change. For the region Grand Valley State University calls home, it has arrived sooner rather than later. “Climate change is happening everywhere, it’s a global phenomenon,” said Dr. Elena Lioubimtseva, professor of geography and sustainable planning at GVSU. “West
BY JACOB WELCH NEWS@LANTHORN.COM
Michigan is not the exception.” Professor Lioubimtseva has researched and fought the battle against climate change for the entirety of her academic career, teaching classes at GVSU about the damage climate change has wreaked and how students can help. LOG ON TO:
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A3 | NEWS
AUGUST 1, 2022 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLNEWS
CONTENTS ENTERPRISING
| A2
OPINION
| A4
CAREER
| A5
GVPD
| A 6-7
MONEY
| A8
ORGANIZATIONS
| A9
PERFORMANCE
| A10
HOCKEY
| A11
SOCCER
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POLITICS
GV prepares for postRoe return to campus
BY GRACE SMITH NEWS@LANTHORN.COM
SUPPORT: The Center for Women and Gender Equity shared that their office would be a place of support for the GVSU community following the ruling. GVL | MEGHAN TRIPP
NO. 1
Lan thorn Videographer ZACH PLISKO
EDITORIAL STAFF Editor-in-Chief MARY DUPUIS
Layout Editor DONOVAN LOPEZ
Associate Editor AUDREY WHITAKER Associate Editor JACOB KIRN
Layout Designer JULIAN MCKENZIE PROMOTIONS
News Editor JOSH ALBURTUS Sports Editor ANTHONY CLARK JR
Laker Life Editor SABRINA EDWARDS A&E Editor
Promotions Manager GRACE O’BRIEN ADVERTISING STAFF Advertising Manager JORDAN GREEN BUSINESS STAFF
ELIZABETH SCHANZ
Image Editor MEGHAN TRIPP Multimedia Editor JAMES HERRICK
Business Manager MORGAN JOHNSTON Asst. Business Manager LUKE KREGER Distribution Manager CAYLI CLARK
OPINIONS: Grand Valley State University students have the opportunity to express their opinion on abortion through student organizations on campus. GVL | MEGHAN TRIPP
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GOVERNMENT
Student Senate seeks to improve culture, student relationships in upcoming year BY ALEXANDER VERHEEK NEWS@LANTHORN.COM
At the Lanthorn, we strive to bring you the most accurate news possible. If we make a mistake, we want to make it right. If you find any errors in fact in the Lanthorn, let us know by calling 616-331-2464 or by emailing editorial@lanthorn.com. The Grand Valley Lanthorn is published weekly by Grand Valley State University students 31 times a year. One copy of this newspaper is available free of charge to any member of the Grand Valley Community. For additional copies, at $1 each, please contact our business offices. The Lanthorn is published on recycled paper and is printed with soy bean ink. This means that our newspaper is entirely compostable. Help us do our part to be kind to the environment by recycling or composting this newspaper after you enjoy reading it. POSTMASTER: Please send form 3579 to: Grand Valley Lanthorn 0051 Kirkhof Center Grand Valley State University Allendale, MI 49401
In the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization that overturned the federal protection of nationwide abortion access college students across the country have attended political demonstrations, signed petitions or used their platforms to voice their opinions regarding the matter. Regardless of whether individuals found themselves mourning or celebrating the decision, many Americans found themselves experiencing a renewed sense of political activism. Grand Valley State University’s student groups in support of and against abortion rights are no exception. Although the university has not released an official position on the matter, this has not stopped groups on campus from advocating for either side of the issue. GVSU’s Gayle R. Davis Center for Women and Gender Equity (CWGE), made clear their position on the matter following the ruling. “In the wake of this decision, the Center for Women and Gender Equity (CWGE) stands with the GVSU community during this challenging time and offers additional information,” CWGE wrote on their website. “Our office will always be a safe space for students, staff, faculty and the community to be heard and supported. Please reach out to our center for support should you need it during this time.” Leah Short, the Interim Associate Director and Violence Prevention and Education Coordinator of the CWGE, shared that one of the efforts to support students after the overturning of Roe V. Wade included holding a processing center. LOG ON TO:
DIVERSITY: In the coming year, sentate President Faith Kidd is hoping to fill the 29 open seats with students studying a broad range of subjects at GVSU. GVL | MEGHAN TRIPP
As Grand Valley State University’s Student Senate looks toward the upcoming 2022-23 school year, its newly elected cabinet aims to increase its outreach and cooperation with GVSU students. At the end of last semester, the Student Senate held their annual cabinet elections in which the senators selected new vice presidents and leaders of the organization’s subcommittees. Former Vice President of Educational Affairs Faith Kidd ascended to become the senate’s new president. Kidd, a senior majoring in political science, ran for the position on a platform of improving collaboration between the Student Senate and students at GVSU, as well as seeking general improvements to the effectiveness of the Student Senate as a whole. These are issues that often overlap, Kidd said. Kidd noted the need to diversify the Student Senate. The current Senate body is primarily composed of students studying political science and other related fields which, Kidd believes, can result in the Senate “cliquing off.” LOG ON TO:
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A4 | OPINIONS GVL EDITORIAL CARTOON
By Donovan Lopez
AUGUST 1, 2022 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLANTHORN
EDITORIAL Mitigating monkeypox misinformation
I
7/31/22
editorial@lanthorn.com
Column: Artists bring abortion rights to center stage
BY AYRON RUTAN SOPHOMORE JOURNALISM EDITORIAL@LANTHORN.COM
In the wake of the United States Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade numerous artists across all areas of the musical landscape
have voiced their support for women’s reproductive rights. These verbal protests have come in the form of social media posts, interviews and, to the most controversy, live shows. The most notable of responses came in late June at Glastonbury, an annual music festival held in Somerset, England. During the festival, artists such as Olivia Rodrigo, Kendrick Lamar, Billie Eilish and Pheobe Bridgers voiced their distaste for the court’s ruling onstage during each of their sets. Lamar graced fans with a fierce performance of “United In Grief,” a song about
deep personal pain off of his long-awaited album “Mr. Morale and the Big Steppers,” which was released in May to critical acclaim. At the track’s peak Lamar broke into a powerful chant, repeatedly rapping the phrase “Godspeed for women’s rights, they judge you, they judged Christ” before dropping the microphone and walking off-stage. Olivia Rodrigo had a less cryptic response, but it was just as powerful. LOG ON TO:
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Column: What I wish I knew before my freshman year
BY MADISON ZIMMERMAN JUNIOR BUSINESS EDITORIAL@LANTHORN.COM
Buying dorm decor, moving out, moving into a dorm, making new friends, exploring campus for the first time: these are just a few things that freshman year entails. When it comes down to freshman year there are some things I wish I would have had
an older sibling or friend to help guide me through. Since I don’t have an older sibling or older friends that went to college before me, I am here to be the guide I wish I had my freshman year. Starting with getting ready to move in, there comes the process of packing. Packing can be overwhelming, but you can also make it easier on yourself when moving into your dorm. My biggest tip is to take all the tags off of your belongings you bought and are bringing to college. This saves an abundance of time and effort when you are moving into your dorm room.
Also when packing, a list is essential to tracking what you need to buy, what you already have and what you have already packed. You can use different colored pens or highlighters to show what you need to get or already have. Lastly, don’t overwhelm yourself when moving in and only bring what you really need. You don’t need to bring 100 tank tops (it’s cold in Allendale anyways). Slim down what you are bringing and move in will go smoother and faster for you. Secondly is your roommate situation. LOG ON TO:
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n the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic emerges the looming presence of monkeypox, a rare disease caused by infection with the monkeypox virus as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). With the emerge nc e of anot he r primarily unknown d i s e a s e , h ow t h e wider community is reacting can range from preventive measures like vaccines, educated caution or apathy from the toll of working through COVID-19 precautions throughout the past three years. The framing by the media on monkeypox can potentially shape how the public views this virus. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), some symptoms of the virus include a fever, head-
ache, swollen lymph nodes and respiratory symptoms such as coughing or a sore throat. The significant indicator is a small, painful and/or itchy rash resembling a pimple or blister. Symptoms typically occur within the first three weeks of initial contact with the virus and transmission can occur multiple ways including bodily fluids, skin contact, and respiratory droplets. Contracting the virus is more likely to happen during sexual contact, however, the virus is not a sexually transmitted disease and the risk of getting monkeypox is less likely through other forms of close contact.
OPINION POLICY
against any other views, opinions or beliefs. The content, information and views expressed are not approved by-nor do they necessarily represent those of-the university or its Board of Trustees, officers, faculty or staff. Letter to the editor should include the author’s full name, relevant title and a headshot, along with a valid email address and phone number for confirming the identity of the author. Letters should be approximately 500650 words in length, and they are not edited by the Lanthorn staff
The goal of the Grand Valley Lanthorn’s opinion page is to act as a forum for public discussion, comment and criticism in the Grand Valley State University community. Student and columnist opinions published here do not necessarily reflect those of the paper as an entity. The Lanthorn strives to be a safe vehicle for community discussion. With this in mind, the Lanthorn will not publish or entertain any forms of hate speech, but neither will it discriminate
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AUGUST 1, 2022 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLNEWS
A5 | NEWS
CAREER
GV students face an uncertain job market following their graduation BY ABIGAIL HASSE NEWS@LANTHORN.COM
With the current state of national and state economies and job markets, Grand Valley State University seniors are facing uncertainty after graduation as they search for employment. As the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in unprecedented effects on the nation’s economy, job market and unemployment rates, economists are split about the financial trends of the nation and what they mean for the near future. From June 6 to June 9 the Financial Times and the Initiative on Global Markets at the University of Chicago’s Booth School of Business conducted a macroeconomics survey showing that nearly 70% of the economists who responded predicted a pending recession before 2024. They are anticipating that, rather than laying off staff, employers will choose to withdraw the historically high number of job openings that
are available today. This plan would not affect currently employed individuals but would make it more difficult for the unemployed to find a job. However, the abundance of current job postings in Michigan and around the country has complicated assessments on whether or how soon the country can expect to enter such a recession and to what extent GVSU graduates entering the workforce will be affected. On July 28, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell spoke on the subject. “I do not think the U.S. is currently in a recession,” Powell said. Powell’s statement came on the heels of news that 2.7 million jobs have been added this year and quarterly gross domestic product (GDP) data that had been released that morning. However, due to COVID-19, and the number of people who were laid off or chose to leave their positions,
UPDATE: GVSU’s career center is open to all students to help individuals navigate their futures with various resources. GVL | MEGHAN TRIPP (LANDGREN)
these numbers are not as clear as in the past. As of June 2022, the percent of jobless individuals in Michigan was 3.6%, according to the Michigan Department of Technology, Management, and Budget. That figure is .7% lower than the national rate of 4.3%. In areas surrounding GVSU, a similar situation is occurring, with a
3.6% unemployment rate in Ottawa County and 3.5% unemployment in Kent County. An unemployment rate between three and five percent is widely considered a healthy facet of the economy. Given the current local conditions, GVSU student Jory Shepard is optimistic that finding a job within his field after graduation will be feasible. “I am planning on staying with the company I’m interning with after graduation,” Shepard said. “Pretty much everywhere you look companies are hiring.” Data on the success of recent GVSU graduates have recorded relative success, though the emergence of COVID-19 have complicated some graduates’ searches. LOG ON TO:
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GV approaches its first full year of cashless operations BY CHLOE SCHRAM NEWS@LANTHORN.COM
ECONOMICS: GVSU systems allow people to scan their own cards: debit, credit or student. This makes transactions efficient. GVL | MEGHAN TRIPP (LANDGREN)
Grand Valley State University’s Cashless Campus Initiative will soon mark its first full year of operation. As students return to campus this fall, they will continue using this new cashless system on campus. In early 2020 GVSU began implementing this new system, allowing only credit cards and electronic forms of payment to be used on campus. The system was integrated into campus infrastructure throughout 2021. As emphasized by university officials, the cashless system serves to improve various facets of campus transactions including speeding up the process of making a transaction, reducing contact between the employee and customer and improving the safety and security of transactions. Students around campus have already found suc-
cess as the cashless system has integrated into campus operations. Sophomore Audrey Brinckerhoff said she has seen positive results of the Cashless Campus Initiative. “I feel like the new system has made lines go faster and made employees’ jobs much easier,” Brinckerhoff said. Brinckerhoff said she prefers using electronic methods of payment and finds herself doing so off campus as well. The cashless system is not an unprecedented one. GVSU has joined multiple universities across the country in converting to a “cashless campus.” LOG ON TO:
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A6&7 | NEWS
AUGUST 1, 2022 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLNEWS
GV lays out threat response tactics following summer of renewed gun violence debate BY EMMA ARMIJO NEWS@LANTHORN.COM
Following a summer of renewed debate over how to address America’s gun violence epidemic, Grand Valley State University continues to update active shooter protocols and develop new tactics following the tragedies in cities like Uvalde, Texas and Buffalo, New York. Reevaluation of GVSU’s active shooter response took place after the shooting at Columbine High School in the early 2000s, but the program continues to be updated as more schools experience gun violence and as security is able to learn from others’ shortcomings. The initial active shooter protocol for police was to isolate the incident before further action, or even wait for specially trained individuals to arrive and eliminate the threat. This course of action, however, often results in time lost waiting while victims are trapped in dangerous situations. In light of this, GVSU has since shifted to more active response plans, focusing on ways to quickly engage with the threat and eliminate further potential injuries. As reported by the Texas Tribune, the police response to the elementary school shooting in Uvalde, Texas in May of this year caused major controversy when first responders waited an additional 73 minutes upon their arrival at the scene to go to the rescue of the children trapped with the gunman. Shootings like the one in Uvalde have led to development of a new protocol in GVSU’s own hostile intruder response – what the Grand Valley Police Department has titled the Rescue Task Force. GVPD Captain Jeffery Stoll says the university collectively has a robust system in place to prevent reaching a point of violence, implying the engagement with the threat is only the tip of the iceberg.
“There’s a lot of things going on behind the scenes to circumvent or mitigate as much as possible before an event comes to fruition,” Stoll said. “We do a lot of extensive training. Our own department does active violence related training twice a year, which is well above the average.” GVPD’s active shooter strategy includes four installments at each point of a threat to the campus community: The Care Team, the Threat Assessment Team, the Contact Team and the Rescue Task Force. The Care Team is composed of people from the police department, housing, students, support offices, advisors, Disability Support resources and other groups across campus depending on the need of the situation. Along with the Care Team, the Threat Assessment Team focuses on identifying and mitigating any potential threats and taking appropriate action to navigate any aggressive or threatening behavior. These are the factors that contribute to prevention of a violent situation. The goal is to help those members of the GVSU community that are in need before the condition can get to a place of danger for others. “It’s always hard to predict what the future and what may have been,” Stoll said. “But I don’t think it’s unreasonable to believe that interactions we’ve had have prevented further concerns, or further incidents.” The Contact Team is a progressive engagement team that takes action once a hostile individual has created a situation of violence. As soon as officers get on scene, they identify the contact team and go in and attempt to deal with the threat as quickly as possible to eliminate further injuries and loss of life. The Rescue Task Force, the development of which has been a countywide focus, is responsible for how those injured in the incident can be managed and treated. Captain Stoll says the Rescue Task Force can
take advantage of the large response to these types of emergencies and use the additional personnel to assist in the rescue and liberation of the victims. “We can utilize these officers coming in secondarily to help assist with our medical responders and firefighters to get them close to the scene safely, so they’re protected by police officers, but they’re able to start treatment and transport of the wounded,” Stoll said. “They’re getting to the hospital in minutes rather than hours, and that’s a really big difference in recovery from minor to severe injuries.” There have been no occurrences of gun violence on GVSU’s campus, but students and faculty have remained prepared with the help of university programs should such violence arrive. GVPD endorses the “Run, Hide, Fight” system, teaching that the best response for people in an active shooter situation is to distance oneself from the threat, find a safe space to hide, barricade oneself in and fight only as a last resort. GVSU sophomore Gabbi Munson said she has confidence in GVSU’s campus policies, but the higher frequency of gun violence has become terrifying. “I feel like, from a young age, we are taught what to do in an intruder situation which is both a good thing because we are prepared but also bad because it should never come to the point that we need to be prepared,” Munson said. “I think it’s very scary what people are capable of.” The occurrence of gun violence and its frequency has led those concerned to push for new legislation and regulation of firearms. Munson says her own experience has led her to believe that Michigan’s firearms laws are fair, but not enough to prevent gun violence outright. “Passing a background check doesn’t stop people from getting (guns) for others even though it is illegal to do so,” Munson said. “No law can ever stop this because people are going to do what they do no matter what the law may say.”
HELP: In the event of any form of crisis, remember to dial 911 to get in contact with first responders. COURTESY | CAMPUS SAFETY
SERVICES: GVSUAlert! provides campus members real-time emergency texts, e-mails, or phone calls in the event of an active emergency on campus. COURTESY | CAMPUS SAFETY
STAYING ALERT: Making yourself aware about active shooter drills can significantly help in the case of an actual threat. COURTESY | CAMPUS SAFETY
A8 | NEWS
AUGUST 1, 2022 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLNEWS
MONEY
GV sees tuition cost rise along with increased state funding to university BY MICHAELA TRIEMSTRA NEWS@LANTHORN.COM
On June 24, Grand Valley State University’s Board of Trustees approved a 2.9% increase in tuition for the 2022-23 school year. For undergraduate students who have earned less than 55 credits, this equates to an increase of $196 per semester in tuition costs. The new cost for tuition per semester is $6,976, or $586 per credit hour. For students who have already earned 55 credits or more, tuition increased by $206 per semester, making the overall tuition per semester $7,326. As part of recent increases to tuition costs, university officials have pointed to underinvestment from the state government as a major reason behind their decision to raise rates. This year, however, state allocations for GVSU and other universities increased under a $22.2 billion education budget signed by Governor Gretchen Whitmer in July. The state approved $2 billion in funding that is shared between the 15 public universities in Michigan. GVSU received over $81 million in funding –
over seven million dollars more than it received from the state last year. Governor Gretchen Whitmer hailed the legislative passage of the increased funding, which was part of a larger statewide budget totaling $76 billion. “The budget will invest in every student and classroom, protect public health and public safety, expand mental health resources, grow Michigan’s economy and workforce, and empower working families and communities,” Whitmer said in a statement. Following the increases in tuition and state aid, GVSU ranks No. 10 in tuition costs out of 15 Michigan universities on the list, with number 1 being the most expensive university. GVSU also ranks No. 14 in cost of on-campus room and board and No. 12 in the overall cost of attendance. The tuition increase comes as the burden of nationwide inflation threaten students’ abilities to afford everyday necessities. Increases to basic commodities like gasoline, food and the like have had a monthslong impact on students considering how to afford their education. University officials, however, have
defended their decision as a necessary increase to ensure continued operations. Outgoing GVSU Board of Trustees Chair Megan Rydecki drew comparisons to other universities in the state when contextualizing the decision, which constituted the second-lowest tuition increase since 2004. “It’s worth noting that with the increase, and even with room and board, this puts us at 12 out of 14 in terms of total costs among Michigan public universities,” Rydecki said. “With the continued commitment to financial aid, we can continue to show that we are being good stewards of our funds and we’re also providing a great return on that investment for them.” Compared to other universities in Michigan, GVSU is one of the universities with the lowest increases in tuition. In June, Michigan State University’s Board of Trustees voted on a 3% tuition hike. Western Michigan University’s Board similarly settled on a 3.85% increase. While the increased state funding for higher education has bolstered
COST: Despite the 2.9% increase in tuition costs in 2022-23, Grand Valley ranks among the least expensive universities in Michigan. GVL | MEGHAN TRIPP
the university’s budget tuition remains a large factor for continuing to provide high quality education, programs and housing. As inflation woes directly impact students’ ability to afford living expenses, so too has the cost to fund GVSU operations increased. A 2.9% increase, the Board believed, was necessary to ensure the financial health and affordability, with Board of Trustees Secretary Stacie Behler highlighting an inclusion of nearly $70 million in scholarships and student aid.
PANDEMIC
GV moves COVID-19 alert level to zero, signaling widespread change for all on-campus protocols BY ZOE MURPHY NEWS@LANTHORN.COM
CHANGE: In addition to relaxing COVID-19 prevention measures across campus, the Virus Action Team will take on a smaller presence, discontinue data dashboard. GVL | MEGHAN TRIPP
Following two years of stringent safety protocols on the campus of Grand Valley State University aimed at minimizing the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, campus authorities have now rescinded restrictions and have moved the university to its lowest alert level. Approaching the fall 2022 semester, the GVSU’s Virus Action Team (VAT), formed to address the pandemic on the university level, has transitioned the campus to alert level zero. Following a relaxation in alert protocols toward the end of the winter 2022 semester. According to the university’s Lakers Together website, under alert level zero restrictions in face-to-
face instruction, on-campus work, residential areas, dining and access to on-campus resources have been removed. In addition, face coverings are no longer required in campus spaces, with the exception of private offices should faculty and staff choose to require them. The VAT has also announced its own self-reduction, transforming itself into a “mini-VAT” tasked with the continued monitoring of health indicators on campus and in the region, should cases once again rise to actionable levels. The original VAT email and COVID-19 Data Dashboard have been discontinued as the transition began in early May. LOG ON TO:
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A9 | LAKER LIFE
AUGUST 1, 2022 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLLAKERLIFE
LAKER LIFE BRIEFS START THE SCHOOL YEAR WITH CAB
To open the new school year Grand Valley State University’s Campus Activities Board (CAB) is hosting multiple different events on campus for new and returning students to take part in, the highlight being the Laker Kickoff party. The party will be held from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday, Aug. 26 on the Kirkhof Lawn. There will be live music, DJs, food trucks, airbrush tattoos, inflatables and more. Students are welcome to join to meet other incoming or returning students, or to attend just to have fun before the school year starts. Following that is Campus Life Night on Sunday, Aug. 28 at 6 p.m. in Lot H. This gives GVSU students the opportunity to meet with many different student organizations on campus. It’s also a chance for student organizations to promote and highlight work done by their organization. There will be free food and goodies for students to take home as well as activities throughout. From beekeeping to sailing, there will be an on-campus group for everyone who is looking to get involved.
CLEAN UP THE BEACH WITH CSLC The Community Service Learning Center (CSLC) is holding its own events for welcome week. While they’re ringing in the new school year, they’re also helping the environment. CSLC will be doing a beach clean-up event on Saturday, Aug. 27 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. They will be heading to Grand Haven State Park to pick up trash along the beaches. Those who are interested in attending can visit the CSLC page to sign up. The CSLC will be providing transportation and food free of charge to volunteers.
GV REC CENTER OFFERING INCLUSION As previously announced via their Instagram, GVSU’s Recreation and Wellness Center has opened registration for open leagues. This means that any student can participate in intramural sports regardless of their gender.
ORGANIZATIONS
GV Campus Activities Board gears up for yet another eventful year BY CLEMENCE DANIERE LAKERLIFE@LANTHORN.COM
As freshmen students are welcomed by an array of events to help them find friends and become a part of their new community at Grand Valley State University. Each year, these events are planned and carried out by the Campus Activities Board (CAB), a group of students who dedicate their time to creating these experiences for their fellow lakers. CAB’s goal is to make sure that students enjoy their time, whether that be at the Laker Kick-Off party in the beginning of the school year or at the spring concert at the end of the winter semester. CAB creates a bridge between schoolwork and social life that helps students integrate themselves into the GVSU community without the stress of school work looming over them. “It gives us an opportunity to plan these free events for students to take a break from the stressfulness of college, meet new people and just take some time away from the stressful aspects of being a student,” said Hannah Schafer, CAB Vice President of Programming.
COMMUNITY: Attendees socialize with each other while they receive refreshments and giveaways. GVL | ARCHIVE
ENGAGEMENT: Students participate in prize wheel games at the CAB table to receive prizes to take. GVL | ARCHIVE
Due to the restrictions put in place by the university to help combat the COVID-19 pandemic, turnout for CAB events has declined during the past two years. However, Schafer is hopeful that they will be able to increase turnout this year in their larger events such as the Laker kick-off and the spring concert. Although CAB is known for its larger events, it continuously holds smaller events throughout the year with different activities. Whether it be arts and crafts nights or comedy shows, CAB tries to have something for everyone. Aside from entertainment, CAB also provides students
with resources about subjects they may have questions about. “CAB gets students more involved with campus life, is inclusive to all students, no matter their background or what they look like and brings everyone together for a good time,” said Asia Price, Vice President of Membership. As one of the first Black students at a higher position on the board, Price said she hopes to be a role model for the Black community at GVSU. LOG ON TO: www.lanthorn.com FOR THE FULL ARTICLE
BEER
GV students make history in local homebrew competition
CREATE: GVSU students work to brew. COURTESY| ALEKSANDRA MAKRIEVSKI
BY CARLIE SHERWOOD LAKERLIFE@LANTHORN.COM
What started as a biology credit at Grand Valley State University became a victory for four of professor Mark Staves’s Foundations of Brew-
ing students. Victoria Lane, Aleksandra Makrievski, Olivia Roumaya and Amanda Schoudt entered the course as strangers without any experience in brewing beer. By the end of the semester they developed a deep bond and a love for a new craft. “My dad had a lot of experience with brewing, so I experienced it a little bit growing up,” Roumaya said. “Learning the science behind it was brand new to me.” A course in the Cell and Molecular Biology Department, “Foundations of Brewing” focuses on the science behind the creation of beer along with the physical process of brewing. Experimenting with different combinations and outcomes, the students were put into groups to try out their first ever brew from start to finish.
“I think we just kinda gravitated towards each other at first because we were some of the few females in the class but then we ended up getting along really great,” Roumaya said, regarding their first experience brewing together. As the class moved along Staves took notice that the group was very invested in the brewing process and engaged in class. He introduced them to the idea of taking their brew further than the bounds of the classroom. The Siciliano’s Homebrew Competition, a beer brewing contest based out of Grand Rapids, was a prime opportunity for the young brewers to enter the brewing world. LOG ON TO: www.lanthorn.com FOR THE FULL ARTICLE
A10 | ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT ARTS AT A GLANCE GRAM HOSTS FREE SUMMER CONCERTS
The Grand Rapids Arts Museum is hosting “GRAM on the Green” an outdoor concert series free to the public. The next performances will be held on Aug. 4 and Aug. 11 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the museum’s outdoor terrace. The lineup includes music from The Music That Raised Us, The Rachel Brooke Band and The Reverend Jesse Ray. Additionally, attendees can participate in hands-on art projects and stay for the museum’s extended hours.
Carillon Concert Series makes return to GV Allendale campus
Glimpse of Africa Festival is the largest African Cultural Festival in West Michigan that celebrates the diverse cultures of Africa through food, dance, music and fashion. The event will take place on Aug. 6 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. at Rosa Parks Circle in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The event is free and there will be vendors with food and merchandise for purchase.
GRAND RAPIDS BALLET TO PERFORM AT LISTENING LAWN
GRAM EVENT ADDS “COLOR” TO ARTWORK
The GRAM is hosting a gallery chat event on Aug. 6 from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. where museum docents will guide visitors through the gallery, teaching them more about the artists and their artwork. The docents will talk about the techniques in the art, use of color and symbolism to help give a deeper meaning to what the viewers see. This event is free with admission to the museum.
BREAKAWAY MUSIC FESTIVAL RETURNS TO GRAND RAPIDS
Breakaway Music Festival is set to return to Grand Rapids from Aug. 19 to Aug. 20 at downtown Belknap Park. The festival highlights musical genres such as pop, EDM and hip-hop. The lineup has a total of 14 acts with headliners Two Friends, The Chainsmokers, Yung Gravy and DJ Snake. The event also will have a silent disco, food trucks and other activities. Tickets start at $104.
GRAND RAPIDS PUBLIC LIBRARY TO HOST MOVIE EVENT The Grand Rapids Public Library is set to hold their last outdoor movie event of the summer on Aug. 5. This family friendly event will consist of free refreshments and crafts starting at 8 p.m. and the movie shown, Disney Pixar’s “Moana” will begin at dusk.
@GVLARTS
PERFORMANCE
GLIMPSE OF AFRICA FESTIVAL
Grand Rapids Ballet will have outdoor performances at Listening Lawn in Grand Rapids from Aug. 19 and 20 and will start at 7 p.m. on both days. This performance will consist of both contemporary and classical ballet pieces. The event is an unofficial start to the company’s 2022-23 performance season. Tickets are $25 per person.
AUGUST 1, 2022 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN
PLAYING: Inside the Cook Carillon Tower the musician plays music for an audience. The monitor shows the intricacies of the performance that listeners may not have otherwise known about or seen. GVL | MEGHAN TRIPP BY AYRON RUTAN ARTS@LANTHORN.COM
The Carillon Concert Series recently made its return to Grand Valley State University’s Allendale campus for the first time since 2019. Each Sunday in July, the public was welcome to come to the campus for a free open-air concert at the Cook Carillon Tower. The series was originally created in 1996 by for-
mer GVSU carillonneur Julianne Vanden Wyngaard. Vanden Wyngaard is a noted concert pianist and carillonneur who joined the music faculty at GVSU in 1967 and has been the principal performer and teacher at the Cook Carillon Tower since its dedication in 1994. The unique qualities of the carillon inspired Vanden Wyngaard to begin the music series. The instrument has a set of at least 23 bells that are played with a keyboard and tuned in chromatic order to create harmonies. With Vanden Wyngaard’s long history at GVSU and the Carillon Concert Series, she said she felt excited for the performance’s return after an over two year hiatus and was excited to share the live music with the public again. “It was a real pleasure to be able to book guests for an abbreviated recital series and our work has not been in vain,” Vanden Wyngaard said. “We have attracted many listeners to each recital.” Vanden Wyngaard said she felt it was important to share the carillon’s music with the public in a way that was more significant than short jingles at the top of the hour. “It seemed fitting to have guest performers share their musical skills and help the Grand Valley community learn to appreciate the beautiful instrument that graces our campus,” Vanden Wyngaard said. LOG ON TO:
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RECORD
ArtPrize cultivates competition and world records BY STEVEN LAWRENCE ARTS@LANTHORN.COM
In a little over a month both Grand Rapids, Michigan and the Grand Valley State University community will conclude the summer with the city’s biennial ArtPrize competition. This contest brings artists from all over the world to Grand Rapids where they get to present their artistic passions in whatever medium they choose. The artists use painting, design, sculptures, interactive pieces and whatever else they wish to do to display their passions. Many artists take this as a chance to tell a story or display their views of the world around them, while some artists take it as an opportunity to push boundaries. One such artist is Christina Hindley. Hindley, Canadian native and current Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC) student is
DISPLAY: The quilled hearts come together to create a larger abstract image. The colors and texture of the image create a unique look. COURTESY | CHRISTINA HINDLEY
working on a paper quilling project in which she will display almost 14,000 paper-quilled hearts at Art Prize in an attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the most paper quilled hearts on display. LOG ON TO:
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A11 | SPORTS
AUGUST 1, 2022 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLSPORTS
QUICK HITS
HOCKEY
ALI THOMPSON NOMINATED FOR WOMAN OF THE YEAR AWARD
Grand Valley State University selected former women’s volleyball player, Ali Thompson, for the 2022 NCAA Woman of the Year award. Playing four seasons for the Lakers, the former outside hitter raked in several honors and accolades while maintaining a 3.90 cumulative GPA, including a four-time All-GLIAC player and AVCA All-Region honors while finishing her career with 1,228 digs and 975 kills. Thompson was also a member of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) and graduated from GVSU with a Bachelors in Allied Health Sciences. The award winner will be announced in the fall as the selection committee must go through the process of selecting the top-30 athletes (10 athletes each from DI-III), narrowing it down to three athletes from each division, and selecting their winner from the nine finalists.
NO. 4 RANKED GVSU FOOTBALL PICKED SECOND IN PRESEASON POLL
As the 2022 season inches closer, the Grand Valley State University men’s football team was selected as second overall in the latest GLIAC Football Preseason Poll. Falling short to the No. 1 ranked Ferris State in the second round of the 2021 NCAA playoffs, the Lakers are expecting 59 letterwinners, 18 starters, eight All-GLIAC honorees and eight GLIAC Player of the Week honors to return for the upcoming campaign. Even with the boost coming from a multitude of veteran players, the team is set to face off against a tough schedule that includes two top-three teams and a list of teams with postseason experience.
161 GV STUDENT-ATHLETES RECEIVE GLIAC SPRING ACADEMIC HONORS
Springs sports have come to an end, and the GLIAC honored 161 Grand Valley State University student-athletes with All-Academic and Academic Excellence honors. In order to receive the GLIAC AllAcademic honor, student-athletes are required to maintain a GPA of 3.03.49, while Academic Excellence team consists of student-athletes that have a cumulative GPA of 3.50-4.0. LOG ON TO:
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SKATING ON: Head Coach Carl Trosien spent four years at GVSU prior to accepting his new position with Purdue-Northwest. In his time, Trosien assisted in the efforts to move the former DII hockey club up to DI, and led his team to a GLIAC conference title in the same season succeeding the move up to DI. COURTESY | GVSU CLUB SPORTS
Carl Trosien to step down from GV men’s hockey head coach position BY ANTHONY CLARK JR. SPORTS@LANTHORN.COM
After four seasons with the Lakers, Grand Valley State University men’s club hockey Head Coach Carl Trosien will move on from his position with the program. “I am grateful to GVSU for the opportunity to coach here,” Trosien said. “I have really enjoyed my time here and the friendships we have made.” This decision comes just five months after the club won its first conference title in the Great Lakes Collegiate Hockey Conference (GLCHC) Division 1 league, which was also the same year the club moved up to that level. Trosien made it clear that he was not actively looking for a new position, but instead an opportunity fell into his lap. “I was not looking, the family was very happy here,” Trosien said. “ (However) there are not a ton of full-time ACHA jobs that are run through NCAA athletic departments, so it was something I had to consider. Long story short, it was a family decision first and a hockey decision sec-
ond.” Trosien received an offer from Purdue Northwest for a head coach position and he elected to listen to what they had in mind. With 15 years under his belt of coaching at the American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA) level, Trosien knew his patience and perseverance had finally paid off to reach the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) level of coaching following his talks with the other program. However, there were several times throughout his career when Trosien realized success isn’t always highlighted by titles or trophies, but by understanding what the passion for the sport really means to the individual. “Caching has provided me with a good amount of success professionally,” Trosien said. “I think as I have gotten older I have learned the difference between personal and professional success… Going through the pandemic and sitting a year really helped me realize how much I love what I do. I think that passion is what makes or breaks
you. It’s a tough business, but if you love it and enjoy the grind of it, putting in the work is easy. I think that level of ownership is what leads to success.” Although any coach or athlete strives to leave their programs feeling like they accomplished everything they could, Trosien admitted he would have loved for his teams to reach the national tournament, which leaves him with a feeling of “what if.” “I think that was something I would have liked to do here,” Trosien said. “It’s hard because we were building D1 and then the pandemic hit, so I feel like my time here was very much as a builder…. I feel like I am leaving here earlier than I expected. I feel like we were really close to accomplishing some really special things. This is a very good hockey team and now it’s up to them to accomplish those things without me.” LOG ON TO:
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A12 | SPORTS
AUGUST 1, 2022 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLSPORTS
SOCCER
GV soccer adds Taylor Timko to coaching staff
BY MADELEINE SMITH SPORTS@LANTHORN.COM
With the 2022-23 season right around the corner the Grand Valley State University’s women’s soccer team welcomes their most recent addition to the coaching staff, Taylor Timko. Offering experience as both a coach and player, Timko played four years at the University of Michigan (U-M) (2014-18) and raked in multiple honors and awards including a three-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree, Michigan Athletics’ Female Rookie of the Year and Big Ten All-Freshman Team honors. Following her graduation Timko traveled overseas to play professionally in Brisbane, Australia until returning home to coach for her high school and club teams. During the 2021-22 academic year, Timko served as the Director of Operations for the U-M women’s soccer team, providing valuable insight into what it takes to manage a college-level team. “It was my job to create a culture (for the team),” Timko said. Timko said in her eyes, her new position is about more than being a coach, but includes providing mentorship and a support system for the reigning champions. “I like connecting with people,” Timko said. “I’m passionate about female sports and having a great deal of collegiate experience (helps). I believe Grand Valley is the place for that.” Aside from Timko’s passion for soccer she also has a passion for medicine, more specifically, sports psychology. Timko said both of her interests in sports and medicine correlated in many ways and ultimately led
her to where she is now. One reason that Timko said she was especially drawn to GVSU was the fact that she would be able to coach as well as be involved in the nursing program. “I really fell in love with more of a holistic model for medicine as well as sports psychology,” Timko said. “I’m really passionate about finding your ‘why’, as in ‘why do you play soccer’ and how you play freely.” Timko said she believes that in order to have a successful team, you must have a strong support system backing it up. That includes team bonding, having honest conversations and making sure everyone on the team has a role and a feeling of importance. After Timko’s time at U-M, she started an organization called MindSoul Sports. Through this organization, she has held seminars for female high school athletes on overcoming adversity, motivation and playing freely. Timko said she hopes to continue implementing this mindset into the Laker culture. “There is a specific department that comes in and creates team building environments for the girls so it can be outsourced by a broader leadership committee,” Timko said. “For my position here, coach (Katie) Hultin and I have discussed me being the leader for that part of the team - which is my dream.” Hultin, head coach for Lakers, believes Timko will be a great role model for the girls on the team and that her past experiences will be very useful. “Taylor is so passionate about empowering others as well as leadership and culture,” Hultin said. “I am excited to work together to continue to make this culture something special.”
VERSATILE LEADER: With several years playing at the collegiate and professional level, Taylor Timko has plenty of knowledge and leadership qualities to offer for the two-time reigning champions as a new assistant coach. COURTESY | MICHIGAN ATHLETICS
As far as Timko’s goals for the upcoming season in her new position, she highlighted that a three-peat in the national championship is undoubtedly at the helm of it all.
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CROSS COUNTRY
GV cross country, track and field programs named 2022 DII Program of the Year BY BRIAN BLOOM SPORTS@LANTHORN.COM
Grand Valley State University’s men’s and women’s cross country and track teams received the 2022 U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) Division II Program of the Year award. As one of the most prestigious awards a school can receive in these sports, the purpose of the award is to recognize programs in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I-III with the highest amount of success through cross country and indoor/outdoor track and field. GVSU is just the second school in the history of the award to have both men’s and women’s programs receive the award. “We take pride in being represented at the
national championships,” head coach Jerry Baltes said. “(Winning this award) shows that our coaches recruit high level athletes that work hard all year long to be successful at the national championship meets. Everyone did well this year.” The men’s team has now captured their third consecutive Program of the Year award after winning the 2021 NCAA Cross Country National Championship, the 2022 NCAA Indoor Track National Championship and placing third at the 2022 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championship. Men’s thrower Hunter Harding said that this year’s team and the season was very special. LOG ON TO: www.lanthorn.com FOR THE FULL ARTICLE
CHAMPIONS: Both men’s and women’s programs were relentless competitors from the very beginning of the 2021-22 season. GVL | LAUREN SEYMOUR