The SpringHillian Volume 112, Issue 2
Thursday,October 8, 2020
Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam
Questions Answered About Tuition Cut Olivia McNorton Reporter On Oct. 6, Spring Hill College hosted a virtual town hall meeting where students, faculty, and staff could have their questions answered surrounding the recent announcement of the tuition reduction planned for August 2021. Questions were presented by both Student Government Association Vice President Dionte Rudolph and Spring Hill College President Joe Lee. Not only did President Joe Lee provide answers to questions asked, but Vice-President of Enrollment Management Gary Bracken and Vice President of Finance and Account Rhonda
President Joseph Lee Photo By: Olivia McNorton Shirazi answered questions as well. The Spring Hill leaders were unable to answer all the questions submitted to the Town Hall, but they answered each question they were able to with detail and precision.
One of the first questions Rudolph presented to Gary Bracken was, “Could you elaborate on the rationale behind the tuition cut? How exactly will this help Spring Hill?” Bracken responded with a slideshow depicting
the competitive environment and the disadvantages that “Spring Hill has faced for a long time”. With the $21,100 tuition reset, Bracken confirmed that Spring Hill is “pretty much the low cost-provider now” of private institutions in the south region of the country. “It is expected to increase enrollment,” Bracken affirmed when asked how the price drop would affect enrollment at the college. Rhonda Shirazi was asked by Rudolph to answer a hard-hitting question: “Is the college in a secure-enough financial position to make this change?” “We are,” was Shirazi’s immediate response, “In recent years, we have had operational deficits, but we have very valuable
assets.” She confirmed that looking ahead toward the 2021 fiscal year, the school had to make “some difficult decisions and budget cuts due to the declining student revenue”, but was working towards a balanced budget. Shirazi spoke of Spring Hill’s long-term financial status positively. “There’s a lot of good news for Spring Hill. We’ve been very successful in securing grants, over $5 million in grants will be coming to the college in the next 5 years.” She also cited Spring Hill’s expansion into online learning and certification programs as helping to diversify the college’s revenue stream. “It’s a strong future for Spring Hill, “ said Shirazi in closing.
Student Employment Drops Due to Covid
Grace Crapps Reporter
The pandemic is affecting more than just the health of Spring Hill College students, as it also takes a toll on the amount of federal work study jobs that are available to them. Junior Tess Doyle works in the mailroom for Spring Hill College. She’s noticed that this year, the mail room staff has gotten a lot smaller. “Last year it felt like there used to be a large group of us, but now there’s only about two of us in here at a time, which is difficult considering we’re getting the same, if not more amount of mail,” said Doyle. Doyle’s comment about the mailroom is not singular. Since students have been back, they’ve noticed a decrease in work study positions. Junior Grace
Conjar, who works in Spring Hill College’s Admissions office made a similar comment. “Last year we had about 10 people working, and this year we only have 5.” Federal work study jobs offer part-time jobs for undergraduate students with financial need. The jobs help students pay for their education, promote community service work and can even relate to the student’s course of study. The lack of work study jobs causes more than just a
problem of efficiency for offices like the mailroom. It can also impact a student’s ability to pay for his or her education. The blame for this significant cut is easy: Corona. “In the past students who have applied for work study positions didn’t have a problem with getting them, but this year I think the limited amount of jobs is because of the pandemic,” said Conjar. The disappearing work study jobs are not just a Spring Hill
Grace Conjar and Anna Pellerin at work. Photos By: Grace Crapps problem. CNBC reported that over half a million students rely on Federal Work Study jobs but since the pandemic, several of these students are seeing them disappear. The reasons vary from school to school, but suspected reasons are budget constraints and the shift to virtual learning. The unfortunate job market extends beyond Spring Hill’s bubble. The New York
Times called the economy “bizarre” as it has “strong job growth, but a terrible job market.” The Times reported that there was a seven percent decrease in jobs from February to September, which is worse than the Great Recession of 2008. Major corporations like Disney and American Airlines are expecting to have a major layoff within this month.
NEWS
2 The SpringHillian
October 8, 2020
Trash Piles Up While To-Go Continues
Conner Moore
Not only commuters and staff are concerned, but resident assistants also Spring Hill College prides have some concern on the itself on appearance, but campus’s dilemma on trash the inconsistency of trash around campus. Aaron Fosand overflowed trash cans ter, a sophomore RA, talked are raising concern to many about how the inconsistency students and staff. can be a bit of a problem by As you walk around camexplaining, “It is pretty bad. pus you may notice trash Students are asked to take cans here and there that are the meals back to their dorm overflowed, which isn’t the rooms to eat; the trash from best sight to see. On the oth- Trash piled up outside of Walsh. the boxes should not be left er hand there are other trash Photo By: Conner Moore outside in the front of the cans that are completely buildings for days at a time. clean. This raises an issue Most buildings only have compacted as easily. Student campus is something I look on the inconsistency of our 1-2 trash cans outside them affairs is handling it with the forward to and it is hard to cleanup. anyways, it shouldn’t be caf and trying to stop the enjoy the atmosphere when SGA President, Matt Lash, issue,and that is single use the trash cans are distracting too much of an issue to ask spoke about his meeting maintenance to empty the containers.” Matt also stated the environment. I know it with Kevin Abel, vice Presicans once or twice a day.” that what is currently being is difficult to keep things in dent of Student Affairs, and He also mentioned that worked on is the possibility check because staff is short, stated that, “The trash issue the inconsistency should of reusable containers. but picking up trash and has been primarily centered Commuters are also nomaking sure things are in or- hopefully get better with around the COVID dilemticing the high stack trash der should be a main priority time as long as some motions ma, as well as the Styrofoam cans. Natalie Williamson, a to keep the vibes from Spring are put into place to make boxes because they aren’t sure cleanup stays smooth. sophomore said, “Coming on Hill more welcoming.”
Reporter
Jose Chavarria sits down with a To-Go Meal Photo By: Grace Crapps A representative from Plant Operations wasn’t immediately available to discuss the issue. However, garbage production on the campus has noticeably increased with the number of students who are eating to-go.
Dr. Lee Details SHC Tuition Reduction Olivia McNorton
The price reduction puts the total cost of tuition for Reporter the 2021-2022 school year at $21,100.00; students paid Spring Hill College’s Pres$39,336.00 for the 2020-2021 ident Joe Lee gave an excluschool year. That marks a sive interview on Spring Hill $18,236 difference, which acNow concerning a recent cording to the college’s webannouncement that tuition site places the school “from prices would be cut by 50 having the highest direct percent beginning August costs in Alabama to among 2021. the most affordable private On Sept. 14th, the college colleges in the country.” sent out an email revealing Dr. Lee called the tuithe bold move by the school tion change a “good thing” under the slogan of “Real because it would enable the World Ready”, an expression college to reach a “bigger that summarizes its advances audience and become more into a more affordable and diverse”. The announcement diverse approach to both was met with positivity, stutuition and student housing dents praising the decision fees as well as an expansion on social media for being a of online learning options.
newswire.shc.edu
@shcstudentmedia
President Joseph Lee bold and decisive change. Some displayed a more cautious attitude, concerned about the status of scholarships in the midst of the sig-
nificant reduction in costs. “I think what they [students] need to know is that they’re not going to be paying any more, ” Dr. Lee said “In some
@SHC_Media
SHC Student Media
cases, they’ll be paying less.” He also confirmed that all scholarships would remain in effect for existing students and continue to be an option for prospective students. He affirmed that the college’s principles would remain steadfast. “We’re still going to do it the right way,” Dr Lee said, “We’re still going to do it with the Jesuit Catholic heritage that we’ve done for 190 years.” “If you’re not continually improving, you’re gonna go backwards.” Dr. Lee said in the closing of the interview, “That’s what I want to dokeep on improving in every single area.”
shcmedia@shc.edu
SHC MEDIA: The SpringHillian Editor: Nathan Taylor
Web Editor: Carlie Jamison
BTV Producer: Alexandria Rayford
Art Director: Abby Lollar
Advertising Manager: Gabriella Tucker
BTV Director: Carlos Salmoran
Reporters: Grace Crapps, Tara Summers, Olivia McNorton, Grace Thelen, Jared Jacoby, Andrew Spinks, Bessmorgan Baluyut, Conner Moore, and Genesis Gonzalez
Advisors: Stuart Babington, Gary Wolverton and Bill Rowan
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OPINION
Volume 112, Issue 2
Commuters Take Greater Infection Risk Nathan Taylor
As of Tuesday, October 6 only 46% of students and 57% of full time faculty and staff have signed up for SHC’s sentinel testing program. These figures include individuals who are working
remotely from home. Getting through the hardships of college is stressful enough under normal circumstances, however, when you add the possibility of spreading COVID-19 to your vulnerable loved ones, it can get downright maddening. Whether or not you are a faculty member, a student resident or a commuter, this semester has been quite strange for all of us on the hill. I know that the changes that have been made on campus are necessary for us to remain healthy, but it seems as if many students at SHC do not agree. Before you go and get defensive, take a step back and realize that I know that most people have been trying to follow the rules, however, there seems to be a sizable portion of people on campus who are flat out barely trying at all. People
are going out to bars, students are having parties, and people are slowly but surely beginning to let their guards down. As much as I hate to say it, in order for Spring Hill to be safe, things cannot return to normal anytime soon. I am not writing this to call out those breaking pandemic regulations. I am simply trying to appeal to your better nature. While about 800 students live on campus, there are approximately 500 of us that live close enough and choose to commute. Many of us go home to family members with comorbidities for the coronavirus and this is something that weighs heavily on our mental health every single day. It’s incredibly easy to say, “people die every day, I’ve got to live for the now” before going out for a bender at O’Daly’s, but a lot more difficult to say
for commuters would be a the same thing when you’re greater number of faculty looking at your loved one and students signing up for in a coffin. While resident students don’t have to worry the sentinel testing program at healthy.verily.com. about the possible infection of their families being traced Please stay vigilant, wash back to them, commuters your hands frequently, wear face a harsher reality. a mask in public spaces, and Senior psychology major next time you get invited and commuter Anna Grace to a big party, think about Lambert lives with her all the families you could spread your germs to. mother and worries about the possibility of transmitting the coronavirus to her. “She’s in her late 50s,” said Lambert, “It’s extremely stressful commuting to campus and fearing that just being there could give me COVID. I’ve had people tell me to relax, that I’m young and healthy,” “but it’s not me I’m concerned about. It seems most people just don’t quite care or have accepted COVID Street Art their fate so to say. I don’t Photo By: Adam Nieściohave that choice.” ruk (Unsplash) The first step toward curbing some of this anxiety
Athletes Deserve Freedom of Expression Grace Crapps Reporter
Four years ago, San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick immersed himself in a national con-
troversy by doing one small gesture during the national anthem. Taking a knee. His act launched a series of protests on the field. Other players joined Kapernick by taking a knee or raising their fists in the air during the anthem. “I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color,” said Kapernick when asked about his reasoning. The NFL’s response to the protests during 2016, was brief, “players are en-couraged, but not required to stand during the playing of the national anthem.” NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell added, “we believe very strongly in patriotism in the NFL. I think it’s important to have respect for our country, for our flag, for the people who make
our country better; for law en-forcement, and for our military who are out fighting for our freedoms and our ideals.” This summer, as protests around the Black Live Matter movement erupted in response to the murder of George Floyd, the NFL revisited their stance. Goodell remarked, “I wish we had listened earlier, Kaep, to what you were kneeling about and what you were trying to bring attention to.” His comments of regret would give the NFL a more supportive stance toward the Black Lives Matter movement. In addition, the league stated that it would imprint “End racism” and “It takes all of us” in the end zones at each stadium. The Associated Press reported that the NFL will also allow play-ers
to wear either the name of a victim or one of the phrases: “Stop hate,” “It takes all of us,” “End racism” or “Black Lives Matter” on the side of the helmets. As the NFL has become more supportive of the Black Lives Matter movement, trends on twitter have shown an incredibly unhappy fan base criticizing the NFL for being too political. The question arises: is it wrong of the NFL and professional athletes to take and promote politi-cal stances? When one is put in a position of power they have the moral obligation to give a voice to the un-heard. More than ever, people need to rethink what it means to be “political.” In this case, regard-less of political affiliation, supporting black lives should not be a question.
Our nation needs to do a better job at being anti-racist and boldly showing support for persons of color who are a part of our nation. The National Football League is a billion-dollar industry that attracts millions of view-ers and has the power to shape minds for the common good. So, why not promote the equality of all? Not to mention nearly 70 percent of the league’s players are African American. The American story is one that speaks about freedom and I cannot help, but agree with Kaper-nick when he responds to those who are angry about his taking a knee: “I don’t understand what’s un-American about fighting for liberty and justice for everybody.”
EDITORIAL POLICY:
SUBMISSIONS:
The SpringHillian is published five times each semester from August to December. The views expressed herein do not represent the views of Spring Hill College and are not the views of the faculty, administration, staff or students. They are the views of the individual columnists.
The SpringHillian publishes guest submissions at the discretion of the student-editor and section editors. Submissions should be less than 300 words, and editors reserve the right to edit the submissions for length and content. Original writings should be mailed or delivered to: Student-editor, The SpringHillian, Communication Arts, Spring Hill College, 4000 Dauphin Street, Mobile, AL 36608. Submissions may also be sent as emailed attachments to: shcmedia@email.shc.edu.
4 The SpringHillian
AROUND THE HILL
October 8, 2020
Right: Students practice social distancing while having fun at the Glow on The Avenue celebration. Photo by: Olivia McNorton
GLOW ON THE AVENUE Right: Students gather and prepare for Glow on the Avenue.
Left: Nicolette D’Ambrosio and Maddy Coles pose while dancing. Below: Scout Paulus, Natalia Michas and Natalie Williamson pose for a group picture with a few of the light decorations. Photos by: Bessmorgan Baluyut
Volume 112, Issue 2
AROUND THE HILL
Top of Page: Life South visisted campus to host a blood drive. Left: Student studies on Rydex during good weather. Top Right: Students participating in Badgers Expo. Bottom Right: Students Hanging out on Rydex in the sun.
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6 The SpringHillian
LIFE STYLE
October 8, 2020
Badger Expo Takes On New Format BessMorgan Baluyut Reporter During the first three Fridays of October, the Center for Student Involvement will put on Badger Expo. On October 2nd, 9th and 16th, Badger Expo, Spring Hill College’s student club and organization fair, will be hosted socially distanced and in-person in Leblanc. This fair allows students to become familiar with various groups on campus and provides students with a way to get involved. This year, Badger Expo takes on a much smaller format than in previous years. Instead of having all active student clubs and organizations in the student center at the same time like in years past, this year there will be approximately 20 organizations tabling each of the three Fridays. CSI sends out an email every week detailing which clubs and organizations will be there that upcoming Friday. Kristyn Russell, the Director of the Center for Student Involvement, stated that she had already been looking at scaling down the Badger Expo experience even prior to the COVID-19 pandemic
Italy Center Ambassadors, Ellen Martin and Sammy Favre, tabling at Badger Expo. Photo By: BessMorgan Baluyut in order to allow for more intentional and meaningful conversations between organizations and interested students. When talking about the new format of Badger Expo, Russell said, “I think this model allows you to have more quality interaction with people, I’m hopeful it allows people to interact with each other more. It does seem like
more of the organizations received a lot more interest and signups and had the ability to really talk to them [students]. Being able to go to only twenty tables and being a little more distant we were able to have more of those quality conversations with students.” Sophomore student Aaron Foster shared his experi-
ence of attending last year as a freshman, “honestly [it was] kind of overwhelming. The second you walked up the stairs there were tables and people yelling about their organization. It was nearly impossible to spend more than 10 seconds at a table because there were 20 people on your heels. To sum it up, it was a lot at
once and I really didn’t get anything out of it because of how many tables and people were there at once.” He then went on to share his experience attending this year’s expo, “This year was a lot more personal and easier to learn about an organization. I didn’t have to scream to have a conversation at a table and I could stay at that one table for as long as I needed. So much was different because of COVID-19, but I honestly think it changed Badger Expo for the better and set a new precedent for what it should be moving forward.” When talking about the future of Badger Expo, Russell said “This year, we had to keep it more in-person, Spring Hill community only. I’d love to be able to bring out partners back on campus. I know everyone loves their Carpe Diem coffee. In the future I do anticipate us being able to have more of a true expo as we’ve had in the past with a mixture of jobs [and clubs].” At the conclusion of Badger Expo, Russell says that she will send an email to all students with the information of all clubs and organizations. For more information on Badger Expo look out for emails from CSI!
Student Makes Effort for Sustainability Genesis Gonzalez Reporter In late September, Metronome changed their Union Square time clock to something less traditional. They decided on something more eco-conscious that would count down the time we have left before something detrimental happens to the earth. The piece is meant to be displayed until the end of Climate Week, but the artists wish for it to be displayed longer. The artists behind the idea are Gan Gloan and Andrew Boyed, who according to the measuring climate change. New York Times, got their The idea for the clock was numbers from a research lab to bring attention to the little in Berlin that is dedicated to time we have to do something
halt climate change? When asked if one person’s recycling can make a difference, Senior Aryn Otero says, “Yes, even one person makes a difference. On average Americans generate 4.3 pounds of trash per day.” Otero herself has purchased reusable plastic bags and paper towels, as well as making changes to her clothing consumption. She believed that by doing this she is playing her own part in helping save the earth. When asked about how her thoughts on sustainability, Otero stressed the perks of livabout climate change. ing sustainably in the long run. Can our individual reShe says, “Living sustainably cycling and living a more might be a little more expensustainable lifestyle really help sive, but a couple extra dollars
for your reusable products that will last you for a while ends up being cheaper in the long run.” But according to the Guardian, most of the carbon emissions transmitted in the atmosphere are from fossil fuel companies. This would mean that people would have to live more sustainably when it comes to driving their cars, using the heater in the winter as well as make other major life adjustments. Otero believes that if one person can move toward living a more sustainable life, then more will follow. She also stresses the fact that “one person cannot offset the carbon footprint of the entire country.”
Volume 112, Issue 2
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SPORTS & LEISURE
Badger Athletics Resume Fall Practices Grace Thelen Reporter Spring Hill’s athletic teams are making strides toward resuming competition in January, said SHC Athletic Director Joe Niland. Starting this week, student athletes are able to
start practicing as a teampending individual athlete’s Coronavirus test results. All the equipment must be sanitized before and after practice, temperatures must be checked, and hand sanitizer is available. When asked about when each SHC team might expect
Men’s soccer player Joao Amaral following the new mask guidelines during practice. Photo By: Sacha Ducreux
to have their first games he said, “Not until January, the conference has suspended sports until then.” Niland says that the athletic department is “hoping to start [in January]. Men’s and women’s basketball will happen first, but the schedules have not been finalized yet.” With the ongoing pandemic, it is hard to finalize the sports schedules because there is so much unknown going on and things can change very quickly. Spring Hill will participate in sports when they are given the opportunity to play. Because so many sports teams will be playing, it will be a very busy semester for badger athletes. Niland was asked about how SHC will manage to have so many athletic seasons overlapping with one another and he stated, “As a conference we will look at how it
impacts schedules, and try to make it so we aren’t hosting a lot of games at one time.” Niland says, “The NCAA has cut back and is not having as many games, so it is going to be challenging but we will work it out so we can compete.” The athletic department has faced many challenges from COVID during this athletic year. Joe Niland said, “everything has been a challenge during all of this, a constant changing of information. Things are done differently in each state and the NCAA keeps coming out with plans, but they are always changing.” COVID testing is required of all athletes to prioritize their personal safety and the safety of their coaches and teammates. “The biggest thing is testing requirements and the cost of the testing, and making sure that we are
SHC Athletic Director Joe Niland. Photo From: Spring Hill College Athletic Department’s Website in compliance with all of the requirements. We want to practice but can’t go around the NCAA and the public guidelines.”
8 The SpringHillian
HILL YEAH!
October 8, 2020
ON THE SPOT
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE COMFORT MOVIE? Becca Perdue Class of 2021
Brooke Evans Class of 2021
Colin Beddington Class of 2024
Eric Williams Class of 2024
Tab Byrne Class of 2022
“My favorite comfort movie would have to be the live action Cinderella movie.”
“The Hunchback of Notre Dame.”
“I don’t know, maybe A Madea Family Funeral.”
“That would ptobably be “It would have to be Superfly.” Avengers.”
Attempting to Date Durring Covid-19 Reporter Genesis Gonzalez During quarantine, the television network known as Freeform launched a new show called “Love in the Time of Corona”, which explores the dating culture during a global pandemic. The question of dating during quarantine might have crossed the minds of many people when isolation becomes overwhelming. Spending almost five months at home with little to no human contact can cause a yearning for close interaction. The dating culture has changed tremendously worldwide from fear of meeting new people. That fear comes from possibly
becoming sick or getting another person sick. With COVID-19 regulations continuing in many establishments as well as on-campus, one might ask what does the dating scene look like? Maddie Braham, a sophomore, says, “It is very odd like with all the regulations. You kind of have to be careful with what you can and cannot do.” Some of these regulations include maintaining a 6-foot distance, wearing masks in public, and no social gatherings. These regulations make it hard to become close with new people because there is never a guarantee that these new people have been following guidelines. Smiliar to the new show, many students have been pursuing relationships with
their close friends. Michael Woolverton, a student at Spring Hill College, says, “It is not an ideal situation but at the same time it’s safe health-wise,” he said. Following his advice, he is now dating a close friend. Dating this way eliminates the risk of contamination among other groups. When asked about online dating, Woolverton says, “Personally, it is not
something I would consider doing, because again there is a risk.” Although it is not Woolverton’s preferred form of dating, many took to apps like Tinder and Bumble for dating. Over the summer, Tinder even allowed users the ability to find people in different locations of the world. It was their way of helping people meet each other from the comfort of their own home.
The article “How COVID-19 is changing apps and relationships” by PC Mag discusses the fact that these sites are designed to be a part of our real-world interactions. OkCupid, another dating app, saw a 20% increase in users. The article also discusses the increased use of apps like Tinder and Bumble. While discussing safe date alternatives, Braham suggested going on a walk or a picnic. Woolverton suggests a Netflix party for two while on FaceTime. He also suggested ordering out and eating at home or in your dorm. The new dating scene and regulations raise the question of whether one would have to self-quarantine for two weeks after a date. To avoid such measures, it is important to ask the other person if they feel comfortable meeting face-to-face and to reschedule if they are not feeling well. Dating during COVID-19 can be difficult, but also a great way to not feel alone. Just remember to be careful and make sure to follow CDC guidelines.