THURSDAY, AUGUST 25, 2022 | USISHIELD.COM | VOL. 55 ISSUE 1 Photo by Crystal Killian | The Shield IN THIS ISSUE Letter from President Rochon Tips and tricks Updates to campus dining
THE SHIELD | AUGUST 25, 2022 | USISHIELD.COM2
One can not help but be amazed when in the presence of the most visited monument in the world: the Eiffel Tower. Going up the Eiffel Tower was a highly anticipated moment of our trip to Europe. My aunt and uncle gifted me and my twin sister a trip to England and Paris for our 2020 high school graduation.
There is nothing like the view at the top of the Eiffel Tower. Paris sat there like a beautiful diamond. Suddenly, the view from the second floor felt lackluster. Truly the only thing I could think was, “Wow.”
Next thing I know, we are in the slanted elevator. The doors open for the first floor, but in a moment of awe and bravery, we decide to go to the second floor. When the doors opened, I was amazed. An aerial view of Paris lay before me. The Seine River was a perfect, shimmering blue. The city’s gold-tipped buildings shone in the sun. My aunt, uncle and sister wanted to take the last elevator ride to the top of the Eiffel Tower. Feeling satisfied in conquering my fear of heights by being on the second floor, I declined the invitation to go higher.
It was one of the best moments of my life. If I had not realized this was a once-in-a-lifetime experience, I would have never worked up the courage to go to the top. What if we lived everyday like it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience?
Photo by Shelby Clark | The Shield
Editor-in-Chief
My breath was taken away as we walked up to the majestic sight of towering metal over Paris, France. There was not a cloud in the sky, but if there was, the iron structure before me appeared it could touch it.
Editor-in-Chief of The Shield
As I watched them walk away to the elevator, I realized this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I had to make the most of it, so, I steeled my nerves and joined them.
The Eiffel Tower resting in Paris, France, on July 19 after Editor-in-Chief Shelby Clark visited the top.
Conquer your fears, step out of your comfort zone and you’ll have some of the best moments of yourThelife.Shield is here to help you make the most of your special time here at USI. We are here to provide you with factual information, entertaining content and a forum for discussion. We write your once-in-a-lifetime experiences into the university’s history. We are your voice, and we tell your stories.
After two years of COVID-19 travel safety protocols, we were able to take the trip in July. It was our last day on the trip of a lifetime, and visiting the Eiffel Tower was going to be an experience of a lifetime; however, as we approached, I was struck with fear. I am afraid of heights. As in, I can get nervous on a 6-foot ladder. I always knew the iron beauty was tall, but you really can not imagine how tall a 1083-foot structure is until you stand beneath it and look up. I thought to myself and said aloud to my family, “I can’t do this,” but I stayed in line. I talked myself into at least going to the first floor. I mean, how many times am I going to be in Paris at the Eiffel Tower?
You will never get today back. Being a student at the University of Southern Indiana during the ’22-’23 academic year is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Treat it like one.
As the editor of The Shield, I say welcome to USI. I encourage you to make the most of this once-in-a-lifetime experience.
SHELBY CLARK
Once-in-a-lifetime Opportunity
Letter from President Rochon
At the core of USI, is a knowledgeable and dedicated faculty, staff and administration determined to provide you with the education and resources necessary for you to succeed, not only during your time at USI, but in your future endeavors as Embarkingwell.
Your college years are special—as special as you are to all of us at this University. Make the most of your time here. You deserve the best and it is our pleasure to provide it for you.
Go Screagles!
President Photo by Quinton Watt | The Shield
President Ronald Rochon gathers with students outside University Center East Aug. 18.
on a college degree can be simultaneously daunting and exhilarating. It is a time of growth, discovery and change, as well as the occasional setback or redirection. If this happens, do not let it discourage you, trust me when I say it will provide you with a deeper understanding that will result in a blossoming of confidence.
Welcome students, both new and returning. I am so excited you have chosen the University of Southern Indiana as the institution to receive your education and discover your future careers, friends and mentors.
Photo by Quinton Watt | The Shield
3THE SHIELD | AUGUST 25, 2022 | USISHIELD.COM
President Ronald Rochon and Kirsten Greis, freshman mechanical engineering major, on The Quad Aug. 18 during Welcome Week.
Beyond attending class and completing assignments, your life will be enriched through engagement outside the classroom by joining clubs, sororities and fraternities; by participating in sports; by becoming members of student organizations, such as Student Government Association, Black Student Union, Hispanic Student Union, Activities Programming Board, Student Writers Association, Student Veterans Association and many more.
The University of Southern Indiana is where you will collaborate with others, laughing or consoling each other. Where you will thrive by supporting others. Where—years from now—you will look back and be able to clearly recognize how each connection and collaboration at USI created the foundation your future will build upon.
These next few years will be evolutionary for the University too, as our athletic teams transition from Division II to Division I. In many ways, the University of Southern Indiana is becoming more balanced in this move from DII to DI, as our academic programs have long been on par with elite institutions across the United States. I am confident we are up for the athletic challenge, just as I am confident you are up for the academic challenges you will face in your journey to earning a USI degree.
Ronald S. Rochon, PhD
What advice do you have for making friends on campus?
THE SHIELD | AUGUST 25, 2022 | USISHIELD.COM4 LexiReed r communicationstudiesandjournalism major
“Utilize your resources, go to academic skills, use the writers room, find out what works for you. If you are in class and you’re confused, go to their office hours. If you ask your professors, ‘I don’t know how to study, I’m confused,’ they’re more than happy to help you.”
juniorcivilengineering major KaitlynY seni Welcome We TIPS TIPS TRIC TRIC B y S h i e
“Get involved and put yourself out there and take advantage of the programs and activities the school offers. Just go out, meet people and have fun.”
What are your best study tips?
What advice do you have for returning students?
“Even though summer was fun, don’t fall into a summer slack of not caring because that will deteriorate you from graduating on time. Also, remember to have fun and don’t be scared to make new friends and go outside of your comfort zone.”
DerrickThompson
sophomore
What advice do you wish you would have gotten earlier in your college career?
What advice do you have for incoming students?
“You’re going to go through a big change because you just came from 12 years of being at home, being at school and having structure, and you’re going to be thrown into an environment where you’re independent. But, I promise you will make friends, even if it doesn’t seem that way. You will make friends, and they will help you through this because they are going through the struggles.”same
“The advice I wish I would have gotten was don’t take anything for granted.”
majorEthanWakem ommunicationstudies major
5THE SHIELD | AUGUST 25, 2022 | USISHIELD.COM
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What resources should students know about? “Definitely go to your advisors. They can help you if you have a career settlement, they can help you find classes and just be there if you need someone to talk to. They are not just there
Alyson Riddle junior nursing
Tamia Smithpsychology
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7THE SHIELD | AUGUST 25, 2022 | USISHIELD.COM Shelby Clark Editor-in-Chief SHIELD LEADERSHIP Emalee Jones Chief Copy Editor Maliah White Visual Editor Sydney Lawson Lifestyle Editor Alyssa DeWig News Editor Quinton Watt Sports Editor The Shield is a designated public forum and the student publication of the University of Southern Indiana. Read more and subscribe to our digital newsletter at usishield.com. Linh Nguyen Business Manager Maddy Wargel Sales and SupervisorMarketing
“We’re really cranking up our gluten-free options everywhere,” Dillard said. He said the gluten-free options will be advertised for students to easily see.
Alongside new restaurants being added on campus, changes are also being made to existing restaurants. Chick-fil-A added macaroni and cheese to their menu. Dillard also said healthier food alternatives have been added to campus dining.
Sodexo introduced more dining options to campus at the beginning of Fall 2022, including two newMeinrestaurants.Bowl, an Asian-concept restaurant, and MrBeast Burger, a restaurant featuring a ghost kitchen and self-ordering kiosks, opened in University Center East Aug. 22. Students can order Mein Bowl in person or using their Eagle-AccessCard-linked Grubhub account. Students can also order from MrBeast Burger using a self-ordering kiosk or through Grubhub. When students make a MrBeast Burger purchase, they will receive a code. Once notified their order is ready, they can use their code at the Apex smart lockers to access theirTheorder.implementation of new dining options was led over Summer 2022 by Rebecca Diamond, director of dining services, and Gregory Dillard, campus executive chef.
The Farmer’s Fridge items, along with Simply to Go options, will be available at Red Mango and the Eagle ExpressDiamondC-Store.said other dining options that were expected to be open in the beginning of Fall 2022 are expected to open throughout the semester.
| The Shield Sodexo opens Mein Bowl, an Asian-concept restaurant, in University Center East Aug. 22. Mein Bowl replaced Fiesta Fuego, which closed in Spring 2021.
Photo by Shelby Clark
She said Yo-Kai Express, a ramennoodle-bowl restaurant, should be open by the end of September.
“I’m easily excited that there’s new, healthier options,” said Lauren Stilwell, junior biochemistry major. “I’m just excited for more options overall.”Diamond said other healthier options on campus include “partnering with Farmer’s Fridge to provide salad options, which are layered, and come in little plastic, clear jars.”
“We really listen to the face of the students,” Dillard said.
Sodexo offers new dining options Fall 2022
Diamond said Chowbotics’ Sally the Salad Robot was scrapped byDiamondDoorDash.said she asks students to be patient with the new campus add-ons because there is always a possibility of “trial and error.”
The opening of the Pizza ATM was delayed until November.
“Our signage reflects that. You could go up to The Loft right now and have identifiers up there.” Meghan Bateman, sophomore exercise science major, said, “A lot of people are gluten-free, so it’s just nice to give them options of what they want to Studentseat.” are excited to have healthier alternatives on restaurant menus.
BY ALYSSA DEWIG News Editor
THE SHIELD | AUGUST 25, 2022 | USISHIELD.COM8 Life with Lawrence BY ELIZABETH HARRIS Cartoonist Cover subjects: Resident assistants and Welcome Week leaders move students into Ruston Residence Hall Aug. 17. The RAs were wearing green shirts and the Welcome Week leaders were wearing tie-dye shirts. Graphic by David Lloveras | The Shield
