February 5, 2021

OUTHERN S The Student Voice of Florida Southern College

Basketball returns to the court

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FRIDAY, February 5, 2021 VOL. 137, NO. 1

FSC Safety to launch mobile app Jillian Kurtz Editor-in-Chief

Photo courtesy of FSC WBB

The Florida Southern Women’s Basketball team poses with Mocsie in their masks at a practice in preparation for the return of their season.

John Christovich Contributing Writer Florida Southern basketball will return to the court starting this weekend, nearly a year after their last game.

Director of Athletics and Dean of Wellness Drew Howard made the official announcement on Feb. 4 of the return of intercollegiate sports at Florida Southern College.

The women’s team will face Florida Tech at home in the Jenkins Field House Feb. 5 at 6 p.m. and again on Feb. 7 at noon, also at home.

“We have been working non-stop this year with the hopes of competition and

it’s finally here, so I’m just eager to get out there and play,” freshman women’s basketball player Maddy Morales said.

The men’s team will play their first two games back also against Florida Tech, but those game dates and times have yet to be released.

No fans will be permitted at any sporting event at FSC this spring. The basketball games will be live streamed on the SSC website.

The Sunshine State Conference (SSC) Presidents Council met this week and decided that “conference institutions may compete in basketball as a matter of institutional discretion during the spring 2021 semester,” as per the update released on Feb. 4.

In December, the SSC had previously announced the start of the basketball season was to be postponed until at least Feb. 15. Now with the new decision, teams are able to start competing before that date in hopes of participating in the 2021 NCAA Division II Men’s and Women’s Basketball Championships, which are set to take place in March.

“A lot of time and effort has gone into this process,” Howard said in the news release.

“Without the leadership of President Anne Kerr, and the dedication of our staff, coaches, and student-athletes, we would not be where we are today.”

Continued on page 8

Vaccination protocol for students remains uncertain Salvatore Ambrosino Staff Writer As colleges and universities look for ways to keep schools open safely, the question of whether-or-not immunization should be mandated reaches Florida Southern College and campuses nationwide.

The Student Health Center declined to comment on their current attitude towards mandating a COVID-19 vaccination at Florida Southern. Vice President of Student Development Dr. Susan Freeman, while not claiming to be a scientist or medical professional, does offer some insight about the college’s perspective on vaccinations for faculty and the student body.

“There’s a couple things we’ll consider related to the everchanging information

SOCIAL MEDIA

surrounding the vaccine,” Freeman said.

“We are watching what happens with those one-dose vaccines.”

On Jan. 29, Johnson & Johnson, the major drug-maker developing a singledose immunization against COVID-19, announced that it found a 66 percent efficacy in late-stage trials of the new drug.

“Constantly, College Leadership is convening to talk about these matters with our local medical experts, obviously following along with CDC recommendations,” Freeman said. “We are talking about [implementing a vaccine] or considering it. We don’t currently have any procedures established yet—fortunately we have physicians who are members of our board. We know they will help provide us with some great information.”

While quoting the White House’s chief

medical advisor Dr. Anthony Fauci, Freeman explained that a vaccination timeline would depend on which COVID-19 vaccine would be most widely available to the public in the future.

And while there’s no current timeline, the timing of a vaccine’s availability is being heavily considered when developing one.

One obstacle in a mandate, Freeman said, would be the different state-to-state restrictions in administering COVID-19 vaccinations.

In Florida, the stipulation would be the proof-of-residency requirement for receiving the vaccine.

@fscsouthern

Continued on page 2

Florida Southern’s Department of Campus Safety and Security will be launching a personal safety mobile application for students within the next few weeks.

The new security system will replace the outdated SE3 Series Subscriber Transmitters released in 2011 by Bosch Security Systems. Also known as the “grey-key fob” system, the transmitters came at a cost of $50 per year per student and were required for first-years.

The old system was subject to issues such as lightning strikes on one of the ground lines or the key fobs malfunctioning. With the new mobile app, as long as students keep their smartphone on their person and charged, there will be fewer limitations and interferences.

Once the app is released, students will need to create an account with identifying information such as their name, campus residence, hair and eye color, height, weight, etc.

Students will also be able to input an emergency contact list, with the ability to immediately notify those contacts in the case of an emergency.

“It [the application] has the ability of allowing, if you hit an emergency response, automatically you can hit ‘video’ and start sending us video of what’s going on,” Rauch said. “I can’t tell you how valuable that is.”

One of the features of the app is what Rauch called the “journey” feature where students can program a walk and the application will keep track of the student during their walk. If the student does not make it to their destination within an allotted time frame, the Safety office is immediately notified of that student’s current location.

“I think the walk feature will be very beneficial,” junior Kevin Medina said.

“It will definitely be a step up from the grey buttons and a step into the 21st century.”

With the use of geo-fencing, the app has the ability to send message alerts that are specific to one’s current location.

“If there is a situation at LHA [Lake Hollingsworth Apartments], the new system recognizes if you are not living in LHA, but your phone is being picked up within that geofenced area and it will send the alert message also to you,” Rauch said.

Since the app is not yet released, students should call 911 in case of an

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NEWS BRIEFS Discover Florida: Busch Gardens FSC’s Discover Florida Programs are back again this semester. Kicking off the school year is the Busch Gardens trip.

Tickets are out of stock, but students who registered get to go to Busch Gardens free of charge.

Students registered for the trip will meet at Branscomb Circle Drive on Feb. 6 at 8:30 a.m.

Panhellenic Recruitment Kick-Off Potential New Members will recieve all the information they need to kick-start the recruitment process on Feb. 10. Potential New Members will take part in this event from 6 to 8 p.m. on Zoom.

Recruitment will take place from Feb. 11 to 13 and Bid Day is on Feb. 14.

Campus Ministries to host: Remedy On Feb. 10 at the Fannin Center from 1 to 5 p.m. students can come and make their own tie-dye mask. Materials will be provided for the event. Social distancing and mask-wearing are required in order to participate. Multiple rooms in Fannin will be used in order to accomodate more students.

Southern Cinema Presents: Tenet The Association for Campus Entertainment will present the movie Tenet in Badcock Gardens on Feb. 12 starting at 7 p.m.

Attendees should bring their own blankets. The event will follow social distancing procedures.

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Snake Pit reopens as esports gaming arena Jameson Champion Staff Writer On Jan. 30, the Snake Pit reopened as an esports gaming arena, following its remodel.

Last week marks the first time the Snake Pit has been made available to the general student population since last semester.

The event saw visitors trying out the new computer systems in the repurposed Snake Pit, as well as view all the new renovations to the arena.

This space’s renovations include 24 computers for general student access, 12 of which are usable under current COVID-19 restrictions. There are also an additional six computers that have been placed on a stage for esports teams to use during livestream production and live esports events.

These renovations are an exciting new addition to many, especially students who do not have access to consoles or computers capable of playing games.

“It’s pretty nice. It gives our community a space to play games,” sophomore and esports athlete Casey “Kabit” Freudenthal said.

The Snake Pit was formerly a room for commuters to spend time between classes.

In the Fall 2020 semester it was announced that the esports department would be remodeling the space into an esports arena.

Prior to this, all esports related events were held using a dedicated room within the Carlisle-Rogers building.

Due to its conversion from a student hangout spot to an esports arena, there are

Photo by Jameson Champion

The renovated Snake Pit includes a mural depicting the esports program. some who are unhappy with the change.

“The esports arena is great for the esports teams, but it almost seems as though the commuter students were cast aside and forgotten about,” sophomore Joshua De La Pena said. “Not only was the Snakepit my place to chill, but to do homework without worrying about being too loud, like in the library, or being uncomfortable like outside.”

After the announcements that the esports department would be changing the space, a soft opening to the Snake Pit occurred in September 2020 with a highly limited capacity.

This included students having to reserve

a computer in order to follow COVID-19 guidelines.

An important new feature to the arena is the potential for live competition play by esports athletes.

The room’s stage offers an opportunity for the players to be front and center with seating for viewers during play.

“Once COVID is over I think being able to play live will be a cool opportunity,” Freudenthal said.

The Snake Pit’s hours are from 10 a.m. to 1 a.m. every day.

In order to receive swipe access to the room, students must fill out the esports room access form on Engage.

‘Implementing Vaccines’ -Continued from page 1Medical prioritization for vaccination is another obstacle that differs by state.

“We’ll always point students back to their primary healthcare provider about actually getting the vaccine,” Freeman said. “That’s about where we are right now.”

It is too early for colleges to decide on a vaccine mandate, writes Anita Barkin, cochair of the COVID-19 task force for the American College Health Association (ACHA).

Given the slow rollout of vaccination nationwide and the potential changes spearheaded by the Biden administration, Barkin believes it is not yet within the jurisdiction of colleges to encourage voluntary immunization—let alone mandate it.

“What they should be doing is educating

about the safety of the vaccine and encouraging students and staff and faculty to take advantage of a vaccine opportunity when it presents itself,” Barkin writes in The Philadelphia Inquirer.

The ACHA plans on hosting clinics for college leadership instructing the conduct of mass vaccination.

“It is important for the school to offer vaccines to students and staff members as soon as possible,” Florida Southern College senior nursing major Maggie Bohnstedt said. “Although I do understand that some people may not be comfortable with receiving them at this point.”

Bohnstedt writes that it is possible for Florida Southern to achieve herdimmunity at some point, but because of how rapidly the virus may be able to mutate it is unlikely in the near future.

Afrobeats Dance Class The Multicultural Student Center will host an Afrobeats Dance Class at 6 p.m. on Feb. 15 at the Thrift Alumni Room.

Students should come ready to “get moving. “ Photo by Sophia Gonzalez

The Bandshell is the on-campus COVID-19 test site run by CVS.

“I believe that people deserve their rights to make conscious decisions about topics such as vaccinations,” Bohnstedt said. “The healthcare community does need to give people more information on

“

We’ll always point students back to their primary healthcare provider about actually getting the vaccine.

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The Southern FEBRUARY 5, 2021

-VP of Student Development Dr. Susan Freeman

things such as the virus and vaccines to help aid people in their decisions.”

Other schools have already begun the rollout of vaccinations locally. As of Jan. 6, University of Florida Health moved forward with its vaccination program, offering it to patients ages 65 and older.

The University of Miami plans to vaccinate frontline workers in healthcare.

Students at Florida Southern can access information about COVID-19 cases through the live dashboard at flsouthern. net/covid.

Information on the most current policies related to COVID-19 are also located in FSCares document.

3 The Southern FEBRUARY 5, 2021

FEATURES

Freshmen experience roommate living for the first time Sam Odom Opinions Editor The 2021 spring semester brings more changes to Florida Southern College as FSC welcomes students at full capacity. Due to this adjustment, students are expected to have roommates, and this change is especially new for the freshmen,who are experiencing college roommates for the first time.

Higher education this year is understandably interrupted due to necessary COVID-19 precautions; nothing is normal, therefore the romanticized “college experience” is limited. College roommates are an integral part of this experience. Students adapt to living with a complete stranger and have to navigate differing opinions and lifestyles while developing their own identities.

As a freshman I lived in a quad, and so I find it difficult to separate my first year of college from my experiences with my roommates. They were my first friends,

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I’ve never had to share a room before so I’m honestly not sure how to feel.

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-Katrina Schell FSC freshman

and it was nice to have people to talk to or eat with. Living with people also helps develop open communication about boundaries and manage conflict, which are important skills to have in life. Freshman Mocs have not experienced this potentially

Photo courtesy of Florida Southern College

Photo courtesy of FSC

Katrina Schell’s room, which she will share with a roomate for the 2021 spring semester (pictured above).

Schell (pictured above) during move-in for fall 2020 semester.

Schell said. “My only small concern is losing a little bit of privacy, but that hasn’t been a problem yet [because] we’re pretty communicative.”

Overall, Schell does not predict having a roommate will change her semester too much, and she is “excited to see how the semester plays out.”

Resident Advisor (RA) Emma Edgar’s residents live in Joseph Reynolds, and she explains that “RA responsibilities certainly have increased and transformed this year.”

In this strange season of life, Edgar says RAs have to enforce new COVID-19 policies regarding room capacity and masks on campus and in residential areas. “[RAs are] asked to do a lot of the policy upholding both in our residential areas and across campus,” Edgar said. “While the COVID-19 policies are absolutely necessary to ensure we have a safe and fun

semester, it can be unclear often [whose] responsibility it is to really enforce them.”

As for the addition of roommates, Edgar can see how roommates could provide a new direct connection for people, especially first-year students who have had less opportunities to meet people. Edgar reflected on her own freshman roommate, explaining she was thankful for their dynamic and to have someone to share freshman experiences with.

“I went through a really tough loss of life my freshman year, and my roommate was there for me even when [I] didn’t share much about it, and having someone so genuinely kind around helped me in more ways than I think she knows,” Edgar said.

Although it is easy to be consumed by the happiness of normalcy and reconnection, Edgar believes students should continue to make safe choices.

wonderful or stressful part of college life, so it will be interesting to see how they adjust.

Roommates were assigned the way they always have been— through a random assignment form or through a specific request between two people. This semester students were also able to request to change their housing before the spring semester.

Freshman Katrina Schell lived in the Miller residence hall building fall semester and was concerned about living alone and possibly spending a lot of time in her room. Once the semester started, she made friends quickly and found that living alone gave her freedom to see them, as well as play guitar or do homework. This semester Schell lives in Wesley, and it will be her first time sharing a room with someone.

“I’ve never had to share a room before, so I’m honestly not sure how to feel,”

Art History and Museum Studies releases first journal

Submissions are open to the general student population

Deanna Wright Staff Writer The Art History and Museum Studies department prepares to launch their very first academic journal.

The Polk Museum of Art and Florida Southern College entered an affiliated agreement back in 2017 in order to advance both of their missions and serve the Lakeland community better. This has

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I’m most excited that this is a new opportunity for students to share their writing.

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-Rachel DiPofi junior editor

allowed students and faculty to experience masterwork exhibitions as well as giving students studying Art History and Museum Studies more internship opportunities.

Last spring, Dr. Alexander Rich, Art History and Museum Studies Department

Chair and Diane Baires, the departmental assistant, discussed the idea to create the Journal of Art History and Museum Studies (JAHMS) and sat on the idea anxiously all summer long.

“The Journal of Art History and Museum Studies is a peer reviewed academic journal put together by undergraduate [students] for undergraduates,” junior editor Rachel DiPofi said.

The department finally announced the news to release the journal to their FSC major cohort at orientation.

“When we unveiled the idea at orientation [last] fall, the students were so keen and ready to move on with the idea, it thrilled us,” Rich said.

Rich reached out to four Art History and Museum studies students Andrew den Boggende, Rachel DiPofi, Katie Poinsett and Sera Shaw to have them help become founders and editors of the journal.

“I’ve always had a passion for historical scholarship and research,” freshman editor den Boggende said. “So when Dr. Rich reached out about being a founder and editor, I immediately wanted in.”

The department faculty and students are excited to be publishing work by undergraduate authors in the hope to set a foundation for enabling undergraduates from around the world to wade into the publication process.

“I’m most excited that this is a new opportunity for students to share their writing about art history, museums, and similar topics in a distinguished academic setting,” DiPofi said.

JAHMS is seeking papers exploring the theme of “Art and Resilience” applied over time, media and geography. The first issue has a theme that is purposefully broad for artists to discuss the strength through obstacles that have been placed before them and their communities.

“For the first call, we knew we wanted to select a theme that was broad but also timely,” Rich said. “We all know that 2020 was a year like no other and that art over time has grappled with conflict, chaos, loss and fear as well [as] with hope and positivity in the midst of the worst.”

JAHMS is open to undergraduate student submissions from any institution including those who attend FSC. “By the time I graduate, I hope the journal will become a primary publisher for undergraduate students everywhere who are interested in the arts and the role it plays in history,” den Boggende said.

“The sky’s the limit with the journal and I can’t wait to see how this issue and [future] issues turn out throughout my time at FSC.” All submissions for the journal are due

by March 7 at 11:59 p.m. EST. Submissions

Photo by FSC Art History and Museum Studies Department

The cover of the first issue of the Journal of Art History and Museum Studies (JAHMS). are open to undergradute students not only from FSC but from all colleges and universities around the world. The rest of the information for ideas and details for submissions can be found on https:// polkmuseumofart.org/jahms-call.

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CENTER

Winter Wonderland Kick Starts Semester Florida Southern College hosted its annual Winter Wonderland on Saturday, Jan. 30 to welcome back returning students to the campus. Unlike past Winter Wonderland events, this year’s Winter Wonderland featured an ice-skating rink.

Attendees gathered across Mr. George’s Green and Badcock Gardens to participate in gift giveaways and some recieved free long sleeved t-shirts. The gifts were also distributed in separate groups and in limited quantity throughout the evening.

Strict mask wearing and social distancing, as per CDC guidelines, was enforced throughout the evening in order to promote student health and safety.

Juniors Emmy Fernandez and Belle Cameron hold hands as they step onto the ice.

Photo by Kat Hostetler

5 The Southern FEBRUARY 5, 2021

CENTER

Savannah Sterrett ice skates during Winter Wonderland on Sat. Jan. 30.

Nic Jankowski ice skating at Winter Wonderland.

Photo by Kat Hostetler

Julia Ricci, Riley Minning and Victoria Ricci take a selfie while on the ice.

Photo by Kat Hostetler

Students at Winter Wonderland enjoy themselves.

Photo by Kat Hostetler

Raven Harrison, Rashida Blair and Jahlia Brown at Winter Wonderland.

Photo by Kat Hostetler

The Southern FEBRUARY 5, 2021

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ENTERTAINMENT WHAT’S NEW ‘To All the Boys: Always and Forever’ The final chapter in the “To All the Boys I Loved Before” franchise will premiere on Netflix on Feb. 12. Based on the book by Jenny Han, the third film welcomes back returning stars Lana Condor, Noah Centineo and Jordan Fisher as Lara Jean, Peter and John

The Weeknd: ‘The Highlights’ A compilation of The Weeknd’s greatest hit, entitled “The Highlights,” is scheduled to be released Feb. 5. Already on sale on his official website, the album will precede The Weeknd’s anticipated halftime show performance at the upcoming Super Bowl on Feb. 7.

‘Batwoman’ The second season of the CW’s hit show introduced a new Batwoman, played

by Javicia Leslie. Replacing original cast member Ruby Rose, Leslie portrays an exconvict named Ryan Wilder who replaces Rose’s Kate Kane after her untimely disappearance. Season 2 of “Batwoman” premiered on Jan. 17 and airs Sundays on

‘Malcolm and Marie’ Black-and-white drama “Malcolm and Marie” is scheduled to be released digitally on Netflix on Feb. 5. Starring John David Washington and Zendaya, the movie was filmed entirely during the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in the use of only two actors and no makeup or costume designers.

‘Bridgerton’ takes over start of the new year

Nathalie Moreno Features Editor Based off of Julia Quinn’s novel series of the same name, “Bridgerton” centers around a family holding the surname.

The first season follows the sequence of the novels, focusing on eldest Bridgerton daughter Daphne and her journey to find love, marriage and create a family of her own.

There was no doubt that along with a new year gearing up, Netflix and all other streaming services would be coming in hot by adding new movies, series and original creations to their roster. What was more unexpected was how their original series “Bridgerton” took the world by storm soon after its release.

Showrunner Chris Van Dusen and executive producers Shonda Rhimes, Julie Ann Robinson and Betsy Beers of Shondaland (“Grey’s Anatomy,” “Scandal”) made the show what it is today.

Less than a month after its Christmas Day release, “Bridgerton” was already breaking records as the most watched series in Netflix history.

“82 million households around the world chose to watch “Bridgerton” in its first 28 days,” Netflix said in a press release.

The series has also been ranked No. 1 in 83 countries including the U.S., the U.K., Thailand, Singapore, France and Brazil.

There are multiple reasons for the extensive success of “Bridgerton.” While the costumes, Regency time period, romantic genre and steamy storyline were contributing factors, Shondaland is praised for creating shows that flip the

Photo courtesy of Liam Daniel/Netflix

Phoebe Dynevor and Regé-Jean Page star in “Bridgerton.” narratives of what is known today.

The company produces shows that place women in the forefront, making them the heroines. Along with representing powerful women, there is a diverse cast as well, with Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) being cast into roles with status and power, including the role of Queen Charlotte.

“Being a woman of color, I don’t get to see myself in Hollywood or U.S. shows in a certain way,” Netflix’s head of global TV Bela Bajaria said. “Regency era—it’s been done, you know, beautifully, but in a very specific way. To be able to see this kind of inclusive look at that period and interesting, complicated women, I think it’s really refreshing and very powerful.”

“Bridgerton” has caught the attention of people in all age groups, from the older generations to Generation Z. Students on the FSC campus have not been oblivious

‘Drivers License’ sets multiple records in first week Faith Miller Staff Writer On Jan. 8, Olivia Rodrigo released her now hit song “Drivers License,” not knowing the impact it would soon have on the world and music industry.

The story of the song is a simple, yet relatable one. The seventeen-year-old artist tells the story of the occasion of receiving her driver’s license, something she used to discuss celebrating with her now ex-boyfriend. She goes on to talk about a blonde that is older than her who he is now with and she was everything Rodrigo is “insecure” about. To deal with her pain, she drives through the suburbs past his house as a method of

getting over him.

The song has now become an anthem for young adults everywhere dealing with similar situations and heartbreak. A Rolling Stone article by Brittany Spanos, it discusses Rodrigo’s ability to “create something moving and relatable” and through the “unique specificity of her storytelling’” it doesn’t cause one to feel like they are watching “a movie of her life play out in your earbuds.”

Since its release, the song has found lots of success and broke multiple records, along with already being discussed as a contender for “Song of the Year.” One of the most prominent records it has broken is setting the record for being the most “non-holiday” song streamed in a day.

On Jan. 11, “Drivers License” set the

‘WandaVision’ The first series of Phase Four in the Marvel Cinematic Universe,“WandaVision,” premiered on Disney+ on Jan. 15. With Elizabeth Olsen and Paul Bettany reprsing their roles as Wanda Maximoff and Vision, new episodes premiere on the streaming service on Fridays.

to its charm either. While not all opinions and takes on the show are positive ones, the overall buzz is nevertheless there. “‘Bridgerton’ is popular because it takes the romantic genre and adds a splash of diversity to an awkwardly raunchy, but somewhat progressive, period narrative,” junior Grace Sill said. “People just want to judge for themselves how ‘intimate’ the show is while also supporting the colorful cast.”

Though Sill is not the biggest fan of the series, other students, like FSC junior Lexi Potter, love the diversity, light mood and youthfulness of the show.

“Of all the new shows I’ve watched in the past year, Bridgerton is one of my favorites,” Potter said. “I deeply enjoyed the diversity in the cast and how this was a work of fantasy. The show was very colorful and eccentric which makes it a really fun escape.”

Photo courtesy of Creative Commons/Walt Disney Television

Olivia Rodrigo sings with rumored ex-boyfriend Joshua Bassett.

Spotify record for most streams in a day for a non-holiday song. On Jan. 12, the song “continued to beat its own record” Spotify posted on Twitter.

It was recorded by “Billboard” that the song had over 15.17 million streams on Jan. 11 and then over 17.01 million on Jan. 12.

Spotify’s Global Hits lead Becky Bass told Billboard that she believes the situation to be a sort of “perfect storm.”

“When we were talking about the audience that she had prior to the release -- that’s a very young, female, engaged audience,” Bass said. “So they really sort of sparked the flame. But now what you have is [the song] traveling well beyond that audience. And obviously social media platforms have helped that, but I think just word of mouth. This is a song you’re talking about with everyone right now. Everyone’s listening to it, everyone’s obsessing over it.”

Rodrigo began her entertainment career and established a fanbase a few years ago through the Disney Channel show, “Bizaardvark,” a show about two young video creators and their friends who post their videos through a YouTube-style platform. She then went on to star on the Disney+ original show, “High School Musical: The Musical: The Series,” where she collaborated on some songs for her character and a few others with her co-star, Joshua Bassett, whom “Driver’s License” is rumored to be about.

The song has also reached No. 1 on numerous charts, including The U.S. and Global Top 50 on Spotify.

7 The Southern FEBRUARY 5, 2021

OPINIONS

Spring Break cancellation potentially affects student mental health

Photo by Sophia Gonzalez

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Sophomores Shane Claycomb and Mary Hernan follow the school’s COVID-19 guidelines outside of Tutus Cyber Cafe. students don’t get to have days off from schoolwork, which can be exhausting. Not being able to interact with friends can be stressful and lonely. On top of that, it can be difficult for students to go home and visit their families for an extended period without missing classes.

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I knew what was going on in the world and I didn’t find my education as important as making sure my family was safe...

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As most of us are already aware, FSC has decided to cancel its 2021 Spring Break in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19 on campus.

“FSC is cancelling the 2021 Spring Break week, originally scheduled for March 8th to 12th,” FSC stated in an email sent to students in October detailing spring 2021 plans. “This decision is based on medical expert analysis of pandemic conditions and consistent with other institutions that monitor those conditions closely.”

Although I strongly support FSC’s decision to get rid of Spring Break— even if it means sacrificing a week’s long vacation in the middle of the semester— it is important to discuss the implications that it may have on students’ mental health, motivation and academic performance.

For some students, myself included, last semester was difficult for a lot of reasons. We have been weathering through a pandemic, which cut in half the amount of students were allowed to attend FSC in person last semester. This year has also been plagued with economic instability, racial tensions and great political divide.

“The state of the world really does have an impact, just how you go day to day,” junior Allison Rainey said. “I knew what was going on in the world and I didn’t find my education as important as making sure my family was safe and everything like that.”

I believe that FSC has done the best it can to combat the virus and keep engagement across campus in the safest manner possible through online events with strict mask mandates and social distancing rules for in-person events.

Since FSC extended Winter Break,

student concerns over mental health, other institutions have implemented “mental wellness” days where no work is due.

These days are usually added in the middle of the week in order to prevent travel from students.

Although it is a little late for FSC to implement mental health days for this semester, if the situation with the virus does not improve, it’s an option that FSC should consider in the future in order to increase student morale in terms of schoolwork. For now, the school should focus on planning events and providing information to help students get through the semester.

“I think it would be a good move to

-Allison Rainey Junior

“I do think [not having Spring Break] will impact my mental health because

We want to hear from you.

college is stressful and there’s no arguing that,” junior Kate Hanna said. “Days off are more than just time to do whatever you want, it’s time to mentally relax and rejuvenate and recover from hours of mental strain.”

Both Rainey and Hanna agreed that although not having a break is discouraging, the school made the right decision in order to keep everyone safe from the virus.

“I completely understand [the school’s] decision to not have a Spring Break because you can’t monitor what people are doing or where they’re going, and I get not wanting to bring infected students back on campus,” Hanna said.

She also stated that hosting COVID-19 “safe” activities could help students get through the semester. This has been an issue that has plagued other colleges and universities as well, especially because last year, Spring Break travel contributed to the initial spread of COVID-19. In response to the current COVID-19 situation and

...it’s time to mentally relax and recover from hours of mental strain.

-Kate Hanna Junior

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Sophia Gonzalez News Editor

add those mental health days, especially because this is taking a toll on everyone,” Rainey said. “School is hard enough and adding in a global pandemic makes it extremely rough, so I think having those days just to decompress, to just collect yourself would be very beneficial.”

If students find themselves having a hard time adjusting this semester, they can reach out to the Counseling Center for 30 to 50 minute sessions. Students can find out more information and schedule an appointment at the Counseling Center website.

SOUTHERN

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The Southern FEBRUARY 5, 2021

SPORTS

8

Basketball returns

-Continued from page 1The team was ranked highly in many pre-season polls, as well as placing fourth in the recent poll released by the National Association of Basketball Coaches on Dec. 8.

Florida Southern’s Men’s Basketball team took part in the resocialization plan that was devised by the athletic department at the school, which essentially called for a series of phases in return to practicing under normal conditions.

The first phase was “phase zero,” where the players were only allowed to shoot at their own basket, by themselves with no shared equipment.

During phase one, the players were allowed to work one-on-one with a coach.

Transitioning into phase two, the players could work in pods of five, with no contact, but shared equipment was allowed. In phase three, the team was allowed to work

in groups of ten, with full contact.

Phase four began for the Mocs on Nov. 2, which consisted of full contact, and the first fully unlimited team practice was Nov. 12.

“It was a struggle to get through all of those phases,” Donnelly said. “We were making a lot of progress and just preparing as normal to get ready for the year”.

The team finished the 2019-2020 season on top of the SSC, defeating Nova Southeastern in the championship game to win their 25th SSC title. The Mocs haven’t lost in regulation since November of 2019, ending the season on a 17-game winning streak en route to earning the first overall seed in the South region of the Division II tournament.

The promising 2020 tournament would have begun with a series of games hosted

by Florida Southern before the entire postseason was cancelled in March.

“We’re going to come out with a chip on

SPOTLIGHT our shoulder riding that 17-game winning streak and try to keep it going this year,” fifth-year player and team captain Jacob Schner said.

FSC is offering fan cutouts to be displayed at both the men’s and women’s basketball games. According to the news release, fans should contact Josh Franklin at jfranklin@ flsouthern.edu for more information.

“Overall, I’m nervous and excited about tomorrow’s [today’s] game,” Morales said.

“It has been over 300 days since any of us have played another team.”

Information about other spring sports has not been released as of Feb. 5.

A “state-of-the-art” rock wall opened at Florida Southern’s Nina B. Hollis Wellness Center (HWC) as a pandemic-proof addition to student-wellness.

The kickoff event on Jan. 26 surpassed COVID-19 capacity guidelines, forcing students to wait in lines spread out on the basketball court and outside the HWC in order to maintain social distancing guidelines.

Before climbing the wall, each student must complete a waiver-on-file and a climbing orientation. Participants are provided climbing shoes provided by the HWC and are warned to follow the rules and “climb within their capabilities.”

“We will always have at least two climbing attendants on staff,” Assistant Fitness Director Doug Davey said. “Just like any other policy at the HWC, every climber must go through an orientation.

They are both verbally told those policies and they also sign a release of liability.”

Davey also explained that if students

break any rules, depending on the severity, they could be kicked out or potentially suspended.

“Looks really like it’s going to be an awesome experience,” freshman Alex Blankinship said. “I’m glad that the Wellness Center is expanding, able to do fun things like that and still keep us safe from COVID-19.”

The rock wall currently features beginnerto-intermediate courses. Davey explains that as more students get acclimated to the course, they may increase the difficulty.

The rock wall also premiers the addition of a lower, 12-foot wall for a ropeless activity called “free-climbing” or “bouldering.”

This activity features no straps or harnesses unlike the 22-foot tall rock climbing wall, only a padded landing.

Initially unveiled as the backdrop for Dr. Anne Kerr’s video welcoming students back for the spring semester, Kerr thanked donors Drs. Marjorie and Hal Roberts “for their continuing support of the College and the well-being of our student population,” in the press release announcing the addition of the rock wall to the center.

Editor-in-Chief

Photo by Salvatore Ambrosino

Brandon Lu climbs the rock wall in the Wellness Center on Jan. 26.

Bucs to host Super Bowl LV in Tampa Bay The Kansas City Chiefs and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will face each other in Super Bowl LV on Feb. 7 in Tampa.

The Buccaneers will be the first team participating in the Super Bowl in their own stadium.

Kickoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. The Weeknd will be performing at the halftime show starting at approximately 8:30 p.m.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announced that the NFL will be giving 7,500 vaccinated health care workers free tickets to the game to thank and honor them for their service throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We hope in a small way that this initiative will inspire our country and

recognize these true American heroes.

This is also an opportunity to promote the importance of vaccination and appropriate health practices, including wearing

“

We are incredibly excited to host a fun and safe Super Bowl here in Tampa—but we need everyone to do their part.

-Tampa Mayor Jane Castor

“

Jillian Kurtz Editor-in-Chief

Baseball

Jillian Kurtz

Rock wall opens at Hollis Wellness Center Salvatore Ambrosino Staff Writer

Nate Madej

masks in public settings,” Goodell said.

In addition to the health care workers, there will be 14,500 additional fans in attendance at Raymond James.

Tampa Mayor Jane Castor issued an executive order mandating face coverings during all Super Bowl events in Tampa Bay over the weekend.

“We are incredibly excited to host a fun and safe Super Bowl here in Tampa—but we need everyone to do their part,” Castor said.

The Chiefs are the reigning Super Bowl champions and most recently defeated the Buffalo Bills in the AFC. The Bucs defeated the Green Bay Packers in the NFC, putting them face-to-face with the Chiefs this Sunday.

This will be the fifth matchup between Tom Brady and Patrick Mahomes, the quarterbacks of their respective teams.

Nate Madej is a senior baseball player finishing out his college athletic career at Florida Southern.

Madej is excited to be a Moc and be a part of the Barney Barnett School of Business as a Sports Business Management major. He hopes to pursue a job in the sports industry postgrad.

Throughout his time in high school, Madej was a multi-sport athlete participating in baseball, basketball and football.

Madej started his collegiate baseball journey at Florida SouthWestern State College where the team won conference for the first time in the school’s history. He was named National Junior College Athletic Association Third-Team Academic All-America and First-Team Florida College System Activities Association All-Academic in 2019.

After Florida SouthWestern, Madej transferred to the University of South Alabama where he played in the Sun Belt Conference.

“Ultimately after COVID tragically ended everyone’s season just as everyone was getting into the swing of the things I had entered the transfer portal and found my new home here at Florida Southern,” Madej said.

At Florida Southern, Madej has already said he has made lifelong friends and is excited to be a part of the baseball program here. Balancing school, weights and practice everyday can take a major toll on not only your mind but body as well and Madej is being proactive to prevent burnout.

“The biggest things that I make sure to do on a weekly basis is plan out my academic schedule and be able to meal prep so that I can be able to continue to exceed in the classroom and the field at a high level,” Madej said.

The team has been welcoming to Madej and he is looking forward to having a season and competing to win a National Championship. He credits his teammates for pushing him and helping him grow and succeed here at FSC and already feels like a part of the family.

“Everyone on the team has taken me in and has made me feel like part of the family in the short time I’ve been here,” Madej said. “That is one thing that I will always be thankful for.”