Grand Valley Lanthorn vol. 56 no. 1

Welcome Back Lakers

G R A N D VA L L E Y L A N T H O R N

Vaccinations required for inperson class by Sept 30

Grand Valley vaccination clinics welcome students to campus COVID-19 | A5

GV community weighs in on vaccine mandate VACCINATION | A8

M O N D A Y, A U G U ST 3 0, 2 02 1 // VO L . 5 6 N O. 2

@ GV L A N T H O R N

LANTHORN.COM

A2 | NEWS LOOK AT LIFESTYLE GV COVID-19 CAMPUS DATA UPDATE

The GVSU community has had a cumulative total of 3,430 cases since Aug. 1, 2020. The university’s update for this brief was from Thursday, August 26.

Through testing results this past week, GVSU’s Virus Action team have so far reported 47 current active cases including three faculty members, six staff members, three on-campus students, 17 “off-campus Ottawa” students, 15 “off-campus Kent” students and three “off-campus other” students with active COVID-19 cases.

“Current active cases” is the count of positive cases reported to the Virus Action Team over the past ten days. This is an estimate of those currently in isolation, assuming a ten-day symptomatic period following the reporting of a positive test result. Actual periods of isolation are specific to the individual and determined by the county health department.

TESTING AND INCIDENCE: GVSU’s own testing program has performed 89,932 tests overall since August 21, 2021, for a cumulative positivity rate of 1.35% from the latest update as of last week. A total of 437 tests were performed over the last seven days.

“GV Surveillance” includes the GV/ Spectrum administered programs of randomized testing, regular testing of high-risk groups, and invited testing of individuals connected to potential clusters. A calendar is available. “GV Total” includes surveillance testing plus all symptomatic/exposure tests administered by Spectrum.

VACCINATION: GVSU encourages all students, faculty and staff to receive the COVID-19 vaccination as soon as possible.

All students, faculty and staff are required to be fully vaccinated by Sept.30, barring a medical or religious exemption or postponement. According to the COVID-19 data dashboard, 80% vaccination rate in the GVSU community is required to reach herd immunity and minimal virus transmission.

Currently, approximately 47% of students report being fully vaccinated, while approximately 88% of faculty and staff reports being fully vaccinated.

CAMPUS DINING RETURNS TO “NEAR NORMAL” Campus Dining is planning to return to “near normal” operations this fall, director of Campus Dining Paul Kramer said at the August 19 virtual town hall. Fresh Food Company, Connection, Kleiner, Panda Express, Subway and the Lobby Shop in Kirhoff Center are open on the Allendale campus, as well as Starbucks and Seidman Cafe on the Pew campus. Several locations remain closed until fully staffed, such as Fuel in Commons and Fusion in Kirhoff center. Campus Dining will follow all health department guidelines as it pertains to food safety and COVID, masks are required in dining areas but may be removed while eating or drinking, according to the Lakers Together website.

AUGUST 30, 2021 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLNEWS

EMPLOYMENT STRUGGLES

US labor shortage affects GV students and employers

BY GILLIAN HANTON, NEWS@LANTHORN.COM

Currently, there are over 10 million available jobs in the US, approximately 1 million more than the number of available workers. Both small businesses and large corporations have reported difficulty finding employees to fill open positions, some of which have remained unoccupied for months.

This issue has permeated Grand Valley State University’s workforce as well, with many campus organizations trying to hire new employees, meanwhile operating with minimal staff.

“We have had a lot of campus departments struggle to fill their student positions, and we continue to have some of these issues,” said Yug Gill, Assistant Director of Student Employment. “A lot of departments have tried to address this issue by trying different recruiting strategies and raising their wage rates to attract student applicants.”

Despite some of these staffing difficulties that COVID-19 has brought into the community, many students are looking forward to starting new jobs and coming back to old ones.

GVSU junior Brody Conaty is one of these stu-

dents, beginning work in the fall at the athletic department.

“I chose to work with GVSU because it will give me good experience for future job interviews because my goal is to work in college sports. Also, the convenience of being right on campus is great,” Conaty said.

As students like Conaty return to in-person activities and jobs this semester, they can be assured that the health of student employees continues to be a priority at GVSU. As of August 2021, the university updated its face-covering policy, requiring students to wear a mask inside all indoor facilities. In addition, GVSU officials have also introduced a COVID-19 vaccination requirement to be completed by September 30th, in order to keep the campus community as safe as possible.

With these safety measures in place, students can feel comfortable looking for a new job, and have many resources available to go about finding one, Gill said. One of the easiest and most effective tools for finding employment is Handshake, an online system for college students seeking help getting a job or internship.

“The first step is to set up their account on

STUDENT EMPLOYEES: Grand Valley students are being impacted by job shortages both on and off campus this shcool year. GVL | ARCHIVES

Handshake,” Gill said, “Once they have their accounts created, they can search for campus jobs posted in Handshake and narrow down their search based on their skill set and things they are interested in.”

Through Handshake, students can apply for a variety of positions and receive messages from potential employers, ensuring they find the right fit for them.

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PUBLIC QUESTIONS

Virtual Town Hall answers COVID-19 questions

BY AUDREY WHITAKER NEWS@LANTHORN.COM

A panel of Grand Valley State University officials responded to questions from the GVSU community via zoom. The virtual town hall also provided updates on campus life as the fall semester approaches.

The virtual town hall took place on August 19, while questions were submitted in advance by those who registered for the event online.

Questions centered around the COVID-19 vaccine mandate and mask requirements.

Greg Sanial, vice president for Finance and Administration and director of the Virus Action Team, said that mask, vaccine and testing requirements work together as a “three-legged stool” to keep the GVSU community safe.

Sanial emphasized that the vaccine mandate is tied to FDA approval, which is expected by Labor Day. The Sept. 30 deadline for GVSU students, faculty and staff provides ample time to receive the vaccine once it is approved, Sanial said.

“If that FDA approval is delayed, we could look to adjust that September 30 date,” Sanial said. “It’s important to keep in mind that FDA approval is coming, it is going to happen at some point. So for those of you that are not

COVID CONCERNS: Grand Valley’s Town Hall answered public submitted questions on COVID-19 and the requirement of students being both masked and vaccinated to be on campus. GVL | GVLNEXT

vaccinated, we encourage you to get vaccinated when you’re comfortable” Sanial also defended the legality of the vaccine mandate, citing the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s approval for employers requiring vaccine for their employees, as well as the US Supreme Court refusing to hear an appeal of the Seventh Circuit’s decision upholding Indiana University’s right to require vaccines of its faculty staff and students.

“This signals the courts’ support of universi-

ties taking steps in the interest of public health and safety,” Sanial said.

An exemption committee has been formed to process requests for postponements and exemptions to the vaccine requirement for health, religious or other reasons, Sanial said. The committee is already up and running.

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AUGUST 30, 2021 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLNEWS

CONTENTS EMPLOYMENT

| A2

EDITORIAL

| A4

COVID-19

| A5

LAKER EFFECT

| A6&7

VACCINATION

| A8

GREEK LIFE

| A9

MURAL

| A10

FOOTBALL

| A11

CROSS COUNTRY

VOL. 53

| A12

NO. 22

Lan thorn EDITORIAL STAFF

Layout Editor VIVIANA RUBIO

Editor-in-Chief ZACK GOODROW Associate Editor MARY RACETTE

Layout Designer VIVIANA RUBIO PROMOTIONS

Associate Editor XAVI GOLDEN News Editor AUDREY WHITAKER

Sports Editor HOLLY BIHLMAN Laker Life Editor

Promotions Manager ALEX DAGOSTINO ADVERTISING STAFF

A3 | NEWS CAMPUS

GV enters phase two of Cashless Campus Initiative

BY JACOB DEWEERD EMAIL@LANTHORN.COM

Grand Valley State University is entering the second phase of its Cashless Campus initiative this semester. While the first phase of the initiative saw more than two dozen buildings go cashless, the second phase will see the Laker Market Place and Meadows ProShop cease all cash transactions in favor of credit card and tap-to-pay methods.

GVSU’s Business and Finance department started the Cashless Campus initiative to improve safety and increase security with transactions. Planning for the initiative began in early 2020 - before the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic - and campus dining locations shifted to cashless payments earlier than planned as part of the pandemic response last year.

The initiative is also supposed to improve the student experience of making purchases on campus, according to the cashless campus initiative webpage.

According to an email from Budget and Finance office assistant Susan Genton, going cashless leads to decreased transaction times, reduced wait times in line and reduced con-

Advertising Manager JOSH HENGTGEN

A&E Editor MARY DUPUIS Image Editor

tact between persons. Long lines at campus dining and other marketplaces were common areas of concern for health-conscious students last year when social distancing measures were implemented.

In addition to traditional credit cards, tap-to-pay methods work on all card read-

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On-campus events return to welcome week at GV

Business Manager RACHEL MCDOWELL

Asst. Business Manager DAYTON HAMMON

MEGHAN LANDGREN

BY PAYTON BRAZZIL 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.

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ers on campus. They support Google Pay, Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, Tap-And-Go, and credit cards with tap-to-pay features.

LAKER EFFECT

BUSINESS STAFF

SABRINA EDWARDS

FINANCES: In order to help reduce the spread of COVID-19, GVSU has implemented a cashless program. Students will have to pay via credit cards and tap-to-pay methods. GVL | ANNABELLE ROBINSON

WELCOME: Lifting COVID-19 restrictions for the fall 2021 semester may lead to a more normal feeling around GVSU. GVL | ANABELLE ROBINSON

After a long year of virtual learning and a quiet campus, Grand Valley State University is regaining a sense of normalcy. However, this comeback has not been without its challenges.

While the pandemic is not over, some of the regulations have been lifted. Students and faculty will see the return of traditional classes, in-person events and sports games.

Due to the revised COVID-19 regulations this year, new and returning students have more opportunities to connect with the community. Students can discover these opportunities through word of mouth, posters, social media or through the Office of Student Life on the GVSU webpage.

The Office of Student Life focuses on student involvement through inclusive events, services and environments, ac-

cording to their website. Following movein, Campus Life Night, Laker Kick-Off Party, Cookout & Carnival are outdoor events all GVSU students are encouraged to attend.

The Office of Student Life said they encourage students to participate in these community events, while also staying safe.

“We do everything in our power to get students involved, allowing them to discover their passions, as well as themselves, throughout their college careers,” said Grad Assistant of Student Organizations and Leadership Development, Olivia Witsaman. “This year, we are happy to help create memorable moments for our students, encouraging them to experience all of the wonderful opportunities GVSU has to offer with student safety being at the forefront of every event The Office of Student Life programs.”

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A4 | OPINIONS GVL EDITORIAL CARTOON

AUGUST 30, 2021 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLNEWS

By Xavier Golden

EDITORIAL

What does GV’s “new normal” look like?

T

8/31/21

editorial@lanthorn.com

Advice to freshman

BY ZACK GOODROW SENIOR MULTIMEDIA JOURNALISM EDITORIAL@LANTHORN.COM

The transition to college from high school varies for everyone. Some are nervous and stressed, and some aren’t phased at all. As a senior at Grand Valley State University, there are some things I

wish I had known to ease the process from a small high school with less than 100 students in my graduating class, to one of the top universities in Michigan. For first-year students of every variety, background and major, these are some things to know and use during the next four years.

To start, you must take advantage of all the opportunities the university offers.

You pay for it, so use these resources.

Take the time to go to your professor’s office hours. Get to know them on a more personal level and get to know your strengths and weaknesses in classes.

Make sure to join clubs that match your interests. It’s a good way to spend time outside of your dorm doing something productive with fellow-minded students. It’s also a good idea to look for internships early in whichever field you’re majoring in. It will give you experience in the workforce and add to your

confidence in the classroom.

Take your general education classes early. Don’t make the same mistake I did.

Even if you know exactly what you’re majoring in, don’t load up on those classes.

Taking chemistry, math, or Spanish three years down the road will be a struggle.

You’ll forget almost everything you learned about the subject in high school, making these classes harder on you.

When taking classes, it’s extremely important to keep in mind that your goal is to learn, not just to pass. Let’s face it, the majority of us procrastinate sometimes. That’s fine, it happens. However, even if you’re just trying to get a project or paper done, make sure it leaves a valuable impact on your education.

BY MARYBETH STANZIOLA SENIOR MULTIMEDIA JOURNALISM EDITORIAL@LANTHORN.COM

As summer draws to a close for students returning to Grand Valley State University this semester, it’s only beginning for singer/songwriter Lorde. Her third

COVID-19 guidelines for the sake of the GVSU community’s health and safety.

The passing of Michigan Ballot Proposal 18-3 is an event that even some upperclassmen might have missed out on. In 2018, Michigan residents voted to approve the proposal, and the changes were just recently instituted in the 2020 election. Voters can now request an absentee ballot without having to provide a reason, making it easier for GVSU students who don’t live near campus to make their voices heard in national and statewide elections. This had a big impact on the 2020 election, and if the wave of voter restriction laws doesn’t undo the proposal, it will have a lasting impact on the campus population.

But these positive steps have been taken by students and faculty, and the university administration itself has had some trouble moving towards a more inclusive, engaged culture. For example; professors took the initiative to request a vaccine mandate, but GVSU decided to not follow the recommendation that faculty issued by a majority in the University.

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Lorde’s land of solar power and self-awareness lacks sonic diversity studio album, “Solar Power,” is born out of a fictitious land where worldly anxieties no longer exist, girls skip through sandy beaches together, and the biggest conflict is choosing which seashell to take home.

The Auckland native has spent the last four years out of the limelight following her sophomore effort, “Melodrama,” which was met with universal critical acclaim and is featured in “Rolling Stone’s” ‘500 Greatest Albums of all Time’ list.

Like Lorde, GVSU students have spent a considerable amount of time disconnected from campus, daydreaming of a similar utopia. Finally, welcome week is upon us, and “Solar Power” is a tuned down, self-aware reflection on modern times and is the perfect soundtrack for the optimistic yet chaotic return of campus life.

he pandemic elicits a lot of conversation about “the new normal”, and what everything will look like in the aftermath of COVID-19.

Now, in the back half of the second year of the pandemic, COVID-19 is still very much a public health crisis. But for students at Grand Valley State University, there is a new normal, one that’s been in the making since before the pandemic began. GVSU has been in a state of flux, for a few years now.

Upperclassmen who started classes in the fall of 2018 have seen many changes in life at GVSU in the past few years, ones that freshmen in 2021 might take as given.

These changes encompass how students on campus can vote, individual and cultural consciousness of systemic issues, and the influence that students and faculty have on the university.

In the same vein, students and faculty have secured more platforms, to have a greater influence on the university’s policy decisions. Last year, faculty formed GVSU’s chapter of the American Association of University Professors. Since then, they’ve organized multiple responses to strengthen

“Solar Power” is littered with satire and self-awareness, so littered in fact that it is difficult to decipher at times. “Mood Ring”, the third single off the album, exemplifies Lorde’s experimentation with satire best in my opinion: the airy vocal tracks pair well with lyrics about spirituality, astrology, crystals, and other holistic healing methods that have managed to become popularized more than ever over the two years.

The songwriter makes it clear that she isn’t referencing their use in the ancient societies that originated them, more so calling out their shallow trendiness by including other satirical phrases, like “love and light”, in multiple verses.

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GVL OPINION POLICY

The goal of the Grabd ValleyLanthorn’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 against any other views, opinions orbeliefs. 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 500-650 words in length, and they are not edited by the Lanthorn staff except to fix technical errors or to clarify. Reader submissions on the opinion page appear as space permits.

To make a submission, email editorial@lanthorn.com or drop your submission off in person at: 0051 KIRKHOF CENTER GRAND VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY ALLENDALE, MI 49401 616-826-8276

AUGUST 30, 2021 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLNEWS

A5 | NEWS

COVID-19

BIGGER THAN BOXING. LARGER THAN LIFE.

A FILM BY KEN BURNS SARAH BURNS & DAVID McMAHON VACCINATION EVENTS: Vaccination clinics offer the Pfizer and Johnson and Johnson COVID-19 vaccines for free to the Grand Valley community, but are not open to the public. GVL | ABREE WAGNER

Grand Valley vaccination clinics welcome students to campus

BY ELIZABETH SCHANZ NEWS@LANTHORN.COM

To tackle the ongoing presence of COVID-19, Grand Valley State University is partnering with Ottawa County Department of Public Health and Visit Healthcare to hold campus vaccination clinics. These clinics will take place across the Grand Rapids and Allendale campuses into the start of the fall term.

Prior to the start of the 2021-22 school year, GVSU announced that all students must be fully vaccinated by Sept. 30. The clinics make vaccines easily accessible to students returning to campus.

According to an email from the Virus Action Team (VAT), the vaccine requirement, along with testing and masking indoors will make the GVSU campus as safe as possible.

The clinics will offer the Pfizer and the Johnson and Johnson vaccines, according to the Lakers Together website. The clinics began on Aug. 26 and will continue until Sept. 2. Students must register on the Lakers Together website in order to participate in these events.

Additionally, the CDC has recently recommended that immunocompromised individuals can receive an additional (third) dose of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine of Moderna or Pfizer. This additional dose is taken 28 days after the completion of the initial second dose in the mRNA COVID-19 vaccine series. Individuals who this applies to can receive the third vaccination dose at the GVSU on-campus clinics.

Students and faculty who are unable to get the COVID-19 vaccines for religious or medical reasons are able to apply for an exemption online. Exemptions are valid for the timeframe noted in the exemption approval, not more

than one year. GVSU may also request a shorter time period of exemption based upon new vaccines or updated clinical information, according to the GVSU Health Hub. Individuals who are granted a vaccination exemption will be required to partake in weekly COVID-19 testing. If an individual’s request for an exemption is declined, they will be notified with additional information about the appeal process. If an appeal is not granted, individuals are then required to follow the vaccination policy or be subject to additional consequences which may include separation from the university, according to the GVSU Health Hub. Along with the mandated vaccine, face coverings are also required in all buildings on the GVSU campus. This mask policy is implemented in order to protect the community as vaccination levels are self-reported, according to the Lakers Together website.

According to the VAT, the semester is beginning at Alert Level 2 as a precaution. Face coverings will continue to be required until GVSU states that the university is at alert level one. Until then masks may only be removed indoors in private offices of faculty and staff, in student housing units when only roommates are present, in dining areas, or briefly while eating and drinking.

“Our goal is to return to as normal a campus environment as possible, which includes relaxing or removing the masking requirements,” the VAT said via email. “According to public health experts, however, that should not be done until a high level of vaccination is achieved within the community.”

Students, staff, and faculty are required to self-report vaccination status on the GVSU self-assessment form in order for the university to establish the level of vaccination and to keep moving forward through COVID-19.

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A6&7 |NEWS

AUGUST 30, 2021 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLNEWS LAKER EFFECT er new measures for the program come as the need for additional testing is felt across GVSU’s campus. Even with rising vaccination rates among students and faculty, some still believe such need for testing cannot be underestimated. Natasha Sokolow, a senior at GVSU and employee at the university’s Laker Store, believes new and changing circumstances are key reasons why testing remains vital.

“I think it’s important just because, with

the Delta virus, it’s hard even though you’re vaccinated,” Sokolow said. “[Vaccination is] not a 100-percent certainty that everything’s going to be fine.”

Other members of the GVSU community, like senior Daphnie Uhrich, tout the program’s rapid test results as a critical tool for the student body.

“I think it’s important because, a lot of times, people need those rapid test results in order to have their jobs and go to school

and just continue their day-to-day lives,” Uhrich said. “It’s really important because a lot of people don’t have access.”

Previously, testing offered by the university could take as long as several days to return results. This year, however, the university’s widespread implementation of antigen testing is allowing for test results in as little as one hour according to Harrison.

“It’s a pretty smooth process,” Harrison said. “They get them in, get them out pretty

quickly and they’ll be notified of the results later on that day.”

Such rapid results help the university to better contain and track potential outbreaks, as COVID-19 hospitalizations increase in Michigan.

For more information about Grand Valley’s 2021-22 testing program, visit https://www.gvsu.edu/lakerstogether/testing-and-contact-tracing-28.htm.

MOVING IN: Masks are required for all students, faculty, staff and guests on GVSU campuses. COURTESY | GVNEXT

VACCINATION EVENTS: Posters on campus promoting vaccination events provide links to registration. GVL | AUBREE WAGNER

GV widens COVID-19 testing program as delta variant surges

BY JOSH ALBURTUS NEWS@LANTHORN.COM

With coronavirus cases spiking across the U.S. amid the emergence of the Delta variant, Grand Valley State University is expanding its COVID-19 testing efforts to protect students and staff.

GVSU’s testing program, fueled by the university’s Virus Action Team, began in August of 2020. To date, it has administered nearly 90,000 nasal swab coronavirus tests to students and faculty in partnership with Spectrum Health. However,

with variants and vaccine hesitancy in the area threatening to alter the fight against the virus, GVSU is not taking any chances.

Whereas last year’s testing program relied heavily on randomly selecting students and staff to receive tests, this year’s program has been adapted to feature easier access to testing across the board.

This year, tests are being made available for both vaccinated and unvaccinated students and staff, regardless of whether they are experiencing symptoms of the virus. With GVSU’s vaccination mandate taking effect on Sept. 30, students grant-

ed medical or religious exemptions will be required to test weekly. According to the university’s Virus Action Team website on testing and contact tracing, appointments are required for symptomatic test recipients. For asymptomatic recipients, walk-in tests are available to those who fill out their daily self-assessment. “[Students and faculty] have to have passed their self-assessment to come test through our asymptomatic side,” said Victoria Harrison, a GVSU COVID-19 nurse.

Additionally, the university has consolidated testing locations, offering both

symptomatic and asymptomatic testing in the Thornapple Room of the university’s Kirkhof Center on its Allendale Campus, according to the Lakers Together website. There, as well as at its asymptomatic testing site in the Eberhard Center lobby of the university’s Pew Campus, GVSU COVID-19 nurses like Harrison oversee the administration of the tests.

“It’s a service we provide for anyone affiliated with Grand Valley,” Harrison said. “Anyone can get tested at any time; there is no requirement.”

Widening test availability and oth-

BACK ON CAMPUS: GVSU welcomed over 5,200 students to on campus living centers. COURTESY | WZZM 13

AUGUST 30, 2021 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLNEWS

A8 | NEWS VACCINATION

GV community weighs in on vaccine mandate

BY AUDREY WHITAKER NEWS@LANTHORN.COM

Following Grand Valley State University’s decision to require all students, faculty and staff to be vaccinated by Sept. 30, barring a medical or religious exemption or postponement, members of the GVSU community have been outspoken regarding their stance on the issue.

GVSU student Emily Coll said that she was relieved when the vaccine mandate was announced.

“I think it’s just safer to be on campus with the mandate and makes me feel better about walking around, just seeing people and going into in-person classes,” Coll said.

Coll said that for her, the vaccine was never a question of if, but of when. She received her second dose in March 2021. Coll works part-time as a phlebotomist for Spectrum Health and said that seeing the effects of COVID-19 in the hospital has reaffirmed her decision.

“The FDA approval and the mandate was not at all a factor in me getting the vaccine,” Coll said. “I wanted a vaccine as soon as possible so that I could be safe and healthy, and not have to worry as much.”

Coll said that the GVSU mandate made her more comfortable attending in-person classes this semester despite the rise in new COVID-19 cases.

ONLINE ORGANIZATION: Grand Valley students, faculty, staff and supporters use social media and petitions to take a stance both in favor and against the COVID-19 vaccine mandate. GVL | ARCHIVES

“I do think that if they wouldn’t have had the mandate, I would have taken online classes again,” Coll said. “Having it be mandated made it easier for me to like think that everybody around me is being safe.”

Unlike Coll, GVSU student Grace Bartholomew said she was surprised by the vaccine mandate. For Bartholomew, it was a choice be-

tween going to school or getting the vaccine.

“I knew that other schools were mandating vaccines but I didn’t expect Grand Valley to because we don’t have the population a lot of the other bigger schools do,” Bartholomew said. “When I first heard of mandate, I was kind of scrambling to piece things together and think-

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ing what I should do in order to either get it or not get it.”

However, following the initial announcement, Bartholomew said that she applied for a religious exemption, and received approval after about five days.

Bartholomew said she knows of people who are still working through the exemption process.

Bartholomew said she felt the Sept. 30 deadline was coming fast, especially as the first day of classes and tuition payment deadline approached.

Virus Action Team director Greg Sanial said students who have applied for an exemption or postponement can expect a response by Setpt. 3, the 100% tuition refund date, at the virtual town hall on August 19.

Bartholomew is not an outlier in the GVSU community. A petition to end the vaccine mandate at GVSU has over 7,000 signatures on Change.org, and is part of a larger group of students protesting vaccine mandates at other Michigan universities.

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A9 | LAKER LIFE

AUGUST 30, 2021 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLLAKERLIFE

LOOK AT LIFESTYLE WELCOME BACK BLOCK PARTY

The Greek community is hosting a block party to commemorate the beginning of the fall semester. The block party will be held in Lot C- West on Sept. 2 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. The party is being backed by 25 different sororities and fraternities. There will be free food, inflatables, yard games, a live DJ, and other fun activities. Students who are interested in rushing should check this event out because it’s a great way to meet many different members of the Greek community to help figure out their right fit before going into rush week on Sept. 7. Students can sign up to RSVP for the event on LakerLink, however, it isn’t necessary to attend.

VACCINES

GV researchers tackle vaccine hesitancy

BY YSABELA GOLDEN LAKERLIFE@LANTHORN.COM

Like many other schools, businesses and agencies, Grand Valley State University has set a vaccine mandate for its community, a decision made in anticipation of the full FDA approval for the Pfizer vaccine on Aug. 23. This clearance— which was industry standard, requiring the usual six months of data showing that a vaccine is both safe and effective— is widely projected to increase vaccination rates.

However, a survey from the Kaiser Family Foundation found that only 32% percent of un-

GVSU HOSTS STAND UP NIGHT

On Sept. 3 GVSU is having a comedy night with local talent hosted by GV Stand Up. The event will run from 8 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. It is free to the public to attend, and attendees are encouraged to RSVP, which is available via LakerLink.

The comedy show will be at the Cook Dewitt center on the Allendale campus.

There will be seven different performers, Cam Honeyager, Keegan Allmand, Joseph Johnson, Jay Hunter, Brett Solferino, Chase Richard, and Steven Jay. Those who attend are required to wear masks. This is a reoccurring event and will be held every Friday at 8 p.m.

CUT THE CURVE: It is now mandatory for students to be vaccinated in order to be on-campus this year. GVL | DONOVAN FUSTERO-LOPEZ

vaccinated adults said that full FDA approval would make them more likely to get vaccinated; obviously, a lack of confirmation from the federal government was not the main hurdle in overcoming the population’s vaccine hesitancy.

“There’s a wide range of concerns people have with vaccines,” said GVSU anthropology professor Kristin Hedges. “Many of them were pre-existent before Covid, like with the measles vaccine. Some people have no problems with vaccination itself, and just feel that we can’t trust something that was developed so quickly, or want to wait for a vaccine that covers the virus and all its variants.”

Hedges has been interviewing many unvaccinated adults with such beliefs as a part of her current research, an ethnographic study of West Michigan focusing on those who are vaccine-hesitant (or were vaccine-hesitant, and changed their minds).

“What we’re doing is conducting open-ended interviews, hearing people’s thoughts and perspectives on the vaccine, and then creating informational graphics that can easily be shared on social media,” Hedges said. “We’re cooperating with the Vaccinate West Michigan coalition— they’ve actually already started distributing the graphics we’ve been making. Typically with research studies you would wait until after data collection is finished to share the results, but we’re doing what’s called ‘rapid ethnographic data collection,’ due to the emergency conditions of the pandemic.”

The project is also partnered with the Kent County Health Department, who are providing quantitative data from a patient survey on vaccine perspectives to supplement the qualitative data of the interviews.

Hedges is also working with two undergraduate research assistants; Maggie Wilson, an anthropology student, and Donovan Fustero-Lopez, a graphic design student.

“One of the goals was making these posts easy to digest for people who might not have the attention span or interest to read this information as a block of text,” said Fustero-Lopez. “By having bi-weekly meetings with my boss Kristin, we were able to discuss the exact wordings for each one based on a more complex set of information.”

Fustero-Lopez’s designs thus far, all of which can be seen on Vaccinate West Michigan’s website, tackle topics like why people who have had the virus should still get the vaccine and how lower vaccination rates create more virus variants. While many of these concerns are more specific to COVID-19 than the other, more regular vaccines of our day, Hedges points out that they represent a specific repeated pattern in history.

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AUDITIONS TO ACT IN “MACBETH”

GVSU students can audition to act in an adaptation of the Shakespearean play “MacBeth.” In this version it is told by seven teenage girls in an empty neighborhood lot, linking the rebellion with the tale of “MacBeth.” For those interested in auditioning there are two dates, Sept. 8 from 7:30 through 8:30 p.m. and Sept. 9 from 5:30 through 7 p.m. Callbacks, if they are needed, will be on the second day of auditions from 8:30 through 10 p.m. Auditions are being held at the Haas Center for Performing Arts in room 1721. Students can sign up for audition time slots online at https://www.signupgenius. com/go/805084ba8a92ea1fc1-macbeth.

COVID precautions are being implemented during rehearsals, auditions, and performances. No preparation is required for this audition. This play is being directed by Karen Libman. If interested sign up for a time slot soon as they are filling up. More information about the rendition can be found on LakerLink, there are documents students are being asked to fill out before auditioning.

GREEK LIFE

GVSU Greeks prepare for rush week

BY KAYLA WORTHY LAKERLIFE@LANTHORN.COM

As the fall semester starts, sororities and fraternities are getting ready to welcome new members to their chapters. The on-campus Greek community gets hundreds of new recruitments every year and is hoping to continue this year. Fraternities and sororities all work with a cause and support their respected cause by providing acts of service.

Students interested in being a part of Greek Life, have to participate in rush week. Rush week is when everyone interested in joining goes through and meets the different fraternities and sororities. This year, rush week goes from Sept. 7 to Sept. 19. It starts with orientation on Sept. 7, followed by three days of information rounds, and then continues with two days of philanthropy rounds.

After a week break, Sept. 18 is the sisterhood/fraternity round with a reference round the next day. Sept. 20 is Bid Day, where organizations get in contact with their selected members.

“I like it a lot,” said Anna Norton, Chapter President of Gamma Phi Beta Sorority. “It’s busy and stressful at times but it gives me real-life leadership skills and a gained sense of

FINDING FELLOWSHIP: Grand Valley’s Sigma Sigma Sigma sorority coming together for their philanthropy day during a previous rush week a few years ago with potential bidders. GVL | AR-

confidence. Every sorority has unique values which is what ties our members together and with large chapter sizes you get all kinds of people, which is cool because everyone is unique but bound by the same values.”

Each sorority has different ideals and that goes for fraternities too. Gamma Phi Beta Sorority’s values are love, labor, learning, and loyalty. Tevin James, Chapter President of Phi Beta Sigma, states that their focus is mostly on brotherhood, service, and scholarship. James adds

that their goal is to “Create a culture to service the community.” He also expresses that while they are a historically black fraternity, everyone is welcome to join and that they treat all of their brothers equally.

“Rush week is like a trial run to see if you like it and where you fit in,” said Kaylana Lozelle, a sister of Tri Sigma.

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A10

| ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

ARTS AT A GLANCE CIRCLE THEATRE EXPLORES SOCIAL THEMES THROUGH HAIR The well-known and thought-provoking rock musical HAIR is being presented by the Grand Rapids Circle Theatre for three weekends in September, showing from Sept. 9-11, 15-19 and 22-25.

Rated R for adult content, language, and references to drugs, sex, race, and violence, HAIR explores and celebrates the sixties counterculture.

Executive and Artistic Director of Circle Theatre Lynne Brown Tepper said that the musical “tells the story of the ‘tribe,’ a group of politically active, long-haired hippies of the ‘Age of Aquarius’ living a bohemian life in New York City and fighting against conscription into the Vietnam War.” The musical centers around the main characters attempting to balance their loves, lives and the sexual revolution in tandem with the temptation to evade the draft and revolt against the war, their parents, and the society at large.

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GV ART GALLERY WELCOMES NEW ART FROM FRONTLINE WORKERS The Grand Valley State University Art Gallery has added more pieces to their collection, the newest additions created at the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic to celebrate the resilience of frontline medical workers.

As cases in New York climbed higher and higher, Brooklyn-based artist, Elizabeth Jaeger, and a nurse at Manhattan’s Lenox Hill Hospital, Cady Chaplin, reached out to over 85 artists to create posters of hope and encouragement for intensive care units in New York Hospitals.

After receiving the posters ranging from intricate graphic designs to watercolor, Jaeger created a public Google Drive for the posters, making them available for all to see -- and GVSU to scoop up.

DOWNTOWN GRAND RAPIDS INC. PAINTS STORM DRAINS

In efforts to educate the community on Grand Rapids’ storm drain system Downtown Grand Rapids Inc. has gathered local artists to beautify the storm drains.

The sidewalks around the drains are being painted with bright images of crabs, fish, frogs, and herrons to remind the public where the drains lead, and that what filters into them has a direct effect on the ecosystem.

MURAL

Downtown Grand Rapids Inc. paints the town

BY MARY DUPUIS ARTS@LANTHORN.COM

With the fall season quickly approaching and winter hanging on its’ coattails, Downtown Grand Rapids Inc. (DGRI) has their hands full.

Busy with planning and holding events such as ArtPrize, Confluence, a Halloween event at City Built, and upcoming World of Winter festivities, there seems to be little room for anything else -- except murals.

Five of the six upcoming ribbon-cutting events DGRI will be holding this fall are dedicated to the unveiling of their “Women’s Way Initiative” murals organized by DGRI, the Greater Grand Rapids Women’s History Council, the City of Grand Rapids, Lions & Rabbits and numerous community partners.

The original idea for this initiative came about in March of 2019 during DGRI’s public art project inspired by the book “Rad American Women A-Z” written by Kate Schatz. DGRI’s Director of Public Space Management, Kimberly Van Driel, was inspired by her time with Schatz to create an entirely new initiative.

“She said something that stuck with me, and it was that she travels over the globe and

PUBLIC SPACE ACTIVATION: Downtown Grand Rapids Inc. works towards beautifying the city of Grand Rapids and reviving public spaces through painting murals. COURTESY | RAPID GROWTH MEDIA

it’s rare that you find anything named after a woman,” Van Driel said. “There is now a global trend of activating alleyways, so, we wanted to start naming streets after women and take the negative stereotype of women in alleyways and flip the script.”

Designed as part of a public space activation project to honor local women leaders throughout Grand Rapids’ history, the

Women’s Way Initiative has since led to five original murals being painted by local artists in alleyways downtown, each being named after their respective mural.

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TOUR

GV New Music Ensemble tours national parks, hatches fall plans

BY AYRON RUTAN ARTS@LANTHORN.COM

This summer Grand Valley State University’s New Music Ensemble was able to take to the road once again after not having per-

formed since 2020.

Founded in 2006 by Director Bill Ryan, the New Music Ensemble is a group of undergraduate students that strive to promote contemporary music through commissions, tours, recordings, educational events, work-

GV ART GALLERY FEATURES NEW EXHIBITION OF “OUTSIDER ART”

Curated by local artist Reb Roberts and housed in the Haas Center for Performing Arts Gallery, Grand Valley State University Art Gallery’s latest exhibition, “Honest and Unrefined: Art Outside the Academy” features what has been coined as “outsider art.”

According to the gallery’s website, “outsider art” is artwork created by artists that “live on the margins and reject the constraints of the art world.” It centers around self-taught, raw, visionary, outsider, and folk perspectives.

AUGUST 30, 2021 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLARTS

shops and videos.

This was the New Music Ensemble’s fourth national park tour, and was originally scheduled for the summer of 2020 before being postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The tour spanned 16 days, 3,100 miles, and across six different national parks throughout the eastern side of the country, as well as some locations within the Great Lakes region.

Stops included Cuyahoga Valley National Park in Ohio; Acadia National Park in Maine; Shenandoah National Park in Virginia; Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina; Mammoth Cave National Park in Kentucky and Indiana Dunes National Park.

The ensemble performed nine songs written by nine different composers, including “Not My Home” by Eve Belgarian; “Dune” by Marc Melits; and “Sumer on Mount Desert Island” by Zoe Keating.

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BACK AGAIN: GVSU’s New Music Ensemble has returned with their National Parks Tour and looks forward to a busy fall semester performing brand new music. COURTSEY | GVSU NEW MUSIC ENSEMBLE

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A11 | SPORTS

AUGUST 30, 2021 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLSPORTS

QUICK HITS VOLLEYBALL HIRES JAMIE ASHMORE AS NEW ASSISTANT COACH

Upon the promoting of Jason Johnson to head coach for the women’s volleyball team, the assistant coach position has finally been filled by Grand Valley State University volleyball alumni, Jamie Ashmore. Ashmore played on the volleyball team from 2005-2008 as a starter all four years, bringing the team to a Division II National Championship in 2005. After graduation, Ashmore spent ten years as the only head coach in Indiana University South Bend’s program. She recorded an overall record of 146-143 during her tenure, competing in the National Association of Intercolligate Athletics division. Moving up to a Division II team will offer a new challenge for Ashmore, but coach Johnson is looking forward to bringing Ashmore back to her old team after coaching her back in the early 2000s.

MEN’S BASKETBALL NON-CONFERENCE SCHEDULE ANNOUNCED

As fall sports begin to take off, the winter sports are just beginning to see the start to their seasons. The men’s basketball team starts game play on Nov. 3 against Alma College at the Fieldhouse Arena for their first game since their runner-up title in last year’s GLIAC Conference. The Lakers will play five more games throughout November, including two home games on Nov. 20 and 23 against Cedarville University and Grace Christian Academy. Their last two home games will be on Dec. 20 and 31 to wrap up their non-conference play against University of Southern Indiana and a New Year’s Eve game against Judson University. Several returning players will be using their extra COVID-19 eligibility, including last year’s preseason Player of the Year, senior forward Jake Van Tubbergen. Another returner is All-GLIAC and All-Defense senior forward, Christian Negron, as well as senior guards Deleon Brown and Issac Gassman to round out the seniors on the roster.

FOOTBALL

Antonio Strong assumes position as team leader for GV Football

BY HOLLY BIHLMAN SPORTS@LANTHORN.COM

This football season, as you’re watching Grand Valley State University play on the home field, you may catch number seven making some game-winning plays as the last line of defense. Antonio Strong, a junior this year, is taking on two new positions on the GV football team: safety and team leader.

It’s been two years since there’s been a full Lubbers stadium and a true game of football played on the field, which makes veteran players even more important when welcoming new faces on the team for their proper introduction to GV football. Strong didn’t earn his position as a team leader for being a veteran player though.

His high character, personality and confidence are what head coach Matt Mitchell believes to be Strong’s winning leadership traits.

Strong started his sports career in third grade playing tackle football, following in his two older brothers’ footsteps. He wanted to play running back in fourth grade but was too big at such a young age for that position, so he decided to take that year off and hasn’t missed a season since. Once fifth grade started, he’s been playing positions all over the field but has landed himself a spot as safety for the 2021 season.

“This is what I’ve been waiting for the most—in school and all that—I do everything for football,” Strong said. “But I know it’s going to come to an end soon, so I try to get a life outside of football, but I love football; there’s nothing else better than this.”

Strong keeps up with his double major in Communications and Business at GV, but because of the COVID-19 extended eligibility for student-athletes, he plans to spread his last two

years out between fall semesters so that he can stick with his team for as long as possible. With the extra years of college football under his belt, he has the advantage of experience in real time games—something that can help out a lot of his new teammates.

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VOLLEYBALL

GV Volleyball looks to make a

statement ahead of the 2021 season

BY SHAWN ROBINSON SPORTS@LANTHORN.COM

WOMEN’S SOCCER RANKED FIRST IN GLIAC PRESEASON POLL

At the helm of a new start for the Grand Valley State University soccer team, new head coach Jim Conlon is inheriting some big shoes to fill after seven-year head coach, Jeff Hosler, moved to coach Michigan State. The GLIAC preseason poll ranks GVSU at the top of the list this year after their fourteenth GLIAC Tournament title last spring. The women’s soccer team has tallied up fifteen GLIAC regular fall season championships straight, and they’ll be defending their 2019 National Championship. Their season begins on Sept 2. on the GVSU soccer field against Lindenwood, welcoming several new faces to the team, as well as welcoming back three-time All-American senior defender Cecilia Steinwascher.

LEADERSHIP: Junior safety, Antonio Strong, steps up this year both in his game play and in his leadership role as a player to look up to for some of his new teammates. COURTESY | GVSU ATHLETICS

NEW ERA: Jason Johnson begins preparations for season as the head coach amidst number one rank in preseason poll. COURTESY | FOX 17

With fall sports just around the corner, the Grand Valley State University volleyball team plans to make the most out of Jason Johnson’s inaugural season as head coach.

“Getting out and competing,” Johnson said.

“Even having the small bit of season last year, we enjoyed it, but it wasn’t normal. The excitement of having a preseason and a full, long season; we’re very excited to get on the court and start competing.”

Johnson will lead the team this season after 22-year former head coach Deanne Scanlon announced her retirement earlier this summer.

His first priority so far: “survive the season.”

Last year, the volleyball team had an overall record of 12-4 and 11-3 in the GLIAC during their shortened season. They were able to secure a three seed in last year’s GLIAC Championship tournament but fell short of the end goal.

“I think at the end of the day, it’s about competitiveness,” Johnson said. “It’s about them bringing their best each day out on the floor, being able to work together as we progress through the season. For me, it’s all about the experience that they have as we get throughout

the season and that it’s a positive one. We’ll have fun with it, but we’ll be competitive with the matches that we play.”

The Lakers roster this season consists of a few new freshmen joining the team as well as a lot of returning talent, including returning All-GLIAC junior, Ali Thompson.

“I want us to be competitive with everyone that we play,” Thompson said. “I think we have a lot of talent that we’ll see on the court but also on our bench. I’m expecting everyone to be ready at all times, and I’m excited to see us compete and what everyone can bring to the team.”

The team will look to build on their chemistry from last year and will compete at the highest level to win. Several other familiar faces will also be playing this season including All-GLIAC Blocker of the Year sophomore, Jaelianna Primus, All-GLIAC junior, Abby Graham, and Honorable mention sophomore, Karlie Kucharczyk. Their ultimate goal this season is to take home a GLIAC Conference Championship, and then the National Championship trophy.

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AUGUST 30, 2021 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLSPORTS

A12 | SPORTS CROSS COUNTRY

GV cross country looks to remain on top of GLIAC for 2021 season

BY JUSTICE STIENER SPORTS@LANTHORN.COM

After having the 2020 season canceled due to COVID-19, the Grand Valley State University cross country team will be competing this fall for the first time in nearly two years. The last time the men’s and women’s teams took the course in the 2019 season, both were GLIAC and NCAA Regional Champions. However, at the NCAA National Championships, the teams fell just short, where the women’s team placed second and the men’s placed fourth.

GLIAC titles are nothing new to the Laker’s cross country teams. Since 2002, both the men’s and women’s teams have been GLIAC champions every season. A key component to this success is head coach Jerry Baltes, who is heading into his 23rd season with the GVSU cross country team. Baltes has made sure to keep both the men’s and women’s teams ready, despite not having a competitive season last fall.

“We trained all year round,” Baltes said.

“We didn’t have a competitive season, but we still had practice all fall and all of our distance runners are on the track and field team, so they all had the competitive experience of the Indoor Track Championships, where women won the NCAA Championship and outdoors where the men won the NCAA Championships. It’s not like they haven’t done anything since March of 2020.”

CHASING ENDURANCE: Grand Valley runners are bouncing back after their canceled 2020 season and are preparing for the upcoming season by getting back on the grind. GVL | MEGHAN LANDGREN

Coach Baltes has constructed an impressive resume in his time at GVSU. He has a total of seven cross country national championships combined between the men’s and women’s teams and in 2018, both the men’s and women’s teams were national champions.

“You recruit good student-athletes, both in the classroom and running-wise, but more

importantly hopefully the right people with the right mindset and right attitude,” Baltes said.

Now heading into the 2021 season, Baltes looks to build on his success by continuing to focus on having a “blue-collar mindset of working hard every day.”

Working hard, working for each other, and working for a greater purpose are three things

that Baltes emphasizes to create a winning culture within the program. With all of these factors playing into the success of this season, he believes both the men’s and women’s teams will see all of that paying off for them.

“This is probably the deepest men’s roster we have ever assembled performance and result-wise, and what they’ve already done,” Baltes said. “It doesn’t mean they are automatically going to get stuff done moving forward, but we know the talent and the ability is there on both sides.”

A big part of that depth on the men’s team comes from the addition of Isaac Harding, a graduate transfer from the University of Michigan. Harding transferred to GVSU last fall and although he did not get to compete in cross country due to the cancellation of the season, he did have a chance to compete as a member of the track team last spring. Following the cancellation of last season, Harding said he looked at it as an opportunity to get better and separate himself.

“We didn’t know when I was going to be able to race again, but I knew when I did it would be apparent who put in the work during the pandemic and the people that didn’t,” Harding said.

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SERVING THE COMPETITION

GV Tennis makes plans to bring home a GLIAC Conference title

BY JAMES HERRICK SPORTS@LANTHORN.COM

The Grand Valley State University tennis teams are finally back to campus, ready to begin preparations for their 2021 season. Last spring, both the men’s and women’s teams had successful seasons; however,

both ended with a heartbreaking loss in the GLIAC conference finals. GVSU tennis is looking at the opportunity to play in a fall season for the first time since 2019 with a roster fully loaded with returning players to bring home the trophy.

The tennis courts this year will be filled with familiar faces, including head coach

AIMING FOR AN ACE: Both the men’s and women’s GVSU tennis teams are gearing up for their upcoming season and are hoping to win the GLIAC Conference title this year. GVL | MEGHAN LANDGREN

Samantha Schall, who’s returning for her third season at GVSU. As for the players, almost the entire men’s and women’s teams will be coming back.

“We didn’t have a lot of turnover,” Schall said. “In fact, I’ve only recruited one player for each team at this point. We have three seniors on the women’s team that are coming back for their fourth year here and they have been impact players every year, so I’m really excited to see what they achieve in their senior season.

And then on the men’s side, we brought back almost every player and we just had a really good core group of guys.”

Since last season ended just short of the conference title for the tennis teams, they’re shifting their goals towards a season that will focus less on results and more on opportunities.

“You know, I hope the players do well and progress far in the tournament,” Schall said. “But in terms of specific expectations, I think we are all just looking forward to

having our fall season, a more normal experience, and appreciating that part of it rather than focusing on the results.”

This opportunity to play a fall season will not come without its challenges. Tennis season starts on Sept. 9-11 when the teams attend their opening tournament at Davenport University. Unfortunately, the program can’t start practices until Sept. 2, which leaves the teams little time to prepare. However, an offseason filled with hard work will ease the load of getting in match form. Senior Jack Dausman laid out how the team is looking heading into their short practice window.

“Pretty much all our guys have been training really hard over the summer, so it’s not like we are going from zero to full blast,” said Dausman.

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