April 27, 2021

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STUDENT RUN NEWS SINCE 1926

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MSUREPORTER.COM

TUESDAY, APRIL 27, 2021

Students reflect on online learning experience By JULIA BARTON Staff Writer

With COVID-19 affecting people’s daily lives in myriad ways, Minnesota State University, Mankato students have adapted to learning online since the pandemic hit last spring and pushed professors to transition classes to an online format. Professors and teachers across the country have now been forced to find alternative ways for their students to learn as the pandemic hasn’t stopped schools and universities from holding classes. Zoom is the avenue many MNSU professors have been using for their teaching outlet. Zoom is an online service that allows video and audio communication. It also allows for the recording of lectures. But with this new form of learning also comes some struggles as the physical and social interaction aspect of learning has decreased. Jillian Moor, freshman at MNSU who is majoring in Dental Hygiene, said staying motivated in her school work while learning remotely has been a struggle. “The biggest challenge I have run into with online learning is staying focused.

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Ramadan, a month-long Islamic holiday filled with worship, spirituality, and connectivity, is known to bring families and friends together. Due to the pandemic, though, many who celebrate this holiday have had to do so alone. Minnesota State University, Mankato junior Al Sultan (who asked that his full name not be published) noted how different the past two years have been compared to years prior. “We would break our fast together with our families, but these past two years it’s either by yourself or with some friends,” Al Sultan stated. “It’s a different environment spiritually when you’re alone.” Al Sultan said that while

Attorney: Black man killed by deputies shot in back of head ASSOCIATED PRESS

FABIO CASTEL GARCIA • The Reporter

It’s so tempting to sit on my phone or zone out while on Zoom,” Moor said. “It’s annoying when I have questions for an assignment and I have to set up a Zoom call with my professor instead of just asking face to face.” Freshman Megan Rosalie, who is double majoring in criminal justice and French, said she agrees that online learning hasn’t been easy. “I have found it harder for myself to retain the information I’m being taught

while online. I’m more of a hands-on learner so this year has definitely been more challenging,” Rosalie said. However, staying motivated academically isn’t the only struggle students have been facing this year. Junior Julia Bolssen, who is studying psychology and gender women studies, said learning online has impacted her mental health. “Going online has made my mental health worse in a lot of different aspects. I liked

going to classes and learning from a professor and being stuck behind a computer has made it challenging,” Bolssen said. “I also feel as though going online and away from campus has made it hard to leave my house because I can complete everything online. I miss walking around campus and going to the library with my friends.” Freshman Logan Shaffer, who is majoring in automotive engineering, agrees. ONLINE on page 2 u

During Ramadan, Muslim students support each other By JENNA PETERSON

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he isn’t able to spend this time with his family, he’s lucky to have a solid group of friends to celebrate and eat with. MNSU graduate student Ahmed Sadek experienced similar feelings of being alone during a holiday where people are supposed to gather together. “COVID kept us from being together, as everyone was sheltered in their home last year. Nobody wanted to risk getting sick,” he said. “This year, though, there are some socially distanced group prayers being held outside, which has helped some.” Even in a time of loneliness, the two students have been able to find a community to gather with and find support within. Al Sultan found his support through multiple sources. “Most people struggle

ANDREW NELLES • Associated Press Muslims pray during the holy month of Ramadan at the Salahadeen Center in Nashville, Tenn., Wednesday, April 14, 2021.

finding a good support system, and it would be easier if you had your family,” he said. “But the Muslim community here in Mankato is always there to help out when it’s needed. I’m also able to receive support from

my friends, and we’ll sometimes gather together when it’s safe.” Similarly, Sadek said he has found people to connect with to help celebrate Ramadan in a pandemic easier. RAMADAN on page 3 u

A Black man killed by deputies in North Carolina was shot in the back of his head and had his hands on the car steering wheel when they opened fire, attorneys for the family said Monday after body camera video was shown to his relatives. Attorney Chantel Cherry-Lassiter watched a 20-second portion of body camera video with the family of Andrew Brown Jr. on Monday. She said Brown did not appear to be a threat to officers as he backed his vehicle out and tried to drive away. “He was not threatening them in any kind of fashion,” she told reporters at a news conference. When asked whether Brown was shot in the back, attorney Harry Daniels said, “Yes, back of the head.” An eyewitness account and emergency scanner traffic had previously indicated Brown was shot in the back as he tried to drive away. Lassiter, who watched the video multiple times and took notes, said shooting started as soon as the video started. She said she counted as many as eight deputies in the video, some wearing tactical uniforms and some in plainclothes. “They’re shooting and saying let me see your hands at the same time,” she said. The family’s lawyers also criticized local authorities for only showing 20 seconds of the video and only showing them footage from a single body camera. “They’re trying to hide something,” attorney Benjamin Crump said. Earlier Monday, a search warrant was released saying deputies obtained the warrant that brought them there after investigators recorded him selling small amounts of cocaine and methamphetamine to an informant. Crump argued the authorities were trying to release negative information about Brown while shielding themselves by holding back the video.


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