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• Vol. 114 • Issue 3 • Oct. 23, 2020
Campus Cupboard Provides for the University MEAH COPELAND Reporter The Campus Cupboard feeds students
and faculty who have financial burdens. Beth Rutt, director of student activities
and student recreation and wellness, has
been running the Campus Cupboard since October 2013.
“We help our campus community by
providing food and essentials for day to day living,” Rutt said. “We are here to supplement the individuals’ needs.”
Over the years, it has helped thousands of
students and faculty. This year is different because of the pandemic, but Rutt and
her team made decisions to keep the food
pantry running and incorporated changes.
According to Rutt, they have increased the amount of food they have access to, and
they have added extra freezer space, which allows them to have more food in storage. They were recently able to get about 244 boxes of cereal, five 50 lb boxes of sliced bacon, which they repackaged into 12
strips per bag and cases of salmon, which they repackage as well.
Rutt said the workers at the cupboard
are trying to facilitate a safe environment where people can come and get food,
even during the pandemic. They are no
longer able to have individuals go inside
the pantry and choose their own items, so they changed the set-up of the pantry and needed more volunteers. They currently have 8-10 volunteers each week.
Food distribution is held every Wednesday,
Thursday and Saturday. Most of the items
are repackaged, so people can get smaller amounts, which serves more people. The staff usually repackages during Tuesday evenings, according to Rutt.
“If you are like me, who doesn’t have a
great job and is looking for food, this is a
good place to go,” junior Annie Jones said. “It’s good for students who have financial
problems. When the dining hall closes and
I want food, then I can go to my fridge and get the food that I got today.”
Alumnus Mike Verderaime, who studied
the campus cupboard for his doctoral
research, provided more information about the campus cupboard.
“The campus cupboard is important
because it represents that UCM sees all types of students and understands that
higher education is not just for one type of person,” Verderaime said. “There are
students from multiple backgrounds and
many different forms of financial support.
The campus cupboard is important because they care about every student and know
that not everyone has a meal plan or can afford going out.”
Verderaime conducted his research from
fall 2019 through spring 2020. He said the service has increased in popularity,
and his research showed how the campus
cupboard is being brought to life since not all students have the money to buy food.
He also mentioned education is important,
The number of Campus Cupboard visitors over the past eight years. However, the numbers for 2013 and 2020 only include information for three months, as data is still being collected for 2020, and in 2013, the cupboard started in October and the year ended shortly after. Graphic by Meah Copeland
but expensive, leaving students without money to purchase anything else.
According to Verderaime, the national
trend in college insecurity clarifies a
growing local concern. Over the past
several years, there has been an increase in the use of the food pantry at UCM.
When it started in 2013, the cupboard
served 255 students. In the beginning of
2020, when the cupboard was open before students were sent home, the cupboard
had already served more than twice that
UCM October COVID-19 Cases Decline MATTHEW GOLDSMITH
COVID-19 numbers have decreased in the past month.
As of Oct. 16, UCM has 16 known active
student cases and four faculty/staff cases. The campus numbers are down from
the numbers released on Sept. 18, when UCM had 73 student and three faculty/
staff cases and Oct. 9 when there were 24 student cases and six faculty/staff cases.
Despite UCM’s decline, Johnson County
has seen an increase in cases and had 270
cases as of Oct. 10. The increase prompted the county to reinstate a mask order on Oct. 7.
UCM Interim Health Center Director
Diana Herman expected a post Labor Day
taking the virus more seriously is also a possible reason.
Herman said day-to-day operations at the
University Health Center are finally going
also said he isn’t scared of the virus.
“I never felt scared … or worried,” Marsh
said.
Dr. David Glover has been the team
back to normal, and they feel more caught
physician for the UCM athletic department
COVID-19 has brought challenges to the
athletes with COVID-19. Glover said when
up.
UHC staff. Herman said the nurses worked
every day on Labor Day weekend and have been working overtime on weekends.
Herman also said the staff members have
had role changes, and staff changes have
for over 25 years and has treated studenta student-athlete is quarantined, their
medical history is examined, and they must pass a physical exam before returning to active participation.
Glover said Myocarditis, or inflammation
created extra work for the employees.
of the heart muscle, is something he has
we haven’t been able to replace them yet,”
Myocarditis is a potential long-term effect
“We had a few staff members resign …
Herman said.
Freshman pro pilot major Hunter Marsh
taken into account with student-athletes. of COVID-19.
He said he doesn’t believe there have
increase in positive cases that never came.
caught the virus about a month ago, after
been major differences between student-
university stands with COVID-19.
had the virus.
during COVID-19.
She said she is happy with where the
Herman suggested that the reasons cases
being exposed to a student at school who Marsh experienced some congestion,
athletes and the rest of the student body Glover said he is proud of how the
decreased might include social bubbles
achiness in his back and lost his taste and
student body has handled the pandemic.
taking COVID-19 more seriously.
but his sense of smell is still “kind of faint.”
students have really paid attention and
done a good job of handling COVID-19. He
Glover said.
being established and the student body She said student-athletes, many of whom
couldn’t compete because of COVID-19,
service has grown over the years and helps students to get a meal for the day.
Central Courte Opens Taco Bell ANNELIA NIXON Reporter
Taco Bell had a delayed reopening on
Sept. 28 despite having the “least intrusive” renovations of all the fast-food chains
in Central Courte, according to Resident
District Manager of Sodexo Dining Justin Dreslinski. It was first expected to open
mid-September. However, COVID-19 led to
News Editor The University of Central Missouri’s
amount, at 612 students served. The
smell for two weeks. He has regained taste, Marsh said he thinks the university has
“We’re very proud of the kids and the way
have followed the rules and regulations,”
a setback in receiving building materials.
Many students have been looking forward
to Taco Bell’s reopening, including senior Valyssa Caballero.
“My favorite fast food place in the Central
Courte would have to be Taco Bell,”
Caballero said. “I have been to Taco Bell multiple times after it opened.”
Taco Bell’s hours of operation are similar
to last semester. Now that it is open,
Einstein Bros. Bagels in the REC Center,
which had extended their hours in order
to compensate for Central Courte’s closing, has returned to its regular hours.
Chick-Fil-A was next on the list to
complete renovations.
“Barring any unforeseen issues, we are
scheduled to open on Monday, October 19,” Dreslinksi said.
They did meet this deadline as promised. Dreslinski also said the Union Express
will begin renovations after Central Courte is opened. The project is expected to be
completed during winter break. Dreslinski was unable to provide a specific date, but
he said the opening is scheduled for mid or late January.
Illustrations by Estaban Saldaña
Illustrations by Estaban Saldaña