Mule
Muleskinner University of Central Missouri Publication Since 1878
Mule
Muleskinner
Mule
muleskinner_ucm
BRANDON CANNON
@Muleskinner_UCM
Check out our new website! Muleskinnernews.com
p. 2 p. 4 p. 5 p. 6
NEWS FEATURES OPINIONS SPORTS
• Vol. 114 • Issue 2 • Sept. 25, 2020
Students March Toward Equality
be looking out for each other, and I would expect them to do the
Reporter After marching almost two
same if I was in their situation.”
on Sept. 15 at the University
about their support for the Black
Central Missouri students gathered
students must fight racial injustice.
to discuss racism, social injustice
march because none of my friends
in the United States. The rally
a moment to feel comfortable,”
display of talent and passion was
Akheituame said. “However,
of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by
out, you could feel the change
Many students were vocal
miles through university streets,
community and explained why
Amphitheater, University of
“It was nerve-racking during the
at the “Together We Stand” event
and other discriminatory practices
decided to join me, and it took me
included multiple speeches. A
Graduate assistant Esther
given through a speed painting
as the event continued to play
senior Asia Thomas and Bryant
in atmosphere. People were
Williams, the vice president of
the Association of Black Collegians
of Student Government Activities gave a speech, during which he expressed
students’ need to bridge the gap between policy that creates political division and the amount of Americans voting.
The general purpose of the rally was to
get students involved with decision and policy making. Williams asked, “what’s next?” and encouraged students to use
their right to vote. Williams said it’s up
to the people in the community to make
an effort to create new opportunities and chances for the next generation.
Dominique Hampton, graduate assistant
of the Center for Multiculturalism and
Inclusivity, spearheaded this movement
extremely happy with how open
Senior Jahana Hamilton, national pan-hellenic council president at UCM said, “It is important for the Black community to come together, at the school and showcase the social injustice that is in our nation.” Photo by Tyler Langenberg
many people came in attendance.”
and helped organize the march.
Thompson said, “I think this is enough and
“This is one of the biggest events that I
coordinated, not just here on UCM, but in
that we will bring to department heads in future meetings.”
Phil Bridgmon, provost and vice president
my life,” Hampton said. He said he didn’t
of academic affairs, offered a perspective of
turnout would be. The march began with
“This is an important and wonderful first
have much expectation for how the event
a “white ally.”
70 people, but it quickly ballooned as it
step today,” Bridgmon said. “Well, frankly
and faculty members joined. The final
We have to fulfill our mission as human
moved through campus and other students number present was close to 150 people, with about 15% being white supporters
we have to keep listening and supporting. beings to march towards social justice.”
Freshman Kolby McCollum said, “I believe
and the other 85% being Black.
that the importance, even as a white man,
“Students had the opportunity to share
this case specifically for African Americans.
“It was an effective night,” Hampton said.
their voices and expressed their concerns
is to support people of all colors, but in
Because I believe that we humans should
and honest students were and how
Junior interior design major Hadiya
a time where we should be together and show love to each other. No one should
ever feel less than anyone because of your color.”
Students were given the opportunity to
submit a survey to voice their opinions
anonymously or they present in front of the crowd. Fifteen students who spoke to the
crowd, and emotions were high as people expressed their feelings.
Another event is being planned for
October where student concerns and questions can be addressed again.
COVID-19 Cases Fluctuate at UCM MATTHEW GOLDSMITH News Editor
As of Sept. 18, UCM had 73 known active
student COVID-19 cases and three faculty/ staff cases. In total, the university has had 407 year-to-date cases. This is an increase from Sept. 11, when UCM reported 136 student and seven faculty/staff cases.
Earlier this semester, the university wasn’t
publishing COVID-19 statistics. UCM
President Dr. Roger Best said one of the
reasons they hadn’t done so was because the campus had a low number of cases,
especially compared to other universities when factoring in the size of the student body.
He said he didn’t want the initial figures
to provide UCM an opportunity to let its guard down.
“To some extent, my concern was if we
publish the numbers, that there would be some complacency set in,” Best said.
When case numbers were released on
Sept. 11, the first of the university’s weekly updates, they showed an increase from the previous numbers of 42 student and four faculty/staff cases that were reported via email by Best on Sept. 3.
The increase wasn’t a surprise to UCM.
Best said the university had observed
that students were getting complacent,
including at off-campus events where masks weren’t being worn, and the
data started to reflect this. He said the
*COVID-19 numbers related to the University of Central Missouri are coordinated by the University Student Health Center and UCM Human Resources in cooperation with Local Public Health Agencies.
university was anticipating an even larger amount of positive cases.
Despite UCM’s decrease, local cases are
on the rise. As of Sept. 20, Warrensburg
is 19th on the New York Times list of the greatest number of new cases in the last two weeks.
Best said the university is watching
the situation every day. He also said the university looks at how they are doing
currently and tries to project where they will be.
Jeffrey Murphy, the assistant director
for media relations at UCM, said he has been very proud of the work university employees have done throughout the pandemic.
“It’s important to note how many people
have put in a lot of extra effort to try
to make the campus as safe as possible
during COVID,” Murphy said. “This is an unprecedented time for all of us.”
Murphy also discussed the challenge that
COVID-19 has brought to the university. “It’s taken a campus wide effort …
something we just keep working at every
day,” Murphy said. “This is new to us, but we’re going to continue to do the best we
can to make it through this very difficult situation.”
Interim Health Center Director Diana
masks. She said every time she has asked
those questions, the answer has been yes. Amy Kiger, the director of campus
Herman has been helping with contact
community health, said Campus
numerous students who are displaying
changing COVID-19 protocol, even before
tracing on campus. She has dealt with symptoms of the new virus.
Herman said one of the questions she asks
people who are experiencing symptoms, while having them remember the days
before symptoms started, is “did you come
into contact with anyone within six feet for longer than 15 minutes?”
If those individuals were in class, she will
ask if they were six feet apart and wearing
Community Health has been constantly
the first positive UCM case on March 20. “We’ve been working on this, and
adapting and changing constantly since January 2020,” Kiger said.
Kiger also said the University Health
Center has seen an increase in student
visits this semester. Students reaching out
for COVID-19 can range from 5-50 people a day.