Hammond, LA
September 1, 2020
S O U T H E A S T E R N L O U I S IA NA U N I V E R S I T Y
A wobble, luck and preparations lessened Laura’s devastation BY SETH BORENSTEIN, State University hurricane MELINDA DESLATTE AND researcher Phil Klotzbach said. JANET MCCONNAUGHEY Lauren Sylvester heeded the Associated Press mandatory evacuation, leaving her townhouse in Lake Charles LAKE CHARLES, La. on Wednesday to stay with her (AP) — Hurricane Laura was a mom in New Iberia. Between the monster storm that could have, evacuation order and the storm even should have, wreaked much surge projections, she didn’t more destruction than it did, want to take a risk. except for a few lucky breaks “On the TV, the picture kept and some smart thinking by Gulf getting worse and worse. They Coast residents, experts say. said it was going to be 9 feet and Just before striking Louisiana, above. It was freaking me out so Laura wobbled. It wasn’t much, much,” Sylvester said Friday. “I maybe 15 miles (24 kilometers) didn’t want to be stuck in my for a Category 4 storm that was attic with no way to get out.” nearly the width of two states. Her home was right in the “red But it was enough to move the zone” of 9 feet (2.7 meters) of worst of the storm surge east of flooding, but “it didn’t happen,” Lake Charles and into a far less she said. populated area. She came home to some lost And even before that, Laura shingles and downed trees. There threaded a needle between well- was no water damage. populated New Orleans, Port “We got really lucky,” she Arthur and Houston and came said. “We were really blessed.” ashore in Cameron Parish, which Lawrence “Lee” Faulk of is the second least-populated nearby Grand Lake, a member county along the coast. The of the Cameron Parish governing population of the average body called a police jury, said if Atlantic and Gulf Coast county the storm had been 10 miles (16 is 322,000 people. Cameron kilometers) to the west, “Lake Parish has less than 7,000. Charles and this part of the parish Before Laura struck, local would have got all that water.” governments and residents took National Hurricane Center the right steps and got out of storm surge specialist Jamie harm’s way for the most part, a Rhome referred to the storm’s veteran New Orleans disaster last-minute course change as the expert said. “little wobble that saved” Lake The storm was still Charles. In the end, the city got devastating, but not quite as maybe half the storm surge it catastrophic as it might have could have received, he said. been. The worst storm surge is to “It was really, really bad the east of a hurricane’s eyewall instead of apocalyptic,” Colorado because of the combination of
Wedding dresses hang within a pile of debris at a store in Lake Charles, La., Friday, Aug. 28, 2020. Residents and business owners were slowly making their way back into the city following Hurricane Laura. (Chris Granger/The Times-Picayune/ The New Orleans Advocate via AP) the storm’s counterclockwise whirl and northward movement. As Laura wobbled more to the east, Lake Charles got the eyewall, and the worst surge hit farther east in the marshlands, Klotzbach said. Before the storm arrived, the hurricane center warned of up to 20 feet (6 meters) of storm surge, and Rhome said it was in that ballpark. Storm surge warnings and estimates represent the most reasonable bad scenario, or the
worst 10% of the thousands of calculations meteorologists make, Rhome said. Emergency managers use those figures to get their evacuation messages across properly, said hurricane expert Brian McNoldy of the University of Miami. Much like the now-forgotten Hurricane Bret that hit Texas in 1999, the location where Laura came ashore also made a big difference, he said. “There aren’t that many
lowly inhabited places along the coastline, and it managed to find one of them,” McNoldy said. Another factor was simply smart behavior by the local population, experts said. Shirley Laska, a sociologist who studied Louisiana disasters at the University of New Orleans and co-founded the Lowlander Center, said parish leaders, emergency managers and citizens did the right thing before the storm. “I’m pretty much a cynic and
a critic, but I think these parishes did wonderfully. And I mean both the citizens and the leaders,” Laska said. “But they got out of Dodge. They evacuated as they were told.” Elizabeth Griffin Tietjens, a veterinarian in Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana, fled her house on Monday after hearing repeated warnings about Laura. She drove 12 hours to be with her husband at Fort Benning in Columbus, Georgia. Upon her return Friday, she found huge wind-torn gaps in the roof of her home. Her landlord, Kevin Pickett, and his entire family fled too. “Everybody left, everybody learned their lesson during (2005’s Hurricane) Rita,” Pickett said, “and so everybody vacated.” Laska said she believes the monthslong pandemic helped make everyone more attentive to risk. Add to that Tropical Storm Marco, which threatened the region only a few days earlier and then fizzled. People were prepared well ahead of time. Danny Lavergne, director of the Cameron Office of Emergency Preparedness, acknowledged that Laura inflicted the worst damage the area ever got. But, he said, “There’s nobody missing, no one injured, no one dead.” Most of the 150 to 200 people who refused to evacuate were on the western end of the parish. “They survived the wind because there was no water,” Lavergne said.
Lion Traxx takes additional safety measures OSE director shares screen Shuttle services cut capacity in half, increased disinfection process and works only one route in a Netflix film with Jamie Foxx
The Lion Traxx shuttles have made several adjustments to abide by the new health and safety policies. The number of routes, stops and passengers allowed on each shuttle has been reduced, in addition to extra sanitation measures. (Brynn Lundy/The Lion’s Roar) ELANA GUILLORY Staff Reporter
Over the summer, Lion Traxx implemented new safety precautions following statewide efforts to reduce the spread of the coronavirus on campus. Capacity on the shuttles has been cut in half, disinfection concludes each shift and passengers undergo symptom
checks before boarding, according to Gary Prescott, director of Transportation Services. “The smaller shuttles are allowed to have 10 passengers at a time while the large shuttle is allowed 20 passengers,” stated Prescott. “This measure was put into place to help with spacing issues and will limit the seating to one person per
Weather
Tuesday H 93 L 73
row. Each passenger is asked to perform a symptoms check before boarding. If they are experiencing any COVID-like symptoms, they are asked not to ride.” Prescott mentioned that, like the rest of campus, students are required to wear masks on the shuttles. Plexiglass shields around the driver’s seat have also been installed to provide
additional safety. Lion Traxx routes have also been reworked in accordance with capacity limitations. Prescott elaborated on the changes. “Due to the passenger restrictions, we were forced to temporarily close one route and seven shuttle stops, leaving only two active stops for this semester,” stated Prescott. “Currently, the only two active stops are located at the University Center Section 2 and at the Student Union on the south side of the library. Because of the reduced capacity, we have also increased the number of shuttles and drivers during our peak hours.” Continuous disinfection systems will also be placed on the shuttles in coming weeks, according to the director. Prescott left a message of gratitude for students. “Thank you to our riders for being very understanding and patient with us during this time,” said Prescott. “Transportation Services is doing the best we can to provide the highest level of safety for everyone on campus. If you ride the shuttle this semester, please make sure to follow all of the safety protocols in place to help us maintain a safe and clean environment. Also, please take a moment to thank your driver for their awesome job.”
Index
Wednesday H 93 L 71
Campus Life.................................2 Opinions.....................................3 A&E............................................4
Campus Life.................................5 Sports & Fitness...........................6
Marjorie Parker/ Courtesy of University Communication and Creative Services SYMIAH DORSEY Staff Reporter
University staff members have many passions outside of their nine to fives, some of which include starring in Netflix films. Marjorie Parker, director of student engagement, shared the screen with Jamie Foxx in the new Netflix movie “Project Power.” The New Orleans based film trended number one on Netflix during its debut weekend and maintained the streak for 10 days. Parker’s scene took place inside a Church’s Chicken restaurant as she played the server waiting on Foxx. She shared her experience working alongside the Academy Award winning actor. “Jamie Foxx’s energy was magnetic from the time he walked in the restaurant,” said Parker. “He had a Bluetooth speaker with him, taking song requests, singing and telling jokes. He was a lot of fun to work with on set.” Parker shared how Foxx made the long filming process and an easy-going experience. “We were in Church’s Chicken for hours,” mentioned Parker. “We filmed multiple camera angles. Jamie Foxx made it so see NETFLIX, pg. 2 Stay Connected With Us! Like and follow @lionsroarnews.
Volume 92, Issue 2 A Student Publication www.lionsroarnews.com lionsroar@southeastern.edu
Page 2 | September 1, 2020
The Lion’s Roar | Campus Life
Virtual Part-Time Job Fair moved to Sept. 9
University student registers for Virtual Part-Time Job Fair on selu.joinhandshake.com. The Virtual Part- Time Job Fair was initially scheduled for Sept. 2 but has been moved to Sept. 9 due to the week-long campus closure in anticipation of hurricanes Laura and Marco. Symiah Dorsey/The Lion’s Roar SYMIAH DORSEY
the safety of their homes. Organized by the Office of Career Services, the Part-Time Job Fair will be held virtually through Students looking for part-time employment the university’s Handshake platform. Students can now interact with dozens of employers from are encouraged to register on Handshake prior to Staff Reporter
the event, which will occur Wednesday, Sept. 9 from 1-4 p.m. Craig Marinello, manager of student employment and internship development, explained the different ways employers can interact with students. “The fair itself is going to be a mix of 30-minute group sessions where an employer can hold a public forum for up to 50 students,” shared Marinello. “They can hold up to three 30-minute sessions. The other part of this Virtual Part-Time Job Fair is 10-minute one-on-one sessions.” Employers have been able to set up one-onone sessions for each of their representatives, according to Marinello. “Once employers are registered for the fair, they are prompted to set up their schedule,” explained Marinello. “What that does is let them look at a calendar of 10-minute slots between the times of 1 and 4 p.m., and they can set up for each representative they have.” Due to a limited number of one-on-one slots for each employer, Marinello advised students to register as soon as possible. “The deadline to register is up to one hour before the fair, but I highly suggest that they do beforehand,” said Marinello. “Let’s say an employer only has one representative, and let’s say they only do 10-minute slots. That means all an employer is going to have is 18 slots. If students wait until the last minute, there’s a
chance they won’t get to talk to the companies they want to talk to.” Marinello also encouraged students to dress in accordance to the new setting of the Part-Time Job Fair. “I encourage students to present themselves in a professional manner,” advised Marinello. “Normally, the Part-Time Job Fair was pretty relaxed―it was walking through the Breezeway. For this, at the very least, make yourself presentable. First impressions are the most lasting. I would dress like I’m going to an interview.” Marinello shared his excitement for the accessibility that virtual options provide. “The great part of these virtual options is that everyone can do it from the comfort of their home or office, and all they have to do is turn on their computer and be there,” mentioned Marinello. “It definitely provides opportunities for new events that maybe we haven’t even thought of, and that’s kind of exciting.” Although the pandemic has prompted unexpected changes, Marinello believes that it has expanded opportunities for future events. “From all bad things, there are silver linings, and it has helped to escalate not just our office but employers’ offices to using more virtual technology,” shared Marinello. “In the future, I do believe that there are elements that will stay with us.”
New at CSE: Academic coaches aid students in exploring academic and future career options BRYNN LUNDY Staff Reporter
The Center for Student Excellence is offering “Academic & Career Exploration,” a new service designed to assist and support students who no longer have freshman advisors through their academic journeys and their career searches. Referred to as ACE, the services began in Spring 2020, but the pandemic, in addition to the youth of the program, necessitated developments which are being formally introduced this semester. The program provides resources for third-semester freshman through senior year students who seek guidance in choosing a major and assessing strengths and weaknesses. Brad Bergeron, assistant director for ACE, explained that the CSE created this program for students to reflect on goals and to work through obstacles they are facing. “Before ACE, if a student no longer wanted to pursue their current major but didn’t know what they wanted to declare, we really didn’t have a place for them to work on this,” claimed Bergeron. “Now, they can come to ACE and meet with an ‘Academic & Career Exploration’ Coach, and we can help them sort through information and figure out what major or career would be best suited for them.” Bergeron discussed how he and the other ACE coaches approach students who seek their help at CSE. “ACE Coaches help students who want help reaching their academic goals or exploring careers and majors that best fit their strengths,” explained Bergeron. “Coaches teach students how to gain self-knowledge, sort through pertinent information and take actions that produce
ACE director Brad Bergeron conducts an ACE session via Zoom in his office at the Center for Student Excellence. Students who are no longer freshmen and do not have a freshman advisor can utilize the CSE’s Academic & Career Exploration program for help in deciding on a major as well as exploring future career options. Brynn Lundy/The Lion’s Roar satisfying lives.” Bergeron described the steps students can take to initiate academic assistance from an ACE coach. Prior to the pandemic, students would be able to meet in-person with a coach, but for now, meetings are virtual. “Students can go to southeastern.edu/cse/ace/ to read about our services and to sign up for an appointment,” said Bergeron. “Coaches reach out to students who fill out an intake form, found on our ACE homepage, and email them a Zoom
OSE director Marjorie Parker shares screen with Jamie Foxx. Parker has appeared in some movies previously as well. Symiah Dorsey/The Lion’s Roar NETFLIX
continued from pg. 1 easy to work and joked almost every time I said my line. It was very exciting.” 10 years of professional acting through the Louisiana Talent Agency led Parker to her latest role. “They do a great job connecting me with casting directors and arranging auditions for me,” shared Parker. “I was fortunate to get this audition and that’s how I heard about the filming of the movie.” Parker’s acting journey began when she attended the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts (NOCCA) during high school,
specializing in Theatre Arts. She has even found ways to bring her love of acting to the Hammond community. “When I came to SLU, I had the opportunity to work with Jim Winter and Chad Winters on multiple shows, including “Medea,” “4.48 Psychosis” and “Much Ado About Nothing,” explained Parker. “Since graduating from SLU, I’ve been fortunate to work professionally in film, television and commercials. I have the opportunity to teach Drama and direct over 200 Upward Bound students in their yearly Summer Productions at the Columbia Theatre.” Chad Winters, the university
instructor of acting and directing, recollected on his time working with Parker. “Marjorie was one of the first actresses I worked with when I started at Southeastern,” mentioned Winters. “It was always a joy to work with her and she was very professional.” Hearing about Parker’s role was an exciting moment for Winters. “I recently heard of “Project Power” once Netflix began to promote it,” shared Winters. “A lot of it was shot in New Orleans, which is nice to see that Hollywood South is still moving along. It’s always exciting to see our students working in the film industry.” Parker shared how she has been overwhelmed with support by her loved ones. “My family and friends’ support and love has been overwhelming,” expressed Parker. “I’m truly blessed with the best. From the calls, texts, social media posts and comments, everyone is so loving.” Once the pandemic dies down, Parker plans to continue building on her acting career. “Acting has always been a passion of mine,” said Parker. “I am working to build my video reel and get back to acting when things are safe.”
invite.” At the homepage, students can also view the descriptions for “Academic Coaching & Career Exploration,” read about each coach on the ACE staff and find other ACE resources, including the online program TypeFocus. “TypeFocus is a leading developer of online personality types and resources that allow students to take assessments, explore occupations, choose majors that Southeastern offers and find jobs,” stated Bergeron.
Jennifer Whisenhunt is an ACE coach with a focus area in healthcare and human studies. She worked as a freshman advisor for four and a half years before the opportunity arose for her to be on the ACE staff. Whisenhunt mentioned how key aspects of the Academic Coaching and Career Exploration that ACE provides distinguish it from other student advising sessions on campus. ACE coaches encourage students to meet with them multiple times as a process to identify personal goals and strategies to increase academic success. “Typically, this involves meeting with students to learn more about what they are wanting to achieve academically and working with them to identify where they can improve to reach those goals,” said Whisenhunt. “The most common themes are time management, study strategies and learning skills. Sometimes these conversations cross over into major and career exploration since these choices are woven into academic performance as well.” The ACE coach gave a word of advice for students seeking guidance during their collegiate careers. “There are resources with open doors surrounding students to help them on their journey,” said Whisenhunt. “I would encourage students to be alert, be intentional, be adaptable and reach out when they need the extra guidance.” Bergeron mentioned a primary objective the CSE had in mind when forming this program for current and future Lions. “We want students who need extra help and support to have a place to go when they feel stuck or lost,” shared Bergeron. “Since students start in the CSE as freshmen, we tell them to just come back home when they need our help.”
Departments organize Welcome Week virtually DYLAN MECHE Staff Reporter
As students returned to campus this semester, they had the opportunity to interact with their peers and learn more about campus virtually. This year, annual Welcome Week events such as “Strawberry Jam,” “Paint Party” and “Block Party” were not held in compliance with current COVID-19 restrictions. However, several campus organizations and departments utilized social media and other virtual platforms for contests and activities beginning Aug. 14. Faculty, staff and student leaders set up “Just Ask Me Tents” at the Pennington Student Activity Center to assist new students around campus and distribute masks and water. Several departments hosted virtual contests. The Office of Student Engagement began the “Lion Up & Mask Up” contest
The University Police Department provided free masks and hand sanitizers at various campus locations as a part of the Welcome Week program. Most departments on campus held events virtually to comply with social distancing practices. Courtesy of the UPD on August 18, encouraging students to design their own face coverings and submit a picture via email for a chance to win a prize on August 25. “Find the conDUCK” was a contest hosted by the Office of Student Advocacy and Accountability which challenged students to find a rubber duck hidden somewhere on campus. One of the largest of these
contests was the “Blue and You - Search and Treasure” contest held by the University Police Department. The UPD interacted with students via their social media accounts and planted several yellow cones throughout campus which students could turn in to the UPD office in Pride Hall for various prizes.
see WELCOME WEEK, pg 3
OPINIONS | The Lionʼs Roar
SEPTEMBER 1, 2020 | PAGE 3
Finding the silver lining in virtual class The only bad thing about online classes is the fact that, well, ELANA GUILLORY we are taking STAFF REPORTER them because of a pandemic. Besides that, I could not be more grateful for them. Forget about the fact that I do not have to worry about my arthritis flaring up while walking from my car to the Student Union. Or that if I’m home, I’m not tempted to look at my reflection and fix my hair every time I pass a window. Those are just the tips of the iceberg. What about the fact that online classes allow me to roll out of bed a minute before my class starts? That’s absolutely golden, if you ask me. No driving around campus for half an hour looking for a parking spot, no commute, no road rage. Just me, my blankets and Google Meet. A lot of my friends disagree with my love for hybrid classes. I get it. Some things you just cannot get at home that you can
get on campus. For example, I miss the loud groups of people that congregate outside the library while I’m on my fourth cup of coffee trying to study, and let’s not forget about that one kid who sits right behind me and talks during the whole lecture but is too quiet to be hushed by the professor. I miss him, too, really. There is also a lack of structure about online school that is just beautiful to me. At home, there’s no need to worry about cramming a lunch break between your class that ends at 12:15 and your class that starts at 12:30. Your kitchen is only steps away, and if you live on campus, you could probably get away with eating your lunch while attending your virtual lecture. No stuffing Panda Express egg rolls down your throat because your biology teacher won’t let you eat them in class. Just you, your Panda Express and your 75 lunch dates. There is a drawback of hybrid and online classes, though. They definitely require semi-decent time management skills and self-discipline. We, students,
WELCOME WEEK
continued from pg. 2 Tiffany Chavers-Edwards, social media coordinator and communication supervisor for the UPD, detailed how students participated in the contest. “UPD reached out to other departments across campus for participation,” explained ChaversEdwards. “Departments like Athletics, Auxiliary Services, OSAA, the Health Center and Student Engagement provided prize items. Each day,
Lojuanda Weary/The Lion’s Roar have to do our best to stay on top of due dates. Falling behind is hard to come back from, but at least the procrastinators are learning a lesson. I do miss socializing, too. It is always nice to see people I know in hallways and at football
Officer Madi put out cones in select locations. Each morning, we filmed a preview video telling students where the cones could be found and then pushed those videos out through our social media platforms -- Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.” She explained why the UPD decided to organize this event. “We wanted an activity where the students would be able to participate in but that still allowed for social distancing and safety precautions,” said Chavers-Edwards. “A scavenger hunt seemed to be our best option because it allowed students to participate on their own without having to be in a
games. That I can admit to. And for the athletes who don’t get to play this semester, my deepest sympathies. Now that I think about it, sporting events, regular workout routines and lunch dates were highlights of my
days on campus. What about the cute little farmers’ markets? Oh, and the religious protestors that would gather in front of Fayard every month or so? What about the free food offered in the breezeway on special occasions? Homecoming
large group and interacting with others.” Chavers-Edwards believes the treasure hunt was a success and that students really enjoyed the event. In addition, the Campus Activities Board hosted “Virtual Game Night” on August 19. Kaylee Canady, a sophomore business administration major and president of CAB, described how the event worked and the process of planning it. “Due to COVID and the university enforcing social distancing, our game night took place on Zoom,” said Canady. “We had a pop trivia Kahoot as well as Bingo. As far as planning this event, CAB discussed multiple virtual game ideas that would be
Week will not be the same this semester, either. You have to take the good with the bad, I guess. I can’t pretend that this whole hybridclass-thing is absolutely fantastic. But if I can’t do that, you can’t pretend this whole hybrid-class-thing is absolutely horrible, either. When you start to miss the way things used to be, remember this: hard times breed strength. This period is a time of growth for all of us. We are becoming more resilient, learning to appreciate things for what they are and growing closer together as humans. After this is all over, we will be living like it’s our last day on earth, because then, we will remember that things can change at any second. Anyways, when you start to miss how things used to be, just think about how when it rains, you can now lay in your warm bed and attend that class virtually instead of walking outside with your Nike’s sloshing around and your shorts soaking wet. I’m sure you’ll feel better.
interesting to participants, and it definitely took a lot of thought on how to make a virtual event fun when most of CAB’s events are face-to-face.” Canady believes that students really enjoyed the game night, despite the fact that it was virtual. “Everyone who participated in our game night seemed very happy to be there even though it was virtual, so that was great to see,” shared Canady. “Considering the circumstances we are all under right now due to COVID, I really hope that everyone who participated in CAB’s Game Night enjoyed not only themselves but the company of others as well.”
Welcome back to campus
ALEXIA FISHER GRADUATE ASSISTANT, UHC
Whether this is your first time on campus or you are returning, we know things may be a little (or a lot) different. We may not be able to gather as much or as close with our Southeastern family as we have in the past, but that will not stop us from getting through this fall semester together. As a university alumna, some of my best memories at Southeastern involve gathering with my friends at events on campus. Now, as a staff member here, I want nothing more than for students to experience the fun gatherings I experienced as a student. Unfortunately, COVID-19 is affecting multiple aspects of our lives and changing the “norm.” It is important now more than ever to not only protect your own health but to think about the health of others. The university has been preparing for your return to campus, so you may notice some changes designed to keep our campus community safe.
Some examples of campus changes include new plexiglass barriers that have been installed in many areas, mask and hand sanitizer stations installed throughout campus and new cleaning protocols have been implemented. When you return to campus there are some guidelines and policies you should be familiar with. Recently, our university issued a mask policy. This policy can be found on the university’s website under the COVID-19/ Coronavirus update. In short, a mask is required to enter any building on campus and must be worn outside if social distancing measures cannot take place. It is imperative to wear your face mask correctly. Your face mask should cover both your nose and mouth. Along with wearing a mask, the University Health Center would like to remind everyone to practice social distancing by maintaining six feet between you and others, covering your coughs and sneezes, not touching your face and washing your hands frequently or using hand sanitizer with 60% or more
alcohol if you cannot wash your hands. To prevent the spread of COVID-19, it is important to follow these recommendations. If you feel sick and/or have tested positive or been exposed to COVID-19, you need to stay home, schedule a telehealth/ virtual visit at the University Health Center and self-report on the LINK at the university website. Self-reporting is completely confidential and can connect you with resources on campus to help you during quarantine or isolation. In addition to the new policies, procedures and aesthetics around campus, departments on campus have been working hard to plan virtual events as a way for students to still get involved in a safe manner. One of the best ways to keep up to date with events and departments is to follow them on their social media pages. We also have many resources readily available for you and all your needs. Links to resources are available at The Lion’s Roar website.
POLICIES AND PROCEDURES The Lion’s Roar is the official newspaper of the students of Southeastern Louisiana University. It has been in continuous publication since 1937. Submissions and letters to the editor are welcomed, but the editor of The Lion’s Roar reserves the right to edit all submissions for grammar, libel and available space, or refuse publication without notification. Submissions must include the author’s full name and either phone number, e-mail or other contact information (not to be published). Faculty and staff members should include their title and department. Students should include their classification and major. By submitting an article for publication, the author understands that the submission will be edited. Organizational News space is provided at no charge as a courtesy for university recognized Greek and Student Organizations. The space of such articles is limited to 150 words. Submissions of this Organizational News must adhere to the same polices as other submissions or letters to the editor, but must also include the name of the organization.
All views expressed in The Lion’s Roar are those of the author or, if unsigned, those of the staff of The Lion’s Roar. These views should not be interpreted as the views of the administration, faculty or students of Southeastern Louisiana University. A single issue of The Lion’s Roar is free. Additional copies may be purchased for 50 cents in the Student Union suite 1303. Annual mail subscriptions are $35 within the continental U.S. The Lion’s Roar, in its print form, and associated online or digital versions, are designated public forums. Student editors have the authority to make content decisions without censorship or prior approval. The Lion’s Roar also defends the rights of student journalists relative to freedom of speech and press as stated in Amendment I of the Constitution of the United States of America. The Lion’s Roar is published through the Office of Student Publications, part of the Division for Student Affairs. It is published weekly during regular semesters and monthly during the summer semester.
Lojuanda Weary/The Lion’s Roar
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Page 4 | September 1, 2020
The Lion’s Roar | Arts & Entertainment
New panhellenic council members ZOOMed home after a week of virtual recruitment
New members of Alpha Sigma Tau meet virtually for recruitment instead of the traditional rush week. Courtesey of Tara Rossignoll
Zoom recruitment on Aug. 10 -15. The process is typically Staff Reporter held in-person for potential new members who wish to join one The Collegiate Panhellenic of the five CPC sororities on Council held its first ever virtual campus. GABRIELLE WOOD
Although recruitment looked different this year, Jessica Litolff, a senior accounting major and CPC president, reported that there were no drastic changes in the amount of women who sign
up each fall. “191 women were signed up for recruitment this year,” shared Litolff. Litolff described how recruitment was held this year, considering visiting the sorority houses was not an option. “Every morning potential new members (PNMs) would meet with their recruitment counselors on Zoom where their schedule for the day was emailed to them,” said Litolff. “PNMs would then go to individual Zoom calls for each sorority. Every sorority was able to do speeches, videos and create breakout rooms where PNMs could take oneon-one or two-on-one time with chapter members. At the end of the day, PNMs would call their recruitment counselors, then make selections with an Office for Student Engagement staff member on Zoom.” The university was among multiple colleges in the state that decided to convert to an allvirtual experience. “We held a mock recruitment with the College Panhellenic Council at McNeese State University,” mentioned Litolff. “Many of the chapters held mock recruitments over Zoom with other chapters across the United States and with alumnae.”
With Zoom being a foreign territory for CPC, Litolff narrated the preparation the council took to ensure a smooth recruitment process. “A lot of pre-recruitment meetings and mock recruitments,” shared Litolff. “Normally we have one pre-recruitment meeting in the spring semester and one the week before recruitment. This year we had pre-recruitment meetings every other week.” Leslie Pina, a senior marketing major and president of Theta Phi Alpha, shared how her chapter learned from working with McNeese. “The university’s Panhellenic actually was contacted by McNeese’s Panhellenic to host a Virtual Mock Recruitment through Zoom,” said Pina. “From there, they asked who would be the host for each chapter. McNeese showed us a video to show us how to enter potential new members into break out rooms to make it easier to get to know other girls.” Litolff described how the council came together to run a virtual recruitment behind-thescenes. “We had to adjust the way we advertise and reach potential new members,” said Litolff. “As a community, we had to work
together to figure out how to make every aspect of recruitment virtual and how to make it successful for every chapter. Chapters that are Continuous Open Bidding (recruiting after formal recruitment) must continue recruiting virtually, so there have been changes to that process as well.” Although many sorority members were skeptical about a virtual recruitment, Pina shared that it went well for her chapter. “This recruitment was very successful for us all,” said Pina. “We did have technical difficulties on the first day, but after that, we got used to it and it went pretty well.” Bid Day is an event that signifies the end of recruitment and the celebration of new members joining their sororities. The CPC mandated that Bid Day also be held virtual to abide by the university’s safety guidelines and procedures. “It was very different, but we still managed to get to know our new members well,” said Pina. “It was also shorter than a regular Bid Day. What I was sad about was that these new members are experiencing their first Bid Day in front of a screen, but I know that many of them are making the best of it.”
Education graduates adjust to online teaching JORDYN FRANKLIN Staff Reporter
A number of graduates from the education department have kickstarted their careers in the midst of COVID-19. With new guidelines and restrictions in the classroom, the landscape of teaching has altered drastically for first-year teachers. Samantha Barrera, a recent graduate and first-year teacher, is teaching both in-person and online. She explained that juggling the amount of expectations has been difficult. “We’re not only just focusing on our lessons,” stated Barrera. “We have to fit in teaching the students how to use technology with online classes at the same time. There’s just so much we have to squeeze in, so it’s definitely more stressful than any
other starting year when you’re just going straight into routine and teaching lessons.” Barrera has two online students in addition to her in-person students. Rather than meeting synchronously, the students complete their activities independently. “We simply post our lessons before Monday, so that the parent or at-home guardian is working with them on the activities they would have been doing in class,” explained Barrera. “It’s my responsibility to—off the clock, usually—make those plans and post them.” Barrera explained how she has been handling the pressures of being a first-year teacher in an unusual school year. “I’ve been asking a lot of questions to the teachers who have been there for many years, and I’ve also been talking to our principal about concerns that I’ve
come across,” said Barrera. “It’s just about having everything ready and talking to other teachers about how they’re handling things based on their own experience.” Katie McKinney is also a recent graduate and first-year teacher. She discussed the differences of her student-teaching experience compared to the current classroom. “Everything is basically the same teaching-wise, but we can’t have too many partner discussions and group work,” said McKinney. “I teach science, and if we have an experiment we usually work in groups, but I have to do that in front of the class for them.” McKinney emphasized that her plans have changed often due to new information being made available. “The department of education at Southeastern taught me that the number one quality you have to
have as a teacher is flexibility, so it’s very important to change ideas,” expressed McKinney. “I feel like I have been doing that a lot this year based on my students’ response.” Despite new circumstances, students have been taking the rules and regulations seriously. McKinney explained that she rarely has to correct her students for mask usage. With the stressors of this unique school year, McKinney has found comfort in dealing with challenges alongside her colleagues. “It makes me feel better that every teacher—even teachers who’ve been teaching for years and years— are feeling kind of nervous and scared because they don’t know what to expect,” explained McKinney. “I feel better about being nervous myself because it is my first year teaching. Just talking to them really helps a lot.”
Columbia Famous Talent Contest to be held in person GABRIELE WOOD Staff Reporter
After switching to virtual in the spring, The Columbia Theatre for the Performing Arts will be hosting its first in-person Columbia Famous Talent Show on Oct. 22 at 7 p.m. James Winter, artistic director and associate professor of acting and directing, explained the precautions that the Columbia Theatre will be taking to abide by COVID-19 guidelines and regulations. “We have to wait until Phase Three to be able to do this event,” informed Winter. “We’re hoping to be there by October. Patrons will be asked to wear masks, and we have socially distanced seating in the auditorium. We also have the ionization filters the university is installing in our air conditioning system and several other health and sanitation precautions we are putting in place to keep everyone visiting the theatre safe.” Due to the pandemic, the event was moved virtual last spring. “The talent show was actually held virtually back in the spring while everyone was staying at home due to COVID-19,” said Winter. “We wanted to keep people entertained, even though we couldn’t do any shows, so we reached out to the community and asked them to submit 60-second videos in the following categories: singing, dancing, acting, instrumental music, comedy and visual art.” Winter detailed the process the nominees went through. “The visual artists didn’t have to submit a video,” said Winter. “They just had to submit a picture of their work. The Columbia staff judged the initial submissions and then put the top three in each category up for the public to vote on. Each winner won a pair of tickets to a show at the Columbia. Then we took all the winners and had the public vote on them for the grand prize, which was a pair of season tickets.” Not only was the competition open to adults, but for children as well. “We also had a children’s 12-under final,” shared Winter. “That winner won a pair of tickets to ‘Alice’s Christmas in Wonderland.’” Winter mentioned how the winners of the event will be featured. “We also asked all of the finalists to come share their winning work with us in person in October as part of Fanfare,” said Winter. “That’s what this event is. Janine Hatcher, Miss Southeastern, will be the master of ceremonies, and people will get to see these amazing local artists perform their winning pieces live.” Janine Hatcher, a senior business administration major, expressed her excitement as master of ceremonies.
After hosting a variety of virtual events throughout the summer, the Columbia Theatre is planning to host an in-person competition in October. Miss Southeastern 2020 Janine Hatcher will be hosting the event. File Photo/The Lion’s Roar “I am very eager to host and am excited to see all of the amazing gifts and talents we have in the Tangipahoa parish,” said Hatcher. Being in pageantry, Hatcher shared words of wisdom to those competing. “The advice that I would give to those participating in the talent show would simply just be to be in the moment and have fun doing what you love to do,” said Hatcher. “If you give the best version of yourself on stage, and have a great time doing it, that is what people will remember and what I’m sure the judges
will gravitate towards.” Guests are able to contribute to the Columbia Theatre through the event. “We’ll also have the artwork of the winning visual artists on display,” shared Winter. “The event is free to everyone. That same day is the Columbia Theatre’s first ever Columbia Famous Fundraising Day, so we’re hoping some of our guests will give a small donation to help support the theatre.” The Columbia Famous Talent Show is a free event and is located on 220 E. Thomas St. in the Columbia Theatre.
Arts & Entertainment | The Lion’s Roar
September 1, 2020 | Page 5
Glimpses of the first week back on campus
Several changes were made to the War Memorial Student Union, including plexiglass face shields that were added to each table and booth in the food court. Tables have also been rearranged to allow for fewer students to sit at each table. Symiah Dorsey and Jordyn Franklin/The Lion’s Roar
A Mooyah worker receives order from a student at the Mar Memorial Student Union Food Court. Symiah Dorsey and Jordyn Franklin/ The Lion’s Roar
Face coverings are required while in any campus building as well as while any students are gathered on campus. Students Several social distancing measures have been taken in the Student Union to maintain social distancing. Information are encouraged to self-monitor for symptoms of COVID-19 and to stay home if they are sick. Symiah Dorsey and Jordyn Franklin/The Lion’s signs are kept at different locations to encourage students to practice social distancing. Symiah Dorsey and Jordyn Franklin/The Lion’s Roar Roar
A new system allows students to self-report anonymously STAFF REPORTS The university has implemented the Lion Intervention Network, an online tool that students can utilize to report academic or personal challenges, including a specific disclosure form for issues related to the coronavirus. In an email to faculty and staff, Dean of Students Dr. Gabe Willis outlined the circumstances in which students would need to self report. This includes experiencing symptoms of
COVID-19, being exposed to someone who had tested positive for COVID-19 or testing positive themselves. Faculty and staff who encounter students in any of these circumstances are encouraged to direct them through the TwoStep self-reporting system. The process includes the following: - Visit selu.edu/link. - Select “COVID-19 Disclosure Form” (Written in Blue). - Complete Step 1 in its entirety. - Submit and proceed to Step 2 (Step 2 is a Google form that
provides the university with additional information). “Upon receipt of the report, the student will be contacted to determine the best action,” said Dr. Willis. Self-reporting is a confidential system. As assured by Dr. Jim Henderson, president and CEO of the UL System, “Providing an accurate, informative data picture while protecting individual privacy is achievable, and doing so will enhance our collective efforts to mitigate COVID-19 impacts.”
University releases guidelines for campus event registration AUSTIN DEWEASE Staff Reporter
Now that the fall semester is underway, campus life can begin again. The university will allow campus activities to take place and has released guidelines for student organizations and departments on how to adapt to current measures and register events. These guidelines adhere to existing measures adopted by state and local officials to combat the spread of COVID-19. The university is allowing student organizations to sponsor
campus events and submit Registration of Activities Forms beginning Sept. 3 to allow for proper event training. Events are limited to a 25-person participant limit and sanitizing stations are necessary. According to the Interim Campus Event Registration Framework, in addition to an Event Host, all campus events must include a Social Distance Monitor. A Social Distance Monitor must ensure that participants maintain a minimum of six feet apart and have face coverings, and they are responsible for enforcing the participant limit. Along with the completion of the ROA Form by the Event
Host, students must include a social distancing plan. Violations of these guidelines may result in disciplinary action in accordance with the Code of Student Conduct and university policy, according to the Campus Event Registration Framework. No exceptions to the framework will be granted for registered student organizations. The Campus Event Registration Framework can be found on the university’s website under the Policies and Procedures tab of the Student Affairs section of Campus Life.
Page 6 | September 1, 2020
The Lion’s Roar | Sports
Salisbury joins Lion baseball staff
HAMMOND, La. – Southeastern Louisiana has added Gerry Salisbury to the baseball coaching staff as assistant pitching coach and camp coordinator, head coach Matt Riser announced Monday. Salisbury comes to Southeastern after serving a stint as the Director of Pitching Development at his alma mater, Ohio University. The 2020 Ohio pitching staff averaged 9.59 K/9 over the course of a 15-game schedule and seven pitchers averaged at least 10.0 K/9 during the abbreviated season. The team ERA also improved by nearly half a run over the previous season. “Coach Tim Donnelly and I will run the offense again, so we wanted to get Coach Andrew Gipson some help
on the pitching end of things since he also works with our catchers,” Riser said. “We’re very fortunate to add Coach Salisbury. A four-year letter winner, he averaged 7.2 K/9 in 248 career innings and compiled a 2.0 K/BB ratio. Salisbury logged a team-high in starts, innings pitched and strikeouts in both 2017 and 2018. The left-hander from Brunswick, Ohio helped lead the Bobcats to the 2017 MAC Tournament championship, earning a start against Indiana in NCAA Regional action. Following his collegiate career, Salisbury played two years of professional baseball for the Birmingham Bloomfield Beavers in the United Shore League. He also served the 2019 season as
a graduate assistant at Ohio while completing his master’s degree. “He was an 85-87 mph lefthander that pitched on Friday in a Regional because he could compete and throw strikes,” Riser said. “That’s two of the biggest things we try to do as a staff. He also brings a different dynamic. We want to continue to grow in the game. The longer you can evolve with the game and the new analytics that come with it, you can use it as a helpful tool instead of an absolute. He was the director of pitching development at Ohio. I think he’ll bring a diverse background to the pitching side of things, helping supplement our staff. We want to stay in the Gerry Salisbury was hired to the Southeastern Baseball staff after serving as a Director of Pitching Development at his top 10 to 15 in the country like alma mater Ohio University. Salisbury will serve in a similar role for Southeastern. Courtesy of Sports Information we do year-in-and-year-out with our pitching staff.”
University of Central Arkansas kicks off NCAA fall sports
Junior wide reciever Lujuan Washington catches the game winning touchdown against Austin Peay State University on Aug. 29. The Bears defeated the Governors 24-17. Courtesy of Central Arkansas MONTGOMERY, Ala.- The Cardiac Bears are back, and this time on national television. The 11th-ranked University of Central Arkansas Bears allowed an Austin Peay go-ahead touchdown with 1:40 to play late Saturday night in the Guardian Credit Union FCS Kickoff at the Cramton Bowl on ESPN. But UCA junior quarterback Breylin Smith connected with junior Lujuan Winningham on a fade pattern in the left corner of the end zone with just 34 seconds left. A two-point conversion pass from Smith to tight end Sam Camargo handed the Bears a 24-17 victory over the Governors, their second comefrom-behind win in two years. Freshman defensive back Tamaurian Wilson sealed the win with an interception at the UCA 6
as time expired. The Bears beat the Governors in similar fashion a year ago on the road, with Smith hitting Winningham with touchdown passes twice in the fourth quarter and cornerback Robert Rochell capping a 24-16 win with an interception in the final seconds. "Boy, wasn't that like last year?' said UCA head coach Nathan Brown. "At the end of the day, we found our two horses, Tyler (Hudson) and Lujuan made big plays in the end. Any time you get a win, that's a big win. It's hard to win a Division I football games, regardless of who you're playing. But a team like Austin Peay, which we know is coming off an 11-win season, a quarterfinals team. "So tonight was a great night. You get a chance
to play in front of probably the biggest audience to ever watch a UCA football game. And to win in the fashion we did. We gave them a show. We weren't pretty but I guarantee it was fun to watch. Our big players made plays when it mattered. ' UCA, which gave up a 75-yard touchdown on the Governors' first play of the game, trailed 10-6 at halftime and did not grab a lead until the 14-minute mark of the third quarter with a 34-yard touchdown run by senior tailback Kierre Crossley. Sophomore Christian Richmond returned the second-half kickoff 39 yards out to the UCA 44 and Crossley did the rest. He went 17 yards on first down, added a five-yard run and then went the final 34 yards on the third play of the half, good for a 13-10 UCA lead with 14:00 remaining in the period. UCA then added a 32-yard field goal by junior Hayden Ray, his third of the game, with 7:44 left for a 16-10 advantage. The Governors answered with a 7-play, 60-yard drive, capped by a oneyard run by quarterback Jeremiah Oatsvall to retake the lead at 17-16 with just 1:40 remaining. The Bears went into what was a familiar mode last season and quickly drove into APSU territory. Smith hit senior running back Kierre Crossley for 11 yards and Hudson for 17 to get across midfield. A six-yarder to Winningham and then a nifty 29yard strike to Hudson down UCA's sideline put the Bears at the APSU 10. That would have been good enough for a game-winning field goal, but instead, Winningham then beat his defender in the left corner and came down with the game-winning catch with :34 on the clock. After the Governors drove to the UCA 27, Wilson, a true freshman from Bryant, Ark. went high to intercept Oatsvall and returned it 28 yards before running out of bounds amid a jubilant
UCA sideline. "Hayden Ray is as solid a kicker as there is in the country and we knew if we had to use him to win the game there at the end, we would be in good shape,' said Brown. "(But) I wanted to get the football in the end zone. That's kind of how we do, we go to our horses and Lujuan made a big play. "I thought our defense played lights out all night, after that first play. But our defense got their wits about them and Coach (Chad) Williams did a great job staying poised, calling his defense, making adjustments. I thought we dominated the line of scrimmage all night on the defensive side. "Offensively, we'll go back and look at this tape and know that we left probably 21 to 28 points out there. We just squandered too many good opportunities, and against a good football team like Austin Peay... they about made us hurt with it late in the game. "Oatsvall is the real deal. He's hard to get down and he's a tough kid. We tried to not touch too much on the postgame handshakes but I had to go tell him good game because he's a heck of a football player. He's a guy you can build a program around. He's impressive." The Bears finished with 460 yards of total offense, including 298 of those in the second half. After throwing two interceptions in the first half, Smith went on to complete 26 of 49 passes for 283 yards. Winningham caught six passes for 80 yards and Hudson added five for 82. Crossley, a senior from Everman, Texas, had 110 yards rushing on just 12 carries for the Bears. UCA has a quick turnaround, taking on UABirmingham at 7 p.m. Thursday night, the first of three FBS opponents on the nine-game 2020 schedule.
Lions ranked 21 in STATS FCS Poll Southland Conference Postpones League Competition in Fall Sports FRISCO, Texas -- The Southland Conference an exciting and busy spring.” Board of Directors has determined that league University President Dr. John Crain echoed competition in the sports of football, volleyball, Artigues’ thoughts. women’s soccer and cross country “We support the decision made by the Southland will be postponed from the fall semester with Conference Board of Directors,” Crain said. “As an intent to explore conference competition in the president, the welfare of our student-athletes is my spring semester. top priority, while also protecting the university as Meeting frequently in recent weeks, including a whole.” Wednesday afternoon, presidents of the 13 It is expected that Southland athletic directors Southland members also authorized planning for will immediately begin work with the Southland spring semester championship events for volleyball, staff to determine spring competitive planning and soccer and cross country. other issues. For the first time in over three seasons the Lions were ranked in the preseason polls. The university has not put out a Although Southland institutions may choose to “The Board concluded that an entire fall sports statement regarding having a spring football season. Courtesy of Sports Information participate in limited fall competition, Southeastern season is not likely, and that a postponement to Louisiana will not compete in any athletic spring can provide the important opportunities HAMMOND, La. – The year’s team, including the top three 13. Austin Peay – 2,030 competitions in the fall. our teams annually seek,” Southland Conference Southeastern Louisiana football receivers from one of the nation’s 14. Nicholls – 1,392 “The Southland Conference Board of Directors Commissioner Tom Burnett added. “While team was ranked No. 21 in the Stats most prolific scoring and passing 15. Furman – 1,239 voted yesterday to postpone our fall competition disappointed that we won’t be playing these sports Perform Football Championship offenses. 16. Wofford – 1,089 season to the spring,” Southeastern Director of in the Southland’s 58th year of fall competition, we Subdivision (FCS) Top 25, which SLU is one of four Southland 17. Albany – 825 Athletics Jay Artigues said. look forward to a unique spring season of athletics was released on Tuesday. Conference schools in the preseason 18. Eastern Washington – 817 “Southeastern Louisiana Athletics supports our that also includes NCAA postseason opportunities.” All 13 FCS conferences have Top 25, along with Central 19. North Carolina A&T – 809 league’s decision. Our student-athletes’ safety and postponed league play to the spring. Arkansas (No. 11), Nicholls (No. 20. New Hampshire – 759 well-being is first and foremost. We’re prepared for Southeastern will participate in a 14) and Sam Houston State (No. 21. Southeastern Louisiana – conference-only schedule during 22). League foes Houston Baptist, 652 what projects to be the most UIW and McNeese were among 22. Sam Houston State – 597 exciting spring in SLU Athletics those receiving votes. Three-time 23. Monmouth – 577 history. defending national champion North 24. Southern Illinois – 568 The Lions finished 8-5 overall Dakota State was the unanimous 25. Southeast Missouri – 499 a season ago and finished ranked No. 1 choice in the poll. Others Receiving Votes: nationally in both the final Stats Stats Perform 2020 FCS Jacksonville State 357, Florida Perform Top 25 (No. 19) and Preseason Top 25 A&M 301, The Citadel 283, Central FCS Coaches (No. 18) polls. SLU 1. North Dakota State – 3,675 Connecticut State 200, Towson opened its third trip to the FCS points (147 first-place votes) 199, Dartmouth 195, Delaware playoffs in program history with a 2. James Madison – 3,411 193, Yale 193, Princeton 143, San thrilling 45-44 come-from-behind 3. Northern Iowa – 3,269 Diego 104, North Dakota 66, South first-round win at home over No. 8 4. Weber State – 3,198 Carolina State 25, Alcorn State 22, Villanova. 5. South Dakota State – 2,911 Houston Baptist 19, Richmond 18, The visiting Wildcats were 6. Montana State – 2,884 Chattanooga 16, Elon 15, Holy one of three top 10 opponents 7. Montana – 2,753 Cross 15, UIW 15, UT Martin 14, Southeastern defeated in 2019, 8. Villanova – 2,499 Portland State 12, Youngstown along with Jacksonville State and 9. Illinois State – 2,471 State 12, McNeese 10, UC Davis 9, The Lions were scheduled to play their second game of the 2020 season against Jacksonville State University. Due to the Central Arkansas – both ranked No. 10. Kennesaw State – 2,178 Maine 7, Duquesne 5, Charleston Southland’s postponed Fall sports the two schools will not play against each other. Courtesy of Sports Information 6 at the time they played SLU. The 11. Central Arkansas – 2,093 Southern 4, Eastern Kentucky 2. Lions return 11 starters from last 12. Sacramento State – 2,085