The Lion's Roar 11/03/2020

Hammond, LA

November 3, 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

It’s here: What to watch on Election Day in America

Voters line up at the Hammond Fire Station 3 to cast their ballots in the 2020 presidential election. Other measurers on the ballot included congressional and sentate seats as well as local bids for marshall and city court judge.

Caleb Peppers/The Lion’s Roar

WASHINGTON (AP) — Election Day is finally here.

Or at least what we still call Election Day, since nearly 100 million Americans had already cast ballots by Tuesday. That’s the result of an election system that has been reshaped by the worst pandemic in a century, prompting many voters to take advantage of advance voting rather than head to polling places in person at a time when coronavirus cases are rising.

Here’s what to watch as the final votes for President Donald Trump and Democratic challenger Joe Biden are cast: WHAT DO AMERICANS WANT FROM A PRESIDENT? Elections are always about where Americans want to steer the country. That’s especially true this year as the U.S. confronts multiple crises and is choosing between two candidates with very different visions for the future.

Trump has downplayed the coronavirus outbreak and panned governors — virtually all Democrats — who have imposed restrictions designed to prevent the spread of the disease. He has bucked public health guidelines by holding his signature campaign rallies featuring crowds of supporters — often unmasked — packed shoulder to shoulder.

Biden has said he’d heed the advice of scientists. He’s pledged

to work with state and local officials across the country to push mask mandates and has called on Congress to pass a sweeping response package.

The candidates also hold distinctly different views on everything from climate change to taxes to racial injustice.

Trump cast protests over systemic racism across the U.S. this year as radical and has emphasized a “law and order” message to appeal to his largely white base. Biden acknowledges systemic racism, picked the first Black woman to appear on a major party’s presidential ticket and has positioned himself as a unifying figure.

WHOSE TURNOUT APPROACH WINS? The two parties took wildly different approaches to contacting voters amid the pandemic.

Democrats stopped knocking on doors in the spring, going alldigital and phone. They resumed limited in-person contacts in September. Republicans continued traditional field work the entire campaign.

The GOP can point to success in increasing their voter registration in battleground states. Democrats can point to their early voting success,

including from notable slices of new voters. But only the final tally will vindicate one strategy or the other.

WILL VOTING BE PEACEFUL? Each major party can install official poll watchers at precincts.

It’s the first time in decades Republicans could use the practice after the expiration of a court order limiting their activities. So it’s an open question how aggressive those official poll watchers will be in monitoring voters or even challenging eligibility.

The bigger issue is likely to be unofficial “poll watchers” — especially self-declared militias.

Voter intimidation is illegal, but Trump, in the Sept. 29 presidential debate, notably refused to state plainly that he’d accept election results and instead said he is “urging my supporters to go into the polls and watch very carefully, because that’s what has to happen.

I am urging them to do it.”

In Michigan, where federal authorities recently arrested members of anti-government paramilitary groups in an alleged plot to kidnap Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, the Democratic secretary of state tried to impose a ban on carrying firearms openly at

a polling place. A Michigan judge struck down the order.

WHITHER THE EXURBS AND SMALLER CITIES? Trump’s reelection depends on driving up his margins in rural areas and smaller towns and cities — those expansive swaths of red on the county-by-county results map from 2016.

But acres don’t vote, people do, and Biden is casting a wide demographic and geographic net.

His ideal coalition is anchored in metro areas, but he hopes to improve Democratic turnout among nonwhite voters and college-educated voters across the map.

There are places where the competing strategies overlap: exurban counties — those communities on the edges of the large metropolitan footprints — and counties anchored by smaller stand-alone cities. Both campaigns will be closely watching places like Forsyth County, Georgia, where 2012 Republican nominee Mitt Romney won 80% of the vote but Trump’s share dropped 10 points, and Montgomery County, Ohio, which flipped from Democrat Barack Obama to Trump.

see ELECTION, pg. 4

COVID-19 update: Total number of reported cases on campus reaches 138 MAGGIE TREGRE Staff Reporter

University President John Crain sent out a Faculty/Staff Notice with an update to COVID-19 restrictions and reminders.

As of Friday, Oct. 23, the Louisiana Department of Health reported 29 new cases of the coronavirus among students living on campus and attending in-person classes, bringing the university’s total number of reported cases for the semester to 138.

In the Message from the President, Crain reminded faculty and staff about the safety precautions in place due to COVID-19.

“The good news is that these are not complicated measures,” reassured Crain. “Wash your hands frequently. Distance yourself from others – at least six feet if at all possible. Wear your face mask when inside buildings or in the presence of others. Avoid crowded spaces, especially indoors where ventilation is poor.”

Crain addressed the struggles that the campus community are being faced with and thanked

them for their efforts.

“I recognize there have been a few hitches, and there are some ongoing frustrations, mainly stemming from challenges associated with the safety restrictions made necessary by the pandemic,” said Crain. “Nevertheless, I want to thank every member of the Southeastern family for their efforts so far and going forward.”

Crain also encouraged members of the campus community to continue adhering to safety measures in order to control the spread of COVID-19 and return to normal operations.

“I implore everyone to routinely practice the basic safety protocols, both on and off campus,” urged Crain. “For the most part, these are relatively minor inconveniences that, nevertheless, have the potential to produce significant benefits for us all. If we employ these basic measures to help control spread of the virus, we can enjoy many aspects of our normal lives and support much of the economy on which we all depend.”

Updated numbers for COVID-19 cases at higher education institutions can be found at the Louisiana Department of Health’s website.

Total number of COVID-19 cases among students living or attending classes on campus 1 60

138

1 40 109

1 20 1 00 80

78

93

60 40 20 0

Oct. 7, 2020

Oct. 1 4, 2020

Oct. 21, 2020

Oct. 23, 2020

The above information is obtained from the Louisiana Department of Health website. This data only includes selfreported cases to the Louisiana Department of Health that meet the “Lab Confirmed Case“ criteria. A lab confirmed case is defined as an individual who has a positive molecular/viral lab result. Information in the LDH website is updated every Tuesday. Prakriti Adhikari/The Lion’s Roar

Commencement alterations impact spring, summer and fall graduates BRYNN LUNDY Staff Reporter

After having neither a Spring or Summer 2020 commencement ceremony, the university has developed plans to honor those graduates through an in-person winter ceremony at Strawberry Stadium in December, along with Fall 2020 graduating seniors.

On Tuesday, Dec. 8, students within the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences will graduate at 10 a.m., and students within the College of Business will graduate at 2 p.m. On Wednesday, Dec. 9, College of Nursing & Health Sciences students will graduate in the morning ceremony, and Colleges of Education and of Science & Technology will graduate in the afternoon at the same respective times.

In addition, graduates have been asked to invite a maximum of two guests.

Margaret Romano, a kinesiology major and Fall 2020 graduating senior, commented on all of the changes.

“I’m sad that I am only

Fall 2019 winter commencement marked the first time the university split commencement into two ceremonies. For Fall 2020 winter commencement, not only will the ceremonies occur over two days, but they will be split into four separate ceremonies. This semester’s commencement will honor Spring, Summer and Fall 2020 graduates. File Photo/The Lion’s Roar allowed two guests to watch me graduate, but I’m also happy that I actually get to walk across the stage,” shared Romano. “I agree with the

Weather

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changes. I think it’s great to have it outside in Strawberry Stadium, and separating it into four ceremonies and limiting the number of people will

lessen the risk of there being an increase in cases.”

Romano is happy to be able to walk across the stage and receive her diploma,

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Campus Life.................................2 Opinions.....................................3 A&E............................................4

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regardless of the fact that Fall 2020 graduates will share the ceremony with seniors from the spring and summer semesters.

“I will be the first to graduate college in my family, so for me, it’s a huge deal,” expressed Romano. “I’m very happy that spring and summer graduates get the chance to come back and walk across the stage. I know it can mean a lot for some people, and I feel that everyone should have that opportunity.”

Parker Gunter, a criminal justice major and Fall 2020 graduating senior, believes that commencement should be broken up into more than four separate ceremonies.

“This day is about these seniors, and the SELU staff would not be tasked too much to break them up more so that more than two people can go for each graduate,” claimed Gunter. “It makes a lot of people make decisions of who should go that they shouldn’t have to make.”

Kamille Edmonston completed her bachelor’s degree in marketing over the Summer 2020 semester. She

feels not much has been done to honor Spring and Summer 2020 graduates, and that the changes to the winter commencement ceremony do not benefit her personally.

“I think it’s upsetting to those graduating that there will now be a joint ceremony during the week with only two family members at best,” expressed Edmonston. “I am not attending because I have a blended family and will not choose who gets to see me receive a diploma that I already received in the mail, and second, it’s during the week — the weekend would have worked better for all parties.”

Janine Hatcher, Miss Southeastern 2020, Spring 2020 alumna and current MBA candidate at the university, is excited that she and the other graduates finally get to walk across the stage. She believes the plans for winter commencement are necessary in order to ensure the safety of the graduates, their families and faculty and staff.

“Our university is doing a

Stay Connected With Us! Like and follow @lionsroarnews.

Volume 92, Issue 11

see COMMENCEMENT, pg. 5 A Student Publication www.lionsroarnews.com lionsroar@southeastern.edu

Page 2 | Novemebr 3, 2020

The Lion’s Roar | Campus Life

Professional sales students grab awards during a virtual competition AUSTIN DEWEASE Staff Reporter

The university’s Professional Sales Program has hosted an on-campus role-play competition each semester.

However, the competition moved to an online format via Zoom this semester. The competition is split up into three competitions: internal, regional and international.

The virtual internal competition, which took place among university students who are a part of the Professional Sales Program, was held on Oct. 2. The top students included winner Emily Browning, first runner-up Paxton Page, second runner-up Brielle Ricca, third runner-up Jenna Pecot and Rookie Award winner Akira Chaney. Scholarships were also awarded to some of the winners.

Browning, a junior marketing major, described her experience with winning the internal competition.

“This is my second time ever competing in a sales competition,” said Browning.

“The first time I competed, I was a sophomore, and I learned so much about the competition

From left to right are the runners-up and winner of the university’s Professional Sales Program’s Fall 2020 internal sales competition: third runner-up Jenna Pecot, second runner-up Brielle Ricca, winner Emily Browning and first runner-up Paxton Page. Courtesy of Emily Browning and the processes. I knew next time I competed I was going to have to work hard and put in a lot of effort. When I found out I won, I felt like all of my hard work paid off.

Now, I am training for ICSC,

and I can’t wait to represent Southeastern.”

Browning also shared how this semester’s virtual competition differed from the usual format.

“Learning how to sell virtual

definitely took a lot of time and patience,” explained Browning.

“With virtual selling, you miss out on seeing body language and shaking hands. I had some really great team members and coaches to help me navigate

how to sell virtually.”

Chaney, a senior general studies major and winner of the Rookie Award, shared her experience with the sales competition.

“It was kind of intimidating because I have never done sales as this is my first sales class,” expressed Chaney.

“However, once it was over, it was refreshing.”

The virtual regional competition was held on Oct. 16 and hosted by University of Louisiana at Lafayette with nine other colleges such as Louisiana State University and Nicholls State University participating.

Brielle Ricca, a senior marketing major, advanced to the finals and won second runner-up in the regional competition. She feels that it was an accomplishment to win the title.

“It was an accomplishment for me, because the year before, I got top six so I am continuing to grow,” said Ricca.

In preparation for the competition, Ricca helped other students that were competing.

She also spent hours practicing with a friend and winner of last year’s competition.

“We spent hours practicing, and I had one of my good friends who won last year help me practice, and he gave me really good feedback,” explained Ricca.

The virtual international competition will be held Nov. 11-14 and will be hosted

by Florida State University.

More than 80 universities plan to compete. Last year, the university’s sales team won the Rookie Award for the top new school.

Dr. April Kemp, assistant professor of marketing and cocoordinator for the Professional Sales Program, explained how these programs help set students up for future success in the field.

“Dedicated professional sales programs develop students who are more confident and prepared,” stated Kemp.

“Through Southeastern’s Professional Sales Program, we are seeing students prepared for the workforce and graduating with multiple, competitive job offers.”

College of Education recieves merit from National Council on Teacher Quality DYLAN MECHE Staff Reporter

A national education organization recently gave high marks to the university’s education program.

The National Council on Teacher Quality, a nonprofit organization that advocates for education reform and evaluates teacher preparation programs around the country, has given the College of Education two “A” ratings for its clinical practice and classroom management during its most recent Teacher Prep Review.

According to NCTQ’s website, only 49% of teacher preparation programs ensure proper classroom management, while only 10% of programs provide sufficient clinical practice.

The university’s College of Education is one of only 17 teacher preparation programs in the country to receive an “A” rating for both classroom management and clinical practice.

Paula Calderon, Ph.D., dean of the College of Education, shared her reaction to the distinction.

“I was honored, excited but not surprised because we know that we have a top-notch program,” expressed Calderon. “I don’t want that to sound arrogant, but we do have a great program.”

NCTQ recognized the College of Education in 2019 with an “A” ranking for their efforts in teaching early reading. Calderon also detailed other previous recognitions the program has received.

“We are also a nationally accredited program, which shows that our program has put in the time and the effort to create great teacher candidates who have a positive impact on pre-K through 12th-grade students,” shared Calderon.

Calderon explained what aspects of the program she believes led to the NCTQ’s high ratings for the college of education.

“We have put a lot of effort in redesigning our programs and making sure that our teacher candidates have more than adequate time in the classroom teaching during their field experiences and during their residency so that when they are

hired and go into the classroom, our students are day-one ready,” noted Calderon. “They know exactly what to do on Aug. 6 when the doors open to the classroom.”

She also explained how classroom management and clinical practice tie in together.

“In order to effectively deliver instruction, the teacher must have a good command of the classroom,” said Calderon. “So, classroom management and clinical practice go hand-in-hand in that we teach our teacher candidates how to have control over a classroom.

By classroom management, I am not talking about discipline, I am referring to management before it gets to a disciplinary action. Our teacher candidates have good command of the classroom so that they can deliver instruction and make sure that they are having a positive impact on the students.”

Calderon shared that the College of Education recently learned of the recognition and that she believes the university has done a good job of promoting the high marks they have received.

The Cate Teacher Education Center on campus is utilized to educate the university’s education majors. The College of Education is an accredited program and recently received high marks from the National Council on Teacher Quality Brynn Lundy/The Lion’s Roar She also noted that this distinction by the NCTQ could help the university recruit more students.

“It confirms what we already know: that we are preparing our teacher candidates to be effective and excellent classroom teachers,”

said Calderon. “Our hope is that it puts the College of Education and Southeastern in a great light and puts the word out for future teachers that Southeastern is the place to come to get your teacher education degree.”

Internship opportunitites UPD appoints staff member fluctuate as organizations to new position respond differently to pandemic JORDYN FRANKLIN Staff Reporter

in other disciplines,” detailed McCarthy. “Some disciplines are much better suited for adapting to a remote work environment.”

The value of internships lies in the fact that both students and companies benefit from the experience, according to McCarthy.

“It’s an extended interview in a lot of ways,” expressed McCarthy. “What happens is when companies hire someone cold, it takes sometimes a month or even more just to get the person up to speed to where they can work in the company.

With an internship, students are ready to do it because they already know what they’re doing.”

BRYNN LUNDY Staff Reporter

The university created a new position within the University Police Department to increase safety and awareness on campus for students, faculty and staff.

To fill the role of Clery Compliance Officer, the UPD appointed Tiffany ChaversEdwards, the department’s Assistant Director for Business Operations, on an interim basis until the position is filled. see INTERNSHIPS, pg. 5 According to ChaversEdwards, the Clery Compliance Officer position was created in order for the university to better serve the campus community.

“With the ever-changing compliance responsibilities and our position of transparency, our new police chief believed Date/Time, Locations, and Nature of the Incident for the Crime Log are compiled by The Lion’s Roar from the Daily Crime and Fire Report this important position would provided by the University Police Department. not only benefit the university in keeping with the Department 10/20/2020 at 4:00 PM - North Oak Park - Theft 10/22/2020 at 7:49 PM - Southeastern Oaks of Education’s policies, but 10/21/2020 at 12:19 PM - Ned McGehee Drive Possession of Marijuana would benefit our current Traffic Violations, Outstanding Arrest Warrant 10/23/2020 at 11:00 PM - Off-Campus - Battery and future students in making 10/21/2020 at 1:20 PM - Student Union - Harassment 10/23/2020 at 8:00 PM – Village - Theft informed decisions about 10/21/2020 at 11:16 PM - Tangipahoa Hall Lot 10/25/2020 at 10:00 PM - Louisiana Hall - Sexual attending Southeastern,” Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Drug Assault explained Chavers-Edwards.

Paraphernalia, Possession of Alcohol Under 21 10/26/2020 at 11:17 AM - Taylor Hall - Possession Clery-related crimes gained 10/21/2020 at 9:00 AM - Pride Hall - Theft of Marijuana awareness when Jeanne Clery, a 10/22/2020 at 12:35 PM - Pride Hall Lot 10/26/2020 at 12:08 PM Pride Hall - Nonfreshman at Lehigh University Outstanding Arrest Warrants Consensual Disclosure of a Private Image in Pennsylvania, was assaulted Due to organizational challenges brought about by COVID-19, students may have concerns or issues with landing internships.

Two deans addressed the state of internships during the pandemic within each of their colleges.

Daniel McCarthy, dean of the College of Science and Technology, explained that while there are fewer opportunities within more handson fields, other fields are well suited for remote work.

“The process really hasn’t changed, just that there are fewer opportunities in a few disciplines — however, there are also more opportunities

C RIME Log

and killed in her dorm room in 1986.

After the tragedy, the Clery Act was established, which “requires colleges and universities receiving federal funding (including Southeastern Louisiana University) to prepare, publish and distribute campus security policies and crime statistics,” according to the UPD website.

Crime statistics come from reports to the UPD, to local law enforcement and to Campus Security Authorities, who oversee student and campus activities. In turn, CSAs must bring crime reports directly to the UPD. Chavers-Edwards described the several responsibilities the position will entail for herself and for any employee who fills the role in the future, including updating crime logs and affirming that university employees are trained and educated.

“This position is responsible for ensuring university employees, who are classified as Campus Security Authorities, are trained and educated on the responsibilities of their role as a CSA,” explained ChaversEdwards. “This position is also tasked with ensuring the

Daily Crime and Fire Log is kept up to date and available to the campus community, as well as compiling and publishing the Annual Security and Fire Safety Report. Clery compliance also ensures the distribution of timely warnings and emergency notifications.”

According to ChaversEdwards, she is currently enrolled in the National Association of Clery Compliance Officers and the Clery Compliance Officer Certification Program. She is on the path to graduate from the program in July 2021.

Chavers-Edwards expressed her sentiments for assuming the role and described her journey with the university.

“I am very excited to take on the role of Assistant Director for Business Operations and Clery Compliance,” shared Chavers-Edwards. “I am a graduate of Southeastern with a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice and a Master of Science in Applied Sociology. I started at the University Police Department in 2007 as a police radio dispatcher, then moved to an administrative coordinator role, and now into this current

see UPD, pg. 4

Opinions | The Lion’s Roar

November 3, 2020 | Page 3

Why does Walmart feel the need to keep selling firearms?

The nation’s most popular retailer, Walmart, recently removed all guns and ammunition from their displays last Thursday, Oct. 29.

This move was in response to the growing Austin Dewease number of Staff Reporter protests and vandalism due to police brutality. The “civil unrest,” according to Walmart, resulted in damage and looting to several of their stores across the country. As a safety precaution, Walmart asked their stores to move the guns and ammunition from the sales floor to a secure location in the back of the store, according to a statement given by the company.

However, the next day on Friday, Oct. 30, Walmart announced that they were returning their guns and ammunition back to their displays.

“As the current incidents have remained geographically isolated, we have made the decision to begin returning these products to the sales floor today,” said a Walmart spokesperson in a public statement.

This decision, albeit a very brief one, raises a couple of questions in my mind.

Did the civil unrest that caused damage to their stores earlier that week really die down that quickly?

Who’s to say that another protest won’t break out again due to the ongoing police brutality happening in this country at an alarming rate, causing Walmart to enact this policy once again?

In this March 31, 2020 file photo, a woman pulls groceries from a cart to her vehicle outside of a Walmart store in Pearl, Miss. Walmart has reversed course, announcing Friday, Oct. 30 it is returning ammunition and firearms to their displays in its U.S. stores. The nation’s largest retailer had previously said it had removed the items from displays due to “civil unrest” in some areas of the country but said Friday the items had been restored to displays because the unrest has remained isolated. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez, File) Here’s an idea: Why not stop selling guns and ammunition in a retail store not inherently designed for the sale of firearms?

For example, let’s take a look at one nationwide retailer who is surprisingly still in business to this day: Kmart.

In the summer of 2001, Kmart announced that they would

phase out the sale of handgun ammunition. This decision was made in large part by meetings with the victims of the tragic Columbine High School shooting that happened two years prior.

To this day, Kmart has downsized to only 34 stores, none of which carry firearms or ammunition.

It took a nationwide tragedy and countless gun-control advocates for Kmart executives to pull ammunition from their shelves. 19 years later, hypermarket retailers like Walmart are still selling guns and ammunition in their stores.

Will it take another nationwide tragedy, or in this case, a concern of “civil unrest” that causes someone

Ethics should be required in school curriculums When considering if ethics should be required in school curriculums, I suggest we ask ourselves the following questions: What type of future do we want for our society, and how do we actively manifest that future?

Ethics, in the simplest terms, deals with moral principles. It’s about right versus wrong and the dynamics of what benefits society as a whole.

Safiya White Now, I know this can be a very touchy Staff Reporter subject, because who really gets to decide what is right and wrong? To me, we all decide.

We decide in situations like school shootings, police brutality or sexual assault. We decide when the rights and equality of other human beings are at stake.

These types of issues take root long before our adult years. We begin to form our perspectives at a young age. This is why ethics should be a required lesson in schools from grades K-12. Kids should have a safe and structured way to learn about their society and have an open space to discuss opinions and possible solutions.

Yes, teach the kids about consent, abuse of power and racial inequality. Teach the students about the immoral conduct that is far too common in our society.

Allow them to share their own experiences and gain a larger world perspective. I think this will open the door into a world where people are more accepted, where people are held accountable for their actions.

I have heard countless times that ‘the children are our future,’ but what is being done to ensure that the youth are growing into the kind of people that bring about positive change? Not enough is being done.

I’ve spent over twelve years of my life in the school system, and I feel that there could have been more done to help students broaden their understanding.

To do this, these topics must be handled delicately and appropriately. For older students, there is room for more honest and open conversations. There could be a class that specifically focuses on ethics and how ethical basics relate back to important historical and present issues. For the younger kids, those conversations can be extremely elementary. Topics on the importance of sharing, honesty and being kind would be more age-appropriate for the younger children.

Whatever level the students are at, the conversations should be had. If someone is going to spend so many years in the school system, at the very least, they can be armed with lessons that will benefit them and the people around them.

to be harmed from a looted gun from a riot, for Walmart executives to pull guns or ammunition from their shelves?

Hopefully, it doesn’t have to happen like that.

According to an article by NBC News, “Walmart has removed guns and ammo from its floors at different points over the years,

Speak

such as following protests over the killing of George Floyd by police, or following an increase in mass shooting events.”

Why does Walmart feel the need to move their guns and ammunition back and forth in response to every protest or mass shooting? Is it simply just an act of virtue signaling, or is it because guns and ammunition make them a lot of money?

Unfortunately, the answer seems to be both. According to The New York Times, last year, Walmart reported that it controls about two percent of the nation’s firearm market and 20% of the ammunition market.

However, last year marked a step in the right direction. Following a massacre at a Walmart in El Paso, Tx., the company stated it would stop selling military-style assault rifle ammunition and discourage its customers from openly carrying guns in their stores.

The decision to stop selling assault rifle ammunition could “dramatically” reduce their company share of the ammunition market from 20% to a staggering 6%.

Walmart ultimately went ahead with their plan, despite sacrificing 14% of their share, and stopped selling assault rifle ammunition along with assault style weapons four years prior.

Although Walmart has made a few steps in the right direction in terms of gun regulation in their stores, they still need to go all the way if they really care for the safety of their stores, workers and customers.

Out

On Thursday, Oct. 29, Walmart removed guns and ammunitions from their displays. The next day, however, they announced that they will be back on display. How do you feel about this?

“I didn’t even know Walmart sold ammunitions and guns.”

@jordonarmand “You for real? They didn’t hurt me, but that shouldn’t be a reason they should be removed.”

@king_tw92 “That’s what happens when part two of the Civil War starts tomorrow.”

@uhlyssia “This is just part of corporations’ and celebrities’ fake activism, and it’s getting old and obviously fake.

@not.your.mercy

The Chief’s Brief: a monthly message from UPD Chief October 16, 2020 Welcome to the first Chief’s Brief: a monthly column to let you, the community, know what has been happening on the campus, where you can meet an officer, answer any questions you have about your University Police Department and to offer a monthly safety tip.

First, let me say, as the new Chief of Police, I am very excited to be here at Southeastern and look forward to working with all our community to make Southeastern a safe and welcoming campus.

As we are now well into the semester, UPD has had to adjust the way we do things and how we reach out to the campus. Truly being part of the

community is what I strive for, and with the talents of Officer Morse, we jumped into the world of TikTok, and what a job Officer Morse has done!

Officer Morse has uploaded short safety videos, had a scavenger hunt and just uploaded some fun videos with her famous traffic cones. The support has been great, and we have over 150 thousand followers and yes, I am in some of the videos.

We just completed our first Q&A over Instagram, and I want to thank everyone who sent in questions. We hope to do more in the future. All our other officers have also been doing community presentations on campus, from talking with our student-athletes to bowling with our students who are

UPD Chief Michael Beckner Veterans. Officers are telling our story, answering your questions, and listening to your suggestions on how we can improve as your Police Department to better serve you.

UPD has also just recently added a Clery Compliance

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.

Officer to better serve our future and current students with reporting Clery related crimes on campus in the Annual Security and Fire Safety Report. This will allow current students to better understand crimes on campus and let future students make informed decisions on the safety of our campus before they arrive.

Tiffany Chavers-Edwards, a Southeastern Graduate and a dedicated member of the University Police Department, has been appointed to the position. I can say this would not have been possible without the support of both Dr. Summers and President Crain who both support having a safe and welcoming campus.

Upcoming UPD Events:

Staff Editor-in-Chief - Prakriti Adhikari Office Assistant - Ashlyn Harris Graduate Assistant - Sean Haydel Administrative Assistant - Gemma Carter Coordinator - Lorraine Peppo Director - Dr. Lee E. Lind

Nov. 3, 2020 at 4 p.m.: Student Engagement, along with UPD, will be conducting a virtual Active Assailant training.

Contact Student Engagement to register.

Watch our social media for future events and programming.

If you or your organization would like UPD to present on a topic, please reach out to us and we will make it happen.

Safety Tips: In today’s society, online safety is paramount. If you get an email request referencing a job you did not apply for, asking you to cash a check, asking you to purchase gift cards for them, or asking for personal information, block it, delete it, and report it!

Be careful with online

General Offices SLU 10877 900B Lion Lane North Campus Main Building, Room 154 Hammond, LA 70402

Like and follow @lionsroarnews.

dating. Never meet or give your address to someone you just met online. Only meet in a public place. Let a friend know your plans regarding where and what time, and make sure to let your friend know you are safe when the date is over. If something doesn’t seem right, then it probably isn’t. Trust your instincts!

Remember to mask up and practice social distancing to keep our Lion Nation strong.

Send any questions or comments to police@ southeastern.edu.

We will see you around campus. LION UP! Chief Beckner Southeastern Louisiana University Police Department

Telephone Numbers 985-549-3527 (newsroom) 985-549-3842 (fax) 985-549-3748 (advertising) 985-549-3731 (Student Publications)

www.lionsroarnews.com www.selu.edu/lionsroar lionsroar@southeastern.edu

Page 4 | November 3, 2020

The Lion’s Roar | Arts & Entertainment

Final exhibition of 2020 demands time and effort from senior artists and curator ELANA GUILLORY Staff Reporter

The work of senior art majors will soon be displayed as they prepare for the opening of 2020’s final senior art exhibit.

The exhibit will be on display from Thursday, Nov. 5 to Wednesday, Nov. 25 in the Contemporary Art Gallery. Seniors will present work they have developed throughout their undergraduate careers.

CAG Director Cristina Molina opened up about the combined effort from her and students that is required to create a seemingly effortless viewer experience.

“Organizing and curating exhibitions takes a lot of consideration overall, from designing promotional materials such as flyers, posters and social media to physically preparing the gallery space and hanging the artwork with care and intention so that it all looks seamless,” explained Molina. “Not to mention, wrangling over a dozen young artists and making sure that their work is prepared and submitted in a timely manner.”

Senior art major Dejiona Jackson will display her artwork during the exhibit. According to Jackson, Hurricane Zeta delayed some of the set-up process.

“Trying to finish up the last few ends now so I can start printing this weekend,” noted Jackson. “We have to submit everything Monday. They don’t have to be hung up Monday, but everything has to be submitted to

the gallery so they know what is going up.”

Senior art major Aubree Barber has spent over a year and a half on one artwork and more than 60 hours on others.

“My painting book, I probably worked a whole year and a half on it,” described Barber. “My posters, I put in 60 hours total for them, and the U.S. map, I had to do a lot of research with that, so consecutively each day since Sept. 2, so I’d probably say hundreds of hours.”

After the exhibition goes up, Molina explained that there is still work to be done on the exhibit.

“Once the exhibition is up, it’s also important that people come see the show, so that is another level of responsibility, continuing to engage audiences through various programming, such as gallery walk throughs and artist talks,” explained Molina.

According to Molina, senior exhibitions allow students to practice displaying their work professionally and amplify their opinions on issues they find important.

“Many of the students are touching on a variety of important topics, such as social commentary related to the pandemic, cycles of life, issues of identity and so forth,” said Molina. “Our senior exhibitions give graduating students a platform for visually articulating the issues they feel passionate about.”

Barber opened up about the work she plans on displaying during her last feature in the gallery. Among her display will be one particular work

of art that is dedicated to police brutality victims.

“I’ve been researching all of the people who have unfortunately passed away because of the police, and I wrote all of their names down where they passed away at, and there’s a giant U.S. map that I feel is very jarring,” explained Barber.

The overall theme of Jackson’s work will revolve around the underrepresentation of African American skateboarders. Part of her inspiration came from her own interest in skateboarding.

“I’m centering it around African-American people so they have some representation,” described Jackson. “I’m making a book, and my actual exhibit is going to be mainly promotional flyers and banner-styled things.

I used to skate a lot, and I picked it up again this semester, and I just wanted to do something that I was heavily interested in.”

Molina believes the amount of effort put into the exhibit is immeasurable.

“The work is difficult to quantify,” said Molina. “It takes a lot of collaborative effort over time. Students have been working on these projects for at least a year, and as I mentioned there is much planning and coordinating that needs to happen as the show comes together.”

The Contemporary Art Gallery is located next to Clark Hall on the east side of Strawberry Stadium.

Above, senior art major Aubree Barber spent “hundreds of hours” on a map displaying police brutality deaths. With a focus in graphic design, she is one artist in the senior exhibit that will feature artwork centered around issues she is passionate about.

Left, senior art major Dejiona Jackson’s work features African American skateboarders such as Ron Allen and Ray Barbee.

Jackson. Courtesy of Aubree Barber and Dejiona Jackson

“The Wolves”: A coming-of-age production to take place at the Vonnie Borden Theatre

HANNAH JUNEAU Chloe Williams, one of the cast members of “The Wolves,” reviews her script. The all-female cast will open with their first performance on Nov. 10. Hannah Juneau/The Lion’s Roar

Staff Reporter

Blood, sweat, tears, insane dialogue and a great time. That sums up the play “The Wolves” taking place at the Vonnie Borden Theatre in D Vickers Hall, according to assistant director DeJuan “DJ” James.

ELECTION

continued from pg. 1 A 1968 REDUX? HOW ABOUT 1980?

Trump spent considerable energy this year posturing as a “law and order” president, seeking to replicate 1968, when widespread unrest in the U.S benefited Republican Richard Nixon as he built his “silent majority.” But Nixon wasn’t the incumbent in 1968. In fact, the political atmosphere was so bad for President Lyndon Johnson that the Democrat didn’t seek reelection.

Many Democrats and some

James explained the plot of the show, which includes an all-female cast.

“The show is about the experiences of a girls’ soccer team through their weekly morning pre-game warmup routines,” explained James. “As the play progresses, we learn more and more about each of the characters and how they interact with each other and the world they live in.”

He then elaborated on the intended message and how it can change according to the viewer’s perspective.

“For me, the message has changed constantly throughout this whole process so, at the moment, I think it’s that we’re all human beings and, no matter what we do, we all just want something: to fit in, to be ourselves and to feel love — among other things,” expressed James. “I think audiences should see this simply because the story is one that I think not enough people know about: seeing these athletes as people who are not any different from you and me.”

Director Anna-Liese Fox believes that the message is different for all viewers.

“There is no moral,” shared Fox. “What you gain is insight on the complexity of identity.”

Fox is a new director at the university, and she is

Republicans are now pointing more at 1980, when Republican Ronald Reagan trounced President Jimmy Carter and the GOP flipped a whopping 12 Democratic Senate seats. Trump’s standing in the polls over 2020 has tracked only slightly above where Carter spent much of the 1980 election year, as he battled inflation, high unemployment and the Iran hostage crisis. But what appeared a tight race on paper as late as October turned into a rout.

Even Democratic heavyweights like Indiana Sen. Birch Bayh and South Dakota Sen. George McGovern, once a presidential nominee, fell.

It’s a more polarized era four

decades later. But the lesson is that Trump would defy history to win reelection amid such a cascade of crises and voter dissatisfaction.

WHEN WILL THE RACE BE CALLED? Absentee voting amid coronavirus has changed the votecounting timeline, and there aren’t uniform practices for counting across the states. That makes it difficult to predict when certain key battlegrounds might be called.

For example, Pennsylvania and Michigan — battlegrounds Trump won by less than 1 percentage point in 2016 — aren’t expected to have complete totals for days.

grateful that the university has been open to letting her run the show and allowing students to view as well as participate in live theatre.

“Professional theatre, like Broadway, is going to be shut down indefinitely,” explained Fox. “They have an obligation to make money and pack the houses.

As an educational theatre program, our goal is to give opportunities for our designers, stage managers and actors to practice their craft. Just to make the distinction that our purpose is about serving our student artists and giving them an opportunity to grow as artists through live performance.”

Fox stated that young teenage girls are represented terribly in the media, and she finds that a lot of negative stereotypes surround them. “The Wolves” presents a new viewpoint in terms of teenage girls in their element.

In terms of COVID-19, LeFranc explained that she is both nervous and excited to perform during a pandemic.

“It’s worrisome,” expressed LeFranc when asked about how COVID-19 affects her relationships with her fellow cast and crew. “It makes me want to be more cautious. I’m trying to not get them sick and myself sick from them.”

Florida and North Carolina, meanwhile, began processing early ballots ahead of time, with officials there forecasting earlier unofficial returns. But those two states also could have razor-thin margins.

Early returns, meanwhile, could show divergent results. Biden’s expected to lead comfortably among early voters, who tend to skew toward Democrats. Trump is likely to counter with a lead among Election Day voters. Depending on which counties report which batch of votes first, perennially close states could tempt eager partisans to reach conclusions that aren’t necessarily accurate.

Freshman cast member Chloe Williams also agreed that COVID-19 has made it slightly difficult to make friends while in the play due to the mask and social distancing restrictions.

“It has definitely affected me more than past shows,” explained Williams. “We [cast and crew] try to bond as much as we can during rehearsals, but I definitely wish we had more time out of rehearsals to do so.”

COVID-19 may have stunted their social lives, but the ever-changing message of the show resonates so well with the cast members that they can still bond over its importance.

“I feel as though the message is about a realistic approach of young girls sticking together no matter what hardships come toward them,” expressed Williams.

With the show being set in a COVID-19 world, viewers will be sure to connect with the cast and crew in the play.

“The Wolves” will take place on Nov. 10-14.

General admission is $20, while seniors and nonSELU students are $15. University students get in free with their student ID.

UPD

continued from pg. 2 position. Having the experience and working knowledge of a university police department has given me invaluable resources to be able to fill this position.”

The Clery Compliance Officer described the goals she and the UPD hope to accomplish through this new position.

“We strive to be the model that other system universities look up to, but first and foremost, to provide the best service possible to our Southeastern community,”

shared Chavers-Edwards.

In a Chief’s Brief release on Oct. 16, UPD Director and Chief Michael Beckner stated, “This will allow current students to better understand crimes on campus and let future students make informed decisions on the safety of our campus before they arrive.”

More information on the Clery Act, Clery-related crimes, and CSAs can be found on the UPD’s website under the “Campus Security Authority” tab.

Sports | The Lion’s Roar

November 3, 2020 | Page 5

Volleyball Green & Gold Match Set for Friday

HAMMOND, La. – With the university closed Thursday in the aftermath of Hurricane Zeta, Southeastern Louisiana’s Green & Gold volleyball match has been pushed back to 6 p.m.

Friday evening.

Fans can watch a free video stream using the Lions’ Gameday Experience app for Android or iOS devices, the Southland Conference Digital Network app for smart TV devices (e.g. Apple TV, Amazon Fire, Android TV and Roku) or through the Southeastern Athletics website at www.LionSports.net/SSN. Southeastern (14-17, 8-8 Southland) wrapped up the 2019 regular season with the third-largest improvement in wins in the nation, going from a pair of victories in 2018 to 14 this past season. In his first season at the helm, head coach Jeremy White led the Lady Lions to their most overall wins since the 2004 season and most conference wins since 2014.

Returners Sam Gomez and

Karlee Wilkerson formed a key part of a Lady Lions squad that ranked third in the conference last season with an average of 2.01 blocks per set and fifth with a .210 attack percentage, a 70-point improvement over the previous season and the program’s highest attack percentage in more than a decade.

Gomez, a senior from Mandeville, Louisiana, ranked second on the squad with both a .268 attack percentage and 86.0 total blocks (0.76 per set) along with finishing third in kills (258 total, 2.28 per set) and points (325.0 total, 2.88 per set).

Wilkerson, a junior from Springfield, Louisiana, ranked third in attack percentage (.189) and blocks (78 total, 0.71 per set) along with fourth in both total kills (210, 1.91 per set) and points (255.0 total, 2.32 per set).

DIGGIN’ IT CLUB / S CLUB Fans interested in becoming active supporters

The university women’s volleyball team will hold it’s annual Green and Gold match on Friday Nov. 6 in the University Center. Second year head coach Jeremy White lead the Lady Lions to a 14-17 record in the 2019 season. White hopes to lead the Lady Lions to the Southland Conference Playoffs . Courtesey of Sports Infromation of the Southeastern volleyball program are encouraged to join the Diggin’ It Club.

Lion volleyball alums are encouraged to join the exclusive S Club, which is restricted to Southeastern athletic letter winners.

All membership fees and donations to both the Diggin’ It Club and S Club (volleyball) are available for the exclusive use of the Southeastern volleyball program.

Membership information is available by contacting the

Lion Athletics Association at laa@southeastern.edu or (985) 549-5091 or visiting www.

LionUp.com.

SOCIAL MEDIA For more information on Lady Lions Volleyball, follow @LionUpVB or @JWhiteSLU

on Twitter, @LionUpVB on Instagram, like /SLUathletics on Facebook and subscribe to the SLUathletics YouTube channel.

Southeastern Baseball to Name seven All-Decade Teams HAMMOND, La. – To celebrate more than seven decades of intercollegiate competition, the Southeastern Louisiana baseball program is working to name All-Decade Teams covering a 70-year span from the 1950s to the 2010s.A multi-generational project, the voting and team announcements will take place over the next several months leading up to the 2021 NCAA Baseball season with the final teams added to the program’s record book All former Southeastern baseball lettermen are eligible to cast a ballot for each of the seven squads making up the All-Decade Teams. Ballots will be conducted by email. An executive committee consisting of current and former coaches, players and SIDs will oversee the creation of the final team structure.

Lettermen interested in participating are asked to contact Associate Sports Information Director Damon Sunde (damon.sunde@southeastern. edu) or baseball alum Tom Dawsey (tdawsey@ southeastern.edu) in the Lion Athletics Association office to be added to the email list.

TICKET INFORMATION

Southeastern is implementing mobile ticketing as the primary method for securing tickets during the 2020-21 school year. Tickets will be available via email in a PDF format for fans to download on their phone or print at home. Tickets can also be downloaded to Apple Wallet.

CLEAR BAG POLICY Southeastern Athletics enforces a clear bag policy for all ticketed events. The policy mirrors safety precautions required for entrance to professional and collegiate sporting venues throughout the country. For more information on the clear bag policy, visit www.LionSports.net/ Clear.

DIAMOND CLUB / S CLUB Fans interested in becoming active supporters of the baseball program are encouraged to join the Diamond Club. Lion baseball alums are encouraged to join the exclusive S Club, which is restricted to Southeastern athletic letter winners.

All membership fees and donations to both the Diamond Club and S Club (baseball) are available for the exclusive use of the Southeastern baseball program. Membership information is available by contacting the Lion Athletics Association at laa@

The university baseball team will soon name all decades teams spanning over the team’s 70 year history. All former Southeastern baseball lettermen are eligble to cast a ballot. Ballots will be conducted by email,and an executive comittee or current and former coaches will chose the creation of the seven teams. Courtesey of Sports Information southeastern.edu or (985) 549-5091 or visiting @LionUpBaseball or @MattRiser17 on Twitter, @ www.LionUp.com.

LionUpBaseball on Instagram and Facebook, and SOCIAL MEDIA subscribe to the SLUathletics YouTube channel.

For more information on Lions Baseball, follow

SLU Announces 2020-21 Schedule, Lady Lions open season versus Alcorn State on Nov. 25

Ayla Guzzardo, women’s basketball head coach, is entering her third season at the helm for the Lady Lions. In 2019 Guzzardo lead the Lady Lions to a 12-17 record with a trip to the Southland Conference Tournament. Courtesey of Sports Information HAMMOND, La. – The Southeastern Louisiana women’s basketball team officially announced its 2020-21 schedule on Wednesday.

Southeastern will open the 2020-21 season by hosting Alcorn State on Nov. 25 in the University Center. Other non-conference opponents visiting Hammond include UL Lafayette (Dec. 12) and Utah State (Dec. 21).

The Lady Lions are also slated to open its road schedule at a tournament at Southern Miss, facing Troy on Nov. 27 and host USM on Nov. 28.

COMMENCEMENT

continued from pg. 1

phenomenal job ensuring that we take the adequate steps in maintaining that health,” expressed Hatcher. “Although it may be disappointing for students who wanted to have more family members physically present at the ceremony, I believe that, overall, families understand the situation we’re navigating and can appreciate all of the effort put in to make this happen.”

Hatcher commented on the joint ceremonies for her graduating class in addition

Southeastern will also face Stephen F. Austin (Dec. 8) and Lamar (Dec. 16) during the non-conference portion of its schedule. Southland Conference foes LU and SFA will host SLU in non-conference games, as neither team is on Southeastern’s league schedule.

The Lady Lions will start said league schedule on Jan. 2, welcoming Texas A&M-Corpus Christi to Hammond. Southeastern’s home Southland slate includes visits from McNeese (Jan. 20), Northwestern State (Jan. 23), Central Arkansas

to the Summer and Fall 2020 semester graduates.

“I don’t think any one person’s success takes away from another’s,” said Hatcher.

“If anything, my sentiment towards them is congratulatory and proud. They’ve earned their moment like everyone else has, and I think any graduate would be happy to witness the achievement and perseverance of another peer.”

(Jan. 27), New Orleans (Jan. 30), Sam Houston State (Feb. 10), Nicholls (Feb. 13) and Abilene Christian (Feb. 20).

SLU will open its conference road schedule at Sam Houston State on Jan. 6. The Lady Lions also visit league foes Nicholls (Jan. 9), Abilene Christian (Jan. 16), Texas A&M-Corpus Christi (Feb. 17), McNeese (Feb. 24), Northwestern State (Feb. 27), Central Arkansas (March 3) and New Orleans (March 6).

The Southland Conference Women’s Basketball Tournament is scheduled for March 11-14 at the Leonard E. Merrell Center in Katy, Texas.

2020-21 Southeastern Louisiana Women’s Basketball Schedule Nov. 25 – Alcorn State – Hammond – 1 p.m.

Nov. 27 – vs. Troy@ - Hattiesburg, Miss. – TBA Nov. 28 – at Southern Miss@ – Hattiesburg, Miss. – TBA Dec. 8 – at Stephen F. Austin – Nacogdoches, Texas – TBA Dec. 12 – UL Lafayette – Hammond – 1 p.m.

Dec. 16 – at Lamar – Beaumont, Texas – TBA Dec. 21 – Utah State – Hammond – 1 p.m.

Jan. 2 – Texas A&M-Corpus Christi* Hammond – TBA Jan. 6 – at Sam Houston State* - Huntsville, Texas – TBA Jan. 9 – at Nicholls* - Thibodaux – TBA Jan. 16 – at Abilene Christian* - Abilene, Texas

F o r students struggling to find internships, McCarthy emphasized the importance of talking to faculty members within their departments.

“I think that there is an interesting demand to work remotely, but if you’re just going cold, you may not know what’s out there,” shared McCarthy. “I always recommend that students talk with their department and with faculty members to see if he or she would be able to help you out with that.”

Antoinette Phillips, dean of the College of Business, shared that there has still been strong interest from both employers and students within the college.

INTERNSHIPS

continued from pg. 2

– TBA Jan. 20 – McNeese* - Hammond – TBA Jan. 23 – Northwestern State* - Hammond – TBA Jan. 27 – Central Arkansas* - Hammond – TBA Jan. 30 – New Orleans* - Hammond – TBA Feb. 10 – Sam Houston State* - Hammond – TBA Feb. 13 – Nicholls* - Hammond – TBA Feb. 17 – at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi* Corpus Christi, Texas – TBA Feb. 20 – Abilene Christian* - Hammond – TBA Feb. 24 – at McNeese* - Lake Charles – 6:30 p.m.

Feb. 27 – at Northwestern State* - Natchitoches – TBA March 3 – at Central Arkansas* - Conway, Ark. – 7 p.m.

March 6 – at New Orleans* - New Orleans – TBA March 11-14 – at Southland Conference Tournament – Katy, Texas – TBA Southeastern home events in bold | * - Southland Conference game | @ - 33rd Annual Lady Eagle Thanksgiving Classic Schedule is subject to change

“In some cases, there are a little fewer opportunities because of some organizational challenges relative to the pandemic with remote work and distancing,” explained Phillips. “We’ve had some interns who are working actually in offices within companies, and we have others working remotely.”

While internships are valuable for learning job-related skills, Phillips believes that the interpersonal skills learned hold just as much weight.

“You also learn personal communication, how to be an employee, what it means to go to work every day,” shared Phillips. “You learn a lot about being an employee versus a student, and that’s sometimes a transition. Teamwork skills, networking, all of those things are

so important that students get a good taste of when they intern.

Alongside keeping resumes up to date, Phillips also emphasized that students should utilize their resources and connections in order to find an internship.

“I think you really have to expand your search process to include organizations you haven’t thought of before,” expressed Phillips. “I think it’s important to tell everyone that you’re looking for an internship, to explore opportunities, to always have your antenna up. Talk to your professors.”

Page 6 | November 3, 2020

The Lion’s Roar | News

Microbiology professor Q&A: A different kind of preparation TRINITY BROWN

were a different story. It is very difficult Staff Reporter to teach a lab online and make it quality instruction. Watching a video of how to All students have gone through do a procedure will never take the place new challenges and taken precautions of actually doing it in person.” in order to stay safe while learning.

However, the microbiology classes How are classes being held now have had a slightly different struggle due to the pandemic? What specific following the switch to virtual changes have been made for the procedures. microbiology classes?

Edward Nelson, Ph. D., “For lectures, it depends on the undergraduate coordinator and professor teaching the class. Some professor of biological sciences, took are teaching completely online, some the time to answer some questions on asynchronous, and other synchronous how the department has been handling (class still meets online at a certain the more challenging aspects of classes. time and day). Some are trying to teach part of the class on campus and part When we went online last semester, online. For labs, we have split each lab what was the initial biggest problem of 24 students into two periods with 12 students. So, instead of the 24 students for the microbiology classes?

“Lectures were not too big a problem meeting for a two-hour lab, 12 come in to switch to online, but it was a lot of the first hour and 12 the second. This work, especially making new online makes twice the work for the instructor tests and getting used to using the online because now, in addition to the two class technology. The labs, however, periods, they also have to teach part of

Edward Nelson. the lab online. It also puts pressure on the students because we no longer have time to explain how to do the lab in class. The student has to watch videos and read the book. If they don’t do that before lab, they will be completely lost. Also, many of the exercises were designed for students working as lab

partners and worked much better when but a lot still don’t like it. They would doing them that way.” prefer to teach only on campus, face-toface with the students.”

Do you feel like students have gotten more discouraged about class Considering how the pandemic has due to the changes? affected getting a job in microbiology, “Some of the students do get would you say this is a bad time to be discouraged with the online instruction. a graduate in the field?

Some people just have a hard time “It is a great time to graduate as forcing themselves to learn the material a microbiologist. Because of the that way. Others like the format.” pandemic, a lot of federal research money has been shifted to virology/ How do you think the department microbiology/immunology.” has been handling the changes? Is it What advice would you have for still hard or going smoothly now?

“It is certainly going more smoothly a student about to graduate who is than in the spring. Many of the professors looking for a job in this field?

“It is one of the best fields for a had never taught online before and in a space of a week, they were required to graduating senior to get a fellowship as a learn how to do so. To top that off, there graduate student and then go on to work were often problems with technology in the field either in the pharmaceutical that were very frustrating to both the industry, which is investing billions into faculty and students. Now, most of the new pharmaceuticals and vaccines, or faculty have become more comfortable government or universities.” with the technology and teaching online

Scooters, bikes and skates, oh my: How students get around campus BRYNN LUNDY Staff Reporter

Every day on campus, hundreds of students can be seen walking to class, the Mane Dish, library or to their cars or dorms.

Among the many walkers, there are those who choose different methods of moving around campus.

From bikes and skateboards to scooters and rollerblades, students utilize various ways to travel on campus from day-today.

Trevor Tolar, a junior chemistry major, is a commuter student who uses his skateboard as transportation between classes and around the university grounds.

“My freshman year, I had a whole bunch of friends that got me into skateboarding,” shared Tolar. “So, we’d just skateboard around campus. Then I just got really lazy, so now all I do is skateboard around campus.”

Karell Hunter, a junior biological sciences major, is an Trevor Tolar skaes across the crosswalk in front of Sims Memorial Library. A number of students use various modes of on-campus resident in Taylor transportation to get around campus. Brynn Lundy/The Lion’s Roar Hall. He explained why he utilizes his bike as on-campus

transportation.

“It’s more convenient, and especially if I’m in a big rush, then I won’t have to worry about showing up late to class,” said Hunter. “I have my bike, and I get there, like, high speed.”

One challenge posed to those who use transportation other than walking is weaving around pedestrians on the roads and sidewalks around campus.

“The best thing to do, in my opinion, if there’s a big group of people, and you know they’re not going to move out of the way, I just get off the skateboard and walk past them,” explained Tolar. “Otherwise, a lot of people are kind of nice. They’ll get confused, though, because they don’t know which way you’re going to go. So, if you just stay straight, usually they’ll get out of the way.”

According to Hunter, sometimes other people move and allow him enough space to pass, and other times, he redirects his bike on a different path.

“Sometimes, they move out the way,” explained Hunter.

“They’ll hear me coming because my bike is really squeaky, or

sometimes I’ll just duck off on the road or into the grass where there’s less people. I also have to watch out for cars and watch out for potholes and all that.”

Tolar does not feel the need for the university to implement lanes for modes of transportation such as bikes and skateboards unless accidents occur. However, Hunter believes bike lanes would increase efficiency and safety.

“Yes, I’ve been saying that for the longest time,” expressed Hunter. “They definitely need to, because riding my bike down the same path that everybody is walking is trouble for me, and it’s trouble for them. I know they get really irritated, and I do too.

If they had bike lanes, that would seriously help.”

Hunter commented on how bike-riding impacts his everyday campus experience.

“It definitely makes it more enjoyable,” noted Hunter. “Like I said earlier, I can get to my classes faster, and then, in my free time, I’ll take a ride around the city, and it helps me see the sights and enjoy Hammond even more.”

SE 101 introduces Freshman Success for minorities in STEM GABRIELLE WOOD Staff Reporter

SE 101 is a course designated to help college freshmen plan their academic path during their first semester. Students are taught resources and tools that ensure a smooth transition into college.

Although the course offers a variety of sections focused on each major, the College of Science and Technology has also provided a section to focus specifically on minorities in STEM. Daniel McCarthy, Ph. D., dean of the College of Science and Technology, discussed why this section is offered.

“In the College of Science and Technology, we are making a number of different efforts to try and increase our student body as a whole,” said McCarthy. “We are trying to address the areas where students are misrepresented in the field, and systematically, we are trying to improve that so that we can have a more welcomed environment. We were finding that many students were starting the

degree, but never really making it to the more challenging years as a student.”

The newly-added sections were introduced before the start of the Fall 2020 semester.

“We have two faculty members, Dr. Troy Williams who is in physics and Jerrie Hanible in biology,” explained McCarthy. “They each agreed to take a section, each one being all black students with a mix of both male and female.”

McCarthy explained the biggest difference the department aims to make in this section.

“They are addressing what all students are instructed during the course, but there are the extra resources of bringing working professionals for minorities and talking to those students to get a sense that there are other people like them in these careers,” mentioned McCarthy. “Most importantly, it builds a sense of community.”

The College of Science and Technology has even started making a difference towards improving the quality of education for its

minority students.

“We are taking plenty of initiatives to benefit the program,” shared McCarthy. “We recently did a study of our faculty and alumni to find out what are some of the things we are doing right, and could do better. For the Day of Giving, the college had one big initiative, and that was to provide a scholarship to underrepresented students.”

McCarthy explained that there are also many challenges for females in STEM. “We have some fabulous faculty who have already started a Women in Technology group, a women’s chapter of the Association for Computer Machinery, and they’ve been very active by doing a lot of trips and interacting with companies who also have Women in Technology groups,” detailed McCarthy. “Who have speakers who come for Women in Technology, and just this semester, we sponsored two students and a faculty member to attend an international conference on women and computing so that they can bring lessons they have learned back to Southeastern.”

New bachelor’s degree in Integrated Science and Technology in the works JORDYN FRANKLIN Staff Reporter

A Bachelor of Science in Integrated Science and Technology (ISAT) has been approved at the University of Louisiana System level.

Once approved by the Board of Regents, the new degree program will have a tentative start in the upcoming fall semester.

Daniel McCarthy, Ph. D., dean of the College of Science and Technology, detailed why the college felt a need for the new degree program.

“What we’re finding nowadays is that many jobs require a blending of two different disciplines,” shared McCarthy.

“For example, I think computer science ties into so many different things — like if you’re in healthcare, it’s always useful to be able to program an iPad to help you with diagnostics.”

The new ISAT program will allow students to blend coursework from two separate programs and dabble in workforceready disciplines, according to McCarthy.

“It is to choose your major which has coursework from two different programs, so you could do computer science and biological sciences if you wanted to get into bioinformatics,” explained McCarthy.

“If you’re wandering into wetland ecology but you don’t understand remote sensing, you could then introduce engineering and technology to biology.”

McCarthy hopes that the new degree program will better align the university with the workforce.

“Things are adapting and changing all the time. You need to be able to adapt quickly, so I think that the local companies will be very responsive to it,” detailed McCarthy. “I think it’s going to draw a lot of students to Southeastern who might not have thought about it, knowing that there’s a program out there that didn’t exist before.”

Sanichiro Yoshida, Ph. D., professor of physics and co-coordinator of the Masters in ISAT program at the university, also emphasized the importance of ISAT. “Recent advancement in science and technology makes the boundaries between

various subjects unclear,” explained Yoshida. “For instance, nano-technology requires quantum mechanical or quantum chemical knowledge in mechanical engineers.”

In addition, pursuing a graduate degree in ISAT benefits those looking to become specialists in the area, according to Yoshida.

“In my opinion, recent technological advancement requires additional knowledge and skill over what one would master in undergraduate programs,” expressed Yoshida. “In some countries, applicants with undergraduate degrees in science and technology are considered to be a generalist, not a specialist of the field.”

Yoshida believes that holding subject matter expertise benefits a wide range of career fields in the workforce.

“It is essential that medical providers know how the instrument works, not only how to use them,” detailed Yoshida. “You can read the manual to know the steps to A Bachelor of Science in Integrated Science and Technology would allow use a given instrument, but the manual will students to blend courseowrk from two programs. File Photo/Le Souviner not tell you how the machine works.”