collegian.tccd.edu
Teenage drama in bounty hunting review PG. 2
Wednesday, August 26, 2020 – Volume 33 • Issue 1 Entertainment
Opinion
Opinion
Editorial
COUNTRY STAR RETURNS Luke Bryan returns with seventh studio album. PG. 2
JOB CRISIS WOES Why increased unemployment benefits are needed. PG. 3
THE HARM OF BIASED HISTORY Why history should be told truthfully without bias. PG. 3
A NEW DAWN How world events are shaping colleges across the nation. PG. 3
NORTHEAST
COVID-19 changes journalism throughout the world
campus editor
The global pandemic took student journalists at The Collegian by surprise as they watched the country turn upside down the second week of March. Everything about their beloved school newspaper’s production was about to change. Like many others, former Editor-in-Chief Jill Bold found the job harder than ever before, especially doubling in roles as a mom to a highschooler and toddler. Hearing about the transition from in-person to online after having worked at the paper since August 2019 left Bold shocked and bewildered. “It was the first time in Collegian history we were not going to have printed newspapers,” Bold said. The Collegian celebrates 32 years in print this year. With new challenges to endure such as duplicating their newsroom, the paper continued publication online right away, not
once missing a weekly edition. Bold went on to talk about the steps the staff took to get through the transition. Photographers continued their work by getting pictures while maintaining social distance and wearing masks wherever they were. The interactive Copy Control sessions among the editorial staff continued through Zoom meetings, and WhatsApp was used among the staff to work on story edits. Bold added the struggle the team had with no longer having stories revolve around events taking place on campus. Stories in The Collegian along with every newspaper in the world were taken over by COVID news and headlines. However, through their setbacks, Director of Student Publications Christopher Whitley believes they overcame their obstacles and broke new ground. Whitley and adviser Jocelyn Tatum supported the staff and team through it all, aiming to continue to run the publications for the college audience given all circumstances. “Don’t let all of this stop you from get-
An illustration depicting the life of a Collegian editor without access to the newsroom
OLINE LEARNING The pros and cons of forced online learning . PG. 4
DISTRICT
Virus shuts down newsroom LINDA PUGA
Feature
ting the job done,” Whitley said. Through it all, they persevered even while missing memorable events such as the Texas Intercollegiate Press Association conference and their graduation commencement. For the design aspect of the newspaper, production manager Stacy Luecker made sure the production team continued the process smoothly by transferring their production files and photos to Google Drive when the outbreak first occurred to continue their work, as well as adding communication through many video calls. Luecker mentioned the added use of the digital platform “ISSUU” was used for the accessibility of the paper as well as works of an e-newsletter, both utilized for increased circulation. “In some ways students are more creative,” Luecker said. Bold advises the incoming Collegian staff of the importance of communication, staying in touch, and engagement through social media for story ideas, virtual events and breaking news.
Illustration by Amber Davis/The Collegian
Campus pride without students RENE HERRERA campus editor
Student activities on all TCC campuses collaborate on how to be innovative and keep students informed and social during this isolating pandemic. “Our biggest challenge has been getting the word out to everyone, getting them properly informed about events,” assistant director of student development Eddie Brassart said. “We used to do everything face to face on campus,” he said. “But now everything is virtu TR student activities coordinator Kelsey Bratcher said she is a social person and loves interacting with students. She learned a lot from the hurdles in March and April about how to keep those students together. “With the changes to online programs and activities, I was able to be creative and explore new programs and activities for students,” she said. She took a speaker event that was originally on campus to Facebook live. “I know that students are looking for ways to connect with TCC and peers — it is what feels normal,” she said. But in these new challenges,Brassart, Bratcher and others have found ways to combat them. Using our college Blackboard as a space to meet and plan, student activities have come up with new ways to keep the college social life alive. From answering student’s questions on Google Meets, to giving out “virtual tours” of campuses via PowerPoints, or just doing something as simple as playing games such as bingo and trivia. Bratcher went on to further note they have been collaborating with Student Activities on other campuses to share ideas and plan to have a big virtual meet this coming month. Brassart said that they have been using email and TCC’s Instagram to provide information about upcoming events. . Student Activities is in the process of learning how to socialize during a pandemic. With many upcoming events planned this upcoming week, they are not letting the virus stop them from connecting students in a time where connection feels so lost. Student, Nate Spencer said he has received numerous emails from them about online seminars. “It’s clear they’re doing their best to stay connected with students while staying remote/online,” he said. “I think they’re doing well!” To see what online events your campus student activities have planned for the semester check The Collegian news paper or check the online calender at calender.tccd.edu.
CONNECT
Keeping mental heath in check during pandemic LAURAETHA DAVIS reporter
Mental illness and stress have become more common among college students now more than ever due to the COVID-19 pandemic. TCC has moved to online classes because of the coronavirus for the fall semester, and many students are facing new stressful challenges every day trying to keep up with the new social norms. “My mental health is not doing well because Ii’m under stress,‘’ SE student Christina Wells said. Although she has not reached out to a counselor for help, Wells said she’s searched for online ways of releasing stress instead.
"YouTube has been kind of a big help as it takes my stresses off my mind, and going outside to sit and relax in the elements,'' Wells said. To speak to a TCC counselor, students can must go to their Blackboard account and click the online academic advising tab. SE student Wala Omer, president of the Muslim Student Association, said she has reached out to students like Wells who are having troubles coping with their transition into online courses. Omer said the MSA sent out a letter to students saying that they are there to help. “We are reaching out to you to let you know if anyone needs help with anything, we are here,” the letter said. ”If you need a laptop or are having any difficulties with this transition, email me back, and I’ll do my best to
accommodate you.” Mental stress is real, and it is affecting so many people, Omer said. SE Conunselor Divya Patel, said she hasn't noticed a larger number of students
“YouTube has been kind of a big help as it takes my stresses off my mind, and going outside to sit and relax in the elements.”
Christina Wells SE student
who’ve sought her help now compared to before the college closed. “Student traffic during the temporary re-
mote services has been very consistent and comparable to on-campus services,” shesaid. “It has been busier right now due to the summer and fall 2020 registration as well as students’ stress levels increased due to the sudden change to online courses and other struggles such as financial stresses due to COVID-19.” Patel said she hasn't seen that students are struggling more to open up during online counseling sessions. “Students have been more vocal and open about what’s going on in their struggles and have been able to reach out to the counseling center,” Patel said. “This may be due to being more comfortable in their environment while speaking with a counselor.” Counselors are providing individualized resources to students and referrals to students who need extra help, Patel said.