The Patriot - September 16, 2021

The University of the Cumberlands Student Newspaper

Fall Issue 1 September 16, 2021

September 16, 2021

Letter from the Editor Editor-In-Chief Haley Bullock Managing Editor Abigail Fletcher Faculty Adviser Jeremiah Massengale Dear Patriots, I am so glad to be back on campus this year! With recent developments from the COVID-19 pandemic and regulations, I didn’t know if it would be possible, but I’m glad we are managing. This year doesn’t look like how many of us planned it would, but you all can do this. The students at the University of the Cumberlands can get through anything. As we finish our third of the fall semester up, I can tell everyone on campus is already getting back in the swing of things.

This is bittersweet to say this, but this may be my last year on campus. I am a senior this year and I plan on graduating in the spring if nothing comes up.

Knowing that this is my last year as a college student makes me more emotional than I’d like to admit, but I’m just glad that I am fortunate enough to go to a college that feels like my home away from home. I wouldn’t be who I am today without my friends, fellow classmates, co-workers and my professors in the communication department. Knowing that I have approximately 223 days left on campus challenges me to make the most of my time here.

College is the time to express yourself in ways you haven’t before. You’re on your own for the first time, more than likely, and it can be a little scary at first.

As the most introverted introvert I know, this is me telling you to get out there.

Join that club, get that job, go tell that girl at the coffee shop that you like her style, write for your campus newspaper (please I’m begging you). If you sit in your dorm by yourself (or just with your roommate) you will regret it more than you can imagine. Be the person you wish you were. Life is what you make it out to be, so try to make it the best that you can. And of course, as always…

Do the good things, Haley Bullock

Staff Nathan Evans Cassidy Howard Josephine Knight Kristin Mitchell Alyssa Morningstar Elizabeth Spires Maranda Young

Front cover by Maranda Young Back cover by Maranda Young Email comments, concerns or tips to: thepatriot@ucumberlands.edu or call us at 606-539-4172 7000 College Station Drive Williamsburg, Kentucky 40769

The Patriot is the student publication of the University of the Cumberlands. Our goal is to provide timely and original content by highlighting campus news and views.

Award-winning member of the Associated Collegiate Press and Kentucky Press Association.

Haley Bullock, Editor-in-Chief

Page 3 News

128 to 120 UC lowers credit hour requirements for graduation

BY HALEY BULLOCK Editor-in-Chief

University of the Cumberlands has changed rapidly in these past few years. Between the tuition drop, Templeton being added as a female dorm, the addition of the Patriot Park, and the library remodel, UC has had one change after another. The changes this year have already started by UC implementing a new policy on the credit hour requirement for graduation. An email sent out from UC’s Office of the Registrar on Aug. 10 said, “Starting fall 2021, the total amount of credits needed to complete a Bachelor’s degree will be 120 credit hours instead of 128.” This policy applies to new students starting in fall 2021 and students that will be completing their degree in or after fall 2021.

This policy also doesn’t remove or change any classes for general education requirements or for any major or minor programs.

This change removes roughly three classes from an undergraduate student’s overall course load since most of UC’s offered classes are worth three credit hours. A question some students have been wondering is: what is the reason for this change? Dr. Chris Leskiw, Vice President of Academic Affairs, said, “Improving the student experience at Cumberland was the driving force behind this change in credit hours. Our mission as an institution focuses on providing a quality and affordable education, and adjusting the credit hours addresses both elements. The modification of the total number of hours needed resulted from degree auditing and evaluating the last few semesters of a typical graduate’s experience.” The pandemic and the switch to a bi-term schedule have made learning harder on some students, so this policy’s goal is to help students have an easier time reaching graduation.

This change has been helpful in particular for UC seniors like Tara Todd. Todd says, “I’m really excited about this since [prior] to the change, I had ‘filler credits’ that weren’t necessary for my major or minor. Now, because of this policy, I can finish out my last semester just really focusing on just a few classes that I actually need to graduate this fall with my degree!” It isn’t uncommon for students to take additional elective classes to fill the total credit hour requirement. However, with this new policy, it will be easier for students to focus on only taking classes relevant to their degree to graduate.

Photo by Cassidy Howard

The change from 128 to 120 credit hours might not seem like much at first. With only removing roughly three classes from a student’s entire courseload, it could seem pointless at first. However, Dr. Leskiw says, “We see the impact of this policy change as two-fold. First, it focuses student coursework toward what they need most, courses for General Education and their major.

Second, this new policy is designed to make education more affordable and efficient. This policy complements the University’s shift to conferring degrees every eight weeks. Students have already been taking advantage of this change with the bi-term graduation policy. Graduating earlier addresses the dynamics of workforce demand as students can more readily take advantage of various opportunities as they arise.” Many students have had to take elective, or nonessential, courses to reach the previous 128 credit hour requirement.

Lowering the requirement to 120 has lessened that need so students are more likely to only need to take general education, major and minor classes.

Another worry some students might have about this policy change is the university’s accreditation from The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC.) According to Dr. Leskiw, this is no worry at all. He says, “This change in policy does not impact the University’s accreditation status at all. As it stands, our 120 degree hour requirement meets all of our SACSCOC accreditation standards for baccalaureate level degrees.”

The mission statement of SACSCOC says, “The mission of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges is to assure the educational quality and improve the effectiveness of its member institutions.”

In short, this policy was created with the students in mind to give them the same quality education but with less elective classes needed to meet the credit hour graduation requirement. This policy change does not impact UC’s accreditation in any way, which shows that the quality in the university has not diminished with its implementation. This policy is now active for all students, new, returning and transfers, that are currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree at the University of the Cumberlands.

Page 4 News

Spice it Up UC adds new dining option: Habaneros

BY ELIZABETH SPIRES

Photos by Elizabeth Spires

Staff Writer

As the University of the Cumberlands’ student body count continues to thrive, it is important to keep the meal plan options for students hot and fresh – both literally and metaphorically. With this goal in mind, the university’s dining services team decided to add a new restaurant to the Boswell Campus Center food court: Habaneros.

Habaneros is branded for its “handcrafted Mexican cuisine” – and who doesn’t love some Mexican? According to the university’s food services director, Misty Leach, in an article revealing the new restaurant, the decision was made when similar menu options were offered at the dining hall last academic school year and had a well-received turnout. Menu items at the restaurant include various Mexican-style foods, including quesadillas, burritos and salads. Amber Meadors, a UC freshman, said, “I really enjoy the quesadillas on the menu.” This was a popular consensus among many students and appears to be a big hit thus far. UC junior Hannah Howard said she prefers the burrito bowls on Habanero’s menu. Howard said, “It is a perfect protein-packed meal!”

The menu has a wide variety of options and allows students to “mix up what you get in your meal,” as UC senior Brooke Castle stated. UC junior Taylor Begley said, “It’s a good vegetarian option for students like me, because you can customize your own meals,” giving the new addition a oneup on the BCC’s other restaurant, Chick-Fil-A. Clearly, the flexibility that Habaneros offers is a major bonus for students.

However, many UC students report missing the “healthy alternatives that Tossed offered,” as Howard also stated. Tossed specialized in personalized wraps, salads, as well as artisanal sandwiches and melts. Personal pizzas were also an option for students when the restaurant was open on campus.

Their fresh and healthy options were a hit and appear to be missed greatly by many. Castle said, “I must say, I miss Tossed. I wish they could’ve just added Habaneros on as another option instead of replacing it.” With so few restaurant options on campus, meal plan exchanges are limited, so many oncampus students have eaten at Habaneros often since classes resumed on Aug. 23. While its options are healthier than those of Chick-Fil-A, the menu of Tossed was a great option for students and currently seems to be preferred by many students over that of Habaneros.

When it comes down to it, the meal plan for on-campus students undergoes changes that could either hop or flop. Habaneros was one of many changes made to the plan this year and while it may be too soon to consider it a great success or a complete disaster, it is clear that it has its benefits and downfalls. All in all, “Habaneros has proven to be a great addition” to the university, Howard claims, despite missing some of the healthier options offered last year from Tossed. Katie Tutt, a UC junior, said, “Habaneros has been a great addition to campus. It offers more options on the meal plan along with being able to eat healthy, but it would have been great if they could have added it as another meal plan option!”

Page 5 Entertainment

‘Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings’ Marvel’s first Asian-lead superhero takes on the big screen

q q q q q q q q 8/10 Rings Photo courtesy of Mar vel Studios

BY ABIGAIL FLETCHER Managing Editor

The Marvel Cinematic Universe has stepped away from their predominantly white-centered media and given us iconic movies like Black Panther” and now Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings,” which have broken the mold by giving audiences racial diversity with their MCU protagonists.

Shang-Chi, the comic book character, first appeared in Marvel Comics back in the 1970s and now comes to life in 2021 on the big screen.

The movie is undoubtedly well-rounded. Itll make you laugh, cry, and even unsettled throughout the 2 hour-and-12-minute running time. The movie has some familiar faces from other MCU movies which could be possibly foreshadowing the future of these superheroes.

Shang-Chi, portrayed by Simu Lu, was a great choice for the main character. He has a background in being a stuntman. This added to the realism of the heavily trained martial artist that is Shang-Chi. The movie had several unique fighting scenes from a bus hijacking, to a fight ring and then the massive fight on the back of a dragon. Also, Xialing-Chi portrayed

by Menger Zhang, brought a very powerful Asian woman to the screen. It was a wonderful casting that gave both young men and women autonomy to this story. Tony-Leung Chiu-wai, who portrayed Xu Wenwu, wonderfully portrayed an intimidating leader who ultimately is softened by the lure of romance and family. There is so many layers throughout Shang-Chi” that makes you feel bad for the stereotypical bad guy. This movie also took you through a story of a complicated disbanded family. There are many redemption

arcs which added to the overall film.

The soundtrack heavily influenced by more rap and hip-hop songs added drive and excitement to all scenes included. Tracks from artists like 21 Savage, Saweetie and DJ Snake were featured. These songs added such a hyped aspect to this film. MCU has never been one to disappoint when it comes to CGI. The world of Shang-Chi introduces a mystical world that is called Ta-Lo. There was a beautiful ode to Chinese culture in implementing the nine-tailed fox and dragon. Also, there is a scene where Shang-Chi is going to meet his friend Katy, portrayed by Awkwafina, and he is seen taking off his shoes before entering the home. Another great element was the use of language; there was a great transition between Mandarin Chinese and English.

The movie leaves mystery to the actual history of the ten rings which leaves you on a sort of cliff hanger wanting more. A staple of MCU movies are the end credit scenes. The two end credit scenes sort of foreshadow the role Shang-Chi and Xialing-Chi will have in phase four of the MCU. Ultimately, “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings” being the first Asian-lead superhero movie for the MCU, was a wonderful introduction to a new legend and mystical world. It left me wanting to know more about the history of the Ten Rings. I hope to see Shang-Chi join other iconic MCU characters.

Page 6 Photos

Photos by Abigail Fletcher and Maranda Young

The Start of the Semester

Photo by Abigail Fletcher

Weeks of Welcome and Old Fashioned Trading Days

Photo by Abigail Fletcher Blane Sizemore of the Game Ca fe in Williamsburg sits at the Old Fashion Trading Days.

UC students play 9 square at CAB evening event.

One of the many candy tables featured downtown with lots of wonderful treats.

Photo by Maranda Young

The man with the toy stand has a bubble blowing toy for kids.

UC students hold t-shirts.

Photo by Abigail Fletcher Students play cornhole at a CAB event.

Photo by Maranda Young

Photo by Maranda Young

Page 7 Features

Virtual Hangouts

Cruisin’ Through Cumberlands Playlist

Safe ways to have fun during COVID-19

Photo courtesy of John Schnobrich

BY M AR ANDA YOUNG Staff Writer

As COVID-19 continues to exist, life is still happening. Many people are doing the right thing by practicing social distancing and/or staying home, but what are some ways these people enjoy their time? Here is a list of fun things to do with your friends safely!

1. PowerPoint party.

This choice does include a few tools, but it is a super fun way to show how creative you and your friends are. You and your friends can create whatever rules for your party, but if you need a start, here’s a prompt. You just need to choose a theme, make it 5-8 slides and include at least once picture on each slide.

2. Zoom idol With this option, you and a group of friends grab some fun costumes and a playlist of choice. Each friend can take a turn doing their best Simon Cowell impression. You and your friends can create your very own “golden buzzer” and even have a winner for “Zoom Idol”

A perfect mixture of songs to listen to while driving through the campus.

3. TikTok While most everyone loves to get lost on their “For You Page,” you can also make TikTok a fun group activity. Virtually grab some of your friends and follow new trends, “stitch” each other’s videos and learn how to use fun editing tools to see who can get the most views on their videos.

4. Just have a nice chat!

To just keep it simple, jump on FaceTime, Zoom, or on another video chatting app or website to keep up with your friends, do your homework together, listen to some music or read a book together.