Sports | 5
Opinion | 6
Mental Health | 5
An eventful month for intramurals at Southern
The coffee controversy: Should caffeine be on campus?
How self-compassion helps us cope with stress
October 20, 2021 Collegedale, Tennessee
Lifestyle | 7 Surviving the semester fashionably and comfortably
Southern Accent The student voice since 1926
Attendance policy accommodates quarantined and isolated students
Vol. 77 Issue 6
Students and staff call for increased attention to mold prevention in campus residences Madison Wilcox Reporter
meeting in person.” Young said he instructed professors before this semester began to provide necessary resources for students who are ill or in quarantine or isolation, and it was unacceptable to expect students exiting quarantine or isolation to make up a week or more of work. If they had problems pre-recording or recording lectures, professors were advised to contact IT or Online Campus. However, Young said he also told professors that “something other than recorded lectures may be apropos” in certain instances, as some classes are not didactic in nature. Young said he also advised professors to track attendance, preferably using the automated attendance tracking system developed by IT. Young said this system has been adjusted to
Mold has been especially problematic during the past two years in campus residences, according to Marty Hamilton, Financial Administration associate vice president. This semester, Southern Village has had two major mold issues, which resulted in students being temporarily relocated to different apartments. Apartments in Spalding Cove and Winding Creek have also been affected. In an interview with the Southern Accent, Hamilton explained what Plant Services has done to combat the issue. Two years ago, Plant Services had installed a dehumidification system in Thatcher Hall in order to avoid mold-inducing humidity, according to Hamilton. This summer, Plant Services finished installing dehumidification systems in Thatcher South and Talge Hall. Last year, they also installed needle point bipolar ionization systems in all campus buildings. Hamilton said both systems work to prevent mold which he said is a “chronic, inherent problem in the South.” According to Hamilton, Plant Services also works with both Housekeeping Services and the deans to keep abreast of the issue. Apartments are inspected whenever students move in or out and deans have recently been checking apartment units for mold on a weekly basis.
See ATTENDANCE on page 2
See MOLD on page 2
Professor Nick Livanos sets up a Zoom meeting. Friday, October 1, 2021. (Photo illustration by: Nicole Sabot)
Judah Brass Reporter Amanda Blake News Editor Southern Adventist University’s official attendance policy, which can be found on Southern’s website and was last updated for Winter 2021, states that class and lab attendance is expected, and professors will generally not excuse absences for reasons other than sickness, authorized school trips or emergencies. However, the policy also says Academic Administration will officially excuse students in quarantine or isolation for COVID-19. Bob Young, senior vice president for Academic Administration, said he further clarified details of the attendance policy with professors before this semester began to help them understand how to operate their classrooms amid COVID-19.
The policy states that students who are ill, have been exposed to anyone who tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 14 days or have a recently developed cough or loss of taste or smell should not attend in-person classes. It further states that students should not attend in-person classes if they have experienced chills, headache, muscle pain, sore throat, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea in the last two days. The policy encourages students who feel ill or choose to self-isolate to contact the University Health Center (UHC) or another health care provider as soon as possible. Students must communicate with professors before any absence or within 24 hours of missing class, according to the policy. To be excused for repeated absences due to illness, students might be required to present documen-
tation from a health care provider. The policy encourages students in quarantine or isolation to communicate with their professors as soon as possible to make arrangements to complete assignments. According to the policy, students who miss classes, labs or clinicals are provided the following accommodations: synchronous live streaming, asynchronous viewing of recordings or other methods as deemed appropriate. “The goal is to be sensitive to students who have health concerns and medical needs,” said Gary Bradley, education and psychology professor and Administrative Council member. “Attendance is better this semester than in the previous semesters. Students are doing a good job coming to class as much as they can. I appreciate the students’ effort this semester in coming to class and
New exit-only lane from Southern Southern extends mask mandate, allows Village planned to open October 25 in-person attendance for convocations and Vespers Amanda Blake News Editor
Megan Yoshioka Editor-in-Chief Southern is extending its indoor mask mandate until October 25, according to an email sent to the student body by Interim Vice President for Student Development Lisa Hall on Tuesday, October 12. The email stated that administrators would consider lifting the protocol if COVID-19 cases continue to drop on campus and in Hamilton County. “We are all ready for our campus to return closer to preCOVID normal, and hopefully that day is not too far in the future,” Hall stated in the email. In an October 6 email sent to the student body by Teri Reutebuch, administrative assistant to the vice president for student development, Reutebuch
stated that convocation programs will be held in-person in either the University Church or Iles Gymnasium with every other row seating and contact tracing. Convocations have not had in-person attendance options since September 2. Friday Vespers services have been held in-person since September 24 during Week of Prayer. According to Vice President for Spiritual Life and Chaplain Joseph Khabbaz, administration approved in-person attendance for Week of Prayer and Vespers services with every other row seating, contact tracing and no congregational singing. See MASKS on page 2
Associate Vice President for Financial Administration Marty Hamilton and Student Association Vice President Bautista look at the new exit lane for Southern Village. Monday, October 18, 2021. (Photo by: Joel Guerra)
Sarah Klingbeil Managing Editor An exit-only lane from Southern Village’s Timberland Terrace to University Drive will be opened on October 25, according to Tom Verrill, Financial Administration senior vice president. This is the first phase in a plan intended to alleviate early morning traffic caused by Collegedale Academy Elementary and Southern Village residents
on College Drive, according to Kevin Penrod, director of campus safety. In addition, Penrod hopes this move will increase safety for pedestrians crossing the road during this busy time. “It's a mess because for about 15 to 17 minutes, you're trying to fit 300 people in a twoway section. … It doesn't work,” Penrod said. The problem was brought to Campus Safety’s attention by Student Association (SA) Vice
President Kenneth Bautista through Kari Shultz, director of student life and activities. Then Penrod, Verrill and Shawn Haas, assistant director of campus safety, observed the problem on Thursday, September 30. “[We] were at the traffic area and just watched and observed and tried to get a first-hand understanding [of the problem],” Verrill said. “And by MonSee EXIT on page 2