This year, AU introduced the new esports program. While COVID-19 had previously stalled the opening of this program, the esports team has finally participated in their first few events. Esports, or competitive gaming, is a sport made up of several teams that compete against other schools in their respective video games. One interesting aspect of the new program is the inclusion of the esports “scholarship.” Interim Head Coach, Justin Lambright, commented on the new … [Read more...]
Pandemic leads to faculty layoffs
Earlier this week, AU made budgetary cuts in various departments, including the School of Music, Theatre and Dance and the School of Theology. The cuts, which included the laying off of faculty and staff, come at the hands of COVID-19. The university Provost, Dr. Marie Morris, offered the reasoning behind these budget cuts and layoffs. “As the university continues to respond to previously declining enrollments, as well as the most recent impact of COVID-19, there are 11 faculty positions … [Read more...]
Q&A: Sarah Neal
AU alumna Dr. Sarah Neal serves as a professor in the nursing department. This year, she has taken on a special role with the university as the lead of the “COVID-19 Task Force.” She has degrees in social work, nursing and public health. What is your role with our university? “As Lead of the COVID task course, I handle all kinds of COVID scenarios. That's coming up with policies and procedures and consulting with all the different campus constituents so that I can help every area on … [Read more...]
AU Athletics adds esports program
AU is taking on a new club this year in the form of esports gaming. The sport is essentially “the competitive playing of a certain video game by two organizations, or institutions in this case,” said AU esport player Sam Wells. Wells, along with his teammates, will be competing in games of Rocket League, League of Legends, CS:GO, Valorant and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare (2019) this year. Esports head coach Duncan Vosburg stated, “I’m hoping we can continue to add to this list, … [Read more...]
Professors adjust to teaching online
COVID-19 is affecting students at AU like nothing before it. Classes were moved online and, eventually, the school’s remaining semester was slotted to continue remotely. Although the lives of college students have been jumbled, it’s not a challenge that they are facing alone; teachers across the globe are also doing their best to work through these challenging times. “So far, I've struggled a little bit with creating online videos,” said Professor Cara Miller of the English department. … [Read more...]
Rice Hall deemed unusable
Rice Hall had found a new purpose with the Musical Theater Department. The department had been using the building as a site for rehearsals and select classes until a few weeks ago. In January, the department was asked to take a temporary leave from the facility by the Physical Plant Department. “PPD had all classes and rehearsal leave temporarily, and we’ve heard nothing back since then. That was about a month ago,” said sophomore musical theater major and performer Brady … [Read more...]
ITS updates campus computers
Over the next several weeks, AU’s Information Technology Services department (ITS) will begin moving all university owned computers from Windows 7 to Windows 10. The change came after Microsoft ended their support on the old program. Without a change in programming, this could leave Windows 7 users exposed to a wide variety of security issues, including hacking. ITS worker Travis Fivecoate explained the potential breach of security. “Microsoft has officially ended support for … [Read more...]
Black History Month to be celebrated on campus
Every February, individuals across the country celebrate National Black History Month. At AU, students celebrate Black History Month through events put on by the Black Student Association and Cultural Resource Center. Senior Alana Moore spoke to the importance of Black History Month. “Black History Month is really special because it’s a time where the U.S. gets to recognize what black people have done in history,” she said. “I truly believe that Black history is American history because … [Read more...]
Swim teams break records in historic season
As the swim season enters full swing, the men’s team holds a record of 2-4 on the season, and the women’s has split even at 2-2. Last week for the Raven’s, the women racked up several wins in individual events. The swimmers won the first event of the meet, the 200 Medley Relay, against Hanover College and continued to dominate by winning the next four events. AU swimmers Tess Maubach, Lily Hunter, Jessica Pulaski and Tori Haessig made up the Relay team clocking in a first-place … [Read more...]
New scholarship to be offered to Madison County students
More than 79 percent of the students at AU received financial aid help last year, according to usnews.com. This aid came in many forms, such as grants, loans and scholarships. With the increasing need from students for some form of financial aid, colleges around the country are feeling the pressure to support their students. This year, AU is trying harder than ever to try to supply a few more fiscally-saving opportunities to its students. For instance, AU has recently announced it will begin to … [Read more...]