Photo by Nouhad Melki On January 30, the department of Residence Life announced the closing of AU’s South Campus Apartments. Three months later, in the midst of a national pandemic, this announcement was reversed. According to Maggie Platt, director of Residence Life and Student Conduct, the nearly-50-year-old apartment complex was being sold due to fewer students seeking apartment housing. “When we looked at the number of students who applied for housing, we were going to have quite a … [Read more...]
COVID-19 restrictions disrupt students’ plans
With fundraising money collected and arrangements made, junior Spanish major Mckala Lindsey was more than ready to study abroad in Chile this summer. However, her plans were suddenly uprooted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. On March 18, the university canceled in-person classes for the remainder of the semester in an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19. For many students, this announcement also meant the cancellation of important events and trips. “I attempted to move my study abroad … [Read more...]
Administration approves credit/no credit for Spring semester
Due to complications of the COVID-19 pandemic and the sudden shift to online classes, university administration has approved the credit/no credit grading policy petitioned by the student body. In an email sent to the student body on April 17, President John Pistole outlined the details of this decision. “Faculty reviewed the student petition for a pass/fail option for Spring 2020 and voted this week to approve a temporary grading policy that will allow undergraduate students to opt for … [Read more...]
Annual Black Bird Film Festival to be held online
Although the communication and design arts department’s Black Bird Film Festival is known for its crimson-red carpet and logo-covered backdrops, it will be adopting a much different look this year. Due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the annual event that draws crowds of students, faculty, staff and members of the Anderson community will be shifted to an online format. Jack Lugar, associate professor of cinema and media arts and host of the Black Bird Film Festival, explained that he … [Read more...]
Professor organizes writing challenge to encourage creativity
For the month of April, Professor Jack Lugar of the communication and design arts department has decided to organize a special edition of his annual AU Storytelling Month (StoMo). StoMo, an event that usually takes place in February, is a month-long, campus-wide writing challenge that asks participants to write 500 words a day. While Ravens are quarantined due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Lugar has decided to create a new edition of this challenge, calling it “StoMo Stay@Home.” “The … [Read more...]
SGA adapts to COVID-19 pandemic
While students and professors are working to get the most out of online education, SGA is also working to adapt to the new circumstances due to COVID-19. Because students will not be returning to campus for the rest of the semester, SGA has decided to postpone their events for this semester, specifically the 5K planned for this spring. Current President Becca Peach and Vice President Carter Haupt, along with President-Elect Daniel Gaines and Dean of Students Chris Leukenga, have been … [Read more...]
Seniors discuss impact of COVID-19 pandemic
For AU's class of 2020, many of their “lasts” came a lot sooner than they thought, and some didn’t even come at all. Along with the news on March 18 that the remainder of the semester would be online, seniors learned that commencement would also be canceled. Senior biology major Ellen Doss decided to take initiative and create a petition to share on social media in hopes that a commencement held at a later date could happen. “This, already on the top of the list of ‘lasts’ the … [Read more...]
President Pistole answers students’ questions
As students adjust to AU’s mid-semester switch to online classes, they have found themselves with numerous unanswered questions. Although many questions still remain a puzzle for students and administration alike, President John Pistole offered some clarity on several points of confusion and concern. “I realize that this is a stressful and in some ways scary time for our students and families,” said Pistole. “So much is unknown at the moment.” One of those unknowns is the topic of room and … [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...]
Students adjust to e-learning as COVID-19 continues
Many students across the nation are now adapting to the e-learning platform as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to progress. AU announced that the remainder of the semester would be completed online on March 18, and the first e-learning week began on March 23. For junior nursing major Makenzie Myers, the switch to online learning is difficult considering the major she’s in. The nursing major especially had to make some significant changes. “Things are definitely different from what … [Read more...]