While most film-fanatics are getting excited for the upcoming Oscars, AU students, faculty and staff are eagerly awaiting the fifth annual Black Bird Film Festival. A mix between the Oscars and a Hollywood movie premiere, AU’s cinema and media arts program hosts the festival each year to show off student-made short films, commercials and even music videos. Last year, at the height of the pandemic, the festival was held virtually. Associate Professor of Cinema and Media Arts … [Read more...]
Andersonian 2021-03-22
Jacey Crawford and Jesse Hernández discuss campus restriction lifts, including reinstated events and student attendance for outdoor sports. … [Read more...]
COMM department announces new journalism major
Starting in the fall of 2021, AU’s communication and design arts department will begin offering a full journalism major. The program will be headed by Dr. David Baird, who is already the academic adviser for the complementary journalism major. “Several students have asked us in recent semesters if we could offer a stand-alone major,” Baird shared. “It was possible to do that without adding any courses, faculty or additional expenses, so we went ahead and proposed it.” The … [Read more...]
Modified spring break schedule begins Wednesday, Feb. 17
Daytona Beach, Las Vegas, Cancun and the Bahamas are just a few of the most popular destinations for college students on Spring Break. This year, spring break will look a little different. Instead of the usual consecutive nine-day break, this year it will be broken up into two four-day weekends and one mid-week break. Modified spring break days will be Feb. 17, March 4, 5, 15 and 16. Dr. Sarah Neal, head of the AU task force, explained that a decision was made in early November to … [Read more...]
Luekenga steps down
Effective Feb. 26, Dean of Students Chris Luekenga will be stepping down, according to an email sent to the student body by Provost Dr. Marie Morris. “Dean Luekenga has served AU during a challenging economic and pandemic environment with compassion, spiritual strength and a heart for AU’s mission,” Morris stated in her email. “His attention to policy and compliance have been invaluable. I am grateful for the opportunity to have worked with Dean Luekenga and for his dedicated … [Read more...]
AU’s Counseling Services transitions to hybrid format
Along with many other aspects of campus life, AU’s Counseling Services have been operating in a virtual format. However, Christal Helvering, the director of Counseling Services, explained that the transition to a hybrid format has begun, allowing some students to attend counseling sessions face-to-face. “In compliance with the recent modifications to the on-campus COVID regulations, Counseling Services will begin to transition to more of a hybrid offering of services,” said Helvering. She … [Read more...]
Title IX reporting system created
AU has a new system in place to help students and staff report sexual harassment and discrimination of any kind. The new system can be found at the bottom of the AU website home page under “Resources” and is one click away for anyone who needs it. Once a student or staff member has clicked on the “Title IX” tab, they will be brought to the Title IX screen where they can then click to “Report Misconduct.” They will then be prompted to the new system. When reporting an incident … [Read more...]
Dr. Shrock announced as next provost
On June 1, Associate Provost Dr. Joel Shrock will be shortening his long-held title to “provost.” “[It’s] very exciting,” said Shrock. “In fact, when President Pistole called and offered me the job, I probably sounded like an idiot because I thought he was going to talk more about the process. Instead, he offered me the job—I really was so excited.” As Shrock prepares to step into his new role, he has realized that many are unaware of the duties and responsibilities that come with … [Read more...]
Madison County maintains ‘red’ status as students return to campus
“It’s only been a few days and I have already seen students gathering in large, unmasked groups, as well as complaining about the COVID restrictions,” said senior spanish major Mckala Lindsey. On Jan. 13, AU students filed into their classrooms for the first day of spring semester; despite Madison County maintaining its COVID-19 “red” status, university leadership gave the green light for students to return to campus and resume in-person classes. According to IN.gov, each county in … [Read more...]
AU Cabinet appoints new Chief Diversity Officer
President John Pistole and members of the university’s cabinet recently appointed Mike Thigpen as Chief Diversity Officer. Thigpen serves as the Director of the Cultural Resource Center (CRC) and multicultural and international student services. He will continue there as he steps into this new position. “Mike Thigpen is a well-known, well-respected leader on campus and in the community,” Pistole said regarding why Thigpen was chosen for the position. “He has a long history of service in … [Read more...]