“It’s a big deal,” Professor of Nursing Dr. Sarah Neal said. “Where we’re at right now is a whole lot of bad. We are in the red zone in Madison County.” For the last 10 months, the world has been ambushed with a pandemic that has changed the normal way of life. Many students have had to adjust to online learning and businesses everywhere have been forced to close their doors. “We can mitigate a lot of spread if we change our behaviors,” Neal said. Neal, who has been at AU … [Read more...]
Soccer teams kick off unique season
Complications due to COVID-19 have been plentiful on campus since the pandemic first began last March. With many schools being told to shut down to slow the spread of the virus, it was only a matter of time before AU was told to do the same. Spring sports were already in full effect, and the only viable solution was simply to cancel the rest of the season and start afresh next year. Flash forward to last fall when COVID-19 cases were on the rise. Once again, the HCAC was tasked 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...]
I’ll stay home for Christmas
With the holiday season rapidly approaching, it is imperative to remain as safe as possible to not only protect our own health, but our loved ones’ as well. While AU is taking steps to protect students between breaks such as staying with completely virtual learning and closing public eating spaces, it is still necessary for students to be mindful of their safety and health to ensure a safe holiday season for everyone. The CDC stated on Nov. 19 that there were 1 million new … [Read more...]
Boosters and Dativus to host first-ever ‘Cheap Encore’
For years, students have enjoyed two campus events that have become staples of the AU experience: Cheap Thrills, put on by the social club Dativus, and Encore, organized by Avanti Boosters. On Oct. 17 at 8 p.m., the two clubs will be joining forces to create a brand-new event—“Cheap Encore.” Austin Hostetler, a junior music business major and the productions officer for Avanti Boosters, explained that the idea was formed during a meeting between Dean of Students Chris Luekenga and members of … [Read more...]
Students experience quarantine on campus
“It’s okay, because COVID doesn’t spread at night,” said Jessica Pulaski jokingly in an Instagram story, as she and her roommates recorded a nightly walk during quarantine. Like Pulaski and her roommates, 32 AU students are currently under a quarantine order. Their story is a window into what it might be like to quarantine at AU. “My roommate tested positive and I was exposed to her,” said Pulaski, a junior double major of elementary education and complimentary … [Read more...]
AU to implement randomized COVID-19 testing
In a video message to the student body on Sept. 19, Dr. Sarah Neal, lead of AU’s COVID-19 Task Force, announced the introduction of voluntary randomized COVID-19 testing for AU’s campus. “We need to keep testing,” said Neal. “That’s because about 40-45% of all cases are asymptomatic, meaning people have absolutely no symptoms whatsoever. They’re carrying the virus, and they’re sharing it with their friends, even though they don’t mean to.” Due to the significant number COVID-19 cases being … [Read more...]
Leadership relaxes certain housing restrictions
With the first two weeks of fall semester in the rearview mirror, administration has made the decision to eliminate several COVID-19-related housing guidelines and rules. Dillon Lockwood, Resident Director of on-campus apartments, explained in an email to students that these changes made were “based on hallway traffic, quarantine usage, location of bathrooms and style of living.” For apartments and suites—Fair Commons, South Campus Apartments and Myers Hall—some rules remain the … [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...]
New kind of theatre creates opportunities
While the pandemic has created numerous obstacles for the musical theatre department, it has not prevented socially-distanced and masked rehearsals and performances. Although performances this semester will not have live audiences, they still provide unique and innovative opportunities for students. Among the fall productions is one unlike any show performed in AU’s history. Titled “Spoon River Anthology and Beyond,” students from the School of Music, Theatre and Dance are working with … [Read more...]