Counseling Center offering telehealth, Zoom appointments
Rhonda Wheeler, Editor-in-Chief
September 22, 2020
Tom Longwell, director of the Counseling Center, said he hasn’t met anyone who isn’t struggling right now. “COVID fatigue is real,” Longwell said. “It’s hard and it’s as hard on us as it is everyone. So, one suggestion I always have for people if to first off, accept that this is normal. ...
TKE under quarantine
Rhonda Wheeler, Editor-in-Chief
September 17, 2020
Tau Kappa Epsilon (TKE) is currently under quarantine. On Friday, the university sent out an email to the campus the community about several positive COVID-19 cases in one organization, now confirmed by a TKE member. When asked about this, TKE president Mike Durchholz said the fraternity had no comm...
Recruitment during a pandemic
Kenzie Clayton, Staff Writer
September 14, 2020
Fall is considered a major recruitment season for the many sororities and fraternities at USI. Now, much of this recruitment process and other such aspects of greek life must be conducted virtually. Last year there were rows upon rows of tables representing the thriving Greek life here on campus, th...
Student feelings about mask policy
Nik Cunningham, Pubications Editor
September 14, 2020
Students are okay with the mask policy on campus, and except for a few people here and there, most would still be willing to wear masks without the policy. Most students I’ve spoken to aren’t willing to risk getting sick, nor do they want to leave school due to a sudden spike in COVID-19. “...
Enrollment decreases ninth consecutive year
Rhonda Wheeler, Editor-in-Chief
September 10, 2020
Enrollment has declined for the ninth year in a row. It was revealed there was a 1.4% decrease in enrollment during an update at the Board of Trustees meeting Sept. 3. The current fall 2020 headcount is 8,565. The goal for this semester was 8,690. There are 1,293 new freshmen this year and ...
Public Safety reports rape in crime log
Hayden Olberding, Digital Editor
September 3, 2020
Public Safety reported a sexual offense as a rape on campus Saturday. The Public Safety public crime log reported a sex offense as rape at 12:33 a.m. on Saturday. The Clery Act requires Public Safety to issue a timely warning when Public Safety perceives a potential threat to the campus. Public...
Trustees approve housing, meal increases fourth year in a row
Rhonda Wheeler, Editor-in-Chief
September 3, 2020
The Board of Trustees unanimously approved housing and meal plan increases for the next school year during their Zoom meeting this morning. Housing rates increased by 2.5%. Last year, housing increased by 2%. “We continue to work extensively with Student Affairs to maintain programming in the complexes and ma...
Campus Store will be taken over by Barnes and Noble
Nik Cunningham, Publicaions Editor
September 3, 2020
The university signed over the Campus Store to Barnes and Noble College the week before classes started. The employees were told on Aug. 21 just before the store opened. “We were only one of two public universities in Indiana who had not already hired somebody to lease their store and operate it...
University releases COVID-19 dashboard
Hayden Olberding, Digital Editor
August 31, 2020
The university just released its COVID-19 dashboard, but the results are from before the first day of classes. The dates are from August 16-22 and said 11 students were tested positive that week for COVID-19. 25 students and seven employees have tested positive since March. The dashboard is up to date...
IT reports first week ‘jitters’
Hayden Olberding, Digital Editor
August 27, 2020
AJ Porter went to campus 30 minutes early on Monday to get set up for his Zoom call, only to find out the class would not meet because of a Zoom outage. The freshman radio and television major said he went on campus to attend his online class because his following class required him to be there imme...
Students concerned over mask policy
Rhonda Wheeler, Editor-in-Chief
August 21, 2020
Linsdey Sparks was shocked to see people not wearing masks on campus before classes started, especially since it would be required for people to wear them in buildings. Sparks, who works in the Community Center, told The Shield she witnessed three Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s deputies walk in an...
University to ‘reduce the density of campus’ first six weeks of fall semester
Hayden Olberding, Digital Editor
August 18, 2020
Students may have noticed their professors have Zoom office hours and aren't on campus unless necessary. University employees are being asked to work remotely when they are able to, President Ron Rochon announced Tuesday in the fall meeting. This initiative aims to reduce traffic and congestion o...
