Spring Commencement set for mid-August
Riley Guerzini, Editor-in-Chief
April 6, 2020
Commencement for Spring 2020 will be Aug. 14 for master and doctoral degree candidates and Aug. 15 for undergraduate students, the university announced in their weekly update. The dates are subject to change based on timely guidance from state and federal officials related to COVID-19. Other univers...
Students ‘satisfied’ with pass/no pass option
Rhonda Wheeler, News Editor
April 1, 2020
Hairo Rivas said he was in awe because of the university’s decision to have a pass/no pass option. The university announced earlier today they would adopt the option for courses this semester. “I’m actually really happy they’re doing it,” Rivas, a sophomore international business administr...
USI adopts pass/no pass option for Spring 2020 semester
Riley Guerzini and Rhonda Wheeler
April 1, 2020
The university announced Wednesday afternoon it would adopt a pass/no pass option for courses this semester. “These changes are meant to give students every opportunity to succeed, especially during these times of uncertainty,” read a university statement in a campus-wide email. The pass/no...
Petition sparks request for pass/fail option
Rhonda Wheeler, News Editor
March 28, 2020
A “concerned student” started a petition to convince USI to change the grading system to a pass/fail option for the remainder of the semester after the university switched to online courses due to COVID-19. The petition requests a pass/fail option for a number of reasons, including the “great deal of stress and anxiety across the student body.” Another reason is since USI is a diverse school, there are international and out-of-state students who were ...
Students face mental struggles while social distancing
Riley Guerzini and Nik Cunningham
March 28, 2020
The COVID-19 pandemic has left students facing numerous uncertainty about classes, graduation, housing and more. The uncertainty has taken a toll on their mental health as they find ways to cope with the sudden life change. “Because of all this, I feel very distant from everything,” senior art major ...
University offers weekly updates in response to COVID-19
Rhonda Wheeler, News Editor
March 23, 2020
The university sent out an email today regarding weekly updates with new information and resources. Rochon said in the email he is working on new ways to keep in touch with the community, including video messages. This week’s updates include: The campus return date has extended to April 7 in response to Gov...
Five free resources for students at home during COVID-19 pandemic
Riley Guerzini, Editor-in-Chief
March 21, 2020
Tech companies across the country are offering free resources for students at home who are light on cash due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Shield has compiled a list of five resources students can take advantage of as the university switches to online learning for the remainder of the semester. ...
Students feel the frustration of quick move out turnaround
Rhonda Wheeler, News Editor
March 20, 2020
Students must leave housing by Sunday, a quick turnaround causing many frustration and confusion. The move-out went into effect to facilitate social distancing, according to a university statement. Students who leave housing will have their accounts credited for the unoccupied days from March 22 to M...
Governor delays Indiana primary election to June 2
Riley Guerzini, Editor-in-Chief
March 20, 2020
Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb announced Friday the state’s primary election will be moved to June 2. The original election was scheduled for May 5. All dates corresponding with the primary election will be moved by 28 or more days corresponding with the delay of the election such as mil...
University moves to online classes for remainder of semester, shuts down housing
Riley Guerzini, Editor-in-Chief
March 17, 2020
President Ron Rochon announced today the university will move to online-only classes for the remainder of the semester because of COVID-19. Campus, along with all other university owned property, will be closed to all non-essential personnel effective immediately until April 6. All on-camp...
USI Theatre cancels remainder of season
Emma Corry, Features Editor
March 12, 2020
The USI Theatre Department’s upcoming productions of “Eclipsed” and “Little Shop of Horrors” have been canceled. Elliot Wasserman, chair of the performing arts department, confirmed to The Shield through email the remainder of the program’s 2019-2020 season has been canceled after the univer...
University extends spring break, moves classes online
Rhonda Wheeler, News Editor
March 12, 2020
Spring break is extended for one week and all-in person courses will be moved to "online or alternative delivery" by March 23 due to concerns about the coronavirus the university announced today. Campus will remain open during the extended break and all employees are to report to work as usual. Courses...