Ian Penix, junior biology major “No, because of the way that the U.S.A. is handling the pandemic and the spike in coronavirus cases, it seems like a bad idea for college students, of all people, to come back to campus where social activities are still going to occur.” Carter Gilbert, senior environmental geosciences major “No, they also should’ve given ...
Read More »Lady Blazers basketball team makes statement against injustice
On Thursday, Aug. 27, Head Coach Deandra Schirmer and her Lady Blazers basketball team released a video in honor of Breonna Taylor, Michael Brown, Tamir Rice, Trayvon Martin, Sandra Bland, Eric Garner and George Floyd—all African American people who were unarmed and killed by police. “This summer, our players and staff came together to discuss the racial and social issues ...
Read More »Editorial: VSU isn’t giving us enough information on COVID-19 numbers
On Friday Aug. 28, Valdosta State University finally began posting their numbers for COVID-19 cases among students and faculty. As of Sept. 4, there have been 27 new positive cases, bringing the total number of active cases in a 10-day period to 47. VSU has done a great job coming up with a way to update students about active cases ...
Read More »How COVID has affected the Deaf community on campus
VSU is one of the only colleges in Georgia that provides a community for Deaf students and provides majors like Deaf Education and American Sign Language interpreting. Since school started on Aug. 17, students have been required to wear masks on campus. However, it’s harder for people of the deaf community to communicate with others with a mask covering their ...
Read More »Big changes expected to happen at The Happening this semester
Everyone is asking the question – What’s Happening with the Happening? – and it’s no surprise to hear that this year The Happening will look different than previous years at VSU due to COVID-19. The Happening is an event for VSU clubs and organizations to showcase their special qualities to attract incoming freshmen. This event typically takes place on the ...
Read More »People Poll: What are your concerns about the fall semester at VSU?
VSU released plans on July 2 explaining what will go in-effect to make sure everyone on campus stays safe. Students however, still have concerns with aspects of the plan. Andria Mattox, freshman biology major “What concerns me most is how dependent this is on every student’s cooperation. Eighty-nine percent of Americans wear a mask. With the rising number of cases ...
Read More »VSU professor retiring after 47 years of teaching
In Dr. James Baxter’s 47 years of teaching, he was able to see the changes of the university, students, and faculty at Valdosta State University. Dr. Baxter, who is the chairman of the chemistry department in VSU’s College of Mathematics and Science, is the longest tenured professor currently teaching on campus, and will be hanging up his periodic table at ...
Read More »People poll: How has your transition to online classes been?
Due to COVID-19, all universities have shut down and switched to online learning. Everyone has a preferred way of learning whether that may be physically going to class and seeing your professor or tuning in on Zoom for your lecture. With students having to transition to online, everyone might not be settling in as well as the others. Here are ...
Read More »Editorial: Concern for our nation in coronavirus pandemic
As we’ve observed the response of the U.S. government to the coronavirus pandemic, our level of concern has been on the same trajectory as the number of reported cases in our country. Our two primary areas of concern are combatting the pandemic efficiently and simultaneously dealing with the economic implications that come with it. As of now, the U.S. has ...
Read More »First cases of coronavirus at Valdosta State confirmed
The VSU’s President’s Office confirmed that a staff member and a faculty member have tested positive for COVID-19 in a statement released today. The staff member was last reported on campus on March 18. The faculty member was last seen on campus on March 11. Despite the incubation period for coronavirus lasting two weeks, the President’s Office assures students, faculty ...
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The Spectator The independent student newspaper of Valdosta State University