From spring break, to extended spring break, to packing your things and social distancing, it has been a hectic month for many as we work to adapt to a new normal. I could go on about the struggles brought on by COVID-19, or…we could look at pet photos instead!
Since we are stuck in our homes, the topic for this week’s Staff Picks will be three things our staff members are doing to stay occupied, healthy and happy during the quarantine. If you have any topic suggestions that you would like to hear from us about, please email us at rambler@transy.edu.
Taylor Mahlinger, Editor-in-Chief:
“1. I’ve been trying to keep a somewhat regular routine by setting goals and making a to-do list every morning. This might seem small, but it really helps me stay organized and brings a sense of normality to my life.
2. Since the weather has been so beautiful, my sister and I have been going on walks every night after dinner. I think getting out of the house in the sunshine and fresh air is a great mood booster, especially during this time when people are staying home.
3. I’ve mostly been binging two of my favorites: The Office and The Golden Girls (plus lots of popcorn).”
Abby Stone, Managing Editor:
“1. Working out/yoga – this is really helping me to get out of my own headspace when you’re trapped inside all day.
2. Reading list – I’ve been catching up on some books I have been meaning to read, which is helping to stimulate my mind.
3. Binge-watching (of course) – I just started All American, which I am loving, but I’m also returning back to good classics, like Sex and the City.”
Shawna Morton, Back-end Editor:
“Three things I am doing during quarantine (other than school):
1.) I am drawing and painting
2.) I am working on sewing a dress for my friend’s wedding
3.) I am playing music on the piano and guitar (bassoon and bari too)”
Gabrielle Crooks, Staff Photographer:
“1) I have been reading a lot! I’ve taken on IT and Misery both by Stephen King, as well as Pretty Girls by Karen Slaughter
2) I have been doing crafts I use to do as a kid, I have a giant paint by numbers thing to pass the time
3) video games, lots of gaming time”
Ainsley Marlette, Social Media Editor:
“Over the break, I have been watching a lot of movies, working out, and organizing my closet (shout out to Tidying Up with Marie Kondo on Netflix)!”
Will Hickey, Staff Contributor:
“While trapped in the house, I have watched a lot of documentaries and movies, but if anyone is trying to get a win on Call of Duty War Zone, I’ve been playing that a lot! One last thing I do is take a lot more family walks!”
Katherine Shearer, Staff Contributor:
“Three things I am doing during quarantine is binge-watching Friday Night Lights, going on a daily run to get out of the house, and watching a lot of tik toks.”
The COVID-19 pandemic has canceled a lot of plans, including for Transy’s art and music students who were set to showcase their hard work throughout the remainder of Winter Term. Even though we can’t be physically present on campus, we would still like to hear and see what you’ve been working on all semester!
Whether you want to share a song you were going to perform from Cabaret, a monologue from the spring play, or if you want to share an expert piece from band, choir or orchestra, or even a solo you were going to perform this semester, we want to provide a platform for all of it to be heard.
We would also like to provide a virtual art gallery for art students! Simply take pictures of what you have worked on this semester and send them to smmorton20@transy.edu.
As a fellow musician, I understand how hard it is to work towards something all semester and never get the chance to perform or showcase whatever it is in an actual space. We would like to provide our student artists and musicians with that space. Please send videos of you performing your pieces to smmorton20@transy.edu. If the file is too large, simply upload it to your Google Drive and share with the same email address.
Help us showcase Transy excellence during this difficult time and remember that we are still a community, even when we can’t be together.
Dear Rambler Readers,
In this time of a global and nationwide pandemic, it can be easy to forget how resilient we are as a community and as a university. As your student-run newspaper, we want to provide you with accurate reporting during a time when misinformation and competing perspectives are all around us. With that being said, we would like to take the remainder of the academic year to offer entertaining and engaging content to all of our readers. In the coming weeks, we will work to provide exciting content and campus updates to the best of our abilities. Since students have moved back to their residences and campus activities have been postponed, please understand that our content will not be as frequent nor as focused on campus life as per usual. Be on the lookout for our hashtag #RambleOnGratitude on our Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook pages!
Thank you for your continued support, especially now.
Transylvania released an updated statement from the President’s Office on March 18 at approximately 3:02 p.m. EST via email that was sent out to the campus community. The updates listed in the email include the decisions to move all classes to remote delivery for the remainder of Winter Term and to make May Term classes available only to seniors who need them to graduate. Although there was no final word on the 2020 commencement ceremony, the update stated, “We are considering options for commencement, including postponement from Saturday, May 23, to a later date. Candidates who have completed all degree requirements, however, will receive their degree posted as of May 23, 2020, so they might progress to graduate or professional school or employment.” All of the updates outlined in detail can be found here on the University’s COVID-19 Response Updates page.
These updates have left many students with questions and concerns surrounding financial reimbursement, class registration, move-out procedures, and grading for the remainder of the term. The Rambler spoke to Dr. Michael Cairo who currently serves as the Interim Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of the University about these concerns.
Yesterday’s message has left Transy underclassmen wondering about the fate of their May Term classes and how the lost credit will be made up next year.
Cairo said, “As Interim President Williams noted in his message on Wednesday, because May term classes are unique and provide highly interactive learning, offering them online is challenging. We have more than 100 seniors to accommodate with courses for this May term and so our focus right now is on getting them the credits they need to graduate.”
In regards to the current juniors who are concerned about potentially having to take five classes during one of the terms in the next academic year, Cairo said, “Our Pioneer Pledge guarantees graduation in four years, and we will honor this pledge to our students. If that means providing flexibility in 2020-2021 for our current juniors, that’s certainly something our incoming dean and vice president of academic affairs can consider once we have a better sense of the situation.”
According to yesterday’s email from the Presidents Office, all residential students are being asked to move out by Tuesday, March 24th (with the exception of those who received approval to stay until April 6) and for everyone (even approved students) to complete this form. The updates regarding move-out also stated, “Information for athletes and off-campus students who need to retrieve items such as musical instruments or other academic materials will be provided shortly.”
Cairo said, “We plan to conduct Fall 2020 registration from Monday, May 4-Friday, May 8. We are currently working on a plan to facilitate advising between faculty and students.”
Student billing specialist, Kim Gibson-Pierce shed some light on the concerns about refunds. “It is Transylvania’s intent to deliver the full instructional content for the Winter 2020 term to all of our students. Accordingly, at this time, there is no plan to provide tuition refunds. We’re considering the impact of the current move to remote learning on student fees for housing and food service and will have additional details in the near future.”
As stated in the President’s updated message yesterday, “The impact of the change to remote learning on student fees for housing, food service and financial aid is under review, and we will have additional details in the near future. (There are no fees associated with May term, per the university catalog.).”
These changes will have a lasting impact on everyone, especially the class of 2020 as they transition to complete the remainder of the academic year beginning March 23rd and May Term on April 27th remotely to fulfill requirements needed to graduate on time.
We will continue to provide updates on the impact of COVID-19 as it relates to the Transy community. If you have any questions or concerns, please submit them to rambler@transy.edu.
In light of recent news, The Rambler has decided to suspend regular reporting for the next few weeks with the exception of updates on COVID-19 concerning the campus community. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram @turambler for more updates.
On Mar. 12, at approximately 11:52 a.m. EST, Transy’s President’s Office released a message to the campus community stating the decisions made after “extensive conversations with campus leadership and review of what other higher education institutions are doing at this time.” The message, addressed to “Transylvania Students, Staff, Faculty and Families” stated the following changes:
In a separate email sent out later this afternoon by the President’s Office, the campus community was informed of changes made to the academic calendar for the remainder of the 2020 Winter Term and May Term. This updated schedule is subject to change “based on community/campus health status” as noted in the message and sees students returning to campus for in-person Winter Term classes beginning Monday, April 6 and residence halls opening the day before at 12 p.m. In order to make up the time lost by extending students’ spring break until March 20, May Term classes will be extended by 30 minutes beginning May 4. The updated academic schedule can be found here.
Other colleges in Kentucky have made similar decisions. The University of Kentucky will be extending its spring break as well to screen for possible symptoms in students. Read UK’s updates here.
The University of Louisville announced yesterday that they will be extending their spring break through March 17 and moving classes online starting March 15 through April 5.
Western Kentucky University has extended its spring break and will have classes delivered alternatively from March 23 through April 5. No cases have been confirmed.
Murray State University has decided to move instruction online or via alternative delivery methods starting Monday, March 23 through Sunday, April 5 after its spring break. However, campus residence halls and dining options will remain open. No cases have been reported at Murray according to their most recent update.
Berea College will suspend their classes beginning Friday, March 13 for the rest of the semester. According to their update on March 10, “Regrettably, our Commencement celebration will also be cancelled, or at least postponed to a date when such a gathering can be conducted safely.” They do not have any reported cases on campus as of their most recent update this afternoon.
Bellarmine has decided to provide instruction electronically beginning Wednesday, March 18 until Wednesday, April 1. During which time, residential students will be asked to return home. No cases have been reported on campus.
Eastern Kentucky University issued a statement that said classes will be suspended from March 16 to March 20 to prepare staff and faculty for instruction to be delivered remotely from March 23 through April 3. The residence halls will be temporarily closed.
Northern Kentucky University said in a statement from their president on March 11 that they would be extending spring break to March 21 and moving to “alternative instruction” beginning March 23. The message also stated that residence and dining halls will stay open and that there have been no confirmed cases.
Transy released an additional statement this afternoon regarding the residence halls on campus. Students who need to return to their room to gather belongings and school work in addition to students who wish to return and remain in their student housing through April 5 are being asked to complete the Extended Housing Form by Monday, March 16. Students who need to return to their rooms are asked to do so by Tuesday, March 17. For students wanting to remain in on-campus residence halls, they must meet one of the criteria outlined in the full statement here. Transylvania Athletics Department’s updated statement regarding COVID-19 can be found here.
More information on Transy’s response to COVID-19 can be found here. Lexington’s response to the virus can be found here and the latest on this virus from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) can be found here.
This story is a collaboration between Editor-in-Chief Taylor Mahlinger and Managing Editor Abby Stone.
Follow along with the video below to make these delicious chicken lettuce wraps!
Romaine lettuce
Chicken tenderloins
Peanut, almond, or sunflower butter
Seasoning of your choice (I used Montreal chicken seasoning)
Steps not listed in the video
Construction is running rampant on and around Transy’s campus. With the building of the new campus center heavy underway, many students can’t even remember campus without a bit of construction. Now that the windows are in and the interior of the building is visibly coming together, students were excited for the future of an obstruction and construction free campus.
Then virtually out of nowhere, a new construction project began. According to Marc Mathews, Vice President for Finance and Business:
“The scope of the project is new sidewalks, curbs, gutters, and driveway aprons, new sewers, new paving and stripping from Fourth and Jefferson to Fourth and Upper Streets. The first [grant] will allow the installation of the Legacy Trail (bicycle trail) on this part of Fourth Street. The second grant will extend this work from Fourth and Upper Streets to Fourth and Elm Tree Lane.”
The city hopes these changes will make for easier and more efficient traffic patterns. As for the obstruction, there is nothing Transy administration can do as this is city ordered. Mathews explained that Transy was not communicated with properly and had been requesting a timeline since early December.
Mathews says the only bit of communication they receive is “an email every Monday telling us what they did the week before and what they hope to accomplish this week.” Many students believe it would be beneficial for these emails to be made available to them so they could know what to expect in the coming days.
Communication was given to students on one issue through TNotes, January 24th. The entry reads:
As part of a federal, state and local grant, Fourth Street from Jefferson to Upper streets is being improved. This project includes new curbs, sidewalks and driveway aprons, as well as new pavement and lining for the Legacy Bike Trail. As part of this project, the entrances to the first-year parking lot at the corner of Broadway and Fourth and the parking lot on Kenton Street are being closed and replaced with new traffic-complaint entrances. Both lots will remain open during the construction, which will occur over the next few weeks. Once completed, there will be entrances to both lots off Caldwell Alley as well as a second entrance to the lot off Kenton. Contact mmathews@transy.edu for more information.
Students were also informed through TNotes on February 18th, which reads:
This week, the Fourth Street entrance to the parking lot at the corner of Fourth and Broadway will be permanently closed. The entrance will be removed, and a curb and sidewalk will be constructed across the existing entrance. A newly constructed entrance ramp off Caldwell Alley will be the new and only entrance and exit to this parking lot. This change was mandated by the city traffic engineering department to help with the congestion at the Fourth and Broadway traffic light and as part of the current Fourth Street renovations. We appreciate your patience while adapting to this change in traffic flow. Contact mmathews@transy.edu for more information.
While the latter TNotes message was given in advance to the parking lot change, Matthews says that, if the city were to communicate properly with administration, then students would also know sooner.
Mathews said, “I think the examples of the communication we have done in the past on the Carpenter Academic Center and the new residence halls, and now on the new campus center are indicative of how we proactively communicate with the campus. Those projects were ours and we had control of the information to distribute. In this case, we have appealed to the city to provide proactive communication to us so we can communicate to the campus community, but the timing of their provided information does not meet our expectations.”
The continuing construction is causing problems, and with no set completion date in stone, students and the community alike will have to put up with the mess, noise, and obstructions all in hopes of better traffic patterns in the near future.
As we are packing our bags for pending spring break travel, the topic for this week’s Staff Picks will be where each of our staff members is traveling and what they are looking forward to as they partake in some R&R from Transy. If you have any topic suggestions that you would like to hear from us about, please email us at rambler@transy.edu.
Taylor Mahlinger, Editor-in-Chief: Nashville, TN and Owensboro, KY
“I will be heading to Nashville with three of my friends for four days! It is one of my favorite cities because there is always something fun to do, not to mention the incredible food and music. After that, I will be traveling home to Owensboro for the remainder of the break to spend some time with my family.”
Abby Stone, Managing Editor: Nashville, TN and Burlington, KY
“For my first official spring break trip, I will be going to Nashville! I have never been and am extremely excited to try all the famed food and listen to some amazing music. After a few days, I will be traveling home to Burlington for some much needed rest.”
Aaron Bell, Sports Editor: NKY
“I will be traveling back home to Northern Kentucky where I will make periodic trips up to Perfect North in Lawrenceburg to finish out the ski season strong. I will also take a trip over to South Bend, Indiana to tour Notre Dame Law school.”
Allison Spivey, News Editor: Louisville, KY
“I am going home to Louisville where I will get some much needed R&R and see friends and family. My 20th birthday is also over break, so I look forward to celebrating with any meal other than caf.”
Nyah Mattison, Graphic Design and Media Editor: Louisville, KY
“I’m going home for spring break, and I’m really looking forward to petting my cats for the first time in 2 months. With the recent warm weather, there will also be a chance to explore some of the parks in Louisville.”
Gabrielle Crooks, Staff Photographer: Ohio
“For spring break I will just be going home to Ohio. I am looking forward to spending time with friends and family and eating some good food!”
Taylore Latham, Staff Contributor: Nashville, TN
“I’m traveling to Nashville with some of my best friends for Spring Break! I’ve never been so I am really excited. We’ve put together a sort of itinerary to make sure we eat at all of the best restaurants and go to the best places so it should be really fun!”
Katherine Shearer, Staff Contributor: Chicago
“I am going to Chicago to see a concert and then back home for some relaxation. I am looking forward to walking around Chicago and being in a big city setting as well as seeing a band I have listened to for years. When I go home, I am looking forward to catching up on sleep and being with my family!
Will Hickey, Staff Contributor: Lexington, KY
“For spring break, I am staying in my hometown of Lexington. I’m not doing much, just some much needed R&R!”
The dream season for the men’s and women’s basketball teams will be continuing into March as both teams managed to cut the nets Sunday at the Beck center. While some chance plays a role in any contest, the Pioneers managed to take full advantage of their no. 1 seed and home court advantage to punch their ticket to the Division III National Tournament in front of a crowd of screaming fans.
The women have been dominant all year and this tournament showed nothing less. In the Semifinals against Bluffton, the team jumped out to a 13 point lead at the end of the first quarter and never looked back, finishing with a decisive (74-45) win to advance into the championship game against Hanover. While that finish was to be expected, the following match was anticipated to be a tough competitive game as the teams had split during regular season and each brought forth a (17-1) HCAC conference record into the tournament. Yet, when the teams met on Sunday, Transylvania was clearly the superior team. In the first half alone, the Pioneers deep bench and efficient scoring capability prevailed giving the Pioneers a 31 point lead (60-29). From there, the game was never in doubt and 11 Pioneers put points on the board to finish off Hanover with a score of (91-61). The team relied on a balance attack and were buoyed by the trio of guards, seniors Ashton Woodard and Shelby Boyle, and junior Zenoviah Walker who together contributed 49 points towards the cause with Walker also turning in an impressive 9 rebounds.
On March 2, it was announced that team will once again host the opening rounds of the State tournament and will take on Randolph-Macon at 6p.m. this Friday, March 6. Tickets as of now will be $5.00 for college students. Transylvania will look to build upon their Sweet 16 appearance last season and should come in confident after a dominant HCAC tournament and a current No. 9 national ranking.
The men also managed to come out on top of the HCAC on Sunday, but in much more competitive fashion. Winning the semifinals and championship by a combined 9 points, the Pioneers managed to capitalize on their home court advantage to punch their ticket to the state tournament for the first time since 2013. While the semifinal match against Anderson was competitive, it looked like a blowout compared to the nail-biter against Rose-Hulman for the title. In the second half, the largest lead at any point was just five points with lead changes and missed shots seeming to never end. Though Transylvania shot an abysmal 28.6% field goal percentage, the team prevailed in the turnover and foul shot percentage statistics allowing them to close out the game with a one point advantage (49-48). Junior Guard Michael Jefferson and junior Forward Lucas Gentry led the Pioneers in both points and rebounds and were a steady influence throughout the contested contest. The team learned they will travel to Naperville, Illinois to take on the defending champion, University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh at North Central College on March 6, at 6p.m. in the opening round.
Overall, this season marks a significant peak in the Transylvania basketball program. For Transylvania to have both basketball teams make it to the state tournament makes them the envy of any collegiate university. It will be interesting to see how far this group of college kids from Lexington can go and what history can be made in 2020.
Welcome to The Rambler! We’ve been Transylvania University’s only student-run newspaper since 1915, “breaking the bubble” between our small campus and the Lexington community. We aim to create a place for students to be creative and have a voice, hoping to be an outlet for the passions and opinions of the Transy student body. We’re always excited to hear new ideas, so send us a message if you have suggestions, opinions, or want to write an article yourself; there is always room on our staff for new writers and creatives! Thanks for reading The Rambler :) Print’s not dead!
Contact us: rambler@transy.edu
©2024 Transylvania University Rambler
