– Page 9 – student news at Spring Arbor University

Music in the Air: Music Department Adapts to COVID-19

The jazz band, choir, and concert band are classes that rely on blowing or singing and they are experiencing many changes.

By: Sarah Williams

The jazz band, choir, and concert band are classes that rely on singing and blowing air. Similar to other schools in the same position, these classes have been forced to be outside. Outdoor classes are not the only differences these classes are dealing with.

A Famous Jazz Composer Zooms in

Jazz band practicing while Professor Douglass accompanies on keyboard. Photo taken by Sarah Williams on October 5th.

Associate Professor of Music, Mark Douglass said, “The jazz band’s music was composed by an Andrew Neu. Neu is a Jazz composer who recently started working for Hallmark.”

Neu listens to the band over Zoom on Wednesdays. He comments on how they are playing and teaches them to play his music better.

“He is well respected throughout the industry for his work as a saxophonist, woodwind player, arranger, composer, educator and recording artist,” states andrewneu.com.

Douglass said the jazz band is going through a “huge change”. They are not performance driven because they are not even sure if the events they have planned will happen. The band is only playing for their love of music.

While they are playing in the tents, the band has gotten good response from people passing by. People have even personally called Douglass to say it was good to hear the music.

When it gets colder, the jazz band plays in the White Auditorium in sectionals or the band room .

Douglass said COVID-19 had caused the class to be half the size of last year. Now, there are 12-13 students. They practice outside on Monday and Wednesday from 12:20 pm to 1:20 pm.

Masks Challenges the Choir

Choir warming up to practice their music. Photo taken by Sarah Williams on October 8th.

Professor of music, Brian Walrath, is the director of choirs. He prefers practicing outside because they don’t have to wear masks.

Walrath said, “You have to be able to see what shapes the students’ lips and tongues are making and how they are forming words and breathing. You just cannot do that with a mask on.”

He said the choir has been singing a variety of worship music from ancient and contemporary age music. They are singing “Breath of Heaven”, “The Lord is My Shepherd”, “Creation Sings”, and more.

There will be no fall concerts. Instead, the choir is recording a Christmas song. It will be released next week as part of President Ellis’ Christmas Card greeting.

The choir moves into the White Auditorium and makes sure to social distance when the weather worsens. Walrath said the choir practice on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays outside from 4 pm to 5 pm.

Restriction Shrinks the Concert Band

Concert band practicing while social distancing. Photo taken by Sarah Williams on October 7th.

In past years, community members would play with the band. Concert band director, Dr. Cynthia Duda, said the concert band is not allowing community members in the band due to COVID-19 restrictions.

“It is disappointing,” Duda said. “We definitely miss having them here.”

The band is playing a variety of music, including Sousa marches, a Disney piece, and some music from last semester that were not performed due to COVID-19. They are also playing music composed by Handel and Frescobaldi.

The concert band doesn’t have approval to have concerts. However, there is a possibility of a recording or a live zoom performance.

Duda said there isn’t a plan on where to go when it gets colder. She is looking into practicing in the White Auditorium while social distancing measures and helpful improvements are produced for the tent, like a heater or tent flaps.

The concert band practices on Mondays and Wednesdays from 2:40 pm to 3:40 pm.

Navigating the Post-Grad World Amid a Pandemic

Each May, millions of twenty-somethings are thrust into the real world, but for the class of 2020, they were thrust into a world shut down by COVID-19. How did SAU’s Class of 2020 handle it?

Elizabeth Pruitt

Each May, millions of twenty-somethings are thrust from the protective bubble of college into the so-called “real world”, where they must find jobs and navigate life on their own.

But, the Class of 2020 was thrust into a world that was shut down due to COVID-19. Many businesses were closing their doors to new hires. The Class of 2020 was in for a wild ride, and Spring Arbor University’s graduates were no exception.

Now that a few months have passed since their graduation, what did Spring Arbor University’s Class of 2020 do?

What a typical work day looks for Montoya. Photo Credit: Amy Montoya

Despite the pandemic, many SAU grads were able to find careers post-graduation. Amy Montoya, a computer science major, found a job working for Hewlett Packard Enterprise in Atlanta, Georgia as a solutions architect. She was able to snatch up her job in November of 2019, so she was secured before COVID-19 hit the United States.

However, Montoya’s work days have still been affected as she works remotely every day. She has only met with her coworkers and bosses in person just two days out of the last few months she has been in the position. Montoya had to give up a semester abroad in Japan when COVID-19 struck and had to live alone in an apartment in a new city halfway across the country from her hometown. Still, she presses on and is optimistic about her future.

“Although the class of 2020 had to make sacrifices for COVID-19,” said Montoya, “…I understand the sacrifices were made for the greater good. It’s easy to feel like COVID-19 has personally attacked you and ruined your plans, but the truth is, everyone has had to make sacrifices and adjustments for COVID-19; not just me and not just you. The sooner we begin thinking about others as ourselves, the sooner we can move past this unprecedented time and make way for a brighter future.”

Professional Writing major Libby Koziarski has started working remotely as a communications copywriter for the Orlando-based non-profit, Ligonier Ministries. The job she applied for was not originally a remote position. It was strictly for people who could work on location. Koziarski, who had always dreamed of working with Ligonier Ministries, applied anyway, and after a rigorous interview process over Zoom, got the job.

“I was extraordinarily blessed when it came to finding a job during COVID-19. I got the job by God’s grace and I couldn’t be more grateful,” Koziarski said.

Many students who graduated from SAU in May were not employed right away and some are still unemployed. Either way, they have not given up hope. Madilyn Nissley, a youth ministry major, has become a nanny for local families a few times a week as she continues to look for a full-time position in youth ministry. She is enjoying the time she gets to spend with her family after four years away from them.

Kaelyn Hale, a communications major, did some freelancing, such as designing a website for Branch Adventures Day Camp and doing SEO for Chrome21, a Down Syndrome Awareness store, until she found a full-time position. She recently has been hired as a marketing associate at Design Force Marketing in Grand Rapids, Michigan. She went on many job interviews before nabbing this position, but did not give up hope that she would find a job that was right for her.

Other students went the graduate school route. This past spring, health and exercise science major Megan Mitchell was dealing with the sudden loss of her senior year, her grandmother’s death, being wait-listed for grad school, and had no idea where her future would take her.

“Yet through that time, I could feel Jesus holding me close and whispering, ‘I’m here. I know and understand everything that’s breaking your heart. I love you more than you can imagine and we’re going to get through this,’” Mitchell said.

Megan was then offered a spot at Grand Valley University’s occupational therapy graduate school. Mitchell completes most of her classes online and through Zoom. She also meets in-person for some classes just three days a month. Although it was rough for her, she said she has learned a lot about herself and grew in ways she never thought she would have.

Brown with one of her patients. Photo credit: Megan Brown

Megan Brown, a biology major, moved to Arizona where she is attending the University of Arizona’s College of veterinary medicine. Brown is a part of the university’s first veterinary medicine class. Moving from Michigan to Arizona was a big step, especially in the midst of COVID-19, but Brown has been successful in her classes and is enjoying her time in Arizona.

SAU’s Class of 2020 is an example of the faith in God the university teaches students to have. In times of uncertainty, these graduates were resilient. Whether they have found a job or are still on the lookout, the class of 2020 pushed on.

Check out what some of the other members of the SAU’s Class of 2020 are doing post-grad by checking out the Spring Arbor Student Alumni Council’s Instagram, linked here.

Want more information regarding navigating life post-grad? Visit the Career Development’s website, linked here, or contact Chad Melton at chad.melton@arbor.edu.

It’s Spirit week! Just in time for Halloween

Gainey and Lowell students will dress up in theme related outfits for Spirit Week this Oct 25 to Oct 31.

By: Sarah Williams

Gainey and Lowell students will dress up in theme related outfits for Spirit Week this Oct 25 to Oct 31.

Spirit Week was Gainey R.A., Anika Eenigenburg’s, idea. Her inspiration was her high school spirit week. She thought it would be fun and easy to do because students can participate individually.

“I always felt that it somehow brought the whole community of our high school together for that week …,” said Eenigenburg. “And I thought why not try this for Gainey and see if it unites Gainey as a community more.”

According to Lowell R.A., Kaitlyn Van Kampen, Spirit Week was decided a month ago at a R.A. meeting. Each day has its own events.

At the meeting, each R.A. wrote down possible events and then they voted for their favorites. Each hall would wear different outfits based on their Decades day on Wednesday and Color Wars day on Thursday. They can get their colors from their R.A.

Lowell’s Spirit Week

Monday	Flannel
Tuesday	Twin
Wednesday	Decades Day
Thursday	Color Wars
Friday	Halloween Costumes

Gainey’s Spirit Week

Monday	Mix Match Day
Tuesday	Twin With Roommate
Wednesday	Decades Day
Thursday	Color Wars
Friday	SAU Colors Day
Saturday	Halloween Costumes

There have been changes to the schedule, due to the rise of COVID and students quarantined on campus.

According the Eenigenburg, Gainey isn’t sure what they will do instead. She will attend a meeting this week where it will be decided. Halloween costumes will still be worn on Saturday for Gainey.

She also said there was a tie dye shirt event on Tuesday that was switched to twin day. Some students who went home due to COVID, had already bought shirts. Eenigenburg wanted to do tie dying later to give them time to join.

Kampen said they had planned for students to wear costumes on Saturday and go “Trunk or Treating”. The students would trick or treat at cars between Gainey and Lowell.

Students in Lowell will now wear their costumes on Friday. R.A.s will go to each room and pass out candy.

“The people I talked to seemed excited,” Kampen said.

Hear the interview with Eenigenburg.

Learn to dance with the Spanish Club

On October 14th, the Spanish Club hosted a dance to get students out of their dorms and get them moving.

By: Emily Selby

On October 14th, the Spanish Club hosted an event to get students out of their dorms and get them moving. Dr. Carpenter taught some fast-paced and exciting Latin dances and the whole event was filled with excitement and learning.

Students at this riveting event learned Latin dances such as bachata, merengue, and many more. The organizers of the event were well prepared to ensure everyone was safe and following SAU’s Covid-19 guidelines. Special candy and snacks were available as well, making this a fun way to celebrate Spanish Heritage Month.

While most students are still worried about the national pandemic, the Spanish Club wants to ensure you that they are taking every precaution necessarily to make sure that everyone will be safe at these events. They hope to host more dance events soon once things get back under control regarding Covid-19.

updates on local businesses that offer discounts for college students

Be sure to stay updated as each issue of The Pulse will include local and online discounts offered to college students for restaurants, activities, clothing, and even Christmas shopping ideas.

By: Leslee DeRossett

One of the many perks to being a college student is the vast amount of discounts available. There are only three simple steps to benefit from these discounts.

Know what businesses offer college student discounts.
Show your SAU ID.
SAVE MONEY!

Of course, the first step is the most important step and there are multiple ways to research what businesses offer these discounts.

You could spend valuable study time to search through endless websites.

Or, you could follow The Pulse newsletter for bi-weekly updates on discounts that are offered to SAU students.

These updates will include both local and online deals for restaurants, activities, clothing, and even Christmas shopping ideas.

COVID Comes Close to Home for the Cougars

After weeks of keeping the virus at a low rate, Spring Arbor University has seen an influx of positive COVID-19 cases since early October, which numbers reaching up to 29 students testing positive and 172 people in quarantine.

By: Elizabeth Pruitt

Spring Arbor – After weeks of keeping the virus at a low rate, Spring Arbor University has seen an influx of positive COVID-19 cases since early October. On October 12, the SAU community was notified through an email that three student-athletes had tested positive for the virus. As of October 17, 29 students and 2 staff had tested positive and were in isolation and 172 students and 9 personnel were in quarantine. 35 of those students quarantined on campus and the rest quarantined at home.

What Hale was able to bring with her to quarantine housing.

One of these students in quarantine was junior Emma Hale. Hale, an art major at SAU, was forced to move into SAU quarantine housing after being in close contact with her roommate, who had tested positive for the virus.

Hale was placed in quarantine due to contact tracing. Because the initial positive students were part of an athletic team, contact tracing was easy. There were a few students who were not members of an athletic team who had come in contact with a positive student or faculty, and this is where the contact tracing becomes more difficult.

According to Corey Ross, Vice President for Student Development and Success and Chair of the Coronavirus Planning time, contact tracing looks at who the COVID positive person has been in close contact with since 48 hours before they show symptoms. Close contact has been defined by the CDC as being with a person for 15 minutes, either consecutively or cumulatively. Class schedules, practice and game schedules, and the QR code scannings have been helpful to aide the process of contact tracing.

“Basically you look back at 48 before the student was symptomatic. If they were symptomatic on Wednesday and didn’t get the test until Thursday because they didn’t think it was a big deal, and we get the results Friday. Then we find out they’re positive so we’re going all the way back to Monday. It’s hard for people to remember what they were doing, who they were with, when they weren’t even thinking about it,” Ross said.

Once contact tracing is complete, students are moved into their designated quarantine housing as quickly as possible.

“I was notified Wednesday, October 7th that I needed to quarantine, I got a call from Holton Health while I was at work at the library. They told me I needed to return to my dorm immediately and start packing,” said Hale.

Quarantine housing on campus started as just two of the Villages not currently inhabited by students. Due to the increase in cases, Delta 1 in Lowell Hall was added. If there is an influx in cases again and more housing is needed, Michindoh Conference Center, located in Hillsdale, Michigan about 35 minutes away, is being looked at as another option.

Two hours after being notified, Hale had packed her things and moved into one of the villages, where she would remain for the next two weeks. Hale said the experience was lonely and difficult. Ross said the Student Development Staff, University Chaplain Brian Kono, and the counselors of Holton Health have reached out to students to make sure they were doing well physically, spiritually, and mentally.

While in quarantine, students are delivered meals and snacks and must attend all classes virtually. For some, like Hale, virtual classes are not ideal.

“I had very little motivation for schoolwork. I attended all my zoom classes and did the minimal amount of work, but online school is really not my thing,” said Hale.

Hale and a friend enjoyed socially distanced movie nights to pass time in quarantine.

Being alone for two weeks can be a blessing or a curse for some people. Hale said her quarantine experience was mainly just about survival. She tried to find things to do to occupy her time and make her experience more enjoyable.

“The best part of the day was when they brought us our food packages and my roommate and I, who was quarantined in the room across from me, propped open our doors and had a little picnic together. Overall, it was just not the ideal situation and I was just trying to make it through. I did however have more free time to draw, so that was nice,” Hale said.

SAU’s quarantine efforts have helped slow the spread of COVID on campus. As of Friday, October 23, there are 14 COVID positive students and 150 in quarantine. If there are no new positive cases, Ross has said there should be only 84 students in quarantine on October 26, and 7 or 8 students in quarantine on October 28.

Things are looking up for SAU in terms of COVID-19. Students and staff should not be discouraged by the recent influx of COVID cases. However, students and staff should stay diligent with social distancing, wearing their masks, and washing their hands, to prevent another spread.

Students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to continue practicing the SAU Safe 8, which consists of baseline testing, completing a daily health screening, social distancing, limiting large gatherings, wearing face coverings in outdoor and public spaces, attendance tracking, practicing hand and respiratory hygiene, and enhanced cleaning.

For more information on COVID-19 at SAU visit the Coronavirus Updates and Resources page, linked here, and the COVID Case Count page, linked here.

First Time Voters: Look Here

Campus Vote Project stated the new generation has a lower voting rate because they miss the deadline or lack information.

By: Sarah Williams

Australia Smith went to the Secretary of State after turning 18. She intended to get her State ID, but she was also given donor forms and an application for voting registration. She said the application had basic questions and she filled it out quickly. She was registered to vote after 10 minutes. She had to wait hours for her ID.

Smith is now 21 and a junior at Spring Arbor University. She plans on voting next Election Day, November 3, 2020.

What are the deadlines?

According to Michigan Voter Information Center, the deadlines are:

Request for Absentee Ballot
- Online/Mail/Person: 5pm Friday, October 30

Send in Absentee Ballot
- Online/Mail/Person: 5pm Friday, October 30

How do you register to vote?

SAU sophomore student Makiya Owens registered to vote last summer. She said she registered online and plans on voting.

Michigan.gov stated to register to vote a person needed to be:

• A resident of Michigan

• A resident of the city or township for 30 days when they vote

• A United States citizen

• At least 18 years old

• Not currently serving a sentence in jail or prison

People can register in person, online, or mail.

If applying by online or mail, voters need to complete the application. Then, mail it to their city or township clerk, which can be found on MVICs page.

Registering by mail requires entering their driver’s license number on the form or sending in a photocopy of their driver’s license, personal ID, or paycheck stub, utility bill, bank document or government document with both your name and address.

If applying in person, voters would need documents to prove where they live.

Where do you go to vote?

People can vote at the polls or with Absentee ballots. After registering on MVIC, a page will show the voter’s poll and clerk location. Those already registered can locate their poll location again on the MVIC’s page.

What will be on the ballot?

People can see sample ballots on the MVIC’s page. MVIC stated the ballot is made up of many sections and proposals and they vary depending on place of register. A sample ballot from a precinct in Jackson County has a partisan section which has the presidential options. There is the congressional section with the senator options. There are also sections for legislative, state board, regent of the university of Michigan, trustee of Michigan state university, governor of Wayne state university, county, sheriff, and more.

There are also two proposals. The proposals state their purpose, what the constitutional amendment would do, and asks, “Should this proposal be adopted?”.

How do you register for an absentee ballot?

Smith said she plans on voting by Absentee ballot but has yet to register.

SAU student junior Ryan Northup registered to vote in Ohio. He plans on voting by Absentee Ballot by mailing out the ballot before the election.

Voters who can’t make it to the polls can vote by mail through Absentee ballots.

MVIC stated all registered Michigan voters can use an absentee ballot before Election Day. They don’t need an excuse or reason. They can apply online, mail, or in person.

The completed ballot must be received by the city or township clerk before 8 pm on Election Day. It is advised to mail in Absentee ballots as soon as possible.

All registered voters can track their ballots on MVIC’s page.

How many college students vote?

National Study of Learning, Voting, and Engagement (NSLVE) did a report on college and student voting in 2017. NSLVE created a database of 9,511,711 and 9,784,931 students enrolled at the time of the 2012 and 2016 election. These students attended higher education institutions across the U.S. They used this database to yield data on students’ turnout. The results resemble the approximately 20 million college students in U.S.

NSLVE’s students voted about three percent more at 2016 than 2012. In 2012, 45.1% of the nearly 10 million students voted. In 2016, 48.3% voted. This means half of the college students population voted.

Campus Vote Project stated the new generation has a lower voting rate because they move frequently, are less likely to have a driver’s license, are less likely to be contacted directly by political campaigns then older age groups, missed a deadline, or lacking other information.

In a poll done at SAU, out of 40 participating students, 37 are registered to vote. There are 39 students planning on voting and 28 students planning on voting with Absentee ballot.

Why should college students vote?

“I want to take responsibility for America,” said Owens.

“I think it is a really important election for a lot of reasons,” Northup said, “so I wanted to be able to put my vote in because I think it will really matter,”.

“We are in a climate right now where a lot of things are happening” Smith said, “so if you want change to progress you have to go and vote”.

Meet the Writers of The Pulse: Merry Castle

Meet Merry Castle, one of the staff writers of SAU’s student newspaper “The Pulse”.

By: Merry Castle

My name is Merry Castle. I am a Senior at SAU majoring in English and minoring in professional writing. I was drawn to Spring Arbor University because it was a small Christian college that had an excellent English department, the opportunity to travel to South Korea for my cross-cultural trip, and was just far enough away from home to be independent.

My favorite thing about SAU is the relationships I have built while I have been here. SAU truly has a strong sense of community, and I am so thankful for the relationships I have forged with my professors and other students. I am an introvert who enjoys photography, reading, listening to music, critiquing movies with my family, and collecting vintage clothing. My goal is to one day own an authentic piece of clothing from every era.

Pumpkin Decoration Contest

Thirty students have the chance to win cash prizes in the Cougar Den’s Pumpkin Decoration Contest.

By: Sarah Williams

The Cougar Den is holding a pumpkin decoration contest this year and thirty students have the chance to win some cash prizes.

Cougar Den manager Barbie said she bought 30 Styrofoam pumpkins from Dollar Tree for the contest. In three days, all the pumpkins were gone.

The deadline was originally Oct. 16th, but Barbie extended it to Oct. 30^th. She wanted to give the quarantine students a chance to participate. Voting will be between Nov. 2^nd and 9^th.

The prize for first place is 50 dollars to the bookstore, second place is 20 dollars of Cougar Cash/SAU Dollars, and third place is five dollars to Sacred Grounds.

Trick-or-Treating, Trunk-or-treating, or Staying Home: Halloween During a Pandemic

Whether you are planning to to keep with the traditional door-to-door trick-or-treating, participating in a trunk-or-treat, or, or holding a small gathering at your house, we can all agree that Halloween 2020 is still about the children and everyone is committed to making it a memorable one.

By: Leslee DeRossett

Many families have been forced to stray from normal holiday traditions due to the coronavirus pandemic. Travel plans were forced to be cancelled for Easter and outside gatherings were limited during the Fourth of July which meant that many Americans stayed home instead of heading out to see local fireworks.

Americans are now encroaching on Halloween and again, COVID has forced many families to decide what traditions they will continue on Halloween night. Jackson and most surrounding counties are still allowing traditional trick-or-treating along with local churches and other organizations holding trunk-or-treats at numerous locations.

If you are interested in your communities trick-or-treating hours, looking for alternative activities, or you would like to participate in handing candy out at a trunk-or-treat location, check out these links to events scheduled in Jackson, and the surrounding areas, for the weekend of October 31, 2020.

Jackson Halloween Activities

Hillsdale Halloween Activities

Adrian Halloween Activities

For those that do plan to celebrate Halloween in their communities, below are some of the precautions suggested from the City of Jackson webpage to keep our communities safe.

FOR TRICK-OR-TREATERS AND PARENTS:

Stay home if you are sick.
Maintain social distancing of at least six feet.
Wear a cloth mask that covers both the mouth and nose. A costume mask does not provide adequate protection.
Wash hands frequently or use hand sanitizer while trick-or-treating.

FOR RESIDENTS:

If you intend to hand out treats, turn your porch light on as a sign of welcome. If you don’t wish to participate, turn off your porch light or exterior lighting.
Mark six-foot lines on your front sidewalk or driveway so trick-or-treaters know to social distance as they wait for candy.
Position a distribution table between yourself and trick-or-treaters to maintain distance.
Leave treats on a table outside your home where trick-or-treaters can pick them up.
Consider handing out treats in an open space where distancing is possible, rather than a front door.

For even more information on ways to keep safe and healthy on Halloween, check out the MDDHS webpage.

While trick-or-treating is still on the agenda for some families, there are other families that are straying from this tradition to limit their exposure to the public. One them is Kelly of Somerset Center, “We usually get together with our neighbors and take the kids by vehicle around the lake. But this year we have invited close friends and family to our house for a cookout followed by a bonfire. Everyone is welcome to dress up, but it is not required. We did ask that all adults bring a bag or two of candy so we can scatter it around the yard for the kids to find. It’s going to be like an Easter egg hunt, only without the eggs and with Halloween candy.”

Tera, of Devils Lake, has also chosen to stray from the traditional trick-or-treating, “It has been really hard to get into the Halloween spirit this year. My girls are always so excited to buy costumes so we are doing that this weekend. We have family that lives close so there are around 8 houses that my kids will be trick-or-treating at this year, ending in dinner at my parent’s house. I’m sure we will be able to keep our night busy, I am just ready for everything to get back to normal.”