Some stories delve deeply into the lives of their subjects. Others seek to capture the human condition in just a few words. Modeled after journalist Brady Dennis’ 300 word stories that explore the unfiltered intimacy of the everyday, these pieces offer a glimpse into the untold experiences of college life.
I’ve always loved a ritual. Proms, bat mitzvahs, confirmations, swearing-in ceremonies, quinceañeras, masses, weddings, funerals. And graduations. Rituals help us take what is ordinary, what is necessary, and transform it into an event. A moment that helps us step out of our everyday selves to recognize that the momentous has happened. Now, it looks like the chance to pause and feel how momentous graduating is might be taken away.
It was around 3 a.m. in Luxembourg when Kayla Jones awoke to banging on her bedroom door. It was one of her housemates. “What in the world?” Jones asked. “Do you know what time it is?” Jones’ housemate looked her in the eye and said the words Jones least wanted to hear. “We’re going home.”
“During this time when we face an unprecedented public health crisis, to conduct an election tomorrow would force poll workers and voters to place themselves at an unacceptable health risk of contracting coronavirus,” DeWine wrote on Twitter.
Miami University will be conducting online classes through the end of spring semester, according to a university-wide email from University President Greg Crawford — making Miami the fourth public university in Ohio, following Kent State University, OSU and University of Toledo, to make the call amid growing concerns over the spread of the novel coronavirus.
This week, Sarah Grace Hays and Maggie Peña sit down with assistant new editor, Briah Lumpkins, to discuss Miami's plan for coronavirus over the next several weeks.
The Butler County Health Department asked about 10 Miami students to self-quarantine after they returned from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) conference in Washington D.C., where, according to The Times of Israel, five attendees tested positive for the novel coronavirus.
Miami University President Greg Crawford announced Tuesday that Miami classes will be moved online effective Wednesday until at least Sunday, April 12. Jenny Bailer, Butler County’s health commissioner, said this all came suddenly, and the university will continue to evaluate how to move forward. “Today is today, and tomorrow will be different,” she said.
Miami University’s leadership has begun to plan out potential novel coronavirus outbreak procedures, as the threat of the virus continues to mount across the country and the world, with three confirmed cases in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, as of Monday, March 9.
This week, Sarah Grace Hays and Maggie Peña sit down with staff writer, Gabbi Bright, to discuss the study abroad program cancellations due to the growing coronavirus outbreak.
Miami University students studying abroad in South Korea and Italy have been urged by the university to return to the U.S. as soon as possible, following an announcement by the Trump administration on Saturday that all non-essential travel to South Korea and Italy has been restricted.
“This was a good team win,” head coach Jack Owens said. “I thought some guys stepped up and definitely played extremely well.”
SCOUTING REPORT
Li didn’t get to travel back to China over break, but when he started classes this semester, he was asked multiple times where he was from, and whether or not he was from Wuhan (the center of the coronavirus outbreak). But that doesn’t bother him very much. “I’m scared as well, so I totally understand why they ask that,” Li said.
Cold medicine, bandages and cremes line the shelves in the pharmacy section of Walmart, but one row remains empty. Where the masks usually reside sits a taped sign: “We do not have any face masks. Sorry for the inconvenience!” An identical bright orange message is posted on the pharmacy window.
A week before students returned to campus, Miami University’s Institutional Response Team began to formulate plans with the Butler County Health District and Ohio Department of Health in case of a possible outbreak of the coronavirus.
As Shaoyang Zhou walked through Armstrong Student Center to class last Tuesday, he knew people were watching him. Some stopped and stared, but this was exactly the reaction he was hoping for. Zhou purchased a hazmat suit, and on Tuesday, Jan. 28, he decided to wear it around campus to raise awareness for the 2019 novel coronavirus itself and the devastating impact it has had in his community in Wuhan.
The following reflects the majority opinion of the Editorial Board. At a press conference on Sunday, Miami University officials revealed the two Miami students suspected of having the coronavirus tested negative for the disease. This announcement came four days after the university notified the Miami community there may be coronavirus in Oxford. “At a time like this, when you’re facing challenges, the best comes out in people,” University President Greg Crawford said during the press conference. “All around this campus, I really saw love and honor showing through in these challenging times.” Apparently, Crawford wasn’t following the community’s reaction on social media as closely as we were.