Montana Kaimin, March 10, 2021

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3-10-2021

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This Newspaper is brought to you for free and open access by the Associated Students of the University of Montana (ASUM) at ScholarWorks at University of Montana. It has been accepted for inclusion in Montana Kaimin, 1898-present by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks at University of Montana. For more information, please contact [email protected]. MONTANAMONTANA KAIMINKAIMIN oNENE YEARYEAR LATERLATER A YEAR WITHOUT PRECEDENT o the pAndemic hAS chAnged everything. We’re chAnging With it. A YEAR WITHOUT PRECEDENTStory by Addie SlAnger the pAndemic hAS chAnged everything. We’re chAnging With it. Story by Addie SlAnger

neWS living in zoom- neWS lAnd iving in zoom plAge 6 - lAnd ArtS pAge 6 mentAl pAndemic ArtS pAge 15 mentAl pAndemic SpportAgeS 15 opinion: derAiled SportS griz SportS opinion: derAiled pAge 16 griz SportS pAge 16

Volume 123 Issue No. 19, MarchVolume 10, 2021 123 Issue No. 19, March 10, 2021 Kiosk Kaimin Editorial Cover Design MaKayla O’Niel The Montana Kaimin is a weekly independent student about UM traditions taking a year off for the always feel like it. We have watched our gov- newspaper at the University of Montana. The Kaimin office Letter from the Editor: One year later first time since WWII, and athletes who had ernment and our national institutions come up and the University of Montana are located on land originally FIND US ON SOCIAL MEDIA to step off the court, losing their momentum short, and we have demanded more. But we A year ago, I tried my first pepperoncini January 21, 2020 — but somehow a more in the process. Stories about the mental toll have watched ourselves, our friends and our inhabited by the Salish People. Kaimin is a derivative of a Salish shot at Monk’s Bar downtown. It was salty daunting marker. The day when everything COVID-19 has taken on all of us; the genera- families decide to step up to protect each other, language word, “Qe‘ymin,” that is pronounced kay-MEEN and For comments, corrections or letters to and tangy and — I remember this part vividly changed for us — like really, really changed — tional trauma that cuts deep and lasts long. and those things will linger with us too. means “book,” “message” or “paper that brings news.” Montana Kaimin the editor, contact — I was instantly obsessed. So much so that I and not for the better. It’s been a long year, and a hard year. I I hope you have been OK, as OK as anyone [email protected] had two more back-to-back before climbing up College freshmen can probably remember know these aren’t revolutionary statements could have been this past year. I hope you or call (406) 243-4310. the stairs to find my friend outside. The cold that day when their high school principals to make, but they still warrant being said. know we are almost through it, and we are EDITORIAL STAFF NEWSROOM STAFF and depressing sting of February was finally came over the intercoms announcing virtual Because even when all of this ends, even when stronger in light of it. EDITOR-IN-CHIEF NEWS REPORTERS COPY EDITORS @montanakaimin For advertising opportunities, contact over, and we chatted about spring break plans learning after spring break. UM basketball we are vaccinated and flying across the world We can all rest in the knowledge that we Erin Sargent Jacob Owens Zandria DuPuis and midterms. remembers driving all the way to Boise for the and hugging our grandparents, we will never have gone through this last year together. We Mariah Thomas Alicia McAlpine [email protected] or All of that feels a world away. Big Sky Conference, only to turn back around. be the same. Not really. all have at least one thing in common, and this BUSINESS MANAGER Grace Carr Gwen Nicholson call (406) 243-6541. In a different world, our entire dorm halls UM Theater remembers dress rehearsals for I never used to get anxious in crowds. In won’t last forever. I hope this issue reminds Cassandra Williams Allie Wagner would pack into one room until the RAs “Spring Awakening.” We all remember Presi- fact, I loved being in a room full of people or you of these things. DESIGNERS @MontanaKaimin caught us. dent Bodnar’s email on March 13. walking down a busy sidewalk. I can’t unlearn I hope you get to try the pepperoncini shots SPORTS EDITOR SPORTS REPORTER Isabella Musgrove In a different world, we would look around And then there’s the other memories. The my new aversion to these things. After this at Monk’s soon. They really are something Jack Marshall John Orzechowski McKenna Johnson our crowded lecture halls and decide who to complete lack of toilet paper. Whipped coffee. year, that discomfort will always be in my else. MaKayla O’Neil have an unrequited crush on for the semester. Having to learn what Zoom was — remember bones. NEWS EDITOR ARTS & CULTURE REPORTERS Olivia Swant-Johnson In a different world, we shared snacks when we didn’t know what Zoom was? In one year, we’ve been more harsh to each Erin Sargent Mazana Boerboom Clarise Larson and picnic blankets on the Oval, we went to I could talk more about what happened other than ever before. We have lashed out. We Editor-In-Chief Meghan Jonas CARTOONIST concerts at the Wilma and we made out with between then and now, but that’s really the have curled up inside our homes, and we have ARTS & CULTURE EDITOR Haley Yarborough Cooper Malin strangers at parties. whole point of this week’s issue, and I would lived for so long with a constant, unshakeable Love us? Hate us? Wish we were dead? Alex Miller This Saturday, we’ll reach a mile marker — rather my Kaimin reporters, photographers, anxiety lingering in the back of our minds. We email us your opinions at MULTIMEDIA STAFF OFFICE ASSISTANTS not for COVID-19 itself, which was first offi- designers and editors tell those stories to you. are exhausted. [email protected] FEATURES EDITOR Liam McCollum Christine Compton cially reported on December 31, 2019, or even Stories about students who started virtual But we are almost through it. Really, we are. Addie Slanger Matt Tryan Maura Lynch when it was reported in the United States, learning last March and never stopped. Stories And we are resilient now, evenWeek if it doesn’t of 3/8/21 - 3/14/21 Zach Meyer MULTIMEDIA EDITOR Antonio Ibarra ADVISERS Claire Shinner Sarah Mosquera Geoff McGhee Lukas Prinos Jason Begay ICYMI: Kaimin printing will shift from Wednesdays to Thursdays, starting April 1 DESIGN EDITOR Kennedy Delap Griffen Smith

DIGITAL EDITOR/COPY CHIEF One year ago: ‘Spring Awakening’ Andrea Halland SUDOKU Edited by Margie E. Burke Difficulty: Medium HOW TO SOLVE: KAIMIN COMIC 9 2 7 6 Each row must contain the numbers 1 to 9; each column must contain the numbers 1 to 9; and 1 3 each set of 3 by 3 boxes must 5 8 contain the numbers 1 to 9. Answers to Last Week’s Sudoku: 7 6 4 5 8 6 5 1 7 9 3 4 2 8 1 8 9 4 2 5 6 1 3 7 3 7 2 8 4 1 5 9 6 2 8 4 9 5 2 6 4 1 8 3 7 9 5 1 2 7 1 8 5 3 9 6 4 2 4 3 9 6 7 2 8 1 5 4 5 9 1 1 6 7 9 8 4 2 5 3 6 2 2 4 5 3 6 7 9 8 1 Copyright 2021 by The Puzzle Syndicate 9 8 3 1 2 5 7 6 4

Moritz (Stephen Jay Clement) wisps a white sheet over Ilse (Renee Ross) at the first rehearsal for the rock opera Spring Awakening at the Masquer Theater, March 3, 2020. Spring Awakening takes place at a 19th century German preparatory school and explores the teenage trials of sexuality, grief, and loneliness. The COOPER MALIN| MONTANA KAIMIN production’s run was cut short by COVID-19, playing their last performance on March 11, 2020. DANIEL DUENSING | MONTANA KAIMIN montanakaimin.com March 10, 2021 3 2 March 10, 2021 montanakaimin.com

Kiosk Kaimin Editorial Cover Design MaKayla O’Niel The Montana Kaimin is a weekly independent student about UM traditions taking a year off for the always feel like it. We have watched our gov- newspaper at the University of Montana. The Kaimin office Letter from the Editor: One year later first time since WWII, and athletes who had ernment and our national institutions come up and the University of Montana are located on land originally FIND US ON SOCIAL MEDIA to step off the court, losing their momentum short, and we have demanded more. But we A year ago, I tried my first pepperoncini January 21, 2020 — but somehow a more in the process. Stories about the mental toll have watched ourselves, our friends and our inhabited by the Salish People. Kaimin is a derivative of a Salish shot at Monk’s Bar downtown. It was salty daunting marker. The day when everything COVID-19 has taken on all of us; the genera- families decide to step up to protect each other, language word, “Qe‘ymin,” that is pronounced kay-MEEN and For comments, corrections or letters to and tangy and — I remember this part vividly changed for us — like really, really changed — tional trauma that cuts deep and lasts long. and those things will linger with us too. means “book,” “message” or “paper that brings news.” Montana Kaimin the editor, contact — I was instantly obsessed. So much so that I and not for the better. It’s been a long year, and a hard year. I I hope you have been OK, as OK as anyone [email protected] had two more back-to-back before climbing up College freshmen can probably remember know these aren’t revolutionary statements could have been this past year. I hope you or call (406) 243-4310. the stairs to find my friend outside. The cold that day when their high school principals to make, but they still warrant being said. know we are almost through it, and we are EDITORIAL STAFF NEWSROOM STAFF and depressing sting of February was finally came over the intercoms announcing virtual Because even when all of this ends, even when stronger in light of it. EDITOR-IN-CHIEF NEWS REPORTERS COPY EDITORS @montanakaimin For advertising opportunities, contact over, and we chatted about spring break plans learning after spring break. UM basketball we are vaccinated and flying across the world We can all rest in the knowledge that we Erin Sargent Jacob Owens Zandria DuPuis and midterms. remembers driving all the way to Boise for the and hugging our grandparents, we will never have gone through this last year together. We Mariah Thomas Alicia McAlpine [email protected] or All of that feels a world away. Big Sky Conference, only to turn back around. be the same. Not really. all have at least one thing in common, and this BUSINESS MANAGER Grace Carr Gwen Nicholson call (406) 243-6541. In a different world, our entire dorm halls UM Theater remembers dress rehearsals for I never used to get anxious in crowds. In won’t last forever. I hope this issue reminds Cassandra Williams Allie Wagner would pack into one room until the RAs “Spring Awakening.” We all remember Presi- fact, I loved being in a room full of people or you of these things. DESIGNERS @MontanaKaimin caught us. dent Bodnar’s email on March 13. walking down a busy sidewalk. I can’t unlearn I hope you get to try the pepperoncini shots SPORTS EDITOR SPORTS REPORTER Isabella Musgrove In a different world, we would look around And then there’s the other memories. The my new aversion to these things. After this at Monk’s soon. They really are something Jack Marshall John Orzechowski McKenna Johnson our crowded lecture halls and decide who to complete lack of toilet paper. Whipped coffee. year, that discomfort will always be in my else. MaKayla O’Neil have an unrequited crush on for the semester. Having to learn what Zoom was — remember bones. NEWS EDITOR ARTS & CULTURE REPORTERS Olivia Swant-Johnson In a different world, we shared snacks when we didn’t know what Zoom was? In one year, we’ve been more harsh to each Erin Sargent Mazana Boerboom Clarise Larson and picnic blankets on the Oval, we went to I could talk more about what happened other than ever before. We have lashed out. We Editor-In-Chief Meghan Jonas CARTOONIST concerts at the Wilma and we made out with between then and now, but that’s really the have curled up inside our homes, and we have ARTS & CULTURE EDITOR Haley Yarborough Cooper Malin strangers at parties. whole point of this week’s issue, and I would lived for so long with a constant, unshakeable Love us? Hate us? Wish we were dead? Alex Miller This Saturday, we’ll reach a mile marker — rather my Kaimin reporters, photographers, anxiety lingering in the back of our minds. We email us your opinions at MULTIMEDIA STAFF OFFICE ASSISTANTS not for COVID-19 itself, which was first offi- designers and editors tell those stories to you. are exhausted. [email protected] FEATURES EDITOR Liam McCollum Christine Compton cially reported on December 31, 2019, or even Stories about students who started virtual But we are almost through it. Really, we are. Addie Slanger Matt Tryan Maura Lynch when it was reported in the United States, learning last March and never stopped. Stories And we are resilient now, evenWeek if it doesn’t of 3/8/21 - 3/14/21 Zach Meyer MULTIMEDIA EDITOR Antonio Ibarra ADVISERS Claire Shinner Sarah Mosquera Geoff McGhee Lukas Prinos Jason Begay ICYMI: Kaimin printing will shift from Wednesdays to Thursdays, starting April 1 DESIGN EDITOR Kennedy Delap Griffen Smith

Week of 3/8/21 - 3/14/21

Briefs & Review The Weekly Crossword by Margie E. Burke Horoscope | Scopehoro 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

13 14 15 Briefs: Progressing vaccinations, prioritizing teachers and researching COVID-19 variants 16 17 18 MAZANA BOERBOOM Quarantine TikTok trends of the Zodiac 19 20 21 [email protected] can about these variants, some which are Missoula teachers to get early vaccine access CDC releases recommendations for thought to be more contagious and possibly 22 23 24 ALEX MILLER COVID-19 in Missoula update more severe than the main strain, as they fully vaccinated people Despite educators and other essential spread to the United States. 25 26 27 28 29 30 [email protected] workers falling under Phase 1C of Gov. The University of Montana is working on The Centers for Disease Control released Missoula County’s vaccination rollout 31 32 33 34 35 Gianforte’s vaccine distribution plan, last research to create its own test for variants guidelines for those who have been fully Editor’s Note: I do not have, and refuse to get, a TikTok. But has moved on to the second tier of Phase the internet is a wonderful place where even those of us who week’s presidential order from President Joe through the Genomics Core program. Zach vaccinated — receiving both doses — from 36 37 38 39 1B, which includes people with qualifying have chosen to stay away from ye ol’ TokTiks can still know Biden, to prioritize vaccinations for educa- Scott, the assistant vice president for re- COVID-19. While the vaccines have a high health conditions such as cancer, heart disease what you Gen Zers are up to. tors, is taking effect in Missoula County. Cer- search at UM, said while they can’t distin- success rate, they aren’t 100% foolproof, so the 40 41 42 43 or diabetes. While Missoula County health Thanks to lockdown and quarantine, TikTok blew up CDC recommends continued caution. department’s vaccination slots were full tain vaccine providers, like Walgreens and guish different variants of COVID-19 with 44 45 46 47 faster than a political conversation at Thanksgiving. And on Monday, they fill up fast. There are also Granite Pharmacy Missoula, will have their current test, researchers should Fully-vaccinated people should continue to: being that the one year anniversary of the world tilting 48 49 50 51 52 vaccines available through providers across vaccines available for educators, have a breakthrough soon. • Wear masks and social distance while in on its axis has arrived, this horoscope is dedicated to while others are sticking to He said while the test they public, while visiting an unvaccinated town from Walgreens to the Western Montana 53 54 55 56 57 what quarantine TikTok trend your sign most embodies. Clinic. Some outside vaccine providers have the Phase 1B plan. use, polymerase chain person who is considered high risk, and *shoots off confetti poppers and blows kazoo* different criteria than the county’s, and a list Granite Pharmacy is reaction or PCR, can when meeting with unvaccinated people 58 59 60 PISCES (FEB. 19–MARCH 20): Pisces, Pisces, Pisces. partnering with Mis- detect a wide range of from multiple households. You are a sensitive one who feels most comfortable in of providers and their requirements are on the 61 62 63 Missoula County website. soula County School variants, it can’t yet • Get tested if experiencing symptoms of small groups. And the roller skating trend, which in- As of Monday, Missoula County: Districts and the distinguish between COVID-19. 64 65 66 spired small groups to band together skating and blading • Administered more than 36,000 doses of county to offer mass them. • Avoid medium-to-large-sized in-person around towns like marauding glittered pirates, was built vaccination clinics for “The [Univer- gatherings. Copyright 2021 by The Puzzle Syndicate the COVID-19 vaccine, 6,000 more than ACROSS for you. Just be sure to look both ways. • Follow health department travel rec- ARIES (MARCH 21–APRIL 19): last week. teachers. According sity] of Montana is 1 Chorus member 61 The Hulk's 21 Unfair treatment “BuT I’m A TrAil- BLaZer,” you scream into your own wind. Cut the shit, • Completed nearly 15,000 second doses, to a Missoulian article, happy to leverage the ommendations and follow employer 5 Rotating parts catalyst 23 Bowler's button you’re down with TikToking. And, fitting of your “built which fully immunize recipients. the pharmacy received resources, experience, and guidelines. 9 "Let's Make a 62 Bearing 26 Legalese adverb different” attitude, you most certainly partook in one of • Had 106 active cases. enough doses of the vaccine capability of our research Fully-vaccinated people can now: ____" 63 Ancient Andean 28 Sporting the more niche, and potentially problematic, trends. You Montana: for all of of Missoula’s 2,000 personnel to support public • Meet with other vaccinated people — or 13 Unwanted look 64 Drink garnish competition flashed your significant other and recorded it, trailblazer. • Administered more than 308,000 doses, educators. health initiatives that benefit not only unvaccinated people who are at low-risk 14 Final words? 65 Hair line 29 Bee, to Andy Let’s just hope the Zoom meeting didn’t have the video 60,000 more than last week. the students, staff, and faculty, but also our and from a single household — in person 15 Baggins in "The 66 Marquee name 30 Mice, to owls UM researches potential test for on. neighbors in Missoula County and western without masks or distancing. Hobbit" 31 Baseball call • Completed more than 115,000 second TAURUS (APRIL 20–MAY 20): What did it for you, COVID-19 variants Montana,” Scott stated in an email. • When asymptomatic, refrain from quar- Pressing Haunted house doses. 16 DOWN 32 Taurus? The rolling up of your flannel sleeves to begin He said faculty and staff, including antining even after exposure to a case of Campfire leftover Suspect's out sound • Had 1,600 active cases. 18 1 sifting flour, the kneading for proper air content in each Variants of COVID-19 have popped up several student researchers, are looking for COVID-19. 19 Lauper's "She 2 Donut filling 33 Daycare charge around the globe, from the UK to Brazil to ways to identify variants and report them to baguette or the self-proclaimed “made from scratch” ___" 3 Part of W.C.T.U. 35 Fishing net hard-working bravado? Either way you made a shit-ton South Africa. Experts are learning what they public health officials. 20 Become 4 Miner's load 38 Wine server of bread on TikTok and now have a gluten allergy. associated 5 Collector's item 41 Tasty mollusk GEMINI (MAY 21–JUNE 20): Gem, there’s probably 22 Motionless 6 Slaughterhouse 43 Raft pilot a large part of you that really loved quarantine, because OLIVIA SWANT-JOHNSON | MONTANA KAIMIN 24 War-ending pact 7 Angled joint 46 Seafood staple the best person for you to hang out with is you. And how 25 Right-hand page 8 Audiophile's 48 One of Charlie's do you impress you? With the time warp scan, of course. breaking every health code known to the modern world: Barn bird purchase trio 27 You literally participated in a trend to create a distorted “Ratatouille.” Your world may have been crumbling Draft source How nightclubs Fan frenzy 28 9 49 clone of you. Nerd. around you, but at least you made it look like everything COVID-19 coverage in review 31 Box-office are lit 51 Center of activity CANCER (JUNE 21–JULY 22): You’re a giver, Cancer. was okay by pretending to be a rat with culinary ambi- winner 10 Island near 52 ___ of roses Whether it be romance, time or the last pink Starburst, tion creating a miniature musical on your phone. A year of Kaimin COVID reporting 34 Roadwork Corsica 53 "By yesterday!" you give everything. And what is more time consuming SCORPIO (OCT. 23–NOV. 21): You’re doing Insta- “Approaching a degree bypass 11 Aid and ___ 54 Trait carrier and gift-oriented than anything else? Making whipped gram Reels, because fuck TikTok. 36 First-rate 12 Folk stories 55 Sidle coffee for your partner, only to realize you don’t own a SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 22–DEC. 22): You value the Close to home Quarantine: 1918 Interconnected Beginning of the end of normal” 37 Eat away at 15 Classic VW 56 Mannerly sort mixer. And recording it to “give” to others. truth above all else, because that is what you give: Hon- 39 Ancient 17 Abandon 60 “___ boom bah!” March 11, 2020 March 24, 2020 Sept. 23, 2020 Jan. 13, 2021 Jan. 27, 2021 LEO (JULY 23–AUG. 22): Leo, how you survived est, sometimes unasked for, truth. And then you made a Germanic letter quarantine blows our minds. But you did, and that is TikTok for Gordon Ramsay. And after he eviscerated you, 40 Part of SPF Answers to Last Week’s Crossword: commendable. However, your methods of dressing as your family, your cooking and your spirit, you still love 42 Noted Boston S L I P L A B O R B I A S a grandmother, buying booze, posting it on the internet honesty. What a masochist. protest E U R O A R I S E O N C E and then drinking with your friends is maybe not the CAPRICORN (DEC. 23–JAN. 19): How can one be so 44 U-turn from WSW A R I T H M E T I C U S E R best. Plus, the only way you’d wear a mask is in a granny stubborn, Cap? It’s off-putting sometimes, but goal-ori- 45 What proposers L E S S E E S E R E N A D E costume — the fuck is wrong with you? ented folks like yourself make the world go ‘round. And want to hear H A N G R E A C T VIRGO (AUG. 23–SEP. 22): Virgo, rarely do you ever damn right you forced yourself to learn every single 47 Pennywise, for A S S O R T E D A G E I S T complain. It truly is amazing. Instead, you put someone dance trend, much to the chagrin of your downstairs one S U E T T A S T E A H A on blast by taking a short video of them with OMC’s neighbors. You just stomp, stomp, clapped your way into 48 Bronchial woe S E A S T U T T E R B A R “How Bizarre,” acting as a not-so-subtle hint of your dis- 15 minutes of internet stardom. That’s neat. 50 Peruvian beast A D S T E P E E E L M O dain toward their behavior. Still though, that’s technically AQUARIUS (JAN. 20–FEB. 18): Everything must 53 Herbicide used Y E O M A N D I S C R E E T not complaining, but being mildly passive aggressive for change, Aquarius. That’s what you love: Change and in Vietnam N O V E L N E A R likes on TikTok. evolution. What would show that penchant for evolution For some at UM, the effects 57 NY opera house A C A D E M I C C R A F T S LIBRA (SEP. 23–OCT. 22): Cellphone lights, small more than filming a silly little workout video from home A history lesson on UM’s COVID-19 web UM starts on-campus Dr. Anthony Fauci talks of COVID-19 hit before the 58 Solid-stemmed L O B E E V A L U A T I O N camera, action! You for fucking sure partook in recreat- to show the world that you’re changing your health? mitigation, vaccines, and a first case touched U.S. soil UM’s first pandemic COVID-19 vaccinations grass G A L L N E V E R U N D O ing the beloved Pixar film featuring a French restaurant possible return to normal 59 Cross each other A X E S T R A D E M E O W 4 March 10, 2021 montanakaimin.com montanakaimin.com March 10, 2021 5 Week of 3/8/21 - 3/14/21

Briefs & Review The Weekly Crossword by Margie E. Burke Horoscope | Scopehoro 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Christina Salzmann packed light last March; a few shirts, pens, just enough to isolated apartments ride out the rest of the semester back home MARIAH THOMAS contacts. Aber was only used for students who in Switzerland. But a year later, she’s still [email protected] remote. tested positive. This semester, only the apartments are avail- “I thought [I was] going to be back for like Rianna Bowers, a freshman at UM, tested eight weeks or something, like ‘Oh yeah, able for students living in university housing positive for COVID-19 on Oct. 2. who test positive or are considered close con- it’s going to be over in summer,’” Salzmann She thought it was just a cold. So she said. “I would’ve never, never thought I’m tacts for COVID-19. Martin said 56 apartments went to Curry Health Center and ended up were available, which equates to 182 beds. He going to stay for like a year in Switzerland.” receiving a positive COVID-19 test. She wasn’t Salzmann, along with the rest of students added that the peak use of quarantine and iso- a close contact, though, so when it came back lation apartments this semester has been about and faculty at the University, abruptly positive, Curry tested her again. The second shifted to remote learning last spring as 20%, well under the peak of 70% that caused test came back positive as well. Aber to open for use in the fall. COVID-19 spread in the United States. A Bowers was sent back to her dorm room year later, many have returned to campus Carson Burrill, another freshman, is cur- and told to pack what she would need and rently in one of the quarantine and isolation with hybrid learning in place, but several wait for a call from the University. Within an students and professors have remained apartments. hour, UM dropped off a car for her to trans- Burrill, who tested positive for COVID-19 remote. port her things to Aber Hall, which was then on Feb. 25, said his needs are all being met by She said being back home with family being used as COVID-19 housing. the University. Similar to Bowers, Burrill said and learning remotely has gone well, aside At Aber, Bowers was put onto the girls’ the University provides him a hot meal for from the lack of a normal routine and the floor with other students who had tested lunch every day and a box of frozen food and occasional internet connection issues. positive for COVID-19. There was also a boys’ snacks each week. He added that the apart- Salzmann said she only has classes two floor in Aber. She said the University provided ment he is in comes equipped with his own days a week this semester. She said having students with a COVID-19 meal plan, where room, shower and kitchen. classes in the evenings allows her to work they received a daily hot lunch and a weekly But he said being there alone has been during the day. Her last course ends around box of food that consisted of frozen meals and boring. midnight, 4 p.m. in Montana, due to the snacks. The quarantine and isolation apartments eight-hour time difference. Bowers said the students in Aber developed lack the sense of community for those who test She said the support she’s received from a sense of camaraderie, painting together and positive for COVID-19 that Bowers described instructors helped her continue studying OLIVIA SWANT-JOHNSON | MONTANA KAIMIN watching movies to pass the time. in Aber Hall. online rather than taking a year off. “It was nice to hang out with people and not “You do your schoolwork, but everything History professor Gillian Glaes has ex- I really feel the distance, and I’m missing said. “Sometimes you have hour-and-a-half a black screen and jabbering,” he said. just be depressed by yourself,” Bowers said. else that you would normally do in your day perienced the struggles of remote learning campus and campus life more than I thought lectures in a Zoom call, and for sure I’d get He said he thinks this format has gone But since Bowers was housed in Aber just doesn’t happen,” Burrill said. “You don’t along with her students for the past year, I would.” burned out of that.” fairly well, but it’s not ideal. He said the best Hall in October, Aber has been undergoing go to the gym, you don’t drive anywhere, or while she’s taught in Missoula remotely due Despite the loneliness and the technical Salzmann said last fall was probably the part of being a reporter is getting to shadow a conversion to office spaces at the Univer- anything like that. There’s just so much extra to her asthma. difficulties, Glaes is grateful online learning hardest semester she’s had at UM due to “super interesting” people, something he’d sity, meaning it is no longer being used as time and you have no idea how to fill it.” Glaes taught some completely online has allowed her to continue working and the shortened semester and the many upper like his students to be able to experience. COVID-19 housing. Martin said that, for mental health reasons, courses prior to COVID-19, but she’d never allowed students to continue their education division courses she took. She said she had “I get a lot of joy out of that, and so that’s Ryan Martin, UM Housing’s quarantine and it can be good to have a partner during quar- taught remotely before last fall. during the pandemic. class five days a week, and her latest class something I would love for students to be isolation manager, said students who live in antine. However, he also said the University She said she’s brought some techniques Devin Raley-Jones, a junior at UM, has ended at 11:20 p.m. in Switzerland. able to experience through my class, and it’s campus housing and need a place to quaran- tries to keep students separate when they are from her fully online courses into the also been remote for the last year. He’s “In December I was like ‘Uh, I’m done just not a good time for that,” he said. tine this semester are placed in apartments quarantining as close contacts. He explained remote courses, such as discussion boards. attending classes from St. Louis this spring, with school, totally worn out,’” she said. He said he’s not requiring his students to at the University Villages or Lewis and Clark that once students test positive for COVID-19, Glaes said this semester she has begun where he’s working at a YMCA. Nate Rott’s time difference is much less, do reporting in the field, but he’s provided apartments. He said these apartments can they can be placed together. But some close using breakout rooms so smaller groups of He said the biggest challenge has been but still present. guidelines for those who are comfortable be anywhere from studios to three-bedroom contacts in quarantine test positive while Rianna Bowers stands outside of Aber Hall on the University of Montana campus where she was quaran- students can discuss topics, especially more staying engaged with his classes, but this Rott, a correspondent on NPR’s Nation- with doing so. apartments, while in Aber, the University others remain negative. tined for ten days last October. SARAH MOSQUERA | MONTANA KAIMIN sensitive topics like those addressed in her semester has been better than the fall. al Desk, is teaching Advanced Audio, a Rott said his goal is to be in Missoula by could house between 10 and 15 students on a “We don’t want to increase people’s risk by floor. class on the Holocaust. Raley-Jones said he has more fully online capstone journalism course, this spring from the end of the month to possibly do some putting different exposures together,” Martin Martin said these apartments were also Glaes said she’s been surprised with the and self-paced classes, so he can organize his Los Angeles. in-person teaching. said. response team. UM had six active cases of COVID-19. The used last semester, but the University started social isolation that has come with being week accordingly. Rott said he’s tried to run the class like a Salzmann said she has no plan for when As for the rest of the semester, Martin said “At the beginning of the year there were a University has had 673 COVID-19 cases associ- using Aber to host students who had tested away from campus. Like many students, Raley-Jones said he seminar with a lot of participation, rather she’ll return to Missoula after her plans to UM is looking to phase apartments designated few bumps in the road, but we’ve done better ated with it since August. positive for COVID-19 when the available “Last fall when I started teaching remote- got burned out last semester. than just him talking. return last fall and this winter fell through, for COVID-19 housing to be available for rent and improved as things have gone on this apartments reached 70% capacity. The apart- ly I thought, ‘Well, this is novel, I get to be “You’re just kind of sitting at a computer “I tell all my students, ‘I don’t want you to but she’s hopeful she can come back. again. He said this phasing will occur slowly, year,” Martin said. ments were being used for both COVID-19 home all the time,’” she said. “It’s not quite screen and looking at a computer screen turn your camera off’ because I’m not one of “I stopped making plans,” she said. “I’m and the University will adjust as needed based As of Monday, according to the Missoula positive patients, and those considered close as novel as it used to be, so this semester and not really interacting with anyone,” he those people who just wants to be staring at just going to see, hopefully in August be- on communications with UM’s COVID-19 City County Health Department’s website,

6 March 10, 2021 montanakaimin.com montanakaimin.com March 10, 2021 7 News | Zooming in News| Campus Quarantine A year later, virtually no change for online students JACOB OWENS Quarantine housing: From tight-knit dorms to [email protected]

6 March 10, 2021 montanakaimin.com montanakaimin.com March 10, 2021 7 WHAT DO YOU MISS ABOUT LIFE BEFORE COVID-19? “Being aBle to travel without liB- erals thinking i’m the devil” “ConCerts, trips, seeing my grandma” “no masks” “hugging my grandparents” “going out every weekend! now i just stay home. whiCh is good But feels sad” “going to movie in the theatre & randomly running into people you know” “seeing people smile every day” “live musiC.” “live musiC, living without fear, not feeling guilty for seeing my family, aCtually spending time with friends” “seeing all my friends at onCe! going out! say- ing hi to people while walking to Class!” “giving people hugs” “seeing friends” “going out, meeting randos, staying out until dawn” “not Being in Con- stant fear every time i leave the house” “live musiC and events, human touCh” “going to the movies” “hugging the homies!!!” “live musiC” “ConCerts :((((“ “going to see a movie with a BunCh of friends of friends and disCussing it afterwards for hours” “small talk with strangers” “going to sporting events” “live musiC. Chinese Buffets. having my phone reCognize my faCe on the first try.” “movie theaters and new movies!” “Being aBle to feel emotions.” “ConCerts!” “Being aBle to see my family like every day” “human touCh. i don’t rememBer the last time i touChed a human” “spontaneously gathering in yegroups andA doingr fun thingsW withoutithout hesitating” “movies in person” “sprecedenteeing people smile at you in the store” “seeing everyone’s faCe” “physiCal touCh” “impulsive tripst heto otherpA ndemic towns. the urgehAS to ch driveA ngedinto the sunseteverything on a weekend. atW a ewhim’re.” ch “feelingAnging Comforta BWle ithseeing it peo. - tory by ddie lAnger ple outside of those i live with and going to the Bars” “sitting inside of hoagieville” “just hangin with the Buds. all the Buds. all Sat onCe . g odA i miss S the Buds.” POLL CONDUCTED FEB. 26-MARCH 2 ON THE MONTANA KAIMIN INSTAGRAM Rachel Gordon remembered the Friday in Montana approaches, UM students, fac- international study in the Quarterly Journal October 2020, she joined with three other of March 13, 2020, with a sunny clarity. It ulty and staff alike are left to reflect on the of Medicine found that stress related to students to start the Health Buzz, a monthly Gianluca Serafini, a professor in the populations.” her Arizona spring break vacation. She was was the day before spring break, and the past 12 months of history. For students — to COVID-19 quarantine was one of the biggest podcast through Curry Health Center aimed Department of Neuroscience and Psychiatry Perhaps no one has felt the changes in trudging through her last few months as a gray of a Missoula spring was smothering. whom March usually signifies midterms contributors to post-traumatic stress symp- at providing students with coping mecha- at the University of Genoa, Italy, was one normal social interaction more than the senior at Bozeman High School, and she was Matthew Browning, a professor at Clem- Wind howled as 20 mph gusts blew toward and boozy beach vacations — it’s hard not to toms, and that one of the main groups at risk nisms for stress. of the principal researchers for the Quar- freshman class of 2024. After finishing their ready to be done. son University’s College of Behavioral, So- the east all day. feel the loss of an old normal, as memories was those aged 18-24. While the podcast wasn’t specifically terly Journal of Medicine study. He found senior year of high school remotely and So much so, she only made it through two cial and Health Sciences, was one of the lead Earlier, in her global health class, Gordon of what’s missing ache like a phantom limb. The whiplash of adaptations, compromis- intended for pandemic-related afflictions, a concerning potential for post traumatic graduating in socially-distanced auditori- periods before being called out early by her researchers conducting the seven-state study had been discussing the novel coronavirus The past year’s swinging pendulum left es and sacrifices since March 2020 has re- Gordon acknowledged it quickly became stress, anxiety and depression as a result of ums or football fields, they arrived at a shell mom, deciding instead to go home and pack. on the pandemic’s psychological impact. — classified two days earlier as the first pan- many longing for routine. But in this routine, sulted in a dizzying lack of consistency. For relevant in that regard. the pandemic. of a UM campus. With so many restrictions “I was a senior so I was like, ‘I hate school, A large component of his research looks at demic in over a decade — with her professor it has become more difficult to acknowledge students, it’s been particularly challenging. “There are such heightened levels of stress “We don’t know the long-term cost of this and changes, the University hardly resem- I don’t want to be here. I’m sick of this day. how environments impact people’s health. and classmates. Cases of the virus had been the true scale of the impact the coronavirus With threats of sustained trauma looming, and depression and anxiety and discomfort pandemic,” Serafini said. “We don’t really bled that of previous years. So I went home early,” Beadle said. His study identified a few primary risk confirmed in Washington, only two states has wreaked upon us. this “new normal” has come with numerous that’s going on just because of [the pandem- know the psychological effects of social There was no football, no in-person mix- “And that was my last day of [high] factors for COVID-19-related psychological away. She didn’t know much. And it made The pandemic has resulted in a stagger- trials. ic]. And you’re experiencing this chronic isolation. We suppose that the consequences ers and no visitors allowed in dorm rooms school ever. Now I really regret going distress. These included pre-existing health her anxious. ing 2.5 million deaths worldwide. The U.S. On the national scale, a recent study on level of stress that pervades all of your life,” of deprivation in the COVID-19 era may — with serious penalties for any broken home.” problems, less time spent outside and gen- But Gordon recalled a smattering of sun- death toll, which rose to over 500,000 before the psychological impact of the pandemic she said. “It’s so, so important to have these manifest in the following months or years.” rules. The UC Commons and study spaces Beadle has found the isolation of the der (women were more likely to report high shine, maybe representative of her excite- the year anniversary, means COVID-19 has comprising colleges across seven states resources that are accessible to you at any His article doesn’t focus on students were quiet, as many fall classes proceeded year to be most difficult, both in literal and levels of psychological distress than men). ment for a break and the upcoming trip to claimed more lives than both world wars — among which UM was a participant — time.” specifically, but the professor still saw reason entirely via Zoom. figurative terms. It’s been hard to make new Most relevant to UM students? Age and ABozeman she had planned. As she reflected and the Vietnam War combined. A Pew found that nearly all students surveyed were Students, faculty and staff at UM have for attention to be paid to university student Freshmen faced a daunting task: Making friends. Over Zoom, most classmates are just screen time. Younger students, 18-24, were nearly a year later, she remembered thinking Research Center survey found that more experiencing negative psychological impacts navigated the past year with as much grace experiences. In large part, this is because the new friends at a time when social interac- a black screen with a first and last name. In more affected by the pandemic’s mental to herself, “Oh — Friday the 13th. Good than half of U.S. adult respondents knew from COVID-19. Almost half of those fell as possible, transitioning to online classes long-term effects of COVID-19 on mental tion was not only discouraged, but in some person, they are masked strangers sitting six strain than older ones, and students who thing it’s a really good day.” someone who was hospitalized or died from into the highest level of distress, a designa- beginning in March 2020 and coming back health are still unknown. settings, prohibited. feet away. spent more than eight hours a day in front “But then, yeah,” the public health and the coronavirus. tion that could point to severe anxiety or for face-to-face learning by August. Still, the “I am seeing significant distress in univer- Francie Beadle, a freshman biology major, Through everything, Beadle has felt an of a screen were similarly at greater risk of women’s studies major continued. “We just In addition to widespread feelings of grief depression. challenges faced have been daunting, and sity students,” Serafini said. “This is related remembers the Friday of March 13, 2020, acute sense of loneliness. More than just the psychological impact. never went back to class in person.” and loss, depression and anxiety are on the Gordon is well aware of the dangers they will likely leave a generational mark. to the time of a pandemic, to the many prob- with an ironic wistfulness. It was the end of freshman homesickness that’s par for the If eight hours of daily screen time seems As the one-year anniversary of COVID-19 rise globally, and so is substance abuse. An COVID-19 presents to mental health. In lems that these conditions provided these the week, and she was tantalizingly close to course. unfeasibly low, that’s because it is. Between

8 March 10, 2021 montanakaimin.com montanakaimin.com March 10, 2021 9 WHAT DO YOU MISS ABOUT LIFE BEFORE COVID-19? “Being aBle to travel without liB- erals thinking i’m the devil” “ConCerts, trips, seeing my grandma” “no masks” “hugging my grandparents” “going out every weekend! now i just stay home. whiCh is good But feels sad” “going to movie in the theatre & randomly running into people you know” “seeing people smile every day” “live musiC.” “live musiC, living without fear, not feeling guilty for seeing my family, aCtually spending time with friends” “seeing all my friends at onCe! going out! say- ing hi to people while walking to Class!” “giving people hugs” “seeing friends” “going out, meeting randos, staying out until dawn” “not Being in Con- stant fear every time i leave the house” “live musiC and events, human touCh” “going to the movies” “hugging the homies!!!” “live musiC” “ConCerts :((((“ “going to see a movie with a BunCh of friends of friends and disCussing it afterwards for hours” “small talk with strangers” “going to sporting events” “live musiC. Chinese Buffets. having my phone reCognize my faCe on the first try.” “movie theaters and new movies!” “Being aBle to feel emotions.” “ConCerts!” “Being aBle to see my family like every day” “human touCh. i don’t rememBer the last time i touChed a human” “spontaneously gathering in yegroups andA doingr fun thingsW withoutithout hesitating” “movies in person” “sprecedenteeing people smile at you in the store” “seeing everyone’s faCe” “physiCal touCh” “impulsive tripst heto otherpA ndemic towns. the urgehAS to ch driveA ngedinto the sunseteverything on a weekend. atW a ewhim’re.” ch “feelingAnging Comforta BWle ithseeing it peo. - tory by ddie lAnger ple outside of those i live with and going to the Bars” “sitting inside of hoagieville” “just hangin with the Buds. all the Buds. all Sat onCe . g odA i miss S the Buds.” POLL CONDUCTED FEB. 26-MARCH 2 ON THE MONTANA KAIMIN INSTAGRAM Rachel Gordon remembered the Friday in Montana approaches, UM students, fac- international study in the Quarterly Journal October 2020, she joined with three other of March 13, 2020, with a sunny clarity. It ulty and staff alike are left to reflect on the of Medicine found that stress related to students to start the Health Buzz, a monthly Gianluca Serafini, a professor in the populations.” her Arizona spring break vacation. She was was the day before spring break, and the past 12 months of history. For students — to COVID-19 quarantine was one of the biggest podcast through Curry Health Center aimed Department of Neuroscience and Psychiatry Perhaps no one has felt the changes in trudging through her last few months as a gray of a Missoula spring was smothering. whom March usually signifies midterms contributors to post-traumatic stress symp- at providing students with coping mecha- at the University of Genoa, Italy, was one normal social interaction more than the senior at Bozeman High School, and she was Matthew Browning, a professor at Clem- Wind howled as 20 mph gusts blew toward and boozy beach vacations — it’s hard not to toms, and that one of the main groups at risk nisms for stress. of the principal researchers for the Quar- freshman class of 2024. After finishing their ready to be done. son University’s College of Behavioral, So- the east all day. feel the loss of an old normal, as memories was those aged 18-24. While the podcast wasn’t specifically terly Journal of Medicine study. He found senior year of high school remotely and So much so, she only made it through two cial and Health Sciences, was one of the lead Earlier, in her global health class, Gordon of what’s missing ache like a phantom limb. The whiplash of adaptations, compromis- intended for pandemic-related afflictions, a concerning potential for post traumatic graduating in socially-distanced auditori- periods before being called out early by her researchers conducting the seven-state study had been discussing the novel coronavirus The past year’s swinging pendulum left es and sacrifices since March 2020 has re- Gordon acknowledged it quickly became stress, anxiety and depression as a result of ums or football fields, they arrived at a shell mom, deciding instead to go home and pack. on the pandemic’s psychological impact. — classified two days earlier as the first pan- many longing for routine. But in this routine, sulted in a dizzying lack of consistency. For relevant in that regard. the pandemic. of a UM campus. With so many restrictions “I was a senior so I was like, ‘I hate school, A large component of his research looks at demic in over a decade — with her professor it has become more difficult to acknowledge students, it’s been particularly challenging. “There are such heightened levels of stress “We don’t know the long-term cost of this and changes, the University hardly resem- I don’t want to be here. I’m sick of this day. how environments impact people’s health. and classmates. Cases of the virus had been the true scale of the impact the coronavirus With threats of sustained trauma looming, and depression and anxiety and discomfort pandemic,” Serafini said. “We don’t really bled that of previous years. So I went home early,” Beadle said. His study identified a few primary risk confirmed in Washington, only two states has wreaked upon us. this “new normal” has come with numerous that’s going on just because of [the pandem- know the psychological effects of social There was no football, no in-person mix- “And that was my last day of [high] factors for COVID-19-related psychological away. She didn’t know much. And it made The pandemic has resulted in a stagger- trials. ic]. And you’re experiencing this chronic isolation. We suppose that the consequences ers and no visitors allowed in dorm rooms school ever. Now I really regret going distress. These included pre-existing health her anxious. ing 2.5 million deaths worldwide. The U.S. On the national scale, a recent study on level of stress that pervades all of your life,” of deprivation in the COVID-19 era may — with serious penalties for any broken home.” problems, less time spent outside and gen- But Gordon recalled a smattering of sun- death toll, which rose to over 500,000 before the psychological impact of the pandemic she said. “It’s so, so important to have these manifest in the following months or years.” rules. The UC Commons and study spaces Beadle has found the isolation of the der (women were more likely to report high shine, maybe representative of her excite- the year anniversary, means COVID-19 has comprising colleges across seven states resources that are accessible to you at any His article doesn’t focus on students were quiet, as many fall classes proceeded year to be most difficult, both in literal and levels of psychological distress than men). ment for a break and the upcoming trip to claimed more lives than both world wars — among which UM was a participant — time.” specifically, but the professor still saw reason entirely via Zoom. figurative terms. It’s been hard to make new Most relevant to UM students? Age and ABozeman she had planned. As she reflected and the Vietnam War combined. A Pew found that nearly all students surveyed were Students, faculty and staff at UM have for attention to be paid to university student Freshmen faced a daunting task: Making friends. Over Zoom, most classmates are just screen time. Younger students, 18-24, were nearly a year later, she remembered thinking Research Center survey found that more experiencing negative psychological impacts navigated the past year with as much grace experiences. In large part, this is because the new friends at a time when social interac- a black screen with a first and last name. In more affected by the pandemic’s mental to herself, “Oh — Friday the 13th. Good than half of U.S. adult respondents knew from COVID-19. Almost half of those fell as possible, transitioning to online classes long-term effects of COVID-19 on mental tion was not only discouraged, but in some person, they are masked strangers sitting six strain than older ones, and students who thing it’s a really good day.” someone who was hospitalized or died from into the highest level of distress, a designa- beginning in March 2020 and coming back health are still unknown. settings, prohibited. feet away. spent more than eight hours a day in front “But then, yeah,” the public health and the coronavirus. tion that could point to severe anxiety or for face-to-face learning by August. Still, the “I am seeing significant distress in univer- Francie Beadle, a freshman biology major, Through everything, Beadle has felt an of a screen were similarly at greater risk of women’s studies major continued. “We just In addition to widespread feelings of grief depression. challenges faced have been daunting, and sity students,” Serafini said. “This is related remembers the Friday of March 13, 2020, acute sense of loneliness. More than just the psychological impact. never went back to class in person.” and loss, depression and anxiety are on the Gordon is well aware of the dangers they will likely leave a generational mark. to the time of a pandemic, to the many prob- with an ironic wistfulness. It was the end of freshman homesickness that’s par for the If eight hours of daily screen time seems As the one-year anniversary of COVID-19 rise globally, and so is substance abuse. An COVID-19 presents to mental health. In lems that these conditions provided these the week, and she was tantalizingly close to course. unfeasibly low, that’s because it is. Between

8 March 10, 2021 montanakaimin.com montanakaimin.com March 10, 2021 9 to be comfortable in my loneliness,” she 2020. While the difference between causation said. “And I think that’s a super tough thing and correlation should be noted, the num- isk actoRs FoR to learn at my age, but I also think it’s super bers concerned Odenthal a great degree. R F important.” Odenthal said that combating these challenges starts with encouraging students to coViD-19 Psycho- reach out for help. Freshmen like Beadle and Sweeney are “Our goal is to create space about issues logical DistRess: a part of the target audience for Gordon that affect students and to help reduce the and her team’s podcast. Sara Odenthal, a stigma around that,” she said. “And also senior in public and community health, is to help people feel less alone. Especially • Age (younger students, 18-24, are more likely one of the other three podcast producers. now, it’s easy to feel like you’re the only one to be impacted than older) She emphasized the importance of widely facing this challenge.” distributing healthy coping mechanisms on • Screen time (more than 8 hours a day means campus. The podcast, she said, is just one way to help. “I remember that day. It’s kind of like more potential for negative psychological 9/11,” said Kayli Julius, health coach and impacts) the interim wellness director at Curry “I thInk It’s defInItely Health Center. “I remember when we got • Gender (women reported being more impacted been a year where I’ve the email that we would not be coming back after spring break.” than men) learned to be com- Julius was teaching both Gordon and fortable beIng alone; Odenthal in their annual Peers in Training • General health class before COVID-19 forced things online to be comfortable last year. She recalled the beginning of the • A lack of time outdoors In my lonelIness. pandemic craziness on campus. “There was a lot of worry, a lot of uncer- and I thInk that’s a • COVID-19 victim awareness tainty,” she said. “We were teaching our super tough thIng to class and had to figure out how to go online. learn at my age, but I But you learn and adapt.” class Zooms, homework, meetings and the fundamental: the lack of human contact In that adaptation, though, are certain also thInk It s super average four hours of smartphone screen resulting from pandemic restrictions. ’ drawbacks. Julius mentioned the strain of time U.S. adults report, the eight-hour “That social interaction is paramount to Important.” -francIe constant online interaction, referencing the threshold comes up fast. developing a sense of who we are. It allows same concerns about screen time as Brown- eadle “I think it’d be very hard to not spend us to identify who we are,” he said. “And I b ing. She also brought up “Zoom fatigue,” a eight hours of screen time a day as a college just don’t know if that’s possible virtually.” phenomenon that refers to the extended use of Zoom and its effects on users. The science student, to be honest,” Browning said. “Obviously the pandemic has forced behind it finds unhealthy effects from seeing Almost half of the students surveyed us to cope in different ways, and some of our own faces on a screen all day, and the in his study, 45%, reported experiencing “I’ve heard from a lot of freshmen, this the ways we have used before, we can’t damage from consistently keeping our eyes the highest level of psychological distress. has been a lonely year,” Beadle said. “Like, do them anymore. They don’t work the at the same focal length for hours on end. Browning found that the drivers of these you have some friends, but it’s very hard to same way,” Odenthal said, referencing the Julius noted the strength of students in the psychological challenges emanated from meet new people.” changes in many traditional stress relievers last year, and praised the general efforts to two factors: changes in educational settings “It’s really surprisingly easy to forget — like in-person gatherings and counseling keep operating as normal. and in students’ social lives. Coupled with that we’re in a pandemic,” freshman Libby sessions. “I think students are really resilient. We isolation, hybrid or remote classrooms don’t Sweeney said. “You know, it’s the first year February’s episode centered on stress foster learning or the development of human of college, you’re making new friends — or, want to keep going. We want to keep going University of Montana student Francie Beadle’s first year at college was shaped by the pandemic. Coming coping mechanisms, while this month’s will connections as well as conventional ones. supposed to be making new friends but to class, we want to keep going to work,” University of Montana student Rachel Gordon reflects on her experiences during this pandemic year at the in as a freshman from Bozeman, Beadle said she missed not being able to have any sort of social interac- focus on substance abuse. For Odethal, who But conventional classroom learning also you’re not. And you’re like, ‘Why am I not she said. “And that’s normal. And I think Griz statue on March 6. Gordon is a junior from Boise, Idaho, with a women’s, gender and sexuality studies tions during her first year at UM. “There hasn’t been a way to meet people now other than your room- works on the prescription drug task force comes with the risk of sickness and conta- doing the normal freshman things?’ And it’s major and is also the captain of the women’s ultimate frisbee team at UM. For her, this pandemic year has mates,” she said. “It’s been very hard to make any sort of connections. It almost feels like a lonely year, but at UM, the upcoming episode is especially both whizzed by and felt sluggish at some points. ANTONIO IBARRA | MONTANA KAIMIN gion. just easy to forget.” I’m trying to put myself out there to try and meet people.” ANTONIO IBARRA | MONTANA KAIMIN important. “I remember that day. “The college years really serve as a time Sweeney, who is pursuing her general In a national survey conducted last t s kInd of lIke that’s kind of the healthy thing to do. We experiencing freshman year correctly. Or to develop autonomy, and identity, and it’s associate degree at Missoula College, is now a new group outside of the group I had in Bozeman and perform with her band, Page August, the Centers for Disease Control and I ’ 9/11. can’t not function because that’s not going to why feelings of unease, anxiety and depres- often necessary to interact,” Browning said. nine weeks into her first semester of college, high school.” and the People’s Band. Prevention found that anxiety and depres- I remember when we be helpful to anyone.” sion are on the rise. Or why substance abuse “That’s not to say that can’t happen virtual- after taking a year and a half off after Both Beadle and Sweeney have latched Beadle has embraced the uniqueness of sive disorder symptoms had increased by got the emaIl that we The caveat, though, is that this year isn’t has spiked nationally and locally. There’s a ly, but historically that doesn’t happen.” graduating high school. She’s been trying to onto important takeaways from their time her limited social interactions, focusing on three and four times, respectively, compared the precedent. In the continued insistence of perceived sense that maybe we, as individu- Of special concern when all these factors take the pandemic’s challenges in stride, but as UM freshmen in a global pandemic. For forging stronger relationships with fewer to numbers reported the same time in 2019. would not be comIng normalcy, it can be all too easy to lose sight als, are being more affected by the pandemic are at play, Browning said, is the risk of admitted that, at times, she’s felt like she’s Sweeney, she’s appreciated time outside, people. She’s come to understand another Of those respondents, 13% reported an in- back after sprIng of objective reality: Things are not normal. than we should be. If things are normal, why increased substance abuse by students and doing the “freshman experience” wrong. taking up running as a healthy form of stress lesson, too. crease in substance abuse. In Missoula, 2020 When they are presented as such, it’s easy to do we feel so off? other young adults. “I feel like I should be meeting new relief. She’s looking forward to a non-pan- “I think it’s definitely been a year where saw an increase of almost 80% in drug-relat- break.” -kaylI JulIus understand why Sweeney feels like she isn’t The answer, of course, is that we are not But Browning’s greatest concern was more people,” she said. “Like I should be creating demic future when she can go back to I’ve learned to be comfortable being alone; ed overdoses, from 13 deaths in 2019 to 23 in

10 March 10, 2021 montanakaimin.com montanakaimin.com March 10, 2021 11 to be comfortable in my loneliness,” she 2020. While the difference between causation said. “And I think that’s a super tough thing and correlation should be noted, the num- isk actoRs FoR to learn at my age, but I also think it’s super bers concerned Odenthal a great degree. R F important.” Odenthal said that combating these challenges starts with encouraging students to coViD-19 Psycho- reach out for help. Freshmen like Beadle and Sweeney are “Our goal is to create space about issues logical DistRess: a part of the target audience for Gordon that affect students and to help reduce the and her team’s podcast. Sara Odenthal, a stigma around that,” she said. “And also senior in public and community health, is to help people feel less alone. Especially • Age (younger students, 18-24, are more likely one of the other three podcast producers. now, it’s easy to feel like you’re the only one to be impacted than older) She emphasized the importance of widely facing this challenge.” distributing healthy coping mechanisms on • Screen time (more than 8 hours a day means campus. The podcast, she said, is just one way to help. “I remember that day. It’s kind of like more potential for negative psychological 9/11,” said Kayli Julius, health coach and impacts) the interim wellness director at Curry “I thInk It’s defInItely Health Center. “I remember when we got • Gender (women reported being more impacted been a year where I’ve the email that we would not be coming back after spring break.” than men) learned to be com- Julius was teaching both Gordon and fortable beIng alone; Odenthal in their annual Peers in Training • General health class before COVID-19 forced things online to be comfortable last year. She recalled the beginning of the • A lack of time outdoors In my lonelIness. pandemic craziness on campus. “There was a lot of worry, a lot of uncer- and I thInk that’s a • COVID-19 victim awareness tainty,” she said. “We were teaching our super tough thIng to class and had to figure out how to go online. learn at my age, but I But you learn and adapt.” class Zooms, homework, meetings and the fundamental: the lack of human contact In that adaptation, though, are certain also thInk It s super average four hours of smartphone screen resulting from pandemic restrictions. ’ drawbacks. Julius mentioned the strain of time U.S. adults report, the eight-hour “That social interaction is paramount to Important.” -francIe constant online interaction, referencing the threshold comes up fast. developing a sense of who we are. It allows same concerns about screen time as Brown- eadle “I think it’d be very hard to not spend us to identify who we are,” he said. “And I b ing. She also brought up “Zoom fatigue,” a eight hours of screen time a day as a college just don’t know if that’s possible virtually.” phenomenon that refers to the extended use of Zoom and its effects on users. The science student, to be honest,” Browning said. “Obviously the pandemic has forced behind it finds unhealthy effects from seeing Almost half of the students surveyed us to cope in different ways, and some of our own faces on a screen all day, and the in his study, 45%, reported experiencing “I’ve heard from a lot of freshmen, this the ways we have used before, we can’t damage from consistently keeping our eyes the highest level of psychological distress. has been a lonely year,” Beadle said. “Like, do them anymore. They don’t work the at the same focal length for hours on end. Browning found that the drivers of these you have some friends, but it’s very hard to same way,” Odenthal said, referencing the Julius noted the strength of students in the psychological challenges emanated from meet new people.” changes in many traditional stress relievers last year, and praised the general efforts to two factors: changes in educational settings “It’s really surprisingly easy to forget — like in-person gatherings and counseling keep operating as normal. and in students’ social lives. Coupled with that we’re in a pandemic,” freshman Libby sessions. “I think students are really resilient. We isolation, hybrid or remote classrooms don’t Sweeney said. “You know, it’s the first year February’s episode centered on stress foster learning or the development of human of college, you’re making new friends — or, want to keep going. We want to keep going University of Montana student Francie Beadle’s first year at college was shaped by the pandemic. Coming coping mechanisms, while this month’s will connections as well as conventional ones. supposed to be making new friends but to class, we want to keep going to work,” University of Montana student Rachel Gordon reflects on her experiences during this pandemic year at the in as a freshman from Bozeman, Beadle said she missed not being able to have any sort of social interac- focus on substance abuse. For Odethal, who But conventional classroom learning also you’re not. And you’re like, ‘Why am I not she said. “And that’s normal. And I think Griz statue on March 6. Gordon is a junior from Boise, Idaho, with a women’s, gender and sexuality studies tions during her first year at UM. “There hasn’t been a way to meet people now other than your room- works on the prescription drug task force comes with the risk of sickness and conta- doing the normal freshman things?’ And it’s major and is also the captain of the women’s ultimate frisbee team at UM. For her, this pandemic year has mates,” she said. “It’s been very hard to make any sort of connections. It almost feels like a lonely year, but at UM, the upcoming episode is especially both whizzed by and felt sluggish at some points. ANTONIO IBARRA | MONTANA KAIMIN gion. just easy to forget.” I’m trying to put myself out there to try and meet people.” ANTONIO IBARRA | MONTANA KAIMIN important. “I remember that day. “The college years really serve as a time Sweeney, who is pursuing her general In a national survey conducted last t s kInd of lIke that’s kind of the healthy thing to do. We experiencing freshman year correctly. Or to develop autonomy, and identity, and it’s associate degree at Missoula College, is now a new group outside of the group I had in Bozeman and perform with her band, Page August, the Centers for Disease Control and I ’ 9/11. can’t not function because that’s not going to why feelings of unease, anxiety and depres- often necessary to interact,” Browning said. nine weeks into her first semester of college, high school.” and the People’s Band. Prevention found that anxiety and depres- I remember when we be helpful to anyone.” sion are on the rise. Or why substance abuse “That’s not to say that can’t happen virtual- after taking a year and a half off after Both Beadle and Sweeney have latched Beadle has embraced the uniqueness of sive disorder symptoms had increased by got the emaIl that we The caveat, though, is that this year isn’t has spiked nationally and locally. There’s a ly, but historically that doesn’t happen.” graduating high school. She’s been trying to onto important takeaways from their time her limited social interactions, focusing on three and four times, respectively, compared the precedent. In the continued insistence of perceived sense that maybe we, as individu- Of special concern when all these factors take the pandemic’s challenges in stride, but as UM freshmen in a global pandemic. For forging stronger relationships with fewer to numbers reported the same time in 2019. would not be comIng normalcy, it can be all too easy to lose sight als, are being more affected by the pandemic are at play, Browning said, is the risk of admitted that, at times, she’s felt like she’s Sweeney, she’s appreciated time outside, people. She’s come to understand another Of those respondents, 13% reported an in- back after sprIng of objective reality: Things are not normal. than we should be. If things are normal, why increased substance abuse by students and doing the “freshman experience” wrong. taking up running as a healthy form of stress lesson, too. crease in substance abuse. In Missoula, 2020 When they are presented as such, it’s easy to do we feel so off? other young adults. “I feel like I should be meeting new relief. She’s looking forward to a non-pan- “I think it’s definitely been a year where saw an increase of almost 80% in drug-relat- break.” -kaylI JulIus understand why Sweeney feels like she isn’t The answer, of course, is that we are not But Browning’s greatest concern was more people,” she said. “Like I should be creating demic future when she can go back to I’ve learned to be comfortable being alone; ed overdoses, from 13 deaths in 2019 to 23 in

10 March 10, 2021 montanakaimin.com montanakaimin.com March 10, 2021 11 living in anything close to normal, Julius said. It’s important to recognize that. “All of us have felt off during the pan- In MIssoula, the 23 deaths froM drug demic. You might not have a mental health diagnosis, but you still might have felt unmotivated or really tired or just stressed overdoses In were a nearly and overwhelmed,” she explained. “Because 2020 again, we’re not designed to live through this. None of us are pre-conditioned for this type of life.” She sympathized specifically with students. “College is a time of connection. College is where people make their lifelong friends,” she said. “It’s all about social activities and interacting. And that’s pretty much been taken away from all college students this last year.” Increase80% froM 2019.

“This has been a really challenging year,” UM President Seth Bodnar said, reflecting on the last 12 months. “The most challenging year of my life as a leader, and that includes times where I’ve been in Iraq, or in other combat zones. “But,” he continued, “it’s also been really, probably the most inspiring year of my career as well.” When the first whispers of the pandemic in the U.S. began circulating in late Jan- uary and early February, Bodnar and his administration began to think seriously about what would happen should cases be confirmed in Montana. When the call came, and support physical and mental health doubt, but the school was going to be able she said. “It was pretty eerie.” UM assembled the Campus Preparedness needs.“We switched more than 3,000 course to pivot. As burdensome as this year is on fresh- and Response Group to face the daunting offerings online, which is just a tremendous “When you’re in it, I remember in the men, seniors also face significant uncertainty task of moving an entire campus online for a undertaking, and huge credit to our faculty, midst of it, the pace and scale of the things looking ahead. Boone knows this feeling all semester or longer. to our staff and of course to our students as we had to consider was just crazy,” Short too well. She is preparing to graduate this “A year ago, there was tremendous well.” said. “And now, with the benefit of the year, spring, and doesn’t know what her future uncertainty, Bodner said. “The situation was Paula Short, UM spokesperson and leader I look back and feel really proud. I mean, it will look like after the socially-distanced University of Montana senior Alicia Boone sits in her bedroom in her downtown Missoula home. Boone was on a road trip down the coast of Oregon on March 13, 2020, when the pandemic officially reached Montana. literally changing by the hour. You just saw of the Campus Preparedness and Response wasn’t easy, it wasn’t perfect, but it was a lot commencement ceremony in May. Now Boone takes most of her classes online and doesn’t know what her future will look like after the socially distant commencement ceremony in May. CLAIRE SHINNER | MONTANA KAIMIN this cascading shutdown.” He praised the Group, thought back to the blur of March of hard work and I think people just really “I feel like everyone our age, for as long as work done by the UM community to adapt gles, and given her a support network as ingenuity. year will likely leave a generational mark. me,” she continued. “Things are always 2020. came together.” time has been going on, has had that ques- well — one that understands the specific It feels like a ridiculous notion to romanti- Scientists agree it’s impossible to tell right changing, and one way or another, I think She remembered feeling, along with tion [about future plans],” Boone said. “But anxieties that come with being a senior in cize any aspect of the pandemic, but it’s easy now if and how these increased levels of that this year connected a lot of people with “thIs has been a real- an overwhelming uncertainty, a sense of I feel like it’s just so much more stressful the pandemic era. to understand why people are so keen to do anxiety and depression will manifest them- their values in a really deep way.” determination among administrators — UM Alicia Boone, a senior psychology major, when there are no building blocks to even “Having connections is such a huge part so. We’ve been forced to face all the things selves later. ly challengIng year . had to finish the semester. It was only the was on a road trip down the coast of Oregon go from.” about being a healthy individual,” she said. we’ve taken for granted, and in doing so, But still, despite it all, we look for hope. the Most challeng- halfway point. What would students do if with a friend that Friday the 13th. The In her Intimate Relationships class this se- “And for everybody, it’s more challenging gained a new appreciation for them. It’s a We find the silver linings. Maybe it’s just they didn’t finish out the year? What about two friends had just heard the news: The mester, Boone participates in weekly student now, because you don’t have as big of a romantic concept. human nature. “PeoPle are incredi- Ing year of My lIfe seniors? pandemic had officially reached Montana. therapy sessions, where a graduate student support network as you did before.” It’s true that the world is slowly — or not- “People are incredibly resilient. People bly resilient. PeoPle as a leader, and that “And I remember us thinking: This pan- As they camped on the beach, the girls is paired with an undergraduate and the so-slowly, as states like Texas, Mississippi can come back from the most terrible things demic cannot be the reason that people drop wondered if they’d get stuck out of state. two put to practice all the techniques they’ve can come back from Includes tIMes where and Montana do away with universal mask happening,” said Odenthal, the podcaster. out of school and don’t ever come back,” Miles away from home, it was easy to feel been taught. Gordon, Sweeny, Boone, Julius, Short and mandates and open up businesses — shak- “And even though this year has been a the most terrible I’ve been In Iraq, or In Short said. disconnected from reality. The pair did make The class has spanned a gamut of topics, Bodnar are just a fraction of the students, ing off the surreality of the last year. Vaccine dumpster fire on so many levels, I think it Short said the moment she realized UM their way back, and, on the way, Boone from dating in COVID-19 to the foundations things haPPening.” other coMbat zones.” faculty and staff at UM who have attempted, distribution is gaining speed, and latest has brought to the surface so many things was going to pull off the transition, she was recalled feeling uneasy at the lack of things of healthy relationships. out of necessity, to adapt to a new world. promises say that by the end of May doses that need to change. -sara odenthal -seth bodnar impressed with the teamwork of faculty like meats and toilet paper in grocery stores. Boone said she felt like the class has The past year has seen tragedy and triumph, could be available to all U.S. adults. “We are figuring out a new way of doing and staff. It was an anxious time, filled with “The world just started shutting down,” helped her empathize with others’ strug- vulnerability and resilience, disability and It’s also true that the trauma of this past things. And that is really encouraging to

12 March 10, 2021 montanakaimin.com montanakaimin.com March 10, 2021 13 living in anything close to normal, Julius said. It’s important to recognize that. “All of us have felt off during the pan- In MIssoula, the 23 deaths froM drug demic. You might not have a mental health diagnosis, but you still might have felt unmotivated or really tired or just stressed overdoses In were a nearly and overwhelmed,” she explained. “Because 2020 again, we’re not designed to live through this. None of us are pre-conditioned for this type of life.” She sympathized specifically with students. “College is a time of connection. College is where people make their lifelong friends,” she said. “It’s all about social activities and interacting. And that’s pretty much been taken away from all college students this last year.” Increase80% froM 2019.

12 March 10, 2021 montanakaimin.com montanakaimin.com March 10, 2021 13 Culture | Ball is life Opinion | Mental health Wood floats: UM Forestry rises above the pandemic COVID-19 trauma is crushing us and we need help CLARISE LARSON time, the Woodsman Team is still holding [email protected] meetings in Fort Missoula, instead of MAZANA BOERBOOM on-campus, because it allows them to stay [email protected] distant outdoors. A little over a year ago, crowds of peo- “It’s so that people have an excuse to go ple flocked to UM on an early spring night After nearly a year of teetering on a outside, because right now it’s hard to get dressed in their finest flannels, dirtiest tightrope — just one misstep away from out of the house,” Welte said. Carhartts and most obnoxious cowboy falling into anxious despair — I crashed. Priya Keller, publicity officer for the hats for the 103rd annual Foresters’ Ball. There was a lot of sobbing, Foresters’ Ball, said the forestry communi- This year, the ball did not happen. hyperventilating and burning pain ty is more supportive and active than ever Spring 2021 will mark just the second time shooting up and down my arms and legs. before. the Foresters’ Ball has had to be canceled It was the first time my anxiety had ever Though all the profits of the Foresters’ since its establishment in 1915. gotten this bad. I wasn’t able to speak or Ball are put toward paying for scholar- The first time was during World War II. ships for forestry students and compen- move, and the world around me was such And with the pandemic slowly loos- sating people involved in putting on the a dark blur I forgot where I was. ening its grip on life, one reality still event, everyone involved decided to not It was so hard in the moment, with looms large: Traditions, new or over a hold any large fundraising events this year my anxiety tearing me apart from the century old, will have to wait. However, thanks to the economic toll of the pandem- inside, to remember I wasn’t the only one despite the disappointment expressed ic. However, they found people were more struggling. But just the next day a viral across Missoula at the cancellation of the inclined than ever to donate this year to tweet popped up on my Twitter from the Foresters’ Ball, the forestry community at keep the scholarships going. user @melhuman: “So just to confirm, this UM is hopeful for the future and is finding “There was a lot of community support is the worst anyone’s felt since the start of COVID-safe ways to make their communi- — especially alumni asking, ‘how can I the pandemic, right? Like it’s not just me?” ty known around campus and Missoula. support [the ball]?,’ and so we decided to So I’m not the only one struggling with The Foresters’ Ball is a collaborative ef- start selling old merchandise to raise mon- mental health. This pandemic has taken its fort among the Forestry Club, the Student ey for next year’s ball,” Keller said. toll on most of my friends and family too. Recreation Association and the Woodsman Keller said with the changes happening We’ve all lost people this year. We’ve had Team. The groups come together to trans- because of COVID-19, she thinks they are to isolate from our loved ones and wither OLIVIA SWANT-JOHNSON | MONTANA KAIMIN form Schreiber Gym at UM into a town out seeing a new generation of forestry stu- away behind screens. of wood over months of preparation. The dents enrolling, and that the program has Schools and workplaces need to scrap they use would likely be trashed or a chance to promote amazing sustainable do more to facilitate access to mental in-person and remote classes, other life offered a discounted sliding scale price have already passed it into law. This left to rot if not for the second life that the forestry nationwide. health care and emphasize support and ball allows. issues and the continuously depressing for counseling services because of the means guns will be allowed in dorm “With the pandemic, now we can see we understanding, because a lot of people are “We’re definitely bummed about it, it’s news cycle (which I am forced to pay pandemic. I am lucky to have insurance to rooms starting next semester, with a have this big opportunity for the next ball suffering alone. the biggest event for us. When you can’t attention to, because news is my job). I help pay for medication and have family roommate’s permission. Dr. Andrew to showcase how healthy and sustainable My anxiety attack came after weeks of do it, it kind of makes the year feel wast- was having more frequent bouts of intense who understand my struggles and can Anglemyer published a study in 2014 that forestry is, which is something I think we working two jobs, studying full-time in ed,” said Brock Welte, safety officer of the emotion, and was struggling to get out of empathize and support me through it. found over 6 out of 100,000 residents in the need to do,” Keller said. almost exclusively upper division classes ball and Woodsman Team captain. bed and to focus on readings and lectures. But not everyone is lucky. Which is why U.S. will kill themselves with a firearm. Keller said the ball is necessary to and miserably attempting to take care of Welte said the best part of the ball is to I sought help, first through counseling mental health support needs to be stronger The CDC statistics found in June 2020 demonstrate the importance of forestry to get together with people from the groups myself like an adult. All amidst a global at Curry Health Center, and then going in our country and our state. that 25% of people aged 18-24 reported other UM majors and the larger Missou- involved in the process, and even people pandemic. through some psychological testing. I Two of the Montana Legislature’s 2021 having seriously considered suicide, la community — both in Montana and who just want to hang out and be a part And it feels like some mysterious was diagnosed with ADHD, anxiety and bills set to increase mental health support compared to 11% overall. The new law nationwide. of a tradition that’s lasted over a century. force — the government? The University? depression. in schools, House Bill 27 and House Bill means that college-aged people who are “There is a lot of misconception about The ball goes beyond just a social event Capitalism? — is requiring us to go back None of this is to say COVID-19 created 227, were killed and tabled respectively. already at a much higher risk of suicide forestry — we are actually really sustain- — there’s money at stake. It’s a chance to to our lives, our jobs, our education as if my mental illnesses or my ADHD. They The legislature has also pushed a lot of will now have easier access to a weapon. able in the ways that we work with trees provide scholarships to students at UM everything is normal. Well, it’s not normal. were already there, but the isolation, anti-transgender legislation, attempting to Why isn’t it a priority for Montanans — and that we can continue this thing that who were involved with the event. Nothing is normal. And who knows if it pressure and gravity brought on by the criminalize treatment of gender dysphoria and their legislators to protect the mental is much more reusable than plastic,” Keller “The Foresters’ Ball takes a lot of money will ever be normal again? state of our world tend to accentuate and deny gender confirmation surgery to health of young people? laughed. to put on, but we get a ton of businesses According to Centers for Disease existing problems. young transgender people. Trans people Keller said that the forestry community to donate time, money and materials to Control statistics, more than 40% of I’m just lucky I could figure it out are some of the most at-risk for mental is already working hard to keep pace for CONTRIBUTED us,” Welte said. “That allows us to make people reported having a mental illness and find help. And even though I’m not health disorders and suicidal ideation. The Curry Health Center is offering telehealth next year, but for now, they encourage a profit off it, and all the profit goes to in the summer of 2020. Compared to completely better, I’m on my way to Human Rights Campaign reported that counseling; set up an appointment at 406-243- people to get involved with forestry and scholarships for students in the forestry the year prior, the 2020 statistics found getting better because I’m lucky enough to LGBTQIA+ youth were four times more 4712. Or call the National Suicide Helpline, be a part of the clubs. program.” a significant increase in anxiety and have the resources. likely than their peers to be depressed and 1-800-273-8255, for after-hours emergencies. “We always love new faces and new The forestry community’s goal is to keep depression symptoms, trauma related to people coming over and sticking around Curry helped, but there is a 12 session twice as likely to be suicidal. And that was the ball rolling next year (pun intended) the pandemic, use of alcohol or drug abuse with us,” Keller said. “We have been doing CONTRIBUTED | LIFE MAGAZINE (1954) limit per academic year. So I joined before the pandemic. and provide scholarships to students to because of the pandemic, and suicidal events that are inclusive to everybody and Curry’s anxiety group, and found more And to make it worse, the legislature keep their education going. In the mean- ideation. all majors that show up.” frequent counseling at the Clinical prioritized House Bill 102, which will At some point last semester I found Psychology Center on campus. The CPC allow concealed carry on campuses, and myself weighed down by the mixture of

14 March 10, 2021 montanakaimin.com montanakaimin.com March 10, 2021 15 Culture | Ball is life Opinion | Mental health Wood floats: UM Forestry rises above the pandemic COVID-19 trauma is crushing us and we need help CLARISE LARSON time, the Woodsman Team is still holding [email protected] meetings in Fort Missoula, instead of MAZANA BOERBOOM on-campus, because it allows them to stay [email protected] distant outdoors. A little over a year ago, crowds of peo- “It’s so that people have an excuse to go ple flocked to UM on an early spring night After nearly a year of teetering on a outside, because right now it’s hard to get dressed in their finest flannels, dirtiest tightrope — just one misstep away from out of the house,” Welte said. Carhartts and most obnoxious cowboy falling into anxious despair — I crashed. Priya Keller, publicity officer for the hats for the 103rd annual Foresters’ Ball. There was a lot of sobbing, Foresters’ Ball, said the forestry communi- This year, the ball did not happen. hyperventilating and burning pain ty is more supportive and active than ever Spring 2021 will mark just the second time shooting up and down my arms and legs. before. the Foresters’ Ball has had to be canceled It was the first time my anxiety had ever Though all the profits of the Foresters’ since its establishment in 1915. gotten this bad. I wasn’t able to speak or Ball are put toward paying for scholar- The first time was during World War II. ships for forestry students and compen- move, and the world around me was such And with the pandemic slowly loos- sating people involved in putting on the a dark blur I forgot where I was. ening its grip on life, one reality still event, everyone involved decided to not It was so hard in the moment, with looms large: Traditions, new or over a hold any large fundraising events this year my anxiety tearing me apart from the century old, will have to wait. However, thanks to the economic toll of the pandem- inside, to remember I wasn’t the only one despite the disappointment expressed ic. However, they found people were more struggling. But just the next day a viral across Missoula at the cancellation of the inclined than ever to donate this year to tweet popped up on my Twitter from the Foresters’ Ball, the forestry community at keep the scholarships going. user @melhuman: “So just to confirm, this UM is hopeful for the future and is finding “There was a lot of community support is the worst anyone’s felt since the start of COVID-safe ways to make their communi- — especially alumni asking, ‘how can I the pandemic, right? Like it’s not just me?” ty known around campus and Missoula. support [the ball]?,’ and so we decided to So I’m not the only one struggling with The Foresters’ Ball is a collaborative ef- start selling old merchandise to raise mon- mental health. This pandemic has taken its fort among the Forestry Club, the Student ey for next year’s ball,” Keller said. toll on most of my friends and family too. Recreation Association and the Woodsman Keller said with the changes happening We’ve all lost people this year. We’ve had Team. The groups come together to trans- because of COVID-19, she thinks they are to isolate from our loved ones and wither OLIVIA SWANT-JOHNSON | MONTANA KAIMIN form Schreiber Gym at UM into a town out seeing a new generation of forestry stu- away behind screens. of wood over months of preparation. The dents enrolling, and that the program has Schools and workplaces need to scrap they use would likely be trashed or a chance to promote amazing sustainable do more to facilitate access to mental in-person and remote classes, other life offered a discounted sliding scale price have already passed it into law. This left to rot if not for the second life that the forestry nationwide. health care and emphasize support and ball allows. issues and the continuously depressing for counseling services because of the means guns will be allowed in dorm “With the pandemic, now we can see we understanding, because a lot of people are “We’re definitely bummed about it, it’s news cycle (which I am forced to pay pandemic. I am lucky to have insurance to rooms starting next semester, with a have this big opportunity for the next ball suffering alone. the biggest event for us. When you can’t attention to, because news is my job). I help pay for medication and have family roommate’s permission. Dr. Andrew to showcase how healthy and sustainable My anxiety attack came after weeks of do it, it kind of makes the year feel wast- was having more frequent bouts of intense who understand my struggles and can Anglemyer published a study in 2014 that forestry is, which is something I think we working two jobs, studying full-time in ed,” said Brock Welte, safety officer of the emotion, and was struggling to get out of empathize and support me through it. found over 6 out of 100,000 residents in the need to do,” Keller said. almost exclusively upper division classes ball and Woodsman Team captain. bed and to focus on readings and lectures. But not everyone is lucky. Which is why U.S. will kill themselves with a firearm. Keller said the ball is necessary to and miserably attempting to take care of Welte said the best part of the ball is to I sought help, first through counseling mental health support needs to be stronger The CDC statistics found in June 2020 demonstrate the importance of forestry to get together with people from the groups myself like an adult. All amidst a global at Curry Health Center, and then going in our country and our state. that 25% of people aged 18-24 reported other UM majors and the larger Missou- involved in the process, and even people pandemic. through some psychological testing. I Two of the Montana Legislature’s 2021 having seriously considered suicide, la community — both in Montana and who just want to hang out and be a part And it feels like some mysterious was diagnosed with ADHD, anxiety and bills set to increase mental health support compared to 11% overall. The new law nationwide. of a tradition that’s lasted over a century. force — the government? The University? depression. in schools, House Bill 27 and House Bill means that college-aged people who are “There is a lot of misconception about The ball goes beyond just a social event Capitalism? — is requiring us to go back None of this is to say COVID-19 created 227, were killed and tabled respectively. already at a much higher risk of suicide forestry — we are actually really sustain- — there’s money at stake. It’s a chance to to our lives, our jobs, our education as if my mental illnesses or my ADHD. They The legislature has also pushed a lot of will now have easier access to a weapon. able in the ways that we work with trees provide scholarships to students at UM everything is normal. Well, it’s not normal. were already there, but the isolation, anti-transgender legislation, attempting to Why isn’t it a priority for Montanans — and that we can continue this thing that who were involved with the event. Nothing is normal. And who knows if it pressure and gravity brought on by the criminalize treatment of gender dysphoria and their legislators to protect the mental is much more reusable than plastic,” Keller “The Foresters’ Ball takes a lot of money will ever be normal again? state of our world tend to accentuate and deny gender confirmation surgery to health of young people? laughed. to put on, but we get a ton of businesses According to Centers for Disease existing problems. young transgender people. Trans people Keller said that the forestry community to donate time, money and materials to Control statistics, more than 40% of I’m just lucky I could figure it out are some of the most at-risk for mental is already working hard to keep pace for CONTRIBUTED us,” Welte said. “That allows us to make people reported having a mental illness and find help. And even though I’m not health disorders and suicidal ideation. The Curry Health Center is offering telehealth next year, but for now, they encourage a profit off it, and all the profit goes to in the summer of 2020. Compared to completely better, I’m on my way to Human Rights Campaign reported that counseling; set up an appointment at 406-243- people to get involved with forestry and scholarships for students in the forestry the year prior, the 2020 statistics found getting better because I’m lucky enough to LGBTQIA+ youth were four times more 4712. Or call the National Suicide Helpline, be a part of the clubs. program.” a significant increase in anxiety and have the resources. likely than their peers to be depressed and 1-800-273-8255, for after-hours emergencies. “We always love new faces and new The forestry community’s goal is to keep depression symptoms, trauma related to people coming over and sticking around Curry helped, but there is a 12 session twice as likely to be suicidal. And that was the ball rolling next year (pun intended) the pandemic, use of alcohol or drug abuse with us,” Keller said. “We have been doing CONTRIBUTED | LIFE MAGAZINE (1954) limit per academic year. So I joined before the pandemic. and provide scholarships to students to because of the pandemic, and suicidal events that are inclusive to everybody and Curry’s anxiety group, and found more And to make it worse, the legislature keep their education going. In the mean- ideation. all majors that show up.” frequent counseling at the Clinical prioritized House Bill 102, which will At some point last semester I found Psychology Center on campus. The CPC allow concealed carry on campuses, and myself weighed down by the mixture of

14 March 10, 2021 montanakaimin.com montanakaimin.com March 10, 2021 15 Sports | Marshall Law Opinion: A year ago, UM sports had all the momentum. COVID-19 stopped it in its tracks

JACK MARSHALL [email protected]

Montana softball was in the midst of a record-breaking season, and Montana basketball was headed to its conference tournament with three stellar seniors, when the world was rocked by the COVID-19 pandemic last year. This year, Griz softball has won four games while losing ten and will have played 19 games in Texas, Utah and Arizona before it will play at home. UM sports teams were building momentum, but the pandemic has slowed them. Griz softball and football were on fire. COVID-19 poured water on the flames. UM basketball is 13-12, but 8-12 against Division I opponents. When the Griz travel to Boise to play in the Big Sky Conference tournament, only one current player on UM’s roster will have played in the tournament already. A handful of players were present last year when the Griz went down to Boise, practiced — and then received word that the Big Sky Tournament had been canceled. “It’s a weird year,” said UM head basketball coach Travis DeCuire after UM’s last regular season game. “COVID is lurking.” It seemed as if UM was just picking up steam. The UM football team was coming off its first playoff appearance since 2015. A year later, UM lost its star receiver in the transfer portal, postponed its 2020 fall football season and created a two-game 2021 spring football season, where it will pay its two opponents University of Montana head coach Travis Decuire watches gameplay on the court as the Griz play against the Warner Pacific Knights on March 6 at Dahlberg Arena. $71,000 combined to play in Missoula. The night ended with a 92-61 Griz victory over Warner Pacific. ANTONIO IBARRA | MONTANA KAIMIN The UM soccer team had just won a Big Sky Conference Regular Season Champi- Montana’s track and field, golf, cross Maybe all of this is just bad luck among onship in 2019 before its fall season was country and tennis teams all experienced UM sports, but to the casual observer, it postponed. The Griz soccer team now hopes canceled seasons and tournaments as well. seems as if the pandemic has steamrolled the to regain its footing after a hiatus that lasted Neither the men’s or women’s tennis teams built-up potential UM had. over a year. When the Griz retook the field have records above 50% in 2021. “Coronavirus is not a unifying thing. It’s on March 8, head soccer coach Chris Citowic- Perhaps the only UM sports team that the opposite,” UM head cross country coach ki wasn’t excited. wasn’t feeling any momentum a year ago Clint May said last fall. “To be honest, it was more nerve wracking was the women’s basketball team, which had Montana has been successful in so many when waking up this morning,” Citowicki just fired its coach and seen multiple players sports in the past, and it will likely continue said. “We haven’t played forever.” transferred away. Despite not having the its success. But that doesn’t make coming UM volleyball was set to host power- highest expectations for this year, Montana back from the pandemic any easier. houses Oregon State and Gonzaga at home had a lower regular season win percentage in Alas, everyone wishes the pandemic never in 2020, but the pandemic canceled those 2021 than it did in 2020. happened. But it stings, really stings, for Griz matches too. Griz volleyball had a win In the 2019-20 sports seasons, UM sports fans to watch Montana lose its chance to percentage of 33.3% in 2019 and plenty of teams had a winning percentage of 53.3%. make a comeback. Maybe 2020 was the year promising talent. Montana volleyball is still Since the start of the pandemic, the Griz have that UM football snapped MSU’s win streak. shaking off the rust from its one-year-plus a winning percentage of under 47.7%. Take Maybe the Lady Griz could go back to the break from play and currently has a win out UM soccer’s 1-0 record in 2021 and that success they claimed in the Robin Selvig era. percentage of 16.7%. number is 39%. Maybe the momentum would still be intact.

16 March 10, 2021 montanakaimin.com