VOLUME 118 ISSUE 12 TRINITONIAN NOVEMBER 13, 2020 5 Online learning limits access 10 The beauty of sampling and its 12 Trinity baseball is back at-bat, OPINION to valuable campus resources ARTS impact on the hip-hop industry SPORTS hopeful for a spring season University holding Search for dean of students begins virtual graduation Committee aims to make final recommendations by March Virtual commencement DANA NICHOLS | NEWS EDITOR will be the second ever [email protected] Following the announcement of David JAKE PERRY | NEWS REPORTER Tuttle’s retirement on Sept. 29, the university [email protected] organized its search committee for the next dean of students and associate vice president Every semester, fall or spring, Trinity’s for Student Life. Announced on Oct. 22 by graduating seniors receive their long awaited Sheryl Tynes, vice president for Student Life, degrees in a commencement ceremony rife the new committee is co-chaired by Alex Serna- with reflective speeches and triumphant music. Wallender, university chaplain, and Michael But this December, for the second semester in Soto, vice president for Academic Affairs and a row, the speeches will be pre-recorded, and professor of English. the music will come through laptop speakers. The committee held its first virtual meeting Madeleine Heliste, senior neuroscience in late October and aims to conduct campus major, was one of those seniors informed interviews with finalists in mid-to-late February. by email that the graduation ceremony this Ideally, recommendations will be presented to semester would be entirely virtual. Tynes in March, who will make the ultimate “Although expected, it was sad to receive the hiring decision in consultation with Danny email,” Heliste said. “A small part of me was Anderson, university president. The search committee is co-chaired by ALEX SERNA-WALLENDER, university chaplain, and Michael Soto, associate praying that, since December graduation is much Due to the student-centered nature of vice president for Academic Affairs and professor of English. Final recommendations will be made by March. smaller, we could do it in Laurie or the football the role, the committee’s search for Trinity’s photo by GENEVIEVE HUMPHREYS field. However, it would be quite dangerous for next dean of students includes numerous families to travel and for everyone to gather safely, opportunities for student input. we’re going to make very sure that the finalists are it’s really important, because a lot of what the so I knew my hopes were probably too optimistic.” “So much of this can sometimes happen in an in front of as many students as possible. At an dean of students does is interact with students,” The Commencement and Convocation opaque way that students might sometimes feel left early point next spring, so students will have ample said Oliver Chapin-Eiserloh, junior business Committee, co-chaired by Duane Coltharp, out of the process. I hope that’s not the case this time opportunity to interact with the finalists and to and political science double-major and student associate vice president for Academic Affairs, around. In the next few days, Dr. Tynes is going share their thoughts about each of the candidates.” leader of the search committee. “I know that Dennis Ugolini, professor of physics and to be sharing an announcement about the search To ensure the inclusion of student voices they were wanting to have a group of students astronomy, and Bruce Bravo, senior director of process. And that’s going to include a survey that throughout the entire search process, the on the committee who are kind of representative conferences and auxiliary services, made an official will allow respondents to share what they think is committee includes three student leaders of different student groups and initiatives across recommendation to Danny Anderson, university most important for the committee to consider as it alongside the faculty and staff members. campus, and so they really want to kind of have president, last week to hold the December evaluates candidates for the job,” said Soto. “When ”I think it’s really important because having that broad perspective when considering for commencement ceremony virtually. we boil the process down to a handful of finalists, that student perspective when hiring for a that student-centered role.” “We fundamentally have to focus on health to the last three or four people under consideration, position that is so student-centered, I think continued on PAGE 3 and safety,” said Tess Coody-Anders, vice president for Strategic Communication and Marketing and acting Nerve Center head. “But we absolutely Professors adapt to the new normal for spring need and want to give people the opportunity to experience that moment where you feel yourself Few courses attempt a return to traditional methods of learning feted and graduated. I know we’ll work hard to try EMILY JAMIESON | NEWS INTERN to achieve both those goals.” [email protected] The December commencement ceremony is going to be the same as the virtual The COVID-19 pandemic is now entering graduation ceremony held for class of 2020 the third semester at Trinity, with very little graduates in the spring. changes in cases and handling. Nonetheless, “The students, degree candidates, families, classes must continue, and professors, as well as faculty, they did appreciate that we had students, are still faced with difficult decisions something” Coltharp said. “The [ceremony] when it comes to deciding classes. itself is going to be almost identical.” As registration opens, students find that Like all graduations, the Virtual Conferral more classes are being offered through Tigerflex, of Degrees — as the Commencement and which means that the class is offered both in- Convocation Committee calls it — will begin with person and online. As well, certain labs have shorter, pre-recorded speeches reflecting on the become hands-on only, meaning that it is a achievements of the graduates. Following will be a requirement to be there in person. virtual parade of the graduating students, with each Both students and professors of all disciplines student having a few seconds to be recognized. are working to accommodate and create an Graduates have the opportunity to attach inclusive and worthwhile environment for all, a photo or video alongside their names in including professor of biology, Dr. Kelly Lyons. the slideshow. “We have a high-quality education to “One would have liked to be in person, maintain, so I try to bend over backwards to Students in one of KELLY LYONS’ classes at Brackenridge Park collecting algae and Cyanobacteria in October. but if that’s not going to be possible this was accommodate them,” Lyons said. photo provided by KELLY LYONS a pretty good substitute,” said Coltharp. The However, despite the attempts to make a May commencement ceremony was originally functioning environment for every student, and good times available for my off-campus practicing safe distancing, I feel that it’s our considered a placeholder until an in-person it has become more challenging as more needs,” Suggala said. job to maintain expectations as would be ceremony could be arranged in August. The students begin to opt to in-person learning Although the pandemic continues, maintained in the workplace, where they’ll summer’s COVID-19 spike, however, prompted and attempt to return to campus. Despite students and faculty are attempting to return go in the future.” Trinity to cancel the proposed ceremony. these incoming changes to campus, there to the traditional styles of learning, which Many students share this same attitude “We have no idea when things are going to have still been many factors of students’ includes maintaining the academic policies towards changes in academic policy, as they get back to normal, so we’re just not going to lives, such as the pandemic, that have yet to that are used in regular years. have planned their futures very tightly with predict,” said Coltharp. “We hope that we’re able change. Sahan Suggala, first-year, is facing the “I think we are doing students a grad school and beyond in mind. Although at some point to welcome back in-person and to pressures of balancing his education with his disservice by allowing too much of [pass/ it comes through on a case by case basis, do something, but that’s going to have to stay up concerns about the pandemic. fail], because the rest of the world didn’t get most students would agree that they can’t in the air until we have some sense of when this “I might have to come to campus next a pass/fail,” said Lyons. “We all need a few afford to sacrifice points to their GPA or all is going to be over.” semester even if COVID persists because as we pass/fail days for sure, but for students who graduation requirements. continued on PAGE 3 go to higher-level courses, there are less spots have things that have settled out and are continued on TRINITONIAN.COM 2 TRINITONIAN.COM • NOVEMBER 13, 2020 • NEWS Previously, on SGA: Cause for Alarm in Calvert Hall WEAR This covers the meeting on Nov. 11. prior. According to Senator Cox, he is in a Class of 2024 GroupMe that shared some concerning messages CLIMATE CHECK overnight. According to Senator Cox, several girls in YOUR Judicial Chair Mia Quintanilla expressed concern Calvert Hall reported knocking on their doors in the over a recent COVID-19 test she had. According to middle of the night. Two men reportedly knocked on Judicial Chair Quintanilla, her swab for the test was every girl’s door in Calvert, presumably looking to get about the size of her pinky, leading her to question into their rooms. whether these new tests were as effiecient and The incident was reported to TUPD, and is being MASKS accurate as the PCR COVID tests. She suggested that investigated further. For now, the girls of Calvert Hall SGA obtain testing numbers for before and after were told to be aware of their surroundings. switching from PCR tests, in order to see if there is a significant difference in results between the two. PRESENCE... FOR THE PRESENT? PLEASE Vice President Oliver Chapin-Eiserloh responded to Esther Kim, Assistant Director for Orientation Judicial Chair Quintanilla’s concerns by saying that Programs, and Shannon Twumasi, Coordinator for the current test has same levels of accuracy as the Student Programs, had a budget funding request for PCR test. He suggested, however, that J.C. Quintanilla their continued use of “Presence,” a platform where reach out to the COVID Clinic. student organizations can update members, remove STAFF members, and create invitations for events. The total KAYLA PADILLA editor-in-chief CALVERT CREEPS funding request was $2,310 in order to give all student GENEVIEVE HUMPHREYS managing First-year Senator Steven Cox shared his concerns organizations access to Presence. SGA approved this editor over an incident that happened at midnight the night request in its full amount. JORDAN JURAN business manager JESSIE DE ARMAN ad director DANA NICHOLS news editor Meetings are held every Wednesday at 6:00 p.m. on Zoom. PHOEBE MURPHY opinion editor Additional coverage can be found online at trinitonian.com, coverage by KAYLA PADILLA MACKENZIE COOK pulse editor SAVANNAH WAHLGREN arts editor BRIAN YANCELSON sports editor KATE NUELLE visual editor LOGAN CREWS web editor GRACEN HOYLE assistant web editor

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Student publications under the supervision of the Board of Campus Publications shall explicitly state in each issue that theopinions expressed therein are not necessarily those of Trin - ity University. The first copy of the Trinitonian is free; additional Interactive version available at Trinitonian.com copies are three dollars each. ©2019. All rights reserved. Answer key can be found through the interactive puzzle link. NEWS • NOVEMBER 13, 2020 • TRINITONIAN.COM 3 Faculty, staff avoid health pledge violations University employees face same repercussions as students, but fewer have broken policies SARAH FISHER | NEWS INTERN it.” [email protected] Orrin Shindell, professor of physics and astronomy, has been teaching on-campus this Prior to the start of the semester, students, semester and agrees that most people have faculty, and staff were required to sign the had no issues abiding by the health pledge. ProtecTU Health Pledge, a commitment “For one thing, there’s actually not to practicing COVID-19 safety measures very many people around. So the campus such as social distancing and wearing face is pretty empty,” Shindell said. “The coverings. Students who have violated the people I do see, everybody’s wearing health pledge have been facing repercussions masks, everybody misses each other and — faculty and staff are no different. hallways. I think everybody’s been pretty The process of handling health pledge conscientious, both faculty, staff and the violations among faculty and staff is not students who are around.” dissimilar to the process for students. Because Although the unusual semester has faculty and staff are university employees introduced a number of complications, Shindell with supervisors and access to Human has found that following the health pledge has Resources, they have different avenues for not proven to be much of a challenge. reporting instances of pledge violations; “For the most part, it’s been fine,” said however, the anonymous reporting form Shindell. “There’s been a couple times, made available to campus is not limited to especially in the lab class, where I felt that reporting student misconduct. students were getting too close to each “Anyone on campus could use the TESS COODY-ANDERS, vice president for Strategic Communications and Marketing, explained the protocol for faculty other. Everybody wears masks, so that’s anonymous reporting form that the dean’s and staff ProtecTU Health Pledge violations. Students, faculty and staff signed the pledge prior to the fall semester. not a question. So when that happens, office has made available. That could be used photo by OLIVER CHAPIN-EISERLOH I try to remind them,” said Shindell. not only for student-to-student concerns “Everybody’s pretty conscientious about but if you have a concern about a faculty “The nature of the relationship with the classes,” said Coody-Anders. “I saw staff from it, so I think it’s just a matter of it not or staff member and a violation,” said Tess university is different for employees and the facilities team, who were wearing their being usual for people.” Coody-Anders, vice president for Strategic staff,” said Coody-Anders. “It’s an employee- masks even while they were outside doing Ultimately, the success of the health Communications and Marketing. employer relationship, which is guided and individual work on campus. So, I was really pledge comes down to trusting members of Just like with students, the consequences governed by laws, Department of Labor laws impressed by that.” the Trinity community. for violations vary based on the severity of the and rules.” On the rare occasion that the guidelines of “I think it helps protect us individually, violation and conversations with the supervisor. Throughout the semester, health pledge the pledge have been breached, the university through maintaining our distance from “A supervisor would talk to that individual violations by faculty and staff have not has been quick to address the issue. others and understanding that we shouldn’t about the violation, just as we do with students been a big concern. They have been doing “We had a staff member raise a concern be in large gatherings. But then also, to try to understand, you know, do [they] a good job of staying in line with the about a contractor ... a contractor group collectively, it will help our community. understand the guidance, no. 1? And no. 2, is health pledge, with no major incidents of that was working on campus and concerned If you’re wearing your mask, you’re not there a reason why [they] have trouble meeting violation. Any concerns brought up have that they weren’t wearing masks,” said allowing your germs to be spreading to the criteria? And once those are resolved, making been taken very seriously. Coody-Anders. “When that was brought to those around you,” said Marcy Youngdahl, sure everybody understands why it’s important “You know, it is my understanding and the attention of the appropriate supervising university physician. “We really are all that you do that,” said Coody-Anders. perception that they have been. Faculty, in department, the department that engaged dependent on each other to adhere to that Any difference in the processes between particular, are taking extraordinary steps to that contractor, they took it very seriously, in order to maintain our own personal students and university employees is due to protect their students by and large because acted the same day and followed up to let safety. But it really relies upon trusting your the nature of the individuals’ relationships of the prolonged contact that they have with the Nerve Center and the individual who neighbor, trusting your community to help with the university. students where they are conducting in-person had concerns know that they’d taken care of protect you.” Graduating seniors prepare Search committee looks for online commencement for next dean of students virtually, [but] what we can’t do is provide a that the institution’s mission has students at continued from FRONT true substitute at an emotional level for in- continued from FRONT its very center, and supporting that mission person interactions.” without compromises is very important to the Special commencements, such as the De Echoing Coltharp, seniors like Heliste are As with the dean of students, multiple both of us,” Soto said. “If you take a look at the Colores ceremony that celebrates Latinx disappointed by the circumstances but still members of the search committee hold job description that’s on the Trinity website achievement, usually hold their ceremonies manage to find some measure of positivity positions at the university with a focus on for the next dean of students, you’ll see that for all relevant graduates from the year in in what’s going on. student wellbeing. Lori Kinkler, university student centeredness is really at the heart of May and are on standby to make plans. psychologist, acknowledges that the person the job requirements, and that is one thing Graduating students are usually allowed to filling Tuttle’s shoes will need to provide that that I’m sure no one on the search committee invite as many people as they want to the support to students as well. will compromise on.” ceremony, and with dozens of graduating “We can teach, we “My aim is to find someone who is Serna-Wallender echoed that student voices students signing up each year, De Colores can learn, we can do ridiculously committed to our students. I’m are not just valuable in the search, but vital. usually attracts 500-600 attendees. a confidential resource on campus, so while “As with most searches at Trinity, but “I look forward to planning De ceremonies virtually, [but] I have a strong commitment to our students, especially this one, student voices and input Colores this upcoming May and trying to my commitment stays quietly behind closed are crucial. Not only are there more students reimagine what it will look like under the what we can’t do is provide doors,” said Kinkler. “I appreciate that I can on this committee than most, but there will circumstances we are in,” Thomas Peña, refer folks to the dean of students when they be times throughout the process for the larger junior business analytics & technology and a true substitute at an need a more outspoken advocate who can student body to give their input, especially in finance double-major and Trinity University bring together several campus resources to get meeting with and providing feedback on the Latino Association president, said. “All emotional level for in- their needs met.” finalists,” wrote Serna-Wallender in an email Winter graduates have received their stoles person interactions.” Reflecting on his close workinginterview. “On previous search committees, and are excited to wear them with their relationship with Tuttle, Soto recognizes that I have noticed that student leader input is families and friends at home. Because [of] DUANE COLTHARP the student-centered nature of their work central to the conversation, and I expect that COVID-19, we are trying to reimagine how ASSOCIATE VICE PRESIDENT FOR ACADEMIC AFFAIRS together will need to be furthered by the next will continue to be the case in this search.” to have De Colores to honor and celebrate dean of students. “In order for this search to be successful, the hard work of Latinx graduates.” “I’ve worked very closely with Dean students will need to feel like they are gaining a Though all parties involved admit that the “I wish Trinity could be the full and Tuttle in a number of ways over the last true advocate for their needs,” Kinkler said. virtual graduation ceremony is not ideal, not vibrant campus I was able to be a part of three and a half years that I’ve been in my As with other recent university search much more can be done given the circumstances. my first two and a half years,” said Heliste. current administrative role. He and I have committees, committee members are undergoing “This is a tough time for everybody — “These last two semesters have been a new collaborated in a number of areas, we co-chair anti-bias training to address any issues of prejudice the pandemic has been extraordinarily type of challenge, but I am grateful for my our retention and graduation task force, and or partiality. Following the announcement of disruptive in all kinds of ways,” said experiences before COVID and for how I I’m part of the student success team that he university diversity and inclusion task force Coltharp. “I think the university has figured have grown as a person and a student during leads. There are a number of other ad hoc recommendations and given the student-centered out how to replicate or at least approximate these times.” projects that we work together on. In a way, position of the dean of students, the issue of the normal functions of a university. We can “Plus our dog can join in on the our strengths complement each other, I think, prejudice is especially important. teach, we can learn, we can do ceremonies celebration now,” said Heliste. but we both share a kind of overriding belief continued on TRINITONIAN.COM 4 OPINION NOVEMBER 13, 2020 • TRINITONIAN.COM FROM THE EDITORS’ DESK WANT TO The American voting system must change SUBMIT A Around this time, pre-pandemic, Although many of us will be distant contact with our friends, checking in on how students would normally be in the from our friends and second families, they are doing and talking about the things midst of preparations for final exams, these support networks will remain you’re dealing with — the good and the bad. papers and presentations. This semester, invaluable to our personal and academic Staying in contact with our friends will not COLUMN? everyone will instead be heading home success. Things that we may have taken only serve as a means of socialization, but as to complete the semester online. The for granted before, like the ability to a means of self-care and self-betterment while 2:30 a.m. study sessions with friends see your friend for a study break in we brace ourselves for the challenges of our here’s what you will take place over Zoom rather than the room next to yours or access to the new learning environments. in the hallways of CSI, and late-night dead-silent study spaces of the library, If you haven’t been doing so already, now should know. cravings will be satisfied by a trip to will no longer be of easy access. is the time to practice being kind to yourself. your pantry rather than a walk to the We are all already stressed by the impending P.O.D. or a quick call to Pizza Classics. doom that is finals week and, for the about At a time in the semester when support 900 of us moving out of resident halls, the letters to from friends and peers is most crucial due If you haven’t been doing challenge of packing up our belongings. The to the stressors of finals and heightened last thing we need is added pressure from the editor coursework, we will be spread across the so already, now is the ourselves to outperform our pre-pandemic globe. Some friends may be nearby, while time to practice being selves or to transition effortlessly into a new Share your quick reactions to others may be oceans away. For some of us, mode of working, studying and living. Trinitonian coverage and opinion this means being closer to loved ones and kind to yourself. Later this November, as you settle into support networks; for others, this means your new living space to study for finals or columns. Send 300 words or being pulled away from the second families start your papers, start with a deep breath. fewer to the head editors and formed on Trinity’s campus and going back Unexpected circumstances do not call for Phoebe Murphy, opinion editor, to an unfavorable living situation. And of This transition to our new living unexpectedly extraordinary performance. at [email protected]. She or course, some of us will continue living in environments for finals and winter break Rather, they call for special attention to Kayla Padilla, editor-in-chief, will our off-campus apartments or at home as doesn’t have to equate to social isolation. your personal needs, whether mental, we have all semester. Now more than ever, we need to be in physical or social. be in touch as soon as they can. guest columns Online learning cuts students off from valuable Can’t keep it to a few hundred words? Pen a guest column campus resources that boost their academics and let your views be known. Please keep it between 500 and 700 words, and give us time to YUKIKO YAMAZAKI prepare. If possible, submit by COLUMNIST Sunday at noon to be in the Friday [email protected] edition of the paper. Email it to opinion editor Phoebe Murphy at [email protected]. One of the selling points of Trinity is that class sizes are small, allowing for more involved and personal learning with the low professor-student ratio. However, talking to please note! peers, it is apparent that the small cap sizes prohibit many people from taking necessary The Opinion section editor and classes to graduate on time. Although I the Trinitonian copy editors don’t exactly know for what reason students will fact-check your work and need to take extra semesters to graduate, the number of peers that are worried about edit for clarity, legal concerns, being fifth-years or having to take summer grammar and style, but we will classes seems like a lot. The intensity of not alter your argument. Also, your degree path depends on major/minor please include your graduating requirements, ability to pass classes and year and major or your position credit hours, but also your ability to plan at the university. out or strategize your class schedule for the next few years. Although registration week is always stressful, planning out classes during COVID is especially hard because illustration by GABRIELLE RODRIGUEZ of uncertainties about living situations and how long we will continue remote learning. registration process without mishap is a lot including staff and administrative help — is Like Dana Nichols said in her piece last greater than other schools. Even as a junior more distant during the pandemic. week, we are all struggling academically with good credit hour standing, all upper- Often times it is on the individual and mentally and shouldn’t be expected division classes in my major that I needed student to take full advantage of the to function at pre-pandemic levels. By we, were closed on day two of registration. The school’s resources. While on campus, I that includes teachers and administration, same went for last semester, where everyone had daily access to study spaces, the gym When you see this “forum” who are undoubtedly as overwhelmed as scrambled to get into their required classes, and Dicke Smith art studios, all of which stamp, know that you’re we are with the uncertainties surrounding being promised by professors that their I miss visiting. It was also quite easy to talk COVID. However, there is a common chances will be better the next semester. to and seek guidance from administration reading community voices. The conversation among students over the stress While knowing that professors are having by visiting their physical offices. Being Trinitonian is a public forum for of registration and the feeling that we are to rapidly adjust their teaching styles able to drop into offices and having on- Trinity students, faculty and staff. left alone to figure out our class schedules and facing over-enrollment, from the campus interactions is something I took All guest columns are unpaid and simply hope for the best. student perspective, the inability to get for granted, but it is part of what Trinity and do not represent the views I hear increasingly from peers that into classes is truly stressful, especially as students are paying for. The pandemic is they “just want to graduate fast,” as the communication with professors is more teaching many of us the importance of in- of the Trinitonian. Want to join pandemic has stolen much from the college difficult online. Because of COVID, the person interaction and the need to support the forum? Here’s how to start experience of learning in-person and living much-needed interaction and building of our peers while we collectively experience a dialogue and have your voice with other students safely. Because Trinity is student-professor relationships is creating difficult and uncertain times. heard in print and online. a small school, the pressure for students to a new set of challenges. Having access to perform well academically and navigate the and fully utilizing the school’s resources — Yukiko Yamazaki is a junior anthropology major. OPINION • NOVEMBER 13, 2020 • TRINITONIAN.COM 5 Biden Defeats Trump — So What’s Next For Democrats?

victory as Trump did in 2016 when he lost To be clear, we all should rejoice that we 2020 proves that all politics is national, the popular vote by over 2 million. set in motion the removal of Donald Trump. not local anymore. Democrats like Vicente BEN FALCON Even so, the election was far from a wave Yet, we would be remiss to not realize that Gonzalez (D-TX), who barely won re- COLUMNIST election. Yes, President-Elect Biden did “beat our party should have performed better. The election, and Xochitl Torres Small (D-NM), [email protected] him [Trump] like a drum,” but down-ballot electoral map may be impressive, but by who lost, had a hard time escaping the Democrats struggled in their respective county, you see that very little has changed national party brand. This is because our races. Despite what expectations and polls since 2016. ‘Blue America’ got bluer and red base has become narrower and narrower in On Saturday morning, America’s never- predicted, Texas did not go blue. Democrats America’ got redder. This year we received recent years. We continue to pander to a ending election finally came to a close. failed to flip the state legislature. We lost millions more votes than Trump. Why then specific demographic of voters in big cities Joseph Robinette Biden Jr. has pulled off seats in the U.S. House of Representatives did we lose seven house seats and netted only and suburbs. Andrew Yang characterized it the rare triumph of unseating an incumbent and are still shy of capturing control of the one senate seat? Most think it is a matter of best when he said “the Democratic Party, president. President-Elect Biden will receive U.S. Senate. Many in the Democratic party whether the party has gone too far left or not unfortunately, has taken on this role of 306 electors and the most votes in history. have blamed progressives, pollsters and far left enough. The debate gets very wonky the coastal urban elites.” I’ve written on Biden garnered the same ‘massive landslide’ party elders. with both sides bogged down in the trenches this before and warned Democrats that we over the minutiae of Democratic policy. must learn the lessons of the Trump era if we are to succeed as a party. We cannot, nor should we want to run on a platform that resonates only with metro areas and the There are hundreds of college-educated. thousands if not millions You might think that because only 14% of people live in rural America we can afford to of people of color, women, write them off, but you’re wrong. American politics and our political institutions are queer folk and working- beautifully crafted to prevent this. As they should. Moreover, rural America is not class Americans that need a just white America. There are hundreds of thousands if not millions of people of strong Democratic party to color, women, queer folk and working-class Americans that need a strong Democratic advocate for them. party to advocate for them. Unfortunately, we ignore them and, if anything, run candidates that don’t fit their districts. Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D-VA) recently I suggest we de-centralize our brand and blamed our losses on “the extreme leftward extend a national platform to moderate lurch of the Democrat Party.” While I am (35%) and conservative (17%) Democrats a critic of the Democratic party’s trend who make up 52% of our party. Doing so toward more liberal and progressive policies, will be a great first step to localizing our she is wrong to only blame the left. The politics again so that down-ballot Democrats party’s problem isn’t ideological per se, but can have the freedom to succeed on their geographical and with our branding. One own merits again. The Democratic party and big thing that Republicans are much better President-Elect Biden are uniquely placed to at doing than Democrats is understanding restore our politics, but to do so we have to what drives our politics — feelings and get our own house in order first. brand perception. Too often we forget that elections are popularity contests and not illustration by REN RADER final exams. We can’t just win on detailed Ben Falcon is a junior political science and history plans alone. double major. The New American Expat Gen: At the Bottom of My Suitcase culture identifier for anyone who considers States. An accusatory tone stews division people without a doubt feel entitled to a themselves an avid traveler. With the rise between people where consensus might have much larger portion than is fair. That being MAI VO of social media, the notion of wanderlust otherwise been attained. said, it is important to understand we all COLUMNIST has spread like wildfire as every Instagram, To this day, I am unsure at hold privileged and unprivileged positions [email protected] Twitter and Facebook post reinforces the what point a society that in different aspects of our own life. And the desire amongst us to book a flight. Politics, champions individuality wonderful thing is realizing this not only on the other hand, is a relatively new turned into one that picks helps us relate to each other’s vulnerabilities When it comes to the term “expatriate,” factor. The controversial U.S. presidential apart every way people but also allows us to understand that many people differ on the definition. For election has increased the appetite for might be different from each bringing together our differences can make GRACEN HOYLE me, it was the simple idea of not missing out Americans moving abroad, with New other and then pits them us all stronger. We might be surprised to on my chance to live life as fully as possible Yorkers being the keenest to relocate one against the other. But find a broad range of unlikely allies who can and as fairly as possible. Expats usually overseas. And sending millennials labeling people and dividing share in the superordinate goal of improving choose to leave their native country for a — a new voter force to be them into groups seem to everyone’s life. career boost or to fulfill a personal dream or reckoned with — running illustrationbe by deeply ingrained parts Privilege is also relative. When talking goal, rather than as a result of dire economic for the hills; in this case, of America’s “I” culture. about development communication, people necessity. This idea of choosing to relocate in the hills of England and Within such a culture, tend to look at the deficit side of developing the name of a dream resonates highly with Canada where language is it seems the ability for nations while forgetting a surplus view of millennial expats. While expats of all ages not an obstacle. people to work together things. Even the most underprivileged citizen will share tangible reasons for relocating However, every country is often lost through living freely in a first-world society is much abroad, today’s millennials are being swayed and person in the world unnecessary aggression more privileged than their counterparts in by two surprising new factors: politics should have the education and accusatory rhetoric. autocratic nations, developing nations or and wanderlust. and understanding of People become so caught warring nations across the world. Poverty privilege, as well as the up with obsessing can mean job insecurity in one nation and ability to question and over the food insecurity in another. No matter how discuss it as thoroughly trespasses of privileged or underprivileged one might Nobody owns all the as some Americans others that be, there is always so much one has to be privilege in the world, do. It is a lens that they forget to thankful for. With privilege should come has successfully pushed keep their own in check. accountability, and we should all spend although some people forward social change, In my experience living much more time looking down toward fueling some of the most in the United States, I helping those below us as we do looking up without a doubt feel entitled impressive movements for have found a recurring with spite. There will always be someone social justice the world has seen, myth that privilege is above and someone below, and in some to a much larger portion from women’s liberation to civil rights to zero-sum; and a tendency to forget bizarre way, it is all interconnected. LGBTQ+ pride. Everyone should be well- that privilege is always relative. I believe Be it politics, wanderlust or career goals, than is fair. versed on the ins and outs of deconstructing both of these inform themselves of notions millennials seem to have found the key to privilege. However, America is not perfect in of individuality. Taking a more holistic happiness: it’s at the bottom of the suitcase. its deconstruction — at least not anymore. approach to understanding society as a And that’s where I found mine. Most millennials are balancing the need There is something markedly vicious whole helps deconstruct it. But privilege for a job with intense wanderlust. Wanderlust about the hostility with which privilege is not a zero-sum game! Nobody owns all Mai Vo is a junior piano performance and is a German term that has become a pop is currently often discussed in the United the privilege in the world, although some communication double major. 6 TRINITONIAN.COM • NOVEMBER 13, 2020 • OPINION

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MIKAYLA MULLIN | PULSE REPORTER While Trinity hoped to give first-years the [email protected] in-person experience, the online reality is not what professors and students wanted. What does it mean to prepare students There are some FYE classes that are all for the college experience? Every Trinity online, and for the ones that have an in-person student takes an FYE dedicated to this component, it is limited. All FYEs have at least purpose, but how is Trinity preparing first- some online classes, and even when there are years? And more importantly, what does in-person classes, there are still some students that look like, especially now? who have to be completely online. According to Dr. Kimberly Bauser Sarah Theuret is one of the first-years McBrien, HUMA professor, preparing who has been able to attend both in-person Trinity students for the college experience and online classes, so she sees how those class means accomplishing two goals. experiences differ. “The first goal is to be first-year students’ “There is nowhere near the discussion introduction to college-level thinking, writing, in the Zoom class. I think a mixture of the and reading. [This introduction] happens temptation to zone out and the awkwardness through courses meant to ask big questions of having to use the raise hand tool, unmuting that require interdisciplinary thinking,” to talk, etc.,” said Theuret. said Bauser McBrien. The students are not the only ones feeling The second goal is social. the disconnect Zoom can create. “It’s the same group of students meeting “It’s as weird to faculty as it is for students every day of the week. [The] goal is to start to talk into the void of the computer screen. a social network and build social inclusion It takes a different kind of energy. And for the in the first-year class,” said Bauser McBrien. social side, it is harder to get to know students. After one semester, it seems that FYEs I miss the casual interaction with students,” Students from section 17 of the Creative Genius FYE participate in a TigerFlex class in which they are are having problems similar to every said Bauser McBrien. given the option to work in person or remotely. In-person students wear masks and separate their desks. other class. continued on PAGE 8 photo by CLAIRE SAMMONS TUSSA provides community for secular students Trinity University Student Secular Alliance fosters meaningful student connections ISABEL CHAVEZ | PULSE REPORTER Though “Graveyard of the gods” normally [email protected] occurs as an on campus demonstration where students decorate gravestones, the event The Trinity University Secular Student happened over social media this year to raise Alliance (TUSSA) was formed in 2018 to awareness. Service projects are among other provide community for secular students, events TUSSA has had to change due to the including atheists, agnostics, non-believers influence of COVID-19 on campus life. and questioning students alike. Last year, the club began planning a Maya Fassler, senior business administration succulent sale fundraiser for their chosen major and president of TUSSA, has been a philanthropy, Doctors Without Borders, but part of the club since its inception at Trinity. it was ultimately canceled due to the switch After seeing a Facebook post by Alex Bradley to remote learning. ‘18 asking if he was the only secular student “Service is a really big part of our on campus, Fassler reached out to let him organization because it’s something that a know he wasn’t alone- today, the club has an lot of us are passionate about,” explained estimated 60+ members in Trinity’s chapter of Fassler. “Also, a lot of people in the world the national organization. think that people who don’t believe in god “I think at the root of it, a big misconception don’t have morals so I think it’s kind of a of the Secular Student Alliance is that we way to be like ‘hey, we do.’” constantly just sit in a circle and talk about Along with Doctors Without Borders, how much we hate religion or how stupid TUSSA regularly works with other non- it is, but it really is not that at all. It’s just a religiously affiliated organizations like San supportive group of people and a way to build Antonio Pets Alive by walking dogs. Though community for people that can’t really go to event-planning has become substantially the different religious organizations on campus different in the wake of COVID, the officer because you don’t believe in their fundamental team is currently brainstorming ways to Senior and TUSSA treasurer SOPHIE FELLER knew she wanted to be a part of the TU Student Secular values,” Fassler said. remain committed to fostering community Alliance, as she had felt in the past like her atheism isolated her from her more religious friends. Walking around the Student Involvement in the greater San Antonio area. photo provided by SOPHIE FELLER fair her freshman year, Sophie Feller, senior For Feller, TUSSA has provided an economics major and treasurer for TUSSA, environment where she feels completely welcome. with the world around us,” explains While TUSSA has reached out to noticed many religious organizations, but not “It’s amazing to have a safe, judgement-free Serna-Wallender. “[TUSSA] represents an various religious organizations, they have one for secular students. place to discuss what it means to be secular,” important part of our Worldview/Spiritual collaborated the most with Hillel, Trinity’s “I felt like I was the only atheist on campus. Feller said. “Most of my friends outside of Life group representation and making sure Jewish Students Association. From hosting I was nervous to even tell some of my religious SSA are religious, so it’s been great to meet our secular students are included and joint meetings, to organizing members to friends that I was an atheist. So a couple of other secular people on campus. We have a supported in their journeys of growth attend Hillel’s Purim party, TUSSA has years ago when I heard that an SSA chapter pretty tight knit group of people who regularly and understanding and connections worked to ensure that members are actively was being started on campus, I knew I wanted attend our meetings, and they come from all with others who care about worldview/ involved with learning more about each to be a part of it,” Feller said. different backgrounds.” spiritual exploration is essential.” Both other’s pers. A key area of TUSSA’s programming Though Fassler initially intended to join with support from Serna-Wallender and “[Members of Hillel] have been really nice consists of promoting science education, even TUSSA as a way to build connections with independently, TUSSA has intentionally and supportive and welcoming of me into celebrating Charles Darwin’s birthday. The secular students, one of her most unexpected tried forming connections with other their spiritual community, which is great,” club also recently held their annual event, connections has been with Chaplain worldview organizations on campus to said Fassler. TUSSA hopes that other the “Graveyard of the Gods,” which occurs Alex Serna-Wallender. combat the stereotype that secular people religious organizations are also open to around Halloween. Chaplain Serna-Wallender, who regularly lack morals. collaborating in the future. “We recognize different gods overtime meets with TUSSA leadership, seeks to “I feel like it’s very taboo sometimes, like Students hoping to connect with the Trinity that are considered dead, so Greek gods or support students on all ends of what he calls ‘she doesn’t believe in god, she doesn’t have Secular Student Alliance can join biweekly the Roman gods who no one really believes “worldview groups.” morals,’ but we really want to decrease meetings by emailing [email protected] in anymore, just to kind of show the “Recognizing that our worldviews that stigma through uplifting events with or connecting with @tusecularstudents impermanence of deities,” explained Fassler. shape how we see, understand, and engage other groups,” said Fassler. on Instagram. 8 TRINITONIAN.COM • NOVEMBER 13, 2020 • PULSE FYEs to wrap up early this semester continued from PAGE 8 Professors are trying their best to adapt to these new challenges. Katherine Troyer, professor for the Monsters FYE, spoke about the steps she is taking to encourage class engagement. “We have a shared Google Drive. I started doing this in spring, and I’m going to do it forevermore. I’m using the chat feature a lot more. My students team teach with me for a day. They lead the class with an activity, thesis, and all of that for 20 to 30 minutes,” said Troyer. Professors have also found new teaching opportunities in this largely online format. “One thing a lot of people have been taking advantage of is that we don’t have to pay as much for guest speakers and it’s a lot easier for them,” said Troyer. Another unique byproduct of this semester is the early end to FYEs. The FYEs will be wrapping up right before Thanksgiving break. The administrators ultimately decided to end the FYEs early, but the professors can give Education professor DAVID HELLER teaches a Tiger-Flex class of remote and in-person FYE students. This teaching method has its pros and its their takes on the reasoning. drawbacks, and many professors face a difficult decision when coming to decide whether they want to include an in-person element to their course. “I think the idea is that [first-years] could photo by CLAIRE SAMMONS have the whole FYE in-person experience and be done before the transition to online,” said adds time to the break and I won’t have to would have made the process much easier,” earnest, hardworking students that Trinity Bauser McBrien. study during Thanksgiving,” said Theuret. said Theuret. has. Despite the very hard semester and From the students’ perspective, this On the other hand, what college student FYEs are meant to challenge first-years, feeling overwhelmed, [teaching Monsters] is decision has benefits and drawbacks. What does not want more time to work on an but more than ever before, this semester one of the few beacons for me, and I hope it college student does not enjoy having assignment? “Looking back, I had time to challenged their resilience. is for the students,” said Troyer. something taken off their plate? “I’m glad it finish everything, but a couple more weeks “FYE students are some of the most INSTA-POSIUM MEET THE How are you feeling about the election results? TRINITONIAN

@antonella.ella Hopeful STAFF AND GRAB

@gabriel_ odom It’s not a win for either side, but I’m happy Joe has a NEWSPAPER chance to fix things.

@alexmegmoriarty FRIDAY As long as the current president leaves when told to, I’m thrilled. MORNING OUTSIDE OF @untitled_dork Really good. Granted, I’m not a Biden supporter, but hopefully this will lead the way for better leaders. COATES NOVEMBER 13, 2020 • TRINITONIAN.COM ARTS 9 Kobe Patterson releases “We Were Never Meant to Get Here” Trinity student and local musician releases album that talks about finding himself

KAYLA PADILLA | EDITOR-IN-CHIEF exact moment it really developed. I remember [email protected] one time when I was like 6 or 7, I got in trouble for running up on stage at church, snatching the mic and proceeding to sing “Brick House” by Kobe Patterson, local artist and Trinity The Commodores. Probably not the best song student, recently released his new album, “We to sing in church; my mother did not appreciate Were Never Meant to Get Here.” I sat down my performance at all. In all seriousness though, with Patterson to discuss his music journey this has been at times an unhealthy life long and most recent project. obsession for me, so I think I always knew deep How many albums/songs have you released down this is what I wanted to do for the rest of in your music career, and can you give us my life, even though I didn’t know exactly how background on your music journey and how that would look or how I would get there. you got to where you are? What would you say to other up and So I’ve released a couple of EPs and a few coming musical artists? singles before this project. It’s all really fun stuff This is going to sound cliche but in all that I enjoyed and learned a lot in the process of KOBE PATTERSON both sings and plays guitar during a live performance in front of a full audience. honesty I’ll repeat the good ol’ 10,000 hours making, but listening to those songs now feels photo provided by KOBE PATTERSON bit. I’m talking about actually putting in 10,000 like looking at old pictures of yourself. so they hours though, not just talking about it as a might have to get taken off of streaming at some and once I got to high school I had discovered overwhelmed by a lot of other stuff going on in my motivational phrase like dudes do at the gym. point in the future. Garageband on my dads old Macbook and began life. PS I tried for like a day and quickly realized Just practice your craft whatever it may be, even I’d say my musical journey started when I making beats for some of my rapper buddies in giving up on music just simply can’t happen. The when you don’t feel the motivation to get up and was a kid strapped into a car seat in my mom’s school. Senior year, I met an artist/musician album is called We Were Never Meant to Get do it you have to clock in and put in the hours. old Ford Explorer; I used to be just absolutely that I now consider to be a friend/mentor, and Here and even though I didn’t realize I was doing Also I’d stress the importance of networking. I’ve obsessed with pretty much whatever she’d put he convinced me to kind of put all my skills so while writing it, it is definitely an album all noticed a lot of creatives have really big egos or are on the radio. My dad put me on to The Eagles together and try to write my own music. That about location. It’s inspired by all the different just very protective of their brand so sometimes when I was 9 or 10, and once I heard the guitar was a real turning point for me. I started writing, places you can find yourself in, physically, they present themselves as unapproachable. I’d solo at the end of “Hotel California,” I was dead producing, and recording all of my stuff in my emotionally, and spiritually. That sounds corny advise against that one. Meet as many people as set on becoming a guitar player. I’m so blessed to bedroom and in dorm rooms at Trinity, and here but it’s ok, the album is definitely a reflection on you can, work with as many people as you can, have super supportive parents that caved under we are with an album under the belt! where I found myself at that time in my life.” do stuff for other people (yes, even if it’s for free) my consistent nagging for a guitar, so around the What inspired this album? What inspired your passion for music, and because you never know what might come from same time they bought me a little starter guitar This ones easy... being big sad in Thomas 668 when did you know this is what you wanted an opportunity. It takes a team to really do the and (this makes me feel old) I’ve been playing my sophomore year here at Trinity. I was 100% to do? music thing at a high level, so make sure you’re for over a decade now. I taught myself how to on the struggle bus that year, to the point where I really want to say the passion has always making moves to surround yourself with that play guitar and a few other instruments over time I considered giving up music because I was so been there. Or maybe I just can’t remember the team of people. 10 TRINITONIAN.COM • NOVEMBER 13, 2020 • ARTS The beauty of sampling sounds and songs within music Sampling pieces from existing songs for a track has impacted hip-hop music in many meaningful ways

CARMINE VILLAREAL | ARTS REPORTER advantage of preexisting songs. [email protected] After realizing the frequency to which musicians sample other artists, I have found After Daft Punk’s “Harder, Better, Faster, myself overly aware of a song’s composition Stronger” has stuck with millions, it is a whenever I listen to music in an attempt to perfect example of how impacting sampling detect a sample. It is common practice for can be. For the longest time, I was under me to stop whatever new song my friends the impression that the beat and melody are playing, obsess over a certain aspect of were originally created by Daft Punk. a song because it sounds like something However, after a binging slew of many I have heard before, and then waste too “Did you know this song sampled THIS much mental energy trying to pinpoint the song?” videos, I realized the song’s hook was exact song or sound that was being used. built off a really obscure and hypnotizing I even have a Spotify playlist dedicated to sample. Edwin Birdsong’s 1979 jazz-funk cataloguing samples I detect. It is always song, “Cola Bottle Baby” is responsible for a memorable experience because it makes the infectious bassline found in “Harder.” me realize how often sampling is employed I highly recommend listening to this song and how often it goes overlooked due to its and comparing them side-by-side for a good subtlety. example of one form of sampling. On top To elaborate on the versatility of of that, Kanye West samples Daft Punk’s sampling, I will delve into some of my “Harder” in his hit-track “Stronger.” Both of favorite uses of it. these songs are absolutely amazing in their own right, and seeing them so intertwined Gangsta’s Paradise by Coolio makes me respect each other’s ear for An undeniably monumental and illustration by composition more. beautiful composed track, Coolio’s Sampling-the act of taking pieces from “Gangsta’s Paradise” heavily samples GRACEN HOYLE an existing song, recording, or sound and “Pastime Paradise” by Stevie Wonder. This recreating it in your own track-in music, one was striking to realize, just because especially hip-hop, has changed the way of how direct the sampling was and how many listen to and make music. Although Coolio still managed to transform it into many contend that such a direct imitation of his own meaningful anthem. someone else’s work is stealing, the ear and samples “Don’t Explain” by Helen Merill for No More Parties in LA by Kanye West Crazy by Gnarls Barkley finesse needed to transform a sample requires the chords, beat, keys, and occasional vocals. This classic is rich with samples, the a control mastery rarer than one might What is one of the most instantly most noticeable and direct one being “Suzie expect. The limits of what sampling allows recognizable songs, “Crazy” by Danger Mouse The Next Episode by Dr. Dre Thundertussy” by Junie Morrison. Also, you to do are overwhelmingly boundless: and Cee-lo Green samples the song, melody, “The Next Episode” samples “The Kanye West is credited with usage over 2490 from taking something as small as a drum and chord structure of “Last Men Standing” Edge” by David McCallum for the famous samples throughout his discography. break or an otherwise overlooked sound to by Gianfranco and Gian Piero Reverberi. introduction. “The Next Episode” has been Check out whosampled.com to see Workin Out by JID taking the vocals and chord and chopping sampled in over 80 songs. if any of your favorite songs have used it around, sampling allows one to take full A melodic and calm song, JID beautifully a sample. More than likely, they have. Trinity University’s dance group the Prowlers keep practicing The Prowlers transition to socially distant and Zoom practices, providing an outlet to express themselves

JORDYN GUZMAN | ARTS REPORTER will be having a virtual secret Santa party to [email protected] celebrate and bond as a team.” If not for COVID-19, clubs, teams, Members attribute the art of dance to be and classes would be in full swing. Due therapeutic in a sense. Though COVID-19 to organizations having to adapt to may impact the format in which they are new guidelines and make adjustments able to dance, the fact that they are able to accordingly, many organizations have been dance as a team remains constant, even if split in two. Those who are learning in they are not physically together. person, and those who opt for a remote “I think that it’s a really great outlet for option. This has been no different for the having some sense of normalcy,” junior Beth Prowlers as they have made the transition Bachman said. “I spend most days sitting into the ‘new normal.’ in front of my computer, as many people “Practices have been different but good,” are. Especially on the days where we are Rachel Peters, senior and Prowlers co- meeting in person, even though we are social captain said. “It’s just great to get to dance in distancing and wearing masks, it’s still really a group setting again even if it’s over Zoom.” nice to be in a room with other people and The Prowlers have made safety an just moving your body. You know, sometimes important priority for their meetings. They Prowler SOPHIA HEDLEY is a first-year. RACHEL PETERS is a senior and captain of the Prowlers dance team. you just have to run across a room and do a photos by KATE NUELLE have been hosting their in-person practices bunch of leaps. And just having that as an since early October and their virtual practices outlet has been really helpful for my health.” have been happening since September. For Zoom has been able to garner a few concerns distancing and computer screens, the morale Just like other forms of art, dance allows the dancers who are on campus, they are, from the team. could fluctuate. for expressionist and interpretive flair. Just of course, held accountable for following “Zoom is pretty much the same as “Dancing in a dorm room is not the like an artist placing emotion into each the university’s health guidelines in order to practicing in person,” senior Tiki Selvan easiest, but doable,” first-year Emma Turner stroke of a paintbrush, dance allows for continue meeting. said. “It’s a little different to where you could said, “I would say the most difficult part members of the Prowlers to convey their “Once we received approval from the experience connectivity issues sometimes. At for me is just getting to know the other emotion while doing something that they all school, we started doing in person practices,” the same time, you get to see your friends. members. As for the team, being my first enjoy, whether it be on the floor of the Bell first-year Sophia Hedley said. “Before Of course it’s different seeing them in year, I’m not entirely sure what normal Center or on the floor of their homes. practice we have to complete the TU health person. Sometimes I dance here in my room, really means, so I can’t say exactly how this “Dance is different for every person,” screening and present our green badge. but I have no space. And in typical dance transition has been challenging.” Bachman said. “I’d say for me personally, Everyone dances six feet apart. We also have practices there is a lot more people there, so Though the new normal for The Prowlers it’s about beauty, and finding that beauty to practice with our masks on, which can you feel a lot more anxious because you’re isnt exactly ideal, their current method of in yourself, in your body, and finding that be quite uncomfortable, but is worth it for by yourself.” practicing seems to be supported by the connection between your body, your mind, the sake of health and safety. After practice Along with the technicalities that notion that dance is something that can and your soul. Oftentimes we can feel just we disinfect the studio, and we repeat the come with making the in-person to Zoom bring people together in and of itself. stuck in one place or not really living life. process every week.” transition, there is also emotional aspects “It’s definitely been hard to feel that bond But when I’m dancing, it’s like an expression For the remote members, their option that arise as well. The majority of clubs we have between our members since we are of whatever emotions I’m feeling and get it to connect through Zoom is very similar and teams can say that there is a bond not practicing as much and we’re spread out. It’s a lot of things for different people.” to what practicing in person would have between the members that is familial in a apart,” Peters said. “But, we’ve had a few in store for them. But like so many of us, sense. But with the team divided by social social events like Netflix Party nights and we TRINITONIAN.COM • NOVEMBER 13, 2020 SPORTS 11 At long last, sports on the verge of returning to Trinity Schedules for spring seasons are currently being finalized by SCAC, SAA

ALEJANDRA GERLACH | SPORTS REPORTER Trinity or the CDC, or whatever it is — San they aren't super close, they are the closest ones Trinity, according to Head Football Coach, [email protected] Antonio even—it's hard to say whether or not in the conference for football. And so they're Jerheme Urban. we can get on a plane and come back without able to do those on bus trips, instead of, you “We actually put together a schedule here. As the end of the year draws to a close being quarantined, and so they tried to come know, flying to Georgia to play Berry or flying And we presented it to the conference. And and the spring semester moves ever closer, up with a schedule that was as regional as they to Kentucky to play Centre, you kind of have the conference actually selected the Trinity the prospect of sports returning to Trinity could get it for such a geographically diverse eliminated some of that. And so it made it a schedule, to be the model that we would go off is looking more and more real. Both the conference,” Parker explained. “And so you little more feasible for the schools to be able to of conference wide. So you know, we kind of Southern Athletic Association (SAA) and know, you end up playing Austin College play that kind of a schedule.” put together the East-West split, talked about the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference a couple times in this proposal. You play The tentative schedule in question where we would meet for your fifth game, kind (SCAC) have approved tentative schedules Hendrix in Arkansas, and you play I believe proposed to the SAA President’s Council and of conference championship weekend type of for play to resume in the spring, which are Millsaps in Mississippi, which even though selected by the conference was developed by a deal,” said Urban. currently in the process of being finalized. The SAA schedule does not apply to The tentative schedule approved by the Trinity’s other 17 sports, which are all a part SAA’s Council of Presidents for football is of SCAC. Similarly to SAA, SCAC is in the a season that would take place in February. process of putting together schedules for all Because the schedule has only been approved of their sports, including the winter and fall on a tentative basis, it is still subject to change sports that did not get to play this semester. based on what restrictions will be in place The prospect of putting together a schedule for closer to February and how many schools Spring 2021 presents some unique challenges. in the conference choose to commit to the The first, according to Parker, is NCAA schedule on Dec. 1st. requirements which can vary depending on Some earmarks of the modified schedule whether a sport is categorized as high risk, would be a shorter-than-normal season, in medium risk, or low risk. which teams would play four games against The second is an attempt to minimize regional teams designated by an East-West contact between teams for safety. According to split. The top two teams from each region Parker, the latest proposal as of Nov. 6th would would then play each other for the conference have teams playing each other multiple times championship. Justin Parker, the Associate in a row. Where a normal season of volleyball Director of Athletics and Sports Information or basketball would have the Trinity team play Director, explained the logic behind opponents from one school on a Friday and this choice. a different team on Saturday, the proposed “With the SAA being so spread out schedule would have Trinity playing the same geographically, a lot of times it would be harder Players on the Trinity football team workout in the Sports Performance Center (SPC). The Tigers team on both Friday and Saturday. on our teams to get on a plane right now with are attempting to play a shortened spring season after their games in the fall were canceled. all the COVID restrictions. Whether it be photo by KATE NUELLE continued on PAGE 20 Thanksgiving and NFL unite yet again in 2020 Opinion: Turkey and football have made for a perfect pair since 1869

to build their fanbase. That game broke fewer passes. Garrett threw 311 yards on attendance records with over 80,000 fans 15 completions, whereas Favre threw for illustration by GRACEN HOYLE GAIL HODGES GRADY in the stadium. The Cowboys have played 247 yards on 27 completions. Garrett SPORTS REPORTER on all but two Thanksgivings. In 2006, went onto become the Cowboys head [email protected] the NFL added a third game to the lineup, coach in 2010, but he made a little history which is not fixed to any specific team. well before then. In 1989, the NFL introduced the This Thanksgiving, the Houston Turkey Leg Award. The award was first Texans will play the Detroit Lions, the For many families, watching football given by John Madden to Eagles defensive Washington Football Team will play on Thanksgiving has become just as much end Reggie White. Today, the Turkey Leg the Dallas Cowboys and the Baltimore of a tradition as the meal itself. Football Award is presented to the MVP or MVPs Ravens will play the Pittsburgh Steelers. brings families together in late November of the Thanksgiving Day primetime There are plenty of games, so take some to cheer on their favorite team while matchup. After the game, you can often time between rounds of food to enjoy a stuffing themselves with delicious food. see players eating their turkey leg on TV, little football. Thanksgiving football was actually highlighting the holiday spirit after a once a tradition in high schools and competitive game. colleges across the United States. Historically, there have been some President Abraham Lincoln named exciting matchups on Thanksgiving. In Thanksgiving a national holiday in 1863, 2005, the Denver Broncos and the Dallas and the first Thanksgiving Day game Cowboys played and were tied 21-21 was actually played in Philadelphia in before overtime. After the Broncos won the 1869 between Rutgers University and coin toss, on the second play of overtime, Princeton University. backup running back, Ron Dayne, had a Thanksgiving Day Football in the 55-yard run, which allowed the Broncos National Football League actually to win the game with a field goal on the started in 1934 after George Richard had next play. purchased the Portsmouth Spartans and In 1998, the Detroit Lions and the moved them to Detroit, where they became Pittsburgh Steelers had a close game the Detroit Lions. Richard realized that in overtime. During the overtime coin the city was not as excited about football toss, Jerome Bettis, one of the Steelers’ as they were about baseball, so he started captains, mumbled heads/trails during the the Thanksgiving Day Football Matchup. coin toss, and the referee didn’t hear what The Lions played the Chicago Bears, and he actually said, so the Lions got the ball after that, Thanksgiving football became first, which allowed the Lions to win. a tradition in Detroit and in cities across Lastly, the Dallas Cowboys and the the United States. The Lions have played Green Bay Packers played in 1994 on on every Thanksgiving since then with the Thanksgiving. With the first and second exception of World War II. string quarterback injured, Jason Garrett In 1966, the Dallas Cowboys hosted was able to lead the Cowboys to victory, their first Thanksgiving Day game as a way throwing more yards than Brett Favre with 12 SPORTS • NOVEMBER 13, 2020 • TRINITONIAN.COM Trinity sports anticipate a return in spring of 2021

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According to Parker, the logic behind this choice is that on any given weekend, those two teams are the only ones in contact with one another, so that if a problem occurs it won’t impact all the teams in that sport. An added difficulty is that — best case scenario — we will see all 18 sports played at the same time. As of now, spring sports have not been canceled or affected by the pandemic, so they will have a regular season alongside the shorter seasons of fall and winter sports. The obvious conflict that comes to mind are sports like basketball and volleyball, which use the same facilities, and will require extra consideration when putting schedules together. The other conflict is a scarcity of resources. Parker anticipates that due to budget cuts schools are less likely to send additional personnel to away games, so Trinity staff may have to juggle in order to cover all the games at once. The game day experience may look different in the spring, with toned down broadcast coverage and minimal announcing because teams will have to share resources. With these challenges, a realistic time Several Trinity football players listen to directions from an assistant coach during a workout. frame to expect sports schedules to be The SAA and SCAC are both currently finalizing plans for spring schedules across sports. released is by Thanksgiving, according to photo by KATE NUELLE Parker. “I think what we’re trying, what we’re here’s when the games are going to be, here’s “I am extremely excited to be playing football shooting for, is kind of before Thanksgiving, when we’re going to start,” Parker stated. again even though it’s in the spring and a shorter Players on the Trinity football team work out because that’s kind of the endpoint for you Even with these challenges, the prospect season. […] Regardless of when the season occurs in the Sports Performance Center (SPC) at safe know, everybody’s supposed to go home at of sports returning is exciting for the staff or the length, I’m just happy to be out on the distances from one another. Dividers between that point. And I think we want to send at the Department of Athletics and for the field with my brothers enjoying the game I love,” machines went up across the Bell Center this fall. everyone off with the knowledge of like, student-athletes. said Caleb Crawford, sophomore wide receiver. photo by KATE NUELLE Baseball hopes to have uninterrupted spring season After COVID-19 halted play last March, Tigers are eager to be back on the field practicing

PAIGE WALLACE | SPORTS REPORTER throwing live to hitters. These scrimmages what we can control and putting in the work that this still depends on the COVID-19 [email protected] have only been going on for the last week, this fall so that we can be ready to go with situation, but the SCAC is hopeful that they but it has been great to face live pitchers whatever cards we are dealt for the spring will be able to safely move forward with again," said senior infielder Jack Wisniewski. season," said Fronk. these schedules. When the country came to a screeching The team typically closes out their As the spring season approaches, things With so much uncertainty, it is impossible halt in March, the Trinity baseball team fall season with a Fall World Series. are still very much up in the air about what for anyone to know what the spring will saw their 2020 season end abruptly just Thomas elaborates on what this entailed that will actually look like. The Southern look like. Baseball has no answers, but they as conference play was set to start. Nearly pre-pandemic. Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC) are hopeful and want the chance to get to nine months later, they are finally back on "It is normally over four days. We play released a report with a spring 2021 schedule play their regular season. the field and are hopeful for a spring season five games against each other in teams that for fall sports such as volleyball and men's "For now, we are working hard to follow in 2021. are split up. It is usually a very competitive and women's soccer. This involves a smaller the guidelines, stay healthy, and keep While baseball is technically a spring and fun time out there. Lots of parents come conference-only schedule without an practicing so we are ready whenever we are sport, it's typical to see them practicing out and support the team, thus making it NCAA championship. The report explains able to start games," said Wisniewski. during the fall. Baseball usually begins their normally a great environment. As far as I fall off-season training when school starts in know, this year, it will be November 12-15," August. They then transition to captain-led said Thomas. practices throughout September and finally With the way the team has progressed head into official coach-led practices in late through Trinity's phased plan, they will still October through Thanksgiving break. be able to hold the World Series. They might "COVID has thrown a wrench in pretty have to make some COVID-19 adjustments, much everything we do. We have been able such as the removal of fans. to start practicing in mid-October and have "We are hoping to get [the World Series] certainly made the most out of those," said in right before we leave for Thanksgiving senior pitcher Matt Thomas. break. It will be good to be able to play According to senior pitcher Carter what feels like a real game for the first time Fronk, while field practices began in mid- since spring. Our team will break into October, the team had been able to start two sides, and we will likely play five full lifting in September. games against each other. This is the typical "We were split up into two main groups, structure for our Fall World Series. I have with multiple 'pods' of four or less within heard that the plan is to record the games the two main groups to stay under the so that our friends and family can watch the capacity set in the Sports Performance live stream," said Wisniewski. Center (SPC)," said Fronk. COVID-19 has required that everyone Once they were cleared to begin field make adjustments in all aspects of life, but activities, they started working in groups Fronk believes the team has stepped up to of 10-12 doing more specialized drills. meet the challenges presented. Most of this semester has been focused on "I think everyone has handled the conditioning and individual skills work. The situation very well. Before we could meet team is currently lifting three times a week as a team, guys were trusted to get their and practicing three times a week as well. work done on their own, and I believe "We have just been moved into phase everyone did so. Now that we've started three, which means our practice sessions practices again, though, everyone is excited Head baseball coach TIM SCANNELL looks on as assistant head coach ANDREW WATERS throws batting can go a bit longer, and we are able to run just to have the opportunity to go out and practice during a workout. The Tigers hope to complete their annual Fall World Series and play this spring. a full scrimmage atmosphere, with pitchers compete. We're just focused on controlling photo by KATE NUELLE