Volume CVIII Issue 3 Published since 1915

• August 26, 2021
• xaviernewswire.com

@xavier.newswire

Fiat justitia, ruat caelum

XU mandates vaccines for spring

As COVID-19 cases spike, T a sk Force discusses further restrictions

bor Day weekend coming up,” es to,” he said.

BY ALEX BUDZYNSKI AND HUNTER ELLIS

• Coleman stated.
• In general, students were

Additionally, the university not surprised by the recent will likely refine its Zoom pol- surge.

Editor-in-Chief and Multi- media Managing Editor

icy, reintroducing hybrid and online options.
“I wish it wasn’t that way, but we’re now in this situation
Xavier is now requiring all students to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 prior to the Spring semester as announced in yesterday’s campus-wide message from Dr. Colleen Hanycz, president. This update comes as Xavier is experiencing a surge in positive cases, consistent with national trends.
“I received a proposal this where off campus students evening for how we’re going are having a COVID-19 spike to pivot to potentially offer- and we need to be aware of ing a Zoom option as we did our actions,” Kirby said. last semester, but only for stu-
“We’re seeing no indicadents that are in quarantine tion of spread in classrooms or isolation due to COVID… on campus or in other facilithat’s going to be the number ties on campus so that’s really one item on the Task Force’s good news,” Coleman elaboagenda (this) morning when rated. we meet.”
Following guidance from

Newswire photo by Desmond Fischer

• According to the email
• Coleman noted that stu- the Centers for Disease Con-

message, this protocol follows think it’s important that they tract the virus,” Coleman said. dents can expect to hear about trol and Prevention and Tri-

• full Food and Drug Adminis- are required for the spring.”
• Coleman noted that al- these changes by the end of Health officials, vaccinated in-

• tration (FDA) approval of a
• In contrast, senior biomed- though there are more break- this week via the Provost’s of- dividuals will only be required

COVID-19 vaccine. With this ical science major Jayla Co- through cases than expected, fice. announcement, Xavier be- pland did not agree with the it is still imperative that stuto quarantine for 10 days if
Dean of Students Jean they are symptomatic or until comes the first institution in decision.

• the Greater Cincinnati region
• “I don’t think the vaccine is

to mandate the COVID-19 right, because it is your body are vaccinated and are getting actions in order to prevent ic students are not required to dents receive a vaccine.
“Most of the students that for students to change their sult. Inoculated, asymptomat-
Griffin emphasized the need they receive a negative test revaccine. This requirement and your choice,” she said. does not apply to university employees. the virus are experiencing further restrictions from the quarantine, even if they are a
According to Coleman, stu- mild to no symptoms... The university. close contact.

• dents with medical and reli- vaccine never said that you
• “I really hope we can make

This year, Manor House
Chair of the COVID-19 gious stipulations will be ex- wouldn’t get sick. What it the changes we need to make has returned to regular res-

• Task Force Jeff Coleman clar- empt from the mandate.
• said was you wouldn’t get as voluntarily... if it doesn’t idential housing, while the

• This announcement comes sick or end up in the hospital,” work, I think we have... to University Apartments re-
• ified how the vaccine mandate

• will be enforced.
• after a week and a half of Coleman remarked.
• look at what additional expec- main quarantine housing.

• “In order to register for classes and at a time when
• According to the Task tations we might have (to) put However, the majority of cas-

spring classes on Oct. 18, Xavier is seeing a spike in pos- Force, the vaccine require- into place,” she said. students have to show proof itive tests, despite 77% of stu- ment has nothing to do with “The variant is starting tified in off-campus students.

• of their first shot. Then, By dents being fully vaccinated. to be pretty prevalent in our
• the spike in cases.

In her message, Hanycz

• Jan. 3, students have to show
• According to the most “That decision had been community… (it) has created emphasized the power of vac-

es in this surge are being idenproof that they’ve been ful- recent data shared on the made a while back, but we a concerning reality. It is con- cinations, identifying them as ly vaccinated, otherwise they COVID-19 Dashboard, Xavi- were waiting for FDA ap- cerning to see the cases rise as critical tools in battling the will be withdrawn from their er is experiencing one of the proval to make an official an- quickly as they have,” Griffin pandemic that is not over. classes,” Coleman said.
Students expressed mixed the start of the pandemic, clarified. highest surges in cases since nouncement on it,” Coleman continued.
“(It) is especially critical as
Coleman noted that a num- we are now experiencing, nareactions about the vaccine with 86 active, positive cases requirement. Junior exercise as of this Tuesday.
However, students can ex- ber of positive cases have tionally, significant numbers pect more changes in the com- been traced to large off-cam- of ‘breakthrough’ infections science major Iain Kirby was pleased to receive the an- stated that cases are being re- rise in positive cases.

• nouncement.
• ported in vaccinated and un- “We’re looking at strength-

• “As someone who is going vaccinated students.
• ening and expanding the mask contact tracing, a majority port those needs best by (re-

• to be a future healthcare pro-
• “We’re seeing more break- mandate to more indoor spac- (of positive cases) have been quiring vaccines). This com-

The campus message also ing days in response to the pus gatherings, which could among those who have been be resulting in the spike. fully vaccinated... we remain
“As we were doing our convinced that we will sup-

vider, it’s hard for me to un- through cases than we had es. (We’re encouraging) social traced to three or four large munity has done extremely derstand other people who anticipated… in our planning distancing wherever you can. social events — house par- well to support our students don’t want to get the vaccine. for this semester we assumed Try to keep group gatherings ties. There was also an event and one another through this However, for the greater good if 80% of students were vac- to a reasonable number. Be at Stones Lanes recently that global pandemic. This is but of the Xavier community, I cinated, they would not con- aware, especially with the La- we’ve traced a number of cas- another chapter in that book.”

In this issue...

• Opinions, Page 4
• Campus, Page 2
• Sports, Page 6
• A&E, Page 7

A guest writer for the

Newswire implores us

to legalize all drugs in the United States.

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duces himself as the newest member of the CFJ.

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cer team crushes the competition in their opening matches.
Sports Editor Joe Clark

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Campus News

August 26, 2021 xaviernewswire.com

2

CFJ adds new Protestant chaplain

Rev. Justin West joins the CFJ, bringing knowledge and a positive outlook

justice-based discussions and events for local students of color.
He was able to welcome those students into his home, which “was a dream I had; that I want to be able to not only offer support as a staff member but invite students into my life too.”

BY TESS BREWER

6WDৼꢀ:ULWHUꢀ

Reverend Justin West has joined the Center for Faith and Justice (CFJ) as the new Protestant chaplain, as well as the new Faith and Race Program Director.
He has embraced involvement on campus and is eager to start conversations with students about “faith, race, life — and the intersection of all three.”
Before coming to Xavier, West was involved in the Chicago area as a youth minister in a local church and also directed nonprofit youth programs. While he has had sues, adding that he looks forexperience working as a stu- ward to “being able to support dent leader in the past, work- the African American student ing with students at a college population and journey with campus is a new environment them.” He is also excited by in which he is eager to take the initiatives and programs
Outside of his work at
Xavier, he is also a PhD student in African American Preaching and Sacred Rhetoric. He strives to teach in higher education, whether at Xavier or somewhere beyond.
As a new staff member,
West believes his perspective allows him to relate to firstyear students uniquely. He shared a senior student reflection he had heard at Common Ground that moved him.
“The wisdom that (the senior) shared to first-years… to keep an open mind, allowing yourself room to change and grow and evolve… I think that’s important for students to know,” he said. “If students are searching for a community to do that, there are groups and staff members across campus that want to ensure that holistic wellbeing and to support that evolution.”

Photo courtesy of xavier.edu

Xavier’s Center for Faith and Justice added Rev. Justin West as the Protestant chaplain over the summer. Rev. West will also assist the Dorothy Day Center for Faith and Justice as the Faith & Race Program Director.

and a vast array of societal involvement in general. divisions present unique challenges.
“I want students to feel supported, cared for and to
“There are challenges, but have a sense of freedom to exthere are also opportunities to plore the issues that concern imagine: to imagine new pro- them,” he added. “To feel like gramming, to imagine new empowered faith leaders who work with students and with can partner with each other to part.
“This is new ground. This is new territory… I feel pas- is committed to holding and sionate about education and the work that they are comlearning, and I see that as a mitted to doing was… even component to this position,” more exciting,” West said. offered in the CFJ.
“The values that the (CFJ)

• co-workers,” West said.
• bring about a transformation

He said he can feel a great at Xavier, in their lives and in sense of potential present in the wider Cincinnati commuthe support that he has re- nity.”

• West said.
• In his short time on cam-
• ceived, with “the ability to

envision and not have to fit a ipating in these intense con-

• specific mold.”
• versations with students. A

West takes pride in partic-
He was drawn to Xavier for pus, he has felt welcomed by the open position not only for both staff and students. the pastoral role, also for the opportunity to bridge two as- of the Xavier community, pects of his service: race and West says he has gained a faith.

• In talking with members
• West currently leads Com- highlight of his recent minis-

mon Ground, a non-denom- terial experiences included an inational protestant worship opportunity to host students service offered every Sunday. from the Fred Shuttlesworth He discussed some of his Leadership Team, a group goals for this program and his that facilitates faith and social
Rev. West will lead a non-

• better idea of the need for his
• denominational
• Common

He described himself as position; the change in Xavi-
“passionate” about these is- er’s leadership, the pandemic
Ground service this Sunday at 8 p.m. in Clock Tower Lounge.

HUB no longer requires masks when working out

the safety and wellness of working out. Proper proto-

• themselves and others.
• col when exercising includes

Despite the change from maintaining six feet of dismandatory to optional mask- tance from others, sanitizing ing at the HUB, students are equipment following use and strongly encouraged to follow wearing a mask if not vacciCOVID-19 guidelines when nated. want to wear a mask,” student worker Valerie Workman said.
“But, of course, no one has to disclose their vaccination status (at the HUB), so it’s really up to them whether they choose to wear a mask or not,” Workman commented. “They know the risks at this point of not wearing a mask.”
“All workers at the HUB are required to wear a mask during their shift. That includes anyone who works at the front desk, all the administration, group fitness instructors (and) personal trainers,” Workman added.
Group fitness classes will limit the number of students per class, depending on the class’s location. Currently, the Persist Studio will allow up to 20 students per class, the Transform Studio will allow 36 and the Balance Studio will allow 43.
Interested students are encouraged to pre-register for group fitness classes through EngageXU to ensure they have a spot. Pre-registration will be available 48 hours before each class, and walk-ins will be accepted only when the pre-registration spots have not been filled. Students participating in group fitness classes should continue to use caution and follow public health guidelines to maintain

August 23, 2021
Student Government
Association Meeting Recap

COURTESY OF CHLOE SALVESON

‡ꢀ There have been recent changes to Xavier’s quarantine and isolation policies. Quarantine is not required for vaccinated, asymptomatic students and is two days shorter. Faculty have been advised to work with students who are in quarantine or isolation.

Newswire photo by Desmond Fischer

The HUB is no longer requiring students to wear a mask while working out. The decision was rolled out on Aug. 19 by Xavier’s COVID-19 Task Force.

using the facilities and continue to wear a mask if they are not vaccinated.

BY IVY LEWIS

Guest Writer

Xavier University’s Health
United Building (HUB) recently announced that students will not be required to wear a mask while exercising in the Recreation Center. This comes as a response to evolving guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on masking indoors.
The decision was guided by the COVID-19 Task Force and went into effect last Friday. The task force encourages students to visit the HUB during non-peak hours, remain socially distanced when
Due to the high risk of transmission posed by the COVID-19 Delta variant, students and faculty will still be required to wear masks in all on-campus classrooms, lab spaces and offices.
Student employees at the
HUB were somewhat conflicted but agreed that vaccinated people deserve to choose whether they wear a mask.
“Personally, as an employee, I can see both sides to the argument. At this point a lot of people are vaccinated, so I think they should have the choice whether or not they

‡ꢀ Jean Griffin, dean of students, spoke with
SGA regarding the surge in COVID-19 cases and a possible vaccine mandate, as the Pfizer vaccine was granted full Food and Drug Administration approval.

‡ꢀ The outdoor basketball court situation will be evaluated by a task force of student leaders, faculty and staff in coming weeks.

‡ꢀ A permanent pass/fail policy is under assessment.

• August 26, 2021
• @xaviernewswire

U.S. & World News

Bomb threat scare at U.S. Capitol³

Roseberry spoke of “revolution” in a ꢀve hour standoꢁ with Capitol police

preme Court, the Cannon

BY TYLER CLIFTON

6WDৼꢀ:ULWHU

House Building and the offices of the Republican National Committee were evacuated
The U.S. Capitol came under threat on Aug. 19 when Floyd Ray Roseberry claimed to have a bomb in his truck when approached by a Capitol police officer that morning. Roseberry was charged with threatening to use a weapon of mass destruction last Friday.
Roseberry drove onto the sidewalk in front of the Library of Congress at approximately 9:15 a.m. Sydney Bobb, a student who was walking to a class at the United Methodist Building on Capitol Hill, saw Rosenberry in his parked truck. during the threat. Following Roseberry’s arrest, buildings ended their evacuation protocols.
Both Congress and the
Supreme Court are in recess, meaning neither building required an evacuation.
The FBI has already released an affidavit in conjunction with their investigation into the threats. In the affidavit, an unnamed relative of Rosenberry’s explained that Rosenberry told him some details of his plans.
“(He) ordered a trench coat to protect him from Taser and pepper ball guns and he would just tip his cowboy hat at police,” the relative said.
“I look up, and I see a guy throwing ($1 bills) out of his truck,” she explained. “I hear him say, like, he had a bomb on him.”
Rosenberry had no history of criminal violence prior to his actions on Thursday, apart from traffic offenses and larce-

Photo courtesy of Flickr.com

Floyd Ray Roseberry drove to the Library of Congress and livestreamed his threats on Facebook. Claiming that there were four other bombs around D.C., Roseberry faces life in prison for his actions. His trial was postponed.

A nearly five hour standoff ensued, during which well as more than two pounds destruction charge, Roseberry Chief of Police Tom Manger ny charges years prior. Roseberry livestreamed on of the explosive ammo prac- could face life in prison. The noted that communication Facebook. While on the live- tice material Tannerite inside explosive device charge would was first achieved through Rosenberry as stream, Roseberry made sev- of his truck. mean up to 10 years in prison. whiteboards.

• eral threats towards President U.S. Capitol Police stated In the videos uploaded to
• Eventually, Roseberry left were no overt signs that he

Joe Biden and expressed his that, though they did not find Facebook during the standoff the truck and was taken into would commit violent acts.

• The sheriff
• described

• “sleeper
• a

case,” meaning that there

aim to start a revolution.
“The revolution is on. It’s find bomb-making materials. here. It’s today. America needs a voice. I’ll give it to them,” Magistrate Judge Zia Faruqui views, blamed Democrats for tactical units that were near- which caused his trial to be Roseberry said. charged Roseberry with at- the fallout of Afghanistan by surrendered without inci- postponed on Wednesday. He

• He also claimed that there tempting to use an explosive and demanded to speak with dent,” Manger said.
• told the judge deciding his

• a bomb in his car, they did — which have since been tak- custody.
• Roseberry’s family told re-

“He got out of the vehi- porters that he has a history
In a Friday hearing, U.S. expressed anti-government cle and surrendered, and the of mental health problems, en down by the platform — he were four other bombs around device and threatening to use Biden before he would considD.C. and that there were other a weapon of mass destruc- er standing down.
After he surrendered, Cap- case that he was put on new itol Police arrested and de- medication. This led the judge

• people involved.
• tion.

The judge said that, if con- made progress in the stand- D.C. jail.
Among others, the Su- mental stability.
Capitol Police gradually tained him without bail in a to postpone his trial for one
Roseberry also claimed to have a keg of gunpowder as victed of the weapon of mass off negotiations. U.S. Capitol month, citing concerns about