SUNDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2020 TheFamuanOnline.com Out of quarantine, RA doesn’t know how he tested positive Mariah Wiggs Staff Writer

There is a natural scare factor that “When he told our friend group, we comes with testing positive for COVID-19. were so shocked and sad,” senior Resident Not knowing where or when you could Assistant and close friend Ciara Brown have contracted the virus, or who you said. could have infected, leaves a trail of ques- Brown spent quite a bit of time with tions running through your head. Williams leading up to his results. With A&M University student Jairus the same testing requirements applying Williams had all these questions and more to her as a Resident Assistant, Brown got when he tested positive for COVID-19 on tested the day before. Her results came Sept. 9. back negative. “I was upset,” said Williams. “I felt According to Williams, all those he as- some type of way towards myself because sociated with came back with negative test out of all the precautionary measures I results. Not only that, those same friends tried to make sure I completed, I still man- took it upon themselves to look after him, aged to get COVID. I also knew that being in the safest way they could, while Wil- in quarantine meant being away from the liams was in quarantine. people I cared about and hung with daily.” “It was just my duty to do what a friend Williams was tested as part of a biweek- was supposed to do,” Brown said. “Jairus Photo courtesy Williams ly routine for all Resident Assistants on is my brother. If that was talking to him Jairus Williams experienced quarantine on campus after testing positive for COVID. FAMU’s campus. He received his results Photo courtesy Williams for hours on FaceTime or bringing him that Friday afternoon while working his food and having to drop it off in the weird- desk shift. With no immediate symptoms campus who test positive is for them Williams knew he would be taken care est ways because we had to stay distant. or harsh illnesses, Williams considered to quarantine in Palmetto North for 10 of moving forward; but he also felt the re- He is a super social person, so we had to himself asymptomatic — producing or consecutive days. Metz Food Services also sponsibility to inform those he was around Click to continue: showing no symptoms. provides meals throughout the day for leading up to his results. This way they http://www.thefamuanonline.com/2020/09/23/ The protocol for students living on each student. could get tested. out-of-quarantine-ra-doesnt-know-how-he-tested- positive/ 2 SUNDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2020 NEWS COVID and anxiety: Two sides of same coin Aolani Brown Layout Editor

Despite the novel coronavirus current- ly wrecking global havoc, a mischievous sidekick has tip-toed its way into our peripheral of wellness and into the bodies of people all over the world — anxiety. While the coronavirus has spread like wildfire with the pandemic’s death toll rising just above 1 million world-wide and 200,000 in this country, public anxiety is spreading even faster. COVID-19 has brought about a surge of psychosomatic illnesses with symptoms mirroring those of the virus itself. According to Patient.info, a psychoso- matic disorder is a“disease which involves both mind and body.” Physical ailments can be easily aggravated by an increase in mental unrest — something often associated with factors such as anxiety and stress. In an interview with The New York Times, Dr. Toni Goodykoontz, assistant professor of psychiatry for WVU Medi- cine, attributed many of the symptoms that adults claim to have to psychosomat- Photo courtesy Aolani Brown ic disturbances. The coronavirus pandemic has increased psychosomatic illness in those that suffer with anxiety. “Adults complain of things like head- A June 2020 scientific journal by Ste- Aside from these relations, there are illness that has manifested from their aches, fatigue, just a general feeling of fanie M. Jungmann and Michael Witthoft many symptoms shared by both general own thoughts and anxieties. unwellness,” Goodykoontz said. “Part of observed the correlations between anx- anxiety disorders and the coronavirus The Centers for Disease Control and it is patients will start to imagine that iety, cyberchondria (unfounded anxiety that could further aggravate the mental Prevention advises those struggling with they may have the virus, but most don’t that results from looking up illnesses on- state of someone suffering from a psycho- stress to take care of their emotional recognize that this is all a manifestation line), and COVID-19, and found positive somatic illness. and physical health, take breaks from of the fact that they are so overwhelmed associations. Chest pain, nausea, shortness of pandemic related news, and make time to and stressed by what’s going on.” “The findings suggest that trait health breath, chills, and headache are some of unwind. People struggling with anxiety during anxiety and cyberchondria serve as risk the symptoms that can be noted in both Understanding the facts and ignoring the coronavirus outbreak may find factors, whereas information about the a panic attack and a case of the novel the falsities regarding the coronavirus themselves in a harmful cycle, one in pandemic and adaptive emotion regu- coronavirus, according to Medical News can help make this time less stressful, which they stress about the virus and in lation might represent buffering factors Today. reduce harmful stigma, and protect one’s turn cause themselves to feel sick — thus for anxiety during a virus pandemic,” This dilemma leaves the question of psychosomatic state. increasing their anxiety. Jungmann and Witthoft found. what one could possibly do to combat an NEWS SUNDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2020 3 Some students desperate for more financial aid Ariyon Dailey Editor-in-Chief

There’s no question that Florida A&M side jobs for students just don’t cut it any- students still need the same amount more with the tuition prices of today. of funds that would’ve been granted On the other hand, transfer sopho- pre-coronavirus. more economics major Takayla Perry Now, the Office of Financial Aid is is an out-of-state student and says she allowing students to apply for additional thinks tuition prices should be lowered, assistance funding. due to the pandemic crisis. With travel and access to the phys- “That causes a lot of unnecessary ical campus limited due to COVID-19, stress, still having to pay the full amount. students are taking classes all across the Most of our classes are fully virtual, ” country. Some are learning from their Perry said. homes in Tallahassee or their home- Perry is active in the Transfer Student towns. Association and many of them, especially Even with location changes, tuition those from out of state, feel the same. prices remain the same. The tuition rate for out-of-state The additional financial assistance students living off campus is $33,996, will be awarded to students based upon according to FAMU’s Office of Financial the university’s objectives regarding Aid. recruitment, retention, diversity, service “The money would most definitely go and an applicant’s unmet financial need, toward them access codes. I still have to according to the electronic application. pay for it because my financial aid was Many students shared that the award delayed,” Perry said. could help them in multiple areas, if Perry explained how she lost money they’re lucky. after having to stay in her hometown Morgan Walton is a sophomore, public of Milwaukee, after being told students relations major who is having trouble cannot return after spring break in finding scholarships to assist in her March. She was forced to still pay her school fees. Photo by Ariyon Dailey rent and fees in Tallahassee, even though “It’s expensive to go to college and Four FAMU students with financial aid problems. she would be stuck in Milwaukee for four COVID is taking a lot of hits to finances, months. and band fees. about $7,300 and he’s only received about and I’m not on scholarship. I was advised Many students would like the addi- “Everything up here is expensive. I $3,000 in federal grants. to apply for it [additional financial assis- tional funding to go toward their rent, have a small little job but I don’t get much Hartfield’s situation is similar to most tance],” Walton said. class resources and tuition, but there tips and I don’t get any support financial- students with federal aid that only covers Walton is an in-state student paying are also expenses outside of the college ly from my family,” Hartfield said. a percent of what they owe. out of pocket and is forced to take out realm. Hartfield wants to receive any money According to Nerd Wallet Data Analyst loans. Ashley Laurent, a senior music indus- that can help and would like to purchase Elizabeth Renter, student loans now Damir Hartfield, a sophomore psy- try major, owes two medical bills that she items for his dorm like pots, a microwave make up a larger portion of how lower-in- chology major and member is saving to pay. and books for his classes. come students pay for college over federal who resides in FAMU Towers. He is Click to continue: To put things into perspective, Hart- grants. saddled with a meal plan, in-state tuition http://www.thefamuanonline.com/2020/09/20/ field says his total fees this semester are In the study, Renter explained how some-students-desperate-for-more-financial-aid/ 4 SUNDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2020 NEWS Students oppose DeSantis’ ‘anti-protest’ legislation Amari Jarrell Staff Writer Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has don’t understand why drivers who run are protesting for the many injustices proposed legislation that would bring their cars through [us] protesters are able at the hands of law enforcement for the criminal offenses of up to third-degree to get away with it. It’s very ironic that innocent lives lost. If this governor really felonies and jail time to anyone law en- this was included in this bill considering cared about stopping violence, why not forcement finds participating in disorder- that a driver ran his car through a crowd propose bills against those law enforce- ly assemblies and partaking in violence. of peaceful protesters and had not been ment officers, and holding them more DeSantis said the proposal, which is charged.” accountable for their actions.” called the Combatting Violence, Disor- In this bill, DeSantis stated that any DeSantis said the legislation will allow der and Looting and Law Enforcement local government which “slashes the bud- the state of Florida to use RICO liability Protection Act, would establish criminal get for law enforcement services” will not against anyone who organizes or funds penalties for actions such as obstructing be allowed any state grants or aid. these kinds of “disorderly assemblies.” traffic, destroying public property, pro- He makes it clear that “defunding the He said at a news conference in Polk testing without a permit and harassing a police” will not be tolerated. County that what was happening in person at a restaurant. This proposal would be the strictest Portland is an example of what not to do, The bill states that any driver who hits reaction in the country to ongoing pro- saying that it’s like a “carousel and on and a person who is obstructing traffic during tests and demonstrates. on it goes,” in reference to how the pro- an unpermitted protest will not be liable Taylor Jackson, a fourth year busi- testers get released with no charges being for injury or death “if fleeing from the ness administration studentat FAMU, brought against them, a continuous cycle. safety of a mob.” believes that this bill is designed to stop “I think what it’s [the bill] saying is we Mia Chatman, a fourth year pre-phys- the momentum that the Black Lives Photo courtesy floridatrend.com are not going to let Florida go down the ical therapy student at FAMU, had much Matter movement was gaining. “This bill Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. road that some of these other places have to say regarding this proposal. “I just is trying to silence our movement. We gone,” DeSantis said. More and more restaurants prefer credit cards over cash Brianna Jones Staff Writer Since the start of the pandemic time on an app or with a credit card when some restaurants are trying to cut out no cash policies to limit the exchange of numerous restaurants have asked their they arrive. On the off chance that money cash entirely. germs during transactions,” according to customers to utilize their credit and debit is a vector of contamination, would it be “Restaurants risk dramatic drops eater.com cards as opposed to paying with cash. advisable for us to socially separate from in sales or outright closure amid the Business Insider reported that as of Cash is fundamentally dirty. In the it? COVID-19 pandemic, some businesses April 14, various Chick-fil-A locations midst of COVID-19, some businesses are Health experts suggest that you are encouraging customers to pay with Click to continue: forgoing cash altogether. Many business- wash your hands after handling money credit or debit cards and payment apps http://www.thefamuanonline.com/2020/09/30/ more-and-more-restaurants-prefer-credit-cards- es want their customers to pay ahead of throughout the COVID-19 outbreak, but like Venmo, while others are introducing over-cash/ LIFESTYLES SUNDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2020 5 Some professors 2020 GENERAL ELECTION EARLY VOTING struggle with October 19 through November 1 distance learning Early Voting (10 sites) DROP Dejania Oliver Courthouse 8 am - 4 pm BOXES Staff Writer All other sites 10 am - 6 pm AVAILABLE!

Elections Office (2990-1 Apalachee Pkwy) 10 am - 6 pm November 2 7 am - 7 pm November 3

Photo by Dejania Oliver A photo foundations class in session on Zoom.

Distance learning has been on almost profession. There is a lot of pressure on everyone’s mind as many schools have educators now. Not only do they have to made the decision to teach their students navigate new technology, but they have VOTE-BY-MAIL online. The number of students being the enormous responsibility of making taught virtually is unprecedented and sure their students still receive quality Request your Vote-by-Mail ballot by teachers have found that teaching stu- education. This is a time of change for dents online is not easy. everyone, and teachers have had to find October 24. Mail ballots are due to the Since universities started to shut ways to cope with that change. down around the country in late Feb- For professors at Florida A&M Uni- Elections Office November 3 by 7 pm. ruary, professors wondered what would versity, the same growing pains have happen for the upcoming year. Now that occurred. Professors have been using ELECTION DAY schools are midway through the fall term, Zoom and Canvas since the beginning of professors have noted the difficulties of this semester. They have had to deal with Tuesday, November 3, virtual teaching. Dealing with technology multiple bugs in the Zoom system and issues and the ongoing pandemic, many have had to get used to a whole new plat- Polls open 7 am to 7 pm educators have decided the stress is too form for interacting with students. While much to bear. it has been an easy transition for some, According to a nationwide poll done other professors are still adjusting to the To check the status of your mail ballot, by the National Education Association new form of education. Training has been (NEA),28 percent of teachers said the given to help make the process easier, but visit LeonVotes.gov or call (850)606-8683 COVID-19 pandemic has made them Click to continue: Monday – Friday, 8:30 am - 5:00 pm. more likely to retire early or leave the http://www.thefamuanonline.com/2020/10/01/ some-professors-struggle-with-distance-learning/ 6 SUNDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2020 LIFESTYLES

Staff Living with a medical Editor-in-Chief Ariyon Dailey Managing Editor Maya Porter Media Directors Ciara Mims condition during the Vanessa Ferguson Copy Desk Editors Aaliya Rashad Jasmine Butler Devin Myers pandemic is difficult Kaviena Spencer Cirsten Jones Delores Battle Kennedy Guidry Online Editor Staff Writer Kailyn Rhone Students have already begun to Assistant Online Editors feel the pressure of this semester with Pam Rentz classes becoming more demanding and Quintavia McKay grades becoming a priority. In addition, News Editors the COVID-19 pandemic has added the Kayla McKinney responsibility of ensuring our own safety Kamryn Marshall and the safety of others by following strict Assistant News Editor rules and regulations. Michael Moore Many can agree that these are stressful Lifestyles Editor times, but for Shantell Mullings it has been Noella Williams almost impossible. Assistant Lifestyles Editor Mullings, a biology pre-medical stu- Skylar Boone dent, was diagnosed with a rare gastro- Sports Editor intestinal condition in 2014 when she Marissa Stubbs was just 13 years old. Her condition is so Assistant Sports Editor rare that over the course of six years and Vladmir Cadet countless doctors’ consultations, medical Opinions Editor professionals have not been able to name it Sierra Lyons or find a cure. Assistant Opinions Editor Her condition also makes her suscepti- Mia Uzell ble to other illnesses like the common cold, Photo courtesy Mullings Layout Editors flu and now coronavirus. If Mullings were Shantell Mullings is a student at FAMU. Aolani Brown to obtain the virus, it would manifest itself Meghan Campbell in strong surges of abdominal pain that family or friends. Due to the high numbers in the hospital during a vulnerable time in Photographers would render her weak and sickly. of coronavirus cases, patients admitted which she was not able to fend for herself, Rene Romain “Basically, I have these episodes,” Mull- to the hospital that are not minors or dis- forced to sign copious documents that her Nahla Muhammad ings said. “And it causes me to not be able abled are not allowed to have visitors. parents would normally handle and have Bre'Aja Baldwin to eat or have to be in the hospital for long “There was actually this really bad complicated conversations with medical Advisor periods of time. Even though COVID has experience where the nurses thought I was professionals. Douglas Blackburn nothing to do with the stomach, I know I faking my condition,” Mullings said. “So, “That was something I never wanted to would end up being in the hospital because they actually kicked me out of my hospital go through again but I have had to stay in everything [in my body] is connected.” room for some unknown reason and left Click to continue: For the first time since being diagnosed, me crying outside in pain until my parents http://www.thefamuanonline.com/2020/09/24/liv- Mullings was forced to stay in the hospital arrived.” ing-with-a-medical-condition-during-the-pandem- ic-is-difficult/ without assistance or visitation from her The pandemic had left Mullings alone LIFESTYLES SUNDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2020 7 These two Rattlers grind and succeed Charity Graham Staff Writer

On FAMU’s campus, student busi- nesses are as common as J-Bird sightings — around every corner and seen all over social media. With the pandemic bestow- ing most people with extra time on their hands, it seems like everyone and their mother is selling something. Jayah McCoggle and Ellen Warrick, the minds behind J&E Custom Designs, are making their revenue by literally giv- ing people anything they want. On their Instagram page. @j.e_customs_, custom- ers can purchase various FAMU items like hats, button downs and T-shirts. In business since about December, the two sell both their own designs and fill cus- tom orders as well. Photo courtesy of Jayah M. Photo courtesy of their instagram page “I come up with the basis of the idea Jayah McCoggle & Ellen Warrick, Owners J&E Custom Designs Croc Jibbitz and Ellen is usually the one that perfects of J&E Custom Designs it,” McCoggle said of her business part- Jibbitz. Their five different pins are de- each other to get all their orders filled. tending to their business is a characteris- ner. “I’m not artistic like her.” signed with FAMU and HBCUs in general This semester marks McCoggle’s first se- tic I realize they both posses.” Co-owner McCoggle picked up the in mind, as well as the ever-present Black mester in FAMU’s professional pharmacy If you are a student pursuing your own business from her mother, who bought Lives Matter movement. As temperatures program, keeping her locked in Zoom business venture, go for it. About 37% of them their first press machine just before drop, customers can expect hoodies for half the day and with her nose in the adults have a side hustle, according to the end of last year. Seeing an opportuni- and crewnecks to come soon. Despite books for the other half. Not to mention, a study done by Bankrate. Though you ty now in her lap and already having the COVID-19 disrupting football season, Warrick runs her own additional busi- may face adversity when first starting skills from watching her mom for years, which would have presented a spike in ness, doing hair when she’s not busy do- out, keep at it. Warrick warns to not McCoggle grabbed her best friend and sales for J&E Custom Designs, the duo ing homework as a health science major. expect support right off the bat, however. got to work. Thanks to their support and still finds ways to give their audience Friends of the young entrepreneurs are She and McCoggle learned this lesson encouragement of each other, the two products they want. amazed at the constant balancing act they first-hand as they got their brand off the officially launched their business page on “We just gotta find that one thing,” must do to get everything done. ground. Instagram in January. Warrick said while describing how they “Witnessing my friends excel in “Don’t expect your closest friends What began as custom tumblers and constantly produce fresh and new items. school while having a thriving upcom- to support you,” McCoggle said. “Keep monogram rain boots blossomed to ap- “And after we find it, we gotta keep find- ing business is something that I admire grinding and the support is going to parel, wall decor, and masks donning ei- ing it.” about them,” Keyana Joseph, close friend come.” ther their original designs or the custom- Besides running a business growing of both McCoggle and Warrick. said. er’s vision brought to life. Most recently, larger by the day, the two owners are still “Learning how to allocate the appropriate they released custom Croc charms, or students first and often have to lean on amount of time between studying and 8 SUNDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2020 OPINIONS Breonna Taylor’s case a slap in the face to Black women Delores Battle Staff Writer

Still reeling from the deaths of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery and Breonna Taylor, Black people in this country have not had enough time to heal. The fight for Black lives is still burning. People are still marching. We are still hoping for change. But the recent outcome of Breonna Taylor’s case is a setback to all the Black Lives Matter movement has fought for. It is a slap in the face to Black women in this nation. None of the officers involved in the fatal shooting of Breonna Taylor had been arrested or charged until Sept. 23 during a grand jury trial. According to NPR, only Brett Hankison — one of the three officers involved in the shooting — was “charged with three counts of wanton en- dangerment over shooting into neighbor- ing apartments.” The other two officers, Jonathan Mattingly and Myles Cosgrove, will not be indicted. None of the charges involved the bullets that killed Breonna Taylor. Photo courtesy Associated Press As I heard the news of the court deci- Protesters mourn the decision over the Breonna Taylor’s case. sion and the subsequent public outrage harassment and sexual exploitation by “Women are already born on their “We are less than human.” and rioting, I realized how this is not the white masters. We have had to toil fields knees,” Sallye said. “As a Black woman, Sallye is passionate about this case first time the judicial system has failed from sun-up to sundown. We have had we watch men, both Black and white, take because she feels the pain of being a Black women. This is not the first time to endure the pain of losing a child. We our jobs, rape us, beat us, degrade us and Black woman in this nation but also the that society has failed to protect women have shouted alongside men fighting for hurt us. Her family was awarded millions responsibility to change the system, thus of color. the same rights. We have had to work of dollars for a wrongful death that no her decision to study law and become a How do you explain to a young Black endlessly to compete against men and one was even charged for.” judge. girl that the bullets in a neighbor’s apart- still receive less pay. Our cries have rung Women are particularly outraged Black women will never receive equal- ment were more important than the bul- out at every protest. Our tears have been on the differences between how George ity and the same treatment until society lets that took an innocent woman’s life? shed for brothers and sisters we have lost Floyd’s case was handled in comparison realizes our worth. We have to take a How do you explain that Black women’s in this fight. Lives have been taken and to Breonna Taylor’s. According to CBS stand for ourselves and teach the world lives have been so undervalued that three those women will not receive the justice News, Derek Chauvin, the former cop the value of a Black woman. We do not officers can get away with murdering a they deserve. What more can this nation who prevented Floyd from breathing, have the luxury of waiting on the man to Black woman and stealing her future? take away from us? was recently charged with second-de- defend us. So today, we mourn Breonna The answer is you can’t. After hearing the news, these sen- gree murder, third-degree murder and Taylor; but tomorrow, we continue the Breonna Taylor’s story is an example timents were shared by several young manslaughter. And yet, Taylor’s murderer fight, 10 times stronger. Once Black wom- of history repeating itself. No one has Black women. For Shardai Sallye, a evaded these charges. en rise, we all rise. been more oppressed than the Black political science major at FAMU, this case “This case just tells me that you won’t woman. We have been subjected to is heartbreaking. get charged for killing us,” Sallye said. OPINIONS SUNDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2020 9 It’s clear why Trump can’t denounce white supremacy Sierra Lyons Opinions Editor

The first presidential debate of the 2020 election season was an embarrass- ment to watch as President Trump and Vice President Biden talked over each other and moderator, Chris Wallace for an hour and a half. The train wreck that was too hard to walk away from took an even worse turn when Trump refused to denounce white supremacy. The biggest domestic terrorism threat to our nation was once again co-signed by our Presi- dent and his supporters are just letting it slide. “You are the worst President America has ever had,” Biden said to Trump. And although there’s a lot I disagree with Biden on, as Trump told white suprem- acist group “Proud Boys” to “stand back and standby”, I have to agree with Biden. A President that can’t denounce blatant racism and violence while claiming to be the president who has done the most for Black people aside from Abraham Lincoln is no friend of mine. His verbiage and tone is clearly against Black and brown individuals. Photo courtesy The Guardian After calling literal klan members The first presidential debate was an embarrassment. “fine people”, I honestly shouldn’t be shocked that he couldn’t stand on the unveiled just before the debate is a sad “We were paying people hundreds of 1994 crime bill that completely reframed debate stage with integrity and denounce attempt to gain the Black vote that he thousands of dollars to teach very bad our criminal justice system and his false white supremacy. More so, my shock and is lacking. The plan’s promise to create ideas and frankly, very sick ideas,” Trump involvement with Apartheid in South anger is with individuals who continue millions of job and to make lynching a said. “And really, they were teaching peo- Africa, he at the bare minimum could say to support him when he has made it clear federal hate crime and to prosecute KKK ple to hate our country, and I’m not going he is against white supremacy. But why he has no intentions of using his power members sounds too good to be true. to allow that to happen.” should Black Americans have to settle to eradicate such a social evil. After a Why should we have any confidence that But really he should be wondering why for bare minimum? Why can’t we live in traumatic summer of hearing “I see you, he and the Senate will implement these a movement that uses actual American a nation under leadership where we have I hear you and I stand with you,” in re- policies when he can’t even stand on stage history to illustrate modern systemic complete confidence that they are work- sponse to violence that is a direct result of and say white supremacy is bad? I’m issues unveils so much racism and hatred ing as hard as we are to eradicate racism white supremacy, I wonder if that phrase personally tired of our Blackness being woven into the foundation of our nation. and make white supremacists powerless? holds any weight for individuals who are tokenized for political gain. To label an attempt to eradicate racism as On Nov 3, those who have been say- voting for him and supporting his policies On top of Trump’s refusal to condemn racist is completely asinine. ing they stand with us the past several that don’t see, hear or stand with racial white supremacy, he referred to the intel- The issue of racism all around was months, have the opportunity to put their minorities in America. lectual movement, critical race theory, as poorly handled by both candidates. While ballot where their mouth is by not voting Trump’s “Platinum Plan” that he racist. Biden has skeletons in his closet on the for Trump. 10 WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2019 It's official: No spring break Amari Jarrell Staff Writer

portant to both institutions to maintain similar schedules. Gerald Williams, a fourth year psy- chology student, wasn’t happy when he learned about the decision. “I’m a little bummed out that we’re not having spring break this spring [semester]. I feel like the break is needed for college students because nobody wants to be behind that computer screen every day. It gets Photo courtesy dreamstime.com stressful. A break can take away some of A group of college students on the beach the stress.” in Miami during spring break. Many college students look forward to spring break as a way to take off some of Florida A&M University has decided the stress during the semester. Although to cancel spring break for the 2020-2021 the university has decided to take a school year. This decision, announced week off at the end of the semester, some earlier this afternoon, comes a day after students feel like that won’t be enough to Florida State University announced its compensate for what they face during the new academic calendar for the spring remainder of the academic year. semester which also includes the cancel- Nykia Onubogu, a second year polit- lation of spring break. ical science student, said: “I think that In a statement released by Maurice was a poor choice on the school’s part. I Edington, the provost and Vice President think it takes away from the free time a for Academic Affairs for FAMU, said, lot of the students look forward to. It just “As a result of the impact of the global doesn’t seem like they trust us, but it still pandemic and the need to safeguard the seems like people are going to travel and health and safety of students, faculty do what they want.” and staff, Florida A&M University has Multiple universities across the nation modified the academic calendar for the are preparing to adjust their academic spring 2021 semester. Spring break has calendars to rule out the week of Spring been canceled.” Break, due to the ongoing coronavirus Edington said in the release that the pandemic and safety precautions for their spring semester will end Friday, April 23. students. This is a week earlier than the original According to the statement, classes for plan, yet it won’t impact the number of the spring term will start on Jan. 6. The instructional days. first three days upon return from winter FAMU’s decision was partly made break will be taught remotely, but it is because of the joint FAMU-FSU College unclear yet if the remainder of the spring Click the link below to download FAMU Mobile's Corona Virus self checker app of Engineering, a unique partnership semester will be taught remotely or in https://apps.apple.com/us/app/famu-mobile/id551141112 between an HBCU and a PWI. It’s im- person. SPORTS SUNDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2020 11 FAMU receives Tillman’s long-awaited $10 million to comeback on pause Elaina Williams upgrade Bragg Staff Writer Nikyya Smith Staff Writer

Photo courtesy Tillman FAMU running back Eddie Tillman III in action against Fort Valley State.

As we all know, the Mid-Eastern Ath- was able to get in only four games when he Photo courtesy FAMU athletics An aerial view of Bragg Memorial Stadium. letic Conference has suspended fall sports, first got to “the Hill.” Sophomore year he including football. To many students at had put in work all spring and summer so Florida A&M University last week the future. FAMU, this means they won’t be able to this was meant to be his year of redemp- received $10 million in funding for “The stadium is something we knew enjoy homecoming. tion. renovations and upgrades to Bragg we needed to do for a long time and But to Eddie Tillman III, this means During the second game of the season Memorial Stadium. the timing was right,” Gosha told The his career is still on pause against Fort Valley State, Tillman ran a Bragg was first constructed in 1957 Famuan. “All of the money will go after his recent recovery. play and got tackled down on his knee. He and since then has been home to the directly to renovations in Bragg Me- “I was extremely prepared but I had to dislocated then relocated his hip causing FAMU’ football team. The stadium morial Stadium. We’re going to replace just swallow the truth that we might not a fracture in his acetabulum, taking him was last renovated in 1982, nearly four the seating and address a lot of the even play this season,” Tillman said. out of the game and the remainder of the decades ago. structural issues associated with the Growing up in New Orleans, football season. According to a press release issued stadium. That’s the first priority. Then was Tillman’s joy. In high school along To his peers, Tillman took this setback by FAMU on Thursday, the Blueprint second, we will look at a new press box, with being a member of the National like a champ. His high school coach from Intergovernmental Agency board, stadium lighting, concession stand and Honor Society, he was the running back at New Orleans, Cornell Williams, said he which is made up of the 12 members of restrooms,” he added. McDonogh 35 Senior High School. There handled it fairly well. the Leon County and Tallahassee City “We want to really make sure that he had 99 carries, 10 touchdowns, and “He was upset because it was a possible commissions, approved the $10 million the facility is functional and that more than 1,000 yards rushing. career-ending hip injury,” Williams said. by a 9-3 vote. people who attend Bragg Memorial During his junior year Tillman got his “I just told him to keep the faith and that’s FAMU Vice President and Ath- Stadium for any event whether it’s a first offer at Oregon State, then his senior what he did.” letic Director Kortne Gosha told football game, a band competition or a year he got an offer at Prairie View. But During his healing process, Tillman The Famuan this funding was much community event, that it can facilitate once FAMU showed interest in recruiting said that FAMU did not provide him with appreciated and that it will play an in- the needs for all of our constituents him, he started to lean towards becoming any physical therapy. However, he had a a Rattler. On signing day, he committed to tegral role in making Bragg Memorial Click to continue: Click to continue: Stadium a functional facility long into http://www.thefamuanonline.com/2020/09/20/ FAMU. http://www.thefamuanonline.com/2020/09/02/till- famu-receives-10-million-to-upgrade-bragg/ Being a red-shirted freshman, Tillman mans-long-awaited-comeback-on-pause/ 12 SUNDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2020 SPORTS Despite challenges, FAMU athletics presents balanced budget Nikyya Smith Staff Writer Florida A&M University’s Athletic Department delivered a balanced budget to the Board of Governors on Sept. 16, earning praise from the body that over- sees the state’s 12 public universities. AT that meeting held at the Univer- sity of South Florida, FAMU Board of Trustees Chair Kelvin Lawson talked to the BOG about the athletic department’s budget and other year-to-date projections regarding revenue and operating expens- es. A balanced budget is when revenue is equal to total expenses, therefore the budget is neither below nor above the revenue amount. The department’s total budget for operating expenses is $6.5 million, and its year-to-date projected expenses is $6.1 million. Photo courtesy FAMU athletics Lawson told The Famuan what a bal- anced budget means for FAMU athletics ball, it will do little to help the budget, football, we were already ready to pivot budgeted, and just because something and how important it is to maintain that according to Lawson. to that worst-case scenario budget,” Law- looks good or feels good, we’re not spend- budget. “When you have a couple of guar- son, who also chairs the BOT’s Special ing or buying it in that particular year if “It’s very important for athletics anteed games against a major school Committee on Athletics, said. it’s not in the budget.” Lawson said. to have a balanced budget given the like UCF and then you have the Florida “Some of the challenges that the FAMU Vice President and Athletic situation that we have with the Board of Classic in November, it’s tough to replace department has had historically, the de- Director, Kortne Gosha was ecstatic to Governors and that situation being under games that produce that kind of revenue,” partment has not generated enough rev- deliver a balanced budget for the second a 12-year repayment plan to our auxil- Lawson said. enue to offset the expenses that it’s had.” year in a row. iaries,” Lawson said. “It’s important for Lawson also discussed how the Lawson added. “It also suffered from “We’re excited, this is the second year us to have a balanced budget for our own department was prepared to deliver a bal- poor budgeting. People didn’t properly in a row we have delivered a balance bud- FAMU self, as reasons to demonstrate anced budget this year, regardless of the budget to what the true expenses were get. We did have some turbulence prior that we can run a department within our effects of COVID-19 and past challenges and weren’t really taking aggressive steps to my arrival, and we have been able to own means and not overspend or under it has had to overcome. FAMU athletics to better manage the existing budget and cure that,” said Gosha, who was hired in project our spending.” has accrued an overall deficit of more control expenses.” November and started at FAMU the first FAMU’s athletic department and its than $8 million dating back more than a Lawson feels that the athletic de- week in December 2019.“We’re being very budget have taken a huge hit when its dozen years. partment is now headed into the right diligent in our financial discipline, but we athletic conference, the MEAC, canceled “We budgeted this year for a worst- direction and will continue to provide a will make sure that we won’t compromise fall sports — including football, the pri- case scenario. We think we’ve taken properly a balanced budget. the student-athlete experience here at mary revenue sport for FAMU and almost the biggest hit already and prepared “We’re just in a much better place FAMU, that’s our No. 1priority.” all other schools — due to the COVID-19 ourselves for the worst. The worst for us where we’re doing a much better job pro- Gosha noted that the department has pandemic. was budgeting with no football, so we jecting our true revenue and expenses, initiated reductions in pay for all athletic After eliminating football, the overall created a budget that had no football. So, and doing a better job of holding our- department employees, including him- budget was reduced by 40 percent. when our conference pulled the plug on selves accountable to only spend what we self, and that a hiring freeze is in place. Even with the addition of spring foot-