opinions features sports a & e ... February 25, 2021 The Future of From Seed to Men's Hoops It's Britney, Daft Blockchain Sprout Team Falls on Punk and Jazz Volume 104 A technological Soil Sisters thrives Road Time Number 6 revolution or just through pandemic Dukes lose to lowly La The music world takes another trend? Salle, 85-65 an overwhelming turn www.duqsm.com PAGE 4 PAGE 6 PAGE 8 PAGE 9 THE DUQUESNE DUKE Proudly Serving Our Campus Since 1925 New campus-wide COVID-19 Duq ranks testing gets underway in "Top 10 Worst Colleges for Free Speech" Kellen Stepler editor-in-chief “Every great university has its critics.” That’s what Duquesne spokes- person Gabe Welsch said in regards to the Foundation for Individual Rights in Educa- tion’s (FIRE) recent placement of Duquesne University on their “Top 10 Worst Colleges for Free Speech” list last week. The list, made up of 10 schools Griffin Sendek / Multimedia Editor worldwide, argued Duquesne’s Students assembled in the Genesius Theater to begin the first days of COVID-19 testing. All students, faculty and staff who come to campus for in-person classes placement on the list for “prom- will have to undergo asymptomatic testing once every two weeks. Given the colder winter weather, testing has been moved indoors this semester. ising academic freedom and free speech but fired a professor when Zoe Stratos ing participants for a variety of dents will be provided with a link studies. it faced public pressure.” FIRE has been a staunch de- staff writer reasons — COVID-19 test sched- to log into the registration sys- After confirming personal in- fender of Gary Shank – the edu- uling and tracking now being one tem with DORI credentials. Once formation, a new acknowledge- cation professor who used the On Feb. 17, Duquesne released of them. logged in, students are met with ment page appears with infor- n-word in a class lecture in Sep- an update on campus wide test- On-campus students are the a page containing the student’s mation regarding the Health tember – arguing that Shank ing to begin the week of Feb. 22 first eligible group, with com- name, email address, birthday, Insurance Portability and Ac- using the racial epithet was at the Genesius Theater. Differ- muters and employees next on student ID number, phone num- countability Act and the student’s “pedagogically-relevant class ent from the fall semester, this the email list to schedule. ber and an option to receive email protected health information. discussion about why it’s inap- version of testing is required Upon receiving the email, stu- announcements about available Finally, after acknowledge- propriate to use the word.” every two weeks for all students ment, a third page appears al- The points FIRE makes to who come to campus in any ca- lowing students to view and sign place Duquesne on the list, Wel- pacity — whether it be to go to up for a testing time. The SONA sch said, are not true. the Power Center, classes or even software allows for hundreds of “The case FIRE makes for its the bookstore. appointments per day, and test- choice to include Duquesne on To ensure a smooth process ing is taking place in two multi- the list rests on the flawed rea- for both testing staff and testing hour sessions: morning and af- soning that Professor Shank’s students, the university part- ternoon. repeated use of a racist slur was nered with a platform called “Surveillance testing is re- pedagogically justified, and that SONA to facilitate scheduling quired for all students,” said Vice the university then restricted and results. President of Marketing and Com- his freedom of expression,” According to their website, munications Gabe Welsch. “The Welsch said. SONA is a cloud-based partici- SONA system will help to track Welsch said that Duquesne’s pant pool management system which students received a test Griffin Sendek/ Multimedia Editor created to aid administrators, and when. Students who don’t researchers and now universities The COVID-19 testing takes place at these numbered stations in the Genesius see FIRE— page 3 Theater. Students are separated by transparent dividers to prevent transmission. in launching studies and manag- see COVID— page 2 2 POLICE briefs Biweekly COVID-19 for all in-person Here are the crimes reported from Feb. 15 to Feb. 22. students, faculty and staff begins On Feb. 19, graffiti was discov- ered on the rear portion of the from COVID— page 1 Mary Tobin building on Fifth Ave. voluntarily get a test every other week will be contacted.” On Feb. 21, a student reported Non-compliance of students will that her coat was stolen from the result in being prohibited from Power Center. An investigation campus, including residences, found that another student stole with continuing non-compliance the jacket. The jacket was re- resulting in termination of ID card covered, and the student will be access to campus buildings. referred to the office of student Although testing is required conduct. for all students, there are some exceptions. “Only persons with no symp- toms on their daily health COVID-19 screen are eligible for testing,” said Welsch. “Students who NUMBERS are experiencing potential CO- VID-19 symptoms must contact Griffin Sendek / Multimedia Editor Duquesne’s Health Services at The new dashboard features Armed with a few plexiglass shields and full PPE, these pharmacy students are suited up and ready to begin the 412.396.2617 for instructions on asymptomatic COVID-19 testing. campus COVID-19 data appropriate next steps.” along with information from Also, students who have tested easy to use nasal swab — similar Allegheny County. positive for COVID are not eligi- to the Everlywell testing kits giv- ble to participate in testing until en to students upon their return The campus data dashboard they have surpassed the 90-day to campus from winter break. breaks down COVID-19 window from the date of their cases, tests, isolation and “I got my email on Feb. 18 and positive COVID-19 test result. quarantine spaces and vac- Students who have received one got tested today,” said freshman cination information. or both doses of the vaccine are nursing student Shaina Sweeney. As of Feb. 18, there were five positive tests at Duquesne, and 484 tests conducted. SCAN HERE FOR COVID-19 DATA Griffin Sendek / Multimedia Editor Instructions are located on highly visible signs across the theater and inform those getting tested where to enter, exit and sign in for their appointment. with the software and turnaround Negative results will be sent by time, she is still slightly worried email, although positive results about self testing. are prioritized. “The software I used to sched- “I haven’t gotten any results Griffin Sendek / Multimedia Editor ule my test was pretty easy to use. back since I just took it today, Duquesne's pharmacy students assist in administering and organizing the new COVID-19 testing in the Genesius Theater. Personally, I don’t like doing the but signs said if it is positive tests myself. I would rather have a you’ll receive a call within the still required to participate, as well. “You had to first check in, and nurse do it because, to be honest, hour and if you’re negative you’ll For those who are scheduled the process was pretty easy and I don’t know if I’m doing it right receive an email within the next JOIN THE DUKE! for testing, the Genesius Theater there was barely a line. You did and how accurate that’ll make 24 hours,” said Sweeney. “I hon- If you’re interested, email thed- is fully equipped for a safe testing the test yourself by reading a sign the test. I didn’t realize you do it estly think they should use the [email protected] or stop by our process, even though students do in front of you, and the whole yourself until I got there.” same system as they used in the newsroom located in the basement the testing themselves. thing took about five minutes.” After testing, students must be fall when someone took your test of College Hall (Room 113). “We continue to follow all But with the nasal swab being a reachable by phone for at least for you. Otherwise the whole safety protocols and provide rapid form of testing and students an hour in the case of a positive process wasn’t too bad.” an environment following pre- doing it themselves, the universi- result; follow up testing and com- ventive guidelines for environ- ty is preparing for some difficul- munication will be provided after. EmailTips mental protection, using of PPE ties that come along with it. by the testing staff, wearing of “Because participants are ex- We want your input! masks by all volunteers and par- pected to be asymptomatic at The Duke’s news section would ticipants, following safe hygiene the time of testing, positive re- love to hear from you about practices and maintaining social sults may not be expected,” said stories that you want to see in distancing,” said Welsch. “The print. Know a talented professor COVID testing will be managed Welsch. “Students who do result or accomplished student? See by dedicated professional nurs- positive will require prompt fol- something on campus that just ing staff who will oversee trained low-up with Duquesne’s Health doesn’t make sense? You can students from the schools of Services for further evaluation send your tips and story ideas to nursing, pharmacy and health by a medical professional, ad- News Editor Colleen Hammond sciences.” ditional COVID testing, and will at [email protected] For a quick test turnaround, be under university protocol for the university is utilizing the Ab- isolation and contact tracing of bott BinaxNOWTM COVID-19 close contacts.” Griffin Sendek / Multimedia Editor rapid antigen card, a 15-minute, Although Sweeney is pleased Duquesne's pharmacy students are all smiles as the new testing procedures get underway.