VOLUME 118 | ISSUE 3 UL to require vaccination Smoothie King to open after Pfizer’s FDA approval Lena Foster in Student NEWS EDITOR The Food and Drug Administration’s Union full approval of the Pfizer vaccine led the University of Louisiana at Lafayette Kaytlyn Williams to require COVID-19 vaccines to be a NEWS WRITER part of student immunization records. On Aug. 23, The FDA granted full With more students back on consent of administration of the Pfizer campus, new food and dining options vaccine for people aged 16 and older. are being constructed. Currently, Comirnaty, the new terminology for the Brew, McAlisters, and the Ragin’ the vaccine according to the FDA, Cajun Food Court serve as hotspots was placed under emergency use for students to grab items. For authorization in 2020 and expanded to people who want a healthier option, people aged 12-15 in 2021. The vaccine Smoothie King will be a welcome went through the usual process of addition. certification to validate protectiveness. First noticed in late July, many According to Dr. Chris Hayes, the students wondered what would be Director of Student Health Services at constructed in this space. Sodexo UL Lafayette, the FDA’s process starts with the idea of the introduction of a Manager Renee Burgess was more new drug followed by plans of study Photo by Malik Jones / The Vermilion than happy to answer a few questions and research. A student receives a dose of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine on Wednesday, people may have had. “They put in an investigational new April 7 at 12:29 p.m. “We knew that numerous people drug application in which they propose people. gave students an opportunity to wanted a healthy on the go option which studies they’re going to do in The process of submission will determine their opinions on the matter. based off of the email survey we sent order to see whether the drug is one: remain the same as it has in previous With the adjustments that had to be out. When doing the business plan, safe for human consumption, and two: years with immunization records. made due to the spread, most students we wanted this Smoothie King to be effective against treating anything that “Protocols for reporting vaccination seek normalcy again. Therefore, some a full franchise, meaning that it has humans have,” Hayes said. status to the University have been in decided that this mandate established a a full menu, takes Declining Balance The vaccine approval process then place for many years. Similar to all means of hope. and cash, and also does deals and goes through three clinical trials other immunizations on the schedule, “I do believe that every student promotions.” Burgess said. necessary to gather the information to students will be required to provide should have their choice, but at the The process wasn’t a walk in gain full FDA approval. proof of vaccination, a physician’s same time, the COVID pandemic is the park. The construction and “It’s been a lot of time evaluating certification that the vaccine is something very serious,” Jared Wilson, operation took longer than expected all the information that’s collected at medically contraindicated, or a written a senior at UL Lafayette, said. “I do because of COVID-19. Supplies this point,” Hayes said. “The FDA and dissent,” Savoie wrote on his blog site. believe that it is efficient for them to were not coming in time, they were scientists of the FDA feel comfortable Some students stated their agreement have finally approved the Pfizer vaccine understaffed and demands were not that the Pfizer vaccine is ready to be with the FDA’s approval due to the need and to require all students to get it, just being met. marketed.” for COVID-19 vaccine awareness. so we can get past this pandemic and Now, the Smoothie King is looking According to Hayes, Pfizer paired Hana Maung, a sophomore at UL get back to regular life as it was before.” to hire staff ahead of its grand with a German biotech company Lafayette, received the Johnson and The Student Health and Services opening. “Smoothie King will work that developed the technology and Johnson vaccine and shared her Center plans to split up their clinic around anyone’s schedule, either studies completed at a faster rate than understanding of the approval. days so that one portion is dedicated part time or full time. Everyone is Moderna or Johnson and Johnson. “I think that it’s not a bad idea. I to students without symptoms of As a result of the approval think that anything to help spread the COVID and another portion for welcome,” Burgess said. announcement, the University of usage of vaccines is great,” Maung said. students with some form of sickness or Caleb Franklin, a sophomore Louisiana System asked for the “I think it’s a step in a good direction, upper respiratory symptoms. The two majoring in Biology, is excited to have Louisiana Department of Health approving it.” separated clinic days are known as sick another campus dining option. With to include the COVID-19 vaccine However, some students found the clinic and well clinic. him having an almost completely in student immunization record approval incomplete and rushed. In the sick clinic, essential gear and remote freshman year, having to eat submissions. According to Jalen Johnson, a UL medical materials are given to center at the same places got repetitive. The LDH accepted the proposal, Lafayette junior, the vaccine was workers, and students can receive rapid “Being from a small town made it and therefore, one out of the three approved too quickly and needed more testing. difficult to have a lot of options, so COVID-19 vaccine options is now tests. He had a family member that had “The reason why we separated well Smoothie King quickly became one required for students to attend a a negative skin reaction to the vaccine, and sick is to protect our staff. Because of my favorite places to go to after Louisiana college institution. therefore, he believed that tests on if we all are sick, we can’t take care of I did anything. It doesn’t matter if I According to President Savoie’s blog, different blood types and skin types you guys,” Hayes said. was going to the gym, coming back the FDA’s prolonged level of expertise were needed. from school, or just grabbing a snack, in pharmacy and medicine study could The announcement of the Follow The Vermilion on Twitter it will always be my go-to spot,” @TheVermilion for more updates decrease some doubts in unvaccinated immunization records requirement Franklin said. Franklin also said that his favorite Smoothie King flavor is Banana Berry Treat, and in the future, he would like to see a Panda Express or Panera Bread be built. 5 new COVID-19 cases last Sometimes, it’s little things like this that makes students feel like their voices are being heard. Owen Torregrosa, a Sophomore week, bringing total to 1,133 Marketing major, explains how Morri Sampey important having a Smoothie King EDITOR-IN-CHIEF in the Union will be. “Five Dollar Fridays will bring in so much money, There were five new COVID-19 especially with students who live off cases among students, faculty and campus who simply want to grab staff at the University of Louisiana something before they commute back at Lafayette during the week of Aug. home”, Torregrosa said. “I know for 29, according to the university’s a fact that Smoothie King will always COVID-19 dashboard on Sept. 2. be my first stop on Fridays. I cannot According to the dashboard as of function without the infamous Thursday, the university has confirmed strawberry smoothie.” that 221 students and 235 faculty Torregrosa added that he would and staff members contracted the also like to see a Panda Express or virus, and 667 students have told the noodle dining option added in the university they’ve tested positive. This near future. “Luckily, the university means there have been a total of 1,133 Graphic by Cole Broussard and Sodexo have thrown this idea cases among students, faculty and staff faculty, staff and student workers. As of Thursday, the dashboard around many times and could at UL Lafayette. Self-reported tests were taken by off- displays total positive tests since Jan. possibly be in the works”, Burgess Confirmed positive tests include campus health care providers. Students 4, 2020. said. tests taken by Student Health Services in this category sent their results to the This is an ongoing story. Stay with and UL Lafayette Athletics, as well Follow The Vermilion on Twitter dean of students themselves, according the Vermilion for more updates. as tests submitted to the university’s @TheVermilion for more updates to the dashboard. human resources department by News Sports Allons Allons THE VERMILION: ORIGINS MEN’S BASKETBALL DISCO ELYSIUM A PRETTIER JESUS Managing Editor Amelia Jennings explores the Despite suffering a few losses, the Ragin’ This roleplaying game explores the way our Design Manager Cole Broussard examines history of The Vermilion and how it’s changed Cajuns roster is set for success. past shapes and affects us, according to Lorde’s new album “Solar Power” and what it over the years. Columnist Adhamm Safford. means to be introverted. PAGE 2 PAGE 3 PAGE 4 PAGE 5 2 SEPTEMBER 1, 2021 | THE VERMILION A historical look at The Vermilion and its origins, from 1904 to 2021 Amelia Jennings MANAGING EDITOR The Vermilion Newspaper began in 1904, and its beginnings commenced with Dr.