www.fsutorch.com Single Issue Free, Additional Copies 50 Cents Week of Oct. 28 - Nov. 3, 2020 Ferris State University FERRIS COVID-19 CASE COUNT Last updated: oct. 26 new cases cumulative active cases TORCH this week cases Truth, fairness and accuracy since 1931 52 305 51 Youth voting population mobilized by social media vote vote vote vote vote vote From TikTok to Twitter, celebrities, candidates push for young adults to register and vote 15 million Noah Kurkjian social work sophomore Olivia Begin Americans have turned 18 Copy Editor said. Another way youth have been get- and become eligible to vote The 2020 general election is ting involved is by creating group ac- expected to have the largest youth counts with other users who share since the 2016 election voter turnout in decades. Some are their political views. An example of crediting this influx in participation this is @TheDemHypeHouse and to social media and its massive in- @TheRepublicanHypeHouse on fluence. TikTok. These accounts have both With both candidates having a amassed hundreds of thousands of large social media presence, Jo- followers and work to dispel misin- seph Biden has a combined 20 formation and stereotypes attribut- million followers and incumbent ed to their respective parties. Donald Trump boasts a massive YouTuber and TikToker David Do- 140 million combined followers, brik teamed up with HeadCount, 63% they both have significant reach. and gave out five Tesla vehicles to But followers aren’t the only thing registered voters. This sparked over that matters. one-hundred thousand people to of Americans age 18-29 say How the candidates use their confirm their registration or become platform matters just as much, and registered voters, one of the biggest they will 'definitely be voting' a lot of young voters find some of voter register events in history. their behavior off-putting. Many social media platforms, in the November election “They are using twitter for their such as Facebook, Instagram and little wars, and it honestly looks Snapchat launched advertising immature for 70-something year efforts to get younger people to old’s,” nuclear medical technology vote this year. According to Forbes, sophomore Brynn Krzyminski said. Snapchat announced that it had “They should be using their large registered 400,000 voters. platforms to inform instead of to cut It’s also good to keep in mind down.” that while social media can be a 20 states They are also advertising on so- very helpful, informative tool, that it cial media to rather poor reception. can do just as much harm. already have higher youth Comment sections on these ads, “I spend an absurd amount of if they haven’t been disabled, are time wading through memes and usually filled with support for the troll posts to find actual information. voter registration than 2016 other candidate and snide remarks. For instance, I didn’t even know the Candidates aren’t the only ones debates were happening until each election (including MIchigan) that have this social media impact. of them had already passed,” Krzy- A lot of teens are using their voices minski said. on the social media platform TikTok. Both those interviewed shared With the hashtags “Biden2020” a common sentiment, ‘make sure and “Trump2020” amassing a total you check the information you see of 15 billion views there is no short- on social media because everything age of content to watch on either you see is not always accurate.” side. If you haven’t already, you are 400,000 “This has got to be one of the still able to go to your local clerks most politically informed genera- office to register and register to vote voters registered through tions ever, you can’t take a scroll anytime before Nov. 3. through your For You Page without seeing something about politics. For more information on this the snapchat app This generation went from eating year’s election, read our 2020 Tide Pods to being political activists election insert in this issue. in like 3 years, it’s mind-blowing,” The above information was gathered from CIRCLE, Forbes. Got news? Let us know. Like us on facebook Follow us on Twitter Add us on instagram Watch us on youtube Email: [email protected] Ferris state Torch @fsutorch fsutorch Fsu Torch Phone: 231.591.5978 Connect with us on social media - Read articles online at www.fsutorch.com 2 News Week of Oct. 28 - Nov. 3, 2020 Ferris State Torch NEWS Ry Rodriguez| News Editor | [email protected] How to sign up Planning for the spring for classes Students and academic advisors gear up for the next semester Alyssa Hubbard not been a problem for him. News Reporter “Surprisingly, it has gotten better. Students do not have to wait in line, or wait for their turn, or walk all the way to my office As 2021 spring course registration opens, academic advi- for a typical 15 minute advising appointment,” Singireddy said. 1. Log into myFSU sors and administrators must prepare students for a new and “In fact, it is more effective, quicker and more accessible now!” uncertain semester. Singireddy also teaches courses online this semester for The current fall semester has proven to be unique with most- the DAGD program and encouraged students to continue tak- ly online courses and changes to the way students and faculty ing online courses in the spring. Due to the uncertainty in the 2. Go to the Student tab interact on campus. People have adjusted to this new way of world right now and students are looking forward to online de- campus life. livery. Early spring registration began on Oct. 26, creating ques- “It has been working well as of now and I hope it continues tions about how Ferris will function for the new semester. to,” Singireddy said. “Student reception has been great, and it Leonard Johnson, the Associate Provost of Academic Opera- is good to see how students are doing their best to continue tions, said that spring will be much like the current fall semes- their education amid harsh times.” 3. Click 'My Registration' ter. Johnson received many concerns about how classes will be Paul Kwant is another academic advisor for around 75 stu- delivered in the spring dents in the music and entertainment business program. Kwant A variety of learning options will be provided again, including offered meetings via Zoom or in person if students preferred. in-person, HyFlex, or online classes. Kwant said that the most time-consuming part of advising “Academic Affairs, in consultation with each program in ev- this semester is pre-planning and scheduling. He asked stu- ery college, will evaluate the instructional opportunities need- dents what type of classes they are comfortable taking and 4. Click 'Lookup Classes' ed for spring semester and build the class offering schedule,” plan on online classes. Johnson said. “Consistent with every semester transition, stu- Kwant shared some worries about trying to advise students to search by program dents should make plans to meet, either virtually or in-person, for the spring semester during such odd circumstances. with their academic advisor to review their current academic “I have a concern for the health and mental well-being for progress and discuss class planning options prior to their reg- students who may feel isolated,” Kwant said. “As an advisor, istration date.” I want to stay open to student concerns and be there for our Academic advisors worked hard to transition their student students.” advising sessions online and answer any questions the stu- He hoped that next semester people will be respectful, em- 5. Click 'Add/Drop dents may have about the upcoming future to the best of their pathetic and an understanding that everyone is going through abilities. Students usually met with advisors in their offices. this time together. Classes 'to add by Now, advisors are using Zoom, Calendly, or even Discord to Students and advisors have been planning for the spring se- chat with students. mester accordingly, keeping in mind that anything can change Class code (CRN) Varun Singireddy advises about 60 students in the digi- in an instant. Even during a time of great uncertainty they re- tal animation and game design program. Advising online has main hopeful that next semester will go smoothly. GVSU gains campus voting location, Ferris denied Ferris’ request for its own satellite office gets denied after COVID-19 shutdown this spring Cora Hall election in order to allow as many students Editor in Chief as possible to vote early to avoid a large influx on Nov. 3. This was especially im- Grand Valley students were given an portant with COVID-19, given that Allendale on-campus voting option for this year’s pres- has already had a stay in place order. Bak- idential election. er-Boosamra did not have specific partic- On Oct. 13, a satellite clerk’s office opened ipation numbers but said they have seen in their student center, according to Associ- the numbers doubling every day of students ate Director for Student Life Melissa Bak- coming to the office. er-Boosamra. One of the main reasons they “Not only is it a great service to our stu- pursued the satellite office was because the dents, but it also, I would imagine, will reduce Allendale County clerk’s office and polling lo- lines and wait times at the Allendale polling cation for most GVSU students is five miles location, which will reduce public health West of campus, with no bus line. With many concerns with having students intermingling students living on campus without their own with the community and the density there,” transportation, this poses a distinct barrier Baker-Boosamra said.