Campus Life Archives - The Forum

��Vlog��ý Little Rock Increasing Counseling Outreach with TAO

��Vlog��ý Little Rock — Wed, 28 Apr 2021 17:24:51 +0000

��Vlog��ý Little Rock provides free counseling services to students, but with Therapy Assistance Online, TAO, they hope to reach more members of the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock community.

The program is an entirely online resource that can be used for self-help or with a counselor to supplement sessions or add to them. Counselors at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock are pushing clients to use this in order to get the best help possible.

Director of Health Services and Counseling Services, Dr. Mike Kirk, described the grant work that went into purchasing this resource for ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. When he was approached about writing the grant in 2018, he was only the director of counseling services. They didn’t get the grant in 2018 and were surprised to receive it after all this time.

Kirk chose TAO after he met the director of counseling at the University of Florida. The University of Florida was overwhelmed with requests for counseling sessions that the university was unable to meet. Even hiring new counselors was not a solution. There was not enough of a budget to hire enough counselors to meet the needs of the university.

“She realized she could not hire her way out of it,” Kirk said. “There was a waitlist of sometimes three weeks to a month to get in to see a counselor.”

The United Health Foundation released America’s Health Rankings data for 2020 that states, “While the majority of the population (70%) lives in close proximity to a mental health treatment facility (less than 10 miles), mental health provider shortages remain common.”

Within a pandemic, it is even harder to access resources, especially mental health resources that are already in high demand. The United Health Foundation also stated that increasing the use of telemedicine might help populations cope with this mental health provider shortage.

Kirk said TAO at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock is, “a way to provide online resources for our students that might be beyond what we could possibly provide with our limited staff. Or, to supplement the work counselors can do when they are working with our students.”

Aresh Assadi, assistant director of counseling services, described the perks of TAO. It allows more control of the subject matter and can be done at their own pace. TAO also allows safe video-conferencing between counselors and clients.

“People can go in on their own time and listen to different videos on different subject matters that they might be dealing with on their own time,” Assadi said. “That will make it easier for them.”

For ��Vlog��ý Little Rock students there is no need for an enrollment key as long as the user signs up using their ��Vlog��ý Little Rock email. Students, staff, faculty, and alumni of ��Vlog��ý Little Rock who still have access to and use their ��Vlog��ý Little Rock email can access TAO.

Assadi said that TAO allows counseling services to make groups. If any group on campus or student organization is interested in a group where all members can work together on TAO, Assadi urges leaders to get in contact with counseling services. Any member of the group can email counselingservices@ualr.edu.

“We would be happy to touch base with them and create programming just for them with their own enrollment key,” Assadi said.

Assadi and Kirk encourage students to follow @ualrwellness on Instagram to receive more information about resources that ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Counseling Services is providing.

To access more information about TAO or register for TAO, ��Vlog��ý Little Rock students can go to /counseling/tao/. There is no need to be referred to TAO by a counselor, it is open, free and accessible to all members of the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Community.

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Spring break during a pandemic

��Vlog��ý Little Rock — Wed, 28 Apr 2021 17:24:05 +0000

The pandemic has affected a lot of people’s lives in various ways. For students, their college experience has been virtually non-existent due to online classes and the cancelation of on-campus events. Spring break is a big deal for students because it is a time to get away for a while and do something fun with friends. However, COVID-19 has hindered many students’ plans.

Gage Pipkin, a junior at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, didn’t have many plans previous to COVID-19. However, he might still go out of town.

“I didn’t plan anything because of COVID,” said Pipkin. “I was contemplating going to the beach because I’ve worked there over the summer, but due to everything going on and not trying to go many places, I just told my parents I may come home to say hi.”

Mikayla Stertmann, a freshman, had COVID-19 put a damper on her plans.

“One of the main people that wanted to go [on our trip], her parents said no because of COVID-19, and they didn’t know the house we were going to, so that sucks,” said Stertmann.

A typical vacation college students take is spring break at the beach but many will not be doing that because of the pandemic. There are other more safe activities that can still keep with the Center for Disease and Control guidelines.

Susan Schade, a graduate student, is going to use this time to relax and plan ahead due to her graduating in May.

“My plans for spring break are to rest, work on my research and wait to hear back on a job,” said Schade. “I may try to go hiking, so I may have to take precautions for that activity.”

The natural state has a lot to offer when it comes to outdoor activities such as lakes, hiking, parks and more. Having these options is vital especially during this pandemic because it allows you to be active while still enjoying yourself in a safe manner. Vaccines are rolling around Arkansas but many college students might be the last to be eligible so opting out of spring break plans seems to be the safest option for ��Vlog��ý Little Rock students.

Some students, like senior Jasmine Pugh, are trying to see the positive side of this pandemic.

“[COVID-19] hasn’t really had an effect on any plans for me,” said Pugh. “I was actually able to accomplish a lot more due to [the pandemic]. I’m looking forward to protecting my craft and exploring my options in different fields.”

Regardless of plans or no plans, some ��Vlog��ý Little Rock students are hoping that those who are moving on with their normal plans are either vaccinated or are being responsible for their actions.

“I feel like we live in a state of constant rule-bending,” said Pipkin. “It really is up to people what they feel comfortable with and what their safety standard is. I don’t really blame anyone. It’s more are [they] acting and doing things in a responsible way.”

Schade is staying home with her family and relaxing, but similar to Pipkin, she hopes people can take their precautions because she does understand that the vaccine isn’t the end all be all.

“When it comes to regular plans for others I just hope they are being smart,” said Schade. “If they do have the vaccine, people can still get sick if too many people are together.”

Stertmann understands that some situations are more acceptable than others when in public during a pandemic.

“It depends,” said Stertmann. “If it is a friend group you hang out with all the time and you go out and have a trip, that’s fine. Now if it’s going to a party with multiple people you don’t know, no, I do not agree with that.”

The world has been indoors for too long and most are itching to get out and travel. If that is your plan, be as safe as possible to try and slow the spread of COVID-19. For those deciding to stay home or don’t have extensive travel plans, hopefully, you find peace in knowing that the spread is slowing down. It is important to find positivity within every little win that you can achieve.

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Dr. Charles Bolton Wins 2020 Booker Worthen Literacy Prize

��Vlog��ý Little Rock — Wed, 28 Apr 2021 17:19:37 +0000

Dr. Charles Bolton opened his email during a quarantine day, taking a break from research and spending time with his family to see an email about his book. He was excited to receive the news that his book, “Fugitivism: Escaping Slavery in the Lower Mississippi Valley, 1820-1860.”

Bolton, who is professor emeritus of history at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, was surprised as he had won this award once before in 1999. The Booker Worthen Literacy Prize was originally awarded to the best books in nonfiction that were history-related to Arkansas. Now, the literacy prize is given to the best published book by an Arkansan.

“I was particularly excited,” said Bolton, “to win a prize that applied to all Arkansans and was open to fiction and nonfiction. That’s a really big deal for me.”

His book focuses on the topic of being a fugitive and escaping slavery. He got this idea when he was working on other research for the National Park Service. He found that he was interested in runaway slave advertisements, especially how slave owners were portraying these advertisements as wanting to get their property back.

“Fugitivism: Escaping Slavery in the Lower Mississippi Valley, 1820-1860” was a project that took Bolton eight to nine years to write. He was working on it before he retired from ��Vlog��ý Little Rock in 2009. The book was published Aug. 22 2019 by the University of Arkansas Press. He strived to make his book as full of information as possible but also wanted to avoid making it too technical. Bolton described the book.

“What I was trying to do,” said Bolton, “was write a book that would appeal to a broad segment of the population who might be interested in not only African-American issues but racial justice…at the same time you have to write a book that will be accepted by professional historians.”

He hoped his book would be able to enter the conversations about race that are happening today. Bolton tried to denounce the myth that most escaped slaves ran to the north. Escaped slaves escaped for a variety of reasons.

“Lots of times they wanted to go to a city,” Bolton said. “People in the lower Mississippi Valley escaped to go to New Orleans. I mean they’re just like me and you. They’re attracted to cities.”

The book received positive reviews and is now the winner of the Booker Worthen Literacy Prize. Bolton enjoyed the positive parts of writing, like spending time learning and researching new topics and new places. He described how much easier technology makes research. The accessibility makes it easier to find information about the topics he was interested in. There are more learning opportunities now than before.

Bolton gave advice to students that are interested in academic research and writing.

“Take all the courses, professors want you to write,” Bolton said. “The history department you now have at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock is as good now as it ever has been.”

He continued, “If you want to write, you’ve got to write. Work with the best people you can work with. Look for people who are going to give you solid criticism, you have to learn to accept that. It’s not that your critics are always going to be right. But, your stuff is going to be better if you do.”

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Lifting the mask mandate: Is it too soon?

��Vlog��ý Little Rock — Wed, 28 Apr 2021 17:19:04 +0000

Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson announced on Feb. 26 that the state’s COVID-19 directives will now be considered “guidance” which do not carry penalties for businesses or individuals.

He also announced Arkansas’ mask mandate will end on March 31 if the state reached certain goals.

The new order changes the directives into “guidance” which he defined as a “strong recommendation.” At the news conference, he and Health Secretary Dr. Jose Romero said they don’t expect Arkansans behavior to change, as mask-wearing, hand washing and social distancing is still necessary.

On CNN’s ‘State of the Union,’ Hutchinson said goals announced in February to lift the mask mandate, which include the 7-day rolling average of testing positivity rate remains below 10 percent after an average of 7,500 people tested daily, or fewer than 750 hospitalizations, are being met and he believes the mask requirement will be lifted.

“You can’t keep directives in place forever,” Hutchinson said. “This gives us a safe path to move forward following the guidelines. And if a business believes that they can keep their customers safe and their employees safe and they want to tweak it … then there’s more flexibility.”

Former ��Vlog��ý Little Rock student, Jeffery Huber said the way Gov. Hutchinson has handled the pandemic is the best job he’s done since he’s been in office. “He’s put together a really smart team to surround and advise him,” he said.

When asked how he thinks business will handle the restriction being lifted he responded, “People need to understand that each business has the right to require you to wear a mask.”

He said he doesn’t think the restriction being lifted will set Arkansas back in the progress made since the pandemic started last March.

Veronica Lindsey, a senior from Philander Smith has a different take on the proposal. “I feel the governor is a little more relaxed than he should be with the mask mandate,” Lindsey said. “In my opinion, it is still a little too early to let individuals walk around or go into various businesses without a mask on because the coronavirus is still prevalent and a big concern to many individuals around the world and even in this state.”

Lindsey said that she thinks the restriction being lifted will set us back in our progress.

“The cases are still high and prevalent in Arkansas, and everyone has not been allowed to receive the vaccination yet,” Lindsey said. “Even though we will be able to go out without a mask, I will continue to wear mine until I feel more comfortable being without it in a public setting.”

On March 24, a week before the mask mandate is expected to be lifted, Arkansas had 231 new positive cases and 172 active hospitalizations.

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Diversity Matters: ��Vlog��ý Little Rock’s Diversity Report

��Vlog��ý Little Rock — Wed, 28 Apr 2021 17:13:35 +0000

This month, the Diversity Council at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock organized numerous virtual events to celebrate diversity. I enjoyed each of the virtual events that I attended and was able to gather valuable information.

While attending these virtual events, I realized that the topic of diversity has a lot more depth than I thought. After doing further research I discovered that there are many segments of diversity such as gender, religion and ethnicity. For instance, with transgender people feeling more comfortable as themselves, it has shifted the norm of gender identification around the world. A non-binary or transgender identification option will most likely become a permanent gender selection option on applications and legal documentation in the near future.

Furthermore, there are many religions around the world that have different physical expressions of God. Some of these religions are Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity, Yoruba, Santeria etc. Another person’s different version of God could be seen as the devil to another, which is why the diversity of religion is being revolutionized. The world is constantly evolving, making ethnic diversity a popular demand. Despite our different shades of skin tones, we are all human and breathe the same oxygen. In other words, all ethnics groups are diverse and have a unique history, nobody is better than the other.

While the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock racial diversity is high, due to the absence of a non-binary or transgender selection option on ��Vlog��ýLR admission applications, the gender diversity is low. According to College Simply, ��Vlog��ýLR racial demographics are 52% White, 27% Black, 7% Hispanic, 2% Asian, 2% international and 9% two or more races. Whereas, the gender demographics at ��Vlog��ýLR are simply 62% women and 38% men. As I stated before, the world is rapidly evolving each decade. Therefore, there will most likely be an increase in ��Vlog��ýLR’s racial and gender demographics throughout the next few decades.

��Vlog��ý Little Rock’s Diversity Council was established to make a change and create a diverse community on campus. It is interesting to know what the Diversity Council will do to expand diversity on campus for the next ten to twenty years. In addition, the Diversity Council has a “Live & Learn” series that addresses diversity topics. To share topics about diversity like religion or ethnicity, you must fill out a form online and the Diversity Council will contact you. Also, if you would like to become a member of the Diversity Council or want to nominate someone, the deadline to send a letter to the chancellor is April 1st.

Diversity Council Live and Learn Form

Office of chancellor contact information

Diversity Council

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Valentine’s Day: A Holiday with Many Opinions

��Vlog��ý Little Rock — Wed, 28 Apr 2021 17:11:56 +0000

This year, Arkansas had a white Valentine’s Day that prevented as many celebrations from taking place but love was still in the air. Chocolates, roses, and candle-lit dinners are all staples of this day that make it that much more special. However, there is a big population that isn’t so fond of the holiday. Whether you love it or hate it, are single or in a relationship, when the day gets close, it is almost impossible to escape.

A day set aside for the appreciation of loved ones was not always filled with roses and chocolates. The origins were different and much grimmer from how it is celebrated now. The most common origin story of Valentine’s Day is said to be the ancient festival of Lupercalia.

According to History.com, it was “a bloody, violent and sexually-charged celebration awash with animal sacrifice, random matchmaking, and coupling in the hopes of warding off evil spirits and infertility.”

This celebration continued on for centuries during mid-February, but as the Roman Empire shifted into a more Christian ideology, it became a celebration honoring St. Valentine. Now, we know it as a romantic day where people show to express their love for each other through various gifts (sometimes too expensive if you ask me) and other gestures.

Because of the progression of Valentine’s Day, there are many different points of view about the day and its meaning. I asked a few people what they thought about Valentine’s Day. Here are a few opinions on Valentine’s Day.

James Johnson, a senior mass communication major at ��Vlog��ý-Little, likes to enjoy the day with all his loved ones, not just a significant other. He also acknowledges that Valentine’s Day has changed over the years.

“Though I feel that the meaning behind Valentine’s Day has been watered down and over-emphasized, I feel that it’s still a very sacred holiday to be celebrated,” said James. “It’s a tradition in my family for my mom to give us gifts and baskets of candy every year and we double up on her presents since her birthday is the day before the holiday.”

Susan Schade, a graduate student at the school of mass communication, has had a not-so-common experience on Valentine’s Day.

“During my junior year of high school, I had a boyfriend on Valentine’s Day for the first time, and I decided to get him something nice. We had not discussed getting each other anything because I thought it was just something you just did on that day,” said Susan. “When I gave him his not-so-cheap gift, he did not bother to look up from his phone. He shoved it out of the way and that’s when I knew I had to break up with him. Needless to say, I was boyfriendless the next day.”

I found myself relating a lot to Laura Jansen, a junior mass communication major, and Shyanne Kidd, a sophomore mass communication major, who expressed a more cynical opinion than others.

“I don’t really celebrate Valentine’s because I think that it is weird that people make one day so big and buy each other gifts even though they can do that every day when they are together,” said Laura. “Why is that one day so special? I think you can be sweet and generous whenever you want.”

Shyanne shared her thoughts on the day. “Growing up, I felt that Valentine’s Day was sweet for those who celebrated the day, but now I don’t see why people go all out for one day? Why can’t they show love all the time?” she said. “If you love someone, then you shouldn’t dedicate one day to them. I guess you can say that we get the chocolate’s the day after everyone else celebrates it.”

Other opinions were more general but still loved the spirit of what the holiday means these days. Aside from romantic relationships, some like to celebrate the friendships they have and value on this day.

Caitlyn Robbins enjoys the day as much as she can because to her, it is a day to show your love for others and get dressed up. And it doesn’t hurt that her favorite color is red.

“If I’m not in a relationship, I’ll probably call up my best friend and go out to dinner or get our nails done,” said Caitlyn. “Something special/an excuse to get dressed up in my favorite color (red) and do our make-up. If I am in a relationship there’s usually a gift exchange and a special date.”

Valentine’s Day as we know it is not the same for everyone. That day can also be a birthday for some or even a grim memory for others. For Remington Miller, a junior English and mass communications double major, Valentine’s Day still has a lovely meaning about relationships and self-care but just a year ago, she had a loved one pass away on this day.

“My brother-in-law overdosed. I got the call that morning and things felt really different. It was a hard pill to swallow seeing my older sister lose her husband and to see my younger sister lose someone she had been building a relationship with,” Remington recalls. “When I think of Valentine’s Day roses, I think of the untouched ones from the last bouquet he brought to my house that stayed there for months until my mother put them into a shadow box.”

Aside from the romantic part, there are many ways to still appreciate Valentine’s Day. Regardless of disliking the holiday, it is inevitably celebrated throughout the US every year, so maybe, as Shyanne does, have a sweet next day with discounted chocolate.

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Emotional change for international students

��Vlog��ý Little Rock — Wed, 28 Apr 2021 15:56:44 +0000

The pandemic made big changes happen: everyone had to wear masks, some countries had a curfew, restaurants closed, schools closed, social distancing, etc. But it also brought a lot of emotional changes.

Several international students have been stuck in the United States for a year now and most of them will be staying here a lot longer. Borders are closed to the US or the US won’t allow people from other countries to enter.

Brazil is one of the most impacted countries. The US won’t allow Brazilian students in the country unless they quarantine in a different country for two weeks.

Two volleyball players at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock got stuck in Brazil and couldn’t participate in the volleyball season.

“It was a very difficult time because I was very anxious to go to a new university and with COVID-19, everything became complicated,” Livia Kimura expressed.

Eager students try to find solutions to be able to get back in the country to finish their education, but the process isn’t easy especially when things don’t go as planned. Victoria Silva’s process was scarier because she almost got stuck in Chile without a passport.

“To be able to enter the USA and get my student visa, I had to do 15 quarantine days in Chile,” Silva said. “It was a very difficult process and a huge expense of money, I had a problem with the return of the passport after my visa was approved and ended up staying in Chile for 26 days.”

Leaving home to go live in a whole different country is difficult for the student but also for the family. The pandemic makes it more difficult for parents, knowing that their child is in a different country with a deadly virus going around but also not knowing when they are going to see them again.

Making life decisions like this as 20 plus year-olds is a big deal. After making decisions, people rethink the situation and wish they would’ve done something different. As Livia said, she would’ve stayed in the US if she knew COVID-19 was going to stay this long.

Silva and Kimura try to find different things that will help them get their minds off of that idea.

“I video call my family a lot and it helps being around people from my country that have been through the same.” Technology nowadays definitely helps.

Kimura has a tip for all international students in these bad situations.

“Be patient, some things we are not able to control,” Kimura said. “It is a stressful and complicated process, but in the end, it will all work out. Stay positive, I think this is the best tip to face this moment. Things will get better little by little, so don’t stress yourself trying to control what doesn’t depend on you.”

Internationals just need to keep in mind that everything will pass and everything will turn back to normal. Everyone will be able to achieve their goals but just have a lot of patience and faith.

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Connect with people from afar: Lauren Wilson brings improvements to Multicultural Center

��Vlog��ý Little Rock — Wed, 28 Apr 2021 15:49:44 +0000

Before she became Assistant Director of the Multicultural Center for ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, Lauren Wilson was an undergraduate student at the University of Arkansas. She knows what college life is like for students of color at a school that lacks diversity, and that is what drives her in the improvements she is bringing here.

Wilson appreciates that ��Vlog��ý Little Rock is diverse, but no university is perfect.

“The Multicultural Center is important not only to provide programs and safe spaces for students of color who haven’t found a place on campus yet,” Wilson said. “But it also provides educational programming to teach about other cultures. Come learn something you didn’t learn before, come meet someone with a different perspective… We don’t just provide support, but also education to engage people [to meet peers] they wouldn’t have met otherwise.”

As an undergraduate at Fayetteville, Ark., Wilson participated in mentor programs and valued connecting with others. The program there paired freshmen with upperclassmen and allowed students who endured similar experiences and practiced similar cultures to automatically connect.

“Everything came full circle,” Wilson said, as she has been working to improve SADI or the Student Affairs Diversity Initiatives, to make the program more successful and able to help more people.

“I learned I had a passion for mentoring as a graduate student and as a teacher,” Wilson said. “Forming mentor relationships with students came naturally, so that revitalizes SADI. I hope to provide similar experiences [that I had] to ��Vlog��ý Little Rock students.”

Wilson taught 10th grade English after receiving her undergraduate degree, then came to ��Vlog��ý Little Rock to work in higher education at the Ottenheimer Library as a student support and training specialist. Wilson helped students, faculty and staff learn about the services and technology that the library provides.

Wilson was not aware that she could finish her graduate degree here until she connected with the graduate department and learned that her credits from a previous graduate program would transfer.

That’s when she met Dr. Mia Phillips, who had just started working as the director of the Multicultural Center. Wilson became her graduate assistant and the rest is history.

“I [have been] really fortunate to connect with the people at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, and that’s why I was drawn to stay here,” Wilson said.

She knew after being a graduate assistant in the Multicultural Center that it was the perfect area of higher education for her to work in. She started full time in her current position in December of 2020.

Wilson recommends that students get involved in “everything on campus, but definitely SADI.”

SADI partners a freshman student with both an upperclassman mentor and a professional mentor, as well as Wilson herself. That way, every student has a support group behind their endeavors, not just one person.

“The goal of SADI is to provide students with a team,” Wilson said. “We let them know about events and opportunities, and they have a community even though we haven’t gathered in person. We see the same faces and names virtually… It [creates] a space where you know that you have folks you can reach out to if you’re struggling.”

The Multicultural Center also hosts “First Fridays.” These sessions are currently being held over Zoom on the first Friday of every month, and they are open for anyone to attend. They will be in person at the Multicultural Center on the second floor of the Ottenheimer Library once COVID-19 restrictions are lifted on campus.

“First Fridays” often have a theme, from mental health to how to become a resident assistant.

“We get ��Vlog��ý Little Rock faculty and staff to speak on topics they are familiar with,” Wilson said.

First Fridays are more than educational. They are a space for regular conversations where students can discuss their feelings.

“We provide a space for people to get things off their chest,” she said.

The Multicultural Center also hosts “Reality Checks,” where students learn about life skills from financial literacy to self-care. This programming takes place on the third Thursday of each month.

The Multicultural Center recently hosted Black History Month activities in February and is hosting Diversity Month activities during the month of March.

“I [am] so happy to collaborate with students, faculty, and staff to put forth the effort for amazing programming,” Wilson said. “We started meeting back in December 2020 to pull together different departments and student organizations, and we’ve been hearing some really awesome feedback.”

SADI student mentors Kayla Maxwell and Lakendra Mackey value what the Multicultural Center has added to their college experience.

“What I can tell from this first semester working with my group is that they will provide an amazing, unconditional support team [to each other],” Maxwell said. “I feel so comfortable with the staff and other mentors being open about my college experience. I know that this is the start of a lifelong relationship.”

Both mentors have been checking in with their mentees virtually.

“Like many things during the time of COVID-19, this has taught me how to connect with people from afar,” Maxwell said. “I have never met any of my mentees in person, but when I first introduced myself, I was open [about] who I am and what I like to do. It has taught me to expand my horizons and not be afraid to open up.”

Mackey was pleasantly surprised at the tasks that being a SADI mentor entailed.

“I became a mentor because I thought it would be easy… but it’s not like that at all. I am worried about my mentees when they reach out to me [with] something bothering them,” Mackey said. “I am deeply invested in them having a good college experience. I don’t want them to drop out for any reasons that could have an easy solution that they might not see.”

While they are both helping their mentees, the Multicultural Center and Lauren Wilson are helping them.

“Ms. Lauren Wilson kept me in touch with reality… the whole Multicultural Center has continually encouraged and cheered me on during this pandemic,” Mackey said. “I was able to walk out in faith, knowing that I would have genuine support regardless of the outcome. Even when I am no longer a student here, I feel that people I encounter will always be rooting for me, and I will be for them.”

Both students recommend that others get involved.

“When I saw the opportunity to join the team that Ms. Wilson was heading, I took a leap of faith and started something new despite my nerves and it was honestly a great decision that I don’t regret one bit,” Maxwell said. “I am not afraid to get out and do more on campus. I believe the Multicultural Center had a lot to do with that.”

Mackey is proud of how many different groups of students can interact through the Multicultural Center.

“The point is, we have workshops that make us all interact, connect, and make lasting friendships,” Mackey said. “I can see how someone from a different culture feels about a topic that does not seem important to me but is to them. It can open my eyes to their plight.”

More information about the Multicultural Center can be found on their social media pages, @��Vlog��ýLRMC on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. They are also hoping to develop a TikTok in the near future.

“We are here for all students, reach out and let us know how we can help you,” Wilson encouraged. “If we need to connect you with other departments, [we can]. We have a nice physical space that people can come into… Holla at us! We can find someone to talk to you.”

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More Than a Year Into the COVID-19 Pandemic: How are Students Doing?

��Vlog��ý Little Rock — Wed, 28 Apr 2021 15:49:09 +0000

The Arkansas mask mandate was issued on Jul. 18, 2020, requiring all residents to wear a covering over the mouth and nose in all indoor environments that are not private residences. Almost 9 months of a mask mandate and several more dealing with social distancing and isolation to prevent COVID-19 spread has affected all college students.

Unequivocally, classes went online or hybrid for the spring of 2020 at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. Entire lessons had to be transferred online and students who did not sign up for this style of learning were forced out of the necessity of safety for all.

Sophomore Community Management and Development student Kayla Maxwell describes the effect of switching to virtual learning on her.

“[At] the beginning of this, all online classes didn’t bother me at all,” Maxwell said. “I enjoyed them but now I am starting to feel otherwise.”

She believes that once we are able to go back to being in a classroom with our peers’ coursework will be easier to do. She is thankful for her moms’ support right now and her sister is also at home doing work virtually. She is keeping focus currently with “several calendars, whiteboards, and a list going at a time.”

Senior Professional and Technical Writing student Micah Rodriguez is not impressed with online learning either.

“I prefer physical [classes],” said Rodriguez.“The class interaction is more fun and collaborating on projects is easier.”

Having a set time to be in class helps her balance work and school commitments. At home, Rodriguez has a space in her basement that she utilizes as an office and credits her wife’s support for helping her stay on track.

“My wife has been my biggest cheerleader as I try to finish up my degree,” said Rodriguez. “Making sure I have time to work, have access to snacks or fixing my laptop when it acts possessed…she has kept me sane.” Her routine and schedule are her best assets to stay focused.

Sophomore Mass Communications student Shyanne Kidd does not prefer either method of learning but confesses.

“I used to love in-person classes because you could be hands-on and ask questions and get demonstrations in-person,” Kidd said.

It was tough for her at first to be able to balance her online schoolwork with life but has adapted well. She has found what works best for her.

“Because I have become quite the procrastinator during COVID-19, with the help of writing and scheduling things I have been able to keep on target,” Kidd said. “I also found to not overwhelm myself with school 24/7 and taking time to myself has really helped me in remaining focused.”

Some students continued to work in the public space since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Rodriguez was initially furloughed from her job. However, she is thankful for that time because it allowed her to work on school projects. Since then, she has found another job.

“Up until about 5 months ago I was delivering and installing appliances for clients,” said Rodriguez. “We had COVID-19 protocols to keep us safe, I didn’t feel safe. Listening to people complain about masks made me laugh as I was working in the heat and carrying fridges up flights of stairs while wearing a mask, gloves and practically bathing in hand sanitizer.”

She has now been promoted to a stay-at-home job.

Maxwell was working in the childcare center of a gym before they were shut down after spring break in 2020. The gym was unable to keep regular shifts because of their limited capacity, so she had to find other work to keep her hours. She acknowledges that her employers now are trying their best to keep her and fellow essential workers safe but is frustrated by those who don’t feel the need to wear a mask to protect others.

Kidd responds to a potential lift on the mask mandate with a rhetorical question, “We still have people dying from COVID-19 complications, and the state might lift the mask mandate?” She does not agree with relaxing this preventative measure.

Rodriguez lives with an at-risk individual and agrees with the sentiment.

“I think it is irresponsible,” said Rodriguez. “Even when the mandate is lifted, I am still wearing a mask to not only keep myself safer but my family.”

However, it looks like Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson will let the mandate expire by the end of this month.

The world has changed, and Rodriguez describes this well.

“I remember when my wife and I were visiting our cousins in March of 2020,” Rodriguez said. “The mask mandate was not a thing yet and nothing had actually closed. We made a joke about how this will all blow over and we will be back to normal before we know it. We visited them 5 months later. Social distancing was mandatory, masks were mandatory, some businesses were a thing of the past and were shared a laugh on how that statement didn’t age well.”

Many wonderful people and things have been lost. Maxwell has seen some positives of the slowing-down of the world COVID-19 has forced.

“It has made me explore interest that I typically wouldn’t have stopped to give a chance,” Maxwell said. “I have put a lot more time into thoughts and activities surrounding my future. It has also afforded me great opportunities. While I don’t neglect the bad that has happened during this time, I am so grateful for all the good that is coming.”

Kidd gives this advice, “Wear your mask, and one day we will be able to have our freedoms again. Whatever you do, always remain safe and protecting yourself, family and friends, and strangers.”

The post More Than a Year Into the COVID-19 Pandemic: How are Students Doing? appeared first on The Forum.

Jan. 28 Board of Trustees Meeting from the Office of the Chancellor

��Vlog��ý Little Rock — Wed, 28 Apr 2021 15:41:39 +0000

On January 28, 2021, the Office of the Chancellor met with the Board of Trustees to discuss the issues affecting the University in the last year. The presentation brought to the Board emphasized the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, the racial justice movements following the murder of George Floyd, the requirements necessary in our University’s reaccreditation journey, and the availability of scholarships to students with financial needs.

Our Chancellor, Dr. Christina Drale, compiled a presentation with structured outlines on how the University shall address these issues in compliance with our four institutional priorities.

“[This presentation] highlights our obligation to serve a diverse student body, to offer degrees that meet the demand for professional and advanced level preparation in areas of critical need, and to apply our expertise and resources to public concerns and community wellbeing,” Dr. Drale said.

To alleviate the pressures students have faced from the challenges in 2020, the Office of the Chancellor communicated to the Board the need for reconstructing how scholarships are awarded to students.

“One of the things I realized early on is that nearly all of our institutional and private scholarships were exclusively merit-based and many were designated for continuing students,” Dr. Drale said. “These are important and valuable assets, but they didn’t fully address the needs of our diverse, often first-generation incoming students. We’ve put an emphasis on raising funds for need-based scholarships and overhauled our recruitment, admissions, and financial aid infrastructure to become more efficient, more effective [and] more data-driven than ever before.”

In conjunction with broadening scholarship allotment, the Office of the Chancellor has also initiated a new career success program.

“In alignment with our institutional role and scope, we are placing a renewed emphasis on career path assistance,” Drale said. “To that end, we are redirecting our marketing efforts to focus on programs, student experiences, and career potential [by] launching a new Career Center later this spring. We continue to collaborate with business, industry, government, and community partners to develop high-quality programs and to provide unique applied experiences.”

To conclude the presentation, Dr. Drale reminded the Board and the University as a whole that its faculty, staff, and leaders are in constant consideration of our student body.

“Despite our considerable challenges this past year, we have not lost sight of what is important and eternal,” Drale said. “And although we still have much work to do, I believe the path forward is clear.”

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