Author: Olivia Sothoron

Written By: Olivia Sothoron

St. Mary’s College of Maryland’s (SMCM) chapter of Relay for Life works tirelessly throughout the year to raise money for their big event in February to donate to the American Cancer Society. This year, the COVID-19 pandemic has proved challenging to be able to host fundraising events in person, however, co-presidents Cady Gorsak (‘21) and Dianna Greene (‘22) have found ways to transition to online fundraising and are hosting events that follow social distancing protocols to adhere to the College’s guidelines. 

Throughout the month of October, SMCM Relay for Life has provided numerous fundraising activities to raise money for the American Cancer Society’s research on cancer prevention. Gorsak explained that planning for the October events began at the beginning of the semester, and hosted a virtual kickoff event on Sept. 30. 

Since October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the Relay for Life Club worked to create fundraisers that align with this theme. One fundraising event which has been offered throughout the month of October is Tea for Ta-Tas. Participants can purchase hot chocolate, tea, baking kits and teaware from Sipology, and 20% of the proceeds will go towards SMCM Relay for Life. In addition, the club has also been advertising Boo-B Grams, which are bags full of candy that can be purchased through a Google Form for $2. The candy bags were picked up on Oct. 30 during the Pumpkin Decorating and Costume Contest. 

Gorsak explained that she was most excited about the Pumpkin Decorating and Costume Contest because she loves fall and everything that has to do with pumpkins. Participants signed up and paid a fee of $8 to participate in person or $5 to participate virtually. The fees include the pumpkins as well as the decorating supplies. 30% of the proceeds will be donated to the winner of the pumpkin decorating contest, and the winner of the costume contest will be given a gift basket. 

In order to maintain social distancing and COVID-19 protocols, Gorsak stated: “We adapted our guidelines by having three blocks for the event to limit the amount of people per each time slot, so for the Pumpkin Carving and Costume Contest. Each of the three time slots will last 40 minutes. Then we will provide hand sanitizer and have wipes to wipe down tables that are used throughout the event.”

The main Relay for Life event held in February will more than likely be virtual, explained Angela Draheim (‘03), who has been involved as a member of the SMCM Relay for Life committee for as long as it has been at the College. She explained that she first became involved in Relay for Life when her mother-in-law was associated with the event in Washington County, MD. Draheim’s life has been greatly impacted by cancer, so she is happy to participate and raise awareness and money for cancer research. She stated that SMCM Relay for Life has a fundraising goal of $15,000 for their main event. Draheim mentioned: “The American Cancer Society has predicted nearly a 50% drop in donations this year due to COVID-19 so it is more important than ever to support this worthy cause in any way possible to ensure the continuation of the critically important research and patient programs that are supported by RFL fundraising.”

As the fall semester is wrapping up, Gorsak, Draheim, Greene and club co-advisor Dean Joanne Goldwater look ahead to the spring semester and their main event in February. During these uncertain times in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is especially important to continue to raise awareness and money for cancer research to ensure that those suffering from cancer can continue to receive the proper treatment to ensure their recovery.

Written By: Olivia Sothoron

For the first time in decades, St. Mary’s College of Maryland (SMCM) will offer a winter term between the Fall 2020 and Spring 2021 semesters. The winter term– or “Winterim,” as it is being called–was announced to students in an email from the Office of the Registrar on Sept. 9. The email stated that the Winterim “begins on December 14, 2020, and ends on January 12, 2021; final grades will be submitted by January 15, 2021. Classes can carry up to four credits and will be taught as either three-week or four-week courses.” 

The email also explained that students who enroll in the courses during the Winterim will be charged “the College’s published per-credit rate of $200 per credit.” In addition, some courses which require the use of a laboratory or studio could have an additional fee. For the purposes of Financial Aid, SMCM is counting the Winterim as a part of the Fall 2020 semester. This means that students who decide to take a course during the Winterim period who were considered full-time students in the Fall 2020 semester will not have to pay for an additional fee, and will only be charged $200 per credit. However, students who are considered part-time in the Fall 2020 semester and decide to take courses over the winter term could possibly be considered full-time students in the fall since the winter courses are counted as a part of the fall semester. 

Another email from the Registrar on Sept. 29 announced that registration for Winterim courses will become available on Oct. 19 and will remain open until Dec. 11. The email also stated that since the SMCM Portal is unable to handle registration for both the Winterim period as well as the Spring 2021 semester, registration for the Winterim period will be completed through a Google Form. 

The email on Sept. 29 also released the courses which will be offered during the Winterim period. SMCM faculty have the opportunity to submit proposals for Winterim courses. A list of the courses which have already been approved for the winter term can be found on the SMCM website under the Office of the Registrar and Winter Session. The Winterim period will feature courses in the following disciplines: anthropology, art, art history, astronomy, biology, chemistry, economics, educational studies, English, environmental studies, international languages and cultures, math, philosophy, physical fitness and recreational sport, political science, psychology and theater, film and media studies. The website also features course descriptions so that students can decide whether or not they want to take that specific course. 

The courses offered are not just CORE requirements, but also upper-level electives for specific disciplines. For example, Dr. Indrajit Chaudhury in the SMCM Biology Department is offering BIOL 480, which is Molecular Biology of Human Diseases. The course description states that “in this course students will learn a wide range of human diseases ranging from infectious diseases such as bacterial, viral (including COVID-19) and prion diseases, diseases of immune system, cancer, nervous system diseases, cardiovascular diseases and genetic diseases.” 

For more information on the Winterim period, visit the SMCM website and look under the Office of the Registrar and Winter Session. The Winterim 2020 semester provides an opportunity for SMCM students to get ahead on their credits while taking interesting courses in order to keep themselves busy over their winter break.

Written By: Olivia Sothoron

With the reopening of St. Mary’s College of Maryland (SMCM) for the return of students, the Michael P. O’Brien Athletic and Recreation Center (MPOARC)  rules and regulations have been adapted in order to reopen for the use of students. Although students, staff and faculty are able to return to the MPOARC, exercise this year looks very different, as the COVID-19 pandemic has caused the College to institute various limitations to mitigate the spread of the virus. 

The MPOARC website lists the various guidelines which must be followed in order to use the facility, including: completing health screening and a temperature check upon entry, arriving in workout attire (no use of locker rooms), wearing a face mask at all times and wiping down equipment after use. In addition, the purchase of guest passes is not permitted this year in order to prevent people outside of the SMCM community from entering into the facilities. 

Another new guideline in place for the MPOARC requires all who wish to use the facilities to register for a specific time to use the equipment. In order to register for a time slot, one must download the IMLeagues application and create an account. Then, through the app, one can select the equipment which they wish to use, and they can reserve a time slot for that equipment. Time slots are limited to 45 minutes, before that time is up, patrons must clean their equipment and leave. After the patron leaves, an employee of the MPOARC will also wipe down the equipment, ensuring that it is properly sterilized before the next time slot. 

Lily Pohlenz (‘21) typically goes to the MPOARC between four and six times each week, where she visits both the fitness center for weightlifting as well as the cardio room, where she likes to use the stairmaster. In addition, since Pohlenz is a member of the SMCM Women’s Basketball Team, she will visit the auxiliary gymnasium to shoot around. 

Although Pohlenz agrees with the efforts being taken to prevent the spread of the virus, she expressed wishes to have an extra ten minutes added to each time slot to allow for her to thoroughly clean her equipment upon finishing her workout. She explained: “Sometimes I find myself just quickly wiping down and not really thoroughly cleaning the equipment I used just because I feel like I am short on time. The ARC employees do come by after we leave and clean all of the equipment for a second time, though I definitely would appreciate at least a full 60 minutes when working out.”

Pohlenz explained that IMLeagues is fairly easy to navigate, and she recommends that one register at least 48 hours in advance of their desired workout time in order to reserve the equipment and time slot they desire. Pohlenz remarked that she thinks having to reserve a time slot is good not only because it limits the amount of people who can use the facilities at one time, but also because it “is a great way to motivate people to go to the gym.” She continued, “If you have to sign up to workout, then you are more likely to go because you went through all of the effort of signing up in advance.”

However, Pohlenz mentioned that having to wear a mask, although necessary, complicates physical activity. It causes her to take more frequent breaks in order to avoid becoming lightheaded while engaging in extraneous physical activity. She also stated that wearing a mask during exercise is definitely more conducive to light intensity workouts, however, workouts of a higher intensity can be difficult with a mask as they make it more difficult to breathe. Pohlenz explained, “I have been and will continue to wear my mask while working out, because I do not want to get sick and I also want the ARC to stay open, but sometimes it is a tad bit difficult.”

It is obvious that wearing a mask is not ideal in an exercise setting, however, as Pohlenz explains, it is more important to be grateful that the MPOARC is open for use. Pohlenz stated, “I am just thankful that the gym is open and I would much rather be slightly light headed/irritated with my mask on than actually be sick with COVID and not be allowed to workout!”

For more information on the new guidelines or to make a reservation, visit the MPOARC website at smcmathletics.com. For more information on the College’s policies to prevent the spread of COVID-19 around campus, visit the COVID-19 Dashboard on the College’s website.

By Olivia Sothoron

On Thursday, Sept. 17, Tuajuanda Jordan sent out an email to the entire St. Mary’s College of Maryland (SMCM) community announcing that the administration would be holding a Town Hall in regards to the College’s response to the new COVID-19 cases emerging on campus. President Jordan, as well as Provost Michael Wick, Wellness Center Director Laurie Scherer, Dean Derek Young, Vice President for Business and Chief Financial Officer Paul Pusecker and Interim Vice President for Student Affairs Shana Meyer addressed concerns over the Zoom call. 

Jordan explained that the way in which the College monitors the status of COVID-19 cases on campus relies upon the college community’s positivity rate for four consecutive days, the positivity rate for two consecutive weeks, the quarantine isolation capacity as well as the county and state conditions. Throughout the meeting, Jordan kept emphasizing that “no one factor will cause the transition to remote learning.” 

One hopeful remark from Jordan during the meeting was that the College is not yet in a position that has made the administration begin to consider transitioning to fully remote learning. She continued that if the College does at some point come to this decision to go fully remote, they will work with the residential population to continue addressing the needs of students who have no place to go. 

In order to clear up confusion and to address questions which are frequently asked of the administration, Scherer explained the difference between various terms which are associated with the efforts to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. She defined “isolation” as “what happens to somebody who has COVID-19 and is a way to keep them away from the population.” “Quarantine,” on the contrary, is for “someone who has been in close contact with someone who has COVID-19. These people are to isolate, assess their symptoms and monitor their health.” She defined “close contact” as being “within six feet of someone for longer than 15 minutes,” and most close contact will be eliminated through the use of masks. 

Scherer also announced that the Wellness Center would begin conducting surveillance testing beginning on Sept. 20. An email will be sent out to randomly selected SMCM students–both residential and commuters–faculty and staff to be tested at an on-campus site. The point of surveillance testing, Jordan explained, is to look at the asymptomatic population in order to mitigate the spread of the virus by those who are not displaying symptoms. The surveillance testing is set up through the University of Maryland System and it promises results within 48 hours. University of Maryland Baltimore County is the primary vendor for all on-campus testing in all of Maryland. 

After the administrators spoke, Jordan opened the meeting up for questions. One of the questions asked was in regards to the campus’ decision to continue to allow tours, while preventing friends and family members of students from visiting campus. The administrators explained that the College is only allowing one tour per tour guide at all times, families must wear a mask and must maintain social distance at all times and visitors are asked to complete the symptom check and use hand sanitizer upon entrance. In addition, tours have been shortened to reduce the number of indoor locations that the prospective students visit, and all restrooms are off limits except for the restrooms in the Admissions Building. Tours are continuing in order to “provide the support for prospective students to see campus in a restricted way.”

Another question asked was in regards to the College’s ability to ensure that students are abiding by isolation requests. Director Scherer explained that any student who has tested positive or has symptoms is asked to isolate in a specific unit. In addition, the Wellness Center staff is in contact with the students in isolation daily in order to check in to see how they are doing. Students who test positive also have the option to go home. She also mentioned that a person living with someone who has tested positive should also be quarantined. 

These are very challenging and stressful times and it is important that everyone takes the proper precautions to prevent the spread of the virus. In addition, there are various sources across campus to provide help to students, staff and faculty. Scherer remarked: “Watch your health, use the symptom checker and make sure that you are doing okay. If you have any questions, please let [the Wellness Center] know. We care about your health and safety.”

All of the information regarding the College’s procedures for handling COVID-19 can be found on the COVID-19 dashboard on the SMCM website.