It has been accepted as common sense by this point that partying is detrimental to keeping the coronavirus from spreading rapidly through Baylor’s campus. An idea that hasn’t been explored nearly as much is the idea that the virus is also being spread during church services by those who are relaxing safety measures on Sunday mornings. Community, especially church fellowship, is incredibly necessary during this pandemic, and those who turn to religion or faith for encouragement have every right to do so. However, many churches are not taking the proper precautions or requiring members of their congregation to social distance…
Author: Baylor Lariat
You can’t complain.Other people have it worse.There are people dying in [insert any country here].Do any of these statements sound familiar? Have you ever been venting to someone only for them to retort with one of these phrases? Or have thoughts like these ever bounced around in your head?Well, don’t listen to them.Think about it this way. If you had a broken bone, would you avoid treatment just because someone else’s limb was amputated? If you were suffering from a blinding migraine, would you skip the painkillers just because someone has a concussion?Just because someone says others “have it worse”…
For a university that prides itself on its Christian identity, Baylor’s COVID-19 response is an abandonment of the values it preaches. How did we get so far from caring about the sick, weary and burdened?Baylor needs to do more to protect the vulnerable members of its community. Baylor needs to do more about the atmosphere on campus which puts even the most vigilant in harm’s way. It’s time for a change of course.The ResponseThe university’s response in the spring was swift. On March 11, Baylor extended spring break for a week and implemented online instruction for the following two weeks.…
When faced with the choice of Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump, millions of registered voters chose not to cast a ballot during the 2016 presidential election.Out of those registered voters who opted out of voting, 25% of them cited their “dislike of the candidates or campaign issues” as the main reason they did not participate, according to a Pew Research Center analysis of Census Bureau data.In fact, this jump in Americans shirking their duties and right to vote because they disliked both candidates dramatically increased from the 2012 presidential election.Today, as the 2020 presidential election grows nearer, several Americans are…
This is not the semester any of us wanted, but it is the one we have been given. The fact that we are on campus at all is a blessing, and it is up to us to do what we can to ensure that our classes can stay at least somewhat face-to-face.As a united student body we can keep each other safe, but sometimes doing the right thing can be a little uncomfortable. That being said, holding your friends accountable is a vital part of slowing the spread of COVID-19 through our campus.Don’t peer pressure others into not wearing masks…
It feels like every morning we wake up to more news telling us just how chaotic the world we’re living in is.Some people respond to the ever-increasing madness surrounding us by arguing that the world has always been this insane, we just haven’t ever been this informed about it. But how true can that be?From a public health standpoint, we still have an uncontrolled pandemic raging throughout our country. While many other countries have been able to resume a somewhat normal life again, America has surpassed six million cases and we’re closing in on 200,000 deaths. On a global stage,…
Despite being labelled “a success,” the return to campus has been fraught with cases of COVID-19. Last week, 408 positive tests were recorded. And as of Sunday, there were 456 active cases. Most of the cases — at least those recorded as of last Tuesday, originated from off-campus activities.To keep the situation from spiraling out of control, Baylor implemented strict policies in the lead up to the fall semester to curtail the spread of the virus. Most notably, the university threatened students who failed to obey these policies with suspension or expulsion, and student organizations faced suspension or the removal…
By Lauren Gassel | ContributorCreative Waco, a local nonprofit, has recently given the opportunity for Waco small businesses and local artists to stay afloat during this time of economic hardship.One way that Creative Waco has helped Waco’s artistic community is by starting an online marketplace called Make It In Waco that allows businesses to list handmade items, services, experiences, classes, commissions and audio/video files for sale.Fiona Bond, Creative Waco’s executive director, spoke about the inspiration behind the creation of the website in an episode of the nonprofit’s podcast “Conversations With Creative Waco.”“When we realized how big of an impact the…
The average cost of attending Baylor per semester is $19,186 according to the National Center for Education Statistics. Why practically throw that money down the drain to go blackout with 100 strangers?The university has warned us, and our parents, of the consequences we could face if we don’t follow social distancing guidelines: suspension or expulsion alongside a hefty fine. Student organizations can even be suspended or removed from campus. And if someone thought Baylor was bluffing? It’s already suspended multiple students and the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity. However, it seems like that might not be enough for students. The issue…
The U.S. Postal Service experienced a gutting from the inside in recent weeks. At the hands of Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, the much-beloved institution has cut overtime, decommissioned sorting machines and removed mailboxes, seemingly in an attempt to cripple this American icon.The removal of sorting machines in California facilities led to delays in delivering prescriptions, rent and unemployment checks. Food shipments caught in the bottleneck rotted on the facility floor and live crickets and baby chicks died in their crates. At least one worker called it “Armageddon.” This scene played out at facilities across the country, and more than 20…
While we all continue to adjust to a “new normal” and settle back into college life, it’s proving to be difficult to distinguish what’s safe and what’s not. Regardless of if you’re a freshman or a senior, all of us are disappointed in some way. Whether you feel like you’re missing out on Baylor traditions or unable to reunite with all of your friends after an extra-long spring break, it’s frustrating to have to alter activities and traditions that were once considered “normal.” However, it doesn’t have to be so negative. It can be interesting and fun to find other…
In a world where productivity trends dominate the internet and every other Instagram post is someone proudly displaying the skills they developed and the DIY creations they poured time into making over quarantine, it is easy to feel as if you didn’t do enough to make the most of a time of isolation. It is important to remember that there is no set standard for how much ought to get done when you are banished to your home. Success shouldn’t be measured by how much is outwardly accomplished, but by the inner reward gained by taking the time to learn,…
Requiring tests isn’t enough. Putting up tents isn’t enough. Baylor and its students need to do more if we want to stay on campus this semester.Just take a look at examples across the country:At the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 177 students tested positive for COVID-19 in their first week on campus with just 30% of its classes in person. That school has moved to an online format.The University of Notre Dame has had 146 positive tests since Aug. 3. They’ve moved classes online for the next two weeks.A little closer to home, Oklahoma State University has quarantined…
Black lives matter. Systemic racism is real. Racial injustice is happening everywhere.These statements are not up for debate. They are not “political” or “radical.” They simply speak truth about the state of race relations in this country. Saying these words is the first step in rectifying the way Black people have been treated in this country since the first enslaved people arrived on our shores in 1619. Black people are 2.8 times more likely to be shot and killed by police officers than white people. Black women are two to three times more likely than white women to die during…
by Will Chamblee | Sports Writer After deciding to move forward with the 2020 season, the Big 12 released a revised football schedule which will consist of nine conference games and one non-conference game for each of its teams. Big 12 commissioner Bob Bowlsby said in a statement Wednesday morning that the board of directors feels confident in their decision to move forward with the season.“We are comfortable in our institutions’ ability to provide a structured training environment, rigorous testing and surveillance, hospital quality sanitation and mitigation practices that optimize the health and safety of our student-athletes,” Bowlsby said. While…
By Will Chamblee | Sports Writer On the final day to withdraw from the 2020 NBA Draft, junior guard Jared Butler announced that he would be returning to Baylor for his junior year of collegiate basketball. Butler’s announcement followed senior guard Macio Teague’s decision to also return, meaning that Baylor men’s basketball would have its’ two leading scorers for another season. Butler spoke with the media following his announcement where he detailed why he chose to return, saying that there were “a lot of hypotheticals” and uncertainty surrounding the decision and that he had to rely on his faith. “We…
After the switch to online classes, Baylor announced its pass/fail option to students. While the switch has helped students, it can make many feel like they didn’t earn their GPAs by taking the pass.Accepting a pass instead of a letter grade does not mean that a student hasn’t succeeded. Whether or not grades have been sustained at the same level since before the shift to online classes is not a correct measurement of a student’s ability to learn the information.Each student has had their own experiences with online classes. Some classes have gotten easier with assignments due at the end…
By Baylor Lariat Sports StaffMale Athlete of the Year: James LynchThe Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year reigns high among the male athletes on campus. The recent fourth round pick by the Minnesota Vikings racked up awards during his junior season on campus including First-Team All American and Texas College Player of the Year.His production speaks for itself: 41 tackles, 19.5 tackles for a loss, 13.5 sacks, three forced fumbles and two blocked kicks. He was the most productive member of the defense that led Baylor to its most successful season in half a decade and the first BCS…
There have been times in history when xenophobia has been used as a scapegoat in times of trouble. Right now, we’re seeing that President Trump is deflecting blame for the spread of COVID-19 to China. Amid the fear and unrest of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is important we not allow blame to become the peace our wandering minds are looking for.The ideology that blames foreign countries and entities for issues within a country lends itself to egocentrism, blinding itself from its own issues. It also leads to a culture of xenophobia.The policy changes during the Trump administration reflect this very…
We flattened the curve. Thanks to local government action and citizen activism, only around 50,000 people have died in the United States. That will all fall apart if we stop too early. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced Monday that the state would begin its reopening process Friday by allowing businesses such as malls, restaurants and movie theaters to get back to work at the end of the week. Stores will be allowed 25% capacity at first to test if cases go up, and venues like nail and hair salons, massage parlors and gyms will have to wait until mid-May.However, most…
By Lauren Gassel | ContributorOn April 20, Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp held a press conference announcing his plans to open certain businesses starting Friday. Living in Atlanta myself, I honestly find this shocking and irresponsible.The statewide shelter in place started April 3 and was scheduled to end on April 30. However, Kemp has other plans, and allowed nail salons, hair salons, massage therapy, bowling alleys and gyms to open Friday. In-person church services are allowed to resume as well. On Monday, movie theaters and restaurants had the option to reopen. I’m sorry, but how important is a massage over decreasing…
Quarantine has taken a toll on almost everyone. Much of the country has been shut down for weeks or longer, and for some people tensions are running high. In states such as Michigan, California and Texas, protesters gathered to show their displeasure with lock downs and closures. Some believe the pandemic is a hoax aimed at stripping away personal freedoms or forcing President Trump out of office. Others either downplay the risks or claim they’re willing to accept them. The chance of death, it seems, is preferable to life without haircuts. The frustration (at least from the people that acknowledge…
During this time of self-isolation, students should take advantage of the opportunity to stay connected through virtual events and seminars.While Baylor has had to adapt to online classes, student organizations have also adjusted their events to allow students to continue to participate. By virtually attending these events, students will still feel connected to Baylor no matter where they are in the world.The Sundown Sessions went virtual last week and hosted a trivia night for students. Leave Your Mark provided a cultural humility training on Wednesday.Diadeloso 2020: Social Distancing Edition on Tuesday also made eddorts . Students have the option to…
When faced with a worldwide pandemic, everyone is scared. Finances, large-scale events, health and even just the normalcy of day-to-day life is all up in the air. While many people right now are either working from home, taking care of their children or even unfortunately have lost their jobs, there is still a large population that has no choice right now but to go to work. These people include but are not limited to those working in grocery stores, chefs and employees at restaurants doing to-go orders, those who work for the postal service, all types of healthcare workers, truck…
President Trump announced states could begin reopening to each governor’s discretion on Thursday. While the administration provided federal guidelines for reopening, its lack of clarity and mandates fails to create a united front against the pandemic.The guidelines, outlined in a plan called “Opening Up America Again,” suggests a three-part reopening in two-week increments: first with public places with enforced physical distancing, next reopening schools and allowing social gatherings less than 50, and lastly reopening of work sites and other venues.While the guidelines recommend waiting for a “downward trajectory” or reported cases within a 14-day period, this is not a requirement.…
Bloomberg News’ decision to kill a 2013 investigation into China’s richest man was back in the news this week. Parent company Bloomberg LP is a juggernaut in the world of financial software owned by former New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg. When its news network’s reporters probed too deep into Chinese political circles, the company feared the Chinese government would target its business ventures as punishment and quashed the investigation. Profit trumped the pursuit of truth.Bloomberg LP’s interference in the story violated one of the core tenets of journalism. The wall between journalism and business in a media company –…
After the cancellation of in-person classes last month, Baylor President Dr. Linda Livingstone urged grace and understanding. The sudden transition to online classes halfway through a semester is, after all, unprecedented, and it promised to be a learning experience for student and instructor alike.Everyone has had to find ways to adapt to this strange new normal — which is why one online teaching method seems so unusual. Some professors still require assignments be completed in narrow windows during what would be normal class time, even when not requiring students to meet as a class. Strict assignment times put an undue…
Student Body President: Sutton HouserThe Lariat endorses Boerne junior Sutton Houser for the position of student body president. Houser has extensive experience in student government as former sophomore class president and the current director of affordability. While all of the candidates have advocated for more student government diversity and communication, Houser uniquely prioritizes student care.His vision, called Bear Care, seeks to promote student wellness through privatizing student information on the Baylor directory, creating a Mental Health Day in the fall, and creating a Student Care & Wellness Fund to assist with pay unexpected expenditures during difficult times. He also wants…
It’s the government. The actual United States federal government, not China or Russia or some other despotism. And whether it’s incompetence or general malpractice, something needs to change. The government’s current relationship with the independent media is harmful to the American public. People turn to the president in times of crisis; think of JFK during the Cuban Missile Crisis or FDR during World War II. The office is trusted, and people tend to believe elected officials.But Donald Trump actively degrades the media and alienates them, restraining them from doing their job of informing the people. When he is actively saying…
By following social-distancing guidelines, students stuck indoors have also increased the amount of time spent on screen and away from others. Instead of focusing on what can be done online, students should refocus their time into healthy habits outside of their computer screens.Distancing can lead to loneliness, a health threat on its own that can be damaging to those who don’t receive enough social interaction. While we want to follow CDC guidelines and practice social distancing, it should not mean cutting off human contact.Students should keep in contact with their friends who may currently be in another state. In that…
