The Cavalier Daily Vol. 131, Issue 2 - Amazon S3
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The Cavalier Daily
Vol. 131, Issue 2 Thursday, September 10, 2020
EMMA KLEIN & ANKIT AGRAWAL | THE CAVALIER DAILY
2 | www.cavalierdaily.com The Cavalier Daily
NEWS
This week in-brief U.Va.’s COVID-19 Dashboard: What
CD News Staff
it does and what metrics it lacks
U.Va. announces prevalence As colleges and universities across the country return their students to campus, many
have established trackers or dashboards with the intention of being transparent about the
number of COVID-19 cases in their communities. Compared to other universities in Vir-
testing, rapid saliva test ginia, U.Va.’s dashboard has many similar features — but also lacks some capabilities, such
as not reporting the community’s COVID-19 positivity rate.
The dashboards from Virginia Tech, William and Mary, James Madison University,
Mandatory asymptomatic prevalence testing procedures began the week of Sept. 6 George Mason University and Virginia Commonwealth University all report the percentage
for students living on Grounds and in the Charlottesville area this fall. University senior of positive test results in their community. The University of Virginia does not — instead
leadership also announced in the same University-wide email message plans to monitor only reporting the number of positive COVID-19 cases in the community, which is current-
wastewater from residence halls as well as a new saliva screening program that will start ly 231. Percent positivity, a metric measuring how many tests out of the number performed
later this month. are positive, can signal when virus spread in an area is out of control.
In an effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19 through asymptomatic individuals, the Still, the University’s dashboard, which updates around 4:00 p.m. on weekdays, does
University will notify anywhere from 50 to 150 students daily that they are required to pro- display some crucial data that other schools do not.
vide samples. The testing will take place in the Student Activities Building and is mandato- For instance, the University clearly displays the percentage of quarantine and isolation
ry for students living and learning on Grounds and in the Charlottesville-Albemarle area. beds that are occupied. U.Va.’s tracker also displays the number of hospitalizations per day
The tests will produce results within 24 to 48 hours. as well as the average time it takes to get a test result returned, both of which are metrics
Additionally, the University plans to implement a saliva screening program later this that none of the other schools previously mentioned display.
month for larger numbers of students to be quickly tested. The saliva screening program
is not voluntary — students will be notified by the University when they are required to
provide a sample, as well as when and where they will be screened.
Working with the Virginia Department of Health, the University plans to monitor
wastewater from residence halls, which can detect the presence of COVID-19. If the waste-
water indicates a breakout, the University plans to test all residents of the building.
9.4 9.7 9.8
COURTESY U.VA. COVID TRACKER
Collab outage leaves students
unable to access coursework U.Va. reports 257 total positive
Students were unable to access the University’s online course management and collabo-
ration system — UVACollab — Sept. 7 due to an outage on the site.
cases, of which 214 are students
The incident occurred as students across Grounds were attempting to access online Since Aug 17, the University’s COVID tracker has reported 257 positive cases of coro-
coursework and Zoom sessions. Some students report on social media that they were unable navirus in the University community — including faculty, staff, students and contracted
to attend their virtual classes. employees. University students make up 214 of the total positive cases. Sept. 8 marked the
Some students speculated that the outage occurred because U.Va. Information Technol- highest number of reported cases in the week with a total of 26 positive cases in the Univer-
ogy had scheduled site maintenance for Labor Day on the belief that students didn’t have sity community.
classes. However, Strite said the outage was certainly not planned. These numbers are only reflective of students who have tested positive through the
“We definitely knew there were classes today,” Strite said. Student Health & Wellness or the UVA Health Clinic. The University COVID tracker
The IT department filed the incident at 10:34 a.m. Monday morning and resolved the dashboard does not include the number of positive student cases that may have been de-
outage at approximately 1:45 p.m. Strite believes the issues lies in the Collab site’s storage tected with pre-arrival testing. Of the 18,150 tests returned so far, 65 have been positive for
infrastructure. The IT department will resolve the problem to ensure that such an outage coronavirus.
will not occur again. The dashboard also reports five percent of the student quarantine rooms to be currently
“We’ll find the exact root cause and get a permanent fix put in place,” Strite said. “We occupied and 1 percent of student isolation rooms to be occupied. These numbers include
just want to say we apologize for the inconvenience. Obviously this is not the kind of ser- students who are in post-travel quarantine.
vice that we strive for, and we’re going to find ways to do better.”
Thursday, September 10, 2020 | 3
NEWS
President Ryan reflects on return to Grounds
The University president addressed student, community concerns and how U.Va. continues to adapt
Nik Popli, Jenn Brice, Ali Sullivan & Jacquelyn Kim | CD News Staff
University President Jim Ryan sat pitalization rate has not increased as
down for a 20-minute Zoom interview well, which tells you that those who
with The Cavalier Daily Wednesday are getting sick are not getting suffi-
afternoon to discuss the return of ciently sick to require hospitalization,”
students to Grounds and the start of Ryan said.
in-person learning. In the event of a major outbreak at
Just over two weeks into the aca- the University, he added that students
demic year, Ryan says he is “cautious- would not necessarily be immediately
ly optimistic” that the University sent home, but rather have “temporary
will not have to send students home restrictions” would be put in place to
mid-semester because of the Univer- ensure students aren’t infecting their
sity’s increased testing capacity and home communities — an attempt to
additional isolation and quarantine “flatten the curve.”
space. Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the
He said one of the reasons the National Institute of Allergy and In-
University decided to delay in-person fectious Diseases, recently urged uni-
move-in and instruction by two weeks versities not to send students home af-
was to provide more time for admin- ter shutting down operations, calling
istrators to learn from other colleges it “the worst thing you could do.” Ryan
across the country, such as the Uni- agrees with the sentiment.
versity of Notre Dame, which moved “Once you’ve brought all these
online a week after students returned students back to your campus from
to campus. In conversation with oth- all over the country — in some in-
er university presidents, Ryan found stances all over the world — you want
that a lack of isolation and quaran- to do your very best to keep them on
tine space was often a reason COV- campus,” Ryan said. “Because if you’re
ID-19 spread in college communities, sending home students who are in- CHRISTINA ANTON | THE CAVALIER DAILY
prompting the University to reserve fected, then you’re just spreading the
With students returned to Grounds and classes underway, Ryan told The Cavalier Daily he is “cautiously optimistic” that the University will
additional dorms for student use. virus.” not have to halt in-person learning.
“There are more universities, The University’s decision to pro-
frankly, that have kept their students ceed with in-person classes and on-
on campus than those who have sent Grounds housing has faced backlash with in-person classes this fall, resi- Grounds needs our help, we absolutely staffers as “frontline workers” and
them home,” Ryan said. “And they’ve from prominent Charlottesville fig- dents of the International Residential should be.” provide them with the “necessary re-
done it, I think, by doing their best ures, with Mayor Nikuyah Walker call- College, Johnson, Malone and Wee- To bring students into dorms in- sources to fulfill our role and protect
to try to stay one step ahead and to ing the choice “a recipe for disaster.” don Houses and Shea House were no- volves other calculations. ourselves, our residents and the com-
limit the spread of the virus as quick- Ryan said he has been in contact with tified that their dormitories would be Ryan acknowledged that the past munity.”
ly as possible, and the way to do that both Walker and the Charlottesville converted into quarantine and isola- week — marked by the arrival of first- Among their demands are hazard
is through making sure you have a Human Rights Commission, which tion areas. Hundreds of students were years to on-Grounds dormitories and pay as frontline workers and adequate
robust testing program and isolation plans to send a letter to the University forced to relocate and were given just start of in-person learning — has come PPE, revised and clearly articulated
and quarantine space.” to voice its concerns with an in-person 24 hours to choose a housing reassign- with a learning curve. Video footage policing and COVID-19 guidelines,
Another reason the University semester. ment or remain off-Grounds. of a crowded Observatory Hill din- provisions for food security and hous-
decided to reopen with in-person in- Ryan pointed out that thousands Although Ryan apologized for the ing hall circulated over the weekend, ing stability and revised financial aid
struction, Ryan said, is because 12,000 of students have already signed leases disruption to on-Grounds residents causing some upperclassmen and policies for resident staff. The RAs
to 15,000 students were expected to for off-Grounds housing, and many and RAs, he maintained his stance community members to reiterate con- anonymously submitted their letter
return to Charlottesville regardless would return regardless of whether that “it was the right thing to do to cerns with the University’s decision to and list of ten demands out of fear
of whether classes were online or classes were in-person — a stance he make sure that we have sufficient reopen. of retribution due to a policy that re-
not. The University estimates that “get[s] that not everyone will agree space [for quarantine and isolation].” In this situation, Ryan noted that stricts resident staff from speaking to
around 4,400 students moved into with.” According to Ryan, the decision to the solution was to make sure students the press.
on-Grounds housing, according to the “I’ve always thought it was an in- increase the number of rooms availa- knew there are other dining options Although Ryan said that HRL
Aug. 28 announcement that solidified correct premise to say we’re making ble for quarantine was made in light of available and to implement people and the Office of Student Affairs are
fall semester plans. a decision about whether students are lessons “learned from looking at other reminding students in the area of the “working with the RAs,” according
“Most of the challenges occur going to return,” Ryan said. “Students universities.” six-foot social distancing guidelines. to an RA who helped to spearhead
or have occurred off campus or off are going to return. Students have re- “I was concerned that, and others “This is everyone’s first time the creation of the letter and list of
Grounds,” Ryan added in the Wednes- turned.” shared this concern, it wasn’t going to through a pandemic at U.Va., and as demands, HRL has yet to explicitly
day interview. “[It] didn’t make a lot Operating under that premise, be sufficient if we had a serious surge,” much as you can plan, new situations acknowledge the receipt of the RAs’
of sense to not have in-person classes Ryan said that keeping Charlottesville Ryan said, “So, we looked at places arise, and you have to react,” Ryan letter and demands.
because that’s not where the problems residents safe requires welcoming stu- with very low density and decided said. “And the goal is to react quickly Ultimately, Ryan said these first
are arising.” dents into the University community that we ought to move those students enough and to learn from it and to re- weeks give hope that the University
When asked how many cases, hos- — rather than “putting up a closed to open up those spaces.” solve it. community will rise to the occasion.
pitalizations or deaths would trigger sign” — to encourage a camaraderie Quarantine housing will also be In regards to a list of demands sub- “Not everyone is following all of
the University to close dorms and end that will motivate students to care for accessible to students who do not live mitted Aug. 28 to Housing and Resi- the protocols, which is to be expected,
in-person instruction, Ryan said the the health of one another. in University housing as needed, Ryan dence Life by resident advisors at the but I’ve been really heartened by the
University does not have a target num- The University allocated 1,500 beds added. University, Ryan said he is aware of the degree to which students in particular
ber, but is rather looking at testing and for quarantine and isolation. Students “If someone off Grounds really demands but that the University does are taking this seriously,” Ryan said.
hospital capacity as well as available who live on Grounds and test positive has no option to safely quarantine or not plan to issue a formal response. “There’s nothing like seeing examples
space for isolation and quarantine. for the virus will be housed in repur- isolate, we will obviously work with “My view is that we should make at other universities where things have
One factor that fuels his optimism posed residence halls — which cur- students to figure something out,” sure that the RAs have what they need gone awry, to make you realize that it
is that the University’s hospitalization rently sit at five percent capacity for Ryan said. “We did not go into this to be successful,” Ryan said. takes everyone doing their very best to
rate has remained manageable – 54 quarantine housing and one percent thinking that we should have isolation In their letter to HRL, the RAs ex- give us a chance of succeeding.”
people have been treated for COV- for isolation — or at hotels the Uni- and quarantine space for every single press great concern for their personal
ID-19 at U.Va. Health since Aug. 17. versity has contracted. student whether living off Grounds safety and also that of their residents
“Even with the increase in cases Shortly after the University an- or on Grounds, but we recognize that and the Charlottesville community.
over the last couple of weeks, the hos- nounced its intention to forge ahead if situations arise where someone off They call upon HRL to treat resident4 | www.cavalierdaily.com
NEWS
Students share mixed experiences getting COVID-19 tests
Students reported difficulty getting tested, organizational issues through Student Health
Zach Rosenthal | Senior Writer
exposed to a confirmed patient. ment tested positive for COVID-19. urday. He ended up calling Saturday
“I know that they had supply chain Trautman and his roommates afternoon or evening, or even maybe
issues previously in the summer, but went onto the Hoos Healthy website Sunday, because they hadn’t done back
being a university that has this amaz- to set up what they thought was a to him yet, and I think his results got
ing hospital connected to it, you know, testing appointment but was instead kind of lost,” Thielsech said.
one of the best in Virginia, to me, I a 30-minute consultation on their As previously noted, U.Va.’s dash-
just feel like I expect way more from symptoms. board currently advertises a 17-hour
what they’re doing in terms of testing,” “I’ve had to take COVID tests over wait time for test results.
Moore said. the summer a few times, and so I know Since testing positive, Thielsch and
In his email to the University com- that usually you need to elaborate on his roommates have been taking the
munity Aug. 4, University President your symptoms in order to qualify for precautions extremely seriously, wear-
James Ryan stated supply-chain issues one, but I forgot to tell that to the rest ing their masks in the home when they
for testing materials were part of the of my roommates,” Trautman said. interact and trying to stay isolated in
reason for the two week delay in re- After all four roommates finished their rooms at all other times. How-
suming in-person classes. their calls, only Trautman qualified for ever, Thielsch’s issues with his Inter-
“In Charlottesville and Albemarle a test that day — his roommates would net connection have made distancing
County, we have seen an uptick in vi- have to wait an additional three days himself from his roommates difficult.
ral prevalence and transmission rates, for a test. “The biggest issue is I can’t really
and there has been some volatility in “Everybody else in my apartment, stay in my room because the WiFi in
the supply-chain for testing materials,” despite having come in contact with the house is really bad. And so the only
Ryan wrote. a coronavirus positive person, weren’t place that I can really take Zoom calls
In a message sent to students July 16 even given tests that day,” Trautman is in the hallway, which gets the most
about U.Va.’s COVID-19 public health said. traffic,” Thielsch said.
plans, the University announced that Trautman’s personal experience Thielsch, Trautman and Miller all
students would be able to receive one getting his test wasn’t all that much say they’ve been following the Univer-
asymptomatic test every 60 days. better. When he was tested at the sity’s COVID-19 guidelines — not at-
“U.Va. students, faculty, staff and Student Health Center, Trautman de- tending gatherings with more than 15
contract employees who do not exhib- scribed the testing process as efficient people and wearing their masks when
NANNA PAREDDY | THE CAVALIER DAILY
it symptoms but would like to be vol- but callous. After getting into the fa- in close contact with others. However,
The University recently announced that it will begin to conduct random and mandatory untarily tested will have the option to cility, Trautman says he was led to a none of them feel optimistic about the
asymptomatic testing of student in order to better track COVID-19 within the student do so no more than once every 60 days, room, barely spoken to, and quickly planned return to Grounds.
population. unless prior authorization is obtained given a throat swab. In fact, none of the three thought
from Employee Health or Student “[The doctor] didn’t speak to me the University would manage to hold
While some students have mostly tine and isolation spaces currently sit Health,” the email from Provost Liz about the symptoms I was saying that in-person classes for the entire semes-
positive experiences with COVID-19 at five percent capacity, according to Magill and Chief Operating Officer J. I had over the phone, follow-up steps, ter, let alone halfway through the se-
testing on Grounds, others are finding the COVID Tracker. J. Davis said. what to do afterwards — you have to mester.
the experience to be frustrating. The University’s COVID Tracker According to Hester, the LetsGet- find all this stuff online. She didn’t say Trautman and Miller both pointed
The amount of students testing does not differentiate test results from Checked pre-arrival testing currently anything to me,” Trautman said. to James Madison University’s recent
positive for coronavirus within the students who live on- or off-Grounds counts as one of the asymptomatic Trautman and Miller, who both shutdown.
U.Va. community continues to rise. and does not include students who get tests provided to students. took COVID-19 tests over the sum- “Well, I know that JMU just sent
Since Aug. 17, at least 214 students have tested at non-U.Va. affiliated clinics. “Students were all tested pre-arriv- mer, said their advice to students back all their on-Grounds housing a
tested positive for COVID-19 at Stu- “It feels like maybe if I lived on- al, so it has not yet been 60 days. We would be to emphasize their symp- day after their refund period ends, so
dent Health and Wellness or a U.Va. Grounds, they would have tested are currently using LetsGetChecked toms to get a test. I’m assuming whenever our refund
affiliated clinic. me because they feel like it’s more for asymptomatic voluntary testing,” “If you haven’t had direct contact, period ends, it would be very shortly
Third-year College student Joelle of a immediate threat to dorm life, Hester said. but you’re nervous and have had in- after,” Trautman said.
Miller was not able to get a test from which kind of makes sense, but at the The University recently announced direct contact, or you do have some This fall, undergraduate students
the University after calling into Stu- same time, it’s harder to regulate off- that it will begin to conduct random symptoms, I would exaggerate a lot — will be refunded their tuition and fees
dent Health, despite the fact that her Grounds students, so I don’t know and mandatory asymptomatic testing that would be my advice,” Miller said. in full if they withdrew within the
friend — who Miller had hung out why they wouldn’t be testing us as of students in order to better track Third-year Engineering student first two weeks of classes. After the
with — had been in proximity with a well,” Miller said. COVID-19 within the student popu- Kyle Thielsch had four of his five oth- first two weeks, the University offers
person who had tested positive for the When Miller questioned whether lation. They also announced plans to er roommates test positive for COV- prorated refunds for students who
virus. When she called into Student she could get one of the tests that the begin saliva testing later in September. ID-19 since arriving at his off-Grounds withdraw within the first six weeks of
Health, Miller was asked if she lived on University had stated asymptomat- Unable to get a test, Miller instead housing. classes.
or off Grounds and whether she was ic students could get once every 60 went to get tested at a CVS, which Thielsch had positive things to say Thielsch was similarly pessimis-
symptomatic. days, the Student Health representa- provides free testing, but doesn’t re- about the turnaround time for getting tic about the University’s chances of
“I’m just speculating, but I feel tive stated that those tests weren’t yet turn results for three-to-five days — tested. staying open, especially as first years
like the on Grounds or off Grounds available. significantly longer than U.Va.’s wait “Each time that I’ve gotten tested, arrived this past week.
question probably impacted whether “He was like, ‘No, I don’t actually times for results. I’ve called, talked to a nurse and been “I would definitely say by the end
I could get tested,” Miller said. know when we’re going to start doing As of press time, U.Va.’s COVID able to go to the building and take my of September, they’ll send people
The University does not prioritize that, because we’ve had a huge surge in Tracker advertises only a 17-hour wait test in the span of like, two hours, two- home because that’ll give two-to-three
tests for students based on where they cases and in people who actually have time for test results, something sec- and-a-half hours,” Thielsech said. weeks after the first years get back and
are housed, according to Wes Hester, symptoms and need to get tested, so ond-year College student Cole Traut- However, Thielsch and his room- you know, coronavirus can unfortu-
deputy University spokesperson and we need to prioritize them,’” Miller man acknowledged was a positive ele- mates did encounter few issues. nately run its course in the dorms,”
director of media relations. recalled. ment of his experience. Thielsech said that when he got his Thielsch said.
“There is no prioritization of Second-year College student Ja- “The two plus sides, I would say, first test results back, he was called Moore also thinks that in-person
testing of students based upon on- cob Moore took it upon himself to were how quickly I was in and out of twice and was told the exact same classes are destined to be cut short.
Grounds or off-Grounds living status call Student Health and ask what the the [Student Health] Center, and then thing by two different Student Health “You know, I think U.Va. kind of
at the Elson Student Health building,” standards were to get tested. it came back with 18 hours later — so representatives. Additionally, one has this mindset that we’re above all of
Hester said. “However, that informa- The first time Moore called — less than a day,” Trautman said. roommate’s test was seemingly lost in that, which comes a little bit with the
tion is necessary to determine if a stu- during Student Health hours — the Trautman, his three roommates the system. culture of the school, but I really do
dent needs on-Grounds quarantine or call went straight to voicemail. Moore and his girlfriend all got tested after “One of the guys, when he got think that we’re going to have to shut
isolation housing.” eventually got a call back and was told they found out that someone who had tested Thursday, he didn’t get his re- down,” Moore said.
The University’s student quaran- students must be symptomatic or be gone into their off-Grounds apart- sult back Friday. He didn’t get it Sat-Thursday, September 10, 2020 | 5
NEWS
First-year students discuss move-in
Several first-years said they feel confident that the University’s COVID-19 policies will help prevent outbreaks
Ali Sullivan | News Editor
Thousands of first-year stu-
dents moved into on-Grounds
dormitories Sept. 3 through Sept.
6, several of whom said they came
in search of one thing — the “col-
lege experience.” Or, whatever
sort of college experience they
could untangle from a university
in the throes of the COVID-19
pandemic.
First-year College students
Erin Ward and Leah Boone sat
outside Kent House on Sun-
day afternoon after moving into
their dorm rooms. Ward said she
doesn’t mind taking her classes
through Zoom — she’s just glad to
be learning online in a different
environment and with a greater
degree of independence.
“[My parents] wanted me to
come just so that I can have the
college experience — even if it’s
not completely normal,” Ward
said.
While nearby colleges like
James Madison University and
the University of North Carolina
at Chapel Hill have failed in their EMMA KLEIN | THE CAVALIER DAILY
efforts to evade outbreaks, many
Packed dining halls and bustling Corner restaurants over the move-in weekend leave some upperclassmen and community members fearful of the skyrocketing COVID-19 numbers that forced
first-year students like Ward and JMU and UNC back online.
Boone feel confident that U.Va. —
which has 257 cases as of Wednes-
day — can avoid a similar fate. school-wide spread of the virus said. line. Monroe was initially wary
Boone decided to return to solidified her decision. Still, packed dining halls and Facing suspension for willfully of living on-Grounds amid the
Grounds after growing tired of “[My parents] decided that bustling Corner restaurants over shirking the University’s COV- pandemic but has grown more
taking her online high school the policies were probably good the move-in weekend leave some ID-19 rules — which include wear- confident since moving in. The
classes from home. A discussion enough, that [the University] was upperclassmen and community ing a mask while outside one’s main driver behind his decision
with her parents about whether trying hard enough to where I members fearful of the skyrock- residence, staying six-feet from to come to Grounds, he said, was
the University’s COVID-19 pol- didn’t think that we were going to eting COVID-19 numbers that others and gathering in groups improved WiFi capabilities.
icies were sufficient to prevent have a massive outbreak,” Boone forced JMU and UNC back on- fewer than 15 — many first-years, “Mainly I don’t have the WiFi
mostly masked, flocked outdoors or power stability at home, so I
after reaching Grounds. Some stu- thought it’d be better for me to
dents played cornhole and Spike- come here,” Monroe said.
Ball on Observatory Hill, while Moving in amid classes posed
others parked at picnic tables to some logistical challenges for
chat with friends or complete first-year College student Jake
coursework. Robey, too. Robey counts him-
As with any other year, up- self lucky because he only lives
perclassmen stationed around 20 minutes from the University,
O’Hill attempted to entice new which meant he could attend his
students into joining their CIOs, 2:00 p.m. to 3:15 p.m. class before
and chalk-plastered sidewalks ad- his 4:00 p.m. move-in time.
vertised clubs and other activities. Even so, he missed a discussion
The weekend’s flurry of activi- section that occurred during his
ty took place two weeks later than move-in slot.
normal, as the University delayed “Apparently for that class you
on-Grounds move-in from before can only miss one of those for any
Aug. 25 to the weekend of Sept. 4 reason, and after that it affects
in the face of climbing local and your grade,” Robey said. “So I al-
national cases of COVID-19. As a ready used that up in the first day
result, students were forced to as- on campus.”
semble their new on-Grounds liv- Now fully moved into his room
ing spaces while juggling ongoing in Lile-Maupin dormitory, Robey
coursework. is approaching his first semester
First-year College student at the University with caution
Quinton Monroe pored over a and measured excitement.
book outside Hancock on Sunday “I’m not familiar with the
afternoon — far from where most student population here, so who
students were gathered — to catch knows if all of them can be trusted
EMMA KLEIN | THE CAVALIER DAILY
up on the coursework he missed to follow the guidelines,” Robey
Many first-years, mostly masked, flocked to outdoor spaces after moving into dorms.
while moving in with classes al- said. “We’ll see what happens.”
ready two weeks underway.6 | www.cavalierdaily.com
NEWS
Professors seek info on students using online services
After moving to virtual examinations, professors discovered students posting questions to exams while the exam window was still open
Sydney Herzog & Luke Stone | Staff Writers
EMMA HITCHCOCK | THE CAVALIER DAILY
With the switch to online tion comes after you to do an Dukes said. “People were, right- her updated allowances, using re- “It’s kind of a chicken and egg
exams last semester, professors investigation of cheating,” Dukes fully so, in a pretty stressful situ- sources such as Chegg was never situation where we, as Honor,
discovered that students were said. ation, so it’s hard to tell what the permitted. don’t go out and investigate or
posting exam questions and re- According to Dukes, his main baseline is that we should com- “It’s hard to tell if students look for things unless we already
sponses to Chegg during the test reason for following up on the pare it to.” performed better last semester have a case in place,” Keane said.
time frame. Since then, the on- Chegg posts is to preserve equity Chemistry Prof. Alicia Frantz because they were using unfair “We’re kind of relying on the pro-
line tutoring and assignment as- among his students and elimi- also addressed students in her resources like Chegg, if they were fessor to come to us with a name,
sistance service has met professor nate unfair advantages. Organic Chemistry II course using their own notes or if they but at the same time professors
requests to release the contact in- “I’m not working with Chegg,” about posting and responding to were violating the Honor Code a are looking to us because Chegg
formation of students who inter- Dukes said. “I’m trying to pre- exam questions on Chegg. After different way,” Harrell said. “No wants us to reach out to them
acted with these posts. serve the integrity of my class for the course’s second exam, Frantz matter what, there was definitely asking for information, not the
Physics Prof. Craig Dukes was everyone that’s involved. It just emailed her students the follow- an increase in the average grade professor, so that’s been a little
first notified of his exam ques- so happens that Chegg was the ing message: on virtual exams.” tricky.”
tions being posted to Chegg by medium that was used to cheat in “It was brought to my atten- Frantz did not respond to a Both Dukes and Keane noted
a student in his General Physics Physics 1425 last semester.” tion that one or more students request for comment. that nothing new is being imple-
I course. After further investi- Dukes noted that using Chegg posted the exam questions to Fourth-year Batten student mented this semester to further
gation, he realized that students to cheat on University assign- Chegg. This is obviously cheat- Ryan Keane, who chairs the Hon- enforce the Honor Code in re-
were taking content from his ments is not a new phenomenon. ing. I have already contacted or Committee, spoke to how gards to virtual exams. The Hon-
timed, graded assessments and Previously, the use of sites like Chegg to get the name or names Honor has been involved in these or Committee recommends that
putting them on Chegg to get in- Chegg was limited to homework of students that posted and/ reports of cheating. Due to stand- professors be as clear as possible
stant feedback. or labs, and in-person exams nev- or accessed the answers to the ards of confidentiality within the in their syllabus with what the
In order to receive the student er lead to the same type of cheat- questions. I am giving anyone Honor System, Keane was not expectations are.
information from Chegg, Dukes ing. With exams moving to a vir- who posted the question or used able to disclose any information “[Cheating] is particularly bad
worked with the College’s Dean tual format, the online resource the answer until noon tomorrow about the specific reports filed at U.Va. because if you get caught
of Undergraduate Studies Rachel offered a new opportunity for (4/22) to admit to cheating or we against students by professors or cheating you get kicked out,”
Most. They were able to contact students to obtain assistance for will have to proceed through the how many cases Honor has seen Duke said. “That’s not something
Chegg’s academic integrity li- larger portions of their grade. University’s Honor Committee.” about this issue. anybody wants to see happen —
aison who was “sympathetic” to Still, Dukes emphasized that According to Abigail Harrell, According to Keane, not never. So, the better choice is
their request and willing to assist there is no way to know for cer- a third-year College student en- everyone has access to Chegg’s to not cheat but to take a bad
them. tain if the increased use of Chegg rolled in Frantz’s Organic Chem- information. Professors have ap- grade on something you’re not
“When a person participates impacted overall grades in his istry II course last semester, proached the Honor Committee prepared for. The best choice is
in an outside resource website course last semester. Frantz changed her exam policy to ask for their help in obtaining to work hard all the time and be
like Chegg, you sign a terms of “The course grades in spring to open note after realizing how the account data regarding who prepared to do your work, and I
service and should be aware that semester were unlike any other many students were violating posted certain questions and the think that’s what I’d really love
that terms of service will maybe semester so it’s difficult to re- the Honor Code on her virtual timestamps of other accounts my students to do all the time.”
not protect you if some institu- ally report a valid comparison,” exams. However, even following who viewed it.The Cavalier Daily Thursday, September 10, 2020 | 7
LIFE
What I have learned from the U.Va. Twitter community
In the trying times of summer 2020, I’ve found inspiration through the strength of my online peers
Aaron Doss | Life Columnist
In the isolated world of COV- ond-year College student — and words of encouragement to survi- yone would bat an eye at the ram- go on, I see more and more peo-
ID-19, where I’ve found it all too many other students of various vors, sharing their own experienc- bunctious parties decorating Mad ple using their voices to do good
easy to feel helpless and alone, I races proved they were listening. es and highlighting the fact that Bowl, but Midsummers happened work — work that is now primar-
realized that the unity of voices But student activism didn’t from 2002-2013, the University to fall in the middle of a global ily focused on making the Univer-
among the U.Va. Twitter com- draw the line at racial equity. A failed to expel one perpetrator of pandemic this year. My feed be- sity understand the consequenc-
munity offered me a camaraderie week or so into June, @ExposedU- the 205 reported sexual assaults came a warzone as accounts like @ es of bringing students back to
unlike any other. So many peo- Grounds and resuming in-person
ple who I’ve only ever interacted instruction in the middle of a
with as small bubbles on a screen pandemic.
came to feel like friends to me — Admittedly, my social circle at
friends who, through their pas- the University is really not that
sionate calls for change, encour- large, and I’ve never been one for
age me to find my own voice and Internet friends, but with each
equip myself for action. voice that stood up about in-
I first began interacting with justices, fought to make victims
my U.Va. peers online at the end heard and strove to make both
of last semester when the world Charlottesville and the Universi-
was flipped on its side. ty a safer place, I added another
Following the murder of person to my following list.
George Floyd by police officers When we can’t engage with
May 25, it would be an understate- each other in person, I am grate-
ment to say that the Black Lives ful that we have the technology
Matter movement gained an un- allowing us to engage with each
precedented level of prominence other online. I encourage anyone
on my Twitter feed. For the first that has access to use social media
week after George Floyd’s death, accounts to interact with differ-
virtually all I saw were tweets in- ent kinds of voices, educate your-
citing Americans to march and self on social topics and issues and
advocate for racial equality, do- advocate in your own way — find-
nate to bail funds and GoFund- ing other U.Va. students on Twit-
Me pages and sign and share pe- ter is a good place to start.
titions calling for justice and the I recognize that a lot of the
abolition of police. Tweets and powerful voices I have mentioned
retweets came from all over the or alluded to belong to Black,
world, but I noticed that I was es- LGBTQ+ or other minority com-
pecially moved by the passionate munities at the University, and I
voices that came from my fellow appreciate their diverse perspec-
students at the University. tives immensely. This apprecia-
At a time when I felt discour- ANGELA CHEN | THE CAVALIER DAILY tion runs deep, as the multitude
aged by the state of our nation, of voices on U.Va. Twitter engag-
heartbroken for Americans who es in complicated but necessary
don’t share the same skin color va popped up on my feed, shar- while simultaneously expelling misanthrogoose reposted images conversations that will help shape
as me and utterly at a loss for ing the stories of sexual assaults 183 students for violating the of students endangering the area the University, the country and
any course of action to show my caused by students and staff at the Honor Code. by attending large parties and the world in the days to come.
support, I found myself clinging University. I remember one tweet Then Midsummers rolled implored everyone to “be respon- Along with many other impor-
to the words of my classmates. in particular read “It’s time sexual around — an annual event where sible — work to protect yourself, tant lessons highlighted during
This summer, Black students assault on Grounds is brought to out of town students return to others, and your community.” COVID-19, the forward-think-
spoke from their life experience the forefront,” and U.Va. Twitter Grounds to reunite with their At every step of the way this ing minds of my peers prove that
and education — I’d be remiss did its best to make that happen. friends for a weekend of fun summer, no matter what the call, U.Va. Twitter is a powerhouse and
not to mention Zyahna Bryant, I noticed multiple students rally- around the Fourth of July. Under I saw U.Va. students on Twitter truly a force to be reckoned with.
Charlottesville activist and sec- ing around the account, offering normal circumstances, hardly an- rise to the occasion. As the days
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LIFE
U.Va. mental health resources virtually assist students
As academics and social interactions have moved online, access to mental health wellness has become increasingly important
Nayeon Kim | Features Writer
KALISTA DIAMANTOPOULOS | THE CAVALIER DAILY
Mental health and wellness resources offered at the University, such as those offered at the Women’s Center, have moved online, allowing students to reach out for help even in this age of social distancing.
As the school year progresses pandemic. private offices at CAPS designated “You know, I finish every inter- program in accordance with the
and workloads begin to pile up, “We’ve partnered with the con- spaces for participating in virtual view or meeting with students say- wishes and needs of the students
students are starting to feel the templative sciences folks and we’re counseling sessions. Any student ing, ‘You know where to find me. surveyed on Grounds. As WahooW-
toll of virtual learning, especially offering mindfulness groups every who uses this space is required to My door is always open to you’ [but ell continues to incorporate feed-
that of Zoom fatigue — the imped- day of the week,” Ruzek said. “[We follow social distancing guidelines. now] I have to say, ‘It’s not right back from its students, Simpkins
iment of information processing also have] our Let’s Talk program The Maxine Lynn Platzer Wom- now,’” Palko said. “[I’m] happy to encourages people to stay up to
due to an overuse of virtual confer- … a [virtual] drop-in program for en’s Center — which offers long- jump on a Zoom call with you … date with the website for current
encing technology that diminishes students [where] they don’t need term counseling services as well as [but] it’s not quite the same, and so projects in the work.
non-verbal communication learn- appointment[s] ahead of time … on mentorship to the entire student that is challenging, particularly be- “We’ve been working on some
ing. As undergraduates and faculty Tuesdays.” body — has similarly integrated cause so much of the work we do is health and wellbeing guides,” Simp-
alike begin to feel the effects of the However, the move online has telehealth to facilitate continuous built on human connection.” kins said. “They’re around topic ar-
declining motivation and efficacy not been without its challenges, support for those who seek mental While most of the programs eas like taking care of yourself ...
of video learning, stress will likely as barriers exist to implementing help and mentorship. Abby Palko, have focused on counseling ser- getting healthy sleep, all the various
start to encroach on their mental telehealth programming during the director of the Women’s Center, vices, WahooWell was founded topics of well being [and there are]
well-being. the pandemic. The requirement to highlights the new support groups in 2019 and presently focuses on other resources that are on Grounds
Fortunately, the mental health socially distance indoors while stu- added for the unique pandemic sit- complementing therapy sessions which I refer to quite a lot through
and wellness resources offered dents partake in remote learning uation as well as how the Center from initiatives such as CAPS and WahooWell.”
at the University have made the from all around the world poses a has been circumventing state-line the Women’s Center by helping As CAPS, WahooWell and the
move online, allowing students to unique trial to counselors and stu- issues of virtual services thus far. students create goals to maintain Women’s Center continue to ad-
reach out for help even in this age dents alike. “We are providing all of our both physical and mental wellbe- dress the challenges that telehealth
of social distancing. Whether it’s “I think the main challenge that counseling sessions remotely ing. Kristina Simpkins, an early and remote learning pose on men-
for immediate crisis care from the we faced … was [that] a number of through an online platform … [or] intervention specialist working as tal wellbeing, each program hopes
Counseling and Psychological Ser- students who went home to anoth- help[ing] them get set up with a a WahooWell coordinator, elabo- to improve upon their in-person as-
vice, long-term extended care from er state and … we are not allowed provider in their state,” Palko said. rates on how WahooWell facilitates sistance that has moved online and
the Maxine Platzer’s Lynn Women’s to practice outside of the state … “We will [also] be starting a couple both physical and mental wellbeing add new strategies to effectively aid
Center or for improving upon your where we’re not licensed,” Ruzek of groups [such as] wellness in the to students during the pandemic students in need during this un-
personal wellness at WahooWell, said. “[Plus] students are worried time of COVID … [and] the survi- when they register to join the pro- precedented time. While students
the University is offering students about [not having] privacy to do vors one [will] be a new cohort.” gram. are facing disruption in their regu-
diverse online care to help them their telehealth sessions.” In the face of additions to vir- “We have conversations about lar routine, Palko gives some advice
throughout the pandemic. Despite the challenges, the fu- tual programming at the center maybe … you’re eating differently to students who are trying to find
CAPS, the primary mental ture appears bright as there are though, the center is also having because you’re in a new living envi- normalcy during their academic
health clinic for University stu- talks of legislators creating an ex- to cope with the loss of in-person ronment and that has shifted your year.
dents, has integrated telehealth into emption for licensing laws across access to their offices. Typically, overall wellbeing,” Simpkins said. “These are challenging times,
their counseling services where stu- state lines if the care is provided the center reserved self-reflection “How you want to adjust things to so please be kind and gentle with
dents can speak with licensed coun- via telehealth. To alleviate priva- rooms throughout the building for get back to a picture of health and yourself,” Palko said. ”For some
selors through WebEx. According cy concerns for students accessing students to use when needed and wellness with that specific topic [is people, [keeping a strict routine]
to CAPS Director Nicole Ruzek, telehealth services in spaces where staff members tried to maintain what we discuss].” is how they cope with an uncertain
CAPS has included new wellbeing they may feel uncomfortable with open-door policies for struggling The program was initially moment like this and for others,
groups and drop-in counseling in others listening in, CAPS now al- students — now, both resources founded to focus on social health they need to cocoon — I just en-
their move online to ensure the best lows students living in the Char- have become inaccessible to the and substance use but has since ex- courage everyone to do some deep
possible care to students during the lottesville area to reserve one of six public. panded to be an overall wellbeing reflection on what helps them.”Thursday, September 10, 2020 | 9
LIFE
Top 10 ways to get away from your computer screen
Zoom on out of your room
Ben Rosenthal | Top 10 Writer
4. Lie on your bed and dream 7. Support a local business
that it’s 2022
1. Take a scenic drive
This is my personal go-to for a little change of scenery
If you don’t want to leave the house, even a nap may
do the trick for your Zoom fatigue. As you’re strug-
To my pleasant surprise, the Corner has actually
been relatively mask-abundant during my trips out.
So, if you’re hungry and tired of making PB&J two
gling to fall asleep while thinking of those readings times per day, take a journey out to some of your
after a two-and-a-half hour torture session — I mean, you really ought to do instead of napping, you can favorite places on the Corner.
virtual class. After sitting on Zoom for what feels like look forward to the chance that you’ll have a vivid
an eternity, forcing yourself to sit upright and look pre- and realistic dream about a post-virus world, where
sentable in case your peers are on gallery view, there is the world is safe again and the Nau Hall Starbucks
8. Support a non-local business
nothing more freeing than getting in the car and jam- finally re-opens. It’s the little things.
ming out as you endlessly loop around Grounds. Just
beware — gas isn’t free.
5. Watch old TV shows
Since time is hardly an object anymore — especially
if your classes are asynchronous, in which case life is
just one long blob — why not do some exploring?
Comfort TV is comforting for a reason — it has a Drive out to the country and see what’s out in the
sense of familiarity that reminds us of better, sim- world — you never know where you might find a
pler times. It’s the reason that — if you’re a student roadside pie stand.
reading this — you’ve likely watched The Office
four times through. Well, nowadays, comfort TV is
special for another reason — watching an episode
of a show from even just 2019 and seeing normal life
can be comforting — but incredibly depressing at
the same time. Choose wisely.
EMMA HITCHCOCK | THE CAVALIER DAILY
2. Head to the kitchen
If you’re like me and chose to forgo a meal plan — O’Hill
lunch isn’t worth dying for, let alone eating — you’ve EMMA HITCHCOCK | THE CAVALIER DAILY
suddenly been thrown into the world of self-sufficien-
cy. I have found cooking to actually be mind-cleansing
after a few hours in front of the screen. Plus, if you’re
bad at it like I am, it can easily take a few hours to make
that PB&J, resulting in lowered screen time for the day EMMA HITCHCOCK | THE CAVALIER DAILY 9. Find a spot on Grounds
— and therefore less eye strain. and relax
Just because Grounds isn’t back to normal doesn’t
mean you can’t visit it. The Rotunda, the Lawn and
even the set of picnic tables outside Nau Hall that are
3. Take a hike 6. Get some quality outdoor never open are still there. Find a spot outside and take
some time to relax. Even if it’s just studying or attend-
Tucked away in what Google Maps tells me is the Blue
exercise ing class via Zoom, there’s something better about do-
ing it from a new location.
Ridge Mountains, the Charlottesville area is full of fan- As your Fitbit tracker could attest to, those consist-
tastic hiking trails — or so Google Maps tells me. While ently frantic sprints to your next class actually add-
I cannot say I have been on one in a good two years, ed up last semester, and it was never hard to hit that
having the option nearby gives me great comfort. For
those without a car, there are trails near Observatory
Hill that are fantastic, as long as you accept the one-in-
recommended 10,000 steps. Nowadays, with all my
classes taking place in my bedroom, it is an arduous
task to even hit 100. Before it gets dark at 4:15 p.m. in
10. Spend time with friends
If you’re bored right now, chances are that everybody
five chance of stumbling upon a dead body. a few months, take advantage of the daylight and go
for a jog, do some parkour or try using a tree branch else is too. So pick up the phone and give your pals
for pull-ups — your quarantine body will thank you. a text — while hanging out in these conditions may
not be the same as it was before, it may be just what
the doctor ordered. After all, friends are better six
feet apart than they are through a laptop screen. And
that’s a fact.10 | www.cavalierdaily.com The Cavalier Daily
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
The new ‘Mulan’ is beautiful, but totally misses the point
A decently executed adaptation is neither as subversive nor memorable as its animated original
Max Patten | Video Editor
COURTESY WIKIMEDIA COMMONS
The live-action adaptation of “Mulan” was released last week directly to streaming service Disney+.
The original “Mulan” was The action sequences in battles acteristics. Without a humorous some to compare an adaptation costume and one battle sequence
released 22 years ago and is re- follow cartoonish physics and sidekick to talk to, 2020’s Mulan so rigorously and repetitively to with Mulan leads her neither to-
membered today as an immensely adopt a kung-fu style presented has a hard time making her char- its original, when the characters ward being a compelling villain
charming product of the Disney just believably enough to work. acter known to viewers despite fall this short a reminder of what nor a redeemed helper. Combined
‘90s renaissance, thanks to its po- While a live action aesthetic will Liu’s sincere and effective perfor- made them work in the first place with the tragedy of this movie’s
tent blend of multiculturalism, always fail to stack up to the 1998 mance of the character. feels appropriate. Khan, the result is that 2020’s
subversive twists on the classic “Mulan” film’s gorgeously unique Side characters like fellow As a person of Kazakh de- “Mulan” has no compelling antag-
Disney princess formula, memo- geometric animation, the vivid trainee Cricket (Jun Yu) are given scent, I feel particularly robbed onist.
rable characters, banging musical saturation and imaginative scen- a minimum treatment of person- of a memorable and great Cen- “Mulan” is far from a terrible
score and simplistic yet beautiful ery of the 2020 “Mulan” does the ality and are nowhere near as en- tral Asian villain a la the 1998 movie — as some internet trolls
aesthetic that complemented the trick when set to a decent origi- tertaining as their equivalents in “Mulan’s” Shan Yu. The original who are upset by it on principle
story’s Eastern origins. In this lat- nal score — although it should be the original. The regiment’s Com- Shuan Yu was a vicious man who for being too PC with its diversi-
ter respect Disney’s live action ad- noted that the lack of any songs in mander Tung (Donnie Yen) isn’t stood out for his particular breed ty might lead you to believe. But
aptation of “Mulan” does surpris- this version leave it feeling a little quite a blank slate, but he’s not of arrogance and cartoonish buf- it is a disappointingly sour take
ingly well, containing inspired devoid of personality. very recognizable either without foonery, whereas 2020’s Khan is on what was originally a fresh
landscape compositions that are It isn’t just missing songs a recitation of “I’ll Make a Man a stereotypical angry warlord in and subversive animated feature.
decorated and produced with im- where 2020 “Mulan” falls short of Out of You.” Even one musical se- kahoots with a new character, a Watching “Mulan” is entertaining
maculate care. As for recapturing character, but frankly most of the quence would have added a good witch named Xianniang (Gong enough, but it is not worth the $29
the rest of the original’s magic, film. While there are a few spar- bit of personality to a movie that Li). price Disney is charging for at-
the 2020 adaptation of “Mulan” — ing jokes about gender politics sometimes feels similar to compe- Xianniang is supposed to be home viewers who must already
like so many other things this year during Mulan’s time pretending tent but sterile high-budget video a thought-provoking parallel to be subscribed to the Disney+
— falls short. to be a man in the Chinese army, games with their barely sketched- Mulan as a female who undergoes streaming service to view the film
There are things to commend the character-filling banter be- out characters. a transformative arc of redemp- during what would have been a
about this adaptation before get- tween 1998’s Mulan (Ming-Na The lack of personality sore- tion, but the script condenses this purely theatrical release window.
ting into the purely critical. Di- Wen) and her dragon companion ly reveals itself, however, in the arc into such a miniscule amount In a normal world with theaters,
rector Niki Caro and her team Mushu (Eddie Murphy) has no re- Emperor and villain characters. of screentime that her presence “Mulan” might at least be a spec-
have assembled an actually diverse placement in this new adaptation. The Emperor (Jet Li) is laughably barely registers. Li’s character tacle worth some popcorn time,
and appropriate cast, with Mulan In the 2020 “Mulan,” the only su- stoic without a hint of anything could have been an interesting but in the current global context
(Yifei Liu) and warrior-compan- pernatural companion to be seen to be remembered by, and the feminist complement to what it’s a story not quite worth the
ion-turned-love-interest Hon- is a phoenix representing Fa Mu- Khan villain (Jason Scott Lee) is has always been a subversive plot price of admission for all but the
ghui (Yoson An) in particular lan’s family “qi” energy with no a hollow portrayal of the leader of since “Mulan’s” origins as a real most diehard or desperate of Dis-
performing their roles admirably. dialogue or distinguishing char- the Huns. Though it may be tire- folk tale. Unfortunately, a cool ney fans.You can also read
