Kylie McGovern, Editor 

Via @lasalleunvi on Instagram La Salle Graduate in her cap, gown and mask.

On Mar 24, President Hanycz announced in-person graduations for both the class of 2020 and 2021 in a message, saying, “It is with great excitement that I announce La Salle University will host separate, in-person Commencement ceremonies for the Classes of 2020 and 2021 at Lincoln Financial Field in South Philadelphia on Saturday, May 15, 2021.” Graduating students will be able to invite two to four guests to their ceremony. Face masks and physical distancing measures will be required. In addition, to ensure all COVID-19 protocols are followed, there will be two separate ceremonies on May 15, one for the class of 2020 and one for the class of 2021. The Baccalaureate Mass will be on campus in the McCarthy Stadium and students are permitted two guests. There will be livestreams of both ceremonies as well. 

  Similarly, other universities in Philadelphia are pushing for in-person events if possible. Drexel University is having a graduation at Citizens Bank Park. The number of guests is still in question. In addition, Drexel will hold virtual ceremonies for its different schools throughout June. Jefferson University is planning to have a ceremony at the Mann Center for the Performing Arts. At the moment, Jefferson University is not permitting guests. The University of Pennsylvania will have an on-site ceremony for undergraduates at their own Franklin Field, but no guests are allowed and graduate and professional schools will have online ceremonies. Saint Joseph’s University will have an on-campus ceremony with a currently unspecified number of guests. Temple University will have virtual school wide graduation and the different schools will have in-person events without guests. Villanova will have in-person ceremonies with two guests allowed per student. 

 Philadelphia public high schools are promising an in-person graduation for the class of 2021. Philadelphia public schools have not been in-person all year and do not plan to be for the remainder of the school year. Superintendent William R. Hite Jr. wants students to “safely celebrate at in-person, outdoor high school graduation ceremonies as safe capacity limits and COVID-19 conditions allow for safe school gatherings.”

Rita Offutt, Editor 

On March 4, an email from outgoing University President Colleen Hanycz announced La Salle’s administration is “planning for a primarily in-person semester” for Fall 2021. Although Hanycz will move to Xavier University over the summer, her announcement for the upcoming semester charted La Salle’s transition to post-pandemic life. 

Hanycz described the Spring 2021 semester as a success, writing “our collective efforts, including a robust testing strategy, an enhanced and expanded contact tracing program, and the cooperation of our students, faculty and staff, have helped maintain low transmission numbers on our campus — including a positivity rate of less than 0.5%.” As of March 12, La Salle’s community has seen a total of 101 cases of COVID-19, with the most cases identified in the beginning of February. The following chart, copied from La Salle’s COVID-19 dashboard, details the instances of COVID-19 from Spring 2021. 

Classroom constraints and professors’ discretion may impact course modalities for Fall 2021. As the City of Philadelphia adjusts their maximum capacity guidelines, Hanycz said La Salle will “work to transition to even more classes to in-person modality.” As of March 17, Philadelphia’s guidelines for colleges and universities says classrooms must have “at least six feet of distance between students/instructors [and either] 20 persons per 1,000 square feet; or less than 25 percent of maximum capacity of classrooms; or a maximum of 25 students per class.” Starting on April 4, Pennsylvania will begin to lessen restrictions for bars, restaurants and entertainment venues. While Philadelphia has not adjusted their restrictions to align with the state’s, the Philadelphia Inquirer describes the plan to lift the ban on events of more than 50 people. As many Philadelphia schools return to in-person classes, changes in educational regulations are expected. Nonetheless, the Registrar has listed six modalities for course delivery this fall: Face to face instruction (F2F), hybrid, staggered, remote with specific meeting times, online and independent study. The F2F modality will model the traditional classroom setting and the hybrid modality will be divided into traditional and online elements. The staggered modality is similar to the hybrid modality as professors may choose to have online elements, but students will have specific days of the week for in-person attendance. The next modality, remote with specific meeting times, will entail synchronous Zoom classes. The online modality will be asynchronous and fully remote. Students in independent study courses should consult with their professor to find out what the modality will be used for their specific project. 

The plans for Fall 2021 include a meal-plan requirement for residential students, as well as continued social distancing and increased emphasis on health monitoring. Wearing a mask, washing one’s hands, making use of sanitizing stations, physical distancing and reporting any signs of sickness are expected to continue to be the norm, and students are required to continue these practices until further notice from the University. 

offuttr1@lasalle.edu  

Kylie McGovern, Editor 

On March 15, 2021, President Hanycz informed Explorers of the COVID-19 protocols after returning from a brief Easter break. There are no classes on Holy Thursday, April 1, and the University will be closed Good Friday, April 2 through Easter Monday on April 5. On Tuesday, April 6, La Salle will have a quiet period and conduct all classes remotely until Friday, April 9. This quiet period is meant to reduce the chance of transmissions by limiting interaction to households and pods. However, beginning on Tuesday, April 6, students with off-campus clinicals, practicums or internships may report to their respective sites. Residential students must return by Tuesday, April 6, and will be required to check-in with Residence Life staff. 

Student testing will also be conducted on Friday, April 9, and Saturday, April 10 at Treetops Cafe. This testing is mandatory for selected students. These students will be notified by Monday, April 5 to select a testing time. This surveillance testing is a safety measure to protect the La Salle community. In addition, normal testing will increase after Easter. Staff can take voluntary tests that the University is offering as well. 

Campus resources will be limited during the quiet period. La Salle Dining will offer to-go options only. Connelly Library will maintain restricted hours. Student Health will prioritize telehealth appointments. The Independence Blue Cross fitness center will be closed.

President Hanycz reassures Explorers that “We have come together in amazing and creative ways this year, most particularly this semester as we have experienced a very successful return to campus. I am confident in our planning and protocols, and I will continue to rely upon the cooperation of our students, faculty and staff to ensure La Salle University remains a safe place to live, learn and work.” 

mcgovernk8@lasalle.edu

Rita Offutt, Editor 

La Salle’s Honors Program launched a scholarship initiative in Aug. 202, and in Feb. 2021 the fundraising effort surpassed the $1 million milestone. The initiative seeks to raise $3 million by 2023, and has currently met 34% of its fundraising goal, with a current total of $1,009,584. According to the fundraiser’s website, providing scholarship opportunities to honors students will “allow us to recruit and retain high-achieving and engaged students who have long been the hallmark of this special learning community. Whatever your connection to the Honors Program – whether alumni, parent/family, faculty, or friend – we ask you to join with us in supporting this new initiative so that we can drive further growth of this program and sustain it for generations of students to come.”

The website not only describes the campaign but showcases donors, dividing them by the amount of their contribution and relationship to the university. The donation brackets, labeled Giving Societies range from donations up to $999 to gifts of more than $50,000. Within the Giving Societies is a special bracket for undergraduate alumni within 10 years of graduation who donate between $500-$999, called the Young Alumni Circle. Alumnus Jacob Garwood ‘20, who served as the Collegian’s Editor-In-Chief during the 2019-2020 academic year, is one of many alumni donors. Garwood, whose donation placed him in the bracket above the Young Alumni Circle, says, “The honors program at La Salle is an empowering and transformational program. I believe it is important to pay it forward so future generations of explorers can share in the enriching experience I had as an undergrad.” 

According to an article written by Christopher Vito, La Salle’s Senior Director of Strategic Communications, “The university annually awards $4.5 million in total scholarship support to La Salle Honors Program students. Gifts to the Honors Program Scholarship Initiative will drive its growth through recruitment and retention of the best students, and sustain a program that has created pathways to a high-impact Lasallian education for more than 50 years.” 

Vito’s article also highlights La Salle’s Alumni Association’s Day of Giving donation challenge. If the Honors Program Initiative reaches 75 donors during Day of Giving on Mar. 23, the Alumni Association will donate $10,000 towards the fundraiser. Questions and donation inquiries should be directed to either John Prendergast, the Associate Director of Development, or Daniel Joyce, the Vice President of University Advancement. 

offuttr1@lasalle.edu 

Karen Kerwick, Staff

On Tuesday, Feb. 23, La Salle’s chapter of the Association for Women in Communications (AWC) hosted a panel featuring seven past and present students who worked as interns during their time at La Salle. While the event takes place annually, this year the event faced several new challenges. 

One such hurdle was the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Because student and club programming was moved to an online format almost a year ago, making the panel virtual and utilizing tools like Zoom were simple changes. However, the pandemic also created the challenge of a smaller pool of interns. Many companies cancelled their usual internships or limited the number of interns they could take on in Fall 2020 and Spring 2021. Because there were fewer students with internship opportunities, Brother Gerry Molyneaux, the organizer of the panel and director of the Communication Department’s internship courses, reached out to several alumni from the Class of 2020. Three of those alumni joined the panel and shared their experiences.

Nineteen students attended the panel, with representation from all four classes at La Salle. Interns with experience working for Philadelphia sports teams were well represented: interns who had worked with the Philadelphia Eagles, 76ers, Flyers and the since-disbanded Philadelphia Soul were in attendance. Many had both mass media and public relations experience and focused on garnering interest from different members of the audience. 

Among the topics discussed at the panel were how to find an internship, valuable lessons from experience and mistakes made on the job. One intern shared that it is not a reflection of weakness to acknowledge learning opportunities. Other students described their experiences in overdressing for an interview with the general consensus that a best practice is to overdress rather than underdress. “I think coming in dressed up for my interview helped how the other people there looked at me,” said Tyler Pitis ‘20. 

AWC will be hosting an alumni event on March 25 at 6 p.m. featuring an array of La Salle alumni. Because the Communication and Digital Art departments merged this year, this will be the first event hosted by AWC that targets both groups of students by featuring alumni of both disciplines.

kerwickk1@lasalle.edu

Rita Offutt, Editor 

On Saturday, Feb. 13, the United States Senate voted against the impeachment of former President Donald Trump for the Jan. 6 attacks on the Capitol. Trump was on trial for inciting insurrection, or encouraging an act of rebellion. According to the National Public Radio (NPR), “The Democratic House impeachment managers argued that the former president, who addressed a rally outside the White House ahead of the insurrection, was ‘singularly responsible’ for the violence on Jan. 6.”

         One of the representatives who served as a House impeachment manager was Madeleine Dean, a La Salle alumna who has been working in the House of Representatives since 2019. Dean completed her undergraduate degree at La Salle and went on to pursue a law degree at the Delaware Law Firm of Widener University. For 10 years, from 2001-2011, Dean came back to La Salle as an English professor. Based on her teaching career, Dean earned a score of 3.9 out of 5 on Rate My Professor, where users described her as a “great teacher” and someone who will “improve your writing skills.”

         During the impeachment trial, Dean gave an impactful address as she detailed the events of Jan. 6. According to CBS Philly, she said, “At 1:45, the president’s followers surged past Capitol Police shouting, ‘This is a revolution.’ Just after 2:10, an hour after President Trump ended his speech, the insurrectionist mob overwhelmed Capitol security and made it inside the halls of Congress…Because the truth is, this attack never would have happened, but for Donald Trump. And so they came, draped in Trump’s flag and used our flag, the American flag, to batter and to bludgeon.” The Jan. 6 attack killed five people, and two police officers took their own lives following the event.

         Dean was joined in her efforts by the lead manager from Maryland, Jamie Raskin, Joaquin Castro (Texas), David Cicilline (Rhode Island), Diana DeGette (Colorado), Ted Lieu (California), Joe Neguse (Colorado), Stacey Plaskett (Virgin Islands) and Eric Swalwell (California). Nancy Pelosi, the Speaker of the House, selected the nine impeachment managers, all of whom have backgrounds in constitutional law, law enforcement and civil rights. According to the New York Times (NYT), Pelosi said, “It is their constitutional and patriotic duty to present the case for the president’s impeachment and removal. They will do so guided by their great love of country, determination to protect our democracy and loyalty to our oath to the Constitution.” A related NYT article about Dean describes her commitment both to the Constitution and her faith, quoting her as saying, “I carry [a pocket constitution and a copy of the Beatitudes] with me because one is a guide to life — a high standard to strive for — and the other is the law of the land. One is how to live as a human being, and how to live as a citizen.”

offuttr1@lasalle.edu

Kylie McGovern, editor 

SEPTA bus with request to wear a mask                                             Philadelphia Inquirer 

The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) is planning to reopen five Regional Rail Ticket Offices in Feb. 2021 following their closures on Dec. 14, 2020. Despite these COVID-19 related closures, La Salle University students and Philadelphians alike have used other SEPTA transportation to commute to campus, run errands and explore the city. To ensure employee and rider safety SEPTA has precautions in place to slow the spread of COVID-19. These policies have been in place since June 4, 2020. 

SEPTA’s policy for COVID-19 is in accordance with the governor Tom Wolf’s guidelines and guidelines from the Center for Disease Control (CDC). Those riding SEPTA are required to wear a mask  and social distance. Vehicles also have capacity limits to further encourage social distancing. In addition, SEPTA has an app available on Android and iOS where customers can access route information. Operators comply with the limits by not stopping for additional passengers when capacities have been reached. In addition, SEPTA has recently offered a $100 incentive to their employees who receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Over the past months of the COVID-19 pandemic, several SEPTA employees have been exposed and infected with COVID-19. This effort to get employees vaccinated will keep SEPTA running and adequately staffed to ensure timely and frequent travel. 

Freshman Nick Radley used the subway system to travel from La Salle’s campus to Center City. When asked about his experience on the subway during the ongoing virus, Radley explained, “I didn’t see anybody not wearing masks and they had signs on every other seat encouraging people to social distance. None of the trains were overcrowded.” However, Radley also explained that he had not seen any “hard enforcement” of these rules. 

  Senior Christian Camacho has similar experiences to Radley. Camacho said, “I feel as though SEPTA  is doing the correct measures to keep students and people safe. No seats are authorized for two people to sit next to each other, each person has their own seat for their bag and themselves.” Camacho did notice that SEPTA employees seldom sanitize surfaces on the vehicles and when they do the cleaning is not thorough. However, Camacho was impressed by bus drivers only accepting a certain amount of people who are wearing masks on the bus before closing the doors. Like Radley, Camacho says he has not seen an overpacked bus. “Everyone wears their masks except for the homeless population, but even some buses have masks available for people,” Camacho observed.

     Overall, riding SEPTA has been a safe experience for La Salle students despite COVID-19. The precautions taken by SEPTA allow for students to travel comfortably throughout the area and commute to campus for class. 

mcgovernk8@lasalle.edu