Author: Guest Writer

After Southern Adventist University moved to online-instruction for the rest of the 2020 winter semester, many programs—including student teaching that require off-campus practicums—faced uncertainty about how they would continue. Pheobe Maciel, a senior English education major, was one of those students. "When I left Southern two days before spring break, …they told me that I …

It has been an eye opening experience holding leadership positions within Asian Club for the past two years. There is a sense of pride that radiates from every one of our Asian Club members of just how proud they are of their heritage. So much so, that it made me even more proud of my …

In a recent email to faculty, President David Smith announced that Southern will be unable to hold the SmartStart summer session this year and will move all classes online in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. “Academic administration, with the support of university leadership, continues to review academic programs that may need to be modified due …

After back and forth student petitions, Southern Adventist University's administration announced its approval for optional pass/fail grading on April 22. According to an email from President David Smith, this temporary policy change for Winter 2020 is meant to help mitigate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and the recent tornado in the Collegedale area. According …

Wellness challenges started by SAU’s counseling center have become a weekly event, with around 200 students already participating. After the chaotic beginning of online classes, some students are using this initiative as a way to express themselves during the quarantine.  Tiffany Bartell, a full-time counselor and outreach coordinator for the counseling center, is one of …

On Tuesday, April 14, Talge Hall Dean Kevin Pride sent out an email to residence hall student workers announcing his departure from Southern. After serving at Southern for 12 years as an associate dean, Pride has accepted an Athletic Director position at Forest Lake Academy (FLA) in Apopka, Florida. According to Pride, who previously worked …

After a proposal that would have given students the option to be graded on a pass/fail scale was rejected by Southern’s academic administration, some students are now campaigning for an adjusted grading scale. Southern acknowledged student feedback on its Instagram story earlier this week and said it hopes to have an update by Friday afternoon.  …

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee issued a “safer-at-home” order for the state that started on Tuesday, March 31, and will last for at least two weeks. This will effectively close all nonessential businesses and urge residents to stay at home as much as possible.  The order differs from a “shelter-in-place” order that some states have issued, …

María Jóse Morán,  a junior international student who attends Southern Adventist University on student-visa, faced a dilemma as the university began transitioning to online instruction for the remainder of the semester.  On March 12, she received an email ordering students to be completely moved out of the dorms and Southern Village apartments in less than …

On March 12, shortly after Southern Adventist University announced that it would be changing its classes to distant learning for the rest of the semester, the Student Missions office sent out an email advising current student missionaries to return home. The recommendation came as a response to ongoing COVID-19 concerns.“As a student missionary, Southern is …