Fall is near, it’s time to get into the spirit Tuesday, Sep 8 2020 

face masks and fall 2020 and Halloween and Halloween movies and Halloween music and Horror Movies and Opinion and Pumpkin Spice Latte Catherine Brown 2:00 pm

By Catherine Brown-

With the leaves on tress beginning to fall and cooler weather on its way, what better way to unwind than by embracing the fall spirit?

We’re a week into September. Already, Halloween decorations are hitting the shelf at Kroger and Walmart. Pumpkin Spice Lattes are out at Starbucks. New horror movies are rolling out on our favorite streaming sites.

Here are just a few of the ways we can enjoy the coming of the new season.

 

Catch up on your favorite horror movies.

Start a movie marathon of classic and new movies with a horror theme. Rotten Tomatoes, a movie-rating website, lists the best horror movies of 2020, from “Feedback” to “Host.”

Love zombie apocalypse movies? Netflix has the 2016 South Korean film “Train to Busan,” a story about a man and his daughter who travel cross-country only to find themselves sharing a train with zombies looking to eat anything that they can detect.

Looking for a classic? Netflix also holds the horror classic “Paranormal Activity,” a movie about a couple who think that their house might hold a demon which encourages them to record their house at night.

If you’re not in the mood for terribly scary movies, go for a lighthearted classic. Catch up on those Halloween movies from childhood, like “Hocus Pocus,” “Halloweentown,” or “The Nightmare Before Christmas.” All of these movies can be found on Disney+. These movies bring lots of nostalgia and make you want to re-watch them!

Put on some seasonal music.

The winter holidays are known for their holiday spirit and festive music. But who says Halloween can’t have some of the fun?

If you’re in need of a fall playlist, again, go with the classics.

Think Michael’s Jackson’s “Thriller,” “Monster Mash” by Bobby Pickett and “This is Halloween” written by Danny Elfman for the Tim Burton movie “The Nightmare before Christmas.” These are the essentials for any good Halloween playlist. Without these songs, you can’t truly be in the Halloween spirit.

Start decorating.

Put out your jack-o-lanterns and spider webs now, folks!

From front yard tombstones to backyard pumpkin lights, everything you need to decorate your house can be found online. Try playing with fall colors and cover your house in orange and purple lights. Use a ghost or tombstone lawn stake–assuming you have a front yard, of course. This will give your house a playful look to it.

Or, stick to a theme. Create a ghostly graveyard effect with tombstones and cobwebs hanging everywhere. Use minimal lighting to come across as more haunting. You can easily turn your house into a haunted house with the right type of lighting and decorations.

Pick up a Halloween mask.

With the Halloween season on the rise, in addition to the pandemic, masks are necessary for celebrating the holiday this year. Some costume shops are already preparing for this.

If you want a cute Halloween design, shop for face masks that have candy corn patterns or tiny spiders. You’ll promote being healthy during the pandemic while also being spooky for the season, a double-win.

Buy your own Hannibal Lector or Jason mask to really catch others’ attention and provide an appropriate scare this Halloween. This way, you can be smart and safe while also showing off your horror side!

Dress for the season.

Does anybody else have a favorite sweater or fall T-shirt?

When the season rolls around, it’s the perfect time to break out the leggings and sweaters. A cozy scarf and a nice pair of boots go perfectly together. Also, turtlenecks are in! 

Unfortunately, while you might have to start packing away those athletic shorts and tank tops, you can still dress for the weather in style. Layer up to add drama to your outfit, or keep it simple and to-the-point. 

Whatever look you choose, be sure to fit it in with the colors of the season and go for some warmer colors, like orange or dark red. You’ll be sure to match the leaves!

 

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U of L enrollment rises despite COVID-19 pandemic Wednesday, Aug 26 2020 

Enrollment and fall 2020 and freshmen stats and News and pivot to fall Eli Hughes 10:00 am

By Eli Hughes–

The University of Louisville is reporting 20,074 students enrolled across undergraduate, professional and graduate programs for the fall 2020 semester. That is a 1.4% increase from the fall 2019 enrollment, which was 19,791 students.

Of the fall 2020 students, 14,223 are enrolled in undergraduate programs, 4,393 are enrolled in graduate programs and 1,458 are enrolled in professional programs.

Even though enrollment is higher this year, that doesn’t mean there are more people on campus. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, 73.6% of students are enrolled in a mixture of online, in-person and hybrid classes. Hybrid classes are defined as classes held partially online and partially in-person. 14.9% of students are only taking in-person classes and 11.5% of students are only taking online classes.

The number of incoming freshmen has also increased from last year, with more than 2,800 freshmen enrolling this semester. That is up from around 2,600 freshmen enrolled in the 2019 fall semester. 86% of freshmen are enrolled in hybrid classes.

Although freshman enrollment is up, the percentage of freshman living on campus has gone down from 72% during fall 2019 to 66.3% for fall 2020.

A full breakdown of freshmen class statistics can be found on U of L’s news website.

Graphic by Joseph Garcia // The Louisville Cardinal

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U of L bookstore changes how students get textbooks for the semester Monday, Aug 10 2020 

Andrea Herrera and Business and campus bookstore and coronavirus and COVID-19 and fall 2020 and Health and Louisville and News and students and textbooks and UofL Eli Hughes 6:00 pm

By Eli Hughes–

Any University of Louisville student looking to purchase their textbooks for the fall semester from the Campus Bookstore, will need to do so online due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Students will now be required to order textbooks online from the bookstore’s website and can choose to have their order shipped directly to their place of residence or to come into the bookstore for in-store pick-up.

The bookstore will be open from 9:00 am to 5:00 p.m. Customers will be able to shop in person for all items except for textbooks.

Andrea Herrera, the store’s manager, said the store will have several practices in place to help ensure the safety of customers and staff.

“There will be sanitation every two hours for common touch points,” Herrera said. “We will also quarantine returned items for 24 hours before putting them back in the store.” Bookstore staff must also have their temperature checked and answer a series of questions daily prior to starting their shift.

Masks will be required for store staff and customers and there will be a maximum of 68 customers allowed in the store at any given time. There will also be designated entry and exit points in order to promote social distancing in the store. 

Students can purchase textbooks online from the campus bookstore’s website by clicking the “Find your textbooks” tab. Any questions can be directed the campus bookstore at 502-852-6679 or books@louisville.edu.

File Photo//The Louisville Cardinal

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University of Louisville’s plan for a safe return to campus this fall Monday, Jul 6 2020 

Cardinals and coronavirus and COVID-19 and fall 2020 and Health and Louisville and News and pivot to fall and Provost Beth Boehm and SGA and Administration and students Eli Hughes 12:30 pm

By Madelin Shelton–

On June 23, University of Louisville Provost Beth Boehm sent out the university’s “Pivot to Fall” plan that laid out the university’s strategy for welcoming students, faculty and staff back for the fall semester.

The plan–drafted under the direction of the Pivot to Fall Coordinating Committee, Safe Return to Work Committee, and Academic Scenario Planning Committee–was split into two major sections: “Return to Campus” and “Student, Faculty and Staff Safety.”

The “Return to Campus” section announced that fall semester classes for undergraduates will begin on Aug. 17 and Fall Break will remain on Oct. 5-6, as previously scheduled. Move-in for students living on campus will include multiple days with extended time periods to promote social distancing.

In-person classes will meet regularly until  Nov. 25. After this date, all in-person classes will transition to online-only until the end of final exams. Dorms will remain open to students needing a place to stay through or after Thanksgiving break.

Over 50% of classes will be offered in a hybrid model, part online and part in-person, to allow for a quick switch to online-only should this necessity arise.

The university also disclosed that the Fall 2020 and Spring 2020 commencement ceremonies will both be held in the upcoming December, as the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in the postponement of the Spring 2020 ceremonies.

The key actions for “Student, Faculty and Staff Safety” included several items. Among the most notable announcements, all students, faculty and staff will be required to wear masks and practice social distancing in public areas.

U of L is also making testing available to all members of the campus community and will conduct contact tracing to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Additionally, the university will increase hand sanitizer, cleaning and disinfecting throughout campus, among other preventative actions.

While the “Pivot to Fall” plan acts as a guide, the university administration acknowledges changes will likely still need to be made.

“We will continue to respond to the guidance of our public health officials and the governor of Kentucky, the latest science and research into COVID-19, advice from our colleagues at other universities and colleges, and input from our employees and students over the next to two months,” Boehm said.

File Graphic//The Louisville Cardinal

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U of L releases draft of plan for students’ return to campus in the fall Thursday, Jun 4 2020 

coronavirus and COVID-19 and fall 2020 and fall semester and Health and News and Provost Beth Boehm and SGA and Administration Eli Hughes 8:20 pm

By Eli Hughes–

University of Louisville Provost Beth Boehm sent out an email to the U of L community on June 1 addressing concerns about the fall semester and releasing a draft of the plan for a safe return to campus.

“I want to acknowledge that many of you are anxious and want answers to all of your questions at once,” Boehm said in the email. “I understand your anxiety about ‘reopening’ campus, even as I ask your patience as we methodically work toward something resembling a final plan.”

Boehm went on to clarify that U of L never completely closed during the COVID-19 outbreak. She pointed out that many students remained in on-campus housing, Ekstrom library stayed open and many dining options on-campus were still in operation.

She went on to explain that U of L is working to maintain a balance between giving students the best education possible while also keeping the U of L community safe.

Boehm then linked to the draft of the plan for the return to campus this fall. The plan includes guidelines for personal protective equipment, social distancing, changes to food service areas, testing, required flu shot, class guidelines and changes to the academic calendar.

Masks will be required in all public areas on campus, including classrooms. Professors will be allowed to take off their masks when lecturing as long as they maintain an eight-foot distance from the rest of the class. Students will be given a washable cloth mask at the beginning of the semester, but they are encouraged to bring their own backup masks.

Social distancing will also be expected in common areas on campus. Floor markings and table spacing will be used in high-density places to encourage distance.

In addition to socially distancing in dining areas, hand sanitizer use will be required for entrance to those areas. Barriers will also be installed between food service employees and customers.

U of L will also make COVID-19 testing available to all faculty, staff and students. The testing will be focused on those showing symptoms and those believed to have been in contact with someone who has tested positive. Students are encouraged to get tested before returning to campus.

In an effort to reduce flu-like symptoms on campus, students, faculty and staff will be required to get a flu shot at the beginning of the fall semester. U of L will provide free flu shots, but those who wish to get their flu shot elsewhere can do so as long as they provide U of L with evidence of getting vaccinated.

The guidelines also indicate that all classes, except for online-only classes, will be taught as hybrid classes. This means that 25%-75% of the class will be taught in person, with the remaining 25%-75% being taught online. Instructors will also be asked to post required assignments and lectures online to increase accessibility for those unable to attend class.

The academic calendar has also been adjusted to accommodate concerns related to COVID-19. The semester will begin as planned on Aug. 17, but face-to-face instruction will end at the beginning of Thanksgiving Break, Nov. 25. The remaining two days of instruction and finals will take place online.

Other calendar concerns include fall break, which will continue as planned Oct. 5-6, and the Kentucky Derby, which is expected to take place on Sept. 5. Sept. 3-4 will be online instruction days in order to address traffic concerns related to Derby festivities.

Members of the U of L community are encouraged to read the full draft plan and share their thought through a feedback form by June 5. Boehm will also be holding an online forum for students, faculty and staff on June 5 at 2 p.m.

File Graphic//The Louisville Cardinal

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President Bendapudi gives summer update to U of L community Monday, May 25 2020 

coronavirus and COVID-19 and fall 2020 and fall semester and Health and News and President Neeli Bendapudi and Provost Beth Boehm and SGA and Administration Eli Hughes 2:45 pm

By Madelin Shelton–

University of Louisville President Neeli Bendapudi sent out an email on May 21 regarding U of L’s decisions through June and July amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. 

These months are expected to be a transitional period for the pivot to the fall semester. This transition will include various policies to help protect the health and safety of faculty, staff and students. 

Among them, Bendapudi announced that the university has “extended the remote-work policy through June 30 for those employees who can continue performing their duties off campus.” 

In addition, June 1 will mark the first day that certain units may begin to bring some employees back to campus who provide critical on-campus needs. June 1 will also be the first day that small meetings and events of up to 10 people can begin. 

The other policies of the transition include a confirmation that pay reductions and furloughs scheduled between now and June 30 will continue as planned and “some research labs and clinical research programs will begin to open following strict health and safety guidelines.”

Bendapudi said that the university would continue to evaluate the evolving situation and update the U of L community on further developments before July 1. 

She also pointed to the work Provost Beth Boehm is doing to craft a smooth transition for the fall semester, including the formation of three separate committees comprised of faculty, staff and student representatives. 

These committees include a coordinating committee in charge of developing plans for “campus operations, student services and other key functions,” a safe return to campus committee with the responsibility of planning necessary COVID-19 testing for the U of L community, and an academic scenario committee “to address delivery of academic programming.”

In response to much uncertainty regarding the circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic, Bendapudi said the university and its leadership “are working diligently to ensure that the University of Louisville will be prepared for any eventuality.”

File Graphic// The Louisville Cardinal

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Bendapudi announces classes will return on campus in the fall Thursday, May 7 2020 

coronavirus and COVID-19 and fall 2020 and Health and John Karman and Kevin Gardner and News and President Neeli Bendapdui and Provost Beth Boehm and SGA and Administration Eli Hughes 2:15 pm

By Madelin Shelton–

University of Louisville President Neeli Bendapudi announced in an email on May 3 that the University of Louisville is expected to return to regular campus operations for the fall 2020 semester. This includes students living on campus and attending in-person classes.

Bendapudi said that U of L never did close during the Spring 2020 semester and that it continued to serve the 2,700 students who remained in campus facilities or affiliated housing.

She also said that U of L’s research and healthcare infrastructure and recent experience of moving swiftly from in-person to online classes has well prepared the university to respond to future rises in COVID-19 cases.

Bendapudi said that the principal concern is the health and wellbeing of the Cards community.

In preparation for the fall semester, U of L is employing several strategies, including having the Executive Vice President for Research, Kevin Gardner, work with U of L researchers and Campus Health Services to ensure quick testing of students, faculty, staff and contact tracing.

In addition, Executive Vice President and University Provost Beth Boehm is leading a work group to help U of L students get the best education in the fall and to support faculty and staff.

Bendapudi said that the university will continue to consult with local and state health officials and U of L experts as the situation progresses. She also addressed the still-present uncertainty with a situation like this.

“We know there are many questions that we need to answer between now and the start of the Fall semester. We will be providing a more comprehensive update on our path forward by the first week of June,” she stated in the email.

U of L Executive Director of Communications John Karman said that the university will be prepared to switch back to online only instruction if there is another spike in COVID-19 cases.  But he also made it clear that there will be measures taken to try to prevent an outbreak at U of L.

“The university will have significant health and safety protocols in place for students returning to campus this fall. Details of those measures should be revealed in early June,” Karman said.

Bendapudi ended her announcement with words of encouragement.

“What I have seen of our U of L family is that we are uniquely able to rise to a challenge and overcome it. This global health situation is no different. I have full confidence that the U of L students, staff, and faculty I interact with each and every day are ready for anything, and that is true in this situation as well,” she said.

Graphic by Alexis Simon //The Louisville Cardinal

 

 

 

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