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Cooke: C.A.N.S. Around The Oval is one of CSU’s best traditions

C.A.N.S. Around the Oval is a roughly month-long food and fund drive organized by Colorado State University’s Student Leadership, Involvement and Community Engagement (S.L.I.C.E.) office and the Food Bank for Larimer County.

Now in its 35th year, the drive represents one of CSU’s best homecoming traditions, and it reflects our University’s commitment to transformative community action.

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Soter: The Labor Shortage is a Good Thing

 

Because of ridiculously high tuition rates, I work at a café to support myself financially. I can’t complain too much. I get free food, meet some great people and make money all at once. But since COVID-19 vaccinations became available and the shop reopened indoor seating, a new problem has taken center stage.

Suddenly, there has been a noticeable influx of business, which should mean an influx of workers. But, as hard as we tried to hire, we still closed the shop early more often than not because of a lack of workers. Despite management raising wages and posting flyers to encourage applications, the fish won’t bite.

The small staff left has worked overtime leading to burnout and an even smaller staff. But this problem is not unique to this business. Businesses all over the state and the country have seen an increase in business but a lack of workers, even as wages go up.

Forbes magazine reported that “the average hourly wage for private non-farm workers rose $0.20 in April, $0.13 in May and $0.10 in June.” This influx in hourly wages shows that employers raised wages as a way to encourage employment, but even still, the labor shortage persists. You might have heard of this problem referred to as the 2021 labor crisis. But it’s not a crisis — it’s an opportunity for happiness in the U.S.

The Washington Post recently reported that there are 8.4 million unemployed Americans despite 10 million job openings nationwide. The obvious blame for this statistic falls on the COVID-19 pandemic, but which part? Many claim this “crisis” resulted from the pandemic, but this theory is far from the truth.

As the country reopened and unemployment benefits went down, the labor shortage raged on. In Utah, pandemic-specific unemployment programs ended on June 26, 2021. And as of August 2021, Utah saw a 2.6% unemployment rate. Unsurprisingly, 21 other states besides Utah also cut unemployment benefits early. They, too, saw the labor shortage continue. Furthermore, other countries such as Great Britain never raised their unemployment benefits during the pandemic but still experience a labor shortage today.

We should also consider that the pandemic hasn’t ended yet. Case counts continue to surge, hospitals still reach full capacity and the death toll remains high. People may not feel comfortable going back to work yet, or can’t because of COVID-19 restrictions within their workplace. The workforce has completely transformed because of the pandemic. Some of the people who loved going to work can’t go back, and the people who hated in-person work now realize it’s not mandatory.

Since March 2021 the reservation wage, the lowest wage at which a worker will accept a job, for those without a college degree rose by 26%. Nationwide, resignation rates are higher than ever at a jaw-dropping 13% more than rates before the pandemic. Entrepreneurship and early retirement have surged, and finding educators and healthcare workers has become nearly impossible.

Pew Research reported that 66% of unemployed Americans did confess to having the thought of switching fields or careers since the pandemic took hold and their unemployment began.

Essentially, the pandemic has changed all industries in the workforce and because of this many have started choosing different lifestyles. So, the real reason that unemployment rates remain so high is that people want to be happy. The pandemic showed the world just how fleeting life really is. The labor shortage remains because people refuse to go back to jobs that make them miserable. Instead, they’ve chosen to follow their passions to live a life that gives them joy — and the numbers prove it.

People have chosen to start that bakery they’ve always dreamed of, make their hobbies into businesses and actually use their life savings. They no longer want to accept the mediocre work that lacks joy. They’re ready for better. So the current labor crisis is not a crisis at all, but instead, it’s a blessing in disguise.

 

t.soter@dailyutahchronicle.com

@SoterTheadora

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Voterpalooza aims to boost student voter registration

University of Minnesota students registered to vote and met local politicians at the Voterpalooza event held Tuesday at three locations on the East Bank campus.

Minneapolis’ municipal election is Nov. 2, and the Minnesota Student Association (MSA) sought to make the student body aware and involved at its annual event. Students registered to vote at tables at Northrop, the Washington Avenue bridge and Superblock, with candidates speaking on stage outside of Northrop later in the day.

Volunteers gave out free shirts and candy while asking students if they were registered to vote. Students interested in registering could sign up on their phones with a code or on paper at the registration tables.

MSA President Abdulaziz Mohamed volunteered at the event, saying the goal was for students to “engage in the political process” and vote.

MSA has hosted Voterpalooza for over nine years, said Sabrina Egal, MSA’s deputy director of Government and Legislative Affairs. The pandemic prevented MSA from hosting the event in 2020, so volunteers were “anxious to get it done this year,” Mohamed said.

In 2018, the University was recognized nationally for high student voter turnout with almost 60% of students voting in the Minneapolis area.

Minneapolis mayoral candidate Sheila Nezhad spoke on stage about the importance of voting on political issues this year.

“I am running for mayor because I believe that the best solutions come from people who are leading change on the ground,” Nezhad said. “It’s so important that you vote this year.”

Grace Johnson, MSA Government and Legislative Affairs Director, said this year’s mayoral race will be a close one.

“A lot of students, especially given COVID-19, are here on campus in a new city for the first time,” Johnson said. “So it’s especially important to make sure everyone’s registered to vote at their current location because the results of this election are going to affect everyone who lives here whether they vote in it or not, and a lot of these races are looking to be pretty tight.”

However, this year’s ballot contains more than just elections for city candidates. Johnson spoke about ballot measures that would change the city’s public safety system and pass a rent control measure on to the city council.

“While mayoral or council elections will happen again within a set number of years in a term, these measures won’t come back on the ballot again until the city decides they can, so there’s only really one chance to vote on these,” Johnson said.

Historically, voter turnout among younger populations has been low. About 50% of people ages 18 to 29 voted in the 2020 presidential election, which was an 11% increase over the previous four years. In Minnesota, about 65% of people within that age range cast their ballots.

“We know that college students are statistically the least likely to vote, but we also know if we do the work of reaching out to and talking to people … about why their vote matters that they will,” Ward 3 Council Member Steve Fletcher said. “And I know from serving a community that includes the University community that students are also the best source of policy ideas.”

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15 Best Sites to Buy SoundCloud Plays and Followers (Instant and Safe)

15 Best Sites to Buy SoundCloud Plays and Followers (Instant and Safe)

Photo by Mohammad Metri on Unsplash

SoundCloud, the most popular music streaming platform globally, attracts more than two million people every day. As of 2019, the platform had 76 million registered users and 20 million creators who shared music. 

With such a large user base and lots of content being churned out every second, it’s challenging for artists to reach out to a wide audience. The reality of modern digital platforms is that numbers attract followers. 

The more views, plays, likes, and followers an artist has, the more likely they will attract followers. Conversely, when your music has a handful of plays, users won’t feel motivated to play it.

Luckily, numerous sites have been developed to help content creators buy SoundCloud plays, followers, and likes. The plays boost an artist’s organic growth, thus enhancing real engagement. 

However, finding the best company for the job can be daunting, with many websites promising quick results. We have compiled a list of 15 websites to help you in your search.

 

Stormlikes.net

 

Stormlikes is the best site to buy SoundCloud plays. It started as an Instagram liking service providing clients with likes from genuine people. Later, the company began providing SoundCloud plays to musicians who wanted to increase engagement on their SoundCloud profiles.

What sets Stormlikes apart from other brands is the quality of engagement it attracts. While most other brands excite clients with marketing gimmicks, Stormlikes stays true to all its promises. Here are some features that stand out:

  • Service delivery as soon as you order
  • Real likes
  • Location targeting: This feature makes Stormlikes the best site to buy Soundcloud followers because it can target specific locations on behalf of the client. For example, if most of your followers live in the same place, the website can focus its efforts on the area to get as many plays.
  • Gender targeting: This is another feature that makes Stormlikes the best site to buy Soundcloud plays. Similar to location targeting, the website can also focus its engagement campaign on a specific gender.

 

SocialPackages.net

Ranked among top-rated social media marketing service providers, SocialPackages.net is just what you need to increase your followers and plays on SoundCloud. 

The platform provides an authentic audience which increases engagement in a matter of days. In addition, the website ensures no automated bots are creating fake profiles to spam your SoundCloud account. 

Apart from managing your SoundCloud account, SocialPackages.net also manages other social media accounts like Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, Spotify, and YouTube.

Its SoundCloud plans are similar to most sites, with the least valued at $6 for 1,000 plays and the premium one priced at $89 for 20,000 plays. You should notice results in 1–2 days as your music begins to attract plays from real accounts. 

Pro tip: Buy plays in small amounts until your music begins to attract organic growth. This means if you have a few hundred followers, purchase the least package and subscribe to higher plans as you get more plays.

GetViral.io

Having a third party to help you grow a following is critical in such a competitive site as SoundCloud. GetViral is one handy website to help you attract SoundCloud followers organically. With more than seven years of experience, GetViral boasts an extensive clientele, and most of them are returning clients.

Its landing page displays a message about Instagram growth and options for users to grow a following for their YouTube, Twitter, and Facebook accounts.

Unlike other third-party service providers that use spam accounts, GetViral guarantees organic engagement. You should notice the growth within 24–72 hours of buying a plan.

You’ll also appreciate that GetViral hardly stores the user’s data which means third parties can’t monitor your activity on SoundCloud once you log out. 

What stands out about GetViral is its dedicated customer support platform. Users can talk to customer representatives at any time, and their issues are addressed promptly.

SocialPros.io

SocialPros.io is one of the best and most reputable sites for growing SoundCloud following. It shows exceptional commitment to providing satisfactory results hence its vast number of users who comprise return clients. This isn’t a small feat.

SocialPros.io cites that it focuses on maintaining a great rapport with clients, which culminates into long-term relationships. The website is a one-stop shop for artists who want to buy Soundcloud followers, plays, and likes. Here’s a breakdown of its plans:

SoundCloud Plays

  • Basic plan: $6 for 1,000 SoundCloud plays
  •  Mid-range plan: $12 for 2,000 SoundCloud plays
  • Higher plan: $30 for 5,000 SoundCloud plays
  • Premium plans: $50 for 10,000 SoundCloud plays, $89 for 20,000 sound cloud plays

SoundCloud Likes

  • Basic plan: $10 for 250 SoundCloud likes
  • Medium plan: $15 for 500 SoundCloud likes
  • Premium plan: $25 for 1,000 SoundCloud likes
  • Other plans: $49 for 2,500 likes, $85 for 5,000 likes

SoundCloud Followers

  • Basic plan: $18 for 500 followers

While SocialPros.io promises a delivery time of 1–2 days, we noticed growth is somewhat gradual. Another feature that makes this website stand out is its commitment to keeping clients’ information secure.

Clients only submit the information required to deliver the order, and the payment getaways are encrypted using modern technologies to prevent money loss.

Fastlikes

Like its name, Fastlikes is a platform that will help you grow a following and get more plays on your tracks on SoundCloud. Designed for both beginners and professionals, the website guarantees an active engagement and high-quality followers after subscription. 

The company does it by conducting premium quality promotions that amplify your play count on SoundCloud. In addition, it plays your tracks on a global scale, making them recognizable worldwide. 

What stands out about Fastlikes is its responsive customer support platform. The customer care representatives are committed to assisting customers whenever they get stuck, and its FAQ section is pretty handy as it addresses the most common questions.

We also loved Fastlikes’ visible plans featured on one of its web pages. The company provides four SoundCloud packages, namely:

  •  Basic plan: $6 for 1,000 Soundcloud plays with a refill guarantee
  • Medium plan: $12 for 2,000 Soundcloud plays
  • Premium plan: $30 for 5,000 Soundcloud plays, 24/7 customer support, worldwide exposure
  • Other plans: $50 for 10,000 Soundcloud plays, $89 for 20,000 SoundCloud plays

Note the company provides an organic following and an active engagement on your SoundCloud account, but the followers aren’t always from your target audience. 

Viralyft

It’s another favorite site that promises highly authentic traffic to your SoundCloud tracks. Its promotion methods are safe, so you never have to worry about your account getting suspended or banned.

At the same time, Viralyft is cautious not to use bots to gain SoundCloud plays which can compromise the quality of your profile.

Such techniques only increase the traffic for a while without offering solid support. And any musician will tell you occasional one-off traffic spikes can be detrimental to your career.

The essence of using third-party sites like Viralyft is to garner a following you can interact with and who share a genuine interest in your content.

With such a following, it’s easy to request your followers to promote your content by word-of-mouth and on other platforms like Spotify.

Viralyft also has 24/7 customer support, allowing you to contact the company anytime in case of problems with your order. The company has a lead time of 1–3 days.

ViewsExpert

Although many third-party websites are regarded as scams, you can still find legit websites that guarantee real results.

ViewsExpert is one such website that boasts a vast network as it works with many social media accounts. It works with a team of qualified marketers who understand how to enhance visibility. 

You only need to subscribe to one of its packages, provide the URL to the song or content that needs promotion and leave the rest to ViewsExpert.

Once the experts receive your order, they create a strong campaign through other music creators and a network of influencers. ViewsExpert also has a network of websites and bloggers who can post new music to increase visibility.

All such efforts expose your content to many people, which helps you achieve your goal pretty fast. The website provides a range of plans with price ranges of $5.50–$88, offering 1,000–20,000 plays.

FollowerPackages

It’s another top-rated provider of social media marketing services. With more than ten years of experience, FollowerPackages cites that it has delivered over two million real SoundCloud plays and likes since its inception.

Apart from increasing the visibility of your content on SoundCloud, the company promotes it on other social media platforms like Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram.

What’s more, it employs premium plays from real, active users on SoundCloud, promoting the safety of your content.

This means you’ll hardly violate guidelines laid down by SoundCloud. You should notice results after 3–4 days of subscribing to one of its four plans:

  • Basic plan: $10 for 1,000 plays
  • Medium plan: $19 for 5,000 plays
  • Premium plan: $35 for 10,000 plays
  • High plans: $55 for 20,000 plays and a one-time payment policy

 

Do Music Promotion

As the name suggests, the company promotes music on different platforms. Since its inception in 2017, Do My Promotion has delivered many plays worldwide.

Its services are primarily designed for new artists starting on their music careers by offering affordable packages. 

The basic plan costs $3 and offers up to 1,000 plays. It’s 100% safe and guarantees the privacy of all your activity on SoundCloud. Artists looking for more plays can subscribe to pro plans that offer 3,000–4,000 plays or the gold plan for 10,000 plays within 36 hours.

Premium plans offer more 100 SoundCloud plays ranging from 20,000-150,000. The company also has excellent customer support allowing users to launch complaints on the web and get responses within minutes.

Famups

The company has loads of experience managing social media pages, earning its trust and credibility among customers. Those who have worked with them leave glowing reviews praising Famups for its professionalism and expertise in their work. 

Therefore, the claims that they use real marketing tactics to garner quality plays that are 100% risk-free are true. We also noted their promptness in service delivery after subscribing.

You get more plays within minutes of paying for a plan. The company also offers refunds in case it fails to deliver. And if you experience problems, you can contact their customer representatives via the live chat option, write an email, or fill out the contact us form. 

StreamDigic

With close to 500,000–1 million people visiting SoundCloud every day, artists must look for websites that enhance the visibility of their content.

StreamDigic is one such website. It increases the visibility of your video, audio, and graphics through its audience on various social media platforms.

Apart from increasing SoundCloud plays cheap, StreamDigic adds the number of likes, comments, and followers on your tracks by targeting three or four categories of music downloads and promoting it in a systematic way that yields results. What sets StreamDigic apart from other plans is its affordable plans:

  • Basic plan: $2.50 for 500 SoundCloud plays  
  • Medium plan: $3.90 for 4000 SoundCloud plays
  • Premium plan: $8.90 for 5,000 plays
  • Other plans: $24.90 for 20,000 plays, $74.90 for 100,000 plays

 

RedSocial

Established in 2011, RedSocial is one of the oldest companies in this field. It has acquired significant experience over the years and served many clients who have become returning customers. 

Apart from SoundCloud plays, the company offers close to 50 services on various social media platforms. What’s more, the company doesn’t just increase engagement; it also helps improve the volume of traffic to an artist’s profile.

The company also allows musicians to participate in the marketing campaign, allowing them to customize some features to suit their requirements.

PlaysWiz

Its primary focus is on increasing engagement with SoundCloud and Spotify. Its services are designed for artists streaming music on these platforms to help them raise awareness about their music.

The information you provide remains confidential, so you’re certain your content is safe from malicious use. PlaysWiz plans are incredibly flexible, allowing customers working with a budget as low as $2.90 to build an engagement.

Media Mister

Media Mister is a reasonably new company in the market, but it has become a household name within a short period.

What makes the company stand out is its commitment to transparency. Media Mister provides timely audits to customers to ensure they understand how the company uses their money. 

This feature makes the company credible and has increased the number of customers using its services. Also, Media Mister is devoted to generating authentic traffic to your site by eliminating spam bots. This means the SoundCloud plays, likes, and comments you get are from real people.

Build My Plays

As the name suggests, the company builds an artist’s SoundCloud profile by increasing followers, comments, and plays.

The progress is somewhat slow because they emphasize developing a loyal following that can like and play your tracks. This method also ensures an artist gets likes from real people, not bots. 

FAQs

Apart From Using Third-Party Websites, How Else Can You Increase SoundCloud Plays?

Artists, podcasters, and other content creators shouldn’t rely on third-party sites alone to increase engagement. We can’t overlook the impact great music has on the platform. This aspect is critical for great artists and upcoming ones alike. 

Should I Buy SoundCloud Plays if I Have Great Music?

Yes, it would help if you bought plays. Once you upload music on SoundCloud, it has zero engagement, and unless you get plays, fans won’t know about it. One way to create engagement is by buying plays.

Can Email Marketing Increase Engagement on SoundCloud?

Email marketing is another way of promoting tracks because the artist can send content to people they know. Also, email marketing helps you reach people of different demographics.

How can Artists Take Advantage of the Existing Audience to Promote Content on SoundCloud?

Musicians can take advantage of the loyal following they already have by asking them to share tracks with their friends and followers. Looking for a website that allows you to share music comes in handy.

Can Buying SoundCloud Followers Compromise Your Account?

While several scams have been reported of artists buying fake followers, it’s safe to buy followers as long as you’re dealing with an authentic service provider.

How Do I Know Bought SoundCloud Plays are Real?

Buying plays from an authentic service provider is a guarantee that you have real SoundCloud plays.

Are Bought SoundCloud Plays Permanent?

It depends on the plan one has subscribed to. Whether you subscribe to a monthly or annual plan, you must renew it to continue enjoying the benefits.

Can I Lose SoundCloud Likes and Plays?

Yes, if you buy them from an unreliable service provider. It’s important to choose a reputable vendor committed to providing customer support in case of such problems.

Can I Promote More than one Soundtrack at a Time?

Yes, you can promote more than one track. Ask the service provider if they offer a multiple-track option.

Can I Buy SoundCloud plays from friends?

Yes, you can buy them from friends and even strangers. Service providers only use links to purchase plays. Here is the article for best ways to buy SoundCloud followers for better understanding before you make a decision.

The Daily Californian’s editorial and newsroom staff were not involved in this advertisement’s production. For advertising and sponsorship opportunities or more information about paid content, contact advertising@dailycal.org.

The Daily Californian

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DoSomething.org and National Foundation for Infectious Diseases Launch New Program to Educate Young People About Meningococcal Disease Prevention

“Complete What’s Missing” program raises awareness about medical misinformation online and the risk of meningococcal disease as students return to in-person classes NEW YORK, Oct. 5, 2021 – Misinformation about disease prevention and vaccines has run rampant during the COVID-19 pandemic, and it has significantly impacted young people who often get most of their information through […]

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USC to amend housing policies

Several storied building with a red, yellow bordered sign reading "Keck School of Medicine of USC."
Chief Health Officer Dr. Sarah Van Orman said upcoming events like the Trojan family weekend and fall recess are a “risk” to improving coronavirus trends seen on campus. (Simon Park | Daily Trojan file photo)

The Office of Residential Education will make a “significant change” to existing USC Housing guidelines on Oct. 18, Chief Health Officer Dr. Sarah Van Orman said in a USC Student Health briefing Tuesday.

The “no-guest policy” — a coronavirus USC Housing guideline that prohibits students from entering other on-campus residential facilities — has been in effect since the beginning of the fall semester. In a briefing last week, Van Orman said the guideline was under active reconsideration. This policy was neither a directive from Los Angeles County or state public health orders, but a recommendation from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Van Orman said the housing guideline is a Residential Education policy, not one from Student Health. 

In a statement to the Daily Trojan, USC Student Affairs wrote that the existing “no-guest policy” is subject to change as they monitor the positivity rate in USC Housing residences.

“We are hopeful that we will be able to relax the guest policy in the residential communities sometime in the fall. However, at this time, the guest restrictions remain in place,” the statement read. “As conditions change and guidelines allow, we will make appropriate changes to the restrictions and the Residential Education team will ensure that all residents are updated.” 

The developing news on the housing guidelines comes as weekly coronavirus cases and positivity rates continue to decline. Of the tests administered last week, 37 students tested positive for the coronavirus, yielding a positivity rate of 0.11% — the lowest case and positivity levels reported since the start of the fall semester. 

On Sept. 15, the Los Angeles County Health Department issued a public health order requiring employees and customers of some indoor venues and mega-outdoor events to present proof of vaccination. According to the L.A. County directive, residents must receive one dose of the coronavirus vaccination by Thursday and their second dose by Nov. 4 to enter these venues. 

In accordance with local health policy, Athletic Director Mike Bohn said the University will require all guests visiting campus or the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on gameday to present proof of vaccination or documentation of a negative coronavirus test taken no more than 72 hours prior to game time. Guests will also be required to complete Trojan Check, according to Bohn’s campuswide memo Tuesday.

USC will enforce the vaccine requirement by issuing wristbands to guests in compliance with the policy — enabling them to bypass the testing and vaccine verification process at the Coliseum. Guests under the age of 12 are exempt from the vaccine and testing requirement as the demographic remains ineligible to receive the coronavirus vaccine. 

Van Orman described upcoming events such as Trojan Family Weekend and fall recess as a “risk” to the progress established by the declining coronavirus trends but remains hopeful high vaccination rates will protect the campus community from experiencing another surge in cases. 

“We’re very hopeful with where we are. We see really good numbers in California, as well as here at USC. We do have two potential things coming; one is Trojan family weekend, which we know will have visitors, and just people coming from different parts of the U.S. will be a risk,” Van Orman said. “We’re hopeful given where case rates are now, our very high vaccination rates, that if we see any increase, it’ll be very modest.” 

Van Orman encouraged students to remain cautious and offered guidance for those who decide to travel during the approaching fall recess. 

“We’re just asking people to be cautious. Make sure you test if you’re traveling over midterm break — test before and test after,” Van Orman said. “We know that the community rates are much higher in certain parts of the country, and so also just being aware of what the [coronavirus] rates [are] where you’re going.” 

As coronavirus levels continue to stabilize throughout the campus community, Van Orman said Student Health is seeing other circulating respiratory illnesses. Among the infections reported include respiratory syncytial viruses, adenovirus and some cases of mono. 

“If you are actively ill with cold and flu symptoms, you should stay home,” Van Orman said. “You should get tested for COVID, and you can really prevent spreading that to someone else by staying home until your symptoms are improving.”

As of Oct. 5, Student Health has administered 2,000 flu shots and has seen zero confirmed cases of influenza — a trend Van Orman said she hopes to remain constant with flu vaccines now accessible for all students, faculty and staff. 

“We’ve been overwhelmed with [flu] vaccines … So, if you look at the schedule, it’s booked up until the end of October,” Van Orman said. “We’ll be opening more slots, but we’re also giving them at all the testing sites. We’re encouraging people to just walk up to the testing sites to get their flu shot [there].” 

All students, faculty and staff must submit proof of their flu vaccinations to the MySHR portal by Nov. 1.

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How to make a pumpkin bong to celebrate spooky season

Double, double toke and trouble; Flower burn and pumpkin bubble. With fall upon us and Halloween right around the corner, it’s time to fill those gourds up with tap water and smoke pot through them. You will need a pumpkin, a screwdriver (or similar implement), a downstem, a bowl piece and a knife (optional). Step 1: […]

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Student newsroom culture is unsustainable, must be rethought

Student newsroom culture is unsustainable, must be rethought

Illustration of a stressed out person on a desk with the newspaper

Amanda Tsang/Staff

Sacrificing blood, sweat and tears is more than hyperbole for student journalists. The editor in chief of The Michigan Daily, Claire Hao, announced Sept. 22 she would be taking a leave of absence for a week due to burnout. Hao’s decision must mark the beginning of an ongoing conversation among college journalists about reforming student newsroom culture to be healthy and sustainable.

The hours and responsibilities student editors shoulder, while balancing academics and other commitments, are unreasonable. The Daily Californian’s editor in chief works between 30 and 50 hours a week and is paid about $400 a month. According to Hao, she works about 70 hours a week and is only paid $150 a month. Both are on-call practically 24/7 and responsible for ensuring their newspapers remain financially stable and that, along with other editors, content is accurate and published on time.

Other students who serve as managing editors, creative directors and department editors are also expected to perform inordinate amounts of work. Many clock up to 60 hours a week and are responsible for dozens of student journalists.

For those who hope to work as professional journalists, college newspapers are often their only source of training and experience. High workloads make it nearly impossible for many students to step into these roles, especially if they have other responsibilities.

Of 73 spring 2021 editors in chief from award-winning college newsrooms, less than 6% were Black and only about 10% were Latinx. It’s no wonder newsrooms have historically misrepresented marginalized communities.

Student newsrooms, as well as local newspapers, also suffer from a severe lack of resources, making it difficult to appropriately compensate staff members and provide support. UC Merced’s The Prodigy was merely another victim of a national trend of decreased support for newspapers when it closed its doors in 2019 after losing its only source of funding. During the height of the pandemic, community members rallied to support local small businesses. It’s time that local newsrooms receive the same response.

Almost as much as it’s a matter of insufficient resources, it is a matter of newsroom culture. Students are tacitly expected to put their work at their newspaper first. This often includes pressure to edit first and study last, take fewer academic courses and work through physical and mental health emergencies. Establishing boundaries needs to be normalized for editors and staffers, as well as more breaks and days off.

As student journalists, we do the hard work because we love what we’re doing — but it shouldn’t be this hard. As the next generation of journalists, we have the opportunity to change newsroom culture now. This is also a message to The Daily Cal staff: Please communicate and take the time off that you need for both your mental and physical health.

Talking about this, while just the first step, is an important one. Student newsrooms across the country must take a closer look at the burnout culture that is so deeply ingrained in this industry and reform it one line at a time. 

Editorials represent the majority opinion of the editorial board as written by the fall 2021 opinion editor, Emily Hom.

The Daily Californian

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DoSomething.org and National Foundation for Infectious Diseases Launch New Program to Educate Young People About Meningococcal Disease Prevention

“Complete What’s Missing” program raises awareness about medical misinformation online and the risk of meningococcal disease as students return to in-person classes

NEW YORK, Oct. 5, 2021 — Misinformation about disease prevention and vaccines has run rampant during the COVID-19 pandemic, and it has significantly impacted young people who often get most of their information through online sources. As students return to college campuses and in-person classes, it is imperative that they have access to reliable information about vaccine-preventable diseases that may impact their school communities – like meningococcal disease, which disproportionately affects college students living in residence halls. To help equip young people with reliable information, DoSomething.org and the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID) have launched the “Complete What’s Missing” program, which aims to educate young people about meningococcal disease and the importance of prevention through vaccination.

Meningococcal disease is a serious bacterial illness. Even with treatment, approximately 1 out of every 10 people who get meningococcal disease will die, and of those who survive, up to 20 percent will suffer serious and permanent complications including brain damage, kidney damage, hearing loss, and amputation of arms, legs, fingers, or toes.

Young people age 16-23 years have an increased risk of meningococcal disease, but they also have the power to take an active role in increasing vaccination rates. By educating their friends and family about the importance of vaccination against meningococcal disease and how to recognize medical misinformation online, young people can share the information necessary to own their healthcare choices.

“We launched the ‘Complete What’s Missing’ program just in time for high school and college students to return to campuses. COVID-19 isn’t the only disease that young people need to get vaccinated against to stay safe as they return to school this fall. And, with the spread of medical misinformation about vaccine-preventable diseases running rampant online, DoSomething can play a critical role in educating youth to identify false information and take ownership of their healthcare decisions,” said DeNora Getachew, CEO of DoSomething.org. “We are excited to work directly with NFID to provide factual information to promote healthier lives for young people so that they can thrive in their communities.”

Program participants can test their knowledge through the “Complete What’s Missing” quiz and will then receive a guide that explains how to spot medical misinformation, what young people should know about meningococcal disease and the two vaccines that can help protect against it (MenACWY and MenB).

“Educating young people on the importance of factual medical information is the key to helping them take action to lead healthy lives,” said NFID Medical Director William Schaffner, MD. “Because many young people are not fully vaccinated, this program aims to arm them with the tools they need to learn more about meningococcal disease and how to prevent it.”

After completing the program quiz and sharing the guide with a friend, participants under age 26 who upload proof in the form of a screenshot will be entered for a chance to win a $1,500 scholarship. Three scholarships will be awarded before October 15, 2021. Additional details on DoSomething.org’s scholarships can be found here.

Young people can sign up for “Complete What’s Missing” by visiting DoSomething.org.

About DoSomething.org
DoSomething.org is the largest organization exclusively for young people and social change. We’re activating 5 million young people (and counting!) to make positive change, online and off, in every US area code and in over 131 countries. When you join DoSomething.org, you join something bigger than yourself.

About the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases
Founded in 1973, the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to educating the public and healthcare professionals about the burden, causes, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of infectious diseases across the lifespan. Visit www.nfid.org for more information. Learn more about meningococcal disease at www.nfid.org/meningococcal.

Media Contact
Roni Marsh
dosomething.org@allisonpr.com

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Lunsford pens goodbye letter to GS community

Two days after being relieved of head coaching duties, Chad Lunsford released his first and only statement regarding his release.

“I have always felt that GS was more than a job,” wrote Lunsford. “Two separate stints and a total of 12 years, Statesboro has become our home.”

Lunsford’s dismissal came in the same weekend that defensive lineman Gavin Adcock chugged a beer on top of one of the famous yellow school buses, many were outraged at the disrespect of Georgia Southern traditions.

“The brotherhood and the traditions that coach Russell and Eagle greats started at GS was something we took very seriously as a staff,” said Lunsford. “Some mistakes were made, and for that, I am deeply sorry because that was never the intent.  We understood the expectations at GS. We embraced them and we worked to exceed them. Unfortunately, under my watch, we did not meet those expectations, and a change was made.”

Lunsford looked back on the Eagles 10-win season in 2018, reminisced on three straight bowl trips and savored the two bowl victories during his tenure.

“We are going to miss all the great things that come along with being part of GS football and  the Statesboro community,” Lunsford concluded. “However, our time here has come to an end. God orders our steps, new adventures await and much more impact is to be made.”

The full letter can be found on his Twitter page.

“GS University and Eagle nation,

We are thankful and grateful for the opportunity to have served at Georgia Southern. This place is very special to me and my family. Even though I never attended GS as a student, I have always felt that GS was more than a job. Two separate stints, and a total of 12 years, Statesboro has become our home. I never imagined that a small-town, son-of-a-stone-cutter, northeast-Georgia boy would get to be the head football coach at such a great university, when the opportunity presented itself. All I knew to do was trust God and GATA.

I can honestly say I gave everything I had, and most certainly had a “bad case of the wants”. My family poured into the university, the program and our GS men. College football is a business, but to us it truly was a family business. The brotherhood and the traditions that coach Russell and Eagle greats started at GS was something we took very seriously as a staff. We were intentional to teach our guys what it meant to be a GS eagle and a GS man. We promoted a brotherhood, honored traditions, and continued to build on both.

In no way would I, nor would I allow anyone to compromise those things. Some mistakes were made. And for that I am deeply sorry, because that was never the intent. We understood the expectations at GS. We embraced them and we worked to exceed them. Unfortunately, under my watch, we did not meet those expectations, and a change was made.

I have always believed I was the right man for the job, but as it turned out I was only the right man for the job at the right time. From out of the darkness of a 2-10 2017 season, we went 10-3 in 2018. Three straight bowl games, to bowl victories, to top 25 wins, and a nice dub on up the mountain. Energy was restored back into our proud program. All these accomplishments were because of our dedicated GS men that bought into the expectations and worked their butts off to make the university and fan base proud. 

We are so thankful for the guys, the staff in Georgia Southern University for what has been accomplished, and the loyalty to our family to the team. Coach Whitley and staff – finish (high fours). That starts this weekend, with the power of Paulson. 

We are going to miss all the great things that come along with being part of Georgia Southern football and the Statesboro community. However, our time has come to an end. God orders our steps, new adventures await and much more impact is to be made. 

God is great. all the time. Thank y’all. and GATA,

 Chad Lunsford.”

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