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Florida Tech confirms seven student cases of COVID-19, recommends students get vaccinated

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Sonja Michaels | Editor-in-Chief

Florida Tech confirmed seven new cases of COVID-19 among students this week, with no new cases among employees.

“The first half of Spring Semester is behind us and I remain pleased that things are going well overall—thanks to our ongoing precautions and vigilance.” Florida Tech President T. Dwayne McCay stated in the weekly update, “The last thing any of us would want is a surge in COVID-19 cases across our campus community.”

According to the update, four of the students are isolating on campus, with three isolating off-campus.

Florida Tech also recommended students to get vaccinated as soon as possible, through a message from the Pandemic Response Team.

“While there is no federal or state mandate to receive the vaccine, Florida Tech recommends all Panthers to get vaccinated as soon as they are eligible,” the email stated, “In addition to protecting each recipient against infection, it is essential that a large enough percent of the populations receives the vaccine in order to achieve “herd immunity” to prevent the continued spread of the COVID-19 virus.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides information on COVID-19 vaccination on their website.

Florida Tech announced virtual commencement for spring 2021 earlier this week, due to COVID-19 precautions.

New COVID-19 cases at Florida Tech decline

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Sonja Michaels | Editor-in-Chief

New COVID-19 cases at Florida Tech declined last week, according to the university’s weekly update.

Three new cases were reported among students, with no new cases among employees.

Three new cases were reported among students, with no new cases reported among employees.

So far, 37 students and 15 employees have tested positive in the spring semester. Of the 37 students who tested positive, 18 were on campus students and 19 were off-campus students.

Some heightened restrictions are currently in place at Florida Tech, such as the suspension of in-person events.

Students can report symptoms through CampusClear and this form.

35 new COVID-19 cases at Florida Tech amid nationwide increase

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In the week ending on Nov. 13, Florida Tech confirmed 35 new cases of COVID-19 among students and employees.

This is the highest number of confirmed cases among the Florida Tech community in a single week, exceeding the previous spike of 18 cases reported on Oct. 16.

“Yes, it may have felt worth it to head to that crowded party or bar, or to take your mask off for a dose of ‘how-it-used-to-be’ freedom.” Florida Tech President T. Dwayne McCay said in the Nov. 13 weekly update, “Yet think about what you risk for that fleeting bit of enjoyment. “

McCay stated that students have the option to switch to remote learning for the reminder of the semester after the Thanksgiving break, advising students who plan to leave campus for the break to do so.

This increase in cases comes during a time of nationwide increases, with a recent trend of daily cases over 100,000 in the U.S. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that weekly hospitalization rates have been increasing since the week ending on Sept. 26.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, the Johns Hopkins Center for Systems Science and Engineering reports that Brevard County has seen 13,452 confirmed cases, with 409 deaths. The CDC reports that 37,059 new cases have appeared in Florida in the last seven days.

This story is developing. Additions may be made as more information becomes available.

Social distancing measures on Florida Tech’s campus

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By Arianna Schuck

Precautionary measures regarding COVID-19 are visible around Florida Tech’s campus, as students attend classes in person or remotely. 

Florida Tech President T. Dwayne McCay announced Friday in the weekly COVID-19 update that there were two new student cases, with no new cases among faculty and staff.

As of Saturday, the Florida Department of Health listed over 640,000 total cases in the state, with 3,773 new cases reported among Florida residents from the previous day. The website features a banner advising social distancing, face coverings, and for individuals concerned about their status, getting tested.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, buildings like Crawford and Skurla were crowded during transition times. Now, instructions are on display directing students to move through the buildings while social distancing. 

Staircases are labeled with decals, instructing students on which side of the staircase can be used to go up or down. Doors are indicated strictly for exiting or entering with signs.

Decals on the main staircase in the Crawford building. Photo |Arianna Schuck

Rosalia Gray, a sophomore majoring in forensic psychology, said it was nerve-wracking at first to hear that Florida Tech would be opening for the fall semester. 

“I believe that the school is handling the situation very well, the university is doing everything in their ability to keep the campus community safe,” Gray said.

Ryan Hayden, a sophomore majoring in business administration with entrepreneurship, said he thinks Florida Tech is doing a good job of keeping on-campus students safe, but that more precautions could be taken such as temperature checks before each class or required testing for the virus.

Doors in Crawford are now marked specifically for entering or exiting. Photo | Arianna Schuck

“I did not have any worries about crowding in lecture halls because all of my classes in previous years were small,” Hayden said.

Students and employees are required to wear face coverings on campus, according to the Florida Tech Safe website. Exceptions apply for individual students in enclosed study rooms or in their residence hall rooms. The question and answer page states that individuals who do not follow the policy will be asked to do so or leave the area, with potential disciplinary action in the case of “repeated refusal” to comply.

Florida Tech receives over $3 million in CARES Act emergency funds, half of which must be distributed to qualifying students

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On March 27, Congress approved a  $2.2 trillion Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic  Security bill. This bill is known as the CARES Act and aims to provide fast and direct economic assistance for American workers, families and small businesses, as well as to preserve jobs for the American industries.

 According to the stimulus bill, about $12.5 billion will go directly to universities and colleges to help them recover from the financial hit of the pandemic. The bill also requires that half of each institution’s total grant amount go directly to students in the form of emergency financial aid grants.

Florida Tech received roughly $3.6 million from the CARES Act,  meaning that at least about $1.8 million must be allocated for students in need of emergency funds. 

The U.S. Department of Education states only undergraduate and graduate students who are Title IV eligible can be awarded CARES Act emergency funds. This means that students that have filed a 2019-2020 Free Application for Federal Student Aid— FAFSA — are eligible to receive funding. Students who have not filed a FAFSA, but who are eligible to file one, may also receive emergency financial aid grants if they file by June 30, according to the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators. Eligibility terms for FAFSA applications can be found here.

Other universities throughout Florida received various amounts of funds from the CARES Act. For example, Saint Leo University received about $4.5 million, Florida Southern College was granted roughly $2.2 million, Lynn University received about $1.9 million and Nova Southeastern University was awarded roughly $7.1 million.  

The Department of Education stated that funds distribution per university was based on 75 percent of the institution’s fulltime in-person Pell grant recipients, and 25 percent of those who are not Pell Grant recipients. The calculation excludes international and online enrolled students. The DoE also states that FAFSA forms are used as the application method to determine which undergraduates, who display exceptional financial need, will be awarded a Pell grant. 

On behalf of Wes Sumner, Florida Tech’s vice president of marketing and communications, Adam Lowenstein said in an email that Florida Tech plans to distribute the $1.8 million portion of CARES Act funds to students who are eligible as soon as possible. 

“According to our preliminary analysis, Florida Tech currently has 1,940 undergraduates eligible for these relief funds,” Lowenstein, director of media communications, said. “We have emailed an additional 337 undergraduates to encourage them to file for FAFSA as we believe they would also be eligible for CARES Act assistance.”

At this point in time, Lowenstein said that a finalized eligible population of students who can receive CARES Act emergency financial aid is still being determined. Lowenstein added that payment amounts on a student-by-student basis will be known once they finalize the entire eligible population of students. 

When students are able to receive emergency financial grants from the Cares Act, Lowenstein said they can use them to cover any such expense related to the disruption of campus operations due to the coronavirus such as food, housing, course materials, technology or health care and child-care expenses.

Juan Merced is a freshman majoring in astrobiology, and is one of the 1,940 Florida Tech undergraduates that are eligible for CARES Act relief funds. Merced said that a good portion of his tuition is paid for from the aid he gets as a Pell grant recipient. 

According to Merced, the coronavirus has impacted his grades especially. He said that it has been harder for him to learn properly with an online only classroom structure, and as a result he said he is failing some courses. 

“Because of how relatively poor I did this semester, I’m at risk for losing some of my scholarships such as my Bright Futures one,” Merced said. 

Merced said that losing those scholarships is going to be a “game changer” in terms of how he pays for college. 

“I would most likely use any funds I receive for textbooks, food and probably a part of tuition payment for the fall,” Merced said.

The native Floridian added that both his parents are not working right now because of the pandemic. While Merced’s father is still receiving pay, his mother is not and has been unsuccessful in trying to claim unemployment.  

“It definitely has been harder lately, ” Merced said. “I didn’t even know I was eligible to receive funds, but if I did get any it would help me pay for my education.”

Lowenstein said that because this funding comes with strict guidelines from the Department of Education, the university wants to deliberate on their distribution while also working as quickly as they can to distribute funds to students who qualify. 

“We are determining the best process to do this based on the requirements and plan to initiate disbursements soon,” Lowenstein said. 

According to the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators, institutions may provide emergency financial aid grants to students by using checks, electronic transfer payments, debit cards and payment apps. However, grant payments may not be made to students through the use of a credit card that can be used only on campus or in a retail outlet affiliated with the institution such as Panther Cash or Flex credits.  

Lowenstien added that Florida Tech is evaluating  the best uses for the remaining CARES Act funds, and will be happy to share additional details as they are finalized. 
For more information please see the following helpful links:

Social distancing, isolation and stress: what it’s like and how to manage

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Irritability. Sadness. Loss of appetite. These are a few signs and symptoms individuals may experience due to social distancing and isolation, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. 

“Feeling lonely or isolated can be a crippling sensation,” Erika Pobee-Mensah, the outreach coordinator for Florida Tech’s Counseling and Psychological Services, said in an email.

According to the SAMHSA, signs of stress include: increased irritability, trouble sleeping, or having difficulty communicating; physical signs like headaches, loss of appetite, or being easily startled; and emotional signs like feelings of guilt, anger, and overwhelming sadness.

This stress can lead to changes in sleep or eating patterns, worsening of chronic health problems, and increased use of alcohol, tobacco, and other substances, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 

Pobee-Mensah said that students may alleviate feelings of anxiety by scheduling time to worry, and pursuing alternative behaviors like classwork, exercising, or playing music outside of that scheduled time. 

Gianna Petrazzulo, a junior studying biomedical science, said that it has been difficult to adjust from going out regularly to staying inside most of the time.

Petrazzulo has found some positivity in social distancing; she’s used her extra time to do things she enjoys, like creating art and playing video games. 

“I feel like I have a lot of time on my hands to focus on myself,”  Petrazzulo said, “it’s rekindled my creative side.”

To alleviate outbreak-related stress, the CDC also recommends establishing a routine of well-balanced meals and regular sleep and exercise. 

Pobee-Mensah stated that many individuals are experiencing feelings of grief during this time of isolation, whether it be due to the loss or illness of a loved one, or the loss of work, income or social interaction. 

“Whatever grief or loss you can identify, it is important to give yourself time to grieve and express these emotions,” Pobee-Mensah said. “Allow yourself to cry, to scream into a pillow, to call up someone and vent, or to write about how this pain feels.”

In addition to reaching out to friends and family, Pobee-Mensah said students may benefit from virtual socialization methods such as group chats, or multiplayer gaming. Gaming engagement has seen an uptick; concurrent users of gaming distribution service Steam exceeded 24 million multiple times between April 12 to 18, according to the Steam Database. 

The CDC advises taking breaks from news consumption relating to the pandemic, including the use of social media. The National Alliance on Mental Illness further advises managing how one consumes information; the organization states that “false information spreads very easily on social media and can have serious consequences for individual and public health.”

The SAMHSA advises making time for conversation unrelated to the outbreak, in addition to sharing emotions related to the outbreak and exchanging reliable health information. 

“Take a moment to put your doubts aside and reach out to friends or family,” Pobee-Mensah said, “Strike up a conversation with an old friend you haven’t spoken to in a while.”

The CDC states that those at higher risk for serious illness, including older adults and people with underlying health conditions, may experience higher stress levels. These individuals may become concerned that regular medical care could be disrupted.

As many individuals experience feelings of anxiety, stress, and grief, Pobee-Mensah advises staying connected: “If you are in need, ask for help from family, friends, or your local community.” 

This article was edited to correct the spelling of a source’s name. The previous version displayed “Petravvulo” where the article now reads “Petrazzulo.”

How COVID-19 has affected mental health

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By Arianna Schuck

According to Mental Health America, the nation’s leading community-based nonprofit in Virginia dedicated to addressing the needs of those living with mental illnesses, there has been a 12 to 19 percent increase in anxiety since the COVID-19 pandemic broke out. 

“It is normal to have a lot of big feelings during this very difficult time,” said Victoria Follette, program chair for clinical psychology at Florida Tech. “We need to be able to face and accept these feelings. Everyone is feeling the strain of the quarantine and that means we all are having some strain on our mental health.”  

According to Follette, it is important to find ways to cope during these uncertain times. Some coping mechanisms recommended by Follette include: 

  • Keep a schedule to provide structure 
  • Explore your values. What do you really want your life to be about and where are you going?  Are there things that you can do every day that align with these values?
  • Get creative. Is there something you always wanted to do or learn? Try your hand at something new.  
  • Have a zoom party. Think of games, like having a scavenger hunt or doing a painting together. 

According to Cat Nanney, director of student involvement, the university also provides students with an app called Talkspace —  a service that provides online therapy with licensed therapists. After a brief assessment, students are matched with a licensed therapist and can start messaging them through text or video chat. No appointments are needed for Talkspace, and students have 24/7 access to communicate with a therapist.

“A few national organizations, such as Alpha Tau Omega, have partnerships [with talkspace] that can be used by their members [for free],” Nanney explained. “So, members of our Kappa Eta chapter here on campus can use their services through their partnership with their national office.” 

Joe White, a junior majoring in aviation management with flight, stated that his mental health, despite the quarantine, has been fairly good. 

“I take the time during the day to talk to my friends and family as well as exercise or maybe take a walk outside,” White said. 

According to White, the worst thing about quarantine is having limited options when finding something to keep busy, but he said it’s important to find things to do each day so he doesn’t feel stuck.

Through Follette’s tips and Talkspace, negative thoughts and feelings during this overwhelming time can be put to ease.

COVID-19 graduation cancellation leads to first ever virtual commencement

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In light of face-to-face graduation ceremonies being canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Florida Tech is offering the first ever virtual commencement for 2020 graduates that will be released on Youtube and Facebook on Friday, May 8 at 5 p.m. 

According to Caroline Johnston from the registrar’s office, there are approximately 1,236 expected spring 2020 graduates —45 of which were expected to be graduating with their associate’s degree, 653 with a bachelor’s degree, 498 with a master’s degree and 40 with a doctorate degree.  

“We [graduates] have all worked hard for this, and looked forward to a college graduation for a while, so to see it be cancelled is definitely sad.” said Mollie Kaplan, a soon-to-be Florida Tech 2020 graduate in business entrepreneurship.  

Kaplan added that she understands the severity of the circumstances and does not blame anyone for the decision, but said because of the face-to-face ceremony cancellation her family will be watching the virtual commencement online together. 

Florida Tech announced the virtual commencent on April 13 stating that they still wanted “graduates and their loved ones” to watch and share the experience together. The university said that every graduate’s name will appear on the screen and be read aloud, just as it would be during a traditional commencement ceremony. The following day, the video will be available on-demand and as a downloadable file to be viewed at any time. 

Florida Tech is also encouraging 2020 graduates to submit a photo for the virtual commencement. Some photo requirements as cited on Florida Tech’s Coronavirus website page are that the photo must be high quality, unaltered, original and more.

According to Florida Tech’s Director of University Marketing and Brand Strategy, Andy McIlwraith, as of April 23, 200 undergraduate and graduate students have submitted photos for the virtual commencement, Kaplan being one of them.

“I originally just wanted graduation photos for myself,” Kaplan said. “But when I saw the email about the photo submission for the virtual commencement I thought it was a nice opportunity.” 

McIlwraith said he hopes a large surge of photo submissions will come in as he doesn’t want anyone to miss out. The deadline for photo submissions has been extended to Friday, May 1. 

The university said they hope for 100 percent participation from students for the photo submission. 

Students may wish to opt out of the virtual commencent, however that does not mean that they cannot participate in a future in-person ceremony, every graduate will still have that option according to McIlwraith. 

Prior to graduate names being read by Alexandra Brewer and Alan Rosiene, faculty members from the School of Arts and Communication,  President T Dwayne. McCay and Senior Vice President of Alumni Affairs, Bino Campanini, will speak briefly. 

“I usually share with the graduates that I have sat where they are sitting [as a Florida Tech graduate] so I know what they are going through, but that is not true this year,” Campanini said. “I never had to finish my classes online, live under a stay at home order, and experience commencement online. This class is the most unique in the history of Florida Tech and it is a privilege to address them albeit virtually.”

Campanini also said that another missed event will be Grad Bash. On behalf of the Florida Tech alumni association, 2020 graduates will be receiving a special graduation package over the summer.  

The virtual commencement will be publicly available for anyone to view online.

“We do not want graduating students or their family and friends to run into any roadblocks when it comes to watching,” McIlwraith said. 

Campanini said that he is confident that the class of 2020 is ready to handle the challenges that the world is currently facing. 

“I wish them the best of luck and as always go Panthers,” Campanini said. 

Secretive Pentagon space drone ready to launch

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By Alex Polimeni

A clandestine U.S. Space Force space drone is preparing for its launch in mid-May, amid an uncertain world of social distancing and COVID-19 concerns.

The USSF-7 mission consists of the Pentagon’s X-37B reusable space plane, a covert spacecraft built by Boeing, designed to launch vertically and land autonomously like an airplane. 

“The X-37B continues to demonstrate the importance of a reusable space plane,” said Secretary of the Air Force, Barbara Barrett, in a release following the most recent X-37B landing. “Each successive mission advances our nation’s space capabilities.”  

An X-37B mission launches in 2015. Photo// Alex Polimeni

No information regarding X-37B mission parameters or objectives are currently made public by the Air Force. The X-37B has flown five times since its first launch in 2010, according to an Air Force fact sheet. 

“Its objectives include space experimentation, risk reduction and concept-of-operations development for reusable space vehicle technologies that could become key enablers for future space missions,” according to a Boeing press release following an X-37B landing in 2014.

The top of the stubby-winged spaceplane has doors that open in orbit, exposing various experiments to the vacuum of space for extended periods of time. 

The space plane is known to unexpectedly land after hundreds of days in orbit, often waking nearby residents with ear-piercing sonic booms, resembling the sound of gunshots. The X-37B has landed at both the Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, and NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, on the same runway the Space Shuttle utilized, according to Boeing press releases.

“I woke in the middle of the night to a very loud bang,”  said Jeff Seibert, veteran local space journalist for AmericaSpace.  “I figured that the soap holder in the shower had fallen onto the floor as had happened before, and I went right back to sleep.” 

An X-37B sits on the runway after landing. Photo// Boeing

When Seibert awoke, he thought the bang he heard was a sonic boom. When really it was the space plane, the north end of the shuttle landing facility is only 8.5 miles from his home. 

“This program continues to push the envelope as the world’s only reusable space vehicle,” said Randy Walden, Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office director.

The sixth X-37B mission will launch into the Florida skies in mid-May, on the United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket. The Atlas V has been the X-37B’s ride to space for a majority of its history, including its first flight in 2010. 

USSF-7 will begin its mission from Space Launch Complex 41 at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, the home of Atlas V launch operations. USSF-7 will be the Atlas V’s 84th mission and the 139th United Launch Alliance flight, all with 100 percent mission success.

The launch will be visible throughout the Space Coast; however, due to the unique nature of the pandemic, it is strongly advised that viewers maintain Centers for Disease Control social distancing guidelines. As this Atlas V will be flying with no solid rocket boosters, a plume below the rocket will not be visible. 

Summertime coping

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By Erika Pobee-Mensah, M.S., Outreach Coordinator, Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS)

In wrapping up this topsy-turvy semester, there is a long three month stretch on the horizon. Being mindful that ordinary summer plans might look different this summer, we want to offer some ideas on how to beat boredom and cope with the difficulties that might arise from being at home more frequently. While some students live independently or with friends, many students have preemptively moved back to their family homes. Even those with great family/roommate relationships can run into conflict after spending too much time together. Here are some tips for coping with spending more time at home and ideas for how to keep yourself engaged in activities while social distancing.

Find a space of your own. Having an area for yourself can help to create some distance from others when you need it. Perhaps your space is your bedroom. If you do not have your own bedroom, perhaps your bed, desk, a comfy bean bag chair, or a cozy corner of a shared bedroom will suffice. Wherever your space is, make it your own by adding a few “feel good” items or decorations, such as inspirational quotes, a journal for jotting down your feelings, a soft blanket or pillow, a scented candle, books/magazines that you enjoy reading, printed pictures of friends/family members, and/or posters/pictures of celebrities, characters, or TV shows you like. This will help give you a special space in which to unwind.

Practice healthy communication. Try using “I” statements when expressing yourself. For instance, “I am worried about my upcoming exams. I’m wondering if we can brainstorm ways to keep the house quiet while I’m studying” or “I feel frustrated when we argue about cleaning. I want to do my part in keeping the house clean—can we create a plan that works for everyone?” Also practice active listening by taking a moment to remain quiet and allow other people to express themselves. Show you are listening by nodding, a simple “mm hm” and making eye contact. Avoid trying to make someone feel differently–accept how they feel, while also acknowledging your emotions. 

Compromise. Focus on facts and simple adjustments that can be made that are realistic to your situation. Maybe you have young siblings who cannot stay quiet during the daytime. You could use headphones to block out noise, spend time outside on a patio or take a walk, or even crack the windows of a car and sit inside to take a phone call to get some privacy. Additionally, offering to help around the house might be worthwhile in maintaining peace. Doing chores, caring for the family pet, or playing with your siblings to give your parents a break can help other house members decrease their stress. Less stress equals more harmony.

Stay engaged. If you are looking for ways to beat boredom, consider creative ways to stay busy. Perhaps you could take a summer job in an essential field, such as food delivery or grocery stores. Try looking into volunteer opportunities that might still be available, such as through food drives with local community centers or churches. This could also be a great time to explore a new hobby or business pursuit (perhaps practicing code or working on a Youtube channel). Additionally, spending quality time by yourself and engaging in self-care can also be important. 

Stay connected. Set up virtual hang outs with friends/family until you can spend time together in person again. Take a moment to check in with old friends with a text, phone, or email. While social media can be a great way to connect, avoid it if you find yourself feeling worse due to self-comparisons or becoming upset by other peoples’ posts. Now can be a great time to get creative with socializing—perhaps try a drive-in meet up with a friend while social distancing in your cars. Or, break up the monotony of homelife by engaging in a family activity or a fun game with your roommates.

However your summer looks, we hope these tips are helpful in navigating changes while still enjoying some summer fun! On behalf of CAPS, we wish you a successful exam week and a happy summer break.