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(11/22/19 11:03pm)
This is an opinion article. Any views expressed belong solely to the author and are not representative of The Cluster.
Last spring, one of Mercer’s finest went on to graduate and begin the next chapter in his educational career in Rochester, New York, to pursue a PhD in chemistry. James Stair has left Mercer, but his legacy is not yet finished.
Stair conducted extensive research on why and how to implement gender inclusive housing on Mercer’s campus. He did this by surveying Mercer students and investigating peer institutions. Gender inclusive housing is a policy that should be brought to Mercer’s campus for a number of reasons.
“Gender (inclusive) housing is an inclusive environment where students can live in the same suite or apartment with any other student regardless of sex, gender identity/expression or sexual orientation. Gender (inclusive) housing serves students who would feel more comfortable living with someone based on lifestyle compatibility rather than gender,” Stair wrote.
This program on Mercer’s campus would operate on a voluntary basis only; students would choose to opt in and agree to live with any other individual in the space. It would mean that if your best friends were of another gender, you would have the opportunity to live with them if you wanted to.
When Stair conducted his research, he found that 62.4% of 378 Mercer student participants surveyed would support gender inclusive housing if it applied to one or a few residence halls. Gender inclusive housing is already available to students beginning their sophomore year at schools like Georgia State University, Emory University, Georgia Institute of Technology and many others.
This type of housing program would provide non-cisgender Mercer students with the opportunity to live in a more welcoming space of their own choosing while also providing opportunities for cisgender students to choose whom they reside with based on lifestyle compatibility rather than gender.
If there were to be an issue among residents, the Resident Assistant and Residence Life office would address those individual issues like it would any other conflict among residents. The security of residents would be protected like it has been in the past since these spaces already require Bear card access and the correct key to enter.
To better achieve the goal of affirming and respecting the dignity and sacred worth of every person, in the tradition of Mercer’s Baptist roots, the institution should begin a gender inclusive housing program in at least one of its residence halls. I want to thank James Stair for doing this research, and I hope that his endeavor to bring gender inclusive housing will become a reality for our campus in the very near future.
(11/22/19 9:00pm)
The women’s soccer season may be over, but this season was one for the record books.
The team made it to the SoCon semifinals for the first time since 2016 and won 16 games this season — a program record.
When the Bears faced Western Carolina on Nov. 3 in the first part of the SoCon tournament, junior Ally Fordman scored the winning goal in double overtime.
“Throughout this season, there have been numerous players that have a step up to get the job done during a crucial game,” Fordman said. “I was just happy that I was able to do that for my team.”
Fordman had a total of 383 minutes this season with four total goals.
“It’s one of those things that you don’t want to take for granted,” Fordman said. “You know that you can’t let your teammates down. They work so hard for you and you know you need to go in and keep up the energy.”
For the success the Bears have had this year, practice in between games was crucial.
“Some days you are at the top of your game, and other days your touch isn’t as good,” Fordman said. “It’s all about coming back the next day stronger.”
With only 10 home and conference games in a season, making each game count has been a focus this year.
“When it’s game day, it’s a special occasion for us,” Fordman said.
Coach Tony Economopoulos was named SoCon coach of the year after the 16-4 season. Economopoulos is one of two coaches to win such an award from Mercer’s program, according to Mercer Athletics.
Nicole Icen was also named SoCon player of the year. She is the first player to win honors since 1998, according to Mercer Athletics.
(11/22/19 9:00pm)
The Museum of Aviation in Warner Robins celebrated its 35 year anniversary this November.
A gala event was hosted by the Museum of Aviation Foundation to celebrate the anniversary on Nov. 9, with many prominent guests in attendance, including David Perdue, a Georgia senator and the event’s keynote speaker.
“We were just really celebrating 35 years of inspiring and educating and teaching all about the heritage and foundations of many people who are not only from here but from all over,” Lacey Meador, the museum’s marketing and public relations specialist, said.
The museum was opened to the public in November 1984 with the support of Robins Air Force Base in Warner Robins. The Museum of Aviation Foundation is credited with raising money to keep the Museum open and operating education programs, according to the Museum’s website. They also host a variety of events throughout the year.
Visitors can expect to see a variety of different aircraft alongside historical exhibits and interactive displays, including the Georgia Aviation Hall of Fame. The exhibitions preserve national heritage and educate visitors, Meador said. Admission to the museum is free.
“We have grown tremendously. We started off as one building with a couple of airplanes outside. Now, we have four large buildings and we have over 85 aircraft and missiles,” Meador said. “We try to make it a place for people of all ages, of all backgrounds can come and get something from it.”
The National STEM Academy is housed in the museum. The program is intended “to reach out to students and teachers and provide extra, outside of the classroom, hands-on learning experiences,” Meador said. Students who attend the program have the opportunity to participate in activities that teach them about space, innovation and technology.
“We have schools from all over the state of Georgia that come for the programs here. We are the only organization in the state of Georgia that is accredited by NASA,” said Meador.
Exhibits and programs hosted by the museum aim to spotlight space exploration and its history alongside United States Air Force heritage.
The Museum had 630,000 visitors this past year and over 52,000 students and teachers who participated in the National STEM Academy. Meader said these are the largest visitation numbers the museum has experienced in the 35 years it has been open.
“We’re really focusing in on educating young minds, and inspiring them to become future leaders in the science, technology, engineering, mathematics world because we need that,” Meador said. “So that’s kind of our legacy, is to continue growing those young minds and keeping that love for aviation going because it’s not going to die out. It’s just going to keep advancing, so we want to do as much as we can to lend a part in helping that future generation grow.”
(11/22/19 9:00pm)
Two years after the release of their last album “Connect the Dots,” Misterwives dropped an EP that allows the entire band to shine.
Misterwives is most known for their songs “Reflections” and “Our Own House” from their debut album released in 2015. In 2014, Misterwives opened for Twenty One Pilots for their Quiet is Violent tour, which started a relationship between the bands that continued this year. After a year-long break following their Connect the Dots headline tour, Misterwives opened for Twenty One Pilots on their Bandito Tour.
Their new EP, “Mini Bloom,” consists of five songs that show off the lead singer Mandy Lee’s vocal talent, while allowing the instrumentals to shine through. Drummer Etienne Bowler truly stands out, along with bass player William Hehir on this EP.
The first track, “Coming Up for Air,” starts with a simple drum beat and a beautiful sound coming from the synthesizer played by Jesse Blum. As Lee’s vocals come in, she immediately shows her talent and range. She starts with a low raspy sound, and she then starts belting as the chorus starts.
As the track continues, Bowler keeps the song upbeat. The drums drive the song forward and make it very easy to dance to.
“Find My Way Home” also shows off the musical genius of the band. Their talent is evident as Lee belts during the chorus and Blum plays the trumpet in the background. The trumpet is a signature sound of Misterwives and is prevalent on all of their albums. The drums take the stage on this song as they follow up the chorus with dominance.
Misterwives strayed away from their typical sound on the song “Find My Way Home.” The albums “Our Own House” and “Connect the Dots” both have a pop sound with simple guitar and drum beats and amazing vocals. Both have songs that stray from that mold, but their new EP is a different sound for Misterwives as they enter more into the realm of alternative music with heavy guitars and belting vocals.
Lyrics have always been one of Lee’s strong suits, and this EP is no exception. “Stories” is one of the two songs on this album that show off the lyrical talent of this band. This track is about trying to forget the past because of the pain it bears.
Lee talks about being in a hotel room as she is “singing myself to sleep with lullabies wrapped in lies.” The idea of having to forget the reality of the pain you are facing is a common theme in a lot of their music. It is also seen in “Reflections” and “Let The Light In.”
The last song on the EP is cleverly named “The End,” and it is a beautiful example of the lyrical talent of Lee. This last track is all about getting over someone and accepting that it is not the end of your life.
“The End” is also about accepting that “all good things come to an end.” Ends of one situation just lead to a “new beginning.”
“Mini Bloom” as a whole is a beautiful EP, and it showcases the musical genius of the band.
(11/22/19 9:00pm)
Every year there is a special time in the semester when all Mercer students must register for their classes. This can be quite a stressful process, but in the end, scheduling usually works out.
Many people have good stories when it comes to registration, and others have complicated ones. Here are six student registration horror stories that might just help you when it comes to registering for classes.
The waitlister
Sophomore mechanical engineering student Alexis Hardy had a rough registration experience during her freshman year.
“Registration during my freshman year was a mess. I went to register and ended up being waitlisted for three out of four of my classes. I was sad at first, but then I ended up getting all of my classes. I never want to go back to that time,” she said.
The scared freshman
“I haven’t registered for my classes yet, as I register on Tuesday. I just checked the class listings, and a lot of the classes I was planning to take are running out of seats. Not going to lie, I’m a little scared! I’ll be alright though - I hope…” freshman communications student Larry Sullivan II said before his first experience registering.
After registering, Sullivan said the process was easy.
“I’m waitlisted for two classes, but I got everything else I wanted,” he said.
The semi-permanent account hold
During his freshman year, junior biomedical engineering major Cedric Sumner had a hold on his account due to a transcript error from another school and wasn’t able to register for almost two weeks after his registration date. When he was finally able to register, it took about 5 minutes to do, but he was waitlisted for almost every class.
“Never do what I did. Make sure to check your holds before you register,” he said.
The oversleeper
Sophomore nursing student Zelda Tabe accidentally overslept the day of registration.
“The day that I was supposed to register, I overslept. I really just don’t know what happened… I’m not one to oversleep. Let’s just say I didn’t get everything I wanted. But hey! I’m still on track to graduate,” she said.
The ahead of the game, nonchalant sophomore
Some might say sophomore civil engineering student Rasheed Mattis should be worried about getting his classes, but he isn’t.
“Last year I was able to register early because I had more credit hours than the normal. This year, that’s just not the case. I think I have a hold on my account, but honestly … We’ll see what happens tomorrow.” he said.
After registration opened up, Mattis’s schedule for next semester is still uncertain.
“I woke up to register for my classes like normal, and I did end up having a hold on my account. I know I’m still going to get my classes though, so I’m not really stressing it,” he said.
To end on a lighter note: The joyous one
Although there are many complications that can happen when it comes to registration, junior global health and development studies student Tiffany George had a completely different experience when it came to registering this semester.
“Good news is … I got all of my classes!” she said.
(11/22/19 4:59am)
Mercer Football lost its Homecoming game to Wofford with a final score of 41-7.
As the last home game of the season, Nov. 9 was also senior day, where the team honored 17 seniors in a presentation on the field before kickoff.
Some of the notable seniors this year were Dorian Kithcart and Destin Guillen. Kithcart was one of the three Mercer players to be named CoSIDA Academic All-district and had a total of 13 solo tackles this season. Guillen started on the defensive line and recorded 7 solo tackles so far this season.
With a stadium full of people and a temperature of 45 degrees, the team came out with energy, ready to play in front of the 10,729 people who were in attendance.
The one touchdown of the game was a 3-yard pass from Kaelan Riley, caught by tight end Chase Westfall late in the second quarter. Westfall has recorded 20 receiving yards this season.
However, the offense could not hold up to Wofford’s defense and Mercer had its lowest offensive output in the Southern Conference since 2014 according to Mercer Athletics.
The defense tried to hold strong against the Bulldog offense with Eric Jackson gaining 12 tackles in this game. He holds 262 tackles in his career and is ranked in the top 15 nationally among all active FCS players according to Mercer Athletics.
Mercer has yet to win against the No. 23 team since its revival in 2014.
The Bears still have a few games left in their season. Their schedule can be found on the Mercer Athletics website.
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(11/22/19 4:44am)
Are you feeling stagnant? As though you’re at the mercy of circumstance? That’s a theme I’m noticing in my reads and my interactions with others lately — it’s common to feel like a victim of the tumultuous world we live in. For that reason, I want to talk this week about receptive versus projective energy.
When your energy is receptive, you allow yourself to be affected by external forces. You are poised to receive, be it blessings or negativity. When your energy is projective, you instead bestow your energy onto your surroundings or onto others. You manifest and design.
While we may sometimes feel as though we are stuck being receptive, which is what I’m seeing in many of you recently, it’s actually easier than you think to become projective. You can take what you’re feeling and apply it wherever you can — maybe you can’t control the one particular aspect of your life that you are hyper-focusing on, but there is something else you can change and affect. Think outside the box! And on the flip side, if you’re putting forth too much projective energy and neglecting to attune with the world around you, you’ll be missing key information needed to move forward. Ground yourself, meditate and practice whatever self care comes most naturally to you to check in with yourself.
Many of the cards I pulled this week encourage you all to switch from one form of energy to the other. Some of you are struggling with balance, it seems. This issue’s read may offer some guidance, so settle down with a cup of tea, light a candle and check in on what to expect and where to take action over the next two weeks.
Like last time, I’ll be using the Marble Moon Tarot Deck, a gender-neutral spin on the original tarot designed by Oregon-based artist Samantha West.
Aries: Temperance
This card signifies a need for you to seek balance in your life, but it’s not chastising you. Rather, the message is an invitation for you to pursue what you desire: a peaceful and harmonious environment in which you can focus, love, relax and thrive. While Temperance is not a lecture, it is a gentle reminder to stay calm and be accommodating towards those who may be contributing to your current sense of instability. They are people too! The only way to resolve your situation may be to work together. Perhaps the biggest obstacle blocking you from a balanced life, though, is that you don’t believe you deserve it.
Taurus: Devil
Don’t freak out! The Devil here does not refer to the biblical beast, to sin or to shame; it speaks instead of temptation. What’s tempting you here need not be a moral issue or a religious qualm but simply something that is keeping you from being your best self. Whether it’s something mundane — maybe you can’t turn off Netflix and study enough right now — or something heavy, like an addiction or a cycle of behaviors you can’t break out of, the Devil card appears to let you know that the trap you’re in is one of your own making. Only you know what has stolen your attention, and chances are, you’ve known deep down for a while. While that’s not necessarily a positive message, look at the bright side: you got yourself here, so you can free yourself, too.
Gemini: Four of Wands
This card appears when there’s something to celebrate! It’s not necessarily a gift or a surprise, though. The Four of Wands symbolizes a joyous payoff after you’ve worked hard to accomplish a goal or bring a project to fruition. As I wrote in my introduction to the tarot, the Fours represent an idea beginning to stabilize after you’ve begun applying and structuring it, and the suit of Wands suggests that this is taking place in regards to a creative endeavor. If you can’t think of something you’ve created recently but you’ve been pondering something, take this as a sign to go for it.
Cancer: World
The World is one of the most interesting and enigmatic cards to me. It is the last of the 22 Major Arcana cards, so if you believe in the “Fool’s Journey” associated with the tarot, then this represents the final stage of the journey through life. It is the ending of cycles, the culmination of all failures and successes, the unification between the inner and outer, the moment at which you have become whole. While the Four of Wands refers to a particular project, the World speaks to a lifelong or long-term transformation. You have become more resilient as a result of what you have been through. The World gives a sense of connectedness, the feeling that the universe has your back.
Leo: Ace of Crystals
In the last Clusterscopes, you were due for a reckoning of sorts. However, it seems you’re now full of energy and potential for something relating to the physical world right now, and if you’re not yet, you will be soon. Expect to receive a reassuring sign that the emotional work you’ve put in lately is starting to pay off for you in other ways. You can start focusing outwardly again, whether it’s refocusing on school, work, finances, your home or anything else in the material realm. If you’re still feeling rattled from the last few weeks, take a deep breath. Try some grounding techniques. Repeat a calming mantra to yourself. Do whatever it takes to stay present so you can move forward.
Virgo: Page of Crystals
As people, Pages bring good news and a new perspective on issues related to the suit they occupy; here, the material and physical world. This may mean you’re due for improvement concerning money, school, career or health. The Page of Crystals has strong energy and a positive, comfortable future ahead of them, so whether you’re encountering a Page or embodying the Page yourself, you are bound to find inspiration in the next two weeks. This may be the message you were called to wait for in the last Clusterscopes!
Libra: Creator
In the Marble Moon Tarot Deck, the Creator is the third Major Arcana card, corresponding to the Empress in the traditional tarot. This person is comfortable in their surroundings, poised to bring something new into the world, something that sparks joy in those who see it. However, you can’t do this well if you’re not taking care of yourself. According to Sam West, designer of Marble Moon, the Creator “radiate(s) abundance and creativity. This is a call for receptive energy — self-care, love and nurturing.” You’ve been there for those around you a lot lately, but at what cost? Withdraw, and don’t feel guilty about it.
Scorpio: Rooted
Rooted takes the place of The Hierophant in the traditional tarot, representing a sage advisor or mentor who helps set folks back on track when they’re spiraling. West says that “the rooted is the gatekeeper of tradition, deeply rooted in the environment they were raised in.” From there, they draw their power. Their wisdom stems from their experiences. This person may be older or may have lived a life full of lessons. Whether this card refers to someone you should seek out to guide you or someone you must embody to help someone else, only you can decide — but make sure you never give so much of yourself that it drains you.
Sagittarius: Nine of Cups
I feel that the Nines are always complex and nuanced cards — they come after the struggles and self-doubt of the Eights but before the point of satisfaction and resolution marked by the Tens. To me, Nines imply the winding down of a particular cycle. The end is in sight, the best and worst of the journey behind you.
This card specifically whispers of self-reflection in the moment when you’ve finished something you never thought you could handle. It’s the awkward in-between when you sit down, take a deep breath and think, “Wow, I can’t believe I made it through” — exhilarated, yes, and exhausted for sure, but perhaps a bit restless now, wondering where to put your remaining energy. Since we’re dealing with Cups, the situation was an emotional and personal one. Use the remaining energy for self-care and for following up with yourself: what went well, what didn’t and what can you do next time to ensure everything moves smoothly? Most importantly, what are you learning about yourself, and how can you use that lesson going forward?
Capricorn: Ace of Wands
The Ace is perhaps the boldest card in each suit — not the most mature or most accomplished, but the most ambitious. Aces usually tell you to move forward with whatever you’re contemplating, letting you know that it will work out -- just not maybe the way you’re expecting it to. Since Wands refer to creativity and passion, think of the rawest form of that: often, it’s willpower and your identity. It’s time to assert yourself and take a stand. Be bold in who you are and what you’re about. This moment has the potential to develop into a breakthrough emotionally and personally. You have the ability to make it so.
Aquarius: Wheel of Fortune
The most serious card in the deck, in my opinion, the Wheel of Fortune reminds you of what is not in your control, what you must surrender to, what you must let go of. What goes up, must come down — if life has been spectacular lately, expect an obstacle to resurface; if life has been particularly fun and easy, get ready to be pulled back down to Earth.
The tenth card in the Major Arcana, the great Wheel shakes things up when we’re least expecting it, for better or for worse. Deck designer West writes, “The Wheel of Fortune is here to remind us it’s not always in our hands. If you’re looking for an answer, it may be time to release and let the Universe take its course. Everything is already in motion, and you can’t change that — so it’s time to let it go and watch how everything falls.”
Pisces: Five of Cups
So far, I’ve pulled this card for one sign in each Clusterscopes: first for Leos, then for Libras and now for you, Pisces. Something has gone poorly, and you’re blaming yourself unnecessarily; or the situation you’re in is fixable, but you’re not doing anything to solve it. It’s generally a card representing self-victimization in terms of your emotions. What you’re feeling is a direct result of your action or inaction, and you know this deep down. It’s time to move forward — the Fives in the tarot indicate trouble or disorganization, but it will pass. However, this time, you need to be what instigates a change.
(11/22/19 4:37am)
This is a letter to the editor submitted by members of the faculty at Mercer University. It does not reflect the views of The Cluster, Mercer University or faculty members not listed.
Dear Mercer Community,
A recent campus debate presented opposing and forceful arguments about whether ‘social justice is just.’ The debate was intended to provoke conversation and to demonstrate the benefit of the university as a “marketplace of ideas.” However, we are deeply concerned that some of the arguments promote misleading, uninformed, and harmful perspectives.
Problem 1: Historical ignorance
Saying that “there is no systemic racism in the United States” ignores both the American present and past. American capitalism and economic supremacy are the products and legacy of slavery (documented in The New York Times’ 1619 Project). After the Civil War, federal housing, land, and loan policies all were designed to limit opportunities for African American citizens (see, for example, the practices of red-lining and of convict leasing), and continues now in ways more numerous than can be recounted here (see “The New Jim Crow” or the film “13th” as starting points). Thus, the seemingly unsolvable socioeconomic disparities between white and black residents of Macon today illustrate the deeply entrenched systems that did and continue to promote inequality. Schools, neighborhoods, and opportunities to accumulate capital are segregated by matter of law, policy, and practice. These are the results not of individual racists, but rather of structural practices.
Problem 2: Flawed logic
The purported justification for the statement that there is no systemic racism was two-fold: 1) over time, much of life has improved for African Americans and 2) some studies demonstrate equitable treatment of African Americans. The first amounts to a non-sequitur, equivalent to concluding that because we have treatments for cancer, the disease is no longer a threat. The second is a perfect example of the logical fallacy of hasty generalization.
Problem 3: Gross misuse of terms
At the same time as the existence of systemic racism was denied, the word ‘slavery’ was egregiously mis-appropriated to describe taxes. This usage is dramatic—and dramatically misleading. Comparing taxes to a life where all labor is unpaid and all choices are removed is a false equivalency. This distortion invalidates the experiences of both those whose ancestors suffered as a result of the African slave trade, and the millions of people whose lives are currently destroyed through sex trafficking and other forms of modern slavery.
Furthermore, in the context of a debate on social justice, the use of a judicial definition of justice (as the impartial application of laws) reduces justice to existing case law. This ignores the fact that laws were and are designed to institutionalize inequality (see Point 1 above). Social justice endeavors to assure true equity for all individuals, even in an unequal society, thus attempting to render our world morally just.
Problem 4: Misuse of statistics
The claim that African American citizens constitute only 13% of the US population but commit half of crimes is also deeply problematic. That statement confuses conviction rates (which are available) and actual crime rates (which are simply unknowable). Simply being African American increases the risk of involvement in the criminal justice system. Research has extensively documented that African American neighborhoods are more likely to be patrolled by police. African Americans are thus more likely than other groups to be arrested and convicted. They receive longer sentences and with less chance of parole. A study of New York City’s ‘stop and frisk’ policy showed that African-Americans were more likely to be searched than Whites, but when searched African Americans were actually less likely to carry drugs than Whites. The over-representation of African Americans in the criminal justice system is thus a symptom of systemic racism, not of inherent criminality; to imply otherwise is to re-victimize victims.
Further, to promote that particular statistic feeds into a tired narrative of the black community as diseased. But statistics, like Bible verses, can be selected to tell vastly different narratives. Other statistics could be highlighted to tell the story of African-American communities’ resilience and strength. For example, black fathers are the most involved parents of all recorded race and ethnic groups, whether living in the same home as their children or not.
Problem 5: Misuse of authority
To approach a complex issue from the sole perspective of one sub-discipline or using one type of model leads to such a narrow understanding as to be both sorely incomplete and misleading. With the authority of a faculty role comes the responsibility to engage in due diligence, including understanding the larger landscape outside one’s disciplinary training.
A university is a marketplace of ideas, but it is also a community of learners. These ill-formed arguments, presented under the guise of academic debate, were deeply hurtful to many Mercer students of color–students who incur the burden of harmful stereotypes simply because of the color of their skin. It is incumbent on all members of the Mercer community to educate ourselves on the historical and societal forces that shape the everyday experiences of those around us. Just as we teach our students, we learn from them.
Signed,
Jay Black
Amy Borchardt
Natalie Bourdon
Kevin Cummings
Chester Fontenot
Keegan Greenier
Matt Harper
Kedrick Hartfield
Michele Prettyman
Amy Nichols-Belo
Shan Ran
Tanya Sharon
Laura Simon
Margaret Symington
(11/22/19 4:26am)
In high school, Lauren Cheek, a current junior studying biology at Mercer, was a good student who was known for thriving in the classroom. She did her due diligence, got straight A’s and, as a senior, was preparing to apply for college. However, she and her family began to notice some changes.She had been feeling unwell for a few months. She experienced weight loss and fatigue and began to lose motivation to finish her schoolwork. At first, her family mistook it for depression. “I just had no willpower or motivation to do any work,” Cheek said. “I would come home and just sleep. I would go to class and tell myself, ‘Okay, Lauren, if you take notes for the first fifteen minutes, you can just zone out for the rest of it’ because I couldn't get through much more than that.”Her mom also noticed that she began to smell like alcohol, “like nail polish, rubbing alcohol, liquor alcohol,” Cheek said. “A couple of times, she'd be like, have you been painting your nails? And I was like, no. And my mom knows I don't drink.” At that point, her mom took to the web to figure out what was going on. She learned that the alcohol smell could be a symptom of diabetes.She contacted a friend who has a diabetic daughter. After describing her symptoms, Cheek said that her mom’s friend told her to immediately check her out of school and take her to the hospital.Her mom promptly took Cheek to an urgent care clinic, where she was held for over 4 hours for blood tests, then transported via ambulance to Children's Healthcare of Atlanta. She said she knew that things were serious when she and her mom pulled up to the hospital, and she got a glimpse of her dad red-faced. “I could tell he just been crying. I'd never seen my dad cry. Seventeen years of my life, I had never seen him cry,” she said. “Regardless of IVs and ambulance and anything, that's what made it hit.”Cheek was diagnosed with diabetes during the fall of 2017, which would ultimately change many aspects of her life.According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 30.3 million people in the U.S. have diabetes, which is 9.5% of the U.S. population. Of those people, nearly 24% have gone undiagnosed. There are two primary forms of diabetes: Type 1 and Type 2. Cheek has Type 1, which is far less common than Type 2. The CDC reports that only 5% of those with diabetes have Type 1.Currently, there is no cure.When it comes to explaining what diabetes is, Cheek offers a simple anecdote. “My immune system thinks that the cells that produce insulin … were foreign invaders, and so the immune system does its job, and it attacks the cells and kills them,” she said. “But unfortunately, they weren't foreign invaders.”She describes Type 1 as “having a light switch in your DNA that at some point will flip. And you don't know when.” Anyone can be diagnosed with diabetes at any point in their life, and it does not matter if they’re 8 years old or 80 years old.Upon diagnosis, Cheek had to make some serious and immediate changes to her lifestyle. She had to get used to being mindful of what she eats and monitoring her blood sugar. Cheek has a device called a continuous glucose monitor that takes readings of her blood sugar through a patch on her arm, then sends the readings to an app on her phone. She also uses a tubeless insulin pump which is connected via Bluetooth to a device that “looks a little bit like the world's oldest phone or a GPS,” Cheek said.A CGM can be a game-changer for someone who has diabetes. According to WebMD, “it can help detect trends and patterns that give you and your doctor a more complete picture of your diabetes. The data can help you find ways to better manage your condition.” However, Cheek was incredibly lucky to get one so soon after diagnosis.“I got my CGM six months into diagnosis. That's pretty early,” she said. “I know people who have been diabetic for five years and they're still waiting on insurance approval. I got my insulin pump probably about nine months in. I have really good insurance. I was really lucky with the speed that I was able to get it.”Despite the positives of a CGM, it is not a perfect device. Cheek noted that her CGM has failed before, which could be the difference between a safe night of sleep and a fatal accident. “I used to go to sleep, and every single night I would lay there and think, ‘Maybe this is the night that I don't wake up. Maybe this is the night my mom comes in to my room in the morning to wake me up for school. And I'm dead because I just don't know.’ And that was very scary for my parents,” she said.She also had to begin thinking ahead. If anything unexpected happens, she has to be prepared. “I was never a wild child before this, but you lose the ability to be spontaneous,” Cheek said. She recalled an instance where being diabetic held her back from enjoying time with her friends. Cheek was traveling to a friend’s birthday party when she accidentally knocked off her insulin pump. “I… didn't have an extra one. So, I didn't get to eat for the rest of the time,” she said. “I worry that my friends will think I'm, like, ruining the fun. And it's just hard to not be as carefree as I used to.”In terms of Cheek’s day-to-day life, it looks similar to any other person’s life but with more nuances. “You get up, you eat food. But before you actually get to eat any food, you have to do math for it, because for me, every time I eat is algebra. I have an insulin to carb ratio,” Cheek said. Her academics can be an entirely different struggle. Having diabetes means pushing through the day even if she feels sick. “I get to try and pay attention, take quizzes and tests. And it's hard to focus. It's hard to pay attention. It's hard to be a student. It's hard to do work. It's hard all the time,” she said.Something as little as a milkshake, a frequent guilty pleasure that most students partake in, can throw everything off course for her. While studying in the UC for a chemistry test during her freshman year, Cheek drank a milkshake and dosed what she thought was the correct amount of insulin. However, dosing for insulin is a constant guessing game, and her blood sugar lept too high. At that point, she contacted her professor to push the test back because of how sick she felt. Working with professors can be a struggle, especially because Cheek has to be able to check her phone in class to monitor her blood sugar. “It's a continual surprise to see every semester which teachers are going to be the ones who work with me and which ones are the ones who work against me,” she said. “But, you know, my rules trump yours, and that's hard for some teachers.”Luckily for Cheek, she said that she has a solid support system that walks alongside her through all the difficult moments.“I was in the hospital when I was diagnosed for a few days, and it made it easier having my family around, and they were willing to learn everything,” she said. Her CGM phone app allows family and friends to follow her blood sugar. If her blood sugar is abnormal for a while, she said they will often send her a text to make sure everything is okay.“They've supported me. Never pressured me,” she said. “ They always just make sure I know that they're there, if I need them, which is all that I could ever want.”[pullquote speaker="Lauren Cheek" photo="" align="left" background="on" border="all" shadow="on"]It's sleepless nights and working through accommodations and crying on the phone with my mom because I feel terrible. The quote about like, everyone's fighting a battle you don't see? Everyone has something that's going on with them that's behind the scenes that you don't know. And I think that's especially true for Type 1.[/pullquote]Her support system is always there for her if she needs it, but Cheek has smaller battles that she has to fight on her own.Dealing with ignorance surrounding diabetes can be challenging, she said. “People come up to me — strangers, people I've never even seen before — who get up in my personal space and go, ‘what's that weird thing on your leg?’” Cheek said that she is always okay with questions, but some comments or quips can come off as insensitive, especially if they are made without knowing anything about the disease.On the contrary, she said that she tries to make light of her situation as best she can, but the key is knowledge and consent. “I have a friend who, every time she sees me pull out my insulin pump. She goes, ‘Oh, how's your Tamagotchi?’ And I think that's hilarious,” she said. “I just think the difference is when the joke line is, ‘haha diabetes’ is… funny, but laughing with me versus laughing at it.” What Cheek wants people to understand is that Type 1 is so much more than it may appear on the outside, even if she may act like what she’s going through it okay.“It's sleepless nights and working through accommodations and crying on the phone with my mom because I feel terrible,” she said. “The quote about like, everyone's fighting a battle you don't see? Everyone has something that's going on with them that's behind the scenes that you don't know. And I think that's especially true for Type 1.”November is National Diabetes Month, “a time when communities across the country team up to bring attention to diabetes,” says the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. To learn more, visit their webpage for this month or the American Diabetes Association website.
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Mary Helene Hall is a sophomore majoring in journalism. She is a Presidential Media Change Maker Scholar who has worked consistently for The Cluster throughout her time at Mercer. Mary Helene has received accolades for her work from National Public Radio, Discord, the Georgia College Press Association, and more. When she’s not working on a story, you can catch her listening to podcasts, writing letters or enjoying the outdoors on Mercer’s campus.
(11/22/19 4:17am)
Last year, renovations were completed for an initiative started in Mill Hill in order to revitalize houses and bring artists to the east side of Macon. The Mill Hill East Macon Artist Village was created by the Macon Arts Alliance in conjunction with Macon-Bibb County in order to renovate houses in the neighborhood.
The first phase of this initiative was to restore the auditorium on Clinton Street to create a community arts center. After this, the Macon Arts Alliance started renovating the historic cottages along Schell Avenue and Hydrolia Street in order to create living spaces for artists in the community.
According to the Mill Hill website, “these 14 homes will make up the artist village in which artists will live, work and take full advantage of the adjacent Mill Hill Community Arts Center.”
Mill Hill project director JR Olive was able to work closely with the Mill Hill Artist Village and also helped the artists in residence who have lived there since its opening.
The houses have hosted three artists in residence so far. The first artist in residence was Loganic, a visual artist who is a Macon native. After graduating from Mercer, he went on to get his Masters of Fine Arts at New York University. Following a brief period in Germany, Loganic returned to his roots and began living in the Mill Hill East Macon Artist Village.
Loganic lived in a cottage at Mill Hill for six months. During his time there, he hosted various art events in the community while also working on his own projects. After he left, more artists came to live in Mill Hill.
“We offered another longer-term residency to Forrest Gard and Jeni Hansen Gard,” Olive said. “They were a husband and wife team of ceramicists who specialize in integrating public participation into art. They lived in Mill Hill for 18 months completing tons of activities including a summer of free kids programming in the Community Arts Center.”
While there is no one currently living at Mill Hill, the houses are on the market for sale. The Macon Arts Alliance hopes to fill these homes with artists in order to bring art and creativity into this community.
“The Mill Hill initiative will empower local artists and neighbors to fight blight, identify and develop existing creative assets and create a plan based on a shared vision for the future of the neighborhood as a creative place to live, work and play,” according to their website.
(11/21/19 10:00pm)
Kanye West is enigmatic. The Grammy Award-winning Chicago native has spent the past 15 years as one of hip-hop’s protagonists, using his station to influence the overall sphere of rap and create a catalogue more intricate and dense than his predecessors, contemporaries and protégés. His most critically-acclaimed albums find themselves at the top of “Best of the Decade” lists from critics and fans alike, and his entire discography is enough to make a serious case to crown Kanye as the greatest musical mind of our generation.
If this is the case, why is there such public distaste for West? Well, for starters, West has made a career by compounding his artistry with controversy. From his constant and ongoing feud with Taylor Swift to his more recent support of Donald Trump and rebuke of the Democratic Party, he has learned to thrive off of the press he gains and use the media coverage to promote upcoming projects. These tactics, as well as a completely opaque process and sloppy album releases, have drawn his fan base thin, asking for glimpses of the “Old Kanye.” It turns out Kanye heard his fans’ prayers and on his newest LP, “Jesus Is King,” Kanye attempts to get back to his roots and to his faith.
“Jesus Is King” is Kanye’s take on Christian music, using influences from old African-American hymnals and mixing it with contemporary melodic rap. The album does have some high points. The cut “Everything We Need” emulates classic gospel recordings with layered vocals from Ty Dolla $ign, and a lyrically dense performance from West, reminding the listener that the Lord provides. Similarly, in the track “Hands On,” West describes a feeling of alienation from the majority of the Christian faith, pleading for forgiveness from God as well as acceptance back into the Christian populous. These two songs are executed well as they display a side of West that retains his musically ambitious style while remaining vulnerable and meaningful. These songs are not subversive, they’re intentional.
The issue with “Jesus Is King” is that West’s intentions do not align with his delivery. When referring to an album as contemporary Christian and marketing it as a return to form for Kanye and his faith, it seems it would be imperative to deliver just that. However, while a fine LP, “Jesus Is King” is a watered-down amalgamation of West’s least ambitious moments strung together by a loose Christian influence. In Kanye West fashion, he frequently uses the album to air personal grievances while also managing to remain topical and controversial. On the cut “On God,” he adamantly defends his merchandise price claiming he won’t “let his family starve” while he mentions his support for repealing the thirteenth amendment. The vast majority of the album feels vapid and weightless when you analyze the lyrics. The way Bible verses and biblical references are sprinkled in between Kanye’s aired grievances and general knowledge detracts from the gravity of the album and make it feel more like a dissertation masquerading as a Christian set.
Songs like “Water” or “God Is” feel carelessly arranged, with rudimentary rhymes and shallow concepts added only for the sake of Christian content. Additionally, the opening and closing tracks of the album are equally as lackluster. The opener, “Every Hour,” is a clip of Kanye’s Sunday service choir singing a hymn for two minutes while the closer is West repeating a stanza echoing the song’s title, “Jesus Is Lord.” These two songs add to the album thematically, but add nothing topically or through their content.
Kanye West will always be considered one of music’s most influential figures; however, it may take some time for him to perfect the formula when it comes to making Christian music. With listeners blinded by his past actions and his abrasive public persona, some may be unwilling to listen to the gospel from someone like West. Kanye’s attempt to enter the gospel sphere was adequate, and it’ll be exciting to see where he goes from here. “Jesus Is King” seems to be a true turning point for Kanye in his career. After doing everything a musician can dream of, he’s turned to his faith for the answers he can’t find himself. Will he continue to make music with evangelism as the goal? We’ll just have to see. But if he does, Kanye should know that James 2:20 gives the most pertinent advice in saying “faith without works is nothing.”
(11/21/19 10:00pm)
The Research Internships in Science and Engineering (RISE) Germany program is sponsored by the German government to promote international exchange in science and engineering research.
The program allows students from North American universities to intern at a German research institution for a summer, said David Davis, director of fellowships and scholarships.
Students in the fields of biology, chemistry, physics, earth sciences, engineering and computer science are eligible to participate, according to the German sponsor’s website.
“It allows students to spend the summer developing their research skills, but it also allows students to have an international learning experience,” Davis said. Additionally, RISE Germany covers the student’s expenses and offers a stipend.
Interns do not need to have experience with German language to participate, and the primary research language is English, Davis said.
“Any student interested in science and engineering research should seriously consider the program,” Davis said.
Ben Lehe is a fifth-year student in the Integrated Master of Science “four-plus-one” program, and he is studying electrical engineering. He completed a RISE internship last summer for graduate students on microelectronics with a small company called Fitbase in Hamburg, Germany.
“I worked on a prototype design for a device built into a chair,” Lehe said. “It records sitting posture and sends the data to an app designed by another member of Fitbase.”
Shailey Shah, a junior majoring in biochemistry and molecular biology, also completed a RISE Germany internship. She worked at the Jülich Forschungzentrum, or research center, at the Institute for Bioorganic Chemistry in Jülich, Germany, doing biochemical research on a protein isolated from Oryza sativa, a rice plant.
[pullquote speaker="Ben Lehe, Master's student in electrical engineering" photo="" align="left" background="on" border="all" shadow="on"]I think it multiplied my self confidence many times over as I learned to communicate in a culture that does not speak English as their first language and how to survive when things do not go according to plan.[/pullquote]
Lehe and Shah said their experiences impacted them beyond just their studies and research.
“I would call it the highlight of my all the experiences I had at Mercer,” Lehe said.
Both Shah and Lehe had the opportunity to travel to several other countries during their internships. One of Lehe’s favorite experiences from RISE occurred in Spain.
“I was mountain biking the mountains in Mallorca and it got dark, my phone died and I was completely lost on a dirt road in the middle of nowhere,” Lehe said. “I ended up hitchhiking with a Catalan rancher to return to civilization.”
Shah said she enjoyed the experience of living somewhere new.
“Despite the unfamiliar culture and language, I was able to truly connect with the people I met and made some really good friends along the way,” she said.
Lehe and Shah said they both gained valuable life lessons and skills during their internships.
“I think it multiplied my self confidence many times over as I learned to communicate in a culture that does not speak English as their first language and how to survive when things do not go according to plan,” Lehe said.
Shah said that while the experience helped her with her studies and research, it also made her “more independent and self-confident.”
“Traveling alone to another country requires trust in yourself that you can and will face whatever obstacle comes your way,” Shah said. “Having these experiences with no one to ask for help in the beginning built trust in myself.”
Six Mercer students have participated in the program in the past four years, and Davis said he hopes that number will increase.
“I would encourage more students to consider applying,” Davis said.
Student applications for RISE Germany are due Dec. 15. Davis said that the Office of Fellowships and Scholarships is happy to help students with their applications.
(11/21/19 10:00pm)
This semester, Mercer Police have responded to a hit and run account, numerous thefts, a domestic violence allegation and two counts of sexual assault across campus. Kyle Sears, director of media relations at Mercer University, provided redacted reports from Mercer Police.
Hit and run
Officer Alvin Bearden of the Mercer Police Department responded on Aug. 25 to a report of a hit and run in the Mercer University baseball lot. Victim Vandrick Halcomb stated that his car had been parked within the baseball lot while he went to watch the football game. The car was struck on the back by another vehicle, leading to minor damages. There were no witnesses, and no injuries were reported.
Theft by taking
On Sep. 12, Officer McCraine responded to a theft of a bicycle from a Mercer student on Canton Street. On Sep. 13, a bicycle tire was also reported stolen by a Mercer student residing at the Lofts. On Sep. 16, another bicycle tire was stolen from a Mercer student at Mercer Landing. Officer Clark also responded to a theft of a MacBook Pro from a student’s vehicle on Oct. 1. The victim was parked on Coleman Avenue when the MacBook was stolen from her Toyota.
Domestic violence
Officer Wilkes was dispatched to Knight Hall on Sept. 17 at 5 p.m. in reference to a domestic violence case. Local Joshua Gadson is wanted for one count of domestic violence/simple battery. Gadson was seen by three witnesses committing domestic violence against a non-Mercer student in Knight Hall.
Sexual assault
On Sept. 12, Officer Blash was dispatched to the Mercer Lofts in reference to a sexual assault and battery case against a Mercer student that occurred between the hours of midnight and 3:00 a.m. This student was Guysen “B.J.” Bohler, a 20-year-old defensive back for the Mercer University football team, according to 41NBC. Bohler was arrested Sept. 13 at 11 a.m. by Mercer Police. The offender was given one count of sexual assault and one count of battery. This sexual assault charge has now been upgraded to aggravated sexual assault, according to Sears. The victim remains anonymous.
(11/21/19 10:00pm)
Throughout the course of this semester, the Student Government Association has changed the way they allocate funds to different student organizations, with more discussions happening behind closed doors in Fiscal Affairs Committee meetings and in executive member meetings that occur every Wednesday night and are not open to student attendance.
This change has led to quicker Senate meetings and much less public discussion about the funds given out to organizations. Little deliberation has occurred in recent meetings because of the process that Fiscal Affairs Chair Harrison Ivins has created to vet potential student organizations asking for money.
Senior Senator Caroline Kittrell raised a question at the senate meeting on Oct. 14 about the repeated passing of large sums of money to the same group without so much as a discussion.
“I just feel like if we are giving one organization $2,000 in one night, we should have more information, or at least hear from the organization itself,” she said.
Senator Kittrell’s comment was addressed immediately by Senator-at-Large and Fiscal Affairs Chair Harrison Ivins, who said that “each group goes through intense vetting before it is brought to the senate floor.”
While the initial job of the Fiscal Affairs Committee is to help organizations apply for funding requests, and then to vet these funding requests, it becomes the senators’ job to decide on whether or not the funding requests are a valuable use of their limited funds once it reaches the Senate floor. So while the vetting process has become more intense for the fiscal affairs committee, this does not change the job of the class senators.
President Adam Penland brought up this point in the senate meeting on Oct. 14, urging senators to voice their concerns.
“It is important that we discuss legislation before passing it, so if you have questions or concerns, do not be afraid to talk,” he said.
The concern of Fiscal Affairs’ overreach in parliamentary proceedings was also addressed in SGA’s meeting Nov. 4 when new legislation was brought to the table to ensure that representatives of organizations that ask for money are actually there to discuss and receive it on the day that their organization reaches the senate floor.
Penland said that he was in adamant support of this amendment to the constitution.
“I think this bill is vitally important, and Harrison and his team work really hard to make our jobs as senators easier, and they have done a really good job,” he said. “But it is also the Senators’ jobs to vet and decide where our funds go and this will help with that. It will provide a more open discussion and understanding of what clubs will do with their money.”
Sophomore Senator Savannah Lackey said she shares similar feelings to Penland.
“It is important for organizations to be at Senate when being approved for funding, especially when it is such large sums of money, because it opens the door for us senators to discuss what the funds are being used for and ensure we are allocating funds that will benefit our student body in the best way possible,” she said.
Ivans’ constitutional amendment was brought to the floor on Nov. 12 at the SGA meeting and was passed with 100% support, meaning that students now must be present to explain their funding requests before they can be passed on the senate floor.
SGA meets on Monday nights at 6 p.m. in CSC 2.
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Ivy Marie Clarke is a third-year student at Mercer double majoring in English Literature and creative writing. Her passion lies in poetry and the arts, and she has been published in The Atlanta Review and Glass Mountain in addition to the work she produces for The Cluster and The Dulcimer. She works at the McEachern Art Center and as a writing tutor for the ARC, and she is an editorial intern with Macon Magazine.