With now over a year of COVID-19, and another academic year completed, The Scout takes a look at the biggest stories that shaped Bradley University.
#BlackatBradleyU
After University President Stephen Standifird made an announcement about the protests all over the nation during the summer of 2020, students voiced their disappointment for his message on social media. Students started a hashtag, #BlackatBradleyU, to share incidents of racism that happened on campus.
The response from students led Standifird to implement diversity initiatives. Those initiatives included scholarships for students in the Peoria area, renovating the Garrett Center and diversity committees being formed.
High positive cases caused a campus quarantine
After a few weeks of Bradley starting the fall 2020 semester, positive cases started rising rapidly, soon reaching a 16.40 percent positivity rate. The number of positive cases caused the campus to quarantine, only allowing essential errands.
Isolation chronicles
Students shared what being isolated after testing positive with COVID-19 had been like at Bradley.
After being told they had tested positive, students only had a few hours to pack their bags before heading off to isolate. Some of the conditions students had to deal with were meals being delivered late, randomly assigned roommates inviting guests over and the lack of a fridge or microwave.
Provost speaks to Student Senate about pass/fail
Student Senate had been pushing for another semester with pass/fail after it had been implemented by the university in the spring of 2020. Provost Walter Zakahi spoke before the Student Senate in a general meeting, making clear that it was not going to be continued in the fall 2020 semester.
Basketball players involved in an investigation
Four Bradley basketball players were named in a police report for a “sexual offense” by the Springfield, Missouri police department. The players were suspended from team activities. However, three of the players would be cleared from wrongdoing. Elijah Childs remains the only player implicated. As it stands, the local police have finished their investigation and are considering charges.
Peoria students receive scholarships to Bradley
Bradley had recognized their second round of scholarship recipients for the newest scholarship set by Bradley after Standifird said the university would do so to increase diversity and inclusivity on campus. Eight Peoria Public School students received scholarships.
NPHC and MGC boycott Greek Week
The National Pan-Hellenic Council and multicultural Greek organizations protested Greek Week after the groups claimed that they were misrepresented in a panel hosted by the admissions office. The Interfraternal Council and National Panhellenic Conference followed soon after to show solidarity, effectively canceling the annual event.
Students vaccinated on campus
Bradley was given 1,000 doses of the Moderna vaccine to give to students on April 12 and April 13. There were 745 students and staff vaccinated at Markin Center.
The second dose will be given on May 8 and May 10-13. The university warned that students may feel side effects of the second vaccine but are still required to take their final exams at the time. Bradley is also offering the Johnson & Johnson vaccine on April 30 from 1-5 p.m.
