Kharynton Allen
Staff Writer/MC301
It’s the middle of March. The sun is beating down on Gibbs-Green Plaza, tables are aligned on either side and the aroma of buttery popcorn, juicy hotdogs, and nacho cheese hits you as you walk down the cobblestone in one of your best outfits. It’s Campaign Season at Jackson State University. Well, that’s how it used to be.
Campaigning at JSU has become a tradition. For a week every spring, students create events, flyers, and give out free food in hopes of getting elected to serve their university for the upcoming school year. This year, however, COVID-19 has the world on lock, and this sacred tradition at Thee I Love became virtual, all campaigning was online, utilizing social media platforms and more.
According to the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Coronavirus (COVID-19) is an illness caused by a virus that can spread from person to person. COVID-19 is a new strand of coronavirus that has quickly spread around the world. The virus is spread by coming into close contact with an infected person by cough, sneeze, or talk or by touching an infected object or surface followed by your face.
With new protocols in place for the betterment of the world, it was no surprise that colleges and universities soon made the decision to close their doors and go online.
According to Mississippi Today, the Institutions of Higher Learning (IHL) issued a statement that all classes would transition to alternate learning methods, such as going online and remote instruction. This includes Jackson State University.
Following this decision, an email was soon sent out to students from Acting President of Jackson State, Thomas K. Hudson, regarding online classes. After extending Spring Break by an extra week, the email stated that on Monday, March 23, “All classes will be offered online through the end of the semester.” The email continued by stating that housing and food services would remain open, however the university strongly encouraged students that could, to return home.
Hudson also stated, “Please note that all university-sponsored events are canceled for the duration of the semester. It is also with great consideration that we have decided to indefinitely postpone the graduate and undergraduate commencement ceremonies which were scheduled for Friday, May 1, and Saturday, May 2.”
With the cancellation of all events for the rest of the semester, another email was soon sent to the student body regarding 2020 Campus Elections. “Due to Corona Virus, all 2020 election season events and campaigns are going digital.” JSU’s Student Engagement directed students to different social media pages to stay updated and virtual campaigning began the following week.
With plans for the rest of the semester changing quickly and drastically, students were shaken up. One of the biggest changes for the student body was a digital campaign season. Candidates had to change their approach and come up with creative ideas to engage the student body over the internet.
Taylor Collins, a junior computer science major from Jackson, Miss., was elected Miss Senior for the 2020-2021 academic school year. As COVID-19 affected her personal campaign, she stayed positive and creative throughout the whole process.
“I only spoke positivity into my campaign; therefore, positivity is all I took from it. Although there were a few negative comments here and there, I did not let them deter me from the goal that I worked diligently to achieve,” said Collins.
Collins continued by saying, “I had no choice but to be creative in my campaign execution. There were only so many ideas that weren’t already being implemented by other candidates.”
Many candidates agreed that though this campaign season challenged them, they do prefer the tradition of an on campus campaign season. However, elected Miss Pre-Alumni Council, Verlondrea Austin, says otherwise.
“In all honesty I would [participate in another virtual campaign season]. The virtual campaign shows the true authenticity of the candidate and shows how hard they will go for the position as well shows you who genuinely supports you,” said Austin, a junior communicative disorders major from Flowood, Miss. “In a virtual campaign you have to post constantly and I know people got tired of posting my flyers, but no one ever complained and did not post when I sent it out. The campaign was a very humbling experience and I would definitely do it again.”
Mary Sampson, a senior biology/pre-medicine major from Jackson, Miss., was a candidate for Miss Jackson State University. She acknowledged that COVID-19 affected her campaign.
“[COVID-19] put a huge damper in my plans as most of my campaign tactics were face-to face. It was extremely tolling because with it being a virtual campaign I had to struggle to get and keep people’s attention,” said Sampson.
Amid Sampson’s difficulties, she still managed to keep her peers engaged by “hosting social media games and challenges that would allow the audience to be active and engaged. The most exciting events that I held were a “Jigg and Roll Class”, “Netflix Watch Party”, and a virtual hotspot.”
Elected presidential candidate, Jacori Daniels, had a different experience seeing that he ran unopposed.
“The only thing I wished was different was that I got the chance to get my face out there more on campus to the freshman class, so they could get a chance to know me better. I still got the chance to post flyers and videos on social media, but I did not get the chance to shake hands, show my genuine smile, or even give my speech to a live audience,” said Daniels.
There have been no updates as to how the future school year will proceed in the fall. For all updates, please visit Jackson State University’s homepage. For the full list of all elected positions visit @jsusga on Instagram.
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