After seeing the drastic move made by U-M and hearing increased opposition to DEI both locally and nationally, some students are voicing their support for programming at the University, despite no moves having been made to follow U-M footsteps. The Lanthorn reached out to Robert Shorty, the vice president for People, Equity and Culture, and the Inclusion and Equity Institute but neither were able to provide comment at time of publication.

At GVSU, DEI comprises departments, offices, events and educational initiatives. The Office of Multicultural Affairs, Milton E. Ford LGBT Resource Center, the Division of People, Equity and Culture and the Inclusion and Equity Institute are similar examples to higher-ed efforts being targeted nationwide.

On Friday, March 28, Ottawa County Commissioner Joe Moss wrote a letter to President Philomena Mantella decrying campus DEI initiatives and requesting the closure of both the Division of People, Equity and Culture and the Inclusion and Equity Institute. Moss also requested the University to comply with federal law and guidelines surrounding transgender women in sports, as well as an update to the Weapons Policy. The letter came after Moss was found to be in violation of the policy by carrying a concealed firearm on campus.

The Lanthorn reached out to Mantella but has not received comment.

Both large and small-scale attacks on DEI have been criticized by students and community members, leading to a protest Thursday, April 3 in front of James H. Zumberge Hall. The protest was organized by the Progressive Student Union (PSU), Nourish Black Women and Voices for Justice. The student organizations aimed to persuade administration against any demands to eliminate DEI initiatives. 

“We felt it was important to rally students to show (the) GVSU administration we won’t tolerate any policy changes on DEI similar to what happened at the University of Michigan,” said Owen Frassetto, a PSU member.

Further, Frassetto stated he believes administration has not adequately opposed President Trump’s policies or the push for more conservative guidelines, mentioning the University’s rollback of certain Title IX protections in its harassment policy.

“Students uniting and making our voices heard can make administration think twice before making changes (to) DEI,” Frassetto said. 

Critics of DEI feel it is discriminatory against those that are not part of marginalized communities. Nevertheless, in a workplace setting, many studies have indicated that DEI initiatives lead to more productivity and general satisfaction. A 2023 study by the Pew Research Center showed that a majority of workers agreed DEI efforts are good and create a more hospitable work environment. According to the University of Washington’s College of Medicine, DEI initiatives give institutions new perspectives, foster equitable environments and help provide opportunities to those who have been traditionally disadvantaged.

Senior Emily Christianson feels DEI on campuses is important in making students feel secure while they pursue an education.

“Without this (DEI), many (students) won’t feel comfortable staying at GVSU or even coming to GVSU.”

While it remains to be seen if any further changes will be mandated, many community members remain wrought with concern.

The International Women’s Day event was initiated by Lauren Coman, a Grand Rapids community member and mother that realized there wasn’t an event planned for the day. She decided to organize one herself, and collaborated with other mothers and city residents. Originally, she had coordinated the event with Fountain Street Church, but ended up moving the protest due to capacity concerns.

Those in attendance were addressed by multiple speakers, including members of the Grand Rapids Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression, Moms Demand Action and Women’s Health Collective. Grand Rapids State Rep. Kristian Grant, a member of Michigan’s Democratic Caucus, advocated in her speech for community action and voting in the interest of women’s rights.

Following the rousing speeches at Rosa Parks Circle, protesters took to the Grand Rapids’ sidewalks for a march. Those in attendance chanted, “Stand up, fight back” and “We are not going back” as they marched through the city. Protesters carried signs that read, “We will not back down” and “Women resist.” 

The protest was in response to the reelection of President Donald Trump, many of whose actions have caused concern regarding women’s rights, reproductive freedoms, gender expression and security of voting rights. International Women’s Day originated in the early 1900s out of the women’s labor and suffrage movements. It has been celebrated on March 8 every year since 1917, when women’s protests en masse initiated the Russian Revolution. The holiday was recognized by the United Nations in 1977.

“We have people (attending the event that come from) different thoughts, feelings and emotions,” Coman said. “At the end of the day, I think we’re all just trying to gather together and say, ‘Hey, one common thing is we all support women. We would all not be here without women.’”

Coman emphasized the importance of collaborating at a grassroots level to initiate change. Her initiative to organize was backed by strong hopes to stir communal strength and support. 

“There’s so much going on that not every organization can handle all of it,” Coman said. “The more people that can jump in and the more people that can use their voice and help raise awareness, we’re seeing that start to change things.”

Grant also elaborated on this in her speech, emphasizing the necessity of community-based actions.

“We won’t have a next time to stand up if we don’t stand up today,” Grant said. “We have to be the women and the people who support the women who are willing to stand up.”

Numerous speakers and protesters also addressed the need for international solidarity with women in Palestine, as the humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues to be strenuously waged.

“If you truly believe in liberation, then you believe in liberation for Palestinian women and children and families,” said Emerson Wolfe, one of the march’s organizers. “I recommend everybody get involved with a grassroots organization so they can put their feelings into action.” 

Members of Grand Valley State University’s Progressive Student Union (PSU) also attended the event. Owen Frassetto, a member of PSU, emphasized the protest’s importance.

“Clearly, (Trump’s attacks) on women, LGBTQ+ rights, DEI and all these things have led to a massive resistance in every city, including our city (Grand Rapids),” Frassetto said. “It’s very important to come represent.”

The revelry of the International Women’s Day march spotlights how recent political actions have sparked feats of protest that are sweeping the country.

“We have to stand up as women, as mothers (and) as wives,” said one protester during the march. “We just can’t let this go on.”

Gallery • 25 Photos

GVL / Lee Marentette

Community leaders from across America urged the public not to buy from major retailers like Walmart, Target and Amazon as part of the boycott. Protesters attempted to showcase the power of the consumer against “corporate greed” and companies in alignment with President Donald Trump’s efforts to terminate diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. If protesters did have to spend, they were encouraged to use cash and support only small, locally owned businesses. Professors in Grand Valley State University’s Department of Economics deemed the boycott only slightly successful. 

USAToday tracked the boycott’s origination and its influence on companies across the United States. Despite the inconclusive data due to the narrow time frame, there was a slight impact on Feb. 28’s market. Data collected from digital marketing intelligence company Similarweb showed that overall online traffic from the top 100 e-commerce sites dropped 4% on Feb. 28 when compared to the previous Friday, Feb. 21. Data from marketing intelligence firm Placer.ai found foot traffic in-store at Walmart locations to have dropped 6.3% when compared to the previous five Fridays. Placer.ai data also showed Target’s foot traffic in-store dropped 10.7% compared to the previous five Fridays.

Daniel Giedeman, an economics professor at GVSU, said the protest was unlikely to have much impact since participating consumers likely switched the timing of their purchases to Feb. 27 or March 1. Giedeman said he also expected there to have been at least some consumers who deliberately chose to spend money on Feb. 28 because they did not agree with the protest. 

“The only way that a protest like this could really work is if consumers were willing to change their spending patterns for a much longer period of time or to permanently switch their spending toward small businesses (or businesses that were more aligned with consumers’ values),” Giedeman said. 

While short-term boycotts and protests usually don’t have the momentum or impact to make a lasting difference, they are a step in the right direction. Giedeman said similar protests, like not purchasing gasoline on certain days in an attempt to lower gas prices, are rarely successful. However, when customers collectively target where they spend their money or what businesses they support for a sustained amount of time, the effects can be much bigger.

“Such protests would work if large groups of consumers targeted their boycotts against specific goods or companies, and were prepared to maintain these boycotts indefinitely,” Giedeman said. “Given the one-day nature of the (Black Out Friday) protest, there were no meaningful impacts on corporate profits or stock market prices.”

Christopher John Cruz, an associate professor in the Economics Department, agreed with Giedeman’s conclusion. Cruz reiterated that a one-day spending freeze would not be successful; if protesters want to create a larger impact, then boycotts have to be on a more sustained basis.  

“An alternative strategy for these protesters is (to) totally switch (the) stores where they shop,” Cruz said. “For instance, there are reports of some consumers cancelling their Amazon membership,” Cruz said. “With the DEI rollback from Walmart, perhaps some consumers might strictly prefer Costco (to) Sam’s Club, (which is owned by Walmart).”

Cruz recommends that anyone interested in participating in a boycott research the businesses they frequent. If a company’s values do not align with personal views, then an alternative can be found. According to Cruz, while that alternative isn’t always a local business, they can often be a better option than chain retailers.

“Not all local businesses share the views of these protesters,” Cruz said. “In fact, some of them might have voted against the very principles and programs these protesters are fighting for.” 

While the Black Out Friday protest had only minimal effects on the market, the boycott could potentially inspire consumers to further consider their morals and ethics when shopping.

“If a sizeable number of consumers switch to local retailers, including small businesses, (that) they believe are doing business that is more aligned with their morals and principles, then the impact might be more meaningful,” Cruz said.

Individuals representing the Grand Rapids Climate Coalition, GR Rapid Response to ICE, Grand Rapids Pride Center, Planned Parenthood and Grand Valley State University’s Progressive Student Union (PSU) spoke at the event. The groups called for support, awareness and change amid controversial actions made by President Donald Trump. Speakers addressed issues including immigration, LGBTQIA+ rights, economic struggle, the humanitarian crisis in Palestine and climate change, furthering momentum in the City for political action.

Former Kent County Commissioner and Michigan State Senate candidate Ivan Diaz addressed attendees, imploring the crowd to continue efforts of support in the “struggle of a lifetime.” 

“Never ever be afraid to get into good, necessary trouble,” Diaz said. “I’m looking forward to seeing you all out on the streets, at the ballot box, city council meetings, school board meetings, town hall meetings, in Lansing (and) in D.C.”

Sam Tunningley, an organizer of the event, said he believes it’s time for not just local solidarity, but international solidarity.

“I want everyone to really internalize international solidarity,” Tunningley said.

While the event itself acknowledged various issues, the focus of the resulting march was largely on immigration. Protesters filled the streets and blocked traffic as they marched towards Monroe Avenue, where they were eventually pushed onto the sidewalk by Grand Rapids Police Department officers.

“We’re out here speaking up for people that can’t,” a protester shouted. “We’re the daughters of immigrants, so we just want everyone to know that we’re not gonna stay down.” 

Numerous protesters mentioned their support for undocumented immigrants against threats from the Trump administration. Supporters drove past the march waving Mexican flags while protesters chanted, “No hate, no fear, immigrants are welcome here.” 

“We are under attack,” another protester voiced in the crowd. “(The government is) attacking immigrants who are working in the fields, restaurants, hotels (and) everywhere. Trump is a criminal. (Immigrants are) coming here to work, looking for a better life and this f*cker wants to deport us.”  

Many students from GVSU stood among the protesters, leading chants and holding homemade signs. Dorian Fedewa, a senior at the University, was in attendance to respond to the impact Trump’s policies have on his rights as a transgender person.

“I see all of our struggles as interconnected,” Fedewa said. “If I’m struggling, everybody else is too. That’s why I’m here.”

Fedewa said he was empowered by the march, and glad to see such a large turnout of like-minded advocates.

“I’ve been really depressed the past couple of weeks with everything going on, but seeing how many good people there are willing to stand up for others makes me hopeful,” Fedewa said.

Tunningley said the impact the event had on people such as Fedewa is exactly what he hoped for.

“I’ve been organizing for about five years and that (the march) was one of the most incredible things I’ve ever seen,” Tunningley said. “Being around them (community members) just fills your heart with optimism and that’s why we stress that people should get out onto the streets and take matters into their own hands.”

Student advocacy at the University will continue, with a protest organized by PSU in response to ICE action and immigration policy planned to take place Friday, Feb. 7.

Gallery • 30 Photos

GVL / Lee Marentette

According to USA Today, the final straw for the Missouri walkouts was when a manager was fired due to his refusal to force his pharmacists to close their pharmacies to help other short-staffed locations in need of help.

“That was the catalyst for something that needed to happen for a long time,” an unnamed pharmacist said to USA Today. 

There are various reports claiming understaffing of pharmacies has been an issue for quite some time. According to NPR, CVS planned to cut hours at thousands of pharmacies while staff were making complaints that they were already low on staff. 

Even as the demand for prescriptions and vaccines grow, CVS continues to cut back on staffing, including less time for technicians to assist pharmacists and putting patients at risk according to several protest accounts published in the Kansas City Star. Similar reports have popped up across the country with walkouts and protests in Ohio, Virginia and Oklahoma. 

“Severe understaffing at CVS stores seems to have contributed to weeks-long waits to fill prescriptions, lack of proper controls over narcotics, expired and adulterated drugs not being removed from shelves, prescriptions being improperly dispensed and other problems,” according to Ohio Capital-Journal. 

One CVS store in Ohio reported a patient being harmed and the loss of almost 2,000 doses of controlled drugs. The same Ohio Capital-Journal article stated from April 2021 to June 2022, the store reported losses of lorazepam, diazepam (Valium), tramadol, alprazolam and zolpidem tartrate (Ambien). 

This store also had an incident in which a patient who was prescribed ropinirole, a drug used to treat restless leg syndrome, Parkinson’s disease and other illnesses, was given the incorrect medication. The bottle the patient received actually contained digoxin (a drug used to treat heart issues). Even after switching to the correct medication and discontinuing the use of digoxin, the patient’s problems did not go away. 

“The dispensing software permitted the medication to be verified without scanning the bottle or alerting the pharmacist the standard safety procedure may or may not have been completed,” according to a report by the Ohio Board of Pharmacy. 

According to the Virginia Mercury, a Virginia Beach CVS location experienced multiple instances of patients being harmed due to understaffing and an intense workload. There was a patient who received 100 extra doses of Percocet, a patient who received a medication that they had a known allergy to and a patient who was given incorrect instructions on how to administer their medication. 

“At the CVS in Virginia Beach, a state inspector reviewed 200 hardcopy prescriptions and found 74 mistakes — an error rate of roughly 37 percent. In at least two cases, pharmacists dispensed medications at multiple times over the prescribed dosage, including cyclobenzaprine, a muscle relaxant, and dexamethasone, an anti-inflammatory drug that’s been used to treat COVID-19 patients,” according to the article. 

According to a 2020 New York Times article, Oklahoma state regulators fined CVS $125,000 due to the same staffing and prescriptive issues that have affected the pharmacies in other states. $75,000 worth of this fine is due to a specific incident in which a patient was given a much smaller amount of his medication than prescribed, and it caused his seizures to persist. 

“As part of its agreement on Wednesday, CVS will pay a $75,000 fine for that incident — the highest amount allowed under state law for this case — and its Owasso pharmacy will remain on probation for two years. While pleased the board had addressed the matter, the boy’s parents said they were worried that the action was not strong enough and that it could allow other patients to be harmed in the future unless CVS made substantial changes to its business,” according to the article. 

These staffing issues are not limited to CVS either; Walgreens has experienced the same problems. A recent post on Reddit called Walgreens to stage their own protests, gaining popularity with nearly 500 shares.

“In national and state surveys, retail pharmacists working for large chains including CVS and Walgreens have complained that low staffing levels, combined with the rising pressure of corporate performance metrics, push a dwindling number of workers to handle an ever-increasing number of prescriptions, vaccinations and other tasks daily,” writes Emily Le Co for USA Today. 

An unnamed Grand Valley State University student, who is also a Walgreens pharmacy employee, said these issues are normal and expected in most retail pharmacies and that the stress of these environments has impacted people’s health. Walgreens’ employee disclosure agreement restricts employees from disclosing internal proceedings, so this source has requested to remain anonymous.

“We are constantly being overworked and our expectations are rising each month. I know of a young technician who was experiencing chest pain, sweaty hands and frequent headaches while at work,” the GVSU student said. “When he went to the doctor for help he was diagnosed with a general anxiety disorder, which was caused by the high-stress work environment in the pharmacy. He left the pharmacy shortly after.”

As Grand Valley State University president Philomena Mantella said in a statement, many in the GVSU community were impacted by the “horrific violence” at MSU as “terror was inflicted upon” friends, loved ones and relatives.

In the week following the tragedy, GVSU students organized both a vigil in honor of the victims and a rally for legislative action against gun violence.

The vigil, organized by the GVSU Student Senate, took place on Feb. 16 at 7 p.m. 

Emily Bucon, Student Senate vice president of public relations, said the senate immediately felt the need to show support for students at MSU and GVSU following the tragedy. 

“Even though we’re at a different campus, it’s undoubtedly students who are also affected by these tragedies,” Bucon said. “Whether they know students or not, it’s still just a horrifying experience.” 

Jackson Hicks, who attended the vigil, said it was important for both MSU and GVSU students to honor victims and have a moment of reflection as a community.

“For students at MSU, it shows that we are with them, that we are here in support of them, that we have friends, we have family that go there,” Hicks said. “For Grand Valley students, it’s a good reminder that even when things happen off campus, we can still come together and have a moment of respect and peace with each other.”

Hicks said he’s aware that some of his hopes for gun reform in the US are lofty, and likely will never become reality. However, he still feels that it’s something worth fighting for.

“So long as there are people out there who are willing to fight for it and fight for a change where, one day, we don’t have to look around our shoulders when we go to class, then we have to continue fighting that fight because it is good and it is right,” Hicks said. 

Political science major and rally co-organizer Nancy Hoogwerf said she reached out to GVSU College Democrats’ President Jacob Welch the day following the shooting at MSU, hoping to dispel the feeling of hopelessness. 

The rally was held at the Cook Carillion Tower at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 18. Organizers encouraged GVSU students and community members to bring signs and speak in support of MSU students and gun reform. In addition to students, several Michigan legislators spoke, including Congresswoman Hillary Scholten and state representatives John Fitzgerald and Carol Glanville.

“It means a lot to see state legislators come out and speak on how they hear us and they support us,” Hoogwerf said. “It feels like I’m not screaming into an empty box anymore, it feels like I’m actually being listened to.”

Scholten, Glanville and Fitzgerald all spoke about the changes newly elected democrats would bring to the state regarding gun reform. 

“We made a huge difference in who we send to represent us in Lansing and in Washington, DC and we’re seeing the impact of that difference every single day,” Scholten said in her speech. “We have so much more that we can do. I take my responsibility to keep you safe.” 

Hoogwerf said in addition to showing up for vigils and protests, it’s important that students – and all voters – keep tabs on decisions their representatives make in office. 

Many who spoke at the rally talked about the worry they felt for friends at MSU, their safety on their own college campus and referenced the shooting at Oxford High School, near Detroit, Michigan, in November of 2021.

Jackie Adema, a freshman at GVSU, was a senior at Oxford High School when the shooting took place. Adema said it was upsetting to think of her friends who had to experience a school shooting twice in their lives in such a short period of time. 

“Having another experience like this, just throws them off their course,” Adema said. “You’re already doing something so hard. It’s really upsetting to me.”

While Adema said the news is deeply upsetting and disheartening, she hopes students across the state will learn how to talk to survivors about their experiences and support them as they begin to heal. 

“Going through something like this is really hard and a lot of people don’t know what to say to try and make it better, or try and make it easier,” Adema said. “I think they need to know it’s safe to come to you to talk about it if they want to.”

Adema said as someone who experienced a school shooting, seeing support from people both in and outside of her community had a powerful impact on her. She hopes that in addition to posting on social media, people will support organizations fighting for gun reform. 

In addition to supporting students, Bucon said the Student Senate is dedicated to working with GVSU administration regarding safety on campus.

In her statement to the GVSU community, Mantella said GVSU’s Critical Incident Response Team is evaluating the university’s current protocols and has offered support to MSU’s Student Affairs Division in the wake of the tragedy. GVSU’s University Counseling center and employee assistance program were also highlighted by Mantella as resources for those struggling with their mental health in the wake of the tragedy.

22-year-old Iranian woman Mahsa Amini was arrested by morality police and sent to a “reeducation center” after wearing “inappropriate” attire on Sept. 13. The circumstances for her “inappropriate” attire was too much hair protruding from her hijab. Amini died in a hospital in Tehran on Sept. 16.

Police said that she collapsed from a heart attack while in custody; however, Amini’s family, witnesses and injuries report evidence that she was beaten.

These sorts of targeted injustices have been prevalent in Iran for decades. Though the rules have changed over time, now allowing women’s hair to be visible, the country has required all women to wear hijab since 1983. This came following the 1979 Islamic Revolution when the new conservative ruler, Ayatollah Khomeini, made it compulsory in order to follow the teachings of the Quran. Even when it was first decreed, women took to the streets in protest and were met with violence. 

These women, who are protesting for rights that we take for granted every day in the U.S, are being arrested or murdered for their dissent against the Iranian government. Mahsa Amini wasn’t the first and certainly wasn’t the last to become a victim of this regime, as over 200 protestors have been killed since protests erupted in September. The women of Iran are fighting for something that we all desire and deserve: bodily autonomy. 

It’s important to note that this issue is not with Muslim culture or religious beliefs. This is about a woman’s right to govern their own bodies and practice their beliefs freely. The goal of the protests is to bring attention to the atrocities being committed against women under the Iranian regime.

These injustices have gone on for years and now the women of Iran are tired of it. They are fighting back through protests of varying degrees. They are cutting their hair, photographing themselves degrading pictures of Supreme Leaders, taking off their hijabs and protesting in the streets. 

Personally, I am sick of the constant injustices that go unheard of and continue to plague women around the world. They are fighting for something that is being fought for in different forms all over the world, they are fighting for their rights, in spite of the threat to their lives. The United Nations has condemned the violent response to peaceful protests, especially for the arrest, torture and killing of children; still, the violence continues.

It is time that we help them draw attention to this. People need to focus on spreading the word and educating themselves and others on the things that go on in our world. 

At the end of the day, these are people who are suffering. This is a community suffering injustices that are leading to their wrongful deaths and imprisonment. These women’s rights are being erased by their government, which is quick to attack and silence them as they fight for change. Do not let them go unheard.  

Be sure to educate yourself on this matter further, donate to various organizations in support of women in Iran and spread the word about what they are doing there. The power lies in awareness. Make their voices and their message heard. 

These verbal protests have come in the form of social media posts, interviews and, to the most controversy, live shows. 

The most notable of responses came in late June at Glastonbury, an annual music festival held in Somerset, England. During the festival, artists such as Olivia Rodrigo, Kendrick Lamar, Billie Eilish and Pheobe Bridgers voiced their distaste for the court’s ruling onstage during each of their sets. 

Lamar graced fans with a fierce performance of “United In Grief,” a song about deep personal pain off of his long-awaited album “Mr. Morale and the Big Steppers,” which was released in May to critical acclaim. At the track’s peak Lamar broke into a powerful chant, repeatedly rapping the phrase “Godspeed for women’s rights, they judge you, they judged Christ” before dropping the microphone and walking off-stage. 

Olivia Rodrigo had a less cryptic response, but it was just as powerful. During her set, the 19-year-old singer had choice words for the Supreme Court. 

“I’m devastated and terrified that so many women and so many girls are going to die because of this,” said Rodrigo. “I wanted to dedicate this next song to the five members of the Supreme Court who have showed us that at the end of the day, they truly don’t give a s*** about freedom.”

After voicing her distaste for the Court, Rodrigo enlisted the help of British artist Lily Allen to perform her 2009 hit “F*** You,” which she dedicated to the five justices who decided to overturn Roe v. Wade including Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, Amy Coney Barrett, Brett Kavanaugh and Neil Gorsuch. 

While many were inspired and moved by the actions of these artists, some fans were angered, feeling that performers should stick to performing and not foist their political views upon concertgoers. This raises the question; should artists use live shows as a platform? 

If you know even a little music history of any kind, the answer should be fairly obvious. Since the rise of Rock n Roll in the 1960s, music has almost always been political. It is a reflection of the world around us. So many anthems we all cherish are political. 

Music is a platform in and of itself. So, of course artists should use their live shows as one. The beauty of a live show is that it gives the artist a way to communicate with the audience in a way that isn’t possible by just listening to a record.

Live music is present, authentic and extremely powerful. By using the stage as a platform to express ideas and beliefs, the artist can impact thousands and even millions of people in a positive way, they could shed light on issues that aren’t getting enough media attention and they can ultimately help grow important movements. 

The question should not be whether artists should use live shows as a platform, but why shouldn’t they?

The GVSU community has had a cumulative total of 4,305 cases since Aug. 1, 2020. The university’s update for this brief was from Friday, Nov. 19.

Through testing results this past week, GVSU’s Virus Action team have so far reported 190 current active cases including four faculty members, 23 staff members, 19 on-campus students, 77 “off-campus Ottawa” students, 57 “off-campus Kent” students and 10 “off-campus other” students with active COVID-19 cases.

“Current active cases” is the count of positive cases reported to the Virus Action Team over the past 10 days.  This is an estimate of those currently in isolation, assuming a ten-day symptomatic period following the reporting of a positive test result. Actual periods of isolation are specific to the individual and determined by the county health department.

Vaccination: GVSU encourages all students, faculty and staff to receive the COVID-19 vaccination as soon as possible. All students, faculty and staff are required to be fully vaccinated, barring a medical or religious exemption or postponement. According to the COVID-19 data dashboard, an 80% vaccination rate in the GVSU community is required to reach herd immunity and minimal virus transmission.

Currently, approximately 83% of students report being fully vaccinated, while approximately 84% of faculty and staff reports being fully vaccinated.

There are currently 2,115 students and 144 faculty/staff with approved vaccination exemptions.

Testing and Incidence: GVSU’s own testing program has performed 108,468 tests overall since Aug. 1, 2020, for a cumulative positivity rate of 1.45% from the latest update as of last week. A total of 1,995 tests were performed over the last seven days.

“GV Surveillance” includes the GV/Spectrum administered programs of randomized testing, regular testing of high-risk groups, and invited testing of individuals connected to potential clusters. A calendar is available. “GV Total” includes surveillance testing plus all symptomatic/exposure tests administered by Spectrum.

Protesters gather in Grand Rapids

A group of protestors gathered at Rosa Parks Circle on Saturday, Nov. 20 following the Kyle Rittenhouse verdict. Rittenhouse was found not guilty of intentional homicide, reckless homicide, attempted homicide, and two counts of endangering safety. Another charge for possessing a weapon as a minor was also dropped by the judge.

Justice for Black Lives (JFBL), a nonprofit organization founded in Michigan, organized the protest via posts on social media, calling on Grand Rapids residents to join the group. According to FOX17, 5o people were in attendance, including two armed protestors. The event remained peaceful.

GV athletics recognized by Athlete Ally

Athlete Ally, an LGBTQ advocacy group, earned a perfect score on the group’s Athletic Equality Index. Grand Valley State University joins 18 Division I schools in the distinction as the first Division II school to receive the 100% score.

Athlete Ally scores are based on a variety of criteria, including pro-LGBT training for athletes and staff, educational resources, transgender inclusion, nondiscrimination and sexual harassment policies, as well as fan code of conduct and partnerships.

“After thorough consideration, the Board also concluded that the number of trials that will be required to prosecute the violations will have minimal impact on justice, but will instead create more divisiveness while not adding anything constructive or new to the conversation,” Adam Elenbaas, Allendale Charter Township Supervisor said.

Demonstrations against the statue were sparked by the Black Lives Matter movement, which gained traction across the US in May of 2020 following the death of George Floyd. Statues depicting Confederate soldiers were vandalized, removed and protested against in cities throughout the nation.

Following calls to remove the statue, Allendale’s Board of Trustees formed a special committee to address the community’s demands regarding the statue.

Charges were filed earlier this year, following incidents in early January. Activists from several groups, including the Michigan Association of Civil Rights and Justice for Black Lives, used cornstarch to “tar and feather” part of the statue, which depicts a Confederate soldier. There were several other protests both for and against the removal of the statue. In another incident, the face of the Union soldier was painted with clown makeup and the Confederate soldier’s face was broken.

The decision to drop the charges was made at the Sept. 27 Allendale Township Board meeting, Elenbaas said.

“Allendale’s Township Board analyzed the cases and has made the decision to discontinue the prosecution,” Elenbaas said in a statement. “The Township’s viewpoint is that the primary aspect of the statue controversy was whether or not the statue would remain in its current location.”

The Allendale Board of Trustees voted 5-2 to keep the statue at a meeting in June.

Elenbaas said that while discussion regarding the statue has continued in the Allendale community, no new demonstrations or information have entered the debate.

“There’s not a whole lot of new information that people are bringing on, they’re just rearticulating ‘this is what I believe’ and I can respect that,” Elenbaas said. “But again, there’s not really any new or constructive information that we haven’t heard already coming out of it.”

Elenbaas said that with this decision, the board is choosing to focus on other important issues in the community, rather than further division and negativity.

While discussion surrounding the statue has largely subsided since the summer, Elenbaas does not believe this decision will spark further demonstrations.

“There are people that are going to agree in their people, they’re going to disagree with a decision. Ultimately the township board believes that this is the best decision for where we are right now,” Elenbaas said. “So if something happens going forward, we’ll have to reevaluate.”