The Meredith
Herald
Ql @meredithherald
@ @meredith_herald
meredithherald.com
October 6, 2021
Hispanic Heritage Month at Meredith
By Aminah Jenkins and Rachel Van Horne, Associate Editors
Hispanic Heritage Month
originated as a celebration of the
Hispanic communities who are
largely responsible for several con
tributions to American society. It is
celebrated from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15
every year and was first introduced
in June of 1968 as a commemo
rative, week-long celebration by
California Congressman George E.
Brown. The Herald recently inter
viewed several Hispanic and Latine
students on Meredith’s campus to
get their perspective on this impor
tant month.
In regards to what Hispanic
Heritage Month means for them,
Amanda Duran, ’23, stated, “I grew
up loving who I am and loving who
I come from. That being said, I
always loved sharing parts of my
culture with people and I still do!
Hispanic Heritage Month gives me
a chance to share what I love about
being me!” Similar sentiments were
shared by Daniela Cruz Reyes, ’23.
She explained, “I'm often reminded
of my parents' sacrifices in order
to provide us with the American
dream.”
On Sept. 15, Meredith Col
lege announced in an Instagram
post that they are “being intentional
in acknowledging cultural com
memorations" on their social media.
However, not all students felt that
the post was beneficial. Charlie
Hatch, ’23, described the College’s
post as “a perfect example of per
formative activism.” They explained
that they feel the lack of support
Hispanic and Latine students
receive in academics as well as in
situations where their identities
are threatened makes the College’s
words ineffective. “Until the institu
tion itself fully embraces and pro
tects Hispanic and Latine people, I
will never take their posts or their
words seriously,” she said. Duran
echoed these concerns, saying that
they have not felt supported by Mer
edith as an institution due to the
lack of accountabilitv for students
who make insensitive comments
about Hispanics and Latines.
Hatch touched on how
difficult it can be for members of
the Hispanic
our communities.”
All three students agreed
that Meredith could and should be
doing more to celebrate and sup
port Hispanic
and Latine
community to
simplify these
emotions into
a few senti
ments, say
ing, “These
months
signal that the
United States
has somewhat
acknowledged
that it has
oppressed our
people both
domestically
and internation
ally. However,
the U.S. continues to create these
months so it doesn't have to go
through the laboring process of
creating legislation that protects
and Latine
students. Duran
suggested that
Meredith open
their platform
up to students
to share these
important
experiences.
Cruz Reyes
explained,
“We’re almost
at the end of
the month and
. 1 haven't seen
The image that was posted on Meredith , , t
College social media f°ther] posts
from Meredith."
She believed
that including additional posts of
Hispanic and Latine culture, ac
complishments and heritage would
allow people to learn more.
NATIONAL
HISPANIC
HERITAGE
MONTH
September 15 - October 16
What to Know About Meredith College COVID-19 Vaccination Exemptions
By Jayce Perry, Staff Writer
frequently asked questions about
the vaccine requirement, but The
Herald interviewed Dr. Jean Jack-
son, Vice President for College
Programs, and Dr. Mary Johnson,
Director of
On Sept. 16, 2021, Mer
edith College announced via email
that students, faculty and staff will
be required to get the COVID-19
vaccine by the start of the Spring
2022 semester.
The email to
students and
employees said
that the ad
ministration’s
“guiding con
cern” in decid
ing to require
the vaccine
was the safety
of the entire
community.
Students who
wish to request
an exemption
for religious or
physician-docu
mented medical
reasons can do so
through an online
portal beginning on Oct. 15.
Meredith’s Staying Strong
website answers many of the most
Photo by Ally Cefalu
Health Services,
to get more
details about the
vaccine require
ment.
When asked
about what
will happen to
students who are
not vaccinated
and have not
been granted an
exemption by
the Jan. 4, 2022
deadline. Dr.
Jackson stated
that “students
must be vacci
nated or be granted
an exemption in
order to enroll or remain enrolled
at Meredith in Spring 2022.” She
also said that since conditions
Rooting for the Home Team During COVID
By Jayce Perry, Staff Writer
these. The most recent NC State
games were on Sept. 25 and Oct. 2
and many Meredith students were
in attendance, which brings up the
concerns of NC State’s COVID-19
protocols for some. The Herald in
terviewed several Meredith students
to get their opinions on COVID-19
protocols at sporting events.
For many years, Meredith
College students have attended
NC State football games and other
sporting events, and this semester
is no different. Given the ongo
ing COVID-19 pandemic, some
Meredith students have expressed
concern about their classmates
participating in large events like
related to COVID-19 continue to
change, the College “will continue
to monitor those conditions and
[make] decisions about formats
of classes closer to the start of the
spring semester.”
Dr. Johnson provided
information about how students
can obtain a vaccine exemption.
She said that there is a statewide
medical exemptions form that
“outlines the specific contrain
dications to immunizations.”
This form has to be completed by
a physician. For religious ex
emptions, Dr. Johnson said, “A
religious exemption must accu
rately reflect a student's sincerely
held religious beliefs which are
contrary to the practice of im
munizations.” Dr. Johnson said
that Meredith College is working
on a “streamlined form to help
students navigate this process”
and that this form will be avail
able after Oct. 15 when the portal
for exemption submissions opens.
Dr. Jackson stated that “if exemp
tions are found to have no basis,
-19
Kasey Wilkins, ‘23, had at
tended every home football game
so far this season when she was
interviewed. She said she feels
safe attending since she is vacci
nated. “If I were not vaccinated, I
would probably not feel comfort
able attending...or if I lived with
people that weren’t vaccinated, I
then they will not be granted.”
With fake COVID-19 vac
cination records circulating on
other college campuses accord
ing to WRAL, some Meredith
students have wondered how
the College will prevent the use
of false vaccination records. Dr.
Jackson said that “Student Health
Services closely examines all vac
cination documentation submit
ted to them.” If documentation
is suspected to be false, it will be
reported to the Community Stan
dards Task Force, she explained.
“If found to have provided false
information,” Dr. Jackson said, “a
student would face sanctions is
sued by the Community Standards
Task Force up to and including
removal from College.”
Dr. Johnson said that
Health Services is planning to offer
another vaccine clinic later in the
semester. Students or employees
who need help finding vaccine pro
viders can contact Health Services
or Human Resources.
would not feel comfortable attend
ing,” she stated. Wilkins said she
didn’t notice any safety protocols
in place besides masks being re
quired in restrooms.
Read the full story on our website.