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The Student News Site of Biola University

The Chimes

The Student News Site of Biola University

The Chimes

The Student News Site of Biola University

The Chimes

COVID-19 changes chapels

COVID-19 changes chapels
With the new semester being completely remote, chapels have been adapted to a fully online program.
Maria Weyne, News Editor September 4, 2020

Amid the coronavirus pandemic, Biola’s first remote semester kicked off on Aug. 31, 2020. Although classes simply transitioned to Zoom meetings, other aspects of student life, such as chapels, faced more challenges.  With the issue of time zones and students’ shifting schedules, Assistant Dean...

SGA Rundown: Theme of transparency leads new administration

SGA Rundown: Theme of transparency leads new administration
Communication team announces podcast release date and a simplified budget, both available to students.
Ashley Grams, Deputy News Editor September 3, 2020

The Student Government Association met this Thursday via Zoom to kick off the remote fall semester. SGA president Keren Godwin and vice president Gretchen Ferguson led introductions as members zoomed in from across the country.  CONTINUING COMMUNITY  Ferguson explained how SGA plans to continue empowering...

Biola around the world

Tampines at Singaporean Independence Day. Photo by senior journalism major Thecla Li.
Students across the globe share photos that capture their reality during an online semester.
Micah Kim, Lacey Patrick, and Ashley Grams September 2, 2020

 

Global students finish semester on campus and abroad

Global students finish semester on campus and abroad
Global students were faced with a semester of travel bans and other complications.
Rose Nickols, Freelance Writer May 3, 2020

Bekah Barnett, a sophomore pre-clinical nursing major from Okinawa, Japan, was shocked when she heard Biola University might be closing its campus and moving classes to an online format.  “When people started talking about going home, I thought, ‘I’ll just be stuck on campus by myself.’ In...

SGA Rundown: Two final votes to close the semester

SGA Rundown: Two final votes to close the semester
Senators decide to confirm the 1% each budget cut to SMB, SMU, SGA and Campus Engagement and next semester’s budget.
Sophia Silvester, Staff Writer May 3, 2020

The Student Government Association met for the last time on Thursday, closing the year with two votes. MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING VOTE  Senators deliberated on the proposed Memorandum of Understanding allocation and the offer from the Student Media Board of $14,000 in exchange for not cutting its...

Biola will open in Fall 2020, President Corey announces at town hall meeting

Biola will open in Fall 2020, President Corey announces at town hall meeting
Everything you need to know from Thursday's information session with the university's leaders.
Ashley Grams and Lacey Patrick May 1, 2020

The university's campus will open for the Fall 2020 semester, as long as there are no government restrictions, President Barry Corey announced today during a virtual town hall livestream. Just a few days ago, Corey commissioned a “re-entry team” to work toward reopening the campus. Corey said...

Seniors cope with loss of graduation ceremony

Seniors cope with loss of graduation ceremony
Students and faculty mourn an unanticipated loss.
Jasmyne Bell, Freelance Writer April 30, 2020

Since the COVID-19 outbreak, college campuses have been left empty and everyone who was attending a university is now enrolled in online classes. Biola’s graduating seniors must cope with the inevitability of a postponed graduation ceremony.  Provost and Senior Vice President Deborah Taylor sent...

Biola Counseling Center and Pastoral Care services function remotely

Biola Counseling Center and Pastoral Care services function remotely
The American Psychiatric Association says 48% of Americans are anxious about the possibility of getting the coronavirus.
Ashley Grams, Deputy News Editor April 24, 2020

With the shift to remote learning as of March 12, the university has moved all on-campus services online. This includes the Biola Counseling Center and Pastoral Care, both of which have begun serving students over the phone and through video conferencing.  “Our website provides links to online...

SGA Rundown: proposed budget cuts for SMU, SMB, SGA and Campus Engagement

SGA Rundown: proposed budget cuts for SMU, SMB, SGA and Campus Engagement
Senators vote on amendment proposal, push financial vote to next week and hear updates on the fall semester.
Sophia Silvester, Staff Writer April 23, 2020

The Student Government Association met on Thursday to hear from a representative from the Student Media Board and to vote on President Renee Waller’s proposal regarding the financial controller position. 1% PROPOSED CUT Journalism professor Michael Longinow visited the meeting to discuss the proposal...

The pandemic could cost Biola $3.4 million

The pandemic could cost Biola $3.4 million
Housing and meal plan reimbursements chip away at the university’s operating expenses.
Lacey Patrick, Editor-in-Chief April 22, 2020

On March 14, Biola announced that housing and meal plan reimbursements would be distributed to students who were forced to leave campus because of COVID-19. Vice President of University Operations and Finance Michael Pierce said this could cost the university up to $3.4 million in expenses, after accounting...

Social distancing shifts campus life

Social distancing shifts campus life
Students share what life is like on campus during COVID-19.
Courtney Jackson and Andi Basista April 20, 2020

Since the suspension of on-campus classes, students have experienced a rollercoaster of emotions as living situations changed over night. What first was an optional stay or leave policy quickly transformed into a mandatory moveout for all students able to do so. When students were told to leave campus...

SGA Rundown: Senators discuss constitutional amendment

SGA Rundown: Senators discuss constitutional amendment
Senators heard about a service opportunity and an internal proposal.
Sophia Silvester, Staff Writer April 17, 2020

Thursday’s Student Government Association meeting was held over Zoom, allowing senators to set a variety of creative backgrounds, from a picture of baby Yoda to the Golden Gate Bridge.  OPERATION GRATITUDE President Renee Waller opened the meeting by encouraging senators to participate in an at-home...