Top news stories of the week

Hello, State Hornet readers.

Here's a roundup of Sacramento State news between last week and today:

Sac State closes Union, library, dining services to mitigate coronavirus spread

The Sacramento State University Union, library and food services, other than those in the residence halls, are set to close to stop the spread of COVID-19 according to a SacSend email from President Robert Nelsen on Tuesday morning.

The library closed at 5 p.m. Tuesday and will remain closed until further notice, according a Twitter thread from the Sac State Library. The thread said the library will still offer virtual services.

Read the full story by Madeleine Beck here.

Sac State considers moving student residents to single hall amid coronavirus outbreak

Sacramento State announced in a video update by Vice President of Student Affairs Ed Mills Tuesday that the university is considering the consolidation of students in on-campus housing into one dorm hall amid the coronavirus crisis.

Mills has been addressing the student body’s concerns over campus’ closure in a series of videos that answer students’ questions and concerns regarding Sac State and COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus outbreak. 

In Tuesday’s video, Mills said there are currently 2,000 students still living on campus and that if students choose to leave, the university would work with them. 

“If you are choosing to leave, if you have a home or other place you can go talk to your RA,” Mills said. “Or talk to the folks in the housing office and we can arrange that. We are going to prorate fees to the time that you check out.”

Read the full story by Magaly Munoz here.

’Financially, it’s kind of ugly for me’: How the coronavirus hurts Sac State students’ finances

The coronavirus pandemic has forced businesses throughout the nation to cut hours or close, leaving many out of work, including students at Sacramento State. 

 On Thursday, the state of California ordered residents to “stay home except for essential needs” to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus outbreak. It also said that only businesses deemed necessary to support society, like healthcare, grocery stores, gas stations and pharmacies are allowed to stay open.

With the order, many students in retail, food services, education or other “nonessential” sectors are left struggling to make ends meet. 

Melissa Silva, a business administration major, works for Michael Kors in the Arden Fair mall and BCBGMAXAZRIA at the Vacaville Premium Outlets. She said both jobs laid her off for the time being without an explanation of her future earnings.

Read the full story by Garry Singh here.

INFOGRAPHIC: How to file for unemployment amid the coronavirus outbreak

Since Gov. Gavin Newsom’s mandatory order calling for California residents to stay home, many businesses have closed at least temporarily and many Sacramento State students are out of jobs. With these job losses, students are worried about how they’re going to pay rent and bills. 

The State Hornet has crafted an informational guide with step-by-step instructions on how to file for unemployment in California.

Find the infographic by Erick L. Salgado here.

MAP: What’s still open on campus at Sac State?

With the transition to online classes at Sacramento State, The State Hornet created a map that allows students to see what popular eateries and services are open, closed or virtual. 

Click on open businesses to see their hours of operation, and click on the pins to find any State Hornet coverage on how coronavirus has affected the business or its workers.

Find the map by Alexis Perales here.

With many people releasing information regarding the coronavirus outbreak, it has become difficult for the public to break down the facts. 

The State Hornet compiled some explanations for hard-to-answer questions on the COVID-19 pandemic, provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other experts.

Read the full explainer by Mercy Sosa here.

Sac State ASI President, VP to keep over $35,000 in scholarships following resignations

Sacramento State Associated Students, Inc.’s former president and executive vice president, Christian Miguel Landaverde and Jennifer Gross, will keep the scholarships they were given at the start of the semester following their resignations, said Reuben Greenwald, director of student engagement and outreach.  

Greenwald said the ASI president scholarship for the 2019-20 school year is $19,183 made in four payments, while the ASI EVP scholarship is $16,442 made in four payments. The final payment installment was completed on Feb. 20.

The scholarships that are provided to ASI Board members are funded through the ASI student fee. Landaverde and Gross have the ability to maintain the scholarships they have received because scholarships are not revocable, Greenwald said in an email. 

Landaverde and Gross resigned last Thursday, citing personal reasons.