As we prepare for another semester of classes during the COVID-19 pandemic, students may also be readying for emotional turmoil as our social practices are restricted, whether in student organizations, dorm hangouts or just eating in the Caf together.
Because following these guidelines is the best and easiest way to keep our community safe, we urge the student body and all members of the campus community to review the updated policies for our current high alert level and follow them as best as possible.
While these policies may seem strict, the only way for them to loosen is by bringing our campus back to a safer, moderate COVID-19 alert level. By following them, we’ll hopefully ease some restrictions on social life and allow students to interact in a way closer to “normal.”
Last semester, we proved we can maintain a relatively stable campus environment by limiting our off-campus activities and keeping each other in mind when on campus and in public spaces. Ice storm aside, the students, staff and faculty worked to keep this campus safe.
Doing so again may be a struggle. Last semester, students experienced increased burnout, mental health issues and stress from the lack of breaks during the semester. We hope faculty members have taken this into account, planning for a condensed semester and working to provide support for students who may struggle.
Students looking to interact with friends can find safe ways to do so. Whether by using a digital medium like Zoom, or by meeting in small groups outdoors while being safe, we can find a way to claim 2021 as our own and not let COVID-19 compromise us or our college experience.
Though these rules may be difficult to live with, breaking procedure could end the semester entirely, cutting off our chances of having some form of normalcy completely. We are the Stars, and we can prove again that we have what it takes to weather these circumstances and emerge on the other side, while other institutions falter.
So, go outside! Find some games you can play with friends over Zoom! Keep your masks on when studying in groups! And maybe, just maybe, we’ll begin to see the end of the effects of 2020 and the beginnings of a freer and more open 2021.
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