Prompt 1)
If you are on-campus- what are the rules for Covid19 compliance, are they being followed and enforced-how? What are the challenges and how are you coping? (add footage or photos if available-show your campus, signage of rules, students staying separated)
If you are online- How are you coping with not being part of the campus life? Are you working asynchronously or synchronously, what are the challenges and how do you like it? (add footage or photos if available-show your room, computer, home)
Did anything interesting/exciting/out of the ordinary happen this week?
Kendall Hunt
Sophomore
As an athlete, there is a long list of rules we must follow for COVID-19 compliance. For example, if I wanted to use any athletic facility such as the tennis center, the training room, or the weight room, there is a procedure I must complete every day that involves a virtual screening test and having my temperature checked every 8 hours. These tests are noted by colored wristbands that vary each day, which helps Drake enforce the procedure. Another way in which Drake enforces the rules are keycards. Our keycards do not work for entering facilities, which forces us to come in to be checked and ask to have the facilities open. Additionally, we are routinely tested every month as a team and there are no large group practices. Personally, I think the process is fairly effective. We have yet to have a large outbreak of cases among athletes and I do feel more secure knowing the people I am around do not have any COVID-19 symptoms. Even still, all of the changes are a bit hard to cope with. The screening lines are usually backed up as most athletes practice at the same time, and I find that I can only use the tennis center at a very specific time, which is difficult with my class schedule. On top of this, I cannot really see or mingle with my team so I constantly feel isolated.
As a student, there are some other rules as well for Drake – there’s a limit to how many people can be in a room at once, we must always wear a mask, we must remain six feet apart in classrooms and dining areas, and students are randomly tested every two weeks. Given all of this information, I find myself struggling to keep up and remember what I can and cannot do. Wearing a mask everywhere is my biggest challenge, especially when it is hot and I am having a difficult time breathing. Another challenge is not being able to see all my friends at once. We are usually broken up into smaller groups, which creates tension and remorse for what we had last year!
Overall, though, Drake has implemented a ton of COVID-19 procedures, all of which appear to be working well. While the protections present additional challenges and have tainted my college experience in a way, I am more content with being safe. I respect Drake for taking the necessary steps towards prevention, and I look forward to moving back towards normalcy.
Charleigh Reinardy
Sophomore
I am a sophomore at Drake and I am completely online for this semester. I am living in an apartment very close to campus though I am online. It has honestly been pretty hard coping with being completely online. Everything is very unorganized because everyone is learning how to adapt to this new lifestyle. It is hard to participate in class whether it be because of technical difficulties or using Zoom to tune into a class of students on campus, it’s just overall different and hard. What has probably been most difficult is looking at a screen for almost all hours of the day or being motivated to get dressed for class instead of sitting in bed all day everyday to attend classes. I do like being able to pace myself and my school work more on my time because of being online. Though I feel frazzled and unorganized at this point in time, I am hoping that things will settle down soon and everyone will continue to learn better ways to make this learning environment more efficient.
Tabatha Hill
Senior
The rules for covid is basically wear a mask anytime on campus. Social distance at all times or whenever possible. As far as I’ve seen they are being followed but I live off campus so I don’t hear or know much if they are being forced. My challenges are the fact of trying to find a way of how to do in-person and online classes making sure I get my work done on time. I’m coping by just living my life like I have since before covid.
For being online I cope with the fact that covid is probably here to stay and that if online works well it’s probably going to remain an option for students. Being online is nice for me especially with big classes since I being in a big class just makes me anxious. Campus life never really affected me since I never feel like campus life is me. I’m a non-traditional student so most days I feel like I don’t belong there anyways so I just show up to class do what I got to do and leave. Some of my class are synchronized and some aren’t. The challenges here is finding the time to watch the prerecorded class whereas the “live” classes are at your normal scheduled time so you know you have to be online at that class session at that time. For me it depends on what’s going on for the day.
Everett Mullican
Senior
I suppose I’ll answer both questions because I’m both on and off-campus.
Though I don’t know many of the living on campus rules as I do not live on campus, I
commute. To the best of my knowledge, I believe rules are being followed quite well
around campus in giving students rules of social distancing and wearing masks like
many other colleges I’m sure. The only challenge I face is wearing a mask in hot
weather, otherwise I think its a situation everyone is toughening out for the greater
good.
Because I am partially online I face the situation of needing to balance an online
and in-person schedule. It is a bit hard to find motivation and to get prepared for a zoom
class, such as looking presentable in front of peers and opening-up textbooks, however
in my situation I’ve found it to be not as hard. I do enjoy asynchronously as I’m able to
review the videos when I don’t understand something the first time hearing it. Being able
to review something multiple times until I’m able to understand something is nice.
Though for some I could see how students will find it even more difficult to work harder
in class. I don’t face many other challenges other than that.
Kylee Macke
Senior
This semester I opted into all online classes for my senior year. The switch has been weird but I think that the hardest part for me personally is just not being able to get that social interaction. With my personality, I really do strive off being able to interact with others, or just be around people a lot of the time. So, now that its really just down to my roomates and teammates its been somewhat hard to process. As far as my classes, almost all of them are operating synchronously except for one. I like being on zoom when the rest of the class is meeting however, I do not like that I can only see the professor and not the rest of the class. I also dont like that I really can't hear when the other students are talking or answering questions. Another thing is that I feel like I can t participate in conversation because I dont know when someone else is about to talk, or I cant hear them so its a bit uncomfortable. As far as my one other class that I only attend once a week, last week my professor forgot to start the zoom call so I just felt like I had missed out on a lot. But, i understood that its a change for everyone and not just the students!
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Lucy Panfil
Junior
At Drake, you are required to wear a mask in campus buildings, and anywhere on campus if you are within 6 feet of others. I usually see this rule being followed, but sometimes I will see people not wearing masks when they should be. Since I only have one in-person class and the rest are online, I am not on campus much to see how often the rules are being followed. It is challenging not being able to have a normal year at college, but I understand why we need to take these precautions. Another challenge is that Drake is not releasing the number of positive cases on campus. This does not make sense to me, and I would really like to know how many people are positive at my school.
Taryn Ripple
Junior
When spending time on Drake’s campus, you must wear a face covering regardless of whether you are indoors or outdoors, alone or in a group, etc. If you have an in-person class, you will not be allowed in the classroom without a mask and there is an adjusted maximum capacity for each room.
I don’t spend a lot of time on campus since I only have one nonvirtual class, though I’ve gathered that people seem to be struggling with the mask rule. Many students do wear them, but I have also seen a good number of people walking around with their faces uncovered. It’s a difficult thing to enforce so I understand, but it’s also something that we all need to be together on. Everybody needs to wear their masks or else the effort is rendered useless.
There has been talk of a breakout in some of the dorms on campus, but Drake is not releasing data/statistics related to cases so it’s all mainly speculation. It’s frustrating and kind of worrying to not have access to the numbers related to on-campus cases of the virus.
Cheyann Neades
Senior
I am currently enrolled in classes that are online and some that meet in person at least once a week. The hybrid learning is definitely new for me since I’ve only gone completely online or completely in-person for my classes throughout my college career. I do enjoy the mix of the classes because I am able to spend most of my time at home, but also be on campus for a short amount of time out of the entire week.
For my on-campus classes, students are placed 6-feet apart from each other and masks are required by anyone walking on campus and in the buildings. Along with that, classes that are not able to fit full capacity with the 6-feet rule in place have to split the class into two or more groups, with those students in person on different days and some virtual.
Some challenges I have faced are with my extreme fear of getting ill (which existed before COVID). Now in class I worry if I am too close to other students, or if I should have requested the entire semester to be virtual to avoid this issue. I am coping my making sure I wash my hands as often as possible and am cleaning all of my materials that I used in class with a disinfecting wipe when I return home. I am also coping by talking with my roommates about their same worries and reminding myself that I’m not dealing with this alone.
For my online courses, I am loving the experience. While Zoom breakout sessions can be an issue at times, I feel safer in the comfort of my own home. All of my classes are synchronous which helps me hold myself accountable. I’m not really dealing with any issues not being a part of campus life because not much is happening due to COVID. Along with that, I live with 4 other Drake students who are my good friends, so we are able to be social and hang out safely together at home.
Nothing interesting, exciting, or out of the ordinary happened this week.
Antonio Melendes
Senior
Here at Drake University everything looks different here on campus compared to a year ago.
Not as many people are here, you aren’t making as many friendships, and you can’t even see
peoples faces. Everyone has challenges that they go through, but this year in my opinion the
first years on campus have it the worst. They already have so much stress coming into Drake as
a new student with maybe no friends, and now they are limited to what they can do and who
they can see. It truly isn’t the experience that they should be getting. With that being said, I try to
stay positive and encourage and help the first years I know to continue to stay positive as well,
knowing that better days will come. It’s unfortunate because I walk on campus and I see 20+
kids playing spike ball outside in the grass and yet I can’t hangout with all of my friends here at
Drake. The rules definitely seem hypocritical and like they are not being followed. However, I
don’t make the rules and I am here to follow them so I just have to bite my tongue on this one.
Me, personally all in all I am doing well. I struggle with online classes and the classes I do have
in person just aren’t the same, but I am trying my best to do my best and work with what I have
because at the end of the day, there is always someone out there who wishes they had what I
do have. So with that being said, I am blessed that I am alive, and given this opportunity here at
Drake!
Sydney Clifton
Senior
This school semester, the beginning of my senior year, I have opted to continue
classes fully online. It is difficult not being able to be apart of campus life this semesterthe
hubub, the excitement of fall semester, the activities happening, the people to talk
to. It’s difficult to have the only course of communication be my computer and my
phone, and not be around real people. On the other hand, it is nice to be able to take
naps more frequently in between classes, and grab food immediately without having to
wait in line on campus.
The challenges presented while doing college work completely online is the
dependency of modern technology. Sometimes, my internet will stop working for some
periods of time, and I will not be able to log onto class at the proper time. Other
challenges are present in having to keep very immaculate track of time so I am not
doing something else at home while the beginning of class is happening.
In general, I do like this way of doing college classes, and actually feel like I am
getting more out of class than I do while in person. However, I do feel as though there
are more challenges than not, including having much more to manage and it being more
stressful than on campus.
Gracie Geist
Sophomore
The rules for Covid19 are pretty strict on Drake’s campus. You are supposed to
wear a mask except while in your room, eating, or when you can maintain a 6-
foot distance from others when outside. In certain buildings you are required to
take your temperature before going in. As an athlete, we have to get screened
daily on how we are feeling before we can participate in practice or enter
athletic facilities. There are also guidelines for social distancing as well as
isolation. If you were in contact with someone who has been tested positive for
Covid19 and you test negative, you are still required to quarantine for 14 days
and get food delivered to your room. If you test positive, you are sent to isolate
in Ross Hall which is close to campus. For the most part, I believe most people
are doing a good job following the rules, however, staff is always around to
sanitize and enforce rules. The dining hall also has different hours due to
sanitation at the end of every hour when they close for 15 minutes. There is also
limits on places you may go, and how long you can stay. For instance, you are
only allowed in the library for up to 75 minutes.
I feel as if I am coping pretty well. I am following all the guidelines, but there are
the extra challenges such as daily screening and waiting for dining hall’s to be
open at a certain time. It has been difficult to overcome doing all of my classes,
regular schoolwork, and long-term projects from my desk. I am a hands-on and
active learner, so taking classes through a screen isn’t the easiest for me. As time
goes on, I’m sure it will get easier as I get used to everything.
Jasmine Inthabounh
Junior
There are so many rules that are being enforced on campus. Drake has created a compact called Drake Together that indicates that the precautions and procedures for students, staff and faculty. For example, on campus everyone is required to wear a mask. There are signs that indicates where there are exits and entrances only. Drake has also let students know that they can email the dean of students if they want to be online for a certain about of time without having to email every single professor. One of my main challenges with being an in-person and online student is keeping up with my assignments. I have always been organized and can keep up for the most part but with this new form of a classroom it changes my balance of schoolwork and routine. I feel like one of the rules that people may have the most issue with Drake doesn’t have; I have yet to see anyone on campus without a mask.
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Lauren Igbanugo
Sophomore
The main Covid19 rules I have noticed and had to follow are masks being required on campus at all times, and remain six feet at all times. The dining hall was also reconstructed to accommodate the socially distant protocol, and students can only eat there for a limited amount of time(same thing goes for the library). Some other rules that apply are that there can only be one guest per roommate in a dorm, and if these rules are broken all parties involved will be sent home to quarantine for 14 days. All students living on campus must take a Covid19 test prior to arriving on campus. The rules are being enforced for the most part, however, a couple of weeks ago a group of students got sent home due to being in one dorm and exceeding the allowed number of guests. Everytime I am walking on campus I can tell that students are taking socially distancing very seriously. Some students have taken a different route when walking to avoid getting too close to others and I have also seen people remind other students to put on their masks. One challenge for me specifically is remembering to grab a mask. There have been too many instances where I had to walk back to my apartment to grab one! Might I also add that my situation is a little different because I am at school, but I live in an apartment close to campus, so some of these issues I don’t have a ton of experience with such as the dorm rules. The main thing that helps me get through this time is remembering that this is all temporary, and doing my part in staying Covid safe is ensuring that!
Nels Danburg
Senior
The general rules are synonymous with the norm around the world: stay distanced from everyone you come into contact with, assume they’re infected, class sizes are on limited capacity, don’t go to large gatherings of more than 10 people, wear a mask on campus at all times, wash your hands often, etc. The biggest challenge for me is not going to large social gatherings such as parties, something I loved doing before COVID-19 happened. I feed off of other people’s energy around me, so it’s tough not socializing in person nearly as much as I used to be able to.
Rachel Hartley
Junior
My decision to take classes entirely online for this semester was a difficult one. If you would’ve told me 2 years ago that I would spend my junior year on a screen, I would’ve told you that you were crazy. Though, the transition itself has been easy. I didn’t change environments at all, so my mental health from that aspect has been doing well. Plus, I made myself a personal workspace by stealing my brother's room since he's now moved out and on his own. When it comes to campus life, I am 100% sure I made the right decision by staying home. Reading all the social media posts from other students, I feel nothing but guilt. I am so privileged to be able to stay home and learn in a loving environment. Other people don’t have that luxury where it’s not safe or not good for their mental health to be at home. The posts I see on social media are messages of fear and frustration with our administration and their decision to not release the number of cases on our campus. We are also all relying on rumors from other students to get our information, which to me, doesn’t seem right. So overall, I’m glad I’m home and safe, but I fear for the health of my friends and professors. To pass the time here, I video chat with my friends daily to catch up and do homework together. Yesterday, my friends and I even hosted a Netflix party where we watched the pilots of two different new TV shows. When it comes to academics, I don’t find it too difficult yet. All my classes are zoom calls, meaning I can learn alongside the students who are physically in those classes. The only challenge is the feeling of isolation and guilt. Though, I’m learning alongside the class, I can’t interact with them in the same way, laugh at the same jokes, etc. In addition, I feel guilty that my professors must make special accommodations for me since I’m one of the only completely online students in many of my classes. However, the sun continues to rise and as of now, I think I can manage to power through.