When Senior Media Relations Specialist Andrew Mees was asked what factors made Montclair State University adopt a hybrid model for their fall 2020 reopening plan, he stated that it was simple — they made the decision to offer a portion of courses on campus and reopen their residence halls for educational reasons, not financial ones.
“Our goal throughout the pandemic remains to provide the best possible educational experience for students within the limits of what is responsible and safe under the current circumstances,” he said. “Many of our students perform better when they are on campus. At home, they may not have up-to-date technology, reliable internet access, or a quiet, private place for studying. On campus, they have the educational and social support structures they need to succeed. Students have told us they want to be here, and the fact that 3,200 returned to the residence halls is evidence.”
Montclair State University serves the educational needs of tens of thousands of students and employs thousands of people. Several actions were taken to help the institution’s finances, including a hiring freeze, cutbacks on spending, reducing the ranks of administrators by 10%, and implementing a furlough agreement that the State negotiated with campus unions.
In an effort to curb any outbreaks on campus, all employees, students, contractors, and visitors are required to complete a mandatory daily screening assessment before returning to campus. Students who live on campus are required to complete the assessment daily before leaving their rooms, and all students, faculty, staff, contractors, and visitors must wear a multi-layer face covering when in interior public and shared spaces, including classrooms and common areas. The university conducts widespread health screenings, implements a protocol for testing, and collaborates with public health authorities to trace contacts of infected persons.
The State University of New York at New Paltz had a reopening plan that was lengthy and incredibly well thought out — their goal was to adopt a hybrid model preparing for the return of students and employees this fall. Assistant Director of Media Relations Chrissie William reiterated that they did just that, and while life on campus doesn’t look the same as it did pre-pandemic, the university’s objective is to supply high-quality learning experiences in ways that prioritize the health and safety of their students, faculty, and staff.
They provide a mix of remote, online, and face-to-face courses. A majority of courses are offered in an online/remote format, with the remainder being offered in-person. The residence halls are open with reduced density to allow on-campus housing for approximately 2,900 students. The rooms are organized two students per room with priority given to accommodating first-year students, international students, students who face housing barriers, and students in programs with heavy lab, studio, equipment-intensive and clinical components.
All students and employees are expected to complete an online health screening each day, as part of an effort to conduct effective contact tracing. If a student or employee is planning to be on campus that day, they’re required to take and report their temperature, indicate the presence of any COVID-19 symptoms, and report any exposure to confirmed cases. If a student does not complete the daily health screening on a given day, their name won’t be noted as “cleared” to attend class. Any student who lives on campus and/or attends at least one in-person class is required to be tested for COVID-19 at least twice throughout the fall semester.
Similar to SUNY New Paltz, the University of Maryland implemented a hybrid — but primarily online — model for the fall 2020 semester. The university explained the model by stating on their website that: a mix of in-person and remote course options will be used to maximize flexibility and equity of access and to accommodate the needs of faculty members and students who may not be able to return to campus because of risks associated with COVID-19.
An unsurprising theme of all universities operating during the coronavirus pandemic is the safety of their students and faculty. In doing so, the University of Maryland has strategically reduced fall residence hall occupancy; students now live in double or single-occupancy rooms, with most students living in singles. To even live in the residence halls, students had to carefully review an information notice, sign a health and safety addendum related to COVID-19, and agree to abide by residence hall and campus guidelines designed to reduce the spread of this virus.
COVID-19 testing is required for all University of Maryland students, faculty, and staff/affiliates who plan to be physically on campus, and they must provide confirmation of a negative test result. Any student, faculty, staff/ affiliate who has significant in-person, on-campus interaction with others, must get tested once a month. As part of the university’s multifaceted and integrated plan for COVID-19 surveillance and testing, it’s required that face coverings be worn at all times when indoors and on public transportation.
Emma Bickerstaffe is a fourth-year English Writings major with a minor in Journalism. EB891492@wcupa.edu