Photo by Emma Bickerstaffe
It’s been almost three weeks since 290 newly-inaugurated college freshmen packed their bags and set off for the perpetually-empty residence halls of West Chester University. Although the university has not promised a full student return until the Fall 2021 semester, its trial run program known as “WeCU Here” has been going strong for almost a month. Now, with each passing day, the fog of post-pandemic student housing begins to clear, and it is West Chester’s blueprint that may show us where to start.
When The Quad first approached the WeCU Here program in February, it was with great trepidation. The freshman housing initiative had received almost no attention from anyone inside or outside of the school: the plan was tucked away deep into West Chester’s school website, the students we spoke to had received little information outside of their bills, and many of the health guidelines that were supposedly going to be put in place were hitherto untested in such a compact environment as traditional dorms. However, spring break brought with it warm winds, cherry blossoms and the previously promised wave of first-year students.
To say that all fears were immediately expunged is an overstatement, but as days grew into weeks, it became clear that WeCU Here was not the hectic disaster that some feared it might be. At the very least, it has so far avoided disaster through the numerous new health precautions, including mandatory masks and physical distancing. “The large majority of people are doing well about the COVID guidelines” said Allegheny Hall Resident Assistant Brian Lynch. “Students are aware that violating COVID guidelines is a violation of housing policies. We get tested every other week by the university and have procedures in place if someone tests positive, and they’ve been effective so far.” This was a sentiment seconded by Schmidt hall RA Andrew Sharp: “We’ve had a few issues here and there in the beginning with mask warng around the dorms… but we’ve reiterated the policies and we are starting to see improvement of following the guidelines.” There is no doubt that hundreds of parents and guardians are glad to hear this. However, after this basic need has been met, there are more questions that begin to pop up.
Finally being able to move out of your childhood home is no unappreciated feat. However, 300 freshman taking online classes six feet apart is a far cry from the fast-paced college life that these students had been promised for the last twenty years. “For the most part, people seem pretty comfortable living on campus,” said Lynch. “The first years don’t go out too much, but we’re looking to make more outdoor events and keep things as possible so they feel okay about making friends and getting involved on campus.” It’s clearly a thin wire to walk — keeping students safe while also allowing them enough freedom to enjoy themselves. WeCU Here originally promised “outdoor games, scavenger hunts and movie nights” for the students, but such an initiative is at the mercy of nature, as any inside team-building activities are an instant impossibility under the COVID-19 guidelines. For this reason, April showers have become the enemy of safe entertainment.
With West Chester University still going strong on its promise to return students to campus in the fall, all eyes remain on the WeCU Here program. Vaccines are promising, but they are far from universal, and it is these guidelines which will be the true line of defence for a return to normalcy. “I’m not worried at all about a full return to campus in the fall,” said RA Sharp. “What we have is working at the moment, and I believe the university has taken proper action with student health.”
Sharp is just one of the numerous upper-classmen that moved onto campus to help ease the transition. “A full return will be good for the university and the West Chester community as a whole,” he finished. Anthony Fauci, President Biden’s chief medical advisor, has maintained his insistence that the vaccine will be available to all in April. The Fall 2021 semester will begin August 14.
Matthew Shimkonis is a second-year History major with a minor in Journalism. MS925373@wcupa.edu