COVID-19 In the Context of Life on Campus
Learn about the precautions in place to keep SSU's campus open.
Safety Measures are Helping to Keep the Campus Open
By Rachel Baumann, '22
Many universities have shut down their campuses due to COVID-19, but Salem State has chosen to keep its buildings open. While this allows us to have a slight sense of normalcy, actions must be taken to ensure the safety of students, faculty, and administration. Whether you're a resident, staff member, or visitor, it’s important to adhere to safety precautions in place.
The pandemic has affected everyone in one way or another, and while we yearn for closeness in our community, we must remain aware of the current situation. SSU is taking the pandemic very seriously.
When your health declines, every other aspect of your life is put on hold; you might have to call out of work, cancel an event with friends, and even disregard your own goals in order to rest and regain your strength. The effects of COVID-19 are still being researched, so it is better to follow the safety precautions than to regret not doing so later, and spreading the disease to those you care about.
College is about achieving your goals, not hindering your ability to achieve your dreams. This article not only explains why and how to be mindful of COVID-19 while on campus, but also how to take care of your mental health while dealing with this new reality.
Campus Life Looks Different from Before
When asked how COVID has changed resident life, most students reflected on the absence of others. “There is a lot less life on campus” says Resident Hall Assistant, Ashley Hames. Of course, that means students are staying safe, remaining in their dorms, or returning home promptly after class. Yet this concept refers to more than physical presence; the lively spirit Salem State prides itself on has changed. It’s not gone, just different.
We are all saddened by the fact that a sense of physical community is missing due to COVID-19, yet it is important to remain confident that our community still exists on campus. Ashley’s advice: Don’t be afraid of reaching out to others; in fact, be encouraged to do so. It is in times like these that a friend can make a huge difference.
However, Ashley brings up an important point. Not only should we be reaching out to our friends, but also communicating with those we don’t know. Ashley discusses the stigma surrounding the virus: the preconceived notion that anyone who gets the virus has it because they were reckless. But “the lack of understanding of the actual science out there makes the definition of reckless rather murky,” they point out.
Most of us understand that it is reckless to be going to large parties, but even smaller situations can lead to concerns. Ashley also points out the dangers of being in “tight groups, eating-- both inside or outside the dining hall,” and the risks of “people not wearing masks (or not wearing them properly) in residence halls.”
It's Fine to Remind Others to Mask Up
It is important to consistently follow guidelines even though doing so may be difficult when you want to be close with your friends. Those guidelines include staying socially distant and wearing a mask that covers both your nose and mouth at all times, both in public spaces and any time you are among those outside your household.
Even though students often have “a hard time with confrontation,” it is essential that we hold ourselves accountable to campus standards by reminding those who are not following the guidelines to fix their masks. While this may feel like it is likely to create tension, most times the response seems to be apologetic and even embarrassed because the importance of everyone’s safety is irrefutable.
The more you speak up about safety protocols, the less awkward it becomes to remind others you care and the less significance the stigma seems to hold. No one is exempt from catching Covid-19. Keeping yourself and others safe is the only way to prevent further spread of the pandemic. We all seem to want things to go back to normal. We will get there through hard work and consistent consideration of the risks associated with our actions.
Staying Sane through the Pandemic
This year has been a curveball for absolutely everybody. No one was expecting such a radical change in society and we are all still adjusting to different ways of life. If you are stressed or lonely, you are definitely not alone. Students report that through meditation, socially distant walks, zoom games, and joining clubs, they have been able to retain some amount of sanity. Plenty of students have decided to pick up a new hobby as a means to destress; such as knitting, piano, and violin. Doing something you enjoy at some point in the day can make a huge impact on your ability to sleep, and let go of stress in order to be motivated the next day.
Time management seems to be increasingly difficult for students as they receive an abundance of emails and assignments. Regardless of any anxiety, however, please remember that most professors are very understanding of the extenuating circumstances and your mental health comes first. English Dept. chair J.D. Scrimgeour has suggested that we “embark on a semester of forgiveness during this stressful time.”
Forgiving teachers and students as they work on adjusting to these times reminds us of our humanity. As you work through your classes, keep in mind that even when online communication seems to be the only means of contact for some aspects of our lives, we are not isolated in this experience, and there are many resources available to us.
Available Resources
Avoiding Loneliness
Presence Page
Check out Presence if you are interested in getting to know more people and making new friendships. There are various clubs and interest groups available to students with their descriptions on the page. See https://salemstate.presence.io/organizations
Counseling and Health Services
Open in Ellison 107 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm on Monday and Wednesday through Friday. Open virtually from 8:30 to 5:00 pm Monday through Friday.
Call 978-542-6413 to get in contact with the welcoming staff or go to your health portal to set up an appointment.
Safety Precautions
COVID-19 testing
Testing is available from 10 am to 4 pm at the O’Keeffe Complex on campus. To schedule a test, it is requested that you use the CoVerified app. However, if you have trouble doing so, there is a web-based portal at coverified.us and walk-ins are also accepted. If you have been in close contact with anyone who might have the virus or you have not followed the FDA guidelines at any point you should get tested for the virus.
Hand Sanitizer on Campus
Most classrooms and public spaces have hand sanitizing stations. Move your hand up and down underneath the dispenser in order to activate them. If you see any of the sanitizing stations on campus are empty please notify facilities so that the matter can be resolved quickly; call ext. 4357.
Signs to Read!
There are many signs posted around campus as gentle reminders to follow the guidelines. You may have seen the mask reminders but many overlook the notices on every elevator. To ensure social distancing only one person should be in the elevator at a time. Keep in mind that elevators have very minimal air circulation and no ability to be six feet from another person. Be mindful of your safety and the safety of others by taking turns or taking the stairs.
Career Services
If you are like many others, you were impacted financially by the virus. If you are struggling to find a job or need advice please reach out to Career Services at 978-542-6406 or email career@salemstate.edu.
(More information at www.salemstate.edu/careers)
The Center of Academic Excellence
The Center of Academic Excellence is still staffed at this time! From 10:00 am to 2:00 pm there will be a person in the learning commons section of the library, you can set up a virtual appointment by emailing advising@salemstate.edu.
(More information at /www.salemstate.edu/academics/centers/center-academic-excellence)
Online Classes on Campus
Where online classes may seem stressful with home distractions, there are many other options for students of Salem State. Certain classrooms and Library Study Rooms are open for student use. The classrooms are listed below, it is required that you wear headphones as it is a shared space for all students, remember to follow safety guidelines.
Sullivan Building: 104 and 108
Harrington Building 111, 112, 127, and 207
Mier Hall: 100C, 205, 206, 320, 537, 541, 543
287 Lafayette Street: 103, 104
The Library As a Resource:
The Fredrick E. Berry Library is completely open to students and staff and are happy to answer any campus questions you might have. That said, only those who are attending or working within the university are allowed in at this time. While we would love to welcome any public patrons or children, we simply cannot do so safely right now. For the same safety reasons, we ask that you do not bring food or drink into the space and that you keep your mask on at all times. For contact tracing purposes, an employee will welcome you to the library and ask that every student scans their clipper card while every staff member gives their name.
Anywhere on the campus, outside of individual dorm rooms, requires a mask. This includes when you are in library study rooms, which are easy to access and perfect for attending zoom sessions right after an in-person class. Reserve a room at https://salemstate.libcal.com/reserve/spaces/studyrooms and receive the key upon request at the front desk. While you would normally come to this desk to check out course reserves, only online options are available at this time due to COVID-19. That said, we are happy to provide you with any resources we can. Please let us know if you have any questions and we will be happy to answer them.
Sofia Perez edited this article.
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