YOUR VOICE: Returning to campus for the Fall 2021 semester

Students returned to campus en-masse at UHCL this fall for the first time since Spring 2020. The Signal asked students how they felt about the return to campus, these are their answers.

“It’s weird. It’s odd because I’m not used to seeing people on campus anymore. It’s like entering a different world again,” said Mauricio Estudillo, fitness and human performance major.

Many students expressed mixed feelings of excitement and concern to return to campus.

“I have mixed feelings, primarily I’m very excited being back here in person. Everything is so easy, it’s better compared to online,” said Elias Fuentes, mechanical engineering major. “But there’s that aspect that things are much more difficult because there’s more expectations in person, that’s why I have mixed feelings.”

One student noted being thankful for the return to campus because of struggles with fully online classes.

“I’m really happy because I struggled with all classes being fully online and it feels like we’re making forward steps to overcoming this pandemic,” said Adir Cuello, business management major. 

Some students expressed that they would not feel safe on campus.

“I do not feel safe on campus during the increase of Delta at all,” said Sophie Francey, digital media studies graduate student. “While I can understand and respect other perspectives, personally I believe that it is irresponsible to have large amounts of people in a room or building without enforcing masks knowing that we have no idea what this virus is capable of. Covid and Delta have proven it does not matter if you are vaccinated or not. It also does not matter if you are young and unvaccinated or old and vaccinated, it is still taking lives.”

Precautions taken by the university including decreased class sizes, hand sanitizing stations, sanitizing wipes in classrooms and free masks were met with mixed reception from students. Some thought that UHCL’s precautions were handled well.

“I feel like UHCL has done a great job handling COVID-19,” said Cuello. “They hired safety ambassadors to help spread masks, hand sanitizers and general information. Free mask and hand sanitizers have also been set up all around campus and classrooms. We have been sent constant updates regarding class modality and measures the school will be taking too.”

Others disagreed, noting that the institution could have done more to protect students from COVID-19.

“I don’t think they did a great job because there are other schools in the state that defied the rules by governor Abbot in order to take care of their students but I don’t believe that this community did that,” Francey said. “To give credit where credit is due and allowing the in person classes to have half of the students remote I think is a good compromise. But overall I’m still disappointed in not enforcing masks and having more classes in person this semester. I believe it’s irresponsible.”

Simulcasting classes and online options for classes provided comfort for some students.

“UHCL accommodated the students’ needs, wants and fears which I really appreciate,” said Laila Shoma, digital media studies graduate student. “In one of my classes, students who don’t want to take part in the on-Campus class due to health problems, anxiety or even private reasons are able to take it remotely through zoom. The whole class is zoomed live and the students can watch and participate as if they are on campus.”

Online access was one concern brought up by a student about UHCL’s handling of returning to campus. 

“I don’t think they are handling it as good as they could be. There is little to no online access to classes, lectures, notes etc. for people who have to be in quarantine,” said Arlan Catney, mechanical engineering major.

Some students noted that they learn better in classrooms for a variety of reasons.

“It feels amazing. I learn so much better in the classroom and I feel so much more connected to my classes,” said Madelyn Cohn, social work major.

SGA President and psychology major J Scates echoed that sentiment, in addition to expressing appreciation for UHCL’s continued efforts to minimize class sizes.

“I am both excited and nervous,” Scates said. “I learn better in person and do work better in person, even SGA work. But I also worry about the student population since COVID is still there. So I appreciate in some cases we are moving a little slowly to fully open up classrooms.”

SGA Vice President for Outreach and Communication and biology major Crystal Woodcock mentioned excitement for a return to a sense of normalcy.

“I am really excited to be back on campus because it’s nice to see everyone on campus again and have a sense of normalcy again,” said Woodcock. “I am excited to experience events again and have all the student orgs together on campus again.”