Sarah Kathryn Watkins

Reporter

At the beginning of the semester, The W was still in Phase 1 of the COVID-19 prevention plan. At this time, student organizations were not allowed to meet publicly but instead would do virtual meetings. This was a transition for all students. On September 25th, the school admitted a new plan that would allow students organizations to meet under some restrictions.

Jessie Harpole, interim Vice President of Student Affairs, took the lead on helping students move forward in the direction they need to go safely and effectively.

“When we started the semester, what we said was, basically, the student groups we would do in phases, in phase 1 everything was virtual, so there were no meetings,” said Harpole.

Now that campus is safely moving onto phase 2 of the COVID-19 renewal plan. Student organizations can start meeting face-to-face with their sponsors’ supervision. Harpole mentioned that she had been highly impressed with the students and student organizations on campus.

Though some student organizations are excited at the prospect to meet face-to-face other organizations are still choosing to do virtual meetings or no meetings. Harpole and Mea Ashley, interim director of Student Life, feel that students should not feel pressured in any way to start meeting face-to-face. They are leaving it up to the organizations to decide what is best for that particular group.

Because the classrooms have been spread out through campus, organizations have been limited to the spaces they have to meet.

“Certain places that we would normally use for programming are now, maybe a classroom space,” said Harpole.

Student affairs and student life have to look at things such as the spaces, the flow of traffic in and out of a building, and then public health issues.

Ashley, interim director of Student Life, mentioned that organization would need to contact her to set up times for the groups to meet. The student organizations must wear a mask while they meet while having supervision the whole-time particular groups meet.

The Coronavirus caused all sporting events to become canceled on and offcampus. Jason Trufant, Director of Athletics & Recreation, and coaches are keeping athletes motivated. Athletes are continuing to practice. Trufant mentions that athletes are getting required temperature checks twice daily.

Trufant is proud of how well the athletes and coaches have handled this. The athletes are being accountable for showing up to practice and are doing virtual zoom meetings with their coaches. Coaches are taking advantage of zoom meetings by checking in with students and the students’ educational process. Trufant is hoping by next semester; if all goes well, athletes will be able to play at sporting events following the National Collegiate Athletic Association. Though this is uncertain at this time, Trufant is optimistic.

Students and staff can find all of the updated information on MUW’s website. The website also gives access to information such as a case tracker that offers updates on the number of students and staff that have COVID-19. The case tracker hyperlink also provides information on the number of students and staff quarantining on campus.