Fall semester will start Aug. 23 and things have changed since last spring regarding the delta variant, as well as the availability of a vaccine for COVID-19.
Grant Scott-Goforth, communications specialist at Humboldt State, gave voice to the answers about the policies this semester.
“All student residents are required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 or receive a medical or religious exemption,” Scott-Goforth said. “In addition, masking is required everywhere indoors on campus and outdoors whenever you can’t maintain a six-foot distance from others except for in one’s residential space with no one else present.”
This applies to all students including those who live on campus. Although some classes were face-to-face last semester, there were restrictions such as six-foot distancing and masking. This semester there will be some face-to-face classes, which are scheduled to meet two weeks after the start of the semester.
“All classes are virtual through Sep. 6,” Scott-Goforth said. “Beginning Sep. 7, some classes will be conducted in-person.”
Similar to the spring semester where some classes will be in-person, but depending on the teacher is when they can start.
Freshman, Cole M. Burton, is living in on-campus housing. Since Burton arrived at HSU, he has worried how the guidelines will affect a student’s life on campus and academics.
“Based off of my two days of being a dorm resident here at Humboldt, it is an unfair assumption as to how well social distancing guidelines will work in order for students and staff to enjoy Humboldt both from a learning and teaching perspective while being free of the COVID-19 pandemic and gaining a good college experience for everyone,” Burton said.
Overall, Burton understands the policies for COVID-19 and how HSU has decided to continue learning for students but it is different regarding the opinion of the entire student population.
“I do agree with HSU’s policy on COVID-19, but to restate, it is difficult to predict an outcome based on what I’ve seen regarding students, residents and my choices in preventing the potential spread,” Burton said.
Julia Rivera is a freshman at HSU who is also living on campus. Online schooling hasn’t been much of an issue for Rivera.
“Just making sure I stay on top of everything and putting all dates in a planner definitely keeps me organized,” Rivera said.
As a freshman coming onto campus during a pandemic, it could be a different experience. Rivera does feel some positivity about the fall semester.
“Make friends with your neighbors, we’re all freshman who need to network more,” Rivera said.
Nevertheless, the fall semester is starting with policies and guidelines put into place and there are freshman outreaches for questions and information.
“It will be important to continue checking their HSU email and campusready.humboldt.edu for updates, as policies can change due to the fluid nature of the pandemic,” Scott Goforth said. “Vaccines and masking are required as we start the semester to ensure everyone’s safety. Please be courteous to your peers as we all adapt to these changes. And welcome to Humboldt State!”
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