The traditional college move-in day is getting a make-over. Some schools are staggering arrival dates, others are not offering any on-campus classes until further notice.
Different institutions are each making their own plans but one thing they share is that all of it will be subject to change.
While many colleges and universities are holding virtual classes only, this fall, others are looking to include some in-person instruction.
So this year, that means a combination of online learning and small group, in person classes while requiring everyone to adhere to the now well-known safety standards at all times.
Mark Owczarski is assistant vice president for communications at Virginia Tech. He says, “In the New River Valley, it’s not only about being safe in school, it’s about a broad effort by (and for) the community."
A coalition of business owners, community members, faculties and staffs have been working on plans to keep everyone safe from Coronavirus
“And one of the great things that the New River Valley taskforce and the broader, New River Valley, Radford University, and New River Community College, have partnered together to do our “Be Well, Be Committed” campaign. And it's really the acknowledgement that we all have a role in this to find our way through this pandemic.And I think it's very exciting that this broad community has stepped up and made that commitment to do all that each individual can do; and to remind each other, whether that be on a bus wrap or on a sign posted in a shop window or in a classroom” to wear masks and observe social distance as a community effort carried out by everyone here.
Owczarski points out, 200,000 masks have been purchased, “not just for students here at Virginia Tech, but also for our K through 12 schools. We are in this together.”
Students living on-campus began moving in Friday.
“Our on-campus students will begin to come in over an 11 day period, and we're going to bring small groups in at a time so that we can maintain the physical distancing so that we can test our residential students, every single one of them for COVID-19. We're going to be setting up a testing station in Lane Stadium so that as you arrive, you're able to be tested.”
Since there is no way to know how long this pandemic will be with us, or what turns it might take, plans and protocols will continue to evolve.
“We’re committed to figuring out all of this together. It's going to be challenging. There will be anxious times, no doubt, but we're committed to helping our students to go forward into the world. We're just doing it under completely different circumstances today.”
For further information on the Wellness Commitment and the regional response to the COVID-19 pandemic, visit vt.edu/ready and nrvroadtowellness.com.
***Editor's Note: Radio IQ is a service of Virginia Tech.
