As the entirety of the Loyola community is well aware, the administration suspended face-to-face instruction and began online courses in light of the rapid spread of the coronavirus, or COVID-19. Online instruction began March 18, this situation was initially meant to last for only two more days until April 1, but will be continuing through the rest of the spring semester. 

Now that the dust has settled, I have had time to reflect upon the past few weeks. The initial declaration sparked strong emotion among students, who were not very keen on leaving the place where many consider home. Immediately following the administration’s email, a link to a petition for Loyola to reopen campus was sent among students via social media.  

I think that in the moment when students first processed the University’s decision, many experienced anger and confusion, unable to find justification behind this choice. Realizing that universities across the nation were taking similar measures, and that students everywhere were dealing with the same emotions, students began to understand that Loyola made this decision with the condition of student’s health in mind.  

However, only three days following the administration’s initial email, the University’s status changed yet again. The administration gave students some more discouraging news, announcing that face-to-face instruction would not resume until April 14, subsequent to the end of Easter break. This decision followed Governor Hogan’s announcement that COVID-19 was spreading throughout Maryland via community transmission. As we now know, however, face-to-face instruction will not resume at all this spring semester.  

This was an immense adjustment for not only students, but administrators and professors who were faced with figuring out how to navigate online teaching systems, as well as transforming entire syllabi. As this situation was unprecedented for the university, students, parents, and the administration were holding their breath, waiting to see how the transition to online courses would pan out. Fortunately, from my point of view, classes are being handled well. 

“While it is understandable why the University needed to take the precautions they did, I think that the most difficult part of this all is that the decision felt like it came out of nowhere. Returning from spring break, I think that the last thought on any student’s mind was that our final weeks of school were going to be cut short,” said Clare Leeper ‘23.  

Questions from students still await answers from the university, such as when exactly can the rest of our belongings be taken home from our dorms? As students, all we can do is remain patient and trust in the university and the professors to keep us updated about what to expect.  

This entire outbreak, surpassing Loyola’s response, has been especially disappointing for Loyola athletics teams. The University announced that outdoor athletic events would continue if students did make it back to campus in April, but clearly this will not be possible. The NCAA took their own measures on March 12, canceling the rest of the college seasons as well. This was upsetting not only to athletes who just began their seasons, but to students who look forward to cheering on our women’s and men’s teams.  

There is one group of students who are most likely experiencing the most emotions: seniors. Fortunately for freshmen, sophomores and juniors, there is still more time at Loyola ahead. Although I am not a senior and cannot speak on behalf of one, I can only imagine the unease they are experiencing. Some of the final moments before embarking on the beginning of their careers when they will face the stresses of adulthood have been cut short. 

I think an uplifting and important aspect of the reactions to this unprecedented situation is to see that so many students actually wanted to remain on campus. I think this ultimately shows how much of a community and home that this University has become for so many students, which is something that we should all find joy in amid this serious and confusing situation. 

More information about Loyola’s response to COVID-19 can be found here. 

Photo courtesy of loyola.edu