Incoming students transition to college amidst COVID-19 regulations
All photos by Rhianna Barrow.
As the fall 2020 semester begins, the new freshmen class is navigating college life for the first time, while embracing a new normal in a time marked by coronavirus.
“I never expected to enter college during a global pandemic,” said Landry Hodge, a freshman business administration major. “College is obviously different for me than it was for freshmen last year, but I do love a challenge, and I’m trying to see COVID as an opportunity for growth rather than an interruption of my life.”
Campus programs have also seen some growth and changes due to the impact of the pandemic.
“This semester does not look like it has in the past, but [First Year Programs has] worked so hard to create a better normal that will last beyond this year,” said Mallory Smolen, a student worker in the Office of First Year Programs.
The program was instituted to serve students who are beginning college and students transfer students.
“Our office plans New Student Orientation, develops Gateway curriculum, hires and trains Peer and Transfer Leaders and plans annual campus events like PACKNSTACK and Love Your Mama,” said Smolen. “We love getting to see students acclimate to Lee and begin to write their own story.”
First Year Programs and the Leonard Center host Deke Day each year — an event that has become one of the most beloved parts of move-in weekend, as new students get the opportunity to connect to Cleveland through serving the elderly. The event was modified this semester to follow COVID-19 guidelines set by the Center for Disease Control.
“The Leonard Center did an incredible job at making this shift with Deke Day this year — even though we were unable to go to the assisted-living facilities for our usual Deke Day experience, each resident and staff member at our partner facilities were written a personal note from the new students,” said Smolen. “While this adjustment did make the experience different, students still saw the importance of the work they did and how it ties into Lee’s core value of Redemptive Service.”
Despite the difficulties and stress of COVID-19, First Year Programs has helped new students integrate into campus.
“Our office staff works really well together, and our goal is not to just get by with everything that we are doing but truly assess how we can do things that serve students better,” said Smolen. “[COVID-19 has brought] the challenge of trying new things, but it is so rewarding knowing that our work has helped students know that they matter.”
Similar to First Year Programs, Residential Life and Housing has had to accumulate their typical routines for welcoming new students to campus to adhere to social distancing guidelines while emphasizing the importance of creating relationships on campus.
“In every rule that has been put in place, I would love for students to know that all the new policies are in place in order to care for student safety, and that it all is coming from a place of love,” said senior psychology major Abby Poore. “While some of these changes are hard and challenging, it has been comforting to me as a fellow student that Res Life is doing everything possible to give us a fun and deep community while also ensuring we will be safe.”
Changes have included the implementation social distancing throughout each dormitory in the kitchen, laundry rooms and during small groups. Though it looks far different than any school year, Res Life emphasizes the importance of keeping dorm life as normal as possible.
“To plan hall events socially distant and to learn how to love residents from six feet apart is challenging, but it is honestly a beautiful challenge that I’ve seen God move in already,” said Poore. “Even doing curfew or room checks over zoom is a huge joy because it means that students are in these buildings and that we get to be here. I think I fully see now how it is a luxury and a privilege, and to not take even small things for granted.”
While hall events and activities may look different this year, Res Life is adapting to the this semester’s challenges.
“Ultimately [resident assistants and resident chaplains] are here to serve the community at Lee. We want to create a space that is safe where everyone knows that they are cared for and that they matter,” said Teagan Lenox, a senior business administration major and senior RA for Male Brinsfield and Hicks. “Community is a big part of life at Lee; we just need to take precautions so that we can even still be here to experience it.”
Although the fall semester has been vastly different from prior years, Hodge reflects on the growth she has already seen in herself through on-campus housing.
“Res Life has been awesome for me. I’m a pretty independent person, but I’m also the firstborn in my family, which makes it a little more difficult to gain that independence that I’m looking for,” said Hodge. “Choosing to live on campus has been the best decision for me because I’m getting to learn who I am and what I’m capable of apart from my family.”
For more information about resources for first-year students, email First Year Programs at firstyear@leeuniversity.edu or Res Life at housing@leeuniversity.edu.
