I agree. And the cost - to the students' parents, the college, etc of keeping dorms open (for what purpose?) could be spent toward redesigning learning spaces for the eventual return.
If the students are going to be watching and hearing lectures from their dorm rooms, it's really a waste of resources.
Today is my first full day back (my DH's too). It's exhausting and it's so weird - hearing nothing from the class. If I make a joke, I can't hear them laugh (because they must all be muted because too many of them have noise in their backgrounds, including screeching feedback from my output hitting their input). If I ask questions, to promote discussions, no one will speak (that rarely happens in the real world). Most of them refused to have their faces shown (and we can't require it).
So, sitting in a dorm room, by oneself, invisible, listening to a talking head (or just listening - or just pretending to be in classroom, because when I called on people individually to answer questions - most of them were not there).
What will really be happening is that students want to be out of their parents' houses (and the parents want them out for "social development"), the parents will foot the bill or the kid will run up loans, the kid goes off - signs on to "lectures" that they do not attend or use to ask questions - and which can be cram-watched later and trust me, they won't be "hunkered down" in the dorm during all this - they will be doing what students always do. It's complete freedom to do whatever - and that's what a lot of them are doing.
The ones who still live at home are a bit more responsible.
I had similar thoughts, why pay to be stuck in a dorm taking online classes.
The local press interviewed several at VT, the response was surprising. Kids walking outside on the beautiful campus, meeting/making new friends and the excitement in the eyes of our incoming freshmen. I feel study groups will be more important than ever this year, not only academically but providing small groups socialization. Strict self disciple, commitment will help shape the future of these young adults.
‘It’s a smart decision’: VT students react to new COVID-19 policies
“It’s a smart decision,” said freshman Ragen Renner.
Renner and another freshman, Claire Ganzenmuller, said they are fine with the rules so they can at least have some semblance of a normal college experience.
“
Schools are slowly shutting down. So, I mean, I’m OK with whatever guidelines they put in place just so that I can stay on campus for my freshman year,” said Renner.
“This is definitely an incentive to follow the rules,” said Ganzenmuller. “I mean, no one really wants to be suspended.”
First day back at Virginia Tech, new policies are in place
“I understand why we’re doing it so I can’t really complain because safety is the most important,” said senior Meena Kannan. “
We’ve spent the last three years here, so it was important to us to also spend our senior year in Blacksburg where we started. Even if we have to wear masks and follow all of these restrictions, I think it’s worth it in the end.”
Of the students we spoke to, not a single one had an in-person class Monday; many of them are only taking courses online.
“I didn’t really have a choice because I already paid for everything and signed up, but it’s also different to work at school than to be at home,” said freshman Brian Smith.
Smith said one of his classes was supposed to be in person, but it switched to online as the semester got closer.
“It’s all to keep us here on campus so if it’s to keep us on campus and to keep us safe I’m perfectly fine with any choice they make on restrictions,” Smith said.
Senior Jessica Mrdian said even the in-person classes still have online portions. She said in her lab it’s an excused absence if you have any symptoms of the virus.
Owczarski said the university wants students to help each other follow public health guidelines as often as they can. Students tell us for the most part if they say something, their peers will listen.
“We’ll basically yell at them to wear their masks because we all know that we’re not going to be here if everybody doesn’t follow the rules so we might as well follow the rules that are put into place so we can have a good year, as good as it gets,” Kannan said. “For the most part people are receptive because I think they understand that they need to wear masks if they want to be here.”
Freshman Tanav Voddepalli said he has been on campus and seen the evolution of mask wearing outside.
“You can definitely tell it’s gotten stricter and stricter as more people have gotten here,” Voddepalli said. “Outside is the biggest difference that I have seen.”
“Being here I just love it and I don’t want to go back home, so it’s so important that we follow these rules so we don’t get sent back,” Fugleberg said.
Only six states in New England are trending better. Sigh*
