‘A Reasonable New Normal’

Sep 21, 2020

Continuation of Successful Semester Depends On Living Xavier Values and Following Guidelines

Mia Lynd is pumped.

At least, that’s how she described her feelings about participating as a leader for Manresa and moving back to Xavier for fall classes. Yes, she’s aware of the new safety procedures in place and the necessity to wash your hands and keep your distance because of COVID-19 restrictions, but that hasn’t dampened her enthusiasm.

“It’s my favorite time of the year,” said the senior Communication major from Cincinnati. “I’m so excited to have everyone back on campus.”

And part of the reason, she says, she is able to feel this way is because she trusts how Xavier prepared for students — as well as alumni and employees — to return this fall.

“I definitely feel like Xavier has done enough to make me feel comfortable to come back,” she said. “The hand sanitizers at every entrance, the new classroom set-ups, having the masks be mandatory everywhere on campus, distancing in the cafeteria, and the fact that we have to sanitize an area before we leave are all great to keep everyone safe and healthy.”

Lynd said all this after she’d been on campus for a week, but she lives in a house just off campus. “I’ve felt comfortable and safe the whole time,” she said. “It’s definitely different, but it’s manageable and a reasonable new normal in my opinion.”

For others moving back on campus, there are more rules, and more expectations.

“I do feel safe coming back,” said Brendan Ross, a junior Digital Media major from Darien, Conn., who lives in The Commons. “I think the policies Xavier has outlined should be effective, but the key is consistent enforcement and practice of these policies by all members of the Xavier community.”

The issue gets to the very core of what it means to be part of the Xavier family. In order to be Men and Women for and with Others we must abide by certain guidelines, not only to protect our own health but to ensure that we don’t harm other students, faculty or staff.

For five months, University officials readied campus for the students’ return. Along with masks being sent to the University community and sanitizing stations installed in all rooms, dining areas were re-worked for proper distance between seating. Large spaces — like those in the Cintas Center and the Health United Building — were set aside for study, eating or online learning. And some places, like the Conaton Board Room, were re-designated as classrooms.

“We feel very prepared and excited for the students' return to campus,” said Jeff Coleman, Vice President of Risk Management and chair of the University’s COVID-19 Task Force. “Since we transitioned to remote learning in March, we have been working closely with our partners at TriHealth and following the guidance from the CDC and Ohio Department of Health to prepare the campus for our students’ return. We have implemented numerous changes to our campus to ensure an even more healthy atmosphere for students, faculty and staff.”  

Along with a modified academic calendar, students have found new technology in classrooms to help with hybrid classes — ones that are taught in a combined in-person and remote format to ensure proper spacing between students and minimize face-to-face interactions.

“Xavier has invested in new technology across campus in all of its classrooms that include displays, cameras and microphones so that students and our instructors can communicate and be completely engaged with each other during the hybrid experience,” said Rachel Chrastil, PhD, Director of Accreditation and professor in the History Department.

Still, as many have eluded, these guidelines must be followed and the technology must be utilized.

“It is so important to follow these rules Xavier has put in place,” said junior Musical Theatre and Public Relations major Danielle Jacobs. “We truly cannot live out the Jesuit values and be All For One if we do not follow these rules and think about the people around us. Being a Xavier student means putting others before ourselves.”

That sentiment echoes the “Community Commitment,” a statement that outlines the University’s goals during the pandemic, from an institutional and personal perspective.

“Although COVID-19 will bring changes to life on campus, it won’t deter Xavier’s mission to educate each student intellectually, morally and spiritually within the Jesuit Catholic tradition,” it reads. “Our promise to provide challenging and personal learning experiences for each student remains at the heart of our mission.”

The Community Commitment goes on to list 10 measures we can all practice that help deter the spread of the COVID-19 virus, including wearing masks, practicing social distancing and cleaning our campus spaces. As they return, students will be asked to affirm their cooperation with the Community Commitment.

“The stakes are high and it’s never been more important to follow the rules,” Lynd said. “They are in place for a very valid reason, so it’s really important that everyone follows them.”

Resources for coming back:

For Students

For Alumni

For Employees

— By Ryan Clark, Office of Marketing and Communications