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Right now, universities and colleges are scrambling to decide whether to allow students to return to campuses or go with online only instruction – which would further cement the “new normal” for millions of students. The debate on whether colleges should return to face-to-face instruction and some form of pre-pandemic campus life (with the appropriate safety protocols in place), or only hold remote classes has been raging on since campuses were forced to shut down last spring amid the on-set of the pandemic. But fall is arriving, and students are gearing up to start the new semester. Final decisions are being made … with varying results. University of Notre Dame and the University of North Carolina recently started their fall semesters with face-to-face instruction. Both are now moving to remote learning after seeing “several clusters of COVID-19 cases.” 

This week, Michigan State University announced that it will forgo in-person instruction this fall with only a few exceptions, as the University of Michigan says it will return students to campus at a reduced capacity.   

Some Let’s Detroit ambassadors are preparing to start classes. They were asked to share their thoughts about undergoing the new semester amid a pandemic. Brownyn Linka of the College for Creative Studies in Detroit, MI, and Chantell Phillips of Oakland University in Rochester, MI shared their concerns and expectations. Read below. 

Let’s Detroit: What do you expect to see or experience this fall at your school given the COVID-19 pandemic, and the current debate surrounding safety of students, and virtual vs. in-person learning? 

Bronwyn: My school is shifting all liberal arts classes online. But studio classes will be 50% in person and 50% online. Professors are required to split up whether class days will be in-person or from home per the syllabus. Considering some classes like glass blowing, wielding, and any sort of crafting cannot be done from home, I understand why they did this. They’re also giving students the option to not come in, or to take any precautions they feel comfortable with. My expectations for this semester are nearly the same as last time. Obviously, I will be losing some resources, time, and overall motivation regarding my senior year. But I am thankful for the opportunities I have been given, and I am ready to give this semester my all. 

Chantell: During this time with COVID, I think I will experience some struggle in my classes because most of them are all online. It’s something that I’m not quite comfortable with right now. I feel that it will be a shift in my emotions and drive to when I want to do some things, because it’s not normal to be locked in the house for so long. It’s not normal to not see many people or do things. I feel that it is adaptable, but it is challenging of course. I have to take on so much and gradually be successful at! I also feel learning won’t be the same especially for a lot of people who were the talkative people in classes, and even people who were not as talkative will experience a huge shift in how they want to express themselves, or what they expect from teachers, themselves, and their peers.  

Let’s Detroit: What kind of fall semester would you personally like to see?  

Bronwyn: I do expect some changes, but considering how well our senior class adjusted to changes last time, I have no doubt we will still succeed and graduate this semester. I would love to see us continue to build our communication skills with each other and work our hardest to make our projects the best they can be. Of course, there are some things that need to be worked on or changed, and things that will continue to challenge us as we progress through the semester. But I know we will do just fine.  

Chantell: Personally, I would like to see tiny classrooms for each class and major. Also, a small amount of people in the cafeterias, janitors cleaning the bathrooms every 2-4 hours, and teachers being a little more supportive and understanding during this time of students and parents not having any financial help. I know that this is basically our new normal. I just hope that we can care for one another and cherish the time that we do have with each other and make it as fun as possible knowing the circumstances.  

Written By Let’s Detroit Alicia McClendon