Students weigh in on how the new health measures implemented on campus have affected their student experience so far
As the University of Guelph welcomed their students back to campus this fall, a safety and education plan including a campus-wide vaccine mandate was put into effect to provide optimal safety against COVID-19. As of Sept. 7, all those coming to campus have needed to provide a proof of vaccination receipt or an approved exemption to access U of G spaces.
In working to protect the health and wellness of its community, the university has also implemented a number of safety protocols which include: mask wearing, physical distancing, improved classroom ventilation, enhanced cleaning protocols, and testing of wastewater from campus residences. As an added precautionary measure, the U of G has also reduced density in classrooms by ensuring classes do not exceed 250 students. To stay proactive about the ongoing pandemic, the university is requiring students to also complete a daily screening form which will either give students approval or deny access to campus.
After conducting an Instagram poll, The Ontarion discovered that 80 per cent of respondents were excited at the prospect of returning to campus regardless of the new health measures implemented this fall, and 87% of respondents are happy that a campus-wide vaccine mandate was enforced as soon as classes began.
To get an understanding of students’ perspectives on the alternative environment that COVID-19 has brought to the university, we took the time to speak with a number of them about the U of G’s fall semester plan.
Tatiana Fisher, fourth-year child, youth and family major
Tatiana Fisher, who is a student as well as a staff member at the Bullring, provided an inside look as to how the university’s fall plans have affected an on-campus business. She explained that the new health protocols have brought different challenges to the Bullring (which is also known as the U of G’s on-campus living room), but that she is otherwise happy with the way things have been progressing.
“We initially were worried about [the fall COVID-19 plan] impacting the amount of students we would expect on campus daily,” said Fisher. “With the vaccine mandate, we were unsure about how many people would be coming to in-person classes and coming to the Bullring.”
Fisher notes that the team at the Bullring was stunned by the unexpected amount of students coming to support the business once classes began on Sept. 9. Although the management team was able to adjust to the “slam of students,” Fisher feels that the new health protocols implemented throughout campus have affected the Bullring’s previously fun and laid-back vibe.
Specifically, the Bullring can no longer allow outside food, customers can only stay for a limited amount of time, and the couches have been removed. Events like open mic nights are also no longer hosted.
Despite these changes to the Bullring, and to her courses, Fisher ultimately feels thankful to have the opportunity to return to a campus that has always felt like a community to her. She told The Ontarion that should things stay the way they are now, she would consider that a “great fourth year.”
If anything, Fisher only wishes that information on the U of G’s vaccine mandate was provided earlier in the summer as she felt that the announcement that came right before the semester started was sudden. However, she notes that she doesn’t understand the challenges of running a university.
Overall, Fisher feels happy about returning to campus as it brings a sense of normalcy to her life. She especially appreciates the professors who are “trying their best to make the student experience great” and offer a sense of organization to her in-person and remote courses.
Seema Abouchacra, fourth-year sociology major
For students who are involved in athletics at the university, the new health measures have impacted their experiences within their teams. Seema Abouchacra has played on the U of G rugby team for four years and says the fall COVID-19 plan has brought some challenges to their team. Namely, she and her team have mixed responses about the vaccine mandate on campus.
“I get it from a safety point of view. I feel much more comfortable with my team and knowing you can walk through campus,” she told The Ontarion. However, Abouchacra feels the mandate may have negative social repercussions.
“This is the time to unite with people,” she explains. “In a time where we shouldn’t be dividing, we are dividing. And that’s the only reason why I didn’t like the mandate.”
Abouchacra also says that the capacity limitations placed on their games have impacted her sense of team spirit. As she is part of such a high-level contact sport, she and her 45 team members have been forced to navigate different aspects of the new health mandates.
“Even if it’s a home game, the only people who can be on the bench [are] the 25 dressers and the coaches, where historically it’s all of us there like a mosh pit, high-fiving each other. It’s so different. I feel like it’s creating separation and exclusion when we’re trying so hard to include everyone.”
Abouchacra is also upset that access to their rugby team room has been denied because of the COVID-19 guidelines. She describes this place as an inclusive space for her team members to bond.
“We spend every day with each other. Whether it’s in the facility or not in the facility, I think we should have access to [our team room].”
Despite this, she appreciates having the opportunity to be reunited with her rugby team.
“We’re frustrated and not happy, but we’re grateful and thankful that we’re given as much rope as we’re given.”
Hayden Phillips, fourth-year theatre major
Other students at the university have also been feeling appreciative for an opportunity to return to campus regardless of the new health measures this fall. Hayden Phillips is excited to be back on campus for in-person learning.
“The experience of walking to a class — even if it’s smaller and with masks — is so different for your mind, and I find that it is so much more beneficial,” he said.
Phillips notes that he and his classmates aren’t taking anything for granted as they return to campus this fall.
“Nobody enjoyed not seeing each other, so I think that there is a mutual understanding that if one person suffers, all of us will suffer. It’s not that just one person gets removed from the production, one person drops out and it puts a strain on every other aspect of it.”
Phillips is the media producer in the upcoming children’s theatre production that has hopeful plans to be performed live mid-way through November. He notes that the uncertainty around COVID-19 does pose a bit of a challenge for his production team, as the show could potentially need to be performed online.
“Everything has to be improvised, as well as adaptable,” Phillips explains. “We can’t really have anything too concrete because things are always set to change. At least we’ve got our foot in the door.”
He places emphasis on the community he has built within the theatre studies program, saying that it’s part of what the program is.
“You don’t just build your own skills, you build a relationship as a cast, as a team, as a group, and you can never gain that fully if you don’t see the other person.”
As difficult as it might be to organize a production amidst new health measures on campus, Phillips is grateful for the faculty within the theatre studies department who have spoken with students in advance, consistently send them messages, and remind them to be safe.
As Phillips moves into his final year of undergrad, he is certain that the new health measures have already begun to make his experience better. He is appreciative of the campus wide vaccine mandate, and remains thankful to be back on campus.
“It’s bittersweet. But I am optimistic, I am excited for it to happen and I’m ready to embrace it.”
As the fall 2021 semester progresses, students remain thankful for the opportunity to return to their U of G community, despite the challenges they face.
A version of this article appeared in print in The Ontarion issue 191.2 on Sept. 30, 2021.
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