Claws On COVID

In a matter of just five months, COVID-19 has managed to sweep the globe. As a result of this pandemic, many schools and businesses have been closed. In addition to closures,large gatherings have also been prohibited by various local/state government officials.
During a press conference, Mayor Latoya Cantrell of New Orleans made a statement confirming that the city would not be holding any large entertainment events such as concerts until 2021. Shortly after this, Governor Edwards of Louisiana began holding virtual press conferences daily to inform citizens of current case numbers, resulting in a mandatory quarantine for the state of Louisiana.
Like many other schools, Southern University began informing their students about the state of the pandemic in the spring. On March 4th, Southern University’s Chancellor-President Dr. Ray Belton began sending mass communications to students concerning the manner in which the virus would be monitored on Southern’s campuses.
According to an email addressed to the student body, informational sessions were held starting on March 10th. This meeting was sponsored by the Southern University College of Nursing and the Southern University System Foundation. The key speaker of the informational was Dawn Marcelle, MD of the Louisiana Department of Health. During this time, masks and social distancing were not required, but they have been strictly required since the commencement of the fall semester.
Approximately two weeks passed before another email from the Division of Student Affairs was sent encouraging students to return home and continue classes remotely for their own safety. Classes continued through Zoom meetings, and work was uploaded remotely via Moodle and LiveText.
Students that remained on campus completed their spring courses virtually. At this point, students were restricted from dining in the cafeterias and switched to take-out meals only. The remaining students on campus were moved to Jones Hall and Camille Shade Hall after rooms were disinfected.
By the start of April, school campuses were closed indefinitely. The reopening of local schools and universities had been up for debate during the summer months. The decision was ultimately made to reopen them, but with some social distancing related changes. Students like recent Agriculture-Animal Science graduate Brianna Carter experienced the changes on campus first hand. She stated, “the only tough part of the changes was being moved to Camille Shade Hall. One major problem was miscommunication due to a lack of good information,” she added.
As a result of the ban on large social gatherings, the spring commencement ceremony was held virtually in early August. The academic calendar for the school has also been altered for the safety and success of students. Earlier move-in dates as well as earlier move out dates for this semester have been scheduled; the status of next semester’s schedule is unknown at this time.
For safety measures, there has been a mask and social distancing mandate on campus. Temperature checks are also currently in effect at all the checkpoints of entry. Kyndall Jones, mass communication major, says “Southern is doing the best that they can but there’s always room for improvement, which I believe can begin with SUPD and how they are handling our return.”
With the cautious but momentous start of the semester, it is to be expected that students will continue to have a successful school year. For more information please refer to the university’s frequent emails, the Baranco-Hill Student Health Clinic on campus, or the student life department located in the Smith-Brown Memorial Union for more information.

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Claws On COVID