Only a month into the job, Nazareth College President Beth Paul said getting her campus ready for students has been quite the exciting challenge.
What You Need To Know
- The return to classes this semester at Nazareth College will look quite different this year
- Classroom occupancy has been reduced, some classes will be outside, and many classrooms have been equipped with new technology
- Students and staff will have to check in to campus with completed health questionnaires, and sanitization products have been placed everywhere
"We are having to rethink everything we do, from every little detail on up. So it’s really an extraordinary time. It’s been all hands on deck and everyone has really brought their expertise here," Paul said.
Paul said despite the pandemic, the college has met its enrollment goals for new students, and exceeded its goals for returning students.
"We’re entering fall 2020 very strong," Paul said. "Our students are very motivated to be here, both our new students as well as our returning students."
But the return to campus will look quite different this year.
Classroom occupancy has been reduced, the college will make use of alternative spaces like outside to host classes, and many classrooms have been equipped with technology to help the college adopt a hybrid model of online and physical learning.
"We really believe in the in-person environment, we very much believe in the interpersonal interaction," Paul said. "So we’ve had to rethink the use of our spaces."
Students and staff will have to check in to campus with completed health questionnaires, and sanitization products have been placed everywhere.
"It will definitely be different. It’s hard, but we’re all going through this together," Junior Natalie Taylor, a physical therapy major, said.
Taylor is also a student ambassador. She says she was nervous about returning, until she saw for herself all the steps the college is taking.
"Once I actually came here and started working again, I got to see all the changes and see that Nazareth is doing a great job making sure there’s lots of hand sanitizing stations available, cleaning the desks and social distancing everyone," Taylor said.
Leanna Restani is a junior accounting major and also a student ambassador. She says she’s put at ease by the constant communication the college has provided during this time.
"We’ve been getting weekly updates on the different changes that are going to happen, so I do feel comfortable coming back. I’m actually really happy with what they’re trying to do with everything," Restani said.
Both students of course miss the relationships.
"I just love it here. I like coming back and seeing my friends, seeing the professors I’ve gotten to know and learn from them," Restani said.