FRESHMEN BACK ON CAMPUS

Freshmen face difficulties adapting to university life in age of COVID-19 Freshmen say it is difficult to meet, spend time with fellow Badgers due to social distancing, restrictions inside UW dormitories

by Audrey Thibert

Reporter dying from the virus but should still follow

Attending school in 2020 is uncharted virus or spreading it to at-risk populations. territory for every student in the United Freshman Mairead Morahan said she States. For incoming college freshmen, it considered the virus less of a health threat is an even more uncertain environment to and more of an inconvenience. Morahan navigate. added the inevitability of contracting the

The University of Wisconsin’s Smart Restart outlined UW’s approach to instruction, dining and housing during the COVID-19 pandemic. The plan emphasized the shared responsibility of students and staff to adhere to a set of instructions that protects themselves and their fellow Badgers.

The Smart Restart plan, requires COVID-19 testing for on-campus housing residents, face coverings in all indoor public spaces, social distancing, primarily virtual classes, limited spaces for gatherings and modified dining amongst other restrictions. UW freshman Simon Bushmaker said these guidelines can complicate befriending other students and making genuine connections.

“It is tough to meet people because clubs are canceled, and there is social distancing in the dorms,” Bushmaker said.

According to the CDC, wearing a mask can significantly slow the spread of COVID-19. Madison residents are required by Dane County to wear masks in any indoor public areas.

UW’s Smart Restart plan implemented strict guidelines regarding face coverings. But freshman Aliya Glasper observes students continuously Photo - Riley Steinbrenner violating these rules The Badger Herald and worries about the repercussions of refusing to CDC guidelines to avoid contracting the wear a mask. “It is frustrating to see people gathering in large groups without masks because they are putting other people at risk, not just themselves,” Glasper said. “It’s pretty simple — you can be together and wear your mask.” According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, teens and young adults are at less of a risk of virus in a college dorm created a culture of carelessness regarding one’s own wellbeing. “I am nervous but at the same time, we are probably all young enough that if we get sick, hopefully none of us will get too sick,” Morahan said. “I feel guilty giving it to people.” Smart Restart requires freshmen living in residence halls to be tested for COVID-19

when arriving on campus in addition to free bi-weekly testing. Those who test positive are required to quarantine in isolation dorms on campus or return home if they are able to do so.

Bushmaker said he would rather stay in the isolation dorms than head home because

he views quarantine as a potential social opportunity.

“I walked past the isolation dorms today, and it seemed kind of fun,” Bushmaker said. “It reminds me of the Breakfast Club.”

According to the UW COVID-19 Dashboard, the positivity rate on campus has gone from a 1.5% positivity rate to 4.4% with most reported positive cases in early September. Freshman student Elsa Palmieri, believes the recent spike can be attributed to student disregard for social distancing.

“A lot of students are just focused on themselves and getting their freshman experience,” Palmieri said. “Obviously that is something that everyone wants, but thinking like that is selfish because they could ruin it for the people who are following the guidelines and then get us all sent home.”

Violation of campus rules can result in suspension or dismissal from UW, as stated by the Smart Restart plan. But, freshman student Michael Ovsak said he does not anticipate mass suspensions and does not seem concerned about a major outbreak. “If they don’t send us home after the first round of testing, I think we are set to stay on campus,” Ovsak said. “Madison has a safety cushion in place for us.” According to the CDC, virtual classes present the lowest risk of COVID-19 spread. UW’s Smart Restart plan states that 45% of classes will have an inperson component. All inperson components require face coverings and social distancing. Despite the lack of inperson classes, UW’s Smart Restart plan states that tuition costs will not be lowered. Freshman student Olivia Dikeman said she believes the unreduced tuition price takes advantage of students financially. “I’m critical because I don’t do well with an online format, but I also agree with why we have it,” Dikeman said. “I feel like I’m wasting my money.” According to the Sept. 2 Daily Briefing on campus COVID-19 data, 13 students were in on-campus quarantine and 13 students were in oncampus isolation. But, Smart Restart said they expected an increase in cases as more students arrived on campus.

“The spread is inevitable ... when so many kids don’t take it seriously. A large portion of students take it seriously but not enough people do, and that is what is going to get us kicked off campus,” Palmieri said. “But I am just glad we got to come back.”

Dane County, UW prepare for influx of COVID-19 Cases on UW campus Dane County Publice Health spokesperson says student behavior is key to preventing spread of COVID-19 in Madison

by Ella Ceelen Reporter

Dane County officials said the University of Wisconsin and Dane County have proper policies in place to keep COVID-19 under control on campus this fall.

This May, Public Health Madison and Dane County released the Forward Dane plan, which set standards for workplaces, schools and recreational facilities as the county began to reopen. In June, Dane County entered phase two of the Forward Dane plan, which allows post-secondary education institutions to operate as usual, no longer restricted to distance learning as they were in phase one.

Despite the growing list of universities across the country whose reopening plans have failed due to spikes in COVID-19, students moved into dorms in late August and many registered for in-person classes.

Communications Director for Public Health Madison & Dane County, Sarah Mattes, said student behavior is key in Dane County’s success as a community in preventing an increase in cases.

“The driver of disease transmission isn’t happening in the classroom — it is happening as students socialize,” Mattes said.

UW spokesperson Meredith McGlone said UW will follow the Dane County Public Health Order which outlaws indoor gatherings of more than 10 people.

McGlone also said UW fraternities and sororities pledged all events will follow county public health guidelines and have prohibited social gatherings which include alcohol.

UW freshman Rachel Dimeo said she is doubtful these policies will be followed.

“If dorms could actually social distance and wear masks, I do not think COVID would be a rapid problem, but I know this is not the case,” Dimeo said. “I have seen many people congregating together without masks and are crammed into little dorm rooms and even parties.”

A press release from UW explained classes this fall would offer in-person instruction in many courses until the Thanksgiving recess, after which they will switch to a virtual format for all courses for the final nine days of instruction plus exams.

The Smart Restart plan describes UW’s three-part testing plan, which includes unlimited free drop-in tests, surveillance testing to track the prevalence of the virus on campus and target testing for all students and staff living in residence halls. Additionally, everyone on campus will be required to wear a face covering, practice social distancing and self monitor for symptoms.

Hundreds of colleges across the country reversed or remedied their reopening plans, including many Big Ten universities. Michigan State closed undergraduate residence halls and moved classes online, according to Inside Higher Ed, and the University of Minnesota’s governing board voted to delay the opening of dormitories and the start of in-person undergraduate classes by at least two weeks, according to the Star Tribune.

“As a premier residential university, we believe deeply in the value of face-to-face instruction,” McGlone said. “We believe students want to be in Madison to learn in person and that they will rise to this opportunity for in-person learning. Having students on campus and providing in-person instruction, where feasible, provides a better set of educational opportunities for students lacking suitable technology or spaces to effectively study at home.”

Not all Big Ten universities changed their

Photo - University Health Services prepares for a potential spike in COVID-19 cases in Dane County.

Riley Steinbrenner The Badger Herald

reopening plans. Ohio State allowed students to return to campus and is now monitoring the virus with consistent testing, according to Ohio State News.

UW is also using quarantine and isolation housing to keep students safe this fall, according to University Health Services Chief Preventative Medicine Resident Colin Pitts. There are approximately 700 spaces available in quarantine housing and 400 in isolation housing. There is currently no data available on the University Health Services website regarding the number of students living in quarantine and isolation housing. “If you test positive [for COVID-19] you are isolated,” Pitts said. “We have isolation facilities for that, where essentially, if you [test] positive, you go into this dorm for 10 days after the positive test. We send you a symptom survey to see how you’re doing and housing checks in on you.facility.” Students are tested twice while in quarantine, once in the early days of their stay and once near the end, Pitts said. Quarantined students are also monitored with a symptom tracker. While students are technically able to go home as opposed to living in quarantine wor isolation housing if they are exposed to the virus, Pitts said students are “strongly encouraged” to quarantine on campus because of access to testing within quarantine and isolation housing and because their symptoms can be monitored. “Our plans are informed by the latest science and public health information,” McGlone said. “They include a robust testing regime, contact tracing, symptom monitoring, enhanced cleaning protocols, mandatory wearing of face coverings in university buildings and public spaces where physical distancing isn’t possible, and physical distancing in all classrooms.” McGlone said the percentage of students testing positive, available beds in on-campus isolation and quarantine, Dane County policy, percentage of Dane County residents testing positive, the capacity of the UW health care system and the consultation of on-campus infectious disease experts are all taken into consideration.