QuaranTeam’s selfless service

Residential Life Department’s QuaranTeam takes on task of caring for BYUH students in quarantine on campus BY SERENA DUGAR IOANE

When students are invited back to campus, they face being quarantined in Hale 10 for two weeks. QuaranTeam, a group of students who work at BYU–Hawaii residential life, began caring for their needs, including delivering meals from the cafeteria three times a day to grateful quarantined students.

The creation of the QuaranTeam

Cristopher Sembrano, a recent BYUH graduate and intern at BYUH Residential Life, shared when the school encouraged students to go back home, most international students could not go home due to border closures. These students instead traveled to the mainland seeking comfort from family members and friends.

The QuaranTeam has helped more than 30 students so far. Photo by Ho Yin Li.

“Inviting all students back to campus won’t be the best solution to make the campus safe from COVID-19,” Sembrano explained. “However, the university is doing it gradually, and the focus, for now, is international students who are on the mainland. Because their status is J1 and F visas, they need to be here on campus.”

The university officials believe they will be safer here at the university since this is their home in the United States, Sembrano said. “That was the decision made so far, and the state [of Hawaii] requires people to be quarantined. That is when the QuaranTeam was created.”

Because of the state requirement for people who enter the island to quarantine for 14 days, the residential life team made Hale 10 the quarantine area for students coming back on campus. Incoming students are quarantined for two weeks to ensure they are being cared for if they have the virus or not, said Sembrano.

Sembrano explained this process’s goal is to make sure BYUH will be a safe place for all residents. “It was scary thinking we will be with students who will be in quarantine, but one thing that motivates me to do this is the desire to serve with willingness, patience and love, which I believe our team is built on.”

Hannah Biesinger, a QuaranTeam lead and Hale Residential Life manager, said the qualities that stand out to them, and they try to show students, are compassion, sympathy, empathy, mindfulness and an organization’s desire for everyone to feel loved and cared for.

“The RAs are so willing to help provide their needs and are very patient [in helping]

Hale 10 is where students returning are kept in quarantine. Photos by Ho Yin Li.

Graphics by Bruno Maynez

them overcome the challenges of being in quarantine. We are proud to be part of this event during the pandemic where we consider the team as front liners,” Sembrano said.

Janey Grover, head of the Residential Life, shared, “I am more than proud of this team. Many don’t realize that we have a leadership development program for the student leaders in our department. The quarantine team is comprised of students who are RAs and have exemplified the qualities of servitude leadership in the way they have supported and cared for residents who have been in quarantine.”

“They have a messenger feed I am part of that is used to communicate with each other to coordinate the work they do,” Grover shared. “They are focused on the student and their experience and doing all they can to make quarantine, an experience that most people endure, the best experience possible.”

Sembrano shared when students are invited to come back, they will inform the QuaranTeam when they will arrive on campus.

Once they arrive, the team will welcome them and give them all the information they need, including the do’s and don’ts during their stay and provide them with beddings, toiletries, snacks, etc.

“Our diligent RAs deliver them food from the cafeteria three times a day. We always do a daily welfare check with these students to make sure how they are doing and coping while they are in quarantine. We provide for their needs, and we are delighted to serve them,” Sembrano explained.

He said having this job helps his team develop love and willingness to serve the BYUH ohana during this time of uncertainty. “Three members of our group experienced being in quarantine. They know how it feels and can empathize with the students we are helping.”

Biesinger said, “Each member of our QuaranTeam brings a unique perspective, but they get together so well in serving the residents. Their efforts to care for each individual is felt. And despite quarantine being challenging for our students, many have shared they feel loved and cared for.

“I don’t have to worry about them and their work because they are proactive, compassionate and always reliable,” Biesinger shared. “I am most proud of their attitude on the job and how their positive energy radiates and reaches anyone who knows them. We meet regularly to discuss the events and needs of

Students have shared appreciation for the QuaranTeam. Photo by Ho Yin Li.

the Hale, to hear and offer feedback so that as a team, they can improve the way they serve those in quarantine.”

Service appreciated

Sembrano said they received much appreciation from the students who were quarantined. “Some left letters of appreciation, and some sent long messages to express their love and gratefulness to us for helping them survive the two weeks of quarantine and being there 24/7 to assist them.”

He shared an experience where a student needed to be sent to the hospital. “She was so happy we were just one call away during the time she needed medical assistance.”

Munkhzul Galbadrakh, a junior from Mongolia majoring in hospitality and tourism management, described how she was quarantined in September when she came back from her internship in Montana. She explained she enjoyed her two-week quarantine experience.

“I didn’t have to go anywhere and didn’t have to cook. I had plenty of time to do my homework and rest from my trip. I also accidentally burnt my lips with a jalapeno, and it got swollen and blistered so bad. They helped me to go to the Health Center and receive medical assistance. I really appreciate the QuaranTeam’s work. They take good care of us.”

Talaula Akeripa, a sophomore from Australia majoring in communications and human resources, was quarantined from Sept. 1-14. She said, “I actually didn’t mind being in quarantine because I’m usually a homebody.

“The team was amazing from beginning to end. They provided everything we needed or wanted,” Akeripa shared. “They checked on us daily via phone or when they dropped off our meals and made sure we knew they were there for us. Couldn’t have asked for a better team of RAs.”

Sembrano said the team has helped over 30 students on quarantine and are expecting more to come. They will continue their work until quarantine is not required by the state anymore.

Grover said their team has actively requested feedback from residents and have made adjustments based on the suggestions of those who quarantined to improve their service. “A few of our RA’s have participated in the quarantine process and can relay feedback about the process to the team from their own personal experience as well.”