A Surprising End to a Semester
HOW COVID-19 MAY HAVE ALTERED THE YEAR, YET INCREASED OUR SPIRITS The surprise of the COVID-19 pandemic was undoubtedly nothing anyone could have anticipated this year. In just the first months of 2020, it became apparent that the entire world was preparing for drastic changes as we faced a national crisis like none we have seen in our lifetime. This pandemic certainly impacted everyone in various ways, and here at Southeastern University, it significantly changed many things for the classroom and our campus as a whole. Particularly for those graduating from a university known for its campus life experience, it was no simple transition when Southeastern quickly switched to a remote learning format to prioritize the safety and health of the students, faculty and staff. This crisis has brought everyone around the globe unprecedented obstacles and challenges to overcome. While working through these obstacles, Southeastern 16 SOUTHEASTERN
discovered fresh innovative methods to ensuring students’ educational success.
economic impacts this pandemic would continue to have.
Through this unusual time, the Southeastern community came together and truly rose to the occasion.
Students who were unable to return home — such as international students, those who couldn’t go home due to state closures and many who simply had nowhere else to go — were provided with housing throughout the remainder of the semester.
An Unexpected Spring Semester Just weeks before the state of Florida released a stay-at-home order for a month, the university prepared for critical transitions. Following the guidelines of the World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as well as national and local officials, by the end of March the campus had transitioned classes to a remote learning format. With just weeks remaining in the semester, faculty, students and staff quickly adjusted to a new normal. No one could have imagined how long it would last or the rapid health and
Following the state announcement, all staff and faculty began to work from home, with the exceptions of essential personnel. Even though these challenges were considerable given there were just weeks leading up to graduation and the last day of classes, the students, faculty and staff were quick to make the most of these circumstances.
A Fresh Approach to Academics The switch to remote teaching and learning was certainly a hurdle for many,
