The Vista August 25, 2020

the

Volume 118, Issue 1

VISTA “Our Words, Your Voice.”

vistanews1903 @thevista1903 @thevista1903 The Vista ucentralmedia.com Tuesday, August 25, 2020

UCO community weighs return

INSIDE

What to do if you catch COVID-19

Plans for students that contract COVID-19 have been outlined

by UCO for those living on or off campus.

See Pg. 3

Reporting Masks

Students, faculty and staff not abiding by the new campus health protocol can be reported on a newly created website.

Students sit 6 feet apart while studying in the Nigh at UCO. Everyone on campus is required to maintain physical distance when possible and cover their nose and mouth with a mask or other face covering. (Cici Simon/The Vista)

Janae Williams Copy Editor

See Pg. 6

A New Learning Curve

Students in the Nigh University Center adjust to the campus mask mandate, with some struggling to properly wear their face coverings.

See Pg. 7

Get Involved Around Campus Events are happening across the university, including the Safe Virtual Ice Cream Social on August 25.

See Pg. 2

With the return of students to campus and classes resuming with both in-person and virtual delivery, some questions remain regarding the University of Central Oklahoma’s use of resources in implementing reopening plans and whether contingency plans are as detailed as possible.

The Fall Reopening Task Force led

by Norman Nieves, Director of Emer-

gency Management, developed the university’s plan. The task force included 15 faculty and staff members, meant to represent every division.

Nieves did not respond to a request for interview regarding the university’s COVID-19 plan.

“Ideally they were going back and asking their areas, ‘Hey this is what we’re thinking, this is what we’re proposing, how is this going to work?’,” said Adrienne Nobles, Vice President for Communications and Public Af-

fairs and task force member. “Did we have the opportunity to go ask every faculty member, every staff member?

We did not have that option, in the interest of time.”

The task force did include one microbiologist, Bob Brennan, and Jeff Mlekush who handles much of the campus health and safety concerns, including indoor air quality.

The university recently installed hospital-grade MERV 13 filters in Continued on Pg. 4

Free COVID-19 testing begins on campus Sarah Hite and Jacob Silva Managing Editor/Sports Editor

The University of Central Oklahoma will offer free on-campus COVID-19 testing beginning Aug. 20. Tests will take place between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. every Monday and Thursday.

IMMY Labs will be conducting the testing, and appointments can be scheduled ahead of time here.

Tests will be conducted at the corner of University and First Street, at 325 E. First St. Additionally, students should prepare for a drive-thru test if they have not made an appointment.

Walk-up testing is only offered to those who have an appointment.

In a press release, UCO stated, “The partnership with IMMY Labs will allow members of the UCO community to get a test with minimal wait time and test results back within two business days. The site will also allow members of the community to schedule an appointment and get tested.”

Those who are in their vehicles must enter the facility lot from the north entrance off of Main Street and be prepared to show their confirmation code to the IMMY workers. On the

IMMY site, they show that testing will take roughly 10 minutes and results will come back within two business days.

UCO Centralities, a daily newsletter to all UCO students and faculty, reported on Wednesday that 10 new cases of COVID-19 have been discovered in the last week. This brings the total number of cases up to 35 since June 1.

Free testing is important for the minority populations on campus. JaNae Williams reported forty-two and a half percent of university students Continued on Pg. 3

2 | The Vista

Tuesday, August 25, 2020 SAFE Virtual Ice Cream Social: From 6-8 p.m. via Zoom, the Student Alliance for Equality invites students to join one another for a virtual ice cream social. Grab your favorite frozen treat and log into the zoom. Register for the link via ucore.uco.edu/ events.

UCO Medieval Society Chalk the Walk: From 6-7 p.m. the Medieval Society at UCO will kick off its annual Moot Week by recreating a section of the 11th century Bayeux Tapestry with chalk. Meet at the SE corner of the library right off of the main path between the Max Chambers Library and the College of Education.

Wednesday, August 26, 2020 UCO Medieval Society Viking Tent: From 9 a.m.-3p.m. at Plunkett Park, the Medieval Society at UCO will be setting up craft demonstration stations and displays. Stations will be set six feet apart along the west side of Plunkett and include many options.

The Center, Welcome to the FAM Open House: From 2-4 p.m. in

August 25, 2020

Thatcher 106, the Women’s Research Center and BGLTQ+ Student Center will host an open house. Students can come by for fun, goody bags and free condoms.

Welcome to NASA: Native American Student Association welcomes you to the FAM! Come meet the new NASA Exec board and make corn husk dolls from 5:30-7 p.m. The maximum capacity of this event is 25 people; RSVP via ucore.uco.edu/NASA. If the event is full or you prefer to participate virtually, a zoom option is available. Stop by and pick up a supply packet from the ODI in NUC 136.

Thursday, August 27, 2020 HASA Welcome to the FAM Scavenger Hunt: From 5-7 p.m. join the UCO Hispanic American Student Association for a scavenger hunt. Contact HASA via instagram @ucohasa for more information.

BSA “Black to Basics”: From 7-9 p.m. join the UCO Black Student Association for their Black to Basics, a “Welcome to the FAM” week event.

Contact BSA via instagram @ucobsa for more information.

Around Campus/Contents

Friday, August 28, 2020 AASA Masked Singer Virtual Karaoke: From 2-4 p.m. via Zoom, join the UCO Asian American Student Association for a virtual karaoke showdown. Contact AASA via facebook @ ucoaasa for more information.

Black Male Summit Leadership Class Info Session: Join a virtual information session at 2 p.m. to learn more about this year's Black Male Summit Leadership Class. An innovative, virtual extension of the Black Male Summit, this five-week course will allow students to engage in robust conversation and interactive sessions that cover topics from black masculinity, leadership and community activism.

Saturday, August 29, 2020 Black Male Summit Leadership Class Info Session: Join a virtual information session at 10 a.m. to learn more about this year's Black Male Summit Leadership Class. An innovative, virtual extension of the Black Male Summit, this five-week course will allow students to engage in robust conversation and interactive sessions that cover topics from black mascu-

linity, leadership and community activism.

Monday, August 31, 2020 Virtual Student Involvement Fair: From 8 a.m. - 8p.m. via ucore.uco.edu, join Student Engagement and various student organizations for a virtual look at student life on campus. Learn how to get involved and stay connected during your time as a UCO Broncho.

Find various opportunities and groups available for you this upcoming semester to meet and connect with virtually.

Visit ucore.uco.edu/events for more information.

UCOSA Opening Session: The UCO Student Association will host its first congressional session of the 20-21 academic school year. Guest speakers will be President Patti Neuhold-Ravikumar and VP Christopher Lynch. All students are invited to attend UCOSA sessions.

To submit events for next week’s Around Campus, please email thevista@ucentralmedia.com. Include the title of your event, time and place, and a brief description. Descriptions are subject to editing.

the

VISTA

Staff

Sarah Hite CiCi Simon JaNae Williams Jacob Silva Tanner Johnson Cynthia Faulkner

Editor-in-Chief Photo Editor Copy Editor Sports Editor Sports Reporter Adviser

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UCO’s Student Voice Since 1903 The Vista is published as a newspaper and public forum by UCO students, weekly during the academic year, at the University of Central Oklahoma.

The issue price is free for the first copy and $1 for each additional copy obtained.

editor. Letters should address issues and ideas, not personalities. Letters must be typed, double-spaced and must include the author’s printed name, major, classification and phone number. Phone numbers are included for contacting purposes only.

Letters are subject to editing for libel, EDITORIALS clarity and space, or to eliminate Opinion columns, editorial cartoons, statements of questionable taste. reviews and commentaries represent The Vista reserves the right not to the views of the writer or artist and publish submitted letters. not necessarily the views of The Vista Editorial Board, the Department ADDRESS LETTERS TO: of Mass Communication, UCO or Editor, The Vista, the Board of Regents of Oklahoma 100 N. University Dr. Colleges. The Vista is not an official Edmond, OK 73034-5209, medium of expression for the or deliver in person to the editor in the Communications Building, Room 131.

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LETTERS

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Letters can be emailed to thevista@ucentralmedia.com.

Return/Testing

August 25, 2020

The Vista | 3

UCO begins free on-campus testing for coronavirus Continued from pg. 1

IMMY Labs is conducting free COVID-19 testing for the University of Central Oklahoma community. Drive-thru testing is without appointment. Walk-ups must have an appointment. Testing will take place every Monday and Thursday. (Preston Poole/The Vista)

What should students do if you get COVID-19 Jacob Silva

Sports Editor

The University of Central Oklahoma has outlined details for its protocol for students, faculty or staff who contract COVID-19.

In an email sent to UCO faculty, more guidelines that students may find in their upcoming syllabi, and online, are outlined. Students should not go to campus if they test positive for COVID-19, have had prolonged exposure to someone that has tested positive, or are exhibiting symptoms of the virus.

A person may return to campus only after receiving a negative test result, if they have not had a fever for 3 consecutive days, or if no symptoms develop within 14 days of prolonged exposure to a positive case.

The guidelines explain that “students who follow university procedures will not be penalized for class absences assuming they make up missed assignments in a timely fashion, in consultation with the instructor.”

The Fall 2020 Housing Reopening Plan has been released as well, and it details what a student that lives on campus must do if they contract the virus.

UCO also has an extensive plan in place for contract tracing.

The Associated Press explains, “The goal of contact tracing is to alert people who may have been exposed to someone with the coronavirus, and prevent them from spreading it to others.” Much of the content in the reopening plan emphasizes this.

If a student tests positive, they will be contacted by the university Emergency Management team.

They will begin contact tracing with that student to determine what students, faculty members, or facilities have been exposed to the virus.Residents of UCO who test positive for the virus and are unable to isolate

off campus will be “relocated to a temporary space designated for isolation.”

This room change will be communicated to the resident within an hour of the initial contact tracing call from Emergency Management.

The Hall Director on-call will contact the resident prior to their move with information on how to obtain their new key and reviews on the housing quarantine guidelines, dining options and contact information for hall directors and resident assistants in the temporary location.

The student will also be provided with a thermometer to monitor symptoms, prior to the move. They will be reminded not to use the shared restroom during the relocation process and to wear their mask at all times.

self-declare as non-white. This includes international students and those who identify as two or more races. COVID-19 has hit minority communities particularly hard.

Alyssa Provencio, coordinator of the university’s certificate in disaster management program said, “This is going to affect our black and brown and poor students more than it’s going to affect our students who have health insurance and access to good healthcare and also who don’t have to worry about the looks that they get when they wear masks.”

UCO outlined details for its protocol

for students, faculty or staff who contract COVID-19. Jacob Silva reported on the measures taken if a Broncho contracts the virus.

If a student tests positive, they will be contacted by the university Emergency Management team. They will begin contact tracing with that student to determine what students, faculty members, or facilities have been exposed to the virus.

The university has measures in place to help students, faculty and staff amid the coronavirus. Maintaining health and wellness – physical, mental, emotional and social is as important as wearing a mask and social distancing.

A technician prepares COVID-19 coronavirus patient samples for testing at a laboratory in New York’s Long Island in March. UCO will offer testing every Monday and Thursday on campus. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)

4 | The Vista

August 25, 2020

UCO Return

UCO community weighs return Continued from pg. 1

buildings across campus per guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers.

The task force also included those responsible for the successful implementation of new technology and e-learning.

However, the task force failed to include members of departments on campus with additional expertise in emergency management or in dealing first-hand with COVID-19, such as the Department of Nursing. No direct representation from those programs is seen on the task force, leaving some to question the university’s priorities.

According to Nobles, the task force provided information to the faculty senate members and deans for their input. However, the faculty senate is a body of only 35 members responsible for representing the entirety of the university’s faculty of more than 800 full time and adjunct professors and instructors.

UCO’s reopening task force, is just one task force put together, according to Alyssa Provencio, coordinator of the university’s certificate in disaster management program.

Despite her qualifications, UCO consulted neither Provencio nor the others who work in the 12-hour program, focused on responding and reducing the impact of emergencies and disasters, as any part of the COVID-19 response.

According to Nobles, cabinet members recommended individuals from their respective areas for the task force. The President approved the final list of members.

Additionally, a voluntary survey of faculty conducted by John Woods, Leeda Copley and Nikki Seagraves, members of the UCO chapter of the American Association of University Professors, in mid-July asked respondents to rate various aspects of the university’s COVID-19 response.

Fifty-eight percent expressed being generally or very dissatisfied with the university’s “consultation with facul-

“This is going to affect our black and brown and poor students more than it’s going to affect our students who have health insurance and access to good healthcare.

— Alyssa Provencio, coordinator of UCO’s disaster management program

Freshman Makayla Freeman offers assistance in the Nigh for One Stop during the University of Central Oklahoma’s first week back. Everyone on campus is required to wear face coverings over the nose and mouth area. (Cici Simon/The Vista)

ty as shared decision makers for fall planning.”

The survey also gauged concerns regarding returning to campus for the fall 2020 semester and the effects of COVID-19.

The AAUP survey found that 94% worry sometimes, often, or very often, about their own health, the health of their colleagues or loved ones. Even more, 96%, worry about the health of their students.

Separately, the university developed and announced its Fall 2020 Contingency Plan, just last week. The contingency plan broadly outlines how UCO will respond to any spike in COVID-19 cases that would necessitate a shift back to alternative instructional delivery methods.

The plan gives basic instructions for changes to classroom delivery, campus facilities, housing, dining and events on campus. However, the university does not provide specifics in the plan or numbers that would warrant a shutdown.

Nobles said, “There isn’t a set threshold as to when we would enact that plan and that was deliberate because we want the flexibility to be able to respond when needed rather than saying we have to reach this certain number before something would happen.”

A COVID-19 On-Call Task Force,

“There isn’t a set threshold as to when we would enact that plan and that was deliberate because we want the flexibility to be able to respond when needed rather than saying we have to reach this certain number before something would happen.”

—Adrienne Nobles, vice president for Communincations and Public Affairs

in conjunction with the University Cabinet and Department of Public Safety will monitor the campus situation continually, according to the plan website. Nobles explained that the on-call task force is a collection of people from the university’s initial response task force in the spring and the reopening task force.

Concerns have been raised online regarding whether some Oklahoma universities are simply waiting until add-drop periods have expired before announcing shifts back to online instruction. This would lock students into paying even if they feel the need to drop a class should it shift to a fully online delivery.

“At this time, there is not a plan to offer reimbursement for classes if the contingency plan is activated [after the add-drop date passes],” Nobles stated. “Faculty have an approved plan in place for each of their classes should we need to activate the contingency plan. The experience would be far different than the rapid switch in March.”

The last day to drop classes in-person and receive a refund at UCO for the fall semester is August 28, according to the academic calendar.

An additional concern is for UCO’s diverse student population. Forty-two and a half percent of university students self-declare as non-white.

This includes international students and those who identify as two or more races. COVID-19 has hit minority communities particularly hard.

“This is going to affect our black and brown and poor students more than it’s going to affect our students who have health insurance and access to good healthcare and also who don’t have to worry about the looks that they get when they wear masks,” Provencio said.

The university has put consideration

into the disparate effects of the virus on minority communities, according to Nobles.

“That’s one of the reasons we want to increase access to testing on or close to campus. We want our community here to feel that they have a resource nearby and to address some of those inequities that have come up,” Nobles said.

Nobles confirmed Sunday that IMMY Labs will begin operation of a free drive-through testing option on campus Mondays and Thursdays starting Aug. 20. Tests are open to the community and appointments can be made online.

Reporting positive tests to ensure a timely and appropriate response to them raises a separate area of concern. If a student or faculty member tests positive and exposes his or her class, that entire class could be quarantined at home, according to Nobles.

The university will utilize a team of contact tracers to notify anyone who has been exposed.

Additionally, for professors with symptoms or positive tests, the expectation is to continue teaching remotely as long as their health allows.

“If a faculty member is not capable of delivering instruction due to illness, [that] department will implement their contingency plan and another faculty member (adjunct or full time) will teach until the original faculty member can return,” Nobles stated. “This plan is actually in place during a normal semester, but there is heightened awareness this fall.”

No explanation for where the university would source additional faculty members or how they would be prepared to take on another professor’s classes was given.

If students, faculty or staff contract COVID-19 there is a protocol that explains the different procedures.

Oklahoma City Community College, which has a student population close to the size of UCO’s, announced the decision to move its fall semester to a fully online format on July 28.

Faculty Concerns

August 25, 2020

The Vista | 5

Faculty raise COVID-19 plan concerns

School of Music director, Brian Lamb, conducts a practice with UCO band members. Faculty have had to make adjustments to teaching methods, including the wearing of personal protective equipment and use of plexiglass shields.(Alex Fischer/The Vista)

Sarah Hite

@SarahHite19 Editor-in-Chief

Reactions recieved by The Vista from University of Central Oklahoma faculty varied regarding the challenges of adjusting to mitigation measures for COVID-19.

"If you ask me, I would prefer online. Many students prefer in-person sections. I think the purpose here is to accommodate. In this case, put the students ahead of the faculty," said Gang Qian, a professor in the department of computer science.

Some faculty expressed concern that UCO prioritized student preferences. Others question their ability to keep their students, families, and themselves safe from COVID-19.

"I am confident and yes I feel prepared (or at least I will be by the first meeting of each of my classes!)," stated Terry Williams, an assistant professor at the College of Business.

"I know that everyone is working hard so that we are all prepared for all the challenges that await us this semester and we will all do our best!" Williams added.

Professors across campus have varying levels of optimism regarding the start of the school year.

"I am excited about this! I know it sounds weird ... but it's these states of chaos that bring out the best research. There is so much for us to learn about from this pandemic," said Michelle Johnson, graduate professor in the adult and higher

education.

Johnson added that graduate students are considered last in decision making at UCO, due to the ratio difference in undergraduate students and graduate students.

The changes in the academic calendar and the transition to online classes have worked in favor of Johnson's classes. In this case, her students now have the schedule flexibility they've desired.

Responses are varied, but consistent with a survey conducted by the UCO chapter of the American Association of University Professors in mid-July.

It asked faculty to rate various aspects of the university’s COVID-19 response plan.

Over half, 58%, said faculty were not adequately consulted as shared decision-makers for fall, compared to less than a quarter, 23%, who were satisfied with faculty’s role.

"In the qualitative portion of the survey, most faculty seem concerned about face-to-face classes, the spread of the virus through the campus community, worries about students refusing to wear masks, and technological challenges for the fall," stated John Wood, UCO's AAUP Chapter President.

Forty-five percent were satisfied with the support UCO is giving them for the fall, while 35% were dissatisfied. Sixty-six percent knew who to contact about changes on campus in response to COVID. Fifty-three percent are satisfied with UCO's timely communication

on COVID, as well as the clarity of that communication, 47%, and the support they have received to help change their classes to online or remote options 41%.

Ninety-four percent agree with requiring everyone to wear a face covering in all public places on campus.

"Other things many faculty noted that they appreciated have been the flexibility amidst the chaos, clarity of emails from the President, compassion and candidness of administration, and the wide resources to support us. However, opportunities for improvement are also clear in these results," Wood stated.

A clear understanding of the risks might alleviate the stresses of not knowing, or "what-ifs".

The steps outlined in the reopening plan cover some of these factors, however Broncho faculty have shown concern about the return to campus.

"I wish faculty had had a role in deciding what we were going to do this semester, and how to implement it, but we didn’t. Now we just have to do our best and find what works, just like our students have to do," stated Jerry Green, assistant professor at UCO. Trevor Cox, assistant professor and program coordinator for the organizational leadership degree, teaches online courses. He described some of the hardships of teaching exclusively from home with a young family.

Cox stated, "It was incredibly dif-

ficult to keep my head above water in the Spring when we were working entirely from home. At least now I can go to the office a few days a week and get things done."

"I know many of my students face the same challenges and have extra anxiety they bring with them to the classroom and that shows up even online."

Thirty-five percent of faculty said they are currently in a vulnerable population, and 41% said they were a caregiver for someone in a vulnerable population. Age has an effect: 18% report being in their 50s, and another 20% report being in their 60s or older.

Marvin Ludium, who teaches required business law courses at UCO, said he has "a lot of concern" as we begin the fall semester.

"I am immune-compromised because of MS. For me, this is deadly serious," Ludium said.

Ludium stated he would prefer face-to-face but the current climate does not allow for it. He added he was worried about the potential of the technology needed for, "17,000 UCO students [who] attempt to use them all at once."

Ludium misses human interaction. He has been self isolating at home since March. He spent the time preparing his classes for distanced learning, but Ludium is concerned about not being able to "read the room" and know if students comprehend.

"That ability is lost with recorded lectures, but it is the best choice with the options available," stated Ludium.

Others share some of Ludium's hesitations for the semester.

"My biggest concern is that the hybrid model we’re using is trying to please everybody, but won’t actually work well for anyone," Green stated. "Unfortunately, these two sets of best practices are different, and often incompatible. For instance, online learning goes best asynchronously, and face-to-face has to be synchronous. Face-toface teaching is often spontaneous, while online teaching has to be strategic and scheduled."

Green did express confidence in faculty members' ability to make the semester a success, but the strain on resources certainly presents some of the biggest challenges.

"I keep hearing faculty say that it is the first time in their career that they are not excited about the first day of school, and it is heartbreaking."

6 | The Vista

August 25, 2020

Mask Violations

Steps for reporting campus mask violations

Professor Sandra Martin wears a university approved mask as she begins instruction of her strategic communications planning class. Students and faculty who need to report a mask violation on campus can do so online via a special form. Multiple violations can result in disciplinary action by the Office of Student Conduct. (CiCi Simon/The Vista)

Sarah Hite

@SarahHite19 Editor-in-Chief

If a student, faculty or staff member violates mask mandate policy at the University of Central Oklahoma, a report can be filed with campus police for emergency and non-emergency incidents.

In the scenario an individual is misusing or refusing to wear a mask, you can remind them of the policy and ask them to wear one.

The university offers tips for having a conversation of care with a fellow Broncho.

The literature provided to students instructs them to: “Mention that it’s for the benefit of the entire community, reducing opportunities for the virus to spread and allowing us to stay on campus for classes.”

If you notice someone continuing not to comply with the policy, you can file a report. Faculty has been instructed to contact campus police if someone refuses to follow protocol.

The form includes a space to attach proof of the violation and detailed questions as to when and where the incident took place.

Those who file a report can choose to include the Office of Student Conduct as a copy recipient.

The mask mandate has been incorporated into the student conduct code. The code had been amended to include new disci-

plinary procedure for those who refuse to wear a mask on campus.

There is a three-tiered punishment procedure, regardless of what steps are taken, all violations of this policy should be reported to the Offices of Student Conduct and Title IX. The form is meant to report non-emergency incidents to the campus police.

“If students are in a situation where a violator of the mask policy is also potentially breaking the law … such as threatening violence, assault or disrupting operations … they should contact UCO Police at 405-974-2345,” stated Adrienne Nobles, UCO’s Vice President for Communications and Public Affairs.

Bronchos are required to wear a face mask when around others on campus, both inside buildings and outdoors. You can pick up your own UCO-branded face mask at designated areas on campus.

According to the UCO website, wash your mask after each use to reduce the risk of spreading the coronavirus.

“Fabric masks, like your UCO mask, can be washed and dried with your regular laundry. It’s recommended that you use hot water and a high heat setting to dry. You can also hand wash your mask in hot, soapy water. Scrub for at least 20 seconds and dry on high heat in the dryer or in direct sunlight.”

The university has compiled a few responses if confronted with an individual not wearing a mask: • Don’t forget, UCO requires everyone on campus to wear a mask.

Here’s where you can get one.

• Everyone at Central is wearing a mask to help slow the spread of COVID-19. Let me show you where you can get one.

• Remember to put your mask on when you are near other people.

• Can you please put your mask on correctly? Everyone on campus is supposed to wear one when they are around other people.

• It’s important to follow the rules to protect our campus community.

• My loved one is vulnerable to COVID-19; I need to do everything I can to keep them safe.

When people are not socially distancing, UCO recommends these responses: • Sorry, can you step back? I’m practicing physical distancing.

• Oops! I think we are too close.

Remember, UCO is practicing physical distancing.

• Let’s go outside or find a bigger space, so we can better space out.

• Remember, six feet!

• No worries, I can come back later. I want to maintain proper physical distancing.

• I’m not comfortable with being closer than six feet. Do you mind spacing out more?

• It’s too crowded here, let’s go somewhere else!

• I’d hate it if one of us got sick.

Let’s keep our six-foot distance for now.

(Provided/UCO Student Code of Conduct)

Photo Story

The Vista | 7

August 25, 2020

Students adjust to new policies on campus Cici Simon

@TheVista1903 Photographer

Last week, students returned to campus for the first time since midMarch, with new policies in place, including the campus-wide mask mandate. Over the weekend, Campus Enterprises staff implented changes in dining areas across campus to further encourage social distancing.

UCO’s concert band rehearses outside while practicing social distancing. New polices have been placed to implement safety measures due to COVID-19.(Alex Fischer/The Vista)

Students head to class during first week back to campus. Students who were photographed and noticed would place their mask back over their face. (Cici Simon/The Vista)

UCO band students practice outside to ensure new campus safety measures for social distancing. Students and staff are to remain 6 feet apart under new campus protocol. (Alex Fischer/The Vista)

Left to right: Ethan Braden, Forensics Science and Psycology; Sophomore, Kentrell Lenard, Electrical Engineer; Junior, Sabeon Adams, business; Freshman, Ashaunie McNeil, Professional Seller; Sophmore, Joshua Luckey, Occupational Safety; Freshman.

Students return to the University of Central Oklahoma. Students are required to wear face masks, while remaining socially distant. (Alex Fischer/The Vista)

Students enter the fall semester with the campus job fair. Everyone on campus is required to maintain physical distance when possible and cover their nose and mouth with a mask or other face covering. (Cici Simon/The Vista)