A SEMESTER TOGETHER, SIX FEET APART

PHOTOS BY LAUREN BIERI AND KT KING

THE FALL 2020 SEMESTER BEGAN IN A TIME OF UNCERTAINTY and continued hardship. With the COVID-19 pandemic reaching its then-peak in July, it was clear that Central would march on with another semester unlike any other. While societal rhetoric highlighted phrases like “unprecedented” and “once in a lifetime,” the UCO community rallied together to do what it does best – uphold the pursuit of education.

While the semester was far from easy, Central remained resilient. With each new challenge, a community of students, faculty, staff and administrators adapted together, learning with and leaning on each other along the way.

Reversing The Trends

Fall brought with it the need to separate from the pack. Testing for COVID-19 continued on the Central campus, in an effort to combat the upward trend of cases. Students spoke out against societal injustices, marching in a peaceful protest across campus, while later in the semester, encouraging their peers to vote in record numbers.

Extending The Classroom

Heading into the first fall semester during a global pandemic, the classroom at Central transformed into a flexible concept. The Extended Classroom continued, simultaneously facilitating in-person students, in accordance with COVID-19 campus protocols, and students attending the same class virtually. Less traditional classes, like those found in the School of Music, morphed the classroom into whatever shape necessary, finding larger, more open spaces and, sometimes, leaving walls behind