9 minute read
Making the Most of a Pandemic
A year like no other Making the Most of a Pandemic
No one knew what the coming weeks would hold. Colleges and universities across the country were opening their doors for the first time since March, crossing their fingers that they could remain open to Thanksgiving and then complete the semester online.
COVID guidelines were sent out well in advance to students, parents, faculty, and staff. Get use to your mask, keep your distance, wash your hands, restrict your travel... you know the drill.
For the majority of the YC student body, coming back to campus was about the most anticipated homecoming they could remember. They hadn't left for spring break thinking, "This is it." Cancellation of campus living as they knew it came about so suddenly, they didn't even have the opportunity to pack. No Songfest, no spring sports, no commencement, no goodbyes.
Now it's August; 171 days have passed since the campus teemed with life and laughter. A team of wild horses couldn't keep returning students from seeing their friends again, but a pandemic could. What if questions still plagued the horizon.
What if an incoming student has the virus?
What if stricter travel restrictions are put in place?
What if there is an outbreak on campus?
(above) Temperature checks have become common place now that the awkward stage has past.
(above and right) Dr. Sam Smith addresses the York College family for the first time. Opening chapel was held at Levitt Stadium so the entire student body, faculty, and staff could attend.
What if the college administration isn’t willing to take the risk?
Tough questions that can stretch anyone and everyone to the point of exhaustion—or better yet—giving those anxious thoughts and fears to the One who can actually do something about them.
And that’s what the York College administrative leadership team did. They prayed. And that’s what the YC faculty and staff did. They prayed. And that’s what (above) It's the first day of classes and second generation incoming students and their parents did. Yorkies Liz Logan, Hannah DeHart, and Sadie Carr They prayed. cross their fingers that the year will be a good one.
Students came by the hundreds and they stayed.
Thank you God!
The End.
…well, not quite.
As you can imagine, this is a semester like none other. Recognizing a person for their eyes and hair has become the norm. Activities are scrutinized through the lens of social distancing. Chapel doesn’t look the same with half of the student body attending Monday and Wednesday and the other half on Tuesday and Thursday. Teaching all day through a face shield can be exhausting. Choir practices are masked and abbreviated. Crowds at athletic events are restricted. Theatre performances have to be live-streamed. Homecoming was cancelled.
Restrictions and modifications that have been necessary but a brain drain none the less.
We’ve had our scares and self-isolations and we’ve had to remind students more than once to make good decisions about not putting others at risk. There have been times when entire athletic teams have had to quarantine. Getting notified that your next 14 days are to be in solitude, no practices, no cafeteria, online classes only, etc., is a real bummer. continued pg. 18
— Dr. Sam Smith
(above) Dr. Steven Hardy gives his first lecture on the YC campus. A professor of English, Hardy was at Ohio Valley University for 22 years before moving to York this summer.
(above) In order for the 2020 Residence Life staff to get a group picture without masks, they stand socially distant in the footprint of Hulitt Hall's new addition the morning freshmen arrive on campus.
(left) Three thousand masks such as these worn by the Resident Life staff were donated to York College by Dr. Aaron and Holly (Eckstein ’03) Fletcher ’02 as part of the #YCAlumniLove project.
There’s also the enormous amount of toil and strain that those situations put on others. Quarantining involves every member of the faculty adapting their classroom lectures to include online delivery as well. It requires the mobilization of food services with volunteers and staff transporting three meals a day to the various isolation sites. Coaches have to reschedule the already rescheduled games and matches. At times, daily COVID tests have had to be administered and the samples dropped off in Lincoln for processing.
Testing. Counseling. Remote tutoring. Shopping. Ministering. Lots of moving parts.
But we made it! God’s plan for this place was beyond our shortcomings and our fears. The remote was in His hands from day one. And while we haven’t exactly fast forwarded to the finish line, we’re in a better place because of our daily reliance on the Maker of heaven and earth, all while trying to be light to a dark world.
Mid-way through the semester, President Sam Smith wanted the YC family to know just how much he appreciated the extra mile efforts they were making.
“The pace and quantity of work required to prepare for and manage a successful fall semester has been unmatched,” he wrote. “There is not a single area on campus who has refused to lean head first into this semester by serving our students in unique ways. That is the YC spirit that makes this campus so special.”
What does the spring semester look like? The verdict is still out on that one. But I’d like to think we will continue to follow the counsel President Smith gave the YC family his first month in office.
“God was in control of the world before the coronavirus pandemic," Smith said. "He is in control now. He will be in control moving forward. He is God. We are not. Our plan is designed to respond in faith, not fear.” n by Steddon Sikes ’84
The Concert Choir moved their full rehearsals onto the Bartholomew Performing Arts Center stage to allow more distance.
RAs like Aubrey Winkler and Corey Parsons have been among the many volunteers who work diligently to take care of students in quarantine.
The fall production of The Complete History of Theatre (abridged) was performed each night to a live audience of fifteen and live-streamed Friday and Saturday night of what would have been Homecoming.
A message from a parent about check-in day:
"I was so impressed with every single staff member and student we met today!! It makes me feel good to know my son is in such good hands!! I must have looked stressed today because several people said don’t worry Mom we will take good care of him. I can’t tell you how much that meant to me. We live in Nevada and it’s scary leaving him so far away but the staff and students made saying goodbye easier. Thank you for all you do!
YC Love During a Pandemic
As we all know, things are far from normal at the moment. COVID-19 has drastically changed the way we go about our everyday lives. However, there is one thing that has not and will not ever change here at York College, and that is the love and care that is provided to the students.
I am currently in isolation. I tested positive for the nasty virus which means I will be stuck in my room for a minimum of 10 days. Luckily, I do not have severe symptoms. However, I’m not allowed to leave my room for any reason, other than using the restroom. If I need anything, I have to ask one of my two roommates to get it for me. They’ve been super good to me and they’ve taken care of me during my time of need. But, it makes me feel like a pain in the neck when I have to ask for every little thing. That’s why I’m grateful for the support I’ve received from the rest of the YC community. York College Admissions sent me a care package on my first day of isolation. It was a YC drawstring bag full of some of my favorite things. Jolene Herzog, director of student activities, had sent me an email asking what some of my favorite foods were, and the admissions team delivered! The bag was full of peaches, two bottles of strawberry melon Brisk, some Reese’s candies, cheddar jalapeño Cheetos, and a DVD. I was super grateful to have access to some of my favorites, and I didn’t even have to bother my roommates to get them!
A day or two later I received another gift. This time, Student Government sent me a personal pizza from Pizza Hut and a small goodie bag with some candy and Gatorade. It was so nice to know that some of my friends at YC were thinking about me enough to send me gifts, and help me get through the isolation process! Plus, I knew I wasn’t the only one that was receiving these things. York College was providing for those in need.
Lastly, it cannot go unnoticed that the Residence Life team has been tirelessly working to provide all meals to those in quarantine or isolation. With the help of some volunteer faculty and staff members, all meals are delivered to the students’ rooms. As I am also a resident assistant, I’ve had to deliver some of the meals photo by Corey Parsons myself, in the past. Let me tell you, it is not easy work! There are a lot of meals that need to be delivered and Residence Life makes it happen!
This just goes to show that York College is continuing to care for their students throughout this pandemic. They put in the extra time and effort to make us comfortable, and they check on us constantly throughout our time in quarantine and isolation. I just wanted all of those who have been working so hard to know that it does NOT go unnoticed. Thank you for your love and care during these hard times! We are all so grateful! by Pierce Mederios ’21 PR Squad 11/11/20 Follow on Twitter @YCpierce
