Things may look a bit different as Austin College prepares to open its 172nd year in the midst of COVID-19 restrictions, but the anticipation that always accompanies the start of a new academic year remains. Returning students are eager to be back on campus, and some 375 first-year and transfer students are experiencing the usual excitement and first-year jitters that are common among new college students everywhere.
With safety in mind, the traditional move-in day for freshmen on Friday, August 21, will be a lot less congested. Move-in times are staggered so that only one person in a specific section of a residence hall will move in at a time. Students will be allowed only two people with them as they move in, and those helpers are asked to leave campus within one hour of arrival.
Still, as in years past, members of the College’s faculty and staff, as well as some student volunteers—all smiles behind their masks—will be on hand to offer ‘RooNation greetings as new families arrive.
Masks are required for everyone on campus.
“Some things are different this fall for all of us,” Austin College President Steven O’Day acknowledged. “In past years, parents, siblings, and friends, maybe even grandparents, have proudly been part of dropping their students off at college. New Student Orientation has included a full agenda for parents, and we normally gather the entire new class as we talk about what the next year will hold. We can’t do that the same way this year. “
The two days of parent sessions that are normally part of New Student Orientation are being delivered virtually. On campus, students will gather only in small groups with faculty, and things as simple as a trip to the dining hall will involve social distancing and hygiene guidelines. The traditional bus trip to the College Kubela Lake Campus is not on this year’s schedule.
“In the time of COVID-19, our priority is the health and safety of our students, faculty, and staff,” President O’Day said. “So things look and feel a bit different; still the important work of providing our students a quality educational experience will go on, whether students are social distancing in a classroom or interacting remotely via their computers.”
The majority of Austin College students will be on campus this fall, though students have the option to learn remotely from off campus—or from their residence hall. Faculty have designed their courses to be offered in-person and synchronously remote. Many classes will meet in person, within social distancing guidelines, on a regular basis but will have remote components due to health accommodations or classroom capacity constraints.
All students, faculty, and staff will complete daily health assessments before moving about on campus. Extra sanitizing and cleaning practices have been in effect for some weeks now. Austin College Health Services will assist students who need to be tested in accordance with state and federal guidelines and will direct the care of students who need to isolate or quarantine should someone become ill.
“With everyone’s commitment, we can be safe while still living out the unmatched Austin College experience that students remember for a lifetime,” O’Day said. “I believe ’RooNation will do what needs to be done and do it well.”
Austin College’s year will traditionally begin with the Opening of School Convocation on Monday, August 24, though to accommodate social distancing, the event has been relocated to Clyde Hall Graduation Court. President O’Day will deliver the convocation address to members of the incoming Class of 2024 and the seniors of the Class of 2021.
Classes begin on campus Tuesday, August 25.