By Jordan Givens | The unexpected events of this past year have had an undeniable impact on campus events. COVID-19 makes everything difficult–from the freshmen walking through the Wilson Gate, to the seniors walking out– everything in between seems to be disrupted. Students have expressed opinions on cancelled and changed events and the impact that it has had on them.
In order to keep Howard Payne University students safe, Dr. Bunyard, dean of student life, has worked hard to revise events to comply with COVID-19 guidelines.
“Right now in light of COVID-19 we have some overarching goals. Number one, to keep our students and employees healthy and safe, so we are taking extra consideration for what we plan and how those functions need to occur,” said Bunyard
Even with revisions, some events cannot occur or are not enjoyable.
At the beginning of every fall, freshmen students take part in a freshmen orientation event called Jacket Journey. Brooklin Calk, a freshman nursing major, said that Jacket Journey this year was disappointing because of the format.
“It was barely anything, and it was so boring. Everyone had to do the COVID precautions like we had to do, and there was no fun, it was honestly really sad,” said Calk.
Freshman youth ministry major Alexis Lively agrees.
“As new students, we didn’t really know what Jacket Journey would be like, but upperclassmen explained it. Everything they had us do was nothing like we thought it was going to be,” she said.
Freshmen need these events in order to find their friend groups and community. Jake Lehrer, a senior social science jurisprudence and honors academy major, said that different events were super important when it came to creating friendships.
“It’s my advice I give to every incoming freshman, to go to events and to get involved, so this year has presented a sort of challenge for these incoming freshmen,” said Lehrer.
When it comes to Greek life, cancellation of events takes away bonding with friends and other members of the organization. For example, Spring Sing, an annual competition between organizations, has been cancelled for the second year in a row.
Veda Hodge Resident Assistant and junior education major Amanda Moore has been involved heavily in Delta Chi Rho’s Spring Sing show for two years .
“I’m most upset about not getting to spend that time with my sisters, it creates less of an opportunity to bond,” said Moore.
Along with frustrations accompanying changed events, students voiced frustrations about the cancellation of some events yet allowing others. For example, some students expressed frustration that the Alumni reunion and cobbler on the campus were allowed–where many alumni from all over came onto campus; yet fall graduation ceremonies were postponed, as well as the cancellation of the traditional Homecoming parade and court.
Mackynlie Conklin, a junior strategic communication major, expressed her disappointment in the cancellation of homecoming court, yet allowing the alumni reunion concert. Conklin said that she understands the importance of alumni events, but students are here, too.
“I definitely think HPU saves face with the donors and alumni by directing events towards them, and inviting them to come to campus so that we don’t lose that kind of funding towards the different programs HPU offers,” she said. “But I wish that there had also been events like the Homecoming parade and court that could have been done in a socially safe way as well.”
Dr. Bunyard explained that when an event puts large populations of students at risk the event is more likely to be cancelled.
“Events that are able to be held, and we have some new events that we hope are building community, but these events are structured in a way that they can be socially distanced and wear their mask and interact in a positive way,” said Bunyard.
The postponement of December’s graduation however has proved exciting for May graduates. Many of their friends graduated in December, but now get to walk with them in May. Elena Standridge, a senior psychology major is excited about the upcoming graduation.
“I don’t think that it will affect our graduation at all, I’m happy because I had class with December graduates, this is a way for us to walk with them,” said Standridge.
RAs see first hand how hard it is for freshmen and how having little to no events on campus. Moore notes that many of her residents could be doing better with their mental health.
“We have had a rise in students, campus wide, visiting our campus counselor saying they are depressed,” added Moore.
Many upcoming events being held in the dorm will be directed towards mental health and reaching out to students during this time of social distancing. Campus counselors are available for all students.
In the end Covid-19 has made events difficult, and even impossible. There have been good and bad outcomes from the changes that have been made. HPU’s Office of Student Life encourages HPU’s students, and student organizations to talk to Josh Snow about any ideas they may have for events on campus.
“We encourage them to come visit and we will brainstorm and see what is feasible,” added Bunyard.