College parents...fall semester?

[JimMIA]

We are also in Florida and things are crazy here. Universities are still struggling with even opening for employees in any small way, never mind welcoming thousands of students back to campus.

The board of governors for Florida's state universities and colleges approved all of our schools' reopening plans on June 23.

That said, I think you are right on the nuts-and-bolts of who starts back when, and the recent upsurge in cases is upsetting a lot of plans. And of course, no matter what they plan this week, it could all change next week depending on what happens.

 

[barkley]

thought it was kind of telling yesterday when i was out shopping and went to 2 different walmarts. b/c we've got so many universities in close proximity that traditionally start new academic years as early as end of july every year the norm is by end of june you will see a whole section of the local walmarts dedicated to nothing but dorm supplies. it's like 4th of july aisle butted up against dorm section butted up against back to school (back to school usually in place 1st or 2nd week-decimated by early august). 2 stores and not a shred of any of their dorm supplies, not even the area cleared for it. i'm thinking that they either suspect low/no dorming locally or figure people will primarily get the stuff by mail order delivery.

 

[HeatherC]

Here's an interesting argument FOR returning even if all classes are online: https://grownandflown.com/students-should-return-to-college-fall/

I SO want to agree with this but just can’t at this point in time. I honestly believe there is a very real possibility that all these kids will wind up being sent home again because as a country we cannot get this virus under control. One outbreak on campus will shut everything down and bringing kids together from all over the country is exactly how those outbreaks will happen. I also believe most things on campus will be severely limited with impossible restrictions or closed entirely. Libraries, gyms, student centers, dining halls. None of them will be like it was last fall.

This age group also tends to view themselves as invincible. I am pretty sure once they are back in groups with friends social distancing measures will be right out the window. Young adults are already driving the surge in cases. Sending them all over the country to congregate on campuses is not a way to gain control of this virus.
Yes. I KNOW we have to continue living our lives and will have to get used to living with this virus. But the way things are headed, I just can’t see things being all rosy and safe to go by mid August.

 

[okeydokey]

The board of governors for Florida's state universities and colleges approved all of our schools' reopening plans on June 23.

That said, I think you are right on the nuts-and-bolts of who starts back when, and the recent upsurge in cases is upsetting a lot of plans. And of course, no matter what they plan this week, it could all change next week depending on what happens.

Yes, everything is subject to change at any time. My son's University has given students until July 16 to decide if they want to cancel dorm contracts.

 

[SmallWorld71]

I SO want to agree with this but just can’t at this point in time. I honestly believe there is a very real possibility that all these kids will wind up being sent home again because as a country we cannot get this virus under control. One outbreak on campus will shut everything down and bringing kids together from all over the country is exactly how those outbreaks will happen. I also believe most things on campus will be severely limited with impossible restrictions or closed entirely. Libraries, gyms, student centers, dining halls. None of them will be like it was last fall.

This age group also tends to view themselves as invincible. I am pretty sure once they are back in groups with friends social distancing measures will be right out the window. Young adults are already driving the surge in cases. Sending them all over the country to congregate on campuses is not a way to gain control of this virus.
Yes. I KNOW we have to continue living our lives and will have to get used to living with this virus. But the way things are headed, I just can’t see things being all rosy and safe to go by mid August.

I suspect that this might be part of why UMass is doing remote instruction. Basically, they are disappointing everyone right now and giving people time to decide what is best in their particular situation. This tends to be less stressful in the long run than giving people hope and then having to pull back. While I understand the plan, I am still very sad for the students.

 

[JimMIA]

Yes, everything is subject to change at any time. My son's University has given students until July 16 to decide if they want to cancel dorm contracts.

Which school?

 

[HeatherC]

I suspect that this might be part of why UMass is doing remote instruction. Basically, they are disappointing everyone right now and giving people time to decide what is best in their particular situation. This tends to be less stressful in the long run than giving people hope and then having to pull back. While I understand the plan, I am still very sad for the students.

It is SO sad. But I also think it is the best thing they could do under the circumstances. At least they made the decision early enough. You don’t want students coming from all over the world and then having an outbreak and having to shut down again. (which I fear is what may happen in many places.)

 

[HeatherC]

CNN is reporting that at least 143 people at the University of Georgia test positive for Covid. I guess this kinds of validates my last post that sending kids back this fall is not the best idea.

https://www.cnn.com/world/live-news...29-20-intl/h_dac61f4eaffad35f3a241c6691dc10c5

 

[JimMIA]

CNN is reporting that at least 143 people at the University of Georgia test positive for Covid. I guess this kinds of validates my last post that sending kids back this fall is not the best idea.

https://www.cnn.com/world/live-news...29-20-intl/h_dac61f4eaffad35f3a241c6691dc10c5

The missing fact there is the timeframe. 143 people tested positive this week? Or a total of 143 tested positive since the onset of covid-19?

CNN "reached out" but isn't passing up a click-bait opportunity!

 

[choirfarm]

I SO want to agree with this but just can’t at this point in time. I honestly believe there is a very real possibility that all these kids will wind up being sent home again because as a country we cannot get this virus under control. One outbreak on campus will shut everything down and bringing kids together from all over the country is exactly how those outbreaks will happen. I also believe most things on campus will be severely limited with impossible restrictions or closed entirely. Libraries, gyms, student centers, dining halls. None of them will be like it was last fall.

This age group also tends to view themselves as invincible. I am pretty sure once they are back in groups with friends social distancing measures will be right out the window. Young adults are already driving the surge in cases. Sending them all over the country to congregate on campuses is not a way to gain control of this virus.
Yes. I KNOW we have to continue living our lives and will have to get used to living with this virus. But the way things are headed, I just can’t see things being all rosy and safe to go by mid August.

So what would you suggest my daughter do? I do not want her isolated in her room all year. I've homeschooled her. She has 30 credits or so already from dual credit. Her major is musical theater.
I am concerned but I see nothing useful by her doing dance and choir by Zoom. She will be so o incredibly depressed if she is stuck here in our small town.

 

[JimMIA]

So what would you suggest my daughter do? I do not want her isolated in her room all year. I've homeschooled her. She has 30 credits or so already from dual credit. Her major is musical theater.
I am concerned but I see nothing useful by her doing dance and choir by Zoom. She will be so o incredibly depressed if she is stuck here in our small town.

It's not up to Heather, or me, or any of the rest of us. You're the Mom. Making decisions like this are what you get paid the big bucks for.

And also, nobody here knows all the many facets of that decision...except you. You and your daughter have to make the decision.

Personally, I'm trying to keep Mom and I out of it as much as possible. It's really the young adult's decision to make.

 

[choirfarm]

Nm

 

[FigmentSpark]

My son wants to go into res this fall. He knows the classes will be on line. He knows his team won't be playing, but there's a small chance they might be practicing. He also doesn't want to miss out on the chance to get a room for winter semester, particularly if normal classes resume. He knows I worry about him being lonely and overwhelmed. I also worry about a resurgence of the virus (second wave) and him being in a petri dish. But we are 3 hours away. If all his classes are online anyway, he could choose to spend some days at home and others at school, depending on what's happening and how he feels (and what's medically safe). I'm loathe to spend that money if we don't have to, but we did plan to spend it anyway, so it's not a real loss.

 

[HeatherC]

So what would you suggest my daughter do? I do not want her isolated in her room all year. I've homeschooled her. She has 30 credits or so already from dual credit. Her major is musical theater.
I am concerned but I see nothing useful by her doing dance and choir by Zoom. She will be so o incredibly depressed if she is stuck here in our small town.

I totally understand where you are coming from. My daughter wants to go back very badly also and it totally stinks how their college experience is being decimated by this virus. All I am saying is that “I” am not sure if it is the best thing to do right now and we find ourselves packing her back up in a month or so. I am in no way telling you what you or your daughter should do. I am simply pointing out what I think is a very real possibility of how the fall will go based on where things appear to be headed. I would like nothing more than to be wrong and have the fall and winter be a complete turn around with this thing.

 

[choirfarm]

I totally understand where you are coming from. My daughter wants to go back very badly also and it totally stinks how their college experience is being decimated by this virus. All I am saying is that “I” am not sure if it is the best thing to do right now and we find ourselves packing her back up in a month or so. I am in no way telling you what you or your daughter should do. I am simply pointing out what I think is a very real possibility of how the fall will go based on where things appear to be headed. I would like nothing more than to be wrong and have the fall and winter be a complete turn around with this thing.

I completely agree with you. I am feeling incredibly hopeless for our country. So much unrest. So much sickness. So much violence. I see no hope other than Jesus coming. Our poor children may be living their own version of the French Revolution. I just don't see how all of this resolves in a good way or how college aged kids will even survive of thrive. The world as we know it is gone.

 

[HeatherC]

The missing fact there is the timeframe. 143 people tested positive this week? Or a total of 143 tested positive since the onset of covid-19?

CNN "reached out" but isn't passing up a click-bait opportunity!

I believe the University confirmed it.

https://www.wsbtv.com/news/local/cl...ng-students-staff/AMB36W6ENJBSHJPM7B2XL67T6Q/

 

[choirfarm]

And if (as it probably will) the colleges gave to go online, start, stop, people not living on campus, many colleges cannot survive financially. They will close just like all the businesses. No way to "live " with the virus when it spreads like this. Then you start over to fight for whatever remains open to do it online...to be unemployed because 1/2 the businesses are closed. I dread this next socially isolated depressing year.

 

[nicole88s]

My son's university said they are a go for in person classes in the fall. They just had a Zoom session for parents today and outlined the protocol. They will be wearing masks and doing extra cleaning and trying to do 6 feet of distance in classes if possible. They obviously said if things change they will be flexible, but in person for all classes is how they're starting fall.

The crazy thing is my son is in a 10 person dorm/apartment! 5 bedrooms and 5 bathroom, but 10 people. They're still a go for that as well.

He is definitely going and we are going to hope for the best. Like some above said, what are they going to do? Just sit at home and not do anything? Luckily my son has a full scholarship, so we're not putting out as much money, but even if we were we would still have him go. I think it's important for him to move out and be partially independent and meet new people and learn. If they do end up having to go online we'll deal with it then.

 

[HeatherC]

I completely agree with you. I am feeling incredibly hopeless for our country. So much unrest. So much sickness. So much violence. I see no hope other than Jesus coming. Our poor children may be living their own version of the French Revolution. I just don't see how all of this resolves in a good way or how college aged kids will even survive of thrive. The world as we know it is gone.

It is definitely a trying time. But there have always been trying times throughout history, and mankind has gotten through them before and we will again. I do believe we will come out stronger as a result. I am also trying to focus on the positives....my family is healthy, we are safe, we have gotten to spend more quality time together. We have also realized just how very blessed we are.

These kids may not have the college experience we all hoped they would because of this virus, but they are smart and beautiful and capable and I know they will be very successful in life. I have to believe that. It will work out in the long run...almost everything in life does.

Hang in there. There ARE brighter days ahead.

 

[Southernmiss]

As was mentioned at my daughter's high school graduation, this class was born in 2001 beginning the era of 9/11 changes.

For this region, these students started kindergarten in the shadows of Hurricane Katrina.

They have been witness to news reports of school shootings and had active shooter drills become the new normal in school.

They have seen the recent wave of racial tensions and changes and the changes for women's equality and LGBTQ issues.

In my state we are finally changing our state flag this week. And young people are embracing the changes.

These kids today have already seen and survived and been resilient. It's what they've had to do.

They are better equipped to handle any of this than we are.

I am excited to see these kids go forward and be the change needed in so many areas of our world and truly optimistic that they will be successful.