Problems With Closing Colleges For Coronavirus

[Mrs. Ciz]

I get this. Our DD is 20. She’s quite capable of making her own decisions & has pretty good head on her shoulders. Our older DS 18. He’s... not quite as capable yet as his big sister. LOL! But he’s still pretty responsible.

However, I also get what the other PP is saying too.

A LOT of college students (a lot - not all!) aren’t taking COVID-19 seriously - just like they really don’t take other sickness seriously. Additionally, since they’re not in the target group for serious problems w/ the virus, it means even less to them.

MANY of the college students at my kids’ college were very upset that the college is going to online instruction. DD has a friend who was in tears that she was going to have be home for longer than just spring break. She was worried her parents were going to give her chores to do while she was at home. LOL!

(Also, too, some kids CANNOT go home.)

But college kids are not typically going to social distance themselves at all... which is fine, until one them gets sick... which is one reason sicknesses spread so easily on college campuses.

And, in this instance, they can also end up spreading the virus to others who ARE at risk.

All these schools & colleges are cancelling in-person classes... the only way this is going to work if people take it seriously & not use it as extra “get together” time, & I’m not just talking about the college kids, I’m talking about the elementary & high school kids too.

Thank you for this post. You expressed much better than I did why I think it's so important for kids that CAN leave their campuses to do so. I do realize that some kids are not in a position to leave.

I realize I struck a nerve with my post. Really I just want parents and students to take this seriously, and for parents to encourage their students to make smart choices regarding social distancing. People's lives depend on it.

I am heartbroken for my DD and her friends. I cried when her school made it's announcement, but I know it needed to be done.

In addition, I hit on some Disboards "hot button" issues - when are kids considered adults and should/do parents pay for college . I know we all differ wildly on this. Full disclosure - DH and I paid all our children's college expenses (tuition, books, fees, room, board, car, phone, health insurance). They paid for their own discretionary expenses with money they earned from summer and on campus jobs. This is one reason we have never considered our kids adults while they are in college. DH and I feel a person must be financially independent and self supporting to be a true adult. I realize other families look at things differently.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

I believe in giving respect. At 20 years old I just can't see myself saying "if you don't do as I say I'm not paying for X anymore ." It doesn't sit well with me. I'm a very stubborn person and had my mother ever said that to me I would've done the complete opposite just to spite her. I just don't see it turning out well for most parents. I think communicating and logic work better than threats.

 

[Mrs. Ciz]

I believe in giving respect. At 20 years old I just can't see myself saying "if you don't do as I say I'm not paying for X anymore ." It doesn't sit well with me. I'm a very stubborn person and had my mother ever said that to me I would've done the complete opposite just to spite her. I just don't see it turning out well for most parents. I think communicating and logic work better than threats.

Well "if you don't do as I say I'm not paying for X anymore" is not the way we really approached it. DD lives in her sorority house this year (junior year). It is on campus housing, so she has to have a meal plan. So there is a financial aspect to this. Kids who go home get $1000 credit for housing and her meal plan balance rolls over to next year. That's a big chunk of change; DH and I pay that bill, so it does factor into the decision. But that was only part of the conversation. The other part was: things are going to get bad fast, students won't be that great at social distancing (she admitted this was very true), what if she got sick up there, what if she got stuck up there when things got bad because roads got closed and she couldn't come home. We asked her to come home for the extra week of Spring Break, and in a couple of weeks, we will reevaluate the situation. I have a feeling both she and we will be very happy that she is home if things get as bad as they are projected to be.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

Well "if you don't do as I say I'm not paying for X anymore" is not the way we really approached it. DD lives in her sorority house this year (junior year). It is on campus housing, so she has to have a meal plan. So there is a financial aspect to this. Kids who go home get $1000 credit for housing and her meal plan balance rolls over to next year. That's a big chunk of change; DH and I pay that bill, so it does factor into the decision. But that was only part of the conversation. The other part was: things are going to get bad fast, students won't be that great at social distancing (she admitted this was very true), what if she got sick up there, what if she got stuck up there when things got bad because roads got closed and she couldn't come home. We asked her to come home for the extra week of Spring Break, and in a couple of weeks, we will reevaluate the situation. I have a feeling both she and we will be very happy that she is home if things get as bad as they are projected to be.

My sons school dorms and dining are staying open so no refunds. I wish they offered a partial refund!

 

[luvsJack]

Well "if you don't do as I say I'm not paying for X anymore" is not the way we really approached it. DD lives in her sorority house this year (junior year). It is on campus housing, so she has to have a meal plan. So there is a financial aspect to this. Kids who go home get $1000 credit for housing and her meal plan balance rolls over to next year. That's a big chunk of change; DH and I pay that bill, so it does factor into the decision. But that was only part of the conversation. The other part was: things are going to get bad fast, students won't be that great at social distancing (she admitted this was very true), what if she got sick up there, what if she got stuck up there when things got bad because roads got closed and she couldn't come home. We asked her to come home for the extra week of Spring Break, and in a couple of weeks, we will reevaluate the situation. I have a feeling both she and we will be very happy that she is home if things get as bad as they are projected to be.

Why would the roads close?

 

[Mrs. Ciz]

Why would the roads close?

Our state has mention closing interstates to keep people from spreading the virus to different parts of the state if things get really bad. Because some people will try to do what they want to do no matter what.

 

[erc]

Our state has mention closing interstates to keep people from spreading the virus to different parts of the state if things get really bad. Because some people will try to do what they want to do no matter what.

I think that ship has sailed. The virus is potentially everywhere. I would not want to live in a country where the government is closing roads and threatening to shoot you just driving down the highway.

Again, dangerous to the elderly, but 99% of people who get it are going to survive. This is not the zombie apocaplyse.

 

[luvsJack]

I think that ship has sailed. The virus is potentially everywhere. I would not want to live in a country where the government is closing roads and threatening to shoot you just driving down the highway.

Again, dangerous to the elderly, but 99% of people who get it are going to survive. This is not the zombie apocaplyse.

Exactly!

 

[Mrs. Ciz]

My son’s university sent this email to parents this afternoon literally BEGGING parents to get their kids to leave off campus apartments and go home!!!

“Dear Parents and Guardians:

I am writing to you as someone who cares deeply about your students' safety, health, and well-being. We are facing a public health crisis worldwide, nationwide, and here in Virginia.

On behalf of the University and larger Charlottesville community, I am appealing to you if your student has told you they want to remain here: We need your help ensuring your student returns home and is ready to begin virtual classes on Thursday, March 19. We recognize a small number of students cannot leave due to unavoidable circumstances, and we will continue to support those students, but we need all other students to return home for the foreseeable future.

We are especially concerned right now about students living off Grounds. Last night, a number of students were celebrating on the Corner, and a rumor is circulating about more gatherings this evening. We need your assistance in helping them understand the dangers posed by COVID-19. While they may not become sick or may suffer only mild symptoms, they could potentially infect residents in the local community who could contract the disease and become acutely ill.

We made the very difficult decision to move our classes to virtual instruction not only based on the health and welfare of our students, but also because we want to ensure that the UVA Health System, a Level 1 trauma center, is not stretched too thin in the coming weeks and months. We believe the fewer students in Charlottesville right now, the better for our health system and, thus, for the health and welfare of everyone in the region.

Mitigating this crisis must be a community-wide effort, and we have enlisted the help of the area's primary landlords, asking them to reiterate these concerns to their student-tenants. Yesterday, we engaged alumni who manage Greek housing, asking their help as well. If your student lives off Grounds and needs individual help with matters like retrieving their most important belongings, they should contact their landlord directly. If your student encounters difficulty after contacting their landlord, please have them email the Office of the Dean of Students at odos@virginia.edu for assistance.

Likewise, if your student lives on Grounds and they need a few essential things from their room, they can have a friend pick up the items or arrange for a staff member to enter their room to get the items and ship them. For help with this – only if your student lives in on-Grounds housing – please email housing@virginia.edu.

Your student will be hearing more from the University soon about the transition to virtual classes. We know this will be an abrupt and challenging transition, but faculty and staff across the University are working hard to make the shift as smooth as possible, and your student will have support from the University. In addition, Allen Groves, University Dean of Students, will be communicating soon with your student to further clarify a variety of questions that have arisen.

Thank you to each of you for your help and support. I know there are many whose student is already at home or planning to be at home soon. We are grateful for your partnership and quick action.

In my 40 years at the University, I have faced many crises, yet none like this. Most of our students have no memory of September 11. This, however, is a global pandemic previously unseen by any of us. We must help them understand how vital it is to unite around this crisis. The COVID-19 health crisis is forcing each of us to make sacrifices and changes none of us wants to make. In the end, however, it is not about us. It's about our responsibility to our fellow human beings. Thank you for all you and your student are doing during this difficult time.

Finally, please continue to check our coronavirus website, which is being updated continually with new information. If you have questions, please call our Response Lines at 877-685-4836: domestic; 1-202-800-2408: international; or email covidinformation@virginia.edu.

Sincerely,

Patricia M. Lampkin
Vice President and Chief Student Affairs Officer”

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

@Mrs. Ciz well at least you don't have to pull the purse strings out or have the parents man up

It's good that the University is giving the information.

 

[Colleen27]

I think that ship has sailed. The virus is potentially everywhere. I would not want to live in a country where the government is closing roads and threatening to shoot you just driving down the highway.

Again, dangerous to the elderly, but 99% of people who get it are going to survive. This is not the zombie apocaplyse.

I think so too, but that doesn't mean it won't be tried. It would make as much sense as suspending flights to and from Europe after the virus was already spreading i nearly every state...

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

So my County declared a state of emergency, which is seperate from the State's. The State declared a state of emergency really just to say we can use resources, etc. and does not give an end date from what I see. The County, which is the most populous in the State (nearly 600K) edict is for the next seven days unless it's renewed on March 19th.

Probably the main point is "This Declaration specifically prohibits all large public gatherings of people in the County. Large public gatherings are those with more than 250 people in attendance or anticipated to attend, except for governmental and judicial functions, healthcare facilities, private business operations, religious and faith-based activities, weddings and funerals. For any size gathering of people, the County encourages everyone to follow the guidance provided by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), federal, state and local public health officials and private medical providers."

There's numerous other information in the release or 'declaration' as they are calling it but with respects to this thread that's going to be more salient. KCMO, theirs is events with 1,000 or more were cancelled and goes for 3 weeks. It does make me wonder if they'll restrict more now that a county in the metro has a much more severe limit. The thing is though KCMO tends to have those much larger events to begin with (Big 12, Home and Garden show, Planet Comicon, etc).

Here's what I think is going to get tough for people as this goes on--You'll have City, County, State, University, School District, employment, etc edicts to follow. That can get real confusing fast. Not only to keep track of what they say but for how long. Each entity has different needs so it's understandable but it does become hard to figure out just what you are supposed to be able to do and not do especially as it keeps changing.

 

[Mrs. Ciz]

@Mrs. Ciz well at least you don't have to pull the purse strings out or have the parents man up

It's good that the University is giving the information.

Hahaha, yep!! I don’t need to tell parents to man up; the university is doing it for me.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

I think so too, but that doesn't mean it won't be tried. It would make as much sense as suspending flights to and from Europe after the virus was already spreading i nearly every state...

I think if we had done that when Italy was really showing to be an issue there would be at least some less cases and less spread in some areas. Seems like many areas had someone who traveled from Italy. But I feel for all those students studying abroad. My alma mater asked any students who came back from Italy to self-isolate..but of course they had to get to the U.S. in the first place.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Hahaha, yep!! I don’t need to tell parents to man up; the university is doing it for me.

Saying something is insulting does not equate to being offended. I'm not offended by your words so you're all good there. I disagree with your tactics and approach

 

[Mrs. Ciz]

I think if we had done that when Italy was really showing to be an issue there would be at least some less cases and less spread in some areas. Seems like many areas had someone who traveled from Italy. But I feel for all those students studying abroad. My alma mater asked any students who came back from Italy to self-isolate..but of course they had to get to the U.S. in the first place.

I agree with you. In fact, I think we should have been on it even earlier like when news of Wuhan first came out. People were coming over here unchecked at the beginning of their outbreak.

Stay healthy over the next few weeks and months everyone!

 

[barkley]

well, it's going to be interesting here (eastern washington) to say the least. this afternoon the governor ordered all k-12 public and private schools to close at minimum from 3/17-4/24. those schools are looking to rush to come up with on-line curriculum. i haven't heard of a single college in the state that isn't planning on all next quarter being on-line classes. all of this together has brought the issue-internet access, speed and capabilities. there are concerns that with the increased educational demands on internet that the current systems in place in many areas of our state will be insufficient. some families don't even have access to or can't afford it so what are they to do? don't suggest the library-those close tomorrow, for a minimum of a month.

 

[NYCgrrl]

well, it's going to be interesting here (eastern washington) to say the least. this afternoon the governor ordered all k-12 public and private schools to close at minimum from 3/17-4/24. those schools are looking to rush to come up with on-line curriculum. i haven't heard of a single college in the state that isn't planning on all next quarter being on-line classes. all of this together has brought the issue-internet access, speed and capabilities. there are concerns that with the increased educational demands on internet that the current systems in place in many areas of our state will be insufficient. some families don't even have access to or can't afford it so what are they to do? don't suggest the library-those close tomorrow, for a minimum of a month.

NYC public schools are considering opening centers so that students will have a steady high speed internet connection among other resources. I can see advantages and disadvantages to the idea but it still isn't in place and most public schools remain open.

 

[godisney14]

NYC public schools are considering opening centers so that students will have a steady high speed internet connection among other resources. I can see advantages and disadvantages to the idea but it still isn't in place and most public schools remain open.

Apparently, this is happening in many districts across the country.
I get why, and I’m all for kids programs.
But, this goes completely against the purpose for closing down schools. It’s the humans, not the buildings.

 

[tvguy]

I worry about the students with no where to go. From my experience working in colleges holiday breaks always present a challenge to a handful of students who are homeless when the dorms close. Planning for a known holiday break is hard enough . . .
I still think closing is the right call more than likely, but I hope these students aren’t forgotten

Wow, never heard of dorms closing down during holiday breaks. But the Private College I went to, which my son also attended, recruits heavily in the Middle East and South America and those students depend on having a place to live for the entire school year.