As the spring semester draws to a close at Syracuse University, campus looks a lot different than it did just seven months ago. Back in November, the university was forced to shut down early for the semester and switch to fully remote learning.
The University has not been as unlucky in the spring semester, with no COVID-related shutdowns to report as of yet. And with over half of the student body vaccinated, it doesn’t appear that there are any more shutdowns on the horizon.
“I mean we’re all obviously getting a little bit sick of the social distancing and everything but I think that they’re still really important and necessary measures to take,” said Owen Sienko, a junior at Syracuse when asked about the continued guidelines in place.
“I’m grateful we were able to meet in-person this semester. I know a lot of other universities in New York didn’t have that ability, they either didn’t have in-person classes or in-person clubs,” said Augustus LeRoux, a sophomore at Syracuse.
Track 1: As the spring semester draws to a close at Syracuse University, campus looks a lot different than it did just seven months ago. That was back in November when SU shut down early because of rising COVID cases. Students are still wearing masks, yes, but SU has not had to shut down at all in the spring. Several students I spoke to expressed their approval of how the University has handled the pandemic this semester.
SOT (Owen Sienko):
“I mean we’re all kinda you know obviously getting a little bit sick of the social distancing and everything but I think that they’re still really important and necessary measures to take and I mean, we’re still here so that’s all I’m happy about, graduation’s happening.”
SOT (Augustus LeRoux):
“You know, nobody likes the masks, nobody likes the lockdowns, the social distancing. At the same time, though, I’m grateful we were able to meet in-person this semester. I know a lot of other universities in New York didn’t have that ability, they either didn’t have in-person classes or in-person clubs.”
Track 2: However just last week, the CDC changed their guidelines, saying that vaccinated people do not have to wear masks outside in certain circumstances. SU has not however changed their policy, and this had a more mixed reaction.
SOT (Owen Sienko):
“I think that they could if they wanted to lift the policy, to like adhere to CDC orders, but I understand why they’re not.”
SOT (Augustus LeRoux):
“Look, the campus the university been trying to encourage people to get vaccinated. I think we’re at somewhere like 60 percent right now. But if you don’t provide some kind of incentive, nothing changes if you get that vaccine.”
STANDUP: Now as far as next semester is concerned, it remains to be seen if SU students will walk around wearing these, or, if they won’t. Reporting live, Oscar Offerman, NCC News.
The CDC did change their mask guidelines just last week, saying that vaccinated people do not have to wear masks outside in certain circumstances. SU has not however changed their policy, and Sienko and LeRoux were mixed on what the proper response from the University should have been.
“I think that they could if they wanted to lift the policy, to like adhere to CDC orders, but I understand why they’re not,” said Sienko.
“Look, the campus the university been trying to encourage people to get vaccinated. I think we’re at somewhere like 60 percent right now. But if you don’t provide some kind of incentive, nothing changes if you get that vaccine,” said LeRoux.
Syracuse University is requiring all returning students for the fall semester to be vaccinated, and it remains to be seen if students will have to wear masks on campus.
