New COVID-19 Regulations Affect BC Student Life
COVID-19 has changed the way we live, and that is no different for life on the Bluefield College campus. Guidelines and protocols have changed the way we teach, learn and interact on campus. Below are the major guidelines that members of the campus community have been asked to follow this year.
- Masks must be worn at all times on campus outside of designated living spaces.
- If a student travels outside a 50-mile radius of the school, they are required to be quarantined for at least five days.
- When students return after leaving the 50-mile radius, they are required to test negative for COVID-19 to be allowed back into the dorms.
- Prior to competing, athletes must go through a pre-screening involving a COVID-19 test and temperature check.
- If a student gets COVID-19, he or she will be put into isolation until it has been 14 days since his or her symptoms started.
- If a student is exposed but tests negative, he or she will be put into isolation for 14 days following his or her exposure in case symptoms start to transpire.
Resident advisor (RA) Zack Silver spoke about the importance of following the guidelines in the residence halls.
“Practicing COVID guidelines in the dorms is very important so that we as student-athletes and a community can continue our goals,” Silver said. “Whether that be in our academics, athletics, or anything that we want to complete as a community.”
Silver stressed the need to follow guidelines in order to keep the college on track to be successful in competition, as well as the classroom. Other students on campus shared similar thoughts about the COVID-19 guidelines, and although the restrictions may seem like a lot now, it will make college life much better in the long run.
“Although these new COVID guidelines and regulations may seem excessive at times, I believe they are necessary for us to be able to enjoy in-person classes and [have] a somewhat traditional college experience,” said Pablo Maltez, a member of the Student Activities Leadership Team (SALT) and resident of Rish Hall.
As a new member of student leadership, Maltez believes that the regulations will create an environment where we can still have a spring semester with many student activities to come.
Additional restrictions exist for student-athletes, who have to follow not only BC regulations, but also guidelines from the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). Garret Mikula, a member of the soccer team, shared his thoughts on the added regulations.
“Even though these COVID guidelines seem rough for the moment,” Mikula said, “it’s crucial we follow them for everyone to stay healthy so we can get rid of COVID sooner.”
The soccer team was put in a month-long hiatus from playing last September due to regulations, but Mikula understood it was for the best. Soccer was not the only sport strongly affected by the guidelines.
“Even though the COVID guidelines can be somewhat restrictive at times, I think they are important for the sport of wrestling,” said Luke Young, a member of the Rams wrestling team, “because it allows us to continue doing what we love during this unique time.”
Although there are many guidelines and restrictions to be able to be a part of the campus community, most people understand the purpose behind them and are willing to take part in order to stay on campus and participate in student life.