COVID Prompts Changes to BC Visitor Policies
Since the start of COVID-19, many rules and regulations have been implemented that affect the way we live, even the way we live on the Bluefield College campus.
In fact, in an effort to limit the spread of the virus and further protect students from exposure, the college implemented new visitor policies this academic year that affect not only students living on campus, but also visitors who come to the school.
“We are currently not allowing visitors in rooms — not even other students — to help prevent the spread of COVID and to keep each room a safe space for those that live there,” said BC’s Jess Smith, director of residence life, about the restrictions on residence hall room visitation. “Students can have visitors in the lobbies during COVID, but the visitors must be affiliated with Bluefield College.”
The new room visitation protocols stipulate that students may hang out in residence hall lobbies, the cafeteria, outdoor spaces, the library, and the Student Activities Center. There should be no more than 10 people in a dorm lobby at any time, and anyone who is not approved or has more than 10 people will be asked to leave.
“I think the visitation rules for COVID make it harder to spend time with fellow students,” said junior Kassidy Brown. “The rules contradict the school’s point about not going off campus, because if students don’t go off campus to hang out, they don’t have anywhere to go.”
Brown said without the visitation restrictions on campus fewer students would travel off campus, which increases the risk of bringing COVID back to campus. Freshman Shyanne Edmonds agreed.
“They are useless,” Edmonds said about the visitation policies. “We aren’t really maintaining social distance anyway when we are in the cafeteria. The restrictions are not affecting me because they are not being enforced.”
Parents and family members are also not allowed into residence halls. As a result, students may only meet with family members outside or off campus.
“I am dealing with the rules by going off campus more to hang out with friends,” Brown said. “It is hard to find things to do, but there are a couple of places to go.”
Brown also said that she has a hard time studying in public places. She said she would rather have a quiet and comfortable space like the Student Activities Center, the library, or the ACE to study, but where she lives in the apartments those facilities aren’t easily accessible as they are across campus.
In addition to visitation policies, the college’s room checks guidelines have also been revised due to COVID-19. Room checks now require that resident advisors (RAs) have a temperature check before entering a room or apartment. They must also wear a mask. For a room check in the residence halls, the RA must stand in the doorway and observe the room. For room checks for apartments in Bluestone Commons, the RA can only enter the living room.
Smith said she hopes the new visitation and room checks policies in place as a result of COVID-19 will be lifted by this fall.