Katy Agans
Contributing writer
At the start of the semester there was an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases across the U.S. Because of this, Dominican is continuing to take precautions to make sure that students remain safe on campus.
Specifically, Dominican is working hard to make sure that the residence halls can remain open to students.
All resident students have to meet a series of requirements in order to make on campus living as safe as possible.
“All residents must wear their masks in the communal spaces of the halls; this includes lounges, bathrooms, hallways, laundry rooms, and when they have a resident/commuter guest in their dorm,” said Kamil Orozco, one of the Resident Assistant’s for the third floor of the Power Residence Hall.
In an email, Orozco also commented on the current guest policy in the residence halls.
“A new policy since COVID has been one other resident/commuter in your room at a time besides yourself. In accordance with that, commuter students are only allowed in the residence halls until 10 p.m. and they must have been checked in at the WID prior to their visit by the respective residents. Non-Dominican-affiliated guests are not permitted in the residence halls.”
There is also a policy put into place in case students do test positive for COVID-19.
If a resident student tests positive for COVID-19 they need to report it on Campus Clear. From there, the Wellness Center will get in touch with them.
If a student lives less than 120 miles from campus they need to go home to isolate. If they live further than 120 miles from campus, they are put into isolation room in Mazzuchelli Hall, according to Orozco.
Even with these precautions being put into place, COVID-19 is affecting the resident community.
Nealy Martin-Thomas, a resident student at Dominican, tested positive for COVID-19 at the beginning of the semester.
“I got sick the second day of classes, so I went to the Wellness Center on campus the day after. When my test came back positive, the nurse told me that housing would be calling me about moving into an isolation room since I live out of state, but ultimately, I decided the drive back wouldn’t be too bad, and I quarantined at home.”
Martin-Thomas followed the CDC recommended guidelines of isolating for five days. Due to the severity of her symptoms, she didn’t return to any in person classes for 10 days, to ensure everyone’s safety.
The rise in COVID-19 cases has even impacted students’ decision to live on campus. Lili Adam, a senior at Dominican, lived on campus last semester but due to the increases in COVID-19 over break, decided to live at home this spring.
This decision has affected her ability to engage in campus life, not being able to see her friends as often and missing out on campus activities. However, not being on campus this semester is the best way to keep her and her loved ones safe, according to Adam.
Martin-Thomas is back in the residence hall and is remaining cautiously optimistic about living on campus.
“I feel mostly safe in the residence halls. The people who live here are generally good about following the regulations, but there’s only so much we can do to stop the spread,” she said.
It’s important for students to continue to follow COVID-19 guidelines.
“COVID-19 and all of the variants are very real and it is very scary! I know that we all want it to just go away or for things to be normal, but we are constantly going to have to be making adjustments to this new normal,” said Adam.
