By Isabelle Schindler
COVID-19 or Coronavirus has put a complete stop on all in-schools meetings, restaurants, and events of over 10 people. Since the closing of Dominican University on Thursday March 12, 2020 students have been in an adjustment period. For commuter students the adjustment is pretty simple- unless you’re a senior, then nothing is simple- but for resident students who come from out-of-state or an international location, the adjustment may take more time and more effort.
As an out-of-state student myself, from Montana, hearing about the closing while on spring break was worrisome. I had about five articles of clothing and none of my school supplies. I was told I had to travel back to infected Chicago just to move my things out of my dorm, then go back home. This would include traveling through multiple airports and hundreds of people. I wasn’t approved to stay in housing so I had to act fast, we were given a week. I knew I wasn’t the only one upset about the announcement from housing due to the long thread of student emails appearing each minute in response.
After a long fight with housing and a doctor at Dominican I was approved to keep my things locked-up in my room until May. They didn’t approve my request to continue living in housing and they were adamant that I move everything out of my room, no exceptions. They then told me my only other option was to hire somebody to move my things out and ship them to me, which would cost even more money. After the resolution I couldn’t help but think about the other students who were forced to go back to campus and Chicago just to move their things out and possibly becoming infected, and then bringing it home. I know in Montana, at this time, there was only one confirmed case, so I was reluctant to go back to Chicago.
Once the adjustment week was about halfway through, I realized that I didn’t have any of my school supplies: pens, paper, access to a library, and more importantly, my notes and textbooks. Most of the professors were understanding and accommodating but a few said it would become an issue in the future. But at this point I am unwilling to order and spend hundreds of dollars on new textbooks (again) just to use them for half a semester. So, I’m having to use every inch of the internet and pray that I can keep up on professors’ reading tests and class discussions.
As the adjustment period ends this weekend I am still struggling to find the drive and focus to sit down on my laptop, while my sister watches TV, in my living room, and do my homework. When I look outside my window I see a large bare field and when I really can’t focus I go on a walk to visit my horses and breath in fresh Montana air. It’s difficult when you’ve always been an out-of-state student where you have a dorm and a schedule to do your homework. At this point my life revolves around school and it was disrupted. The circumstances in which the disruption comes from is serious, and I am happy I’m at home in secluded Montana during this time. As a college student this is a difficult time- but thank God I’m not a senior.
