Clarion University students returned to a very different campus last week – a virtual campus.
The majority of the classes at Clarion are being delivered remotely this semester. And while many students elected to take the courses from their homes, other students opted to return to the campus.
Classes will still be remote on campus except for students involved in student teaching, clinicals, externships, internships and co-ops. Those classes will continue as scheduled.
Students in the dormitory rooms would be required to clean their own rooms, and visitation would be strictly prohibited.
Although the dorms were open on a limited basis, many of the students found living space off campus.
Erin Demich of Pittsburgh, a graduate student studying speech pathology, has an off-campus apartment.
“I like the independence of being away from home,” she said. “I focus better at school.”
Jay Cappella of York is a nursing student with an off-campus apartment.
“When I was in class at the university I lived on campus and used the dining facilities but now I make my own meals at my apartment,” Cappella. He added that he isn’t using any of the facilities on campus.
“I came back to the campus because I feel it is a better learning environment,” he said. “It helps me study more. I can focus more. Here I am away from my parents and I don’t have to think about the other stuff I have to do.”
Mackenzie Schott from Warren is in her last year of grad school at Clarion and has been taking classes in Clarion all summer.
“I found it was easier doing it independently and less distracting,” Schott said. “My dad works from home so I know you have to be organized and self-motivated.”
Schott also lives off campus.
Maggie Telenkl of Johnstown had a very practical reason for coming back to campus – access.
“It was very difficult for me to work at home because my parents and my sister were all working from home online using the WiFi,” she said. “So I decided to come back here and utilize the resources here. I can utilize the library and other resources here at the university.”
Telenkl lives in the Reinhart Apartments and prepares her own meals.
The residence halls, sports facilities, recreation center, library and sports center are open for students.
Some students have not been affected at all.
Alyssa Burkett is a senior commuter from New Bethlehem. With all the classes being online she has no reason to go to the main campus. She will be student teaching next semester.
“It is different, obviously, but I think for what the university is going through they are making the best of it,” said Cappella.