By Kenyatta Coleman
ONLINE EDITOR
Clark Atlanta University is taking its motto to the next level.
“I’ll find a way or make one,” was put to the test after the world began going through a major shift in the month of March. The entire campus shut down as the COVID-19 pandemic became extremely serious, which caused students to evacuate campus and finish classes online. The administration is meeting the challenges with drastic changes. All classes are being taught online this fall.
The spread of the coronavirus not only put Clark Atlanta on pause, but also paused everyone across the nation. With a record number of almost 300,000 cases confirmed in Georgia and nearly 6,000 deaths, the COVID-19 pandemic became something bigger than anyone could even imagine.
In 214 countries, there have been more than 25 million COVID-19 cases and more than 800,000 deaths worldwide. There were so many things that happened around the world from a pandemic, to police brutality, protests and the presidential election the paranoia and concern from people across the world became extremely evident.
“I believe that while there are bound to be some challenges that will arise with this change, there is no question that there would be challenges if we were on campus due to the nature of this pandemic,” CAU SGA Undergraduate President Alake Jacobs said.
At some schools like UNC Chapel Hill and Notre Dame, students arrived on campus to start the new years only to be sent home after a week because of the dramatic rise in cases among students. Northeastern University dismissed 11 first-year students and declined to refund their $36,500 tuition for violations of safety protocols after only a week into the semester.
As this new school year began there were many different concerns that grew such as whether students would be able to handle online classes, tuition changes and the expectation of this semester.
For the fall semester, CAU dropped mandatory fees and decreased tuition 10 percent, which affected students greatly through reduced scholarships. Also, CAU issued Dell laptop computers to all students to ensure that they would be able to access the online curriculum. Laptops were also issued to all faculty members who requested them.
“It was time for a new laptop for me, so it came right on time,” CAU student Jamaira Green said.
There has been a major adjustment for CAU students not only academically, but also emotionally and mentally through remote learning. The semester has been shortened and Labor Day was not observed.
All classes are being recorded on Zoom to accommodate students in different time zones. Students are not being penalized for missing class and could access a video of the class on Canvas. The provost has also asked that faculty be more lenient in the amount of time students have to return homework. Faculty are still required to have office hours and encouraged to meet with students one-on-one as much as possible. The essential workers who have to come on campus, must have their temperatures checked first. The dormitories are closed.
“The class experience with online classes is much different. I just hope that during the fall professors and the university staff are more understanding towards students’ situations because we are not in the traditional environment,” Clark Atlanta student Erianna Rogers said.
Online classes have become the new normal and students have had to make a major change in their school routines.
“I have the experience because I started teaching online classes in 2016, but there is a digital divide and a challenge to interact and do a mental check in on my students and check on their mental state,” Professor Yolanda West of the Department of Speech and Theatre Arts said.
This fall semester is not only a test for Clark Atlanta students, but for students across the world. Other HBCUs, such as Savannah State University, have decided to continue in-person classes for the fall semester.
“In my honest opinion it should definitely be held online I understand why everyone who attends my school wanted to come back but I feel as if the decision is a little selfish and not the safest option either,” Savannah State University student Johnnie Kinsley-Hamilton said.
Many schools have continued to have in-person classes despite the pandemic such as Valdosta State University, Georgia State University and University of Georgia.
“Originally my thoughts on staying on campus was that this was going to be a horrible semester due to COVID and the Florida heat, turns it isn’t so bad. I get to hang out with my friends while social distancing. My teachers are nice and understanding. The staff, students, and faculty are doing their best to make sure this semester going well as best as possible,” Valdosta student Nadia Genus said.
Students and faculty members had to make many different adjustments and sacrifices throughout this time.
“I think my professors and peers are getting well-adjusted to virtual learning and the professors are also being reasonable and working with us because they know we are home,” Claflin University student Danyelle Riddick said.
The major adjustment that everyone has made is the importance of prioritizing their time and the balance of personal interactions.
“One issue I am having is learning when and how to log out. It is easy when physically going to campus to drive away from the building and live my life, but you guys are sitting in my Living Room now. I find myself setting up at 7 a.m. and not logging out until after 8 p.m.,” Professor Nicole Dukes of the Department of Speech and Theatre Arts said.
Not only has this been a major shift for students, but it has been an even bigger adjustment for students in the Texas and Louisiana area due to Hurricane Laura.
“The continuous days of raining and storms in my area made the internet go down a few times and electricity flicker,” CAU student Destynee Payne said.
With Hurricane Laura being category four there was a great amount of fear and worry put into the students.
“With this being one of the biggest storms to come to Louisiana and leaving little to no time to evacuate mass hysteria quickly set in,” Payne said.
Now more than ever is when students would feel the most stress due to so many different changes that have happened, but there is still a sense of optimism among the CAU family.
This semester is truly a test due to the many different obstacles’ students are faced with. “I will be doing a lot of mental health checks because I do have days where I am sad too and I have to keep reminding myself that I wasn’t put in this position for me, but for the students,” Miss CAU Amiya Crockrom said.
“At first I felt very fearful of this new shift but now I am feeling a lot more comfortable with it and enjoying it. It is very different not being able to just go to someone’s office, so communication needs to be at its best to ensure that both the students and faculty are transitioning well,” CAU student MeLoni Griffin said.
With students doing remote learning there are less resources available in the public. Although public libraries in Georgia are not allowed to let people inside, they do have the option for pick up with books and students could use the Wi-Fi connection from outside the building.
The AUC library has also launched their virtual services and resources for students to use at any time.
“I feel like the new shift has been a compromise you really have to stay on top of your work and make sure you keep up with due dates,” CAU student Arianna Myrie said.
All in all, the shift within the world has created a massive impact on everyone from students to faculty. The motto “find a way or make one” must be used with extreme purpose this semester in order to have a positive and stable
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