By Arianna Johnson
The coronavirus has drastically changed the way of life for many college students across America—HBCU students are no different.
The decision to return back to campus for in-person instruction has been a wavering one for HBCUs across the country. Schools like Prairie View A&M University, Alabama A&M University and Dillard University have opted for in-person instruction. The Atlanta University Center, Hampton University and Howard University are among schools that have chosen to keep students at home and implement remote learning.
“I kind of knew that my freshman experience wouldn’t be a ‘normal’ one, but I had no idea it would be like this,” Tyler Anderson, a freshman marketing major at Prairie View A&M University stated. The university’s move-in day was Aug. 15, and on Aug. 18, the school already reported 19 confirmed cases.
Some students have second thoughts on their university’s Fall 2020 reopening decision, as well as concerns for their safety. “Students on campus are not following the necessary precautions and there aren’t safety and health guidelines being enforced on campus,” Icsis Smith, a junior graphic design major at Alabama A&M expressed.
Others are appreciative of their school’s conclusion. Makayla Brown, a senior english major at Spelman College agreed with Spelman’s decision to continue with remote learning stated, “The rates of COVID in Atlanta have spiked pretty severely… I can only imagine how it would have gotten for everyone to congregate in one space on campus.”
Howard’s decision process has been different than other schools. They came to a decision just a week before classes were set to start. “While I appreciate the initiative to stop the spread of Covid, moving classes online has highlighted the faults in my school’s system like unprepared professors,” Makayla Brown, a Howard sophomore psychology major expressed.
A common theme amongst students interviewed was lack of social interaction and its negative effects. Students go to college to receive a well-rounded experience—social life is a huge part of this.
Jocelyn Roberson, a junior childhood development major at Texas Southern University lamented, “Besides the classes being online I’m also very lonely because we have no visitation.” Texas Southern has decided on in-person instruction for Fall 2020. This poses the question: how do schools allow students to have active social lives while also following rules and regulations put in place to keep them safe?
“Looks like by April ... when it gets a little warmer, it miraculously goes away,” President Trump told a crowd full of rally goers in early February regarding the longevity of the coronavirus.
As of Sept. 4, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported an estimated 172,884 Americans have died at the hands of the coronavirus, and over six million citizens have contracted it. For many students, the April deadline feels like a fever dream.
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