The Impacts of COVID-19: A Collegiate Perspective

By: Morgan Niesen (writer & photographer) & Ashlyn McQuitty (videographer & photographer)

Link to video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R7lvlowgCH4

Campus engagement and activities across universities nationwide are feeling the hurt of the pandemic, including the University of Wisconsin-Parkside.

With the COVID-19 pandemic impacting yet a third semester of schooling for college students since it started, students, faculty, and staff are really feeling the impact the pandemic has made on not only classes, but the campus environment. “Universities [are] trying their best to give returning and new students the full experience”, said a student interviewed and featured in TIME Magazine.

One university in particular, the University of Wisconsin-Parkside, has seen a large shift in campus life since the pandemic. With mostly online courses, fewer students are completing homework on campus and there has been a big drop in activities for students to engage in. In essence, Parkside’s campus is looking a lot different. Jenna Balek, an admissions counselor at the university, says she went from helping coordinate several in person admissions events to trying to come up with creative virtual events that would intrigue potential students. She says that “the pandemic has impacted the number of students wanting to apply or transfer.” In regards to campus engagement and activity with online classes occurring, Balek says she thinks “the university has done well engaging the campus community virtually throughout the pandemic, as well as providing safe in person engagement when possible.” However, with this being said, she says “we are all doing what we can to give students a positive experience, even if that’s online.”

“I never thought I’d be spending my senior year attending virtual classes from my bedroom”, said senior student Steven Crane. Crane is one of thousands of Parkside students who are feeling the impacts of the pandemic on his college experience and is itching to get back into the classroom. Majoring in Biology, Crane’s course schedule is filled with labs, which he says he “feels like he’s missing out on” with being online. Although many lab courses are being taught virtually, this is no comparison to putting on your lab goggles and working with your lab group to study something hands on.

There’s no denying the fact that college students across the country feel like they’re missing out on some of the best times of their lives, but many remain hopeful. When asked to think about getting back to regular campus activities, Balek stated “I can’t wait to see a bunch of students back on campus interacting and doing what they should be doing as college students.” In fact, she actually said that after the pandemic, she “would like to see a continued balance of both virtual and in person opportunities for engagement and activities throughout campus”, which goes to show how some of the virtual campus activities have been successful. Crane, although he may have missed out on a lot of fun experiences during his time as a senior at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside, he said “I’m still hopeful I will get to walk across the stage in my cap and gown with my graduating class!”