Residence Life encourages students to re-evaluate their move-in dates into the residence halls.
In an email to incoming freshmen on Sept. 3, Director of Residence Life Rian Rabideau said, students planning to move-in Sept. 5 and 6 are encouraged to re-evaluate their move-in plans.
“Students that have date flexibility should delay their move-in date until after the pause is complete. Students that are already in transit or do not have a housing alternative, are allowed to move-in on their scheduled date and time,” said Rabideau.
The University of Wyoming paused its phased reopening plan on Sept. 3 because of five positive COVID-19 cases in the university community in a single day. This event coincides with the previously selected freshman move-in dates of Sept. 5 and 6, prompting an increase in regulations from the university regarding freshmen.
Once freshmen move in they are expected to follow certain regulations, according to the UW Plan for a Campus Pause
Students are not allowed any guests or visitors on their floor at any time. Floors are now designated as ‘pods’ and students are only allowed to engage with other pod members while wearing masks. Students are encouraged not to visit local stores or downtown for anything other than essentials or medicine but are still allowed to attend off-campus jobs and religious events, according to the plan.
In the event of a lockdown, the entire pod is placed in quarantine for a minimum of 14 days. Each member of the pod is then given the opportunity to complete a weekly bridge test to determine if they are positive or not. If more positive cases are discovered or more symptoms are shown, the quarantine is extended and the process is repeated, according to the plan.
“I’m not really happy with the whole pause,” said Matilda Schiewe, a freshman studying Kinesiology. “I feel as though they need to rethink what they are doing.”
Freshman Reece Lowe agreed and said, “All of these restrictions are extremely discouraging seeing as this is my first year of college.
“I think that these new restrictions are unfortunate, but it could be a lot worse. I appreciate that we can still be around the people in our pod so that we can have some form of social interaction.”
Schiewe said she doubts whether the university is taking the right steps.
“I really feel like they need to think about what they are going to do for the rest of the semester,” said Schiewe. “I don’t feel like it’s fair for them to keep changing the plans but charge the same amount.”
President Edward Seidel is expected to deliver the university’s next steps Sept. 10.
“I am confident in my ability to learn online, but I also know that for me personally, I internalize the information better in person,” said Lowe. “I prefer to learn in person and would feel more confident in my education if I was to have classes in person.”
