Even with COVID-19 safety measures in place for university activities, Dixie State University students can still expect opportunities to form a sense of community.
While in the past students have been used to the usual yearly events following the return to campus, those resident life activities have not been scheduled for the near future.
Seth Gubler, director of housing and resident life, said the resident assistants are still reaching out to students individually to check in on how they are feeling about the semester to come and what types of activities students would like to participate in.
With the absence of events for student housing, Gubler said students have less of a chance to meet their peers; however, the smaller DSUSA events will still allow students the opportunity to socialize.
“Our current circumstances are unprecedented and all of us are adapting in less than ideal ways,” Gubler said. “Not providing activities limits the amount of opportunities for students to connect with their peers and build community,” Gubler said.
Even though activities are lacking crowds, Hailey Berg, a freshman music education major from Henderson, Nevada, said she doesn’t foresee the restricted activities hindering her college experience.
“I was never that person that really went out and did anything anyway,” Berg said. “I think for me I’ll be okay.”
“Our current circumstances are unprecedented and all of us are adapting in less than ideal ways,”
Seth Gubler, director of housing and resident life
Sarah Ramaker, student life coordinator, said DSUSA will continue to have weekly Wednesday events, along with drive-in movies throughout the semester with the hope of giving students an outlet to meet others.
While homecoming week is still expected to proceed, students can expect changes to its activities, such as social distancing and fewer crowds of students allowed at events, to ensure student safety.
“Homecoming is no exception to the safety guidelines, but the homecoming committee is dedicated to celebrating this time-honored position,” Ramaker said.
Ramaker said these altered events should still go on as it gives students a chance for a normal semester, and they can begin to interact with others outside their normal circle of friends.
Berg said she would be missing out a little in regard to not having as many people at homecoming week and events as there normally would be, but she is happy with the precautions DSU is taking.
Lizzie Heinhold, a sophomore psychology major from Acworth, Georgia, said even though there won’t be as many students at events, she can meet people in new ways.
“It gives me an opportunity to meet people in new ways, not just in person or in class,” Heinhold said.
Student Body President Penny Mills, a senior communication studies major from Orem, said homecoming week will still bring a decorated campus, and it is part of trying to help students get back to a more normal college experience.
Mills said for more information regarding events, students can follow DSU’s Instagram page.
