As the spring semester of 2021 begins, the Stevens campus is undergoing necessary changes due to COVID-19. In order for students to stay safe and still have a worthwhile college experience, campus services have either been limited to promote community health, or they have been temporarily closed. Areas of campus such as dining, the library, athletic facilities, and the campus lounge have limited and adjusted hours.
With regard to campus dining, all dining locations are operating on adjusted hours which started on February 1, which can be found on their website. They are also offering mobile ordering for pickup and delivery through the Grubhub app. Additionally, in order for students to study at the Samuel C. Williams Library, they are advised to reserve a spot through the library’s website. The limits on the number of students permitted in the dining hall and library were explained in an email to The Stute from Sara Klein, Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs. She stated, “We are utilizing all spaces on campus at their fullest capacity in accordance with state guidelines. If the state updates the guidelines, we will consider making subsequent changes to room occupancy.”
Athletic and recreation facilities opened on Monday, February 1. Facilities will only be open to students living on campus and athletes in order to keep the community safe. The operating hours are 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Starting February 1, the campus lounge will open as well. The campus lounge space, also known as the Bissinger Room, located on the 4th floor of the Howe Center, will be open for socially distanced studying and socializing. As explained in an email to the student body by Marybeth Murphy, Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Affairs, the room allows for a capacity of 36 people. Along with this, the Babbio tent will be open for outdoor space for student to meet friends and classmates. It’s heated, too! Both utilities will be open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.
Stevens is allowing for small gatherings to be hosted safely when approved by the Director of Student Life, Leo Pedraza. He stated in an email to The Stute that, “At the moment, there is a ten-person limit for on-campus gatherings. Student organization leaders can connect with their Student Life staff liaison to help with planning small events within the COVID-19 guidelines. Outdoor gatherings can have 25 attendees so long as social distancing is maintained and all are wearing masks.” Along with this, many clubs are holding meetings virtually through Zoom to ensure that students can get involved and meet new people. This information can be found on DuckLink or on club social media accounts such as Instagram and Facebook.
Some other things to note:
- All Stevens-owned fraternity, sorority, and special interest housing will remain closed for the spring semester.
- The Writing and Communications Center is offering their services virtually to help students continue to succeed.
- Counseling and Psychological Services, also known as CAPS, is open on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. for students to schedule an appointment.
The Stevens community is going into 2021 with many challenges due to COVID-19, but with adjusted hours and limited room capacity, administrators are aiming to keep Stevens students engaged, involved, and safe. As explained by Klein, “The course of the COVID-19 pandemic is unpredictable, so we remain flexible as we respond to the current conditions with the safety of our community at the forefront of our decision-making.” Although the future is unknown, Stevens is offering all necessary resources to keep students involved in the community.
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