LSU freshmen are experiencing an entirely different college experience due to COVID-19, including many changes to living on campus.
On July 8, LSU Residential Life released their fall housing plans regarding COVID-19. One of the most notable regulations for residents is the new guest policy which states that no guests are allowed in campus communities during phases one and two of campus reopening.
“I don’t have a roommate or suite mate, so with the restrictions on guests it has been lonely at times,” digital advertising freshman Parker Simpson said. “However, I don’t have to worry about [them] transmitting the virus to me, which does put my mind at ease.”
Simpson lives in South Hall and was not hesitant to move in because he was expecting everyone around campus to be wearing a mask and social distancing. But according to Simpson, that was not the case.
“To LSU’s defense, it’s impossible to ensure that every student is wearing a mask in public places,” Simpson said. “They do a great job in the residential building that I’m staying in as well as the UREC.”
Simpson thinks the problem arises when people are not wearing masks at parties or gatherings.
“Then, those people go home to spread COVID to their roommates, suitemates and friends,” Simpson said. “It completely negates the efforts that LSU administration and responsible LSU students are making to ensure that everyone stays safe.”
The University’s plan also references Residential Life’s Living on Campus Handbook. The handbook has a page regarding COVID-19 prevention in dorms which lists their newest safety guidelines, such as maximum capacity of three people in elevators and posted capacities of community spaces. Residents must wear a face covering when in a public area within the residence halls.
“Potential violations of these policies will be addressed through the Residential Life Student Conduct Process,” the handbook states. “If found responsible for violating the policies through the process, appropriate outcomes will be assigned to residents. Outcomes may include removal from on-campus living.”
In order to follow these new guidelines, the dorm move-in process was spread over the span of two weeks.
“It wasn’t bad, it was just difficult to try and keep only three people in the elevator,” engineering freshman George Megilligan said. “But if it was everyone moving in [on one day] instead of spread out over a couple of days it would have been way more chaotic.”
Industrial engineering sophomore Courtnee Williams is a desk assistant at the Residential College Complex. She feels that COVID-19 has had little impact on the job itself.
“Putting in work orders and checking out keys is the same process,” Williams said. “With COVID though, there’s different cleaning procedures.”
Freshmen are required to live on campus as per the University’s housing contract.