During this unprecedented time in our lives, colleges and universities across the nation are being tasked with taking action to help prevent the spread of the virus in their own communities. While some schools took actions that left their students, faculty, and community members hanging during this crisis, Miami University provided all the help that it could, and its actions make me proud that I get to call Miami home.

When the president of Miami University declared that we would suspend face-to-face classes, he didn't include a provision to kick out students living in university-provided housing. Rather, while he strongly encouraged those who could go home to do so, he recognized that not every student had that privilege and allowed anyone who was approved by the university to stay on campus.

When those students who could go home did, they were offered a refund on their room and board for the time that they were not present on campus.

When Ohio Governor Mike DeWine announced the closure of dine-in restaurants, including university dining halls, Miami University provided a to-go option for their students still living on campus.

When Miami had to cancel its commencement ceremony scheduled for May, it set up a virtual ceremony and came up with other ways to honor the seniors in the fall. While this may not be an ideal option, the university is working with what it has, showing it still cares about providing seniors with an opportunity to celebrate all of their achievements.

When Miami students questioned how grading would work with online classes, expressing concern about their grades slipping, Miami University presented a credit/no credit grading option for most undergraduate classes. With this system, Miami students who struggle to learn online can focus more on their schoolwork and what they are being asked to learn without constant fear of how they will get a grade good enough to impress future employers.

When the surrounding community needed materials to combat the virus, Miami University donated gloves, N95 respirators, surgical masks, and more to healthcare facilities in the nearby Cincinnati area.

In addition to all of these responses to direct concerns, Miami has provided faculty with help setting up online classes and has continued to update students on ways to connect with mental health counselors, academic advisors, the Career Center, and the Miami community in general. They have set up virtual events to keep students busy and connected, emphasizing just how much they care about students' wellbeing.

All of these actions have shown me that I go to a school that puts incredible value on the safety and wellbeing of those in its community. Miami University's efforts to help students, faculty, and the Oxford community at large during this pandemic make me proud to go to a university that not only preaches about Love and Honor but embodies that mantra in every action it takes.