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10 Huge Questions I Have About Penn State's Reopening Plan

As excited as I am to arrive on campus, I have my doubts about how well that's going to go.

Mallory Simon

Jul 29, 2020

Pennsylvania State University

10 Huge Questions I Have About Penn State's Reopening Plan

Photo by Ryan Jacobson on Unsplash

There's a lot of information floating around at Penn State, and I know at this point everyone just wants clear, definite answers. Unfortunately, I only have more questions for you.

1. How likely is it that we'll return to campus for spring semester?

As of right now, the plan is to not return to campus after Thanksgiving, but to come back when spring semester picks up. But with students moving to campus from all across the globe, the petri-dish like environment leads me to wonder what the likelihood of that return happening is.

2. Are students going to be refunded for facilities they won't be able to use?

Photo by Danielle Cerullo on Unsplash

There has been a lot of speculation about tuition, room and board, and fees being partially refunded, but there hasn't been a definite answer from Penn State. Will students end up paying fees for facilities that will be closed all semester? For example, if the gyms close, will students still pay full tuition fees?

3. What are clubs and other extracurriculars going to look like?

Say hello to virtual chess club.

4. What's the plan for when a student tests positive?

Photo by Sharon McCutcheon on Unsplash

It's bound to happen, so I'm curious as to what the planned response is. Will the student's whole floor be quarantined? What about their in-person classmates and teachers?

5. And what about a professor testing positive?

If a professor has to take sick leave after contracting COVID-19, who will take over for them? How will the university support them?

6. Will COVID-19 testing be available on campus?

Photo by CDC on Unsplash

I'm hoping that regular testing is encouraged and made financially accessible to students to prevent an outbreak from happening.

7. How does Penn State plan on enforcing the no dorm guests rule?

Will there be a security guard at each dorm entrance to ensure only residents are entering?

8. How will Penn State go about prohibiting large parties?

Photo by Jade Masri on Unsplash

With Tulane announcing that they will suspend students for hosting parties, students are left wondering if Penn State will follow in their footsteps.

9. How will Penn State support international students if campus closes?

When school shut down this past semester and students were forced to leave their dorms, some international students had nowhere to go. Universities obviously hadn't planned for that, so this time around I hope they will be able to better support these students.

10. When will online classes switch back to a classroom setting?

Photo by NeONBRAND on Unsplash

I'm sure the university doesn't know the answer to this yet, but I'm just curious as to whether more classes will be in person this spring.

All in all, I am happy that I have the opportunity to live on campus for my first semester at Penn State. But I also realize that campus will be a risky environment, and I'm sincerely hoping that school administration is ready to handle a possible disaster!

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10 Huge Questions I Have About Penn State's Reopening Plan

As excited as I am to arrive on campus, I have my doubts about how well that's going to go.

1. How likely is it that we'll return to campus for spring semester?

2. Are students going to be refunded for facilities they won't be able to use?

3. What are clubs and other extracurriculars going to look like?

4. What's the plan for when a student tests positive?

5. And what about a professor testing positive?

6. Will COVID-19 testing be available on campus?

7. How does Penn State plan on enforcing the no dorm guests rule?

8. How will Penn State go about prohibiting large parties?

9. How will Penn State support international students if campus closes?

10. When will online classes switch back to a classroom setting?

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The Best Lines from the Fab Four

And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make

The sun is up, the sky is blue, it's beautiful and so are you

Love is old, love is new, love is all, love is you

There's nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be

Life is very short, and there's no time for fussing and fighting, my friend

He say, "I know you, you know me", One thing I can tell you is you got to be free

Oh please, say to me, You'll let me be your man. And please say to me, You'll let me hold your hand

It was twenty years ago today, Sgt. Pepper taught the band to play. They've been going in and out of style, but they're guaranteed to raise a smile

Living is easy with eyes closed, misunderstanding all you see

Can you hear me? When it rains and shine, it's just a state of mind

Little darling, it's been long cold lonely winter. Little darling, it feels like years since it' s been here. Here comes the sun, Here comes the sun, and I say it's alright

We danced through the night and we held each other tight, and before too long I fell in love with her. Now, I'll never dance with another when I saw her standing there

I love you, I love you, I love you, that's all I want to say

You say you want a revolution. Well you know, we all want to change the world

All the lonely people, where do they all come from. All the lonely people, where do they all belong

Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends

Hey Jude, don't make it bad. Take a sad song and make it better

Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away. Now it looks as though they're here to stay. Oh, I believe in yesterday

And when the brokenhearted people, living in the world agree, there will be an answer, let it be.

And anytime you feel the pain, Hey Jude, refrain. Don't carry the world upon your shoulders

I'll give you all I got to give if you say you'll love me too. I may not have a lot to give but what I got I'll give to you. I don't care too much for money. Money can't buy me love

All you need is love, love is all you need

Whisper words of wisdom, let it be

Blackbird singing in the dead of night, Take these broken wings and learn to fly. All your life, You were only waiting for this moment to arise

Though I know I'll never lose affection, for people and things that went before. I know I'll often stop and think about them. In my life, I love you more

Obviously the best superpower.

There have been many lessons learned.

1. The importance of traditions.

2. How to be thankful for family and friends.

3. How to give back.

4. What the word "community" really means.

5. That it isn't about the destination, but the journey.

6. The consequences of making bad choices.

7. To trust people, until you have a reason not to.

8. To be welcoming and accepting of everyone.

9. How to be my own, individual person.

10. How to work for what I want.

11. How to be great at giving directions.

12. How to be humble.

13. To be well-rounded.

14. How to be great at conflict resolution.

15. The beauty of getting outside and exploring.

16. To be prepared for anything.

17. That you don't always have to do it alone.

18. How to be creative.

19. To brush off gossip.

I have never been so thankful to know you.

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

Don't freak out

Email the professor

Attend the first class

Keep attending class

Have a backup plan

Remember that everything works out at the end

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