Sarah Mead
Staff Writer
Murray State Housing announced on Sunday, Aug. 23, via email that phase two of the new visitation policy is postponed until later in the semester.
Under phase one restrictions, residence halls do not allow visitation for students living on campus. Phase two would have allowed visitation into the residence halls from 8 a.m. to midnight. Phase two was set to begin after the first two weeks of the residence halls being open, but students were informed on Aug. 23 that the phase was being postponed.
In an email to students, the Office of Student Affairs said while the intention of the phases was to allow visitation in the future, it is too early in the semester to make any policy changes.
Jennifer Caldwell, coordinator of student conduct and special projects for Student Affairs, said the postponement is for the health and safety of campus residents. As of now, there is no set date for when phase two will be reinstated.
“We are looking at the local testing numbers and conversing with medical professionals to gauge when we might be able to move to phase two of the visitation policy,” Caldwell said. “Students should expect that the visitation policy for this semester is fluid. When we are able to move to phase two, if conditions raise concerns, we will move back to phase one if needed. We have to do our best to keep everyone safe.”
Some students said they are concerned with the postponement of phase two because they won’t be able to study as effectively as before.
“I think it hurts the studying habits of students, somewhat,” said Montana Roby, junior from Elizabethtown, Kentucky. “I know I usually meet up [with students from other residence halls] and study together in a lounge. It’s been really hard now that that’s no longer an option.”
Two of the student groups impacted the most by the postponement of phase two are freshmen and new-to-campus transfer students.
“I feel like your dorm is your hub when you’re in college,” Roby said “When you can’t invite people into your hub, I think it affects how you build relationships.”
Some new students are finding the COVID-19 regulations are making it hard to adjust to being on campus.
“I feel like it is very hard to make new friends with everyone being distanced in class and wearing masks,” said Kelly Mosby, a transfer student from McLeansboro, Illinois. “It’s hard to know faces and names or communicate at all. I feel like it’s hard to adjust to being away from home and this whole situation is making it worse.”
While students are prevented from congregating together in their residence halls, they are finding places off campus to get together.
“I have some friends I knew before coming here,” Mosby said. “I spend a lot of time with [a friend who lives off campus]. The other day I needed to do something in my room before class. She couldn’t come with [me]even though I had already been at her apartment so we essentially have the same germs.”
The reopening date of residence halls for visitation remains unknown. In the meantime, students are being encouraged by University officials to do their part in protecting the University from COVID-19 to help speed up the process.
“Students need to do their part and social distance, wear a mask, and protect each other,” Caldwell said. “Making good choices is what it will take so that we can proceed to the other phases of the visitation policy. Hold each other accountable—if someone isn’t following the Racer Safe and Healthy Guidelines or the Racer Restart plan, say something.”
The Racer Restart Plan can be found online on TheNews.org.
