By Marissa Schmitter
Like many institutions, Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College (SMWC) returned to in-person instruction last week with new protocols for physical distancing in classrooms and communal meeting spaces, mask requirements and daily health checks. Yet, it is the sense of community that is making the most difference according to Janet Clark, Ph.D., vice president for academic affairs and student life.
“We’ve been preparing thoughtfully for months to bring students back for in-person instruction, making accommodations for outdoor class spaces, separating desks in classrooms right down to marking the floors with tape, redirecting traffic patterns in and out of buildings and up and down stairs. We have physically distanced everything we normally do to create a robust, safe learning environment during the pandemic,” said Clark. “We knew that to do this well would require a great deal of respect for each other as we asked our community – student, faculty, staff – to follow strict protocols and new rules to protect themselves and our campus which includes a shared space with our Sisters of Providence.”
Preparations have included providing appropriately distanced academic and cocurricular spaces, outdoor venues for performance programs including a tent near the Conservatory, additional seating on the Guerin porch and a new outdoor classroom, soon to be completed at Le Fer Lake.
Students and employees are also staying proactive by submitting daily health checks through the #CampusClear app and additional cleaning protocols for desks and shared equipment.
“The large, sweeping lawns and beautiful outdoor spaces have always been a part of The Woods experience and have on occasion served as classrooms,” Clark said. “Being outdoors offers a different experience with the ability to be physically distanced from one another, whether it’s a singing class or the volleyball team working out. We are equally prepared with large classroom spaces indoors, spaced throughout our large, historic campus.”
Kaci Jones, a senior music major and education minor from Brazil, is pleased with the start of her senior year so far.
“I’ve been impressed with how much the College has done to ensure our safety,” Jones said. “I think they’ve given us all the tools we need.”
“As a music major, we do a lot of performance. We were concerned how we were going to sing, but we have a tent,” Jones said. Choir practice and individual lessons have been taking place in the tent – students get to enjoy the outdoors communing with nature and enjoying a few cool August days.
To allow for an even safer environment, the students have been wearing their masks while they sing and have been physically distancing themselves at least 12 feet apart. They have also been breaking out into smaller groups, Jones said, to limit the number of people in one area.
“It’s actually been working out pretty well,” she said. “Everybody is understanding that this is about health. We are here to get a degree … we are here to learn, but our health is the number one priority. I think everyone is stepping up to the plate for that.”
As a resident assistant in Le Fer Hall, Justine Gibson said there are many changes for students, but overall, they are doing well.
“I’m in a role where I guide students through the uncertainty and show that it’s going to be OK,” Gibson, a senior music therapy major and psychology minor, said. “We’re having to be extremely mindful who lives here. We are kindly reinforcing masks on the resident floors as it’s such a big transition – you feel like you’re at home. You don’t think about it when you go from your room to the bathroom, or your room to the kitchen.”
In a letter to the students, President Dottie L. King, Ph.D., commended students for following the guidelines in place, such as wearing masks in public places and keeping their physical distance.
“I couldn’t be prouder to lead an institution whose students are demonstrating responsibility and care for one another!” King wrote. “Daily, I read and learn of campuses where students are putting their own health and the entire campus at risk by their out-of-class decisions. Several campuses in Indiana have moved to remote learning and others are creating new, stringent rules to attempt to control student behavior.”
Jones said her fellow classmates have been respectful while in classes, doing their part to clean desks following each usage and keeping their distance in hopes of continuing face-to-face learning.
“A lot of colleges and even high schools have already had to shut down or make restrictions. We haven’t had to do that yet,” she said. “It helps being a small, private College. I think we’re set up in the perfect situation. I’m very optimistic that we can stay on campus.”
Students were encouraged to participate in the Pomeroy Pledge, which asks them to follow actions on and off campus to help safeguard themselves as well as the faculty and staff of the College. This includes following the directions of officials regarding testing, screening and cooperating with the College’s contact tracing efforts.
Gibson, who is featured in the pledge video, said that being a good citizen is just part of the values of being a leader at The Woods.
“Genuine care for your own health, the health of those around you and determination to help us remain an open and face-to-face campus will compel you to make sound decisions every day,” King wrote to students. “Thank you for taking the Pomeroy Pledge seriously and doing your part in keeping our campus vibrant. We will get through this, and together we will celebrate all the freedom we are now sacrificing.”
According to Jones, the faculty have been reassuring to students that their health is a top priority and some are even being creative, offering office hours outside.
“I was worried how I’d feel coming back, but my professors have done a really great job,” Jones said. “Professors are saying, ‘If you feel uncomfortable at any point, speak up.’”
New iPads were distributed to students last week as part of the roll out of the one-to-one technology initiative SMWC has been working toward for nearly a year prior to knowing this would play such a huge role in COVID-19 classroom.
“I saw 200 students come to pick up their new iPads during distribution, and they were all wearing masks and practicing physical distancing,” said Frankie Enochs ‘93, executive director of information technology. “Later, at one of the opening week activities, students were participating outside in the Color Run, still wearing their masks. We have such responsible students.”
SMWC has its highest campus enrollment since the 1960s with 506 campus students. Gibson said this is a good sign, and it helps her feel at ease knowing her home away from home is thriving despite the hardships the world is facing.
“We have more students living in Le Fer than we’re used to from a few years ago,” she said about the larger class size. “It’s really strange, but as a senior it’s reassuring to see so many people coming, and that The Woods is growing. Even during a pandemic, we’re still going strong.”