UM CAMPUS GAINS COVID POLICIES FOR FALL

By Esclavon Prewitt

The University of Montevallo officially announced the full return of In-person classes this fall.

Additionally, officials changed protocol mask mandate requires that, you only have to wear a mask in an indoor building. You don’t have to social distance, even in a building. If you are outside, it is your decision if you want to have a mask on or not.

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Senior Matthew Manns said, “I get excited seeing all the new faces on campus. Because of COVID restrictions last year, I believe we missed a large part of the college experience. I was so surprised on the first day back when I saw the campus full again. But I’m stoked for this year and glad to meet new people around campus.”

A change for on-campus was in the cafeteria. Last year the cafeteria had everything wrapped and ready to pick up, canceled self-serve and made students exit out the back.

This year the cafeteria is back to self-serve. The food is not wrapped and it is more of a variety when it comes to fruit and dessert. They are back to using silverware and hard cups.

These changes have many students feeling at ease, 5th-year Senior TreMichael Jones said “I feel some sense of normalcy, we are starting to have on-campus events again with somewhat relaxed policies. The mask indoors is an annoying one, but it adds onto that extra protection we may need to have in-person classes again.” Jones said the mask mandate makes him feel more safer.

” It gives a sense of hope that it’s going to get better since it’s just indoors only now, but it also is that subtle reminder that we still aren’t quite close to that normalcy that we are used to.”

The university canceled many in-person events and restricted attendance for all organizations.. Most events meetings and even college night were conducted through zoom.

Despite the changes in the past two years, students still have hope.

“I feel that things will hopefully get better but for now we just gotta make the best of things considering the circumstances,” junior Caleb Kariuki said.

As this year continues, the university is trying to make things for students as normal as possible.