As the coronavirus pandemic continues, so does the push toward moving back to everyday life; as bars return to full capacity, Ohio University Phase Two students return to campus.
On Sept. 8, all OU students were notified if they were eligible to return to campus this Fall Semester, The Post previously reported. The university accepted roughly one-third of undergraduate students, estimated to be about 7,200 people. The students part of Phase Two began their classes on Monday.
But not everyone part of Phase Two has in-person classes. CJ Munafo, a freshman studying in entrepreneurship, moved into his dorm last Tuesday, Sept. 22. Before then, he said his semester at home felt like “13th grade.”
“I didn’t feel like I moved on or that it was actually part of college yet,” Munafo said. “I felt like I was doing high school over again.”
Munafo said that another struggle has been meeting people. Though he’s in class with his peers, it’s hard to make a connection through a screen. One of the things he was looking forward to as a freshman was Welcome Week, as an opportunity to meet people.
“I wanted to experience going to the football games and Homecoming Week,” Munafo said. “Obviously it’s OK that didn’t happen but I do wish I would’ve got to experience that a little now. I’ll have to wait til next year.”
As for Munafo’s days, each sort of follows the same routine: breakfast, online class, homework, dinner and maybe seeing friends. Sometimes it’s weird seeing people in his residence hall, he explained. Social interactions feel uncertain; he isn’t sure if he even has an RA on his floor.
“I feel like everybody’s a little bit standoffish because we don’t know if we’re allowed to be together because we've chosen to be together,” Munafo said. “I’ve seen a couple guys and have had small talk, but I don’t know if we’re allowed to hang out.”
For fellow freshman Katelyn Gall, Phase Two has been somewhat trying.
“It is a little lonely because there (are) not a lot of people here,” she said in a Facebook message. “I am very antisocial, so it’s hard for me to meet people, but overall I’m enjoying campus.”
Gall described her typical day as “boring.” She wakes up and hops right on Microsoft Teams for classes. Then she gets lunch and works on some homework.
“Other than that, I spend most of my time playing video games or watching Netflix,” Gall said in a message. “My social life is kinda strange. I don’t know anyone here except my learning community, so when I don’t do things with them, I visit my friends from my hometown.”
Munafo said his freshman year hasn’t really felt special. Moving in on his own didn’t feel important or that exciting — it was just a part of taking classes.
“It felt like there was nothing to look forward to; just another check off the list,” Munafo said.
Unlike Munafo, for RJ Martin, Phase Two hasn’t changed much. Martin, a senior studying music production, moved into his Athens apartment in August. At first, he said he wasn’t sure if this semester would be worth returning for. However, he’s found himself somewhat pleasantly surprised.
“When we got into it, Phase One wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be,” Martin said. “Now, moving into Phase Two, I don’t even do that much.”
Martin was concerned over how his capstone class and record label Brick City Records would proceed during the pandemic. Luckily, the class received equipment to record and produce music at home. But now, as a Phase Two student, Martin has access to on-campus equipment and studios.
“We have an equipment room that just opened back up,” Martin said. “Usually there’s no strict rules, anybody within the Scripps School can access it. But now it’s just people with production classes.”
Martin said that in-studio recordings are now booked far in advance, and with three-hour intervals between each use. Each use of the recording studio and equipment is now heavily documented. Only certain types of recording can be done in university studios, too.
“We’re actually not allowed to do vocal (recordings),” he said. “Masks and instrument-recording only. Vocal has to be off-site in personal setups.”
Despite all the adjustments, Martin is pretty happy with how his capstone is turning out. He feels fortunate to have the equipment and access he does. In the meantime, his other classes are asynchronous and online.
“I think the main thing is I am grateful,” Martin said. “It’s good that I can get back into facilities, but not that much has changed.”
The decision to return for Phase Two was somewhat difficult for Gall. She wasn’t picked for Phase One and was nervous about everything going on. She didn’t want to return to campus at first, but after discussing with family and friends, she made her choice. She hopes students who have returned are behaving cautiously.
“I am really hoping that everyone on campus takes this pandemic seriously this semester,” Gall said in a message. “I am hoping that it’ll eventually let my friends who didn’t get accepted for Phase Two move (onto) campus by Spring Semester.”
