COMMUNITY LIFE UPDATE

Community has long been a buzzword on campus. Students can often be seen studying together in the library, hanging out in the Triangle, playing against each other in the Lion’s Den game room, or squeezing as many chairs around a table as possible in the cafeteria. Our Office of Student Life continually fosters community through events and outreach opportunities. Community is also seen in the relationships between students and professors. From discussions in the classroom to greetings in the hall to playing chess in the cafeteria, our professors strive to develop deep connections with students.

But sixteen months ago, the way we do community at Bryan College was radically changed. We began the spring 2020 semester with a great deal of optimism. Plans had been made for several Break for Change trips, a chorale tour, games on the road and at home, and a myriad of other activities, not to mention regular classroom meetings. We were busy. The pandemic began spreading in the United States as students left for spring break, and we had to transition to remote learning for the rest of the semester. Connections and impromptu conversations in hallways, the cafeteria, or residence halls were no longer possible. Our Student Life team did an amazing job reaching out and connecting with students, but there is something about togetherness that cannot be replicated through virtual means.

We came back to campus in the fall with excitement at being together again, but we were met with the necessity of significant campus changes to minimize the spread of Covid-19. Buildings that were once dorms and offices were quickly transformed to create quarantine housing and isolation units. Cafeteria seating was reduced, and tables were labeled with the maximum number of people who could sit there. Chapel took place outside in front of the gym, and a jumbotron was used for both chapel and to view games happening inside. Glass dividers were hung in reception areas and classrooms, and hand sanitizing stations were placed all over campus. Air filtration was added to popular areas on campus, and cameras were installed in classrooms so that those in quarantine could watch recordings.

These changes made community challenging. Senior Randi Hazelwood expressed how these challenges affected campus life: “We all sit farther away from each other. We don’t join random people at lunch tables in case they are uncomfortable with coming into contact with people outside of their cohort. It is, of course, a positive thing to see that the Bryan community is willing to pull together even when it is uncomfortable just to make sure we are able to stay on the hill. But many other students and I are really missing that community feeling that drew us to Bryan in the first place.”

The distance caused by the pandemic has made this year difficult, but it has also produced a deeper appreciation of community. Faculty, staff, and students had to be creative and intentional about building connections with each other. Tents and fire pits were added to outside areas for students to spend time together at safe proximities in fresh air. Events such as movie nights, virtual concerts, a banquet, and Homecoming were all held outside. Technology such as video calling and texting became even more prevalent, especially to remain connected to those in

quarantine or isolation. Throughout the year, the Bryan community held a posture of grace and service to one another. It was amazing to see people continually step up and put in hard work in order to foster community while remaining safe. According to Associate Professor of Communication Studies Michael Palmer, “It has been good to see visible proof in students and staff and faculty of adaptability, resilience, and creativity.”

In April, we were able to lift our mask mandate. How wonderful it was to see the faces of those around us! We were able to celebrate the end of the semester and the graduation of our seniors in person with big smiles. As we look forward to the next school year, we are excited to continue returning to a sense of normalcy but with a better appreciation of the community, we have at Bryan and a continued focus on serving one another well. Alumni, students, faculty, and staff all have stories about the great community and the lifelong friends they found here at Bryan. As we welcome students back to campus and gather again in classrooms, the cafeteria, chapel, and elsewhere, may we not take for granted that ability and cherish the connections we are able to make.