Volume 134 No 18

The Springfield Student Est. 1910

CORONAVIRUS March 12, 2020

scstudentmedia.com // @TheSpfldStudent

Volume 134 No. 18

Spring break will be extended an extra week until March 29 due to concerns over coronavirus. This entire paper, with the exception of Student Trustee news, is focused on the Springfield College community’s response to the coronavirus.

By Collin Atwood catwood@springfield.edu

STUDENT

INSIDE THE

On Wednesday, March 11, around 500 students, staff and faculty gathered in Dodge to hear what Springfield College President Mary-Beth Cooper had to say about the school’s upcoming plan regarding the coronavirus outbreak.

“Springfield College is extending spring break, originally scheduled for March 14-22, by adding one additional week which will conclude March 29, 2020.

The decision was made in an effort to reduce potential pathways for community spread of COVID-19 within our community,” Cooper said.

Students living on campus should pack and

prepare to be home for two weeks.

This extra week will provide the faculty the proper time to plan for online classes if necessary. Whether Springfield College transfers over to online classes or not, the current plan of action is to have classes start up again Monday, March 30.

“Classes and College events will continue as scheduled through Sunday, March 15, 2020,” Cooper said.

To assure proper sanitation, The Wellness Center, including the Rec Center, pool and wellness activities, will be closed from March 14 through March 22 so the Department of Facilities and Management See Coronavirus on Page 11

On Wednesday night, Springfield College called for an open forum to hold a campus-wide discussion regarding the recent outbreak and concerns surrounding the coronavirus. (Evan Wheaton/The Student)

NEWS

NEWS

Athletic/ alternative spring break trips cancelled

Student Trustee elections for Class of ‘22

PAGE 2 & 3

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March 12, 2020

News

PAGE 2

Shortened season Athletic trips over spring break have all been cancelled in response to the coronavirus.

By The Staff of The Student

D

ue to the nationwide concerns surrounding the coronavirus, all spring break trips have been cancelled – aside from women’s lacrosse, who is driving to New Jersey for its game against Stevens Tech on March 17. For several

years, Springfield College athletic programs have taken trips around the country and globe during the week of spring break. A representative from each team provided a statement to The Springfield Student regarding the decision.

The statements can be found in order:

Women’s Soccer Women’s soccer was set to leave the country en route to Spain, where the team was going to compete against local teams and host training sessions in Barcelona.

Shannon Anfuso: “I completely understand the cancellation and agree that it was the best decision, but for me personally, the timing is just extremely unfortunate. As a senior, this would have been my last

opportunity to not only travel with my team, but to play soccer as well.

I hope the remaining players get to travel and all play together in the future. I’m sure it’ll be a wonderful experience.”

See Athletics on Page 4

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March 12, 2020

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Spring broken

Educational and alternative spring break trips set to occur next week are no more.

Coronavirus is a large family of viruses that causes illness ranging from the common cold to far more severe diseases. (Photo Courtesy of ECDC - Europa EU)

By Danny Priest @dpriest3

S

pringfield College has officially cancelled all alternative spring break trips that were scheduled to take place next week.

The decision comes in light of the looming threat of coronavirus, which has now totaled over 115,000 cases worldwide and that number continues to rise.

“Our decisions were based on trying to be the most cautious and take the most precautions in order to keep our students safe and consider their well-being,” said Charlene Elvers, the Director of the Center for Service and Leadership, and the individual who was overseeing all of the alternative spring break trips.

“We did not want someone to get sick

while they were on one of these trips, (we) also did not want students to be in a situation where they might be around someone in a different part of the country who contracted the virus and then they might be required to stay there in isolation,” Elvers added.

There had been five trips scheduled to occur over spring break. The destinations included: Springfield, Mass.; Jonesville, Va.; Monroe, N.C.; Eagle Butte, S.C.; and Bogota, Columbia.

Each trip was scheduled to be a community service trip. Groups of students were planning to work with groups such as Habitat for Humanity, the YMCA, the Appalachia service project, and even working on Native American reservation land.

Now, none of that

will be occurring.

“Really all of our decisions were based on that alone (safety) and not money, or how are we inconveniencing people,” Elvers said.

“All the meetings that I attended in everyone situation, all the people I talked to, it was really what is the safest option for our students. That’s what brought us to our decision.”

Flying presents a particularly dangerous risk at the moment, and several of these groups would have been on multiple flights for their trips.

“It’s always hard if you feel like you’re overreacting, but in this case, when I really look at the information we’re receiving… these decisions are not an overreaction, they’re an appropriate reaction to something

that we’ve never experienced before, that we’ve never seen before,” Elvers said.

Understandably, students are disappointed with the decision that’s been made, but they are aware that it is in their best interest.

“Obviously the decision is disappointing, I know we were all excited for this opportunity to serve others and grow through our service experiences, but at the same time the decision is certainly understandable,” said Ryan Bunton, who was supposed to go to Jonesville, Va. “The supervisors and group leaders dedicated a ton of time and effort towards planning and preparing for this trip, so it’s unfortunate that their hard work didn’t come to fruition, but I’m still incredibly appre-

ciative of all the relationships I’ve built over the last couple months through our meetings and activities,” Bunton added.

For others, the quick notice on the decision to cancel stung, particularly after planning and anticipating the trip for a while now.

“I completely understand needing to take all precautions possible, I just would have appreciated more open communication throughout the decision-making process because I was told one day not to worry and the next day that it was canceled,” Diara Vicedomini, who was supposed to go to Monroe, said.

Regardless of concerns, the ultimate decision comes down to student safety.

See Cancelled on Page 5

March 12, 2020

News

PAGE 4

Note: No decision has been made yet regarding whether or not spring sports seasons will be cancelled completely.

Updates can be found on: scstudentmedia.com Chad Shade plays both football and baseball. He was among the team representatives to speak with The Student regarding the cancellation news. (Joe Arruda/The Student).

Athletics continued from Page 2

Men’s Lacrosse Men’s lacrosse was scheduled to play a pair of games in Haines City, Fla.

Kayla Stvan: Baseball Baseball was slated to play seven games while visiting Auburndale, Fla. Chad Shade:

Kyle Murakami: “It’s definitely disappointing, I mean, going through a cold preseason and a hard working preseason, at the beginning of the season, we definitely looked forward to getting out a little bit, getting off campus and seeing a different part of the country. You get some warm weather and play some really good teams down there, so it’s definitely disappointing but it comes with health concerns and obviously health is of the utmost importance (and) on everyone’s mind currently in the world. Disappointing, but hopefully for the best.”

“Obviously this was tough news for our baseball team and other teams on campus. We’re looking forward to the opportunity to be able to stay here and play games on campus over the break and continue our season afterwards.

We will control what we can control and prepare to play this upcoming week.”

Softball Softball was set to play 10 games – roughly a quarter of its regular season schedule – in Clermont, Fla.

“Honestly this trip means so much to all of us. Florida is our opportunity to put all of our hard work during preseason to the test and it’s absolutely crushing that we had it taken from us. Spring break brings the team so much closer together, and allows us to bond even more as a family. We are all hurt, but I am most heartbroken for our seniors. No one is sure of what the future holds for the rest of our season, but as of right now we are grateful to have the opportunity to stay on campus during break to continue to train and compete. We are always playing for something bigger than ourselves, and this season we are determined to make it the best yet.”

Men’s Tennis Men’s tennis had three matches scheduled in Orlando, Fla. Freddie Moffa: “It’s a tough loss not getting to train in the perfect conditions of Florida, but ultimately this whole thing is bigger than us. The health and safety of our tennis team is of the utmost importance.”

Women’s Tennis Women’s tennis was supposed to play three matches in Orlando, Fla. Amanda Hill: “I think finding out that spring break was cancelled was definitely difficult to hear, especially for those of us that are seniors. The spring break trip is an opportunity for us to come

together and bond as a team; this is where we become a family. People underestimate the power of time and what it means for a team to be together. Being away from campus, away from the academic rigor, and the routine of day to day life provides an athlete with the opportunity to focus solely on their sport and the team. Generally these trips set the tone for the rest of the season and provide us with the opportunity to play against teams that we normally don’t have the opportunity to compete against otherwise.

I think the team was hoping for a different outcome than what we heard today but I respect the decisions that have been made and look to enjoy the remainder of my senior year with the team.”

March 12, 2020

News

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Cancelled continued from Page 3

“People don’t have an immunity built up yet to this virus, there is no vaccine, and it is just an unsafe circumstance to send students out into a circumstance where we don’t know how many people they’re going to come in contact with and what circumstance they’ve been in,” Elvers said.

In addition to alternative spring break trips being cancelled, educational trips were shut down as well. One group of students was supposed to go to Georgia and Alabama for a trip focused on civil rights.

“I am kinda disappointed with the whole thing being cancelled because this is my senior year as an international student in the U.S., and I was really looking forward to enjoying my possibly last spring break here,” said Jay Sophalkalyan, who was supposed to be attending.

“I was also supposed to go to Las Vegas for the annual Sigma Tau Delta convention to present my paper the week after spring break, and that got cancelled too. This pandemic has truly resulted in a lot of missed opportunities for me and spoiled my senior experience. But it is what it is, and no one can help it. I just hope the situation will be better by May, so I could at least have a traditional commencement ceremony,” he added.

Students who had been scheduled to go on these trips and invested money into them will be reimbursed in full in the near future.

The CDC has provided some guidelines on how to help individuals prevent themselves and others from spreading/ contracting the coronavirus. (Photo Courtesy of ABC12)

“ Obviously

the decision is disappointing. I know we were all excited for this opportunity to serve others and grow through our service experiences, but at the same time the decision is certainly understandable,” - Ryan Bunton on the cancellation of his trip

March 12, 2020

By Gabby Guerard @GabbyGuerard

T

here was only one person behind the podium Wednesday night in Dodge A/B: Springfield College President MaryBeth Cooper.

She answered question after question with enthusiasm and addressed students’ concerns regarding the rapidly escalating coronavirus situation.

But Cooper has been hard at work long before Wednesday night.

“Every day I am scouring all of our aspiration schools, our local schools and determining where we are in relation to them. I’m proud to say that we’re ahead of a lot of our competitors,” she said.

While many other nearby colleges and universities have elected to make classes online, Cooper believes it is important to look at the entirety of the situation before automatically responding in the same way. Springfield doesn’t have the endowments that MIT and Harvard has. The institution also doesn’t know what life is like on other campuses and the unique factors they have to take into consideration.

But, she does know what life is like at Springfield College.

Although the idea of a forum in which large numbers of students all gathered in one area may

News

Cooper’s thoughts President Cooper has the students’ interests in her heart.

President Mary-Beth Cooper addressed Wednesday night’s forum in an exclusive one-on-one interview with EIC Gabby Guerard. (Evan Wheaton/The Student)

PAGE 6

have appeared counterintuitive to some, Cooper feels it was the most authentic way to communicate information with the campus.

“I was anticipating it all day, would people be angry? And I felt like the group was really friendly and they were interested. So, I’m willing to take the heat of people saying you shouldn’t have had a student forum,” she said.

“Now, we won’t have any more of those because students will be online.

But I think it’s important for this culture to be up in front of people for good or bad.

“I feel like people were informed and now they’ll... get ready and they’ll pack up their stuff and they know what they’re doing and that they’ll be home for two weeks. So, I felt really good.”

Though, there are a lot of moving pieces still to be determined regarding the campus’s actions in the coming weeks.

While she’s confident about the way students were informed, she knows the situation still comes with numerous consequences – some of which she can control, and some she cannot.

“The reality of it is everybody’s going to have some sort of cost.

We’re going to have to do some kind of reimbursement. I don’t know what that looks like. It may be for undergradSee Cooper on Page 10

March 12, 2020

News

By Irene Rotondo @irenerrotondo

T

here was standing-room-only in the Dodge room of the Richard B. Flynn Campus Union on March 11. Students from all teams, clubs, classes and more filled the chairs all the way up to the very

front row, keen to hear what Springfield College President Mary-Beth Cooper would announce relating to the current COVID-19, or coronavirus, pandemic currently sweeping the globe.

After preliminary remarks, Cooper stated that spring break, originally from March 13-22, would be extended by one week until March 29. Classes will resume on Monday, March 30. It is still unknown whether these classes will be in-person or completed online.

Cooper said that students should pack their personal items from dorms as if they were to be leaving for two weeks. If there is to be an extended period away from campus, Cooper told students that they would find a way to return to campus to collect the rest of their belongings.

The crowd erupted in cheers once Cooper said that the second week of spring break would not include classes.

Stacy Leonard, a sophomore in the PT program at Springfield, said, “The college handled the situation really well; they didn’t panic, I heard a lot of other schools are closing down for the rest of the year and Springfield is just feeling it out which is a really good thing.”

The student body filled Dodge A&B to capacity for Wednesday’s meeting in attempt to gain information.

(Evan Wheaton/The Student)

Student thoughts Immediate reactions from the students at Springfield College.

“For me, it’s not that big of a deal, since I live only two hours away and have easy access to come back if that’s the case… so for me, I think it’s being handled really well,” Leonard added.

For other students – especially seniors – the situation is definitely less than ideal.

Ricky Preston, health sciences major and senior, said, “The college handled this well especially compared to (the) other colleges shutting down for the whole semester, but me being a senior, I didn’t want this to affect graduation, because all I want to do is walk across the stage. It’s been a tough four years.”

“I think the extra week was valid, but I’m just anxious about how the online courses are going to work, because I know I have PEAC courses I’m doing, so I’m not really sure how that’s going to work,” Preston added.

Overall, students are excited for the extra time to relax, but are rearing at the gates to be able to come back to campus and continue their academic, athletic and social lives.

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March 12, 2020

Student Trustee Responses

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Student Trustee Candidates The time has come for the class of 2023 to select its Student Trustee-Elect. Below, the 11 candidates were asked to answer two questions: (1) What does Springfield College mean to you? (2) What makes you qualified to be the next Student Trustee?

Their names and responses can be found on the next two pages.

Sabrina Williams 1.) Springfield College is a place of growth. A place where questions are allowed be asked and a place that strives for inclusivity.

Springfield College is a place where I can develop as the future leader I plan to be. Springfield College means to accept people for who they are and to never make a person feel like they are alone. Springfield College means to not only develop personally through one’s mentality and physicality, but to develop through service towards others in spirit.

2.) I am qualified to be the student trustee because of my determination for improvement. I have worked closely with The Office of Multicultural Affairs to provide a safe space for students of marginalized groups on campus, and I have started Women of Power, a club that thrives off the ethnic, cultural, and racial differences of women. I am determined to continue my work for the improvement of the campus by listening to others in order to implement change on behalf of the student body. My commitment to campus improvement is what makes me qualified to be student trustee.

Xavier Washington 1.) Springfield College means community. As a member of this campus community, I must manifest our mantra with demonstrations of comradery. Having the opportunity and skill to have a lasting effect on the world around you is invaluable. To inspire and encourage others to be the best they can be. Springfield College means more than just an opportunity, but a place where I can create a family with peers and the community.

2.) Springfield College thus far has allowed my growth in leadership, diligence, liberality, and altruism. Being able to express these qualities is essential, which is why I am very grateful and blessed. I am qualified to be a student trustee because I care about the world around me. Growing up, I was involved in church, sports, school, and extracurricular. My childhood experiences and passions have helped broaden my view of the world and understand experiences different than my own. Also, being heavily active on campus with clubs such as Men of Excellence, Business, YMCA, and Students Striving to Bridge Diversity, I have been able to utilize such qualities to create awareness and progress for pressing issues on Springfield College campus.

Max Pape 1.) Springfield College means to go beyond the self and to expand the self into the greater good for the community. It is to do what may seem small and insignificant on the surface, but over time those small daily commitments add up into the development of spirit, mind, and body in leadership and service to others. Springfield College means relationships, and those relationships thrive on the foundation of the Humanics philosophy.

2.) I am qualified because of my experience working with a vast variety of student groups on campus. I am involved with athletics through the baseball team, I am a resident assistant, I am a new student orientation leader, and I help serve on the executive board for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes club, the Humanics in Action club, and the Alternative Spring Break club. Being involved on campus has given me the opportunity to form intimate relationships with a variety of students, in which I would love to give back to my fellow students as the next Student Trustee.

Natalia Kompocholi 1) Springfield College to me means opportunity. An opportunity to blossom and expand your horizons in many directions. It means immersing yourself in your passion and watching it grow within you. Regardless of where that passion stands, whether academically, giving back to the community, or being involved on campus, Springfield College has brought my visions to life through sharing my passion with faculty and students. Springfield College means support; to its students, surrounding community, and its own philosophy. For many, it means the years in transition to real life happening with an immense amount of support in their overall growth.

2) I am a committed, compassionate, trust-worthy, and determined individual. I grew up loving Springfield College (I am a legacy) and dreaming about experiencing the college’s philosophy for myself. I am passionate about everything I do. When I am presented with a task, I will find a way to get it done. I am a social and personable individual. I love making conversation with people and communicating my ideas and aspirations with them. Through that I learn more about them, and their expectations making me able to inform and publicize actions taken to make our school the best it can be.

Christina Evangelista 1) The first thing I think of when I heard Springfield College is pride. Our college community is known for the pride we put into our education, work ethic, and determination to help individuals. This campus means a lot as an undergraduate student because I care about my education and professional development. This college has been a lovely place to grow over time, and I am grateful for becoming involved with many clubs and organizations. Besides offering me a wonderful education, Springfield has instilled within me the confidence The remaining responses can be found on the next page. The Student Trustee at Springfield College becomes a voting member on the Board of Trustees, which is the primary governing body of the school. This board handles major decisions and changes that occur at Springfield College. Our campus is among just 10 percent of independent institutions that includes a student on the Board of Trustees.

March 12, 2020

Student Trustee Responses

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Responses continued from page 8

to pursue my goals, with the right amount of determination to achieve them.

2) I feel that I am qualified for the position of Student Trustee because of my involvement with many clubs and organizations on campus, which provided me with enriching experiences. They also taught me important life skills including cooperation, collaboration, and work ethic which are all important in the student community. If selected, I will ensure and advocate that the voices of Springfield College students will be heard. I would also commit myself to take in all interests of students in a fair and just manner. In doing so, I would be serving my student community and giving back to Springfield College.

Kyle Lukaesko 1) For me, Springfield College means getting the opportunity to do the sport I love every day while being able to study what I am interested in. There are few places that even have NCAA Men’s Gymnastics programs, so I am really lucky to be able to participate here while preparing for a career in the future. I have the greatest teachers, coaches, teammates, and friends that make being here worth it every day. Coming to Springfield offered me more than I ever could have asked for.

2) I think that the Student Trustee should be someone who is responsible, involved, and eager to contribute positive change to Springfield College. Through my participation in athletics, the Honors Program, and working with professors in the Social Sciences department, I have been able to develop relationships with faculty and students with a variety of interests and involvement on campus. I think that these, along with the ambition and some ideas of things to do for the college, would put me in a successful position as Student Trustee .

Jennifer Charlera 1) Springfield College means a home away from home. Even though it’s a new environment, I’ve felt comfortable because people embrace my unique personality. Springfield is an atmosphere where you can say what’s on your mind and not feel like you will be judged.

This campus is filled with rich opportunities that I couldn’t get anywhere else. Springfield College is a place where I can be independent and in control of the path I want to take. It’s like a spiritual place where I can find myself. It has exceeded my expectations and become a true second home.

2) My communication and leadership skills make me qualified to be the next Student Trustee because it will allow me to listen and advocate for others. In my role as president of the Women’s Rugby Club and on the executive board of Student Society for Bridging Diversity, I gained the ability to understand the concerns of people who share different experiences. These leadership positions have provided me a different perspective when approaching conflicts that helped the success of both of my organizations. This connects perfectly to the Student Trustee position because I will be able to effectively represent my peers.

Nicole Bindell 1) Springfield College is a home away from home. It has acted as a safe place where I am able to be my best and true self. I believe that Springfield College has given me the opportunity to discover my interests, find lifelong friends, and has been a place to call home. I have been challenged by many experiences here that have turned me into the person I am today and continue to lead me to be the person I want to be.

2) I am qualified to be the next Student Trustee because I have served as a leader to others in the past, from Pre-Camp to Track and Field. I am able to listen to others and make sure everyone is heard. I believe I can make an impact on the students here by truly being a friend and a voice for all students. I intend to make changes that benefit the students and faculty here, while maintaining the traditions and values that Springfield College was built on.

Danielle Ferenandes 1) Springfield College is my wings. It’s a place I feel I can be me and soar. This campus is open to all types of different people, there is no set image of a Springfield College student. No matter your race, ethnicity, religion, political beliefs or even your ability to play basketball. SC is the future teachers, scientists, physician assistants, physical therapists, occupational therapist and so much more. It is where I will dedicate myself for my future as well as the future students. The future here continues to excite me.

2) I am qualified to be the next Student Trustee because I am determined, open-minded, and I work for the people. I want to do good for all and push for needed change. I am comfortable asking the uncomfortable and tend to be very understanding. As well as I have past experience working with administration and students. In my high school that had about 2,000 students, I was President of a board that took students concerns and brought them to the administration of my school as well as the entire city’s school board.

Lexie Blake 1) Springfield College is the birthplace of many things. Basketball, of course, is one of them. However, upon closer inspection it is also the birthplace of star athletes, talented artists, hardworking medical workers, and many more. Most of all, Springfield College is the birthplace of leaders. For me, SC is a new beginning where I am allowed to embrace who I am as a leader and become my own person. Springfield College means students who have shown me support, faculty who have pushed me farther than I ever thought possible, and a campus I call home. SC means togetherness, service, and family.

2) It is not easy to claim that I am more qualified to be the next Student Trustee than anyone else. I think that my experience with the LGBTQ+ community on campus, as well as my drive in advocating for diversity is what sets me apart. I am already co-planning a Diversity, Inclusion, and Global Innovation conference. This process takes supportive listening, organization, acceptance and most importantly; initiative. I feel that I have the ability to truly hear all voices no matter how loudly their volume may ring now. That is why my focus would be advocating for ALL voices.

Derek Profita 1) Springfield College to me means being a part of something bigger than yourself, you are a part of a community or one big family.

You feel connected with every person you interact with on this campus, which speaks about the positive environment here. During my two years at Springfield, I have learned many valuable lessons that will last a lifetime. I feel privileged to attend Springfield College, a school that cherishes its students and cares about our future success.

2) As Student Trustee, I would bring many different skills to the board. I hold very good communication skills, collaboration skills, ability to work with others, and have a vision for the future of Springfield. Working and talking with people is something I love doing and would like to continue to do in the future. I would be extremely honored to hold this position and I know if allowed to positively represent this school, it will be a goal of mine to keep the community that we all love.

March 12, 2020 Cooper continued from Page 6

uates in credit, and it may be for our seniors a credit to their bill or a check,” Cooper said.

“This thing is going to cost many of us money and it shouldn’t come out of pockets. But, I’m going to do my best to make sure that students graduate and I really want to see if I can get students back here.”

That’s the aspect that’s weighing on Cooper’s heart the most: the seniors. With the extra week added to the tail end of spring break, that means there’s just five weeks left for the Class of 2020.

“Living on campus, it’s going to be lonely for me for two weeks. And so to imagine having the rest of spring semester without students here, when you live on campus, it’s such a significant difference,” she said.

“

“But senior social, all the senior activities, everything in terms of the culmination, and I’m going to do everything to make sure we have commencement. Whatever conditions we need to put in place to (have it), and if we have to limit family members but we still have it, (we will).

“The notion of not walking across the stage makes me sick to my stomach.”

While there’s still a lot in the air, Cooper made it clear she is prioritizing the health and safety of the campus community, while also considering what’s best for the students in all aspects: academically, athletically and socially.

She didn’t shy away from a single question.

It’s clear that she, like the rest of the Springfield College community, cares deeply and will continue to tackle the coronavirus situation head on.

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PAGE 10

Cooper (right) speaking with Guerard following the conclusion of the open forum.

(Evan Wheaton/The Student)

Senior social, all the senior activities, everything in terms of the culmination, and I’m going to do everything to make sure we have commencement. Whatever conditions we need to put in place to (have it), and if we have to limit family members but we still have it, (we will). The notion of not walking across the stage makes me sick to my stomach.”

- Mary-Beth Cooper -

March 12, 2020 Coronavirus continued from Page 1

can clean thoroughly.

The Health Center will stay open for anyone who may need it.

To help avoid spreading the virus, the College is asking that guests do not visit campus during the two week break and that the staff should limit contact by having meetings via phone or email.

“All spring break travel has been canceled, effective Saturday, March 14,” Cooper said. If people are to travel to a Level II or Level III location prior to April 30, 2020, they will be in self-quarantine for 14 days and not allowed on campus.

When it comes to athletes and future sporting events on campus, student-athletes will be allowed to stay on campus for training.

Unless told otherwise by coaches or the athletic director, all sports teams are planning to continue their seasons without spectators, with the exception of immediate family.

This is not ideal, but with the virus spreading at a constant rate, this is what Cooper has decided is best for the safety of everyone at Springfield College.

“I understand that this is a very disappointing and stressful time for many of you,” Cooper said.

Students, faculty and staff will continue to be updated. For more information on updates, check the College’s COVID-19 website.

“We as a college will continue to work on contingency plans each and every day, with the goal of finishing this semester strong,” Cooper said.

Q+A Session Takeaways Q: How should students domestically

plan based on having to cancel return flights and would we be reimbursed for that?

A: “That’s a good question. In terms of personal reimbursement, we are still searching through all of the financial matters. So I can’t stand up here and tell you that you’re going to be reimbursed for your travel, but we’ll be in touch. We will have a process for you to look at. Domestic travel – a lot of the airlines are doing a really wonderful job, I had to cancel a flight myself, in terms of flexibility. I think you will find a great deal of flexibility from all of the airlines.”

Q: You keep saying online, but what does that mean? Does that mean BrightSpace, does that mean Zoom?

Will I have to go to six different websites for all of my classes?

A: “It primarily means BrightSpace for instruction. However we are going to be using multiple ways of interacting. It may be FaceTiming with people if you have an advisory meeting, you may interact with somebody in that particular motem. For those people that do have difficulty with WiFi, we could also use a phone and have phone conversations. I think you’re going to see a wide variety. For instructional purposes, it will be BrightSpace.

The faculty will have an opportunity in the next 5-7 days to get more and more training on BrightSpace, so you can anticipate that it will be smoother.”

Q: Is graduation going to be pushed back because of the week of no classes whatsoever?

A: “No, we are not changing the end of the semester as of yet. We haven’t talked about that even as an option. We

News

have gotten permission from the Department of Education to truncate the semester, so we’re very aware – this is not just happening here, it’s happening everywhere.

The other part is that our accreditation agency has approved our online programs. That is a big, big step for Springfield College moving forward.”

Q: What factors are being considered in making these decisions?

A: “I am trying to be conservative and trying to make that decision, and reasonable in terms of watching how the virus plays out. Each day we get a series of information from the CDC or the World Health Organization or our state governor saying we’re going to go under State of Emergency. All of that evidence points us to what is the best practice for us to do for Springfield College. Today, at 8:45 p.m., we are not making the decision to send you home for the rest of the semester based on what is available to me today. When I know more information we may make a different decision, but we’ll see again if we can isolate and reduce our mitigation of some of the spreading of the virus.

It could be incredibly beneficial.”

Q: For those of us that live across the country, and I can’t be flying back and forth so with everything so up in the air, how would that decision be made along the way?

A: “I think you’re going to find, again, that airlines are being very flexible. I don’t anticipate that you’ll be flying back and forth repeatedly. Once we make the decision to have students back here on campus, unless something upends, it would be for the remainder of

the semester. We will be in touch, you will want to be sure that you have access to PrideNET to keep current on that.”

Q: I know a lot of students use the academic success center for test taking. If we go online, what is happening with accomodations?

A: “There will be services available online, I am sure of it. We’ll figure out what that looks like, but they’ll be available.”

Q: I have a question for the students that rely on the health center and the counseling center for their well-being. Are you guys going to allow a stipend for them to use other places?

A: “The health center is going to be open for the students that are here, and in terms of moving forward we haven’t talked about what services will be available online for that or the potential for some of those services being on either FaceTime or Zoom or some other mechanism.

We’re going to look at that, that is an excellent question. We need to think about how those students are supported while they’re away.”

Q: If we do go to online learning for the rest of the semester, are we going to be reimbursed for housing and meal plans?

A: “We are looking at that as well and we’ll be talking about that…Our hope is that that’s not what happens but if it does, you can assure that we will find a way.”

Q: What does this mean for international students who can’t necessarily go home and have nowhere to go in the States?

A: “They will be staying here on campus (along with the AmeriCorps, student teaching,

PAGE 11 athletes, and clinical students)…They will not pay for their housing (for the extra week).

There will be charges associated with the meal plan.”

Q: If we have to resort to virtual learning, when will we find out? Not everyone has access to internet, laptops, etc.

A: “We will be meeting as early as Monday of next week to start talking about that.

There are also a number of courses that don’t translate as well online…Rest assured we’re going to take a look at every course we offer online to insure that we’re going to get you in a situation where you can graduate.”

Q: For all the spring athletes, if school is (virtual), will the spring sports season be cancelled?

A: “We are in conversations, we started today, with NEWMAC as we watch our neighboring sports leagues cancel throughout the rest of the season. I don’t mind telling you personally, I am all for keeping sports until the end of their seasons. I don’t know how that will play out with my peers.”

Q: Not being able to possibly walk across the stage is heartbreaking. Some schools have already cancelled graduation months in advance. Is that even a thought for Springfield right now?

A: “I am not currently thinking that way.

That doesn’t mean that it won’t happen…We understand that day is very, very important for you and your families.”

Questions continue on the next page

March 12, 2020

News

PAGE 12

Q: If we have to go to virtual, how will we be able to get back and pack the rest of our stuff ?

A: “We’ll bring you back. We’ll figure out logistics for that. There are other schools who are asking students to pack up and vacate their residence halls. We are not doing that.”

Q: Is there a way for Federal Work Study students to get compensated?

A: “We will continue pay in some way. Don’t worry, if you’re getting Federal Work Study money, you will continue to get it in some way, even if you’re not on campus.”

Q: The students studying abroad in Italy were brought back. Are there students in other countries that are being looked at as well?

A: “At this moment, we’ve not called any other programs back. I do believe Barcelona is in conversations on limited travel for those that are on site…We’re watching that.”

Q: A lot of people are going home to state of emergencies, counties where there are confirmed cases, etc. Is there going to be some type of testing when we come back to campus to make sure we don’t bring it back with us?

A: “Well that’s the main reason colleges and universities are closing all together…The reality of it is, once people go home, or go to international countries or level two or level three countries, what will they bring back? So we will not only be watching the registry, but we’ll also be asking people who are sick…If you know you’ve been in contact, following the CDC’s regulations…There may be some students that are not able to return based on what they interact with.”

To our campus community:

We do not know the next time we will publish a newspaper, but we will do all we can to keep you informed.

Stay safe.

The Springfield Student Staff

(Evan Wheaton/The Student)