Classes To Return Virtually In The Spring

By Nolan Cleary, Managing Editor

It’s the event that defined the year. COVID-19 ravaging the nation, leading to hundreds and thousands of deaths, millions of jobs lost, and life inevitably changing. 

One group deeply affected by the outbreak are college students. With hundreds of millions of Americans forced indoors, Hudson Valley Community College along with most other colleges throughout the country were forced to go virtual. 

However by fall, as cases started to drop in New York and around the country, Governor Cuomo gave school throughout the state permission to reopen in-person. 

While many schools chose either remain virtual or resume in-person learning, HVCC chose both options. Some classes continued to be taught through the learning website Blackboard, while other classes were able to safely resume on campus with new regulations and requirements. 

In recent weeks, however, COVID-19 has made a comeback in New York and throughout the country. Cases are rising, fears of another lockdown are looming, and many politicians and health officials are asking that Americans stay inside. 

As cases rise, Hudson Valley Community College has announced they will go completely virtual once again. When classes began again in 2020, all students will have to work remotely as they did at the beginning of the pandemic. 

HVCC students are expressing unenthusiastic reaction to the news. Nicole Lencewicz is a student studying liberal arts. She says that while she prefers online classes, some classes have to be in person. 

“I personally prefer online classes, but I do recognize and have experienced classes that need to be in-person. For example, my experience with taking labs online is absolutely terrible and I feel as though I’ve learned nothing.” Lencewicz said. 

Lencewicz says she fears the decision won’t be easy for students but says the option was necessary given the current circumstances. 

“I think completely moving online in 2021 is going to be very difficult and cause a lot of lost hope in students, but if it needs to be done, I respect the decision,” Lencewicz said. 

Tatiana Monet, a student in an environmental science major also says she understands but is disappointed by the announcement. 

“I’m disappointed that classes have to be online completely. It’s harder as a student and it’s harder on teachers. But I understand the need for public safety.” Monet said. 

Many students expressed concerns over how going virtual has affected their classes. Monet says going virtual has affected the time she has to work on classes. 

“Time management is a real struggle with online school. It’s hard to just keep up with what day it is. The school-work-life balance is all out of wack. You’re days run together. For me, my job also changed because of COVID.” Monet said. 

Monet also said that while going virtual wasn’t ideal, she’d prefer any option that’s the safest. 

“I definitely prefer in-person classes. On the other hand, I also prefer not contracting COVID.” Monet said. 

Still, Monet remains optimistic about the road ahead. 

“I’ve definitely gained from COVID 19. I hope that next semester I manage to do class at the park or something so that I get some exercise.” Monet said.