Students Return to Campus For First Time Since COVID-19 Began

By Nolan Cleary, Editor-In-Chief

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, students have been forced off-campus due to health risks. For over a year and a half, almost all classes at Hudson Valley Community College were held virtually through Zoom, Blackboard and other online outlets. 

That’s now come to a close, as students prepare to return to HVCC this Fall for a return to most of their classes on campus and in person. According to the official Hudson Valley Community College website, “The majority of courses will be held on campus/in-person, with many online, remote and hybrid course options.” 

The semester begins as vaccinations are now available to all U.S. citizens over the age of 12. Some classes will remain virtual, just as they were before. Still, the colleges expect more students to be on campus than at any time since the pandemic began. 

Students who will be attending Hudson Valley Community College for the first time in the Fall have expressed comfort in going back to campus. Christopher Stalker, an incoming student to campus studying math and business, is one of them. 

“I’d like to go more in-person than online, so if there are more in-person options I’d like that,” Stalker said. However, some health concerns still loom at students head into the Fall. 

Some college students are concerned about the new Delta variant, as well as the recent increase in COVID-19 cases. Alfredo Balarin, the head of Student Activities at Hudson Valley Community College said that while there is cause for concern, the college is taking the situation seriously. 

“I think everyone’s probably feeling a little nervous with everything going on in the world, so I don’t blame anyone for that,” Balarin said. “I know that people will be obligated to wear masks, even if you’re vaccinated just to take extra percussions to keep individuals safe from the virus and make people feel more comfortable coming back to campus.”

Balarin said he prefers being in-person, but said the pandemic proved the college’s capabilities online. “I think the pandemic reassured us that we could be efficient in multiple ways and be innovative. I’m old school, I like the interaction with students, I think students benefit from those interactions. I think students benefit from having someone who they can go and have a one on one conversation. So I prefer being in-person, but I do see the benefits of a hybrid system and thinking outside of the box,” Balarin said. 

Balarin also said he hopes that new and returning students, especially those returning students who entered during the pandemic have a safe and fulfilling experience at the college. 

“I hope [students] have a pleasant experience. We’ll still have on-campus activities, we’re still going to be promoting social distancing safety while still trying to give students a positive experience going into the classroom,” Balarin said. 

Stalker said he expects many students will prefer taking classes online. “I think a lot of people got used to taking classes online and at first it was hard, but I think a lot of people like it. It gives them more flexibility,” Stalker said. He did however say, he found it distracting. 

Stalker hopes the new semester will give him more of a college experience. “I’m looking to have some more freedom, start my adult life, it’ll be exciting,” Stalker said. 

Jasper Marynczak, another incoming student, who plans to study electrical construction and maintenance major, said his major requires him to be in person. 

“For the nature of my major I need classes to be in person,” Marynczak said. He also said he’s looking forward to seeing new people face to face.  

“I most look forward to learning with like-minded people and going into business together,” Marynczak said.