Students rethink their plans for the fall semester
by Magnolia McComish
Many students have been rethinking their educational plans for the fall after their first online education experiences have left them unsatisfied.
Katie Cosgrove, a freshman at the University of Vermont, said, “If school doesn’t return for the full year, I’m taking a gap year where I’m going to work instead of going to school, so I don’t miss any time at my university.” This is more of a concern for Cosgrove because her major requires programs and facilities campus has to offer. Cosgrove said, “I need that in-class instruction as well as the software and equipment my school offers.”
Financial situations have also been taken into consideration by students. Adam Shoshani, a freshman at Uconn, said, “I’ll have to make a genuine decision on whether or not I’ll be willing to pay for another semester of online classes.”
The loss in enrollment is projected to impact schools’ financial status as well. It is projected that there will be a 15 percent drop in enrollment nationwide, this will be about a $23 billion revenue loss, according to the New York Times.
FPU has sent many emails speaking highly of the community’s ability to make the switch to remote learning with minimal problems. Nothing has been said regarding the fall semester.
In an email from FPU’s President, Kim Mooney, she announced that, “the onus on my office and the senior administrative team to address the COVID-19 financial impact of the University’s finances is our daily focus.”
In response to the changing state protocol, and different staff member’s ability to continue working, FPU “had to make the very painful decision to temporarily furlough some full-time employees and reduce the hours of others.”
For some students, it is also a matter of how long it will take to receive their degree. “I think I will end up doing them because I don’t want to waste a semester doing nothing since I’m going for my masters,” said Shoshani.
(Photo: Grace Waldron)
The impact of coronavirus has also impacted students’ ability to pick a college to attend. Grace Waldron, a rising freshman at Michigan State University, said, “Picking a college was stressful for me because I didn’t get to visit half the colleges I got accepted to, and I wasn’t gonna pick a school I’ve never seen before.”
“Across the country, students…are rethinking their choices in a world altered by the pandemic. And universities, concerned about the potential for shrinking enrollment and lost revenue,” according to the New York Times .
If first-year college students start online, “I think I’m going to have a tough time trying to transition into college-level work, but I’m going to have to put in my best effort,” said Waldron.
FPU students are hopeful that campus will reopen in the fall. FPU freshman Katie Acciardo said, “I miss being surrounded by people that make me laugh, challenge me, and help me strive to be my best.” Freshman Hailey Melchert said, “I’d love to go back to campus in the fall because I miss being surrounded by all the great people at Franklin Pierce.”
Although FPU has not released any information about the fall semester, faculty and staff have been working hard to make online education the best it can be under the circumstances.
FPU’s Dean of Student Affairs did not comment about what FPU’s plan is for the coming semester.
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Magnolia Mccomish
I’m spending lots of time playing with my dog, when I’m not Zooming.
