Consensus lies in favor of new campus rules
As the first week of the fall semester came to a close, faculty and students said it was a hectic but safe week.
During the first week of school 316 teste were administered. For the week of Aug. 23, ther are active student cases, seven of which are on campus; five active employee cases, four of which are on campus; and three third-party contractors all of whom were on campus
Texas A&M University Kingsville started it’s first week of in person, online and co-flex classes Monday Aug. 24. Precaution were set in place to protect students, staff and faculty members. Before students started class TAMUK required COVID-19 training to be complete. Student training included practices of wearing masks, socially distancing and hygiene care.
“It was a little you know chaotic,” UNIV and French instructor Svetlana Singer said about her first week, “but I think it went well after all. The first couple of days were hard but I think you know we will get it eventually.”
Students and faculty are encouraged to take precautions to lower the risk and spread of COVID-19.
TAMUK is also offering testing for students, staff and faculty.
“I do feel safe being back on campus,” Singer said. “I eat outside, I don’t eat in my office. I come out to drink outside. I wear masks in my office. I wear mask in my classes and I also make sure students do. I ask them to wear it properly and you still need to be careful, but I feel ok I don’t feel too scared.”
TAMUK offered different class types for students including online, in person and co-flex to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 and to offer students who do not feel safe returning to campus a viable option to education. Co-flex classes have in person and online class days so students can experience both education practices while following safety guidelines.
There were some technical complications for some at the start of the semester.
Geoscience professor Richard Parker started his week of with technical complications and internet problems.
“I’ve been locked out of the system because of the wrong password trying to log in too many times incorrectly and it locked me out of the system,” he said. “It’s just been a nightmare all week. The best thing about it is the students; they understand what’s going on.”
Parker went on to say that students are following protocols.
“I don’t have any problem with the COVID stuff and taking all the protections, you’ve got hand sanitizers everywhere and the students are doing what they need to be doing” Parker said.
Marianna Trevino a kinesiology pre-physical therapy student said her first week was less hectic and better than she had expected.
“I feel like they have put in the necessary precautions and it just really a matter of fact that if the students do what they’re told but personally I do feel safe” Trevino said.
Masks and social distancing are required inside all buildings in TAMUK.
“I’m only here two days a week and when I do its significant social distancing and masks and general protocol so it’s not too bad” Zach Mayo, a School of Pharmacy student said.