Bobcats Back on Campus

By Sarah Grunau
News Reporter

As of September 21, the university is back to in-person classes and communication has resumed. This comes after the worldwide COVID-19 epidemic caused universities and schooling systems to assume remote learning indefinitely. This sudden alter to a new classroom environment forced students to rethink their means of education, and reconsider their personal ideas of studying.

Since the 2020 spring semester, Texas State students have been managing all of the pros and cons of online learning.

Senior Unaiz M. says they “liked being able to be flexible with office hours and project meetings with the professors and other students.”

For many students, personal college experiences may have started with this epidemic-based online learning environment. So, shifting to a new environment of in-person classes and campus events is something that some students of all classifications are having to familiarize themselves with.

“I have a much better understanding of which type of learning environment I like more,” graduate Kian O’Ryan says.

Unfortunately, the pandemic is not over. Cases in COVID-19 reports are seeing a general decline on our campus, but the virus remains as a threat to the health and well-being of the student body and faculty.

“Mask up and stay vaccinated!” is the advice that President Trauth and VPSA has encouraged for Bobcats. Vaccinations are to thank for a significant decrease in COVID-19 related hospitalizations. Equally, masking is one of the best ways students can avoid wide-scale transmission of the virus.

According to the Texas State University COVID-19 Roadmap, the campus saw a peak in cases near the beginning of the semester. 125 cases were reported amongst the student body on 08/25. Since then, there has been a slow decrease in the number of positive cases, but also a decrease in the number of students getting tested. Overall, the positive case percentage on campus has seen a significant reduction.

Now is the time for the student body to continue in the efforts of putting health first. Masking indoors is highly recommended by the University, and vaccinations are encouraged for overall immunity from COVID-19.