ON CAMPUS DURING COVID

While the majority of STLCC students are starting the school year online, Meramec remains open for hybrid and face-to-face classes.

BY: JACOB POLITTE
Online Editor

In March, the spread of COVID-19 shut down all STLCC campuses. Seemingly overnight, the Meramec campus became a ghost town until employees returned in mid-May. 

Now, at the end of August, the campus remains largely vacant, since many classes during the fall semester are being delivered in an online format via Blackboard and other associated platforms. However, a limited amount of courses are still being held on campus.

“Many of the classes delivered on ground have equipment, instrumentation, and facilities needed to function,” said Meramec Campus President Feleccia Moore-Davis. “A small number of other classes have pedagogical practices that are challenging at a distance, and a few are offered on each campus to meet the needs of students with technological or other hurdles.”

Students are not restricted on how much time they can spend on campus, according to Vice Chancellor Andrew Langher. 

“There are no time limits set on students to remain on campus. However, we recommend that students do not linger for their own safety and avoid increasing touchpoints with others throughout the day,” Langher said. “Other activities are limited within the county and city health guidelines; such as maintaining social distancing, limiting gatherings of people, wearing face covering and any other appropriate PPE, and completing the daily screening before coming to campus.”

The campus itself remains largely accessible, although certain sections of various buildings have certain areas blocked off. Moore-Davis said that the only area that is completely closed to students is the gymnasium. 

The Business Administration building does not have classes scheduled in it this semester. According to information provided by Vice Chancellor Langher, it is the only building on campus that will not host classes this fall. There is a computer lab available for students to use in the building, however. Administrative offices in the building will also remain open.

“We consolidated as much as we could to save energy,” Moore-Davis said.

Moore-Davis also said that the cafeteria is also closed for business due to county restrictions to limit social gatherings, and to help others stay safe. The space is open for students to study, however, albeit at a socially safe distance. Vending machines remain stocked and operational, and the bookstore remains open to students from 8am-2pm every Monday through Friday, with special protocols in place.

The Meramec Library remains open, although with varying hours and a few new protocols in place. Obtaining usage of a library computer now requires a reservation, and some computers are unavailable for students to use in order to satisfy social distancing protocols. Tables available for students to study now only have one seat available at them. And all bookshelves are roped or tarped off; a library employee must help you obtain what you’re looking for.

In-person tutoring is also available through the Academic Success and Tutoring Center (formerly known as the Academic Support Center), although an appointment must be made online ahead of time. Tutoring is also available virtually. According to employee Sally Kloppe, an appointment for writing and math tutoring can made through Archer Online (https://stlcc.mywconline.net/), while appointments for tutoring in other subjects are now made through “Navigate,” which is accessible through the main STLCC website. Kloppe says that while both in-person and online tutoring sessions are available, the latter option has greater availability.

Despite the campus being largely open to students, much of the furniture in the buildings has been removed. This furniture is being stored mostly in classrooms that are not in use during the semester, or in closed-off areas in other rooms like the cafeteria. Specifically, all of the hallway seating in every building has been removed, as well as excess chairs and seating in the library and various parts of the Student Center.

Hand-sanitation stations have been installed in all campus buildings, and signs reminding students and staff to wear masks and socially distance are all around campus. Langher said that all surfaces and areas on campus are being cleaned routinely.

“We are cleaning classrooms and laboratories between classes,” Langher said. “Staff in open labs and library space are cleaning surfaces between student use.” Moore-Davis agreed.

Both Langher and Moore-Davis said that more information could be found on STLCC’s COVID-19 Resource Page, and in the Safe Return Student Guide that can also be found on the Resource Page.

When asked about whether she thinks that more classes will be held on campus during the spring semester, Moore-Davis said that depended on the trajectory of the COVID virus. 

“We would love to have more classes [on campus], it’s one of the things I miss most,” she said. “But our first priority is the safety of our students, faculty and staff.”