A different kind of move-in day
As pandemic shows signs of lessening, WCU students move into dorms
WEST CHESTER >> Friday was sorta, kinda a move-in day at West Chester University, as the pandemic begins to show signs of lessening with more people getting vaccinated.
First-year and transfer students had the option to commute to the campus for two days, or spend the weekend in a residence hall or even live on campus and take classes remotely for the next two months.
Two-hundred-ninety students will live in residence halls for eight weeks, while 10 percent of the entire Class of 2024 visited for at least a day.
The pandemic affected young students as much as anyone. Moving into the university was a chance to, in some ways, return to a more “normal” life.
They missed out on much. Most of the new arrivals were members of the high school class of 2020. For many, there were fewer conventional rites of passage. Proms, graduations, homecomings and senior weeks were all impacted.
For those who were shortchanged, the university is hosting the WeCU Here Program, a special, socially-distanced, on-campus, residential program designed to introduce new students to the campus.
Like most of the incoming students, Erin Sullivan, a first-year nursing student from South Jersey, was a little sad to mature during a pandemic but has made the best of it.
“I’m excited to meet new people, have a new group of friends and have some sort of a college experience,” Sullivan said. “It’s been sad and disappointing, but everything happens for a reason.”
Erin’s mother Jennifer Sullivan is an alum and was also excited, and a little sad, to have her daughter leave home.
“It’s sad but wonderful at the same time,” Jennifer Sullivan said. “I’m thrilled she chose West Chester.”
Marketing student and Easton resident Monica Ferguson is bunking on campus for two months.
“It’s a little stressful, but exciting to meet new people,” she said. “I’m excited to get involved in a lot of clubs and intramural sports. “And the town is so cute.” Taylor Iacono hails from Milton, Delaware and is a first-year psychology student. She is staying over for two nights.
“I wanted a little experience of campus — living on my own for just a weekend — visiting and walking around campus,” she said. “I’ll have a whole two days to do as I please, with no previous commitments.”
Iacono was matter-of-fact about the pandemic that she said is both frustrating and nostalgic.
“It’s kind of hard to not be upset, but I’ll have three more years to meet new people,” she said.
All students were required to test and submit results for COVID and submit those results at least 24-hours prior to arrival. Only students who have tested negative for COVID were allowed to participate.
All residential students will be administered rapid tests by the university, within 48 hours of entry/ return to campus. Residential students will not be charged for regular screening for the rest of the semester.
Students will continue to learn remotely, including those living in residence halls.
Erin Sullivan has embraced virtual learning.
“I’ve had a lot of time to study, keep my grades up and focus on school although it’s something different and out of my comfort zone,” she said.
Iacona said that remote learning was “definitely challenging,” with the first semester the hardest, but she is doing much better for the spring semester.
Biology major Simeon Elias, from King of Prussia, is visiting for two days, along with his brother and fellow WCU student Nebiyou Elias.
Simeon Elias is trying to meet as many people as he can after what he compared to living in social isolation.
“With face-to-face contact, we are all working together,” he said.
Nebiyou wants his younger brother to have a positive adjustment to college life while mentoring and helping him move in.