CSC Community Connecting Despite COVID-19
Colby-Sawyer converted to remote learning as a result of COVID-19 at the end of March. Since then, faculty adapted to virtual teaching, students engaged in Zoom lectures and online testing, and staff learned how to do their jobs remotely. Through it all, the CSC community has stuck together and made the best of the situation.
People are connecting and keeping busy in all sorts of ways. The Student Activities Office sends out a weekly schedule of virtual events, including yoga classes, themed trivia nights, live online music performances, movie nights, pet therapy and more. A couple clubs even worked together to create Zoom Fest, a weekend of plays, a poetry slam, storytelling and a talent show that debuted Friday, April 24 and ran through Sunday, April 26.
Junior Graphic Design Major Laksh Balloo is one of three students who has been staying at the college amid this crisis. He says, “Living on campus during this pandemic has been interesting. Most of my days are spent sleeping, watching movies, anime, videos and playing video games with my friends. I never get bored of it because that is somewhat my lifestyle anyway, pandemic or not. Although I do miss working out and playing soccer.”
Alexis Morgan, a senior child development major, finished her internship online with Canaan Elementary School, located in Canaan, N.H. She held 30-minute Zoom meetings with her first-grade students in the morning and printed out packets of math, reading and social studies/science work to be sent to them. She also helped grade their work and assist her mentor teacher in any way possible. Lexi says, “I obviously love the kiddos and don't want to leave them. I want to finish out the school year with them.”
Dean of the School of Business & Social Sciences Tom Kealy says, “I need to work from my Colgate office because I have zero internet access where I am living, so that is kind of boring.” He enjoys living vicariously through “cool” remote workspaces he sees on CSC social media.
Many people are making the most of their time offline, as well. James Jukosky, associate professor for the School of Arts & Sciences says, “I run about 50 minutes, four days a week, and walk the dog a lot. I take thrilling trips to the dump and grocery store once in a great while.”
Assistant Professor for the School of Nursing & Health Sciences Ann Fournier says, “Seven children call me mom, so busy is my baseline, my normal. The pandemic has changed how I manage my time. Instead of balancing work with mom’s taxi service, I am balancing work with mom’s teaching service.” This may not be how we envisioned our spring semester, but the Colby-Sawyer community is staying positive, keeping connected and making the most of it.