JESSICA MEDITZ
Life & Arts Editor
For those of you who live on campus, the dreaded March 19 deadline is tomorrow.
So, you’ve got to let them [Residence Life] know, will you stay or will you go?
It’s such a confusing time for all Fredonia students, regardless if you live on campus or not.
If you still need some help deciding, here are some pros and cons to both options from a homesick, downstate native and campus resident.
Pros of staying in Fredonia/cons of returning home:
- You’ll get to keep your independence.
Even though a lot of aspects of campus life have changed, your independence and ability to make your own decisions remain. If you have a single, you will more likely than not be able to keep it. If you have a roommate that is leaving, you will likely be able to keep the space as well. And if they’re staying? You have a friend to keep you company. Being able to spend time with your family is lovely, but let’s be honest: it can get to be a bit much after a while. Or perhaps you don’t have the option to return home. Either way, make the best of this independence.
- “Free” food.
As of right now, it’s not entirely established which dining options will remain open or what their hours will entail. It’s likely this will be decided based upon how many students decide to stay. If you do decide to keep your meal plan, you will be able to access Cranston and Starbucks at the very least, with no extra cost to you. Obviously, meal plans are by no means actually free food, but we all know that familiar feeling of going to a local Starbucks or Tim Hortons at home over break and accidentally saying, “Points please.”
- You’ll be able to go about your normal routine more efficiently.
We’re lucky enough that we are no longer in the midst of Western New York’s infamous brisk winter months. The weather is starting to cooperate more. So don’t get so down that the gym is closed, go to the track instead. You can even purchase affordable exercise equipment online or at places like TJ Maxx to work out in your dorm or outside. In terms of classes, you’ll be more susceptible to learning since your body is on campus, where you have been learning all year. You’ll also still have access to learning materials, including computer labs on campus. For many upperclassmen who live off campus, they’re likely to stay since they paid a year’s worth of rent already. And since this was such a shock to all, many on-campus residents will stay as well. That being said, you’ll still be able to go about your social life to some degree with your college friends.
Pros of returning home for the semester/cons of staying in Fredonia:
- You’ll get to be with your family.
Anxiety surrounding coronavirus is on the rise for all Americans. A time like this can be quite scary for many, thus, a great time to be with your family. If you’re home, you’ll be able to isolate with your loved ones and be in a place that’s familiar and comfortable for you. You’ll no longer have to wear flip flops in the shower or bring a key with you to use the restroom. And most importantly, you have the opportunity to be reimbursed for your dorming and meal plans, so it allows you to save more money.
- Everything in Fredonia will be closed anyway.
There’s a high likelihood that Willy C’s and Tim Hortons will be shut down for the remainder of the semester, as well as hours being limited for other dining options. With that in mind, you probably won’t be getting the most out of your meal plan if you stay. Recently, Governor Cuomo directed all New York State employees deemed as non-essential to work from home to no longer come into work. Because of this, most students will no longer be able to work on campus until further notice. Additionally, you will not be able to enjoy off-campus food the same way that you used to, as all restaurants are now take-out only. Bars have been closed as well, so nightlife will not be the same. Campus services such as the gym and the Park and Ride Bus are no longer in effect, either.
- That campus life dynamic just won’t be the same.
This last one is probably the most real reason; the one that hits hardest. With the distance learning model put in place, it’s obvious the quality of our education just won’t be as good as an in-person classroom experience. You won’t be able to see your favorite professors anymore, crack jokes in class, tell the girl in front of you that her headband is cute or dare to ask your crush for a pen. Being on campus over spring break, it just feels so… empty. Starbucks has closed their seating area and the C-Store is less stocked than usual. That brief person-to-person contact with campus food workers is completely gone, you can’t even hand them your ID to scan. There are no more crowds of people laughing and smiling, and there are less dogs walking around campus. The sense of community that we all know and love about Fredonia is gone for the time being.