Robert Nelson
rjn001@marietta.edu
Remarkable things are happening around the world, as people rush around trying to combat the global threat that is COVID-19. Marietta College has followed in the steps of the world in our movement to remodel how to be a Pioneer and address the pandemic.
The college began online/remote instruction on March 13, 2020, and the process was initially expected to last until April 10. Through constant pushbacks of the date, the Marietta Leadership Team and COVID-19 Task Force determined that we would be finishing the school year in this online fashion. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), local health officials, and the government sent layers of guidance that were a huge part of making this final decision.
“Like everyone, I was shocked at first to learn classes were going to be moved online due to COVID-19. It isn’t a situation that anyone wanted, but we all knew that it was a situation we had to handle. After a few days, it became clear that Marietta College was ready to do everything in their power to prepare their faculty to move to online learning,” said Dr. Cody Clemens.
Most professors are using a format called Zoom, which is an easy-to-use, reliable video call app. Zoom acts as a platform for video and audio chat, webinars, and conferences; the source is a leader in modern enterprise video communications. Professors and students of Marietta College now reside worldwide and all have varying opinions on this new format.
Most professors had to adjust their course syllabus to fit the new environment on students, as well as adjust their level of leniency when it comes to understanding the WiFi situation differs for all students learning from home.
M.C. has accommodated to the needs of the students in a great variety of ways. Work-study is still being offered, as students’ payments were averaged out and still paid on payday in an amount similar to what they were paid on campus. The Legacy Library has still found a way to get each student their necessary books to succeed for no cost. Students will be repaid a certain amount for room, board, and meal plan payments they may have already made, as they will no longer be necessary to pay. Commencement for seniors will be held online and later made-up through an in-person graduation ceremony expected to be near homecoming weekend of 2020.
“Linda Roesch has done a fantastic job preparing faculty to teach online, and my colleagues in the Department of Communication have been more than supportive. In COMM, we made a goal to provide a positive student experience and that is exactly what we are trying to do,” said Dr. Clemens.
Most students were recommended to return home during this process. “When I got the news that we were moving to online classes, I was actually at the beach on my spring break, and I was really stunned because I didn’t think that a small town like Marietta would actually be impacted as much as we were. I was nervous to do my classes through Zoom because I didn’t have much experience using it and I was so accustomed to walking to my classes every day,” said Kylee McBride, a student now learning from home. Like most others, McBride quickly became familiar with the Zoom format and was able to get a strong education through Marietta College’s new format of education.
At the same time, some students had to remain on campus for accommodation reasons differing for each individual. “I was not sure what to expect when I made my decision to stay on campus. The first week was rough as I watched all my friends pack up and leave. I was frustrated at the situation but adjusted quickly. I create schedules to help me keep up on my school work and have begun to be comfortable with the online learning environment,” said sophomore soccer player, Callie Heft. Heft is a strong example of a student that initially saw many negatives in this new situation but grew to adapt and succeed in her new environment.
“As educators, we have to remember that our students come first. When we lose sight of that, the institution as a whole will start to fail. I’m proud to work at Marietta College and I am proud of our students and faculty for adapting so quickly to online learning,” said Dr. Clemens.
Furthermore, sports world-wide have ceased, as they provide an obvious way in which the virus can spread. “When our season was canceled, it felt like we got something stolen from us, or ripped away. We were just getting to the most exciting part of our year, and everything was finally clicking. We knew it was for the best but it was honestly heartbreaking,” said senior softball player, Alyssa Cook. Luckily for Cook, spring senior athletes were granted another year of eligibility from the National Collegiate Athletic Association, and she will be taking advantage of this incredible opportunity by returning for a 5th year.
A closing statement from senior Ryan Van Meter is as follows: “The response to Marietta College closing due to COVID-19 has been incredible. Our faculty/staff has done everything in their power to ensure students are safe and taken care of in this difficult situation. President Ruud and other members of the campus community have provided constant updates for all of us and they stuck to their promise of providing an in-person graduation at a later date, which I know all of us seniors greatly appreciate! I have even received phone calls from people in the advancement office checking in on all the students. All of this has made me even more proud to be a part of the Long Blue Line.”
For more information on the college’s tremendous response to the pandemic visit https://www.marietta.edu/coronavirus-update.
