Washburn has officially moved all classes to online-only. Undoubtedly, students are not the only group feeling the impact of this decision as faculty and staff are also adjusting. The coronavirus presents a serious and challenging situation; some faculty want students to know that we’re all in this together, and they have no intention of abandoning the semester.

English Professor Dennis Etzel Jr. really hoped to reassure students in this troubled time.

“We, too, do not know what might come next, but we want our students to finish the semester as best as they can as we will do the best we can,” said Etzel.

The week of March 16 gives faculty time to prepare to teach remotely.

“We are very thankful to Washburn’s administration for giving faculty this week to train, prepare and implement online classes. Really, this week will be a way for some faculty to learn how to move things online, and C-TEL (Center for Teaching and Excellence in Learning), with Dr. Melanie Burdick’s and Dr. Jericho Hockett’s leadership, is doing an amazing, top-notch job with training,” said Etzel.

Kent McAnally, Director of Career Services, has also been impacted by the spread of COVID-19.

“We’ve offered the option of doing similar things virtually already; however, I don’t feel like it’s the most effective way our services are offered, but we’re not in a position where we get to make that decision now,” said McAnally. “Scheduling a virtual appointment with Career Services is the same process as it is for an in-person appointment: you log-in to your handshake account, but as you schedule the appointment, one of the things you choose is called the appointment medium, and rather than in-person you’ll simply choose zoom video call.”

McAnally stressed the importance of following safe health practices as well.

“Follow the CDC’s recommendations. Let’s try to keep folks healthy and not congregate and stay away from groups of others, and if you have symptoms, stay home. Contact your provider if you have a fever and trouble breathing,” said McAnally.

Another professor who has been vocal online about the impact of COVID-19 on students is religious studies professor, Chris Jones.

{{tncms-inline account=”Dr. Chris Jones is practicing social distancing” html=”<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">I'm supposed to be meeting with my Intro to Religion class right now.I miss every damn one of you. <a href="https://t.co/diA0AwRUmS">pic.twitter.com/diA0AwRUmS</a></p>— Dr. Chris Jones is practicing social distancing (@ProfChrisMJones) <a href="https://twitter.com/ProfChrisMJones/status/1239567619251896321?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 16, 2020</a></blockquote>” id=”https://twitter.com/ProfChrisMJones/status/1239567619251896321″ type=”twitter”}}

{{tncms-inline account=”Dr. Chris Jones is practicing social distancing” html=”<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">I would strongly encourage Washburn students to check your official email today, and to make sure to check it once per day every day this week. Your professors will probably start contacting you about moving your courses online this week.</p>— Dr. Chris Jones is practicing social distancing (@ProfChrisMJones) <a href="https://twitter.com/ProfChrisMJones/status/1239523706428424193?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 16, 2020</a></blockquote>” id=”https://twitter.com/ProfChrisMJones/status/1239523706428424193″ type=”twitter”}}

The virus has impacted both students and faculty. With everything shifting to online-only, we at Student Media urge our readers to stay tuned, stay safe and stay healthy.

Edited by Hannah Alleyne, Abbie Barth