Covid-19 on the Kent Campus

It has been nearly a year since Covid-19 originally struck Kent State University. What originally started off as seemingly just a free week off of school in the Spring 2020 semester has now led to a whole academic year where most, if not all, courses are being taught online.

Ever since I moved out of my dorm midway through the Spring 2020 semester when classes abruptly went remote, I hadn’t gone back onto campus due to all my courses in the 2020–2021 academic year being held online. However, one of my friends moved back onto campus this semester because their studio classes are partially in person. She told me about how empty the campus had become, and since I was stuck at home and had missed being on campus, I decided to bring my camera and visit the campus to see for myself.

Walkway in-front of the athletics center at approximately 1:53PM.

Once I had arrived at the campus, I headed over to the CVA to meet up with my friend just as they were getting out of their studio class. Shortly after, we began to walk around the campus. As we walked down the walkway, I was amazed at how empty it had become. Normally at this time when classes were just ending there would be students practically filling the walkway as they headed towards their next class. Instead it was now barren with the few student remaining being spaced far apart.

The Risman Plaza which sits between the HUB and the library at approximately 3:17PM.

Due to the two of us being hungry, we decided to head to the HUB to grab some food. Again a place which would normally be crowded at this time for lunch was now empty in addition to the tables being spaced apart.

The HUB at approximately 2:45PM.

As we finished eating up, I took in the surroundings and wondered how much better of a social life these students living on campus had in comparison to those online. The few students that were seen were usually alone as they walked to class, worked on homework, or ate a meal.

Alexis, a student who had just moved back onto campus this semester due to her studio courses now being in person. She explained how vastly different they had now become with studios being separated into two rooms with each student being required to stay in a specific spaced seating arrangement.

Devin, a student going for a PhD in English. As we chatted he brought up how this was also his first time being on campus this semester as all of his courses are being taught online.

Izzy, a student majoring in biology. She mentioned how although her courses are mostly online, she has one in person which allows for some needed face-to-face social interaction.

After chatting with some students in the HUB, we then decided to visit the library as my friend wanted a drink from Starbucks and I was curious as to how different the library would be.

The library’s computer lab on the first floor at approximately 3:00PM. Due to the 6 feet distancing, most computers had their keyboards and mouses unplugged to render the PC inaccessible and allow for mandatory distancing.

After visiting the library, we were heading towards the CVA but instead took a detour to visit the new Design Innovation Hub which had just opened this academic year.

A view from the inside of the new, but quiet, Design Innovation Hub.

As we walked around the building we were greeted with it being practically a ghost town just like all the other buildings. The interior design was interesting, but the heavy use of metal and concrete in addition to the low lighting made the place feel a bit eerie to walk around. Either way, it was still an interesting first experience with the building for both of us.

Helen, an employee at the new Design Innovation Dining Hub.

I recalled hearing that this new building had a dining area, so I looked around for it in hopes to possibly interview someone working there. I was able to find it and talk with a woman named Helen who was working there. She said how business had been relatively steady, but she expects that it’ll become much more busy in the Fall semester. She also said how she believes that the students on campus have been being well behaved in that they are wearing their masks and following the safety precautions.

After leaving the Design Innovation Hub, we headed for the CVA as I needed to pick up some supplies from an Art Education class I am in. Before leaving, I was again able to briefly chat with a few more students.

Allie, a student going for a BA in fine arts as well as a minor in textiles.

Another student I was able to briefly chat with just after they were leaving from a studio.

After grabbing the materials from the CVA, we rode a bus back to my friend’s dorm before I headed back home.

A photo taken on the quiet ride back to the dorm.

After visiting Kent, I couldn’t stop thinking of how it had become a husk of its former self. The whole experience just felt surreal as I had gone out very little since Covid-19 first arrived at Kent, so to see how empty it had become just felt strange. With the Covid-19 vaccination recently being released, I can only hope that things will go back to normal soon enough.