The university has talked about staying in person after Spring Break rather than continuing with their original plan of going online. Students say the possibility of staying in person has not changed their Spring Break plans they made months in advance.
“I know that originally the university had planned to go all virtual after spring break, but I have heard talks and rumors about that potentially changing with the number of cases decreasing this semester compared to last semester and the vaccine being more widely available for staff, and even students in the near future,” Hank Hoversland said who double majors in political science and economics as well as a minor with honors.
Hoversland currently lives in Casper where he takes his classes online.
“It is much cheaper to live at home and I have enjoyed spending more time with my family and an added benefit of all that is home cooked food each night.
“I am planning on keeping the same plans I have had since January and I think weather may be the only thing that stops me, or maybe a COVID surge could stop that, but not much about the university’s plans would change my mind as I already am away from campus,” Hoversland said.
Meghan Higgins, a civil engineer major said she will be staying in Laramie regardless if classes are online.
“I have an apartment so it wouldn’t make sense for me to pay rent and go back home. It’s way easier to focus on school in my own space rather than at home,” Higgins said. “I was already planning on going to campus during the online because I can’t do all my work in home.”
With the recent announcement for the potential of classes being in person after spring break, Ashley Hope Carlisle, the sculpture professor in the Visual Arts building, said where her classes are taught depends on the students.
Carlisle said, if students were able to remain in Laramie, they’d be able to work more in the foundry and metalshop.
“It would not change what we were planned to do. I have to be flexible as we had always planned to go online. I can do both face to face and online, but if the students were all up to being in person, I think it is better for you all and for me when it comes to helping you as you work. Plus it allows us to use the shops, but again only if everyone can be in Laramie,” Carlisle said.
Despite after spring break being unclear at this time, students still have plans for spring break.
“Normally I go to Cheyenne where my parents live for spring break. I was going to stay in Laramie this year, but they’re going away and I’m going to watch the dog,” Higgins said.
Hoversland said he normally travels during spring break. Last year he did not due to COVID-19.
“During spring break, I am planning on going on a vacation to Houston, TX, with my girlfriend and her family. Since I have been working as a substitute teacher this semester and that week is also spring break for K-12 schools in NCSD [Natrona County School District],” Hoversland said. “I thought a vacation would be nice while I still have COVID antibodies and right before I get the vaccine due to my job as a substitute.”
Hoversland said everyone can find resources during spring break.
“I would advise these students to probably just seek out any support they need from the services that our university provides, including the University Counseling Center and the Psych Clinic. I think that being alone even more during these times can be detrimental to mental health and I think being outdoors and doing physical exercise has helped me with some of that also,” Hoversland said.
Higgins also said going outside is important when the weather is nice.
“If not, try to hang out with the people you’re closest to. At UW we have the pods of people we can interact with,” Higgins said.
