Just as Oswego State was about to enter its 14-day remote learning period, activities such as Greek Life, athletics and in-person dining were suspended in-person, a course of action that could have been carried out earlier on.  These measures have proven to help in reducing exposure to COVID-19, and could have helped in avoiding any possible scares.

The series of actions that have taken place on-campus over these, have seen a wide array of reactions among the campus population.

While at plain sight, it may seem as if most were wishing to return to the classrooms, that is not the case.

“It’s like a warzone out here,” one student has said. “It’s just an awkward feeling. This is not what college life is supposed to look like.”

Students and faculty have been critical of the swerving ride their semesters have been, citing that it is seemingly impossible to set routines amid an imminent closure.

The chain of events has also led University Police to be in closer contact with the Oswego City Police Department in an effort to identify large gatherings and other possible violations of the Oswego Forward Plan.

“If people are defiant in following the rules, they can leave campus,” Interim Chief Kevin Velzy told The Oswegonian in late August. 

In fact, per the daily incident reports page, several students have been suspended since the semester kicked off, but that will likely not stop students from defying the rules set out by the college.

While the Oswego Forward Plan carried out by President Deborah Stanley and the Oswego State administration has been heavily supported by SUNY Chancellor Jim Malatras, who has paid several visits to campus over the span of the past couple of weeks, their decision to resume in-person activities could see some devastating effects if students do not comply with the outlined guidelines set for the SUNY system, which contemplate suspensions and other severe courses of action for those who do not comply.

Now, as in-person lectures resume, the fate of not only this semester but most likely the full school year lies in the students’ hands and their will to abide by these measures.

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