On Wednesday, Feb. 17, the SUNY system reached an incredible milestone of administering 1 million COVID-19 tests. While I am incredibly proud of my school, SUNY Oswego, and to even play a small part in this accomplishment, it comes with a sadder realization. Despite the constant testing of students, the administrations across the SUNY system have failed its students in creating a real college experience.
I am not asking for SUNY Oswego to allow its students to party in dorms or off-campus fraternity houses, just the opposite. SUNY Cortland students tried to party and failed in incredible fashion, as it saw a 75-person party broken up, and students faced disciplinary action. I do not want parties, but safe, school-sanctioned activities.
The administration’s decisions feel almost hypocritical, with no real rhyme or reason. We see in-person classes of 20 students in a normal sized classroom in Mahar Hall, but organizations cannot meet without intense restrictions. The Oswegonian office could easily host at least four people with social distancing. Instead, it is limited to just two. Last semester, Ben Grieco, the Editor-in-Chief, and I walked maybe 15 feet to a neighboring classroom in the Marano Campus Center, which was set up for double-digit students. The classroom is not five times the size of our office, it is not even double. So, again, I ask, why should we or other student organizations be subjugated to lesser after the sacrifices we have made?
It feels as if the school and SUNY as a whole are sending mixed messages. I understand that classes are essential but so is the mental health of students. Personally, all of my classes are online, so I only leave my off-campus house for clubs. Without The Oswegonian or WNYO, there would be no reason for me to be in Oswego.
This semester, SUNY Oswego created spaces that clubs can reserve for one hour at a time. Sure, this is a great option for organizations to meet and communicate, but it is not enough. I wish the school explained to us why these bookings are safe but having people in our office is not. With more and more testing we should have the opportunity to be given more freedoms as students.
Again, I am not asking for SUNY to throw caution into the wind for its students. I am asking it to try. Students have busted their butts getting tested, maintaining social distancing and surrendering the typical college experience. We deserve a bit of safe fun. If a standard classroom can host 20 people for roughly a 90-minute class, clubs should be able to have smaller groups of 10 members meet more frequently than the sporadic reservation that is available.
As I sit back and look at all the good SUNY did this academic year, keeping us safe and investing hundreds of thousands of dollars into COVID-19 testing, I cannot help but think of the not so good. SUNY and SUNY Oswego, in our specific case, punted on a full year of extra-curricular activities. I missed out on weekly Oswegonian issues, in-person productions for WTOP-10 and countless other memories, while I see other public institutions like Central Michigan University and University of Miami in Ohio who did not try half as hard to test their students open up their collegiate athletic programs, TV studios and so much more.
Photo from Flickr
