The class is virtually in session

Every year, as my children got older, the return-to-school routine got less exciting. Gone were the days where an afternoon spent at a stationary store was exciting; where an afternoon buying the Autumn wardrobe was exhilarating. With age came a certain cynicism about the reality of the classroom. They understood all too well that new pencils and backpacks, blouses and jeans, didn’t compensate for the months of hard work that were soon to replace the summer break. Despite this, I could always generate a bit of buzz talking about the return-to-school social activities and the importance of catching up with friends not seen since June.

A similar excitement usually follows the return to university classes. As President, I have always looked forward to our large NSOs — or new student orientations — where I re-use all of my age-old jokes and witticisms, but mostly get to enjoy meeting the new group of recruits, eager for the adventure that university represents. Orientation is always a loud, exciting event, where seniors descend like wizened guides to lead the newcomers around campus, and impart words of advice about navigating their new reality. The signup sheets for the different clubs are long and messy. The BBQs overflow with chatter, and professors and staff weave among the returned with excitement and good humour, still weeks away from the marking that awaits them.

All of this has disappeared with COVID-19. Where many of our faculty normally spend the summer working on research, the majority dedicated their time this year to redesigning their courses for online learning. Our staff, usually able to take vacation or focus on projects that are put off during the busy term, instead focused on germ-proofing our campus, with teams developing 100-page COVID safety plans for the health authorities and building Plexiglas barriers and signage for spaces that will be in limited use this year. It is true to say that all levels of the university return this Fall more weary and more wary than ever, facing an unknown challenge.

For St. Mary’s University, one of the biggest impacts of the pandemic has been to shut down or severely limit the charitable work that the President’s Volunteer Team (PVT) typically undertakes. Our monthly outings to support soup kitchens and shelters, building projects and seniors’ residence visits, have all been put on hold as we work with our community partners to identify safe ways for us to participate. Gone are the days of a hundred students joining me out in the field to support a worthy cause. Well, for now at least. Instead we are arranging small-scale events, in isolated groups, wherever we can. Still important, but somehow not the same.

Another challenge that our Catholic colleges and universities are facing is how to deliver our regular on-campus Masses. Many switched to online celebrations — ourselves included — but with even the limited return to campus comes the possibility of reconstituting in-person, though socially-distanced celebrations. As we’ve seen in our parishes, it can be done, even if the format is somewhat different. Here too, however, the experience will be different. At St. Mary’s, in Fr. Michael J. McGivney Hall, parishioners will find Plexiglas dividers between them. The offering of the sign of peace will still have special meaning, even though it will be expressed so very differently.

If you were to canvas university presidents about the greatest challenges, I’m sure most of us would say ensuring the safety of all our communities is key. And chief among our responsibilities will be ensuring that we look out for the mental health of our students, staff and faculty. At a recent online training workshop, our convener noted that in the virtual world, introverts become even more introverted, and extroverts … become introverts. This means that many of our stakeholders will experience some strain, with those most in need potentially least likely to seek out assistance. For this and so many other reasons, universities and colleges will need to be vigilant and attentive, clear in their messaging to their community, and alert and available to assist at all times. 

In the end, we know that we can only get through this challenge safely by being supportive of and by staying connected to each other. If we cherish and build strong communities, our chances of emerging from this pandemic stronger than before is assured. For now, it’s virtually guaranteed.

For wisdom becomes known through speech, ​and education through the words of the tongue. ​
​Sirach 4:24

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Written by Dr. Gerry Turcotte, 
president at ​St. Mary's University in Calgary.