Wright State students with masks | Photo by Diana Jaber | The Wright State Guardian
Wright State University (WSU) students head back to campus this fall as the Delta variant causes major outbreaks across the United States and in Ohio.
Reinstated Mask Mandate
As cases surge and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines change, WSU reinstated restrictions at its Dayton and Lake campuses which include wearing a mask indoors.
On Aug. 4, all students received an email from WSU Communications that reinstated an indoor mask mandate on campus.
“Effective tomorrow, August 5, all students, faculty, staff, and visitors are required to wear a face mask when inside all buildings on WSU campuses, regardless of vaccination status,” the email read.
As of now, an outdoor mask mandate has not been reinstated but outdoor social distancing is required.
Student Opinions
Despite the reinstated restrictions on campus, both new and returning students are excited to be back in the classroom learning in a more traditional setting.
Shay Roth, a freshman acting major, said she is excited to be able to have her freshman year back on campus even with restrictions like the indoor mask mandate.
Another freshman acting major, Joe Gongaware, is glad that he can have in-person classes because of the mandate.
“Masks are scientifically proven to work,” Gongaware said.
Both students believe that campus restrictions are necessary, and that they go together with what public officials, including the CDC, are recommending.
Returning students are also excited about coming back to a more pre-pandemic way of learning. However with the rising cases, there is still concern.
Victor, a first-year graduate student majoring in psychology, says despite being nervous, he is excited to return to campus. He still feels that the vaccine provides protection for students against the delta variant.
“I have a little bit of anxiety,” Victor said.
Even with the concern, Victor believes that WSU has good precautions set in place and the campus would be okay to remove these guidelines if 70% of WSU students are fully vaccinated.
While plenty of students are excited and grateful to be back on campus, WSU still offers remote delivery and flexible delivery approaches for students who may not feel comfortable returning to in-person classes. As of now, 70% of classes will be held face-to-face with the remaining 30% being either flexible or delivery courses.
