Students on Residence Halls Stay Engaged in Community Despite Covid-19 Restrictions

With new rules and regulations, students must adjust to changes in all aspects of their college experiences. Part of the changes seen on campus is how students stay connected, especially among their hallmates. The job of making that happen falls on the shoulders of the Resident Assistants.

The RAs focus on finding ways for hallmates to connect while maintaining safe practices. 

Commons 1 floor 7 RA Eliza Cody believes community still needs to be a priority for students.

“During this season where isolation and loneliness are so prevalent, it is important to create an environment for our residents where they feel known and cared for despite the masks, distancing and the new regulations,” Cody said.

Cody explained the most challenging part of handling these new responsibilities was not always having the answer for her residents. The best way she learned to approach this was being honest with them from the beginning. 

“Another way that we are working to enforce the regulation is by being very up front and honest with the residents on our hall,” Cody said. “We stand by that statement that our hall is our family during the school year, so we ask our residents to follow the rules and protect the family.”

Not all dorms are functioning the same, however. For Garrett Hale, a resident on East Campus, the separation from neighboring quads has been an adjustment.

“We have not been allowed in other quads,” Hale said about the situation on East Campus. “This forces all communities to be built off the hall or outside of our dorm. It’s been very awkward not getting to know the people that live above and below you.”

Creating events like a trip to Camp Hydaway has allowed community to flourish among dorms. 

“We had around 60 people from our bro/sis dorms attend, and it was so unique because our residents were able to engage with one another at the level that they felt safest at since we were outside and there were so many different options of things to do,” Hale said.

However, dorms do not have to go far in order to connect with their fellow residents. Hale says her hall has been able to host other events with neighboring dorms, including volleyball games or sitting by each other at Campus Community.

“It’s been fun getting to know the people who are living like me,” Hale said.

Community groups provide an essential way for residents to connect with each other. For Cody’s hall, the number of girls in each group stayed roughly the same this semester. These groups are a vital aspect of the Liberty community. Groups now have the option to wear masks, as well as utilizing more locations to congregate besides the CGL’s dorm. 

To avoid feeing isolated, Hale stressed the importance reaching out to those around you.

“I would say to those around me who are feeling lonely or disconnected . . . please get in touch with your RS and CGLs,” Hale said. “They are there for you . . . They want to help you be part of the hall and get plugged in.”

Stephanie Haydon is a News Reporter. Follow her on Twitter at @Steph_Annice.