Clubs, organizations, Greek life and COVID-19?
Sam Carr, HPU’s senior class president, updates students on campus life and COVID-19. Photo by highpoint.edu
By Elise Coby
Organizations Editor
COVID-19 has affected nearly every aspect of our lives, including higher education. Almost all colleges and universities have been cast into very uncertain circumstances. Many have transitioned to online classes, while dealing with other issues, specifically finances.
While we have had the privilege of returning to our home on campus, High Point University has implemented countless efforts to ensure the safety of students, faculty, staff and visitors. With many of these regulations put in place, how are clubs, organizations and greek life operating?
Student Government Association President Sam Carr weighed in on what large groups, such as HPU’s clubs and organizations, are doing to accommodate needs and keep our campus safe from the virus. Most recently, Carr revealed that HPU’s Office of Student Life released a statement that outlined off-campus events for organizations and student-led organizations to continue.
Many individuals, including himself, are currently trying to work through the process of getting these organizations operating again. Service organizations are a priority, as they depend solely on providing physical aid and assistance to others. These organizations are being encouraged to, if possible, find a way to connect virtually to limit numbers of people.
While groups of 10 members are permitted, accommodating only five members at a time is being strongly suggested. By having these orders pre-approved, organizations can be more efficiently overseen and regulated.
“In this coming week, all information and our new guidelines for off-campus involvement for clubs and organizations will be sent out,” said Carr. “I think all of us are very hopeful for what the spring looks like, and I think it would be very cool for a vaccine to either be here by the end of this semester or by the beginning of next semester. It would be great to see HPU be one of the few that remain on campus. I think we can do it.”
Derby Day was canceled this year to ensure the safety of students.
“I will say I was very proud of our students over Derby Day,” said Carr. “I did not see large gatherings. I also know there weren’t as many breakups of large groups of people, in terms of parties, which was very encouraging to hear. I know the university was very strict with monitoring groups of people, especially at off-campus houses. We understand that this is a lot for most of us.
I’m a senior; no more Derby Days for me or my peers that are seniors. I recently published a letter to the students, explaining that we could either live it up right now for just two weeks or have a whole semester. Nobody is saying you cannot hang out with your friends. We just ask that you be safe and follow the policies that have been placed.”
Since the reopening of campus, in-person involvement with HPU’s Greek Life has also been greatly affected.
“I’ve been really impressed with our Greek organizations,” said Carr. “I spoke with someone who sits on the Interfraternal Council, and the Greek communities are rallying together to help enforce policies with their fraternities and sororities.”
In the hope that we remain safe and on campus, it is up to the entire HPU community to follow the guidelines and recommendations that the university has put into place.
“I think if everyone holds each other accountable, that’s the best way we’re going to do it,” said Carr. “If someone’s not wearing a mask, you don’t have to be mean about it; simply ask, ‘Hey, do you have a mask?’ and if they don’t, offer to direct them to Campus Concierge to get a free mask.
The simple gesture of just pulling up your mask does the trick. I know some students don’t enjoy wearing a mask, and everyone is entitled to their own opinions, but if the only reason that they want to wear a mask is to stay on campus, that’s totally okay.”
Carr also discussed how HPU’s environment sets the campus and the university apart from others.
“I think we are kind of in this bubble, which is a good thing in times like this, where the university can control who enters and exits the campus,” Carr said. “Many times, the virus is caused by people from other campuses entering other colleges or universities.”
For updates on how the university is regulating its organizations and policies, students are encouraged to pay extra attention to emails and notifications.