By Markell Thompkins
The Scene staff
Forest Park is offering in-person classes this fall, but only a few hundred students are allowed on campus at a time due to COVID-19. Many are working from home.
Hallways, lounges, offices and the cafeteria are nearly empty. Signs remind people to wear masks, wash their hands and practice social distancing.
“It’s so different,” said Kathy Boykin, 50, administrative assistant in Academic Success and Tutoring.
“I’m used to a lot of activity down here in the center. It’s kind of quiet on the entire campus. It feels different, and it’s going to take some time to adjust.”
In a random survey conducted by The Scene the first week of school, several students and employees commented on how different things are this fall compared to other semesters.
But business major Caitlyn McMurray, 19, couldn’t make a comparison because she’s a freshman.
“Things are going pretty well so far,” she said. “Getting used to being online is a little tricky. I’m more of an in-class person. It’s a little more difficult for me to learn online.”
Boykin and McMurray said the college has put in place strict rules to slow the spread of the coronavirus and that most people seem to be following them.
Minini Numbere, 34, program coordinator for clinical laboratory technology, agrees.
“The management of the school has taken great steps to make sure that students can return back to campus safely,” he said.
Numbere acknowledged that remote learning has been challenging for some students, but he sees it as a necessary step during a health crisis.
“It can be a strain initially, but I think it’s something that students are going to get used to,” he said. “We’re hoping it’s not a new normal.”
Employees also have had to learn new ways of doing things.
“It’s weird giving people textbooks now,” said Deja Gibbs, 22, assistant manager and head cashier at the Forest Park bookstore.
“Used to be, you would be close to them, but now you have to have to kind of stand back behind a (plexiglass shield).”
St. Louis Community College closed all its campuses, including Forest Park, in mid-March, when the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic.
Administrators worked over the summer to come up with procedures for reopening this fall. Students could choose from four types of classes: face-to-face, hybrid, online and live virtual lecture.
“I’m very excited to be back on campus,” said Martha Harvey, 71, a reading tutor. “I missed everybody.”
Harvey said the biggest challenge has been following all the COVID-19 precautions to keep herself and everyone else safe.
Abei Tajabi, 26, a student assistant in Campus Life, stood outside the Student Center the first week of school, answering questions, giving directions and making sure everyone was wearing a mask.
“I feel safe with all the precautions being taken,” he said.