Matthew and Marie at the Axinn Library.
Julian Rocha/The Hofstra Chronicle
Although Hofstra’s campus was open to students last year, like other universities around the country, life was far from normal. A good portion of classes met over Zoom, club meetings were either online or entirely nonexistent, and there was an eminent feeling of concern regarding the ongoing pandemic.
As this semester kicks into high gear, it brings a sense of familiarity to the upperclassmen who were on campus prior to COVID-19, but it is far from the “normal” that so many yearn for. Mike Roller, a senior political science and public policy major, is president of Hofstra’s Model UN chapter. He notes a stark difference between this year and prior years, yet remains optimistic towards what is on the horizon. This school year is Roller’s second as president of the Model UN chapter, but his role is continuing to change as Hofstra transitions away from virtual operations and toward more face-to-face activity.
“Coming back to campus has absolutely been a big shift for me; I’ve dreamed of being president of this club since 11th grade in high school,” Roller said. “Even though I had the role last year, it’s just so refreshing and rewarding to have everyone in the room again.”
When he oversaw Model UN as a junior, Roller made the most of the atypical meeting format. “Our club is all about communication, the exchange of ideas, and the solving of global issues,” Roller said. “Needless to say, we had a lot to talk about.”
Regularly seeing familiar faces in the Model UN Zoom calls made Roller’s time wielding the digital gavel much more enjoyable. “Going to virtual meetings was refreshing,” Roller said, “because I got to check in with my friends and hang out [with them] for a little while. I just hope everyone was having as much fun as I was!”
It is clear to Roller that life on campus has changed a lot over the past year and a half, as many of his fellow club members from before COVID-19 have graduated during that period. Just like countless people of all ages, Roller misses parts of his pre-pandemic life. As a commuter student, he spent much more time on campus with his friends and in the classroom before the pandemic began. Stepping back onto campus this fall provides opportunities to both rekindle old connections and build new ones.
“I see a lot of fresh faces on campus ready to move past the troubling times,” Roller said. “I’m predicting a Renaissance of campus activity this year!”
Valerie Langlois, a sophomore filmmaking major, is also glad to be back on campus, surrounded by her peers. The social isolation was challenging to her, as it was for many others.
“Due to the restrictions last year,” Langlois said, “it was so hard to see everyone I wanted to.”
As a member of the class of 2024, Langlois’ class did not have the opportunity to attend in-person orientation or Welcome Week events. As a result, Langlois and her peers took it upon themselves to branch out on their own as much as they could, given the pandemic restrictions.
Coming into this fall semester, Hofstra increased the capacity of indoor seating areas and somewhat lifted its restrictions on in-person classes. This difference was well received by students such as Langlois, who have exercised proper precautions over the past year and a half. Eager to meet new people, she plans to take advantage of the new freedoms on campus, while remaining conscious of her responsibility to heed the remaining regulations.
The Axinn Library, one of the most important locations on Hofstra’s campus, has had its operations altered by the pandemic. Marie, who requested that her last name not appear in this article, works at the circulation desk and greets those entering the library. She notes that the recent no-food policy is a large change. “It’s a lot to ask for,” Marie said, “having the students not eat in the library.” At such a highly frequented place, older students are often tempted to pull out a snack and eat, as they may have in the past. However, she emphasized that the students “are very kind and sweet. They have done a good job of following the rules.”
Being on campus during a pandemic has been daunting to many members of the Hofstra community, but Matthew, who also requested the omittance of his last name, works at the Curriculum Materials Center desk in the library and has noticed a rise in the overall enthusiasm of students so far this semester. “The students seem much more interested, and are asking us lots more questions,” Matthew said. “The study rooms are filling up much more significantly, and there has been a lot more activity, which is great to see.”
Mike, Valerie, Marie and Matthew are only a handful of the thousands who are glad to be back on campus here at Hofstra. The past year and a half have been tough for all, but the Hofstra community has shown it can get through it. Campus is bright and vibrant at this point, and it is full of people ready to tackle what is next. Looking toward the future, by being safe and responsible, every member of the Pride can play a part in making it special.
