Living on an Empty Campus
Dear Elon, we will miss you. (Photo by Olivia Mitchell)
The verdict is out. Classes are online for the rest of the semester.
Most of us probably aren’t surprised by this news, but it hurts just the same. Spring semester is supposed to be filled with fun, friends and North Carolina sun. Instead, most of us have returned to our hometowns to be isolated with our families while taking classes online.
Some of us, however, opted to stay in Elon rather than return home so soon. We caught up with five students living on or near campus to find out what it’s like to be at Elon during a pandemic.
First, we talked to senior Taylor Deacon who has been at Elon the whole time. We also spoke with sophomores Callie Christenson and Chuck Steines and first-years Harry Beasley and Burl Shepherd, who have all been back on campus since after spring break.
Why did they stay at school as opposed to going elsewhere?
Taylor: “My internship initially didn’t go online. So, to keep my job, I stayed. I also have an apartment, a car and food that I all pay for at school, so financially it made sense for me to stay.”
Callie: “I came back to Elon after break because my dad wanted me to self-quarantine myself from my sister who was sent home from serving with the Peace Corps in Madagascar. It also provides me with a quiet space to do my online work, which I wouldn’t get at home.”
Chuck: “Most viable option rather than going home.”
Harry: “I’m from the U.K. and haven’t decided to leave yet.”
Burl: “Family is moving.”
How often do they leave their dorm/residence?
Taylor: “[Once or] twice a day. I’ve been going on a lot of walks and runs around campus to get outside as much as I can. I also have been outside to get food, to go on a drive or just to sit by the lake.”
Callie: “Usually once a day to go to work. Sometime’s twice if I have to go to the grocery store, but that’s it. I try to stay in my dorm as much as I can so that I don’t potentially expose myself or others.”
Chuck: “Two to three times a day to work out and get food.”
Harry: “A couple times a day.”
Burl: “To go to eat—three times a day.”
What do they do for food?
Taylor: “I went grocery shopping twice—once the day they first announced classes were going online and once about a week ago. I’ve been cooking a lot, prioritizing fresh stuff first. I’ve also been getting takeout from local places to support local business… and also because I have a serious Tangent problem.”
Callie: “I cook my own food.”
Chuck: Eats at Lakeside dining hall and buys a few groceries.
Harry: Eats at lakeside.
Burl: Also eats at Lakeside.
Are they with their friends?
Taylor: “I’ve been staying with one of my roommates.”
Callie: “No.”
Chuck: “Yes.”
Harry: “With a couple others.”
Burl: “One teammate.”
What is campus like right now?
Taylor: “Relatively empty but not quiet. I’m shocked, and quite frankly annoyed, with how many people I’ve seen out in groups. Relatively though, everyone has kept to themselves.”
Callie: “Very isolated and quiet. If it’s warm out, you’ll see a few people going on walks or sitting outside, but it’s very quiet and empty.”
Chuck: “Odd, lonely.”
Harry: “Quiet.”
Burl: “Empty and safe.”
Are they bored? What are they doing to keep busy?
Taylor: “Since it’s been 2+ weeks for me, I’ve started getting bored. I’ve been trying to be creative—weaving, reading, painting, learning TikTok dances and playing bad ukulele—and trying to go outside as much as I can.”
Callie: “Not really. I spend a lot of my time doing school work, and ever since classes went online, I feel like I have even more work to do. I go to work three days a week, so that keeps me busy too. I’ve also been catching up in shows and movies now that I have the time to. It’s been kind of nice.”
Chuck: Yes. Working out, talking to family and friends.
Harry: Very bored, does school work.
Burl: Very bored, FaceTimes friends!
What is one word to describe their experience on campus since the pandemic started?
Taylor: “Bittersweet.”
Callie: “Independent.”
Chuck: “Boring, yet unique.”
Harry: “Quiet.”
Burl: “Boredom.”
So, it seems as though people who are still on campus are going through pretty much the same thing as the rest of us. This is a strange time for everyone and, whether you’re on campus or not, nobody’s spring semester is going as planned. Let’s just keep our fingers crossed that we’ll all be back on campus together again this fall!