Winter Break Worries

Winter break is quickly approaching for Thomas More students, it is also the earliest students have had the break with the last day of on-campus classes being Wednesday, November 25th. Classes are currently scheduled to resume on campus on Monday, January 11th. With that being said, another factor is quickly approaching for everyone, that being Covid-19. Several schools across the Cincinnati area and tri-state have already put their remainder of the first semester online due to Covid spikes. Although Thomas More is going strong in handling cases and the spread, students are worried about if they will have to face a similar semester to that of last spring and have all courses online.

Students weigh in on how they are feeling about the future of the upcoming semester.

"The online exams don't bother me, but the thought of doing another semester online frightens me." - Senior Allison Gribben

"I'm glad we are getting out early, especially with cases rising, and maybe if we go home early we are less at risk of catching it. I'm still worried that these cases will go up because people are still taking it for granted." - Junior Myles Anderson

"Personally, it's really helpful so I haven't had a break since last summer, but it also is a long break where we may settle in and come back for another long semester may be hard."

- Junior James Mulenga

"With us getting out more early, different exams have been pushed forward and I feel it helps us get the exams out of the way quicker, but also caused a lot of stress with how much we packed in the few months, and am ready for a break." - Sophmore Michaela Crites

"I think proper measures where made by sending us home early, I am ok with classes being online if it is for everyone safety." - Senior Courtney Barnoski

Even professors are preparing for the coming months, hoping Thomas More stays on track to safely continue in-person classes.

"I am really hoping we get to come back for in-person classes. I can't imagine having to teach my entire course load online." - Steve Oldfield, Communications professor

Alongside the current plans to return in January, the school is requiring all residential students and student-athletes are required to submit a negative test result to their appropriate contact starting January 3rd, as mentioned in President Chillo's Covid communication letter (11/2/20). If students are concerned about where one can get free testing done, feel free to refer to our story about free testing locations.

With the future always in motion, we will have to just wait and see what is in store for us this upcoming semester. By doing your part by wearing a mask and socially distancing, we all can control what we can in order to get back to normal the fastest, and safest way possible.