Simon Elfrink
Contributing Writer
selfrink@murraystate.edu
On Monday, Aug. 3, several Murray State representatives answered questions about dining, housing and the return to campus via livestream in preparation for the fall semester.
With the fall semester fast approaching, the Office of Student Affairs felt it was necessary to inform students and parents alike of the atmosphere that will dictate the on-campus experience for students this fall. Monday’s conference opened with Vice President of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management Don Robertson greeting those gathered to tune in, ensuring all parties present were abiding by the CDC’s social distancing guidelines.
Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs Timothy Todd and Executive Director of Auxiliary Services David Looney, joined Robertson.. Robertson explained Looney’s position includes detailed involvement in housing, dining and Racer Identification.
After opening introductions, Robertson offered a baseline for questions and information to follow.
“We’ve been working since March in preparing for you [students] to arrive on campus,” Robertson said. “We’re eagerly looking forward to you [students] returning, and we continue to make these plans, to continue to work on a successful fall semester.”
Todd encouraged students and parents to visit the Racer Restart Initiative on the University’s website for more information on what the atmosphere will be like on campus for the fall. Robertson also reminded students and faculty to complete the Racer Safe and Healthy Checklist, which is a module that can be accessed through a myGate account.
After a short video outlining safety and prevention suggestions for students, Todd explained the shortened semester, which will go straight from Monday, Aug. 17 to Friday, Nov. 20, will be difficult on students because of the work they will have to put in to make up for the lack of time allowed in the classroom for a typical semester. Todd also touched on the importance of personal protective equipment, which is outlined in the Racer Restart Initiative, as well as the added counseling services the University has implemented.
Todd summed up his segment by telling students to make good choices and that he and the entire administration are looking forward to seeing them back on campus.
Robertson gave Looney the floor next, who took the opportunity to tell students the utmost importance of making good decisions before moving right into his segment about Murray State Housing.
“We’re planning to do our move-in a little bit different,” Looney said. “We have a scheduled appointment process for move-in, and you’re allowed a two-hour window of time to move in.”
Looney directed students who have yet to reserve a time slot to their myGate account, where they can view their housing assignment and access a link allowing appointment selection. More information about the move-in process can be found here.
Looney also discussed the new Racer ID Cards which will be given to students during the move-in process. Looney pointed out the new design features additional ID information on the back of the card, as well as a scanning component that does not require a hand exchange of the ID.
Looney answered questions regarding campus life by assuring viewers that Starbucks, Chick-Fil-A and Steak ‘N’ Shake will be opening on campus in time for returning students.
Looney was excited to announce a new partnership with Grubhub beginning this fall that he believes will help with social distancing in the dining courts.
“Starting this fall, there will be an opportunity with Grubhub where you can actually order ahead and then just come and pick up your order,” Looney said. “We will have Grubhub services at all of our locations on campus with the exception of Winslow, which will be done a bit differently.”
Looney also said Winslow Dining Hall will be employing the Bite app by Sodexo, which will allow individuals to order entres on the app and charge them to meal plans the way a student would any other meal.
After Looney’s segment, Robertson opened the floor up to a question and answer session that consisted of detailed descriptions of what campus life is expected to be like when classes begin.
Questions about what resources would be available to students in the residential halls were answered by detailed training programs that have been implemented for Great Beginnings Leaders on campus.
When asked about the policies regarding visitors in the residential halls, Robertson made it clear the greatest change is that only Murray State students will be allowed to visit rooms in the residential halls. The number has also been limited to one guest per student at a time, all in the name of safety and social distancing. While the visiting policy was noted to be subject to change, responsibility for cleanliness and safety measures is expected of all students across all residential colleges. Personal safety measures are expected to be made easier by the Racer Safe and Healthy hit, which will be administered to each student, faculty and staff member upon their return to campus.
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