Here is WSLS News:
Liberty University resumed in-person classes Monday, following a two-week mitigation period to slow the spread of COVID-19.
On September 8, the university reported 463 active cases, with more than 1,800 people instructed to quarantine.
âI think itâs too little and late. They [went into the mitigation period] after a whole week of students being on campus and allowing students to mingle and get each other infected,â said student Kendall Covington.
The university switched to online classes for two weeks.
Now, as in-person instruction returns, LU is keeping a virtual option for âa period of time.â
âThe university made an effort to just try and do something, but I think if weâre going to do a mitigation period like this, I think we need to go all the way and really make sure that weâre not having any large gatherings or anything like that. I think we really missed the entire point,â said student Nathan Grimes.
Large, indoor gatherings were suspended during the mitigation period; however, large, outdoor gatherings, such as football games, convocation and a block party, continued during that time.
The university said there will be a 50 percent capacity for indoor events, with virtual streaming options.
âAny gathering that big is just going to cause issues, no matter indoors or outdoors. It was definitely a good move to bring [football games, convocation, and their block party]] outdoors, but I think the right move would have been to just cancel everything for two weeks,â said Grimes.
Grimes and Covington said theyâve noticed less foot traffic on-campus, but didnât notice a difference in dining halls or on buses.
Masking wearing continues to be âstrongly encouragedâ by the university, but not required.
âThe professors are dedicated to protecting their students [by wearing masks]. I donât see the same from the majority of the students or from the administration,â said Covington.
Theyâre worried about the guidelines moving forward.
âItâs just going to bring us right back to where we were before [before the mitigation period],â said Grimes.
Read the entire piece here. As of September 15, Liberty had 175 active COVID-19 cases and 920 students and employees in quarantine.
