College of Toledo college students return to campus

Aug 27 – It’s been about 40 years since Marc Suhajda graduated from the University of Toledo, but he returned Thursday to help his niece Emily Sanders move into her dormitory.

Shortly before noon, while Mr. Suhajda was loading her belongings into rubbish bins to be taken to the dormitories of the Parks Tower, Mr. Suhajda received the President’s treatment on his return to campus: he was supported by UT President Dr. Gregory Postel was on hand to welcome students and step in to help where he could.

“It’s the first time I’ve met a UT president. It was a pleasure,” said Suhajda.

Dr. Postel continues the president’s tradition of helping students during the moving-in week. And while he was helping students last year, he was then interim president of the UT; he wouldn’t agree to take on the role permanently until March.

Since then, his wife and twin children have moved to the Toledo area.

“It’s just nice to know I’ll be here,” he said. “At this point [last year] I was still unsure how long my role would last and it’s a nice feeling to settle down. “

During this week and through Saturday, around 2,700 students are expected to move into UT’s dormitories in preparation for classes to begin on Monday, said Brad Menard, UT’s housing director. While that number is a 25 percent decrease from 2019, when about 3,600 students lived in UT’s dormitories, it’s more than last year when about 2,200 students lived on campus amid the coronavirus pandemic.

This year, students are returning as concerns about the coronavirus and its Delta variant grow, but with significant changes – including no further outdoor mask requirement on campus, and students will be allowed to live with roommates again.

Other known changes include a return to live and in-person activities, with a carnival scheduled on Saturday followed by a student participation mass on Sunday.

A requirement for masking in interiors is carried over from last year. Students are also required to fill out security forms, similar to the Spring Semester Student Safety Commitment, in which students pledged to limit virus transmission by agreeing to take surveillance tests while on campus.

The story goes on

Students and staff who are not vaccinated will also have to take part in a random weekly selection to be tested for the virus to follow up on possible outbreaks. At first, Dr. Postel this summer that those who do not attend would not be punished, but according to newer coronavirus protocols, it is no longer the case.

And now that the Pfizer vaccine received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration this week, Dr. Postel said UT officials are discussing mandatory vaccination for students and staff.

“There’s been a very active discussion about it here,” he said, noting that Ohio State University recently mandated vaccines. “This is a conversation that almost every school in Ohio has, and it’s a very complicated decision – even if there is a decision to be, there are a lot of logistical issues to consider so we don’t want to reflexively do it all decide what might be a good plan. “

In the meantime, Dr. Postel said the students were excited to return to campus, adding that he was also looking forward to soccer games and other live events this fall, which will include an October 8 ceremony celebrating his 18th president the UT celebrates.

“We’re looking forward to a very active fall semester,” he said.

First published on August 26, 2021, 6:35 pm