Max Augugliaro
Staff Writer
With the University turning to remote learning in light of the Covid-19 pandemic, it is easy to assume that the campus is completely closed to the use of students.
However, an article by fellow Stroud Courier Writer, Telly Diallo, about the operations of the Mattioli Rec Center during the fall semester, completely challenges that general assumption.
With different university services, like the Gender and Sexuality Center, the Warrior Tutoring Center, Career Development Center, the Counseling and Psychological Services Center, etc. having shut their doors on campus for the Fall Semester in order to provide their services online, it makes one wonder, “What, if anything, is actually open on campus?”
As a commuter student, it is important to know the answer to this question for many reasons.
These reasons including simple things as just getting out of the house, as well as important reasons such as accessing resources/services that one might need and might not have known about if they did not look into it.
This is why Telly’s article is important, because it highlights important information, about the services of the Mattioli Rec Center, that has already been drowned in your endless sea of emails.
This article is intended to be an extension of this good service by highlighting other important services open, in person, to students on and off campus.
One of the more basic services to know about is the ESU Bookstore.
Whether you still want to cop your ESU Merchandise, buy some supplies for your classwork and assignments, or if you want to pick up your class textbooks, the university center will be open Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Capacity will be limited to ten customers at a time, cleaning and sanitizing have been increased, self-serve has been discontinued for the time being, and normal Covid-19 procedures are to be observed: Social distancing, as well as the requirement of masks, wash hands for 20 seconds/use hand sanitizers of 60% or more alcohol, etc.
Another resource open, in-person, to the campus community is Dansbury Commons.
While all of the other food sites on campus are closed this fall, Dansbury Commons, along with the mini market in its lobby, will be the only way to get the food, on campus, that we have grown so accustomed with.
In a statement clarifying some procedures that Dansbury has made to combat Covid-19, Janine D’Esposito, General Manager of Dansbury Commons, stated that Dansbury was open for dine-in and/or takeout serves this semester, seven days a week.
“For the safety and convenience of our campus community, guests may choose to get their meals to go,” stated Ms. D’Esposito.
“However, once they choose the Take-Out option, we ask that they take their food out of the dining hall.”
As part of the takeout option at Dansbury, customers are to tell the cashier that they are utilizing the To-Go option, select their food at the various stations so the associates can pack them up (under a suggested 15 minute time limit), and carry out a beverage and a piece of fruit.
Repeating To-Go trips are to be reswiped/recharged for every trip, and food taken out should be consumed one hour after pick-up.
“When food is not held at the proper temperature, it will allow bacteria to grow that could make people sick,” clarified Ms. D’Esposito.
Dansbury will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. from Monday to Friday as well as 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on the weekends, they will also have a capacity of 165 guests, and normal Covid-19 procedures are to be observed.
The final resource that is open, in-person, to students this semester that will be covered in this article, is Kemp Library.
Open to anyone with an E-card, Kemp Library will continue to provide its important services during the Covid-19 pandemic.
In a statement made to the Stroud Courier in order to clarify any confusion around their new Covid policies, Megan P. Smith, Department Chair of Kemp Library, stated that the library’s webpage is in the process of being updated to reflect the following information:
The main and upper floors are available for use as they normally have been, with furniture, including computers, having been rearranged in order to promote social distancing, with a request for visitors to refrain from rearranging the furniture themselves, as well as study independently.
Students can borrow books from the main collection, Baker and Taylor, and fiction without prior notice/restrictions. Reserves and OER reserves may be checked out for use, in the building only, but might not be available if a past recipient is now under quarantine.
Books on the bottom floor are available by request only (not in person) and will need at least 2-3 days’ notice in order to receive them on time.
From personal experience, Interlibrary Loans are also still available to students, with an extended due date lasting until January 2nd.
“[Students] may bring drinks in the library. Food is not permitted at this time (to promote uninterrupted wearing of masks while in the facility),” added Ms. Smith. “No fines will be given for items currently checked out.”
The library will be open Monday to Thursday from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and from Sunday from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.
And to summarize Kemps’ procedures (say it with me!), NORMAL COVID-19 PROCEDURES ARE TO BE OBSERVED!
For more information about campus resources, please check out the following links:
https://www.esu.edu/campus_life/services.cfm
https://esu.campusdish.com/LocationsAndMenus/DansburyCommons
https://esu.libguides.com/spr2020
https://esu.bncollege.com/shop/esu/home
Email Max at:
maugugliar@live.esu.edu
