Schools reinforce in-person attendance

Many professors are witnessing a decrease in in-person attendance during the 2021-2022 school year.

On March 14, Academic Dean Barb May sent an email to students and department faculty that Zoom is only to be used for COVID-related factors and not for other accomodations.

“In an average year, in a class of thirty students I would usually have two or three students gone. Now, I usually have five or six students gone,” Communications Department Chair Karyl Daughters said.

CSB/SJU is committed to an in-person learning experience with an expectation that both instructors and students follow this model.

“Whether through discussion, small-group problem solving, or hands-on activities, these learning environments are demonstrated to be ideal for learning. We want to retain that experience as best we can while still remaining safe. That is why we are not maintaining a hybrid experience at this time,” May said.

The 2021-22 school year is the first year since 2020 that students are required to attend classes fully in-person.

Last year, students attended classes on a block schedule. During the block schedule, students attended one class four days a week for three hours each day. They would take a new class every four weeks rather than taking four new classes each semester.

Students missed less class on the block schedule as each class held a week’s worth of information since it was three hours long, according to Daughters.

“The institution has been very clear that we provide in person class instruction. Unlike schools such as the University of Minnesota, we are not accredited to teach fully online although the institution will make accommodations for students and faculty with COVID,” Daughters said.

Students will not reap the benefits of an in-person learning experience if they are attending class remotely on Zoom compared to being in the classroom and engaging with other students and conversation, according to May.

Throughout the past two years, CSB/SJU has continued to make accommodations for learning due to COVID.

There has been some confusion as to when Zoom and hybrid attendance is allowed.

Zoom is to be used as an option when students or faculty test positive for COVID or come in contact with someone who has tested positive.

“Even when I am tired, I feel the need to go to class. My classes are super lecture-heavy and when on Zoom it is harder to pay attention. Even when half the class is on Zoom it is harder for everyone to have a good discussion in class which I think is super important,” CSB first-year Grace Baumler said.