As COVID-19 cases at Syracuse University remain relatively low, many students and faculty are eager for the positive changes this will bring for the COVID-19 policies that are currently in place. Since SU students moved into their dorms in August, the COVID-19 level at the university had steadily been at level “RED.” Last week, though, the policy changed to the “BLUE” level. With this new flexibility in the COVID-19 protocols, the university should allow more visitors in the dorms.

At the “BLUE” level, the only time fully vaccinated students and staff must wear a mask is during academic instruction, while unvaccinated people must wear masks indoors at all times and outdoors in the presence of others. This announcement was major for SU students and gives hope that the university can continue to decrease the number of active cases on campus while slowly moving toward what used to be considered the normal.

The university’s current guest policy allows students living in residence halls or South Campus apartments to host guests who are affiliated with SU or SUNY-ESF, but it does not permit external guests.

A major part of college life is sharing your experience with friends and family from home. Additionally, for many college freshmen, this is the first time they are living on their own. They are in a completely different environment with new friends and responsibilities. Being able to share that part of their life with loved ones from home is something that college students take pride in.

While sending pictures and talking on the phone gives people at home a good idea of what you’re up to at school, it is definitely not the same as having them visit you at school. Showing your friends and family what buildings your classes are in, where you usually eat with friends, and where you live is an exciting part of the college experience. Sharing your second life with those from home makes you feel more connected and proud of what you’ll accomplish during the next few years. Part of this experience is having your friends and family visit your dorm.

When I was a sophomore in high school, I went to North Carolina to visit my older sister at college. I was thrilled to see the place she lived most of the year. After sharing a room with her my whole life, suddenly being on my own at home was strange. Visiting her allowed me to enjoy the same experiences she had at college every week. I tried dining hall food for the first time, met her friends, went to a party and slept in her cozy, lavishly decorated dorm room. It motivated me in my college search and made me even more excited for when it was my turn to move into a college dorm.

I hope that as the masking policy has just changed, SU can work to make even more safe, positive changes to COVID-19 policies. The university should enact a safe plan to allow for visitors to go into dorms. Visitors should show proof of vaccination and get tested prior to arriving on campus to ensure a safe environment for those they come in contact with. The university has been on top of the pandemic this school year, so I hope that it can continue to change policies that students have been patiently waiting for.

Jean Aiello is a freshman magazine, news and digital journalism major. Her column appears biweekly. She can be reached at jdaiello@syr.edu.

Published on March 7, 2022 at 1:51 am