This year, Covid-19 has made it difficult for college students, as the restrictions have heavily impacted their overall  experience. 

Three local universities,Bloomsburg, University of Pennsylvania, and Villanova, despite their differences, have all experienced similar obstacles in regards to the coronavirus. Their campus life, athletic programs, and tuition and fees, have all been altered to cooperate with the implications that the virus brings. Though they all vary in terms of how many cases they have, the impact of the pandemic can be considered to remain a prominent factor in their school years.

Bloomsburg 

According to the official Bloomsburg University Website, approximately 8,689 students enrolled in last year’s fall semester (including graduate students). In comparison to other schools such as Penn State, it is on the smaller side, which is important to consider when understanding Covid-19’s impact. The following information was provided by the Bloomsburg University COVID-19 Dashboard, and was last updated as of August 14, 2020.

Campus life:

All on campus classes have been moved to virtual learning, in hopes to stop the spread of the virus. Students have been given the option to stay on campus, or finish the semester at home. The students who choose to remain on campus are required to follow certain guidelines, to ensure a safe environment. These guidelines include monitoring your health daily, washing your hands frequently, and always wearing a face covering.

Coronavirus Cases:

Total positive cases fall 2020 (students): 357

Total positive cases fall 2020 (employees): 2

Athletics:

There have not been any recorded sports events as of March 11, 2020, and there are none scheduled for the rest of the fall season. The possibility of sports for the next season are subject to change, as conditions constantly develop and are in need of a re-evaluation.

Tuition and fees:

There have been no changes in the tuition for students, being that the University is intending to provide the same “quality” education, in exchange for the same price. 

Housing and food fees were more lenient, providing an estimated 90% off if you chose to finish the semester off campus, in your house.

University of Pennsylvania

The UPenn website states that 26,675 students, in total, enrolled in the 2019 fall semester last year, providing a higher risk for the spreading of the virus. The following information can be found on the UPenn Covid 19 Dashboard, last updated October 10th.

Campus life:

Isolating as much as possible during this time has deemed fairly effective for students and staff at the University of Pennsylvania. With that being said, limitations are still in place, and all on campus events have been cancelled until further notice. Students are also not allowed the luxury of visitors, in hopes of eliminating unnecessary contact.

Coronavirus Cases:

Total tests completed: 27,741

Total positive results: 315

Athletics:

Being that UPenn is a part of the Ivy League, the University and it’s athletic programs  must follow the regulations that they put in place. That being said, the Ivy League has decided to suspend all intercollegiate sports activities that occur prior to the end of the fall semester. This restriction does not mean athletes won’t be able to participate in small workouts on campus, as the Ivy League guidelines allow controlled interactions between student athletes and coaches.

Tuition and fees:

The total budget for all of the expenses when living on campus remain mostly the same this year, at $79,365. However, if students chose to go completely virtual this year and live at home, UPenn has provided an estimate of a budget of $68,274.

Villanova

Founded as a private institution in 1842, Villanova is a considerably large university with a total enrollment of 10,848 students last fall. Being this big of a university, it is impossible to not encounter the implications that come when dealing with the Coronavirus. The following information is attributed to the Villanova Covid-19 dashboard, updated daily since 8/17.

Campus life:

Students are able to stay on campus as long as they follow the newly adopted rules and regulations. These precautions include social distancing, wearing a mask at all times (other than your dorm), not partaking in family visits, and following limitations of guests in the residence halls.

Coronavirus Cases:

Total tests completed: 5319

Total positive cases: 232

• 123 were residential students
• 104 were non residential students 
• 5 were employees 

Estimated active cases: 17

Estimated recovered cases: 215

Athletics:

In a normal year, there are about 500 student athletes and 24 varsity sports to partake in; however, the restrictions placed this year have heavily impacted all sports programs. The men’s basketball team has experienced major setbacks, in particular, as their season was put on pause in March, and hasn’t fully been the same since. They have recently had to quarantine for 14 days, when a few people in their program tested positive for a Covid-19. The head coach of the men’s basketball team Jay Wright has expressed his concern for the upcoming season. Wright said, “I just cringe receiving the test results every day to make sure we’re going to have enough guys to practice”.

As a result of the pandemic, organizations affiliated with Villanova Varsity Athletics such as the Big East, and CAA have announced that sports will not take place in the fall of 2020. Both conferences have discussed postponing their seasons until the spring, instead of just cancelling them altogether. This directly impacts cross country, volleyball, field hockey, and soccer athletes.

Club sports/activities have also been suspended for the fall, and await to be re-evaluated in January, 2021.

Tuition and fees:

The cost of attending the university has not been impacted much, and remains at an estimated tuition of $56,730, for the 2020-2021 school year.