Alyson Oliver
senior editor
TCC will return to in-person learning this fall semester.
“Given that I think the College has been very conscientious this past year about prioritizing the safety of students, staff, and faculty, I feel okay about this decision,” South English instructor Lindsey Davis said.
She trusts if anything happens beforehand to compromise the safety of the TCC community’s return, the chancellor will react accordingly, she said.
“I believe it is very difficult to determine when the ‘right’ time is to return to campus given a variety of variables,” South speech instructor Paige Carr-Lovelace said.
But because the chancellor said in-person learning would restart once the COVID-19 vaccine had been available for three months, she thinks this is an appropriate choice, she said.
While some students may struggle with the transition, it will likely benefit most, especially since online learning is not ideal for some classes and learning styles, she said.
Adjunct journalism instructor Gemeral Berry said he prefers teaching classes face-to-face. Class discussions are easier since students can hear clearly and respond to him immediately, he said.
“However, when it’s online, there may be technical issues that students may have,” he said.
NE student Chester Vitug said while online learning made it more challenging to stay engaged and meet deadlines, it taught him how to keep on top of his work.
“I realized that organization and diligence are crucial,” he said.
Davis said the virtual experience has a silver lining — she learned valuable technology and communication skills that have enriched learning and community in her classes.
“I plan to implement some of those tools from now on, no matter what modality I deliver classes in,” she said.
She hopes once students return to campus, there will not be issues regarding compliance with safety measures like wearing masks and social distancing, she said.
“I don’t want to be put in a position to have to ‘police’ students who don’t follow safety protocols, and even more importantly, I don’t want to see anyone endangered by someone else’s negligence,” she said.
TR associate geology professor Taylor Hughlett said she is very apprehensive about the return.
“Herd immunity hasn’t been established yet, and even with the vaccine, it is still possible to transmit and carry the virus,” she said.
Vitug said he feels making vaccination a requirement would require much consideration, but for students’ safety, he would at least like getting the vaccine to be a suggestion.
“I’ll leave that up to the professionals; perhaps there can be a compromise somewhere,” he said.
Eligibility to receive the vaccine has opened up in Texas, and anyone aged 16 or over may now set up an appointment.
Berry said he hopes basic safety measures will still be in place regardless of whether the vaccine is required to return to campus. While wearing masks may be cumbersome, requirements such as those will better ensure a safe environment for students, he said.
If Governor Abbott has taken steps toward having residents under the age of 40 vaccinated, there should be many students who have had the vaccine by the fall for TCC to be safer, he said.
Fall classes begin Aug. 23.
