Butler students react to university’s last-minute decision to start semester virtually

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Butler University’s campus was filled with students on the first day of school but none of them are going to class. The students got the notification just 24 hours ahead of their first day of classes.

The university president announced Sunday in an email to students that the first two weeks of school would be entirely virtual.

After a challenging end to the spring semester due to the pandemic, the Bulldogs were looking forward to a bit of normalcy, including heading back to class in person.

“So last night I actually got probably over 100 notifications of professors trying to edit the course,” said freshman Maggie Lengerich.

During the two week lockdown, students will not have access to any campus facilities other than their dorms, dining halls and the outdoors.

“Obviously we were a little bummed because we do want to go to class and we do want to meet new people, but if it is going to keep us on campus, I know that is what everyone here wants,” said freshman Connor Groom.

In the email, the university cites the reasons for the change as students not following health and safety protocols; a 2% increase in COVID-19 cases over the last week; and contact tracing linking 75 students to a positive case.

“Then when you look around campus and at noon, everyone is all over campus, not social distancing, it is kind of unacceptable,” said junior Drew Smith.

So far about 50 students have been cited for violating health code by attending on- and off-campus parties.

“It is definitely something hard to resist to participate in,” said sophomore Madeline Vuss.

The last-minute switch is not only affecting students but their professors as well, as they try to rework their curriculum.

“So one of my classes today that I was supposed to have right now already got canceled because he couldn’t like get everything figured out fast enough,” said Lengerich.

While some students are optimistic about the remainder of the semester, others feel it is only a matter of time before everyone is sent home.

“Yes, yes I am. I’m very worried about that,” freshman Tim Dahill said about a concern that a two-week lockdown could end up lasting the whole semester.

“If the university expected us to go back after three weeks, then I don’t think they should have brought us back on campus,” said Smith.

The university released the following statement when making the announcement on Sunday:

“In particular, in the past 48-72 hours, we have observed lack of compliance with health and safety guidelines among a relatively small proportion of our students, resultant increases in the number of students testing positive or displaying symptoms of COVID-19, and projections regarding future cases as a result of contact tracing. “