On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization determined that the outbreak of COVID-19 could be classified as a pandemic. Since then, the world has been altered in many ways, and people’s daily lives have been changed forever. 

The campus of Waynesburg University attempted to manage/control the disease in many ways, some of which included going online, mask mandating, social distancing, limiting the number of spectators at events and implementing many other mandates. Now, four years after the initial classification of COVID-19 as a pandemic, Waynesburg University Health Services sent out the updated COVID-19 protocols via a written statement.

“The CDC has downgraded the guidelines for COVID-19. Per the CDC, COVID-19 is now being classified as a respiratory virus and protocols have been adjusted to follow recommendations for respiratory viruses,” according to the statement. “There will no longer be mandatory isolation for those diagnosed with COVID-19. Health Services will no longer be able to provide excuses for those with COVID-19.”

Dean of Students Kelley Hardie spoke extensively about the impact of the virus on Waynesburg University. She described what it was like to live through the pandemic, as well as seeing how different life is now on campus. 

“I do not know if I processed that. It was definitely an experience that I won’t forget,” Hardie said. “In some regards, it is a blur. I often make this joke with my family; we talk about events pre-COVID and post-COVID. There were things that happened before the pandemic, and then the pandemic, it was total chaos. Now it is post-COVID.”

Hardie continued to go into detail on some of the challenges that students had to deal with throughout the COVID-19 outbreak.

“Well for high school students, my heart breaks that students missed some major milestones like prom, sports banquets or graduations ceremonies that they can never have again,” Hardie said. “In college, for freshman students, they just completed one semester. They were entering their spring break, and then everything was uprooted. So, they also lost a lot of important memories, but they proved to themselves and others that they can adapt. They proved they can pivot and go through a challenging time and overcome.”

Hardie also reflected on the difficulties as a staff member throughout the pandemic.

“Living through it as an employee here at Waynesburg University was definitely interesting. We constantly had to pivot. CDC guidelines constantly changed. They are continuously changing, so we have always been an institution to follow what CDC recommendations were, and we continue to do so,” Hardie said.

In addition to overcoming the challenges presented during this time, Hardie highlighted the work of the entire Waynesburg University staff.

“Behind the scenes, what Waynesburg University did during the pandemic was remarkable. Faculty and staff worked together holistically to really adapt to the CDC guidelines. From Health Services, to the Provost, Academic Affairs, Department of Public Safety, Residence Life; everyone really met the challenges.” After four years, Waynesburg University is seeing normalcy once again. According to the written statement from Health Services in regard to the COVID-19 updated protocols. Any further questions can be addressed by contacting Health Services at 724-852-3332 or by emailing healthservice@waynesburg.edu.