TAMPA, Fla. — Students returned to campus this week at Hillsborough Community College.
Like most other schools, everyone has to wear masks and needs to social distance. Students said after seeing all of the precautions in place, they feel very safe.
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“I feel good actually, wearing a mask in class isn’t going to make a difference, I’m still going to do school, so that’s really the only difference to me, that and sitting a little further from students,” said Sophomore Chase Hendrickson.
The college added plexiglass dividers in the offices, re-arranged seating on campus to promote social distancing, and added curbside pickup at the library.
There’s also new filtration systems in all of the buildings and an established process for tracing any COVID-19 cases on campus so they can prevent it from spreading.
Despite all the precautions, college officials say they’re also relying on students and faculty to help keep their peers safe.
“It’s a new world we’re living in right now and we’re looking for personal responsibility. We want the faculty, staff, and students when they’re sick they should stay home when they’ve been exposed to someone they need to report it,” said Leif Penrose, PhD.
Also, the University of South Florida will open its campuses on Monday. It has similar policies in place.
It also provides public updates online of each COVID-19 case reported on campus.
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