To ensure the health and safety of those returning to campus for the fall 2020 semester, common areas, like the library, recreation centers and dining halls, will have new social distancing guidelines. Here are a few things to know to navigate campus common spaces safely:
Drexel Library and Post Learning Commons:
Study spaces will only be available to students in the Post Learning Commons (PLC), according to Jenifer Baldwin, associate director for Public Services. The Francis A. Drexel Library will be used primarily for contactless book checkout.
Students are expected to uphold the iCare pledge by maintaining social distancing guidelines and wearing a mask at all times, Baldwin said. With these guidelines, space in the PLC will be limited. Baldwin advises students to plan ahead and reserve study rooms on The Nest when possible. Students will still have access to computer stations and printers in the PLC.
Hygiene stations will be set up around the library, so it will not be necessary for students to bring sanitation materials with them. Baldwin encourages students to wipe down surfaces, like computer stations, before using them.
Additionally, students are required to enter through one door and exit through another, limiting the foot traffic the building typically sees. Students should also expect to go around the Drexel Library building instead of cutting through it when going to and from class.
Recreation facilities
O’Pake Recreation Center will be open for students and faculty on Aug. 24. Access to facilities will be restricted to reservations that can be made on the SJU Campus Recreation website, according to an Aug. 7 university announcement from Jill Bodensteiner, J.D., director of athletics.
Gym users are required to wear face coverings at all times, except while in the pool, and to adhere to social distancing guidelines.
O’Pake Recreation Center reservations can be made for 90 minutes and allow access to the Fitness Center (Cardio Area) or the Multipurpose Room (Strength Area). O’Pake Pool reservations allow 50 minute access to the pool, and Group Fitness reservations allow access to one 45 minute group workout session.
For all reservations, students are asked to arrive no earlier than 10 minutes before their designated reservation and leave promptly at the end of their session. Facility users must wipe down equipment before and after each use. Between each reservation there will be a 30 minute period dedicated to cleaning and sanitizing. Additionally, locker rooms and basketball courts will remain closed.
Dining
Campion Dining Hall and Campion Food Court will reopen with modified hours beginning on Aug. 24, according to Kevin Bargeron, marketing manager of Aramark, in an email to The Hawk on Aug. 13.
Bargeron said the new hours of operation for dining halls on campus have not yet been released. P.O.D. Markets and convenient stores will also reopen.
Adhering to social distancing guidelines, seating arrangements in both Campion Dining Hall and Campion Food Court have been modified, Bargeron said.
Made-to-order stations, such as the omelet station in Campion Dining Hall, will no longer be available to prevent cross-contamination. Additionally, buffet and self-service style will also no longer be offered. Bargeron said most options will be available pre-packaged to limit contact between associates and guests.
Outdoor spaces
According to an SJU News update, Wi-Fi hotspots have been implemented in various outdoor areas on campus to promote social distancing. Students are encouraged to utilize these spaces, which include: The baseball field bleachers, the softball field bleachers, Curran Field, Claver Field, villiger lawn, PLC and the Sweeney Field bleachers.
