Western University has committed to keeping residences open for the fall semester and using a mixed-module course format. For some, this may seem like an easy way to get back to ‘normal’, however, many are concerned for their safety and their wallet.

Returning to campus without a vaccine being found or the ‘go-ahead’ from the provincial and federal governments is a selfish act that puts many students at risk. With only 25-30% of classes being in person, many students feel that staying in residence is not worth one or two classes that may be in person. Likewise, upper-year students are struggling to come to terms with renting an apartment in London if they are in the same situation. With many students expressing interest in staying home, there is also fear that the online versions of classes will fill up quickly and will be forced to come to campus. Additionally, students that volunteer or work in residences as orientation leaders and RAs would be largely putting themselves at risk to maintain social distancing measures, as Western is known for being a very social campus. 

Western should be pro-active like many other Canadian colleges and universities by offering ALL classes online, and guaranteeing that students will be able to reach their graduation requirements while staying home. Having students fly in from all around the country and the world to live in residence is extremely irresponsible and Western has not provided enough details for how this will be done in a safe manner, nor what, and even if, they have in place shall a COVID-19 outbreak occurs. There is so much going on in the world right, and Western should not be fuelling the stress many students are enduring right now.