Meal delivery. Contact tracing. Package delivery. Communications. Check-ins. Testing. Soup delivery.
Many members of the University community have volunteered their efforts on top of their regular work responsibilities. They are coaches, administrative assistants, vice presidents and other administrative staff, police officers and professors, as well as students who are juggling schoolwork, club activities and more.
Lauren Rivera, J.D., Ed.D., assistant vice president for student life and dean of students, who helped to manage staffing and meals for those isolating or quarantining, said she was grateful for all the volunteers.
"We had a massive team of contact tracers, and we've been delivering up to 140 meals on campus at a meal period," she said, remembering that one particular student this fall wasn't able to eat the meals provided.
"The student could only eat soup, so three different University staff members jumped in to deliver soup around the clock to this student," said Rivera.
The Residence Life team has helped students transition to temporary spaces when they have had to quarantine or isolate themselves on campus.
"At this time last year, we could have never imagined the realities we’re facing and how it would impact our work." - Brad Troy, director of Residence Life
"At this time last year, we could have never imagined the realities we’re facing and how it would impact our work. Our team has been committed to serving our students to the best of our abilities and we try to bring a positive attitude to our work each day," said Brad Troy, director of Residence Life. "To have the opportunity to contribute to some level of normalcy for our students is a privilege. The students have always been the center of our work."
Troy was especially appreciative of the students helping their peers through this difficult time and said they "deserve recognition for their efforts."
"Having to isolate or quarantine is a disruptive experience and can be stressful for students for a variety of reasons. In addition to students who have had to move to temporary housing, we have a number of students who have volunteered countless hours to support their peers," he said.
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