Many students at Florida A&M did not understand the severity of the pandemic until they were told not to come back to school in April 2020.
FAMU students who lived off campus were instructed to pack up and head home, while those in residence halls were instructed to practice social distancing, and were later instructed to head back home, for their safety.
Students were allowed to come back for classes this fall, and that has sparked questions regarding campus life and student organizations. How have organizations been affected and how do they plan to move forward amid COVID restrictions?
The Infamous Boys of Poison were happy to be back on campus. Ronald Shannon, a third-year actuarial science major, said: “It feels good to be back on campus and able to resume practice. We practice Sunday to Friday, and negative COVID tests are required every Sunday in order to practice.”
“It gets a tad bit difficult sometimes practicing with a mask on, and our membership number has decreased because several members did not care for virtual practices, but we continue to move forward. Before the pandemic we had a total of 35 members. Now we are down to about 17. After almost a year of no in person practice, Mrs. Barnes finally sent our emails letting us know that we were fine to resume our meet-ups with precaution, of course.”
The Infamous Boys of Poison were happy to not have any of their male members catch the virus, so far.
Tony Ferguson, the president of FACES Modeling Troupe, said: “COVID has definitely affected our organization. However, we’ve taken different routes in order to ensure our success during this time.”
Ferguson also let it be known that, “Although our organization does not mandate or force specific protocols onto our members, we do encourage our members to take the necessary steps to be safe.”
FACES Modeling Troupe has held its meetings via Zoom since the beginning of the pandemic.
“We do host a few in-person family gatherings, but mask are required,” he said.
Also, FACES welcomed 32 new members, known as “Garavani Collection Spring 2021.”
“The executive board and governing body will be continuing business as usual with health prevention tactics put in place,” Ferguson said.
Edward Kincheon, from ESUA, said: “Change is an inevitability in life and with or without covid, things are or were bound to change. How and how quickly, COVID had a hand in that.”
Nevertheless; students and faculty at FAMU seem to be taking the necessary precautions to prevent the COVID spread. Facilities are being cleaned and sanitized regularly.
FAMU also offers free access to vaccinations, located at 659 Arelia Ct., and COVID testing at Bragg Memorial Stadium.