This afternoon, Chief Student Experience Officer Tom Ellet and Senior Medical Advisor Dr. David Hill sent out an email announcing the lifting of multiple campus COVID-related restrictions. 

Many students, like Ephemia Nicolakis, were ecstatic to hear about the news. “This is the first step towards feeling some sense of pre-covid normalcy in our community,” Nicolakis said.

Beginning on March 20, residential students are allowed to bring students from other dorm rooms into their residence hall from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Additionally, the North Haven shuttles will now be operating for student use. The shuttles would allow students to have access to places such as Target, Best Buy, Buffalo Wild Wings, Panera, Subway, Walgreens, Stop & Shop and Barnes and Noble.

Quinnipiac first-year, Lynzi King, is looking forward to taking these shuttles because she has never experienced them before.
“I can go to Target, I can use my gift cards and I don’t have to pay for an uber!”

Starting on March 19, Quinnipiac students will also be able to cheer on outdoor sports games live from the stands. In order to avoid crowds, the number of fans in attendance will have a capacity number. Two parents of each Quinnipiac athlete will also be permitted to attend.

On-campus activities such as basketball and skating will be reopened as well. As of today, students can reserve a spot on the basketball courts to play 2v2 or 3v3 with their roommates and open skate will be available on March 21 and 28 by reservation only. 

While many students are elated to hear this news, King is worried that students will take advantage of this freedom. 

“I think because people are so eager to get back to normal they’re more likely to abuse the generosity.”

Nonetheless, Quinnipiac freshman Kevin Carballo believes this is a safe idea. 

“I think that as more people are vaccinated and the fear of getting covid or the risk of getting covid is a little bit alleviated, I think these new protocols can be implemented safely.” 

Students are still required to wear face coverings and practice social distancing. Dr. David Hill and Tom Ellet both say this is a major step forward for the Quinnipiac community.