First-year students are moving in at some state schools today, but due to COVID-19, it looks a little different than in past years.
The campus at Central Connecticut State University was closed on Monday due to Tropical Storm Henri. Western Connecticut State University and Southern Connecticut State University were also closed because of the storm and pushed their move-in date to today.
Khalia Hunt, of Meriden, moved into Southern Connecticut State University Tuesday.
“I’m just excited. I feel like I’ll be able to find things I’ve never really done before. I don’t know, I’m excited for something new, I guess.” Hunt said.
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She plans to major in healthcare studies and said she’s most excited about meeting new people and having fun and doesn’t have any concerns about the vaccine requirement for all students.
“I got vaccinated. I know there’s some rules if you weren’t vaccinated, but I’m vaccinated,” Hunt said. “I think it’s good.”
Her roommate is partially vaccinated and is still a couple of weeks away from receiving her second shot, so she went to Schwartz hall… where the school is doing covid testing and vaccinations.
“I got my COVID test here. Since I’m only partially vaccinated, I’m kind of required to do that within the school,” Juliana DaSilva, of Naugatuck, said.
Felipe Echeto, of Greenwich, said he doesn’t mind the COVID restrictions and mandates.
“Because of sports, baseball especially, I kind of got used to living in a situation like this,” he said.
Echeto grew up in Brazil, went to high school in Greenwich, and is the first in his family to go to college. He said his parents couldn’t be more proud.
“My mom and my dad, they’re just through the roof with the emotions. It’s awesome to see that,” he said.
All students attending Connecticut state colleges and universities are required to get a COVID-19 vaccine and the schools are providing vaccine clinics.
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The clinic at Central is outside of the student center from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. today and the clinic at Southern is outside of Schwartz Hall from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The CSCU Board of Regents decided at a June meeting to require the vaccine for students participating in classes or activities on campus.
At the time, they heard from several faculty members.
“I am here to beg you to vote in favor of mandating vaccines for every person on campus. I am asking this for personal reasons. I have two children at home age 7 and 10 and they can't get the vaccine," said Julia Blau, an associate professor at CCSU.
“I love my job and I don't want to have to die because of it and I don't want anyone else to go through what I had to go through these past 15 months,” added Dr. Jessica Kraybill, a professor at Western Connecticut State University.
The colleges and universities are allowing medical and non-medical vaccine exemptions. Students just have to fill out a request form.
