University of Denver’s students have become increasingly more concerned about classes in the fall due to the rise of COVID-19 cases in Colorado. So far, the university has expressed their plan of maintaining a hybrid course plan; including both online and in person classes while practicing social distancing. But this decision has left many students with the same overarching question, will these terms change if the number of COVID-19 cases rises?

Caroline Hamilton, a rising junior at the University, shares this concern. “I’m just scared that college students are not as self aware as they need to be,” Hamilton explains in regards of the issue of social distancing, “I feel like no one is really going to care about social distancing rules once we are all back on campus; everyone is tired of quarantine.”

This concern is shared by many, since the lack of social distancing between college students might create a big spike in cases in the state; which might lead to another wave of mandated quarantine.

Students seem to be in agreement with the university’s plan to have hybrid classes, since it creates a better learning environment overall. Will Sweeney, a rising junior at DU, explains that the online courses can be challenging in terms of learning.

“I feel like I learned less than I would’ve if [the classes] were in person,” Sweeney expressed over the phone when asked about his experience last quarter, “I feel like it was harder to keep up with the coursework”

Online-only have not only been a challenge for the student body, but for the staff as well. Professors had had a hard time adjusting to the online setting of zoom meetings, as well as the Pass/No Fail grading system.

“DU didn’t really help professors through this whole process,” said Hamilton when asked about the topic, “they were kind of winging it the entire time. It was really frustrating for everyone involed”

Not all of the factors of online classes created a negative aspect on students, though. Anika Furrer, a rising Junior, explains that there were some benefits when it came to online courses.

“I liked the testing system way better,” Furrer explains in regards of online classes, “There was more flexibility for me to concentrate and do better in my own room, instead of a room full of people.”

Considering the pros and cons of online courses, some students seem to be contemplating the option to take a gap year; since it seems to be is the most financially wise decision for them,

Anna Andrada, an international student, explains her reasoning behind her decision to take a gap year, “Personally, as an international student from Brazil, I was financially hurt by the economic shock of Coronavirus…”

Andrada expresses over the phone, “… I’ve tried to seek aid from the university countless times, but it has only led me to dead ends. So I was very disappointed with that, and with how DU does not take their international students into consideration as they should.”

Not everyone shares the same opinion though. Furrer explains why she would not consider a gap year by saying, “A great part of our tuition goes to scholarships. So, I am in a position where my family and I are comfortable enough to pay tuition in order to give other students the opportunity to attend the university. It is for the greater good of the university,”

The student body may be divided in some cases regarding the ways to deal with this pandemic regarding of courses, but they all agree that they’d rather have a concise answer rather than everything being up in the air.

The University of Denver will continue to update its student body and staff with their decisions regarding fall quarter. For any questions, refer to the university’s COVID-19 FAQ.