Learning During a Pandemic
Ohio University’s photography team documents a school year reshaped by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Staff Photos by Ben Siegel, Rich-Joseph Facun, and Julia Martin de Sa | December 17, 2020
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Virtual class lectures. Wearing masks. Standing six feet apart. Dining hall lunches to go. Checking temperatures. Taking online final exams and getting COVID tests. Zoom hangouts with friends. Watching the fall colors on College Green change via OHIO social media snapshots.
The 2020-2021 school year is like no other in Ohio University’s history. The University and its students, faculty and staff had to adapt to a new environment shaped by the global COVID-19 pandemic. And while the experience has been challenging, no one can deny that Bobcats have stepped up and made the most of this unusual academic year.
Ohio University’s photography team has been documenting this historic time throughout 2020, and will continue to do so in 2021 as we move into the next chapter of the pandemic.
The following images capture how life has changed at Ohio University, but also show how our community continues to learn, thrive, and take care of each other, despite the unprecedented challenges we face.
For the health and safety of students, Ohio University opened residence halls in fall 2020 with reduced occupancy. The University staggered move-in times to reduce density in parking lots and residential areas.
OHIO diligently revamped its physical spaces to ensure safe use. This included developing and posting a new series of University signage that enforced social distancing guidelines.
The University partnered with CVS Health to conduct COVID-19 testing.
OHIO diligently revamped its physical spaces to ensure safe use. This included developing and posting a new series of University signage that enforced social distancing guidelines.
Mask wearing requirements were established at the University and in the community.
OHIO diligently revamped its physical spaces to ensure safe use. This included developing and posting a new series of University signage that enforced social distancing guidelines.
Students still populated major buildings on campus, such as Alden Library and Baker University Center, but wore masks and stayed at a distance to maintain health and safety.
Culinary Services adapted by providing meals-to-go for students in isolation and quarantine halls as well as for University and community members who wanted easy and safe access to takeout meals.
2020 alumna Brittany Hawthorne participated in the Fall Dance Concert, "A COVID Experiment." These photos illustrate Hawthorne’s solo performance, "The Chronicles of the Fish Diaries."
The Mid-American Conference Council of Presidents voted unanimously to resume the fall football season, which included the implementation of a COVID-19 testing program.
Recreation facilities were modified and cleaned to ensure health and safety.
The University community took to outdoor spaces, such as the bike path.
To foster safe social interaction, teaching fellow Alli Ciancibello (left), working with Master Teacher Lisa Kinnard, conducts individual sensory exploration exercises with the infants at the Child Development Center.
Students may have continued to participate in activities in-person, but followed health and safety guidelines such as wearing masks, keeping to reduced numbers in spaces, and modifying procedures.
Kayla Burke, director of publicity for Brick City Records, handles the social media platforms during the live streaming of the ”Baker's Dozen Concert Series" in October.
The College of Fine Arts secured an industrial-sized tent, located on the grounds behind McCracken Hall, to continue some face-to-face instruction.
College of Fine Arts students on campus used the tent as one way of complying with social distancing guidelines while allowing them to rehearse in a group.
Students follow safety protocols while working on computer repairs for the Office of Information Technology (OIT) during fall semester.
The University adjusted academic, work and extracurricular activities to the pandemic.
Ohio University hosted Fall 2020 Commencement virtually on Saturday, Dec. 12.