At Eastern Kentucky University, students are glad to be back on campus. Some students don’t plan on getting the COVID-19 vaccination and others worry the pandemic could again disrupt in-person classes.
Prince Brown is a senior at EKU and is a graphic design major. Brown is vaccinated but has concerns about large groups gathering leading to a shutdown.
“Yeah, I have a strong feeling honestly that it probably will — just because like I said I've already seen a lot of people ignoring the mask mandate or not taking it seriously,” Brown said.
Brown isn’t alone, several students worry about a shutdown.
Kerra Miles is a freshman, she’s vaccinated and hopes that vaccinations will make this year better than the last.
“With most, hopefully, most, of the students getting vaccinated that will be good,” Miles said. “I still think even if a lot are vaccinated, we still should have a few procedures like hand sanitizers and things like that.”
Even students who don’t plan on getting the shot worry that the pandemic could disrupt the school year.
Conner Wesley is a sophomore from Casey County, Kentucky. He doesn’t plan on getting vaccinated and is glad to return to school in person.
“I feel like it’s a go-at-your-own risk,” Wesley said. “You can schedule online classes if you’re terrified of it.”
Michael Eldridge is 23 and also said he isn’t getting the shot. Eldridge said he’s not worried about a shutdown. “Not me personally because I’m already doing mostly online anyways,” he said.
This year Eastern Kentucky University undergraduate students don’t have to pay for textbooks. Many students said without this option, attending college might not be possible, Eldridge included.
“From freshman year to now, I never even bought the books unless I absolutely had to,” he said. “So now that we get the opportunity to have free books, maybe I’ll excel more in class.”
