Despite Carleton having resumed classes amidst the pandemic, the campus itself is closed … Well, mostly.
After careful consideration, the school decided to allow on-campus living. While providing a place for students to live on campus is justifiable, administration should have taken more factors into consideration when determining who should be allowed to live in residence.
From speaking with incoming first-year students regarding why they wanted to live in residence despite the risk of contracting COVID-19, most cited ‘the experience’ as the primary factor. Many argued they saw no difference between on-campus and off-campus living, claiming both are equally susceptible to COVID-19 outbreaks.
While I completely sympathize with them on the experience factor—there is no better way to fully experience what it is like to be a Raven than to live in the heart of the action—the behaviour residence encourages makes it more likely that students living on campus will contract the virus.
Since students in dorms will have little more to experience than residence hangouts and secret parties, on-campus living isn’t justifiable.
Both alternatives to living on campus—staying home or renting close to the school—are much safer options than living in residence. Staying at home means you are surrounded by people in your social circle, reducing the chance of contracting the virus because you are familiar with your household’s routine. The sense of responsibility to be wary and protect one another is much more significant.
However, it is understandable why out-of-city students would want to move to Ottawa. Some students do not have permanent housing, always moving to where they go to school or work—even if those things are virtual. Others may not be comfortable with their current living situations and find that starting their studies will be a great way to justify a change in scenery.
Although finding a new place to live off-campus would likely mean living with strangers, the number of people with access to intimate spaces is limited and rules can be established and enforced to keep one another safe within the household. Neighbours generally keep their distance, because even in apartment complexes, there is generally little to no desire to socialize.
In residence, the community-driven social structure makes it very unlikely students will be physically distancing at all times. Students in residences are going to have the urge to socialize with other students not within their bubble, and seek out others on different floors. This will increase the number of students interacting with one another and making them more prone to viral contraction.
However, living in residence is not unreasonable for all students. Those who may find it less stressful to lodge at Carleton due to difficulty finding affordable housing in Ottawa or those who are required to be on campus for reasons such as work or varsity sports, would likely find it more convenient to live in residence.
Therefore, in order to keep as many of its students safe, Carleton should only permit students with these reasonable excuses to stay on campus. Having restrictions on who can stay on campus would lessen the population density of people in residence, further strengthening physical distancing measures and limiting the spread of COVID-19.
Carleton believes the plan it currently has in place will succeed as long as the school continues to follow the advice provided by Ottawa Public Health and other health agencies. However, it must also account for the primary reason why COVID-19 breakouts occur in the first place: people who won’t heed pandemic-related precautions.
While not being able to live on campus is unfortunate, the disadvantages of pursuing this desire outweigh the advantages. The recent five cases of COVID-19 on campus in just the first two weeks of the semester is proof of this.
It is clear most students should hold back from ‘flying the nest’ for the time being, and Carleton should leave its housing services mostly closed.
Featured image by Kyle Fazackerley.
