The South Dakota Board of Regents announced March 15 that South Dakota universities are planning to return to a more normal semester for Fall 2021. South Dakota State University students gave their opinions on returning to normal and how likely they think that will be come fall. 

Grace Nelson, Freshman, Political Science and Economics Major

What are your thoughts on campus returning to normal for the fall 2021 semester?

I’ll believe it when I see it. I hope it’s true, I can see it being possible, but in reality I don’t know. It depends on how the new COVID-19 variant progresses over the summer I think.

How have things been going for you personally during the COVID-19 pandemic at SDSU?

It’s been kind of difficult with campus being closed, and a lot of the amenities traditionally associated with freshman year in college have been very different than I had expected. But we’ve made the best of a tough situation even though it’s not what I expected.

Jack Derickson: Freshman, Graphic Design Major

What are your thoughts on campus returning to normal for the fall 2021 semester?

The way that vaccinations have been going, I definitely feel like we might be able to reach the wanted herd immunity to go back to normal. So, I do feel comfortable in that aspect as of now, I’m just hoping that we have enough vaccinations.

How have things been going for you personally during the COVID-19 pandemic at SDSU?

Personally, I have not had any qualms. I guess it’s been really simple for me to adhere to the guidelines just because I don’t want to cause any problems. It hasn’t been a big problem for me.

Noah Anderson, Sophomore, Architecture Major

What are your thoughts on campus returning to normal for the fall 2021 semester?

I think that’s an okay deal, to be back to normal by then.

How likely do you think returning to campus next semester will be?

I’d say about 70%. I’m going to go get my vaccine shot Wednesday, and I feel like a lot of people here are going to get vaccinated. I think that’s a really good step to move on and just get past this.

How have things been going for you personally during the COVID-19 pandemic at SDSU?

I think it’s been a little bit challenging not being able to go into class in person, but I am able to see past that and I think it taught me a lesson and I learned from it.

John Braswell, Sophomore, Mechanical Engineering Major

What are your thoughts on campus returning to normal for the fall 2021 semester?

I hope so. By the time we get to the fall semester, most people will end up building up a tolerance to coronavirus or getting the vaccine, now that it’s getting distributed more. We’ve already had a somewhat easy time here, with more face-to-face classes, so I feel like there’s really no problem. 

How likely do you think returning to campus next semester will be?

Gosh, 99.9%

How have things been going for you personally during the COVID-19 pandemic at SDSU?

I’d say it hasn’t been too bad, but my academics really took a hit having to go to online classes. It’s widely known that being in person is more helpful too, it’s more beneficial for learning. But otherwise, wearing a mask in the Union and other campus buildings really isn’t a big deal, and just generally washing my hands more and being more cautious of it is beneficial to my own personal life as it is to other people, so I really don’t see any huge drawbacks from the coronavirus pandemic as of last fall into the spring.

Kailee Schultz: Sophomore, Nursing Major

What are your thoughts on campus returning to normal for the fall 2021 semester?

I think it would be nice, but it’s going to be a hard transition back to what we thought normal was. I think that, with the vaccine, it’ll be highly likely that we return to a more normal campus next semester.

How have things been going for you personally during the COVID-19 pandemic at SDSU?

Well, I moved to school on a Monday and I got COVID-19 on that Friday. So that beginning wasn’t great, but it was fine after I got over that.