By Desmond Bernal
Stonehill has made the decision to move to all remote learning starting Thursday, February 4, at 6 p.m until February 15 due to concerns regarding an increase in positive results for COVID-19 on campus.
As a result, facilities such as the Sally Blair Ames Sports Complex will be closed during the remainder of the 10-day pause.
Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, DeBrenna Agbényiga, sent out an email that listed guidelines resident students must adhere to while on campus. In that email, she said that students “may engage in outdoor exercise with proper physical distancing, as the Sports Complex and W.B. Mason Stadium will be closed.”
Students may go on socially distant runs or bike rides as long as they adhere to the school and state’s COVID guidelines and mask up.
Recreational Sports Manager & Sports Camp Coordinator, Sarah MacHugh, expressed deep concerns about students’ compliance with the Sports Complex rules and regulations.
“I started seeing an increase in non-compliance with our restrictions and regulations,” MacHugh said in response to the decision to close the Sports Complex during the 10-day pause.
MacHugh said that she received multiple emails from students and staff expressing their concerns about not following the rules and wearing masks. Given this information, she said it was in the college’s best interest to close the Sports Complex.
“When people are not following the rules and wearing masks, that safe space is now in danger,” she said.
Matt Leppanen, a senior, said though he is frustrated that he cannot go to the gym, he understands the college’s decision.
“My only concern is for all those people that didn’t work out over break like myself, those who were finally getting back into a routine,” Leppanen said.
Athletes were getting back into its routine this week, with teams allowed to have organized practices. The athletic department did not allow teams to hold any practices the first week to get a baseline of the campus’s COVID results.
Maille Bennett, a senior and member of the women’s softball team, said she was looking forward to getting ready for this season with softball’s first practice set to start this Saturday.
“I think all the spring sports were looking forward to this season because of the circumstances last year,” Bennett said. “It’s disappointing knowing that once again, we are waiting to know what we are doing.”
Dean O’Keefe, Director of Athletics, said Stonehill is still hopeful of having the seasons planned for the Spring.
“The hope is not just for athletics, but for the whole school, of course, is short-term sacrifice is really helpful on getting us to a better place for the rest of the semester,” O’Keefe said on the status of spring sports. “Then resume athletic activity and still move forward with the schedule we have planned. As we’ve seen, nothing is guaranteed.”
O’Keefe said that athletics would review in the coming days on the safest route for starting athletics back up after the pause.
“The slow and steady growth and moving forward is better than jumping in the deep end too quickly as we resume activity,” O’Keefe said.
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