The DiGiorgio Student Union presented “Into the Unknown” on Sept. 8. The cultural event, lead by the DSU Lectures and Diversity Committee, was held in Tillman Hall, as well as broadcasted via Zoom.
Approximately 164 students watched the event virtually and nearly 70 students participated in person.
The host of the event was Tommy Ray Davis, chair of the DSU Lectures and Diversity Committee. The panelists included Chelsea Havner (Winthrop University Bookstore manager), Aba Hutchison (marketing specialist for Winthrop Dining Services), Shardae Nelson-Johnson (Office of Accessibility), Tiffany Alexander (Center for Career Development and Internships) and Jessica Hudgens (Health and Counseling Services).
The panelists covered a lot of information, answering questions on topics ranging from mental health and COVID-19 testing to professionalism and involvement opportunities.
The purpose of the event was to answer students’ questions on how the campus will be operating with the many new changes, operations and guidelines due to COVID-19. Students were able to submit their questions both beforehand and via text message during the event.
“What I expected for [students] to get out of the event was pretty much a general understanding of what life will be like in the midst of COVID-19 on Winthrop’s campus because I know a lot of people, especially the freshman … they are kind of robbed of that first–year experience,” Davis said.
“I think Winthrop has done a good job of trying to supplement that by having these virtual events and allowing us to do certain things,” Davis said. “I really want people, especially freshmen, to understand that even though we’re in the middle of uncertain times, you still can have that college experience and college is still what you make it.”
Because of COVID-19, many questions were brought up about campus safety procedures and their effect on campus life.
First–year student and forensic chemistry major, Zharyn Butler, said, “I learned that Winthrop really cares about their students and [wants] the students to understand that COVID is real. In that, they want to expose procedures, … they want you to stay safe and also enjoy the activities and enjoy life on campus but not to spread COVID at the same time.”
DSU has had to make many changes this year to accommodate students throughout the pandemic.
“We have different stuff that we’re doing throughout the semester to keep people feeling like it’s still exciting,” Angelo Geter, Director of Campus Programming, said. “ It’s different, we can’t all be together but we’re still trying to create that atmosphere and keep that energy high for everyone.”
Junior psychology major, Courtney Franklin, said, “I’m staying optimistic by of course going to all of these events virtually, trying to stay focused on my classes, wearing my mask…meeting up with a few people but [still] social distancing.”
Geter advised on how students can still have a pleasant experience at Winthrop this year.
“To me, the full college experience is what you put into it…there’s still things to do,” Geter said. “Nothing has stopped, it’s just pivoted. Instead of things just being shut down, we just kind of have changed how we are operating. I think you just have to stay plugged in and glued to how people are operating now in order to get what you want.”
Photo courtesy of DSU
