More students switch to remote learning

By Dorian Young//

The number of students opting to learn remotely this semester increased by 3% compared to the fall.

According to Registrar Ashely Anderson, the number of commuters has increased, tipping the balance so that less than half of the student population lives on campus. Of those on campus, there has been an increase in students attending classes fully remote.

Anderson listed a handful of reasons as to why students decided to change their modality, either from resident to commuter or commuter to resident. Some reasons being the delivery method of their courses, the cost of room and board, health concerns and the desire for a traditional learning experience.

Of the 516 residential students on campus, 45% are in-class learners, 30% are remote learners and 21% are both in-class and remote. Of the 533 commuter students, 29% are in-class learners, 57% are remote learners and 10% are both in-class and remote. Anderson said 4% of both residential and commuter students have yet to declare their modality.

Although there has been an increase in students attending classes remotely, Anderson said that students are still encouraged to take advantage of every opportunity to engage with their peers and professors.

“Some students are really excited to be on campus and able to, which is great,” Anderson said. “Others are just a bit more cautious or they have to opt for the commuter and remote modality, which might not be their preference really.”

First-year student Hailey Sofranko lived on campus and attended classes both in-person and online during the fall semester but changed her status to commuter for the spring. Hailey decided to move home because she lives close to campus and her family just adopted a new puppy.

“I thought living on campus would give me a more authentic college experience, but COVID-19 made that experience less than desirable,” Sofranko said. Sofranko said that she is happy with her decision to commute this semester but said she would like to move back onto campus post-COVID-19.

Junior Danielle Casey was remote during the fall semester but changed her modality to on campus this spring.

“I was definitely seeking a more traditional learning experience, and I felt the need for a change of pace,” Casey said. “I didn’t mind being remote, but I thought to myself that it would be more beneficial to my learning experience to return back to some sort of normalcy with my education.”

No matter if a student is a commuter, resident or remote learner, Anderson said that Hood’s goal this semester is for all students to have a great classroom experience.