New Mexico State University, among other campuses, are weighing the benefits of returning to in person and hybrid instruction after Thanksgiving break. 

On Sept. 17, President John Floros sent an email to all faculty, staff and students asking for their input on the issue with a link to the survey that closed Sept. 22 at noon. 

The website for the link noted, “residence halls and campus housing would remain open and campus dining services would be available for students who would use these services after Thanksgiving.” 

The decision will be announced in early October. 

Kimberly Chavarria, a senior a Biology major at NMSU, shared her thoughts about the issue in question.  

“I can definitely understand where they are coming from with this idea. People are more likely to meet up for the holidays and that could put a lot of people at risk.” 

Although it would be much safer making classes all online, Chavarria said, “we are already taking many precautions in order to minimize infections now on campus.”  

After Thanksgiving, students are slated to return, according to the NMSU Academic Calendar, from Nov. 30 to Dec. 11– two weeks.  

“I think that if students return to areas that are, at the moment, considered hot spots it might be safer for them to not return, even if they themselves are being very careful,” said Chavarria. 

On the other hand, Tyler Chatterton, a senior psychology major, said he is more than happy to move all his classes online.  

“I have to go to campus twice a week for one class. Might as well make them online for convenience,” Chatterton said. 

Chatterton said pre-final exam reviews are a little bit different.   

“This is the double edge sword. I feel like in-class reviews are better… Currently professors will just post a study guide on canvas and they might have a review on Zoom,” said Chatterton. He said he feels since many students don’t log onto Zoom, professors don’t go over as much. 

The other side of the “sword,” Chatterton said, is that finals week will be less stressful if classes are moved to an online format for the remainder of the semester.  

“I’ve had professors give the class three days to finish an exam. This allows us to study more,” Chatterton said.  

By allowing students longer time to start the exam they don’t have to risk having to take three exams in one day, Chatterton added.  

“We should be doing online until this thing [COVID-19] is over… I trust my fellow students to stay clean and healthy, but the scary thing about this virus is that it doesn’t really affect younger people,” said Chatterton.