On 8 October 2020, George Mason University Korea Campus Dean, Robert Matz, announced that Mason Korea would continue the Fall 2020 semester with the hybrid class system, starting from Monday, 19 October. Returning to campus is meaningful as it is the first in-person instruction since the Spring 2020 semester. To avoid crowding in a confined place, Mason Korea has adopted a hybrid class schedule to allow students a partial face-to-face course, with all the courses taking place at Mason Korea Campus once a week. Students can check the in-person classes scheduled at the Mason Korea webpage. Also, Mason Korea established several rules on campus, including a request to everyone to wear a mask the whole time, to enter through the basement floor entrance, to frequently wash your hands and use a hand sanitizer, and to go through a mandatory temperature check whenever people enter into the building or classrooms.
Hybrid classes have brought changes to places other than the classroom. Due to the hybrid style of classes being decided ten days before the effective date, a lot of Registered Student Organization (RSO) Presidents commented that they are still in the planning process for in-person activities. The Patriot Activities Council (PAC) is transitioning all upcoming virtual events into in-person style within the legal capacity for events like Welcome Back Event, Board Game Night, and Kahoot Halloween Edition. Also, from 19 October, the Academic Resource Center (ARC) and Academic Advisors have begun offline student support as well as online. Students who need help with their academic assignments or need advice for their academic planning can register for a meeting with the ARC tutors or advisors.
Returning back to the campus brought major changes to Mason Korea students. Many students have viewed the transition positively with the increased opportunities and activities on campus. Noah Kwon (Computer Game Design, ’23) mentioned that “As my major needs instant feedback from the professor, the hybrid class is better with in-person communication rather than using email.” Also, Kwon stated that offline courses have a significantly better quality of learning. Krystal Flynn (Business Management, ’23) stated that “Since I’m doing online for so long, I adapted well, but I also like face-to-face because I get to meet professors and other students.” Overall, with students returning to campus for the first time in nearly a year, there is excitement and anxiety in the air as things slowly return to normal.
Written by Minwoo Park | Staff Writer
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