THE ROUNDUP
By Will Gruwell ’21
As Brophy students returned to campus on Sept. 28, they returned to a campus far different than the one that students had been accustomed to for a prolonged period of time. Being away from campus since March, things were sure to feel different, but with the many new rules and regulations being implemented, it gives the Brophy experience something new entirely.
To no surprise, masks became mandatory at nearly all times. Excluding drinking water and eating lunch, all Brophy students were mandated to wear their masks properly and effectively. While eating, of course, the students were required to be socially distant from one another in order to mitigate the spread.
“As Brophy community members become more acquitted with the changes in the learning environment, there are lingering questions about some of the policies that exist. In this analysis, The Roundup will attempt to shed some light on some of the leftover questions that are perturbing students and teachers as we finish the first semester.
Ten minute passing periods
One protocol in particular that drew quite a bit of negative feedback was Brophy’s ten minute passing periods as well as taking out breaks Monday through Thursday. When the bell rings to signify the end of one class and transition to another, students simply walk to their class, arriving five minutes early.
The intention behind the elongated passing periods was to give people more time to distance one another as students transition between classes. Students do not necessarily distance themselves as they all work their way towards their classes relatively quickly regardless of the time allotted for them to do so.
Workout areas are limited
Another big change to Brophy’s campus was the shutdown of the Dutch. Students are prohibited from entering the gym unless they have a class. Josiah Estrella ’21 specifically felt affected by this new rule.
“I feel like the dutch was a place where everyone can hang out and play basketball, but now I find it harder to connect with students,” Estrella said. “I would play with students on flex and become friends with people after. It was a great way to connect with new people.”
Although the Dutch may be shut down for the time being, the shutdown does not disqualify the idea of exercising outside of the gym. Dr Nikita Desai, a pulmonologist at the Cleveland Clinic, recommends getting exercise in the outdoors as an alternative.
“I would be less worried about the jogger who is running past you for a split second and more worried about the person who’s working out next to you for half an hour,” Desai said.
Mask protocols on carpools
Brophy carpools are also required to wear masks on their journey to school, and Isaac Adame ’23 does not agree with the new protocol.
“I do not like wearing a mask in my carpool because if anyone in my car was displaying symptoms they would not be in my car in the first place, Adame said. “If they are asymptomatic, I feel like wearing a mask even at that point would deem useless since we are in such close quarters.”
Brophy implemented this new protocol to help higher the odds of safety for those in the same carpool. According to the Center for Disease Control, people should ride with masked passengers only and limit the number of students in a carpool. By following simple guidelines, we can help manage and prevent the spread.
Creating community with social distance
Mr. Victor Cervantes ’09 had a completely different opinion when it came to the new protocols introduced on campus.
“They are necessary in order to create a safe environment,” Mr. Cervantes said, deeming the safety of the students and faculty the highest priority.
Although Mr. Cervantes is an advocate for the protocols in place now, there is one issue with these circumstances that he deems necessary to fix.
“I wish there was a way to connect with people in an organic way, the way that you all just naturally connect with each other, via social media… like how do you create community if you have to be at distance. We have to employ safety precautions, how do we organically create community?” Mr. Cervantes said.
By following simple guidelines implemented by our Brophy community, we can help manage and slow down the spread.
Brophy students are also not allowed to eat indoors besides the Harper Great Hall so students eat in areas with better ventilation. Many students, however, are used to eating on the go in between classes
“As an athlete, I find it frustrating not being able to eat whenever, since I am used to eating during break.” Estrella said, also citing his frustrations with the removal of break and new institution of longer passing periods.
