Changes on campus for the spring semester
New dining spots open, places to study, and the new challenges USD is facing with more students on campus
Karisa Kampbell / Contributor
With the start of the spring semester and an increase in students on campus, there are some new changes to what is and is not available to USD students. While San Diego remains in the most restrictive, purple tier at the time of publication, due to the number of COVID-19 cases, many on-campus dining options, services, and activities are either not being offered or are offering remote services only. However, some select spaces, dining, and services remain open and committed to serving students.
As an alternative to apartment studying, Copley Library, the Learning Commons, and the University Center (UC) are all open for individual study on campus. Masks must be worn while studying in these spaces, and there is no eating allowed, per current state and county guidelines. Reservations for Copley Library must be made beforehand and can be made through the library website.
In addition to these indoor study spaces, there are plenty of outdoor spaces available throughout campus. Socially distanced tables and chairs are available to use for studying or eating, especially around Copley Library and the UCs. In addition, there are also tables and benches available around residence halls.
Blake Burke, first year, shared his favorite place to study on campus.
“I like studying at the tables outside of San Buenaventura because of the proximity to my dorm and how convenient it is to go outside and get some fresh air between classes,” Burke said.
Although indoor gyms such as the Jenny Craig Pavilion and the Bosley Fitness Center are closed, there are other options available on campus to work out and promote a healthy lifestyle. Outdoor gym areas such as the swimming pool, tennis courts and TRX training stations at the Sports Center remain open on a reservation-based operation only.
The Torero Store is open and is a great place to grab Torero gear, school supplies, or even electronics such as a laptop or calculator. They are open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Support services for students also remain open, mostly through remote services. These resources include counseling services, Campus Assault Resources and Education, and the Center for Student Success. For more information visit the USD Student Wellness website.
In addition to the dining services that were open last semester, the Student Life Pavilion and Tu Mercado, a new option for takeout or outdoor dining has recently opened to provide students with more eating options on campus. Bosley Cafe, located in the San Buenaventura apartments and next to the Mata’yuum Crossroads, is now open every day from 10:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Its menu includes a variety of snacks, smoothies, waffles, and other tasty treats.
Jess Fernandez De La O, a current first year living on campus, shared her excitement about this new eating option.
“They have so many good options and the people working there are so sweet,” Fernandez De La O said. “They have a great attitude and are always at the disposition to help. It’s really nice to go in for a smoothie so close to where I live and see their smiling faces.”
With the limited dining options on campus comes long lines at the SLP. Grace Bentley, first year, commented on these lines and the lack of enforcement to maintain social distancing in line during the busier dinner times.
“If you’re going to let more students on campus you should open up more dining on campus to reduce the lines,” Bentley said. ”Opening Bosley isn’t enough. With COVID, it doesn’t make sense to have one main dining option open because then everyone is congregating and being in lines together, and you know we’re not social distancing.”
Bentley isn’t alone in these frustrations. Since the beginning of the semester, lines at the SLP have reached upward of 45 minutes during peak times. Students are being forced to wait outside, sometimes in inclement weather, for long periods of time since the SLP is the only on-campus dining option open that accepts meal swipes as payment for dinner.
First year Meredith Bacon was part of an experiment managing the line earlier last week that was facilitated by the faculty.
“The staff at the dining hall are aware of the situation and had us write the time that we got into line on a sticky note, and give it to the cashier as we left,” Bacon said. “What they will do with that information, I don’t know, but hopefully something because something needs to be done.”
Although the spring semester has begun as yet another online learning semester, there are still some options for students on campus to get out of their rooms, study, or dine. Bosley Cafe opening is a step in a direction towards more eating options being open on campus, and is hopefully only one of many to reopen soon. La Paloma, Bert’s Bistro, and Blue Spoon are all closed for the foreseeable future.