Like many other students, Shannon Scharba was excited to return to Central Michigan University’s campus for the start of the Fall semester. But her excitement came with a sense of fear.

Scharba didn't think COVID-19 was under control and was unsure if the semester was going to happen a week before move-in.

“I was nervous because I wasn't sure with everybody living in such close quarters if it was a good idea,” the Chicago sophomore said. “I came to campus because I wanted to be here and give it a try before everything got moved back.”

Whether it was fear or doubt, some students wondered what school would look like during a pandemic. Others were excited to return to in-person classes. With restrictions in place, students living on campus and attending classes in person have been adapting to a new way of campus living.

Scharba was not the only student unsure about the semester. While Hudsonville freshman Jared Haverdink was surprised to see how many students were wearing masks, he and his friends have been talking about how long CMU would stay in-person. They don't think campus will remain open past Labor Day.

Jonesville sophomore Katelyn King said she was nervous about the university’s return plan regarding whether there would be on-campus testing. She is frustrated it was not offered from the start.

While concerns are present, students were also excited to return to in-person learning. Devyn Geisenhaver is a vocal performance major with classes that cannot be done online. The Davison junior finds it difficult to learn online and is concerned about the possibility of classes suddenly reverting to online.

Harper Woods sophomore Madison Graham said having classes in person is easier for her as an art major. She is taking a printmaking class that the faculty member is teaching remotely.

“I kind of wish I had the experience of taking that class in person,” Graham said. “I’m happy with the class. It’s still fun, just a little weird.”

Birch Run sophomore and transfer student Alexandra Ramirez said she prefers the classroom to a computer screen. Theo Bartolomeo, a junior from Saint Paul, Minnesota, said he was happy to be back to some sort of college life and is glad the university could make it work.

But this college life came with restrictions, including in the classroom. Students are mostly taking classes in the HyFlex model or completely online since returning to campus. The HyFlex model gives students the choice of whether they attend in person or online.

Going online last semester was hard for Mount Pleasant senior Madison Harsh, who was nervous about going through it again. But with both in-person and online classes, she said it is not as stressful as it was in the spring. She likes that she does not have to leave her house for classes, especially when she is not feeling well.

Online classes have left some students feeling like they are not getting their money’s worth. Hannah Hendley, a Flint junior, initially signed up for all HyFlex classes because she prefers attending in-person. Most of them, however, eventually switched to online classes. She is upset about the class changes since she paid to live on campus.

Scharba typically attends one lab class in person each week and attends the rest online. While she finds online classes trickier, she prefers having the option to avoid getting sick.

“I want to be here but at the same time I'm not getting my money's worth,” Scharba said. “I'm paying a lot of money to be here, and I'm trapped in my dorm room, basically taking online classes for the same price I would be taking in-person classes.

“It's frustrating because I could have saved money by staying home.”

Hamilton sophomore Brendan Kramer agrees that he is not getting the same value from online classes, but he prefers being on campus around other students than being stuck inside like he was this summer. It is worth it to him, Kramer said, to be here.

When CMU students returned to Mount Pleasant, so did parties. An active Welcome Weekend and a large party at Deerfield Village Apartments caused many residents and students to be alarmed.

Many students were disappointed in their peers’ behavior. Geisenhaver was disappointed in those who did attend the parties and that students, who were given a privilege to attend school in person, were wasting the opportunity to be here.

Bartolomeo also expressed his disappointment with the parties.

“The most important thing to understand is that their actions mean a lot more now than they ever have,” Bartolomeo said. “For people to go about that partying life like it's a normal year is pretty insensitive. I think they should have better judgment.”

Cases related to CMU students returning to the Mount Pleasant area has steadily climbed since Aug. 16, said Melissa DeRoche, Central Michigan District Health Department Emergency Preparedness Coordinator. As of Sept. 3, the department reported 232 confirmed cases with another 15 that are probable, according to a press release from the health department. From Aug. 17 to Sept. 4, the university announced 156 cases in the CMU community, according to its Fired Up for Fall webpage. Of these cases, 32 are currently active.

A student in one of Scharba's online classes tested positive for COVID-19; another reason she’s glad online classes are an option. While she supports the university handing out masks, and thinks CMU is genuinely trying to make its plan work, she does not feel safe on campus.

Others said they feel safe walking around campus and going to classes. Due to a family background in the medical field, Ramirez said keeping clean is nothing new to her. Bartolomeo said the university has created a strong plan and has confidence in himself to make the right decisions.

“I'm perfectly OK with (the restrictions) because that means the school is taking all the precautions necessary to keep us on campus. I’m willing to make that sacrifice,” Bartolomeo said.

Because of health concerns, Scharba said she will choose to stay in her residence hall room for most of her time this semester. Scharba said she leaves her room only two or three times a week.

With the restrictions in place and university services like the Student Activities Center closed for the semester, other students have been feeling stranded in their residence hall rooms or apartments.

Hendley said she occupies her time by keeping up on schoolwork and watching TV.

Both Geisenhaver and Graham take walks to prevent feeling stir crazy.

Scharba and Harsh paint to pass the time.

Bartolomeo began catching up with old friends.

Ramirez said she has plans to kayak down the Chippewa River.

One thing that many students have picked up on is a change in the atmosphere on campus. They have noticed that sidewalks are emptier. Geisenhaver and Graham said some of their friends in their residence hall decided to go home, they said. Campus life now feels isolating to them.

Living on campus with these restrictions leaves Haverdink with a different view about CMU than he predicted.

“It's definitely been different than high school and different than what I expected when I made my decision to come here,” Haverdink said. “With a 20,000-student enrollment, I was expecting lots of people and lots of activity. COVID-19 kind of shut that all down.

"(CMU) feels more like a ghost town to me.”