COVID-19 and King’s

Amidst the global pandemic, many students have elected to attend classes entirely online. (Image: instagram@thekingsu)

This semester has been unlike any other in the history of King’s. Operating a university amidst a global pandemic is no easy feat and King’s, like universities all across the world, has been forced to adapt and adjust.

In today’s rapidly changing pandemic world, this semester has been a humbling reminder of all we once took for granted here at King’s. The once-busy hallways of King’s have fallen eerily silent and masked students shuffle obediently along arrow-marked hallways. Rather than traveling to Edmonton, some students have elected to attend online lectures from their homes in Edmonton. Many attend virtually from other cities, provinces, and, in some cases, even other countries.

Tragically, COVID-19 has taken away many of the most memorable aspects of university: first-year orientation events, athletics, chapel, social gatherings, in-person classes, and so much more. In their place, students face isolation, loneliness, and endless hours spent in the glow of a computer screen. A recent study published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research indicates that this is having a significantly detrimental effect on students’ mental health. Of the nearly 200 post-secondary students surveyed, 71% indicated increased anxiety, stress, and depressive thoughts since the outbreak of COVID-19. Evidently, this altered educational format is more than just an inconvenience – it poses a genuine threat to our well-being as students.

“The biggest challenge of COVID-19 has been in our capacity as faculty to nurture the development of a supportive learning community. That’s something I cherish in teaching science at King’s, and that’s been tough this year.”

Dr. Peter Mahaffy, Professor of Chemistry and co-director of King's Centre for Visualization in Science (KCVS)

However, the hybridized approach that King’s has taken is unique when compared to other Edmonton universities. Of all the King’s students I’ve spoken to, each has the opportunity to attend at least a couple of in-person classes per week – an opportunity which many other post-secondary Edmontonians do not have. During the Fall 2020 semester, classes at the University of Alberta are being delivered almost entirely virtually, with the exception of several labs. Similarly, both MacEwan University and Concordia University are offering classes through online delivery alone. Although MacEwan has not yet announced their format for the Winter 2021 semester, Concordia recently confirmed that they will continue with their current online model. U of A has announced their intention to adopt a hybridized educational model similar to King’s in the upcoming semester.

“I don’t think King’s is currently doing enough to support students’ mental health and wellbeing. For many, the isolation is a slow killer to their mental health.”

Jacob Hiebert, student

While we as students mourn the loss of pre-pandemic university life, it is important not to dwell in despair and uncertainty; instead, let’s strive to show grace and kindness both to ourselves and to those around us. May we someday look back on this very unique year at King’s as time of community-building, experience-sharing, kingdom-seeking, and, of course, learning – albeit all from a safe social distance.