Some Scranton Students Stay Isolated on Campus

By Nicholas Yanni ’21, written for a media writing course, spring semester 2020

When The University of Scranton closed its doors in March because of COVID-19, Ian MacDonald was immediately faced with a challenge.

“It’s just a terrible situation. My mom works at Tobyhanna Army Depot and is considered essential personnel so she is at risk every day of contracting COVID-19 and bringing it home,” said MacDonald, a senior allowed to stay on the University’s campus during this time, along with a few others.

MacDonald has been on the University’s campus since March. Although his hometown of Albrightsville is not too far away, MacDonald is still struggling with trying to adapt to a vastly different campus life.

“It’s like a ghost town,” MacDonald said. “I spend most of the day in my room. Meals are served at lunch and dinner for about 90 minutes in the dining hall. I will see people there and that’s most of my in-person interaction these days. The few people I do see are in decent spirits.”

Dan Shuck, a junior at the University, is trying to adapt as well.

“I try to call people to socialize but it’s nothing like talking in person,” Shuck said. “Everyone on campus has to stay far away from each other.”

 “I am doing okay now because this is bigger than me,” MacDonald said. He is hopeful that his world will return to normal soon.

“I accepted a job offer with Pepsi at the beginning of the fall, and my tentative start-date has been June 15,” MacDonald said. “They have reassured me that they are still preparing to welcome me on June 15 and that I should look for apartments. The thought of something changing is stressful but I should be good to go.”