After a long two months, we welcomed visitors back to the Quincy University campus on June 1. Normally, our visits were scheduled anytime between 9:00 am and 3:00 pm, but with social distancing, our visit times went to 10:00 am, 12:00 noon and 2:00 pm. That meant only we only saw three families a day instead of the usual five or six – or on one occasion, thirteen! Needless to say, our daily schedule fills up quickly.
The usual visit confirmation email now includes the statement that someone from the admissions office will be calling 24 hours before their visit to ask three COVID-related questions. We want to make sure those coming to campus have not tested positive within the last seven days, do not live with anyone that tested positive during the last seven days and that they do not have any of the COVID symptoms. If they answer yes to any of these questions, they are asked to reschedule. At this point, none of our visitors have had to reschedule.
Wearing a face mask while on campus is the new normal, that includes our campus visitors, students, faculty and even our favorite Jimmy Johns delivery guy. Disposable ones are available for those without one. A hand sanitizer station is positioned right inside the main lobby doors. We continue to give our visitors a folder with QU information along with a QU brown t-shirt. The t-shirt is now in a sealed plastic bag thanks to a Seal-a-Meal machine purchased for $5 from the Salvation Army Family store. The voice amplifiers that are normally only used on group visit days, are worn by our student tour guides so they are easily heard through their face masks. To maintain social distancing during the Counselor interview, our visit room has been rearranged and is disinfected after each family leaves.
Virtual visits that didn’t exist before but were vital during the quarantine, are here to stay. These visits (we use Zoom) are offered on the hour between the on-campus visits. It’s great for potential students living on the coasts to see our Central Illinois campus located along the mighty Mississippi. As visit coordinator, I schedule the Zoom meetings and email the meeting links to the visitor and Admissions Counselor. On the morning of the virtual visit, a reminder is emailed. I start the meeting with a quick hello, then introduce them to their counselor, much like a regular visit. If the student is alone, then they are usually in their bedroom, sometimes looking like they just woke up and often eating something. If the parents are with them, they’re at the kitchen or dining room table and you have their full attention. These visits can be a lot of fun. I’ve seen a new litter of puppies and a few well-dressed dogs. We’ve found the student is often more talkative since they are at home and relaxed. After the virtual meeting, the counselor sends them a link to our virtual campus tour. Just like a regular in person visit, they receive a $500 scholarship if they choose to attend QU. Many of our virtual tour participants have made the trip to see us in person. Nothing replaces the real thing!
By Tammy Duesterhaus, Quincy University
