Dorm life at CU Boulder in the age of coronavirus: 'It's really weird'

At the University of Colorado Boulder, campus has been a little quieter this spring with the March 11 announcement that in-person classes would be moved online. Five days later, CU recommended all students living in dormitories move back home. But for some, that wasn't an option.

Senior David Broughton is a resident advisor (R.A.) at Hallett Hall and one of the few still living on campus. Broughton said there are approximately four students and six R.A.'s remaining at Hallett Hall. Hallet's population of about 10 students is the lowest in the area, but not by much in Broughton's estimation. "It's really weird, I'm not going to lie," Broughton said.

According to Broughton, the university consolidated students living in dormitories to the main campus and the dorms surrounding Hallett Hall. Broughton began the year in Smith Hall (about a half-mile south of Hallett), but was relocated in CU's consolidation effort.

While R.A.s were given the option of leaving campus, Broughton decided to stay, because his hometown in Michigan was a hotspot for coronavirus and he enjoys the freedom of living on his own.

It's been strange for students still living on campus, with the university taking extra precautions to maintain a clean living environment.

"Our rooms are distanced six feet apart at least, and the cleaning staff has been cleaning non-stop every morning, which normally they'd only do Monday through Friday," Broughton said. "All events are cancelled. There's no community events or anything. But since we're all isolated here, some people in the dorms still meet up to talk to each other, just not formally."

When there's not much to do on campus, Broughton has a few techniques to stay engaged in his classes and avoid the cabin fever of living in an almost empty campus.

"It's been hard to motivate myself to work," Broughton said. "I've been doing my classes in other areas other than my room if I can, because when I'm in my room, I'm just lazy and tired and lately I've been doing class outside on the grass or something. When I'm not sleeping or in my room, I'll be with my friends or I'll go on a hike to get some exercise."

Dining halls are typically one of the busiest areas on campus and CU has made adjustments to assure its students are fed in a safe manner.

"They're (dining halls) working on limited hours right now and everything is takeout," Broughton said. "For two-hour periods throughout the day, you can go get a meal at the dining hall. It's weird because what used to be a sit-down area is now just structured to be a take-out dining hall essentially. Everything is socially distanced in there as well."

The last day of classes at CU is April 30, with finals extending as late as May 5. Broughton plans on flying home to Michigan soon after, but would consider staying with friends in Boulder if he determines travelling to be too big a health risk.

For other students, returning back home is even less feasible. According to Broughton, students hailing from coronavirus hotspots such as New York City may prefer to stay in Boulder.

Looking further ahead, CU Boulder Chancellor Philip P. DiStefano has begun planning for what could be a "blended" experience of in-person and online classes for the fall semester. DiStefano said any arrangement will follow CDC regulations and respect the safety of the CU community.