PHOTO | TROY HULL

Johnson C. Smith University is among several North Carolina colleges to require all students, faculty and staff vaccinate against the coronavirus and show proof. JCSU also requires face masks inside campus buildings and encourages their use outdoors as well.

Nadia Johnson was so happy to see her friends at Johnson C. Smith University more than a year after the COVID-19 pandemic shut the campus down.

“It felt really good,” said Johnson, a senior communication arts major. “I felt rejuvenated, honestly, because I was able to see all of my friends, and everyone who I met before COVID. I really feel like I'm continuing my experience here at JCSU because before we left, I technically had just transferred to Smith. And so, my experience was kind of cut short, in person wise. So, it really feels great to be back.”

The campus, which closed to students in March 2020, opened Aug. 16 for classes. Before arrival, they were required to receive a COVID vaccine and email a picture of their vaccine card to the Student Health Center.

“It does bring some ease,” said Johnson, who was vaccinated in April. “I am still very cautious about it, you know, with things transpiring almost every day. I do still keep that in mind. But I am more comfortable that the university made this decision to ensure that all students are vaccinated [or] unless otherwise, documented. But I feel much better. I really do feel comfortable being on campus because of these regulations.”

Face masks are still required indoors at JCSU and are optional when outside but strongly encouraged.

Mandates for face coverings and COVID vaccine requirements are in place at some colleges and universities in the Charlotte area and across the state.

JCSU, Johnson & Wales University, Queens University of Charlotte and Livingstone College require all students, faculty, and staff to be vaccinated and show proof of status.

“We miss our students, who have been away from campus for more than a year,” Davida Haywood, JCSU’s vice president of student affairs, said in a statement. “This requirement, in line with CDC recommendations, ensures they can safely return to campus, get an education and enjoy their college experience in the fall.”

At UNC Charlotte, Appalachian State University, North Carolina Central University and all campuses in the University of North Carolina system, vaccines are optional, but face masks are required.

Dr. Christopher Ohl, an infectious disease expert at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist, said higher learning institutions should have vaccine and face mask mandates.

“The one thing about universities, it’s really different from K through 12 schools [because of] residence halls,” he said. “[College students] sleep in dorms and then socialize in those areas, and those can be areas where transmission can occur. So, a lot of universities have had vaccine mandates which I support for a university.”

Face masks required
Some universities are resuming in-person events on campus at full capacity with students wearing face masks.

Last year, most events were held virtually with some requiring a limited number of people.

Talisha Balls enjoyed attending the first major event of the semester at NCCU known as Training Day, which introduces several clubs and organizations to the student body.

“It was great,” said Balls, a senior psychology major. “It was hype, it wasn’t too crowded. Everybody had a good time.”

Balls is excited about her senior year but hopes COVID doesn’t prevent her from walking across the stage at commencement.

“I’m a little nervous because I really want to walk across the stage, I really want to have that experience,” she said.

As of now, Balls is weighing her options following graduation. Her aspiration is to become a criminal psychologist.

Last school year at NCCU, students had to adhere to strict COVID measures such as a no-visitation policy within dormitories and were not allowed to eat in at restaurants on campus. This year, the rules have loosened. Students can have visitors in their room again and visit friends in other dorms. Students can also sit down and eat at restaurants on campus again.

The school offers free COVID testing and vaccines on campus to students, faculty, staff, and members of the public.

Charlotte does not require students to take a COVID vaccine, but Jaleah Ladson was confident about starting her first year of college.

Ladson, a freshman majoring in marketing, was prepared for college through the University Transition Opportunities Program, a summer six-week initiative that includes taking classes on campus, staying in a dorm, and meeting peers through Raftr, a communication platform for students.

PHOTO | AALIYAH BOWDEN

UNC Charlotte freshman Jaleah Ladson of Indian Trail why the school didn't require COVID-19 shots but did so for masks in campus buildings. "There are signs like all over the school, so I think that they're vouching for it as much as they can," she said.

“I don't have a lot of people that are from my hometown going to UNC Charlotte,” said Ladson, who is from Indian Trail. “So, that actually helped a lot with making friends, and also using the Raftr app helped because you can click on different people's names and chat with them and everything. So, it kind of helped me come out of my shell as far as meeting new people.”

At Charlotte, face masks are required to be worn indoors by students, faculty, and staff.

Ladson said that she understands why her school didn't require COVID vaccines for students.

“I understand why they can’t because it’s not a private college,” she said. “But I think if they could, they would. They’re really strict about the mask wearing. They’re really cautious with touching things and washing your hands and stuff like that. There are signs all over the school, so I think that they’re vouching for it as much as they can.”

Ladson said she “feels pretty safe” and plans on joining the Campus Activities Board.

Caleb Basaldu, a senior psychology major at Charlotte also supports the university’s decision.

“I don't think they would do anything to put us in harm’s way, so I think they’re doing what they think is best for us,” he said. “Personally, I’m going to be wearing a mask and I am personally vaccinated, so, I think if everyone does what they need to help not spread COVID, I think we'll be fine.”

Basaldu said that most of his classes are online this semester. After graduating in May, he plans to seek an internship in sports therapy. He also has considered earning a master’s degree in social psychology to become a professor.

Even though he is worried about student debt, paying back loans isn’t Basaldu’s primary focus right now.

“I think that not to forget or disregard the fact that I have loans, but it's just not a huge focus right now,” he said. “I don't want to stress out about stuff that's not going on right now. But when that time does come, we'll (referring to his parents) take it one step at a time.”

Johnson, who is president of the Golden Bulls Activities Committee at JCSU, said students have been more engaged at events and are excited to be back.

“Being that I am in that position, I’ve been able to see how excited students have been like the engagement has been like no other – freshmen, sophomores, they've been confident enough to come to these events, you know, juniors and seniors who may have not attended a lot of events before have been there,” she said. “Because that on campus experience wasn't there for about a year and a half. So, it’s unreal, we’re seeing engagement through the roof.”

With this being Johnson’s last year, her mission is to become more involved on campus and discover who she is.

“Just getting involved, even more than I’ve already been,” she said. “I’m just ready to continue that legacy of doing things for students and for the university as a whole. So that’s my biggest thing and just really finding my place in this world while being a student, and they're helping me very well with that.”

This article has been updated to correct Appalachian State University's position on COVID-19 vaccination.

Aaliyah Bowden, who covers health at The Post, is a Report for America corps member.

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