https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2020/07/01/cornell-researchers-say-person-semester-university-safer-online-one?fbclid=IwAR1IAvb7YZStSur_OKbJ0Y0QLF1twi-Yz3lf7dUl8kJVkaYFDoJFCj9ints - https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2020/07/01/cornell-researchers-say-person-semester-university-safer-online-one?fbclid=IwAR1IAvb7YZStSur_OKbJ0Y0QLF1twi-Yz3lf7dUl8kJVkaYFDoJFCj9ints

What are your thoughts on this concept?  I have to make a decision about freshman son living on campus or at home in the next 4 days.  Classes are a "hybrid" with lots of restrictions on dorm life, food will be boxed and taken back to the room, no others allowed in rooms or common areas, etc.  I find it hard to believe students will follow these rules, but some universities seem to have fines and consequences in place.  My K-12 school plans to return in person with lots of shall we say "challenging" restrictions.  I am curious about the benefits of more frequent testing, better communication and overall monitoring of the situation if kids are in school vs. at home.  

I have a college freshman this year too, so I feel your pain.  Mine will be attending a school that will have mostly online classes.  The classes she is taking will all be online.

I guess that if I were in your shoes, I would be torn.  The reason they want the kids back is so that they can test them regularly. They are worried about kids who live off campus but not with their parents. I guess the real question is where will your student have more contact with other people?  At college or at home?  Honestly, my freshman would probably see less people in a locked down campus than at home as she is working and sees friends once in a while. I’m sorry that I don’t have any good answers for you.  This is a hard one.

Thanks for your reply!  He has been working on a construction crew, there have been cases at his job site, so that has been difficult to start with.  He is supposed to be going to campus early to play football, but there is a lot up in the air around that too.  My biggest question is the money we could be saving if he stayed home vs the "experience" he has been looking forward to for so long.  But, with so many restrictions (which I agree are necessary!) will it be worth it?  So many questions that need to be decided before we know all of the information.  Good luck with your freshman year as well!