BY CORIE LYNN
Student testing this week revealed one positive case of the U.K. strain of COVID-19 on the Fort Hays State University campus.
As the University notified the student body of this development through an email Thursday morning, the members of the FHSU Student Government Association used a portion of their meeting that evening to ask questions.
The majority of these questions were directed toward SGA Faculty Advisor and FHSU Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs Dr. Teresa Clounch.
Student Senator Ryan Stanley, a pole vaulter for the University’s track and field team, also answered questions about the protocols for student athletes.
According to Clounch, she does not have much information on how this new strain differs from a typical strain of COVID-19 other than that it is more easily transmitted.
The University, however, continues to follow the protocols of social distancing, masking and maintaining clean facilities as these measures remain effective in curbing the spread of the virus.
“That’s what the experts have told us,” Clounch said.
At this time, the University will maintain its semester schedule, which includes Spring Break. It will also continue to provide free testing to FHSU students through the Student Health Center and an additional mobile testing unit that will be set up at Gross Memorial Coliseum.
“They have brought it here to help us manage what is taking place,” Clounch said.
Being as the student who tested positive for the U.K. strain is a student athlete, one senator expressed concern that masks are not enforced while working out in the campus Wellness Center.
Clounch explained that anyone who enters or leaves the Wellness Center must wear a mask but are not required to while conducting a workout.
Stanley also explained that student-athletes are not required to [wear a mask] while practicing or competing, but they must wear them while in facilities, lifting and warming up.
In addition, athletes must submit regular COVID-19 tests. Those who do not are not allowed to participate in practices or competitions.
This discussion was held later in the meeting, but the Student Senate began the evening with a few short reports from its executive staff members and committee chairs.
During her report, Legislative Affairs Director Crystal Rojas reminded the students that High Education Day will be held virtually on Feb. 18. Students will meet with Kansas State Representatives to advocate for funding for higher education and mental health services.
Following the COVID-19 discussion, SGA President Haley Reiter explained that the funding for mental health services would go toward lowering the ratio of counselors to students in Kansas Board of Regent Institutions.
Both Reiter and Clounch explained that FHSU does well with its own mental health services as students experience a wait time of only a few days and never have to go without an appointment.
Other universities have wait times that can last weeks, and students receive only one or two free sessions.
“A month is way too long to wait for those services,” Reiter said.
Before concluding the meeting, the Student Senate heard two new bills then voted on and passed four bills for line item changes for the Arts for Social Change and Criminal Justice clubs.
The Student Senate will reconvene at 6:30 p.m. Thurs, Feb. 11.