LAWRENCE, Kan. — Students and staff are back on the University of Kansas campus in Lawrence for the fall semester.
But it was a first day unlike any other.
"It was fun, but obviously very weird because we have to sit so far away from each other," said Julia Enriquez, a junior at KU.
"We have never had a start of or even a school day like this," said Rob Karwath, a journalism professor.
To prevent the spread of COVID-19, the university has new rules. First, masks must be worn at all times while on campus.
Second, before walking into a building, staff and students have to prove they have answered and passed a daily health assessment quiz from the "CVKey" app.
Earlier this month, 41 Action News reported on the new app the university is using. CVKey was developed by KU alum and former Google VP Brian McClendon, and it’s meant to take the guesswork out of navigating campus.
"I just go through all the possible symptoms I could possibly have. Thankfully I have none of them. So, I click that," said KU senior Ben Wilson, who was answering the assessment questions before heading to class on Monday. "I feel like we should handle this like adults and shouldn't be any problems."
But some students 41 Action News spoke with do worry about the people who don't follow the rules.
"It's extremely hard because you are tempted by parties, restaurants, waiting to go out with friends, waiting to go to social events," said Natanya Mustafa, a sophomore at KU.
This past weekend, two KU fraternities, Kappa Sigma and Phi Kappa Psi, were issued cease-and-desist orders from the school following "social activities" that the chancellor said violated county and university guidelines.
"People are just irresponsible and they don't care about anyone but themselves kind of thing," Mustafa said.
Students are even making predictions on how long it will take before in-person learning is a thing of the past.
"Three weeks, maybe two. Two to three weeks," Mustafa said.
"Realistically, probably two weeks," Wilson added.
Both professors and students just hope rules are taken seriously. That way, they can enjoy their time in Lawrence during this uncertain time.
"I hope people will get it together, but I highly doubt it," Mustafa said.
"We are going to have some stumbles," Karwath said. "I think everyone wants the same thing. I don't think anyone wants to shut down campus; I think everybody wants to try to learn together and no one wants anyone to get sick."
