Prospective students and their families spread out across the University of Idaho campus Friday, wearing masks and donning visors for this summer’s first UIdaho Bound recruitment event.
Those in attendance met at the Bruce M. Pitman Center for a welcome and introduction before exploring on their own throughout the afternoon.
Admissions Events Coordinator Ellamae Burnell said 141 students had registered. To ensure social distancing, many changes had been made from the prior year, including plexiglass shields for check-in, boxed lunches and sanitizing stations.
“It’s really a ‘choose your own adventure,’ event this year,” Burnell said. “Students can participate in what they want to participate in without having to do the whole schedule.”
At various outdoor locations across campus, faculty from different UI departments stood near their respective tables, waiting to lend information to the passing students and families. In previous years, incoming students attended larger informational sessions and panels instead.
Instead of large groups touring on campus housing at regular intervals, individual guides provided tours to designated dorm rooms as small groups desired them. Lunch and assistance in registering for fall 2020 courses were provided, although with more social distancing than previous events.
All participants were required to wear masks or face coverings, Burnell said.
“We’re following all State of Idaho requirements for events as well as CDC recommendations,” Burnell said. “The schedule this year is much less guided and give students and families a chance to really explore campus in a way that is most comfortable for them, while still having a good turnout from our campus partners.”
One visiting student, Kyoya Himori, came all the way from Kansas to attend the event on his own.
Himori said he plans to live in Wallace Residence Hall for his freshman year, while studying to become an athletic trainer.
“I’m nervous with all the uncertainty,” Himori said. “But I’m also excited.”
Vice Provost Dean Kahler said UI was allowed to reopen in Stage Four of Gov. Brad Little’s Idaho Rebounds plan. UI has been working with the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare to determine what steps can help them do so safely.
“We’re doing everything we can possibly think of to minimize the risk of transmission of the virus,” Kahler said. “We’ve done everything short of cancelling the event.”
The next UIdaho Bound will take place July 17 on the UI Moscow campus.
Angela Palermo can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @apalermooo