Students Want Flexibility with Online and In Person

“I thought coming back in person would be different being that we’re online for so long,” said Alexandra Rodriguez, a senior at The City College of New York (CCNY). She and others found it tough to re-adapt to in-person classes in the spring and fall of 2022.

“Being back in person is inconvenient for me to get the experience I need in order to eventually get a job after college because that’s the end goal,” said CCNY sophomore Jasmine Garcia.   

For the past two and a half years, students have been learning remotely. Many students have gotten used to this and have adapted to this lifestyle. In a world where school, work, activities, and friends compete for time, many students struggle to prioritize and balance their commitments. Some students believe that having the opportunity to be able to take online classes will provide them with the flexibility they need.   

A recent Harvard Study called, “Online? In Person? The Power of Letting Students Choose,” said, “We can see the impact of providing students with this flexibility. One of the factors that empower individuals is the ability to exert a degree of control over their environment. The Choice Model lets each student choose—every day—whether they prefer to attend class in person or online.” The Choice Model caters to students who want in-person instruction yet do not want to be confined to a campus setting. For students who frequently have conflicting work or personal schedules, this model can be very convenient and flexible.  

While it seems generally positive and empowering to give students choices, some believe not all student choices are the best. They say college offers a safe environment for students to interact with one another. By being close to each other, students have more opportunities to engage in conversations and share experiences. 

Sociology Department Chairperson Professor Katherine Chen said, “Building relationships in person is very different from online. In my class, I focus on building a community with my students. One of the reasons why I teach the way I do is because of the research that I do. I study organizations that encourage relationship building. Some of the content I have taught has allowed students to have the tools they need in order to create and maintain these relationships.”  

Some students appreciate being on campus. “In-person classes allow for me to be able to interact with my professors and I can ask questions directly and build a genuine relationship instead of constantly having to set appointments via Zoom,” said Lehman College senior Emily Santos. Another Lehman College student, junior Aurora White, agreed: “I can finally interact with people and make friends on campus.”  

So far there has been no change in CUNY policy. A spokesperson said that the guidance on the August 2022 letter remains in effect until further notice. That means students will still have to adapt to being back in person. But students we talked with, and others, think flexibility should be accommodated. Would CUNY ever implement a choice like model policy for students to accommodate both parties? As a student what choice do you feel is best for your long-term future?