Oral Histories

Why did we gather this Oral History?

The goal of the oral histories that we collected was to to engage the public in reflecting upon the experience of the pandemic in a Massachusetts public higher educational institution.

How did we collect this Oral History?

We interviewed students, staff, and faculty about their experiences regarding COVID-19. We sought out a plethora of interviewees to ensure we caught the different aspects of the Fitchburg State community .

The Interviews

Below is a listing of most of the oral histories collected. A few more reside on the archive site, The Empty Campus.

Vice President for Student Affairs Dr. Laura Bayless offers a view into the decision making process from a member of the executive cabinet.

Dr. Benes discussed the adversity faced as they transferred the school's nursing program online. She also touched upon struggles she witnessed the students facing.

Victoria talked about what it was like being a senior in college at the height of COVID.

Starr touched upon a wide range of topics. Star spent the majority of the interview speaking about Student Government and Dance Club. Specifically, how Student Government and Dance Club functioned online, and the lack of campus life.

Matt mainly discussed how the athletic department functioned during the pandemic

Gabryelle spoke about her initial emotions when school was first moved online and her experience since.

Joe discussed the insight he had into the decision-making processes done by the school administrators during the pandemic due to his position in the student government. He talks about the challenges student government faced to get the administrators to include them in the decision-making process.

Brad discussed the research and adjustments that needed to be made to the recreational center on campus after the pandemic hit. There were many difficulties like following protocols and getting enough staff to run properly.

Zac spoke about his experiences as a student athlete playing on the hockey team during the pandemic. He also talked about his increase of extracurricular involvement in fall 2021 and how he hopes more students bring that same mentality to campus in the future.

Will talked about how returning students struggled with their return to school because of the way online schooling affected them.

Discussion of the structure of classes and coursework at various points in his at FSU as it relates to History and Film.

Brady spoke on his experiences in both the film and English programs throughout the pandemic, reflecting on his experiences as well as hopes for the future.

Liam discussed what it was like to work as a Hammond campus center building manager during the pandemic. In addition, he talked about being Greek council's president and the Greek life experiences during the pandemic.

Miranda mainly discussed her experiences as an RA during the pandemic, and how campus life has changed from pre-pandemic to now through the lens of the FAB President. She also briefly discussed Greek life and student government as well.

Audrey talked about the moment in March 2020 that they found out the softball season was cancelled, what they did for the rest of that season, what the 2021 season was like, and how she feels they are as a team now because of COVID.

President Lapidus discusses the initial effects the pandemic had on the University, where the University currently sits, and the future of the University.

Kat discussed how the ACT (Academic Coaching and Tutoring) Center functioned during the pandemic and what permanent changes there were.

Kerry discussed the insight she had into the decision-making processes done by the school administrators during the pandemic due to her position in the student government. She talks about how the student government tried to bring the student opinion into the administrative decision making room as much as possible.

Discussion of the structure of classes and coursework at various points in time at FSU as it relates to Film.

Dimitri discusses the Unity Rally that was held on the campus of FSU in the fall of 2020: what it was, how he participated, and how it affected Fitchburg State.

Ryan narrated his experiences at both Fitchburg state and UMASS Boston, focusing in on the personal impact of the pandemic on his daily life.

SGA perspective of Administrations decisions.

Samantha discussed how her life at home changed once the pandemic hit. She also explained some of the issues she experienced as a nursing student during COVID-19.

Gabe talked about the differences between in-person school and online school and noted the different aspects of the two, he said that online school didn't affect him as much. He also talked about how the pandemic made some people change their major but he stuck to his, and concluded the interview talking about the differences in being s dtudent athlete during the pandemic.

Ben described his involvement with athletics and his on campus job and how they changed as the pandemic went on and how he struggled with it at first.

Talked about how the communication and switch to online schooling caused a culture shift within the university, especially the colleague professors.

Nick talked about his experience with COVID as both an athlete and RA. He described the protocols that he had to enforce, and the restrictions put on athletics.

Dr. Sargent discussed the way that the shift to online helped with communication between herself and her staff members.

Julie discussed what it was like coming into Fitchburg State as a transfer student during the pandemic.

Rebecca discussed the behind the scenes of managing COVID and sports medicine during the pandemic.

Matt discussed the change he saw in both himself and his peers, as well as the way the quarantining highlighted exactly what he wants his career to look like versus what he doesn't want it to look like.

Dr. Talanian mainly discussed on how coming to work on campus was a little more relaxing than he thought it was along with his views on the pandemic.

Dr. Tracy described her decisions that she made that were important for the campus' future along with her views on those decisions and her life in the pandemic.

Discussion of the structure of classes and coursework at various points in time at FSU as it relates to political science and history.

Perspective of being on sabbatical during the Spring 2020 Semester.

Skylar talked about the struggling with the change from transferring colleges and going online for classes, all while living with her mother and younger siblings during a pandemic.

Interview Teams:

Administration:

Liberal Arts Degrees:

Professional Degrees:

Campus Life