The Diner at Saint Xavier University used to be a vibrant chill out space for students to enjoy. However, the pandemic has turned it into a reckless environment.
People have begun to disrespect the university’s masking rule, as a member of the Xavierite Editorial Board has especially seen students crammed into booths and socializing as usual, but with their masks off.
The Xavierite News Section recently reported that Saint Xavier President Laurie M. Joyner, Ph.D. required all people to comply with the university’s new indoor mask mandate effective August 2 regardless of vaccination status.
Considering this, there is a consistent pattern of SXU students taking advantage of the indoor mask mandate, primarily due to the laziness and carelessness of mask-wearing, which has gotten out of hand.
SXU Diner Supervisor Roxanne Quinn figures that if people were to get vaccinated, there is little to no purpose in wearing masks, saying, “I believe that we should take them off already, period.”
A board member noted, “With no real supervision to ensure people wear their mask when necessary — many students will disregard policies and keep their mask off from the moment they enter the diner to the moment they leave.”
Media Relations Manager Breeanna Villalpando emphasized that “The SXU Diner is a designated area for eating,” meaning that people should only limit it to eating and drinking purposes, as preferred.
One member of the Editorial Board agrees with Villalpando’s statement. “While many students use the cafeteria to talk with friends and work on assignments — its main purpose is for dining.”
When observing the Diner culture during the week of Nov. 1, many were experiencing mask exhaustion, and no faculty or staff member enforced it.
Although First-Year student Farron Jones had seriously complied with the indoor mask mandate, he claimed he was ‘forced’ to do so. Jones was relieved The Diner had relaxed regulations than in the classroom.
When it comes to masking up in general, Jones had pointed views. He said, “To me, it doesn’t make a difference whether it’s on or not. You can still catch the ‘virus.’”
People may be aware of the indoor mask mandate, but this doesn’t mean they’ll follow the same standard in the Diner.
One member of the Editorial Board says, “In the classroom, students will keep it on just because everyone else has it on and because it’s “the right thing to do,” but once they enter the diner, it’s a whole new story.”
We think the Diner shouldn’t allow students to use this as a Covid-free hangout area. One Editorial Board member mentioned, “Having it crowded with people just wanting to hang out can cause social distancing regulations to be followed to a lesser extent.”
It’s one thing to disregard the university-enforced rules and another to let our guards down. We strongly believe that this is unacceptable behavior coming from the Diner, and it must stop immediately.
Our Editorial Board agrees that if people are without their masks, they should secure a hangout spot outside campus. “That way, they can comfortably keep their masks off while hanging out instead of jeopardizing others’ health,” said one Editorial Board member.
While it is understandable that individuals are getting tired of masking up everyday, we think that the mandate needs to be followed for the remainder of this school year, as small Covid outbreaks could happen.
People are getting tired of masking rules without realizing it, which is understandable, even if it isn’t safe. Still, with flu season around the corner, they must be mindful of this and stay vigilant.
We’d think people would find Covid relevant in their minds a year later. One Editorial Board member argues that “Covid is still around, and we have to continue to do our part as a community to help “stop the spread,” as the university would say.”
Although we are turning the corner of the pandemic and getting nearer to the end, we all know that it’s not over until it’s over.
To experience a return to some sense of normalcy again, we have to break bad habits if it’s required by SXU administration, as The Diner’s culture is putting a damper on the overall image of the university.