The beginning of the school year last fall consisted of many concerns and questions for students about how long Samford will remain open and in operation during a pandemic, as well as students’ reactions to what was happening in the United States and the world.
September
The beginning of the school year was full of changes and concerns in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Samford Cafeteria makes changes due to COVID-19 pandemic
- Samford quarantines students on campus
- University President Andrew Westmoreland discusses ‘Bring Back the Bulldogs’ plan
- Instagram account ‘Black at Samford’ sheds light on stories of students of color
- Samford counseling services offer quarantine support group
- COVID-19 vaccines in final stages of clinical trials
- U.S. presidential nominees gear up for debate
- Samford Presidential Search Committee begins to look for new university president after current president Andrew Westmoreland announces his retirement
- Hurricane Sally damage impacts families of students and their homes
- Samford Debate Team beats Harvard and others at season opener
October
During October, Samford hosted virtual events, mental health issues increased at colleges and students reacted to presidential debates.
- First presidential debate occurs, leaving voters discouraged
- Samford adds two classes on racial injustice for the spring semester
- Student Activities Council continues to host events during pandemic
- Vice presidential debate shifts presidential polls
- Samford students report feeling stalked off campus
- Biden and Trump host virtual town halls instead of second debate
- Mental health issues increase at universities
- Samford students march for social justice on campus
- Samford hosts virtual Lions Den event
November
Samford celebrated the end of semester on campus with Lighting of the Way, the Elevate Others campaign kicked off and students reacted to presidential election results.
- Students start petition for pass or fail option
- Samford College Democrats and Republicans host debate
- Students react to presidential election
- On-campus COVID-19 guidelines updated
- Elevate Others campaign kicks off and raises money for minority student leaders scholarship
- Student Activities Council hosts Lighting of the Way before students returned home for the holidays
- Samford United hosts socially distanced campus worship event
February
Students returned to campus for spring semester with more virtual and in-person events.
- Biden’s first few weeks as president after Jan. 20 inauguration
- Black Student Union hosts events on campus for Black History Month
- Lead with Love event kicks off and continues throughout the spring semester
- Students react to Donald Trumps’ acquittal
- Thurgood Marshall Symposium address race in legal careers
- Sons of Light hosts Valentine’s Day scavenger hunt
- Samford has snow day with virtual classes
- Samford athletic events return
March
As COVID-19 cases on campus declined, Samford updated residence visitation guidelines and faculty/staff began receiving the COVID-19 vaccine.
- Samford Residence Life updates visitation rules as campus COVID-19 cases decline
- Students impacted by Texas snowstorm
- Samford professors begin receive COVID-19 vaccines
- Samford announces remainder of the spring and upcoming fall semester plans
- Multicultural Affairs Committee bill passes in SGA Senate
- Samford announces Beck Taylor as new university president
- Journalism and Mass Communication and Communication Studies departments merge, becoming the Communication and Media department
- Biden administration purchases additional Johnson and Johnson COVID-19 vaccine doses
- College students impacted by COVID-19 stimulus bill
- Samford Gives Back partners with Rise Against Hunger
- Residence Life expands visitation and new protocols
- Students respond to Asian American hate crimes
- Tyler Kendall elected as SGA President
April
As we near the end of the semester, students look forward to normal operations this fall on campus as Samford hosts campus vaccination clinics and in-person graduation events.
- SGA passes elections results bill
- Samford offers COVID-19 vaccine to students
- Samford hosts campus vaccination clinic
- Global Engagement Office hosts annual Global Connections Fair
- SGA hosts inauguration for new Student Executive Board
- Students hopeful for return to normalcy this fall
