Everyone on campus has one thing in common: we all want to stay here. But to do that, we have to remember what makes being a Hamilton student so unique, and that is our sense of community.

One of my best friends from home currently attends Notre Dame, which has recently switched to remote instruction after being on campus. Within a week of getting onto his campus, he was back in isolation. A week after arriving on campus, 16 percent of those who had been tested before had received the virus. The campus was forced to shut down and move all classes to online instruction to control the outbreak.

Notre Dame is not the only institution to release this announcement — University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, Michigan State, and other universities were forced to transition to remote instruction after a week of in person instruction.

Luckily, we are different from these large institutions. We’re a small school, in the middle of nowhere. Without off-campus housing or graduate students, combined with the fact that we are quite literally on top of a hill, Hamilton has a very strong chance at remaining on the campus that we all love.

Many schools do not have the regulations in place that we do. With mandatory biweekly testing, contact tracing, and physical distancing guidelines, we may just be able to make it through this. The tents, the reduced classroom size, and the less than ideal remote instruction all play into a larger purpose.

I acknowledge that this is not the most fun. This is not ideal and we all wish we could go back to the campus we left in March, or for some, the campus we have been yearning to be on. But the beauty of what makes Hamilton so amazing is that we think of others over ourselves. There is so much to take advantage of while still maintaining and following the extensive Covid Rules. From discovering and exploring the many glens, taking in the picturesque scenery, and spending quality time with new and old friends (from six feet apart), there is opportunity for embracing this new Hamilton we are faced with.

The Hamilton administration and the Student Assembly have worked hard to give us a plan of action on how to proceed with classes and residential living. It’s as simple as wearing your mask at all times besides your own room, washing your hands thoroughly, always staying six feet apart, and avoiding large gatherings. As Hamilton students, this is not a task that should come hard to us.

It is so important that we follow these guidelines, and get through these first two-three weeks without any positive cases. As of this weekend, with over 1,800 results, we have had zero (zero!) cases. We as a community have accomplished a big feat, but our job is not nearly done.

For all the first years who missed many of their senior year traditions and just want to have fun, I understand. I may not be in the same position, but I’m with you. I also want to be with my friends and meet new people that I have not had the chance to meet yet just as much as you. That time will come, but now is the moment when you officially become a Hamilton student–to take on the ability to put yourself after others and put our community first.

We are all in this together, and together we will make sure to finish this semester safely and on campus. Be there for each other but keep each other in check.

And please, wear your mask. Let’s stay on campus.