Classes start at MSUB next week as students moved back onto campus for the first time in months.
Even with COVID-19 guidelines, many are excited to be back.
Families helped students move into the dorms on Saturday.
"Well, it's a little different," said Melissa Powell about moving her son Mason this year compared to last year. "There's not as many people in the dorm. It's been ok so far. Fewer tears because this is his second year. So last year was a little emotional. So this is better."
"I feel safe enough to come here," said Mason Powell, a sophomore Secondary Education major from Gillette, Wyoming. "And I think a lot of students feel the same way, so I'm kind of ready to get back to normal life and I think a lot of people are too."
For Mason Powell, normal life is being a student-athlete as part of the Yellowjackets baseball team.
"Usually we have team meetings with the whole team," said Mason, who is listed as an infielder on the MSUB roster. "But this year I think it has to be 10 or less. And we all wear masks the whole time. During the fall, we have no games against other opponents. We scrimmage against ourselves. It's going to be a whole new year, a whole new fall, really cautious."
"We are looking forward to him being on a college baseball team," Melissa Powell said. "And we get to go and watch those games and travel. We are ready for him to get that opportunity and be a part of a team like that."
With a lot of changes at Rimrock Hall and Petro Hall, the hope is that all those adjustments will lead to a good school year for the students at MSUB.
"We know that living on campus is a big part of college and obviously some changes here and there with COVID-19," said Aaron Like, MSUB Associate Dean of Students. "But at the end of the day, students are here to pursue their education and we're going to help them through that process."
Like said the staff has put together the COVID-19 plan for the campuses and for dorm life.
"Frequently wash you hands," he said. "Stay six feet away from other people. We've put a good plan in place and we're trying to do our absolute best to keep everybody safe and healthy."
"It's going to be different," Mason Powell said. "But it's going to safe, which is really comforting."
"He'll take it seriously and take care of himself," Melissa Powell said about her son.
Normally, all students would move back this weekend, but the process is being done in phases this year to allow for proper distancing.
Some will move in Tuesday, making for quick turnaround, with classes scheduled to start Wednesday.
More information is available on the MSUB website.
