Behind the lens: Photos capture start of the fall semester

BGSU students, faculty and staff begin the fall semester

As students, faculty and staff returned to campus Wednesday, the familiarity of the start of semester met a new experience: a de-densified campus, physically distanced learning spaces, enhanced technologies that brought BGSU classrooms to students around the world, and new safety guidelines to slow the spread of COVID-19.

BGSU's COVID-19 Response Team worked throughout the summer in preparation for the return to campus with direction from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the State of Ohio and Ohio Department of Health, the Wood County Health Department and the Erie County Health Department. To de-densify campus, BGSU introduced Design My BGSU, an initiative that emphasizes course flexibility. Classes are being delivered in-person/hybrid, remote, and online, giving students the opportunity to work with an advisor to adjust their class delivery mode and complete coursework in a variety of ways.

Return to Campus - Forward Falcons - In this together

In addition to the University’s standard cleaning practices, a team of highly trained Campus Operations personnel are performing enhanced cleaning throughout campus. They'll use a new line of cleaning supplies, including a disinfectant with a 45-second kill-time for the virus, along with technologies such as electrostatic cleaning and autonomous vacuums.

University photographer Brad Phalin captured the first day of classes, behind the lens.

A BGSU student follows the footsteps of our Falcon Heritage

A BGSU student follows the footsteps of our Falcon Heritage.

DeBord,Dunn, and Seguin sitting on steps of Education Building

Sophia DeBord, a junior from Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, left, and Kathryn Seguin, a senior from Medina Ohio, middle, and Taylor Dunn, a senior from Oak Harbor, Ohio chat on the steps of the Education Building.

class seen outside of Maurer Center

One of the first classes in the newly opened Robert W. and Patricia A. Maurer Center, as seen from the outside of the state-of-the-art building.

Students wear face coverings and physically distance in classes.

Students wear face coverings and physically distance in classes.

Cameras enable virtual attendance and participation in Finance 3000 class

Cameras enable virtual attendance and participation in Finance 3000 class.

Tessa Haselman a senior VCT major from Leipsic, Ohio found a quiet corner in the Maurer Center to work

Tessa Haselman a senior VCT major from Leipsic, Ohio found a quiet corner in the Maurer Center to work.

The Conrad-Maurer Terrace at the newly opened Maurer Center

The Conrad-Maurer Terrace at the newly opened Maurer Center.

A student bikes to class on the first day of the fall semester

A student bikes to class on the first day of the fall semester.

Graduate student Wenzhao Li uses a sanitizing station on campus

Graduate student Wenzhao Li uses a sanitizing station on campus.

Campus Operations staff member Donna Hackworth cleans a seating area

Campus Operations staff member Donna Hackworth cleans a seating area with plexiglass dividers in the Bowen-Thompson Student Union.

Hosier studying on second floor of Bowen-Thompson Student Union

Marley Hosier, a freshman from Springfield, Ohio studies on the second floor of the Bowen-Thompson Student Union.

Schulze with her service dog, Wesler, while friend Schneider working on her laptop

Leah Schulze, right, a junior from Westerville, Ohio pets her service dog, Wesler, while friend Brittany Schneider, left, a junior from Mansfield, Ohio works on her laptop.

Kreschner enjoying the sun in a quiet corner of the Bowen-Thompson Student Union

Senior Alex Kerschner, from Amherst, Ohio, enjoys the sun in a quiet corner of the Bowen-Thompson Student Union.

Preston shares lunch with Evan

Sophomore Richard Preston, from Convoy, Ohio shares lunch in the Falcon’s Nest with Kendra Evans, a sophomore from Portland, Oregon.

Students in Amanda Taylors COMS 1020 class in Olscamp Hall.

Students in Amanda Taylor’s COMS 1020 class in Olscamp Hall.

Amanda Taylor teaches with enhanced technology in her COMS 1020 class.

Amanda Taylor teaches with enhanced technology in her COMS 1020 class.

Sophomore Danielle Toms, from Cincinnati, Ohio, and Nick Mallow, a sophomore from Columbus, Ohio, physically distance while chatting outside.

Sophomore Danielle Toms, from Cincinnati, Ohio, and Nick Mallow, a sophomore from Columbus, Ohio, physically distance while chatting outside.

Updated: 09/03/2020 04:13PM