By Gauri Mangala, Managing Editor
Soon after the announcement that Gettysburg College would be moving to a remote learning model, Lauren Heyer ‘21 made a Facebook group entitled “Gettysburg College – Residential Resources!” and started inviting students and alumni to join.
The page, which currently has over 100 members, requests those who are able to house a displaced Gettysburg student to post a listing of their availability for others to find.
“I live with my mom, and the idea came to me when I walked past our guest room,” said Heyer. “It reminded me of a typical college room, with the bed and usual furniture. It got me thinking that maybe we could use that space to house someone who might not have a place to go if the college decided to shut its doors for the semester.”
A handful of students and young alumni have already posted in the page about room availability, and some have even offered lifts from the college if need be.
“It makes me so happy to see people helping people by offering their resources for those who are in need. After seeing all of the negativity in the news, on TV, and online, knowing that the college community picked up this idea and ran with it has brightened my day 100%,” Heyer said in a text.
The college has enforced a move out date of 8 pm on Saturday, Mar. 21 and has asked all students who cannot return to their permanent address to exhaust all other possible options of family and friends before requesting housing at Gettysburg.
This group provides students more options.
“Honestly, the best we can do is provide support for each other. Be nice to people, help others when you can, and practice social distancing,” Heyer urged. “Social distancing helps ‘flatten the curve’ of people who contract coronavirus and helps keep you and your loved ones healthy.”
Hey Gettysburgians: Tell us how this news is affecting you and what questions you have for the college (anonymously if you’d like) in this web form.
