A Letter to Baylor Students During COVID-19

Dear Bears,

Just like you, I began this past Fall excited about what the new school year would bring. Just like you, I LOVE being a part of the Baylor Family. I love being on campus. I love being around you guys, getting to know some of you personally, getting to be a part of your lives, and knowing that the work that I do contributes to the experiences that will be transformational and memorable in each of your lives. 

I've seen some posts on social media that insinuate that faculty or staff at colleges like Baylor might be happy about the move to online education. Trust me. This is a million miles from the truth. I don't particularly like the summer time on campus because, well, I spend it without seeing you guys every day. The wonderful men and women who work for Baylor truly love what we do, and we did NOT want this to happen. Just as one example among hundreds, I'm going to miss Diadeloso as much as you (maybe more!)

In fact, we are heartbroken for you. Just like you, in our personal lives, with our own families, we are all trying to figure out what life looks like in this weird time. The challenges of living in this time and trying to figure out our own lives don't diminish or minimize the tears that I've personally seen come to the eyes of staff who know how this impacts you directly. YOU are why we do the work we do. 

I have some personal advice for you during this time. I hope you find it helpful. 

1. Don't freak out! This is a bad situation, and our country, our economy, in fact our entire human civilization may look different when we get through this. BUT WE WILL GET THROUGH THIS. 

2. Be a leader. Your current generation, Generation Z, is one of the most amazing our country has seen in a century. Experts believe that you are a revival of "The Greatest Generation" which is the one that fought in World War II. You are thrifty. You are strong. You value experiences and relationships over possessions. And this is your first real test as a generation. I know this situation impacted your plans. It's time to show the world what you are made of, it's time to lead. Be the example! Social distance. Stay at home. This is a hard test, but you will do it. We'll do it together!

2. Speaking of the older generations, I'd like to make a personal recommendation. FaceTime with your grandparents (if you still have them) during this time at home. Do it daily if you can! Remind them to stay isolated for their own protection. Tell them you love them. But use the time to ask them about challenges our country has faced that they lived through. They were likely alive when JFK was assassinated. They lived through racial segregation and violence, the Vietnam War, economic collapses during the 70s and 80s. They saw Reagan get shot. Some of them were even alive when polio and smallpox were rampant in society. We as a nation have faced huge challenges and come out the other side stronger. Your grandparents can provide historical perspective for unprecedented times. Just ask. If you're scared, tell them so. But again, don't forget to tell them you love them. 

3. Give your parents (or other folks you are now living with) a LOT of grace. There's a good chance you are back home at this point. Your 'rents are probably going to drive you a bit nuts. You've been living on your own while at school. Your entire worldview has changed, but their's hasn't changed as much. To them, they are still "Mom and Dad" and you are still "their kid." You being home is going to make them slip back into old patterns and behaviors. Respect them. Love them. Hug them. Let them just BE in your life. Take this opportunity to just BE in theirs. Later in life, you may look back on this time as a blessing, a moment of togetherness that you wouldn't have had otherwise. I know. I know. After 20+ years of being with them, they can be a little lame sometimes. It won't be long before you miss it. Trust me on this. Also, don't overlook the fact that times like this can scare them too. We often see our parents as indestructible and unphaseable. Give them the grace to be human and show them how incredible you are by being your family's rock. 

4. Be cool with slowing down. Your entire life to this point has been defined by movement. You have been in motion for all of it. Information has flown at you from all directions, 24/7. Slow down. Use this time to do some of your own "experiments in chill." Disconnect from the media. Catch up on sleep. Go for a TON of long walks. (Of course, social distance when you do) but use the time to clear your head, pray, relax. Maybe for the first time, listen to the songs of the birds and leaves rustling in the trees. Breathe in deep. Your life may not slow down this much again for a while after we get through this. And we WILL get through this time.

5. Don't neglect your studies. I earned my MBA in an online program. There are aspects of it that are easier than being in class. There are also aspects of it that are a LOT harder. The biggest challenge is self-discipline to get the work done. It's easier to be accountable for your time when there is a class attendance policy in person. Online, you are largely on your own and it is SUPER easy to get behind. DON'T GET BEHIND! Prioritize and get the job done. 

6. CHECK YOUR EMAIL! I know you guys. Most of you have not developed good email habits. Regardless of what you may think, email is NOT going away. It is the standard tool in business communication worldwide, and you need to know how to "email right." Check it at least several times per day, READ IT ALL, delete what isn't important, but keep anything from the university. Your instructors and staff are intentionally trying to not inundate you with communications right now. So every email is probably an important one. READ THEM.

7. If you are in your senior year, know that this is not the end of your Baylor journey. This is definitely not how you wanted your senior year to end. To be frank, it's not fair. It's REALLY not fair. You didn't have any warning, and it's likely you are grieving as a result. You have every right to feel all of that. I've been here at BU for four years now. This is my senior year too in a sense. You guys are the students who began classes the same time I began working for Baylor. BU20 is special to me and it always will be! SO. With that in mind, make plans now to come back to campus anytime you want to once we are through this crazy time. I mean that. Baylor is your university, and you are family. Your daily lives will look different, but Baylor is part of who you are now. Come back. Often. I'm praying that we'll see you guys in August for a "better late than never" commencement. I can only imagine what a party it'll be. For this reason alone, we need to sic this virus and get back to some normal ASAP. I'm social distancing partly for you, seniors. I'm gonna do my part in this to help get back to being closer than 6 feet from you. 

8. Stay connected. You guys are "digital natives." You've never lived a day without the internet. Use your tools to stay connected to each other and to Baylor University. If you don't already, follow every BU account on social media you can. We are all here still posting content to bring a sense of "normal" back to life in this weird time. 

Post lots of pics to Instagram of what you are up to while social distancing. I want to see. Let's make Instagram more real! Stop trying to curate your feed. Let's see some daily life shots even if daily life is a bit different right now. 

I love you guys! You make my daily work one of the greatest honors. Your kindness, strength, and resilience give me constant sources of hope in a crazy world. Don't hesitate to reach out. Email me anytime. DM me on Instagram. Even just to say "Hi." If you are bored, we can sit and debate existential philosophy or which of the Star Wars movies should be removed from the canon. I'm here. 

As always, Sic'em Bears, and God Bless! 

​Tom Barnard
Assistant Director for Student Outreach & Engagement
Baylor University
​[email protected]
Instagram: @TomAtBaylor