Hannah Richey
Opinion Editor
hgrichey@uab.edu
While the measures taken to mitigate the risk of contracting COVID-19 have changed the way services on campus operate, they are still available.
Campus Dining
Eating on campus has changed a lot since last spring. Dining is now cashless and you’ll follow the cashier’s directions on when to swipe your debit/credit card or OneCard instead of handing it to them. There are directions for how to enter the restaurants and UAB dining has posted walkthroughs for some places on their Instagram account @uabdining.
Currently there is no seating in some restaurants, such as The Den and The Commons but the Hill Student Center has seating available. The schedule can be found here. Make sure to bring a screenshot of your health passport.
Blazer Kitchen
Blazer Kitchen is still serving UAB but has suspended the drive-thru pickup. Now students can place orders online here. You can pick out your items and schedule a pick-up time to go to room 303 in the Hill Student Center.
The pick-up time must be at least 24 hours from when you place the order so Blazer Kitchen has time to process it and pack it. The fresh produce boxes and milk will only be available on Wednesdays. For any other questions you can call 205-934-8052.
Connect Fest
Connect Fest will be virtual this year. During the first and second week of classes you can meet with various student organizations to figure out how you want to be involved on campus. The organizations will have links available for virtual sessions through services like Zoom or Google Hangouts.
If you have not been able to make it in the past to Connect Fest or would have been uncomfortable with in-person events this will make it easier for you to attend. The schedule is as follows:
Wednesday, September 2 – Community Service & Civic Engagement
Thursday, September 3 – Health & Wellness, Spirituality, Fitness, Club Sports
Friday, September 4 – Cultural & Social Awareness, Equity & Inclusion, Identity Focused
University Recreation Center
The URec has opened with many changes to how it will be run. The facilities will have strictly limited occupancy and modified hours of operations. As with all other campus facilities, this is subject to change so make sure to check the website before going. You can find what URec areas are open and what the occupancy is here.
Blazer Pulse
There are still ways to volunteer during the semester. Volunteering is a great way to give back to the community and meet new people. Blazer Pulse has many opportunities for students to get involved in the community while staying safe and many events are still being held virtually if you cannot make it to in-person sessions for any reason. Log in with your UAB credentials to see opportunities and register here.
Academic Success
If you were at all worried about tutoring being limited or unavailable because face-to-face sessions are not available you don’t have to worry. The VMASC is holding virtual tutoring sessions this fall so you can get the help you need to succeed. See the available subjects and the link to schedule an appointment here.
The writing center is also holding virtual appointments. They can assist with a variety of needs such as brainstorming ideas, editing, outlining and more. For information on how to make an appointment and how they will operate online go here.
