Grambling State University is back in session, having classes starting back in August, and The Journal decided to check in with GSU’s President, Rick Gallot, to get a sense of how the year is looking.
All your students, faculty, and staff are back at GSU. How does it feel to be back for a new academic year?
It feels great. There is an energy that can be felt all around campus now that students have returned. It is especially exciting to see students walking into Woodson Hall for the first time since the building flooded in 2016.
What changes on campus will the Gram fam see this year?
Obviously, we are still in a pandemic, so seeing students, faculty, and staff wearing masks is unfortunately part of our new normal. With all of the construction and renovations that are going on, we are looking forward to the completion of our new Digital Library as well as the intramural center.
What challenges with COVID-19 do you see students, faculty and staff facing?
Despite the challenges, our students, faculty, and staff are resilient and I am so appreciative of the way our campus community continues to adhere to safety protocols.
How are you ensuring safety on campus with COVID-19?
We continue to require mask wearing and social distancing campus-wide. Along with enhanced sanitation of communal areas, we continue to encourage everyone to get vaccinated and offer testing as well.
How does this year look different from last year, as far as COVID-19 is concerned? How is it similar?
The main difference is having face-to-face classes, opposed to 100 percent online last year
What can you tell us about this year’s freshman class?
This year’s freshman class represents a very diverse class of in-state, out of state, and international students. We have the children and grandchildren of our alumni, but also first-generation students are a part of this class as well.
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