![A man and a woman sit together at a table, working on their laptops.](https://ringtumphi.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/IMG_20230207_210216-e1675822226859-900x675.jpg)
“I’ve been so disconnected:” First-years say post-pandemic burnout is real
Students are struggling with disengagement and apathy now that campus has returned to pre-pandemic norms
A year in review: Washington and Lee back and better than ever
This year, students finally felt a sense of normalcy after a year-and-a-half of restrictions
byline:
Goodbye masks!
A twist on last year’s piece entitled “Why I love my mask”
![Current vaccination status of Washington and Lee community members. Data courtesy of the university’s COVID-19 dashboard.](https://ringtumphi.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/2022-02-14-900x444.png)
Students petition the university’s booster requirement
Law students are asking the school to reconsider the requirement and the consequences of not obeying
Mask mandates in question at local schools
A controversial executive order has school districts defending their decisions to keep mask mandates in place.
![As of Jan. 30, 38 of the university’s 47 isolation/quarantine beds are occupied. This means the isolation/quarantine space on campus is 80.9% full. Photo by Jess Kishbaugh, ’24.](https://ringtumphi.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Screen-Shot-2022-02-01-at-8.12.24-PM-900x603.png)
Prison on campus?
Washington and Lee takes a nonsensical approach to Omicron
International students face difficulties returning to campus amid Omicron
Positive COVID-19 tests left some students stuck abroad, facing technology and timing issues as classes began
Don’t go virtual
March 2020: Pandemic, Zoom, virtual learning; our educational experience turned upside down.
![Concern about Omicron Variant hits W&L campus](https://ringtumphi.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/IMG_3879-900x600.jpg)
Concern about Omicron Variant hits W&L campus
Students fear study abroad cancellations and more restrictions. Campus health officials are cautious, but not panicked.
Movin’ on to Omicron
Just when things seemed fine, a new virus arrives
![Staff and resources in local hospitals such as the Carilion Rockbridge Community Hospital have been hamstrung in the wake of a surge in COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and deaths. Photo by Lilah Kimble, ’23.](https://ringtumphi.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/LMK_0306-900x600.jpeg)
Local hospitals, W&L face COVID-19 spike
A surge in COVID-19 cases has strained resources at local hospitals and the student health center.
![The Center for Global Learning houses resources like the Center for International Education, the Global Discovery Laboratories and numerous language departments including Arabic and Russian. Photo by Lilah Kimble, ’23.](https://ringtumphi.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/LMK_0280-900x600.jpeg)
Spring Term Abroad returns
Students and professors remain cautiously optimistic in light of COVID-19