Editor’s note: All opinions expressed in this article belong to their respective author. Check our section “Voices” dedicated to opinion pieces on AUI Chronicle. This piece was co-written with Hiba Mezzyane.
Activities and events constitute a very important part of AUI campus life. It is the place where students find shelter from stress and studies. It is where they share their main interests, thoughts, and ideas but mostly discover new things and experience personal growth. However, due to the COVID-19 global pandemic and the sanitary measures imposed by the university, such events were canceled. As a result, many students found themselves unable to balance their academic work and their mental health. Especially now, the importance of such activities has been showcased since AUIers are living in a very stressful period of midterms and upcoming final exams.
At this point, no one can deny the fact that the AUI community needs to breathe. The lack of common indoor spaces has its own effect on how students feel. It is overwhelming not to have places to hang out and spend time outside of the classroom walls. Students find themselves stuck either in classes where they are dealing with their classwork or in their rooms by themselves. The latter could be very disastrous for their mental health and well-being. One could understand that COVID played a big role in this situation. However, the university must be well-prepared to adjust to the health crisis and cater to its students regardless of the circumstances.
In fact, it is a big challenge for AUIers to keep up with what is going on on-campus whether it concerns their academic performance or their social life within the community. With this in mind, the challenge that clubs and groups are facing to organize indoor events respecting the sanitary measures is present. Even if they suggest organizing outdoor events it wouldn’t be possible because of the cold weather that the city is witnessing. With that being said, few clubs organized events despite the current circumstances. They made sure to respect the sanitary regulations imposed by the university. To illustrate, last Saturday, the Rythm Unity club organized a musical night at the Auditorium 17 while considering the health measures. Many students disagreed with the way the event was held, however, one must not forget that we live amidst a global pandemic and several rules were set by the Minister of Health.
In this case, it seems like there is a constant clash between students’ well-being and health measures established by the Moroccan government. Indeed, the university cannot go against the will of the state. In this context, what can the university do to ensure students’ well-being without any transgressions?
As redundant as it sounds, one of the main solutions could be the reinforcement of counseling services for all students in need. However, there is a lack of availabilities. Students struggle to get an appointment with a counselor which negatively impacts their well-being. The university has shown that students’ mental health is one of its last priorities. It shows from the insufficient number of counselors compared to the number of students on campus. Most actions that call for standing up for this issue that AUI is facing comes from students themselves. They are concerned and ready to help each other to assure a safe and peaceful community. Proof of the latter, some students have launched many rounded tables and talks to offer help to those in need. Meanwhile, the university has not implemented any strong or binding decisions to make a change and improve the mental health of its students.
Finally, the global pandemic has affected everyone’s mental health. Enduring a long lockdown is not an easy thing to do. Many are suffering in silence and the current campus situation is not helping either. Perhaps, clubs could be encouraged to offer more platforms for students to express themselves. The latter could be either online or in a setting respecting social distancing. AUIers need to breathe and the university must adapt to the current circumstance and cater to its students, considering the health crisis.
