Bulldog Bites

News and Views from the University of Redlands

We asked students, ‘What made you decide to move to campus?’

Students carry belongings into Anderson Hall on January 16. The University of Redlands began welcoming a reduced number of residential students back to the main campus with numerous COVID-19 health and safety precautions in place. (Photo by Carlos Puma)

On January 16, the University of Redlands began welcoming a reduced number of residential students in the College of Arts and Sciences back to the main campus, with numerous COVID-19 health and safety precautions in place. As they moved their belongings into residence halls, some students took time to answer the question, “What made you decide to move to campus?” Here are their answers.

“I decided to move to campus because this is my first year, and I thought it was worth it. I'm glad that Redlands has precautions in place to make it happen. Obviously, it's going to be different, but, to me, it's my college experience. So far, I'm happy. I like that the dorm feels very roomy, and my friends and I are already planning socially distanced activities.”
Abby Gordon ‘24
Germantown, MD

“I want to be a music major, and I found that trying to learn an instrument—like the piano or even my instrument of choice, which is guitar—in a virtual setting wasn't something I could internalize. I’m nervous, but I’m excited. It’ll be a learning experience.”
Mitch Owens ‘24
New York, NY

“St. Louis is very different than Redlands. When I heard there was a chance that we could come to campus, even with restrictions in place, I wanted to take advantage of that opportunity. Even though my classes are online, I felt being able to come to campus and meet people, even when we’re socially distanced, would be a huge benefit to me. I’m really excited—I’m in a group chat with everyone in my residence hall, and people have been really nice and helpful throughout the whole process.”
Alayah Lipnick ‘24
St. Louis, MO

“Being a junior, I've been gone for almost a year now. It's a beautiful campus. Yeah, it's not going to be the same feel. But you're here in the town of Redlands, with other people who are in the same position as you are. I'm feeling good about it. While it's not going to be the same as when we first were here, I'm looking forward to the new and different ways we can still enjoy college life.”
Garrett Falkenstine ’22
Tucson, AZ

“I moved to campus to make friends and have a new experience in a new environment. I'm a little nervous, but I'm also very excited.”
Sam Brown ’24
Seattle, WA

“I play for the Redlands basketball team and I wanted to be engaged with my sport. I'm excited and I'm ready for the spring semester.”
Angeline Roque ’23
San Diego, CA

“I decided to move back because I wanted to be closer to my friends, and I thought it was a better decision for me academically. I just wanted to have more human interaction, because we've been lacking that for a long time.”
Ata Bekce ’23
Istanbul, Turkey

“I feel like I work better in a more academic environment. I felt I needed more focus, and, on campus, that's where I found it. There were also time zone differences because I'm from outside of the country, so navigating those was kind of difficult.”
Ivan Dogbegah ’22
Rolle, Switzerland

“I decided to come to campus because I really wanted the college experience. I really wanted to be able to experience all of those things that my parents and my friends talked about, having moved to and lived in dorms. My parents both came to school here, and they both lived in the same hall I'm living in—my mom actually lived in the same suite. I was really excited when I found that out.”
Christine Crowe ’24
Downey, CA

“I decided to move on campus to be part of the Redlands family.”
Rafael Carrier ’24
Dallas, TX

“I'm excited to move to campus because I'm ready for a little bit of change in any way possible. After being in Portland with my lovely family, I'm just ready to find a way to move on with life at this time.”
Sarah Fulmer ’24
Portland, OR

Learn more about the College of Arts and Sciences.