Housing, dining refunds bring students financial relief during time of need

When news of the COVID-19 global pandemic broke, universities were among the first to respond by shifting to remote operations and clearing campuses of student residents along with nonessential personnel. The University of West Florida was no exception, and its students, faced with unprecedented challenges, have learned exactly what it means to adapt and thrive in the midst of trials.

Jordan Kleinsmidt, junior marine biology major, had big plans for the first half of 2020: first, she would celebrate spring break with her family in New York City before completing the rest of the Spring semester. During the summer, she would spend four weeks studying abroad in Indonesia with Operation Wallacea, studying coral reefs, getting dive certified and conducting research for the University of West Florida’s marine biology program.

Within a matter of hours on the first day of Kleinsmidt’s spring break vacation, though, her carefully made plans unraveled.

“We had just landed in New York City when we heard the news that everything in the city was shutting down due to COVID-19,” Kleinsmidt said. “That same day, the University notified students that courses were going to remote instruction in response to the virus, and then I found out that my summer abroad program wouldn’t be happening, either. That was obviously hard and a lot to take in at once.”

Instead of taking in the sights in the Big Apple, Kleinsmidt found herself reserving a storage unit to house her belongings from her Village West apartment while she moved back in with her family in central Florida for the foreseeable future. This summer, she’ll be taking online courses and completing a summer undergraduate research program under the remote supervision of Dr. Alexis Janosik, associate professor in biology.

Kleinsmidt, a musician by trade, said the financial impact of COVID-19 has been significant. When the University announced it would be refunding a prorated amount of housing and meal plans to help ease the unexpected burden placed on students who live on campus, she said she was able to breathe a little easier. She also got a temporary part-time job as a cashier at BJ’s Wholesale Club in Orlando to help make ends meet.

“I play gigs at local bars and restaurants to pay my bills,” she said. “When they shut down, I was essentially jobless. The University’s refund provided a cushion in my bank account that meant I could continue making my monthly payments and feel less stressed from an already overwhelming situation.” 

Kleinsmidt said she’s been impressed by UWF’s management of unpredictable circumstances in the face of a global pandemic.

“I think the University has handled it magnificently,” she said. “They’re going above and beyond with initiatives like the Songs of Impact contest, providing really cool ways to bring everyone together during this challenging time.”