Every DU department faces its own hurdles as a result of the coronavirus. Here’s how it affected the business students. 

Unlike the science, math and music majors that require hands-on learning for multiple aspects of the curriculum, the business-oriented classes do not face as large of a setback. When classes transitioned online, numerous course outlines remained only subtly altered. However, the biggest shifts felt by business students are universally felt by all majors. 

Amanda Martinez, a junior Finance major, put it simply, “The biggest challenge transitioning into online classes has been balancing work and life and trying to limit screen time. The first week I noticed I was getting headaches because of being in class, meetings and working on homework for up to 12 hours in front of a computer screen.”

Students and computers are working overtime, and their eyes are straining from countless hours of screen time. Beyond excessive hours on electronics, Zoom limits the interaction and relationships that are oftentimes forged throughout the quarter.

Martinez stated, “One thing I really miss from an in-person environment is forming a relationship with the professor and other students in the class. It is much harder to form new relationships when you are not physically in the same room with them and cannot have in-person office hours.”

Although it becomes challenging to connect with professors and classmates, the Daniels students have access to their advisors—who are happy to help them out in any way possible. 

McKenzie Mohler, Assistant Director of Undergraduate Student Services, said, “Between Zoom advising appointments and numerous email exchanges, I would say we are still advising about the usual number of students. Advisors are still here to help, and we want to see you!”

Mohler noted that the bulk of student inquiries are in regard to the Pass/Pass+/Fail option. Many students voiced concerns if choosing Pass/Pass+/Fail will weaken their transcript. 

Unique to Daniels students is the concern over Microsoft Office Certifications. All Daniels students must become certified in Word, PowerPoint and Excel before graduating. While the labs are still being taught online, the testing must also be completed by the student on their own computer. Beforehand, students would come to a scheduled exam time and use a computer set up and ready for them to test. This change causes complications if students do not have PCs or multiple computer screens. 

Martinez, also a Microsoft Office Teaching Assistant said, “On one end, it [the online lab] is pushing students to spend more time on the material, but it is only making it harder to engage if the students lack the motivation to put in the time.” 

It is challenging to resolve technical problems that students face during lab when the instructors cannot see their screen, too. Regardless, the students that actively go to lab and submit their work do score well. 

McKenzie, who also manages the Microsoft program, stated, “I’m hearing that students are more engaged in labs than ever, and I am really optimistic that our students are going to do very well on their upcoming certification exams.”

Outside of the certification exams, no major has come out unscathed. The vast majority of students are dealing with the same struggles of online learning. The virus upended various industries and cannot be looked at in isolation. 

Daniels had to make some adjustments, but that’s just business.