Sign of the Times

Capturing life at California State University, Northridge during the Fall 2021 Semester.

Carolyn Burt

Scuff marks from skateboarding tricks reflect off of the CSUN Matador statue on campus on Nov. 3, 2021 in Northridge, Calif.

The Fall 2021 semester at CSUN marks a unique period in the campus’ history. It is the return to campus for students, faculty, and staff after classes first went online in March 2020 because of growing concern of COVID-19 cases in California.

Chris Torres, Editor-in-Chief for the Daily Sundial, takes a bubble break in the Newsroom on Nov. 2, 2021.

Students were informed in July 2021 that in order to be enrolled in in-person classes or partake in on-campus activities they would need to be vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2 for the Fall 2021 semester.

A squirrel scurries down a tree with a Kit-Kat wrapper in its mouth outside of the CSUN University Library on Nov. 5.

CSUN Campus provides free COVID-19 testing outside of the University Student Union on Dec. 15. Testing is available throughout the semester for free for students, faculty, and staff.

Chris Torres tosses a blue ball at his desk at the Daily Sundial on Sept 23.

Being on campus has been exciting for students who started their academic journey with CSUN virtual because of the pandemic, but for those who are returning back to campus, it’s bittersweet as it represents a skeleton of what it once was. Some familiarity has returned including being able to study in the University Library, attend basketball games, and grab coffee with friends at the Freudian Sip. However safety protocols have been put in place such as requiring masks indoors, stickers on desks where seating is allowed in the classroom in order to keep social distance, and hand sanitizer stations placed all throughout campus.

Students walk outside Manzanita Hall during one of the first rain falls of the semester on Oct. 4.

Freshman Kayanna Spriggs shoots a basket during CSUN’s women’s basketball game against University of San Diego on Dec. 5.

CSUN’s Matadolls dance on the bleachers during the women’s basketball game on Dec. 5.

The crowd applauds the women’s basketball players during their game against USD on Dec. 5.

The referees share a laugh in the Matadome during the women’s basketball game on Dec. 5.

Students and community members walk across campus in front of the University Library on Dec. 15.

Even as the semester comes to an end, students have made the most of their time at CSUN, especially under the circumstances. Even though life at CSUN looks different from both the Fall 2019 and 2020 semester, one tradition stands strong of graduates leaving roses behind on the Matador statue to celebrate their achievement.

Roses lay at the feet of the CSUN Matador Statue on Dec. 15. It is a tradition for students to leave behind a rose to celebrate their accomplishments.

Carolyn Burt is a Journalism Major at California State University, Northridge. She is the current Social Media Editor at the Daily Sundial.