Pokemon Go stop and gyms removed from Elmhurst University
Photo edited by Isabella Herrera
Pokemon GO stop and gyms were removed from Elmhurst University in August by campus leadership due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Campus leadership decided that for the time being, it would be a good idea to have the Pokemon GO stops and gyms removed,” said Desiree Chen, Senior Director of Communications and External Relations.
Large gatherings at the university had been an ongoing concern for campus officials.
“Part of the university’s health and public safety plans for the fall include limiting the number of people on campus (including off-campus visitors) to better facilitate physical distancing and limit potential exposure to COVID-19,” Chen further clarified.
Though students understand that it’s for everyone’s safety, they expressed that their fun on the app has taken a blow.
“It definitely has affected my level of enjoyment from the game,” said Alex Ho, a junior majoring in political science and history. “But I do understand that it’s something that needs to happen and that it needs to take priority over enjoying the game to make sure everyone’s safe.”
Students believe that there might’ve been other alternatives as opposed to removing Pokemon GO stops and gyms completely.
Ho explained, “Make [the stops] appear where there’s less foot traffic, like on the weekend or at a certain time of day during midnight when no one’s at school.”
Noel Saldierna, sophomore and double-major in music education and jazz studies, stated that having fewer stops around campus, more specifically in campus corners, would be a viable option.
Other options can lead to an exploration off-campus. Josh Quintos, a computer science major said, “I don’t think that there should be any new accommodations for the game, but people would have to change how they play it”.
“It’ll probably be better to go to farther away places so you won’t have to do the same repetitive places,” Quintos said.
Despite the stops removed, other students are unfazed by the decision. Sophomore Michelle Diaz, who is not interested in the game herself, believes that those who play will find a way to do so.
