The Art Ed Club at Sacramento State is hosting Virtual Art-Make Activities on Friday, April 3, where art such as that depicted in this photo and created earlier represents one form of enjoyment not usually associated with spring break. Other alternatives to the annual weeklong break are being pursued as traditional venues and opportunities are shut down by concerns about the coronavirus. (Image courtesy of Theresa Nguyen)

By Cynthia Hubert

Canceled trips to college campuses. A postponed honeymoon. Plans for a Disney Cruise that morphed into Disney family movie nights at home.

These capsized spring break plans for the Sacramento State community are among the widespread changes caused by the coronavirus and efforts to curb its spread.

This year, the break generally means staying at home, trying to remain healthy and preparing to finish the semester through online teaching and learning. Students, faculty and staff who saw their spring plans evaporate are finding new ways to relax and take advantage of their free time this week.

Tiara Alston, a senior who is on pace to graduate in the fall with a Philosophy degree, had planned to spend her spring break in Southern California, visiting law schools with fellow students. Alston, president of Sac State’s Phi Alpha Delta law fraternity, saw the plans go bust when campuses began shuttering.

“It was very disappointing because we had been organizing the trip since July,” she said. “All we had left to do was get hotel reservations.”

Alston decided to use the break to study for the Law School Admission Test (LSAT). She is preparing to take the exam in August, but is finding it difficult at times to concentrate.

“Studying is going pretty well so far, but it’s definitely a challenge because we don’t know what the future holds,” Alston said, referring to the coronavirus. “It’s hard to stay focused because anything can happen.”

Baking for her family helps keep stress at bay and offers a good diversion from her LSAT studies, she said.

Had this spring gone as planned, Biology Professor Ron Coleman would be sunning himself this week on the beaches of Maui during his honeymoon.

Instead, he is catching up on work, including tending to the many fish in his Evolutionary Ecology of Fishes laboratory in Humboldt Hall.

“I have students who can assist, but I’m trying hard to minimize the need for students to come into the lab at this time,” said Coleman, interim director of the Student Research Center.

He and his new wife will wait until next spring to celebrate their wedding in Hawaii.

Briza Aispuro, who before the University’s move to online classes commuted to Sac State from Stockton, also had to put off a major trip.

She and her family had planned to take a seven-day Disney cruise to Alaska to celebrate her graduation in May. Now that those plans have been postponed indefinitely, Aispuro, who is studying Communications Sciences and Disorders, is filling the void by helping plan Disney movie nights at home with a focus on her younger brother, who is autistic.

“We are huge Disney fans, and my little brother still believes in Disney magic,” Aispuro said. “Since we’re stuck at home, we decided to do some Disney activities.”

The family is watching movies including A Bug’s Life and preparing themed food for each film. For Bugs, an “Ants on a Log” appetizer was on the menu.

Previous spring breaks have included trips to Mexico to visit relatives, Aispuro said. This year’s visit will be replaced by phone calls.

Other students said they are using their break time to launch new hobbies or hone crafts. One said she is building a raised garden for growing vegetables to offset food costs and constructing a screened patio or “catio” for her felines.

Another student is learning to roller skate. Some are spending more time reading and playing musical instruments. An art education club is meeting online, offering students activities, guest speakers and other presentations to boost morale.

“I’ve often found that spring break is a good time for me to catch up on some rest as well as catch up on some work I may be behind on,” Biology student Chloe Welch said. “It would be nice to go out with friends and socialize more, but instead, I am taking the time to keep up on my assignments and practice some self-care.”

Welch has been spending her free hours working out at home, walking her dog and watching Netflix programs, among other things.

Most buildings at Sac State are off-limits for the time being, but Student Health and Counseling Services remains open Monday through Friday during the break and beyond. The center sees a “steady flow” of traffic most afternoons, said pharmacist-in-charge Janet Dumonchelle.

Dumonchelle typically travels to Southern California during spring break to visit her mother, who turned 95 in December, She also trains for upcoming trail-running events. Instead, she is focusing on work at the health center, solo running and cycling, and spending time with her family and pets. This break, she is visiting with her mom via telephone.

“Most of the races I signed up for this spring have been canceled,” Dumonchelle said. “Some race directors are offering virtual options, while others are offering discounts to future events.”

Saturday, April 4, is Dumonchelle’s birthday, and to celebrate she had planned to support a trail-running buddy in her first attempt to complete the American River 50, pacing her friend for the final few miles of the race.

“Now I’ll probably go for an early bike ride or run, maintaining appropriate social distance,” she said, “then shelter in place with my sons and dogs and enjoy a home-cooked meal and hopefully a homemade cake.”