Due to unforeseen bat problems at the AMK Ranch, students and faculty were relocated on the third day of the field school, adding a unique element to the experience. The situation was managed expertly by Utah State University’s English Department, USU Risk Management, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, USU Library, President’s Office, and AMK staff. All health and safety concerns were mitigated, including rabies shots as a precaution for some, and everyone stayed to complete the field school/fieldwork.

“This was certainly an unforeseeable turn of events, but by working together, administration, faculty, students and medical professionals were able to mitigate the potential for harm,” said Mike George, director of USU Risk Management. “The field school staff did an excellent job of making sure students’ needs were being met, while still continuing the field school learning experience. It was a valuable learning opportunity for all involved.”

Speaking as a USU graduate student, the field school experience taught us all a valuable lesson. We were given first-hand experience of how things never go as expected in the field. But we dealt with it and learned a very important lesson from Randy Williams "that there are no folklore emergencies!"

She adds, "I think there is a level of camaraderie that can only be developed through certain experiences, and while the students had an incredible chance to work with experienced professionals in the field and were able to gain practical skills as part of our research teams, there is definitely a special bond that is forged when you all go through something like the "bat incident" together. And we now have t-shirts (and rabies shots) to prove it!"

 -Kylie Schroeder