Valerie Dobson, University Police officer

Dobson is a 30-year veteran of University Police. A key difference is, of course: “Campus is kind of deserted.” One of many adjustments the department has made is that there is no longer the lineup at the beginning of each shift, where the lieutenant updates officers and hands out assignments. “Now we read our assignments in emails,” she said. “I come in, get my keys and bag, and run out.” Dobson is wearing a mask she sewed herself, one of many she made and sent to a Rochester hospital, where her sister works as a nurse practitioner and where there were shortages. What she misses most: “Just all the people I would see and talk to every day on my shift. Every now and then I’ll have a conversation with someone car to car.”