Campus Workers Call For A ‘Safer And More Equitable’ Back-To-School Plan

August 25th, 2020

A student says goodbye to his family after moving into his dorm at the University of Georgia.

Elissa Nadworny / NPR

It’s a question institutions of higher education across the country are grappling with: how and when to begin the academic year.

Just last week, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill campus made headlines after pivoting from in-person classes to remote learning following a spike in COVID-19 cases.

At the time of their decision, UNC officials reported cases had risen from 2.8% to 13.6% over the week students were on campus.

After the spike in cases was reported, the Daily Tarheel — the University’s student newspaper — published an editorial with the headline: “We all saw this coming.”

Now, some professors and students worry a similar situation may unfold in Georgia.

On Tuesday’s edition of “Closer Look,” host Rose Scott spoke with professors and graduate students from campuses across the state.

Rebekah Ward, a biology professor at Georgia Gwinnett College, Denechia Powell, a graduate assistant at Georgia College and State University, Joe Fu, a math professor at the University of Georgia, and Bryant Barnes, a graduate assistant at UGA, are all members of the United Campus Workers of Georgia.

Denechia Powell, a graduate assistant at Georgia College and State University, Joe Fu, a math professor at the University of Georgia, Rebekah Ward, a biology professor at Georgia Gwinnett College and Bryant Barnes, a graduate assistant at UGA, are all members of the United Campus Workers of Georgia.

The group is calling on the University System of Georgia to “set policies that allow a safer and more equitable return to campus during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.”

“Closer Look” also reached out to the University System of Georgia for a statement, which can be read here.

Guests: