October 13, 2020

BOR Resolution covid-19: day 206 | US: GA | info | act

We just received this resolution from the Board of Regents.

WHEREAS, the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia is focused on supporting its institutions continuing to return to safe in-person instruction; and

WHEREAS, the Board is focused on the continued success of Georgia students.

BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia believes in- person instruction maximizes the well-being and mental health of each student; and

IT IS RESOLVED, that each campus is to maximize safe in-person instruction; ensure hybrid instruction includes a vast majority of in-person interactive instruction where appropriate and safe; promote transparency in the modality of instruction prior to registration; and collect data on the effectiveness of student engagement and face to face interaction with their instructors.

You know, I just don’t get it. Is this really in the best interest of anyone, other than those how think they benefit politically from disregarding the reality of COVID-19? Well, I see the statement “ensure hybrid instruction includes a vast majority of in-person interactive instruction where appropriate and safe,” especially the clause I just bolded, to be the key here. Are all administrators compelled to go along with this ’Rumpian mandate, so they are giving us educators a way out? Is “vast majority” open to interpretation? Are we truly expected to put ourselves and our students in needless danger to satisfy . . . who exactly?

Again, why are we emphasizing in-face instruction when it runs contrary to all the facts we know about controlling this pandemic, especially when the state of Georgia has made it clear that they take no responsibility for the risks we are compelled to take to full their resolution.

It is just me? Are we all being gaslit here, or am I crazy?