After reading the recent statement, @BethAngell9 and @VCUSocialWork, here are my thoughts:

I applaud the decision to keep classes fully online for the MSW. My concerns are around the pandemic, access/UDL if we were to switch to hybrid, and the cost of the online format. /1

First, we are in a pandemic. I understand that some people work better in person (and thus, hybrid), but COVID-19 is a social justice issue and all of our staying at home protects the most vulnerable in our society. Think about elderly profs and immunocompromised students. /2

Think about students and profs with immunocompromised family members or friends living with them through the pandemic.

Think about students and profs who have pre-existing conditions that put them at special risk for contracting the virus. /3

Think about students and profs with OCD/related disorders and medical trauma for whom possible exposure to the virus would cause extreme anxiety.

Now, the statement reads that "accommodations will be made for students who do not wish to meet in person" re: hybrid. /4

What is the plan for these accommodations?

Fully online is actually a lot easier for me as someone who needs voice amplification to aid with auditory processing and focus (because everyone speaks into their microphone and I get to control my computer volume). /5

If we meet periodically in person, the class sessions will likely be heavily applied, fast-paced work in a socially distant context. The mandatory distancing would make following along very difficult for me. Proximity helps me when I can't have amplification. /6

The other issue is that students often don't like to do things like pass a mic in class. They roll their eyes, sigh, groan, + make derogatory comments about how inconvenient it all is. Trust me, I know. I've been in a postgrad level class on DISABILITY where this was an issue. /7

Naturally, I find it very unpleasant to be in an environment when this behavior over access needs is occurring.

Students will also say "I think I talk pretty loud." Um...no??? No, you do not talk loud enough. 99% of people who say that don't know what they are talking about. /8

Will the adjustments for students wishing to stay home involve them joining the classroom remotely over Zoom? If so, there needs to be a good, non-glitchy microphone system in the classroom so that everyone in Zoom can hear what's going on in class at all times. /9

My experience at VCU so far has been that not many classrooms/professors are equipped to handle class sessions in this way or have students who are ready and willing to be slightly inconvenienced by microphones to facilitate access for all students. /10

I need more details about the general plans re: accommodation in light of remote learning/social distancing. While SAEO can provide accommodations for individual students, it would be helpful for students with disabilities and the SSW to have a broad policy to refer to. /11

It seems that there may be a major push to switch the MSW program to hybrid coming down the line (and BSWs are already doing hybrid). That's fine, but then we need to ensure an equitable education for all, including our remote learners and students with disabilities. /12

I understand that some people need in-person reinforcement and interaction to facilitate their learning. Maybe course content and lectures could be online and then profs could facilitate the formation of in-person student study groups or meet-ups for office hours? /13

Finally, there is the issue of cost. Are students who carefully budgeted for the on-campus program going to need to pay for the extra cost of the online program now? That doesn't seem right, especially given the somewhat unexpected and unprecedented nature of these times. /14

Thank you for sticking with me through this thread. :) /15