Following the announcement that Cornell will have in-person instruction for Fall, I wanted to provide some context into the process and thoughts on next steps:

[1/n] https://twitter.com/Cornell/status/1278011347528286208

Want to preface that I am thankful that the University went through great lengths to get input from faculty, staff and students - this level of transparency (along with grad/undergrad representation on reopening committees) is important for community buy-in

[2/n]

Returning to campus has justifications: being a college town, Ithaca will be devastated economically w/o students in addition to the ongoing pandemic. Many students think the social component of university is an essential experience.

[3/n] https://www.cnn.com/videos/business/2020/06/22/coronavirus-college-town-impact-jones-newday-vpx.cnn

In addition, Cornell based much of its support for reopening on epidemiological models that found an unexpected result: that it was SAFER to have residential instruction than a full online instruction:

https://people.orie.cornell.edu/pfrazier/COVID_19_Modeling_Jun15.pdf

[4/n]

Why would in-person be safer? Campus surveys show that ~50% of undergrads live off-campus & many said that they will return to Ithaca even if it was an online semester for various reasons (i.e. family situations, rental leases).

[5/n]

Model suggests residential instruction = more control on testing. Full online = all students will be off-campus & imposing testing would be weak.

Do I have major concerns about the model assumptions? For sure. Is it an accurate pulse of what will happen on campus?

[6/n]

Regardless about my frustrations on how the University supported reopening, the decision has been made. So what needs to happen next?

Above all things, the health & safety of Cornell community members need to be the priority. It needs to be accessible & equitable.

[7/n]

It is well-known that undergrads are ALREADY returning to Ithaca, mainly b/c of their leases starting.

Cornell has NOT communicated what they should do. Currently, TCHD does not allow students to get tested w/o certain reasons. Students need to get tested now

[8/n]

Cornell needs to protect its vulnerable populations, esp. BIPOC community members. Expanded health care access, esp. mental health care & support for bereavement, are critical during a pandemic, in an online learning environment and in a semester w/o breaks

[9/n]

Protections are also needed for its workers, whether that be faculty, staff or graduate students. I've been tooting this horn as always, but accommodations need to be expanded to cover a myriad of health concerns of both the worker or their loved ones

[10/n]

Req. for testing needs to be integrated for both in-person and online students - the university needs to think of creative ways (i.e. limit access to learning material) to ensure that this is met. Residential faculty & RAs need help/support on upholding safe behavior

[11/n]

Again, I still have many thoughts and this is still an ongoing process. Cornell needs to now take steps to ensure that campus is truly safe for everyone. Please provide input if you can, whether that's your College or Department or community groups!