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Universities should open. We need them open to support those students who need the facilities the most. Lecturers are not against this.
However, many universities are pushing for the wrong “opening” and under the wrong premises. Let’s start with the premises (long thread): (1/n)
However, many universities are pushing for the wrong “opening” and under the wrong premises. Let’s start with the premises (long thread): (1/n)
1. We all agree f2f is the preferred option. Under normal circumstances, we’re happy to go back to our classrooms and interact with our students (even if for the simple fact that it is less work!). But these are not “normal” circumstances! We’re in the middle of a pandemic! (2/n)
2. “Students demand f2f”. This is what univ management says to support “opening”. @nusuk survey shows students want to feel safe, and they don’t necessarily feel safe with f2f.
We should listen to them https://www.timeshighereducation.com/news/uk-students-would-feel-safer-ifblended-learning-continues 3/n
We should listen to them https://www.timeshighereducation.com/news/uk-students-would-feel-safer-ifblended-learning-continues 3/n
3. We need to open to guarantee “financial sustainability”. Universities decisions are mostly based on narrow financial considerations. Not clear why financial considerations are put above health and safety of students, staff and local communities. 4/n
Remember that universities have not closed!
a. The university buildings were closed. Staff worked hard to provide education services and support students. We were never “closed”. We were here for students and we were here to support management direction through the crisis. 5/n
a. The university buildings were closed. Staff worked hard to provide education services and support students. We were never “closed”. We were here for students and we were here to support management direction through the crisis. 5/n
b. We‘re not against (re)opening. We‘re working to make the next academic year happen.We spent our summer break learning & preparing to teach online and finding ways to support students. But we want our workplace to be safe.We want our students,families & community to be safe 6/n
c. We can’t reopen,bring students together & blame them if something goes wrong. We‘re asking students to behave responsibly but the responsibility doesn’t lie on students. It lies in those making policies:if something goes wrong,managers have to take the full responsibility. 7/n
We do need to “reopen”!
The pandemic has highlighted the inequalities in our society and this expands to our student communities. We have to keep teaching online wherever is possible, but we need to make sure we guarantee access to all. 8/n
The pandemic has highlighted the inequalities in our society and this expands to our student communities. We have to keep teaching online wherever is possible, but we need to make sure we guarantee access to all. 8/n
A. For many students, campus facilities offer a good environment to study, reliable internet connection and resources (IT equipment) that they would not easily get at home. These are essential to do well at uni so we need to reopen our buildings to support students. 9/n
B. We can reopen our buildings, but let’s redesign the spaces. Lecture theatres become spaces for students to access online lectures and materials. Create bubbles of students who access specific lecture theatres to engage with learning. 10/n
C. Students can decide to join univ or stay at home.Whatever makes them feel safe.Students who are lucky enough to have a support network should be allowed to stay with their network.Parents want their kids safe(my mum is worried about me & I am much older than my students!) 11/n
D. We need to reopen and expand the well-being support offered to students and staff (yes, staff are also human beings trying to get through a pandemic, juggling family and job). These should be the priorities for universities and not f2f teaching 12/n
Finally, going back f2f for all increases the potential of further lockdowns. This will be much more disruptive than keeping online as much as possible. 13/n
- For students: in case of lockdown, they may prefer to be at home. Travelling may be interrupted, and those who can travel, may still have to pay rent on empty rooms. 14/n
- For staff: juggling between f2f and online is not easy! Lockdown also affects families as schools close and working with kids at home is not easy. 15/n
- Local communities: a lockdown affects all. Those jobs that cannot be done remotely will be disrupted and many may lose jobs as prolonged lockdowns cause loss of businesses 16/n
Summing up, we need to keep online as much as possible in order to keep open as longer as possible! Minimising unnecessary contact will help us all to keep going. Schools, pubs, shops will be open to longer. We will teach uninterrupted for longer. 17/n
Also. We will keep our hospitals less busy and more people safe, healthy and alive. This alone should be the main reason. 18/end
