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JMU’s failure in handling this pandemic, a thread:
I tried so hard to place my faith and trust in JMU prior to this semester, but it’s now becoming apparent that the university had no true intention of properly managing this crisis.
For reasons I don’t know (and don’t wish to speculate), nearly no effort has been made.
For reasons I don’t know (and don’t wish to speculate), nearly no effort has been made.
Surface-level planning or a complete lack thereof, improper and dangerous delegation of power, gross misalignment with state/Hburg regulations, etc have all contributed to JMU’s COVID plan crumbling like a house of cards—contributing to a state-high 390 cases in 12 days.
The only conclusion I’ve been able to reach is that our administration lied—or at least made guarantees they chose not to enforce. This was to all members of the JMU/Harrisonburg community—our students, faculty, staff, parents, and many others. Here is an abbreviated list.
LIE #1: Students are required to gather in groups of no more than 10 at a time, socially distanced with masks.
REALITY: Since the very first day students arrived, JMU began hosting outdoor movies with up to 250 students at a time, with many violating mask/distance policy.
REALITY: Since the very first day students arrived, JMU began hosting outdoor movies with up to 250 students at a time, with many violating mask/distance policy.
This is problematic for many reasons, but perhaps the most notable is that students begin to see that the university doesn’t care enough about its rules to even practice them itself. If this is the case, why should any student choose to follow them?
For further context, Harrisonburg’s recent ordinance limits all social gatherings (with few exceptions) to 50 people.
LIE #2: Students who are quarantined/isolation will not be penalized in their courses and will be provided all of the resources they need.
REALITY: (Potentially) infected and at-risk students have been told by some instructors that “no online option will be available.”
REALITY: (Potentially) infected and at-risk students have been told by some instructors that “no online option will be available.”
As chair of the @jmu_sga COVID-19 Response Committee, I was directly told several times this summer that students who feel unsafe or that they’ve been exposed (let alone have tested positive) will be able to take an online option. Doesn’t seem to be the case.
Many students who are isolating (on campus and off) have called the bookstore/health center numerous times in order to receive course materials/inform their professors without hearing back for days.
LIE #3: The university’s COVID policy will be strictly enforced.
REALITY: I have yet to be in a scenario where the LiveSafe app is checked (many students don’t use it at all). I have personally seen groups of 30+ doing activities on campus without masks/distance—no repercussions
REALITY: I have yet to be in a scenario where the LiveSafe app is checked (many students don’t use it at all). I have personally seen groups of 30+ doing activities on campus without masks/distance—no repercussions
Administration has left (with great zeal) most COVID policing power to students while abandoning this responsibility altogether. “Hold each other accountable” they say while organizing/promoting social events and remaining nearly invisible to the student body.
LIE #4: The dining halls will have enforced capacity limits and social distancing.
REALITY: Dining halls and other facilities have been flooded with students since day one, often leaving high-traffic locations with barely enough room to stand. Packed lines extend out the door.
REALITY: Dining halls and other facilities have been flooded with students since day one, often leaving high-traffic locations with barely enough room to stand. Packed lines extend out the door.
LIE #5: All classrooms/academic spaces will accommodate proper distancing.
REALITY: Students are often forced to sit one chair apart (~1.5 ft) in smaller rooms, with some forced to sit on the floor. This also puts faculty (who were assured of proper distance) at significant risk
REALITY: Students are often forced to sit one chair apart (~1.5 ft) in smaller rooms, with some forced to sit on the floor. This also puts faculty (who were assured of proper distance) at significant risk
I’ve interacted with many JMU employees over the past two weeks, and the number of people who have told me that they see serious ethical issues in the university’s decisions—or that they’re even afraid of being on campus—is astonishing.
The list could go on, but the point is that we have grossly mismanaged this pandemic. If administration can’t alter their strategy to combat the virus, it’s best to switch to an online format. The lives of our community members are at stake.
Full disclosure, these are only my and several others firsthand accounts within the past 2 weeks. Many may have experienced things differently, and I hope you have.
I want to stay on campus this semester as much as anyone else, but we need to tighten up in order to do so.
I want to stay on campus this semester as much as anyone else, but we need to tighten up in order to do so.
