What does it feel like to watch a bad idea slowly descend on you — even when everyone realizes it’s a bad idea, but once set in motion, it feels impossible to stop? I realize that’s just what it feels like to live in the United States right now, and that essential workers have been dealing with reality for nearly six months. But just as life under COVID-19 didn’t (and doesn’t) have to be this mentally and physically precarious for essential workers, it also doesn’t have to be this precarious for those in education.
I'm subscribing to Culture Study because of this post and the many other great posts I look forward to reading. Thank you for this journalism that we desperately need.
I subscribed for the same reason: AHP does an essential service! And having this to point to is really helpful here in the UK where we're about a month behind and unis are struggling with lethal magical thinking. If we have opening plans, nobody will die! HA
Why is it not mentioned that 99.8% of COVID deaths on America are individuals 24 years or older? Why the hand wringing of college cases when there is no evidence to suggest young, healthy people are at any real risk of this disease?
Wow this is fabulous and eye-opening. One quote that has jumped out at me is "Ultimately, why did we spend three months trying to make the one solution we knew wasn't going to work, work? Why didn't we try anything else?" This is so true of just about every institution right now. From the public school district where my kids attend school, to the private university where I am a staff member, to the government agency where my spouse works. I actually trust the intent for the most part of these organizations but its been so disheartening to see so much *effort* expended on plans that were so clearly not realistic.
The clear single message is not a single faculty member likes what is underway. As pointed out, besides the cleaners asked to do too much, staff mostly can hide away, and what is well known but never addressed, administration is working from home. That’s the shittiest part.
Against sanity, we still had the traditional administration-hosted student barbecue the Sunday before classes and for the first time in 125 years, the president was “traveling.”
Thank you for doing this - what a cool way to look at this issue. I'd like to note, though, that Notre Dame only moved online for two weeks - they'll reopen a week from now.
My institution threatened to take health insurance and stipends from any graduate student who couldn't come teach in person (faculty had similar pressures but aren't as financially vulnerable as graduate students). Instructors will not be told if a student in their class tests positive.
between f**ked and a hard place
THIS is why I subscribed immediately. Such good information and so damn sad.
same with me. I am definitely subscribing. Thank you
I'm subscribing to Culture Study because of this post and the many other great posts I look forward to reading. Thank you for this journalism that we desperately need.
thank you for writing this
I subscribed for the same reason: AHP does an essential service! And having this to point to is really helpful here in the UK where we're about a month behind and unis are struggling with lethal magical thinking. If we have opening plans, nobody will die! HA
Why is it not mentioned that 99.8% of COVID deaths on America are individuals 24 years or older? Why the hand wringing of college cases when there is no evidence to suggest young, healthy people are at any real risk of this disease?
Wow this is fabulous and eye-opening. One quote that has jumped out at me is "Ultimately, why did we spend three months trying to make the one solution we knew wasn't going to work, work? Why didn't we try anything else?" This is so true of just about every institution right now. From the public school district where my kids attend school, to the private university where I am a staff member, to the government agency where my spouse works. I actually trust the intent for the most part of these organizations but its been so disheartening to see so much *effort* expended on plans that were so clearly not realistic.
The clear single message is not a single faculty member likes what is underway. As pointed out, besides the cleaners asked to do too much, staff mostly can hide away, and what is well known but never addressed, administration is working from home. That’s the shittiest part.
Against sanity, we still had the traditional administration-hosted student barbecue the Sunday before classes and for the first time in 125 years, the president was “traveling.”
Thank you for doing this - what a cool way to look at this issue. I'd like to note, though, that Notre Dame only moved online for two weeks - they'll reopen a week from now.
thank you for such informative, thorough, empathetic insight. long time fan & follower, finally a subscriber.
My institution threatened to take health insurance and stipends from any graduate student who couldn't come teach in person (faculty had similar pressures but aren't as financially vulnerable as graduate students). Instructors will not be told if a student in their class tests positive.