Protests Against In-Person Classes on Campus

By Amanda Damon

    With a pandemic still threatening public health, schools had to figure out a way to get students an education while still maintaining social safety guidelines. Alfred State chose to use the Hyflex remote system with hover cams, allowing professors to teach from home while students remain in class.

This practice has been controversial, though, as some students feel that the school is still putting their health at risk. A protest has begun on campus, calling out the school for forcing students to physically be in classrooms. Starting on the 29th of September, student Brad Pensgen, along with other protesters, have been calling for change outside of the Central Dining Hall. They plan to continue to protest until they see changes. These students have created an online petition, hoping to get enough signatures for Alfred State to take notice. While students who are dorming on campus may not feel as worried about catching the virus, Mr. Pensgen commutes and worries about bringing COVID-19 home to his elderly father. These protesters want Alfred State to further limit social interaction, even to the point of completely closing campus and switching to online classes. The numbers of COVID cases are far lower in colleges that have moved to online learning compared to those that are still holding in person classes. While online learning isn’t the norm for Alfred State, all professors made the switch for the second half of last semester, proving this option to be feasible. 

    This issue also brings attention to the fact that some professors don’t agree with having physical classes, and others are staying home for their health and safety. Even though a number of students feel the same way, they aren’t all given the same option of staying at home while continuing their education. The school has been putting an emphasis on having students in the classrooms, having professors encourage students to come in to class rather than join online. Even with the rules that have been put in place, positive cases are still growing in number. Students feel that Alfred State is not putting the health of its student population first, creating this call for action.

Those interested in signing the petition can do so here: http://chng.it/TdwgHgXMsC