California State University’s (CSU) Chancellor announced that for the Fall 2020, classes will be taught virtually, rather than face-to-face. There are 500,000 students in the California State University system, the largest in the country. Is this decision not to hold face-to-face classes on campus something that other university systems should consider.

I’ve raised the question, should college and universities reopen in the Fall? It’s a difficult question to answer, especially since more than 80,000 people have died from the COVID-19 disease. Yet, the Chronicle of Higher Eduction has a searchable list of Colleges’ plans for opening in the fall. As of May 13, 70% of the universities responding to their survey are planning for in-person classes this fall.

Why Not In-Person Classes?

Why did Cal State decide not to plan for in-person classes this fall? It seems to me that the decision makers at Cal State interpreted the scientific findings on the nature of the COVID-19 outbreak and spread of the virus. Dr. Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), warned yesterday in an online Senate hearing that there would be serious consequences if states open up too quickly. He suggested that there likely could be an uptick in COVID-19 cases, perhaps even a second serious outbreak of the virus later in the Fall of 2020. Fauci’s position is directly opposite what Trump is asking states to do. Trump, in essence, is asking leaders in the state to ignore experts, such as Dr. Fauci. In doing so, Trump is putting many citizens at risk.

Timothy P. White, the Chancellor of Cal State made the point that foremost in their decision not to have face-to-face classes is the health, safety and welfare of their students, faculty and staff. The Chancellor also pointed to the evidence that there could be a second wave of the pandemic in the fall, as Fauci and others predict, which would present a huge problem if they brought students back at the beginning of the fall semester. The Chancellor explained: “Said another way, this virtual planning approach preserves as many options for as many students as possible.” As a result classes will be taught virtually.

It’s important to note that the universities are not shut down. Although CSU’s approach will result in nearly all courses primarily using online resources, there could be limited in-person teaching, learning and research activities.

What should other universities do?

This is a key question. Right now, most universities around the country are planning to open 2020 with face-to-face classes. How are they going to ensure the health, safety and welfare of students, faculty and staff. For example, in Georgia, there are 26 public colleges and universities. There are more than 330,000 student in the University System of Georgia. Although campuses vary in size and context, bringing large numbers of students together presents extreme social distancing problems. Full disclosure: I am professor emeritus of science education, Georgia State University.

There are some university administrators who believe it is essential that American universities open this fall. Yet, they admit that in order to open up to classes, then the university needs to be able to test students and faculty on a regular basis, and be able to isolate and quarantine. The COVID-19 epidemic in Georgia is still not under control. There are still counties in the state that are hotspots, and in other county’s people are being infected, and some are dying. Georgia was one of the last states to batten down, and one of the first to open up. These factors have to be considered when making decisions about opening Georgia campuses to in-person classes. Image at the top of the post by David Mark from Pixabay.