Sharing your views about UVA and Covid
The Covid-19 virus has seemed to pause the world, with people quarantining at home and social distancing. However, many schools and colleges have decided to open up their campuses for in-person classes and UVA is one of them.
How do you think UVA is doing in managing the pandemic? Read on for an overview of the measures the University has put in place. In addition, we’d love to hear your views! We’ll be hosting a live video discussion about this with UVA students – register via the button below and you can add your comments right now to make your voice heard!
UVA President Jim Ryan’s plan
UVA decided to open Grounds for in-person classes. While that entails various risks, President Ryan has ensured the UVA community that the University is taking many precautions and doing the best that they possibly can to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The precautions that UVA is taking include:
- Mandatory wearing of masks
- “Hoos Health” app that requires students to self-report symptoms
- 10 person social distancing limit as of 10/13/2020 (previously 5 person limit)
- Option to opt-out of in-person classes
- No in-person classes for classes over a certain number of students
- Signs and posters all over Grounds that remind students of social distancing
- Water testing and ventilation checks to ensure safety
- Student testing available
- Quarantine dorms and isolation available
These are some of the important precautions that President Ryan mentioned in a recent video message. In terms of enforcement, if the mandatory rules, such as wearing a mask, are broken, the consequences could result in a warning or suspension/expulsion.
In an earlier message communicating the opening up of Grounds, Ryan explained the rationale that UVA is an institute with a main goal to educate, conduct research and provide medical care. The best way to carry out that mission was to open up Grounds. He acknowledged that there are risks that are being taken with this decision, however, there are risks with all decisions and the University is working hard to prevent outbreaks and be prepared for whatever circumstance. He brought up valid points such as students who have a harder time learning with online classes and UVA staff who need students on Grounds so that they can continue working. President Ryan concluded the video message by reminding everyone that these are uncertain times and encouraged the UVA community to be willing to work together and adapt.
Response to UVA COVID-19 regulations
Many students are being responsible and complying with the new regulations. Students are wearing masks around Grounds and following the gathering limit. However, there are a few students that are blatantly ignoring the regulations and gathering in groups over 5-10 and even going to bars on the weekend. There have been some negative reactions to President Ryan and the State’s decision to make masks mandatory, especially on social media such as Twitter. On the other hand, there has also been positive feedback to the mask and gathering regulations. The number of Covid infected students have been decreasing, check out UVA’s Covid tracker here!
What do you think?
Covid-19 is not going anyway any time soon. The University urges students to stay safe and follow the regulations, but the question is: are these regulations enough? Some students demand that the University lower the gathering limit back to 5 (instead of 10). Others demand UVA to lift some regulations and that the rules are “too much”. Covid-19 is a serious issue that not only affects the students, but the Charlottesville community, therefore the regulations require a lot of thought and consideration. If you were President Ryan, would you stick with these regulations or modify them? How do you feel about how UVA is managing Covid-19?
Here are some questions we will be discussing with UVA students live on Ohlelo:
- If you were President Ryan, would you stick with these regulations or modify them?
- How can the University ensure that the students are following these rules?
- Are the penalties enough or too much?
- Do you think the students are following the Covid-19 protocol?
- What could UVA do better next semester?
