Updated at 8:30 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 20, 2021 with comment from Penn State.
A group of Penn State faculty members will take part in a “Zoom-In” protest at the start of the first week of fall semester classes to take “further action” due to a lack of a university vaccine mandate, among other safety precautions.
Organized by the Coalition for a Just University, select faculty will participate in the protest by teaching classes online on Monday and Tuesday. The group said it could extend its protest through a vote at a “mass faculty meeting” on Monday afternoon
“We have asked for a vaccine mandate and other safety precautions through University Senate votes, student government votes, published op/eds, an Open Letter, and a rally,” the group wrote online. “We are now taking further action by organizing a Zoom-In to protest Old Main’s failure to ensure student and community safety.”
A statement provided by a university spokesperson said that faculty members who teach remotely instead of in person as scheduled could face disciplinary action.
“The University already has begun to hear from students and families upset that some faculty are planning to observe the “Zoom In” and teach remotely at the start of the semester,” the statement said. “We understand why students and families are concerned. It is important for faculty to meet the expectations of our students, and deliver the mode of teaching designated for each course.
“Faculty and instructors who do not meet their in-class teaching obligations may of course be subject to disciplinary sanctions. That is not the point, however. We understand these are challenging times for all in our community, but it is incumbent upon all of us to work together to create a vibrant residential campus experience and deliver outstanding learning and educational experiences for all of our students.”
As of this writing, it was unclear exactly how many faculty members will take part in the “Zoom-In.”
Interested faculty members can sign this pledge to join the protest. The CJU said it will email pledge-signers with more details soon.
The university statement said students and faculty adhered to to COVID-19 protocols last fall and that there are safety provisions in place for in-person instruction this year.
“Last fall, faculty and students diligently followed masking and other safety protocols required by the University Provisions for in-class teaching this fall, including a masking requirement, sanitation stations, properly configured HVAC systems and more meet public health guidelines for a safe and positive in-class experience.
“We expect faculty to provide in-class instruction and any classes designated for it.”
To date, Penn State has not required students and employees to get vaccinated against COVID-19. However, more than 700 U.S. universities, including eight Big Ten schools, have already implemented vaccine mandates, according to the Chronicle of Higher Education.
Penn State students and employees who are not vaccinated (or haven’t submitted proof of vaccination to the university) are required to undergo weekly COVID-19 testing this fall. Punishments for student noncompliance include conduct referrals, suspensions and bans from campus events, including football games. Employees who fail to comply can face sanctions including being placed on leave until testing is completed or possible termination for repeated noncompliance.
Just five University Park students have so far produced positive COVID-19 tests through the university’s on-arrival testing program.
Tests were administered to 1,050 of the 4,664 students who moved into on-campus housing between Monday and Wednesday, resulting in a positivity rate of less than one half of one percent.
Three employees also tested positive for the virus in the past seven days out of 106 tests for a positivity rate of 2.8%.
