Hallo,

EMUFT just concluded a town hall meeting with members regarding the Fall Reopening. During this meeting, members voiced several questions and concerns that we would like to provide them with answers to before they enter classrooms on Monday.

We are planning to include a section on the Fall Reopening in our September newsletter that is scheduled to be published early next week. In this section we would like to provide members with definitive answers to these relevant safe return questions.

Student Concerns:

Many of our members have expressed that they have been fielding concerns from students regarding having to attend classes in person due to a lack of online class availability as well concerns about the safety protocols. Our members are very concerned about students’ mental health (a lot of students are voicing their anxiety regarding COVID) as well as disruptions to student learning for this coming fall. We are concerned that we will have a higher-than-normal rate of students choosing not to continue attending their in-person classes because of their anxiety over it. We are furthermore concerned that potential quarantines or moves online will cause further disruption to student learning.

Vaccine Clinics:

1. As EMU is a commuter campus and not a residential one, members are very concerned that so far, the only pop-up clinics listed on the website are scheduled for Saturdays. This will reduce access to vaccinations for vulnerable populations. If DEI is one of the driving factors to not require vaccines, then every effort should be made to make vaccines available to such vulnerable populations. Our members were wondering if more pop-up, walk-in clinics would be offered during regular class times Monday-Friday?

2. Will IHA offer regular vaccinations in addition to the pop-up clinics listed on the website?

Mask Policy:

1. During bargaining last week, we were informed that sharable syllabus language regarding the mask policy would be made available to us. So far that has not happened. We would like to include this in our messaging to members, so we are all on the same page.

2. Our members asked very specifically today what the policies on masking in classrooms are and how we best communicate with students that we have the right to end class if students remain in violation of the mask mandate even after being asked to put on their masks. They were also wondering who they should contact if such an event should occur.

3. Our members also asked if students are being effectively informed about these policies. For example, are students informed that instructors have the right to end class if people are in violation of the mask mandate? Are students informed that disciplinary action can be taken against them if they fail to adhere to the mask mandate?

4. During bargaining we were also informed that we should not have students with mask exemptions in our in-person classes as such students were encouraged to only take online classes. Members would like verification of this to understand if they will have to field students claiming mask exemptions.

5. Will the university make disposable masks available in all buildings or classrooms? This came up especially after we discussed that it would appear that there will no longer be staffed tables to check screening records in all buildings at all times. What will happen if a student or instructor forgets their mask?

COVID Screening Checks:

Members were really surprised to hear that the university is no longer staffing tables to check COVID screening in all buildings during class times. It would appear that there will be some rotating schedule? Considering that these screenings are a key stone in EMU’s COVID mitigation protocol, this reduction in checking procedures caused consternation and increased anxiety amongst our members.

Aside from truly reducing the status of these daily screenings to meaninglessness, members were concerned that this inconsistency will lead to confusion for the students. Some days, they will need to be screened, other days their building might not. While a randomized schedule might keep some people on their toes, many will no longer take them seriously at all.

As mentioned above, EMUFT will publish its member newsletter early next week and we will include information regarding the Fall Reopening so that our members have the best information available for a safe start into the semester. For us to effectively address the above questions and concerns we would appreciate access to the language discussed at the bargaining table last week. It is only fair and respectful to ensure that your instructional staff is armed with necessary information when reentering their classrooms on Monday.