Katherine Seghers
William Tate IV speaks during the interview process in LSU's presidential search on May 6, 2021. Tate was named president of LSU on May 7, 2021. Courtesy Katherine Seghers, LSU.
LSU professors wrote a letter to President William Tate Tuesday requesting he implement previous 2020-2021 COVID-19 policies for the upcoming semester, giving professors the option to teach classes remotely or at lower capacity.
“The situation in Louisiana is more dire now than at any point since the spring of 2020, when LSU went entirely remote because of the dangers posed by the pandemic,” the letter read. “It is unconscionable that you would ask faculty, staff and students for a full return to campus under these conditions when we know these alternative options are available and that they work.”
Professors said the university’s refusal to require vaccines on campus has forced their hand to move online as coronavirus cases explode in Louisiana.
The following professors signed the letter:
Inessa Bazayev, Paula G. Manship professor of music theoryRobert Mann, mass communication professorMichelle A. Massé, McElveen professor of English & affiliate of Women’s & Gender StudiesOlivier Moréteau, professor of law, Russell B. Long Eminent Scholars Academic Chair, assistant dean and director of the Center of Civil Law StudiesA. Ravi P. Rau, alumni professor of physics and astronomyJeffrey Roland, associate professor of philosophyAdelaide M. Russo, Phyllis Taylor professor & chair of French studiesEdward S. Shihadeh, professor of sociology, director, Crime and Policy Research GroupDaniel Tirone, associate professor of political scienceMeredith Veldman, associate professor of history
The letter in full: