One higher education union is calling on LSU to put an immediate halt to face-to-face activities to slow the spread of COVID-19.
The United Campus Workers describes itself as a united “wall-to-wall” union that gives a voice to higher education employees throughout the South. The organization has chapters in Tennessee, Georgia, Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, South Carolina and Kentucky.
The Louisiana chapter, UCWLA, released a statement Sept. 3 encouraging the LSU Board of Supervisors to end in-person activities, citing concerns over rising cases and a lack of effective protocols.
“For the safety of the LSU community and the state at large, nited Campus Workers of Louisiana calls on the Louisiana Board of Regents to act in accordance with its ‘constitutional mandate to serve the educational, health care and economic development goals of Louisiana’ and immediately halt face to face activities on campus,” the statement read.
LSU English professor and UCWLA spokeswoman June Pulliam told Business Report she fails to see a way the University could remain open safely in the heat of COVID-19.
“We’ve all been very concerned about returning to campus for a while,” Pulliam said. “And I’m not blaming the students. It’s that we don’t know how LSU could make any building on campus safe enough for in-person instruction.”
LSU implemented several changes around campus to encourage social distancing. Masks are required at all times while inside buildings and signs encourage students to stay to the right while walking in hallways.
Despite these efforts, cases within the LSU community continue to rise. The University reported a total of 829 cases within the community as of Sept. 22.
In a press briefing on Sept. 2, interim President Thomas Galligan told reporters he was concerned.
“I’m monitoring the situation and looking at it carefully because if it keeps going up, we’re going to go remote,” Galligan said.
At the time of the briefing, the total number of cases was 366 within the LSU community.
It is not clear if the University has a threshold of cases for a complete online transition.
Media Relations Director Ernie Ballard said the LSU Board of Supervisors is aware of the letter.
“They would be happy to meet with them to walk them through all of the various factors [it is] keeping an eye on.”
Ballard said the UCWLA has not yet accepted the offer; however, Faculty Senate representatives are present at every board meeting.
“They spoke at last week’s meeting and I don’t believe it came up to go fully online,” Ballard said.
LSU holds weekly press briefings every Wednesday to provide the public with the latest updates on COVID-19.
