Covid Higher Ed Press Conference
July 23, 2020
Dear CFAC member,
This morning, a statewide coalition of higher education unions representing thousands of faculty, staff, and graduate workers held a press conference. Hosted by IFT, the press release read in part:
“President Trump and Betsy DeVos’s politically-driven call for a return to in-person instruction in the fall jeopardizes the health of students, faculty, and staff at Illinois colleges and universities. Considering the current uptick in COVID-19 cases across the state and the likelihood of a second wave in the months ahead, union members from campuses statewide demand that campus presidents put science before politics and economics to ensure that the safety of our communities is top priority…..”
The coalition will release a joint statement to formally demand that learning begin remotely for all Illinois colleges and universities this fall and a data-based best practices document IN FULL and a SUMMARY best practices for an eventual safe reopening of campuses.”
Leaders of the University Professionals of Illinois (UPI), Cook County College Teachers Union (CCCTU), UIC United Faculty (UICUF), and Columbia College Chicago Faculty Union (CFAC) hosted the press conference and formed a coalition with other faculty, staff, employees across unions.
You can view the press conference recording with Andrea J.Dymond as one of the speakers, andDiana Vallera, answering questions.
PRESS:
What is next? What are the main concerns?
1. Mode of instruction should be FACULTY member’s choice;
2. All courses should be remote except those that MUST
have a face-to-face component;
3. Courses with face-to-face component must have risk assessment of classroom environment;
4. Faculty assigned to courses that require a face-to-face component may OPT-OUT without negative employment repercussions.
SAFETY
1. The default for higher ed for fall must be remote learning. We understand as an arts school so much of our work is best face-to face. We know within the context of this pandemic we cannot have the same level of face-to-face instruction. In order to reduce the risks associated with face-to-face learning, we must limit the courses offered to those that must have an in-person component. With a limited number of courses running, we reduce the risk of exposure and deaths and can focus on the necessary resources to help address safety concerns within the small number of classes with a face-to-face component. We can do this!
2. Once we have a manageable list of hybrid in-person courses we need a risk assessment for the course. We asked for this assessment and to date have not been provided one. We know that we have unique courses and that a one size fits all approach will not work. We are working with health experts to address what is needed. We know that certain guidelines offer minimum requirements and often do not address higher ed and the unique courses we teach. For instance, we know we must address air management control of infection. We have courses in spaces with no windows, some with no air conditioning. While the college placed all new filters throughout campus in the HVAC systems we know through our information requests that the filters were NOT HEPA filters. In other words, they do not assist with protecting any of us from spreading the virus. Negative airflow technology and HEPA filters are needed. We can provide this technology and we must.
3. Once the union and the college negotiate terms including safety for fall then the fundamental right of our faculty to decide the mode of instruction lies with the faculty member. The fundamental freedom of all workers to have agency over their health is one that we must protect. We know the risks and that many are not addressed though an HR process that is onerous and limiting and focuses on the interests of the college not an individual faculty member. The truth is all of this can be address through an MOU. We know that the mortality rates are 5-9 times higher among Black, Hispanic, and Indigenous populations. We know that no definition of “at-risk” will suffice for the evaluation of accommodations. It is crucial that an opt-out policy (rejection of any face-to-face teaching component) be no questions asked and no negative employment repercussions.
The health and safety of all our faculty, staff, students and CCC community and those we serve, is our priority. Our decisions will be driven by science and not by economic pressure or optics. We know how committed our faculty and staff are to our students and their learning. In order to succeed, we must move to remote learning with a focus on providing a safe environment for those courses that must have an in-person component. This goal is one that can be achieved. It is manageable. Ultimately, the decision of faculty to return to in person is one that we believe should be theirs. To accomplish this level of safety we will need your help and those of all our students, staff, parents and community supporters.
In solidarity,
Diana Vallera, CFAC President, Photography
Andrea J. Dymond, CFAC Vice President, Theatre
Lisa Formosa-Parmigiano, CFAC Secretary, CTVA
Susan Van Veen, CFAC Treasurer, Business
Michael E.Towns, Publicity Chair
Magica Bottari, Membership Chair
Deb Doetzer, Negotiations Chair