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Should colleges and universities open in person for the Fall 2020 semester? Should colleges and universities open in person for the Fall 2020 semester?
Yes – Students should be allowed back on campus for in-person classes Yes – Students should be allowed back on campus for in-person classes
No – Students should do the semester online and not come back to campus No – Students should do the semester online and not come back to campus
Depends - On outside data Depends - On outside data
Students learn better in person Students learn better in person
Colleges depend on the room and board charge Colleges depend on the room and board charge
Innovation and science depends on schools Innovation and science depends on schools
Local and national economies depend on schools Local and national economies depend on schools
Some students depend on campus housing and facilities Some students depend on campus housing and facilities
Some students depend on the structure of in-person classes Some students depend on the structure of in-person classes
It's impossible to plan ahead in such uncertain times It's impossible to plan ahead in such uncertain times
Reopening college campuses is too dangerous Reopening college campuses is too dangerous
On campus and in-person classes will only lead to outbreaks On campus and in-person classes will only lead to outbreaks
Students will congregate and spread disease Students will congregate and spread disease
Whether universities should open depends on community transmission Whether universities should open depends on community transmission
Whether universities should open depends on testing capacity Whether universities should open depends on testing capacity
Whether universities should open depends on student locations Whether universities should open depends on student locations
Whether universities should open depends on staff health concerns Whether universities should open depends on staff health concerns
Whether universities should open depends on student health concerns Whether universities should open depends on student health concerns
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Should colleges and universities open in person for the Fall 2020 semester?
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Depends - On outside data

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Whether universities should open depends on community transmission

If the transmission is too high in the community, then no, if low then it may be a reasonable risk.
David Paltiel Kim Reynolds
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The Argument

Throughout the summer of 2020, the pros and cons have been weighed as to whether or not students should be able to return to college campuses for the Fall semester. Though the risk is high for many areas such as California and Florida, there are several areas where the number of COVID-19 outbreaks has decreased. For the areas where there is a lower risk of contracting the virus, colleges and universities should be allowed to attend classes in-person. As long as students and faculty follow the social distancing guidelines, such as keeping a six-foot distance between students, and the mandatory use of face coverings, the risk of spreading COVID-19 is less likely. Experts have also stressed that screening and testing students for COVID-19 before entering campuses is strongly advised. Students traveling from a high-risk area to a college that is located in a low-risk area should quarantine for at least 14 days before attending classes. For example, as of June 25th, 2020, a travel advisory for New York City was issued, saying that if you have traveled to New York from one of the states with significant community spread, you are required to quarantine for 14 days once you enter the state.[1] As for colleges that are located in high-risk areas, attending classes in person should be put on hold and wait for the number of cases to go down in that area. Colleges and universities should continue with their plans for virtual learning, and to avoid college campuses in areas that have a higher risk.[2]

Counter arguments

Students returning to colleges for the Fall 2020 semester are putting themselves and others at risk for the spread of COVID-19. Even if safety guidelines are met, there is still a great chance that the virus will spread throughout campuses. There is also concern that students will not follow the proper safety guidelines. Social interaction is a major part of college life, and even with guidelines in place, there is a high chance that students will not properly follow them. If an area is considered low risk for the spread of the virus, the numbers will likely increase, putting more of the population at risk and progress in that area will be lost.

Proponents

Premises

Rejecting the premises

References

  1. https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/covid-19-travel-advisory
  2. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/schools.html
This page was last edited on Monday, 23 Nov 2020 at 12:09 UTC

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