Encyclopedia of Opinion
Question
Should colleges and universities open in person for the Fall 2020 semester?
Position2 of 3

No – Students should do the semester online and not come back to campus

This position argues colleges should hold the Fall 2020 semester online rather than reopen campuses. It holds that in-person classes risk outbreaks, that students congregating will spread infection, and that planning ahead is impossible amid such uncertainty.

Supporting arguments · 4

  1. On campus and in-person classes will only lead to outbreaks
    The social nature of college life and classroom experience will make it almost impossible to effectively prevent the spread of the virus
  2. It's impossible to plan ahead in such uncertain times
    The Covid-19 pandemic changes on a daily basis, with new outbreaks popping up periodically across the world. Colleges have the impossible task of developing long term plans which will accommodate students, faculty, and staff through the various changes to the status quo.
  3. Reopening college campuses is too dangerous
    Repopulating college campuses threatens the lives of the faculty, staff, and surrounding communities. While most college students are healthy 18-22-year-olds, the other people involved in the campus operation are not, and neither are those living in the surrounding communities who will suffer alongside the colleges if an outbreak occurs.
  4. Students will congregate and spread disease
    In addition to academics, students come to school for the social experience. Most of these experiences (parties, games, relationships) will spread the disease and put others at risk.