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Here's the low-down on what's happening @UF (a thread). The @washingtonpost covered this yesterday.
1. UF increased in-person classes 600% this spring from fall, despite rising COVID cases.
1. UF increased in-person classes 600% this spring from fall, despite rising COVID cases.
2. Students only need to be tested every 2 weeks to be "cleared" to be in the classroom.
3. @UF denied a majority of spring semester ADA accommodations requests from faculty/staff.
3. @UF denied a majority of spring semester ADA accommodations requests from faculty/staff.
4. Aware that employees were unhappy, @UF sent intimidating emails warning them of retaliation for protesting or not showing up to teach F2F.
5. @UF also created a "tattle button" on their GatorSafe app, a feature for students to report an instructor that makes adjustments to their class format (such as only teaching online).
While @UF classrooms are spaced out for distancing, some, like the building where my husband teaches, are so small the students are 3 ft. or less from the instructor & each other.
In the classroom, @UF instructors are expected to police students' socially-distanced seating, mask-wearing, and ensure students are cleared to be on campus/in-person (ironically when they are already in the classroom).
Additionally, @UF instructors are teaching a F2F class while on camera, facilitating a virtual, "live" class for those in the online section. Often, students/instructors are unable to hear one another and participate effectively.
@UF employees have peacefully protested all of this to no avail. Even as @AlachuaCounty, where UF is located, has only 16% ICU capacity left, the protests for a safer work environment have fallen on deaf ears.
We are scared. Students are 100s of miles from home, terrified of being alone & ill. @UF employees have at-risk loved ones they can't see safely bc of possible exposure. @Gainesville essential workers are shaken by large gatherings of unmasked students downtown.
@Gainesville healthcare workers are deeply traumatized by the toll this virus is taking on our most vulnerable, while @UF a boasts the slogan, “a university united for a greater purpose.”
To @UF, profit is that greater purpose. But justice, equity, and compassion SHOULD be that greater purpose. Remove the tattle button. Listen to us. Stop F2F classes. End intimidation tactics. Approve ADA accommodation requests. Unite for a greater purpose.
If you want to help, retweet this thread. There are also ongoing, virtual protest efforts available in this Facebook group https://www.facebook.com/groups/437685857348201
Here's what you can do: RT this thread, tag UF, & join our boycott for all @UF charitable donations, affiliated insignias, sports teams, and @PepsiCo , owner of @Gatorade (which gives royalties to UF). Sign the pledge here: https://sign.moveon.org/petitions/university-of-florida-people-over-profit-end-f2f?share=dce64e8e-b822-4f5a-9777-ae310027a1d8&source=rawlink&utm_source=rawlink
