With the increasing cases of COVID-19 around the world, Boston University officials took it upon themselves to impose the regulations they deemed necessary to curb the infection rate on campus. This Fall semester has hopefully been a learning experience for the administration, since it is crucial that certain aspects of their Coronavirus policy be reformed or removed. Much of what has been imposed on the students is detrimental, and to keep restrictions as they are will only serve to build resentment. The four points elaborated below explain certain frustrations (and that is putting it lightly) with the rules so callously and carelessly put in place. 

1. Social and Intellectual Costs : The student mingling at BU is a crucial part of the university experience, and to a proper higher education in general. Student mingling occurs within course parameters (such as discussion classes and group projects) and within social distractions (clubs and unofficial gatherings). Because of the gathering caps (once 25 people, then 10 by the end of the Fall semester), most of this has been wiped from the face of the University. Student engagement in classes is dismal, and social spheres have shattered for fear of mass suspension. Of course, there are attempts to liven up the campus via Zoom gatherings and other online social activities. But these events are devoid of all life, and to claim that they could capture an ounce of what was lost last spring is an offense against the intelligence of the students. To add insult to injury, this reduction in social and intellectual experience has not been reflected in the tuition we must pay. To put it bluntly, the restrictions on these activities makes this education a scam. 

2. Unequal Treatment : As it stands, the BU Administration’s rhetoric on the pandemic is one of great inconsistency. The “F*ck It Won’t Cut It” organization has been spending many days throughout the Fall semester tabling and offering T-shirts to passers-by on Commonwealth Avenue, a privilege that is non-existent for other student organizations. The in-person gathering of any other club’s members, in fact, is prohibited by the University and will result in punishment-- the loophole being that members may gather in an informal manner so long as it is not under the club’s name. This makes it a ridiculous measure, incapable of even accomplishing what the administration would want. Likewise, students are not allowed to enter Dorms unless they are residents. The imbalance of this rule is made clear when comparing the populations of the Warren Towers dormitory and a random Bay State residence. Why is it that some people are bound to a community of a few dozen while some have access to a pool of a few hundred? 

3. Effectiveness : Why did Boston University implement a semi-quarantine? No doubt the answer to that question would be the vague slogan ‘Let’s Keep Boston Safe, Together,’ and that is not satisfactory. What is the specific demographic kept safe by such restrictions? Is it those that are at risk of complications, whether they be older in age or immunocompromised? What business do they have on campus? And if this is supposed to curtail the deaths from COVID within the city of Boston, what valid proof is there that the University’s restrictions on social interactions will have an effect? Broadly speaking, the various forms of lockdowns’ have done little to help death rates (as a quick comparative search of each state’s numbers according to The New York Times will reveal). 

This point does not argue for the repeal of all anti-COVID operations. A complete return to normalcy is not yet feasible, and some policies ought to remain in place. For example, the University has been commended for an admirable testing system and the praise is likely deserved. Others, some already outlined in point 1 and 2, are inexcusable. Does the administration truly consider itself capable of securing the health of the student population? 

4. Moral Exemptions : The messages expressed by University Administration are ones of community fracture. Even more egregious is the fact that students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to report their friends and colleagues for potential quarantine violations. This is fostering an aura of distrust and confusion that will remain long after COVID-19 is behind us. Furthermore, despite assurances of a strict enforcement policy, the University has also condoned certain infractions to their policies if it aligns with particular ideological or social stances. This became increasingly evident following Dean Kenneth Elmore and President Robert Brown’s September 15th statements regarding the Black Lives Matter protests. As Dean Elmore told the students : 

“Don’t let COVID-19 stop you from raising a fist, banner or your voice at a protest, demonstration or rally. Go for it! And, keep yourself and others safe. If you hit a rally or protest, I recommend you: wear your mask or face cover [...] and, be sure to maintain 6 feet of physical distance or more, especially when you’re singing, chanting, and raising your voice for the cause. And, it goes without saying that you should not participate in community protests if you feel ill or have recently been exposed to a close contact with COVID-19 or diagnosed with COVID-19 yourself.” 

It should be assumed that rallies and protests involve more than 25 people (the email was before Nov. 2nd). Clearly Dean Elmore trusts the student activists that participate in them to practice anti-COVID-19 behavior. So why does he not extend this courtesy to all students of the University?

The final point suggests that BU COVID-19 doctrine is designed for crude public relations, not for sensible quarantine. Boston University’s policies are awfully circumstantial or circumnavigable, designed to maximize the amount of praise those in charge receive rather than to secure the health of the students. The experience of college life has been greatly reduced while the tuition costs bloats, the malaise on campus is palpable as once engaging programs are condensed into dull lectures. 

The Coronavirus may have infected a few hundred individuals at Boston University, but the vexing plague that is the University’s quarantine agenda has infected us all.

Sign this petition if you are tired of Boston University’s inept Covid-19 policies!