Postpone On-campus Courses at Hawaii Pacific University

The Problem: Hawaii Pacific University has decided to hold on-campus courses for the Fall 2020 semester. According to Hawaii News Now, Hawaii has the highest rate of infection in the nation. Additionally, Hawaii News Now reports that researchers estimate that 1 in 50 Oahu residents may have COVID-19. Despite the worsening public health crisis, Hawaii Pacific University is continuing its plan to hold on-campus courses. Many courses at Hawaii Pacific University are exclusively offered on-campus with no online alternative. While Hawaii Pacific University has implemented preventative and reactive measures, many procedural changes remain ambiguous or unclear. Hawaii Pacific University's decision to hold on-campus instruction endangers the students, faculty, and greater community.

Who is Affected: Students, staff, faculty, and the greater community are affected by Hawaii Pacific University's decision to hold on-campus courses. If a single member of the student body contacts COVID-19 as a direct result of attending Hawaii Pacific University, it will not have been worth it.

The Solution: Hawaii Pacific University should postpone on-campus courses for the Fall 2020 semester and offer comprehensive online instruction. Hawaii Pacific University currently has sufficient infrastructure to make online instruction possible for every course. Hawaii Pacific University should provide the option for every student to complete the Fall 2020 semester online regardless of if a course is typically offered exclusively on-campus. At the very least, Hawaii Pacific University should follow the lead of the University of Hawaii at Manoa by providing a hybrid option for courses where on-campus learning is essential for students to receive adequate instruction.

By postponing on-campus courses for the Fall 2020 semester Hawaii Pacific University would exemplify its values of:

Pono (righteous, honest and moral)

Kuleana (responsibility and rights, and concern for all interests, property, and people)

Aloha (kindness, unity, humility, patience and waiting for the right moment)