After only one week of online learning, SIUE is reinstating in-person classes despite a nationwide COVID resurgence. We as a student body understand both sides of the issue as some of our classmates have had to put their academic careers on hold for quite some time due to this ongoing global pandemic

This wave of COVID is more difficult to detect within the first days of infection making a negative test less of a buffer than it was previously. Testing inaccuracies combined with the fact that certain classes have the potential to exceed 200 students poses the potential to spread the virus quickly and with devastating consequences.

SIUE must consider that COVID is not ending anytime soon and provide its students with long-term solutions that give them the option to continue learning while also feeling safe.

We as a student body would like to see greater effort from SIUE to reimagine how to move forward in our current climate. Students should have the option to virtually attend lectures and classes until conditions are more conducive for in-person learning. 

 Students of SIUE should not have to choose between protecting their health and completing their education.

We believe in the ingenuity of our faculty and respectfully request that greater effort be put forth to accommodate all student concerns.