Everybody in the world has been greatly affected by the COVID-19 outbreak in the past few weeks. Many of the students that attend Southern Utah University chose to attend there because of the small town feel and the low student-faculty ratio that allowed for real connections with professors. That connection is now hindered as we are transitioned to online classes. 

This transition to zoom meetings and online instruction is necessary to help reduce the spread of the coronavirus, but now students have been traveling home with increased levels of anxiety and uncertainty. Virtual instruction is not something that students OR professors were prepared for, and it affects the way we work and learn. Classes that have labs are especially affected because this participation is being taken away from is, and it is difficult to now measure and grade this education.

Students that have traveled home to be with their families may have to deal with time zone changes that make classes extremely early or late, changing how effective and attentive they are. Family members may become sick and that deserves our attention more than schooling. Internet access can be difficult to get in some homes. Due to restaurants and many jobs shutting down and limiting hours, stress of income may also affect a student's success in the transition to online classes.

Offering a pass/fail grading system on all classes for this semester (and allowing prerequisites' letter requirements to be waived) will allow students to take a breather and will alleviate stress. This outbreak has taken a toll on everybody as we try to process and cope with this difficult time. Changing to online instruction and getting barraged by emails from professors about changes does NOT ease our anxiety. We need GOOD change. We urge you to make classes for this semester pass/fail to make this semester a success.