The University of Alabama at Birmingham just placed a ban on all student organizations being allowed to meet (even masked and on campus) for the undetermined future. With this information, classes are still at full capacity. With students still being allowed to gather in large groups for class, my peers and I believe that student organizations should also still be allowed to gather in groups on and off campus without zoom. 
The goal of cancelling student organization gatherings is to promote health from the new covid strain. However, UAB stated in their most recent email that omicron “causes less severe illness” and “at least 74% of students have at least 1 vaccine” putting our student body at very low risk for dangerous covid transmissions. 
Lastly, the goal of cancelling all student organization activities to is promote health. This action does not consider the mental health of students and faculty with nothing to look forward to. In the midst of challenging classes, student organizations give many students an opportunity to laugh with friends and take a much needed mental break. I believe the mental health of all students will decrease without fun UAB oriented events to engage students on and off campus. Having no events besides classes and studying can lead to a mental health crisis for our campus. Our parter school, The University of Alabama has yet to make any announcement on cancellation of student organization in person activities. With masking in classrooms and our outstanding vaccination rate, evidence proves a devastating omicron outbreak to be very unlikely.   

please consider signing so all students at UAB can enjoy a semester with friends and the organizations that made them fall in love with this school!