APSCUF’s July 2020 special legislative assembly approved the following resolution about faculty concerns about working during the COVID-19 pandemic.
WHEREAS the COVID-19 pandemic has had, and continues to have, profound, unprecedented and unpredictable public health and economic effects on the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; and
WHEREAS we are firmly committed to the health and wellness of all members of our communities, both on campus and off; and
WHEREAS we believe the hasty resumption of face-to-face teaching in the fall 2020 semester — especially before comprehensive risk assessment and mitigation plans are finalized, implemented and communicated — creates unsafe conditions for all involved and compromises the well-being of our most vulnerable community and family members; and
WHEREAS we made the rapid and effective transition to distance education delivery midway through the spring 2020 semester, proving we are capable and willing to teach our courses through various modalities; and furthermore, many faculty members have spent significant time during summer 2020 honing online teaching skills; and
WHEREAS students, graduate assistants, faculty of all standings and all other campus workers should be allowed, enabled and encouraged to follow the strictest, expert public health guidelines during a global pandemic and not be forced to disclose confidential medical or other information as an argument to attain safe working or learning conditions.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED faculty should be entrusted with the decision to deliver their courses and fulfill their professional responsibilities in the most preferred, student-necessitated, effective, and safe way in accordance with their disciplinary requirements.
THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED no faculty member or campus worker should be forced to choose between working in an unsafe, risk-filled environment or taking Family and Medical Leave Act leave at reduced or no pay.