Opinion: Where is the equity and community in AU’s reopening plan?
AU’s plan does not provide solutions to the problems it created
Courtesy of Jacob Robbins
By Jacob Robbins | June 22, 2020
Once again, AU has shown itself to be adept at talking a great game, but utterly failing to do right and live up to the ideals it so loves to talk about. In her address to students on the newly unveiled University reopening plan, President Sylvia Burwell lamented that the coronavirus has exposed the vast inequalities that exist economically and in our healthcare system. Proclaiming that this plan was thought out with “equity among our central guideposts,” the University has decided to axe on-campus housing options for upperclassmen and some rising sophomores, regardless of your ability to secure a spot. They are also keeping us on the hook for paying our gym and technology fees. Oh, and if you didn’t hear, tuition will be the exact same price, even if you opt to take your classes online.
The University has shown, in remarkably stark terms, how they always identify the problem correctly, and yet do the exact opposite of what the solution might entail. We understand that these times are unprecedented and require drastic measures. What is so difficult to comprehend is how hard it is for the University to simply do the right thing by its students — what it claims to do by having an “equitable” approach.
“Equitable” means giving everyone what they need to succeed. What is equitable about making students who can’t find affordable housing, driven to online classes, pay fees for facilities they cannot use? Are we still kidding ourselves that online classes are on the same level and caliber as in-person instruction? It feels like the University has left a lot of us scrambling, yet still demands that we foot the whole bill. Those that are immunocompromised, those that are unable to secure affordable housing — we are left paying a full bill for an inferior experience. It feels like a punishment for things that are outside of our control.
For those of us that lost our housing reservations, it will be almost impossible to find affordable off-campus housing. Some of us rely on financial aid for room and board. There is the argument that off-campus housing can be cheaper, but there are those that don’t have the required resources to sign a lease. Security deposits can be pricey, and not everyone has a co-signer available. Meal plans are still a requirement for freshmen and sophomores, by the way, even if you are living off campus — they have defaulted those in “apartment status” to a 50 block plan. The plan doesn’t address Federal Work-Study recipients. There are some in our community that depend on that miniscule amount of aid.
Why didn’t AU just cancel all in-person classes, making the semester freshmen in-person only? While no plan was going to be perfect, better options exist than kicking many of us off our secured housing plans. Georgetown University has four distinct options under consideration for the fall. Any plan should have accounted for students relying on University housing.
It should be pointed out, as well, that in order to afford expensive D.C. rent, many will search for roommates. Is this a safe option? Living with four other people in a confined space is what the University sought to avoid us doing. Now, some will be commuting back and forth each day and living in close proximity to others. Not only is kicking people off secured housing economically challenging for some, it may heighten the risk of transmission.
If the University is serious about equity and community, they would exempt students who opt for online only from paying the gym and technology fee; exempt students who move off- campus from paying for a meal plan; create a plan that touches on what they will do to support Federal Work-Study students; provide thoughtful guidance beyond an online portal that helps students find affordable off-campus housing (this could include helping to find a co-signer or negotiating flexible lease agreements with local partners); and provide a tuition discount for students who can only take classes online.
What stings the most is thinking that the University could get it right this time. President Burwell used to be the Secretary of Health and Human Services. For all of their talk of community and how important and central it is to them, this plan feels like a slap in the face. Equity means everyone getting the support and resources they need. Community means standing up for everyone and having your back. The AU Forward Plan proves once again that when it comes to talk, the University plays a big game. When it comes to action, there is notable absence from the court.
Jacob Robbins is a junior in the College of Arts and Sciences. The opinions expressed by the author are theirs alone, and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Eagle and its staff.