West Chester U Parents To Protest For Spring In-Person Classes

WEST CHESTER, PA — The idea hatched in social media discussion groups, as parents of West Chester University students shared their dismay at the announcement that Spring 2021 classes would not meet live in classrooms. The parents will be at a Student Town Hall meeting Monday to protest.

WCU parent Michelle, of Collegeville, said many in the group thought next semester was too far off to call on Oct. 7 when the university announced its plans for 2021's Spring semester.

On Oct. 7, University President Christopher Fiorentino, Ph.D., announced the university's plan for the Spring Semester 2021.

Fiorentino explained, "As we prepared in the summer for the fall semester, we must prepare now for the spring semester, which will soon commence with course registration and academic planning. Exacerbated by spikes in many states and the onset of the seasonal flu, the latest scientific forecasts are predicting that the pandemic will continue to be unyielding through the winter and spring months."

"Additionally, there is not enough information on the availability of rapid testing or a vaccine on a sufficient scale for us to be confident enough to announce and plan for a spring semester that includes a return to in-person instruction. Accordingly, remote learning with some hybrid classes (meaning both in-person and remote) will continue through the spring semester," the president said.

Michelle told Patch, "There are many students and parents that are angry that WCU made this decision so early but also are not willing to put in the effort of planning, putting procedures in place, testing, to even attempt to bring students and faculty back on campus for spring."

She said parents have planned a protest for Nov. 2 at 2 p.m. outside the presidents office. The group's aim, Michelle said, is to "try to encourage them to bring students back to campus in the spring."

Speaking as a parent who has networked with other parents and listened to what they are saying, Michelle said many students want to go back to class. The parent also expressed concern for the mental health of students.

"The virtual learning is difficult for many and subpar from what I have been hearing from students and parents. Many colleges and universities have been able to make it work with putting in the effort. We want WCU to do the same."

She acknowledged it would be reasonable to give students and faculty the option to stay virtual or go to in-person. "Going back might not be right for all students but at least give the option to the ones that want to," she said.

Not all parents oppose the decision. Mike Hoover's son Mick is a junior majoring in business, and lives off campus with his three roommates. Hoover supports the university's decision to hold off on in-person classes this spring. "While I may not like his decision, I have faith and confidence Dr. Fiorentino made a seemingly impossible choice without fear or favor. I respect that."

"Dr. Fiorentino has the weight of the world on his shoulders. Everyone is a so-called expert. I trust he is doing everything in his power to make an intelligent and informed decision which considers many diverse interests and pressures," Hoover said.

The protest deliberately coincides with a Student Town Hall meeting planned from 2-3 p.m. on Monday.

The university advertised the town hall, saying, "We know that many of you and your families have questions about the University's plans to conduct the spring semester through remote and hybrid instruction. President Chris Fiorentino and the leadership team want to address your questions and discuss plans for the semester ahead." The deadline to submit comments was Thursday.

Michelle said she was uncertain how many might show up to protest, but that there was a lot of interest in the online discussions.

"It's conveniently during work hours," Michelle said. She said she thought the town hall was called "because so many people wrote to the president and the board of trustees. We had to submit questions in advance. So, unfortunately some parents are working and a lot are out of state."

The town hall meeting can be viewed live Monday on YouTube.

Final schedules indicating the instructional mode (either remote or hybrid) of each course were issued on Oct. 19. Students were asked to finalize their Spring 2021 schedules before the beginning of the Thanksgiving Break.