Georgia professor bucks administrators to order masks in classrooms

EDUCATION
By Eric Stirgus, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Aug 27, 2021

A groundswell of Georgia professors, frustrated that their schools and the University System of Georgia are not requiring students to wear masks in classrooms to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, are demanding administrators mandate such requirements, and in one case, requiring masks anyway.

The University of North Georgia’s faculty senate overwhelmingly adopted a resolution Friday asking its president and the University System chancellor to require masks in indoor settings consistent with federal public health guidelines. Meanwhile, longtime University of Georgia math professor Joseph Fu said he has required students wear masks in his two calculus classes, which have about 30 students each, since the semester began Aug. 18.

“My hope is that I might inspire others to do the same thing,” Fu told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

The 26-school system recommends, but does not mandate, students wear masks in classrooms, particularly if they haven’t been fully vaccinated for COVID-19. Faculty members at several University System schools have resigned this week because they would not teach in person unless students were required to wear masks or face coverings. Georgia State University staff member Cody Mullins Luedtke was fired because she would only teach in person if masks were worn in her classes.

Fu, who’s been a vocal critic of the university’s COVID-19 safety provisions since the pandemic began, said his classes do not have enough space for everyone to practice social distancing. He said he thought about enacting a classroom mandate for several weeks, based in part on his concerns about COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations in the Athens area. He explained his rules to students in an email two days before the semester began.

{snip}