St Thomas University Students’ Union Responds to STU’s COVID-19 Operational Plan

St Thomas University Students’ Union Responds to

 STU’s COVID-19 Operational Plan

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to produce new challenges to the daily activities of all students, faculty, and staff members of St. Thomas University. The arrival of new COVID-19 variants across the country, and the concentration of individuals on our small campus led to increased safety concerns for all individuals, and the St. Thomas University Administration, in consultation with public health, decided to implement a series of COVID-19 restrictions and mandatory vaccines.

The overall safety and security of our campus community remain a top priority of the St. Thomas University Students’ Union; therefore, we fully support the university’s decision to mandate vaccines, maintain social distancing, and require masking measures on campus.

However, the Students’ Union questions the methods of enforcement outlined by the university. Subjecting students to the Non-Academic Misconduct policy is an extreme decision that can easily be manipulated if clear checks and balances are not implemented. The Students’ Union calls on St. Thomas University to answer the following questions:

1.     How will evidence of violations of these restrictions be provided? Word of mouth reporting processes are gravely unjust and could result in abuses of power.

2.     Will there be a three-strike system implemented, if so, how will this information be recorded and by whom?

3.     Which members of the university community have the authority to report violations of restrictions?

4.     Will professors have autonomy over their own classrooms, if so, how will this be communicated to students? If not, how will this be enforced?

5.     Should the university intend to subject these reports to the Non-Academic Misconduct Policy, how will the administration ensure this process does not become overwhelmed should there be a large number of reports?

The St. Thomas University Students’ Union will continue to aid students in these ever-changing and unprecedented circumstances.

Tyler MaGee, President, St. Thomas University Students’ Union.