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Earlier this morning for @PhillyInquirer : around 20 cars and a handful of bikers and skateboarders took to Broad Street in a car caravan to protest Temple University’s decision to reopen — on its first of several move-in days.
The rally was co-organized by the Student Coalition for Change and Rank-and-File Temple Caucus, a union of adjuncts, NTTs, and graduate students concerned with all workers receiving the proper care and security they need amid the pandemic.
“We’re trying to show students and parents on move-in day that we are committed to the health and safety of students as well as staff, faculty, and the community,” said Larisa Kingston Mann, professor of Media Studies and Production, RAFT member and member of TAUP.
The nearly 40,000-student campus’ reopening plan includes a comprehensive testing and tracing initiative, according to the University‘s June 2 reopening announcement. But the organizers still worry about the health of the greater community.
“While [Temple’s] doing a lot of things on campus to protect students, it’s doing very little to protect faculty, and it has not acknowledged the community around us whatsoever,” Student Coalition for Change co-founder and strategy chair and Temple senior Teresa Swartley said.
“A lot of students do want to go back to normal, but a lot of students don't want to die,” Swartley continued. “We’re hoping that this raises awareness for students, knowing that they're not alone in thinking this, and that Temple University understands that.”
The two organizations also call on the University for more transparency in its contingency plan for what happens when people get sick, as well as for more support for workers and community members.
