Read on Twitter
I know this isn't what we're talking about right now, but U-M just announced their winter plan and it actually looks good. Thread of notable points. (1/x)
"No instructor will be required to teach in person if they would prefer not to." This is important and was one of @geo3550's top demands: unconditional instructor choice for whether or not they would teach in person. (2/x)
"Implement mandatory weekly testing for all undergraduate students who live in residence halls." U-M's testing strategy has been a disaster so far, but they're finally implementing universal testing for on-campus undergrads in the winter. (3/x)
"Offer convenient weekly asymptomatic testing to all students (graduate, professional and undergraduate) who are not otherwise covered by a mandatory program, as well as faculty teaching in person and staff working on campus." A much-needed expansion of asymptomatic testing (4/x)
"The university will reduce undergraduate housing density through a process that limits access only to undergraduates with certain need-based criteria." Big news and major change from this semester that on-campus housing is being somewhat strictly limited (5/x)
The U is also promising stricter enforcement of COVID protocols through a zero tolerance policy, which I am less thrilled about. I will never support strict policing of students. (6/x)
The U is implementing 2 "well-being breaks," meaning two days in the semester with no academic work, as a response to the burnout expressed by many students. Not sure just 2 days off is going to cut it, personally. (7/x)
Last comment is that I don't believe any of these major changes would have happened without the advocacy of @geo3550, @UMResstaff, and so many more community members who have been working to hold the university accountable for its reckless reopening this fall. (8/8)
Ope actually I should link the full winter plan: https://campusblueprint.umich.edu/winter-term-plan (9/8)
