By: Noemi Elliott

Dear Editor,

As record numbers of coronavirus cases are set nearly every day in the United States, it has become more imperative now than ever before to reassess the future of college education. With every fall comes thousands of hopeful college freshmen, eager to delve into academic courses and social and residential life on campus; however, college is a breeding ground for potential infections. With daily interaction between faculty and students alike, a study conducted in South Korea indicates that teenagers potentially spread the virus faster than any other age group. Taking this recent discovery into consideration, it is essential that college administrations consider the health and safety of both students and faculty before determining the nature of courses in the fall. Of the 214 university responses received in a survey conducted by the New York Times, 93 said they will hold in-person classes. Of these 93, six have had over 50 coronavirus cases and an additional 27 have had more than 10. By commencing in-person classes in the fall, are colleges not risking the health of members of their community? Administrations should continue to monitor the situation on a daily basis and make arrangements accordingly. Should the number of infections drastically decrease come the start of the school year, in-person or hybrid classes may take place. If this is not the case, some alternatives, such as online classes, must be considered.

Noemi Elliott