Clark University in Atlanta switches to e-learning until further notice – The Hilltop

Photo courtesy of Clark University Atlanta

On September 12, due to an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases, overcrowded classrooms and overcrowded classrooms, Clark Atlanta University (CAU) announced it would return to distance learning until ‘that the problems are resolved. Dr G. Dale Wesson, rector and vice-president of academic affairs of the university, sent a letter detailing the university’s decision.

The university had started the academic year on campus with a combination of traditional and online structured courses. Although the letter stated that all classes will be remote as of September 13, some students said they are still taking classes in person.

“Some days you wake up not knowing if the class will be face-to-face or virtual,” said Loryn Carter, freshman business administration student.

Students expressed frustration with the uncertainty and the lack of transparency and communication on the part of the university.

“Things are not planned… things have been really unpredictable,” Carter said.

The rise of covid is rife in Georgia. According to Georgia Department of Public Health, there are currently more than 100,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Fulton County, Ga., more than 6,500 hospitalizations and 1,500 confirmed deaths.

“In order for us to ensure that we have resolved and implemented all security protocols, we will continue to deliver your academic education remotely and virtually. Once we have resolved all of these questions, we will resume in-person classes, ”said Dr Wesson.

Clark University in Atlanta sent one letter to their faculty and another to their students on May 4, 2021, requiring everyone to be fully immunized before returning to campus. However, the vaccination and mask warrants were not a problem. Overcrowded classrooms and overcrowded classrooms turned out to be a problem for Clark University in Atlanta, which propelled their virtual reset, according to Dr. Wesson’s letter.

Overcrowded classrooms are an issue that, according to Ahnaijah Coffil, a sophomore biology student, professors set out to address long before this letter was dispersed.

“My arithmetic class was overcrowded and because of that we were online instead of in person… it was my teacher’s choice, not the school’s,” Coffil said.

Although the university has changed its course structure a few times during the year, students remain the top priority in CAU administration, according to Carter.

“They want us to go back to our normal HBCU experience… they keep our best interests in mind,” Carter said.

In an effort to provide its students with a traditional and comprehensive HBCU experience while prioritizing the health of the community, the school decided to Homecoming 2021 into a hybrid event. This is detailed in the letter written by the president of the school, Dr. George T. French Jr. which was published on September 10, 2021.

Clark has taken steps to regulate the COVID-19 problem, while prioritizing the health and satisfaction of their community. Classes that were face-to-face or hybrid before the letter was sent to faculty and students have now returned to their normal structure.