Recently a few colleges decided to stop floating the idea of living on campus this fall, and just committed to virtual classes. It makes perfect sense, but why did it take so long?
Academics serve us well in the classroom hidden away from the day to day ugliness outside of the ivory tower. Making decisions is difficult for most of us, but for academics, it’s brutal.
They pride themselves on their intelligence and their ability to debate the most obscure thoughts without the burden of doing anything. However in an pandemic, decisions ultimately need to be made. As much as critical thinking and deliberation can serve a purpose, it can also serve to avoid taking a stand. And when forced to do so, there are consequences.
Flights are cancelled. Rent for student apartments still have to be paid. And every other plan for the semester has to be changed. And those real world annoyances don’t wait because academics need an extension. Perfection in this instance is the enemy of the good.