Campus Review Vol 33. Issue 01 - January - February 2023 | Page 26

ON CAMPUS campusreview . com . au
The COVID-19 pandemic – spoiler alert – is not over .
Picture : Josh Gass / NewsCorp Australia .

Out of the woods ?

Why returning to campus is not a good option in the new reality .
By Greg Whateley

There is much talk in both the media and dispatches from government agencies about the idea of mandating the return of students to campus – in fact a number of providers ( both public and private ) have attempted such a thing – with varying success .

The practice is essentially doomed and is most certainly fraught with potentially dangerous outcomes .
The COVID-19 pandemic – spoiler alert – is not over .
In fact , there are more cases of COVID-19 ( and its various strains ) now than ever before . The potential for infection – particularly enhanced by large groupings in small spaces - is ever-present .
There is little doubt that the new paradigm of online learning forced upon the sector is not suited to all students and all institutions .
My own institution , however , has 93 per cent of students wishing to stay on line - so clearly that is a pronounced preference .
At one of our campuses the statistic is actually 100 per cent .
Grade distributions , Student Feedback on Units ( SFUs ), and QILT outcomes – all the measurable elements - have remained high and consistent despite the years of the pandemic and the shift away from on campus , face to face teaching .
This is not the case for many – our universities are some of the worst performing providers presumably largely due to their inability get their heads around teaching in the online space , lack of investment in teaching technology and their preference for research .
This has been highlighted in the most recent QILT outcomes . With that said , the logical approach would be a voluntary return to campus – not an imposed one .
The hybrid option – students deciding on either online or face to face – seems to be the most logical mode in the new reality .
There are ample examples of quality providers being able to operate effectively in this mode – this should be allowed – or rather encouraged rather than dismissed across the board .
There is an inherent threat and danger in forcing students back on campus and into classrooms .
Both the New South Wales and Victorian health authorities have warned against the practice heading into the 2023 winter - new strains will run rampant .
Crowds need to be discouraged – especially in face to face longer sessions ( 2-3 hours ) and the wearing of masks should be mandated if this practice cannot be avoided .
The practice has disaster written all over it . Clearly this suggestion of getting back on campus for all is poorly thought through – arguably irresponsible . Options are required .
Quite recently a cruise ship pulled into harbour with hundreds of infected passengers on board . High rise CBD campuses ( not unlike my own institution ) have significant similarities . Windows that cannot be opened ; classrooms that are contained ; and limited lift access – all breeding grounds for infection and spread . The new reality suggests that students should have the choice .
Recent surveys at my institution stress safety and flexibility as being the basis for the preference to stay online . Forcing students to ‘ come aboard ’ is irresponsible and inappropriate – giving them a genuine option is a better mindset .
On reflection – with the new reality – hybrid appears to be the logical progression certainly in 2023 / 24 .
Give students the opportunity to return to face to face should they choose to do so – but at the same time give students the opportunity to remain online should they choose to do that .
This seems to be a more logical and thought through alternative to a potentially disastrous mandate .
The very notion of mandating a return to campus is flawed and should be discouraged . A sensible , balanced approach putting the true well-being of the forefront of the discussion ( in place of real estate and retail issues ) is by far a better solution . A mandated return to campus is not a good option in the new reality . ■
Emeritus Professor Greg Whateley is Deputy Vice Chancellor and Vice President ( Academic ) at Group Colleges Australia .
24