ASU Professor Sits Class Too Close Together!

Policy is Policy

A class at ASU sat in their seats according to ASU’s social distancing policy, and according to the normal unofficial first day of seating policy. The professor made all his students move to the front rows and sit one seat apart, which is not in accordance with ASU’s policy.

ASU’s social distancing policy is what you expect, six feet apart. Plain and simple. If you want to go to school or teach, follow it. If you don’t want to follow it, you don’t have to, but you can’t attend class in any capacity.

While I’m not crazy about all the covid regulations, policy is policy. As a Marine, we also have covid policies. And in traditional Marine Corps fashion, they go above and beyond. Pre-screening checklists before arrival, health check upon arrival, many other things, and of course, social distancing. Which is very difficult to achieve considering the type of training we do. But it’s policy, and we follow orders.

The same goes for businesses. Most have social distancing and mask guidelines that must be followed in order to patronize them. If you disagree with them, you can take your business elsewhere. Again, I personally don’t like wearing a mask, but I also like eating and Fry’s sells my food, so I wear a mask when I go there. I can also have my food delivered. The 21st Century has been good to us in that way.

Regardless of this professor's personal feeling towards the corona virus or ASU’s policies, it was inappropriate for him to take these actions. As a professor, and student, you are required to agree to adhere to the school’s policies, whether you like them or not.

Many people have called for him to be fired, because he’s obviously killing thousands of people with his actions. Should he be? No way. He broke policy. That happens often at ASU. I know that from experience having attended and graduated from there. A written reprimand should be the only punishment for him. He has since apologized and affirmed that it will not happen again. That’s good enough for me considering most infractions there are let go with a verbal counseling and zero paperwork.