Protesters stage 'die-in' at University of Georgia over plans for in-person classes as an apparent photo from the school of plexiglass being held up by painter's tape on a desk spreads on social media
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Protesters staged a "die-in" Thursday at the University of Georgia over plans to resume in-person instruction.
The protesters delivered an open letter calling for "face-to-face instruction" to be made optional for teachers, the Athens Banner-Herald reported.
On social media, photos circulated of a plexiglass window on a teachers' desk held up by painter's tape.
Colette Arrand, a UGA graduate student who posted the photos, told Business Insider that she would be "absolutely horrified" to teach classes under such conditions.
Students, faculty, and campus employees staged a "die-in" Thursday at the University of Georgia, protesting the school's plans for resuming in-person classes later this month.
Protesters, who laid prone on the grass lawn outside UGA's administrative building, then delivered an open letter calling for teachers assistants to be able to "opt out of face-to-face instruction," the Athens Banner-Herald reported. The letter also calls for free COVID-19 testing for all and hazard pay for campus employees.
Under pressure, the school earlier this summer reversed its position on face coverings, which were initially to be optional.
Thursday's die-in came a day after photos circulated on social media of plexiglass windows on desks held up by blue painter's tape.
—colette arrand (@colettearrand) August 6, 2020
Colette Arrand, a UGA graduate student who posted the photos on behalf of some in the UGA community who want to remain anonymous, told Business Insider that she would be "absolutely horrified" to teach classes under such conditions.
A UGA spokesperson did not return a request for comment.
However, Greg Trevor, UGA's interim communications director, told local television station WSAV that the school was aware of the "questionable plexiglass barrier" and plans to do something about it.
"Many measures to prepare rooms and facilities are still in progress," Trevor said.
Classes resume in two weeks.
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