OPINION: When does fully not mean fully?

Classes that are described as “Fully at a Distance” however, is likely to require an on-campus component. (Graphic by Lauren Salsman)

By Lauren Salsman | Staff writer

For AU students who signed up for classes described as “fully at a distance”, some midterms came with the unpleasant realization that they will have to come onto campus to take exams. Though it was not communicated with students directly there is a document that can be found on the university registrar’s webpage that clarifies what is actually meant by the course descriptions, though finding this document will take some digging.  

“Entirely at a Distance” is, as the name suggests, taught entirely at a distance through the use of distance education technology. A class that is taught entirely at a distance has no scheduled class meetings or on campus requirement.  

Classes that are described as “Fully at a Distance,” however, likely require an on-campus component. As long as 95% of the class is taught online then a class can still be described as “Fully at a Distance.” 

“Because the University (through the University System of Georgia) has clearly stated definitions, there is nothing more we can do at this time,” said Dean of Students Scott Wallace.  “It is completely up to the faculty member (through the department chair and dean’s office) to determine how to manage the course, including how exams are given.” 

Professors who are teaching these “Fully at a Distance” classes are not technically operating outside of their class descriptions when requiring students to travel to campus it is entirely up to them if accommodations will be made for students who are unwilling or unable to come onto campus. So, students who registered for classes that they believed to be completely online are left with few options. 

“Marketing classes as ‘online’ and ‘fully at a distance’ when students are going to have to come onto campus is very misleading to student who choose those classes because they live away from the University or have to work full time,” said marketing major Julia Smith, a student who was forced to drive more than an hour to get to campus in order to take a midterm. “While my professor did communicate that we would have to come onto campus to take the midterm and final exams, he didn’t do so until after the add/drop period.” 

The failure of the university to clearly communicate with students the course descriptions has presented a great deal of additional stress for those who took steps to sign up for classes that would best fit their schedules, locations, and health concerns.  

Situations like this foster a spirit of distrust between the student body and the faculty. We are still currently in the midst of a pandemic for which a vaccine exists but is not yet available for a vast majority of the student population.