Petition to Modify COVID-19 Safety Protocols in the University of Alabama System
July 19, 2021
Whereas contracting COVID-19 risks serious short- and long-term harms—both to oneself and, via subsequent transmission, to the community—including long-term psychological, neurological, cardiovascular, and pulmonary harms;[1]
Whereas only 34% of Alabamians are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, as of July 19, 2021;
Whereas even in several countries with more highly vaccinated populations than Alabama (such as the U.K. and Israel), daily COVID-19 cases are surging due to the Delta variant. Since May 19, 2021, new cases have increased 2300% in the U.K. and 2800% in Israel. Closer to home, since June 3, 2021, daily cases have increased 630% in Arkansas, 390% in Missouri, and 260% in Louisiana. Since July 3, 2021, daily cases in Alabama have increased 300%;[2]and
Whereas the state of Alabama prohibits University of Alabama (UA) System schools from requiring that their students be vaccinated against COVID-19, and also prohibits them from verifying student vaccination status;[3]
Whereas the UA System Comprehensive Health and Safety Plan states that “All [and only] unvaccinated faculty, staff, and students are required to wear face coverings inside all University buildings,”[4] even though, with no legal way of verifying community members’ vaccination status, such a protocol is unenforceable;
Whereas the UA System Comprehensive Health and Safety Plan requires “at least three-feet circumferential distance, regardless of space size, between individuals not from the same household … in all university facilities whenever possible,”[5] and the University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) claims that this requirement “is consistent with revised Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC] considerations for operating schools during COVID-19,”[6] even though current CDC guidance restricts the “3 feet” social distancing recommendation to fully vaccinated or masked K-12 students,[7] and recommends that unvaccinated adults wear masks and “stay 6 feet away” from people who do not live in their household;[8]
Whereas the UA System requires all regular faculty and staff to return to campus workspaces for the 2021-2022 academic year (with few exceptions), and the UAH administration has ordered some faculty, against their best judgment, to teach in person;
Therefore, the undersigned faculty and staff urge the administrators of the UA System to:
1. Require mask use of all persons inside classrooms and all university facilities (with few exceptions);
2. Require six feet of distance between all persons inside classrooms and all university facilities (with few exceptions); and
3. Permit any faculty and staff who are concerned about the safety of returning to campus workspaces to (a) work remotely or (b) take unpaid leaves of absence.
July 22, 2021 Postscript: This petition was distributed for signatures on July 19, 2021. On July 20, 2021, the UA System Comprehensive Health and Safety Plan was revised.
The revised plan is less protective than the plan described above: it eliminates the universal "3 feet" social distancing policy and replaces it with an unenforceable honor system of "3 feet" of social distancing for the unvaccinated only.
In response to this revision, we again urge the administrators of the UA System to require six feet of distance between all persons inside classrooms and all university facilities (with few exceptions).
August 16, 2021 Postscript: On August 9, 2021, UAH implemented a mandatory and universal indoor mask mandate, thereby satisfying the first of this petition’s three demands. We applaud UAH for enacting this policy.
However, we continue to urge UAH to adopt universal social distancing indoors and to permit faculty, staff, and researchers to teach and work online (or choose to take unpaid leave).
UAH Signatories
1. Gary Zank, Trustee Professor, Eminent Scholar, Aerojet-Rocketdyne Chair, & Department Chair, Space Science; Director, Center for Space Plasma and Aeronomic Research (CSPAR)
2. Gary Maddux, Principal Director, Systems Management and Production Center (SMAP Center)
3. Anthony P. D'Costa, Eminent Scholar in Global Studies & Professor of Economics, College of Business
4. Phillip M. Ligrani, Eminent Scholar in Propulsion & Professor, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Propulsion Research Center
5. John R. Mecikalski, Professor & Chair, Atmospheric and Earth Science
6. J.A. Schneider, Professor, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering; Co-Director, Materials Science Program; Adjunct, Chemical and Material Science Engineering
7. Jeffrey Neuschatz, Distinguished Professor, Psychology
8. Robert Preece, Associate Professor, Space Science; Assistant Director, The Center for Space Plasma and Aeronomic Research (CSPAR)
9. Nicholaos Jones, Professor, Philosophy; Chair, Philosophy and Political Science
10. Eric Smith, Professor, English; Director, Humanities Center
11. Max Bonamente, Professor, Physics and Astronomy
12. Lingze Duan, Professor, Physics and Astronomy
13. Junpeng Guo, Professor, Electrical and Computer Engineering
14. Xiaotong Li, Professor, Management, Marketing and Information Systems
15. Pavica Sheldon, Professor, Communication Arts
16. Wolfram Verlaan, Associate Professor & Department Chair, Curriculum and Instruction
17. Joe Conway, Associate Professor & Director of Graduate Studies, English
18. Vinny Argentina, Associate Professor, Art, Art History, and Design
19. Angela Balla, Associate Professor, English
20. Anne Marie Choup, Associate Professor of Political Science, Philosophy and Political Science
21. Jeremy Fischer, Associate Professor of Philosophy, Philosophy and Political Science
22. John Harfouch, Associate Professor of Philosophy, Philosophy and Political Scienc
23. Qiang Hu, Associate Professor, Space Science
24. Chang-kwon Kang, Associate Professor, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
25. Mark Lin, Associate Professor, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
26. Sherri Messimer ,Associate Professor, Industrial and Systems Engineering
27. Sharon Melissa Morphew, Clinical Associate Professor, College of Professional Studies
28. Nicole Pacino, Associate Professor, History
29. Milton Shen, Associate Professor, Accounting
30. Bruce Stallsmith, Associate Professor, Biological Sciences
31. Christina Steidl, Associate Professor, Sociology
32. Ming Sun, Associate Professor, Physics and Astronomy
33. Joseph Taylor, Associate Professor, English
34. Huaming Zhang
Associate Professor, Computer Science
Computer Science
Science
35. Melissa Foster
Clinical Assistant Professor, College of Nursing
College of Nursing
36. Robert Thomson
Assistant Professor, Sociology
Sociology
37. Kristin Weger
Assistant Professor, Psychology
Psychology
Arts, Humanities, & Social Sciences
38. Heather Cross
Senior Lecturer, English
English
Arts, Humanities, & Social Sciences
39. Mary Snow
Senior Lecturer, Chemistry
Chemistry
Science
40. Nizar Abudiab
Lecturer, Mathematical Science
Theatre
41. Andrew Bisto
Lecturer, Sociology
Sociology
42. Bethany Boswell
Lecturer, English
English
43. Rebecca Chapman
Lecturer, Mathematical Science
Mathematical Science
44. Valdez Gant
Lecturer, Mathematical Science
Mathematical Sciences
Science
45. Augusta Gooch
Lecturer, Philosophy and English
Philosophy, English
Arts, Humanities, & Social Sciences
46. Michael L. McGinnis
Lecturer, English
English
Arts, Humanities, & Social Sciences
47. Colleen Noletto
Lecturer, English
English
48. Kerrin Ramachandran
49. Joseph Robertshaw
Lecturer, IEP
Lecturer, English
English
Arts, Humanities, & Social Sciences
50. Kelly M. Smith
Lecturer, History
History
Arts, Humanities, & Social Sciences
51. Jessica Tischler
52. William Bishop
Lecturer, Mathematical Science
Part-Time Faculty, Electrical and Computer Engineering
Electrical and Computer Engineering
53. Jennifer Case
Instructor, Music
Music
54. Justin Clay
Part-Time Faculty, Art
Art, Art History, & Design
55. Meghan Dunning
Clinical Instructor, College of Nursing
College of Nursing
56. Terryn Fredrickson
Part-Time Faculty-Lecturer, Electrical and Computer Engineering
Electrical and Computer Engineering
57. Julia Graham
Part-Time Lecturer, College of Business
Departmental Instruction, College of Business
58. Robert Pirtle
Part-Time Faculty-Lecturer, Physics
Physics
59. Sue Verlaan
Part-Time Lecturer, Education
Education
60. Kimberly Fletcher
Academic Advisor, Engineering
Academic Advisement
61. Jana Savanapridi
Academic Advisor, College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
62. Linda Haynes
Academic Technology Specialist, College of Nursing
College of Nursing
63. Maryann Bierer
Administrative Assistant, Computer Science
Computer Science
64. Jessica Rodgers
Assistant Director, Office of Sponsored Programs
Office Sponsored Programs
65. Melissa "Christine" Lewis, Program Administrator, Industrial and Systems Engineering
and Engineering Management
66. Jonathan Hicks
Computer Scientist I, S1, Rotorcraft
Rotorcraft
67. Telly Polychroniades
Computer Scientist I, S1, SMAP
SMAP
68. Slesa Adhikari
Computer Scientist II, S3, Earth System Science Center
Earth System Science Center
69. Muthukumaran Ramasubramanian
Computer Scientist II, S3, Earth System Science Center
Earth System Science Center
70. Iksha Gurung
Computer Scientist II, S4, Earth System Science Center
Earth System Science Center
71. Tim Miller
Contracts and Grants Accountant
72. Rokiem Roberts
Contracts and Grants Specialist I, Office of Sponsored Programs
Office Sponsored Programs
73. Calpurnia Garner
Contracts and Grants Accountant
Contracts & Grants Accounting
74. Charles Upton
Contracts and Grants Accountant
Contracts & Grants Accounting
75. Rebecca England
Coordinator II, Research Programs, Office of Technology
Commercialization
Office of Technology Commercialization
76. Melodie Cates
Coordinator, Nursing Accreditation and Regulation
College of Nursing
77. Mia Hardy
Desktop Support Specialist, Office of Information Technology
Office of Information Technology
78. Johnna Doty
Director of Music Technology, Lecturer
Music/Theatre
Arts, Humanities, & Social Sciences
79. Brian French
Group Fitness Instructor
University Recreation
80. Hunter Cowing
Information Tech Specialist, College of Nursing
College of Nursing
81. James Hardy
Laboratory Manager, College of Engineering
College of Engineering
82. Anita Daniel
Manager, Professional Development Solutions
Professional and Continuing Studies
83. Marianna Wester
Nurse Practitioner
Student Health Center
84. Bingbing Wang
Postdoctoral Research Assistant II, S4, CSPAR
CSPAR
85. Andrew Menz
Postdoctoral Research Assistant III, S1, CSPAR
CSPAR
86. Charles O'Brien
Principal Research Scientist I, S1
College of Nursing
87. Narayana Bhat
Principal Research Scientist II, S2
CSPAR
88. Mehrnaz Doustmohammadi
Principal Research Scientist II, S3
Civil Engineering
89. Gilmer Gary
Principal Research Scientist III
CSPAR
90. Philip Alldredge
Principal Research Scientist III S1
Rotorcraft
91. Jeffrey Levasseur
Principal Research Engineer
Research Institute
92. Veronica Belser
Program Administrator, CSPAR
CSPAR
93. Katie Greene
Program Coordinator, Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
94. Rachel Ward
Program Coordinator, CSPAR
CSPAR
95. Gabriele Cromartie
Program Coordinator, Propulsion Research Center (PRC)
Propulsion Research Center
96. Cheyenne Overton
Research Assistant I, S1, SMAP Center
SMAP
97. James Faw
Research Assistant I, S3, Research Institute
Research Institute
98. Alisa Brewer
Research Assistant II, S1, SMAP Center
SMAP
99. Marco Garcia
Research Assistant II, S1, SMAP Center
SMAP
100. Jonathan Mayo
Research Assistant II, S1
CCRE
101. Aubrey Northam
Research Assistant II, S1, Rotorcraft
Rotorcraft
102. Emily Risher
Research Assistant II, S1
CCRE
103. Shelby Tull
Research Assistant II, S1
SMAP
104. Dara Mulford
Research Assistant IV, S1, Rotorcraft
Rotorcraft
105. Tammy Smith
Research Associate I, Information Technology and Systems Center
ITSC
106. Michael Burleson
Research Associate I, S2, Optics
Optics
107. Christine Evans
Research Associate I, S2, Earth System Science Center
Earth System Science Center
108. Vanesa Martin
Research Associate I, S2, Earth System Science Center
Earth System Science Center
109. Maya Hannon
Research Associate I, S3, SMAP Center
SMAP
110. Leah Kucera
Research Associate I, S3, Earth System Science Center
Earth System Science Center
111. Camille Woods
Research Associate I, S4, Earth System Science Center
Earth System Science Center
112. Thomas Bennett
Research Associate II, S2, SMAP Center
SMAP
113. Jares Doverspike
Research Associate II, S2, SMAP Center
SMAP
114. Yanan Zhu
Research Associate II, S2, Earth System Science Center
Earth System Science Center
115. Justin Goldsmith
Research Associate II, S3, CSPAR
CSPAR
116. Chandler Kramer
Research Associate II, S3, SMAP Center
SMAP
117. Dana Waller
Research Associate II, S3, CSPAR
CSPAR
118. Jennifer Killen
Research Associate II, S4, SMAP Center
SMAP
119. Jane Kim
Research Associate III, S2, Rotorcraft
Rotorcraft
120. Amit Patel
Research Associate III, S3, Propulsion Research Center
Propulsion Research Center
121. Marc Byrd
Research Associate III, S4, Rotorcraft
Rotorcraft
122. Amanda Banks
Research Associate IV, S1, Industrial and Systems Engineering
Industrial and Systems Engineering
123. Xuanli Li
Research Associate V, S2, Earth System Science Center
Earth System Science Center
124. Danielle Denno
Research Engineer I, Rotorcraft
Rotorcraft
125. Nishanth Goli
Research Engineer II, S2, Rotorcraft
Rotorcraft
126. Tae Kim
Research Scientist II, S2, CSPAR
CSPAR
127. Danielle Groenen
Research Scientist II, S3, Earth System Science Center
Earth System Science Center
128. That Dai Hai Ton
Research Scientist II, S4, Earth System Science Center
Earth System Science Center
129. Charles Collins
Research Scientist III, S2, Information Technology and Systems Center
ITSC
130. James Laney
Sculpture Shop Technician, Art, Art History, & Design
Art, Art History, & Design
131. Caitlyn Schoenig
Security Assistant, Research Security Administration
Research Security Administration
132. Brianna Calhoun
Senior Accounting Assistant, Contracts and Grants Accounting
Contracts & Grants Accounting
133. Margaret Parker
Senior Staff Assistant, Space Science
Space Science
134. Christopher Pearson
Systems Engineer I, Office of Information Technology
Office of Information Technology
135. Janice Roberson
Warehouse Operations Clerk, Business Services
Business Services
[1] “Post-COVID Conditions,” updated July 12, 2021, https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/long-term-effects.html. [2] “Coronavirus in the U.S.: Latest Map and Case Count,” updated and accessed on July 19, 2021, https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2021/us/covid-cases.html. [3] SB267, signed into law on May 24, 2021, https://legiscan.com/AL/bill/SB267/2021. [4] “Comprehensive Health and Safety Plan,” updated May 21, 2021, accessed on July 19, 2021, https://uasystem.edu/covid-19/plan. [5] “Comprehensive Health and Safety Plan,” updated May 21, 2021, accessed on July 19, 2021, https://uasystem.edu/covid-19/plan. [6] “Campus Update: Update to UAH COVID-19 Health and Safety Requirements,” April 7, 2021, accessed on July 19, 2021, https://www.uah.edu/covid-19/campus-updates/16221-campus-update-update-to-uah-covid-19-health-and-safety-requirements. [7] “Guidance for COVID-19 Prevention in K-12 Schools,” updated July 9, 2021, accessed on July 19, 2021, https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/k-12-guidance.html. [8] “Guidance For Unvaccinated People: How to Protect Yourself & Others,” updated June 11, 2021, accessed on July 19, 2021, https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/prevention.html.
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