Headline RoundupDecember 30th, 2021

How Should Colleges Handle the Omicron Variant?

Summary from the AllSides News Team

Should colleges and universities revert back to remote learning and pandemic restrictions amid surging coronavirus cases? Or do the relatively low risks associated with COVID-19 for young people and the Omicron variant's apparent mildness make new regulations misguided?

Several major institutions, such as Princeton, Syracuse and Howard, are delaying the start of the spring semester by about a week. Cornell University moved final exams online and canceled all in-person gatherings. Stanford University and Northwestern University plan to begin the spring semester with remote learning. Others, such as Northeastern University, announced plans to maintain in-person learning for the spring shortly after announcing that all students must receive a booster shot of the COVID-19 vaccine. Over 30 other colleges, including New York University, Boston University and the University of California, have also mandated that students receive a booster shot. Several prominent college football bowl games have also been canceled due to COVID-19.

Some voices across the spectrum, especially on the right but also on the left, criticized colleges that switched back to remote learning. Many cited the fact that COVID-19 is rarely severe for young people and highlighted research that suggests virtual learning and closed classrooms have negative impacts on students' well-being. Some coverage from right-rated outlets focused specifically on how some colleges are mandating booster shots. Fox News (Right bias) highlighted a Princeton University student who criticized his school's purportedly overbearing COVID-19 rules.

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