Faculty upset by University of Central Florida’s decision not to mandate masks
Classes resume at UCF Aug. 23 and while the area’s state colleges, Valencia and Seminole, are imposing a mask mandate indoors, UCF is not.UCF says keeping masks optional this fall is in line with guidance it has received from the Board of Governors, which oversees the state university system. But Seminole State College, and Valencia College, both broke from that guidance and are requiring masks indoors.UCF’s lack of mask mandate has upset the union that represents UCF faculty.”We think a mask wearing policy while the delta variant is wreaking havoc in Florida and other states is just sound policy,” Robert Cassanello, President of the Faculty Union, said. WESH 2 news reached out to UCF to ask why it decided to keep masks optional and a spokesperson sent this reply:”UCF strongly recommends that students, faculty and staff get vaccinated and wear masks, in alignment with CDC guidelines and Florida’s State University System.”The statement went on to detail a variety of safety protocols in place at UCF including the availability of vaccines and testing But the lack of a mask mandate is made clear on UCF’s website which informs students and staff that:”No member of the UCF community is permitted to require any other member of the UCF community to wear a face covering on campus.”The faculty Union President speculates UCF leaders fear if they impose a mask mandate it could upset state lawmakers and lead to a cut in funding. WESH 2 reached out to both UCF and the Board of Governor’s to ask about Cassanello’s claim but UCF did not respond to the question and so far, neither has the Board of Governor’s.Cassanello fears with no mask mandate, some faculty will leave the school.”They’re contemplating leaving the profession for something else or retiring early,” he said.
Classes resume at UCF Aug. 23 and while the area’s state colleges, Valencia and Seminole, are imposing a mask mandate indoors, UCF is not.
UCF says keeping masks optional this fall is in line with guidance it has received from the Board of Governors, which oversees the state university system.
But Seminole State College, and Valencia College, both broke from that guidance and are requiring masks indoors.
UCF’s lack of mask mandate has upset the union that represents UCF faculty.
“We think a mask wearing policy while the delta variant is wreaking havoc in Florida and other states is just sound policy,” Robert Cassanello, President of the Faculty Union, said.
WESH 2 news reached out to UCF to ask why it decided to keep masks optional and a spokesperson sent this reply:
“UCF strongly recommends that students, faculty and staff get vaccinated and wear masks, in alignment with CDC guidelines and Florida’s State University System.”
The statement went on to detail a variety of safety protocols in place at UCF including the availability of vaccines and testing
But the lack of a mask mandate is made clear on UCF’s website which informs students and staff that:
“No member of the UCF community is permitted to require any other member of the UCF community to wear a face covering on campus.”
The faculty Union President speculates UCF leaders fear if they impose a mask mandate it could upset state lawmakers and lead to a cut in funding.
WESH 2 reached out to both UCF and the Board of Governor’s to ask about Cassanello’s claim but UCF did not respond to the question and so far, neither has the Board of Governor’s.
Cassanello fears with no mask mandate, some faculty will leave the school.
“They’re contemplating leaving the profession for something else or retiring early,” he said.
Originally found on Read More
