Physical & Mental Health

As colleges grapple with the challenges and uncertainties of reopening this fall, they should ensure that any return-to-campus plan is fair in both perception and reality, writes Jen DeNeal.

By Jen DeNeal

Florida universities are ordered to open in person; Stanislaus State will go online for six weeks; a few Texas institutions will start online; required vaccines in Philadelphia, no confidence vote at Penn State; clusters at Duke; and colleges scramble to get students vaccinated.

University of Iowa said professors could only talk to students about face masks and vaccinations in course-related discussions about health. Faculty advocates said no way.

Scholars question the legality and morality of Cornell's refusal to consider requests from faculty to teach online -- even requests "premised on the need for a disability accommodation."

Louisiana State University faculty and staff members object to returning to a crowded campus and classrooms without a vaccine mandate as the state struggles with COVID.

Colleges and universities increasingly want their students and employees to get the jab. Cases involving vaccines within the University of California and other institutions begin to define the legal terrain.

Colleges and universities are beefing up their mental health services ahead of the fall semester as the uncertain trajectory of the pandemic continues to affect students.

Judges reject request for injunction against a requirement for students.