Weekly Briefing: Reopenings Get Political

Critics fear that public colleges are losing their independence to state politicians. ADVERTISEMENT [logo] Was this newsletter forwarded to you? [Please sign up to receive your own copy.]( You’ll support our journalism and ensure that you continue to receive our emails. [Read this newsletter on the web](. When politics play a part in your reopening plans. This is a tale of two states and their public colleges. In different parts of the country, the institutions are caught in the cross hairs of Covid-19 and state politics: Iowa and Georgia. Recently, the cities that are home to the University of Iowa and Iowa State University became [coronavirus]( when students returned to campus. Administrators at both institutions say they are doing what they can to limit the spread of the virus, but as always, there are obstacles. The leaders of the [two]( [institutions]( blame students' off-campus parties for the rise in cases. Many students and faculty members say the virus-mitigation efforts are not enough and want the universities to cancel in-person classes. Still, some faculty members and students say they are comfortable with the reopening. [Ultimately, leaders]( are tied](. They must answer to Gov. Kim Reynolds of Iowa, a Republican, and members of the Board of Regents, who are appointed by the governor and who also oversee the University of Northern Iowa. Reynolds has [refused]( to make mask-wearing a state mandate. Instead, college leaders have relied on local governments to impose such a requirement. In Iowa City and Ames, home to Iowa and Iowa State, respectively, city leaders did so. Reynolds only ordered bars to close in six counties, including those where the universities are located. The Board of Regents was clear about its preference. In June its president, Michael J. Richards, said it intended to reopen campuses in the fall, complete with all on-campus activities. Also in June, our Michael Vasquez [chronicled similar clashes]( in Georgia between public-college leaders and state politicians. The Board of Regents, whose members are appointed by the state's Republican governor, is especially involved in decisions that affect the 26 institutions in the University System of Georgia. The board has also gotten involved in smaller issues at specific colleges. This summer, Georgia colleges were at odds with public-health experts over face masks. In June the 26 colleges said they would reopen for the fall semester [without requiring face masks](. When the University of West Georgia tried to make masks mandatory, that line in its reopening plan was deleted. About a month later, the [system]( down]( requiring face coverings at all 26 public institutions. Why does this matter now? Critics fear that public colleges are losing their independence to state political leaders. During a pandemic, if college leaders can't make certain decisions for their own institutions, that could have life or death consequences. [Our Eric Kelderman reports on the situation in Iowa](. [Our Michael Vasquez reports on Georgia](. Paid for and Created by University of Florida [Unstoppable Forces]( Featuring University of Florida students and faculty, UF’s new podcast, “Unstoppable Minds,” dives into the obstacles and achievements faced by those who challenge convention and themselves. ADVERTISEMENT Subscribe to The Chronicle Our mission, at a time of crisis and uncertainty, is to ensure you have the information you need to make the best decisions for your institution, your career, and your students. Please consider subscribing today to sustain our continuing coverage. [Subscribe Today]( Lagniappe. - Learn. This week, instead of a new fun fact or life hack, I'm sharing [this opinion column]( on why we should all care about the fires in the West. - Read. Welcome to the new phase of the Covid-19 pandemic: [the death spiral](. - Listen. If minimalist tunes recorded in the 1970s are your thing, listen to Arthur Russell's compilation [First Thought Best Thought](. - Watch. This week I watched the movie [Atlantics]( on Netflix. It may have been one of the best movies I've seen all year. Cheers, —Fernanda This Week‘s Top Reads PUBLIC HEALTH [Health Experts Warn Colleges Not to Send Students Home. But What if Quarantine Spaces Run Out?]( By Katherine Mangan [image] As campuses are overwhelmed with Covid-19 cases, they must decide: Shelter in place, or send students home? They hear arguments for both. ADVERTISEMENT FACULTY [George Washington U. Professor Who Lied About Being Black Resigns]( By Emma Pettit [image] Jessica A. Krug’s colleagues in the history department had called on her to resign. Failing that, they said, her tenure should be rescinded and she should be fired. ACADEMIC FREEDOM [This Tenured Professor Said His College’s Reopening Plans Risked Deaths. That’s Now in His Personnel File.]( By Megan Zahneis [image] He received a letter of reprimand for a comment on Facebook. Job Announcement Administrative Assistant III - Faculty Assignments position available at Monterey Peninsula College[Visit jobs.chronicle.com]( for more details. Paid for and Created by Utrecht University [Innovate your education? Change the culture!]( Seeking to create a culture of adaption and education innovation, Utrecht University is facilitating its students and faculty with up-to-date resources along with demand-driven services, fostering a willingness to sustainably innovate as the norm. The Chronicle's Latest Featured Report: The Post-Pandemic College [JUST RELEASED] [Leading experts examine how the pandemic will shape higher education]( in the years to come and what the college of the future may look like. To recover well, colleges must develop a more externally-focused business model, direct resources to expand professional development in online teaching, and continue to expand mental-health services. Job Opportunities [Search the Chronicle's jobs database]( to view the latest jobs in higher education. What did you think of today’s newsletter? [Strongly disliked]( // [It was OK]( // [Loved it](. [logo]( This newsletter was sent to {EMAIL}. [Manage]( your newsletter preferences, [stop receiving]( this email, or [view]( our privacy policy. © 2020 [The Chronicle of Higher Education]( 1255 23rd Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20037