Continuation Of Hybrid Learning At St. George's University SOM

On January 31, 2022, St. George’s University Vice-Chancellor announced the mandatory, full return of SGU students for the August 2022 term. While we respect the work put into this decision, we strongly believe SGU students should retain the option for hybrid/online learning.

Medical school in and of itself is a mental health stressor, adding the tasks of relocating during a pandemic to a country that does not have adequate hospital capacity to protect thousands of students in the event of a surge is worrisome. Many students are distressed by the recent announcement to return to in-person learning by June, given that COVID-19 is still volatile and the long-term effects of the disease are not well-understood. Emerging variants remain a catalyst to consider. Furthermore, we have seen the recent influx in cases around the world, and the ineffectiveness of vaccines to guarantee protection against variants. Students remain hesitant to return to in-person learning by June due to factors including lack of booster immunizations, larger class sizes, and limited access to facilities as existing safety protocols are insufficient to mitigate another surge in cases. 

CDC Level 4 Classification 

The CDC classifies Grenada as a Level 4 country and travel should be avoided. Data from the Texas Education Agency states there is an evident surge in cases with the arrival of students on campus in the last school year. Students are apprehensive of the mandated return as this approach was attempted before with a smaller set of students and resulted in an increase in COVID-19 cases. Thus leading to lockdowns, food shortages, and curfews. Regardless of vaccination status and mask mandates, returning to in-person learning will play a large role in the rise of Grenada’s COVID cases. 

Mental Health and Wellbeing Concerns 

Furthermore, SGU prides itself on being student-centric, however, abruptly shifting students to in-person learning can negatively impact their social, emotional, financial, and mental wellbeing which essentially affects their academic capabilities. Many students are fearful and anxious as they have become accustomed to the safe learning environment garnered over the past terms. 

Housing Not Guaranteed

Moreover, terms mandated for in-person return do not have guaranteed housing. According to current SGU policy, Term 1-2 students are guaranteed on-campus housing whereas students in Terms 3-5 will be entered into a lottery. Otherwise, leases are typically for a year period and would cost students in excess. Additionally, it would be extremely difficult for students to attain these leases in mass, introducing unnecessary stressors for students.

Students should retain the choice to either remain online or return to campus during an unpredictable pandemic. 

For these reasons and many more, we humbly request that St. Georges University reconsider the in-person mandate and continue allowing hybrid/online learning for all terms.