Although we have seen massive improvements environmentally, such as an estimated 5% decrease in carbon emissions relative to 2019, there are also immense environmental consequences due to the economic setbacks of COVID-19.
Moving into the next half of 2020, it is essential to remember the words of Martin Luther King who preached that “an injustice anywhere, is a threat to justice everywhere.” This calls us as human beings to recognize the hardships that our neighbors endure and assist in the efforts towards equality.
This is a time where Americans must recognize their privilege. While this country’s COVID cases surpass 4 million, we must begin to question what it is we are doing wrong.
Marquette University's recent decision to hold in-person classes will disproportionately expose non-tenure-track faculty, graduate students and undergraduate students that work as teaching assistants to COVID-19, despite them having no say in university planning.
As a Jesuit institution, Marquette strives to uphold cura personalis, or “care of the whole person.” The university has a responsibility to place human lives above all else.
The university must develop numerous viable options for the uncertain future in order to protect international students at Marquette and ensure that they will be able to continue their education while still living in the U.S.
