Vandal Lives Over Profits (VLOP), a student organization, began protesting against University of Idaho’s decision to hold in-person classes recently, standing on the sidelines of my orientation events.
Organized by Thys Ballard, a UI graduate student, the group has garnered the attention of both students and faculty for their die-in protests and eye-catching grim reaper costume.
“Our Vandal family matters more than the budget,” Ballard said. “They’re sacrificing budget either way. If they had closed originally, it would have been the same essential problem they are having now, but they might have a new problem because now they perhaps have death on their hands.”
The group’s number one concern is the possibility of major outbreaks on campus, which could cause widespread sickness and, possibly death.
VLOP member Jordan Hardy thinks the university has been misleading about claims regarding precautions, including hybrid class scheduling, controlled traffic pathways, socially distanced events and rules against on-campus gatherings/parties.
“If they were going to risk people’s lives for this, they should at least be upfront about it,” Hardy said.
Though off-campus events and gatherings go against UI’s precautions and guidelines, several parties at different locations have been reported. VLOP condemns any student partying or gathering which goes against CDC or UI guidelines, but the group puts more blame on the university than the students because UI brought the students back to campus.
“It feels like the uUniversity is almost trying to turn the blame away from itself towards the student body so they can get rid of some liability and make them seem more organized against (COVID-19) than they actually are,” Ballard said.
Students are receiving mixed messages from the city and university alike, Hardy said.
“The city and university don’t want them to attend the bars, but the city hasn’t closed the bars, so what message does that send them?” Hardy said. “I feel like there is a real lack of leadership happening.”
So far, VLOP has not received any meaningful communication from faculty members or university leadership. VLOP has focused on bringing students together in solidarity against in-person classes. VLOP hasn’t been able to gather a large numbers of protest participants, but the group is confident in the number of students who support the cause.
“They don’t want to physically come out because of the virus,” Hardy said.
VLOP does not intend to continue meeting after its goal for UI is achieved or afterCOVID-19 ceases to be a concern.
“We could have semesters on semesters of the university wondering if they should open up,” Ballard said. “This could go on for two more years, but in the short term, I think the end goal is to get some justice.”
“I think they should just take responsibility and close. I don’t even think the campus should fully close, but in-person classes shouldn’t be happening. I’m definitely concerned about the university, but I’m generally more concerned about the people, because once we lose somebody, that’s irreversible.”
As of Sept. 1, classes will continue in the hyflex model until Thanksgiving Break, at which point the university will use only remote instruction.
Carter Kolpitcke can be reached at [email protected].