A Letter to My Students (March 24, 2020)

My Dear Students,
 
My apologies for being out of the loop recently. Over the past few days I have been trying to support the rest of the law faculty in transitioning to online learning. Then UP announced that given the gravity of the situation, even online learning has been suspended. I will of course follow the orders arising from the validly delegated authority of my superiors. Given how stark the situation is, even online learning is a privilege - one more function that may require staff to come into the office.
 
Crises like this one can help peel away what is unimportant and reveal the functional layer - the one that bears the most burden and will likely be the most vulnerable. Many of us will have the luxury of staying at home and studying online.  This will not be the case for many of our fellow citizens. Remember the people at the frontlines of this fight. Remember the people who keep the lights on, who guard the peace and cook your food.
 
For the time being, there will be no classes (on- or off-line), and no graded components of instruction. The goal is to keep every one focused on health and safety. We don’t want you forcing yourselves to go outside to get the connectivity necessary to participate online. It is a rare thing from the faculty…but our marching orders now call for compassion, openness, and special considerations.
 
I still don't know the University's plan regarding  resumption of classes. If you can, I hope you can find ways to study the law. These extraordinary times can provide opportunities to reflect on both the power and fragility of the law: Its ability to embody both the willingness to heal, or the drive to dominate. Over the next few days, when I am able, I will write down my thoughts, as well as some guide questions you can use to reflect on the materials in the syllabus. There will be no feedback mechanism that will affect your grades in any way. There are no grades, no deadlines, no interaction that will give you an advantage over your classmates. Reading the materials, reflecting on the guide questions, will be self-paced, self-directed, and voluntary.
 
Be careful out there and I hope to see you all again soon. Always assume that we are in the early days, the very early days - of a better nation.
 
Sincerely,
 
Emerson Banez