A crowd of about 20 alumni, students and members of the Vanderbilt community gathered outside Buttrick Hall on Jan. 26 to share their testimonies and demand KN95 masks and hybrid options from administrators.

Students protesting outside Buttrick Hall, as photographed on Jan. 26, 2022. (Hustler Staff/Charlotte Mauger)

Brina Ratangee and Jessica Barker January 26, 2022

Approximately 20 Vanderbilt community members gathered outside of Buttrick Hall on Jan. 26 to continue protesting the administrative response to the omicron variant. Attendees held handmade signs reading “WE NEED MORE KN95’S,” “We Need Remote Options,” “My Health Your Wealth” and “Solidarity with Grad Labor,” while others gave speeches . 

Nick Goodell, Katie Larson and Lindsey Breidenbach — second-, fifth- and third-year graduate students, respectively — started an online petition on Jan. 14 that has accumulated just under 500 signatures as of print. It calls for “accessible hybrid options,” “broader testing accessibility” and “clear and consistent” COVID-19 guidelines , particularly for teaching assistants and instructors who test positive. The Jan. 26 demonstration was prompted by administration’s response to the petition.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has challenged us all and continues to do so as we work to find the best solutions possible while taking into account a variety of diverse needs and perspectives,” a Jan. 21 email from the Office of the Chancellor addressed to Larson and other graduate students reads. “We have taken a number of actions designed to continue in-person learning while making health and safety a priority.”

Larson called the response from administrators “scripted,” adding that it was redundant “fluff” with no new substantial material. A number of graduate students, law students and alumni each took turns sharing their testimonies with the group of protestors. 

Miguel Moravec, vice president of the Graduate Student Council, said in his speech that administration’s response to the petition encouraged him to join the graduate student union’s initiative. 

“When 500 people asked for a meeting and Vanderbilt’s administration said no, I had to get involved,” Moravec said.

Larson also stated that, while Vanderbilt provided only three KN95 masks to students, peer institutions like Brown University are giving their students and employees 10 masks per month. In her speech before the crowd, she said Vanderbilt could afford to give more KN95 masks to the student body if they could afford to send copies of “ A Year Like No Other ” to many community members.

Chancey Herbolsheimer added that many graduate students have not received their KN95 masks because some departments are waiting on mask shipments and due to a “lack of communication” regarding the process of obtaining masks for graduate students.

“Even if we did all get masks, three is not enough for the entire semester,” Herbolsheimer said. “We should not be forced to withdraw and risk our health.”

Jane Hussain, an alumna of Peabody College, emphasized the threat of COVID-19 for the immunocompromised in a speech at the protest, sharing her battle with lupus. She stated that, during her time at Vanderbilt, she would characterize the administration as “remote and authoritarian,” traits she expressed seem to have remained over 50 years later. 

“It sounds like it’s still the same and I’m very sorry to hear that,” Hussain said. “I think that the administration should want to be seen as an example, not only in Nashville, but throughout the country. It has all these distinguished doctors that are always on television and telling everybody what the safe practices are. The fact that they’re not practicing those same safe practices should be a great embarrassment to Vanderbilt.”

Alex Kosrunsky, an anthropology doctoral candidate, concluded the event by saying in a speech that those who signed the petition would receive information about a follow-up Zoom event on Feb. 3 at 6:30 p.m. CST.

“Vanderbilt also told News Channel 5 that ‘omicron is a significantly less severe illness.’ This kind of nonchalant attitude towards people’s health is insular, as their blanket approach disregards all individual circumstances,” the Vandy Grad Workers United Jan. 21 press release reads. “One current student is experiencing heart complications after being infected with COVID-19. Another experienced asthma complications. Still others are concerned with exposing immunocompromised loved ones at home. Vanderbilt’s policy strips faculty and students of autonomy and ability to protect themselves.”

A spokesperson for the university stated there was not anything to add beyond what was shared in response to the Jan. 18 demonstration.

“While we understand that many members of our highly vaccinated campus community who test positive may remain asymptomatic or have only mild symptoms, we also must protect the most vulnerable in our community and the surrounding Nashville area, which is why we have taken a number of actions designed to continue in-person learning while making health and safety a priority,” the statement reads.

Brina Ratangee ('25) is a student in the College of Arts and Science planning to major in medicine, health & society and neuroscience. When not writing for The Hustler, she enjoys solving trivia/crosswords, playing the violin and spending time with friends. You can reach her at [email protected]

Jessica M. Barker ('23) is a student in the College of Arts & Science. In her free time, she likes to garden and bake. She can be reached at [email protected]    

Charlotte Mauger ('24) is a student in the College of Arts and Science majoring in Public Policy with a minor in French. She previously served as managing editor and a deputy news editor. When not writing for The Hustler, you can find her on FaceTime with her cats, watching movies or exploring all Nashville has to offer. You can reach her at [email protected]

Vanderbilt annihilates Hawaii 63-10, scores most points in a game since 1969

Student groups react to antisemitic flyers found in West Nashville

HARRIS: Gillette is not a death sentence

SIMS: Neurodivergent disabilities are real-life human superpowers

Nashville’s hot but you’re hotter: Trendy ways to look and stay cool this fall

MORRIS: My UCC therapist told me to talk less

Commodore Brunch Week Zero: Statement Made

Founders Walk 2022: Dores Divest protesters detained, new formal format

Three Matchups to Watch: Vanderbilt vs. Elon

News and Notes: Vanderbilt football dismisses two student-athletes of duties, basketball releases nonconference schedule

Vanderbilt PhD candidate joins lawsuit against ‘restrictive’ immigration law

VSG launches Free Printing Program

Meet the eight Class of 2026 Ingram Scholars

Vanderbilt’s Peabody College turns 43

‘A death sentence’: Vanderbilt professor files lawsuit against university for in-person instruction mandate

Graduate Student Council elects new executive board

‘This class gives me hope’: Class of 2026 overall acceptance rate drops to 6.1%, record low

Vanderbilt graduate schools maintain national top rankings on 2023 U.S. News lists

‘We want to make sure every student has the maximum opportunity’: Q&A with Provost Raver and Dean Black

10.3% of early decision II applicants accepted to Class of 2026

‘I got to see God’s hand:’ Q&A with Cyntoia Brown and Former Gov. Bill Haslam

Chabad’s Rudy Rochman speaker event sparks allegations of racism, claims of antisemitism ensue

Debrief with Diermeier: Civil discourse, hybrid learning, mask mandates and more

Asian American Advocacy Project spearheads initiatives on campus to foster greater AAPI representation

Next Steps at Vanderbilt receives Tennessee Believes Grant to fund new major

The official student newspaper of Vanderbilt University

Protests work! Or lead to progress at least, admin just announced a second graduate student town hall on Feb. 3rd. I am genuinely rooting for the admin to take action regarding student concerns, such as green lighting the distribution of zoom links when students are positive with covid. Link to register here.

It’s weird such a small protest is getting this kind of coverage… when I walked by at noon I only saw 6 protesters. Not much of a story considering Vanderbilt has over 12K students. The vast, vast, vast majority of Vanderbilt students want in-personal learning and a true college experience. I’m glad Vanderbilt isn’t allowing the small small small minority to stop that. Anchor Down!

So the TAs just don’t want to go to work? lulz